cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
United Way of Lane County’s Promise Neighborhoods and the Benefits of Reading Readiness

In this paper, we measure statistical relationships between defining characteristics of incoming kindergartners and their initial literacy scores. Our analysis focuses on four elementary schools in Oregon’s Springfield School District: two Promise Neighborhood schools and two comparable non-Promise Neighborhood schools. Using scores from the literacy benchmark tests each incoming student takes upon entering kindergarten–controlling for variables such as family income, English language learners, gender, special education, and ethnicity–we find the defining characteristics with the most significant relationships that influence literacy scores. In the absence of a fully randomized experimental design, we give policy suggestions to United Way of Lane County to more effectively increase early literacy in the Lane County, as well as offer advice on the kinds of additional information that would permit a more definitive future study of the Promise Neighborhoods.
Advantages of a two-step procedure for school-based scoliosis screening

To verify if a “two step” school-based scoliosis screening procedure could reduce childhood radiation exposure and, if so, to estimate the subsequent reduction in radiogenic cancer fatalities and in socio-economic burden. Data from two different scoliosis screening programs (A and B) performed on a total of 8,995 children (age range 9–14) were examined. Children in program A (5,731 children) were screened using a “two-step” procedure in which school physicians performed the first clinical examination and uncertain cases were referred to an orthopaedist. The school physicians were previously instructed by orthopaedists in the recognition of a number of simple clinical signs. Children in program B (3,264 children) were screened using a “one-step” procedure in which the initial clinical examination was performed directly by an orthopedist. In both programs, suspected cases of scoliosis were then ascertained by the orthopaedist with Radiography. To evaluate the lifetime attributable risk of cancer mortality the guidelines of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Publication 60 were followed. The economic cost of the performed X-ray examination was calculated assuming the current National Health Service’s reimbursement to hospitals of euro 35 per X-Ray exam. The statistic significance of the difference in these estimates between the two programs was assessed using the proportions z-test. The issues of the relative sensitivity and specificity of the two programs were also examined. In programs A and B, 86 (1.5 %) and 95 (2.91 %) X-ray examinations were performed respectively (z=4.452, p<0.001). Based on these observations, a screening of 10,000 children directly performed by orthopaedists would result in 291 X-ray exams (2.91 %). A screening of the same number of children using a two-step procedure would result in 150 X-ray exams (1.5 %), with a savings of euro 4,935 for the National Health Care System, a reduction of 0.283 Sv of collective dose, and an estimated 50% reduction in the number of radiogenic malignant tumours. Using a two-step scoliosis screening procedure provides reasonable sensitivity and specificity while reducing costs and radiation exposure to children.
Organic and Sustainable: The Emergence, Formalization and Performance of a September 11th Disaster Relief Organization

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, spawned 252 new nonprofit organizations. We know little about these organizations, including how they emerged, formalized, met constituents' expectations for immediate performance, and ultimately survived. This article explores these issues through a case study of one successful organization, the Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund. Using concepts from disaster, organizational ecology, and entrepreneurship research, the analysis identifies six propositions that link these literatures, notably the role of resource acquisition in formalization and the role of legitimacy in both fund development and organizational endurance. The study contributes new knowledge about the role of collaboration in acquiring capacity to enhance responsiveness. The findings suggest potential parallels to the evolution of new nonprofit organizations in other contexts.
A full scale approximation of covariance functions for large spatial data sets

Summary. Gaussian process models have been widely used in spatial statistics but face tremendous computational challenges for very large data sets. The model fitting and spatial prediction of such models typically require O(n3) operations for a data set of size n. Various approximations of the covariance functions have been introduced to reduce the computational cost. However, most existing approximations cannot simultaneously capture both the large- and the small-scale spatial dependence. A new approximation scheme is developed to provide a high quality approximation to the covariance function at both the large and the small spatial scales. The new approximation is the summation of two parts: a reduced rank covariance and a compactly supported covariance obtained by tapering the covariance of the residual of the reduced rank approximation. Whereas the former part mainly captures the large-scale spatial variation, the latter part captures the small-scale, local variation that is unexplained by the former part. By combining the reduced rank representation and sparse matrix techniques, our approach allows for efficient computation for maximum likelihood estimation, spatial prediction and Bayesian inference. We illustrate the new approach with simulated and real data sets.
The Evolving Landscape of Internet Control: A Summary of Our Recent Research and Recommendations

Over the past two years, we have undertaken several studies at the Berkman Center designed to better understand the control of the Internet in less open societies. During the years we’ve been engaged in this research, we have seen many incidents that have highlighted the role of the Internet as a battleground for political control, including partial or total Internet shutdowns in China, Iran, Egypt, Libya, and Syria; many hundreds of documented DDoS, hacking, and other cyber attacks against political sites; continued growth in the number of countries that filter the Internet; and dozens of well documented cases of on- and offline persecution of online dissidents. The energy dedicated to these battles for control of the Internet on both the government and dissident sides indicated, if nothing else, that both sides think that the Internet is a critical space for political action. In this paper, we offer an overview of our research in the context of these changes in the methods used to control online speech, and some thoughts on the challenges to online speech in the immediate future.
Glycoconjugates mark a transient barrier to neural crest migration in the chicken embryo

We report that two molecular markers correlate with a transient inhibition of neural crest cell entry into the dorsolateral path between the ectoderm and the somite in the avian embryo. During the period when neural crest cells are excluded from the dorsolateral path, both peanut agglutinin lectin (PNA)-binding activity and chondroitin-6-sulfate (C6S) immunoreactivity are expressed within this path. Both markers decline as neural crest cells enter. Moreover, both markers are absent after an experimental manipulation that accelerates neural crest entry into this path. Specifically, dermamyotome deletions abolish expression of both markers and allow neural crest cells to enter the dorsolateral path precociously. After partial deletions, dermatome remnants remain. These remnants retain PNA and C6S labeling and impede migration locally. Local glycoconjugate expression thus correlates directly with avoidance responses. Since both PNA-binding activity and C6S expression also typify inhibitory somitic tissues, molecules indicated by these markers (or co-regulated molecules) are likely to inhibit both neural crest and axon advance.
Food Insecurity, Dietary Diversity, and Body Mass Index of HIV-Infected Individuals on Antiretroviral Therapy in Rural Haiti

Food rations are increasingly offered as part of HIV programs in resource-poor settings, often targeted solely to those with under-nutrition by low body mass index (BMI). This practice does not consider food insecurity, another important risk factor for poor outcomes in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH). We analyzed factors associated with low BMI and severe food insecurity in 523 PLWH receiving antiretroviral therapy in rural Haiti using logistic regression. Food insecurity was present in 89 % of individuals. Among those with severe food insecurity, 86 % had a BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m2. Severe food insecurity was associated with illiteracy [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.79, p = 0.005], having no income (AOR 1.58, p = 0.04), and poverty (p < 0.001). Compared with those with little to no food insecurity, individuals with severe food insecurity had a less diverse diet. We found that food insecurity was highly prevalent in PLWH receiving antiretroviral therapy in rural Haiti. Using BMI as a sole criterion for food supplementation in HIV programs can exclude highly vulnerable individuals who may benefit from such support.
Phase I lead-in and subsequent randomized trial assessing safety and modulation of regulatory T cell numbers following a maximally tolerated dose doxorubicin and metronomic dose cyclophosphamide combination chemotherapy protocol in tumour-bearing dogs.

Maximally tolerated dose (MTD) and metronomic dose chemotherapeutic approaches alter the immune system and the angiogenic process in different yet potentially complementary ways. A combination of MTD doxorubicin (MTD-DOX) and metronomic cyclophosphamide (mCTX) protocol was evaluated for safety and effect on circulating regulatory T (Treg) cells. We found that mCTX can be safely administered with MTD-DOX in tumour-bearing dogs. Both combination DOX/mCTX and single-agent DOX resulted in significant depletions of circulating lymphocytes throughout the chemotherapy cycle without apparent selectivity for Tregs. The indiscriminant lymphocyte depletions were similar between dogs randomized to receive DOX and dogs randomized to receive DOX/mCTX, suggesting this effect is because of DOX alone. These findings may have implications as to the therapeutic benefit (or lack thereof) of concurrent combination MTD and metronomic protocols. Future investigations are required to determine the effects and indeed the efficacy of concurrent versus sequential applications of MTD and metronomic chemotherapy protocols.
Neomucosal growth in serosa lined intestinal tunnels

Functional intestinal mucosa, termed neomucosa, will grow in patched intestinal defects, but intestinal patching does not result in significantly increased intestinal surface area. Our aim was to determine if neomucosal growth would occur longitudinally in serosa-lined tunnels and to evaluate the optimal type of tunnel construction. Thirty rabbits had serosa-lined intestinal tunnels 1.5 cm in diameter and 5 cm in length interposed in the ileum. Group I (n = 5) had the tunnel formed from adjacent colon segments. Group II (n = 15) had a similar tunnel created with placement of an intraluminal latex stent. Group III (n = 5) had the tunnel formed by imbricating the cecum. Group IV (n = 5) had the tunnel formed by imbrication plus the intraluminal stent. Only Group II animals survived beyond 7 days (12 of 15 vs 0 of 5, P < 0.05) and were sacrificed at 1 week (n = 3), 2 weeks (n = 3), 3 weeks (n = 2), 4 weeks (n = 2), and 6 weeks (n = 2). All other animals died from intestinal obstruction or peritonitis. Neomucosal growth occurred from proximal and distal margins. Forty percent of the tunnel was epithelialized at 6 weeks and the 5 cm tunnel contracted to 3 cm. In vitro glucose uptake was similar in neomucosa and normal mucosa but disaccharidase activity (sucrase and maltase) was significantly less in neomucosa at 6 weeks (28 ± 35 vs 84 ± 12 and 72 ± 51 vs 471 ± 84, P < 0.05). Although not clinically obstructed, the survivors lost 15% body weight and proximal intestinal diameter increased. Neomucosal growth will occur longitudinally in a surgically constructed serosa-lined tunnel. However, these tunnels contract significantly which limits the surface area gained. Formation of the tunnel from adjacent colon segments employing an intraluminal stent was the best configuration.
Does Puncture Site Affect the Rate of Nerve Injuries Following Endovenous Laser Ablation of the Small Saphenous Veins

Abstract Objectives The small saphenous vein (SSV) lies in close relationship with sural nerve and is at risk of damage during surgery or vein ablation procedures on this vein. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of puncture site for SSV endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) on the rate of post-operative sural nerve injury. Design Randomised controlled study. Patients and Methods Sixty patients with isolated SSV varicose veins (68 limbs) were randomised into two groups. All patients were treated with endovenous laser ablation procedures using radial fibres and a 1470 nm diode laser. In Group 1, SSVs were canulated from lateral malleolar part of the SSV. In Group 2, SSVs were canulated in the mid-calf. EVLA procedures were performed by using 12 W energy and 70 J cm−1 LEED (linear endovenous energy density). Local pain, ecchymosis, induration and paraesthesia in treated regions, vein diameter, treated vein length, tumescent anaesthesia volume, delivered energy were recorded. Follow-up visits were arranged on the 2nd post-operative day, 7th day, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th months. Results The mean SSV diameters at sapheno-popliteal junction (SPJ) and calf levels were Group 1 SPJ: 6.6 S.D. 1.2 mm, Calf: 5.1 S.D. 1.1 mm, and Group 2 SPJ: 6.8 S.D. 1.6 mm, Calf: 4.9 S.D. 1.3 mm. Adverse events after treatment were 1 patient with induration, 3 with ecchymosis and 6 minimal paraesthesia in Group 1 (malleolar) and 1 local pain, 4 minimal ecchymosis or induration and 1 paraesthesia in Group 2 (mid-calf). In Group 1 in two patients the paraesthesia lasted 2 months and then resolved spontaneously. In the remaining four patients’ paraesthesia resolved in less than 1 month without treatment. In Group 2 paraesthesia resolved spontaneously in two weeks. Induration, ecchymosis and local pain also resolved in less than 2 weeks in both groups. There was no recanalisation or reflux in the treated SSV of either group during the follow-up period. Conclusion Treatment of the SSV by endovenous laser ablation using a 1470 nm laser and a radial fibre is safe and effective. Puncturing the vein at mid-calf level causes less post-operative nerve injury without affecting the recanalisation rates.
Evolution and impact of temperature patterns during hydrogen oxidation on a Ni ring

Rotating temperature pulses were observed during hydrogen oxidation on a nickel ring. Changes in the pulse amplitude and width (with angular position) caused oscillations in the global reaction rate. With time, the pulse motion transformed to homogeneous oscillations. However, for several weeks, the pulse motion could be restored by a proper start up. As the time-on-stream increased, domain oscillations prevailed in which pulses alternately formed at few catalyst locations. The average conversion attained when a rotating pulse existed was sometimes significantly higher than that for homogeneous oscillations under the same operating conditions. Increasing the gas-phase mixing in the vessel enhanced the formation and prolonged the life of the rotating pulses, indicating that global interaction stabilized this motion. The time-averaged local temperature rise as a function of angular position was similar for various qualitatively different patterns, indicating an underlying nonuniformity in the system.
Direct Preparation of Trifluoromethyl Ketones from Carboxylic Esters: Trifluoromethylation with (Trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane.

Previously difficult to prepare, aliphatic and alicyclic trifluoromethylketones (e.g. 1 and 2), which are of pharmacalogic interest as potential enzyme inhibitors, can now be synthesized easily and efficiently. The one-step reaction starting with carbonic esters and trimethyl(trifluoromethyl)silane is induced by tetrabutylammonium fluoride in nonpolar, aprotic solvents and proceeds without formation of double-addition products.
Sub-Boltzmann transistors with piezoelectric gate barriers

Scaling of field-effect transistors (FETs) is limited by the high power dissipation density, and the resulting heat generation in ICs [1]. This is due to the non-scalability of subthreshold slope (SS), i.e. the gate voltage required to change the drain current by an order of magnitude; the value is limited to SS=kTln(10)~60 mV/dec in a classical Boltzmann FET switch [2-3]. Tunneling FETs are being investigated for sub-Boltzmann switching. But even a conventional FET can potentially achieve sub-Boltzmann switching taking advantage of ferroelectric gates materials [3]. It is possible to amplify the internal channel surface potential, Ψs over the applied gate bias voltage, Vg; using negative differential capacitance (NDC) in the gate insulator. The “body factor” then reduces below unity i.e. m = ∂Vg / ∂Ψs <; 1, and hence the subthreshold slope (SS=m×60 mV/dec) can be lowered below 60 mV/dec. In this work, we show that such internal gain mechanism can also exist in piezoelectric gate materials, such as in AIN/GaN heterostructures.
Rapid biocatalytic polytransesterification: reaction kinetics in an exothermic reaction

Biocatalytic polytransesterification at high concentrations of monomers proceeds rapidly and is accompanied by an increase in the temperature of the reaction mixture due to liberation of heat of reaction during the initial phase. The authors have used principles of reaction calorimetry to monitor the kinetics of polymerization during this initial phase, thus relating the temperature to the extent of polymerization. Rate of polymerization increases with the concentration of monomers. This is also reflected by the increase in the temperature of the reaction mixture. Using time-temperature-conversion contours, a differential method of kinetic analysis was used to calculate the energy of activation ({approximately} 15.1 Kcal/mol).
Ocean acoustics research figures in debate about protecting marine mammals

A recent U.S. Senate committee hearing about the re-authorization of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 focused on one word; harassment. Concern about whether anthropogenically produced underwater noise actually harasses or even may be involved in the deaths of some marine mammals has become a heated issue which has led to recent lawsuits and court rulings to halt or restrict some scientific research and U.S. naval operations. (See Eos, 29 April 2003). At a 16 July hearing, Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), chair of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, said a balance needs to be found between research needs and military readiness on one hand, and protection of marine mammals on the other hand.
Calculation of Pitzer Parameters at High Ionic Strengths

A technique is developed for univalent salts that allows calculation of activity coefficients at very high ionic strengths using solubility data. Pitzer parameters for binary solutions are extended...
Character Legibility versus Resolution in Image Processing of Printed Matter

In order to determine optimum resolution requirements for digital facsimile systems, a legibility study was conducted. The study was designed to measure the quality of output copy as a function of equipment parameters and copy parameters. The experimental equipment permitted systematic variations in horizontal and vertical resolution, scan direction, and simulated transmission noise; the test documents prepared included uppercase and lowercase characters of several sizes. During the course of the overall study, more than 300 subjects read the facsimile output copies; approximately 750 000 responses were accumulated and analyzed. The data are summarized by showing the spatial resolutions required to maintain 97.5 percent legibility for varying character sizes. Measurements were also made on secondary parameters, indicating slight differences in legibility due to scan direction, and a decrease in legibility when type was lowercase rather than uppercase. The decrease in legibility was also measured for a model of channel errors that assumes the use of run-length compression coding. Some of the results of this study can be generalized to other display systems.
Perceptions of Custodial Grandparents Among Young Adults

This study's purpose was to investigate young adults' perceptions of grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. Over 1,200 young adult volunteers (M age = 21) read a randomly assigned scenario describing a grandparent raising a grandchild. Scenarios varied in terms of grandchild gender, grandparent ethnicity, the presence/absence of grandchild problems, and the reason for the assumption of the grandparent caregiving role. Results suggested that perceptions of custodial grandparents varied across reason for role assumption, wherein the most negative perceptions were tied to less socially acceptable circumstances for the assumption of the grandparent role (e.g., child abuse, drug abuse, abandonment). In addition, perceptions varied in terms of whether the grandparent was raising a problematic child. These data suggest that in varying degrees young adults may perceive custodial grandparents differently dependent on the life circumstances of the grandparent.
Structure-guided transformation of channelrhodopsin into a light-activated chloride channel

Using light to silence electrical activity in targeted cells is a major goal of optogenetics. Available optogenetic proteins that directly move ions to achieve silencing are inefficient, pumping only a single ion per photon across the cell membrane rather than allowing many ions per photon to flow through a channel pore. Building on high-resolution crystal-structure analysis, pore vestibule modeling, and structure-guided protein engineering, we designed and characterized a class of channelrhodopsins (originally cation-conducting) converted into chloride-conducting anion channels. These tools enable fast optical inhibition of action potentials and can be engineered to display step-function kinetics for stable inhibition, outlasting light pulses and for orders-of-magnitude-greater light sensitivity of inhibited cells. The resulting family of proteins defines an approach to more physiological, efficient, and sensitive optogenetic inhibition.
Some stability theorems for an abstract equation in Hilbert space with applications to linear elastodynamics

Abstract Previous results of Knops and Payne concerning continuous data dependence in linear elastodynamics are extended to include the case where the elasticities may be time dependent. Our results, which include stability under perturbations of both the elasticities and the initial geometry, are obtained by applying a logarithmic convexity argument to the Cauchy problem associated with an abstract differential equation in Hilbert space.
Perioperative Arrhythmias and Acute Right Heart Failure in Noncardiac Thoracic Surgery

Perioperative arrhythmias after non-cardiac thoracic surgery, with atrial fibrillation (AF) being the most common, have a reported incidence of 18 % and are directly proportional to the increasing age of the patient and whether an anatomical lung or esophageal resection is done. When sustained for more than 48 hours, AF is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic events. Hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) lengths of stay are increased as well as costs. Great effort is placed in identifying patients at risk to target appropriate prophylaxis. Acute right ventricular failure is a rare occurrence in patients at risk such as those with pulmonary hypertension, left ventricular failure, and undergoing a right pneumonectomy. The goal of this review is to highlight the current management of perioperative arrhythmias and right heart failure.
Effect of metallic impurities on the gasification of graphite in water vapor and hydrogen

Abstract The catalytic effects of metallic impurities on the reactivity of graphite towards water vapor and hydrogen in the temperature range 25° to 1100°C have been investigated as a function of the oxidation state of the impurity. Iron, cobalt and nickel are active catalysts for the former reaction between 600° and 1000°C when the metal is kept in the reduced state by means of added hydrogen. Motion of the metallic particles on the basal plane surface of the graphite during the reaction leads to the formation of channels which with the smallest catalyst particles are oriented mostly in the 〈1120〉 directions. Vanadium and molybdenum are weak catalysts under these conditions, whereas copper, zinc, cadmium, silver, chromium, manganese and lead are inactive. When hydrogen is absent so that the metal remains in the oxidized state, the catalytic activity of all these impurities is low or negligible. The reaction of graphite with dry hydrogen occurs less readily but is again strongly catalyzed by metallic iron, cobalt and nickel. Manganese, chromium, molybdenum and vanadium show a slight catalytic effect in the hydrogenation reaction at temperatures around 1000°C, whereas copper, zinc, cadmium, silver and lead are inactive.
Chemotherapy of advanced renal adenocarcinoma

The treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma is a continuing problem because of the lack of effective systenic therapy. A review of recent clinical trials of various chemotherapeutic agents reveals vinblastine, CCNU, and Methyl GAG to be the most effective of all agents tested. This efficacy however, is in the modest range of 15% partial response. Somewhat increased efficacy is seen in combination regimens containing vinblastine. Hormonal therapy with progestins and androgens is widely used because of their slight efficacy, lack of toxicity, and the psychological benefit of doing something. It should be considered, when judging the efficacy of any systemic therapy used in this disease, that the patients with minimal pulmonary disease always fair the best.
Fluency in Writing Generating Text in L1 and L2

This study explores the relation between fluency in writing and linguistic experience and provides information about the processes involved in written text composition. The authors conducted a think-aloud protocol study with native speakers of English who were learning French or German. Analysis reveals that as the writer's experience with the language increases, fluency (as measured by words written per minute) increases, the average length of strings of words proposed between pauses or revision episodes increases, the number of revision episodes decreases, and more of the words that are proposed as candidate text get accepted. To account for these results, the authors propose a model of written language production and hypothesize that the effect of linguistic experience on written fluency is mediated primarily by two internal processes called the translator and the reviser.
Characterization of Mg2+- and (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity in adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum☆

Abstract The presence of an energy-dependent calcium uptake system in adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum ( D. E. Bruns, J. M. McDonald, and L. Jarett, 1976 , J. Biol. Chem.251, 7191–7197) suggested that this organelle might possess a calcium-stimulated transport ATPase. This report describes two types of ATPase activity in isolated microsomal vesicles: a nonspecific, divalent cation-stimulated ATPase (Mg2+-ATPase) of high specific activity, and a specific, calcium-dependent ATPase (Ca2+ + Mg2+-ATPase) of relatively low activity. Mg2+-ATPase activity was present in preparations of mitochondria and plasma membranes as well as microsomes, whereas the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity appeared to be localized in the endoplasmic reticulum component of the microsomal fraction. Characterization of microsomal Mg2+-ATPase activity revealed apparent Km values of 115 μ m for ATP, 333 μ m for magnesium, and 200 μ m for calcium. Maximum Mg2+-ATPase activity was obtained with no added calcium and 1 m m magnesium. Potassium was found to inhibit Mg2+-ATPase activity at concentrations greater than 100 m m . The energy of activation was calculated from Arrhenius plots to be 8.6 kcal/mol. Maximum activity of microsomal (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase was 13.7 nmol 32P/mg/min, which represented only 7% of the total ATPase activity. The enzyme was partially purified by treatment of the microsomes with 0.09% deoxycholic acid in 0.15 m KCl which increased the specific activity to 37.7 nmol 32P/mg/min. Characterization of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity in this preparation revealed a biphasic dependence on ATP with a Hill coefficient of 0.80. The apparent Kms for magnesium and calcium were 125 and 0.6–1.2 μ m , respectively. (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity was stimulated by potassium with an apparent Km of 10 m m and maximum activity reached at 100 m m potassium. The energy of activation was 21.5 kcal/mol. The kinetics and ionic requirements of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase are similar to those of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase in sarcoplasmic reticulum. These results suggest that the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase of adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum functions as a calcium transport enzyme.
Is Postexcision, Preradiation Mammogram Necessary in Patients After Breast-Conserving Surgery with Negative Margins

Background In women with breast cancer and calcifications, controversy exists over the need for postexcision/lumpectomy, preradiation mammogram (PEM) after breast-conserving surgery (BCS). Further, the need for excision of remaining or suspicious calcifications after PEM when surgical margins are negative is unclear. We sought to characterize the utility of PEM hypothesizing that its value in directing the need for additional surgery is minimized after achieving negative surgical margins.
NAGPRA at 20: A Selective Annotated Bibliography

This bibliography is intended to help law students, attorneys, law librarians, Native Americans, anthropologists, museum staff, and individuals in state and federal agencies conduct research on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. This bibliography gathers together a collection of books, book chapters, law review articles, and Web sites to facilitate legal research in this subject area.
Use of UV-irradiated bacteriophage T6 to kill extracellular bacteria in tissue culture infectivity assays

Abstract We have utilized ‘lysis from without’ mediated by UV-inactivated bacteriophage T6 to eliminate extracellular bacteria in experiments measuring the internalization, intracellular survival and replication of Yersinia pestis within mouse peritoneal macrophages and of Shigella flexneri within a human intestinal epithelial cell line. The technique we describe has the following characteristics: (a) bacterial killing is complete within 15 min at 37°C, with a > 10 3 -fold reduction in colony-forming units (CFU); (b) bacteria within cultured mammalian cells are protected from killing by UV-inactivated T6; (c) the mammalian cells are not observably affected by exposure to UV-inactivated T6. This technique has several advantages over the use of antibiotics to eliminate extracellular bacteria and is potentially widely applicable in studies of the interactions between pathogenic bacteria and host phagocytic cells as well as other target tissues.
Role of Proopiomelanocortin Neuron Stat3 in Regulating Arterial Pressure and Mediating the Chronic Effects of Leptin

Although signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) is a key second messenger by which leptin regulates appetite and body weight, its role in specific neuronal populations in metabolic regulation and in mediating the chronic effects of leptin on blood pressure is unknown. The current study tested the hypothesis that Stat3 signaling in proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons mediates the chronic effects of leptin on mean arterial pressure (MAP), as well as on glucose regulation, energy expenditure, and food intake. Stat3 flox/flox mice were crossed with POMC-Cre mice to generate mice with Stat3 deletion specifically in POMC neurons (Stat3 flox/flox /POMC-Cre). Oxygen consumption (Vo 2 ), carbon dioxide respiration (Vco 2 ), motor activity, heat production, food intake, and MAP were measured 24 hours/d. After baseline measurements, leptin was infused (4 μg/kg per min, IP) for 7 days. Stat3 flox/flox /POMC-Cre mice were hyperphagic, heavier, and had increased respiratory quotients compared with control Stat3 flox/flox mice. Baseline MAP was not different between the groups, and chronic leptin infusion reduced food intake similarly in both groups (27 versus 29%). Vo 2 , Vco 2 , and heat production responses to leptin were not significantly different in control and Stat3 flox/flox /POMC-Cre mice. However, leptin-mediated increases in MAP were completely abolished, and blood pressure responses to acute air–jet stress were attenuated in male Stat3 flox/flox /POMC-Cre mice. These results indicate that Stat3 signaling in POMC neurons is essential for leptin-mediated increases in MAP, but not for anorexic or thermogenic effects of leptin.
The stimulation of hepatic adenylate cyclase by prostaglandin E1

Abstract Adenylate cyclase activity associated with particulate preparations from rat, mouse, rabbit, and dog liver is stimulated 2-to 5-fold by prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). This stimulation is dependent upon the presence of guanosine-5′-triphosphate (GTP). Prostaglandins F1a and F2a do not alter the enzymatic activity under these same conditions. Optimal concentrations of PGE1 + GTP stimulate rat liver adenylate cyclase more than glucagon alone, but less than glucagon + GTP. Activity measured with glucagon + GTP is not affected by addition of PGE1. Stimulation from PGE1 + GTP is increased by glucagon to the same level measured with glucagon + GTP.
Edrophonium: an aid in the diagnosis of acute organophosphate poisoning

Unsuspected accidental cutaneous exposure to an organophosphate insecticide caused flaccid paralysis in a 10-year-old girl. Electromyogram demonstrated repetitive compound muscle action potentials in response to a single stimulus of nerve; decremental response, more prominent at higher rates of stimulation; worsening of decremental response after edrophonium injection; and normal nerve conduction velocities. Electromyogram with repetitive nerve stimulation and an edrophonium test may provide a simple and rapid method for diagnosis of acute organophosphate poisoning.
Integration Requirements for Integration's Sake? Identifying, Categorising and Comparing Civic Integration Policies

Several countries in Europe have recently adopted obligatory language and country-knowledge requirements for settlement, naturalisation and immigration. Integration tests, courses and contracts are only a few examples of the new ‘civic integration policies’ states are using to promote individual autonomy and common values for newcomers. Are these requirements in response to concrete problems of immigrant integration? Do they enable, or actually inhibit, integration? This paper examines the various pressures behind attaching mandatory integration requirements to status acquisition. To systematically examine these policies, I develop a civic integration index (CIVIX) to measure language, country-knowledge and value-commitment requirements across the EU-15. While there is a general shift toward civic requirements across Europe, evidence reveals important differences in the degree of policy change. Finally, I explore how new civic requirements complement or challenge existing citizenship practices, identifyin...
Effects of soil data resolution on SWAT model stream flow and water quality predictions

The prediction accuracy of agricultural nonpoint source pollution models such as Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) depends on how well model input spatial parameters describe the characteristics of the watershed. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of different soil data resolutions on stream flow, sediment and nutrient predictions when used as input for SWAT. SWAT model predictions were compared for the two US Department of Agriculture soil databases with different resolution, namely the State Soil Geographic database (STATSGO) and the Soil Survey Geographic database (SSURGO). Same number of sub-basins was used in the watershed delineation. However, the number of HRUs generated when STATSGO and SSURGO soil data were used is 261 and 1301, respectively. SSURGO, with the highest spatial resolution, has 51 unique soil types in the watershed distributed in 1301 HRUs, while STATSGO has only three distributed in 261 HRUS. As a result of low resolution STATSGO assigns a single classification to areas that may have different soil types if SSURGO were used. SSURGO included Hydrologic Response Units (HRUs) with soil types that were generalized to one soil group in STATSGO. The difference in the number and size of HRUs also has an effect on sediment yield parameters (slope and slope length). Thus, as a result of the discrepancies in soil type and size of HRUs stream flow predicted was higher when SSURGO was used compared to STATSGO. SSURGO predicted less stream loading than STATSGO in terms of sediment and sediment-attached nutrients components, and vice versa for dissolved nutrients. When compared to mean daily measured flow, STATSGO performed better relative to SSURGO before calibration. SSURGO provided better results after calibration as evaluated by R(2) value (0.74 compared to 0.61 for STATSGO) and the Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient of Efficiency (NSE) values (0.70 and 0.61 for SSURGO and STATSGO, respectively) although both are in the same satisfactory range. Modelers need to weigh the benefits before selecting the type of data resolution they are going to use depending on the watershed size and level of accuracy required because more effort is required to prepare and calibrate the model when a fine resolution soil data is used.
Ambulatory Setting for Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Placement

A modified fluoroscopic technique by adding ultrasound-assistance ensuring entry into the abdominal cavity and avoiding the risk of epigastric artery injury under direct ultrasound visualization was recently published. This study demonstrated that the technique was minimally invasive and allowed for accurate assessment of entry into the abdominal cavity and avoidance of vascular injury. In the current analysis, we report the impact of this technique on hospital stay during a peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter insertion. Twenty-six PD catheters have been placed on an outpatient basis using this technique. All catheter insertions were successful. Patients were discharge on the same day of the procedure. There were no procedure-related complication or related to short hospital stay. An ambulatory setting allows for a short hospital stay without compromising patient care. This brief paper explains in detail the pre, peri and postoperative period and follow-up.
Got green? addressing environmental justice in park provision

We present a pragmatic approach to assist planners in addressing racial inequities in park access. Utilizing the Los Angeles metropolitan region as an example, we used Thiessen polygons to delineate a service area for each park, and described potential park congestion or ‘pressure’ in each park service area. Results show that Latinos, African-Americans, and low-income groups in general were likely to live close to parks with higher potential park congestion. On the other hand, predominantly White, high-income areas were typically located close to parks with lower potential park congestion levels. The park service area analysis presented here facilitates the identification of areas with greater park need and provides a pragmatic way to redress existing disparities in park access. Built into a set of web-based decision support tools, the approach fosters greater community participation and empowers local stakeholders in the process of park provision.
Radiation processes in hot dense plasmas

Abstract We discuss some novel atomic physics issues which arise when considering radiative processes occurring in a hot dense plasma rather than in isolation. In hot plasmas new features, and new processes, result from the presence of highly ionized species rather than neutral atoms. When plasmas are dense as well as hot, further novel features arise both from the static compression (superscreening) of matter and from the time scales of interaction. We begin with a brief review of considerations in inertial confinement fusion. We sketch an organization of the general issues of atomic physics in order to prepare for a discussion of the modifications in a plasma. We illustrate with model calculations some of the new features of the plasma environment.
An analytical study of the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) processes in a rotating pedestal reactor

Abstract The epitaxial growth and fluid dynamics characteristics of pedestal Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) reactors were studied analytically, with emphasis on the effects of susceptor rotation and thermal diffusion on the epitaxial growth rate. The coupled transport equations were solved by numerical integration and a multiple shooting technique. The pressure, velocity, temperature and concentration distributions were calculated and studied for various rotation speeds and operating conditions. The ranges of the process parameters in actual CVD reactors were estimated. It is found that different combinations of the external forced flow and the susceptor rotation have similar temperature and concentration distributions for the Schmidt number around unity when the results are presented in terms of a properly normalized vertical coordinate. The changes in susceptor rotation and external forced flow have nearly identical effects on the epitaxial growth rate for the Schmidt numbers greater than unity. At small Schmidt numbers, the epitaxial growth rate can be enhanced by increasing the forced flow velocity.
Antineoplastic Agents. 450. Synthesis of (+)-Pancratistatin from (+)-Narciclasine as Relay1a

(+)-Narciclasine (2) available in quantity from certain Amaryllidaceae species or by total synthesis was employed as a precursor for a 10-step synthetic conversion (3.6% overall yield) to natural (+)-pancratistatin (1a). The key procedures involved epoxidation of natural (+)-narciclasine (2) to epoxide 6, reduction to diol 8, and formation of cyclic sulfate 12 and its ring opening with cesium benzoate followed by saponification of the benzoate to afford (+)-pancratistatin (1a).
Naming the Animals that Come to Mind: Effects of Culture and Experience on Category Fluency

This article considers the semantic structure of the animal category from a cross-cultural developmental perspective. Children and adults from three North American communities (urban majority culture, rural majority culture and rural Native American) were prompted to generate animal names, and the resulting lists were analyzed for their underlying dimensionality and for the typicality or salience of specific animal names. The semantic structure of the animal category appeared to be consistent across cultural groups, but the relative salience of animal kinds varied as a function of culture and first-hand experience with the natural world. These results provide evidence of a shared representation of animals across disparate cultures but also indicate a role for culture in shaping animal concepts.
The relationship between Vietnamese youths’ access to health information and positive social capital with their level of HIV knowledge: results from a national survey

This paper examines how Vietnamese adolescents’ access to health information, especially concerning HIV, and their level of social capital might predict their differential levels of HIV knowledge. It uses data from the 2003 Vietnam Survey Assessment of Vietnamese Youth (VNSAVY), which collected information on Vietnamese adolescents’ level of HIV knowledge, access to health information, and their social capital. The survey is the first population-based survey on Vietnamese young people and involved 7584 adolescents and young adults. This study employs k-means clustering technique with cross-validation procedure to build an indicator of social capital. Analyses involve weighted generalized ordinal regression, finding that having access to more information sources increases the level of accurate HIV knowledge among Vietnamese adolescents, though the effect is strongest among those with the lowest level of HIV knowledge and much weaker among adolescents already having an average level of HIV knowledge. Having...
Antagonistic regulation of tight junction dynamics by glucocorticoids and transforming growth factor-beta in mouse mammary epithelial cells.

Abstract The synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, stimulated the transepithelial electrical resistance and suppressed the DNA synthesis of 31EG4 nontransformed mouse mammary epithelial cells. The addition of transforming growth factor-β 1 (TGF-β) to mammary cells simultaneously with or up to 24 h after dexamethasone treatment prevented the steroid induction of transepithelial electrical resistance and stimulated the incorporation of [3H]thymidine. However, the TGF-β inhibition of tight junction formation did not require de novo DNA synthesis. Confocal microscopy revealed that the organized immunostaining pattern of the tight junction protein, ZO-1, and F-actin at the cell periphery was disrupted by TGF-β, resulting in disorganized and diffuse staining patterns throughout the cell. Western blot analysis demonstrated that TGF-β did not alter the protein levels of ZO-1. In contrast to cells not treated or pretreated with steroid for up to 24 h, TGF-β had no effect on cells pretreated with dexamethasone for 48 h. Transfection of chimeric reporter genes containing promoters responsive to either glucocorticoid or TGF-β demonstrated that the mutual antagonism of tight junction dynamics by dexamethasone and TGF-β occurs in the presence of intact signaling pathways. Taken together, our results establish for the first time that glucocorticoids and TGF-β can antagonistically regulate tight junction formation in a nontransformed mammary cell line.
Epigenetics: Actors in the cell reprogramming drama

The transformation of skin cells into stem cells is a fascinating but poorly understood process. At last, the molecular characters underlying the initial steps have been revealed. See Letter p.652 The early epigenetic mechanism by which somatic cells are reprogrammed to induced puripotent stem (iPS) cells by the 'Yamanaka factors' is unknown. Asa Abeliovich and colleagues show that by the fourth day of cellular reprogramming two DNA-modification enzymes, Parp1 and Tet2, are recruited to the endogenous pluripotent loci, such as Nanog and Esrrb, leading to localized accumulation of modified cytosine bases, 5mC and 5hmC. Parp1 and Tet2 act through separate but overlapping mechanisms to regulate the 5hmC/5mC ratio, which correlates with transcriptional activity. These findings suggest additional roles for 5hmC during epigenetic reprogramming.