cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic repair is a safe and effective option for octogenarians in treating complex aortic aneurysm compared with nonoctogenarians.

Abstract Objective Open repair of complex aortic aneurysms is frequently not an option for octogenarians because of prohibitive surgical risks. This study aimed to analyze the outcomes of fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic repair (F-BEVAR) in octogenarians (≥80 years old) compared with nonoctogenarians ( Methods We reviewed 893 patients with pararenal or extent I to V thoracoabdominal aneurysms, enrolled in six prospective physician-sponsored investigational device exemption studies from 2012 to 2018. All patients were treated with either company-manufactured off-the-shelf or patient-specific F-BEVAR stent grafts. Data analyzed included demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, history of active cancer, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, aortic anatomy characteristics, and procedural data. End points included mortality, major adverse events (all-cause mortality, stroke, paralysis, acute kidney injury [RIFLE criteria], dialysis, myocardial infarction, respiratory failure, and bowel ischemia), technical success, hospital length of stay, target artery instability (occlusion/stenosis, endoleak, rupture or death), and secondary interventions. Results During the study period, 195 octogenarian patients (22%) and 698 (78%) nonoctogenarian patients were treated with F-BEVAR. Octogenarians presented more frequently with a history of cancer (17% vs 11%; P = .01), whereas nonoctogenarians more frequently had hyperlipidemia (76% vs 65%; P = .003), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (42% vs 33%; P = .04) and American Society of Anesthesiologists class III to V (78% vs 70%; P = .02). Male sex was similar between groups (68% [octogenarians] vs 70% [nonoctogenarians]; P = .62). Octogenarians had a larger mean aneurysm diameter (67 ± 1 mm vs 65 ± 1 mm; P = .002). The thoracoabdominal classification and the use of upper extremity access were similar between groups. Estimated blood loss was also similar (484 ± 454 mL [octogenarian] vs 416 ± 457 mL [nonoctogenarian]; P = .07). Octogenarians had an increased mean number of vessels incorporated into the repair (3.1 ± 1.4 vs 2.7 ± 1.7; P Conclusions Despite small differences in demographics, anatomic factors, and procedural data, F-BEVAR was safe and effective with nearly identical early outcomes in octogenarians in these experienced aortic centers. More extensive clinical experience and longer follow-up are needed to better delineate factors impacting longer term mortality.
Membrane desalination processes for water recovery from pre-treated brewery wastewater: Performance and fouling

Abstract Membrane technologies for water reclamation can be effective for combating water shortages while reducing the wastewater discharge to the environment. Here, we investigated water recovery potential from biologically treated brewery wastewater using membrane distillation (MD), nanofiltration (NF), and reverse osmosis (RO). Both MD and RO achieved high organics (~97% TOC) and nutrients (>99% TN and ~100% TP) removal, whereas NF exhibited lower removal rates of TN (~64%) and TOC (~86%). A relatively lower water flux drop (~53%) was observed for MD compared to NF and RO (~98%). Significantly higher water recovery (~86%) was obtained with the MD, compared to NF (~16%) and RO (~12%). The physicochemical characterization of the fouled membranes revealed biofouling along with organic and inorganic fouling for both NF and RO membranes. However, the MD membrane was fouled primarily by organic and inorganic species, with no noticeable biofouling. Though chemical cleaning was effective for water flux recovery of MD, NF, and RO membranes, the repeated operations altered the membrane surface morphology significantly for both NF and RO membranes. Overall, the comparison study revealed that MD has the potential to be directly used for water reclamation from pre-treated brewery wastewater with minimal flux drop, and high organics and nutrient rejection, and flux recovery.
Surveying Liability Models for Autonomous Vehicle Technology

This article provides an overview of potential liability models as applied to autonomous vehicles. Uncertainty is rampant among courts, regulators, legislators, law enforcement and consumers when considering how to react to accidents involving autonomous vehicles – however unlikely. Uncertainty during a technological transition provides fertile ground to test the boundaries of the law and to identify what attorneys need to know in the 'near' future to continue successful practices.
Production, Infrastructure, Bribery Decisions, and Corruption Control: A Dynamic Analysis Applied to the Case of China

The purpose of our paper is to study the reasons and decision-making processes of heterogeneous firms' bribery behavior, and how they will affect an aggregate economy's development and corruption status. We build a dynamic model to study a firm’s joint decision to bribe and invest, and how the decision is determined by its production and infrastructure status. We simulate the firm-level decision and development paths, and then build an aggregate economy consisting of heterogeneous firms. We then also simulate the development and corruption growth paths of the economy, by calibrating our model according to Chinese manufacturing firms in 2012. Following our simulation results, we conduct counterfactual policy analyses. By comparing between the simulation results of two different counterfactual scenarios, we study how a government could control bribing better – as to decrease the number of bribers, and the average amount of the bribery payments. It is found that directly raising the bribery costs works more efficiently in controlling corruption, compared with reducing the benefits received by the bribers. Our finding provides insightful policy implications for the government to clear up its economy.
Learning temporal logic formulas from suboptimal demonstrations: theory and experiments

We present a method for learning multi-stage tasks from demonstrations by learning the logical structure and atomic propositions of a consistent linear temporal logic (LTL) formula. The learner is given successful but potentially suboptimal demonstrations, where the demonstrator is optimizing a cost function while satisfying the LTL formula, and the cost function is uncertain to the learner. Our algorithm uses the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) optimality conditions of the demonstrations together with a counterexample-guided falsification strategy to learn the atomic proposition parameters and logical structure of the LTL formula, respectively. We provide theoretical guarantees on the conservativeness of the recovered atomic proposition sets, as well as completeness in the search for finding an LTL formula consistent with the demonstrations. We evaluate our method on high-dimensional nonlinear systems by learning LTL formulas explaining multi-stage tasks on a simulated 7-DOF arm and a quadrotor, and show that it outperforms competing methods for learning LTL formulas from positive examples. Finally, we demonstrate that our approach can learn a real-world multi-stage tabletop manipulation task on a physical 7-DOF Kuka iiwa arm.
Reflectance Technique for Measurement of Bottom Surface Tin Concentration on Clear Float Glass

In the float glass process, some tin is absorbed into the bottom surface of the ribbon. If the glass is to be reheated for a bending or tempering operation; a surface haze, commonly called bloom, can occur when the tin concentration is sufficiently high. The degree of bloom is dependent upon the amount of stannous tin available for oxidation in the surface of the glass. Although the tin penetrates to a depth of about 10 microns, the stannous ions in the first micron appear to control the formation of bloom.
Price Discrimination in the Digital Economy

With the developments in information technology firms have more detailed digital information about their prospective and previous customers, which provides new mechanisms for price discrimination. In particular, when firms have information about consumers’ previous buying behavior, they may be able to use this information to offer different prices and/or products to consumers with different purchase histories. This article discusses the effects of price discrimination based on more detailed customer information under monopoly and competition. * This chapter is forthcoming in the Oxford Handbook of the Digital Economy, edited by Martin Peitz and Joel Waldfogel.
Disparities in the application of adjuvant radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery for early stage breast cancer

BACKGROUND: Definitive local therapy of early stage breast cancer includes adjuvant radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery (BCS). The authors analyzed factors that influence the receipt of radiotherapy therapy and their resultant impact on outcome. METHODS: Using data from the Kentucky Cancer Registry, the authors analyzed the rate of adjuvant radiotherapy for 11,914 women who underwent BCS as a primary surgical treatment for stage 0, I, or II breast cancer between 1998 and 2007. The authors assessed the probability of receiving radiotherapy by using multivariate logistic regression and measured impact on outcome by using Cox survival analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 66.2% of women received adjuvant radiotherapy for BCS over a 10-year period (annual rate range, 60.9%-70.1%). On multivariate analysis, the rate of receiving radiotherapy was drastically lower for women aged older than 70 years (vs younger) and rural Appalachian (vs non-Appalachian) populations. The rate was modestly lower for African American (vs white) women, those with in situ (vs invasive) disease, and uninsured (vs insured) patients. Lack of radiotherapy was associated with an increased hazard ratio for death of 1.67 (95% CI, 1.508-1.851) on Cox survival analysis when age, stage, tumor size, grade, hormone receptors, smoking, and insurance were factored into the analysis. The 10-year overall survival for patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy versus BCS alone was 79.7% versus 67.6% (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Despite widespread knowledge of the benefit of RT after BCS, the rate of undertreatment remains high, with significant disparities for elderly, rural, minority, and uninsured women. Multidisciplinary management strategies, including accelerated and hypofractionated radiation regimens, are needed to eliminate disparities and improve outcomes. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Still under the microscope: Can a surgical aptitude test predict otolaryngology resident performance?

Objectives/Hypothesis Application to otolaryngology–head and neck surgery residency is highly competitive, and the interview process strives to select qualified applicants with a high aptitude for the specialty. Commonly employed criteria for applicant selection have failed to show correlation with proficiency during residency training. We evaluate the correlation between the results of a surgical aptitude test administered to otolaryngology resident applicants and their performance during residency. Study Design Retrospective study at an academic otolaryngology–head and neck surgery residency program. Methods Between 2007 and 2013, 224 resident applicants participated in a previously described surgical aptitude test administered at a microvascular surgical station. The composite score and attitudinal scores for 24 consecutive residents who matched at our institution were recorded, and their residency performance was analyzed by faculty survey on a five-point scale. The composite and attitudinal scores were analyzed for correlation with residency performance score by regression analysis. Results Twenty-four residents were evaluated for overall quality as a clinician by eight faculty members who were blinded to the results of surgical aptitude testing. The results of these surveys showed good inter-rater reliability. Both the overall aptitude test scores and the subset attitudinal score showed reliability in predicting performance during residency training. Conclusions The goal of the residency selection process is to evaluate the candidate's potential for success in residency and beyond. The results of this study suggest that a simple-to-administer clinical skills test may have predictive value for success in residency and clinician quality. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 125:E57–E61, 2015
Oil-Field Brine

The separation of oil and OFB is a logical consequence of the oil production process due to the fact that much more OFB than oil is more often produced, especially in older oil wells. However, until recently neither the oil drillers nor any governmental agency paid much attention to disposal of OFB as a by-product of crude oil production. A simple procedure for OFB was diluting it in streams, rivers, and natural fresh and marine waterbodies. That practice took place until interest in crude oil production and consequently consumption of derivatives dramatically increased. Widespread oil production worldwide is constantly increasing, but the pollution aspects came to a focal point of environmental concern. To keep a high profit margin in the industry and satisfy strict environmental quality regulations, more sophisticated technologies for OFB treatment are becoming viable alternatives to the conventional OFB management practice. Keywords: oil field brine; pollution aspects; control practice; deep well injection; complete treatment; reverse osmosis
Profile clusters in the WAIS–R standardization sample

In this study we applied clustering procedures to a subgroup of 341 participants from the WAIS–R standardization sample. These individuals were selected by virtue of their having full-scale profiles characterized by scatter of greater than 8 scaled scores. Using a hierarchical clustering algorithm, a multistage procedure was used to establish and evaluate a cluster solution. The subject selection and clustering methods were successful in revealing a set of 9 profile types characterized by unique profile shapes. All profiles were associated with FSIQs that were at least in the average range. Seven of the profiles were characterized by specific subtest strengths, only 1 with subtest weaknesses. Examination of the external correlates of profile membership revealed differences among profile groups for age, marital status, education, and occupation. Our findings suggest that variability in and across the 9 profile types in this sample reflects increased contributions of unique abilities in comparison to the influence of the underlying primary and secondary WAIS–R dimensions of cognitive ability. (JINS, 1997, 3, 120–127.)
Investigation of MCT behaviour at low temperatures

Tests were performed on MOS-controlled thyristors (MCTs) operating at temperatures ranging from room temperature (298 K, 25 degrees C) down to liquid-nitrogen temperature (77 K, -196 degrees C). Since this is a preliminary study, the MCTs tested were not specifically designed designed for low-temperature operation. Standard diodes were also tested in this temperature range in order to compare the behavior of such a basically simple device to that of the MCT. V-on and I-on (related to MCT latching current and turn-on design), breakdown voltage, V-forward, and I-off time were measured for various devices under test. It was found that the changes with decreasing temperature of five parameters (V-on, I-on, V-forward, I-off time, and conduction phase angle reduction) can be at least partially compensated by reducing the radiation dose. The rates of change of parameters with temperature are considered; some are fairly linear, while others display abrupt changes at transition regions. >
Recent Books and Journals in Public Opinion, Survey Methods, and Survey Statistics

It is unlikely to list all new books in the field; we did our best scouting different resources and websites. The list is also focusing only on books published in the English language and available for purchase (as ebook or in print) at the time of this review (April 2014). Books are listed based on the relevance to the topic and no judgment is made in terms of quality of the content. We let the reader do so.
Glass formation in the system ZnBr2-KBr-MBr2

Glasses were prepared in the system of ZnBr 2 -KBr-MBr 2 in which M=Pb, Ba, Cd, and Mg. For the system of M=Pb, glasses were obtained in an extremely large composition region. The role of MBr 2 as stabilizer against the devitrification of glasses were related with the ionic radius and the polarizability of the divalent cations. In the preparation of glasses, NH 4 Br added into batch mixtures decreased the water impurity and was effective for the increase of transmission of glasses in the infrared region.
The assessment of enviromental safety problems in hydrogen energy systems

Abstract Numerous suggestions have been made regarding the use of hydrogen as a portable or transportable fuel. To effect safely an increased use of hydrogen requires fundamental knowledge of the appropriate safety problems as well as methods to ensure proper design of the equipment and techniques used in its storage, shipment, and use. The most likely methods of shipment consist of an extension of existing technology; namely, gas transmission by pipeline and bulk transportation of hydrogen as a cryogenic liquid. While these are well developed, safety and technological problems still exist and include such issues as dispersion of hydrogen releases, behaviour of hydrogen upon combustion and hydrogen embrittlement. Safe transportation and handling of hydrogen. Safe enhanced by uniformity of codes and regulations. Hydrogen use of a fuel is not totally benign from an environmental standpoint; however, the combination of production and end use us generally more acceptable for hydrogen than for alternative fuels.
Medial femoral torsion and osteoarthritis

We investigated the hypothesis that medial femoral torsion is a predisposing factor to osteoarthritis of the hip. Anteversion was measured by biplane radiography in 44 hips (32 patients) with idiopathic osteoarthritis of the hip and a control group of 98 normal hips (49 adults). The mean and range of anteversion measures were similar in both groups. The mean was 22 degrees for osteoarthritic hips (range 3 degrees-49 degrees) and 19 degrees for normal controls (range -2 degrees-49 degrees). This difference was not significant. This study disagrees with others that propose an association between increased anterversion and osteoarthritis of the hip. Prophylactic operative correction of femoral torsion for osteoarthritis is not recommended.
The t(8; 14) chromosomal translocation occurring in B-cell malignancies results from mistakes in V–D–J joining

The reciprocal chromosome translocation, t(8;14), involving the heavy chain locus on chromosome 14 and the c-myc oncogene on chromosome 8 is a characteristic of the B-cell malignancies Burkitt's lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). We have cloned and sequenced the t(8; 14) breakpoints of an African Burkitt's lymphoma cell line, P3HR-1, and a pre-B cell ALL cell line, 380. In each case the region of chromosome 8 involved has recombined with a JH region on chromosome 14. The two sites of breakage on chromosome 8 lie within 70 base pairs (bp) of one another. At each joining site, sequences homologous to the signal sequences thought to be recognized by the V-D-J recombinase were identified, as were N regions. In B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemias (B-CLL) carrying the t(11; 14) chromosome translocation and in follicular lymphomas carrying the t(14; 18) translocation, the V-D-J recombinase is implicated in the mechanism of chromosomal translocations. We speculate that the same enzymatic mechanism is responsible for the t(8; 14) translocations in African Burkitt's lymphoma and pre-B cell ALL.
Role of remifentanil in labour analgesia

Summary Although epidural analgesia is considered to be the most effective form of pain relief for women in labour, it may not be available to, refused by or contraindicated in some parturients. In this group of patients, systemic remifentanil shows promise as a clinically useful alternative. This review summarizes the evidence for the safety and efficacy of remifentanil when used as a labour analgesic, and reviews the literature regarding its dosing regimen and maternal and foetal/neonatal side effects. Large randomized prospective trials are required before it may be recommended for routine use in labouring women.
Quadriceps muscle geometry differs between healthy individuals and those with post-stroke hemiparesis

Muscle force generating capability depends on muscle geometry which may be altered with post-stroke hemiparesis. The objective of this study was to assess the differences in physiological cross-sectional areas and muscle lengths of quadriceps between the paretic and non-paretic sides of post-stroke subjects and subjects unaffected by stroke.
The impact of supervisory adaptive selling and supervisory feedback on salesperson performance

Abstract The paper investigated the moderating effects of supervisory adaptive selling behaviors on the feedback–performance relationship in industrial salespersons. A conceptual model was developed and three research hypotheses were empirically examined. The data were collected via a survey of a national random sample of industrial salespersons in US. The results indicated that adaptive selling behaviors by sales managers moderated the effects of positive behavioral feedback on salesperson performance. Positive output feedback had a significantly positive effect on salesperson performance, whereas negative feedback (output and behavior) was unrelated to salesperson performance. Thus, sales managers can improve the productivity of their salespeople by demonstrating adaptive selling techniques while providing positive feedback to them. Managerial implications were discussed.
Heart Rate Variability Characteristics in Sedentary Postmenopausal Women Following Six Months of Exercise Training: The DREW Study

Article on heart rate variability characteristics in sedentary postmenopausal women following six months of exercise training.
Scalar Green’s-function derivation of the thermal blooming compensation instability equations

Karr [ J. Opt. Soc. Am. A6, 1038 ( 1989)] recently derived an eigenvalue equation for the temporal growth rate of the thermal blooming compensation instability, using a Green’s-function matrix formulation. A rigorous and concise derivation of all the Green’s-function matrix elements is presented here for the case of arbitrary axial variation of the wind velocity and thermal blooming strength. Starting with the perturbation growth equation of the high-power beam in an arbitrary Galilean reference frame, the high-power and beacon-propagation equations are solved by the scalar Green’s-function method. Although Green’s function of the high-power beam equation has a closed form only in special cases, the general solution is useful as a rigorous basis for the Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin approximation and for other approximations. Finally, the matrix closed-loop compensation equation is assembled from the Green’s functions of the high-power beam, low-power beacon, and compensation subsystems.
Magnetic signatures of zones of fractures in igneous metamorphic rocks with and example from southeastern New England—Reply

Abstract Elongate negative magnetic anomalies in the Northern Hemisphere can be related to zones of fractured bedrock. A magnetic model with induced magnetization of a horizontal plate that is separated by a nonmagnetic gap can reproduce observed magnetic lows. Model anomalies show the dependence of the intensity of the magnetic lows on parameters, such as magnetic susceptibility, width of the nonmagnetic gap and dip angle of the fracture zone. The magnetic low is superposed by a larger regional low which increases with the thickness of the magnetized plate. The strike direction of the fracture zone and the inclination of the ambient magnetic field also control the anomaly so that new sets of model curves are necessary for each new field case depending on location and orientation of the fractures. The model has been tested over a negative magnetic anomaly in southern New England with ground- and aeromagnetics. The coincidence with a zone of fractures, known as the Watch Hill lineament, has been documented with detailed geological mapping, remote sensing and fracture trace analysis. A good agreement between the model anomaly and the observed anomalies on the ground and from the air is possible with observed magnetic susceptibilities between 0.4 · 10 −3 and 1.2 · 10 −3 cgs. The anomaly width ranges between 1.4 km and a few tens of meters. A detailed analysis of intersecting fractures allows a distinction of older from younger anomaly trends. This zone of fractures, associated with the magnetic anomaly, is believed to be part of a major fault zone. Its northeastern extension is the margin of the Narragansett Basin, which is filled with sediments of Carboniferous age. While there have been many suggestions for its origin, the results of this study favor the formation of a pull-apart basin after the area was subjected to extensional stress.
Experimental Study of an Advanced Three-Component Borehole Seismic Receiver

An advanced three-component borehole seismic receiver has been designed, developed, and tested. This receiver was designed with the aid of finite element vibration modeling to be free of significant clamp resonances below 2000 Hz. This broad frequency range makes this sonde well suited for cross-well seismic imaging applications. State-of-the art piezoelectric accelerometers are used as the three-component sensors and provide signal enhancement relative to conventional geophones. The use of these accelerometers offer a signal-to-noise enhancement of approximately 20 dB at 1000 Hz over moving-coil seismic geophones. Additional features of the sonde include high temperature/pressure operation, small size, lightweight, field-durable construction, and multi-station expansion capability. A prototype accelerometer-based sonde was field tested at the Texaco Humble Field to determine its performance characteristics. A borehole explosive source was used to test the sonde in a cross-well configuration (815 ft well-to-well separation). For comparison purposes, similar cross-well tests were performed using a commercial VSP-type tool and buried/cemented geophones. The advanced sonde exhibited significantly improved coupling relative to the VSP tool as evidenced by increased bandwidth and signal-to-noise ratio. Accordingly, the advanced sonde produced signals which rival those produced by the buried/cemented geophones. 5 refs., 6 figs.
Fiber sensors for monitoring structural strain and cracks

Recent structural failure and damage associated with earthquakes and pipeline failures have underscored the need for structural integrity monitoring systems using distributed fiber optic sensors. Such sensors must be low-cost, easily installed on new and existing structures, allow rapid assessment of structural integrity, and be capable of surviving and sensing large displacements associated with cracks and deflections in structural members. Experimental results for multimode fiber crack detection sensors based on the orientation angle approach are reported for both longitudinal and transverse crack displacements. In addition, we report results on a novel all-fiber sensor capable of sensing submillimeter cracks while surviving and sensing larger than 100% strains and cm level displacements.
Role of melatonin in the regulation of autophagy and mitophagy: a review

Oxidative stress plays an essential role in triggering many cellular processes including programmed cell death. Proving a relationship between apoptosis and reactive oxygen species has been the goal of numerous studies. Accumulating data point to an essential role for oxidative stress in the activation of autophagy. The term autophagy encompasses several processes including not only survival or death mechanisms, but also pexophagy, mitophagy, ER-phagy or ribophagy, depending of which organelles are targeted for specific autophagic degradation. However, whether the outcome of autophagy is survival or death and whether the initiating conditions are starvation, pathogens or death receptors, reactive oxygen species are invariably involved. The role of antioxidants in the regulation of these processes, however, has been sparingly investigated. Among the known antioxidants, melatonin has high efficacy and, in both experimental and clinical situations, its protective actions against oxidative stress are well documented. Beneficial effects against mitochondrial dysfunction have also been described for melatonin; thus, this indoleamine seems to be linked to mitophagy. The present review focuses on data and the most recent advances related to the role of melatonin in health and disease, on autophagy activation in general, and on mitophagy in particular.
Poly(Ethylene Glycol)-Cholesterol Inhibits L-Type Ca2+ Channel Currents and Augments Voltage-Dependent Inactivation in A7r5 Cells

Cholesterol distributes at a high density in the membrane lipid raft and modulates ion channel currents. Poly(ethylene glycol) cholesteryl ether (PEG-cholesterol) is a nonionic amphipathic lipid consisting of lipophilic cholesterol and covalently bound hydrophilic PEG. PEG-cholesterol is used to formulate lipoplexes to transfect cultured cells, and liposomes for encapsulated drug delivery. PEG-cholesterol is dissolved in the external leaflet of the lipid bilayer, and expands it to flatten the caveolae and widen the gap between the two leaflets. We studied the effect of PEG-cholesterol on whole cell L-type Ca2+ channel currents (ICa,L) recorded from cultured A7r5 arterial smooth muscle cells. The pretreatment of cells with PEG-cholesterol decreased the density of ICa,L and augmented the voltage-dependent inactivation with acceleration of time course of inactivation and negative shift of steady-state inactivation curve. Methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) is a cholesterol-binding oligosaccharide. The enrichment of cholesterol by the MβCD:cholesterol complex (cholesterol (MβCD)) caused inhibition of ICa,L but did not augment voltage-dependent inactivation. Incubation with MβCD increased ICa,L, slowed the time course of inactivation and shifted the inactivation curve to a positive direction. Additional pretreatment by a high concentration of MβCD of the cells initially pretreated with PEG-cholesterol, increased ICa,L to a greater level than the control, and removed the augmented voltage-dependent inactivation. Due to the enhancement of the voltage-dependent inactivation, PEG-cholesterol inhibited window ICa,L more strongly as compared with cholesterol (MβCD). Poly(ethylene glycol) conferred to cholesterol the efficacy to induce sustained augmentation of voltage-dependent inactivation of ICa,L.
Leukocyte composition of human breast cancer

Retrospective clinical studies have used immune-based biomarkers, alone or in combination, to predict survival outcomes for women with breast cancer (BC); however, the limitations inherent to immunohistochemical analyses prevent comprehensive descriptions of leukocytic infiltrates, as well as evaluation of the functional state of leukocytes in BC stroma. To more fully evaluate this complexity, and to gain insight into immune responses after chemotherapy (CTX), we prospectively evaluated tumor and nonadjacent normal breast tissue from women with BC, who either had or had not received neoadjuvant CTX before surgery. Tissues were evaluated by polychromatic flow cytometry in combination with confocal immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical analysis of tissue sections. These studies revealed that activated T lymphocytes predominate in tumor tissue, whereas myeloid lineage cells are more prominant in “normal” breast tissue. Notably, residual tumors from an unselected group of BC patients treated with neoadjuvant CTX contained increased percentages of infiltrating myeloid cells, accompanied by an increased CD8/CD4 T-cell ratio and higher numbers of granzyme B-expressing cells, compared with tumors removed from patients treated primarily by surgery alone. These data provide an initial evaluation of differences in the immune microenvironment of BC compared with nonadjacent normal tissue and reveal the degree to which CTX may alter the complexity and presence of selective subsets of immune cells in tumors previously treated in the neoadjuvant setting.
Allergic airway disease and otitis media in children.

Summary The occurrence of allergic rhinitis, asthma and otitis media was examined in 395 Indian children living on two separate reservations in Arizona. The children were followed from birth to age 5 years in a study of otitis media. On retrospective review of medical records, 45% of the children at Parker had a clinical diagnosis of allergic airway disease, in contrast to only 6% at San Carlos. At each site, about 55% had recurring otitis media in infancy; of these otitis-prone infants, 40% at Parker and 36% at San Carlos persisted to have 3 or more episodes of otitis media after age 2 years. The only allergic airway disease correlate with otitis media was allergic rhinitis in children age 2–4 years.
Nature–nurture and the two realms of development: A proposed integration with respect to mental development.

MCCALL, ROBERT B. Nature-Nurture and the Two Realms of Development: A Proposed Integration with Respect to Mental Development. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1981, 52, 1-12. It is argued that developmental psychologists need attitudes, methods, and conceptual schemes that integrate the distinctive contributions of nature and nurture to study developmental change as well as consistency in both developmental functions and individual differences in behaviors of interest. A conceptual scheme for early mental development is described that synthesizes these disparate orientations. This theoretical viewpoint deals with 2 sets of seemingly contradictory facts: (1) the early portion of the developmental function is largely maturational, while individual differences are unstable and not highly correlated with either genetic or environmental factors; and (2) as nature's hold on the developmental function declines with age, individual differences correlate more strongly with both genetic and environmental factors.
Quasiperiodically Forced Damped Pendula and Schrödinger Equations with Quasiperiodic Potentials: Implications of Their Equivalence

Certain first-order nonlinear ordinary differential equations exemplified by strongly damped, quasiperiodically driven pendula and Josephson junctions are isomorphic to Schroedinger equations with quasiperiodic potentials. The implications of this equivalence are discussed. In particular, it is shown that the transition to Anderson localization in the Schroedinger problem corresponds to the occurrence of a novel type of strange attractor in the pendulum problem. This transition should be experimentally observable in the frequency spectrum of the pendulum of Josephson junction.
Cesanite, Ca2Na3[(OH)(SO4)3] , a sulphate isotypic to apatite, from the Cesano geothermal field (Latium, Italy)

Cesanite occurs both as a solid vein (1 cm thick) and as a cavity-filling of an explosive breccia in core samples of the Cesano 1 geothermal well (Cesano area, Latium, Italy). Cesanite is coloudess, medium to coarse grained, soft (H = 2 to 3) and light (ρ meas 2.786±0.002 g cm−3). It is uniaxial negative, e = 1.564, ω = 1.570, with space group P63/m and cell parameters a = 9.442 (4), c = 6.903 (3) A, for c/a = 0.730. Identifying spacings are 8.161, 2.822, 2.727,1.844 A, in X-ray powder patterns strikingly similar to those of apatite. The chemical formula (microprobe analyses on two grains) is Ca1.53Sr0.03Na3.42K0.02[(Cl0.06F0.06OH0.44)(S2.99O12)]·0.44H2O, while the theoretical formula, derived from considerations on structural identity with apatite, is Ca2Na3[(OH)(SO4)3]. Cesanite is the end member of the apatite-wilkeite ellestadite series where [PO4]3− is entirely substituted by [SO4]2−, the charge balance being made up by Na+ substituting for Ca2+.
Uniform electron gas at warm, dense matter conditions

A simple, practical model for computing the equilibrium thermodynamics and structure of the uniform electron gas (jellium) by classical strong-coupling methods is proposed. Conditions addressed are those of interest for recent studies of warm dense matter: solid densities and temperatures from zero to plasma states. An effective pair potential and coupling constant are introduced, incorporating the ideal gas, low density, and weak-coupling quantum limits. The resulting parameter-free, analytic model is illustrated by the calculation of the pair correlation function via strong-coupling classical liquid state theory. The results compare favorably with the first finite-temperature restricted path integral Monte Carlo simulations reported recently.
A Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Study of the Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of CP‐101,606 in Patients with a Mild or Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury

: CP-101,606 is a postsynaptic antagonist of the glutamate-mediated NR2B subunit of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. When administered intravenously (i.v.) at the time of injury, CP-101,606 is neuroprotective in animal models of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and ischemia. Minimal adverse effects have been observed in normal human volunteers given i.v. doses of up to 3 mg/kg/hr for 72 hours. The objective of the present clinical trial was to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, and tolerability of CP-101,606 infused for various times in patients who had suffered either an acute moderate or mild TBI (Glasgow Coma Score 9-14) or hemorrhagic stroke. Patients began receiving treatment within 12 hours of brain injury. A total of 53 subjects (45 with TBI and 8 with stroke) were randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive CP-101,606 or placebo (4 drug:1 placebo). Drug/placebo was administered by i.v. infusion (0.75 mg/kg/hr) for 2 hours and then stopped ( n= 25 ) or continued for 22 hours ( n= 4 ) or 70 hours ( n= 24 ) at a rate of 0.37 mg/kg/hr. Mean plasma drug concentrations were well above the predicted therapeutic concentration of 200 ng/ml within two hours of initiating treatment and were sustained as long as drug was infused. All the patients tolerated their drug/placebo treatment, and there were no clinically significant cardiovascular or hematological abnormalities in either group. A Neurobehavioral Rating Scale, used to detect personality changes and behavioral disturbances, indicated that all subjects showed an improvement from their postinjury, predosing baseline but did not significantly differ from each other with respect to type of head injury and/or treatment with drug or placebo. Modified Kurtzke Scoring also showed a similar pattern of improvement irrespective of type of head injury or drug/placebo treatment. This study suggests that CP-101,606, infused for up to 72 hours has no psychotropic effects and is well-tolerated in patients who have sustained a mild or moderate TBI or hemorrhagic stroke.
Comparison of the complement‐fixing activity of antinuclear antibodies in lupus nephritis, mixed connective tissue disease, and scleroderma

Complement-fixing antinuclear antibody (CFANA) titers were measured in 18 patients with lupus nephritis and were compared to titers in 22 patients with scleroderma and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) who had comparable ANA titers but lacked nephritis. CFANA titers were higher in SLE patients with nephritis than in a control group of SLE patients without nephritis but were no higher than in scleroderma or MCTD. Thus the striking differences in the prevalence of nephritis among these patients with high titer ANA cannot be explained by differences in complement fixation by these antibodies.
A flow channel reactor for GaAs vapor phase epitaxy

Abstract The growth of thin epitaxial GaAs layers with abrupt doping level transitions on multiple large area substrates has proved to be an elusive technology. A unique approach that alleviates most of the traditional difficulties is described. Based on the common AsCl 3 process, the new reactor incorporates a seed holder consisting of a manifold of closely-spaced rectangular tubes or flow channels. One or more substrates can be placed within each channel which is dimensioned so that each substrate is in a physico-chemical environment similar to that of the conventional small reactors. This allows relatively low gas velocities in the source region, thus minimizing any source reaction efficiency limitations. The flow channels also essentially eliminate detrimental thermal convection in the growth region. This approach allows a ten fold increase in substrate capacity and a substantial increase in substrate size compared to conventional reactors.
Rotating solar coronal holes and periodic modulation of the upper atmosphere

[1] We report discovery of a solar-terrestrial connection between rotating solar coronal holes and density variations in Earth's thermosphere. Specifically, during 2005, a 9-day recurrence of fast streams in the solar wind exists due to solar coronal holes distributed roughly 120 degrees apart in longitude; this periodicity is transmitted to the geospace environment where it modulates geomagnetic activity and thermospheric densities derived from accelerometer measurements on the CHAMP satellite. Our discovery demonstrates a solar-terrestrial connection that has not been appreciated before, and by its nature is characterized by an element of predictability. Its potential predictability has practical relevance for collision avoidance and other applications affected by density variability in the terrestrial space environment.
The average measure of the intersection of two sets

where A and B are subsets of a space that has a t ransformat ion group G with invariant measure #, and where q5 is a real valued function defined for all (or almost all) sets gAc~B (g~G). For example, if A and B are compact convex subsets of euclidean n-dimensional space R", and if G is the group of rigid motions of R" equipped with Haa r measure # then the mean project ion measures w k satisfy the relations
Retirement, the nursing workforce, and the year 2005

Abstract This analysis of workforce projections confirms that early employment withdrawal by registered nurse baby boomers could have a profound effect on US health care. The available policy mechanisms to encourage or discourage any early withdrawal require several years to implement, which makes timely decisions imperative. Nurs Outlook 2000;48:211-17.
Riemann surface dynamics of periodic non-Hermitian Hamiltonians

A number of physical problems, including statistical mechanics of 1D multivalent Coulomb gases, may be formulated in terms of non-Hermitian quantum mechanics. We use this example to develop a non-perturbative method of instanton calculus for non-Hermitian Hamiltonians. This can be seen as an extension of semiclassical methods in conventional quantum mechanics. Treating momentum and coordinate as complex variables yields a Riemann surface of constant complex energy. The classical and instanton actions are given by periods of this surface; we show how to obtain these via methods from algebraic topology. We demonstrate the accuracy of this analytic procedure in comparison with numerical simulations for a class of periodic non-Hermitian Hamiltonians, as well as the validity of the Bohr–Sommerfeld quantization and Gamow's formula in these cases.
Can the Primary Care Physician Be Better Trained in the Psychosocial Dimensions of Patient Care

Our modern health care system has tended to emphasize technological competence and subspecialization. The primary care internist/family physician has received limited training in the behavioral aspects of medicine and, resultingly, is less able to obtain and apply the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively help the patient handle those mutually interacting somatic, psychological and sociological dimensions of his illness. Through the use of selected case histories, the author has attempted to illustrate how utilization of these skills, obtained during a supervised fellowship program, leads to psychological growth and better understanding of his role as physician. Ultimately this effects clinical improvement in his medical patients with longstanding difficulties.
Cardiac auscultation and teaching rounds: how can cardiac auscultation be resuscitated?

This issue of the Green Journal contains a report by Salvatore Mangione (1) on the lack of clinical skills among physicians-in-training. Mangione has become the chronicler of this problem; his 1993 paper (2) was greeted with much notice and little corrective action. Over the years Mangione has extended documentation of defective bedside methods and interpretative abilities to other specialties (3). Now he shows that Canadian and British trainees are also poor at bedside auscultation, contrary to a widely held assumption that the British are more skilled (4). Among the subgroups studied by Mangione, none had even minimal competence in recognizing murmurs such as mitral regurgitation that are encountered every day in general internal medicine practice. Differences among groups are not nearly as impressive as the poor showing by all. Surprisingly, unsupervised study of auscultatory audiotapes, which intuitively seems helpful for auscultatory knowledge, did not raise scores. End-stage failure of physical examination skills has arrived. Notwithstanding curmudgeons who assert that it has always been this bad and physicians who ask “What harm?,” the joy of medicine suffers (5). So does relationship-building with patients, who experience our role as healer more fully when we place hands and stethoscopes on their bodies for real diagnostic help, not merely as ritual. Incapable physical examiners cannot make rational and cost-effective application of technology—and let us acknowledge with pleasure and gratitude how profoundly technology enhances medicine. Among the creative responses to the crisis in cardiac auscultation (6) is the suggestion by Tavel (7) to employ an extant, miniature higher-technology system to show graphically what we hear, to provide a feedback loop for growth and as a teaching tool. We need not treat such a device as training wheels, to be discarded. Rather, it can be incorporated into clinical bedside practice, just as stethoscope, ophthalmoscope, and sphygmomanometer were when familiarity, education, and lower cost brought each into the repertoire of every generalist. THE CURRENT SITUATION
A Simple Justification of the Iterative Fitting Procedure for Generalized Linear Models

Abstract The extension of classical linear models to generalized linear models has had an important unifying impact on the exposition, teaching, and practice of statistical modeling. This article gives a new and simple justification of the commonly used iteratively reweighted least squares procedure for obtaining maximum likelihood parameter estimates.
Endogenous excitatory amino acids and glutamate receptor subtypes involved in the control of hypothalamic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone secretion.

These studies were designed to evaluate the actions and relative potencies of different endogenous and excitatory amino acid (EAA) selective analogs on EAA-induced neuropeptide secretion as well as to analyze the receptor subtypes involved. For this purpose, different glutamate agonists were tested for their ability to evoke release of the hypothalamic neuropeptide LHRH from arcuate nucleus-median eminence (AN-ME) fragments incubated in vitro. Different glutamate agonists, i.e. 3-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazole-4-propionic (AMPA), kainic, quisqualic, homocysteic (HCA), quinolinic (QUIN), N-methyl-D-aspartic (NMDA), and pyroglutamic (PYR) acids, elicited LHRH release from AN-ME fragments in vitro. Further evaluation of the range of activity of several of these compounds, both in terms of the dose inducing a half-maximal response and the LHRH-releasing effect at that particular dose, indicated that AMPA greater than HCA greater than QUIN greater than PYR, suggesting that non-NMDA receptors are primarily ...