cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dermatitis herpetiformis and linear IgA bullous dermatosis.

This article is an overview of dermatitis herpetiformis. The clinical manifestations, patters of IgA deposition, multisystem disease association, relationship to gluten intake, and therapeutic response to gluten restriction and dapsone are discussed. These finding are then contrasted with the authors’ understanding of linear IgA bullous dermatosis and chronic bullous diseases of children.
Carroll’s pyramid of CSR: taking another look

In this review article, the author takes another look at the well-known Carroll's Pyramid of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). In this article, he comments on the framework's popular useage and then presents a summary of the four-part definitional framework upon which the pyramid was created. He then comments on several characteristics of the model that were not emphasized when initially published: ethics permeates the pyramid; tensions and tradeoffs inherent; its' integrated, unified whole; its' sustainable stakeholder framework, and; its' global applicability and use in different contexts. The article concludes by looking to the future.
Sealants and Adhesives

Many sealants used in the construction industry are required to maintain functional performance characteristics over many years. While in service, sealants are exposed to environmental factors such as UV radiation, water, oxygen, and thermal cycling. Depending on which face of the building sealants are placed, type of substrate, and geographic region, they may be exposed to extreme environmental conditions, stress, and strain gradients. Hence, sealants are susceptible to weather-induced degradation. In general, degradation involves both chemical and physical processes with the chemical reactions usually preceding the physical process. It also discusses that testing of adhesives is necessary in order to determine the level of performance and/or predicted durability. Some of the tests provide information on the working properties of the adhesive, such as viscosity, which affects mixing, application, and spreadability as well as wetting and penetration of the substrate. Other test methods measure the amount of resin present. This not only influences the viscosity of the adhesive, but also the performance of the bonded assembly.
Ki-67, p53, and p16 expression, and G691S RET polymorphism in desmoplastic melanoma (DM): A clinicopathologic analysis of predictors of outcome

Background The prognostic role Ki-67, p53, and p16 immunostains and RET (rearranged during transfection) polymorphism in desmoplastic melanoma has not been evaluated. Objective We sought to identify potential prognostic markers. Methods We performed Ki-67, p53, and p16 immunostains on 66 desmoplastic melanomas, and sequenced RET G691 polymorphism and recurrent mutations of 17 cancer genes in 55 and 20 cases, respectively. Results Recurrence and metastasis were documented in 11 of 66 (17%) and 26 of 66 (39%) patients, respectively. Death was noted in 25 of 55 (45%) patients. Ki-67 expression (≥10%, 43%) correlated with male gender ( P = .009), ulceration ( P = .002), and Breslow depth ( P = .009). p53 Expression (≥50%, 28%) correlated with male gender ( P = .002) and head and neck location ( P = .0228). Using Kaplan-Meier plots, Ki-67 expression ( P = .0425) and mitosis ( P = .00295) correlated with overall survival, whereas vascular invasion ( P = .0292) correlated with disease progression. There was a significant correlation between Ki-67 and p53 expression ( P = .003). RET polymorphism was present in 10 of 46 (22%) cases and inversely correlated with Breslow depth ( P = .024). Limitation Our study is small and lacks power to perform a multivariate analysis. Conclusion Although Ki-67 expression correlated with overall survival, additional studies are needed to determine whether Ki-67 would be an independent prognostic marker in addition to the current routine histopathologic assessment.
Structure, Function, and Evolution of Coronavirus Spike Proteins.

The coronavirus spike protein is a multifunctional molecular machine that mediates coronavirus entry into host cells. It first binds to a receptor on the host cell surface through its S1 subunit and then fuses viral and host membranes through its S2 subunit. Two domains in S1 from different coronaviruses recognize a variety of host receptors, leading to viral attachment. The spike protein exists in two structurally distinct conformations, prefusion and postfusion. The transition from prefusion to postfusion conformation of the spike protein must be triggered, leading to membrane fusion. This article reviews current knowledge about the structures and functions of coronavirus spike proteins, illustrating how the two S1 domains recognize different receptors and how the spike proteins are regulated to undergo conformational transitions. I further discuss the evolution of these two critical functions of coronavirus spike proteins, receptor recognition and membrane fusion, in the context of the corresponding fu...
Kātyāyana (3rd Century B.C.)

Kātyāyana (3rd century b.c.) is known for his Vārttikas (Explanatory rules), which examine the sūtras (grammatical rules) of Pānni (5th century b.c.). In his Mahābhā s˚ya, (The great commentary) Patanjali (2nd century b.c.) calls Kātyāyana a dāk s˚in˚ātya ‘Southerner’. Kātyāyana's vārttikas have not survived separately in manuscript form; they occur in Patanjali's Mahābhā s˚ya . When commenting on a Pān˚ini's sūtra, Kātyāyana either repeats it or refers to it by incorporating part of it into his vārttika. When cross-referencing his own vārttikas, Kātyāyana uses the phrase ‘ukta m˚vā’ ‘(with regard to this) a statement has (already) been made.’
Personalizing lung cancer risk prediction and imaging follow-up recommendations using the National Lung Screening Trial dataset.

Objective To demonstrate a data-driven method for personalizing lung cancer risk prediction using a large clinical dataset. Materials and methods An algorithm was used to categorize nodules found in the first screening year of the National Lung Screening Trial as malignant or nonmalignant. Risk of malignancy for nodules was calculated based on size criteria according to the Fleischner Society recommendations from 2005, along with the additional discriminators of pack-years smoking history, sex, and nodule location. Imaging follow-up recommendations were assigned according to Fleischner size category malignancy risk. Results Nodule size correlated with malignancy risk as predicted by the Fleischner Society recommendations. With the additional discriminators of smoking history, sex, and nodule location, significant risk stratification was observed. For example, men with ≥60 pack-years smoking history and upper lobe nodules measuring >4 and ≤6 mm demonstrated significantly increased risk of malignancy at 12.4% compared to the mean of 3.81% for similarly sized nodules (P 4 and ≤6 mm were reclassified to longer-term follow-up than recommended by Fleischner. Twenty-seven percent of nodules ≤4 mm were reclassified to shorter-term follow-up. Discussion Using available clinical datasets such as the National Lung Screening Trial in conjunction with locally collected datasets can help clinicians provide more personalized malignancy risk predictions and follow-up recommendations. Conclusion By incorporating 3 demographic data points, the risk of lung nodule malignancy within the Fleischner categories can be considerably stratified and more personalized follow-up recommendations can be made.
Lactoferrin decreases monocyte-induced fibroblast production of myeloid colony-stimulating activity by suppressing monocyte release of interleukin-1

Lactoferrin (Lf) is a negative regulator of myelopoiesis which operates by suppressing the release from mononuclear phagocytes of GM colony- stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or monokines which can then induce the release of GM-CSA from accessory cells. In this study, endotoxin- depleted, purified iron-saturated human Lf was assessed for its effect on the production of interleukin-1 by cultured monocytes and their subsequent effect on colony-stimulating factor release from cultured fibroblasts. Monocytes were grown with or without Lf and Lf that had previously been incubated with monoclonal anti-Lf. The monocyte- conditioned medium was then either assayed for the presence of interleukin-1 (IL-1) with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or for its ability to stimulate fibroblasts to release growth factors for CFU- GM, BFU-E, or CFU-Mix colonies. In the presence of Lf (10(-7) or 10(-8) mol/L), GM colony-stimulating activity (GM-CSA) was suppressed by 31% to 73%, whereas stimulating activities for BFU-E and CFU-mix colony formation were suppressed by 93% to 100%. Antibody to Lf completely abrogated the suppressive effects observed with Lf, whereas antibody to IL-1 ablated the induction by monocyte-conditioned medium of CSA release by fibroblasts. Lf at 10(-7) and 10(-8) mol/L also reduced IL-1 synthesis by cultured monocytes from 60% to 77%. The inhibitory effects of Lf were only observed when Lf was added before adherence of the monocytes for culture. If Lf was added at the time of adherence or after adherence, no suppression was observed. We conclude that the inhibition of GM-CSA production/release by Lf is mediated through inhibition of the synthesis/release of IL-1 by mononuclear phagocytes. This inhibition of IL-1 prevents accessory cells from producing and/or releasing GM-CSA.
Assessment of the use of different forms of tobacco productsamong Nigerian adults: Implications for tobacco control policy

INTRODUCTION This study assessed the determinants of tobacco use among adults in Nigeria, exploring associations between different types of tobacco products and gender. METHODS Study data were derived from the 2013 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). The NDHS is a nationally representative household survey of 39 902 women, 17 359 men and 38 522 households. Country weighted data were collected on participants' demographic characteristics and current tobacco use by type. Weighted prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were performed to examine individual sociodemographic factors and tobacco use. A multivariate logistic regression was also performed to assess the relationship between tobacco use, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS Overall prevalence of any tobacco use in 2013 was 2.9% (n=1621, 95% CI: 2.8-3.0). The prevalence of any tobacco use was 8.3% (95%CI: 7.8-8.8, p<0.001) in men and 0.4% (95%CI: 0.3-0.5, p<0.001) in women. Cigarettes and snuff were the most commonly used tobacco products in men and women. Dual (smoking and smokeless tobacco products) use was associated with increased odds among men (AOR=26.1, 95%CI: 11.7-58.5, p<0.001), aged 45-59 years (AOR=5.6, 95%CI: 2.1-15.2, p<0.01) and completely/semi-illiterate (AOR=1.8, 95CI: 1.1-2.9, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Men and women differed in their preference of type of tobacco product and the associated risk factors. Tobacco control policies need to take these specific differences into consideration for the design and implementation of interventions aimed at addressing tobacco use.
Disrupted topology of the resting state structural connectome in middle-aged APOE ε4 carriers.

Abstarct The apolipoprotein E (APOE) e4 allele is the best characterized genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease to date. Older APOE e4 carriers (aged 60 + years) are known to have disrupted structural and functional connectivity, but less is known about APOE-associated network integrity in middle age. The goal of this study was to characterize APOE-related differences in network topology in middle age, as disentangling the early effects of healthy versus pathological aging may aid early detection of Alzheimer's disease and inform treatments. We performed resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in healthy, cognitively normal, middle-aged adults (age 40–60; N = 76, 38 APOE e4 carriers). Graph theoretical analysis was used to calculate local and global efficiency of 1) a whole brain rs-fMRI network; 2) a whole brain DTI network; and 3) the resting state structural connectome (rsSC), an integrated functional-structural network derived using functional-by-structural hierarchical (FSH) mapping. Our results indicated no APOE e4-associated differences in network topology of the rs-fMRI or DTI networks alone. However, e4 carriers had significantly lower global and local efficiency of the integrated rsSC compared to non-carriers. Furthermore, e4 carriers were less resilient to targeted node failure of the rsSC, which mimics the neuropathological process of Alzheimer's disease. Collectively, these findings suggest that integrating multiple neuroimaging modalities and employing graph theoretical analysis may reveal network-level vulnerabilities that may serve as biomarkers of age-related cognitive decline in middle age, decades before the onset of overt cognitive impairment.
Cervical chordoma with retropharyngeal extension presenting with impaired voice.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: We report an extremely rare case of cervical chordoma presenting with impaired voice. METHOD: Case report and a review of the literature concerning the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of a cervical chordoma. RESULTS: A singing teacher complaining of dysphonia was examined and surgically treated for a retropharyngeal extension of a cervical chordoma. A local recurrence was treated with proton beam therapy. Among primary malignant tumors of bone, chordomas account for 3-4% of all cases. Chordoma is typically a locally aggressive tumor with a high propensity for local recurrence. Its management involves surgery, radiotherapy, or both. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge this is the first report in the world literature of a retropharyngeal extension of a cervical chordoma presenting with impaired voice. This case indicates that bony tumors of the spine may present first to voice-disorder clinicians. Increased awareness of this neoplasm may lead to earlier diagnosis and better treatment.
The Percolation Model

Percolation [724] is a very simple but powerful model of heterogeneous media. It is more than half a century old, and thousands of papers as well as several books have been written about it. Most of the recent progress has occurred in applications, particularly in geophysics and transport of fluids in porous media [625]. The basic foundations are well established but some key results are still emerging with some surprises [723], notably in the number of percolating clusters and their description by simple renormalization group techniques.
2189. Hepatitis A Outbreak in San Diego County, 2016–2017: A Morphologic and Epidemiologic Review

Background Hepatitis A rate has declined by 95% in the United States since routine vaccination begun in the late 1990s. In 2014, a total of 1,239 cases of HAV were reported from 50 states to CDC. Per San Diego (SD) County Public Health Department, on average 20 cases/year are reported locally. The recent hepatitis A outbreak in SD County, which started in late 2016, caused 588 new cases.
Dosimetric comparison of distal esophageal carcinoma plans for patients treated with small-spot intensity-modulated proton versus volumetric-modulated arc therapies.

Background Esophageal carcinoma is the eighth most common cancer in the world. Volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is widely used to treat distal esophageal carcinoma due to high conformality to the target and good sparing of organs at risk (OAR). It is not clear if small-spot intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) demonstrates a dosimetric advantage over VMAT. In this study, we compared dosimetric performance of VMAT and small-spot IMPT for distal esophageal carcinoma in terms of plan quality, plan robustness, and interplay effects. Methods 35 distal esophageal carcinoma patients were retrospectively reviewed; 19 patients received small-spot IMPT and the remaining 16 of them received VMAT. Both plans were generated by delivering prescription doses to clinical target volumes (CTVs) on phase-averaged 4D-CT's. The dose-volume-histogram (DVH) band method was used to quantify plan robustness. Software was developed to evaluate interplay effects with randomized starting phases for each field per fraction. DVH indices were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum test. For fair comparison, all the treatment plans were normalized to have the same CTVhigh D95% in the nominal scenario relative to the prescription dose. Results In the nominal scenario, small-spot IMPT delivered statistically significantly lower liver Dmean and V30Gy[RBE] , lung Dmean , heart Dmean compared with VMAT. CTVhigh dose homogeneity and protection of other OARs were comparable between the two treatments. In terms of plan robustness, the IMPT and VMAT plans were comparable for kidney V18Gy[RBE] , liver V30Gy[RBE] , stomach V45Gy[RBE] , lung Dmean , V5Gy[RBE] , and V20Gy[RBE] , cord Dmax and D 0.03 c m 3 , liver Dmean , heart V20Gy[RBE] , and V30Gy[RBE] , but IMPT was significantly worse for CTVhigh D95% , D 2 c m 3 , and D5% -D95% , CTVlow D95% , heart Dmean , and V40Gy[RBE] , requiring careful and experienced adjustments during the planning process and robustness considerations. The small-spot IMPT plans still met the standard clinical requirements after interplay effects were considered. Conclusions Small-spot IMPT decreases doses to heart, liver, and total lung compared to VMAT as well as achieves clinically acceptable plan robustness. Our study supports the use of small-spot IMPT for the treatment of distal esophageal carcinoma.
A Vaccine against Ebola Virus

Ervebo is the first licensed vaccine for prevention of Ebola virus disease. The vaccine, originally developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada, is delivered in a single 1 mL dose and has been delivered to >200,000 people in an ongoing 2018-2020 outbreak of disease. To view this Bench to Bedside, open or download the PDF.
Mindfulness, happiness, and anxiety in a sample of college students before and after taking a meditation course.

Objective: To explore differences in mindfulness, happiness, and perceived anxiety in a sample of college students before and after taking a meditation course.Participants: Participants were colleg...
Neural Networks, Hypersurfaces, and the Generalized Radon Transform [Lecture Notes]

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) have long been used as a mathematical modeling method and have recently found numerous applications in science and technology, including computer vision, signal processing, and machine learning [1], to name a few. Although notable function approximation results exist [2], theoretical explanations have yet to catch up with newer developments, particularly with regard to (deep) hierarchical learning. As a consequence, numerous doubts often accompany NN practitioners, such as How many layers should one use? What is the effect of different activation functions? What are the effects of pooling? and many others.
Constraints on Pluto’s H and CH4 profiles from New Horizons Alice Lyα observations

Abstract The Alice spectrograph on New Horizons performed several far-ultraviolet (FUV) airglow observations during the July 2015 flyby of Pluto. One of these observations, named PColor2, was a short (226 s) scan across the dayside disk of Pluto from a range of ∼ 34 , 000 km, at about 40 minutes prior to closest approach. The brightest observed FUV airglow signal at Pluto is the Lyman alpha (Ly α ) emission line of atomic hydrogen, which arises primarily through the resonant scattering of solar Ly α by H atoms in the upper atmosphere, with a brightness of about 30 Rayleigh. Pluto appears dark against the much brighter ( ∼ 100 Rayleigh) sky background; this sky background is likewise the result of resonantly scattered solar Ly α , in this case by H atoms in the interplanetary medium (IPM). Here we use an updated photochemical model and a resonance line radiative transfer model to perform detailed simulations of the Ly α emissions observed in the Alice PColor2 scan. The photochemical models show that H and CH 4 abundances in Pluto’s upper atmosphere are a very strong function of the near-surface mixing ratio of CH 4 , and could provide a useful way to remotely monitor seasonal climate variations in Pluto’s lower atmosphere. The morphology of the PColor2 Ly α emissions provides constraints on the current abundance profiles of H atoms and CH 4 molecules in Pluto’s atmosphere, and indicate that the globally averaged near-surface mixing ratio of CH 4 is currently close to 0 . 4 % . This new result thus provides independent confirmation of one of the primary results from the solar occultation, also observed with the New Horizons Alice ultraviolet spectrograph.
Multi-compartment skull base orbital cavernous venous malformation: A rare presentation of a common orbital mass

Abstract Purpose We present a unique case of an orbital intraconal cavernous venous malformation that extended along the trigeminal nerve to the pterygopalatine and middle cranial fossa. Our aim is to describe an atypical presentation of this common orbital vascular mass. Observations A 57-year-old female presented with right eye proptosis. Orbital magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a lobulated contrast-enhancing mass involving the right intraconal orbital space, pterygopalatine fossa, and right middle cranial fossa, radiographically presumed to be a schwannoma. Intraoperative and histopathologic evaluation confirmed a cavernous venous malformation that extended along the trigeminal nerve. The mass, including its attachments to the cranial nerves and dura, was successfully removed via a combined transorbital and endoscopic endonasal approach. The patient recovered well with 20/20 vision, full extraocular movements, and resolution of proptosis. Conclusions This a rare presentation of an orbital cavernous venous malformation not previously described. Cavernous venous malformations typically present as ovoid well-circumscribed lesions; however, they can also extend outside the orbit along the path of cranial nerves, as was observed in this case. These types of lesions should be included in the differential diagnosis of masses arising from or extending along cranial nerves, even when involving the orbit.
Silicon Carbide (SiC)

Publisher Summary The most widely studied polytype of silicon carbide (SiC) is denoted as SiC II or 6H SiC. The samples used are in the form of hexagonal platelets with the c axis perpendicular to the surface. Thus, a normal incidence transmission or reflection experiment measures the ordinary (o) ray properties. A slice parallel to the c axis is used to measure transmission and reflection of both polarizations. The ultraviolet-visible data is a combination of the work of Rehn et al from 25 to 13 eV and Leveque and Lynch from 30 to 3 eV. In Rehn et al samples are single crystals heated for 30 min before etching in concentrated HF acid for 10 min. The sample is then mounted in an absolute reflectometer and reflectance is measured at five angles of incidence. The polarized reflectance is also generally measured.
Transmission, Reflection and the Resistance of Small Conductors

In this paper we present a simple discussion of the resistance of multi-probe conductors formulated in terms of transmission and reflection probabilities for carriers incident on the sample (Buttiker, 1986a; 1988a). It is transport in open conductors with current probes and voltage probes which is addressed. The formulation of resistances in terms of transmission of carriers through a conducting structure and reflection at the conductor stressing equilibrium electron reservoirs as carrier sources and sinks has been successfully applied to explain a number of transport phenomena in small conductors. These phenomena include the observed symmetries of the magneto-resistances at low fields in Aharonov-Bohm experiments (Buttiker, 1986a; Benoit et al. 1986), and in ballistic electron focusing experiments (van Houten et al. 1989) as well as in a number of other experiments both on macroscopic and microscopic conductors. This approach has also been applied to the phenomena of huge conductance fluctuations in multi-probe conductors (Buttiker, 1987; Baranger et al. 1988, Kane et al. 1989), and to low field magnetic anomalies in ballistic conductors (Roukes et al. 1987; Timp et al. 1988; Takagaki et al. 1988; Ford et al. 1989a; Avishai and Band, 1989; Kirczenow, 1989a; Ravenhall et al. 1989, Baranger and Stone, 1989a; Beenakker and van Houten, 1989a). Most important, the same formulae provide an especially clear discussion of the quantum Hall effect and lead to the prediction (Buttiker, 1988b) and experimental confirmation of quantized four-terminal resistances at values which differ from the bulk quantization (Washburn et al. 1988, Haug et al. 1988; van Wees et al. 1989a, Komiyama et al. 1989a). This approach and experiments for the first time shed light on the important role of contacts in the quantization at high magnetic fields, and thus have permitted a clearer understanding of the quantum Hall effect.
Mergers, Jobs and Wages in the US Telecommunications Industry

This study evaluates the human capital consequences of the several mergers of the local exchange companies that took place between 1988 and 2001. Many firms in the sector underwent one merger event while several firms have undergone two events. The levels of jobs and average wages in the firms are assessed after the merger events and analysis reveals that while the first merger events experienced by firms led to growth in jobs and wages of just over 5 percent, the second merger events, which have included the several mega-mergers of the late 1990s and early 2000s, have led to stagnation and decline in employment levels and to significantly negative human capital outcomes with declines of up to 17 percent in wage levels.
The Effect of Inorganic, Organic and No Trace Mineral Supplementation on Growth Performance, Fecal Excretion and Digestibility of Grow-Finish Swine

Fecal analysis, off-test weights, and ultrasonic measurements were used to determine the response of inorganic, organic (BioplexTM), and no trace mineral supplementation on the fecal mineral excretion (Cu, Fe, and Zn) and growth performance traits measured on live pigs (n=560) throughout the grow-finish period. Based on data from the current study, the use of BioplexTM mineral supplementation for phase-fed, grow-finish pigs could potentially decrease the concentration of fecal Cu, Fe and Zn without impacting the overall performance of the animal. Diets containing no trace mineral supplementation fed to pigs throughout the entire growfinish period had an adverse effect on performance and culling rate in the experiment. Organic mineral supplements can ultimately be fed to finishing swine without having a significant effect on percent lean (live or carcass), loin muscle area (LMA), backfat (BF10), average daily gain (ADG), or feed efficiency (FE). The use of BioplexTM (Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY) trace minerals has the potential to reduce the environmental impact of swine production without any loss of production efficiency to the producer. Lower excretions of these metals by swine could help prevent bioaccumulation where swine waste is applied. Further investigation into the trace mineral requirements of pigs during times of health and other biological and environmental stresses is warranted.
Connecting the Study of Entrepreneurship and Theories of Capitalist Progress: An Epilog

In the beginning was the corporation. Or so it seems, as it is pointed out in the first chapter of this handbook. However, the “modern industrial corporation” is a relatively recent invention in historical terms. Chandler (1990) dates its emergence to the last-half of the nineteenth century, when advances in transportation and communications both enabled and demanded the formation of large corporations managed by professionals. Such corporations came to represent the engines of national economic growth and of individual wealth creation in countries whose very membership in the group of industrialized nations speaks to the success of this organizational form (Acs, Introduction, this volume; Baumol, 2002).
Equipoise, design bias, and randomized controlled trials: the elusive ethics of new drug development

The concept of 'equipoise', or the 'uncertainty principle', has been represented as a central ethical principle, and holds that a subject may be enrolled in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) only if there is true uncertainty about which of the trial arms is most likely to benefit the patient. We sought to estimate the frequency with which equipoise conditions were met in industry-sponsored RCTs in rheumatology, to explore the reasons for any deviations from equipoise, to examine the concept of 'design bias', and to consider alternative ethical formulations that might improve subject safety and autonomy. We studied abstracts accepted for the 2001 American College of Rheumatology meetings that reported RCTs, acknowledged industry sponsorship, and had clinical end-points (n = 45), and examined the proportion of studies that favored the registration or marketing of the sponsor's drug. In every trial (45/45) results were favorable to the sponsor, indicating that results could have been predicted in advance solely by knowledge of sponsorship (P < 0.0001). Equipoise clearly was being systematically violated. Publication bias appeared to be an incomplete explanation for this dramatic result; this bias occurs after a study is completed. Rather, we hypothesize that 'design bias', in which extensive preliminary data are used to design studies with a high likelihood of being positive, is the major cause of the asymmetric results. Design 'bias' occurs before the trial is begun and is inconsistent with the equipoise principle. However, design bias increases scientific efficiency, decreases drug development costs, and limits the number of subjects required, probably reducing aggregate risks to participants. Conceptual and ethical issues were found with the equipoise principle, which encourages performance of negative studies; ignores patient values, patient autonomy, and social benefits; is applied at a conceptually inappropriate decision point (after randomization rather than before); and is in conflict with the Belmont, Nuremberg, and other sets of ethical principles, as well as with US Food and Drug Administration procedures. We propose a principle of 'positive expected outcomes', which informs the assessment that a trial is ethical, together with a restatement of the priority of personal autonomy.
To Fixate or Not to Fixate

A common strategy in neuropsychological research involves the presentation of stimuli in left and in right visual fields in order to study possible processing differences by the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Examples of strictly behavioral studies are those of Dimond and Beaumont (1973). in which vigilance performance of the two hemispheres was compared, and of Pennal (1977), in which hemispheric asymmetries in color processing were examined. Visual event-related potential (ERP) researchers have used a similar strategy to investigate effects of visual field location on ERP recorded from over both hemispheres (e.g., Andreassi et al., 1975, and Ledlow et al., 1978). In the study by Andreassi et al., the results showed that stimuli presented in the left visual field (LVF) resulted in shorter visual ERP latencies in the right occipital area than in the left, while in the case of stimuli presented in the right visual field (RVF), the opposite occurred. This field effect on visual ERP latencies has also been reported by Ledlow et al. (1978) and by Andreassi et al. (1980). Whether a study is strictly a behavioral one or involves the measurement of ERPs, it is critical that the subject fixate a t the center of the visual field if the two hemispheres are to receive differential stimulation. We became concerned about the ability of subjects to fixate when, in one study (Andreassi et al., 1980), two of 12 subjects did not show the expected contralateral hemisphere latency advantage for eccentric stimuli. This occurred even though eye movement (vertical and horizontal) was monitored by electro-oculography and was stored on tape for later analysis. In our laboratory, we now screen' all potential subjects for visual acuity, strabism w b and depth acuity before their participation in visual ERP studies. Persons with eye muscle imbalance are not always detectable by casual observation and they may readily pass a binocular visual acuity test since they tend to use one eye in viewing. It was reasoned that individuals with strabismus would have difficulty maintaining their line of sight on some central fixation point. Therefore, even though electrooculography (EOG) is measured, these individuals may take up some different fixation point. Also, deviations from center would not be detected and the usual contralateral effect might not be observed. We believe that the absence of the contralateral hemisphere effect indicates that one or the other hemisphere is not being differentially stimulated. The depth acuity test was initiated as an additional check, since individuals with
Mucosal Protection from Intestinal Ischemia–Reperfusion Reduces Oxidant Injury to the Lung

The authors investigated whether amelioration of intestinal mucosal injury, due to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), with oxygenated perfluorocarbon (PFC) would reduce an oxidant-generated lung injury. The small intestine is increasingly recognized as a primary effector of distant organ injury. Clinical and experimental studies suggest oxidant species and activated neutrophils as the agents responsible for lung injury after intestinal I/R. The role of intestinal mucosal injury has not been defined. Oxygenated PFC was perfused through the lumen of the intestine during periods of I/R. Portal venous effluent was examined for reactive oxygen species and lung tissue was examined for lipid peroxidation. Luminal perfusion of oxygenated PFC during intestinal I/R reduced oxidant species in the portal blood. This correlated with a reduction in lung lipid peroxidation. Oxygenated PFC prevented intestinal mucosal injury resulting from induced I/R. Amelioration of mucosal injury reduced oxidant generation in the portal venous circulation that was proportional to the reduction in measured lung injury. Protection of the mucosa with intraluminal oxygen may prevent I/R-associated lung injury.
Self-concept in educable mentally retarded and emotionally handicapped children. Relationship between behavioral and self-report indices and an attempt at modification.

A total of 48 educable mentally retarded (EMR) and emotionally handicapped (EH) children (\(\overline {CA} \) =137.7 months) were pretested on Coopersmith's Self-Esteem Inventory (SEI), Nowicki-Strickland's Locus of Control Scale for Children (LCSC), and 3 behavioral measures: (1) risk-taking, (2) a chance/skill task, and (3) delay of gratification. One group of 12 children from each population was then exposed to either a self-confident or a control model. After exposure, Ss were given an opportunity to perform successfully on an ambiguous task and answer questions about their success, and were readministered the SEI, LCSC, and 3 behavioral choices. Correlational analyses of pretreatment data revealed significant relationships between defensiveness and LCSC, SEI, and delay of gratification and a near-significant relationship between LCSC and SEI. EMR and EH Ss were both lower on self-esteem than the general population, while EMR Ss were more defensive, more external, and less likely to delay gratification than EH Ss. Both treated groups matched more of the behavioral choices than the control groups, while only treated EH Ss were more likely to attribute their success to internal causes. It was concluded that EMR and EH children differ in self-concept development and that future attempts to modify self-concept should include greater modeling exposure as well as increased opportunity for performance with its resultant feedback.
Acidity of silicon modified CoAPO-5 molecular sieves

Abstract Cobalt substituted AlPO 4 -5 molecular sieve was synthesized hydrothermally. Silicon modified CoAPO-5 samples were obtained by treating the CoAPO-5 sample with different quantities of ammonium hexa-fluorosilicate solution. The modified and unmodified CoAPO-5 samples were characterized for acidic properties using pyridine as a probe molecule. The XRD data of modified samples showed that the unit cell parameter a increases and c decreases with overall increase in the unit cell volume as compared to the unmodified CoAPO-5 sample. The IR spectra in the mid-infrared region indicated that silicon atoms were present in the framework position. Temperature-programmed desorption data showed an increase in the retention capacity for pyridine molecule with increased silicon content. The IR and N 1s , X-ray photoelectron spectra of chemisorbed pyridine were used to determine the relative concentration of Bronsted and Lewis acid sites present in these molecular sieves. Comparison of IR data with XPS, allowed us to conclude that on the surface of the molecular sieve crystallites the concentration of the Lewis sites is higher than Bronsted acid sites and for the bulk it is vise versa. In view of the above evidence it is concluded that the ammonium hexafluorosilicate treatment leads to the isomorphous substitution of phosphorus by silicon in the CoAPO-5 framework accompanied by a small but significant amount of simultaneous substitution for aluminum of cobalt plus phosphorus.
Multiple colonic pseudopolyposis due to amyloidosis; presenting with lower gastrointestinal bleed

Gastrointestinal involvement (mucosal or neuromuscular) is common in patients with primary and secondary amyloidosis. Mucosal lesions, ulcers or pseudopolypi (submucosal polyps) are commonly seen in stomach or proximal small bowel and are occasional source of overt or occult gastrointestinal bleed. We present a patient with diffuse polypoid lesions in colon presenting with lower gastrointestinal bleed. A 51 year-old healthy black male presented with one year history of intermittent hematochezia without any local or systemic symptoms. Physical exam was remarkable for palor without any peripheral lymphadenopathy or hepatosplenomegaly. Laboratory evaluation revealed Hct 23.0 ml/dl, MCV 65/ m3 Ferritin 12ng/ml, BUN 12mg/dl. Creatinine 1.0mg/dl. Serum electrophoresis was normal. Colonoscopy showed multiple polypoid lesions varying from 0.5 cm to 1.5 cms distributed throughout colon. Biopsy showed extensive submucosal amorphous eosinophilic material and positive staining with Congo red consistent with amyloidosis. Enteroscopic examination revealed extensive polypoid lesions in stomach and proximal small bowel. Cardiac echocardiogram was normal. Patient continued to have intermittent hematochezia requiring frequent blood transfusions and iron replacement. Gastrointestinal amyloidosis is a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding and colonic pseudopolypi due to submucosal amyloid deposit may manifest with lower gastrointestinal tract bleeding.
PYRIDINE DEGRADATION INTERMEDIATES AS MODELS FOR HYDRODENITROGENATION CATALYSIS : PREPARATION AND PROPERTIES OF A METALLAPYRIDINE COMPLEX

We report the preparation, structure, and reactions of a stable metallapyridine complex of tantalum prepared in the course of model studies of hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) reactions. is isolated upon...
Properties of amorphous and crystallizable hydrocarbon polymers. IV. Melt rheology of linear and star‐branched hydrogenated polybutadiene

Some results on the melt rheology of hydrogenated polybutadiene (HPB) with narrow-molecular-weight distribution are reported and compared with the corresponding properties of the precursor polybutadienes (PBD) and fractions of linear polyethylene (PE). In linear samples the dynamic moduli obeyed frequency-temperature superposition. The relationship between melt viscosity and intrinsic viscosity at 190°C for HPB was indistinguishable from that for PE, but their flow activation energies were slightly different (Ea = 7.2 kcal for HPB and 6.4 kcal for PE). Like PE, but unlike the PBD precursors, the dynamic storage modulus at low frequencies was anomalous. Otherwise, the dynamic moduli of HPB and its PBD precursor were essentially superposable. Plateau moduli from different samples were somewhat variable around an average of G = 2.31 × 107 dyn/cm2. The dynamic moduli for the HPB stars, unlike their PBD precursors, did not obey temperature-frequency superposition. At high frequencies the temperature coefficient approached that for linear HPB, but it increased with decreasing frequency, reaching limiting values which depended on the arm length. The flow activation energy ranged from 9 kcal to more than 15 kcal as arm length increased.
Nuclear charge densities in the transition region: 192Os

Abstract Data from the first electron-scattering study of an Os-Pt transition region nucleus, 192 Os, are analyzed in combination with moonic-atom data by using the model-independent Fourier-Bessel method. The results are discussed in terms of available IBA and BET model calculations. New Hartree-Fock (DME) calculations are presented as an example of the agreement achieved with microscopic-based theories.
Antibodies to Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase toxin in neonatal and maternal sera.

To investigate the high prevalence among infants of antibodies to Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT), cord-blood sera were examined for antibodies to ACT, filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) and pertussis toxin (PT) using immunoblot analysis. Antibodies reactive with ACT were the most prevalent in neonatal sera. Similar reactivity of IgG with ACT was found in each sample of a given neonatal-maternal pair, yet IgM reactive with ACT was virtually absent in neonatal sera, suggesting that antibodies to ACT are maternally derived. Antibodies to ACT might come from infection or childhood vaccination of the mothers since pertussis vaccines from all US manufacturers elicited antibodies to ACT in mice. Alternatively, these antibodies may have been elicited by a cross-reactive antigen such as Escherichia coli α-hemolysin, since all of the neonatal and maternal sera contained antibodies reactive with α-hemolysin.
Abstract 4812: p53 acts during total-body irradiation to promote lymphomagenesis

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Radiation therapy can cause acute toxicity and long-term side effects including radiation-induced cancer. Because some of the short-term side effects of radiation are due to p53-mediated apoptosis, blocking p53 during radiation can protect some normal tissues from acute radiation injury and might improve the therapeutic ratio of radiation therapy. However, temporarily blocking p53 could also increase late effects of radiation because mice in which p53 is permanently deleted are sensitized to radiation-induced carcinogenesis. Experiments using a mouse model where p53 can be temporarily turned on during irradiation suggest that radiation-induced apoptosis does not contribute to p53-mediated tumor suppression. Here, we perform reciprocal experiments and temporarily turn p53 off during total-body irradiation (TBI) using transgenic mice with reversible RNA interference (shp53). Our results show that temporary p53 knockdown during TBI suppressed death from bone marrow failure by protecting hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) against radiation. Remarkably, we found that temporary knockdown of p53 during TBI not only ameliorated acute hematological toxicity, but also prevented lymphoma development. In contrast, p53 knockdown during and permanently after TBI sensitized mice to radiation-induced carcinogenesis, which recapitulates the tumor spectrum of p53+/− mice exposed to irradiation. Mechanistic studies show that, by blocking apoptosis in hematopoietic cells, p53 knockdown during TBI suppressed accelerated repopulation of HSPCs, a critical step that facilitates expansion of pre-malignant clones with mutations after irradiation. Taken together, our results demonstrate that, although p53 is indispensible to suppress tumor formation after radiation, p53 functions during TBI to promote lymphoma formation. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4812. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4812
Biosensing using porous silicon photonic bandgap structures

Photonic bandgap (PBG) structures have remarkable optical properties that can be exploited for biosensing applications. We describe the fabrication of 1-D PBG biosensors using porous silicon. The optical properties of porous silicon PBGs are sensitive to small changes of refractive index in the porous layers, which makes them a good sensing platform capable of detecting binding of the target molecules to the bioreceptors. The material nanostructure and device configuration that lead to optimum performance of the devices are investigated in detail by modeling the optical response. It is shown that porous silicon based PBG sensors are useful for detecting biological matter, from small molecules to larger proteins.
Aspirin‐Induced Occult Gastrointestinal Blood Loss: Local Versus Systemic Effects

The purpose of this study was to determine if occult gastrointestinal blood loss produced by therapeutic doses of aspirin in man is a local or systemic effect. The daily oral administration of from 3.9 to 5.2 g. aspirin in tablets for 8 days increased the average daily blood loss from 0.3 to 6.4 ml. in nine normal subjects. Intravenous administration of from 2.7 to 3.4 g. Aspirin as the sodium salt per day for 3 days to the same subjects caused no measurable gastrointestinal blood loss above control values. The average bleeding time increased from a control value of 2.6 to 4.5 min. during oral aspirin administration and to 4.1 min. during intravenous administration of the drug. The absence of gastrointestinal bleeding due to intravenous aspirin and the similarity in the degree of prolongation of bleeding time by both oral and intravenous aspirin indicate that gastrointestinal bleeding is a local effect of the drug and is not related to changes in the bleeding time.
Doing the Right Things and Doing Them the Right Way: Association Between Hospital Guideline Adherence, Dosing Safety, and Outcomes Among Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background—Performance metrics currently focus on the measurement of the application of guideline-indicated medications without considering the appropriate dosing of these drugs. Methods and Results—We studied 39 291 patients from the Can Rapid Risk Stratification of Unstable Angina Patients Suppress Adverse Outcomes with Early Implementation of the ACC/AHA Guidelines (CRUSADE) registry with non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes. We evaluated hospital variability in the composite use of American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guideline–recommended therapies (adherence) and the proportion of treated patients with the recommended dose of heparins or a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonist (safety), and its association with risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality and bleeding. The rates of composite guideline adherence (median, 85%; 25th, 75th percentile, 82, 88) and antithrombotic dosing safety (median, 53%; 25th, 75th percentile, 45%, 60%) varied among hospitals. Correlation between ho...
A Tensile Stress Concentration Equation for Countersunk Holes

A detailed three-dimensional finite element stress analysis was conducted for countersunk rivet and straight-shank holes in a plate subjected to tension loading. The study included a wide range of plate width to radius, thickness to radius, and countersunk depth to thickness ratios and countersunk angles (θc). The maximum stress concentration occurs at or near the countersunk edge. The stress concentration was found to be a function of countersunk depth, plate thickness and width, and it was nearly independent of the countersunk angle for 90 ≤ θc≤ 110 deg. Using the finite element results and limiting conditions of countersunk hole configurations, an equation for stress concentration factor was developed and verified.