cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantification of Scan Analysis Errors in GE Lunar DXA Visceral Adiposity in Adults.

Abstract Introduction: Utilization of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry is increasing in clinical settings and the fitness industry as a viable tool to assess total and regional body composition, including visceral adiposity. Previous research using small samples (
Don't Fear the Meter: How Longer Time Limits Yield Biased Preferences for Flat Fee Contracts

Time limits and deadlines are pervasive in organizational settings. Managers work under time limits themselves and also manage time limits for others. While the motivational effect of time limits on individual and group performance has been studied extensively, little is known about how time limits shape people’s reasoning about others’ behavior and decisions based on such reasoning. We investigate the effect of time limits on managers’ beliefs about productivity and consequent contract choices for hiring temporary workers using incentive-compatible games. We find a biased preference among managers for flat-fee (vs. time-metered) contracts, particularly under longer time limits, resulting in lost earnings for managers. The sub-optimal contract choices occur because of a bias in estimates of task completion time and are not explained by normative risk preferences or information conveyed by time limits. The bias is observed regardless of whether task quality is fixed or variable, and persists for experienced managers.
A Case of Pulmonary Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma with Literature Review

Pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is a rare vascular tumor and infrequently described in medical literature as case reports and case series. Diagnosis is often incidental with high index of histopathological suspicion from clinical pathologist. The pathological pattern is quite unique with distinct immunohistochemical stains. Up to this day, there is no established standard treatment owing to the scarcity of this tumor. In this case report, we describe a case of pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma unexpectedly diagnosed with transthoracic needle biopsy, along with a review of the current literature.
Safety and Feasibility of Same-session Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Biopsy and Fiducial Placement in Pancreatic Cancer

ABSTRACT Background In patients with pancreas adenocarcinoma (PDAC), performing endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fiducial placement at the time of initial EUS-guided biopsies may obviate a second procedure, streamline care, and improve resource utilization. However, the safety of this combined approach is understudied. Methods We retrospectively identified and reviewed cases at a single institution in which patients with PDAC underwent EUS-guided biopsy and same session fiducial placement. Patient and procedural characteristics were abstracted. Intraprocedural and postprocedural adverse events were classified according to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Lexicon for Adverse Events. The percentage of "definite" and "probable" adverse events occurring within 14 days of the procedure was calculated. Results Thirty-three patients were included in this series (median age 64, 42% male). The median numbers of biopsies performed and fiducials placed were 3 (range 2-7) and 4 (range 1-4), respectively, per patient. A 22-gauge needle was used for the majority of biopsies (81.8%) and all fiducial placements (100%). No definite and one probable adverse event of mild postprocedural pain was noted (3.0%, 1/33). There were no episodes of significant bleeding, pancreatitis or infection. Fiducials were successfully used in the administration of radiation to all patients. Conclusion We report a low risk of adverse events in the setting of combined EUS-guided biopsy and fiducial placement. In the appropriate setting, this approach may streamline care for patients with PDAC while avoiding time, cost, and risks associated with an additional procedure or impacting radiation therapy. Larger, controlled studies are needed to validate the safety and efficacy of this combined approach.
Role of Active Learning Techniques in Development of Problem Solving Skills

In the current era where ample data is generated every second and available to every individual in the form of information, it is easy to gain knowledge from this information but a systematic and methodical approach is required when it comes to skill development. Online and on campus programs help in gaining knowledge but the skills to apply this knowledge needs to be developed gradually through appropriate teaching pedagogy which helps in practicing higher order thinking skills as proposed by Bloom and well known as Bloom’s Taxonomy. In conventional teaching learning approach adopted for online and in-person classroom sessions, the transmission of knowledge takes place most of the time where learner’s involvement may be quite less. So from the perspective of improvement in learner’s involvement in teaching learning process, active learning methods play a significant role and hence practiced widely in recent times. Variety of methods are recommended by scientists and Education experts to improve upon assimilation of knowledge for problem solving. Depending upon the nature of the problem the learner either needs to use one of the lower order thinking skills like apply or higher order thinking skills like analyse, evaluate and create as defined by Bloom. The study presented in this paper discusses case studies of practicing active learning techniques and developing problem solving skills through these techniques. The consolidated feedback analysis for the active learning techniques practiced show that the 96% learners have agreed for clarity of understanding, 92.72% learners have shown confidence in application of concepts and 97.27% participants have shown improved satisfaction in learning. Qualitative testimonies suggests the promising strength of PBL and effectiveness of it in improvement of problem solving skills. The study encourages the effective use of active learning techniques for skill development which is need of time.
Reputable Internet Retailers’ Service Quality and Social Media Use

Due to the low entry barrier, Internet retailers face intense competition in both online and offline operations. Previous literature suggests that reputation acts as a key deciding factor against the competition since customers trust reputable retailers more than others. In the conventional framework, service quality has a critical role in reputation creation as customer perception of a retailer’s high service quality leads to an increase in their perceived reputation of the retailer. In contrast with the conventional framework, this study poses a deductive stance and examines if reputable retailers indeed offer high service quality to their customers. Investigation of more than 600 retailers’ service quality in this study shows some unmatched linkage between service quality and reputation. The findings tell us that the conventional framework does not work when the connection between service quality and reputation is examined beyond customer perception. This study also suggests an alternative source of reputation to service quality, which is social media marketing.
Using Graph Representation Learning to Predict Salivary Cortisol Levels in Pancreatic Cancer Patients

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone that is critical to immune system functioning. Studies show that prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol can lead to a range of physical health ailments including the progression of tumor growth. The ability to monitor cortisol levels over time can therefore be used to facilitate decision-making during cancer treatment. However, collecting serum or saliva samples to monitor cortisol in situ is inconvenient, costly, and impractical. In this paper, we propose a general predictive modeling process that uses passively sensed actigraphy data to predict underlying salivary cortisol levels using graph representation learning. We compare machine learning models with handcrafted feature engineering and with graph representation learning, which includes Graph2Vec, FeatherGraph, GeoScattering and NetLSD. Our preliminary results generated from data from 10 newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer patients demonstrate that machine learning models with graph representation learning can outperform the handcrafted feature engineering to predict salivary cortisol levels.
Evolving oncology provider perspectives on care delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic

e18609Background: The COVID-19 pandemic prompted rapid changes in cancer care delivery. We sought to examine oncology provider perspectives on clinical decisions and care delivery during the pandem...
"18 is not a magic number": Faculty Reflections on Student Development Theories in Creating Inclusive Classrooms.

Inclusive classroom training typically focuses on course design, teaching strategies, and evaluation practices girded in best teaching practices. Our university has hosted inclusive classroom training for six years, but just recently began providing mandatory training in each of the university’s academic departments for teaching faculty (including term, tenure-track, tenured, and adjunct professors). The newness and relevancy of student development theories to faculty proved worthy of increased attention by our Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching. Using qualitative assessment data from our institution's mandatory Inclusive Classroom Annual Training for faculty, we present findings that illustrate how instructors would benefit from cursory information on student development theories. Faculty reflections focused around three themes. First, it is essential for faculty to humanize teaching and learning by remembering to teach students and not just course content. Second, faculty could connect their new knowledge of student development theories to their pedagogies and specifically how it can promote inclusive classroom environments. Finally, participants shared vulnerabilities by interpreting their past, present, and future teaching through a lens of student development theories. Also provided are recommendations to enhance teaching development for faculty, teaching and learning centers, and student affairs educators centered on the importance of student development theories.
Electronic pulmonary embolism clinical decision support and effect on yield of computerized tomographic pulmonary angiography: ePE-A pragmatic prospective cohort study.

Objective Multiple professional societies recommend pre-test probability (PTP) assessment prior to imaging in the evaluation of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE), however, PTP testing remains uncommon, with imaging occurring frequently and rates of confirmed PE remaining low. The goal of this study was to assess the impact of a clinical decision support tool embedded into the electronic health record to improve the diagnostic yield of computerized tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in suspected patients with PE in the emergency department (ED). Methods Between July 24, 2014 and December 31, 2016, 4 hospitals from a healthcare system embedded an optional electronic clinical decision support system to assist in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (ePE). This system employs the Pulmonary Embolism Rule-out Criteria (PERC) and revised Geneva Score (RGS) in series prior to CT imaging. We compared the diagnostic yield of CTPA) among patients for whom the physician opted to use ePE versus the diagnostic yield of CTPA when ePE was not used. Results During the 2.5-year study period, 37,288 adult patients were eligible and included for study evaluation. Of eligible patients, 1949 of 37,288 (5.2%) were enrolled by activation of the tool. A total of 16,526 CTPAs were performed system-wide. When ePE was not engaged, CTPA was positive for PE in 1556 of 15,546 scans for a positive yield of 10.0%. When ePE was used, CTPA identified PE in 211 of 980 scans (21.5% yield) (P < 0.001). Conclusions ePE significantly increased the diagnostic yield of CTPA without missing 30-day clinically overt PE.
Redesigning Widespread Insurance Coverage Disputes: A Case Study of the British and American Approaches to Pandemic Business Interruption Coverage (preprint)

In the 18 months since the pandemic’s onset in March 2020, businesses have filed approximately 2,000 different lawsuits in state and federal courts seeking insurance coverage under their business interruption policies. Notwithstanding this “nationwide flood of insurance-related litigation,” clear answers regarding insurers’ coverage obligations remain elusive: although courts have dismissed many of these cases, policyholders have scored a meaningful number of victories in federal, and especially state, courts. The United States’ chaotic and costly process for resolving pandemic-related business interruption coverage disputes contrasts sharply with the experience of the United Kingdom. Within eight months of the pandemic’s onset, the legal obligations of British business interruption insurers had been definitively resolved through a novel “test case scheme” led by the country’s primary market conduct regulator for financial firms, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Focusing on these divergent experiences, this Article suggests that the U.S. can substantially improve its process for resolving future widespread insurance coverage disputes by adopting a limited reform that is inspired by the British test case scheme. In particular, the Article proposes that states should consider empowering their insurance department and attorney general to request that federal courts adjudicating cases raising novel coverage questions implicated in emerging and widespread coverage disputes certify those questions to the state’s supreme court.
Performance of time-dependent propensity scores: a pharmacoepidemiology case study.

Purpose Pharmacoepidemiologic studies of acute effects of episodic exposures often must control for many time-dependent confounders. Marginal structural models permit this and provide unbiased estimates when confounders are on the causal pathway. However, if causal pathway confounding is minimal, analyses with time-dependent propensity scores, calculated for time periods defined by individual drug prescriptions, may have better efficiency. We justify time-dependent propensity scores and compare the performance of these methods in a case study from a previous investigation of the risk of medication toxicity death in current users of propoxyphene and hydrocodone, with both substantial time-dependent confounding and a large number of covariates. Methods The cohort included Tennessee Medicaid enrollees who filled a qualifying study opioid prescription between 1992 and 2007. We identified 22 time-dependent covariates that accounted for most of the confounding in the original study. We compared analyses with all covariates in the regression model with those based on time-dependent propensity scores and those from marginal structural models. Results We identified 489,008 persons with 1,771,295 propoxyphene and 4,088,754 hydrocodone prescriptions. The unadjusted hazard ratio (propoxyphene : hydrocodone) was 0.70 (95%CI, 0.46–1.07). Estimates from inclusion of all covariates in the model, time-dependent propensity score analysis with inverse probability of treatment weighting, and marginal structural models were 1.63 (1.04–2.57), 1.65 (1.01–2.72), and 1.64 (0.83–3.27), respectively. Findings varied little with use of alternative propensity score methods, time origin, or techniques for marginal structural model estimation. Conclusions Time-dependent propensity scores may be useful for pharmacoepidemiologic studies with time-varying exposures when causal pathway confounding is limited. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Corporate Venture Capital and Corporate Governance in Newly Public Firms: Evidence from Venture Backed IPOs

We investigate the corporate governance of venture capital (VC) backed IPO firms that enter into strategic alliances. Startups often have alliances with outside strategic partners and with parents of corporate VCs (CVCs), who primarily invest in startups for strategic reasons. Both CVCs and outside strategic alliance partners can influence an IPO firm’s corporate governance. We find that firms with strategic alliances have greater independent director representation, more staggered boards and forced CEO turnovers and smaller percentage of new shares and secondary share sales. Comparing the governance of IPO firm with strategically oriented CVCs backing to IPO firms with outside strategic alliance partners, we find significantly stronger effects in firms backed by CVCs.
Efficacy of Methionine Peptides as Determined by Chick Bioassay

Chick growth assays were used to evaluate the efficacy of poly-L-methionine and DL/LD methionylmethionine ( a 50:50 mixture of D-Met-L-Met and L-Met-D-Met). The polypeptide possessed no bioefficacy whatever, probably due to its extreme insolubility. The dipeptide of methionine exhibited growth-promoting ability equal to that of DL-methionine itself.
Origin of left coronary artery from pulmonary artery; review of the literature and report of two cases.

Abstract 1. 1. Clinical and autopsy findings are reported in two infants, aged 3 and 6 months at death, in whom the left coronary artery arose from the pulmonary artery. No additional cardiac anomalies were present. The literature is reviewed. 2. 2. In both cases there was excessive dilatation and hypertrophy of the left ventricle, with necrosis, fibrosis, calcification, and dilated sinuses in the myocardium. There was musculoelastic thickening of the intima of some of the smaller arteries. Fibroelastic thickening of the endocardium of the left ventricle was present. It is felt that these changes are atributable to chronic anoxia of the portion of the heart supplied by the left coronary artery.
Telephone-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Telephone-Delivered Nondirective Supportive Therapy for Rural Older Adults With Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is common in older adults; however, access to treatment may be limited, particularly in rural areas. Objective To examine the effects of telephone-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) compared with telephone-delivered nondirective supportive therapy (NST) in rural older adults with GAD. Design, Setting, and Participants Randomized clinical trial in the participants’ homes of 141 adults aged 60 years and older with a principal or coprincipal diagnosis of GAD who were recruited between January 27, 2011, and October 22, 2013. Interventions Telephone-delivered CBT consisted of as many as 11 sessions (9 were required) focused on recognition of anxiety symptoms, relaxation, cognitive restructuring, the use of coping statements, problem solving, worry control, behavioral activation, exposure therapy, and relapse prevention, with optional chapters on sleep and pain. Telephone-delivered NST consisted of 10 sessions focused on providing a supportive atmosphere in which participants could share and discuss their feelings and did not provide any direct suggestions for coping. Main Outcomes and Measures Primary outcomes included interviewer-rated anxiety severity (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale) and self-reported worry severity (Penn State Worry Questionnaire–Abbreviated) measured at baseline, 2 months’ follow-up, and 4 months’ follow-up. Mood-specific secondary outcomes included self-reported GAD symptoms (GAD Scale 7 Item) measured at baseline and 4 months’ follow-up and depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory) measured at baseline, 2 months’ follow-up, and 4 months’ follow-up. Among the 141 participants, 70 were randomized to receive CBT and 71 to receive NST. Results At 4 months’ follow-up, there was a significantly greater decline in worry severity among participants in the telephone-delivered CBT group (difference in improvement, −4.07; 95% CI, −6.26 to −1.87; P = .004) but no significant differences in general anxiety symptoms (difference in improvement, −1.52; 95% CI, −4.07 to 1.03; P = .24). At 4 months’ follow-up, there was a significantly greater decline in GAD symptoms (difference in improvement, −2.36; 95% CI, −4.00 to −0.72; P = .005) and depressive symptoms (difference in improvement, −3.23; 95% CI, −5.97 to −0.50; P = .02) among participants in the telephone-delivered CBT group. Conclusions and Relevance In this trial, telephone-delivered CBT was superior to telephone-delivered NST in reducing worry, GAD symptoms, and depressive symptoms in older adults with GAD. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT01259596.
Parakatalogē: un altro sguardo

The concept of parakatalog ē has played a key role in how many modern scholars envision the performance of ancient drama, but its nature and role have been misunderstood. Close examination of the two passages where the word parakatalog ē occurs (Pseudo-Aristotle Problemata 19, 6 and Ps.-Plutarch De musica 28), of uses of the words katalog ē and katalegein , and of passages describing accompanied speech reveal that the vocalizing used in parakatalog ē was very similar if not identical to normal speech. Parakatalog ē could be used in the performance of a variety of meters, but there is no evidence that it was used extensively.
135: Donor glutathione-s-transferase (GST) mu null genotype in lung transplant recipients is associated with increased rates of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) independent of acute rejection

cause of late mortality after lung transplantation (LTx). Airway colonization with gram-negative rods (C-GNR) may have a potential role in the development of BOS. Cystic fibrosis (CF) pts show frequently airway colonization prior to LTx and are re-colonized after LTx. Some of them loose C-GNR in the longterm again. We investigated the impact of this phenomen on the development of BOS in CF-patients. Methods and Materials: From Jan 2002 until May 2006, 59 surviving adult CF-patients transplanted at our institution were prospectively surveyed for the occurrence of BOS (FEV1 80% baseline) during a follow-up of 813 433 days. Microbiological Database was screened for any detection of GNR in lower respiratory material for the entire preand posttransplant period. Results: Mean age at LTx was 27 8 years (32 female). All 59 recipients were colonized with GNRs prior to LTx: P. aeruginosa (47), A. xylosoxidans (6), B. cepacia (5), and S. maltophilia (4). 9 recipients showed a combined colonization. After LTx 52 out of 59 patients (88%) were recolonized by GNR. 19 (32%) pts became negative after a mean time of 322 257 days postoperatively. These pts had a lower risk to develop BOS compared to those pts remaining GNR colonized (Log rank p 0.04). This was also true for a subgroup colonized with P. aeruginosa, in which 13 out of 47 became GNR negative (p 0.02, figure). BOS occurred in 18 out of 59 patients in average 527 367 days after LTx. Conclusions: The loss of GNR colonization of the airways after LTx seems to protect against BOS. Development of strategies to eradicate posttransplant GNR colonization may be crucial.
Calculation of fundamental frequencies for small polyatomic molecules: a comparison between correlation consistent and atomic natural orbital basis sets

The performance of the NASA Ames atomic natural orbital (ANO) basis sets for calculating fundamental vibrational frequencies is examined, using the CCSD(T) treatment of electron correlation and second-order vibrational perturbation theory. Particular attention is paid to the performance of the small, cost-effective truncations ([3s 2p 1d] and [4s 3p 2d 1f] on second-row atoms) known as ANO0 and ANO1, as similarly sized basis sets must necessarily be used for high-level correlation treatment of ‘large’ molecules. It is found that the ANO0 and ANO1 basis sets – particularly the former – outperform comparably sized correlation consistent basis sets for the calculation of vibrational frequencies, suggesting that the ANO0 basis is a useful tool for this area of computational chemistry.
A 15-year-old black girl with a left abdominal mass

An asymptomatic 15year-old black patient with sickle cell trait was referred to our institution for further imaging studies following the incidental demonstration of a left-sided abdominal mass during routine physical examination prior to summer camp. The patient, before admission, underwent abdominal sonography, which demonstrated a large heterogeneous mass in the left kidney.
Plasmid-assisted molecular breeding: new technique for enhanced biodegradation of persistent toxic chemicals

The persistence of synthetic herbicides such as 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) and its release in massive amounts as a herbicide (Agent Orange) have created toxicological problems in many countries. In nature, 2,4,5-T is slowly degraded by cooxidation and is not utilized as a sole source of carbon and energy. The technique of plasmid-assisted molecular breeding has led to the development of bacterial strains capable of totally degrading 2,4,5-T by using it as their sole source of carbon at high concentrations (greater than 1 mg/ml). Spectrophotometry and gas chromatography reveal various intermediates during growth of the culture with 2,4,5-T.
Case records: A reflective practice approach to administrator development

Some problem situations occur with such frequency in schools throughout the country that they could be regarded as standard problems in school administration. Abuse of drugs by students or teachers, one or two repeatedly disruptive classes, theft of school or personal property, some ineffective teachers, excessive absenteeism, discipline repeaters, achievement test scores below par, and interpersonal clashes are just a few that come to mind immediately. What are the best professional practices for dealing with such frequently encountered problem situations? What should the principal take into consideration to design optimal solutions-solutions that not only resolve the immediate dilemma but also advance the school's basic goals? At this point in the development of the field of school administration the answers to these questions are not known. Each principal must rely on his or her own judgments based on experience, ideas drawn from selected pieces of literature, and perhaps advice from a few selected colleagues. In the other professions, however, practitioners do have access to the best known techniques for addressing frequently recurring problems. Practices in the other professions suggest some powerful strategies for the advancement of educational administration.
Oxytocin Influence on the Nucleus of the Solitary Tract: Beyond Homeostatic Regulation

Oxytocin is a neuropeptide that until recently was perhaps best known for its role in parturition, lactation, and maternal care. It is now well documented that oxytocin also influences a wide range of social and affective behaviors and is a powerful modulator of physiological and behavioral
Floral fragrance compounds of some Anthurium (Araceae) species and hybrids

Abstract Floral fragrance compounds of five species Anthurium armeniense, A. fragrantissimum, A. lindenianum, A. ochranthum and A.roseospadix, and three hybrids of A. armeniense were studied using headspace adsorption and solvent extraction for sample preparation followed by capillary GC and GC-MS analysis. Twenty eight compounds were identified and their levels (%) assessed at the scent-emitting pistillate stage of the spadix. Variation of compounds in the headspace in response to the time of day were determined in a hybrid, A. antioquiense × ‘Tatsuta Pink Obake’ (UH1299), which emitted strong fragrance all day. Chemical profiles from the headspace and from spadices soaked in CH2Cl2 were compared in three species. Combination of these two data sets would provide more complete chemotaxonomic profiles in Anthurium.
Heavy ion collisions with the ATLAS detector

The ATLAS detector is designed to study high-p T physics in proton-proton collisions at the LHC design luminosity. The detector capabilities for heavy-ion physics are now being evaluated. This paper reports on a preliminary assessment of the baseline ATLAS detector potential for heavy-ion physics. The ATLAS sensitivity to some of the expected signatures from the quark-gluon plasma (e.g. jet quenching, Υ suppression) is discussed. PACS: 25.70.Ef – 21.60.Gx
Mu Analysis for Turbomachinery Stall Flutter

Flutter is an aeroelastic instability phenomenon that can result either in serious damage or complete destruction of a gas turbine blade structure. To assure a reliable and safe operation, potential for blade flutter must be eliminated from the turbo-machinery stages. In this paper, the robustness of an axial compressor blade design is studied with respect to parametric uncertainties through the Mu analysis. The analytical description of the nominal model used is based on matching a two dimensional incompressible flow field across the flexible rotor and the rigid stator. The aerodynamic load on the blade is derived via the control volume analysis. For use in the Mu analysis, first the model originally described by a set of partial differential equations is reduced to ordinary differential equations by the Fourier series based collocation method. After that, the nominal model is obtained by linearizing the achieved non-linear ordinary differential equations. The uncertainties coming from the modeling assumptions, model reduction, and linearization approximations, as well as imperfectly known parameters and coefficients are all modeled as parametric uncertainties through the Monte Carlo simulation. As compared with other robustness analysis tools, such as Hinf , the Mu analysis is less conservative and can handle both structured and unstructured perturbations. Simulation results show that the procedure described in this paper can be effective in studying the flutter stability margin and can be used to guide the gas turbine blade design.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Cardiac transplantation with corticosteroid-free immunosuppression: Long-term result

Abstract To assess the long-term safety of an immunosuppressive regimen without corticosteroids, we retrospectively evaluated 42 long-term (>1 year) survivors of orthotopic cardiac transplantation. We determined the incidence of (1) conversion of the immunosuppressive regimen from cyclosporine and azathioprine alone (group I) to cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisone (group II), (2) late acute graft rejection (defined as occurring at greater than 1 postoperative year), and (3) major postoperative complications related to corticosteroids. Of the 42 patients who were started on cyclosporine and azathioprine, 48% remained in group I, and 52% converted to group II. Forty-five percent of group II patients were able to taper and discontinue prednisone in 15.6 ± 2.2 months. Among the patients on long-term corticosteroid-free immuno suppression, the incidence of late rejection was 2.1% per endomyocardial biopsy. The incidence of late infectious episodes was not significantly different between the two groups of patients, although diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia were more prevalent in group II than in group I. These data suggest that cardiac transplant recipients who chronically remain on corticosteroid-free immunosuppression represent a select group of patients with an acceptably low risk of late graft rejection and associated reduction of potential risk factors of accelerated coronary artery disease.
Nature and origin of layered deposits of the Martian polar regions

Layered deposits in the polar regions of Mars may be formed from fine dust ultimately derived from the canyons and other eroded terrains of the equatorial regions. An analysis of dust deposition in the area of annual frost cover predicts the formation of vast featureless domed plateaus underlaid by layered deposits of dust. Television observations suggest that these plateaus once existed, but they have now been dissected and stripped from most of the area of annual frost cover. A possible explanation is that a major secular change has occurred in the erosional environment of the Martian polar regions. Estimates of depositional rates of dust under current atmospheric conditions place the time span represented by the accumulation of layered deposits at about 500 m.y. Because of erosion, the present surface appears very young and lacks any impact craters. The present rate of water ice accumulation in the area of perennial frost is comparable to that of dust, and thus it is suggested that large quantities of water ice may be trapped with dust beneath the perennial frost caps.
An evaluation of a polyvinyl occlusal splint for improving the health of inflamed maxillary supporting mucosa of complete denture patients.

Abstract A study was made to determine the effects of a polyvinyl occlusal splint on improving the health of inflamed maxillary supporting mucosa. Color slides were made before and after treatment of the maxillary supporting mucosa of 22 edentulous patients wearing dentures during a 15-day test period. The control group consisted of 13 patients, and the experimental group was comprised of nine patients who wore the occlusal splint over the maxillary denture. The 35 mm color slides taken before and after treatment were evaluated by 50 examiners to determine if the health of the maxillary supporting mucosa was better, the same, or worse after the 15-day test period. Fourteen of the examiners were retested to determine the reliability of the viewer. An observable change was noted in the experimental group at a p value less than 1 in 100, 000. These findings indicate that the occlusal splint was effective in improving the health status in 64.7% of the experimental patients and that the experimental method was valid.
Immediate Weight Bearing Following Modified Lapidus Arthrodesis

First metatarsocuneiform arthrodesis (Lapidus procedure) can provide powerful correction of mild to moderate hypermobile or severe hallux valgus, although a period of non-weight bearing may be necessary. The purpose of this retrospective investigation was to compare patients who underwent a modified Lapidus arthrodesis with 2 screws plus an additional "neutralization" Kirschner-wire with immediate partial weight-bearing in a removable boot, with a control group without the Kirschner-wire who were non-weight bearing for 6 weeks in a short leg cast. A total of 41 consecutive patients from January 2004 to January 2007 were included in this comparative cohort study. There were no significant radiographic changes between immediate and final 6-month postoperative radiographs in regard to first intermetatarsal angle (degree) and first ray elevation measurements (first to second metatarsal head elevation [mm] and Seiberg index [mm]) within groups (P = .49, .47, and .54, and 95% confidence intervals of [-2.1, 1.2], [-0.32, 2.03], and [-0.82, 0.44], respectively) or between groups (P = .259, .67, and .083, and 95% confidence intervals of [-4.2, 1.2], [-1.39, 0.91], and [-1.77, 0.12], respectively), as computed with paired 2-sample t tests. Stratified Mantel-Haenszel analyses revealed both groups to be comparable relative to severity of deformity, gender, age, smoking history, perioperative immunosuppressant use, and other comorbidities. No nonunions or malunions where observed in either group. The use of a temporary Kirschner-wire as a third point of fixation may enable immediate protected weight bearing, by minimizing load placed on the crossed lag screw construct, in patients undergoing modified Lapidus arthrodesis.
The Influence of Attached Bubbles on Potential Drop and Current Distribution at Gas‐Evolving Electrodes

A theoretical study is presented of the effects of bubbles attached to the surface of a gas-evolving electrode, with emphasis on their influence on the local current distribution and on the potential drop at the electrode. The mathematical model accounts for the combined influence of (i) ohmic obstruction within the electrolyte, (ii) area masking on the electrode surface, which raises surface overpotential by increasing the effective current density, and (iii) decreased local supersaturation, which lowers the concentration overpotential. The electrolytic transport is described by potential theory, and the dissolved gas is assumed to obey steady-state diffusion within a concentration boundary layer. The coupled field equations are solved numerically using the boundary-element method. The model is applied to hydrogen evolution in potassium-hydroxide solution. For gas evolution in the Tafel kinetic regime, the current distribution is nearly uniform over the unmasked electrode area, and the increase in surface overpotential is the dominant voltage effect. However, outside the Tafel regime (e.g. on cathodes of greater catalytic activity) the current density is strongly enhanced near the bubble-contact zone, and the supersaturation-lowering effect is quite strong, largely offsetting the ohmic and surface-overpotential effects. Proceeding from a set of base conditions, the authors perform a systematicmore » examination of attached-bubble effects, their relative importance, and their dependence on system variables.« less
Total Cross Sections for High-Energy Neutrons

The total cross sections for high-energy neutrons have been determined for 12 elements (H, D, C, O, Al, Si, Cl, Ti, Fe, Cu, Hg, and Pb) for several points in the range between 60 and 110 Mev. The good-geometry attenuation experiment was conducted in the neutron beam produced by the bombardment of a beryllium target by the internal proton beam of the Harvard 95-in. synchrocyclotron. The angular and energy resolution permitted by the use of scintillation counter telescope techniques is discussed. Results are analyzed by using the optical model of the nucleus.
Effect of localization of L-asparaginase as the concanavalin A conjugate on anti-tumor activity

A method potentially capable of enhancing the effectiveness of therapeutic enzymes such as L-asparaginase was investigated. The method was suggested by the following properties that have been observed for lectins injected into tissues: (1) six lectins with differing specificities were retained near the site of injection in the feet of mice 10 to 100 times longer than several non-lectin proteins. Prolonged retention of 125I-labelled concanavalin A was also observed in other normal and malignant mouse tissues. (2) The retention of 125I-labelled concanavalin A was not affected by prior immunization against concanavalin A. (3) Electrophoresis of tissue extracts on sodium dodecyl sulfate-poly-acrylamide gels followed by radioautography indicated that the 125I-labelled concanavalin A retained in the tissue remained as intact in form as prior to injection. Since the therapeutic efficacy of many enzymes may be enhanced by localization at the intended site of action, in principle it should be possible to enhance the effectiveness of therapeutic enzymes by combining the tissue-localizing properties of a lectin with therapeutic effectiveness of the enzyme. A conjugate of E. coli L-asparaginase and concanavalin A has been prepared by covalent cross-linking with glutaraldehyde and has been shown to be retained in mouse tissue 90 times longer than the free enzyme. However, it is completely ineffective in the treatment of the L-asparaginase-sensitive lymphosarcoma 6C3HED in C3H/HeJ mice. The ineffectiveness of the conjugated enzyme may be associated with the interiorization of the conjugate by the cells of the tumor.
Haemophilus test medium interpretive criteria for disk diffusion susceptibility tests with cefdinir, cefetamet, cefmetazole, cefpodoxime, cefdaloxime (RU29246, HR-916 metabolite), and trospectomycin

The disk diffusion zones and the MICs of six newer antimicrobials with significant activity against Haemophilus influenzae were compared using the Haemophilus test medium (HTM) and National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards methods. The rank order of potency was cefpodoxime (MIC50, cefetamet > cefdinir > cefdaloxime = trospectomycin > cefmetazole (MIC50, 2 micrograms/ml). Susceptible breakpoint interpretive criteria for HTM tests were established that conformed to prior recommendations for each drug when tested against other species. Absolute agreement between methods ranged from 89% to 100% with or = 20 mm (MIC correlate, or = 18 mm (MIC correlate, or = 21 mm (MIC correlate, or = 16 mm (MIC correlate, or = 21 mm (MIC correlate, or = 23 mm (MIC correlate, or = 17 mm (MIC correlate, < or = 16 micrograms/ml). beta-Lactamase-negative, ampicillin-resistant (BLNAR) H. influenzae isolates consistently had the highest MICs for each cephalosporin tested.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Tumor Necrosis Factor α-induced Phosphorylation of RelA/p65 on Ser529 Is Controlled by Casein Kinase II

Nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB)/Rel transcription factors are key regulators of a variety of genes involved in immune and inflammatory responses, growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and development. In unstimulated cells, NF-kappaB/Rel proteins are sequestered in the cytoplasm by IkappaB inhibitor proteins. Many extracellular stimuli, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), cause rapid phosphorylation of IkappaB at N-terminal serine residues leading to ubiquitination and degradation of the inhibitor. Subsequently, NF-kappaB proteins translocate to the nucleus and activate gene expression through kappaB response elements. TNFalpha, as well as certain other stimuli, also induces the phosphorylation of the NF-kappaB proteins. Previously, we have shown that TNFalpha induces RelA/p65 phosphorylation at serine 529 and that this inducible phosphorylation increases NF-kappaB transcriptional activity on an exogenously supplied reporter (). In this report, we demonstrate that casein kinase II (CKII) interacts with p65 in vivo and can phosphorylate p65 at serine 529 in vitro. A CKII inhibitor (PD144795) inhibited TNFalpha-induced p65 phosphorylation in vivo. Furthermore, our results indicate that the association between IkappaBalpha and p65 inhibits p65 phosphorylation by CKII and that degradation of IkappaBalpha allows CKII to phosphorylate p65 to increase NF-kappaB transactivation potential. These data may explain the ability of CKII to modulate cell growth and demonstrate a mechanism whereby CKII can function in an inducible manner.
Classical vs Quantum Vibrational Energy Relaxation Pathways in Solvated Polyatomic Molecules

Vibrational energy relaxation (VER) of solvated polyatomic molecules can occur via different pathways. In this paper, we address the question of whether treating VER classically or quantum-mechanically can lead to different predictions with regard to the preferred pathway. To this end, we consider the relaxation of the singly excited asymmetric stretch of a rigid, symmetrical, and linear triatomic molecule (A-B-A) in a monatomic liquid. In this case, VER can occur either directly to the ground state or indirectly via intramolecular vibrational relaxation (IVR) to the symmetric stretch. We have calculated the rates of these two different VER pathways via classical mechanics and the linearized semiclassical (LSC) method. When the mass of the terminal A atoms is significantly larger than that of the central B atom, we find that LSC points to intermolecular VER as the preferred pathway, whereas the classical treatment points to IVR. The origin of this trend reversal appears to be purely quantum-mechanical and can be traced back to the significantly weaker quantum enhancement of solvent-assisted IVR in comparison to that of intermolecular VER.
Large inelastic deformation of glassy polymers. Part II: numerical simulation of hydrostatic extrusion

Abstract Oriented polymers may be successfully produced by the warm mechanical process of hydrostatic extrusion. This forming process is analyzed here using the constitutive model for the large inelastic deformation of glassy polymers developed in the companion paper. The model is numerically integrated and incorporated into a finite element code. The numerical results for the quantities of die swell, shrinkage stress, and pressure vs. velocity compare favorably with those obtained in documented experiments. The effects of strain rate, temperature, and friction on the process are also examined.
Long cycles containing k-ordered vertices in graphs

Let G be a (k+2)-connected graph on n vertices and S={v"1,v"2,...,v"k} be any ordered set of vertices, that is, the vertices in S appear in the order of the sequence v"1,v"2,...,v"k. We will show that if there exists a cycle containing S in the given order, then there exists a cycle C containing S in the given order such that |C|>=min{n,@s"2(G)} where @s"2(G)=min{d"G(u)+d"G(v):u,[email protected]?V(G);[email protected]?E(G)} when G is not complete, otherwise set @s"2(G)=~. This generalizes several related results known before.
Copper-aluminum alloy Fermi surface studies by positron annihilation

Abstract Annihilation radiation angular distributions from oriented crystals of Cu-Al alloys have been measured and analyzed to obtain the change of the [111] neck radius with aluminum concentration.
DRD2 Gene and Alcoholism

The article “New clues to alcoholism risk” by Constance Holden (Research News, 29 May, p. [1348][1]) includes statements attributed to “the COGA [Collaborative Study on The Genetics of Alcoholism] people” with which I disagree. The statement that their study leads to “debunking” the D2
Decoding deficits and social competency : a continuous rating approach

Males who self-reported heterosocial difficulties and whose performance in a role-played interaction was judged to be of low social competence were compared to high-competent males on a continuous rating task. The rating task required that subjects make continual, ongoing social competency ratings of their own and six other males' performance in a role-play situation. The continuous measurement of performance provided a “profile of ratings” that was compared on frequency, latency-to-first ratings, profile elevation or level, scatter, and patterning. Low-competent males had longer latencies-to-first ratings than high-competent males and less scatter in their continuous ratings than did the high-competent group. The reduced scatter effect for continuous ratings replicates previous work done with global ratings and suggests that the low-competent group may not be able to discriminate among social stimuli as well as the high-competent group. The research also suggests that the continuous rating methodology may hold promise as a tool to investigate social perception processes.
Exploratory celiotomy in 1474 AD: brief case report.

In 1474 ad a prisoner in Paris underwent an exploratory celiotomy to ascertain the cause of abdominal “colic.” The patient recovered.
Efficient algorithm for generating spectra using line-by-line methods

Abstract A method for efficient generation of spectra using line-by-line approaches is presented. The only approximation is replacing the line shape function with an interpolation procedure, which makes the method independent of the line profile functional form. The computational savings for a large number of lines is proportional to the number of frequency points in the spectral range. Therefore, for large-scale problems the method can reduce the operation count by several orders of magnitude.