cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multimodal psychosocial intervention for family caregivers of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND Caregivers of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) experience an immense caregiving burden before, during, and after HCT. METHODS We conducted an unblinded, randomized trial of a psychosocial intervention (BMT-CARE) for caregivers of patients undergoing autologous and allogeneic HCT at Massachusetts General Hospital. Caregivers were randomly assigned to BMT-CARE or usual care. BMT-CARE was tailored to the HCT trajectory and integrated treatment-related education and self-care with cognitive-behavioral skills to promote coping. Caregivers assigned to BMT-CARE met with a trained interventionist (a psychologist or a social worker) in person, via telephone, or via videoconferencing for 6 sessions starting before HCT and continuing up to day +60 after HCT. The primary endpoint was feasibility, which was defined as at least 60% of eligible caregivers enrolling and completing 50% or more of the intervention sessions. We assesed caregiver quality of life (QOL; Caregiver Oncology Quality of Life Questionnaire), caregiving burden (Caregiver Reaction Assessment), psychological distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), self-efficacy (Cancer Self-Efficacy Scale-Transplant), and coping (Measures of Current Status) at baseline and 30 and 60 days after HCT. We used mixed linear effect models to assess the effect of BMT-CARE on outcomes longitudinally. RESULTS We enrolled 72.5% of eligible caregivers (100 of 138), and 80% attended 50% or more of the intervention sessions. Caregivers randomized to BMT-CARE reported improved QOL (B = 6.11; 95% CI, 3.50-8.71; P < .001), reduced caregiving burden (B = -6.02; 95% CI, -8.49 to -3.55; P < .001), lower anxiety (B = -2.18; 95% CI, -3.07 to -1.28; P < .001) and depression symptoms (B = -1.23; 95% CI, -1.92 to -0.54; P < .001), and improved self-efficacy (B = 7.22; 95% CI, 2.40-12.03; P = .003) and coping skills (B = 4.83; 95% CI, 3.04-6.94; P < .001) in comparison with the usual-care group. CONCLUSIONS A brief multimodal psychosocial intervention tailored for caregivers of HCT recipients is feasible and may improve QOL, mood, coping, and self-efficacy while reducing the caregiving burden during the acute HCT period.
Program Administrator Burnout in Graduate Medical Education: a Longitudinal Study

Little is known about the level of burnout among program administrators (PAs) in medical education and its impact on the trainee environment. To investigate variations in burnout levels over a 1-year period among a national cohort of PAs and examine any associations between perceived support and isolation. A 1-year longitudinal study conducted to assess burnout levels among PAs across the USA. The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (score range, 0–100) was used to measure burnout over one academic year (July 2017–June 2018). The generalized estimating equations model was used to measure changes in burnout levels from the start of the academic year. To explore the differences in burnout scores across question response levels, a one-way ANOVA test was utilized and reported as least squares means ± SD. Individuals who self-identified as PAs in a graduate medical education training program. Among the 1084 persons nationwide who expressed interest, 904 (83%) completed the baseline survey; 29 of the 42 (69%) local administrators completed the survey. “Clients” defined as interns, residents/fellows, and medical students. Change in burnout score using the validated tool. Hypothesis formulated prior to data collection. Among the 931 participants, the 3rd quarter (March 2018) marked the lowest average personal burnout score (change from the start of academic year, − 3.67; p < 0.001, 95% CI − 5.77 to − 1.58) and work-related burnout score (change, − 3.03; p < 0.001, 95% CI − 5.01 to − 1.06). Client-related burnout was the lowest in September 2017 (change, − 1.46; p = 0.491; 95% CI − 3.54 to 0.62). June 2018: those who strongly agreed to feeling isolated in their current position had an increased personal (69.1 ± 18.4 SD), work-related (72.5 ± 20.8 SD), and client-related (42.3 ± 23.7 SD) burnout score. PA burnout levels fluctuate over the academic year and are shown to increase as feelings of isolation grow.
Tricuspid Valve Excision Complicated by Postoperative Gerbode Defect Following Recurrent Infective Endocarditis: A Case Report.

Tricuspid valve infective endocarditis is an increasingly common sequela of the opioid epidemic. While often managed medically, certain subsets of patients will require surgical intervention, inclu...
Total Tibial Allograft Reconstruction for Adamantinoma: A Case Report With 2-Year Follow-up.

CASE A 47-year-old woman with adamantinoma of the entire left tibia and distal fibula underwent resection and reconstruction using a total tibia allograft-prosthetic composite with rotating hinged knee replacement and ankle fusion. She is ambulating without tumor recurrence with 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSION This case report offers a unique reconstruction option for extensive tibia bone primary malignancy. To our knowledge, this is the longest survival for total tibia allograft prosthetic composite reconstruction.
‘Few’, ‘A Few’, ‘Only’: Negative Quantifier Noun Phases and Negative Polarity Items – The Horn-Atlas Debate 1991–2018

In this essay I use my Non-Monotonic account of “Only Proper Noun” sentences to challenge the Standard Views on the Downard Monotonicity of “Few N” Quantifier sentences. I also review the history of the L. Horn – J.D. Atlas Debate (1991–2018) on ‘Only Proper Noun’ sentences and its implications for quantifier noun phrases like “Few N”, and I assess the promise of L. Horn’s Pragmatic Theory of Negative Polarity Item Licensing.
FFT and Machine Learning Application on Major Chord Recognition

The purpose of this project was to use theory of Fast Fourier Transforms and a machine learning algorithm called Treebagger in order to process and recognize musical chords. Four musical chords were selected: C, D, G, and A. To be successful, the program should recognize chords in various octaves and musical inversions. Our goal is to use digital signal processing techniques such as sampling and frequency decomposition to preprocess audio files for input and train into the machine learning algorithms. For our application, we used MATLAB's machine learning tool Treebagger.
Embracing the Future or Buying into the Bubble: Do Sophisticated Institutions Invest in Crypto Assets?

We document that institutional investors increasingly invest in assets that do business in the cryptocurrency industry, which we call crypto assets. Cryptocurrency is a new and risky asset class. Investing in such assets demonstrates that managers are willing to accept change in the financial markets. Investing in new assets and being wrong can lead to both reputational costs and career concerns. We examine the performance of institutions willing to make investments in this new industry relative to the performance of their peers who are not. The results show that institutions that invest in crypto assets outperform their peers by about 2.8% per year, suggesting that the willingness to invest in new and uncertain assets may be a predictor of institutional performance.
Fitting In and Getting Off

The majority of male circumcisions in the United States are performed on infants upon parental request. Most scholarly attention towards American circumcision focuses on the neonatal practice; however, significant numbers of adult American men elect circumcision for themselves, and many men circumcised as infants elect further surgical adjustment of their penises as adults to meet their preference or standard for what they perceive to be a desirable penis. Illuminating insights into the American cultural values that underlie the persistence of non-therapeutic infant circumcision can be found in the expressions of desire for circumcision or re-circumcision offered by adult men who elect the surgery for themselves. Using primary ethnographic data, this paper surveys those justifications, which include the preference of sexual partners for circumcision (or re-circumcision); social conformity; aesthetic appeal of the circumcised penis; and sexual fetishization of the circumcised penis, the act of circumcision, or the experience of being circumcised.
3‐D Microparticles of BaTiO3 and Zn2SiO4 Via the Chemical (Sol‐Gel, Acetate, or Hydrothermal) Conversion of Biological (Diatom) Templates

In this paper, the silica-based microshells of diatoms (planktonic micro-algae) have been used as biologically-replicable (i.e., scalable) 3-D templates for synthesizing functional multicomponent microparticles of controlled shape. Three shape-preserving chemical conversion approaches have been explored for the conversion of diatom microshells (frustules) into functional multicomponent oxides: sol-gel, acetate precursor, and hydrothermal routes. For the sol-gel approach, SiO 2 frustules were first converted by gas/solid reaction into MgO microparticles of similar shape. A conformal and continuous coating of BaTiO 3 was then applied, via sol-gel processing, to the MgO microparticles. The underlying MgO templates were then selectively dissolved away to yield BaTiO 3 microparticles that retained the overall shape of the starting frustules. In the acetate precursor route, a zinc acetate precursor solution was used to apply a coating of /nO nanoparticles to SiO 2 frustules. The ZnO nanoparticles were then allowed to react at elevated temperature with the underlying SiO 2 to form Zn 2 SiO 4 -hcaring microparticles with the frustule shape. Finally, a metathetic gas/solid reaction was used to convert SiO 2 frustules into TiO 2 . The titania microparticles were then converted into HaTiO 3 -based microparticles that retained the frustule shape via hydrothermal reaction with a barium hydroxide-bearing solution. These results demonstrate that several shape-preserving chemical approaches may be used to convert biologically-replicable 3-D nanostructured microteinplates into microparticles with functional multicomponent chemistries and with controlled morphologies.
Issues of wireless sensor network management

In future application environments, wireless sensor networks may comprise tens of thousands of nodes and multiple applications will be executed concurrently. Until now, WSNs and their applications have been developed without considering a management scheme. In this article we discuss the management technologies for WSNs. We identify what is SNM and its necessities. Based on multi-sensor management technologies in data fusion, we propose a feedback management framework for WSNs. Finally, a macro-micro management architecture for hierarchical WSN is also proposed.
The Concentric Support Model: A Model for the Planning and Evaluation of Distance Learning Programs.

Each year, the number of institutions offering distance learning courses continues to grow significantly (Green, 2002; National Center for Educational Statistics, 2003; Wagner, 2000). Broskoske and Harvey (2000) explained that “many institutions begin a distance education initiative encouraged by the potential benefits, influenced by their competition, and prompted by fear of not being involved in distance education” (p. 37). These are just some of the reasons the percentage of higher education institutions offering distance learning programs exceeded 56% (n = 2,320) in 2000-01 (NCES, 2003). However, many programs begin without sufficient planning (Broskoske & Harvey, 2000; Katz, 2003) or are operating without the necessary support systems in place for continued success (Levy, 2003). In fact, what is necessary to support a distance learning program is a topic a few articles discuss (Benke, Brisham, Jarmon, & Paist, 2000; Phipps & Merisotis, 2000; Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications, 1999), but do not cover adequately, as the support of the program is not the articles' primary focus. This study addresses this void by identifying the various elements necessary to support a quality distance learning program through the introduction of the Concentric Support Model; a tool institutions can use in the planning and evaluation of their distance learning program.
Image Processing of Weather Radar Reflectivity Data: Should It be Done in Z or dBZ

It appears to be a common belief that processing, such as interpolation, clustering or smoothing, of weather radar reﬂectivity ﬁelds ought to be carried out on the reﬂectivity factor (Z) and not on its logarithm (dBZ). It is demonstrated here by means of a statistical study on a large dataset that, contrary to common belief, processing in dBZ is better for such applications.
Price Discovery and Trading Costs After Hours

This paper examines the trading process outside of normal trading hours. Although after-hours trading volume is small, after-hours trades are more informative than trades during the day, and are associated with significant price discovery. Spread-related trading costs are also more than twice as large after hours than during the trading day. For Nasdaq-listed stocks, we observe two separate trading processes in the after-hours market: larger less-informative trades are negotiated directly with market markers and smaller more-informative trades are executed anonymously on electronic communications networks. Although both trading processes are active after the close and before the open, the non-anonymous liquidity-motivated trades are more prevalent after the close and the anonymous information-motivated trades are more prevalent before the open.
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation in treadmill-running mice: role of vascular signalling kinases

The intracellular signalling kinases Akt/protein kinase B (Akt), protein kinase A (PKA) and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) are phosphorylated in response to increased mechanical force or perfusion rate in cultured endothelial cells or isolated blood vessels. All three kinases phosphorylate endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) on serine (S) 1177, while Akt and PKA additionally phosphorylate eNOS on S617 and S635 respectively. Although these kinases might contribute to subsequent activation of eNOS during dynamic exercise, the specific mediators of exercise-induced eNOS phosphorylation and activation in vivo are unknown. We determined the impact of 50 min of treadmill running on the phosphorylation of Akt, AMPK, cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (CREB – a target of PKA) and eNOS (S 1177, 635 and 617 and threonine (T) 495) in the presence or absence of pharmacological inhibition of PI3 kinase (PI3K) and Akt signalling using wortmannin. Compared to arteries from sedentary mice, eNOS enzyme activity was greater in vessels from treadmill-running animals and was associated with increased phosphorylation of Akt (S473), CREB (S133), AMPK (T172), and eNOS at S1177 and S617 but not at S635 or T495. These data suggest that Akt signalling is a major mediator of eNOS activation. To confirm this, treadmill-running was performed in the presence of vehicle (DMSO) or PI3K inhibition. Compared to results from sedentary mice, vascular Akt phosphorylation and eNOS phosphorylation at S617 during treadmill-running were prevented by wortmannin but not vehicle treatment, whereas exercise-related increases in AMPK and CREB phosphorylation were similar between groups. Arterial eNOS phosphorylation at S1177 increased during exercise after wortmannin treatment relative to values obtained from sedentary animals, but the elevation was blunted by ∼50% compared to results from vehicle-treated mice. These findings indicate that Akt and AMPK contribute importantly to vascular eNOS S1177 phosphorylation during treadmill-running, and that AMPK is sufficient to activate p-eNOS S1177 in the presence of PI3K inhibition.
The semantic web linker: a multilingual and multisource framework

In this demonstration we present the Semantic Web Linker (SWL), a framework for helping Name Entity Recognition (NER) procedures. The strength of the SWL is the integration of data coming from different Web sources, such as Wikipedia and DBpedia. The SWL also provides a multilingual repository, in the sense that every entity is associated to its synonyms and translations in many languages. Furthermore, the SWL manages a classification of entities through their hierarchical categorization. The SWL can be browsed through a Web interface.
Thin-film polymer batteries for electric vehicles

The United States Advance Battery Consortium (USABC) has established a set of performance goals for electric vehicle batteries. Although the USABC performance criteria present a fairly challenging goal for battery developers, the most daunting task will undoubtedly be to meet the cost requirements. The authors discuss a battery that may meet the cost requirements-Li polymer battery. The solid redox polymerisation electrode and its performance in Li polymer batteries is also discussed.
Transforming growth factor-beta and breast cancer: Mammary gland development.

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 is a pluripotent cytokine that profoundly inhibits epithelial proliferation, induces apoptosis, and influences morphogenesis by mediating extracellular matrix deposition and remodeling. The physiologic roles of the action of TGF-β in mammary gland, indeed in most tissues, are poorly understood. In order to understand the actions of TGF-β, we need to take into account the complexity of its effects on different cell types and the influence of context on cellular responses. This task is further compounded by multiple mechanisms for regulating TGF-β transcription, translation, and activity. One of the most significant factors that obscures the action of TGF-β is that it is secreted as a stable latent complex, which consists of the 24-kDa cytokine and the 80-kDa dimer of its prepro region, called latency-associated peptide. Latency imposes a critical restraint on TGF-β activity that is often overlooked.The extracellular process known as activation, in which TGF-β is released from the latent complex, is emphasized in the present discussion of the role of TGF-β in mammary gland development. Definition of the spatial and temporal patterns of latent TGF-β activation in situ is essential for understanding the specific roles that TGF-β plays during mammary gland development, proliferation, and morphogenesis.
PROTECT interim results: a large multicenter study of patients with type II diabetes

Abstract The Precose ® Resolution of Optimal Titration to Enhance Current Therapies (PROTECT) study is an ongoing Phase IV clinical trial designed to assess the effectiveness, tolerability, and safety of acarbose tablets in patients with type II diabetes when the dosage is slowly titrated upward. This multicenter, open-label, 28-week trial will enroll approximately 7000 type II diabetic patients. The present report describes the interim results for 2139 patients who completed the trial as of November 1, 1996. Patients with type II diabetes enrolled in the study were inadequately controlled either with diet alone or with a sulfonylurea. The dosage of acarbose was titrated from 25 mg three times a day (TID) to 100 mg TID based on tolerability and efficacy. Efficacy of glycemic control was assessed by changes in glycated hemoglobin A 1c (Hb A 1c ) and 1-hour postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) levels. Tolerability and safety were determined by patient reports of treatment-emergent adverse events and by review of laboratory tests. The PROTECT study confirms the previously demonstrated efficacy and safety of acarbose in improving glycemic control in patients with type II diabetes regardless of a patient's age, body weight, ethnic background, time since diagnosis, or severity of disease. Mean 1-hour PPG levels declined throughout the entire treatment period, with a mean decrease from baseline of −47 mg/dL at the end of treatment. Hb A 1c , the most reliable indicator of long-term glycemic control, decreased over the course of treatment, resulting in a mean decrease of −0.7% ( P 1c levels. Adverse events were experienced by 36% of all patients and consisted primarily of gastrointestinal disturbances (flatulence, diarrhea, abdominal pain). Moderate renal insufficiency (serum creatinine levels between 1.5 and 2 mg/dL) was present in 259 patients, and no patients developed serum hepatic transaminase levels more than twice the normal range.
PREVENTION OF PNEUMOCOCCAL PNEUMONIA BY IMMUNIZATION WITH SPECIFIC CAPSULAR POLYSACCHARIDES

1. Immunization of man with 0.03 to 0.06 mg. of each of the capsular polysaccharides of pneumococcus types I, II, V, and VII, given in a single subcutaneous injection, has been shown to be effective in preventing pneumonia caused by these types but not that due to heterologous types. 2. Immunity appears within a period of 2 weeks following injection of the polysaccharides. Its duration was not determined, although 6 months can be set as a minimum. 3. Immunization of alternate subjects in the population reduced greatly the incidence of pneumonia in the non-immunized. 4. The carrier rate for pneumococcus types I, II, V, and VII was lowered significantly in the immunized group as compared with the controls. It is suggested that an over-all reduction in the incidence of carriers was responsible for the lowered rates for pneumococcal pneumonia in the non-immunized group.
Research on Production and Order Decision for Supply Chain Members of Virtual Enterprises in Uncertain Environment

As an organizational way, virtual enterprise had been the development tendency of contemporary enterprise operation. For complex market opportunities, the uncertainty of supply chain in virtual enterprises was the key of enterprise operation. This paper studied the production and order strategy for virtual enterprise members from single-stage supply chain, and then provided reference for subsequent multi-stage supply chain. This paper introduced expected loss, which was the base of making decisions for the enterprise. Through building the mathematical based on the strict mathematical derivation, the quantitative relation between the order quantity of core enterprises and production capacity of partners, and then the mathematical model was verified in the last.
Effect of application of high rates of potassium on cation exchange capacity and potassium status of two Illinois soils

Abstract Thirty‐two years after the addition of high rates of potassium to two Illinois experiment fields, the largest gain in soil K was in the acid‐insoluble form. Cation exchange capacity of the soil clays had decreased with the increasing addition of K, presumably due to fixation of potassium in the interlattice positions of clays. An X‐ray diffraction analysis did not provide any conclusive evidence as to the formation of illitic minerals.
Analyzing technological change: An engineering data base for input-output models of the economy

This paper describes the content and logical structure of an engineering data base, to be constructed from direct technical information, for use with input-output (IO) models of the national economy. These models, which until now have relied almost exclusively on accounting information describing past economic transactions, can now be extended to analyze the future prospects for the U.S. economy and its individual sectors in terms of detailed technical decisions taken at the sites of production.
Nitrogen influences biomass and nutrient partitioning by perennial, warm-season grasses.

Recent attention has focused on the use of perennial, warm-season grasses as renewable energy crops. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of N fertilization on partitioning of biomass and nutrients between above- and belowground plant components by four warm-season grass species in Iowa. In 2006-2007, established stands of big bluestem (Andropogon geradii Vitman), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), indiangrass [Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash], and eastern gamagrass [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.] were fertilized with 0, 65, 140, or 220 kg N ha -1 in the spring and harvested following frost in the fall. Dependent on grass species and year, yield response to N was linear or quadratic. Optimum yield after 2 yr was 13.5 Mg ha -1 at 140 kg N ha -1 for all grasses except eastern gamagrass, which demonstrated lower yield and a consistent linear N response. Nitrogen inputs had pronounced but grass-specific effects on root biomass and nutrient partitioning. For big bluestem and switchgrass, 140 kg N ha -1 maximized root biomass and favored allocation of nutrients to roots over shoots. In contrast, for indiangrass and eastern gamagrass, root biomass and root nutrient allocation were adversely affected by N inputs. For all grasses, 220 kg N ha -1 shifted allocation of nutrients to shoots over roots. Selection of crops and management practices that optimize yield, and maintain a high level of resource partitioning to roots at low to intermediate N input rates will promote the development of productive and efficient bioenergy systems.
Dissociation of Glucagon's Central and Peripheral Hemodynamic Effects: Mechanisms of Reduction and Redistribution of Canine Hindlimb Blood Flow

Effects of parenterally administered pharmacologic doses of glucagon on canine hindlimb blood flow were studied. Cardiac output (CO), mean arterial pressure (MAP), total peripheral resistance (TPR), common femoral artery flow (CFAQ), common femoral artery resistance (CFAR), percentage shunt in the hindlimb (AVA%) determined by 99mTc microsphere technique, the volume of hindlimb shunt flow (AVAQ), and the volume of hindlimb nutrient capillary flow (NCQ) were determined at baseline and at 10, 20, and 30 min during continuous intravenous infusion of 1 μg/kg/min glucagon (n = 8). Blood glucagon and glucose levels were measured at all time periods. Glucagon infusion significantly increased CO throughout the infusion, while reducing MAP and TPR. Unexpectedly, CFAQ decreased significantly despite the increase in CO. CFAR increased despite the reduction of TPR during glucagon infusion. The reduction of CFAQ was associated with diminished nonshunt hindlimb NCQ and increased AVA%. Changes in CFAQ, AVA%, AVAQ, and NCQ did not correlate in a linear fashion with the changes in either blood glucose or glucagon levels by linear regression analysis. Glucagon appeared to cause a major redistribution of peripheral blood flow. Hindlimb arteriolar dilatation was not an effect of this hormone in this experimental model. Glucagon appeared to have a salutary central hemodynamic effect, but was detrimental to canine extremity perfusion.
Impact of a transfusion-related acute lung injury reduction strategy on apheresis platelet collections.

Background: Most blood centers in the US have implemented transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) mitigation strategies for apheresis platelet (AP) donations based on theoretical impact of donor loss. The aim of this study is to determine the actual impact of a TRALI mitigation strategy in a US blood center. Study Design and Methods: Daily collection events and resulting products were retrospectively obtained before and after implementation of a TRALI reduction strategy (HLA antibody testing female AP donors four or more pregnancies) for comparison. The retention rate of reassigned donors was determined by reviewing whole blood (WB) and/or apheresis red blood cell (AR) donations post reassignment. Data were obtained to compare donor frequency and split rate from reassigned (historical data) and new AP donors. Results: Mean daily collections (27.7 vs. 30.0) and total products (12,211 vs. 12,957) were significantly higher after implementation, but the number of products/collection event was lower (1.49 vs. 1.40). Mean collections/donor/year (4.0 vs. 1.8) and split rate (36% vs. 27%) were historically higher for reassigned (n = 45) versus new AP donors (n = 1,090). Seventy-three of 112 donors (65%) testing positive for HLA antibodies returned for WB or AR donations, 31 of 45 (69%) active AP donors returned. Conclusions: Donor loss may not be adequate to estimate impact on AP inventory, as donation characteristics may differ between new donors and those reassigned. We show successful implementation of a TRALI mitigation strategy by increasing collection goals and AP donor recruitment efforts beyond donor loss. Retaining the majority of reassigned donors is feasible. J. Clin. Apheresis 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Esophageal desalination is mediated by Na+, H+ exchanger-2 in the gulf toadfish (Opsanus beta)

Esophageal desalination is a crucial step in the gastrointestinal water absorption pathway, as this pre-intestinal processing establishes the osmotic conditions necessary for water absorption. Previous work has shown that esophageal Na(+) absorption is amiloride sensitive; however, it is as yet unclear if Na(+), H(+) exchangers (NHE) or Na(+) channels (ENaC) are responsible. The purpose of the current study was therefore to investigate the roles that NHE isoforms may play in this process in a marine teleost, the gulf toadfish (Opsanus beta), as well as what role NHE isoforms may play in the downstream intestinal Na(+) transport. A combination of symmetrical current clamp and asymmetrical voltage clamp experiments showed the esophagus to contain both an ion absorptive current (I(sc)=0.83±0.68) and serosal side negative transepithelial potential (TEP=-4.9±0.6). (22)Na uptake (J(Na)(m→s)) was inhibited by 0.5 mM EIPA, with no effect of 0.1 mM amiloride, 1 mM furosemide or 1 mM thiazide. A Cl(-) free saline reduced J(Na)(m→s) by 40% while also reducing conductance and reversing TEP. These results suggest that both transcellular and paracellular components contribute to esophageal Na(+) transport, with transcellular transport mediated by NHE. The NHE1, NHE2 and NHE3 genes were amplified and tissue distribution analysis by real-time PCR showed high NHE2 expression levels in the esophagus and stomach. Little NHE3 expression was observed throughout the gastrointestinal tract, and NHE2 expression was absent from the intestine. Hypersalinity (60 ppt) had no effect on the expression profile of NHE2, slc4a2, scl26a6, CAc or V-type ATPase (β-subunit), suggesting that esophageal desalination is less flexible in response to osmotic stress than the intestine.
Phase I pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study of triciribine phosphate monohydrate, a small-molecule inhibitor of AKT phosphorylation, in adult subjects with solid tumors containing activated AKT

Purpose Triciribine phosphate is a potent, small-molecule inhibitor of activation of all three isoforms of AKT in vitro. AKT is an intracellular protein that, when activated, leads to cellular division; it is dysregulated in a large number of malignancies, and constitutively activating AKT mutations are present in a minority of cancers. Patients and methods In this phase I study triciribine phosphate monohydrate (TCN-PM) was administered to subjects whose tumors displayed evidence of increased AKT phosphorylation (p-AKT) as measured by immunohistochemical analysis (IHC). TCN-PM was administered over 30 min on days 1, 8 and 15 of a 28-day cycle. Tumor biopsy specimens, collected before treatment and on day +15, were assessed for p-AKT by IHC and western blot analyses. Results Nineteen subjects were enrolled; 13 received at least one cycle of therapy, and a total of 34 complete cycles were delivered. One subject was treated at the 45 mg/m2 dose before the study was closed due to its primary objective having been met. No dose-limiting toxic effects were observed. Modest decreases in tumor p-AKT following therapy with TCN-PM were observed at the 35 mg/m2 and 45 mg/m2 dose levels, although definitive conclusions were limited by the small sample size. Conclusions These preliminary data suggest that treatment with TCN-PM inhibits tumor p-AKT at doses that were tolerable. Although single agent activity was not observed in this enriched population, further combination studies of TCN-PM with other signal transduction pathway inhibitors in solid tumors is warranted.
Synthesis and microstructural evolution of Al-Ni-Fe-Gd metallic glass by mechanical alloying

Amorphous Al[sub 80]Ni[sub 8]Fe[sub 4]Gd[sub 8] quaternary powders are successfully produced using the mechanical alloying (MA) technique, suggesting that powder metallurgy techniques may be used in the manufacture of aluminum-transition metal-rare earth metallic glasses as high-strength, low-density engineering materials. Detailed investigations into the microstructural evolution of the amorphous phase from elemental powders are presented, employing scanning and transmission electron microscopy, as well as, analytical techniques. The results show that it is possible to amorphize higher-order systems by MA, and the observations of the amorphization reaction support the interdiffusion-based model developed from studies of simple binary systems, with certain adjustments. The resulting amorphous powder demonstrates good thermal stability, and consolidated amorphous bulk material up to 93% dense are easily produced. Mechanical properties of the amorphous phase are evaluated, including measurement of Vickers hardness and fracture toughness. K[sub c] is found to lie in the range of 1-5 MPa/m[sup 1/2], identifying the produced powder as the brittle-type amorphous phase seen in earlier work. Dispersed ductile nanocrystals improve the fracture toughness at the expense of Vickers hardness.
Kinetics of dielectric-loss microwave degradation of polymers: Lignin

The rate of product formation as well as detailed product composition were measured in the rapid pyrolysis of a 1.3-cm cylindrical pellet of lignin, a major component of biomass. Volume heating by dielectric-loss microwave heating resulted in rapid weight loss with an apparent rate coefficient of 1–5 min−1. Char yield was surprisingly low (33%) owing to the rapid heating rate and high temperature of the pellet. Total gas yield was 38%, of which 12% were simple hydrocarbons and H2 (both weight percent, of original lignin). Product composition showed extensive secondary reaction at high temperatures evidenced by the significant yields of C2H2,H2, and condensed aromatics as well as the typical lignin cracking products such as phenols. Poor coupling of microwave energy to lignin required large power settings in order to initiate reaction. Once initiated, the reaction rate was difficult to control because of the exothermic nature of the reactions. Additives of a suitable composition to increase coupling may be a possible solution to this problem and may result in more favorable economics.
Short wave ultraviolet laser energy in porcine coronary arteries: medial cell death and neointimal formation.

Background and Objective Smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation from arterial media into the neointima are major factors in the restenosis process following coronary angioplasty. Because short wave ultraviolet (UV) radiation is cytotoxic for rat carotid artery smooth muscle cells, the aims of this study were to determine the effects of short wave UV irradiation on normal pig coronary arteries and to evaluate the efficacy of UV laser energy for reducing neointimal hyperplasia (NI). Study Design/Materials and Methods In 13 pigs fed a normal diet, 37 coronary arteries were studied. UV laser light (275 nm) was applied in escalating doses from 0–16353 mJ/cm2 via fiberoptic through a 20 mm PTCA balloon catheter. The pigs were euthanized at 21 days and histologic analysis performed. Arterial media was rendered acellular (ACM) in 20 of 33 irradiated coronary arteries (61%). The minimum UV energy density inducing ACM was 1348 mJ/cm2. The fraction of acellular media to internal elastic lamina length (ACM/IEL) was 0.79 ± 0.29. Results No statistically significant difference was found between NI thickness at normal media sites (NM) vs. ACM sites (0.17 ± 0.14 mm vs. 0.16 ± 0.17 mm). No correlation was found between UV dose and NI formation (r = 0.307, P = 0.08). Conclusion Short wave UV irradiation induces ACM in normal porcine coronary arteries. Induction of acellular media is not associated with a reduction of NI formation in this porcine coronary model. Lasers Surg. Med. 21:374–383, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Phenolic Acids, Lipids, and Proteins Associated with Purified Corn Fiber Arabinoxylans

Corn fiber gum (CFG) is a hemicellulose (arabinoxylan)-enriched fraction obtained by the extraction of corn bran/fiber using a proprietary alkaline hydrogen peroxide process. When purified CFG prepared by this process was hydrolyzed with more concentrated base (1.5 N methanolic KOH at 70 °C for 1 hour), considerable amounts of hydroxycinnamic acids (up to 0.015% of mainly ferulic acid) and lipids (up to 0.43%) were released. The released phenolic acids and lipids were identified and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatrography (HPLC) with detection by both UV and evaporative light-scattering detection (ELSD). During the wet milling of corn, two types of corn fiber are produced: coarse fiber, which is primarily from pericarp, and fine fiber, which is from the endosperm. The total phenolic acid content in CFGs purified from coarse corn fiber (pericarp fiber) is comparatively higher than that purified from fine corn fiber (endosperm fiber). It was also determined that the purified CFG samples co...
Thin-layer gel filtration of thyroid iodoproteins. Studies on rat transplantable thyroid tumors.

Analysis of the iodine containing components in transplantable rat thyroid tumors was carried out using thin-layer gel filtration, with Sephadex G-200 Superfine, Bio-Gel P-300 and agar 7% as supporting medium. Components labeled with iodine were localized by autoradiography and quantitated by counting segments of gel removed from the plate. Gel filtration of tumor homogenates of Wollman Lines 1-1C and 1–8 revealed radioactivity at the origin (particulate iodine), a component slower than albumin (presumably iodide), and 2 relatively minor iodoprotein spots which migrated in the position of serum albumin and γ-globulin. The major radioactive component in both tumors, however, was excluded from the gel and moved with the eluant front, as does normal thyroglobulin. In sucrose density gradient centrifugation most of the radioiodine in tumor 1-1C was in a narrow 19S band characteristic of thyroglobulin. In the 1–8 tumor, however, the radioactivity was found in a zone of about 8S. These data indicate that the io...
The Effect of Dopamine Infusion on Insulin and Glucagon Secretion in Man

The effect of dopamine on the release of insulin and glucagon was investigated in eight adult subjects. Dopamine infused iv at a rate of 4 mug/kg/min X 2 hr, unaccompanied by cardiovascular changes, induced a prompt and significant increase in plasma insulin and glucagon and in plasma glucose levels. These findings suggest that dopamine may stimulate both alpha and beta cells.
Gold twin-electrodes in thin-layer electrochemistry

Abstract The characteristics of a gold twin-electrode system in a thin-layer cell containing 0.1 M perchloric acid, and varying amounts of sodium chloride, were investigated by triangular sweep voltammetry. The “adsorbed oxygen” layer starts to form above 1 V, and the peak from reduction of this layer shifts from 0.88 V to 0.65 V on changing the turn-around potential from 1.02 to 2.0 V. A distinct adsorption peak appears at 0.5 V, with cathodic peaks at 0.4 V and -0.1 V. Chloride adsorption is observed at 0.6 V, with desorption at 0.4 V. The dissolution of the gold electrode to gold(III) chloride occurs at 1.1 V; but this reaction is blocked above 1.2 V by the formation of the “adsorbed oxygen” layer. The peak from the reduction of the gold(III) chloride is located at 0.7 V and is separable from the “adsorbed oxygen” reduction peak. The electrode surface obtained from the reduction of gold(III) chloride shows characteristics different from those obtained by the reduction of the “adsorbed oxygen” layer.
Monolithically Integrated Balanced Uni-Traveling-Carrier Photodiode with Tunable MMI Coupler for Microwave Photonic Circuits

A monolithically integrated balanced uni-traveling-carrier photodiode (UTC-PD) with a tunable 2times2 multimode interference (MMI) coupler has been fabricated and tested. Two waveguide UTC-PDs are electrically isolated using high-energy Helium implantation, and then connected in series using a monolithic metal interconnect. On chip metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) capacitors provide some DC decoupling. The tunable MMI coupler allows for tuning of the power balance in the PDs. Output saturation currents greater than 40 mA at 1 GHz are demonstrated for a single 10 mum times 150 mum UTC-PD. The third order intermodulation distortion (IMD3) is also measured and exhibits an output intercept point (OIP3) of 43 dBm at 20 mA and 34 dBm at 40 mA for this same UTC-PD. In the balanced configuration, the OIP3 values are therefore 49 dBm and 40 dBm. The balanced UTC-PD is also highly symmetric; the common mode rejection ratio (CMRR) was measured to be around 40 dB.
The Prediction Puzzle

Hough9s accessible history of earthquake prediction explores why seismologists remain unable to warn when major quakes will strike.
The Effect of Aureomycin and Low-Level Sulfamethazine, Separately and in Combination, on Cecal Coccidiosis

Abstract INTRODUCTION LITERATURE on aureomycin as a growth stimulant is voluminous, but very little is known regarding the value of this substance in controlling parasites. The earliest work on record in which aureomycin was used as an agent against poultry coccidiosis is that of Seeger, Lucas and Tomhave (1950). These investigators reported excellent control of cecal coccidiosis in chickens when a mash containing 900 grams of aureomycin per ton was fed continuously. Ingram and Edgar (1951) found that aureomycin stimulated growth of chicks affected with cecal coccidiosis to the extent that the survivors grew as well as the uninoculated controls, but mortality and morbidity were not entirely prevented. Marthedal and Velling (1953), using aureomycin in solution in the drinking water, reported that some coccidiostatic effect was obtained with 50 milligrams of this antibiotic per liter (equal to 50 grams per ton in the feed), provided that the treatment was instituted not …
Mastectomy from the perspective of a medical oncologist

An increasing awareness of breast cancer and the increased use of mammography fortunately is resulting in a marked increase in the diagnosis of early breast cancer. Many of these lesions are characterized by intraductal breast cancer (ductal carcinoma in situ) and/or lesions smaller than 1 cm. Before the era of mammography, approximately 3-5% of new breast cancer cases involved ductal carcinomas in situ. More recent series suggest that such lesions can account for up to 25% of all new breast cancer cases. Breast conservation therapy is of particular importance to this population of patients with breast cancer. Breast conservation therapy is defined as excision of the primary breast tumor and adjacent breast tissue followed by radiation
Integration of Perioperative Pain and Stress with Cardiovascular Responses in Infants: Opiate Blunting of Humoral and Hypertensive Stress Responses

Opiate Blunting of Perioperative Stress Responses in Infants. Integration of nociceptive pathways and cardiovascular control centers in the neonatal brain stem are quite well developed as demonstrated by marked hormonal, metabolic, and cardiovascular responses to painful and stressful stimulation. During surgical procedures, the hormonal and metabolic responses to pain are extreme in the neonate and may be deleterious. Increases in levels of β-endorphins, catecholamines, growth hormone, cortisol, and glucagon in neonates during major surgical procedures are greater than those seen in adults. These increased levels produce a substantial catabolic drive intraoperatively and postoperatively characterized by increased levels of oxygen consumption, glucose, lactate, pyruvate, tissue glycogen, and protein metabolism that are poorly tolerated by the fragile neonate. In contrast to other anesthetic agents, these extreme hormonal and metabolic stress responses to surgically-induced pain can be at least partially attenuated by high-dose opiates. Such high-dose opiates have additional benefits such as increases in the threshold for ventricular fibrillation, but opiates also produce marked respiratory depression requiring a period of mechanical ventilation. In addition, high-dose opiates blunt pulmonary vascular reactivity and decrease pulmonary hypertensive crises in infants with pulmonary hypertension. Further understanding of the integration of pain and cardiovascular responses in the neonate is needed to further improve our abilities to control these problems.
Weaving Together Undergraduate Research, Mentoring of Junior Faculty, and Assessment: The Case of an Interdisciplinary Program

Scholars in teaching and learning value student research and program assessment as strategies to promote excellence in undergraduate education. Yet, in practice, each can be complex and difficult to sustain. This case study demonstrates how undergraduate research, mentoring of junior faculty, and assessment can be integrated in ways that enrich the educational experiences of students and the professional development of faculty and improve research on teaching and learning. The authors describe a lively undergraduate research project that became tied to the mentoring of assistant professors and then to program assessment. We conclude with recommendations for implementing such a project in other academic settings.
Products of the OH radical-initiated reactions of 2- and 3-hexyl nitrate

Abstract Products of the gas-phase reaction of OH radicals with 2-hexyl nitrate (containing 13% 3-hexyl nitrate) have been investigated by gas chromatography with mass spectral and flame ionization detection, and by direct air sampling atmospheric pressure ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The products identified and quantified from 2-hexyl nitrate were: 2-hexanone (8.6 ± 1.3%), propanal (3.4 ± 0.8%), butanal (2.3 ± 0.6%) and 5-hydroxy-2-hexanone (25%), where the molar yields are given in parentheses. 3-Hexanone was observed from the 3-hexyl nitrate reaction, with a molar formation yield of 9.5 ± 2.1%. Organic nitrates of molecular weight 133, 161, 177 and 208 were also observed, and these are attributed to C 4 -carbonyl nitrate(s), C 6 -carbonyl-nitrates, C 6 -hydroxycarbonyl-nitrates and C 6 -dinitrates, respectively, and are expected to account for all or most of the non-quantified reaction products from OH + 2- and 3-hexyl nitrate. 5-Hydroxy-2-hexanone formation indicates that the CH 3 CH(ONO 2 )CH 2 CH 2 CH(O )CH 3 alkoxy radical dominantly reacts by isomerization.
LYNGBYA INFESTATIONS: COMPARATIVE TAXONOMY OF LYNGBYA WOLLEI COMB. NOV. (CYANOBACTERIA)1

Conflicting taxonomic identifications of an extremely large-celled (width: 24.9–64.4 μm, length: 2.0–11.5 μm), filamentous, mat-forming cyanobacterium prompted a search for an accurate taxonomic identity. This alga was reported by various workers as Plectonema wollei Far-low ex Gomont, Lyngbya majuscula Harvey ex Gomont, Lyngbya magnifica Gardner, Lyngbya birgei Smith, Lyngbya latissima Prescott, and Microcoleus lyngbyaceus (Kutzing) Crouan sensu Drouet. Quantitative analyses of cellular morphology, evaluation of habitat preference, and growth form were used to characterize the organism. Descriptions and taxonomic histories of this organism and the six described taxa were compared. The organism is identified as Plectonema wollei Far-low ex Gomont according to most existing botanical taxonomic systems. However, this identification places undue emphasis on the extremely variable characteristic of false branching, which varies seasonally and with growth status. To eliminate the confusion inherent in basing taxonomy upon an environmentally variable characteristic, identification as Lyngbya wollei (Farlow ex Gomont) comb. nov. is recommended.