cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Associations Between Race/Ethnicity and US Childhood and Adolescent Cancer Survival by Treatment Amenability.

Importance Although US cancer survival rates have increased over time, disparities by race/ethnicity remain, including for children and adolescents. Objective To examine whether racial/ethnic disparities in childhood and adolescent cancer survival vary by cancer type according to relative survival rates (RSRs), a marker for amenability to medical intervention. Design, Setting, and Participants In a retrospective cohort study using US Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data, 67 061 children and adolescents diagnosed at ages 0 to 19 years with a first primary malignant cancer from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2016, were evaluated. Data analysis was performed from June 19 to November 3, 2019. Participants were followed up from the dates of diagnosis to cancer death or the end of the follow-up period, whichever came first. Exposures Race/ethnicity defined as non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaskan Native, non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander, or Hispanic (any race). Main Outcomes and Measures Cancer amenability was defined using 5-year RSRs for 103 cancer types. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to compute adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% CIs for the association between race/ethnicity and cancer survival for high (>85% RSR), medium (70%-85% RSR), and low ( Results Among 67 061 cancer cases, 36 064 were male (53.8%); most individuals were non-Hispanic white (35 186 [52.5%]) followed by Hispanic of any race (19 220 [28.7%]), non-Hispanic black (7100 [10.6%]), non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander (4981 [7.4%]), and non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaskan Native (574 [0.9%]). Mean (SD) age at diagnosis was 9.66 (6.41) years. Compared with non-Hispanic white children and adolescents, a higher aHR of death was observed for high- than low-amenability cancers for non-Hispanic black patients (high: aHR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.41-1.80 vs low: aHR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.24-1.47;P = .002 for interaction) and Hispanic (any race) patients (high: aHR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.50-1.78 vs low: aHR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.08-1.25;P Conclusions and Relevance Racial/ethnic minority children and adolescents were observed to have a higher risk of death than non-Hispanic white children and adolescents, with more amenable cancers having larger relative survival differences. This disparity may be associated with a combination of factors, including differences in access to health care resources.
3d-d Excited States of Ni(II) Complexes Relevant to Photoredox Catalysis: Spectroscopic Identification and Mechanistic Implications

Synthetic organic chemistry has seen major advances due to the merger of nickel and photoredox catalysis. A growing number of Ni-photoredox reactions are proposed to involve generation of excited nickel species, sometimes even in the absence of a photoredox catalyst. To gain insights about these excited states, two of our groups previously studied the photophysics of Ni(t-Bubpy)(o-Tol)Cl, which is representative of proposed intermediates in many Ni-photoredox reactions. This complex was found to have a long-lived excited state (τ = 4 ns), which was computationally assigned as a metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) state with an energy of 1.6 eV (38 kcal/mol). This work evaluates the computational assignment experimentally using a series of related complexes. Ultrafast UV-Vis and mid-IR transient absorption data suggest that a MLCT state is generated initially upon excitation but decays to a long-lived state that is 3d-d rather than 3MLCT in character. Dynamic cis,trans-isomerization of the square planar complexes was observed in the dark using 1H NMR techniques, supporting that this 3d-d state is tetrahedral and accessible at ambient temperature. Through a combination of transient absorption and NMR studies, the 3d-d state was determined to lie ∼0.5 eV (12 kcal/mol) above the ground state. Because the 3d-d state features a weak Ni-aryl bond, the excited Ni(II) complexes can undergo Ni homolysis to generate aryl radicals and Ni(I), both of which are supported experimentally. Thus, photoinduced Ni-aryl homolysis offers a novel mechanism of initiating catalysis by Ni(I).
A genealogy of emancipatory values

Analytic moral philosophers have generally failed to engage in any substantial way with the cultural history of morality. This is a shame, because a genealogy of morals can help us accomplish two i...
Chitosan Hydrogels for Synergistic Delivery of Chemotherapeutics to Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells and Spheroids

This study aimed to develop a hydrogel system for treating aggressive triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) via kinetically-controlled delivery of the synergistic drug pair doxorubicin (DOX) and gemcitabine (GEM). A 2D assay was adopted to evaluate therapeutic efficacy by determining combination index (CI), and a 3D assay using cancer spheroids was implemented to assess the potential for translation in vivo. The release of DOX and GEM from an acetylated-chitosan (ACS, degree of acetylation χAc = 40 ± 5%) was characterized to identify a combined drug loading that affords release kinetics and dose that are therapeutically synergistic. The selected DOX/GEM-ACS formulation was evaluated in vitro with 2-D and 3-D models of TNBC to determine the combination index (CI) and the tumor volume reduction, respectively. Therapeutically desired release dosages and kinetics of GEM and DOX were achieved. When evaluated with a 2-D model of TNBC, the hydrogel afforded a CI of 0.14, indicating a stronger synergism than concurrent administration of DOX and GEM (CI = 0.23). Finally, the therapeutic hydrogel accomplished a notable volume reduction of the cancer spheroids (up to 30%), whereas the corresponding dosages of free drugs only reduced growth rate. The ACS hydrogel delivery system accomplishes drug release kinetics and molar ratio that affords strong therapeutically synergism. These results, in combination with the choice of ACS as affordable and highly abundant source material, provide a strong pre-clinical demonstration of the potential of the proposed system for complementing surgical resection of aggressive solid tumors.
Case series of pediatric mediastinal granuloma related to histoplasmosis.

INTRODUCTION Mediastinal granuloma (MG) is a postinfectious complication of histoplasmosis that remains a rare diagnosis in the pediatric literature. This case series presents a well phenotyped population to further characterize this disease process. METHODS Thirty cases of MG in children under 21 years-of-age presenting over a 16-year period were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS Seventy-five percent of patients presented with respiratory symptoms. Histoplasma antigen was negative in 90%. Histoplasma antibody was positive in 100%. Fine needle aspirates were positive for histoplasma in 31% whereas excisional biopsy was positive in 71%. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was negative for histoplasma in all cases where performed. Computed tomography revealed 53% of MGs were right paratracheal, 60% had internal calcifications, and 23% had splenic calcifications. Sixteen patients (53%) were managed with medical therapies only, with 7 (44%) treated with steroids and antifungals and 7 (44%) with antifungals alone. The remaining 14 patients (47%) underwent surgical excision and 9 were also treated with antifungals (64%). Bronchial compression was the most common comorbidity within the medically managed only group whereas vascular compression and fistulation were most common within the surgically managed group. CONCLUSION Respiratory symptoms should raise suspicion for MG. Diagnostic evidence of MG includes positive histoplasma serologies, right paratracheal location, internal calcifications, and splenic calcifications. Bronchoscopy, BAL and needle biopsies provide minimal diagnostic benefit. Antifungals are used in the majority of cases, whereas steroids are used most often in non-surgically managed patients with airway compression. Indications for surgical resection are less defined, but include vascular compression and fistulation unresponsive to medical treatment.
Differences in Rates of Return to Education: Immigrant and Native Men in 1980's

The past two decades have seen the debate over immigration policy revived by changes in three main indicators. First, the number of immigrants entering the US increased from (roughly) 3.3 million in the whole of the 1960’s to 1 million per year in the 1990’s. Second, those that arrived after 1970 came with considerably lower skills relative to comparable US natives than did previous cohorts of immigrants. Finally, the wage differential between recently arriving immigrants and US natives widened considerably from -16.6% in 1970 to -27.6% in 1980, and finally to -31.7% in 990 (Borjas 1994). This article is available in The Park Place Economist: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/parkplace/vol13/iss1/15
Epinephrine adjuvant reduced epidural blood vessel penetration incidence in a randomized, double-blinded trial

Background Accidental intravascular injection is a significant and potentially devastating risk of epidural block, particularly in parturients whose epidural veins are engorged and hence more easily pierced. This prospective randomized, double-blinded study determined whether the addition of epinephrine to epidural ropivacaine administered by gravity before catheter insertion was associated with fewer epidural catheter blood vessel penetrations. Method Four hundred and two parturient patients receiving epidural block for elective C/S were randomly allocated to two groups; group I (n = 201) received only ropivacaine 0.75% with fentanyl 5 μg/mL, whereas group II (n = 200) also received epinephrine 5 μg/mL. Both groups received a total of 21 mL anesthetic solution in four increment doses of 3,5,5,5 mL by gravity into the needle through a 22 inch extension tubing before insertion of the closed-end tip catheter. An additional 3 mL of the anesthetic solution was then administered through the catheter. Results Epidural epinephrine adjuvant was associated with fewer epidural vessel penetrations (4% vs. 16.5%, P < 0.0001). The addition of epinephrine also significantly reduced catheter insertion problems (12% vs. 23.5%, P-value 0.0024) including the need for catheter readjustment (4.5% vs. 16%, P-value 0.0002) or reinsertion (2.5% vs. 9%, P-value 0.0054). The addition of epinephrine significantly reduced incidence and severity of sedation and had faster onset of surgical block. Sensory level and overall satisfaction did not differ significantly among the groups. Conclusion The addition of epinephrine to ropivacaine improves the safety and quality of epidural anesthesia when administered by gravity flow via the Hustead needle for cesarean sections.
Demographics of Mechanical Turk

We present the results of a survey that collected information about the demographics of participants on Amazon Mechanical Turk, together with information about their level of activity and motivation for working on Amazon Mechanical Turk. We find that approximately 50% of the workers come from the United States and 40% come from India. Country of origin tends to change the motivating reasons for workers to participate in the marketplace. Significantly more workers from India participate on Mechanical Turk because the online marketplace is a primary source of income, while in the US most workers consider Mechanical Turk a secondary source of income. While money is a primary motivating reason for workers to participate in the marketplace, workers also cite a variety of other motivating reasons, including entertainment and education.
Observational Constraints on the Evolution of Dwarf Galaxies

I focus on two issues which I believe are important to our understanding of the evolution of star forming dwarf galaxies. First, I start with some thoughts on the importance of the environment to their evolution. Second, I give my thoughts on the importance of the ‘bursting’ mode of star formation in the evolution of dwarfs galaxies. In the spirit of this conference, I will emphasize recent observational results.
Transcription of HLA class II genes in the absence of B-cell-specific octamer-binding factor.

Abstract HLA-DR and other human class II histocompatibility genes are expressed by Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B-lymphocyte cell lines but not by most T-cell leukemia lines. We determined by transcriptional run-on experiments that regulation of class II expression in these cells is at the level of gene transcription; nuclei isolated from B-cell lines actively transcribe class II mRNA, whereas nuclei from non-class II-expressing T-cell lines and from the class II transactive factor-deficient B-cell mutant 6.1.6 do not. In searching for DNA-binding proteins which might regulate transcription, we found both a ubiquitous (B1) and a B-cell-specific (B2) factor which bind to the octamer sequence ATTTGCAT 52 base pairs 5' of the cap site in the DR alpha gene. We examined the relationship of these factors to DR alpha transcription. HUT-78, a T-cell line which expresses class II mRNA constitutively, contains only the ubiquitous B1 octamer-binding factor also found in non-class II-expressing T-cell leukemias. Human fibroblast, HeLa, and melanoma cell lines similarly contain only the ubiquitous factor, even when these cells are induced to express class II mRNA by treatment with gamma interferon. Both B1 and B2 binding factors are present in the B-cell mutant 6.1.6, which nevertheless fails to transcribe class II mRNA. Although we have not ruled out the requirement of B-cell-specific octamer-binding factor B2 for class II expression in B cells, it is clear that in other cells substantial DR alpha transcription occurs in the absence of this factor.
A high‐order alternating direction implicit method for the unsteady convection‐dominated diffusion problem

SUMMARY A high-order alternating direction implicit (ADI) method for solving the unsteady convection-dominated diffusion equation is developed. The fourth-order Pade scheme is used for the discretization of the convection terms, while the second-order Pade scheme is used for the diffusion terms. The Crank–Nicolson scheme and ADI factorization are applied for time integration. After ADI factorization, the two-dimensional problem becomes a sequence of one-dimensional problems. The solution procedure consists of multiple use of a one-dimensional tridiagonal matrix algorithm that produces a computationally cost-effective solver. Von Neumann stability analysis is performed to show that the method is unconditionally stable. An unsteady two-dimensional problem concerning convection-dominated propagation of a Gaussian pulse is studied to test its numerical accuracy and compare it to other high-order ADI methods. The results show that the overall numerical accuracy can reach third or fourth order for the convection-dominated diffusion equation depending on the magnitude of diffusivity, while the computational cost is much lower than other high-order numerical methods. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exhumation in the Chugach-Kenai Mountain Belt above the Aleutian Subduction Zone, southern Alaska

Convergent deformation systems in continental backstops are a common component of well-coupled subduction zones worldwide. The Aleutian megathrust offshore southern Alaska has many attributes in common with convergent subduction zones observed elsewhere, implying that significant permanent shortening could occur within the continental hanging wall. A continuous belt of rugged mountains occurs along the forearc of this subduction zone, from the Kenai Peninsula to the eastern Chugach Mountains near the Copper River, providing further evidence of active shortening. To test for long-term shortening and associated rock uplift along this forearc, we have analyzed bedrock samples from the Chugach and Kenai Mountains using low-temperature thermochronometry. Fourteen new apatite (U-Th)/He ages from this area are older than expected based on the rugged topography, and imply minimal exhumation in the late Cenozoic in response to shortening within the forearc. Ages on the leeward side of this mountain belt are ∼20―40 Ma and imply an average exhumation rate of ∼0.1 mm/a or less. Ages are younger along the coast (∼12―18 Ma), implying slightly more rapid exhumation or deeper incision relative to mean elevation, perhaps due to greater precipitation along the windward flank of the range. Younger ages (∼5 Ma) occur in the southeast near Cordova, and may result from local deformation associated with colliding and underthrusting of the Yakutat microplate. However, all of these cooling ages are older than ages from the Yakutat collision zone and along the transpressional Fairweather fault to the east, indicating that far less exhumation occurs in the backstop above the subduction zone. Based on these older ages and a mass balance interpretation of exhumation, we estimate that the long-term shortening in the forearc mountains above the Aleutian megathrust is less than 1 mm/a.
LSP method and its use for evaluation of Java IDEs

In this paper we propose a quantitative model for evaluation and selection of integrated development environments (IDEs) for Java enterprise applications. Our goal is to determine the extent to which major IDEs satisfy typical software developer requirements. Our evaluation model is based on the Logic Scoring of Preference (LSP) method for system evaluation. We present an overview of the LSP method, the structure of IDE evaluation criterion, and a sample evaluation and comparison of three competitive systems: IBM WebSphere Studio Application Developer, Borland JBuilder, and SUN ONE Studio. In this paper we also introduce rectangular diagrams, an efficient new notation of LSP criteria.
Patterns of Dysgraphia and the Nonlexical Spelling Process

Abstract This article evaluates the hypothesis that phoneme-grapheme conversion is accomplished by a passive activation device in which the selection of mapping options in the process of assembling orthography is determined by the frequency of usage of that option in the language. The spelling performance of two braindamaged, acquired dysgraphic patients is interpreted as support for the stated hypothesis.
Costs of creating carbon sinks in the U.S.

Abstract New models of the dynamic patterns of carbon uptake by forest ecosystems allow improvements in the estimation of the costs of carbon sequestration in the U.S. The preliminary results of an effort to update an earlier study indicate that conversion of environmentally sensitive and economically marginal cropland and pastureland in the U.S. could offset as much as 25% of current U.S. emissions at costs of $US 8–60 per short ton.
Catalytic oxidation of ethylene at low temperatures using porous copper manganese oxides

Abstract Amorphous manganese oxide and binary copper manganese oxides were synthesized using the redox method, characterized, and tested in the catalytic oxidation of ethylene. The catalytic activity of the synthesized catalysts toward ethylene oxidation was high (100% conversion of 1.0% C2H4 at 200 °C with space velocity of 35,000 mL h − 1 g cat − 1 ) and compared favorably with that of a commercial Hopcalite catalyst. The high catalytic activity was attributed a combination of factors including the poor crystallinity, the high surface areas (≥163 m2 g−1), porosity, presence of Mn4+ species, and compositional homogeneity of the synthesized copper manganese oxides. Incorporation of copper into the amorphous manganese oxide matrix significantly enhanced the catalytic activity of the resultant bimetallic oxides by increasing the reducibility and ease of removal of lattice oxygen species. The synthesized materials were characterized using FE-SEM, HR-TEM, BET, FAAS, XPS, and TPD methods.
Properties of recycled high density polyethylene from milk bottles

The effect of virgin, high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/recycled HDPE composition on the physical properties of the blends was investigated. The recycled HDPE was obtained from a postconsumer cycle of milk bottles. It was found that elongation at break was the mechanical property mostly affected by the content of recycled HDPE. Overall, however, the recycled HDPE from milk bottles was found to be a material with useful properties not largely different from those of virgin resin and thus could be used, at an appropriate concentration in virgin HDPE, for different applications.
Element-specific derivatization for enhanced detectability by the gas chromatograph-microwave emission detector (GC-MED)

Abstract The applicability or using the gas chromatograph-microwave plasma emission detector (GC-MED) in combination with chemical derivatization based on unique elements for enhanced detectability of selected compounds in complex samples is discussed. A number of potential derivatization schemes are surveyed and results for two specific approaches are presented. In addition to high sensitivity and element selectivity, the possibility of determining empirical formulas by plasma emission will be an advantage unique to this approach.
Pentylenetetrazol-Induced Seizures in Pigeons and the Effects of Ethosuximide Thereon

Previous research has shown that ethosuximide in high enough doses disrupts operant responding in pigeons. Whether or not these same doses protect against seizure activity in this species has not been determined. In the present study a system for scoring pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in pigeons was developed and the effects of ethosuximide on such seizures were evaluated. Pentylenetetrazol at 15, 27 and 47 mg/kg reliably induced seizures in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2 six doses of ethosuximide were tested for their seizure-controlling effectiveness. Doses of 20, 40, 80, 160 and 320 mg/kg ethosuximide had little effect on seizures induced by 27 mg/kg pentylenetetrazol; 640 mg/kg significantly reduced but did not completely eliminate seizures. This dose (640 mg/kg) is several times higher than the doses found to disrupt operant behavior in our previous studies.
Periprocedural Anticoagulation Management of Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the 3-month cumulative incidence of thromboembolism (TE), bleeding, and death among consecutive patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) who were receiving long-term anticoagulation therapy and were referred to the Thrombophilia Center at Mayo Clinic for periprocedural anticoagulation management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective cohort study of consecutive patients receiving long-term anticoagulation therapy who were referred to the Thrombophilia Center for periprocedural anticoagulation management over the 7-year period, January 1, 1997, to December 31, 2003, 345 patients with nonvalvular AF were eligible for inclusion. Warfarin was stopped 4 to 5 days before and was restarted after surgery as soon as hemostasis was assured. The decision to provide bridging therapy with heparin was individualized and based on the estimated risks of TE and bleeding. RESULTS: The 345 patients with AF (mean ± SD age, 74±9 years; 33% women) underwent 386 procedures. Warfarin administration was not interrupted for 44 procedures. Periprocedural heparin was provided for 204 procedures. Patients receiving heparin were more likely to have prior TE (43% vs 24%; P<.001) and a higher CHADS2 (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age, diabetes, stroke) score (2.2 vs 1.9; P=.06). Four patients had 6 episodes of TE (3 strokes and 3 acute coronary episodes; TE rate, 1.1%; 95% confidence interval, 0.0%-2.1%). Nine patients had 10 major bleeding events (major bleeding rate, 2.7%; 95% confidence interval, 1.0%-4.4%). There were no deaths. Neither bleeding nor TE rates differed by anticoagulant management strategy. CONCLUSION: The 3-month cumulative incidence of TE and bleeding among patients with AF in whom anticoagulation was temporarily interrupted for an invasive procedure was low and was not significantly influenced by bridging therapy.
Diurnal and circadian regulation of reward-related neurophysiology and behavior.

Abstract Here, we review work over the past two decades that has indicated drug reward is modulated by the circadian system that generates daily (i.e., 24 h) rhythms in physiology and behavior. Specifically, drug-self administration, psychomotor stimulant-induced conditioned place preference, and locomotor sensitization vary widely across the day in various species. These drug-related behavioral rhythms are associated with rhythmic neural activity and dopaminergic signaling in the mesocorticolimbic pathways, with a tendency toward increased activity during the species typical wake period. While the mechanisms responsible for such cellular rhythmicity remain to be fully identified, circadian clock genes are expressed in these brain areas and can function locally to modulate both dopaminergic neurotransmission and drug-associated behavior. In addition, neural and endocrine inputs to these brain areas contribute to cellular and reward-related behavioral rhythms, with the medial prefrontal cortex playing a pivotal role. Acute or chronic administration of drugs of abuse can also alter clock gene expression in reward-related brain regions. Emerging evidence suggests that drug craving in humans is under a diurnal regulation and that drug reward may be influenced by clock gene polymorphisms. These latter findings, in particular, indicate that the development of therapeutic strategies to modulate the circadian influence on drug reward may prove beneficial in the treatment of substance abuse disorders.
On understanding user choices: Textual correlates of relevance judgments

An empirical investigation of the role of documents in relevance judgments is reported. Abstracts previously judged relevant, partially relevant, and nonrelevant to each of 61 questions were compared to see whether textual differences could be found which might reasonably account for the rating differences. The results of this comparison were fairly clear-cut characterizations in each case of relevant and partially relevant abstracts. These characterizations were found to be expressible largely as meaningful co-occurrences of terms closely related to the question. It is suggested that the textual bases of user choices may be more understandable than has been supposed.
Tainting and Depuration of Taint by Lobsters (Homarus americanus) Exposed to water Contaminated with a No. 2 Fuel Oil: Relationship with Aromatic Hydrocarbon Content in Tissue

Lobsters (Homarus americanus) were exposed to a pulse of diesel oil and held for 21 days to depurate. Taste panels revealed a highly significant difference between samples, as well as a preference for, the untreated samples at days 10 and 11. The odor of the raw treated samples differed significantly from that of the control at each of the sampling times. Cooking appeared to remove the oily odor from the raw lobster. Significantly elevated concentrations of total aromatics were found in the hepatopancreas of both sexes at days 3–4 and 10–11 and in the tail muscle of male and female lobsters 10–11 days after initial exposure and decreased thereafter. Tainting of lobsters can occur within 10 days of exposure to diesel, and this effect can be reversed within 20 days after initial exposure.
Synthesis of 3H labeled dihydrorotenone

The catalytic tritiation of rotenone results in the preparation of two products, the expected tritiated 6′,7′-dihydrorotenone ([3H]DHR) and tritiated 6′,7′-dihydrorotenol ([3H]DHR-ol). The ratio of [3H]DHR to [3H]DHR-ol is 9 to 1. Reversed-phase HPLC provided the purified [3H]DHR and [3H]DHR-ol with estimated specific activities of 45 and 60 Ci/mmol, respectively. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
More lipophilic dialkyldiamine-based diazeniumdiolates: synthesis, characterization, and application in preparing thromboresistant nitric oxide release polymeric coatings.

The synthesis, characterization, and biomedical application in preparing more thromboresistant polymeric coatings for a series of lipophilic dialkyldiamine-based diazeniumdiolatesare described. Dialkylhexamethylenediamine diazeniumdiolates of the form RN[N(O)NO](-)(CH(2))(6)NH(2)(+)R, where R = CH(3), CH(2)CH(3), (CH(2))(2)CH(3), (CH(2))(3)CH(3), (CH(2))(4)CH(3,) (CH(2))(5)CH(3), and (CH(2))(11)CH(3), are prepared via reaction of the corresponding diamine with NO. The more lipophilic diazeniumdiolates [e.g., R = (CH(2))(3)CH(3)] can be incorporated into hydrophobic polymeric films (e.g., plasticized PVC), and the resulting materials release NO for extended periods of time upon exposure to PBS buffer. The mechanism of NO release from these films is examined in detail. More stable initial NO release can be achieved by adding lipophilic anionic species (e.g., tetraphenylborate derivative) to the polymeric material to buffer the activity of protons within the organic phase. It is shown that the use of these new lipophilic NO-donors in polymers provides the ability to tailor NO release rates for a variety of medical applications. As an example, polymers doped with N,N'-dibutylhexamethylenediamine diazeniumdiolate and a tetraphenylborate derivative are employed as coatings for vascular grafts in sheep. The NO release grafts exhibited enhanced performance and had an average 95% thrombus-free surface area compared to 42% for the corresponding control grafts when examined after 21d of implantation.
Behavioral contingencies modulate tolerance to discriminative stimulus effects of morphine

Experiments examined how learning processes modulate tolerance to discriminative stimulus effects of morphine. Rats were trained to discriminate saline and 3.2 mg/kg morphine, and the doses of morphine required to mimic the training dose were determined before, during and after repeated treatment with saline or high doses of morphine (10 mg/kg, b.i.d.). In one set of experiments, training was either suspended or continued with saline and the original training dose during a 2-week treatment regimen. When training was suspended, high-dose morphine treatment increased the dose of morphine required for stimulus effects approximately 3-fold. Tolerance persisted 2 days after treatment ended, but disappeared within 7 days. In contrast, continued training with saline and 3.2 mg/kg morphine during high-dose treatment both attenuated development of tolerance and transferred control to lower doses. Transfer of control to lower doses appeared conditional upon recent termination of high-dose treatment, as it disappeared within 7 days. Treatment with saline did not change the doses of morphine required for stimulus effects under either training condition. A final experiment examined whether high-dose treatment could transfer control to higher doses of morphine. The treatment dose of 10 mg/kg morphine itself was used as the training dose during a 2-week treatment regimen. The dose of morphine required for stimulus effects increased 2- to 4-fold during treatment, but quickly returned to control values when treatment ended. These results extend previous findings that conditioning and pharmacodynamic processes jointly regulate development of tolerance to discriminative effects of morphine.
Comparison of thiopentone and midazolam for induction of anaesthesia: influence of diazepam premedication.

Forty-eight healthy patients undergoing routine surgery participated in this double-blind parallel study in which thiopentone sodium and midazolam maleate were compared for induction of anaesthesia. Twelve patients in each group received diazepam premedication. The purpose of this study was three fold; first to compare the efficacy of these two drugs as induction agents using fixed criteria, second to find the optimal dose of midazolam for induction and, finally, to evaluate the effects of diazepam premedication on the induction dose of both drugs.
Automated library system migration in the United States

The application of computer technology to routine procedures in libraries has been evolving for more than twenty years. As technology has made new applications possible and as library and vendor expertise has developed, some libraries today are working with a second or even a third system vendor. This paper reports on a survey of libraries in the United States which have changed vendors and it identifies commonality and variation in factors associated with automation system change by these libraries.
Fragile X syndrome and failure to thrive.

Sir.—The fragile X syndrome is the most common form of inherited mental retardation occurring in approximately one per 1000 live births.1The disorder is manifested not only by mental retardation or learning disabilities but also by the clearly defined physical characteristics that include large, prominent ears; joint laxity; macro-orchidism; puffiness around the eyes; broad palpebral fissures; and a long, narrow face. There are also cognitive, behavioral, and temperamental characteristics associated with the syndrome.2Autistic features are common, including poor eye contact, perseveration in speech and behavior, and tactile defensiveness, suggesting an increased sensitivity to a variety of stimuli.3There is also an aberrant approach-withdrawal behavioral pattern in social interactions.4Among the most common physical findings in these individuals is hypotonia and hyperextensibility of the joints, suggesting a connective tissue dysplasia in fragile X syndrome.2,5Prolapse of the mitral valve is seen frequently, and the
The symmetry surface of the zodiacal cloud outside the Earth's orbit

The location in space of the symmetry surface of the zodiacal cloud at elongation angles 110-140 deg from the sun is determined from observations of the zodiacal light taken from the Pioneer 10 space probe, and from the zodiacal light experiment on Skylab. The inclination and ascending node of the symmetry surface from the ecliptic plane are shown to be about 1.2 and 23 deg, respectively, closest to those of the orbital plane of Mars. These results are consistent with those obtained from IRAS at elongation angle of 90 deg from the sun.
A trial of oral magnesium supplementation in renal transplant recipients receiving cyclosporine.

WE undertook a single blinded crossover trial of oral magnesium supplementation in 15 hypomagnesemic renal transplant patients. The study was designed to determine (1) to what extent chronic oral magnesium supplementation would increase serum magnesium in this population; (2) whether magnesium supplementation would reduce blood pressure, lessen antihypertensive drug requirements, and/or improve lipid profiles; (3) the significance of side effects from the cathartic effects of magnesium compounds; and (4) the changes in renal magnesium excretion and serum electrolytes associated with magnesium therapy.
The importance of preventive dental visits from a young age: systematic review and current perspectives.

Background Dental caries, the most common childhood chronic disease, disproportionately affects vulnerable parts of the population and confers substantial impacts to children, families, and health systems. Because efforts directed toward oral health promotion and disease prevention are fundamentally superior to dental rehabilitation secondary to disease development, early preventive dental visits (EPDVs) are widely advocated by professional and academic stakeholders. The aim of this comprehensive review was to critically review and summarize available evidence regarding the effectiveness of EPDVs in improving children's oral health outcomes. Materials and methods A systematic literature search of the PubMed and Embase electronic databases was undertaken to identify peer-reviewed publications investigating the effectiveness of EPDVs on oral health outcomes, including clinical, behavioral, and cost end points up to October 30, 2013. Outcomes of the identified studies were abstracted and summarized independently by two investigators. Results Four manuscripts met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. All studies were conducted in the US and employed a retrospective cohort study design using public insurance-claims data, whereas one study matched claims files with kindergarten state dental surveillance data. That study found no benefit of EPDVs in future clinically determined dental caries levels in kindergarten. The other three studies found mixed support for an association of EPDVs with subsequent more preventive and fewer nonpreventive visits and lower nonpreventive service-related expenditures. Selection bias and a problem-driven dental care-seeking pattern were frequently articulated themes in the reviewed studies. Conclusion The currently available evidence base supporting the effectiveness of EPDVs and the year 1 first dental visit recommendation is weak, and more research is warranted. The benefits of EPDVs before the age of 3 years are evident among children at high risk or with existing dental disease. However, EPDVs may be associated with reduced restorative dental care visits and related expenditures during the first years of life.
To Attack or Not to Attack: A Theory and Empirical Assessment of Extended Immediate Deterrence

Specific theoretical conditions for the success or failure of extended immediate deterrence (EID) are identified based on assumptions about rational action. The resultant decision theoretic model yields four hypotheses which are tested against cases of EID between 1885 and 1970. The hypotheses are strongly supported, with about 77% of outcomes correctly predicted. In addition, the article distinguishes between two qualitatively different situations in which the model leads us to expect a defender's policy of extended immediate deterrence to succeed or fail. The results are contrasted with Huth's 1988 analysis. The formally derived hypotheses of this analysis fit the data as well as Huth's probit model. The percentage of correct predictions in the model here is slightly, but not statistically significantly, lower than that in Huth's, and the model presented here is more parsimonious than Huth's. Thus the model here seems to be a preferable construct of decision making during extended immediate deterrence s...
Abnormal Brain Development in Newborns with Congenital Heart Disease

Results As compared with control newborns, those with congenital heart disease had a decrease of 10% in the ratio of N-acetylaspartate to choline (P = 0.003), an increase of 28% in the ratio of lactate to choline (P = 0.08), an increase of 4% in average diffusivity (P<0.001), and a decrease of 12% in white-matter fractional anisotropy (P<0.001). Preoperative brain injury, as seen on MRI, was not significantly associated with findings on MRS or DTI. White-matter injury was observed in 13 newborns with congenital heart disease (32%) and in no control newborns. Conclusions Term newborns with congenital heart disease have widespread brain abnormalities before they undergo cardiac surgery. The imaging findings in such newborns are similar to those in premature newborns and may reflect abnormal brain development in utero.
VARIATION OF CELL AND NUCLEAR VOLUME OF TETRAHYMENA PYRIFORMIS WITH THREE PARAMETERS OF GROWTH: AGE OF CULTURE, AGE OF CELL, AND GENERATION TIME.

SYNOPSIS. Cell volume and nuclear volume of Tetrahymena pyriformis strains HS and E, grown on a defined medium, were measured as a function of age of culture, age of cell and generation time. The volume of an “average” single cell between divisions was calculated for logarithmic phase cultures by using volume distributions and difference equations. Cell volume measurements were made by compressing the cells to known thickness and measuring the area from photomicrographs. The nuclear volume was determined from diameter measurements of the nucleus by assuming the shape of a sphere. The cell volume decreased from the lag phase to the logarithmic phase and reached a minimum at the end of the logarithmic phase. It increased again during the stationary phase. The nuclear volume also decreased from the lag to logarithmic phase, but continued to decrease in the stationary phase until it reached the nuclear volume of the daughter cell. The average single cell volume increased at a constant rate for 85% of the generation time, at which point the rate diminished to zero. The nuclear volume showed no increase until 35% of the generation time had passed. It then increased at an accelerated rate which diminished just before division. Both the average cell and nuclear volumes decreased with increase in temperature until the optimum temperature was reached, at which point they increased again. There were no appreciable differences in volume changes for cells grown on different media.
Rigidities, Living Conditions, and Institutions in the Far North

The remoteness and geography of Alaska create service access rigidities that are difficult to overcome. The delivery of basic services like healthcare, police protection, and justice are often inadequate in rural places. The continued employment of neoclassical assumptions in policy making is a primary reason policies fail to overcome the barriers. A broader scope of analysis can inform the issues faced by rural residents and provide insight into alternate solutions.
Second order formulas for Fourier coefficients

This paper presents formulas for Fourier coefficients which are exact for parabolic polygons determined by triples of points at unequal intervals. Thus points may be chosen quite far apart in the ,nearly linear portion of a curve to be analyzed. This will usually reduce by a factor of two the number of points required for a given accuracy.
Induced pluripotent stem cell technology and aquatic animal species

Abstract Aquatic animal species are the overall leaders in the scientific investigation of tough but important global health issues, including environmental toxicants and climate change. Historically, aquatic animal species also stand at the forefront of experimental biology, embryology and stem cell research. Over the past decade, intensive and high-powered investigations principally involving mouse and human cells have brought the generation and study of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to a level that facilitates widespread use in a spectrum of species. A review of key features of these investigations is presented here as a primer for the use of iPSC technology to enhance ongoing aquatic animal species studies. iPSC and other cutting edge technologies create the potential to study individuals from “the wild” closer to the level of investigation applied to sophisticated inbred mouse models. A wide variety of surveys and hypothesis-driven investigations can be envisioned using this new capability, including comparisons of organism-specific development and exposure response and the testing of fundamental dogmas established using inbred mice. However, with these new capabilities, also come new criteria for rigorous baseline assessments and testing. Both the methods for inducing pluripotency and the source material can negatively impact iPSC quality and bourgeoning applications. Therefore, more rigorous strategies not required for inbred mouse models will have to be implemented to approach global health issues using individuals from “the wild” for aquatic animal species.
Expansion of antigen-specific T cells from cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis

We have expanded cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) T lymphocytes obtained from four patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Fresh CSF cells were placed into culture with medium, interleukin-2, irradiated autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and either myelin basic protein (BP) or measles virus antigen. Two CSF cell lines demonstrated a mild degree of antigen-specific proliferation to BP, a third reacted with measles virus, and the fourth demonstrated no known antigenic specificity. The percentage of HLA-DR + cells was increased in all four cell lines. The culture procedure has thus selected for a population of activated T cells, some of which demonstrate reactivity with antigens of potential relevance to the pathogenesis of MS.
The application of a multicomponent droplet vaporization model to gasoline direct injection engines

AbstractA model for unsteady droplet vaporization is presented that considers the droplet temperature range from flash-boiling conditions to normal evaporation. The theory of continuous thermodynam...
Identification of a functional link for the p53 tumor suppressor protein in dexamethasone-induced growth suppression.

Serine/threonine phosphatase 5 (PP5) can act as a suppresser of p53-dependent growth suppression and has been reported to associate with several proteins, including the glucocorticoid receptor/heat-shock protein-90 complex. Still, the physiological/pathological roles of PP5 are unclear. To characterize the relationship of PP5, glucocorticoid receptor activation and p53, here we describe the development of chimeric antisense oligonucleotides that potently inhibit human p53 expression. This allowed us to regulate the expression of either p53 (e.g. with ISIS 110332) or PP5 (e.g. with ISIS 15534) in genetically identical cells. Studies with ISIS 110332 revealed that the suppression of p53 expression is associated with a decrease in the basal expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor protein, p21WAF1/Cip1, and a concomitant increase in the rate of cell proliferation. Suppression of p53 also blocks dexamethasone-induced p21WAF1/Cip1 expression and G1-growth arrest. Furthermore, treatment with ISIS 110332, but not the mismatched controls, ablates the suppression of growth produced by prior treatment with dexamethasone. Additional studies revealed that dexamethasone-dependent p21WAF1/Cip1 expression occurs without an apparent change in p53 protein levels or the phosphorylation status of p53 at Ser-6, -37, or -392. However, dexamethasone treatment is associated with an increase in p53 phosphorylation at Ser-15. Suppression of PP5 expression with ISIS 15534 also results in the hyperphosphorylation of p53 at Ser-15. Together, these findings indicate that the basal expression of p53 plays a functional role in a glucocorticoid receptor-mediated response regulating the expression of p21Waf1/Cip1 via a mechanism that is suppressed by PP5 and associated with the phosphorylation of p53 at Ser-15.
Dissolution of Sedimentary Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons into the Lugworm's (Arenicola marina) Digestive Fluids

We studied the mechanism(s) by which a deposit feeder can solubilize PAH from contaminated sediments as well as the implications of these mechanisms for factors controlling PAH bioavailability. Arenicola marina digestive fluids solubilize 4.6 μg mL-1 phenanthrene and 2.0 μg mL-1 benzo[a]pyreneconcentrations greater than the PAH's seawater solubilitieswhen incubated with pure PAH solids. This enhanced solubilization is largely due to surfactant micelles in the digestive fluid. In experiments with contaminated sediments that repeat the incubation or vary the solid−fluid ratio, these and other PAHs saturate at much lower concentrations (often between 0.01 and 0.1 μg mL-1). Less solubilization is likely due to sorption of digestive surfactants by sedimentary organic matter and competition from other sedimentary hydrophobic solutes, such as aliphatic hydrocarbons, for remaining micellar space. Nevertheless, gut fluid concentrations of high molecular weight PAHs are greater than those predicted from equilibrium...