cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The JFK BIG study: the impact of LSVT BIG® on dual task walking and mobility in persons with Parkinson's disease.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that Lee Silverman Voice Treatment-BIG decreases the negative impact of hypokinesia on dual task performance in persons with Parkinson's disease. [Subjects and Methods] The records of 114 patients with Parkinson's admitted to outpatient rehabilitation at a suburban hospital were reviewed. Demographics and data for 8 outcome measures were extracted for subjects that completed 14 of 16 sessions of BIG. 93 of these subjects had records of pre and post-test Timed Up and Go, Timed Up and Go Motor, and Timed Up and Go Cognitive scores. Average age was 68.4 years (SD=10.6) and average disease duration was 4.9 years (SD=5.3). [Results] Subjects demonstrated statistically significant improvements for Timed Up and Go (3.3 SD=4.5), Timed Up and Go Motor (4.4 SD=5.8) and Timed Up and Go Cognitive (4.7 SD=5.4). Concurrent motor and cognitive performance remained stable. Dual task cost decreased at a statistically significant level for Timed Up and Go Cognitive (7% SD=31%) but not Motor (4% SD=32%). [Conclusion] These findings suggest that cueing strategies associated with LSVT BIG become internalized and decrease the negative impact of hypokinesia on mobility and cognitive performance while performing two tasks simultaneously in persons with Parkinson's.
The Extended Dwell Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Is an Alternative Method of NICU Intravenous Access

Background: Establishing vascular access is a common neonatal intensive care unit procedure. The extended dwell peripheral intravenous (EPIV) catheter is a 6-cm and 8-cm silicone catheter for peripheral vein insertion, which is a newer vascular access device than peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) and peripheral intravenous (PIV) catheter. Extended dwell peripheral intravenous catheters have been widely used in adults but evidence in neonates is lacking.
Using Predicted Variance for Conservative Scheduling on Shared Resources

In heterogeneous and dynamic environments, efficient execution of parallel computations can require mappings of tasks to processors with performance that is both irregular and time varying. We propose a conservative scheduling policy that uses information about expected future variance in resource capabilities to produce more efficient data mapping decisions.
Qualifications for Serials Catalogers in the 21st Century: A Content Analysis of Job Advertisements

Recent developments have altered the work performed in library technical services. As with similar positions, responsibilities for serials/continuing resources catalogers have experienced changes. ...
Towards An Open-Source Framework For The Analysis Of Cerebrovasculature Structure

The use of graphs to analyze cerebrovascular networks is quite common in studies of the microcirculation. While we have learned a lot from studies utilizing graphs as a tool for the analysis of microvessels, most methodologies for these procedures have only been described in brief and most are not publicly accessible. In this work, we introduce the foundation for an anticipated open-source framework that we hope will streamline the analysis of cerebrovascular structure. We believe that a standardized and accessible framework for the analysis vascular filaments is not only needed, but is necessary, for studies charting the microcirculation on image volumes spanning several grains of tissue. We set forth the foundations for a comprehensive and complete framework in our current work.
Effect of time of day and daily endoscopic workload on outcomes of endoscopic mucosal resection for large sessile colon polyps.

Background Endoscopic mucosal resection of large non-pedunculated colon polyps is challenging. Objective To determine if the time of day or daily endoscopic workload play a role in outcomes of endoscopic mucosal resection for large non-pedunculated colon polyps greater than 20 mm. Methods This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent endoscopic mucosal resection of large non-pedunculated colon polyps. The time of day and endoscopic workload were compared across the following outcomes: the rate of complete resection of the polyp, the rate of referral for surgery, and the rate of residual neoplasia on follow-up. Results One hundred and three endoscopic mucosal resection procedures were performed. There were no differences in the rates of complete resection (80.8% vs. 70.0%; P = 0.25), the need for surgery (27.4% vs. 33.3%; P = 0.55), and rate of residual neoplasia (24.5% vs. 50.0%; P = 0.07) when comparing the time of day. Colon polyps greater than 40 mm were less likely to be completely resected versus polyps sized 20-39 mm (56.8% vs. 91.9%; P < 0.001). In cases with no residual neoplasia on follow-up, the mean duration for the index procedure was 45.6 minutes versus 60.7 minutes when there was residual neoplasia (P < 0.01). Conclusion The time of day and endoscopic workload does not affect outcomes for endoscopic mucosal resection of large non-pedunculated colon polyps, but the size of large non-pedunculated colon polyps and resection times do.
A new identity for Tetragastris panamensis . Studies in neotropical Burseraceae XXIX

The taxon heretofore known as Tetragastris panamensis is widespread in tropical Central and South America and often common where it occurs. All recent phylogenies for Burseraceae tribe Protieae strongly support submerging Tetragastris as a section of a more inclusive Protium. A recent smorgasbord of nomenclatural changes coined a new name for T. panamensis because the epithet is already occupied in Protium. That is unnecessary, however, because the taxon can be given the next most recent available name from a heterotypic synonym: Protium stevensonii.
Efficacy of ozone against adults and immature stages of phosphine susceptible and resistant strains of Rhyzopertha dominica

Abstract Ozone was investigated as a potential alternative to control phosphine resistant strains of the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.). The efficacy of 0.21 and 0.42 g/m3 concentrations of ozone against one phosphine-susceptible laboratory and two phosphine-resistant field strains of R. dominica was evaluated. Vials holding 20 adults with 0 and 10 g of wheat were exposed to each ozone concentration for up to 24 h to estimate lethal doses required for 50 (LD50) and 99% (LD99) mortality. After ozone exposure, mortality was assessed 5 d later. There were no significant differences between LD50 values of the samples exposed to 0.21 and 0.42 g/m3, regardless of strains and presence or absence of wheat. The small amount of wheat (10 g) affected efficacy at 0.21 g/m3, but showed a non-significant effect at 0.42 g/m3. Ozone tends to react with active sites on the surface of wheat kernels prior to reaching an effective lethal concentration for insects. High ozone concentration in the supply air reduced the time to saturate all active sites and ensured that lethal levels of free ozone were available to kill insects. Ozone successfully suppressed the adult progeny production for all tested strains. Emergence of adults from eggs of all three strains was reduced by 96.3–100% only after 72 h exposure to an ozone concentration of 0.42 g/m3. At the same ozone concentration, emergence of adults from young and old larvae was reduced by 97.1–99.7% after a 24 to 34 h exposure. However, reduction in emergence of adults from ozone exposed pupae at 10 h varied among the strains and ranged from 32.8 to 96.6%. After 2 and 6 h of exposure the reduction in emergence of adults from pupae ranged from 19.6 to 76.5%.
In Vivo Chemical Probing for G-Quadruplex Formation

While DNA inside the cells is predominantly canonical right-handed double helix, guanine-rich DNAs have potential to fold into four-stranded structures that contain stacks of G-quartets (G4 DNA quadruplex). Genome sequencing has revealed G4 sequences tend to localize at the gene control regions, especially in the promoters of oncogenes. A growing body of evidence indicates that G4 DNA quadruplexes might have important regulatory roles in genome function, highlighting the need for techniques to detect genome-wide folding of DNA into this structure. Potassium permanganate in vivo treatment of cells results in oxidizing of nucleotides in single-stranded DNA regions that accompany G4 DNA quadruplexes formation, providing an excellent probe for the conformational state of DNA inside the living cells. Here, we describe a permanganate-based methodology to detect G4 DNA quadruplex, genome-wide. This methodology combined with high-throughput sequencing provides a snapshot of the DNA conformation over the whole genome in vivo.
The State of Animal-Assisted Interventions: Addressing the Contemporary Issues that will Shape the Future.

As the worldwide popularity of animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) increases, the field is quickly approaching a paradigm shift, adjusting its image to incorporate more evidence-based research and aligning its purpose for advancing a new future. Contemporary critical issues that confront the field today include, but are not limited, to research, animal welfare, practice guidelines, and public policy. This article will provide an overview of the history of AAI and the major milestones that the field has undergone. The current state of AAI research will be scrutinized, and the areas that warrant further study will be recommended. Special attention will be given to the current state of animal welfare in AAI, the research that has been done in the area, and practice guidelines that safeguard animal wellbeing. This article will then discuss how evidence-based research and animal welfare guidelines inform the development of comprehensive professional standards and influence changes in public policy regarding AAI. The authors’ perceptions for the field’s future trajectory will be presented, which will include solutions to move the field in the direction that best advances the human-animal bond in research, practice, and public perception.
Kübler-Ross and Bioethics: A Cautionary Tale.

In Mark Kuczewski’s (2019) insightful essay, “Everything I Really Needed to Know to be a Clinical Ethicist, I Learned from Elisabeth Kubler-Ross” he commends Elisabeth Kubler-Ross (1926–2004) as “t...
Él Es Chicano?Authenticity and Authentication in Two Versions of Doug Sahm's “Chicano”

This article considers questions of authenticity in two versions of Doug Sahm9s “Chicano”: Sahm9s original, recorded with the Sir Douglas Band in 1973, and Rumel Fuentes9s 1976 cover version. Some critics and listeners considered Sahm9s original, written from a first-person Chicano perspective, a gaffe, since Sahm was in fact not Chicano; however, employing Allan Moore9s notion of authenticity as authentication, I argue that Fuentes9s cover version is at once an endorsement of Sahm9s original and an authentication of it. To do so, I begin by elaborating Moore9s three-part typology of authenticity, and how this typology recasts authenticity as authentication. I then place Sahm9s appropriation of a Chicano identity within a longer history of racial crossing in American popular music before providing historical context for each artist, and for each version of the song. Finally, by discussing the two versions in terms of Moore9s typology, I argue that the cover authenticates the original through what Moore calls second-person authenticity, which he describes as a validation of the listener9s experience.
Evaluation of first-person storytelling on changing health-related attitudes, knowledge, behaviors, and outcomes: A scoping review.

Abstract Objectives First-person storytelling (FPS) has the potential to engage patients in changing behavior differently than didactic education. We assessed the prevalence of FPS in health education interventions; whether published FPS research has shown improvements in attitudinal, knowledge, behavioral, or clinical outcomes; and whether randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including FPS have shown more effectiveness than non-FPS interventions. Methods A scoping review of FPS studies published before October 2019 in five medical databases was conducted. Results 22 out of 10,363 identified studies met eligibility criteria. FPS has been studied primarily in cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. Of the 12 RCTs, compared to controls, patients receiving FPS interventions improved attitudes (N = 6 studies) and knowledge (N = 1), improved health behaviors like quitting smoking (N = 6), and improved clinical outcomes like lowering A1C levels (N = 3). Of the 10 non-RCT studies, compared to baseline assessments, patients who received FPS interventions had improved knowledge (N = 1), attitudes (N = 3), clinical outcomes (N = 4), and improved health behaviors (N = 7). Conclusion While rarely used, FPS interventions can improve patient health attitudes and outcomes. Future research should expand FPS to new health areas and determine best practices for developing FPS interventions. Practice Implications FPS may be particularly effective with low income patients and racial/ethnic minorities.
Regional Unemployment and Human Capital in Transition Economies

Differences in regional unemployment in post-communist economies are large and persistent. We show that inherited variation in human-capital endowment across the regions of four such economies explains the bulk of regional unemployment variation there and we explore potential explanations for this outcome through related capital and labor mobility patterns. The evidence suggests that regions with high inherited skill endowments attract skilled workers as well as FDI. This mobility pattern, which helps explain the lack of convergence in regional unemployment rates, is consistent with the presence of complementarities in skill and capital. Nevertheless, we find no supporting evidence of human capital wage spillovers implied by the complementarities story. Unemployment of the least-skilled workers appears lower in areas with a higher share of college-educated labor and future research is needed to see if this finding as well as the observed migration pattern arise from different adjustments to regional shocks by education level brought about in part by Central European labor-market institutions, such as guaranteed welfare income raising effective minimum wages.
Diversity in health care institutions reduces Israeli patients’ prejudice toward Arabs

Diversity in the lines of public institutions, such as hospitals, schools, and police forces, is thought to improve provision for minority group members. Nonetheless, whether and how diversity in public institutions shapes majority citizens' prejudice toward minorities are unclear. Building on insights from the intergroup contact literature, I suggest that diversity in public institutions can facilitate positive intergroup contact between majority group members and minorities in elevated social positions. Such unique interactions, which exceed the equal status condition for effective intergroup contact, can serve to reduce prejudice and facilitate more inclusive attitudes among majority group members. To test this expectation, I focus on health care provision-a leading sector with regard to minority representation. Leveraging a natural experiment unfolding in 21 Israeli medical clinics where Jewish patients are haphazardly assigned to receive care from Jewish or Arab doctors and embedding prejudice-related questions in a routine evaluation survey, I demonstrate that brief contact with an Arab doctor reduces prejudice. Specifically, contact with an Arab doctor reduces Jewish patients' exclusionary preferences toward Arabs by one-sixth of an SD and increases Jewish patients' optimism about peace by a 10th of an SD. The modest magnitude of these effects is similar to the impact of well-powered interventions recently reviewed in a meta-analysis of prejudice reduction experiments. These findings emphasize how the demographic makeup of public institutions can reduce mass prejudice, even in a context of intractable conflict.
Testing a holistic conceptual framework for early childhood teacher well-being.

Abstract Using a holistic conceptualization of teacher well-being in concert with the Job Demands and Resources (JD-R) framework, our interdisciplinary study examined associations among various job demands and resources and whole teacher well-being (i.e., professional, psychological, and physical well-being) in early care and education settings. First, we investigated direct associations of job demands and resources with teachers' professional well-being. Second, we tested two models of potential mediation for the relationship of job demands and resources to well-being using structural equation modeling techniques: (a) that psychological and physical well-being mediate the relationship between demands, resources, and professional well-being; and (b) that professional well-being mediates the relationship between demands, resources, and psychological and physical well-being. Although our sample of early childhood teachers (n = 262) reported high levels of professional well-being (i.e., work commitment, self-efficacy), a substantial number of them experienced challenges in both psychological (e.g., perceived stress, depressive symptoms) and physical (e.g., ergonomic pain) well-being. As expected, teachers' work-related stressors and work resources (positive work climate, quality of the physical environment) were directly associated with teachers' professional well-being. Contrary to our expectations, however, instrumental resources (i.e, wages, health insurance) did not predict any aspects of teachers' professional well-being. Our data only supported the first of the two tested mediation hypotheses (i.e., that psychological and physical well-being mediated the associations between working conditions and professional well-being), but with one caveat: physical well-being preceded psychological well-being in mediating the associations. These results advance our understanding of the challenges present in the early childhood workforce and have implications for policies and programs to improve teacher working conditions and well-being.
Cytoplasmic pressure maintains epithelial integrity and inhibits cell motility.

Cytoplasmic pressure, a function of actomyosin contractility and water flow, can regulate cellular morphology and dynamics. In mesenchymal cells, cytoplasmic pressure powers cell protrusion through physiological three-dimensional extracellular matrices. However, the role of intracellular pressure in epithelial cells is relatively unclear. Here we find that high cytoplasmic pressure is necessary to maintain barrier function, one of the hallmarks of epithelial homeostasis. Further, our data show that decreased cytoplasmic pressure facilitates lamellipodia formation during the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Critically, activation of the actin nucleating protein Arp2/3 is required for the reduction in cytoplasmic pressure and lamellipodia formation in response to treatment with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) to induce EMT. Thus, elevated cytoplasmic pressure functions to maintain epithelial tissue integrity, while reduced cytoplasmic pressure triggers lamellipodia formation and motility during HGF-dependent EMT.
The Tortoise Transformation as a Prospect for Life Extension

The value of extending the human lifespan remains a key philosophical debate in bioethics. In building a case against the extension of the species-typical human life, Nicolas Agar considers the prospect of transforming human beings near the end of their lives into Galapagos tortoises, which would then live on decades longer. A central question at stake in this transformation is the persistence of human consciousness as a condition of the value of the transformation. Agar entertains the idea that consciousness could persist in some measure, but he thinks little is to be gained from the transformation because the experiences available to tortoises pale in comparison to those available to human beings. Moreover, he thinks persisting human consciousness and values would degrade over time, being remade by tortoise needs and environment. The value available in the transformation would not, then, make the additional years of life desirable. Agar’s account does not, however, dispose of the tortoise transformation as a defensible preference. Some people might still want this kind of transformation for symbolic reasons, but it would probably be better that no human consciousness persist, since that consciousness would be inexpressible as such. Even so, it is not irrational to prefer various kinds of lifespan extension even if they involve significant modifications to human consciousness and values.
Valuation of child behavioral problems from the perspective of us adults

OBJECTIVE:. To assess preferences between child behavioral problems and estimate their value on a quality-adjusted life year (QALY) scale. METHODS:. Respondents, age 18 or older, drawn from a nationally representative panel between August 2012 and February 2013 completed a series of paired comparisons, each involving a choice between 2 different behavioral problems described using the Behavioral Problems Index (BPI), a 28-item instrument with 6 domains (Anxious/Depressed, Headstrong, Hyperactive, Immature Dependency, Anti-social, and Peer Conflict/Social Withdrawal). Each behavioral problem lasted 1 or 2 years for an unnamed child, age 7 or 10 years, with no suggested relationship to the respondent. Generalized linear model analyses estimated the value of each problem on a QALY scale, considering its duration and the child's age. RESULTS:. Among 5207 eligible respondents, 4155 (80%) completed all questions. Across the 6 domains, problems relating to antisocial behavior were the least preferred, particularly the items related to cheating, lying, bullying, and cruelty to others. CONCLUSIONS:. The findings are the first to produce a preference-based summary measure of child behavioral problems on a QALY scale. The results may inform both clinical practice and resource allocation decisions by enhancing our understanding of difficult tradeoffs in how adults view child behavioral problems. Understanding US values also promotes national health surveillance by complementing conventional measures of surveillance, survival, and diagnoses. Language: en
An Unsatisfactory State of the Law: The Limited Options for a Corporation Dealing with Cyber Hostilities by State Actors

The rapidly increasing willingness of state actors to conduct hostile cyber operations against corporations has not gone unnoticed by governments, and, in particular, the United States. Corporations, for their part, overwhelmingly support government involvement in cyber issues. This mutual desire for a corporate-government partnership provides an opportunity to build an effective response to the cyber threat posed by state actors. Yet, corporations also must be cognizant that the present environment is woefully inadequate at providing the necessary cyber defense mechanisms needed to protect their businesses. This short-term need for protection coupled with the interest in a corporate-government partnership raises two questions. First, what can a corporation do to protect itself from state-sponsored cyber hostilities? Second, what are some possible models for a corporate-government partnership to address the threat in the future?This Article addresses both of these questions by first outlining why it is difficult for a corporation to respond to state-sponsored cyber hostilities. Understanding this difficulty allows for the development of appropriate corporate responses to hostile state actors. An explanation of what the law allows a corporation to do in defense of its business interests will follow. As self-protection for business is only a partial solution, recommendations for enhancing the corporate-government partnership to blunt state actor cyber hostilities will also be offered. The Article concludes by reiterating the criticality of developing a comprehensive and coherent strategy for responding to this ever-growing threat.
SPECIFIC EFFECT OF LIMITING NUTRIENT ON PHYSIOLOGICAL EVENTS DURING CULTURE GROWTH

Ecker, R. E. (Iowa State University, Ames), and W. R. Lockhart. Specific effect of limiting nutrient on physiological events during culture growth. J. Bacteriol. 82:511–516. 1961.—In cultures of Escherichia coli strain K12, the sequence of physiological events at the time of growth cessation in populations limited by availability of carbon source (glucose), nitrogen source (ammonium sulfate), and oxygen was observed to differ in several respects. These included differences in the relationship between mass synthesis and cell division, the utilization of nonlimiting nutrients, and the nature of changes in energy metabolism. These observations are discussed with reference to problems involved in the experimental control of variables in growth studies.
Early repair of vesicovaginal fistula

Abstract Thirty-eight patients with vesicovaginal fistula were treated within 60 days of diagnosis of the fistula (acute fistula). The fistulas resulted from obstetrical injuries, surgical procedures, and irradiation and operation for cancer. The majority of the patients were treated within 30 days. This is possible with the use of cortisone as an anti-inflammatory agent. We believe it is no longer necessary for the patient with vesicovaginal fistula to wait six months before attempting repair. With the exception of the use of cortisone preoperatively, the surgical technique employed and the postoperative care, with stress on the importance of maintenance of excellent catheter drainage, are the same basic principles advocated by most authorities. Over two thirds of the patients treated were cured within two weeks after diagnosis.
Organophosphorus hydrolase as an in vivo catalytic nerve agent bioscavenger.

The use of proteins as a treatment for organophosphorus intoxication has been investigated since A. R. Main demonstrated protective efficacy against parathion with an exogenously administered arylesterase in the late 1950s. His experiments spurred over 60 years of research and progress in the development of enzymes as potential bioscavengers of nerve agents and pesticides. Efforts have been made to broaden the specificity of enzymes to make a universal scavenger that would protect against multiple compounds, and an understanding of the differential isomer toxicity of these compounds has provided the impetus for rational and random mutagenic approaches in the stereospecific design of enzymes. As improved candidate enzymes are continually developed, our understanding of the contributions of the catalytic parameters (kcat, KM and catalytic efficiency) to efficacy expands. In addition to the scavenging properties of the proteins, another important aspect of development is the pharmacokinetic profile of the drug product. Immunogenicity, absorption, distribution and elimination contribute significantly to the level of protection afforded by the protein. A review of the development of organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) for use as in vivo catalytic bioscavengers is presented here. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Components and Cycles of a Random Function

This investigation examines the average distribution of the components and cycles of a random function. Here we refer to the mappings from a finite set of, say, n elements into itself; denoted by ?n. Suppose the elements of ?n are assigned equal probability, i.e. P(?) = n-n, ???n. The directed graph that is naturally associated with ? consists of several components, each with a unique cycle. Define Xn(s,t)(?) as the number of components in ? containing at least the fraction s of the total number of nodes, with the size of each component's cycle not exceeding tn1/2. We show that the expected value of Xn(s,t) can be approximated by the double integral EXn (s,t) ? ?tI ?0s I/?2? exp[-y2/(2x)]/?x3(1-x) dydx. The average number of components of a given size with cycles of a specified length approximately equals the volume under the graph of the integrand. This expression can be used to estimate the probability that a function has a component which contains a significant percentage of the total number of nodes and yet its cycle is relatively small.
Primary Cutaneous Follicle Center Lymphoma Associated With an Extracutaneous Dissemination: A Cytogenetic Finding of Potential Prognostic Value

Objectives Cytogenetic studies on cutaneous lymphomas are rare, and very little is known about their prognostic value. We present a rare case of primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma (PCFCL) with a complex translocation presenting with cutaneous and extracutaneous dissemination in the lymph node. Methods Morphologic, immunohistochemical, conventional cytogenetic, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies were performed on this patient. Results A combination of cytogenetic and FISH analysis identified a complex novel four-way t(2;14;9;3) (p11.2;q32;p13;q27) translocation involving rearrangements of BCL6 , immunoglobulin light and heavy chain genes, and an unknown gene on 9p. Conclusions Our report elaborates the morphologic and immunohistochemical features in combination with cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic analysis of PCFCL, which provide additional insight into the clinical and biologic behavior of this lesion.
Immature Thymocytes Undergoing Receptor Rearrangements Are Resistant to an Atm-Dependent Death Pathway Activated in Mature T Cells by Double-Stranded DNA Breaks

Immature CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes rearrange their T cell receptor (TCR)-alpha gene locus to generate clonotypic alpha/beta TCR, after which a few cells expressing selectable TCR are signaled to further differentiate into mature T cells. Because of requirements for self-tolerance, immature CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes are programmed to die in the thymus in response to a variety of stimuli that do not induce death of mature T cells. We now demonstrate that, in contrast to all previously described stimuli, immature CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes are selectively more resistant than mature T cells to apoptotic death induced by DNA intercalating agents. Importantly, we demonstrate that DNA intercalating agents induce double-stranded DNA breaks in both immature thymocytes and mature T cells, but immature thymocytes tolerate these DNA breaks, whereas mature T cells are signaled to die by an Atm-dependent but p53-independent death mechanism. Thus, our results indicate that absence of an Atm-dependent but p53-independent pathway allows immature thymocytes to survive double-stranded DNA breaks. It is likely that the unique ability of immature thymocytes to survive DNA-damaging intercalating agents reflects their tolerance of double-stranded DNA breaks that occur normally during antigen receptor gene rearrangements.
Third harmonic generation at the charge transfer gap in Sr/sub 2/CuO/sub 2/Cl/sub 2/

Summary form only given. Progress towards understanding high transition-temperature superconductivity in the copper oxides (cuprates) is hindered by the coexistence of complex spin, charge and lattice degrees of freedom. Even in the undoped parent compounds a detailed microscopic description of excitations within the basic energy bandstructure as observed in electron and optical spectroscopies remains a formidable task. Nonlinear optical spectroscopy, however, allows precise control over excitation energies and symmetries, revealing important new information about such systems. Here, we employ third-harmonic generation (THG) spectroscopy to investigate the electronic structure around the charge-transfer gap in the strongly correlated cuprate Sr/sub 2/CuO/sub 2/Cl/sub 2/.
Charitable Knowledge: Hospital Pupils and Practitioners in Eighteenth-Century London

List of tables and figures Preface 1. Introduction: hospital medicine in eighteenth-century London Part I. Institutions and Education: 2. The London hospitals: virtue and value 3. The corporations, licensing and reform, 1700-1815 4. Walking the wards: from apprentices to pupils 5. London lecturing: public knowledge and private courses Part II. Community and Knowledge: 6. Gentlemen scholars and clinical cases, 1700-60 7. London hospital men and a medical community, 1760-1815 8. Hospital men make medical knowledge, 1760-1815 Conclusion Appendices Notes Index.
Integration of battlefield visualization and agent technology

There are several significant and related automation trends in the evolution of the tactical battlefield, necessary to support greatly increased mobility of our land forces. One relates to the increased. automation and distributed functionality of the nerve center or tactical operation center (TOC), with the introduction of intelligent software agents. The anticipated dynamics of the future battlefield will require greatly increased mobility, information flow, information assimilation, and decision action of these centers. The second relates to the digitization of battlefield platforms. This digitization greatly reduces the uncertainty concerning these platforms and enables automated information exchange between these platforms and their TOC. The third is the rapid development of robotic or physical agents for numerous hazardous battlefield visualization to exploit the potential synergy and unification of these disparate developments. Battlefield visualization programs are currently focused on effectively representing the physical environment to support planning, mission rehearsal, and situational awareness. As intelligent agents are developed, battlefield visualization must be enhanced to include the state, behavior, collaboration and results of these agents. An initial representation of software and physical agents within a single battlefield visualization is presented. The major challenges to attaining this level of automation, in particular human interaction and trust will be addressed.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Early detection of glaucoma by means of a novel 3D computer-automated visual field test.

Purpose: A recently devised 3D computer-automated threshold Amsler grid test was used to identify early and distinctive defects in people with suspected glaucoma. Further, the location, shape and depth of these field defects were characterised. Finally, the visual fields were compared with those obtained by standard automated perimetry. Patients and methods: Glaucoma suspects were defined as those having elevated intraocular pressure (>21 mm Hg) or cup-to-disc ratio of >0.5. 33 patients and 66 eyes with risk factors for glaucoma were examined. 15 patients and 23 eyes with no risk factors were tested as controls. The recently developed 3D computer-automated threshold Amsler grid test was used. The test exhibits a grid on a computer screen at a preselected greyscale and angular resolution, and allows patients to trace those areas on the grid that are missing in their visual field using a touch screen. The 5-minute test required that the patients repeatedly outline scotomas on a touch screen with varied displays of contrast while maintaining their gaze on a central fixation marker. A 3D depiction of the visual field defects was then obtained that was further characterised by the location, shape and depth of the scotomas. The exam was repeated three times per eye. The results were compared to Humphrey visual field tests (ie, achromatic standard or SITA standard 30-2 or 24-2). Results: In this pilot study 79% of the eyes tested in the glaucoma-suspect group repeatedly demonstrated visual field loss with the 3D perimetry. The 3D depictions of visual field loss associated with these risk factors were all characteristic of or compatible with glaucoma. 71% of the eyes demonstrated arcuate defects or a nasal step. Constricted visual fields were shown in 29% of the eyes. No visual field changes were detected in the control group. Conclusions: The 3D computer-automated threshold Amsler grid test may demonstrate visual field abnormalities characteristic of glaucoma in glaucoma suspects with normal achromatic Humphrey visual field testing. This test may be used as a screening tool for the early detection of glaucoma.
Quality Assessment and Tracking Results of Cardiac Surgery

Long-standing efforts to assess quality in medical care have been intensified by the striking expansion of managed care plans. Agencies such as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations and the National Committee on Quality Assurance have formalized the evaluation of health plan quality using criteria of structure, process, and outcome. A review of attempts to apply these criteria to individual physicians and to disease-specific interventions such as myocardial revascularization demonstrates the great difficulty of reliable quality assessment in this evolving surgical field. Cardiac surgeons must continue their work in deriving valid socioeconomic and clinical conclusions from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and Veterans Affairs databases. This may prevent the precipitate adoption of newer treatment methods driven by entrepreneurial technology companies and large group purchasers of care. These entities tend to focus on economics rather than patient welfare. New technologies may also delude patients into insisting on treatment featuring short-term convenience and comfort despite less satisfactory long-term results. "Black box" methodology providing practice profiles and physician report cards must have critical validation.
Children's Environmental Health in Agricultural Settings

Children residing in rural settings may encounter environmental hazards derived from agricultural production activities. Health consequences of organic dusts, farm chemicals including pesticides, machinery noise, excess sun exposure, and zoonotic infectious agents have been clearly described among farm-working adults. The author reviews the related evidence base on child health with a life-stage perspective on their differential exposure and vulnerabilities. Methemoglobinemia among infants consuming nitrate-contaminated well water, neurodevelopmental health impacts associated with early life exposure to organophosphate pesticides, and diarrheal disease due to zoonotic infectious agents are well-described pediatric concerns. There is suggestive but more limited evidence for respiratory health consequences from air contaminants associated with confined animal feeding operations and hearing deficits for children exposed to machinery-related noise. Many contaminants of concern for children in these environments remain largely understudied-diesel exhaust, biomass burning, solvents, veterinary antibiotics, and silica-containing particulate matter. Overall, the state of knowledge and programmatic activities on agriculturally derived environmental contaminants and child health is immature and much less complete than for working adults. This overview provides a context for research, policy, and programmatic needs.
Disruption of noradrenergic, but not serotonergic or opiate, functioning blocks both cardiac and behavioral components of the orienting response in preweanling rats.

Previous work in this laboratory established that selective attention, as measured by the behavioral and autonomic expressions of the orienting response (OR), is not disrupted by either dopaminergic or cholinergic receptor blockade. The present experiments extended this pharmacological analysis of the OR. In Experiment 1, preweanling rats were injected with methysergide maleate, a serotonin receptor blocker. Neither the behavioral nor the heart rate (HR) component of the OR was attenuated. In Experiment 2, the opiate receptor blocker naltrexone also failed to inhibit the HR and behavioral expressions of the OR. α-1 adrenergic receptor blockade with WB-4101 in Experiment 3 abolished both the HR and behavioral ORs to the pulsating tone. In Experiment 4, clonidine, which inhibits release of norepinephrine by stimulating α-2 autoreceptors, attenuated both behavioral and HR ORs to the pulsating tone in a dose-dependent manner. These data, in combination with the prior findings, suggest that norepinephrine is critically involved in the central process underlying the OR in the rat. Dopaminergic, cholinergic, serotonergic, and opiate receptor blockades do not impair selective attention as indexed by HR and behavioral ORs to an auditory stimulus. In contrast, disruption of noradrenergic functioning via either α-1 receptor blockade or α-2 receptor stimulation disrupts both the HR and behavioral components of the OR. These results indicate that integrity of central noradrenergic functioning is essential for expression of the OR and for stimulus-directed attention.
Pathological consequences to reticuloendothelial system organs following infusion of unstable all-in-one mixtures in rats.

Summary Background Recent evidence of lung injury from the infusion of unstable lipid injectable emulsions as all-in-one mixtures (AIOs) was shown in a guinea pig infusion model. Methods We extended this research to a Sprague–Dawley rat infusion model, focusing our analyses on the dose of large-diameter fat globules (expressed as the volume-weighted percent of fat larger than 5 or 10 μm, PFAT 5 or PFAT 10 ) from the dispersed phase of emulsion mixtures of varying levels of stability, and the potential injurious effects on major tissues of the reticuloendothelial system (i.e., lungs and liver). Results Two identical infusion experiments ( n = 13 rats/study), involving stable (s-AIO) vs. unstable (u-AIO) mixtures were separately conducted, and differed in two respects: (1) duration of AIO infusion (24 h vs. 72 h) and, (2) starting PFAT 5 levels for the u-AIO (24- vs. 72-h PFAT 5 : 0.682±0.055% vs. 0.117±0.024%, respectively). In both experiments, s-AIOs vs. u-AIOs were infused, and evidence of hepatic oxidative stress was noted by significantly higher tissue concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) during infusion of u-AIOs. The higher concentrations of MDA in the livers of animals receiving the u-AIOs were also accompanied by significantly higher plasma concentrations of AST in both infusion experiments suggesting injury. Levels of cytokines (IL-1 β , TNF α ) in the lungs and livers in both infusion studies were variable. Conclusions These results demonstrate the infusion of u-AIOs with starting PFAT 5 levels of approximately 0.1% show evidence of pathological consequences to the liver and lungs, and therefore, such unstable AIO mixtures should probably be avoided in the clinical setting.
The development of infants' preference for motherese

Generally, infants prefer infant-directed (ID) to adult-directed (AD) speech. Mostly, researchers have used unfamiliar female voices in these studies. We investigated preferences for maternal ID speech in 1- and 4-month-olds. Using a procedure in which infants controlled access to voices by fixating a visual display, infants listened to recordings of natural female ID and AD speech. In Experiment 1, 1-month-olds heard recordings of maternal ID and AD speech, but these infants showed no preference for maternal ID speech. In Experiment 2, 1-month-olds heard the same ID and AD speech tapes but were not familiar with the speakers. Contrary to Experiment 1, these infants preferred ID speech. In Experiment 3, 4-month-olds heard recordings of maternal ID and AD speech and showed a significant preference for ID speech. Collectively, these results suggest that infant attention to ID speech depends on both speaker-general and speaker-specific characteristics, with interesting developmental changes occuring during early infancy.
Total Shoulder Arthroplasty in Older Patients: Increased Perioperative Morbidity?

More elderly patients are becoming candidates for total shoulder arthroplasty with an increase in frequency of the procedure paralleling the rise in other total joint arthroplasties. Controversy still exists, however, regarding the perioperative morbidity of total joint arthroplasty in elderly patients, particularly those 80 years of age and older. We asked whether perioperative complications and mortality, transfusion requirements, inpatient length of stay, and discharge disposition after total shoulder arthroplasty were similar in patients 80 years and older compared with those in younger patients. We retrospectively compared the 90-day complications, mortality, and other perioperative variables after total shoulder arthroplasty in 40 patients (43 shoulders) aged 80 years and older (Group A; mean age, 82 years) with 46 patients (47 shoulders) younger than 70 years (Group B; mean age, 61 years). We found no differences in complication rates between Group A and B, including systemic (26% versus 11%) and local (5% versus 9%) complications or major (7% versus 2%) and minor (23% versus 17%) complications. There were no deaths in either group. Group A had an increased transfusion requirement (16% versus 2%) and a decreased number of direct to home discharges (67% versus 98%). Presence of systemic complications predicted increased length of stay in patients overall and in Group A patients. Total shoulder arthroplasty can be performed in patients 80 years and older with rates of perioperative complications and mortalities comparable to those of younger patients, although these older patients may require a longer period of institutional care before return to home and may be more likely to require a blood transfusion. Level III, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
OA04.01. Effects of relaxation response intervention on endogenous progenitor cells in a hypertensive population

Progenitor cells offer the potential to be a meaningful outcome measure for integrative medicine, and are specifically relevant to cardiovascular disease. Arterial repair has powerful clinical applications; particularly for hypertension. Relative to health education control, we found a marked increase in endogenous progenitor cells expressing CD45, CD34, CD31, CXCR4, and VEGFR2 (p<0.01) after 8 weeks of RR meditation. The largest increase was seen in the CD34 subpopulation (40.1%, p<0.05). A significant decrease was shown in cells expressing AC133 (61.1%, p<0.05). In concordance with an increase in the CD34 subpopulation, these data suggest that increases in progenitor cells are evident in the middle of the differentiation process and offer a promising signal for the prospect of arterial repair with mind/body interventions. Conclusion Based on preliminary data, RR meditation appears to increase populations of endogenous progenitor cells in patients with systolic hypertension. These findings provide incentive to further investigate endogenous progenitor cells as a novel outcome measure for mind/body therapies.
Improving power transfer efficiency in bio-telemetry systems using negative permeability metamaterials

Summary form only given. Wireless power transfer over short distances is increasingly used to power implanted biomedical devices. A typical power transfer system consists of an external coil outside the body and an internal coil on the implanted device. The efficiency of the wireless power transfer depends on the Q of the constituent coils as well as the coupling. Coupling between the coils is severely limited by the distance between the coils. It was shown by Pendry [1] that negative refractive index materials (a very unique class of metamaterials) can produce a perfect image by focusing propagating waves and enhancing the evanescent waves that dominate in the near field. Since wireless power transfer is achieved by near field magnetic field coupling, using metamaterials can enhance this coupling and thereby increase the range of operation. A theoretical analysis using the point dipole approximation for resonating coils showed that power transfer efficiency increased when an anisotropic negative permeability material was placed between the primary and secondary coils [2].