cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
AML-035: Bleeding Outcomes in Thrombocytopenic Acute Leukemia Patients with Venous Thromboembolism at a Comprehensive Cancer Center

Context Cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) in leukemia patients with severe thrombocytopenia poses a treatment challenge due to competing risks of bleeding and recurrent thrombosis resulting in a narrow therapeutic index for antithrombotic therapies. Objective To determine rates of clinically relevant bleeding (CRB) during management of acute venous thromboembolic event (VTE) in thrombocytopenic acute leukemia patients. Design Retrospective analysis using chart review. Patients Patients (n=74) with acute leukemia admitted to the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, January 2002 - March 2016. Included patients were older than 17 years, with proximal lower extremity deep venous thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism, and thrombocytopenia (platelet levels ≤50×109/L) on at least two consecutive measures. Patients were sub-grouped into three VTE-treatment interventions: anticoagulation (32.4%), inferior vena cava filter (29.7%), and observation (37.8%). Main outcome measures Rates of CRB and by VTE-treatment intervention group. Association between CRB risk and clinical and laboratory characteristics by multivariate model based on backward model selection. Results Twenty-nine patients (39.2%) suffered CRB during the study (9 had clinically relevant non-major bleeding, 19 had major bleeding, and 1 had both major and non-major bleeding). Patients with relapsed leukemia bled more than those with de novo leukemia (P=0.0294). The use of anticoagulation did not increase the occurrence of CRB (P=0.6035). Use of chemotherapy increased the odds of bleeding by six times (P=0.043). Patients with CRB received more transfusions of platelets (P=0.0012), packed red blood cells (P=0.0017), and fresh frozen plasma (P=0.0573) compared to those who did not bleed. Baseline platelet count was not a significant factor associated to CRB(P=0.35), but the rate of increased platelet counts over time correlated with decreased bleeding chance (P=0.01). Conclusions There was a significant correlation between the occurrence of CRB and quantity of overall blood product transfusions, use of chemotherapy, and relapsed leukemia presentation. There was no difference in rates of CRB between VTE-treatment sub-groups, regardless of platelet count at time of VTE diagnosis. It appears the platelet count trajectory and the factors associated to a slower recovery of it are the main determinants for hemorrhagic complications during VTE treatment in acute leukemia.
Sculpting Expression: A Creative Arts Therapy Exhibition:

Exhibitions have the potential to affect the lives of visitors and the artists themselves. This article considers the potential influence of exhibitions as a culminating factor in creative arts the...
Promoting the Integration of Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change Interventions Through a Web-Based Professional Development Program:

In 2017, the University of Minnesota Extension launched an online program called “Systems Approaches to Healthy Communities” that targets public health professionals and health promotion advocates ...
Trust, Identity, and Disclosure: Are Bitcoin Exchanges the Next Virtual Havens for Money Laundering and Tax Evasion?

This Note discusses the relationship of Bitcoins, a cyber-currency, to the Bank Secrecy Act and discusses money laundering and tax evasion. This Note highlights the use and potentially problematic implications of Bitcoins in commerce and discusses their current regulation by the government, both within the United States and internationally, to guard against these threats. This Note addresses the regulation of Bitcoin exchanges, the exchanges' vulnerability to cyber-attacks, and the value of trust to the users of Bitcoin exchanges. This Note concludes that well known exchanges that operate both within and outside the United States generally self-regulate in order to gain the trust of their users despite the cyber-attacks on exchanges in the past. This Note also addresses the tax-reporting implications of foreign Bitcoin exchanges, looking by analogy at attempts to gain information from known tax havens.This Note argues that, given the applicability of the BSA to Bitcoin exchanges, the Bitcoin system poses serious questions relating to money laundering and tax reporting, mostly with regard to the less trustworthy exchanges known for their illegal activity. Some Bitcoin exchanges and e-wallets may also have the potential to become the next tax havens. Many exchanges voluntarily implement measures amounting to self-regulation in attempts to appear more trustworthy to wary consumers or in attempts to avoid criminal or civil sanctions. Whether this self-regulation is sufficient to achieve the goals of preventing money laundering and other criminal activity is debatable. Exchanges that have no need to appear trustworthy, however, still pose the same risks of money laundering and other illegal activity contemplated by the FBI. Moreover, ways exist in which criminals can work around the current regulatory scheme to achieve criminal goals; in that respect, the current regulatory scheme is ineffective to prevent the targeted criminal activity. This Note recommends a supplemental regulatory scheme that would target the areas that current regulation fails to address in combating money laundering, tax evasion, and other criminal activity.
Stability and Workload Index for Transfer score predicts unplanned medical ICU patient readmission

Unplanned readmission to the medical intensive care unit (MICU) is associated with worse outcome. Unfortunately, the ability to predict which patients are likely to deteriorate after MICU dismissal is limited. We developed and tested a numerical index that measures and quantitates suitability for patient transfer from a critical care unit to a general services care environment (Stability and Workload Index for Transfer [SWIFT] score).
Three Dimensional Simulation and Experimental Investigation of Intrathecal Drug Delivery in the Spinal Canal and the Brain

Abstract Intrathecal drug delivery bypasses the blood brain barrier by infusing therapeutic agents into the cerebrospinal fluid. Clinical studies have observed rapid distribution of intrathecally infused drugs. We hypothesize that naturally occurring cerebrospinal fluid pulsations inside the spinal canal accelerate drug transport. An experimental model of the human spinal canal was built for infusion tests of a radionucleotide in stagnant and pulsatile flow fields. The distribution of infused Technitium-99 m in the spinal canal model was quantified and validated with computational study. The results show that the oscillatory flow of the cerebrospinal fluid accelerates species dispersion in the spinal canal model by a factor of two to four. To demonstrate a clinically relevant application, physiological cerebrospinal fluid pulsations were reproduced in an anatomically consistent computational model and the dispersion of baclofen, an anti-spasticity drug, inside the central nervous system was predicted. The successful characterization of accelerated drug transport due to cerebrospinal fluid pulsations aids in the rational design of intrathecal drug infusion therapies.
Obtaining calibrated probability estimates from decision trees and naive Bayesian classifiers

Accurate, well-calibrated estimates of class membership probabilities are needed in many supervised learning applications, in particular when a cost-sensitive decision must be made about examples with example-dependent costs. This paper presents simple but successful methods for obtaining calibrated probability estimates from decision tree and naive Bayesian classifiers. Using the large and challenging KDD’98 contest dataset as a testbed, we report the results of a detailed experimental comparison of ten methods, according to four evaluation measures. We conclude that binning succeeds in significantly improving naive Bayesian probability estimates, while for improving decision tree probability estimates, we recommend smoothing by -estimation and a new variant of pruning that we call curtailment.
Fusion needs more than SNAREs.

Force biological membranes close enough together and they will fuse. SNARE proteins are well suited to force proximity. But biochemical studies of yeast show that proximity is not the only requirement.
Cholinergic Circuitry of the Human Nucleus Basalis and Its Fate in Alzheimer's Disease

The nucleus basalis is located at the confluence of the limbic and reticular activating systems. It receives dopaminergic input from the ventral tegmental area/substantia nigra, serotonergic input from the raphe nuclei, and noradrenergic input from the nucleus locus coeruleus. Its cholinergic contingent, known as Ch4, provides the principal source of acetylcholine for the cerebral cortex and amygdala. More than half of presynaptic varicosities along its cholinergic axons make traditional synaptic contacts with cortical neurons. Limbic and paralimbic cortices of the brain receive the heaviest cholinergic input from Ch4 and are also the principal sources of reciprocal cortical projections back to the nucleus basalis. This limbic affiliation explains the role of the nucleus basalis in modulating the impact and memorability of incoming sensory information. The anatomical continuity of the nucleus basalis with other basomedial limbic structures may underlie its early and high vulnerability to the tauopathy and neurofibrillary degeneration of Alzheimer's disease. The tauopathy in Ch4 eventually leads to the degeneration of the cholinergic axons that it sends to the cerebral cortex. The early involvement of Ch4 has a magnifying effect on Alzheimer's pathology, because neurofibrillary degeneration in a small number of neurons can perturb neurotransmission in all cortical areas. Although the exact contribution of the Ch4 lesion to the cognitive changes of Alzheimer's disease remains poorly understood, the cholinergic circuitry of the nucleus basalis is emerging as one of the most strategically positioned and behaviorally consequential modulatory systems of the human cerebral cortex. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:4124-4144, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Revisions to the IEEE 754 standard for floating-point arithmetic

Almost twenty years ago the IEEE 754 binary floating-point standard was adopted. Since then almost every microprocessor as well as many programming languages have defined the floating-point arithmetic to be IEEE 754 compliant. From the many years experience in implementing the standard in hardware and writing floating-point programs, there have been numerous suggestions for revisions. All IEEE standards must undergo a review process every 5 years or be dropped as an active standard. For past reviews this standard was extended without much discussion. But finally in January 2001 an in-depth review was started. A committee was formed and over the past two years many revisions have been evaluated. The most extensive change to the standard is to adopt formats for decimal floating-point arithmetic. This proposal creates decimal floating-point data formats for 32, 64, and 128 bits. Decimal floating-point arithmetic provides an exact representation of displayed numbers and provides a precise round at decimal radix point. This type of arithmetic is required in financial calculations. Some experts argue that decimal will replace binary due to its ability to represent decimal numbers exactly, while others think that binary will remain the key floating-point format due to its speed of execution and its more regular spacing of intervals. Another once controversial proposal is the addition of fused multiply-add. This operation only causes one rounding error, while in most implementations, provides twice the performance of separate operations. Other additions to the standard include a quadword format and many predicate functions such as comparison operators like greater than. Also operators for maximum and minimum have been accepted that after hours of arguing now favor a numeric result over a NaN. There are also deletions such as the single extended and double extended formats. And there are some items that are deleted in one meeting and resurrected in the following meeting such as signaling NaNs. Over the past two years of committee review there has been many proposals discussed. This panel discussion will enlighten the audience to the additions, deletions, and some of the current controversial proposals. The panel will consist of : • David Hough, Sun Microsystems, Editor of the Standard – Overview • Mike Cowlishaw, IBM Corp., Decimal Floating-Point Software Advocate • David Bailey, Lawrence Berkeley Lab., Quadword Precision Advocate • David Matula, Southern Methodist University, Academics / Industry Consultant • Eric Schwarz, IBM Corp., Decimal Floating-Point Hardware – Panel Chair
Analysis of benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants in serum using a common solid-phase clean-up and a common mobile phase

Abstract A single rapid and specific solid-phase clean-up procedure was developed for the analysis of benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants using a carefully selected wash step and specific sequential elution. Benzodiazepines were eluted from the solid-phase column using a mixture of water-methanol-acetonitrile (2:3:3) followed by the elution of tricyclic antidepressants with methanol containing 0.6% diethylamine. A 30% solution of acetonitrile in phosphate buffer containing dimethylocylamine was used as a common isocratic mobile phase for the analysis of benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants on a reversed-phase column and detection was carried out at 242 nm. The sensitivity limit of the assay for benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants was 25 ng/ml in serum with recoveries of 95-105% for benzodiazepines and 76-95% for tricyclic antidepressants. The results were linear for benzodiazepines over the range 50-2000 ng/ml and for tricyclic antidepressants over the range 25-500 ng/ml. Analysis for benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants gave good precision, with a coefficient of variation of less than 5.0%. The method described here will be suitable for use in a clinical setting, where there is a concomitnat use of benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants.
No Sex Last Night: The Look of the Other

En 1992, Calle a quitte l’image figee pour faire l’experience de la video en elaborant une autre version d’elle-meme en tant qu’artiste dans la video intitulee No Sex Last Night, realisee en collaboration avec Greg Shephard. La creation video est un autre moyen de construire son « soi » pour les autres et a travers les autres, c’est-a-dire de faconner la maniere dont elle souhaite etre vue. Ce qui distingue No Sex Last Night de ses autres projets est sa perte d’autorite artistique, car Shephard tient aussi une camera. De fait, ce qui prime dans cette video est la dependance de l’autre au niveau de l’image et de l’existence. C’est a travers l’autre, Shephard en l’occurrence, que Calle s’affirme a la fois en tant qu’artiste et en tant que femme.
A case report of the early results of laparoscopic bariatric surgery in six completely nonambulatory patients.

A case report of the early results of laparoscopic bariatric surgery in six completely nonambulatory patients Sigrid Bairdain, M.D., M.P.H., Richard S. Flint, M.D., Chueh Lien, B.S., Mark Cleary, B.S., Bradley C. Linden, M.D., David B. Lautz, M.D., F.A.C.S.* Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts Department of Surgery, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts Department of Surgery, Emerson-Mass General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Concord, Massachusetts Received March 7, 2013; accepted June 3, 2013
Real-Time Blood-Flow Characterization Using Laser Speckle Imaging

Analysis of the contrast in laser speckle images, is a growing area of interest in the biomedical community. Here, I discuss recent work designed to translate laser speckle imaging concepts from the laboratory to the clinic.
Superprism effect in a metal-clad terahertz photonic crystal slab.

We report an experimental demonstration of the superprism effect in a photonic crystal slab at terahertz frequencies. For a 10% frequency variation around 0.28 THz, the refraction angle at the output facet of a wedge-shaped photonic crystal varies by about 15°. A comparison with the predictions of a band structure calculation demonstrates that a three-dimensional treatment, accurately modeling the finite slab thickness and the metallic boundary conditions, is required for even a qualitative agreement with the experimental observations.
A model B-cell superantigen and the immunobiology of B lymphocytes.

Recent reports have shown that protein A of Staphylococcus aureus (SpA) is a specific toxin for B cells by virtue of specific binding interactions with conserved sites on the V(H) region of the B-cell antigen receptor. The structural basis for these Fab-binding interactions has recently been revealed in crystallographic analyses, which have demonstrated many similarities with the interactions of T-cell superantigens. Investigations of the in vivo response to SpA have illustrated how a B-cell superantigen can be used to provide a window for examining fundamental principles that underlie the immunobiology of B lymphocytes.
Comparative study of the Rh-D antibody titres of amniotic fluids and corresponding maternal sera in Rh-D sensitized pregnancies.

IT has been well documented that the severity of erythroblastosis foetalis resulting from maternal Rh factor sensitization is not always proportional to the titre of the mother's serum Rh isoagglutinins1–12. The titre of Rh antibodies in cord serum from Rh negative infants of Rh negative mothers is usually equal to the titre obtained in the maternal serum except for saline agglutinins13. In cases of erythroblastosis resulting from Rh sensitization, however, it is not possible to ascertain how many Rh antibodies have passed into the foetal circulation, for such antibodies are absorbed by the infant's Rh positive cells. Rh antibodies may not be demonstrable in the infant's serum except where excessive amounts (more than necessary to coat all foetal erythrocytes) have been acquired from the mother.
Natural Killer Cell Mediated Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity in Tumor Immunotherapy with Therapeutic Antibodies

In the last decade several therapeutic antibodies have been FDA and EMEA approved. Although their mechanisms of action in vivo is not fully elucidated, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) mediated by natural killer (NK) cells is presumed to be a key effector function. A substantial role of ADCC has been demonstrated in vitro and in mouse tumour models. However, a direct in vivo effect of ADCC in tumour reactivity in humans remains to be shown. Several studies revealed a predictive value of FcγRIIIa-V158F polymorphism in monoclonal antibody treatment, indicating a potential effect of ADCC on outcome for certain indications. Furthermore, the use of therapeutic antibodies after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an interesting option. Studying the role of the FcγRIIIa-V158F polymorphism and the influence of KIR-receptor-ligand incompatibility on ADCC in this approach may contribute to future transplantation strategies. Despite the success of approved second-generation antibodies in the treatment of several malignancies, efforts are made to further augment ADCC in vivo by antibody engineering. Here, we review currently used therapeutic antibodies for which ADCC has been suggested as effector function.
A model for the ∼ 1.10eV emission band in InP☆

Abstract A study of the emission band present in InP has been made at temperatures between 4.2 and 280 K. The emission spectrum has phonon-structure at lower temperatures. The observed band shape and band-peak position are well explained by the configuration coordinate model. The coupling strength S , a measure of the lattice-localized center interaction, ranges from 1.7 to 3.5. A nearest-neighbor molecular-like defect center (Fe) In —(V) p appears to be responsible for the 1.10eV emission band.
Rapid incorporation of iodine-123 via the reaction of 123I-sodium iodide with organoboranes

Organoboranes react with 123I-sodium iodide in the presence of mild oxidizing agents to yield the corresponding iodine-123 labeled organic iodides. The reaction is rapid, proceeds under mild conditions, and tolerates a variety of functional groups. The new synthesis is effective on the no-carrier-added scale.
Identifying anthropogenic ‘hotspots’ and management of water resources in Lake Chad Basin using GIS

In order to understand the relationship between population pressure on water resources, and changes in vegetation cover within the Lake Chad Basin (LCB), this paper analyzed demographic and biomass burning footprint using Geographical Information System (GIS) software. An overlay analysis identified anthropogenic hotspots that are likely to define the modification of the LCB in the future. Analysis of anthropogenic dynamics suggests that with a projected population of 51 million in 2015 rising to about 80 million by 2030, the Lake Chad (LC) watershed will be significantly impacted. The spatial characteristic of the anthropogenic footprint shows that sustaining water services will continue to be a problem. The anthropogenic hotspot map generated is thus a useful tool for policy makers to target areas of rapid change with the greatest impact on the size of LC. The proposed inter-basin water transfer will require the most comprehensive urgent policy responses.
Attributability, weakness of will, and the importance of just having the capacity

A common objection to particular views of attributability is that they fail to account for weakness of will. In this paper, I show that the problem of weakness of will is much deeper than has been recognized, extending to all views of attributability on offer because of the general form that these views take. The fundamental problem is this: current views claim that being attributionally responsible is a matter of exercising whatever capacity that they take to be relevant to attributability; however, weakness of will cases show that we can be attributionally responsible for actions that result from failing to exercise that capacity. I propose a novel solution that any view of attributability can and must take on board in order to be viable. The solution is to recognize that being attributionally responsible is not fundamentally a matter of exercising the attributability-relevant capacity (whatever a particular view identifies that capacity to be) but is rather a matter of having that capacity, so long as that capacity figures in the explanation of the action.
Alanine transport by Chinese hamster ovary cells with altered phospholipid acyl chain composition

The Na+-dependent transport of alanine has been examined in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells as a function of the fatty acid composition of their membrane lipids. Significant changes in the fatty acid composition of the CHO cell phospholipids were achieved by supplementation of the growth medium with specific saturated (palmitate) or monoenoic (oleate) free fatty acids. Arrhenius plots of the temperature-dependent uptake of alanine were constructed for cells of altered fatty acid composition. Alanine uptake was characterized by a single discontinuity in the Arrhenius plot. The temperature of this break was observed to be dependent upon the fatty acid composition of the cell phospholipids, ranging from 16°C for cells enriched with oleate to 32°C for cells enriched in palmitate. Calculation of the Km value for the uptake process showed no significant change with temperature or fatty acid supplementation. Correlations are made between the physical state of the membrane lipids and the temperature-dependence for alanine transport. The results are discussed in terms of membrane fatty acid composition, ordered ⇌ fluid phase transitions and amino acid transport.
Governance, type of blockholder, and negotiating power in takeovers

Purpose – Agency theory suggests that if managers are not monitored, takeover negotiations may be contaminated by agency conflicts, which may weaken a firm's bargaining position. This paper argues that some blockholders are more effective monitors than others, and tests whether the negotiating power of a target or bidder is influenced by their respective blockholder composition. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This paper classifies target and bidder outside blockholders as either aggressive monitors or moderate monitors, and tests whether the degrees of monitoring effectiveness influence a firm's share of the total wealth created by the takeover (a proxy for bargaining power). Findings – This paper finds that firms that have the types of outside blockholders with a greater tendency to monitor managers elicit higher takeover gains. This suggests that negotiating power in takeovers is conditioned on the types of blockholders that monitor the target and bidder. The resul...
Damage Tolerance of Large Shell Structures

Progressive damage and fracture of large shell structures is investigated. A computer model is used for the assessment of structural response, progressive fracture resistance, and defect/damage tolerance characteristics. Critical locations of a stiffened conical shell segment are identified. Defective and defect-free computer models are simulated to evaluate structural damage/defect tolerance. Safe pressurization levels are assessed for the retention of structural integrity at the presence of damage/ defects. Damage initiation, growth, accumulation, and propagation to fracture are included in the simulations. Damage propagation and burst pressures for defective and defect-free shells are compared to evaluate damage tolerance. Design implications with regard to defect and damage tolerance of a large steel pressure vessel are examined.
Contributions of Bcl-xL to acute and long term changes in bioenergetics during neuronal plasticity

Mitochondria manufacture and release metabolites and manage calcium during neuronal activity and synaptic transmission, but whether long term alterations in mitochondrial function contribute to the neuronal plasticity underlying changes in organism behavior patterns is still poorly understood. Although normal neuronal plasticity may determine learning, in contrast a persistent decline in synaptic strength or neuronal excitability may portend neurite retraction and eventual somatic death. Anti-death proteins such as Bcl-xL not only provide neuroprotection at the neuronal soma during cell death stimuli, but also appear to enhance neurotransmitter release and synaptic growth and development. It is proposed that Bcl-xL performs these functions through its ability to regulate mitochondrial release of bioenergetic metabolites and calcium, and through its ability to rapidly alter mitochondrial positioning and morphology. Bcl-xL also interacts with proteins that directly alter synaptic vesicle recycling. Bcl-xL translocates acutely to sub-cellular membranes during neuronal activity to achieve changes in synaptic efficacy. After stressful stimuli, pro-apoptotic cleaved delta N Bcl-xL (ΔN Bcl-xL) induces mitochondrial ion channel activity leading to synaptic depression and this is regulated by caspase activation. During physiological states of decreased synaptic stimulation, loss of mitochondrial Bcl-xL and low level caspase activation occur prior to the onset of long term decline in synaptic efficacy. The degree to which Bcl-xL changes mitochondrial membrane permeability may control the direction of change in synaptic strength. The small molecule Bcl-xL inhibitor ABT-737 has been useful in defining the role of Bcl-xL in synaptic processes. Bcl-xL is crucial to the normal health of neurons and synapses and its malfunction may contribute to neurodegenerative disease.
Fluorometric identification and microdetermination of proteins labeled with 4-(3′-phenyl-2′-pyrazolin-1′-yl)benzenesulfonyl chloride in polyacrylamide gel matrices

Abstract Protein-dodecyl sulfate complexes, labeled at room temperature for 15 min under slightly basic conditions with 4-(3′-phenyl-2′-pyrazolin-1′-yl)benzenesulfonyl chloride, exhibit a fluorescence emission band centered at 420 nm. Their fluorescence intensity is independent of pH in the range 2–8. In polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, their relative mobilities are not different from their unlabeled counterparts. The limit of detection for protein in solution is 2 μg/ml. Following electrophoresis of 10-μl sample volumes in 5-mm-diameter gel cylinders, and without extrusion from the glass tubes, the typical detection limit of the labeled protein-dodecyl sulfate complexes is 250 ng. The rate of increase of the fluorescence signal with increasing amount of labeled protein-dodecyl sulfate complex in the sample volume varies from one protein to another. The linear range for these growth curves is also different. These differences are related to the lysine content of each protein.
On the mechanics and energetics of nectar feeding in butterflies.

Abstract A mechanistic model describing the mechanics and energetics of nectar-feeding in butterflies is developed. The butterflies Collas eurytheme and Danaus plexippus are used to illustrate the model. Simulation results indicate that there are mechanical limitations upon the range of nectar sugar concentrations and nectar extraction times available to butterflies. There is a unique optimum for net rate of energy gain at 20–25% nectar sugar concentration which is independent of the metabolic rate and of proboscis shape and size over the ranges found in butterflies. The optimal nectar extraction rate depends upon the size and shape of the proboscis. These results are discussed in relation to the design of nectar feeding structures, optimal foraging strategy, and the evolution of insect pollination.
Antiviral treatment of chronic type B hepatitis.

Excerpt Vidarabine (adenine arabinoside; Ara-A) is an adenine analogue with potent activity against several DNA viruses including most herpesviruses. In a large, multicenter trial done in the mid-1...
Emergency Induction of Emesis Using Liquid Detergent Products: A Report of 15 Cases

Solutions of liquid detergent products were used to induce emesis in 15 patients who could not or would not obtain syrup of ipecac. Four patients refused to drink any of the solution and two others refused part, one of whom vomited. In the patients who drank all or part of the solution, 91% (10/11) vomited with a mean time to the onset of emesis of 6.5 min. None of these patients developed symptoms attributable to the ingested poison or the detergent solution. Liquid detergent solutions may be a useful alternative emetic for the poison center when a patient cannot be given syrup of ipecac.
Control of structures featuring a new MRE isolator system

This study is focused on control of a scaled building structure using a new semi-active Variable Stiffness and Damping Isolator (VSDI). The proposed VSDI system consists of a traditional steel-rubber vibration absorber, and a magnetorhelogical elastomer (MRE) with a controllable stiffness and damping behavior. To demonstrate the feasibility of using VSDIs a 1:16 scaled, three-story building is constructed and installed on a shake table and its base is supported by four prototype VSDIs. The VSDIs can be regulated in real time by varying the applied magnetic field through a controller. A phenomenological model is proposed and implemented on VSDI devices. The scaled El Centro earthquake excitation is applied to the system, and the vibration mode is controlled by a Lyapunov-based control strategy. Results show that the a significant reduction in structural response can be achieved for both displacement and acceleration.
A Hybrid Approach for Data Warehouse View Selection

Materialized view selection is one of the crucial decisions in designing a data warehouse for optimal efficiency. Static selection of views may materialize certain views that are not beneficial as the data and usage trends change over time. On the contrary, dynamic selection of views works better only for queries demanding a high degree of aggregation. These facts point to the need for a technique that combines the improved response time of the static approach and the automated tuning capability of the dynamic approach. In this article, we propose a hybrid approach for the selection of materialized views. The idea is to partition the collection of all views into a static and dynamic set such that views selected for materialization from the static set are persistent over multiple query (and maintenance) windows, whereas views selected from the dynamic set can be queried and/or replaced on the fly. Highly aggregated views are selected on the fly based on the query access patterns of users, whereas the more detailed static set of views plays a significant role in the efficient maintenance of the dynamic set of views and in answering certain detailed view queries. We prove that our proposed strategy satisfies the monotonicity requirements, which is essential in order for the greedy heuristic to deliver competitive solutions. Experimental results show that our approach outperforms Dynamat, a well-known dynamic view management system that is known to outperform optimal static view selection.
Maintenance of pregnancy in the rat in the absence of LH.

SummaryPregnant rats were hypophysectomized and pituitary autografted on day 2, the day after sperm were observed in the vaginal lavage. Estradiol-17β (E-17-β) was injected (0.1 μg/day) on days 8 through 16 to induce implantation and maintain pregnancy. This protocol resulted in a 4 day delay of implantation, and day 8 becomes equivalent to day 4 of normal pregnancy. A single dose of LHAS (equivalent to 1.4 times the dose necessary to cause abortion on day 8 in the normal pregnant rat) failed to prevent implantation when administered on day 7 or cause fetal resorption when administered on days 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 (equivalent to days 4, and 7 through 11). LHAS given on the two successive days 13 and 14 (days 9 and 10 equivalent) was also without effect. These results suggest that LHAS causes abortion in the rat by acting on pituitary LH-like material and not on the ovary, developing fetus or placenta.
Problematic Issues in Prevention of Injuries and Illnesses Resulting from Exposure to Heat and Cold Stress

Abstract In the threshold limit values (TLVs) for heat and cold stress published by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, the main approach for prevention is similar: the frequency and length of required rest periods depend on the climatic conditions of the working area and the work metabolism. Whereas methods and instruments for measuring the climatic conditions are fairly well established for practical application, the methods available for assessing the effects of clothing and work metabolism at the job site are cumbersome and/or inaccurate. Both TLVs stipulate that the recommended work-rest regimens are valid only if the Workers' clothing is adapted to the climatic conditions of the working area. Yet there is no standard method to measure the insulation, vapor permeability, and ventilation of working uniforms and different protective garments. Some new methods are described which hold promise to solve these problems. Recommendations on methods to assess metabolism include qual...
Bayesian Average Error-Based Approach to Sample Size Calculations for Hypothesis Testing

Under the classical statistical framework, sample size calculations for a hypothesis test of interest maintain prespecified type I and type II error rates. These methods often suffer from several practical limitations. We propose a framework for hypothesis testing and sample size determination using Bayesian average errors. We consider rejecting the null hypothesis, in favor of the alternative, when a test statistic exceeds a cutoff. We choose the cutoff to minimize a weighted sum of Bayesian average errors and choose the sample size to bound the total error for the hypothesis test. We apply this methodology to several designs common in medical studies.
Interpretation of the nonbulklike optical density of thin copper films grown under ion bombardment.

Thin metal films, grown under ion bombardment, usually exhibit optical properties different from bulk. We interpret the observed optical density of thin copper films grown under different conditions of argon-ion bombardment by modifying the bulk dielectric function to take account of changes in the lattice parameter, grain size, and specific density.
Comparison of Number and Mean Charge Between Dental Sealants and One-surface Restorations

An important concern of the insurer is how sealants, if a covered benefit, will affect the premium. Important factors that may have an influence on determining the premium include the decline in caries rate coupled with the long-term cost to an insurer for sealants vs one-surface restorations. In this study of more than 1 million dentally insured children (aged 5-15), the mean charge ($) for sealants and one-surface restorations was determined, along with the frequency of these procedures, by patient age. For this group of children, 43 percent of one-surface restorations occurred between ages 12-14, whereas 32 percent of the patients received sealants at either 7 or 8 years of age. States varied substantially in the number of sealants as a percentage of the number of restorations. Only three states had more sealants placed than one-surface, posterior restorations. Three states had an annual increase in the ratio of sealant to restoration charge, while 13 states had an annual decrease. With the exclusion of a few states with a minimum number of sealants and restorations in 1988, the highest ratio of the cost of sealants to the cost of one-surface restorations was observed in New York (.60) and New Jersey (.56) and the lowest observed in Kansas and Utah (.37). The ratios for both New York and New Jersey were lower in 1988 than in the previous two years. The ratio of the number of one-surface, posterior restorations to the population served was approximately the same for each NIDR region in the contiguous United States. Alaska and Hawaii had a higher proportion.
Progressive insurance competes with the strategic application of information technology

For many years, Progressive Insurance was a small, specialized provider of automobile insurance to high-risk drivers. When industry giants entered the same market, the future looked bleak for the small company. But Progressive has thrived in the larger market for standard automobile insurance by making creative use of information technology and reforming antiquated industry practices. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Psychiatry’s Next Generation: Teaching College Students About Mental Health

The authors describe an integrated area of study for undergraduate college students that targets an increase in knowledge of mental health issues in children, adolescents, and emerging adults; encourages mental health service utilization on college campuses; and exposes young minds to the possibilities of working with children and adolescents in the mental health field. An overview of the program is provided, including the resources required to oversee and manage the program, student requirements, a description of the role that clinicians and researchers play as the program faculty, and an explanation of the tuition model. The program currently includes 40 courses with an annual enrollment of over 3000 students, resulting in departmental revenues that currently exceed $11 million per year. Student evaluations of the courses are very positive, and in a program survey students reported that their participation in the program had a positive impact on their life (84.2 %) and impacted their career choice (60.2 %). The benefits of the program include a valuable outreach to college students regarding the importance of seeking help for mental health issues, a positive influence on early career decision-making, opportunities for clinical and research educators to develop their scholarly areas of interest, and a significant source of departmental discretionary revenues.
A quantum network with atoms and photons (QNET-AP)

Enabling secure communication, unparalleled computing capabilities, and fundamental nonlocality physics exploration, the development of quantum repeaters is the key quantum information processing technology advance needed for implementing real world quantum networks beyond the laboratory environment. Currently, components exist for intra-laboratory quantum networks but no system exists for connecting distant ( 1 km ) quantum memories in the real world. We present a physics analysis of quantum repeater network designs for intracity optical fiber connections between nodes based on atomic memories and linear optics. Long distances will necessitate the use of (1) two-photon Hong-Ou-Mandel style interference between atomic ensembles for entanglement swapping, and (2) photonic qubit wavelength conversion between atomic emissions and photons at telecommunication wavelengths in fiber. We report on our experimental progress towards implementing A Quantum Network with Atoms and Photons (QNET-AP), a quantum repeater network test-bed, between the US Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and the Joint Quantum Institute (JQI) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Maryland (UMD).
Social Context in the Development of Adolescent Religiosity

Students of religious development in youth tend to focus on characteristics of the child or adolescent and perhaps those of their parents. Although often reflecting standard disciplinary practices, this approach is also often the result of data limitations. This study used longitudinal data from adolescents, parents, friends, schools, and communities to examine the role of social and religious context on the development of public and subjective religiosity in adolescents. Employing data from 2 waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, we found that parents and friends strongly influenced the religious service attendance habits of adolescents and that these, as well as school context, shaped how important religion is in adolescents' lives. County-level influences appeared minimal. The results affirmed an ecological approach to the study of religious development in youth, one that considers the multiple social contexts in which youth live.
Incorporation of inositol hexaphosphate into red blood cells mediated by dimethyl sulfoxide

Abstract Inositol hexaphosphate (IHP) binds to deoxyhemoglabin and markedly decreases the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen. We introduce here a method for incorporating this polyphosphate into erythrocytes, thus preparing very low affinity cells for use in respiration research. The method uses dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to facilitate entry of IHP. The cells are exposed to a high concentration of DMSO which is rapidly diluted with IHP solution. During this dilution the cells become leakly and IHP enters. The influence of several variables at each step of the process has been investigated and the data support a transient osmotic gradient mechanism for IHP incorporation.
Intermolecular enzyme-ligand animation in the active site of porcine pancreatic elastase with acetyl-alanine-proline-alanine by means of molecular dynamics calc

Abstract An interactive molecular display system has been developed to enable the visualization of the 540 conformations derived from a molecular dynamics calculation of the fluctuations of the enzyme-ligand complex formed between porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) and acetyl-alanine-proline-alanine (APA). Dynamical interactions between the receptor and the inhibitor are observed at the active site, e.g. the pyrrolidone ring of the ligand 2-proline residue is observed to flex via restrained dihedral angle rotations; the terminal acetate moiety is seen to move between two adjacent binding loci. An animated molecular graphics display, linked to a molecular or stochastic dynamics method, is an instructive and predictive tool for investigating dynamical interactions of enzyme-ligand binding.
EXCESS FREE ALPHA RELATIVE TO BETA SUBUNITS OF THE GLYCOPROTEIN HORMONES IN NORMAL AND ABNORMAL HUMAN PITUITARY GLANDS

Extracts of thirteen normal pituitaries from five men, three premenopausal women, and five postmenopausal women were fractionated by Sephadex G-100 chromatography; alpha subunit, TSH-β, LH-β, and FSH-β, as well as complete TSH, LH, and FSH, were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in each fraction collected. In spite of variability in subunit content among normal pituitaries, a consistent excess of free alpha subunits relative to the sum of all free pituitary beta subunits was demonstrated in each normal pituitary (P < 0·025); the alpha to beta subunit ratio ranged from 1·29–8·31. In addition, in normal pituitary extracts the ratio of free alpha to alpha combined with beta subunits in the complete glycoprotein hormones generally exceeded 1 (mean 1·57), although the free alpha to combined alpha excess was not statistically significant. In extracts of pituitaries from two hypothyroid and four hyperthyroid patients, the excess of alpha to all pituitary beta subunits persisted. Centrifugation of pituitary extracts at 35 000g, rather than 1500g, prior to gel chromatography decreased the small percentage of void volume immunoactivity in both complete glycoprotein hormone and subunit RIAs, suggesting that it may have been caused by adsorption to membrane components in the extracts. Different methods of preparing the pituitary homogenates did not change the amount or ratio of alpha to beta subunits extracted. Heterogeneity was observed in pituitary alpha and TSH-β by gel chromatography, suggesting that differences in the amount of glycosylation existed among intrapituitary free alpha and TSH-β subunits. These studies, as well as prior studies of de novo subunit biosynthesis and in vivo secretory rates, support the concept that the excess content of free alpha to all free beta subunits in the pituitary reflects greater synthesis of alpha subunits; beta subunit synthesis appears to be the limiting factor in the production of complete TSH, LH, and FSH.
Effect of the proline analogue azetidine-2-carboxylic acid on collagen synthesis in vivo. II. Morphological and physical properties of collagen containing the analogue

Abstract Chick embryos were treated from day 8 to day 12 with 500 μg per day of azetidine-2-carboxylic acid. Electron microscopy indicated there were essentially no cross-striated collagen fibrils in tendon or skin of the treated embryos. Amino acid analysis of the tendons suggested that the decrease in cross-striated fibrils was accounted for by the decreased collagen content of the tissue. Acid-soluble collagen isolated from the treated embryos had essentially the same amino acid composition as normal collagen except that it contained about 4 residues of azetidine-2-carboxylic acid per 1000 residues of amino acid. The only demonstrable abnormality in the physical properties of the acid-soluble collagen from treated embryos was that the T m value for the helix-coil transition was 1.8° lower and the early part of the melting curve was less sharp than the melting curve of the control. The results did not help to resolve the question of whether collagen-containing azetidine-2-carboxylic acid is extruded from cells at a decreased rate because of the presence of the analogue or because of other changes in the molecule. The observations emphasized, however, that incorporation of proline analogues into collagen produces relatively minor changes in the structure of the molecule but that these minor changes have marked effects on the overall rate at which collagen fibrils are deposited in the extracellular matrix.