cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Safe Handling of Toxic Chemicals: Perspectives of a Bench Chemist and Laboratory Manager

In a university environment we have evolved a number of working rules for handling and analysis of toxic samples: (1) secure storage and isolation of samples during workup; (2) use of less toxic surrogate compounds for calibration and testing of analytical scheme; (3) dedicated instruments, work area and personnel; (4) limited number of competent, knowledgeable, motivated personnel doing actual analyses; (5) redundant containment, verified by wipe tests; (6) medical surveillance; (7) close supervision and, (8) careful disposal of contaminated waste. We have also found it advantageous to have a toxicologist working with the analytical team and an analyst working with the toxicologists. With close collaboration and good communication of these groups serious exposure incidents have been avoided and a safe working environment has been maintained.
Endovascular embolization of aneurysms with ALGEL/spl reg/: an in vitro study of delivery techniques and resulting gel stability

Continued studies with calcium alginate gel (ALGEL/spl reg/-Neural Intervention Technologies, Ann Arbor, MI) show promise as an aneurysm occlusion material. Controlled ALGEL delivery eliminates flow to aneurysms and, when combined with coils, can eliminate the potential for ALGEL outflow from wide-neck, high flow aneurysms. Several aneurysm sizes were cast in flexible resins to simulate side-wall and bifurcation aneurysms in an in vitro system. First, ALGEL was delivered to small neck aneurysms from a 3F dual-lumen microcatheter. Second, a minimal number of coils were delivered to wide-neck aneurysms to form a matrix structure. ALGEL was then delivered to fill the remaining aneurysm space. ALGEL completely and effectively filled both small-neck aneurysms and, when combined with coils, completely filled wide-neck, high-flow aneurysms and eliminated outflow. Mechanical testing of ALGEL compared shear resistance to estimated shears seen in vivo. The frequency dependence of the complex modulus was determined at multiple % shears. ALGEL exhibits adequate stability to resist typical in vivo blood flow and shear effects subjected on aneurysms. ALGEL's mechanical stability and effective occlusion, alone and in combination with coils, makes ALGEL a potentially novel candidate for treating a wide variety of aneurysms and other neurovascular lesions.
Must Carry Regulations for Cable Television Systems: An Empirical Analysis

The 1992 Cable Act requires cable systems to carry local broadcasters. Noncarriage of local stations may represent an attempt by cable systems to disadvantage rivals, and thereby raise the prices of advertising and cable service. Alternatively, noncarriage might represent the efficient replacement of low-valued channels with more highly-valued programming. This study attempts to discriminate between these hypotheses with data on cable carriage decisions. The results support the efficiency hypothesis. Systems selling advertising are less likely to drop local stations than nonadvertisers. Dropped stations tend to have low audience ratings, and tend to originate in a different geographic market from the system.
Dark matter, light top squarks, and electroweak baryogenesis

We examine the neutralino relic density in the presence of a light top squark, such as the one required for the realization of the electroweak baryogenesis mechanism, within the minimal supersymmetric standard model. We show that there are three clearly distinguishable regions of parameter space, where the relic density is consistent with WMAP and other cosmological data. These regions are characterized by annihilation cross sections mediated by either light Higgs bosons, Z bosons, or by the co-annihilation with the lightest top squark. Tevatron collider experiments can test the presence of the light top squark in most of the parameter space. In the co-annihilation region, however, the mass difference between the light top squark and the lightest neutralino varies between 15 and 30 GeV, presenting an interesting challenge for top squark searches at hadron colliders. We present the prospects for direct detection of dark matter, which provides a complementary way of testing this scenario. We also derive the required structure of the high energy soft supersymmetry breaking mass parameters where the neutralino is a dark matter candidate and the top squark spectrum is consistent with electroweak baryogenesis and the present bounds on the lightest Higgs boson mass.
Male aggression, limited female choice and the ontogeny of mating behaviour in the flesh fly Sarcophaga crassipalpis

Previous work has shown that male flesh flies (Sarcophaga crassipalpis Macquart) exhibit an ontogeny of behaviour from eclosion through sexual maturity that includes extensive changes in the expression of aggressive, non-aggressive interactive and non-interactive behaviours. To determine how the presence of a female flesh fly influences the manifestation of these behaviours, male flesh flies of different ages post-eclosion are paired with same-age females and their behaviours are monitored in a simple arena during a 50-min observation period. All flies are socially isolated until pairing. Although the levels of expression of aggressive and non-aggressive interactive behaviours are depressed relative to previous findings in male-opponent pairs, the ontogeny of aggression still occurs as indicated by a significant increase, with age, in the agonistic behaviour ‘hold’. Similar to male-opponent pairs and individual males, the performance by males of the non-interactive behaviours ‘walking’ and ‘standing’ diminishes, whereas ‘upside-down’ increases with age. By contrast, ‘grooming’ shows a significant age-related decline. No courtship behaviours are observed in the males, although the aggressive behaviour ‘hold’ is a significant transition to mating. Females show no obvious courtship or rejection behaviours, although the significant increase in ‘upside-down’ with age could possibly be a behavioural gateway to mating. The results of this study indicate that extensive age-related changes encompassing the entire behavioural repertoire are intrinsic to male flesh flies and persist under a variety of different social contexts.
Neonatally primed lymph node, but not splenic T cells, display a gly-gly motif within the tcr β-chain complementarity-determining region 3 that controls affinity and may affect lymphoid organ retention

Ig-proteolipid protein 1 (Ig-PLP1) is an Ig chimera expressing the encephalitogenic PLP1 peptide corresponding to amino acid residues 139–151 of PLP. Newborn mice given Ig-PLP1 in saline on the day of birth and challenged 7 wk later with PLP1 peptide in CFA develop an organ-specific neonatal immunity that confers resistance against experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. The T cell responses in these animals are comprised of Th2 cells in the lymph node and anergic Th1 lymphocytes in the spleen. Intriguingly, the anergic splenic T cells, although nonproliferative and unable to produce IFN-γ or IL-4, secrete significant amounts of IL-2. Studies were performed to determine whether the two populations display any structural differences in the TCR H chain variable region that could contribute to the differential affinity and retention in different organs. Responsive Th2 lymph node T cells and anergic splenic lymphocytes were immortalized, and the structures of their TCR Vβ were determined. The results show that Vβ and Jβ usage was random, but the CDR3 regions of the lymph node cells had a conserved Gly-Gly motif. Analysis of TCR affinity/avidity correlated the Gly-Gly motif with lower affinity and retention of the Th2 cells in the lymph node. Also, it is suggested that a higher TCR affinity may be a contributing factor for the development of the neonatal Th1 response in the spleen.
Involving Community Residency Programs in Research: The Residency Research Network of Texas

For research to be a core value, it cannot remain the province of a small cadre of our members.1 For years, family medicine leaders have been urging members to increase research productivity and promote a strong research culture. Still, research inhabits a tiny corner of the family medicine world, concentrated in academic centers. Most residents (84%) graduate from community residency programs, and most of these lack the resources to promote research among faculty and residents. How can we expect our graduates to appreciate, support, and participate in research when the great majority has little exposure? In the middle 1990s, these concerns led us to examine our own back yard. While our university faculty were research-friendly, our department had done little to spread these values beyond our walls. To correct this situation, we applied to the US Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and received funding in 1997, 2000, 2003, and 2009 to support the Residency Research Network of Texas (RRNeT). We proposed a two-fold mission: to examine health issues relevant to family medicine patients in Texas; and to increase community program faculty and residents’ involvement in research.
Electromagnetically tracked placement of a peripherally inserted central catheter

This paper describes a computer program to utilize electromagnetic tracking guidance during insertion of peripherally inserted central catheters. Placement of a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) line is a relatively simple, routine procedure in which a catheter is inserted into the veins of the lower arm and threaded up the arm to the vena cava to sit just above the heart. However, the procedure requires x-ray verification of the catheter position and is usually done under continuous fluoroscopic guidance. The computer program is designed to replace fluoroscopic guidance in this procedure and make PICC line placement a bedside procedure. This would greatly reduce the time and resources dedicated to this procedure. The physician first goes through a quick registration procedure to register the patient space with the computer screen coordinates. Once registration is completed, the program provides a continuous, real-time display of the position of the catheter tip overlaid on an x-ray image of the patient on an adjacent computer screen. Both the position and orientation of the catheter tip is shown. The display is very similar to that shown when using fluoroscopy.
Physicians’ psychosocial beliefs correlate with their patient communication skills

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between physicians’ beliefs about the psychosocial aspects of patient care and their routine communication with patients.
Virologic response and safety of the abacavir/lamivudine fixed-dose formulation as part of highly active antiretroviral therapy: analyses of six clinical studies.

AbstractObjective: We analyzed virologic response and safety data from six recent clinical studies conducted in antiretroviral-naive subjects treated with ABC/3TC or its components to assess the impact of baseline viral load on efficacy and safety endpoints used in the ACTG5202 protocol. Methods: Primary endpoints were time to virologic failure (confirmed HIV-1 RNA ⩾1,000 copies/mL at 16–24 weeks or ⩾200 copies/mL at ⩾24 weeks) and time to first grade 3 or 4 adverse event or laboratory abnormality that was at least one grade higher than at baseline. The survival distributions of both endpoints were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method overall and by baseline viral load (<100,000 vs. ⩾100,000 copies/mL). A weighted mean of the virologic response and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by inverse-variance weighting for baseline viral load ⩾100,000 copies/mL across studies. Results: For subjects with baseline HIV-1 RNA ⩾100,000 copies/mL, the rate of virologic survival ranged from 87% to 95% by ...
Quercetin, a potent and specific inhibitor of the human P-form phenolsulfotransferase

The natural product quercetin was a potent inhibitor of the human P-form phenolsulfo-transferase with an IC50 value of 0.10 +/- 0.03 microM (mean +/- SEM; N = 5), which was three to four orders of magnitude more potent than its inhibition of other human sulfotransferases. The inhibition was noncompetitive with a Ki value of 0.10 microM. The potency and mechanism of this inhibition appear similar to those of the current standard P-form inhibitor, 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenol. Among other flavonoids examined, kaempferol was found to have an IC50 value of 0.39 +/- 0.07 microM, naringenin 10.6 +/- 1.6 microM and naringin 265 +/- 90 microM (N = 3). These observations suggest the potential for clinically important pharmacologic and toxicologic interactions by flavonoid-containing foods and beverages.
The development of the posterior musculature of the embryonic chick wing

It has been proposed that movements of cells at the base of the developing wing cause the wing to rotate (Yander and Searls, '80a,b). It was suggested that rotation of the wing caused the dorsal muscle mass of the wing bud to become the posterior musculature of the proximal part of the wing. Rotation of the wing was investigated by grafting dorsal myogenic tissue from a wing labeled with tritiated thymidine into the dorsal myogenic region of an unlabeled wing in its original orientation. Grafts were made both with and without their original ectoderm. The location and shape of the graft was recorded at the time of the operation. After a period of growth and morphogenesis, the host wing and adjacent body wall were fixed, sectioned, and prepared as autoradiographs. The location of the grafted cells was determined by reconstructing the host wing and adjacent body wall. It was found that the graft increased in length on the axis of the humerus and did not increase rapidly on any other axis. During stage 25, a deep groove began to form ventral to somite 19 because of ventral and cranial movement of the lateral body wall proximal to the base of the wing. The distal border of this groove was recognized as the posterior margin of the proximal wing. If the graft extended to the base of the wing, the graft participated in the formation of this groove. Grafted cells on the distal border of the groove were on the posterior surface of the wing at the level of the humerus.
A temperature compensated array of CMOS floating-gate analog memory

Floating-gate transistors have been extensively used as analog memory elements in adaptive learning and neural systems. However, conventional techniques for storing and programming sub-threshold currents on floating-gate transistors are sensitive to temperature variations thus limiting their applicability to controlled environments. In this paper, we propose a temperature compensated floating-gate array which can be used to store and program currents down to nanoampere level. The core of the proposed current memory is a dual-channel floating-gate transistor based current reference circuit which uses a linear resistor in translinear loop. As a result the stored current is linearly proportional to the charge on the floating-gate and hence can be precisely programmed. The paper presents results from a prototype fabricated in a 0.5-µm CMOS process which validates the functionality of the proposed current memory cell.
Metastatic breast carcinoma involving the thyroid gland diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration: a case report.

Secondary involvement of the thyroid gland from a remote primary malignancy is uncommon. The distinction of metastatic carcinoma (MC) or sarcoma from a primary thyroid malignancy is important because the treatment is different. We discuss a case of a 64-yr-old female with a history of breast carcinoma, who presented with pain and swelling in her neck 5 yrs after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She had undergone mastectomy with subsequent chemotherapy and radiation for infiltrating mammary carcinoma. During the 5-yr interval, she had been free of clinically evident metastatic disease. Subsequent work-up revealed two distinct nodules in the left lobe of her thyroid gland as well as a subcutaneous mass in her right shoulder. A fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of the larger thyroid nodule showed malignant epithelial cells with features consistent with breast carcinoma in a background of benign thyroid epithelial cells and colloid. The case was signed out as metastatic breast carcinoma. Subsequent FNA and biopsy of her right shoulder lesion also revealed metastatic breast carcinoma with similar morphology to the material in the thyroid FNA. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2005;33;110–115. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Apparent movement and metacontrast suppression: A decisional analysis

Three test and three mask energies were varied orthogonally and randomly over trials. The stimulus onset asynchrony (ISOA) separating test and mask was varied between trial blocks within each of two display conditions, apparent movement (two-object) and metacontrast (threeobject). Subjects were required to makebrightness judgments of both test and mask energies by responding “bright,” “medium,” or “dim” with respect to the apparent intensity of each stimulus. The accuracy and the coherence lconsistencyt of test judgments were U-shaped functions of SOA for both apparent movement and metacontrast situations. However, the accuracy and the coherence of mask judgments did not vary with SOA for either apparent movement or metacontrast. It was noted that substantially the same results have been reported previously when subjects were required to makecontour judgments. Hence, it is argued that apparent movement and metacontrast suppression are intimately related.
Limiting factors for carbon-based chemical double-layer capacitors

The Chemical Double Layer (CDL) capacitor improves energy storage density dramatically when compared with conventional electrolytic capacitors. When compared to batteries, the CDL Capacitor is much less energy dense; however, the power density is orders of magnitude better. As a result, CDL-battery combinations present an interesting pulse power system with many potential applications. Due to the nature of the CDL it is inherently a low voltage device. The applications of the CDL can be tailored to auxiliary energy and burst mode storages which require fast charge/discharge cycles. Typical of the applications envisioned are power system backup, directed energy weapons concepts, electric automobiles, and electric actuators. In this paper, we will discuss some of the general characteristics of carbon-based CDL technology describing the structure, performance parameters, and methods of construction. Further, analytical and experimental results which define the state of the art are presented and described in terms of impact on applications.
Communicating Political Economy

Good political economic thought and research often fail to reach intended audiences or motivate the change its creators envision because of communication failure. I present a series of techniques for strengthening the writing and oral dissemination of political economic work, drawing on writing teachers from the political and creative writing spheres. The techniques include developing a powerful voice and freeing it from an internal censor, understanding one’s audience, and working with peer feedback. I argue that learning and using these techniques will not only improve the political impact of our work but strengthen the originality of our academic research and writing. Communicative writing and speaking is not enough, but it is a first crucial step in linking theory and research to effective practice.
Effect of administering antibiotics, removing the major salivary glands, and toothbrushing on dental calculi formation in the cat

Abstract Calculi that accumulated in 18 weeks on the teeth of cats were measured quantitatively by determining the ash weight and calcium content of specimens. Calculi accumulating in a control period were compared with that developing in the same cats in an experimental period, and the difference analyzed for statistical significance ( P = 0·05 or less). Erythromycin, penicillin, dihydrostreptomycin, and a combination of penicillin and dihydrostreptomycin produced significant or near significant reductions of calculi of 66, 43, 35, and 20 per cent, respectively. Tetracycline and chloramphenicol caused statistically insignificant decreases of 43 and 31 per cent, respectively. Saline caused an insignificant reduction of 8 per cent. Antibiotics (and saline) were administered daily intramuscularly and each tested on five cats. Ten cats with the parotid, submaxillary, and sublingual glands removed formed the same amount of calculi after the glands were removed as before. Ten sham-operated cats (controls) showed-an 11 per cent increase after the operation, but the increase was of doubtful significance. Teeth brushed either daily or twice-weekly on one side of the mouth had 95 per cent less calculi than unbrushed teeth on the opposite side. Teeth brushed once-weekly had 76 per cent less calculi than unbrushed teeth. Reductions from toothbrushing were all statistically significant.
Estimating nitrogen uptake of individual roots in container- and field-grown plants using a 15N-depletion approach

We only have a limited understanding of the nutrient uptake physiology of individual roots as they age. Despite this shortcoming, the importance of nutrient uptake processes to our understanding of plant nutrition and nutrient cycling cannot be underestimated. In this study, we used a 15N depletion method that allowed for the measurement of nitrate-N uptake rates on intact, individual, fine roots of known age. We expected that N uptake would decline rapidly as fine roots aged, regardless of the environmental conditions and species used. We compared age dependent uptake patterns of young grape cuttings with those of mature vines and with those of tomato. Although patterns of declining uptake with increasing root age were similar for all species and conditions tested, large differences in maximum N uptake rates existed between young cuttings and mature vines, and between woody and herbaceous species. Maximum rates were 10-fold higher for tomato and 3-fold higher for the grape cuttings, when compared with uptake rates of fine roots of mature vines. Coefficients of variation ranged from 43 to 122% within root age groups. The large variability in physiological characteristics of fine roots of the same age, diameter and order suggests that there is a functional diversity within fine roots that is still poorly understood.
A Moire Technique for Rapid Alignment, Focus, and Scaling of Imagery

A rapid procedure is outlined that permits accurate alignment, focus, and scaling of imagery at two separated locations in an optical system. The moire pattern formed by pairs of identical gratings permits the full image pupil to be observed and adjusted. Alignment and scaling can be adjusted to an accuracy of the order of the grating's fundamental spacing.
Who is unlikely to report adverse events after vaccinations to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)

Background Healthcare provider (HCP) reporting to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is important to assuring the safety of U.S. licensed vaccines. HCP awareness of and practices regarding reporting of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) is understudied. Methods A large, nationally representative sample of U.S. office-based HCP across three occupational groups (physicians, mid-level providers [physician assistants, advanced practice nurses] and nurses) and three primary care practice areas (pediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine) were surveyed utilizing standardized methodology. We assessed HCP familiarity with VAERS, the situations under which they were likely to report an AEFI, and the methods they used and preferred for reporting. We used logistic regression to determine factors associated with HCP not reporting AEFI to VAERS. Results Our survey response rate was 54.9%. The percentage of HCP aware of VAERS (71%) varied by occupation and primary care practice area. About 37% of HCP had identified at least one AEFI with only 17% of these indicating that they had ever reported to VAERS. More serious events were more likely to be reported. Factors associated with HCP not reporting AEFI included: HCP not familiar versus very familiar with filing a paper VAERS report (OR = 12.84; p < 0.0001), primary care practice area of internal medicine versus pediatrics (OR = 4.22; p = 0.0005), and HCP not familiar versus very familiar with when it was required to file a VAERS report (OR = 5.52; p = 0.0013). Conclusions Specific educational interventions targeted to HCP likely to see AEFI but not currently reporting may improve vaccine safety reporting practices.
The ethics of confucian artistry

In the West, Confucian thought was originally presumed irrelevant to serious philosophical study. For example, in his Lectures on the History of Philosophy, G. W. E Hegel remarked that the morality presented in the Analects was "good and honest, and nothing more." And further, with regard to deep philosophical inquiry, "there is nothing to be obtained from his [Confucius's] teachings."' There has been a resurgent interest in Confucianism, however, as it has become clear that the early translations of the Chinese classics are fraught with difficulties. More nuanced translations have provided grist for novel discussions regarding virtue ethics, environmental ethics, and the performance of language, as well as aesthetics.
Effects of endophyte-infected tall fescue on animal performance

Abstract Cattle grazing tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) infected (E+) with the fungal endophyte Acremonium coenophialum (Morgan-Jones and Gams) or fed diets containing E+ hay and seed exhibit signs of toxicosis. These signs are intensified by a hot environment and include hyperthermia, poor appetite, rough hair coat, reduced gains, lowered conception rates, suppressed milk production and hypoprolactinemia. As a result of the hyperthermia, cattle seek shade and stand in water. Grazing times for cattle on E+ fescue change to the cooler evening and night hours compared with grazing times on endophyte-free (E−) fescue. Cattle switched from E− to E+ fescue exhibit changes in grazing times and decreased forage intake within days, whereas cattle switched from E+ to E− continue to exhibit signs of toxicosis for several weeks. In most fescue grazing studies where several levels of infestation were present, steer average daily gains (ADG) decreased linearly by approximately 0.045 kg for each 10% increase in E+ level. The decrease in ADG due to E+ was numerically greater for British-bred (Bos taurus) steers than for Brahman-cross (Bos indicus) steers although statistical significance has not been consistent. Differences in ADG are associated more with decreased intake than other factors such as decreased digestibility, although in hay and seed feeding trials the decreased gain was greater than could be accounted for by the decreased energy consumption. Steers that graze E+ fescue prior to entering a feedlot for finishing probably will exhibit compensatory gains unless they enter the feedlot during a period of heat stress. Lactating beef cows grazing E+ pastures often will be in negative energy balance, have reduced pregnancy rates and have decreased milk production compared with those grazing E−. Calf weaning weights also will be reduced. For replacement heifers continually consuming fescue pasture or hay varying from 0 to 99% infested, milk production decreased 0.15 kg, pregnancy rate decreased 3.5% and ADG decreased 0.04 kg for each 10% increase in infestation level. Pregnant mares grazing E+ fescue have a prolonged gestation of approximately 1 month, fail to exhibit normal signs of approaching parturition, have a high incidence of dystocia, retained and thickened placentas, weak or stillborn foals, and agalactia, and decreased pregnancy rates. Energy supplementation of mares grazing E+ fescue has not been effective in ameliorating these reproductive problems. Removal of mares from E+ fescue 1 month prior to anticipated parturition results in normal parturition and mammary development. Removal of mares 10 days post-term results in signs of impending parturition within 48 h. Fescue toxicosis signs have been observed in all species studied, and all have had some measure of animal performance adversely affected.
Galois realizability of non-split group extensions of C2 by (C2)r×(C4)s×(D4)t

Abstract The focus of this paper is Galois embedding problems associated with extensions of C 2 by groups of the form ( C 2 ) r ×( C 4 ) s ×( D 4 ) t over arbitrary fields of characteristic not 2. As an application of our general solution, we obtain obstructions to the realizability of 13 groups of order 32 for which obstructions were not previously known.
Influence of basements, garages, and common hallways on indoor residential volatile organic compound concentrations

Abstract Concentrations of many volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are often higher inside residences than outdoors as a result of sources or activities within the residences. These sources can be located directly in the living space of the home or in areas associated with the home such as an attached garage, basement, or common apartment hallway. To characterize the contributions from these areas to indoor residential concentrations, VOC concentrations were measured inside, outside, and, if present, in the attached garage, basement, or common hallway of an apartment of 55 residences in the Boston area, most over two seasons, as part of the Boston Exposure Assessment in Microenvironments (BEAM) Study. Of the 55 residences in the study, 11 had attached garages and basements, 24 had only basements, 10 other residences had common apartment hallways, and the remaining 10 were treated as single compartment residences. Concentrations in the garage were up to 5–10 times higher at the median than indoor concentrations for mobile source pollutants including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes. Basement/indoor concentration ratios were significantly >1 for methylene chloride, ethylbenzene, m,p-xylene, and o-xylene, and summer ratios tended to be higher than winter ratios. Approximately, 20–40% of the indoor concentration for compounds associated with gasoline sources, such as methyl t-butyl ether (MTBE), benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes, can be attributed to an attached garage at the residence, with garages laterally attached to the first floor of the home having a larger impact. At the median, basements contributed to approximately 10–20% of the estimated indoor concentrations. For apartments, approximately 5–10% of the estimated indoor concentrations confer with air from the hallway. Contributions of these secondary zones to concentrations in the living area of a home were calculated using concentration and airflow estimates. Our findings illustrate the potential significance of these non-living spaces from an exposure perspective and suggest potentially effective mitigation measures.
Hopes and concerns of a first‐year medical school class

To assess the hopes and concerns of first-year medical students, the 1991 Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) Medical School class was surveyed during orientation. Using qualitative research methods, student responses were grouped into general categories. The most common 'hopes' were to provide personal care and develop relationships with patients, to attain self-fulfillment, and to enjoy the personal challenge and variety of medicine. Common 'concerns' were family issues, outside intervention into medicine, and loss of self. The hopes and concerns of this class revolve primarily around personal issues, rather than issues relating to their local community or to society. This information may be useful in student counselling and curriculum development. Further research is necessary to evaluate changes in this class's attitudes over time. The methodology of this study may be useful in the evaluation of the attitudes of subsequent first-year medical school classes at OHSU, and at other institutions.
Transvascular catheter infiltration of the ductus arteriosus with formalin in the newborn lamb: A novel method of establishing and maintaining ductal patency

Abstract Objectives. This study sought to establish and maintain patency of the ductus arteriosus by a new method of transvascular formalin infiltration of the ductus arteriosus wall. Background. Maintaining patency of the ductus arteriosus postnatally is necessary with many forms of congenital heart disease to ensure survival until definitive surgical repair. A variety of approaches have to date met with variable success. Methods. Seven newborn lambs underwent catheterization at 1 to 5 days of age. A functionally closed ductus arteriosus was traversed with a specially designed porous balloon catheter, and the wall was infiltrated with 10% formalin. The ductus was then further dilated with either a 7- or 8-mm diameter balloon. Results. The ductus arteriosus wall was successfully infiltrated and dilated in all animals. Two lambs were euthanized within 24 h with congestive heart failure from a large ductus, and one lamb was electively euthanized 5 days after transvascular infiltration. Four lambs underwent serial follow-up catheterizations, one of which required repeat balloon dilation 47 days after infiltration. At latest follow-up (mean age [± 1 SD] 83 ± 34 days, range 33 to 108), the pulmonary/systemic flow ratio (2.7 ± 1.2) was unchanged from immediately after infiltration (1.9 ± 0.5, p > 0.1). The narrowest diameter of the ductus arteriosus (4.3 ± 0.4 mm vs. 6.9 ± 2.6 mm, p > 0.1) and its ratio to that of the adjacent descending aorta (0.5 ± 0.1 vs. 0.4 ± 0.1, p > 0.1) were also unchanged at latest follow-up. No systemic toxicity was observed. At postmortem study, the ductus was patent, and histologic analysis showed variable intimal and medial destruction, endothelial regeneration, loss of elastic tissue and calcification. Adjacent pulmonary artery and aorta were normal. Based on the small sample size and the observed maximal effect size of 70%, the power of the study is at most 40% to detect significant differences. Conclusions. To our knowledge, this is the first time that transvascular formalin infiltration of the ductus arteriosus wall has been applied successfully to maintain ductal patency in the newborn lamb. This method may provide a means of palliation for neonates with certain forms of congenital heart disease.
Effect of megestrol acetate on flushing and bone metabolism in post-menopausal women.

Abstract To avoid the risks of oestrogen therapy in post-menopausal women, we have examined the effects of a progestin, megestrol acetate (MA), on hot flushes and bone metabolism. Ten normal post-menopausal women were studied before and after the oral administration of 20, 40 and 80 mg of MA daily for 4 wk at each dose level. Finger temperature and skin resistance were recorded for 8 h as objective indices of flushing and perspiration, respectively. The fasting ratios of urinary calcium: creatinine (Ca/Cr) and hydroxyproline: creatinine (OHPr/Cr) were used as indices of bone resorption. A reduction (P
Large-scale electrochemical synthesis of SnO2 nanoparticles

Tin oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by electrochemical oxidation of a tin metal sheet in a non-aqueous electrolyte containing NH4F. The as-prepared nanoparticles were then thermally annealed at 700 °C for 6 h. The resulting particles were characterized by a variety of experimental techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Raman, UV-visible, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The XRD patterns clearly showed that the amorphous phase of the as-synthesized SnO2 particles was transformed into a rutile-type crystalline structure after thermal treatment; and from the line broadening of the XRD peaks, the average size of the annealed particles was found to be 15.4, 12.5, 11.8 nm for the particles initially synthesized at 20, 30, and 40 V, respectively. Consistent results were also observed in HRTEM measurements which showed clear crystalline lattice fringes of the calcined nanoparticles, as compared to the featureless profiles of the as-produced counterparts. In Raman spectroscopic studies, three dominant peaks were observed at 480, 640, and 780 cm−1 which were ascribed to the E1g, A1g, and B2g Raman active vibration modes, respectively, and the wavenumbers of these peaks blue-shifted with decreasing particle size. Additionally, a broad strong emission band was observed in room-temperature photoluminescence measurements.
End-of-treatment outcomes in cognitive-behavioral treatment and 12-step substance use treatment programs : Do they differ and do they predict 1-year outcomes?

This study examined changes in treatment-related proximal outcomes from intake to follow-up, associations between continuing care and maintenance of proximal outcome gains, correlations between specific proximal outcomes and substance use outcomes, and potential mediators of treatment effects for 12-step versus cognitive-behavioral (CB) substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. The participants were 1,873 male veterans seeking SUD treatment at five CB-oriented and five 12-step-oriented VA inpatient/residential SUD programs. Patterns of change in proximal outcomes were similar across the two program types. After discharge, attendance at 12-step groups, but not outpatient treatment, was associated with greater maintenance on most proximal outcomes. Only a few proximal outcomes at discharge were associated with 1-year substance use; most 1-year proximal outcomes were associated with 1-year substance use. Having a sponsor, reading 12-step materials, attending 12-step meetings, and having an abstinence goal appeared to mediate the greater effects of 12-step programs (relative to CB programs) on abstinence.
Widespread occurrence of 2-acetylthiazole-4-carboxylic acid in biological material

2-Acetylthiazole-4-carboxylic acid was shown to be widely distributed in all organisms tested, which included members of the eukaryotes, archaebacteria, and eubacteria. This thiazole, which was identified and quantitated as the methyl ester methoxyamine derivative, was found in these organisms at levels of from 27 to 1100 nmol/g dry weight (d.wt) of tissue. On the basis of its widespread occurrence, the levels at which it occurs in these organisms, and its chemical structure, which contains a reactive carbonyl group, it is proposed that this compound is a previously undescribed coenzyme.
“I Dream of Them Almost Every Night”: Working-Class Fathers and Orphanages in Pittsburgh, 1878–1929.

This article reconceptualizes orphanages as child care, exploring the ways in which working-class fathers used institutions in times of family crisis to meet their child care needs. By examining th...
Seventh Grade Students' Mental Models of the Greenhouse Effect.

This constructivist study investigates 225 student drawings and explanations from three different schools in the midwest in the US, to identify seventh grade students' mental models of the greenhouse effect. Five distinct mental models were derived from an inductive analysis of the content of the students' drawings and explanations: Model 1, a ‘greenhouse’ for growing plants; Model 2, greenhouse gases cause ozone depletion or formation, causing the Earth to warm; Model 3, greenhouse gases, but no heating mechanism, simply gases in the atmosphere; Model 4, greenhouse gases ‘trap’ the sun's rays, heating the Earth; and Model 5, the sun's rays are ‘bounced’ or reflected back and forth between the Earth's surface and greenhouse gases, heating the Earth. Science textbooks are critiqued in light of the students' mental models and curricular and instructional implications are explored.
Remote Fruition of Architectures: R&D and Training Experiences

Remote fruition of architectures can be enhanced by using virtual tours more effectively. This technology suffers from a lack of information about context and objects, our user-centered approach described in this paper attempt to make progress in this direction to deliver virtual tours as a powerful, active learning tool to enhance understanding of monuments and sites, especially those with limited physical accessibility. First, a description of the basic principles, goals and methodological approach is presented. After a reflection on the potentiality of multimedia, web technologies and hypermedia in cultural heritage promotion, an experience in education & training is described in detail, focusing on technologies, learning approach and final products of the course programme. First results of a work in progress - capacity building in Srebrenica, Bosnia - close the paper.
MOCVD growth and characterization of high quality InP

Abstract We report on the first growths of InP by low-pressure MOCVD using solid TMI as the indium source. The results equal or exceed the existing state of the art for high purity InP layers. A low pressure (0.1 atm) horizontal reactor was used to suppress possible adduct formation. A low TMI bath temperature 12.2°C was used to get stable sublimation with hydrogen carrier gas. A new reactor configuration consisting of a gas collector and a 60° inclined susceptor was used, which made growth rate and efficiency as high as 8.4 μm/h and 3832 μm/mol, respectively, even though both the TMI bath temperature and system pressure are low. The morphology of the epitaxial layers was good and thickness of the epilayers was uniform. The best room temperature and 77 K mobilities were 5366 and 131620 cm 2 /V·s, respectively, for the same sample and the lowest net carrier concentration was n 300 =1.1×10 14 cm −3 . Th e 3.7 K photoluminescence exciton spectra exhibit fine structures and no neutral acceptor bound exciton emission was observed on the best samples indicating low impurity compensation, high quality and purity.
Basis for the equilibrium constant in the interconversion of l-lysine and l-β-lysine by lysine 2,3-Aminomutase

Abstract l -β-lysine and β-glutamate are produced by the actions of lysine 2,3-aminomutase and glutamate 2,3-aminomutase, respectively. The p K a values have been titrimetrically measured and are for l -β-lysine: p K 1 = 3.25 (carboxyl), p K 2 = 9.30 (β-aminium), and p K 3 = 10.5 (e-aminium). For β-glutamate the values are p K 1 = 3.13 (carboxyl), p K 2 = 3.73 (carboxyl), and p K 3 = 10.1 (β-aminium). The equilibrium constants for reactions of 2,3-aminomutases favor the β-isomers. The pH and temperature dependencies of K eq have been measured for the reaction of lysine 2,3-aminomutase to determine the basis for preferential formation of β-lysine. The value of K eq (8.5 at 37 °C) is independent of pH between pH 6 and pH 11; ruling out differences in p K -values as the basis for the equilibrium constant. The K eq -value is temperature-dependent and ranges from 10.9 at 4 °C to 6.8 at 65 °C. The linear van't Hoff plot shows the reaction to be enthalpy-driven, with ΔH° = − 1.4 kcal mol − 1 and ΔS° = − 0.25 cal deg − 1 mol − 1 . Exothermicity is attributed to the greater strength of the bond C β —N β in l -β-lysine than C α —N α in l -lysine, and this should hold for other amino acids.
The thermal properties of poly(oxy-1,4-benzoyl), poly(oxy-2,6-naphthoyl), and its copolymers†

The thermal properties, i.e., heat capacity, enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs function, and the transition behavior of the copolymer system of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 2,6-hydroxynaphthoic acid have been studied based on differential scanning calorimetry. The heat capacities of the glass, crystal, and anisotropic melt are shown to be largely additive on a molar basis. Additivity is lost in the two transition regions, glass transition and disordering transition. Isothermal crystallization experiments on the copolymers revealed the existence of two types of crystals which melt at high temperature (fast-grown crystals) and low temperature (slowly grown crystals). The ATHAS computation method is used to bring heat capacities of the solid state into agreement with approximate frequency spectra. The changes in heat capacity at the glass transitions occur at 434°K for the poly(oxy-1,4-benzoyl) [33.2 J/(K mol)] and at 420°K for poly(oxy-2,6-naphthoyl) [46.5 J/(K mol)]. The copolymers have a transition range of above 100°K. The anisotropic melt is linked to the well-known condis state of poly(oxy-1,4-benzoyl) by a continuous changes in disorder and mobility without an additional first-order transition.
Cover crop mixtures do not use water differently than single-species plantings

Recent recommendations advocating the use of cover crop mixtures instead of single-species in semi-arid environments require rigorous scientific studies. One of those stated benefits is greatly reduced water use by cover crops grown in mixtures. The objec tives of this study were to characterize soil water extraction patterns and determine water use of cover crops grown in singlespecies plantings and in a 10-species mixture and to compare cover crop water use to evaporative water loss from no-till fallow. The study was conducted at Akron, CO, and Sidney, NE, during the 2012 and 2013 growing seasons on silt loam soils. At each location there were a dryland treatment and an irrigated treatment. Soil water contents were measured by neutron scattering and time-domain reflectometry at six depths (0.0–1.8 m, Akron) or four or five depths (to 1.2 m or 1.5 m, Sidney). There were no con sistent significant differences in soil water contents or growing season crop water use with the single-species plantings compared with the 10-species mixture. Cover crop water use (216 mm) averaged 1.78 times greater than evaporative water loss (122 mm) from the no-till fallow treatment with proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) residue. There appears to be no evidence from data collected in this semi-arid environment, even when irrigated to simulate higher rainfall environments, to support the conclusion that cover crops grown in multi-species mixtures use water differently than single species-plantings of cover crops.
Steroid production by human adrenal adenomata and nontumorous adrenal tissue in vitro.

ABSTRACT Corticosteroid production by adrenal tissue slices was studied in vitro by means of an incubation technique. Adenomata from patients with Conn's syndrome and nontumorous adrenal tissue from patients with idiopathic edema or gonadal dysgenesis produced cortisol, corticosterone and aldosterone. Hyperplastic adrenal tissue from patients with Cushing's syndrome produced cortisol, corticosterone and, in one instance, aldosterone. Although it was not possible to correlate any particular secretory pattern with the clinical and pathologic diagnosis in this small series of patients, the pattern of hormone production in vitro provided additional and independent information of interest and possible value in interpretation of the pathologic physiology of these cases.
Neuropeptide Y: a novel mechanism for ischemic angiogenesis.

Sympathetic nerve activation often accompanies tissue ischemia, which in turn stimulates angiogenesis, but whether the nerves regulate vascular functions beyond vasoconstriction (i.e., by promoting new vessel formation) has never been established. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a sympathetic cotransmitter preferentially released during intense or prolonged stress, which causes vasoconstriction and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by activating multiple Gi/o-coupled receptors, Y1 and Y5. At nonvasoconstrictive concentrations and through non-Y1 receptors, NPY also stimulates endothelial cell adhesion to matrix, migration, proliferation, capillary tube formation on matrigel, and aortic sprouting. Recent studies also indicate that NPY and its non-Y1 receptors exert powerful angiogenic effects in peripheral limb ischemia, promising a new way of treatment for revascularization of ischemic tissues.