cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Construction of Meldonium (3-(1,1,1-Trimethylhydrazin-1-ium-2-yl)propanoate) Crystals: An X-ray View

Zwitter-ions of 3-(1,1,1-trimethylhydrazin-1-ium-2-yl)propanoate make head-to-tail dimers stabilized by N–H⋯O bonds; hydrogen bonding via water molecules results in an infinite chain (monohydrate, 1) or in a 3D network (dihydrate, 2). Hydrogen bonds in protonated form (2-(2-carboxyethyl)-1,1,1-trimethylhydrazinium) create an infinite chain (chloride, 3) or a 2D network (fumarate, 4). All these crystals are stabilized by weak C–H⋯A interactions. The crystallographic parameters at − 100 °C are as follows: 1: triclinic, space group P$$\stackrel{-}{1}$$; a, b, c (A): 7.3360(5), 8.0667(5), 8.9416(6); α = 99.752(4), β = 112.665(4), γ = 107.300(4)°,V = 441.32(5) A3, Z = 2; 2: monoclinic, space group P21/c; a, b, c (A): 6.8854(4), 11.2483(7), 12.8254(8), β = 105.339(2) °, V = 957.93(10) A3, Z = 4; 3: monoclinic, space group P21/n; a, b, c (A): 7.3625(4), 12.6486(7), 10.5211(6), β = 103.583(2)°, V = 952.38(9) A3, Z = 4; 4: monoclinic, space group P21/c; a, b, c (A): 6.3669(6), 29.516(3), 6.8145(7), β = 91.009(5) °, V = 1280.4(2) A3, Z = 4. Structure 2 is practically identical to that already measured at room temperature. In crystal state, zwitter-ions and protonated cations of meldonium are assembled via networks of hydrogen bonds
Fast and accurate simultaneous quantification of strontium-90 and yttrium-90 using liquid scintillation counting in conjunction with the Bateman equation

A derivation of the Bateman equation combined with successive liquid scintillation counting measurements was used to rapidly determine accurate individual activities of 90Sr and 90Y in samples containing both isotopes regardless of the sample age. This method does not require chemical separation of Sr from Y or waiting for secular equilibrium to take place. Accurate data can be obtained within 3 half-lives of 90Y ingrowth (i.e. within 5 days), associated uncertainties with this method are comparable to those obtained with traditional techniques that include separations. This novel technique allows for decreased sample processing cost and time, without reducing data quality.
The emergence of clause construction in children who use speech generating devices.

This study aimed to detect patterns in clause construction structural changes produced by four participants aged 9;5–13;7 (years;months) with motor speech disorders who used speech-generati...
Vein of Galen Malformations: The Texas Children's Hospital Experience in the Modern Endovascular Era

Background Vein of Galen malformations (VOGM) comprise nearly a third of pediatric cerebrovascular anomalies, with potentially devastating neurological and systemic complications. Advances in endovascular therapies have dramatically improved outcomes compared to historical surgical treatments, and neurosurgeons are an essential component of the multidisciplinary critical care team. Objective To retrospectively review pediatric patients with VOGM treated at Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), a quaternary referral center, over 15 yr, and present lessons learned in treating children with modern endovascular techniques. Methods Charts from TCH were retrospectively reviewed for the past 15 yr. Patients with diagnosis including "Vein of Galen," "Vein of Galen malformation," "Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation," or any abbreviations (ie, VOG, VOGM, VOGAM) were reviewed. Presentation, imaging, treatment specifics, and clinical outcomes were reported. Results There were 18 patients with VOGM managed at TCH from 2002 to 2018 with a total of 29 embolizations. Seventeen were performed with a single embolisate (NBCA or Onyx), and 12 with a combination. A dual lumen balloon catheter was used as an adjunct in 3 embolizations. Complications occurred in 5 embolizations (24%), including hemorrhage, embolisate migration, and femoral vessel occlusion. Surviving patients were followed for a mean of 38 mo, with 12 having normal or near-normal neurological development. Conclusion VOGM can present with a myriad of neurological and systemic symptoms, potentially in extremis. Neurosurgical involvement in these cases is critical, as urgent treatment can be lifesaving. Patients may require multiple treatment sessions using a variety of endovascular tools and techniques.
Adaptive Pulse Wave Imaging: Automated Spatial Vessel Wall Inhomogeneity Detection in Phantoms and in-Vivo

Imaging arterial mechanical properties may improve vascular disease diagnosis. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a marker of arterial stiffness linked to cardio-vascular mortality. Pulse wave imaging (PWI) is a technique for imaging the pulse wave propagation at high spatial and temporal resolution. In this paper, we introduce adaptive PWI, a technique for the automated partition of heterogeneous arteries into individual segments characterized by most homogeneous pulse wave propagation, allowing for more robust PWV estimation. This technique was validated in a silicone phantom with a soft-stiff interface. The mean detection error of the interface was 4.67 ± 0.73 mm and 3.64 ± 0.14 mm in the stiff-to-soft and soft-to-stiff pulse wave transmission direction, respectively. This technique was tested in monitoring the progression of atherosclerosis in mouse aortas in vivo ( ${n} = {11}$ ). The PWV was found to already increase at the early stage of 10 weeks of high-fat diet (3.17 ± 0.67 m/sec compared to baseline 2.55 ± 0.47 m/sec, ${p} ) and further increase after 20 weeks of high-fat diet (3.76±1.20 m/sec). The number of detected segments of the imaged aortas monotonically increased with the duration of high-fat diet indicating an increase in arterial wall property inhomogeneity. The performance of adaptive PWI was also tested in aneurysmal mouse aortas in vivo . Aneurysmal boundaries were detected with a mean error of 0.68±0.44 mm. Finally, initial feasibility was shown in the carotid arteries of healthy and atherosclerotic human subjects in vivo ( ${n} = {3}$ each). Consequently, adaptive PWI was successful in detecting stiffness inhomogeneity at its early onset and monitoring atherosclerosis progression in vivo .
The classical double copy in maximally symmetric spacetimes

The classical double copy procedure relates classical asymptotically-flat gravitational field solutions to Yang-Mills and scalar field solutions living in Minkowski space. In this paper we extend this correspondence to maximally symmetric curved spacetimes. We consider asymptotically (A)dS spacetimes in Kerr-Schild form and construct the corresponding single and zeroth copies. In order to clarify the interpretation of these copies, we study several examples including (A)dS-Schwarzschild, (A)dS-Kerr, black strings, black branes, and waves, paying particular attention to the source terms. We find that the single and zeroth copies of stationary solutions satisfy different equations than those of wave solutions. We also consider how to obtain Einstein-Maxwell solutions using this procedure. Finally, we derive the classical single and zeroth copy of the BTZ black hole.
Modification of the PROM1 disease phenotype by a mutation in ABCA4.

Background: The extensive phenotypic heterogeneity of monogenic diseases can be largely traced to intragenic variation; however, recent advances in clinical detection and gene sequencing have uncov...
The Leros PIKPA Asylum Deinstitutionalization and Rehabilitation Project: A follow-up study on care staff fears and attitudes

This is a three-year follow-up study on the results from the Deinstitutionalization Project of the Leros PIKPA asylum regarding job-related fears of care staff of the institution as well as their attitudes towards people with learning disabilities. We expected that changes in staff would occur in a way congruent with previously published findings indicating that after a year of intervention staff became less worried about residents’ aggression and their own personal health, and understood better residents’ individual differences and need for non-custodial care. Care staff of the institution responded to a number of ‘fear statements’, and to an attitude questionnaire after a three-year intervention including several forms of training, support and sensitivity groups. Qualitative observations of staff behaviour were also examined. Data analyses showed that staff fears of expression of aggression in the institution decreased, whereas fears regarding their own aggression increased. Staff worries about their pe...
Graduate School: Harvard

While I am not sure how I managed to get into the doctoral program in experimental psychology at Harvard University, an exclusive program that only accepted three or four new students every year, once again Wolfgang Kohler may have played a role; and I know that my father had had some mutually respectful correspondence and interactions with Edwin Garrigues Boring, a prominent Harvard professor in what was now the department of experimental psychology. Just a short time before I got to Harvard, the earlier Department of Psychology had split into two separate departments: Experimental Psychology, and a new Department of Social Relations which encompassed social psychology, cultural anthropology, social psychology, and clinical psychology.
Tissue toxicants and prespawn mortality in Willamette River Chinook salmon

In some Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. populations, many adults die after reaching freshwater spawning sites but prior to spawning, a phenomenon known as prespawn mortality (PSM). Causal factors for PSM are often uncertain, but pathogens, warm water temperature, and environmental toxicants have been implicated in several studies. In this two-year project, we examined the relationship between toxicants and PSM in a threatened population of spring-run Chinook salmon O. tshawytscha (Walbaum) in the Willamette River, Oregon. Muscle and skin samples from 63 female carcasses were screened for ~125 potential toxicants, including trace elements, pesticides, and organohalogens. Mean concentrations for five toxicants selected for their known adverse effects on salmonids were: 4.3 (SD = 2.0) ng/g cadmium, 72.9 (122.7) ng/g nickel, 10.0 (9.0) ng/g lead, 12.7 (8.6) ng/g polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and 17.6 (10.3) ng/g DDT (an organochlorine pesticide). Using generalized linear models, we found no statistical differences in toxicants concentrations between successful (n = 37, 58.7%) and unsuccessful (n = 26, 41.3%) female spawners. We conclude that selected contaminants did not provoke acute toxicity in Willamette River Chinook salmon. It remains unknown whether sub-lethal or chronic toxicant effects on adult salmon physiology or behavior have affected the fitness of this threatened population.
Social influence and interaction bias can drive emergent behavioural specialization and modular social networks across systems.

In social systems ranging from ant colonies to human society, behavioural specialization—consistent individual differences in behaviour—is commonplace: individuals can specialize in the tasks they ...
Abstract C076: Effect of obesity and inflammation on prostate cancer disease risk and mortality among African and European American men

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a major cause of cancer death in U.S. men. Age-adjusted mortality rates for men of African ancestry (40.8 per 100,000) are more than twice that of men of European ancestry (18.2 per 100,000). Men of African ancestry are more likely to have advanced stage cancer at diagnosis and lower prostate cancer survival rates relative to men of European ancestry of similar age and stage at diagnosis. Risk factors that may explain this survival disparity remain poorly understood. Obesity, a major risk factor for cancer development, aggressiveness and progression, disproportionately affects US men of African ancestry. Age-adjusted prevalence of obesity are higher among men of African ancestry (38.0%) compared to men of European ancestry (34.7%). While it has been previously suggested that obesity may worsen disease-related outcomes among prostate cancer patients, the relationship of obesity and prostate cancer mortality remains unclear, with studies showing mixed or null results in men of African ancestry. Less is known about the underlying biological mechanisms that may contribute to the racial differences observed in the link between obesity and prostate cancer. We previously reported an obesity paradox among African-American men in the NCI-Maryland Prostate Cancer-Case Control Study, with overweight and obese men having a lower risk of being diagnosed with the disease. Here, using Cox proportional hazard regression modeling, we estimated the risk of a PCa mortality for the 976 cases in the study. Our primary analysis suggests an obesity paradox, where obesity may protect against disease mortality among the African-American men. In subsequent analyses, we will examine the role of immune and inflammation markers in mediating or moderating the observed relationship of obesity with PCa in these men. Citation Format: Margaret S Pichardo, Tsion Minas, Wei Tang, Tiffany Dorsey, Michael Cook, Stefan Ambs. Effect of obesity and inflammation on prostate cancer disease risk and mortality among African and European American men [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2019 Sep 20-23; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl_2):Abstract nr C076.
Health assessment validation: Challenging tradition.

Background Undergraduate health assessment courses aim to prepare nursing students to conduct systematic physical assessment of patients. Competency in the undergraduate health assessment course is traditionally validated by student demonstration of a memorized, comprehensive physical examination. Problem Often, this validation requires performance of an exhaustive list of physical examination skills rather than the typical physical assessment performed by the generalist nurse in the hospital setting. This precedent to "do it all" does not align with competency-based education and may cause students to be ill-prepared for clinical practice. Approach Faculty in a 12-month second-degree accelerated BSN program adapted the comprehensive physical assessment validation to better reflect a clinically relevant bedside assessment. The process, results, challenges, and recommendations are described. Here, the redefined comprehensive physical assessment included evaluation of the patient's general appearance, activity, vital sign measurements, pain, and key assessment of the neurologic, respiratory, cardiovascular, integumentary, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary systems. In alignment with the AACN recommendations, students were also validated on focused assessments. Conclusion This change improved the students transition to clinical practice. We challenge faculty to prepare students for real-world nursing assessment by adapting validations to closely mirror bedside practice.
The Next Stage of Health Care Reform: Controlling Costs by Paying Health Plans Based on Health Outcomes

The predominant form of paying for health care in the United States (Fee-for-Service) creates inefficient incentives and leads to rising costs. A number of changes were incorporated into the health care reform legislative package of 2010, but these changes will not stop rising costs. Instead, this article proposes that the reimbursement structure for the Medicare Advantage program be revised so that medical plans receive their payments based on delivery of health outcomes, not delivery of health services. This approach utilizes centralized enforcement at the level of the plan, to provide incentives for the plan to encourage its providers to improve health outcomes.
The Effect of Gelatin Molecular Weight on Tendon Lubrication Utilizing an Extrasynovialized Turkey Flexor Tendon Model.

INTRODUCTION Flexor tendon injuries are common hand injuries among the military population often resulting in functional impairment. Flexor tendon gliding friction has been linked to adhesion formation, especially with the use of extrasynovial grafts. Carbodiimide-derivatized hyaluronic acid with gelatin (cd-HA-gelatin) can reduce gliding friction of the tendon graft; however, the effects of gelatin molecular weight (MW) have not been studied. The turkey model has been shown to better match humans, but extrasynovial tendons are unavailable. The purpose of this study was to (1) manually roughen turkey flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendons to simulate extrasynovial tendons and (2) investigate the effects of gelatin MW on tendon friction. MATERIALS AND METHODS The third digit of (n = 48) turkeys were dissected with the proximal pulley, and FDP tendon and the flexor superficialis tendon were preserved. Digits were randomly assigned into four groups: one saline control and three cd-HA-gelatin-treated groups of varying gelatin MW. Flexor digitorum profundus tendon friction was measured at its original condition, serving as a baseline. Tendons were roughened using a custom rig, and tendon friction was measured again. All four groups received treatment and gliding friction was measured every 100 cycles to a total of 1,000 cycles. RESULTS Tendon friction significantly increased (P < 0.05) after roughening. Friction in the saline control group increased steadily over repeated cycles, whereas friction of all gelatin-treated tendons decreased significantly compared with the saline control group (P < 0.05), maintaining low friction to 1,000 cycles representing human tendons. There was no significant difference found between gelatin-treated groups. CONCLUSIONS We have developed a method to roughen synovial FDP tendons to create extrasynovial-like tendons for lubrication material evaluations. Cd-HA-gelatin effectively reduces tendon friction in this model. Our data suggest medium or low MW gelatin may provide a better reduction in friction compared with high MW gelatin.
A national survey to assess the prevalence of written guidance for occlusion and practice variation in the treatment of amblyopia

Aim: To assess the prevalence of written clinical guidance for occlusion treatment and variation in occlusion practice within orthoptic departments in the United Kingdom (UK). Method: A questionnaire was sent to every orthoptic department in the UK. Questions asked about the existence of written guidance in departments and how this guidance had been developed. Subsequent ques­tions asked about the treatment of amblyopia. Clinical scenarios of amblyopia were provided and departments had to indicate the occlusion in hours that would be prescribed. Results: One hundred and ninety of 240 question­naires were returned, a response rate of 72%. One hundred and eighty-six questionnaires were suitable for analysis. Sixty-six of 186 (35%) responding departments had written guidance for occlusion, 70 (38%) had some general department consensus on occlusion, 47 (25%) had no departmental consensus on occlusion and 3 (2%) declined to answer. Statistical analysis indicated there were significant differences between departments ‘with guidance’ and those ‘without guidance’ in the amount of occlusion prescribed if treating more severe amblyopia (6/60 vision). There were no significant differences in occlusion prescribed for less severe amblyopia (6/12 vision). Conclusion: In the responding departments the prevalence of written guidance for occlusion treat­ment was low and there were significant variations in the amount of occlusion that would be prescribed. It is essential to have good-quality, robust evidence on which to base clinical decisions.
Evaluation of the effect of peracetic acid solution on the performance of a continuous-flow biological nitrogen removal (BNR) system

Abstract Peracetic acid (PAA) has been extensively used in poultry processing plants as an effective disinfectant alternative to chlorine-based products. However, PAA-bearing poultry processing wastewater, as part of the regular disinfection process and/or in case of accidental spills, can lead to severe upsets of biological wastewater treatment processes. The objective of this study was to assess the short- and long-term effect of PAA solution (PAA and hydrogen peroxide, H2O2) on the performance of a continuous-flow biological nitrogen removal (BNR) system, fed with poultry processing wastewater. The system consisted of three reactors in series: anaerobic (R1), anoxic (R2), and aerobic (R3). Continuous, direct addition of PAA solution up to 200/28.6 mg/L PAA/H2O2 (feed-based concentration) to the anaerobic reactor (R1) did not affect the performance of the BNR system, which achieved over 90 and 82% COD and N removal, respectively. However, both COD and N removal were negatively affected by continuous feeding with residual PAA-bearing wastewater at 80 and 200 mg/L. PAA was self-decomposed or by reaction with other wastewater components, such as proteins and transition metals, rather than being biodegraded. Fast recovery of COD and N removal was achieved within three retention times feeding with PAA/H2O2-free wastewater. The BNR system was more susceptible to residual PAA without the R1, i.e., two-reactor system. Complete recovery from the impact of residual PAA was achieved, suggesting the effect of PAA on system performance was fast reversed and not lasting. The impact on the BNR system was a combination of enzyme inhibition and cell lysis leading to biomass loss. The PAA impact in R1 (anaerobic) on Synergistales and Bacteroidales was reversed, but not on Lactobacillales and Pseudomonadales. Campylobacterales and Sphingomonadales were enriched when PAA was fed to the BNR system. Betaproteobacteriales, Sphingobacteriales and Rhodobacterales in R2 (anoxic) and R3 (aerobic) reactors were negatively affected by PAA, but the impact was fast reversed when PAA addition was ceased.
Feasibility of Antibody Production in Plants for Human Therapeutic Use

In the 24 years since the initial publication describing monoclonal antibodies (Kohler and Milstein 1975) the field has advanced in the manipulation, production, and use of such biologics. While the molecular cloning of the antibody coding regions and advances in immunology have helped direct the engineering of antibodies, it has also paved the way for alternate expression systems. Given the efficiency of agricultural production systems, and successes in commercialization of transgenic crops, it is not surprising that plants have been investigated for such production. The use of plants to replace more traditional mammalian cell production is based on both systems having similar protein synthesis machinery, including many posttranslational processing steps. However. for commercial production of antibodies to the standards necessary for therapeutic use, any new system must be accurate, reproducible, and competitive. This chapter discusses the potential of therapeutic antibody production in transgenic plants to meet those criteria. The concepts described have been applied to the first human clinical trial for an injectable therapeutic from transgenic plants.
Limiting Targeted Killings: A Competition of Paradigms

The US claims that its use of targeted killing of insurgents and terrorists is lawful under the laws of armed conflict. This program has met with significant criticism. However, despite cries of “assassination” and “extra-judicial killing,” this campaign is not so much a break with past policy as it is a change in the methods employed. Indeed, other than its means and possibly its efficacy, the new US policy is not even especially novel. Critics in the international law community base their arguments upon several competing paradigms, including expansive notions of human rights law. One paradigm limits geographic scope of armed conflict, employing law enforcement standards outside of that zone. Another imports procedural protections from the law enforcement paradigm, based upon the international “right to life.” But these emerging paradigms create unclear standards or impose restrictions so great that they will be counterproductive. Better are two functionalist paradigms based on international humanitarian law and its concept of direct participation in hostilities. The functionalist approach lends greater the clarity and flexibility, and will be less likely to lead to rejection or cheating.
On the role of the cerebellum and basal ganglia in cognitive signal processing.

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a cooperative control theory of how the cerebellum and basal ganglia might contribute to cognitive functions that are represented in the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is a likely site for the formation of temporary representations—called working memories—of important events, contexts, and recalled experiences. Working memories are very important in higher cognitive functions such as attention, synthetic reasoning and planning, comprehension of situations, utilization of experience, and incorporation of verbal instructions for controlling behavior. In physiological terms, a working memory takes the form of sustained discharge in prefrontal neurons, which serves to store information temporarily, over a restricted time interval. A simple paradigm that is often used to elicit a working memory is illustrated in this chapter along with a schematic of the neural correlates that can be recorded from prefrontal neurons. The theory advanced in the chapter asserts that thought processes, such as the instantiation of a working memory, utilize modular signal processing operations in a manner analogous to modularity in voluntary movement control. According to this theory, cortical–basal ganglionic modules are specialized for the initiation of partial thoughts, ones that generally require subsequent elaboration and refinement.
Introduction to Polynomial Time Algorithms for LP

The first polynomial time algorithm for linear programming (LP), the so-called ellipsoid method, was proposed by Leonid Khachiyan in 1979. Then the 1984 paper of Narenda Karmarkar launched the age of interior point methods (IPMs). Several variants of the ellipsoid method, and hundreds of polynomial time IPMs were designed in the past decades. Interior point software implementations have challenged simplex method implementations, and frequently surpassed their performance. The goal of this article is to give a brief introduction to polynomial time algorithms for LP. Keywords: linear programming; linear optimization; complexity; polynomial time algorithms; ellipsoid method; interior point methods; Hirsch conjecture
QCD — Prospects and Problems

If you need to be convinced of the enormous progress that we have made in understanding the strong interactions it is sufficient to read the proceedings of the Coral Gables conference of a decade ago, just prior to the emergence of QCD. I shall review here the progress that has occurred during the ensuing decade, the problems that remain and the prospects that exist for realizing the full potential of this complete theory of the strong interactions.
Localization of a Binding Site for Ribosomal Protein S8 Within the 16S Ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid of Escherichia coli

A region of 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid that binds Escherichia coli ribosomal protein S8 has been isolated and characterized. It corresponds to what has been designated as fragment C of the ribonucleic acid.
Rapid screening and quantification of synthetic cannabinoids in herbal products with NMR spectroscopic methods

The abuse of “Spice” designer drugs, herbal incenses containing synthetic cannabinoids, has led to an increase in medical incidents and triggered legislations throughout the world banning these harmful designer substances. As more cannabinoids are added to that list, forensic analytical labs are experiencing sample backlogs due to the variety of the products and the addition of new and still-legal compounds. Here we use NMR spectroscopy exclusively to screen for and quantify synthetic cannabinoids in herbal products. In contrast to other qualitative and quantitative NMR methods that have appeared in the literature, in our methods synthetic cannabinoids were directly extracted with NMR solvent without any conventional lengthy isolation, purification or chromatographic separations. 1H NMR and proton correlation spectroscopy (COSY and TOCSY) were successfully employed to generate molecular fingerprints for synthetic cannabinoids in herbal extracts, taking advantage of the spectroscopic separation power from NMR spectroscopy. The added dimension from the 2D NMR techniques provided additional signals that are easier to differentiate than those acquired by 1D NMR analysis, and valuable correlation signals for screening and comparison. Quantification of cannabinoids by NMR was carried out in d6-acetone solutions with maleic acid as an internal standard, which generated quantitative results that were comparable to our previous HPLC quantification. The overall data suggest that in approximately one hour, NMR spectroscopy can be used exclusively for the non-destructive screening and quantification of synthetic drugs in complex herbal matrices.
Clinical Overview Of IMAC Systems

The clinical aspects of the development and use of IMAC systems must be examined from the standpoint of both the staff in the department which creates the images (such as radiologists, pathologists, and their professional and technical colleagues) and from the standpoint of both professional and technical staff in departments which use the images, encompassing many of the other departments of the hospital. The need for IMAC pervades all these departments, and presents many common threads in terms of capability requirements. In the final analysis, the patient is the ultimate beneficiary of the results of IMAC, and this benefit is often achieved by the primary care physician, building on the efforts of others who have brought the image and its associated information to him or her in the appropriate context.
The Critical Moral Voice on American Newspaper Opinion Pages

This article examines diversity of content on the opinion pages of 25 different U.S. newspapers and news magazines in the weeks leading up to the 2003 U.S. attack on Iraq. It seeks to answer 3 questions. (a) Who are the authors writing these opinion pieces? (b) How are different author types distributed across different periodicals? and (c) Does author type play any role when it comes to contributing moral content to public debate? These questions are important, especially when it comes to macromoral matters like war. J. Habermas (1989) expected a properly functioning public sphere to debate such matters in a moral way. This study examines which voices contribute to that end.
Gaining Institutional Efficiency in the General Education Assessment for Technology Program Accreditation

This work addresses the need to merge various student learning assessment activities to gain efficiency. Specifically, it discusses a mechanism of institutional assessment efficiency through development of common instruments for general education assessment that can support more than one accreditation requirement.
Outcome Vector Dependent Sampling with Longitudinal Continuous Response Data: Stratified Sampling Based on Summary Statistics

The analysis of longitudinal trajectories usually focuses on evaluation of explanatory factors that are either associated with rates of change, or with overall mean levels of a continuous outcome variable. In this manuscript we introduce valid design and analysis methods that permit outcome dependent sampling of longitudinal data for scenarios where all outcome data currently exist, but a targeted sub-study is being planned in order to collect additional key exposure information on a limited number of subjects. We propose a stratified sampling based on specific summaries of individual longitudinal trajectories, and we detail an ascertainment corrected maximum likelihood approach for estimation using the resulting biased sample of subjects. In addition, we demonstrate that the efficiency of an outcome-based sampling design relative to use of a simple random sample depends highly on the choice of outcome summary statistic used to direct sampling, and we show a natural link between the goals of the longitudinal regression model and corresponding desirable designs. Using data from the Childhood Asthma Management Program, where genetic information required retrospective ascertainment, we study a range of designs that examine lung function profiles over four years of follow-up for children classified according to their genotype for the IL 13 cytokine.
Slow light: Dynamic photon storage

A scheme for dynamically tuning the coupling between a series of resonators and waveguides provides a means of storing light on an integrated photonic chip for longer than is possible with conventional slow-light systems.
Extremely fine precipitates and flux pinning in melt-processed YBa2Cu3Ox

Abstract Extremely fine Y 2 BaCuO 5 (211) precipitates (∼ 100 A) have been observed by transmission electron microscopy in melt-processed YBa 2 Cu 3 O x (123). Magnetization measurements have been performed on samples with and without these ultrafine 211 particles. Our results show that there is a strong correlation between the microstructure and the flux pinning behavior. The J c values have significantly increased in a wide range of temperature and field, indicating that these fine 211 precipitates can act as strong flux pinning centers in the 123 system.
Pargyline and γ-butyrolactone enhance tyrosine hydroxylase immunostaining of nigrostriatal axons

Administration of pargyline or gamma-butyrolactone enhanced immunostaining of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive axons in the striatum. The qualitative characteristics of the enhancement were compound dependent and the enhancement was not associated with an increase in the amount of tyrosine hydroxylase within the striatum. These results demonstrate the pharmacological enhancement of immunostaining for neurotransmitter synthetic enzymes in the absence of increased synthesis.
Nerve cell adhesion molecule expression in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: A predictor of propensity toward perineural spread

Objective: To evaluate head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (SCCAs) for the expression of nerve cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM). We propose that expression of N-CAM by tumor cells may be associated with perineural invasion in SCCA of the head and neck. Methods: Seventy-six archived specimens of histologically proven SCCA were analyzed by immuno-histochemistry for the expression of N-CAM. Positive and negative controls were used to assess staining. Two sections of each specimen were reviewed for the presence of perineural invasion. A retrospective chart review was performed for each patient that corresponded to the above specimens. Results: Perineural invasion was present in 28 (37%) of the 76 patients evaluated for the expression of N-CAM. N-CAM expression was demonstrated in 38 (50%) of the 76 specimens. The incidence of N-CAM expression was significantly associated with perineural invasion (P = .002). There was no significant association between the presence of staining or the presence of perineural invasion and the incidence of locoregional recurrence, distant metastasis, or survival status; however, the mean follow-up was only 13.6 months (range, 1-49 mo). Conclusion: There is a positive correlation between the presence of N-CAM expression and perineural invasion in SCCA of the head and neck. The expression of this adhesion molecule by tumor cells may facilitate both homophilic cell-to-cell and heterophilic cell-to-substrate adhesion, thereby enabling the tumor cells to use the perineural tissues or neural cells, or both as a conduit for perineural spread.
Chronic treatment with 1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid desensitizes behavioral responses to compounds acting at the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor complex.

Functional antagonists at the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor complex produce anti-depressant-like actions in preclinical models. Thus, an injection of a glycine partial agonist (1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid; ACPC), a competitive NMDA antagonist (2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid; AP-7) or a use-dependent cation channel blocker (MK-801) reduced immobility in the forced swim test (FST) with efficacies comparable to imipramine (Trullas and Skolnick 1990). Seven daily injections of ACPC (200–400 mg/kg) abolished the effects of both this compound (200–1200 mg/kg) and AP-7 (200–300 mg/kg) in the FST. The loss in effectiveness of ACPC required 7 days of treatment to become fully manifest, and was reversed by discontinuing treatment. Other agents active in the FST (e.g. MK-801, imipramine, and nifedipine) were unaffected by this regimen. Moreover, ACPC and AP-7 remained active in the FST following repeated injections of MK-801, AP-7, or imipramine. Chronic treatment with ACPC did not affect its actions in the elevated plus-maze, but significantly attenuated the convulsant and lethal effects of NMDA (125 mg/kg). Tissue levels of ACPC indicate the modified behavioral responses produced by chronic treatment are not attributable to pharmacokinetic factors. These findings suggest repeated administration of ACPC may effect an “uncoupling” of NMDA and glycine receptors, resulting in an apparent desensitization of the behavioral actions of substances acting at these sites.
Donor T-cell alloreactivity against host thymic epithelium limits T-cell development after bone marrow transplantation.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) impairs thymus-dependent T-cell regeneration in recipients of allogeneic bone marrow transplants through yet to be defined mechanisms. Here, we demonstrate in mice that MHC-mismatched donor T cells home into the thymus of unconditioned recipients. There, activated donor T cells secrete IFN-γ, which in turn stimulates the programmed cell death of thymic epithelial cells (TECs). Because TECs themselves are competent and sufficient to prime naive allospecific T cells and to elicit their effector function, the elimination of host-type professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) does not prevent donor T-cell activation and TEC apoptosis, thus precluding normal thymopoiesis in transplant recipients. Hence, strategies that protect TECs may be necessary to improve immune reconstitution following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.
Dichotic and monotic interactions between speech and nonspeech sounds at different stimulus onset asynchronies

Target CVs were presented in monotic and dichotic competition with four “challenges” (1) nonspeech parts of CVs, (2) nonspeech “sweeps” of formants, (3) “CV‐noise,” made by averaging the waveforms of the targets, and (4) another CV. Subjects were asked to identify targets whose onset led or lagged challenge onset by 0, 20, 40, and 60 msec. A dichotic “lag effect” (better performance on lagging than on leading targets) and a monotic “lead effect” (better performance on leading than on lagging targets) were observed for all challenges. The lead and lag effects appeared to depend on different aspects of the acoustic structure of the challenges, however. The results are interpreted in the context of a model which distinguishes between “peripheral” auditory, “central” auditory, and phonetic processing. [Supported by NIH USPHS Grant NH 11647‐01.]
Boundary analysis of sedimentation‐velocity experiments with monodisperse and paucidisperse solutes

A method is presented which allows one to calculate a distribution of sedimentation coefficients from the boundries of sedimentation-velocity experiments with mono- or pauci-disperse solutes. With two solutes differences in S value as small as 20% can be resolved. In absence of heterogeneity and concentration-dependent effects, the analysis also provides values for the diffusion coefficient within an accuracy of −10 to +5%. Tests with both simulated data and ultracentrifugation experiments on short DNA fragments show the value and the limitations of the method.
WAY-100635 inhibits 8-OH-DPAT-stimulated oxytocin, ACTH and corticosterone, but not prolactin secretion.

Previous studies suggest that the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) increases the secretion of oxytocin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticosterone and prolactin but not renin. However, the lack of selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonists made it difficult to confirm that 5-HT1A receptors mediate the neuroendocrine responses to 8-OH-DPAT. This study investigated the effects of increasing doses of a selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-(2-pyridinyl) cyclohexanecarboxamide (WAY-100635) on neuroendocrine responses induced by the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT in adult male rats. 8-OH-DPAT, 500 microg/kg s.c., increased plasma levels of oxytocin (to 970% above basal levels); ACTH (to 1622% above basal levels), corticosterone (to 458% above basal levels) and prolactin (to 313% above basal levels), but not renin. The lowest dose of WAY-100635 (0.1 mg/kg s.c.) significantly inhibited the 8-OH-DPAT-induced increase in plasma oxytocin but not ACTH or corticosterone levels. At a dose of 1 mg/kg (s.c.), WAY-100635 completely blocked the oxytocin and ACTH responses and maximally inhibited the corticosterone response to 8-OH-DPAT, although corticosterone levels were still above basal. In contrast, the increase in prolactin secretion, induced by 8-OH-DPAT was not inhibited by any dose of WAY-100635. At the highest dose of WAY-100635 (10 mg/kg, s.c.), basal prolactin levels were markedly elevated (1550%) and administration of 8-OH-DPAT significantly elevated plasma renin concentration. Taken together, these data indicate that: (1) 8-OH-DPAT stimulates oxytocin, ACTH, and corticosterone but not prolactin secretion via activation of 5-HT1A receptors and (2) blockade of 5-HT1A receptors may unmask 8-OH-DPAT simulation of renin secretion via non-5-HT1A receptor mechanisms.
Influence of the electronic structure on the ductile behavior of B2 CsCl-type AB intermetallics

The study of the ductile B2, CsCl-type AB intermetallic compounds has been expanded over the past few years in order to determine the underlying principles that account for their ductility. Using a global semi-empirical alloy theory approach together with first-principles band theory, we show that absence of d-band electrons near the Fermi level accounts for the observed ductility in over 90% of the phases studied to date. This model has been used to predict the ductile/brittle behavior in several other selected AB compounds. Considering the crystal structures of the known intermetallics, it is concluded that the existence of these ductile AB B2 compounds is an isolated situation because the von Mises criterion for ductility is met in the B2 materials, but not in other crystal structures.
Mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver in the adult: association with distinct clinical features and histological changes.

Mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver (MHL) is an uncommon mass lesion composed of architecturally abnormal bile ducts in an uncommitted myxoid stroma. Most MHL are diagnosed in childhood. More than 50% of cases are seen in the first year of life, although a few cases have been previously reported in adults. The spectrum of pathological findings in the cases presenting in adults, including differences in comparison with MHL in children, has not been fully characterized. In this report, we describe 3 cases of MHL in patients 46, 63, and 66 years of age. Each of the patients was a woman who had a solid or multicystic hepatic mass ranging from 5 to 24 cm in maximum dimension. In contrast to the childhood cases, the stromal component was fibrotic with areas of dense hyalinization and only focal myxoid areas. In 1 case, the mesenchymal component was the predominant feature of the lesion, with only occasional ductal elements identified with thorough tissue sampling. Immunohistochemical analysis with a panel of antibodies showed that, as in normal bile ducts, the ductal structures within the lesion were immunoreactive for cytokeratin 7 and negative for cytokeratin 20. The stroma was composed of a prominent population of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts that were positive for smooth muscle actin and vimentin. Analysis of the current findings, together with the previous case reports, shows that in contrast to MHL in children, this lesion in adults is found more commonly in women who present with abdominal pain. Recognition of the clinicopathologic differences between adult and pediatric cases will facilitate accurate diagnosis of this uncommon lesion.
The Metabolic Syndrome Is Associated with Reduced Risk of Prostate Cancer

Diabetes is associated with reduced risk of prostate cancer, but whether the metabolic syndrome is associated with prostate cancer is not established. The authors assessed this association in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study, comprising 6,429 men in four US communities initially with no history of cancer and aged 45-64 years. Metabolic syndrome and other risk factors were assessed in 1987-1989. Follow-up for prostate cancer incidence (n = 385 through 2000) was accomplished through cancer registry and hospital linkage. At baseline, 1,871 men (29.5%) had the metabolic syndrome. After the authors adjusted for other risk factors, men with the metabolic syndrome (> or =3 components) were significantly less likely to develop prostate cancer (relative risk = 0.77, 95% confidence interval: 0.60, 0.98) than men without the metabolic syndrome. Diabetes was negatively associated with prostate cancer, although the confidence interval included 1 (relative risk = 0.73, 95% confidence interval: 0.51, 1.05). When diabetic participants were excluded, the inverse association between metabolic syndrome and prostate cancer incidence was slightly strengthened. In this study, the metabolic syndrome was associated with decreased prostate cancer incidence. The authors hypothesize that this finding reflects a decrease in bioavailable (free and albumin-bound) testosterone with the metabolic syndrome and a concomitant reduction in prostate cancer risk.
Determination of serum bilirubin by skin reflectance: effect of pigmentation.

Summary: A noninvasive optical technique by which serum bilirubin can be estimated from skin spectral reflectance measurements has been further investigated. The original work on 30 healthy, full-term white infants and an independent study on 14 white and 30 black infants demonstrate that the method has potential not only for clinical use, but also for the study of the transport of bilirubin to, from and within the skin. The objectives of the present study are to evaluate the method on a larger sample population with special attention to natural skin pigmentation effects and the development of a physical model of the tissue to explain the relationship between serum bilirubin concentration and skin reflectance.
Gender differences in mortality rates for coronary artery bypass surgery

Abstract This study utilized a state-wide data base containing clinical risk factors for cardiac surgery to investigate differences in in-hospital mortality rates for men and women undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. The crude mortality rates for coronary artery bypass surgery for men and women were 3.08% and 5.43% respectively, in Yew York State in 1989. When logistic regression analysis was used to control for preoperative risk, gender remained a significant predictor of mortality. Risk-adjusted (indirectly standardized) mortality rates were 3.33% and 4.45% for men and women, respectively. The risk-adjusted odds ratio of women to men experiencing in-hospital death was 1.52 (95% confidence interval 1.25 to 1.90).