cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Vero Cell–Derived Whole-Virus H5N1 Vaccine Effectively Induces Neuraminidase-Inhibiting Antibodies

A Vero cell-derived whole-virus H5N1 influenza vaccine has been shown to induce neutralizing antibodies directed against the hemagglutinin (HA) protein of diverse H5N1 strains in animal studies and clinical trials. However, neuraminidase-inhibiting (NAi) antibodies can reduce viral spread and may be of particular importance in the event of an H5N1 pandemic, where immunity due to HA antibodies is likely absent in the general population. Here we demonstrate the effective induction of NAi antibody titers after H5N1 vaccination in humans. In contrast to the immune response directed toward HA, a single vaccine dose induced a strong NAi response that was not significantly boosted by a second dose, most probably due to priming by previous vaccination or infection with seasonal influenza viruses. After 2 immunizations, seroconversion rates based on antibody titers against HA and NA were similar, indicating the induction of equally strong immune responses against both proteins by this H5N1 vaccine.
Genome-wide identification and functional prediction of novel and drought-responsive lincRNAs in Populus trichocarpa

Protein-coding genes are considered to be a dominant component of the eukaryotic transcriptome; however, many studies have shown that intergenic, non-coding transcripts also play an important role. Long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs) were found to play a vital role in human and Arabidopsis. However, lincRNAs and their regulatory roles remain poorly characterized in woody plants, especially Populus trichocarpa (P. trichocarpa). A large set of Populus RNA-Seq data were examined with high sequencing depth under control and drought conditions and a total of 2542 lincRNA candidates were identified. In total, 51 lincRNAs and 20 lincRNAs were identified as putative targets and target mimics of known Populus miRNAs, respectively. A total of 504 lincRNAs were found to be drought responsive, eight of which were confirmed by RT-qPCR. These findings provide a comprehensive view of Populus lincRNAs, which will enable in-depth functional analysis.
Beyond School Spirit: The Effects of Youth‐Led Participatory Action Research in Two Urban High Schools

Prior research highlights the mismatch between adolescents' growing capacities for autonomy and the limited opportunities for influence in U.S. secondary schools. Youth-led participatory research (YPAR), an approach in which young people research and advocate for change on problems of concern to them, could increase students' autonomy in secondary schools. This qualitative study of YPAR examined whether and how the intervention meaningfully affected the interactions and roles of students and adults in two distinctive urban high school settings, identifying concepts for further empirical investigation. Results suggested that YPAR enabled processes of student professionalization that led to novel student-adult “collegial” interactions, expansion of domains of student influence, and diversification of students with opportunities to influence policies and practices across these two schools.
Comparison of the effectiveness of several chelators after single administration on the toxicity, excretion, and distribution of cadmium.

Abstract The effect of several chelating agents (diethyldithiocarbamic acid, DDC; nitrilotriacetic acid, NTA; 2,3-dimercaptopropanol, BAL; dl -penicillamine, PEN; 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid, DMSA; ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, EDTA; and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, DTPA) on the toxicity, excretion, and distribution of Cd was determined in male Swiss Webster mice weighing 30–45 g. Chelators were administered intraperitoneally at a dose equal to one-fourth of their respective LD50. To determine the effect of the various chelators on the toxicity of Cd, various doses of CdCl 2 (4–10 mg Cd/kg, iv) were given, followed immediately by one of the chelators. Survival was recorded at the end of 14 days. Significant increases in survival were noted with DMSA, EDTA, and DTPA, with DTPA being the most effective. Radiolabeled Cd ( 109 CdCl 2 , 1 mg Cd/kg, iv) was used in a 24-hr excretion and distribution study. The chelators were given immediately after the Cd. DTPA, followed by EDTA and then DMSA, was consistently the most effective in increasing the urinary excretion of Cd and reducing the concentration of Cd found in various tissues. NTA, BAL, DDC, and PEN had no orerall beneficial effects. DTPA appears to be the most effective agent of those tested in the prevention of acute Cd intoxication.
STUDIES WITH THE ELECTROCARDIOGRAPH ON THE ACTION OF THE VAGUS NERVE ON THE HUMAN HEART : I. THE EFFECT OF MECHANICAL STIMULATION OF THE VAGUS NERVE.

In hearts showing auricular fibrillation mechanical stimulation of the right vagus nerve causes, as a rule, marked slowing or stoppage of ventricular rhythm, without producing any appreciable effect in the electrocardiographic record of the auricular fibrillation. The ventricular pauses are apparently due to the blocking of stimuli from the auricles. The force of ventricular systole is distinctly weakened for several beats after vagus stimulation, and ectopic ventricular systoles have been seen in several instances, apparently the result of the vagus action. There may, in some cases, be lowered excitability of the ventricles, while no constant change is seen in the size of the electrical complexes representing ventricular systole.
Isolation of inclusion bodies from rabbit lung parenchyma.

The mitochondrial-plus-lysosomal fraction of rabbit lung parenchyma was studied by equilibrium density centrifugation in continuous sucrose density gradients (specific gravity 1.035 to 1.250). High concentrations of lysosomal marker enzymes were found both in a broad band at density 1.15–1.18, a density typical for lysosomes, and in a band at density 1.06–1.07. This light density band also had the highest specific activity of phospholipid, which thin layer and gas-liquid chromatography showed to be primarily lecithin with a high content of palmitic acid residues. Electron microscopy of material from the light density band showed a homogeneous array of particles which bear a strong resemblance to the inclusion bodies of the type II alveolar epithelial cell as seen in electron micrographs of rabbit lung tissue sections. These data suggest that the light density band is an isolation of intact type II alveolar epithelial cell inclusion bodies, which previous studies have implicated as the storage site of the phospholipid moiety of pulmonary surfactant.
Acoustic relaxation and internal strains in KCl:CN*

Abstract Data revealing a previously predicted relaxation peak in the propagation of T 2 g mode ultrasound in KCl doped with 15–140 ppm KCN is presented and analyzed. A distribution of activation energies is found; the mean value is identified with a thermal conductivity resonance, and the width of the distribution is taken to confirm Pompi's assumption of internal strains in his analysis of specific heats and electric field dichroism in KCl:CN. The interaction of internal strains with the rotational components of the measuring shear wave suggests new sources for the observed acoustic effects in KCl:CN.
Conditions leading to a recent small hydrothermal explosion at Yellowstone National Park

Porkchop Geyser, in Yellowstone National Park, was the site of a small hydrothermal explosion on September 5, 1989. In the early 1960s, this was a quiescent spring with an intermittent seeping discharge. Infrequent geyser eruptions 3-5 m high started in 1971, and in 1985 the geyser began erupting as a perpetual spouter 6-9 m high. Perpetual spouting at the latter height continued until just before the catastrophic hydrothermal event when the geyser column suddenly rose to a height of 20-30 m, followed immediately by the explosive ejection of sinter blocks up to 1.88 m in maximum dimension and formation of an irregular crater 13.9 m long and 11.7 m wide. The ejected blocks show a variety of siliceous deposits indicative of changing environments of deposition with time, and possibly of prior hydrothermal explosive activity at this site. Water samples from Porkchop were collected and analyzed once in the 1920s, again in 1951, ten times between 1960 and mid-1989, and once in January 1990 after the explosion. Chemical geothermometry shows an increase in the temperature of last water-rock equilibration of about 60 to 70 °C from 1962 through 1989. This may have been the result of drawing water progressively from different and hotter regions of a single reservoir or mixing waters from two different reservoirs with a progressively larger proportion of water being drawn from the hotter reservoir from 1962 through 1989. Boiling of ascending fluids coming from hotter subsurface regions resulted in an increase in the proportion of steam to water discharged by the geyser. A constriction at the exit of the geyser tube throttled the flow of water and steam and allowed water in shallow cavities adjacent to the geyser tube to become heated to the boiling point at pressures greater than normal hydrostatic. We hypothesize that a sudden breaking loose of this constriction, likely triggered by a seasonal increase in subsurface boiling throughout Norris Basin, allowed water and steam to be discharged from Porkchop much more rapidly than previously. This resulted in a drop in pressure within the geyser tube, causing water in adjacent connected chambers to become superheated. An ensuing rapid flashing of superheated water to steam within relatively confined spaces resulted in the hydrothermal explosion.
Application of mantle filter theory to the magnetic jerk of 1969

Summary. If the electrical conductivity κ of the mantle M depends only on radius r, then for each surface spherical harmonic component of the poloidal geomagnetic field, M behaves like a causal, time-invariant, real, linear filter. The input is at the core-mantle boundary, r=c, and the output is at the surface of the Earth, r=a. The mantle filter depends on the total degree l but not the azimuthal order m of the harmonic. The lth mantle filter is characterized by infinitely many time constants, of which the two most useful in analysing the 1969 magnetic impulse are τ1 (l) and τ2(l), the zero-frequency delay and smoothing times. If the input is believed to be the pth time integral of Aml (t-t0), then observing the output gives p, Aml, t0-1(l), and τ2(l), but cannot give to t0 or τ1(l) separately. Observing the magnetic field B near a single location r0 gives only p, a weighted average of the Aml, t0+τ1, and τ22, where and τ1 and τ22 refer to a fictitious mixed filter whose properties depend not only on k but also on the asymptotic Gauss coefficients of the impulse on r=a. Mixing permits ∂2tB(r0, t) to change on a time-scale shorter than any σ2(l), so rapid changes in ∂2tB(r0, t) do not require a low conductivity. The 1969 magnetic jerk in western Europe appears to have σ22 < 0, which is impossible without significant mixing. Even if no mixing occurred, the 1969 jerk permits k(r) = 3000(c/r)v mho m-1 in the lower mantle, v being chosen so that k(0.9a)=1 mho m-1 (from magnetotellurics). The starting time t0 for the 1969 jerk may be the 1956 elbow in Morrison's length-of-day data. If so, τ1(l) ∼ 13 yr and σ2(l) ≥ 4.5 yr for 1 ≤l≤ 4. Then the data contain either significant mode mixing or an external (sunspot) signal. If τ1(l) = 13 yr, then
Clinician perspectives on considering radiation exposure to patients when ordering imaging tests: a qualitative study

Background and objectives Increased computer tomography (CT) scan use has contributed to a rise in medically-associated radiation exposure. The extent to which clinicians consider radiation exposure when ordering imaging tests is unknown. We examined (1) outpatient clinician attitudes towards considering radiation exposure when ordering CT scans; and (2) clinician reactions to displaying radiation exposure information for CT scans at clinician electronic order entry. Methods We conducted nine focus groups with primary care clinicians and subspecialty physicians (nephrology, pulmonary and neurology) (n=50) who deliver outpatient care across 12 hospital-based clinics and community health centres in an urban safety-net health system, which use a common electronic order entry system. We analysed focus group transcripts using an inductive framework to identify emergent themes and illustrative quotations. Findings Clinicians felt they had limited knowledge of the clinical implications of radiation exposure. Many believed clinically relevant information such as the increased risk of malignancy from CT scans would be useful to inform decision-making and patient–clinician discussions. Clinicians noted that patient vulnerability and long wait times for tests with less radiation exposure (such as MRI or ultrasound) often acted as barriers to minimise patient radiation exposure from CT scans. Clinicians suggested providing patients’ cumulative radiation exposure or formal decision aids to improve the usefulness of the radiation exposure information. Conclusions Displaying clinically relevant radiation exposure information at order entry may improve clinician knowledge and inform patient–clinician discussions regarding risks and benefits of imaging. However, limited access to tests with lower radiation exposure in safety-net settings may trump efforts to minimise patient radiation exposure.
Citizens, Slaves, and Foreigners: Aristotle on Human Nature

To most readers, Aristotle's many references to nature throughout the first book of the Politics imply a foundational role for nature outside and prior to politics. Aristotle, they claim, pairs nature with necessity and, thus, sets nature as a standard that fixes the boundaries of inclusion and exclusion in political life. Through readings of Aristotle on the nature of citizens, slaves, and foreigners in the Politics, this essay argues, in contrast, that, to Aristotle, nature, especially human nature, is changeable and shaped by politics. Through an analysis of Aristotle's philosophical and scientific treatments of nature in the Metaphysics and Physics, this essay demonstrates that in order to preserve what he takes to be characteristic and also constitutive of a distinctively human way of living—prohairetic activity—Aristotle is especially keen to guard against any assimilation of nature to necessity.
Soluble amyloid-β, effect on cerebral arteriolar regulation and vascular cells

Evidence indicates that soluble forms of amyloid-β (Aβ) are vasoactive, which may contribute to cerebrovascular dysfunction noted in patients with Alzheimer's Disease and cerebral amyloid angiopathy. The effects of soluble Aβ on penetrating cerebral arterioles - the vessels most responsible for controlling cerebrovascular resistance - have not been studied. Freshly dissolved Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42, but not the reverse peptide Aβ40-1 constricted isolated rat penetrating arterioles and diminished dilation to adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP). Aβ1-42 also enhanced ATP-induced vessel constriction. Aβ1-40 diminished arteriolar myogenic response, and an anti-Aβ antibody reduced Aβ1-40 induced arteriolar constriction. Prolonged Aβ exposure in vessels of Tg2576 mice resulted in a marked age-dependent effect on ATP-induced vascular responses. Vessels from 6 month old Tg2576 mice had reduced vascular responses whereas these were absent from 12 month old animals. Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 acutely increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cultured rat cerebro-microvascular cells. The radical scavenger MnTBAP attenuated this Aβ-induced oxidative stress and Aβ1-40-induced constriction in rat arterioles. Our results suggest that soluble Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 directly affect the vasomotor regulation of isolated rodent penetrating arterioles, and that ROS partially mediate these effects. Once insoluble Aβ deposits are present, arteriolar reactivity is greatly diminished.
Spontaneous Mutations Occur Near Dam Recognition Sites in a dam- Escherichia coli Host

The mismatch repair system of Escherichia coli K12 removes mispaired bases from DNA. Mismatch repair can occur on either strand of DNA if it lacks N6-methyladenines within 5’-GATC-3’ sequences. In hemimethylated heteroduplexes, repair occurs preferentially on the unmethylated strand. If both strands are fully methylated, repair is inhibited. Mutant (dam-) strains of E. coli defective in the adenine methylase that recognizes 5’-GATC-3’ sequences (Dam), and therefore defective in mismatch repair, show increased spontaneous mutation rates compared to otherwise isogenic dam+ hosts. We have isolated and characterized 9 1 independent mutations that arise as a consequence of the Damdefect in a plasmid-borne phage P22 repressor gene, mnt. The majority of these mutations are A:T+ G:C transitions that occur within six base pairs of the two 5’-GATC-3’ sequences in the mnt gene. In contrast, the spectrum of mnt- mutations in a dam+ host is comprised of a majority of insertions of IS elements and deletions that do not cluster near Dam recognition sites. These results show that Damdirected post-replicative mismatch repair plays a significant role in the rectification of potential transition mutations in vivo, and suggest that sequences associated with Dam recognition sites are particularly prone to replication or repair errors.
Multimodal integration-a statistical view

We present a statistical approach to developing multimodal recognition systems and, in particular, to integrating the posterior probabilities of parallel input signals involved in the multimodal system. We first identify the primary factors that influence multimodal recognition performance by evaluating the multimodal recognition probabilities. We then develop two techniques, an estimate approach and a learning approach, which are designed to optimize accurate recognition during the multimodal integration process. We evaluate these methods using Quickset, a speech/gesture multimodal system, and report evaluation results based on an empirical corpus collected with Quickset. From an architectural perspective, the integration technique presented offers enhanced robustness. It also is premised on more realistic assumptions than previous multimodal systems using semantic fusion. From a methodological standpoint, the evaluation techniques that we describe provide a valuable tool for evaluating multimodal systems.
Real-time traffic measurements on MAGNET II

Real-time traffic measurements on MAGNET II, an integrated network testbed based on asynchronous time sharing (ATS), are reported. The quality of service is evaluated by monitoring the buffer occupancy distribution, the packet time delay distribution, the packet loss, and the gap distribution of the consecutively lost packets. Experiments show that both time delay and buffer occupancy distributions of multiplexed video sources display a marked bimodal behavior, which does not seem to depend on the buffer size. The reliance of the network designer on traffic sources that do not exhibit substantial correlations can lead to implementations with serious congestion problems. For ATS-based networks with different traffic classes, the impact of a traffic class on the performance of the other classes tends to be diminished when compared with single-class-based ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) networks. >
A stochastic model for studying the laminar structure of cortex from MRI

The human cerebral cortex is a laminar structure about 3 mm thick, and is easily visualized with current magnetic resonance (MR) technology. The thickness of the cortex varies locally by region, and is likely to be influenced by such factors as development, disease and aging. Thus, accurate measurements of local cortical thickness are likely to be of interest to other researchers. We develop a parametric stochastic model relating the laminar structure of local regions of the cerebral cortex to MR image data. Parameters of the model include local thickness, and statistics describing white, gray and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) image intensity values as a function of the normal distance from the center of a voxel to a local coordinate system anchored at the gray/white matter interface. Our fundamental data object, the intensity-distance histogram (IDH), is a two-dimensional (2-D) generalization of the conventional 1-D image intensity histogram, which indexes voxels not only by their intensity value, but also by their normal distance to the gray/white interface. We model the IDH empirically as a marked Poisson process with marking process a Gaussian random field model of image intensity indexed against normal distance. In this paper, we relate the parameters of the IDH model to the local geometry of the cortex. A maximum-likelihood framework estimates the parameters of the model from the data. Here, we show estimates of these parameters for 10 volumes in the posterior cingulate, and 6 volumes in the anterior and posterior banks of the central sulcus. The accuracy of the estimates is quantified via Cramer-Rao bounds. We believe that this relatively crude model can be extended in a straightforward fashion to other biologically and theoretically interesting problems such as segmentation, surface area estimation, and estimating the thickness distribution in a variety of biologically relevant contexts.
ANIMAL PSYCHOPHYSICS: IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TRACKING METHOD1

It is difficult to maintain stimulus control in animal psychophysical studies using the tracking method. Loss of stimulus control is characterized by wandering thresholds and responses in the absence of the stimulus. Rats were trained to make a variable number of licking responses to turn on an auditory stimulus. A response on a lever in the presence of the stimulus was reinforced with food. Two precedures were added to improve stimulus control. First, lever responses in the absence of the stimulus raised the intensity of the stimulus at the next presentation; second, rate of reinforcement in the threshold region was maintained at about the same level as that in the suprathreshold region by reducing the number of licking responses required to turn on the stimulus. Using these two procedures, stimulus control was improved and maintained and reliable auditory intensity thresholds were obtained.
Preclinical toxicity evaluation of AAV for pain: evidence from human AAV studies and from the pharmacology of analgesic drugs

Gene therapy with adeno-associated virus (AAV) has advanced in the last few years from promising results in animal models to >100 clinical trials (reported or under way). While vector availability was a substantial hurdle a decade ago, innovative new production methods now routinely match the scale of AAV doses required for clinical testing. These advances may become relevant to translational research in the chronic pain field. AAV for pain targeting the peripheral nervous system was proven to be efficacious in rodent models several years ago, but has not yet been tested in humans. The present review addresses the steps needed for translation of AAV for pain from the bench to the bedside focusing on pre-clinical toxicology. We break the potential toxicities into three conceptual categories of risk: First, risks related to the delivery procedure used to administer the vector. Second, risks related to AAV biology, i.e., effects of the vector itself that may occur independently of the transgene. Third, risks related to the effects of the therapeutic transgene. To identify potential toxicities, we consulted the existing evidence from AAV gene therapy for other nervous system disorders (animal toxicology and human studies) and from the clinical pharmacology of conventional analgesic drugs. Thereby, we identified required preclinical studies and charted a hypothetical path towards a future phase I/II clinical trial in the oncology-palliative care setting.
Thermoelectric characteristics of n-type polycrystalline silicon carbide and comparison with conventional thermopiles

The characteristics of a thermopile made of n-poly-SiC/p-poly-Si junctions are investigated and compared with conventional n/p-poly-Si and Al/p-poly-Si thermopiles. The n-poly-SiC/p-poly-Si thermopile has the highest output voltage (∼8 mV with 360 mW heater power) and exhibits a lower contact resistance than an identical thermopile fabricated from n/p-poly-Si. Also significant is that the n-poly-SiC/p-poly-Si junction displays Ohmic behavior, eliminating the need for metallization at the junction to create the necessary contact. As compared to the other two thermopiles, the n-poly-SiC/p-poly-Si thermopile has a superior Seebeck coefficient (S = 2 mV/K) and thermoelectric figure of merit Z of 9.5×10−4 T−1 at 250 mW heater power, which is over 20X higher than the others.
Telepresence Effects on the Relationship of Velocity to the Psychological Experience of Speed

This study examines potential mappings between the subjective experience of speed when mediated through visual display devices and the physical velocity of a vehicle, especially when the apparatus for experiencing speed and the actual vehicle are not in the same scale. Such mappings are important for creating psychological reality in telepresence environments, such as a driving simulator. Subjects made magnitude estimations of perceived speed by watching video clips of forward motion taken from vehicles of two different heights. A 2.625:1 ratio in “virtual” eyeheights was approximately maintained in the magnitude estimates, indicating that speed is experienced as a scaled quantity relative to virtual eyeheight. When magnitude estimates for the lower virtual eyeheight were scaled, perceived speed at that height could be predicted for any actual velocity in this experiment. Building on this knowledge, telepresence designers must account for the scale factor in predicting other behaviors such as distance for...
Rapid Changes in Bacteria Following Introduction into Hypertonic Media

SummaryThe rapid osmotic dehydration of S. marcescens produced when an aqueous suspension of the organisms was rapidly and efficiently mixed with solutions of sodium chloride was followed from 2.0-3.0 milliseconds after mixing by the change in light scattering of the suspension. After a small decrease the light scattering rose to a maximum which depended on the concentration of sodium chloride. The increase in light scattering was associated with the shrinking of the bacteria during osmotic dehydration. When the bacteria were introduced into a solution of a permeating solute, urea, there was an initial increase in the light scattering followed by a decrease to a value almost equal to that produced by the suspension in water. These changes are probably due to the initial shrinking of the bacteria due to osmotic dehydration followed by swelling to the original volume as urea and water enter the cells.
The High-Temperature Oxidation of Nb-40Ti-15Al and the Effect of Cr Alloying and Silicide Diffusion Coatings

The high-temperature oxidation resistance of Nb-40Ti-15Al-(0 or 5)Cr alloys has been studied. The kinetics and activation energy for the isothermal oxidation of Nb-40Ti-15Al are similar to pure titanium. Detailed TEM analysis of the oxidized Nb-40Ti-15Al alloy reveals that oxygen dissolution has produced a case layer by the decomposition of the matrix B2 phase into oxygen saturated alpha-Ti and an A15 phase. Internal oxidation of the A15 phase to form AlNbO{sub 4} occurred in the case layer near the scale/metal interface. The phase separated case layer evolved into a segregated oxide layer containing a co-continuous TiO{sub 2} phase. These morphologies of the oxide scale and case layer correlate well with the kinetic data, and suggest that oxygen dissolution in {alpha}-Ti and diffusion through TiO{sub 2} control the high-temperature oxidation rates. The Cr additions reduced the thickness of the case layer and slowed the oxidation kinetics, but did not change the mechanism. In addition, excellent cyclic oxidation resistant was provided by the silicide diffusion coatings.
Progress in gynecologic oncology.

The Oncologist 1999;4:293-298 Correspondence: Michael V. Seiden, M.D., Ph.D., Division of Hematology and Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA. Telephone: 617-724-3123; Fax: 617-724-3166; e-mail: Seiden.Michael@MGH.Harvard.edu Accepted for publication July 6, 1999. ©AlphaMed Press 1083-7159/99/$5.00/0 INTRODUCTION The gynecologic oncology presentations at the 1999 ASCO meeting in Atlanta continue to focus on defining the optimal treatment strategies for women with advanced gynecologic malignancies. While there were no dramatic shifts in treatment paradigms at ASCO, a large number of well-controlled randomized trials addressed key areas and defined standard of care. Indeed, 10 of the 43 clinical trials presented were phase III trials that randomized a total of 5,664 patients. These studies add incrementally to both our knowledge base and improved outcomes. The most important data were from trials of patients with ovarian cancer. Two randomized studies provided evidence that optimal first-line chemotherapy is paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 over 3 h and carboplatin AUC 4 7.5. An increasing number of studies examined the incorporation of relatively new agents into first-line therapy. No studies addressed the potential role of intraperitoneal treatment. Lastly, although the role of high-dose chemotherapy in ovarian cancer is uncertain, for the most active agents the dose response curves in ovarian cancer and breast cancer are similar. High-dose chemotherapy in breast cancer was reviewed in ASCO’s plenary session. Four studies evaluating highdose therapy were presented and in general the results were not encouraging. A single study, presented by Dr. Bezwoda of South Africa demonstrated a disease-free and overall survival advantage for up-front tandem transplant, which raises the issue of whether immediate high-dose chemotherapy may overcome drug resistance and avoid the induction of resistance by moderate doses of the same agents [1]. While no specific randomized data were presented for ovarian cancer, it is notable that Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) 164, a study that investigates high-dose chemotherapy as consolidation for first-line treatment for ovarian cancer, has been closed because of poor accrual. Further information on the role of high-dose therapy in this disease awaits the completion of randomized trials ongoing in Europe.
Resolving water conflicts in the American West

The American West is defined first and foremost by aridity, scarcity, and variability of water resources. In response to this geographic imperative, the region has evolved a robust menu of legal, institutional, and community-based approaches to managing water and conflicts at local, state, and national levels. While far from perfect, this framework may offer lessons to other regions throughout the world that are increasingly faced with water conflicts due to scarcity and variability of water resources. The resulting menu of approaches reflects an adaptive, collaborative, and nested system of governing water resources.
Pharmacists in the Omaha Metropolitan Medical Response System.

Purpose. The role of pharmacists in the Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) for Omaha, Nebraska, is described. Summary. Pharmacists have been involved in the Omaha MMRS since its inception in 2000. The Omaha MMRS has a pharmacy committee composed of pharmacists from local hospitals, community pharmacies, and two pharmacy schools. The pharmacy committee oversees the stock of pharmaceuticals available to Omaha in an emergency by continuously monitoring hospital inventories and working with state and federal planners. Pharmacists are responsible for planning for the receiving, staging, storing, distributing, and dispensing of the large quantities of pharmaceuticals that might be required in a disaster. Pharmacists also educate other health care professionals and the public about threats. Conclusion. Pharmacists play a major role in emergency preparedness in the Omaha metropolitan area and would be active participants in the community’s response to a disaster.
Adaptation and psychometric validation of a scale to assess student pharmacists’ beliefs in simplifying complicated medication regimens

Abstract Objectives To validate a scale in order to identify the most relevant survey constructs to measure student pharmacists' beliefs of providing a novel cognitive service of simplifying complicated medication regimens of community dwelling patients using a pill card. Methods A pre-existing scale was used to construct an adapted questionnaire in the context of simplifying complicated drug regimens in patients taking >five Rx meds daily. The adapted 14-item questionnaire was administered to 126 student pharmacists immediately after they performed a mandatory community pharmacy advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) exercise to simplify complicated drug regimens of patients. All students had rehearsed this service with standardized patients before their APPEs assignment. In this APPE assignment the student pharmacists consolidated the dose timings of the daily medications while attempting to improve their likelihood of efficacy and reduce their risk of adverse events. The psychometric properties of the adapted questionnaire were assessed using parallel analysis and principal component analysis. Internal consistency was established using Cronbach's α . Results Out of 126 students, 116 (92%) responded to the questionnaire. Factor analysis produced a 3-factor solution of the 14-item scale which accounted for 56% of the explained variance. The factors relate to self-efficacy ( α = 0.956), intention to practice ( α = 0.89) and mattering ( α = 0.885). The overall internal consistency as measured by Cronbach's α was 0.936. The mean values obtained using these scales were 6.01 ± 0.823, 4.88 ± 0.742, and 4.45 ± 0.556, respectively, indicating stronger beliefs in this cognitive service. Conclusions The adapted 14-question instrument can be used to reliably measure the self-efficacy, intention and mattering of fourth-year student pharmacists who can simplify complicated drug regimens by consolidating routinely prescribed medications.
Onset of deep UV surface stimulated emission from AlGaN multiple quantum wells

We demonstrated onset of deep UV surface stimulated emission at 260 nm from c-plane AlGaN heterostructures grown on a sapphire substrate by optical pumping.
Influence of Drought Stress on Several Root Traits and their Correlation with Seed Protein and Oil Contents in Soybean

The important crop soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is cultivated worldwide and the US is its number one exporter. However, farmers face many challenges in cultivating soybeans, including drought and diseases that reduce yields drastically. The root system is very important for plants, including crops, because it receives water and minerals from the soil so that the plant/crop can photosynthesize, grow, and increase its yield. The objective of this study was to grow the ‘MD 96-5722’ by ‘Spencer’ recombinant inbred line (RIL) population (n=86) in the greenhouse under normal (Group I) and drought stress (Group II) conditions, and compare the root length (RL), root surface area (RSA), average root diameter (ARD), and average root volume (ARV) in the two groups of plants. WhinRhizo software was used to measure the root traits and SPSSTM was used to evaluate population performance under normal and drought conditions. JMPTM was used to compare the root traits under normal and drought conditions, and to analyze the correlation between root traits, protein and oil contents. The results showed that there is a huge variation in these traits among the parents ‘MD 96-5722’ and ‘Spencer’, and among their RILs. For Group I plants, the RL of parents and RILs ranged from 20.67 cm to 2,327.88 cm; the RSA ranged from 4.57 cm2 to 1,176.79 cm2; the ARD ranged from 0.38 mm to 4.04 mm; and the ARV ranged from 0.08 cm3 to 47.34 cm3. For Group II plants, the RL of parents and RILs ranged from 15.70 cm to 3,562.42 cm; the RSA ranged from 4.15 cm2 to 829.72 cm2; the ARD ranged from 0.24 mm to 5.74 mm; and the ARV ranged from 0.03 cm3 to 23.67 cm3. It is clear from the results that Group I plants have higher means of RL [572.58 cm vs. 537.33 cm], RSA [201.20 cm2 vs. 165.50 cm2], ARD [3.96 mm vs. 1.45 mm], and ARV [6.31 cm3 vs. 5.61 cm3] compared to Group II plants which demonstrates that drought-stressed plants have reduced overall plant growth and development. However, statistically, these differences were not significant; therefore, further studies with several replicates should be conducted both in the greenhouse and the field in order to determine the effects of drought stress on the ‘MD 96-5722’ by ‘Spencer’ RILs. Moreover, studies of quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping of the root traits studied here are underway to genetically map QTL for these root traits in this soybean RIL population.
Integration of colloids into a semi-flexible network of fibrin

Typical colloid-polymer composites have particle diameters much larger than the polymer mesh size, but successful integration of smaller colloids into a large-mesh network could allow for the realization of new colloidal states of spatial organization and faster colloid motion which can allow the possibility of switchable re-configuration of colloids or more dramatic stimuli-responsive property changes. Experimental realization of such composites requires solving non-trivial materials selection and fabrication challenges; key questions include composition regime maps of successful composites, the resulting structure and colloidal contact network, and the mechanical properties, in particular the ability to form a network and retain strain stiffening in the presence of colloids. Here, we study these fundamental questions by formulating composites with fluorescent (though not stimuli-responsive) carboxylate modified polystyrene/latex (CML) colloidal particles (diameters 200 nm and 1000 nm) in bovine fibrin networks (a semi-flexible biopolymer network with mesh size 1-5 μm). We describe and characterize two methods of composite preparation: adding colloids before fibrinogen polymerization (Method I), and electrophoretically driving colloids into a network already formed by fibrinogen polymerization (Method II). We directly image the morphology of colloidal and fibrous components with two-color fluorescent confocal microscopy under wet conditions and SEM of fixed dry samples. Mechanical properties are studied with shear and extensional rheology. Both fabrication methods are successful, though with trade-offs. Method I retains the nonlinear strain-stiffening and extensibility of the native fibrin network, but some colloid clustering is observed and fibrin network integrity is lost above a critical colloid concentration that depends on fibrinogen and thrombin concentration. Larger colloids can be included at higher volume fractions before massive aggregation occurs, indicating surface interactions as a limiting factor. Method II results in a loss of measurable strain-stiffening, but colloids are well dispersed and template along the fibrous scaffold. The results here, with insight into both structure and rheology, form a foundational understanding for the integration of other colloids, e.g. with stimuli-responsive functionalities, into semi-flexible networks.
The Politics of Appropriations Earmarks: Who Gets What and Why

Earmarks. Few things in contemporary politics are as universally denounced and so miserably misunderstood. An appropriations bill allocates specific funds for an identifiable project or program in the state or district of a member of Congress. The U.S. Constitution invests Congress with the “power of the purse,” the power to spend money1. Scott Frisch and Sean Kelly argue that earmarks are a means for individual representatives to get government spending to reflect the interests of their constituents.
Depth-Profiling the Nuclease Stability and the Gene Silencing Efficacy of Brush-Architectured Poly(ethylene glycol)-DNA Conjugates.

PEGylation of an oligonucleotide using a brush polymer can improve its biopharmaceutical characteristics, including enzymatic stability and biodistribution. Herein, we quantitatively explore the nuclease accessibility of the nucleic acid as a function of “depth” toward the backbone of the brush polymer. It is found that protein accessibility decreases as the nucleotide is located closer to the backbone. Thus, by moving the conjugation point from the terminus of the nucleic acid strand to an internal position, much smaller brushes can be used to achieve the same level of steric shielding. This finding also makes it possible to assess antisense gene regulation efficiency of these brush–DNA conjugates as a function of their nuclease stability.
Effect of Three Different Maximal Concentric Velocity Squat Protocols on MAPK Phosphorylation and Endocrine Responses.

Kudrna, RA, Fry, AC, Nicoll, JX, Gallagher, PM, and Prewitt, MR. Effect of three different maximal concentric velocity squat protocols on MAPK phosphorylation and endocrine responses. J Strength Cond Res 33(6): 1693-1703, 2019-The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of 3 different back squat protocols on intracellular signaling, endocrine responses, and power fatigue. Nine recreationally trained men (X ± SD; age: 21.4 ± 0.6 years; height: 177.8 ± 5.1 cm; body mass: 78.7 ± 9.7 kg), completed 3 maximal concentric velocity squat protocols in a randomized order. Testing protocols consisted of 5 sets of 10 repetitions at 30% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM); 5 sets of 5 repetitions at 70% of 1RM; and 5 sets of 3 repetitions at 90% of 1RM. Average system power for each set was obtained using a tethered external dynamometer. Pre-exercise and postexercise blood draws were analyzed for lactate, testosterone, human growth hormone (hGH), and cortisol. Muscle biopsies assessed pre-exercise and postexercise extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 phosphorylation using western blotting. Cortisol, hGH, and lactate increased after exercise (p ≤ 0.05), but did not differ between protocols (p > 0.05). Testosterone was unaltered (p > 0.05). Average power was lower for the 90% protocol than for the 30% protocol across all sets (p 0.05). Resistance load seems to affect power fatigue across the 5 sets of resistance exercise. This study found modest changes in ERK1/2 and no changes in p38 phosphorylation after maximal concentric velocity squats. Exercise volume, modality, and training status of subjects may account for these findings.
A Message in the Madness: Functions of Workplace Anger in Organizational Life

Although workplace anger is not typically viewed favorably and is often an unpleasant experience, in this article we challenge management scholars to better understand when anger can produce positi...
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM LYMPHOMA IN IMMUNOCOMPROMISED PATIENT

3-years-old boy, with Pre B Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, on chemotherapy, was hospitalized for antibiotic and antifungal therapy for the febrile neutropenia (white blood cell count 0.71 x 10 3 ul). During the course of treatment, CT maxillofacial was performed for the evaluation of fungal sinusitis and subsequently MRI brain was advised for possible intracranial extension of disease.
A Molecular Orbital Study of Some Substituted Benzyl Propynyl Ethers as Insecticide Synergists

Considerable effort is presently being placed on the application of chemical theories to pesticide research. Derivatives of benzyl-2-propynyl ether (Table I) have been synthesized by Hennessy (personal communication). Our effort was directed toward seeking relationships between the electronic topography and biological activity of these compounds.
Public Access Computing in Latin America: taking stock of an international study

Public access computers (such as those offered in libraries, telecentres and cybercafes) are helping bring the benefits of information and communication technologies to a broader sector of the population. What happens in these public access places, and how do people use them to improve their lives? The workshop will present findings and lessons presented by Latin American participants in an international study of public access computing in 25 countries. Workshop Leader Information (Please attach a copy of your resume in your email submission) Name: Ricardo Gomez, PhD Affiliation: Assistant Professor, The Information School, University of Washington Postal Address: Mary Gates Hall, Box 352840, Seattle, WA 98195 USA Telephone: 206 685 1372 Cell: 425 269 1271 Fax: 206 616 3152 Email: rgomez@uw.edu Additional Workshop Presenters (copy for each one) Name: Kemly Camacho Affiliation: Cooperativa Sula Bastu Postal Address: Montes de Oca, San Jose, Costa Rica Telephone: 506 2253-1326 Cell: Fax: 506 2253-1339 Email: Kemly@sulabatsu.com Speakers' background, description of workshop, and envisioned activities during the workshop (please provide information for each speaker) The University of Washington led an international study of public access computing in 25 countries, including 9 Latin American countries. Through a combination of surveys, interviews and document reviews conducted by local researchers in each country, the study describes the landscape of public access computing across multiple countries and across different types of venues: libraries, telecentres and cybercafes. Unprecedented in its magnitude and global scale, the study had a particular emphasis in Latin America, which resulted in the publication of a book, “Puntos de Acceso Publico”, to be launched in Peru in August 2011. This book offers an in-depth look at public access computing experiences in Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras and Dominican Republic, as well as a discussion of some of the common trends and salient similarities and differences in the region. During this workshop the authors will present the key findings from each country, and engage in a conversation about the opportunities and challenges of public access computing in each country and in the region, as well as the difficulties of conducting research across multiple countries using a shared methodology and approach. Speakers include Gomez and Camacho (above) as well as Fernando Bossio (Peru), Marta Voelckr (Brazil), Adrian Rozengardt (Argentina). Gomez will facilitate the discussion in a participatory dialogue that goes beyond a series of speakers, to engage audience participation and dynamic discussion. Special Requirements none Audience Researchers and practitioners in the field of information and communication technologies for development and community informatics. A global audience, with a particular emphasis on Latin America.
Acceleration of CO2 insertion into metal hydrides: ligand, Lewis acid, and solvent effects on reaction kinetics

The insertion of CO2 into metal hydrides and the microscopic reverse decarboxylation of metal formates are important elementary steps in catalytic cycles for both CO2 hydrogenation to formic acid and methanol as well as formic acid and methanol dehydrogenation. Here, we use rapid mixing stopped-flow techniques to study the kinetics and mechanism of CO2 insertion into transition metal hydrides. The investigation finds that the most effective method to accelerate the rate of CO2 insertion into a metal hydride can be dependent on the nature of the rate-determining transition state (TS). We demonstrate that for an innersphere CO2 insertion reaction, which is proposed to have a direct interaction between CO2 and the metal in the rate-determining TS, the rate of insertion increases as the ancillary ligand becomes more electron rich or less sterically bulky. There is, however, no rate enhancement from Lewis acids (LA). In comparison, we establish that for an outersphere CO2 insertion, proposed to proceed with no interaction between CO2 and the metal in the rate-determining TS, there is a dramatic LA effect. Furthermore, for both inner- and outersphere reactions, we show that there is a small solvent effect on the rate of CO2 insertion. Solvents that have higher acceptor numbers generally lead to faster CO2 insertion. Our results provide an experimental method to determine the pathway for CO2 insertion and offer guidance for rate enhancement in CO2 reduction catalysis.