cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Challenges in the Parent-Child Communication of Health-related Information in Pediatric Cancer Care

Previous works have shown that effective communication between parental caregivers and child patients has many benefits to the children, such as providing emotional support and coping skills for health management. Drawing on semi-structured interviews, we have identified the challenges parental caregivers face when communicating with their children about health-related information in daily illness management. Three salient challenges that the parental caregivers encountered include: (i) acknowledging different perceptions and approaches to being a cancer patient, (ii) choosing an appropriate communication method, and (iii) understanding their child's uncommunicated emotions. Based on these challenges, we recognize distinctive, yet implicit, needs that children develop during the illness trajectory, affecting the parent-child dyadic relationship. We discuss design opportunities for a collaborative system that enhances the parent-child dyadic communication by supporting the child's implicit and dynamically changing needs throughout the illness trajectory and beyond.
WTO Disciplines on Agricultural Support: Seeking a Fair Basis for Trade

Part I. Overview of Domestic Support Issues and WTO Rules: 1. Introduction David Orden, David Blandford and Tim Josling 2. The WTO disciplines on domestic support Lars Brink Part II. Developed Countries: Have High Levels of Support Come Down?: 3. European Union Tim Josling and Alan Swinbank 4. United States David Blandford and David Orden 5. Japan Yoshihisa Godo and Daisuke Takahashi 6. Norway Ivar Gaasland, Roberto Garcia and Erling Vardal Part III. Developing Countries: Will Low Levels of Support Rise?: 7. Brazil Andre Nassar 8. India Munisamy Gopinath 9. China Fuzhi Cheng 10. Philippines Caesar B. Cororaton Part IV. Looking Forward: Can Fair Markets Be Achieved?: 11. The difficult task of disciplining domestic support David Orden, David Blandford and Tim Josling Appendix A. Domestic support provisions of the Agreement on Agriculture Appendix B. Domestic support provisions of the Doha draft modalities.
Low-dose suramin enhances antitumor activity of mitomycin C in bladder tumors

2002 Our laboratory has reported that acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (aFGF and bFGF) induce broad-spectrum resistance to anti-cancer drugs with diverse chemical structures and action mechanisms. We further found that low-dose suramin, a nonspecific inhibitor of FGF, enhances the activity of chemotherapeutic agents (paclitaxel, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, CPT-11) in human tumors in vitro and in vivo. The present study evaluated whether low-dose suramin can enhance the activity of mitomycin C (MMC) in human bladder RT4 xenograft tumors and patient tumor histocultures. Well-established subcutaneous RT4 tumors implanted in immunodeficient mice were treated by intraperitoneal injections of physiologic saline, MMC (3 mg/kg), suramin (10 mg/kg), or combined MMC and suramin, twice weekly. Two schedules were studied. One schedule used 6 MMC treatments (referred to as therapeutic schedule) and the other used 3 treatments (subtherapeutic schedule). At the end of the treatments, tumors in the saline and suramin control groups increased to 3 and 4 times their initial sizes in 3- and 6-treatment groups, respectively. The therapeutic MMC schedule reduced the tumor size by 28% (p in vitro histoculture studies in patient bladder tumors indicated sensitization to MMC by 25 μM suramin, causing ∼4 fold decline in IC 50 of MMC. In summary, low-dose suramin enhanced the activity of subtherapeutic and therapeutic MMC schedules in bladder cancer. R37CA49816, NCI, DHHS.
P-SAMS: a web site for plant artificial microRNA and synthetic trans-acting small interfering RNA design.

Summary: The Plant Small RNA Maker Site (P-SAMS) is a web tool for the simple and automated design of artificial miRNAs (amiRNAs) and synthetic trans-acting small interfering RNAs (syn-tasiRNAs) for efficient and specific targeted gene silencing in plants. P-SAMS includes two applications, P-SAMS amiRNA Designer and P-SAMS syn-tasiRNA Designer. The navigation through both applications is wizard-assisted, and the job runtime is relatively short. Both applications output the sequence of designed small RNA(s), and the sequence of the two oligonucleotides required for cloning into ‘B/c’ compatible vectors. Availability and implementation: The P-SAMS website is available at http://p-sams.carringtonlab.org. Contact: se.vpu.pcmbi@llenobraca or gro.retnechtrofnad@nerglhafn
Spectral Polynomial Chaos Solutions of the Stochastic Advection Equation

We present a new algorithm based on Wiener–Hermite functionals combined with Fourier collocation to solve the advection equation with stochastic transport velocity. We develop different stategies of representing the stochastic input, and demonstrate that this approach is orders of magnitude more efficient than Monte Carlo simulations for comparable accuracy.
The economics of counterfeit Avastin: a geospatial and statistical analysis of demographic correlates to FDA warning letters.

Purpose In 2012, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent warning notices to clinics and medical practitioners that may have purchased or administered counterfeited versions of the angiogenesis cancer drug Avastin Genentech, South San Francisco, California, USA. The purpose of this study was to explore potential differences in demographic, economic, and healthcare coverage characteristics between areas that received these counterfeit warning notices and those that did not receive notices. The aims of this study are to improve future counterfeit drug surveillance and better assess potential risk factors associated with counterfeit cancer drugs. Methods Addresses for warning notices sent to healthcare practitioners were obtained from the FDA and then geocoded using arcgis. Variables chosen for statistical and geospatial analyses were then identified and assessed based on their potential association with Avastin access and affordability. These variables included demographic and economic factors (percent below the poverty line, percent uninsured, and median household income) and healthcare coverage data (percent Medicare enrollees) available from the US Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. All variables were analyzed at the US county level. Results Our analysis uncovered 401 distinct US counties where the FDA sent at least one counterfeit Avastin warning notice. A hot spot analysis of notices and variables was carried out using arcgis software to identify and visualize risk features with high and low values of clustering. In a multiple logistic regression model reassessing visually observed geospatial associations, the receipt of a notice was not significantly associated with percent uninsured (p = 0.3121), but was significantly associated with percent Medicare enrollees (OR = 0.874 per 10% increase; p = 0.0121), individuals below federal poverty line (OR = 2.990 per 10% increase; p < 0.0001), and median household income (OR = 2.698 per $10 000 increase; p < 0.0001). Conclusions Our study found that county-level economic and demographic factors are potentially associated with counterfeit Avastin warning receipt after controlling for the total number of people residing in each county. These geographic associations indicate that individuals in counties where patients have greater ability to afford more expensive treatment, and consequently where providers can seek higher reimbursement, may have been at higher risk to counterfeit Avastin exposure. These findings can help inform future efforts to improve drug safety surveillance and more proactively identify patients at the highest risk for counterfeit cancer drugs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Receptor-mediated endocytosis of tissue-type plasminogen activator by low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein on human hepatoma HepG2 cells.

Hepatic parenchymal cells play an essential role in the clearance of circulating tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) in vivo as a major pathway in the regulation of plasma fibrinolytic activity. Previous studies have identified plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1)-dependent t-PA-binding sites in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2. In this study, we demonstrate that receptor-mediated binding and endocytosis of the t-PA-PAI-1 complex are largely mediated by a recently identified low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP). A 39-kDa LRP receptor-associated protein that modulates ligand binding to LRP was found to bind specifically to HepG2 cells and to inhibit approximately 70-80% of specific 125I-t-PA.PAI-1 binding. This inhibition by the 39-kDa protein was not due to inhibition of complex formation between 125I-t-PA and PAI-1; instead, the 39-kDa protein inhibited 125I-t-PA.PAI-1 binding to LRP. Polyclonal anti-LRP antibody raised against purified human LRP also inhibited 70-80% of specific 125I-t-PA.PAI-1 binding. A similar extent of inhibition by the 39-kDa protein was also observed for 125I-t-PA.PAI-1 endocytosis and degradation. Chemical cross-linking experiments demonstrated the direct interaction between 125I-t-PA.PAI-1 and LRP on HepG2 cells as anti-LRP antibody, in addition to anti-t-PA and anti-PAI-1 antibodies, was able to immunoprecipitate the 125I-t-PA.PAI-1 complex following binding of 125I-t-PA.PAI-1 to HepG2 cells and cross-linking. This interaction of the t-PA.PAI-1 complex with LRP on HepG2 cells was also observed when the unlabeled t-PA.PAI-1 complex was cross-linked to [35S]methionine-labeled HepG2 cells. In addition, the direct binding of the 39-kDa protein to LRP on HepG2 cells was demonstrated by similar cross-linking experiments. Thus, these data clearly show that LRP is the major cell-surface receptor responsible for t-PA.PAI-1 complex binding and endocytosis on human hepatoma HepG2 cells and extend the multifunctional nature of LRP as an endocytosis receptor for several structurally and functionally distinct ligands.
Medicinal Chemistry and Therapeutic Applications of the Gasotransmitters NO, CO, and H2S and their Prodrugs

Nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are the main endogenous gasotransmitters. These gases are produced by the body by enzymatic reactions and serve physiological regulatory purposes including vasodilatation and anti-inflammatory effects. Over the past decades, multiple approaches have been identified for the therapeutic exploitation of these three gasotransmitters, based on inhalation of the gases and/or the parenteral or enteral administration of various formulations of these molecules or their prodrugs. Here we overview the medicinal chemistry and the therapeutic applications of NO, CO, and H2S and their prodrugs. Inhaled NO is used clinically to selectively dilate the pulmonary vasculature in the therapy of the primary pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Organic nitrates such as glyceryl trinitrate or nitroglycerin are used in the therapy of acute and chronic angina. Sodium nitroprusside is used to counteract acute hypertensive crisis. Another class of clinical-stage NO donor drugs is the sydnonimines (molsidomine, linsidomine). Additional classes of NO donors include diazeniumdiolates (NONOates) and S-nitrosothiols, with beneficial effects in various preclinical models of disease. With respect to CO, the main therapeutic approaches are CO inhalation (currently in clinical trials for the experimental therapy of delayed graft function associated with kidney transplantation) and carbon monoxide releasing compounds of various classes (in preclinical stage). With respect to H2S, a parenteral injectable formulation of the gas is currently is Phase I trials. Several classes of H2S donor molecules have also been identified, which are used in preclinical studies. Keywords: blood vessels; carbon monoxide; cell death; critical care; endothelial dysfunction; heme oxygenase; hydrogen sulfide; mitochondria; nitric oxide; nitroglycerin; nitrosothiols; nitrovasodilatators; oxidative stress; peroxynitrite; superoxide; pulmonary hypertension; reperfusion injury; vascular tone; vasodilatation
EFFECTS OF BICARBONATE ON GROWTH OF PASTEURELLA PESTIS I. Differential Response of Virulent and Avirulent Cells

Abstract Surgalla, M. J. (Fort Detrick, Frederick, Md.), A. W. Andrews, and C. L. Baugh. Effects of bicarbonate on growth of Pasteurella pestis. I. Differential response of virulent and avirulent cells. J. Bacteriol. 88:269–272. 1964.—Virulent Pasteurella pestis and the avirulent mutants always present in a virulent inoculum have been demonstrated to give growth responses in opposite directions upon addition of bicarbonate to broth cultures under certain conditions. The effect of supplemental bicarbonate on initiation of growth from a virulent inoculum was found to be either stimulation of both virulent and avirulent cells at low levels of added bicarbonate, depression of both virulent and avirulent cells at higher initial concentrations, or depression of avirulent mutants with simultaneous stimulation of virulent cells at a narrow range of intermediate levels.
Systems‐Based Guiding Principles for Risk Modeling, Planning, Assessment, Management, and Communication

This article is grounded on the premise that the complex process of risk assessment, management, and communication, when applied to systems of systems, should be guided by universal systems-based principles. It is written from the perspective of systems engineering with the hope and expectation that the principles introduced here will be supplemented and complemented by principles from the perspectives of other disciplines. Indeed, there is no claim that the following 10 guiding principles constitute a complete set; rather, the intent is to initiate a discussion on this important subject that will incrementally lead us to a more complete set of guiding principles. The 10 principles are as follows: First Principle: Holism is the common denominator that bridges risk analysis and systems engineering. Second Principle: The process of risk modeling, assessment, management, and communication must be systemic and integrated. Third Principle: Models and state variables are central to quantitative risk analysis. Fourth Principle: Multiple models are required to represent the essence of the multiple perspectives of complex systems of systems. Fifth Principle: Meta-modeling and subsystems integration must be derived from the intrinsic states of the system of systems. Sixth Principle: Multiple conflicting and competing objectives are inherent in risk management. Seventh Principle: Risk analysis must account for epistemic and aleatory uncertainties. Eighth Principle: Risk analysis must account for risks of low probability with extreme consequences. Ninth Principle: The time frame is central to quantitative risk analysis. Tenth Principle: Risk analysis must be holistic, adaptive, incremental, and sustainable, and it must be supported with appropriate data collection, metrics with which to measure efficacious progress, and criteria on the basis of which to act. The relevance and efficacy of each guiding principle is demonstrated by applying it to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration complex Next Generation (NextGen) system of systems.
Alkali metal ion monitoring and reduction in dielectric oxides

Alkali contamination in dielectric oxides has been a critical issue during the shrinking of integrated circuit devices. Identification and monitoring of ionic contamination is typically done with secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Improvements in the sampling procedure and analysis of the SIMS data was accomplished during this study. The identification of tools, processes, or materials that cause the ionic contamination and the resultant corrective actions to effectively lower the contamination in the circuit was done, and an improvement of over 3 orders of magnitude was accomplished. An ionic contamination reduction technique that can be done following an analysis of mobile ion concentration and location on, or within, the dielectric oxide films is discussed. Characterization of the clean process parameters that contributes to contamination removal was done, as well as particle and defectivity reduction by process and equipment optimization.
Left ventricular dysfunction in ischemic heart disease: fundamental importance of the fibrous matrix.

The contractile function of the myocardium is coordinated by a fibrous matrix of exquisite organization and complexity. In the normal heart, and apparently in physiological hypertrophy, this matrix is submicroscopic. In pathological states changes are frequent, and usually progressive. Thickening of the many elements of the fine structure is due to an increased synthesis of Type I collagen, This change, which affects the myocardium in a global manner, can be observed by light microscopy using special techniques. Perivascular fibrosis, with an increase in vascular smooth muscle, is accompanied by development of fibrous septa, with a decrease in diastolic compliance. These structural changes are believed to be due to increased activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and to be independent of the processes of myocyte hypertrophy. Reparative or replacement fibrosis is a separate process by means of which small and large areas of necrosis heal, with the development of coarse collagen structures, which lack a specific organizational pattern. Regarding ischemic heart disease, an increase in tissue collagenase is found in experimental myocardial “stunning” and in the very early phase of acute infarction. Absence of elements of the fibrous matrix allow for myocyte slippage, and—if the affected area is large—cardiac dilatation. If, subsequently, the necrosis becomes transmural, there is further disturbance of collagen due to both mechanical strain and continued autolysis, During healing collagen synthesis increases greatly to allow for reparative scarring in the available tissue matrix. In cases of infarction with moderate or severe initial dilatation, pathological hypertrophy of the spared myocardium is progressive, accounting for late heart failure and poor survival. Experimental studies on hypertension indicate that proliferation of the fibrous matrix can be modified by ACE inhibition. Also, there are reports that thrombolysis may prevent cardiac enlargement. Appreciation of the role of the fine fibrous matrix of the ventricle and its various collagens in ischemic heart disease is fundamental to the pharmacological management of the various acute coronary syndromes and their short- and long-term clinical consequences.
Errors in variables and reverse regression in the measurement of wage discrimination

Abstract Several recent articles have proposed ‘reverse regression’ as a solution to errors-in-variables problems in wage discrimination regressions. This note demonstrates that the reverse regression approach is biased against finding evidence of discrimination.
A new approach to disturbed children: The Medical College School Program.

A description of a treatment-oriented day-school program for emotionally disturbed children, structured according to the principles of behavioral theory, is presented. The daily routine, types of children served, and results are offered. A program of working with parents, utilizing traditional psychotherapeutic principles while concurrently teaching them the use of behavioral techniques for the home, is described.
EPR spectra in gamma-irradiated KPF6 and KAsF6

Abstract Isotropic EPR spectra detected in γ-irradiated, partially hydrolyzed samples of solid KPF 6 and KAsF 6 have been assigned to a number of phosphorus- and arsenic-centered free radicals. The principal species observed were the pentafluoride anion radicals, PF 5 − and AsF 5 − . Weaker spectra were assigned to geometrical isomers of PF 4 0 2− and AsF 4 O 2− in which the O atom occupies either a basal or an apical position in the square-pyramidal structures. Other species detected in KPF6 were PF 4 and the isoelectronic radical PF 3 O − , and the pyramidal radicals FPO 2 − and PO 3 2−
Determination of Cation Exchange Capacity on Low to Highly Calcareous Soils

Abstract Four different methods were evaluated for determining the soil cation exchange capacities (CEC) of calcareous soils with calcium carbonate contents ranging from less than 100 g kg−1 to over 900 g kg−1, and for acid soils with 100 to 600 g kg−1 of added CaCO3. The results showed that for calcareous soils, linear correlations existed between measurements obtained by any two of the four methods, either with or without CaCO3 removal. CEC values were decreased by the removal of carbonate from calcareous soils when the calculation was based on soil sample actual weight (i.e., weight adjusted for either the removal or the addition of CaCO3). The removal of CaCO3 from calcareous soils caused the CEC to decrease by 13.4% to 22.4%, while the addition of CaCO3 to acid soils caused the CEC to increase by 2.8% to 16.9%. The results indicate that with existing methods, the interference of CaCO3 on CEC was unavoidable, even though the solution pH for all four methods was 8.0 or 8.2. The modified LiEDTA and lith...
Electron-stimulated desorption from partially fluorinated hydrocarbon thin films: Molecules with common versus separate hydrogen and fluorine bonding sites

We have observed ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{F}}^{+}$ yields as a function of low-energy (10-100 eV) electron bombardment from thin films of solid nonafluoroisobutane [${({\mathrm{CF}}_{3})}_{3}$CH], 1,2,3,5-tetrafluorobenzene (${\mathrm{C}}_{6}$${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$${\mathrm{F}}_{4}$), 1-fluorobutane (${\mathrm{C}}_{4}$${\mathrm{H}}_{9}$F), and fluorocyclohexane (${\mathrm{C}}_{6}$${\mathrm{H}}_{11}$F). For the materials with separate H and F bonding sites [${\mathrm{C}}_{6}$${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$${\mathrm{F}}_{4}$ and ${({\mathrm{CF}}_{3})}_{3}$CH], ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{F}}^{+}$ have different appearance potentials, corresponding, respectively, to excitations of the C $2s$ and F $2s$ levels (~25 and ~40 eV). For the materials with common H and F bonding sites, the ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{F}}^{+}$ appearance potentials correspond to excitation of the C $2s$ level. The ${\mathrm{F}}^{+}$ threshold is relatively weak, and a steep increase in the ${\mathrm{F}}^{+}$ yield is observed near 40 eV (F $2s$ excitation). These results indicate that the final-state excitations leading to ion desorption in these systems are localized within functional groups but not necessarily within individual C-H or C-F bonds of the functional group.
Homogenous catalysis in the reactions of olefinic substances. V. Hydrogenation of soybean oil methyl ester with triphenylphosphine and triphenylarsine palladium catalysts

Some palladium complexes containing coordinated triphenylphosphine or arsine have been found to be effective and selective catalysts in the homogeneous hydrogenation of soybean oil methyl ester. The characteristic features of the catalysis are 1) isomerization ofcis double bonds totrans double bonds, 2) migration of isolated double bonds to form conjugated dienes, 3) selective hydrogenation of poly olefines to mono olefines without hydrogenation of mono olefine, 4) ester exchange of methyl ester to butyl ester, 5) effective hydrogenation and isomerization by methanol in the absence of elemental hydrogen.
Totalitarianism in Sandinista Nicaragua

Abstract From its inception in July 1979, a debate raged in policy and academic circles as to the fundamental political, ideological, and structural nature of the Sandinista regime. The two main intellectual camps fell along these lines: (1) the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) showed signs of traditional Latin American authoritarianism, but had a healthy strain of social democracy within its ranks. If only the U.S.‐sponsored “counterrevolution” would disappear, the Sandinistas would be able to develop their latent pluralism; (2) the FSLN was a Marxist‐Leninist regime, the leadership of which had a clear blueprint for taking and holding power and which sought to construct a Communist Utopia. Although this paper argues that the second line more clearly characterizes the nature of the Sandinista state, it strives to reach a broader understanding of the nature and structure of that state by employing the “Totalitarian” model of analysis first developed by Hannah Arendt in her monumental study “Ori...
Infantile Malnutrition: Changes in Body Composition During Rehabilitation

Extract: Total body water (TBW), intracellular (ICW) and extracellular (ECW) spaces, muscle mass and supporting tissue were measured in nine malnourished infants, 5–30 months of age, shortly after hospitalization, and then following 4–9 months of rehabilation. Initially all infants had server growth deficits, heights age being 4–64% (average 40%) and weight age 0–40% (average 15.6%) of chronologic age TBW ranged from 63.5 to 89.3% of body weight and ECW ranged from 38.6 to 50.6% of TBW, suggesting marked losses of cell mass and body fat with conservation of supporting tissues. Excretory levels of creatinine and hydroxproline ranged from 31 to 86 mg/24 h and from 10.3 to 28.5 mg/24 h, respectively. During rehabilitation all patients exhibited accelerated growth, height age becoming 28.6–69.1% (averange 58.8%) of chronologic age; most of the children become moderately obese. With the exception of one infant, who did not gain weight well hydroxyproline increased 45–360% over the intial values. TBW became 54.7–65% of body weight and ECW 41.8–55.9% of TBW. Proportionally smaller increase in metabolically active protoplasm, respresented by ICW, were exprienced in four infants under 11 months (average 25%, than in four of five infants over 11 months of age (average 67.5%); however; these four infants demonstrated proportionately greater gains in ECW (77 versus 36%). Determinations of blood sugar, growth hormone and insulin responses to arginine were made in five of these patients and in three additional infants. On admission, the levels of growth hormone in these infants were found to be elevated (11.5–18 ng/ml) and did not respond, to arginine injection; determination of blood sugar also showed elevated levels (119–182 mg/100 ml). One to three months later the response was usually normal. Insulin responses, initially and after partial rehabilitaion, were almost invariably blunted, with only one child, at 50 days, showing a rise to 45 ng/ml. It is apparent that growth during, recovery from malnutrition is neither a uniform process nor is it simply reinitiation of normal growth. Speculation: The apparently normal production of growth hormone and the impaired insulin, which was persistently demonstrated by these infants, along wiht the poor growth in cell mass of those under 11 months of age, suggest that gains in cell mass in the younger infant may be primarily dependent on insulin and not on growth hormone. Cartilage and other supporting tissues may continue to respond to growth hormone, despite fairly severe malnutririon.
Social responsibility an alternate strategy of marketing

The emphasis of marketing over the years has continuously shifted to meet the changes in the environment. The most recent emphasis of marketing seems to be on social responsibility. Although academicians and practitioners alike have been advocating implementation of social responsibility in marketing planning only a few scattered cases in which social responsibility has been put into practice are available to this date. The author, in discussing the social responsibility of marketing, examines its present status and suggests that marketers should not view the demand of social responsibility as a liability to them, but rather see it as a useful strategy to improve one's competitive condition and image in the market place.
Remodeling of dynamic structures of HIV-1 envelope proteins leads to synthetic antigen molecules inducing neutralizing antibodies

A synthetic antigen targeting membrane-fusion mechanism of HIV-1 has a newly designed template with C3-symmetric linkers mimicking N36 trimeric form. The antiserum produced by immunization of the N36 trimeric form antigen showed structural preference in binding to N36 trimer and stronger inhibitory activity against HIV-1 infection than the N36 monomer. Our results suggest an effective strategy of HIV vaccine design based on a relationship to the native structure of proteins involved in HIV fusion mechanisms.
Evaluation of Potentially Common Adverse Events Associated With the First and Second Doses of Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES. In 1989, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended that school children receive 2 doses of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine. With measles and rubella eliminated from the United States, measles-mumps-rubella vaccine adverse events have come under scrutiny, but no study has compared the reactogenicity of the first (measles-mumps-rubella vaccine dose 1) and second (measles-mumps-rubella vaccine dose 2) doses at the most common ages of administration in the United States. METHODS. From a health maintenance organization, 3 groups of children were recruited: (1) toddlers aged 12 to 24 months receiving measles-mumps-rubella vaccine dose 1; (2) kindergartners aged 4 to 6 years receiving measles-mumps-rubella vaccine dose 2; and (3) middle schoolers aged 10 to 12 years receiving measles-mumps-rubella vaccine dose 2. From 2 weeks before measles-mumps-rubella vaccine administration until 4 weeks afterward, families recorded in diaries the occurrence of potentially common symptoms. Postvaccination symptom rates were compared with the prevaccination baseline, with significance assessed by testing incidence rate ratios estimated by Poisson regression. RESULTS. Of 2173 children enrolled, 373 (17%) were lost to attrition, producing a study population of 1800. Compared with the prevaccination baseline, rates of fever, diarrhea, and rash were significantly elevated postvaccination among 535 toddlers receiving measles-mumps-rubella vaccine dose 1. An estimated net 95 (18%) experienced measles-mumps-rubella vaccine-associated events (median onset 5–10 days postvaccination, duration 2–5 days), with high fever (temperature ≥39.5°C) occurring in 33 (6%). None required medical attention. For 633 kindergartners and 632 middle schoolers, symptom rates were not significantly elevated after measles-mumps-rubella vaccine dose 2 compared with baseline. CONCLUSIONS. Vaccination-associated adverse events occur in ∼1 of every 6 toddlers receiving measles-mumps-rubella vaccine dose 1, with high fever occurring in 1 of 20. Adverse events are infrequent for measles-mumps-rubella vaccine dose 2 administered to school-aged children.
Seasonal renewal of the California Current: The spring transition off California

[1] A pair of high-resolution oceanographic surveys in March and April 1995 revealed a large and rapid transition from late winter to spring conditions in the coastal zone off central and southern California. These data are unique in capturing the detailed three-dimensional physical structure of and biological response to the spring transition in the southern California Current System (CCS). Changes associated with the transition included a strong tilting of isopycnals, which lifted by up to 60 m near the coast and dropped 20–40 m offshore, a subsequent increase in cross-shore density gradients, the development of a strong nearshore equatorward jet, and an increase in net equatorward transport from the shelf break out to 300 km offshore. The most dramatic physical changes were confined to the shoreward 150 km and extended at least to the depth of the core of the California Undercurrent (∼300 m). In response to these physical changes, there was an apparent strong increase in primary productivity, as indicated by changes in nearshore vertically integrated fluorescence and beam attenuation coefficient. Atmospheric and oceanic conditions in the CCS were near seasonal norms in the winter and spring of 1995, implying that a transition of the magnitude and rapidity observed here may be an annual event. Furthermore, the development of the coastal upwelling jet was independent of the winter manifestation of the main core of the California Current, which was maintained well off shore. This suggests that the California Current is regenerated seasonally through the development and offshore evolution of the coastal upwelling jet. It is not known whether the new jet joins and strengthens or replaces the offshore core of the previous winter.
Roles of vomeronasal organ chemoreception in tongue flicking, exploratory and feeding behaviour of the lizard, Chalcides ocellatus

Abstract A correlation between elevated tongue flick rate and vomeronasal organ use has frequently formed the basis for studies of lizard chemosensory behaviour, although this hypothesis has not been tested directly. The relationship between vomeronasal organ use and tongue flick rate was investigated by testing ocellated skinks, Chalcides ocellatus, with normal or sealed vomeronasal ducts (which prevents chemical access to the vomeronasal organ) in a novel environment, and in their home boxes. Lizards with normal vomeronasal organs exhibited higher tongue flick rates in novel environments than in their home boxes. Lizards with sealed vomeronasal ducts exhibited significantly lower tongue flick rates than did lizards with normal vomeronasal organs, and did not demonstrate elevated tongue flick rates relative to home box levels in response to the novel environment. Therefore, elevation of tongue flick rates in response to environmental stimuli appears to be dependent on a functional vomeronasal organ. However, sealing the vomeronasal ducts did not prevent an increase in movement in novel environments relative to home boxes indicating that detection of novel stimuli and resulting exploratory behaviour do not require a functional vomeronasal organ. Prey consumption, but not prey attack, was severely impaired in lizards with sealed vomeronasal ducts, suggesting that vomeronasal system identification of objects that are attacked is important for completion of predatory sequences.
Situated Cognition: A Learning Framework to Support and Guide High-fidelity Simulation

Abstract Nursing education strives to prepare graduate nurses who are ready to enter the practice environment and within a short time practice independently. High-fidelity simulation (HFS) is an instructional strategy now being incorporated within nursing education to enhance transition from theory to practice. Nursing literature on use of HFS has consistently linked this instructional strategy to a broad experiential learning perspective. This article proposes situated cognition as a more concise learning framework to support and guide this pedagogical method in nursing education. Learning described from the situated cognition perspective occurs as a social activity incorporating the mind, the body, the activity, and the tools in a context that is complex and interactive. This article provides an overview of situated cognition, followed by an HFS case scenario illustrating the principles within this learning framework. Implications for nursing educational research considering the interdependent components (people, ingredients, and activity) of this situated cognition framework are introduced.
Hemodynamic responses and adverse effects associated with adenosine and dipyridamole pharmacologic stress testing: a comparison in 2,000 patients.

Objective To compare the hemodynamic responses and the adverse effects associated with two coronary vasodilators used for pharmacologic stress testing. Design We retrospectively studied the results of adenosine and dipyridamole perfusion imaging in a large group of patients who underwent pharmacologic stress radionuclide perfusion imaging. Material and Methods One thousand patients given dipyridamole between April 1989 and April 1991 (before adenosine became available) were compared with 1,000 patients given adenosine between April 1991 and October 1992. A standard protocol was used to infuse the drugs before myocardial perfusion imaging with 201 TI or 99m Tc sestamibi. Results Peak heart rate was higher (85 versus 83 beats/min; P = 0.02) and systolic blood pressure was lower (129 versus 133 mm Hg; P P = 0.002). Horizontal or downsloping ST -segment depression of 1 mm or more occurred in 9 % of patients who received adenosine and in 8 % of those who received dipyridamole. Adverse effects occurred in 78% of the adenosine study group and in 50% of the dipyridamole group ( P Conclusion Adenosine causes slightly greater systemic vasodilation than does dipyridamole. Adverse effects occur less often with dipyridamole but, in comparison with adenosine, are more difficult to manage and necessitate more monitoring time as well as fairly frequent intravenous use of aminophylline for reversal.
Response of the testes to social interaction among grouped chickens

Abstract The effects of social interaction on the adaptive response of the testes were studied by maintaining chickens in experimental heterosexual groups for periods of 12 to 30 weeks. Increases in group size resulted in an increase in social conflict within groups. This interaction was reflected by smaller testes among the grouped males when compared with isolated and heterosexually paired cocks. The number of birds within a group rather than density seemed to be the important factor in determining the intensity of social interactions. Thus, in groups where sufficient space was allotted for freedom of movement, the frequency of interactions and decrease in testicular weight was as great as among groups of the same size where density made social contacts unavoidable. Within the groups testes weights were correlated with social rank. The most dominant males were found to have the heaviest testes while the subordinate cocks had the lightest and, occasionally, atrophic testes. The smaller testes associated with increased group size and subordinate social rank were attributed to degenerative changes in the germinal epithelium of grouped subordinate cocks. The most frequently encountered testicular changes were the formation of polynuclear giant cells and associated degenerative lesions within the germinal epithelium. In a few subordinate males complete regression was observed in the germinal layer of the testes. These observations support the hypotheses that social conflict may be an important factor in determining the adaptive response of the testes of chickens. Certain features of this response suggest that domestic fowl provide a useful species for further studies of reproductive function as related to their characteristic social interaction.
The Longwood Medical Area Network

The Longwood Medical Area Network (LMAnet) is a high speed fiber optic network that connects several patient care, research, and educational organizations in Boston's Longwood Medical Area. This paper describes the architecture of the network, current and potential future uses of the network, network costs and administration, and management issues associated with the use of LMAnet.
Soot, unburned carbon and ultrafine particle emissions from air- and oxy-coal flames

Abstract A down-fired laboratory combustor, designed for 100 kW, was used to determine effects of switching from air to oxy-firing on soot, unburned carbon and ultrafine particle emissions from practical pulverized coal flames. Of interest here were potential effects of substitution of the N 2 in air by CO 2 in practical, swirling, pulverized coal, turbulent diffusion flames. The oxy-coal configuration investigated used once-through CO 2 , simulating cleaned flue gas recycle with all contaminants and water removed. Two coals were each burned in: (a) air, (b) 27% O 2 /73% CO 2 , and (c) 32% O 2 /68% CO 2 . Tests were conducted at (nominally) 3%, 2%, 1% and 0% O 2 in the exhaust (dry basis). For each condition, particulate samples were isokinetically withdrawn far from the radiant zone, and analyzed using a photo-acoustic analyzer (PA) for “black carbon”, a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) for ultrafine particles, and a total sample loss on ignition (LOI) method for unburned carbon in ash. Quantitative agreement between photo-acoustic black carbon measurements and integrated particle size distributions, measured by SMPS, suggests that at low stoichiometric ratios, ultrafine particles consist primarily of black carbon. Furthermore, for the bituminous coal, “black carbon” or soot, is produced in lesser amounts under oxy-fired conditions than under the air-fired condition, even when adiabatic flame temperatures are matched. However, at 3% O 2 in the exhaust, loss in ignition (LOI) of the total ash is greater under oxy-coal than under air fired conditions, and correlates only weakly with soot. Significant changes in mineral matter vaporization were not observed unless the flames were hotter. These and other results are interpreted in the light of available mechanisms.
Microscopic observations of the pulmonary arterioles, capillaries, and venules of living mammals before and during anaphylaxis.

Abstract 1.1. The morphology and physiology of the small blood vessels of the lungs of living guinea pigs and rabbits have been discussed. 2.2. Changes in these pulmonary blood vessels during anaphylaxis have been reported.
Restructuring an internal medicine residency program to meet regional and national needs for general internists.

Abstract The Department of Medicine at the University of Washington has reorganized its residency program to increase the emphasis on general internal medicine and primary care. New teaching services in community hospitals have been established, clinical training sites in Montana, Idaho and Eastern Washington opened, and primary care residency tracks begun. Current data indicate that a major shift in the career plans of our new residents also has occurred. Whereas a decade ago approximately two thirds of our residents were becoming subspecialists, almost two thirds of our 1979 and 1980 program graduates are headed toward careers as general internists. Many will practice in the region's smaller cities and towns. The program serves as a model for the development of a regional program for graduate training in internal medicine.
Manipulation of ionic liquid anion-solute-antisolvent interactions for the purification of acetaminophen

Hydrogen bond donating cosolvents have been shown to significantly reduce the solubility of acetaminophen (AAP) in ionic liquids containing the acetate anion. Reduced solubility arises from competition for solvation by the acetate anion and can be used for the design of advanced separation techniques, illustrated by the crystallization of AAP.
Electrospray Ionization Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (ESI FT-ICR MS): Characterization of Complex Environmental Mixtures

Abstract Structural and chemical characterization of compounds within complex environmental mixtures provides unique insights into the roles of these compounds in different environmental processes. Here, an emerging technique in environmental chemistry, electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI FT-ICR MS), is described and its applications to the molecular characterization of humic acids and petroleum products are reviewed and examined. ESI is a low-fragmentation ionization technique that preferentially ionizes polar functional groups prior to mass spectrometric analysis. This technique allows the characterization of intact polar macromolecules that are inaccessible to standard chromatographic techniques. ICR MS is an ultrahigh resolution and mass accuracy MS technique based on the detection of ion cyclotron motion within a magnetic field. The combination of ESI FT-ICR MS with other structural techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) allows the unprecedented identification and characterization of polar macromolecules in environmental mixtures and will find numerous applications within environmental chemistry and forensics.
Celiac artery compression syndrome.

Abstract Celiac artery compression syndrome occurs when the median arcuate ligament of the diaphragm causes extrinsic compression of the celiac trunk. We report a case of a 65-year-old woman who presented with a three-month history of postprandial abdominal pain, nausea and some emesis, without weight loss. There was a bruit in the upper mid-epigastrium and the lateral aortic arteriography revealed a significant stenosis of the celiac artery. At operation, the celiac axis was found to be severely compressed anteriorly by fibers forming the inferior margin of the arcuate ligament of the diaphragm. The ligament was cut and a vein by-pass from the supraceliac aorta to the distal celiac artery was performed. The patient remains well and free of symptoms two and a half years since operation. In this report we discuss the indications and the therapeutic options of this syndrome as well as a review of the literature is being given.
Optical Bistability and Multimode Instabilities

A simple relationship transforms the theory of optical bistability into a theory of multimode instability and self-oscillation in a ring cavity excited between cavity resonances.
Bone matrix studies. Influences of parathyroid extract, calcitonin, and cholecalciferol and of rickets and its treatment.

Abstract Bones from young rats were incubated with radioactive glucosamine and proline. The concentrations and specific activities of matrix glycosaminoglycan fractions, prepared by a cetylpyridinium chloride method, and the specific activity of insoluble collagen hydroxyproline were determined. Acute parathyroid extract treatment increased labelling of hyaluronic acid and a glycopeptide fraction. These effects were partially blocked by calcitonin treatment which had no effect by itself. Parathyroid extract inhibited collagen synthesis and this effect was not blocked by calcitonin. Effects of these two hormones on labelling of chondroitin sulfate fractions were more variable. Vitamin D-3 caused an increase in labelling of all matrix fractions measured in bone from thyroparathyroidectomized rats, but its stimulating effect upon collagen synthesis was blocked by paratyroid extract. Bones from rats made rachitic on a phosphorus and vitamin D-deficient diet were incubated in vitro with radioactive glucosamine and proline. Over a three-week period rachitic bone exhibited a progressive fall in concentration and labelling of a glycopeptide-hyaluronic acid fraction, while pair-fed animals supplemented either with phosphorus alone or with phosphorus and vitamine D-3 not only remineralized their bones, but the bones showed a pronounced increment in concentration and labelling of this fraction. Both treatment regimens also enhanced chondroitin sulfate and collagen labelling.
A SURVEY OF HANDICAPPED STUDENTS TAKING SPECIAL TEST ADMINISTRATIONS OF THE SAT AND GRE

This study examined the responses of disabled people to questionnaires on special testing accommodations both for college testing and for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). The questionnaires were developed to help evaluate testing accommodations for disabled people and to obtain additional information on the severity or kinds of disabilities within categories of handicap. After discussing the limitations of the study due to a poor response rate and small subgroups of respondents, the study reported on the high level of overall satisfaction with special testing accommodations and covered extensively the complaints of a small minority. These complaints involved the test itself and the conditions of testing, including time and space considerations. A second major section of the report dealt with a comparison of accommodations made for the SAT or GRE with accommodations provided for college testing. The standardized tests were offered in special versions and with extra time more frequently than were college tests. A tentative look within the four disability groups of hearing impaired, learning disabled, physically handicapped, and visually impaired test takers found subgroups worthy of more extensive study.