cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calpain-2 as a therapeutic target for acute neuronal injury.

Introduction: Calpains represent a family of neutral, calcium-dependent proteases, which modify the function of their target proteins by partial truncation. These proteases have been implicated in ...
Abstract 69: Proton versus photon irradiation induced cell death in head and neck cancer cells with different human papillomavirus status

Proton radiotherapy (PRT) has shown to be less toxic in the treatment of head and neck cancers (HNSCC) than photon radiotherapy (XRT). XRT causes multiple types of cancer cell death by inducing DNA double-strand breaks. The DNA damage induced by PRT is more complex and has more severe biological consequences versus XRT. The present study was undertaken to uncover the cell death caused by PRT versus XRT in human papillomavirus positive (HPV+, frequently p53 wild-type, p16 positive; p53, p16 are key factors for cell death) and HPV-negative (HPV-, frequently p53 mutant, p16 negative) HNSCC cells. HNSCC cell lines HN5, SqCC/Y1 (HPV-) and UMSCC-47, UPCI-SCC-154 (HPV+) were used. Single doses of 4 Gy irradiation induced cell apoptosis, necrosis, mitotic catastrophe, and senescence were determined. Clinical 200-MeV proton beams (18 cm × 18 cm field) or 6-MV X-ray beams (25 cm × 25 cm field) were used. Cells were positioned in the centers of the irradiation fields (in the middle of the spread-out Bragg peak for PRT). At 4 hours (h), 24h and 48h after PRT or XRT, cell necrosis and apoptosis were determined by Annexin VFITC-conjugated staining. XRT and PRT caused increased cell necrosis in the HPV– SqCC/Y1 (moderate at 24h, significant at 48h [p all In conclusion, mitotic catastrophe and senescence are the major types of cell death induced by both XRT and PRT, in which PRT inducing higher levels of both types of cell death as compared to XRT. Citation Format: Li Wang, Shichao Han, Jinming Zhu, Xiaochun Wang, Yuting Li, Zeming Wang, Eric Lin, Xiaofang Wang, David P. Molkentine, Pierre Blanchard, Yining Yang, Ruiping Zhang, Narayan Sahoo, Michael Gillin, Xiaorong Ronald Zhu, Xiaodong Zhang, Jeffrey N. Myers, Steven J. Frank. Proton versus photon irradiation induced cell death in head and neck cancer cells with different human papillomavirus status [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-AHNS Head and Neck Cancer Conference: Optimizing Survival and Quality of Life through Basic, Clinical, and Translational Research; April 23-25, 2017; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2017;23(23_Suppl):Abstract nr 69.
fastPACE Train-the-Trainer: A scalable new educational program to accelerate training in biomedical innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization.

Introduction The Institute of Medicine recommended the advance of innovation and entrepreneurship training programs within the Clinical & Translational Science Award (CTSA) program; however, there remains a gap in adoption by CTSA institutes. The University of Michigan’s Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research and Fast Forward Medical Innovation (FFMI) partnered to develop a pilot program designed to teach CTSA hubs how to implement innovation and entrepreneurship programs at their home institutions. Materials and methods The program provided a 2-day onsite training experience combined with observation of an ongoing course focused on providing biomedical innovation, commercialization and entrepreneurial training to a medical academician audience (FFMI fastPACE). Results All 9 participating CTSA institutes reported a greater connection to biomedical research commercialization resources. Six launched their own version of the FFMI fastPACE course or modified existing programs. Two reported greater collaboration with their technology transfer offices. Conclusion The FFMI fastPACE course and training program may be suitable for CTSA hubs looking to enhance innovation and entrepreneurship within their institutions and across their innovation ecosystems.
Challenges in recruiting African-American women for a breast cancer genetics study

African-American women, especially in the southern United States, are underrepresented in cancer genetics research. A study was designed to address this issue by investigating the germline mutation rate in African-American women in Arkansas with a personal and/or family history of breast cancer. Women were tested for these mutations using a large panel of breast cancer susceptibility genes. In this analysis, we discuss the challenges encountered in recruiting African-American women from an existing biorepository to participate in this study. We attempted to contact 965 African-American women with a personal and/or family history of breast cancer who participated in Spit for the Cure (SFTC) between 2007 and 2013 and provided consent to be recontacted. The SFTC participants were invited by telephone and email to participate in the genetic study. Enrollment required completion of a phone interview to obtain a family and medical history and return of a signed consent form. Among eligible SFTC participants, 39.6% (382/965) were able to be contacted with the phone numbers and email addresses they provided. Of these, 174 (45.5%) completed a phone interview and returned a signed consent form. Others were not able to be contacted (n = 583), declined to participate (n = 57), did not keep phone interview appointments (n = 82), completed the phone interview but never returned a signed consent (n = 54), were deceased (n = 13), or were too confused to consent to participate (n = 2). Recruiting African-American women into our breast cancer genetics study proved challenging primarily due to difficulty establishing contact with potential participants. Given their prior participation in breast cancer research, we anticipated that this would be a highly motivated population. Indeed, when we were able to contact SFTC participants, only 14.9% declined to participate in our study. Innovative communication, retention, and recruitment strategies are needed in future studies to address the recruitment challenges we faced.
Correlations Between Information Literacy Competency and Student Writing Performance in an English 101 course at an Urban Community College

This paper examines, and attempts to quantify, the effects of acquiring Information Literacy skills and their subsequent impact on student performance in English Composition courses at Queensboroug...
Idiosyncratic Risk During Economic Downturns: Implications for the Use of Event Studies in Securities Litigation

We reported in a recent paper that during the 2008-09 financial crisis, for the average firm, idiosyncratic risk, as measured by variance, increased by five-fold. This finding is important for securities litigation because idiosyncratic risk plays a central role in event study methodology. Event studies are commonly used in securities litigation to determine materiality and loss causation. Many bits of news affect an issuer’s share price at the time of a corporate disclosure that is the subject of litigation. Because of this, even if an issuer’s market–adjusted price changes at the time of the disclosure, one cannot determine with certainty whether the disclosure itself had any effect on price. An event study is used to make a probabilistic assessment of whether in fact it did. Use of event studies generates a certain rate of Type I errors (disclosures that had no actual effect on price being identified as having had an effect) and a certain rate of Type II errors (disclosures that had an actual effect not being identified as such). This paper sets out a simple model of the tradeoff between these Type I and Type II errors. The model is used to establish three fundamental points. First, an economic crisis can radically worsen this tradeoff by making it much more difficult to catch a disclosure of a certain size without introducing more Type I errors. Second, during crisis periods a relaxation of this standard (and hence an increase in the acceptable rate of Type I errors) may actually decrease Type II errors by less than it would in normal times. We prove that whether the decrease is greater or smaller in crisis times depends on whether the disclosure’s actual impact on price is more or less negative than a definable crossover point. Third, whether relaxation of the standard in troubled times would increase or decrease social welfare is ambiguous. It depends on distribution of potentially actionable disclosures in terms of their actual impact on price and the social costs and social benefits of imposing liability for disclosures of each given level of actual negative impact on price.
The Infrared and Raman Spectra of Phosphorosilicate Phases with 1:1 SiO2/P2O5 Molar Ratios

The chemical and physical properties of glass and crystalline phases intimately depend upon their network structures. Phosphorosilicate phases possessing 1:1 SiO2/P2O5 molar ratios may contain six-coordinated silicon atoms in their solid state structures. For instance, X-ray diffraction analyses indicate that the crystal structures of the various SiP207 polymorphs do possess six-coordinated silicon atoms.1,2 This paper will investigate the vibrational spectra of various phosphorosilicate phases with 1:1 SiO2P2O5 molar ratios in order to obtain structural information. First, the infrared and Raman spectra will be investigated for various crystalline SiP207 polymorphs using normal coordinate analysis. This analysis will lead both to structural parameters such as force constants and to band assignments for phosphorosilicate phases with set crystalline structures possessing SiO6-units in their network. Then, the vibrational spectra of SiP2O7 glass will be analyzed to determine whether such structural arrangements with six-coordinated silicon atoms exist in the glasses. The structural and spectral changes which occur upon addition of Na2O to this glass will also be discussed.
The Crystallization and Selection of Dynamical Order in the Evolution of Metazoan Gene Regulation

A higher metazoan such as man contains sufficient DNA per nucleus to encode on the order of 2,000,000 average size proteins [1–3]. A very large fraction of that total may not be codonic, nevertheless, the complexity of RNA transcript sequences now detectable in the nuclei of higher plant and animal cells is on the order of 20,000 to 100,000 distinct sequences. A central dogma of developmental biology is that, with unusual exceptions, the genetic constitution of each cell in a higher plant or animal is essentially identical, and therefore that differentiation of the zygote into an array of distinct cell types is associated with alternative, coordinated patterns of gene expression; each cell type is thought of as associated with a delimited set of expressed genes. Increasingly refined data are coming available both with respect to the regulation of gene expression and the overlap in expression in different cell types of one organism. Expression appears to be modulated at a variety of levels: transcription itself, processing the primary transcript by splicing, capping, and polyadenylation, transporting the mature message from the nucleus, translation to protein, subsequent secondary modifications of the protein [1]. With respect to the overlap of gene expression patterns in different cell types the observations depend somewhat upon whether consideration is restricted to cytoplasmic RNA, or to total nuclear plus cytoplasmic transcripts. For total transcript complexity, the central observations are that a very large fraction of sequences appear to be ubiquitously transcribed in all cell types of the organism.
Biofuel cycles: Economic status and cost projections

The Biofuels and Municipal Waste Technology Division of the US Department of Energy focuses on increasing the biomass available for fuel production and on integrated fuel cycles that produce liquid and gaseous fuels. This research is in contrast to most renewable energy technologies, which produce heat or electricity. This paper describes the fuel cycles under study, examines their economic status and cost goals, and addresses technically challenging areas where major improvements are required to yield cost-competitive fuel products. In general, the biofuels technologies are projected to be ready for private-sector development and commercialization in the mid- to long term. The data presented for technical and economic goals are based on current information and are subject to periodic review and revision. 5 refs., 7 tabs.
Die Anästhesie zu diagnostischen und therapeutischen Zwecken

Die Behandlung posttraumatischer schmerzhafter Zustande mit wiederholten Lokalanasthesien hat sich in den letzten Jahren so allgemein durchgesetzt, das es mir wichtig erscheint, hieruber in einem besonderen Kapitel zu berichten. Das Verfahren geht zuruck auf folgende Beobachtung von Leriche: Aus diagnostischen Grunden wurde bei einer Gelenkverstauchung eine Lokalanasthesie ausgefuhrt und festgestellt, das die Schmerzfreiheit des verletzten Bandapparates weit langer anhielt, als dies mit der ublichen Wirkungsdauer dieses Mittels erklart werden konnte. Auch waren die am nachsten Tag wiederkehrenden Schmerzen wesentlich geringer als vor der Injektion. Eine Wiederholung derselben brachte eine weitere Besserung, so das die Behandlung eine merkliche Abkurzung erfuhr. Leriche hat zur Erklarung dieser Vorgange folgende Theorie aufgestellt: Die nach einem Trauma einsetzende Schmerzhaftigkeit beruht nicht in erster Linie, wie bisher angenommen, auf einer Dehnung, teilweiser oder vollstandiger Zerreisung der Bander, sondern vorwiegend auf einer Lasion des Nervenendapparates in dem betreffenden Gewebe.
Dissenting against the Defence of India Rules: Emergency Regulations and the Space of Extreme Government Action

ABSTRACTIndian democracy has been plagued by a long history of ‘rules’ and ‘acts’, defined broadly as assigning to the state the power to impose order, but without clear guidelines as to their use. Understanding agitations against these rules and acts is helpful in seeing a line of challenge to state authority from the position of democracy. This paper will describe the agitations by the All India Newspaper Editors’ Conference (AINEC) against Article 41 of the Defence of India Rules (1939), which focused on the government's ability to censor, ban and fine newspapers. AINEC's fight made visible the effect of capricious and unpredictable government actions on actors outside the elite. In addition, the shifts in censorship brought about by the Defence of India Rules highlighted how groups, ideas or writing could shift from being regarded as ‘responsible’ and credible to ‘irresponsible’ and dangerous on the basis of state decisions.
Sustained quality-of-life improvements over 10 years after deep brain stimulation for dystonia.

Background Little is known about the quality of life of people with dystonia and DBS beyond 5 years. The objectives of this study were (1) to examine the long-term quality-of-life outcomes in a large cohort of people with dystonia and DBS, (2) to determine the incidence of stimulation-induced parkinsonism, and (3) to elucidate the potential long-term cognitive impact of DBS in this cohort. Methods Fifty-four subjects with dystonia and DBS for more than 5 years were contacted via social media and were offered to complete a quality-of-life survey comparing current-day life and life prior to DBS. The primary study outcomes were the Short Form survey, a parkinsonian symptoms questionnaire, the Telephone Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and the Measurement of Every Day Cognition. Results Thirty-seven of 54 subjects consented to the study. Average age was 39.7 ± 16.6 years, 16 were female, and 23 were DYT1+. Average time from implantation was 10.5 years. Average total Short Form survey scores improved, from 43.7 pre-DBS to 69.5 current day (P 1.81). Conclusions DBS for dystonia results in long-term quality-of-life improvements that persist on average 10 years or more after surgery. The prevalence of stimulation-induced parkinsonism and cognitive impairment is low. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Anticonvulsants to Treat Cannabis Use Disorder

The purpose of this chapter is to review the evidence for the efficacy and safety of anticonvulsants for reducing cannabis use and withdrawal symptoms, compared to placebo. A comprehensive literature search of PubMed and related databases and reference lists of obtained publications was performed. The search yielded four completed prospective pilot studies evaluating divalproex sodium (Depakote), gabapentin (Neurontin), and topiramate (Topamax) for therapeutic potential in cannabis use disorder. For three studies the average age was 30.1 years; one study targeted youth. About 78% of study participants were male. Studies were double-blind, placebo-controlled with random assignment to treatments. Cannabis use was measured by both urine toxicology and self-report. Medication adherence was verified by drug plasma level. Divalproex and topiramate generally did not show efficacy for reducing cannabis use and were poorly tolerated. Both drugs were associated with adverse drug reactions involving neurocognitive impairment and symptoms of negative affect such as depression, anxiety, and irritability. Gabapentin showed benefits over placebo in decreasing cannabis use and withdrawal symptoms, including cannabis craving, negative affect, and sleep disturbance, and was well-tolerated. Findings support further evaluation of gabapentin as a treatment for cannabis use disorder.
Mental Health & Trauma among Incarcerated Persons: Development of a Training Curriculum for Correctional Officers

Serious mental illness and trauma among persons incarcerated in prisons and jails are issues of growing concern across the nation. This study describes a three-phase process of needs assessment, media development, and pilot testing for a comprehensive curriculum for training correctional officers on the mental health needs of persons who are incarcerated. Following the pilot training, there was a significant increase in correctional officers’ knowledge from pretest to posttest, and their ratings of course content and delivery methods were positive. The open-access, downloadable curriculum includes a PDF facilitator’s manual, participant handouts and activity cards, PowerPoint presentation slides, and brief videos or animations. The curriculum is ideally suited for delivery to correctional officers working at state and federal prisons, and may also be useful for training officers working in jails, community corrections, or other criminal justice roles.
Norinyl® 1 + 50-21 (Syntex)

Norinyl is a combination oral contraceptive preparation. It acts mainly through the mechanism of gonadotropin suppression due to the estrogenic and progestational activity of the constituents. The predominant effect of estrogen is to inhibit secretion of FSH, while continued action of progesterone (related, but not equated to progestins) is to inhibit LH. Alterations in the genital tract, such as changes in the cervical mucus and the endometrium, may also contribute to the contraceptive effectiveness.
Masters Program Flexible Endoscopy Pathway: Balloon Dilation

The goal of this chapter is to help readers understand common indications for and contraindications to endoscopic balloon dilation of the upper GI tract. Technical considerations are described, including a common technique for performing endoscopic balloon dilation of the upper GI tract. Troubleshooting tips are provided for common procedural challenges. Common post-procedure management considerations, complications, and predictors of treatment failure are also included. Results from the literature are highlighted.
Technology Management Maturity Assessment Model: An Exploratory Multi-Criteria Approach for Healthcare Organizations

Maturity Models are organizational management tools that have been developed and used for decades as organizations' way of responding to the constant pressure of trying to achieve and maintain competitive advantage through concurrent innovation, quality improvement, and cost reduction. The decision makers in the healthcare industry have been no exception in reaping the benefits of determining the merits and weaknesses of strategies through systematic quality improvement provided by maturity models. Although there are many healthcare maturity models in literature, there is a lack of models that provides managers and decision makers with a systematic, multi-criteria, and quantifiable maturity model. This paper proposes an exploratory model to assess technology management maturity in healthcare organizations by using Hierarchical Decision Model (HDM). The model may help health organizations with pinpointing their strengths and weaknesses in the adoption and implementation of new technologies and technological approaches such as Learning Health Systems (LHS) and their socio-technical infrastructure, while giving them organizational and competitive self-awareness and guide them in setting their strategies and resource allocation. The model will serve as a much-needed technology management tool for hospitals to assess their technology management maturity for both public and organization's advantage in a more effective way.
Future of Neural Interfaces

The technological ability to capture electrophysiological activity of populations of cortical neurons through chronic implantable devices has led to significant advancements in the field of brain-computer interfaces. Recent progress in the field has been driven by developments in integrated microelectronics, wireless communications, materials science, and computational neuroscience. Here, we review major device development landmarks in the arena of neural interfaces from FDA-approved clinical systems to prototype head-mounted and fully implantable wireless systems for multi-channel neural recording. Additionally, we provide an outlook toward next-generation, highly miniaturized technologies for minimally invasive, vastly parallel neural interfaces for naturalistic, closed-loop neuroprostheses.
Review of Protocols and Terminology to Enhance Understanding of Circadian-Based Literature

Interest in biological rhythms and circadian phenomena has been driving scientific inquiry and medical research for over 2000 years. Researchers in the basic and medical sciences utilize similar protocols and terminology to characterize rhythmic patterns. This chapter aims to provide the reader with a foundation on the vocabulary and concepts necessary to understand scientific literature in the field of circadian rhythms.
Supported Employee Independence from the Presence of Job Coaches at Work Sites.

This study investigated the presence of job coaches at supported employee work sites in Illinois over a 4-year period (1990-1994). A random, stratified sample of 111 supported employees was explored in relationship to their ethnicity, age, IQ, gender, wages earned, hours worked, months employed and the placement approach (i.e. group vs. individual). Findings suggested that job coaches do not decrease their presence at work sites over time, regardless of the supported employee's IQ and placement approach. Furthermore, the primary predictor of job coach attendance was the ethnicity of the supported employees; job coaches were present less frequently at the job sites of African-American supported employees than supported employees who were European-American. © 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.
Synchronized Formation of Sub-Galactic Systems at Cosmological Reionization: Origin of Halo Globular Clusters

Gas rich sub-galactic halos with mass Mt <= 10^7.5 Msun, while incapable of forming stars due to lack of adequate coolants, contain a large fraction of baryonic mass at cosmological reionization. We show that the reionization of the universe at z=10-20 has an interesting physical effect on these halos. The external radiation field causes a synchronous inward propagation of an ionization front towards each halo, resulting in an inward, convergent shock. The resident gas of mass Mb~10^4-10^7 Msun in low spin (initial dimensionless spin parameter lambda <= 0.01) halos with a velocity dispersion sigmav <= 11km/s would be compressed by a factor of ~100 in radius and form self -gravitating baryonic systems. Under the assumption that such compressed gaseous systems fragment to form stars, the final stellar systems will have a size 2-40pc, velocity dispersion 1-10km/s and a total stellar mass of M* 10^3-10^6 Msun. The characteristics of these proposed systems seem to match the observed properties of halo globular clusters. The expected number density is consistent with the observed number density of halo globular clusters. The observed mass function of slope ~-2 at the high mass end is predicted by the model. Strong correlation between velocity dispersion and luminosity (or surface brightness) and lack of correlation between velocity dispersion and size, in agreement with observations, are expected. Metallicity is, on average, expected to be low and should not correlate with any other quantities of globular clusters, except that a larger dispersion of metallicity among globular clusters is expected for larger galaxies. The observed trend of specific frequency with galaxy type may be produced in the model. We suggest that these stellar systems are seen as halo globular clusters today.
Client pressure and auditor independence: Evidence from the “Great Recession” of 2007–2009

Abstract This study investigates whether auditors’ independence was compromised by client audit fee pressures during the recession of December 2007 through June 2009. We hypothesize that clients able to extract fee concessions from auditors during the recession, when audit risk increased, might also have been able to obtain more favorable audit opinions. We find that auditors are less likely to issue first-time going concern (GC) opinions to clients that exert fee pressure in 2008, but do not find this result in other years, including several years before and following the central recession year of 2008 (i.e. 2005–2007, 2009–2011). Our results suggest that the stringent economic environment of the recession may have weakened auditor independence for clients capable of exerting audit fee pressure, but this effect was restricted to 2008, the heart of the recession. We also find compensating payments (in the form of expected total fee increases or high current-year NAS fees) from fee pressure clients strengthen the negative association between fee pressure and auditors’ GC opinions.
Cell cycle and apoptosis regulatory proteins, proliferative markers, cell signaling molecules, CD209, and decorin immunoreactivity in low-grade myxofibrosarcoma and myxoma

The histologic differential diagnosis between intramuscular myxoma and low-grade myxofibrosarcoma can be quite difficult in some cases. To identify a diagnostic immunohistochemical marker, we compared the staining profiles of 19 different antigens, including cell cycle proteins, apoptosis proteins, and proliferative markers, and selected other signaling and structural proteins in these two tumors. Ten cases each of intramuscular myxoma and low-grade myxofibrosarcoma were stained with antibodies directed against apoptosis regulatory proteins (Bcl2, activated caspase-3, phospho-H2A.X, and cleaved PARP), cell cycle regulatory proteins (Rb1, Cyclin-A, CDKN1B, and Cdt1), proliferative markers (KI67, MCM2, phospho-histone H3, and geminin), cell signalling molecules (c-Myc, EGF, EGFR, PLA2G4A, and HSP90), a dendritic cell marker (CD209), and the extracellular matrix proteoglycan decorin. Staining patterns of myxoma and myxofibrosarcoma were compared using Fisher's exact test and the Mann-Whitney test. For each potential diagnostic marker studied, the proportions of cases scored as positive on both dichotomous or ordinal scales were not significantly different between myxoma and myxofibrosarcoma. Myxoma and myxofibrosarcoma share a common immunophenotype for each of the markers studied. Distinction between these tumors is still predominantly based on morphologic criteria.
Number Portability for Consumers: Taking Your Wireless Number with You

With over 150 million cellular telephone users nationwide, one of the biggest complaints from consumers about cellular service has been that telephone numbers have always belonged to the carrier, not the customer. But those days are over. Now consumers can take their numbers to competing carriers for better deals. For years, consumers with landline telephones have been able to switch from one local carrier to another without having to change their telephone numbers. Now, this service is available to wireless customers, too. The fulfillment of this dream has been coming for many years. And, as a result, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) estimates that 2004 will bring more wireless minutes than landline minutes. Now, consumers fed up with poor cellular service and expensive plans can take their numbers to new companies almost hassle-free. Though telephone carriers worry that telephone number
Dynamic race detection with LLVM compiler

Data races are among the most difficult to detect and costly bugs. Race detection has been studied widely, but none of the existing tools satisfies the requirements of high speed, detailed reports and wide availability at the same time. We describe our attempt to create a tool that works fast, has detailed and understandable reports and is available on a variety of platforms. The race detector is based on our previous work, ThreadSanitizer [1], and the instrumentation is done using the LLVM compiler. We show that applying compiler instrumentation and sampling reduces the slowdown to less than 1.5x, fast enough to use instrumented programs interactively.
Cannabinoid receptor expression in HIV encephalitis and HIV-associated neuropathologic comorbidities.

Aims Cannabinoids have been proposed for treating various neurodegenerative disorders and as adjunct therapy for HIV+ patients with neurologic sequelae. The expression of cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) has been reported in neurodegenerative diseases and in SIV encephalitis, yet the receptor expression in the CNS of HIV+ individuals is not known.
Risk of lung cancer from environmental exposures to tobacco smoke

Epidemiologic evidence on the relation between environmental tobacco smoke and cancer is reviewed. The labeling of tobacco smoke as an environmental cause of lung cancer has been challenged based on allegations of bias in the epidemiologic data. However, tobacco smoke has been shown to increase the risk of lung cancer down to the lowest exposure levels. Environmental tobacco smoke contains the same carcinogenic compounds as those found in the tobacco smoke inhaled directly by the smoker. Nonsmokers environmentally exposed have elevated levels of tobacco smoke byproducts in biological samples. These observations alone are sufficient to identify tobacco smoke as an environmental carcinogen. The epidemiologic studies showing that environmental exposure to tobacco smoke is associated weakly but consistently with increased risk of lung cancer. While these epidemiologic studies have been challenged, it does not appear that the observed epidemiologic associations are due to misclassification or confounding. Indeed, the epidemiologic results, particularly among the studies with superior data collection methods and better control of bias and confounding, find consistent associations between environmental tobacco smoke and lung cancer. This paper summarizes the evidence that environmental exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk of lung cancer, and considers the criticisms of the epidemiologic evidence which have been raised.
Teaching Policy Advocacy Through State Legislative and Local Ballot-Based Advocacy Assignments

Abstract This study describes the implementation of experiential policy advocacy assignments in a graduate social work policy practice course and evaluates the impact of these assignments on students' satisfaction and on their likelihood to engage in policy advocacy in the future. The results suggest that students are satisfied with their policy advocacy experiences and that they are more likely to engage in policy advocacy activities in the future. The implications of this study for policy practice instructors include expanding policy advocacy experiences available to students and provide as much classroom support as possible to encourage participation and to foster student empowerment.
A damage-specific DNA binding protein. Large scale purification from human placenta and characterization

A new large scale purification procedure for a human damage-specific DNA binding protein is described. Physical characterization suggests that the protein can dissociate into active subunits. A maximum molecular weight of 400,000 was obtained using gel exclusion chromatography, while electrophoresis through a pH 8 polyacrylamide gradient gel suggested a minimum molecular weight for the active protein of 120,000. Binding to UV-irradiated DNA revealed a broad pH optimum, no temperature dependence between 0 and 37 degrees C, and inhibition by intercalating agents. The use of 254 nm irradiation and of 313 nm irradiation in the presence of a triplet state sensitizer with alternating copolymers indicated that the protein was recognizing singlet-state-derived thymine lesions as well as triplet-state-derived adenine lesions. Inhibition of protein binding by pyridoxal 5'-phosphate and NaBH4 suggested a role for lysine at the DNA binding site, while sulfhydryl group involvement was indicated by the sensitivity of the protein to p-hydroxymercuribenzoate inhibition.
Cardiac risk associated with the receipt of anthracycline and trastuzumab in a large nationwide cohort of older women with breast cancer, 1998–2005

To determine the risk of cardiotoxicities in association with trastuzumab with/without anthracycline-containing chemotherapy in a large nationwide population-based cohort of patients with breast cancer. We studied 47,806 women with breast cancer ages ≥65 in 1998–2005 from 16 cancer registries in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare data and 16,092 cases matched with equal number of controls on the propensity of receiving chemotherapy or trastuzumab. Cumulative incidence of congestive heart failure in year-1 was 5.5% for patients receiving anthracycline and trastuzumab and 3.2% for those receiving anthracycline without trastuzumab. The cumulative incidence of congestive heart failure in year-5 was 15.5 and 9.1%, respectively. Compared to those without chemotherapy and trastuzumab, patients treated with anthracycline-containing chemotherapy and no trastuzumab were 19% significantly more likely to develop congestive heart failure (hazard ratio = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.05–1.34), whereas those receiving trastuzumab without anthracycline and those receiving both trastuzumab and anthracycline were 1.97 and 2.37 times more likely to develop congestive heart failure after adjusting for patient and tumor characteristics. Concurrent or sequential use of anthracycline and trastuzumab was associated with a greater risk of congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy. Carefully monitoring cardiac functions in patients receiving anthracycline and trastuzumab is warranted.
12*622 Mbit/s, DC coupled synchronous optical receiver array for parallel digital datalinks

The authors report a hybrid DC coupled 12 channel synchronous optical receiver array for a parallel digital datalink at 622 Mbit/s. Low interchannel crosstalk (<-40 dB) and low bit error rates (<10/sup -12/) have been obtained with good decision phase margins (330 degrees ) across all the channels.
Growth media and temperature effects on biofilm formation by serotype O157:H7 and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli.

Biofilm formation in most Escherichia coli strains is dependent on curli fimbriae and cellulose, and the production of both varies widely among pathogenic strains. Curli and cellulose production by colonies growing on agar are often identified by their affinity for Congo red dye (CR). However, media composition and incubation temperature can affect dye affinity and impose limitations on red phenotype detection by this method. In this study, we compared different Shiga toxin-producing E. coli for CR affinity and biofilm formation under different media/temperature conditions. We found strain and serotype differences in CR affinities and biofilm formation, as well as temperature and media requirements for maximum CR binding. We also constructed strains with deletions of curli and/or cellulose genes to determine their contributions to the phenotypes and identified two O45 strains with a medium-dependent induction of cellulose.
Image searching on the Excite web search engine

A growing body of research is beginning to explore the information-seeking behavior of Web users. The vast majority of these studies have concentrated on the area of textual information retrieval (IR). Little research has examined how people search for non-textual information on the Internet, and few large-scale studies has investigated visual information-seeking behavior with general-purpose Web search engines. This study examined visual information needs as expressed in users’ Web image queries. The data set examined consisted of 1,025,908 sequential queries from 211,058 users of Excite, a major Internet search service. Twenty-eight terms were used to identify queries for both still and moving images, resulting in a subset of 33,149 image queries by 9855 users. We provide data on: (1) image queries – the number of queries and the number of search terms per user, (2) image search sessions – the number of queries per user, modifications made to subsequent queries in a session, and (3) image terms – their rank/frequency distribution and the most highly used search terms. On average, there were 3.36 image queries per user containing an average of 3.74 terms per query. Image queries contained a large number of unique terms. The most frequently occurring image related terms appeared less than 10% of the time, with most terms occurring only once. We contrast this to earlier work by P.G.B. Enser, Journal of Documentation 51 (2) (1995) 126–170, who examined written queries for pictorial information in a non-digital environment. Implications for the development of models for visual information retrieval, and for the design of Web search engines are discussed.
Aprosodia Secondary to Right Hemisphere Damage

Abstract Purpose: This article introduces two types of prosody in human communication; describes right hemisphere contributions to prosody; describes prosodic deficits associated with right hemisph...
The effects of group composition and evaluation on task performance

The effects of the presence of coactors working on the same and different tasks were examined. Subjects were run under either high- or low-evaluative conditions and in either a mixed group (half worked on a maze task while half worked on a multiplication task) or in a homogeneous group (all subjects worked on the maze task). A significant Evaluation by Group Composition interaction was obtained. Under high-evaluative conditions subjects in the mixed condition performed significantly better on the maze task than did subjects on the homogeneous condition, while under low-evaluative conditions, the mixed and homogeneous subjects did not differ in their maze performance. The results were discussed in terms of learned drive theory and incentive motivation.
Overtraining and stimulus change in extra-dimensional shifts

The hypothesis was tested that overtraining would differentially affect extradimensional shifts in which cues do or do not change over the shift transition. No evidence to support this hypothesis was obtained.
Blood Pressure in the Unanesthetized Rat. I

Methods of indirectly determining blood pressure in the rat are reviewed and their drawbacks noted. A new method is described which has the advantage of objectivity and provides permanent graphic record of each determination. The end point used is the reappearance of pulsation in the foot distal to a slowly deflating leg cuff. Application of the method is described and its use compared with tail plethysmography.
Grain boundary segregation in the Ni-base alloy 182

Grain boundary segregation is often considered to play a role in the various types of intergranular failures observed in austenitic alloys. However, there has been little direct study of this segregation because it is usually very difficult to obtain intergranular fracture in these alloys in the high vacuum required for surface analysis. This paper reports an Auger electron spectroscopy study of grain boundary segregation in the nickel-base Alloy 182. This alloy was used because it would easily fracture along its grain boundaries in high vacuum and because it has a very complex microstructure, as do many nickel-base alloys used in engineering applications. Furthermore, the alloy is widely used as a weld filler metal to join nickel-base alloys to one another or to stainless steels. Phosphorus was found to be the only impurity element that segregated to the grain boundaries. There was considerable variability in segregation from grain boundary to grain boundary and also on a single grain facet. It is suggested that these variations arise primarily from variations in grain boundary structure, in the density and types of precipitates in a grain boundary, and in the consequent variety of precipitate matrix interfaces present at the grain boundary. It is also suggested that quantitative Auger analysis on such a material would be very difficult.
Weak antilocalization in a strained InGaAs/InP quantum well structure

Abstract Weak antilocalization (WAL) effect due to the interference corrections to the conductivity has been studied experimentally in a strained InGaAs/InP quantum well structure. From measurements in tilted magnetic filed, it was shown that both weak localization and WAL features depend only on the normal component of the magnetic field. Weak antilocalization effect showed non-monotonous dependence on the gate voltage which could not be explained by either Rashba or Dresselhouse mechanisms of the spin–orbit coupling. To describe magnetic field dependence of the conductivity, it was necessary to assume that spin–orbit scattering time depends on the external magnetic field which quenches the spin precession around effective, spin–orbit related, magnetic fields.
An Algorithmic Approach to Recurrent Lumbar Disk Herniation: Evaluation and Management

Recurrent lumbar disk herniation remains the most common complication following primary or incident lumbar limited or subtotal diskectomy. The approach to the evaluation and management is discussed with an algorithmic approach to decision-making. The vast majority of these cases can be managed nonoperatively. When surgery is indicated, the most commonly required procedure is a revision or repeat lumbar diskectomy, which is reviewed and discussed. Another option to consider when back pain and leg pain predominate in the revision setting is the addition of a fusion. This fusion can be added posterolaterally as an interbody fusion or anteriorly. More recently, total disk arthroplasty, a motion-sparing technology, may be an alternative for the recurrent lumbar disk in which back pain and leg pain predominate. The primary purpose of this article was to explain, present, and use the decision-making process through an algorithmic approach and was the emphasis of this article. The article presents examples for each alternative as well as an algorithmic flow diagram. The indications absolute and relative for repeat lumbar diskectomy are also reviewed.
Monodisperse nickel nanoparticles and their catalysis in hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane.

Monodisperse nickel nanoparticles are prepared from the reduction of Ni(acac)2 with borane tributylamine in the presence of oleylamine and oleic acid. Without any special treatment to remove the surfactants, the as-synthesized Ni nanoparticles supported on the Ketjen carbon support exhibit high catalytic activity in hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of the ammonia−borane (H3NBH3) complex with a total turnover frequency value of 8.8 mol of H2·(mol of Ni)−1·min−1. Such catalysis based on Ni nanoparticles represents a promising step toward the practical development of the H3NBH3 complex as a feasible hydrogen storage medium for fuel cell applications.
Vibrational properties of an adsorbed surface layer on a simple model crystal

Abstract We consider the influence of an adsorbed layer of atoms on the vibrational properties of a simple model crystal. The change in a specific heat and entropy are computer for arbitrary temperatures, assuming the defect layer differs only in mass from the atoms in the bulk crystal. The Montroll-Potts model of latti dynamics is used for this purpose. We also explore the existence of surface modes above the vibrational band of the host matrix for this model, along with in-band resonances and low frequency surfaces modes. The results of the specific heat and entropy calculation are compared with an expansion valid in the high temperature regime.
Short-pulse microwave ionization of Na Rydberg atoms

We have measured the microwave ionization threshold electric fields for ns-state Na Rydberg atoms from n=24--33 as a function of the duration of the ionizing microwave pulse. Pulses as short as 2.8 ns were used, containing fewer than 25 cycles of 8.55-GHz radiation. While the fields required to produce the onset of ionization were independent of pulse duration and exhibited the ${\mathit{n}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}5}$ scaling characteristic of ionization by diffusion through higher-energy states, the fields required to produce nearly complete ionization increased dramatically as the pulse was shortened. Additional measurements of the populations of bound states after the shortest microwave pulses showed that up to \ensuremath{\sim}10% of the atoms were excited to states above the initially populated ns state and the adjacent (n-1) manifold of higher angular momentum states, while most either ionized or remained in these states. From this observation we conclude that the rate-limiting process for ionization is the transition from the initially populated ns states or the adjacent manifold to the next higher manifold, not the diffusion through higher-lying states.
Sudden gains among women receiving treatment for alcohol use disorders

Understanding the timing and types of change during treatment for mental health disorders is an important step toward elucidating possible mechanisms of behaviour change in response to therapeutic interventions, yet these issues have not been adequately addressed in the alcohol dependence treatment literature. The current study applied sudden gains (SGs) methodology, an approach originally developed in depression treatment studies, to a sample of women receiving treatment for alcohol use disorders. SGs are drastic improvements in symptoms that occur between two psychotherapy sessions and are hypothesised to be the result of what occurred in the first of those two sessions. SGs can happen at any time during the course of treatment, can happen more than once, and are individualised, as opposed to aggregated for a sample. For the current study, SGs were examined across three variables: percent drinking days (PDD), urge frequency (UF), and urge intensity (UI) in a sample of 102 women receiving either individual or couple cognitive-behavioural therapy for alcohol use disorders. Results indicated the presence of SGs; one-third of the sample experienced at least one SG in either alcohol use or urges to drink; the most common SGs were in frequency of urges to drink. SGs in urge frequency during treatment predicted better post-treatment drinking outcome.
Two Theories of Translation With Examples From the Gospel of Mark

This essay explores various aspects of two distinct values or understandings of what translation is, using as examples Mk 4:26-29 and 6:17-20. These examples compare six recent English translations to each other and to the Greek text of Nestle. What is called spiritual translation refers to the attempt to capture in the translation the meaninbg of the original text; it affirms that despite their physical differences, languages may be converted into one another without loss of meaning. Literal translation refers to the confrontation of one text by another and to their mutual illumination