cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk factors and solutions for the development of neurobehavioral changes after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Abstract Background. As operative mortality for coronary artery bypass grafting has decreased, greater attention has focused on neurobehavioral complications of coronary artery bypass grafting and cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods. To assess risk factors and to evaluate changes in surgical technique, between 1991 and 1994 we evaluated 395 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with an 11-part neurobehavioral battery administered preoperatively and at 1 and 6 weeks postoperatively. Patients were instrumented with 5-MHz focused continuous-wave carotid Doppler transducers intraoperatively to estimate cerebral microembolism as an instantaneous perturbation of the velocity signal. Microembolism data were quantitated and compared with surgical technical maneuvers during operation and with neurobehavioral deficit (≥20% decline from preoperative performance on two or more neurobehavioral tests) postoperatively. These data and patient demographics were statistically analyzed (χ 2 , t test) and the results at 2 years (1991 and 1992; group A) were used to influence surgical technique in 1993 and 1994 (group B). Results. Significantly associated with new neurobehavioral deficits were increasing patient age ( p p p p p p = not significant). Modifications of surgical technique used in group B patients included increased use of single cross-clamp technique, increased venting of the left ventricle, and application of transesophageal and epiaortic ultrasound scanning to locate and avoid trauma to aortic atherosclerotic plaques. Conclusions. Neurobehavioral changes after coronary artery bypass grafting are common and associated with cerebral microembolization. Surgical technical maneuvers designed to reduce emboli production may improve neurobehavioral outcome. (Ann Thorac Surg 1997;63:1613–8)
Obesity: Implications for Women’s Reproductive Health

Obesity is an epidemic in the developed world. In the U.S., over one-third of women are now obese, with significant adverse consequences for their reproductive and long-term health. Many of these women gain excessive weight in pregnancy and retain it postpartum, with an additive effect across multiple pregnancies. Maternal obesity is associated with an increased risk for miscarriage, congenital anomalies, stillbirth, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and cesarean section. Offspring of obese women are at increased risk for being large for gestational age and may be programmed for obesity and metabolic syndrome, thus perpetuating a cycle of obesity across generations. Certain alterations to routine prenatal care may be necessary for obese women in order to optimize obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Future research priorities should be aimed at understanding the biologic mechanisms underlying the adverse outcomes associated with maternal obesity and at developing effective interventions for this growing high-risk population.
New approaches to the treatment of acute renal failure

At present, the clinician is left in a relatively dependent position when encountering a patient with established acute renal failure (ARF). Clearly, interventional therapies that can significantly influence the process of recovery from ARF are limited. Although a variety of manipulations and drugs will protect against the loss of renal function when administered prior to the initiation of a renal insult, the clinician usually encounters a patient after ARF has been established. Thus, pertubations that will protect against the development of ARF or modify the severity of the renal insult are not applicable. Moreover, it is clear that the mortality and morbidity for patients with ARF is unacceptably high. Although a variety of supportive measures such as peritoneal/hemodialysis or continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration are now applicable to patients of almost any size or weight, patients continue to diewith but perhaps notof ARF. This article will review several new agents that act to enhance the restoration of renal function and result in accelerated recovery of both glomerular and tubular function, following an established acute renal insult: adenine nucleotides, thyroxin, and calcium channel blockers.
Onset of rotating and non-rotating convection in compressible and anelastic ideal gases

A linear stability analysis for compressible convection in a plane layer geometry both with and without the influence of rotation is presented. For the rotating cases we employ the tilted f-plane geometry that allows for varying angles between the rotation and gravity vectors. The stability criteria for compressible and anelastic ideal gases is compared. As expected, the critical parameters for the compressible equations approach those of the anelastic equations as the background stratification approaches the adiabatic (anelastic) limit. For the rotating cases, we observe asymptotic scaling behavior in the critical parameters in both compressible and anelastic fluids as the Taylor number becomes large. In contrast to the incompressible limit, finite tilt angles between the gravity and rotation vectors result in propagating compressible Rossby waves as the most unstable eigenmode and the critical parameters are established for a range of stratification levels and Taylor numbers; all wave orientations are f...
Nanoscale insight into the statics and dynamics of polarization behavior in thin film ferroelectric capacitors

In this study, we review recent advances in PFM studies of micrometer scale ferroelectric capacitors, summarize the experimental PFM-based approach to investigation of fast switching processes, illustrate what information can be obtained from PFM experiments on domains kinetics, and delineate the scaling effect on polarization reversal mechanism. Particular attention is given to PFM studies of mechanical stress effect on polarization stability.
Results of accelerated radiotherapy for supraglottic carcinoma: a Massachusetts General Hospital and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary experience.

Background. Carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx is a relatively common malignancy treated with either surgery, radiotherapy, or a combined approach. Methods. The radiotherapy records of 190 patients with carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx treated at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI) from 1981 to 1992 were reviewed. Of these patients, 164 were available for evaluation for local control and 169 for disease-specific survival. The patients were treated with accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy to 67.2-72 Gy/1.6 Gy per fraction twice a day in 6 weeks. The median follow-up was 56 months. Five-year actuarial local and regional control, relapse-free and overall survival, and voice-preservation rates were analyzed. Results. For T1, T2, T3, and T4 tumors, local control rates were 96%, 86%, 76%, and 43%, respectively (p <.01), and the corresponding relapse-free survival rates were 78%, 82%, 64%, and 40% (p <.01). ). For the patients with NO, N1, and N2-3 disease, local control rates at the primary site were 86%, 74%, and 46%, respectively (p <.01), ), and the corresponding relapse-free survival rates were 79%, 53%, and 39% (p <.01). Including surgical salvage, the ultimate local control rates were 96%, 93%, 88%, and 51%, respectively (p <.01). Voice preservation rate for the entire group was 79% and for T1, T2, T3, and T4 tumors, rates were 96%, 80%, 72%, and 43%, respectively. Conclusions. Our experience with accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy for supraglottic carcinoma showed excellent locoregional control, relapse-free survival, and laryngeal preservation. The radiation toxicity was acceptable. The T and N stages were significant predictors of outcome, and the T4 tumors and node-positive neck disease portended a poor prognosis and therefore should be considered for protocols that include adjuvant therapies.
New money, and old man/lady and ‘Two's company’: Subjective Welfare in the NORC General Social Surveys, 1972–1982

The nine surveys, dozens of variables, and more than ten thousand cases in the NORC General Social Surveys, 1972–1982, allow one to test a variety of cross-sectional and over-time hypotheses about Subjective Welfare (Happiness). I used discrete multivariate analyses to test five hypotheses: (1) the Economist's prediction that Happiness is a function of income; the Sociologist's hypotheses that Happiness is a function of (2) rank on various evaluated dimensions and (3) number of social ties; and the Psychologist's hypotheses that Happiness is affected by (4) social comparisons and (5) adaptation. None of the five is supported impressively, but three variables emerge as good cross-sectional predictors — Race (Blacks are less Happy, but not necessarily because of discrimination), Marital Status (all categories of nonmarried are less happy) and Financial Change (those whose finances are improving are happier, those who finances have turned for the worse are less happy). When Marital Status and Recent Financial Change are used in a year-to-year social indicator model, fluctuations in the predictors produce significant but small changes in Happiness.
Similarity versus familiarity: When empathy becomes selfish

Preston & de Waal conflate familiarity with similarity in their attempt to account for empathy. If distinguished, we may have at hand two different kinds of empathy: egocentric empathy and empathy proper.
The Anonymous Theology of Modern Family

Abstract: The popular television show Modern Family follows sitcom conventions and attempts to send a moral message about how relatives can live well together. An examination of the specific content of this message shows that it prioritizes self-giving love for the sake of forgiveness and reconciliation. This creates a recognizable parallel with the Christian conception of agape, and a discussion of this notion in the work of Karl Rahner in conjunction with his idea of the “anonymous Christian” allows for the identification of Modern Family’s moral vision as an anonymous theology of family ripe with theological significance and pedagogical potential.
Using Active Student‐Centered Learning‐Based Instructional Design to Develop Faculty and Improve Course Design, Delivery, and Evaluation

This paper describes how the Resource‐Enriched Learning Model (RELM), an active student‐centered approach to faculty development and course design, delivery, and evaluation (Lavoie 2001), has been applied to develop an online Master of Science in Accounting Program. With its focus on the processes underlying quality teaching and learning, RELM provides faculty with a skill set learned in the same environment that they ultimately will create for their students. Having experienced active learning firsthand in the online environment, faculty are better prepared to create a similar learning environment for their students.
Electronic structure of metal hydrides. II. Band theory of Sc H 2 and Y H 2

Self-consistent band-structure calculations have been performed for Sc${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ and Y${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ using the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker method. The results indicate a net charge transfer from the metal to the hydrogen site and a concomitant raising of the hydrogen bonding bands relative to those obtained through non-self-conssitent calculations. Comparisons are made between the results of our calculations and the results of optical studies by Weaver, Rosei, and Peterson. Additional calculations were performed in which the Fermi level or band gaps were rigidly shifted by a small energy increment. These calculations were used to simulate the derivative structure obtained in thermomodulation spectra and helped to identify the $k$-space origin of several experimental interband features found in the thermoreflectance of Sc${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ and Y${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$. The experimentally observed, low-energy, stoichiometry-dependent optical features of Y${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$, which had partially inspired our studies, were not interpretable within the framework of our calculations based on the Ca${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ structure in which the hydrogen occupies all of the available tetrahedral sites. Instead, indirect evidence suggests that these low-energy features are associated with partial occupation of octahedral sites.
Analysis of liquid metal MHD flow in multiple adjacent ducts using an iterative method to solve the core flow equations

Abstract A computationally fast and efficient method for analyzing MHD flow at high Hartmann number and interaction parameter is presented and used to analyze a multiple duct geometry. This type of geometry is of practical interest in fusion applications. Because the Hartmann number and interaction parameter are generally large in fusion applications, the inertial and viscous terms in the Navier-Stokes equation can often be neglected in the core flow region, making this equation linear. In addition, because the magnetic fields in a fusion reactor vary slowly and the magnetic Reynolds number is small, the induced magnetic field can be neglected. The resulting equations representing core flow have certain characteristics which make it possible to reduce them to two dimensional without losing the three dimensional characteristics. The method which has been developed is an “iterative” method. A velocity profile is assumed, then Ohm's law and the current conservation equation are combined and used to solve for the potential distribution in a plane in the fluid, and in a surface in the duct wall. The potential variation along magnetic field lines is checked, and if necessary, the velocities are adjusted. This procedure is repeated until the potentials along field lines vary to within a specified error. The analysis of the multiple duct geometry shows the importance of global effects. The results of two basic cases are presented. In the first, the average velocity in each duct is the same, but the wall conductance ratios of the walls perpendicular to the magnetic field vary from duct to duct. The total pressure drop in the electrically connected ducts was greater than or equal to the total pressure drop in the same ducts electrically isolated. In addition, the velocity profile in the ducts can be significantly affected by the presence of neighboring ducts. In the second case, the wall conductance ratios are the same for each duct, but the average velocity varies from duct to duct. The overall pressure drop is the same as if the ducts were electrically isolated, but the velocity profile and side layer flow rate can be very different from the electrically isolated case.
Cell specificity in metabolic activation of aflatoxin B1 and benzo(a)pyrene to mutagens for mammalian cells.

ENVIRONMENTAL chemical carcinogens are usually non-reactive and have to be enzymatically activated before they can manifest their biological effects1–6. Many cell types, including those used for mutagenesis studies, are not capable of activating such procarcinogens; mutagenesis in these cells has been studied by the addition of an enzymatically active liver subcellular fraction7–9. However, these liver subcellular fractions readily activate a wide spectrum of compounds into potent mutagens including those which are not carcinogenic to the liver. In addition subcellular preparations differ from intact cells in the profile of the metabolites10,11 and DNA adducts12,13 formed after metabolism of various potent carcinogens such as aflatoxin B1 (AF), benzo(a)pyrene (BP), and 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene. These results suggest that the use of sub-cellular fractions does not truly simulate the in vivo situation and that it may be advantageous to use intact cells for metabolic activation of chemical carcinogens. Therefore, studies of carcinogen metabolism and mutagenic activity in cultured cells derived from different tissues should more truly reflect the in vivo situation and should also provide insight into the problem of tissue specificity in chemical carcinogenesis. Metabolic activation by intact cells of different carcinogens into intermediates which are mutagenic to mammalian cells has been reported4,14–19. This report compares the abilities of two different cell types, fibroblasts and liver cells derived from rats, to metabolise two carcinogens (BP, a potent skin and lung carcinogen which can also produce fibrosarcomas20, and AF, a potent liver carcinogen21) to water-soluble products, to intermediates which bind to cellular DNA, and to intermediates which are mutagenic to Chinese hamster V79 cells. Ouabain resistance was used as the genetic marker in V79 cells14,22.
Prevalence of Masked Hypertension in African Americans

Masked hypertension (MH), the presence of normal office blood pressure (BP) with elevated ambulatory pressure, has been shown to correlate with organ damage. Population-based studies from Europe and Asia estimate a prevalence of 8.5% to 15.8%. Two small studies in African Americans estimate a prevalence >40%. Therefore, the authors utilized ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) to identify the prevalence of MH in our African American population. Pressure was recorded every 30 minutes while awake and every 60 minutes while asleep. Patients with 24-hour average BP ≥135/85 mm Hg, awake average BP ≥140/90 mm Hg, or asleep average BP ≥125/75 mm Hg had MH. Seventy-three participates had valid data. The mean age of the patients was 49.8 years, mean body mass index was 31.1, and 39 patients (53%) were women. Thirty-three patients (45.2%) had MH. Patients with MH had higher clinic systolic BP and trended toward higher BMI values. The authors corroborated the high prevalence of MH in African Americans. ABPM is critical to diagnose hypertension in African Americans, particularly in those with high-normal clinic pressure and obesity.
Linking Remuneration Practices to Innovation as a Competitive Strategy

Researchers have begun to study the relationships between human resource management practices and other organizational characteristics such as competitive strategy, life cycle and technology. This paper studies the relationship between a particular competitive strategy (innovation) and aspects of remuneration practices. Multivariate analysis using F-tests is applied to examine the relationship across a sample of 156 firms. The results support the hypothesis that an innovation strategy is associated with a particular set of remuneration practices. The broader implications are discussed: Human Resource Managers need to be conscious that appropriate human resource practices should be selected to support the corporate strategy.
Calculation of the quenching rate of O(1S) by O(3P)

Abstract The quenching rate for O( 1 S) by O( 3 P) has been calculated using the O 2 ab initio potential energy curves of Michels. From these calculations, the form for the rate is estimated to be κ = 1.0 × 10 −11 exp(−760 cal/ RT ) cm 3 molec −1 sec −1 .
A LabVIEW-based fast prototyping software defined GPS receiver platform

Software defined radio (SDR) technology has become popular for design and implementation of a versatile, modular, and reconfigurable GPS receivers. SDR receiver developers continuously advance algorithmic and/or hardware accelerator integration solutions. There exists a need in fast prototyping and testing instrumentation to shorten development and redesign cycles. This paper demonstrates an integrated instrumentation platform for GPS signal simulation, testing and development, including fast prototyping hardware solutions.
Bell's theorem, nonseparability, and spacetime individuation in quantum mechanics

We first examine Howard's analysis of the Bell factorizability condition in terms of 'separability' and 'locality' and then consider his claims that the violations of Bell's inequality by the statistical predictions of quantum mechanics should be interpreted in terms of 'nonseparability' rather than 'nonlocality' and that 'nonseparability' implies the failure of spacetime as a principle of individuation for quantum-mechanical systems. We will argue that his argument for the first claim is less than compelling and that any argument for the second claim will be interpretation-dependent and, hence, not generally valid.
Evidence that shock-induced immune suppression is mediated by adrenal hormones and peripheral β-adrenergic receptors

Our previous work has demonstrated that presentations of mild foot-shock to Lewis rats induces a suppression of splenic and peripheral blood lymphocyte responses to nonspecific T-cell mitogens. The present study demonstrated that adrenalectomy prevented the shock-induced suppression of the mitogenic response of peripheral blood T-cells but did not attenuate the suppression of splenic T-cells. Conversely, the beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists, propranolol and nadolol, attenuated the shock-induced suppression of splenic T-cells in a dose-dependent manner but did not attenuate suppression of the blood mitogen response. These data indicate that distinct mechanisms mediate the shock-induced suppression of T-cell responsiveness to mitogens in the spleen and the peripheral blood. The results indicate that the peripheral release of catecholamines is responsible for splenic immune suppression and that adrenal hormones, which do not interact with beta-adrenergic receptors, are responsible for shock-induced suppression of blood mitogenic responses.
Farmer risk assessment for voluntary insecticide reduction

Abstract We develop a theoretical basis for voluntary reduction in insecticide use, and quantify the subjective value farmers place on reducing environmental risk. The indirect utility model is used to quantify the acceptable financial cost of eliminating one insecticide application in return for avoidance of moderate risk to the environment. The mean valuation in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and Ohio, USA, is $8.25 per acre. Acceptable yield loss increases with importance of environmental goods, with formal education and with farming experience. Valuation increases with total expenditure on insecticides up to $89 per acre. Decomposition of the Tobit model used in estimation indicates that voluntary programs should target intensification rather than extensification of participation to maximize effectiveness.
The Age of the Wealden

THE Wealden formation of England has long been studied, and is now well known in nearly all its features. Its stratigraphical relations and its Cretaceous age are usually regarded as fully determined, and this is true, also, of the corresponding strata on the continent.
Axial Changes of Blood and Plasma Flow, Pressure, and Cellular Deposition in Capillary Plasma Filters

The ability to separate plasma on-line from whole blood by membranes has generated interest in applying this process to source plasma collection and to the therapeutic treatment of various disease states. The availability of capillary membrane devices in particular has prompted investigations in these areas. The deposition of blood cellular elements has required the investigation of those parameters related to fluid and mass flux. Analytical solutions relating blood flow rate, filtration rate, and pressure and deposition with respect to axial distance have been obtained. Comparison of these solutions with preliminary experimental results have been made. Results indicate that the deposition parameter versus distance from the inlet is a very sensitive function of capillary membrane properties and operating conditions. Plasma fluxes are also highly dependent on blood, membrane, and filter properties and operating conditions.
Modification of rheological properties of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer by melt-state reactive processing

Abstract Thermotropic main-chain liquid crystalline polymers typically have very low melt viscosity with strong temperature dependence compared to other common thermoplastics. While this is beneficial in some processing applications, such as injection molding, it presents challenges for others, such as coextrusion. In this study, the rheological properties of a thermotropic main-chain liquid crystalline polymer (Vectra A950) were enhanced by melt-state reactive processing with triphenyl phosphite (TPP), which can react with up to three polymer chain-ends through their chain-end functionalities. The influence of processing time and TPP content on the shear viscosity and other important material properties were investigated. Optimal conditions, which increased the shear viscosity by nearly a factor of 20 over the neat polymer, were found to be 4 wt% TPP and 30 min of reaction time at 290 °C. Further results from differential scanning calorimetry, wide-angle X-ray diffraction and polarized optical microscopy confirmed that coupling with TPP did not affect the microstructure, melting/crystallization behavior or liquid crystallinity. The stability of TPP-modified samples was also studied at 80 °C in air and following melt reprocessing at 290–300 °C under N 2 or air. Samples were stable (as measured by shear viscosity) for more than one month at 80 °C in air or when reprocessed in N 2 at 290 °C for up to 10 min. However, when reprocessed at 300 °C in air, the viscosity enhancement was partially reversed due to scission of P–O bonds that were formed during the initial reaction between the polymer chain-ends and TPP.
BUILDRS: an implementation of DR theory and LFG

This paper examines a particular PROLOG implementation of Discourse Representation theory (DR theory) constructed at the University of Texas. The implementation also contains a Lexical Functional Grammar parser that provides f-structures: these f-structures are then translated into the semantic representations posited by DR theory, structures which are known as Discourse Representation Structures (DRSs). Our program handles some linguistically interesting phenomena in English such as (i) scope ambiguities of singular quantifiers, (ii) functional control phenomena, and (iii) long distance dependencies. Finally, we have implemented an algorithm for anaphora resolution. Our goal is to use purely linguistically available information in constructing a semantic representation of discourse as far as is feasible and to forego appeals to world knowledge.
A Simplification of Root Valuation Data for Classical Groups

We study the root valuation strata of the adjoint quotient of the Lie algebra of a connected reductive group G over the field of complex numbers. Given a fixed maximal torus T of G and the corresponding Weyl group W each root valuation stratum corresponds to a pair (w,r) of an element w in W and a rational-valued function r on the set R of roots of T in G. We address the following question posed in a joint paper by Goresky, Kottwitz, and MacPherson. Suppose that for w,w′ in W and a rational-valued function r on R the two root valuation strata corresponding to (w,r) and (w′,r), respectively, are non-empty. Is it true that w and w′ are conjugate in W (more precisely, in the stabilizer of r in W)? Goresky, Kottwitz, and MacPherson show that the answer is positive if r is a constant function. We show that the answer is positive for an arbitrary r if G is of classical type.
U.S. economic aid allocation: The quest for cumulation

Since the late sixties foreign policy analysts have used quantitative methods to estimate the effects of variables hypothesized to have affected US bilateral economic aid decisions. Unfortunately, as of yet, a cumulation of knowledge on the economic assistance phenomenon has not been widely acknowledged by researchers in the field. In this study the findings of past multivariate studies of economic aid will be compiled and examined, and cumulation will be identified. Once this task is completed two prescriptions will be offered to foreign policy researchers, in the hope that progress toward understanding of foreign aid decisions will occur at a swifter pace in the future.
Turbulence Modeling of Flows over Circular Spillways

To predict the characteristics of flows over circular spillways, a turbulence model based on the Reynolds stress model (RSM) is presented. Circular spillways are used to regulate water levels in re...
Computer-Generated Hologram Design For A Magneto-Optic Spatial Light Modulator

A magneto-optic spatial light modulator (MOSLM) has been proposed for use as a Fourier plane filter in a coherent optical correlator. Its binary nature and limited, presently small, space-bandwidth product constrain any filter design. Although binary quantization allows a maximum number of Fourier values to be coded, quantization and reconstruction error is high except in a few cases. To reduce these errors, a cell-oriented binary coding technique, the delayed-sample method, is used. Three cell sizes are considered: 2 x 1 pixels, 3 x 1 pixels, and 4 x 1 pixels. Through coding, a 2 x 1 cell can realize three real values {-1,0,1} as opposed to only two {4,1} for binary quantization; however, there is a trade-off in the number of Fourier values that can be coded. For a 2 x 1 cell the number is reduced by one-half. A 3 x 1 cell can realize seven complex values, but with a one-third reduction in the number of coded Fourier values. Finally, a 4 x 1 cell is capable of realizing nine complex values with a one-fourth reduction in the number of coded values. The trade-off between quantization error and number of Fourier values coded is examined qualitatively using a 128 x 128 MOSLM. Reconstructions from coding using different cell sizes are compared to reconstructions from binary quantization. In addition to coding, hologram replication is used to improve reconstruction error. Sampling issues relating to the size of the filter response are also discussed.
Quantum fluctuations in gravitational collapse and cosmology

It is shown that the conformal degrees of freedom in the metric tensor can be quantized and that this procedure leads to fluctuations around the solutions of the classical Einstein field equations. These fluctuations become progressively more important as the classical solution approaches the space-time singularity. An explicit calculation is given of the quantum mechanical propagator which describes the conformal fluctuations in a collapsing homogeneous ball of dust. As the state of classical singularity is approached the quantum uncertainty diverges. Within the range of quantum uncertainty non-singular final states are possible. The solution can also be applied to the Friedmann models with the conclusion that the Universe need not have originated in a unique classical big bang. Non-singular models or models without particle horizons are permitted within the range of the quantum uncertainty.
Why scientists cover up fraud.

Sir John Madox (Nature 350, 269; 1991) asks why a scientist like David Baltimore should have so vigorously defended what has now proved to be a false position. Philip Weiss raises an even broader issue in his article on scientific fraud (Ney York Times Magazine 29 October 1989), namely why "no one who was equipped to wanted to get to the truth of the matter..."
HIV status disclosure and partner discordance: a public health dilemma

Before the advent of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), illnesses generally fitted into Parsons’ sick role model, defined as a form of deviant behaviour in which the patient has motivation to become and remain ill.1 Ross2 noted that for stigma-associated conditions like sexually transmitted diseases, classic models of illness behaviour did not apply. Observed patterns of HIV status disclosure and therefore assumption of the sick role tend to support Ross’s view. Studies conducted on the subject indicate that HIV status disclosure is not a random event. A study on parents’ disclosure patterns to their children revealed that mothers disclosed more often to their daughters than their sons. The study further established that disclosure was significantly more common among parents with poor health and stressful live events.3 HIV status disclosure is complicated further by the phenomenon of partner discordance, which makes disclosure to sexual partners much more difficult. In a poster exhibited at the 39th Annual Meeting of the Infectious Disease Society of America, a strong case was made for HIV status disclosure to sexual partners. It was argued that sexual partners of HIV-infected individuals are a population at high risk for HIV acquisition. Any efforts to prevent transmission within that specific population will have a much quicker ‘pay-off’ than anything that may be done within the general public, and part of these efforts should involve HIV status disclosure to sexual partners. The current paper reports the results of a study conducted in Houston, Texas, USA on a sample of 80 HIV-positive pregnant women. The study assessed HIV status disclosure patterns, partner’s HIV status, patterns of social support breakdown following HIV status disclosure, and patterns of social support breakdown relative to partner’s HIV status.
Anesthetic protection of neurons injured by hypothermia and rewarming: roles of intracellular Ca2+ and excitotoxicity.

Background Mild hypothermia is neuroprotective after cerebral ischemia but surgery involving profound hypothermia (PH, temperature less than 18°C) is associated with neurologic complications. Rewarming (RW) from PH injures hippocampal neurons by glutamate excitotoxicity, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, and intracellular calcium. Because neurons are protected from hypoxia-ischemia by anesthetic agents that inhibit N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptors, we tested whether anesthetics protect neurons from damage caused by PH/RW. Methods Organotypic cultures of rat hippocampus were used to model PH/RW injury, with hypothermia at 4°C followed by RW to 37°C and assessment of cell death 1 or 24 h later. Cell death and intracellular Ca were assessed with fluorescent dye imaging and histology. Anesthetic agents were present in the culture media during PH and RW or only RW. Results Injury to hippocampal CA1, CA3, and dentate neurons after PH and RW involved cell swelling, cell rupture, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) loss; this injury was similar for 4 through 10 h of PH. Isoflurane (1% and 2%), sevoflurane (3%) and xenon (60%) reduced cell loss but propofol (3 μM) and pentobarbital (100 μM) did not. Isoflurane protection involved reduction in N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated Ca influx during RW but did not involve γ-amino butyric acid receptors or KATP channels. However, cell death increased over the next day. Conclusion Anesthetic protection of neurons rewarmed from 4°C involves suppression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated Ca overload in neurons undergoing ATP loss and excitotoxicity. Unlike during hypoxia/ischemia, anesthetic agents acting predominantly on γ-aminobutyric acid receptors do not protect against PH/RW. The durability of anesthetic protection against cold injury may be limited.
TOTAL SYNTHESIS OF 17,17,18,18-D4-IPF2ALPHA -VI AND QUANTIFICATION OF IPF2ALPHA -VI IN HUMAN URINE BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY/MASS SPECTROMETRY

Isoprostanes are a new class of natural products formed in humans as a result of free-radical-catalyzed lipid peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. These endogenous compounds are isomeric with biologically active prostaglandins and have great promise as markers of oxidant stressin vivo.iPF2α-III (previously 8-iso-PGF2α), an isoprostane from Class III (previously known as Class IV), has been used as an index of free-radical-induced oxidative stress. This isoprostane is also produced by the cyclooxygenase enzymes COX1 and COX2. We are proposing a new reliable index of oxidative stress based on iPF2α-VI (previously IPF2α-I), a new Class VI isoprostane we recently discovered. The advantages of iPF2α-VI are that it is several fold more abundant in urine than iPF2α-III, hence allowing more accurate determinations. Equally, the proximity of the C-5 OH function to the carboxylic acid allows the formation of the lactone 35 which is easier to purify from other iPs which cannot form such lactones. We have performed the first total synthesis of d4-iPF2α-VI by using two synthons, (3,3,4,4-d4)-hexylphosphonium bromide 23 prepared from 5-hexynol andsyn-anti-synlactone 25 synthesized fromd-glucose. We have developed two variants of a sensitive GC/MS assay using the synthetic d4-iPF2α-VI as an internal standard to determine the levels of endogenous iPF2α-VI in biological fluids. Quantification of iPF2α-VI formedin vivomay be a more reliable index to assess oxidant stress in humans.
Prenatal nicotine exposure impairs beta-adrenergic function: persistent chronotropic subsensitivity despite recovery from deficits in receptor binding.

Abstract Gestational exposure to nicotine has been shown to interfere with biochemical markers of development of central and peripheral noradrenergic activity. The current study examines the development and function of cardiac β-adrenergic receptors in the offspring of pregnant rats given nicotine infusions of 6 mg/kg/day from gestational days 4 through 20, administered by subcutaneously implanted osmotic minipumps. Prenatal nicotine exposure delayed the development of β-adrenergic receptor binding capabilities, as assessed with [125I]pindolol in membrane preparations from heart and kidney. The deficits in receptor binding were associated with marked subsensitivity of chronotropic responses to administration of a β-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol. Although the effects on receptor binding resolved after weaning, functional deficiencies in responsiveness to isoproterenol or to preganglionic electrical stimulation of sympathetic nerves to the heart persisted into adulthood. These results indicate that prenatal exposure to nicotine produces long-term alterations in adrenergic responsiveness of sympathetic target tissues.
Light Scattering in Terms of Oscillator Strengths and Refractive Indices

Quantum-mechanical expressions for nonresonance-dipole light-scattering cross sections are related to corresponding expressions for oscillator strengths and refractive indices. In particular, Rayleigh and Raman cross sections for atoms are expressed in terms of oscillator strengths and vector-coupling coefficients. Several of our results, including the relationship between Rayleigh scattering and refractive index, differ in general from the corresponding results of classical dispersion theory. We show that these differences arise from antisymmetric components Ckja = (Ckj − Cjk)/2 of the polarizability tensor, which have been neglected in the classical analyses. Calculated Rayleigh cross sections for cesium and aluminum atoms, and Raman cross sections for aluminum atoms are presented to illustrate our results. The antisymmetric contribution is found to be substantial in all of these cross sections; its most obvious effect is to cause the depolarization (for linearly polarized incident light) to exceed 34 over extended wavelength ranges away from resonance. On the other hand, for atoms initially in states of zero angular momentum, and molecules under conditions which allow the use of Placzek’s polarizability approximation, our results agree with those of classical dispersion theory.
A comparative study of numerical advection schemes featuring a one-step modified WKL algorithm

Abstract A fourth-order Crowley-type advection scheme based on the multistep Warming-Kutler-Lomax (WKL) scheme is proposed in this study. This scheme utilizes a free parameter to minimize dispersion and dissipation and can be used to represent the advection of positive-definite scalars (such as moisture). Linear Fourier component analyses indicate that the fourth-order Crowley-type scheme can reproduce the features of other modified Crowley-type schemes of third order, such as the scheme of Schlesinger and the quadratic upstream interpolation. Using the free parameter, the scheme may illustrate the limitation of the Crowley-type schemes for which diffusion is required for numerical stability of advective quantity. For these schemes, formulations that preserve amplitude are inevitably associated with smaller time steps. Adding the first cross-space term into these schemes could eliminate marginal instability or overshooting in linear advection. Linear and nonlinear advection tests show that the performance...
Nighttime D region electron density profiles and variabilities inferred from broadband measurements using VLF radio emissions from lightning

[1] Lightning discharges radiate most of their electromagnetic energy in the very low frequency (VLF, 3–30 kHz) and extremely low frequency (ELF, 3–3000 Hz) bands and are, consequently, an effective tool for remotely sensing the nighttime ionospheric D region electron density profile. Using broadband lightning-generated VLF signals, we derived the night-to-night variations of the midlatitude ionospheric D region electron density profiles. For 16 nights, between 1 July and 4 August 2004, we examined measured VLF data from lightning occurring near the United States east coast (∼530–860 km away from Duke University) and received at Duke University from 0400 to 0600 UT. From these observed VLF radio atmospherics (sferics), we extracted the nighttime D region electron density profiles covering the range of electron densities from 100 to 103 cm−3, in the altitude range of approximately 70–95 km, using a two-dimensional, laterally homogenous model of VLF propagation in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide. The inferred electron density profile variabilities were in good agreement with those from past nighttime rocket experiments at similar latitudes. Using the rocket-measured profiles in our propagation simulations, we determined that the two-parameter exponential D region electron density profiles we inferred were the best exponential fit, in the electron density range of ∼3 to ∼500 cm−3, to the rocket-measured D region electron density profiles. In an initial effort to determine the sources of the observed variabilities, we compared the SAMPEX precipitating electron measurements to the electron density profiles inferred during July 2000. The results indicate that high-energy electron precipitation might account for at least part of the night-to-night variations of the D region electron densities at the midlatitudes.
Renal embolization as an alternative to surgical nephrectomy in children.

Purpose. Complete renal embolization may be an alternative to surgical nephrectomy. The indications for renal embolization do not differ from those for surgical nephrectomy, but the less invasive nature of the technique is a major advantage. Few case reports are available in the pediatric age group. Our experience showed that complete renal embolization was feasible in pediatric patients with results comparable to those obtained in adults. Materials and Methods. Twelve pediatric patients underwent 14 renal embolizations. The indications for embolization were as follows: (1) severe hypertension in 7 patients with end-stage renal failure; in these cases, a unilateral native nephrectomy was recommended prior to renal transplantation; (2) end-stage hydronephrosis in 3 patients with moderate hypertension or recurrent urinary infection; (3) nephrotic syndrome in 1 patient; or (4) ablation of an irreversibly rejected renal allograft in 1 patient. The embolization was performed under epidural anesthesia in 10 patients and under general anesthesia in 2 patients, by means of a polyvinyl alcohol injection with hemostatic gelatin powder and placement of coils. Postembolization course was followed. Results. The embolization was successful in all 12 patients. In 1 patient, the procedure had to be repeated as a small accessory artery had revascularized the upper pole. In another patient, the procedure was bilateral in 2 separate sessions. In 10 patients, severe flank pain required narcotic analgesia. Two patients had fever. None had hypertension peaks. Median hospital stay was 4 days. At mean follow-up of 16 months, the results were stable. Conclusion. Renal embolization can avoid surgical nephrectomy also in pediatric patients. The advantages are less morbidity and shorter hospital stay. Our results in the short and medium term were equal to those of surgical removal. The procedure appeared to be safe and minimally invasive.
New evidence for a subshell gap at N=32

Abstract An 879.9(2) keV γ -ray transition has been identified following the β decay of 58 V and assigned as the 2 + 1 →0 + 1 transition in 58 Cr 34 . A peak in the energies of the first excited 2 + states for the even–even chromium isotopes is now evident at 56 Cr 32 , providing empirical evidence for a significant subshell gap at N =32. The appearance of this neutron subshell closure for neutron-rich nuclides may be attributed to the diminished π 1 f 7/2 – ν 1 f 5/2 monopole proton–neutron interaction as protons are removed from the 1 f 7/2 single-particle orbital.
Spongy degeneration of the central nervous system (van Bogaert-Bertrand type?) in a newborn infant. A light and electron microscopic study.

Autopsy findings on a 5 day old infant with hypotonia from birth showed extensive spongy changes of the myelinating tracts within the cerebrum, cerebellum and brain stem. The spongy changes, similar to Van Bogaert-Bertrand disease, resulted from intramyelinic edema. However, unlike the typical forms of this disease, swollen astrocytes with abnormal mitochondria were not found. The relationship of this case to typical forms of Van Bogaert-Bertrand disease is discussed. This case may represent a very early from of Van Bogaert-Bertrand disease or a new pathologic entity.
Effect of Hardness of Plastic Fat on Structure and Material Properties of Fish Protein Gels

Textural modification of fish protein gels by incorporation of plastic fat was investigated by examining the effect of the physical properties of fat on the structure and the material properties of protein gels. Material properties of fat-containing protein gels were influenced largely by fat distribution pattern which was, in turn, affected by fat hardness. Both compressive and shear forces reached their maximum when fat of 1.8 cm–1 hardness index (HI) was added at a level of 15% (fat/muscle). Addition of medium hard fat (0.54–0.78 cm–1 HI): (1) prevented a sponge-like texture development by improving freeze-thaw stability; (2) increased plastic deformation, thus making cooked gels less rubbery; (3) overcame the weakening of texture caused by cooking at the critical zone (60–70°C); and, (4) minimized the variations in textural strength resulting from cooking.
Dermatology: Positioned for Health Care Reform

Dermatologic services will of necessity be a fundamental part of any quality, cost-conscious health care system because (1) we treat medically necessary and economically significant diseases, (2) our area of expertise includes a distinct body of medical knowledge over which no other health professional has comparable expertise, and (3) our services are provided in a cost-effective manner.