cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surgeon Positioning During Awake Laryngeal Surgery: An Ergonomic Analysis

OBJECTIVES While it is acknowledged that otolaryngologists performing microlaryngeal surgery can develop musculoskeletal symptoms due to suboptimal body positioning relative to the patient, flexible laryngoscopy and awake laryngeal surgeries (ALSs) can also pose ergonomic risk. This prospective study measured the effects of posture during ergonomically good and bad positions during laryngoscopy using ergonomic analysis, skin-surface electromyography (EMG), and self-reported pain ratings. STUDY DESIGN Prospective cohort study. METHODS Eight participants trained in laryngoscopy assumed four ergonomically distinct standing positions (side/near, side/far, front/near, front/far) at three different heights (neutral-top of patient's head in line with examiner's shoulder, high-6 inches above neutral, and low-6 inches below neutral) in relation to a simulated patient. Participants' postures were analyzed using the validated Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA, 1 [best] to 7 [worst]) tool for the 12 positions. Participants then simulated ALS for 10 minutes in a bad position (low-side-far) and a good position (neutral-front-near) with 12 EMG sensors positioned on the limbs and torso. RESULTS The position with the worst RULA score was the side/near/high (7.0), and the best was the front/near/neutral (4.5). EMG measurements revealed significant differences between simulated surgery in the bad and good positions, with bad position eliciting an average of 206% greater EMG root-mean-squared magnitude across all sampled muscles compared to the good posture (paired t-test, df = 7, P < .01), consistent with self-reported fatigue/pain when positioned poorly. CONCLUSION Quantitative and qualitative measurements demonstrate the impact of surgeon posture during simulated laryngoscopy and suggest ergonomically beneficial posture that should facilitate ALSs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3 Laryngoscope, 131:2752-2758, 2021.
Levels of Aspiration of High- and Low-Skilled Boys

Abstract The stated levels of aspirations (L/A's) of high-skilled and low-skilled boys were examined to determine if they differed under prearranged conditions of failure in a simple motor task. Subjects were selected on the basis of their performances on a modified form of the Iowa Brace test. The motor task consisted of moving small blocks from one board to another. Preceding each of three trials, the subjct stated how many blocks he reasonably thought he could move in the succeeding 30-second trial. After a universal performance level was established, failure was induced by systematically stopping the subject before he attained his L/A. A 2×3 factorial design with repeated measures on the second-factor was employed. Analysis of variance indicated that the main effects of skill level and trials were significant at the .05 level. Analysis of simple effects indicated that the L/A's of the high- and low-skilled groups differed significantly only on the third trial (p = .05) and that failure had a significa...
Macromolecular synthesis in cells infected by frog virus 3. II. Evidence for post-transcriptional control of a viral structural protein.

Abstract A viral structural protein, VSP 13, is synthesized in maximum amounts early during frog virus 3 (FV 3) infection of fathead minnow (FHM) cells. As the infection progresses, the rate of VSP 13 synthesis declines, reaching a minimum level at 8–9 hr after the start of infection. The regulation of this variable synthesis was investigated in FHM cells infected at different temperatures with either wild-type FV 3 or an FV 3 temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant. In cells infected with wild-type virus at 34° (nonpermissive) or with ts 3674 at 30° (nonpermissive), the rate of VSP 13 synthesis remained high as the infectious cycle progressed. This was in sharp contrast to the decreased synthesis observed after the early phase of permissive infection. Similar results were obtained with wild-type FV 3 in the absence of viral DNA replication. Since both wild-type FV 3 at 34° and ts 3674 at 30° made functional DNA, synthesis of viral DNA was not in itself responsible for the lack of regulation of VSP 13 synthesis. Temperature shifts (nonpermissive to permissive) late in infection resulted in a rapid reduction of VSP 13 synthesis in cells infected with either wild-type or ts 3674. Similar data were obtained when viral RNA synthesis was inhibited by actinomycin D under the same experimental conditions. This result is consistent with transcription not playing an active role in control of VSP 13 synthesis late in infection. The evidence presented, therefore, suggests that under permissive conditions mRNA for VSP 13 is synthesized both early and late during infection but is maximally translated early. At later stages, translation of the mRNA is apparently inhibited by a viral regulatory protein that functions at the post-transcriptional level.
The Creation of the CFPB (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) in 2012. Create a Sound Economic Foundation to Grow, Jobs and Protection of Consumers in the USA

Creates a single point of accountability in The Federal Government for consumer financial protection. A. General Discussion The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB” or “Bureau”) was established under “Title X of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act ("Dodd-Frank Act"). To create a single point of accountability in the federal government for consumer financial protection,” “the Dodd-Frank Act consolidated many of the consumer financial protection authorities previously shared by seven federal agencies into the CFPB and provided the Bureau with additional authorities to: Conduct rulemaking, supervision and enforcement with respect to the Federal consumer financial laws; Handle consumer complaints and inquiries; Promote financial education; Research consumer behavior; and, Monitor financial markets for risks to consumers.” “The Bureau performs its work through six Divisions, described below: Supervision, Enforcement, and Fair Lending Ensures compliance with” Federal consumer financial laws by supervising market participants and bringing enforcement actions when appropriate.Research, Markets, and Regulations: Responsible for understanding consumer financial markets and consumer behavior, evaluating whether there is a need for regulation, and determining the costs and benefits of potential or existing regulations.Consumer Education and Engagement: Provides, through a variety of initiatives and methods, information to consumers that will allow them to make decisions that are best for them. Consumer education is a central mission of the Bureau.” “The Bureau is developing targeted outreach to groups that face particular challenges, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act.”Legal Division: Responsible for the Bureau’s compliance with all applicable laws and provides advice to the Director and the Bureau’s divisions.External Affairs manages the Bureau’s relationships with external stakeholders and ensures that the Bureau maintains robust dialogue with interested stakeholders to promote understanding, transparency, and accountability.Operations Builds and sustains the CFPB’s operational infrastructure to support the entire organization. The division also includes the Office of Consumer Response, which handles consumer complaints and inquiries related to consumer financial products and services. The CFPB is a 21st century agency that helps consumer finance markets work by making rules more effective, by consistently and fairly enforcing those rules, and by empowering consumers to take more control over their economic lives.
Behavioral detection in the maritime domain

The maritime domain is important to the security, prosperity and vital interests of the global community. In order to protect these interests, governments require capabilities that provide situational awareness of the maritime domain. In [11] a spatiotemporal analysis approach is proposed that autonomously analyzes and classifies ship movement and possible intent at sea. The analysis focuses on detection of vessels of interest that exhibit one behavior, paralleling or following behavior. In this paper, we extend this approach by proposing a generalized semantic method that enables consideration of other behaviors of interest. Additionally we conduct a series of simulations using simulated and real AIS data to assess the performance of the algorithm to variation in behavior thresholds.
Preliminary Study of Caregiving and Post-Caregiving Experiences of Older Gay Men and Lesbians

Summary This qualitative study expands the existing family care-giving model to include the unique experiences of older gay men and lesbians caring for chronically ill, same-sex partners. In-depth interviews of four caregivers focused on the strains and positive aspects involved in caregiving and following the cessation of care. The analysis of preliminary interviews revealed that respondents had similar experiences as those in previous caregiving studies (including physical, financial and emotional strains). The unique aspects of their experiences, however, involved interactions with formal and informal support persons, attitudes towards helping professionals, disclosure of the relationship, and long-term planning and decision-making.
Pooling: An experimental study of alternative testing and estimation procedures in a two-way error component model

Abstract This paper considers a two-way error component model with no lagged dependent variable and investigates the performance of various testing and estimation procedures applied to this model by means of Monte Carlo experiments. The following results were found: (1) The Chow-test performed poorly in testing the stability of cross-section regressions over time and in testing the stability of time-series regression across regions. (2) The Roy-Zellner test performed well and is recommended for testing the poolability of the data. (3) The Hausman specification test, employed to test the orthogonality assumption, gave a low frequency of Type I errors. (4) The Lagrange multiplier test, employed to test for zero variance components, did well except in cases where it was badly needed. (5) The problem of negative estimates of the variance components was found to be more serious in the two-way model than in the one-way model. However, replacing the negative variance estimates by zero did not have a serious effect on the performance of the second-round GLS estimates of the regression coefficients. (6) As in the one-way model, all the two-stage estimation methods performed reasonably well. (7) Better estimates of the variance components did not necessarily lead to better second-round GLS estimates of the regression coefficients.
Control of electromagnetic radiation in digital circuits

When there is current flow, there is a potential for a problem. The more current that flows, the greater the potential for a problem. One thing that has repeatedly been shown to have beneficial effects is to limit the current flow when buffers switch. That is, be careful not to have shoot through currents. Limit the use of high speed clocks when ever possible and then use only the strongest buffers necessary to perform the intended function. Resist every urge to over design a product. Extra speed that you do not use will cause a problem in emissions that will have to be dealt with. There is essentially no such thing as economically cleaning up emissions from a noisy board or chip design. In designing electronics, the only good emissions are the ones that never great created.
Implementation of a battery management and protection system for high power pulsed applications

High power pulsed systems often require high current 3-phase electrical service or large generators to meet prime power requirements, limiting the portability of the systems. A high power battery system offers a useful alternative for mobile applications. Of all battery chemistries, Lithium-ion polymer (LiPo) has become popular in consumer electronics due to its high energy density, low self-discharge rate and lack of memory. Unfortunately, the chemistry still has limitations. Overcharging or overheating of a LiPo cell may result in ignition and over-discharge can destroy the cell. To prevent these hazards, overcharge and undercharge conditions must be monitored at the cell level rather than the battery level because the charge and discharge efficiency varies from cell to cell causing cell voltages within a battery to diverge during normal operation. A battery management system designed to monitor and maintain a large battery designed for pulsed power applications is presented in this poster. The design of this battery management system is presented and its implementation in a multi-cell, high voltage battery capable of high current pulsed operation. A hazard analysis of high power batteries and the implemented safety system is also provided.
Ractopamine Increases Total and Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis in Cultured Rat Myotubes

The ability of the phenethanolamine (beta-adrenergic agonist) ractopamine to stimulate cellular protein accretion and protein synthesis in cultured muscle cells was evaluated. ELC5 myoblasts (a subclone of rat L6 cells) were proliferated in culture (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium plus 10% fetal bovine serum at 37 degrees C) to confluency and then allowed to differentiate to form myotubes. Myotubes were then further incubated in the presence of 10(-9), 10(-8), 10(-7), 10(-6) or 10(-5) mol/L ractopamine. A significant (p less than 0.05) response in cellular protein accretion was observed for the 10(-6) and 10(-5) concentrations when compared to 10(-8) and 10(-9) mol/L ractopamine. Ractopamine at 0 and 10(-6) mol/L was used to examine the effect of the beta agonist on [35S]methionine incorporation (protein synthesis) into total cellular protein, 43-kDa proteins and myosin heavy-chain (200 kDa) protein. Protein synthesis in response to beta agonist treatment was measured at 4, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after ractopamine addition to the ELC5 myotubes in culture. Ractopamine (10(-6) mol/L) increased [35S]methionine incorporation (apparent protein synthesis) at 24 h (p less than 0.01), 48 h (p less than 0.05), 72 h (p less than 0.01) and 96 h (p less than 0.05) in cultured ELC5 muscle cells. Ractopamine also increased apparent protein synthesis rate of the 43-kDa proteins (p less than 0.05) and myosin heavy-chain protein (200 kDa) (p less than 0.05). These results indicate that ractopamine-enhanced ELC5 myotube protein accretion is mediated, at least in part, by stimulating cellular protein synthesis.
Impact of in vitro gallium arsenide exposure on macrophages

Abstract The semiconductor gallium arsenide (GaAs) is classified as an immunotoxicant and a carcinogen. We previously showed that GaAs in vivo induces several phenotypic changes in macrophages located at the exposure site, indicative of an activated state. These physiological alterations may be a primary or secondary consequence of chemical exposure. To discern primary influences, our current study examined the in vitro effects of the chemical on macrophage cell lines and murine peritoneal macrophages. GaAs augmented cathepsins L and B proteolytic activities in all three sources of macrophages. Expression of the two mature isoforms of invariant chain and its cleavage fragment was also significantly increased, indicating that the chemical directly affects macrophages. However, GaAs did not alter the overall cell surface expression of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules on macrophages nor influence their ability to stimulate antigen-specific helper T cell hybridomas to respond to intact antigens that require processing. These findings raise the possibility that the chemical’s complete in vivo impact may involve cytokines. Further, GaAs in vitro enhanced steady-state cathepsin L protein, and cathepsins L and B mRNA expression in macrophages, indicating that GaAs may alter gene expression, which may contribute to the chemical’s adverse biological effects.
TRAIL resistance results in cancer progression: a TRAIL to perdition?

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL, APO-2L) is a mediator of cell death that preferentially targets cancer cells. The potential of TRAIL as a chemotherapeutic agent is limited, however, because of the emergence of TRAIL resistance. Furthermore, recent studies have demonstrated that alternative TRAIL signaling is unmasked in TRAIL resistant cells. In these cells, the predominant effect of TRAIL receptor activation is the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), which promotes tumor metastases and invasion. TRAIL resistance can occur at the level of the death inducing signaling complex via upregulation of cFLIP or via an increase in antiapoptotic proteins of the Bcl-2 family. A paradigm emerges from this information, that chemotherapy, targeting NF-κB, cFLIP, or antiapoptotic proteins of the Bcl-2 family, in combination with TRAIL maybe more rational than TRAIL therapy alone.
Proton Environments in Hydrous Aluminosilicate Glasses: A 1H MAS, 1H/27Al, and 1H/23Na TRAPDOR NMR Study

Hydrous aluminosilicate glasses of composition NaAlSi8O18, NaAlSi3O8, NaAlSi2O6, and NaAlSiO4 have been studied with 1H MAS, and 1H/27Al, and 1H/23Na TRAPDOR NMR spectroscopy. Two different environments for molecular water were identified. Three 1H OH resonances (1.5, ca. 3.5, and 5−6 ppm) are observed in all the glasses. The resonance at 1.5 ppm shows a large 1H−27Al dipolar coupling and is assigned an Al(Q3)−OH group; the concentration of this species increases with increasing Al content in the glass. The resonance at ca. 3.5 ppm is assigned to Si(Q3)−OH units, on the basis of its chemical shift, proximity to Na and Al, and the change in the relative intensity of the three resonances, with varying Al/Si ratio. The resonance at 5−6 ppm is assigned to a Q3−OH unit that is hydrogen bonded to another oxygen atom. These assignments imply that the aluminosilicate framework undergoes depolymerization as an outcome of water dissolution.
The strength of meteoric echoes from dense columns

Abstract Calculations of the strength of the echoes from dense meteoric ionization columns have been made in the past by assuming that the trails behave like perfectly reflecting cylinders of that radius for which the refractive index is zero. It is shown that this procedure neglects the defocusing effect of refraction at greater radii. A general formula is obtained for the effect of refraction on echo strength. The maximum power returned from a large dense Gaussian distribution of ionization is found to be only 70 per cent of that assumed previously.
Monitoring, enforcement, and the choice of environmental policy instruments

How to choose among the dozen policy instruments available to environmental management agencies has been a matter of concern and debate among environmental economists for the entire life of the profession – nearly four decades. The ability, or lack of it, to measure the quantities or observe the actions made "enforceable" by particular policy instruments ought clearly to be central to this choice. However, all too often the monitoring problem has been assumed away. When it is reintroduced in realistic forms, we find, not surprisingly, that some favorite policy instruments, such as pollution charges, are not applicable to some important problems, such as runoff pollution from farms; that marginal subsidies, by changing the burden of proof, may no longer be symmetric with charges; and that the apparent freedom from monitoring requirements of the newly fashionable instrument involving the public provision of information about firms or products is "paid for" by our inability to say anything about its performance on other dimensions that are also of interest.
Bridging the Gap: A School Based Staff Development Model that Bridges the Gap from Research to Practice

Previous research suggests that without on going support teachers do not successfully implement instructional strategies learned during inservice training. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Research Lead Teacher model in providing support to general education teachers who were learning and implementing a strategy instruction process in their classrooms. Participants included 18, K-5 general education teachers. The Benchmark School's 15-step process of strategy instruction was delivered under two conditions. The first was a traditional $$ day inservice and the 2nd was the $$ day traditional inservice plus the RLT model which included an ongoing teacher study group, coaching, observation, and data based feedback. The design was a time series experiment with an intervention and a control group. The findings of this study suggest that a comprehensive school based staff development model such as the RLT model will assist general education teachers in fully implementing a strate...
Renormalization-group-improved unitarity bounds on the Higgs-boson and top-quark masses.

A renormalization-group-improved perturbative unitarity bound for elastic scattering amplitudes is proposed. This prescription leads to upper bounds on the Higgs boson and top-quark masses as a function of the energy at which perturbative unitarity is violated and new physics enters. Upper bounds on the scale of new physics in models with no Higgs boson are also discussed.
Gene expression, single nucleotide variant and fusion transcript discovery in archival material from breast tumors.

Advantages of RNA-Seq over array based platforms are quantitative gene expression and discovery of expressed single nucleotide variants (eSNVs) and fusion transcripts from a single platform, but the sensitivity for each of these characteristics is unknown. We measured gene expression in a set of manually degraded RNAs, nine pairs of matched fresh-frozen, and FFPE RNA isolated from breast tumor with the hybridization based, NanoString nCounter (226 gene panel) and with whole transcriptome RNA-Seq using RiboZeroGold ScriptSeq V2 library preparation kits. We performed correlation analyses of gene expression between samples and across platforms. We then specifically assessed whole transcriptome expression of lincRNA and discovery of eSNVs and fusion transcripts in the FFPE RNA-Seq data. For gene expression in the manually degraded samples, we observed Pearson correlations of >0.94 and >0.80 with NanoString and ScriptSeq protocols, respectively. Gene expression data for matched fresh-frozen and FFPE samples yielded mean Pearson correlations of 0.874 and 0.783 for NanoString (226 genes) and ScriptSeq whole transcriptome protocols respectively, p<2x10-16. Specifically for lincRNAs, we observed superb Pearson correlation (0.988) between matched fresh-frozen and FFPE pairs. FFPE samples across NanoString and RNA-Seq platforms gave a mean Pearson correlation of 0.838. In FFPE libraries, we detected 53.4% of high confidence SNVs and 24% of high confidence fusion transcripts. Sensitivity of fusion transcript detection was not overcome by an increase in depth of sequencing up to 3-fold (increase from ~56 to ~159 million reads). Both NanoString and ScriptSeq RNA-Seq technologies yield reliable gene expression data for degraded and FFPE material. The high degree of correlation between NanoString and RNA-Seq platforms suggests discovery based whole transcriptome studies from FFPE material will produce reliable expression data. The RiboZeroGold ScriptSeq protocol performed particularly well for lincRNA expression from FFPE libraries, but detection of eSNV and fusion transcripts was less sensitive.
A polynomially bounded algorithm for a singly constrained quadratic program

This paper presents a characterization of the solutions of a singly constrained quadratic program. This characterization is then used in the development of a polynomially bounded algorithm for this class of problems.
Formation of Calcareous Deposits Under Different Modes of Cathodic Polarization

Abstract Calcareous deposits that formed in natural seawater upon ASTM A710 (UNS K20747) steel polarized either potentiostatically, galvanostatically, or by a mixed-mode technique (initially galvanostatic followed by potentiostatic) have been studied. Parameters investigated included variation of current density (potentiostatic control) or potential (galvanostatic control) with time, total charge transfer, deposit thickness, thickness-to-charge ratio, deposit morphology, and deposit composition. Based upon these parameters, the mixed-mode technique was judged to provide the deposit with greatest protective properties within the time frame of the experiments. This may be related to the nature of the initial, magnesium-rich film established during he preliminary experimental period; the mechanism of calcareous deposit formation is discussed within this context.
Compstat: The Manager's Perspective

Originally established by Commissioner William Bratton and his colleagues in the New York City Police Department, Compstat has emerged as a new organisational paradigm in policing. This paper presents data drawn from the written views of police managers from across the USA. The respondents were attending the Administrative Officer's Course at the Southern Police Institute of the University of Louisville, Kentucky. During the course of their studies, they read several works on Compstat, including Silverman's (1999) work, NYPD Battles Crime. Content analysis of their written comments reveals the strengths and weaknesses that they associate with the Compstat model.
Rapid sample processing and fast gas chromatography for identification of bacteria by fatty acid analysis

A commercially available system for microbial identification by fatty acid analysis (Microbial Identification System (MIS), MIDI, Newark, DE, USA) requires a four-step sample derivatization procedure in screw-cap test tubes. By using glass tubes in a 96-well format with multichannel pipetting, the time required for sample preparation can be greatly reduced. The standard gas chromatography column, 25 m long by 0.20 mm ID, is replaced with a 10 m long by 0.10 mm ID column, reducing the gas chromatography run time to one third of the standard time. Either or both of these procedures can be easily implemented in any laboratory using the MIDI system, resulting in faster identifications and higher sample throughput.
Structural polymorphism of human DR antigens.

DR ANTIGENS are polymorphic cell surface molecules whose expression is controlled by a locus closely linked or identical to the D locus of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of man (for reviews see refs 1, 2). They are functionally and structurally homologous to the murine la antigens determined by the I–E subregion of the MHC, a region which has been implicated in the genetic control of immune responses3,4. Both sets of antigens are mainly expressed on cells associated with immune function (for reviews see refs 1, 2, 5), and are involved in mediating T-cell, B-cell and macrophage interactions required for the generation of immune responses6–9. In addition, both consist of two non-covalently associated polypeptides, designated α and β, with molecular weights of 34,000 and 28,000, respectively10. The association of some DR antigens with increased susceptibility to certain diseases (for review see ref. 1) and the genetic restrictions imposed on cellular interactions by the HLA-D region9,11 may represent the effects of structural variability among DR antigens. The aim of the studies reported here was to examine the nature and degree of structural variation among DR antigens isolated from cultured lymphoid B cells with different DR phenotypes. Such information may provide an understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which DR antigens mediate their function.
Cholinesterase inhibitors do not prolong neuromuscular block produced by mivacurium

Cholinesterase inhibitors antagonize neuromuscular block produced by mivacurium, but some may also decrease its metabolism by inhibiting pseudocholinesterase. These opposing interactions were examined in rats anaesthetized with pentobarbitone. After spontaneous recovery from an initial bolus dose of 0.03 mg kg−1, mivacurium was infused to produce 80–90% block of gastrocnemius muscle twitch. After 15 min, the infusion was discontinued and saline, edrophonium. pyridostigmine or neostigmine was administered. Fifteen minutes later, a second bolus dose of mivacurium was given. Edrophonium, pyridostigmine and neostigmine reduced the subsequent maximum block, compared with the change in saline control, by 3%, 19% and 35%, respectively. Correspondingly, the time to recovery of T1 to 50% was decreased by 20%, 58% and 62%. In rats, acetylcholinesterase mediated antagonism of neuromuscular block predominated over decreased pseudocholinesterase mediated metabolism, such that prior administration of a cholinesterase inhibitor did not prolong the neuromuscular blocking effects of mivacurium.
Parameters of the plasma affecting the radiation of pulsar 1.

Analysis of the relation between time delay and frequency for pulses from Pulsar 1 shows that the dispersive region of the ray path must exceed 300 astronomical units and have an average electron number density less than 8000 per cubic centimeter and average magnetic field strength less than 2 x 10-3 gauss. These requirements almost guarantee that the observed dispersion takes place in the interstellar medium.
Donor bone marrow infusion in liver recipients: effect on the occurrence of acute cellular rejection.

No significant difference (P > .56) was observed in the IR in patients in the study (.239) and the two control (.206) cohorts during the course of their follow-up; the time to first ACR was also comparable. Compared with controls. the IRR with the 95% CI in study patients was 1.16 (0.83, 1.82J. There was, however, a tendency for a slightly higher incidence of rejection in 8M-augmented patients during the first 24 months posttransplantation-a trend that reversed during the subsequent period of follow-up. At 6 years posttransplantation, patient and graft survival was 81 % and 74%, and 77% and 70% in the control patients, respec­ tively. Taken together these data suggest that, despite a slightly higher incidence of ACR in 8M-infused liver recipients during the first 2 years post-Tx, patient and graft survivals were superior in the study patients as compared with controls. These findings are similar to those in rodents suggesting that "active" Ag presentation may be a more robust mechanism for eventual donor-specific immune modulation.
Effective Lamé's moduli of cubic arrays of elastic spheres embedded in an elastic matrix

The paper is concerned with the theoretical predictions of the effective moduli of a particulate solid which is composed of cubic arrangements of isotropic elastic spheres embedded in an isotropic elastic matrix. Results are given up to an error of 0(ϕ13/3), whereϕ is the volume fraction of the spheres. Curiously, an asymptotic result derived based onϕ~ϕm, the maximum volume fraction of the spheres, seems to be very accurate over the entire volume fraction 0<ϕ<ϕm.
Orientation of plane strain-compressed ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene

Abstract Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) samples of molecular weight 6 million were compressed using a channel die and characterized by wide-angle and small-angle X-ray scattering. The results were compared to previous studies performed on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) under the same compression conditions. Most deformation mechanisms exhibited by UHMWPE were also observed in HDPE. However, the onset of crystallographic and morphological orientation occurred at lower compression ratios in UHMWPE than in HDPE. Greater resistance to deformation and more extensive strain recovery were also exhibited by UHMWPE. These differences in deformation behaviour of UHMWPE and HDPE were attributed to the larger number of tie molecules and higher degree of entanglement within the amorphous regions of UHMWPE—a direct effect of its very high molecular weight. Our results clearly demonstrate that crystallographic texturing in UHMWPE, especially molecular orientation along the flow direction, can be controlled by channel die compression. This renders the method suitable for production of oriented samples for future studies of possible relationships between crystallographic texture and wear behaviour.
Role of polymer chemistry in influencing crystal growth rates from amorphous felodipine

The inhibition of crystallization from organic amorphous solids is currently of great interest in the pharmaceutical field, since the amorphous form of the drug can enhance drug delivery. Polymers have been found to be effective crystallization inhibitors for many organic glasses and supercooled liquids. The objective of this study was to investigate potential correlations between drug–polymer hydrogen bonding and crystal growth inhibition. Quench cooled samples of a model hydrophobic drug, felodipine, were prepared with various polymers: poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS), poly(vinylpyrrolidone)/vinyl acetate (PVP/VA) and poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc). Crystal growth rates as a function of temperature (70–110 °C) were measured using optical microscopy, in the presence and absence of 3% w/w polymer. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to evaluate glass transition temperatures (Tg) and melting points. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy was used to probe drug–polymer hydrogen bonding interactions. The various polymers were found to inhibit the crystal growth to different degrees. The order of inhibition effectiveness was PVP > PVP/VA > HPMCAS > PVAc with PVP being the best inhibitor among the polymers used. The growth rates in the presence of the polymers were similar to those of the drug alone at high temperatures but showed a significant reduction as the temperature was reduced. The Tg's of the drug–polymer dispersions were not significantly different from that of the pure drug. The order of the strength/extent of drug–polymer hydrogen bonding interactions was PVP > PVP/VA > HPMCAS ≥ PVAc. Hence polymers which can form stronger/more extensive hydrogen bonds with the drug appear to be better crystallization inhibitors.
SU-FF-T-379: Procedure for Dose Rate Determination Via System Response of A Water Calorimeter

Purpose: To extract a consistent dose rate from water calorimetry measurements for all irradiation times. Method and Materials: Conventionally, the dose rate is determined at a length of time short compared to the heat conduction time in the system with the correction made by a model calculation for the given length of time (denoted t_open). We advocate a systematic approach by tracing the response of the calorimeter beyond the small t_open (10s of seconds) to 100s of seconds where conduction effect contributes significantly, requiring conduction correction to be valid over the entire time scale. This is made practical by modulating the radiation shutter at various t_open and by frequency domain analysis. The output from a 3D finite element model simulating the experimental protocol in a Co‐60 beam with a 20 mm radius vessel undergoes the same analysis as the experimental data to extract the response to unity radiation dose which can be scaled to any dose rate. Results: We scale the calculated curve to match the data by chi‐square minimization; the scaling factor represents the dose rate for all t_open values. Two sets of data were analyzed; the results for t_open from 60 s to 240 s are compared to Domen's transfer value (t_open=70 s) at standard geometries (SSD=100 cm), yielding a dose rate 1.0% and 0.9% below the transfer values (1 sigma statistical uncertainty 0.44% and 0.17%), respectively. A set of data taken at SSD of 77.4 cm gives a dose rate 3.4% below the transferred value. Ion chamber measurements will be made to resolve this discrepancy. Conclusion: A procedure to derive the dose rate by requiring self‐consistency between the modeled and the measured system response of the calorimeter over large time scales is a step closer to re‐establish a primary standard using a water calorimeter.
A Planned Care Approach and Patient Registry to Improve Adherence to Clinical Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract Background Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects almost 2.4 million US children. Because American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for ADHD recommend use of standardized diagnostic instruments, regular follow-up and the chronic care model, this pilot project sought to implement and assess an electronic registry of patients with ADHD combined with care coordination by a planned care team. Methods This quality improvement project was structured with 2 intervention and 2 control clinics to facilitate evaluation of the use of a planned care system for management of ADHD. Care teams included a pediatrician, nurse, medical assistant, and care coordinator and tracked patients using an electronic registry with data drawn from the EMR. Clinical work flows were pilot tested to facilitate use of the Vanderbilt scales and their incorporation into the EMR at intervention sites. Outcome measures included 2 recommended clinical follow-ups based on HEDIS measures as well as use of the Vanderbilt rating scales. Initiation phase measure was for follow-up after initiating medication, while the continuation phase measure was for subsequent follow-up during the first year of treatment. Measures were monitored during the project year and then also in the ensuing period of spread of the intervention to other sites. Results Although the modified HEDIS initiation phase measure for patients newly on medication remained static at approximately 50% throughout the project period, the continuation phase measure showed improvement from 35% at baseline to 45% at the end of the project assessment year, a 29% increase. Follow-up for patients stable on medications also remained unchanged during the project period, but during subsequent spreading of the intervention to nonproject sites, follow-up of these patients improved to over 90%. In adjusted analyses, patients with ADHD at intervention sites were over 2 times more likely than patients at control sites to have had a Vanderbilt score documented in their records. Conclusions The project achieved modest improvements in the diagnostic and treatment process for patients with ADHD. The use of a planned care system and electronic patient registry shows promise for improving the diagnosis and treatment process for patients with ADHD.
Beta-alanine and adaptation in Drosophila

Populations of Drosophila melanogaster show melanistic polymorphism. Adult melanization is inversely related to the rate of incorporation of beta-alanine into tanning cuticles. Light tan pigmentation is directly related to this incorporation. Beta-alanine induced tanning serves to protect pupae from ultraviolet light damage. Flies which do not fail to incorporate injected beta-alanine into developing cuticles, but which exhibit inhibited beta-alanine synthesis (flies homozygous for the gene ‘b’) are not only protected, as pupae, from ultraviolet damage by beta-alanine injection but also show enhanced mating success when injected as newly emerged adults. The metabolic block in this mutant appears in the pathway from orotic acid through uracil to beta-alanine.
5- and 10-year survival in cancer patients aged 90 and older: a study of 37,318 patients from SEER.

Background and Objectives Uncertainty exists about the value of cancer therapy in patients aged 90 years and older. Because of the relative paucity of these patients, as well as the possibility of selection bias in any one institution, the use of a large, total population-based cancer registry was employed. Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) offers a large, total population-based cancer registry. It includes more than 2,000,000 cases in the nine registry data from 1973 to 1998; 37,318 of these are 90 or older and are eligible for follow-up studies. A cross-sectional study of relative survival of all these cases, along with younger age groups for comparison, was carried out. Results After the first year after diagnosis, the annual relative survival is not affected by a patient's age for up to 10 years. Conclusions Age alone is not a contraindication to cancer treatment in the most elderly and, other than in the first year, one can expect the same relative survival in these oldest patients as one does for younger patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2002;81:113–116. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Relationships between ambient ozone regimes and white clover forage production using different ozone exposure indexes

Abstract Plant responses to seasonal exposure to tropospheric ozone (O3) are mediated by interactions with physical and genetic factors that complicate attempts to develop a measure of O3 exposure (exposure index) that best relates to plant response. Dozens of exposure indexes have been tested for best fit to yield response data from open-top chamber studies. These tests have limited applicability because of possible confounding caused by variability in experimental protocols used in chamber dose–response studies. A 2-yr study in ambient air at eight locations in the USA measured relative effects of ambient O3 on forage weight of a sensitive (NC-S) and a resistant (NC-R) clone of white clover. Protocols included uniform growth medium, irrigation, exposure duration and genetics (clones). Plants were harvested to determine NC-S/NC-R forage biomass ratios after each of four 28-day periods. High ratios indicated low O3 concentrations, and low ratios indicated high concentrations. We used these results in attempts to identify the relative suitability of several exposure indexes in defining O3 exposure–forage biomass relationships. Indexes were calculated using combinations of O3 exposure forms (SUM00, SUM06, W95, W126, and AOT04), diurnal and seasonal accumulating times and harvests. Squared correlations (r2's) between the index and biomass ratio were used as a general indication of relative suitability of the different indexes. Squared correlations were much higher for indexes coupled with harvests 2, 3 and 4, than for harvest 1. Even higher r2's occurred for indexes coupled with the combined mean forage ratio for harvests 2, 3 and 4. Squared correlations were most sensitive to the choice of hourly averaging times. Lowest r2's occurred for the 24 h accumulating period, much higher r2's occurred for the 12 h daylight period, and the highest r2's occurred for periods of 6 h or less during midday, regardless of all other factors. The exposure form was important only for 24 h indexes for which SUM00 gave the lowest r2's. All forms, including SUM00, produced similarly high r2's for 6, 5, and 4 h midday accumulating times.
A k-space analysis of MR tagging.

Abstract We present a k -space approximation that directly relates a pulse sequence to its residual pattern of z -directed magnetization M z , in a manner akin to the k -space approximation for small tip-angle excitation. Our approximation is particularly useful for the analysis and design of tagging sequences, in which M z is the important quantity—as opposed to the transverse magnetization components M x and M y considered in selective excitation. We demonstrate that our approximation provides new insights into tagging, can be used to design novel tag patterns, and, more generally, may be applied to selective presaturation sequences for purposes other than tagging.
Preliminary Evaluation of the Soil Application Value of Crambe Meal

Crambe (Crambe abyssinica L.) is a specialty oilseed crop. By‐product crambe meal has a high glucosinolate content, restricting its use for animal feed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate crambe meal for various types of soil application. When incubated with soil, crambe meal mineralized more slowly than soybean meal, with an average of 38% of the added nitrogen (N) from crambe meal appearing as mineral N after 12 weeks of incubation, compared with 57% for soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) meal. Sulfur mineralization from crambe meal was rapid. Bioassays indicated no phytotoxicity to seedlings from crambe meal. In a second experiment, high rates of crambe meal inhibited the nitrification of urea added to soil, but this effect was short‐lived. In a third experiment, crambe meal–ferrous sulfate mixtures applied to calcareous soil partially alleviated iron deficiency chlorosis of soybean, but the response was less than observed with iron–ethylenediaminedi(o‐hydroxyphenylacetic) acid.
Influence of conformational exchange on the 2D NOESY spectra of biomolecules existing in multiple conformations

Abstract The coupled recovery of the magnetizations of individual spins in a multispin system undergoing slow conformational exchange (on the chemical-shift scale) between different sites is considered within the context of the complete relaxation matrix analysis of the NOESY experiment. Explicit expressions have been derived for the peak intensities in the NOESY spectrum of a two-spin- 1 2 system. The general case where the populations and the intramolecular dipolar relaxation rates are different at the two sites is treated. This general case is appropriate for many practical situations normally encountered in biomolecular systems including that of a ligand undergoing exchange between free and enzyme-bound states. The expressions for the general case have been simplified for two limiting situations that also may be encountered in biomolecular NMR studies. The intensity variations of the different peaks in the spectrum (diagonal, exchange, direct NOESY, and exchange-mediated NOESY peaks) have been computed as a function of the mixing time for some typical examples. It is shown that, depending upon the conformational exchange rate in relation to dipolar cross-relaxation rates, the NOESY spectrum as a function of mixing time also exhibits significant dependence on the exchange rates. The implication of these results in extracting distance information is discussed. With minor modifications, the theoretical formalism presented here is readily applicable to situations where the conformational exchange is fast on the chemical-shift scale.
Pilot Study of the Correlation of Multiphoton Tomography of Ex Vivo Human Testis with Histology

Purpose: Although microdissection testicular sperm extraction has become first line therapy for sperm retrieval in men with nonobstructive azoospermia, there are challenges to the procedure, including difficulty differentiating between seminiferous tubules with normal and abnormal spermatogenesis. Multiphoton microscopy illuminates tissue with a near infrared laser to elicit autofluorescence, which enables real-time imaging of unprocessed tissue without labels. We hypothesized that we could accurately characterize seminiferous tubular histology in humans using multiphoton microscopy.Materials and Methods: Seven men with normal or abnormal spermatogenesis underwent testicular biopsies, which were imaged by multiphoton microscopy. We assessed these images in blinded fashion. The diagnosis rendered with multiphoton microscopy was then correlated with that of hematoxylin and eosin stained tissue. We evaluated the ability of multiphoton microscopy to differentiate normal from abnormal seminiferous tubules by e...