cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Solid Fission Products and Dislocations on Oxide Fuel Element Behavior in Fast Overpower Transients

A simplistic analytical treatment is given of the effects of dislocations and solid fission products on the behavior of fission gas in oxide fuel elements during fast thermal transients. The analysis is coupled with the BUBE code (a code that models equilibrium and nonequilibrium fission gas bubbles in thermal transients) and used to analyze two Transient Reactor Test Facility transients. The results suggest that the effect of dislocations on swelling and fission gas release is negligible, but that the effect of solid fission products is important.
Qualitative Assessment of the Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on the Nasal Cavity.

BACKGROUND For patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), there is a lack of knowledge regarding the impact of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on the nasal cavity. There is a significant need for evidence-based recommendations regarding the appropriate use of CPAP following endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study is to translate a previously developed cadaveric model for evaluating CPAP pressures in the sinonasal cavity by showing safety in vivo and quantifying the effect of positive pressurized air flow on the nasal cavity of healthy individuals where physiologic effects are at play. METHODS A previously validated cadaveric model using intracranial sensor catheters has proved to be a reliable technique for measuring sinonasal pressures. These sensors were placed in the nasal cavity of 18 healthy individuals. Pressure within the nose was recorded at increasing levels of CPAP. RESULTS Overall, nasal cavity pressure was on average 85% of delivered CPAP. The amount of pressure delivered to the nasal cavity increased as the CPAP increased. The percentage of CPAP delivered was 77% for 5 cmH2O and increased to 89% at 20 cmH2O. There was a significant difference in mean intranasal pressures between all the levels of CPAP except 5 cmH2O and 8 cmH2O (P < .001). CONCLUSION On average, only 85% of the pressure delivered by CPAP is transmitted to the nasal cavity. Higher CPAP pressures delivered a greater percentage of pressurized air to the nasal cavity floor. Our results are comparable to the cadaver model, which demonstrated similar pressure delivery even in the absence of anatomic factors such as lung compliance, nasal secretions, and edema. This study demonstrates the safety of using sensors in the human nasal cavity. This technology can also be utilized to evaluate the resiliency of various repair techniques for endoscopic skull base surgery with CPAP administration.
Association Between Medicaid Expansion and Rates of Opioid-Related Hospital Use.

Importance The rate of opioid-related emergency department (ED) visits and inpatient hospitalizations has increased rapidly in recent years. Medicaid expansions have the potential to reduce overall opioid-related hospital events by improving access to outpatient treatment for opioid use disorder. Objective To examine the association between Medicaid expansions and rates of opioid-related ED visits and inpatient hospitalizations. Design, Setting, and Participants A difference-in-differences observational design was used to compare changes in opioid-related hospital events in US nonfederal, nonrehabilitation hospitals in states that implemented Medicaid expansions between the first quarter of 2005 and the last quarter of 2017 with changes in nonexpansion states. All-payer ED and hospital discharges from 45 states in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project FastStats were included. Exposures State implementation of Medicaid expansions between 2005 and 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures Rates of all opioid-related ED visits and inpatient hospitalizations, measured as the quarterly numbers of treat-and-release ED discharges and hospital discharges related to opioid abuse, dependence, and overdose, per 100 000 state population. Results In the 46 states and District of Columbia included in the study, 1524 observations of emergency department data and 2219 observations of opioid-related inpatient hospitalizations were analyzed. The post-2014 Medicaid expansions were associated with a 9.74% (95% CI, −18.83% to −0.65%) reduction in the rate of opioid-related inpatient hospitalizations. There appeared to be no association between the pre-2014 or post-2014 Medicaid expansions and the rate of opioid-related ED visits (post-2014 Medicaid expansions, −3.98%; 95% CI, −14.69% to 6.72%; and pre-2014 Medicaid expansions, 1.02%; 95% CI, −5.25% to 7.28%). Conclusions and Relevance Medicaid expansion appears to be associated with meaningful reductions in opioid-related hospital use, possibly attributable to improved care for opioid use disorder in other settings.
Acral Lentiginous Melanoma: Do Surgical Approach and Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Matter?

Management of acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) remains controversial. Traditionally, ALM was managed with digit amputation (DA), resulting in significant morbidity, but recent evidence has advocated for digit sparing management. Furthermore, the significance of nodal metastasis for ALM is not well reported. The aims of this study were to determine if surgical approach for primary ALM impacts outcomes and to evaluate the predictive value of nodal status for ALM. Methods Patients with localized ALM diagnosed from 1982 to 2017 were retrospectively identified. Clinicopathologic characteristics were correlated with surgical approach, nodal metastasis, overall survival, and recurrence-free survival. Results There were 47 patients with ALM. Median age was 59 years, and median thickness was 3 mm. 51% of patients underwent wide local excision (WLE), 27.9% underwent DA, and 20.9% underwent partial digit amputation (PDA). ALM on the hand versus foot (OR: 12.7, 95%, confidence interval (CI), 2.0-80.1; P = 0.007) and subungual versus nonsubungual location (OR: 28.0, 95% confidence interval, 2.7-295.7; P = 0.006) were significantly associated with surgical approach (DA and PDA versus WLE). There were no significant differences in overall survival or recurrence-free survival between DA, PDA, or WLE cases (P = 0.481 and P = 0.778, respectively). There were no significant differences in overall survival or recurrence-free survival based on nodal status (P = 0.562 and P = 0.136, respectively). Conclusions No significant differences in overall survival or recurrence-free survival were seen between ALM patients treated with DA, PDA, and WLE. Given these results, PDA or WLE may be options in select patients with digital ALM; however, careful consideration must be taken when deciding on the surgical approach.
Regulatory Focus and Substance Use in Adolescents: Protective Effects of Prevention Orientation.

Substance use is a major risk factor for negative health and functioning outcomes among middle schoolers. The purpose of this study was to assess whether individual differences in the adolescents’ ...
Political Dynamics of Human Rights Change in Peru

This chapter focuses on Peru’s compliance behavior with transitional justice mechanisms. These include: the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Integral Plan of Reparations, and the conviction of Fujimori. Despite the existence of these norms as policies, as the chapter reveals, in the period after the policies were put in place, Peru recorded setbacks to its norm compliance status. The chapter traces the conditions impacting compliance, namely the role of transnational advocacy networks (including the Inter-American system) and domestic political interests. The chapter finds that transnational advocacy networks remain important in exerting pressure on the state to comply with transitional justice. However, when faced against the domestic political interests that deliberately present obstacles to transitional justice, advocacy work fell short of influencing changes to state behavior.
Inference in Experiments with Matched Pairs

This paper studies inference for the average treatment effect in randomized controlled trials where treatment status is determined according to a “matched pairs” design. By a “matched pairs” design, we mean that units are sampled i.i.d. from the population of interest, paired according to observed, baseline covariates and finally, within each pair, one unit is selected at random for treatment. This type of design is used routinely throughout the sciences, but results about its implications for inference about the average treatment effect are not available. The main requirement underlying our analysis is that pairs are formed so that units within pairs are suitably “close” in terms of the baseline covariates, and we develop novel results to ensure that pairs are formed in a way that satisfies this condition. Under this assumption, we show that, for the problem of testing the null hypothesis that the average treatment effect equals a pre-specified value in such settings, the commonly used two-sample t-test and “matched pairs” t-test are conservative in the sense that these tests have limiting rejection probability under the null hypothesis no greater than and typically strictly less than the nominal level. We show, however, that a simple adjustment to the standard errors of these tests leads to a test that is asymptotically exact in the sense that its limiting rejection probability under the null hypothesis equals the nominal level. We also study the behavior of randomization tests that arise naturally in these types of settings. When implemented appropriately, we show that this approach also leads to a test that is asymptotically exact in the sense described previously, but additionally has finite-sample rejection probability no greater than the nominal level for certain distributions satisfying the null hypothesis. A simulation study confirms the practical relevance of our theoretical results.
Ultrafast laser surgery probe for bone tissue microsurgery

We present an ultrafast laser surgery probe for bone tissue microsurgery. A custom miniaturized CaF2 mitigated the strong multiphoton absorption observed in our previous ZnS-based design while providing tighter beam focusing over a larger ablation field-of-view. The objective produced a beam waist radius of 1.71 μm covering a 130×130 μm2 scan area, delivering fluences >8 J/cm2 at the tissue surface at 53% transmission efficiency. The entire opto-mechanical system, enclosed within a 14 mm diameter metal housing with a 2.6 mm probe tip, exhibited material removal rates >0.1 mm3/min in bovine cortical bone. We performed simulations when using a high-power fiber laser and found that material removal rates >40 mm3/min could be achieved through selection of optimal laser surgery parameters. The device can serve as a clinically viable solution for minimally invasive spinal surgery applications.
Outbreaks of Severe Acute BVDV in Quebec, Ontario and New York State, Occurring Between 1993 and 1995, Linked to the Same Strain of Type 2 BVDV

In this study we compared the virulence and genetic sequence of four BVDV strains to each other, and to strains isolated in North America from 1989 to 1996.
Spent Craft Brewer's Yeast Reduces Production of Methane and Ammonia by Bovine Rumen Microbes

Methane and ammonia are byproducts of rumen fermentation that do not promote animal growth, and methane is a key contributor to anthropogenic climate disruption. Cows eructate every few breaths and typically emit 250–500 L of methane gas daily. Significant research is focused on finding diets and additives that lower the production of methane and ammonia. Emerging research has shown that humulones and lupulones, molecules that are found in the cones of hops (Humulus lupulus), have potential in this regard. These molecules, which are also key flavor components in beer, are biologically active: they are known inhibitors of Gram-positive bacteria. Ruminants' sophisticated digestive systems host billions of microorganisms, and these systems' outputs will likely be affected in the presence of brewer’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). So-called spent yeast is produced during the beer-brewing process and contains humulones and lupulones in concentrations that vary by beer style, but is generally discarded as waste. Our research suggests that adding spent craft brewer’s yeast to rumen microbes in vitro suppresses production of methane and ammonia. This project examines the correlation between the quantities of hop acids in spent yeast and the production of methane and ammonia by bovine rumen microbes in vitro. We determined, by HPLC, the hop acid concentrations in spent yeast obtained from six beer styles produced at a local brewery. We performed anaerobic incubation studies on bovine rumen microbes, comparing the effects of these materials to a baker’s yeast control and to the industry-standard antibiotic monensin. Results include promising decreases in both methane (measured by GC–FID) and ammonia (measured by colorimetric assay) in the presence of craft brewer’s yeast, and a strong correlation between the quantities of hop acids in the spent yeast and the reduction of methane and ammonia. Notably, two of the yeast samples inhibited methane production to a greater degree than the industry-standard antibiotic monensin. Our results suggest that spent brewer’s yeast has potential to improve ruminant growth while reducing anthropogenic methane emission.
Settling the matter of the role of vibrations in the stability of high-entropy carbides.

High-entropy ceramics are attracting significant interest due to their exceptional chemical stability and physical properties. While configurational entropy descriptors have been successfully implemented to predict their formation and even to discover new materials, the contribution of vibrations to their stability has been contentious. This work unravels the issue by computationally integrating disorder parameterization, phonon modeling, and thermodynamic characterization. Three recently synthesized carbides are used as a testbed: (HfNbTaTiV)C, (HfNbTaTiW)C, and (HfNbTaTiZr)C. It is found that vibrational contributions should not be neglected when precursors or decomposition products have different nearest-neighbor environments from the high-entropy carbide. The contribution of vibrations to the stability of high-entropy ceramics is still controversial. Here the authors computationally integrate disorder parameterization, phonon modelling, and thermodynamic characterization to investigate the role of vibrations to the stability of high-entropy carbides.
MO-F-CAMPUS-I-01: Accuracy of Radiologists Interpretation of Mammographic Breast Density

Purpose: Several commercial and non-commercial software and techniques are available for determining breast density from mammograms. However, where mandated by law the breast density information communicated to the subject/patient is based on radiologist's interpretation of breast density from mammograms. Several studies have reported on the concordance among radiologists in interpreting mammographic breast density. In this work, we investigated the accuracy of radiologist's interpretation of breast density. Methods: Volumetric breast density (VBD) determined from 134 unilateral dedicated breast CT scans from 134 subjects was considered the truth. An MQSA-qualified study radiologist with more than 20 years of breast imaging experience reviewed the DICOM “for presentation” standard 2-view mammograms of the corresponding breasts and assigned BIRADS breast density categories. For statistical analysis, the breast density categories were dichotomized in two ways; fatty vs. dense breasts where “fatty” corresponds to BIRADS breast density categories A/B, and “dense” corresponds to BIRADS breast density categories C/D, and extremely dense vs. fatty to heterogeneously dense breasts, where extremely dense corresponds to BIRADS breast density category D and BIRADS breast density categories A through C were grouped as fatty to heterogeneously dense breasts. Logistic regression models (SAS 9.3) were used to determine the association between radiologist's interpretation of breast density and VBD from breast CT, from which the area under the ROC (AUC) was determined. Results: Both logistic regression models were statistically significant (Likelihood Ratio test, p<0.0001). The accuracy (AUC) of the study radiologist for classification of fatty vs. dense breasts was 88.4% (95% CI: 83–94%) and for classification of extremely dense breast was 94.3% (95% CI: 90–98%). Conclusion: The accuracy of the radiologist in classifying dense and extremely dense breasts is high. Considering the variability in VBD estimates from commercial software, the breast density information communicated to the patient should be based on radiologist's interpretation. This work was supported in part by NIH R21 CA176470 and R21 CA134128. The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not reflect the official views of the NIH or NCI.
Effectiveness and Safety of T3 (Triiodothyronine) Therapy for Euthyroid Fibromyalgia

ABSTRACT Background. Clinical features of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) resemble those of hypothyroidism although some patients have normal thyroid function tests results. The hypothyroid-like FMS features of these patients may result from partial cellular resistance to thyroid hormone. We treated euthyroid FMS patients with T3 to see if they would respond as do patients with peripheral thyroid hormone resistance syndrome: significant therapeutic effects with supraphysiologic dosages, without target tissue responses typical of thyrotoxicosis. Methods. Seven patients were alternately treated with T3 and placebo over an 8-month period. Phase crossover was response-driven, based on changes in measures of mean tender point sensitivity by algometry, mean symptom intensity by visual analog scales, and mean pain distribution by the percentage method and the ACR criteria. Testing for adverse responses to supraphysiologic dosages of T3 was performed for heart, bone, muscle, and liver. Results. Significant therapeuti...
Crystallographic and biochemical studies of the (inactive) Lys-49 phospholipase A2 from the venom of Agkistridon piscivorus piscivorus.

Chemical, genetic, and structural studies have defined a critical role for Asp-49 in the calcium-mediated activation of extracellular phospholipases A2 (PLA2). In 1984, a new class of PLA2 was isolated in which this invariant aspartate was replaced with a lysine (Maragnore, J.M., Merutka, G., Cho, W., Welches, W., Kezdy, F.J., and Heinrikson, R.L. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 13839-13843; Maragnore, J.M., and Heinrikson, R.L. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 4797-4804). The enzymatic activity of Lys-49 PLA2s has been questioned based on biochemical, mutational, and structural studies (van den Bergh, C.J., Slotboom, A.J., Verheij, H.M., and de Haas, G.H. (1988) Eur. J. Biochem. 176, 353-357). In this paper, we describe the structures of two crystal forms of the Lys-49 PLA2 isolated from the venom of Agkistridon piscivorus piscivorus. The refined models, along with complementary biochemical analysis, clarify the structural basis for the enzymatic inactivity of Lys-49 proteins.
Methylphenidate improves the behavioral and cognitive deficits of neurogranin knockout mice

Neurogranin (Ng), a brain-specific calmodulin-binding protein, is expressed highly in hippocampus, and is important for cognitive function. Deletion of the Ng gene from mice caused attenuation of signal reaction cascade in hippocampus, impairments in learning and memory and high frequency stimulation-induced long-term potentiation (LTP). Environmental enrichment alone failed to improve cognitive function. In this study, behavioral testing revealed that Ng knockout (NgKO) mice were both hyperactive and socially withdrawn. Methylphenidate (MPH) was given to mice while they were also kept under an enrichment condition. MPH treatment reduced the hyperactivity of NgKO mice tested in both the open field and forced swim chamber. MPH improved their social abilities such that mice recognized and interacted better with novel subjects. The cognitive memories of MPH-treated mutants were improved in both water maze and contextual fear conditioning tests. High frequency stimulation-induced LTP of NgKO mice was also improved by MPH. The present treatment regimen, however, did not fully reverse the deficits of the mutant mice. In contrast, MPH exerted only a minimal effect on the wild type mice. At the cellular level, MPH increased the number of glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells in hippocampus, particularly within the dentate gyrus of NgKO mice. Therefore it will be of interest to determine the nature of MPH-mediated astrocyte activation and how it may modulate behavior in future studies. Taken together these NgKO mice may be useful for the development of better drug treatment to improve cognitive and behavioral impairments.
Direct and Indirect Benefits of an International Service-Learning Design Project: Educational Effects on Project Members and Their Peers

It has been well documented that international service-learning design projects in engineering provide many educational benefits to the students involved in these projects. This article addresses the question of whether or not the benefits gained from international service-learning design projects extend to those students who are not directly involved with these projects but are peers of those who are. To answer this question, graduates of the senior design projects course at Valparaiso University from 2003 to 2008 were surveyed on the course learning objectives, their desire to participate in service-related activities, and their social and cultural awareness. The responses from this survey show that peers of students who experienced an international service-learning design project developed a stronger desire to participate in service-related activities than those alumni who experienced the course when an international service-learning design project was not offered. The responses also show that these same peers felt they were more aware of societal issues and other cultures as well. This article discusses the senior design course, the international service-learning design project, the survey, the results of this survey, and suggested improvements that will extend the benefits of an international service-learning design project beyond those students with direct involvement to their peers.
25 kilowatt photovoltaic powered irrigation and grain drying experiment

In the United States, the first step towards the realization of large scale agricultural systems utilizing photovoltaics was made during the summer of 1977 by the construction and operation of an experimental unit generating approximately 25 kW peak power. This experiment will test the application of solar energy to a variety of agricultural tasks, including irrigation and crop drying. During the past summer this unit powered a 10 horsepower pump that was interconnected with an automatic gated pipe irrigation network and a reservoir of 2500 cubic meter capacity. It was designed to irrigate 32 hectares of corn, 12 hours a day at the rate of 3.8 cubic meters a minute. In early October, after the end of the irrigation season, the power was switched to nearby corn drying bins where a forced air drying technique is being tested utilizing photovoltaic powered circulation fans. Two grain bins, each with a 3.8 kilowatt fan, have been set up near the solar collector to dry the crop. Electricity generated by the solar unit is used to power the fan for in-bin drying of the grain.
I See and I Remember; I Do and Understand: Teaching Fundamental Structure in Legal Writing Through the Use of Samples

A first-year legal reasoning and writing curriculum is designed to introduce students to the analytical skills and organizational tools needed for the preparation of effective objective and then persuasive documents. This article describes how to use samples to enable students to self-identify a general, logical structure for a document, considering its content, its audience and purpose, and the realities of legal practice.
Integrating, Infusing, Modeling: Preparing Technology Using Educators

This paper presents the results of a program in its first year of implementation that was designed to provide preservice teachers the opportunity to observe expert teachers integrate technology in ...
Patterns of weight-control behavior among 15 year old girls

Objective The objectives were to identify and predict patterns of weight-control behavior in 15 years old (yo) girls and to examine weight-control group differences in energy intake. Method Participants included 166 girls assessed every 2 years (ys) from age 5 to 15. Latent class analysis was used to identify patterns of weight-control behaviors. Antecedent variables (e.g., inhibitory control at 7 ys), and concurrent variables (e.g., BMI and dietary intake at 15 ys) were included as predictors. Assessments were a combination of survey, interview, and laboratory measures. Results Latent class analysis (LCA) identified four classes of weight-control behaviors, nondieters (26%), and three dieting groups, namely lifestyle (16%), dieters (43%), and extreme dieters (17%). Levels of restraint, weight concerns, and dieting frequency increased across groups, from nondieters to extreme dieters. Body mass index (BMI) at 5 ys and inhibitory control at 7 ys predicted weight-control group at 15 ys; for example, with every one point decrease in inhibitory control, girls were twice as likely to be extreme dieters than nondieters. Girls in the extreme dieters group were mostly classified as under-reporters and had the lowest self-reported intake, but ate significantly more in the laboratory. Discussion Among 15 yo girls, “dieting” includes a range of both healthy and unhealthy behaviors. Risk factors for membership in a weight-control group are present as early as 5 ys. Patterns of intake in the laboratory support the view that lower reported energy intake by extreme dieters is likely due under-reporting as an intent to decrease intake, not actual decreased intake. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2015; 48:589–600)
Type II NKT cells play a role in the regulation of CD4 T cell subsets (LYM8P.730)

The immunological response to cancer and other diseases depends on the interplay between the innate and adaptive immune systems. CD4 T helper cells are key modulators of immune responses. As an intermediate between the innate and adaptive systems, CD1d-restricted NKT cells may impact the activity of these CD4 T cells. It has been shown that type II NKT cells are immunosuppressive in many disease settings. However, their interaction with CD4 T cells is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the role of type II NKT cells on the activation of various CD4 T cell subsets by stimulating them with sulfatide, an endogenous glycolipid antigen and known type II NKT cell activator. Naive ovalbumin-specific CD4 T cells isolated from DO11.10 mice were either tested immediately, or polarized in vitro with cytokines and neutralizing antibodies. CFSE dilution was used to assess CD4 proliferative responses upon antigenic stimulation in the presence or absence of sulfatide-activated type II NKT cells. We found that activated type II NKT cells substantially inhibited proliferation of naive CD4 T cells, and preliminary data show that the polarized populations have different sensitivities to type II NKT cell mediated suppression. Ongoing elucidation of these interactions may not only enhance our understanding of CD4 T cell regulation, but also improve our capability to utilize type II NKT cells for clinical applications.
Using fuzzy cognitive maps as a system model for failure modes and effects analysis

This paper explores the application of Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCM) to Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA). FMEAs are used in reliability and safety evaluations of complex systems to determine the effects of component failures on the system operation. FCMs use a digraph to show cause and effect relationships between concepts; thus, they can represent the causal relationships needed for the FMEA and provide a new strategy for predicting failure effects in a complex system.
The role of social distance in sharecropping efficiency: The case of two rice‐growing villages in Nepal

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to gain a better understanding of the role of culture in general, and social distance in particular, in influencing the choice and efficiency of various contractual modes in developing country agriculture. It aims to focus on sharecropping, but the model of social distance can be applied to any contract, mainly those in close‐knit village societies.Design/methodology/approach – Principal components analysis (PCA) is used in the study to develop a social distance index for all sharecroppers, which is included as an independent variable in land productivity ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions.Findings – Findings indicate social distance is a key determinant in sharecropping efficiency for marginal tenant farmers in rural Nepal. Specifically, social distance is found to be a significant factor in explaining land productivity differentials between owned land and sharecropped land.Research limitations/implications – Future research hopes to see whether social distanc...
A comparison of kinesthetic-tactual and visual displays via a critical tracking task.

The feasibility of using the critical tracking task to evaluate kinesthetic-tactual displays was examined. The test subjects were asked to control a first-order unstable system with a continuously decreasing time constant by using either visual or tactual unidimensional displays. The results indicate that the critical tracking task is both a feasible and a reliable methodology for assessing tactual tracking. Further, that the critical tracking methodology is as sensitive and valid a measure of tactual tracking as visual tracking is demonstrated by the approximately equal effects of quickening for the tactual and visual displays.
Cardiac fibroblasts: function, regulation of gene expression, and phenotypic modulation

Cardiac fibroblasts constitute the majority of the non-myocyte cell population in the ventricular myocardium. These cells are located in the interstitium, in areas between and surrounding cardiac myocytes. Cardiac fibroblasts are responsible for the synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins such as fibrillar collagen types I and III, basement membrane type IV collagen, fibronectin, and laminin. In addition to its role in muscle development and myoblast differentiations, extracellular matrix consisting primarily of fibrillar collagen is an intricate and highly organized structure that serves to support cardiac myocytes and to maintain functional integrity of the myocardium. Balanced synthesis and degradation of this matrix is the key to normal development of cardiac muscle and perfect myocardial function. Collagen remodeling and accumulation has been demonstrated in several experimental models of cardiac hypertrophy. To gain insights into molecular and cellular mechanisms that affect cardiac fibroblast behavior, cardiac fibroblasts from rat and rabbit ventricular myocardium were cultured and the impact of neurotransmitters and growth factors such as norepinephrine and transforming growth factor — beta (TGF-β 1), to which cardiac fibroblasts are exposed in vivo, was studied. Results of these studies, with regards to gene expression, proliferation and differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts in culture, and their biological implications are discussed.
Italians in Louisiana: A Selective Bibliography

A true melting pot, southeastern Louisiana has been influenced by several different ethnic groups. Many do not realize the impact that Italian immigrants have had on the area, specifically in terms of food and culture. This bibliography documents works on a variety of topics, but highlights newer and seminal sources on the study of Italians in southeastern Louisiana. While much of the literature focuses on New Orleans, the bibliography also includes works on rural areas of southeastern Louisiana where large pockets of Italian immigrants settled. Essential to the study of the Italian experience in Louisiana is the strife they endured because of prejudices of the “native” Louisianans, and works exploring this have been included. Whether as grocery store owners, restauranteurs, strawberry farmers, early Italian immigrant families had a significant impact on Louisiana, and these sources illuminate that influence. Librarians in all types of institutions should find these works not only interesting but valuable to their collections.
Identification of methionine-containing tryptic peptides of unstable β-tubulin separated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract Methods for examining altered regions in unstable mutant proteins are described. The strategy is illustrated using assembly defective Chinese hamster β-tubulin subunits that are rapidly degraded in the cell. These unstable proteins are metabolically labeled to high specific activity and isolated as spots on two-dimensional gels. Conditions for the generation of tryptic peptides from gel pieces containing β-tubulin and their subsequent resolution by HPLC have been worked out. Through a combination of dual labeling with various tritiated amino acids and [35S]methionine as well as partial sequence analysis, the identification of several HPLC peaks with the known sequence of β-tubulin has been accomplished. This technique should greatly aid attempts to map the sites of mutational alterations in β-tubulin polypeptides, and the general strategy should be readily applicable to other mutant proteins.
Use of cisplatin without desensitization after carboplatin hypersensitivity reaction in epithelial ovarian and primary peritoneal cancer.

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of substituting cisplatin for carboplatin in women who experienced a carboplatin-associated hypersensitivity reaction while undergoing treatment for gynecologic cancers. Study Design Using a comprehensive data repository, we identified all epithelial ovarian cancer and primary peritoneal cancer patients who experienced a documented significant hypersensitivity reaction to carboplatin and were subsequently treated with cisplatin at our institution from 1995 to the present. We also performed a review of published case reports of similar patient management. Results We identified a total of 24 patients who met inclusion criteria. Eighteen patients (75%) tolerated cisplatin without any adverse events. Six patients (25%) eventually developed a reaction to cisplatin; none was life threatening, and only 1 required hospitalization. Twenty-three of the 24 patients (96%) tolerated at least 1 cycle of cisplatin. Of the 5 patients who initially tolerated cisplatin but eventually experienced a reaction, the mean number of cycles tolerated was 3.4. Conclusion The use of cisplatin without desensitization is a reasonable approach for continuing platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with a significant carboplatin hypersensitivity reaction. Patients should be advised of risks and closely monitored, given published case reports of anaphylaxis.
Performances of CdTe and Cd1-xZnxTe gamma-ray detectors at elevated temperatures

This comparative study of the performances of CdTe and Cd1--x)ZnxTe detectors at temperatures in the 25 - 70 degree(s)C range shows that Cd0.8Zn0.2Te has a better performance as a gamma-ray detector at elevated temperatures. Peak position shifts as function of temperature are less pronounced in spectra obtained with Cd0.8Zn0.2Te detectors than in spectra from CdTe. The Cd0.8Zn0.2Te detectors exhibited a FWHM of 24% (at 60 degree(s)C) at 81 keV without significant deterioration due to the heating cycles.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Hydrogenation of Aromatic Hydrocarbons over Supported Pt Catalysts .III. Reaction Models for Metal Surfaces and Acidic Sites on Oxide Supports

Abstract Sixteen different reaction models were evaluated for benzene and toluene hydrogenation between 317 and 364 K over a family of supported Pt catalysts. For benzene hydrogenation on the Pt surface, only one model was consistent with all the data-that which invoked the addition of the first H atom to the aromatic ring as the rate-determining step (RDS) as well as the concurrent formation of a predominant H-deficient surface species. This model also described toluene hydrogenation on Pt. and the H-deficient species was indicated to be the phenyl (Or tolyl) group. To explain the higher rates obtained with acidic supports, a similar model involving spilled-over hydrogen and aromatic molecules adsorbed on acid sites was considered, and it accurately fit the rate data attributed to the support surface. However, another model proposing addition of the second H atom as the RDS on these acid sites and no inhibition by any H-deficient species could not be discounted. The similar activation energies of 12 ± 2 kcal/mol for benzene. toluene, and xylene hydrogenation on Pt and Pd surfaces as well as on acid sites is attributed to the formation of a cyclohexadiene intermediate; for example. 1.3-cyclohexadiene has a positive free energy of formation of 12.4 kcal/mol. This model appears to be general enough to describe the hydrogenation of numerous aromatic molecules over Group VIII metals.
Running laboratory experiments using the RSX operating system and FORTRAN on the PDP-11

A system of FORTRAN-callable subroutines designed to facilitate running laboratories with the RSX operating system on a PDP-ll computer is presented. The subroutines include ones to give the FORTRAN programmer timing capability, better control of CRT input and output, con­ trol of a parallel-bit input and output interface, control of an analog-to-digital interface, and con­ trol of a digital-to-analog interface. There are four ways that an experimenter can effect the computer programming necessary to run an experiment. First, the experimenter can program the computer in as­ sembler language. Although this approach allows maxi­ mum flexibility and direct control of the various labora­ tory input/output (I/O) interfaces, it is quite cumbersome
Three-Compartment Model for Contaminant Accumulation by Semipermeable Membrane Devices

Passive sampling of dissolved hydrophobic contaminants with lipid (triolein)-containing semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) has been gaining acceptance for environmental monitoring. Understanding of the accumulation process has employed a simple polymer film-control model of uptake by the polymer-enclosed lipid, while aqueous film control has been only briefly discussed. A more complete three-compartment model incorporating both aqueous film (turbulent-diffusive) and polymer film (diffusive) mass transfer is developed here and is fit to data from accumulation studies conducted in constant-concentration, flow-through dilutors. This model predicts aqueous film control of the whole device for moderate to high Kow compounds, rather than polymer film control. Uptake rates for phenanthrene and 2,2‘,5,5‘-tetrachlorobiphenyl were about 4.8 and 4.2 L/day/standard SPMD, respectively. Maximum 28 day SPMD concentration factors of 30 000 are predicted for solutes with log Kow values of >5.5. Effects of varying aque...
WEAK DECAY INTERACTIONS

The time-reversal properties of a weak-decay Hamiltonian affect the possible observation of interferences. This effect is discussed and a general proof for a theorem by Lee, Oehme, and Yang is given.
Rate and reaction probability of the surface reaction between ozone and dihydromyrcenol measured in a bench scale reactor and a room-sized chamber

Abstract Low volatility terpenoids emitted from consumer products can react with ozone on surfaces and may significantly alter concentrations of ozone, terpenoids and reaction products in indoor air. We measured the reaction probability and a second-order surface-specific reaction rate for the ozonation of dihydromyrcenol, a representative indoor terpenoid, adsorbed onto polyvinylchloride (PVC), glass, and latex paint coated spheres. The reaction probability ranged from (0.06–8.97) × 10 −5 and was very sensitive to humidity, substrate and mass adsorbed. The average surface reaction probability is about 10 times greater than that for the gas-phase reaction. The second-order surface-specific rate coefficient ranged from (0.32–7.05) × 10 −15 cm 4 s −1 molecule −1 and was much less sensitive to humidity, substrate, or mass adsorbed. We also measured the ozone deposition velocity due to adsorbed dihydromyrcenol on painted drywall in a room-sized chamber, Based on that, we calculated the rate coefficient ((0.42–1.6) × 10 −15 cm 4 molecule −1 s −1 ), which was consistent with that derived from bench-scale experiments for the latex paint under similar conditions. We predict that more than 95% of dihydromyrcenol oxidation takes place on indoor surfaces, rather than in building air.
An opening: Trauma and transcendence

With reference to the intergenerational theorizing of trauma, this article considers the role of transcendence in the substance of our theoretical ideas about psychosis. Arguing against an emphasis on notions of developmental deficit, the author considers the recent work of Davoine and Gaudilliere as a means of questioning some of the paradigmatic assumptions of clinical psychology. It is suggested that the relationship between psychosis and spirituality has often been conceived in such a way as to depreciate both, and that a shift in mainstream theorizing requires that a more fundamental place be made for the question of transcendence in the theorizing of madness.
Green houses for terrorism: measuring the impact of gender equality attitudes and outcomes as deterrents of terrorism

Recent research suggests that there are links between terrorism and gender inequality. This study is a cross-national times series estimation for 57 countries for the period 1994–2002 to examine the impact of attitudes and actual outcomes of gender equality on levels of terrorism experienced by a country using World Values Survey and Global Terrorism Database. The results suggest that actual outcomes of gender equality have a significant and consistently negative impact on terrorism. Women’s actual advancement and equality in higher education, jobs and political representation are more effective in reducing terrorism than cultural attitudes supporting these rights. Additionally, comparing attitudes and outcomes of gender equality in a country, I find there is a gap between the two. This study has important public policy implications for focusing on greater levels of social, economic, and political gender equality for reducing the levels of terrorism.
Unsteady heat transfer during side wall quenching of a laminar flame

The unsteady heat transfer during laminar flame quenching on a side wall was determined in a constant volume chamber. The interaction of the flame with the wall was essentially two dimensional. Experiments were conducted for three fuels; propane, methane and ethylene, over a range of equivalence ratios at nearly atmospheric pressure. The unsteady variations of the surface temperature were measured with a resistance type thin film thermometer and with a thin film coaxial T type thermocouple. The unsteady wall heat fluxes were successfully correlated using the rate of heat release in the flame prior to quenching, qc, and a characteristic time for the passage of the flame, tc. The maximum heat flux during side wall quenching, qmax, is the same as that occurring during stagnation quenching. This result is true for the present apparatus for three fuels over a broad range of test conditions. The experimental data satisfy the relation qmax/qc=0.3–0.4.
Neighborhood Effects on AFDC Exits: Examining the Social Isolation, Relative Deprivation, and Epidemic Theories

Linking data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics with the 1970 and 1980 censuses, the author finds that, in accordance with the social isolation theory, neighborhood conditions greatly affect the likelihood of exiting the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program. Neighborhood conditions are especially strong predictors of leaving the program for African Americans, high school dropouts, and for those who marry. Members of each of these groups stay on welfare significantly longer when they live in the most economically depressed neighborhoods or neighborhoods with a relatively high proportion of manufacturing relative to professional and executive workers. I test two additional theories of neighborhood effects: relative deprivation and epidemic theories.
Linked T Cell Receptor and Cytokine Signaling Govern the Development of the Regulatory T Cell Repertoire

Appropriate development of regulatory T (Treg) cells is necessary to prevent autoimmunity. Neonatal mice, unlike adults, lack factors required for Treg cell development. It is unclear what these missing factors are. However, signals emanating from the T cell receptor (TCR), the costimulatory receptor CD28, and the family of gammac-dependent cytokine receptors are required for Treg cell development. Herein we demonstrate that expression of a constitutively active Stat5b transgene (Stat5b-CA) allowed for Treg cell development in neonatal mice and restored Treg cell numbers in Cd28(-/-) mice. Sequence analysis of TCR genes in Stat5b-CA Treg cells indicated that ectopic STAT5 activation resulted in a TCR repertoire that more closely resembled that of naive T cells. Using MHCII tetramers to identify antigen-specific T cells, we showed that STAT5 signals diverted thymocytes normally destined to become naive T cells into the Treg cell lineage. Our data support a two-step model of Treg cell differentiation in which TCR and CD28 signals induce cytokine responsiveness and STAT5-inducing cytokines then complete the program of Treg cell differentiation.
Characterization and Application of Surface Plasmon-Enhanced Optical Diffraction from Electrodeposited Gold Nanowire Arrays

Arrays of gold nanowires formed by the process of lithographically patterned nanowire electrodeposition (LPNE) were characterized by a combination of SEM, polarized UV–visible absorption spectroscopy, and optical diffraction measurements. A transverse localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) was observed for gold nanowire arrays with an absorption maximum (λmax) that varied with nanowire width. Transmission optical diffraction measurements were measured with the even and odd diffraction orders creating an alternating, out-of-phase sinusoidal intensity pattern characteristic of the LPNE nanowire arrays. The intensities of the even diffraction order maxima were the strongest for nanowires with a width of 115 ± 10 nm; nanowires of this width exhibit a λmax of 635 ± 10 nm, verifying that the transverse LSPR has enhanced the optical diffraction signal. Real-time total internal reflection diffraction intensity measurements were used to monitor in situ the electrodeposition of silver monolayers onto the gold n...