cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Emerging therapies in mantle cell lymphoma

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a rare, B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with highly heterogeneous clinical presentation and aggressiveness. First-line treatment consists of intensive chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplant for the fit, transplant eligible patients, or less intensive chemotherapy for the less fit (and transplant-ineligible) patients. Patients eventually relapse with a progressive clinical course. Numerous therapeutic approaches have emerged over the last few years which have significantly changed the treatment landscape of MCL. These therapies consist of targeted approaches such as BTK and BCL2 inhibitors that provide durable therapeutic responses. However, the optimum combination and sequencing of these therapies is unclear and is currently investigated in several ongoing studies. Furthermore, cellular therapies such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and bispecific T cell engager (BiTe) antibodies have shown impressive results and will likely shape treatment approaches in relapsed MCL, especially after failure with BTK inhibitors. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of past and ongoing studies that will likely significantly impact our approach to MCL treatment in both the frontline (for transplant eligible and ineligible patients) as well as in the relapsed setting. We present the most up to date results from these studies as well as perspectives on future studies in MCL.
Degradation of Veterinary Antibiotics in Swine Manure via Anaerobic Digestion

Antibiotic-resistant microorganisms are drawing a lot of attention due to their severe and irreversible consequences on human health. The animal industry is considered responsible in part because of the enormous volume of antibiotics used annually. In the current research, veterinary antibiotic (VA) degradation, finding the threshold of removal and recognizing the joint effects of chlortetracycline (CTC) and Tylosin combination on the digestion process were studied. Laboratory scale anaerobic digesters were utilized to investigate potential mitigation of VA in swine manure. The digesters had a working volume of 1.38 L (in 1.89-L glass jar), with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 21 days and a loading rate of 1.0 g-VS L-1 d-1. Digesters were kept at 39 ± 2 °C in incubators and loaded every two days, produced biogas every 4 days and digester pH were measured weekly. The anaerobic digestion (AD) process was allowed 1.5 to 2 HRT to stabilize before adding the VAs. Tests were conducted to compare the effects of VAs onto manure nutrients, volatile solid removal, VA degradation, and biogas production. Concentrations of VA added to the manure samples were 263 to 298 mg/L of CTC, and 88 to 263 mg/L of Tylosin, respectively. Analysis of VA concentrations before and after the AD process was conducted to determine the VA degradation. Additional tests were also conducted to confirm the degradation of both VAs dissolved in water under room temperature and digester temperature. Some fluctuations of biogas production and operating variables were observed because of the VA addition. All CTC was found degraded even only after 6 days of storage in water solution; thus, there was no baseline to estimate the effects of AD. As for Tylosin, 100% degradation was observed due to the AD (removal was 100%, compared with 24-40% degradation observed in the 12-day water solution storage). Besides, complete Tylosin degradation was also observed in the digestate samples treated with a mixture of the two VAs. Lastly, amplicon sequencing was performed on each group by using the 50 most variable operational taxonomic units (OTUs)s and perfect discriminations were detected between groups. The effect of administration period and dosage of VAs on Phyla Firmicutes Proteobacteria, Synergistetes and Phylum Bacteroides was investigated. These biomarkers' abundance can be employed to predict the sample's treatment group.
Structured Light and Spin Angular Momentum Distributions via Coherent Synthesis

We present a carrier envelope phase (CEP) stable system capable of arbitrary intensity, phase, and spin angular momentum distributions based on the principles of free-space coherent synthesis.
Human adenovirus species in children with acute respiratory illnesses

Abstract Background Human adenovirus (HAdV) species B, C, and E are commonly associated with acute respiratory illnesses (ARI). We sought to determine the association between HAdV species and ARI severity in children over one respiratory season at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children with HAdV from a provider-ordered BioFire® FilmArray Respiratory Pathogen Panel 2.0 (RPP) from 05/2018−06/2019. Type-specific PCR assays for HAdV-B3, B7, B11, B14, B16, B21, HAdV-C1, C2, C5, C6, and HAdV-E4 were performed. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcome data were compared between HAdV species. Results Of 4514 respiratory specimens collected, 2644 (59 %) had at least one pathogen detected by RPP, and 384 (15 %) were HAdV-positive; 342 (89 %) were available for research testing with 306 (89 %) specimens from unique symptomatic individuals; 237 (77 %) were positive for the following species: 104 (44 %) HAdV-B, 114 (48 %) HAdV-C, 9 (4%) HAdV-E, and 10 (4%) with co-detection between species. The majority with identified HAdV species were seen in the ED (62 %), and approximately one-third were hospitalized. Patients with HAdV-C were more likely to be younger, hospitalized, and have a higher frequency of seizures compared to HAdV-B. Conclusion HAdV-C and HAdV-B were the most common species detected, with differences in clinical characteristics and outcomes noted. Additional studies with larger sample sizes focusing on a high-risk pediatric population are necessary to determine if differences in illness severity across individual HAdV types exist to guide further type-specific HAdV vaccine development.
Alteration of above and below-Water Soundscapes by Roads

Soundscapes are the array of natural and anthropogenic sounds occurring in an area, and can consist of both natural and human derived components. In this study, we compared soundscapes in wetlands disturbed by road-traffic noise to wetlands distant from major roads. In each wetland, above-water and below-water soundscapes were recorded in Spring, Summer, and Fall. Wetlands near roads had higher sound intensity, more anthropogenic noise occurrences, and lower acoustic diversity above and below the water. In contrast, wetlands distant from roads had more natural sounds above and below the water, including a higher number of birdcalls. When soundscapes were subdivided by frequency, most anthropogenic sounds occurred in low frequencies (0–5 kHz), but natural sounds were found in all frequencies. Soundscapes changed during the year, with more natural sounds occurring in Spring and the highest acoustic diversity recorded in Spring and Fall. These findings indicate that nearby roads change wetland soundscapes by increasing noise pollution, which masks natural sounds such as bird calls and reduces biodiversity. The altered soundscapes of freshwater wetlands, near roads potentially could alter biotic communities by affecting animal behavior such as intraspecies communication, interaction of predator and their prey, and resource acquisition.
Prevalence of Takayasu Arteritis: A Population-based Study.

To the Editor: Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a rare inflammatory condition of the large blood vessels that affects the aorta and its branches. Young females of Asian descent are typically the most affected by this disease; however, in the United States, most patients with TA are White1,2,3. Data regarding the epidemiology of TA is limited, with most studies of the incidence and prevalence of the disease coming from Japan, where TA is more prevalent. The described incidence rate of TA ranges from 0.3 to 3.3 per million per year and the prevalence ranges from 4.7 to 360 cases per million4. Only 2 studies have evaluated the epidemiology of TA in the US; one of them demonstrated an incidence rate of 2.6 cases per million per year in Olmsted County, Minnesota5, and the other study described a prevalence of 0.9 cases per million in New York, which is the …
Infant neurodevelopmental outcomes of prenatal opioid exposure and polysubstance use.

Abstract Background Prenatal opioid exposure has been linked to adverse birth outcomes and delays in infant development. Existing literature is limited by a simple group-differences approach as well as inadequate controls for sociodemographic factors and polysubstance exposure co-occurring with prenatal opioid use. Method The current study assessed cumulative opioid exposure (duration of prescribed and illicit opioid use) as a predictor of infant birth outcomes and mother-reported developmental status at three and six months of age, controlling for polysubstance exposure. Participants were predominantly low-income pregnant and peripartum women, oversampled for mothers receiving medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. Prenatal opioid and non-opioid substance use were reported by mothers using a Timeline Follow-Back Interview completed during the third trimester and updated postnatally (infant age six months). Results Developmental scores were in the normal range. However, total opioid exposure was positively related to premature birth and inversely related to mother-reported developmental status in specific domains. Associations with three-month fine motor skills and six-month communication skills were robust to controls for polysubstance exposure and sociodemographic covariates. Conclusions Results suggest unique effects of prenatal opioid exposure on the early development of fine motor and communication skills. Similar findings were obtained for prescribed and illicit opioid use, underscoring developmental risks of both MAT and untreated substance use. Exploratory analyses investigating type and timing of MAT suggest directions for future research.
Stress-Related Behaviors in Companion Dogs Exposed to Common Household Noises, and Owners' Interpretations of Their Dogs' Behaviors

Sudden, loud noises are one of the most common triggers for fearful behaviors in dogs, and many companion dogs suffer from noise sensitivity. Existing research focuses on dramatic infrequent sounds (e.g., thunderstorms, fireworks). Anecdotally, and based on reports of undesirable behaviors in response to noises in the home, many common household noises may also be causing fear and anxiety in companion dogs. However, these responses have not yet been studied in home environments. We surveyed 386 dog owners about their dogs' responses to household sounds, and recorded dog behaviors and human reactions from 62 videos and compilations available on an online video sharing platform, featuring dogs reacting to common household noises. Numerous signs of canine fear and anxiety were reported by survey respondents and observed in the videos, in response to both daily, and irregular but "normal," household noises. Responses were significantly stronger to sounds characterized as high frequency intermittent than to sounds characterized as low frequency continuous. Respondents appeared to underestimate their dogs' fearfulness, and the majority of humans in the videos responded to their dogs' behaviors with amusement; welfare concerns were rarely expressed. While these videos cannot be used to calculate actual prevalence of these issues, our data support that some owners are underestimating fearfulness in their dogs in response to household noises, and responding inappropriately to dogs' expressions of fear and anxiety. Better education is required for dog owners to accurately interpret canine body language, to both safeguard dogs' welfare and minimize development of anxiety-related behavior problems.
Occult obstructive sleep apnea and clinical outcomes of radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation

Background Recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) after successful cardioversion can be predicted by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnosed by polysomnography. However, it is not known whether the validated STOP-BANG questionnaire can predict AF recurrence after radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Our objective is to determine the prevalence of unrecognized OSA in patients with AF and its relation to freedom from AF after RFA.
Rationale for Pulmonary Rehabilitation:Patient Selection

The benefit of pulmonary rehabilitation is well documented for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), whereas there is up to now little evidence2 or studies in progress about the possible benefits in patients with severe pulmonary impairment who have diagnoses other than COPD.
Interaction of myoglobin with oleic acid.

Abstract Previous studies have shown that palmitate (PA) can interact with myoglobin (Mb). The present study has investigated the interaction of the more soluble unsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid (OA). Indeed, 1H NMR measurements of the Mb signal during OA titration also show signal changes consistent with specific and non-specific binding. At OA:Mb ratio
Iliac lymphadenectomy for group II cancer of the cervix

Abstract 1. 1. One hundred and seventy-five cases of Group II cervix cancer were subjected to iliac gland removal with radiation of the primary tumor. The operative mortality in this group was 1.7 per cent with a mortality of 0.7 per cent in the last 140 cases. 2. 2. The five-year survival rate of 70 cases operated previus to October, 1937, was 38.6 per cent. Comparing this with a five-year survival of 22.9 per cent in 118 similar cases treated by radiation alone, there was a 68 per cent greater salvage when the lymph gland removal was added to the radiation treatment. 3. 3. Cancer was found present in the lymph glands in 26.8 per cent of the 175 cases operated upon. Even in those cases with demonstrated metastases, a five-year salvage of 21 per cent was obtained. 4. 4. This experience extending over a period of twelve years has, I believe, firmly established iliac lymphadenectomy as a valuable adjunct in the treatment of Group II cancer of the cervix.
Socrates on friendship and community : reflections on Plato's Symposium, Phaedrus, and Lysis

1. The problem of Socrates: Kierkegaard and Nietzsche 2. Love, generation, and political community (the Symposium) 3. Self-knowledge, love, and rhetoric (Plato's Phaedrus) 4. Who is the friend? (the Lysis) 5. Socratic philosophizing.
Coronary Flow Reserve

The seminal concept of coronary flow reserve (CFR) was proposed experimentally by Lance K. Gould in 1974 [1]. Under normal conditions, in the absence of stenosis, coronary blood flow can increase approximately four- to sixfold to meet increasing myocardial oxygen demands. This effect is mediated by vasodilation at the arteriolar bed, which reduces vascular resistance, thereby augmenting flow. Coronary reserve is the capacity of the coronary circulation to dilate following an increase in myocardial metabolic demand and can be expressed by the difference between the hyperemic flow and the resting flow curve. In most clinical applications, hyperemia is induced pharmacologically, not via an increase in oxygen demand. A combined anatomical and physiological classification can ideally identify four separate segments in the hyperemic curve (Fig. 9.1): (1) the hemodynamically silent range of 0–40 % stenosis, which does not affect CFR (>2.5) to any detectable extent; (2) the clinically silent zone, where stenosis ranging from 40 to 70 % may marginally reduce the CFR without reaching the critical threshold required to provoke ischemia with the usual stresses; (3) the severe stenosis range (70–90 %), where critical stenosis reduces CFR less than 2.0 and myocardial ischemia is usually elicited when a stress is applied; and (4) the very severe stenosis range (>90 %), producing a marked transstenotic pressure drop at rest, with a reduction of baseline myocardial blood flow and a CFR close to 1, or even less; in these patients, the administration of a coronary vasodilator actually decreases the poststenotic flow for steal phenomena. This experimental paradigm can be accurately reproduced clinically in highly selected series of patients with single-vessel disease, no myocardial infarction, no coronary collateral circulation, normal baseline function, no left ventricular hypertrophy, and no evidence of coronary vasospasm and who are off therapy at the time of testing. In these patients, the more severe the stenosis, the more profound the impairment in CFR. The correction of the stenosis improves CFR, and perfect dilation normalizes the CFR. The perfect, predictable relationship found in the experimental animal and in a very selected patient population [2] falls apart in the clinical arena [3], where many variables can modulate the imperfect match between epicardial coronary artery stenosis and CFR. Among others, these variables include:
Basic Science Enrichment Courses for Minority Medical Students

As one examines the figures reflecting minority representation in medicine, dentistry, law, science, engineering, and the related professions, one is struck by the obvious exclusion of minorities from these areas. In medicine, for example, if we were to achieve the national average of 600/1 patient-to-physician ratio, we should have at least 40,000 black physicians instead of some 6,000 now listed in the National Medical Association (NMA) rolls. Figures for the number of Chicano and American Indian physicians are so small that they are statistically insignificant. For the present population of Chicanos, we should have at least 20,000 physicians to reach the 600/1 ratio.
Technique for Differentiating Particles That Are Cell-Associated or Ingested by Macrophages

Phagocytosis is a two-step process involving attachment and ingestion of particulate material. It is often difficult to determine under a light microscope whether the particles are actually ingested or are merely attached to the cell. A more accurate, easy to perform technique with the use of xylene has been developed for determining the difference between the attachment and ingestion of polystyrene latex spheres. The xylene treatment dissolves the extracellular spheres, leaving only the intracellular spheres to be counted by the experimenter to obtain a more accurate phagocytic index. This technique also allows an investigator to get an ingestion index, an attachment index, or both.
Neurotechnology and Psychiatric Biomarkers

Neuroscience as a scientific discipline has enjoyed enormous growth and success in the past decade. Some have called the early 20th century the golden age of physics, the latter half of the 20th century a period when the genomic revolution blossomed and predict that the early 21st century will be a period when brain sciences achieve remarkable success. While understanding the basic mechanisms of the brain and how they relate to thought and behavior may be the foundation for applications to medicine, there is a great need for technological innovation if more than academic results are to be achieved. The need for neurotechnology is already great. Traumatic brain injury and damaged limbs require prosthetic devices that can be controlled in some way by willful volition. Ideally, direct connections between thought and action are desirable to restore natural functions. Mental health is a branch of medicine that has long been relegated to a secondary status within medicine. The reasons for this may be many, but they certainly include the difficulty of understanding and measuring brain activity in a quantitative way and relating those measurements to behavior and cognitive activity. As healthcare costs continue to spiral out of control in both developed and developing regions of the world, the need for engineers to become involved in neuroscience and neurotechnology research and development has never been greater. Innovative engineering ideas, with a view toward practical application and affordable cost have much to contribute to clinical applications of brain science. A key contribution of neuroengineering will be innovative methods for quantitative measurement of brain activity and mapping of those measurements to behavior and thought. The term psychiatric biomarkers will be used here in this broad sense to indicate quantitative measurements of the brain and the algorithms necessary to interpret them in psychiatric or psychological descriptions or diagnoses. One important way in which psychiatric biomarkers differ from other physiological biomarkers is in that the mapping from biomarker to symptom or disease is much more complex. A biomarker for a specific cancer, for example, may be a gene mutation that is in some way directly involved in the disease progression itself. The relationship between biomarker and the manifestation of interest – cancer, in this case – is rather simple and direct. That is not to say that the gene or the gene expression patterns are simple to find, but only that the conceptual relationship between the marker and disease is simple to understand. In the case of psychiatric biomarkers, the phenomena of interest, thought and behavior, are complex, emergent phenomena of brain neural activity. The relationship
The stability of hibonite, melilite and other aluminous phases in silicate melts: Implications for the origin of hibonite-bearing inclusions from carbonaceous chondrites

Phase fields in which hibonite and silicate melt coexist with spinel CaAl4O7, gehlenitic melilite, anorthite or corundum at 1 bar in the system CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-TiO2 were determined. The hibonites contain up to 1.7 wt% SiO2. For TiO2, the experimentally determined partition coefficients between hibonite and coexisting melt D(sub i)(sup Hib/L), vary from 0.8 to 2.1 and generally decrease with increasing TiO2 in the liquid. Based on Ti partitioning between hibonite and melt, bulk inclusion compositions and hibonite-saturated liquidus phase diagrams, the hibonite in hibonite-poor fluffy Type A inclusions from Allende and at least some hibonite from hibonite-rich inclusions is relict, although much of the hibonite from hibonite-glass spherules probably crystallized metasably from a melt. Bulk compositions for all of these CAIs are consistent with an origin as melite + hibonite + spinel + perovskite phase assembalges that were partially altered and in some cases partially or completely melted. The duration of the melting event was sufficient to remove any Na introduced by the alteration process but frequently insufficient to dissolve all of the original hibonite. Simple thermochemical models developed for meteoritic melilite and hibonite solid solutions were used to obtain equilibration temperatures of hibonite-bearing phase assemblages with vapor. Referenced to 10(exp -3) atm, hibonite + corundum + vapor equilibrated at approximately 1260 C and hibonite + spinel +/- melilite + vapor at 1215 +/- 10 C. If these temperatures reflect condensation in a cooling gas of solar composition, then hibonite +/- corundum condensed first, followed by spinel and then melilite. The position of perovskite within this sequence is uncertain, but it probably began to condense before spinel. This sequence of phase appearances and relative temperatures is generally consistent with observed textures but differs from expectations based on classical condensation calculations in that equilibration temperatures are generally lower than predicted and melilite initially condenses with or even after spinel. Simple thermochemical modes for the substitution of trace elements into the Ca site of meteoritic hibonites suggest that virtually all Eu is divalent in early condensate hibonites but that Eu(2+)/Eu(#+) decreases by a factor of 20 or more during the course of condensation primarily because the ratio is proportional to the partial pressure of Al, which decreases dramatically as aluminous phase condense. The relative sizes of Eu and Yb anomalies in meteoritic hibonites and inclusions may be partly due to this effect.
Cancellation technique to provide ESD protection for multi-GHz RF inputs

A technique to provide ESD protection for multi-GHz R-F inputs is presented. It provides protection against both human body model (HBM) and charged device model (CDM) type events with minimal effect on RE performance. A 5.25 GHz LNA protected by this means has a measured HBM ESD protection level of 3.6 kV.
ANALYSIS OF CHARACTERISTIC HUMAN FEMALE AXILLARY ODORS: QUALITATIVE COMPARISON TO MALES

Odors produced in the human female axillae are of both biological and commercial importance. Several studies have suggested that extracts from female underarm secretions can alter the length and timing of the female menstrual cycle. In addition, more than 1.6 billion dollars are spent annually on products to eliminate or mask the axillary odors. Our recent studies have determined that the characteristic axillary odors in males consist of C6–C11, saturated, unsaturated and branched acids, with (E)-3-methyl-2-hexenoic acid (3M2H) being the major compound in this mixture. The 3M2H appears to be carried to the skin surface bound to two proteins in the axillary secretions. Data reported here show that the same mixture of odorous compounds is found in female axillary secretions, with several minor qualitative differences. Separation of the female apocrine secretions into aqueous and organic soluble fractions demonstrated that 3M2H, and several other members of the acids in the characteristic odor, are released by hydrolysis with base. Electrophoretic separation of the proteins found in the aqueous phase of female apocrine secretions revealed a pattern identical to that seen in males. The qualitative similarity of the acidic constituents making up the characteristic axillary odors of both females and males as well as the proteins present in the aqueous phase suggest a similar origin for axillary odors in both sexes.
Surface states on unrelaxed GaAs (110) in the bond-orbital model

Abstract We have used the bond-orbital model of Pantelides and Harrison to compute eigenstates for a twelve layer slab of GaAs (110). Dispersion for each of the states is presented as a function of surface wave vector. Also, probability distributions for electrons in each of the surface states are given. These results are in good agreement with those of Joannopoulos and Cohen who did not make the bond-orbital approximation, thus helping to establish the usefulness of this method for surface calculations.
Effects of fly ash and bottom ash on the frictional behavior of composites

Immense quantities of coal combustion by-products are produced every year, and only a small fraction of them are currently utilized. Our recent work has focused on developing value-added products especially from fly ash, bottom ash, and flue gas desulfurization (FGD) scrubber sludge. We explored the potential utilization of fly ash, bottom ash, and sulfate-rich scrubber sludge as frictional modifiers and additives for automotive frictional composites. The surfaces of the frictional composites, fabricated from scrubber sludge and fly ash or bottom ash, were characterized with the help of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties of by-products containing composites were evaluated using a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). The frictional behavior of the composites was probed with the help of friction assessment and screening test (FAST). The frictional results suggested that fly ash or bottom ash had a profoundly different effect on the frictional coefficient (μ) and wear of the composite than those observed for scrubber sludge particles. It appeared that fly ash or bottom ash particles had abrasive characteristics and gave frictional composites a higher μ-value. The FAST test also revealed that the fluctuations in the μ-value were a minimum for composites that contained 20 vol% fly ash or bottom ash among the ash-derived composites. The composites that contained 30 vol% fly ash or bottom ash showed fade after approximately 60 min of continuous FAST test. We compared the frictional and wear performance of our composites with a commercial automotive brake, and it appeared that frictional composites could be formed which contained up to 20 vol% fly ash or bottom ash and 25 vol% scrubber sludge.
Results of contemporary surgical management of radiation necrosis using frameless stereotaxis and intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging.

Objective: Radiation necrosis is a well-known complication of radiotherapy for malignant brain tumors. Although surgery was once considered the mainstay of treatment, no recent reports have evaluated the use of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (IOMRI) and frameless stereotaxis during surgical resection of radiation necrosis. In this retrospective review, we evaluate the effectiveness of surgical resection using frameless stereotaxis and IOMRI for the treatment of radiation necrosis.
Hyperbranched Poly(phenylene sulfide) and Poly(phenylene sulfone)

Hyperbranched poly(phenylene sulfide) was prepared from 3,4-dichlorobenzenethiol. This monomer was treated with potassium carbonate in an amide solvent, either N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) or N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP). Polymerization for 24 h at 100 °C in DMF gave a polymer with a Mw of 17 kD and a polydispersity of 2.0. Polymerization for 8.5 h at 150 °C in NMP gave a polymer with a Mw of 16 kD and a polydispersity of 1.5. Addition of 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene as a multifunctional core to the polymerizations gave reduced Mw and lower polydispersity. Addition of 1 core for every 50 monomers gave a polymer with a Mw of 8.4 kD and a polydispersity of 1.2 in DMF and a polymer with a Mw of 13 kD and a polydispersity of 1.3 in NMP. The polymers were primarily characterized by size-exclusion chromatography with light-scattering detection (which provided the molecular weights and distributions) and by thermal methods. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that the hyperbranched PPS was amorphous with a Tg...
Dimensions of personal change, coping styles, and self-actualization in a shipboard university.

presentation style. The sessions were generally well attended with over 30 in the audience at the oral presentations. The AAG meeting is a valuable forum for the exchange of information pertaining to tourism. The formal interchange of ideas in paper sessions, the informal trading through personal contacts, and the serendipitous transactions created by the events of the trip itself are part and parcel of such a meeting. A disquieting factor in the meeting was the small number of papers. The 15 presentations represent the smallest number since 1975 when only 12 were on the program. This decline in the quantity of research deliveries from a high of 50 in 198 1 does not detract from the quality of this meeting. It does. however, suggest a serious decline in the participation level of tourism. recreation, and sport geographers. The Program Abstracts are available from the Central Office of the Association of American Geographers, 17 10 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington DC 20009. USA, at a cost of S3.00 per copy. q q
Superoxide Dismutase Plus Catalase Therapy Delays neither Cell Death nor the Loss of the TTC Reaction in Experimental Myocardial Infarction in Dogs

Studies to test whether superoxide dismutase (SOD), with or without catalase, limits myocardial infarct size have produced conflicting results. Positive results following short periods of reperfusion vs negative results following longer periods of reperfusion could be explained if either: (1) myocytes, initially salvaged by SOD, are killed by continued production of free radicals after the administered SOD have been excreted, or (2) false positive results occur because SOD transiently preserves the TTC reaction, despite loss of cellular viability. To evaluate these two possibilities, we measured infarct size after 90 min of ischemia and 4 h of reperfusion in SOD+catalase treated and untreated dogs. Treated dogs received a 60 min intra-arterial infusion of SOD (15,000 U/kg) plus catalase (CAT) (55,000 U/kg) beginning 25 min before reperfusion. Infarct size was measured using triphenyl tetrazolium (TTC) macrochemistry and was compared with the extent of necrosis assessed semi-quantitatively by light microscopy. Mean infarct size was similar in the control and treated groups. In addition, there was a positive linear correlation (r = 0.95) between the extent of necrosis estimated by microscopy and that estimated by TTC in both groups, and treatment did not alter the regression line. These current results were compared with results from the control dogs from our previous study (Richard et al., 1988) in which 90 min of ischemia was followed by 4 days of reperfusion. TTC-based infarct size at 4 days of reperfusion was similar to that observed in both groups at 4 h. These data indicate that oxygen free radicals, accessible to intravascular SOD and catalase, are not a cause of myocyte death detectable by measurement of infarct size after 4 h of reperfusion. Moreover, neither an "early protection, delayed death" hypothesis nor a specific preservation of the TTC reaction explain the positive results of other studies. TTC macrochemistry provides reliable estimates of myocardial infarct size, provided that sufficient magnification is used to permit resolution of interdigitating peninsulas of viable and necrotic tissue.
Towards personal high-performance geospatial computing (HPC-G): perspectives and a case study

Cluster computing, Cloud computing and GPU computing play overlapping and complementary roles in parallel processing of geospatial data within the general HPC framework. The fast increasing hardware capacities of modern personal computers equipped with chip multiprocessor CPUs and massively parallel GPUs have made high performance computing of large-scale geospatial data in a personal computing environment possible. We discuss the framework of Personal HPC-G and compare it with traditional Cluster computing and the newly emerging Cloud computing. We consider Personal HPC-G possesses many favorable features: low initial and operational costs, good support for data management and excellent support for both numeric modeling and interactive visualization. A case study on developing a parallel spatial statistics module for visual explorations on top of Personal HPC-G is subsequently presented.
Is prenatal care really ineffective? Or, is the ‘devil’ in the distribution?

Abstract Prenatal care should improve infant health, yet research frequently finds only weak effects. If there are two kinds of pregnancies, ‘complicated’ and ‘normal’ ones, then combining these pregnancies may lead prenatal care to appear ineffective. Data from the National Maternal and Infant Health Survey (NMIHS) offers compelling evidence. The standard 2SLS approach yields obviously bimodal residuals and frequently insignificant prenatal care coefficients. In contrast, estimating birth weights with a finite mixture model yields estimates revealing that prenatal care has a substantial effect on ‘normal’ pregnancies. Our Monte Carlo experiment confirms that ignoring even a small proportion of ‘complicated’ pregnancies can lead prenatal care to appear unimportant.
The anemia of leukemia.

Abstract The pathogenetic mechanisms, clinical manifestations and treatment of anemia in the various forms of leukemia is discussed. Cases are cited to illustrate "preleukemic" hypoplasia of the bone marrow and abnormalities of the red cells encountered in patients with leukemia and with myeloid metaplasia. Particular reference is made to the role of hemolytic mechanisms. In some cases, notably in acute leukemia and in myeloid metaplasia, abnormalities in the shape of the red cells, i.e., poikilocytosis, spherocytosis and leptocytosis, with corresponding abnormalities in osmotic fragility, may be striking. In other cases extracorpuscular factors appear to be largely responsible for hemolysis. The most clearly identified examples of such factors are the autoantibodies encountered in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Other extracorpuscular hemolytic agents or mechanisms are no doubt operative in leukemia but cannot be identified as yet. Inability of the bone marrow to respond, for various reasons, to increased demands for erythropoiesis imposed by accelerated destruction of red cells and/or by blood loss is a general pathogenetic mechanism encountered frequently in leukemia of all types. The observations cited emphasize the point that the leukemias are a group of diseases in which the cellular abnormalities are by no means confined to the leukocytes.
Single crystal growth of transition metal oxides from polytungstate fluxes

Abstract Single crystals of M +2 Cr 2 O 4 , M +2 Fe 2 O 4 , where M +2 is a transition (or alkaline earth) ion, and the garnet Y 3 Fe 5 O 12 have been grown from the flux system (1− x )Na 2 W 2 O 7 − x Na 2 W O 4 , where 1 ≧ x ≧ 0 . In addition, single crystals of the system Co 1+δ V 2−δ O 4 ( where 1 ≧ δ ≧ 0) have been prepared by electrolysis of CoO - V 2 O 5 mixtures dissolved in a suitable sodium polytungstate flux. The phase boundaries present in the CoCr 2 O 4 -Na2 W 2 O 7 -Na 2 W O 4 system were determined and a general discussion is made of a solution process for transition metal oxides in a sodium pyrotungstate flux that is formulated upon Lewis acid-base theory.
Resilience, job satisfaction and anticipated turnover in nurse leaders

Aims The aim was to identify relationships between resilience, job satisfaction and anticipated turnover among nurse leaders. Background Despite the reported value of resilience, there is a lack of research on resilience in nurse leaders. This study examined how nurse leaders describe their resilience and the relationship it has with job satisfaction and anticipated turnover. Methods This quantitative study used a sample of 89 nurse leaders (bedside, department, division and organisational) from a multi-hospital health-care system in southwestern Virginia. Results There are significant relationships between resilience, job satisfaction and anticipated turnover. Additionally, it was found that the variables of job satisfaction and anticipated turnover significantly overlapped in their meaning and created a new construct of intent to remain (ITR) that has a statistically significant relationship with resilience. Implications for nursing management A stable nursing team has a positive impact on improving patient outcomes. To mitigate the impact of a nursing shortage, nurse leaders can enhance their own resilience and then recruit, hire and retain resilient staff nurses in an effort to improve nurses’ ITR. Conclusion With higher resilience, nurse leaders are more likely to intend to remain in their leadership positions.
An investigation of P, P′-di(2-ethylhexyl) methanediphosphonic acid and some of its metal complexes☆

Abstract Copper(II), iron(III), europium(III), thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) complexes of P,P′-di(2-ethylhexyl) methanediphosphonic acid, H2DEH[MDP], were prepared along with calcium and sodium salts. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and vapor phase osmometry (VPO). Infrared spectra reveal that the asymmetric, νasym(POO−), and symmetric, νsym(POO−), phosphorus-oxygen stretching models of the ligand are sensitive to the nature of the metal ion metal present in the compound. The dramatic variation in νasym(POO−) with metal ion indicates a wide range in strength of the metal-diphosphonate interaction. The shift of both νasym(POO−) and νasym(POO−1) to lower energies relative to their values in the sodium salt indicates symmetrical coordination of the phosphonate groups through chelate and/or bridging interactions. The difference Δν between the POO− stretching frequencies, [νasym(POO−)−νasym(POO−1)], becomes smaller as the ionic potential of the metal ion increases. H2DEH[MDP] was found by VPO to be dimeric in toluene at 25°C in the 0.2–0.005 m concentration range. Dimerization is achieved through strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the phosphoryl and POH groups of two H2DEH[MDP] molecules. Pre-equilibration with water or 1.0 M nitric acid does not effect the aggregation of the ligand in toluene. The apparent aggregation numbers measured for H2DEH[MDP] solutions contacted with aqueous metal ions indicate that the ligand has a tendency to form polynuclear complexes. Aggregation increases with increasing metal ion concentration, deprotonation of the POH groups, and the ionic potential of the metal ion. The absence of nitrate ion in these solutions shows that, under high metal loading conditions, cations are extracted from aqueous nitric acid by H2DEH[MDP] with displacement of hydrogen ions. Ligand band shifts indicate that when excess un-ionized H2DEH[MDP] is present in solution, the phosphoryl oxygen atoms of the acid participate in the complexation process.
Applications of Wynn's epsilon-algorithm to transonic flow-calculations

Convergence acceleration of iterative solutions of potential and Euler equations, based on Wynn's epsilon-algorithm, is demonstrated. The extra computational work, to apply the technique, is negligible, while the storage requirement is definitely affordable with the present computers, at least, for two-dimensional inviscid flow problems.
Hernia repair and abdominoplasty in gastric bypass patients.

Background Patients who sustain massive weight loss after open gastric bypass surgery are prone to incisional hernias. The authors undertook a retrospective study with two objectives: to characterize this patient population at their institution and to review their experience with treatment of incisional hernias in massive weight loss patients who had open gastric bypass surgery. With increasing prevalence of such patients, the authors aim to improve understanding and treatment of this disease entity and thereby improve patient outcomes. Methods Operating room records and the patient database of the primary plastic surgeon treating massive weight loss patients at an academic teaching institution were retrospectively reviewed. Incisional hernia was often diagnosed before surgery but confirmed intraoperatively. Surgical management included primary repair of the hernia with plication of the abdominal wall from xiphoid to pubis and removal of redundant abdominal skin. Results From February of 2001 to December of 2003, 40 patients had hernia repair in combination with abdominoplasty. Average age was 42 years, and average weight loss was 152 pounds. Average body mass index at the time of plastic surgery was 35.6. Average abdominal skin resection was 9.9 pounds. Hernia recurred in one patient with a body mass index of 41.3 after heavy lifting within 1 year of hernia repair surgery. Other complications included wound-healing problems (20 percent); seroma (12.5 percent); bleeding requiring surgical take-back (2.5 percent); suture abscess requiring surgical removal of suture (7.5 percent); bleeding anastomotic ulcer requiring transfusion (2.5 percent); and fatal pulmonary embolus (2.5 percent). Of the group, 60 percent had uncomplicated healing. Conclusions Hernias are safely and preferentially repaired at the time of removal of redundant abdominal panniculus after massive weight loss sustained from gastric bypass surgery. The authors present their approach to hernia repair and abdominoplasty in this patient group, with acceptable results.
Option and forward contracting with asymmetric information: Valuation issues in supply chains

We investigate the role of forward commitments and option contracts between a seller (supplier) and a buyer (retailer) in the presence of asymmetric information. In our case, both parties face price and demand uncertainty but the retailer, being closer to the market, has additional information about the true demand and price. The supplier, aware of this asymmetry, and acting as a Stackelberg leader, designs a contracting arrangement that best meet his interest. We contrast the role of forward and option contracts in this environment and identify cases where combinations of the two are dominant. Finally, we investigate how alternative contracting arrangements alter the expected value of obtaining information that eliminates asymmetric information.
The pupal instar of Stomoxys calcitrans: Developmental changes in acid phosphatase, cytochrome oxidase and lysosomal glycosidases

Abstract The activity of seven glycosidases, acid phosphatase, and cytochrome oxidase in tissue from pupae of Stomoxys calcitrans was investigated. The distribution of β-glucuronidase, N- acetylglucosaminidase and acid phosphatase between a lysosomal-mitochondrial fraction, a heavy nuclear fraction and a soluble fraction, changed during the pupal moult, and the activity of cytochrome oxidase also shifted dramatically. There was a marked change during pupation in the specific activity of all the enzymes measured, and the relative specific activity of the glycosidases and acid phosphatase in the lysosomal-mitochondrial fraction decreased.
Emulsifying and foaming properties of transglutaminase-treated wheat gluten hydrolysate as influenced by pH, temperature and salt

Abstract Hydrolyzed wheat gluten (GH, 77–85% protein) was prepared by limited hydrolysis with chymotrypsin at 37 °C for 4 h (degree of hydrolysis=6.4%) and 15 h (degree of hydrolysis=10.3%). The effect of microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) treatment (55 °C for 1 h, or 5 °C for 18 h) on the emulsifying and foaming properties of GH was evaluated under selected food processing conditions (pH 4.0 and 6.5, 0 and 0.6 M NaCl, and temperature 20 and 5 °C). At pH 4.0 and 0 M NaCl the MTGase treatment substantially increased foaming capacity (FC) of GH compared with their respective control GH samples, as a result of enhanced peptide adsorption to the air–water interface, but FC was similar for both control and MTGase-treated GH at pH 6.5. In contrast, foam drainage stability (FS) of MTGase-treated GH decreased at pH 4.0, but increased significantly (P
Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase–Akt Kinase and p42/p44 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases Mediate Neurotrophic and Excitoprotective Actions of a Secreted Form of Amyloid Precursor Protein

The alpha-secretase-derived form of the amyloid precursor protein (sAPPalpha), which is released from neurons in an activity-dependent manner, has been shown to promote long-term survival of hippocampal and cortical neurons in culture and can protect those neurons against excitotoxic and ischemic injury in culture and in vivo. The signal transduction pathway(s) activated by sAPPalpha has not been established. We now report that sAPPalpha activates the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI(3)K)-Akt kinase signaling pathway in cultured hippocampal neurons. sAPPalpha also stimulates phosphorylation of p42 (ERK1) and p44 (ERK2) mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases by a PI(3)K-independent pathway. Treatment of neurons with sAPPalpha protects them against death induced by trophic factor deprivation and exposure to glutamate, and these survival-promoting effects of sAPPalpha are abolished or attenuated when either PI(3)K or p42/p44 MAP kinases are selectively blocked. Exposure of neurons to sAPPalpha resulted in a decrease in the level of IkappaBbeta and an increase in NF-kappaB DNA binding activity, both of which were blocked by wortmannin, suggesting that the transcription factor NF-kappaB may be a downstream target of the PI(3)K-Akt pathway that may play a role in the cell survival-promoting action of sAPPalpha. These findings suggest that the PI(3)K-Akt pathway and p42/p44 MAP kinases mediate responses of neurons to sAPPalpha in physiological and pathological settings, with implications for synaptic plasticity and the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.