cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 3448: A highly specific 18F-labelled peptide for non-invasive quantification of PD-L1 levels in tumors

Introduction. Blockade of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and its receptor (PD-1) has emerged as a foundational treatment strategy for cancer. Immunohistochemical analysis (IHC) of PD-L1 expression is one of the biomarkers used to guide those treatments. However, total PD-L1 levels, dynamics and their relevance to treatment response are poorly understood. To facilitate non-invasive quantification of total PD-L1 levels and dynamics, here we report the synthesis of a highly specific PD-L1 binding radiolabeled peptide, [18F]DK222, and demonstrate its specificity for PD-L1 quantification in vivo in xenograft models of multiple cancer types. Experimental procedures. A 14 amino acid macrocyclic peptide (DK222) was conjugated with a bifunctional chelator (NCS-MP-NODA, Chematech) and the corresponding fluorinated radioactive and non-radioactive analogs, [18/19F]DK222, were synthesized by aluminum fluoride method. In vitro competitive inhibition assays were used to establish peptide analog affinity for PD-L1. We then tested in vitro and in vivo specificity of [18F]DK222 for PD-L1 in cell binding, positron emission (PET) imaging and ex vivo biodistribution studies. Those studies were performed in xenograft models having varying levels of PD-L1 expression and derived from breast, bladder, lung and skin cancers. In vivo PD-L1 specificity was confirmed by co-injecting a blocking dose of 50 mg/kg of parent peptide. PD-L1 expression in cell lines and tumors was validated by flow cytometry and IHC, respectively. Results. We observed half-maximal inhibitory concentrations of 95%) and with a specific activity of 256±18 mCi/micromole. In vitro studies showed that cell uptake of [18F]DK222 is reflective of PD-L1 expression detected by flow cytometry in the PD-L1high (MDAMB231, LOXIMVI, BFTC909) and PD-L1low (SUM149, MeWo, and T24) cells. PET imaging and biodistribution studies showed robust tracer uptake in PD-L1 high but not in PD-L1 low tumors. Blocking studies showed >80% reduction in the uptake of [18F]DK222 in PD-L1high tumors (P Conclusions. The pharmacokinetics of [18F]DK222 indicate that quantification of PD-L1 levels is feasible within 60 min of radiotracer administration. The developed radiotracer [18F]DK222 could potentially enable non-invasive quantification of PD-L1 levels in vivo by PET imaging. Citation Format: Dhiraj Kumar, Akhilesh Mishra, Ala Lisok, Sagar Shelake, Bryan Wharram, Ravindra Desilva, Ronnie Mease, Sridhar Nimmagadda. A highly specific 18F-labelled peptide for non-invasive quantification of PD-L1 levels in tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 3448.
A Metacognitive Approach to Reconsidering Risk Perceptions and Uncertainty: Understand Information Seeking During COVID-19

The study examined the psychological drivers of information-seeking behaviors during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Employing a two-wave (from April 16, 2020, to April 27, 2020) ...
Autism, Emotions, and Mindfulness

Up to 90% of autistic children and adults will experience a significant mental health concern at some point in their lives, compared to about 25% of the general population. Anxiety is the most frequently reported concern, but depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, and ADHD are also very common in autism. One especially important issue is that of suicide, which occurs at least eight times more often for autistic people than in the general population. For many autistics, the emotional distress associated with these mental health concerns is the most significant obstacle to successful outcomes at school and work and in relationships. This chapter will examine some key factors that influence mental health in autism and the potential for mindfulness-based approaches to reduce the burden of mental health concerns. I will focus on the application of mindfulness practice to anxiety though the principles discussed here are widely applicable. This chapter is intended for autistic teens and adults, parents and family members of autistic children and adults, teachers and other education experts, and health and mental health professionals.
A Second Conversation with Werner Vogels: The Amazon CTO sits with Tom Killalea to discuss designing for evolution at scale.

When I joined Amazon in 1998, the company had a single US-based website selling only books and running a monolithic C application on five servers, a handful of Berkeley DBs for key/value data, and a relational database. That database was called "ACB" which stood for "Amazon.Com Books," a name that failed to reflect the range of our ambition. In 2006 acmqueue published a conversation between Jim Gray and Werner Vogels, Amazon's CTO, in which Werner explained that Amazon should be viewed not just as an online bookstore but as a technology company. In the intervening 14 years, Amazon's distributed systems, and the patterns used to build and operate them, have grown in influence. In this follow-up conversation, Werner and I pay particular attention to the lessons to be learned from the evolution of a single distributed system, S3, which was publicly launched close to the time of that 2006 conversation.
Mortality, Risk Factors and Disparities Associated with Esophageal Variceal Bleeding in Children's Hospitals in the US

Objectives To use a large administrative database to determine the mortality, risk factors, and comorbidities of esophageal variceal bleeding in children. Study design Retrospective cohort study using Pediatric Health Information System data from 50 tertiary children's hospitals in the US. International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes (FY 2020 ICD-10 update and revision 10 of ICD-9) from 2004 through 2019 identified children 18 years and younger with variceal bleeding and complications. Univariate analyses used the Student t -test for continuous variables (age) and the χ2 test for categorical variables (all others). A mixed-effects linear regression was performed for multiple variables. Results There were 1902 patients who had 3399 encounters for esophageal variceal bleeding. The mortality rate for variceal bleeding was 7.3%, increasing to 8.8% by 6 weeks; any mortality during the study was 20.1%. Transfusion was required in 54.7% of encounters, and 42.6% were admitted to the intensive care unit. Variceal bleeding encounters were complicated by peptic ulcer disease (6.9%), bacteremia (11.4%), acute renal failure (5.1%), mechanical ventilation (18%), ascites (21.3%), and peritonitis (3.3%). Multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression showed that Black race (OR, 2.59; P Conclusions The 6-week mortality rate for variceal bleeding in children is 8.8%. Black or Hispanic children are at higher risk of dying. Serious morbidities associated with variceal hemorrhage impact mortality. These data can inform consideration of prophylactic or therapeutic interventions for children at risk.
Introduction: Governing Exchange

This is the introduction to The Exchange Order: Property and Liability as an Economic System, New York: Oxford University Press, 2017. It briefly describes the exchange order, the comprehensive social system comprising explicit markets, tort liability and criminal liability. These institutions are portrayed as different ways to govern exchanges, compensated transfers from lower to higher valuing owners, across a range of environments. Every transfer involves both the taking of goods and the imposition of costs, and exchange means that cost bearers are fully compensated by takers for their losses. Markets govern exchanges in environments where property rights are secure, so all trades are consensual and compensation occurs at the moment of taking. Tort and criminal liability operate in environments where property is insecure, completing involuntary transfers of entitlements, rights to be free of unlawful cost imposition, by imposing compensatory liability prices on takers equal to the cost of the taking. All three systems thus operate to move rights and objects to higher valuing owners through the payment of compensatory prices.
A review of real-time human action recognition involving vision sensing

Human action recognition has been utilized in many applications such as human-computer interaction, video surveillance, assistive living, and gaming. Deployment of human action recognition demands the processing to be carried out in real-time or in a computationally efficient manner. The real-time requirement is addressed by only a subset of the developed methods in the literature. This paper provides a review of computationally efficient human action recognition methods in which a vision sensor is used. The reviewed papers are categorized in terms of conventional and deep learning approaches as well as in terms of single vision and multi-vision modality sensing.
Needle types used in abdominal cross-sectional interventional radiology: a survey of the Society of Abdominal Radiology emerging technology commission

To identify commonly used needle types in cross-sectional interventional radiology (CSIR) and to review features and safety profiles of those needles. Members of the Society of Abdominal Radiology (SAR) emerging technologies commission (ETC) on CSIR were sent a 13-question survey about what needles they use for common CSIR procedures: random and targeted solid organ biopsy, ultrasound-guided paracentesis, and ultrasound-guided thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA). Results were compiled with descriptive statistics, and features of the most commonly used needles were reviewed. 19 surveys were completed (response rate 57.6%, 19/33) from 16 institutions. For solid organ biopsies, the majority of respondents reported using an 18-gauge needle with an automatic firing mechanism and a variable throw length option. The most commonly used needle for both random and targeted biopsies was the Argon BioPince (26.3%, 5/19) The three most commonly used needles for solid organ biopsies all featured automatic firing, variable throw length options, and 18-gauge size. A 5 French Cook Yueh needle was most the most commonly used paracentesis needle (36.8%, 7/19). For thyroid FNA, all respondents used spinal needles, and 25-gauge was the most common size (72.2%, 13/18). Abdominal radiologists use a variety of needles when performing common interventional procedures. Members of the SAR CSIR ETC commonly use automatic, 18-gauge, variable throw length needles for solid organ biopsies, 5 French catheter style needles for paracentesis, and 25-gauge spinal needles for thyroid FNA.
Quantifying the size and healing of volumetric muscle wounds using 3D Slicer on CT scans in a canine model

Volumetric soft tissue and muscle wounds can arise from trauma or necrotizing soft tissue infection. Quantifying the size of these wounds can be challenging, as they often have irregular borders and contours and invariably involve skin loss. 3-dimensional Computed Tomography (3dCT) has been used to characterize the volume of numerous tissue structures, but these use cases invariably involve structures for which clear anatomic borders exist. This is not the case for volumetric soft tissue or muscle wounds, where the volume of the wound being assessed, which is actually a void representing the absence of tissue, does not contain an explicit border at the superficial surface. We present a method that allows quantification of the void size of volumetric muscle wounds using CT scans processed with the software package 3D Slicer. This quantification allows us to chart the progression of healing in such wounds with sequential scans. The development of a means to quantify wound size and healing rate is a necessary capability in order to assess the efficacy of potential therapeutic interventions aimed at enhancing healing of such wounds.
A New Horizon: Transitioning From an Experienced to Novice Nurse

Abstract Job transitions can be considered a major life event owing to the stress of adapting and changing to a new environment. In nursing, much of the literature focuses on the transition experience of a newly graduated nurse and offer many resources and support to ensure a smooth transition. Less attention is given to an experienced nurse transitioning to a different role and often their needs are overlooked. This paper aims to use a popular change theory by Kurt Lewin to highlight my unique journey as an experienced nurse transitioning to a novice nurse in the field of radiology.
Crowding within synaptic junctions influence the degradation of adenoside nucleotides by CD39 and CD73 ectonucleotidases

Synapsed cells can communicate using exocytosed nucleotides like adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Ectonucleotidases localized to a synaptic junction degradesuch nucleotides into metabolites like adenosine monophosphate (AMP) or adenosine, oftentimes in a sequential manner. CD39 and CD73 are a representativeset of coupled ectonucleotidases, where CD39 first converts ATP and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) into AMP, after which the AMP product is dephosphorylated into adenosine by CD73. Hence, CD39/CD73 help shape cellular responses to extracellular ATP. In a previous study [1] we demonstrated that the rates of coupled CD39/CD73 activity within synapse-like junctions are strongly controlled by the enzymes9 co-localization, their surface charge densities, and the electrostatic potential of the surrounding cell membranes. In this study, we demonstrate that crowders within a synaptic junction, which can include globular proteins like cytokines and membrane-bound proteins, impact coupled CD39/CD73 electronucleotidase activity and in turn, the availability of intrasynapse ATP. Specifically, we simulated a spatially-explicit, reaction-diffusion model for the coupled conversion of ATP -> AMP and AMP -> adenosine in a model synaptic junction with crowders via the finite element method. Our modeling results suggest that the association rate for ATP to CD39 is strongly influenced by the density of intrasynaptic protein crowders, as increasing crowder density suppressed ATP association kinetics. Much of this suppression can be rationalized based on a loss of configurational entropy. The surface charges of crowders can further influence the association rate, with the surprising result that favorable crowder/nucleotide electrostatic interactions can yield CD39 association rates that are faster than crowder-free configurations. However, attractive crowder/nucleotide interactions decrease the rate and efficiency of adenosine production, which in turn increases the availability of ATP and AMP within the synapse relative to crowder-free configurations. These findings highlight how CD39/CD73 ectonucleotidase activity, electrostatics and crowding within synapses influence the availability of nucleotides for intercellular communication.
Patterns of sexual size dimorphism in Chelonia

Macroevolutionary patterns of sexual size dimorphism (SSD) indicate how sexual selection, natural selection, and genetic and developmental constraints mold sex differences in body size. One putative pattern, known as Rensch's rule, posits that, among species with female-larger SSD, the relative degree of SSD declines with species' body size, whereas, among male-larger SSD species, relative SSD increases with size. Using a dataset of 196 chelonian species from all fourteen families, we investigated the correlation in body size evolution between male and female Chelonia and the validity of Rensch's rule for the taxon and within its major clades. We conclude that male–female correlations in body size evolution are high, although these correlations differ among chelonian families. Overall, SSD scales isometrically with body size; Rensch's rule is valid for only one family, Testudinidae (tortoises). Because macroevolutionary patterns of SSD can vary markedly among clades, even in a taxon as morphologically conservative as Testudines, one must guard against inappropriately pooling clades in comparative studies of SSD. The results of the present study also indicate that regression models that assume the x-variable (e.g. male body size) is measured without statistical error, although frequently reported, will result in erroneous conclusions about phylogenetic trends in sexual size dimorphism. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 108, 396–413.
NON-VON: a parallel machine architecture for knowledge-based information processing

NON-VON is a highly parallel machine designed to support the efficient implementation of very large scale knowledge-based systems. The utility of such a machine has been demonstrated analytically [1, 2] and through implementation of a working knowledge-based information retrieval system in which the NON-VON machine instructions were emulated in software [3]. In cooperation with the Stanford Computer Science Department, we have recently begun to implement the most important components of the machine as custom VLSI circuits.
Extracellular Calcium Depletion in Synaptic Transmission

Regulation of Ca2+ homeostasis in the extracellular space plays an important role in neuronal function. Several modeling studies and recent measurements have demonstrated that modest action potential or synaptic activity can result in a significant reduction in extracellular calcium ([Ca]o2+). Changes in [Ca]o 2+ can regulate intracellular signaling enzymes, such as Ca2+/calmodulin–dependent protein kinase II, and influence neuronal function at synaptic and nonsynaptic sites. The change in [Ca]o 2+ can affect several types of ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors and activate a Ca2+-sensitive receptor in neuronal membranes. Depletion of [Ca]o 2+ may function as an activity-dependent extracellular messenger that regulates nervous system function during development, learning, and disease.
A resonance cell for on-line optical spectroscopy of accelerator produced radioactive atoms

Abstract An apparatus has been developed for on-line studies of the optical spectra of radioactive atoms formed from heavy-ion fusion evaporation reaction products. The unstable nuclei recoil into cell containing a noble gas in which they are neutralized and thermalized by the gas. A laser beam passing through the cell is tuned through an optical resonance of the diffusing atoms, and the resulting fluorescence is detected. The apparatus provides a relatively long laser-atom interaction time and allows the study of atoms too short lived or produced in amounts too small or from elements too refractory to be studied by other means. Isotope shifts of 152,154,156,158Yb have been measured, as well as the shifts between the stable isotopes of the refractory element Hf.
Corona Investigation on an Artificial Line

Accompanying corona on a transmission line, there has been found, in several cases, an appreciable increase in the line charging current over that indicated by the usual formula. This has been taken to indicate an increased line capacitance resulting from the presence of the corona envelope about the conductors, and has, for this reason, come to be described as the extra-capacity effect of corona. This explanation, by an envelope, however, has not been entirely satisfactory, and the question has arisen as to whether the current increase could not have been equally as well attributed to the current and voltage harmonics which the corona introduces. The paper describes an investigation made of this extra-capacity effect on an artificial transmission line using artificial corona. In avoiding, by means of this method, the glow discharge of real corona, all envelope effects were eliminated. The operation of the artificial corona is described, and the results given of the tests which were made in checking its characteristics against those of real corona. By means of the artificial corona it is shown that it is possible to obtain the extra-capacity effect of corona without having present an ionized envelope. The explanation is offered that at least the larger portion of this effect found on transmission lines under corona conditions is apparent only; that it is a result of the approximate method by which the line capacitance is calculated, and the increased admittance which the line offers to currents of harmonic frequencies.
NS-7 (nervous system antigen-7): A cell surface antigen of mature brain, kidney, and spermatozoa shared by embryonal tissues and transformed cells

Abstract Xenogeneic immunization of rabbits with cells of a mouse undifferentiated neural tumor, MUNTAD, produces antisera which after appropriate absorption bind to the cell surfaces of MUNTAD cells and to three normal adult mouse tissues: brain, kidney, and spermatozoa. Any one of these tissues quantitatively absorbs all of the activity for MUNTAD cells from the antisera, indicating that a single antigen or antigens is shared. This is designated NS-7. The adult tissues positive for NS-7 are the same as those that carry NS-6, but NS-7 is distinguished serologically from NS-6 by being present on many embryonic tissues, tumors, and cell lines which completely lack NS-6. Blocking and capping studies show that on the MUNTAD cell surface, some NS-7 antigenic sites and all NS-6 sites are physically related.
Change of Phase and Change of State in Biological Systems

Abstract Insofar as liquid crystals can exist in lifeless organic substances as well as in living systems, we have to differentiate for the purpose of this lecture between inanimate and animate matter; in other words, we have to ask what, insofar as the liquid crystalline state is involved, is the unique feature of living matter or protoplasm. This question is ultimately part of a much greater riddle but our immediate problem is to see whether the liquid crystalline state is an integral or merely an incidental feature of cellular and extracellular substance in living organisms.
Protein and non-protein nitrogen in the body fluid of Pisaster ochraceous (echinodermata) in relation to nutrition and reproduction☆

Abstract 1. 1. The protein and non-protein nitrogen (NPN) in the body fluid of the sea star, Pisaster ochraceous, was determined monthly for over a year, the exact sampling time being determined by collection during low tides. 2. 2. Both protein and NPN are always present in measurable quantities, and similar amounts of protein were found by both Kjeldahl analysis and colorimetric estimations using the Lowry method. The protein level is however, highly variable from individual to individual under all circumstances tested. 3. 3. There appeared to be no clear correlation between the protein and NPN during the change in gonad size which characterizes the annual reproductive cycle, nor with the annual changes in size of the pyloric caeca, which are thought to characterize a nutrient build-up for reproduction. 4. 4. Starvation causes the protein level of the body fluid to fall but has the opposite effect on the NPN, which rises. Assuming that degradation of protein accounts for the nitrogenous material in the body fluid, the decline in protein level could not account quantitatively for the rise in NPN. An extravascular source of NPN is thus indicated. 5. 5. Feeding results in rise of protein level in the body fluid. The NPN is less affected by nutrition and the constant relation of NPN to the total nitrogen (TN) suggests the possibility of NPN regulation in the body fluid. 6. 6. The data were related to other data on the body fluid of echinoderms and to similar fluids in animals of other phyla. Since the body fluid is the medium of exchange of nutrients and oxygen between gut and other organs and the seat of other important functions, further studies are desirable to add to the data gathered here.
Post-disaster Health Indicators for Pregnant and Postpartum Women and Infants

United States (U.S.) pregnant and postpartum (P/PP) women and their infants may be particularly vulnerable to effects from disasters. In an effort to guide post-disaster assessment and surveillance, we initiated a collaborative process with nationwide expert partners to identify post-disaster epidemiologic indicators for these at-risk groups. This 12 month process began with conversations with partners at two national conferences to identify critical topics for P/PP women and infants affected by disaster. Next we hosted teleconferences with a 23 member Indicator Development Working Group (IDWG) to review and prioritize the topics. We then divided the IDWG into three population subgroups (pregnant women, postpartum women, and infants) that conducted at least three teleconferences to discuss the proposed topics and identify/develop critical indicators, measures for each indicator, and relevant questions for each measure for their respective population subgroup. Lastly, we hosted a full IDWG teleconference to review and approve the indicators, measures, and questions. The final 25 indicators and measures with questions (available online) are organized by population subgroup: pregnant women (indicators = 9; measures = 24); postpartum women (indicators = 10; measures = 36); and infants (indicators = 6; measures = 30). We encourage our partners in disaster-affected areas to test these indicators and measures for relevancy and completeness. In post-disaster surveillance, we envision that users will not use all indicators and measures but will select ones appropriate for their setting. These proposed indicators and measures promote uniformity of measurement of disaster effects among U.S. P/PP women and their infants and assist public health practitioners to identify their post-disaster needs.
Anti-inflammatory Agents III: Structure–Activity Relationships of Brusatol and Related Quassinoids

A series of quassinoids were observed to be potent inhibitors of induced inflammation and arthritis in rodents. Brusatol afforded the most potent activity followed by brucein-D. A 3-hydroxy-Δ3-2-oxo moiety in brusatol or a 1-hydroxy-Δ3-2-oxo moiety in brucein-D, as well as a C-15 ester-bearing δ-lactone ring in brusatol and C-11 and C-12 free hydroxyl groups are required in both quassinoids for potent anti-inflammatory activity. Preliminary studies indicate that one of the modes of action of quassinoids as anti-inflammatory agents is to stabilize lysosomal membranes, reducing the release of hydrolytic enzymes that cause damage to surrounding tissues.
Purulence and gram-negative bacilli in tracheal aspirates of mechanically ventilated very low birth weight infants.

OBJECTIVE: Tracheal aspirates (TAs) from mechanically ventilated very low birth weight (VLBW) infants are frequently obtained during the evaluation of suspected sepsis, tracheitis, or ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Purulence and bacteria in Gram stain of bronchopulmonary secretions are considered signs of respiratory infection, and medical decisions are made on the assumption that they are predictors of positive bacterial tracheal cultures (TCs). The purpose of this retrospective investigation was to establish the relationship of purulence and bacteria in TA from ventilated VLBW infants with positive TC and to identify its clinical significance. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred and seventy consecutively born VLBW infants (1996 to 1998) who remained on mechanical ventilation longer than 1 week were studied. Demographic, laboratory, and clinical data were obtained from hospital medical records. Purulence, defined by the number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) per low power field (LPF), was reported as light (<25 PMNs/LPF) or moderate/heavy (≥25 PMNs/LPF) for every TA. RESULTS: Purulence was absent in 469 of 646 (72%) TA taken from 170 infants. Light purulence was present in 17% and moderate/heavy purulence in 11%. TCs were positive in 58% of non-purulent, 94% of light, and 100% of moderate/heavy purulent TA. Bacteria on Gram stain were present in 12% of non-purulent, 70% of light purulent, and 83% of moderate/heavy purulent TA. Moderate/heavy purulence in TA was predictive of a positive TC with Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) with 70% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value, and 67% negative predictive value. Purulence in TA, as well as GNB airway colonization, became more frequent as mechanical ventilation progressed and was not associated with a particular GNB species. There were 79 infants who never had purulent TA and 91 who, at some time during the hospitalization, did. At the time of first purulent TA, 65 (71%) of 91 infants were asymptomatic. Twenty-six infants (29%) had clinical deterioration for which they underwent sepsis work-up. Three had blood stream infection, 5 VAP, 5 tracheitis, and 13 respiratory complications of non-infectious etiology. Four of five VAP infants died; all others survived. CONCLUSION: In VLBW infants, purulence in TA is associated with prolonged endotracheal intubation and is temporally related to GNB airway colonization. At the time of the first purulent TA, the majority of mechanically ventilated VLBW infants are asymptomatic. Only a few symptomatic VLBW infants had nosocomial respiratory infection. Understanding the clinical significance of purulence and GNB in TA from this unique patient population is important for management and prognosis, and it may decrease concern for infection and the associated use of antibiotics.
Distributed data association for multiple-target tracking using game theory

In this paper, we develop a game-theoretic framework to address data association for multiple-target tracking problems. We model the interaction among trackers as a game, by considering them as players, and the set of measurements as strategies. We develop utility functions for the players, and use a regret-based learning algorithm to find the equilibrium of the game. We will then use Monte Carlo filters, operating in parallel, to track state vectors corresponding to the individual targets. In contrast to the traditional Monte Carlo filters that sample the association vector, we first find the association in a deterministic fashion, and then use Monte Carlo sampling on the reduced dimensional state of each target independently, thereby enabling a distributed implementation. We provide numerical results to demonstrate the performance of our proposed filtering algorithm.
A biracial comparison of adolescent alcohol use

This study used a survey design to compare the drinking behaviors of Black and White students from two urban high schools in the city of Cleveland. Data are presented from 1,096 students who completed a 28-item self-report questionnaire measuring adolescent alcohol use and several factors which influence it. White males demonstrated the highest amount of alcohol use on all measures, while White females demonstrated drinking rates comparable to Black males. Blacks of both sexes exhibited the highest percentage of nondrinkers and the highest lifetime abstention rates. White respondents tended to have their initial drinking experiences almost a year earlier than their Black counterparts and perceived greater parental permissiveness regarding drinking. Relaxation was the most popular reason given for drinking by all groups of students. Higher percentages of White than Black students felt that conviviality and problem avoidance were benefits associated with drinking. Subcultural variations were also seen in th...
On Construction of the Refined Equations of Vibration of Elastic Plates

We describe the key stages of the development of generalized dynamic theories of bending vibrations of the bars, plates, and shells, based on the shear model proposed by S. P. Timoshenko, outstanding Ukrainian scientist, in 1921 (“On the correction for shear of the differential equation for transverse vibrations of prismatic bar,” Phil. Mag., Ser. 6, 41, No. 245, 744–746). We present the mathematical construction of equations of the theory of plates derived as hyperbolic approximations of the elastodynamic problem for a layer. The analytic expression for the coefficient of thickness shear is obtained. Some contemporary investigations are also discussed. As an example, we consider the process of wave propagation along an elastically restrained strip.
Criteria for optical bistability in a lossy saturating Fabry-Perot

Large optical nonlinearities occur in a variety of multiple quantum-well and n-i-p-i materials in which the nonlinearity saturates and there is residual absorption. The conditions for bistability when such media are placed with a Fabry-Perot etalon are discussed. It is proved analytically that the ratio of the optically induced saturated index change to the linear loss per unit length must be larger than the wavelength divided by pi . It is shown, however, that practical devices require twice this value. It is found that there is a tradeoff in cavity design between minimizing the switching intensity and minimizing the required nonlinear phase change. Finally, approximate expressions for the switching intensity versus detuning are given. >
The isotopic composition of Nd in different ocean masses

Sm-Nd data for authigenic ferromanganese sediments from the oceans indicate that the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans each have a distinct range in Nd isotopic composition which are characteristic of each ocean basin and reflect the dissolved load of Nd in the water mass. Within each basin, Nd isotopic compositions show some variability but are relatively well defined. Isotopic compositions of Nd measured in these samples are all far less than the ^(143)Nd/^(144)Nd ratios of source rocks with oceanic affinities. Direct measurements of the Nd isotopic composition of seawater presented here support the view that REE in ferromanganese sediments are derived by the direct precipitation of these elements out of seawater. Nd isotopic variations in ferromanganese sediments cannot be explained by contributions from continental detritus. It is therefore believed that the Nd isotopic variations found for ferromanganese sediments represent true variations in the isotopic composition of Nd dissolved in seawater in various ocean masses. These variations reflect primarily the age and ^(147)Sm/^(144)Nd of the continental masses being sampled, which is believed to be the major source of REE in seawater. These variations indicate that the residence time of Nd in seawater must be very short relative to the mixing rates between ocean masses. Nd isotopic studies, both in seawater and sediments should, therefore, be useful as a monitor of ocean currents and interocean mixing over the past several million years.
“That mea::n dog”: Linguistic mischief and verbal play as a communicative resource in aphasia

Taking an interactional approach to the study of discourse, this paper analyzes verbal and nonverbal play of individuals with aphasia and their routine communication partners. In the data (barrier task sessions and community observations), play (e.g., rhyming; slang expressions; speaking in foreign languages; speaking for others; teasing; gestural dispalys) was pervasive, contributed to social and referential functions as well as to the naturalness of communicative interactions, and was collaboratively supported. This research suggests further study of the role of verbal play in clinical interventions as well as in the overall life course of individuals with aphasia and their interlocuters.
The Role of Accumbens Dopamine in Lever Pressing and Response Allocation: Effects of 6-OHDA Injected into Core and Dorsomedial Shell

Three experiments investigated the behavioral effects of injections of the neurotoxic agent 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the core or shell of the nucleus accumbens. In the first experiment, it was observed that injections of 6-OHDA into either core or shell had no significant effect on variable interval 30-s responding. In Experiment 2, responding on a fixed ratio 5 (FR5) schedule was impaired by 6-OHDA injections in the core, but not the shell. Rats with core injections of 6-OHDA showed significant alterations in the relative distribution of interresponse times, which were indicative of reductions in the maximal rate of responding and increases in the number of pauses. In the third experiment, rats were tested using a lever-pressing/chow-feeding procedure, in which a preferred food (Bioserve pellets) was available by pressing a lever on a FR5 schedule, but a less preferred food (lab chow) was also available concurrently in the test chamber. Untreated rats usually pressed the lever at high rates to obtain the food pellets and ate little of the lab chow. After training, dopamine depletions were produced by injections of 6-OHDA directly into the core or dorsomedial shell subregions. Injections of 6-OHDA into the core significantly decreased lever pressing for food pellets, increased lab chow consumption, and decreased the relative amount of food obtained by lever pressing. Dorsomedial shell injections of 6-OHDA had no significant effects on either lever pressing or lab chow consumption. Neurochemical results indicate that injections of 6-OHDA in the shell produced substantial depletions in the shell that were somewhat selective; however, injections of 6-OHDA into the core tended to deplete both core and shell. Correlational analyses revealed that decreases in FR5 lever pressing were associated with dopamine levels in the core, but not the shell. The present results indicate that substantial depletions of dopamine in the dorsomedial shell are not sufficient for suppressing reinforced lever pressing, and indicate that dopamine depletions must include the core area to impair performance on these tasks. The lack of effect of accumbens dopamine depletions on VI30 responding are consistent with the notion that accumbens dopamine depletions affect responding on schedules that generate a high rate of responding (FR5), but not those that generate a moderate rate of responding (e.g., VI30 s). The results of the concurrent FR5/chow-feeding experiment indicate that rats with accumbens dopamine depletions remain directed towards the acquisition and consumption of food. These results suggest that dopamine in the core region of accumbens sets constraints upon the selection of food-related behaviors, and that core dopamine depletions alter the relative allocation of food-related responses.
Effects of actinomycin D and puromycin on in vitro effects of triamcinolone on hepatic metabolism

Abstract Rat liver slices were incubated with 14 C l -alanine and 14 CO 2 and incorporation of labeled carbon into glucose and protein was determined. Triamcinolone 10 −4 m stimulated 14 C glucose production (200 per cent from l -alanine-U- 14 C, and 180 per cent from 14 CO 2 ). Actinomycin D (2 μg/ml) reduced the response to triamcinolone (153 per cent for l -alanine and 134 per cent for CO 2 ) but did not abolish it. Actinomycin D alone was without effect on 14 C glucose production. Incorporation of alanine carbon into protein was inhibited by triamcinolone (47 per cent) but was not influenced by actinomycin. Puromycin (20 μg/ml) was without effect on 14C glucose formation, but caused a 50 per cent reduction in incorporation of alanine carbon into proteins. Puromycin inhibited the effect of triamcinolone on incorporation of alanine into glucose, but did not block the effect of triamcinolone on incorporation of 14 CO 2 into glucose. In the presence of both triamcinolone and puromycin incorporation of alanine carbon into protein was inhibited by 85 to 90 per cent. Thus, both triamcinolone and puromycin appear to inhibit protein synthesis in liver slices and their effects are additive. Pretreatment of rats with either actinomycin or puromycin did not abolish the in vitro response of liver slices to triamcinolone stimulation of CO 2 incorporation into glucose. Triamcinolone added to liver slices was without effect on α-amino nitrogen levels.
Young, seropositive, and pregnant: epidemiologic and psychosocial perspectives on pregnant adolescents with human immunodeficiency virus infection

The objective of the study was to characterize human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive pregnant adolescents according to maternal reproductive, behavioral, and psychosocial characteristics. Data were derived from the national HIV/AIDS Reporting System (HARS, 2001-2004) and the Perinatal Guidelines Evaluation Project (PGEP, 1997-1999). Births to HIV-seropositive 13- to 21-year-olds reported to HARS via pediatric case report forms, and HIV-seropositive pregnant adolescents (aged 13- 21 years) who participated in PGEP were identified and characterized. In the 28 states with confidential, name-based perinatal HIV exposure reporting, 1183 live births occurred to 1090 seropositive adolescents. Fifteen births were to perinatally HIV-infected adolescents. HIV serostatus was known before the index pregnancy in half the cases (52.6% and 49.2% in HARS and PGEP, respectively). Of seropositive PGEP adolescents, 67% were previously pregnant; most pregnancies (83.3%) were unplanned. Many HIV-seropositive pregnant adolescents were aware of their serostatus when they became pregnant. Pregnancy and transmission risk reduction interventions targeting young seropositive females are needed.
Charmonium with improved Wilson fermions I: A determination of the strong coupling constant

Abstract I discuss the motivations and analysis of uncertainties of a recent determination of α8 from the 1P-1S splitting in Charmonium. The result is α MS (5 GeV ) = 0.174 ± 0.012 , or equivalently, Λ (4) MS = 160 −37 +47 MeV .
Optical spectra from a degenerate optical parametric oscillator coupling with N two-level atoms.

We study transmitted optical spectra from a realistic system which consists of a degenerate optical parametric oscillator (DOPO) and N two-level atoms. Optical bistability appears when parameters are suitable. Below the modified threshold of the DOPO (lower turning point of the bistable curve), the coherent intensity is always zero at the lower branch, which allows us to describe this system with a set of linear differential equations. By transforming the field and atomic variables into corresponding quadratures, we find that, for the resonance case, one atomic quadrature will only couple to one field quadrature. By separating these two quadratures, we are able to study the effects due to squeezed and unsqueezed quadratures on the atoms. The optical and atomic spectra of this system are obtained, analytically, for arbitrary coupling strength and cavity linewidth.
Role of actin filament organization in CFTR activation

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is an anion-selective channel whose dysfunction leads to the onset of cystic fibrosis. CFTR activation is normally elicited by stimulation of the cAMP pathway, which effects protein kinase A activation. However, previous studies from our laboratory indicate that the actin cytoskeleton is also required for a proper CFTR function. In this report, the regulatory role of actin filament organization in the activation of CFTR was explored. Maneuvers to modify the steady-state organization of actin filaments elicit the activation of CFTR in the absence of a functional cAMP pathway. Partial disruption of the actin cytoskeleton of CFTR-expressing cells with cytochalasin D (CD) induced CFTR activation in the absence of an activated PKA. Similar findings were obtained by intracellular dialysis with the actin-severing protein gelsolin. However, extended treatment with CD leading to the collapse of the actin cytoskeleton rendered CFTR completely insensitive to direct PKA activation. cAMP activation of CFTR was also found to be dysfunctional in cells lacking the actin-crosslinking protein ABP-280, which was recovered after dialysis of the cells with filamin, a homologue of ABP-280. The present data indicate that an organized actin network is required for the proper cAMP-dependent activation of CFTR. The possibility is also explored that actin must be directly associated with CFTR to elicit its activation, further suggesting that this channel protein may bind actin as well.
Educational Disenchantment and the University Student.

In contrast to much of the research on contemporary university students of the post-activist generation, the study reported here rests on a model of the student as a quasi-citizen within the university political system. As a major political socialization environment for students, the university engenders feelings of academic disaffection among students. This study, based on a survey of 2,122 students enrolled at three mid-western universities in 1974, attempts to investigate the antecedents and consequences of felt academic disaffection for students. Five major findings emerge from this research. First, feelings of academic disaffection are relatively high among the students interviewed. Second, when the dimensionality of academic disaffection is investigated, these students typically express disaffection concerning the university and university administrators, with the latter group fostering most of the disaffection. Third, the students at the three universities surveyed generally differ regarding their evaluations of university functioning, their feelings of academic disaffection, and their desires for university reform, in each case with Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (SIU-C) students being significantly distinct from students at Northern Illinois University (NIU) and University of Kentucky (UK). Fourth, students' perceptions of authoritarian governance and an unsatisfactory academic environment at their universities tend to generate both university and administrative disaffection. Last, university and administrative disaffection result in a predilection among students for reform in the university, preferably devoid of administrative intervention.
The geometry of separation processes: A horse-carrot theorem for steady flow systems

The horse-carrot theorem bounding the entropy production in processes with a fixed number of relaxations is extended to steady flow processes. The dissipation turns out to be related to a path of flows rather than states. The example of fractional distillation is presented and shows how null directions for the geometry turn out to be useful in the analysis. The implied distillation column design offers potentially significant energy savings.
A Forecast for Theoretical Chemistry

This award address for the Peter Debye Award in physical chemistry focusses on the past, present, and future of quantum mechanics.
Plastic instability in uniaxial tension tests

Abstract The criterion for plastic instability presented by Hart [1] is shown to apply to both geometrical and deformation defects in a tensile specimen. A first order differential equation is presented to describe strain gradients in a tensile specimen with nonuniform cross-section. This expression is shown to reduce to other suggested forms when certain approximations are made. A new equation is presented to relate fracture elongation to constitutive parameters.
Kinetics of titania nanotube formation by anodization of titanium films

Abstract We report the kinetics of titania nanotube length evolution during anodization of titanium films. Our results show that the nanotube length increase is thermally activated, and governed by voltage-dependent activation energy 0.6 eV ≤ Eeff ≤ 1.1 eV expressed by Eeff = E0-αVanod where α is a constant and E0 = 1.6 eV is a voltage-independent term. The proximity of E0 to that of oxygen diffusion in titania suggests that oxygen transport across the titania walls at the pore bottoms is the rate-limiting step. These results provide insights into the mechanism of titania nanotube formation and a framework for their rational synthesis for applications.
Lead-dithizone equilibria in water-carbon tetrachloride systems

Abstract Equilibrium of the principal reactions involved in the extraction of lead dithizonate from aqueous solution with carbon tetrachloride (0) have been determined at μ = 0.1 : The pH range for extraction of > 99% of lead under analytical conditions (citrate and cyanide present, low equilibrium concentration of dithizone) is 7.5–11.5. Cyanide in the concentrations likely to be used does not significantly decrease the extraction of lead. Above pH 10 85, > 99% of the excess dithizone is extracted from the carbon tetrachloride phase into an equal volume of aqueous phase. A pH of 10.8–10.9 is recommended for determination of lead with a carbon tetrachloride solution of dithizone. A variation of ca . ~0.2 pH unit from this value causes little error.