cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Value of an in-depth analysis of unpublished data on the safety of influenza vaccines in pregnant women.

Abstract Background Unpublished data can sometimes provide valuable information on the safety of biologic products. Methods We assessed information potentially available from regulatory authorities, manufacturers, and public health agencies. We explored 4 recently established vaccine registries, reviewed package inserts from 99 influenza vaccines, and contacted vaccine manufacturers and regulatory agencies for data on influenza vaccine safety in pregnant women. Results The vaccine registries did not have sufficient data to analyze and there are problems with the quality of the information. The majority of package inserts provided no product-specific safety information for pregnant women, especially in less developed countries. The majority of available data come from reports gathered from passive adverse event reporting systems in the general population and reports of women enrolled in clinical trials of influenza vaccines who became pregnant at various times before or after receiving influenza vaccine. The information was not collected in a systematic manner, there are inconsistencies in the follow up of pregnant women and the available information about pregnancy outcomes. Considerable resources would be needed to systematically identify all of the information, try to obtain missing follow up information, and conduct analyses. There would be substantial limitations to any attempt to conduct a systematic analysis. Conclusions The value of trying to analyze unpublished data on the safety of influenza vaccine in pregnancy is limited and would require considerable resources to thoroughly investigate. Expanding efforts to identify and review unpublished data regarding the safety of influenza vaccines in pregnancy is not likely to produce information of high scientific value or information that could not be identified from publications and other publically available data.
The Role of Empathy in Medicine: A Medical Student's Perspective

A medical student's perspective on the importance of empathy in patient-physician relationships and a reflection on how empathy was taught in his medical school. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
The Bayes Tree: An Algorithmic Foundation for Probabilistic Robot Mapping

We present a novel data structure, the Bayes tree, that provides an algorithmic foundation enabling a better understanding of existing graphical model inference algorithms and their connection to sparse matrix factorization methods. Similar to a clique tree, a Bayes tree encodes a factored probability density, but unlike the clique tree it is directed and maps more naturally to the square root information matrix of the simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) problem. In this paper, we highlight three insights provided by our new data structure. First, the Bayes tree provides a better understanding of batch matrix factorization in terms of probability densities. Second, we show how the fairly abstract updates to a matrix factorization translate to a simple editing of the Bayes tree and its conditional densities. Third, we apply the Bayes tree to obtain a completely novel algorithm for sparse nonlinear incremental optimization, that combines incremental updates with fluid relinearization of a reduced set of variables for efficiency, combined with fast convergence to the exact solution. We also present a novel strategy for incremental variable reordering to retain sparsity.We evaluate our algorithmon standard datasets in both landmark and pose SLAM settings.
Utilization of Molecular Markers in the Diagnosis and Management of Thyroid Nodules

Maximizing the information obtained through ultrasound examination and fine needle aspiration biopsy of the patient with an indeterminate thyroid nodule by obtaining a molecular profile is increasingly being utilized to guide clinical management. Several molecular tests have recently become available in the last few years. These molecular tests evaluate nodules for the presence of mutations/rearrangements or for the expression of differentially expressed mRNAs or miRNAs. Differences in test characteristics and performance exist for each assay and are discussed here to aid in test selection and clinical interpretation of the results.
Quantifier domain restriction as ellipsis

In this paper I argue that in certain cases quantifier domain restriction is due to a process of syntactic ellipsis. I give evidence for this analysis from inverse scope phenomena. I respond to Stanley and Szabo’s arguments against a syntactic ellipsis approach. Furthermore, I show how their own semantic proposal fails to capture the inverse scope facts.
Clinical evaluation of germline polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with disease response to capecitabine in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) (TBCRC 015).

1071Background: Capecitabine is an effective therapy for advanced breast cancer; however, response prediction is imprecise. In this study, we aimed to identify potential SNPs associated with respon...
High-field specific heat of A-15 Mo0.4Tc0.6

The specific heat of A-15 Mo/sub 0.4/Tc/sub 0.6/ has been measured in a 7-T magnetic field in order to suppress the superconducting transition. With normal state data now available from 7 to 25 K, an improved determination over previous work of ..gamma.. and 2..delta../kT/sub c/ was possible. Thus, more accurate values for ..gamma.. (6.2 +- 0.5 mJ/g-atom K/sup 2/) and 2 ..delta../kT/sub c/ (5.3 +- 0.5) have been determined. These parameters present a more believable picture of the strong coupling behavior of A-15 Mo/sub 0.4/Tc/sub 0.6/ than previously presented. In addition, the low-temperature specific heat data were extended to 1.4 K from the previous work's low of 4 K. These new data enable a determination of theta/sub D/ at T=O (349 +- 5 K) and theta/sub D/ at 7 K (306 +- 5 K) versus the high-temperature theta/sub D/ at T=13 K previously determined (271 +- 3 K).
Effectiveness of fluoride containing bonding resins in preventing demineralization of enamel during orthodontic treatment

EFFECTNENESS OF FLUORIDE CONTAINING BONDING RESINS IN PREVENTING DEMINERALIZATION OF ENAMEL DURING ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT Robin J. Choi June 7,2012 Introduction: Although orthodontics can correct a variety of dental and skeletal malocclusions, research has shown an increased risk of enamel demineralization leading to white spot lesions (WSLs). The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Pro Seal and Opal Seal, two fluoridated bonding agents, to Assure, a nonfluoridated bonding agent, in preventing demineralization during orthodontic treatment. Methods: 26 patients beginning comprehensive orthodontic treatment were divided into 3 groups. 9 patients were bonded with Assure (control), 9 patients were bonded with Pro Seal, and 8 patients were bonded with Opal Seal. Pretreatment and six-month progress photographs were used to calculate demineralization rates, and statistical analysis was performed to determine if any bonding agent is better at preventing WSLs. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in demineralization rates between the three bonding agents; however, descriptive statistics suggest that Pro Seal and Opal Seal may prevent demineralization more effectively than Assure.
Association of Inpatient Palliative Care with Health Care Utilization and Postdischarge Outcomes among Medicare Beneficiaries with End Stage Kidney Disease.

Background and objectives Palliative care may improve quality of life and reduce the cost of care for patients with chronic illness, but utilization and cost implications of palliative care in ESKD have not been evaluated. We sought to determine the association of inpatient palliative care with health care utilization and postdischarge outcomes in ESKD. Design, setting, participants, & measurements In analyses stratified by whether patients died during the index hospitalization, we identified Medicare beneficiaries with ESKD who received inpatient palliative care, ascertained by provider specialty codes, between 2012 and 2013. These patients were matched to hospitalized patients who received usual care using propensity scores. Primary outcomes were length of stay and hospitalization costs. Secondary outcomes were 30-day readmission and hospice enrollment. Results Inpatient palliative care occurred in 2 days. Among the decedent cohort (n=1308), inpatient palliative care was associated with a 21% shorter length of stay (−4.2 days; 95% confidence interval, −5.6 to −2.9 days) and 14% lower hospitalization costs (−$10,698; 95% confidence interval, −$17,553 to −$3843) compared with usual care. Among the nondecedent cohort (n=5024), inpatient palliative care was associated with no difference in length of stay (0.4 days; 95% confidence interval, −0.3 to 1.0 days) and 11% higher hospitalization costs ($4275; 95% confidence interval, $1984 to $6567) compared with usual care. In the 30-day postdischarge period, patients who received inpatient palliative care had higher likelihood of hospice enrollment (hazard ratio, 8.3; 95% confidence interval, 6.6 to 10.5) and lower likelihood of rehospitalization (hazard ratio, 0.8; 95% confidence interval, 0.7 to 0.9). Conclusions Among patients with ESKD who died in the hospital, inpatient palliative care was associated with shorter hospitalizations and lower costs. Among those who survived to discharge, inpatient palliative care was associated with no difference in length of stay and higher hospitalization costs but markedly higher hospice use and fewer readmissions after discharge.
Laparoscopic Magnet-Assisted Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Placement.

Abstract Background: There are various methods to place a gastrostomy tube. We report a laparoscopic method to place a standard percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube without the use of end...
Initial Report of Second-Line FOLFIRI in Combination with Ramucirumab in Advanced Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinomas: A Multi-Institutional Retrospective Analysis

Background. The randomized phase III RAINBOW trial established paclitaxel (pac) plus ramucirumab (ram) as a global standard for second‐line (2L) therapy in advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, together gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA). Patients (pts) receiving first‐line (1L) FOLFOX often develop neuropathy that renders continued neurotoxic agents in the 2L setting unappealing and other regimens more desirable. As such, FOLFIRI‐ram has become an option for patients with 2L GEA. FOLFIRI‐ramucirumab (ram) has demonstrated safety and activity in 2L colorectal cancer, but efficacy/safety data in GEA are lacking.
Food insecurity, mental distress and suicidal ideation in rural Africa: Evidence from Nigeria, Uganda and Ghana.

Background:In sub-Saharan Africa, mental and substance-related disorders account for 19% of all years lived with disability, yet the intersection between poverty and mental distress is poorly under...
Emergency department shifts and decision to admit: is there a lever to pull to address crowding?

Emergency department (ED) crowding has long been recognised as posing significant patient safety threats. Research has demonstrated ties between ED crowding and delays in time-sensitive, disease-specific interventions such as thrombolysis in patients with acute myocardial infarction1 and stroke,2 resuscitation in trauma patients,3 antibiotics for patients with community-acquired pneumonia,4 and more recently the timely treatment of patients with sepsis.5 Elderly patients in particular may be vulnerable to crowding.6 More broadly, it has become clear that periods of high ED crowding are associated with increased inpatient mortality, length of stay and costs,7 as well as decreased patient experience.8 9 Through health systems engineering, lean, and Six Sigma, ED leaders have sought to increase the efficiency of EDs, decrease crowding and improve the quality of care. Understanding the factors that contribute to ED crowding, including queuing theory, several solutions have been implemented to try to decompress crowded EDs.10 11 These ED solutions include matching the number of clinical shifts to expected patient arrival curves, positioning clinicians in triage,12 creating observation units,13 and streaming patients (split flow).12 Hospital system solutions have also been explored, including alternative pathways such as home hospital programmes,14 transferring lower acuity patients to partner community hospitals,15 smoothing the elective surgery schedule16 and boarding limited numbers of admitted ED patients in hospital hallways until a hospital bed becomes available.17 Over the years, groups like the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, American College of Emergency Physicians, and the …
Dynamic Structural Integration: A Metaphor for Creating Conditions to Facilitate Teacher-Centered Organisational Learning

In teacher inquiry, the metaphor of stance is used to describe a positionality towards teaching that includes questioning classroom practices, engaging in cycles of continuous improvement, and gene...
Millimeter wave science and technology at very low temperatures

Above helium temperatures, the photon energy hv in the millimeter region is significantly less than the thermal energy kT. The opposite is true in the optical region. This paper first discusses a newly developed technique that makes possible the study of gas phase systems at temperatures ≤ 4K, a regime where phenomena in the millimeter wave region can take on many of the properties of optical science and technology. Then, with gas phase molecular systems as the example, the temperature dependence of electromagnetic interactions is explored. Finally some experimental results from this low temperature regime are presented and additional research opportunities discussed.
Comparative effectiveness of first-line palbociclib plus letrozole versus letrozole alone for HR+/HER2− metastatic breast cancer in US real-world clinical practice

Findings from randomized clinical trials may have limited generalizability to patients treated in routine clinical practice. This study examined the effectiveness of first-line palbociclib plus letrozole versus letrozole alone on survival outcomes in patients with hormone receptor–positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor–negative (HER2−) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) treated in routine clinical practice in the USA. This was a retrospective observational analysis of electronic health records within the Flatiron Health Analytic Database. A total of 1430 patients with ≥ 3 months of follow-up received palbociclib plus letrozole or letrozole alone in the first-line setting between February 3, 2015, and February 28, 2019. Stabilized inverse probability treatment weighting (sIPTW) was used to balance baseline demographic and clinical characteristics. Real-world progression-free survival (rwPFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. After sIPTW adjustment, median follow-up was 24.2 months (interquartile range [IQR], 14.2–34.9) in the palbociclib group and 23.3 months (IQR, 12.7–34.3) in those taking letrozole alone. Palbociclib combination treatment was associated with significantly longer median rwPFS compared to letrozole alone (20.0 vs 11.9 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.58; 95% CI, 0.49–0.69; P < 0.0001). Median OS was not reached in the palbociclib group and was 43.1 months with letrozole alone (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53–0.82; P = 0.0002). The 2-year OS rate was 78.3% in the palbociclib group and 68.0% with letrozole alone. A propensity score matching analysis showed similar results. In this “real-world” population of patients with HR+/HER2− MBC, palbociclib in combination with endocrine therapy was associated with improved survival outcomes compared with patients treated with letrozole alone in the first-line setting. Clinicaltrials.gov; NCT04176354
Timing of Pubertal Onset in Girls and Boys With Constitutional Delay

Context The decision whether to treat a child with delayed puberty with sex steroids is primarily based on patient, family, and provider preference. Knowing when children with constitutional delay eventually enter puberty would inform this decision. Objective, design, setting, participants, and outcome measures To estimate and compare rates of pubertal entry, we conducted a retrospective cohort study by reviewing medical records of children evaluated for delayed puberty at a large academic medical center between 2000 and 2015, extracting data on pubertal status for all clinical visits, then conducting time-to-event analyses. Results Of 392 girls and 683 boys with delayed puberty, constitutional delay was the most common cause, found in 32% of girls and 70% of boys. In a subcohort of 97 girls and 243 boys who were prepubertal at one or more visits, we observed a broad age range for pubertal entry, up to >16 years for girls and >17 years for boys. The probability of entering puberty within the next year for 12- to 15.5-year-old girls and 13.5- to 16.5-year-old boys with delayed puberty ranged between 38% and 74%. No differences in the rates of pubertal entry were seen between girls and boys after data harmonization. Conclusion The broad range of ages at pubertal entry for children with constitutional delay challenges the concept that constitutional delay is merely an extreme of normal variation. Discussions with patients and families about management should consider the possibility that some children may need to wait years after presentation until puberty starts.
Lo andaluz en El sombrero de tres picos (1874) de Pedro Antonio de Alarcón y el ballet El sombrero de tres picos (1919) de Léonide Massine como claves identitarias de la nación

espanolLa novela El sombrero de tres picos de Pedro Antonio de Alarcon, aunque contiene la frescura y el humor propios de las obras del Genero andaluz, no simboliza la identidad espanola a traves de la sinecdoque Andalucia = Espana, sino evocando los valores del Antiguo Regimen y oponiendose al afrancesamiento de Espana. Esta representacion de lo espanol se diferencia de la version coreografica El sombrero de tres picos del bailarin y coreografo ruso Leonide Massine, quien transforma la vision nacionalista y conservadora de Alarcon empleando estereotipos andaluces como el torero y el majo. El proposito de este ensayo es analizar la representacion nacionalista de la novela de Alarcon y la adaptacion coreografica de Massine de forma paralela. Este articulo muestra hasta que punto en este ballet la opinion extranjera (de viajeros y escritores romanticos que visitaron la peninsula en los siglos XVIII y XIX) influyo en la imagen estereotipada de Espana y en la importancia del asociamiento de lo andaluz a la identidad espanola. EnglishThe novel El sombrero de tres picos by Pedro Antonio de Alarcon, although it contains the freshness and humor typical of the works of the Genero andaluz, does not symbolize Spanish identity through the synecdoche Andalusia = Spain, but by evoking the values of the Antiguo Regimen and opposing the Frenchification of Spain. This representation of what is Spanish differs in the choreographic version of El sombrero de tres picos by the Russian dancer and choreographer Leonide Massine, who transforms Alarcon’s nationalist and conservative vision by employing Andalusian stereotypes such as bullfighting and majismo. The purpose of this essay is to analyse the nationalist representation of Alarcon’s novel and Massine’s choreographic adaptation in parallel. This article shows to what extent, in this ballet, foreign opinion (of travelers and romantic writers who visited the peninsula in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries) influenced the stereotypical image of Spain and the importance of having Andalusia associated with Spanish identity.
Abstract 10153: SIRT1 Activation Restores Cardioprotection in the Aged Heart Against Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Background: Aging is associated with a reduced tolerance to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. SIRT1, a putative anti-aging protein, is thought to be a potential interventional target for age-related ischemic heart disease due to its ability to attenuate the age-dependent decline in cardiac function. We hypothesized that SIRT1 is involved in the intolerance of the aged heart to ischemic stress. Methods and Results: 4-6 months-old (young) and 24-26 months-old (aged) male C57BL/6 mice, 4-6 months-old male Sirt1 +/- heterozygous knockout and Sirt1 +/+ wild type littermates mice were used. The results show that SIRT1 is predominantly localized in the nuclei of cardiomyocytes, and SIRT1 protein levels in the aged hearts are significantly lower than those in young hearts; a similar discrepancy was also found between Sirt1 +/- and Sirt1 +/+ hearts (n=4-6, p p p in vivo . Moreover, after 20 min of LAD coronary ligation followed by 4 hrs of reperfusion, myocardial infarction size in aged and Sirt1 +/- hearts is markedly higher than in young and Sirt1 +/+ hearts (45% and 31%, respectively, all p Sirt1 +/- hearts to 8% and 7%, respectively (all p p vs. vehicle). Conclusions: Increased susceptibility of the aged heart to I/R injury is largely attributed to impaired cardiac SIRT1 activity, and pharmacological SIRT1 activation can restore tolernace of aged heart to ischemic insults. Therefore, modulating SIRT1 activity may be a beneficial therapeutic strategy for the elderly with acute coronary syndromes.
The Impact of Firms' Increased Information about Consumers on the Volume and Targeting of Direct Marketing

Firms are acquiring greater personal information about consumers. This has allowed direct marketers to better target their advertising, although many believe it compromises consumers' informational privacy. The model developed in this paper predicts the impact of increased information on the volume and targeting of direct marketing, and on consumers' expected utility from this advertising, under various possible market structures. The historical evidence presented appears to confirm the model's predictions under the most likely scenarios, that as firms gain information about consumers the volume of direct advertising sent out should initially increase rapidly before eventually leveling off.
Effective management of adverse effects while on oral chemotherapy: implications for nursing practice

HARROLD K. (2010) European Journal of Cancer Care19, 12–20 Effective management of adverse effects while on oral chemotherapy: implications for nursing practice The publication of guidelines by the United Kingdom National Patient Safety Agency and the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death which looked into deaths within 30 days of systemic anticancer therapy and the more recent position statement from the United Kingdom Oncology Nursing Society have all highlighted the need for an improvement in the care and management of patients receiving oral chemotherapy. While it is essential that patients are aware of the rationale behind dose interruption and modification if they are to effectively deal with toxicities and complications that may arise, they also require access to a clear line of communication in order to facilitate early intervention. The value of pre treatment patient education and ongoing support for these patients has already been extensively documented and while a multidisciplinary team approach in this is vital, nurses are ideally placed to take a leading role in these two aspects of treatment management. This article aims to detail and review current best management practices for the most commonly reported toxicities associated with capecitabine, an oral chemotherapeutic agent used in the management of patients with colorectal cancer. Only if both the patient and the health care professional supporting them are aware of best management practices will the impact of toxicities be minimised and treatment outcomes optimised.
Carbon Monoxide Inhibition of Azotobacter in Microrespiration Experiments.

Nitrogen fixation by Azotobacter vinelandii is specifically inhibited by carbon monoxide in micro-respiration experiments. The range in which specific inhibition obtains (0.1-0.5%) is about 10 times greater than is required for a similar inhibition of the symbiotic system in inoculated red clover plants. The results of these experiments are almost identical with those obtained in macro total nitrogen studies and thus confirm the reliability of the indirect micro-respiration method for investigating the mechanism of biological nitrogen fixation. Azotobacter kept on N-free medium in air assimilates ammonium and urea somewhat more rapidly than N/sub 2/. The rate of uptake of nitrate, nitrite and asparagine is low and variable. The same is true even to a greater degree with aspartate and glutamate. When cultures are adapted to these sources of nitrogen, i.e., previously grown in their presence, the rate of assimilation of nitrate and nitrite equals or even slightly exceeds N/sub 2/ fixation. Uptake of asparagine is likewise improved. The results of adaptation with aspartate and glutamate were inconclusive. 9 references, 6 figures, 5 tables.
Validation of Cytomegalovirus Immune Competence Assays for the Characterization of CD8+ T Cell Responses Posttransplant

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is one of the most important infectious complications of transplantation. Monitoring CMV-specific CD8 T cell immunity is useful for predicting active CMV infection and for directing targeted antiviral therapy. In this study, we examined four basic parameters for validation of CMV-specific tetramer staining and peptide stimulation assays that cover five most frequent HLA class I alleles. We also examined the potential use of CMV-specific CD8+ T cell numbers and functional and cytolytic responses in two autologous HSCT recipients treated for multiple myeloma. The coefficient of variation (CV %) of the precision within assays was 3.1−24% for HLA-tetramer staining, 2.5−47% for IFN-γ, and 3.4−59.7% for CD107a/b production upon peptide stimulation. The precision between assays was 5−26% for tetramer staining, 4−24% for IFN-γ, and 5−48% for CD107a/b. The limit of detection was 0.1−0.23 cells/μL of blood for tetramer staining, 0−0.23 cell/μL for IFN-γ, and 0.11−0.98 cells/μL for CD107a/b. The assays were linear and specific. The reference interval with 95% confidence level was 0−18 cells/μL for tetramer staining, 0−2 cells/μL for IFN-γ, and 0–3 cells/μL for CD107a/b. Our results provide acceptable measures of test performance for CMV immune competence assays for the characterization of CD8+ T cell responses posttransplant measured in the absolute cell count per μL of blood.
Hyperspherical Coordinates for Electron Correlations

The use of hyperspherical coordinates for the study of strongly correlated phenomena in atoms is reviewed. These collective coordinates prove natural for describing the few-electron system and have been introduced independently at times in the history of the subject when it was necessary to describe strong correlations between electrons at small, intermediate and large distances.
Adaptive volume rendering using fuzzy logic control

This paper presents an automatic error tolerance specification system to control the performance of hierarchical volume rendering. Rather than requiring the user to provide an explicit error tolerance numerically, we let the user to specify only the target rendering speed. Our system can then calculate an appropriate error tolerance adaptively to satisfy the user's performance goal. The system is realized using fuzzy logic control, which enables run-time adaptation based on iterative feedback control and knowledge acquired from past experience. We describe the process of constructing the fuzzy logic control system, and show that the system can successfully steer the performance of volume rendering.
Inosine and hypoxanthine as novel biomarkers for cardiac ischemia: from bench to point-of-care.

Cardiac ischemia associated with acute coronary syndrome and myocardial infarction is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the world. A rapid detection of the ischemic events is critically important for achieving timely diagnosis, treatment and improving the patient's survival and functional recovery. This minireview provides an overview on the current biomarker research for detection of acute cardiac ischemia. We primarily focus on inosine and hypoxanthine, two by-products of ATP catabolism. Based on our published findings of elevated plasma concentrations of inosine/hypoxanthine in animal laboratory and clinical settings, since 2006 we have originally proposed that these two purine molecules can be used as rapid and sensitive biomarkers for acute cardiac ischemia at its very early onset (within 15 min), hours prior to the release of heart tissue necrosis biomarkers such as cardiac troponins. We further developed a chemiluminescence technology, one of the most affordable and sensitive analytical techniques, and we were able to reproducibly quantify and differentiate total hypoxanthine concentrations in the plasma samples from healthy individuals versus patients suffering from ischemic heart disease. Additional rigorous clinical studies are needed to validate the plasma inosine/hypoxanthine concentrations, in conjunction with other current cardiac biomarkers, for a better revelation of their diagnostic potentials for early detection of acute cardiac ischemia.
Supporting Bilingual Learners and their Families: Key Understandings for Pre-Service Teachers and the Institutions that Prepare Them

An essential component of successful schooling in linguistically and culturally diverse settings is the active involvement of parents and community members. This is made possible when teachers honor families’ languages and cultural traditions and build upon them. Teacher preparation programs play a critical role in helping preservice teachers reject deficit views and recognize that issues of status, power, and economic circumstances all play a role in shaping outcomes for students. Part of the asset orientation that must be fostered in new teachers is the understanding that primary or home language development contributes to both the academic success of children and the well-being of linguistically and culturally diverse communities as a whole. The article provides specific examples of understandings that preparation programs can instill in new teachers so that they come to see community outreach as essential to creating a positive and supportive school environment for all learners.
The Truths We Tell Ourselves: Foucault on Parrhesia

Michel Foucault’s later concept of parrhesia presents a number of potential interpretive problems with respect to his work as a whole and his conception of truth. This article presents an alternative reading of parrhesia , which develops its concept through Foucault’s earlier pronouncements on truth and fiction. Seen this way, parrhesia becomes a means whereby one enacts useful fictions within the context of one’s life. As a practice, which demands self-mastery, orientation towards truth, and a command of one’s life, parrhesia becomes crucial to an aesthetics of existence.
Myc suppression of the p21 Cip1 Cdk inhibitor influences the outcome of the p53 response to DNA damage

Activation of the tumour suppressor p53 by DNA damage induces either cell cycle arrest or apoptotic cell death1. The cytostatic effect of p53 is mediated by transcriptional activation of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p21Cip1, whereas the apoptotic effect is mediated by transcriptional activation of mediators including PUMA and PIG3 (ref. 2). What determines the choice between cytostasis and apoptosis is not clear3. Here we show that the transcription factor Myc is a principal determinant of this choice. Myc is directly recruited to the p21Cip1 promoter by the DNA-binding protein Miz-1. This interaction blocks p21Cip1 induction by p53 and other activators. As a result Myc switches, from cytostatic to apoptotic, the p53-dependent response of colon cancer cells to DNA damage. Myc does not modify the ability of p53 to bind to the p21Cip1 or PUMA promoters, but selectively inhibits bound p53 from activating p21Cip1 transcription. By inhibiting p21Cip1 expression Myc favours the initiation of apoptosis, thereby influencing the outcome of a p53 response in favour of cell death.
Therapeutic/pharmacologic approaches to urinary incontinence in older adults.

Urinary incontinence (UI) in older adults responds to a wide array of management strategies. Best practice involves a stepped strategy moving from least invasive to more invasive therapies, starting with correction of the contributing comorbidity. Methods of behavioral alteration are effective, yet many older persons with urge UI often require medication as well. This article provides an overview of pharmacological treatment of UI in older persons, with an orientation toward future therapeutic approaches. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2008); 85, 1, 98–102 doi:10.1038/clpt.2008.230
Shape-Based Approach to Low-Thrust Rendezvous Trajectory Design

an initial guess satisfying the equation of motion constraints and the terminal boundary conditions. A shape-based methodisderivedherethatiscapableofdeterminingsuchtrajectoriesforbothtime-freeandtime-fixedcases.When combined with a genetic algorithm, it is possible to find solutions by adjusting the free parameters of the problem within a few percent of optimal solutions found with a very exact optimizer. The method is intended for the rendezvous case but, with small modifications, it is able to solve for the less constrained cases of interception, orbit transfer, and escape.
Attempts to polylithiate tetrabromoarenes. The compatibility of methyl sulfate and butyllithium

Abstract Tetrabromo- o - and p -dichlorobenzenes are only dilithiated, even with excess n -butyllithium, although more than two bromines are replaced by methyl groups when such solutions are treated with methyl sulfate.
On improving the Shortest Length Confidence interval for the Generalized Variance

Abstract A multivariate extension of Cohen's (1972, J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 67 382–387) result on interval estimation of normal variance is made in this article. Based on independent random matrices X : p × m and S : p × p distributed, respectively, as N pm ( μ , Σ ⊗ I m ) and W p ( n , Σ ) with μ unknown and n ≥ p , the problem of obtaining confidence interval for |Σ| is considered. The shortest length invariant confidence interval is obtained and is shown to be improved by some other interval estimators. Some new properties of the noncentral and central distributions of sample generalized variance have been proved for this purpose.
Barriers to low-input agriculture adoption: A case study of Richmond County, Virginia

We coupled a nonlinear mathematical programming model with sensitivity analysis and evaluated some economic barriers to adoption of low-input agriculture by farmers in Richmond County, Virginia. Collection of primary data made the model more realistic. We analyzed potential barriers to adoption, including poultry litter price, yields, labor requirements, and variable input costs. We found the adoption of low-input practices to be sensitive to the price of poultry litter and relatively insensitive to yields, labor requirements, and variable costs. However, when several of these barriers are combined, the model predicts that farmers would use conventional practices. Therefore analysis of the farm as a system rather than practice by practice is important when identifying the effects of economic barriers.
EPINEPHRINE CONTENT OF THE SUPRARENAL GLANDS IN ANAPHYLAXIS

The epinephrine store of the suprarenal glands remains unaltered in guinea pigs and rabbits which have been sensitized to ox serum, or subjected to varying degrees of anaphylactic shock by the reinjection of the foreign protein.
Closed-Loop Nonlinear Modeling of Wideband $SigmaDelta$ Fractional- $N$ Frequency Synthesizers

Wideband low-noise SigmaDelta fractional-N synthesizers pose several design challenges due to the nonlinear time-varying nature of synthesizer building blocks such as phase frequency detectors (PFDs), charge pump, and frequency dividers. Loop nonlinearities can increase close-in phase noise and enhance spurious tones due to intermodulation of high-frequency quantization noise and tonal content; therefore, an accurate simulation model is critical for successful implementation of loop parameters and bandwidth widening techniques. In this paper a closed-loop nonlinear simulation model for fractional-N synthesizers is presented. Inherent nonuniform sampling of the PFD is modeled through an event-driven dual-iteration-based technique. The proposed technique generates a vector of piecewise linear time-voltage pairs, defining the voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) control voltage. This method also lends itself to modeling of cyclostationary thermal and flicker noise generated by time-varying charge-pump current pulses. A flexible third-order SigmaDelta modulated RF synthesizer core with integrated loop filter and LC-tank VCO is designed and fabricated in 0.13-mum CMOS process in order to validate the technique experimentally. The proposed modeling technique was able to predict in-band spur power levels with 1.8-dB accuracy, and spur frequency offsets with lower than 400-Hz accuracy with several programmable nonidealities enabled
Cancer-associated myeloproliferation: old association, new therapeutic target.

The association between malignancy and development of a paraneoplastic leukocytosis, the so-called leukemoid reaction, has long been appreciated. Although a leukemoid reaction has conventionally been defined as a peripheral blood leukocytosis composed of both mature and immature granulocytes that exceeds 50,000/μL, a less profound leukocytosis may be appreciated in many patients harboring a malignant disease. More recent insights have shed new light on this long-recognized association, because research performed in both murine models and cancer patients has uncovered multiple mechanisms by which tumors both drive myelopoiesis, sometimes leading to a clinically apparent leukocytosis, and inhibit the differentiation of myeloid cells, resulting in a qualitative change in myelopoiesis. This qualitative change leads to the accumulation of immature myeloid cells, which due to their immune suppressive effects have been collectively called myeloid-derived suppressor cells. More recently, myeloid cells have been shown to promote tumor angiogenesis. Cancer-associated myeloproliferation is not merely a paraneoplastic phenomenon of questionable importance but leads to the suppression of host immunity and promotion of tumor angiogenesis, both of which play an integral part in tumorigenesis and metastasis. Therefore, cancer-associated myeloproliferation represents a novel therapeutic target in cancer that, decades after its recognition, is only now being translated into clinical practice.
Constitutive model evaluation using cylindrical stress wave propagation

Abstract An experimental technique to permit a more generalized approach to stress wave propagation is described. The method introduces the use of an exploding wire system and a hollow cylindrical specimen together with the appropriate procedures to measure the loading condition and response. A number of results are given for the plane strain stress wave propagation which results from this loading technique, in particular, a comparison is made between the elastic response of aluminium and a method of characteristics solution.
Physical, chemical, and biological consequences of episodic aluminum additions to a stream1

AlCl/sub 3/ was added to a second-order stream to simulate episodic increases in Al concentration during acidic snowmelt. Significant decreases in pH and DOC and accumulation of foam at the surface (visible evidence of reduced surface tension) accompanied a stepwise increase in Al in the water. Laboratory experiments corroborated field results, added Al producing a 20% reduction in surface tension. The authors suggest that added Al may have associated with organic functional groups, rendering DOC more hydrophobic and less soluble. Terrestrial and aquatic invertebrate drift was also altered with elevated Al. The authors attribute drift to responses to chemical changes in the stream such as Al and H/sup +/ toxicity or to a physical change in surface film.
Mining and monitoring patterns of daily routines for assisted living in real world settings

In this paper we demonstrate a fully automated approach for discovering and monitoring patterns of daily activities. Discovering patterns of daily activities and tracking them can provide unprecedented opportunities for health monitoring and assisted living applications, especially for elderly and people with memory deficits. In contrast to most previous systems that rely on either pre-selected activities or labeled data for tracking and monitoring, we use an automated approach for activity discovery and recognition. We present a mining method that is able to find natural activity patterns in real life data, as well as variations of such patterns. We will also show how the discovered patterns can be recognized and monitored by our recognition component. In addition, we provide a visualization component to help the care-givers to better understand the activity patterns and their variations. To validate our algorithms, we use the data collected in two smart apartments.
Rotation sensitivity of admittance of PZT ceramics

An apparatus has been fabricated to measure the admittance of a PZT bar in rotation. The rotation sensitivity of admittance of soft PZT and hard PZT bars has been detected at the rate of several thousand revolutions per minute, using an Impedance Analyzer. It has also been confirmed that the hard PZT bar has higher rotation sensitivity of the admittance than the soft PZT bar. The authors note that their experimental results suggest the possibility of developing a gyroscope based on rotation sensitivity of admittance of PZT ceramics.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Investigation of Inter-Diffusion in Bilayer GeTe/SnSe Phase Change Memory Films

Abstract A metal-chalcogenide layer, SnSe, is inserted between the memory layer GeTe and the top electrode to form a phase change memory cell. The GeTe layer exhibits ovonic threshold switching at a threshold field of ~ 110 V/μm. For subsequent implementation into applications and reliability, material inter-diffusion and sublimation are examined in bilayer phase change films of GeTe/SnSe. Transmission electron microscopy and parallel electron energy loss spectroscopy analyses reveal Sn migration to the GeTe layer, which is responsible for lowering the rhombohedral to cubic structural transformation temperature in GeTe. Incongruent sublimation of SnSe and GeTe is observed at temperatures higher than 500 °C. Severe volatilization of Se results in the separation of a metallic Sn phase. The use of Al 2 O 3 as a capping layer has been found to mitigate these effects.
The basolateral amygdala mediates the effects of cues associated with meal interruption on feeding behavior

Considerable evidence shows that environmental cues that signal food delivery when rats are food-deprived can substantially potentiate feeding later when rats are food-sated. Similarly, cues associated with meal interruption, food removal or impending food scarcity may also induce increased eating. For example, after learning the association between a discrete "interruption" stimulus and the unexpected termination of food trials, sated rats show enhanced food consumption when exposed to that stimulus. In Experiment 1, unlike sham-lesioned controls, rats with bilateral excitotoxic lesions of the basolateral amygdala (BLA) failed to display such cue-potentiated feeding. In Experiment 2, potentiation of feeding by an interruption signal was found to be food-specific. That is, a stimulus that signaled interruption of trials with one food but not trials with a second food later only facilitated consumption of the first food. These studies extend our knowledge of the psychological and neural processes underlying cue-induced feeding. Understanding these mechanisms may contribute our understanding of the etiology and treatment of binge eating disorders.
Effects of phenolic acids on seed germination and seedling growth in soil

It is commonly assumed that the adverse effect of plant residues on crop yields is largely or partly due to phytotoxic compounds leached from these residues or produced by their decomposition. There has been substantial support for the hypothesis that the phytotoxic compounds responsible for reduced crop yields are phenolic acids such as p-coumaric acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and ferulic acid. To test the validity of this hypothesis, we studied the effects of nine phenolic acids (caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, ellagic acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acid, and vanillic acid) on (1) seed germination of corn (Zea mays L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), oats (Avena sativa L.), rye (Secale cereale L.), sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) on germination paper and soil, (2) seedling growth of alfalfa, oats, sorghum, and wheat on germination paper and soil, and (3) early plant growth of corn, barley, oats, rye, sorghum, and wheat in soil. The results showed that although the phenolic acids tested affected germination and seedling growth on germination paper, they had no effect on seed germination, seedling growth, or early plant growth in soil even when the amounts applied were much greater than the amounts detected in soil. We conclude that the adverse effect of plant residues on crop yields is not due to phenolic acids derived from these residues.
Optimal design and integration of solar systems and fossil fuels for sustainable and stable power outlet

Widespread industrial utilization of solar energy is an important goal that requires overcoming several technical challenges. One of the key hurdles is the need to address the temporal fluctuations in incident solar power (e.g., on an hourly basis or seasonally) which lead to variations in the outlet power. This work is aimed at the development of a systematic design procedure providing a stable power outlet while using solar systems. First, the dynamic performance of solar collectors is parametrically modeled. Next, an optimization formulation is developed as the basis for the design procedure which accounts for the integration of solar and fossil energy sources in a power system. The procedure determines the optimal mix of energy forms (solar vs. fossil) to be supplied to the process, the system specifications, and the dynamic operation of the system. The developed procedure includes gathering and generation of relevant solar and climatic data, modeling of the various components of the solar, fossil, and power generation systems, and optimization of several aspects of the hybrid system. A case study is solved to demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of the devised procedure.
Heightened Electromagnetic Fields between Metal Nanoparticles: Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering from Metal−Cytochrome c-Metal Sandwiches

This manuscript reports the demonstration of strong interparticle electromagnetic coupling in nanoparticle:molecule:nanoparticle sandwiches. These assemblies were prepared by adsorption of cytochro...