cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Outpatient Fluoroquinolone Medication Use Evaluation at an Academic Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Background: Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotic classes in the United States. In recent years, their widespread use has come under heightened scrutiny due potential adverse drug reactions including risks of mental health side effects, serious blood sugar disturbances, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) black-box warnings for tendinopathy, aortic aneurysm, and dissection. These warnings prompted the Department of Veterans Affairs Pharmacy Benefits Management Service to perform a nationwide FQ utilization review, which identified our facility for potential overuse of FQs in the outpatient setting: 82.2 prescriptions per 1,000 unique patients compared to an average of 48 prescriptions per 1,000 unique patients across all VHA facilities. We then embarked on a FQ medication use evaluation (MUE). Objective: To determine appropriateness of FQ prescribing practices in the outpatient setting. Methods: The study setting was a 399-bed tertiary-care Veterans Hospital with >250 affiliated outpatient clinics in Richmond, Virginia. A retrospective chart review was conducted on a convenience sample of consecutive patients prescribed an FQ from each quarter between April 1, 2018, and March 31, 2019. Chart review included patient demographics, location, FQ used, dose, indication, appropriateness, prescriber, and documentation of patient counseling on FDA black box warnings. Appropriate treatment was defined by national and local antimicrobial therapy guidelines. Results: In total, 265 patients were included the study. Among them, 233 patients (88%) were men and the mean age was 68 years. Overall, 127 patients (48%) were prescribed FQs inappropriately. Primary care clinics and the emergency department (ED) had the highest frequency of inappropriate FQ prescriptions (Fig. 1). Moreover, 92 patients (35%) were prescribed FQs for surgical prophylaxis prior to urological procedures. FQs were most commonly inappropriately prescribed for urinary tract infection (UTI, n =74, 84%) and upper respiratory tract infection (URI, n=27, 84%) (Fig. 2). Documented counseling on FDA black box warnings occurred in 82 cases (31%). Conclusions: In our MUE, outpatient prescribing of FQs was inappropriate nearly 50% of the time. The most commonly documented indications for FQs determined to be inappropriate included UTI and URI. Inappropriate prescriptions most commonly originated from primary care and the emergency department. Urology had the highest volume of FQ prescriptions, which were mostly appropriate surgical prophylaxis based on indication (though an alternative agent would be preferred based on local resistance rates). Documentation of patient counseling for FDA black-box warnings on FQs was uncommon. Funding: None Disclosures: None
Lung cancer screening eligibility and use with low-dose computed tomography: Results from the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System cross-sectional survey.

Background In randomized controlled trials, lung cancer screening with low-dose chest computed tomography (LCS) has been reported to reduce lung cancer mortality. Although initial studies suggested that only approximately 5% of eligible patients have undergone LCS, recent studies have indicated that use of LCS may be increasing nationwide. The objective of the current study was to estimate recent LCS use using cross-sectional survey data from the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey. Methods The BRFSS is a nationally representative, cross-sectional telephone survey of adults in the United States (response rate of approximately 50%). The 2018 BRFSS survey included questions regarding LCS eligibility and use in 8 states. The primary outcome was the percentage of participants (aged 55-79 years with a smoking history of >30 pack-years) who reported undergoing LCS. Logistic regression analyses evaluated the association between LCS use and sociodemographic characteristics, adjusted for potential confounders and accounting for complex survey design elements. Results A total of 26,910 participants were included, 9.9% of whom were eligible for LCS (95% CI, 8.8%-10.6%). Of the eligible patients, 19.2% reported undergoing LCS (95% CI, 14.0%-24.4%). Approximately 16.4% of current smokers were eligible for LCS (95% CI, 14.2%-18.6%). In our multiple variable analyses of eligible patients, age, sex, marital status, current smoking status, and race were not found to be associated with statistically significant differences in reported LCS (P > .05). Retired patients, patients with personal physicians, and patients who did not complete a high school education were more likely to report receiving LCS (P Conclusions Compared with previously published studies, the results of the current study suggested that LCS use is increasing. However, LCS use remains low (19%) among eligible participants.
Radiochemical synthesis and evaluation in nonhuman primates of 3-[11C]methoxy-4-aminopyridine: a novel PET tracer for imaging potassium channels in the CNS

Abstract Demyelination, the loss of the protecting sheath of neurons, contributes to disability in many neurological diseases. In order to fully understand its role in different diseases and to monitor treatments aiming at reversing this process, it would be valuable to have PET radiotracers that can detect and quantify molecular changes involved in demyelination such as the uncovering and upregulation of the axonal potassium channels Kv1.1 and Kv1.2. Carbon-11 labeled radiotracers present the advantage of allowing for multiple scans on the same subject in the same day. Here, we describe [11C|3MeO4AP, a novel 11C-labeled version of the K+ channel tracer [18F]3F4AP, and characterize its imaging properties in two nonhuman primates including a monkey with a focal brain injury sustained during a surgical procedure three years prior to imaging. Our findings show that [11C]3MeO4AP is brain permeable, metabolically stable and has high plasma availability. When compared with [18F]3F4AP, [11C]3MeO4AP shows very high correlation in volumes of distribution (VT) confirming a common target. [11C]3MeO4AP shows slower washout than [18F]3F4AP suggesting stronger binding. Finally, similar to [18F]3F4AP, [11C]3MeO4AP is highly sensitive to the focal brain injury. All these features make it a promising radioligand for imaging demyelinated lesions.
Alpha-tocopherol acetate and alpha lipoic acid may mitigate the development of wooden breast myopathy in broilers at an early age.

1. The objective of this study was to identify the effects of the antioxidant alpha-tocopherol acetate (ATA) and alpha lipoic acid (ALA) which have anti-inflammatory effects on developmental onset,...
In overweight or obese adults without diabetes, semaglutide increased weight loss and GI disorders

SOURCE CITATION Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021;384:989. 33567185.
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme-2 (ACE-2) role in disease and future in research

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Like the 2002-2003 epidemic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) has been identified as the SARS-CoV-2 receptor.1-3 The virus docks into host cell via its spike protein binding to ACE-2 and undergoes proteolytic cleavage by TMPRSS2 protease to facilitate membrane fusion. The spike protein binding to ACE-2 has been shown to be stronger in the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus.1 This review will present an overview of ACE-2 biology.
Assessing Subjective Cannabis Effects in Daily Life with Contemporary Young Adult Language

Abstract Introduction Subjective ratings of cannabis effects are important predictors of use-related consequences. However, psychometric research is fairly limited, particularly for measures to capture variability in daily life when diverse modes of cannabis administration and co-substance use are common. Methods This study evaluated the predictive utility of a revised item to assess perceived cannabis effects and examined modes of cannabis administration and alcohol and nicotine co-use as moderators. Participants were 106 young adults (18-25 years; 51% female) who completed up to 14 consecutive daily reports of substance use (n = 1,405 person-days). Two measures of subjective effects were examined: a standard item (0-100 rating of “how high do you feel?”) and a revised item that uses four crowd-sourced anchor points ranging from relaxed (0), calm/chill (33), high (67), and stoned/baked (100). The items shared substantial variance (Pseudo-R2 = 59.5%), however, the revised item showed greater within-person variability (77.0% vs. 68.8%) and stronger day-level associations with consumption levels (Pseudo-R2 = 25.0% vs. 16.7%). Results The cannabis consumption-subjective effects link was weaker on blunt-only days compared to vape-only days. Subjective cannabis effects were higher on nicotine co-use days after controlling for cannabis consumption; neither alcohol nor nicotine co-use moderated the cannabis consumption-subjective effects link. Discussion The revised subjective cannabis effects item is a viable alternative to the standard item among young adults who engage in simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use. Conclusions Future research focused on characterizing the variability in cannabis effects is needed.
Numerical modeling of tight (stress corrosion) cracks for the development of new electromagnetic NDT pipeline tools

The dissertation is focused on the problem of thin (stress corrosion) crack modeling in the numerical electromagnetic NDT simulations for gas transmission pipelines. Axially oriented cracks are known as the most difficult for electromagnetic detection and a number of methods have been designed to achieve the necessary sensitivity of the output signal. Two recently developed methods, the velocity induced current perturbation (VICP) method and the rotating magnetic field (RMF) method, are considered as possible ways to improve the quality of inspection. In the VICP method the material in the inspected region is magnetized to saturation, so that the changes in output signal are mostly caused by perturbations due to the velocity induced currents. Due to the axial symmetry in geometry, the velocity induced currents are circumferentially oriented, and hence, are normal to the plane of axially oriented cracks. In the RMF method, saturation magnetization is not used, and the main contribution in the changes of output signal is from the magnetic flux perturbations in the pipe, caused by cracks. In this case the magnetic flux lines are normal to the plane of axially oriented cracks. Conventional modeling requires dense mesh discretization around the crack. In the proposed approach a crack is modeled in such a way, that the material properties are allowed to vary arbitrarily within a single element, which significantly simplifies the mesh. A number of tight crack models have been developed and integrated in the numerical codes, simulating the electromagnetic field redistribution in a pipe with VICP and RMF test bed vehicles. It has been found that better accuracy is achieved if. for each model, a specific shape function is used. 1-D, 2-D (axisymmetric and polar) and 3-D codes were implemented and studied. Initial experimental studies have been made to calibrate the codes.
Skinfold equations for estimation of body fatness in children and youth.

Prediction de la corpulence chez des enfants et adultes de 8 a 29 ans par 3 approches: densite corporelle, densite corporelle et eau, densite corporelle, eau et mineral osseux. Les effets du groupe racial, du sexe et de la maturation sont inclus dans l'analyse
Prototype Low Voltage Homopolar Traction Motor

Lower battery voltage enhances electric vehicle safety. A homopolar traction motor operates at low voltage because of its low internal impedance, and delivers torque independent of speed. A 48 VDC multi-pass, iron core homopolar traction motor was designed, fabricated, and tested in the laboratory. A MOSFET pulse width modulated controller was also designed and tested. The motor weighed 227 kg and used solid copper-graphite brushes. Laboratory testing of the motor verified the current-torque characteristic, but high brush wear prevented full speed and power demonstration. System studies show that a hybrid Ward-Leonard drive using a similar motor could yield significant cost and weight savings and improved fault tolerance over a traditional EV architecture.
Throughput-delay analysis of frequency hopped NPCSMA in outdoors cellular multipath fading and shadowing channels

In this paper, the probability of packet retransmission is evaluated for SFH-NCFSK in outdoor fading and shadowing channels for macrocell structure at 800/900 MHz. The channel throughput-delay analysis for NPCSMA is evaluated and simulated for outdoor Rayleigh fading and log-normal shadowing channels. The channel throughput-delay characteristics are degraded due to fading and shadowing. A new random multiple access protocol, which combines the advantages of frequency hopping spread spectrum (FH-SS) and carrier sense multiple access (CSMA), is introduced. The system throughput-delay characteristics are analytically derived in noiseless channels and in cellular channels. Monte Carlo simulation is used to verify the analytical results.
The Continued Vitality of Structured Sentencing Following Blakely: The Effectiveness of Voluntary Guidelines

This Article explores the extent to which voluntary, non-binding criminal sentencing guidelines influence the sentencing behavior of state trial judges. In particular, it focuses on the ability of such guidelines to encourage judges to sentence consistently and to avoid improperly taking into account a defendant's race or sex. It also compares such guidelines to more-binding presumptive guidelines, which were recently found constitutionally impermissible in Blakely v. Washington. In general, the results indicate that voluntary guidelines are able to accomplish much, though not all, that presumptive guidelines were able to, especially with respect to sentence variation. For example, voluntary guidelines appear to reduce a measure of variation in sentence length by as much as 28% for violent crimes and 17% for property crimes. By comparison, the analogous results for presumptive guidelines are a 48% drop for violent crimes and a 45% drop for property crimes. For the use of impermissible factors, the results are more ambiguous. Presumptive guidelines appear in general to be slightly more effective than voluntary, but not consistently, and voluntary guidelines still appear to reduce the role of race and sex at sentencing; due to limitations in the data used for this project, however, it is difficult to draw clear inferences about the welfare implications of the changes with regards to the use of impermissible factors. Furthermore, voluntary guidelines appear to avoid some of the problems associated with other alternatives, such as sentencing juries and the increased use of mandatory minimums. In short, voluntary guidelines appear to be a viable, albeit somewhat less effective, alternative to presumptive guidelines in the wake of Blakely.
Behavioral versus cognitive classroom friendship networks

Researchers of social networks commonly distinguish between “behavioral” and “cognitive” social structure. In a school context, for example, a teacher’s perceptions of student friendship ties, not necessarily actual friendship relations, may influence teacher behavior. Revisiting early work in the field of sociometry, this study assesses the level of agreement between teacher perceptions and student reports of within-classroom friendship ties. Using data from one middle school teacher and four classes of students, the study explores new ground by assessing agreement over time and across classroom social contexts, with the teacher-perceiver held constant. While the teacher’s perceptions and students’ reports were statistically similar, 11–29% of possible ties did not match. In particular, students reported significantly more reciprocated friendship ties than the teacher perceived. Interestingly, the observed level of agreement varied across classes and generally increased over time. This study further demonstrates that significant error can be introduced by conflating teacher perceptions and student reports. Findings reinforce the importance of treating behavioral and cognitive classroom friendship networks as distinct, and analyzing social structure data that are carefully aligned with the social process hypothesized.
History and trajectory of PMS: towards a balanced adaptation and a biosocial homeostasis

For centuries, and still at present, the social history of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and phenomena is entangled with the social history of gender relations. At of the turn of the 20th century there have been two main approaches to PMS: a biomedical–hormonal school which emphasizes the reproductive‐related biological aspects of PMS, and several psychosocial schools initially influenced by psychoanalytically‐oriented interpretations of phenomena. During the last several decades several feminist writers incorporated PMS, or more precisely denial of its existence, into their agenda. Currently, a biosocial approach to PMS is being shaped integrating genetic preponderance with dynamically evolving vulnerability, internal and external environments, hormonal triggers, brain–body responses and culturally‐sensitive phenomena. Hopefully exponentially accumulating facts and knowledge will overcome opinions and lead to a balanced approach to PMS and women's reproductive‐related disorders in general.
Teacher Preparation in the 21st Century: Meeting Diverse Needs.

This article summarizes changes that have occurred during the past decade, describes the current state of the field of education of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (i.e., whom we teach, where we teach, how we teach, and what we teach), and poses action needed in the future. It addresses these topics through a review of pertinent literature and through the presentation of information gathered from a set of teachers from diverse settings who work with students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Edaphic factors and plant-insect interactions: direct and indirect effects of serpentine soil on florivores and pollinators.

Edaphic factors can lead to differences in plant morphology and tissue chemistry. However, whether these differences result in altered plant–insect interactions for soil-generalist plants is less understood. We present evidence that soil chemistry can alter plant–insect interactions both directly, through chemical composition of plant tissue, and indirectly, through plant morphology, for serpentine-tolerant Mimulus guttatus (Phrymaceae). First, we scored floral display (corolla width, number of open flowers per inflorescence, and inflorescence height), flower chemistry, pollinator visitation and florivory of M. guttatus growing on natural serpentine and non-serpentine soil over 2 years. Second, we conducted a common garden reciprocal soil transplant experiment to isolate the effect of serpentine soil on floral display traits and flower chemistry. And last, we observed arrays of field-collected inflorescences and potted plants to determine the effect of soil environment in the field on pollinator visitation and florivore damage, respectively. For both natural and experimental plants, serpentine soil caused reductions in floral display and directly altered flower tissue chemistry. Plants in natural serpentine populations received fewer pollinator visits and less damage by florivores relative to non-serpentine plants. In experimental arrays, soil environment did not influence pollinator visitation (though larger flowers were visited more frequently), but did alter florivore damage, with serpentine-grown plants receiving less damage. Our results demonstrate that the soil environment can directly and indirectly affect plant–mutualist and plant–antagonist interactions of serpentine-tolerant plants by altering flower chemistry and floral display.
VISUAL PURSUIT AND ATTENTION IN YOUNG INFANTS

This study concerns the relation between organismic state and visual pursuit in the newborn infant. It is based on the observation that infants will pursue a moving object at birth (Blanton, 1917; McGinnis, 1930; Ling, 1942); but that in order to pursue they must be in a condition of quiet alertness analogous to the adult attentive state (Wolff, 1959). A moving object can be followed by the eyes alone (Ling's "conjugate deviation and coordinate compensatory eye movements"), or by a coordinated head-eye rotation ("the oculocephalogyric" response of Tilney and Casamajor, 1924). Both are sensitive to changes of state, but the oculocephalogyric response is far more so and is therefore observed less frequently during the first week (Wolff, 1965). Our index of attentive behavior in this study is visual pursuitboth the eye movement and the coordinated head-eye responses. Our frame of reference for the discussion is the psychoanalytic theory of attention cathexes, since our concern is with attention, and since this theory has rendered the only systematic account of its development. A study of attentive behavior in the newborn that uses empirical methods but addresses itself to psychoanalytic propositions about the neonate is confronted by two major obstacles: in the first place, psychoanalytic formulations about attention dynamics have not been systematically reconstructed for the newborn period; in order to state and test specifically psychoanalytic hypotheses one must extrapolate from existing theory. In the second place, the infant exhibits few of the behavior patterns from whose analogues in the adult psycho-
Heterogeneous Nucleation and Crowding in Sickle Hemoglobin: An Analytic Approach

Sickle hemoglobin nucleation occurs in solution as a homogeneous process or on existing polymers in a heterogeneous process. We have developed an analytic formulation to describe the solution crowding and large nonideality that affects the heterogeneous nucleation of sickle hemoglobin by using convex particle theory. The formulation successfully fits the concentration and temperature dependence of the heterogeneous nucleation process over 14 orders of magnitude. Unlike previous approaches, however, the new formulation can also accurately describe the effects of adding nonpolymerizing agents to the solution. Without additional adjustable parameters, the model now describes the data of M. Ivanova, R. Jasuja, S. Kwong, R. W. Briehl, and F. A. Ferrone, (Biophys. J. 2000, 79:1016-1022), in which up to 50% of the sickle hemoglobin is substituted by cross-linked hemoglobin A, which does not polymerize, and which substitution causes the rates to decrease by 10(5). The success of this approach provides insight into the polymerization process: from the size-dependence of the contact energy deduced here, it also appears that various contacts of unknown origin are energetically significant in the heterogeneous nucleation process.
Pan‐caspase inhibitor VX‐166 reduces fibrosis in an animal model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a potentially progressive liver disease that culminates in cirrhosis. Cirrhosis occurs more often in individuals with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) than in those with steatosis (nonalcoholic fatty liver [NAFL]). The difference between NAFL and NASH is the extent of hepatocyte apoptosis, which is more extensive in NASH. Because phagocytosis of apoptotic cells activates hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), we examined the hypothesis that a pan-caspase inhibitor, VX-166, would reduce progression of fibrosis in a mouse model of NASH. Male db/db mice were fed methionine/choline-deficient (MCD) diets to induce NASH and liver fibrosis. Mice were gavaged once daily with either the pan-caspase inhibitor VX-166 (6 mg/kg/d; Vertex, Abingdon, UK) or vehicle only and sacrificed at 4 or 8 weeks. Treatment with an MCD diet increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT), caspase-3 activity, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells, NASH, and fibrosis. Treatment of MCD-fed mice with VX-166 decreased active caspase-3, TUNEL-positive cells, and triglyceride content (P < 0.05). However, ALT levels were similar in VX-166–treated mice and vehicle-treated controls. Histological findings also confirmed that both groups had comparable liver injury (NAFLD activity score ≥6). Nevertheless, VX-166–treated MCD-fed mice demonstrated decreased α-smooth muscle actin expression (4 weeks, P < 0.05; 8 weeks, P < 0.005) and had reduced hepatic levels of collagen 1α1 messenger RNA (8 weeks, P < 0.05). Hydroxyproline content and Sirius red staining of VX-166–treated livers confirmed decreases in fibrosis. Conclusion: Inhibiting hepatic apoptosis suppresses the development of fibrosis in mice with NASH. Beneficial effects on liver fibrosis were associated with reductions in hepatic steatosis, but occurred without obvious improvement in liver injury. These findings are consistent with evidence that apoptosis triggers HSC activation and liver fibrosis and suggest that caspase inhibitors may be useful as an antifibrotic NASH therapy. (HEPATOLOGY 2009.)
Observations on optimal conditions for lysis of whole blood clots and use of this assay as a screening assay in clinical investigation

These studies describe an assay of whole blood clot lysis as measured by release of 125I-fibrinogen degradation products. Optimal rates of lysis were obtained at 37 degrees C in 10-12 mM EDTA or 3,8% citrate and 4 u of thrombin/ml. Eighteen normal subjects and eight patients (six with recurrent deep vein thrombosis, one with thrombasthenia, and one with hepatitis and resolving portal vein thrombosis) were studied using this assay. The clots of seventeen of the eighteen normal subjects were 50% lysed at 40 hours. The clots of the patients with venous thrombosis and thrombasthenia did not lyse whereas the clots of the patient with hepatitis, resolving portal vein thrombosis and a high plasminogen activator level (0.32 CTA units) were 100% lysed at 4.5 hrs.
INTRACELLULAR SIGNALING BY BILE ACIDS

Bile acids, synthesized from cholesterol, are known to produce beneficial as well as toxic effects in the liver. The beneficial effects include choleresis, immunomodulation, cell survival, while the toxic effects include cholestasis, apoptosis and cellular toxicity. It is believed that bile acids produce many of these effects by activating intracellular signaling pathways. However, it has been a challenge to relate intracellular signaling to specific and at times opposing effects of bile acids. It is becoming evident that bile acids produce different effects by activating different isoforms of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), Protein kinase Cs (PKCs), and mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK). Thus, the apoptotic effect of bile acids may be mediated via PI3K-110γ, while cytoprotection induce by cAMP-GEF pathway involves activation of PI3K-p110α/β isoforms. Atypical PKCζ may mediate beneficial effects and nPKCe may mediate toxic effects, while cPKCα and nPKCδ may be involved in both beneficial and toxic effects of bile acids. The opposing effects of nPKCδ activation may depend on nPKCδ phosphorylation site(s). Activation of ERK1/2 and JNK1/2 pathway appears to mediate beneficial and toxic effects, respectively, of bile acids. Activation of p38α MAPK and p38β MAPK may mediate choleretic and cholestatic effects, respectively, of bile acids. Future studies clarifying the isoform specific effects on bile formation should allow us to define potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of cholestatic disorders.
Characterization of large area, thick, and segmented silicon detectors for neutron β-decay experiments

The “Nab” and “UCNB” collaborations have proposed to measure the correlation parameters in neutron β-decay at Oak Ridge and Los Alamos National Laboratory, using a novel detector design. Two large area, thick, hexagonal-segmented silicon detectors containing 127 pixels per detector will be used to detect the proton and electron from neutron decay. Both silicon detectors are connected by magnetic field lines of a few Tesla field strength, and set on an electrostatic potential, such that protons can be accelerated up to 30 keV in order to be detected. Characteristics of the detector response to low energy conversion electrons and protons from 15 keV to 35 keV, including the evaluation of the dead layer thickness and other contributions to the pulse height defect for proton detection are presented for Si detectors of 0.5 mm and 1 mm of thickness.
Considerations on Decisions Making Process under the Risk of Terrorism

This paper offers a decision making process based on terrorism risk. The purpose of the model is to support effective decision making in order to involve multiple potential targets and countermeasure alternatives. Because of the complexity of the issues and the posible catastrophic consequences of a terrorist attack, it is necesary to use an analytical tool to detect, assess, warn, response, and recovery the critical infrastructure. The perspective taken is that in order to establish priorities for threats and vulnerabilities and to identify and evaluate options for action.
Computer-based image analysis of one-dimensional electrophoretic gels used for the separation of DNA restriction fragments

A stand-alone, interactive computer system has been developed that automates the analysis of ethidium bromide-stained agarose and acrylamide gels on which DNA restriction fragments have been separated by size. High-resolution digital images of the gels are obtained using a camera that contains a one-dimensional, 2048-pixel photodiode array that is mechanically translated through 2048 discrete steps in a direction perpendicular to the gel lanes. An automatic band-detection algorithm is used to establish the positions of the gel bands. A color-video graphics system, on which both the gel image and a variety of operator-controlled overlays are displayed, allows the operator to visualize and interact with critical stages of the analysis. The principal interactive steps involve defining the regions of the image that are to be analyzed and editing the results of the band-detection process. The system produces a machine-readable output file that contains the positions, intensities, and descriptive classifications of all the bands, as well as documentary information about the experiment. This file is normally further processed on a larger computer to obtain fragment-size assignments.
The effect of dielectric coatings on igscc in sensitized type 304 ss in high temperature dilute sodium sulfate solution

Abstract Zirconium dioxide(ZrO 2 ) coatings were applied to sensitized Type 304SS C(T) crack growth rate specimens and to small coupons for corrosion potential measurements via electrophoretic deposition. The interfacial resistance of the coatings was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Electrochemical corrosion potentials (ECPs) of un-coated and coated samples were measured against an external pressure balanced reference electrode (EPBRE) in dilute Na 2 SO 4 (0.0005 m) solution at 288°C, and it was found that the ECP of the coated samples were consistently 200 to 400 mV more negative than that of uncoated samples. A coated C(T) specimen and an identical, uncoated specimen were exposed simultaneously under load in a refreshed autoclave, in order to measure the crack growth rates. The results from the long-term experiments (400 hours) showed that the surface coatings reduced the IGSCC crack growth rate (CGR) by a factor of more than 10. The reduction in crack growth rate and the negative shift in the ECP were found to scale with interfacial resistance as predicted by the Coupled Environment Fracture Model and the Mixed Potential Model, respectively, assuming that the exchange current density for oxygen reduction scales inversely with the interfacial resistance.
Psychotropic Drugs and the Origins of Deinstitutionalization

The deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill represents an important set of changes in the provision of mental health services. These changes involved the movement of patients out of state hospitals and the formulation of policies designed to promote community-based treatment alternatives. This paper examines the impact of psychotropic drugs on both population shifts and policy development. Using data on changes in discharge rates before and after the drugs were introduced in the mid 1950s, I find that the drugs did not affect movement out of the hospital significantly. I conclude that the introduction of psychotropic drugs encouraged policy changes that hastened the process of deinstitutionalization in the 1960s.
New media and the changing face of information technology use: The importance of task pursuit, social influence, and experience

The technology adoption and use question has been extensively researched; however, gaining synthesis in the literature has been challenging owing to the myriad of theoretical frameworks and study contexts. A consolidation was surmised by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), although recent studies have yielded new questions as technologies and societies change. We sought to determine whether factors grounded by the UTAUT would be predictive of the use of ''new'' media. To do this, we conducted a field study of non-work related and discretionary use of ''social media'' and ''smart device'' applications. Using linear regression with interactions, we learned that technology use may evolve on a continuum, and that use may depend on the technology itself. Moreover, our research indicated that perhaps age and gender may not play as significant a role in new technology use and adoption as previously reported in the literature. We concluded that each medium is reflected in differential use characteristics and may not be accurately predicted by a unified use concept. Our findings have both research and practical implications.
Adhesion of PMDA-ODA polyimide to silicon oxide surface: sensitivity to fluorine contamination

The adhesion of pyromellitic dianhydride-oxydianiline polyimide (PMDA-ODA) to clean and fluorine-contaminated silicon oxide (SiO2 and F-SiO2, respectively) surfaces was studied by the peel test. A 50% drop in the peel force was observed for PMDA-ODA on F-SiO2 as compared to that on SiO2 measured at low (11-22%) ambient humidity. It was also found that the PMDA-ODA adhesion strength to F-SiO2 was a strong function of the humidity. A 21/2-fold increase in the humidity caused over an order of magnitude decrease in the peel force of PMDA-ODA on F-SiO2, which was only about 5% of the peel force measured under the same ambient conditions for PMDA-ODA on the SiO2 surface. A careful analysis further demonstrated that the basic mechanical properties of the polyimide film were unaffected to within experimental error. The most probable cause of the adhesion loss is thus attributed to moisture attack in the polyimide-substrate interface region. The locus of failure in the case of PMDA-ODA on SiO2 is in an apparent we...
The decay of 182Re(13 h and 64 h) and 182Ta(115 d) TO 182W

Abstract The decays of 182 Ta (115 d), 182 Re (64 h) and 182 Re (13 h) to 182 W have been studied. Ge(Li) detectors were used to obtain γ-ray singles spectra in the decay of these activities and to perform γ-γ coincidence measurements on the 182 Ta decay. All of the transitions above 70 keV reported in the conversion-electron study of Harmatz et al. of 182 Re were observed within the limits of the resolution of our detector with the exception of the 2023.5 keV transition. Improved values of energies for the more energetic γ-rays were obtained and a number of additional γ-ray transitions have been assigned to the 182 Re (13 h) activity. A number of previously unreported transitions also have been assigned to the 182 Re (64 h) activity. Previously unreported transitions of 110.4, 1157.7 (composite), 1181, and 1223.2 keV have been assigned to the 182 Ta activity. Internal conversion coefficients are calculated using previously reported conversion electron intensities and the γ-ray intensities obtained in this investigation. Revised decay schemes are proposed. Branching ratios for transitions de-exciting the positive-parity states and some of the negative-parity states were calculated and comparisons made with theoretical estimates. The level structure of 182 W is discussed in terms of the collective model and the quasiparticle model.
A study of childhood non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The pathologic and clinical features of 31 cases of childhood non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) were reviewed retrospectively using Rappaport's classification and a modification of the Ann Arbor staging system. Twenty-nine (93.5%) of the patients had diffuse and 2 (6.5%) had nodular lymphoma. Diffuse histiocytic lymphoma accounted for 10 cases (32.3%), diffuse undifferentiated for 9 (29%), and diffuse lymphocytic, poorly differentiated for 5 (16.1%). Five cases (16.1%) were unclassifiable. No cases of well-differentiated lymphocytic or mixed cell lymphoma were found. A modified classification was attempted, which included also large basophilic cell (LBC), convoluted T-lymphocytic (CTL), and Burkitt's lymphomas. These pathologic subgroups accounted for 35.4%, 16.1%, and 6.5% of the cases, respectively. The patients were almost equally divided between clinically localized and generalized stages, and their survival was stage-dependent. The overall survival was 32.3%; the 3-year survival was 50% for Stages I and II, compared to 7.7% for Stages III and IV. The gastrointestinal tract was the most common site of origin. In 22% of the cases, the disease originated in extra-lymphatic tissues. Central nervous system involvement occurred in 10 of 31 children (32%), and a leukemic picture developed in 6 of 31 (19%). The CTL lymphomas were confined to the mediastinum, whereas the LBC lymphomas arose mostly in Waldeyer's ring and Peyer's patches. We conclude that the extent of the disease as determined by clinical staging has prognostic significance in childhood NHL. The prognostic value of the histological classification could not be clearly established from our data.
Evaluation of Embedded Malingering Indices in a Non-Litigating Clinical Sample using Control, Clinical, and Derived Groups

Although recent findings have indicated that a portion of college students presenting for psychoeducational evaluations fail validity measures, methods for determining the validity of cognitive test results in psychoeducational evaluations remain under-studied. In light of this, data are needed to evaluate utility of validity indices in this population and to provide base rates for students meeting research criteria for malingering and to report the relationship between testing performance and the level of external incentive. The authors utilized archival data from: (i) a university psychological clinic (n ¼ 986) and (ii) a university control sample (n ¼ 182). Empirically supported embedded validity indices were utilized to identify retrospectively suspected malingering patients. Group performance, according to invalidity and the level of incentive seeking, was evaluated through a series of multivariate mean comparisons. The current study supports classifying patients according to the level of incentive seeking when evaluating neurocognitive performance and feigned/exaggerated deficits.
Fetal lung liquid absorption and alveolar epithelial solute permeability in surfactant deficient, breathing fetal lambs.

Summary: The absorption of liquid volume and radiolabeled tracer solutes from the lungs of premature lambs was investigated during the first hours of ventilation. Exteriorized lambs, 133–141 d gestation, with intact umbilical circulation had [131I]albumin and [125I] cytochrome C added to the fetal lung liquid before breathing, and, additionally, [57Co]cyanocobalamin added to the remaining alveolar liquid after 20, 60, and 120 rnin of ventilation. Alveolar liquid was rapidly absorbed from the alveolar space, averaging more than 75% absorption in the first hour whether they breathed spontaneously or were ventilated. All animals absorbed proteins and water at the same rate as water during the first 20 rnin of breathing. Older, spontaneously breathing lambs released more surfactant into the alveolar space (302 ± 82 pM) than younger ventilated animals (92 ± 32 pM). After the first 20 rnin of breathing, older animals no longer absorbed [131I]albumin and [125I]cytochrome C, and at 4 h had near normal lung wet:dry weight ratio, 5.7 ± 0.2. Younger animals continued to absorb [131I]albumin and [125I]cytochrome C as rapidly or more rapidly than liquid, and after 4 h had retained liquid in the lung wet:dry weight ratio 6.3 ± 0.2. Alveolar surfactant appears able to alter the solute permeability of ventilated premature lung and the clearance of the fetal liquid from the lungs.
A Unified Association Analysis Approach for Family and Unrelated Samples Correcting for Stratification

There are two common designs for association mapping of complex diseases: case-control and family-based designs. A case-control sample is more powerful to detect genetic effects than a family-based sample that contains the same numbers of affected and unaffected persons, although additional markers may be required to control for spurious association. When family and unrelated samples are available, statistical analyses are often performed in the family and unrelated samples separately, conditioning on parental information for the former, thus resulting in reduced power. In this report, we propose a unified approach that can incorporate both family and case-control samples and, provided the additional markers are available, at the same time corrects for population stratification. We apply the principal components of a marker matrix to adjust for the effect of population stratification. This unified approach makes it unnecessary to perform a conditional analysis of the family data and is more powerful than the separate analyses of unrelated and family samples, or a meta-analysis performed by combining the results of the usual separate analyses. This property is demonstrated in both a variety of simulation models and empirical data. The proposed approach can be equally applied to the analysis of both qualitative and quantitative traits.
The Paradigm Shift in Urban Sociology

Three discussions recently published by mainstreamers arguing the virtues of the more orthodox ecological perspective are answered by systematically evaluating two distinct theoretical paradigms that oppose each other, namely, urban ecology and the new urban sociology. Three points of contrast are used to demonstrate the explanatory superiority of the new urban theory that better helps us understand central city change, suburbanization, and the shift to the Sunbelt. We address the comparative lack of representation among "new" urbanists and attempt to encourage a maturation of the new field by defining the contours and central questions of a critical urban sociological perspective.
Numerical Modeling of Two-Phase Flow in a Bipolar Plate of a PEM Electrolyzer Cell

Optimization of electrolysis cell for producing hydrogen is dependent of a set of complex physical and chemical processes simultaneously occurring within the electrolysis cell. Similar to fuel cells, it has been demonstrated that these processes are strongly dependent on the fluid dynamics inside the electrolysis & fuel cell. Bipolar plates are important components of PEM electrolysis cells because they are the first stage of the flow distribution system. Numerical simulations were performed for three-dimensional two-phase water/oxygen flow in the anode side of a bipolar plate with a diagonal flow design. The water flowrate was maintained as constant of 260 ml/min, while the oxygen bubble generation rate was assumed to change from 0–0.014 g/s. Numerical results reveal that a minimum of the peak values of mainstream velocity component in the channels develops in the middle of the plate. Pressure drop and volume fraction of oxygen at the exit become higher as the oxygen bubble generation flowrate increases. The irregular velocity profile (locally low velocity magnitude near the exit port section) is not observed when the oxygen bubble flowrate is relatively low.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Biomass plasticity of the leaves and inflorescences of Acaena magellanica (Lam.) Vahl (Rosaceae) on subantarctic Iles Kerguelen

The relative allocation of biomass within monospecific stands of Acaena magellanica that vary in level of wind and water stress differ greatly. Populations in January 1983 varied in leaf biomass from 192 to 2373 g wet wt m-2 (1105 to 10023 kJ m-2) Inflorescences were not produced at either of these extremes of leaf biomass. In two populations with intermediate levels of leaf biomass (597 and 640 g wet wt m-2, 3185 and 2664 kJ m-2), inflorescent biomass was 104 and 273 g wet wt m-2 (385 and 1127 kJ m-2). The relative allocation to sexual reproduction is thus not constant in A. magellanica. The levels of energy in the leaves and inflorescences did not differ greatly despite differences in proximate composition.
Kai, Tyler, Randerson & Blake reply

Replying to Levin, I. et al. 10.1038/nature11175 (2012) Levin et al.1 report new methane data from Antarctica measured at the University of Heidelberg and combine these data with observations from two other networks to estimate long-term trends and the interhemispheric difference (IHD) in methane isotopes. These observations and the author’s analysis suggest that the δ13C IHD has been mostly uniform over the last three decades. This contrasts with the Niwot Ridge, Baring Head and Pacific Ocean time series that we analysed2 and suggests that both fossil fuel and microbial sources remained mostly constant during the late 1980s and 1990s, following a trajectory of emissions that is more similar to the control scenario in our analysis (Fig. 2 and Supplementary Fig. 2 of Kai et al.2). The estimate of δ13C inter-hemispheric difference is sensitive to different methods and selected observed sites. We note that the inter-hemispheric differences between Barrow and Cape Grim/Baring Head and between MLO and Cape Grim/Baring Head in Fig. 1 of Levin et al.1 were largest near the beginning of the record (circa 1990) and are broadly consistent with comparisons we made in the Supplementary Information of our paper (Supplementary Fig. 9)2. Important next steps, in our opinion, are (1) to use all available observations from both the Kai et al.2 and Levin et al.1 studies to assess trends in methane isotopes and their dependence on the inclusion or exclusion of individual time series, and (2) to quantify changes in microbial and fossil sources consistent with the expanded set of observations presented by Levin et al.1. Even with a levelling off of both fossil and microbial sources during 1990–2005, our forward biogeochemical modelling analysis of rice agriculture provides evidence that emissions from this sector of the budget declined as a consequence of changes in fertilizer application and water management.