cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adoption of Opioid-Sparing and Non-Opioid Regimens After Breast Surgery in a Large, Integrated Health Care Delivery System.

Postoperative prescriptions have contributed to the opioid epidemic. In response, a large, integrated health care delivery system implemented initiatives to reduce outpatient opioid prescriptions. We evaluated the impact of these interventions on opioid-prescribing practices after breast surgery. We examined postoperative prescribing practices before and after the 2016–2018 intervention period. Primary endpoints were the use of non-opioid regimens (NORs) and morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) prescribed for postoperative pain management, while secondary endpoints were emergency department (ED) visits and readmissions within 7 days of surgery. In a survey of breast surgeons, 23% reported using NORs in 2017 versus 79% in 2019 (p < 0.001). Comparing 1917 breast operations from 2016 with 2166 operations from 2019, NORs increased from 9% in 2016 to 39% in 2019 (p < 0.001). Average discharge MMEs per operation decreased from 190 in 2016 to 106 in 2019 (p < 0.001). NOR failure (defined as an additional opioid prescription within 2 weeks of surgery) was < 1%. Significantly fewer postoperative ED visits occurred in the NOR group (1.9% NOR vs. 3.4% opioid regimen [OR]; p < 0.001). The 7-day readmission rates for NOR and OR patients were similar (0.49% NOR vs. 0.32% OR; p = 0.45). Between 2016 and 2019, breast surgeons in a large, integrated health care delivery system adopted NORs for nearly 40% of breast operations, and prescribed significantly fewer MMEs, with no increases in ED visits or readmissions for NOR patients. This suggests that initiatives to decrease opioid prescribing were successful and that a NOR for pain management after breast surgery is feasible.
Report to the Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulation: Analysis of Grievances Filed in Criminal and Family Matters from 2013-2016

In many states, the highest number of docketed grievances arise out of criminal and family law matters. This report analyzes the 4,898 grievances filed with the Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulation (“OLR”) in family or criminal law matters during the period from 2013-2016. The OLR provided the data, enabling analysis of the grievances by gender, age, length of time since law school graduation, type of matter, prior experience with diversion or discipline, and geographical location. The data also revealed the frequency of allegations by practice matter, the types of allegations that led to discipline, and the frequency with which lawyers who received grievances were represented by counsel. A number of the study findings are consistent with results from other jurisdictions. The data also revealed some unexpected results, including that approximately 40% of the grievances during the period studied were against lawyers who had either been subject to diversion, a discipline sanction, or both. While family and criminal law are areas that attract a large number of grievances—many of which are unfounded—the 40% figure suggests that a large percentage of lawyers may not be learning the intended lessons from their exposure to the discipline system. In addition, a surprising percentage of recent law graduates face grievances in family and criminal matters, and many grievances against Wisconsin lawyers in family and criminal matters were based on improper advocacy. The report includes some specific recommendations to improve the Wisconsin discipline process.
$T\bar{T}+\Lambda_2$ Deformed CFT on the Stretched dS$_3$ Horizon

The $T\bar{T}+\Lambda_2$ deformation of a Holographic CFT on a cylinder (or torus in Euclidean signature) inhabits the stretched cosmological horizon in dS$_3$ when the deformation parameter is tuned to a particular value. I will describe how this insight allows us to compute the entropy of the stretched cosmic horizon including the logarithmic correction.
Survival impact of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonists in head and neck cancer.

Background Preclinical evidence suggests a link between the renin-angiotensin system and oncogenesis. We aimed to explore the impact of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) in head and neck cancer (HNC). Methods Over 5000 patients were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare linked dataset and categorized according to ACEi and ARB and diagnoses of chronic kidney disease (CKD) or hypertension (HTN). Overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were compared using Cox multivariable regression (MVA), expressed as hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results No significant MVA associations for OS or CSS were found for ACEi. Compared to patients with CKD/HTN taking ARB, those with CKD/HTN not taking ARB experienced worse OS (HR 1.28, 95%CI 1.09-1.51, p = 0.003) and CSS (HR 1.23, 95%CI 1.00-1.50, p = 0.050). Conclusions ARB usage is associated with improved OS and CSS among HNC patients with CKD or HTN.
Optical properties of a novel glass-ceramic restorative material.

OBJECTIVE To examine the optical properties of a dental restorative material manufactured from lithium aluminosilicate ceramic and reinforced with lithium disilicate. Translucency and the optical effects of various supporting materials on color were the primary focus. METHODS Five 10 × 10 mm samples were prepared in thicknesses of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm of both high translucency (HT) and low translucency (LT) versions of the material in shade A3. A spectrophotometer was used to measure the illuminance of the samples with black and white backings in order to calculate contrast ratio (CR) and relative translucency parameter (RTP). A baseline relationship between translucency and material thickness was examined and the effects of composite, titanium, and zirconia abutments on color change were studied. RESULTS No significant findings were identified for RTP or CR between the HT and LT material, regardless of the material thickness (p = 0.39, p = 0.14, respectively). Regardless of material thickness (HT vs. LT), translucencies (RTP and CR) were significantly different with composite, titanium, and zirconia backings compared to baseline values (p 0.05) regardless of the backing. Titanium had the most significant effect on color of both materials followed by composite then zirconia (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS There is not a clinically significant difference in translucency between the high translucency and low translucency materials. Only zirconia supporting structures produced changes in color that are clinically acceptable. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Understanding the optical properties of glass-ceramic restorative materials aids providers in selecting appropriate materials for optimum esthetic outcomes. The lithium-aluminosilicate reinforced with lithium disilicate material does a poor job masking supporting structures and resisting color change.
Machine learning implicates the IL-18 signaling axis in severe asthma

Asthma is a common disease with profoundly variable natural history and patient morbidity. Heterogeneity has long been appreciated, and much work has focused on identifying subgroups of patients with similar pathobiological underpinnings. Previous studies of the Severe Asthma Research Program (SARP) cohort linked gene expression changes to specific clinical and physiologic characteristics. While invaluable for hypothesis generation, these data include extensive candidate gene lists that complicate target identification and validation. In this analysis, we performed unsupervised clustering of the SARP cohort using bronchial epithelial cell gene expression data, identifying a transcriptional signature for participants suffering exacerbation-prone asthma with impaired lung function. Clinically, participants in this asthma cluster exhibited a mixed inflammatory process and bore transcriptional hallmarks of NF-κB and activator protein 1 (AP-1) activation, despite high corticosteroid exposure. Using supervised machine learning, we found a set of 31 genes that classified patients with high accuracy and could reconstitute clinical and transcriptional hallmarks of our patient clustering in an external cohort. Of these genes, IL18R1 (IL-18 Receptor 1) negatively associated with lung function and was highly expressed in the most severe patient cluster. We validated IL18R1 protein expression in lung tissue and identified downstream NF-κB and AP-1 activity, supporting IL-18 signaling in severe asthma pathogenesis and highlighting this approach for gene and pathway discovery.
Two Deaths Caused by a Lack of Oxygen in an Underground Chamber

Asphyxial deaths caused by a gross deficiency of oxygen and associated with elevated levels of carbon dioxide are relatively rare. Most such deaths are industrial accidents. The typical case occurs when an individual descends into a sewer, brewery vat, or mine that has not been ventilated for some time. In some of these cases, especially those occurring in sewers, death may be due to other gases such as methane or hydrogen sulfide. Therefore, for proper interpretation of these deaths, it is essential to specifically identify the gas or gases that caused death. Herein are presented two deaths in an underground chamber caused by a gross deficiency of oxygen and associated with an elevated concentration of carbon dioxide. Both these conditions were the direct result of primitive forms of plant life and funguslike organisms growing in the chamber, consuming the oxygen, and producing carbon dioxide.
Lekking in Birds and Mammals: Behavioral and Evolutionary Issues

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses on birds and mammals, groups for which the most intensive studies of lekking are available. The current interest in leks arises from the restriction of males' reproductive contributions solely to sperm. This situation distills the complexities of sexual selection. The chapter explains two patterns described repeatedly for lekking birds and mammals: constancy in the locations of leks and nonuniform distributions of matings among males. Then, it examines the behavioral interactions that could produce these patterns. Next, the general evolutionary issues raised by lekking species, including possibilities for sexual selection, and finally to evolutionary scenarios, complex hypotheses for the evolutionary origins of lekking is discussed. In the case of mating systems, including leks, this hierarchical approach separates, in particular, female choice from sexual selection. The first is a behavioral mechanism that can generate patterns of mating between individuals; the second, often a consequence of differences in mating success produced by particular behaviors, is a mechanism of the propagation of genes in a population. In some cases these approaches are conflated and in others pursued almost in isolation.
Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Research Review with Assessment and Intervention Implications for Schools and Families.

ABSTRACT It is estimated that there have been over 4,000 articles in the literature on the subject of attentional problems, addressing its etiology, epidemiology, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. This article reviews recent and relevant literature with an eye toward functional conclusions and linkages between assessment and intervention. The article concludes by providing a problem-solving model that integrates parent or teachers' referral concerns, reasons for these concerns, assessment methods, and intervention strategies. In the end, four definitive conclusions are drawn, and the importance of multimodal strategies that collaboratively involve home, school, and community settings is emphasized.
Performing Remains: Art and War in Times of Theatrical Reenactment

'At last, the past has arrived! Performing Remains is Rebecca Schneider's authoritative statement on a major topic of interest to the field of theatre and performance studies. It extends and consolidates her pioneering contributions to the field through its interdisciplinary method, vivid writing, and stimulating polemic. Performing Remains has been eagerly awaited, and will be appreciated now and in the future for its rigorous investigations into the aesthetic and political potential of reenactments.' - Tavia Nyong'o, Tisch School of the Arts, New York University 'I have often wondered where the big, important, paradigm-changing book about re-enactment is: Schneider’s book seems to me to be that book. Her work is challenging, thoughtful and innovative and will set the agenda for study in a number of areas for the next decade.' - Jerome de Groot, University of Manchester Performing Remains is a dazzling new study exploring the role of the fake, the false and the faux in contemporary performance. Rebecca Schneider argues passionately that performance can be engaged as what remains, rather than what disappears. Across seven essays, Schneider presents a forensic and unique examination of both contemporary and historical performance, drawing on a variety of elucidating sources including the "America" plays of Linda Mussmann and Suzan-Lori Parks, performances of Marina Abramovic´ and Allison Smith, and the continued popular appeal of Civil War reenactments. Performing Remains questions the importance of representation throughout history and today, while boldly reassessing the ritual value of failure to recapture the past and recreate the "original."
Sense and antisense cDNA transfection of CD36 (glycoprotein IV) in melanoma cells. Role of CD36 as a thrombospondin receptor.

Thrombospondin (TSP) is a multifunctional matrix and platelet glycoprotein that interacts with cell surfaces and may play a role in mediating cell adhesion, platelet aggregation, platelet-monocyte interactions, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, tumor metastasis, and protease generation. To clarify and confirm the function of CD36 (glycoprotein IV) as a TSP receptor, we now describe a transfected cell model using human melanoma cells genetically manipulated by sense or antisense cDNA transfection to express either high or near zero levels of CD36. Surface expression was confirmed by flow cytometry with monoclonal anti-CD36 IgG and quantified by measuring radiolabeled antibody binding. Bowes melanoma cells, which in their wild type did not express CD36 and did not bind radiolabeled TSP, when transfected with the sense construct bound TSP in a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio with CD36 expression. Conversely, C32 melanoma cells, which in their wild type expressed high levels of CD36 and bound radiolabeled TSP at a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio, did not express CD36 and did not bind TSP when transfected with an antisense construct. In addition, transfected Bowes cells and wild type C32 cells, unlike wild type Bowes cells, adhered to activated platelets in a TSP-dependent manner. These data, i.e. the gain of function with sense cDNA transfection and loss of function with antisense transfection, strongly support the TSP receptor function of CD36. The distribution of this protein in vascular cells and tissues and observations that it may participate in signal transduction events suggest that TSP-CD36 interactions may play a role in mediating some of the pathophysiological processes associated with TSP.
Tell a Good Story Well: Writing Tips

This chapter gives reasons why writing is important, summarizes general writing guidelines common to many academic disciplines, and provides specific writing guidelines that authors should use to make their manuscripts stronger and more likely to be acceptable to editors.
Origin of a fungal symbiont of perennial ryegrass by interspecific hybridization of a mutualist with the ryegrass choke pathogen, Epichloë typhina.

Seed-borne fungal symbionts (endophytes) provide many cool-season grass species with biological protection from biotic and abiotic stresses. The endophytes are asexual, whereas closely related sexual species of genus Epichloe (Clavicipitales) cause grass choke disease. Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) is a host of two endophyte taxa, LpTG-1 (L. perenne endophyte taxonomic grouping one = Acremonium lolii) and LpTG-2, as well as the choke pathogen, Epichloe typhina (represented by isolate E8). Relationships among these fungi and other Epichloe species were investigated by analysis of gene sequences, DNA polymorphisms and allozymes. The results indicate that LpTG-2 is a heteroploid derived from an interspecific hybrid. The LpTG-2 isolates had two copies each of nine out of ten genes analyzed (the exception being the rRNA gene locus), and the profiles for seven of these were composites of those from E. typhina E8 and A. lolii isolate Lp5. Molecular phylogenetic analysis grouped the two beta-tubulin genes of LpTG-2 into separate clades. One (tub2-1) was related to that of E. typhina E8, and the other (tub2-2) to that of A. lolii. The mitochondrial DNA profile of LpTG-2 was similar to that of A. lolii, but its rRNA gene sequence grouped it with E. typhina E8. A proposed model for the evolution of LpTG-2 involves infection of a L. perenne-A. lolii symbiotum by E. typhina, followed by hybridization of the two fungi. Such interspecific hybridization may be a common and important mechanism for genetic variation in Epichloe endophytes.
Development of appropriate equations for physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling of permeability-limited and flow-limited transport.

Although the implementation of a flow-limited, well-stirred tank (WST) single-compartment tissue model in pharmacokinetics and toxicokinetics is widespread, its use is not always justified biophysically or physiologically. The WST model introduces a loss of biophysical detail, specifically the vascular space, which is present in the standard permeability-limited two-subcompartment (PLT) tissue model. To address this loss of detail when evaluating the in vivo kinetics of drugs, toxins, nutrients, and endogenous metabolites, a novel set of physiologically based pharmacokinetic tissue compartment equations is developed through application of an asymptotic approximation to a two-region vascular–extravascular system to arrive at a permeability-limited two-region asymptotically reduced (P-TAR) model and a flow-limited (F-TAR) model. Development of the TAR modeling approach illustrates the importance of relative timescales in PBPK tissue compartment model selection and the conditions under which improved biophysical realism is advantageous. In the permeability-limited regime, the TAR model formulations enable drug or toxicant concentration to be modeled in the vascular and extravascular spaces equivalent to the PLT tissue model while invoking only one state variable to represent the vascular and extravascular spaces. In the flow-limited regime, the F-TAR model is more biophysically realistic than the WST model because it maintains the anatomical distinction between the vascular and extravascular spaces, and hence offers greater pharmacological and physiological insight than the WST model, without introducing additional computational complexity.
Radioiodine studies on prolactin action in tadpoles.

Prometamorphic stages of tadpoles treated intraperitoneally with ovine prolactin showed significantly lower thyroidal 131I uptake and lower serum PB131I than closely matched, saline-injected controls. In climax tadpoles the thyroidal 131I uptake was not affected by prolactin. However, the “conversion ratio” and thyroid-serum ratio were both reduced by prolactin. Paper chromatography of thyroid hydrolysates showed that prolactin does not block organification of iodine in the thyroid. Serum PB131I of the prolactin-treated climax tadpoles was not lower than that of the controls despite the inhibition of metamorphosis. It is concluded that (1) prolactin interferes with the thyroidal iodide-trapping mechanism in tadpoles, and also that (2) some degree of peripheral action is involved, although the present experiments are not totally adequate to justify this latter point.
Dual effects of the alloresponse by Th1 and Th2 cells on acute and chronic rejection of allotransplants

The contribution of direct and indirect alloresponses by CD4(+) Th1 and Th2 cells in acute and chronic rejection of allogeneic transplants remains unclear. In the present study, we addressed this question using a transplant model in a single MHC class I-disparate donor-recipient mouse combination. BALB/c-dm2 (dm2) mutant mice do not express MHC class I L(d) molecules and reject acutely L(d+) skin grafts from BALB/c mice. In contrast, BALB/c hearts placed in dm2 mice are permanently accepted in the absence of chronic allograft vasculopathy. In this model, CD4(+) T cells are activated following recognition of a donor MHC class I determinant, L(d) 61-80, presented by MHC Class II A(d) molecules on donor and recipient APC. Pre-transplantation of recipients with L(d) 61-80 peptide emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant induced a Th1 response, which accelerated the rejection of skin allografts, but it had no effect on cardiac transplants. In contrast, induction of a Th2 response to the same peptide abrogated the CD8(+) cytotoxic T cells response and markedly delayed the rejection of skin allografts while it induced de novo chronic rejection of heart transplants. This shows that Th2 cells activated via indirect allorecognition can exert dual effects on acute and chronic rejection of allogeneic transplants.
Conduct problems, IQ, and household chaos: a longitudinal multi-informant study.

Background: We tested the hypothesis that household chaos would be associated with lower child IQ and more child conduct problems concurrently and longitudinally over two years while controlling for housing conditions, parent education/IQ, literacy environment, parental warmth/negativity, and stressful events. Methods: The sample included 302 families with same-sex twins (58% female) in Kindergarten/1st grade at the first assessment. Parents’ and observers’ ratings were gathered, with some collected over a twoyear period. Results: Chaos varied widely. There was substantial mother‐father agreement and longitudinal stability. Chaos covaried with poorer housing conditions, lower parental education/IQ, poorer home literacy environment, higher stress, higher negativity and lower warmth. Chaos statistically predicted lower IQ and more conduct problems, beyond the effects of other home environment factors. Conclusions: Even with other home environment factors controlled, higher levels of chaos were linked concurrently with lower child IQ, and concurrently and longitudinally with more child conduct problems. Parent self-reported chaos represents an important aspect of housing and family functioning, with respect to children’s cognitive and behavioral functioning. Keywords: IQ, behavior problems, environment, parenting.
Classifying US nano-scientists: Of cautious innovators, regulators, and technology optimists

Government regulations to address technological risks are important for the successful development and application of nanotechnology, but there is an ongoing debate in the USA about who is responsible for the regulation of nanotechnology. In a mail survey of leading US nano-scientists, we examine scientists' perceptions about nano-regulation, including the government level (local, national, or international) at which the scientists believe nanotechnology regulation should be implemented. This regulatory discussion is important because international regulations are often difficult to adopt and implement; yet, local or state-level regulations could lead to the nanotechnology equivalent of the pollution haven hypothesis. We conclude that leading US nano-scientists have varying perceptions about nanotechnology regulations with some scientists supporting local regulations, but most scientists supporting national-level or international-level regulations. Additionally, our results show the emergence of three distinct categories of nano-scientists that have unique perspectives on nano-regulation: 'cautious innovators', 'nano-regulators', and 'technology optimists'. Copyright The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com, Oxford University Press.
A Refined Double-row Spherical Roller Bearing Model and its Application in Performance Assessment of Moving Race Shaft Misalignments:

Largely due to their self-aligning and superior loading capabilities, spherical roller bearings have seen extensive application. Compared with the single-row deep-grooved-ball (DGB) bearing, the dynamics involved in the operation of double-row spherical roller bearings (SRBs) are much more complicated; double-row SRBs have at least twice as many degrees of freedom (DoFs) as DGBs. Also, the contact forces between each one of a pair of rollers and the inner race/outer race can be different, resulting in unbalanced axial forces on the moving race and causing axial displacement and angular movements of the moving race. Due to its complexity, modeling efforts carried out so far have not included the effects of the rotational DoFs of the moving race. Aiming at improving the state of the art, a comprehensive dynamic model of SRBs is developed in this investigation. This model takes into account all the DoFs of the moving race, including the angular movements about both the vertical and horizontal axes. Subsequen...
Women as Sex Objects and Victims in Print Advertisements

This content analysis examined the depiction of women in 1,988 advertisements from 58 popular U.S. magazines. Advertisements were coded with respect to whether women were presented as sex objects and/or as victims using a scheme developed by the researchers. On average across magazines, one of two advertisements that featured women portrayed them as sex objects. Women appeared as victims in just under ten percent of the advertisements. Men’s, women’s fashion, and female adolescent magazines were more likely to portray women as sex objects and as victims than news and business, special interest, or women’s non-fashion magazines. The implications of viewing advertisements depicting women as sex objects and as victims, especially sexualized victims, are discussed.
Quantum confinement in mixed phase silicon thin films grown by co-deposition plasma processing

Abstract Mixed phase, hydrogenated amorphous and nanocrystalline silicon thin films grown by co-deposition (nanocrystals and amorphous material deposited sequentially in the same vacuum system) demonstrate pronounced quantum confinement effects. Based on photoluminescence measurements of co-deposited samples, we find evidence that the optical gap of nanocrystals embedded in hydrogenated amorphous silicon is increased to energies exceeding bulk crystalline silicon values – at least as high as 1.35 eV. The broad spectrum of emission of the nanocrystals is attributed to the size distribution and local fluctuations in matrix hydrogenation. The temperature dependence of this PL suggests that these nanocrystals possess fewer defects than those grown by conventional plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition methods. Interactions between electronic states in nanocrystals and localized states in amorphous silicon matrix tissues are discussed in terms of their role in determining the strength of the quantum confinement potential.
Moonquakes and Lunar Tectonism

With the succesful installation of a geophysical station at Hadley Rille, on July 31, 1971, on the Apollo 15 mission, and the continued operation of stations 12 and 14 approximately 1100 km SW, the Apollo program for the first time achieved a network of seismic stations on the lunar surface. A network of at least three stations is essential for the location of natural events on the Moon. Thus, the establishment of this network was one of the most important milestones in the geophysical exploration of the Moon.
Nasopharyngeal polyps in cats

Nasopharyngeal polyps are non-neoplastic, inflammatory growths that arise from the middle ear or the eustachian tube and extend into the pharynx. The exact etiology of nasopharyngeal polyps is unclear; proposed etiologies include a response to chronic upper respiratory tract infection, chronic otitis media, ascending infection from the nasopharynx, or a congenital origin. Clinical signs usually relate to obstruction of the nasopharynx, with Horner's syndrome and head tilt being consistent with otitis media and otitis interna, respectively. Diagnostic tools include digital or visual examination above the soft palate, flexible fiberoptic caudal rhinoscopy, radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Ventral bulla osteotomy combined with traction removal of the polyp is the recommended treatment, although traction only followed by prednisolone therapy can be considered in some cases, especially when there is no evidence of otitis media.
Behavioral and psychologic aspects of the pathophysiology and management of tension-type headache

Behavioral and psychologic factors in tension-type headache are reviewed with reference to pathophysiology, comorbid psychiatric disorders, headache triggers, and behavioral treatment, including the efficacy of behavioral treatments, brief minimal contact administration of behavioral treatment, therapeutic mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of behavioral treatments, and the integration of drug and behavioral treatments. Anxiety or depression may contribute to central sensitization that underlies frequent tension-type headaches. Excessive analgesic use, comorbid psychiatric disorders, or persistent unaddressed headache triggers may limit the effectiveness of headache treatment. Available drug and behavioral treatments are effective for episodic tension-type headache, but are only moderately effective for chronic tension-type headaches. The combination of behavioral and preventive drug therapies may improve outcomes for patients with chronic tension-type headache.
Closed timelike curves produced by pairs of moving cosmic strings: Exact solutions.

Exact solutions of Einstein's field equations are presented for the general case of two moving straight cosmic strings that do not intersect. The solutions for parallel cosmic strings moving in opposite directions show closed timelike curves (CTCs) that circle the two strings as they pass, allowing observers to visit their own past. Similar results occur for nonparallel strings, and for masses in (2+1)-dimensional spacetime. For finite string loops the possibility that black-hole formation may prevent the formation of CTCs is discussed.
Experimental study of the effect of noncondensables on buoyancy-thermocapillary convection in a volatile low-viscosity silicone oil

The convective flow in a layer of volatile silicone oil with a kinematic viscosity of 0.65 cSt confined to a sealed cavity with a transverse aspect ratio of 3.2 was visualized using particle pathlines and quantified by particle-image velocimetry at dynamic Bond numbers estimated to be of order unity and laboratory Marangoni numbers as great as 3600. The effect of noncondensables (i.e., air) was studied by comparing convection in the liquid layer below a vapor space at pressures ranging from 4.8 kPa to 101 kPa, corresponding to air molar fractions ranging from 14% to 96%, respectively, and silicone-oil vapor, under otherwise identical conditions. The results for convection at 101 kPa are in qualitative agreement with previous studies, and clarify the time-dependent flow observed at high Marangoni numbers. The results show that decreasing the relative air concentration increases the critical Marangoni numbers for transition between different flow states, even though the air concentration does not appear to ...
Influence of puffer predation on vertical distribution of mangrove littorinids in the Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica.

The eastern Pacific puffer fish Sphoeroides rosenblatti (family Tetraodontidae) preys on the mangrove periwinkles Littorariafasciata and L. varia up to 13 cm above the water surface. Puffers capture snails by jumping partially out of the water and removing them by mouth from Rhizophora spp. prop roots. Field predation trials suggested puffer predation is intense, averaging 40.6% h−1 on L. fasciata tethered at the water surface. L.fasciata ∼8 mm and L. varia∼12–16 mm were also crushed by puffers, but were generally located above their reach; these snails were much less abundant in puffer guts. L.varia >∼16 mm were abundant and some were submerged at high tide; however, none were found in puffer guts presumably because puffers encounter difficulty crushing these snails. S.rosenblatti is an important predator of L. fasciata and L. varia and appears to affect their vertical distributions.
Mapping environmental pollution, contamination, and waste in the United States

Businesses operating facilities with environmental focus dealing with waste, contamination, or pollution are legally required to detail their degree of compliance with environmental rules and regulations, and to report on their activities to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Such activities include substances related to air pollution, land or water contamination, waste disposal, and toxic or radioactive materials. Due to the ongoing nature of reporting, the EPA established a repository where all reported data related to business activities can be found. EPA developed EnviroMapper, a search engine that can be used to map, for any given area, the facilities dealing with issues related to air, water, waste, land, toxics, and radiation. The interactive nature of the search is very convenient and makes it easy for the user to learn about business activities and get more information from filed reports. Furthermore, the system has several features including information on air emission, superfund sites, toxic release, hazardous waste, water dischargers, brownfields, and toxic substances. This is supplemented with an extensive searchable list of chemicals used in the activities of various industries such as agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, mining, transportation, communications, and electric, gas, and sanitary services. This elaborate system is designed to help researchers, planners, developers, and the public in general learn about environmentally-related activities in a given location. In addition, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data can be downloaded and used to plot maps necessary for variety of purposes such as research studies, environmental impact assessment, public health, planning, and development. This presentation intends to use GIS data downloaded from the system for the city of Albany, the Capital of New York State, to illustrate how this data can be used as a research tool to study the factors that lead to the concentration of environmentally-related businesses in a specific area and their effect on the standard of living and quality of life in that area.
Optimization of Novel Indole-2-carboxamide Inhibitors of Neurotropic Alphavirus Replication

Neurotropic alphaviruses, which include western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV) and Fort Morgan virus, are mosquito-borne pathogens that infect the central nervous system causing acute and potentially fatal encephalitis. We previously reported a novel series of indole-2-carboxamides as alphavirus replication inhibitors, one of which conferred protection against neuroadapted Sindbis virus infection in mice. We describe here further development of this series, resulting in 10-fold improvement in potency in a WEEV replicon assay and up to 40-fold increases in half-lives in mouse liver microsomes. Using a rhodamine123 uptake assay in MDR1-MDCKII cells, we were able to identify structural modifications that markedly reduce recognition by P-glycoprotein, the key efflux transporter at the blood-brain barrier. In a preliminary mouse PK study, we were able to demonstrate that two new analogues could achieve higher and/or longer plasma drug exposures than our previous lead and that one compound achieved measurable drug levels in the brain.
Characteristics of the epitope of leukotriene B4 recognized by a highly specific mouse monoclonal antibody

Mouse monoclonal IgG2b antibodies to leukotriene B4 bind [3H]leukotriene B4 with an affinity one-thirtieth to one-third that of different rabbit antibodies to leukotriene B4. The concentrations of related ligands required to inhibit by 50% the binding of [3H]leukotriene B4 define cross-reactivities of approximately 100% for carboxyl-derivatives of leukotriene B4, 10% for 12(S)-leukotriene B4 and 8 cis-leukotriene B4, which were not distinguished from leukotriene B4 by polyclonal antibodies, 3-5% for the two isomers of 6 trans-leukotriene B4, 5% for 20-OH-leukotriene B4 and 20-COOH-leukotriene B4, and less than 1% for other leukotrienes, mono-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acids, and the two leukotriene B4-like isomers of 8, 15-di-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid. Thus the monoclonal combining site is highly specific for the di-hydroxy-triene portion of leukotriene B4.
MEASURMENT OF CIRCULATING THYROID MICROSOMAL ANTIBODIES BY THE TANNED RED CELL HAEMAGGLUTINATION TECHNIQUE: ITS USEFULNESS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF AUTOIMMUNE THYROID DISEASES

Thyroid-microsomal antibodies were quantitated by a new technique utilizing tanned sheep red blood cells coated with human thyroid microsomal antigens. This haemagglutination assay (MCHA) correlated with the immunofluorescent antibody (FAB) but not with the thyroglobulin haemagglutination antibodies (TGHA) assay. Of forty-one patients with Hasmimoto's thyroiditis, thirty-nine (95%) were MCHA but only twenty-four (59%) TGHA positive. Titres were similar for the hypothyroid and euthyroid patients. Patients less than 20 years of age had either negative (50%) or low titre (less than 1:160) TGHA but 100% positive MCHA at titres greater than 1:1280. Of twenty-one patients with Graves' disease eighteen (86%) were MCHA and six (29%) TGHA positive. Of thirty-two patients without thyroid disease eleven (34%) were MCHA and/or TGHA positive. On the basis of family history and associated abnormalities, in eight of eleven, positive antibodies may have been due to subclinical Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Fourteen subjects of a control group (10%) were MCHA positive. Seven of ten examined had goitres. MCHA is a simple and quantitative test, useful in the diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid diseases.
Changed promoter specificity and antitermination properties displayed in vitro by bacteriophage T4-modified RNA polymerase.

Abstract A 5.5 × 10 3 base-pair fragment of bacteriophage T4 DNA carrying genes 1, 3, 57, ipI and a cluster of transfer RNA genes was used as template for RNA polymerase isolated from uninfected Escherichia coli and from T4-infected bacteria. RNA transcripts were fractionated by gel electrophoresis and mapped by using as transcription template the 5.5 × 10 3 base fragment cleaved with different restriction enzymes. The comparison of the transcripts synthesized by the two RNA polymerases revealed a dramatic difference in their initiation specificities and abilities to utilize a transcription termination site. The T4-modified polymerase utilizes three new promoters on the template DNA fragment that are not utilized by the host enzyme. The modified enzyme, however, fails to produce some of the transcripts synthesized by the host RNA polymerase. The ability of T4-modified RNA polymerase to terminate transcription at a terminator present in the template DNA fragment is greatly reduced as compared to the unmodified host enzyme. The factors responsible for the new initiation and termination properties are associated with RNA polymerase core component. Analysis of RNA polymerase from bacteria infected with T4 mutants demonstrates that the new promoter specificity and the antitermination effect are caused by different factors.
Multichannel polarization state detectors for time-resolved ellipsometry

Abstract A brief review is presented of recent developments in multichannel photopolarimeters (MCPs) that use stationary arrangements of four (or more) photodetectors, with or without additional fixed polarizing optical elements, for the simultaneous and virtually instantaneous measurement of the four Stokes parameters of light. The absence of any moving parts and modulators makes possible time-resolved ellipsometry at the nanosecond-picosecond time scale and operation with pulsed light sources. Furthermore, grating-based division-of-amplitude MCPs can measure Stokes parameter spectra in real time when used in conjuction with detector arrays.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS IN ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS WITH URINARY INCONTINENCE

Abstract Objectives. To describe special considerations related to the etiology, evaluation, and treatment of urinary incontinence (UI) in the elderly. Methods. The characteristics of UI in older patients are contrasted with those in younger patients. Recommended evaluations for elderly individuals are reviewed, and treatment issues are addressed. Results. The etiology of UI is more complex in older than in younger patients, and a different clinical approach is required. Bladder overactivity is a common underlying component of UI in the elderly patient regardless of the complexity of the etiology. The most common voiding symptom in elderly patients is urgency with urge UI. The evaluation of the older patient with UI should include a symptom assessment, physical examination, review of the medical history (particularly with regard to previous surgeries), and assessments of social environment and functional status (which can have an impact on the type of treatment selected and the success of therapy). Urodynamic evaluations are particularly important because of the complexity of UI in this population. Treatment options include pharmacologic therapies, behavioral interventions, electrical stimulation, and combination therapies. The combination of surgical and nonsurgical therapies may be particularly important in the future. Conclusions. Control of bladder overactivity is the most significant long-term challenge in the management of UI in the elderly. Successful treatment can produce a marked improvement in the quality of life for these individuals.
A Guide for Studying the Personality of a Young Child

Character and personality can best be de scribed in terms of their functioning under the varied conditions of normal life. This article reports the result of several years effort to develop a method of studying per sonality from records of observation with two main points of reference, the situation and the response. The result is a tentative tool called a Guide for Studying the Personality of a Young Child. The guide assumes that at all times a child is reacting to a total situation, but that at different times different elements are prepotent in influencing his response. The tendency to be selective in his response is the basis for the analysis in tenns of situation. The tendency to respond to any aspect of the situation differently at dif ferent times is the basis for the analysis in terms of response. These are the two points of reference in studying behavior: To what in the total sit uation is the child predominantly respond ing? How does he respond to this predomi nant factor in the situation? Several thousand incidents or events of behavior recorded over a period of years by staff and students have been classified in answer to these two questions. An incident op event, as used in this study, means a simple unit of experience, a response how ever involved to a situation however complex. Duplicates among these recorded events have been weeded out until each incident retained in a group is unique in some way although basically like the others in the group. A descriptive statement has been rade for each group covering all the incidents within the group. These refined groups have been orga nized into a guide. The guide has been used as a method of studying the personality of young children. It has served as a working basis for guiding current behavior, as a means for measuring change from time to time, and as a basis for comparing, one child with other children. Year after year the details of the guide have been changed in adapting it for better , usefulness. Therefore, the findings from
Chest tube-delivered bupivacaine improves pain and decreases opioid use after thoracoscopy.

Background This study compared a simplified method of intrapleural bupivacaine administration with traditional analgesic therapy to decrease postoperative pain and opioid usage in patients after thoracoscopy. Methods Thirty patients who had non-rib-spreading thoracoscopic operations under general anesthesia were prospectively randomized to no local anesthetic infusion (control), intermittent bolus (30 mL every 6 hours), or continuous infusion (5 mL/h). Bupivacaine (0.25%) was delivered through the pleural infusion channel of a specially designed single silicone 28F chest tube. Total intravenous fentanyl patient-controlled analgesia (boluses with basal rate) infused in the first 24 hours postoperatively was the designated primary study end point. Escalations of analgesic therapy, including ketorolac administration, were standardized across all groups. Nurses assessed pain control at onset and every 6 hours by visual analog pain scales (VAPS, 100 mm). VAPS were repeated 10 minutes later to assess any opioid or bupivacaine bolus effects. Results No study-related adverse events occurred. Compared with controls, pooled VAPS scores and 24-hour fentanyl consumption were significantly lower for the intermittent and continuous administration groups (1753 vs 1180 vs 1177 μg/24 h, respective median; p = 0.04) Early (6-hour) VAPS analgesic responses were more certain for intermittent (10 of 10) and continuous (10 of 10) patients than controls (7 of 10, p = .04). Five continuous patients successfully maintained VAPS scores below 20 mm throughout the study vs 3 intermittent and 2 controls ( p = .045). Conclusions Intermittent or continuous intrapleural bupivacaine infused through the chest tube reliably reduces postoperative pain and 24-hour opioid usage in thoracoscopy patients.
Maximizing online service profit for time-dependent applications

As computers and Internet technology advance, many time-dependent applications, such as mobile navigation and online gaming, are emerging. Time-dependent applications are associated with a pair of time-dependent functions representing accrued gain at the time when tasks complete or accrued cost when tasks fail to complete, respectively. For systems that provide time-dependent services, the optimization goal is to maximize the system profit when both potential gain and potential cost exist for each request the system accepts. This paper presents two scheduling algorithms, prediction-based highest gain density first (PHGDF) and iterative PHGDF (iPHGDF) scheduling algorithms with the objective to maximize the system's total accrued profit. Simulation results provide clear evidence that, with respect to the system total accrued profit, the proposed PHGDF and iPHGDF algorithms have advantages over other commonly used scheduling algorithm, such as the Earliest Deadline First (EDF), the Generic Utility Scheduling (GUS) and the Profit and Penalty aware scheduling (PP-aware) algorithms.
Group G streptococcal colonization and sepsisin neonates

Group G streptococci were isolated from the blood of seven neonates over a five-year period at the New York Hospital. All but two were born near term. All presented clinically with signs and symptoms of neonatal sepsis. Only one case was associated with a major complication—epidermolysis bullosa; this patient died. Two presented as late-onset sepsis at 11 and 12 days of age. Six of the seven responded promptly to antibiotic therapy. A one-year survey was carried out of colonization with groups B and G streptococci at the time of discharge (day 3). Colonization with group G streptococci varied between 41 and 76% of babies each moth. Group B streptococcal colonization ranged between 1 and 11%. Statistical analysis suggested that colonization with these organisms may be mutually exclusive phenomenon.