cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessing Disparities in Reduction Mammaplasty: There Is Room for Improvement.

BACKGROUND Racial and socioeconomic disparities in access and quality of surgical care are well documented in many surgical subspecialties, including plastic surgery. OBJECTIVES The authors aimed to determine if demographic disparities exist in preoperative and postoperative satisfaction after breast reduction mammaplasty, utilizing patient-reported quality of life (QoL) scores. METHODS Patients who underwent breast reduction mammaplasty between 2015 and 2020 were identified. Patients who underwent complex concomitant procedures were excluded. Patient demographics and QoL, as measured by the BREAST-Q, were extracted. Wilcoxon Rank Sum and Kruskal-Wallis tests were employed to compare QoL scores across demographic subgroups. RESULTS A total of 115 patients met the inclusion criteria. QoL improved across all 4 BREAST-Q domains (all P < 0.001). Disparities were shown to exist in the following: median income vs postoperative satisfaction with information (P < 0.001), BMI vs preoperative physical well-being (P < 0.001), and ethnicity vs preoperative physical well-being (P = 0.003). A sub-group analysis of Caucasian patients compared with Black/African American patients revealed significant inequalities in BMI (P < 0.001), median income by zip code (P < 0.001), improvement in satisfaction with breasts (P = 0.039), satisfaction with information (P = 0.007), and satisfaction with office staff (P = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS Racial and socioeconomic inequalities exist in preoperative and postoperative satisfaction for patients undergoing breast reduction mammaplasty. Institutions should focus on developing tools for equitable and inclusive patient education and perioperative counseling. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2
Tubular human brain organoids to model microglia-mediated neuroinflammation

Human brain organoids, 3D brain tissue cultures derived from human pluripotent stem cells, hold promising potential in modeling neuroinflammation for a variety of neurological diseases. However, challenges remain in generating standardized human brain organoids that can recapitulate key physiological features of a human brain. Here, we present tubular organoid-on-a-chip devices to generate better organoids and model neuroinflammation. By employing 3D printed hollow mesh scaffolds, our device can be easily incorporated into multiwell-plates for reliable, scalable, and reproducible generation of tubular organoids. By introducing rocking flows through the tubular device channel, our device can perfuse nutrients and oxygen to minimize organoid necrosis and hypoxia, and incorporate immune cells into organoids to model neuro-immune interactions. Compared with conventional protocols, our method increased neural progenitor proliferation and reduced heterogeneity of human brain organoids. As a proof-of-concept application, we applied this method to model the microglia-mediated neuroinflammation after exposure to an opioid receptor agonist. We found isogenic microglia were activated after exposure to an opioid receptor agonist (DAMGO) and transformed back to the homeostatic status with further treatment by a cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) agonist (LY2828360). Importantly, the activated microglia in tubular organoids had stronger cytokine responses compared to those in 2D microglial cultures. Our tubular organoid device is simple, versatile, inexpensive, easy-to-use, and compatible with multiwell-plates, so it can be widely used in common research and clinical laboratory settings. This technology can be broadly used for basic and translational applications in inflammatory diseases including substance use disorders, neural diseases, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases.
Re-Defining the Mission of National and International Sports Governing Boards to Inhibit Corruption and Align with Their Social Function

While US sports leagues are purely commercial enterprises that are autonomous bodies, in the rest of the world sport is organized and governed by national and international federations who are operated on a non-profit basis with nebulous social goals. The paper seeks to re-define their mission, charging these boards with the authority to: (1) prudently organize commercially-successful aspects of the game to enhance fan appeal and revenue, a portion of which can be taxed by the association, and (2) spend revenues gained from commercially-successful competitions to develop grass-roots sports. The latter efforts should focus on those unable to afford coaching, equipment, travel, and other aspects of the game that serve social functions. As to: (1), associations should roughly model private trusts; as to (2), they should roughly model charitable trusts.
An Exploration of Human Rights and Social Work Education in the United States.

Social work, with its commitment to social justice, knowledge about cultural diversity, and respect for the dignity and worth of the individual, has much to contribute to the modern-day human rights debate. Many international social work scholars have articulated the view of social work as a human rights profession. The profession’s presence in this arena, however, has not always been apparent. Amid increasing global tensions and domestic challenges, equipping social work students with human rights knowledge and skills is critical. The limited attention given to human rights in social work education, particularly in the United States, provides a unique opportunity to explore the human rights discourse occurring in academic circles. This paper presents a review of scholarly journal articles that explore the human rights discourse related to social work education in the United States. Upon reviewing the literature, the following categories emerged: (1) general articles on integrating human rights into social work education; (2) pedagogical frameworks, models, and examples of incorporating human rights into social work education; and (3) measures and perceptions related to assessing the integration of human rights in social work education. Findings indicate that the inclusion of human rights into social work education in the United States is in its infancy. It is recommended that social work programs in the United States be more intentional about integrating human rights content into the curricula to train culturally competent and globally minded social workers.
Human Rights Cities: The Transformation of Communities, or Simply Treading Water?

More than 23 cities around the world have declared themselves to be “Human Rights Cities,” and, in varying degrees, advance equality, participation, and protection of the most vulnerable. The umbrella for this progressive movement has been the Peoples Movement for Human Rights Learning, under the leadership of Shulamith Koenig. The towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, North Carolina are each Human Rights Cities, as petitioned by the Human Rights Center of Chapel Hill and Carrboro. The human rights framework holds these two towns responsible for protecting the rights of vulnerable people, such as day laborers, and promoting fair trade policies. I conclude, however, that two additional prerequisites must be met to fully advance human rights. First, businesses and corporations must be nonprofit, and second, there must be thoroughgoing citizen participation in collective decision-making.
Dielectric relaxation and dielectric mixtures: similarities

Spectral density representation is a tool to analyze electrical properties of material mixtures and the geometrical description of the system. The aim of this paper is to derive an expression for the spectral density representation, which favors dielectric relaxation phenomenon. This unfamiliar form is distinct in a way that the existing dielectric relaxation models and data analysis tools can be employed for extracting the spectral density function of a given system.
Accuracy of the IASLC/ATS/ERS histological subtyping of stage I lung adenocarcinoma on intraoperative frozen sections.

Histological subtyping of surgically resected lung adenocarcinoma has been shown to be of prognostic significance, and limited surgical resection has been proposed as a treatment of choice for early-stage lung adenocarcinoma. The accuracy of histological subtyping has been recently assessed in the surgical resection and small biopsy specimens; however, the accuracy of intraoperative subtyping on frozen sections remains relatively unknown. The aim of this study was to determine diagnostic accuracy and interobserver variability in histological subtyping of lung adenocarcinoma on intraoperative frozen sections. Overall, 112 consecutive cases of surgically resected stage I lung adenocarcinoma were reviewed independently by three pathologists. Histological patterns (acinar, lepidic, papillary, micropapillary, and solid) and mucinous variant were recorded in 5% increments for each intraoperative frozen and permanent sections. Primary and secondary histological patterns were assigned in each case. Kappa scores were calculated to evaluate agreement between pathologists in the assessment of histological subtype on intraoperative frozen sections versus permanent sections. Overall agreement between intraoperative frozen and permanent sections was moderate for primary pattern (69.7% of cases), with kappa scores ranging from 0.43 to 0.58, with more consistent agreement for stage IA tumors. Kappa scores for the secondary pattern ranged from 0.16 to 0.32. Acinar and solid patterns were most likely to be correctly identified as primary growth patterns. Micropapillary pattern was recognized in only 11–55% of cases. The main reasons for discrepancies between intraoperative frozen and permanent sections were inadequate sampling and poor quality of frozen sections. Our study suggests that it is difficult to predict the primary adenocarcinoma pattern on a single representative frozen section. This observation suggests a potential impact on the extent of frozen section sampling by pathologists at the time of intraoperative consultation, if surgical management of stage I lung adenocarcinoma will be guided by its histological subtype.
Introduction to Special Section

In “Differential Privacy Applications to Bayesian and Linear Mixed Model Estimation,” John Abowd, Matthew Schneider, and Lars Vilhuber investigate questions about the quality of differentially private statistical models. Using two frameworks for constructing differentially private algorithms (sample-and-aggregate and objective perturbation), they fit linear mixed models and Bayesian linear mixed models using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Quarterly Workforce Indicators. While pointing out practical model-building issues for which differentially private solutions are still needed, they evaluate the quality that one can expect from privacy-preserving versions of these models.
The Impact of Discussion, Awareness, and Collaboration Network Position on Research Performance of Engineering School Faculty

We use a social network analysis to examine the role of various types of interactions among the faculty of an American engineering school, ranging from mere awareness to full coauthorship, on academic research productivity (measured by weighted publication rates) and impact (measured by weighted citation rates). Our results suggest that central positions in the discussion network have the most significant impact on individual work performance. However, we observe that increasing centrality exhibits diminishing returns, presumably because of the overhead associated with sustaining too many research interactions. Our results also suggest that interdisciplinary research discussions promote both research productivity and impact.
The NHANES III Supplemental Nutrition Survey of Older Americans

The number of Americans aged > or = 65 y will reach 70 million by the mid-21st century. Health and nutritional-status data for older populations are urgently needed to identify future health resource and program needs. The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), a 6-y survey of the civilian, noninstitutionalized US population > or = 2 mo old began in 1988; approximately 7000 of the 30,000 examinees are aged > or = 50 y. The NHANES III dietary assessment component includes 24-h dietary recall and food-frequency interviews; information on dietary practices, vitamin and mineral supplement use, food sufficiency, and functional status is obtained. The National Institute on Aging funded a special dietary study to collect two independent replicate 24-h recalls by telephone from NHANES III-Cycle I examinees aged > or = 50 y. The expanded dietary data set for older people will be analyzed to examine characteristics of in-house and telephone dietary interviews and to examine factors previously shown to affect energy and nutrient intake estimates for older people.
Mineral (Mal)Adaptation to Kidney Disease—Young Investigator Award Address: American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week 2014

In the short time since its initial discovery as the cause of rare hypophosphatemic disorders, fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) has emerged as a major regulator of mineral metabolism and critical component of the bone and mineral adaptation to CKD. However, because elevated FGF-23 levels are also a novel biomarker and possible molecular mediator of increased risks of cardiovascular disease and death in CKD, the initially adaptive response to increase FGF-23 levels to maintain neutral phosphate balance in CKD may ultimately become maladaptive. Incorporating FGF-23 into understanding the complex physiology that governs normal bone and mineral metabolism and its alterations in CKD has filled critical knowledge gaps and opened a new landscape of exciting hypotheses and novel therapeutic strategies to be tested in the continued quest to alleviate the burden of CKD.
Continuously adaptive linear predictive coding of speech

A continuously adaptive approach to speech encoding is presented. In contrast with other adaptation methods, it provides reliable modeling of the transition between two phonemes, and, unlike the usual block-stationary techniques, it eliminates the need to detect these transitions. Continuously adaptive linear predictive coding takes into account the inherent nonstationarity of the speech signal by using the expected minimum rate of change of the model parameters as a constraint in the recursive estimation of these parameters. The criterion considered is a constrained-least-squares cost functional which incorporates with equal weight all instantaneous errors up to the time of observation. An appropriate algorithm is given, and simulations are presented to illustrate the basic cost-performance tradeoffs involved in the approach. >
Genes, Gene Products, and Transcription Factors

Molecular pathology employs an ever-expanding array of special techniques to study nucleic acids, genes, gene products, receptors, signaling pathways, the cell cycle, and mutations. This chapter and the others in this section provide a quick review of basic terminology and concepts for the understanding of subsequent chapters.
Organization and Dynamics of the Lipid Components of Biological Membranes

The sections in this article are: 1 The Lipid Bilayer as A Structural and Functional Component of Biological Membranes 2 Molecular Structures of Membrane Lipids 2.1 Glycerophospholipids 2.2 Sphingolipids 2.3 Cholesterol 3 Lipid Composition of Some Mammalian Cell Membranes 4 Molecular Organization of Membrane Lipids 4.1 Lamellar Phases 4.2 Binary Phospholipid Mixtures 4.3 Nonlamellar Phases 5 Physical Properties of Bilayers 5.1 Experimental Bilayer Systems 5.2 Bilayer Thickness 5.3 Electrical Properties 5.4 Permeability to Non-Ionic Solutes 5.5 Mechanical Properties of Bilayers 6 Lipid Dynamics in Bilayer Systems 6.1 Intramolecular Motions 6.2 Whole Molecule Motions 7 Bilayer Curvature
The Effects of Food on Drug Bioavailability and Bioequivalence

The effects of food on the drug absorption of orally dosed drug products are complex. These food effects can be specific, direct interactions between components of the food ingested and the drug substance or excipients themselves, or the food-effects can be secondary to the physiological changes in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which occur after ingesting the meal. These food-effects often have clinical significance. Food can change the bioavailability (BA) of a drug, which can in turn, alter its safety and/or efficacy profile. Likewise, food can influence the bioequivalence (BE) between a proposed generic drug product and its innovator counterpart (i.e., the reference listed drug product, or RLD). This chapter focuses on the complex effects of food on the absorption of drugs from the GI tract. In particular, it discusses the current US regulatory framework set forth by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in determining the impact of food on the absorption of orally dosed drug products. Case studies are discussed in order to show specific examples of the complex effects of food on drug absorption and BA, and how modified formulations might overcome at least some of these effects. After reading this chapter, the reader should have a general understanding of (1) how food can affect drug absorption from the GI tract, (2) why these food–drug interactions are relevant to the FDA and to US consumers, and (3) what types of BA and BE studies are recommended by the FDA for determining potential food-effects on drug absorption.
Porous Graphene as the Ultimate Membrane for Gas Separation

We investigate the permeability and selectivity of graphene sheets with designed subnanometer pores using first principles density functional theory calculations. We find high selectivity on the order of 10(8) for H(2)/CH(4) with a high H(2) permeance for a nitrogen-functionalized pore. We find extremely high selectivity on the order of 10(23) for H(2)/CH(4) for an all-hydrogen passivated pore whose small width (at 2.5 A) presents a formidable barrier (1.6 eV) for CH(4) but easily surmountable for H(2) (0.22 eV). These results suggest that these pores are far superior to traditional polymer and silica membranes, where bulk solubility and diffusivity dominate the transport of gas molecules through the material. Recent experimental investigations, using either electron beams or bottom-up synthesis to create pores in graphene, suggest that it may be possible to employ such techniques to engineer variable-sized, graphene nanopores to tune selectivity and molecular diffusivity. Hence, we propose using porous graphene sheets as one-atom-thin, highly efficient, and highly selective membranes for gas separation. Such a pore could have widespread impact on numerous energy and technological applications; including carbon sequestration, fuel cells, and gas sensors.
Origins of isotopomeric polymorphism.

The complex formed between 4-methylpyridine and pentachlorophenol (4MPPCP) crystallises in a triclinic space group. If the same complex is synthesized from deuterated pentachlorophenol, it crystallizes in an entirely different monoclinic polymorph. Using solid-state NMR of samples synthesized with a full range of deuteration levels, crystallized from solution or the melt, and in the presence or absence of seeds, we have confirmed that the isotopomers indeed have different thermodynamically stable crystal structures. The roots of this phenomenon of isotopomeric polymorphism apparently lie in the differences in hydrogen bonding between the polymorphs. The triclinic form has a relatively short hydrogen bond. High-field solid-state NMR shows both the 1H chemical shift and the 2H electric quadrupole coupling of the hydrogen involved in the bond to be strongly temperature-dependent, indicating a low-lying excited state of the hydrogen bond longitudinal vibration. Inelastic neutron scattering of isotopomers of 4...
The recovery of feelings in a folktale

The purpose of this essay is to explore the "symptom" of the denial of feelings and the subsequent recovery of feelings in relation to the task of uniting the human self. The spiritual, emotional, and physical implications of an exemplary narrative from the collection edited by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm are discussed in relation to the "telescoping" of the emotion of fear, the sensation of shuddering, and the experience of anxiety about the integrity of the self. The reader is cautioned that the study of folktales enriches our telling of them and is itself justified by that telling.
Influence of Repellency on the Efficacy of Blatticides. IV. Comparison of Four Cockroach Species

Laboratory experiments were made to compare 4 domiciliary cockroach species, the German, Blattella germanica (L.); American, Periplaneta americana (L.); oriental, Blatta orientalis L.; and brown-banded, Supella supellectilium (Serville), in the influence of repellency on the efficacy of insecticides as determined by comparing the rate of mortality when the insects were continuously confined to the insecticides with the rate of mortality when they were able to avoid them. The descending order of repellency was Drione® (1% pyrethrins, 10% technical piperonyl butoxide, 38.12% amorphous silica aerogel, 1.88% ammonium fluosilicate, 49% petroleum base oil) > Baygon® ( o -isopropoxyphenyl methylcarbamate) > diazinon > chlordane> sodium fluoride > boric acid, which was also in the descending order of their toxicity to the cockroaches. When 3 species of cockroaches were tested for their relative susceptibility to 6 insecticides, 1% Baygon was the most effective against American and oriental cockroaches and second only to pyrethrins against the German cockroach in the continuous exposure test, in which the insects were confined with the residues. In choice-box tests 1% Baygon performed poorly against German and American cockroaches because of its high repellency, but it was strikingly superior to all other insecticides against the oriental cockroach. Even at 0.5%, Baygon is so toxic to the oriental cockroach that this relatively sluggish insect receives a fatal dose from initial contacts with the insecticide before being able to initiate evasive behavior. The special efficiency of Baygon in the control of oriental cockroaches, indicated by the choice-box tests, was confirmed in field tests against this species. Boric acid powder performed well in all field tests also against the oriental cockroach and was superior to 1% diazinon + 0.2% dichlorvos in base oil. At 136 g/manhole, Drione apparently killed all active stages of the American cockroach when the powder was blown into sewerage systems with sufficient force and air volume to penetrate through all laterals. The sewer lines are a closed system, and the experiment demonstrated the potential of a highly toxic insecticide when cockroaches are unable to escape from it. In a 4-story apartment building with 42 apartments, it appeared from circumstantial evidence that the entire building was infested, via the wall voids, from an apartment on the 3rd floor that was heavily infested with brown-banded cockroaches. The infestation was controlled with Drione. In other experiments boric acid was found to be effective in controlling brown-banded cockroaches.
Validation of reconstructed bremsstrahlung spectra between 6 MV and 25 MV from measured transmission data.

We have previously investigated a method of high-energy x-rayspectral reconstruction from transmission data by direct resolution of a matrix system. This technique uses the spectral vectorial algebra formalism. The resolution has previously been tested on a 12 MV photon beam. To extend and to test the validity of the results to the entire radiotherapy energy range, we have performed the method on photon beams with nominal energies of 6, 12, 15, and 25 MV. The influence on the 6 MV spectrum of a 60° built-in wedge has also been investigated to test the sensitivity of the method and the results are reported. To validate our reconstructed spectra,dosimetric quantities such as tissue phantom ratios (TPR), water-to-air stopping power ratios (S/ρ) air water , and quality indexes TPR 10 20 have been calculated. The results show good agreement between the measured and calculated data. Mean mass energy absorption coefficient ratios for different materials have also been computed and compared to data published recently and the results are very close (within ±0.5%). Primary depth dose functions in water have also been computed to deduce primary dose attenuation coefficients.
Health-Relevant Behaviors in Media1

The content of the past decade's (1977–1988) most popular films is analyzed for trends in portrayals of multiple health practices (cigarette smoking, over-the-counter or prescription drug use, illegal drug use. alcohol consumption, leisure-time physical activity, and poor eating habits) as well as model characteristics and consequences associated with health-related lifestyle. The results reveal a recent upsurge in depictions of several risky habits, yet few portrayals of direct adverse consequences. There was a particular tendency for males and minorities to be shown engaged in behaviors detrimental to their health. The social learning, public health, and social policy implications of these findings are discussed.
Effect of acoustic cues on labeling fricatives and affricates

Previous studies have shown that manipulation of frication amplitude relative to vowel amplitude in the third formant frequency region affects labeling of place of articulation for the fricative co...
Human attacks by large felid carnivores in captivity and in the wild

Whereas those who live in the native ranges of the large feline carnivores are well aware of the risks of cat and human encounters, North Americans and Europeans are increasingly exposed to exotic animals through travel, ecotourism, leisure pursuits in rural areas, occupational exposure, zoo and animal park visits, wild habitat encroachment at the urban-wildlands interface, and contact with exotic pets. In encounters during which persons have been severely injured, lapses in animal management protocols, lack of appropriate adult supervision, and intoxication have been reported. Unlike common domestic pets that have lived in close association with humans for thousands of years, no matter where individual large felines may have been raised, they remain wild carnivores with strong prey-drive and territorial instincts. The emergency management of large felid attacks is similar to that of other major trauma: stabilization; management of significant orthopedic, neurologic, vascular, and soft tissue injuries; antibiotic coverage provided for the number of organisms that inhabit their mouths and the potential for tetanus and rabies; and early management in survivors of likely posttraumatic stress disorder. We must actively explore responsible measures globally that can be taken to ensure biologically appropriate, ethical, safe, and sustainable conservation of these large carnivores in both their natural habitats and captivity.
Chemical characterization of different lines of Daucus carota L. roots.

Carrot lines grown under commercial conditions in central Washington State in 1995 and in 1996 were analyzed for quality parameters. Significant differences (p<0.05) of refractive index, color, and volatile terpenes between carrot lines were observed. High correlations between a * /b * (r 2 = 0.79) or hue angle (r 2 = -0.78) and the sum of concentrations of α- and β-carotenes in carrot juice were observed. The concentrations of α- and β-pinene, myrcene, α- and γ-terpinene, limonene, p-cymene, terpinolene, caryophyllene, bornyl acetate, and 2-nonenal varied depending on the carrot line. Lines with the highest °Brix to terpinolene ratios indicating a higher degrees of sweetness (and lower bitterness) were Coral II, HMX 8287, and (2566 x 6274) × 9304. Identification of the differences that exist among carrot lines would allow for selection of carrot lines that possess desirable quality attributes.
Halide Transport in Red Blood Cells.

. A flow tube for the measurement of rapid transport processes in red cells is described. The method is applicable to the measurement of transport processes with half-times between 0.05 and 1 sec in suspensions of cells which have an average diameter greater than 1 micron. The rate constants for outflux of Cl38, Br82, F18 and I131 from washed beef and human red cells suspended in chloride-phosphate medium at room temperature were measured under conditions of equilibrium of total halide in the system. The values of the rate constant were 3.1, 0.6, 0.3 and 0.06 sec-1 respectively for both beef and human cells. The ratios of cell to medium concentrations of the various halides at equilibrium were measured by isotope dilution and found to be 0.58, 0.63, 0.50 and 1.06 for Cl38, Br82, F18 and I131 respectively in beef red cells. Similar ratios were observed in human cells. The rate constants for Cl38 outflux from beef red cells washed and suspended in bromide-phosphate and iodide-phosphate media were 1.8 and 0.6 sec-1 respectively, both much lower than the value of 3.1 observed in chloridephosphate medium.
Cell adhesion molecules in coronary artery disease

To date, six families of cell adhesion molecules are known. These are cell surface receptors that mediate adhesion of cells to each other or to components of the extracellular matrix and include integrins, selectins, the immunoglobulin superfamily, cadherins, proteoglycans and mucins. These cell adhesion molecules play a key role in cell-cell interaction (such as among endothelium, monocytes, smooth muscle cells and platelets) and cell-extracellular matrix interaction (such as between leukocytes, platelets or fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix). The importance of these interactions has recently been demonstrated in clinical trials with the use of an antibody fragment directed against the platelet alpha IIb beta IIIa integrin, with reduction of arterial thrombosis and restenosis after percutaneous coronary interventions. A fundamental role for cell adhesion molecules has been suggested for several other relevant disease processes, including atherosclerosis, acute coronary syndromes, reperfusion injury and allograft vasculopathy. This review focuses on providing the clinically relevant biology of these families of adhesion molecules, setting the foundation for delineation of their emerging role in cardiovascular therapeutics.
Urographic and angiographic changes in acute unilateral pyelonephritis

The pyelographic and angiographic changes in acute unilateral bacterial pyelonephritis are illustrated in our series of 12 patients. The radiographic abnormalities were completely reversible within a few weeks after clinical recovery. Complications (abscess) occurred in only one patient. Unilateral renal enlargement, diffuse or focal, impaired or absent excretory function, and attenuated calyces were the predominant findings; non-obstructive pelvicalyceal and/or ureteral dilatation were infrequent. Angiographic studies (five patients), peformed to rule out vascular occlusion, tumour or carbuncle, showed attenuated and somewhat stretched intrarenal vessels associated with the diffuse or focal cortical swelling. Occasionally, a characteristic striated nephrogram is seen.
Higher order abstract Cauchy problems

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to show the existence and uniqueness of a solution to several types of higher order abstract Cauchy problems in a Banach space. Semigroup methods and spectral theory are used to arrive at these results.
Development of a high throughput screening assay for inhibitors of hedgehog-heparin interactions

The activity of hedgehog ligand is mediated in part by interactions with heparin and heparan sulfate proteoglycans. In order to identify inhibitors that block the interaction of hedgehog with heparin, we have developed a simple and robust high throughput assay based on fluorescence polarization. This assay utilizing fluorescein-labeled heparin binding to sonic hedgehog N-terminal domain (ShhN) protein was developed and optimized in a 384-well format. ShhN bound to fluorescein-labeled heparin with high affinity (K D = 99 nM) and the interac- tion was shown to be stable over time and tolerant to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). A panel of unlabeled heparins of varying molecular weights was tested in the assay, with lower IC 50 values correlating with heparins of increasing size. The assay was automated into two simple steps, and validation with whole DMSO plates yielded a Z' factor of 0.56, indicating a robust assay for high throughput screening. We predict that this assay will be suitable for identifying chemical probes of hedgehog ligand-heparin interactions. Further, compounds that disrupt the ShhN interaction with heparin and/or heparan sulfate proteoglycans may be considered as potential therapeutics for those cancers driven by Hh ligand overexpression.
Differential toll-like receptor activation in lung ischemia reperfusion injury

Abstract Objective The requirement for toll-like receptors (TLRs) in lung ischemia reperfusion injury (LIRI) has been demonstrated but not fully characterized. Previously, we reported that TLR-4 is required by alveolar macrophages but not pulmonary endothelial or epithelial cells for development of LIRI. Additionally, we demonstrated differential patterns of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation and cytokine release in these cell types during LIRI. Here, we sought to determine whether these differences in activation responses are related to cell-specific TLR activation requirements. Methods Primary cultures of alveolar macrophages, pulmonary endothelial, and immortalized epithelial cells were pretreated with TLR-2 or TLR-4 short interference RNA (ribonucleic acid) before hypoxia and reoxygenation. Cell lysates and media were analyzed for receptor knockdown, MAPK activation, and cytokine production. Rats were pretreated with TLR-2 or TLR-4 short interference RNA before lung ischemia reperfusion and changes in lung vascular permeability were assessed. Results Knockdown of TLR-2 in alveolar macrophages did not affect MAPK phosphorylation or cytokine secretion. Conversely, TLR-2 knockdown in pulmonary endothelial and epithelial cells demonstrated significant reductions in extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 activation and cytokine secretion. The lung permeability index in LIRI was decreased by TLR-4 but not TLR-2. Conclusions Differential TLR signaling and MAPK activation in response to LIRI seem to be cell specific. Short interference RNA provides an outstanding tool for examination of the underlying mechanism.
A note on the vector C language

The Vector C language was designed and implemented on the CDC Cyber 205 at Purdue University by the summer of 1984 [1,2,3]. Some modifications on the language syntax and enhancements in the compiler (mainly, vector descriptors, vector function calls, and vector macros) have been done here at the SCRI of FSU. Although this paper discusses the revisions of the language syntax defined in the previous paper [2], the key features of the Vector C language are also reviewed.
A single phosphorus treatment doubles growth of cyanobacterial lichen transplants

Lichens are reputedly slow growing and become unhealthy or die in response to supplements of the usual limiting resources, such as water and nitrogen. We found, however, that the tripartite cyanobacterial lichen Lobaria pulmonaria doubled in annual biomass growth after a single 20-minute immersion in a phosphorus solution (K2HPO4), as compared to controls receiving no supplemental phosphorus. This stimulation of cyanolichens by phosphorus has direct relevance to community and population ecology of lichens, including improving models of lichen performance in relation to air quality, improving forest management practices affecting old-growth associated cyanolichens, and understanding the distribution and abundance of cyanolichens on the landscape. Phosphorus may be as important a stimulant to cyanobacterial-rich lichen communities as it is to cyanobacteria in aquatic ecosystems.
STUDIES ON ANTIBODY PRODUCTION I. A METHOD FOR THE HISTOCHEMICAL DEMONSTRATION OF SPECIFIC ANTIBODY AND ITS APPLICATION TO A STUDY OF THE HYPERIMMUNE RABBIT

A method for the specific histochemical demonstration of antibody in cells and parts of cells is described. It consists of carrying out a two stage immunological reaction on frozen sections of tissues: (a) allowing reaction between antibody in the tissue and dilute antigen applied in vitro, and (b) the detection of those areas where this antigen has been specifically absorbed by means of a precipitin reaction carried out with fluorescein-labelled antibody. Examination under the fluorescence microscope reveals the yellow-green fluorescence of fluorescein over those areas where a precipitate has formed. A study of the hyperimmune rabbit on the first few days after the last of a series of intravenous antigen injections reveals that antibody against human gamma-globulin or ovalbumin is present in groups of plasma cells in the red pulp of the spleen, the medullary areas of lymph nodes, the submucosa of the ileum, and the portal connective tissue of the liver. Because of extensive non-specific reactions, the bone marrow could not be examined. Small amounts of antibody were occasionally visible in cells in the lymphoid follicles of the spleen and lymph nodes, so that a minor contribution by lymphocytes to antibody synthesis cannot be excluded.
Logarithmic Singularities in Processes with Two Final-State Interactions

The effects of logarithmic singularities in rescattering processes are investigated. The reaction πN→ππN is considered, but treated purely as an S-wave, spinless model. A particular triangle graph is analyzed in detail; it contains as an intermediate state the (3,3) nucleon isobar I, which is described as a spinless particle of complex mass. The graph is calculated from a dispersion relation as a function of the mass s of the two pions in the final state, for low values of the over-all c.m. system energy W. The relation is then analytically continued in W. For a narrow range in W, an enhancement of the square of the amplitude is found near s=4 (the pion mass is unity). The analogous enhancement also appears in the W channel near W=I+1, for a small range of s only, near s=4. The prominence of the effect depends on the width of I, being closely connected with the nearness to the physical region of one of the two logarithmic singularities (anomalous thresholds) of the graph: this distance increases sharply with the isobar width. The positions of the singularities are interpreted as the phase-space limits for the simultaneous production of states with mass s and I. The conclusion is that such a "double excitation" process leads to an enhancement of the triangle amplitude only if, in general, s and I fall in certain narrow ranges. The implications of this result for models of the higher resonances in the elastic channel (πN→πN) is briefly discussed.
Stress fractures of ankle and wrist in childhood: nature and frequency.

Background Stress fractures of many etiologies are found not infrequently in various tarsal bones but are less commonly recognized in carpal bones.
Binding energies of the s-shell hypernuclei and the Λ well depth

Variational Monte Carlo calculations have been made for the s-shell hypernuclei; the well depth has been calculated variationally with the Fermi hypernetted chain method. A satisfactory description of all the relevant experimental Λ separation energies and also of the Λp scattering is obtained with reasonable phenomenological central two-pion exchange ΛN and ΛNN forces and strongly repulsive dispersive Λ NN forces. For the latter both spin-independent and spin-dependent forms were considered with the spin-dependent form preferred. The latter implies a smaller spin dependence of the ΛN force and contributes ⋍ 13 to the 0+−1+ spin-flip splitting of the A = 4 hypernuclei. For the NN forces central Mafliet-Tjon potentials were mostly used.
High performance microchannel plate imaging photon counters for spaceborne sensing

The unique ability to record photon X,Y,T high fidelity information has advantages for high speed recording devices for some important time dependent applications. For microchannel plate sensors our most commonly used readout configuration is the cross delay line anode. We have achieved resolutions of 2.5k x 2.5k resolution elements) with excellent linearity for random photon rates of > 500 kHz, while time tagging events using the MCP output signal to better than 100 ps. Open face and sealed tube microchannel plate cross delay line detectors of this kind have been built and used for observation of flare stars, orbital satellites and space debris with the GALEX satellite, time resolved imaging of the Crab Pulsar with a telescope as small as 1m, biological fluorescence imaging and synchrotron diagnostics. To achieve better efficiency, higher counting rate and extended lifetime we are now developing cross strip anode readouts. These have already demonstrated 5μm resolution at <10x lower gain than the cross delay line schemes, and high speed electronics for the cross strip are currently in development.
Nedd4 Branches Out

The branching of dendrites and axons is a key determinant of neural circuit formation. In this issue of Neuron , Kawabe et al. demonstrate that the ubiquitin ligase Nedd4 promotes the branching of developing dendrites by targeting the small G protein Rap2. In a complementary study, Drinjakovic et al. show that Nedd4 promotes the branching of developing axons by ubiquitinating a different target, the phosphatase PTEN.
Anomalously short mean free path from relativistic heavy-ion collisions with12C at 4.2 A GeV/c

An anomalously short mean free path observed recently from relativistic heavy-ion collisions with12C at 4.2 A GeV/c is interpreted to be due to the existence of a new multiquark compound resonance. Several experiments are suggested to verify our interpretation.
Evidence for Phloem loading from the apoplast: chemical modification of membrane sulfhydryl groups.

The water-soluble, sulfhydryl-specific, chemical modifier p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid reversibly inhibited the accumulation of exogenously supplied 14C-sucrose into leaf discs of Beta vulgaris. P-Chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid treatment did not inhibit photosynthesis or respiration or induce membrane leakage to sucrose, indicating that the site of inhibition was the plasmalemma. The active loading of sucrose and 14CO2-derived assimilates into the phloem and their translocation from the source leaf were inhibited by the nonpermeant modifier. Several nonpermeant sulfhydryl group modifiers also inhibited sucrose accumulation into leaf discs while two amino-reactive reagents had no effect. The results indicate that sugars are actively accumulated into the phloem from the apoplast and that membrane sulfhydryl groups may be involved.
The association of self-reported neighborhood disorganization and social capital with adolescent alcohol and drug use, dependence, and access to treatment

Abstract Aims This research examines adolescent perceptions of neighborhood disorganization and social capital to determine if they are associated with adolescent alcohol or drug (AOD) use, AOD dependence, and access to AOD treatment. Design This is a secondary analysis of data from the 1999 and 2000 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The NSDUH is a cross-sectional survey of a random sample of the non-institutionalized United States population and is conducted in respondents’ homes. Participants Youth between the ages of 12 and 17, yielding a sample size of 38,115 respondents. Measurements Neighborhood disorganization was self-reported by youth in response to eight items; 10 items measured social capital. AOD use was also self-reported. AOD dependence was assessed by a series of questions regarding symptoms and impairment that is consistent with the criteria specified in the DSM-IV. Results A little more than half of the youth reported never using alcohol or drugs (54.3%), 41.1% reported lifetime AOD use, and 4.6% were AOD dependent. Two percent reported receiving AOD treatment. Medium and high levels of social capital were negatively associated with AOD use and dependence. Social capital was unrelated to access to AOD treatment. Neighborhood disorganization was positively associated with AOD use, dependence, and access to treatment. Conclusions After controlling for individual- and family-level characteristics, neighborhood disorganization and social capital were associated with AOD use and dependence. The findings suggest that subjective measures of social context may be an important component of the complex biopsychosocial model of adolescent AOD addiction and treatment utilization.
Enantioselective Sensing of Chiral Carboxylic Acids

A chiral 1,8-diacridylnaphthalene-derived fluorosensor has been prepared and used for enantioselective sensing of a broad variety of chiral carboxylic acids including amino acids, aliphatic acids, arylalkanoic acids, and halogenated carboxylic acids. Fluorescence titration experiments in acetonitrile gave linear Stern−Volmer plots for 1:1 and 1:2 complexes and enantioselectivities up to 4.5.
Product Mix, Bank Powers, and Complementarities at U. S. Commercial Banks

Abstract Previous studies of complementarities between types of bank output have found little evidence of advantages to broadening product mix, providing limited support for the expansion of bank powers. In this study, a relatively broad measure of bank output has been used which includes off-balance-sheet activities and other financial services in addition to loans and deposits. Under this framework, complementarities were estimated using cost, revenue, and profit frontiers. The results suggest that joint production of traditional and nontraditional products enhances marginal profits, although the source of these gains varies by product pair. Profit gains associated with the joint production of loans with deposits and nontraditional products appear to be driven by cost reductions and increased output, not price increases. These findings suggest net benefits from expanding bank powers into products which have supply-side and demand-side characteristics similar to those of existing bank products.
Collision-free path planning for industrial robots

A collision-free path is a path which the robot can physically take while traveling from one location to another in an environment containing obstacles. The environment is modified by the inclusion of pseudo-obstacles which are generated by real obstacles' edges and faces; this process allows the robot itself to be represented by a point specifying its tip's location in space. An algorithm for determining the shortest distance collision-free path given a sequence of edges to be traversed has been developed for the case of stationary obstacles.
Momentum space design of high-Q photonic crystal optical cavities.

The design of high quality factor (Q) optical cavities in two dimensional photonic crystal (PC) slab waveguides based upon a momentum space picture is presented. The results of a symmetry analysis of defect modes in hexagonal and square host photonic lattices are used to determine cavity geometries that produce modes which by their very symmetry reduce the vertical radiation loss from the PC slab. Further improvements in the Q are achieved through tailoring of the defect geometry in Fourier space to limit coupling between the dominant momentum components of a given defect mode and those momentum components which are either not reflected by the PC mirror or which lie within the radiation cone of the cladding surrounding the PC slab. Numerical investigations using the finite-difference timedomain (FDTD) method predict that radiation losses can be significantly suppressed through these methods, culminating with a graded square lattice design whose total Q approaches 105 with a mode volume of approximately 0.25 cubic half-wavelengths in vacuum.