cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patient and Payer Incentives to Use Patented Brand-Name Drugs vs Authorized Generic Drugs in Medicare Part D.

Importance In response to scrutiny over high drug prices, manufacturers of insulin and direct-acting antiviral agents for treating hepatitis C have recently introduced authorized generic alternatives to their patented brand-name products. These authorized generic drugs have list prices at least 50% lower than the list price of the brand-name drugs, which should result in savings to patients. However, it is unclear whether these authorized generic drugs are offered on Medicare Part D formularies because they may not provide savings to plans or Medicare. Objective To assess Medicare Part D formulary coverage for 4 brand-name formulations of insulin and direct-acting antiviral agents and their authorized generic formulations. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study used Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Formulary and Pricing Information Files from quarter 3 of 2020 and Medicare Part D plan enrollment for September 2020. Four patented brand-name drugs (sofosbuvir and velpatasvir fixed-dose combination tablets [Epclusa], ledipasvir and sofosbuvir tablets [Harvoni], insulin lispro [Humalog], and insulin aspart [Novolog]) and their authorized generic formulations for all Part D stand-alone prescription drug plans (n = 959) and Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans (n = 3148) were studied. Main Outcomes and Measures Beneficiary-weighted formulary coverage of brand-name and authorized generic products; beneficiary out-of-pocket costs; and prerebate plan, manufacturer, and Medicare spending on brand-name and authorized generic products. Results In quarter 3 of 2020, 97% of beneficiaries were in plans that covered brand-name drugs only or both brand-name and authorized generic drugs; approximately 3% were in plans that covered authorized generic drugs only. Observed authorized generic drug list prices were 67%, 62%, and 50% lower than list prices for Epclusa, Harvoni, and each brand-name insulin product, respectively. Medicare beneficiaries using authorized generic drugs could save $270 per year for 12 vials of Humalog and $2974 for a full course of Harvoni. Plans, however, have limited incentives to encourage authorized generic drug use because rebates for brands likely exceed savings available with authorized generic drugs, particularly for beneficiaries with spending that reaches the Medicare Part D coverage gap. Conclusions and Relevance The results of this cross-sectional study suggest that authorized generic drugs for insulin and direct-acting antiviral agents may lower out-of-pocket spending for patients but are unlikely to provide savings for Part D plans or Medicare. Instead, these drugs allow manufacturers to offer products at a lower list price without materially lowering net prices or profits.
Overexpression of Snai3 suppresses lymphoid- and enhances myeloid-cell differentiation

The altered expression of transcription factors in hematopoietic stem cells and their subsequent lineages can alter the development of lymphoid and myeloid lineages. The role of the transcriptional repressor Snai3 protein in the derivation of cells of the hemato-poietic system was investigated. Snai3 is expressed in terminal T-cell and myeloid lineages, therefore, we chose to determine if expressing Snai3 in the early stages of hematopoietic development would influence cell-lineage determination. Expression of Snai3 by retroviral transduction of hematopoietic stem cells using bone marrow chimera studies demonstrated a block in lymphoid-cell development and enhanced expansion of myeloid-lineage cells. Analysis of Snai3-expressing hematopoietic precursor cells showed normal numbers of immature cells, but a block in the development of cells committed to lymphoid lineages. These data indicate that the overexpression of Snai3 does alter bone marrow cell development and that the identification of genes whose expression is altered by the presence of Snai3 would aid in our understanding of these developmental pathways.
Continuations as Completions: Studying Melodic Expectation in the Creative Microdomain Seek Well

Listening to music is a creative process in which we shape the sounds we hear into expressive meanings tempered by our nature and experience. And when experienced listeners of tonal music are engaged in that process, they are constantly making predictions about what will happen next. Because of this central connection between meaning and expectation, exploring melodic expectation allows us to listen to how the musical mind works. The purpose of this paper is to describe a context for studying some aspects of melodic expectation: a creative microdomain called Seek Well. In this domain, one is given a monophonic melodic beginning (in notes of equaldurations) and asked to finish it by adding any number of notes (of equal duration). Reference to familiar melodies is discouraged so that responses may represent shared intuitions about tonal music. This chapter describes two experiments that gathered data via Seek Well. The results challenge central assumptions of previous studies of melodic expectation, illustrate the value of Seek Well as a method of gathering data, and raise additional interesting questions.
Enhanced GABAA-Mediated Tonic Inhibition in Auditory Thalamus of Rats with Behavioral Evidence of Tinnitus.

Accumulating evidence suggests a role for inhibitory neurotransmitter dysfunction in the pathology of tinnitus. Opposing hypotheses proposed either a pathologic decrease or increase of GABAergic inhibition in medial geniculate body (MGB). In thalamus, GABA mediates fast synaptic inhibition via synaptic GABAA receptors (GABAARs) and persistent tonic inhibition via high-affinity extrasynaptic GABAARs. Given that extrasynaptic GABAARs control the firing mode of thalamocortical neurons, we examined tonic GABAAR currents in MGB neurons in vitro, using the following three groups of adult rats: unexposed control (Ctrl); sound exposed with behavioral evidence of tinnitus (Tin); and sound exposed with no behavioral evidence of tinnitus (Non-T). Tonic GABAAR currents were evoked using the selective agonist gaboxadol. Months after a tinnitus-inducing sound exposure, gaboxadol-evoked tonic GABAAR currents showed significant tinnitus-related increases contralateral to the sound exposure. In situ hybridization studies found increased mRNA levels for GABAAR δ-subunits contralateral to the sound exposure. Tin rats showed significant increases in the number of spikes per burst evoked using suprathreshold-injected current steps. In summary, we found little evidence of tinnitus-related decreases in GABAergic neurotransmission. Tinnitus and chronic pain may reflect thalamocortical dysrhythmia, which results from abnormal theta-range resonant interactions between thalamus and cortex, due to neuronal hyperpolarization and the initiation of low-threshold calcium spike bursts (Walton and Llinas, 2010). In agreement with this hypothesis, we found tinnitus-related increases in tonic extrasynaptic GABAAR currents, in action potentials/evoked bursts, and in GABAAR δ-subunit gene expression. These tinnitus-related changes in GABAergic function may be markers for tinnitus pathology in the MGB.
Retirement Plan Participation in an Era of Change: The Case of a Rural Region*

Individual savings are critical for retirement as government and employer-based provisions fade or become less secure. Rural communities are vulnerable given their higher proportion of elderly and more who rely on Social Security. Using a telephone survey of working-age residents in Michigan's rural Upper Peninsula, this research investigates factors associated with participation in tax-advantaged retirement plans that have largely replaced defined-benefit pension plans for earmarked retirement savings. The project also identifies factors predictive of making maximum contributions to those retirement plans. We consider several distinct categories of variables to reflect the social embeddedness of economic action. In addition, the research included community variables describing aspects of respondents' social context, a new component of the savings discourse, which we show to be significantly related to saving outside a tax-advantaged retirement plan and making maximum contributions to a tax-advantaged retirement plan.
Bartonella-related multifocal bone marrow enhancement without osteolysis

Multifocal bone marrow disease due to Bartonella henselae is rare and is typically accompanied by osteolytic disease. A 10-year-old female presented with advanced disease, including prolonged fever, back pain, and radiographic multifocal pelvic bone marrow enhancement without osteolysis. Acute and convalescent serology supported the diagnosis of B. henselae infection. However, bone marrow aspirates lacked granulomas and inflammatory infiltrate. The patient fully recovered without specific antimicrobial therapy. B. henselae produces a fever and pain syndrome with multifocal bone marrow enhancement in the absence of osteolytic lesions.
Examining the Impact of Pre-Implementation Expectations on Post-Implementation Use of Enterprise Systems: A Longitudinal Study

This article builds upon the technology acceptance model and theories of technology sensemaking to explore pre-enterprise system adoption expectations and post-enterprise system adoption outcomes in a longitudinal setting. Building on the exploitation and exploration paradigm, we propose that task productivity and task innovation expectations are the key drivers of users’ pre-adoption enterprise system usage intention. Further, we argue that the enterprise system facilitates generation of a common knowledge base that may encourage a more integrated organizational culture and promote shared understanding among employees. Considering the distinction between mandatory and voluntary contexts, we propose that user acceptance of the enterprise system at the pre- and post-adoption stages will mediate these relationships in a mandatory context. The results show that the influence of pre-adoption expectations regarding task productivity and task innovation on intention to use an enterprise system is mediated by user acceptance of the enterprise system. Intention to use an enterprise system is positively related to actual use. At the post-adoption stage, the influence of actual use on shared understanding is mediated by user acceptance of an enterprise system and enterprise system use has a direct negative impact on task efficiency in the initial period after implementation. Overall, the results highlight that user acceptance at both pre- and post-adoption stages are critical factors when usage is mandatory. These findings suggest a number of important implications for research and for managerial action.
Delayed treatment with a novel neurotrophic compound reduces behavioral deficits in rabbit ischemic stroke

J. Neurochem. (2011) 116, 122–131. Abstract Acute ischemic stroke is a major risk for morbidity and mortality in our aging population. Currently only one drug, the thrombolytic tissue plasminogen activator, is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat stroke. Therefore, there is a need to develop new drugs that promote neuronal survival following stroke. We have synthesized a novel neuroprotective molecule called CNB-001 (a pyrazole derivative of curcumin) that has neurotrophic activity, enhances memory, and blocks cell death in multiple toxicity assays related to ischemic stroke. In this study, we tested the efficacy of CNB-001 in a rigorous rabbit ischemic stroke model and determined the molecular basis of its in vivo activity. CNB-001 has substantial beneficial properties in an in vitro ischemia assay and improves the behavioral outcome of rabbit ischemic stroke even when administered 1 h after the insult, a therapeutic window in this model comparable to tissue plasminogen activator. In addition, we elucidated the protein kinase pathways involved in neuroprotection. CNB-001 maintains the calcium-calmodulin-dependent kinase signaling pathways associated with neurotrophic growth factors that are critical for the maintenance of neuronal function. On the basis of its in vivo efficacy and novel mode of action, we conclude that CNB-001 has a great potential for the treatment of ischemic stroke as well as other CNS pathologies.
Detecting Photographic Composites of People

The compositing of two or more people into a single image is a common form of manipulation. We describe how such composites can be detected by estimating a camera's intrinsic parameters from the image of a person's eyes. Differences in these parameters across the image are used as evidence of tampering.
Sexually dimorphic distribution of neurotensin/neuromedin N mRNA in the rat preoptic area

Neurotensin release from estrogen-responsive neurons in the rostral preoptic area of the female rat may play an important role in triggering preovulatory secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone on proestrus. We investigated the possibility of sexually differentiated biosynthesis of neurotensin in the rostral preoptic area, using in situ hybridization histochemistry to detect neurotensin/neuromedin N (NT/N) mRNA in adult male rats and adult female rats at proestrus and the first day of diestrus. In sections through the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPv), the number of labeled cells in proestrous females was four times that in males. Diestrus females exhibited half the number of labeled cells present at proestrus, and there was evidence for a significant correlation between circulating estradiol level and number of labeled cells in the AVPv. In the rostral portion of the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN), two contiguous groups of labeled cells were especially prominent. One group, in the medial half of the MPN, was located closer to the midline in females than in males and displayed greater labeling in males than in females. Furthermore, labeling in the rostral MPN was greater at proestrus than at diestrus. These results indicate that biosynthesis of neurotensin and neuromedin N in the rostral preoptic area may be sexually differentiated and, in the female, may vary across the estrous cycle in parallel with circulating estradiol levels, consistent with the view that neurotensin neurons in this area are involved in the regulation of preovulatory secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. The sex- and region-specific expression of NT/N mRNA in the rostral preoptic area suggests functional heterogeneity of neurotensin neuronal populations in this area and implies complex regulation of NT/N gene expression in the rat brain.
The backbone of bipartite projections: Inferring relationships from co-authorship, co-sponsorship, co-attendance and other co-behaviors

Abstract The analysis and visualization of weighted networks pose many challenges, which have led to the development of techniques for extracting the network's backbone, a subgraph composed of only the most significant edges. Weighted edges are particularly common in bipartite projections (e.g. networks of co-authorship, co-attendance, co-sponsorship), which are often used as proxies for one-mode networks where direct measurement is impractical or impossible (e.g. networks of collaboration, friendship, alliance). However, extracting the backbone of bipartite projections requires special care. This paper reviews existing methods for extracting the backbone from bipartite projections, and proposes a new method that aims to overcome their limitations. The stochastic degree sequence model (SDSM) involves the construction of empirical edge weight distributions from random bipartite networks with stochastic marginals, and is demonstrated using data on bill sponsorship in the 108th U.S. Senate. The extracted backbone's validity as a network reflecting political alliances and antagonisms is established through comparisons with data on political party affiliations and political ideologies, which offer an empirical ground-truth. The projection and backbone extraction methods discussed in this paper can be performed using the -onemode- command in Stata.
Nonverbal behavior in the classroom

Research is reviewed on nonverbal behavior, in particular that related to the glance, facial expression, bodily movements, and personal space. Some implications for communication between teacher and students are considered and some suggestions are presented to teachers for eliminating nonverbal cues by which they may unwittingly communicate favoritism or rejection to students.
Factors Impacting the Adoption of the Internet among SMEs

The Internet can extend market reach and operational efficiency of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and enhance their contributions to the U.S. economy. This paper reports an empirical study conducted to identify the factors that impact SMEs' involvement with the Internet. Internal and external variables such as firm size, self-efficacy, prior technology use, etc. are used to predict the level of Internet involvement. This involvement is examined in terms of ownership of a web site (adoption) and use of the Internet for selling purposes (routinization). Logistic regression is used to examine the relationships between internal and external factors and SMEs' involvement with the Internet. The results suggest that specific factors contribute to the SMEs' involvement with the Internet — prior technology use and the customer service subscale of perceived competitive pressure influence both stages of Internet adoption. Moreover, the relative importance of some of these predictor variables decreases as the level of Internet involvement increases. Past media use does not explain SME behavior — in terms of adoption or routinization. These findings can be used to develop strategies to build SME involvement with the Internet.
In utero and lactational exposure of the male rat to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin impairs prostate development. 1. Effects on gene expression.

In uteroand lactational 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) exposure decreases rat prostate weight without decreasing circulating androgen concentrations. Because one mechanism by which TCDD is thought to cause toxicity is by aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-mediated alterations in gene transcription, the goals of this study were to determine whether the developing prostate expresses the AhR and its dimerization partner, the AhR nuclear translocator (ARNT); to determine whetherin uteroand lactational TCDD exposure is capable of directly activating gene transcription in the developing prostate; and to identify prostatic mRNAs that exhibit altered abundance in response toin uteroand lactational TCDD exposure. Pregnant Holtzman rats were administered TCDD (1.0 μg/kg po) or vehicle on Gestation Day (GD) 15, and male offspring were euthanized between Postnatal Days (PNDs) 1 and 63. Using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), mRNAs encoding the AhR and ARNT were detected in both ventral and dorsolateral prostates from control animals throughout postnatal development. ARNT protein was expressed in the majority of stromal nuclei early in development, whereas ARNT expression in the prostate epithelium was initially cytoplasmic but became nuclear as development progressed. GD 15 TCDD exposure increased cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) mRNA and protein in whole prostates between PNDs 7 and 21. In these TCDD-exposed animals, CYP1A1 protein was localized to the epithelium. In order to define other genes in the developing prostate that might be regulated by TCDD at the level of mRNA, RNA samples from PND 21 whole prostates from control and TCDD-exposed animals were compared using mRNA differential display. Although no growth-regulatory candidates were identified using this screening technique, a ventral prostate-specific, androgen-regulated mRNA (20-kDa protein) was identified that seemed to be downregulated by TCDD exposure. Northern blot analysis confirmed this decrease at PND 21 and further showed that the downregulation was transient. Similar results were obtained for four additional androgen-regulated prostatic mRNAs (prostatic binding protein [PBP], Royal Winnipeg Ballet [RWB], probasin, and dorsal protein-1 [DP-1]), all of which are markers of a differentiated ductal epithelium. In contrast, TCDD exposure of adult male rats (25 μg TCDD/kg, 24 h) greatly induced CYP1A1 mRNA without affecting the abundance of prostate-specific, androgen-regulated mRNAs. These results suggest that the transient decreases in androgen-regulated prostatic mRNA abundance observed in response toin uteroand lactational TCDD exposure were probably not the result of direct action of the activated AhR on these genes but instead were reflective of a TCDD-induced delay in prostate development.
The chemistry of the carbon-transition metal double and triple bond: annual survey covering the year 2003

This is a review of papers published in the year 2003 that focus on the synthesis, reactivity, or properties of compounds containing a carbon-transition metal double or triple bond.
The relation between information and variance analyses

Analysis of variance and uncertainty analysis are analogous techniques for partitioning variability. In both analyses negative interaction terms due to negative covariance terms that appear when non-orthogonal predictor variables are allowed may occur. Uncertainties can be estimated directly from variances if the form of distribution is assumed. The decision as to which of the techniques to use depends partly on the properties of the criterion variable. Only uncertainty analysis may be used with a non-metric criterion. Since uncertainties are dimensionless (using no metric), however, uncertainty analysis has a generality which may make it useful even when variances can be computed.
Ecological congruence and adaptation of minority youth during the transition to college

To explore the notions of ecological congruence and person-environment fit, the present work examined the relationships among personal and family background characteristics and adjustment following the transition to college. Of particular concern were the ways in which a student's race, prior interracial experience, and the predominant racial characteristics of the college setting being entered relate to adaptive outcomes. The sample consisted of 188 college freshmen attending two universities: one, a traditionally and predominantly White university and the other, a traditionally and predominantly African-American university. Assessments were conducted of students' family background characteristics, prior interracial experience, and adjustment to college. No relationship was found between prior interracial experience and adjustment for White students. For African-American students attending the predominantly Black university, less prior exposure to Whites and greater enmeshment in the African-American community was associated with better adjustment to college. By contrast, for those African-American students attending the predominantly White university, greater amounts of prior interracial experience were associated with better adjustment to college. The findings support the hypothesized importance of person-environment fit and experiential congruence for freshmen entering the college environment.
Tensile properties of aluminum/alumina multi-layered thin films

Thin, free standing aluminum and alumina films were produced by physical vapor deposition and tensile properties were measured. Young’s modulus of the aluminum was microstructure insensitive, but the plastic behavior was very structure sensitive. The natural surface oxide of the aluminum had no apparent affect on the measured value ofYoung’s modulus. The alumina films showed true brittle behavior, but Young’s modulus was lower than bulk. Impurities residing at the grain boundaries were observed in the aluminum films using transverse Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). The films were well characterized using AES, transmission electron microscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, and secondary electron microscopy. Well characterized, thin three-layered aluminum/alumina compositionally modulated films were produced by alternate depositions and tensile properties were measured. Young’s modulus was found to be less than a weighted thickness average of Young’s modulus of the individual constituents. Otherwise, the mechanical measurements yielded typical bulk behavior.
ENTERING THE COLD WAR AND OTHER “WARS”: THE TIBETAN EXPERIENCE

The Tibetan question of the Twentieth Century can be examined in more than one frame of time. As of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, Tibet had assumed significance in three temporalities. First, it was one of the major territorial issues China encountered in the process of territoriality transformation since the mid-Nineteenth Century. Then, after 1911, it posed a serious interethnic and intercultural challenge to the Chinese Revolution. Lastly, in the wake of World War II, it became a locale of international intrigues of the Cold War. In focusing on the evolvement of the Chinese Communist Party’s policy toward Tibet around 1949, the article problematizes previous interpretations of the Chinese Communist advance into Tibet in 1950 that remain under spells cast by the opposing political forces of the time.
The dissociation of aggregate forms of dextransucrase.

Abstract Aggregate forms of dextransucrase obtained from Streptococcus sanguis dissociate in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. However, the enzyme was unstable under these conditions. Nonionic detergents such as Triton X-100 stabilize the enzyme (A. W. Miller and J. R. Robyt, (1981) Fed. Proc. Fed. Amer. Soc. Exp. Biol. 40 , 1656), but do not cause disaggregation. The combination of both detergents, at concentrations below their critical micellar concentrations, is effective in dissociating and in stabilizing the enzyme. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the enzyme in the presence of the mixed detergents produced five major active enzyme forms, and two minor ones. The molecular weights of these forms were established by a modification of the procedure of Hedrick and Smith ((1968) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 113 , 675–683).
Consummatory behavior during tolerance to and withdrawal from chronic depression of cholinesterase activity.

Abstract Two experiments were conducted, using rats, to study behavioral tolerance development to chronically lowered levels of cholinesterase (ChE) activity induced by intramuscular injection of diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) and effects on behavior of withdrawal from the treatment. Three parameters of consummatory behavior were measured: food intake, water intake and laps. Results showed that food intake and laps were affected in similar manners both during tolerance development and during withdrawal: an initial decrease in performance recovered to pre-DFP baseline levels within the first seven days of treatment and continued at these levels during the 30-day test period following withdrawal from DFP. By contrast the parameter, water intake, required 13 days for full tolerance to develop and reacted to withdrawal of DFP, first, by some 25 days of drinking at pre-treatment baseline levels and, later, by an extended period of suprabaseline performance significantly greater in magnitude than that of control animals. Hypotheses about peripheral and central mechanisms underlying these behavioral effects are discussed in the light of present empirical data.
Hyperfine Splitting in a Metal of a Localized Moment

Phenomenological equations describing the hyperfine splitting of a localized electron resonance in a metal are studied. The transverse susceptibility χ+(ω) is obtained for the case of nuclear spin I=½, and its poles and residues are displayed. The corresponding eigenvectors are determined, enabling a physical generalization to arbitrary nuclear spin. The validity of the generalization procedure is verified by an examination of the generalized susceptibility. The conditions for the observation of the hyperfine splitting in a dilute magnetic alloy are detailed. Three distinct regions are found to be important, depending on the strength of the exchange coupling. Region (1), corresponding to a very weak exchange coupling, exhibits hyperfine splittings of the same character as in an insulator. The linewidth of each hyperfine component equals Δse+ΔsL, where Δse is the second‐order localized‐conduction electron exchange relaxation rate, and ΔsL the localized spin lattice relaxation rate. Region (2) corresponds t...
Analysis of Protein Expression from within the Region Encoding the 2.0-Kilobase Latency-Associated Transcript of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1

During latent infections of sensory neurons, herpes simplex virus type 1 gene expression is restricted to the latency-associated transcripts (LATs). The association of the stable 2.0-kb LAT intron with polysomes has suggested that it might represent a novel mRNA. In this work, we investigated expression of 2.0-kb LAT open reading frames (ORFs) by inserting the gene for green fluorescent protein (GFP) within the 2.0-kb LAT sequence, both within a LAT expression plasmid and in the context of the virus. Upon transient transfection of cells of both neuronal and nonneuronal origin with LAT-GFP expression vectors, low-level GFP fluorescence was distributed over the cell cytoplasm and likely resulted from infrequent initiation at a GFP AUG codon, on either unspliced or alternately spliced LAT RNAs. A second nucleolar GFP expression pattern which resulted from fusion of GFP to a conserved ORF in exon 1 of the LAT gene was also observed. However, the abundant expression of this fusion protein was dependent upon an artificially added translation initiation codon. Expression was much reduced and restricted to a small subset of transfected cells when this initator codon was removed. Neither the 2.0-kb LAT-GFP intron itself nor transcripts originating from the latency-associated promoter 2 (LAP2) were responsible for GFP expression. Abundant alternate splicing involving the 1.5-kb LAT splice acceptor and including splicing between the 1.5-kb LAT splice donor and acceptor, was observed in the nonneuronal Cos-1 cell line. Contrary to the results of our transfection studies, GFP expression could not be detected from a LAT-GFP virus at any stage of the infection cycle. Our results suggest that the inhibition of LAT ORF expression during viral infection occurred primarily at the level of translation.
Congestive Heart Failure Induced by Primary Systemic Amyloidosis A Diagnostic Problem

This conference has been concerned with a case of primary systemic amyloidosis in which death occurred in the course of severe, congestive heart failure. Major emphasis has been attached to the diagnostic problems which were posed by a patient so afflicted. If comments regarding treatment have been of limited extent, so have been the results of treatment when applied.
Highly efficient tunable fiber Bragg grating filters using multilayer piezoelectric transducers

Abstract We realized a wavelength tunable optical filter based on a fiber Bragg grating using multilayer piezoelectric transducers (MLP). The Bragg wavelength of the filter can be easily tuned in proportion to an applied low DC voltage. The tuning range efficiency was as high as 0.2 nm/V. We realized a 10 nm Bragg wavelength shift by applying as low as 50 V to the MLP. The MLP was also used in a higher order dispersion equalizer which consists of a pair of nonlinearly chirped gratings. A zero dispersion wavelength shift of 7 nm was successfully realized for the equalizer.
Laser cooling of electron beams via Thomson scattering

The laser radiative cooling of electron beams via Thomson scattering is discussed, analyzed, and simulated. As a beam radiates via Thomson scattering, it is subsequently cooled, i.e., the mean energy, normalized energy spread, and normalized emittance are reduced in a similar manner. An analytical expression is derived for the damping distance, and this is found to agree well with electron beam transport simulations. Although laser cooling can occur rapidly (on ps time scales), it does not occur indefinitely, due to the effects of quantum excitation from discrete photon emission. Quantum excitation places serious limitations on the minimum energy spread and normalized emittance that can be obtained by laser cooling.
The role of aspirin in cancer prevention

Clinical guidelines for prophylactic aspirin use currently only consider the cardiovascular benefits of aspirin, weighed against the potential harm from aspirin-induced bleeding. Daily aspirin use has been convincingly shown to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer and recurrence of adenomatous polyps, but in average-risk populations, these benefits alone do not outweigh harms from aspirin-induced bleeding. Recently published secondary analyses of cardiovascular trials provide the first randomized evidence that daily aspirin use may also reduce the incidence of all cancers combined, even at low doses (75-100 mg daily). This Review considers the general mechanism of action that defines aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as a class, the specific advantages of aspirin over other NSAIDs for prophylactic use, the current evidence concerning the main health outcomes affected by aspirin use, and the hypothesis that inhibition of platelet activation may mediate both the cardioprotective and cancer-preventive effects of low-dose aspirin. It also considers how even a 10% reduction in overall cancer incidence beginning during the first 10 years of treatment could tip the balance of benefits and risks favourably in average-risk populations.
A scientifically based nationwide assessment of groundwater quality in the United States

Beginning in 1986, the U.S. Geological Survey began an effort to develop a National Water-Quality Assessment Program. The basic premise underlying this initiative is that a better understanding of the quality of water resources across the country, both surface- and groundwater, is needed to develop effective programs and policies to meet the nation's water-quality concerns. The program will focus on water-quality conditions that are prevalent or large in scale, such as occur from nonpoint sources of pollution or from a high density of point sources.
Stent-graft repair of traumatic thoracic aortic disruptions.

Objective Blunt traumatic thoracic aortic disruption results in pre-hospital death in 80% to 90% of patients. Because of the significant surgical morbidity and mortality associated with open operative repair, endovascular stent-graft repair has been investigated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of thoracic aortic disruptions treated with commercially available proximal aortic extension cuffs. Methods Nine patients with multiple system trauma (age range, 16-42 years) were seen after motor vehicle accidents between January 1, 2003, and April 1, 2004. Chest x-ray findings warranted thoracic computed tomography scans, which revealed disruptions of the thoracic aorta. Aortograms delineated the extent of the aortic injuries and identified a "landing zone" (neck length range, 1.5-2.0 cm) distal to the subclavian artery but proximal to the tear. The repairs were performed with AneuRx (n= 8) and Excluder (n = 1) proximal aortic extension cuffs. A left femoral artery approach was used in 6 patients, a suprainguinal retroperitoneal approach with an iliac conduit in 2 patients, and direct tunnel in 1 patient. An Amplatz super-stiff wire was placed in the right axillary artery to enable easy tracking of the endografts, and left brachial artery access was used for arch arteriography. Results In each patient the stent-graft cuff was deployed adjacent to the left subclavian artery, with successful exclusion of traumatic disruptions verified at intraoperative arteriography and on computed tomographic scans obtained within 48 hours of initial repair. One patient required a second cuff for exclusion of a type I endoleak at the distal attachment site 1 month after the initial endograft repair. There were no procedure-related deaths; 1 patient, however, died of other injuries. Conclusions Stent-graft repair of traumatic thoracic aortic disruptions is technically feasible. Placement of a stiff wire in the right axillary artery and percutaneous left brachial artery access for arteriography are useful adjuncts during endograft deployment. Endovascular stent grafts may enable definitive repair or serve as a bridge until the patient is stable enough to undergo an operation, if necessary. This technique warrants further investigation.
Proper maps which are Lipschitz α up to the boundary

In this paper we shall construct proper holomorphic mappings from strictly pseudoconvex domains in Cn into the unit ball in CN which satisfy some regularity conditions up to the boundary. If we only require continuity of the map, but not more, then there is a large class of such maps (see [2], [3], and [5]). On the other hand, if F is Ck on the closure, k > N − n + 1, then there is a very small class of such maps. In fact such F must be holomorphic across the boundary (see [1] and [4]). We are interested in maps F that are less than CN − n + 1, but more than continuous on the closure. Namely, we want to find out if this is a very small or a large class. Our main result is as follows. Theorem, (a) Let ga 0. With this we can in fact ensure that the map in (a) is at most Lipschitz 1/6 on the closure of Bn.
The extinction coefficient for the p-aminophenylthiyl radical as determined by reaction with galvinoxyl

Abstract The reaction of the p-aminophenylthiyl radical (RS) with galvinoxyl has been used to determine the extinction coefficient of RS in several solvents. Values of ϵRS range from 11 000 M−1 cm−1 in cyclohexane to 19 000 M−1 cm−1 in acetonitrile. The addition of RS to galvinoxyl and the second-order recombination of RS both proceed at nearly diffusion-controlled rates with rate constants of (1.1 − 2) × 109 M−1 s−1. Rates of addition of RS to styrene have been determined to elucidate ground state radical solvation effects. In cyclohexane RS adds to styrene with a rate constant of 1.7 × 105 M−1 s−1. Increasing the polarity of the solvent lowers this rate constant to a limiting value of 4.8 X 103 M−1 s−1 in acetone and more polar solvents.
Enhanced Endothelial Cell Senescence by Lithium-induced Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 Expression

Endothelial cell (EC) senescence and dysfunction occurring after chronic injury and inflammation are highly associated with the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. However, the factors involved in the establishment of EC senescence remain poorly understood. We have previously shown that lithium, an inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β and activator of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, induces an EC senescent-like phenotype. Herein, we show that lithium induces a rapid and pronounced up-regulation of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, an inflammation and senescent cell marker, at the mRNA and protein levels, whereas the induction of two other senescent cell markers is either weak (interleukin-8) or delayed (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1). Lithium effect on MMP-1 expression is also specific among other MMPs and not mediated by GSK3β inhibition. Lithium affects MMP-1 expression mainly at the transcriptional level but neither the AP1/Ets regulatory sites nor the redox sensitive (−1607/2G) site in MMP-1 promoter are involved in lithium-dependent MMP-1 regulation. However, down-regulation of p53, a target of lithium in EC, dampens both basal and lithium-induced MMP-1 expression, which further links MMP-1 up-regulation with the establishment of cell senescence. Although increased MMP-1 levels are usually associated with angiogenesis in enabled proliferative EC, the exogenous addition of activated MMP-1 on lithium- arrested EC increases the number of EC positive for the senescent-associated-β-galactosidase marker. Conversely, down-regulation of MMP-1 expression by small interfering RNAs blunts the lithium-dependent increase in senescent-associated-β-galactosidase positive cells. Altogether our data indicate that lithium-induced MMP-1 may participate in the reinforcement of EC senescence and reveal a novel mechanism for lithium-induced tissue remodeling.
A molecular orbital study of bond energies in compounds of sulfur and fluorine

CNDO/2 molecular orbital theory is employed in a study of the binding energies of the molecules SF, SF2, SF4, SF6, their cations and anions, and of the molecules SSF2, FSSF and S2F10. Computed energies, when rescaled according to energy partitioning concepts, compare favorably with available experimental data. Ionization energies and electron affinities are calculated for SF, SF2, SF4 and SF6.
Use of endoscopically placed expandable nitinol tracheal stents in the treatment of tracheal stenosis.

Objective: To evaluate the potential utility of a new endoscopically placed expandable tracheal stent in the treatment of benign symptomatic stenoses of the cervical trachea. Study Design: Pilot study utilizing a prospectively followed case series. Methods: An initial group of six patients undergoing stent placement was examined with rigid and flexible endoscopy under anesthesia immediately following stent placement and at postoperative 6 to 8 weeks. Subsequently each patient was followed clinically for a minimum of 6 months. Results: All stents were well tolerated with no observed complications. Immediate reversal of symptomatic airway obstruction without the need for adjunctive tracheotomy was noted in every patient. At 6 weeks, endoscopic confirmation of complete intraluminal mucosalization without formation of any granulation tissue or scar bands within the stented areas was noted in each case. Conclusions: This preliminary pilot study supports the use of nitinol expandable tracheal stents as an alternative in the treatment of benign symptomatic tracheal stenoses.
Regulation of insulin-like growth factor I transcription by prostaglandin E2 in osteoblast cells

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is a widely expressed abundant autocrine and paracrine factor that regulates the proliferation and differentiation of a variety of cell types. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is a potent stimulator of IGF-I synthesis in bone. We examined the regulation of IGF-I synthesis by PGE2 in osteoblast-enriched (Ob) cells from fetal rat calvaria. PGE2 treatment of Ob cells at 1 microM for 2 h resulted in a 5-fold increase in heterogeneous nuclear RNA levels, as measured by a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay, suggesting an increase in IGF-I gene transcription. RNase protection analysis was used to map the transcriptional start sites in the IGF-I gene that are used in Ob cells. Consistent with other extrahepatic tissues, initiation of transcription occurs primarily at three sites within the 5'-regions of exon 1 of the IGF-I gene. PGE2 treatment did not alter start site usage. The regions upstream of these transcriptional start sites were analyzed by transiently transf...
Calculation of the positron annihilation rate in PsH with the positronic extension of the explicitly correlated nuclear-electronic orbital method.

The nuclear−electronic orbital explicitly correlated Hartree−Fock (NEO-XCHF) method is modified and extended to study electron−positron quantum systems. The NEO-XCHF method is more computationally efficient than the explicitly correlated methods previously applied to positron systems because only the electron−positron dynamical correlation is treated explicitly in NEO-XCHF. As a result, the form of the wave function is much simpler with fewer parameters, and the variational optimization of the molecular orbital parameters is performed through an iterative scheme rather than a stochastic optimization. The NEO-XCHF approach is used to calculate the positron annihilation rate for positronium hydride (PsH). The resulting annihilation rate for PsH is within 20% of the most accurate values available and is calculated at a fraction of the computational cost. These results suggest that qualitatively accurate positron annihilation rates can be calculated treating only electron−positron correlation explicitly, lead...
Double light‐chain production by leukemic cells of common clonal origin: A case report with review of pertinent literature

We are reporting the first case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia whose individual leukemic cells produced both K and λ light chains, without any heavy chains, as demonstrated by double immunofluorescent staining. This case together with cases of lympho-plasmacytic neoplasia reported in the literature indicates that cells of a single clone are capable of producing more than a single class of light and/or heavy chains.
Reassessment and expansion, 1981–1991

In this, the fourth and final decade under consideration for the special issue of Acta Astronautica, an overview of the 10-year span is given rather than a congress-by-congress summary as was appropriate for the opening decades of the federation's existence. The decade was characterized by debate over the frequency of congresses, reassessment of committee structure, improved relations with COSPAR, increasing membership and administrative changes. The ten International Astronautical congresses held during the final decade of this history are listed below noting their sequential numbers, the cities and years in which they took place and their themes: 1. XXXII—Rome, 1981: Space: Mankind's Fourth Environment 2. XXXIII—Paris, 1982: Space 2000 3. XXXIV—Budapest, 1983: Cooperation in Space 4. XXXV—Lausanne, 1984: Space Benefits for All Nations 5. XXXVI—Stockholm, 1985: Peaceful Space and Global Problems of Mankind 6. XXXVII—Innsbruck, 1986: Space: New Opportunities for All People 7. XXXVIII—Brighton, 1987: Thirty years of Progress in Space 8. XXXIX—Bangalore, 1988: Space and Humanity 9. XL—Malaga-Torremolinos, 1989: The Next Forty Years in Space 10. XLI—Dresden, 1990: Space for Peace and Progress
Vibronic perturbation of the lowest triplet state and phosphorescence of aromatic ketones

Abstract The polarization of phosphorescence of acetophenone and its derivatives reveal the extent to which the lowest triplet state is perturbed by a nearby triplet state, and it leads to a conclusive assignment of the lowest triplet state. In acetophenone, the lowest triplet state is of n→ π * origin in 3-methylpentane glass and of π → π * origin in EPA glass. All common parasubstituted acetophenones possess the lowest triplet state of π → π * origin both in hydrocarbon and hydroxyl solvents. The Franck-Condon factor dependence of the vibronic coupling is suggested by the observation that low frequency vibrational modes appear to become less efficient in coupling 3 nπ * and 3 ππ * states as the energy gap between these states increases.
The Evolution and Reconciliation of Taxonomic Strategies for School Refusal Behavior

We address issues pertaining to problematic school absenteeism, a pressing social dilemma that is a substantial correlate of behavior disorders in youth and linked to later problems in adulthood. Adequate taxonomic strategies for school refusal behavior have been elusive and controversial, however, contributing to a lack of consensus regarding definition, subtypes, and assessment and treatment strategies for this population. The evolution of classification systems for this population is discussed, with a critique of the literature based on provisions of explicit, reliable, and applicable criteria, discriminant validity, and interface with clinically useful assessment procedures linked to prescriptive treatments. A reconciliation of past taxonomies is proposed to define school refusal behavior and its essential features as well as specific categories, dimensions, and strategies to organize, assess, and treat this heterogeneous population.
ALCOHOLIC PERSONALITY: REALITY OR FICTION?

The Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire was administered to 266 male alcoholics when they voluntarily entered the 60-day Treatment Program at the Lexington, Kentucky, Veterans Administration Hospital. These alcoholics scored significantly higher than the standardization group on 6 scales and scored significantly lower on 6 other scales. The data support the view that chronic alcoholics are a distinct personality type.