cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Racial Disparities in Pediatric Endoscopic Sinus Surgery.

OBJECTIVE To determine the impact of race and ethnicity on 30-day complications following pediatric endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional cohort study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Patients ≤ 18 years of age undergoing ESS from 2015 to 2017 were identified in the Pediatric National Surgical Improvement Program-Pediatric database. Patient demographics, comorbidities, surgical indication, and postoperative complications were extracted. Patient race/ethnicity included non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white, Hispanic, and other. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine if race/ethnicity was a predictor of postoperative complications after ESS. RESULTS A total of 4,337 patients were included in the study. The median age was 10.9 (interquartile range: 14.5-6.7) years. The cohort was comprised of 68.3% non-Hispanic white, 13.9% non-Hispanic black, 9.7% Hispanic, and 2.1% other. The 30-day complication rate was 3.2%, and the mortality rate was 0.3%. The rate of reoperation was 3.8%, and readmission was 4.1%. Black and Hispanic patients had higher rates of urgent operations (P = .003 and P < .001, respectively), and black patients had a higher incidence of emergent operations (P < .001) compared to their white peers. For elective ESS cases, multivariable analysis adjusting for sex, age, comorbidities, and surgical indication indicated that children of Hispanic ethnicity had increased postoperative complications (odds ratio: 1.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.04-2.37). CONCLUSION This analysis demonstrated that black and Hispanic children disproportionately undergo more urgent and emergent ESS. Hispanic ethnicity was associated with increased 30-day complications following elective pediatric ESS. Further studies are needed to elucidate potential causes of these disparities and identify areas for improvement. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3 Laryngoscope, 131:E1369-E1374, 2021.
SunRISE: long-term imaging of individual mRNA molecules in living cells

Abstract Single-cell imaging of individual mRNAs has revealed core mechanisms of the central dogma. However, most approaches require cell fixation or have limited sensitivity for live-cell applications. Here, we describe SunRISE (SunTag-based Reporter for Imaging Signal Enriched mRNA), a computationally and experimentally optimized approach for unambiguous single-mRNA detection in living cells. We demonstrate SunRISE with long-term epifluorescence imaging, using translational stress to track mRNA phase separation and recovery from cytosolic droplets.
Expression of lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 in breast fibroepithelial lesions

Summary Phyllodes tumors (PTs) are rare epithelial-mesenchymal tumors of the breast with malignant potential. Here, we evaluate the nuclear expression of lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF-1), a transcription factor downstream of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, in fibroepithelial lesions of the breast. Excised fibroepithelial lesions of the breast were retrospectively reviewed, blinded to the original diagnosis, and classified according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. A tissue microarray (TMA) was composed with two representative cores from each case, including 24 benign lesions, 11 borderline phyllodes, and 8 malignant PTs. β-Catenin, LEF-1, p120, and E-cadherin immunohistochemistry was performed on the TMA, and staining was quantified. The malignant/borderline PTs showed higher stromal LEF-1 expression than benign tumors (P
Caregiver engagement in youth partial hospitalization treatment

Although the importance of caregiver engagement in a child’s psychological treatment is well established within outpatient treatment settings, the question remains whether these findings can be gen...
Sequential Preference Revelation in Incomplete Information Settings

Strategy-proof allocation rules incentivize truthfulness in simultaneous move games, but real world mechanisms sometimes elicit preferences sequentially. Surprisingly, even when the underlying rule is strategy-proof and nonbossy, sequential elicitation can yield equilibria where agents have a strict incentive to be untruthful. This occurs only under incomplete information, when an agent anticipates that truthful reporting would signal false private information about others' preferences. We provide conditions ruling out this phenomenon, guaranteeing all equilibrium outcomes to be welfare-equivalent to truthful ones.
Older Adult's Marital Status, Conversation Frequency, and Well-being in Everyday Life.

OBJECTIVES Marital status contributes to differences in social experiences and well-being in late life. Yet, we know little about the role of conversation in these processes. Drawing on a functionalist perspective and hierarchical compensatory model, this study aimed to understand (a) whether older adults' marital status is associated with conversation frequency throughout the day, (b) whether contacts with non-spousal ties elicit more conversations among unmarried older adults, and (c) whether conversations exert a stronger effect on mood for unmarried older adults than married older adults. METHODS Adults aged 65+ (N = 272) provided information about their background characteristics and social partners. Across 5-6 days, they completed ecological momentary assessments (EMA) reporting their social encounters and mood every 3 hours. Concurrently, electronically activated recorders (EAR) captured 30-seconds of sound every 7 minutes. We compared older adults who were: married, widowed, and divorced. RESULTS Multilevel models revealed that married older adults engaged in more conversations than divorced older adults throughout the day. Contact with friends elicited more conversations for divorced older adults than married older adults. Furthermore, conversations enhanced mood throughout the day, but this effect was more salient for widowed than married older adults. DISCUSSION Findings highlight the role of marital status in older adults' daily conversational experiences and compensatory processes that may occur. Widowed and divorced older adults differed from married older adults in distinct ways. Divorced older adults may compensate for lack of spouse with friends, whereas widowed older adults may benefit emotionally from engaging in conversations.
Digital Human Modeling: A Review and Reappraisal of Origins, Present, and Expected Future Methods for Representing Humans Computationally

The effective use of computational modeling and simulation tools early in the design process is arguably becoming a gold standard for modern product development. Compared to many mechanistic comput...
Three-dimensional effects in ship relative-motion problems

The total relative motion between a ship and the sea surface, including the effects of the ship motions, the incident waves, the diffracted waves, and the radiated waves, is discussed. The radiated and diffracted wave components are calculated using the theory of Salvesen, Tuck and Faltinsen (1970) with the zero-speed potentials determined by full three-dimensional calculation. Comparisons with experiments and other theoretical calculations for a simple mathematical hull form are given. The proposed theory shows significant improvement over slender-body theory for the diffraction component and is equal to or better than strip theory for the radiation component.
OPTIMALITY AND FUNCTIONALITY: A CRITIQUE OF FUNCTIONALLY-BASED OPTIMALITY-THEORETIC SYNTAX

This paper examines `functionally-based optimality theory' (FOT), the version of optimality theory that requires that each constraint be paired with an external functional motivation. It argues that, at least as far as syntactic constraints are concerned, FOT suffers from severe deficiencies. Such a pairing incorrectly locates the form-function interplay in the mental grammar itself, rather than seeing the response of form to function as emerging from language use and acquisition. Furthermore, FOT seems incompatible with the standard OT assumption that constraints are universal. Finally, two of thefunctionally-motivated hierarchies that are central to FOT theorizing, thethematic and relational hierarchies, are highly problematic, while incorporatingthe others into an FOT analysis leads to otherwise unnecessary complexity.
A Short Note on Marshall's Third Law of Derived Demand: Why Does Labor's Share Interact with the Elasticity of Substitution to Decrease the Elasticity of Labor Demand?

The third Marshall-Hicks-Allen rule of elasticity of derived demand purports to show that labor demand is less elastic when labor is a smaller share of total costs. As Hicks, Allen, and then Bronfenbrenner showed, this rule is not quite correct, and actually is complicated by an unexpected negative relationship involving labor's share of total costs and the elasticity of substitution. The standard intuitive explanation for the exception to the rule, due to Stigler, describes a situation rather different than the one described in the rule. In this paper, I present an example that illustrates the peculiar negative impact of labor's share, operating via the elasticity of substitution. I then explain why the unexpected relationship between labor's share of total cost, the elasticity of substitution, and the elasticity of labor demand holds.
Utilizing Segmentation Strategies: An Examination of the Potential of a Latino Youth Entrepreneurship Program in the State of Rhode Island

This is a brief case study that provides analytical advice for an experienced social entrepreneur who intuitively believes there to be a need for a Youth Entrepreneurship program in the State of Rhode Island. Utilizing descriptive market segmentation techniques the principal investigator crystallizes the opportunity for the entrepreneur by identifying the exact cities and school districts that should be targeted. Additional advice is also provided to assist the entrepreneur in effectively launching the program.
Erosion: Irrigation-induced

Soil can be eroded by sprinkler or surface irrigation. Once sprinkler droplet kinetic energy detaches soil, overland flow transports the sediment downslope and off-site. Protecting the soil surface, increasing sprinkler wetted diameters, and tilling to increase infiltration and thereby lessen overland flow are effective control measures. Runoff minimization and management are key to reducing erosion induced by either sprinkler or surface irrigation. Slowing furrow stream velocities with mulch or crop residues reduces the flow’s hydraulic shear and, in turn, detachment of soil from furrow wetted perimeters. Stabilizing surface soil with, for example, polyacrylamide, bio-polymers, or whey keeps soil in place and helps maintains acceptable water quality in nearby surface water
Professional Preparation for Practice

Professional preparation for practice is a complexity of knowledge, inquiry, aspirations and culture that spans a multitude of fields. Regardless of the professional field under consideration, the goal is the same – to prepare students to become practitioners in the profession. In this chapter, we focus on four main areas as a pragmatic overview to preparation for professional practice: (1) a brief history of professional preparation for practice in the United States, (2) based upon metaphor, a descriptive model, related to professional preparation for practice, and (3) issues pertaining to preparation for professional practice, culminating in a revised model. The chapter ends with (4) a summary and key considerations for the future of professional preparation for practice.
An overview of near-field antenna measurements

After a brief history of near-field antenna measurements with and without probe correction, the theory of near-field antenna measurements is outlined beginning with ideal probes scanning on arbitrary surfaces and ending with arbitrary probes scanning on planar, cylindrical, and spherical surfaces. Probe correction is introduced for all three measurement geometries as a slight modification to the ideal probe expressions. Sampling theorems are applied to determine the required data-point spacing, and efficient computational methods along with their computer run times are discussed. The major sources of experimental error defining the accuracy of typical planar near-field measurement facilities are reviewed, and present limitations of planar, cylindrical, and spherical near-field scanning are identified.
Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase mRNA expression in the rat testis after surgical cryptorchidism and efferent duct ligation

AbstractThe testis is known to be highly sensitive to a number of physical stresses. Previous investigations suggest that oxidative stress may be an important mediator of testicular injury. The ability of the testis to manage oxidative stress may be limited by enzymatic clearance of reactive oxygen species (ROS). To evaluate the ability of the testis to withstand the common pathologic conditions of cryptorchidism and obstruction, we measured mRNA levels of testicular antioxidant enzymes. Prepubertal rats were rendered unilaterally cryptorchid and 40 days after the procedure, cryptorchid, contralateral and control (sham) testes were harvested for RNA extraction. Adult rats were subjected to unilateral efferent duct ligation and the obstructed testes harvested 1 to 28 days after the procedure. Antioxidant enzyme mRNA expression was assessed by Northern blot analysis using32 P-labeled DNA probes for classical cellular glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPX), ...
The Changing Paradigm of Lobular Neoplasia of the Breast

Lobular neoplasia is a spectrum of proliferative lesions that includes atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH) and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). When it was first described, LCIS was considered to be a precursor of invasive lobular carcinoma, and was therefore treated with unilateral mastectomy. Gradually, both ALH and LCIS came to be thought of as markers for the development of malignancy in either breast rather than premalignant precursors, and mastectomy for LCIS was abandoned. The most recent data suggest that LCIS may, in selected circumstances, have a behavior more similar to low-grade ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). This has led to a reevaluation of the role of surgical treatment for selected atypical cases of LCIS. Definitive data are lacking in this area, particularly with the most histologically aggressive form of lobular neoplasia, pleomorphic LCIS (pLCIS). ALH and LCIS are typically diagnosed incidentally during biopsy for another indication. When seen on core needle sampling, diagnostic surgical biopsy is recommended, because 7% to 10% of patients will be found to have DCIS or invasive cancer at the site of the needle sampling. Because lobular neoplasia is associated with heightened breast cancer risk, careful surveillance is indicated after a complete diagnostic workup. Mastectomy is not indicated for treatment, although bilateral prophylactic mastectomy could be considered in unusual circumstances where other strong risk factors prevail. The lifetime risk of an invasive cancer developing appears to be between 10% and 25% following a diagnosis of lobular neoplasia, which can be decreased by the use of a chemopreventive endocrine agent, such as Tamoxifen.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in young patients: a systematic review of racial demographics.

Objectives: To evaluate patients 25 years of age or younger who were treated for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Study Design: Retrospective review, systematic literature review. Methods: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is rare in the Western world. In people younger than 30 years, it is even less common, with an incidence of 1 to 2 per million. This retrospective study was designed to analyze the outcomes of patients 25 years of age or younger who were treated for NPC at a tertiary care academic medical center. Between November 1982 and December 2004, 15 patients meeting the above criteria were treated. These patients form the basis for this report. A systematic review of all NPC trials published in the United States since 1990 was done and the results compared with those of our cohort. Results: Young African Americans represented 67% of the 15 cases seen at our institution and between 55% and 67% of the patients in the United States. With a mean follow-up of 5.36 years, disease-free survival and overall survival rates were 67% and 87%, respectively. Locoregional control was excellent after treatment with cisplatin-based combination chemoradiotherapy; however, four patients (27%) developed distant metastasis. Despite this, no patients died of disease. Toxicity was significant but manageable, and retreatment met with good success. Conclusions: In patients 25 years of age or younger, NPC is more common in African Americans. This may represent a genetic and racial predisposition of this unusual disease in the United States. Late-stage presentations and distant recurrences are common. Platinum-based combination chemoradiotherapy and aggressive management of metastatic disease, however, is associated with good long-term survival. Further study of the possibly changing epidemiology and racial genetics of this unusual tumor is warranted.
Laminate optimization incorporating analysis and model parameter uncertainties for predictable failure

Reliability of engineering systems are affected by uncertainties from four sources: inherent variability in the physical variables, modeling errors, estimation errors and human errors. Here the effect of modeling uncertainties on the predictability and robustness of progressive failure in optimized composites is studied. This paper investigates the effects of different modeling deficiencies such as uncertainties in the homogenization models used for stiffness calculations, in micromechanics models used for calculating the ply or constituent level stresses, in the failure criteria used for predicting failure, and in the models used to degrade ply properties after initial failure. Different optimized composite laminate designs are analyzed and compared to illustrate the interaction among model parameter uncertainties and design variability. A composite laminate is optimized in the presence of model uncertainties. It is shown that achieving a predictable failure sequence requires including model uncertainties along with variability in the reliability optimization.
The human immune response to red blood cell antigens as revealed by repertoire cloning

A major goal of current immunologic research is to develop specific therapeutic strategies by which the enormous diversity in immune response can be enhanced, attenuated, or eliminated, depending on the particular disease process. For nearly a century, the human immune response to red blood cell antigens has served as a paradigm for understanding the pathophysiology of autoimmune disorders and alloimmune reactions to foreign cells and tissues. Recent developments in molecular biology have facilitated the expression of immune repertoires in the form of immunoglobulin Fab fragments on the surface of filamentous bacteriophage. Such approaches have provided powerful means for producing monoclonal antibodies for research, clinical, and therapeutic applications. Our laboratory has combined these techniques with novel cell-surface selection methods to isolate extraordinarily large arrays of human antibodies to the clinically relevant red blood cell Rh(D) antigen. Our results have provided a comprehensive genetic and serologie analysis of anit-Rh(D) antibodies within single alloimmunized individuals thereby offering new insights into the development of human immune repertoires.
Strong-field modulated diffraction effects in the correlated electron-nuclear motion in dissociating H2+

By solving the time dependent Schrodinger equation for H2+ in a pump-probe numerical experiment, we found that the electronic motion can follow or oppose the laser electric force. Our results show that the internal electron dynamics in H2+ is determined by both, the external laser field and intra-molecular electron diffraction.
Biofeedback Therapy of Essential Blepharospasm

Eight patients with essential blepharospasm were given five consecutive sessions of electromyogram biofeedback from cutaneous electrodes placed over the frontalis muscle. Four of the eight patients demonstrated a 60% or greater reduction in blepharospasm frequency. Posttreatment electromyogram significantly predicted improvement of blepharospasm. These data suggest that electromyogram biofeedback may provide a therapeutic alternative to the treatment of this disabling condition.
PERCEPTION OF THE RESTORATIVE POTENTIAL OF NATURAL AND OTHER SETTINGS

We explored a method for measuring what people know about the restorative potential of natural and other settings. A scenario manipulation was used to establish an attentional-fatigue cognitive set. Participants then rated 40 activities drawn from several categories, including nature-related and entertainment, on their perceived restorative potential. In general, participants rated nature activities higher than drugs and chores but lower than entertainment and exercise. Several contextual influences on the ratings were documented, including: (a) a fatigued person effect, whereby ratings for nature were higher for a best friend than for the participant, with no such difference for entertainment; (b) a similar-friend effect, whereby the best-friend effect disappeared when the friend was made very similar to the participant; (c) a rating-type effect, whereby nature ratings increased and entertainment ratings decreased with a direct rating of perceived restorative potential as compared to a rating of the likelihood of choosing activities; and (d) a Should effect, whereby ratings of the likelihood of choosing nature increased when participants rated what they should choose rather than what they would choose. We conclude that reliable and valid measurement of knowledge about environment and well being can be obtained when researchers are sensitive to context effects and that the restorative potential of natural settings is probably underappreciated.
Cribriform plate of ethmoid, olfactory bulb and olfactory acuity in forty species of bats

Relationships between the cribriform plate of the ethmoid, the olfactory bulb, and olfactory acuity were explored using material from 13 of the 17 bat families. All megachiropteran cribriform plates were entirely perforated. In contrast, microchiropteran plates showed distinct perforated portions dorsally and nonperforated portions ventrally. The plates of frugivorous species had more foramina than those of insectivorous ones. Bats with mixed dietary habits were intermediate. Our data suggest that the Chilonycterinae were originally frugivorous, and have only secondarily reverted to an insectivorous diet. Trend analyses show that wherever dietary preference appears to favor a more acute sense of smell, bulb diameter tends to be larger. In general, frugivorous bats tend to have bulbs exceeding 2 mm in diameter; insectivorous bats tend to have bulb diameters of 2 mm or less. The number of foramina in the plates and total cribriform plate area tends to increase as a function of bulb area, but the plate area the foramina occupied increases as a function of bulb volume. The ratio of the size of the bulb to the size of the cerebral hemisphere does not predict olfactory acuity in bats.
Developmental capacities of immature eye-antennal imaginal discs ofDrosophila melanogaster.

The location of the immature eye-antennal discs ofDrosophila melanogaster in embryos and young larvae was established by means of transplantation experiments. The developmental capacities of these immature discs was then investigated by implanting them into larvae which were ready to metamorphose, thus bypassing large portions of embryonic and larval development. Imaginal eye-antennal discs of embryos and first instar larvae are unable to synthesize eye pigments or secrete cuticle. The discs acquire the first detectable competence in the middle of the second instar, 32–36 hours after hatching, when the eye region of the disc becomes competent to synthesize ommochrome pigments and the rest of the disc becomes competent to secrete a thin untanned, transparent cuticle. Competence to synthesize pteridine pigments becomes evident later, 36–42 hours after hatching. The competence to produce specific bristle and hair patterns is acquired still later, 42–56 hours after hatching. Different regions of the eye-antennal disc acquire competence at different times and the acquisition of competence seems to occur in a proximo-distal sequence within both eye and antennal regions of the disc. In the eye region of the disc, the competence to produce proximal structures such as facets appears before the competence to produce ocelli. Similarly, in the antennal region of the disc, the competence to produce the first antennal segment appears before the competence to produce the third antennal segment or arista. Also, the acquisition of competence to produce a specific cuticular pattern occurs four to six hours earlier in the eye region of the disc than in the antennal region. It was also found that the temporal sequence in which differentiation events actually occur during adult development is similar to the temporal sequence in which specific competences are acquired by the growing immature eye-antennal discs.
Coarsening kinetics of γ′ precipitates in the commercial nickel base Superalloy René 88 DT

Abstract Rene 88 DT samples were subjected to different cooling rates after a supersolvus treatment, and aged for varying periods of time from 25 to 200 h at 760 °C. Primary and secondary γ′ precipitate sizes were measured after each heat treatment. Coarsening rate constants were calculated and reported based on the measured precipitate sizes. When describing the change in radius (r) as a function of time (t), fits between the experimental results and analysis were investigated for two types of functional relationships, r3 vs. t and r2 vs. t. The experimental rate constants derived from this analysis were compared with analytical values deduced from two different models: volume diffusion and bulk diffusion through the interface. The applicability of the two mechanisms for γ′ coarsening is discussed based upon the comparison between the analytically derived and experimentally observed values of these rate constants.
Mitogen-induced human IgG subclass expression. II. IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses are preferentially stimulated by a combination of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I and pokeweed mitogen.

Abstract Mitogens generally stimulate human IgG subclass production in amounts proportional to their abundance in serum (IgG1 > IgG2 > IgG3 > IgG4). We report here that a combination of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain I and pokeweed mitogen consistently stimulates human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro to preferentially produce more IgG1 and IgG3 than IgG2. This preferential stimulation can be measured by increases in the number of immunoblasts (cells with detectable cytoplasmic immunoglobulin) as well as in secreted immunoglobulin. The preferential stimulation pattern is established by the fourth day of culture and is maintained at least until the tenth day. Removal of T cells and subsequent stimulation of B cells with S. aureus Cowan I and interleukin 1 (IL-1) interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 4 (IL-4), or interferon-γ (IFN-γ) failed to enhance any IgG subclass production, indicating the requirement for multiple lymphokines in IgG subclass production. The significance of these findings is discussed with respect to B-cell regulatory molecules and the coordinate expression of IgG subclasses.
Dietary magnesium intake influences exercise capacity and hematologic parameters in rats

The effects of feeding varying concentrations of dietary Mg (50, 100, 200, or 400 ppm) for 22 days on exercise capacity and hematologic parameters were investigated in male rats. Five-week-old male Osborne-Mendel rats fed diets containing 50 or 100 ppm Mg developed transitory priapism and hyperemia, signs of Mg deficiency. Based on a treadmill test, these rats showed a markedly lower exercise endurance capacity (four hours) than rats fed the higher levels of dietary Mg (six hours). They also showed a mild macrocytic anemia. Consumption of a mineral water containing 85 ppm Mg prevented these signs of Mg deficiency. These results show that a reduction in exercise capacity can be an early effect of Mg deficiency. Hematologic changes that occurred with Mg deficiency such as macrocytic anemia may be responsible, at least in part, for the depression of exercise observed in these rats. These data are important because they illustrate the potential significance of even a marginal deprivation of dietary magnesium.
The influence of ultrasonic duplex scanning on the management of carotid artery disease

In order to assess the influence of a non-invasive test such as Duplex scanning on the management of patients with suspected carotid artery disease, we reviewed the data on all new referrals (n = 491) during a year. The patients were grouped according to the reason for the referral: 1, patients with focal neurological symptoms lasting less than 24 h (n = 156); 2, patients with focal neurological symptoms lasting longer than 24 h (n = 107); 3, patients with non-focal neurological symptoms (n = 147); 4, patients with asymptomatic bruits (n = 81). For all four groups there was a statistically significant relationship (chi 2; P less than 0 . 005) between the reporting of the presence of a high grade stenosis (more than 50 per cent diameter reduction) and the likelihood that the patient would undergo arteriography. The finding of a high grade stenosis on the arteriogram resulted in a greater number of patients undergoing carotid artery surgery. The results of this study indicate that the report of the non-invasive test influenced the decision-making process in the management of patients with suspected carotid artery disease.
Polymerization of butadiene using neodymium versatate‐based catalyst systems: preformed catalysts with SiCl4 as halide source

The ternary neodymium versatate (NdV3)-based catalyst system, NdV3/SiCl4/Al(iso-Bu)2H, for the stereospecific polymerization of 1,3-butadiene (Bd) has been studied at a catalyst concentration of 0.11 mmol Nd per 100 g Bd. The effects of the concentration of SiCl4 following in situ activation, preformed at 20 °C in the presence and absence of isoprene and the substitution of Al(iso-Bu)2H with AlEt3 as alkylating agent, were established and compared to the performance of NdV3-based catalyst systems incorporating ethylaluminium sesquichloride (EASC), diethylaluminium chloride (DEAC) and t-butyl chloride (t-BuCl) as chloride sources. Comparable catalytic activity between the control catalysts based on EASC, DEAC and t-BuCl and the studied NdV3/SiCl4/Al(iso-Bu)2H system was achieved once the optimum concentration ratios of NdV3/SiCl4/Al(iso-Bu)2H = 1:1:25 were applied in conjunction with preforming the catalyst components in the presence of isoprene for 72 h at 20 °C. Polybutadiene cis-1,4 contents were consistently high (about 97 %) for all polymerizations. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry
Dementia Services Mini-Screen: a simple method to identify patients and caregivers in need of enhanced dementia care services.

Objective Improving dementia care in health systems requires estimates of need in the population served. We explored whether dementia-specific service needs and gaps for patients and caregivers could be predicted by simple information readily captured in routine care settings. Method Primary family caregivers (n = 215) rated their own current stress, challenging patient behaviors, and prior-year needs and gaps in 16 medical and psychosocial services. These were evaluated with other patient and caregiver characteristics in multivariate regressions to identify unique predictors of service needs and gaps. Results Caregiver stress and patient behavior problems together accounted for an average of 24% of the whole-sample variance in total needs and gaps. All other variables combined (comorbid chronic disease, dementia severity, age, caregiver relationship, and residence) accounted for a mean of 3%, with none yielding more than 4% in any equation. We combined stress and behavior problem indicators into a simple screen. In early/mild dementia dyads (n = 111) typical in primary care settings, the screen identified gaps in total (84%) and psychosocial (77%) care services for high stress/high behavior problem dyads vs. 25% and 23%, respectively, of low stress/low behavior problem dyads. Medical care gaps were dramatically higher in high stress/high behavior problem dyads (66%) than all others (12%). Conclusion The Dementia Services Mini-Screen is a simple tool that could help clinicians and health systems rapidly identify dyads needing enhanced dementia care, track key patient and caregiver outcomes of interventions, and estimate population needs for new service development.
Receptor Binding and Signal Transduction Are Dissociable Functions Requiring Different Sites on Follicle-Stimulating Hormone

Separate sites for glycoprotein hormone receptor binding and signal transduction have yet to be elucidated. In general, certain peptide regions are thought to be critical for receptor binding, whereas the oligosacharides are thought to be important for signal transduction. Using site-directed mutagenesis of FSH, we made selective amino acid substitutions and oligosaccharide alterations to try and identify specific sites mediating receptor binding distinct from signal transduction and vice versa. We substituted Lys or Asp for beta Arg35 in the purported receptor binding loop between cysteine-32 and -51, and we substituted Gln for alpha Asn52, alpha Asn78, beta Asn7, or beta Asn24, the attachment sites for each of the oligosaccharide side-chains. We determined the binding and signal-transducing activity of wild-type and mutant human FSH at the human FSH receptor, as recent data suggest that glycoprotein hormone-receptor interactions are species specific. The binding activities of FSH with Lys or Asp substit...
Effects of electrical stimulation on tallow supplemented steer carcasses.

Forty-nine Angus and Angus X Hereford steers were slaughtered to determine the effects of time on feed, electrical stimulation and 4% tallow in the diet on the carcass and various chemical and physical characteristics of the lean. All cattle were backgrounded on winter annuals and small grain pastures for a period of 5 months. Following the backgrounding period, ten steers were slaughtered and the rest randomly assigned to 4 treatments. The treatments consisted of high grain or grain plus 4% tallow diets, fed for either 45 or 75 days. At slaughter, the left side of each carcass was ES. Rib-fat exhibited an increase in redness with a decrease in color intensity due to electrical stimulation (P< .05). Overall, ES decreased percentage purge loss while increasing percentage cook loss (P < .05). Electrical stimulation had no significant effect on percentage thaw loss and percentage cumulative weight loss of rib steaks. Rib steaks from 75 day grain fed carcasses exhibited the greatest improvements in palatability due to ES. Across treatments the effects of ES on taste panel traits were minimal, with time on feed and diet having a greater effect on observed sensory traits than ES.
Pediatric–Psychology Partnership for Abuse Prevention

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant, albeit underreported and underidentified, public health problem that requires the informed and coordinated efforts of the health care system for appropriate recognition and intervention. In addition, health disparities are seen in the incidence, prevalence, and burden of IPV among specific population groups in the United States. Pediatric–Psychology Partnership for Abuse Prevention is a graduate psychology education training project focused on developing an integrated primary health-care based workforce that is culturally sensitive and competent in the identification and remediation of IPV. In addition, this project aimed to increase the number of health service psychologists from diverse backgrounds who are culturally competent and aware of health disparities. The training included clinical psychology trainees and pediatric residents working together in an ambulatory pediatric health care setting. Project methods, outcomes, and implications for predoctoral clinical psychology training programs are described.
Posterior approach to the kidney.

Abstract We described a posterior approach to surgery involving the renal pelvis or upper ureter which is quicker, more direct, and considerably less mutilating than the standard flank incision. Our five years' experience with this technique is summarized.
Isotopic and chemical data of bitumens associated with hydrothermal veins from Windy Knoll, Derbyshire, England

A comparative study of the stable carbon isotopes, the aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons and the normal fatty acids in four differentiated organic phases (designated in this report as bitumens A, B, C and D) from Windy Knoll, Derbyshire, England, shows the following: 1. (1) The average abundances of 13C (relative to the P.D.B. standard and in parts per thousand) in the bitumens vary from −28.0 (bitumen B) to −30.7 (bitumen C) well within the range of petroleum. 2. (2) Isoprenoid hydrocarbons are present in bitumen A (C14 - C21; 198 p.p.m.), bitumen B (C15 - C20; 11 p.p.m.), bitumen C (C15 - C23; 157 p.p.m.) and bitumen D (C16, C18 - C23; 515 p.p.m.) 3. (3) Normal alkanes are present in bitumen A (<C11 - C30; 1,850 p.p.m.) and bitumen B (C12 - C23; 31 p.p.m.) but were not detected in bitumens C and D. 4. (4) Aromatic hydrocarbons are present in bitumen B (alkyl substituted naphthalenes, biphenyl and phenanthrene; 4 p.p.m.) and bitumen D (dimethyl naphthalene and phenanthrene; 2 p.p.m.) but were not observed in bitumens A and C. 5. (5) Normal fatty acids were observed in bitumen A (C10 - C18; 2 p.p.m.), bitumen B (C9 - C22; 77 p.p.m.) bitumen C (C10 - C18; 34 p.p.m.) and bitumen D (C10 - C18; 6 p.p.m.). The fatty acids in bitumens A and D have a pronounced even-over-odd carbon number preference. These results provide additional evidence that the organic matter at Windy Knoll is of biogenic origin. They also indicate that normal alkanes were removed from or depleted in some of the bitumens.
Is It Time to Reduce Our Phobia of Inhaled Corticosteroids

As inflammation became recognized as a major component of the pathology of asthma, inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) evolved as the cornerstone for pharmacologic control of the disease. The reward was reduction in asthma morbidity and mortality.1 Nevertheless, pediatricians maintained a concern about the effect of long-term use on growth. Conflicting findings were reported by studies that differed in one or more aspects, eg, the study design, patients’ age, initial severity of asthma, concomitant use of other medications, and degree of asthma control. Even more important is the ICS pharmacologic properties: dose, duration, and delivery system. It is important also to consider the method of assessing the potential adverse effects of ICS. Should the concern be about the growth velocity or the ultimate adult height? The ultracritical investigator may even be concerned about the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function. In this … Address correspondence to Sami L. Bahna, MD, DrPH, Department of Pediatrics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Hwy, Shreveport, LA 71130-9323. E-mail: sbahna{at}lsuhsc.edu
Hemin synthesis in the developing frog embryo and its stimulation by frog liver RNA.

Abstract Hemin was synthesized from δ-aminolevulinic acid-4-C 14 by intact and minced frog embryos; the isotopic activity of the hemin samples is a measure of the activity of the enzymes of this pathway of porphyrin biosynthesis. Administration of the isotopic hemin precursor to intact embryos revealed low levels of synthesis until stage 25, but this is attributed to the poor penetration of δ-aminolevulinic acid into the embryos due to their relatively impermeable surface coat. Cutting each embryo into 4 or 5 pieces (mincing) allowed penetration of the hemin precursor into the embryo. It appears there is a synthesis of the enzymes of this porphyrin biosynthetic pathway in the minced embryos, since puromycin inhibited the incorporation of labeled amino acids into protein, and also the incorporation of δ-aminolevulinic acid-4-C 14 into hemin of minced stage 20 embryos. The minced embryos showed a slight increase in hemin synthesis from gastrulation to neurulation and a larger increase to the tailbud stage. The level of hemin formation in minced stage 25 larvae was lower than that of intact stage 25 larvae; at the feeding larval stage the labeled compound can enter the organism and is converted to hemin more efficiently than by minced stage 25 larvae. The real course of hemin synthesis in developing frog embryos, as revealed from the results obtained with both minced and intact embryos, is that of a gradual increase from gastrulation to neurulation, followed by an increased rate of hemin synthesis at tailbud and larval stages. The addition of frog liver RNA (1 mg/ml) to minced stage 20 embryos consistently stimulated the level of hemin synthesis above that of untreated minced embryos. Frog liver DNA and RNA of frog spleens, muscle, and red blood cells, as well as mouse ascites tumor cell RNA (1 mg/ml), did not stimulate hemin synthesis. Stimulation is also evoked by a mixture of the four ribonucleosides. Puromycin inhibits both protein and hemin synthesis of minced embryos while liver RNA stimulates the incorporation of labeled amino acids into the protein fraction. It appears that hemin synthesis is linked to the synthesis of the enzymes of porphyrin biosynthesis in these experiments. Phenol extraction of RNA from centrifugal fractions of liver homogenates revealed that there is active RNA in the ultracentrifugal supernatant fraction and that a transfer RNA fraction isolated from the ultracentrifugal supernatant of frog liver retains the ability to stimulate hemin synthesis of minced stage 20 embryos. Hot phenol extracts of the interphase of cold phenol extracts of frog liver also stimulated hemin synthesis of minced gastrulae cultured for 24 hours, but the stimulation by the four ribonucleosides and the RNA of the ultracentrifugal supernatant argue against an effect of messenger-RNA molecules. It is likely that supplying precursors of RNA synthesis, or transfer RNA, to cut frog embryos can stimulate the synthesis of enzymes synthesizing hemin, as well as the synthesis of other proteins.
Cobalt cementation with ferromanganese

The thermochemical properties, electrochemical behavior, and potential use for cementation have been investigated for two ferromanganese alloys, standard ferromanganese (6.8% carbon) and medium carbon ferromanganese (1.4% carbon). Standard potentials are obtained by measuring the potential of the galvanic cell consisting of a ferromanganese sample and a saturated mercury-sulfate reference electrode and extrapolating to infinite dilution. Cementation of cobalt on ferromanganese has also been investigated. The rate is measured by rotating-disk experiments and the results show that cobalt cementation on ferromanganese is a first-order reaction controlled by mass transfer. Tests of cobalt cementation on the ferromanganese (1.4% C) powder are carried out at room temperature. The reaction is fast in the pure sulfate solution and the efficiency of use of manganese is close to 100%. Cementation of cobalt with ferromanganese does not proceed to a significant level in mixed cobalt and zinc-sulfate solution.
Electron microscopy of the esophageal ganglion complex of the gastropod pulmonate Triodopsis divesta. I. Ultrastructure of the epineurium.

The epineurium of the esophageal complex of the gastropod pulmonate Triodopsis divesta was examined by electron microscopy. The epineurium consists of two main regions: an inner dense fibrous region adjacent to the avascular neural tissue of the ganglion and an outer cellular region comprised of a variety of cell types embedded in a connective tissue matrix. The dense fibrous region contains smooth muscle cells and associated nerve processes and is invested on the neural side by thin processes of glial cells. The outer highly cellular region contains smooth muscle cells, nerve processes, wandering cells (amebocytes), globular cells, and myoepithelial cells comprising the walls of the vascular system. In addition, a cell type not previously identified in other gastropod epineuria is present. These cells resemble neurosecretory cells. The morphology and structural interrelationships of these various constituents are presented and the possible functions of individual cell types and the epineurium in general are discussed in relation to information available on other molluscs.
Respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn infant.

Pulmonary immaturity, including deficiency in the surfactant system, incomplete structural/functional development of lungs and high chest wall compliance contribute to the pathogenesis of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Pulmonary edema and overperfusion, resulting from a patent ductus arteriosus, may further worsen the respiratory failure, and aggravate the surfactant deficiency. Infants born prematurely present with respiratory distress within the first few minutes of life. This quickly becomes life-threatening, and may result in death from severe respiratory failure if appropriate respiratory and general supportive therapy are not immediately instituted. The oxygenation deficit in RDS is secondary to V/Q mismatch and right-left shunting of blood via pulmonary and extrapulmonary routes. Hypoxemia induced pulmonary vasoconstriction further contributes to V/Q mismatch and R-L shunting. Hypoventilation in RDS is due to decreased tidal volume, increased dead space ventilation, and finally, decreased minute ventilation. Characteristically, pulmonary compliance, both static and dynamic, are greatly reduced resulting in a high work of breathing, whereas airway resistance is normal or only slightly increased. This combination of abnormal pulmonary mechanics results in lower respiratory time constant in respiratory units, and helps in achieving ventilation and oxygenation by using low inspiratory time in the ventilator. Management of RDS starts with prenatal identification of the risk, prolongation of pregnancy by tocolysis and prenatal administration of pharmacological agents, like betamethasone. These agents increase the pulmonary gas exchange surface area and induce endogenous pulmonary surfactant in the fetus. Advances in ventilatory and general management techniques have strikingly improved the outcome and prognosis of children suffering from RDS since the 1960s. Recent advancements in the prevention and treatment of RDS, e.g., acceleration of lung development by prenatal pharmacological manipulations and postnatal provision of exogenous surfactant, have significantly contributed to the decrease in mortality from RDS. Pharmacological induction of lung maturation by drugs in combination, and improved technology in lung ventilation are expected to further improve the course and outcome of the disease in future.
On models for binomial data with random numbers of trials.

A binomial outcome is a count s of the number of successes out of the total number of independent trials n = s + f, where f is a count of the failures. The n are random variables not fixed by design in many studies. Joint modeling of (s, f) can provide additional insight into the science and into the probability π of success that cannot be directly incorporated by the logistic regression model. Observations where n = 0 are excluded from the binomial analysis yet may be important to understanding how π is influenced by covariates. Correlation between s and f may exist and be of direct interest. We propose Bayesian multivariate Poisson models for the bivariate response (s, f), correlated through random effects. We extend our models to the analysis of longitudinal and multivariate longitudinal binomial outcomes. Our methodology was motivated by two disparate examples, one from teratology and one from an HIV tertiary intervention study.