cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 3009: ATRX validated as tumor suppressor in a novel mouse model of pediatric and young adult GBM

Pediatric Glioblastoma (GBM) remains one of the most difficult childhood tumors to treat, and most children with this diagnosis will not survive longer than two years. ATRX is a histone chaperone protein that is mutated primarily in pediatric patients with GBM and younger adults with secondary GBM. No previous animal model has demonstrated the effect of ATRX loss on GBM formation. We cloned an ATRX knockdown sequence into a Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposase-responsive plasmid (shATRX) for insertion into host genomic DNA. Glioblastomas were induced in neonatal mice by injecting plasmids encoding SB transposase/ luciferase, shp53 and NRAS, with or without shATRX, into the ventricle of neonatal mice. Tumors in both groups (with or without shATRX) showed histological hallmarks of human glioblastoma. The loss of ATRX was specifically localized only within tumors generated with the shATRX plasmid and not in the adjacent cortex. Notably, loss of ATRX reduced median survival of mice by 43% (p = 0.012). ATRX-deficient tumors displayed evidence of telomeric lengthening using telomeric FISH assay for alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). ATRX-deficient tumors were significantly more likely to develop microsatellite instability (p = 0.014), a hallmark of impaired DNA-damage repair. Analysis of three human GBM sequencing datasets confirmed increased number of somatic nucleotide mutations in ATRX-deficient tumors. Treatment of primary cell cultures generated from mouse GBMs showed that ATRX-deficient tumor cells are significantly more sensitive to certain DNA damaging agents, with greater evidence of double-stranded DNA breakage, by gH2A.X. In addition, mice with ATRX-deficient GBM treated with whole brain irradiation showed reduced tumor growth by luminescence, with some long-term survivors. In summary, this mouse model prospectively validates ATRX as a tumor suppressor in human GBM for the first time in an animal model. In addition, loss of ATRX leads to increased genetic instability and response to DNA-damaging therapy. Based on these results, we have generated the hypothesis that ATRX loss leads to a genetically unstable tumor; which is more aggressive when untreated, but more responsive to DNA-damaging therapy, ultimately resulting in equivalent or improved overall survival. Supported by St. Baldrick9s Fellowship and Alex9s Lemonade Stand /Northwest Mutual Young Investigator Award to CK and NIH/NINDS grants to MGC and PRL. Citation Format: Carl Koschmann, Alexandra Calinescu, Daniel Thomas, Felipe J. Nunez, Marta Dzaman, Johnny Krasinkiewicz, Rosie Lemons, Neha Kamran, Flor Mendez, Soyeon Roh, David Ferguson, Pedro R. Lowenstein, Maria G. Castro. ATRX validated as tumor suppressor in a novel mouse model of pediatric and young adult GBM. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3009. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3009
Individual CBT for Anxiety and Related Symptoms in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is increasingly being used to treat anxiety, core autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms, and co-occurring emotion dysregulation associated with ASD. Because of the overlapping nature of anxiety, ASD symptoms, and other types of emotion dysregulation, these facets of mental health are each considered in this review of CBT for children with ASD. In this chapter, we review the evidence base for individually administered CBT for youth with ASD using Southam-Gerow and Prinstein’s (2014) criteria for defining efficacy. While no form of CBT for youth with ASD currently qualifies as “well-established,” CBT for anxiety, CBT for core ASD symptoms, and the Stepping Stones Positive Parenting Program qualify as “probably efficacious” treatments. One CBT protocol for treating anxiety in children and adolescents with ASD is highlighted with case examples. Limitations of extant studies and directions for future research are discussed.
Productive work and subjected labor: Children's pursuits and child rights in northern Sierra Leone

ABSTRACTThe implementation of child rights legislation in the African nation of Sierra Leone has revealed children articulating novel values for education and labor. Corporal punishment was used to reinforce for children the importance of schooling and uncompensated household labor to their development as people. With its legal banning, children are forming values that conflict with those held by elders and with rights doctrine itself. They differentiate between productive “work,” useful because it is remunerated and skilled or improves their social connections, and the drudgery of uncompensated “labor,” which reinforces their low social position. Toil such as road works and mining can be “work” if it is valued and remunerated, while the desultory job market, equally desultory classroom experience, low social status, and poor pay of teachers renders formal education subjected “labor.” This highlights children as strategic users of rights and as agents in determining what comprises their own best interests.
The EDRN knowledge environment: an open source, scalable informatics platform for biological sciences research

We describe here the Early Detection Research Network (EDRN) for Cancer’s knowledge environment. It is an open source platform built by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory with contributions from the California Institute of Technology, and Giesel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. It uses tools like Apache OODT, Plone, and Solr, and borrows heavily from JPL’s Planetary Data System’s ontological infrastructure. It has accumulated data on hundreds of thousands of biospecemens and serves over 1300 registered users across the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The scalable computing infrastructure is built such that we are being able to reach out to other agencies, provide homogeneous access, and provide seamless analytics support and bioinformatics tools through community engagement.
Predictors of Hospitalization, Length of Stay, and Cost of Care Among Adults With Dermatomyositis in the United States.

Objective To determine the prevalence and risk factors for hospitalization with dermatomyositis and assess inpatient burden of dermatomyositis. Methods Data on 72,651,487 hospitalizations from the 2002-2012 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a 20% stratified sample of all acute-care hospitalizations in the US, were analyzed. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification coding was used to identify hospitalizations with a diagnosis of dermatomyositis. Results There were 9,687 and 43,188 weighted admissions with a primary or secondary diagnosis of dermatomyositis, respectively. In multivariable logistic regression models with stepwise selection, female sex (logistic regression: adjusted odds ratio 2.05 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.80, 2.34]), nonwhite race (African American: 1.68 [1.57, 1.79]; Hispanic: 2.38 [2.22, 2.55]; Asian: 1.54 [1.32, 1.81]; and multiracial/other: 1.65 [1.45, 1.88]), and multiple chronic conditions (2-5: 2.39 [2.20, 2.60] and ≥6: 2.80 [2.56, 3.07]) were all associated with higher rates of hospitalization for dermatomyositis. The weighted total length of stay (LOS) and inflation-adjusted cost of care for patients with a primary inpatient diagnosis of dermatomyositis was 80,686 days and $168,076,970, with geometric means of 5.38 (95% CI 5.08, 5.71) and $11,682 (95% CI $11,013, $12,392), respectively. LOS and costs of hospitalization were significantly higher in patients with dermatomyositis compared to those without. Notably, race/ethnicity was associated with increased LOS (log-linear regression: adjusted β [95% CI] for African American: 0.14 [0.04, 0.25] and Asian: 0.38 [0.22, 0.55]) and cost of care (Asian: 0.51 [0.36, 0.67]). Conclusion There is a significant and increasing inpatient burden for dermatomyositis in the US. There appear to be racial differences, as nonwhites have higher prevalence of admission, increased LOS, and cost of care.
Influence of Surface Charge of the Nanostructures on the Biocatalytic Activity

The physicochemical properties of abiotic nanostructures determine the structure and function of biological counterparts in biotic–abiotic nanohybrids. A comprehensive understanding of the interfacial interactions and the predictive capability of their structure and function is paramount for virtually all fields of bionanotechnology. In this study, using plasmonic nanostructures as a model abiotic system, we investigate the effect of the surface charge of nanostructures on the biocatalytic reaction kinetics of a bound enzyme. We found that the surface charge of nanostructures profoundly influences the structure, orientation, and activity of the bound enzyme. Furthermore, the interactions of the enzyme with nanoparticles result in stable conjugates that retain their functionality at elevated temperatures, unlike their free counterparts that lose their secondary structure and biocatalytic activity.
Cr-induced fast vacancy cluster formation and high Ni diffusion in concentrated Ni-Fe-Cr alloys

Abstract We have performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on pure Ni, Ni-Cr, Ni-Fe and Ni-Fe-Cr single phase concentrated solid solution systems to elucidate the kinetics of point defects and vacancy cluster formation. We find that diffusion-based vacancy clustering leads to the formation of stacking fault tetrahedra (SFT) in all of these systems. The presence of Cr leads to faster SFT formation and high Ni diffusion in Ni-Cr binary systems than in pure Ni and Ni-Fe binary systems. The same trend is observed for the ternary systems that have high Cr composition. This Cr-induced effect is due to the low Cr migration barrier that first induces vacancy diffusion and later leads to faster clustering and SFT formation. We find that the fast Ni diffusion is also Cr-induced, where the binding of two vacancies provides much lower migration barrier pathways for Ni diffusion. Due to this ‘Cr-effect’, the vacancy-vacancy pair distribution shows higher peaks in Ni-Cr and Ni-Fe-Cr systems than in pure Ni and Ni-Fe binary systems. The low migration barriers of Cr compared to Ni and Fe are confirmed by density functional theory calculations.
School Strictness and Education: Investigating Racial and Ethnic Educational Inequalities Associated with Being Pushed Out:

There are racial and ethnic disparities associated with school discipline practices and pushout rates. In addition, research suggests that urban schools have stricter school discipline practices an...
Improving operational efficiency in utility sector through technology intervention

The purpose of this paper is to perform an empirical study of factors which determine the improvement of operational efficiency in utility sector. The data was collected from various stakeholders of utilities sector viz. domestic rural consumers, domestic urban consumers, government employees, non-government employees and experts. The data was collected from 15 villages and three urban areas. Data from 222 respondents was collected, out of which 52 respondents were domestic rural consumers, 50 respondents were domestic urban consumers, 50 respondents were non-government employees, 60 of the respondents were government employees and ten respondents were expert to the utility. It was found out that process reengineering and reducing AT&C losses are the most important factors that determine operational efficiency. Results from the research can be used in other utilities sectors in other geographies.
Mining the nucleus accumbens proteome for novel targets of alcohol self-administration in male C57BL/6J mice

There is a clear need for discovery of effective medications to treat behavioral pathologies associated with alcohol addiction, such as chronic drinking. The goal of this preclinical study was to assess effects of chronic alcohol drinking on the nucleus accumbens (NAcb) proteome to identify and validate novel targets for medications development. Two-dimensional difference in-gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization tandem time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF) was used to assess effects of chronic voluntary home-cage (24-h access) alcohol drinking on the NAcb proteome of C57BL/6J mice. To extend these findings to a model of alcohol self-administration and reinforcement, we investigated potential regulation of the positive reinforcing effects of alcohol by the target protein glutathione S-transferase Pi 1 (GSTP1) using a pharmacological inhibition strategy in mice trained to self-administer alcohol or sucrose. Expression of 52 unique proteins in the NAcb was changed by chronic alcohol drinking relative to water control (23 upregulated, 29 downregulated). Ingenuity Pathway Analysis showed that alcohol drinking altered an array of protein networks associated with neurological and psychological disorders, molecular and cellular functions, and physiological systems and development. DAVID functional annotation analysis identified 9 proteins (SNCA, GSTP1, PRDX3, PPP3R1, EIF5A, PHB, PEBP1/RKIP, GAPDH, AND SOD1) that were significantly overrepresented in a functional cluster that included the Gene Ontology categories “response to alcohol” and “aging.” Immunoblots confirmed changes in Pebp1 (RKIP) and GSTP1 in NAcb with no change in amygdala or frontal cortex, suggesting anatomical specificity. Systemic inhibition of GSTP1 with Ezatiostat (0–30 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently reduced the reinforcing effects of alcohol as measured by operant self-administration, in the absence of motor effects. Sucrose self-administration was also reduced but in a manner associated with nonspecific motor inhibition. Protein expression profiling identified an array of proteins and networks in the NAcb, including GSTP1, that are novel molecular targets of chronic alcohol drinking. Pharmacological inhibition of GSTP1 significantly reduced the positive reinforcing effects of alcohol, which regulate repetitive use and abuse liability. The observation that this protein was both upregulated after chronic drinking and that its inhibition could modulate the reinforcing properties of alcohol suggests that it is a key target for alcohol-related pathologies. Proteomic strategies combined with specific preclinical models has potential to identify and validate novel targets of alcohol that may be useful in the medical management of alcohol addiction.
Chapter 25 – The Hyaluronan Synthases

Virtually all of the known enzymes utilize one, two, or three substrates to produce one or two products. The hyaluronan (HA) synthase enzyme family is very unusual, and perhaps unique, in that these synthases have two different enzymatic activities within the same protein. Furthermore, the growing HA chain produced after each sugar addition becomes the substrate for the next sugar addition. HA synthases are also membrane-bound enzymes. In bacteria and eukaryotic cells, active HA synthase is localized to the plasma membrane. The two activated sugar precursors for HA biosynthesis are UDP-glucuronic acid (UDP-GlcUA) and UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc). In order to make a disaccharide unit and extend the growing HA chain, HA synthase possesses at least six distinct functions. These activities include two different sugar nucleotide binding sites, two different glycosyltransferase activities, one or more binding sites for the growing HA chain, and the ability to transfer this HA chain within the enzyme, to set up the next round of saccharide addition. The UDP-sugar substrates are produced and used by the HA synthase inside the cell, and the HA chain is continuously transferred across the membrane so that it is extruded to the cell exterior. In the case of bacteria, this HA forms a capsule. In the case of many eukaryotic cells, the result is either the formation of a pericellular HA coat surrounding the cell or the release and deposition of HA into the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM).
Magnetostrictive EMAT Efficiency as a Nondestructive Evaluation Tool

Electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMATs) are ideal for on-line inspection of hot metal sheets, because they provide a noncontacting means for generating and detecting ultrasound in metals. EMATs are especially attractive for probing steels and magnetic alloys, because their transduction efficiency is larger than in nonferromagnetic materials. The source of the extra efficiency is magnetostriction, the length change of a ferromagnetic material that accompanies magnetization.
Hillbilly Elegy: Deconstructing J. D. Vance’s Views on Government Intervention, Merit, Outlaws, and Slackers

J. D. Vance’s 2016 autobiographical bestseller Hillbilly Elegy has gained considerable popularity and favorable reviews. Despite its public acclaim, a close reading of Elegy shows it is plagued wit...
A physiological function for ferroptosis in tumor suppression by the immune system

Ferroptosis is a form of regulated cell death involving lethal peroxidation of phospholipids (Hirschhorn and Stockwell, 2019). Recent results reveal that ferroptosis mediates the tumor suppressive activity of interferon gamma secreted by CD8+ T cells in response to immune checkpoint blockade, suggesting the immune system may function in part through ferroptosis to prevent tumorigenesis (Wang et al., 2019).
Women have better sex under socialism and other arguments for economic independence

In Women have better sex under socialism and other arguments for economic independence Kristen Ghodsee provides an accessible and reader-friendly portrayal of women’s lives in the former socialist ...
Pediatric Primary Pleural Synovial Sarcoma: A Unique Case Report with Brief Review of Literature

Synovial sarcoma (SS) primary to the pleura is an extremely rare tumor. So far, only nine cases have been reported in pediatric patients. However, none of these patients was found to have a conglomeration of tumors. Here, we report a case of 16-year-old female with monophasic SS and synchronous occurrence of left paraspinal ganglioneuroma and a right paraovarian cystadenoma. A next-generation sequencing genetic panel revealed a novel variant of unknown significance in the MET gene. The occurrence of multiple different tumors in a young patient with a novel genetic variant in a known oncogene (MET) may suggest a possibility of a hitherto unknown cancer predisposition syndrome. We also present a brief review of primary pleural SS reported in pediatric patients.
Agricultural Technology Adoption among Migrant Settlers and Indigenous Populations of the Northern Ecuadorian Amazon: Are Differences Narrowing?

We consider trends in the use of modern agricultural inputs of migrant settlers and indigenous populations in the Northern Ecuadorian Amazon and the demographic, socioeconomic, and land use-related factors affecting input use. It is widely believed that the different livelihood strategies and therefore different relationships to the land of indigenous populations and migrant settlers result in different uses of chemical inputs in agriculture. We analyze data from two panel surveys, one of migrant settler households and a separate panel of indigenous households. We find low input use among both types of households, particularly among two of the five main ethnicities of indigenous households in the study region, the Cofan and Waorani. Multivariate statistical models were run separately for each panel, with significant relationships found between several predictors and the use of pesticides and herbicides. Our results highlight continuing differences in land use patterns between households in the NEA.
Normative substance use antecedents among sexual minorities: A scoping review and synthesis.

Although sexual minority stress remains the dominant perspective for understanding disproportionate substance use among lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) populations, social norms are among the most predictive and commonly targeted substance use antecedents in other high-risk groups. This scoping review seeks to bring clarity to the body of norms-focused alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) research conducted with LGBs over the past 20 years, identify intervention implications, and present priority directions for future research. Fifty-two peer-reviewed studies published between June 1999 and June 2019 were identified from searches of PubMed, PsycInfo, and Medline databases using combinations of terms related to: social norms; sexual orientation or sexual minority status; and, the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. A far greater number of studies focused on actual ATOD norms than perceived ATOD norms or discrepancies between actual or perceived norms, illuminating the need for additional research focused on these levels of analysis. Taken together, this literature suggests that: (1) perceived ATOD norms are reliable predictors of LGBs' ATOD use; (2) actual ATOD use norms are low among LGBs participating in representative, population-based survey studies; and, (3) LGBs over-estimate the ATOD use of peers. Thus, intervention strategies including personalized normative feedback, psychoeducation, and social branding may hold promise in reducing LGBs substance use. However, additional research is needed to increase our understanding of injunctive ATOD norms, identify meaningful LGB reference groups, elucidate environmental influences on ATOD norms, and examine relationships between stigma experiences, perceived norms, and ATOD use.
Success for LGBT College and University Students

Though evidence suggests that the climate for LGBT college and university students has improved in many regions of the world over the last decade, there is still ample reason to believe that LGBT students face challenges to their learning, development, and success. Studies show that LGBT students encounter hostile climates at higher rates than do non-LGBT peers, and LGBT students who are also students of color, students with disabilities, and/or low-income or first-generation college students must overcome substantial barriers to success. There is also evidence that campuses are creating environments where LGBT students can thrive personally, socially, and academically. In this chapter, I present findings from national studies of LGBT college and university students in the US to describe the current landscape for these students. I present a theory of thriving that explains how students express agency in coping with sometimes hostile environments, and I discuss strategies for faculty and university staff to create optimal conditions for LGBT student success.
What does dark matter even do

Understanding what this baffling substance gets up to may help us to finally understand it, writes Chanda Prescod-Weinstein
Racial disparities in parent knowledge of concussion and recognition of signs and symptoms.

Abstract Introduction: Concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that can be sustained through participation in different sports. It is important that a parent be able to identify common and uncommon symptoms of a concussion to ensure the safety and good health of their child. The purpose of this study was to compare knowledge of concussion scores among White and African American parents and guardians. Methodology: This cross-sectional study consisted of a single survey of 53 questions that was given to parents/guardians of high school athletes at a preseason parent meeting. Parent and guardian knowledge of concussion was assessed through a series of 45 questions. Participants were asked to correctly identify signs and symptoms of concussion, answer questions regarding the anatomy of a concussion (i.e. a concussion is an injury to the brain), answer true/false questions about general concussion knowledge, select from a list the consequences of multiple concussions and select from a list the consequences of returning to play too soon from a concussion. Knowledge of concussion was calculated by summing correct responses for the 45 knowledge questions. Racial differences were calculated using an ANCOVA, controlling for socioeconomic school type. The statistical significance level was set a priori p ≤ 0.05 for all analyses. Results: Participants of this study consisted of 176 [115 (65.3%) White, 61 (34.7%) African American] parents/guardians of high school athletes. Significant differences in knowledge of concussion scores between White parents/guardians [38.50 ± 4.55 (85.6% correct)], and African American parents/guardians [35.15 ± 4.97, 78.1% correct)] were identified (F(1,172) = 4.82, p = 0.03). Conclusion: Knowledge of concussion disparities exist between African American and White parents/guardians. This disparity could cause complications from concussion to surface among children and adolescents participating in sport as their parents/guardians may not be able to correctly identify the signs and symptoms in order to seek proper medical care. Practical Application: Findings from this study highlight quantitative differences in concussion knowledge of parents from different demographics. These findings underline disparities and inequities in access to concussion-health resources that need to be addressed.
B7H3-Directed Intraperitoneal Radioimmunotherapy With Radioiodinated Omburtamab for Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor and Other Peritoneal Tumors: Results of a Phase I Study.

PURPOSEDesmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT), a rare sarcoma of adolescents/young adults primarily involving the peritoneum, has a long-term survival of < 20% despite aggressive multimodality...
The Competitive Advantages Explanation for Interbrand Restraints: An Antitrust Analysis

This article argues that antitrust doctrine concerning intrabrand restrictions is unsatisfactory because the economic theory of intrabrand restrictions has been only partially developed and articulated. An unfilled and largely unacknowledged analytical gap exists between the view that intrabrand restraints are generally anticompetitive and the view that intrabrand restraints are generally efficiency-producing. That gap is the failure to explore how a manufacturer benefits from intrabrand restraints other than by increasing the profitability of his dealers. This article attempts to fill that gap by drawing on the theory of imperfect competition to explain why manufacturers find it profitable to restrict intrabrand competition in an anticompetitive way. Using this analysis, the article explains why price restraints should indeed be treated differently from nonprice restraints2s and formulates an analytial approach under the rule of reason for addressing nonprice vertical restraints. Non-economic analyses are possible, but are not treated here. The approach of this article rests on economic theory.
Two-pore physiologically based pharmacokinetic model validation using whole-body biodistribution of trastuzumab and different-size fragments in mice

In the past, our lab proposed a two-pore PBPK model for different-size protein therapeutics using de novo derived parameters and the model was validated using plasma PK data of different-size antibody fragments digitized from the literature (Li Z, Shah DK, J Pharmacokinet Pharmacodynam 46(3):305–318, 2009). To further validate the model using tissue distribution data, whole-body biodistribution study of 6 different-size proteins in mice were conducted. Studied molecules covered a wide MW range (13–150 kDa). Plasma PK and tissue distribution profiles is 9 tissues were measured, including heart, lung, liver, spleen, kidney, skin, muscle, small intestine, large intestine. Tumor exposure of different-size proteins were also evaluated. The PBPK model was validated by comparing percentage predictive errors (%PE) between observed and model predicted results for each type of molecule in each tissue. Model validation showed that the two-pore PBPK model was able to predict plasma, tissues and tumor PK of all studied molecules relatively well. This model could serve as a platform for developing a generic PBPK model for protein therapeutics in the future.
The Interface of Finance, Operations, and Risk Management

This monograph, as entitled, defines and describes the research field at the interface of Finance, Operations, and Risk Management (iFORM), provides examples where operations and finance overlap in meaningful ways, outlines promising research directions, and reduces the entry cost for anyone who would like to explore this new and exciting research field. The intended audience for this article includes both PhD students in operations management (OM), finance, and economics, who are looking for dissertation topics, and experienced researchers looking for novel applications of their expertise. The following outlines the rest of this article. Chapter 2 compares perspectives of finance and operations on the same topic: the firm. This motivates the key questions in finance, which is presented in the finance primer in chapter 3 and key questions in OM, which is presented in the OM primer in chapter 4. Having discussed key ideas from these disciplines separately, chapter 5 examines how OM and finance intersect in meaningful ways and suggest several promising research directions. Chapter 6 presents a “dos and don'ts" list for publishing and reviewing iFORM papers.
The Role of Visual and Auditory Communication in the Performance of a Joint Team Task.

ObjectiveThis study examines visual, auditory, and the combination of both (bimodal) coupling modes in the performance of a two-person perceptual-motor task, in which one person provides the percep...
Selective auditory attention modulates cortical responses to sound-location change in younger and older adults

In complex acoustic scenes, listeners take advantage of spatial cues to selectively attend to sounds that are deemed immediately relevant. At the neural level, selective attention amplifies electri...
Delirium in the NICU: A Point Prevalence Study

OBJECTIVES Delirium is a well-described complication of critical illness, with occurrence rates of >25% in the PICU, and associated morbidity. Infants in the NICU are likely at risk. There have been no previous screening studies to quantify delirium rates in the neonatal population. We hypothesized that delirium was prevalent in term neonates in the NICU. In this pilot study, our objective was to estimate prevalence using a validated pediatric delirium screening tool, which has not yet been tested in NICUs. METHODS In this point prevalence study, all term or term-corrected infants admitted to the NICU on designated study days were screened for delirium using the Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium. RESULTS A total of 149 infants were eligible for screening over 8 study days. A total of 147 (98.6%) were successfully screened with the Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium. Overall, 22.4% (n = 33) screened positive for delirium. Delirium was more commonly detected in children on invasive mechanical ventilation (67% vs 17%, P CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that delirium likely occurs frequently in term-equivalent infants in the NICU. Further research is necessary to establish feasibility, validity, and interrater reliability of delirium screening in this population.
The Organization and Responsibilities of the Italian Judicial Police

In consonance with legal terminology, Italian police manuals classify the police as the Public Force and proceed to consider it from the perspective of its technical functions: security police, administrative police, judicial police, and confinement police [1]. The first two functions fall under the purview of the pertinent executive departments of the government and the last two are subject to the jurisdiction of the judicial branch.
Neonlike Ar and Cl 3p-3s emission from a theta -pinch plasma.

Time-resolved extreme-UV emission from sixteen 3p-3s transitions, some of the type in which lasing has been demonstrated in heavier elements, is measured for neonlike Ar(8+) and Cl(7+). These observations are made on a hydrogen theta-pinch plasma with a 5 pct admixture of argon or freon (for Cl). Fourteen 3d-3p spectral lines are also detected. The measured intensities are compared to theoretical predictions. There is no evidence of anomalously intense lines originating on 2p5 3p J = 2 upper levels compared to J = 0, as observed in gain experiments.
Inhibition of Ribulose Diphosphate Carboxylase by Cyanide INACTIVE TERNARY COMPLEX OF ENZYME, RIBULOSE DIPHOSPHATE, AND CYANIDE

Abstract Spinach leaf ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase is reversibly inhibited by cyanide at low concentration; 10-5 m and 10-4 m cyanide inhibit the carboxylation reaction 51% and 91%, respectively. Inhibition by cyanide (Ki = 1.6 x 10-5 m) is uncompetitive (anticompetitive) with respect to ribulose 1,5-diphosphate (ribulose-1,5-di-P) and is of mixed character with respect to Mg2+ and HCO3-. This and other kinetic evidence suggest that cyanide combines readily with enzyme-ribulose-1,5-di-P complex, but not with enzyme. The inference that enzyme-ribulose-1,5-di-P complex reacts with cyanide to form an inactive ternary complex is supported by binding studies with the use of the gel filtration technique. Ribulose-1,5-di-P uniformly labeled with 14C is tightly bound to the carboxylase (1.04 moles of ribulose-1,5-di-P per mole of enzyme) only in the presence of cyanide and 14C-cyanide is bound to the carboxylase (1.06 moles of cyanide per mole of enzyme) only in the presence of ribulose-1,5-di-P. The presence of Mg2+ is without effect on 14C-ribulose-1,5-di-P binding in the presence of cyanide or on 14C-cyanide binding in the presence of ribulose-1,5-di-P under the conditions used. A ternary complex of ribulose-1,5-di-P carboxylase, ribulose-1,5-di-P, and cyanide in a mole ratio of 1:1:1 is indicated. Attempts to demonstrate Schiff base formation between the carboxylase and ribulose-1,5-di-P under a wide variety of conditions were unsuccessful.
Land Reclamation at Abandoned Deep Coal Mine

A typical abandoned midwestern deep coal mine site was selected, final land use determined, baseline environmental data collected, engineering plans developed and implemented, and a post- construction evaluation begun. The project is a cooperative effort by two state agencies — the Abandoned Mined Land Reclamation Council of Illinois and the Illinois Institute of Natural Resources — and the U.S. Department of Energy through the Land Reclamation Program at Argonne National Laboratory. Site development included recontouring 23 acres of the 33.95 acre site. Cover material was applied to the recontoured areas which were then limed, fertilized, and seeded with a mixture of grasses and legumes. A pond was constructed to control runoff and to provide a combined wildlife and recreational area. After two growing seasons vegetation has been established and on-site water quality has shown significant improvement.
The Units of Selection Revisited: The Modules of Selection

Richard Lewontin's (1970) early work on the “units” of selection initiated the conceptual and theoretical investigations that have led to the hierarchical perspective on selection that has reached near consensus status today. This paper explores other aspects of his work, work on what he termed “continuity” and “quasi-independence”, that connect to contemporary explorations of modularity in development and evolution. I characterize such modules and argue that they are the true units of selection in that they are what evolution by natural selection individuates, selects among, and transforms.
WARNING SIGNAL DESIGN : A KEY HUMAN FACTORS ISSUE IN AN IN-VEHICLE FRONT- TO-REAR-END COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM

Warning signal effectiveness issues associated with the design of a front-to-rear-end collision warning system are discussed. Potential negative effects are that warnings may occur rarely, startlin...
Crack Driving Forces in a Multilayered Coating System for Ceramic Matrix Composite Substrates

The effects of the top coating thickness, modulus and shrinkage strains on the crack driving forces for a baseline multilayer Yttria-Stabilized-Zirconia/Mullite/Si thermal and environment barrier coating (TEBC) system for SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composite substrates are determined for gas turbine applications. The crack driving forces increase with increasing modulus, and a low modulus thermal barrier coating material (below 10 GPa) will have no cracking issues under the thermal gradient condition analyzed. Since top coating sintering increases the crack driving forces with time, highly sintering resistant coatings are desirable to maintain a low tensile modulus and maintain a low crack driving force with time. Finite element results demonstrated that an advanced TEBC system, such as ZrO2/HfO2, which possesses improved sintering resistance and high temperature stability, exhibited excellent durability. A multi-vertical cracked structure with fine columnar spacing is an ideal strain tolerant coating capable of reducing the crack driving forces to an acceptable level even with a high modulus of 50 GPa.
The Genie and The Bottle: Collateral Sources Under the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund

The September 11th Victim's Compensation Fund provides substantial payments to the families and loved ones of those who died in the 9/11 attacks. Interestingly, unlike any other form of social insurance, and unlike the tort system, the awards from the Fund are offset dollar-for-dollar by certain forms of collateral sources, including life insurance proceeds. This paper exams what function collateral sources (and the traditional rule of "collateral nonoffsets") together with subrogation rights generally play in a tort/compensation regime and why a collateral source offset rule probably make sense in the case of the 9/11 Fund. Our analysis also calls into question the traditional practice among life insurers of not retaining subrogation rights in their insurance policies or, in the absence of such subrogation rights, the traditional rule of collateral nonoffsets in wrongful death cases. The same sort of overcompensation concerns would seem to apply there as apply in the context of the 9/11 Fund.
A pseudospectral matrix element method for solution of three-dimensional incompressible flows and its implementation on a parallel computer

In the authors' earlier paper [1] a pseudospectral matrix (PSM) method for solution of the threedimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations was presented to solve 3-D driven cavity flow with Reynolds numbers up to 1000. None of these simulations exhibited the phenomenon of TGL vortices, which requires a Reynolds number of at least 1200 according to the experimental results of Koseff et M. [2]. Here we approach the problem by extending the techniques in our earlier paper. In order to overcome stiff gradients in the interior of the domain as well as the strict time step size constraints, a c o pseudospectral matrix element (PSME) method which combines the desired features of domain decomposition and a larger time step size has been developed to solve the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in primitive variable form. In recent years computer designers, driven by the quest for speed and stimulated by the developing capability of single chips, have built machines of great complexity and increasing diversity. Producing efficient code for any of these machines is difficult and often involves special features, e.g., compilier directives, special hand-coded assembly language routines, etc. that make migration of the code to a different machine difficult. The algorithms used in this paper can be cleanly described using the rather minimal set of vector and parallel concepts proposed for Fortran 8x. Specifically, we use the ability to do dotproducts and matrix multiplication between subsets of arrays as well as the ability to specify that it is safe to run some loops containing subroutines concurrently.
Gas Phase Reactions of Tin and Germanium Atoms

The chemistry of Group IV atoms in the presence of oxidizing gases is of considerable potential importance in the development of a visible chemical laser.
Intraduodenal Hydrolysis of Gelatin as a Measure of Protein Digestion in Normal Subjects and in Patients with Malabsorption Syndromes

Summary Gelatin was used as a test solution to study the intraduodenal hydrolysis of protein in normal subjects and in patients with malabsorption syndromes. A double lumen tube was used to infuse gelatin into the duodenum and to aspirate duodenal contents after the infused solution had traversed 25 cm. The hydrolysis of gelatin was then studied by measuring the conversion of protein-bound hydroxyproline to peptide-bound and free hydroxyproline in the duodenal aspirates. In 5 normal subjects, 63 to 84% of the hydroxyproline in the infused gelatin was digested to dialyzable peptides after flowing through the measured segment of the duodenum. In 7 patients with pancreatic insufficiency, less than 15% of the infused gelatin was digested to dialyzable peptides, demonstrating a marked defect in the hydrolysis of gelatin. In 4 patients with adult celiac disease, 35 to 48% of the infused gelatin was digested to dialyzable peptides, indicating a partial defect in hydrolysis of gelatin. The procedure is probably too cumbersome to be employed in the routine evaluation of malabsorption syndromes, but it off ers a precise method for the investigation of protein digestion in these conditions.
Mitotic and Meiotic Gene Conversion of Ty Elements and Other Insertions in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

We examined meiotic and mitotic gene conversion events involved in deletion of Ty elements and other insertions from the genome of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We found that Ty elements and one other insertion were deleted by mitotic gene conversion less frequently than point mutations at the same loci. One non-Ty insertion similar in size to Ty, however, did not show this bias. Mitotic conversion events deleting insertions were more frequently associated with crossing over than those deleting point mutations. In meiosis, conversion events duplicating the element were more common than those that deleted the element for one of the loci (HIS4) examined.
Racial and Gender Biases in Supervisory Evaluation and Feedback

Abstract This study investigated racial and gender biases in supervisory evaluation and feedback. Seventy-six counseling professionals were randomly assigned to four experimental conditions. The race and sex of the supervisee being evaluated were the manipulated variables. Results suggested gender bias in male respondents; however, no racial bias was substantiated.
On Mules and Bodies: Black Captivities in the Brazilian Racial Democracy

This article situates the past decade’s boom in Brazil’s prison population in the context of the country’s enduring system of racial domination. Prison demographics are analyzed in relation to the ...
Young children's ideas about the nature, causes, justification, and alleviation of poverty

Sixty-four 8-year-old boys and girls from urban and rural settings and representing different races and socioeconomic status backgrounds responded to questions about the nature, causes, justification, and alleviation of poverty. Much of what the children said indicated that they had not yet internalized prevailing adult norms and values about the poor in our society. A substantial proportion spoke in ways suggesting forces apart from the individual as causing poverty. Nearly all believed that poverty was not fair. Justifications offered by the children included disavowing economic inequality, or speaking in terms of basic needs or what should or ought to be. A majority mentioned philanthropy or societal change as a way to end poverty. Findings also lend support to the claim of social representations theory that concepts vary as a function of social factors. Future research should employ a design that acknowledges interacting variables to investigate systems of meaning in children's understandings about poverty.
Cephalometric study of the changes occurring in the face height following prosthetic treatment. Part I. Gradual reduction of both occlusal and rest face heights

Abstract A roentgenographic cephalometric investigation was conducted on 18 patients to study changes occurring in occlusal face height, rest face height, and inter-occlusal clearance, before extraction of the teeth and during the first 12 month period following prosthetic treatment. The findings were as follows: 1. The occlusal face height as determined by the swallowing technique after insertion of the dentures was significantly increased. This increase was followed by a gradual reduction, which was greater during the first six months than the second six months of wearing the dentures. 2. The rest face height was reduced to a great extent when the remaining teeth or the occlusal stops were removed. After insertion of the dentures, it increased to a significant level. Again, this increase was followed by gradual reduction paralleling the reduction in occlusal face height. 3. By the end of the 12 month period of wearing the dentures, the occlusal face height and rest face height were reduced to almost the same height that existed before the remaining teeth were extracted. 4. The interocclusal clearance within each patient remained relatively constant during all phases of the study. 5. The use of muscle function, rather than muscle rest during swallowing and phonetics, is recommended for the direct determination of the occlusal vertical dimension in edentulous patients. 6. The rest position is unreliable for the clinical purpose of establishing occlusal vertical dimension in edentulous patients. It should be used only as a guide, but not as the means for this purpose. 7. Periodic checkups are deemed necessary after the insertion of the dentures to correct changes in the supporting structures and the resulting occlusal discrepancies.
Kinetics of uptake and biliary excretion of benzo(α)pyrene and mutagenic metabolites in isolated perfused rat liver

An isolated liver perfusion system was used as a simplifying tool to study the metabolism and excretion of benzo(alpha)pyrene (BP) as a prototype carcinogen/mutagen. Phenobarbital (PB) was used to induce liver microsomal enzymes in Sprague-Dawley male rats prior to isolated liver perfusion. Control livers were run simultaneously using generally tritiated (G-3H)BP/BP as substrate in the perfusion medium. Both biliary excretion and liver weight were increased in the induced compared to control liver, but biliary flow when corrected for liver weight is statistically the same for both control and PB-induced livers. The excretion rat of radioactivity in the bile is always higher for PB-induced than for control liver (maximum radioactive excretion at 1 hr). There is a more rapid radioactivity removal in the liver perfusion medium for PB-induced than for control livers. Data are explained by increased metabolism of BP in induced liver leading to the presence of more polar metabolites undergoing preferential biliary excretion than in the control liver. Results support in vivo experimental data. Extracts from liver and bile were tested for microbial mutagenicity by the Ames test (TA 100) after TLC separation. The control liver shows virtually no mutagenicity in bile, only in TLC fractions from the liver. The PB-induced liver shows significant mutagenicity in several TLC fractions in both bile and liver. The net effect of induction is to produce more mutagenic metabolites of BP, excreted in the bile, and presenting a significant exposure of carcinogens/mutagens, and consequent hazard to man.
Isothermal–isobaric Monte Carlo simulations of liquid lithium using density functional theory

Abstract We have performed Monte Carlo simulations of lithium at high temperatures in the isothermal–isobaric and canonical ensembles, using plane-wave density functional theory to provide configurational energies. This is made computationally feasible by the use of an ‘approximate’ empirical potential to generate large Monte Carlo moves with a high likelihood of acceptance. We discuss both simulation results and implementation details. Reasonable results are obtained at high temperatures, though all levels of theory considered systematically overestimate the liquid density.