cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development and Dissemination of a Strengths-Based Indigenous Children's Storybook: “Our Smallest Warriors, Our Strongest Medicine: Overcoming COVID-19”

The traditions, strengths, and resilience of communities have carried Indigenous peoples for generations. However, collective traumatic memories of past infectious diseases and the current impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in many Indigenous communities point to the need for Indigenous strengths-based public health resources. Further, recent data suggest that COVID-19 is escalating mental health and psychosocial health inequities for Indigenous communities. To align with the intergenerational strengths of Indigenous communities in the face of the pandemic, we developed a strengths- and culturally-based public health education and mental health coping resource for Indigenous children and families. Using a community-engaged process, the Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health collaborated with 14 Indigenous and allied child development, mental health, health communications experts and public health professionals, as well as a Native American youth artist. Indigenous collaborators and Indigenous Johns Hopkins project team members collectively represented 12 tribes, and reservation-based, off-reservation, and urban geographies. This group shared responsibility for culturally adapting the children's book "My Hero is You: How Kids Can Fight COVID-19!" developed by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings and developing ancillary materials. Through an iterative process, we produced the storybook titled "Our Smallest Warriors, Our Strongest Medicine: Overcoming COVID-19" with content and illustrations representing Indigenous values, experiences with COVID-19, and strengths to persevere. In addition, parent resource materials, children's activities, and corresponding coloring pages were created. The book has been disseminated online for free, and 42,364 printed copies were distributed to early childhood home visiting and tribal head start programs, Indian Health Service units, tribal health departments, intertribal, and urban Indigenous health organizations, Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health project sites in partnering communities, schools, and libraries. The demand for and response to "Our Smallest Warriors, Our Strongest Medicine: Overcoming COVID-19" demonstrates the desire for Indigenous storytelling and the elevation of cultural strengths to maintain physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Exploring the structural uniformity and integrity of protonic ceramic thin film electrolyte using wet powder spraying

Abstract Thin protonic ceramic electrolyte contributes to lower ohmic resistance and enhances electrochemical performance of protonic ceramic electrochemical cells. However, manufacturing of large-scale thin electrolyte remains a challenge. Wet powder spraying is an attractive technique to deposit
Formal grammars as models of logic derivations

Context-free attribute grammars are proposed as derivational models for proofs in the predicate calculus. The new representation is developed and its correspondence to resolution-based clause interconnectivity graphs is established. The new representation may be used to transform a predicate calculus characterization of a problem into a regular algebra characterization of the solutions. The new representation can be used to simplify the search for proofs. It allows us to express and derive predicate calculus proofs as a constraining function that serves as a filter to the set of candidate proofs that ignore the arguments to predicates. The effect of this is to separate the underlying propositional structure from the restrictions imposed by the required unifications. While previous theorem proving methods have been able to enumerate all proofs of a theorem, the method reported here is unique in being able to characterize all proofs of some theorems, representing even an infinite set of proofs with a finite formula. This work has implications for proof theory as well as providing a useful tool in the analysis of programs specified in logic.
Corn Plant Populations

Introduction Corn hybrid genetics change yearly to increase productivity. The newer hybrids appear to possess plant characteristics that allow for higher plant populations. Over the past several years, field trials across the state have found support for higher plant populations in corn. This trial was designed to collect information to aid in local recommendations. Additionally, these data will be combined into a larger data set of similar trials for statewide recommendations.
Providing a high level language to produce user-modifiable airborne software

Honeywell Air Transport Systems has developed a means for allowing airlines to customize the operation of on-board flight deck communications software for the Boeing 777. The airlines will use a high level programming language to describe the desired logic of the function on a ground-based workstation, which translates it into a set of airplane-loadable low level commands. Once loaded on the plane, this data is verified and processed to perform the user-specified flight deck operations. By providing the airlines with a programmable communications system, Honeywell provides the users with flexibility to make changes when they need them without costly on-board software changes and re-certification procedures. >
Dependable software through fault tolerance

The author discusses various approaches for developing highly dependable software and presents an overview of software fault tolerance techniques. Diversity is the main ingredient of fault tolerance. Various forms of diversity such as design diversity, data diversity and functional diversity and their potentials in tolerating errors in a complex software are also discussed. >
Chronic low-level air pollution. Use of general mortality, and chronic disease morbidity and mortality to estimate effects.

Abstract General mortality data are probably too insensitive to estimate effects of chronic low-level air pollution. Morbidity data are better, especially if designed as prospective epidemiological studies. It appears that the most sensitive approach is to use simple tests of pulmonary function. Further work is indicated to identify the most sensitive of the existing tests of pulmonary function for field surveys.
Efficient computational models of electromagnetic coupling through general tortuous-path, narrow-slot apertures into shielded systems

Electromagnetic coupling can adversely impact a multitude of applications. The primary coupling issues are electromagnetic compatibility and interference, either intentional or unintentional. The functionality of the systems involved, which typically consist of numerous subsystems operating concurrently, can be characterized in terms of their susceptibility, vulnerability and survivability in the electromagnetic environment in which they are expected to operate. Coupling through unforeseen apertures such as the tortuous-path, lapped seam depicted in the paper into conducting cavities containing multiple thin conducting elements is the major thrust of this work. To model realistic coupling problems, it is necessary to develop a model which includes a three-dimensional representation of the slot/cavity/wire configuration. Specifically, such a model should incorporate narrow slot apertures having depth, loss and gaskets, bolt loads, backed by arbitrarily-shaped cavities, filled with inhomogeneous, lossy dielectrics, and thin wires in arbitrary configurations. The widely varying scales in such a system provides a challenge to a numerical model in terms of both accuracy and efficiency. This is especially true in a development engineering environment in which the engineer typically has a desk-top workstation on which to perform an analysis.
A relationship between generalized Davenport-Schinzel sequences and interval chains

Let an $(r, s)$-formation be a concatenation of $s$ permutations of $r$ distinct letters, and let a block of a sequence be a subsequence of consecutive distinct letters. A $k$-chain on $[1, m]$ is a sequence of $k$ consecutive, disjoint, nonempty intervals of the form $[a_{0}, a_{1}] [a_{1}+1, a_{2}] \ldots [a_{k-1}+1, a_{k}]$ for integers $1 \leq a_{0} \leq a_{1} < \ldots < a_{k} \leq m$, and an $s$-tuple is a set of $s$ distinct integers. An $s$-tuple stabs an interval chain if each element of the $s$-tuple is in a different interval of the chain. Alon et al. (2008) observed similarities between bounds for interval chains and Davenport-Schinzel sequences, but did not identify the cause. We show for all $r \geq 1$ and $1 \leq s \leq k \leq m$ that the maximum number of distinct letters in any sequence $S$ on $m+1$ blocks avoiding every $(r, s+1)$-formation such that every letter in $S$ occurs at least $k+1$ times is the same as the maximum size of a collection $X$ of (not necessarily distinct) $k$-chains on $[1, m]$ so that there do not exist $r$ elements of $X$ all stabbed by the same $s$-tuple. Let $D_{s,k}(m)$ be the maximum number of distinct letters in any sequence which can be partitioned into $m$ blocks, has at least $k$ occurrences of every letter, and has no subsequence forming an alternation of length $s$. Nivasch (2010) proved that $D_{5, 2d+1}(m) = \Theta( m \alpha_{d}(m))$ for all fixed $d \geq 2$. We show that $D_{s+1, s}(m) = \binom{m- \lceil \frac{s}{2} \rceil}{\lfloor \frac{s}{2} \rfloor}$ for all $s \geq 2$. We also prove new lower bounds which imply that $D_{5, 6}(m) = \Theta(m \log \log m)$ and $D_{5, 2d+2}(m) = \Theta(m \alpha_{d}(m))$ for all fixed $d \geq 3$.
Self-oscillation and self-pumped phase conjugation in Cr:YAlO/sub 3/

Summary form only given. When two beams of different frequency interact in a medium with a local nonlinear optical response, one beam experiences gain at the expense of the other. We refer to this process as nondegenerate two-wave mixing. This paper shows measurements of the nondegenerate two-wave mixing gain for a weak probe beam interacting with a strong pump beam in a crystal of Cr:YAlO/sub 3/. The laser wavelength is 515 nm and the probe is down-shifted with respect to the pump by approximately 5 Hz. Gain in excess of 12 times is obtained.
Urea amidolyase. The involvement of biotin in urea cleavage.

Abstract The ATP-dependent cleavage of urea, catalyzed by urea amidolyase, occurs in two steps: (a) urea + ATP + HCO3- (Mg++, K+)/⇌ allophanate + ADP + Pi; and (b) allophanate → 2 HCO3- + 2 NH4+. The enzyme, purified approximately 150-fold from extracts of Candida utilis, contains high levels of covalently bound biotin and is very sensitive to inhibition by avidin. Furthermore, under controlled conditions, [14C]biotin is incorporated covalently into the enzyme when its formation is induced. The biotin-free apoenzyme of urea amidolyase has been isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae grown under biotin-deficient conditions. This apoenzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of allophanate but does not catalyze the net cleavage of urea. The in vitro conversion of the apoenzyme to the holoenzyme requires ATP, Mg++ ions, d-biotin, and a low molecular weight holoenzyme synthetase from S. cerevisiae. Chemically prepared d-biotinyl 5'-adenylate will substitute for d-biotin and ATP in this process.
The origin of eucrites, diogenites, and olivine diogenites: Magma ocean crystallization and shallow magma chamber processes on Vesta

The asteroid 4 Vesta is one of the very few heavenly bodies to have been linked to samples on Earth: the howardite-eucrite-diogenite (HED) meteorite suite. This large and diverse suite of meteorites provides a detailed picture of Vesta's igneous and postigneous history. We have used the range of igneous rock types and compositions in the HED suite to test a series of chemical models for solidification processes following peak melting (magma ocean) conditions on Vesta. Fractional crystallization cannot have been a dominant early process in the magma ocean because it leads to excessive Fe-enrichment in the melt. Models that are dominated by equilibrium crystallization cannot produce orthopyroxene cumulates (diogenites). Our best models invoke 60–70% equilibrium crystallization of a magma ocean followed by continuous extraction of the residual melt into shallow magma chambers. Fractional crystallization in these magma chambers combined with continuous or periodic addition of more melt from the slowly compacting crystal mush (magmatic recharge) can produce all of the igneous HED lithologies (noncumulate and cumulate eucrites, diogenites, dunites, harzburgites, and olivine diogenites). Magmatic recharge can also explain the narrow range in eucrite compositions and the variability of incompatible trace element concentrations in diogenites. We predict an internal structure for Vesta that permits excavation of the HEDs during the formation of the Rheasilvia basin, while remaining consistent with observations from the Dawn mission and most impact models.
Electroreductions of bis- and tris-2,2'-bipyridine complexes of chromium(III)

Abstract Dichlorobis(2,2'-bipyridine)chromium.(III) chloride and tris (2,2'-bipyridine). chromium(III) perchlorate have been investigated using polarography and controlled. potential coulometry. In aqueous medium, neither complex underwent three simple one-electron reductions to the corresponding chromium(o) complex; reductions were complicated, and changes occurring on oxidation allowed 2,2'-bipyridine to be extracted from either complex. In one instance, reduction was complicated by a disproportionation reaction. Results indicated that, after reduction of either chromium(III) complex to the chromium(o) complex, the product of an oxidation by cerium(IV) or air was a bis(2,2'-bipyridine) chromium(III) complex from which one mole of 2,2'-bipyridine could be extracted. However, the polarographic and coulometric behaviour of the chromium(III) products from the two treatments differed considerably.
Analysis of child and adult behavioral variations by phase of medical procedure

This study examined the behavioral variations of pediatric oncology patients, their parents, and the medical staff across phases of medical procedures. Child coping and distress behaviors, as well as the behaviors of the adults, were considered. Results indicated differences in both level and type of child distress, with distress peaking during the bone marrow aspiration. During the early phases, more anticipatory distress was observed, while later the distress was more demonstrative. The type, but not the level, of child coping varied by phase. During the early, nonpainful phases, more verbal coping (nonprocedural talk and humor by the child) was used, whereas during the later painful phases, there was more audible deep breathing. Certain adult behaviors were shown to be highly correlated with phase-specific coping by the child, whereas other adult behaviors were highly correlated with child distress throughout the procedure.
Water Quality Planning for the Delaware Estuary - AN Example

: The Delaware Estuary has been intensively studied but the planning for water quality control is very unsatisfactory, including the most recent interagency plan. Earlier planning by the FWPCA and the Delaware River Basin Commission was better; but this planning appears to have been halted and perhaps superseded by the provisions of PL 92–500. The Tocks Island reservoir planned to maintain minimum flows may never be built on account of environmental objections; but the consequences of such a decision are not being faced. Meanwhile recent research indicates that urban runoff will be a major influence possibly adding a load of as much as 500,000 lbs. of BOD in a single storm. Unit costs of treating urban runoff pollution are very high, due to its extreme variability. Artificial aeration or oxygenation may provide a more economical means of improving the dissolved oxygen regimen, as compared to primary treatment of urban runoff, or tertiary treatment of effluents. In any event planning on a regional basis is desirable in the Delaware and elsewhere, and Pl 92–500 may need to be changed to facilitate it.
Neurologic Manifestations of HIV Infection Without AIDS:Follow-UP of a Cohort of Homosexual and Bisexual Men.

To identify neurological abnormalities in HIV infection, 159 HIV-seropositive men without AIDS and 76 seronegative controls underwent standardized general and neurological examinations, lumbar puncture (LP), neuropsychological (NP) assessment, and brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. History, physical, and laboratory evaluations were repeated every six months. NP tests (all subjects) and MR imaging (seropositives only) was repeated every 6-12 months; LP (seropositives only) was repeated yearly. Mean follow-up was 24.6 months. Neurological abnormalities, most related to hearing, were seen in 60 (38.2%) of 157 seropositives and 23 (30.3%) of 76 controls at baseline (p = NS). During follow-up, 43 (31.6%) of 136 seropositives had persistent hearing abnormalities compared to 9 (14.1%) of 64 seronegatives (p = 0.008). Seven HIV-seropositives developed peripheral neuropathy; this was more common among those with hearing abnormalities (p = 0.03). HIV-seropositives performed less well on NP tests than controls, ...
Dfam: a database of repetitive DNA based on profile hidden Markov models

We present a database of repetitive DNA elements, called Dfam (http://dfam.janelia.org). Many genomes contain a large fraction of repetitive DNA, much of which is made up of remnants of transposable elements (TEs). Accurate annotation of TEs enables research into their biology and can shed light on the evolutionary processes that shape genomes. Identification and masking of TEs can also greatly simplify many downstream genome annotation and sequence analysis tasks. The commonly used TE annotation tools RepeatMasker and Censor depend on sequence homology search tools such as cross_match and BLAST variants, as well as Repbase, a collection of known TE families each represented by a single consensus sequence. Dfam contains entries corresponding to all Repbase TE entries for which instances have been found in the human genome. Each Dfam entry is represented by a profile hidden Markov model, built from alignments generated using RepeatMasker and Repbase. When used in conjunction with the hidden Markov model search tool nhmmer, Dfam produces a 2.9% increase in coverage over consensus sequence search methods on a large human benchmark, while maintaining low false discovery rates, and coverage of the full human genome is 54.5%. The website provides a collection of tools and data views to support improved TE curation and annotation efforts. Dfam is also available for download in flat file format or in the form of MySQL table dumps.
On using the linear-quadratic model in daily clinical practice.

Abstract To facilitate its use in the clinic, Barendsen's formulation of the Linear-Quadratic (LQ) model is modified by expressing isoeffect doses in terms of the "Standard Effective Dose," D 5 , the isoeffective dose for the "standard" fractionation schedule of 2 Gy fractions given once per day, 5 days per week. For any arbitrary fractionation schedule, where total dose D is given in N fractions of size d in a total time T, the corresponding "Standard Effective Dose," D 5 , will be proportional to the total dose D and the proportionality constant will be called the "Standard Relative Effectiveness," SRE, to distinguish it from Barendsen's "Relative Effectiveness," RE. Thus, D s = SRE · D. The constant SRE depends on the parameters of the fractionation schedule, and on the tumor or normal tissue being irradiated. For the "simple" LQ model with no time dependence, which is applicable to late reacting tissue SRE=[ (d + δ)/(2 + δ) ], where d is the fraction size and δ = α/β is the α / β ratio for the tissue of interest, with both d and δ expressed in units of Gy. Application of this method to the Linear Quadratic model with a time dependence, the "LQ + time" model, and to low dose rate brachytherapy will be discussed. To clarify the method of calculation, and to demonstate its simplicity, examples from the clinical literature will be used.
Solution to One-Dimensional Schrödinger Equation for an Arbitrary Potential; Application to Radial Equation in Three Dimensions

The work of Reading and Sigel on the solution of the one-dimensional Schr\"odinger equation for a particle moving in the presence of a collection of $\ensuremath{\delta}$-function potentials of arbitrary strength and position is generalized so that any arbitrary potential $V(x)$ can be handled. A close connection is shown to exist between the methods described in this note and those, involving Jost functions, which have been developed for handling the radial Schr\"odinger equation in three dimensions.
The Relation of Nutritional Levels to the Growth of Populations of Tribolium Confusum Duval I. Growth of Larval, Pupal, and Adult Populations in Cornmeal and in Cornmeal Supplemented with Yeast

The flour beetle, Tribolium confusum , has been extensively used in studies on population growth. Chapman (1928) studied the population growth of this insect in different sized environments of whole wheat flour and found that after a period of about 110 days all the populations reached an equilibrium which he considered to be the result of the relationship between the capacity of the species to reproduce and the resistance of the environment.
Pathological distribution of positive lymph nodes in patients with clinically and radiologically N0 oropharyngeal carcinoma: implications for IMRT treatment planning.

Background We identified involved lymph node groups in patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma and radiologically N0 disease, aiming to define the clinical target volume, and to assess the negative predictive value of CT neck and correlate it to the tumor site, stage, and grade. Methods and materials Between 1988 and 2000, we evaluated 53 patients who satisfied all of the following criteria: 1) oropharyngeal carcinoma diagnosis; 2) NO stage based on CT; 3) no prior treatment; and 4) primary surgical resection including ipsi-lateral neck dissection. The pathology reports were reviewed to identify the exact site of lymph node involvement. Results Twenty patients (37.7%) were found to have pathologically positive lymph nodes, yielding a negative predictive value of 62.3% for CT neck. Node levels II, III, and IV were the most commonly involved (26%, 17%, and 11% of all patients, respectively). Fifty percent of patients with T3 and T4 tumors had positive lymph nodes versus 20% of patients with T1 and T2 (P = 0.036). Tumor grade and site were insignificant (P > 0.05). Discussion Ipsilateral neck levels II-IV should be included during elective nodal irradiation in patients with N0-stage oropharyngeal carcinoma, regardless of the primary tumor site, stage, and grade.
Retinal nerve fiber layer evaluation in multiple sclerosis with spectral domain optical coherence tomography

Purpose: Histopathologic studies have reported retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning in various neurodegenerative diseases. Attempts to quantify this loss in vivo have relied on time-domain optical coherence tomography (TDOCT), which has low resolution and requires substantial interpolation of data for volume measurements. We hypothesized that the significantly higher resolution of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) would better detect RNFL changes in patients with multiple sclerosis, and that RNFL thickness differences between eyes with and without optic neuritis might be identified more accurately.
Resolution of an ancient spectroscopic puzzle: The D → X spectrum of I2

The D → X emission from low-υ levels of the D state is discerned in the region λ < 3280 A of the emission spectrum of I2 in Ar. Analysis of 47 bands spanning υ = 0–3 yields the constants (in cm−1), Te = 41027.3 (5) ωe = 95.0 (3), and ωexe ≈ 0.16.
Trying to explain scale loss mortality: A continuing puzzle

Abstract Beginning in the 1920s, Homer Smith and co‐workers described kidney functions in marine fish. He also described fluid loss via the kidney (diuresis) associated with scale loss, which usually killed fish in 24 h or less. Pacific salmon also experienced diuresis following stress, but only for an hour or two, and rarely died. Marine juvenile salmonids died following loss of >30% of their scales. Death followed a period of increasing lethargy, decreased circulatory output, and decreased weight and length. At death, the fish were limp (flaccid paralysis) and rigor mortis was delayed. Immersion of descaled fish in freshwater or dilute seawater or infusion of physiological saline had little effect. Measurements of plasma ions in descaled fish provided only a few clues as to the cause of death. Early experiments suggested that increased plasma magnesium ion levels may explain the lethargy and flaccid paralysis, but later experiments did not support this hypothesis. Loss of sufficient body fluids to accou...
Using Block Copolymer Micellar Thin Films as Templates for the Production of Catalysts for Carbon Nanotube Growth

We report a novel approach that uses block copolymer micelles as a means to create large area arrays of iron-containing nanoclusters capable of catalyzing the growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The amphiphilic block copolymer poly(styrene-block-acrylic acid) (PS-b-PAA) forms micelles in solution which are capable of self-organizing into ordered structures on surfaces. By spin-coating these solutions onto a variety of substrates, we can create quasi-hexagonal arrays of PAA spheres within a PS matrix. The carboxylic acids groups in the PAA domains can be utilized in an ion-exchange protocol to selectively sequester iron ions, which results in iron-containing nanoclusters that are nearly monodisperse in size (diameter ∼8 nm) and patterned at a density of approximately 1011 particles per cm2. In principle, this route for synthesizing iron-containing nanoclusters offers the capability of controlling the cluster size and spacing by altering the molecular weight of the block copolymer. In this report, we demonst...
Instructed pragmatics at a glance: Where instructional studies were, are, and should be going

This paper brings together the research and developments of instructed pragmatics over the past three decades by reporting the synthesis findings of instructional intervention studies in interlanguage pragmatics. Two questions have guided this investigation: (1) is instruction effective in learning pragmatics?; and (2) what methods are most effective in learning pragmatics? Exhaustive electronic bibliographical searches yielded a body of 58 instructional intervention studies for the review. Findings across these studies are compared and explored for common patterns and inconsistencies that emerge among them. The paper concludes with implications for future research based on the survey of the existing practice.
The Relative Importance of Health

This article seeks to extend Michalos’ [Social indicators research and health-related quality of life (QoL) research. Social Indicators Research, 65, 27–72, 2004] discussion on bridging social indicators research and health-related QoL (HRQoL) research through an examination of (1) the relative importance of satisfaction with one’s own health to another common measure of QoL—Life satisfaction, and (2) the relative importance of health in relation to other major life domains. Using data from two surveys, this article found that individuals may perceive health as most important in relation to other major life domains but satisfaction with one’s own health may not necessarily be the most important determining factor (in relation to satisfaction with other major life domains) of QoL as measured by life satisfaction. These findings support Michalos’ (Social indicators research and HRQoL research. Social Indicators Research, 65, 27–72, 2004) call for caution regarding the interpretation of research results on HRQoL since many HRQoL measures are measures of satisfaction with one’s own health and should not be considered as measures of QoL.
In situ transmission electron microscopy studies of electric-field-induced phenomena in ferroelectrics

High electric fields were delivered to specimens during imaging in the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) chamber to reveal details of electric field-induced phenomena in ferroelectric oxides. These include the polarization switching in nanometer-sized ferroelectric domains and the grain boundary cavitation in a commercial lead zirconate titanate (PZT) polycrystalline ceramic, the domain wall fracture in a Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 single crystal, and the transformation of incommensurate modulations in Pb0.99Nb0.02[(Zr1−xSnx)1−yTiy]0.98O3 (PZST100x/100y/2) polycrystalline ceramics. In the PZT ceramic, a cavitation process was uncovered for the electric field-induced intergranular fracture. In the ferroelectric single crystal, a preexisting crack was observed to deflect and to follow a 90° domain wall, indicating the presence of severe incompatible piezoelectric strains at thedomain wall. In the antiferroelectric PZST ceramics, the electric field-induced antiferroelectric-to-ferroelectric phase transformation was accompanied with the disappearance of incommensurate modulations.
An Early Abdominal Wall Ectopic Pregnancy Successfully Treated with Ultrasound Guided Intralesional Methotrexate: A Case Report

Background. The upper anterior abdominal wall is a very unusual location for an ectopic pregnancy making optimal management uncertain. Case. We report the case of a 26-year-old gravida 4, para 1, aborta 2 with a rising quantitative human chorionic gonadotropin level following a negative diagnostic laparoscopic examination. She was subsequently diagnosed with an abdominal wall ectopic pregnancy 2 cm inferior to the liver. A single percutaneous intralesional injection of methotrexate was successful after initial failure with systemic methotrexate. Conclusion. Systemic methotrexate is a logical first choice for management of a stable early abdominal wall pregnancy. Direct intralesional injection of methotrexate as the next treatment choice may avoid the morbidity linked with operative management.
Lysinoalanine formation in alkali-treated proteins and model peptides

Abstract Lysinoalanine formation in lactalbumin, casein and soya protein was studied as a function of pH, temperature and time. Formation was very rapid at elevated temperature and pH. At 90°C and pH 12 or 10, lysinoalanine levels in excess of those previously reported to cause nephrocytomegaly in rats were observed after only a few minutes of treatment. No detectable lysinoalanine was formed at slightly acidic pH values. Under very severe treatment conditions (pH 12, 90°C), lysinoalanine was formed very rapidly but was apparently destroyed upon further exposure. Lysinoalanine formation in a solution of polylysine with polyserine demonstrated both that unsubstituted serine served as a precursor to lysinoalanine formation and that significant interpeptide crosslink formation occurred under the conditions studied. Studies with model proteins and peptides supported the idea that cystine residues were the primary precursors of the lysinoalanine crosslink under moderately alkaline conditions, but that serine became a more important contributor as the severity of the alkaline treatment increased.
Nationalism and feminism: The Seccion Femenina of the Falange

The categories of nationalism and feminism are a particularly interesting combination for approaching the topic of the Women’s Section of the Spanish Falange. It was in their way of interpreting their own nationalism that members of the Secci6n Femenina defined their role as women. That is, their role as Falangist women. The Secci6n Femenina, or Women’s Section, was founded as a small auxiliary-a year after the founding of the Falangist party-in 1934. With the outbreak of the civil war in Spain it expanded as a service organisation, and its adherents numbered more than half a million by the war’s end in 1939. Its membership far surpassed the male membership of the Falange, and its founder, Pilar Primo de Rivera, long survived her brother, Josh: Antonio, the founder of the Falange. Nevertheless, Pilar remained absolutely loyal to the ideology and principles of Jo& Antonio and the Seccibn Femenina, laboring for nearly half a century to realise his project for the Falange. It is in analysing the concept that these women held of themselves and their Falangist mission that the categories of nationalism and feminism are most productive. The Falange exhibited those traits characteristic of fascist or protofascist parties of the 30s: hero worship of a charismatic leader, a call for a corporate state to replace parliamentary democracy, martial values and uniformed paramilitary units, the raised fist salute and a clear strain of misogyny. Reminiscent of Mussolini’s blueprint for society, Falangism called for the reconstruction of Spain. The family, the municipality and the syndicate would be the building blocks of a revolutionary organic society-one with imperial aims. The Falange called for a revolution, but one that would revive Spanish traditional values. It is its particular emphasis on Catholicism that most distinguishes the Falange. Like Italian fascists, Falangists looked back to an imperial past. But Spain’s era of greatness was also its most Catholic. ‘The most important glories of Spain are united always with the glories of the Church, and our culture and our expansion has always had a Catholic orientation”, goes an official Secci6n Femenina account. In order to recover that impetus, that will-to-empire, it was first necessary to reestablish traditional Catholic values. The anarchy of the Second Republic had revealed the bankruptcy of Modernism and its offshoots: liberalism, materialism, communism, atheism-and feminism. Catholicism was thus essential to the Falangist program. Number 25 of the doctrinal principles of the party mandated the incorporation of Catholicism into the ‘national reconstruction’ because of its ‘glorious tradition’ and its ‘predominance’ in Spain.2 Reestablishing Catholic values and the Catholic spirit would reorient
Colesevelam and colestipol: novel medication resins in the gastrointestinal tract.

We report the morphologic description of the bile acid sequestrants (BAS) colesevelam and colestipol, as well as the largest series of cholestyramine. Histologically similar medication resins from 4 institutions were prospectively collected over 1 year (26 specimens, 15 patients). Comorbidities included hyperlipidemia (4/15), hypertension (4/15), inflammatory bowel disease (4/15), coronary artery disease (3/15), diarrhea (7/15), hypothyroidism (2/15), and ischemic bowel (1/15). Sites of involvement included the esophagus (1/26), stomach (1/26), small intestine (1/26), ileocecal valve (1/26), and colorectum (22/26). Associated histologic diagnoses included normal (8/26), chronic mucosal injury (11/26), acute inflammation (9/26), erosion/ulceration (6/26), and cytomegalovirus (2/26). The BAS resins were histologically indistinguishable from each other; they were all eosinophilic on hematoxylin and eosin (HE the processed medications were identical to those in the patient specimens. Rare, irregular "fracture" lines presented diagnostic pitfalls by mimicking the true "fish-scales" of Kayexalate and sevelamer. Clues to the correct identification of BAS include recognition that the "fracture" lines were subtle, irregular, and restricted to large fragments or thick sections, likely representing a processing artifact. Moreover, Kayexalate is violet on H&E and black on acid fast bacillus, and sevelamer characteristically displays a 2-tone color on H&E and is magenta on acid fast bacillus. An association with inflammatory injury was seen (15/26). We believe that the BAS are innocent bystanders in complicated patients, although we cannot exclude their ability to cause mucosal injury in specific settings.
Early Mars hydrology: 2. Hydrological evolution in the Noachian and Hesperian epochs

[1] Mars was warmer and wetter during the early to middle Noachian, before a hydrologic and climatic transition in the late Noachian led to a decrease in erosion rates, a change in valley network morphology, and a geochemical shift from phyllosilicate to sulfate formation that culminated in the formation of widespread sulfate-rich sedimentary deposits in Meridiani Planum and the surrounding Arabia Terra region. This secular evolution was overprinted by episodic and periodic variability, as recorded in the fluvial record, sedimentary layering, and erosional discontinuities. We investigate the temporal evolution of Martian groundwater hydrology during the Noachian and early Hesperian epochs using global-scale hydrological models. The results suggest that the more active hydrological cycle in the Noachian was a result of a greater total water inventory, causing a saturated near-surface and high precipitation rates. The late Noachian hydrologic, climatic, and geochemical transition can be explained by a fundamental shift in the hydrological regime driven by a net loss of water due to impact and solar wind erosion of the atmosphere. Following this transition, the water table retreated deep beneath the surface, except in isolated regions of focused groundwater upwelling and evaporation, producing the playa evaporites in Meridiani Planum and Arabia Terra. This long-term evolution was modulated by shorter-term climate forcing in the form of periodic and chaotic variations in the orbital parameters of Mars, resulting in changes in the volume of water sequestered in the polar caps and cryosphere. This shorter-term forcing can explain the observed periodic and bundled sedimentary layering, erosional unconformities, and evidence for a fluctuating water table at Meridiani Planum.
Potential Contribution of Aromatase Inhibition to the Effects of Nicotine and Related Compounds on the Brain

Cigarette smoking continues to be a major public health problem, and while smoking rates in men have shown some decrease over the last few decades, smoking rates among girls and young women are increasing. Practically all of the important aspects of cigarette smoking are sexually dimorphic. Women become addicted more easily than men, while finding it harder to quit. Nicotine replacement appears to be less effective in women. This may be linked to the observation that women are more sensitive than men to non-nicotine cues or ingredients in cigarettes. The reasons for these sex differences are mostly unknown. Several lines of evidence suggest that many of the reported sex differences related to cigarette smoking may stem from the inhibitory effects of nicotine and other tobacco alkaloids on estrogen synthesis via the enzyme aromatase (cyp19a gene product). Aromatase is the last enzyme in estrogen biosynthesis, catalyzing the conversion of androgens to estrogens. This review provides a summary of experimental evidence supporting brain aromatase as a potential mediator and/or modulator of nicotine actions in the brain, contributing to sex differences in smoking behavior. Additional research on the interaction between tobacco smoke, nicotine and aromatase may help devise new, sex specific methods for prevention and treatment of smoking addiction.
Suppression of gastric acid secretion by intravenous administration of famotidine in children

This study was designed to establish appropriate dosing requirements for intravenous use of famotidine, a new H 2 -receptor antagonist, in pediatric patients. Eighteen children, 2 to 69 months of age (mean ±SD: 31±23 months), were treated with intravenously administered famotidine to prevent bleeding of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Continuous intragastric pH monitoring was carried out to ascertain the effectiveness of various intravenous doses. An initial dose of 0.4 mg/kg was given and repeated only after the intragastric pH had dropped to 4.0 for ≥6 hours. Sixteen patients achieved an intragastric pH≥4.0 for ≥6 hours, 13 with a dose of 0.4 mg/kg, and three with a dose of 0.8 mg/kg. The mean duration of continuous pH>4.0 per dose was 9.0±7.5 hours. Ten patients recelved two or more intravenous doses of famotidine; the mean duration of pH>4.0 after the second dose was less than that after the first (14.9±8.0 hours vs 6.9±3.2 hours, p 4.0 for approximately 9 hours in most children. Prolonged intravenous use of famotidine rapidly leads to a decreased duration of efficacy, necessitating intragastric pH monitoring to assess the effectiveness of treatment.
The outcome of paediatric LCP hip plate use in children with and without neuromuscular disease

The relatively new paediatric LCP hip plate (Synthes GmBH Eimattstrasse 3 CH-4436 Oberdorff) is used in children, both with and without neuromuscular disease, for fixation of proximal femoral osteotomy for a variety of indications. We retrospectively reviewed the notes and radiographs of all those children who have had paediatric LCP device for the fixation of proximal femoral osteotomy and proximal femur fractures in our institution (Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital), between October 2007 and July 2010, for their clinical progress, mobilization status, radiological healing and any complications. Forty-three paediatric LCP hip plates were used in 40 patients (27 males and 13 females) for the fixation of 40 proximal femoral osteotomies and three proximal femur fractures. This included 13 children with underlying neuromuscular pathology and 27 children without neuromuscular disease. All osteotomies and fractures radiologically healed within 6 months [majority (n = 40) within 3 months]. There was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.45) in the neck shaft angle between the immediately post-operative and final X-rays after completion of bone healing. There were no implant-related complications both in patients with and without neuromuscular disease. No metalwork loosening was observed and no plate revisions were required. Three post-operative fractures occurred in patients with neuromuscular pathology treated with post-operative plaster immobilisation. The paediatric LCP hip plate provides a stable and reliable fixation of the proximal femoral osteotomy performed for a variety of paediatric orthopaedic conditions.
Mentor or manager: what is the difference? A case study in supervisory mentoring

Provides a case study of two supervisory mentoring relationships based on personal interviews with Shelia Dillon, senior vice‐president and division head of the corporate security and compliance division of First Union Corporation, and two of her subordinates. Outlines their mentoring relationships through the experiences of the three participants. Addresses how their mentoring relationships evolved, the career and psycho‐social development opportunities offered to the proteges, the participants’ perception of the difference between a supervisory mentoring relationship and a typical employee/ manager relationship, the perception of how gender influences the mentoring process, and the advantages and disadvantages of a mentoring relationship.
Conductance of single alkanedithiols: conduction mechanism and effect of molecule-electrode contacts.

The conductance of single alkanedithiols covalently bound to gold electrodes has been studied by statistical analysis of repeatedly created molecular junctions. For each molecule, the conductance histogram reveals two sets of well-defined peaks, corresponding to two different conductance values. We have found that (1) both conductance values decrease exponentially with the molecular length with an identical decay constant, β ≈ 0.84 A-1, but with a factor of 5 difference in the prefactor of the exponential function. (2) The current−voltage curves of the two sets can be fit with the Simmons tunneling model. (3) Both conductance values are independent of temperature (between −5 and 60 °C) and the solvent. (4) Despite the difference in the conductance, the forces required to break the molecular junctions are the same, 1.5 nN. These observations lead us to believe that the conduction mechanism in alkanedithiols is due to electron tunneling or superexchange via the bonds along the molecules, and the two sets of...
Development of Multisurface Caries in Susceptible and Resistant Rats

Sublines of Hunt-Hoppert caries-susceptible rats showed higher sulcal and smooth surface caries scores than Hunt-Hoppert caries-resistant rats when exposed to microflora obtained from Osborne-Mendel rats and fed a high sucrose diet.
Multiplexed DNA-Modified Electrodes

We report the use of silicon chips with 16 DNA-modified electrodes (DME chips) utilizing DNA-mediated charge transport for multiplexed detection of DNA and DNA-binding protein targets. Four DNA sequences were simultaneously distinguished on a single DME chip with 4-fold redundancy, including one incorporating a single base mismatch. These chips also enabled investigation of the sequence-specific activity of the restriction enzyme Alu1. DME chips supported dense DNA monolayer formation with high reproducibility, as confirmed by statistical comparison to commercially available rod electrodes. The working electrode areas on the chips were reduced to 10 μm in diameter, revealing microelectrode behavior that is beneficial for high sensitivity and rapid kinetic analysis. These results illustrate how DME chips facilitate sensitive and selective detection of DNA and DNA-binding protein targets in a robust and internally standardized multiplexed format.
Clinical investigation: Utility of left ventricular end diastolic diameter in the prediction of susceptibility to ventricular tachyarrhythmias

Abstract Background Prior studies have shown the utility of using both QRS duration and QT dispersion (QTd) as predictors of risk for ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VA). Lengthening of the QRS duration represents dyssynchrony of regional myocardial wall contraction, and increased QTd similarly represents variations in myocardial repolarization. We sought to examine the left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD) as a predictor of VA susceptibility. Methods Eighty-eight patients referred for electrophysiologic (EP) studies were evaluated. EP testing was performed using a standard protocol of up to three extrastimuli. QTd and QRS duration analyses were performed in a blinded manner. Values were defined as abnormal if QRS duration>120 ms, QTd>60 ms, and LVEDD>6 cm. Results Of 88 patients (65 males; 23 females; mean age 67±15 years), 33 were inducible by EP testing. Patients with either increased QRS duration or QTd are shown to be at greater risk for VA inducibility. LVEDD is a strong predictor of inducibility for VA ( p p p Conclusion The LVEDD is an echocardiographic value that strongly predicts VA inducibility, and when combined with QRS duration and QTd, identifies patients at higher risk for these tachyarrhythmias.
Ion-based SAFT2 to represent aqueous multiple-salt solutions at ambient and elevated temperatures and pressures

Ion-based SAFT2 is extended to the properties of aqueous multiple-salt solutions at ambient and elevated temperatures and pressures. The short-range interactions between two different cations are allowed to obtain better representations of the solution properties. The adjustable parameter used in the mixing rule for the segment energy is fitted to the experimental osmotic coefficients of two-salt solutions containing one common anion at various temperatures and low pressures. The predictions of the osmotic coefficients, densities, and activity coefficients of multiple-salt solutions including brine/seawater are found to agree with experimental data.