cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors Associated with the Adoption and Closure of Hospital Palliative Care Programs in the United States

Background: In the United States, the percentage of hospitals over 50 beds with palliative care programs has risen substantially from 7% of hospitals in 2001 to 72% in 2017. Yet the dynamic nature of program adoption and closure over time is not known. Objective: To examine the rate of palliative care program adoption and closure and associated hospital and geographic characteristics in a national sample of U.S. hospitals. Design: Adoption and closure rates were calculated for 3696 U.S. hospitals between 2009 and 2017. We used multivariable logistic regression models to examine the association between adoption and closure status and hospital, geographic, and community characteristics. Setting/Subjects: All nonfederal general medical and surgical, cancer, heart, and obstetric or gynecological hospitals, of all sizes, in the United States in operation in both 2009 and 2017. Results: By 2017, 34.9% (812/2327) of the hospitals without palliative care in 2009 had adopted palliative care programs, and 15.0% (205/1369) of the hospitals with programs had closed them. In multivariable models, hospitals in metropolitan areas, nonprofit and public hospitals (compared to for-profit hospitals), and those with residency training approval by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education were significantly more likely to adopt and significantly less likely to close palliative care programs during the study period. Conclusions: This study indicates that palliative care is not equitably adopted nor sustained by hospitals in the United States. Federal and state interventions may be required to ensure that high-quality care is available to our nation's sickest patients.
Social contact and speech act strategies in a Chinese study abroad context

Abstract This study examined the relationship between reported amounts of social contact and speech act strategies among 70 learners of Chinese enrolled in a study abroad program in Beijing. The participants completed a computer-delivered spoken discourse completion task (spoken DCT) eliciting three speech acts: requests, refusals, and compliment responses. Speech act strategies were compared between two groups of learners who reported different amounts of social contact (high and low social contact) as assessed via a self-report survey. Results showed that both high and low social contact groups favored using similar strategies to achieve the three speech acts. However, the high social contact group produced speech acts in a more sophisticated way: with a wider variety of request strategies, multiple refusal strategies used in combination and more deflecting strategies in compliment responses, compared with the low social contact group. The findings suggest that social contact helped learners expand their pragmalinguistic repertoire and employ more varied speech act strategies.
Accuracy of cold sensibility testing on teeth with full‐coverage restorations: a clinical study

Aim This clinical study evaluated the reliability of the 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (Endo Ice) cold test to determine the pulpal diagnosis of teeth with full-coverage restorations (FCR). The effect of several variables on its reliability was also investigated. Methodology Data collected from 825 patients treated in the Advanced Education Program in Endodontics at the University of Iowa, USA were analysed. The experimental group included 425 teeth with FCR, whilst the control group consisted of 400 teeth with natural crowns (NC). The pulp sensibility test results, tooth type, tooth number, type of crown, age, gender, presence or absence of caries and recent use of analgesics were recorded. Bivariate analyses were performed to assess the variables associated with the accuracy of dental pulp sensibility tests for either teeth with crowns or teeth without crowns using chi-square tests, Fisher's exact tests, Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel tests, and the Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. A P-value of less than 0.05 was used as a criterion for statistical significance, and a P-value in 0.05 Results The sensibility test results for FCR teeth had an accuracy of 0.866; sensitivity of 0.835; specificity of 0.879; a positive predictive value of 0.746; and a negative predictive value of 0.926. The data indicated a significant difference in the accuracy of pulp sensibility test results between the experimental and control groups (P 0.05). Conclusion Pulp sensibility cold testing with 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (TFE) on teeth with FCR was less accurate than on teeth without full-coverage crowns. However, the use of TFE cold testing is still a relevant and reliable diagnostic tool, particularly for teeth with a pulpal diagnosis of symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. Clinicians should routinely carry out cold pulp sensibility testing on teeth when making a pulpal diagnosis.
Risk Reduction and Perioperative Complications in Patients With Diabetes and Multiple Medical Comorbidities Undergoing Charcot Foot Reconstruction.

Background:Modern patient safety programs focus on medical optimization of patients prior to surgery, regional anesthesia when possible, and hospitalist-orthopedic co-management during the perioper...
Use of digital health tools for health promotion in cancer survivors.

Objective Although digital health tools (DHTs) are a promising alternative and effective strategy to deliver cancer care and support, their role in health promotion among cancer survivors remains relatively unexplored. We aimed to investigate the acceptability and impact of DHT for health promotion in cancer survivors. Methods Data was pooled from cycle three of the fifth edition of the Health Information National Trends Survey. Logistic regressions were conducted to evaluate differences between cancer survivors and the general population regarding ownership, usage, and perceived usefulness of DHT for health management. Regression models were used to identify sociodemographic predictors of DHT usage among cancer survivors. Results Overall, cancer survivors were as likely as the general population to own and use DHT (e.g., health apps, wearable devices) for their care and they were likely to find these tools beneficial in tracking their health and communicating with healthcare providers. Cancer survivors who had health applications installed on their mobile device were more likely to meet national recommendations for diet (fruit and vegetable consumption) and strength training than those without health apps. Age, income, and education level were significant sociodemographic predictors of DHT ownership and usage. Conclusion Cancer survivors own and use DHT at similarly high rates to the general population, highlighting the potential for utilizing DHT to expand access and continuity of care in the growing and vulnerable oncology population. With increasing use of DHT in healthcare, future research that targets digital access disparities in cancer survivors from low SES is essential.
Durable Left Ventricular Assist Device Outflow Graft Obstructions: Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes

Purpose Despite significant improvements in survival with continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), outflow graft obstruction remains a rare, but serious complication. We report the clinical course and management of patients supported with LVADs who were diagnosed with outflow graft obstruction at a large academic center. Methods We performed a retrospective review of patients receiving LVAD support from January 2012 through September 2020. Patients who developed outflow graft obstruction diagnosed by computed tomography angiography (CTA) or angiogram were identified, and patient characteristics and outcomes were reported. Results Of 324 patients supported by LVAD at our institution between January 2012 and February 2020, 10 patients (3.2%) were diagnosed with outflow graft obstruction. The most common presentation was low flow alarms, which was present in 8/10 patients. The other two patients had lightheadedness and/or dyspnea. Patients had minimal LDH elevation with 7/10 presenting with less than 2-fold the upper limit of normal. Transthoracic echocardiograms were not diagnostic, but CTA enabled non-invasive diagnoses in 8/10 of the patients. Three patients were treated with endovascular stent placement, while one received heart transplant, one had an increase in INR goal, and one had an LVAD outflow revision; all of whom are still living. Three patients were treated with supportive care with two expiring away shortly after. The last patient was treated with tPA and also expired. Conclusion Outflow graft obstructions remain a rare, but serious complication. The true prevalence of this entity is likely underestimated due to the non-specific clinical presentation and the fact that CTA is not a part of routine standard of care.
Calcifying nested stromal-epithelial tumor: a clinicopathologic and molecular genetic study of eight cases highlighting metastatic potential and recurrent CTNNB1 and TERT promoter alterations.

Calcifying nested stromal–epithelial tumor (CNSET) is a rare hepatic tumor that occurs in children and young adults. With <40 cases in the literature, the mechanism for tumorigenesis and the biological behavior of CNSET remain uncertain. Here, we studied the clinicopathologic and molecular genetic features of eight CNSETs. Six patients (75%) were female, and the median age at presentation was 22.5 years (range 14–34 years). The median tumor size was 14 cm (range 2.7–18 cm). All tumors had fibrous stroma that contained organoid nests of epithelioid to spindled tumor cells with moderate amounts of palely eosinophilic cytoplasm and ovoid, vesicular nuclei. Five tumors showed calcifications, and one showed lymphovascular invasion. Necrosis was absent in all. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated nuclear β-catenin expression in five of five tested tumors and focal to diffuse nuclear WT-1 positivity in five of seven. Hepatocellular markers (HepPar-1, arginase-1, and albumin in situ hybridization) and neuroendocrine markers (synaptophysin, chromogranin, and INSM1) were uniformly negative. Next-generation sequencing demonstrated CTNNB1 alterations in all seven sequenced tumors. Sanger sequencing demonstrated TERT promoter mutations in all six sequenced tumors. Clinical follow-up was available for seven patients (median duration 4.4 years; range 1.2–6.2 years): four (57%) developed metastatic disease; all four developed lung metastases; and two also had abdominal metastases. All four patients with metastatic disease also had persistent or recurrent liver tumors. Three patients with metastases were alive with disease at the most recent follow-up and one died of disease. The other three patients with available follow-up did not develop metastasis or recurrence. One tumor treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy showed no response, and another showed 90% tumor fibrosis; the latter patient remained disease-free at 6.2 years of follow-up. Our series demonstrates the presence of TERT promoter mutations and CTNNB1 alterations in all sequenced tumors and suggests that CNSET might perhaps be more aggressive than previously reported.
Hysteresis in Combinatorial Optimization Problems

Hysteresis is a physical phenomenon reflected in macroscopic observables of materials that are subjected to external perturbations. For example, magnetic hysteresis is observed in ferromagnetic metals such as iron, nickel and cobalt in the presence of a changing external magnetic field. In this paper, we model hysteresis using combinatorial models of microscopic spin interactions, for which we invoke the top K solution framework for Ising models and their generalizations, called Weighted Constraint Satisfaction Problems (WCSPs). We show that the WCSP model with a simple "memory effect" can be used to understand hysteresis combinatorially and from the perspective of statistical mechanics. Compared to the basic Ising model, the WCSP framework allows accurate simulations of long-range and k-body interactions between the spins; and compared to other simulation frameworks, such as Monte Carlo methods, our WCSP framework has the advantage of using a principled statistical mechanics perspective. Our WCSP framework also allows us to understand hysteresis more generally in combinatorial optimization problems, with or without a connection to physically occurring phenomena.
Detection of Message Injection Attacks Onto the CAN Bus Using Similarities of Successive Messages-Sequence Graphs

The smart features of modern cars are enabled by a number of Electronic Control Units (ECUs) components that communicate through an in-vehicle network, known as Controller Area Network (CAN) bus. The fundamental challenge is the security of the communication link where an attacker can inject messages (e.g., increase the speed) that may impact the safety of the driver. Most of existing practical IDS solutions rely on the knowledge of the identity of the ECUs, which is proprietary information. This paper proposes a message injection attack detection solution that is independent of the IDs of the ECUs. First, we represent the sequencing of the messages in a given time-interval as a direct graph and compute the similarities of the successive graphs using the cosine similarity and Pearson correlation. Then, we apply threshold, change point detection, and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM)-Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) to detect and predict malicious message injections into the CAN bus. The evaluation of the methods using a dataset collected from a moving vehicle under malicious RPM and speed reading message injections show a detection accuracy of 97.32% and detection speed of 2.5 milliseconds when using a threshold method. The performance metrics makes the IDS suitable for real-time control mechanisms for vehicle resiliency to cyber-attacks.
Using March CPS data to analyze labor market transitions

Previous research has used short, 2-year panels constructed from matched CPS files to examine a number of topics. This paper shows how researchers can examine labor market transitions using March CPS data without matching, demonstrates that separation rates from these panels are comparable to those generated using the more traditional approach of comparing two points in time, and describes the adjustments required to ensure that the series are consistent over time. The main advantage to using unmatched data, compared with matched data, is the absence of attrition bias and an unbroken time series dating back to 1976. I provide two examples of how these short panels can be used to address issues that would normally require longitudinal data.
Chapter 6 – Prostate Cancer with Other Primary Malignancies

Multiple primary malignancies are defined as those tumors that present themselves as distinct primary entities, and are themselves not metastases of the other lesion. Among the secondary tumors that occur with a higher incidence in cancer patients are melanoma, lung cancer, lymphoma, and renal cell carcinoma. One of the main reasons for the increased detection of prostate cancer, either as a primary tumor or as a secondary tumor, has been the use of increased prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing. There may be a small cohort of urologic cancer patients with other primary malignancies because of the increased aging population, increased world-wide incidence of obesity, increased exposure to numerous environmental causative agents, smoking, and certain genetic predispositions, which may be detected because of advanced technology in imaging. Vigilance for these multiple malignancies should rest initially with the primary care doctor. However, the subspecialist should also be on the alert, since it is usually the preoperative work-up that will uncover these additional tumors.
Persistent Regional Changes in Brain Copper, Cuproenzymes and Catecholamines Following Perinatal Copper Deficiency in Mice

Copper levels in the central nervous system are influenced by Cu nutriture during perinatal development. A mouse model of dietary Cu deficiency, initiated during late gestation, was employed to examine putative changes in regional levels of brain Cu, norepinephrine, dopamine and selected enzymes of 4-wk-old female and male offspring. Levels of Cu in six different regions of brain from Cu-deficient (-Cu) mice were reduced 80% or greater compared with levels in Cu-adequate (+Cu) controls. One month following Cu repletion, brain regional Cu levels were only half those measured in +Cu mice. Norepinephrine concentrations were significantly lower in all brain regions of -Cu offspring except the hypothalamus of -Cu female mice. Compared with values in +Cu mice, regional brain dopamine in -Cu mice was markedly elevated in cerebellum and medulla, unchanged in cerebrum and striatum, and elevated variably in hypothalamus and midbrain. Copper repletion normalized alterations in brain norepinephrine and dopamine concentrations. Cytochrome c oxidase activity in brain regions of -Cu mice was 29-53% of that measured in +Cu mice; the drop in midbrain was less than in other regions. Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase activity (Cu,Zn-SOD) in brain regions of -Cu mice was 70-83% of that measured in +Cu mice. Midbrain Cu,Zn-SOD activity was not altered by Cu deficiency. Repletion of -Cu mice reversed brain regional Cu,Zn-SOD activity changes but not cytochrome c oxidase activity changes. These data extend previous observations and suggest that persistent changes to brain may occur following perinatal Cu deficiency. These data also support the hypothesis that there is brain-regional specificity in response to Cu deficiency and repletion.
The benefits of library liaison programs for small libraries: an overview.

Abstract Library liaison programs are commonly used and provide a successful framework for communication in academic libraries. Liaison programs, whereby librarians are formally designated as the primary contact between the library and one or more departmental or administrative units, are proven to improve the transfer of information between the library and users, to improve the quality of collections and services, and to enhance the library's image. Previously published literature on liaison programs is primarily devoted to large-scale liaison programs in academic settings, the market where this model is commonly employed. Small hospital and other smaller libraries are nearly absent in the literature, reflecting the low level of liaison use in the smaller library setting. This article invites hospital and other smaller libraries to explore the liaison model by presenting common liaison goals and activities that are not only pertinent to, but also scalable, adaptable, and adoptable by smaller and larger l...
Vector Coherence Mapping: A Parallelizable Approach to Image Flow Computation

We present a new parallel approach for the computation of an optical flow field from a video image sequence. This approach incorporates the various local smoothness, spatial and temporal coherence constraints transparently by the application of fuzzy image processing techniques. Our Vector Coherence Mapping VCM approach accomplishes this by a weighted voting process in “local vector space,” where the weights provide high level guidance to the local voting process. Our results show that VCM is capable of extracting flow fields for video streams with global dominant fields (e.g. owing to camera pan or translation, moving camera and moving object(s), and multiple moving objects. Our results also show that VCM is able to operate under strong image noise and motion blur, and is not susceptible to boundary oversmoothing.
Insurgency, Political Order, and SNC Wars: ‘Elite-Proximity’ in the Central African Republic

What explains the divergent trajectories of violence and political order in failed states and symmetric non-conventional (SNC) wars? The paper proposes a simple theoretical mechanism, “elite-proximity,” that drives variation in disorder at the sub-state level, and tests the theory empirically against two competing hypotheses using within-country comparative evidence from the Central African Republic (CAR). In contrast to explanations focused on structural factors such as opportunity for insurgent mobilization or ethnic demography, I emphasize the role of pre-existing social and political linkages among group leaders as an important independent variable shaping the capacities, interests, and war-time objectives of armed actors, which in turn affects the types of political order which emerge at the sub-national level. Using the congruence method, I find that the logic of elite-proximity performs better than either opportunity-based or ethnic security dilemma hypotheses for explaining variation in levels of violence and disorder across five sub-national zones of CAR between 1996 and 2009.
Abstract 3481: Genetically-engineered mice as a cell line isolating tool

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA BACKGROUND Isolation of cell lines from patients’ tumors is difficult, due in large part, to contaminating fibroblasts that often overgrow the malignant cells. The same is true of xenografted tumors. To overcome this problem, we developed biochemically selectable mouse cells by using genetically-engineered mice. METHODS We constructed a series of hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (hprt) null immunodeficient mice. These include nude hprt-null, SCID hprt-null and NOD-SCID hprt-null mice. Tumors from patients were implanted into these mice for growth. During growth of xenografted human cancers, hprt-null murine stromal cells replace their human counterparts to facilitate the growth of human cancer cells. Explanted tumors were then grown in tissue culture flasks with selection media (hypoxanthine, aminopterin, thymine; HAT media) to eliminate the mouse biochemically-defective fibroblasts and produce pure human cancer cell lines. RESULTS We successfully established several pancreatic cancer cell lines and an ovarian cancer cell line from patients using the hprt null immunodeficient mice. CONCLUSIONS The new cell line isolating system using genetically-engineered mice provides a greater chance to isolate pure cancer cell lines from patients’ tumors. This may allow personalized chemotherapy selection. Citation Format: Hirohiko Kamiyama, Sherri Rauenzahn, Anirban Maitra, James R. Eshleman. Genetically-engineered mice as a cell line isolating tool. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3481. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3481
An Overview of Phenylalanine and Tyrosine Kinetics in Humans

The initial use of a tracer of phenylalanine was by Moss and Schoenheimer in rats in 1940 to determine that phenylalanine was hydroxylated to tyrosine, defining for the first time the primacy of this pathway. Phenylalanine and tyrosine kinetics were not measured in humans until the 1970-80s. The first application was to determine the degree of blockage of phenylalanine hydroxylation in patients with hyperphenylalanemia and phenylketonuria, but this approach was expanded to determination of phenylalanine hydroxylation in normal subjects. Far more uses have been demonstrated for measuring rates of phenylalanine disposal and tyrosine production in relatively normal subjects than in patients with in-born errors of metabolism. Key to use of tracers to determine phenylalanine and tyrosine metabolic rates has been the development of appropriate tracer models. Most applications have used relatively simple models ignoring the intracellular hydroxylation rate component. Because the liver is the primary site of hydroxylation in the body, the intracellular enrichment at the site of hydroxylation can be assessed from the tracer enrichments at isotopic steady state in rapid-turnover plasma proteins, such as Apo-B, made and secreted by the liver. Although there are potential problems with use of deuterated tracers of phenylalanine, suitable tracers are available and have been demonstrated for general measurement of phenylalanine and tyrosine kinetics in humans.
Rapid Recursive Structure Redesign for Improved Dynamics of a Single Link Robot

This paper describes a technique for improving dynamic performance of robots by recursively modifying the mechanical structure through prototyping and experimentation. In each recursion, a prototype robot is tested and evaluated experimentally, an incremental change in structure design is determined based on the analysis of the experimental data, and the mechanical structure is physically modified so as to drive the plant dynamics towards a desired response. To expedite the iterative process, (i) a rapid prototyping technique using photo-polymerization is developed, (ii) a gradient descent method is applied to recursively determine an optimal design, and (iii) all the design, prototyping, and experimentation processes are integrated and carried out under computer control. The optimal, incremental change of design is determined by using a sensitivity Jacobian. The sensitivity Jacobian is initially obtained numerically using a finite element model. Further, the sensitivity Jacobian is corrected and updated recursively with experimental data after each iteration. A proof-of-concept demonstration system is built and tested for the development of a simple single link robot. The arm structure made of plastic is reinforced recursively by coating it with a photo-acrylate plastic with an optimal thickness distribution so that the frequency response of the structure can be improved toward a desired reference model.
Pulsed field ionization zero kinetic energy photoelectron spectroscopy of small vanadium clusters. Using velocity slip as a mass selector

Abstract The pulsed field ionization zero kinetic energy photoelectron spectroscopy technique has been used to determine accurate ionization potentials for the small metal clusters V 3 and V 4 . Direct single-photon laser ionization was used. Assignment of the carrier of the photoionization spectra is aided by the velocity slip of the seeded cluster beam which provides a degree of mass separation in the neutral cluster molecules prior to ionization and, thereby, the ability to cross-correlate the PFI-ZEKE spectra with particular cluster species.
Crystal Structure of a Heat-resilient Phytase from Aspergillus fumigatus, Carrying a Phosphorylated Histidine

Abstract In order to understand the structural basis for the high thermostability of phytase from Aspergillus fumigatus, its crystal structure was determined at 1.5 A resolution. The overall fold resembles the structure of other phytase enzymes. Aspergillus niger phytase shares 66% sequence identity, however, it is much less heat-resistant. A superimposition of these two structures reveals some significant differences. In particular, substitutions with polar residues appear to remove repulsive ion pair interactions and instead form hydrogen bond interactions, which stabilize the enzyme; the formation of a C-terminal helical capping, induced by arginine residue substitutions also appears to be critical for the enzyme's ability to refold to its active form after denaturation at high temperature. The heat-resilient property of A. fumigatus phytase could be due to the improved stability of regions that are critical for the refolding of the protein; and a heat-resistant A. niger phytase may be achieved by mutating certain critical residues with the equivalent residues in A. fumigatus phytase. Six predicted N-glycosylation sites were observed to be glycosylated from the experimental electron density. Furthermore, the enzyme's catalytic residue His59 was found to be partly phosphorylated and thus showed a reaction intermediate, providing structural insight, which may help understand the catalytic mechanism of the acid phosphatase family. The trap of this catalytic intermediate confirms the two-step catalytic mechanism of the acid histidine phosphatase family.
Some annealing properties of low-energy-antimony—implanted silicon resistors

Abstract Shallow-implanted antimony in silicon can be used in fabricating n-type silicon resistors with very low temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR), controllably and reproducibly. This paper reports a study of the sheet resistance of silicon resistors implanted with 121Sb at 10 keV, for various doses and annealing conditions. The methods used in fabricating samples and taking measurements were described in an earlier paper[1]. For high doses, ∼ 1015 Sb/cm2, we found that two-stage annealing[2]—preannealing at 550°C followed by annealing at 1000°C—improves the electrical conductivity. For low doses, ∼1012 Sb/cm2, the final annealing determines the conductivity. For medium doses, ∼1013–1014 Sb/cm2, the interplay of damage-annealing and activation of Sb in Si introduces complications, giving a crossover of shet resistance vs implant dose for various annealing temperatures. For doses around 3 × 1013 cm−2, the resistances are very insensitive to the details of annealing sequence and temperature; also the TCR is very low, about 50 ppm/°C. The effect of annealing conditions for various doses, resistivities and TCR values are discussed.
SEPARATION OF NEUROSECRETORY PIGMENTARY-EFFECTOR HORMONES OF THE CRUSTACEAN EYESTALK.

Abstract A new separation procedure yields about 60% recovery of light-adapting distal retinal pigment hormone (DRPH), contrasted with 0.4% for an earlier procedure. Aqueous extracts of Pandalus eyestalks are brought to pH 3.0 with acetic acid, and the supernate is chromatographed on G-25 Sephadex with 0.1 M acetic acid. DRPH is found in the first of seven designated peaks. When tested on the dispersed erythrophores of eyestalkless Palaemonetes vulgaris, Peak I shows no erythrophore-concentrating hormone (ECH). ECH activity occurs in Peak IV, which in turn has no significant DRPH activity; the two hormones thus appear to be different molecules. Paper chromatography of Peak IV reveals two or three ninhydrin-staining spots. The hormone MDH, dispersor of melanophore pigment in destalked Uca pugilator, occurs in Peak I. The two chromatophorotropins thus appear to be distinct molecular species. Paper chromatography of Peak I shows a single spot (ninhydrin) which remains at the origin. Both paper electrophoresis and preliminary examination in the analytical ultracentrifuge, however, indicate the possibility of two components in Peak I and hence no statement can yet be made about the molecular identity of MDH and DRPH.
Sonography of the nonossified tarsal navicular cartilage in an infant with congenital vertical talus

Sonography was performed to visualize the nonossified tarsal navicular cartilage and to demonstrate talonavicular dislocation in a seven month old infant with congenital vertical talus.
The Role of Monomer in Alkylation Reactions of the Lithium Enolate of p-Phenylisobutyrophenone in Tetrahydrofuran1

The lithium salt of p-phenylisobutyrophenone (LiPhIBP) exists in tetrahydrofuran (THF) as a mixture of monomer and tetramer contact ion pairs (CIP). The equilibrium constant, K1,4 = 5.0 × 108 M-3, indicates that the lithium enolate is primarily tetrameric at higher concentrations, but the monomer is still present in significant amounts even at concentrations typical of synthesis reactions. Alkylation reactions of LiPhIBP with various alkylating agents were investigated in THF at 25 °C at concentrations of 10-3 to 10-2 M by using UV−vis spectroscopy. The kinetics followed rate laws of 0.50 to 0.30 order in the formal lithium enolate concentration but is first order in the monomer concentration. These rate studies provide direct evidence that the reactive species is the monomer, even when tetramer dominates the equilibrium.
Efficacy of an esfenvalerate plus methoprene aerosol for the control of eggs and fifth instars of Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

Abstract Aerosol insecticides may provide an alternative to fumigants for control of the Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner), the Indianmeal moth, a major insect pest of stored processed food. In this study, eggs and larvae (5th instars) of P. interpunctella were exposed to aerosol applications of the pyrethroid esfenvalerate and insect growth regulator methoprene, alone and in combination, in open and obstructed positions inside small sheds. When larvae were exposed to methoprene alone, adult emergence from those exposed larvae was 7.1%± 1.5%. In contrast, adult emergence was 92.5%± 3.5% when larvae were exposed to esfenvalerate alone. When eggs were exposed to methoprene, adult emergence of those exposed eggs was approximately 75%; however, when eggs were exposed to esfenvalerate, adult emergence was approximately 35%. In the combination treatment of methoprene plus esfenvalerate at their respective label rates, adult emergence following larval exposure was 0.91%± 0.61% compared to 16.3%± 9.6% when eggs were exposed. Based on our results, methoprene alone is highly effective in reducing adult emergence after larval exposure. However, it is not as effective on eggs as esfenvalerate. A combination treatment of esfenvalerate plus methoprene could be used to control eggs and the wandering-phase larval stages of P. interpunctella. An economic risk analysis also supports a strategy of combining methoprene and esfenvalerate.
Ellis Ott: Prince of Quality

An article in recognition of the life and work of quality educator and quality technology leader, Ellis Ott (1906–1981).
Has adolescent suicidality decreased in the United States? Data from two national samples of adolescents interviewed in 1995 and 2005.

We compared the prevalence and correlates of adolescent suicidal ideation and attempts in two nationally representative probability samples of adolescents interviewed in 1995 (National Survey of Adolescents; N = 4,023) and 2005 (National Survey of Adolescents-Replication; N = 3,614). Participants in both samples completed a telephone survey that assessed major depressive episode (MDE), post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal ideation and attempts, violence exposure, and substance use. Results demonstrated that the lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation among adolescents was lower in 2005 than 1995, whereas the prevalence of suicide attempts remained stable. MDE was the strongest predictor of suicidality in both samples. In addition, several demographic, substance use, and violence exposure variables were significantly associated with increased risk of suicidal ideation and attempts in both samples, with female gender, nonexperimental drug use, and direct violence exposure being consistent risk factors ...
Alkylation of rodent tissue DNA induced by N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine

Levels of methyl and hydroxypropyl adducts induced by single s.c. injections of various doses of tritium-labeled N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine ([1-3H]BHP) were determined in the liver, pancreas, kidney and lung of hamsters and rats. At doses of BHP used in carcinogenesis studies (100-500 mg/kg), methylation of DNA was more extensive than its hydroxypropylation; however, it did not increase proportionally with the dose and gradually became secondary to hydroxypropylation at higher doses of the carcinogen. Ratios of hydroxypropyl versus methyl adducts also varied significantly depending on the tissue and species. In both species ratios of N7-hydroxypropylguanine (N7-HpG) versus N7-methylguanine (N7-MeG) were greater in kidney and pancreas than in liver or lung. Due to apparent differences in the repair of O6-methylguanine (O6-MeG) and O6-hydroxypropylguanine (O6-HpG), and the propensity of 2-hydroxypropylating as compared to methylating agents to yield a greater percentage of oxygen adducts, ratios of O6-HpG versus O6-MeG were markedly greater than those of N7-HpG versus N7-MeG. Levels of O6-HpG were greater than those of O6-MeG in rat liver, pancreas and kidney and also in hamster kidney, while such levels were similar in rat lung and also in hamster liver, pancreas and lung. Like N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP) and N-nitroso(2-hydroxypropyl) (2-oxopropyl)amine (HPOP), BHP was activated primarily in the liver and induced substantially greater DNA damage in this than in any other tissue examined. However, unlike BOP and HPOP, which induced similar levels of hepatic DNA damage in the above two species, BHP methylated and hydroxypropylated hamster liver DNA more extensively than that of the rat. Differences between BOP and BHP were also observed regarding levels and distribution of DNA adducts in extrahepatic tissues. In rats, BHP induced greater levels of methylation and hydroxypropylation in lung than in kidney, while the reverse was observed with BOP. Apparently reduction of the beta-carbon of pancreas-specific nitrosamine carcinogens results in a shift of alkylation from kidney to the lung. Excretion of HPOP in the urine of BHP-treated animals and the observed saturation of DNA methylation at high doses of BHP, supported the hypothesis that the BHP-induced methylation of DNA proceeded via the intermediate formation of HPOP. This was further supported by the observation that both excretion of HPOP and levels of methyl adducts were greater in hamsters than in rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Recession of Martian north polar cap - 1979-1980 Viking observations

The polar regression curve for the Martian northern polar cap, derived from Viking observations for the 1979-1980 regression, is discussed, and comparisons with previous regression curves are made. Differences in the curves may be due to dust storms affecting the deposition of the cap. It is not possible to unambiguously ascribe differences between the curves to dynamical effects, since detailed information on the longitudinal dependence, which was an uncontrolled variable, is not available.
Calculation of Entropy from Data of Motion

We discuss the question of determining the entropy given the phase space trajectory which describes the detailed history of a many-body system over a period of observation. Our viewpoint is that the determination of entropy, as well as all other thermodynamic properties, should require no concepts or information other than those given and defined by the trajectory. The counting of coincidence (or repetition) of states along the trajectory is presented as a way to determine entropy given the trajectory. An illustrative program based on the kinetic Ising model is described in detail.
GLYCOCONJUGATE ORGANIZATION OF ENTEROMORPHA (=ULVA) FLEXUOSA AND ULVA FASCIATA (CHLOROPHYTA) ZOOSPORES(1).

Ecologically successful algae that colonize natural and artificial substrates in the marine environment have distinct strategies for opportunistic dispersal and settlement. The objective of this research was to visualize molecular architecture of zoospores from Enteromorpha (=Ulva) flexuosa (Wulfen) J. Agardh and Ulva fasciata Delile that coexist but alternate in dominance on an intertidal bench. Multiple fluorescent lectins were used to stabilize and probe for diverse zoospore glycoconjugates (GC) that could be involved in cell and substrate interactions. Results from epifluorescence microscopy showed distinct cellular and extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) domains of GC relative to settlement morphologies. Glycoconjugates were similar for both species with (1) α-d mannose and/or glucose moieties localized on flagella, the anterior domes and anterior regions, the plasma membranes, and EPS; (2) α-fucose localized on flagella and anterior regions; (3) N or α,s-N acetylglucosamine localized on flagella, the anterior regions, and EPS; and (4) varied N-acetylgalactosamine and/or galactose moieties localized on each domain for both species excluding the plasma membranes. Some differences in lectin binding were observed for each species at the flagella, the anterior domes, and the plasma membranes. Glycoconjugate distributions shifted with morphological changes that followed initial adhesion. TEM of E. flexuosa zoospore stages following carbohydrate-stabilizing fixations and gold-conjugated lectin probes resolved GC with α-d mannose and/or glucose, and/or N-acetylglucosamine at the plasma membrane, ER and diverse vesicles of the anterior pole, EPS, and discontinuous regions or knobs associated with flagellar surfaces. The distinct distribution and diversity of zoospore GC may be central to recognition and attachment on diverse substrata by these algae.
A dislocation-based constitutive law for pure Zr including temperature effects

Abstract In this work, a single crystal constitutive law for multiple slip and twinning modes in single phase hcp materials is developed. For each slip mode, a dislocation population is evolved explicitly as a function of temperature and strain rate through thermally-activated recovery and debris formation and the associated hardening includes stage IV. A stress-based hardening law for twin activation accounts for temperature effects through its interaction with slip dislocations. For model validation against macroscopic measurement, this single crystal law is implemented into a visco-plastic-self-consistent (VPSC) polycrystal model which accounts for texture evolution and contains a subgrain micromechanical model for twin reorientation and morphology. Slip and twinning dislocations interact with the twin boundaries through a directional Hall–Petch mechanism. The model is adjusted to predict the plastic anisotropy of clock-rolled pure Zr for three different deformation paths and at four temperatures ranging from 76 K to 450 K (at a quasi-static rate of 10−3 1/s). The model captures the transition from slip-dominated to twinning-dominated deformation as temperature decreases, and identifies microstructural mechanisms, such as twin nucleation and twin–slip interactions, where future characterization is needed.
Lorentz Manifolds with the Three Largest Degrees of Symmetry

We show that if a Lorentz manifold (M, g) has a sufficiently large group of isometries and if, in addition, this group has no null orbits, then (M, g) is homogeneous. A list of Lorentz manifolds with the three largest groups of isometries is given.
The proto‐science of consolidology: can it improve the outcome of contemporary efforts at democratization?

ABSTRACT The wave of democratization that began in 1974 and that seems to have crested in the mid‐1990s has encouraged the development of two proto‐sciences within political science: transitology and consolidology. This article explores some on the founding principles of the latter with the hope of contributing to the likelihood that more of the over forty polities that have “transited” from various forms of autocracy will succeed in consolidating some type of democracy. It concludes that, despite some unavoidable regressions and the inevitable desencanto (disenchantment), more democracies than ever before will manage to consolidate themselves. However, this very success — far from pressaging “the end of history” — will lead to renewed questioning and criticism of the actual practices of liberal democracy. Democracy consecrated will become democracy contested as we enter the next century.
Effect of in utero exposure to betamethasone on motivation/anxiety testing in mice offspring

In utero exposure to a single dose of the long-acting corticosteroid betamethasone at GD 14 has been shown to induce specific differences in motivation/anxiety testing among offspring. Because multidosings are desired to enhance fetal lung maturation, our objective was to compare effects of multidosings of betamethasone with a placebo on postnatal tests of motivation and anxiety. Sixty gravid CD-1 mice were randomly assigned to receive one of six treatment regimens (n = 10) that consisted of a single or a double SC dosing of either betamethasone (Celestone soluspan 0.2 mg on GD 14; 0.1 mg on GD 13 to 16; 0.1 mg b.i.d. on GD 14 and 15; 0.1 mg b.i.d. on GD 13 to 16) or saline (0.25 ml on GD 13 to 16; 0.25 ml b.i.d. on GD 13 to 16). The percent of pups exhibiting separation vocalization was temporarily less at PND 5 after betamethasone exposure to four doses (p < 0.05) and to eight doses (p < 0.01). The percents of pups being successful in homing (PND 9) and in responding to startle stimulation (PND 12-15) were not different between the betamethasone-exposed and placebo-exposed groups. Exploratory performance in the radial arm maze revealed no delay in the activities of juvenile and adult offspring exposed to betamethasone. The percent of male offspring that fought as juveniles and as adults was not different between the betamethasone-exposed and the placebo-exposed groups. The previously reported altered responses using the elevated plus maze, among juvenile and adult offspring, after a single dose of betamethasone was not replicated in this multidose study. These data indicate that prenatal exposure to betamethasone did not affect the mouse offspring's long-term responses to motivation/anxiety testing.
Microbiome influences on insect host vector competence

Insect symbioses lack the complexity and diversity of those associated with higher eukaryotic hosts. Symbiotic microbiomes are beneficial to their insect hosts in many ways, including dietary supplementation, tolerance to environmental perturbations and maintenance and/or enhancement of host immune system homeostasis. Recent studies have also highlighted the importance of the microbiome in the context of host pathogen transmission processes. Here we provide an overview of the relationship between insect disease vectors, such as tsetse flies and mosquitoes, and their associated microbiome. Several mechanisms are discussed through which symbiotic microbes can influence the ability of their host to transmit pathogens, as well as potential disease control strategies that harness symbiotic microbes to reduce pathogen transmission through an insect vector.
The structure of a chemically reacting plane mixing layer

Experiments were performed to examine the structure of a chemically reacting, gas-phase, two-stream plane mixing layer. Temporally and spatially resolved measurements of streamwise velocity and of the concentrations of a reactant and product species and a conserved scalar were recorded across the mixing layer at streamwise locations between Redelta; = 730–2520. Non-reacting flow experiments were conducted to establish the entrainment and mixing characteristics of the layer. Reacting flow experiments were performed using dilute concentrations of the reactants, NO and O3, to ensure that the flow field remained isothermal. The probability density functions (p.d.f.s) and associated statistical quantities of the conserved and reactive scalars are compared with results from previous analytical and experimental studies. The data suggest, in concert with the Broadwell-Breidenthal model, that fluid in the mixing layer exists in three states: tongues of unmixed free-stream fluid which, on occasion, stretch across the layer; finite-thickness interfacial diffusion zones of mixed fluid which border the parcels of unmixed fluid; and regions comprising fluid of nearly homogeneous composition. The data also confirm previously reported asymmetry in entrainment rates from the two feed streams and show the important role of molecular diffusion in the mixing process. A fast-chemistry assumption, applied to predict reactive-species concentrations from the measured conserved-scalar p.d.f.s, overestimates the extent of reaction, indicating the importance of finite-rate chemistry for the present conditions. A Damkohler number, based on large-scale mixing times, is shown to be useful in determining the applicability of a fast-chemistry analysis to reacting mixing layers.