cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Alcohol in Chronic Cocaine Abuse: A Follow Up Study

Alcohol is the substance most commonly abused in combination with cocaine. The present study sought to investigate the possible influence of alcohol abuse in memory improvement during abstinence among chronic cocaine users. Fortyeight subjects were selected and grouped as either cocaine only abusers (COC) or cocaine and alcohol abusers (CA). All subjects were undergoing treatment at a south Florida area residential drug rehabilitation program at the time of testing. Participants were tested at the second week of abstinence (early abstinence) and retested at 2 months (late abstinence). Findings demonstrated that cocaine participants exhibited a similar memory recovery profile in short term memory tasks independently of their history of alcohol abuse. However, significant group differences emerged in delayed memory tasks. On the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) delayed memory test the CA group performed significantly worse than the COC group with significantly less improvement in scores during abstinence as well. The reduced score enhancement during abstinence in the CA group was also observed in the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) delayed memory variables. The present study suggests that the use of alcohol in combination with cocaine may have an effect on memory recovery with specific impact over longterm memory tasks. These findings may have important treatment implications.
Advance in 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine

Pneumococcal disease is an important reason of morbidity and hospitalization among adults and children.Among 91 serotypes of pneumococcus,approximately 20 serotypes are responsible for 85% of invasive pneumococcal disease in all age groups.23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine(PPV23),which contains 23 serotypes that collectively accounted for most cases(85%~90%) of invasive pneumococcal disease(IPD) among adults,is considered safe and with high efficacy.Effectiveness of PPV23 generally has shown that the vaccine was 50%~80% effective in preventing IPD among immunocompetent adults and individuals with various underlying illnesses who are not severely immunosuppressed.The cost-benefit studies show that PPV23 immunization is valuable for children and adult.Vaccination of PPV23 is recommended for children with immunodeficiency,elderly group aged 60 years,and adult with chronic disease.This paper mainly reviewed the safety,immunological reaction,protective rate,cost-benefit,effect among special population and immunization strategy of PPV23.
Enhanced Tumor Uptake of Boronophenylalanine by Means of Osmotic Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption in Glioma—Bearing Rats

The endothelial cells of capillaries within the brain constitute a barrier for the delivery of water-soluble drugs to this anatomic site. Intracarotid infusions of hyperosmotic solutions of mannitol disrupt these tight endothelial cell junctions both in normal brain and intracerebral tumors1. Neuwelt et al. have shown that osmotic blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption can increase the uptake of both low and high molecular weight substances by brain tumors in experimental animals and humans2,3. The purpose of the present study was to determine if BBB disruption could significantly and specifically enhance the uptake of p-boronophenylalanine (BPA), which has been used as a capture agent for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) of intracerebral gliomas and melanomas in experimental animal studies4,5. The following report describes our studies on the effects of BBB disruption on the uptake of BPA using the F98 rat glioma, which simulates human glioblastoma multiforme in its biologic behavior.
Human brain evolution: How the increase of brain plasticity made us a cultural species

Why are humans so different from other primate species? What makes us so capable of creating language, art and music? The specializations in human brain anatomy that are responsible for our unique behavioral and cognitive traits evolved over a very short period of evolutionary time (between six and eight million years). Recent evidence suggests that, alongside a reorganization of the brain and an increase in its size, neural plasticity may also play a major role in explaining the evolutionary history of our species. Plasticity is the propensity of the brain to be molded by external influences, including the ecological, social and cultural context. The impact of these environmental influences in shaping human behavior has been long recognized, but it has been only recently that scientists have started discovering the more pronounced plasticity of human brains compared to our close relatives.
Oxidatively Induced Substitution Reactions of Transition Metal Organometallic Compounds

Oxidation, both chemical and anodic, can induce substitutions, bond-breaking and making, rearrangements, and coupling reactions of organometallic compounds. In some cases the processes are catalytic. This article reviews the recent literature on oxidatively induced substitutions and briefly describes a novel case of induced halogen substitution in bis(cydopentadienyl)molybdenum dihalides (Cp2MoX2) by solvent as well as the importance of the 17-electron radical cation [Cp2MoX2]+. as an intermediate in the catalytic oxidation of tripheny1 phosphine.
Decentralization and Provinces’ Growth Performance

Before 1979, the provinces’ development patterns and their growth performances largely depended on the central government’s arrangement and were strongly influenced by the centre’s politically driven strategy. Since the late 1970s, the process of decentralization – i.e. the centre’s granting of substantial fiscal power and decision-making powers in investment, production, and trade to the local governments and enterprises – created a situation in which each province’s development was more directly linked with the province’s own resource endowment and economic policy than a result of nationwide policies. Under the decentralized system, a province’s development strategy, its attitude toward and capability to use reform policies, together with its relationship with the centre, jointly determine its economic performance.
Dynamics of Laser Triggered, Gas-Insulated Spark Gaps During Repetitive Operation

The Electra pulsed power system at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory uses laser triggered SF6 gas-insulated spark gaps to transfer energy to a high power electron beam diode. These 1-MV spark gaps have a charge transfer of 10 mC per shot operating at 5 pules per second (pps) utilizing electrodes with the potential durability of 300 000 pulses. During continuous repetitive switch operation, after a few thousand shots intermittent nonfire events occur with greater frequency approaching 100 000 shots. The nonfire events and the lack of reproducibility and reliability reduce the potential applications for laser triggered spark gaps. Therefore, the temporal evolution and the spatial evolution of the switch dynamics have been examined. Gated camera images, streak camera images, and interferometry are used to characterize the dynamics of single shots to directly compare to the dynamics during continuous operation. The streak camera images indicate that the switch dynamics are dependent on the repetition rate. For single shots and 1 pps operation (9000 continuous shots), no misfires (mistimings or nonfires) are observed in the switch. This observation is concomitant with a consistent and reproducible breakdown position and breakdown dynamics. At 5 pps, the variations in the laser breakdown position (preferentially toward cathode) and the laser breakdown emission intensity are observed. After several thousands of continuous shots, nonfire events are detected in small groups, before normal operation resumes. A temperature differential of at least 22.2 K (40 F) between the SF6 gas at the top of the housing and the bottom of the spark gap housing is observed. The onset of nonfire events is correlated with the hydrodynamic changes, from increased temperature, of the SF6 gas flow within the spark gap. A redesign of the spark gap along with adequate cooling to reduce the hydrodynamic flow and forces of the insulating SF6 gas would mitigate if not eliminate nonfire events.
Prevalence and Predictors of Malnutrition among Guatemalan Children at 2 Years of Age.

OBJECTIVE To identify the prevalence and predictors of malnutrition among 2-year old children in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. METHODS Prospective cohort of 852 Guatemalan children in San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala followed from birth to age 2 from May 2008 to December 2013. Socio-demographic, anthropometric, and health data of children was collected at 2 month intervals. RESULTS Among the 402 males and 450 females in the cohort, mean weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ) declined from -0.67 ± 1.01 at 1 year to -1.07 ± 0.87 at 2 years, while mean height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) declined from -1.88 ± 1.19 at 1 year to -2.37 ± 0.99 at 2 years. Using multiple linear regression modeling, number of children <5 years old, vomiting in the past week, fever in the past week, and WAZ at 1 year were significant predictors of WAZ at 2 years. Significant predictors of HAZ at 2 years included household size, number of children <5 years old, diarrhea in the past week, WAZ at 1 year, and HAZ at 1 year. Vomiting in the past week and WAZ at 1 year were significant predictors of weight-for-height z-score (WHZ) at 2 years. CONCLUSIONS Number of children <5 years old, symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea in the previous week, and prior nutritional status were the most significant predictors of malnutrition in this cohort. Future research may focus on the application of models to develop predictive algorithms for mobile device technology, as well as the identification of other predictors of malnutrition that are not well characterized such as the interaction of environmental exposures with protein consumption and epigenetics.
Ruptured Pseudoaneurysm of the Dorsalis Pedis Artery Following Ankle Arthroscopy: A Case Report.

Case: We describe the case of a pseudoaneurysm of the dorsalis pedis artery that developed following a repeat ankle arthroscopy for persistent osseous impingement. The patient underwent attempted fluid aspiration for a presumed effusion, and ultimately experienced rupture of the pseudoaneurysm with substantial blood loss, which required emergency vascular repair. Conclusion: Anterior tibial artery and dorsalis pedis artery pseudoaneurysms are relatively rare, but they are well-documented complications of ankle arthroscopy; however, their clinical importance is poorly understood. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a ruptured pseudoaneurysm of the dorsalis pedis artery following ankle surgery, and it highlights the need for timely diagnosis.
Efficient modeling and simulation of interconnects

An efficient method to compute the 2-D capacitance matrix of coupled microstrip lines is presented. The method is also applicable to conductors of arbitrary polygon shape embedded in a multilayered dielectric medium with possible ground planes on the top or bottom of the dielectric layers. An optimal technique for the transient simulation of distributed multiconductor RLGC lines is then used by applying an indirect numerical integration scheme to the device model for a distributed line. The resulting technique can be directly used in a circuit simulator. The computational complexity is linearly proportional to the number of time steps.
Electrooxidation of H2, CO and H2/CO on well-characterized Au(1 1 1)-Pd surface alloys

Abstract Electroooxidation of H2, CO and 1000 ppm CO/H2 oxidation was studied on two well-defined Au(1 1 1)–Pd surface alloys prepared and characterized in ultrahigh vacuum. Preparation was done using Pd vapor deposition. Characterization was done using Auger electron spectroscopy and low-energy ion scattering. After deposition, Pd always (partly) diffuses into the Au(1 1 1) crystal and forms stable surface alloys. Two surface alloys with Pd surface concentrations of ca. 38 and 65% were transferred into the electrochemical environment. Three major findings from the electrocatalytic study can be summarized as follows: (i) hydrogen oxidation on Au(1 1 1)–Pd surface alloys is ca. one order of magnitude slower as compared to Pt(1 1 1); (ii) Au(1 1 1)–Pd surface alloys show finite and stable activity for the continuous oxidation of pure CO at potentials below 0.2 V with a positive reaction order with respect to solution phase CO; (iii) the oxidation of 1000 ppm CO in H2 at potentials below 0.2 V is governed by the slow H2 oxidation kinetics and the unfavorable partial pressure dependence. At potentials above 0.2 V, however, the steady-state activity of a high-surface area Au–Pd catalyst can be reached.
Deep Design: Pathways To A Livable Future

Review: Deep Design: pathways to a livable future. By David Wann Reviewed by Flora G. Schrode University of Tennessee Wann, David. Deep Design: pathways to a livable future. Washington, D.C.: Island Press, 1996. 216 pp. US $24.95 ISBN: 1-55963-420-0. Deep Design is presented as an approach to developing high quality and high performance processes for industrial and community activities. This approach rejects obsolete patterns of the industrial revolution and adopts practices which can help preserve the world’s biological and cultural wealth. Denouncing supply-side economics for its emphasis on finding ways to convert resources to profits, author David Wann says humans should approach life in a manner modeled on observable patterns of systems in nature. Wann explains that natural systems' characteristics of feedback, diversity, and flexibility can be incorporated into design principles for structures, regulatory systems, and social or community arrangements. He proposes that such a transformation will make life more satisfying for people because they will have better quality products, services, and physical infrastructure, and more time in which to enjoy these things with their families and friends. Very readable, the text of Deep Design is replete with examples of companies, communities, and industrial processes where deep design could offer improvement or is currently offering improvement. For each example, Wann outlines collaboration between stakeholders and describes the positive impact of deep design implementation. The result is a glimpse into the enormous benefit deep design principles would offer society. Discussions of values, including the importance of resource conservation, surface throughout the book. Wann would like us to rethink fundamental assumptions behind many commercial and community processes. He argues that the market and GNP should no longer be the major forces behind U.S. and other countries’ manufacturing methods (whether it be design conception, resource gathering, product generation, or the delivery of goods to consumers.) He proposes that a worldwide change in attitude is crucial. People can maintain their quality of life only if they reject the importance of material goods (grounded in traditional supply-
Abstract 19475: Cardiovascular Burden in Children With Chronic Kidney Disease

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in children and young adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney transplant. Phenotype of cardiac involvement may be variable. In adults with CKD, diastolic dysfunction has been shown to be an independent risk factor for mortality. However, there is overall very limited data in pediatric age group. Additionally, there are no guidelines for appropriate screening, assessment or standardized follow-up for cardiac pathology in pediatric CKD. The purpose of this study is to assess the overall cardiovascular burden and more specifically, diastolic dysfunction (DD) in pediatric CKD patients. Methods: Single center, retrospective cohort study of patients seen for CKD. Results: 237 patients with CKD /ESRD were identified including 64 patients who underwent renal transplant and 84 on chronic dialysis. Mean age was 14 years (7.6 to 17.5). Systolic hypertension was present in 49.7% while diastolic hypertension in 36.1%. 22% had a BMI greater than 95% percentile. Echocardiographic assessment showed preserved systolic function in majority (mean ejection fraction of 67.8%, range 19-90%). However, LV mass index(LVMI) was > 38 g/m2.7 in 66% (115/173). Tissue Doppler velocities demonstrated a large variation with significant abnormalities indicating abnormal myocardial performance and diastolic dysfunction. Mitral e velocity which was diminished in 79% while severely diminished in 31%. Mitral a,s and E/e’ velocities were abnormal in varying portion of population. Relative wall thickness was significantly increased (>0.41) in 112/213 patients. Serial measures showed a gradual increase in E/e’ ratio mean from 8.1 to 9.9 and increase in LVMI from mean of 44.5 to 53.1 g/m2.7 (p Conclusion: This is the largest study to date of demonstrating a significant cardiovascular burden in patients with CKD in the form of hypertrophy as well as abnormalities of myocardial performance and diastolic function. Serial measures show the parameters correlate with disease state. Further analysis in underway to identify risk factors and propose guidelines for serial screening.
Electrochemical behavior of titanium oxide nanoparticles for oxygen reduction reaction environment in PEM fuel cells

Abstract In this work, the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO 2-NPs) with different particle sizes is investigated in the acidic environment. The microstructures of the TiO2 -NPs are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity and durability of the TiO 2 -NPs are then investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in N 2 and O2 saturated 0.1 M HClO4 electrolyte and accelerated stability test (AST) using rotating disk electrode (RDE) technique. The results show some ORR activity for TiO 2-NPs strongly depending on particle size. The durability of TiO2 catalysts, however, is remarkable. After 5000 potential cycles from 0.6 to 1.0 V vs. RHE, the ORR activity of all TiO2 catalysts increases. The results shed light on the ORR activity and durability of TiO2-NPs.
When Half a City's Residents May Be Homeless: New Orleans After Katrina.

Those who survived Hurricanes Katrina and Rita faced homelessness and physical and mental health problems that created ethical dilemmas for physicians. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Hormonal Control of Pupal Ecdysis in the Tobacco Hornworm, Manduca Sexta

Molting in insects is a complex process that begins with apolysis, extends through the production of a new cuticle, and ends with ecdysis and the expansion and hardening of the new skin. This process is controlled by an interplay between at least 5 hormones (see Riddiford and Truman, 1978, for a review), three of which are involved in the initiation and direction of the molt. The prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) from the brain exerts a tropic influence on the prothoracic glands, driving them to release aecdysone. This steroid is then converted by peripheral tissues to the active form, 20-hydroxyecdysone, which causes apolysis and the beginning of secretion of a new cuticle by the epidermis. The type of cuticle that is secreted is regulated by the titer of the third hormone, juvenile hormone. The final phases of the molt are controlled by 2 additional hormones: the eclosion hormone triggers the behavior involved in the shedding of the old cuticle, and bursicon stimulates the postecdysial tanning of the new cuticle.
Individuals at high risk for lung cancer have airway epithelial cells with chromosome aberrations frequently found in lung tumor cells.

Identification of individuals at greatest risk of developing lung cancer could enhance the efficacy of intervention modalities, thereby greatly reducing mortality from this disease. One strategy for identifying these people is to establish molecular markers which reflect the severity of their cancerization field. Thus, investigations were initiated to determine of cells with chromosome aberrations frequently exhibited by lung tumor cells, i.e., trisomy 7, trisomy 20, and deletion of 9p23, are prevalent within the uninvolved airways of cancer patients. As a result, cells containing these aberrations were consistently found at significantly elevated levels by using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). In contrast, cells collected from non-smokers who had never smoked were normal by this assay. The next objective was to determine of cells exhibiting these alterations are also present in upper airways of exposed, but cancer-free smokers and ex-uranium miners. The results showed that, although only a subset of these people will develop lung cancer in their lifetimes, they universally harbor increased numbers of abnormal cells within their airway epithelium. However, the number of sites with multiple verities of abnormal cells tended to be fewer compared with the cancer patients. Thus, quantifying cells with molecular alterations within the cancerization field of a smoker may delineate those with a lesser grade of damage, and these individuals may be at a lesser risk of developing disease. However, differences in the extent of genetic damage afforded by these assays may not clearly define individuals with pending disease, and additional molecular assays must be devised.
Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound in Extracorporeal Support: In Vitro Studies and Initial Experience and Safety Data in the Extreme Premature Fetal Lamb Maintained by the Extrauterine Environment for Neonatal Development

Objectives To evaluate the effects of ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) administration on hemodynamic parameters and support equipment in in vitro and in vivo models of extracorporeal support. Methods In vitro, incrementally increasing bolus doses of a UCA were administered proximal to a membrane oxygenator, and ultrasound cine clips were obtained. The rates of microbubble destruction across the oxygenator and over time were calculated from time-intensity-curves. Measurements across the membrane oxygenator were recorded and compared by a repeated-measures analysis of variance. In vivo, 7 premature fetal lambs were transferred from placental support to the extrauterine environment for neonatal development. Contrast agent boluses were administered for contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) examinations. Hemodynamic parameters and serum laboratory values were evaluated before and after the examinations by paired t tests. For oxygenator staining, oxygenator membranes from the in vitro circuit, study animals (n = 4), and control animals (n = 4) were stained for the adherent UCA. Results In vitro, with all doses (0.1-4 mL), there was no difference in measured parameters across the oxygenator (P ≥ .09). Contrast agent destruction (3%-14%) across the oxygenator was observed at the first pass with a progressive decline in contrast intensity over time. In vivo, there was no difference in hemodynamic parameters or serum laboratory values (P ≥ .08) with any CEUS examination (n = 17). For oxygenator staining, all oxygenator membranes were negative for UCA with lipid staining. Conclusions The UCA had no detectable effect on the oxygenator or measured parameters in in vitro and in vivo studies, thus providing additional safety data to support the use of CEUS in the setting of extracorporeal support.
Introduction to retroviruses and retroviral vectors.

As various viral vector systems for gene transfer are developed, interest in using such systems in applied settings continues to grow. This Chapter is designed to provide background information for readers interested in learning about lentiviral vector systems for gene transfer applications but who lack a background in retrovirology. To assist those readers who are unfamiliar with retroviral vector systems, basic outlines of the retroviral replication cycle and of characteristics of retroviral vector systems are introduced here in order to present and define concepts and terms that are discussed in subsequent Chapters.
NON-PERTURBATIVE RESULTS FOR HIGH-${T}$ QCD

These days, as high energy particle colliders become unavailable for testing speculative theoretical ideas, physicists are looking to other environments that may provide extreme conditions where theory confronts physical reality. One such circumstance may arise at high temperature $T$, which perhaps can be attained in heavy ion collisions or in astrophysical settings. It is natural therefore to examine the high-temperature behavior of the standard model, and here I shall report on recent progress in constructing the high-$T$ limit of QCD.
Differences in social connectedness and perceived isolation among rural and urban adults with disabilities.

Abstract Background Social isolation has been compared to smoking in terms of risk to public health. Some groups are at particularly high risk for these feelings, including people with disabilities and rural residents. Few studies have considered the potentially compounding effects of disability status and rural residency. Objective To evaluate how reported satisfaction with social participation and perceived isolation relate to the health of rural and urban people with disabilities, and to consider whether number of disabilities, living arrangement, and employment status were associated with differences in reported satisfaction with social participation and perceived isolation. Methods This observational, cross-sectional analysis utilized data from working-age adults with disabilities (n = 1246) collected by the Collaborative on Health Reform and Independent Living (CHRIL). Results There were significant associations between reported health and measures of satisfaction with social participation and perceived isolation (all ps Conclusion These results underscore the importance of considering geography as a factor in understanding satisfaction with social participation and perceived isolation and how these factors relate to health in people with disabilities.
The leisure context and adolescent adjustment

Historically, World Leisure Organization has focused on children and youth through a variety of avenues. In 2000, the World Leisure Commission on Children and Youth was established. In 2005, a Worl...
Isolating Kondo anyons for topological quantum computation

We propose to use residual anyons of the overscreened Kondo effect for topological quantum computation. A superconducting proximity gap of $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}l{T}_{K}$ can be utilized to isolate the anyon from the continuum of excitations and stabilize the nontrivial fixed point. We use weak-coupling renormalization group, dynamical large-N technique, and bosonization to show that the residual entropy of multichannel Kondo impurities survives in a superconductor. We find that while (in agreement with recent numerical studies) the nontrivial fixed point is unstable against intrachannel pairing, it is robust in the presence of a finite interchannel pairing. Based on this observation, we suggest a superconducting charge Kondo setup for isolating and detecting the Majorana fermion in the two-channel Kondo system.
Probing the mutational landscape of regulators of G protein signaling proteins in cancer

The advent of deep-sequencing techniques has revealed that mutations in G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathways in cancer are more prominent than was previously appreciated. An emergent theme is that cancer-associated mutations tend to cause enhanced GPCR pathway activation to favor oncogenicity. Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins are critical modulators of GPCR signaling that dampen the activity of heterotrimeric G proteins through their GTPase-accelerating protein (GAP) activity, which is conferred by a conserved domain dubbed the "RGS-box." Here, we developed an experimental pipeline to systematically assess the mutational landscape of RGS GAPs in cancer. A pan-cancer bioinformatics analysis of the 20 RGS domains with GAP activity revealed hundreds of low-frequency mutations spread throughout the conserved RGS domain structure with a slight enrichment at positions that interface with G proteins. We empirically tested multiple mutations representing all RGS GAP subfamilies and sampling both G protein interface and noninterface positions with a scalable, yeast-based assay. Last, a subset of mutants was validated using G protein activity biosensors in mammalian cells. Our findings reveal that a sizable fraction of RGS protein mutations leads to a loss of function through various mechanisms, including disruption of the G protein-binding interface, loss of protein stability, or allosteric effects on G protein coupling. Moreover, our results also validate a scalable pipeline for the rapid characterization of cancer-associated mutations in RGS proteins.
ROLE OF NEOADJUVANT CHEMOTHERAPY IN SQUAMOUS VARIANT HISTOLOGY IN UROTHELIAL BLADDER CANCER: DOES PRESENCE AND PERCENTAGE MATTER?

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) on Squamous Variant (SV) bladder cancer by investigating patients presenting with SV histology at the time of transurethral resection, stratified by their receipt of NACT. Materials and Methods The records of 71 patients with MIBC and SV in the TUR specimen who underwent cystectomy between 2008 and 2018 were reviewed. Our primary outcome was pathologic response at time of cystectomy. Secondary outcomes included recurrence-free survival and overall survival (OS) stratified by receipt of NACT. A subgroup analysis was then conducted on the patients with defined SV % on TUR stratified by % involvement ( Results The median age of the NACT and no-NACT was 60.2 and 70, respectively (p=0.003). The complete response (CR) rate at cystectomy was 60% vs 13.7% for the NACT and no-NACT, respectively (p Conclusions The effect of NACT in variant histology bladder cancer is variable. In patients with SV, these results favor the recommendation in favor of NACT administration, particularly when the primary tumor has
"What am I?": Nineteenth-Century Medical Science, Intersexuality, and Freakification in the Life of Karl Hohmann

This paper explores the life of Karl Hohmann, anintersex individual who lived in Germany in themid-1800s. Hohmann was examined as a medicalspecimen throughout his adult life as doctors atthe time believed he was a “true lateral hermaphrodite.” The authors examine the way that culturalbeliefs about gender and sex intersected in thenineteenth century.
Declining Trend in Medicare Physician Reimbursements for Hand Surgery From 2002 to 2018.

Purpose To evaluate trends in Medicare physician reimbursements for 20 common hand procedures/surgeries from 2002 to 2018. Methods The Physician Fee Schedule Look-up Tool was used to retrieve average reimbursement rates for 20 common hand surgeries/procedures from 2002 to 2018. All reimbursement data were adjusted for inflation to 2018 dollars. Results After adjusting all data for inflation, the average reimbursement for all included procedures decreased by 20.9% from 2002 to 2018, with a compound annual growth rate of –3.25%. Reimbursement percentage decreases were the greatest prior to 2010 (18.4% decrease), followed by a relative stabilization (0.94% increase) from 2010 to 2014, after which physicians experienced a decrease of 3.9% in reimbursements between 2014 and 2018, following implementation of the Medicare Access and Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act in 2015. The most significant decreases in reimbursements over time were noted for primary tendon/muscle repair (–49.6%), wrist arthroscopy for triangular fibrocartilage repair/debridement (–44.0%), trigger finger release in facility (–40.1%), excision of extensor tendon sheath (–38.2%), ganglion cyst excision (–36.7%), wrist arthroscopy for diagnostic/synovial biopsy (–35.7%), wrist arthroscopy for drainage/infection/lavage (–35.1%), wrist arthrodesis (–30.6%), endoscopic carpal tunnel release (–27.2%), total wrist arthroplasty (–26.6%), carpometacarpal/basal joint arthroplasty (–25.1%), and open carpal tunnel release (–22.3%). The only procedures with a significant increase in reimbursement over time were trigger finger release in office (+4.2%), open reduction internal fixation distal radius fracture (+2.5%), and cubital tunnel release (+1.5%). Conclusions After adjusting for inflation, Medicare physician reimbursements for a major proportion of hand surgical procedures have decreased over time. Clinical relevance Health-policy makers need to understand the impact of decreasing reimbursements to develop policies of reimbursements that will not only ensure provider satisfaction but also maintain access to care for patients.
Universal Health Coverage in Japan: Leveraging Technologies to Ensure Equitable, Affordable, and Quality Health Care for All

Countries all over the globe are continuing to push for universal health coverage (UHC), the achievement of which is one of the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite the universal benefit that UHC would bring, there are, of course, significant barriers to implementing UHC. Japan is one of the countries that overcame those challenges, and the specific ways in which Japan did so will be explored in this chapter. Technology has played and will continue to increasingly play an indispensable role in the delivery of cost-effective, efficient, and efficacious UHC. It is the hope that countries that have not adopted UHC at the time of this chapter’s writing can benefit from the precedent that Japan set in order to ensure a healthier population through sustainable and lasting means. In March 2019, the World Health Organization released its draft of a “global strategy on digital health.” This underscores that including digital health initiatives and a greater use of technology and health information systems lies at the crux of achieving universal healthcare. Japan has been working on seamlessly incorporating technology into universal healthcare for its rapidly aging population.
Training practices in neonatal and paediatric life support: A survey among healthcare professionals working in paediatrics.

Aim To evaluate neonatal and paediatric life support training practices across Europe. Methods We conducted a descriptive study. Paediatric residents, general paediatricians, and subspecialists were surveyed to assess how paediatric basic and advanced life support (PBLS/PALS) and neonatal life support (NLS) are practically arranged and utilised throughout Europe. A mini-Delphi approach was used for survey development. Eligible professionals in general and university hospitals received a web link to the survey. Results 498 respondents from 16 countries were included. A large majority of responses came from the Netherlands (n = 393) and Belgium (n = 42). Therefore, analysis was based on these responses. PBLS was more frequently offered than PALS and NLS, though not to all professionals caring for children. For PBLS, PALS, and NLS, official recertification varied between 35-75%. Approximately 80-90% had read the latest guidelines, at least partially. Sixty to seventy percent felt capable of instant PALS, 75-90% considered themselves able to perform PBLS and NLS instantly. Not reading the guidelines and less confidence about instant resuscitation seemed to occur more often in the lower and higher age/experience groups compared to the intermediate age/experience groups. A quarter of the respondents <30 years did not feel prepared for instant PALS. General paediatricians appeared to feel most capable of instant resuscitation. General and university hospitals had rather similar training practices and facilities. Manikins were predominantly low-fidelity, especially in general hospitals. Barriers to course participation were high costs, lack of time, the non-compulsory status, remote location, and unavailability of courses. Conclusion Although most paediatric professionals receive life support training, guideline reading, recertification, training utilisation, and resuscitation preparedness require improvement. Barriers to course participation should be addressed.
Associations between polygenic risk score for age at menarche and menopause, reproductive timing, and serum hormone levels in multiple race/ethnic groups.

OBJECTIVE We assessed associations of genetic loci that contribute to age at menarche and menopause with sentinel menopausal traits in multiple race/ethnic groups. METHODS Genetic data from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation include 738 White, 366 Black, 139 Chinese, and 145 Japanese women aged 42 to 52 at baseline. We constructed standardized polygenic risk scores (PRSs) using single nucleotide polymorphisms identified from large-scale genome-wide association studies meta-analyses of ages at menopause and menarche, evaluating associations with each trait within each race/ethnic group. RESULTS Menopause PRS was significantly associated with age at menopause in White women after Bonferroni correction (P < 0.004) and nominally associated in Chinese and Japanese women (P < 0.05) (7.4-8.5 mo delay for one standard deviation [SD] increase in PRS). Menarche PRS was significantly associated with age at menarche in White (P < 0.004) and nominally associated in Black and Japanese women (P < 0.05) (2.6-4.8 mo delay for one SD increase). In White women, menarche and menopause PRSs were significantly associated (P < 0.004) with shorter and longer (5.9 and 9.6 mo for one SD increase) reproductive lifespans, respectively, and menopause PRS with a longer menopausal transition (7.1 mo for one SD increase). We observed a significant positive association (P < 0.004) between menopause PRS and E2 level 2 years before menopause and a nominal association (P < 0.05) 2 years after menopause in Japanese women. CONCLUSIONS In addition to menopausal timing, PRSs associated with onset and ending of reproductive life were associated with reproductive lifespan, length of the menopausal transition, and E2 levels in different race/ethnic groups.
Measuring learner–content interaction in digitally augmented learning experiences

Distance education theories indicate the importance of learner–content interaction and discuss it in conjunction with learner–instructor and learner–learner interaction. The measures of learner–con...
Vatalanib population pharmacokinetics in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome: CALGB 10105 (Alliance)

Aims Vatalanib is an oral anti-angiogenesis agent that inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases, which in patients showed auto induction of metabolism and variability in pharmacokinetic (PK) disposition. The objective was to characterize the population PK and time-dependent change in vatalanib clearance and assess exposure–toxicity relationship in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
Metal/oxide interfaces: an electrostatics-based model

We report on the development of a novel computational method for molecular dynamics simulations which explicitly includes variable charge transfer between anions and cations. This method is found to be capable of describing the elastic properties, surface energies, and surface relaxation of crystalline metal-oxides accurately. We present results for a simulation of adhesive failure at a model metal/oxide heterophase interface between an aluminum (111) face and an α-alumina (0001) face. Our results indicate that this approach can provide physically realistic empirical potentials for future simulations on mixed metal/metal-oxide systems.
Model Checking Verification and Validation at JPL and the NASA Fairmont IV and V Facility

We show how a technology transfer effort was carried out. The successful use of model checking on a pilot JPL flight project demonstrates the usefulness and the efficacy of the approach. The pilot project was used to model a complex spacecraft controller. Software design and implementation validation were carried out successfully. To suggest future applications we also show how the implementation validation step can be automated. The effort was followed by the formal introduction of the modeling technique as a part of the JPL Quality Assurance process.
An infrared view of the universe

Results from IRAS and the technical details of the IRAS satellite are reviewed. The IRAS telescope operation is briefly described. The observation of the Vega phenomenon, or the orbiting clouds of dust which encircle main sequence stars, is discussed. Also, the discovery that a large number of solar-type stars have excess IR radiation due to orbiting shells or disks of solid material is examined. In addition, the prospects for future telescopes are considered.
Method for separating jets and the underlying event in heavy ion collisions at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider

Reconstructed jets in heavy ion collisions are a crucial tool for understanding the quark-gluon plasma. The separation of jets from the underlying event is necessary particularly in central heavy ion reactions in order to quantify medium modifications of the parton shower and the response of the surrounding medium itself. There have been many methods proposed and implemented for studying the underlying event substructure in proton-proton and heavy ion collisions. In this paper, we detail a method for understanding underlying event contributions in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{{s}_{NN}}=200$ GeV utilizing the HIJING event generator. This method, extended from previous work by the ATLAS collaboration, provides a well-defined association of ``truth jets'' from the fragmentation of hard partons with ``reconstructed jets'' using the anti-${k}_{T}$ algorithm. Results presented here are based on an analysis of 750M minimum bias HIJING events. We find that there is a substantial range of jet energies and radius parameters where jets are well separated from the background fluctuations (often termed ``fake jets'') that make jet measurements at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider a compelling physics program.
Wavelength dependent damage threshold measurements to determine initiation mechanisms

The laser damage threshold of KD/sub 2/PO/sub 4/, a 7.2 eV dielectric, is measured as a function of wavelength. Steps in the damage threshold at photon energies near fractions of the band gap suggesting defect assisted multiphoton damage initiation.
In Situ Measurement of Vapor Uptake in the Rodent Upper Respiratory Tract

The response of respiratory tract tissue target sites to inhaled vapors depends on the amount of inhaled vapor that is delivered to those sites. Direct measurement of vapor absorption within a specific airway of the living animal requires that the airway be isolated, which currently can only be performed on the upper airways. Towards this end, the upper respiratory tract (all airways anterior to the larynx) is surgically isolated in the anesthetized rat by tracheostomy and insertion of two endotracheal tubes, one leading anteriorly and the other posteriorly. The surgically manipulated animal is then placed in a nose-only inhalation chamber and test-vapor-laden air is drawn through the isolated upper airways under defined air flow conditions via the anterior endotracheal tube. The animal spontaneously respires clean air into the lungs during this procedure via the posterior endotracheal tube. The concentration of test vapor in air entering and the air exiting the upper airways is measured by gas chromatography, and the difference in concentrations provides a measure of vapor absorption in that site. A rich database is available on upper respiratory tract vapor absorption as measured by this methodology, to which newly obtained data can be compared. These data have been instrumental not only in understanding the regional airway toxicity of inspired vapors, but also for developing mathematical models to describe inhaled vapor dosimetry. Curr. Protoc. Toxicol. 55:24.1.1-24.1.10. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: inhalation toxicology; vapor absorption; airway toxicity
An Automated Approach to Salt Selection for New Unique Trazodone Salts

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to establish an automated approach to salt selection and to search for unique trazodone salts for new applications.
Monoclonal Antibodies Specific for Members of the Genus Endotrypanum

Twenty-six monoclonal antibodies were produced against membrane-enriched preparations of Endotrypanum schaudinni or Endotrypanum sp. promastigotes. Fifteen of these monoclonal antibodies (E1-E15) reacted only with the standard strain of E. schaudinni, M6159. Monoclonal antibodies E16-E26 were considered Endotrypanum specific; no cross reactivity was detected with any other genus of the family Trypanosomatidae (Leishmania, Trypanosoma, Leptomonas, Herpetomonas or Crithidia) by dot-blot radioimmune assay. By indirect immunofluorescence assay, the antigens recognized by Endotrypanum specific monoclonal antibodies appear to be associated with the surface of the parasite. Based on Western blot analysis, 4 antigenic molecules ranging in molecular weight from 24 kD to 160 kD were identified by monoclonal antibodies specific for the strain of E. schaudinni, M6159. Monoclonal antibodies specific for the genus Endotrypanum identified an antigen of molecular weight 48 kD as well as a diffuse component migrating with an apparent molecular weight of 64-200 kD.
Effect of slaframine on exocrine gland function.

Abstract The administration of slaframine to animals results in a sustained increase in secretory activity by the exocrine glands. A quantitative study of pancreatic secretions was undertaken to better define the consequences of the stimulation of exocrine glands by slaframine. After a brief delay, presumably due to the bioactivation of slaframine, there is a substantial and prolonged increase in the rate of secretion. The increased activity of the digestive enzymes in the pancreatic fluid is not accompanied by an equal increase in the total protein content, suggesting a specific increase in the synthesis of the digestive enzymes. The increased protein synthesis was confirmed by measurement of the incorporation of labeled amino acids into pancreatic proteins. The increased rate of secretion is accompanied by a decreased concentration of mucoproteins, but only a very slight decrease in viscosity was observed. These results indicate that slaframine results in a prolonged stimulation of pancreatic secretory activity and is selective in stimulating the synthesis of digestive enzymes.
An intertemporal utility function concave in gains and convex in losses

This paper generalizes the theory of intertemporal utility functions to allow for expectations. The resulting model describes the ‘reference effect’ phenomenon noted by Kahneman and Tversky in both deterministic as well as stochastic problem situations.
Starting with the answers, perceptions about energy system risks

Abstract Persistent social conflict over energy issues, and gaps in perception among energy researchers, led the author to seek a top-down model that would adequately describe these phenomena. The model chosen (grid-group model of the cultural anthropologist) is called the cultural bias model by the author, and it describes several clusterings of human values (cultural categories). This model is used to give insight into these conflicts, and is also used to explain perceptions of risks. The idea of what constitutes a problem (or risk) and what constitutes a solution, is strongly dependent on the cultural category of the individual. Rather than seek out who is right and who is wrong, the author suggests a multirationality view of energy conflicts as a first step to better analysis and to conflict resolution.