cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mercury - A post-Mariner 10 assessment

The paper reviews the analyses of the imagery since the Mariner 10 flight, and considers the implications for the surface evolution of the terrestrial planets. Mercury is probably differentiated into a large iron-rich core and a thin silicate mantle. It differs from the moon by having (1) large areas of old intercrater plains, (2) a wide-spread distribution of lobate scarps, and (3) a similar albedo between young smooth plains and the older mercurian highlands. The origin of Mercury's plains and lobate scarps is discussed, and it is concluded that the crater diameter density distribution on the moon, Mars, and Mercury indicates that all the terrestrial planets experienced intense bombardment early in their histories, and that the objects responsible for this bombardment probably belonged to the same population(s).
Genetic diversity in melanoma.

The process of transformation of normal melanocytes into malignant melanoma requires the acquisition of genomic abnormalities. Dr. Paul Meltzer writes that tracking down the genetic changes in cancer has proved to be a powerful approach to the selection of therapeutic targets.
A STUDY OF HEMOGLOBIN DIFFERENTIATION IN RANA CATESBEIANA.

The hemoglobins of tadpole, metamorphosing tadpole, and frog (Rana catesbeiana) have been studied. Starch-gel electrophoresis has shown the presence of three hemoglobins in tadpoles and four different hemoglobins in frogs; metamorphosing tadpoles have both tadpole and frog hemoglobins. Hemoglobins have been isolated and characterized by fingerprinting and by electrophoresis in urea-containing starch gels. The hemoglobins examined are made up of two types of peptide chains, like mammalian hemoglobins. All frog hemoglobins but one have a molecular weight around 65,000; one frog hemoglobin of molecular weight around 130,000 has been separated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. This hemoglobin is presumably formed by dimerization of a frog hemoglobin which shows a tendency to polymerize, with the aging of the frogs, to polymers of even higher molecular weights.
Combinatorial materials research applied to the development of new surface coatings III. Utilisation of a high-throughput multiwell plate screening method to rapidly assess bacterial biofilm retention on antifouling surfaces

Abstract The authors recently reported on the development of a novel multiwell plate screening method for the high-throughput assessment of bacterial biofilm retention on surfaces. Two series of biocide containing coatings were prepared to assess the ability of the developed assay to adequately discern differences in antifouling performance: i) a commercially available poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and silicone elastomer (DC) physically blended with an organic antifouling biocide Sea-Nine 211 (SN211) (4,5-dichloro-2-n-octyl-3(2H)-isothiazolone), and ii) a silanol-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS-OH) reacted with an alkoxy silane-modified polyethylenimine containing bound ammonium salt groups (PEI-AmCl). Three marine bacteria were utilised to evaluate the SN211 blended coatings (Pseudoalteromonas atlantica ATCC 19262, Cobetia marina ATCC 25374, Halomonas pacifica ATCC 27122) and the marine bacterium Cytophaga lytica was utilised to evaluate the PEI-AmCl/PDMS-OH coatings. The SN211 blended coatings ...
Progress in the stressed-lap polishing of a 1.8-m f/1 mirror

We are in the process of polishing a 1.8-rn f/i ellipsoid with an actively stressed lap. As a preliminary exercise, we have polished the mirror as a sphere using a rigid subdiameter lap. The overall surface error was 25 nm rms, and the surface met a specification corresponding to i/8-arcsec image quality. A stressed lap 600 mm in diameter was designed and built to polish the mirror as an f/i ellipsoid. It consists of an aluminum disk which changes shape continuously under the influence of 12 moment-generating actuators. These actuators are programmed to produce the shape changes necessary to make the lap fit the mirror surface as it moves across that surface and rotates. In this paper we describe the principles and design of the lap, test results, and progress to date in polishing the 1.8-rn mirror.
Poly(propylacrylic acid) enhances cationic lipid-mediated delivery of antisense oligonucleotides.

The use of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) to inhibit the expression of specific mRNA targets represents a powerful technology for control of gene expression. Cationic lipids and polymers are frequently used to improve the delivery of ODNs to cells, but the resulting complexes often aggregate, bind to serum components, and are trafficked poorly within cells. We show that the addition of a synthetic, pH-sensitive, membrane-disrupting polyanion, poly(propylacrylic acid) (PPAA), improves the in vitro efficiency of the cationic lipid, DOTAP, with regard to oligonucleotide delivery and antisense activity. In characterization studies, ODN complexation with DOTAP/ODN was maintained even when substantial amounts of PPAA were added. The formulation also exhibited partial protection of phosphodiester oligonucleotides against enzymatic digestion. In Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, incorporation of PPAA in DOTAP/ODN complexes improved two- to threefold the cellular uptake of fluorescently tagged oligonucleotides. DOTAP/ODN complexes containing PPAA also maintained high levels of uptake into cells upon exposure to serum. Addition of PPAA to DOTAP/ODN complexes enhanced the antisense activity (using GFP as the target) over a range of PPAA concentrations in both serum-free, and to a lesser extent, serum-containing media. Thus, PPAA is a useful adjunct that improves the lipid-mediated delivery of oligonucleotides.
Octa- and Nonamethylfluorenyl Complexes of Zirconium(IV): Reactive Hydride Derivatives and Reversible Hydrogen Migration between the Metal and the Fluorenyl Ligand

Reaction of the zirconocene dichloride Cp′′Flu*ZrCl2 (Cp′′ = 1,3-(SiMe3)2C5H3, Flu* = C13Me9) with iBuLi (iBuLi = LiCH2CHMe2) resulted in elimination of isobutylene and formation of Cp′′(η5:η3-C13Me9H)ZrH (1-syn-1,2-DHF*D), possessing an η5:η3-dihydrofluorenediyl ligand derived from a metal-to-benzo ring hydride transfer. This species undergoes reversible hydride transfer and exists in equilibrium with only one of its three other possible isomers (1-syn-3,4-DHF*D). Compound 1-syn-1,2-DHF*D catalyzes the cyclization of 1,5-hexadiene to methylenecyclopentane, and its reaction with excess isobutylene leads to the elimination of isobutane and formation of the cyclometalated zirconocene isobutyl species (η5:η1-C5H3-1-SiMe2CH2-3-SiMe3)(η5-C13Me9)ZriBu (2). Reaction of Cp′′Flu′′ZrCl2 with iBuLi directly generated the cyclometalated zirconocene species (η5:η1-C5H3-1-SiMe2CH2-3-SiMe3)(η5-C13Me8H)ZriBu (3); however, reaction of the dichloride Cp′′Flu′′ZrCl2 with iBuLi in the presence of hydrogen generated the dihyd...
Where Two Elephants Meet, the Grass Suffers: A Case Study of Intractable Conflict in Karamoja, Uganda

Over the past three decades, the once-adaptive practice of “taking by force” (cattle raiding) by pastoralist tribes in Northern Uganda has been transformed into a violent, ongoing intractable conflict within the tribes that threatens to destroy the Karimojong people and their way of life. This article suggests that in addition to the typical sources of intractable conflict, a massive influx of automatic weapons not only created instability in the community but also led to a shift in cultural norms. Several cultural norms now perpetuate the conflict, leading to increased intractability.
Melanosomal Damage in Normal Human Melanocytes Induced by UVB and Metal Uptake : A Basis for the Pro-oxidant State of Melanoma

Melanins are ubiquitous catecholic pigments, formed in organelles called melanosomes within melanocytes, the function of which is to protect skin against harmful effects of UV radiation. Melanosomes within melanoma cells are characteristically abnormal, with fragmented melanin and disrupted membranes. We hypothesize that the disruption of melanosomal melanin might be an early event in the etiology and progression of melanoma, leading to increased oxidative stress and mutation. In this report, we examine the effect of a combination of UV treatment and metal ion exposure on melanosomes within melanocytes, as well as their ability to act as pro-oxidants in ex situ experiments, and assay the effects of this treatment on viability and cell cycle progression. UVB exposure causes morphologic changes of the cells and bleaching of melanosomes in normal melanocytes, both significantly enhanced in Cu(II) and Cd(II)-treated cells, as observed by microscopy. The promoted bleaching by Cu(II) is due to its ability to redox cycle under oxidative conditions, generating reactive oxygen species; verified by the observed enhancement of hydroxyl radical generation when isolated melanosomes were treated with both Cu(II) ions and UVB, as assayed by DNA clipping. Single-dose UVB/Cu treatment does not greatly affect cell viability or cell cycle progression in heavily pigmented cells, but did so in an amelanotic early stage melanoma cell line.
Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Column–Steel Beam Roof Level T-Connections under Displacement Reversals

Results from an experimental study on the seismic response of two hybrid RC column-to-steel S beam RCS roof level T-connection subassemblies are presented. The primary variables investigated were: 1 anchorage requirements in column longitudinal bars; and 2 confinement requirements in RCS roof level T-connections. In the first subassembly the column bars were anchored by providing a development length of 12 bar diameters and an end mechanical anchor with twice the diameter of the bar, while connection confinement was provided by steel band plates wrapping around the column regions just above and below the steel beam. This specimen exhibited a stable response up to 4.0% drift, the displacement at which a column bar anchorage failure occurred, which led to excessive bar slip through the connection with the associated decay in stiffness and strength. In the second specimen the development length for the column longitudinal bars was increased to 20 bar diameters and a larger bearing area for the mechanical anchors was provided through steel channel sections running transversely above the top flange of the steel beam. The behavior of the second specimen was characterized by large column inelastic rotations, good stiffness retention and energy dissipation capacity, and limited joint damage. Thus, experimental results indicate that properly designed RCS roof level T-connections exhibit a stable behavior under large inelastic deformation reversals, such as those induced by strong earthquakes. DOI: 10.1061/ASCE0733-94452006132:71041 CE Database subject headings: Composite structures; Earthquake resistant structures; Shear resistance; Shear deformation; Bearing capacity; Bond stress.
A systematic integrated approach for crafting poverty reduction and sustainable development projects

Poverty reduction and sustainable development programmes lack a systematic, integrated approach that serves to frame issues, simplify complexity and guide action. Responding to five common challenges yields such an approach: 1) How diverse groups can work together effectively, mitigating power inequities and corruption; 2) How to prioritize problems more objectively; 3) How to build sufficient contextual understanding of problems; 4) How to compare alternative solutions for relative sustainability; and 5) How to build sufficient societal capacity to sustain solutions. The approach weaves together five strands: Social learning theory and participatory methods to build collaboration; Vulnerability theory to prioritize problems; Systems thinking to understand context; Sustainability assessment to compare alternative solutions; and integrated capacity building to sustain the preferred solution: SVSSC for short. Existing projects often fail to recognize several of these strands and synergy is not exploited, undermining progress. Globally, the approach seeks to strengthen Agenda 21 and Millennium Project plans that are prescriptive. The literature foundation is complemented by case study applications: urban industrial poverty and health risks in Massachusetts, USA (design and implementation using SVSSC); malaria in the Lake Victoria Region, East Africa (framing and design); and watershed stress in Central Mexico (framing and design). The SVSSC model can strengthen governance, can be scaled up or down, applied across different sectors, tailored to existing contexts yet remain adaptive to change.
Application of MeV Ion Implantation in the Formation of Nano-Metallic Clusters in Silica

The implantation of metal ions into photorefractive materials followed by thermal annealing leads to an increase in resonance optical absorption as well as an enhancement of the nonlinear optical properties. The authors have implanted ions of Au (3.6 MeV), Ag (1.5 MeV) and Cu (2.0 MeV) into pure silica followed by careful heat treatment. Using optical absorption spectrophotometry and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry the authors have measured the cluster size for each heat treatment temperature and determined the activation energies for their formation. The third order electric susceptibility for silica with 2 nm gold clusters has been determined by Z-scan to be 6.5 {times} 10{sup {minus}8} esu.
Risk of Diarrhea Related to Iron Content of Infant Formula: Lack of Evidence to Support the Use of Low-iron Formula as a Supplement for Breastfed Infants

Background. Concern has been raised by infant feeding experts that supplementing breastfed in- fants with iron-fortified formula rather than low-iron formula may have an undesirable impact on their gastro- intestinal flora. Thus far, there have been no clinical studies to address this issue directly. We compared the reported frequency of diarrhea for breastfed infants given iron-fortified formula with those fed low-iron for- mula. Methods. Mothers participating in a mail panel pro- vided feeding and diarrhea information on their infants at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 12 months (n 5 1743). Infants were grouped into five feeding categories: (1) breast milk only, (2) breast milk and low-iron formula, (3) breast milk and iron-fortified formula, (4) low-iron formula only, and (5) iron-fortified formula only. We calculated the number of diarrheal episodes per week for each feeding category and used rate ratios to estimate the relative impact of low-iron and iron-fortified formulas. Results. Among infants who received both breast milk and formula, the rate ratio for iron-fortified formula versus low-iron formula was 1.06 (confidence interval, 0.84 to 1.34), indicating that the type of formula a breast- fed infant receives does not significantly affect the fre- quency of diarrhea. Conclusions. We found no evidence to support the hypothesis that breastfed infants given iron-fortified for- mula are at greater risk of having diarrhea. This, in addition to the fact that iron-fortified formula has played a major role in preventing childhood iron deficiency anemia, supports the current recommendation that any formula given to infants be fortified with iron.Pediatrics 1997;99(3). URL: http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/ full/99/3/e2; infant food, diarrhea, breastfeeding, iron.
Prediction of critical heat flux in flow boiling at low qualities

Abstract A theoretically based prediction of CHF has been developed for high velocity flow in tubes. Turbulent interchange between the bubbly layer and core regions is taken as the limiting mechanism. Good agreement was obtained between predictions and experimental data for water flowing in uniformly and nonuniformly heated tubes. The predictive procedure developed for water was found to yield results in agreement with experiment for each of the four other fluids examined.
Mechanical and Cardiopulmonary Responses To The Use of a Newly Designed Leg Simulator

TM is a newly designed assistive device considered as a viable alternative for assisted ambulation. In this study, Twenty-seven normal participants walked using the ED leg simulator, axillary crutches and unassisted. Participants reported that the simulator had less cardiopulmonary impact, as indicated by heart rate response and perceived exertion, when the six-minute walk test was performed. Participants exhibited similar impact patterns and vertical ground reaction force values to that of normal walking as measured by force plates. Given these important findings, practitioners should examine the effectiveness of the ED Legsim TM for individuals with lower extremity impairments, restricted weight-bearing status, particularly those with a compromised cardiopulmonary system.
Countercurrent exchange in the renal medulla.

the loop of henle has been the focus of extensive investigation for the last 50 years since Hargitay and Kuhn ([1][1]) first proposed that it acts as a countercurrent multiplier and generates the hypertonic fluid in the renal medulla. Until recently, however, the equally important role of the vasa
The Influence of Health Literacy on Reach, Retention, and Success in a Worksite Weight Loss Program

ABSTRACT Purpose. To examine if employee health literacy (HL) status moderated reach, retention, and weight outcomes in a worksite weight loss program. Design. The study was a two-group cluster randomized controlled weight loss trial. Setting. The study was conducted in 28 worksites. Subjects. Subjects comprised 1460 employees with a body mass index >25 kg/m2. Interventions. Two 12-month weight loss interventions targeted diet and physical activity behaviors: incentaHEALTH (INCENT; incentivized individually targeted Internet-based intervention) and Livin' My Weigh (LMW; less-intense quarterly newsletters). Measures. A validated three-item HL screening measure was self-completed at baseline. Weight was objectively assessed with the Health Spot scale at baseline and 12-month follow-up. Analysis. The impact of HL on program effectiveness was assessed through fixed-effect parametric models that controlled for individual (i.e., age, gender, race, ethnicity, income, education) and worksite fixed effects. Result...
Alternative splicing in the aldo-keto reductase superfamily: implications for protein nomenclature.

Abstract The aldo–keto reductase superfamily contains 173 proteins which are present in all phyla. Examination of the human and mouse genomes has identified that in some instances a single AKR gene can give rise to alternatively spliced mRNA variants which in some cases can give rise to more than one protein isoform. This is currently well documented in the AKR6A subfamily which contains the β-subunits of the voltage-gated potassium ion channels. With the emergence of second generation sequencing it is likely that the occurrence of transcript variants and protein isoforms from a single AKR gene may become common place. To deal with this issue we recommend that the Ensembl data-base nomenclature be used to annotate the transcript variants from a single AKR gene. However, since multiple transcript variants could give rise to either the same or multiple protein isoforms from the same AKR gene we also propose to expand the nomenclature of the AKR protein superfamily, so that when a protein isoform is shown to be expressed and is functional it would be assigned the standard AKR name followed by a “period or full-stop” and a number for that unique isoform. Numbers will be assigned chronologically and linked to the respective transcripts annotated in Ensembl e.g. AKR6A5.1 (Kvβ2.1) (AKR6A5-001, -006 and -201), followed by AKR6A5.2 (Kvβ2.2) (AKR6A5-002,-202). This nomenclature is expandable and it enables multiple protein isoforms to be assigned to their respective transcripts when they arise from the same AKR gene or for a single protein isoform to be assigned to multiple transcripts when the transcripts encode the same AKR protein.
Noncaloric Effects of Dietary Fat and Cellulose on the Voluntary Feed Consumption of White Leghorn Chickens

Abstract Prior to adjusting caloric intake, Single Comb White Leghorn pullets changed to diets with 10% cellulose decreased feed consumption, while those changed to diets supplemented with 10% hydrolyzed fat increased feed consumption. The feeding of diets supplemented with both 10% fat and 10% cellulose suggested that the feed consumption responses observed were not due either to metabolizable energy concentrations or feed density. It was concluded that palatability was an important factor contributing to the voluntary feed intake of chickens on a relatively short term basis.
Essentialism in the absence of language? Evidence from rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

We explored whether rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) share one important feature of human essentialist reasoning: the capacity to track category membership across radical featural transformations. Specifically, we examined whether monkeys--like children (Keil, 1989)--expect a transformed object to have the internal properties of its original category. In two experiments, monkeys watched as an experimenter visually transformed a familiar fruit (e.g. apple) into a new kind of fruit (e.g. coconut) either by placing a fruit exterior over the original, or by removing an exterior shell and revealing the inside kind of fruit. The experimenter then pretended to place an inside piece of the transformed fruit into a box which the monkey was allowed to search. Results indicated that monkeys searched the box longer when they found a piece of fruit inconsistent with the inside kind, suggesting that the monkeys expected that the inside of the transformed fruit would taste like the innermost kind they saw. These results suggest that monkeys may share at least one aspect of psychological essentialism: they maintain category-specific expectations about an object's internal properties even when that object's external properties change. These results therefore suggest that some essentialist expectations may emerge in the absence of language, and thus raise the possibility that such tendencies may emerge earlier in human development than has previously been considered.
County-level Tourism Impact Assessment: A Case Study in Beaufort County, South Carolina:

South Carolina's coastal counties are experiencing tremendous changes in population and economic development as a result of growth in the tourist, recreation, and resort sectors. However, little is known about the overall impact of the tourism industry in detail at the county level. This study presents the results of the application of an economic impact model designed to provide insight into the benefits of various mixes of tourism products at a local level with special reference to Beaufort County, South Carolina.
Selective oxidation in vitro by myeloperoxidase of the N-terminal amine in apolipoprotein B-100

In contrast to the multiple low abundance 2,4- dinitrophenylhydrazine-reactive tryptic peptides formed by oxidation of LDL with reagent HOCl in vitro, myeloperoxi- dase-catalyzed oxidation produces a dominant product in considerably greater yield and selectivity. This modified peptide had a single amino-terminal sequence correspond- ing to amino acids 53-66 of apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB- 100), but its mass spectra indicated a significantly higher mass than could be reconciled with simple modifications of this peptide. Subsequent studies indicate that this product appears to result from N-chlorination of the N-terminal amino group of apoB-100 and dehydrohalogenation to the corresponding imine, which may form the hydrazone deriv- ative directly, or after hydrolysis to the ketone. The me- thionine residue is oxidized to the corresponding sulfoxide, and the primary sequence peptide (residues 1-14 of apoB- 100) is linked by the intramolecular disulfide bond between C-12 and C-61 to the peptide composed of residues 53-66, as we have observed previously ( Yang, C-Y., T. W. Kim, S. A. Weng, B. Lee, M. Yang, and A. M. Gotto, Jr. 1990. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 87: 5523-5527) in unmodified LDL. The selective oxidation by myeloperoxidase of the N-terminal amine suggests strong steric effects in the approach of sub- strate to the enzyme catalytic site, an effect that may apply to other macromolecules and to cell surface molecules. — Yang, C-y., J. Wang, A. N. Krutchinsky, B. T. Chait, J. D. Mor- risett, and C. V. Smith. Selective oxidation in vitro by myeloperoxidase of the N-terminal amine in apolipoprotein B-100. J. Lipid Res. 2001. 42: 1891-1896.
Adductor Canal Block With Bupivacaine Liposome Versus Ropivacaine Pain Ball for Pain Control in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Appropriate postoperative pain control following total knee arthroplasty is important in patient recovery. Adductor canal block (ACB) is a novel method to deliver anesthesia. There are currently no studies using bupivacaine liposome with ACB while also taking into account cost. Objective: To compare the efficacy and cost of using bupivacaine liposome to ropivacaine pain ball (RPB) for postsurgical pain control in total knee replacement surgery. The primary efficacy endpoint is mean pain score. Secondary endpoints include opioid and nonopioid pain medication consumption and cost per patient case. Methods: This was a retrospective, matched cohort study with data collected from electronic medical records from February 2013 to June 2014. Mean pain score was measured by the 11-point Visual Analogue Scale over a 72-hour period. Cost analysis was also done looking at medication, direct, indirect, and total cost per patient case. Results: Mean pain score over the 72 hours was 3.24 in the bupivacaine l...
A Note on Economic Liberalization and Privatization in Hungary and Egypt

Divestiture of public sector assets is only one part of a broad definition of privatization. A more comprehensive evaluation should include economic liberalization policies, and the development of the legal and institutional infrastructure for the private sector as well. We compare the background and recent economic reforms in Hungary and Egypt in these terms. We show that most of Egypt's privatization and much of Hungary's has come through the relaxation of government interference in the private sector. We conclude that divestiture of public enterprises should not be the exclusive, or even main, concern of government policy or external advice.
OpenSim-Supported Virtual Learning Environment: Transformative Content Representation, Facilitation, and Learning Activities

The pedagogical and design considerations for the use of a virtual reality (VR) learning environment are important for prospective and current teachers. However, empirical research investigating ho...
Functional Reconstruction of Large Medial Canthal Defects

The aim of this study is to describe a surgical technique for the reconstruction of large medial canthal defects involving the lacrimal apparatus following excision of medial canthal tumors. Many different techniques for constructing a neopassage from the lacrimal sac to the nasal sinuses have been investigated and described in the literature. However, there continues to be difficulty with successful functional reconstruction of the lacrimal outflow tract without the long-term use of an indwelling tube. We herein describe a technique utilizing a paramedian forehead flap combined with AlloDerm (LifeCell Corporation, Township of Branchburg, NJ) as the conduit for reconstruction of the medial canthus and lacrimal outflow tract. We present a case series of three patients successfully reconstructed with the above technique and describe their presentation, treatment, and postoperative course. We provide a detailed description of the surgical technique and document the success of the technique in regard to patency and postprocedure function of the lacrimal conduit.
Utility of Calcium Carbonate in Neutral Papermaking

Calcium carbonate industry in Japan has been established and developed with limestone resources of high quality produced richly for background. Calcium carbonate is divided into the following two main classes : ground limestone (GL), a product manufactured by pulverising limestone and classifying, as well as precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), a product manufactured by calcinning limestone, making milk of lime and reacting it with carbon dioxide gas to settle.This report describes the utility of calcium carbonate in neutral papermaking. Some considerations are given on (1) existing condition of calcium carbonate, (2) properties of calcium carbonate-filled paper, (3) wire life, (4) sizing in neutral papermaking.
USE OF KETAMINE FOR INTRACTABLE PAIN IN TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS

Background There is insufficient evidence from controlled clinical studies to support the use of Ketamine in refractory cancer pain. This has lead to lack of confidence and inconsistent clinical use of the drug among many specialist palliative centres in the United Kingdom. Aims ▸To analyse the current practice and barriers in prescribing Ketamine. ▸To capture the confidence of specialist palliative care physicians in prescribing Ketamine. Methods Specialist palliative care doctors across the region were invited to reply to a questionnaire based survey via email. Results 43 doctors participated in the study. 81.4% have used Ketamine for controlling intractable pain during ‘end of life’ situations in addition to strong opioids, 60.5% used it as an adjuvant with opioids in the early stages of pain relief and 51.2% used it to enable the reduction of opioid dose due to its side effects. Confidence amongst the specialist palliative care physicians ranged from 3 to 10 on a visual analogue scale (10 representing the most confidence), with an average rating of 6.8. Lack of expertise and familiarity (55.9%), lack of evidence (44.2%), and side effects (25.5%) were the barriers observed in the use of Ketamine. Only 32.6% (4) centres had a written protocol for use within the service and have developed shared guidance for the community services. 79.1% of the respondents felt they would benefit from further training and education. Conclusion Randomised controlled trials are difficult within the palliative care patient population. This has resulted in a lack of uniformity in practice of the use of Ketamine. Almost 80% of the survey participants felt there was a need for further research and education in the use of Ketamine. Recommendations Developing written departmental policies with shared guidance to generalists would help in a more consistent and effective use of the drug amongst specialist palliative doctors. Education and training are required to improve confidence with its use.
13. Dickinson’s There’s a Certain Slant of Light

(1972). 13. Dickinson’s There’s a Certain Slant of Light. The Explicator: Vol. 31, No. 2, pp. 30-32.
Impact of sediment particle size on biotransformation of 17β-estradiol and 17β-trenbolone

Soil/sediment particle size has been reported to influence the sorption and bioavailability of steroid hormones in the environment. However, the impact of particle size on biotransformation has not been well elucidated. The present study investigated the dissipation of 17β-estradiol and 17β-trenbolone and the formation and degradation of the subsequent transformation products in different size fractions of a sandy and a silt loam sediment. The results showed that the decay of 17β-estradiol and 17β-trenbolone associated with fine particles followed a biphasic pattern with more rapid decay in the initial phase followed by a second phase with slower decay of the residues compared to their decay rates in the sand fraction. Estrone and trendione were detected as a primary biotransformation product for 17β-estradiol and 17β-trenbolone, respectively. The parent-to-product conversion ratios and the degradation rates of estrone and trendione varied among different size fractions, but no consistent correlation was observed between decay rates and sediment particle size. Estrone and trendione decayed in the whole sediments at rates not statistically different from those associated with the fine fractions. These results indicate that fine particles may play an important role in influencing the persistence of and the potential risk posed by steroid hormones in the aquatic systems.
Basic Exposure (Non-Flash) Concepts

This chapter explains the photographic variables related to exposure. It provides information required to control motion and eliminate blur in photographs. Determining the proper exposure for an image is an essential element of crime scene photography. Each exposure variable affects the others. One variable can be changed if another is also changed to maintain exposure equilibrium. The same overall exposure can be achieved with different exposure settings. This allows the photographer to capture a properly exposed image with different effects: different motion stopping capability and different ranges of depth of field. The exposure meter is the “tool” used to determine a proper exposure. It indicates whether a “proper” exposure has been established or whether the scene is currently overexposed or underexposed. Shutter speeds are not only exposure controls, but they also are motion controls. The proper choice of shutter speeds not only eliminates the risk of blurred photographs resulting from the movement of the photographer at the instant the shutter is depressed but can also eliminate the blur that can be caused by the movement of subjects and objects within well-composed photographs.
Impact of a 10 minute Seated Yoga Practice in the Management of Diabetes.

Objective: We sought to prospectively evaluate the impact of a 10 minute seated yoga program added to standard comprehensive diabetes care on glucose control and cardiovascular health in the severely ill, medically complex diabetic population. Method: A total of 10 patients with type 2 diabetes, ages 49-77, with duration of diabetes >10 years and haemoglobin A1C >9% (75 mmol/mol) were included in the study. Patients randomized to a yoga intervention were taught a 10 minute seated yoga practice, were given an explanatory DVD and a fold-out pocket guide to encourage adherence at home, and were instructed to incorporate the practice as often as they could. The patients in the control arm were provided information and hand outs on the available yoga classes on campus. Results: At 3 month clinical follow up, the mean decrease in fasting capillary blood glucose (CBG) was 45% among yoga participants (-5.2 ± 4.1 mmol/L). Heart rate (HR) dropped by 18% and Diastolic blood pressure (BP) dropped by 29% in the intervention arm, (-12.4 ± 6.69 and -26 ± 12.05 mmHg, respectively). There were no statistically significant changes in the haemoglobin A1C, systolic blood pressure, weight, or body mass index in either group. Conclusion: Our small pilot study reinforces the current medical evidence supporting the use of yoga, combined with standard care, to improve health outcomes in diabetes.
Hemodynamic Parameters Predict Mortality In Sickle Cell Disease-Related Pulmonary Hypertension

Abstract Abstract 2668 Background: Indirect markers of pulmonary hypertension (PH) are associated with significant risk of early mortality in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). Currently, there are limited data on hemodynamic predictors of mortality in PH patients with SCD. Objective: To identify risk factors associated with mortality and to estimate the expected survival in a cohort of patient with SCD-related PH documented by right heart catheterization (RHC). Methods: We collected hemodynamic data from 86 consecutive adults with SCD who underwent RHC based on elevated tricuspid regurgitant velocity (TRV) on echocardiography and clinical suspicion of PH. Survival rates from the time of diagnosis of PH by RHC and dates of enrollment were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Mortality risk factors were analyzed by the Cox proportional hazards regression. Patients found to have PH by RHC (mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥25 mmHg). were compared to 447 general sickle patients for hemolytic markers, TRV, exercise capacity and overall survival. For a highly stringent definition of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), we utilized a highly conservative pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) cutoff of 3 Woods' units, approximately six standard deviations (SD) above normal in adults with SCD. Pulmonary venous hypertension (PVH) was defined by pulmonary capillary wedge pressure >15 mmHg. Results: Fifty six (65%) patients from the RHC cohort had PH. The PH group had significantly higher hemolytic markers (serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin), higher TRV (3.3 ± 0.5 vs. 2.3 ± 0.5 m/s, mean ± SD, P Conclusion: Mortality in SCD related PH is high and is directly correlated with typical indicators of PH severity, including specific hemodynamic measures and impaired exercise capacity. This suggests that PH is contributing significantly to early mortality in SCD adults. Less conservative cutoffs for PVR are accepted by many authorities in the setting of high flow, and this would result in even a higher percentage of PAH diagnoses in our analysis. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
“Lo hacen tan complicado”: Bridging the perspectives and expectations of mathematics instruction of Latino immigrant parents

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this article is to counter widespread deficit discourses about Latino parental involvement in their children’s education. In particular, we show Latino immigrant parents’ views and understandings of curricular and pedagogical practices in elementary school, especially in mathematics. Using data from the Agency and Young Children project, a video-cued ethnographic study, we highlight voices of Latino immigrant parents that describe their understanding of, and attention to, differences in mathematics instruction between theirs and the American culture. Our work suggests the need to create a bridge for communication between home and school to better prepare bilingual students to face the educational challenges they experience, particularly during mathematics instruction.
Conclusions and Future Perspectives

We developed and validated a new technology for high throughput sequencing of paired antibody heavy and light chains at very high cell throughput. This work was undertaken specifically to address a critical deficiency in currently available high throughput antibody sequencing techniques, namely that the pairing information of heavy and light chains is irreversibly lost during traditional high-throughput sequencing. We first reported a microarray-based technique with capacity for up to 105 cells per analysis [1], then translated the same general workflow into emulsion droplets for interrogation of up to 107 single B cells per operator in a single day.
Immunophotonics-based therapy for metastatic cancers

An immunophotonics-based novel therapy was developed for the treatment of metastatic cancers. It uses the combination of local laser irradiation and immunological stimulation through administration of immunoadjuvants. This method has shown promising outcomes in pre-clinical and preliminary clinical studies. It can eradicate the treated primary tumors and also can control distant metastases. The clinical results of this novel therapy in treating late-stage, metastatic melanoma and breast cancer patients will be presented. The synergistic phototherapy-induced, adjuvant-enhanced systemic antitumor effect is proposed.
Panaxynol, a bioactive component of American ginseng, targets macrophages and suppresses colitis in mice

Ulcerative colitis has a significant impact on the quality of life for the patients, and can substantially increase the risk of colon cancer in patients suffering long-term. Conventional treatments provide only modest relief paired with a high risk of side effects, while complementary and alternative medicines can offer safe and effective options. Over the past decade, we have shown that both American ginseng and its hexane fraction (HAG) have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can suppress mouse colitis and prevent colitis-associated colon cancer. With the goal of isolating a single active compound, we further fractionated HAG, and found the most abundant molecule in this fraction was the polyacetylene, panaxynol (PA). After isolating and characterizing PA, we tested the efficacy of PA in the treatment and prevention of colitis in mice and studied the mechanism of action. We demonstrate here that PA effectively treats colitis in a Dextran Sulfate Sodium mouse model by targeting macrophages for DNA damage and apoptosis. This study provides additional mechanistic evidence that American ginseng can be used for conventional treatment of colitis and other diseases associated with macrophage dysfunction.
Relations of Two Continuum Theories of Liquid Crystals

For the thermomechanics of nematic and cholesteric liquid crystals, the Ericksen-Leslie theory and the theory based upon micropolar continuum mechanics are presented. The similarities and differences in basic laws of motion and constitutive equations between these two theories are discussed in detail. For illustrative purpose solutions of some special problems are given in order to illustrate special features of these theories.
Controversy and Sentiment: An Exploratory Study

Automatic keyword analysis is often performed around the world to limit individual access to online content. To enable citizens to freely and openly communicate on the Internet, research is required to study the predictive quality of single words to detect controversial content. This paper extends our previous work with a larger topic-diverse dataset of 1,068,621 words collected from 23 RSS feeds over a 2 month period. Reliability of prior results and the relationship between controversy and sentiment is examined by reproducing a crowd-sourced experiment. Results from the experiment suggest that controversial and not controversial words are classified by human annotators with a high degree of reliability, but unlike previous research we determine that single words are not useful for detecting controversy. In addition, while we cannot conclude that sentiment alone can be used to predict controversy we find that the variance of sentiment may be a useful metric for partitioning data into distinct clusters. Specifically, we find that higher sentiment variance provides greater discrimination quality compared to using positive and negative sentiment to classify controversial documents.
The Active Temperature, Ozone and Moisture Microwave Spectrometer (ATOMMS)

The Active Temperature, Ozone and Moisture Microwave Spectrometer (ATOMMS) is designed to observe Earth’s climate. It extends and overcomes several limitations of the GPS radio occultation capabilities by simultaneously measuring atmospheric bending and absorption at frequencies approximately 10 and 100 times higher than GPS. This paper summarizes several important conceptual improvements to ATOMMS made since OPAC-1 including deriving the hydrostatic upper boundary condition directly from the ATOMMS observations, our much improved understanding of the impact of turbulence and its mitigation, and a new approach to deriving atmospheric profiles in the presence of inhomogeneous liquid water clouds. ATOMMS performance significantly exceeds that of radiometric sounders in terms of precision and vertical resolution and degrades only slightly in the presence of clouds and it does so independently of models. Our aircraft-to-aircraft occultation demonstration of ATOMMS performance will begin in 2009 representing a major step towards an orbiting observing system.
Feasibility of FDG Imaging of the Coronary Arteries: Comparison Between Acute Coronary Syndrome and Stable Angina

Objectives This study tested the hypothesis that fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake within the ascending aorta and left main coronary artery (LM), measured using positron emission tomography (PET), is greater in patients with recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS) than in patients with stable angina. Background Inflammation is known to play an important role in atherosclerosis. Positron emission tomography imaging with 18F-FDG provides a measure of plaque inflammation. Methods Twenty-five patients (mean age 57.9 ± 9.8 years, 72% male, 10 ACS, and 15 stable angina) underwent cardiac computed tomographic angiography and PET imaging with 18F-FDG after invasive angiography. Images were coregistered, and FDG uptake was measured at locations of interest for calculation of target-to-background ratios (TBR). Additionally, FDG uptake was measured at the site of the lesion deemed clinically responsible for the presenting syndrome (culprit) by virtue of locating the stent deployed to treat the syndrome. Results The FDG uptake was higher in the ACS versus the stable angina groups in the ascending aorta (median [interquartile ranges] TBR 3.30 [2.69 to 4.12] vs. 2.43 [2.00 to 2.86], p = 0.02), as well as the LM (2.48 [2.30 to 2.93] vs. 2.00 [1.71 to 2.44], p = 0.03, respectively). The TBR was greater for culprit lesions associated with ACS than for lesions stented for stable coronary syndromes (2.61 vs. 1.74, p = 0.02). Furthermore, the TBR in the stented lesions (in ACS and stable angina groups) correlated with C-reactive protein (r = 0.58, p = 0.04). Conclusions This study shows that in patients with recent ACS, FDG accumulation is increased both within the culprit lesion as well as in the ascending aorta and LM. This observation suggests inflammatory activity within atherosclerotic plaques in acute coronary syndromes and supports intensification of efforts to refine PET methods for molecular imaging of coronary plaques.
Socialization in Adolescence

Early investigations of adolescent socialization envisioned adolescents passively and individually receiving knowledge and skills from adults. More recently, scholars have argued that adolescent socialization is an active, collective process in which adolescents interact with each other and adults to "produce their own worlds and peer cultures, and eventually come to reproduce, to extend, and to join the adult world" (Corsaro & Eder, 1995, p. 444). Here, we review different theoretical approaches scholars have used to study adolescent socialization. Then, we discuss research on adolescent socialization within the contexts of family, school, and peer groups.
Chapter 4 – Trends in Laser Development

This chapter discusses the trends in the development of lasers. It reviews the conventional lasers such as: gas lasers, solid state lasers, and semiconductor lasers. Lasers have become more durable, reliable, and reasonably economical to operate. The semiconductor laser is one such example. Early models of lasers were very short lived (hours). Advances in structures and fabrication have made them very long lived (years). There are two types of established lasers that are rapidly advancing with considerable research and development efforts. These are the semiconductor lasers and diode pumped solid state lasers. An extensive effort is being devoted for the development of the semiconductor lasers operating in the blue and ultraviolet portions of the spectrum. The blue semiconductor lasers are of great interest to the optical data recording. The areal density of information that can be stored on an optical disk is inversely proportional to the square of the wavelength used. The availability of a blue semiconductor laser can aid in increasing the density of the information stored to nearly fourfold. This chapter concludes with a discussion of the availability of tunable laser technology.