cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seasonal Variation in Fluoride Intake: the Iowa Fluoride Study

Objectives: Although patterns of fluid intake change seasonally, little is known about how fluoride intake varies by season. Since even short-term increases in fluoride intake could potentially lead to more dental fluorosis, it is valuable to assess the degree of seasonal variation to determine if it increases fluoride intake to levels that could be considered a concern in young children. Methods: Questionnaires were mailed periodically to participants in the Iowa Fluoride Study beginning at 6 weeks of age and continuing for a number of years. Parents recorded the date; child's weight; estimates of the amounts of water and other beverages that their child consumed per week; the type and amount of any fluoride supplements used; and the type, amount, and frequency of dentifrice used, with an estimate of the proportion of dentifrice that was swallowed. Documented water fluoride levels from municipal sources and assay of individual sources were linked to water intake amounts. Total fluoride intake per kg body weight was estimated from water, other beverages, fluoride supplements, and ingested dentifrice. Generalized linear models compared temperature-related and seasonal effects after adjusting for the child's age. Results: Separate analyses for ages 0–12 months and 12–72 months showed different results. Children younger than 12 months of age did not exhibit significant seasonal or temperature-related variation in any of the components of fluoride intake. Children aged 12–72 months had higher fluoride intake (mg F/kg bw) from beverages in summer (P <.05), and fluoride intake from beverages increased with monthly temperature (P <.001). Conclusions: Fluoride intake from beverages for children aged 12–72 months is slightly higher in the summer and increases with mean monthly temperature. Fluoride intake from supplements and dentifrice did not change significantly with either season or temperature.
Three-dimensional Delayed-Detonation Model of Type Ia Supernovae

We study a Type Ia supernova explosion using large-scale three-dimensional numerical simulations based on reactive fluid dynamics with a simplified mechanism for nuclear reactions and energy release. The initial deflagration stage of the explosion involves a subsonic turbulent thermonuclear flame propagating in the gravitational field of an expanding white dwarf. The deflagration produces an inhomogeneous mixture of unburned carbon and oxygen with intermediate-mass and iron-group elements in central parts of the star. During the subsequent detonation stage, a supersonic detonation wave propagates through the material unburned by the deflagration. The total energy released in this delayed-detonation process, (1.3-1.6) × 1051 ergs, is consistent with a typical range of kinetic energies obtained from observations. In contrast to the deflagration model, which releases only about 0.6 × 1051 ergs, the delayed-detonation model does not leave carbon, oxygen, and intermediate-mass elements in central parts of a white dwarf. This removes the key disagreement between three-dimensional simulations and observations, and makes a delayed detonation the mostly likely mechanism for Type Ia supernova explosions.
Oxygen rf-discharge cleaning: Plasma characterization and implementation on a grasshopper beam line

We have used the oxygen rf-discharge cleaning procedure developed by Johnson and co-workers [E.D. Johnson, S.L. Hulbert, R.F. Garrett, G.P. Williams and M.L. Knotek, Rev. Sci. Instr. 58 (1987) 1042] to clean the carbon contamination from the optical elements of a grasshopper monochromator. Some improvement in higher energy flux was obtained, but the efficiency of the process was limited by the nonideal geometry of the discharge tube with respect to the contaminated optics. In an effort to characterize the reactions of the plasma with the carbonaceous overlayers, we employed mass and fluorescence spectroscopies to monitor the reactions in a test chamber containing the discharge tube and a contaminated grating. Both techniques show promise, but our results indicate that fluorescence spectroscopy shows the greatest potential for end-point detection because it may be used as a local probe and can be relatively inexpensive to implement.
Simple structure and soft elastic behavior of Mn on Fe{001}

Ultrathin films of Mn grow epitaxially and pseudomorphically on Fe{001}. Low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) experiments show that with increasing thickness the films contain defects and disorder, but a substantial portion remains well crystallized. A quantitative LEED analysis of a 23-\AA{}-thick film finds that the film has a body-centered-tetragonal structure with lattice parameters: a=2.866 \AA{} and c=3.228 \AA{}, hence with an axial ratio c/a=1.13 and atomic volume 13.3 A${\mathrm{\r{}}}^{3}$/atom. Strain analysis using both the LEED results and the tetragonal structure from dilute Mn alloys determines the Poisson ratio of the film to be near 0.5, hence the film is elastically soft. Both the face-centered- and the body-centered-cubic structures are consistent with the data as underlying phases of the grown film. LEED intensity data show that the distance between Mn layers is small (about 1.3 \AA{}) when the epitaxial film is only two- or three-layers thick, and then increases to become 1.614 \AA{} in the bulk of 14-layer thick films. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Hand anthropometry of Americans of Vietnamese origin

Twenty-four dimensions of the right hand were measured in 30 female and 41 male Americans of Vietnamese origin. The mean, standard deviation, range; and 5th, 50th, and 95th percentile values of each measurement are tabulated. The means of the female measurements are also compared with the means of the corresponding measurements in females from Hong Kong, United Kingdom, United States, and Japan - using data from other published studies.
Streptococcal Pharyngitis: Comparison of Latex Agglutination and Throat Culture

Despite its imperfections, the throat culture remains the "gold standard" against which all rapid streptococcal antigen detection tests are compared. Using triple throat swabs, the accuracy of a rapid latex agglutination (LA) test and back up throat culture was determined and compared with a simultaneously obtained additional throat culture in children with suspected streptococcal pharyngitis. Although there was a 95 percent concordancy between throat cultures, the sensitivity of the throat culture was only 87 percent. Despite the LA test's lower sensitivity (78 percent), in this clinical population with a relatively low prevalence of positive throat cultures (19 percent), the predictive value of a negative LA test was only slightly lower than that of the throat culture (94-95 percent vs. 97 percent). Backup throat cultures are commonly recommended for patients with initially negative LA test results, but 10 percent of the patients with group A beta-hemolytic streptococci-positive throat cultures would ha...
Nutritional Assessment in Pediatrics

Nutritional status affects every pediatric patient's response to illness. Good nutrition is important for achieving normal growth and development. Nutritional assessment therefore should be an integral part of the care for every pediatric patient. Routine screening measures for abnormalities of growth should be performed on all pediatric patients. Those patients with chronic illness and those at risk for malnutrition should have detailed nutritional assessments done. Components of a complete nutritional assessment include a medical history, nutritional history including dietary intake, physical examination, anthropometrics (weight, length or stature, head circumference, midarm circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness), pubertal staging, skeletal maturity staging, and biochemical tests of nutritional status. Alternative measures for linear growth assessment (e.g., lower leg and upper arm measures) can be performed on patients unable to stand or who have musculoskeletal deformities. Bone densitometry can be used to assess bone mineralization and the risk of fracture. Nutritionally at risk patients may benefit from determination of resting energy expenditure by indirect calorimetry. The use of age, gender, and disease-specific growth charts is essential in assessing nutritional status and monitoring nutrition interventions. The importance of accurate measurements using trained personnel and appropriate equipment cannot be overemphasized.
86. Inhibition of Choroidal Neovascularization In Vivo by Adenovirus Mediated Delivery of Short Hairpin RNAs Targeting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor as a Potential Therapy for Age Related Macular Degeneration

Top of pageAbstract Purpose: Choroidal neovascularization is the leading cause of blindness in age related macular degeneration (AMD). Several lines of evidence implicate increased levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) from AMD patients. Current approaches to attenuate VEGF or its receptors, including the use of small interfering RNA (siRNA) show significant promise but still have limited efficacy and require repeat administrations using procedures associated with multiple complications. The goal of this study was to develop an approach for long-term endogenous expression of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) that would significantly attenuate VEGF and hence act as a potential therapy for AMD. Methods: We developed several shRNAs expressed from recombinant adenovirus. These shRNAs were expressed in human RPE cells in the presence of adenovirus vectors over-expressing VEGF and the amount of VEGF attenuation evaluated. Adenovirus vectors expressing VEGF were subsequently injected into the subretinal space of mice and induction of CNV measured in the presence of adenovirus vectors expressing shRNA targeting VEGF. Results: We identified potent shRNA sequences able to silence VEGF in human RPE cells. When expressed from adenovirus backbones, these shRNA constructs silenced VEGF by 94% at a 1:5 (VEGF:shRNA) molar ratio and 64% at 1:0.05 molar ratio. Adenovirus vectors expressing high levels of VEGF could induce choroidal neovascularization in mice within 5 days. Co injection of VEGF-expressing viruses into mice with shRNA targeting VEGF led to a substantial (84%) reduction in choroidal neovascularization. Conclusions: shRNA targeting VEGF from adenovirus vectors allows potent attenuation of VEGF and prevents choroidal neovascularization. This approach shows promise as a therapy for AMD.
KEEPING AN EYE ON RETINOBLASTOMA CONTROL OF HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) hold great promise in regenerative medicine. However, before the full potential of these cells is achieved, major basic biological questions need to be addressed. In particular, there are still gaps in our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying the derivation of hESCs from blastocysts, the regulation of the undifferentiated, pluripotent state, and the control of differentiation into specific lineages. Furthermore, we still do not fully understand the tumorigenic potential of hESCs, limiting their use in regenerative medicine. The RB pathway is a key signaling module that controls cellular proliferation, cell survival, chromatin structure, and cellular differentiation in mammalian cells. Members of the RB pathway are important regulators of hESC biology and manipulation of the activity of this pathway may provide novel means to control the fate of hESCs. Here we review what is known about the expression and function of members of the RB pathway in hESCs and discuss areas of interest in this field.
Characterization of myosin-IA and myosin-IB, two unconventional myosins associated with the Drosophila brush border cytoskeleton.

Abstract The expression patterns of myosin-IA (MIA) and myosin-IB (MIB), two novel unconventional myosins from Drosophila melanogaster, have been characterized through immunoblot analysis and immunocytochemistry of embryos, larvae, and adults. The appearance and distribution of both proteins during embryogenesis is correlated with the formation of a brush border within the alimentary canal as documented at the ultrastructural level. MIA and MIB, both found predominantly at the basolateral domain of immature enterocytes, exhibit increased expression at the apical domain of differentiated enterocytes co-incident with microvillus assembly. Colocalization of MIA and MIB to larval and adult gut by confocal microscopy demonstrates distinct but overlapping subcellular distributions of these two proteins. In the larval brush border, MIA is enriched in the subapical terminal web domain whereas MIB is found predominantly in the apical microvillar domain. In the adult gut, MIA and MIB both exhibit a microvillar component as MIA attains a more apical position in addition to its previous terminal web locale. MIB is also found in egg chambers at both the basolateral and apical surfaces of the somatic follicle cells during oogenesis. MIA and MIB both demonstrate ATP-dependent extraction from the larval brush border cytoskeleton and exogenous F-actin, biochemical properties characteristic of functional myosins-I.
Residential Permit Parking: Better Off Without It?

Residential permit parking (RPP) programs are an often-used yet imperfect solution to parking spillover concerns in residential neighborhoods. A common form of RPP allows residents to purchase stickers that permit unlimited on-street parking but imposes short time limits on nonresident parkers. These programs succeed in general to protect on-street spaces for residents but raise concerns about costs, enforcement difficulties, and inefficiencies if parking goes unused. The concept also raises issues about the equity of favoring resident parkers over others. New technologies (e.g., license plate readers, variable pricing, pay-by-phone systems) may provide new forms of residential parking management to upgrade or replace the older programs. The study presented in this paper developed a set of metrics to evaluate the success of RPP programs. The metrics were applied to a case study of parking in three residential neighborhoods on the south side of Berkeley, California, adjacent to several activity centers, wh...
Nasopharyngeal teratoma in the neonate.

Abstract Nasopharyngeal teratomas are rare neoplasms, often presenting as neonaial airway obstruction. A case is presented of a full-term neonate with a mass which filled the oropharynx, nasopharynx and the entire left nasal cavity and extended through the left nares. Airway obstruction necessitated orotracheal intubation immediately after delivery. Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea was suggested and computerized tomography was initially interpreted as a nasoethmoidal encephalocele. After a craniotomy failed to reveal a dural defect, the mass was completely removed via the nose and nasopharynx. The infant was extubated and had an uneventful recovery, this case illustrates the problem of confusing a teratoma for an encephalocele and demonstrates a pitfall in the interpretation of computerized tomography of these lesions.
Prostaglandins in cancer: a review.

(1983). Prostaglandins in Cancer: A Review. Cancer Investigation: Vol. 1, No. 6, pp. 485-493.
Thermoelastic stress in oceanic lithosphere due to hotspot reheating

The effect of hotspot reheating on the intraplate stress field is investigated by modeling the three-dimensional thermal stress field produced by nonuniform temperature changes in an elastic plate. Temperature perturbations are calculated assuming that the lithosphere is heated by a source in the lower part of the thermal lithosphere. A thermal stress model for the elastic lithosphere is calculated by superposing the stress fields resulting from temperature changes in small individual elements. The stress in an elastic plate resulting from a temperature change in each small element is expressed as an infinite series, wherein each term is a source or an image modified from a closed-from half-space solution. The thermal stress solution is applied to midplate swells in oceanic lithosphere with various thermal structures and plate velocities. The results predict a stress field with a maximum deviatoric stress on the order of 100 MPa covering a broad area around the hotspot plume. The predicted principal stress orientations show a complicated geographical pattern, with horizontal extension perpendicular to the hotspot track at shallow depths and compression along the track near the bottom of the elastic lithosphere.
Bilateral Exudative Retinal Detachment Complicating Systemic Corticosteroid Therapy in the Presence of Renal Failure

Purpose We describe an elderly patient with chronic renal failure who developed bilateral exudative retinal detachments after initiation of systemic corticosteroid therapy, followed by prompt resolution of the retinal detachments after the corticosteroids were discontinued. Methods The medical record was examined and reviewed to document the clinical course, treatment, and therapeutic response. Results Two weeks after receiving systemic corticosteroids for deteriorating renal failure, the patient had painless bilateral visual loss. Rapid tapering of the corticosteroids concurrent with hemodialysis and subsequent improvement of renal failure resulted in resolution of the exudative retinal detachments. The right eye developed a 360-degree retinal pigment epithelial tear in the macula. Conclusion Exudative retinal detachments may complicate systemic corticosteroid therapy.
Alcohol and injury in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of alcohol ingestion in adolescent victims of major trauma and determine whether alcohol ingestion is associated with increased injury severity or death. METHODS: Subjects were all patients between 12-25 years of age treated at Pennsylvania trauma centers in 1996 who were reported to the state trauma database. Data on age, mechanism of injury (E-code), blood alcohol concentration (BAC), Injury Severity Score (ISS), and survival were obtained from the state database. BAC positive and negative patients within three groups: ages 12-17, 18-20, and 21-25, were compared to determine any difference in death rate, injury severity or type of injury. RESULTS: 4309 patients aged 12-25 were reported to the state in 1996. 2724 (63.2%) underwent testing for BAC, with 884 (32.5%) of those tested being positive. Testing positive were: 93/726 (12.8%) between 12-17 years old, 249/844 (29.5%) between 18-20 years old, and 542/1154 (47.0%) between 21-25 years old. 567/884 (64.1%) of those testing positive had BAC > or = 100 mg/dl. There were no statistically significant differences in mean ISS or death rate between BAC negative and BAC positive patients in either of the age groups. Regression analysis also showed no relationship between mortality and either the presence of alcohol or the actual level of BAC. Other regression analysis demonstrated a slight downward trend for ISS with increasing intoxication, which was statistically significant at P < 0.01. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol ingestion is found even in early adolescent trauma patients and is seen to increase throughout the teenage years, occurring in over one-quarter of patients 18 to 20 years of age. Suspicion must be high that ingestion of alcohol has occurred in adolescent trauma. Further efforts should be made to improve the rate of testing in late adolescents, to ensure adequate identification of all alcohol-exposed patients and enable educational interventions. No significant differences in mortality were seen between alcohol positive and negative patients, but there was a trend to decreased injury severity with the presence of alcohol.
A hovercraft robot that uses insect-inspired visual autocorrelation for motion control in a corridor

In this paper we are concerned with the challenge of flight control of computationally-constrained micro-aerial vehicles that must rely primarily on vision to navigate confined spaces. We turn to insects for inspiration. We demonstrate that it is possible to control a robot with inertial, flight-like dynamics in the plane using insect-inspired visual autocor-relators or “elementary motion detectors” (EMDs) to detect patterns of visual optic flow. The controller, which requires minimal computation, receives visual information from a small omnidirectional array of visual sensors and computes thrust outputs for a fan pair to stabilize motion along the centerline of a corridor. To design the controller, we provide a frequency-domain analysis of the response of an array of correlators to a flat moving wall. The model incorporates the effects of motion parallax and perspective and provides a means for computing appropriate inter-sensor angular spacing and visual blurring. The controller estimates the state of robot motion by decomposing the correlator response into harmonics, an analogous operation to that performed by tangential cells in the fly. This work constitutes the first-known demonstration of control of non-kinematic inertial dynamics using purely correlators.
SU‐FF‐I‐122: Multiple Overlapping Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound Fields for Localized Tissue Ablation

Ultrasound has long been known to cause tissue heating when applied in high intensities. More recently, interest has arisen in the area of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) for localized tissue heating effects, specifically thermal ablation. HIFU is being introduced into clinical settings for localized tissue ablation guided by MRI. All present techniques employ focused traveling high intensity acoustic waves to create a region of elevated temperature, which causes cell death. Such high intensity traveling waves can be damaging to normal tissue in the vicinity of the focal region, and have demonstrated surface burns and caused patient discomfort in certain clinical trials. The focal region is also difficult to determine due to divergence of the beam and elongation of the focus along the direction of propagation. Use of lower intensity ultrasound can minimize the side‐effects presented by HIFU. This paper demonstrates the use of multiple low intensity focused ultrasound beams resulting in stationary acoustic fields which are capable of heating a very small and more precisely located region of tissue. The intensity of the individual ultrasound beams is within FDA diagnostic ultrasound limits (0.720 W/cm2). Temperature elevation that would cause cell death was achieved in tissue‐mimicking phantoms after short exposures to the acoustic field in the region of beam overlap. The technique was tested with excised turkey breast samples. Temperature increases of 30 C above ambient (37 C) were observed after sonication times of 30 seconds. The size of the tissue ablation was a quasi‐sphere of diameter = 1 cm.
The potential for effluent trading in the energy industries

In January 1996, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a policy statement endorsing wastewater effluent trading in watersheds, hoping to promote additional interest in the subject. The policy describes five types of effluent trades: point source/point source, point source/nonpoint source, pretreatment, intraplant and nonpoint source/nonpoint source. This paper evaluates the feasibility of implementing these types of effluent trading for facilities in the oil and gas, electric power and coal industries. This paper finds that the potential for effluent trading in these industries is limited because trades would generally need to involve toxic pollutants, which can only be traded under a narrow range of circumstances. However, good potential exists for other types of water-related trades that do not directly involve effluents (e.g. wetlands mitigation banking and voluntary environmental projects). The potential for effluent trading in the energy industries and in other sectors would be enhanced if Congress amended the Clean Water Act (CWA) to formally authorize such trading.
Can We Upgrade Low-Skill, Low-Wage Occupations? The Case of Apprenticeships in the Long-Term Care Occupations

The best prospect for improving job quality and compensation in low-wage jobs is by increasing worker productivity. This study investigates the prospects of registered apprenticeship training for raising productivity in the long-term care (LTC) industry, a high-demand, low-wage field that principally employs female caretakers. Case studies of five LTC registered apprenticeship programs and analysis of administrative data suggest that apprenticeship training improved productivity, client satisfaction, pay, and career advancement opportunities. It is less clear whether cost savings were sufficient to offset low Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates or remain sustainable without federal, state, or private support.
Computed tomographic findings in cerebellar astrocytoma

Abstract Sixteen patients with cerebellar astrocytomas were diagnosed by CT. The introduction of CT has decreased the average duration of symptomatology prior to diagnosis. In all cases, there was an abnormal density in the posterior fossa; enhancement was present in 12. The characteristic pattern of a round hypodense region with peripheral enhancing nodule was seen in 10. The fourth ventricle was abnormal and the lateral and third ventricle were enlarged in all cases.
Temperature-dependent changes in erythrocytes' cytosol state during natural and artificial hypobiosis.

Abstract At present, the question of how the structural state of the erythrocyte cytosol is arranged to maintain essential permeabilities successfully both at normal temperature and during periods with a significant body temperature reduction during hypobiosis remains unanswered. In the present work, we performed comparative investigations of temperature-dependent changes in the cytosol state of erythrocytes from animals subjected to natural (winter hibernating ground squirrels) or artificial hypobiosis. The cytosol state was evaluated by the ESR method of spin probes (TEMPON) within the temperature range of 0–50 °C. Erythrocyte resistance to acid hemolysis, which is limited by the permeability of membranes for protons and the state of the anion channel, were determined using the method described by Terskov and Getelson [Biofizika 2 (1957) 259]. A change in cytosol microviscosity of erythrocytes was found as well as a temperature-dependent increase in acid resistance of erythrocytes. Our investigations allow us to conclude that physiological changes occurring in a mammalian organism during natural and artificial hypobiosis are accompanied by structural modifications of the erythrocyte cytosol. The temperature range where these modifications are observed (8, 15, 40 °C) suggests that the most probable modifying link is spectrin and/or the sites of its interaction with membrane. The interaction of cytoskeletal components with the cell membrane plays a key role in regulation of membrane permeability, suggesting an important role of this interaction in the adaptive reactions of erythrocytes.
Remote observing with the Caltech millimeter-wave array

Remote observing with Caltech's millimeter wave array at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO) is being extended to use the graphical capabilities commonly available on computers today. To allow the instrument to be clearly presented to the user, a rich interface has been developed that combines the use of color highlights, graphical representation of data, and audio. Java and internet protocols are used to extend this interface across the Web to provide remote access. Compression techniques are used to enable use over low bandwidth links. This paper presents the design goals, implementation details, and current status of this effort with emphasis on the monitoring of the array.
Mathematical Modeling of Microwave Thawing by the Modified Isotherm Migration Method

A mathematical model of microwave thawing of homogeneous food products is developed and solved numerically using the Modified Isotherm Migration Method. The model is used to predict thawing time and temperature profiles for microwave thawed meat cylinders at three frequencies (2450 MHz, 915 MHz, 300 MHz) and different power levels. Model and experimental results for thawing a lean beef cylinder heated at low microwave power using 2450 MHz frequency compare well. The advantage of using 915 or 300 MHz power over 2450 MHz power is shown by calculations. The results show that microwaves significantly accelerate the thawing rate. The mathematical model is explored as a tool for designing optimal microwave/convective heating protocols for rapidly thawing foods in desired temperature ranges.
Creatine pretreatment protects cortical axons from energy depletion in vitro

Creatine is a natural nitrogenous guanidino compound involved in bioenergy metabolism. Although creatine has been shown to protect neurons of the central nervous system (CNS) from experimental hypoxia/ischemia, it remains unclear if creatine may also protect CNS axons, and if the potential axonal protection depends on glial cells. To evaluate the direct impact of creatine on CNS axons, cortical axons were cultured in a separate compartment from their somas and proximal neurites using a modified two-compartment culture device. Axons in the axon compartment were subjected to acute energy depletion, an in vitro model of white matter ischemia, by exposure to 6 mM sodium azide for 30 min in the absence of glucose and pyruvate. Energy depletion reduced axonal ATP by 65%, depolarized axonal resting potential, and damaged 75% of axons. Application of creatine (10 mM) to both compartments of the culture at 24 h prior to energy depletion significantly reduced axonal damage by 50%. In line with the role of creatine in the bioenergy metabolism, this application also alleviated the axonal ATP loss and depolarization. Inhibition of axonal depolarization by blocking sodium influx with tetrodotoxin also effectively reduced the axonal damage caused by energy depletion. Further study revealed that the creatine effect was independent of glial cells, as axonal protection was sustained even when creatine was applied only to the axon compartment (free from somas and glial cells) for as little as 2 h. In contrast, application of creatine after energy depletion did not protect axons. The data provide the first evidence that creatine pretreatment may directly protect CNS axons from energy deficiency.
Cancer in a Dyadic Context: Older Couples' Negotiation of Ambiguity and Search for Meaning at the End of Life

Ambiguity in the dying experience can be a major source of stress for older couples who must often balance the provision of care with respect for autonomy, aggressive treatment with quality-of-life, and individual with dyadic understandings and preferences. This study explores patterns of relationship, support, and communication in married or partnered couples where one partner is diagnosed with advanced and terminal cancer. Thirty-five older spousal/partner dyads participated in focused, semistructured interviews about relational aspects of their illness experiences. Faced with often uncertain and ambiguous circumstances, cancer patients and their partner caregivers describe the individual and dyadic processes that they have engaged in as they approach the end of life. Implications are highlighted for future research and practice with older adult couples at the end of life.
Ingested (oral) ACTH inhibits EAE.

Abstract Ingested type I IFN and SIRS peptide inhibit EAE. We examined whether another immunoactive protein, ACTH, would have similar anti-inflammatory effects in EAE after oral administration. B6 mice were immunized and gavaged with control saline or ACTH starting on the onset of disease. ACTH decreased clinical score and decreased inflammatory foci. CNS lymphocytes showed decreases in IL-17 (T eff ) and Th1-like encephalitogenic cytokines IL-2 and IFN-γ in the ACTH fed group compared to the mock fed group. Adoptive transfer of ACTH fed splenocytes into MOG immunized recipient mice with early clinical disease suppressed disease severity compared to splenocytes from mock fed donors. The protected recipients showed decreased splenic IL-17 (T eff ) and Th1-like cytokine IFN-γ and increased CNS secretion of immunoregulatory IL-4 and chemokine M-CSF. Splenic CD4+CD25+ FoxP3+ frequency doubled in ACTH fed compared to control fed mice. Increased immuno-regulatory IL-4 and M-CSF secreting cell populations is the mechanism of protection in adoptively protected recipients and reflects the direct action of ACTH on the immune system.
Binding of the carcinogens 5-fluoro-7-hydroxymethyl-12-methylbenz(a)anthracene and its acetate ester to DNA in vitro.

Abstract Binding of 5-fluoro-7-hydroxymethyl-12-methylbenz(a)anthracene to calf thymus DNA was negligible (1.2 μmole hydrocarbon/mole DNA-P) in the absence of microsomal enzymes whereas in the presence of liver microsomes from unpretreated rats or from rats pretreated with 3-methylcholanthrene binding was greatly enhanced (11.6 and 16.2 μmole hydrocarbon/mole DNA-P respectively). In contrast, the acetate ester of 5-fluoro-7-hydroxymethyl-12-methylbenz(a)anthracene readily bound to DNA non-enzymatically (9.1 μmole hydrocarbon/mole DNA-P). In the presence of a 3′-phosphoadenosine-5′-phosphosulfate (PAPS) generating system, the binding of 5-fluoro-7-hydroxymethyl-12-methylbenz(a)anthracene was independent of sulfate ion. ATP enhanced non-enzymatic binding of 5-fluoro-7-hydroxymethyl-12-methylbenz(a)anthracene to DNA whereas CTP, β,γ-methylene-ATP, and ADP were much less effective suggesting a certain specificity for adenosine in addition to a high energy triphosphate for high binding. These observations suggest that 5-fluoro-7-hydroxymethyl-12-methylbenz(a)anthracene may be converted to a phosphate ester which, like 5-fluoro-7-acetoxymethyl-12-methylbenz(a)anthracene, readily binds to DNA.
Multilevel extension of the cluster-in-molecule local correlation methodology: merging coupled-cluster and Møller-Plesset perturbation theories.

A multilevel extension of the local correlation “cluster-in-molecule” (CIM) framework, which enables one to combine different quantum chemistry methods to treat different regions in a large molecul...
Enhanced visual fields in hammerhead sharks

Several factors that influence the evolution of the unusual head morphology of hammerhead sharks (family Sphyrnidae) are proposed but few are empirically tested. In this study we tested the 'enhanced binocular field' hypothesis (that proposes enhanced frontal binocularity) by comparison of the visual fields of three hammerhead species: the bonnethead shark, Sphyrna tiburo, the scalloped hammerhead shark, Sphyrna lewini, and the winghead shark, Eusphyra blochii, with that of two carcharhinid species: the lemon shark, Negaprion brevirostris, and the blacknose shark, Carcharhinus acronotus. Additionally, eye rotation and head yaw were quantified to determine if species compensate for large blind areas anterior to the head. The winghead shark possessed the largest anterior binocular overlap (48 deg.) and was nearly four times larger than that of the lemon (10 deg.) and blacknose (11 deg.) sharks. The binocular overlap in the scalloped hammerhead sharks (34 deg.) was greater than the bonnethead sharks (13 deg.) and carcharhinid species; however, the bonnethead shark did not differ from the carcharhinids. These results indicate that binocular overlap has increased with lateral head expansion in hammerhead sharks. The hammerhead species did not demonstrate greater eye rotation in the anterior or posterior direction. However, both the scalloped hammerhead and bonnethead sharks exhibited greater head yaw during swimming (16.9 deg. and 15.6 deg., respectively) than the lemon (15.1 deg.) and blacknose (15.0 deg.) sharks, indicating a behavioral compensation for the anterior blind area. This study illustrates the larger binocular overlap in hammerhead species relative to their carcharhinid sister taxa and is consistent with the 'enhanced binocular field' hypothesis.
Technical note: WebEntree: A Web service aggregator

This technical note introduces IBM's WebEntree, a single-log-in Web service aggregator. WebEntree provides an aggregated Web service on top of distributed Web service systems (as components) with a centralized access control and content customization facility. Each service system can have its own access control facility and provide its own independent service. WebEntree implements a flexible and dynamic component-bundling mechanism, and can provide personalized service with user-selected component sets. WebEntree offers a convenient way for new components to be "plugged in" and "played." The owner of the aggregated Web service can keep each component's original branding, add more information, filter out certain content, or customize the presentations. WebEntree also provides a single user registration and authentication interface for all of its user-selectable service components. WebEntree currently accommodates Web service components invoked via HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP, i.e., under a Web server) and service components invoked directly from local or remote application programming interfaces. Other component interfaces are planned.
The effect of adverse publicity on sales: A case study

This paper estimates lost sales resulting from adverse publicity for a small company soon after it began selling solar hot-water units. Ordinary least squares analysis generates estimates from seasonally adjusted data. To capture the structural shift in sales, alternative series of dummy variables are tested along with other explanatory variables. The ‘best’ of the equations is reported, and the outcome of the court suit is discussed.
Promoting the preschooler's chances for success: A program efficacy review for behaviorally disordered or emotionally troubled children

The authors conduct an analysis 1 of studies published during the 1980s that used psychosocial interventions for preschool children exhibiting behavioral and emotional difficulties. Use of social modeling and teaching parents behavioral principles show promise as effective interventions. Parental involvement is an important factor in successful intervention for preschoolers with behavioral and emotional problems. School social workers should consult with, educate, and instruct parents and teachers in techniques of behavioral intervention. 1This research was made possible through funds from the Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health, Portland State University, PO. Box 751, Portland, OR 97207‐0751.
Left Ventricular Hemodynamics Before and 1 Year After Internal Mammary Artery Implantation in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease and Angina Pectoris

Left ventricular hemodynamics at rest and during supine exercise were studied before and 1 year after internal mammary artery implantation in 24 patients with severe coronary artery disease and angina pectoris and in five similar patients before and after 1 year of medical treatment. In the surgical group, 14 had evidence of one or more implants providing collaterals to coronary arteries, and 10 had no evidence of collaterals from the implant. Only two patients, both with functioning implants, showed a return to normal of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure at rest and during exercise. There was no correlation between clinical improvement and hemodynamics at the time of the postoperative study. It is concluded that left ventricular hemodynamics may return to normal after internal mammary artery implantation but this was uncommon in the present study.
Financing Public Goods and Residential Location

This article introduces public goods into a residential land use model and examines the locational consequences of alternative methods for financing such goods. Public goods are differentiated according to their spatial characteristics and the effects on rent and density gradients examined. The effects on rents and density are shown to differ according to whether the public goods are financed by benefit taxes, income taxes, property taxes, or land value taxes.
Optical imaging spectroscopy.

During the recent solar maximum the combination of imaging and spectroscopy in the visible part of the spectrum became a powerful tool for observational study of flares primarily because of the development of two-dimensional charge-coupled-device (CCD) arrays. In combination with appropriate new operational methods, this has led to the ability to observe, for the first time, the preflare and impulsive-phase physical processes associated with spatially resolved features of flare loops. As a result of concurrent theoretical developments, modeling progressed from an empirical to a physical level. This made it possible to interpret imaging spectra in terms of coronal pressure and heat flux, particle beam heating, chromospheric evaporation, and explosive chromospheric dynamics at the footpoints of flare loops. There is clear potential for further advances in the near future, taking advantage of improvements in digital recording speed (approx. 10-fold), number of photosensitive elements per array (approx. 10-fold), real-time data pre-reduction (potentially 10- to 100-fold), and using multiple CCD arrays. By the time of the next solar maximum imaging spectroscopy is expected to achieve spatial resolution or approx. arc 1 arc s, temporal resolution or approx. 5 s, and simultaneous critically-sampled spectroscopy of several lines and continua. As a result, continued increase in our understanding of the physical processes and configurations of solar flares in the chromosphere, temperature minimum region, and photosphere can be anticipated. Even greater progress toward a more global understanding of flares will obviously come about when simultaneous optical, X-ray, and gamma-ray imaging spectroscopy are possible.
Response of a continuous guideway on equally spaced supports traversed by a moving vehicle

Abstract An algorithm is developed to analyze the dynamic response of a continuous guideway resting on equally spaced supports being traversed by a moving vehicle. A critical speed, one at which the amplitude of the guideway displacement becomes large, is determined. The critical speed corresponds to the slowest possible speed at which a transverse wave can propagate longitudinally in the guideway structure. A parametric study is also presented.
IntegratingWeb Services and Messaging

Web Services and Messaging, as application-toapplication communication paradigms, have so far been considered separately, with independent programming models and supporting middleware. Different efforts are now introducing messaging notions such as asynchrony, greater consumer cardinality, and looser coupling between web services. This trend will likely result in an extension of the web services programming model. It is not clear, however, that this extension will adhere to a pre-planned approach. A coherent approach requires a thorough integration of the web services and messaging paradigms. This paper proposes one such approach which, in addition to supporting the current style of web services interactions, allows the incorporation of messaging-style interactions under a common programming model. These messaging-style interactions include asynchronous request-response, oneway multi-consumer interactions, and even multiple-choice point-to-point interactions, common in message queuing systems. This paper also elaborates on a model for oneway multi-consumer interactions that integrates the publish/ subscribe mode of messaging into the web services programming model. A primary motivation for our approach is to take advantage of key messaging features, while exerting as small an impact as possible on the web services programming model.
Cost and Delay of Railroad Timber and Concrete Crosstie Maintenance and Replacement

Because railroad crossties are the second most valuable railroad asset, it is critical that they be maintained and managed in a cost-effective manner. The direct expenses of track maintenance cost railroads billions of dollars each year, and additional millions are spent on recovery from track-caused derailments. Train delay costs further increase the consequences of unplanned track outages. Additionally, maintenance activities often result in traffic disruptions and congestion that can propagate throughout the rail network; this effect is a concern especially on higher-density lines that are vulnerable to cascading train delay and longer postincident recovery times. Compared with timber crossties, concrete crossties offer several potential benefits but also have a greater initial cost. Economic analysis can show instances in which extra capital investment in premium components is justified. Such analysis can also aid in planning general tie maintenance by balancing the costs of added maintenance with the...
Laser photofragmentation–fragment detection and pyrolysis–laser-induced fluorescence studies on energetic materials

Trace concentrations of energetic materials such as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-s-triazine (RDX) are detected by laser photofragmentation–fragment detection (PF–FD) spectrometry. In this technique, a single laser operating near 227 nm photofragments the parent molecule and facilitates the detection of the characteristic NO fragment by means of its A2Σ+–X2Π (0, 0) transitions near 227 nm. Fragment detection is accomplished by resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization with miniature electrodes and by laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) with a photodetector. Experiments are also conducted in the visible region by use of 453.85-nm radiation for photofragmentation and fragment detection. Sand samples contaminated with PETN and RDX are analyzed by a pyrolysis–LIF technique, which involves pyrolysis of the energetic material with subsequent detection of the pyrolysis products NO and NO2 by LIF and PF–LIF, respectively, near 227 nm. The application of these techniques to the trace analysis of TNT, PETN, and RDX at ambient pressure in room air is demonstrated with limits of detection (signal-to-noise ratio, 3) in the low parts-in-109 to parts-in-106 range for a 20-s integration time and 10–120 µJ of laser energy at 226.8 nm and ∼5 mJ at 453.85 nm. An increase in detection sensitivity is projected with an increase in laser energy and an improved system design. The analytical merits of these techniques are discussed and compared with those of other laser-based techniques.
Oxide damage from plasma charging: breakdown mechanism and oxide quality

The plasma-induced charge damage to small gate area MOS capacitors is investigated by using "antenna" structures. Here, we focus on the oxide defect characterization in a single wafer asher, and the role of oxide quality in a parallel plate etcher. The observed damage includes early breakdowns, excessive leakage current, an increase in interface states, and a decrease in charge-to-breakdown value. Moreover, annealing and polarity results support a hole trapping model for damage. In addition, it was found that the percentage of breakdown failure increases as the oxide quality decreases, In particular, the observed damage can increase up to 30 times when the initial oxide is degraded before plasma exposure according to how the oxide is prepared and annealed. This is important since it helps to explain how different process steps interact to affect the final yield. For instance a previous plasma process step may degrade an oxide and make it much more susceptible to damage by a subsequent plasma step. >
The Church of Women: Gendered Encounters between Maasai and Missionaries

The Church of Women: Gendered Encounters between Maasai and Missionaries. Dorothy L. Hodgson. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2005.