cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Immediate Telephone Follow-Up with Providers on Sweat Chloride Test Timing after Cystic Fibrosis Newborn Screening Identifies a Single Mutation

Objective To assess whether reporting "possible cystic fibrosis (CF)" newborn screening (NBS) results via fax plus simultaneous telephone contact with primary care providers (PCPs) versus fax alone influenced 3 outcomes: undergoing a sweat chloride test, age at sweat chloride testing, and undergoing sweat testing before age 8 weeks. Study design This was a retrospective cohort comparison of infants born in Wisconsin whose PCP received a telephone intervention (n = 301) versus recent historical controls whose PCP did not (n = 355). Intervention data were collected during a longitudinal research and quality improvement effort; deidentified comparison data were constructed from auxiliary NBS tracking information. Parametric and nonparametric statistical analyses were performed for group differences. Results Most infants (92%) with "possible CF" NBS results whose PCP lacked telephone intervention ultimately underwent sweat testing, underlining efficacy for fax-only reporting. Telephone intervention was significantly associated with improvements in the infants undergoing sweat testing at age ≤6 weeks and P = .008). Conclusion Reporting "possible CF" NBS results via fax plus simultaneous telephone follow-up with PCPs increases the rate of sweat chloride testing before 8 weeks of age, when affected infants are more likely to receive full benefits of early diagnosis and treatment.
Regulation of gonadotropinmreleasing hormone release by cyclic AMP signalling pathways

Summary The frequency and amplitude of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulses are tightly regulated forthe maintenance of reproductive cycles. Pulsatile GnRH release was shown to be an intrinsic property of murine GT1 GnRH neurons, and primate placodal GnRH neurons. GT1 neurons show spontaneous action potentials that are associated with Ca 2+ oscillations and hormone secretion. Increased cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels in GT1 neurons appear to stimulate GnRH release by activation of cAMP-gated cation (CNG) channels. Activation of the CNG channels correlated with increased neuron excitability and Ca 2+ oscillations. Activation of protein kinase A is not necessary for cAMP-induced stimulation of GnRH secretion, but appears to activate negative feedback pathways. Potential negative feedback pathways may decrease CAMP levels by inhibiting adenylyl cyclase V, and activating the phosphodiesterase, PDE4D3. These stimulatory and inhibitory cAMP-signalling pathways appear to regulate the excitability of the GT1 neurons, and may constitute a biological clock timing the pulsatile release of GnRH.
Evolution of microstructure in unstable porous media flow: A relaxational approach

We study the flow of two immiscible fluids of different density and mobility in a porous medium. If the heavier phase lies above the lighter one, the interface is observed to be unstable. The two phases start to mix on a mesoscopic scale and the mixing zone grows in time—an example of evolution of microstructure. A simple set of assumptions on the physics of this two-phase flow in a porous medium leads to a mathematically ill-posed problem—when used to establish a continuum free boundary problem. We propose and motivate a relaxation of this “nonconvex” constraint of a phase distribution with a sharp interface on a macroscopic scale. We prove that this approach leads to a mathematically well-posed problem that predicts shape and evolution of the mixing profile as a function of the density difference and mobility quotient. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
In vitro culture ofXanthium strumarium (Cocklebur)

Xanthium strumarium L. was micropropagated by rooting shoots proliferated from shoot-tip explants. The best shoot proliferation was obtained from explants growing on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 4.4 to 8.9 μM benzyladenine (BA) and 1.1 to 2.1 μM naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The micropropagated plants were transferred to potting media and maintained under high humidity conditions in the greenhouse. The media that produced best shoot proliferation from shoot-tip explants also produced the most callus from hypotocotyl, cotyledon and shoot-tip explants, whereas more callus was produced on leaf explants with a lower BA concentration (1.1 μM) and 1.1 μM NAA.
Convert a low-cost sensor to a colorimeter using an improved regression method

Closed loop color calibration is a process to maintain consistent color reproduction for color printers. To perform closed loop color calibration, a pre-designed color target should be printed, and automatically measured by a color measuring instrument. A low cost sensor has been embedded to the printer to perform the color measurement. A series of sensor calibration and color conversion methods have been developed. The purpose is to get accurate colorimetric measurement from the data measured by the low cost sensor. In order to get high accuracy colorimetric measurement, we need carefully calibrate the sensor, and minimize all possible errors during the color conversion. After comparing several classical color conversion methods, a regression based color conversion method has been selected. The regression is a powerful method to estimate the color conversion functions. But the main difficulty to use this method is to find an appropriate function to describe the relationship between the input and the output data. In this paper, we propose to use 1D pre-linearization tables to improve the linearity between the input sensor measuring data and the output colorimetric data. Using this method, we can increase the accuracy of the regression method, so as to improve the accuracy of the color conversion.
The CD4‐related molecule, LAG‐3 (CD223), regulates the expansion of activated T cells

The lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3, CD223) is a CD4-related, activation-induced cell surface molecule that binds to MHC class II with high affinity. The function of murine LAG-3 on T cells is unclear. Here, we show that V beta 7/8(+)LAG-3(-/-) T cells expand poorly following staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) stimulation in vitro. LAG-3(-/-) T cells proliferate at a normal rate, but exhibit increased cell death. Similar observations were made with LAG-3(-/-)CD4(+)OT-II TCR transgenic T cells following peptide stimulation. Despite reduced T cell expansion and increased cell death, LAG-3(-/-)OT-II(+) T cells secrete more IL-2 and IFN-gamma following stimulation. Antigen-driven expansion of LAG-3(-/-) T cells was restored by constitutive expression of LAG-3 via retroviral-mediated stem cell gene transfer. We further show that LAG-3 function is mediated via its cytoplasmic domain, for which a conserved 'KIEELE' motif is essential. Our data support a role for LAG-3 in regulating the expansion of activated T cells.
Autonomic mechanisms in heart rate variability after isoproterenol-induced myocardial damage in rats.

The effect of isoproterenol-induced myocardial damage on heart rate variability was examined in conscious, unrestrained, male, Sprague—Dawley rats. We used power spectrum analysis of beat-to-beat heart rate to study the levels and interaction of sympathetic and parasympathetic neural influences on the heart. One day after isoproterenol (80 mg/kg s.c.), mean heart rate was significantly elevated when compared to controls (isoproterenol 413.9 b.p.m. ± 7.7 S.E.M.; saline 368.8 b.p.m. ± 12.8 S.E.M.; P < 0.05), even though the low frequency and respiratory components of the power spectrum were not different between the two groups. By contrast, a week after isoproterenol administration, heart rate was normal; however, variability in low frequency and respiratory areas of the power spectrum was significantly increased suggesting an abnormal sympathovagal balance. An imbalance in autonomic regulation of cardiac automaticity could account for the 27% incidence of arrhythmias in rats given isoproterenol. These results indicate that autonomic responses associated with isoproterenol-induced myocardial ischemia differ from those in human and in animal models of myocardial infarction.
Approximating Pearson Product-Moment Correlations from Kendall's Tau and Spearman's Rho

This article used Monte Carlo methods to investigate the accuracy of formulas presented by Kendall for estimating Pearson's r from X and by Pearson for estimating Pearson's r from rs. Results indicated that the formula for approximating r from r is somewhat more accurate than the formula for approximating r from rs. However, both formulas were found to be quite accurate. The largest asymptotic difference between a converted and actual r was -.005. In addition, the standard errors of the transformed X and rs coefficients were compared to the standard error of r, and the empirically derived percentage increase in standard error was compared to theoretically derived estimates. Implications of these findings for meta-analyses of correlations are discussed.
A distributed media access protocol for packet radio networks and performance analysis. Part 1: Network capacity

A distributed time-slot assignment protocol is developed for a mobile multi-hop broadcast packet radio network, using time division multiple access channel access and virtual circuit switching. The protocol eliminates the single point failure mode of centralized network management and the delays of centralized processing. It is applicable to the user-to-user communications functions of such systems as the U. S. Army's enhanced position location and reporting system (EPLRS). The important functions of the distributed protocol, including time-slot assignment, virtual circuit set-up, and network synthesis, are identified, and implementing algorithms are presented and verified. The performance analysis of the protocol is divided into two parts. In this paper, Part 1 of the performance analysis, the capacity of a network using this protocol is studied and a tool is developed to design the network capacity by trading off among the network area, the transmission range, and the number of packet radio units. Since these results are not in closed form, numerical results provide insight into these parameters. In Part 2 the network set-up time and network data rate are analysed and a hierarchical architecture for the distributed protocol is proposed and analysed.
Post-ingestive effects of quinine on intake of nutritive and non-nutritive substances.

Abstract Intragastric intubation of 0.75 g QHCl had no effect on 4 hr food intake, but produced anorexia over a 24 hr period when paired with consumption of a novel sucrose octa acetate (SOA) treated chow. No anorexia developed when a familiar food was available. SOA adulteration alone produced a decrement in food intake that persisted for 4 hr; this effect was independent of quinine intubation. In a second experiment, intubation of 0.375 or 0.75 g QHCl, 0.3 M LiCl, or 0.6 g SOA did not alter 4 hr chow intake, but QHCl and LiCl both produced pica that lasted for 4 hr. SOA and 0.75 g QHCl produced a 24 hr hyperphagia, while LiCl and 0.375 g QHCl produced no change in 24 hr chow intake.
Surgical management of complex multiloculated hydrocephalus in infants and children.

Objective Multiloculated hydrocephalus may occur as a consequence of intraventricular hemorrhage or infection and is characterized by enlargement of multiple noncommunicating intraventricular and/or periventricular cysts. In this study, we report the outcomes of open and endoscopic fenestration for multiloculated hydrocephalus at our institution.
A dynamic load balancer on the Intel hypercube

A class of commonly encountered problems requires dynamic load balancing for efficient use of concurrent processors. We are developing a test bed for dynamic load balancing studies, and have chosen the MOOSE operating system and the Intel iPSC as our environment. We discuss these choices, and how we are implementing a general purpose dynamic load balancer.
X-ray emission from comets.

The discovery of x-ray emission from comet Hyakutake was surprising given that comets are known to be cold. Observations by x-ray satellites such as the Rontgen Satellite (ROSAT) indicate that x-rays are produced by almost all comets. Theoretical and observational work has demonstrated that charge-exchange collisions of highly charged solar wind ions with cometary neutral species can explain this emission. X-ray observations of comets and other solar system objects may be used to determine the structure and dynamics of the solar wind.
Evolution of the Cluster Mass Function: Gpc3 Dark Matter Simulations

High-resolution N-body simulations of four popular cold dark matter cosmologies (LCDM, OCDM, QCDM, and tilted SCDM), each containing ~105 clusters of galaxies of mass M1.5 > 5 × 1013 h-1 M☉ in a Gpc3 volume, are used to determine the evolution of the cluster mass function from z = 3 to 0. The large volume and high resolution of these simulations allow an accurate measure of the evolution of cosmologically important (but rare) massive clusters at high redshift. The simulated mass function is presented for cluster masses within several radii typically used observationally (R = 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 h-1 Mpc, both comoving and physical) in order to enable direct comparison with current and future observations. The simulated evolution is compared with current observations of massive clusters at redshifts 0.3 z 0.8. The Ωm = 1 tilted SCDM model, which exhibits very rapid evolution of the cluster abundance, produces too few clusters at z 0.3 and no massive clusters at z 0.5, in stark contradiction to observations. The Ωm = 0.3 models—LCDM, OCDM, and QCDM—all exhibit considerably weaker evolution and are consistent with current data. Among these low-density models, OCDM evolves the least. These trends are enhanced at high redshift and can be used to discriminate between flat and open low-density models. The simulated mass functions are compared with the Press-Schechter approximation. Standard Press-Schechter predicts too many low-mass clusters at z = 0, and too few clusters at higher redshift. We modify the approximation by a simple parameterization of the density contrast threshold for collapse, which has a redshift dependence. This modified Press-Schechter approximation provides a good fit to the simulated mass functions.
Upwelling in the northwest part of the Black Sea at the end of the summer season and its causes

By using the archival data of routine hydrometeorological and satellite observations, we perform the analysis of the general regularities of manifestations of upwelling in the anomalies of the surface temperature in the northwest part of the Black Sea at the end of the summer season. We describe the structure of coastal upwelling according to the data of a hydrological survey carried out in the Kalamitskii Bay in September 2007 characterized by the extremely intense anomalies of sea surface temperature. By using the data of reanalysis on the heat fluxes and the wind field, we analyze the cause-effect relations responsible for the evolution of this upwelling.
Establishing a normative atlas of the human lung: computing the average transformation and atlas construction.

Rationale and Objectives To establish the range of normal for quantitative computed tomography (CT)-based measures of lung structure and function, we seek to develop methods for matching pulmonary structures across individuals and establishing a normative human lung atlas. Materials and Methods In our previous work, we have presented a three-dimensional (3D) image registration method suitable for pulmonary atlas construction based on CT datasets. The method has been applied to a population of normative lungs in multiple experiments and, in each instance, has resulted in significant reductions in registration errors. This study is a continuation to our previous work by presenting a method for synthesizing a computerized human lung atlas from previously registered and matched 3D pulmonary CT datasets from a population of normative subjects. Our method consists of defining the origin of the atlas coordinate system; defining the nomenclature and labels for anatomical structures within the atlas system; computing the average transformation based on the displacement fields to register individual subject to the common template subject; constructing the atlas by deforming the template with the average transformation; and calculating shape variations within the population. Results The feasibility of pulmonary atlas construction was evaluated using CT datasets from 20 normal volunteers. Substantial reductions in shape variability were demonstrated. In addition, the constructed atlas depends only slightly on a specific subject being selected as the template. These results indicate the framework is a robust and valid method for pulmonary atlas construction based on CT scans. The atlas consists of a grayscale CT dataset of the template, a labeled mask dataset of the template (ie, lungs, lobes, and lobar fissures are labeled with different gray levels), a data set representing the population's average shape, datasets representing the population's shape variations (ie, the magnitude of standard deviation), a data structure to contain the labels and coordinates of major airway branchpoints, and the labels of the mask dataset, and a reference coordinate system for each lung. Conclusion A computerized human lung atlas representing by the average shape of a population of twenty normal subjects was constructed and visualized. The atlas provides a basis for establishing regional ranges of normative values for structural and functional measures of the human lung. In the future, we plan to use the computerized human lung atlas to help detect and quantify early signs of lung pathology.
MATERNAL HYPERTHERMIA AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF ANENCEPHALY

Abstract Mothers of anencephalic infants were asked about febrile illness and sauna bathing during their pregnancies. In 7 of 63 affected pregnancies (11%), a history of maternal hyperthermia near the presumed time of anterior neural-groove closure was given. 5 had fever with a maximum recorded temperature ranging from 38·9 to 40·0°C, each case being secondary to a different type of illness. The other 2 had possible hyperthermia episodes as a consequence of sauna bathing, with no infectious agent involved. The frequencies of hyperthermia at the same period of gestation in two control groups were 0% and 0·1%. This excess frequency of maternal hyperthermia at the period of anterior neural-groove closure, and the differing natures of its causes, imply that hyperthermia itself may be an aetiological factor in anencephaly.
Desirability and feasibility of wireless electronic monitoring of medications in clinical trials

Medication nonadherence is a vexing problem in health care necessitating patients and health professionals’ efforts to prevent, minimize, or reverse it. Research participants’ inconsistent medication taking obscures treatment efficacy and adds costs to biomedical research. Electronic monitoring devices (EMDs), like the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS), have grown in sophistication, providing precise, timely insights into individuals’ medication-taking patterns across clinical populations. This article reports on the desirability and feasibility study of using a wireless EMD in clinical research to promote adherence to clinical regimens and research protocols. Nonadherence in transplant patients has been linked to late acute rejection and graft loss. High levels of adherence (97.7 %) were documented for six renal transplant recipients for a mean of 6 months (M = 196.1 ± 71.2 days) who indicated acceptance of the technology. MEMS data confirmed the feasibility of using wireless EMDs to monitor medication use. Monitoring provides greater assurance that research studies reflect the biological impact of medications and provide a basis for targeting adherence enhancement efforts within research investigations.
A constructive approach to frustration in the practice of ministry

“The original frustration-aggression hypothesis was stated in very strong terms—every frustration produces an aggressive tendency and every aggression can be traced to a frustration. We know now that there can be other responses to frustration—aregression to childish behavior, apathetic withdrawal, or, even, quietly effectiveproblem-solving behavior.” A person who learns how to use his frustration in problem-solving will not only be effective in his work, but will enjoy it.
Characterization of the split closure via geometric lifting

Abstract We analyze split cuts from the perspective of cut generating functions via geometric lifting. We show that α-cuts, a natural higher-dimensional generalization of the k-cuts of Cornuejols et al., give all the split cuts for the mixed-integer corner relaxation. As an immediate consequence we obtain that the k-cuts are equivalent to split cuts for the 1-row mixed-integer relaxation. Further, we show that split cuts for finite-dimensional corner relaxations are restrictions of split cuts for the infinite-dimensional relaxation. In a final application of this equivalence, we exhibit a family of pure-integer programs whose split closure has arbitrarily bad integrality gap. This complements the mixed-integer example provided by Basu et al. (2011).
Predicting Cosolvency. 3. Evaluation of the Extended Log-Linear Model

In measurement of the solubility of organic compounds in mixed solvents containing water and miscible cosolvent(s), significant deviations from the widely used log-linear model have been observed. The deviations have been considered to be due mostly to the nonideality of the solvent mixture. In this paper, an approach to extend the log-linear model was evaluated. Activity coefficients of the solvent components were estimated using the UNIFAC group contribution method, and the sum of their logarithms weighted by either mole fractions or volume fractions was added to the log-linear model. Four forms of the extended model were evaluated using a large database with 13 different cosolvents and over 4000 experimental solubility data. The best form of the extended log-linear model generated improvement of 0.06-0.22 log units for 7 of the 13 water-cosolvent systems over the log-linear model in estimating the solute solubility in mixed solvents.
Postnatal ontogeny of acetylated and non-acetylated B-endorphin in rat pituitary

Abstract Extracts of the anterior lobe and intermediate lobe of postnatal (P) (Day P1, P7, P14, P21, P28, P35, P42) and adult male Spraque-Dawley rats were analyzed by both a Beta-endorphin (B-END) radioimmunoassay and a radioimmunoassay for N-acetyl-B-END. In the anterior lobe, on P1, less than 2% of the adult level of B-END was present. By P42 this level had increased to 21% of adult levels. In the intermediate lobe, on P1, the B-END levels were less than 0.1% of the adult level, and by P42 this level approached approximately 45% of the adult levels. N-acetylated B-END was identified in both anterior lobe and intermediate lobe from P1 through adulthood. In the anterior lobe at P1, N-acetyl-B-END immunoreactivity contributes approximately 25% of the total B-END immunoreactivity. This level drops to less than 10% by P21, and to adult-like levels by P42 (less than 5%). On the other hand, in the intermediate lobe, the N-acetyl-B-END levels start at 70% of the total B-END immunoreactivity at P1 and by P14 reaches adult-like proportions of 90% or more of the total B-END immunoreactive material.
Managerial challenges of e‐recruiting: extending the life cycle of new economy employees

Effective leadership of human capital is a major managerial issue. Hiring and keeping employees is key to sustainable competitive advantage. E‐recruiting as a general process is job‐specific and offers computer‐assisted screening interviews and statistical prediction to aid in reducing recruiting costs, time‐to‐hire and employee turnover. This paper examines the application of this technology to recruiting and retaining knowledge workers in an e‐commerce, information‐intensive environment.
Protein misfolding and amyloid formation for the peptide GNNQQNY from yeast prion protein Sup35 : Simulation by reaction path annealing

We study the early steps of amyloid formation of the seven residue peptide GNNQQNY from yeast prion-like protein Sup35 by simulating the random coil to β-sheet and α-helix to β-sheet transition both in the absence and presence of a cross-β amyloid nucleus. The simulation method at atomic resolution employs a new implementation of a Langevin dynamics “reaction path annealing” algorithm. The results indicate that the presence of amyloid-like cross-β-sheet strands both facilitates the transition into the cross-β conformation and substantially lowers the free energy barrier for this transition. This model systems allows us to investigate the energetic and kinetic details of this transition, which is consistent with an auto-catalyzed, nucleation-like mechanism for the formation of β-amyloid. In particular, we find that electrostatic interactions of peptide backbone dipoles contribute significantly to the stability of the β-amyloid state. Furthermore, we find water exclusion and interactions of polar side-chains to be driving forces of amyloid formation: the cross-β conformation is stabilized by burial of polar side-chains and inter-residue hydrogen bonds in the presence of an amyloid-like “seed”. These findings are in support of a “dry, polar zipper model” of amyloid formation.
Two bipartite NLSs mediate constitutive nuclear localization of Mcm10

Some components of the pre-replicative complex (pre-RC) are in the nucleus only during the G1 phase, while others are constitutively nuclear throughout the cell cycle. A nuclear localization signal (NLS) mediating the G1-specific nuclear localization has been characterized. We report here the identification of bipartite NLSs in constitutively nuclear pre-RC components, including the origin recognition complex, Mcm10 and Noc3. Interestingly, in a subgroup of these pre-RC components, two putative NLSs were found in each protein. To examine whether multiple NLSs are required for these proteins to be nuclear throughout the cell cycle, we characterized the two NLSs in Mcm10. We show that at least one of the two NLSs is required for directing Mcm10 into the nucleus and that either of them is sufficient to bring the green florescence protein into the nucleus. Thus, Mcm10 contains two functional NLSs and either is sufficient for the constitutive nuclear localization of Mcm10.
Nonpoint source phosphorus loads to Delaware's lakes and streams

Abstract Phosphorus loads were estimated for 30 lakes and subwatersheds. Major land uses in the watersheds were cropland and forestland. Annual phosphorus loads varied from 0.42 to 1.19 kg/ha. Watersheds with over 60% cropland had higher phosphorus loading rates than watersheds with more than 40% forestland. Ortho phosphorus concentrations were much lower than total phosphorus concentrations.
Structural Deficits and State Borrowing Costs

This study examines the factors that affect the borrowing costs of state governments with specific attention being paid to the impact of state structural deficits (or fiscal imbalances) on borrowing costs. The findings for 1999–2000 suggest that interest costs for state competitively sold municipal securities reflect estimates of state structural deficits. States with a higher structural deficit were found to pay significantly higher interest costs. The evidence implies that bond ratings do not fully reflect the fiscal problems faced by state governments.
SU‐E‐T‐103: Radiochromic Film Measurement of Nanoparticle Radiation Dose Enhancement

Purpose: Bombardment of high‐Z material with x‐ray radiation leads to release of fluorescent x‐rays, photoelectrons, and Auger electrons. The electrons deposit their energy in tissue within micrometers distance of the high‐Z material surface when in contact with tissue. Gold nanoparticles have been studied as a high‐Z vehicle for taking advantage of that phenomenon to enhance radiotherapy dose at the cellular level. Our goal is to use unlaminated radiochromic film to measure the gold nanoparticle dose enhancement factor (DEF) associated with 40 and 50 kVp tungsten bremsstrahlung spectrums. Methods: A 10 nm gold foil was placed between an x‐ray source and radiochromic film and exposed to lightly filtered 40 kVp and 50 kVp tungsten bremsstrahlung x‐rays. A Monte Carlo simulation was performed to estimate the energy deposition with depth in the film active layer, and energy deposition with depth in water. The film was calibrated at x‐ray energies ranging from 4.5 keV to 50 kVp to account for energy‐dependent response. Optical densities of film exposed with and without gold nanoparticles were used to derive a dose enhancement factor, defined as the ratio of dose attributed to Auger electrons to dose attributed to bremsstrahlung x‐rays. Results: Dose enhancement factors within the mean pathlength of Auger electrons ranged from 34.6 +/− 8.6 to 45.0 +/− 11.0 for the 40 kVp spectrum, and 30.7 +/− 11.0 to 44.2 +/− 7.7 for the 50 kVp spectrum. Conclusion: These results compare favorably with other studies that have found varying gold nanoparticle DEF values for 50 kVp bremsstrahlung by Monte Carlo calculation ranging from 1.5 to 2 within a tumor volume to 400 within 10 urn of the gold nanoparticle/tissue interface. Measurements by thermally stimulated exoelectron emission beryllium oxide dosimetry* found a DEF of 55.7 in a single layer of cells on thick gold foil. Wayne State University Fund for Medical Research and Education
A Descriptive Pilot Study of Perceived Health Status, Patient Activation, and Preference for Decision Making in Primary Care Encounters among Older Adults with Serious Mental Illness with Cardiovascular Risk

Conclusions: The results support the notion that cognition and behaviors are important drivers of antipsychotic use and that facility characteristics and staffing should be further explored as a possible issue related to this outcome. References: Briesacher, B. A., Limcangco, M. R., Simoni-Wastila, L., Doshi, J. A., Levens, S. R., Shea, D. G., et al. (2005). The quality of antipsychotic drug prescribing in nursing homes. Archives of internal medicine, 165(11), 1280-1285. Kamble, P., Chen, H., Sherer, J., & Aparasu, R. R. (2008). Antipsychotic drug use among elderly nursing home residents in the United States. The American journal of geriatric pharmacotherapy, 6(4), 187-197. Morris, J. N., Fries, B. E., Mehr, D. R., Hawes, C., Phillips, C., Mor, V., et al. (1994). MDS Cognitive Performance Scale. Journal of gerontology, 49(4), M174-182. Perlman, C. M., & Hirdes, J. P. (2008). The aggressive behavior scale: a new scale to measure aggression based on the minimum data set. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 56(12), 2298-2303.
Intranasal immunization with SIV virus-like particles (VLPs) elicits systemic and mucosal immunity

By using a baculovirus expression system, we have successfully produced simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-like particles (VLPs) with high levels of biologically active SIV envelope (Env) incorporated on their surfaces. To study whether SIV VLPs represent effective mucosal immunogens, we immunized groups of mice with VLPs alone or VLPs plus the mucosal adjuvant cholera toxin (CT) by the intranasal (i.n.) route. High levels of serum IgG antibody production were achieved in mice immunized intranasally with SIV VLPs, and the antibody response was found to be antigen dose-dependent. The IgG1 and IgG2a ratio indicates that immune responses induced by SIV VLPs are Th1 oriented. Mice immunized with VLPs plus CT were found to exhibit higher serum antibody responses than those immunized with VLPs alone (P<0.001). Furthermore, IgA antibody production was detected in both saliva and vaginal fluid from mice mucosally immunized with SIV VLPs. Higher levels of IgA were found in vaginal fluid than in saliva in animals immunized with SIV VLPs plus CT (P<0.05). Higher neutralizing activity to SIV 1A11 was also found in serum of animals immunized with SIV VLPs plus CT. Moreover, increased numbers of MHC I-restricted peptide-specific IFN-γ and IL-4 producing T cells were detected in both splenocytes and lymph nodes by intranasal immunization of SIV VLP plus CT. These results suggest that VLPs are effective mucosal antigens that can induce both humoral and cellular immune responses at systemic and mucosal sites.
Intrahepatic biliary anatomy of living adult liver donors: correlation of mangafodipir trisodium-enhanced MR cholangiography and intraoperative cholangiography.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of our study was to assess the usefulness of mangafodipir trisodium—enhanced MR cholangiography for evaluating intrahepatic biliary anatomy of adult living liver donors and to correlate the results with intraoperative cholangiography.CONCLUSION. Mangafodipir trisodium—enhanced MR cholangiography accurately shows the biliary anatomy in the livers of donors. Noninvasive preoperative evaluation of the biliary anatomy in donor candidates is important for the detection of common anatomic variants that may require alternative graft-harvesting surgery.
Application of dualband infrared imagery in automatic target detection

Target detection and recognition are two important modules in a typical automatic target recognition (ATR) system. Usually, an automatic target detector produces many false alarms that could incur very poor recognition performance in the subsequent target recognizer. Therefore, we need a good clutter rejector to remove as many clutters as possible from the outputs of the detector, before feeding the most likely target detections to the recognizer. We investigate the benefits of using dualband forward-looking infrared (FLIR) images to improve the performance of a eigen-neural based clutter rejector. With individual or combined bands as input, we use either principal component analysis (PCA) or the eigenspace separation transform (EST) to perform feature extraction and dimensionality reduction. The transformed data is then fed to an MLP that predicts the identity of the input, which is either a target or clutter. We devise an MLP training algorithm that seeks to maximize the class separation at a given false-alarm rate, which does not necessarily minimize the average deviation of the MLP outputs from their target values. Experimental results are presented on a dataset of real dualband images.
New calculations of matter radii for neutron-rich C nuclei

We have used a simple model to re-calculate matter radii for 14–20C, using updated information on the relevant nuclear structure. Agreement with experiment is improved, but some small differences remain.
Black, White, White Gifted, and Emotionally Disturbed Children's Perceptions of the Reality in Television Programming

Given the general and somewhat contradictory nature of previous research examining children's perceptions of the reality in television programming, this paper attempted (1) to separate the different levels of television content, (2) to determine the extent to which personal experience with specific role and situational stereotypes influence judgments of television's presenta-tions, and (3) to examine a wide range of socioeconomic status (SES) char-acteristics within the context of the same study to facilitate direct compari-sons. The results of the study indicate that lower SES Blacks and emotion-ally disturbed children view specific role stereotypes and general situations as significantly more real than do Whites and gifted children. The implica-tions of these findings relevant to the child's maturation process were explored.
Knowledge Development: The Roy Adaptation Model and Bulimia Nervosa:

The utility of nursing theory as a framework to understand, explain, and propose nursing research is essential to knowledge development. The purpose of this column is to provide an examination of the Roy adaptation model as a basis for knowledge development in bulimia nervosa. This chronic and debilitating disorder is complex, poorly understood, and characterized by repeated binge eating and purging episodes. A careful examination of the major concepts and theoretical linkages of the Roy adaptation model in relationship to bulimia nervosa is necessary to determine the value of this framework to generate future knowledge and research for practice.
Practical Significance: A Concept Whose Time Has Come

Statistical significance is concerned with whether a research result is due to chance or sampling variability; practical significance is concerned with whether the result is useful in the real worl...
World of toil and strife

The JBS continues its series of Book Chapters in Progress with Peter N. Moore's Introduction and Chapter 3 from his forthcoming book from the University of South Carolina Press, World of Toil and Strife: Community Transformation in Backcountry South Carolina, 1750-1805. A member of the History Department at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Moore is also a member of the Editorial Board of the JBS.
Securing security through prosperity: the San Francisco System in comparative perspective

The integrated system of political–economic relations that has prevailed in the Pacific since the September 1951 treaty of peace with Japan, known here as the San Francisco System, is distinctive in comparison with subregional systems elsewhere in the world. This paper outlines key defining features, such as (1) a dense network of bilateral alliances; (2) an absence of multilateral security structures; (3) strong asymmetry in alliance relations, both in security and economics; (4) special precedence to Japan; and (5) liberal trade access to American markets, coupled with relatively limited development assistance. After contrasting this system to analogous arrangements elsewhere, especially in the Atlantic, it explores both the origins and the prognosis of this remarkably durable political–economic entity. Complementary domestic political–economic interests on both sides of the Pacific, reinforcing a brilliant original Japan-centric design by John Foster Dulles, account for persistence, it is argued, while...
Access to Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Persons With Severe Disabilities: Analysis of the 1990 Developmental Disabilities- National Consumer Survey

It is widely recognized that the number of persons eligible to receive the services of state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies far exceeds the capacity of these agencies. The U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) notes that in 1989 "program funding for VR was sufficient to serve only ... 7 per cent of the estimated 13.4 million persons with disabilities who were potentially eligible" for services (1991, p. 2). Under such tight resource constraints, the problem of rationing services becomes a critical concern.This paper presents the results of a population-based study of the receipt of VR services using a recent survey data base of youth and adults with developmental disabilities. The paper describes relationships between disability-related factors, demographic factors, and receipt of services. It also examines how state VR agency resources and reported client selection practices relate to the probability of receiving services.
Modulated discharge of Purkinje and stellate cells persists after unilateral loss of vestibular primary afferent mossy fibers in mice

Cerebellar Purkinje cells are excited by two afferent pathways: climbing and mossy fibers. Climbing fibers evoke large “complex spikes” (CSs) that discharge at low frequencies. Mossy fibers synapse on granule cells whose parallel fibers excite Purkinje cells and may contribute to the genesis of “simple spikes” (SSs). Both afferent systems convey vestibular information to folia 9c–10. After making a unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL) in mice, we tested how the discharge of CSs and SSs was changed by the loss of primary vestibular afferent mossy fibers during sinusoidal roll tilt. We recorded from cells identified by juxtacellular neurobiotin labeling. The UL preferentially reduced vestibular modulation of CSs and SSs in folia 8–10 contralateral to the UL. The effects of a UL on Purkinje cell discharge were similar in folia 9c–10, to which vestibular primary afferents project, and in folia 8–9a, to which they do not project, suggesting that vestibular primary afferent mossy fibers were not responsible for the UL-induced alteration of SS discharge. UL also induced reduced vestibular modulation of stellate cell discharge contralateral to the UL. We attribute the decreased modulation to reduced vestibular modulation of climbing fibers. In summary, climbing fibers modulate CSs directly and SSs indirectly through activation of stellate cells. Whereas vestibular primary afferent mossy fibers cannot account for the modulated discharge of SSs or stellate cells, the nonspecific excitation of Purkinje cells by parallel fibers may set an operating point about which the discharges of SSs are sculpted by climbing fibers.
Social Networks in Developing Countries

Social networks function as an important safety net in developing countries, which often lack formal financial instruments. Such networks are also an important source of information in developing countries with relatively low access to the Internet and literacy rates. We review the empirical literature that uses explicit social network data collected in developing countries. We focus on social networks as conduits for both monetary transfers and information. We also briefly discuss the network-formation literature and comment on data collection strategies, mentioning some areas we believe to be especially ripe for future study.
Evaluation of Translational Control Mechanisms in Response to Oxygen Deprivation in Maize

Numerous changes in gene expression occur in response to flooding (oxygen deprivation, i.e., anoxia and hypoxia) in seedling roots of maize (Zea mays L.) and other plants. Increased de novo transcription of anaerobic polypeptide (ANP) genes is responsible, in part for increased production of glycolytic and fermentative enzymes, such as alcohol dehydrogenase-1. There is increasing evidence that regulation of mRNA translation plays an important role in the expression of ANP genes during oxygen deprivation. By quantitative analysis of ribosomal complexes, we demonstrated a dramatic decrease in polysomes and an increase in monosomes in maize seedling roots deprived of oxygen, indicative of regulation of translational initiation. We report that oxygen deprivation causes dynamic changes in the phosphorylation status of the eukaryotic initiation factors (eIF) eIF4E, eIF4A, and eIF4B. By affinity purification of initiation complexes with 7mGTP and poly(A) resins, we demonstrate that a reduction in pH, which occurs in the cytosol in response to this stress, affects the assembly of mRNA 5"-cap and 3"-tail-binding complexes. We also describe oxygen deprivation-induced changes in phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6, ribosomal 12-kD P-proteins and eukaryotic elongation factor-2 (eEF2). A model is presented that considers the implication of modifications in translational machinery in the interactions between the 5"-cap and 3"-tail of the mRNA that facilitate initiation and eEF2 GTPase activity which promotes elongation.
Structural studies of Streptococcus agalactiae hyaluronate lyase

The bacteria Streptococcus agalactiae, part of normal human flora, produce an enzyme, hyaluronate lyase, which appears to contribute to the invasive capacity of this pathogen by degrading hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfates of the extracellular matrix of host tissues. The native enzyme, the product of the hylB3502 allele, has a molecular mass of 111 kDa but undergoes an autocatalytic conversion to a smaller enzymatically active 92 kDa form. To initiate the determination of the catalytic mechanism of action of these enzymes, the 111 and 92 kDa enzymes were crystallized by a vapor-diffusion method using polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether 5000 and potassium thiocyanate as precipitating agents. The 111 kDa enzyme crystals are of poor quality and diffract X-rays to a very low resolution. However, the crystals of the truncated 92 kDa enzyme diffract X-rays to 2.1 A resolution. The crystal symmetry is C2221 and the unit-cell parameters are a = 51.69, b = 157.03, c = 239.20 A (α = β = γ = 90°). The Vm of 2.64 A3 Da−1 is consistent with the presence of one molecule of hyaluronate lyase in the asymmetric unit and a crystal solvent content of 53%. An isomorphous ethylmercuricthiosalicylic acid heavy-atom derivative diffraction data set has been obtained in order to solve the structure.
A channelized digital ultrawideband receiver

A channelized digital ultrawideband (UWB) receiver that efficiently samples the UWB signal at a fraction of the chip frequency is proposed. The received signal is channelized in the frequency domain by employing a bank of mixers and low-pass filters. After sampling at a much reduced frequency, digital synthesis filters optimally estimate the transmitted signals. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the proposed receiver has been solved and compared against an ideal conventional receiver, which is defined as a receiver that samples at the signal Nyquist rate. When finite resolution analog-to-digital converters (ADC) are employed in the presence of a large narrowband interferer, the proposed receiver significantly outperforms the ideal conventional receiver. For example, the SNR of the proposed receiver is as much as 20 dB higher than the ideal conventional receiver when a 4-bit ADC is used in the presence of a 50 dB (relative to the noise floor) brickwall narrowband interferer with a bandwidth of 15% of the chip frequency.
A volume H/sup -/ ion source with a toroidal discharge chamber

A new volume H/sup -/ ion source has been designed with the objective of reaching a current of 50 mA in 1-ms pulses, to be eventually used on the new RF quadrupole (RFQ) preinjector at Brookhaven National Laboratory's Alternating Gradient Synchrotron. Its main feature is a full rotation symmetry, with a toroidal discharge chamber separated from the central extraction region by a conically shaped dipole field. Preliminary studies consisted of measurements of the H/sup -/ yield and the accompanying electron component as a function of the discharge current, discharge voltage, pressure, and extraction voltage for several geometries of the conical field; effects of the filament heating current were also studied, both for DC and AC cases. It was possible to extract an H/sup -/ current of 30 mA through an aperture of 1 cm/sup 2/, with an electron component of about 750 mA. >
Uncertainty Modeling in Bridge Network Maintenance Optimization

The present paper collects a series of tools, methods, and convenient solutions used to model and handle efficiently the huge amount of random variables associated with techniques for the life-cycle simulation and maintenance optimization of bridge networks. The randomness in the deteriorating reliability of individual bridges is modeled by means of time-dependent models with random parameters. The uncertain effects of the preventive maintenance actions are represented by numerical superposition of four contributions and characterized by up to six random parameters. The complete rehabilitation of a bridge is supposed not to restore perfectly the original reliability level, and also in this case the extent of the imperfection (i.e. difference between original reliability and reliability after the intervention) is treated as a random parameter. Finally, the in/out of service state of the individual bridges along the life cycle of the bridge network is modeled by means of either a multivariate (i.e. correlated) Bernoulli random variable or a random field.