cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implementations and performances of two RPC-based LAN gateway applications

A predominant (‘base’) scheme currently used in many circuit-switched LAN-WAN gateway applications is based on device-driver LAN redirections. Various functional and performance deficiencies associated with the LAN redirection (base) scheme and an RPC programming interface are described. This RPC definition supports the base scheme, as well as another (‘enhanced’) scheme. The enhanced scheme overcomes the various outlined functional deficiencies associated with the cited implementations of the base scheme. Implementations of these two client-server application schemes on top of the IEEE portable operating-system interface and the Open Software Foundation RPC are described for both schemes. Performances of these two schemes are compared, both based on a simplified Markov chain model and on actual implementations and long-duration experiments. Some of the similarities between the predictive simple-model behaviors and the actual experienced results for the applications are encouraging. This experience shows that the described RPC programming interface is a reasonable candidate for immediate practical implementations on heterogeneous systems.
The influence of solar ultraviolet variability on climate

Changes in the solar u.v. flux and its wavelength distribution could affect the climate both directly and through the greenhouse effect of the ozone shield. Indeed, the ozone content of the stratosphere is highly sensitive to the relative intensity of two broad spectral regions in the solar u.v. The observed amplitude for global-ozone variation of a few percent at most over the solar cycle is compatible with a variation of solar u.v. flux of no more than about 20%.
Identification of residues essential for carbohydrate recognition by the insulin-like growth factor II/mannose 6-phosphate receptor.

Abstract Two distinct mannose 6-phosphate (Man-6-P) receptors (MPRs), the cation-dependent MPR (CD-MPR) and the insulin-like growth factor II/MPR (IGF-II/MPR), recognize a diverse population of Man-6-P-containing ligands. The IGF-II/MPR is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein with a large extracytoplasmic region composed of 15 repeating domains that display sequence identity to each other and to the single extracytoplasmic domain of the CD-MPR. A structure-based sequence alignment of the two distinct Man-6-P-binding sites of the IGF-II/MPR with the CD-MPR implicates several residues of IGF-II/MPR domains 3 and 9 as essential for Man-6-P binding. To test this hypothesis single amino acid substitutions were made in constructs encoding either the N- or the C-terminal Man-6-P-binding sites of the bovine IGF-II/MPR. The mutant IGF-II/MPRs secreted from COS-1 cells were analyzed by pentamannosyl phosphate-agarose affinity chromatography, identifying four residues (Gln-392, Ser-431, Glu-460, and Tyr-465) in domain 3 and four residues (Gln-1292, His-1329, Glu-1354, and Tyr-1360) in domain 9 as essential for Man-6-P recognition. Binding affinity studies using the lysosomal enzyme, β-glucuronidase, confirmed these results. Together these analyses provide strong evidence that the two Man-6-P-binding sites of the IGF-II/MPR are structurally similar to each other and to the CD-MPR and utilize a similar carbohydrate recognition mechanism.
Development of Immunity Against Hepatitis A Virus by Subclinical Infection

SummaryA newly developed immune adherence (IA) test for hepatitis A antibody was applied to etiologic investigations of subclinical hepatitis cases diagnosed by serum enzyme elevations. Among 25 cases of subclinical infection occurring in Costa Rica, 18 seroconverted and were diagnosed as hepatitis A, four had HBsAg and were diagnosed as hepatitis B, and three were neither hepatitis A nor B. The development of hepatitis A antibody in such cases equates with protection against the disease and confirms that immunity may result from clinically inapparent infection. Hepatitis A antibody in these subclinical cases was shown to persist for at least 7 years, the longest time period investigated. The antibody response in subclinical hepatitis A was comparable to that previously noted in clinical cases of the disease.The authors are indebted to Elivette Navarro, Miguel Chacon, W. P. M. Fisher, Marilyn Johnston, and Paula Giesa for valuable technical assistance.
Lupus pregnancies and neonatal lupus

In the past two decades the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has become easier to make and more certain when made. Advances in treatment have permitted patients with SLE to live longer and healthier lives. New clinical research has also described the role that some autoantibodies associated with SLE have on fetal well-being. As a result, many women with SLE or SLE-like disease now attempt pregnancy, and obstetricians, perinatologists, and pediatricians now consider the diagnosis of SLE when pregnancy complications occur to apparently healthy women. There has been a growth in our knowledge and a change in our understanding of lupus pregnancies. These new data form the basis of this review.
The role of the QseC quorum-sensing sensor kinase in colonization and norepinephrine-enhanced motility of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium

Abstract Transcriptional analysis of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) in the presence of the mammalian hormone norepinephrine revealed up-regulation of genes in the flagellar and chemotaxis regulon. Motility assays confirmed enhanced motility of wild-type S. Typhimurium in the presence of norepinephrine that could be blocked by the α-adrenergic antagonist, phentolamine. Furthermore, a mutation in the qseC gene, encoding the sensor kinase of the two-component QseBC quorum-sensing system, also diminished motility of S. Typhimurium. To investigate the role of S. Typhimurium QseC in vivo, 13-week old pigs were intranasally inoculated with equal concentrations (1×109 CFU) of wild-type S. Typhimurium and a qseC mutant. Over a 1-week competitive index experiment, the qseC mutant displayed decreased colonization of the gastrointestinal tract compared to the wild-type parent strain. Thus, this study has identified a role for the QseBC quorum-sensing signal transduction system in motility and swine colonization of S. Typhimurium. Cross-talk between cell–cell communication systems in Salmonella (quorum sensing) and host hormones may explain opportunistic behaviors of the pathogen, such as immune evasion and stress-induced recrudescence of Salmonella, during fluctuations of host hormone levels.
Strategies for overcoming acquired resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor: targeted therapies in lung cancer

Acquired resistance to targeted therapy in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant lung cancer represents a valuable model for considering strategies of overcoming different types of cellular resistance mechanisms. Using existing data on resistance in EGFR-mutant lung cancer, this review will discuss 3 basic approaches for overcoming resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies: intensification of EGFR inhibition, combination of EGFR inhibitors with other targeted therapies, and changing to anticancer therapies acting via alternate pathways.
MHC class II function preserved by low-affinity peptide interactions preceding stable binding

MAJOR histocompatibility complex class II molecules and their peptide ligands show unusual interaction kinetics, with slow association and dissociation rates that yield an apparent equilibrium constant of ∼10−6–10−8 M (refs 1–5). However, there is evidence for a specific, rapidly formed, short-lived complex6. The altered migration on SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of class II molecules upon stable peptide binding7–9 has led to the hypothesis that the two kinetically distinguishable types of class II-peptide complexes correspond to different structures. In accord with this model, we demonstrate here that insect cell-derived HLA-DR1 class II molecules show fast, almost stoichiometric occupancy with rapidly dissociating peptide while remaining sensitive to SDS-induced chain dissociation. The same DR1 molecules slowly and quantitatively form long-lived complexes resistant to SDS-induced denaturation. Surprisingly, low-affinity interaction with peptide protects class II from denaturation at physiological temperature, a finding that has implications for understanding the role of invariant chain in the intracellular behaviour of class II molecules.
Analog and threshold building blocks for variable-radix adders and other logic

A system of ?TKM? logic, based on 3-state threshold devices, Kirchoff adders (i.e., summing amplifiers), and linear amplifiers is proposed. It is shown that TKM logic can realize any multiple-valued truth table, and that the length of the alphabet of truth values may be arbitrary. This logic is shown to be particularly well suited to the synthesis of variable-radix adders, in which alterations of the radix are obtained by adjustments of the gain or attenuation of one or more amplifiers. When TKM is used in conjunction with a proposed ?symmetric analog coding? for the representation of numbers, the generation of r-1 complements and, as a consequence, the execution of r-ary subtraction and division, are facilitated. It is conjectured that the feasibility of variable-radix adders is a step toward the realization of adaptive computation at the hardware level.
Complications of inferior vena cava filters

With the introduction of retrievable inferior vena cava filters, the number being placed for protection from pulmonary embolism is steadily increasing. Despite this increased usage, the true incidence of complications associated with inferior vena cava filters is unknown. This article reviews the known complications associated with these filters and suggests recommendations and techniques for inferior vena cava filter removal.
Interstitial Pneumonia from Mitomycin

Abstract Pulmonary disease has been associated with several chemotherapeutic agents but has not been reported in patients receiving the alkylating agent mitomycin (Mutamycin®). We describe here the...
How Can Basic Research on Children and Families Be Useful for the Policy Process

Basic research can inform social policy in a number of ways. First, it can draw the attention of policy makers to problems. Second, it can deflect policy mak ers away from focusing on issues that are not really problems. Third, it can help policy makers understand whether or not factors are causally related to prob lems and the processes underlying development. And fourth, it can contribute to the evaluation of programs and policies by helping policy analysts develop models of behavior and by providing the measures and methods needed to conduct rigorous evaluation studies. To communicate information to policy mak ers, researchers need to be very brief; write in clear, accurate, and nontechni cal language; and make information easily accessible. Researchers should rec ognize that policy makers have diverse goals and that only rarely is research the primary factor in policy making.
Acoustic monitoring of ocean gyres

There has been an increased interest in ocean phenomena with horizontal scales comparable to the radius of the Earth, and timescales of years and beyond. These phenomena occur in the presence of intense processes of higher spatial and temporal frequency. An observational programme for the large-scale phenomena has an inherent advantage if it can rely on measurements that are, by their very nature, integrated moments over the prerequisite scale.The oceans provide an excellent medium for transmitting sound waves of low frequency, as demonstrated in the closing days of World War II, and subsequently confirmed by a 20000 km acoustic transmission between Perth, Australia and Bermuda. For the last six years we have been developing a method (Ocean Acoustic Tomography) to take advantage of the favourable ocean acoustic properties. We measure travel time Δ+ from mooring m to mooring n (positive x), and Δ− from n to m. The sum Δ+ + Δ− then gives information about the sound speed C (e.g. temperature) averaged along the acoustic ray path; the difference Δ+ – Δ− gives information about the x-component u of current velocity. The recorded acoustic signal can be decomposed into 10-20 distinct ray arrivals Δi, each with a distinct ray path and associated depth-weighting of the ocean column; the ray travel times can be inverted to yield information about the depth profiles C(z) and u(z). The product 〈C〉 〈u〉 of these range-averaged quantities is related to the climatological large-scale heat flux; the space-time average is related to the eddy heat flux, and can be estimated by measuring the difference variance (Δ+) – variance (Δ−).
Nitrogen doping in ZnSe and ZnTe

Abstract We present a theoretical investigation and discussion of N doping in ZnSe and ZnTe, based on first-principles calculations. We find that the experimentally observed trend in doping efficiency can be attributed to the higher solubility of N in ZnTe. We also discuss the potential formation of complexes between the N acceptor and native defects, the change in lattice constant of ZnSe due to heavy N doping, and some problems associated with N as an acceptor dopant.
The effect of phosphodiesterase inhibitors on the extinction of cocaine-induced conditioned place preference in mice:

Several phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDEis) improve cognition, suggesting that an increase in brain cAMP and cGMP facilitates learning and memory. Since extinction of drug-seeking behavior requires associative learning, consolidation and formation of new memory, the present study investigated the efficacy of three different PDEis in the extinction of cocaine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in B6129S mice. Mice were conditioned by escalating doses of cocaine which was resistant to extinction by free exploration. Immediately following each extinction session mice received (a) saline/vehicle, (b) rolipram (PDE4 inhibitor), (c) BAY-73-6691 (PDE9 inhibitor) or (d) papaverine (PDE10A inhibitor). Mice that received saline/vehicle during extinction training showed no reduction in CPP for >10 days. BAY-73-6691 (a) dose-dependently increased cGMP in hippocampus and amygdala, (b) significantly facilitated extinction and (c) diminished the reinstatement of cocaine CPP. Rolipram, which selectively increased brain cAMP levels, and papaverine which caused increases in both cAMP and cGMP levels, had no significant effect on the extinction of cocaine CPP. The results suggest that increase in hippocampal and amygdalar cGMP levels via blockade of PDE9 has a prominent role in the consolidation of extinction learning.
Normal and Abnormal Prothrombin Levels

Conclusions(1) From the data presented the normal range of prothrombin-clotting time has been observed to be from 25 to 30 sec. Values above 30 sec have given a whole blood index of 1.0 plus. These results yield closer correlation to other methods for estimating the prothrombin level. (2) Treated and untreated patients with pernicious anemia, pellagra and other pathologic conditions have similar normal prothrombin values. Treated sprue patients gave similar results. In a case of sprue (relapsing) with persistent diarrhea, the prothrombin level was found to be almost normal. (3) When abnormal variations occur in wet or dry readings, it may be more accurate to depend upon the whole blood clotting index.
Magnets with random uniaxial anisotropy: Large-N effective potential and infrared properties

Abstract We study the magnetic properties of systems with random uniaxial anisotropy using a large- N effective potential approach for d = 4, 3. It is found that the random interactions induce a strong infrared behavior that prevents the existence of a ferromagnetic phase and massless transverse modes. The transverse susceptibility is finite for all values of the temperature and at d = 4 it has an esential singularity in the couplings. We argue that this is indicative of a mechanism of dynamical mass generation due to the infrared instabilities of the theory. For both d = 4, 3 there is a spin-glass low-temperature phase and a paramagnetic high-temperature phase, the susceptibility having a cusp across the transition. We prove that these phases are stable and that the transverse and longitudinal susceptibilities are equal.
A Cathode Ray Oscillograph for Observing 2 Waves

A general purpose cathode ray oscillograph is described in this paper which embodies a cathode ray tube of high beam efficiency, a description of which has not hitherto been published. This tube makes it possible to use a high frequency oscillator for supplying both the beam and sweep voltages. An electronic switching circuit is described which greatly extends the usefulness of the cathode ray oscillograph by making it possible to portray simultaneously 2 or more different waves in their proper phase relation, provided both waves have frequencies which are in a simple multiple relationship to each other.
Results of a single center vascular screening and education program

Background Vascular screening events have become a popular way to increase vascular awareness. Most screenings programs involve multiple locations on a single date and do not explore the local impact of screening. We evaluated the economic and community impact of the Dare to C.A.R.E. (DTC) program, a large, single center, continuous vascular screening and education program in Annapolis, Maryland. Methods Between July 2000 and July 2006, DTC was offered free to the public for those over 60 or over 50 with risk factors of hypertension, diabetes, smoking, or elevated cholesterol. DTC consisted of a 2-hour educational lecture, completing a risk factor questionnaire, and testing blood pressure, carotid duplex, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) ultrasound, and pedal pulse/ankle-brachial index (ABI). Mild disease (MD) was defined as 1% to 39% carotid stenosis or an ABI between .7 and .95; intermediate disease (ID) as carotid stenosis ≥40%, AAA ≥3 cm, or an ABI ≤0.7; and severe disease (SD) as carotid stenosis ≥60%, AAA ≥5 cm, or an ABI ≤0.5. Results were discussed with the participants and forwarded to their primary physicians. Questionnaire data and screening results were analyzed and local hospital data was examined to determine the effects of screening. Results A total of 12,055 screenings were performed in DTC, 439 were excluded due to age less than 40 or repeat visits, leaving 11,616 unique patients for this report. Participation grew from 189 in 2000 to over 6400 in 2005. Age ranged from 40 to 95 (median 65 years) and females comprised 58.7%. Demographics included past smokers (51.3%), current smokers (7.3%), diabetes mellitus (10.6%), hypertension (46.7%), hyperlipidemia (49.4%), and prior myocardial infarction (MI) (11.9%). 47% participants had evidence of at least mild disease (MD) with intermediate disease (ID) found in 6.9% and severe disease (SD) found in 2.2% of patients screened. Statistical analysis showed a greater prevalence of ID and SD in patients with risk factors. Diabetes alone doubled the prevalence of disease in all age groups. Over 340 hospital vascular cases were identified in DTC patients in the first 5 years of the program. Conclusions The Dare to C.A.R.E. vascular screening and education program is an effective way to detect early and significant vascular disease. It has a powerful effect on procedural and testing volumes.
Hyperfine Splitting of a Localized Moment in a Metal

The hyperfine splitting of the erbium localized moment resonance in silver metal has been observed for nominal concentrations of 28-, 65-, 86-, and 1500-ppm solid solution Ag: Er alloys. A hyperfine coupling constant $A=75\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.0$ Oe was found to fit the individual line positions to within experimental accuracy (\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}5 Oe). The magnetic-resonance bottleneck is discussed; it is argued that this bottleneck is absent for these measurements, and is the reason for the failure of previous attempts to observe such hyperfine splittings in transition-metal alloys.
Preclinical testing of neuroprotective neurotrophic factors in a model of chronic motor neuron degeneration.

Many neurotrophic factors have been shown to enhance survival of embryonic motor neurons or affect their response to injury. Few studies have investigated the potential effects of neurotrophic factors on more mature motor neurons that might be relevant for neurodegenerative diseases. Using organotypic spinal cord cultures from postnatal rats, we have demonstrated that insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) significantly increase choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity, but brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-4 (NT-4/5), and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) do not. Surprisingly, ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) actually reduces ChAT activity compared to age-matched control cultures. Neurotrophic factors have also been shown to alter the sensitivity of some neurons to glutamate neurotoxicity, a postulated mechanism of injury in the neurodegenerative disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Incubation of organotypic spinal cord cultures in the presence of the glutamate transport inhibitor threo-hydroxyaspartate (THA) reproducibly causes death of motor neurons which is glutamate-mediated. In this model of motor neuron degeneration, IGF-I, GDNF, and NT-4/5 are potently neuroprotective, but BDNF, CNTF, and NT-3 are not. The organotypic glutamate toxicity model appears to be the best preclinical predictor to date of success in human clinical trials in ALS.
Isolation rates of feline respiratory viruses in local cat populations

Respiratory and conjunctival secretions were collected from fifty-nine cats living in a rural environment and 128 cats living in an urban environment. All cats were showing some signs of respiratory disease. Feline caliciviruses or feline rhinotracheitis viruses were isolated from 16% and 56% of the cats from the urban and rural areas respectively. The caliciviruses were serologically related.
The Effect of Atomic Mixing on the Depth Profiles of Metal Markers in Silicon

Atomic mixing effects of sputter depth-profiles are modeled by a diffusion theory with a depth-dependent diffusion constant D. The model is compared to SIMS depth profiles, using 5 keV Ar+ bombardment of dilute thin-film multilayers of Al, Ag, Ti and Mo in silicon. The experimental values of D can be explained by cascade mixing and radiation enhanced diffusion within the cascade for Al, Ag and Ti markers but not for the Mo marker.
Paleophysiology and End-Permian Mass Extinction

Physiological research aimed at understanding current global change provides a basis for evaluating selective survivorship associated with Permo-Triassic mass extinction. Comparative physiology links paleontological and paleoenvironmental observations, supporting the hypothesis that an end-Permian trigger, most likely Siberian Trap volcanism, touched off a set of physically-linked perturbations that acted synergistically to disrupt the metabolisms of latest Permian organisms. Global warming, anoxia, and toxic sulfide probably all contributed to end-Permian mass mortality, but hypercapnia (physiological effects of elevated PCO2) best accounts for the selective survival of marine invertebrates. Paleophysiological perspectives further suggest that persistent or recurring hypercapnia/global warmth also played a principal role in delayed Triassic recovery. More generally, physiology provides an important way of paleobiological knowing in the age of Earth system science. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
A state of research review on fault injection techniques and a case study

Nowadays, computer systems become more and more complex while the design schedule becomes tighter and tighter. People are exploring new ways to improve their design automation tools, design processes, testing mechanisms, and anything that could help them to reduce either the design complexity or the time to release. Fault injection is defined as the dependability validation technique that is based on the realization of controlled experiments where the observation of the system behavior in the presence of faults is explicitly induced by the deliberate introduction of faults into a system. This technique can speed up the occurrence and the propagation of faults into the system for observing the effects on the system performance. In this manner, the weaknesses of interactions can be discovered. A review on fault injection techniques is presented in this paper.
What Does Medicare Pay For? Disentangling The Flow Of Funds To Health Care Providers

Many Medicare policies pertain to only part of an expenditure category for which there are publicly available data. Integrating three types of data sources, this DataWatch disaggregates Medicare spending by type of provider. It also disaggregates payments to hospital outpatient departments by type of service. The results reveal a number of patterns obscured by more aggregate figures. For instance, although Medicare pays for most skilled nursing facility (SNF) services through Part A, Part B paid SNFs almost a billion dollars for rehabilitation services in fiscal year 1996. The recipients were not eligible for Part A SNF benefits but were residents of nursing homes.
Adaptive graph cuts with tissue priors for brain MRI segmentation

We describe a novel framework for automatic brain MRI tissue segmentation. To overcome inherent difficulties associated with this particular segmentation problem, we use a graph cut/atlas-based registration methodology optimized within an iterative mode. The basic graph cut algorithm guarantees a global or near-global minimum of an energy function associated with a Markov random field (MRF). For atlas-based graph cuts, we tailor this energy function to incorporate both a priori information derived from registered brain atlases as well as region and boundary information derived directly from the images. The iterative algorithm adaptively alternates segmentation and inhomogeneity correction. The proposed method can be extended to multispectral image segmentation. We validate our method in both simulated adult and real neonatal brain MR images corrupted by significant noise and intensity inhomogeneities.
Delayed Versus Immediate Surgical Intervention and Prostate Cancer Outcome

For prostate cancer patients with small, lower-grade tumors, expectant management with delayed surgical intervention (active surveillance) is a rarely used therapeutic option because the opportunity for cure may be lost. We compared outcomes of 38 patients with small, lower-grade prostate cancer in an expectant management program who underwent delayed surgical intervention at a median of 26.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI] = 17 to 32 months; range = 12.0-73.0 months) after diagnosis with 150 similar patients who underwent immediate surgical intervention at a median of 3.0 months (95% CI = 2 to 4 months; range = 1.0-9.0 months) after diagnosis. Noncurable cancer was defined as adverse pathology associated with a less than 75% chance of remaining disease-free for 10 years after surgery. Noncurable cancer was diagnosed in nine (23%) of the 38 patients in the delayed intervention cohort and in 24 (16%) of the 150 men in the immediate intervention group. After adjusting for age and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) density (i.e., PSA value divided by prostate volume) in a Mantel-Haenszel analysis, the risks of noncurable cancer associated with delayed and immediate intervention did not differ statistically significantly (relative risk = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.55 to 2.12; P = .819, two-sided Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel statistic). Age, PSA, and PSA density were all statistically significantly associated with the risk of noncurable cancer (P = .030, .013, and .008, respectively; two-sided chi-square test). Thus, delayed prostate cancer surgery for patients with small, lower-grade prostate cancers does not appear to compromise curability.
Decision Making Status with Older Minors: An Ethical Dilemma

Clinical ethical issues arise on a daily basis for medical clinicians. We report and discuss a case of an older minor. A 16-year old female, with a complicated clinical history following a heart transplant, developed irreversible complications from her underlying medical condition largely attributed to noncompliance with recommendations from her medical team. Because of her minor status, she was ultimately unable to make healthcare decisions. The patient’s healthcare team collectively agreed that she had minimal chances of surviving. We will discuss the ethical aspects of decision-making regarding her critical care.
Quality improvement case study: warfarin sodium interactions.

Topic Dangerous Interactions Involving Antibiotic Use In Warfarin-Treated Nursing Facility Residents Facts of the Incident All names, places and dates and some details have been changed to protect the confidentiality of this actual event.
Pain, Quality of Life, and Spinal Accessory Nerve Status After Neck Dissection

Objective To assess quality of life (QOL) in patients with head and neck cancer who underwent neck dissection and to compare QOL scores for patients in whom the spinal accessory nerve (CN XI) was resected or preserved. Setting and Design and Outcomes Measures Three hundred ninety-seven patients who had undergone treatment for head and neck cancer completed the University of Michigan Head and Neck Quality of Life (HNQOL) instrument, the Medical Outcomes Study SF-12 General Health Survey, and questions on “pain despite pain medications” and headaches. Results Of the 397 patients, 222 had no neck dissection, 46 had neck dissections resecting CN XI, and 129 had dissection sparing CN XI. Of the latter group, 68 patients had dissections sparing level V and 61 dissections included level V. Age, sex, primary site distribution, and T stage were not different between the groups. Patients who had neck dissections sparing CN XI had better scores on the HNQOL pain domain (P = .002), had less shoulder or neck pain (P = .003), and took pain medications less frequently (P = .0004) compared with patients who had neck dissections sacrificing CN XI. When CN XI was preserved, patients who had no level V dissection had better pain domain scores (P = .03) and eating domain scores (P = .007) on the HNQOL, had less shoulder or neck pain (P = .006), and had less physical problems (P = .03) than patients who had level V dissected. On multivariate analysis, pain-related QOL scores after neck dissection were significantly better (P < .01) if patients had dissections with preservation of CN XI and if level V was not dissected. Conclusion Neck dissections sparing CN XI are associated with better pain scores on the HNQOL, less shoulder and neck pain, and less need for medications. When CN XI is spared, not dissecting level V of the neck is associated with better HNQOL pain scores, less shoulder or neck pain, and fewer physical problems.
Wide-Scale Use of Notch Signaling Factor CSL/RBP-Jκ in RTA-Mediated Activation of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Lytic Genes

For Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV; also called human herpesvirus 8 [HHV8]), the switch from latency to active lytic replication requires RTA, the product of open reading frame 50 (ORF50). RTA activates transcription from nearly 40 early and delayed-early viral promoters, mainly through interactions with cellular DNA binding proteins, such as CSL/RBP-Jκ, Oct-1, C/EBPα, and c-Jun. Reliance on cellular coregulators may allow KSHV to adjust its lytic program to suit different cellular contexts or interpret signals from the outside. CSL is a key component of the Notch signaling pathway and is targeted by several viruses. A search with known CSL binding sequences from cellular genes found at least 260 matches in the KSHV genome, many from regions containing known or suspected lytic promoters. Analysis of clustered sites located immediately upstream of ORF70 (thymidylate synthase), ORF19 (tegument protein), and ORF47 (glycoprotein L) uncovered RTA-responsive promoters that were validated using mRNAs isolated from KSHV-infected cells undergoing lytic reactivation. Notably, ORF19 behaves as a true late gene, indicating that RTA regulates all three phases of the lytic program. For each new promoter, the response to RTA was dependent on CSL, and 5 of the 10 candidate sites were shown to bind CSL in vitro. Analysis of individual sites highlighted the importance of a cytosine residue flanking the core CSL binding sequence. These findings broaden the role for CSL in coordinating the KSHV lytic gene expression program and help to define a signature motif for functional CSL sites within the viral genome.
Real-time system for 3D neurosurgical planning

We have designed and implemented a computer-based system that permits rapid acquisition of digital medical images, multi- modality registration and segmentation, and 3D planning of minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures. The system, known as Netra, is optimized for real-time planning: imaging, pre- processing and planning are performed on the morning of surgery in clinically useful times. We have tested the system on procedures such as needle biopsies, depth electrode placements and craniectomies for arteriovenous malformations, aneurysms and tumors. We describe in this paper the core algorithms of our system, and discuss issues related to implementation, validation and user acceptance. We focus on techniques for physician interaction that encourage active participation by the surgeon as principal operator of the visualization and planning system.
The challenges of studying childhood sexual abuse among adolescent mothers

Sexual abuse researchers are faced with many challenges. This article begins with a discussion of the theoretical underpinnings of topic sensitivity and describes difficulties specific to the study of childhood sexual abuse among adolescent mothers. In the last part of this article, suggestions for diminishing the difficulties and factors to consider when planning future studies are discussed. The aim of this article is to prepare novice researchers for the challenges that may occur while studying childhood sexual abuse among adolescent mothers and provide them with solutions to consider when they encounter such challenges. Language: en
Phosphorus sorption by sediments in a southeastern coastal plain in-stream wetland.

A close relationship has been reported between sediment organic C (SedOC) content and its P sorption capacity (Pmax) and total P (TP) concentration. Phosphorus sorbed to organically complexed cations is a proposed explanation for this relationship. The objectives of this study were (i) to determine relationships between in-stream wetland SedOC content and both the sediment’s Pmax and TP concentrations, and (ii) to ascertain the role of both organically complexed and oxalate-extractable cations on the sediment Pmax and TP values. The sediment’s oxalate-extractable Fe (Feox) and Al (Alox) contents were determined using acidified ammonium oxalate, while sodium pyrophosphatewasusedtoextractorganicallycomplexedcations(Alpryo, Capyro ,F epyro ,M gpyro, and Mnpyro). Both the sediment’s Pmax and TP contents were strongly correlated with its SedOC concentration (r 2 . 0.90, P , 0.001). Only the Alox contents were significantly correlated with TP and Pmax, suggesting that amorphous Al forms have an important role in P sorption. All five pyrophosphate-extracted cations were significantly correlated with SedOC contents. Regression analyses showed that the Alpyro accounted for 88% of the variation in sediment Pmax values, whereas a combination of Alpyro and Capyro accounted for 98% of the variation in sediment TP concentrations. Additionally, Al and Ca chelated by SedOC compounds also have an important role in P binding and indicate that a linkage exists between the wetlands SedOC and Pmax content and its ability to accumulate TP. This study identified that two different mechanisms have significant roles in regulating P sorption by sediments in a southeastern Coastal Plain in-stream wetland.
Assessment Issues and the Cost of Schizophrenia

A variety of factors must be considered in developing assessment procedures to evaluate the cost of schizophrenia. One is the definitional problem: definitions of schizophrenia have varied over time and space, with a tendency in recent years to narrow the concept substantially. These changes in definition, which reflect the increasing scientific rigor in psychiatry, make the task of establishing base rates, assessing morbidity and mortality, and ultimately determining the cost of schizophrenia more difficult. Efforts to assess the cost of schizophrenia must also take into account the fact that its cost is not simply monetary, nor can it be conceptualized using only the cost of treatment. The overall cost of schizophrenia also includes social and psychological costs experienced by patients and family members. The concept of "the overall cost" is discussed--the sum of costs to the patient (including suffering, loss of productivity, and mortality), the cost to the family (including suffering and loss of productivity), and cost of treatment (including medications, rehabilitation services, day hospitals, inpatient facilities, etc.). At present, standardized techniques are available only for assessing some aspects of patient costs, while assessments of family and treatment costs are relatively underdeveloped. Over the long run, reduction of the overall cost of schizophrenia is most likely to come from investment in research. The most effective way to reduce the overall cost is to develop improved treatments, to identify the pathophysiology and etiology of schizophrenia, and ultimately to identify ways to prevent it from occurring.
Ossification in an extra-intradural spinal meningioma—pathologic and surgical vistas

Abstract Background context Intradural and intratumorous ossification in spinal meningiomas are rare compared to their cranial counterparts. Extradural extension of the spinal meningioma is not uncommon. To the best of our knowledge, the ossification in an extra-intradural spinal meningioma is not yet reported in the literature. Purpose The authors report a rare case of an extra-intradural spinal meningioma with ossification and calcification. The review of literature including the surgical challenges and the histologic variations as well as histogenesis of the ossified spinal meningioma is discussed. Study design Case report and review of the literature. Methods A 61-year-old woman presented with complaints of numbness and weakness for 3 years, and gait disturbances for 6 months. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass compressing the spinal cord at the T4 level. Results Complete resection of the tumor was achieved with coagulation and partial resection of the dura. Histopathological examination demonstrated a psammomatous spinal meningioma with intratumorous and intradural mature lamellar bone formation, complete with marrow and hematopoietic cells. The patient is asymptomatic at 3-year postoperative follow-up. Conclusions Despite adherence of the ossified mass to the dura, arachnoid, and spinal cord, complete atraumatic resection of the mass was possible with favorable surgical outcome. In addition to calcification as a likely forerunner of ossification in the psammomatous subtype of meningioma, metaplastic differentiation of neoplastic cells to osseous and hematopoietic component might play a crucial role.
Single-unit analysis of postnatal olfactory learning: modified olfactory bulb output response patterns to learned attractive odors.

Neonatal rats learn to approach odors associated with stimulation normally provided by their mother. The present report describes changes in olfactory bulb single-unit activity following olfactory learning in young rats. Rat pups were exposed from postnatal day 1 to 18 to either (1) peppermint-scented air while receiving tactile stimulation (Pepp- Stroked), (2) peppermint-scented air with no tactile stimulation (Pepp- Only), (3) clean air and tactile stimulation (Stroked-Only), or (4) clean air and no tactile stimulation (Naive). On day 19, single-unit activity was recorded from mitral/tufted cells in urethane- anesthetized, freely breathing pups in response to either peppermint or a novel orange odor. Mitral/tufted cell response patterns to peppermint were significantly altered in Pepp-Stroked animals compared to control pups. Peppermint exposure alone, not associated with tactile stimulation (Pepp-Only), did not affect subsequent single-cell response patterns to that odor. In addition, the modification of response patterns was specific to peppermint and was not associated with a change in respiration rate. Furthermore, Pepp-Stroked pups had a relative behavioral preference for peppermint on day 19 compared to control pups. These results demonstrate that postnatal olfactory learning selectively modifies the subsequent response patterns of olfactory bulb output cells to the attractive odor. Furthermore, these results indicate that the initial coding of an odorxy's attractive value occurs within the olfactory bulb.
Zn2+ dyshomeostasis caused by loss of ATP13A2/PARK9 leads to lysosomal dysfunction and alpha-synuclein accumulation

Mutations in ATP13A2 (PARK9) cause Kufor-Rakeb syndrome (KRS) characterized by juvenile-onset parkinsonism, pyramidal signs and dementia. PARK9 belongs to type 5 P-type ATPase with its putative function as a cation transporter. Loss of PARK9 leads to lysosomal dysfunction and subsequent α-synuclein (α-Syn) accumulation. However, the mechanistic link between PARK9 and lysosomal dysfunction remains unclear. Here, we found that patient fibroblasts expressing mutant PARK9 or primary neurons with silenced PARK9 exhibited increased sensitivity to extracellular zinc (Zn(2+)). This effect was rescued with the Zn(2+) chelators clioquinol or TPEN. PARK9-deficient cells showed decreased lysosomal sequestration of Zn(2+) and increased expression of zinc transporters. Importantly, increased concentrations of Zn(2+) (Zn(2+) stress) resulted in lysosomal dysfunction that was partially restored by expression of wild-type PARK9. Zn(2+) stress also caused increased expression of α-Syn and consequently decreased activity of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase. Together, these data suggest that PARK9 loss of function leads to dyshomeostasis of intracellular Zn(2+) that in turn contributes to lysosomal dysfunction and accumulation of α-Syn. It will be of interest to examine whether therapeutic lowering of zinc may prove beneficial for patients with KRS.
The ASCE Standardized Equation-Based Bushland Reference ET Calculator

Accurate daily reference evapotranspiration (ET) values are needed to estimate crop water demand for irrigation management and hydrologic modeling purposes. The Bushland Reference ET Calculator was developed by the USDA-ARS Conservation and Production Research Laboratory at Bushland, Texas for calculating hourly and daily grass and alfalfa reference ET. The user-friendly interface for the calculator was developed using .NET programming. The calculator uses the ASCE Standardized Reference Evapotranspiration (ET) Equation for calculating both grass and alfalfa reference ET at hourly and daily time steps. Users have the option of using a single set or time series weather data to calculate reference ET. Daily reference ET can be calculated either by summing the hourly ET values for a given day or by using daily averages of the climatic data. Although the Bushland Reference ET Calculator was designed and developed for use mainly by producers and crop consultants to manage irrigation scheduling, it can also be used in educational training, research, and other practical applications. This paper demonstrates use of the Bushland Reference ET Calculator that is available from the USDA-ARS Conservation and Production Research Laboratory web site to interested users at no cost.
Kullback-Leibler divergence rate between probability distributions on sets of different cardinalities

In this paper we generalize the familiar notion of the Kullback-Leibler divergence between two probability distribitions on a finite set to the case where the two probability distributions are defined on sets of different cardinalities. This is achieved by ‘dilating’ the distribution on the smaller set to one on the larger set. This idea follows [6]. Then, using the log sum inequality, we give a formula for this divergence that permits all computations to be carried out on the set of smaller cardinality. However, computing the divergence is still in general an intractable problem. Hence we give a greedy algorithm for quickly obtaining an upper bound for this divergence. The ideas given here can be used to study the concept of an optimally aggregated model of a Markov or hidden Markov process. This is done in a companion paper.
A robust incentive mechanism with grading approach for peer to peer network

In p2p systems, the overall system performance is improved by implementing the robust incentives and polices to promote fair and competent resource sharing which is the key factor. In this paper points based robust incentive mechanism is proposed. In this approach, a proposed GC algorithm first calculates a global score for each peer that accurately reflects its bandwidth contribution to the entire network is calculated. Then, these scores are used in a proposed data transfer policy to determine whether one peer can download data from other peers. A transaction procedure keeps the network fair thereby preventing free-riding and balancing upload and downloads amounts in each peer.
Dynamics of Energy Transfer in Chloroplasts and the Internal Dynamics of an Enzyme

The form of the fluorescence decay function from the light harvesting system of photosynthetic organisms has been the object of intensive study over the last ten years [1].The advent of low intensity picosecond lasers coupled with time correlated single photon counting detection has caused optimism that a detailed understanding of both the structural organization and energy transfer pathways in the photosynthetic unit will be possible. Several groups have found it necessary to use a sum of three exponential components to fit the chloroplast fluorescence decay curves [2–5]. An essential prerequisite for a mechanistic description of the fluorescence decay in terms of the excitation transfer and trapping processes is an assignment of the various decay components in terms of the functional constituents of the photosynthetic unit. Closely related is the question of whether the true fluorescence decay is really a triple exponential or is different — for example, a more complex function that, due to the limitations of real data (i.e.,finite time resolution, dynamic range,etc.), can be statistically well fit as a triple exponential decay.
Ethical Challenges for Documentarians in a User-Centric Environment

At the dawn of digital documentary, three technical approaches to the possibility of the form are emerging: web documentary, transmedia and interactive documentary (O’Flynn 2012). (All of them are sometimes referred to at film festivals as transmedia at this early stage of development; ‘immersive documentary’ is another all-purpose catch-phrase.) There are web documentaries, such as the series Black Folk Don’t1 that use the web as a distribution platform for typically static material, from which the viewer can select. Transmedia projects are construed across various platforms, as in the Exit Zero Project,2 which occurs across a book, a film and a web database, and Reinvention Stories3 featuring short films, a tour with audio and video stops, and a site for contributed knowledge. (Transmedia projects may also involve performances and geolocated games such as scavenger hunts.) While some of these applications may be interactive, some transmedia projects allow only for the selection of material rather than contributions. Finally, interactive documentaries have user participation built into their action, and typically feature databases as integral to their actions.