cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What about research and evidence? Teachers’ perceptions and uses of education research to inform STEM teaching

The use of research evidence to inform practice has become an expectation of those working in many professions. There is a dearth of research on teacher use of scholarship to inform their practice....
A long non‐coding RNA (Lrap) modulates brain gene expression and levels of alcohol consumption in rats

LncRNAs are important regulators of quantitative and qualitative features of the transcriptome. We have used QTL and other statistical analyses to identify a gene coexpression module associated with alcohol consumption. The "hub gene" of this module, Lrap (Long non-coding RNA for alcohol preference), was an unannotated transcript resembling a lncRNA. We used partial correlation analyses to establish that Lrap is a major contributor to the integrity of the coexpression module. Using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, we disrupted an exon of Lrap in Wistar rats. Measures of alcohol consumption in wild type, heterozygous and knockout rats showed that disruption of Lrap produced increases in alcohol consumption/alcohol preference. The disruption of Lrap also produced changes in expression of over 700 other transcripts. Furthermore, it became apparent that Lrap may have a function in alternative splicing of the affected transcripts. The GO category of "Response to Ethanol" emerged as one of the top candidates in an enrichment analysis of the differentially expressed transcripts. We validate the role of Lrap as a mediator of alcohol consumption by rats, and also implicate Lrap as a modifier of the expression and splicing of a large number of brain transcripts. A defined subset of these transcripts significantly impacts alcohol consumption by rats (and possibly humans). Our work shows the pleiotropic nature of non-coding elements of the genome, the power of network analysis in identifying the critical elements influencing phenotypes, and the fact that not all changes produced by genetic editing are critical for the concomitant changes in phenotype.
Development and prevalence of castration-resistant prostate cancer subtypes

Abstract Background Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) occurs when prostate cancer (CaP) progresses under therapy-induced castrate conditions. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain this acquired resistance, many of which are driven by androgen receptor (AR). Recent findings, however, sub-classified CRPC by downregulation/absence of AR in certain subtypes that consequently do not respond to anti-androgen therapies. To highlight the significance of CRPC sub-classification, we reviewed the development and treatment of CRPC, AR downregulation in CRPC, and summarized recent reports on the prevalence of CRPC subtypes. Methods Using a medline-based literature search, we reviewed mechanisms of CRPC development, current treatment schemes, and assessed the prevalence of AR low/negative subtypes of CRPC. Additionally, we performed immunohistochemical staining on human CRPC specimens to quantify AR expression across CRPC subtypes. Results In the majority of cases, CRPC continues to rely on AR signaling, which can be augmented in castrate-conditions through a variety of mechanisms. However, recently low/negative AR expression patterns were identified in a significant proportion of patient samples from a multitude of independent studies. In these AR low/negative cases, we postulated that AR protein may be downregulated by (1) promoter methylation, (2) transcriptional regulation, (3) post-transcriptional regulation by microRNA or RNA-binding-proteins, or (4) post-translational ubiquitination-mediated degradation. Conclusions Here, we discussed mechanisms of CRPC development and summarized the overall prevalence of CRPC subtypes; interestingly, AR low/negative CRPC represented a considerable proportion of diagnoses. Because these subtypes cannot be effectively treated with AR-targeted therapeutics, a better understanding of AR low/negative subtypes could lead to better treatment strategies and increased survival.
Ecologies of cotton

By focusing on the nineteenth-century cotton trade, this essay examines how the circumstances affecting the cultivation of the cotton plant and consequently its manufacture into yarn and cloth – th...
Evaluating disparities in access to obstetric services for American Indian women across Montana.

Purpose Pregnant women across the rural United States have increasingly limited access to obstetric care, especially specialty care for high-risk women and infants. Limited research focuses on access for rural American Indian/Alaskan Native (AIAN) women, a population warranting attention given persistent inequalities in birth outcomes. Methods Using Montana birth certificate data (2014-2018), we examined variation in travel time to give birth and access to different levels of obstetric care (i.e., the proportion of individuals living within 1- and 2-h drives to facilities), by rurality (Rural-Urban Continuum Code) and race (White and AIAN people). Findings Results point to limited obstetric care access in remote rural areas in Montana, especially higher-level specialty care, compared to urban or urban-adjacent rural areas. AIAN women traveled significantly farther than White women to access care (24.2 min farther on average), even compared to White women from similarly rural areas (5-13 min farther, after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, risk factors, and health care utilization). AIAN women were 20 times more likely to give birth at a hospital without obstetric services and had less access to complex obstetric care. Poor access was particularly pronounced among reservation-dwelling AIAN women. Conclusions It is imperative to consider racial disparities and health inequities underlying poor access to obstetric services across rural America. Current federal policies aim to reduce maternity care professional shortages. Our findings suggest that racial disparities in access to complex obstetric care will persist in Montana unless facility-level infrastructure is also expanded to reach areas serving AIAN women.
How we treat advanced stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma – mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome

T-cell lymphomas (TCLs) constitute a rare subset of non-Hodgkin lymphomas, with mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome (MF/SS) being the most common subtype of cutaneous TCLs (CTCLs). Considered an incurable but treatable disease, MF/SS management presents several challenges including diagnostic delays, debilitating effect on patients' quality of life, need for several lines of therapies, multidisciplinary care and cumulative drug toxicities limiting duration of use. The present review intends to provide an overview of the recent advances in our understanding of the biology of CTCL and how these are being leveraged to provide additional treatment options for management of advanced and recurrent disease. In addition, the discussion of the different modalities of treatment is summarised to further outline the importance of multidisciplinary care and early referral to CTCL centres.
Towards Achieving Broadened Accountability: Transcending Governance Dilemmas

Demands for Broadened Accountability (BA) of nonprofit organizations require that boards achieve a high level of engagement to address important issues properly (Morrison & Salipante, 2007). This paper presents the theoretical basis for boards falling short of such engagement and specifies fundamental obstacles leaders face in achieving BA. One set of especially salient obstacles is conceptualized as false governance dilemmas. Two are considered in this paper: legitimacy vs. efficiency (Di Maggio & Powell, 1983; Deephouse, 1996; Morrison & Salipante, 2006) and conflict/monitoring vs. cooperation/collaboration. Two broadly defined relational practices – integrative bargaining (Walton & McKersie, 1965) and maintenance of high-trust/high-distrust relationships (Lewicki, MacAllister, & Bies, 1998) – are presented as mechanisms for establishing robust board engagement, transcending false governance dilemmas and achieving BA. The authors suggest that a nonprofit paradox perspective (Cornforth, 2004) enables the gradual development of such practices, engagement and accountability.
Enter Paper Title] the Metanarrative of Blindness in the Global South: A Latdiscrit Counterstory on the Bittersweet Mythology of Blindness as Giftedness

[enter Abstract Body] This chapter uses the counterstory emphasis intrinsic to the construct of LatDisCrit and critical race theory in combination with ideas from Paul Ricoeur's critical hermeneutics. Relying on the author's own 1980s experiences in the global south as a blind law school student, the chapter analyzes normalizing ideology representational issues disguised as mythologies of giftedness.
Phenomenological analysis of the 24Mg(12C, α)32S resonant reaction studied at low incident energy

Abstract The 24 Mg( 12 C, α) 32 S reaction has been studied in the region of the Coulomb barrier. Three angular distributions for the α-particle groups populating the ground and first-excited 2 + state of 32 S have been measured spanning the apparent resonant structure observed at E c . m = 14.20 MeV. Regge-pole and phase-shift analyses suggest a spin assignment of 8 for the corresponding resonance at E x = 30.51 MeV in 36 Ar.
Physician Acceptance of a Physician‐Pharmacist Collaborative Treatment Model for Hypertension Management in Primary Care

Physician-pharmacist collaborative care (PPCC) is effective in improving blood pressure (BP) control, but primary care provider (PCP) engagement in such models has not been well-studied. The authors analyzed data from PPCC referrals to 108 PCPs, for patients with uncontrolled hypertension, assessing the proportion of referral requests approved, disapproved, and not responded to, and reasons for disapproval. Of 2232 persons with uncontrolled hypertension, PPCC referral requests were sent for 1516 (67.9%): 950 (62.7%) were approved, 406 (26.8%) were disapproved, and 160 (10.6%) received no response. Approval rates differed widely by PCP with a median approval rate of 75% (interquartile range, 41%-100%). The most common reasons for disapproval were: PCP prefers to manage hypertension (19%), and BP controlled per PCP (18%); 8% of cases were considered too complex for PPCC. Provider acceptance of a PPCC hypertension clinic was generally high and sustained but varied widely among PCPs. No single reason for disapproval predominated.
Forced vibrations of multi-component compliant tanks and feedlines

An analytical and experimental research program was performed to investigate the effects of flexible tanks and lines and the total system dynamic response of a simple physical system which had some of the essential features of a liquid-fueled launch vehicle. Several vessel-wall materials were used to obtain a range of elastic moduli. Water was used to simulate the fuel and an electromagnetic shaker provided external excitation such as might originate from a rocket-propulsion system. Experimental data were compared to values obtained from mathematical models for the many degree-of-freedom lumped-mass representation.
Understanding electric-ship system behavior through large-scale simulation

Large-scale simulations provide the means to study large, closely coupled electric-ship systems, for which traditional analysis techniques are ineffective. But simulations are inherently anecdotal, in that a simulation tells only what the system will do under a specific set of conditions. Ship designers and operators need more, particularly if the simulation model serves as the system specification. Designers and operators must be able to get a comprehensive understanding of ship behavior through system simulations. We describe briefly a number of techniques for reaching such an understanding and discuss example applications of two of them.
Crosstalk Between PKA and Epac Regulates the Phenotypic Maturation and Function of Human Dendritic Cells

The cAMP-dependent signaling pathways that orchestrate dendritic cell (DC) maturation remain to be defined in detail. Although cAMP was previously thought to signal exclusively through protein kinase A (PKA), it is now clear that cAMP also activates exchange protein activated by cAMP (Epac), a second major cAMP effector. Whether cAMP signaling via PKA is sufficient to drive DC maturation or whether Epac plays a role has not been examined. In this study, we used cAMP analogs to selectively activate PKA or Epac in human monocyte-derived DCs and examined the effect of these signaling pathways on several hallmarks of DC maturation. We show that PKA activation induces DC maturation as evidenced by the increased cell-surface expression of MHC class II, costimulatory molecules, and the maturation marker CD83. PKA activation also reduces DC endocytosis and stimulates chemotaxis to the lymph node-associated chemokines CXCL12 and CCL21. Although PKA signaling largely suppresses cytokine production, the net effect of PKA activation translates to enhanced DC activation of allogeneic T cells. In contrast to the stimulatory effects of PKA, Epac signaling has no effect on DC maturation or function. Rather, Epac suppresses the effects of PKA when both pathways are activated simultaneously. These data reveal a previously unrecognized crosstalk between the PKA and Epac signaling pathways in DCs and raise the possibility that therapeutics targeting PKA may generate immunogenic DCs, whereas those that activate Epac may produce tolerogenic DCs capable of attenuating allergic or autoimmune disease.
Clonal growth of tumors on tissue-specific biomatrices and correlation with organ site specificity of metastases.

Abstract We have found that neoplastic transformation alters the ability of cells to grow on substrata of tissue extracts, “biomatrices”, enriched in extracellular matrix. Tumor cells were able to survive and grow at lower densities and on more types of biomatrices than normal cells. When plated at high densities (>10 5 cells/60 mm dish), tumor cells attached with equal efficiency and grew at similar rates and to equivalent saturation densities on biomatrices derived from all tissues. However, at low (10 2 -10 4 /60-mm dish) seeding densities, the tumor cells grew only on certain types of biomatrix. For the various hepatoma and mammary carcinoma cell lines tested, the tissue specificity in clonal growth on biomatrices correlated with their organ site specificity for metastasis in vivo in immunosuppressed, athymic nude mice. Analysis of the effects of purified matrix components (adhesion proteins, collagens, glycosaminoglycans) indicated that only the glycosaminoglycans influenced density-dependent survival and growth of tumor cells with effects that differed with respect to the cell9s metastatic potential. The results indicate that the ability of tumor cells to colonize specific tissues represents, in part, regulation of low density survival and growth by extracellular matrix and are suggestive that one of the matrix components responsible may be proteoglycans or their glycosaminoglycan chains.
THE CONTINUED SOCIAL INJUSTICE OF NATIVE AMERICAN EXPLOITATION

Native Americans have long lived in dire poverty, way below any other ethnic group in the United States, despite treaty-obligated federal services in Indian Country. An analysis of distributive justice under the policy of federal paternalism provides disturbing results - the most marked being the 10 billion-dollar mismanagement of the Individual Indian Money (IIM) trust fund. This paper explores the historical, cultural and legal ramifications of this on-going controversy.
Early detection of infection and rejection in lung transplantation

A paperless electronic diary/spirometer instrument has been tested in a home monitoring program for subjects who have undergone lung transplantation. The objective of the program is to provide early defection of infection or rejection so that therapeutic intervention can be instituted at the earliest sign of potential clinical problems. This study reports on the early detection capability of the home monitoring program, focusing on example cases of chronic rejection (OB) and infection (CMV). Declines in spirometry and increases in respiratory symptoms appeared in the home data 30-90 days before infection or rejection diagnoses were made in clinic. Thus home monitoring can provide a method for the early detection of infection or rejection after lung transplantation. >
Antiviral therapy for recurrent hepatitis C reduces recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma following liver transplantation.

Summary Recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the major concerns following liver transplantation (LT). With the potential antitumor properties of interferon (IFN), their role in prevention of HCC recurrence is to be defined. We retrospectively reviewed 46 patients who underwent LT for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related HCC between January 2004 and December 2008. Twenty-four (52.2%) patients with biopsy-proven HCV recurrence received antiviral therapy (IFN group); their outcomes were compared with 22 patients (control group). There was no significant difference for tumor size, number, and type of neo-adjuvant therapy between the two groups. The 1- and 3-year overall patient survival (100% vs. 90.9% and 87.3% vs. 71.8%; P = 0.150) and tumor-free survival (100% vs. 72.7% and 83.1% vs. 67.5%; P = 0.214) between IFN and control group were comparable. HCC recurrence was the most common cause of death (n = 6 of 12, 50%), all in the control group. During follow-up, seven (15.2%) patients developed HCC recurrence: one (4.1%) in the IFN group and six (27.3%) in the control group (P < 0.05). In conclusions, HCC recurrence rate and related deaths were significantly lower in patients that received post-transplant antiviral therapy for recurrent HCV.
User conceptions of trustworthiness for digital archival documents

Trust is the most important characteristic of digital repositories designed to hold and deliver archival documents that have persistent value to stakeholders. In theoretical models of trust in information, the concept of trustworthiness is emerging as both fundamentally important and understudied, particularly in the domain of digital repositories. This article reports on a qualitative study designed to elicit from groups of end users components of trustworthiness and to assess their relative importance. The study draws on interview data from 3 focus groups with experienced users of the Washington State Digital Archives. Utilizing thematic analysis and micro-interlocutor analysis to examine a combination of interview transcripts and video recordings, the study provides a realistic picture of the strength and character of emergent themes that underpin the more general concept of trustworthiness. The study reinforces the centrality of trustworthiness at the individual document level, but calls into question the formulation of trustworthiness as a concept in Kelton, Fleischmann, and Wallace's 2008 Integrated Model of Trust in Information.
Acute Neurologic Illness of Unknown Etiology in Children — Colorado, August-September 2014

On September 12, 2014, CDC was notified by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment of a cluster of nine children evaluated at Children's Hospital Colorado with acute neurologic illness characterized by extremity weakness, cranial nerve dysfunction (e.g., diplopia, facial droop, dysphagia, or dysarthria), or both. Neurologic illness onsets occurred during August 8-September 15, 2014. The median age of the children was 8 years (range = 1-18 years). Other than neck, back, or extremity pain in some patients, all had normal sensation. All had a preceding febrile illness, most with upper respiratory symptoms, occurring 3-16 days (median = 7 days) before onset of neurologic illness. Seven of eight patients with magnetic resonance imaging of the spinal cord had nonenhancing lesions of the gray matter of the spinal cord spanning multiple levels, and seven of nine with magnetic resonance imaging of the brain had nonenhancing brainstem lesions (most commonly the dorsal pons). Two of five with magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral region had gadolinium enhancement of the ventral nerve roots of the cauda equina. Eight children were up to date on polio vaccination. Eight have not yet fully recovered neurologically.
Reconfigurable silicon photonic circuits for telecommunication applications

Photonic circuits based on silicon wire waveguides have attracted significant interest in recent years. They allow strong confinement of light with moderately low propagation losses. Moreover, the high thermo-optical coefficient of silicon and the small device size in silicon photonics allow for micro-heaters induced trimming, tuning, and switching with relatively low power. In this paper, we review our recent progress towards telecom-grade reconfigurable optical adddrop multiplexers (ROADMs) based on silicon microring resonators. We discuss waveguide and micro-heater design and fabrication as well as the first demonstration of telecom-grade silicon-microring filters and the first demonstration of transparent wavelength switching. The reported devices can be employed in numerous optical interconnect schemes.
Myocarditis: Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches

Summary In summary, the diagnosis of myocarditis requires a high index of clinical suspicion. Many ancillary tests are available to support the diagnosis, but endomyocardial biopsy remains the diagnostic standard. Therapy is typically supportive and aimed toward management of the systemic manifestations while allowing the disease process time to abate. Specifically, conventional medical management of heart failure, antiarrhythmic therapy and anticoagulation should be used when indicated. Routine use of immunosuppressive agents is not recommended, although it does remain an alternative in patients with biopsy-proven myocarditis who continue to deteriorate despite optimal conventional therapy. Therapy should be maintained for at least 6 months. If the patient continues to deteriorate despite this approach, ventricular assistance and consideration for cardiac transplantation may be necessary. However, the natural history of myocarditis will only be altered when therapeutic modalities are developed to address the cause rather than the effect of the disease process.
A simplified approach to computing efficiency bounds in semiparametric models

Using some standard Hilbert space theory a simplified approach to computing efficiency bounds in semiparametric models is presented. We use some interesting examples to illustrate this approach and also obtain some results which seem to be new to the literature.
The Effect of Ion Flow Shear on Electrostatic Ion-Cyclotron Waves

Summary form only given. Plasma waves near the ion gyrofrequency, propagating nearly perpendicular to the Earth's magnetic field, have often been observed on satellites in the auroral region. The excitation of these waves has traditionally been attributed to an electrostatic ion-cyclotron (EIC) instability driven by magnetic field-aligned currents. One problem with this scenario has been that often the waves were observed in association with currents that were below the theoretical excitation threshold. Also, while the wave spectrum was expected to be narrowband and structured around a few cyclotron harmonics, a broadband frequency spectrum was often reported. Ganguli and his associates suggested that transverse gradients in the ion flow along the magnetic field (ion flow shear) could provide a mechanism for EIC wave generation, either in addition to the field-aligned currents, or in the absence of field-aligned currents. They showed further, that since the critical shear required to excite EIC waves was approximately independent of the cyclotron wave harmonic number, ion flow shear could generate higher cyclotron harmonics, a common signature of the auroral observations. In the work presented here, the effect of ion flow shear on the excitation of EIC waves was studied experimentally in a double-ended Q-machine. An annular region of ion flow shear was produced by using a ring+disk configuration, as described by Kim et al. Waves with frequencies near the ion gyrofrequency and multiple harmonics were launched from an antenna into a plasma with no field-aligned electron current. As the EIC waves propagated across the magnetic field through a region with ion flow shear, the waves were observed to grow in amplitude. The simultaneous excitation of a multi-harmonic EIC spectrum was also observed when a broadband signal from a white noise source was applied to the antenna.
Missing Data in Sociological Research: An Overview of Recent Trends and an Illustration for Controversial Questions, Active Nonrespondents and Targeted Samples

In an age of telemarketers, spam emails, and pop-up advertisements, sociologists are finding it increasingly difficult to achieve high response rates for their surveys. Compounding these issues, the current political and social climate has decreased many survey respondents’ likelihood of responding to controversial questions, which are often at the heart of much research in the discipline. Here we discuss such implications for survey research in sociology using: a content analysis of the prevalence of missing data and survey research methods in the most cited articles in top sociology journals, a case study highlighting the extraction of meaningful information through an example of potential mechanisms driving the non-random missing data patterns in the Religion Among Academic Scientists dataset, and qualitative responses from non-responders in this same case. Implications are likely to increase in importance given the ubiquitous nature of survey research, missing data, and privacy concerns in sociological research.
Characterization and in vivo functional analysis of splice variants of Cypher

Previously, we reported two splice variants of Cypher, a striated muscle-specific PDZLIM domain protein, Cypher1 and Cypher2. We have now characterized four additional splice isoforms, two of which are novel. The six isoforms can be divided into skeletal or cardiac specific classes, based on the inclusion of skeletal or cardiac specific domains. Short and long isoforms share an N-terminal PDZ domain, but the three C-terminal LIM domains are unique to long isoforms. By RNA and protein analysis, we have demonstrated that Cypher isoforms are developmentally regulated in both skeletal and cardiac muscle. We have previously shown that knockout of Cypher is neonatal lethal. To investigate the function of splice variants in vivo, we have performed a rescue experiment of the Cypher null mutant by replacing the endogenous Cypher gene with cDNAs encoding either a short or long skeletal muscle isoform. In contrast to Cypher null mice, a percentage of mice that express only a short or a long skeletal muscle-specific isoform can survive to at least 1 year of age. Although surviving mice exhibit muscle pathology, these results suggest that either isoform is sufficient to rescue the lethality associated with the absence of Cypher.
Thermally induced escape: The principle of minimum available noise energy

The average time required for thermally induced escape from a basin of attraction increases exponentially with inverse temperature in proportion to exp(${E}_{A}$/kT) in the limit of low temperature. A minimum principle states that the activation energy ${E}_{A}$ is the minimum available noise energy required to execute a state-space trajectory which takes the system from the attractor of the noise-free system to the boundary of its basin of attraction and that the minimizing trajectory is the most probable low-temperature escape path. This principle is applied to the problem of thermally induced escape from two attractors of the dc-biased Josephson junction, the zero-voltage state and the voltage state, to determine activation energies and most probable escape paths. These two escape problems exemplify the classical case of escape from a potential well and the more general case of escape from an attractor of a nonequilibrium system. Monte Carlo simulations are used to verify the accuracy of the activation energies and most probable escape paths derived from the minimum principle.
The vision of landscape in Renaissance Italy

The description for this book, The Vision of Landscape in Renaissance Italy, will be forthcoming.
REAL OPTION MODELS FOR MANAGING MANUFACTURING SYSTEM CHANGES IN THE NEW ECONOMY

ABSTRACT The manufacturing environment is becoming increasingly dynamic with upsurges in electronic-commerce, supply chain management, forecasting, and procurement and resource planning. It also includes trends toward more process data acquisition and analysis, shorter production runs, and more stringent quality requirements. These drivers lead to an opportunity for companies to collect and use information to identify changes that will affect their manufacturing systems. In conjunction with an industry partner who produces home fashion products, we developed a case-study that highlights four major manufacturing transitions: new product introduction; moving a product from research and development (RD and starting or restarting production of existing products. These types of changes cross many levels of the operation - including the product level, plant level, and organizational level - and typically present significant operational challenges. We use this case-stu...
Bond Strength of Composite to Alloy Treated With Bonding Systems

Purpose The in-vitro bond strengths of a composite bonded to a nickel-chromium-beryllium alloy treated by eight bonding systems were measured after three storage conditions. Materials and Methods Nickel-chromium-beryllium alloy samples were treated by eight commercial bonding systems including adhesive composite cements, all-purpose bonding agents, and silica-coating systems. A composite was bonded to the alloy samples. Sample groups were stored in water for 24 hours at 23°C, or thermocycled, or stored for 6 months at 23°C and then debonded in tension. Results Bond strengths after 24 hours storage were: adhesive composite cements, 14.2 to 22.1 MPa; all-purpose bonding agents, 11.4 to 14.6 MPa; and silica-coating systems, 18.6 to 20.2 MPa. Bond strengths after thermocycling were: adhesive composite cements, 12.6 to 20.6 MPa; all-purpose bonding agents, 9.9 to 17.7 MPa; and silica-coating systems, 11.1 to 19.2 MPa. Bond strengths after 6 months were: adhesive composite cements, 12.0 to 13.1 MPa; all-purpose bonding agents, 8.7 to 14.1 MPa; and silica-coating systems, 14.8 to 18.4 MPa. Conclusions Only two bonding systems showed decreased bond strength after thermocycling, as compared with 24 hours' storage; whereas four bond systems showed decreased bond strength after 6 months' storage. Bond strengths measured after thermocycling were not predictive of those measured after 6 months' storage.
Atopic dermatitis: recent trends in pathogenesis and therapy

Emerging concepts in the areas related to the pathogenesis and treatment of atopic dermatitis are reviewed. In particular, recent findings have revealed several key steps in the maintenance of a vicious circle of spongiotic dermatitis associated with elevated T-lymphocyte activation, hyperstimulatory Langerhans cells, defective cell-mediated immunity, and B-cell IgE overproduction. The discovery of specific IgE-binding structures on Langerhans cells provides a mechanism for Langerhans cells to capture and present IgE-targeted allergens to allergen-specific T cells. Furthermore, certain microbial allergens that tend to preferentially elicit IgE-type responses also elicit a T-cell response dominated by the IgE-inducing lymphokine interleukin 4. Repeated stimulation by activated Langerhans cells appears to induce just such a response. Abnormal biochemical responsiveness and mediator release by AD monocytes, mast cells, and eosinophils also participate in the sustainment or initiation of such a vicious circle, and contribute directly to the dermatitis as well. Developments in the areas of neuropeptides, genetics, microbial superantigens, and cytokine networks in the skin also appear to have promise in providing a rational link between immune defects and the inflammatory events in AD. Conventional therapy remains the mainstay of atopic dermatitis management; however, new therapies based upon the above concepts are being tested in clinical trials. Although the difficulty of objectively grading AD lesional activity and the high placebo response of AD patients hampers the interpretation of many reports, several types of approaches are coming into focus. The effectiveness of cyclosporin A, which targets T-cell activation and antigen presentation, indicates that additional agents with such activity should be effective, and verifies the criticality of these cells in AD pathogenesis. Therapy with biologic response modifiers, such as interferon gamma or thymopentin, is oriented toward normalization of imbalanced immune responsiveness, rather than direct suppression of the immune system. The mechanism of action of and toxicities of Chinese herbal mixtures require further investigation, but may reveal hitherto unconsidered avenues. Other recent therapeutic trials have focused on reduction of trigger factors, such as house dust mite exposure, foods, and the abnormal epidermal lipid barrier to irritation.
Comparative cactus architecture and PAR interception

Because CO{sup 2} uptake by cacti can be limited by low levels of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and because plant form affects PAR interception, various cactus forms were studied using a computer model, field measurements, and laboratory phototropic studies. Model predictions indicated that CO{sub 2} uptake by individual stems at an equinox was greatest when the stem were vertical, but at the summer and the winter solstice CO{sub 2} uptake was greatest for stems titled 30{degree} away from the equator. Stem tilting depended on form and taxonomic group. Not only can the shape of cacti be affected by PAR, but also shape influences PAR interception and hence CO{sub 2} uptake.
Surface dynamics of coadsorbed CO and D2O on Pt(100) in ultrahigh vacuum as studied by time-resolved infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy.

Changes in the properties of CO adsorbed at saturation coverages on Pt(100) induced by subsequent coadsorption of fixed amounts of D2O at 105 K in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) were monitored by time-resolved infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (tr-IRAS). The linear- and bridge-bonded CO stretching features were found to change in intensity and shift toward lower energies as a function of time at fixed CO and D2O coverages. Also observed was the development of multiple features in both CO spectral regions depending on the amount of D2O on the surface. These findings indicate that, under the conditions of these experiments, the interfacial dynamics are relatively slow, on the order of minutes, involving a gradual rearrangement of adsorbed CO and D2O on the surface to yield surface solvated CO, as has been suggested in the literature (Kizhakevariam et al. J. Chem. Phys. 1994, 100, 6750). This factor should be considered when comparing, quantitatively, shifts induced by water coadsorption with CO on Pt sing...
Amino acid uptake and release in the guinea pig cochlear nucleus after inferior colliculus ablation

Abstract This study attempts to determine if the neurons in the guinea pig inferior colliculus that project to the cochlear nucleus could use certain amino acid transmitters. The left inferior colliculus was ablated surgically to destroy projections descending to the cochlear nuclei. Nissi and silver stained sections of the brain stem indicated that this procedure destroyed most of the left inferior colliculus, but spared a small amount of collicular tissue ventrally and rostrally. Six to seven days after the ablation, degenerated fibers were present in the right inferior colliculus, in the left lateral lemniscus, and in the cochlear nucleus, bilaterally. Three to five days after the ablation, the uptake and electrically-evoked release of exogenous, radiolabeled d -aspartate, γ-aminobutyrate, and glycine were measured in the three major subdivisions of the cochlear nucleus, the anteroventral. posteroventral, and dorsal divisions. These activities were compared to those in unlesioned controls. The ablation did not alter the uptake and release of the amino acids in the dorsal and posteroventral divisions of the cochlear nucleus. However, it lowered slightly (by 10–18%) the uptake and release of γ-aminobutyrate and glycine in the anteroventral division, although the difference from the control group was not statistically significant. These findings suggest that most of the neurons in the inferior colliculus that project to the cochlear nucleus probably do not use glutamate, aspartate, γ-aminobutyrate, or glycine as a transmitter. However, the possibility remains that a small proportion of the collicular projections to the anteroventral cochlear nucleus might use γ-aminobutyrate or glycine as a transmitter.
A hierarchical streamline-assisted history matching approach with global and local parameter updates

Abstract The effective strategies for traditional manual history matching commonly follow a structured approach with a sequence of adjustments from global to regional parameters followed by local changes in model properties, associated with matching for pressure (reservoir energy), flood front progression, and individual well performance. In contrast, many of the automatic history matching methods utilize parameter sensitivities or gradients to directly update the fine-scale reservoir properties, potentially combining elements at all of these scales. In this paper we present a hierarchical streamline-assisted history matching approach that emulates the traditional structured procedures. First, a probabilistic approach is used to understand the uncertainty in the large-scale static and dynamic parameters, and to calibrate these global parameters. In this global calibration, the intent is to develop multiple models that all match the field performance. This global calibration is followed by a streamline sensitivity-based deterministic model calibration for local permeability changes in which each of the distinct models created in the global match are history matched in additional detail. In the probabilistic global calibration, design of experiments and response surface methodologies with evolutionary algorithms are used to calibrate the global parameters. Typical parameters are regional pore volume multipliers, regional vertical and areal transmissibility multipliers, fault transmissibilities and aquifer strength. Key global parameters are first identified via a sensitivity analysis and an initial ensemble of models that span these parameters is created. The cases studied in this sensitivity analysis are used to construct a proxy model using experimental design and response surface analysis. An improved genetic algorithm with heat-bath sampling is used to generate an updated ensemble of models conditioned to static MDT pressures and total liquid rates at the wells, corresponding to a traditional pressure history match. Next, each ensemble member is updated using water-cut, GOR and flowing BHP via sensitivity-based local permeability calibration. We utilize streamline-derived analytic sensitivities to determine the spatial distribution and magnitude of these local changes. The proposed approach was tested by a 3D synthetic case and a field application. Our hierarchical approach appears to be stable in the sense that the local changes for permeability (inner loop) do not invalidate the pressure history match (outer loop). This is not entirely unexpected since the local permeability changes are regularized by a norm constraint that minimizes deviations from the globally updated model. Nonetheless, this is a very useful property in that it allows us to powerfully combine history matching procedures on global and local scales.
Characterization of eight new members of the calmodulin-like domain protein kinase gene family from Arabidopsis thaliana

A family of calcium-responsive protein kinases is abundant in plant cell extracts but has not been identified in animals and fungi. These enzymes have a unique structure consisting of a protein kinase catalytic domain fused to carboxy-terminal autoregulatory and calmodulin-like domains. In this report, we present the amino acid sequences for eight new Arabidopsis cDNA clones encoding isoforms of this enzyme. Three isoforms were expressed as fusion proteins in Escherichia coli and exhibited calcium-stimulated protein kinase activity. We propose CPK as the gene designation for this family of enzymes and describe a phylogenetic analysis for all known isoforms.
Future Directions in the Treatment of Oral Cancer

Future developments in the realms of nanotechnology and directed therapeutics will alter the diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer relative to contemporary treatment modalities. Continued experience and investigation will determine the clinical usefulness of the various technologies that have been described in this article.
The PhD-prepared nurse in the clinical setting.

BACKGROUND The emergence of new doctoral programs within the nursing discipline has stimulated dialogue regarding the role of the doctorally prepared nurse in the clinical setting. National nursing organizations have cited the need for additional research that would provide information regarding the current practice of doctorally prepared nurses. A review of the literature reveals little published information about the role of PhD nurses in the clinical setting. PURPOSE The purpose of this descriptive qualitative study was to investigate how PhD-prepared nurses describe and define their role within the clinical setting. METHODS Interviews were conducted with 5 PhD nurses who were all employed full time in the clinical setting. Interview notes were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using qualitative data analysis. Recurrent themes that emerged from the interviews were identified. RESULTS The 2 themes that emerged from the interviews were bridging the research/practice gap and serving as a healthcare leader. All participants spoke to their role in leading, encouraging, or participating in clinical nursing research within their healthcare institutions. Phrases regarding leadership emerged throughout each interview and reflected a number of leadership responsibilities that each participant had within the healthcare environment. CONCLUSIONS The findings from this qualitative study provide insight into the current role of the PhD-prepared nurse in the clinical setting. This information can be used to guide additional research that might influence the development of future doctoral programs in nursing.
Application of the Measured Slope Distribution to the Prediction of the Bidirectional Reflectance for Rough Surfaces

Surface topography of the rough side of a silicon wafer is characterized using an atomic force microscope (AFM). The slope distribution calculated from the measured surface profiles deviates significantly from the Gaussian distribution. The experimentally obtained slope distribution is incorporated into a geometric-optics model to predict the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of the rough surface. Comparison has been made between the predicted BRDF and that measured with a recently built bidirectional scatterometer, at 635 nm and 785 nm for different incoming angles. The trends agree well between the predicted and measured BRDFs, especially for the parallel-polarized incidence (p-polarization), although relatively large discrepancies exist near the specular peak and at large reflection angles. This work offers a plausible explanation of the second non-specular peak in the observed BRDF as associated with the subsidiary maximum in the slope distribution. Anisotropic features have been found both in the calculated slope distributions and the measured BRDFs.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Characterization of Intracellular Calcium Responses Produced by Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Surface Marker-Defined Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Abstract Previous studies have demonstrated that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), such as benzo[ a ]pyrene (BaP) and 7,12-dimethybenz[ a ]anthracene (DMBA), and possibly 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo( p )dioxin (TCDD), may exert their immunosuppressive effects by altering intracellular Ca 2+ homeostasis in lymphocytes. In these studies, we examined the effects of two immunosuppressive PAHs (BaP and DMBA), two nonimmunosuppressive PAHs (benzo[ e ]pyrene (BeP) and anthracene (ANTH)), and TCDD on intracellular Ca 2+ levels in surface marker-defined human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (HPBMC). BaP and DMBA, but not BeP and ANTH, were found to produce a time-dependent increase in intracellular Ca 2+ with maximal effects achieved following 42- to 66-hr exposures. In a series of studies with HPBMC obtained from 10 donors exposed in vitro for 42 hr, BaP and DMBA were found to produce a significant increase in Ca 2+ in CD3 + T cells, CD19 + B cells, and CD14 + monocytes. BeP and ANTH did not produce a statistically significant increase in Ca 2+ in the group of donors, but occasionally produced an apparent nonspecific elevation of Ca 2+ in HPBMC from individual donors. Interestingly, TCDD produced a small and statistically significant increase in Ca 2+ only in B cells analyzed for the pooled 10 donors. Certain BaP metabolites, such as the 7,8-dihydrodiol and the 7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide, were more effective in elevating Ca 2+ in HPBMC lymphocytes at 20 hr than was BaP. These results demonstrate in normal HPBMC that immunosuppressive PAHs alter intracellular Ca 2+ homeostasis in B cells, T cells, and monocytes, and suggest that P450 metabolism may play an important role in the immunotoxicity of certain PAHs.
Breast Conservation Therapy as a Treatment Option for the Elderly The M. D. Anderson Experience

BACKGROUND Although almost half of all incidents of breast carcinoma occur in women age ≥ 65 years, not enough is known about appropriate care for patients in this age group. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the role of breast conservation therapy in the management of breast carcinoma in women age ≥ 65 years. METHODS From 1970 to 1994, 1325 patients with carcinoma of the breast were treated with breast conservation therapy (segmental mastectomy and radiation therapy with or without axillary lymph node dissection) at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. From this patient group, the authors identified 184 elderly women (≥ 65 years) with Stage 0–III disease at the time of diagnosis. RESULTS The median patient age was 70 years (range, 65–88 years). The distribution of disease by stage among the women was Stage 0 disease in 12 patients (7%), Stage I disease in 107 patients (58%), Stage II disease in 63 patients (34%), and Stage III disease in 2 patients (1%). Comorbid conditions that may have influenced treatment planning were reported in 91 patients (50%). An axillary lymph node dissection was performed in 135 patients (73%), with positive axillary lymph nodes found in 30 patients (22%). Adjuvant chemotherapy was given to 10 patients (5%), and tamoxifen therapy was given to 63 patients (34%). Complications from treatment were reported in 24 patients (13%). With a median follow-up of 7.3 years (range, 0.25–23.5 years), 9 patients developed locoregional disease recurrence (5%), 10 patients developed contralateral breast carcinoma (5%), and 21 patients developed distant metastasis (11%). At last follow-up, 113 patients (61%) were alive, 15 patients (8%) were dead of disease, and 56 patients (30%) were dead of other causes. The 5-year and 10-year disease specific survival rates were 96% and 91%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Breast conservation therapy with segmental mastectomy and postoperative radiation therapy with or without axillary lymph node dissection provides excellent local control and disease free survival in elderly women with breast carcinoma. This treatment should be considered as the standard of care for elderly patients without severe comorbid disease. Cancer 2001;92:1092–100. © 2001 American Cancer Society.