cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hospitalization as an Opportunity to Optimize Glycemic Control in Oncology Patients

Many patients experience hyperglycemia during cancer treatment, either as a new-onset condition or as an exacerbation of existing diabetes. This can impact treatment and outcomes, increasing the risk of complications and worsening health-related quality of life (HRQoL). These issues may be particularly significant when patients are hospitalized and/or acutely ill. The purpose of this review is to identify common barriers and strategies specific to the inpatient setting to improve glycemic control and minimize complications both while patients are hospitalized and after discharge. Hyperglycemia in patients who are hospitalized during cancer treatment is common, but there is a lack of consensus on goals and approaches to glycemic management in this setting. Hyperglycemia related to oncology treatment can have unusual causes and challenges in management. Organizational guidelines can help standardize treatment and guide providers in managing hyperglycemia in oncology patients during hospitalization and upon discharge. Hospitalization is a critical period that provides an opportunity to reassess and modify management plans, coordinate follow-up care, and, crucially, educate and empower patients to successfully manage their blood glucose levels once they are discharged. Emerging technology such as patient portals can facilitate hyperglycemia management after discharge. This review discusses evidences and strategies to utilize the period of hospitalization to develop and implement an individualized plan of care for patients with concurrent hyperglycemia and cancer.
4 – Coherent Phenomena

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the aspects of the coherent interactions between light and matter. Coherent interaction means that the exciting pulse is shorter than the phase memory time of the excited medium. The femtosecond (fs) pulses have made an impact in this field as the phase-relaxation time of absorbing transitions in condensed matter is usually in the fs range. The requirement of the experiments in this field is a source of high coherence, but ultrashort duration. To be classified in the field of coherent interactions, the result of a particular experiment should depend on the coherence of the source. The most useful phenomena of the coherent interaction occurs with the broad bandwidth radiation, involving temporal variations of either the field amplitude or its phase, which are faster than the dephasing time of the system of atoms or molecules being excited. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the theory of coherent interactions to multilevel molecular or atomic systems.
Safety and Efficacy of Retrograde Pyeloperfusion for Ureteral Protection during Renal Tumor Cryoablation

Abstract Purpose To determine safety and efficacy of retrograde pyeloperfusion for ureteral protection during cryoablation of adjacent renal tumors. Materials and Methods Retrospective review of 155 patients treated with renal cryoablation, including adjunctive retrograde pyeloperfusion, from 2005 to 2019 was performed. Ice contacted the ureter in 67 of the 155 patients who represented the study cohort. Median patient age was 68 years old (interquartile range [61, 74]), 52 patients (78%) were male, and 37 tumors (55%) were clear cell histology. Mean tumor size was 3.4 ± 1.3 cm, and 42 tumors (63%) were located at the lower pole. Treatment-related complication and oncologic outcomes were recorded based on a review of post-procedural images and chart review. Results Technical success of cryoablation was attained in 67 cases (100%), and technical success of pyeloperfusion was attained in 66 cases (99%). A total of 13 patients (19.4%) experienced SIR major C or D complications related to the procedure, including hemorrhage (n = 4), urine leak (n = 3), transient urinary obstruction (n = 2), pulmonary embolism (n = 1), hypertensive urgency (n = 1), acute respiratory failure (n = 1), and ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) stricture (n = 1). No complications were attributable to pyeloperfusion. Three of 45 patients with biopsy-proven renal cell carcinoma experienced local recurrence resulting in local recurrence-free survival of 92% (95% confidence interval, 81.5%–100%) 3 years after ablation. Conclusions Retrograde pyeloperfusion of the renal collecting system is a relatively safe and efficacious option for ureteral protection during renal tumor cryoablation. This adjunctive procedure should be considered for patients in whom cryoablation of a renal mass could potentially involve the ureter.
All-Epitaxial Integration of Long-Wavelength Infrared Plasmonic Materials and Detectors for Enhanced Responsivity

Infrared detectors using monolithically integrated doped semiconductor “designer metals” are proposed and experimentally demonstrated. We leverage the “designer metal” groundplanes to form resonant...
Identification of novel alternative splicing events associated with tumorigenesis, protein modification, and immune microenvironment in early-onset gastric cancer

Abstract Background Alternative splicing (AS), e.g. tandem alternative polyadenylation (TAPA), has emerged as major post-transcriptional modification events in human disease. However, the roles of AS and TAPA in early-onset gastric cancer (EOGC) have not been revealed. Methods The global AS profiles of 80 EOGC patient samples from the European Nucleotide Archive (PRJNA508414) were analyzed. The EOGC-specific AS events (ESASs) were identified in both EOGC and adjacent non-tumor tissues. Functional enrichment analysis, Splicing network, Alternative Polyadenylation (APA) core factor network, and cell abundancy analysis were performed. Furthermore, the landscapes of AS events in the varied subtypes of EOGC patients, including various protein modifications and viral infections, were evaluated. Results Overall, 66,075 AS events and 267 ESASs were identified in EOGC. In these events, 4809 genes and 6152 gene isoforms were found to be aberrantly expressed in EOGC. The Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway analyses showed that significant pathway alterations might exist in these AS events, genes, and gene isoforms. Moreover, the Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis revealed that UBC, NEK2, EPHB2, and DCTN1 genes were the hub genes in the AS events in EOGC. The immune cell infiltration analysis indicated a correlation between the AS events and the cancer immune microenvironment. The distribution of AS events in varied EOGC subtypes was uneven. The numbers of AS events related to protein phosphorylation and glycosylation were 82 and 85, respectively, which suggested a high association between AS events and protein modification in EOGC. Conclusion The study highlighted the vital roles of AS in EOGC, including modulating the specific protein modification and reshaping the cancer immune microenvironment, and yielded new insights into the diagnosis of EOGC as well as cancer treatment.
Identifying patient-level factors associated with interest in psychosocial services during cancer: A brief report.

Uptake of psychosocial services during cancer treatment remains relatively low. To use these services efficiently, novel approaches – based on evidence-based theory – are needed to understand cance...
There Is Something About Insulin Granules

Insulin secretory granules of pancreatic β-cells are complex intracellular organelles comprising many proteins with different catalytic activities and messenger functions (1). These subcellular organelles have a distinctive morphology in electron micrographs as a sphere of around 200–300 nm in diameter comprising a crystalline core of insulin surrounded by a halo of less dense material in a phospholipid bilayer envelope (Fig. 1) (2). The granule is more than just a hormone repository in the cell. It is the site of proteolytic conversion of proinsulin into insulin. This dynamic structure is also involved in intercellular transport and communication through the secretion of other biologically active molecules. Around 10% of the granule population turns over every hour during active secretion. An important contribution to our understanding of the regulation of insulin secretion has come from studies of the granules, and in particular the elucidation of the structure and function of many granule proteins (1). Figure 1 Multitasking by insulin granules. Insulin secretory granules (right) are unique features of β-cells (green; left) in pancreatic islets. Light organelles represent immature granules, whereas mature granules are dark and dense spheres containing insulin crystals, which are distinct from somatostatin granules in delta cells (blue). Native proteins as well as posttranscriptionally or posttranslationally modified proteins and sphingolipids have now been identified in these characteristic organelles that act as autoantigenic targets or immune modulators of islet-specific autoreactive CD4 and CD8 T cells. (Electron microscopy graph kindly shared by Dr. Ben Giepmans [2].) But there is something else …
Phase-Space Considerations for Five-Particle Final States

This paper gives detailed and explicit discussion of five-particle phase space in terms of invariant variables. The distribution of final states, after taking account of energy and momentum conservation, is integrated over orientations of the entire system and then expressed in terms of squares of invariant masses. The results permit analysis for two-, three-, and four-particle resonances. Formulas are given for the boundary of the allowed region in the eight dimensions and for the distribution of final states inside, together with several of the simpler distributions which result when integrations can be made over some of the invariant masses.
How Should We Select Process Variables

Preceding chapters presented the transformation of customer needs or problems identified in the customer domain into functional requirements (FRs), and then FRs to design parameters (DPs). In this chapter, we consider the issues involved in selecting the process variables (PVs) of the process domain to satisfy DPs. When we are designing a hardware product, PVs are typically manufacturing processes, human resources, and financial support. In organizational design, PVs are primarily human resources. PVs are equally crucial as FRs and DPs in completing a design project; PVs constitute an element in the continuum going from “need” (in the customer domain) to delivery of solutions via FRs and DPs. In dealing with PVs, domain-specific knowledge is required, such as expert knowledge on manufacturing processes and software systems to create complete systems solutions. In organizational design, PVs are typically people who will determine the achievement of the organizational goals. Ultimately, PVs determine the productivity in the manufacturing and operations of organizations.
‘If you learn about these issues, you're going to learn...more about yourself and things that you come in contact with every day’: Engaging undergraduate students in meaningful literacy in a research writing course

This study explores the experiences of undergraduate students enrolled in a required research writing class that focused on the topics of social (in)justice and diversity and which allowed students to conduct their own empirical research. In order to investigate their experiences with the topics and with the empirical research project, we employed the use of interviews and analyzed the data by organizing it by themes. Short narrative profiles of eight of the participants that we focus on for this study are provided. From the participants’ experiences, we also explore two themes: students’ engagement with social (in)justice in a required undergraduate writing course and incorporating empirical research in a required research writing course. Finally, we provide implications for teaching and teaching writing.
Nitrogen Dynamics in Stream Wood Samples Incubated with [14C]Lignocellulose and Potassium [15N]Nitrate

Surface wood samples obtained from a Douglas fir log (Pseudotsuga menziesii) in a Pacific Northwest stream were incubated in vitro with [14C]lignocellulose in a defined mineral salts medium supplemented with 10 mg of N liter−1 of 15N-labeled NO3− (50 atom% 15N). Evolution of 14CO2, distribution and isotopic dilution of 15N, filtrate N concentrations, and the rates of denitrification, N2 fixation, and respiration were measured at 6, 12, and 18 days of incubation. The organic N content of the lignocellulose-wood sample mixture had increased from 132 μg of N to a maximum of 231 μg of N per treatment after 6 days of incubation. Rates of [14C]lignocellulose decomposition were greatest during the first 6 days and then began to decline over the remaining 12 days. Total CO2 evolution was also highest at day 6 and declined steadily over the remaining duration of the incubation. Filtrate NH4+-N increased from background levels to a final value of 57 μg of N per treatment. Filtrate NO3− N completely disappeared by day 6, and organic N showed a slight decline between days 12 and 18. The majority of the 15N that could be recovered appeared in the particulate organic fraction by day 6 (41 μg of N), and the filtrate NH4+ N fraction contained 11 μg of 15N by day 18. The 15N enrichment values of the filtrate NH4+ and the inorganic N associated with the particulate fraction had increased to approximately 20 atom% 15N by 18 days of incubation, whereas the particulate organic fraction reached its highest enrichment by day 6. Measurements of N2 fixation and denitrification indicated an insignificant gain or loss of N from the experimental system by these processes. The data show that woody debris in stream ecosystems might function as a rapid and efficient sink for exogenous N, resulting in stimulation of wood decomposition and subsequent activation of other N cycling processes.
Using fractal dimensions as performance indicators for manufacturing systems

Chaos theory has been a young research field with successful applications to a variety of areas. Even though former publications have assessed the question if production systems behave chaotic, little work has been published on real life production systems, especially about semiconductor manufacturing. This paper applies the concept of fractal dimensions to assess the performance of production toolsets and demonstrates fractal dimension as an alternative for graphical analysis of performance indicators. Two examples illustrate the variety of applications and the capability of fractal dimensions to compare different zoom levels and to be tolerant against patterns in the data.
Structural Specificity of the Adenosine 5'-Phosphate Site on Glycogen Phosphorylase b

Twenty-three structural analogues of AMP were tested for their ability to activate and bind phosphorylase b in the presence and absence of substrate or protamine sulfate (or both). Michaelis constants, maximal velocities, and inhibition constants were measured by nucleotide activation of phosphorylase b and compared with the corresponding dissociation and inhibition constants measured by nucleotide quenching of a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-associated enzyme fluorescence. The excitation maximum was 347 mµ and the emission maximum was 522 mµ. A sigmoidal saturation curve was obtained for AMP quenching of enzyme fluorescence. This, coupled with the ATP inhibition and the glucose 1-phosphate enhancement of AMP quenching of enzyme fluorescence, identified the site of AMP binding for enzyme fluorescence quenching with the AMP binding site for activation of phosphorylase b. Protamine enhanced the binding of some nucleotides to phosphorylase b but apparently affected only the Vmax of others as measured by nucleotide activation of the enzyme. An increase in enzyme fluorescence associated with addition of ATP and a quenching effect by added AMP or glucose-1-P suggested that the observed quenching was the result of the protein conformational state changes associated with the allosteric properties of the enzyme. Nucleotide analogues of AMP exhibited different heterotropic binding properties with phosphorylase b. Binding studies in the presence and absence of substrate revealed that for some nucleotides the affinity was unchanged while others showed less affinity for enzyme in the presence of substrate. Enzyme activation by bound nucleotide was sensitive to the integrity of both the adenine ring and the 5'-phosphate, but the latter appeared to be the most critical structural feature. Both the 5'-phosphate and purine ring were involved in nucleotide binding.
Portfolio Management, Private Information, and Soft Dollar Brokerage: Agency Theory and Evidence

This paper empirically examines the agency problems associated with the use of soft dollars in delegated portfolio management. We assume that active portfolio managers are hired to identify private information about mispriced securities, but in the absence of careful monitoring by investors or compensating organizational arrangements they will have too little incentive to do the necessary research. To the extent they nevertheless succeed in identifying mispriced securities, much of the value of the information can be lost to market interlopers due to low-quality broker executions. We develop two agency cost hypotheses for the role soft dollars play in active portfolio management. One hypothesis views soft dollars as a symptom of agency costs that allows money managers to unjustly enrich themselves at portfolio investors' expense. The other hypothesis views soft dollars as a method of reducing agency costs by encouraging optimal research and enforcing property rights to private information by bonding the quality of broker executions. Using a database of institutional money managers, we find that soft dollar use is positively related to different measures of risk-adjusted performance, suggesting that soft dollars reduce agency costs when other controls are uneconomic. Moreover, soft dollar use is unrelated to management fees, suggesting that managers do not use soft dollars to unjustly enrich themselves.
Purification and Properties of Guanosine Triphosphate Cyclohydrolase and a Stimulating Protein from Comamonas Sp. (ATCC 11299a)

Abstract GTP cyclohydrolase and a stimulating protein were purified from extracts of Comamonas sp. (ATCC 11299a). The enzyme, designated Fraction A, catalyzed the production of formic acid and a dihydropteridine (Plowman, J., Cone, J. E., and Guroff, G. (1974) J. Biol. Chem. 249, 5559–5564) from GTP. No cofactors or metals were required for the reaction. Fraction A can exist in two molecular weight forms demonstrated during sucrose density gradient centrifugation at low (5 mm Tris) and high (50 mm Tris) ionic strength. The stimulating protein, designated Fraction B, stimulated the activity of Fraction A at high ionic strength. Magnesium ion was required for this stimulation. Highly purified GTP cyclohydrolase was obtained after affinity chromatography of Fraction A. The activity of the purified enzyme was influenced by: (a) the amount of enzyme protein present; (b) the ionic strength of the assay medium; and (c) the presence of the stimulatory protein plus MgCl2. The above variables were shown to affect the basic kinetic values, Km and Vmax, of the reaction.
Decomposition Methods for Differentiable Optimization Problems overCartesian Product Sets

This paper presents a unified analysis of decomposition algorithms for continuously differentiable optimization problems defined on Cartesian products of convex feasible sets. The decomposition algorithms are analyzed using the framework of cost approx imation algorithms. A convergence analysis is made for three decomposition algorithms: a sequential algorithm which extends the classical Gauss-Seidel scheme, a synchronized parallel algorithm which extends the Jacobi method, and a partially asynchronous parallel algorithm. The analysis validates inexact computations in both the subproblem and line search phases, and includes convergence rate results. The range of feasible step lengths within each algorithm is shown to have a direct correspondence to the increasing degree of parallelism and asynchronism, and the resulting usage of more outdated information in the algorithms.
Socioeconomic Aspects of Intelligent Vehicle-Highway Systems

In spite of significant forces pushing for an accelerated development of Intelligent Vehicle-Highway Systems (IVHS) in the United States, no formal national program in IVHS is emerging rapidly. It appears that a number of policy issues, both at the macro and at the micro levels both domestic and international, need to be resolved before IVHS can be put into place in America. The way in which these issues are to be resolved will probably have significant impacts on both the automative industry and the infrastructure that supports automotive transportation around the world.
Relative Role of Understory and Overstory in Carbon and Nitrogen Cycling in a Southern Appalachian Spruce-Fir Forest

This study investigated aboveground pools and fluxes of biomass, carbon (C), and nitrogen (N) in the overstory and understory of a southern Appalachian red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) – Fraser fir (Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir.) forest, following adelgid-induced fir mortality and spruce windthrow. Using fifty 20 m × 20 m plots, stratified by elevation (1700–1900 m), we estimated standing biomass and fluxes of all growth forms from periodic stand inventories (1998–2003), vegetation surveys, and existing or derived allometric equations. Total C and N pools and fluxes were calculated from plant- and tissue-specific C and N concentrations. Total aboveground biomass attained predisturbance values, ranging from 313 Mg·ha–1 at the lower elevations to 204 Mg·ha–1 at the upper elevations. Overstory biomass production (5650 kg·ha–1·year–1) and N uptake (11–15 kg·ha–1·year–1) exceeded earlier reported values, indicating forest recovery. Woody understory accounted for 3% of aboveground biomass, 10% of annual productivi...
Instrument control enhancements using Microsoft Windows 3.0

The various ways of controlling instrumentation over the IEEE-488 interface using a personal computer in a Microsoft Windows 3.x environment are described. Instrument and software manufacturers have employed the data transfer capabilities within Windows and have added software and drivers so that Windows applications can be used in an instrumentation environment. The dynamic data exchange (DDE) and the dynamic link library (DLL) capabilities of Windows are discussed, together with methods by which programmers can employ these tools to gather and transfer data. DDE protocol commands are summarized, and a DDE flowchart example is provided. >
Wolves modulate soil nutrient heterogeneity and foliar nitrogen by configuring the distribution of ungulate carcasses

Mechanistic links between top terrestrial predators and biogeochemical processes remain poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that large carnivores configure landscape heterogeneity through prey carcass distribution. A 50-year record composed of > 3600 moose carcasses from Isle Royale National Park, Michigan, USA, showed that wolves modulate heterogeneity in soil nutrients, soil microbes, and plant quality by clustering prey carcasses over space. Despite being well utilized by predators, moose carcasses resulted in elevated soil macronutrients and microbial biomass, shifts in soil microbial composition, and elevated leaf nitrogen for at least 2-3 years at kill sites. Wolf-killed moose were deposited in some regions of the study landscape at up to 12x the rate of deposition in other regions. Carcass density also varied temporally, changing as much as 19-fold in some locations during the 50-year study period. This variation arises, in part, directly from variation in wolf hunting behavior. This study identifies a top terrestrial predator as a mechanism generating landscape heterogeneity, demonstrating reciprocal links between large carnivore behavior and ecosystem function.
A server backup model with Markovian arrivals and phase type services

We consider a finite capacity queueing system with one main server who is supported by a backup server. We assume Markovian arrivals, phase type services, and a threshold-type server backup policy with two pre-determined lower and upper thresholds. A request for a backup server is made whenever the buffer size (number of customers in the queue) hits the upper threshold and the backup server is released from the system when the buffer size drops to the lower threshold or fewer at a service completion of the backup server. The request time for the backup server is assumed to be exponentially distributed. For this queuing model we perform the steady state analysis and derive a number of performance measures. We show that the busy periods of the main and backup servers, the waiting times in the queue and in the system, are of phase type. We develop a cost model to obtain the optimal threshold values and study the impact of fixed and variable costs for the backup server on the optimal server backup decisions. We show that the impact of standard deviations of the interarrival and service time distributions on the server backup decisions is quite different for small and large values of the arrival rates. In addition, the pattern of use of the backup server is very different when the arrivals are positively correlated compared to mutually independent arrivals.
Public attitudes of wind energy in Texas: Local communities in close proximity to wind farms and their effect on decision-making

Abstract Wind energy is now recognized as an important energy resource throughout the world. Within the United States, the state of Texas currently has the largest wind energy capacity with 8797 total megawatts and an additional 660 MW under construction. With this rapid growth, it is important to achieve a better understanding of how wind energy is being perceived by the public. This paper explores three research strands: (i) describing the environmental attitudes of a population in close proximity to a wind farm development, (ii) determining the influence that proximity has on wind energy attitudes, and (iii) determining if the Not-In-My-Backyard (Nimby) phenomenon is appropriate for explaining human perceptions of wind energy. A survey questionnaire was developed to explore perceptions of wind energy in the region as well as general attitudes about energy and the environment. Results regarding general wind energy attitudes signify overall public support for wind energy. In addition, those living closest to the wind farm indicate the lowest levels of support, while those living farthest away indicate much stronger support. Findings support the view that the use of Nimby does not adequately explain the attitudes of local wind farm opposition. Alternative explanations and planning implications are discussed with a focus on public participation and education.
TiO 2 nanoparticle generation by flame pyrolysis FFESS system

Generation of TiO 2 nanoparticles is demonstrated by using a flame pyrolysis FFESS system which combines flame aerosol synthesis with the flow-limited field-injected electrostatic spraying (FFESS) technique. In this work, well-dispersed TiO 2 nanoparticles are generated without particle coalescence, which are well-suited for forming high surface area porous TiO 2 nanoparticle networks for photocatalysts and nano structured solar cells such as dye-sensitized solar cells. Flame pyrolysis FFESS generates TiO 2 nanoparticles exhibiting a narrow size distribution, and can control the ratio of anatase and rutile phase. The results demonstrate that flame pyrolysis FFESS is a promising technology for enabling more versatility in generating nanostructures of various materials.
Oncogenic Ras Leads to Rho Activation by Activating the Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway and Decreasing Rho-GTPase-activating Protein Activity *

Transformation by oncogenic Ras requires signaling through Rho family proteins including RhoA, but the mechanism(s) whereby oncogenic Ras regulates the activity of RhoA is (are) unknown. We examined the effect of Ras on RhoA activity in NIH 3T3 cells either stably transfected with H-Ras(V12) under control of an inducible promoter or transiently expressing the activated H-Ras. Using a novel method to quantitate enzymatically the GTP bound to Rho, we found that expression of the oncogenic Ras increased Rho activity ∼2-fold. Increased Rho activity was associated with increased plasma membrane binding of RhoA and decreased activity of the Rho/Ras-regulated p21WAF1/CIP1 promoter. RhoA activation by oncogenic Ras could be explained by a decrease in cytosolic p190 Rho-GAP activity and translocation of p190 Rho-GAP from the cytosol to a detergent-insoluble cytoskeletal fraction. Pharmacologic inhibition of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway prevented Ras-induced activation of RhoA and translocation of p190 Rho-GAP; expression of constitutively active Raf-1 kinase or MEK was sufficient to induce p190 Rho-GAP translocation. We conclude that in NIH 3T3 cells oncogenic Ras activates RhoA through the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway by decreasing the cytosolic activity and changing the subcellular localization of p190 Rho-GAP.
Criteria for Judging Early Childhood Program Goals.

Abstract Four conceptions of curriculum operate simultaneously in early childhood education. If they are not all considered then “what is tested for” will dominate the others. Program goals should be judged on the basis of their intrusion , worthiness , and source . There are seven ways in which the worthiness of goals are justified. There are five classifications which can account for the sources of goal statements. The uses of settings is the essential nature of the work performed by teachers of the young. Since much of teaching at this level is indirect, some setting factors can be judged good or bad without reference to goals. In addition to other dimensions, early childhood programs should be judged on the quality of their stated goals. The dificulty of developing and clarifying such criteria does not mitiate the need to do so.
Semiparametric Bayesian Analysis of Multiple Event Time Data

Abstract Multiple event time data (e.g., carcinogenic growths in different times and locations, multiple attacks of cardiac arrest) arise in various medical studies. A Bayesian analysis of such data based on proportional intensity model of multiple event time data is presented in this paper. The Bayesian structure is somewhat analogous to that used by Kalbfleisch in a proportional hazard model. An unobserved random frailty component is used in the proportional intensity model to take care of heterogeneity among the intensity processes in different subjects. The Monte Carlo method of sampling from multivariate distributions, the so-called Gibbs sampler, is used to sample from the joint posterior distribution of the unknown parameters. The methodology developed here is exemplified with the well-known data set on rat tumors of Gail, Santner, and Brown.
Prevention of violence.

Rebuilding the village, increasing access to health, improving bonding and attachment dynamics, providing opportunities to increase self-esteem and social shills enhancing the adult protective shield, and minimizing the impact of trauma are presented as basic principles to change health behavior: The intent of putting these principles into practice is to strengthen the two hey support systems of children, the family and the school, so that they can provide primary prevention of violence.
Lowry determination of protein in the presence of Triton X-100

Abstract The Lowry procedure has been modified for use in the presence of Triton X-100 (TX-100) by the addition of 10% sodium dodecyl sulfate. The method is applicable to samples containing 40–120 μg protein.
Synchronized Disk Interleaving

A group of disks may be interleaved to speed up data transfers in a manner analogous to the speedup achieved by main memory interleaving. Conventional disks may be used for interleaving by spreading data across disks and by treating multiple disks as if they were a single one. Furthermore, the rotation of the interleaved disks may be synchronized to simplify control and also to optimize performance. In addition, check- sums may be placed on separate check-sum disks in order to improve reliability. In this paper, we study synchronized disk interleaving as a high-performance mass storage system architecture. The advantages and limitations of the proposed disk interleaving scheme are analyzed using the M/G/1 queueing model and compared to the conventional disk access mechanism.
DDT ingestion and liver glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. II.

Abstract A significant correlation has been observed between the dietary level of DDT and liver glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. A dietary level of 5 ppm DDT was sufficient to induce a significant reduction in enzyme activity. The activity of liver 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase was not influenced by the various levels of DDT used in these experiments. It is suggested that the ratio of the activities of these two enzymes could be used as an index of DDT stress.
The west branch child abuse council: A community development approach to child abuse and neglect

The experience of the West Branch Child Abuse Council indicates that a community development approach to the problem of child abuse can be effective in involving individuals and community groups in mobilizing resources, supporting change, and creating a climate of awareness, concern, and action. The activities of a local child abuse council in North Central Pennsylvania are described and evaluated to illustrate the organization and development of the council over a five‐year period. Attention is given to the actors, processes, strategies, and problems involved in the project. Some of the broader community development issues raised by this case study are also discussed.
Performance Evaluation or Standardized Testing of Aptitudes? Innovations at the Margins Mexico's of School System.

Abstract This paper argues the need for broader criteria than are customarily used, for measuring pupil achievement, school effectiveness and impact on educational policy in the plural and highly unequal societies of Mexico and Central America. We proceed by first presenting the context of highly centralized mainstream educational provision, concentrated in urban areas contrasting with the extremely limited services available in rural communities. Second, we describe grass-roots educational solutions to this latter condition. Finally, we will situate these solutions within the framework of international scholarship on assessment, evaluation and impact measurement in order to permit the achievements of these experiences to be credited and lessons to be drawn from them. We conclude that comprehensive, contest-sensitive evaluation establishes a two way communication between the educational system and local school experience.
Fully Bayesian analysis of ARMA time series models

Abstract Statistical analysis of autoregressive-moving average (ARMA) models is an important non-standard problem. No classical approach is widely accepted; legitimacy for most classical approaches is based solely on asymptotic grounds, while small sample sizes are common. The only obstacle to the Bayesian approach are designing a structure through which prior information can be incorporated and designing a practical computational method. The objective of this work is to overcome these two obstacles. In addition to the standard results, the Bayesian approach gives a different method of determining the order of the ARMA model, that is (p, q).
Surface composition of magnetic neutron stars.

The relative abundances of seven constituent nuclei, He4, C12, O16, Ne20, Mg24, Si28, and Fe56, are calculated as a function of time for neutron star atmospheres within which exist magnetic fields of the order of 10 to the 13th G. The opacity, equation of state of the electrons, and cooling rate of the magnetic star are discussed, and it is shown to be a reasonable approximation to assume an atmosphere to be isothermal. The effects of particle diffusion are included in the nuclear reaction network. Computations are performed both for a constant mass atmosphere and for an atmosphere in which mass is being ejected. It is found that the final abundances are model-independent, as long as the initial model contains predominantly He4. The relative abundances are compared to the cosmic ray spectrum. For both the constant-mass and mass-loss atmospheres, nucleosynthesis proceeds virtually completely to Fe56. However the outermost layers of the envelope, in which no mass is being ejected, are composed almost entirely of He4 with trace amounts of Fe56. After the loss of about 10 to the 21st g, only Fe56 is ejected from atmospheres expelling mass.
An FAD-Dependent Pyridine Nucleotide-Disulfide Oxidoreductase Is Involved in Disulfide Bond Formation in FK228 Anticancer Depsipeptide

Disulfide bonds are rare in bacterial natural products, and the mechanism of disulfide bond formation in those products is unknown. Here we characterize a gene and its product critical for a disulfide bond formation in FK228 anticancer depsipeptide in Chromobacterium violaceum. Deletion of depH drastically reduced FK228 production, whereas complementation of the depH-deletion mutant with a copy of depH on a medium copy-number plasmid not only fully restored the FK228 production but also significantly increased the FK228 yield. Purified 6xHis-tagged DepH fusion protein in native form is a homodimer of 71.0 kDa, with each monomer containing one molecule of FAD. DepH efficiently converts an immediate FK228 precursor to FK228 in the presence of NADP(+). We conclude that DepH is an FAD-dependent pyridine nucleotide-disulfide oxidoreductase, specifically and efficiently catalyzing a disulfide bond formation in FK228.
On understanding crosstalk in the face of small, quantized, signals highly smeared by Poisson statistics

Abstract As detectors become smaller and more densely packed, signals become smaller and crosstalk between adjacent channels generally increases. Since it is often appropriate to use the distribution of signals in adjacent channels to make a useful measurement, it is imperative that inter-channel crosstalk be well understood. In this paper we shall describe the manner in which Poissonian fluctuations can give counter-intuitive results and offer some methods for extracting the desired information from the highly smeared, observed distributions.
Uniform approximation of singular perturbation problems having singular regular expansions

The singular perturbation problem a $\varepsilon ^2 u'' = h(x,u,\varepsilon )$, $u(a) = u(b) = 0$ is studied under the assumption that h vanishes for some $x \in [a,b]$. Uniform asymptotic approximations are obtained for solutions exhibiting boundary layer behavior. Approximate Green’s functions are constructed to show existence of solutions and verify formal approximations.
Limitations on the use of Bohm's causal interpretation of quantum mechanics for the computation of tunneling times

Abstract Others have used Bohm's causal interpretation to calculate barrier traversal times for plane waves and wavepackets. It is shown that Bohm's stream velocity does not represent the motion of any part when there is a superposition of waves. Calculated plane traversal times are upper bounds, and other difficulties are encountered using wavepackets.
Detecting the Higgs bosons of the minimal supersymmetric model.

Detection of the neutral Higgs bosons of the minimal supersymmetric model (MSSM) in the $W+\mathrm{Higgs}\mathrm{boson}+X\ensuremath{\rightarrow}l\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}X$ final state is studied in detail and compared to the inclusive $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ discovery mode. The regions of model parameter space in which viable signals emerge at the Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) and CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) are determined and compared to the regions where the "gold-plated" ${l}^{+}{l}^{\ensuremath{-}}{l}^{+}{l}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ discovery mode can be utilized. The regions of parameter space where the detection of the charged Higgs boson in $t\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{H}^{+}b$ decays is likely to be possible are determined. Radiative corrections to the Higgs-boson masses and neutral sector mixing angle are included in our assessments. We come close to establishing a no-lose theorem: namely, throughout nearly all of parameter space one or more of the MSSM Higgs bosons can be discovered either at the CERN ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ collider LEP II or using the above modes at the SSC or LHC, independent of the value of ${m}_{t}$. A brief survey of other interesting modes is also given.
NOVEL PROCESSING APPROACHES TO INTERMETALLIC MATRIX COMPOSITES

ABSTRACT Intermetallic compounds have been recognized as potentially useful structural materials. They form the basis for high temperature materials of the future. Intermetallic compounds based on aluminum have attractive characteristics of high strength at elevated temperatures, good corrosion and oxidation resistance, and low densities. This research focuses on the use of the nickel aluminide (Ni3Al) intermetallic compound as a matrix for high temperature composites. The powder processing approach has been adopted for the consolidation of these composites. This paper describes research on powder injection molding (PIM) of an alumina fiber reinforced nickel aluminide intermetallic. Major problems are associated with the debinding process. They have been resolved and composite structures formed. Preliminary investigations on a reactive hot isostatic pressing approach for forming these nickel aluminide matrix composites, are briefly discussed.
Cerebrospinal fluid leaks from penetrating injuries: diagnosis and treatment

Penetrating Spinal Cord Injuries are often complicated by Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) leaks, which can be diagnosed either at initial presentation, or present themselves in a delayed fashion. Symptoms are usually non-specific and include positional headaches, nausea, vomiting, vertigo, and may even include hypotension, cranial nerve palsies, and in severe cases, meningitis. Imaging to detect CSF leaks include: plain radiographs, CT and MRI, CT-myelogram, radionuclide cisternograms, MRI with intrathecal gadolinium. Initial treatment of CSF leaks is conservative, including bedrest, hydration/overhydration, and medications such as caffeine and theophylline. Although overall treatment protocols are controversial, there seems to be a consensus that if a CSF leak persists for over 96 hours, it should be surgically treated, as it would inevitably increase the risks of pseudomeningocele formation and meningitis. Surgical options include a blood/fibrin patch, the placement of a lumbar drain, and ultimately surgical exploration and primary closure of the dural defect.
Column switching applied to capillary gas chromatography/fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

A dual oven gas chromatograph incorporating a micro, mechanical switching valve has been interfaced to an FTIR spectrometer. With this system, each oven can be operated with independent temperature control. Complete choice of the columns' type and capacity gives flexibility in the separation prior to spectroscopic evaluation. An application which demonstrates some of the advantages of column switching in GC/FTIR is presented. Minor sample components have been successfully analyzed by heart-cutting the appropriate section of the separation from a high to a low capacity column. In this way, the dynamic range of the technique is effectively increased while an efficient chromatographic inlet to the FTIR is maintained.
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Genes: Phylogeny, Structure, and Functions

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH, previously called leutinizing hormone-releasing hormone, LHRH) is the final common signaling molecule used by the brain to regulate reproduction in all vertebrates. Recently, genes encoding two other GnRH forms have been discovered. Here we present a phylogenetic analysis that shows that the GnRH genes fall naturally into three distinct branches, each of which shares not only a molecular signature but also characteristic expression sites in the brain. The GnRH genes appear to have arisen through gene duplication from a single ancestral GnRH whose origin predates vertebrates. Several lines of data support this suggestion, including the fact that all three genes share an identical exonic structure. The existence of three distinct GnRH families suggests a new, natural nomenclature for the genes, and in addition, we present a logical proposal for naming the peptide sequences. The two recently discovered GnRH genes are unusual because they encode decapeptides that are identical in all the species in which they have been found. The control of gene expression also differs among the three gene families as might be expected since they have had separate evolutionary trajectories for perhaps 500 million years.
Meteorological Rocket Soundings in the Arctic

Some thirty upper atmosphere rocket soundings have been made in t h e Arctic so far in t h e International Geophysical Year t o measure temperature , pressure, density and winds. Aerobees in the various models and NikeCajuns have been t h e vehicles. The experiments have included the freely-falling sphere for measuring densit ies , the rocket-grenade experiment for measuring pressures and densit ies in t h e supersonic flow, yielding the ambient condit ions by theoretical conversion. Data from a number of these firings have been reduced and compared to those taken at other lat i tudes . The preliminary analysis indicates different temperature, pressure and density distribut ions than elsewhere. Also, these parameters seem to be more sensitive to the t i m e of measurement than at lower lat i tudes .
Comparison of Human Tissues and Mechanical Prostheses for Aortic Valve Replacement in Children

Background Aortic valve replacement in children is problematic because of complications of mechanical valves and uncertain outcomes associated with human valves. The results of pediatric aortic valve replacements over 5 years were reviewed. Methods and Results Mechanical valves were used exclusively during the first part of this series (n=26). Thereafter, 25 consecutive aortic valve replacements were performed with autografts (n=19) or allografts (n=6). Allografts were used for Marfan’s syndrome patients or those with unusable pulmonary valves. Among autograft/allograft recipients, 16 patients underwent 27 prior operations. In the mechanical group, 18 patients underwent 19 previous operations. Three patients in each group underwent a previous mechanical aortic valve replacement. Operative complications included two mild strokes and one pacemaker in the autograft/allograft group and three deaths and two pacemakers in the mechanical group. One autograft recipient required reoperation for pulmonary allograft...
A comparison of tutor and student behavior in speech versus text based tutoring

This paper describes preliminary work in exploring the relative effectiveness of speech versus text based tutoring. Most current tutorial dialogue systems are text based (Evens et al., 2001; Rose and Aleven, 2002; Zinn et al., 2002; Aleven et al., 2001; VanLehn et al., 2002). However, prior studies have shown considerable benefits of tutoring through spoken interactions (Lemke, 1990; Chi et al., 1994; Hausmann and Chi, 2002). Thus, we are currently developing a speech based dialogue system that uses a text based system for tutoring conceptual physics (VanLehn et al., 2002) as its "back-end". In order to explore the relative effectiveness between these two input modalities in our task domain, we have started by collecting parallel human-human tutoring corpora both for text based and speech based tutoring. In both cases, students interact with the tutor through a web interface. We present here a comparison between the two on a number of features of dialogue that have been demonstrated to correlate reliably with learning gains with students interacting with the tutor using the text based interface (Rose et al., submitted).