cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How long until midnight? Intelligence-policy relations and the United States response to the Israeli nuclear program, 1959–1985

Why did the United States fail to stop Israeli acquisition of nuclear weapons? Existing research argues that patrons such as the U.S. should have an easy time halting proliferation by militarily an...
A Review of Education and the Arab Spring: Resistance, Reform, and Democracy

The Arab Spring has brought about major changes in the Arab region in many aspects, including education. The researchers aim to present the state of education after the Arab Spring revolutions and compare it with what was before these revolutions. The book has been divided into three main sections. The first section discussed the state of education before the Arab Spring by highlighting some of the teachers’ practices in the classroom. The second section presents some calls for reforming youth education in countries such as Egypt, Yemen, and Tunisia. The last section, which contains three chapters, explores the education of non-Muslim minorities, the change in ideology and identity, and the role of some educational and religious institutions after the Arab Spring.
Alternative Medicine for the Treatment of Psoriasis

The use of complementary and alternative medicine has an estimated prevalence of about 51% amongst patients with psoriasis. The relatively lower costs, perceived fewer side effects, and versatile u...
Epidemiology of nonmelanoma skin cancer.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common type of cancer in the US white population. In 1996 more than 800,000 new cases are expected to be diagnosed in the United States, constituting more than one third of all new cancer cases expected. The two principal histologic types of NMSC are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. These two types account for approximately 75% and 25% of all NMSC cases, respectively. This article reviews the complex interactions between host factors such as race and age, and environmental factors such as lifetime sun and radiation exposure that determine individual risk of NMSC.
Accelerated Simultaneous Multi-Slice MRI using Subject-Specific Convolutional Neural Networks

Simultaneous multi-slice or multi-band (SMS/MB) imaging allows accelerated coverage in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Multiple slices are excited and acquired at the same time, and reconstructed using the redundancies in receiver coil arrays, similar to parallel imaging. SMS/MB reconstruction is currently performed with linear reconstruction techniques. Recently, a nonlinear reconstruction method for parallel imaging, Robust Artificial-neural-networks for k-space Interpolation (RAKI) was proposed and shown to improve upon linear methods. This method uses convolutional neural networks (CNN) trained solely on subject-specific calibration data. In this study, we sought to extend RAKI to SMS/MB imaging reconstruction. CNN training was performed on calibration data acquired prior to SMS/MB imaging, in a manner consistent with the existing linear methods. These CNNs were used to reconstruct a time series of functional MRI (fMRI) data. CNN network parameters were optimized using an extensive search of the parameter space. With these optimal parameters, RAKI substantially improves image quality compared to a commonly used linear reconstruction algorithm, especially for high acceleration rates.
Unlabeled Data Improves Adversarial Robustness

We demonstrate, theoretically and empirically, that adversarial robustness can significantly benefit from semisupervised learning. Theoretically, we revisit the simple Gaussian model of Schmidt et al. that shows a sample complexity gap between standard and robust classification. We prove that unlabeled data bridges this gap: a simple semisupervised learning procedure (self-training) achieves high robust accuracy using the same number of labels required for achieving high standard accuracy. Empirically, we augment CIFAR-10 with 500K unlabeled images sourced from 80 Million Tiny Images and use robust self-training to outperform state-of-the-art robust accuracies by over 5 points in (i) $\ell_\infty$ robustness against several strong attacks via adversarial training and (ii) certified $\ell_2$ and $\ell_\infty$ robustness via randomized smoothing. On SVHN, adding the dataset's own extra training set with the labels removed provides gains of 4 to 10 points, within 1 point of the gain from using the extra labels.
Closing the enjoyment gap: heritage language maintenance motivation and reading attitudes among Chinese-American children

Research demonstrates strong associations between psychosocial factors (motivation, attitudes, beliefs), outside of class behavior, and second language (L2) learning, particularly reading achieveme...
Problems and Directions of the Improvement of Price Relations in the Russian Agricultural Sector of Economy

The purpose of the paper is to assess the current state of prices and price relations in the agricultural sector of Russia. The authors analyzed the dynamics of prices of agricultural products, industrial products, food products, and processing industry, consumer prices in the period 2014–2018. The authors consider the cost structure of agricultural production, which is the basis of balanced price relationships. The study showed that the increase in prices of agricultural producers in recent years was significantly less than in other sectors of the economy. This leads to an increase in disproportions and to a decrease in the financial stability of agricultural producers. The most significant disproportions in price relations are formed in the sale of food products in retail trade. The study compares the average prices of agricultural producers in Russia with the prices of producers in the countries leading in terms of exports of these products in the world. Such a comparison allows to determine that crop production (wheat and sunflower seeds) has a price competitiveness in the world market. The authors provide a number of proposals to improve price relations in the agricultural sector of Russia. The proposals are aimed at the balanced development of agriculture: in the sphere of relations between agricultural producers and resource-providing industries, in the field of production, as well as in the field of ensuring the balance of supply and demand.
Self-consistent nonlinear theory of the gyropeniotron amplifier

A self-consistent three-dimensional nonlinear theory and a computer code were developed to investigate the potentially high efficiency operation of higher harmonic gyropeniotron amplifier. The results of simulation for cyclotron harmonic operation from 2nd to 8th harmonic with axis encircling electron orbits in the magnetron type circuit structure will be presented.
COVID-19 Models for Hospital Surge Capacity Planning: A Systematic Review.

Objective Health system preparedness for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) includes projecting the number and timing of cases requiring various types of treatment. Several tools were developed to assist in this planning process. This review highlights models that project both caseload and hospital capacity requirements over time. Methods We systematically reviewed the medical and engineering literature according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We completed searches using PubMed, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, Google Scholar, and the Google search engine. Results The search strategy identified 690 articles. For a detailed review, we selected 6 models that met our predefined criteria. Half of the models did not include age-stratified parameters, and only 1 included the option to represent a second wave. Hospital patient flow was simplified in all models; however, some considered more complex patient pathways. One model included fatality ratios with length of stay (LOS) adjustments for survivors versus those who die, and accommodated different LOS for critical care patients with or without a ventilator. Conclusion The results of our study provide information to physicians, hospital administrators, emergency response personnel, and governmental agencies on available models for preparing scenario-based plans for responding to the COVID-19 or similar type of outbreak.
Permission and Purpose: Does a Person Violate the Federal Computer Fraud Statute by Accessing a Computer with Authorization but for an Improper Purpose?

The article for the American Bar Association previews the U.S. Supreme Court case of Van Buren v. United States, No. 19-783, argued on November 30, 2020. In this case, Petitioner Nathan Van Buren, a Georgia police sergeant, improperly took money from someone to access a law enforcement computer database to investigate whether another individual was an undercover police officer. As a result, petitioner was convicted of federal computer fraud and bribery. Petitioner appealed his convictions to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and argued that because he had authority as a police officer to access this database, he did not commit computer fraud, even though he accessed the information for an improper purpose. The Court of Appeals rejected petitioner’s argument. Petitioner appealed to the Supreme Court asking the Court to hold that a person cannot be convicted of federal computer fraud for accessing information on a protected computer if the person has authority to access the information, even if the person accesses it for an improper purpose. This article examines the parties' arguments in the Supreme Court briefs, as well as the briefs of the numerous amicus curiae.
Role of radical hysterectomy in patients with early-stage high-grade neuroendocrine cervical carcinoma: a NeCTuR study.

Objective Patients with early-stage, high-grade neuroendocrine cervical carcinoma typically undergo radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. To explore the role of radical surgery in patients with this disease, who have a high likelihood of undergoing postoperative adjuvant therapy, we aimed to determine the rate of parametrial involvement and the rate of parametrial involvement without other indications for adjuvant treatment in these patients. Methods We retrospectively studied patients in the Neuroendocrine Cervical Tumor Registry (NeCTuR) at our institution to identify those with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2018 stage IA1-IB2, high-grade neuroendocrine cervical carcinoma who underwent up-front radical surgery with or without adjuvant therapy. Results One hundred patients met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 35 years (range 22–65), and 51% (51/100) had pure high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma. No patient had a tumor >4 cm or suspected parametrial or nodal disease before surgery. Ten patients (10%) had microscopic parametrial compromise in the final surgical specimens. Ninety-four (94%) patients underwent nodal assessment, and 19 (19%) had positive nodes. Ten patients underwent both sentinel lymph node biopsy and pelvic lymphadenectomy, and none had false-negative findings. Patients with parametrial compromise were more likely to have positive pelvic nodes (80% vs 12%, p Conclusions In carefully selected patients with high-grade neuroendocrine cervical carcinoma, the rate of microscopic parametrial involvement is 10%. As most patients receive adjuvant treatment, we hypothesize that simple hysterectomy may be adequate when followed by adjuvant radiotherapy with concurrent cisplatin and etoposide followed by additional chemotherapy.
Vitamin D3 induces mesenchymal-to-endothelial transition and promotes a proangiogenic niche through IGF-1 signaling

Summary Although vitamin D3 (VitD3) prevents angiogenesis in cancer, VitD3 deficiency is associated with greater incidence of cardiovascular events in patients. We examined the influence of VitD3 on the angiogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). VitD3 treatment increased the expression of proangiogenic molecules in MSCs, which exhibited an endothelial cell-like phenotype and promoted vascularization in vitro and in vivo. VitD3 activated the IGF-1 promoter and boosted IGF-1R signaling, which was essential for the mesenchymal-to-endothelial transition (MEndoT) of MSCs. VitD3-treated MSCs created a proangiogenic microenvironment for co-cultured arterial endothelial cells as well as aortic rings. The induction of MEndoT and angiogenesis promotion by VitD3-stimulated MSCs were attenuated by IGF-1R inhibitor picropodophyllin. We conclude that VitD3 promotes MEndoT in MSCs, and VitD3-treated MSCs augment vascularization by producing a proangiogenic niche through continued IGF-1 secretion. These results suggest a potential therapeutic role of VitD3 toward enhancing MSC-induced angiogenesis.
Callahan, Gene, and McIntyre, Kenneth B., eds., Critics of Enlightenment Rationalism: New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 313 pp., $109.99, ISBN 3-030-42598-3, Publication Date: May 2020

The Enlightenment of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries won huge victories in the battle of ideas, and it continues to cast a long shadow over the world’s intellectual landscape. Nevertheless...
Impact of the early COVID-19 pandemic on gender participation in academic publishing in radiation oncology

Abstract Background: There is a known gender gap in oncology publishing with worse disparities within specialty fields such as radiation oncology. There has been a significant increase in the number of manuscripts submitted to academic journals during the pandemic. Several analyses have suggested that the pandemic has had a disproportionate effect on academic productivity of women in academia, as measured by manuscript publication rates. Materials and Methods: The gender of first/co-first and corresponding/co-corresponding authors, as well as non-senior versus senior status and manuscript type, for all papers published by Advances from its inception in December 2015 to the end of February 2020 was compared to those published between March 1, 2020, and May 31, 2020 – the months during which the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in North America began. Results: This examination of papers published during COVID-19 did not indicate a statistically significant decrease in the overall proportion of women publishing in Advances (P=0.76). For non-senior female authors, this proportion fell just short of statistical significance (39% vs. 19%, P=0.051). When only scientific manuscripts were considered, there was a statistically significant decrease in publications by non-senior female first authors during the early months of the pandemic (37% vs. 11%, P=0.02) Conclusions: During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, non-senior female researchers participated less in manuscript publishing in radiation oncology.
The Third Wave of Ecocriticism: North American Reflections on the Current Phase of the Discipline

Keywords: third wave ecocriticism, first wave ecocriticism, second wave ecocriticism, comparative, transnational, eco-cosmopolitanism, material ecofeminism, green queer theory, animality, commitment'Third Wave Ecocriticism' has become accepted as the label for a new form of critical writing which transcends national and ethnic boundaries and compares human experience across cultures. This focus distinguishes it equally from first wave ecocriticism in the 1980s (which dealt mainly with nature writing, wilderness and women's special affinity with nature), and the second wave, which began in the mid 1990s (and turned its attention to other literary genres and media, environmental justice, and urban ecology). Critics adopting the transcultural approach are exploring tensions between the global and the local, new varieties of ecofeminism, conceptions of animality, and ways of integrating literature in environmental activism. Palabras clave: tercera oleada de la ecocritica, primera oleada de la ecocritica, segunda oleada de la ecocritica “La Tercera oleada de la ecocritica” se ha aceptado como etiqueta para una nueva forma de escritura critica que trasciende las barreras nacionales y etnicas y que compara la experiencia humana de diferentes culturas. Este enfoque tambien la distingue de la primera oleada ecocritica de los anos 80, que se centraba sobre todo en la escritura de la naturaleza, sobre la tierra salvaje y en la afinidad de las mujeres con la naturaleza; y de la segunda oleada, que comenzo a mediados de los 90 y dirigio su atencion hacia otros generos literarios y los medios de comunicacion, la justicia medioambiental y la ecologia urbana. Los criticos que adoptan el enfoque transcultural exploran las tensiones entre lo global y lo local, las nuevas variedades del ecofeminismo, las nociones de animalidad y las formas de integrar la literatura en el activismo medioambiental. .
Electroformed bumped tape, a practical interconnect method for high-lead count devices

Electroformed bumped tape, gang or single-point-bonded, provides solid low-profile, higher-strength bonds. Electroforming of the bumps into precisely photodefined openings on the tape leads results in an absolutely uniform, consistent (2.00 mil dia, 1.3 mil high) bump pattern, which is difficult to achieve with an etching process. The height of the bumps ensures sufficient clearance between the conductor and the die surface (stand-off), even after bump collapse during TC bonding. The uniform bump size means that the desired bonding pressure is applied to all pads repeatedly. The metallurgy and the hardness of the bumps can be chosen to suit specific requirements. Capping of the ICs with compliant layers of metallization prior to bonding offers an even broader range of bonding parameters and higher reliability. If desired, these bonded leads can be pull-tested nondestructively to a preset value of 10 gm after assembly to assure 100% reliability of bonds. >
Partitioning morphological wavelet image coding

Recent successes in wavelet image coding are mainly attributed to the exploitation of within and cross subband redundancies with optimized rate-distortion analysis. There have been several very competitive wavelet coders developed, such as Said and Pearlman's SPIHT, Xiong et al.'s SFQ and the JPEG2000 standard etc. A novel wavelet image coding algorithm, namely partitioning morphological wavelet image coding (PMWC) is proposed in this paper, which extends MRWD by logically partitioning the information in the morphological dilated cluster and exploiting the within and cross subband dependencies in the significant coefficient areas. Extensive experiments have shown that the proposed PMWC outperforms SPIHT and MRWD, and is very competitive with the state-of-the-art codecs such as SFQ and JPEG2000. Because of its inherit joint compression and noise reduction properties, the reconstructed images often show somewhat superior perceptual visual quality.
The Dog Days of Detroit: Urban Stray and Feral Animals

This article details the extent and import of the stray and feral dog problem in the City of Detroit in the context of regime and network theories of governance. Using data drawn from a survey of a...
Field Encryption and Authentication

Database encryption and authentication at the field level is attractive because it allows projections to be performed and individual data elements decrypted or authenticated. But field based protection is not usually recommended for security reasons: using encryption to hide individual data elements is vulnerable to ciphertext searching; using cryptographic checksums to authenticate individual data elements is vulnerable to plaintext or ciphertext substitution. Solutions to the security problems of field based protection are proposed.
Influence of VDT Monitor Positions on Discomfort and Performance of Users with or without Bifocal Lenses

The difficulty of video display terminal users with bifocal lenses through a traditional workstation increases the complaints and risks for upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders. Furthermore, the regular and no lens users also have problems with traditionally designed workstations over prolonged periods of video display terminal use. A study was conducted on 14 subjects to investigate the effect of computer monitor location for video display terminal users with or without bifocals on subjective assessment and performance. The two monitor locations were 15 degrees and 40 degrees below horizontal eye level. The experimental task consisted of reading words from computer screens and typing them from the reverse side to the next column. Each experimental session lasted one hour. Males with bifocal lenses had less discomfort in the neck, shoulders, forearms, and wrists, less tiredness and eyestrain and higher performance with a 40 degrees angle monitor than with a 15 degrees angle monitor. A similar conclusion has been reached for females. Users with bifocal lenses had significantly higher neck discomfort and lower performance than nonbifocal users. The 40 degrees angle monitor caused less neck discomfort than the 15 degrees angle monitor did. Overall, females had less physical discomfort, less tiredness, and higher performance than males.
Maybe National Park: Consultation, Conservation, and Conflict in the Okanagan-Similkameen

This article is about the process of making a national park reserve in the South Okanagan - Lower Similkameen region of British Columbia, as reflected in the perspectives of people who live within the community or who are connected to Parks Canada ’s decision-making process. For all its local focus, t his article rests upon extensive background research : research into the process of making national park nature in Canada ; research into land and wildlife management practices ; and research on indigenous epistemologies about nature, and the progression of white settler culture in the British Columbia . Still , this article makes its primary contribution through its focus on debates about the proposed national park reserve in the South Okanagan – Lower Similkameen Valley. Th e article rests on both historical research into the area and interviews with current residents of the valley. Its purpose is to determine how stakeholders feel connected to the land on which they liv e and how they think that a national park reserve would change their relationship with the land. Ultimately, the article shed s light on and help s to understand the attitudes and opinions towards land management held b y stakeholders of those areas being targeted for federal conservation , as well as the conflicts and collusions between residents and Parks Canada policies during such processes.
Current collection by a conducting spherical satellite in the ionosphere

The current collection by a conducting satellite moving in a magnetized plasma across the Earth's magnetic field was studied by means of numerical simulations. The satellite was assumed to be a conducting sphere. In the low Earth orbit, the satellite moves with an orbital velocity V/sub 0/ approximately=8 km/s perpendicular to the Earth's magnetic field lines. This orbital velocity V/sub 0/ is relative to the plasma. Numerical simulations have been carried out to determine the current collected by the satellite moving in a magnetized plasma. For comparison, simulations for the plasma having no relative motion between the plasma and the satellite have been also carried out. The results from the later simulations agree with the canonical upper bound on the collected current calculated by Parker and Murphy (1967). Results from simulations with the relative drift of 8 km/s show that the collected current by the satellite is appreciably greater than that collected without the relative drift. >
Identification of synaptic targets of Drosophila pumilio.

Drosophila Pumilio (Pum) protein is a translational regulator involved in embryonic patterning and germline development. Recent findings demonstrate that Pum also plays an important role in the nervous system, both at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and in long-term memory formation. In neurons, Pum appears to play a role in homeostatic control of excitability via down regulation of para, a voltage gated sodium channel, and may more generally modulate local protein synthesis in neurons via translational repression of eIF-4E. Aside from these, the biologically relevant targets of Pum in the nervous system remain largely unknown. We hypothesized that Pum might play a role in regulating the local translation underlying synapse-specific modifications during memory formation. To identify relevant translational targets, we used an informatics approach to predict Pum targets among mRNAs whose products have synaptic localization. We then used both in vitro binding and two in vivo assays to functionally confirm the fidelity of this informatics screening method. We find that Pum strongly and specifically binds to RNA sequences in the 3′UTR of four of the predicted target genes, demonstrating the validity of our method. We then demonstrate that one of these predicted target sequences, in the 3′UTR of discs large (dlg1), the Drosophila PSD95 ortholog, can functionally substitute for a canonical NRE (Nanos response element) in vivo in a heterologous functional assay. Finally, we show that the endogenous dlg1 mRNA can be regulated by Pumilio in a neuronal context, the adult mushroom bodies (MB), which is an anatomical site of memory storage.
Influence of selective, reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase on the prolonged depletion of striatal dopamine by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine in mice.

Abstract 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) hydrochloride injected s.c. at 20 mg/kg once daily for four days resulted in marked depletion of dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) in mouse striatum one week after the last dose. Pretreatment with MD 240928, (R)-[4-((3-chlorophenyl)-methoxy)phenyl]-5-[(methylamino)methyl]-2-oxazolidinone methanesulfonate, prevented the depletion of striatal dopamine, DOPAC and HVA, whereas pretreatment with harmaline did not. MD 240928 selectively inhibited type B not type A monoamine oxidase (MAO), whereas harmaline selectively inhibited type A MAO in mouse striatum. Acutely after injection of harmaline, DOPAC and HVA concentrations were decreased in mouse striatum; these changes were not produced by MD 240928. The acute changes in dopamine metabolites reveal that MAO-A not MAO-B is responsible for the oxidation of dopamine in mouse striatum. Protection against the neurotoxic effects of MPTP by MD 240928 but not by harmaline indicates that prevention of dopamine oxidation is not the mechanism of the protective effect; instead the protection probably is due to prevention of MPTP metabolism by MAO-B, this metabolism having been shown to occur by other workers. The results with these reversible, competitive inhibitors of the two types of MAO are in agreement with previously reported results from studies using irreversible inhibitors of MAO.
Subclassifying atypia in urine cytology: what are the helpful features?

Introduction The diagnosis "atypical urothelial cells (AUC)" remains an unresolved problem, making many urologists dissatisfied and confused about the management strategy on these cases. To date, a few inspiring attempts were made to subclassify AUC into "atypical urothelial cells of undetermined significance" (AUC-US) and "atypical urothelial cells cannot exclude high grade" (AUC-H). The aim of our study was to investigate the most predictive for high-grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC) cytomorphologic parameters and whether the proposed classification can be implemented in our institution. Material and methods The electronic medical record system was searched for cytology specimens that were diagnosed as AUC from January 1, 2005 to March 1, 2013 and their relative clinical-pathological follow-up. All specimens were reviewed by an experienced cytopathologist by using 20 published "most predictive" for HGUC criteria. Results A total of 162 AUC specimens were reclassified into 3 groups: AUC-H (n = 45), AUC-US (n = 51), and "negative for malignancy" (n = 66). The reclassification of AUC-H and "negative for malignancy" had 79% sensitivity, 77% specificity, 60% positive predictive value, and 89% negative predictive value to histologically proven HGUC diagnosis. Conclusions Our study demonstrated a good correlation between the presence of "HGUC-predictive" cytologic criteria and the final biopsy-proven HGUC in cytologic cases originally diagnosed as "atypical urothelial cells present." We identified 2 of the most predictive for HGUC on follow-up cytomorphologic parameters such as increased nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio >0.7 and coarse chromatin (16 abnormal cells per slide in average). These parameters, along with positive fluorescent in situ hybridization results can help during cytologic evaluation of urine specimens.
A theory for the estimation of DNA synthesis rates by flow cytometry.

Abstract A method is presented for estimating the rate of DNA synthesis of a cell population by examining the DNA histogram generated by flow cytometry (FCM). The model is based on the use renewal equations to estimate the steady-state fraction of cells in each DNA compartment. The fraction of cells in each compartment is shown to be related to the Laplace transform of the transit time through that compartment. Two methods are introduced for estimating the rate of DNA synthesis utilizing different transit time distributions. One method is shown to be a simplification of the method of Dean and Anderson. The other method allows for variability in the DNA synthesis rate. The effects of quiescent cells are considered and attention is paid to the various assumptions underlying the estimation.
Refinements in Microinstrumentation for Vitreous Surgery

We developed a series of 25-gauge (0.5 mm) microinstruments for vitreous surgery, including a 25-gauge vitreous cutter, 25-gauge microscissors for limited reuse, and a vitreous membrane dissector. Clinical experience with these instruments in more than 20 cases of advanced proliferative vitreoretinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, and diabetic retinopathy indicates that these instruments facilitate delicate vitreoretinal dissections, particularly in the vitreous base and when fibrovascular tissues are closely adherent to the retina. Because of their smaller size, the microinstruments are more precise in their cutting capabilities than other instruments
Virtual reality surgical simulation for lower urinary tract endourologic surgery.

Computer-based simulations for clinical training have been utilized for medical education for over 25 years, with progression of technological advances from mainframe computers to the multimedia-based systems in current use.5 Simulation becomes attractive whenever actual physical experience is associated with unacceptable risk or expense or the experience is not practical because of distance or temporal constraints. The classic example of the value of simulation in such circumstances is flight simulation aviation training, which was first introduced during the Second World War to reduce the high casualty rate among the relatively inexperienced pilots recruited for aerial warfare. Though its development has occurred over 40 years, flight simulation in a virtual environment has only recently evolved sufficiently to be considered indispensable for training, due to the savings and benefits in time, expense, equipment, and safety it offers.
Including parasites in food webs.

Growing evidence indicates parasite inclusion in food-web analyses is a logical default. Comparisons of food webs including and excluding host–parasite interactions demonstrate the influence of parasites on community dynamics. Although including parasites is undoubtedly informative, the necessary level of detail exists for only a handful of systems. In a recent Ecology Letters article, Lafferty et al. pose many good questions to catalyze discussions for determining when and how parasites should be incorporated into food-web analyses.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids enhance the heat induced stress response in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) leukocytes.

Abstract The heat shock response has been studied extensively, yet the molecular signals that trigger the response remain elusive. The dogma of the heat shock response contends that denatured proteins initiate the response, but evidence is accumulating to point to a more complex system in which at least more than one signal is involved in this process. Thermal stress initiates changes in cellular phospholipid membrane physical state, which when acted upon by phospholipases may release lipid mediators that could serve as triggering signals during the heat shock response. We have examined the heat shock response in freshly isolated leukocytes from the pronephros of rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ). In this study, we show that leukocytes isolated from rainbow trout acclimated to 5 or 19°C express elevated levels of heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) mRNA when heat shocked at 5°C above their respective acclimation temperature and supplementation with exogenous docosahexaenoic acid or arachidonic acid followed by heat shock enhanced levels of hsp70 mRNA. The time course for docosahexaenoic acid induced enhancement of hsp70 mRNA was accelerated compared with heat shock alone, and staurosporine inhibited the docosahexaenoic acid induced increase of hsp70 mRNA. We also provide evidence that phospholipase A 2 is involved in the heat shock response.
The Interaction between Thermodynamic Stability and Buried Free Cysteines in Regulating the Functional Half-Life of Fibroblast Growth Factor-1

Protein biopharmaceuticals are an important and growing area of human therapeutics; however, the intrinsic property of proteins to adopt alternative conformations (such as during protein unfolding and aggregation) presents numerous challenges, limiting their effective application as biopharmaceuticals. Using fibroblast growth factor-1 as model system, we describe a cooperative interaction between the intrinsic property of thermostability and the reactivity of buried free-cysteine residues that can substantially modulate protein functional half-life. A mutational strategy that combines elimination of buried free cysteines and secondary mutations that enhance thermostability to achieve a substantial gain in functional half-life is described. Furthermore, the implementation of this design strategy utilizing stabilizing mutations within the core region resulted in a mutant protein that is essentially indistinguishable from wild type as regard protein surface and solvent structure, thus minimizing the immunogenic potential of the mutations. This design strategy should be generally applicable to soluble globular proteins containing buried free-cysteine residues.
Amelioration of salt-induced vascular dysfunction in mesenteric arteries of Dahl salt-sensitive rats by missense mutation of extracellular superoxide dismutase.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes, including extracellular SOD (ecSOD), are important for scavenging superoxide radicals (O2·−) in the vasculature. This study investigated vascular control in rats...
Similarities between morphine withdrawal in the rat and the menopausal hot flush.

Skin temperature, cardiovascular and neuroendocrine responses to morphine withdrawal in the rat were evaluated in an effort to develop a potential animal model for the menopausal hot flush in women. Morphine dependency was produced by s.c. implantation of pellets containing morphine alkaloid. In response to precipitous, naloxone-induced withdrawal, rats showed surges in tail skin temperature (TST) which were similar in magnitude (4.8 to 7.2 degrees C) and duration (60 to 90 min.) to peripheral skin temperature increases reported during menopausal hot flushes. Additionally, a brief period of accelerated heart rate (59%) and a 9-fold hypersecretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) preceded the TST response to morphine withdrawal. These cardiovascular and neuroendocrine responses are observed to precede or coincide with the menopausal hot flush. Additionally, protracted morphine withdrawal subsequent to abstention, resulted in TST instability characterized by spontaneous, high amplitude TST fluctuations. Thus, the alteration in skin temperature, heart rate and LH secretion during precipitated morphine withdrawal in the rat are similar in magnitude, duration and in their temporal relationship to those observed during the hot flush. These data suggest a possible opioid etiology in this vasomotor disturbance. Acute withdrawal in the morphine addicted rats may serve as an animal model by which to study the neural mechanism underlying the menopausal hot flush.
Acne Therapy: Medication Use and Sources of Care in Office-Based Practice

Background and Design: This study quantifies visits to office-based physicians for the treatment of acne from 1980 through 1991 and describes treatments prescribed. Data were collected from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, a multistage probability survey conducted in 1980, 1981, 1985, 1989, 1990, and 1991, and were used to estimate visits with specific characteristics. Of 276 689 visits sampled in these surveys, 3075 included a diagnosis of acne and 2678 were principally for acne. Results: Visits for acne as a primary complaint decreased from 7.5 million per year in 1980 and 1981 to 5.4 million per year in 1989 to 1991. The proportion of visits to physicians other than dermatologists increased 2.1-fold from 1980 and 1981 to 1989 through 1991. Differences in the rate of prescribing oral antibiotics between dermatologists and nondermatologists narrowed from 1980 to 1991. Of drugs available throughout the study, topical tretinoin had the greatest increase in usage. Oral isotretinoin was more often prescribed at visits for men than for women. The proportion of acne visits at which isotretinoin was prescribed was comparable for dermatologists and nondermatologists. Conclusions: Acne remains one of the most frequent reasons for visiting dermatologists. By 1991, nondermatologists provided 23% of care for this disease. From 1980 to 1991, the pattern of prescribing medications for acne by dermatologists and nondermatologists became more alike. Demand for dermatologists' services for acne treatment is decreasing. (Arch Dermatol. 1996;132:776-780)
Diffusivities of hydrogen in yttrium and yttrium alloys

Abstract Diffusivities of hydrogen in yttrium, yttrium-niobium (Y-Nb) alloy (3:7), yttrium-niobium (Y-Nb) composite (3:7), and yttrium-thorium (Y-Th) alloy (4:1) in the Sieverts region were measured by gas absorption in the temperature range from 960 to 1160 K. The diffusivity of hydrogen in yttrium was found to be D(cm 2 /s) = 300 exp(−160,000/RT) , where R = 8.314 JδK −1 δmol −1 . Above 1000 K, diffusivities are in the following order: D(Y-Nb composite) > D(Y-Nb alloy) > D(Y-Th alloy) > D(Y) , where D(Y-Nb composite) = 2.4 D(Y) and D(Y-Nb alloy) = 1.5 D(Y) . Below 1000 K, effective diffusivities of the alloys become quite erratic and fa11 below those for yttrium.
Multiplicity distributions in high-energy collisions, and the statistics of the ideal relativistic Bose gas

Utilizing some assumptions about high-energy collisions that underlie thermodynamic and hydrodynamic models of high-energy particle production, we find simple relationships among the moments of the multiplicity distribution $〈{N}^{q}〉$ that are reasonably well satisfied by recent data from the National Accelerator Laboratory (NAL) on ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ production. Using $〈{N}_{\mathrm{ch}}〉=2{{E}_{\mathrm{lab}}}^{\frac{1}{4}}$ we obtain a reasonable one-parameter fit to all the NAL multiplicity data except ${f}_{2}$ and ${f}_{3}$ at 100, 200, and 300 GeV.
Signal transduction pathways and transcriptional regulation in the control of Th17 differentiation

The discovery of a new lineage of helper T cells that selectively produces interleukin (IL)-17 has provided exciting new insights into immunoregulation, host defense and the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Additionally, the discovery of this T cell subset has offered a fresh look at how the complexity of selective regulation of cytokine gene expression might relate to lineage commitment, terminal differentiation and immunologic memory. Information continues to accumulate on factors that regulate Th17 differentiation at a rapid pace and a few lessons have emerged. Like other lineages, Th17 cells preferentially express a transcription factor, retinoic acid-related orphan receptor (ROR)gammat, whose expression seems to be necessary for IL-17 production. In addition, signals from the T-cell receptor are a critical aspect of controlling IL-17 production and the transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFATs) appears to be another important regulator. IL-6, IL-21 and IL-23 are all cytokines that activate the transcription factor STAT3, which has been established to be necessary for multiple aspects of the biology of Th17 cells. Similarly, TGFbeta-1 is important for the differentiation of murine Th17 cells and inducible regulatory T cells (iTregs), but how it exerts its effect on IL-17 gene transcription is unknown and there are data indicating TGFbeta-1 is not required for human Th17 differentiation. The extent to which Th17 cells represent terminally differentiated cells or whether they retain plasticity and can develop into another lineage such as IFNgamma secreting Th1 cells is also unclear. Precisely how cytokines produced by this lineage are selectively expressed and selectively extinguished through epigenetic modifications is an area of great importance, but considerable uncertainty.
Regulation of herpesvirus macromolecular synthesis. V. Properties of alpha polypeptides made in HSV-1 and HSV-2 infected cells.

Abstract Previous reports from this laboratory have defined as α those viral polypeptides whose production in infected cells does not require prior protein synthesis. Two subsequent groups, β and γ, depend on prior a and β polypeptide synthesis, respectively. Comparison of the synthesis and properties of a polypeptides specified by herpes simplex viruses (HSV) 1 and 2 showed the following: (i) The three earliest virus-specific infected cell polypeptides (ICP) made in HSV-2 infected cells migrated slightly more slowly in polyacrylamide gels than the HSV-1 α polypeptides, ICP 4.0 and 27. (ii) Cells treated with canavanine from the time of infection with HSV-2 produced all α, a subset of β, and a small amount of one γ polypeptide; the synthesis of these polypeptides continued for many hours, at rates related to the multiplicity of infection. The transition from a to this subset of β polypeptide synthesis did not appear to be affected by the arginine analogue, whereas transition to the other sets of β and to γ polypeptide synthesis was blocked. A similar discrimination between different subsets of β proteins was seen in treated HSV-1 infected cells. (iii) All a and a number of β polypeptides observed in this study underwent translocation into the nucleus, posttranslational modification resulting in a reduced electrophoretic mobility, and phosphorylation. For example, the modification of HSV-1 and HSV-2 ICP 4 was in at least two steps from the translational product ICP 4a, labeled during a pulse, to slower-migrating forms ICP 4b and 4c. All three forms were phosphorylated but only 4b and 4c were found in the nucleus. In untreated infected cells, ICP 4 ultimately accumulated in form ICP 4c. ICP 4a made in the presence of canavanine was not processed efficiently into ICP 4c. In another instance, the polypeptide made in the presence of canavanine were not translocated into nuclei.
Fatigue and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

In addition to chronic hepatitis, many individuals infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) suffer from fatigue, which may compromise their health-related quality of life (HRQL). To assess systematically health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with chronic hepatitis C and to determine if any clinical, biochemical, virologic, demographic, and histologic features are associated with HRQL status. In this cross-sectional observational study, one hundred thirty patients with chronic HCV infection (HCV RNA positive by PCR) and 61 healthy controls were enrolled from a tertiary care teaching medical center. All patients and controls completed one generic HRQL questionnaire (MOS SF-36) and one liver-disease specific instrument (Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire, CLDQ). Ninety-five HCV patients and all the controls also completed a fatigue questionnaire (Chronic Fatigue Screener, CFS) and had immunologic markers determined (Cryoglobulin, Soluble IL-2 receptors, Rheumatoid Factor). We compared the HRQL of HCV-infected patients to the controls and, using data from other studies, to the general population, patients with diabetes, and patients with chronic low back pain. Patients with chronic HCV had greater HRQL impairment than healthy controls and those with type II diabetes. Fatigue was the most important symptom with negative impact on HRQL. Sixty-one percent of HCV-infected patients reported fatigue-related loss of activity. Additionally, other factors associated with HRQL were gender and histologic cirrhosis. Chronic HCV infection has a profound negative impact on patients’ HRQL. Disabling fatigue is the most important factor that contributes to loss of well-being in this relatively young group of patients.
The Keeping Quality of Dry Whole Milk Spray Dried in an Atmosphere of an Inert Gas

Summary The drying of whole milk or other oxygen-labile materials in an atmosphere of nitrogen or carbon dioxide has been shown to be entirely practical. Drying of the gas to permit re-use can be affected by cooling at an expenditure of not more than 20 gallons of 50° F. water per lb. of water removed. The amount of gas required would be excessive with the conventional spray driers now available. The keeping quality of dry whole milk is influenced materially by the amount of oxygen left in the container, but not by whether the milk is dried in inert gas or in air. At oxygen levels of 1 per cent or below, dry whole milk of low moisture content deteriorates very slowly, even at 100° F.
On Determining the Effects of Therapy on Disease Damage in Non- randomized Studies with Multiple Treatments: A study of Juvenile Myositis.

This article discusses predicting damage in patients with juvenile myositis after treatment with various medications. These data were taken from medical records and not randomized. Investigators advocate using propensity scores for analysis of such non randomized studies in order to reduce the effect of selection of treatment. Thus far, the studies have typically been comparing drug administration versus no drug after including a propensity score to compensate for potential bias in selecting patients for use of the agent. In this study, we use propensity scoring for multiple treatments given singly or in combination. We study two methods. We use a multiple logistic regression model with continuous propensity scores and a model that develops strata based on the dichotomous treatment assignment (received drug or not). We find the multiple logistic regression models predict damage better than the dichotomous model. In many cases, the propensity score also accounts for the effect of the treatment.
Diels-Alder reactions of fluoroallene. An affirmation of homo-lumo control.

Abstract The Diels-Alder reactions of fluoroallene proceed with regiospecific addition to the C 2 C 3 bond. Mechanistic implications of these results are discussed.
Diagnostic Bias and Conduct Disorder: Improving Culturally Sensitive Diagnosis

Disproportionately high rates of Conduct Disorder are diagnosed in African American and Latino youth of color. Diagnostic bias contributes to overdiagnosis of Conduct Disorder in these adolescents of color. Following a diagnosis of Conduct Disorder, adolescents of color face poorer outcomes than their White counterparts. These negative outcomes occur within mental health and juvenile justice settings. The aims of this article are to: (a) identify the factors that contribute to overdiagnosis of Conduct Disorder in adolescents of color, (b) discuss the associated negative outcomes, and (c) provide recommendations for culturally sensitive diagnosis of adolescents of color with conduct problems in order to reduce overdiagnosis. Clinical and research implications will also be presented.