cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular orbital models of ring expansion mechanisms in the silica-carbon monoxide system.

The development of a zero net shrinkage dental restorative material based upon a polymer-bioactive glass composite requires a second-phase material that expands. This study details the mechanisms of silica ring expansion by reaction with carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide was used as a model adduct to represent potentially active sites on the polymer phase of the dental restorative. Silica rings were used to model the bioactive-glass phase of the composite. The 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-“member” silica rings have been modeled using the Austin Method (AM1) semi-empirical molecular orbital calculations. The reaction pathways were determined for carbon monoxide (CO) reaction addition to each of the rings. The activation barriers (Ea) for the ring expansions were determined from the transition state geometries wherein only one imaginary eigenvalue in the vibration spectrum existed (a true saddle point). In each case the reaction pathway included the hydrogen bonding of CO with a silicon, exothermic pentacoordinate bonding to silicon by the CO and weakening of the Si-O bridging bonds of the ring, and, finally, the incorporation of CO into the ring, forming a silica–carbonate ring. The activation for the ring expansions are +4.3, +6.1, +7.0, and −2.9 Kcal/mol for 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-“member” silica rings, respectively. The volumetric expansion of the silica was estimated based upon the dilation of adjacent silicon–silicon atomic distances. The dimensional change was calculated to be 3.9%, 21.3%, 19.4%, and 24.2% for 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-membered silica-carbonate rings, respectively. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
9. Assessment of Intrathoracic Metastatic Lung Cancer using FDG-PET and CT of the Thorax

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy in localizing mediastinal, hilar and intraparenchymal lymphadenopathy in patients with primary lung carcinomas, using FDG-PET and CT of the thorax and to correlate with surgical pathology. Method: Thirty-five patients with primary lung carcinomas and minimal metastatic lymph node involvement, (either N⊘ or N1 disease) underwent FDG-PET and CT of the thorax prior to surgical intervention. Both FDG-PET and CT of the thorax were blindly read independent of one another. Results: Histologically, 23 patients had negative lymph nodes (N⊘) and 12 patients had N1 disease. The imaging performance characteristics for FDG-PET and CT of the thorax in N⊘/N1 disease was evaluated and reported in Table 1 Table 1 . Imaging performance characteristics FDG-PET (%) CT of the Thorax (%) sensitivity 58 67 specificity 87 65 accuracy 77 66 positive predictive II value 70 50 negative predictive II value 80 79 . Conclusion: This study demonstrates the higher specificity, accuracy, PPV, and NPV of FDG-PET over CT of the thorax in patients with minimal lymph node disease.
A stereochemical model for cytokinin activity

Abstract The three-dimensional structures of several cytokinins were compared and a stereochemical model for cytokinin activity is proposed. This model is used to explain the difference in activity of cis - and trans -zeatin.
Long-Term Ammonium Chloride or Sodium Bicarbonate Treatment in Two Models of Polycystic Kidney Disease

Administration of ammonium chloride aggravates, while short-term administration of sodium or potassium bicarbonate lessens the development of polycystic kidney disease in Han:SPRD rats. We have conducted studies to determine whether the protection afforded by the administration of sodium bicarbonate is sustained and prevents development of uremia during chronic administration and whether the effects of the administration of ammonium chloride and sodium bicarbonate are also observed in a different model of polycystic kidney disease, the CD1-pcy/pcy mouse. We found that chronic administration of 200 mM sodium bicarbonate to Han:SPRD rats inhibited cystic enlargement and prevented the subsequent development of interstitial inflammation, chronic fibrosis, and uremia. We also found that, while the administration of ammonium chloride has similar effects in Han:SPRD rats and CD1-pcy/pcy mice, the administration of sodium bicarbonate is only protective in the Han:SPRD rats. This probably reflects differences in these models (predominately involvement of proximal tubules in Han:SPRD rats and of collecting ducts and distal tubules in pcy/pcy mice) and the different location and nature of the renal metabolic responses to the administration of acid or alkaline load.
Elastic Scattering of 20.6-Mev Protons by Deuterons

The absolute differential cross section for the elastic scattering of 20.6-Mev protons by deuterons was measured by using the external beam of the U.C.L.A. synchrocyclotron. A triplecoincidence proportional counter telescope, with variable absorbers between the second and third counters and differential pulseheight discriminators (set by a new method) on the first two counters, was used to select the desired particle by range and specific ionization. Deuterium gas at atmospheric pressure provided the target for the proton beam, which was collimated to $\frac{1}{8}$ in. diameter, with a maximum angular divergence of \textonehalf{}\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. An interchangeable slit system gave angular resolutions of 0.9\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} or 1.8\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. Absolute measurements were made at 22 angles from 12\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to 164\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} (center-of-mass) with an accuracy varying approximately from 1 percent to 3 percent, depending upon the angle. The cross section shows the familiar deep minimum (near 130\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} in the present case), but in addition a shallower minimum near 18\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, due to Coulomb-nuclear interference. This latter minimum should allow fitting the data with a unique set of phase shifts, unlike previous nucleon-deuteron scattering experiments, and thus provide a more stringent test for theories.
Spectral characterization of fine-scale wind waves using shipboard optical polarimetry

Fine-scale sea surface waves are of profound importance to a number of air-sea interaction processes. Due to a number of reasons, there exists a great degree of difficulty in obtaining quality in situ observations of these waves. This paper presents the application of a shipboard wave-sensing method toward the following quantifications: regime-specific contribution to sea surface slope and sensitivity to wind speed increases. Measurements were made via polarimetric camera, resolving waves with wavelengths ranging from 0.21 to 0.003 m (30 rad/m < k < 1750 rad/m). The gravity-capillary regime was found to contribute the bulk of mean square slope during stationary wind conditions and supply the majority of mean square slope growth during periods of increasing wind speed. Capillary waves were found to contribute approximately 5% of the overall surface roughness. Furthermore, capillary waves were found to be the least sensitive to increases in wind speed. This implies that such waves saturate at low wind speeds ( ≈ 3 m/s) and slow wind speed increases ( ≈ 0.02 m/s2). The slight roughness contribution from capillary waves and significant contribution from gravity-capillary waves offers insight for scientists in the remote sensing field and important information for the formation of new wave models.
Autocrine TGFβ supports growth and survival of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells

Using a cell model system established by ectopic expression of a soluble TGFbeta type III receptor (sRIII) containing the whole extracellular domain of the type III receptor in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells, we observed that the expression of sRIII antagonized TGFbeta activity and inhibited both anchorage-dependent and anchorage-independent cell growth. Further studies revealed that sRIII expression induced apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Treatment with TGFbeta neutralizing antibodies or a recombinant human sRIII also induced apoptosis in the MDA-MB-231 parental cells, suggesting that the increased apoptosis after sRIII expression was specifically due to antagonization of autocrine TGFbeta signaling. Western blotting showed that sRIII clones had a higher PTEN expression level than the control cells did. Treatment with TGFbeta(1) decreased PTEN and inhibited apoptosis in sRIII cells to a level similar to that in the control cells. sRIII clones also showed a lower level of phosphorylated-Akt than the control cells, consistent with the inhibitory activity of PTEN on Akt activation. Treatment with LY294002, a specific inhibitor of Akt activator, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, also induced apoptosis in a dose dependent manner in the control cells. Our results suggest that autocrine TGFbeta signaling is necessary for the growth and survival of MDA-MB-231 cells.
Using an Activity to Simulate the Dangers of Multitasking with Technology while Walking

ABSTRACT People are increasingly trying to multitask while walking. Text messaging while walking is a significant area for concern. The number of text messages sent is expected to be more than 8 trillion in 2012. Texting is becoming so commonplace that people use this technology while engaged in other activities. The dangers of multitasking have hit the streets as people are becoming involved in more accidents while walking as they text on mobile phones. This simulation activity measures a student's ability to multitask by texting and walking. The activity simulates walking in the real world and is best suited for middle school students. Additional activities, after completing the simulation, will challenge middle school students to learn more about multitasking globally through scientific inquiry researched on the Internet. The students will use language arts skills to generate a report or presentation to share with classmates. Their findings will give the entire class a cultural perspective on accident ...
Performance of iterative methods for distributed memory machines

Abstract We consider iterative methods for the large linear systems arising from partial differential equation problems on nonrectangular domains. These are somewhat banded but otherwise of no special structure beyond being sparse. We study the implementations and performance of several iterative methods on hypercube machines and we examine in detail the effects of communication and synchronization delays. Models are presented for these computations and projections made about performance for massively parallel machines. We conclude that it is currently difficult to achieve the potential of parallel machines for such methods. Some approaches for improving efficiency are suggested.
A comparison of methods to estimate nutritional requirements from experimental data.

1. Research papers use a variety of methods for evaluating experiments designed to determine nutritional requirements of poultry. Growth trials result in a set of ordered pairs of data. Often, point-by-point comparisons are made between treatments using analysis of variance. This approach ignores that response variables (body weight, feed efficiency, bone ash, etc.) are continuous rather than discrete. Point-by-point analyses harvest much less than the total amount of information from the data. Regression models are more effective at gleaning information from data, but the concept of “requirements” is poorly defined by many regression models. 2. Response data from a study of the lysine requirements of young broilers was used to compare methods of determining requirements. In this study, multiple range tests were compared with quadratic polynomials (QP), broken line models with linear (BLL) or quadratic (BLQ) ascending portions, the saturation kinetics model (SK) a logistic model (LM) and a compartmental (...
Urinary carnitine excretion increases during experimental vitamin C depletion of healthy men

The requirement for ascorbic acid in the biosynthesis of carnitine may provide an explanation for the muscle weakness of scurvy and the basis for a functional measure of ascorbate status. To determine the relationship between vitamin C nutriture and carnitine status in humans, we measured total plasma and urinary carnitine concentrations in samples taken from two vitamin C depletion/repletion studies performed with healthy men on a metabolic unit. Throughout the 13-week studies, the groups of nine and eight men consumed a vitamin C-deficient diet that was supplemented with ascorbic acid to provide varying intakes of the vitamin from 5 to 605 mg/day. The subjects attained a state of moderate, nonscorbutic vitamin C deficiency during periods of low vitamin C intake, as indicated by plasma and leukocyte ascorbate concentrations. Plasma carnitine and triglyceride concentrations were not affected by the various vitamin C intakes; however, urinary carnitine excretion was increased during periods of ascorbate deficiency and was inversely related to leukocyte ascorbate concentrations. Vitamin C deficiency increases carnitine excretion, but the increased carnitine loss has no effect on carnitine status over a period of nearly 9 weeks. Total plasma carnitine is not a useful functional measure of human vitamin C status.
Cross-resistance of dideoxycytidine-resistant cell lines to azidothymidine.

Abstract 2′,3′-Dideoxycytidine (ddC) and azidothymidine (AZT) inhibit HIV-1 replication and currently are used in AIDS therapy. Long-term use of the drugs is associated with the selection of drug-resistant HIV strains, thus limiting their effectiveness. Another mechanism, associated with their altered metabolism in host cells, also can cause “cellular” drug resistance. Human lymphocytic H9 cell lines (H9-ddC0.5w and H9-ddC5.0w) selected for ddC resistance by exposure to 0.5 and 5.0 μM ddC were found to be cross-resistant to AZT. Compared with controls, the thymidine kinase (TK) activities in H9-ddC0.5w and H9-ddC5.0w cells were 56.7 and 51.4% (with thymidine as a substrate) and 50.3 and 42% (with AZT as a substrate). Consequently the cellular incorporation of AZT and thymidine (24-hr incubation) also was reduced to 51.3 and 70.0% in H9-ddC0.5w cells and to 12.1 and 17.3% in H9-ddC5.0w cells. A 3-hr incubation with 25 μM AZT and ddC decreased their cellular incorporation to 50.5 and 76.15% in H9-ddC0.5w cells and to 12.95 and 47.8% in H9-ddC5.0w cells compared with H9 cells. Thus, the change in AZT accumulation did not correlate exactly with the decrease in TK activity and far exceeded the effect on ddC accumulation. Evidence is presented that ddC, in addition to deoxycytidine kinase, affected TK1 activity. The involvement of multidrug resistance proteins in the mechanism of the resistance was ruled out by the failure of trifluoperazine and verapamil to alter cellular accumulations of AZT, ddC, daunorubicin, and rhodamine-123. Development of cellular ddC and AZT cross-resistance may affect the therapeutic efficacy of these antiviral agents.
Homework assignments in couple and family therapy.

Homework has been cited as an integral part of a number of theoretical orientations and therapy formats; unfortunately, very little has been written about its use with couples and families. This is despite the fact that many couple and family therapists espouse the use of homework or out-of-session assignments in order to help the effects of therapy jell. This article reviews some of the empirical literature on homework assignments and their effectiveness in the domain of therapy for families and couples. It also highlights the effectiveness of and the need for out-of-session assignments in treatment. A case illustration is used to demonstrate how homework assignments may be used as a significant change agent in couple and family treatment.
Stress and Burnout Amoung Preadolescent and Early Adolescent Gifted Students: A Preliminary Investigation:

Classroom stress and burnout experienced by 121 preadolescent and early adolescent gifted students were assessed in combination with seven background, five personal, three general anxiety and stres...
A further report of Brachmann-de Lange syndrome in two sibs with normal parents

We report on a family in which a girl and a boy in the same sibship show variable manifestations of a less severe type of Brachmann-de Lange syndrome without significant prenatal growth deficiency and reduction deformities of the forearms. Both parents are healthy and phenotypically normal, and no other family members are affected. All the affected sibs except one described so far with normal parents presented the severe type of Brachmann-de Lange syndrome (now sometimes classified as type I: "classic" or "full" Brachmann-de Lange syndrome), with major upper limb anomalies, severe growth and mental retardation and, frequently, early death. We discuss the possible role of genomic imprinting in the etiology of this syndrome.
Analysis of a fault-tolerance scheme for processor ensembles

The authors analyze a locally redundant scheme (LR scheme) for designing fault-tolerant processor ensembles. A switching structure for reconfiguration is presented, and a detailed model for the yield analysis off the LR scheme that takes into account processor, switch, and link failures is developed. A negative binomial distribution is used for the yield statistics, as it best fits the empirical data. This model is used to compare the yields (with and without fault tolerance) of some architectural topologies. A dynamic analysis of the effect of residual redundancy on the improvement of operational system reliability is presented. The analysis reveals an appreciable improvement in the yield and operational system-reliability when the LR scheme is used. This analysis includes the reliability of switches and links, unlike previous analyses of fault-tolerant schemes. The empirical results show that ignoring switch reliability could result in an appreciable overestimate of system reliability. >
A low concentration of genistein induces estrogen receptor-alpha and insulin-like growth factor-I receptor interactions and proliferation in uterine leiomyoma cells

Background Previously, we found that genistein at low concentrations stimulates the growth of human uterine leiomyoma (LM) cells, but not uterine smooth muscle (myometrial) cells (SMC). The aim of this study was to understand the molecular mechanism whereby genistein causes hyperproliferation of LM cells. Methods The effects of genistein at 1 microg/ml on LM cells and SMC were evaluated using estrogen response element gene reporter, real-time RT-PCR, western blot, immunoprecipitation and cell proliferation assays. Results Elevated estrogen receptor (ER) transactivation, increased mRNA expression of early estrogen-responsive genes, progesterone receptor and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and decreased protein levels of ER-alpha (ER alpha) were found in genistein-treated LM cells, but not SMC. Additionally, extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), Src homology/collagen (Shc) and ER alpha were transiently activated, and interactions between ER alpha and IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) were rapidly induced by genistein in LM cells. Using ER antagonist ICI 182,780 and MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD98059, we found that these early events were inhibited and the proliferative effect of genistein on LM cells was abrogated. Conclusions ER alpha is involved in the transient activation of ERK/mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) by genistein via its early association with IGF-IR, leading to hyper-responsiveness of LM cells and confirming that ER signaling is enhanced by activation of ERK/MAPK in LM cells.
Development of selective attention in young infants: Enhancement and attenuation of startle reflex by attention

This study examined the effect of level of attention engagement on the modification of the blink reflex in young infants. Infants at 8, 14, 20, or 26 weeks of age were presented with interesting visual or auditory stimuli. At delays defined by changes in heart rate known to be associated with sustained attention or attention disengagement, blink reflexes were elicited by visual or auditory blink reflex stimuli. Blink amplitude varied according to the level of attention, and the match between the foreground and blink reflex stimulus. If the infant was attending to the foreground stimulus, a blink reflex stimulus in the same modality resulted in enhanced blink reflex magnitude. A blink reflex stimulus in the other modality resulted in an attenuated blink reflex magnitude. If attention was not engaged with the foreground stimulus, this modulation of the blink reflex did not occur. This ‘selective modality effect’ showed an increasing tendency to occur between 8 and 26 weeks of age. These results show that selective attention to modalities increases over this age range.
Female sexual dysfunction following vaginal surgery: a review.

Purpose: Depending on age it has been estimated that up to 40% of women have complaints of sexual problems, including decreased libido, vaginal dryness, pain with intercourse, decreased genital sensation and difficulty or inability to achieve orgasm. In this review we addressee the etiologies and incidence, evaluation and treatment of female sexual dysfunction following vaginal surgery for indications such as stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse; anterior/posterior colporrhaphy, perineoplasty and vaginal vault prolapse.Materials and Methods: Literature on the mechanisms by which vaginal surgery affects female sexual function are discussed along with related pathophysiology to potential causes. The anatomy, neurovascular supply of the clitoris and introitus, and intrapelvic nerve supply are discussed as related to vaginal surgery. Techniques to avoid neurovascular damage during pelvic floor surgery were corroborated by supporting literature. Literature regarding female sexual dysfunction f...
Contextually based conditional discrimination of the rabbit eyeblink response.

Rabbits received conditional discrimination training using contextual stimuli to set the occasion for stimulus pairings during eyelid conditioning. Specifically, animals were exposed to either the presence or the absence of an oscillating chamber light throughout the intertrial interval (50 +/- 10 s). For half the animals, this light signaled paired presentations of a discrete tone conditioned stimulus (CS) and air puff unconditioned stimulus (US) while darkness signaled presentations of only the tone CS. The remaining animals experienced the opposite contextual relationship to the conditioning stimuli. These trial types occurred pseudo-randomly across a session, with all transitions between contextual settings (i.e., light or dark) taking place immediately at the CS-US offset. Under these conditions, animals successfully utilized the contextual stimuli as conditional cues for differential responding to the shared CS. Moreover, both light and dark were equally effective as discriminative stimuli. A subset of animals received further training in which the contextual contingency was removed by restricting all conditioning to the CS-alone context. Without the contingency in place, subsequent CS presentations (paired and CS-alone) evoked equivalent conditioned responding across three sessions of training. Following the reinstatement of the contextual contingencies, discriminatory responding was immediately observed and returned to previous levels within three sessions. Finally, animals appeared to use the static representation of the conditional cue, rather than the phasic transition between cues, for discriminatory responding. These findings are discussed in terms of current neurobiological models of eyelid conditioning.
Immune correlates of aging in outdoor-housed captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).

Questions remain about whether inflammation is a cause, consequence, or coincidence of aging. The purpose of this study was to define baseline immunological characteristics from blood to develop a model in rhesus macaques that could be used to address the relationship between inflammation and aging. Hematology, flow cytometry, clinical chemistry, and multiplex cytokine/chemokine analyses were performed on a group of 101 outdoor-housed captive rhesus macaques ranging from 2 to 24 years of age, approximately equivalent to 8 to 77 years of age in humans. These results extend earlier reports correlating changes in lymphocyte subpopulations and cytokines/chemokines with increasing age. There were significant declines in numbers of white blood cells (WBC) overall, as well as lymphocytes, monocytes, and polymorphonuclear cells with increasing age. Among lymphocytes, there were no significant declines in NK cells and T cells, whereas B cell numbers exhibited significant declines with age. Within the T cell populations, there were significant declines in numbers of CD4+ naive T cells and CD8+ naive T cells. Conversely, numbers of CD4+CD8+ effector memory and CD8+effector memory T cells increased with age. New multiplex analyses revealed that concentrations of a panel of ten circulating cytokines/chemokines, IFNγ, IL1b, IL6, IL12, IL15, TNFα, MCP1, MIP1α, IL1ra, and IL4, each significantly correlated with age and also exhibited concordant pairwise correlations with every other factor within this group. To also control for outlier values, mean rank values of each of these cytokine concentrations in relation to age of each animal and these also correlated with age. A panel of ten cytokines/chemokines were identified that correlated with aging and also with each other. This will permit selection of animals exhibiting relatively higher and lower inflammation status as a model to test mechanisms of inflammation status in aging with susceptibility to infections and vaccine efficacy.
NASA's global precipitation mission ground validation segment

NASA is designing a Ground Validation Segment (GVS) as one of its contributions to the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission. The GPM GVS provides an independent means for evaluation, diagnosis, and ultimately improvement of the GPM spaceborne measurements and precipitation products. NASA's GPM GVS concept calls for a combination of direct observations executed within a Multidimensional Observing Volume (MOV) and model-based analyses executed by a Satellite Simulator Model (SSM). The MOV consists of ground-based instruments that measure local surface and atmospheric properties required for GPM validation. The SSM utilizes MOV measurements in a forward numerical model. The goal of the SSM forward modeling is calculation of the following properties: top-of-atmosphere microwave radiative quantities to within sensor noise of those measured by the GPM Core Satellite, precipitation quantities identical to those generated by the standard GPM precipitation retrieval algorithms, and quantitative/objective error estimates of both sets of quantities. At present, the GVS is in the early design stage and various scenarios have been generated to assess how it will be used in the GPM era. The GPM GVS will be operational in the year prior to the launch of the GPM core satellite, which has a launch date scheduled for December 2010.
Polarity and hydrogen-bonding of ambient to near-critical water: Kamlet–Taft solvent parameters

The Kamlet–Taft solvent parameters π*, α, and β of saturated liquid water have been determined from 25 to 275 °C based on solvatochromic measurements and indicate that the polarity and hydrogen-bonding of water are highly tunable properties with temperature.
How Good Are Consumer Reports’ Recommendationsof Mutual Funds?

Consumer Reports, the highly regarded evaluator of automobiles, appliances, and a wide variety of other products, provided readers with mutual fund recommendations in 2005 and 2007. Sufficient time has now passed to allow for a rigorous empirical investigation of the returns and risks arising from investing in the mutual funds proposed by Consumer Reports. Examination of raw returns, risks, and risk-adjusted returns indicate that Consumer Reports’ choices outperformed mutual funds, in general, and index funds over the subsequent five years. Further investigation indicates that Consumer Reports’ relative success was especially good during the 2008 recession.
Nutrition and prevention of type 2 diabetes.

▪ Abstract In recent years, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes has increased alarmingly worldwide, giving diabetes the dimension of an epidemic. Striking parallel increases in the prevalence of obesity reflect the importance of body fatness as a contributing factor to diabetes incidence. Moreover, it has been estimated that up to 75% of the risk of type 2 diabetes is attributable to obesity. Recent clinical trials and observational epidemiologic studies demonstrate the efficacy of lifestyle changes, including decreased energy intake, decreased fat intake, and weight loss, as well as regular participation in physical activity, in improving insulin sensitivity (SI) and reducing the risk of diabetes. This review evaluates evidence of the effect of diet on insulin resistance, insulin secretion, and glucose tolerance, and reflects on directions for future work toward primary prevention of type 2 diabetes.
Spiritual Care Needs of Hospitalized Children and Their Families: A National Survey of Pastoral Care Providers’ Perceptions

Objective. Although spirituality is viewed as a vital aspect of the illness experience by most Americans, little is known about this domain of pediatric health care. The objective of this study was to profile pastoral care providers’ perceptions of the spiritual care needs of hospitalized children and their parents, barriers to better pastoral care, and quality of spiritual care in children’s hospitals. Methods. A cross-sectional mail survey was conducted of pastoral care providers at children’s hospitals throughout the United States, with a 67% response rate from 115 institutions. Results. Respondents estimated that, among patients they visited, 34% were chronically ill and 21% were clearly dying. Half or more of patients were thought to have spiritual care needs regarding feeling fearful or anxious, coping with pain or other physical symptoms, and regarding their relationship to their parents or the relationship between their parents. Among patients’ parents, 60% to 80% were estimated to have felt fearful or anxious, had difficulty coping with their child’s pain or other symptoms, sought more medical information about their child’s illness, questioned why they and their child were going through this experience, asked about the meaning or purpose of suffering, and felt guilty. Respondents agreed on 3 barriers to providing spiritual care: inadequate staffing of the pastoral care office, inadequate training of health care providers to detect patients’ spiritual needs, and being called to visit with patients and families too late to provide all the care that could have been provided. Overall, respondents judged that their hospitals were providing 60% of what they deemed as ideal spiritual care. Conclusions. Pastoral care providers believe that the spiritual care needs of hospitalized children and their parents are diverse and extensive. With system-level barriers cited as limiting the quality of spiritual care, considerable improvement may be possible.
Newfound Press: The digital imprint of the University of Tennessee Libraries

The University of Tennessee Libraries launched its digital imprint, Newfound Press, in 2005 to develop a framework for making peer reviewed scholarly and specialized works available worldwide. Building on local digitization investments, Newfound Press has published two monographs, hosts a borndigital journal, and is experimenting with publishing conference proceedings as digital multimedia. Through Newfound Press, the University of Tennessee is promoting open access publishing while resolving issues such as finding sustainable funding, creating a process for peer review on the fly, and establishing credibility as a viable scholarly publications venue. If every research library were to provide similar services, access to scholarship could become more transparent than ever before.
An Exclusive Contract: Specificity in the Vibrio fischeri-Euprymna scolopes Partnership

In the threatening world of dog eat dog, or rather, fish eat fish, marine animals have adopted many strategies for protection against predators ([25][1]). The Hawaiian squid Euprymna scolopes is no exception. When startled, this small, shallow-water invertebrate rapidly swims away while releasing a
The effect of Fermi energy on reaction of water with oxide surfaces

Abstract The experimental relationship found between oxide Fermi level and aqueous point of zero charge (pzc) is modeled by the generalized Lewis acid-base theory. This model describes a nearly linear relationship between the position of the Fermi level in the band gap and the net charge transferred in a surface acid-base reaction. The situation of a water molecule adsorbed onto an uncharged, insulator (alumina) surface is examined. The charge in the reaction is assumed to shift the dissociation equilibrium of the water molecule, resulting in a net surface charge on the insulator. The pzc of the surface is calculated as a function of insulator Fermi level from these equilibria. This model predicts very strong effects of doping, surface states and surface space charges on pzc of insulators but possibly small effects of structure and stoichiometry.
Comparison of QOS Fixed and Limited Interleaved Polling with Cyclic Demand Proportionality Algorithms

Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON) is an access network that delivers essential services of voice, video, and data communications reliably, while at the same time providing expected guarantees of the delivery of those services in terms of defined Quality of Service measures (QOS). This paper compares performance criteria such as delay, queue size, and packet loss ratio for two dynamic bandwidth allocation (DBA) algorithms: Interleaved Polling with Adaptive Cycle Time (IPACT), and a new Cyclic Demand Proportionality Algorithm (CDP). CDP gives the best performances in terms delay vs. offered load, queue size vs. offered load and packet loss ratio vs. offered load compared to IPACT with the Fixed Allocation Window size for transmission. Improvement is seen for these three parameters when CDP is compared with IPACT with Limited Allocation Window size. A traffic generator that gives traffic with self-similar and long range dependency properties is used in the simulations.
Ultrastructure and Morphogenesis of the Apyrene and Eupyrene Spermatozoa in the Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)

The ultrastructure and morphogenesis of apyrene and eupyrene spermatozoa of Lymantria dispar (L.) is examined. Apyrene prophase I spermatocytes are characterized by sparse perinuclear membrane, smaller nuclei, bivalents lacking synaptonemal complexes, and few mitochondria. Eupyrene prophase I spermatocytes are characterized by dense perinuclear sheathing, large nuclei, diffuse chromatin, synaptonemal complexes, and numerous mitochondria. Apyrene metaphase I is atypical involving chromatin clumping and mis-segregation. Eupyrene metaphase I spermatocytes show localized meiotic centromeres and sheathed nuclear division. However, kinetochores are amorphous and difficult to discern. Apyrene spermiogenesis involves the morphogenesis of the axoneme and mitochondrial derivatives in the absence of differentiating nuclei and acrosomes. Eupyrene spermiogenesis involves the differentiation of nuclei, axonemes, acrosome tubes, mitochondrial derivatives, lacinate appendages, and reticular appendages. Both eupyrene spermatozoa and apyrene spermatozoa undergo additional morphogenesis upon leaving the testis. The most apparent of these are the loss of lacinate appendages in eupyrene sperm and the gain of an extracellular sheathing in both eupyrene sperm and apyrene sperm.
Neutron Scattering Studies and Modeling of the HMG 14 Core Nucleosome Complex

There is considerable evidence relating the nonhistone proteins HMG 14 and HMG 17 with the structure of active or protentially active chromatin. In this study, bulk nucleosome core particles prepared from chicken erythrocytes and the complex formed by binding two HMG 14 molecules per nucleosome core were studied by small-angle neutron scattering techniques. By varying the H2O/D2O ratio, hence the contrast between the solvent and the particles, it was possible to determine the radius of gyration of the protein and of the DNA independently and as a function of HMG 14 binding. The results show an increase in the radius of gyration of 0.9 ± 0.6 A for protein and of 2.7 ± 0.6 A for DNA, upon binding HMG 14 to the nucleosome. These changes are considered in light of several postulated modes for the unfolding or perturbation of the nucleosome structure. Modeling calculations demonstrate that the observed changes in radius of gyration for the DNA and for the protein are too small to be consistent with an overall unfolding or opening of the core particle upon HMG 14 binding. However, the observed changes are consistent with several models which involve only minor changes in the structure. It is postulated that the differences observed may be an indication of the type of conformational change occurring in active nucleosomes. (Research sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, under contract W-7405-ENG-26 with the Union Carbide Corporation; and NIH Research Grants GM 10334 to D.E. Olins and GM 29818 to G.J. Bunick.)
The Serpin, α1-Antichymotrypsin, in Brain Aging and Diseases of the Nervous System

One of the main neuropathological lesions that characterize the brains of Alzheimer disease patients is the neuritic or senile plaque, which consists of a spherical core of extracellular protein filaments surrounded by a halo of degenerating nerve cell processes. Extracellular protein filaments similar to those in the cores of neuritic plaques also occur in the walls of meningeal and intracortical blood vessels. The proteinaceous deposits in the cores of neuritic plaques and in blood vessels are referred to by the generic term “amyloid” generally defined as an aggregate of extacellular 6–10 nm protein filaments that has certain tinctorial properties.
Segmental dynamics and the correlation length in nanoconfined PMMA

We studied the segmental dynamics of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) in multi-layered films with polycarbonate (PC) having layer thicknesses as small as 4 nm. Such a design provides macroscopic dimensions enabling macroscopic measurements, while maintaining nm-scale confinement. Of particular significance, we were able to determine correlation length scales for the polymer under nanoconfinement. Increases of the local segmental relaxation time, ta, and glass transition temperature, Tg, were observed with decreasing layer thickness. However, neither the fragility (Tg-normalized temperature dependence of ta) nor the breadth of the relaxation dispersion were affected by the geometric confinement. More significantly, the dynamic correlation volume, a measure of the degree of cooperativity of the dynamics, was also unaffected; that is, values of the correlation volume for confined PMMA were equal to those of the bulk polymer when compared at the same ta. This absence of an effect of geometric confinement on dynamic correlation, even when the confinement length scale approaches the correlation length scale, suggests a nonspherical correlation volume. The slowing of the segmental dynamics of PMMA confined to thin layers is due to admixing of the high Tg polycarbonate. A negligible mixing enthalpy gives rise to an extended interfacial region, which comprises a significant fraction of each layer. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
HL Cells, a Sensitive Line for the Isolation and Propagation of Respiratory Syncytial Virus

SummaryHL, a human heteroploid cell line, was compared to HEp-2 in terms of rate of growth and sensitivity to respiratory viruses. RS virus produced its characteristic cytopathic effect in HL. The cell growth rate was slower than that of HEp-2, permitting recognition of late developing CPE which otherwise would have gone undetected. RS virus propagated to higher titer in HL and the cell line was also sensitive to other respiratory viruses likely to be found in clinical specimens.
Effects of Temperature on Bulk Properties of Hydrogels Made from Hydrophobically Modified Hydroxyethyl Cellulose in Surfactant Solutions

The temperature response of hydrogels made from hydrophobically modified water soluble polymers is complicated by the fact that while the hydrophobilic backbone becomes dehydrated and thus less compatible with aqueous solvents as the temperature is increased, the hydrophobic side chains become more compatible. These opposing effects taken together will govern gel properties such as volume, storage modulus, etc. We will discuss the effects of temperature on the composition, volume and reheological properties of hydrogels made from hydrophobically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose (HMHEC) in aqueous solutions containing the surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS).
Candida Esophagitis in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1-Positive Elite Controller With Hepatitis C Virus Cirrhosis

We describe a case of Candida esophagitis in a human immunodeficiency virus elite controller with a preserved CD4 count, a population in which opportunistic infections are almost never seen. The patient has hepatitis C virus coinfection and compensated cirrhosis, suggesting a possible multifactorial etiology of immune dysregulation.
Implementation of Audio Signal Based on Universal DSP

Audio signal needs to be sampled in multimedia system design and realization, and video signal also needs same processing. For audio data is less and needs to be sampled continuously, it has to be compromised on these two kinds of data accessing and data integration. This paper introduces a solution based on DSP, which takes advantage of time slot while video signal is being sampled to save audio data perfectly. It takes least resource while ensures the realization.
Transabdominal fine needle aspiration of retroperitoneal lymph nodes in staging of genitourinary tract cancer (correlation with lymphography and lymph node dissection findings)

AbstractPercutaneous fine needle aspiration of retroperitoneal pelvic and abdominal lymph nodes was done in 100 patients with clinically localized bladder, prostatic, testis and penile cancer. A diagnosis of metastases to regional lymph nodes was detected by this method in 20 patients. Fine needle aspiration revealed evidence of regional lymph node involvement in 6 of 40 patients (15 per cent) with negative findings on lymphography and computerized tomography scan. Lymph node aspiration was followed by lymph node dissection in 50 patients. The correlation between aspiration and dissection was 68 per cent. The accuracy of obtaining representative material from the lymph node aspiration was 83 per cent.Negative results of lymph node aspiration cannot be used in clinical management. However, positive aspiration results provide the clinician with valuable information obtainable otherwise only by laparotomy or lymph node dissection. Positive aspiration results may spare patients with prostatic and bladder canc...
Utility of Continuous EEG Monitoring in Noncritically lll Hospitalized Patients.

Introduction: Continuous EEG (cEEG) monitoring is used in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting to detect seizures, especially nonconvulsive seizures and status epilepticus. The utility and impact of such monitoring in non-ICU patients are largely unknown. Methods: Hospitalized patients who were not in an ICU and underwent cEEG monitoring in the first half of 2011 and 2014 were identified. Reason for admission, admitting service (neurologic and nonneurologic), indication for cEEG, comorbid conditions, duration of recording, EEG findings, whether an event/seizure was recorded, and impact of EEG findings on management were reviewed. We evaluated the impact of the year of recording, admitting service, indication for cEEG, and neurologic comorbidity on the yield of recordings based on whether an event was captured and/or a change in antiepileptic drug management occurred. Results: Two hundred forty-nine non-ICU patients had cEEG monitoring during these periods. The indication for cEEG was altered mental status (60.6%), observed seizures (26.5%), or observed spells (12.9%); 63.5% were on neuro-related services. The average duration of recording was 1.8 days. EEG findings included interictal epileptiform discharges (14.9%), periodic lateralized discharges (4%), and generalized periodic discharges (1.6%). Clinical events were recorded in 28.1% and seizures in 16.5%. The cEEG led to a change in antiepileptic drug management in 38.6% of patients. There was no impact of type of admitting service; there was no significant impact of indication for cEEG. Conclusions: In non-ICU patients, cEEG monitoring had a relatively high yield of event/seizures (similar to ICU) and impact on management. Temporal trends, admitting service, and indication for cEEG did not alter this.
The human blastocyst produces a soluble factor(s) that interferes with lymphocyte proliferations

Animal studies have reported that the blastocyst produces immunosuppressive factors that are critical to successful implantation. The production of such factor(s) by the human blastocyst has not yet been described. To test that hypothesis, the spent media of 67 human embryos developed in vitro was evaluated using either the allogeneic one-way mixed lymphocyte response (MLR) or the concanavalin A (Con-A) stimulated lymphocyte response (SLR). Conditioned embryo media was obtained at in vitro fertilization (IVF) in aliquots of (A) the first 24 hours in vitro, (B) the second 24 hours in vitro, and (C) from 24 hours until development of the blastocyst stage. Control media consisted of Ham's F-10 medium (Gibco, Grand Island, NY) with identical maternal serum concentration to test media. Conditioned media (either A, B, or C) or control media was added to 200-microL wells containing lymphocytes in either the MLR or SLR. A significant suppressive effect of 25% to 60% was observed in seven of nine samples of blastocyst-conditioned media (P less than 0.05). No significant suppressive effect was found in the earlier embryo media (A or B) in either the MLR or the SLR. These data suggest that the human blastocyst produces a factor(s) that interferes with lymphocyte proliferation.
An Altered Terrain: Engaging Islam in Post-9/11 Academia and the Public Sphere

For those of us who were already aware of the challenges and tensions of teaching Islam on American campuses, the post-September 11 environment would heighten even more some of these tensions. In this essay, I begin by talking about my classroom experiences in the immediate aftermath of September 11 and proceed to discuss the ongoing challenges that remain eight years after the tragic event. I conclude by dwelling on the opportunities that have opened up to bring more sophisticated and informed discussions of Islam and Muslims via American campuses into the larger public sphere and therefore into the American mainstream.