cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Outcome following child psychiatric hospitalization

Admission, discharge, and follow-up evaluations of 110 children admitted to a child psychiatric unit (mean 14 days) showed that the children's psychological functioning improved significantly during hospitalization. Gains were not fully maintained at follow-up (1 and 6 months), but the children were still significantly less impaired after discharge than at admission. A nonsignificant difference existed between follow-up scores, indicating no loss of progress or decline in functioning from 1- to 6-month follow-up. The results are consistent with an ABA (A = no inpatient intervention, B = inpatient intervention, A = no inpatient intervention) treatment effect. They are not explained by removal from and return to an unsatisfactory home environment. Psychological functioning after admission was significantly better than after 1 to 6 months of post-discharge psychiatric services. This study offers a clinically feasible approach to evidence-based practice by documenting patient improvement during and after inpatient treatment using a simple, empirically supported assessment instrument.
Comparison between methods for human papillomavirus DNA testing: a model for self-testing in young women

This study examined the accuracy of samples obtained by women with Dacron swabs for testing for human papillomavirus (HPV). A total of 114 women obtained samples with the swabs and then had routine pelvic examinations done by nurse practitioners during which endocervical and exocervical samples were obtained by speculum-assisted technique. These samples were used for HPV DNA testing and cytology. The results of both sets of samples were compared. A total of 104 samples (91%) obtained by self-sampling were concordant with those obtained by speculum-assisted technique. Thus, self-sampling with a Dacron swab appears to be an accurate and noninvasive method for obtaining samples for HPV DNA testing.
A Radio Telemetry Device for Monitoring Cartilage Surface Pressures in the Human Hip

A miniaturized radio telemetry device has been developed which can monitor the magnitude and distribution of pressure generated between the cartilage-covered surface of the human hip socket and the surface of a hip prosthesis which replaces the spherical head of the femur in the hip. The pressure distribution is sensed by an array of 14 pressure transducers mounted inside the hollow ball of the prosthesis, and the signals from the transducers are transmitted to external receiving and recording equipment by a radio telemetry device also located inside the hollow ball.
Temperature during the day, but not during the night, controls flowering of Phalaenopsis orchids.

Phalaenopsis orchids are among the most valuable potted flowering crops commercially produced throughout the world because of their long flower life and ease of crop scheduling to meet specific market dates. During commercial production, Phalaenopsis are usually grown at an air temperature > or =28 degrees C to inhibit flower initiation, and a cooler night than day temperature regimen (e.g. 25/20 degrees C day/night) is used to induce flowering. However, the specific effect of day and night temperature on flower initiation has not been well described, and the reported requirement for a diurnal temperature fluctuation to elicit flowering is unclear. Two Phalaenopsis clones were grown in glass greenhouse compartments with constant temperature set points of 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, or 29 degrees C and fluctuating day/night (12 h/12 h) temperatures of 20/14, 23/17, 26/14, 26/20, 29/17, or 29/23 degrees C. The photoperiod was 12 h, and the maximum irradiance was controlled to or =80% of plants of both clones had a visible inflorescence when grown at constant 14, 17, 20, or 23 degrees C and at fluctuating day/night temperatures of 20/14 degrees C or 23/17 degrees C. None of the plants were reproductive within 20 weeks when grown at a constant 29 degrees C or at 29/17 degrees C or 29/23 degrees C day/night temperature regimens. The number of inflorescences per plant and the number of flower buds on the first inflorescence were greatest when the average daily temperature was 14 degrees C or 17 degrees C. These results indicate that a day/night fluctuation in temperature is not required for inflorescence initiation in these two Phalaenopsis clones. Furthermore, the inhibition of flowering when the day temperature was 29 degrees C and the night temperature was 17 degrees C or 23 degrees C suggests that a warm day temperature inhibits flower initiation in Phalaenopsis.
Glass transitions of styrene/α‐methylstyrene statistical copolymers and of their blends with PPO® resin

The glass transition temperatures (Tg) and specific heat increments (ΔCp) at Tg of S/AMS statistical copolymers having weight fractions AMS of 0.00, 0.09, 0.17, 0.26, 0.36, and 0.44 are (by DSC) 380.0 (0.280), 384.2 (0.275), 388.8 (0.284), 391.5 (0.275), 398.3 (0.272), and 405.9 (0.27) °K (J·g− ·deg−), respectively. The Tg (ΔCp) for the PPO resin are 492.2 (0.221). The glass transitions of P(S/AMS) (1) + PPO resin (2) blends having w2 = 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 were also measured. Examination of the copolymer and blend Tg vs. composition data indicates that a relation recently proposed by Couchman gives a somewhat better approximation than the simple Fox relation. However, the nonadjustable k = ΔCp2/ΔCp1 constant in the Couchman relation must be replaced by a smaller empirical k to give a true match of calculated to observed Tg.
Input Distribution Selection for Simulation Experiments: Accounting for Input Uncertainty

A number of authors have identified problematic issues with techniques used in current simulation practice for selecting probability distributions and their parameters for input to stochastic simulations. A major goal of this paper is to address some of those issues by presenting a self-consistent evaluation of the uncertainty about the mean value of the simulation output, when there is uncertainty in both the parameters and functional form of input distributions (structural uncertainty), and uncertainty due to the stochastic nature of simulation output (stochastic uncertainty), as is common in simulation practice. The analysis leads to an algorithm for randomly sampling input distributions and parameters before each simulation replication, using a Bayesian posterior distribution for input distributions and parameters, given historical data. Mechanisms for addressing issues of importance to the discrete-event simulation community are illustrated by example, such as the specification of prior distributions, and analysis for shifted distributions.
Nitrendipine kinetics in normal and impaired renal function

To test the hypothesis that renal failure alters the absorption and metabolism of nitrendipine and the renal elimination of its metabolites, we gave six normal men and 16 men with various degrees of renal dysfunction a single 20 mg oral dose of nitrendipine. Plasma nitrendipine and nitrendipine pyridine analog metabolite concentrations were measured by HPLC 14 times during 48 hours after dosing. The urinary excretion of four additional metabolites was measured. Standing and supine arterial blood pressure was measured 14 times during the 48 hours after dosing. The mean nitrendipine t1/2 was 2.8 +/- 2.1 hours and that of the metabolite was 3.4 +/- 3.9 hours. No significant effect of decreased renal function on any kinetic parameter was demonstrated. Plasma nitrendipine concentrations correlated with decreased blood pressure, but metabolite concentrations did not. We conclude that renal insufficiency does not alter nitrendipine kinetics in man.
The Common Market Film Industry: Beyond Law or Economics

An analysis of legal and economic factors suggests the inherent difficulties in fostering cooperation among the national film industries of Western Europe.
Six-quark bags and the charge density difference between Pb and Tl

Abstract Six-quark bags (even if present in copious numbers) can have little qualitative influence on computations of the elastic charge form factors of heavy nuclei.
The grid-block approach to modeling and simulation analysis as applied to local area networks

Modeling and simulation of Ethernet-type bus networks have been conducted and various performance figures obtained. Most approaches do not consider an n-variable or an n-dimensional simulation model while conducting performance analysis over various types of data. This limitation was overcome by an approach called the grid-block structure that utilizes an n-dimensional space to generate performance figures for every possible combination of design parameters. This approach was applied to a linear bus network example running the IEEE 802.3 CSMA/CD protocol. Data, graphical, and space-time analyses are discussed with respect to the performance figures obtained from applying this structure. >
Assessing uncertainty in reference intervals via tolerance intervals: application to a mixed model describing HIV infection

We define the reference interval as the range between the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of a random variable. We use reference intervals to compare characteristics of a marker of disease progression between affected populations. We use a tolerance interval to assess uncertainty in the reference interval. Unlike the tolerance interval, the estimated reference interval does not contains the true reference interval with specified confidence (or credibility). The tolerance interval is easy to understand, communicate and visualize. We derive estimates of the reference interval and its tolerance interval for markers defined by features of a linear mixed model. Examples considered are reference intervals for time trends in HIV viral load, and CD4 per cent, in HIV-infected haemophiliac children and homosexual men. We estimate the intervals with likelihood methods and also develop a Bayesian model in which the parameters are estimated via Markov-chain Monte Carlo. The Bayesian formulation naturally overcomes some important limitations of the likelihood model.
Failure of prophylactic ganciclovir to prevent cytomegalovirus disease in recipients of lung transplants.

In an effort to prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonitis, seven consecutive CMV-seronegative lung transplant recipients of organs from seropositive donors (D+/R-) were given ganciclovir, 2.5-5 mg/kg intravenously twice daily for the first 10-21 days after transplantation, and commercial polyvalent immune globulin, 200-400 mg/kg every 7-14 days intravenously, for the first 2-3 weeks after transplantation. This regimen was followed by oral acyclovir. Six patients developed CMV viremia and all developed CMV pneumonitis. Viremia occurred later in these patients compared with D+/R- patients who received alternative forms of CMV prophylaxis or CMV-seropositive recipients who received no specific prophylaxis (P = .023 and P = .021, respectively). There was no statistical difference in incidence or time to onset of CMV pneumonitis. When given as described, prophylactic ganciclovir and immune globulin followed by oral acyclovir may have delayed CMV viremia but did not prevent it or pneumonitis in high-risk lung transplant recipients.
Improved Synthesis of Graphene Oxide

An improved method for the preparation of graphene oxide (GO) is described. Currently, Hummers’ method (KMnO4, NaNO3, H2SO4) is the most common method used for preparing graphene oxide. We have found that excluding the NaNO3, increasing the amount of KMnO4, and performing the reaction in a 9:1 mixture of H2SO4/H3PO4 improves the efficiency of the oxidation process. This improved method provides a greater amount of hydrophilic oxidized graphene material as compared to Hummers’ method or Hummers’ method with additional KMnO4. Moreover, even though the GO produced by our method is more oxidized than that prepared by Hummers’ method, when both are reduced in the same chamber with hydrazine, chemically converted graphene (CCG) produced from this new method is equivalent in its electrical conductivity. In contrast to Hummers’ method, the new method does not generate toxic gas and the temperature is easily controlled. This improved synthesis of GO may be important for large-scale production of GO as well as the ...
Inequalities in Premature Death From Colorectal Cancer by State

Purpose Although disparities in colorectal cancer (CRC) with regard to race, socioeconomic status, and geography are well documented, the extent to which these factors contribute to premature death resulting from CRC nationwide and by state is unknown. Patients and Methods We calculated age-standardized CRC death rates for three broad educational categories as a marker of socioeconomic status by race/ethnicity and state among individuals age 25 to 64 years from 2008 through 2010. We also calculated the proportion of premature death resulting from CRC that could potentially be averted in each state by applying the average death rate for the five states with the lowest rates among the most educated whites (Connecticut, North Dakota, Utah, Vermont, and Wisconsin) to all populations. Results Compared with those with the most education, those with the least education had significantly higher CRC death rates in virtually all states for each racial/ethnic group. For example, rate ratios ranged from 1.15 (95% CI, 0.66 to 2.01) in Delaware to 3.18 (95% CI, 2.01 to 5.05) in New Mexico among whites. Overall, half the premature deaths resulting from CRC that occurred nationwide from 2008 through 2010, or 7,690 deaths annually, would have been avoided if everyone had experienced the lowest death rates of the most educated whites. More premature deaths could be averted in southern states (60% to 70%) than in northern and western states (30% to 40%). Restricting the analyses to persons age 50 to 64 years, for whom CRC screening is recommended, resulted in similar findings.
Second harmonic generation from multilayers of oriented metal bisphosphonates

Second order nonlinear optical properties (NLO) require the presence of a polarizable moiety situated in an anharmonic potential. The approach to incorporating such properties into self-assembled multilayers involves use of asymmetric {alpha},{omega} bisphosphonates which meet this requirement by virtue of their chemical structure and binding properties. The authors have developed and optimized protection and deprotection schemes to allow for oriented layering of these molecules. Characterization by optical ellipsometry and grazing angle X-ray diffraction provides insight on average layer thicknesses and bulk film densities. Second harmonic generation (SHG) intensity from the bulk film is measured to verify NLO activity.
Unidirectional block in cardiac fibers: effects of discontinuities in coupling resistance and spatial changes in resting membrane potential in a computer simulation study

The mechanisms for conduction and unidirectional block (UDB) in cardiac tissue under spatial changes in cell-to-cell coupling resistivity (R/sub i/) and resting potential (V/sub rest/) were studied. The effects of discontinuities in R/sub i/ as would result from collagenous or fibrotic tissue on propagation characteristics, in the border zone between normal and ischemic tissue, were studied. It was found that conduction block is more likely to occur when an abrupt decrease in R/sub i/ is encountered as compared to an abrupt increase in R/sub i/. Discontinuities in R/sub i/ were found to cause changes in propagation characteristics, changing regions of bidirectional block to UDB or bidirectional propagation. Spatial changes in V/sub rest/ were also studied. It is found that when V/sub rest/ alone was altered, block was not likely to occur, while discontinuities in R/sub i/ superimposed with V/sub rest/ gradients increased the likelihood of block. It is also found that R/sub i/ discontinuities located in the border zone between normal and ischemic tissue can create exit block or propagation of a parasystolic focus. >
Targeted delivery of antibody-based therapeutic and imaging agents to CNS tumors: crossing the blood-brain barrier divide.

Introduction: Brain tumors are inherently difficult to treat in large part due to the cellular blood–brain barriers (BBBs) that limit the delivery of therapeutics to the tumor tissue from the systemic circulation. Virtually no large molecules, including antibody-based proteins, can penetrate the BBB. With antibodies fast becoming attractive ligands for highly specific molecular targeting to tumor antigens, a variety of methods are being investigated to enhance the access of these agents to intracranial tumors for imaging or therapeutic applications. Areas covered: This review describes the characteristics of the BBB and the vasculature in brain tumors, described as the blood–brain tumor barrier (BBTB). Antibodies targeted to molecular markers of central nervous system (CNS) tumors will be highlighted, and current strategies for enhancing the delivery of antibodies across these cellular barriers into the brain parenchyma to the tumor will be discussed. Noninvasive imaging approaches to assess BBB/BBTB perm...
The politics of recontextualization: discursive competition over claims of Iranian involvement in Iraq

The representation of issues, especially those that are highly contested or ambiguous, is an ongoing process always subject to challenge and new re-presentations. This article explores the discursive competition between journalists and White House officials over the recontextualization of words spoken by General Peter Pace, which seemingly cast doubt on White House claims of Iranian involvement in Iraq. Pace's words, along with those spoken by White House Press Secretary Tony Snow and President George W. Bush in their appearances before the press, enter into a web of intertextual connections involved in the contestation over the `truth' of the matter. The analysis explores this intertextual web and the discursive moves employed by journalists and administration officials to differently represent the issue at hand. I argue that the effective study of political discourse, especially as it relates to larger forms of sociocultural knowledge, requires an analytic emphasis on intertextuality.
Neurology in the electronic information age.

This review discusses the state of neurology and the Internet at the turn of the millennium. First, some basic definitions about the Internet and its component protocols are presented. Next, ways neurologists and patients can use the Internet are enumerated. Internet resources or applications are available or are being created that can aid in the successful fulfillment of a neurologist's core professional activities: clinical care, teaching, research, and practice issues. Currently, the most useful categories of Internet resources for neurologists are electronic communication and access to knowledge bases. They fulfill needs that are not met by traditional, non-electronic media. There are many other types of Internet applications that supplement traditional medical methodologies. Finally, some problems and prospects concerning medical uses of the Internet are discussed: technological infrastructure including usability, security, meaning, validity/quality, value, outcomes, and responsibility. These issues must be successfully addressed if Internet computing is to become truly useful ‘just in time’ at the point of medical care. Solutions are actively under development today. The prospects are bright for neurology, and medicine in general, on the Internet. The Internet will become an essential medical device in the near future.
The challenges of wearable computing: Part 1

Wearable computing pursues an interface ideal of a continuously worn, intelligent assistant that augments memory, intellect, creativity, communication, and physical senses and abilities. Many challenges await wearable designers as they balance innovative interfaces, power requirements, network resources, and privacy concerns. This survey describes the possibilities offered by wearable systems and, in doing so, demonstrates attributes unique to this class of computing.
Locoregional Failure Rate After Preoperative Chemoradiation of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma and the Outcomes of Salvage Strategies

Purpose The primary purpose of surveillance of patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and/or esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma after local therapy (eg, chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery or trimodality therapy [TMT]) is to implement a potentially beneficial salvage therapy to overcome possible morbidity/mortality caused by locoregional failure (LRF). However, the benefits of surveillance are not well understood. We report on LRFs and salvage strategies in a large cohort. Patients and Methods Between 2000 and 2010, 518 patients with EAC who completed TMT were analyzed for the frequency of LRF over time and salvage therapy outcomes. Standard statistical techniques were used. Results For 518 patients, the median follow-up time was 29.3 months (range, 1 to 149 months). Distant metastases (with or without LRF) occurred in 188 patients (36%), and LRF only occurred in 27 patients (5%). Eleven of 27 patients had lumen-only LRF. Most LRFs (89%) occurred within 36 months of surgery. Twelve patients ...
A toolkit for bioimaging using near-infrared AgInS2/ZnS quantum dots

Presented are a set of procedures to produce water-soluble AgInS2/ZnS near-infrared emitting quantum dots for use as biological imaging agents. The known difficulty of producing near-infrared core/shell materials is resolved by overcoating the AgInS2 cores at a low temperature using highly reactive precursors. Several methods are explored to impart water solubility of the hydrophobic as-prepared materials. Insofar as achieving aqueous dispersion of quantum dots has only limited biological utility, several methods to further functionalize them are examined. In vivo studies are conducted using these quantum dots to demonstrate the ability to model delivery of nanoparticles to the tumour microenvironment.
Revisiting public-key cryptography for wireless sensor networks

The lack of a fixed infrastructure and the ad hoc nature of wireless sensor networks deployments suggest that the ability to encrypt and decrypt confidential data among arbitrary sensor nodes while enabling undisputed authentication of all parties will be a fundamental prerequisite for achieving security. To do this, nodes must be able to establish a secret key and know who their counterparts are. Thus, it becomes highly desirable to have a secure and efficient distribution mechanism that allows simple key generation for large-scale sensor networks while facilitating all the necessary authentications.
Pulmonary Angiogenesis in Neoplastic and Nonneoplastic Disorders

Angiogenesis is the process of new blood vessel growth and is a critical biologic process in both physiologic and pathologic conditions. Angiogenesis can occur in physiologic conditions, including normal wound repair and embryogenesis. In contrast, pathologic angiogenesis is associated with chronic inflammatory and fibroproliferative disorders, as well as growth of tumors. A variety of factors have been described that either promote or inhibit angiogenesis, including the CXC chemokines, endothelin-1 (ET-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). In the local microenvironment, net angiogenesis is determined by the balance between angiogenic and angiostatic factors.
From lone dwarfs to giant superclusters: rethinking operating system abstractions for the cloud

Unix took a rich smorgasbord of operating system features from its predecessors and pared it down to a small but powerful set of abstractions: files, processes, pipes, and the shell to glue the system together. In the intervening forty years, the common-case computational substrate has evolved from a lone PDP-11 minicomputer to vast clouds of virtualized computational resources. Contemporary distributed systems are being built by adding layer upon layer atop the foundation established by Unix's chosen abstractions. Unfortunately, the resulting mess has lost the "simplicity, elegance, and ease of use" that was a hallmark of the original Unix design [24]. To cope with distribution at astronomic scale, we must take our operating systems back to the drawing board. We are living in a new world, and it is time to be brave.
Why Is the European Union’s Freedom of Labour Movement Not Freely Given?

Certainly, one of the most controversial aspects to the Eastern enlargement of the EU was the discussion over the expected westward labour migration from the Central and East European Countries (CEECs). While migration is not formally addressed in the Copenhagen Criteria that applicant countries had to satisfy, it is implicit within the consideration of a country’s level of socio-economic development and a healthy economy, since competitive wages and stable employment prospects would likely temper an exodus of workers. The fears of certain EU states concerning the ability of domestic labour markets to absorb and adjust to potentially large influxes of foreign workers from lower wage countries are reflected in a provision in the Accession Treaty. This provision allowed for a transition period under which the EU-15 were exempt from the obligation to grant the free movement of labour to workers from the accession countries (though not including Malta and Cyprus) until May 1, 2011. Particularly Germany and Austria, were vocal advocates for a lengthy transition period, while other member states had fewer qualms, therefore the compromise was to decrease the transition period to 5 years. At that point, free movement of labour would be accorded unless a member state could demonstrate major disruption to its national labour market or show that this would ensue once the barriers are removed, allowing such states to extend the period to a full 7 years.
The United Tribe of Shawnee Indians: The Battle for Recognition

Tribal sovereignty is not necessarily a function of land area, population size or competitive significance. The essence lies in the freedom to make or recognize rules and principals of personal conduct and social order. This essential liberty springs from the community between particular people, their past, future and their sacred land base. The legislative history of the Federal Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 states that recognition of a tribe is critical, not just to the tribe's interests, but to the legitimacy of federal power, as the Constitution empowers Congress to legislate only with respect to Indian tribes rather than mere individuals. Since the promulgation of the recognition regulations in 1978, tribes have on a number of occasions attempted to secure or affirm rights or recognition without proceeding through the uncertain labyrinth of the BIA's administrative process. One general approach has been to seek a judicial declaration from the federal district court that the tribe has already been recognized by previous legislative, executive or judicial decision, thus, the tribe deserves to be included in the list of recognized tribes without further administrative process. Another approach has been to assert that certain rights do not depend on formal administrative recognition and can flow from a judicial determination of tribal status. Such contentions have involved several procedural and substantive issues. This article analyzes such issues as it documents the United Tribe of Shawnee Indians' (UTS) claim for a declaration of federal recognition in Johnson County, Kansas.
Search for astrophysically important 19 Ne levels with a thick-target 18 F(p,p) 18 F measurement

The rates of the $^{18}\mathrm{F}(p,\ensuremath{\alpha})^{15}\mathrm{O}$ and $^{18}\mathrm{F}(p,\ensuremath{\gamma})^{19}\mathrm{Ne}$ reactions in astrophysical environments depend on the properties of $^{19}\mathrm{Ne}$ levels above the $^{18}\mathrm{F}+p$ threshold. There are at least eight levels in the mirror nucleus $^{19}\mathrm{F}$ for which analogs have not been observed in $^{19}\mathrm{Ne}$ in the excitation energy range ${E}_{x}=6.4\char21{}7.6\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}$. These levels may significantly enhance the $^{18}\mathrm{F}+p$ reaction rates, and thus we have made a search for these levels by measuring the $^{1}\mathrm{H}(^{18}\mathrm{F},p)^{18}\mathrm{F}$ excitation function over the energy range ${E}_{\mathrm{c.m.}}=0.3\char21{}1.3\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}$. We have identified and measured the properties of a newly observed level at ${E}_{x}=7.420\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.014\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}$, which is most likely the mirror to the ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={\frac{7}{2}}^{+}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}^{19}\mathrm{F}$ level at $7.56\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}$. We have additionally found a significant discrepancy with a recent compilation for the properties of a $^{19}\mathrm{Ne}$ state at ${E}_{x}=7.5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}$ and set upper limits on the proton widths of missing levels.
The effects of certain hypocholesterolemic agents on hepatic delta-aminolevulinic acid synthetase levels in mice.

SummaryThe effects of the hypocholesterolemic agents, trans-1,4-bis- (2-chloro-benzylaminomethyl) -cyclohexane dihy dro-chloride (AY9944) and beta-benzalbutyric acid (BBB), on the level (activity) of delta-aminolevulinic acid synthetase (ALAS) in the mitochondria of livers of mice injected with certain porphyrinogenic compounds were studied. The porphyrinogenic agents employed were allylisopropylacetamide (AIA) and 3,5-dicarbethoxy-1,4-dihydro-2,4,6-trimethylpyridine (DDC). All substances were administered parenterally.Both AY-9944 and BBB injections prevented the increase in hepatic mitochondrial ALA-synthetase levels which otherwise follow the injection of AIA or DDC. AY-9944 administration also produced a consistent decrease in serum cholesterol levels. These data suggest that a decrease in the hepatic steroid “pool” and presumably that of 5-beta-H-steroid metabolites, as reflected by the serum cholesterol level, is associated with the observed decrease in hepatic mitochondrial ALAS.The present data th...
EPR Data Support the Existence of a Symmetric BH3-in-Groove Homodimer in Oligomeric BAK

The BAX or BAK oligomeric pore formation in the mitochondrial outer membrane is a critical step in apoptosis, yet their structures are not clearly understood. Czabotar et al. (Cell 2013, 152, 519) reported a crystal structure of a water-soluble tetramer of the BAX fragment (helices α2-α5) fused to the green-fluorescent protein (GFP), in which the α2-α3 extended helices and the α5 helix, respectively, were juxtaposed to each other, in an anti-parallel orientation, forming a symmetric “BH3-in-groove homodimer (BGH).” We have constructed a GFP-BAK fusion protein using the α2-α5 helices of mouse BAK, designated as GFP-BAKα2-α5, which also forms a soluble tetramer. To determine whether the BGH exists in the BAK oligomers in the membrane or not, we spin labeled the C-terminal hexahistidine-tagged soluble form of mouse BAK (helices α1-α8) at residues 84, 122, 128 and 135 and the corresponding residues in GFP-BAKα2-α5. We then compared the continuous wave (CW) EPR spectra of the spin-labeled residues from the tetrameric GFP-BAKα2-α5 with those from the oligomeric BAK in membrane. Spin labeled residue 122R1, located in the loop interconnecting helices α4 and α5 in the homology model of the GFP-BAKα2-α5 tetramer, displayed a mobile lineshape. The corresponding residue in the oligomeric BAK also had a remarkably similar lineshape, indicating that the two residues are in similar structural environments. Residues 84R1, 128R1 and 135R1, located at the anti-parallel helical interfaces in the BGH also had remarkably similar immobile lineshapes both in the GFP-BAKα2-α5 tetramer and in the oligomeric BAK in membrane, further strengthening the above conclusion. The intra-dimer distances between 84R1 spin label pairs in the GFP-BAKα2-α5 and the oligomeric BAK, determined by the double electron electron resonance (DEER) method, also support this interpretation.
Perineal Trauma and Vasculogenic Impotence

AbstractTwenty men were subjected to a brief period of perineal compression. Measurement of brachial, ankle and penile blood pressures revealed a reversible decrease in pressure. Penile pressure can be measured accurately, it represents an objective method of measuring vasculogenic impotence.
59. Cummings’ the Noster Was a Ship of Swank

(1968). 59. Cummings’ the Noster Was a Ship of Swank. The Explicator: Vol. 26, No. 7, pp. 108-112.
Multi-agent coordination with asynchronous cloud access

In this work we study a multi-agent coordination problem in which agents are only able to communicate intermittently with the cloud. To minimize the amount of required communication, we are interested in developing a self-triggered algorithm that determines when communication with the cloud is necessary. Unlike the overwhelming majority of similar works that propose distributed event- and/or self-triggered control laws, this work doesn't assume agents can be ‘listening’ continuously. In other words, when an event is triggered by one agent, neighboring agents will not be aware of this until the next time they establish communication with the cloud. Each time an agent communicates with the cloud, it must determine the next time to reestablish communication while guaranteeing the completion of some global task. We show that our self-triggered coordination algorithm guarantees that the system asymptotically reaches the set of desired states. Simulations illustrate our results.
A faster continuation power flow in rectangular coordinates for voltage stability assessment

Increasing variability in power systems due to significant penetration of intermittent generation has made it imperative to have faster and numerically well behaved algorithms for stability and security analysis. The continuation power flow (CPF), widely used to assess voltage stability has conventionally been used in the polar coordinates framework. In this paper, important numerical properties and behavior of rectangular coordinates version of the CPF are studied in tandem with those of the popularly used polar coordinates version. Our studies with the standard IEEE 14, 57, 118 and the 300 bus test power systems show clearly that the rectangular CPF has superior numerical properties as compared to the polar CPF. It is shown that the corrector step in the rectangular CPF takes much fewer iterations due to monotonic convergence as compared to the polar CPF where oscillatory convergence is observed. It is shown, as a consequence, that the rectangular CPF yields operating points closer to the nose point than the polar CPF for the same number of corrector iterations. This factor makes the rectangular CPF attractive as compared to the polar CPF in real time voltage stability assessment algorithms.
Biologic vs physiologic age in the transplant candidate

Abstract Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) remains a cornerstone of treatment of many hematologic malignancies but transplant-associated morbidity and mortality limit application to older patients. Biologic or chronologic age barriers to HCT have fallen, because patients in their 8th decade of life comprise the group with the greatest rise in transplant use over the past decade. Evaluating physiologic age or general health in older transplant candidates requires a systematic approach inclusive of functional and comorbidity assessment, which typically is accomplished through geriatric assessment (GA). GA incorporates measures of comorbidity, function, nutrition, social support, and other health-related domains to better describe physiologic age. Older allogeneic transplant patients have a surprisingly high prevalence of vulnerabilities by GA prior to transplant, and significant comorbidity or functional limitations heighten the risks of transplant-related mortality. Ultimately, incorporation of physiologic age can improve estimates of nondisease life expectancy, prognostic survival after HCT, and inform HCT candidacy. Future research on the optimal tools to characterize physiologic age and appropriate interventions in the context of transplant are needed.
Abnormal ECG, Seizures, and Associated Neurological Deficits.

In the early 1980s, a 17-year-old girl and her mother were referred to me. The mother had a life-long history of seizures—ultimately well controlled with phenytoin—but she had never had an ECG. Her daughter began to have seizures in late childhood, several times per year, 1 of which was particularly prolonged and left her with a new, permanent neurological disorder impairing motor skills, comprehension, and memory. Two years before the referral, the daughter had an ECG, after which her seizure medications were changed to phenytoin. The ECG is shown in Figure 1. What abnormalities are present and how, if at all, might they relate to the seizures? Would you continue to treat her with phenytoin, or would you change to another agent, and if so, which? …
PARENS, Erik and Adrienne ASCH, eds., PRENATAL TESTING AND DISABILITY RIGHTS

PARENS, Erik and Adrienne ASCH, eds., PRENATAL TESTING AND DISABILITY RIGHTS. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2000, 371 pp., $65.00 hardcover / $23.95 softcover. Reviewed by: SARA S. BACHMAN* Normative obstetrical care in the United States now includes prenatal testing. Pregnant women routinely participate in medical procedures used to determine whether their fetus has a genetically transmitted disorder or another anomaly. Although prenatal testing is routine, women may not be fully informed about the meaning of the tests. In particular, providers may not engage in discussions about the meaning for individuals, families and society if a woman chooses to selectively abort a fetus with a disabling condition. Prenatal Testing and Disability Rights is a collection of essays written by 22 participants in a series of meetings sponsored by The Hastings Center, Garrison, New York, convened to explore the meaning of prenatal testing for individuals and society. In particular, members of the project discussed at length whether prenatal testing expresses a discriminatory attitude toward people with disabilities. The wide range of perspectives of project members resulted in lack of consensus among the group on a number of issues. The group was able to agree that it is reasonable to use prenatal testing to identify whether a fetus has a uniformly fatal condition, and that it is inappropriate to use testing in order to gain personal advantage. Between these extremes, however, the group was not able to reach consensus about where a line should be drawn, making testing and subsequent choice regarding abortion appropriate in some cases and inappropriate in others. The group recommends that providers be educated so they can offer "truly informed consent" to parents considering testing; informed consent would include realistic information about what life with disability entails. In addition, the group underscored the point that ignorance about disability leads to widespread discrimination against people with disabilities. A primary recommendation of the project is that the process by which prenatal testing is performed and the way prenatal testing information is communicated to parents must be reformed. The essays in the volume draw the reader immediately into the disability rights critique of prenatal testing - that testing for disabling conditions is an expression of individual and societal discrimination toward people with disabilities. The critique claims that prenatal testing is morally problematic because prenatal testing and selective abortion express discriminatory attitudes not only toward the disabling trait, but also to the individual who carries the trait. …
Receptor-mediated uptake of lipoprotein-cholesterol and its utilization for steroid synthesis in the adrenal cortex

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the receptor-mediated uptake of lipoprotein cholesterol and its utilization for steroid synthesis in the adrenal cortex. It discusses the four model system (1)mouse adrenal tumor cells in culture (Y-1 clone) ,(2) rats treated in vivo with 4-aminopyrazolopyrimidine (4-APP), (3) bovine adrenal cortex ,and (4) Human fetal adrenal membranes to demonstrate the presence and physiological significance of low-density lipoprotein. The studies in the four model systems allow the formulation of a hypothetical working model to explain some aspects of cholesterol metabolism in the adrenal cortex. In this model, the adrenal is considered to have a small pool of metabolically active free cholesterol that is rapidly turning over. In the steady state, the input and output of cholesterol from this metabolically active cholesterol pool must be balanced. The net output of cholesterol from this pool occurs when cholesterol is converted to steroid hormones that are secreted from the gland and when cholesterol is esterified to form cholesteryl ester droplets. The adrenal gland contains at least two pools of cholesterol in addition to the metabolically active pool. One of these is a fixed pool of free cholesterol in cell membranes. The second pool of cholesterol is contained in storage droplets, where the cholesterol is esterified with fatty acids. These cholesteryl esters exert a buffer function that tends to stabilize the free cholesterol content of the adrenal gland during transient fluctuations in steroid demand. In the model systems, the endogenous synthesis of cholesterol in the adrenal is important in several situations: (1) when insufficient plasma lipoproteins are available, a situation that is probably never encountered in normal physiology, (2) transiently, when there is a sudden stimulus to steroid secretion and sufficient time has not elapsed for the full induction of lipoprotein receptor activity, and (3) when the rate of steroid synthesis is so great that maximal lipoprotein receptor activity cannot supply sufficient cholesterol and supplementary cholesterol synthesis within the gland is required.
A complexity-based heuristic decision analysis model to recommend systems engineering domain

All science and engineering involves abstraction of the complexity of the world into approaches and models that use simplifying assumptions, which allow generalization from one complex situation to another. The best engineering methods take advantage of the simplicity in the models without diverging so far from reality that behavior can no longer be predicted and controlled, if possible. As a system’s complexity increases, however, the risks associated with using simpler methods and simplifying assumptions also increases, and something more than traditional system engineering (TSE) or conventional system engineering (CSE) is needed to deal effectively with system-of-systems, enterprises, and complex systems. While system engineering (SE) has evolved beyond TSE with additional SE bodies of knowledge including systems-of-systems engineering, enterprise systems engineering, and CSE, there is no agreed upon best practice for SE domain selection so the SE practitioner must apply personal judgment to select an appropriate SE domain and tailor applicable SE processes. We provide a heuristic decision analysis model, based on complexity and the Cynefin framework, as a novel approach to recommend an appropriate SE domain to eliminate or reduce misclassifying systems and by extension systemfailure. We demonstrate this model using a United States National HealthCare case study.
Malnutrition Identified by Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics/American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Is Associated With More 30-Day Readmissions, Greater Hospital Mortality, and Longer Hospital Stays: A Retrospective Analysis of Nutrition Assessment Data in a Major Medical Center

Background Few studies have compared malnutrition identified by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics/American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (AND/ASPEN) consensus criteria with clinical outcomes. Our goal was to compare 30-day readmissions (primary outcome), hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS) in survivors, and time to discharge alive (TDA) in all patients assessed as malnourished or not malnourished using these criteria in fiscal year 2015. We hypothesized more frequent admissions, greater mortality, longer LOS, and less likely shorter TDA in the malnourished patients. Methods Demographic variables, clinical outcomes, and malnutrition diagnosis for all initial patient admissions were obtained retrospectively from the electronic medical record. Logistic regression was used to compare categorical and Cox proportional hazards for TDA in unadjusted and adjusted (age, sex, race, medical/surgical admission, Charlson Comorbidity Index) models. Results Of the 3907 patients referred for nutrition assessment, 66.88% met criteria for moderate or severe malnutrition. Malnourished patients were older (61 vs 58 years, P 2-day stay. Conclusion The AND/ASPEN criteria identified malnourished patients in a high-risk population who had more adverse clinical outcomes. Further studies are needed to determine whether optimal provision of nutrition support can improve these outcomes.
Lookahead Effect in Mbe Reduplication

An approach to reduplication in parallel Optimality Theory predicts the possibility of lookahead effects in contrast to Serial Template Satisfaction in Harmonic Serialism (McCarthy, Kimper & Mullin 2012). I argue that a lookahead effect is found in the reduplicative imperative affixation in Mbe, where the amount of material copied foresees the availability of a subsequent phonological change. A straightforward account of the pattern is available in parallel OT but not the serial approach, which requires ad hoc stipulations about constraint evaluation that introduce unwanted theoretical complications. This paper thus provides evidence in favor of parallel evaluation in the theory of reduplication.
High-frequency forcing to mitigate unsteady separation from a bursting separation bubble

Very-low-amplitude, high-frequency forcing is used to manipulate the laminar separation bubble on a NACA 0012 airfoil pitching at a constant rate. Properly tuning the forcing frequency to track the changing Kelvin-Helmholtz instability results in significant delay of the onset of dynamic stall.
Understanding crystallization pathways leading to manganese oxide polymorph formation

Hydrothermal synthesis is challenging in metal oxide systems with diverse polymorphism, as reaction products are often sensitive to subtle variations in synthesis parameters. This sensitivity is rooted in the non-equilibrium nature of low-temperature crystallization, where competition between different metastable phases can lead to complex multistage crystallization pathways. Here, we propose an ab initio framework to predict how particle size and solution composition influence polymorph stability during nucleation and growth. We validate this framework using in situ X-ray scattering, by monitoring how the hydrothermal synthesis of MnO2 proceeds through different crystallization pathways under varying solution potassium ion concentrations ([K+] = 0, 0.2, and 0.33 M). We find that our computed size-dependent phase diagrams qualitatively capture which metastable polymorphs appear, the order of their appearance, and their relative lifetimes. Our combined computational and experimental approach offers a rational and systematic paradigm for the aqueous synthesis of target metal oxides.