cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fission-enhanced diffusion in dispersion fuels

Abstract Irradiation-induced diffusion in finite, two-phase systems is analyzed and applied to the geometry of dispersion fuels of the type used in research and test reactors. A fissioning sphere irradiates the surrounding medium in which fission also takes place. In place of the fission rate used in conventional irradiation-induced diffusion coefficient ( D ∗ ) correlations, the energy deposition rates due to electronic and nuclear stopping of the fission fragments are separated. The former is used to drive the point-defect contribution to D ∗ and the latter is the source of the thermal-spike component. This separation accounts for the preponderance of electronic energy loss early in the track of a fission-fragment and the dominance of nuclear stopping near the end of the range. This distinction accounts for the difference in the relative intensities of these two energy loss modes in a fission-fragment that exits one phase and deposits energy in an adjacent medium in which D ∗ is to be determined. Fission-fragment stopping powers and projected ranges are obtained from SRIM software, thereby permitting extraction of the two types of energy deposition rates from the fission rate. As expected, the ratio of nuclear stopping to electronic stopping in the medium surrounding a fissioning inclusion increases with distance from the interface. The effective irradiation-enhanced diffusivity for use in the diffusion equation depends upon two parameters: the fraction of D ∗ in an infinite, homogeneous solid attributable to nuclear stopping and the ratio of the volumetric fission rates in the dispersed and continuous phases.
Fluoroalkylation of imidazoles by hypervalent iodonium salts.

N-1H,1H-Perfluoroalkylation and regioselective C-perfluoroalkylation of imidazoles were obtained using the corresponding hypervalent iodonium salts.
Intestinal organoids: A model of intestinal fibrosis for evaluating anti-fibrotic drugs

Abstract Background & aims Intestinal fibrosis is a critical complication of Crohn's disease (CD). Current in vitro models of intestinal fibrosis cannot model the complex intestinal architecture, while in vivo rodent models do not fully recapitulate human disease and have limited utility for large-scale screening. Here, we exploit recent advances in stem cell derived human intestinal organoids (HIOs) as a new human model of fibrosis in CD. Methods Human pluripotent stem cells were differentiated into HIOs. We identified myofibroblasts, the key effector cells of fibrosis, by immunofluorescence staining for alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), vimentin, and desmin. We examined the fibrogenic response of HIOs by treatment with transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) in the presence or absence of the anti-fibrotic drug spironolactone. Fibrotic response was assayed by expression of fibrogenic genes (COL1A1 (collagen, type I, alpha 1), ACTA2 (alpha smooth muscle actin), FN1 (fibronectin 1), MYLK (myosin light chain kinase), and MKL1 (megakaryoblastic leukemia (translocation) 1)) and proteins (αSMA). Results Immunofluorescent staining of organoids identified a population of myofibroblasts within the HIO mesenchyme. TGFβ stimulation of HIOs produced a dose-dependent pro-fibrotic response. Spironolactone treatment blocked the fibrogenic response of HIOs to TGFβ. Conclusions HIOs contain myofibroblasts and respond to a pro-fibrotic stimulus in a manner that is consistent with isolated human myofibroblasts. HIOs are a promising model system that might bridge the gap between current in vitro and in vivo models of intestinal fibrosis in IBD.
Addendum to Fluoride Determinations in Mechanically Deboned Poultry Meat

Abstract Additional values are provided for the fluoride content (ppm, wet weight basis) of four broad categories of mechanically deboned poultry meat: .53 to 3.87, median 1.08 in raw products from broiler parts; 2.25 to 6.63, median 4.34 in cooked products from broiler parts; 1.01 to 1.72, median 1.70 in raw products from turkey frames; 1.09 and 1.19, median 1.14 in raw products from stags (old roosters); and 13.6 to 36.1, median 32.4 in cooked products from fowl (old hens). These values confirm and strengthen a previous report.
Postmenopausal estrogen therapy: which route to take?

Oral and transdermal estrogen therapies are both routinely used to treat menopausal symptoms, but there are multiple differences between their physiological effects. The author of this Viewpoint compares the pharmacodynamics of oral and nonoral estradiol therapies, and discusses the most important risk factors to consider when using either administration route.
Patient Satisfaction: Quality of Care From the Patients' Perspective

The rapidly changing health care delivery system in the United States has led to renewed interest in the quality of medical delivery, which has been in some part due to the rise in the number of patients enrolled in managed care. 1 The development of health maintenance organizations (HMOs) promised reduced medical costs and improved quality. Managed care companies have reduced the cost of medical care, mainly by reducing hospital admissions, reducing the length of hospitalization, and requiring preapproval for high-technology procedures. 2 How managed care has affected quality is less well documented; at least in some instances, managed care has led to a reduction in quality. 3 Who and what defines quality is often a difficult question. The measurement of quality depends on several factors, including who is doing the measuring and what factors they are measuring. For example, if physicians are measuring quality, they are likely to measure
Hybrid approach to deformation analysis

Current trends in development of components, structures, and systems place unprecedented requirements on their designers. To satisfy these demands, new, highly efficient materials and structural designs are being employed and integrated utilization of the most sophisticated technologies is being made. This paper addresses some of the pertinent issues relating to this integration and explores how to take advantage of the analytical, computational, and experimental solution methodologies in relation to a given problem. More specifically, a hybrid approach to deformation analysis is described, based on recent developments in merging, or unifying, of the finite element method with experimental methodologies, and especially with optical metrology. This approach emphasizes the analogy between the methodologies used and employs them to obtain solutions that may not have been otherwise obtainable, to ease the existing solution procedures, or to attain improvements in the results. The paper begins with an introduction to the methodologies used, continues with a discussion of the analytical fundamentals, and concludes with a presentation of representative results.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Neutron Scattering and Diffraction Studies of Fluids and Fluid-Solid Interactions

### Role of fluids in earth systems with the focus on H2O Geologic fluids (defined liberally as gases, liquids, and supercritical solutions) act as reaction media, reactants, and carriers of energy and matter in the natural environment. Among the many different types of geologic fluids, those containing volatile C-O-H-N-S species and those enriched in chloride salts (brines) are of particular interest. They occur widely in varied geochemical settings, commonly contain significant quantities of dissolved and suspended compounds (complex hydrocarbons, organic macromolecules, colloids/nanoparticles), play a crucial role as primary reaction media, and are important sources and sinks of greenhouse gases. The consequences of coupled reactive-transport processes common to most geological environments depend on the properties and reactivities of these fluids over broad ranges of temperature, pressure and fluid composition. The relative strengths of complex molecular-scale interactions in geologic fluids, and the changes in those interactions with temperature, pressure, and fluid composition, are the fundamental basis for observed fluid properties. Understanding these solvent-mediated interactions for broad classes of solutes and suspensions in natural systems over the range of conditions typical of geologic fluids will greatly improve our capability to model and predict fluid behavior, reactivity, and the partitioning of elements and isotopes between coexisting species and phases. Complex intermolecular interactions of C-O-H-N-S fluids (H2O, CO2, H2, H2S, N2, CH4) result in their unique thermophysical properties, including large deviations in the volumetric properties from ideality, vapor-liquid equilibria, and critical phenomena. Water is one of the best general solvents for inorganic materials due to its molecular structure and the distribution of electric charge (Neilson et al. 2002). In aqueous fluids containing various solutes (electrolytes, metals, organic/bio-molecules), numerous solute-solute and solute-solvent reactions lead to specific interactions, including complexation, binding, local ordering, and clustering. Indeed, a key goal in geochemistry is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the …
High fidelity mathematical model building with experimental data: A Bayesian approach

Abstract Mathematical models of physicochemical systems are usually built in an iterative fashion during the course of an experimental investigation. In this paper, a novel Bayesian approach to model building is presented. This approach is now feasible because of breakthroughs in Monte Carlo sampling procedures and high performance computing, that make it possible to deal directly with the nonlinear mathematical models themselves instead of their linear approximations. By including an error model for experimental data, it is further possible to use nonlinear statistical concepts to test a given model for adequacy against experimental data and prior knowledge, and to place realistic confidence limits on the resulting model parameters. In this paper a model building work flow that takes advantage of these recent advances to enable high fidelity mathematical modeling is proposed. A set of models and their parameters are needed to initiate the process. Probability distributions for the models and their parameters based on available quantitative and subjective information must also be supplied. Finally, an error model describing the heteroscedasticity in the data along with probability distributions for the error model parameters must be generated from exploratory data. Then experiments are designed and data collected. Using Bayes’ theorem, Monte Carlo (MC) or Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods are used to generate a sequence of samples of parameter values for each postulated model. These sets of samples are then used to discriminate among the models using the criteria introduced in this paper. Once discrimination is achieved, a global lack of fit test is introduced to determine model adequacy. After a single adequate model is selected, highest probability density (HPD) intervals are determined for the individual parameters and HPD density regions are constructed for all model parameter pairs. Experiments are then designed to reduce the uncertainty in the joint posterior probability HPD regions. Finally, a sampling procedure is described to properly represent uncertainties in predictions made from the model. The proposed approach is demonstrated by an illustrative problem where three simple models are discriminated and the parameters in the most suitable ones are estimated rigorously.
Imaginal Attributes in Learning Sentence-Embedded Noun Pairs

168 Ss learned 10 pairs of sententially embedded nouns. The sentences presented the nouns in either a positive interactive, negative interactive or noninteractive context. Ss saw the sentences in either a bizarre or nonbizarre form. Noun-vividness, defined as the presence or absence of a color adjective, was varied as a within-Ss factor. Ss learned significantly more nonbizarre pairs, and the nonbizarre groups significantly outperformed a standard paired-associate control group. There were no effects for the type of interaction or vividness. The results were discussed in terms of encoding difficulty and selective attentional processes during learning.
Photodynamic therapy for unresectable cholangiocarcinoma: contribution of single operator cholangioscopy for targeted treatment

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) for unresectable cholangiocarcinoma is associated with improvement in cholestasis and survival. Single operator cholangioscopy (SOC) has been used for targeted laser illumination. We analyzed our growing experience of SOC with direct PDT. This is a retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of patients prospectively entered into a registry. Forty-five patients (24 male, aged 67.3 ± 10.6 years) were treated with PDT for cholangiocarcinoma during a five-year period. Thirty-two patients were treated with ERCP and PDT alone, and 13 were treated with ERCP and PDT using SOC. The two groups were then compared to observe any statistically significant difference in regards to age, gender, serum bilirubin, MELD score, adverse effects, or survival. An overall median of 1 PDT session per patient (range: 1–9) was performed. Twenty-six total sessions of PDT using SOC were performed in 13 patients with a median of 2.0 sessions per patient (range: 1–6). Median global survival was 168 days (range: 26–1353). Median survival for the PDT-only group was 200 days, and median survival for the PDT-with-SOC group was 386 days (p = 0.45). There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001) between the two groups in regards to fluoroscopy time, with the PDT-only group having a median time of 21.1 min and the PDT-with-SOC group having a median time of 11.1 min. PDT related complications included 7 cases of mild phototoxicity and one case of moderate phototoxicity requiring hospitalization. SOC permits targeted therapy during PDT and can be successfully performed without adverse events while simultaneously reducing exposure to radiation.
BEHAB/brevican requires ADAMTS-mediated proteolytic cleavage to promote glioma invasion

Malignant gliomas are the most common and deadly primary brain tumors, due to their infiltrative invasion of the normal neural tissue that makes them virtually impossible to completely eliminate. We have previously identified and characterized the proteoglycan BEHAB/brevican in gliomas and have demonstrated that upregulation and cleavage of this CNS-specific molecule promote glioma invasion. Here, we have further investigated if the proteolytic processing of BEHAB/brevican by metalloproteases of the ADAMTS family is a necessary step in mediating its pro-invasive effect in glioma. By generating a site-specific (396SRG398 → NVY) mutant form resistant to ADAMTS cleavage, we have shown that the predominant proteolytic processing of BEHAB/brevican by glioma cells occurs only at this site. More importantly, “uncleavable” BEHAB/brevican is unable to enhance glioma cell invasion in vitro and tumor progression in vivo. In addition, our results suggest that the full-length protein and its cleavage products may act independently because the mutant form does not exert a dominant negative effect on normal BEHAB/brevican expression or cleavage. These results illustrate how the regulated processing of major components of the neural extracellular matrix has important functional implications in glioma progression. In addition, our findings underscore the relevance of the ADAMTS family of metalloproteases as attractive targets for novel pharmacological approaches in glioma therapy.
Contending with "problem behaviors" in the nursing home.

Abstract Despite the pervasiveness of challenging resident behaviors in U.S. nursing homes, the staff who work in these facilities typically have little training in mental health or behavior management. This article, based on ethnographic research in a U.S. nursing home that served a predominately psychiatrically disabled clientele, explores how staff conceptualized and dealt with difficult resident behaviors. It investigates formal and informal strategies used by staff to contend with problematic resident behavior, as well as the obstacles[mdash ]both internal and external[mdash ]to effective behavior management in this context.
A9145, a new adenine-containing antifungal antibiotic. I. Discovery and isolation.

A9145 is a new water-soluble antifungal antibiotic produced by a strain of Streptomyces griseolus (NRRL 3739). This basic antibiotic has an apparent molecular weight of about 510, contains adenine and a possible sugar moiety, and forms crystalline organic and inorganic salts. A9145 is active against Candida species, Saccharomyces pastorianus, plant disease fungi, and Trypanosoma species. It has an LD50 (subcutaneous) of 185 mg/kg in mice.
Technology and terrorism: privatizing public violence

The possibility that a particularly pernicious form of state organized terrorism, namely the privatization of public violence, may arise is examined. The nature of terrorism is defined, and a case is made for the proposition that contemporary terrorism is functionally different from its antecedents, as a result of a joint revolution in transportation and communication. An increasing blurring of the line between state organized terrorism and the organized terrorism of nonstate actors and the potential alliance between the two are discussed. Counterterrorism as a growth industry is considered, and the dangers inherent in its existence are pointed out. Possible changes in the capabilities and tactics of state terrorism as they relate to the three main interrelated elements of terrorism-violence, psychological impact, and target audience-are addressed. >
SEMANTIC MOTION CONCEPT RETRIEVAL IN NON-STATIC BACKGROUND UTILIZING SPATIAL-TEMPORAL VISUAL INFORMATION

Motion concepts mean those concepts containing motion information such as racing car and dancing. In order to achieve high retrieval accuracy comparing with those static concepts such as car or person in semantic retrieval tasks, the temporal information has to be considered. Additionally, if a video sequence is captured by an amateur using a hand-held camera containing significant camera motion, the complexities of the uncontrolled backgrounds would aggravate the difficulty of motion concept retrieval. Therefore, the retrieval of semantic concepts containing motion in non-static background is regarded as one of the most challenging tasks in multimedia semantic analysis and video retrieval. To address such a challenge, this paper proposes a motion concept retrieval framework including a motion region detection model and a concept retrieval model that integrates the spatial and temporal information in video sequences. The motion region detection model uses a new integral density method (adopted from the idea of integral images) to quickly identify the motion regions in an unsupervised way. Specially, key information locations on video frames are first obtained as maxima and minima of the result of Difference of Gaussian (DoG) function. Then a motion map of adjacent frames is generated from the diversity of the outcomes from the Simultaneous Partition and Class Parameter Estimation (SPCPE) framework. The usage of the motion map is to filter key information locations into key motion locations (KMLs) that imply the regions containing motion. The motion map can also indicate the motion direction which guides the proposed "integral density" approach to locate the motion regions quickly and accurately. Based on the motion region detection model, moving object-level information is extracted for semantic retrieval. In the proposed conceptual retrieval model, temporally semantic consistency among the consecutive shots is analyzed and presented into a conditional probability model, which is then used to re-rank the similarity scores to improve the final retrieval results. The results of our proposed novel motion concept retrieval framework are not only illustrated visually demonstrating its robustness in non-static background, but also verified by the promising experimental results demonstrating that the concept retrieval performance can be improved by integrating the spatial and temporal visual information.
Indications for axillary dissection in T1 breast cancer

Background: Debate regarding axillary dissection in the treatment of women with small invasive cancers of the breast has been increasing. Recently, omission of axillary dissection has been proposed because of the reported low incidence of nodal metastases in women with such cancers. Variation in the incidence of nodal metastases in T1 breast cancers is examined and discussed with regard to a selective approach to lymphadenectomy.
Blood transfusion, independent of shock severity, is associated with worse outcome in trauma.

Background: We have previously shown that blood transfusion in the first 24 hours is an independent predictor of mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and increased ICU length of stay in the acute trauma setting when controlling for Injury Severity Score, Glasgow Coma Scale score, and age. Indices of shock such as base deficit, serum lactate level, and admission hemodynamic status (systolic blood pressure, heart rate) and admission hematocrit were considered potential confounding variables in that study. The objectives of this study were to evaluate admission anemia and blood transfusion within the first 24 hours as independent predictors of mortality, ICU admission, ICU length of stay (LOS), and hospital LOS, with serum lactate level, base deficit, and shock index (heart rate/ systolic blood pressure) as covariates. Methods: Prospective data were collected on 15,534 patients admitted to a Level I trauma center over a 3-year period (1998-2000) and stratified by age, gender, race, Glasgow Coma Scale score, and Injury Severity Score. Admission anemia and blood transfusion were assessed as independent predictors of mortality, ICU admission, ICU LOS, and hospital LOS by logistic regression analysis, with base deficit, serum lactate, and shock index as covariates. Results: Blood transfusion was a strong independent predictor of mortality (odds ratio [OR], 2.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.82-4.40; p < 0.001), ICU admission (OR, 3.27; 95% CI, 2.69-3.99; p < 0.001), ICU LOS (p < 0.001), and hospital LOS (Coef, 4.37; 95% CI, 2.79-5.94; p < 0.001) when stratified by indices of shock (base deficit, serum lactate, shock index, and anemia). Patients who underwent blood transfusion were almost three times more likely to die and greater than three times more likely to be admitted to the ICU. Admission anemia (hematocrit < 36%) was an independent predictor of ICU admission (p = 0.008), ICU LOS (p = 0.012), and hospital LOS (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Blood transfusion is confirmed as an independent predictor of mortality, ICU admission, ICU LOS, and hospital LOS in trauma after controlling for severity of shock by admission base deficit, lactate, shock index, and anemia. The use of other hemoglobin-based oxygen-carrying resuscitation fluids (such as human or bovine hemoglobin substitutes) in the acute postinjury period warrants further investigation.
Rett Syndrome: Coming to Terms with Treatment

Rett syndrome (RTT) has experienced remarkable progress over the past three decades since emerging as a disorder of worldwide proportions, particularly with discovery of the linkage of RTT to MECP2 mutations. The advances in clinical research and the increasing pace of basic science investigations have accelerated the pattern of discovery and understanding. Clinical trials are ongoing and others are planned. A review of these events and the prospects for continued success are highlighted below. The girls and women encountered today with RTT are, overall, in better general, neurologic, and behavioral health than those encountered earlier. This represents important progress worldwide from the concerted efforts of a broadly based and diverse clinical and basic research consortium as well as the efforts of parents, family, and friends.
On the solution of the basic integral equation of actuarial mathematics by the method of successive approximations

We study the basic integral equation of actuarial mathematics for the probability of (non)ruin of an insurance company regarded as a function of the initial capital. We establish necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a solution of this equation, general sufficient conditions for its existence and uniqueness, and conditions for the uniform convergence of the method of successive approximations for finding the solution.
Vacancies, Interstitials, and Rare Gases in Fluorite Structures

We have calculated the ${\mathrm{Ca}}^{++}$-${\mathrm{F}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{++}$-${\mathrm{F}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, ${\mathrm{Ca}}^{++}$-${\mathrm{Ca}}^{++}$, ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{++}$-${\mathrm{Ba}}^{++}$, and ${\mathrm{F}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$-${\mathrm{F}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ interatomic potentials using a semiclassical method. Using these potentials, the anion vacancy and interstitial formation and activation energies were determined. Franklin's potentials were also employed for comparison. The results are in excellent agreement with experiment for Ba${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ and for most of the Ca${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ results. The unusually wide range (0.53-1.65 eV) of experimental values for interstitial-related activation energies makes this direct comparison in Ca${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ difficult, but our results clearly indicate the interstitialcy mechanism of anion interstitial migration to be dominant in both Ca${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ and Ba${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$. Using the same method, the energies of formation of He, Ne, and Ar at interstitial sites in Ca${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ were determined to be 0.49, 1.59, and 3.08 eV, respectively. The activation energy for interstitial motion of these atoms was found to be \ensuremath{\sim} 1.4 eV for all three gases. Furthermore, we find it takes 0.25, 0.95, and 2.30 eV to place a He, Ne, or Ar gas atom, respectively, in an existing anion vacancy. The substitutional detrapping energy, the energy required to move a rare-gas atom from an anion vacancy to its nearest-neighbor stable interstitial position, was found to be 1.8, 2.1, and 2.5 eV for He, Ne, and Ar, respectively. The explicit atomistic calculation is done for many regions of varying size surrounding each defect so that it is possible to say, at least semiquantitatively, that the energy vs radius of the region ${r}_{A}$ varies as $\frac{1}{{r}_{A}}$ for charged defects and as $\frac{1}{{r}_{A}^{2}}$ for neutral defects.
Synthetic Method Development and Molecular Weight Control for Homo- and Co-Polysilynes, Silicon-Based Network-Backbone Polymers

Optimized methods for the syntheses of polyaryl, polyalkyl, and co-polysilynes, using sonochemically-emulsified NaK alloy reductions of trichlorosilanes, are reported. The methods give oxygen and solvent-impurity free polymers, by FTIR and 1H NMR, for poly(phenylsilyne) 1, poly(n-butylsilyne) 2, poly(ethylsilyne) 3, poly(n-propylsilyne) 4, and poly(cyclohexylsilyne) 5. Syntheses of the novel polysilynes poly(isobutylsilyne) 6, poly(amylsilyne) 7, and poly(phenyl-co-butylsilyne) 8 are also reported. The polymers were assessed for the photooxidation behavior that is characteristic of these inorganic network-backbone polymers. A method of molecular weight control for polysilynes, by combining monomers that bear substituents of differing steric size (n-butyltrichlorosilane and cyclohexyltrichlorosilane), is also reported.
Depression among white and nonwhite caregivers of the chronically critically ill.

Approximately 4 million patients receive treatment annually in intensive care units (ICU) in the United States (1) with ~10% requiring >3 days of mechanical ventilation and extended ICU stays. These patients, labeled as “chronically critically ill” (CCI), although small in number, consume 25–40% of ICU resources with resulting high in-hospital mortality (40%) and post-discharge morbidity (2). While in-hospital outcomes are poor, research has also shown that this population is at risk for high mortality and morbidity during the immediate post-discharge phase (3, 4). Unlike their short-stay ICU counterparts, CCI patients are at high risk for readmission, complications, and death after hospital discharge. As a result, they require continued support from family and/or professional caregivers after hospital discharge, regardless of discharge location (5). Many studies on informal caregivers have focused upon caregivers of infirm elderly (6), Alzheimer’s disease (7), cancer (8), stroke (9), and heart failure (10). The characteristics of the caregivers of these patients as well as the risks for caregiver depression have remained relatively consistent across these disease groups. These characteristics include: female gender, relative of the care receiver, being employed, and being younger in age (11, 12). More recently, studies (13–16) have examined the characteristics and outcomes of caregiving in caregivers of CCI patients. Their characteristics are similar to the characteristics of other caregiver groups in that they are younger in age, predominantly female and are spouses of the care receiver. Outcomes, while not studied as extensively with CCI caregivers as with other caregiver groups, have shown varying degrees of depressive symptomatology with rates of depression consistent with (and at times greater than) rates associated with such caregiver groups as Alzheimer’s, cancer, and stroke. (14, 16). Despite documentation of depression among CCI caregivers, little research has explored subgroups based upon race. In the non-CCI caregiver literature, multiple studies have examined the impact of racial differences on caregiver stressors and outcomes (17–20), yet no such work has been done with the caregivers of CCI patients. Therefore, the purposes of our study were to describe clinical and demographic characteristics for caregivers and to examine the role of race, as well as other clinical and demographic variables, as predictors of depressive symptomatology 2 months post-hospital discharge for caregivers of CCI patients.
Syntheses of carboncarbon linked carboranylated porphyrins for boron neutron capture therapy of cancer

Abstract Total syntheses of six carboranyl-containing porphyrins bearing 33–44% boron by weight for potential application in boron neutron capture therapy of tumors, are described; these novel compounds feature carboncarbon linkages between the carboranyl groups and the meso -phenyl substituents.
Helping faculty make technology a part of the curriculum

Drew University had a problem. Despite an early lead in ubiquitous computing, the use of technology in the curriculum had been sidetracked by the technology itself. Faculty were interested, but it wasn't clear where to turn to for support and advice. Small pilot projects were planted to seed larger grant applications. This led to a continuing program that gives faculty a single point of contact and many opportunities to get the experience and exposure they need to improve education through the appropriate use of technology.At the center of this support model is a facility called the Faculty Lab. Building such a facility isn't enough. Maintaining appropriate staffing, services that are inviting to all levels, and advanced enough to demonstrate up-and-coming technologies is challenging. While training is available throughout the year, the summer months host a specialized training and development program. It all begins with a one week hands-on workshop that covers a wide variety of topics. These typically discipline-focused sessions precede a faculty-selected project that must be completed during the remaining summer months. Progress is reviewed and the faculty are rewarded for their time and effort. Some participants are asked to present as part of a panel of veterans in the following year's workshop. This process of reinforcement, implementation, and recognition has been rated very positively by participants, but it has not been without pitfalls.This process is now embedded in Drew's ongoing program of using technology in the curriculum. In recent years, nearly 60% of our faculty have participated. However, as the level of awareness and interest in technology evolves, an expanding set of demands replaces our original problem. This time, however, we have a solid foundation from which to work.
Trade-offs in parasitology, evolution and behavior.

Most animal pare,~ts find caring for offspring to be costly, whether in terms of increased vigilance against predators or higher grocery bills. Most parasitologists know that defense against pathogens is costly as well, requiring elaborate physiological and biochemical mechanisms to recognize and destroy the invader. In both cases, the parent or host can be seen as making a trade-off, allocating energy to one task, such as protection of the young or production of macrophages, at the expense of another, such as feeding oneself or devoting energy to growth rather than ~mmune defense. Trade-offs in life history traits are much studied in evolutionary biology and ecology: examples include the choice between early maturation and growth ~2, the production of a few large offspring vs many smaller ones ~.2, or the investment in reproducing this year rather than saving some resour,:es for a later season ~,2. Only recently, however, has the notion of a life history trade-off been linl<ed to parasite
A Rho GTPase signal treadmill backs a contractile array

Summary Contractile arrays of actin filaments (F-actin) and myosin-2 power diverse biological processes. Contractile array formation is stimulated by the Rho GTPases Rho and Cdc42; after assembly, array movement is thought to result from contraction itself. Contractile array movement and GTPase activity were analyzed during cellular wound repair, in which arrays close in association with zones of Rho and Cdc42 activity. Remarkably, contraction suppression prevents translocation of F-actin and myosin-2 without preventing array or zone closure. Closure is driven by an underlying "signal treadmill" in which the GTPases are preferentially activated at the leading edges and preferentially lost from the trailing edges of their zones. Treadmill organization requires myosin-2-powered contraction and F-actin turnover. Thus, directional gradients in Rho GTPase turnover impart directional information to contractile arrays, and proper functioning of these gradients is dependent on both contraction and F-actin turnover. Video Abstract
Effects of higher percentage of recycled asphalt pavement on pavement performance

The recycling of asphalt pavements has become a very routine procedure throughout the country. Research has shown that the recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) recovered from construction sites still contains usable materials, both in the recycled aggregates and recycled binder. The fatigue life and rut resistance of mixtures containing various amounts of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) were compared with a virgin mixture. The fatigue life and rut resistance of the mixtures were calculated from laboratory testing using Frequency Sweep Testing using Superpave Simple Shear Tester (SST) and Repeated Simple Shear Tests using (SST) device. The SHRP A-003A surrogate models and the Asphalt Institute models were both be used in order to predict pavement performance using the results from the Frequency Sweep Testing and the Repeated Simple Shear Test.
Autoradiographic detection of reactive protein-SH and its application to anuran haemoglobin chains.

THERE is a need for a simple method of detecting reactive sulphydryl groups in proteins and polypeptides after separation by zone electrophoresis. Most of the methods for detection and measurement of reactive sulphydryl groups are ultimately based on spectrophotometric measurements and only suitable for the sulphydryl groups of proteins in solution. An alternative method for the detection and comparison of the relative sulphydryl content of electrophoretically separable components of a mixture of polypeptides and/or proteins has been devised. This method which eliminates the need for previous isolation and purification of the protein mixture is based on autoradiography of mercury-203 bound to sulphydryl groups. We report here its application to several proteins with a known sulphydryl content and its use to show the absence of these groups in all tadpole haemoglobin chains and their presence in both chains of several frog haemoglobins.
Medical student participation in a disaster seminar and drill: brief description of activity and report of student experiences.

Background: Although it is a Joint Commission requirement for hospitals to maintain an up-to-date disaster plan and to implement drills, disaster training is not routinely incorporated into undergraduate medical education. Purposes: The objectives are to provide medical students with an introduction to disaster medicine, involving didactics and an experiential component where students participated in a disaster drill, and to evaluate the seminar's effectiveness through scored evaluations and a focus group discussion. Methods: A descriptive and qualitative analysis of a medical student disaster training course is presented. Results: The mean score for the four statements pertaining to the didactics was 4.3/5. Two themes from the focus group discussions emerged: (a) changes in self-perceived attitude toward disaster medicine and (b) changes in student's ability to apply this knowledge in a simulated setting. Conclusions: After the seminar, students appreciated the complexity of the field and the importance ...
Beyond blood sugar: the potential of NMR-based metabonomics for type 2 human diabetes, and the horse as a possible model

Metabonomic analysis is a powerful tool for identifying and characterizing metabolic disorders, for example type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is an essential tool for such analysis, with special benefits. The review assesses the current status and potential of NMR-based metabonomics of type 2 diabetes. The horse is proposed as a possible model for studying this condition and disease. Some examples are shown of horse blood analyses by NMR.
Explorations of Students' Mathematical Beliefs and Behavior.

A questionnaire with 70 closed and 11 open questions was administered to 230 mathematics students enrolled in Grades 10 through 12, the majority of whom were enrolled in the traditional year-long 10th-grade course in plane geometry. Sections of the questionnaire dealt with the students' attributions of success or failure; their comparative perceptions of mathematics, English, and social studies; their view of mathematics as a discipline; and their attitude toward mathematics. The data, which are closely tied to a series of classroom and protocol studies, suggest the resolution of contradictory patterns of data in other attitude surveys, where students simultaneously claim that "mathematics is mostly memorizing" but that mathematics is a creative and useful discipline in which they learn to think.
Synthetic studies directed at (±)-quadrone. A new end game.

Abstract A synthesis of (±quadrone ( 1 ) is described, featuring an intramolecular delivery of the C(6)-carbon, thus avoiding possible regio- and stereochemical complications in the δ-lactone construction.
Significance of stomatal control on methane release from -dominated wetlands

Abstract Experiments were conducted in Carex -dominated communities of Arctic and subarctic Alaska to determine the importance of plant stomatal behavior in modifying methane release from wetland plants. Daily methane flux was positively correlated (r = 0.95) with daily leaf conductance at three lake margin sites over an 8-day period. Furthermore, methane flux was reduced significantly following stomatal closure induced by application of an antitranspirant to the plant surface and by enclosure in an opaque chamber. These are the first data to show evidence of stomatal control of release of methane from plants. Significant methane flux continued, however, even with stomatal closure, suggesting that cuticular conductance remains an important mechanism of methane release. The importance of stomatal pathway, relative to the cuticular pathway, is expected to vary through the growing season. These results have significant implications both in the design of chamber-based measurement studies and in interpreting regional to global methane emissions from wetlands.
Ultra-high speed and low latency broadband digital video transport

Various approaches for transporting digital video over Ethernet and SONET networks are presented. Commercial analog and digital frame grabbers are utilized, as well as software running under Microsoft Windows 2000/XP. No other specialized hardware is required. A network configuration using independent VLANs for video channels provides efficient transport for high bandwidth data. A framework is described for implementing both uncompressed and compressed streaming with standard and non-standard video. NTSC video is handled as well as other formats that include high resolution CMOS, high bit-depth infrared, and high frame rate parallel digital. End-to-end latencies of less than 200 msec are achieved.
Optimal synthesis of passive adaptive structural networks for damping and stiffness improvement

The increasing interest in engineering systems with excellent mitigation of vibration and shock has required novel design approaches which provide systems with passive adaptive performance across the different fields of engineering. In this paper we present a novel modular design concept to synthesize passive adaptive structures upon a varied loading condition. This concept interconnects linear and nonlinear structural elements depending on the scale and performance requested to the final structural system. To realize this concept we developed a structural synthesis tool integrated with the genetic algorithm. The design optimization problem is formulated considering the prescribed design requirement on stiffness and damping performance. This tool optimally synthesizes the structural network by assembling the available constitutive elements in the set and successfully obtains passive adaptive assembly upon a varied loading condition in terms of vibration amplitude and frequency.
On Individual Differences in Person Perception: Raters’ Personality Traits Relate to Their Psychopathy Checklist-Revised Scoring Tendencies:

This study investigated raters’ personality traits in relation to scores they assigned to offenders using the Psychopathy Checklist—Revised (PCL-R). A total of 22 participants, including graduate students and faculty members in clinical psychology programs, completed a PCL-R training session, independently scored four criminal offenders using the PCL-R, and completed a comprehensive measure of their own personality traits. A priori hypotheses specified that raters’ personality traits, and their similarity to psychopathy characteristics, would relate to raters’ PCL-R scoring tendencies. As hypothesized, some raters assigned consistently higher scores on the PCL-R than others, especially on PCL-R Facets 1 and 2. Also as hypothesized, raters’ scoring tendencies related to their own personality traits (e.g., higher rater Agreeableness was associated with lower PCL-R Interpersonal facet scoring). Overall, findings underscore the need for future research to examine the role of evaluator characteristics on evalu...
Changing Employment Profiles and Growth: An Economic Base Study of Florida Counties (1982–1987)

Location Quotients are used to estimate economic base multipliers for two-digit Standard Industrial Classification employment data at the county level for the state of Florida. Changes in multipliers are contrasted to changes in county employment profiles and demographic trends for the period 1982 to 1987. Counties are then classified by employment and growth characteristics. A cross-sectional econometric model is constructed to explain regional shifts in total employment. It is demonstrated that although the Florida economy is supported by a low level of employment activity in primary and secondary sectors (relative to the tertiary sector), these sectors tend to be very important in explaining variations in regional economic growth. The empirical findings suggest that the alleged service-oriented economy of Florida is still reliant upon export-oriented activity as the catalyst for employment expansion.
Estimation and Analysis for the Fatigue Life of Rail Joint Bolt

One of the most important reasons for railway traffic accidents is the fatigue failure of the rail joint bolt. Therefore, the research on the fatigue properties of rail joint bolt has important practical significance. This paper analyzed the influence of different pre-tightening torque on the fatigue life of the rail joint bolt. Besides, the best pre-tightening torque of the bolt was acquired through theoretical calculations. Finally, the fatigue life of the rail joint bolt was predicted according to the relevant basic theory and methods of fatigue life analysis, which applied numerical simulation technology.
Commentary: Flawed Scientific-Evidence Standards Delay Diesel Regulations

Of 188 government-monitored air toxics, diesel particulate matter (DPM) causes seven times more cancer than all the other 187 air toxics combined, including benzene, lead, and mercury. Yet, DPM is the only air toxic not regulated more stringently under the Clean Air Act, as a hazardous air pollutant (HAP). One reason is that regulators use flawed standards of scientific evidence. The article argues (1) that DPM meets all six specified evidentiary criteria, any one of which is sufficient for HAP regulation and (2) that regulators’ standards of evidence for denying HAP status to DPM (no DPM unit-risk estimate, inadequate dose-response data, alleged weak mechanistic data) err logically and scientifically, set the evidence bar too high, delay regulation, and allow 21,000 avoidable DPM deaths annually in the U.S.
Safe use of hepatic allografts from donors older than 70 years

Between March 1991 and August 1995, 36 livers from donors >/=70 years old were transplanted. In donors, we recorded the following risk factors: alanine aminotransferase > 120 and rising, dopamine dose > 15 microg/kg/min, hypotension (systolic blood pressure 1 hr, stay in the intensive care unit >5 days and body mass index >/=27. In 35 recipients, we recorded pretransplant United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) status, cold/warm ischemia time, intraoperative blood loss, and occurrence of poor early graft function or primary nonfunction. Mean recipient age was 55 years (range, 25-75 years). Four recipients were UNOS status 1, 19 were UNOS 2, and 12 were UNOS 3. Two livers were used as second grafts for primary graft nonfunction. Mean donor age was 73 years (range, 70-84 years). Intracranial bleeding was the cause of death in the majority of donors. The 36 donors had 40 risk factors; 10 donors had >1 risk factor. Mean cold and warm ischemia times were 9:08 +/- 2:57 hr and 51 +/- 9 min. Mean total operative time was 7.5 hr. Posttransplant mean peak alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were 937.3 +/- 703.1 IU/L and 923.3 +/- 708.5 IU/L, respectively. Mean prothrombin time on postoperative day 2 was 14.9 +/- 1.6 sec. Average total bilirubin on postoperative day 5 was 4.9 mg/dl. Median length of stay in the intensive care unit was 4 days. One recipient had poor early graft function; two recipients had primary nonfunction. Mean follow-up was 503 days (range, 110-1714 days). Three-month actual graft and patient survival rates were 85% and 91%, respectively. One-year actuarial graft and patient survival rates were also 85% and 91%, respectively. We conclude that older livers can be used safely. Advanced donor age should not be a contraindication to liver procurement.