cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of pulsed hollow electron-lens operation on the proton beam core in LHC

Collimation with hollow electron beams is currently one of the most promising concepts for active halo control in the HL-LHC. In order to further increase the diffusion rates for a fast halo removal as e.g. desired before the squeeze, the electron lens (e-lens) can be operated in pulsed mode. In case of profile imperfections in the electron beam the pulsing of the e-lens induces noise on the proton beam which can, depending on the frequency content and strength, lead to emittance growth. In order to study the sensitivity to the pulsing pattern and the amplitude, a beam study (machine development MD) at the LHC has been proposed for August 2016 and we present in this note the preparatory simulations and estimates.
eShiver: Lateral Force Feedback on Fingertips through Oscillatory Motion of an Electroadhesive Surface

We describe a new haptic force feedback device capable of creating lateral shear force on a bare fingertip—the eShiver. The eShiver creates a net lateral force from in-plane oscillatory motion of a surface synchronized with a “friction switch” based on Johnsen-Rahbek electroadhesion. Using an artificial finger, a maximum net lateral force of $\pm$ 300 mN is achieved at 55 Hz lateral oscillation frequency, and net force is shown to be a function of velocity and applied voltage, as well as the phase between them. A second set of experiments is carried out on a human finger, and a lateral force of up to $\pm$ 450 mN is achieved at a lateral oscillation frequency of 1,000 Hz. This force is reached at a peak lateral surface velocity of 400 mm/s and a peak applied voltage of 400 V. We develop a simple lumped parameter model of the eShiver, and a time domain simulation of the artificial finger is shown to agree with the experimental results. Three distinct zones of operation are found, which predict the limitations of force generation and which may be used for optimization. The human finger is found to be similar to the artificial finger in its dependence on actuation parameters, suggesting that the same lumped parameter model may be applied, albeit with different parameters. Curiously, the friction force due to Johnsen-Rahbek electroadhesion is found to increase substantially over time as the finger remains in contact with the surface. Considerations for optimizing the performance of the eShiver are discussed.
Public policy and the wisdom of crowds

Collective intelligence, or the wisdom of crowds, refers to a phenomenon by which, under the right conditions, groups of individuals can render highly accurate judgments. This phenomenon has long played an important role in economics, where understanding the behavior of groups is often essential to explaining economic outcomes. More recently, political scientists have shown that trends in public opinion show evidence of collective intelligence. This article further explores how the wisdom of crowds affects politics. I look at two types of decision-making processes, those governed by group dynamics versus those rendered by organizations. Distributional analysis of financial markets and foreign exchange rates shows that when policies are determined by groups they are less prone to instabilities, evidence that in certain issue areas decision-making by groups is more readily adaptive to shifting environmental cues than decisions made through organizational deliberation.
RFID Sensors and Artifact Tracking

As network bandwidth steadily increases and touchscreen mobile devices become ever more pervasive, objects achieve an electronic identity by actively building the “Internet of Things” (IoT). RFID technology as well as sensor networks (SN) are important elements in the creation of the IoT, with innovative customized apps designed around people. This chapter introduces basic features of RFID systems and discusses their potential in the field of cultural heritage protection and promotion. After a brief introduction, RFID is introduced, describing recent research improvements that integrate sensor ability in RFID (semi)passive tags. Next, we focus on its application in the field of cultural heritage, introducing related work and discussing possible scenarios of use. Finally, conclusions and future prospects end the chapter.
Holy Hip Hop in the City of Angels

Open access to this title is possible thanks to the generous support of Arcadia, a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin. In the 1990s, Los Angeles was home to numerous radical social and environmental eruptions. In the face of several major earthquakes and floods, riots and economic insecurity, police brutality and mass incarceration, some young black Angelenos turned to holy hip hop—a movement merging Christianity and hip hop culture—to “save” themselves and the city. Converting street corners to open-air churches and gangsta rap beats into anthems of praise, holy hip hoppers used gospel rap to navigate complicated social and spiritual realities and to transform the Southland’s fractured terrains into musical Zions. Armed with beats, rhymes, and bibles, they journeyed through black Lutheran congregations, prison ministries, African churches, reggae dancehalls, hip hop clubs, Nation of Islam meetings, and Black Lives Matter marches. Zanfagna’s fascinating ethnography provides a contemporary and unique view of black LA, offering a much-needed perspective on how music and religion intertwine in people’s everyday experiences. “An extraordinary book: a treasure trove of information and a tour de force of original research about an intertextual nexus of music, religion, and social practice.” GEORGE LIPSITZ, author of How Racism Takes Place “Zanfagna’s intimate and nuanced work outlines what she calls ‘geographies of conversion.’ She reveals people moving toward ‘Zyon’, where they might encounter trouble, contradiction, and conflict, but also ecstasy, flight, and freedom. An often surprising, subtly transformative book.” JEFF CHANG, author of Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation “Zanfagna graces readers with a deeply engaged and intimately observed unveiling of a Jesus-worshipping West Coast hip hop scene. Through determined, industrious research and wise reflection she provides an exposed view of a pop-savvy form of missionary work that combines social justice motivations with a beat-driven imperative to ‘flipping the script(ures).’” GREGORY TATE, musician, and producer, and author of Midnight Lightning: Jimi Hendrix and the Black Experience
The fate of nitrogen through algal treatment of landfill leachate

Abstract Nitrogen was tracked though an algae-based landfill leachate remediation system. This system was designed to remove nutrients from the liquid waste via nitrogen assimilation into new algae biomass. While the nitrogen removal pathway of bio-assimilation was present, it was not the only nitrogen removal pathway in the treatment system. Weekly measurements of the dissolved inorganic nitrogen (ammonia-N, nitrate-N, and nitrite-N) and the nitrogen content of the biomass were used to track nitrogen transformation pathways during this yearlong study. During a major part of the study (83.4% of the observed weeks), all nitrogen could not be accounted for in the dissolved inorganic nitrogen or biomass portions of the system. It is hypothesized that some of the unaccounted-for nitrogen was lost due to volatilization of gaseous nitrogen species. Based upon characteristic distribution of measured dissolved inorganic nitrogen and the nitrogen content of the biomass for each week and prior metagenomic analysis of the microbial community in the treatment system, we have postulated potential scenarios of the fate of nitrogen in this algae-based wastewater treatment system. Further research is needed to identify all pathways of nitrogen conversion in algae-based wastewater remediation systems and verify our proposed scenarios.
A Data-Driven Approach to Developing IoT Privacy-Setting Interfaces

User testing is often used to inform the development of user interfaces (UIs). But what if an interface needs to be developed for a system that does not yet exist? In that case, existing datasets can provide valuable input for UI development. We apply a data-driven approach to the development of a privacy-setting interface for Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices. Applying machine learning techniques to an existing dataset of users' sharing preferences in IoT scenarios, we develop a set of "smart" default profiles. Our resulting interface asks users to choose among these profiles, which capture their preferences with an accuracy of 82%---a 14% improvement over a naive default setting and a 12% improvement over a single smart default setting for all users.
PROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF CIRCULATING BIOMARKERS AS PREDICTORS OF CARDIOTOXICITY IN PATIENTS WITH HER2-POSITIVE BREAST CANCER RECEIVING ANTHRACYCLINES AND TRASTUZUMAB

Cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and serial ejection fraction (EF) are inadequate for identifying patients (pts) at risk for cardiotoxicity (Ctox) during breast cancer therapy. Biomarkers have been proposed as a complementary approach to stratify risk for Ctox. We determined if mechanistically
Petrous Face Meningiomas: Classification, Clinical Syndromes, and Surgical Outcomes.

Background Petrous face meningiomas (PFMs) are challenging tumors because of their proximity to the cranial nerves, brainstem, and critical vasculature. The objective of this study is to present surgical outcomes and support an anatomic classification for PFM based on clinical presentation. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed, and 51 PFMs were identified. Tumors were classified by location along the petrous face into anterior, middle, and posterior. Presentation and outcomes were analyzed with logistic regression. Results The median follow-up was 31.6 months. Tumors were World Health Organization grade I (n = 50), with 1 World Health Organization grade II tumor. Location was anterior (22%), middle (14%), posterior (53%), and overlapping (12%). Median tumor diameter was 3.0 cm (range, 0.8–6.2 cm). Anterior location was associated with facial pain/numbness on presentation (P Conclusions PFMs present with distinct clinical syndromes based on their location along the petrous face: anterior with trigeminal symptoms, middle with auditory/vestibular symptoms, and posterior with symptoms of mass effect/hydrocephalous. Surgical resection is associated with excellent long-term survival and a low rate of recurrence, which can be managed with radiotherapy.
Mutated tyrosine kinases as therapeutic targets in myeloid leukemias.

Tyrosine kinases are commonly mutated and activated in both acute and chronic myeloid leukemias. Here, we review the functions, signaling activities, mechanism of transformation, and therapeutic targeting of two prototypic tyrosine kinase oncogenes, BCR-ABL and FLT3, associated with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), respectively. BCR-ABL is generated by the Philadelphia chromosome translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22, creating a chimeric oncogene in which theBCRandc-ABLgenes are fused. The product of this oncogene, BCR-ABL, has elevated ABL tyrosine kinase activity and transforms hematopoietic cells by exerting a wide variety of biological effects, including reduction in growth factor dependence, enhanced viability, and altered adhesion of chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) cells. Elevated tyrosine kinase activity of BCR-ABL is critical for activating downstream signalling cascades and for all aspects of transformation, explaining the remarkable clinical efficacy of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, imatinib mesylate (STI571). By comparison, FLT3 is mutated in about one third of all cases of AML, most often through a mechanism that involves an internal tandem duplication (ITD) of a small number of amino acid residues in the juxtamembrane domain of the receptor. As is the case for BCR-ABL, these mutations activate the kinase activity constitutively, activate multiple signaling pathways, and result in an augmentation of proliferation and viability. Transformation by FLT3-ITD can readily be observed in murine models, and FLT3 cooperates with other types of oncogenes to create a fully transformed acute leukemia. FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitors are currently being evaluated in clinical trials and may be very useful therapeutic agents in AML
Conclusions and New Directions

We considered four synthesis generations of TiO2 nanotube arrays [1–3]. The first being aqueous solutions using HF as reported by Gong and co-workers [4], the second as reported by Cai et al. [5] using buffered KF or NaF aqueous solutions to achieve nanotube array lengths of several microns. The third synthesis generation, as initially reported by Paulose and co-workers [6–10], dwelt on the use of organic electrolytes, which extended the achievable nanotube array growth up to 1 mm. A fourth synthesis generation involves replacement of the fluorine ions, used in the first three synthesis generations with, most notably, chlorine as reported by Allam et al. [11, 12]. Each synthesis generation has provided new material properties, which in turn have enabled new applications.
Timing's everything in light, location, and cells.

Circadian behavior in hematopoietic cell function has been described for decades. However, the roles for central vs local nervous have been unclear. In this issue of Blood, Garcia-Garcia et al reveal that the autonomic nervous system works cooperatively with local trafficking responses of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and leukocytes.1
Assessing the interactions between radiotherapy and antitumour immunity

Immunotherapy, specifically the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors, has transformed the treatment of cancer, enabling long-term tumour control even in individuals with advanced-stage disease. Unfortunately, only a small subset of patients show a response to currently available immunotherapies. Despite a growing consensus that combining immune checkpoint inhibitors with radiotherapy can increase response rates, this approach might be limited by the development of persistent radiation-induced immunosuppression. The ultimate goal of combining immunotherapy with radiotherapy is to induce a shift from an ineffective, pre-existing immune response to a long-lasting, therapy-induced immune response at all sites of disease. To achieve this goal and enable the adaptation and monitoring of individualized treatment approaches, assessment of the dynamic changes in the immune system at the patient level is essential. In this Review, we summarize the available clinical data, including forthcoming methods to assess the immune response to radiotherapy at the patient level, ranging from serum biomarkers to imaging techniques that enable investigation of immune cell dynamics in patients. Furthermore, we discuss modelling approaches that have been developed to predict the interaction of immunotherapy with radiotherapy, and highlight how they could be combined with biomarkers of antitumour immunity to optimize radiotherapy regimens and maximize their synergy with immunotherapy.
Association Between Acute and Routine Health Care Utilization and Disease-Related School Absences for Children with Sickle Cell Disease

Introduction: Many children with sickle cell disease (SCD) experience frequent interactions with the health care system for the treatment and management of acute and chronic disease complications. For many children with SCD, these encounters occur during school. There is limited data available which quantifies the association between health care encounters and disease-related absences among children with SCD. The aims of this study were to 1) quantify disease-related school absences for children with SCD and 2) assess the association between health care encounters and school absences. We hypothesized that health care utilization is associated with increased school absences for children with SCD. Methods: We conducted a longitudinal study of 101 children with SCD in a large urban pediatric hospital. Upon enrollment, parents completed a baseline questionnaire that assessed their child's health care utilization and school absences in the previous 12-months. The primary independent variables were acute care (number of emergency department visits and hospitalizations), preventive care (number of routine medical and dental visits), and total health care utilization (summation of all encounter types). The primary outcome measure was the number of disease-related missed school days. The covariates consisted of both child characteristics (age, gender, insurance type, parent-reported health status) and parent characteristics (education, marital status, social support, and number other children in household). Multivariate negative binomial regression was conducted to assess associations. Results were expressed as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Among children with SCD, the average number of acute care encounters was 3 and preventive care encounters was 9 in the previous 12 months. There was an average of 12 total health care encounters during the same period. Children missed an average of 12 school days attributable to SCD in the past 12 months. Acute care (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.13 -1.17), preventive care (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.03 - 1.05) and total health care encounters (OR = 1.05, 95% CI =1.04 - 1.06) were all significantly associated with disease-related missed school days. Conclusion: Routine care accounted for three-fourths of the total health care encounters among children with SCD. While vital to the management of SCD, these frequent health care encounters may increase school absenteeism. This is particularly impactful during formative years as this can have long-term effects on the academic and socio-economic achievement of children with SCD. To ensure that children with SCD can stay on par with their peers, while undergoing recommended treatment, supplemental educational instruction and support coordinated across the health care and education systems may be needed. Larger longitudinal studies are warranted to determine the educational consequences of frequent health care encounters for children with SCD. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Long-term phenology of two North American secondary cavity-nesters in response to changing climate conditions

Wildlife populations can respond to changes in climate conditions by either adapting or moving to areas with preferred climate regimes. We studied nesting responses of two bird species, western bluebird (Sialia mexicana) and ash-throated flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens), to changing climate conditions (i.e., rising temperatures and increased drought stress) over 21 years in northern New Mexico. We used data from 1649 nests to assess whether the two species responded to changing climate conditions through phenological shifts in breeding time or shifts in nesting elevation. We also examined changes in reproductive output (i.e., clutch size). Our data show that western bluebirds significantly increased nesting elevation over a 19-year period by approximately 5 m per year. Mean spring temperature was the best predictor of western bluebird nesting elevation. Higher nesting elevations were not correlated with hatch dates or clutch sizes in western bluebirds, suggesting that nesting at higher elevations does not affect breeding time or reproductive output. We did not observe significant changes in nesting elevation or breeding dates in ash-throated flycatchers. Nesting higher in elevation may allow western bluebirds to cope with the increased temperatures and droughts. However, this climate niche conservatism may pose a risk for the conservation of the species if climate change and habitat loss continue to occur. The lack of significant changes detected in nesting elevation, breeding dates, and reproductive output in ash-throated flycatchers suggests a higher tolerance for changing environmental conditions in this species. This is consistent with the population increases reported for flycatchers in areas experiencing dramatic climate changes.
How Do We Teach? Results of a National Survey of Instruction in Secondary Art Education

This article summarizes selected questions from a 1999 national survey of instructional strategies used by secondary art teachers in the U.S. Results suggest art teachers most frequently use studio...
Extracellular Vesicles and Bone-Associated Cancer.

In this review, we describe the biology of extracellular vesicles (EV) and how they contribute to bone-associated cancers. Crosstalk between tumor and bone has been demonstrated to promote tumor and metastatic progression. In addition to direct cell-to-cell contact and soluble factors, such as cytokines, EVs mediate crosstalk between tumor and bone. EVs are composed of a heterogenous group of membrane-delineated vesicles of varying size range, mechanisms of formation, and content. These include apoptotic bodies, microvesicles, large oncosomes, and exosomes. EVs derived from primary tumors have been shown to alter bone remodeling and create formation of a pre-metastatic niche that favors development of bone metastasis. Similarly, EVs from marrow stromal cells have been shown to promote tumor progression. Additionally, EVs can act as therapeutic delivery vehicles due to their low immunogenicity and targeting specificity. EVs play critical roles in intercellular communication. Multiple classes of EVs exist based on size on mechanism of formation. In addition to a role in pathophysiology, EVs can be exploited as therapeutic delivery vehicles.
Epidemiological characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease in a development area of Shenyang City from 2009 to 2012

[Objective]To analyze the incidence rate and epidemiological characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease( HFMD) in Qipanshan International Scenery Tourism Development Zone of Shenyang City,provide evidence for making the prevention and control measures.[Methods]The descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze the epidemic data of HFMD in this area. [Results]The average annual incidence rate of HFMD from 2009 to 2012 was 160. 24/lakh,and there was significant difference in annual incidence rate( P 0. 005). The incidence rate in males and females was 190. 92 / lakh and 128. 53 / lakh respectively( P 0. 005),and the male-to-female was 1. 54∶ 1. EV71 infection accounted for 50. 00%. 67. 70% of cases were reported between June and July. The cases of scattered children and kindergarten children accounted for 55. 90% and 37. 27% of all reported cases respectively. 88. 51% of patients were children aged 0-5 years old.[Conclusion]There are typical characteristics of HFMD in the development area of Shenyang City from 2009-2012,which include the high-risk population in infant and young children,and the peak season of summer. It is important to carry out the health education of HFMD prevention and control among parents of infants and young children,as well as the kindergarten staff,perform the morning inspection and disinfection in kindergartens,and implement the field emergency respond to HFMD,to effectively control the spread of HFMD.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural obstetrics practices in New Mexico

Context During pregnancy, the immune system is altered, putting women at increased risk of complications from respiratory viruses. There is limited information about the effects of COVID-19 on pregnant women and obstetrics programs, particularly in rural regions. Aims Most published reports have been from large urban hospitals. This study sought to gain insight into how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting rural obstetrics programs. Materials and methods This qualitative study surveyed participants who worked in rural obstetrics programs in New Mexico using a free response questionnaire. Results The pandemic has changed the obstetrics experience in rural New Mexico by impacting the relationship between patients and providers and altering the family-centered model of birth. Difficulties unique to rural obstetrics included lack of transportation, limited hospital rooms and limited staff, including OB providers, nurses and housekeeping. Wellness has been impacted for providers, manifested in increased anxiety, stress and burnout. Patients reported increased anxiety, decreased family support, and potential disruptions in maternal-infant bonding. Conclusions Rural hospitals and clinics in New Mexico and across the United States operate with challenges at baseline, with many clinics across the nation closing, leading to increasing shortages of healthcare services in rural areas. This study showed that COVID-19 has increased the challenges that rural obstetrics providers face, altering the way they practice and creating uncertainty for the future due to potentially permanent changes to their practice. Future research will explore the lasting effects of the pandemic on rural obstetrics providers specifically, and rural hospitals generally.
Quality in Inclusive and Non-Inclusive Infant and Toddler Classrooms: What Are the Trends After 15 Years?

It is beneficial to keep the information concerning quality of care offered to infants and toddlers current to maximize children’s outcomes. This study analyzed the data collected from 2016 to 2018...
Evaluation of Group Projects in an Undergraduate Data Structure Course

Exposure to group projects allows students to explore and extend the concepts they learn in the classroom. The author experimented with semester long projects besides the regular topics of a typical data structure course in an undergraduate setting. The students were encouraged to select different data structures as project topic to solve different practical problems. The goal of this paper is to find out what type of group projects work the best in a data structure course. The paper focuses on how the students fared with the different data structure projects.
Full mouth rehabilitation using chairside CAD/CAM

Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems have historically proven to produce high-quality single-tooth restorations. In recent years, advancements in the scope of scanning technologies in the dental profession have provided a potential platform for complex digital workflows involving complete mouth rehabilitation. This article details the use of both analog and digital methods for reestablishing occlusal function and esthetics in a clinical case involving extreme tooth wear and loss of vertical dimension. The use of both methods was necessary in this case to achieve optimal occlusion, an esthetic result, and a harmonious dentition.
Treatment for breast cancer in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Objectives: To report use of breast cancer treatment (surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy) by patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) is a population-based cancer registry covering 14% of the U.S. population. Participants: Fifty thousand four hundred sixty breast cancer patients aged 65 and older, of whom 1,935 (3.8%) had a diagnosis of AD before or up to 6 months after cancer diagnosis. Measurements: Diagnosis of AD was taken from International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, diagnostic codes accompanying Medicare billing claims between 1992 and 1999. The SEER program reported surgery and radiation. Chemotherapy was taken from Medicare billing records. Results: Subjects with AD were diagnosed with breast cancer at later stages, when tumors were larger and the likelihood of lymph node involvement had increased. Patients with AD had a lower likelihood of surgery (odds ratio (OR)=0.60, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.46–0.81), radiation (OR=0.31, 95% CI=0.23–0.41), and chemotherapy (OR=0.44, 95% CI=0.34–0.58) than those without AD. Conclusion: Overall, AD patients receive less treatment for breast cancer than do comparable female Medicare beneficiaries. Chemotherapy and radiation are administered less frequently to women with AD than to other comparable patients. It is unclear whether suboptimal medical care has an effect on their survival. Further research on the effect of screening and treatment decision-making for these patients is warranted.
Chloroplast intragenic suppression enhances the low CO2/O2 specificity of mutant ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase

The competition between CO2 and O2 at the active site of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase limits net CO2 fixation in photosynthesis. In the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a mutation in the chloroplast large-subunit gene reduces the CO2/O2 specificity of the enzyme by 37% and causes valine-331 to be replaced by alanine. Revertant selection identified an intragenic suppressor mutation that increases the CO2/O2 specificity of the mutant enzyme by 33%. This second-site mutation causes threonine-342 to be replaced by isoleucine. The complementing amino acid substitutions flank a catalytically essential lysyl residue at position 334. It thus appears that a number of amino acid residues can influence the CO2/O2 specificity of this bifunctional enzyme. The well defined chloroplast genetics of C. reinhardtii allows the interactions of these residues to be investigated.
Professional Science Master's Programs Merit Wider Support

A recent study shows the potential of an alternative career path in building a scientific work force.
A Study of Magnetospheric Boundaries by the Simultaneous Observations of Solar and Magnetospheric Particles

It long has been recognized that analysis of low-altitude solar-particle data can provide insight into the structure of the distant magnetosphere, the boundary with the interplanetary medium, and the dynamics of the energetic solar particles within this complex configuration of magnetic and electric fields (cf. reviews by Lanzerotti, 1972; Lanzerotti and Michel, 1972; Morfill and Scholer, 1973; Paulikas, 1973). Low energy solar protons and electrons, observed over the polar caps by low-altitude spacecraft, exhibit a very complex behavior and, unfortunately, the low-altitude data usually cannot be unequivocally interpreted. The experimental results to date have led to much heated discussion as to their interpretation.
Bioassay for the Isolation of Dictyostelium discoideum Mutants Deficient in Extracellular Accumulation of Cyclic Adenosine 3′,5′-Monophosphate

Abstract The growth response to external cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate of a strain of Escherichia coli deleted for adenyl cyclase was utilized to screen for mutants of Dictyostelium discoideum unable to accumulate this chemical extracellularly. The threshold amount of cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate able to induce growth of this bacterium was 3 to 4 μg/ml at 37 C and approximately 25 μg/ml at 27 C. Conditions are described that permit the detection of as low as 2 μg of this chemical at either temperature.
Making Meaning Out of Interpersonal Victimization: The Narratives of IPV Survivors

Research examining meaning-making in the aftermath of interpersonal victimization among women has been restricted by quantitative methods and a focus on single distressing event. Qualitative methods were used to inspect meaning-making cognitions among a community sample of IPV (intimate partner violence) survivors. Consensus coding resulted in eight categories of meaning-making. The most widely endorsed cognition was self-blaming. Other strategies included justification for the abuser, normalizing violence, attribution to karmic or godly intervention, minimization and social comparison, reappraisal/opportunity for growth, absence of a protective figure, and failure to make sense of abuse. Implications with respect to adaptiveness and intervention are discussed.
Sharp interface simulation of interaction of a growing dendrite with a stationary solid particle

Abstract Numerical simulations are performed to study the response of a dendrite as it approaches a solid particle in the melt, such as may arise in metal-matrix composite solidification. A sharp interface, fixed grid numerical method is employed. A pure under-cooled melt is used to grow the dendrite. When the dendrite approaches the particle, appropriate interfacial conditions are specified at the particle-solid interface before and after contact. The behaviour of dendrites as they approach and grow around the particle is closely examined. For a particle to melt thermal conductivity ratio λ = k p k l 1 corresponding to the situation for metal-matrix composites, for the parameters employed, the solidification front does not approach close enough to the particle to activate the particle pushing mechanism. Instead, the solidification front chooses to go around the particle, and eventually the particle is engulfed by sidebranches. Thus an entrapment mode of front-particle interaction is the likely outcome under dendritic growth conditions for λ
Pathological Gambling, Co-occurring Disorders, Clinical Presentation, and Treatment Outcomes at a University-Based Counseling Clinic

It is the intent of this study to examine the relationship between the number of co-occurring disorders in a sample of pathological gamblers and variables associated with clinical presentation and treatment outcomes. Participants were given screening tools for four common psychological disorders: the hands depression screen, the Mood Disorder Questionnaire, the Carroll-Davidson generalized anxiety disorder screen, and the Sprint-4 PTSD Screen. The number of co-occurring disorders, as indicated by the results of these screening instruments, was compared to severity of gambling problems at outset of treatment, as measured by the NORC diagnostic screen for gambling problems-self administered. The number of co-occurring disorders was also compared to psychosocial functioning at the outset of treatment, as well as level of improvement in psychosocial functioning through treatment. Psychosocial functioning was measured using the Outcome Questionnaire 45 (OQ-45). The number of co-occurring disorders was compared to participant satisfaction with the therapeutic relationship as measured by the working alliance inventory-short form. Results suggest that co-occurring disorders are commonplace among treatment seeking pathological gamblers. Over 86 % of the sample screened positively for at least one of the four targeted psychological disorders. Furthermore, the number of co-occurring disorders was found to be positively related to severity of gambling problems at outset of treatment and negatively related to level of psychosocial functioning at outset of treatment. However, the number of co-occurring disorders was not found to be significantly related to level of improvement in psychosocial functioning through treatment. Overall, those that attended at least six sessions reported significantly improved psychosocial functioning by the end of their sixth session. Finally, the number of co-occurring disorders was not found to be significantly related to participants' reported level of satisfaction with the therapeutic relationship.
The treatment validity of DSM-III melancholic subtyping

Because melancholic subtyping is associated with pretreatment symptom severity, the type of data-analytic technique used in examining treatment validity may affect one's conclusions. We examined the relationship between the presence or absence of melancholia and the response to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in 87 depressed inpatients. Depending on the definition of improvement used, melancholic subtyping was either not associated with ECT response, or non-melancholics had a better outcome than melancholics. We suggest that standard methods of outcome evaluation be required in therapy outcome studies.
Methylmercury induced injury of single barnacle muscle fibers

Abstract The effects of methylmercury on sodium transport, resting membrane potential, and ultrastructure of single barnacle muscle fibers were studied. Methylmercury (10−4 m ) reduced the ouabain-sensitive Na efflux and caused a contraction which was preceded by a small fall in the resting membrane potential. The ultrastructural damage caused by methylmercury consisted of a series of mitochondrial changes, the gradual disintegration of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and the formation of gaps in the plasmalemma leading to the breakdown of the muscle fiber. It is suggested that the early decline in the Na efflux may be related, in part, to a reduced ATP supply and that the terminal rise in the Na efflux is the result of the destruction of the sarcolemma.
Myocardial protection with verapamil during ischaemia and reperfusion: dissociation between myocardial salvage and the degree of ATP depletion during ischaemia.

Study objective – The aim was to evaluate the protective effect of verapamil during myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion. Design – In vivo phosphorus-31 (31P) magnetic resonance spectroscopy was performed on rats pretreated with verapamil (mg·kg−1 intraperitoneal) and controls during a 45 min left coronary artery occlusion and 60 min reperfusion. In separate groups of animals, haemodynamic measurements were taken at baseline, during ischaemia, and during reperfusion. Infarct size was determined by staining with triphenyltetrazolium chloride. Experimental material – Female Sprague-Dawley rats were used (control group n = 25, experimental group n = 24). Measurements and main results – Infarct size was significantly reduced in the verapamil group compared to controls: 9.9(SEM 2.3)%, n = 19 v 28.5(2.7)%, n = 19, p<0.001 (infarct % of left ventricular mass). Myocardial phosphocreatine and ATP levels were reduced to similar levels in both verapamil and control animals after 45 min ischaemia: 56.8(3.4)%, n = 10, v 61.4(1.8)%, n = 11, NS; 67.7(2.7)%, n = 10 v 69.7(2.9)%, n = 11, NS (% of baseline value). After 60 min reflow, there was significant recovery of phosphocreatine [91.1(4.2)% of baseline, p<0.05] and ATP [86.8(2.7)% of baseline, p<0.05] in the verapamil group, but no recovery of high energy phosphates in controls [66.3(2.8), NS; 69.6(2.7), NS]. The left ventricular systolic pressure, heart rate, rate-pressure product, and maximum rate of left ventricular pressure development were similar prior to ischaemia, and during ischaemia in both groups. There was an inverse correlation between infarct size and the degree of phosphocreatine recovery after 60 min of reperfusion (PCr recovery (%) = -0.99 × infarct size (%) + 101; r = 0.91; p<0.01; n = 14). Furthermore, in a separate group of animals (n = 9), there was a significant correlation between the size of the ischaemic area at risk and the degree of phosphocreatine decline after 15 min of coronary occlusion (PCr reduction (%) = 0.91 × risk area (%) + 5.6; r = 0.97; p<0.01). Conclusions – Pretreatment with verapamil extends the ischaemic time after which reperfusion results in myocardial salvage in this model of ischaemia and reperfusion. This protective effect is independent of the haemodynamic determinants of myocardial oxygen demand and the degree of ATP and phosphocreatine depletion during the ischaemic period. In this model of reversible ischaemia, 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy is useful for quantitating both the size of the ischaemic region during coronary artery occlusion and infarct size after reperfusion.
Clinical Course of Patients with Normal, and Slightly or Moderately Abnormal Coronary Arteriograms A Follow-up Study on 500 Patients

In a series of 500 patients who had normal coronary arteriograms or narrowings < 50% of the lumen diameter the subsequent clinical course was studied. The minimum follow-up period was 5 years. In 342 patients with entirely normal coronary arteriograms there were only two (0.6%) presumed cardiac deaths and three (0.9%) acute myocardial infarctions within 5 years; both incidences are about half the expected rates in the average unselected population of the United States matched by sex and age. In 101 patients with mild abnomalities (<30% narrowing of the lumen diameter) the prognosis was less good than in the normal group but still better than in the average population. In 57 patients with moderate abnormalities (30 to less than 50% narrowing) there were three (5.3%) presumed cardiac deaths and two (3.5%) myocardial infarctions within 5 years; both incidences are higher than in the average population. Serial arteriograms were made in 20 cases and showed progression of the disease in the majority of cases wi...
Nuclear proliferation and international systems

This article includes some material from an earlier study of this topic, in Stephen J. Cimbala, The Dead Volcano: The Background and effects of Nuclear War Complacency (Praeger Publishers: 2002)
Micro-technology for planetary exploration and education

The use of combined miniaturization technology and distributed information systems in planetary exploration is discussed. Missions in which teams of microrovers collect samples from planetary surfaces are addressed, emphasizing the ability of rovers to provide coverage of large areas, reliability through redundancy, and participation of a large group of investigators. The latter could involve people from a variety of institutions, increasing the opportunity for wide education and the increased interest of society in general in space exploration. A three-phase program to develop the present approach is suggested.
Modulating the optical and electronic properties of highly symmetric Si quantum dots

The optical and electronic properties of quantum dots are critically influenced by the electronic states around the last occupied first empty levels. Using density functional theory calculations we show three alternative ways to alter the optical response of highly stable, highly symmetric hydrogen-terminated fullerene and polycrystalline Si quantum dots: small shape changes, applied uniaxial strain and exohedral doping. The demonstrated effectiveness renders symmetry lowering, the common theme of these processes, as a promising concept for deliberately adjusting optical response.
Stochastic nanopore sensors for the detection of terrorist agents: Current status and challenges

Nanopore stochastic sensor works by monitoring the ionic current modulations induced by the passage of analytes of interest through a single pore, which can be obtained from a biological ion channel by self-assembly or artificially fabricated in a solid-state membrane. In this minireview, we overview the use of biological nanopores and artificial nanopores for the detection of terrorist agents including explosives, organophosphorus nerve agents, nitrogen mustards, organoarsenic compounds, toxins, and viruses. We also discuss the current challenge in the development of deployable nanopore sensors for real-world applications.
A HPC sparse solver interface for scalable multilevel methods

Sparse linear system solvers account for many of the CPU cycles in scientific computing simulations. Several HPC solver packages have been created and distributed to improve efficiency. As part of the Common Component Architecture (CCA) effort, a LInear Solver Interface (LISI) is being developed among them. LISI does not supplant HPC solvers, and the goal is to make it easier for users to switch solvers per application (run-time) demands. Some highly efficient scalable system methods, such as multigrid, multipole, or hierarchical O(N) solvers, typically need more information than base LISI interface provides. The recursive features of those solvers require special care when defining software interfaces. Through subclassing LISI, a medium-level interface is designed for an application to have finer controls over an Algebraic Multigrid solver. Additionally, an interface is proposed to handle the geometric information for a Geometric Multigrid solver. For more detailed user control, a low-level interface is designed in an operator based manner. This paper presents design issues in the proposed CCA interfaces and a reference implementation for several multigrid packages. Test results show that the interface overhead is negligible while the usage complexity of the packages is reduced greatly.
Evidence for Conversion of 5-Fluorocytosine to 5-Fluorouracil in Humans: Possible Factor in 5-Fluorocytosine Clinical Toxicity

A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method for detecting 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in serum at concentrations as low as 10 ng/ml was used to determine to what extent 5-FU was present in the serum of patients taking oral 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC). Preliminary studies in two patients and two healthy volunteers given an initial 2-g oral dose of 5-FC demonstrated sustained serum 5-FU levels (>100 ng/ml) during the 5 h after ingestion of drug. Pharmaceutical preparations of 5-FC used in these studies were shown to be insignificantly contaminated with 5-FU (<0.03%), suggesting in vivo conversion of 5-FC to 5-FU had occurred. Serum samples from seven patients with cryptococcal meningitis treated with amphotericin B and 5-FC were examined for 5-FU. Five of these patients had experienced hematological or other toxicity attributed to 5-FC at some time during the course of therapy. Of 41 serum samples, 20 were observed to have 5-FU levels greater than 1,000 ng/ml in the range observed with cancer chemotherapeutic doses of 5-FU known to be associated with hematological toxicity. It is concluded that conversion of 5-FC to 5-FU occurs in humans and furthermore that 5-FU may account for some of the toxicity observed with 5-FC.
Natural Beauty, Money, and the Distribution of Talent: A Local-Level Panel Data Analysis

While factors affecting highly educated migrants are well documented, controversies on whether noneconomic or economic factors matter remain largely unexplored. This manuscript investigates the effects of natural amenities (water and forests) and economic forces (household income and unemployment rate) on talent distribution at the subcounty level. Natural amenities and economic forces were analyzed with respect to talent share empirically estimated at the municipal level in an amenity-rich lakes region of the North Central United States from 1970 to 2000. The limited panel data analysis results suggest that “natural beauty” (natural amenities) has no direct positive effect on talent share but that “money” (household income) matters. When interacting with “money,” water coverage has a positive effect on talent share. Unemployment rate generally does not have any effect on talent distribution. The finding has important implication for local policy making in attracting talent migrants.
Rio Del Norte: People of the Upper Rio Grande from Earliest Times to the Pueblo Revolt

"Rio del Norte" chronicles the upper Rio Grande region and its divers peoples across twelve thousand years of continuous history. Based on the most up-to-date historical and archaeological research, "Rio del Norte" is a tour de force, highlighting the unbroken history of the upper Rio Grande. Beginning with the mammoth hunters of eleven millennia ago, Carroll Riley adeptly eaves the threads of twelve thousand years of continuous history through the introduction of agriculture, the rise of the Basketmaker-Pueblo (Anasazi) people, and the extraordinary "quickening" that occurred along the Rio Grande and its tributaries as the Anasazi era ended. At that time large towns appeared, some holding several thousand people who practiced irrigation-based agriculture, maintained complex social and political organizations, and had a rich artistry. This "golden age" was continuing when Spaniards contacted, then colonized and missionized the region. In 1680 the Pueblos joined in a powerful record and ousted the invaders. Although the Spanish returned, the Pueblos have maintained important parts of their cultural heritage to the present.