cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abdominal pain and appendicitis: is there a difference in referrals between HMO pediatricians and private pediatricians?

Abstract Background: In the last few years, there have been many reports of the rising incidence of late appendicitis and perforated appendicitis. The rise of managed care medicine has been blamed for this, because the health maintenance organizations (HMO) and gatekeepers allegedly want to keep the child away from the surgeon and hospital to save costs. Methods: The authors were in a unique position a number of years ago because they had only a single HMO in their area of practice (New Brunswick, NJ) employing 14 pediatricians, and 86 pediatricians were in private practice or on the medical school staff. The HMO had a yearly contract with the pediatric surgeons, and all visits and surgeries were covered by a yearly agreement (capitated agreement). The authors compared the number of children with appendicitis, perforated appendicitis, or just abdominal pain (not requiring surgery), between both groups over a 5-year period (1991 to 1996). Results: A total of 492 patients were referred with abdominal pain over a 5-year period. Two hundred eight (42%) had appendicitis, and 284 (58%) had just abdominal pain and eventually were sent home. The HMO pediatricians diagnosed appendicitis accurately in 46% of their patients (55 of 118), and 54% were abdominal pain that was not appendicitis (63 of 118). For the private pediatricians, the percentages were: 40% of their patients had appendicitis (153 of 374), and 60% had abdominal pain without appendicitis (221 of 374). The incidence of perforated appendicitis was similar (28% HMO v 30% private), and the incidence of negative explorations were similar (8% HMO v 9% private). Conclusions: The results are very similar in both groups, with a similar percentage of abdominal pain not being appendicitis (60% v 54%). HMO patients did not pay for consultations, and the HMO was not charged for any consultations. However, it does not appear that they overused the consultations for abdominal pain that were not appendicitis. Their accuracy for correct diagnosis of appendicitis was similar to the private group (46% v 40%), and the incidence of perforated appendicitis for both groups was 28% to 30%. The authors cannot draw any conclusions from their experience that HMOs in general do refer patients to surgeons in a timely fashion, and do not delay the referrals to avoid the cost of consultation, because the authors had a capitated agreement with their HMO, and consultations were free. Both groups of pediatricians, the HMO and the private pediatricians, did not realize financial gain or loss by sending children to the pediatric surgeon and were not penalized by sending patients with abdominal pain to the surgeon. On the contrary, their referral habits and judgments were similar and did not appear to change by being part of an HMO. J Pediatr Surg 35:1084-1086. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Effects of acetylcholine and electrical stimulation on glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor production in skeletal muscle cells

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a neurotrophic factor required for survival of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous system. Specifically, GDNF has been characterized as a survival factor for spinal motor neurons. GDNF is synthesized and secreted by neuronal target tissues, including skeletal muscle in the peripheral nervous system; however, the mechanisms by which GDNF is synthesized and released by skeletal muscle are not fully understood. Previous results suggested that cholinergic neurons regulate secretion of GDNF by skeletal muscle. In the current study, GDNF production by skeletal muscle myotubes following treatment with acetylcholine was examined. Acetylcholine receptors on myotubes were identified with labeled alpha-bungarotoxin and were blocked using unlabeled alpha-bungarotoxin. The question of whether electrical stimulation has a similar effect to that of acetylcholine was also investigated. Cells were stimulated with voltage pulses; at 1 and 5 Hz frequencies for times ranging from 30 min to 48 h. GDNF content in myotubes and GDNF in conditioned culture medium were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Results suggest that acetylcholine and short-term electrical stimulation reduce GDNF secretion, while treatment with carbachol or long-term electrical stimulation enhances GDNF production by skeletal muscle.
Income Distribution and Tax and Government Social Spending Policies in Developing Countries

This paper reviews income distribution in developing (and transition) countries in recent decades. On average, before-tax income distribution in developing countries is less unequal than in industrial countries. However, unlike industrial countries, developing countries in general have not been able to use tax and transfer policies effectively to reduce income inequality. During the 1980s and 1990s, many developing countries experienced an increase in income inequality. The government health care and primary and secondary education programs in developing countries are not well targeted, but their incidence tends to be progressive.
Clinical significance of atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance in postmenopausal women

BACKGROUND Glandular atypia in Papanicolaou (Pap) smears from postmenopausal women is encountered frequently. This finding can be the result of artifactitious alterations such as drying artifacts and inflammatory changes or may represent a squamous or glandular, preneoplastic or neoplastic process. Therefore, it is important to determine the clinical implication of a diagnosis of atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGUS) in postmenopausal patients. METHODS A total of 30,036 Pap smears were obtained from postmenopausal women between 1995 and 1997. Among these smears, 154 (0.51%) had a diagnosis of AGUS. Follow-up was available for 133 patients (86.4%); 110 patients (82.7%) had histologic follow-up (including cervical biopsy, endocervical [EC] curettage, and/or endometrial [EM] biopsy) and 23 patients (17.3%) had repeat smears. RESULTS Thirty-six of 110 patients (32.7%) were found to have a clinically significant lesion (defined as a preneoplastic or neoplastic, glandular or squamous lesion) on subsequent histologic follow-up. Nineteen patients (53%) had glandular lesions (15 EM adenocarcinoma [ACA] cases, 2 EC ACA cases, 1 EC adenocarcinoma is situ case, and 1 EM hyperplasia case). Seventeen patients (47%) had a squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) (6 cases of low-grade SIL, 9 cases of high-grade [HGIL], and 2 cases of squamous cell carcinoma). Among those patients with repeat Pap smears, five patients had persistent AGUS/atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance and one patient had an SIL. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of AGUS among postmenopausal patients was similar to that of the general population (0.51% vs. 0.56%; P > 0.05). A significant percentage of these patients were found to have a clinically significant lesion on subsequent follow-up. Furthermore, a majority of these lesions were ACA (53%) or HGSIL (26%). The findings of the current study strongly suggest the need for the close follow-up of postmenopausal patients with a diagnosis of AGUS. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2001;93:1–7. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
Novel Synthesis of the C1−C15 Polyether Domain of the Thyrsiferol and Venustatriol Natural Products

A convergent construction of the C1−C15 domain of the thyrsiferol-related natural products has been developed. This involved the separate construction of C1−C7 and C8−C15 fragments, their organochromic-mediated coupling, and subsequent reductive closure of the B ring. This synthetic A−B−C ring construct will be useful for the total synthesis of the biologically active polyether squalenoid natural products, as well as their non-natural analogues.
Proxy Sources for Information on Nursing Home Residents' Quality of Life

Objectives. This study explores how well staff and family proxies’ reports on selected quality-of-life (QOL) domains (comfort, dignity, functional competence, privacy, meaningful activity, food enjoyment, relationships, security, and autonomy) correspond to residents’ own reports. Methods. We compared QOL domain scores for nursing home residents and 1,326 staff proxies and 989 family proxies at the individual and facility level using means, Pearson correlation statistics, and intraclass correlations. Regression models adjusted for residents’ age, gender, length of stay, ability to perform activities of daily living, and cognition. Results. For each domain in more than half the cases, proxy means were within 1 SD of the resident means. Resident and family proxy individual reports for selected domains were correlated at 0.14 to 0.46 (all p , .000). Resident and staff proxy individual reports were correlated at 0.13 to 0.37 (all p , .000). Correlation of mean levels by facility for staff proxies was 0.26 to 0.64 (generally p , .05) and for family proxies 0.13 to 0.61 (p , .01 except for one domain). Discussion. Although staff and family proxy domain scores are significantly correlated with resident scores, the level of correlation suggests they cannot simply be substituted for resident reports of QOL. Determining how proxy reports can be used for residents who cannot be interviewed at all remains an unresolved challenge.
Prediction of wet band brake dynamic engagement behaviour Part 1: Mathematical model development

AbstractA wet (oil-lubricated) band brake is a critical component in the operation of automatic transmission systems in automotive applications. Its engagement characteristics significantly affect the quality of automatic shifting. During the automatic transmission design process, it is important to characterize band engagement behaviour accurately under a wide range of operating conditions. This paper describes a mathematical model which predicts the dynamic engagement behaviour of the wet band brake. The space-time-dependent model includes the effects of squeeze film, asperity deformation, porous oil diffusion, heat transfer and loading pressure distribution caused by a self-energizing mechanism. The model can be readily implemented and efficiently executed on a computer as a standalone program or as a subroutine for automatic transmission shift simulations. Knowledge of band engagement obtained through the model is expected to lead to improved band design and automatic transmission shift calibration pr...
Design of T-liveness enforcing supervisors in Petri nets

This paper presents a procedure for the design of supervisors that enforce the transitions in a given set T to be live. T-liveness enforcement corresponds to full liveness enforcement when T equals the total set of transitions. Rather than assuming a given initial marking, this procedure generates at every iteration a convex set of admissible initial markings. In the case of full liveness enforcement and under certain conditions also in the case of T-liveness enforcement, the convex set of each iteration includes the set of markings for which liveness/T-liveness can be enforced. When the procedure terminates, and if it terminates, the final convex set contains only markings for which T-liveness can be enforced. Then, the supervisor keeping the Petri net (PN) marking in this convex set can be easily designed using the place invariant based approach. This paper focuses on the fully controllable and observable PNs. Several extensions of the procedure, including to partially controllable and observable PNs, are outlined.
Sister Mary Joseph's nodule.

A 44-year-old female presented with 1-year history of progressive abdominal distension (figure 1A) which she thought might be related to pregnancy and a tumour protruding through her umbilical area that was oozing serosanguinous fluid. The patient did not seek medical attention initially due to …
Concepts in Operational Support Research

Based upon actual studies on current complex military systems, an attempt is made to gather into a cohesive form those concepts characterizing the operational support field defined as the process having the objective of keeping system availability at acceptable levels. The concepts have evolved from integrated studies on reliability, maintainability and logistics problems and have proven to be productive in the solution of varied types of support problems. The elements making up the conceptual framework of operational support are defined and discussed. The interrelationships among such characteristics as reliability, maintainability and supply are considered insofar as they must be taken into account by design personnel relative to the mission of the equipment or weapon system. The aims and context of the field of operational support are discussed from the point of view of the ex ante before the fact designer and ex post after the fact operating personnel. By defining the subject area of operational support in terms of two major areas, reliability and maintainability, all other characteristics of a support system and all related functions may be classified under these two major groupings. The concepts developed lead to a description in the form of a pulse train model which provides the analysis of the operation of the piece of equipment or weapon system. Distributions of system availability are derived from distributions of time to failure and time to return to service of the units making up the equipment or system. Although systems management is not specifically discussed, the concepts structured not only give quantitative meaning to the engineering aspects of systems development but also extend to systems management. The concepts thereby become basic to management organization and to control and communication from the data processing point of view.
THE RADIOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF PULMONARY HISTOPLASMOSIS IN THE CAT

A retrospective study of 18 cats with pulmonary histoplasmosis was conducted to evaluate radiographic patterns of disease and to determine age, breed, and sex distributions. All cats had active disease confirmed by biopsy/aspiration cytology (lung, bone marrow, peripheral lymph nodes, pleural fluid) or necropsy examination. Cats 3 years of age or less had the highest incidence of disease; females outnumbered males 2 to 1. Radiographically, most cats had an interstitial pattern which appeared as a fine, diffuse or linear pattern, or as a more distinct nodular pattern. An alveolar pattern was an uncommon radiographic finding. Tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy and calcified lymph nodes or pulmonary parenchymal lesions were not identified in these cats.
Tenofovir Nephrotoxicity: Focusing Research Questions and Putting Them into Clinical Context

Multiple reports have indicated that the antiretroviral drug tenofovir has renal toxicity [1-9]. However, beyond simply identifying the existence of this potential toxicity, the key clinical questions that we as providers rely on to assist us in understanding which patients are at highest risk and how often to assess for toxicity have not really been answered. The study by Goicoechea et al. [10] in this issue of the Journal takes a key step in helping us to address at least part of this first question. Moreover, this study raises many other points worthy of discussion. Goicoechea et al. compared kidney function over time among 3 cohorts of patients receiving tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) plus a ritonovir-boosted protease inhibitor (PI), TDF plus a nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), and regimens not containing TDF. By use of either the CockcroftGault or the Modification of Diet in Renal
Experimental simulations of gas-driven eruptions: kinetics of bubble growth and effect of geometry

Simulated gas-driven eruptions using CO2-water-polymer systems are reported. Eruptions are initiated by rapidly decompressing CO2-saturated water containing up to 1.0 wt.% CO2. Both cylindrical test cells and a flask test cell were used to examine the effect of magma chamber/conduit geometry on erup- tion dynamics. Bubble-growth kinetics are examined quantitatively in experiments using cylindrical test cells. Uninhibited bubble growth can be roughly expressed as dr/dt;lD(b-1)/(gt 1/3 ) for a CO2-water-polymer system at 0-22 7C and with viscosities up to 5 Pa7s, where r is the radius of bubbles, l and D are the Ostwald solubil- ity coefficient and diffusivity of the gas in the liquid, b is the degree of saturation (decompression ratio), and g characterizes how the boundary layer thickness in- creases with time and is roughly 1.0!10 -5 m/s 1/3 in this system. Unlike the radius of cylindrical test cells, which does not affect the eruption threshold and dynamics, the shape of the test cells (flask vs cylindrical) affects the dynamics but not the threshold of eruptions. For cylindrical test cells, the front motion is characterized by constant acceleration with both Dh (the height in- crease) and DV (the volume increase) being propor- tional to t 2 ; for the flask test cell, however, neither Dh nor DV is proportional to t 2 as the conduit radius var- ies. Test-cell geometry also affects foam stability. In the flask test cell, as it moves from the wider base chamber into the narrower conduit, the bubbly flow becomes fragmented, affecting the eruption dynamics. The frag- mentation may be caused by a sudden increase in accel- eration induced by conduit-shape change, or by the presence of obstacles to the bubbly flow. This result may help explain the range in vesicularities of pumice and reticulite.
Aperture: Cultures in Transition

Aperture: “Cultures in Transition” No. 119, Early Summer, 1990. Aperture Foundation Inc. 20 E. 23rd St. New York.
Sodalite ion exchange in polyethylene oxide oligomer solvents

Traditional aqueous methods of cation exchange in zeolites present complications for the exchange of catalytically important transition metal and rare earth ions. Ethylene oxide-based oligomers (polyethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol methyl ether, diglyme, tetraglyme, and polypropylene glycol) are being investigated as alternative media for zeolite ion exchange. Reactions using lithium as the exchanging species indicate that these solvents can be used successfully for ion exchange in hydrosodalite and dehydrated sodalite zeolites, enabling these reactions to be carried out in the absence of water. The oligomer solutions allow for the exchange of 88% to 99% of sodium ions for lithium ions after 3–5 exchange cycles at 100 °C in both hydrosodalite and dehydrated sodalite as determined by unit cell parameters and elemental analysis.
The Diphasic Actions of Ceanothyn and EDTA as Blood Coagulants

Ceanothyn in specific concentrations in blood acts as a blood coagulant, and in specific larger concentrations acts as an anticoagulant. In this regard, it closely follows the similar diphasic coagulant-anticoagulant action of EDTA, a recognized calcium chelator. The coagulant action on blood as a result of the chelation of small amounts of blood calcium may have significance in the blood clotting mechanism as well as practical importance in blood storage methods.
The ontogeny of fin function during routine turns in zebrafish Danio rerio

Zebrafish Danio rerio exhibit spontaneous, routine turns as part of their normal foraging behavior from the early free-swimming stage to adulthood. Given the importance of this behavior and its pervasiveness during zebrafish life history, the functional requirements of routine turning should play an important role in development. Conversely, the ontogeny of turning performance should reflect morphological development. In this paper we analyze the kinematics of routine turning during ontogeny in zebrafish and compare the scaling of turning kinematics to predictions from two existing models. Twenty-nine fish ranging in size from 0.38 to 1.97 cm in fork length (FL) were filmed at 1000 frames s(-1) while performing routine turns. Images were analyzed using image cross-correlation to calculate body and fin velocities. We performed piecewise linear regression to identify variables that do not have a constant rate of change across ontogeny and found that two variables, turn angle and angular velocity, have a transition in slope at a body size of approximately 1 cm. Other variables show a constant positive (pectoral and caudal fin velocity, turn duration), negative (body curvature) or zero (head velocity) rate of change across ontogeny. We interpret these trends in light of morphological changes over ontogeny as well as relevant hydrodynamic conditions. We also compare the slope of the log-transformed variables to predictions from two scaling models of change in function with increasing size. We find mixed support for both models with no single model being better at predicting a single type of variable such as linear velocities. We conclude that morphological development of the paired and median fins and of the skeleton, is an important factor in determining the performance of routine turning over ontogeny. Three-dimensional kinematics and ecological behavior information will further elucidate the ontogenetic patterns observed here.
Carbohydrate Digestion in Humans from a β-Glucan-Enriched Barley Is Reduced

Obese and diabetic patients may benefit from foodstuffs that are poorly absorbed and/or digested at a slower rate. Prowashonupana (PW) is a cultivar of barley, whose grains are enriched in beta-glucans, and thus may be less digestible than standard barley (barley cultivar (BZ) 594.35.e). To test this, both kinds of barley were grown in a chamber into which (13)CO(2) was injected. On two occasions, 10 healthy hydrogen (H(2))-producing adults consumed in random order one 35-g portion of each of the cooked, dehulled (13)C-enriched grains. CO(2) production was measured in a whole-body direct calorimeter, and H(2) and (13)CO(2) were measured in breath at baseline and intermittently for 450 min. The percentage of the (13)C dose recovered in breath was calculated. Results were compared by repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). The percentage of the (13)C dose oxidized was greater after BZ than after PW consumption (P < 0.05). The area under the curve for H(2) was greater after PW (mean +/- SD, 8658 +/- 6582) than after BZ (5178 +/- 4759) intake (P < 0.05), whereas there was no difference in CO(2) production. We conclude that absorption of PW is significantly lower than that of BZ, making the modified barley appropriate for obese and diabetic patients.
A Developmental History of the Society of Pediatric Psychology

Presented history of the field of pediatric psychology in general and, more specifically, the development of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. Review began with 1896 concepts of Lightner Witmer and followed with 1960 activities by Logan Wright which led to the formation of the Society. The developmental phases of the Society are described with respect to goals, publications, financial status, training issues, and awards established. Present activities of liaisons with numerous outside organizations and agencies and regional conferences are detailed.
Antiestrogenic Glyceollins Suppress Human Breast and Ovarian Carcinoma Tumorigenesis

Purpose: We have identified the phytoalexin compounds glyceollins I, II, and III, which exhibit marked antiestrogenic effects on estrogen receptor function and estrogen-dependent tumor growth in vivo. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interactions among the induced soy phytoalexins glyceollins I, II, and III on the growth of estrogen-dependent MCF-7 breast cancer and BG-1 ovarian cancer cells implanted in ovariectomized athymic mice. Experimental Design: Four treatment groups for each cell line were used: vehicle control, 20 mg/kg/mouse/d glyceollin mixture injection, 0.72 mg estradiol (E2) implant, and E2 implant + 20 mg/kg/mouse/d glyceollin injection. Results: Treatment with glyceollin suppressed E2-stimulated tumor growth of MCF-7 cells (-53.4%) and BG-1 cells (-73.1%) in ovariectomized athymic mice. These tumor-inhibiting effects corresponded with significantly lower E2-induced progesterone receptor expression in the tumors. In contrast to tamoxifen, the glyceollins had no estrogen-agonist effects on uterine morphology and partially antagonized the uterotropic effects of estrogen. Conclusions: These findings identify glyceollins as antiestrogenic agents that may be useful in the prevention or treatment of breast and ovarian carcinoma.
Impact and Ballistic Resistance of a New Aluminium Alloy for Ship Construction Elements

The article presents results of examination of the new alloy 7020M intended to be used in shipbuilding. The examination concerned impact properties, verified on a numerical model, and the resistance to perforation (ballistic resistance). Impact and ballistic resistance tests aimed at increasing the operational safety of marine constructions to be made of this alloy under the threat of gunfire or explosion. Dynamic loading of the alloy 7020M leads to the increase of its strength, as compared to the static load, with the range of this increase depending on the strain rate. Splitting of the structure made of the alloy 7020M increases its impact resistance by three times when preserving the same thickness (g = 12 mm g = 2x6 mm). The alloy examined in the structurally homogenous form revealed low resistance to perforation, while the use of 6 mm thick ballistic ceramic (Al2O3) fully protected this material against damage done by ŁPS 7,62 mm shells having the energy of 3 kJ. The split structure of the alloy ensured better protection against explosive pieces formed during 1,4 kg TNT explosion than the homogeneous structure having the same thickness.
Split-brain cats prepared by radiosurgery.

SummaryCats with their optic chiasma and commissural system disconnected along the mid-saggital plane are of special value in central nervous system research. The feasibility of producing such split-brain cats with heavy-particle radiation was attempted. Focused, 910 MeV helium ion particles from the Berkeley cyclotron were restricted to a blade-like beam that was oriented to pass between the cerebral hemispheres. Because of their superior non-scattering property, helium particles retained their sharply-defined beam even after passage through brain tissue along the cat's longitudinal fissure. The efficiency of helium ions in blocking interhemispheric transfer was tested using electrophysiologic techniques. The corpus callosum was permanently implanted with pairs of wire electrodes in the genu and splenium on either side of the interhemispheric fissure. The time–dose relationship to abolish electrically-initiated transcallosal action potentials (TCAP) was investigated. The post-irradiation interval to inhi...
The Political Economy of Trust: Trust and Institutions in Industrial Districts

INTRODUCTION Rational choice accounts of the sources of trust provide a strong basis for understanding the sources of cooperation in industrial districts. Here I inquire whether a rational choice account can explain not only broad patterns of cooperation across the two cases but also differences between them. The existing literature on industrial districts is dominated by detailed case studies of single industrial districts, with remarkably little comparative work. Although we know that industrial districts vary widely in their patterns of economic organization, we know very little about the sources of this variation. Moreover, the kinds of variation that we see present a quite perplexing puzzle for the political culture perspective, which has been the dominant approach to the explanation of cross-national variation in trust and cooperation. Robert Putnam's (1993) arguments about social capital posit that “civic” factors have been key to the relative economic and cultural success of Northern Italy – and the stagnation of the South. Putnam specifically refers to industrial districts as key microlevel illustrations of the links between civics and economics that he claims to have identified. In his argument: What is crucial about these small-firm industrial districts, conclude most observers, is mutual trust, social cooperation, and a well-developed sense of civic community – in short, the hallmarks of the civic community. It is no surprise to learn that these highly productive, small-scale industrial districts are concentrated in those very regions of north-central Italy that we have highlighted as centers of civic traditions, of the contemporary civic community, and of high-performance regional government.
Food Safety Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors of Native American Families with Young Children: A Mixed Methods Study.

Children are at increased risk for foodborne illness due to underdeveloped immune system. Limited research has been reported on food safety knowledge of Native American families with children 10 years of age and younger. This study was conducted to determine the food safety knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the main food preparer in these families by collecting quantitative and qualitative data simultaneously in a mixed method approach. A food safety knowledge survey created using FightBAC!™ concepts was administered prior to focus groups discussions held in Native American communities using a script based upon the Health Belief Model. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS. Qualitative data were coded by three reviewers independently and then compared jointly for themes. Over three fourths of participants (n = 102) were female with an average age of 38.3 years. Over one half of participants were unemployed (54 %), lived on reservations (54 %), and 86 % had a high school degree or higher level of education. The following four themes emerged from the eight focus groups (n = 66): food can make one sick, I am not in control when others handle food, I know how to safely prepare foods for my family, and I do not have time or best equipment (for food safety). Mixed method analysis revealed that participants were aware of the severity and susceptibility for foodborne illness but were confident in preparing foods safely for their family. A food safety education program for Native American food preparers with young children is needed to prevent foodborne illness (FBI) in this population and promote safe food handling practice.
Conceptual Coherence, Comprehension, and Vocabulary Acquisition: A Knowledge Effect?.

Previous research has documented the role of readers’ existing topic knowledge in supporting students’ comprehension of text; yet, we know less about how to build students’ knowledge in order to support comprehension and vocabulary learning. In the current study, we test the hypothesis that knowledge can be built and leveraged simultaneously in the interest of students’ literacy development through the use of conceptually coherent text sets. Fourth grade students (N = 59) were randomly assigned to read either a set of six informational texts that cohered around a set of concepts related to the topic birds (CC texts) or a set of texts that addressed a range of topics (NCC group texts). After reading, we assessed students’: (1) knowledge of the concepts in the conceptually coherent text set, (2) knowledge of target concept-related words that appeared in their respective text sets, (3) knowledge of general academic words that appeared in both texts sets, (4) comprehension of a novel text on a related topic, and (5) interest in the topic of the conceptually coherent texts. Results revealed that students who read the conceptually coherent texts demonstrated more knowledge of the concepts in their texts, more knowledge of the target words in their texts, and had better recall of the novel text compared to students who read unrelated texts. Findings suggest that there is potential for knowledge and vocabulary to be built during English language arts through a focus on conceptual coherence in the design of reading experiences for students.
ATNT-15MIBEFRADIL DIHYDROCHORIDE WITH HYPOFRACTIONATED RADIATION FOR RECURRENT GLIOBLASTOMA: PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF A PHASE I DOSE EXPANSION TRIAL

BACKGROUND: Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) has limited treatment options and the prognosis is poor. Our group recently performed a high-throughput drug screen for novel DNA repair inhibitors which identified mibefradil dihydrochloride, a T-type calcium channel blocker. Follow-up studies by our group and others subsequently revealed that mibefradil is active as a glioma radiosensitizer. Based on these findings, we sought to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of mibefradil and hypofractionated radiation (RT), in a Phase I study of patients with recurrent GBM. A subset of patients are enrolled on a molecular biomarker sub-study, in which the drug is administered prior to surgical re-resection, and the tissue is analyzed for tumor penetration and in situ activity. METHODS: The inclusion criteria are histologically proven GBM progressive or recurrent following RT and temozolomide treatment. Patients receive mibefradil, in escalating dose from 150mg/day until the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) or a dose of 350 mg/day is reached using a standard 3 + 3 design. RT consists of 5 fractions of 600 cGy each, delivered over 2 weeks for a total of 3,000 cGy using stereotactic, intensity-modulated RT. RESULTS: To date, eight patients have been enrolled including two patients on the molecular biomarker sub-study, and seven have been successfully treated. The first dose level cohort has completed accrual. Median progression-free survival was 2.5 months. One patient experienced a complete radiographic response on MRI and one had grade 3 or higher drug-related toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: This Phase I dose-escalation study assesses the safety and determines the MTD of mibefradil dihydrochloride as a novel radiosensitizer in patients with recurrent GBM. Our preliminary data suggest that mibefradil and RT can be safely co-administered with the potential to improve disease response as a novel radiosensitizer.
The Role of the Axiomatic Method

(1967). The Role of the Axiomatic Method. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 74, No. 2, pp. 115-127.
The Effect of Radiolysis on Leachability of Plutonium and Americium from 76–101 Glass *

One aspect of the leachability of actinide bearing glass which has not been adequately addressed is the effect of radiolysis of the system (glass-water) on the amount of actinides liberated from the glass. In the present study, we have investigated the leaching of plutonium and americium from 76–101 glass samples (containing 2 mole % plutonium) in the presence of a one megaRad/hour gamma radiation field. The presence of the radiation field was found to increase the leaching rate of both plutonium and americium by a factor of five. Speciation studies of the plutonium in the leachate indicate that the plutonium is present predominantly in the higher oxidation states, Pu(V) and Pu(VI) and that it is significantly associated with colloidal particles. Examination of the glass surfaces with X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, XPS, both before and after leaching was carried out; these studies showed lower surface concentrations of plutonium in the samples of glass leached in the radiation field.
Nonlinear Aeroelastic Analysis of High Aspect-Ratio Wings Using Immersed Boundary Technique

T work develops a high-fidelity nonlinear aerodynamic solution technique coupled with a nonlinear-structural solver to investigate the static aeroelastic response of high aspect-ratio wings. A typical scheme uses linear techniques to capture the fluid effects on the structure. However, these methods neglect effects such as camber, wing thickness, and viscous effects. In this paper, an immersed boundary (IB) method is used to capture the nonlinear aerodynamic effects of the fluid motion. Immersed boundary methods provide an alternative approach for solving aeroelastic problems involving complex geometries and arbitrarily large deformations as seen in high aspect-ratio wings. Fast grid generation without the need to conform the fluid-structure interface and efficient flow solvers are the other benefits of immersed boundary methods. The immersed boundary method is based on solving the Navier-Stokes (NS) equation on a fixed background grid where the fluidstructure interfaces are represented by independent surfaces. The effect of solid boundary is accounted through penalization parameter inside the flow equations. In this paper, the aeroelastic response of a high aspect-ratio wing with geometric nonlinearities in a subsonic flow is investigated. The aerodaynamic response of lifting surfaces is compared between the convectional and IB approach. The results show the good accuracy of this approach for solving the static aeroelastic problem.
Safety evaluation of arbidol in animals

Objective:To evaluate the safety of arbidol on the central nervous,cardiovascular and respiratory system in animals.Methods:The safety of arbidol were assessed based on arch behaviors, righting reflexes,spontaneous activities,sense and remembrance function and revulsive sleep in mice that were orally administered with arbidol(10,50 and 250 mg·kg~(-1)),on the body temperature in rabbits that were orally administered with arbidol(10,30 and 90 mg·kg~(-1)),and on the respiratory rate and am- plitude,BP,heart rate and rhythm and ECG in dogs that were orally administered with arbidol(20 and 80 mg·kg~(-1)).Results:Arbidol(250 mg·kg~(-1))synergized the sleep induction with pentobarbital sodium in the mice.No significant impacts on other physical parameters were found.Conclusion:Arbidol showed no significant impacts on the central nervous,cardiovascular and respiratory system in animals.
Effect of low-level visual details in perception of deformation

We quantitatively measure how different low-level visual details can influence people's perceived stiffness of a deformable sphere under physically based simulation. The result can be used to create a metric for artists in designing textures to enhance or reduce the stiffness perceived by a viewer. We use a checkerboard texture to render the simulation of a free falling sphere that collides with the ground and bounces up. We vary the spatial frequency and contrast of the checkerboard pattern according to results seen in a previous study on the Spatial-Temporal Contrast Sensitivity Function (CSF). We find that checkerboard pattern with certain combinations of spatial frequency and contrast can reduce the perceived stiffness. We also add a high contrast checkerboard background to study how complex backgrounds can influence the effect of low-level details in textures of foreground objects. Our study shows that the effect of low-level visual details in foreground objects observed previously disappears in this situation. This indicates the importance of background, even if it is static.
Cellular Uptake and Ultrastructural Localization Underlie the Pro-apoptotic Activity of a Hydrocarbon-stapled BIM BH3 Peptide

Hydrocarbon stapling has been applied to restore and stabilize the α-helical structure of bioactive peptides for biochemical, structural, cellular, and in vivo studies. The peptide sequence, in addition to the composition and location of the installed staple, can dramatically influence the properties of stapled peptides. As a result, constructs that appear similar can have distinct functions and utilities. Here, we perform a side-by-side comparison of stapled peptides modeled after the pro-apoptotic BIM BH3 helix to highlight these principles. We confirm that replacing a salt-bridge with an i, i + 4 hydrocarbon staple does not impair target binding affinity and instead can yield a biologically and pharmacologically enhanced α-helical peptide ligand. Importantly, we demonstrate by electron microscopy that the pro-apoptotic activity of a stapled BIM BH3 helix correlates with its capacity to achieve cellular uptake without membrane disruption and accumulate at the organellar site of mechanistic activity.
Chorea gravidarum treated with chlorpromazine: Case report

Abstract A patient with chorea gravidarum failed to improve with heavy sedation. Administration of chlorpromazine was followed by dramatic improvement.
The use of bioresorbable material in craniofacial surgery

The purpose of this article is to describe the current status of bioresorbable materials for craniomaxillofacial surgery. To best understand this, however, this article will present the clinical history of the use of fixation products, the principles of resorbable fixation, the systems currently in use clinically and their polymer science, and the uses and indications for resorbable fixation.
Pore Size, Permeability and Electrokinetic Phenomena

In any application of porous materials, one is always concerned about the pore size and the hydraulic permeability of the material. The former determines the amount of internal surface area and the latter controls how easy fluids can access these pores. These two properties are closely related because the smaller the pores are, the harder it is for fluids to flow through the material. In catalytic materials, it is desirable to have small pores to increase the amount of surface area, but they must not be too small to let the reactants flow. Without some quantitative knowledge of how the pore size affects the permeability, it would be difficult to achieve an optimal compromise between the two competing factors. However, defining the meaning of pore size precisely and relating it to the permeability is nontrivial. The term pore size is commonly used in the study of porous media without a clear definition, because in most materials the pores have irregular shapes with features sizes that span a wide range of length scales. In the petroleum industry where one is concerned with the flow of hydrocarbons through the pores of sedimentary rock, studies have shown that the pores have features ranging from below one nanometer to tens of micrometers. Many experiments indicate that the pore surface in sedimentary rock exhibits the scale invariant behavior of fractals.1,2 For many of the catalytic materials described in this volume, the pore sizes are quite uniform and fall in the 1–10 nm range. However, the materials are made in the form of small particles and the inter-particle pores are irregular in shape and much larger in size, not very different from the ones in rock. For the reacting fluids to access the nanopores inside the particles, they have to flow through the macropores between the particles. In such systems with irregularly shaped pores or two distinct classes of pores, how can one define a unique pore size that governs the flow properties? This is the basic question we try to address in this article. Over the last decade, much effort has been directed towards a better quantification of the microgeometry of porous media and understanding how it affects the permeability.3 Many of these studies were carried out for sedimentary rock because the rock
A 28-GHz Phased-Array Receiver Front End With Dual-Vector Distributed Beamforming

This paper presents a 28-GHz four-channel phased-array receiver in 130-nm SiGe BiCMOS technology for fifth-generation cellular application. The phased-array receiver employs scalar-only weighting functions within each receive path and then global quadrature power combining to realize beamforming. We discuss both the theory and nonidealities of this architecture and then circuit design details for our phased-array front-end prototype. Differential low-noise amplifiers and dual-vector variable-gain amplifiers are used to realize each front end in a compact area of 0.3 mm2. Across 4-b phase settings, each array element achieves 5.1–7 dB noise figure, −16.8 to −13.8 dBm input-referred 1-dB compression point, and −10.5 to −8.9 dBm input-referred third-order intercept point. The average gain per element is 10.5 dB at 29.7 GHz, whereas the 3-dB bandwidth is 24.5% (26.5–33.9 GHz). Root-mean-squared gain and phase errors are less than 0.6 dB and 5.4° across 28–32 GHz, respectively, and all four elements provide well-matched and well-isolated responses. Power consumption is 136 mW per element, equaling 546 mW for the four-element array.
Inter-Strain Differences in LINE-1 DNA Methylation in the Mouse Hematopoietic System in Response to Exposure to Ionizing Radiation.

Long Interspersed Nuclear Element 1 (LINE-1) retrotransposons are the major repetitive elements in mammalian genomes. LINE-1s are well-accepted as driving forces of evolution and critical regulators of the expression of genetic information. Alterations in LINE-1 DNA methylation may lead to its aberrant activity and are reported in virtually all human cancers and in experimental carcinogenesis. In this study, we investigated the endogenous DNA methylation status of the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of LINE-1 elements in the bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs), and mononuclear cells (MNCs) in radioresistant C57BL/6J and radiosensitive CBA/J mice and in response to ionizing radiation (IR). We demonstrated that basal levels of DNA methylation within the 5′-UTRs of LINE-1 elements did not differ significantly between the two mouse strains and were negatively correlated with the evolutionary age of LINE-1 elements. Meanwhile, the expression of LINE-1 elements was higher in CBA/J mice. At two months after irradiation to 0.1 or 1 Gy of 137Cs (dose rate 1.21 Gy/min), significant decreases in LINE-1 DNA methylation in HSCs were observed in prone to radiation-induced carcinogenesis CBA/J, but not C57BL/6J mice. At the same time, no residual DNA damage, increased ROS, or changes in the cell cycle were detected in HSCs of CBA/J mice. These results suggest that epigenetic alterations may potentially serve as driving forces of radiation-induced carcinogenesis; however, future studies are needed to demonstrate the direct link between the LINE-1 DNA hypomethylation and radiation carcinogenesis.
FURTHER ATTRIBUTES OF THE PERENNIAL VEGETATION IN THE ROCK VALLEY AREA OF THE NORTHERN MOJAVE DESERT

Above-ground and below-ground biomass, percent dead shrubs by species, and percent of dead stems of living species were determined for a site in the northern Mojave Desert.
Accessibility of a Catalyst’s Fractal Surface to Diffusing and Reacting Molecules

Many porous catalysts have a fractal internal surface on molecular scales. Similar to a natural coastline, the fractal roughness of the surface creates a cascade of fjords along the pores. In a heterogeneously catalyzed reaction, molecules diffuse through the pores and react on the surface. Because of the fractal cascades of fjords along the pores, some points on the catalyst’s internal surface are more easily reached than other points. This influences the diffusion of molecules through the pore space and leads to a nonuniform reaction probability distribution over the surface. Gas diffusion within a cascade of fjords is mainly Knudsen diffusion, so that the results are fundamentally different when compared to the often studied molecular diffusion or analogous phenomena, like conduction. The obtained results are useful in the investigation of whether important diffusion limitations within the fjord cascades along a fractal catalyst surface exist, and, if so, on which subset of the surface the active phase may be concentrated without altering the effective reaction rate.
Besser-werden-müssen

Auf einem sehr grosen Planeten lebten einst ein paar tausend Menschen in kleinen Siedlungen am Wasser. Erinnern Sie sich? Mit diesen Menschen begann ich das Buch. Am Anfang dieses Kapitels hatten sie es noch immer gut und wohnten zufrieden und glucklich.