cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A system of credentialing physicians in advanced gynecologic endoscopy.

Abstract Study Objective To develop criteria for credentialing physicians in advanced gynecologic endoscopy. Design Descriptive study (Canadian Task Force classification III). Setting University-affiliated community hospital Patients None. Intervention Criteria for credentialing physicians were tested. Measurements and Main Results Physicians were granted universal privileges in advanced gynecologic laparoscopy or hysteroscopy when they were certified by the Accreditation Council for Gynecologic Endoscopy (ACGE). Alternatively, they received category-specific privileges in any one of six categories when they provided documentation of having satisfactorily performed 10 cases in four categories or 5 cases in the remaining two. Required cases included those performed during residency or with a proctor. Completion of an approved residency, board certification or eligibility, and good standing were other requirements. Proof of continuing medical education in endoscopy was also considered. Of 31 physicians in the department, 3 had ACGE certification: 1 in laparoscopy, 2 in laparoscopy and hysteroscopy. Three physicians gained privileges under the alternative system. One received category 1, one received categories 1 and 2, and the third received categories 1, 2, and 6 privileges. Twenty-five physicians were granted standard endoscopy privileges, including six who applied for advanced endoscopy privileges. These applications are pending case documentation and proctorship. Conclusion A system for credentialing physicians in advanced gynecologic endoscopy, using two alternative pathways, was implemented.
Effect of lithium in the DIII-D SOL and plasma-facing surfaces

Abstract Lithium has been introduced into the DIII-D tokamak, and migration and retention in graphite have been characterized since no lithium was present in DIII-D initially. A new regime with an enhanced edge electron pedestal and H 98 y 2 ⩽ 2 has been obtained with lithium. Lithium deposition was not uniform, but rather preferentially deposited near the strike points, consistent with previous 13 C experiments. Edge visible lithium light (LiI) remained well above the previous background during the entire DIII-D campaign, decaying with a 2600 plasma-second e-fold, but plasma performance was only affected on the discharge with lithium injection. Lithium injection demonstrated the capability of reducing hydrogenic recycling, density, and ELM frequency. Graphite and silicon samples were exposed to a lithium-injected discharge, using the DiMES system and then removed for ex - situ analysis. The deposited lithium layer remained detectable to a depth up to 1 μm.
Break-Technique Handheld Dynamometry: Relation Between Angular Velocity and Strength Measurements

Abstract Burns SP, Spanier DE. Break-technique handheld dynamometry: relation between angular velocity and strength measurements. Objectives To determine whether the muscle strength, as measured with break-technique handheld dynamometry (HHD), is dependent on the angular velocity achieved during testing and to compare reliability at different angular velocities. Design Repeated-measures study. Participants underwent HHD by using make-technique (isometric) and break-technique (eccentric) dynamometry at 3 prespecified angular velocities. Elbow movement was recorded with an electrogoniometer. Setting Inpatient spinal cord injury unit. Participants Convenience sample of 20 persons with tetraplegia with weakness of elbow flexors or extensors. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Elbow angular velocity and muscle strength recorded during HHD. Results With the break technique, angular velocities averaging 15°, 33°, and 55°/s produced 16%, 30%, and 51% greater strength measurements, respectively, than velocities recorded by using the make technique (all P Conclusions Greater strength is recorded with faster angular velocities during HHD. Differences in angular velocity may explain the wide range previously reported for break- versus make-technique strength measurements. Variation in angular velocity is a potential source of variability in serial HHD strength measurements, and for this reason the make technique may be preferable.
Clay-size minerals as indicators of modern sedimentary processes in submarine canyons: Application to the Wilmington Canyon System

Recent sedimentary processes in the Wilmington Canyon area, U.S. east coast, are interpreted using high-resolution profiles of clay-size minerals from sediment cores collected using D.S.R.V. Alvin and the R.V. Atlantis II. Modern surficial sediments (< 100 years old) of the Wilmington Canyon system contain uniformly high relative abundances of illite (55–65%) and chlorite (25–35%). Where these assemblages occur downcore, relatively continuous hemipelagic sedimentation is inferred. Anomalously high concentrations of expandable minerals (to 58%) and kaolinite (to 15%) occur at discrete intervals within several cores from the Wilmington Canyon area. These anomalous intervals are bounded by sediments deposited within the past 100 years. Previous studies of DSDP sites along the U.S. Atlantic margin revealed relatively high abundances of montmorillonite and kaolinite in late Cretaceous-Tertiary strata. Similar signatures in the Wilmington Canyon system probably indicate that these sediments are derived from late Cretaceous-Tertiary outcrops on the canyon walls during episodic sediment transport events. Intervals rich in detrital clay-size minerals (quartz, feldspar, pyroxene and amphibole) also occur in cores from the Wilmington Canyon area and are probably derived from Pleistocene sediments which were delivered to the continental slope in great quantities during periods of lower sea level. The presence of distinct mineral zonations on the floor of the Wilmington Canyon suggests that local erosional forces rather than large-scale turbidity currents probably dominate the canyon area at present. Surficial sediments from the intercanyon area northeast of Wilmington Canyon reveal a downslope decrease in illite and corresponding increase in expandable minerals, suggesting an increased contribution of pre-Holocene sediments derived from erosion of the slope.
Application of High-Level Iterative Coupled-Cluster Methods to the Cytosine Molecule

The need for inclusion higher-order correlation effects for adequate description of the excitation energies of the DNA bases became clear in the past few years. In particular, we demonstrated that the inclusion of triply excited configurations may play an important role in a proper description of the excitation energies of the cytosine molecule in realistic environment. In this paper we discuss the accuracies of excitation energies for the cystosine molecule in the gas phase and in the aqueous solution calculated with noniterative and iterative coupled-cluster methods that include the effect of triply excited configurations.
Gene therapy and neurodevelopmental disorders

With a number of recent clinical successes, gene therapy is quickly becoming a realistic treatment option for neurological disorders. Advancements in global central nervous system (CNS) gene delivery, in particular, have accelerated to the point that treatments for neurological disorders such as lysosomal storage diseases seem within reach. Other neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Rett Syndrome, Fragile X, and autism still face significant obstacles to overcome before a viable human gene therapy can be considered. This review focuses on the most common CNS gene delivery vehicle, adeno-associated virus (AAV), and the current state of AAV vector design and delivery for CNS gene therapy. Relevant examples of gene therapy studies for neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as outstanding challenges, are discussed. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Neurodevelopmental Disorders'.
Consumption of Low-Calorie Sweeteners among U.S. Adults Is Associated with Higher Healthy Eating Index (HEI 2005) Scores and More Physical Activity

The possibility that low-calorie sweeteners (LCS) promote lower quality diets and, therefore, weight gain has been noted as a cause for concern. Data from a representative sample of 22,231 adults were obtained from five cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2008 NHANES). A single 24-hour recall was used to identify consumers of LCS beverages, foods and tabletop sweeteners. Diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index 2005 (HEI 2005) and its multiple subscores. Health behaviors of interest were physical activity, smoking and alcohol use. LCS consumers had higher HEI 2005 scores than did non-consumers, largely explained by better SoFAAS subscores (solid fats, added sugar and alcohol). LCS consumers had better HEI subscores for vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy, but worse subscores for saturated fat and sodium compared to non-consumers. Similar trends were observed for LCS beverages, tabletop LCS and LCS foods. Consumers of LCS were less likely to smoke and were more likely to engage in recreational physical activity. LCS use was associated with higher HEI 2005 scores, lower consumption of empty calories, less smoking and more physical activity.
Extraordinarily high plastic deformation in polyurethane/silica nanoparticle nanocomposites with low filler concentrations

Abstract We have synthesized segmented polyurethane (SPU)/silica nanoparticle (SiNP) nanocomposites with extraordinarily high tensile strength and strain-at-break using an in-situ polymerization method with low SiNP concentrations. A 20-fold increase in strain-at-break compared with the pristine polymer has been achieved for the 0.5 wt% SiNP nanocomposites. A suite of characterization tools including transmission electron microscopy, ultra-small angle X-ray scattering, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis has been used to correlate the phase morphology, crystallization, and mechanical properties. The location of SiNP in the phase separated SPU is believed to be the main reason for the mechanical property enhancement.
Environmental Impacts of the Emerging Digital Economy: The E-for-Environment E-Commerce?

The Internet-led digital economy is changing both the production and consumption patterns at the global scale. Although great potential exists to harness information technology in general and the Internet in particular and improve the environment, possible negative impacts of e-commerce on the environment should also be considered and dealt with. In this forum, we discuss both the potential positive and negative impacts of e-commerce. Drawing from insights gained from the complexity theory, we also delineate some broad contours for environmental policies in the information age. Given the paradoxical nature of technological innovations, we want to caution the scientific community and policymakers not to treat the Internet as the Holy Grail for environmental salvation.
The inverse optimal value problem

This paper considers the following inverse optimization problem: given a linear program, a desired optimal objective value, and a set of feasible cost vectors, determine a cost vector such that the corresponding optimal objective value of the linear program is closest to the desired value. The above problem, referred here as the inverse optimal value problem, is significantly different from standard inverse optimization problems that involve determining a cost vector for a linear program such that a pre-specified solution vector is optimal. In this paper, we show that the inverse optimal value problem is NP-hard in general. We identify conditions under which the problem reduces to a concave maximization or a concave minimization problem. We provide sufficient conditions under which the associated concave minimization problem and, correspondingly, the inverse optimal value problem is polynomially solvable. For the case when the set of feasible cost vectors is polyhedral, we describe an algorithm for the inverse optimal value problem based on solving linear and bilinear programming problems. Some preliminary computational experience is reported.
Agrarian reform as unfinished business : the selected papers of Wolf Ladejinsky

A collection of 62 essays on agrarian reform in Asia is presented. Based on field observations, Ladejinsky's works reflect his concern with the redistribution of land to submarginal farmers, tenants, sharecroppers, and landless laborers. The papers express Ladejinski's belief that the role of Asia in establishing the dominance of democracy over Communism is crucial and that the welfare of the Asian people will play a definitive role in the outcome; that agricultural progress is basic to economic development and welfare; that the redistribution of land to the mass of cultivators or the secure land tenure, with adequate water supplies and technical assistance at reasonable rents for tenants, is the best way to provide incentives for agricultural development; that basic agrarian reform is inevitable and revolutionary in character; that political leadership is necessary for the achievement of agrarian reform and the maintenance of stability; and that assistance from Western nations is vital. Two official documents leading to land reform in post-World War II Japan, a chronological bibliography of Ladejinsky, and a list of depository libraries for the Ladejinsky papers are appended.
Calculation of magnetic anisotropy energy in YCo5

Abstract Previous calculations of the magnetic anisotropy of YCo 5 found values of about 0.6 meV/f.u. compared to the experimental value of 3.8 meV/f.u. These were all performed using LDA with and without including nonspherical corrections. We have applied GGA including non-spherical and relativistic p 1/2 corrections which results in the magnetic anisotropy energy to be 1.4 meV/f.u. This means a smaller than previously assumed portion of the magnetic anisotropy comes from orbital polarization and similar effects beyond density functional theory.
The management of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a life-threatening complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplantation. Most cases are EBV-positive B-cell neoplasms, which occur in the setting of pharmacologically impaired cellular immunity. Several different treatment strategies including cytotoxic antitumor therapy, anti-B-cell monoclonal antibody therapy, antiviral therapy, and modalities aimed at restoration of EBV-specific cellular immunity have been employed. In addition, efforts to identify patients at high risk for PTLD have resulted in attempts at prophylactic and preemptive therapies. In this review we discuss the available literature on differing approaches to PTLD management, identify areas in need of further investigation, and, when possible, make general recommendations. Reduction of immunosuppression remains the mainstay of first-line treatment. Accumulating evidence supports the role of rituximab as second-line therapy with cytotoxic chemotherapy reserved for specific circumstances. Further investigations are needed to better define the role of more novel and less widely available therapies such as the adoptive transfer of EBV-specific T cells and optimization of antiviral therapies.
The pH dependence of peptide hydrolysis by nitrocarboxypeptidase A

Abstract Hydrolysis of benzyloxycarbonyl-GlyGlyPhe by nitro(Tyr 248)carboxypeptidase A over the pH range 4.88–8.04 has been examined. The nitroenzyme retains appreciable activity near pH 6.5, and the limiting value of Km is scarcely affected. The peptidase activity has a pH dependence characterized by the following parameters: pKE1 of 6.37 ± 0.19 and pKE2 of 6.60 ± 0.17 in k cat K m , and apparent pK of 5.59 ± 0.06 in Kcat. A spectroscopic pK of 6.75 ± 0.01, attributable to the nitro-Tyr 248 residue, has been determined. This correlates with the base-limb pKE2 in the k cat K m profile, which appears to be shifted from a higher value, pKE2 of 9.0, for the native enzyme. The single (acid-limb) pK which characterizes the kcat profile of the native enzyme is also found to be perturbed to a lesser extent by nitration. A kinetically competent reverse protonation mechanism, based on chemical modification and crystallographic evidence for the enzyme, is described.
Analysis of the finite deformation response of shape memory polymers: I. Thermomechanical characterization

This study presents the analysis of the finite deformation response of a shape memory polymer (SMP). This two-part paper addresses the thermomechanical characterization of SMPs, the derivation of material parameters for a finite deformation phenomenological model, the numerical implementation of such a model, and the predictions from the model with comparisons to experimental data. Part I of this work presents the thermomechanical characterization of the material behavior of a shape memory polymer. In this experimental investigation, the vision image correlation system, a visual–photographic apparatus, was used to measure displacements in the gauge area. A series of tensile tests, which included nominal values of the extension of 10%, 25%, 50%, and 100%, were performed on SMP specimens. The effects on the free recovery behavior of increasing the value of the applied deformation and temperature rate were considered. The stress–extension relationship was observed to be nonlinear for increasing values of the extension, and the shape recovery was observed to occur at higher temperatures upon increasing the temperature rate. The experimental results, aided by the advanced experimental apparatus, present components of the material behavior which are critical for the development and calibration of models to describe the response of SMPs.
Occupational choice of male graduate students as related to values and personality: A test of Holland's theory☆

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships among personality factors, value patterns, and occupational choice, as determined by major area of concentration, of male graduate students at the University of North Dakota in the context of Holland's theory of vocational choice. Using Holland's classification system, six groups were derived: Realistic, Intellectual, Conventional, Enterprising, Social, and Artistic. Relationships between major area of concentration and scores achieved on the Holland Vocational Preference Inventory, the Allport-Vernon-Lindzey Study of Values, the Miller Occupational Values Indicator, and the Cattell and Eber Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire were investigated. Results of discriminant analysis revealed several interesting findings, and conclusions related that life values, work values, and personality characteristics were significantly related to occupational choice.
Breeding birds and vegetation: A quantitative assessment

Abstract A 5-year study of urban/suburban breeding birds in Amherst, Massachusetts, U.S.A., focused on the relationship between breeding birds and vegetation composition and structure. Over all habitats, and throughout the 5-year period, woody vegetation volume alone accounted for 50% of all the variation in breeding bird species number, and species richness kept increasing even at relatively high vegetation volumes. Sixty-five species of breeding birds were seen during the study, and these can be divided into three groups based on their overall abundance in the sample areas and on their amenability to management: one group is liable to occur anyway, whether or not woody vegetation volume is encouraged as a management strategy; the second group is liable to be well represented where vegetation volume is encouraged but not well represented where it is not, and is the group most suitably targeted for management; the last group consists of birds which are poorly adapted to built-up areas, and which — though detected in small numbers — are not judged likely to increase significantly even where vegetation volume is augmented.
Toxicity in Sponges and Holothurians: A Geographic Pattern

Toxicity in sponges and holothurians is inversely related to latitude and may reach 100 percent for holothurians in high-diversity coral reefs. Evidence from approximately 700 experiments and from underwater observations suggests that predation by fish has resulted in natural selection for noxious and toxic chemical compounds in species within these taxa.
Phytoplankton Dynamics and Hypoxia in Lake Erie: A Hypothesis Concerning Benthic-pelagic Coupling in the Central Basin

Recent changes in the Lake Erie ecosystem suggest that reductions in phosphorus loads and invasion by dreissenid mussels, have enhanced light penetration, and altered phytoplankton distribution patterns in the lake. In this paper, we evaluate possible links between phytoplankton dynamics in Lake Erie, and seasonal development of hypoxia in the central basin by studying seasonal pattern of the vertical distribution of algae. On four occasions in 2002, the biomass of major algal assemblages was measured (epilimnion, metalimnion, hypolimnion, and benthos) at six sites in the central basin (n = 96). Pelagic chlorophyll concentrations in the central basin varied by several fold among the six sampling sites and three dates (range, 0.80 to 5.99 mg/m3). The greatest values were measured in the metalimnion. Benthic chlorophyll concentrations in the central basin were large. Values were highest in June and decreased dramatically thereafter. Mean (± SD) concentrations for the benthic assemblages at two stations were 31.1 ± 18.9 mg/m2, compared with values of 43.2 ± 9.2 mg/m2 for the pelagic assemblage at the same two stations. The consistent presence of a benthic algal assemblage in the central basin, whose species make-up was dominated by planktonic diatoms, suggests that the benthic assemblage in the central basin is more aptly viewed as a meroplanktonic algal maximum (MAM); an algal assemblage that spends part of its life history associated with both the pelagic and benthic environments. On a unit area basis, this MAM layer supported biomass comparable to that for the entire water column, suggesting that the MAM figures prominently into the development of hypoxia.
Semileptonic B Decays and Determination of |V ub |

Semileptonic decays of the B mesons provide an excellent probe for the weak and strong interactions of the bottom quark. The large data samples collected at the B Factories have pushed the experimental studies of the semileptonic B decays to a new height and stimulated significant theoretical developments. We review recent progresses in this fast-evolving field, with an emphasis on the determination of the magnitude of the Cabibbo–Kobayashi–Maskawa matrix element |Vub|.
The amount and location of amorphous component in polyethylene single crystals

Abstract Polyethylene single crystals from dilute solutions usually have a density ρ which is less than that of the ideal crystal lattice (ρc = 1.000 g/cm3). This density defect can be formally assigned to an “amorphous” component (1-α) = (ρc-ρ)/(ρc-ρa) and may be caused by vacancies in the crystal lattice and/or by the surface disorder connected with chain folds. The two-phase concept of single crystal structure assumes a very nearly ideal lattice core and two amorphous layers on the fold-containing surfaces. It is supported by density and heat content data of annealed samples, by small-angle X-ray scattering, by wide-line NMR investigations, and by the results of fuming nitric acid treatment. The maximum thickness of the amorphous surface layer as a function of temperature may be estimated from the free energy requirement of such a layer. With regular chain folds one has a high concentration of gauche conformations yielding a high surface energy. The need for such a concentration disappears in the amorp...
Comprehensive 3-D notching simulator with nonplanar substrates

A comprehensive three-dimensional simulation model for non-planar substrate lithography is presented. Matching substrate as well as standing wave effects are examined. The projection printing is simulated using Hopkins'' results and the exposure model is solved using spectral element discretizations of the nonlinear wave equation coupled with the rate equation for the photoactive compound concentrate evolution. The dissolution algorithm describing moving fronts has been modified to handle various topographies thus yielding the final profiles. Results are presented for several test problems. 1.
Solution of linear equations with coefficient matrix in band form.

An algorithm is given for the solution of simultaneous linear equations having a band type coefficient matrix. The algorithm utilizes a suitable partitioning of the coefficient matrix. Some particular cases are described in which the use of the algorithm is advisable.
The monotonic diameter of the perfect matching and shortest path polytopes

The monotonic diameter is determined for the perfect matching, assignment, and shortest path polytopes. These results show that the diameter of a polytope and its monotonic diameter may be different. Furthermore, the monotonic Hirsch conjecture is true for these polytopes.
Flow distribution in manifolded solar collectors with negligible buoyancy effects

Abstract To understand the influence of collector design parameters on the flow distribution among the solar collector absorber tubes, and as a first step to any detailed analysis of the influence of flow on heat transfer in the collector and on its consequent thermal performance, this study investigates the distribution of flow through a typical system consisting of two manifolds connected by a number of parallel riser tubes. No thermal effects, such as buoyancy, are taken into account. A discrete hydrodynamic model was developed for this system, and the resulting set of simultaneous nonlinear algebraic equations was solved numerically for 54 different combinations of the major independent variables. Quantitative flow distribution results are presented. In the investigated range, it was determined that the three parameters which have the major influence on flow distribution are, in the order of significance, the ratio of riser diameter to manifold diameter, the number of risers, and the length of the risers, with maldistribution increasing with the increase of the first two and with the decrease of the third one. To demonstrate the most dramatic influence, changing the value of d r d i from 0.25 to 0.75 causes the peak riser flow excess above the average flow to increase 100-fold: from 5% for the first diameter ratio, to 500% for the second. Consistent with his finding, pressure changes in the system arising from inertia in the manifolds become larger than the frictional pressure changes in the risers when the riser tube length-to-diameter is decreased below about 75, causing large flow maldistribution. Predictions from the model are successfully compared with limited experimental data and with the closed-form solutions of two existing models.
Gyrokinetic particle-in-cell simulations of plasma microturbulence on advanced computing platforms

Since its introduction in the early 1980s, the gyrokinetic particle-in-cell (PIC) method has been very successfully applied to the exploration of many important kinetic stability issues in magnetically confined plasmas. Its self-consistent treatment of charged particles and the associated electromagnetic fluctuations makes this method appropriate for studying enhanced transport driven by plasma turbulence. Advances in algorithms and computer hardware have led to the development of a parallel, global, gyrokinetic code in full toroidal geometry, the gyrokinetic toroidal code (GTC), developed at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. It has proven to be an invaluable tool to study key effects of low-frequency microturbulence in fusion plasmas. As a high-performance computing applications code, its flexible mixed-model parallel algorithm has allowed GTC to scale to over a thousand processors, which is routinely used for simulations. Improvements are continuously being made. As the US ramps up its support for the International Tokamak Experimental Reactor (ITER), the need for understanding the impact of turbulent transport in burning plasma fusion devices is of utmost importance. Accordingly, the GTC code is at the forefront of the set of numerical tools being used to assess and predict the performance of ITER on critical issues such as the efficiency of energy confinement in reactors.
Porosity and density of spark-processed silicon ☆

Abstract Spark-processed Si (sp-Si) is a porous solid-state material. Due to the nature of its structure and morphology, the traditional methods for porosity measurements cannot be utilized. Using the measure theory and the expected value theorems of stereology, we have calculated the porosity of sp-Si to be 43%. Stereological analysis was applied to sp-Si specimen, prepared within a fixed set of growth parameters. Over 60 cross-sectional scanning electron micrographs of the specimen were utilized in this work. The sp-Si sample has a characteristic cylindrical symmetry due to the uniform surface resistance of the Si substrate and to the random nature of spark processing. However, sp-Si is not isotropic, uniform and random (IUR), exhibiting radial and axial anisotropy of porosity. To avoid bias in the calculation, we chose random areas of the cross-sectional surface of sp-Si and calculated their porosities. The calculated values entered into a weighted statistical distribution, in which the statistical weights were determined from the symmetry properties of the sample. The statistical approach and the fact that volume is an additive quantity, allowed us to use a two-dimensional population of points in the calculation of the three-dimensional pore volume fraction and to satisfy the requirement for IUR sample. In the course of the present work we examined fourteen sp-Si samples, prepared under different processing conditions. Ten of these samples were studied qualitatively by measuring the area of the pores relative to the total area in a cross-sectional cut of the sample. Four samples were studied quantitatively using the stereological method outlined above and exhibited porosities in the neighborhood of 43%. One of these studies is described in detail in the present paper and provides a consistent value for the porosity of sp-Si materials, processed in air. Small-spot X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies of sp-Si were used in the calculation of its density. In the case of inhomogeneous materials, the density is a weighted (with respect to volume) average of the densities of all participating phases. Taking into account the already calculated porosity, we have estimated the density of sp-Si to be 1.36 g/cm3. The main contribution to this value comes from amorphous SiO2, which occupies most of the volume of sp-Si.
Behavioral performance effects of nifedipine in normotensive and renovascular hypertensive baboons.

Behavioral performances of normotensive and hypertensive adult male baboons were tested before, during, and following chronic oral dosing with nifedipine. Performances during a five-color simultaneous match-to-sample task were measured during three dosing schedules (0.20, 0.68, and 1.14 mg/kg/day) and vehicle. Each dose was administered for 21 consecutive days preceded and followed by 14-day baseline and recovery periods, respectively. Choice reaction times increased by 191 ms over baseline at the 0.68 mg/kg dose. Choice reaction times above the 95th percentile (i.e., the slowest reaction times) were the most slowed by nifedipine. Accuracy of color matching was decreased at 0.20 and 0.68 mg/kg by an average range of 2–4%. The yellow and white stimuli were the most difficult to discriminate correctly, and were also the most impaired by nifedipine. Nifedipine's behavioral effects were not modulated by blood pressure changes because daily changes in choice reaction time and systolic blood pressure were not correlated, and hypertensive status did not determine the behavioral effects. Potential sources of nifedipine's behavioral performance effects are discussed, with blood pressure changes excluded as a probable mechanism.
Thermal resistance and compressive strain of underwater aerogel?syntactic foam hybrid insulation at atmospheric and elevated hydrostatic pressure

The purpose of this study was to present a new underwater thermal insulation designed for flexibility and high thermal resistance. The insulation was a hybrid composite of two constituents: syntactic foam and an insulating aerogel blanket. Methods for treating and combining the constituents into a hybrid insulation of several designs are presented. A final configuration was selected based on high thermal resistance and was tested for thermal resistance and compressive strain to a pressure of 1.2 MPa (107 msw, meters of sea water) for five continuous pressure cycles. The thermal resistance and compressive strain results were compared to foam neoprene and underwater pipeline insulation. It was found that the hybrid insulation has a thermal resistance significantly higher than both foam neoprene and underwater pipeline insulation at atmospheric and elevated hydrostatic pressures (1.2 MPa). The total thermal resistance of the hybrid insulation decreased 32% at 1.2 MPa and returned to its initial value upon decompression. It was concluded that the hybrid insulation, with modifications, could be used for wetsuit construction, shallow underwater pipeline insulation, or any underwater application where high thermal resistance, flexibility, and resistance to compression are desired.
Impact of Transgenic Genotypes and Subdivision on Diversity within Elite North American Soybean Germplasm

There are several recent trends in North American soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] breeding that call for a new evaluation of the pedigree structure of this population. These are the introduction of Roundup Ready (RR) soybean and restricted exchange of germplasm between breeding programs. The objectives of this study were to assess the genetic structure of the current elite North American soybean population and the current and potential affect of RR soybean and crossing restrictions on this population. This study used coefficient of parentage (CP) analysis of 312 current RR and conventional lines. The RR trait was initially backcrossed into elite lines from a total of 30 different recurrent parents. Many of the intermediates of the backcrossing were also crossed to other elite lines and it is from such crosses that many of the current RR lines derive. Only 1% of the total variation in CP among lines from the northern or southern regions was accounted for by differences between conventional lines, RR lines, and the recurrent parents used to initiate RR breeding programs. The advent of RR cultivars has had little impact on diversity because of the wide use of this technology by many programs and its incorporation into many lines. In contrast, 19% of the variation in CP among northern lines, and 14% among southern lines, was due to difference between lines from different companies and institutions. Diversity was limited among elite lines from some companies. The restricted diversity within some companies coupled with limited exchange of germplasm could affect the soybean industry if marketplace shifts favor one company. Public programs can work to ensure and expand diversity.
Endothelial cells secrete a novel collagen type in vitro independently of prolyl hydroxylation.

Abstract Endothelial cells from bovine aorta, vena cava, and cornea secrete a novel collagen in vitro (Sage et al., 1980). Endothelial collagen (EC), which is sensitive to pepsin and to several neutral proteases, exhibited an additional unusual property in its mode of secretion. In the absence of added sodium ascorbate, EC was secreted by both aortic and corneal endothelial cells at levels which were very similar to those observed in cultures supplemented with this vitamin. In contrast, the secretion of type III procollagen, which normally constitutes 75-80 0/o of collagenous protein in the culture medium, was significantly decreased in ascorbate-deficient cultures. Incubation of aortic endothelial cells with a, a'-dipyridyl, an inhibitor of prolyl and lysyl hydroxylases, reduced the extent of prolyl hydroxylation in total culture medium protein by 98 0/o but also did not affect the secretion of EC. The secretion of EC by endothelial cells appears to be independent of a requirement for prolyl hydroxylation. This property differs markedly from the secretory characteristics of the interstitial procollagens and more closely resembles that described for type IV (basement membrane) procollagen.
Congenital smooth muscle hamartoma of the conjunctival fornix.

Abstract PURPOSE: Congenital smooth muscle hamartomas are benign tumors composed of proliferating smooth muscle cells. They are usually seen as abnormal patches of skin. Ocular involvement of congenital smooth muscle hamartomas is unusual, with rare reports of patients with external eyelid involvement or proptosis resulting from orbital tumors. We describe a patient with a congenital smooth muscle hamartoma that involved the tarsal conjunctival fornix. METHODS: Review of the patient's medical records, including the results of ophthalmologic, radiologic, and histologic examinations. RESULTS: A healthy 2-year-old boy was initially seen with a conjunctival mass. He had a discrete, gray, cystic-appearing lesion in the inferior fornix of the left eye. A magnetic resonance imaging study revealed no signs of extension of the lesion into the orbit. The lesion was surgically excised. Histologic sections showed large bundles of smooth muscle with a fibrotic background and interdigitating fat, consistent with a diagnosis of a congenital smooth muscle hamartoma. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with a congenital smooth muscle hamartoma arising from the conjunctival fornix. It presumably originated from either the smooth muscle of the vascular endothelium or from the capsulopapebral muscle. Congenital smooth muscle hamartoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic-appearing conjunctival fornix lesions.
Long-term follow-up of informal caregivers after allo-SCT: a systematic review

Currently, more than 40000 patients undergo allogeneic hematopoietic SCT (HSCT) annually throughout the world, and the numbers are increasing rapidly. Long-term survival after allogeneic-HSCT (allo-HSCT) has also improved significantly since its inception over 40 years ago due to improved supportive care and early recognition of long-term complications. In long-term follow-up after transplantation, the focus of care moves beyond cure of the original disease to late effects and quality of life. Nearly one-fourth of the long-term survivors are likely to have chronic consequences of HSCT, which require frequent help by caregivers, particularly informal caregivers such as spouses, partners or children. The physical and psychosocial consequences for patients undergoing HSCT have been extensively reported. There has, however, been far less investigation into the long-term follow-up of caregivers of HSCT recipients. This article provides an overview on addressing caregiver issues after HSCT. The rapidly growing population of long-term HSCT survivors creates an obligation not only to educate patients and physicians about the late complications observed in patients but also to follow up caregivers for their psychosocial support needs.
Discontent at Midlife: Issues and Considerations in Working toward Women's Weil-Being:

Although it is not apparent from the practice literature, clinical work with midlife women can differ significantly from clinical work with younger or older women. Although many women are satisfied with their lives at midlife and find these years to be the prime of life, there is a subgroup of midlife women who are not happy at this time. In this paper, factors that discriminate women who have a strong sense of well being at midlife from those who do not are presented. Treatment considerations related to five areas (disability, marital relationship, identity, self esteem, and loss) found to be problematic for women are presented. Social work practice implications are discussed in terms of the benefits of focusing on the issues of identity, connectedness to others, and spirituality.
Punishment or Reward? An Experiment on the Effects of Sex and Gender Issues on Candidate Choice

Gender stereotyping plays a prominent role in American politics. Voters transfer their stereotypes of women and men to candidates seeking office. In this article, we look at vote choice as it relates to sex differences and gender-related issues in several different contexts. First, we replicate previous experiments in which sex is the sole cue in low information contexts. Second, we vary the context of the contest by adding issue cues, thus creating a higher information context. Finally, we manipulate the issues themselves to determine the effects of assigning a male candidate an issue that is considered more important to women than to men. Overall, the results of our study suggest that voters' attributions of gender stereotypes to candidates based on their sex is complex.
Distribution of Attachment Events Relative to Actin Binding Sites as Evidenced in a Bidirectional Actomyosin Interaction Model

Optical trapping is one of the most evolving technologies that measures biophysical quantities and provides insights into some of the fundamental questions in the study of molecular motor proteins such as myosin. Several laboratories have successfully used this technique to observe and score nanometre-size displacements produced by myosin on interacting with actin. We have studied the distribution of attachment events for two myosin molecules with different orientations interacting with an actin filament within the framework of a Langevin-type bidirectional mathematical model. When myosin is detached from actin, our model predicts Brownian displacements centred at 0 ± 8 nm (mean ± SD, n = 251058). When attached, the time-averaged displacements of the actin filament system produced step sizes with peaks of 8 ± 6 nm (mean ± SD, n = 22174) (forward displacements) and −8 ± 6 nm (mean ± SD, n = 26769) (reverse displacements). We infer from our results that the population distribution of attachment events is strongly dependent on (i) the magnitude of the Brownian displacements, (ii) the location of the actin binding sites relative to the myosin molecules, (iii) the orientation of the myosin molcules, and (iv) the relative kinetics (rate constants) for the forward and reverse displacement events.
High Speed Programmable Filtering Using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) Processing

Fast Fourier transform methods are attractive techniques for implementing high speed programmable filters, especially when flexibility, accuracy, and sharp filter transition regions are important considerations. In this paper are some design considerations in the implementation of such filters. A new high capacity, high speed FFT architecture is presented which is being incorporated in a nearly completed development model for a flexible series of FFT processors. It is shown how this processor may be efficiently embedded in an overall programmable filtering structure.© (1982) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Discovery of Inhibitors of Aberrant Gene Transcription from Libraries of DNA Binding Molecules: Inhibition of LEF-1 Mediated Gene Transcription and Oncogenic Transformation

The screening of a >9000 compound library of synthetic DNA binding molecules for selective binding to the consensus sequence of the transcription factor LEF-1 followed by assessment of the candidate compounds in a series of assays that characterized functional activity (disruption of DNA-LEF-1 binding) at the intended target and site (inhibition of intracellular LEF-1-mediated gene transcription) resulting in a desired phenotypic cellular change (inhibit LEF-1-driven cell transformation) provided two lead compounds: lefmycin-1 and lefmycin-2. The sequence of screens defining the approach assures that activity in the final functional assay may be directly related to the inhibition of gene transcription and DNA binding properties of the identified molecules. Central to the implementation of this generalized approach to the discovery of DNA binding small molecule inhibitors of gene transcription was (1) the use of a technically nondemanding fluorescent intercalator displacement (FID) assay for initial assessment of the DNA binding affinity and selectivity of a library of compounds for any sequence of interest, and (2) the technology used to prepare a sufficiently large library of DNA binding compounds.
Combing the Communication Hairball: Visualizing Parallel Execution Traces using Logical Time

With the continuous rise in complexity of modern supercomputers, optimizing the performance of large-scale parallel programs is becoming increasingly challenging. Simultaneously, the growth in scale magnifies the impact of even minor inefficiencies--potentially millions of compute hours and megawatts in power consumption can be wasted on avoidable mistakes or sub-optimal algorithms. This makes performance analysis and optimization critical elements in the software development process. One of the most common forms of performance analysis is to study execution traces, which record a history of per-process events and interprocess messages in a parallel application. Trace visualizations allow users to browse this event history and search for insights into the observed performance behavior. However, current visualizations are difficult to understand even for small process counts and do not scale gracefully beyond a few hundred processes. Organizing events in time leads to a virtually unintelligible conglomerate of interleaved events and moderately high process counts overtax even the largest display. As an alternative, we present a new trace visualization approach based on transforming the event history into logical time inferred directly from happened-before relationships. This emphasizes the code's structural behavior, which is much more familiar to the application developer. The original timing data, or other information, is then encoded through color, leading to a more intuitive visualization. Furthermore, we use the discrete nature of logical timelines to cluster processes according to their local behavior leading to a scalable visualization of even long traces on large process counts. We demonstrate our system using two case studies on large-scale parallel codes.
“Supremely clubbed, devastatingly dubbed”

(Versions of this paper were presented at the 1990 meetings of the MidAtlantic Chapter of the Society for Ethnomusicology (MACSEM) in Newark, Delaware, and of the International Association for the Study of Popular Music (IASPM) in New Orleans, Louisiana. No quotations please without permission from the author.)