cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Opportunities Missed and Created by the New Common Rule.

Like preparations for climbing the vertical face of El Capitan in Yosemite or the West Face of the Matterhorn, the daunting prospect of revising the 1991 Common Rule attained an almost mythical sta...
Adverse Childhood Experiences, Coping Resources, and Mental Health Problems among Court-Involved Youth.

Mental health problems are gaining attention among court-involved youth with emphasis on the role of childhood adversity, but assessment lags. The present study uses a commonly delivered assessment tool to examine mental health problems (current mental health problem, mental health interfered with probation goals, and suicide ideation) as a function of an expanded set of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs; childhood maltreatment, family dysfunction, and social disadvantage). Adaptive coping resources–impulse control, aspirations, and social support–were tested as both direct contributors and moderators of the influence of ACEs on mental health. Using a diverse sample of youth on probation (N = 5378), this study utilized logistic regression models to test contributions of the three domains of childhood adversity–childhood maltreatment, family dysfunction, and social disadvantage. These models also examined the moderating roles of coping resources. Childhood maltreatment emerged as the strongest contributor to mental health problems, with significant moderation from social support. Youth aspirations were inversely related to mental health problems and moderated the relation with ACEs and mental health problems that interfered with probation. Assessment and mitigation of the detrimental effects of childhood maltreatment are important considerations in the intervention programs that target mental health outcomes of court-involved youth. Intervention programs to prevent recidivism and improve mental health should improve impulse control and aspirations.
Homeopathy on Trial: Allen v. Hyland’s, Inc. and a Failure of Evidentiary Gatekeeping

This article explores how the law, through rules governing the admissibility of expert evidence, can — but sometimes fails to — safeguard consumers from misleading scientific and medical claims. Americans spend approximately three billion dollars annually on homeopathic health-care products. But do these products actually work, and, if they do not, are there are any legal consequences for those who make money by claiming that they do? This article addresses these questions. It first explains the responsibility of trial courts to act as evidentiary “gatekeepers,” with the power to preclude the admission of unreliable evidence in support of purportedly scientific claims. It then discusses the nature, history, and evidentiary basis of homeopathy; describes a lawsuit tried to a southern California jury in 2015, in which consumers alleged that Hyland’s, Inc. misrepresented the efficacy of its homeopathic products; and outlines how evidentiary gatekeeping failed in that case — resulting in a jury verdict in favor of Hyland’s. This article concludes by considering the harms that can flow from such a failure and offers thoughts on the importance of ensuring that litigants and courts focus their efforts on precluding pseudoscience from distorting the civil justice system.
Amplitude-phase relationship of brain dynamics viewed by ECoG using FIR-based Hilbert analysis

In this study we apply FIR filters and Hilbert transform to compute the Analytic Amplitude (AA) and Analytic Frequency (AF) of electrocorticogram (ECoG) signals. Our goal is to understand the behavior of the average experimental Instantaneous Frequencies (IF) for various frequency bands and their probability distributions, as well as to analyze the relationship between the frequency bands and their associated amplitudes. We conduct Hilbert analysis of the data following FIR band-pass filters over a broad-range of frequencies, including gamma, beta, alpha, and theta bands. We conduct our analysis using simulated and experimental data to establish solid mathematical and methodological foundations for the applied approach. This study builds on previous work by W. J. Freeman and collaborators with rabbit ECoG, to understand brain dynamics better by detecting synchronization-desynchronization transitions of neural activity across large cortical areas during higher cognitive functions and awareness experience.
Introduction: SAGES Masters Program Bariatric Pathway

The SAGES Masters Program outlines a course of study for the practicing surgeon interested in learning more about metabolic and bariatric surgery. The curriculum progresses from competency to proficiency to the mastery curriculum. The bariatric pathway draws on lectures, video, and other educational contents such as the ASMBS Essentials. Learners are invited to the SAGES Bariatric Surgery Facebook channel to ask questions and share experience. Video submission, feedback, and coaching are novel elements of the Masters Program.
EMBEDDED CODE GENERATION FOR EFFICIENT REINITIALIZATION

Abstract Embedded control system design involves continuous time, discrete event mode switching, and discontinuities in system behavior and requires support for: (i) continuous behavior, (ii) discrete event behavior, and (iii) re-initialization when discrete events occur. The graphical block diagram formalism that supports continuous behavior modeling is extended by logic components that seamlessly integrate. Re-initialization is supported by state reset ports and state output ports of the integrator component. In addition, the dynamic semantics of a formalism is specified by a computational model. For Matlab-Simulink this consists of a number of interface methods that are called at pre-defined points in the model execution. Automatic generation of efficient embedded code allows the use of high-level modeling formalisms for design and analysis.
The Proximate and Ultimate Control of Aging in Drosophila and Humans

Debates concerning the relative merits of reductionistic versus holistic approaches are commonplace in biology, and aging research is no exception. Although such debates commonly dwell on the issue of which approach is “superior,” it is far more fruitful to acknowledge that both approaches offer unique perspectives on aging, and hence these approaches are complementary rather than antagonistic. There are three basic levels of control of aging: 1) the proximate causes leading to aging in particular cell lines or tissues, 2) the regulatory processes that integrate the cell and tissue specific patterns into an individual life history, and 3) the evolutionary forces (ultimate causes) that select upon life history traits to determine the characteristic aging pattern of the species or population. To understand the control of aging at all of these levels, or even just the first two, requires the simultaneous use of reductionistic and holistic studies.
37 – Androgen Actions on Receptors and Channels: Regulation of Electrical Excitability and Synaptic Transmission

Androgens regulate behaviors ranging from the most fundamental aspects of reproduction to nuances of learning that contribute to higher cognitive functions. The ability of androgens to impart such diverse effects arises from steroid-dependent modulation of the neural phenotype and architecture, as well as the properties of intra- and intercellular communication along neural circuits. Androgen-dependent changes in neuronal function reflect a rise from classical AR-mediated changes in the expression of receptors and channels, from biochemical modifications of these essential proteins, and from direct allosteric modulation of their function. This chapter presents data demonstrating that androgens modulate electrical excitability and synaptic transmission via a plethora of effects on voltage-dependent calcium, potassium, and sodium channels, ligand-gated acetylcholine, GABA, and glutamate receptors, and the probability of neurotransmitter release in the mammalian central nervous system, as well as in peripheral structures that are essential for the sexually dimorphic and steroid- dependent behaviors.
Status and trade at port dauphin

Founded in 1702, Port Dauphin was the Gulf coastal port for the main French colonial settlement of Mobile, 80 km (50 mi.) to the north. Excavations on Dauphin Island at the stockade site (1711–1722) and, most recently, at a portion of Port Dauphin Village (primary occupation, ca. 1715–1725) have yielded archaeological data from the second and third decades of French occupation. Coins and European ceramics from these sites shed light on the relationship between status and trade among the inhabitants of the early French settlement on Dauphin Island.
Quasi-static cyclic testing and analytical investigation of steel plate shear walls with different post-tensioned beam-to-column rocking connections

Abstract Self-Centering Steel Plate Shear Walls (SC-SPSW) have been recently proposed to help achieve possible immediate occupancy following an earthquake for buildings located in regions of high seismicity. For this purpose, like other recently developed low-damage systems, SC-SPSWs seek to: (1) eliminate damage to the surrounding gravity frame of the seismic force resisting system; (2) provide frame recentering, in order to return the building back to its pre-earthquake near vertical alignment, and; (3) concentrate hysteretic energy to replaceable elements, providing rapid and practical reparability. A testing program was conducted investigating the quasi-static cyclic behavior of SC-SPSW systems detailed with three different beam-to-column connections and two SPSW infill configurations. Specimens consisted of one-third scaled single-bay three-story frames. Results are presented for SC-SPSWs detailed with three different post-tensioned (PT) beam-to-column rocking connections that: either (1) rock about the top and bottom beam flanges; (2) rock about the top beam flanges only referred to as the NewZ-BREAKSS connection, or; (3) rock about the beam centerline. The latter two connections were investigated to mitigate floor system damage due to PT boundary frame expansion (i.e., beam-growth) that occurs with the first mentioned rocking connection detail. Experimental and numerical results are presented for both a solid infill web plate and infill web strip configuration. Results presented show that solid infill web plates provide some additional strength and energy dissipation due to their strength in compression and affects frame recentering for quasi-static loading conditions of progressive increasing displacement cycles. In contrast, infill web strips are essentially tension-only and have the benefit that they are not susceptible to tearing from the boundary frame and does not affect frame recentering. Numerical results show that the compression strength of the solid infill web plate in these experiments was approximately 10 percent that of the yield strength of the infill web plates in tension. Furthermore, lessons learned from this testing program are presented that show that for a multiple actuator configuration along the height of a multi-story SPSW specimen, a top level displacement control with force control of the lower actuators is necessary to avoid undesired actuator interaction along the frame heights.
Temporal variations of artificial nighttime lights and their implications for urbanization in the conterminous United States, 2013–2017

Abstract Artificial nighttime lights (NTL) generated by human activities offer a unique opportunity to understand urban environments. Although previous studies have widely used NTL images to map urban extent at multiple scales, it remains a challenging task to address how NTL respond exactly to urbanization and thus to map urbanization from NTL. In this study, using monthly Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership/Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (NPP/VIIRS) NTL images between 2013 and 2017, we developed a method to decompose time-series NTL signal into annual and seasonal components. Further, we proposed an NTL-based indicator for the detection of impervious surfaces change (ISC) by integrating annual increment and seasonal variation of NTL brightness. The indicator was then used to identify ISC by using a thresholding method. The application of the methodology in the conterminous United States (CONUS) revealed a more rapid urbanization in the southern CONUS than the northern states and a northeastern-southwestern gradient of NTL seasonality. It was also found that NTL of November and December provided the most accurate characterization of urban extent for most areas in the CONUS. The detection of ISC in four representative regions (i.e. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, greater Washington D.C., Denver-Aurora, and Atlanta) resulted in a moderate to high accuracy with the overall accuracy of ~80% and the Kappa value ranging from 0.56 to 0.73. Despite of this, the results showed a low accuracy of NTL-derived changing year of ISC (Kappa: 0.28) because of the existence of temporal inconsistency between NTL increase and ISC. The proposed method has the potential to timely map urban expansion at large geographical scales (e.g., continental and global) in a cost-efficient manner.
Photoplethysmography as an Indicator of Onset of Epidural Block

The authors describe a method of monitoring photoplethysmographic changes in the lower extremities after an epidural injection. On the basis of their experience with a small series of cases, it is believed that this method can prove useful in the clinical practice of anesthesia in determining the onset of block with an accurate measure of objectivity. The method is rapid, highly sensitive, totally noninvasive, and reliable. The equipment used for this purpose is readily available on a commercial basis.
Oxidative synthesis of cyclic acyl aminals through carbon-carbon sigma-bond activation.

Acyliminium ions can be prepared through photoinitiated single-electron oxidation reactions of homobenzylic amides and carbamates. Cyclic acyl aminals are formed when these acyliminium ions are appended to nucleophiles such as hydroxyl, ether, and sulfonamide groups. The scope of these reactions is discussed along with mechanistic issues relating to the energetics, chemoselectivity, and stereoelectronic effects of bond activation.
How Will Families React to Evidence of Covert Consciousness in Brain-Injured Patients?

This commentary critically examines a recent qualitative study, published in this issue of Neuroethics, on the attitudes of family caregivers toward evidence of covert consciousness in brain-injured patients.
Testing Simple Hypotheses

This lesson contains some general ideas which will be used later but here the only example for which details are discussed is that of a hypergeometric distribution. Although the following will require some elaboration, it is still useful to begin with the technical meaning of the words in the title.
Temperament and Affective and Behavioral ODD Problems in Emerging Adults: Moderation by Gender and Perceived Parental Psychopathology

Recent research has indicated that ODD problems persist into emerging adulthood, although mechanisms influencing ODD during emerging adulthood remain relatively unknown. Additionally, temperament and parental psychopathology both are implicated in the development of childhood ODD. Thus, the current study examined how perceived parental (i.e., maternal and paternal) psychopathology (i.e., anxiety, depressive, and antisocial problems) moderated the relationship between temperament (i.e., effortful control, negative affect, and surgency) and ODD problems (i.e., affective and behavioral) in a sample of 599 emerging adults who were instructed to complete questionnaires based on their current perceptions. Results indicated that perceived parental anxiety and antisocial problems moderated the relationship between two of the temperament variables (i.e., negative affect and effortful control) and both types of ODD problems. Moreover, these results were further moderated by participant gender. Finally, perceived parental depressive problems served as a moderator for affective problems only. Overall, results suggest that similar associations found regarding childhood ODD may be implicated when examining emerging adults, and gender moderates these associations.
Interface enhanced functionalities in oxide superlattices under mechanical and electric boundary conditions

In recent years, the inverse design of artificial materials, in the format of thin-films and superlattices, has been an active sub-field in material science. From a joint effort from both experiment and theory, scientists are searching for new engineering methods or design rules so that the materials can be custom designed with desired functionalities in theory before the materials are actually synthesized by epitaxial growth technique in laboratory. In this article, we provide a short summary of the recently proposed epitaxial strain and interface design approaches for the functional artificial oxide heterostructures. The underlying physical mechanism enabling the enhanced functional properties, such as ferroelectricity and multiferroics, are briefly reviewed. In particular, focused discussions are made on the proper treatments of both mechanical and electric boundary conditions when the oxide thin-films and superlattices are theoretically modeled by first-principles computer simulations.
METACREW: Simulating Operator Teams in a Sensor Data Processing System

A fundamental concern during the development and evolution of a tactical data system is that of defining appropriate roles for human operators and teams. Roles must be defined such that crew workload is kept to a tolerable level, while still achieving the overall mission performance goals of the system.
Clinical Approach to Regenerative Endodontics

Tissue engineering has evolved substantially in medicine and dentistry. It applies the concepts of both engineering and medicine to restore, maintain, or replace damaged biological tissues and organs. The potential of regenerative procedures in endodontics has been investigated by multiple studies, which have demonstrated the regeneration of pulp, dentin, and enamel using stem cells and scaffold materials. The field of regenerative endodontics is advancing rapidly. Management of immature teeth with pulp necrosis and apical periodontitis has been a challenge due to their thin root walls and open apices. With a better understanding of tissue engineering concepts and their application, regenerative endodontic treatment has emerged, and this has resulted in a paradigm shift in the treatment of these cases. The aim of this chapter is to review the goals and concepts of regenerative endodontics, the current challenges that clinicians may encounter, clinical aspects of the treatment based on the highest level of evidence, the AAE recommendations and guidelines, outcome assessment, limitations, and future directions.
Association of a Statewide Surgical Coaching Program with Clinical Outcomes and Surgeon Perceptions.

OBJECTIVE To assess risk-adjusted outcomes and participant perceptions following a statewide coaching program for bariatric surgeons. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Coaching has emerged as a new approach for improving individual surgeon performance, but lacks evidence linking to clinical outcomes. METHODS This program took place between October 2015 and February 2018 in the Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative. Surgeons were categorized as coach, participant, or nonparticipant for an interrupted time series analysis. Multilevel logistic regression models included patient characteristics, time trends, and number of sessions. Risk-adjusted overall and surgical complication rates are reported, as are within-group relative risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals. We also compared operative times and report risk differences and 95% confidence intervals. Iterative thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews examined participant and coach perceptions of the program. RESULTS The coaching program was viewed favorably by most surgeons and many participants described numerous technical and nontechnical practice changes. The program was not associated with significant change in risk-adjusted complications with relative risks for coaches, participants, and nonparticipants of 0.99 (0.62-1.37), 0.91 (0.64-1.17), and 1.15 (0.83-1.47), respectively. Operative times did improve for participants, but not coaches or nonparticipants, with risk differences of -14.0 (-22.3, -5.7), -1.0 (-4.5, 2.4), and -2.6 (-6.9, 1.7). Future coaching programmatic design should consider dose-complexity matching, hierarchical leveling, and optimizing video review. CONCLUSIONS This statewide surgical coaching program was perceived as valuable and surgeons reported numerous practice changes. Operative times improved, but there was no significant improvement in risk-adjusted outcomes.
Risk of Admission to the Emergency Room/Inpatient Service After a Neurology Telemedicine Visit During COVID-19 Pandemic.

Abstract Background We compared emergency department (ED) and overnight inpatient admission (admission) rates within eight weeks of home-based telemedicine visits during COVID-19 in 2020 with in-person visits (conventional visit) in 2019. This was a quality improvement project prompted by an adverse event after a telemedicine visit. Methods We reviewed all completed telemedicine and conventional visits from March 26 to June 1 of 2020 and 2019 to identify patients who required an ED visit or hospital admission within eight weeks after the visit. Results In 2020, the overall rate of ED visits of hospital admission within eight weeks of a neurology visit was less than 5%. Comparing 2020 with 2019: (1) cohorts were similar for age, payor, state of residence, medical complexity, recommendation for close follow-up, new medications, or new tests ordered; (2) it took longer to present to the ED (by 10 days) or to be hospitalized (by three days); (3) planned admissions were approximately 50% lower; (4) on multivariate analysis, risk factors for any ED/admission included a patient call within seven days before the ED/admission (P = 0.0004) or being seen by an epilepsy specialist (P = 0.02); (5) a presenting complaint of worsening symptoms had a lower odds ratio of subsequent ED visit/admission (P = 0.005). Conclusions Telemedicine is safe, with a similar likelihood of ED or hospital admission during the pandemic in 2020 versus before the pandemic in 2019. In 2020, even if patients described worse symptoms at the time of their clinic visit, the odds of ED or hospital admission were lower than in 2019, but those who called after the telemedicine visit were more likely to be seen in ED or require hospitalization.
Modeling seasonal migration of fall armyworm moths.

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is a highly mobile insect pest of a wide range of host crops. However, this pest of tropical origin cannot survive extended periods of freezing temperature but must migrate northward each spring if it is to re-infest cropping areas in temperate regions. The northward limit of the winter-breeding region for North America extends to southern regions of Texas and Florida, but infestations are regularly reported as far north as Quebec and Ontario provinces in Canada by the end of summer. Recent genetic analyses have characterized migratory pathways from these winter-breeding regions, but knowledge is lacking on the atmosphere’s role in influencing the timing, distance, and direction of migratory flights. The Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model was used to simulate migratory flight of fall armyworm moths from distinct winter-breeding source areas. Model simulations identified regions of dominant immigration from the Florida and Texas source areas and overlapping immigrant populations in the Alabama–Georgia and Pennsylvania–Mid-Atlantic regions. This simulated migratory pattern corroborates a previous migratory map based on the distribution of fall armyworm haplotype profiles. We found a significant regression between the simulated first week of moth immigration and first week of moth capture (for locations which captured ≥10 moths), which on average indicated that the model simulated first immigration 2 weeks before first captures in pheromone traps. The results contribute to knowledge of fall armyworm population ecology on a continental scale and will aid in the prediction and interpretation of inter-annual variability of insect migration patterns including those in response to climatic change and adoption rates of transgenic cultivars.
Detection of Defects in Accidents

SEVERAL SETS OF BOTH POLICE-REPORTED AND IN-DEPTH TRAFFIC ACCIDENT DATA ARE QUERIED WITH RESPECT TO THE INVOLEMENT OF VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONS OR DEFECTS IN ACCIDENT CAUSATION. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT ACCIDENT- CAUSING DEFECTS ARE INCONSISTENTLY REPORTED, ARE OFTEN ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE LACK OF APPROPRIATE MAINTENANCE PRACTICES, AND ARE EVIDENTLY NOT BEING CORRECTED BY PRESENT MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION SYSTEMS. ALTHOUGH VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONS ARE LESS FREQUENTLY IDENTIFIED AS ACCIDENT CAUSES THAN EITHER HUMAN OR ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS, THEY ARE NOTED OFTEN ENOUGH TO BE CONSIDERED A PROBLEM. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER HAS ALREADY BUILT INTO THE VEHICLE MANY DETECTION SYSTEMS WHICH SERVE NOTICE TO THE VEHICLE OWNER/OPERATOR THAT A COMPONENT NEEDS ATTENTION. FINALLY, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT FURTHER EFFORTS IN THIS DIRECTION MAY SUPPLEMENT STATE AUTHORIZED PERIODIC INSPECTION PROGRAMS IN MINIMIZING THE INCIDENCE OF VEHICLE DEFECTS IN ACCIDENTS. /HSRI/
Cultivating a New Nation

Fruits and Plains . The Horticultural Transformation of America. By Philip J. Pauly . Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 2008. 350 pp. $39.95, £25.95, €30. ISBN 9780674026636. Examining the long history of the engineering of plants in the United States, the author discusses how horticulturalists shaped the landscapes and influenced the activities and experiences of the inhabitants.
Direct photoaffinity labeling of gizzard myosin with [3H]uridine diphosphate places Glu185 of the heavy chain at the active site.

Abstract The active site of chicken gizzard myosin was labeled by direct photoaffinity labeling with [3H]UDP. [3H] UDP was stably trapped at the active site by addition of vanadate (Vi) and Co2+. The extraordinary stability of the myosin.Co2+.[3H]UDP.Vi complex (t1/2 greater than 5 days at 0 degrees C) allowed it to be purified free of extraneous [3H]UDP before irradiation began. Upon UV irradiation, greater than 60% of the trapped [3H]UDP was photoincorporated into the active site. Only the 200-kDa heavy chain was labeled, confirming earlier results (Maruta, H., and Korn, E. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 499-502) using [3H]UTP. Extensive tryptic digestion of photolabeled myosin subfragment 1 followed by high performance liquid chromatography separations and removal of nucleotide phosphates by treatment with alkaline phosphatase allowed two labeled peptides to be isolated. Sequencing of the labeled peptides and radioactive counting showed that Glu185 was the residue labeled. Since UDP is a "zero-length" cross-linker, Glu185 is located at the purine-binding pocket of the active site of smooth myosin and adjacent to the glycine-rich loop which binds the polyphosphate portion of ATP. This Glu residue is conserved in smooth and nonmuscle myosins and is the same residue identified previously by [3H]UTP photolabeling in Acanthamoeba myosin II (Atkinson, M. A., Robinson, E. A., Appella, E., and Korn, E. D. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 1844-1848).
Integration of hybridization-based markers (overgos) into physical maps for comparative and evolutionary explorations in the genus Oryza and in Sorghum.

With the completion of the genome sequence for rice (Oryza sativa L.), the focus of rice genomics research has shifted to the comparison of the rice genome with genomes of other species for gene cloning, breeding, and evolutionary studies. The genus Oryza includes 23 species that shared a common ancestor 8–10 million years ago making this an ideal model for investigations into the processes underlying domestication, as many of the Oryza species are still undergoing domestication. This study integrates high-throughput, hybridization-based markers with BAC end sequence and fingerprint data to construct physical maps of rice chromosome 1 orthologues in two wild Oryza species. Similar studies were undertaken in Sorghum bicolor, a species which diverged from cultivated rice 40–50 million years ago. Overgo markers, in conjunction with fingerprint and BAC end sequence data, were used to build sequence-ready BAC contigs for two wild Oryza species. The markers drove contig merges to construct physical maps syntenic to rice chromosome 1 in the wild species and provided evidence for at least one rearrangement on chromosome 1 of the O. sativa versus Oryza officinalis comparative map. When rice overgos were aligned to available S. bicolor sequence, 29% of the overgos aligned with three or fewer mismatches; of these, 41% gave positive hybridization signals. Overgo hybridization patterns supported colinearity of loci in regions of sorghum chromosome 3 and rice chromosome 1 and suggested that a possible genomic inversion occurred in this syntenic region in one of the two genomes after the divergence of S. bicolor and O. sativa. The results of this study emphasize the importance of identifying conserved sequences in the reference sequence when designing overgo probes in order for those probes to hybridize successfully in distantly related species. As interspecific markers, overgos can be used successfully to construct physical maps in species which diverged less than 8 million years ago, and can be used in a more limited fashion to examine colinearity among species which diverged as much as 40 million years ago. Additionally, overgos are able to provide evidence of genomic rearrangements in comparative physical mapping studies.
HEATING DEEP SEATED ECCENTRICALLY LOCATED TUMORS WITH AN ANNULAR PHASED ARRAY SYSTEM: A COMPARATIVE CLINICAL STUDY USING TWO ANNULAR ARRAY OPERATING CONFIGURATIONS

Abstract Regional heating administered with an annular array to 12 patients with deep-seated advanced malignant disease eccentrically located in the lower abdomen and pelvis is compared based on the annular array operating configuration. One configuration (4 quadrants active) delivers radiofrequency power with relative uniformity throughout the patient crossection. The other (2 quadrants active) allows the radiofrequency power deposition to be shifted preferentially into the eccentrically located treatment volume. Phantom measurements have been made to demonstrate the redistribution of radiofrequency power that results when the annular array is operated in these respective configurations. Systemic responses (i.e. oral temperature rise, changes in blood pressure, and heart rate) to these regional hyperthermia applications are compared and are not significantly different with respect to these heating configurations. Temperature data obtained during treatment sessions using these two annular array operating configurations are analyzed based on the fraction of measured tumor and normal tissue temperatures exceeding or equal to a given index temperature. Although the two quadrant configuration is more efficient in delivering power to the treatment volume, this analysis does not indicate a significant gain in therapeutic heating as a result of this preferential power deposition. Treatment tolerance and heterogeneity with respect to tissue type and blood flow remained the dominant limiting factors with regard to temperatures achieved.
NF-κB in neuronal plasticity and neurodegenerative disorders

NF-κB is widely known for its ubiquitous roles in inflammation and immune responses, as well as in control of cell division and apoptosis. These roles are apparent in the nervous system, but neurons and their neighboring cells employ the NF-κB pathway for distinctive functions as well, ranging from development to the coordination of cellular responses to injury of the nervous system and to brain-specific processes such as the synaptic signaling that underlies learning and memory. Here we discuss the regulation of NF-κB activity by neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors and the physiological and pathological effects of NF-κB activation in neurons and glial cells. Based on work in animal models, it appears that manipulation of NF-κB signaling may prove valuable in treating such conditions as ischemic stroke, physical trauma to the brain or spinal cord, and neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Mechanism of haemolysis in a blood-sucking dipteran, Stomoxys calcitrans

Abstract There was significant correlation between midgut free fatty acids (FFAs) levels and midgut haemolytic activities in both unfed and fed female stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.). There was also significant correlation between FFAs levels and haemolytic activity when midgut homogenate was subjected to various treatments. Major FFAs in the midgut extracts were palmitic, palmitoleic and oleic, while minor FFAs were stearic, linoleic and linolenic acids. Delipidated homogenates had no haemolytic activity; activity was completely restored when the delipidated homogenates were reconstituted by adding back the crude lipid extracts or FFAs. These results suggest that haemolysis in the midgut is caused by disruption of the erythrocyte membrane resulting from the detergent-like properties of the FFAs.
The timing of wing molt in tundra swans: energetic and non-energetic constraints

Date of wing molt initiation, based on the regression of tenth primary length on capture date, was calculated for breeding and nonbreeding Tundra Swans (Cygnus columbianus columbianus) on the Colville River Delta, Alaska. Breeding females initiated wing molt significantly later than breeding males and nonbreeding males and females; the molt of breeding females was correlated with the date on which their eggs hatched. Breeding males did not differ significantly from nonbreeding males and females in the date of molt initiation. Timing of molt in breeding males and females was consistent with the views that females delay molt while replenishing energy spent on reproduction, but was also consistent with the breeding pair's need for primaries to defend territories and to defend and brood young. Other results, including an increase in an index of female body condition throughout most of the molt period, and a positive correlation between clutch size and female hatchto-molt interval, were not predicted by the hypothesis that past energy expenditures constrain the timing of molt. Patterns of wing molt within and among other Northern Hemisphere geese and swans are also difficult to explain on the basis of energetics alone. For example, breeding females initiate molt before breeding males in many species. Also, there is extreme asynchrony between mates in two swan species; one of those species also exhibits variation in which sex initiates wing molt first. Both patterns suggest that asynchrony, per se, is important, probably to facilitate brood protection or territory defense. In Tundra Swans and other northern breeding geese and swans, the non-energetic demands of territory defense, brood defense, and brooding are probably important constraints on the timing of wing molt.
Contraceptive use by female physicians in the United States.

Abstract Objective: Little is known about female physicians’ personal contraceptive use, and such usage could influence their prescribing patterns. Methods: We used data from the Women Physicians’ Health Study, a large (n = 4501) national study, administered in 1993–1994, on characteristics of female physicians in the United States. Results: These female physicians (ages 30–44 years) were more likely to use contraception than women in the general population (ages 15–44 years); this was true even when the physicians were compared with only other women of high socioeconomic status and when stratified by ethnicity, age, and number of children. Physicians were also more likely to use intrauterine devices, diaphragms, or condoms, and less likely to use female or male sterilization than were other women. Younger female physicians were especially unlikely to use permanent methods, particularly when compared with their age-matched counterparts in the general population. One fifth of contracepting physicians used more than one type of contraceptive; the most frequently used combination was spermicide with a barrier method. Conclusion: Female physicians contracept differently than do women in the general population, in ways consistent with delaying and reducing total fertility. Physicians’ personal characteristics have been shown to influence their patient counseling practices, including their contraception-related attitudes and practices. Although female physicians’ clinical advice might differ from their personal practices, as women physicians become more prevalent, their contraceptive choices could influence those of their patients.
Strains in the articular disk of the triangular fibrocartilage complex : a biomechanical study

Abstract The articular disk of the triangular fibrocartilage complex was studied using a video imaging system in a cadaveric laboratory experiment. Changes in disk configuration consistently occurred during pronation and supination and resulted in a nonuniform strain distribution that was dependent upon foream position. Strains occurred primarily in the radioulnar axis of the disk, with dorsoanterior strains being negligible. Strains were concentrated in the radial portion of the disk and were highest with the foream pronated. Application of a distraction load to the distal radioulnar joint to simulate the effect of axial wrist loading caused strains to increase the most in the radial portion. These findings suggest that joint distraction loading and forearm pronation are important components of the injury mechanism for the most common type of traumatic tear that occurs near the radial attachment of the disk.
Wave propagating across atomic-continuum interface

Motivated by eliminating the spurious wave reflection at the interface between atomic and continuum domains in the multiscale modeling and simulation, we present a novel numerical approach for the atomistic field theory without any special treatment at the interfaces. This novel approach abandons the method to calculate the finite element nodal forces in the continuum domain based on the strain–stress relation. Instead, it employs the interatomic forces as in molecular dynamics simulation. This nonlocal procedure overcomes the force mismatch between atomic and continuum domains and enables a seamless scale transition between fully atomistic resolution and continuum description. Meanwhile, to balance the trade-off between computational efficiency and numerical accuracy, we adopt a cluster-based sampling scheme which allows a group of unit cells around every nodal point to contribute to the calculation of nodal forces. Numerical results show that this novel numerical procedure drastically reduces the wave r...
Syntheses of functionally substituted divinylmercury compounds

Abstract Reductive disproportionation of vinylmercuric chlorides by alkaline sodium stannite produces divinylmercurials in high yields. The reaction conditions are optimized to obtain functionally substituted divinylmercurials in pure form, free from undesirable side products.
Initial and subsequent approach for the synthesis of 18FDG

2-deoxy-2-[18F] fluoro-D-glucose (18FDG) was developed in 1976 in a collaboration between scientists at the National Institutes of Health, the University of Pennsylvania, and Brookhaven National Laboratory. It was developed for the specific purpose of mapping brain glucose metabolism in living humans, thereby serving as a tool in the basic human neurosciences. With 18FDG it was possible for the first time to measure regional glucose metabolism in the living human brain. Around the same time, the use of 18FDG for studies of myocardial metabolism and as a tracer for tumor metabolism were reported. After the first synthesis of 18FDG via an electrophilic fluorination with 18F gas (produced via the 20Ne(d,alpha)18F reaction), small volume enriched water targets were developed that made it possible to produce large quantities of [18F]fluoride ion via the high-yield 18(p,n)18F reaction. This was followed by a major milestone, the development of a nucleophilic fluorination method that produced 18FDG in very high yield. These advances and the remarkable properties of 18FDG have largely overcome the limitations of the 110-minute half-life of 18F so that 18FDG is now available to most regions of the United States from a number of central production sites. This avoids the need for an on-site cyclotron and chemistry laboratory and has opened up the use of 18FDG to institutions that have a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner (or other imaging device) but no cyclotron or chemistry infrastructure. Currently, 18FDG is used by many hospitals as an off the shelf radiopharmaceutical for clinical diagnosis in heart disease, seizure disorders, and oncology, the area of most rapid growth. However, it remains an important tool in human neuroscience and in drug research and development.
Accessing Modern Science: Policy and Institutional Options for Agricultural Biotechnology in Developing Countries

The paper highlights the complexity of the challenge in developing forms of collaboration, between a variety of actors in the biotechnology area in developing countries - national research systems, with diverse capacities in biotechnology, international research centers, local private research and development companies, and advanced research institutes, in both industrialized, and developing countries. Case studies are provided, from strong programs - such as India, China, and Brazil - which will be tool developers as well as users, programs that are developing an adaptive capacity in biotech to use tools, and methods, in a large number of countries, whose research systems have virtually, no capacity in molecular biology. Each type program presents challenges, and opportunities for accessing new technologies, based on facilitation of private investments, public-private partnerships, and local capacity to design proprietary technologies, working with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research centers, as intermediaries, and partners, and with regional consortia. Policy, and institutional issues for accessing modern science are then discussed, and, many of the challenges involve developing strategies in intellectual property management, while pubic research organizations will need to develop innovative means of segmenting markets, to complement private sector interests.
Agent Solutions for Navy Shipboard Power Systems

It is envisioned that in the future a naval electric ship should be operated with minimum number of human operators, while having the intelligence to automatically reconfigure its power plant under various scenarios. This should be accomplished with less response time and adequate configurations when compared to the systems operated by humans. Multi agent systems have been shown as a promising technology to achieve this goal. In this paper, the authors present a study of various agent systems being developed for Navy shipboard power systems. A particular focus is given on agent based solutions for fault detection and reconfiguration of a shipboard power system. Test scenarios are presented for each agent based solution.
The effects of exogenous thymidine on endogenous deoxynucleotides and mutagenesis in mammalian cells.

The intracellular deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate pools in mammalian cells affect diverse biological functions including the spontaneous or induced mutability. We have isolated from murine T-lymphosarcoma S49 cells, a mutant that is unable to convert dCMP to dUMP, contains deranged intracellular dNTP pools, and exhibits a mutator phenotype. The enzymatic defect in araC-6-1 cells is a deficiency of deoxycytidylate deaminase, which accounts for the high dCTP and low TTP intracellular pools. The addition of increasing concentrations of exogenous thymidine to araC-6-1 cells alters these dNTP pools in a predictable manner: increasing the TTP and diminishing the dCTP. Concomitant with this reversal of the dCTP∶TTP ratio is a marked decrease in the mutation rate followed by an increase in the mutation rates at higher exogenous thymidine concentrations. This response of the mutation rate is in contrast to that seen in the control cell line containing normal deoxycytidylate deaminase. In the latter case, increasing thymidine concentration induces an enhanced mutation rate that parallels the later phase of the thymidine-induced mutation rate in araC-6-1 cells. The deficiency of deoxycytidylate deaminase, the endogeneous dNTP pool alterations, and the mutator phenotype of araC-6-1 cells are all recessive traits in cell-cell hybrids. These observations allow one to predict whether exogenous thymidine will be mutagenic, antimutagenic, or both for a given cell line and provide a basis for understanding conflicting reports in the literature concerning the effects of thymidine on genomic stability.
On reducing delay and temporal starvation of queue-length-based CSMA algorithms

Recently, a group of queue-length-based CSMA algorithms have been proposed to achieve throughput optimality in wireless networks with single-hop transmissions. These algorithms suffer from two problems: (1) large delays, and (2) temporal starvation phenomenon, where communication links are inactive for a prolonged period of time before getting service. To mitigate these two problems, in this paper, we propose a novel v(t)-regulated CSMA algorithm which can be implemented in a distributed manner using the RTS/CTS mechanism. Link scheduling is performed such that links with longer queues are favored so as to reduce average delay. The v(t)-regulated CSMA algorithm also ensures a more frequent switch between schedules such that the effect of temporal starvation is reduced. We prove that the proposed algorithm is throughput optimal, and show through numerical evaluations that the algorithm indeed mitigates the temporal starvation problem and achieves far better delay performance than other throughput-optimal CSMA algorithms.
Radiotherapy alone for carcinoma of the vagina: The importance of overall treatment time

Abstract Purpose : Review treatment results, complications, and the importance of overall treatment time for carcinoma of the vagina treated with radiotherapy alone. Methods and Materials : Between October 1964 and October 1990, 65 patients with histologically confirmed carcinoma of the vagina received definitive radiotherapy at the University of Florida. All patients had a minimum 2-year follow-up. Most patients were treated with a combination of external-beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy. The probability of pelvic control, cause-specific survival, and complications was calculated and multivariate analyses were performed. The log-rank test was used to determine significance levels between the curves. Results : The 5-year cause-specific survival rates were, Stage 0 (six patients), 100%; Stage I (17 patients), 94%; Stage IIA (six patients), 80%; Stage IIB (ten patients), 39%; Stage III (twn patients), 79%; and Stage IVA (six patients), 62%. The pelvic control rates at 5 years were: Stage 0, 100%; Stage I, 87%; Stage IIA, 88%; Stage IIB, 68%; Stage III, 80%; and Stage IVA, 67%. The parameters of stage, patient age, total dose to primary site, and overall treatment time were evaluated in a multivariate analysis. The single most important predictor of pelvic control was overall treatment time. If the entire course of radiotherapy (external beam + implant) was completed within 9 weeks (63 days), the pelvic control rate was 97%. The pelvic control rate was only 54% if treatment time extended beyond 9 weeks (p = .0003). The rate of severe complications was 12%, and the incidence increased with increasing total primary dose. Conclusion : Radiotherapy alone can cure a significant proportion of patients with carcinoma of the vagina. Treatment should be completed without significant interruption, preferably within 9 weeks.