cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
When children die: a seminar series for pediatric residents.

Objective Our goals were to assist residents in acquiring skills needed to care for children at the end of life and to increase their comfort level regarding critical aspects of caring for dying children. Methods We designed and implemented a 6-part seminar series for pediatric residents in their postgraduate year-2 at the University of Arizona Pediatric Residency Program. The series consisted of small group sessions regarding medical and legal issues facing physicians at the time of a pediatric patient's death, symptom management in dying children, approaches to limitation of care and discussion of impending death of a child, cultural and developmental factors impacting on the care of children at the end of life, parent and sibling bereavement after the death of a child, and physician's personal responses to the death of pediatric patients. The sessions were conducted on weekday evenings away from patient care settings and included input from community-based individuals as well as academic pediatric subspecialists. To promote active discussion, size was limited to 12 participants. Pretests and posttests were used to evaluate the success of this program. Residents' level of comfort with important issues in end-of-life care was measured using a 5-point Likert scale. Results Although most of the residents taking part in the seminar series had previously participated in discussions of limitation of care of a child and/or had performed advanced life support measures on a child, few had any previous training in end-of-life care. Responses of the 8 participants who completed both the pretests and posttests were evaluated for assessment of changes in comfort level in areas pertinent to end-of-life care. We found that on completion of this program, residents were significantly more comfortable with logistic issues and symptom management, discussing death and limitation of medical care with families, discussing end-of-life care with colleagues and families, handling conflicts within the health care team, working with families of varying ethnic backgrounds, guiding developmentally appropriate discussions of death, identifying and seeking out advice from a role model regarding end-of-life care, and coping with their own responses to a child's death. Costs of this seminar series were minimal. Conclusions An inexpensive, discussion-based seminar series successfully provided pediatric residents with basic information regarding end-of-life care and significantly increased their confidence as clinicians caring for seriously ill and dying children.
Uncemented Total Knee Arthroplasty: 2-Year Follow-Up of 100 Knees With a Rotating Platform, Cruciate-Retaining Design

Review of the literature shows mixed results regarding uncemented total knee arthroplasty (TKA). To our knowledge, there are no reports of results for uncemented TKA that incorporates a cruciate-retaining and rotating platform design. It is theorized that these design features could decrease the stress at the bone-implant interface. This study reports results on 100 uncemented TKAs at a minimum of 2-year follow-up. Average Knee Society clinical score improved from 52.9 to 95.1; average Knee Society functional score improved from 60.5 to 82.0. Ninety-eight percent of patients had excellent and 2% had good results based on Knee Society scores. There was 99% implant survival; 1 patient required revision of a loose tibial component after a motor vehicle accident. The promising short-term results support the continued use of this implant and suggest a prospective randomized study comparing cemented vs uncemented TKA of this design is warranted.
Persistence of Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Insecticide Residues in Chicken Tissues and Eggs

Abstract INTRODUCTION VARIOUS research workers Naber and Ware (1961), Draper et al. (1950, 1952) Ivey et al. (1961) and Liska et al. (1964) have reported residues of chlorinated insecticides in tissues and eggs of chickens exposed to these insecticides. This exposure can occur through spraying of the environment or through consumption of feed which contains insecticide residues. The producer has direct control over the use of sprays in the environment of the chickens. He may, however, purchase considerable amounts of feed of unknown history. Liska et al. (1964) reported that small residues present in feed caused significant residues in tissues and eggs. More information is needed on the persistence of chlorinated insecticides in the tissues and eggs of chickens consuming low levels of insecticides for a short period of time as might be the case from a shipment of contaminated feed. This research was performed to determine the length of time…
Modeling Interfirm Dependency: Game Theoretic Simulation to Examine the Holdup Problem in Project Networks

Subcontractor selection strategies used by contractors can significantly affect short-term project and long-term organizational success. Existing research on subcontractor selection strategy implicitly assumes that the evaluation of subcontractors depends on current conditions. We extend this perspective by integrating an agent-based simulation model with game theory to examine whether precontract partner selection strategies that do not consider subcontractor selection as a repeated game may lead to a version of the holdup problem. The holdup problem we investigate focuses on relationship-specific investments in learning after the introduction of an innovation or organizational change across a project network. A minimum total cost strategy may decelerate the rate of adaptation to an innovation or organizational change, thereby proving that the holdup problem can exist in project networks. The findings contribute to subcontractor selection strategy literature by simulating the impact of the holdup problem in project networks, distinguishing task interdependence as a moderating variable, and identifying that the minimum total cost strategy can be a suboptimal strategy for project networks adapting to systemic changes.
Finite element simulation of cone penetration

Finite element simulation of cone penetration in a ''virtual'' soil using the commercial finite element software MSC/DYTRAN was accomplished Parameters for DYTRAN'S crushable foam and soil constitutive model, DYMAT14, were estimated using the NSDL_AU soil compaction model developed by the USDA_ARS National Soils Dynamics Laboratory and Auburn University. Finite element simulations were conducted for two soils, a sandy load and a clay loam, and compared to existing cone penetration data.
Diet composition related to body fat in a multivariate study of 203 men

Abstract Objective To assess whether usual diet (especially intake of dietary fat, carbohydrate, and fiber) was related to body fat percentage in healthy men. Design A written questionnaire provided data on demographic and lifestyle characteristics. Dietary fat, carbohydrate, protein, and fiber intakes were analyzed using the National Cancer Institute food frequency questionnaire. Percentage of body fat was determined using three-site skinfold measurements, and a submaximal treadmill test was used to estimate aerobic fitness. Subjects Subjects were 203 healthy men (14.0±5.3% mean body fat) aged 21 to 71 years. The subjects were chosen from randomly selected districts within Utah County and volunteered for free diet and fitness evaluations. Statistical analysis Multiple regression analysis determined the extent to which the individual diet components predicted body composition before and after controlling for energy intake, fitness level, body weight, and age. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to compare relative body fat groups in regard to dietary variables. Results Reported intakes of carbohydrate ( P =.0085, R 2 =.022), complex carbohydrate ( P =.0127, R 2 =.024), and fiber ( P =.002, R 2 =.03) were inversely associated with body fat after controlling for age, energy intake, and fitness level. Energy intake was positively related to body fat after controlling for age, fitness level, and body weight. When subjects were separated into low-, moderate-, and high-body-fat groups, the fattest subjects reported eating significantly more dietary fat ( P =.05) and less carbohydrate ( P =.01), complex carbohydrate ( P =.01), and fiber ( P =.005) than the leanest subjects. No significant difference in reported energy intake was noted across body fat groups. Applications Composition of the diet may play a role in obesity beyond energy intake in men over the long-term. Lifestyle changes for men should probably include modifications in diet composition, especially increased consumption of foods high in complex carbohydrate and fiber. J Am Diet Assoc. 1996; 96:771–777.
The changed and changing economy of New England

In this paper, the authors propose to review the changed and changing economic structure of New England, and to project to the year 2000 New England's real gross regional product together with the real gross products of the region's ten component industries.
A demonstration of collaborative Web services and peer-to-peer grids

Peer-to-peer grids is a new trend in scientific computing and collaboration. It is based on the peer-to-peer and grids technologies and leverages the advantages of both. We develop our collaborative PowerPoint and IE (Internet Explorer) applications with a common peer-to-peer grid architecture. We make NaradaBrokering as our dynamic messaging environment and systematic use of Web Services as one type of our building blocks. Making PowerPoint and Internet Explorer applications collaborative using their event meta data and instant message as Web services is useful in situations such as long distance education [Geoffrey Fox] and Web conferencing. This is also a good demonstration of harnessing and leveraging of the power and richness of Web services and peer-to-peer grids computing.
The reaction of H8Si8O12 with a chromium oxide surface: a model for stainless steel surface modification

Many metal alloys are susceptible to corrosion, particularly after processing steps such as welding. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is an effective way to modify metal surfaces and impart specific physical and chemical properties. A hydrophobic, nanosegmented silicon oxide coating derived from the discrete cluster molecule H8Si8O12 has been shown to chemisorb to 302 and 304 stainless steel. To understand better how this cluster binds to steel, a comprehensive study of these clusters adsorbed on chromium oxide was undertaken. IR, XPS and valence-band spectroscopies show convincingly that the clusters are chemisorbed intact on this surface. The coating also readily forms on molybdenum, tungsten, iron and nickel oxides, promising general application to a wide variety of metal alloys. Copyright # 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Type-II-->type-I transition in (GaX)n/(InX)n (001) superlattices (X=P, Sb) as a function of period n.

Coherently strained GaX/InX interfaces (X=P, Sb) lattice matched to a (001)-oriented substrate are predicted to have a type-I band-gap alignment, with both the valence-band maximum and the conduction-band minimum (CBM) located on the In-rich material. At the same time, the CBM wave function of short-period (GaX${)}_{\mathit{n}}$/(InX${)}_{\mathit{n}}$ superlattices is predicted to have larger amplitude on the GaX layers, leading to a type-II alignment. We show that (i) a type-II\ensuremath{\rightarrow}type-I transition occurs around the period n=4; (ii) this transition has a different origin with respect to the well-known case of GaAs/AlAs superlattices; (iii) the band structure of ultrathin superlattices cannot be explained in terms of a simple effective-mass theory; (iv) the wave-function localization in short-period superlattices is determined by the atomic orbital energies.
Radiative Corrections for Nearly Elastic Scattering

The treatment of large infrared contributions to electron scattering is discussed. An expression is given for any energy resolution, yielding a previously conjectured form in the limit of perfect resolution.
Evidence for Coupled Electron and Proton Transfer in the [8Fe-7S] Cluster of Nitrogenase†

Substrate reduction by nitrogenase requires electron transfer from a [4Fe-4S] cluster in the iron (Fe) protein component to an FeMo cofactor in the molybdenum−iron (MoFe) protein component in a reaction that is coupled to MgATP hydrolysis and component protein association and dissociation. An [8Fe-7S] (or P-) cluster in the MoFe protein has been proposed as an intermediate electron-transfer site, although how this cluster functions in electron-transfer remains unclear. In the present work, it is demonstrated that one redox couple of the P-cluster (P2+/1+) undergoes coupled electron and proton transfer, whereas a more reduced couple (P1+/N) does not involve a coupled proton transfer. Redox titrations of the MoFe protein P-cluster were performed, and the midpoint potential of the P2+/1+ couple (Em2) was found to be pH dependent, ranging from −224 mV at pH 6.0 to −348 mV at pH 8.5. A plot of Em2 versus the pH for this redox couple was linear and revealed a change of −53 mV/pH unit, indicating a single proton...
Predictors of groin complications after balloon and new-device coronary intervention

We reviewed the clinical course of 5,042 patients who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) using balloons or new devices: (stent, laser, directional and rotational atherectomy). A vascular complication was defined as the formation of a groin hematoma, bleeding, pseudoaneurysm, fistula, or the need for surgical repair. Vascular complications occurred in 309 (6.1%) patients, and 117 (2.3%) required vascular repair; among these patients, surgery was performed for correction of an arteriovenous fistula in 12%, repair of pseudoaneurysm in 72%, repair for expanding hematoma and femoral artery lacerations in 10%, and retroperitoneal bleeding in 6%. The correlates of vascular complications were older age (66.8 vs 62.1 years; p
The effects of normalization of dietary protein intake and carotid artery ligation on the renal autoregulatory abnormalities of streptozotocin diabetic rats

Abstract We studied renal autoregulation in nondiabetic and streptozotocin diabetic Munich-Wistar rats 6 weeks after diabetes induction. We had previously shown that diabetic rats had greater preservation of renal blood flow (RBF) at reduced renal perfusion pressures (RPP) than control rats and speculated that this could be due to higher protein intake in the diabetic rats. Because of hyperphagia, the diabetic rats in the present study on a 24% protein diet (D-24) had 70% or greater increase in dietary protein intake compared to controls on the same diet (C-24). Diabetic rats on a 14% protein diet (D-14) had a dietary protein intake similar to C-24 and less than that of D-24 animals. Baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal blood flow were lower and renal vascular resistance (RVR) was higher in the D-14 compared to the C-24 or D-24 rats. Nonetheless, at markedly reduced RPP both diabetic groups had better sustained RBFs and lower RVRs than the controls. Thus, increased dietary protein intake cannot explain the autoregulatory abnormalities in diabetes. Bilateral carotid artery ligation increased systemic blood pressure similarly in the C-24, D-24, and D-14 rats. All three groups responded with increased RVR to carotid artery ligation. Following carotid artery ligation, differences were no longer seen between diabetic and control rats for RBF at reduced RPPs. These studies indicate that diabetic rats are capable of generating increased RVR, ruling out impaired vascular constrictive capacity as an explanation of these hemodynamic abnormalities. It is hypothesized that carotid artery ligation resulted in sympathic stimulation of intrarenal renin release which overcame the decreased glomerular angiotensin II receptor density in diabetic rats, thus normalizing the renal vascular responses to hypoperfusion.
FRACTAL SELF-ORGANIZATION OF BACTERIA-INSPIRED AGENTS

We develop an agent-based model as a preliminary theoretical basis to guide the synthesis of a new class of materials with dynamic properties similar to bacterial colonies. Each agent in the model is representative of an individual bacterium capable of: the uptake of chemicals (nutrients), which are metabolized; active movement (part viscous, part diffusive), consuming metabolic energy; and cellular division, when agents have doubled in size. The agents grow in number and self-organize into fractal structures, depending on the rules that define the actions of the agents and the parameter values. The environment of the agents includes chemicals responsible for their growth and is described by a diffusion-reaction equation with Michaelis-Menten kinetics. These rules are modeled mathematically by a set of equations with five dimensionless groups that are functions of physical parameters. Simulations are performed for different parameter values. The resulting structures are characterized by their fractal scaling regime, box-counting and mass-radius dimensions, and lacunarity. Each parameter influences the overall structure in a unique way, generating a wide spectrum of structures. For certain combinations of parameter values, the model converges to a steady state, with a finite population of agents that no longer divide.
A Review: Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease Discovered in Repurposed Agents

Background/Aims: Many compounds that have already been approved for alternate diagnoses have been studied in relation to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The purpose of
Cybernetic Determinants in the Evolution of Brain and Culture

Within a physicalist-mechanistic worldview, in which we cannot be more than intelligent, self-reproducing biomachines or biobots, fundamentals of a new approach to the science of human self-explanation are outlined. Some a priori logical necessities, or determinants, of any biobot’s control system design are recognized. Evolution had to satisfy them, but neuroscience and cognitive science so far do not clearly see these basics. It is concluded that the old part of the brain (roughly brain stem) still contains the genetically fixed drives, responses, and the physiological control. Here is the seat of an ancient somatic self that is not intelligent but is still the active center of our life. The neocortex has evolved to serve the somatic self with intelligence by individually building a virtual model of the external material and social world. This model is used by the somatic self to “pre-play” intended actions and responses to see whether they would satisfy its needs. This schema of global brain function provides the neurological foundation for the ego-id dichotomy in analytic psychology, as well as some critique of it. Following the groundbreaking experiments by Benjamin Libet (1985) and John-Dylan Haynes et al. (2008), consciousness is taken as a “theater” that presents what the neural networks already have worked out, and freedom of the will is limited. The explosive growth of culture and civilization began when neocortical power exceeded a certain threshold. This can be taken as a quasi-mutation that projected us into a supra-biological space of existence that is new to natural history. It is not clear whether this event will lead to a positive future for humanity or to doom. Functional religion is seen as a neurosystemic attempt to bring back the earlier natural state. Thus, it can be valuable when cleared of mythological ballast.
LPSM: Fitting shape model by linear programming

We propose a shape model fitting algorithm that uses linear programming optimization. Most shape model fitting approaches (such as ASM, AAM) are based on gradient-descent-like local search optimization and usually suffer from local minima. In contrast, linear programming (LP) techniques achieve globally optimal solution for linear problems. In [1], a linear programming scheme based on successive convexification was proposed for matching static object shape in images among cluttered background and achieved very good performance. In this paper, we rigorously derive the linear formulation of the shape model fitting problem in the LP scheme and propose an LP shape model fitting algorithm (LPSM). In the experiments, we compared the performance of our LPSM with the LP graph matching algorithm(LPGM), ASM, and a CONDENSATION based ASM algorithm on a test set of PUT database. The experiments show that LPSM can achieve higher shape fitting accuracy. We also evaluated its performance on the fitting of some real world face images collected from internet. The results show that LPSM can handle various appearance outliers and can avoid local minima problem very well, as the fitting is carried out by LP optimization with l 1 norm robust cost function.
Vibrio vulnificus bacteremia associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, hypogammaglobulinemia, and hepatic cirrhosis : Relation to host and exposure factors in 252 V. vulnificus infections reported in Louisiana

ABSTRACT Background Vibrio vulnificus infection in persons with B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) or hypogammaglobulinemia has been reported infrequently. Patient and Methods A woman with B-CLL, hypogammaglobulinemia, and hepatic cirrhosis died of V. vulnificus bacteremia after eating cooked shrimp and crabs. We reviewed host and exposure data in 252 cases of V. vulnificus infection reported in Louisiana during the interval of 1980 through 2004. Results V. vulnificus was isolated from blood in 122 cases (48.8%). Preexisting conditions in 138 cases included liver disease (41.3%), malignancy (13.8%), and immunosuppression (9.4%). The prevalence of preexisting conditions was significantly greater in cases with positive blood cultures than in cases with positive wound or stool cultures. Exposure data in 116 cases revealed crab consumption without raw oyster consumption or seawater exposure in 3.4%. Conclusion The present patient had several conditions associated with increased risk of V. vulnificus infection and bacteremia, especially hepatic cirrhosis, but her route of exposure to V. vulnificus was unusual.
Ductile failure under combined shear and tension

Abstract The aim of this paper is to establish the extent to which materials can be deformed under shear-dominant loadings. Custom Al-6061-T6 tubular specimens are loaded under radial paths of tension and shear to failure. During the experiments, the deformation is monitored in a test section designed to have nearly uniform stress and deformation at large strains while providing minimum constraint to the development of localization that precedes failure. The recorded shear stress-rotation and axial stress-displacement responses exhibit maxima beyond which deformation localizes in a narrow band that is of the order of the 1 mm wall thickness of the test section. For the mainly shear dominated stress paths followed, deformation remained nearly planar allowing for the establishment of both the true stresses and the local deformation strictly from measurements. Results from thirteen radial path experiments show the strain at failure to monotonically increase as the mean stress decreases, a result that is in contrast with previously reported results for Al alloys. In addition, the measured failure strains are significantly larger than previously reported values. Furthermore, statistical grain-level strain estimates revealed a significant variation in strain across the macroscopically observed localization zone, with strains reaching 25–100% higher levels than the macroscopic values. This indicates that localization also occurs at a smaller scale than hitherto understood. Scanning electron microscopic evaluation of the failure zones showed that for this material, void formation and coalescence is delayed until the very end of the life of the deforming material.
Mixed allogeneic chimerism in lung allograft recipients

Microchimerism in lung allograft recipients was studied in the autopsies of nine female recipients of male lung grafts who had survived for more than 1 month after transplantation. Using a Y chromosome-specific probe tissues were studied for the presence of donor cells that had migrated beyond the graft itself. They were quantitated by cell counting to give absolute numbers of cells per organ volume. While donor cells were disseminated throughout the body, their numbers were small. These absolute numbers should be studied in a larger group of recipients to determine if they correlate with prognosis and the development of bronchiolitis obliterans.
Scaling Linear Algebra Kernels Using Remote Memory Access

This paper describes the scalability of linear algebra kernels based on remote memory access approach. The current approach differs from the other linear algebra algorithms by the explicit use of shared memory and remote memory access (RMA) communication rather than message passing. It is suitable for clusters and scalable shared memory systems. The experimental results on large scale systems (Linux-Infiniband cluster, Cray XT) demonstrate consistent performance advantages over ScaLAPACK suite, the leading implementation of parallel linear algebra algorithms used today. For example, on a Cray XT4 for a matrix size of 102400, our RMA-based matrix multiplication achieved over 55 tera???ops while ScaLAPACK’s pdgemm measured close to 42 tera???ops on 10000 processes.
The electrocardiogram of patients with atrioventricular cushion defects (defects of the atrioventricular canal)

Abstract The electrocardiogram is the most important single item in alerting the physician to the diagnosis of congenital cardiac anomalies stemming from defective formation of the atrioventricular canal. It is characterized by left axis deviation with the early manifest frontal vector characteristically in the 0 ° to −60 ° zone. The tracings usually show evidence of enlargement of the right ventricle, particularly an rSR configuration in right precordial leads, the picture of volume overloading of the right ventricle. Different hemodynamic profiles (for instance, the amount of shunting at the atrial and ventricular levels, the degree of mitral insufficiency and the pulmonary hypertensive level) will be additively reflected in the basic electrocardiographic pattern. The typical electrocardiogram may be encountered occasionally in other types of congenital heart disease, particularly ventricular septal defects located posteriorly under the septal tricuspid leaflet. It is believed that the electrocardiographic pattern is related to a congenital aberration of the left bundle branch system.
Can Disorder Alone Destroy the e g ′ Hole Pockets of Na x CoO 2 ? A Wannier Function Based First-Principles Method for Disordered Systems

We investigate from first principles the proposed destruction of the controversial e{prime}{sub g} pockets in the Fermi surface of Na{sub x}CoO{sub 2} due to Na disorder, by calculating its k-dependent configuration-averaged spectral function A(k,{omega}). To this end, a Wannier function-based method is developed that treats the effects of disorder beyond the mean field. Remarkable spectral broadenings of order {approx}1 eV are found for the oxygen orbitals, possibly explaining their absence in the experiments. In contradiction with the current claim, however, the e{prime}{sub g} pockets remain almost perfectly coherent. The developed method is expected to also generate exciting opportunities in the study of the countless functional materials that owe their important electronic properties to disordered dopants.
Femtosecond Nucleophilic Substitution Reaction Dynamics

A general class of reactions termed aromatic nucleophilic substitution (S_NAr) is central to organic syntheses, reaction mechanisms, and electron transfer processes. A textbook example is the following reaction which is generally considered as a two-step process, the addition of the nucleophile (a → b) and the elimination to form final products (b → c). However, if the processes of addition and elimination are concerted, the so-called σ-complex (b) becomes a transition state, similar in nature to S_N2 reactions.
Excess Xenon-128 in meteorites

Using known compositions of primordial and spallation xenon components in several meteorites, the neutron produced Xe128n has been resolved. For obtaining the value for spallation produced (Xe128/Xe130)c, the meteorites with low iodine content and high spallation contribution are considered. Using these data, the neutron densities in several meteorites due to cosmic-ray exposure are calculated and their significance is qualitatively discussed.
Semantics, Inflammation, Cytokines and Common Sense

Semantic evaluation of some of the terms we regularly employ--inflammation, anti-inflammatory, pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory drugs, cytokines, homeostasis and stress--raises concerns about their precise meanings and about their mechanistic implications. Semantic imprecision may have undesirable conceptual consequences.
Supporting Vulnerable Families Through School-Based Mental Health Services: Results of Caregiver and Teacher Focus Groups

Family perspectives facilitate participation and positive outcomes in child mental health treatment. In schools, families and teachers must cooperate to best meet children's mental health needs, also making teacher perspectives important. In this study, caregivers and teachers participated in focus groups following the pilot year of a school-based mental health (SBMH) project. Participants noted successes and challenges of the project and suggested improvements. Although this study focuses on the SBMH project, many of the study implications are applicable to other school mental health programs and may be of value to school and community practitioners.
Classical conditioning of jaw movements in the pigeon: Acquisition and response topography

Previous studies have shown (1) that the form of the pigeon’s conditioned keypecking response resembles that of its ingestive pecking response, (2) that both ingestive and conditioned pecking in the pigeon are compound responses, including both transport (neck-movement) and gape (jaw-movement) components, and (3) that during operant conditioning or autoshaping of pecking behavior, the gape component comes under the associative control of the CS. In the present study, the gape component was experimentally isolated and a classical conditioning paradigm (water US) was used to bring jaw movements under the control of a CS (light). The results indicate that the topography of the jaw-movement CR is very similar to, though more variable than, that of the UR. They are consistent with the hypothesis that reported similarities in the form of ingestive and conditioned pecking responses reflect, in part, classical conditioning of the gape component.
Histopathologic variability and endoscopic correlates in adults with eosinophilic esophagitis.

Background Recently recognized as an important cause of dysphagia and food impaction in adults, eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is diagnosed by histologic findings of increased mucosal eosinophils. Objective We examined variability in histopathologic features of adults with EE to derive a recommendation on the optimal number and location of biopsies needed for diagnosis. Design Charts were reviewed from 74 patients diagnosed with EE based on ≥15 eosinophils per high-power field (eos/hpf). Biopsy specimens were prospectively analyzed for the degree of eosinophilia and histopathologic features of EE. Subgroup analysis was performed in patients with biopsy specimens from both the proximal and the distal esophagus. The biopsy specimens from patients with EE were compared with specimens from biopsied Schatzki's ring. Setting Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Patients Charts were reviewed for 74 adult patients and biopsy specimens were available for 66 patients. Results A total of 341 biopsy specimens from 66 patients were available for analysis and revealed marked variability within and between biopsy specimens of individual patients. The median eos/hpf was 107 (0-557 eos/hpf). By using criteria of ≥15 eos/hpf for diagnosis, we found that 1 biopsy specimen had a sensitivity of 55%, which increased to 100% after 5 biopsies. By using stricter criteria, additional biopsy specimens were needed to achieve 100% sensitivity. Despite a higher eosinophilia in distal (82 eos/hpf) compared with proximal biopsy specimens (68 eos/hpf), this difference was not statistically significant. There was marked difference between eosinophilia in mucosal biopsy specimens of patients with EE (82 eos/hpf) compared with Schatzki's ring (0.3 eos/hpf). Conclusions Significant histologic variability exists among biopsy specimens from individual patients with EE and necessitates multiple biopsies to improve diagnostic sensitivity. No significant difference in eosinophilia was demonstrated between proximal and distal sites.
Thermal conductivity of a machinable glass-ceramic below 1 K

Abstract Measurements of thermal conductivity are reported in this technical note for a mica-containing glass-ceramic (Macor) at temperatures between 0.4 and 1.1 K. This material is characterized by high machinability and excellent insulating properties. The thermal conductivity was found to exhibit a dependence on temperature given by 5.83 × 10−3T2.24 W m−1 K−1 in the temperature range studied. This result is unlike that expected for amorphous insulators and is in approximate agreement with earlier measurements on Macor above 2 K.
On Berman's characterization of the Reed-Muller codes

Abstract We give an elementary proof of Berman's theorem which identifies the Reed-Muller codes with the powers of the radical of the group algebra of an elementary abelian 2-group over the two-element field.
Evaluation of redox-responsive disulfide cross-linked poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogels

Abstract Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) hydrogels were prepared with a disulfide containing cross-linker bis(2-methacryloxyethyl) disulfide (DSDMA) that exhibited enhanced release in the presence of glutathione (GSH), a biologically available reducing agent. Varying concentrations of the DSDMA cross-linker were incorporated into the prepolymer before the radical polymerization, enabling the cross-link density to be easily tuned. Dye release studies were performed using rhodamine B and rhodamine 6G dyes, and the UV response of the dyes released into the supernatant measured with the addition of GSH. Using ether-based cross-linkers as a control, the disulfide cross-linkers exhibited a substantial increase in release rates, confirming the responsive nature of the hydrogels to biological reducing agents. The polymers were also tested in a cell culture system for their ability to release the anti-fibroproliferative agent, mitomycin C (MMC). Polymers cross-linked with DSDMA delivered MMC over a slightly longer time period than control polymers prepared with a conventional ether cross-linker.
Spatial niches and coexistence: testing theory with tarweeds

Competitive coexistence in a spatially heterogeneous environment is traditionally attributed to niche differences, but several recent theories have proposed important additional roles for propagule limitation and chance (e.g., neutral theory, stochastic niche theory, spatial storage effect). We tested whether propagule supply and timing of disturbance affected the coexistence of three ecologically similar plants that replace one another with partial overlap along a local soil gradient. We asked what prevents the species that dominates the most common habitat (Holocarpha virgata, open hillsides) from invading the habitats where the other two species are dominant (Calycadenia pauciflora, rocky hilltops; Hemizonia congesta, clay-rich bottomlands). We added abundant Holocarpha seeds into Calycadenia and Hemizonia habitats that were experimentally disturbed at different times of year. Initial Holocarpha seedling densities in Calycadenia and Hemizonia habitats equaled or exceeded those in unmanipulated Holocarpha habitat, but Holocarpha survival, adult size, and fecundity were much lower outside its own habitat. Holocarpha persisted in Calycadenia and Hemizonia habitats for three years, and springtime disturbance promoted this expansion. However, outside its own habitat Holocarpha showed below-replacement fitness and little competitive effect on the other two species. Our results were most consistent with a deterministic view of spatial niches. Nonetheless, chance events may often cause natural communities to include some transient populations at any given time, leading them to appear "unsaturated" with species.
Prolonged mitotic arrest triggers partial activation of apoptosis, resulting in DNA damage and p53 induction

Mitotic arrest induced by antimitotic drugs can cause apoptosis or p53-dependent cell cycle arrest. It can also cause DNA damage, but the relationship between these events has been unclear. Live, single-cell imaging in human cancer cells responding to an antimitotic kinesin-5 inhibitor and additional antimitotic drugs revealed strong induction of p53 after cells slipped from prolonged mitotic arrest into G1. We investigated the cause of this induction. We detected DNA damage late in mitotic arrest and also after slippage. This damage was inhibited by treatment with caspase inhibitors and by stable expression of mutant, noncleavable inhibitor of caspase-activated DNase, which prevents activation of the apoptosis-associated nuclease caspase-activated DNase (CAD). These treatments also inhibited induction of p53 after slippage from prolonged arrest. DNA damage was not due to full apoptosis, since most cytochrome C was still sequestered in mitochondria when damage occurred. We conclude that prolonged mitotic arrest partially activates the apoptotic pathway. This partly activates CAD, causing limited DNA damage and p53 induction after slippage. Increased DNA damage via caspases and CAD may be an important aspect of antimitotic drug action. More speculatively, partial activation of CAD may explain the DNA-damaging effects of diverse cellular stresses that do not immediately trigger apoptosis.
Barium variation in Acropora palmata and Montastrea annularis

The barium contents of Acropora palmata and Montastrea annularis are distinct both in their averages (6 and 9 ppm, respectively) and, more impressively, in their variability (5 to 7 ppm and 6 to 15 ppm). A. palmata contained about 50% more Ba2+ than M. annularis and exhibited more than three times as much variation, as measured by their respective coefficients of variation. In contrast, the means and coefficients of variation of Sr2+ in these groups differed by only 6% and 15%. No obvious environmental or post-depositional causes for the inter-and intra-specific variation of Ba2+ could be found. Previous experiments indicate that the partitioning of Ba2+ into aragonite depends directly on the rate of precipitation. This suggests that Ba2+ does not substitute for Ca2+ but instead is incorporated by occlusion. Since growth rates in A. palmata often exceed those of M. annularis, this appears to be the mechanism which generates higher and more variable concentrations of Ba2+ in A. palmata.
Cardiovascular indices of physiological arousal in boys with fragile X syndrome.

In this study, the relationship between physiological arousal, as indexed by heart rate variability, was examined in boys with fragile X syndrome (FXS) and typically developing boys matched on chronological age. In addition, the relationship of heart activity to clinical and molecular factors in the group of boys with FXS was examined. Results suggest that boys with FXS have higher levels of heart activity during the passive phases, as reflected in shorter heart periods. This high level of heart activity appears to be due to increased sympathetic activity and reduced parasympathetic activity. Boys with FXS did not display the expected patterns of heart activity in response to phases of increasing challenge, and sympathetic and parasympathetic systems did not appear coordinated in these boys with FXS. Clinical factors may be related to neural regulation of heart activity while molecular factors do not appear to be. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 39: 107–123, 2001
Cell wall anchoring to cytoplasmic membrane of Candida albicans

Cell wall ultrastructure of the opportunistic pathogenic yeast Candida albicans was investigated by stereoscopic freeze-etching technique. Three wall layers were distinguishable by this technique. No clear periplasmic space was evident. Bilayer membrane invaginations were extensive. The outermost regions of the membrane invaginations were lined with thin, spine-like fibrils, which extended into the cell wall. We suggest that the fibrils along the invaginations are involved in anchoring the cell wall to the membrane.
MITOSIS AND THE PROCESSES OF DIFFERENTIATION OF MYOGENIC CELLS IN VITRO

The relation between the mitotic cycle and myoblast fusion has been studied in chick skeletal muscle in vitro. The duration of the cell cycle phases was the same in both early and late cultures. By tracing a cohort of pulse-labeled cells, it was found that myoblast fusion does not occur in S, G2, or M. Cell surface alterations required for fusion are dependent upon the position of the cell in the division cycle. In early cultures, fusion takes place only after a minimum delay of 5 hr from the time the cell has entered G1. The mitosis preceding fusion may condition the cell for the abrupt shift in synthetic activity that occurs in the subsequent G1. In older cultures fusion of labeled cells is diminished. Two factors account for the cessation of fusion in older cultures. First, the number of myogenic stem cells declines, but these cells do not disappear as the cultures mature. Their persistence was demonstrated by labeling dividing mononucleated cells in older cultures and challenging them with nascent myotubes. Some of these labeled cells were incorporated into the forming myotubes. Second, a block to fusion develops during myotube maturation. Well developed myotubes challenged with labeled competent myogenic cells failed to incorporate the labeled nuclei.
Inhbition of DNA synthesis in young cycling human diploid fibroblast-like cells upon fusion to enucleate cytoplasts from senescent cells

Summary Previous studies have demonstrated that upon fusion with actively cycling human diploid fibroblast-like (HDFL) cells, senescent HDFL are capable of inhibiting the young nucleus from entry into DNA synthesis (Norwood et al. (1974) [10]; Rabinovitch et al. (1980) [1]). These studies have been interpreted as evidence in favor of the existence of cell cycle inhibitors in senescent cells. Enucleate cytoplasts derived from senescent HDFL cells are also capable of inhibiting the young nucleus from entry into DNA synthesis upon fusion with whole cycling HDFL cells. In contrast, no inhibition was observed in fusions between enucleate young cells and whole cycling cells. These results provide evidence for transmissible cell cycle-inhibitory factors in the cytoplasm of senescent cells.
A teacher professional development framework guided by reform policies, teachers’ needs, and research

(1995). A teacher professional development framework guided by reform policies, teachers’ needs, and research. Journal of Science Teacher Education: Vol. 6, No. 4, pp. 187-196.
Numerical Simulation on Fast Charging Nickel Metal Hydride Traction Batteries

Computer simulation of battery performance, especially from first principles, can provide valuable information for understanding how a battery performs under dynamic conditions. This paper describes recent progress made in incorporating both oxygen and hydrogen recombinant cycles in a computational fluid dynamics based numerical model to simulate nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) traction battery performance. It is important to show that the incorporation of the hydrogen recombinant cycle is useful and how that affects simulation results in predicting and validating, for example, fast charging of an 85 Ah Ni-MH battery system made of AB 2 -hydride based cells. From our previous studies, we have found that in cells of such a battery, the hydrogen recombinant cycle is critically related to cell performance, particularly in fast charging behavior at 1-3C rates. Using the experimental data collected in our laboratory, we validated the model and showed comparisons between results from predictions made with and without the hydrogen recombinant cycle. Implications of the simulation results in the understanding of the limiting mechanism in the fast charging conditions are also discussed.
Academic emergency medicine: Past, present, and future trends

This plenary session reviews the historical evolution and present status of academic emergency medicine in the United States, with predictions for future developments in the specialty.
The role of innate and environmental influences in shaping antipredator behavior of mainland and insular gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis)

Vertebrates inhabiting islands are often characterized by fearlessness and tame behavior. While this relaxation of antipredator behavior has been documented in many species endemic to islands, fewer researchers have examined it in species that occur both in insular and mainland habitats. In addition, the mechanisms underlying this shift in behavior are still poorly known. For this work, antipredator behavior of island and mainland populations of the common gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis) was surveyed. Observed differences were explained in terms of innate tendencies and/or environmental influences using both neonates and adults in laboratory experiments designed to tease apart these two underlying mechanisms. While antipredator behavior of adults was positively correlated with the predation pressures associated with capture sites, neonate behavior did not fully reflect this pattern. However, some support for hard-wired antipredator behavior at birth was evident. Plasticity experiments also revealed that environmental factors appear to influence antipredator behavior. Thus, the data presented here suggest that predation pressures play a strong role in shaping the antipredator behavior of island animals and that the resulting behaviors are most likely the result of some combination of both nature and nurture.
Interface reactions between 50In–50Pb solder and electroplated Au layers

Abstract Solid-state interface reactions were investigated when Cu–Fe alloy leads were attached to an electroplated Au layer using 50In–50Pb (wt.%) solder. Two Au layers of different plating process quality were studied. The annealing temperatures were 70, 100, 135, and 170 °C and the times were 1–2000 h. The dominant reaction layer was a composite of (Au, Cu)In2 IMC and Pb-rich phases. A Au9In4 layer remained
Radiochemical Studies of the Interaction of Lead with Protons in the Energy Range 0.6 to 3.0 Bev

Lead targets have been bombarded with protons of several energies between 0.6 and 3.0 Bev and formation cross sections have been determined for about 30 nuclides of $Al140$ produced in these bombardments. The excitation functions, both for the lightest products studied ($Al35$) and for neutron-deficient barium isotopes, rise steeply with increasing energy. For intermediatemass products ($50lAl120$), the changes in formation cross sections with increasing energy are much smaller and may largely be interpreted as a shift towards more neutron-deficient products and as a broadening of the yield-mass distribution. At 3 Bev the spallation and fission product regions have merged, and the cross sections for forming all mass numbers below the target mass are equal within an order of magnitude. The changes in yield pattern above about 0.4 Bev are shown to be associated with increasing probabilities of very large transfers (of the order of 1 Bev) from the incident proton to the struck nucleus, and this trend is explained in terms of an energy transfer mechanism involving the production, scattering, and reabsorption of pions. Besides the well-known modes of de-excitation---particle evaporation (spallation) and fission---a new mode termed fragmentation is postulated to account for some of the observed products, especially the light fragments. Fragmentation is thought to be associated with the short mean free paths of pions in nuclear matter which cause local heating and can thus lead to dissociation of the nucleus into fragments in a time short compared to that required for equipartition of energy.