cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Shared Decision Making About Screening and Chemoprevention. A Suggested Approach From the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

Shared decision making is a process in which patients are involved as active partners with the clinician in clarifying acceptable medical options and in choosing a preferred course of clinical care. Shared decision making offers a way of individualizing recommendations, according to patients' special needs and preferences, when some patients may benefit from an intervention but others may not. This paper clarifies how the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) envisions the application of shared decision making in the execution of screening and chemoprevention. Unlike conventional USPSTF reports, this paper is neither a systematic review nor a formal recommendation. Instead, it is a concept paper that includes a commentary on the current thinking and evidence regarding shared decision making. Although the USPSTF does not endorse a specific style of decision making, it does encourage informed and joint decisions. This means that patients should be informed about preventive services before they are performed, and that the patient-clinician partnership is central to decision making. The USPSTF suggests that clinicians inform patients about preventive services for which there is clear evidence of net benefit, and, if time permits, about other services with high visibility or special individual importance. Clinicians should make sure that balanced, evidence-based information about the service (including the potential benefits and harms, alternatives, and uncertainties) is available to the patient if needed. For preventive services for which the balance of potential benefits and harms is a close call, or for which the evidence is insufficient to guide a decision for or against screening, clinicians should additionally assist patients in determining whether individual characteristics and personal preferences favor performing or not performing the preventive service. The USPSTF believes that clinicians generally have no obligation to initiate discussion about services that have either no benefit or net harm. Nonetheless, clinicians should be prepared to explain why these services are discouraged and should consider a proactive discussion for services with high visibility or special individual importance or for services for which new evidence has prompted withdrawal of previous recommendations.
On the validity of using the classical elastic line force solution in lattice dislocation calculations

In computer simulations involving dislocations in discrete crystal lattices the use of so-called flexible boundary conditions requires the elasticity solution for the displacement field due to point forces periodically distributed along a line. It is, of course, much easier to approximate this field as that due to the available classical solution for an infinite line of uniformly distributed forces. The validity of this approximation is investigated for an isotropic medium and it is shown that the approximation is a good one (to terms of order exp [−2πr/b] where r is the normal distance from the line of force and b is the lattice repeat distance along the line of force) even at distances on the order of one lattice repeat distance from the line of force. Anisotropy is not expected to significantly affect this result. Bei der Computersimulation von Versetzungen in diskreten Kristallgittern erfordert die Verwendung sogenannter flexibler Grenzbedingungen die Elastizitatslosung fur ein Verschiebungsfeld, das durch periodisch entlang der Linie verteilte Punktkrafte hervorgerufen wird. Es ist naturlich viel einfacher dieses Feld zu approximieren als das, welches durch die klassische Losung fur eine unendliche Linie von gleichformig verteilten Kraften gegeben ist. Die Gultigkeit dieser Naherung fur ein isotropes Medium wird untersucht und gezeigt, das die Approximation gut ist (von der Ordnung exp [−2πr/b], wobei r der senkrechte Abstand von der Kraftlinie und b die Gitterkonstante langs der Kraftlinie ist), auch bei Abstanden von der Grosenordnung einer Gitterkonstante von der Kraftlinie. Es wird erwartet, das Anisotropie dieses Ergebnis nicht wesentlich beeinflust.
Labeling of human serum albumin with 105Rhcysteine complexes

Abstract The conjugation of a complex formed by reacting RhCl 3 with cysteine to human serum albumin has been investigated. Approximately 50% of the rhodium (labeled with 105 Rh) was converted to the complex. Conjugation of the complex to HSA via the ECDI method resulted in yields of ∼40% of the total rhodium or ∼80% of the Rhcysteine complex. No conjugation was observed in the absence of the ECDI. At approximately equal molar concentrations of rhodium and HSA, an average of ∼0.4 rhodium atoms per HSA molecule was achieved.
Recurrent somatic mutation of FAT1 in multiple human cancers leads to aberrant Wnt activation

Aberrant Wnt signaling can drive cancer development. In many cancer types, the genetic basis of Wnt pathway activation remains incompletely understood. Here, we report recurrent somatic mutations of the Drosophila melanogaster tumor suppressor-related gene FAT1 in glioblastoma (20.5%), colorectal cancer (7.7%), and head and neck cancer (6.7%). FAT1 encodes a cadherin-like protein, which we found is able to potently suppress cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo by binding β-catenin and antagonizing its nuclear localization. Inactivation of FAT1 via mutation therefore promotes Wnt signaling and tumorigenesis and affects patient survival. Taken together, these data strongly point to FAT1 as a tumor suppressor gene driving loss of chromosome 4q35, a prevalent region of deletion in cancer. Loss of FAT1 function is a frequent event during oncogenesis. These findings address two outstanding issues in cancer biology: the basis of Wnt activation in non-colorectal tumors and the identity of a 4q35 tumor suppressor.
Communication over fading channels with delay constraints

We consider a user communicating over a fading channel with perfect channel state information. Data are assumed to arrive from some higher layer application and are stored in a buffer until transmitted. We study adapting the user's transmission rate and power based on the channel state information as well as the buffer occupancy; the objectives are to regulate both the long-term average transmission power and the average buffer delay incurred by the traffic. Two models for this situation are discussed; one corresponding to fixed-length/variable-rate codewords and one corresponding to variable-length codewords. The tradeoff between the average delay and the average transmission power required for reliable communication is analyzed. A dynamic programming formulation is given to find all Pareto optimal power/delay operating points. We then quantify the behavior of this tradeoff in the regime of asymptotically large delay. In this regime, we characterize simple buffer control policies which exhibit optimal characteristics. Connections to the delay-limited capacity and the expected capacity of fading channels are also discussed.
Many body satellite in the photoemission spectra of the heavy rare earths

A narrow feature is reported in the photoemission spectra of the heavy rare earths, Gd, Tb, and Dy on a variety of substrates. This feature is not expected from the initial densities of states. This feature appears to require a density of states at the Fermi energy to exist. We propose that the feature is due to a many electron shakeup process to the unoccupied 4f levels.
On the reduction of the glauber exchange amplitude

Abstract The “post” and “prior” forms of the Glauber exchange amplitude are reduced in a manner consistent with the Bonham-Ochkur expansions. The application is with respect to the hydrogen atom, wherein the resulting reduced amplitude can be completely evaluated in closed form. Results are presented for the elastic scattering of 4.0 Rydberg electrons, and compared with the corresponding close-coupling and Bonham-Ochkur results. the effect of the Glauber modification is seen to be most important for small angles of scattering.
Raw single-walled carbon nanotube-induced cytotoxic effects in human bronchial epithelial cells: comparison to asbestos

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) are being developed to be used in many industrial and biomedical applications. However, SWCNT's durability and likely fibrous morphology have raised health concerns. The present investigations were focused on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms induced by raw SWCNT (SWCNT) in human bronchial-epithelial cells (BEAS-2B). Asbestos (crocidolite) was used as a positive control. Exposure of BEAS-2B cells to SWCNT induced apoptosis, DNA damage, and oxidative stress. The generation of hydroxyl radical (•OH) and increase of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were concentration-dependent. The increase in apoptosis was associated with activation of caspase-3, caspase-7, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1). A short recovery period of 6 h of cells from SWCNT exposure resulted in reversal of caspase-3 and caspase-7, and a partial reversal of PARP-1 activation. The activation of PARP-1, caspase-3, and caspase-7 was only partially diminished after a recovery...
Occupational therapy and low vision rehabilitation

This article addresses low vision rehabilitation programs and the certified occupational therapy assistant's role in a low vision, outpatient, ambulatory-care service. An individual who acquires low vision secondary to eye or brain pathology may have some useful vision but not enough to facilitate ease in performing activities of dail living. Visual tasks, such as reading, writing, homemaking and leisure activities become quite difficult without medical and therapeutic intervention. In these instances, the efforts of eye care professionals and occupational therapists can be coordinated to provide a holistic approach to patient treatment. The primary objective in utilizing a low vision rehabilitation program is to provide instruction to patients with low vision problems in activities of daily living through the use of optical/nonoptical aids to achieve functional independence.
DIFFERENTIATION BETWEEN MULLITE AND SILLIMANITE BY THEIR X‐RAY DIFFRACTION PATTERNS1

Natural sillimanite, mullite prepared by fusing alumina and silica, and calcined china clays and ball clays have been examined by the X-ray diffraction method. Each photographic film contained on one half the pattern of mullite as the reference substance, and on the other half the pattern of one of the other materials. In this manner direct comparisons of the patterns were made. It is definitely concluded that, while the patterns of sillimanite and mullite resemble each other very closely, there are pronounced differences in the positions of certain limes, especially in the region of 2.12 A to 1.70 A, sufficient for differentiation and identification. It is further concluded that the crystalline phase of highly calcined china clays and ball clays consists of mullite and not of sillimanite.
The Systemic Approach, Biosemiotic Theory, and Ecocide in Australia

In her article "The Systemic Approach, Biosemiotic Theory, and Ecocide in Australia" Iris Ralph summarizes an argument in defense of disciplinarity ("openness from closure") that Cary Wolfe makes in What is Posthumanism? She also comments on an implicit argument that Wendy Wheeler makes in The Whole Creature: Complexity, Biosemiotics and the Evolution of Culture. As Ralph argues, Wheeler's implicit claim is that biosemiotic language, which humans share with other biological beings, connects human animals and nonhuman animals on moral and affective grounds. Ralph summarizes Wolfe's defense of disciplinarity that literary and cultural studies scholars who engage with the "question of the animal" generate claims which complement interrogations of the moral and affective distinctions between human animals and nonhuman animals. Ralph uses Wolfe's and Wheeler's arguments to read Nugi Garimara's Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence, Robyn Davidson's Tracks, and Xavier Herbert's Capricornia in an ecocritical context. Iris Ralph, "The Systemic Approach, Biosemiotic Theory, and Ecocide in Australia" page 2 of 10 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 16.4 (2014): Thematic Issue New Work in Ecocriticism. Ed. Simon C. Estok and Murali Sivaramakrishnan
Computed tomography in neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis: Four case reports

The computed tomography findings are discussed in four cases of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. When this severely progressive inherited disease of lipid metabolism is suspected, confirmation may be obtained with electron microscopy of peripheral lymphocytes and certain tissues. Some physiologic-pathologic features are discussed.
Single pump column switching technique employing a flow gradient and wavelength programmed fluorescence for simultaneous monitoring of serotonin, fluoxetine and norfluoxetine in rat brain microdialysate

A single pump column switching technique with multidimensional chromatography, flow gradient and wavelength programmed fluorescence detection was developed for simultaneous quantitation of serotonin, fluoxetine and norfluoxetine in rat brain microdialysate. The column switching was configured such that position I of the switching valve employed column I (50 mm length) and column II (250 mm length) in series. This configuration resulted in optimal resolution of serotonin from interfering neurochemicals from rat brain. After elution of serotonin at 13.2 min the valve was switched to position II in which the flow of the mobile phase was directed through column I only. Flow gradient programming was then used to ramp the flow rate from 0.1 to 0.4 ml min-1 which resulted in optimal elution of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine. Strategic optimization of the single mobile phase enabled use of a single pump and detector making the analytical system simple and cost effective. Wavelength programmed fluorescence enabled sensitive detection of the analytes despite the difference in their fluorescence spectrum. The limit of detection for serotonin, norfluoxetine and fluoxetine were 10, 612 and 523 fmol, respectively. Rat brain microdialysate samples demonstrated selectivity for serotonin, fluoxetine and norfluoxetine. The method demonstrates application to the study of site specific neuropharmacokinetics and neuropharmacodynamics of fluoxetine in vivo.
The cost advantage of hysteretic controls for bi-level production systems

Frequently, production systems can be designed to be flexible in that the output rate of the system can be changed depending upon the demand requirements that the system faces. In such systems, the problem is considered to be the determination of the optimal point at which the system switches between its output levels. Simple control has one switching point between adjacent output levels. In this paper, it is shown that hysteretic control, the determination of two switching points, always provides for a lower operating cost than simple control. Based upon the characteristics of the performance measures, a procedure is developed that easily finds the optimal switching points. The procedure, when applied to a small midwest job shop, resulted in a cost savings of 9-97%.
Pig liver glyceraldehyde-3-P dehydrogenase: purification, crystallization, and characterization.

Abstract Glyceraldehyde 3-P dehydrogenase was purified approximately 250-fold from pig liver and crystallized. The purification procedure consisted of treating liver homogenates with zinc chloride, followed by ammonium sulfate fractionation and ion exchange chromatography. The enzyme was monodisperse in the ultracentrifuge with a sedimentation coefficient of s 20,w = 7.85 S. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a single subunit band with an approximate molecular weight of 38,000. High-speed sedimentation equilibrium gave a molecular weight of 1.5 × 10 5 . Incubation of the enzyme with ATP at 0 °C caused a loss of its dehydrogenase activity; some of the lost activity was regained upon warming to room temperature. Sucrose density gradient studies of the ATP-treated enzyme revealed a decrease in its sedimentation coefficient from 7.8 to 3.85 S. In the forward reaction direction, the K m for glyceraldehyde 3-P was 240 μ m and the K m for NAD was 12 μ m . In the backward reaction direction, the K m for NADH was 23 μ m and the K i for NAD was 850 μ m . Pig liver glyceraldehyde-3-P dehydrogenase resembles the rabbit muscle enzyme in that it apparently contains 2 to 3 mol of tightly bound NAD. However, it differs strongly from that enzyme in its rate and extent of inactivation by ATP at 0 °C and by urea; the pig liver enzyme, like the yeast enzyme, dissociates much more slowly and much less completely than the rabbit muscle enzyme under comparable conditions.
A study of the dynamic compressive behavior of Elk antler

Abstract Large mammalian antler is extremely tough and fracture resistant compared to other more brittle forms of skeletal bone. The ability of antler to resist fracture is associated with a decrease in material stiffness and yield strength and increased non-linear response, due in part to antler being fast growing, since they are typically shed and regrown annually. Since male Elk commonly engage in antler sparring as a means of making dominance displays, the ability to withstand large impacts suggest that antler may exhibit strain-rate dependent behavior even greater than skeletal bone. To evaluate this hypothesis, specimens of antler were tested in compression over a range of strain rates. Specimens were loaded either along or transversely to the osteonal growth direction, in wet and dry conditions. Results showed that antler exhibits higher compressive strengths at increased strain rates, and that strain rate and hydration are greater determinants of compressive strength than osteonal orientation. In addition, antler can sustain compressive strains a full order-of-magnitude greater than in mammalian long bone. Failed specimens showed that a hierarchical chain of deformation mechanisms sustains the large bulk strains supported by antler. These mechanisms appear to be less brittle and more fibrous than those seen previously in skeletal bone.
Integrating micro- and macroevolutionary processes in community ecology

Neuhauser et al. (2003) and Whitham et al. (2003) clearly demonstrate the powerful insights that can be gained from examining the evolutionary process in an ecological context by combining community ecology and population genetics. These approaches show how organism interactions can influence rates and direction of evolution, and how genetic variation within populations can influence patterns of species abundance and diversity within communities. In doing so, they provide insights into microevolutionary processes in rapidly evolving organisms and demonstrate the far-reaching consequences of intraspecific genetic variation for community structure. This merging of ecology and genetics invites an even larger view, that of integrating both microand macroevolutionary processes in community ecology. The incorporation of phylogenetic analysis in community ecology (e.g., Brooks and McLennan 1991, Ricklefs and Schluter 1993, Losos 1996, McPeek and Miller 1996; reviewed by Webb et al. 2002) has arisen parallel to the emergence of community genetics. Just as the development of quantitative and population genetic techniques for examining evolutionary change within populations has made community genetics possible, so has the development of modern phylogenetic and comparative methods allowed advances in phylogenetic community ecology. These parallel advances allow, for the first time, a synthetic ecological perspective that incorporates an understanding of both the microand macroevolutionary processes that influence community structure. Ecological communities are assemblages of co-occurring species that potentially interact with one another. They are the result of not only present ecological processes, but also past and continuing evolutionary processes (McPeek and Miller 1996). Even the agricultural communities studied by Neuhauser et al. (2003) reflect the evolutionary history and continuing evolution of their constituent organisms. The genetic
Normalizations in acoustic optimization with Rayleigh integral

The numerical difficulties of the acoustic optimization subject to an acoustic constraint, when structural boundary conditions are imposed on the velocity profiles with the finite element solution, have been discussed in this paper. A structural constraint is proposed for the acoustic optimization. This constraint leads to a radiation efficiency index, which is the ratio of the acoustic energy radiated by the structure to its potential energy. The structural constraint allows for the boundary conditions to be satisfied prior to the optimization, leading to velocity profiles physically feasible to elastic structures.
Top-seeded solution crystal growth of noncentrosymmetric and polar K3V5O14

Large, centimetre-size crystals of the polar and noncentrosymmetric K3V5O14 were successfully grown by a top-seeded solution growth (tssg) method. The morphologies of as-grown single crystals with different oriented seeds are described. The optical spectra indicate that its UV absorption edge is approximately 605 nm, and it has a transmission window to 5 μm. Piezoelectricity was also measured by the direct and converse methods. Finally, polarization properties were investigated on grown single crystals.
Autonomous Self-Configuration of Artificial Neural Networks for Data Classification or System Control

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are powerful methods for the classification of multi-dimensional data as well as for the control of dynamic systems. In general terms, ANNs consist of neurons that are, e.g., arranged in layers and interconnected by real-valued or binary neural couplings or weights. ANNs try mimicking the processing taking place in biological brains. The classification and generalization capabilities of ANNs are given by the interconnection architecture and the coupling strengths. To perform a certain classification or control task with a particular ANN architecture (i.e., number of neurons, number of layers, etc.), the inter-neuron couplings and their accordant coupling strengths must be determined (1) either by a priori design (i.e., manually) or (2) using training algorithms such as error back-propagation. The more complex the classification or control task, the less obvious it is how to determine an a priori design of an ANN, and, as a consequence, the architecture choice becomes somewhat arbitrary. Furthermore, rather than being able to determine for a given architecture directly the corresponding coupling strengths necessary to perform the classification or control task, these have to be obtained/learned through training of the ANN on test data. We report on the use of a Stochastic Optimization Framework (SOF; Fink, SPIE 2008) for the autonomous self-configuration of Artificial Neural Networks (i.e., the determination of number of hidden layers, number of neurons per hidden layer, interconnections between neurons, and respective coupling strengths) for performing classification or control tasks. This may provide an approach towards cognizant and self-adapting computing architectures and systems.
Coastal-Zone Biogeochemical Dynamics under Global Warming

The coastal zone, consisting of the continental shelves to a depth of 200 meters, including bays, lagoons, estuaries, and near-shore banks, is an environment that is strongly affected by its biogeochemical and physical interactions with reservoirs in the adjacent domains of land, atmosphere, open ocean, and marine sediments. Because the coastal zone is smaller in volume and areal coverage relative to the open ocean, it traditionally has been studied as an integral part of the global oceans. In this paper, we show by numerical modeling that it is important to consider the coastal zone as an entity separate from the open ocean in any assessment of future Earth-system response under human perturbation. Model analyses for the early part of the 21st century suggest that the coastal zone plays a significant modifying role in the biogeochemical dynamics of the carbon cycle and the nutrient cycles coupled to it. This role is manifested in changes in primary production, storage, and/or export of organic matter, it...
Human chorionic gonadotropin/luteinizing hormone receptor expression in the adult rat spinal cord.

Abstract The adult and fetal rat brain contains human chorionic gonadotropin/luteinizing hormone (hCG/LH) receptors, that are functional in mediating the neurotropic, neuroendocrine and behavioral actions of gonadotropins. We hypothesized that the spinal cord also contains these receptors. We have now demonstrated by in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and topical autoradiography that the adult rat spinal cord expresses hCG/LH receptors. Positive cells included motoneurons, interneurons and/or glia in the intermediate and ventral gray matter, interneurons and/or glia in the dorsal gray matter, and oligodendrocytes or astrocytes in the white matter. The receptors were able to bind an appropriate ligand, 125I-hCG. The functional significance of these receptors in the spinal cord is unknown, but we can speculate that they may be neurotrophic in function.
Simplifications to “a new approach to the covering radius”

We simplify the proofs of four results in [3], restating two of them for greater clarity. The main purpose of this note is to give a brief transparent proof of Theorem 7 of [3], the main upper bound of that paper. The secondary purpose is to give a more direct statement and proof of the integer programming determination of covering radius of [3]. Theorem 7 of [3] follows from a simple result in [2], which we state with the notation (for the linear code A) (1) g(A): =a generator matrix of A, t(A) : =the covering radius of A. THEOREM 1 [2]. If A is a code with generator matrix * g(A) = g(Ao) 0 X X then t(A) < t(Ao) + t(A1). To describe the codes A0 and A1 : Pick any subset X of coordinate-places of A. A1 is the projection of A on X; we get Ao from the subcode D of A which vanishes on X by projecting Don X. (Ao [A1] is sometimes called a shortened [punctured] code of A.) Before stating Theorem 2, let us agree that all codes B, C are binary, linear, and have no coordinates identically 0. (The last need not be true of C0 .) We also need the following notation: 1
Control of Nonpremixed Flames Using Microjets

Control of the shape of a non-premixed flame in a quiescent environment by injection of a high-velocity central micro-jet has been investigated experimentally. The flame height and shape change significantly as the central co-flow micro-jet is introduced. The flame also becomes free from the buoyancy-induced flickering. We hypothesize that the narrow, strong central jet enhances the entrainment of the surrounding air leading to a larger oxidizer influx and results in a reduction of soot emission.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
The large-scale context for the TOGA Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Response Experiment

The TOGA Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Response Experiment (COARE) concentrated a variety of observational systems in the warm pool of the western equatorial Pacific for an Intensive Observation Period (IOP) November 1992 through February 1993. In this paper, aspects of the largescale variations of the tropical atmosphere and Pacific Ocean surrounding the observations of air-sea interaction in the Intensive Flux Array (IFA) during the IOP are described, with the objective of providing a context for the future analyses of these observations.
The reproductive biology and effective pollinators of the endangered beardtongue Penstemon penlandii (Scrophulariaceae)

Penland's beardtongue, a rare endemic plant of the Colorado Plateau, displays a mixed breeding system. Plants are partially self-compa- tible but set more fruits when cross-pollinated than when self-pollinated. Fruit production is signifi- cantly increased by pollinators. However, in two years of study there was no indication that fruit set was being limited by inadequate pollinator visitation. Pollinator effectiveness was judged by correlating bee behavior at the flowers with analysis of the pollen carried on bee bodies. The most important pollinators were native megachilid bees, particularly in the genus Osmia. The bees that pollinate Penland's beardtongue are essential to its reproduction and must be preserved along with this rare plant.
Tractional Cystoid Macular Edema: A Subtle Variant of the Vitreomacular Traction Syndrome

Purpose To describe clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes in a series of patients with tractional cystoid macular edema, a subtle variant of the vitreomacular traction syndrome. Design Retrospective, uncontrolled, observational, and interventional case series. Methods patient population : Ten consecutive patients (11 eyes) with multicystoid foveolar thickening caused by localized perifoveal vitreous detachment. experimental procedures : Slit-lamp biomicroscopy and fluorescein angiography; confirmation of vitreomacular relationship with B-scan ultrasonography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), or both. Vitrectomy with peeling of posterior hyaloid in 8 eyes with pretreatment visual acuity ≤20/60. main outcome measures : Visual acuity and resolution of cystoid macular edema at final follow-up. Results The median age of symptom onset was 71 years (range 48–81 years). Shallow perifoveal vitreous detachment was detectable on biomicroscopy in 8 of 11 eyes (73%) and with ultrasound and OCT in all eyes. Fluorescein angiography revealed no leakage from perifoveal capillaries in 8 eyes (73%). After a mean postoperative follow-up of 26.0 months (range 3–84 months), the final visual acuity had improved by 2 or more Snellen lines and measured 20/40 or better in 8 (100%) of 8 operated eyes. Cystoid foveal thickening resolved in all operated eyes. Conclusion Subtle, localized perifoveal vitreous detachment may cause anterior traction on the foveola, resulting in multicystoid foveal thickening without macular hole formation or capillary leakage. OCT and ultrasound imaging are useful in detecting the detached posterior hyaloid when clinically invisible. Foveal thickening resolves and visual acuity typically improves after the relief of vitreofoveolar traction.
Deoxycorticosterone-induced precocious hatching of teleost embryos

Embryos of the teleost (Oryzias latipes) incubated at 22–23°C in medium containing deoxycorticosterone (DOC) at a concentration of 1μg/ml hatched in 11.7 days; embryos incubated under identical conditions in rearing medium alone or in rearing medium plus the steroid vehicle hatched in 22.3 and 22.2 days, respectively. The rate of development of embryos incubated with DOC was not different from that of control. Addition of DOC to the rearing medium at either 0, 4, or 8 days after fertilization resulted in a reduction of hatching time relative to the control group, but there was no significant difference in the time of hatching between these DOC-treated groups. Increasing the rate of embryogenesis by increasing incubation temperature to 28°C resulted in a decrease in hatching time in both DOC-treated and control embryos. The time required for hatching decreased in a dose-dependent manner as the concentration of DOC in the incubation media increased from 0 to 1 μg/ml. Since hatching of teleost embryos is dependent upon enzymatic solubilization of the chorion, these data suggest that exogenous deoxycorticosteron induces the precocious release of hatching enzymes from the teleostean larvae.
Differential exposure to Anaplasma phagocytophilum in rodent species in northern California.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a zoonotic tick-borne rickettsial pathogen that causes granulocytic anaplasmosis (GA) in humans, horses, and dogs. In California, dusky-footed woodrats (Neotoma fuscipes) are a putative reservoir host, and Ixodes pacificus is a vector for transmission from rodents to humans, dogs, and horses. Cases are clustered in coastal and Sierra Nevada foothill regions, but not necessarily in proximity to infected woodrats. This study was designed to compare exposures and active infections of A. phagocytophilum in multiple rodents at a fine spatial scale in a hyperenzootic area and to evaluate the spatial clustering of infections. Of 331 rodents, the seroprevalence was 14.5%, with 60% in tree squirrels (Sciurus griseus and Tamiasciurus douglasii), 29% in woodrats, 14% in flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus), and 5% in chipmunks (Tamias senex). No seropositive ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi) were detected. The seroprevalence was significantly higher west of the Trinity River (23....
Control of Postharvest Diseases of Organically Grown Strawberry with Preharvest Applications of some Food Additives and Postharvest Hot Water Dips

Ethanol at 50% (v/v) and sodium bicarbonate at 1% (wt/v), either alone or in combination, were applied to organically grown strawberries 1 h before harvest to control the natural incidence of postharvest diseases. Botrytis cinerea was the major cause of decay in all of the experiments. In three experiments, ethanol significantly reduced the decay incidence after storage for 3 days at 1°C followed by 2 days at 24°C, while the efficacy of sodium bicarbonate was inconsistent. The combination of ethanol and sodium bicarbonate did not increase their efficacy. Postharvest hot water dips at 55 and 60°C for 30 s significantly reduced the decay incidence to 3.4 and 2.7%, respectively, while decay incidence in the control was 28.5% (the first experiment). The efficacy of the hot water treatments at 55 and 60°C for 30 s was consistent in three experiments. In the third experiment, the efficacy of hot water treatment at 60°C was significantly higher than that of hot water treatment at 55°C. All pre- and postharvest treatments significantly reduced natural fungal populations on the surfaces of fruits. None of the pre- and postharvest treatments caused surface injuries to the fruit or adversely affected weight loss and taste parameters.
Electrochemical studies of weak carbon and nitrogen acids: Fluorene and p-cyanoaniline in dimethylformamide

Abstract The electrochemical reduction of fluorene and p-cyanoaniline in DMF at a platinum electrode is initially a one-electron process which affords the corresponding readical anions. In the absence of an added proton donor, decomposition of the radical anions occurs by carbonhydrogen bond cleavage to give the conjugate bases of the starting materials; the anions subsequently slowly abstract a proton from the tetraalkylammonium cation of the supporting electrolyte to regenerate the original electroactive species. In the presence of dimethylmalonate, both radical anions rapidly electron transfer to the added proton donor. Neither self-protonation nor protonation by the added donor was observed for either radical anion. In addition to proton abstraction, 9-fluorenyl anion reacts with oxygen to give fluorene and hydroxide ion. Abstraction of a proton from fluorene by the latter species then effects a chain reaction in which 9-fluorenyl anion is the chain-carrying species. Reduction of bifluorenyl occurs with carbon-carbon bond cleavage to give 9-fluorenyl anion as the initial product. Subsequent proton transfer from bifluorenyl to 9-fluorenyl anion then yields the final products, 9-bifluorenyl anion and fluorene, in equimolar amounts.
Thermal performance of composite building components with periodic solar insolation and ambient temperature

Abstract A mathematical model to predict the thermal performance of a building component is presented. A composite wall of m homogeneous layers is considered with periodic change of the outside air temperature and solar insolation and constant indoor temperature. The analysis is given in a general form using dimensionless similarity groups and normalized meteorological data functions. The problem is solved to give the thermal flux density through the inside wall surface. Further, the effects of the outside air temperature and solar radiation are separated and the solution gives their separate effects. An illustrative example for a two-layer wall is solved and discussed as to the effects of orientation and relative position of the insulating layer.
Vortex Identification in Turbulent Flows: Isotropic, Sphere Wake

Vortices, the regions of swirling coherent motion of fluid, are of fundamental importance in understanding the dynamics of turbulent flows. Recent advances in computational and experimental resources have resulted in massive volumes of highly resolved flow field data. Identification of coherent vortex structures from these space-time discretized flow dataset is the key issue of vortex identification. We consider identification schemes based on pointwise analysis of the velocity gradient tensor. A new measure of the local spatial coherence in a vortex is introduced. Different criteria are compared for two classes of turbulent flows: isotropic and sphere wake. Remarkably similar vortex structures are observed using the Q, λ2 and swirling strength criterion. An explanation based on swirling strength and the proposed local coherence measure is offered for this observation.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Discovery of 5-[[4-[(2,3-Dimethyl-2H-indazol-6-yl)methylamino]-2-pyrimidinyl]amino]-2-methyl-benzenesulfonamide (Pazopanib), a Novel and Potent Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor†

Inhibition of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway has emerged as one of the most promising new approaches for cancer therapy. We describe herein the key steps starting from an initial screening hit leading to the discovery of pazopanib, N(4)-(2,3-dimethyl-2H-indazol-6-yl)-N(4)-methyl-N(2)-(4-methyl-3-sulfonamidophenyl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine, a potent pan-VEGF receptor (VEGFR) inhibitor under clinical development for renal-cell cancer and other solid tumors.
A pilot study of the relationship between caries experience and surface enamel fluoride in man.

Abstract Fourteen hundred and forty-seven 12–16-yr-old subjects in selected fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas were assessed for caries experience (DMFS index) and enamel fluoride (biopsy technique). Fluoride was measured as log e mass F corrected to a standardized depth. A square root transformation of decayed, missing and filled surfaces (DMFS) was carried out in order to achieve homogeneity of variance for this variable across all levels of fluoride. A simple, linear relationship was found between log e mass F and √(DMFS). Taking age into account, the Pearsonian correlation was R = 0.40, corresponding to 16 per cent of the variance explained. Within communities the fluoride-caries relationship was consistent with the overall model but could not be demonstrated as securely because of the smaller sample sizes and the limited range of fluoride values at this level of disaggregation.
High yield sample preconcentration using a highly ion-conductive charge-selective polymer.

The development and analysis of a microfluidic sample preconcentration system using a highly ion-conductive charge-selective polymer [poly-AMPS (2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid)] is reported. The preconcentration is based on the phenomenon of concentration polarization which develops at the boundaries of the poly-AMPS with buffer solutions. A negatively charged polymer, poly-AMPS, positioned between two microchannels efficiently extracts cations through its large cross section, resulting in efficient anion sample preconcentration. The present work includes the development of a robust polymer that is stable over a wide range of buffers with varying chemical compositions. The sample preconcentration effect remains linear to over 3 mM (0.15 pmol) and 500 μM (15 fmol) for fluorescein and TRITC-tagged albumin solutions, respectively. The system can potentially be used for concentrating proteins on microfluidic devices with subsequent analysis for proteomic applications.
A broad-range conversion-electron detection system for in-beam use

A cooled Si(Li) detector with an electron steering magnet is used to detect internal-conversion electrons from prompt and delayed (particle, xn) reactions. For prompt spectra, the useful electron energy range covered at one current setting is 0.2 to 1 MeV ; for delayed spectra the lower limit is about 20 keV. The detection efficiency is 1 % for 624 keV electrons and is nearly independent of energy. The resolution is comparable to that of a typical magnetic spectrometer. A prompt in-beam spectrum from the 154Sm(α,4n)154Gd reaction and a delayed spectrum from the 208Pb(α,2n)210Po reaction are shown. Other applications are discussed.
Familial distribution of alcohol use: I. Assortative mating in the parents of alcoholics.

The distribution of alcoholism and other patterns of alcohol use in the ancestors of 242 alcoholic probands was evaluated by the family history method. Associations in drinking style were found among family members, particularly those of the same sex and generation. Assortative mating for drinking patterns was indicated by interparent correlations which were higher than those found between each parent and the spouse's samesex sibling. Alcoholic probands with two problem-drinking parents were found to have a low percentage of moderate-drinking siblings but a high frequency of those who either were abstinent or were problem drinkers.
A segmental labeling strategy for unambiguous determination of domain-domain interactions of large multi-domain proteins.

NMR structural determination of large multi-domain proteins is a challenging task due to significant spectral overlap with a particular difficulty in unambiguous identification of domain–domain interactions. Segmental labeling is a NMR strategy that allows for isotopically labeling one domain and leaves the other domain unlabeled. This significantly simplifies spectral overlaps and allows for quick identification of domain–domain interaction. Here, a novel segmental labeling strategy is presented for detection of inter-domain NOEs. To identify domain–domain interactions in human apolipoprotein E (apoE), a multi-domain, 299-residues α-helical protein, on-column expressed protein ligation was utilized to generate a segmental-labeled apoE samples in which the N-terminal (NT-) domain was 2H(99%)/15N-labeled whereas the C-terminal (CT-) domain was either 15N- or 15N/13C-labeled. 3-D 15N-edited NOESY spectra of these segmental-labeled apoE samples allow for direct observation of the inter-domain NOEs between the backbone amide protons of the NT-domain and the aliphatic protons of the CT-domain. This straightforward approach permits unambiguous identification of 78 inter-domain NOEs, enabling accurate definition of the relative positions of both the NT- and the CT-domains and determination of the NMR structure of apoE.
Propranolol in the Treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction Effect on Myocardial Oxygenation and Hemodynamics

Improvement of myocardial oxygenation is a major goal in the treatment of ischemic heart disease. Propranolol, 0.1 mg/kg intravenously, was administered to 20 patients in the acute state of myocardial infarction without clinical evidence of left ventricular failure. The most important hemodynamic response was a substantial decrease in myocardial contractility. This was reflected by a fall i cardiac index (average of 0.6 L/min/M2, P < 0.001) and of arterial mean pressure (average of 16 mm Hg, P < 0.001) with little change in systemic vascular resistance. Decrease in cardiac index was due mainly to decrease in stroke volume. Heart rate, not strikingly increased at the control state in the majority of patients, decreased an average of 7 beats/min (P < 0.001). Pulmonary wedge pressure rose an average of 2 mm Hg (P < 0.05). It remained unchanged or decreased in three patients. These varying but small changes in wedge pressure in the presence of decreased contractility may be related to improved left ventricula...
Changes in male potency with age after emergence in the fly, Culicoides melleus.

Abstract Changes in male potency with age in Culicoides melleus were assessed from direct counts of spermatozoa obtained from spermatophores. Within 1 hr of emergence males were capable of transferring a mean (±S.D.) of 760 ± 195 sperm. Potency increased significantly from 1 to 4 hr and remained at a maximum of 943 ± 199 from 4 to 8 hr. Thereafter, the numbers of sperm placed in the spermatophores declined steadily to reach a mean of 125 ± 110 at 176 hr of age.
Inhibitor protection of the steel reinforcement of armored concrete damaged by cracks

For corrosion-electrochemical investigations, we have developed and manufactured original model concrete specimens-cells to identify testing conditions for six reinforcement specimens. We have studied the polarization characteristics of model specimens held in an environment of weak-acid rain, as well as the kinetics and frequency dependences of impedance characteristics. It has been established that, for the rust protection of steel reinforcement, an inhibiting mixture containing equal quantities of sodium molybdate and calcium nitrate is the most efficient. Its inhibiting efficiency is 10 to 12 times as high as the efficiencies of its components separately, which demonstrates the synergetic effect. The mechanism of the synergetic protective action of these inhibitors lies in passing two processes, which mutually strengthen each other, on the metal surface. The addition of inhibitor to the polyurethane injection composition, applied for the repair of armored concrete structures, increases the strength of adherence of reinforcement with concrete, subjected to the long-term action of a corrosive environment, as compared with noninhibited. Using the synergetic effect in developing inorganic inhibiting mixtures, one can reduce significantly the consumption of materials and improve substantially the manufacturability of injection polymeric compositions for the repair of armored concrete structures of long-term operation.
Detection of experimental myocarditis by monoclonal antimyosin antibody, Fab fragment

The purpose of this study was to determine whether monoclonal antimyosin Fab (antigen binding fragment) was capable of labeling hearts with experimental coxsackievirus myocarditis, and to determine whether Fab could be used for detecting myocardial damage in either early or chronic phases of the disease. Sixty-five, 3-week-old cesarean-derived 1 (CD 1) mice were divided into two groups: group I (noninfected animals) and group II (infected with coxsackievirus B3). Mice from each group were killed on days 7, 17, 30, or 90 of infection. Forty-eight hours before killing, mice were injected with monoclonal I-125 antimyosin, Fab (25 microCi/injection) and radioactivity was counted in the heart. Selected heart sections were also examined by autoradiography. Heart radioactivity, count/m/mg (m +/- SEM) on days 7, 17, 30, and 90 of infection was 10.8 +/- 1.7, 21.3 +/- 1.1, 11.2 +/- 3.4, and 12.4 +/- 1.5 for group I, versus 36.7 +/- 8.0 (p less than 0.01), 50.0 +/- 4.5 (p less than 0.001), 33.4 +/- 16.1 (p = NS), and 40.6 +/- 8.5 (p less than 0.01) for group II, respectively. Autoradiography revealed focal uptake within areas of necrotic myocardium. We conclude that I125 Fab may be useful in detecting myocardial damage in themore » experimental model of murine myocarditis up to day 90 of infection.« less