cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radionuclide distribution dynamics in skeletons of beagles fed 90Sr: correlation with injected 226Ra and 239Pu.

Data for the bone-by-bone redistribution of 90Sr in the beagle skeleton are reported for a period of 4000 d following a midgestation-to-540-d-exposure by ingestion. The partitioned clearance model (PCM) that was originally developed to describe bone-by-bone radionuclide redistribution of 226Ra after eight semimonthly injections at ages 435-535 d has been fitted to the 90Sr data. The parameter estimates for the PCM that describe the distribution and clearance of 226Ra after deposition on surfaces following injection and analogous parameter estimates for 90Sr after uniform deposition in the skeleton as a function of Ca mass are given. Fractional compact bone masses per bone group (mi,COM) are also predicted by the model and compared to measured values; a high degree of correlation (r = 0.84) is found. Bone groups for which the agreement between the model and experimental values of mi,COM was poor had tissue-to-calcium weight ratios about 1.5 times those for bones that agreed well. Metabolically defined surface in PCM is initial activity fraction per Ca fraction in a given skeletal component for intravenously injected alkaline earth (Sae) radionuclides; comparisons are made to similarly defined surface (Sact) values from 239Pu injection studies. The patterns of Sae and Sact distribution throughout the skeletonmore » are similar.« less
Routine Evaluation of Adult Tonsillectomy Specimens: Toward Establishing a New Standard of Care

Tonsil excision is a common surgery for both children and adults. Prior studies have consistently shown that the rate of malignancy in tonsil specimens is low and that the possibility of true, occult malignancy is remote. Practice trends accept triage of pediatric tonsillectomies for exemption or gross exam only. However, for adults, despite a low malignancy rate, routine histological evaluation of tonsillectomy specimens is standard of care at most health care facilities. The authors performed a retrospective review of all tonsil specimens received in their department over 45 months with categorization of pathological diagnosis and surgical indication. Of 1746 adult tonsillectomy specimens removed during this time, there were no incidental/occult malignancies. These data indicate that gross examination of adult tonsillectomy specimens excised for chronic tonsillitis or sleep apnea is sound practice, and this, taken together with other published data, provides a basis for consensus-derived practice guidel...
A quantitative method of measuring liver regeneration in the dog

Abstract A quantitative method of measuring liver regeneration in the dog is described. Following development of this experimental method a 70% hepatectomy was performed in 36 dogs. Regeneration from 2 to 18 days was found to be extremely variable. It appeared to proceed in an exponential rather than a linear fashion.
A 40–50 day oscillation in sea-surface temperature along the central California coast

Abstract Previous studies of the tropical troposphere indicate the presence of a 40–50 day quasi-periodic oscillation in zonal winds. Spectral analysis of extensive daily sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) reveals a significant increase in variance (i.e. a quasi-periodic oscillation) between 40 and 50 days along the California coast as far south as Santa Barbara (34·3°N) and at least as far north as Port Arena (39°N). Increases in the amplitude of this oscillation at Granite Canyon (36°N) in some cases coincide with local El Nino warming episodes. The local surface winds, which also contain a quasi-periodic oscillation between 40 and 50 days, are coherent with, and lead, sea-surface temperature by approximately 10 days, consistent with local wind forcing. It is suggested that the 40–50 day oscillation in sea-surface temperature off central California may be related to the 40–50 day oscillation in the tropical troposphere through atmospheric teleconnections between the tropics and mid-latitudes.
On the variance stabilizing properties of certain logarithmic transformations

Se aplica la transformacion logaritmica a las funciones de distribucion, uniforme, exponencial y χ13, llegande en cada una de ellas a resultados interesantes, especialmerite en la uniforme, en la que ademas de la estabilizacion de la varianza se conserva la distribucion normal de su media muestral.
College Courses in Religion

The aim of the study was to discover what religious courses are available to this generation of college students. From this modest work of description it is hoped that members of the Association may be stimulated to make other studies evaluating and perhaps recommending emphases needed in guiding the religious growth of young people in these crucial times. The 62 institutions chosen for this study were four year colleges and universities who include in their liberal arts curriculum
TRENDS IN HEALTH OF OLDER ADULTS IN THE UNITED STATES: PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE

The decline in late-life disability prevalence in the United States was one of the most important developments in the well-being of older Americans in the 1980s and 1990s, but there is no guarantee that it will continue into the future. We review the past literature on trends in disability and other health indicators and then estimate the most recent trends in biomarkers and limitations for both the population aged 65 and older and those aged 40 to 64, the future elderly. We then investigate the extent to which trends in education, smoking, and obesity can account for recent trends in limitations and discuss how these three factors might influence future prospects for late-life health. We find that improvements in the health of the older population generally have continued into the first decade of the twenty-first century. The recent increase in the proportion of the younger population needing help with activities of daily living is concerning, as is the doubling of obesity in the last few decades. However, the increase in obesity has recently paused, and favorable trends in education and smoking are encouraging.
Determination of P-glycoprotein surface expression and functional ability after in vitro treatment with darunavir or raltegravir in lymphocytes of healthy donors.

Abstract It has been shown that P-glycoprotein (P-gp) can greatly affect the cell uptake of antiretroviral drugs, thus hampering their access to HIV-1 replication sites. Lymphocytes are important sites of replication of HIV and target of other drugs, modification on these cells of P-gp could have an effect on pharmacokinetic of antiretrovirals and drug substrates. Blood samples from 16 healthy volunteers were used to determine the expression of P-gp on total, T and T helper lymphocytes after exposure to darunavir, a second generation protease inhibitor, and raltegravir, the first approved integrase inhibitor. Moreover, the effect of the drugs on P-gp functional activity was also studied by the rhodamine-123 efflux test. Darunavir, but not raltegravir, exposure caused a moderate, dose-dependent increment in P-gp expression in total, T and T helper lymphocytes, as demonstrated by the relative frequency of P-gp + cells and by the amount of P-gp molecules present on cell surface. Functionally, incubation with darunavir led to a marked inhibition of P-gp activity measured by the efflux of rhodamine-123 similar to that observed by verapamil, a specific P-gp inhibitor. Raltegravir was not able to modify the efflux of rhodamine-123 level. Data show that darunavir, unlike raltegravir, may modify the expression and functionality of P-gp on human lymphocytes, thus leading to potential changes in intracellular concentrations of darunavir in patients treated with other drugs substrate of P-gp and vice versa. Our study highlights the need for studies on drug interactions via the P-gp modulation mechanism, especially with the current multi-drug regimens.
Life stressors and resources and the 23-year course of depression.

Abstract Background Life stressors and personal and social resources are associated with depression in the short-term, but little is known about their associations with the long-term course of depression. The current paper presents results of a 23-year study of community adults who were receiving treatment for depression at baseline ( N =382). Methods Semi-parametric group-based modeling was used to identify depression trajectories and determine baseline predictors of belonging to each trajectory group. Results There were three distinct courses of depression: high severity at baseline with slow decline, moderate severity at baseline with rapid decline, and low severity at baseline with rapid decline. At baseline, individuals in the high-severity group had less education than those in the moderate-severity group, and more medical conditions than those in the moderate- and low-severity groups. Individuals in the high- and moderate-severity groups evidenced less psychological flexibility, and relied more on avoidance coping than individuals in the low-severity group. Limitations Results are limited by use of self-report and lack of information about depression status and life events in the periods between follow-ups. Conclusions These results assist in identifying groups at high risk for a long-term course of depression, and will help in selecting appropriate interventions that target depression severity, coping skills and management of stressors.
Urinary 2/16 estrogen metabolite ratio levels in healthy women: a review of the literature

This is a summary of the published literature on the urinary 2/16 estrogen metabolite ratio in human populations, and a report the observed range of normal values in healthy women. Original research studies that included the measurement of urinary estrogen metabolites in human subjects were identified through an extensive Medline search; 43 distinct studies were identified, including a total of 6802 healthy women. The range of mean values of the 2/16 ratio measured with the ELISA method varied from 0.98 to 1.74; in studies of pre-menopausal women the range of mean values was 1.5-2.74, in studies of post-menopausal women mean values ranged from 1.15 to 2.25. The heterogeneity across studies was highly significant (p-value Q-test: <0.0001). In multivariable analyses, only race confirmed its role as an independent predictor of 2/16 ratio (F-value: 7.95; p-value: 0.009), after adjustment for age and menopausal status. There appears to be a large body of data on the 2/16 urinary ratio in healthy women. However, summary estimates are difficult to perform due to the high variability of the published study-specific values. The data suggests that race may be a contributor to 2/16 urinary ratio levels.
Long-term statin use and psychological well-being

Abstract Objectives We sought to study the effect of long-term statin use on psychometric measures in an adult population with underlying coronary artery disease (CAD). Background Previous studies have suggested associations between cholesterol lowering and psychological well-being. Methods Study subjects were recruited from an outpatient cardiology clinic. Psychological well-being was assessed at baseline and annually during follow-up. The exposure of interest was long-term statin use and the outcomes of interest were depression, anxiety, and hostility. We estimated the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) that represented the strength of association between statin use (vs. no use of any cholesterol-lowering drug) and the risk of having abnormal depression, anxiety, and hostility scores. Results Study subjects had an average follow-up of four years and maximum of seven years. Comparing the 140 patients who had continuous use of statins with the 231 patients who did not use any cholesterol-lowering drugs, statin use was associated with lower risk of abnormal depression scores (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.93), anxiety (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.99), and hostility (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.93) after adjustment for the propensity for statin use and potential confounders. The beneficial psychological effects of the statins appeared to be independent of the drugs' cholesterol-lowering effects. Conclusions Long-term use of statins among patients with CAD appeared to be associated with reduced risk of anxiety, depression, and hostility.
Redcoding-derived bounds for input encoding

Abstract This paper uses theory and experiment to help explain why state assignment algorithms which use two-level-based cost measures often give good multi-level logic implementations. First, we develop theorems that give conditions under which an input encoding that results in multi-cube functions in the minimized Boolean network can be re-encoded to change the multi-cube functions into smaller functions to produce a smaller network. Second, we measure the properties of some typical finite-state machines to determine how well they fit the requirements of the theorems. The good fit between the requirements of the theorems and the properties of typical state machines helps explain why state assignment algorithms designed for two-level-logic implementations are relatively successful in designing state assignments for multi-level logic.
Error analysis in analytic reliability modeling

Abstract Error in analytic reliability models can arise from many sources: errors, omissions, and simplifications can occur in the model construction phase, and numerical and approximation errors can occur in the solution phase. A major source of error lies in the estimation of model parameters, such as failure rates and coverage factors. This paper reviews the different sources of error in reliability modeling, and examines the use and applicability of available methods for analyzing parametric errors.
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Nanolithography on a Conducting Oxide, Rb0.3MoO3

The scanning tunneling microscope has been used to image and modify the surface of a conducting oxide (Rb0.3MoO3)in ambient atmosphere. Individual octahedral MoO6 units of the oxide can be imaged, and under certain conditions defects can be created in the surface that are stable in air. The ability to produce nanometer-sized structures on the surface of an oxide is demonstrated and discussed with reference to nanolithographic applications.
Will empowering developers to challenge exclusionary zoning increase suburban housing choice

The municipal zoning process in the United States has come under increasing attack as a tool to create and maintain suburban socioeconomic homogeneity by mandating sprawl-producing single-family detached houses at the expense of less costly townhouses, apartments, and mobile homes. Beginning in the 1970s, the Supreme Courts of the neighboring states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey addressed municipal exclusionary zoning in different ways: Pennsylvania empowered residential developers to compel municipalities practicing exclusionary zoning to authorize market-rate development of all types of housing, while developer empowerment in New Jersey was conditioned upon inclusion of low- and moderate-income units. Using aerial survey and housing census data over a 20-year period, this article finds that outcomes by housing type over a 20-year period in Pennsylvania municipalities around Philadelphia were more diverse than those in adjacent New Jersey municipalities. © 2004 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Exact solution to Lyapunov's equation using algebraic methods

Let A'P + PA = -Q be a Lyapunov equation with A being a stability matrix and both A and Q matrices with rational entries. Multiplying A and Q by a suitable positive Integer an equivalent Lyapunov equation A'1P + PA1 = -Q1 is obtained, with A1 and Q1 having integer entries, Let I(x,y) be the ring of polynomials in x and y over the integers I, and E be the set of all square matrices with integer entries. The solution P to this equation is given by: Pu = (emn) = fA 1 (qu(x,y), Q1) P = 1\u2 × Pu where: qu(x,y) ? I(x,y) and u ? I fA 1 : I(x,y) × E ? E defined as fA 1 (h(x,y), M) = ?j,khjk(A'1)j ? M?A1 k which is a finite sum. The calculation of u and qu(x,y) requires finding the characterstic polynomial of A1, as well as using the Euclidean Algorithm, computations which lead to polynomial coefficient growth. In order to eliminate the space consuming manipulation of large integers in intermediate steps, modular arithimetic is used to obtain the matrix p iPu= (emnmodpi) and p iu=mu modpi with pi a prime, for a sufficient number of primes. The Chinese Remainder Theorem is then applied to obtain the solution P. The algorithm has been programmed on MACSYMA which is a very suitable computer programming system for all the numerical computations involved. Numerical results as well as extensions to solving the Algebraic Riccati Equation are presented.
Air bags and lower extremity trauma: Implications for flight crew members

Summary Flight crews should have a high index of suspicion for hidden trauma, including serious lower extremity injuries, in moderate to severe MVCs with air bag deployment. Air bags will save many lives, but may mean an increasing number of patients with potentially life-threatening and disabling lower extremity trauma.
History as a Strategic Weapon The Korean and Chinese Struggle over Koguryo

Interpretations of history have been a source of tension in East Asia but usually involve Japan and the Second World War. Yet, in the past ten years, another controversy has been brewing over history, this time between South Korea and China over claims to ‘ownership’ of an ancient kingdom. This article is a case study that examines how states utilize reinterpretations of history for current and future strategic goals. The result has been a dispute that has resembled a security dilemma where China’s initial actions, deemed to be largely defensive by Beijing, were perceived in Seoul as offensive, provoking a counter-response that has in turn, alarmed China.
Isolation and characterization of intermediates in vaccinia virus morphogenesis.

Abstract L cells infected with vaccinia virus were disrupted in the presence of Brij 58 and examined by means of sucrose density centrifugation for the presence of subviral complexes and particles which might be intermediate stages of viral morphogenesis. Three types of such intermediates were found and characterized with respect to polypeptide constitution and morphology. They were: 1. 1. Complexes of newly replicated DNA and protein. Between 70 and 90% of the polypeptides associated with these complexes comprised two species: polypeptide A (MW 33,000) which was not formed if DNA replication was inhibited, and polypeptide B (MW 28,000), a phosphorylated polypeptide, which was a true “early” protein. Neither corresponded to a major virion structural polypeptide. These two polypeptides were the principal virus-specified polypeptides synthesized during the early stages of infection. 2. 2. Spherical particles about 280 nm in diameter which exhibited a highly characteristic layer of capsomers about 5 nm in diameter at their surface [immature particle A (IPA)]. They contained little or no DNA and were not formed if viral DNA replication was prevented. They were composed essentially of two polypeptide species, namely polypeptide VP4b (MW 58,000) (about 60%), which is one of the principal components of virions where it is thought to be located at the core surface; and the phosphorylated polypeptide 9P (MW 17,000) (about 26%), which is present in virions in very small amounts only. Among the six other minor polypeptide constituents of IPA were representatives of core, outer protein coat, and virion surface components. 3. 3. Two types of particles, IPB and IPC, which contained DNA and resembled virions morphologically, but sedimented at only 0.6 and 0.8 times their rate in sucrose density gradients. Both contained most but not all of the virion structural polypeptides: IPB lacked VP4c and VP12 entirely, and VP7a and VP11a partially; IPC lacked only VP12. All these polypeptides are located at the virion surface.
Planetary science: Seeing double in the Kuiper belt

A small fraction of Kuiper-belt objects are known to be accompanied by large moons. These double worlds may have formed in the earliest days of the Solar System through comparatively gentle gravitational encounters.
Time course of ICAM-1 expression and leukocyte subset infiltration in rat forebrain ischemia.

The time course of ICAM-1 expression and leukocyte subset infiltration was studied in a model of CNS reperfusion injury in adult rats. Leukocyte adhesion and infiltration, mediated in part by intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), appears to potentiate CNS reperfusion injury. The timing and relationship between ICAM-1 staining and leukocyte infiltration postglobal CNS ischemia is unknown. Reversible forebrain ischemia was produced in 32 adult Sprague-Dawley rats using the two-vessel occlusion model with histologic analysis performed at specific intervals postischemia: 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24h, 4 and 7 d, or sham-operated controls (n=4 each group). Monoclonal antibodies against ICAM-1 (1A29 and TM8), a specific granulocyte (PMN) (HIS48), and a specific monocyte/macrophage (MO)(ED1) were used. No specific leukocyte and only rare ICAM-1 vessel immunoreactivity was observed in sham controls. ICAM-1: Significant expression in microvessels beginning at 1 h with additional diffuse CA1 pyramidal layer staining beginning at 4 d. Leukocytes: NO PMN cells and rare MO identified at 6 and 12 h. By 24 h: moderate infiltrate in areas of ICAM-1 expression of PMN and MO. At 4 and 7 d: only MO accumulation, cellular morphology now similar to microglia. The results of this study indicate that early and persistent ICAM-1 expression occurs following CNS ischemia with associated leukocyte infiltration.
PMA2: DEVELOPMENT OF COST-EFFECTIVE WEB-BASED OUTCOMES RESEARCH STUDIES AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

Innovations in information technology are rapidly changing the health care market. With more and more clinical trials being conducted and managed on the web, the Internet provides an opportunity for conducting effective multi-center outcomes research studies and developing disease management programs. OBJECTIVES: This research describes the development of a web-driven application for ongoing collection, analysis, and reporting of outcomes research data. In addition, the web application was developed to gain experience in provision of benchmarking reports to health care providers conducting disease management programs. METHODS: Given current privacy regulations a multi-level security system with error checking was developed to assure integrity of data entering the system. Through integration of several programming languages (Visual Basic Script, Java Script, and HTML) into web-based active server pages, a method for immediate data collection, summary, and on-demand reporting was successfully developed. The system was deployed remotely via an Internet Service Provider. A prospective multi-site (10) hospital based infectious disease study of fungal risk and treatment patterns; and a retrospective lipid/cardiology clinic based study of patient care was conducted using the above technology. RESULTS: For expenditures of less than $1,000, secure web applications were developed that provided electronic data capture of all study variables. The customizability of the program allowed for developing applications for differing disease states thereby reducing set-up costs and improving efficiency. Simultaneous multi-site training and minimal data entry errors further reduced costs. The applications also provided real-time reports that enhanced patient-care and reported practice patterns that highlighted national and regional variations. CONCLUSIONS: The success of these studies has demonstrated the utility of the internet in providing health care practitioners with a cost-effective tool for efficiently conducting multi-center outcomes research and disease management. Considering the increasing popularity and access to the Internet, this research has significant implications for outcomes research and disease management.
Developmental events of the pectoral muscle in rainbow trout larvae (Salmo gairdneri).

Skeletal muscles of developing pectoral fins in rainbow trout larvae (Salmo gairdneri) were analyzed by electron microscopy. Large, branched mitochondria were dominant structures in developing myotubes. Mitochondria were associated with the tubular system (T and SR). New mitochondria arose from old ones when the latter extruded whorls of paired membranes surrounding a nonmembranous core. The core was comprised in part of a dense material, presumably, DNA. The developing muscles were characterized by two sets of caveolae which provided the major contributions to the tubular system. Large caveolae gave rise to elements traditionally designated as SR tubules but which later lost their exterior connections. Small caveolae gave rise to small diameter tubules that appear to be analogous to T tubules, which maintained connections with the exterior. Both tubular elements abutted mitochondria. The two elements ran parallel to each other and intersected with each other to form junctions. Each set of elements possessed intratubular junctions.
A framework for providing consistent and recoverable agent-based access to heterogeneous mobile databases

Information applications are increasingly required to be distributed among numerous remote sites through both wireless and wired links. Traditional models of distributed computing are inadequate to overcome the communication barrier this generates and to support the development of complex applications. In this paper, we advocate an approach based on agents. Agents are software modules that encapsulate data and code, cooperate to solve complicated tasks, and run at remote sites with minimum interaction with the user. We define an agent-based framework for accessing mobile heterogeneous databases. We then investigate concurrency control and recovery issues and outline possible solutions. Agent-based computing advances database transaction and control flow management concepts and remote programming techniques.
An explicit method for solving the geomagnetic induction problem

Summary. The problem of inferring the Earth conductivity as a function of depth from surface measurements of the magnetic field is considered. Two versions of a method analogous to that of Bailey are presented. The main feature of the method consists in the fact that the conductivity is given explicitly in terms to two auxiliary sequences of functions which are found by integrating a set of first-order non-linear differential equations.
Suppression of high-resistance phases of Ni silicide by Se passivation of Si(100)

High-resistance phases of Ni-rich Ni silicide are formed on Si(100) below 400/spl deg/C, while high-resistance phases of Si-rich Ni silicide are formed above 600/spl deg/C. The desired low-resistance NiSi is formed between 400/spl deg/C and 600/spl deg/C. In this paper, the authors report the suppression of high-resistance phases of Ni silicide by passivating the Si(100) surface with a monolayer of Se. A 500-/spl Aring/ Ni on n-type low 10/sup 15/ cm/sup -3/ doped Si(100) wafers, passivated with Se, shows a sheet resistance of /spl sim/2.55 /spl Omega//square upon annealing between 200/spl deg/C and 500/spl deg/C, while the sheet resistance of the 500-/spl Aring/ Ni on identical wafers without Se-passivation jumps to /spl sim/7.92 /spl Omega//square between 300/spl deg/C and 350/spl deg/C. Between 600/spl deg/C and 700/spl deg/C, the sheet resistance of the Se-passivated samples is /spl sim/ 10% lower than that of the control samples. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy all confirm that the suppression of high-resistance Ni silicides below 500/spl deg/C is attributed to the suppression of silicidation and above 600/spl deg/C to the delay in Si-rich Ni silicide formation at the Ni/Se-passivated Si(100) interface.
Reduced reliance on the trace element selenium during evolution of mammals.

Background Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element that occurs in proteins in the form of selenocysteine (Sec). It is transported throughout the body in the form of Sec residues in Selenoprotein P (SelP), a plasma protein of unclear origin recently proposed as an experimental marker of dietary Se status.
Polymerization during crystallization of selenium

The crystallization of selenium from the melt has been studied as a function of time at 90, 126, and 200°C by following the density and the concentration of Se8 rings. The crystallization is shown to involve crystallization of the polymeric species in the melt and, especially at later stages of the crystallization, crystallization during polymerization. A kinetic scheme has been developed which permits the description of the experimental data.
A compact high-performance optical waveguide amplifier

A glass waveguide amplifier was constructed in an Er/sup 3+/- and Yb/sup 3+/-doped phosphate glass. The waveguide channels were defined via a field-assisted Ag/sup +/ diffusion process. A net gain of 4.1 dB was measured at 1534 nm in a 3-mm length waveguide.
WS-Messenger: a Web services-based messaging system for service-oriented grid computing

A Web services-based publish/subscribe system has the potential to create an Internet scale interoperable event notification system which is important for grid computing as it evolves a service-oriented architecture. WS-Messenger is designed to be a Web services-based message broker that can decouple event producers and event consumers and achieve scalable, reliable and efficient message delivery. In this paper, we discuss some challenges that are unique to Web services-based publish/subscribe systems and the key features that distinguish WS-Messenger from other existing message brokers. We then present the architecture and the technology used in WS-Messenger. Performance tests indicate WS-Messenger performs better than the WS-Notification implementation in Globus Toolkit 4 (GT4) and it can be used as a complement to GT4 to improve its scalability. We lastly describe its application to grid workflow orchestration in the LEAD project.
Syk to death.

Using elegant mouse models of B-cell lymphoma, Young and colleagues validate targeting syk-mediated B-cell receptor signaling as an effective antitumor strategy for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Although normal B-cell development depends on the expression of a functional B-cell receptor (
Materials Considerations for a High Power-Density Accelerator

A 100-mA 50-MeV H- accelerator is being designed at Los Alamos. The accelerating structures will operate at 425-MHz and will consist of a radio-frequency quadrupole (RFQ) to 2-MeV and a drift-tube linac (DTL) from 2 to 50-MeV. Design parameters have been specified to match the maximum operating capabilities of the rf system: 2-ms pulse length and 6% duty factor. The accelerating gradient in the DTL will be 4-MV/m; the maximum electric field will be approximately 1.2 times the Kilpatrick limit. These design parameters are substantially more ambitious than those of the accelerator test stand (ATS). The larger accelerating gradient and increased duty factor will increase the average power density in the DTL to approximately 25 times the design values for the ATS DTL. The increased duty factor will raise the average power density on the proposed RFQ to approximately 6 times the operating values of the ATS RFQ. The instantaneous power density on the drift tubes is predicted to be 60 W/sq cm, and the average power density is predicted to be 4 W/sq cm. These power densities are not excessive, but do represent design challenges in specific areas. Some components where thermal difficulties may be encountered include RFQ vanes, drift tubes, post couplers, slug tuners, rf seals, and tuning bars. That copper will be used on the rf-structure surfaces is not in question. Concern with residual activation and thermal management forces the investigation of materials other than the traditional carbon- and stainless-steel base materials used at Los Alamos.
Characteristics of non-fatal abusive head trauma among children in the USA, 2003–2008: application of the CDC operational case definition to national hospital inpatient data

Objective An International Classification of Diseases code-based case definition for non-fatal abusive head trauma (AHT) in children <5 years of age was developed in March 2008 by an expert panel convened at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This study presents an application of the CDC recommended operational case definition of AHT to US hospital inpatient data to characterise the AHT hospitalisation rate for children <5 years of age. Methods Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilisation Project from 2003 to 2008 were examined. Results Inspection of the NIS data resulted in the identification of an estimated 10555 non-fatal AHT hospitalisations with 9595 classified as definite/ presumptive AHT and 960 classified as probable AHT. The non-fatal AHT rate was highest among children aged <1 year (32.3 per 100000) with a peak in hospitalisations between 1 and 3 months of age. Non-fatal AHT hospitalisation rates for children <2 years of age were higher for boys (21.9 per 100000) than girls (15.3 per 100000). The non-fatal AHT hospitalisation rate showed little variation across seasons. Conclusions To reduce the burden of AHT in the USA, a preventable public health problem, concerted prevention efforts targeting populations at risk should be implemented. This report demonstrates a model procedure for using the new CDC definition for public health surveillance and research purposes. Such findings can be used to inform parents and providers about AHT (eg, dangers of shaking, strategies for managing infant crying) as well as to monitor better the impact of prevention strategies over time.
Enhanced Antigen-Specific Antitumor Immunity with Altered Peptide Ligands that Stabilize the MHC-Peptide-TCR Complex

T cell responsiveness to an epitope is affected both by its affinity for the presenting MHC molecule and the affinity of the MHC-peptide complex for TCR. One limitation of cancer immunotherapy is that natural tumor antigens elicit relatively weak T cell responses, in part because high-affinity T cells are rendered tolerant to these antigens. We report here that amino acid substitutions in a natural MHC class I-restricted tumor antigen that increase the stability of the MHC-peptide-TCR complex are significantly more potent as tumor vaccines. The improved immunity results from enhanced in vivo expansion of T cells specific for the natural tumor epitope. These results indicate peptides that stabilize the MHC-peptide-TCR complex may provide superior antitumor immunity through enhanced stimulation of specific T cells.
American College of Surgeons NSQIP: quality in-training initiative pilot study.

Background Clinical outcomes data are playing an increasingly important role in medical decision-making, reimbursement, and provider evaluation, but there are no documented programs that provide outcomes data to surgical residents as part of a structured curriculum. Our objectives were to develop a national collaborative of training programs to unify the efforts between quality and education personnel and demonstrate the feasibility of generating customized reports of patient outcomes for use in surgical education. Study Design The pool of potential hospitals was evaluated by comparing ACS NSQIP participants with the roster of clinical sites for general surgery residency programs maintained by FREIDA Online. A program and user guide was developed to generate custom reports based on institutional data, and a voluntary pilot was conducted, consisting of initial development, implementation, and feedback stages. Programs that successfully completed installation and report generation were queried for feedback on time and resources used. Results Of 245 general surgery residency programs, 47% had a NSQIP-affiliated sponsor institution, and an additional 31% had at least 1 NSQIP-affiliated participant institution. Sixty general surgery residency programs have expressed interest in collaboration. Seventeen pilot sites completed training and installation, and were able to independently generate custom reports. The response rate for the post-report survey was 50%. Participants reported that training and installation typically required one 2-hour phone call, and that total time devoted to the project was less than 8 hours. Conclusions Collaboration between educators and quality improvement personnel from a diverse group of organizations to integrate outcomes data into surgical education is feasible. Obtaining resident and team reports from ACS NSQIP can be done with minimal effort. Future efforts will be aimed at developing a national data-centered curriculum for general surgery programs.
MultiChipSat Fault-Tolerant Architecture

With the process size of microelectronics shrinking well below 90 nm, the characteristics of upsets experienced by spacecraft avionics are drastically changing; traditional hardware mitigation techniques are reaching performance limitations. A method for achieving reliability, along with the performance capabilities of new technologies, is through the use of an innovative avionics architecture which utilizes both software and hardware redundancy techniques to achieve reliability. Instead of ensuring consistent reliability levels to every operation, the fault mitigation levels are user defined for each operation. Thus the architecture allows the system to be optimized about the needed fault tolerance and performance characteristics of each operation through its use of tightly coupled hardware and software design.
Work Demands and Work-to-Family and Family-to-Work Conflict Direct and Indirect Relationships

This article uses a demands-and-resources approach to examine relationships between three types of work demands and work-to-family and family-to-work conflict: time-based demands, strain-based demands, and boundary-spanning demands. The analysis is based on data from 2,155 employed adults living with a family member who were interviewed for the 1997 National Study of the Changing Workforce (NSCW). The results indicate consistent positive relationships between the three types of demands and work-to-family conflict. Strain-based demands show the strongest relationships with family-to-work conflict. In addition, work-to-family conflict partially mediates relationships between several demands and family-to-work conflict. Thus, work demands reveal direct and indirect relationships with family-to-work conflict.
High Transition Temperature Shape Memory Alloys for Micro-actuator Systems

A new generation of thin film shape memory alloy (SMA) for MEMS micro-actuator has been developed, in which film structure and chemistry are optimized, for enhanced higher transition temperature, higher strain recovery rate as well as reduced actuation time by improving the heat transfer rates. Thin film TiPdNi was produced using Ion Beam Assisted Deposition (IBAD) technique both by in-situ heat treating during deposition and followed by post processing heat treatment. Films deposited on unheated substrates were found to be highly amorphous with minimal B2 austenite crystallization, while films deposited on heated substrates produced a highly crystallized twinned B19 martensitic structure through the bulk of the film. For films deposited on heated substrates, a 70 nm thick transition layer was found to exist between the bulk film and silicon substrate. Severe delamination and oxidation as a result of post heat treatment on IBAD deposited samples made in-situ heat treatment most suitable for processing thin film SMAs for MEMS applications. The desire to introduce this innovative technology to the field of SMA micro-actuators is based on two primary advantages of IBAD process over existing technology used to apply thin film SMAs. First, the chemical composition and grain size of the applied coating can be precisely controlled over a wide range of values. Second, the SMA can be deposited as thin films ≤ 2 μm thick with smaller grain size, much denser than films applied using sputter deposition technology. The effects of various processing parameters, and post processing heat treatment, on properties of the thin film SMA were studied.
Silicon OEICs with optical switching and amplification capability

New methods to integrate InP based active devices with Si based passive waveguide is proposed. Using evanescent wave coupling between waveguides and flip-chip bonding techniques we can build seamless interface between silicon waveguides and broadband InP gain materials. The beam propagation method (BPM) was used to analyze and simulate the integrated structure. The simulation shows that the coupling efficiency is determined by waveguide taper length, taper angle, taper thickness, separation distance between InP waveguide core and Si waveguide core, effective index and growth thickness of InP taper, and offset between two waveguide tapers. After optimizing these parameters, 80% coupling efficiency is achieved. A second method using U-shape semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) to connect waveguides and avoid double side coupling issues will also be discussed.
QUAKING MOUSE: ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MYELIN PROTEIN

A new technique, involving final purification on a continuous CsCl gradient, was utilized for the isolation of cerebral myelin from adult (4- to 6-month-old) quaking mice, littermate controls and young (10-day-old) normal mice. The yield of myelin from either adult quaking or normal young mice was 5-10 per cent of that from adult controls. After deli-pidation, myelin proteins were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in buffers containing sodium dodecylsulphate. Two gel systems were utilized: (1) a high-resolution discontinuous electrophoresis system; and (2) a continuous system utilizing gels cross linked with ethylenediacrylate (EDA). The gels from the discontinuous system were stained with Fast Green and quantified by densitometry. The base lability of the EDA-linked gels permitted direct chemical determination of protein in specific bands. Myelin from brains of normal adult mice contained, as major components, one proteo-lipid and two basic proteins. There were also a number of high-molecular-weight proteins which represented a significant portion of the total. Myelin from quaking mice had qualitatively a similar distribution of proteins but the high-molecular-weight fraction comprised a much greater percentage of the total protein. The ratio of basic to proteolipid protein in preparations from quaking mice was considerably higher than that in the myelin from control mice. The distribution pattern of the myelin proteins from 10-day-old mice was quantitatively similar to that of quaking mice. Altogether the evidence supports the hypothesis that the quaking mutant provides a model of an immature nervous system with respect to myelination.
Practice patterns in screening for varices: an American survey.

Background and aims Guidelines recommend screening for gastroesophageal varices. Regional studies suggest screening is underutilized, but information from across the United States is unavailable. We explored practice patterns and adherence to guidelines in a random sample of physicians and sought to define whether differences existed according to practice type, setting and years of practice.
Introduction to the Special Issue: The Physical Health Consequences of Childhood Maltreatment—Implications for Public Health

Childhood maltreatment, including physical and sexual abuse as well as child neglect, is highly prevalent with recent estimates from the Department of Health & Human Services (Gaudiosi, 2009) reporting over 750,000 documented cases annually in the United States. While the link between maltreatment and deleterious psychological and social functioning is well established, there has been increasing speculation over the past decade that childhood maltreatment might also have a detrimental effect on physical health. However, the majority of reports connecting childhood maltreatment to physical health outcomes derive from uncontrolled, correlational, observational studies, and rely heavily on retrospective self-reports of adults recalling childhood abuse histories. As such, these types of research designs provide little control over retrospective recall bias, make it difficult to evaluate the relative impact of childhood maltreatment over other types of adversity or potential confounds, and hence, do not necessarily facilitate causal inference when examining specific health outcomes. In this era of shrinking resources, it is especially important to put forth empirical research that has the potential to maximally impact pediatric health outcomes and public policy that would benefit child abuse prevention and treatment efforts. This special issue emphasizes state of the art methodologies and focuses on the explication of potential mechanisms that might help explain the connection between childhood maltreatment and physical health outcomes. Examples of methodological advances included in this special issue are: meta-analysis, longitudinal prospective study, mediational modeling, extensive statistical control for potential confounds, inclusion of substantiated/confirmed childhood maltreatment victims, and one-to-one demographic matching of subjects in control conditions. The compiled papers also include inquiry into multiple levels of human functioning including psychopathology, immune function, brain activity, neurocognitive function, autonomic nervous system activity, and gene environment interactions. In addition to identifying the potential for deleterious effects of childhood maltreatment, several articles introduce and test models of physiologic protective factors that might serve to buffer the effects of childhood maltreatment on the development of psychopathology in pediatric samples. Hence, this special issue is an opportunity to bring together and synthesize rigorous research in order to bolster strong inference and to function as a key resource aimed at improving pediatric care for victims of childhood maltreatment.