cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pediatric Disorders: Viewpoint—Fractionated Radiotherapy

There has been an evolution in multimodality therapy for children with brain tumors and the use of fractionated irradiation during the past 20 years. This highlights the benefit of pediatric clinical trials and data-driven research. There is strong evidence that the primary role of radiation therapy has been secured for low-grade glioma and craniopharyngioma and that adjuvant irradiation is pivotal in achieving high rates of tumor control for children with ependymoma, medulloblastoma, and other tumors. The era of 3-dimensional (3D) radiation therapy planning has provided valuable information about disease control and patterns of failure and the contribution of radiation dose and the irradiated volume to the risk of complications. Newer methods of irradiation appear to preserve function in most patients and overall the rate of treatment complications has been acceptable leading to the use of irradiation even in the very young. The current level of success has invited reappraisal of the use of other modalities and the sequencing of treatment as investigators continue to investigate whether the targeted volume for radiotherapy may be further reduced without affecting the rate or pattern of failure. Based on 3D dose-volume data, investigators are now able to estimate the risk of neurological, endocrine, and cognitive effects in children with brain tumors and this information is being used to optimize therapy. Recent trials have been designed with the combined goal of improving disease control and eliminating side effects; future trials will take advantage of tumor biology to improve risk-stratification and test the role of novel agents.
Cosmogenic 32Si reveals biogenic silica burial in deltas rivals the Southern Ocean siliceous ooze

Measurements of natural cosmogenic 32Si (t1/2 ~ 140 y) in tropical deltaic sediments demonstrate for the first time that most 32Si is present in rapidly formed authigenic clays and not biogenic opaline silica (bSi). The burial of bSi in deltaic and continental margin sediments has likely been greatly underestimated because of diagenetic alteration of bSi to clay, little of which dissolves in the classically used operational bSi leach. Rapid reverse weathering reactions during early diagenesis must be considered as a significant pathway of reactive Si storage in deltaic deposits. Based on 32Si, actual storage may be 2 – 3× the best recent estimates extrapolated from diagenetic models or attempts to modify operational bSi methods to include authigenic clay (~900 µmol/g vs ~250 µmol/g). Measurements of natural 32Si inventories in sediments and initial specific activities in biogenic silica provide a means to independently constrain the marine Si cycle.
Novel destabilizing Dynactin variant (DCTN1 p.Tyr78His) in patient with Perry syndrome.

Abstract Introduction Perry syndrome, also recognized as Perry disease, is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by midlife-onset atypical parkinsonism, apathy or depression, respiratory failure and weight loss caused by a mutation in the Dynactin (DCTN1) gene. Case description A fifty-six years-old adopted male presented with atypical parkinsonism with bradykinesia and postural instability, apathy, weight loss, and recurrent respiratory failure due to central hypoventilation requiring tracheostomy. Methods and results Clinical workup revealed a novel DCTN1 p.Tyr78His variant. Using bioinformatic protein structure modeling, we compare our patient's variant to known DCTN1 mutations and predict protein stability of each variant at the CAP-Gly domain of p150Glued. All eight variants causing Perry syndrome, as well as Tyr78His, are located at site expected to interact with MAPRE1 tail and are predicted to be destabilizing. Variants causing atypical parkinsonism with incomplete Perry syndrome phenotype (K56R and K68E) are not significantly destabilizing in silico. Conclusion We propose p.Tyr78His as the ninth pathogenic DCTN1 variant causing Perry syndrome. Bioinformatic protein modeling may provide additional window to understand and interpret DCTN1 variants, as we observed non-destabilizing variants to have different phenotype than destabilizing variants.
School, university and community collaboration to promote equity through inclusive cultural competence

In a series of action-research forums university researchers/faculty, school, family, and community stakeholders engaged collaboratively to explore and identify effective practices and ongoing needs related to the development of inclusive cultural competence for pre-service and in-service teachers, and the institutions that develop and employ them. Forum participants discussed plans for future collaborative projects focused on equity and social justice in local schools and community organizations. The collaborative relationships extended beyond the forums to include additional projects focused on equity. Researchers used a qualitative analysis of forum input and researcher field notes, including deductive category application of codes derived from literature and modeling of intersections of theory and forum output to identify problem areas, analyze themes of best practice, and formulate ideas for future action.
TOA and DOA Estimation for IR-UWB Signals: An Efficient Algorithm by Improved Root-MUSIC

The automatically paired time of arrival (TOA) and direction of arrival (DOA) can be jointly estimated via a high-precision multidimensional spectral peak search- (SPS-) based multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm in the impulse radio ultrawideband (IR-UWB) positioning system, while heavy computational burden is required. To tackle this issue, we propose an improved root-MUSIC algorithm for joint TOA and DOA estimation. After modelling the frequency domain form of the received signal, the algorithm first uses the signal subspace to establish the relationship between the two antennas. Then, the MUSIC spatial spectrum function is reconstructed with this relation, which enables it to offer a spectrum function in regard to the one-dimensional (1D) parameter of time delay. For further reducing the complexity, the TOA estimates of one antenna are obtained via 1D polynomial root finding instead of SPS, and the TOA estimates of the other antenna can be calculated by the established relationship. Finally, the DOA estimation can be achieved with the estimated TOAs. Due to the relationship between two antennas with signal subspace, the parameters estimated by the proposed algorithm are autopaired. Numerical simulations substantiate the superiority of the proposed algorithm.
Tips and Tricks in Gender-Affirming Mastectomy.

SUMMARY Gender-affirming mastectomy has become a highly sought-after procedure for the treatment of gender dysphoria and has been shown to improve quality of life in transgender and gender-nonbinary individuals. Aesthetic outcomes after double-incision mastectomy can be influenced by several factors; however, certain operative variables can be controlled to obtain aesthetic and reproducible results. Chest wall contour is arguably the most critical component of these procedures and requires highlighting the definition of the pectoralis muscle. Planning incisions within the inferior and lateral borders of the pectoralis major rather than the inframammary fold, and ensuring removal of all breast tissue in the lateral and medial chest and the axillary tail, will help obtain an aesthetically pleasing chest wall shape while concealing scars. Finally, attention to nipple resizing and repositioning inferiorly and laterally relative to the borders of the pectoralis muscle are critical to an aesthetic outcome. The authors have found that appropriate preoperative planning to control these three factors-(1) contour, (2) nipple position, and (3) scars-and critical analysis and adjustment of on-table results will help achieve the goals of creating an aesthetic and gender-congruent chest.
Energy–Momentum Complex in General Relativity and Gauge Theory

Alternative versions of the energy–momentum complex in general relativity are given compact new formulations with spacetime algebra. A new unitary form for Einstein’s equation greatly simplifies the derivation and analysis of gravitational superpotentials. Interpretation of Einstein’s equations as a gauge field theory on flat spacetime is shown to resolve ambiguities in energy–momentum conservation laws and reveal intriguing new relations between superpotential, gauge connection and spin angular momentum with rich new possibilities for physical interpretation.
Coastal erosion driven Land-Sea Interactions in Maritime Spatial Planning - a case of Bulgaria

Human activities and natural processes interact with each other in complex ways along the land-sea interface. In order to promote sustainable use of coastal and marine resources, Land-Sea Interactions (LSI) should be taken into account when developing and implementing Marine/Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) as required by the MSP Directive (2014/89/EU). Coastal erosion is one of the critical land-sea interaction issues for the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, in particular in its northern part. Erosion can have negative impacts both on marine and coastal environments and on human activities (natural resources, ecosystem services and loss of habitats, with consequent environmental fragmentation, and loss of biodiversity, as well as of landscaping and environmental heritage, impacts on tourism, transport infrastructure, etc.). The present paper provides a detailed investigation with specific focus on coastal erosion driven Land-Sea Interactions as a case study in the Shabla Municipality, North Bulgarian Black Sea coast, where the highest rates of the cliff erosion occur. The study uses the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) version 5.0, a GIS extension tool for the analysis of shoreline movement (at sandy beaches – erosion/accretion) and cliff retreat (at rocky coasts). The most erosion-prone coastal segments along the cliff coast in the study area were identified (coastal erosion hot spot areas). Through this specific analysis, the paper aims to increase the knowledge and understanding of coastal erosion driven Land-Sea Interactions issues in Shabla Municipality using the best available data, and to utilise the best obtained results in coastal management and Maritime Spatial Planning, towards mitigation measures of coastal erosion impacts. This approach and the tested protocols are also applicable to other coastal change assessments in Bulgaria.
Complex Analysis of SOLDEs

We have familiarized ourselves with some useful techniques for finding solutions to differential equations. One powerful method that leads to formal solutions is power series. We also stated Theorem 14.6.4 which guarantees the convergence of the solution of the power series within a circle whose size is at least as large as the smallest of the circles of convergence of the coefficient functions. Thus, the convergence of the solution is related to the convergence of the coefficient functions. What about the nature of the convergence, or the analyticity of the solution? Is it related to the analyticity of the coefficient functions? If so, how? Are the singular points of the coefficients also singular points of the solution? Is the nature of the singularities the same? This chapter answers some of these questions.
A Genetic Algorithm Approach to Multiple-Response Optimization

Many designed experiments require the simultaneous optimization of multiple responses. A common approach is to use a desirability function combined with an optimization algorithm to find the most desirable settings of thecontrollable factors. However, as the problem grows even moderately in either the number of factors or the number of responses, conventional optimization algorithms can fail to find the global optimum. An alternative approach is to use a heuristic search procedure such as a genetic algorithm (GA). This paper proposes and develops a multiple-response solution technique using a GA in conjunction with an unconstrained desirability function. The GA requires that several parameters be determined in order for the algorithm to operate effectively. We perform a robust designed experiment in order to tune the genetic algorithm to perform well regardless of the complexity of the multiple-response optimization problem. The performance of the proposed GA method is evaluated and compared with the performance of the method that combines the desirability with the generalized reduced gradient (GRG) optimization. The evaluation shows that only the proposed GA approach consistently and effectively solves multiple-response problems of varying complexity.
The Perennial Nature of the Catholic Worker Farms: A Reconsideration of Failure

Contemporary challenges in rural and environmental politics hinge on understanding what success and failure mean. One avenue of studying success and failure of political and social change efforts is to study social movements and intentional communities often equated with how many years such efforts persisted. The Catholic Worker movement's combination of a vision of radical social change, religion, nonviolence, hospitality, activism, and agrarianism involve publications, urban houses, and farms that constitute a movement and a network of autonomous intentional communities. The Catholic Worker movement's communal farms began in 1933 and at various points those efforts were deemed failures. Thus, the story of the Catholic Worker farms is one of impermanence and struggle for a desired ideal. However, what we are missing in condemning the farms to failure is the utter success since the 1970s of a strong agrarian and environmental strain of the Catholic Worker movement based on farm activity, activism, and cooperative economics. This study reconceptualizes failure in the language of process and context. The Catholic Worker farms case study refigures failure such that we can articulate a politics of possibility related to the dramatic challenges not only of society but also of the environment.
Lipid measurements in coronary artery disease. Comparison with an age-matched normal control group.

Abstract One hundred four male survivors of acute myocardial infarction and ninety-one age-matched clinically normal men were studied. Measurements of total cholesterol, total stainable lipid and the ratio of alpha beta stainable lipid were made. Below the age of forty years, all of these effectively discriminated the normal persons from those with coronary disease. The alpha/beta ratio provided the best segregation of the groups above the age of forty years. Cholesterol measurements made within the first two months after myocardial infarction are rapidly fluctuating and cannot be used as indicators of the true or “steady state” cholesterol level. The technic of electrophoresis and staining of lipoproteins is reproducible, reasonably simple, inexpensive and adaptable for large scale studies.
Lossless voltage-clamping of a class E amplifier with a transformer and a diode

The class E amplifier with a clamped switch peak voltage using a transformer and a diode is proposed, analyzed, simulated and tested. The peak switch voltage is clamped without producing a significant power loss. Design equations are derived for components and the output power. The effect of the leakage inductance of the transformer is examined with PSpice simulation. The experimental results for a prototype circuit are presented.
Vaduz, an unusual fresh crater on Mars: Evidence for impact into a recent ice-rich mantle

[1] A fresh, 1.85 km diameter impact crater in the midlatitudes of Mars (38°N) named Vaduz exhibits distinctive crater‐related geological subunits (facies) extending up to ∼15 radii from the rim crest and perched >10 m above the adjacent plains. Knobby terrain fringing and underlying the facies is interpreted as degraded thermal contraction crack polygons, consistent with an ice‐rich mantle buried by ejecta. The almost complete regional disappearance of this ice‐rich unit, and consequent lowering of regional topography by over ten meters, is interpreted to mean that the ice‐rich mantle was formed by climate‐related deposition of snow, ice, and dust during recent periods of high obliquity. Transition to lower obliquity, and the attendant poleward retreat of the mantling unit, is the most likely cause of the regional loss of the ice‐rich layer. The depth of this crater, relative to the thickness of the ice‐rich unit, indicates that the impact event excavated bedrock and that Vaduz can be classified as an excess ejecta crater. Excavated silicate regolith and fragmented target debris appear to have been an important factor in the armoring mechanism. Citation: Schaefer, E. I., J. W. Head, and S. J. Kadish (2011), Vaduz, an unusual fresh crater onMars:Evidenceforimpactintoarecentice‐richmantle,Geophys.
Simultaneous Appearance of Keratin Modifications and γ-Glutamyltransferase Activity as Indicators of Tumor Progression in Mouse Skin Papillomas

gamma-Glutamyltransferase (GGT), an enzyme not found in normal adult epidermis, was detected in most skin papillomas larger than 13 mm in diameter and in all squamous carcinomas induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene initiation and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate promotion in noninbred Sencar mice. Furthermore, these GGT-positive lesions were also characterized by a marked decrease or absence of high-molecular-weight components of epidermal keratin. Since these characteristics are common to both carcinomas and large papillomas but are practically undetectable in normal epidermis and small papillomas, GGT activity and lack of high-molecular-weight keratin components seem to be good indicators of tumor progression, i.e., from papilloma to squamous carcinoma.
Separating concerns in direct manipulation user interfaces

Direct-manipulation user interfaces are difficult to implement as a tapered hierarchy. Features such as drag enabling and continuous graphical feedback require frequent interaction and collaboration among a large number of objects in multiple layers. These collaborations complicate the design of the interfaces in the various layers. We present a new component-interface model called a "mode component", whose features simplify the expression of collaboration enabling and feedback across layer boundaries. We illustrate the use of mode components through a large example.
Scheduling using genetic algorithms

Considers the scheduling of mixed task- and data-parallel modules comprising computation and communication operations. The program generation starts with a specification of the maximum degree of task- and data-parallelism of the method to be implemented. In several derivation steps, the degree of parallelism is adapted to a specific distributed memory machine. We present a scheduling derivation step based on the genetic algorithm paradigm. The scheduling takes not only decisions on the execution order (independent modules can be executed consecutively by all processors available or concurrently by independent groups of processors) but also on appropriate data distributions and task implementation versions. We demonstrate the efficiency of the algorithm by an example from numerical analysis.
Response to Casey et al.'s Sensitivity of detecting environmental DNA comment

Casey et al. correctly identified a need for clarification regarding the detection limits we reported for two PCR assays (Jerde et al. 2011). Serial dilutions of purified PCR amplicon DNA (not total genomic DNA) were used to evaluate sensitivity. One microliter of purified amplicon DNA from each assay was added to 25 μL reactions and the lowest detectable concentrations were approximately 207 copies/μL of DNA (3.30 × 10−8 ng/μL) for bighead carp, and 7 copies/μL of DNA (7.25 × 10−10 ng/μL) for silver carp. We determined the maximum sensitivity of our assays under ideal laboratory detection conditions because the detection limits of any PCR assay for bulk environmental samples is contingent on the complexity of the assayed DNA solution and water quality characteristics (Thompson et al. 2006). This clarification about the type of DNA used in the assay, that is amplicon DNA rather than total genomic DNA to determine maximum sensitivity, eliminates the concern of Casey et al. regarding credibility of our eDNA assays. No conclusions or observations reported by Jerde et al. (2011) are affected by the concerns raised by Casey et al. including: the sensitivity of eDNA surveillance exceeding that of traditional monitoring tools (Figure 3; Jerde et al. 2011); the presence of Asian carp above the electric barrier where eDNA first detected them (Figure S1; Jerde et al. 2011); and the eDNA approach, which has been applied by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers using the protocols and procedures from our study resulting in similar detection patterns (http://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/AsianCarp/eDNA.htm). Finally, a number of recent studies demonstrate that eDNA is a reliable index of the occurrence and abundance of rare aquatic macrofauna (Dejean et al. 2011; Goldberg et al. 2011; Minamoto et al. 2011; Thomsen et al. 2012).
The Effects of Fatty Acids and Their Derivatives on the Intestinal Absorption of insulin in Rat

AbstractInsulin solution (25 U/ml/kg, pH 8.0) was administered with 50 mM of various C8-Cl8 fatty acid and derivative absorption enhancers to the duodenum, colon and rectum of fasted normal rats under sodium pentobarbital anesthesia. Solutions were administered directly into ligated or sealed intestinal segments. Blood was sampled periodically from the jugular vein and blood glucose levels determined. The maximum decrease in blood glucose level and area under the depression curve were used to estimate bioavailability. Enhancing effects rectally were further investigated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats in both the fasted and non-fasted states. Blood glucose levels and serum insulin concentrations were determined.
A factor ½ approximation algorithm for two-stage stochastic matching problems

Abstract We introduce the two-stage stochastic maximum-weight matching problem and demonstrate that this problem is NP -complete. We give a factor 1 2 approximation algorithm and prove its correctness. We also provide a tight example to show the bound given by the algorithm is exactly 1 2 . Computational results on some two-stage stochastic bipartite matching instances indicate that the performance of the approximation algorithm appears to be substantially better than its worst-case performance.
Mobility laws in dislocation dynamics simulations

Abstract Prediction of the plastic deformation behavior of single crystals based on the collective dynamics of dislocations has been a challenge for computational materials science for a number of years. The difficulty lies in the inability of existing dislocation dynamics (DD) codes to handle a sufficiently large number of dislocation lines, to establish a statistically representative model of crystal plasticity. A new massively parallel DD code is developed that is capable of modeling million-dislocation systems by employing thousands of processors. We discuss an important ingredient of this code — the mobility laws dictating the behavior of individual dislocations. They are materials input for DD simulations and are constructed based on the understanding of dislocation motion at the atomistic level.
Shaping multiple schedule performances in retardates: Establishment of baselines by systematic and special procedures

Abstract Analysis of cases in which a systematic procedure for establishment of multiple schedule baseline performances failed to shape the desired terminal behavior suggested that some parts of the procedure were inadequate. Modifications were made to correct for specific defects noted in demonstration, rate evaluation, rate strengthening, and establishment of stimulus control phases. Data are shown for two typical Ss who successfully completed the modified procedure and exhibited satisfactory baseline performances on mult VR 25 ext. Differences among successful Ss are limited primarily to necessity for repeating some conditions due to initial failure to meet criteria. The modified systematic procedure was not successful with all institutionalized retardates. Failures appeared to be due to inadequacy of candy as a reinforcer. Sixteen Ss selected to represent a range of chronological age and duration of institutionalization were first given the systematic shaping procedure. Those not exhibiting satisfactory baseline performances then were given a demonstration procedure that was designed to take advantage of the apparently strong influence of social contact with E on the behavior of these Ss. Five Ss required special procedures, such as schedule changes to increase rate, or negative reinforcers for establishment of SΔ control, or both. Satisfactory baseline performances were obtained in criterion sessions for all 16 Ss. The results suggest that complex performances may effectively be established with systematic shaping procedures, but reinforcer effectiveness differences in some mentally retarded Ss require use of special procedures or conditions.
Activation Mechanism of a Signaling Protein at Atomic Resolution

The interconversion between the inactive and active state is the heart of signaling. This process has traditionally been described by the two corresponding structures, sometimes complemented with kinetic data. However the question of how these folded states interconvert is largely unknown due to the inability to experimentally observe the transition pathways.Here we present a recent investigation of the full free energy landscape of the receiver domain of the response regulator NtrC (NtrC ) by combining several computational methods including the string method, Markov state models of massive unbiased MD simulations, and long MD simulations on ANTON, with new NMR structural data.The results unveil several unexpected features underlying efficient signaling: The active and inactive states have to be considered purely in kinetic terms. The functional need of attaining a stable and well-defined conformer, crucial to the active form of the protein, is absent in the inactive state. The inactive state comprises a structurally heterogeneous collection of sub-states that interconvert on timescales shorter than the transition to the active state. The transitions between the two functional states occur through multiple pathways characterized by transition states with dramatically different structural features. In addition to this entropic lowering of the transition barrier, a number of polar side-chains engage in unspecific transient interactions during the barrier crossing and thus make the activation mechanism flexible, efficient and robust.These novel findings challenge the structural paradigm of signaling and may represent general features for functional conformational transitions within the folded state.
The Acceptability of Therapist-Assisted, Internet-Delivered Treatment for College Students

University and college counseling centers struggle with rising service demands without a corresponding increase in resources. Consequently, counseling centers must seek creative ways to not only maintain the status quo, but expand capacity while preserving effectiveness. In other countries, therapist-assisted, Internet-delivered treatment has been effective in treating several common disorders while conserving one third to one half the per client therapist time, suggesting that Therapist-Assisted Internet Based Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (TAI-CBT) could be an alternative treatment option offered through counseling centers in the United States and one possible solution to increase the number of students effectively treated per therapist hour for certain students seeking services. In this study, 334 students were surveyed to assess the acceptability of this mode of treatment; 217 of these students were currently in counseling or had received counseling in the past. TAI-CBT was endorsed by 34% of the stu...
The Association between Early Artificial Amniotomy and Chorioamnionitis in Nulliparous Induction of Labor

Objectives. To investigate whether early artificial amniotomy (AROM) <4 cm in nulliparous women admitted for induction of labor was associated with an increased rate of chorioamnionitis and cesarean section or a decreased time to vaginal delivery. Study Design. A retrospective cohort study was performed on nulliparous women with a term, singleton gestation and intact membranes who presented for induction of labor (January 2008 to December 2011). Chorioamnionitis was defined using ICD9 codes. Results. 1,567 women were enrolled; 25.4% underwent early AROM. Overall, the prevalence of chorioamnionitis was 12.4%, the rate of cesarean section was 32.2%, and the time from 4 cm cervical dilation to vaginal delivery was 413 min. Compared to women without AROM < 4 cm, early AROM did not affect overall chorioamnionitis rates (10.2 versus 13.2%, P = 0.12) but was associated with an increased cesarean section rate (40.2 versus 29.5%, P < 0.001). However, among those who delivered vaginally, AROM < 4 cm decreased the rate of chorioamnionitis (8.4 versus 14.6%, P = 0.01), which persisted when controlling for potential confounders (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.33-0.92), and decreased the time from 4 cm dilation to vaginal delivery (329 versus 472 min, P < 0.001). Conclusions. Our findings do not suggest that early AROM is associated with an increased rate of clinical chorioamnionitis.
Effects of magnesium pemoline on avoidance behavior in rats

Following oral injections of either 0, 5, or 20 mg/kg of magnesium pemoline mixed with tragacanth in an equal volume solution, 60 Long-Evans hooded rats were given 70 trials in a two-compartment one-way avoidance apparatus. Type of CS (light vs buzzer) and interval between drug injection and conditioning (30 vs 60 min) were varied factorially with drug dosage. Ss receiving either 5 or 20 mg/kg of magnesium pemoline performed significantly better than did controls, independent of the other two variables. These results fail to support the Beach & Kimble (1967) hypothesis that the major effects of magnesium pemoline on avoidance conditioning are due to an increased aversive responsiveness to a buzzer CS, which has typically been employed in studies of the drug, rather than directly affecting the avoidance learning.
Advancing Tailored Health Communication: A Persuasion and Message Effects Perspective

Tailored health communication (THC) is any combination of information and behavior change strategies intended to reach one specific person based on information unique to that person, related to the outcome of interest, and derived from an individual assessment. THCs have been studied as a means to facilitate behavior change by influencing some key intermediate steps that precede the behavioral outcome. These include the extent to which people attend to communications, think about them, find them relevant and salient, and intend to take action. Evidence shows that THCs have achieved modest success in changing a number of cancer-related behaviors, including smoking, diet, exercise, and cancer screening. However, it is likely that THCs could be more effective if they were developed with a greater understanding of message effects and what we refer to as the behavioral pathway. Instead of using unidimensional approaches to influence behavior change, a message effects approach would help researchers identify key leverage points for impact on such intermediate outcomes as persuasion and yielding. Such a strategy also might be used to determine when THCs are the preferred approach and when generic, targeted, or combinations of THCs and targeted communications might be appropriate. Viewing THCs from the perspective of the behavioral pathway might indicate use of different messages, sources, and formats to influence different people at different points on the pathway. We provide a brief history of THCs and suggest how integrating a broader perspective of health behavior and health communication theories could enrich THCs.
In Vitro Generation from the trans-Golgi Network of Coatomer-Coated Vesicles Containing Sialylated Vesicular Stomatitis Virus-G Protein

Abstract We describe an in vitro system in which post-Golgi vesicles containing metabolically labeled, sialylated, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) G protein molecules (VSV-G) are produced from the trans -Golgi network (TGN) of an isolated Golgi membrane fraction. This fraction is prepared from VSV-infected Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells in which the 35 S-labeled viral envelope glycoprotein was allowed to accumulate in the trans -Golgi network during a prolonged incubation at 20°C. The vesicles produced in this system are separated from the remnant Golgi membranes by differential centrifugation or by velocity sedimentation in a sucrose gradient. Vesicle production, quantified as the percentage of labeled VSV-G released from the Golgi membranes, is optimal at 37°C and does not occur below 20°C. It requires GTP and the small GTP-binding protein Arf (ADP-ribosylation factor), as well as coat protein type I (COPI) coat components (coatomer) and vesicle scission factors—one of which corresponds to the phosphatidylinositol transfer protein (PITP). Formation of the vesicles does not require GTP hydrolysis which, however, is necessary for their uncoating. Thus, vesicles generated in the presence of the nonhydrolyzable GTP analogs, GTPγS or GMP–PNP, retain a coatomer coat visible in the electron microscope, sediment more rapidly in sucrose density gradients than those generated with ATP or GTP, and can be captured with anticoatomerantibodies. The process of coatomer-coated vesicle formation from the TGN can be dissected into two distinct sequential phases, corresponding to coat assembly/bud formation and vesicle scission. The first phase is completed when Golgi fractions are incubated with cytosolic proteins and nonhydrolyzable GTP analogs at 20°C. The scission phase, which leads to vesicle release, takes place when coated Golgi membranes, recovered after phase I, are incubated at higher temperatures in the presence of cytosolic proteins. The scission phase does not take place if protein kinase C inhibitors are added during the first phase, even though these inhibitors do not prevent membrane coating and bud formation. The phosphorylating activity of a protein kinase C, however, plays no role in vesicle formation, since this process does not require ATP.
Venous Thromboembolism Incidence in the Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease

Summary Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) has been recently recognized as a complication of sickle cell disease (SCD); however, the incidence of VTE in SCD is unknown. Objectives The primary objective of this study was to determine the incidence of first VTE, including pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), among SCD patients age ≥ 15 years. We also evaluated genotypic differences in VTE risk and determined the relationship between VTE and mortality. Patients/methods In this retrospective cohort study, we used data from the Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease (CSSCD) to calculate incidence rates for first VTE. We used Cox proportional hazard models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for time to VTE by genotype and time to death by VTE status. Results We included 1523 SCD patients aged ≥ 15 years with 8862 years of follow-up in this analysis. The incidence rate for first VTE was 5.2 events/1000 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.8–6.9) with a cumulative incidence of 11.3% (95% CI 8.3–15.3) by age 40 years. Individuals with the SS/Sβ0-thalassemia genotype had the highest rate of VTE (7.6 events/1000 person-years [95% CI 5.3–10.6]). The incidence of PE exceeded that of isolated DVT (3.6 [95% CI 2.5–5.1] events/1000 person-years vs. 1.6 [95% CI 0.9–2.7] events/1000 person-years), although this difference was not statistically significant. SCD patients with VTE had a higher mortality rate (adjusted HR 2.32 [95% CI 1.20–4.46]) than those without VTE. Conclusions Patients with SCD are at substantial risk for VTE, and individuals with VTE are at higher risk of death than those without VTE.
Characterization of energy and performance of swine fed a novel corn-soybean extruded product

A novel extruded product was characterized with a metabolism and lactation trial to establish the product’s energy content, and its effects on lactating sow performance. The product was composed of a 60:40 corn-soybean blend, which was then extruded. This product containing the co-extruded 60:40 corn-soybean blend was commercially developed and is used extensively in swine diets in southwest Minnesota. GE of dietary treatments were determined by isoperibol bomb calorimetry. Twelve barrows (59.9 ± 1.4 kg), were used to determine the digestible and metabolizable energy of the extruded product. DE of treatments was determined by subtracting fecal energy from GE provided to barrows by each respective treatment. ME was determined by subtracting urinary energy from calculated digestible energy. Sixty-three sows were used for the lactation trial. Three dietary treatments were utilized: CONTROL (an industry standard diet); PRODUCT (contained the product, vitamins and minerals); OIL (matched the lysine:ME ratio of PRODUCT by addition of soy oil). Sow weight, backfat thickness at the right and left last ribs, body condition score, number of piglets, and litter weights were recorded on the date of farrowing (d 0), (d 9), and at weaning. Blood and milk samples were obtained at weaning, and blood was analyzed for plasma urea nitrogen (PUN), milk was analyzed for total protein and fat content. On a dry-matter basis, the test diet provided 3,908 kcal/kg DE and 3,833 kcal/kg ME, which was significantly greater than the basal diet, which provided 3,633 kcal/kg DE and 3,567 kcal/kg ME (P < 0.0001). These data were used to establish the DE and ME of the product, which were 3,882 kcal/kg and 3,798 kcal/kg, respectively, on an as-fed basis. No effect of diet was observed for changes in sow backfat (RBF P = 0.24; LBF P = 0.07) or body condition score (P = 0.12) during lactation. Milk total protein (P = 0.69), fat (P = 0.66), PUN, average piglet gain (P = 0.55) and piglet mortality (P = 0.70) did not differ between treatments. While the novel extruded product was higher in energy content than traditional feedstuffs, it resulted in the same lactational sow performance. Thus, the co-extruded corn-soybean product is a reasonable inclusion in sow lactation diets.
Direct measurement of the equilibrium between glutathione and dithiothreitol by high performance liquid chromatography

The equilibrium constant between reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), reduced dithiothreitol (DTTSHSH), and oxidized dithiothreitol has been directly measured by high performance liquid chromatography analysis of equilibrium mixtures. The equilibrium constant at 25°C for the reaction GSSG + DTTSHSH ⇌ 2GSH + varies from approximately 200 M, below pH 8, to approximately 2800 M, above pH 11. The observed pH dependence is generally consistent with published values of acid dissociation constants of these thiols.
Electrical stimulation of the anterior cingulate cortex reduces responses of rat dorsal horn neurons to mechanical stimuli.

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is involved in the affective and motivational aspect of pain perception. Behavioral studies show a decreased avoidance behavior to noxious stimuli without change...
Parallelism in multigrid methods: how much is too much?

Multigrid methods are powerful techniques to accelerate the solution of computationally-intensive problems arising in a broad range of applications. Used in conjunction with iterative processes for solving partial differential equations, multigrid methods speed up iterative methods by moving the computation from the original mesh covering the problem domain through a series of coarser meshes. But this hierarchical structure leaves domain-parallel versions of the standard multigrid algorithms with a deficiency of parallelism on coarser grids. To compensate, several parallel multigrid strategies with more parallelism, but also more work, have been designed. We examine these parallel strategies and compare them to simpler standard algorithms to try to determine which techniques are more efficient and practical. We consider three parallel multigrid strategies: (1) domain-parallel versions of the standard V-cycle and F-cycle algorithms; (2) a multiple coarse grid algorithm, proposed by Fredrickson and McBryan, which generates several coarse grids for each fine grid; and (3) two Rosendale algorithm, which allow computation on all grids simultaneously. We study an elliptic model problem on simple domains, discretized with finite difference techniques on block-structured meshes in two or three dimensions with up to 106 or 109 points, respectively. We analyze performance using three models of parallel computation: the PRAM and two bridging models. The bridging models reflect the salient characteristics of two kinds of parallel computers: SIMD fine-grain computers, which contain a large number of small (bitserial) processors, and SPMD medium-grain computers, which have a more modest number of powerful (single chip) processors. Our analysis suggests that the standard algorithms are substantially more efficient than algorithms utilizing either parallel strategy. Both parallel strategies need too much extra work to compensate for their extra parallelism. They require a highly impractical number of processors to be competitive with simpler, standard algorithms. The analysis also suggests that the F-cycle, with the appropriate optimization techniques, is more efficient than the V-cycle under a broad range of problem, implementation, and machine characteristics, despite the fact that it exhibits even less parallelism than the V-cycle.
Preservation of Bovine Spermatozoa at −79 and −196° C

Summary Studies were conducted primarily to determine the effect of storage temperatures of −79 and −196° C. on fertility of bovine spermatozoa. A total of 145 ejaculates from 43 bulls of the Holstein, Jersey, Guernsey, Angus, Ayrshire, and Brown Swiss breeds were frozen in an egg yolk-citrate extender. The 60- to 90-day per cent nonreturn (NR) rate from 3,214 first-service inseminations with liquid nitrogen (LN) stored semen was 70.6, compared to 3,091 first services with a NR rate of 67.8% from DI storage. The weighted mean difference in per cent NR of 2.9 was statistically significant (P
Partial purification and characterization of alpha-glucosidase from Pseudomonas fluorescens W

The α-glucosidase (α-d-glucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.20) of Pseudomonas fluorescens W was partially purified by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, Sephadex G-200 and DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. The enzyme showed great specificity for maltose hydrolysis, with very little action against polymeric forms. Sucrose, isomaltose, α-methylglucoside, and maltobionic acid were not hydrolyzed. Turanose was a strong competitive inhibitor, and glucose a weaker one. Tris (2-amino-2-hydroxymethylpropan-1:3-diol) inhibited enzyme activity significantly only at alkaline pH. Mercuric, cupric, and silver cations strongly inhibited, and EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetate) weakly inhibited the enzyme. The isolated enzyme was rather unstable even at 4° C, and was destroyed by freezing and lyophilization. Inositol and albumin had a slightly protective effect. Sulfhydryl-binding reagents strongly inhibited the enzyme.
THE NORMAL XERORADIOGRAPHIC AND RADIOGRAPHIC ANATOMY OF THE COCKATIEL (NYMPHZCUS HOLLANDZS)

The purpose of the study was to provide a reference for the normal radiographic anatomy of the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollundis). The head, body, wing, and pelvic limb of mature males were radiographed using xeroradiographic and conventional radiographic techniques. Ten xeroradiographs and ten corresponding conventional radiographs were selected, and the xeroradiographs appropriately labeled to illustrate the normal radiographic anatomy of these regions.
Transience and the disposition of theft cases in China

This research examines the relationship between transience and the disposition of criminal cases in an inquisitorial system. We describe the distinctive features of socialist legal theories, the justice process, and recent structural changes in China. The results of multivariate tobit analyses for a sample of court cases involving theft in China reveal that defendants' residency status has significant effects on pretrial detention, but not on sentencing outcomes. Further analyses of the possible conditional effect of offenders' residency status on case processing reveal that extralegal factors are weighed more heavily in detention decisions for transients, while legal factors are considered more strongly for residents. Pretrial detention influences sentencing outcomes, but only for transients. Policy implications and recommendations are discussed.
The Romanian Economic Reform Program

With the start of the process of its transition to a market economy in early 1990, Romania joined the ranks of other reforming Eastern European countries. At the starting point of its reform program, however, Romania was in a deep economic and institutional crisis and had no experience in even modest attempts to reform its economy. This paper outlines the main characteristics of the Romanian economic system before the reform, and presents the evolution of the reform program, as well as its achievements in the first year or so since it was launched.
Rapid Thermal Annealing of Al and P Implanted Single Crystal Beta Silicon Carbide Thin Films

Ion implantation of 27Al+ and 31p+ ions into monocrystalline s-SiC films was conducted in order to acquire p-type and n-type conducting layers, respectively. Implant energies ranging from 110 to 190 keV and fluences from 7 × 1013 to 9 × 1014 cm−2 were used. In order to activate each dopant specie, rapid thermal annealing (RTA) was employed. A decrease in sheet resistance with increasing annealing temperature for both type layers was observed up to 1800°C. After annealing at this highest temperature for 300 s in 1 atm. Ar, the percent of activated and ionized n-type and p-type dopant was ≅20% and ≅0.5%, respectively, as determined by room temperature capacitance-voltage measurements. Recrystallization of both heavily damaged and amorphized layers occurred as a result of the use of the aforementioned annealing process. Unlike SPE regrowth in other compound semiconductors, no microtwins were present in the regrown bulk as observed by XTEM. SIMS analyses also showed that there was essentially no redistribution of P and moderate redistribution of Al from the corresponding as-implanted profiles after annealing.
Cognition, Capabilities, and Incentives: Assessing Firm Response to the Fiber-Optic Revolution

This study examines how CEO cognition, organizational capabilities, and organizational incentives interacted to shape firm strategy during the fiber-optic revolution. I tested for these factors' as...
Stutter-Like Behavior in Manual Communication of the Deaf.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether behavior comparable to stuttering ever occurs in the manual communication of the deaf. Letters were sent to 78 teachers of the deaf at residential schools inquiring whether they had ever observed such behavior in manual communicators. 13 gave positive responses. Descriptions of the stutter-like behaviors provided by these teachers are summarized. Implications are discussed for Bloodstein's hypothesis that stuttering is not unique but one member of a class of behavioral phenomena.