cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expanding federal funding to community health centers slows decline in access for low-income adults.

Federally funded health centers, authorized under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act, provide primary care, as well as some dental and behavioral health services, to residents of medically underserved areas.1 Federal funding for the health center program increased from $1.3 billion in 2002 to ∼$2 billion in 2007 under President Bush's Health Center Growth Initiative (HCGI) (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [U.S. DHHS], Health Resources and Services Administration [HRSA], Bureau of Primary Health Care 2008). Over this period, the HCGI provided grants to support 1,236 new or expanded health center sites. As part of the HCGI, a priority was placed on including oral and behavioral health services in all new sites and additional funding was available to add these services to existing sites (Shi, Lebrun, and Tsai 2010). Community health centers (CHCs), along with those centers that serve migrant and homeless populations and those living in or near public housing, served over 20 million patients in 2011. Health center users are predominantly low-income with roughly three-quarters of patients uninsured or covered by Medicaid (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [U.S. DHHS], Health Resources and Services Administration [HRSA], Bureau of Primary Health Care 2011). In the current economic climate, health centers have become an increasingly important part of the health care safety net for low-income individuals (National Association of Community Health Centers [NACHC] 2009). As low-income adults gain coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), health centers are expected to play a significant role in serving the newly insured population. Health centers bill third-party payers and require contributions from uninsured patients based on their ability to pay. However, federal funding to the centers is critical to their ability to provide primary care services as HRSA grants represent about 20 percent of an average health center's budget. In this article, we explore whether the HCGI funding expansion improved access to care for low-income adults. We examine the effects of the HCGI on the likelihood of having a usual source of care, various types of visits, and unmet health care needs. We focus on low-income adults because they are more likely to have coverage and access problems than children and because they are the primary targets of the ACA coverage expansion. Beyond measures aimed at capturing access to primary care, we also include measures of dental and mental health care because there was an explicit focus in the HCGI on improving access to oral and behavioral health services. Building on the HCGI, the ACA included $11 billion of mandatory funding for health centers over the period 2011–2015. By identifying the effects of the HCGI, this study will provide insight as to the potential for the continuation of this policy approach to succeed in expanding access to care.
Psoralen Photoinactivation of Herpes Simplex Virus: Monoadduct and Cross-Link Repair by Xeroderma Pigmentosum and Fanconi's Anemia Cells

Furocoumarins (psoralen and its derivatives) are used to photoinactivate a variety of viruses and cell types. In the presence of long-wavelength ultraviolet light (UVA), furocoumarins bind covalently with pyrimidine residues via a cyclobutane ring. A second photoevent allows pyrimidines located on the opposite DNA strand in an adjacent base pair to react, forming a cross-link. In the experiments in this report, psoralen photoinactivation is employed to investigate human DNA repair pathways by analyzing the ability of xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) and Fanconi's anemia (FA) cells to rescue psoraleninactivated herpes simplex virus (HSV). Comparison of several XP complementation groups and one XP variant with normal human fibroblasts demonstrates that the ability of all cells to repair damage by 4,5′,8-trimethyl-psoralen (TMP), a derivative that forms cross-links efficiently, is similar. However, HSV photochemically reacted with 5-methylangelicin (5-MA), an isopsoralen that forms only monoadducts, is repaired at significantly lower levels in several XP complementation groups than in control fibroblast cells, which indicates that the XP repair deficiency resides in the removal of monoadducts and not of cross-links in these cell lines. Surprisingly, the FA cells rescue both TMP- and 5-MA-treated virus with slightly greater efficiency than that observed in normal human fibroblasts.
Analysis of degradation process with measurement errors

Degradation tests are often applied on highly reliable products when the product performance can be repeatedly measured. In this paper, we compare two common types of degradation models - a nonlinear regression model and a stochastic process model. Particularly, we discuss the effects of measurement error on model parameter estimation and model selection. Using an example of photovoltaic product degradation, we (1) demonstrate the use of linear models for estimating model parameters, and (2) provide a hypothesis test for the statistical significance of product performance degradation. It shows that some forms of measurement errors, such as the drifting error of tester, can be easily incorporated into the analysis of stochastic degradation models.
Scanning isoelectric focusing of cholera enterotoxin in polyacrylamide gels.

Scanning isoelectric focusing has been employed for continuous monitoring of the isoelectric spectrum of highly purified cholera enterotoxin in 4% polyacrylamide gels containing 2% ampholytes pH 3–10. The resolution obtained by this technique is of high order because at no instance during focusing interruption of current occurs and thus diffusion of the isolated protein moieties is suppressed. An added aspect of scanning isoelectric focusing was that it allowed estimation of the minimal focusing time of cholera enterotoxin. Thus under the standard assay procedure, the main basic component of cholera enterotoxin was focused in 5800 sec, while the other at least 3 minor acidic and anodic components were focused in approximately 19000 sec. Focusing of cholera enterotoxin in the presence of 6m urea allowed the visualization of 5 well defined and about equal components. The proteinaceous nature of the observed peaks was verified by scanning at wavelengths other than 280 nm, staining of gels for protein, and varying the concentration of the enterotoxin.
Bim–Bcl-2 homology 3 mimetic therapy is effective at suppressing inflammatory arthritis through the activation of myeloid cell apoptosis

Objective Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a destructive autoimmune disease characterized by an increased inflammation in the joint. Therapies which activate the apoptotic cascade may have potential as a future therapy for RA, however few therapeutics fit this category. Recently, therapies that mimic the action of Bcl-2 homology 3 (BH3) domain-only proteins such as Bim have shown success in preclinical studies of cancer but their potential in autoimmune disease is unknown.
The evaluation of bioequivalence using nonparametric procedures

Applications of nonparametric methods to the evaluation of bioequiv-alence for two treatments are presented for independent samples and for a crossover design. Included are procedures for testing for equivalence in location, in dispersion, and in general. Also presented are procedures for the calculation of confidence limits. A general strategy for the evaluation of bioequivalence is developed which involves both hypothesis testing and the calculation of confidencelimits for parameters which characterize departures from equivalene.
Gene expression of primary human bronchial epithelial cells in response to coal dusts with different prevalence of coal workers' pneumoconiosis.

Striking regional differences in the prevalence of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) have been observed but not fully understood. This study investigated the early biological responses of primary lung cells to treatment with coal dusts from various seams. High-density oligoarray technology (GeneChip, Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA) was used to compile gene expression profiles of primary human bronchial epithelial cells to low concentrations (2 w g/cm 2 ) of coals for 6 h or 24 h of treatment. Data showed that a total of 1050 out of 12,000 genes on the chip were altered by 2 coal dusts. The coal from the Pennsylvania (PA) coal-mine region with a high prevalence of CWP altered 908 genes, many more than the coal from Utah (UT) with a low prevalence of CWP, which affected 356 genes. Many genes decreased their expression levels in response to the PA coal at 6 h and/or 24 h of treatment. For example, transferrin receptor, a gene known to control cellular iron uptake, was downregulated in the cells treated with th...
Laser-based rut detection and following system for autonomous ground vehicles

An important off-road driving rule is to keep the vehicle wheels in existing ruts when possible. Rut following has the following benefits: (1) it prevents the ruts from serving as obstacles that can lead to undesirable vehicle vibrations and even vehicle instability at high speeds; (2) it improves vehicle safety on turns by utilizing the extra lateral force provided by the ruts to reduce lateral slippage and guide the vehicle through its path; (3) it improves the vehicle energy efficiency by reducing the energy wasted on compacting the ground; and (4) it increases vehicle traction when traversing soft terrains such as mud, sand, and snow. This paper first presents a set of field experiments that illustrate the improved energy efficiency and traction obtained by rut following. Then, a laser-based rut detection and following system is proposed so that autonomous ground vehicles can benefit from the application of this off-road driving rule. The proposed system utilizes a path planning algorithm to aid in the rut detection process and an extended Kalman filter to recursively estimate the parameters of a local model of the rut being followed. Experimental evaluation on a Pioneer 3-AT robot shows that the proposed system is capable of detecting and following ruts in a variety of scenarios. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Multimedia files may be found in the online version of this article. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Marriage, Morals and Therapeutic Goals: A Discussion.

Abstract Is a therapist justified in making important life decisions for a patient in the interest of helping him to achieve therapeutic goals and personal happiness? Should he condone or suggest extramarital affairs or give other advice contrary to the mores of society? The participants in this discussion agreed, in general, that the therapist does have the responsibility of guiding the patient towards the decisions that he believes to be most beneficial.
Atomic structure of the trypsin-A90720A complex: a unified approach to structure and function.

Abstract Background: A90720A is a potent serine proteinase inhibitor produced by the terrestrial blue-green alga Microchaete loktakensis . Most of its structure has been defined by spectroscopic and degradative studies, but the configurations of several stereochemical centers are unknown, and its mode of inhibition of serine proteinases is not understood. We therefore examined the structure of the compound in a complex with trypsin. Results: We have crystallized the bovine trypsin-A90720A complex and determined its three-dimensional structure at 1.90 A resolution using single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure of the bound inhibitor is clearly shown in the electron density. The structure defines the absolute stereostructure of A90720A, establishes its bound conformation and illuminates its mode of inhibition. Conclusions: A90720A interacts with trypsin in a substrate-like manner through an extensive series of hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions and steric complementarity. The compound uses a mixture of peptidal and nonpeptidal elements to imitate the canonical conformation of the exposed binding loop of ‘small' proteinase inhibitors.
Low Dose Rapamycin Exacerbates Autoimmune Experimental Uveitis

Background Rapamycin, a potent immune modulator, is used to treat transplant rejection and some autoimmune diseases. Uveitis is a potentially severe inflammatory eye disease, and 2 clinical trials of treating uveitis with rapamycin are under way. Unexpectedly, recent research has demonstrated that low dose rapamycin enhances the memory T cell population and function. However, it is unclear how low dose rapamycin influences the immune response in the setting of uveitis. Design and Methods B10.RIII mice were immunized to induce experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). Ocular inflammation of control and rapamycin-treated mice was compared based on histological change. ELISPOT and T cell proliferation assays were performed to assess splenocyte response to ocular antigen. In addition, we examined the effect of rapamycin on activation-induced cell death (AICD) using the MitoCapture assay and Annexin V staining. Results Administration of low dose rapamycin exacerbated EAU, whereas treating mice with high dose rapamycin attenuated ocular inflammation. The progression of EAU by low dose rapamycin coincided with the increased frequency of antigen-reactive lymphocytes. Lastly, fewer rapamycin-treated T cells underwent AICD, which might contribute to exaggerated ocular inflammation and the uveitogenic immune response. Conclusion These data reveal a paradoxical role for rapamycin in uveitis in a dose-dependent manner. This study has a potentially important clinical implication as rapamycin might cause unwanted consequences dependent on dosing and pharmacokinetics. Thus, more research is needed to further define the mechanism by which low dose rapamycin augments the immune response.
On the existence and uniqueness of locally analytic invertible solutions of a system of nonlinear functional equations

In the present research work, a set of necessary and sufficient conditions is derived, under which a rather broad class of nonlinear functional equations admits a unique locally analytic and invertible solution which can be easily computed with the aid of a symbolic software package. The main results naturally reproduce the solution of the linear problem, where the system of functional equations to be solved becomes equivalent to a Lyapunov matrix equation.
Low-noise distributed amplifier with active load

Conventional distributed amplifiers show a marked increase in noise figure at frequencies below 2/spl middot//spl middot//spl middot/6 GHz, depending on the design, because of noise emanating from a resistor that terminates the input line. It is shown in this letter that a low-noise device can be configured to emulate a one-port resistor, but with lower apparent noise temperature than the physical ambient temperature. The use of such an "electronically cold" resistor in the design of a low-noise distributed amplifier is discussed together with simulated results. The new distributed amplifier shows improved noise performance.
The effect of central metal atom on the electrical properties of phthalocyanine macromolecule

In order to investigate the effect of the central metal atom variation on the electrical properties of phthalocyanine macromolecule, iron, cobalt, nickel and copper as the di-valent metals were incorporated into the macrocycle. The electrical properties of these metallophthalocyanines were then studied to establish a structure-property relation-ship. The experimental data show that electrical parameters are greatly influenced by the choice of metal atom. It remains to be investigated whether results are dominantly interpretable in terms of the size of the metal, intermolecular π-electron delocalization of the macrocycle, or other molecular orbital property.
A predictive model for the mechanical behavior of particulate composites. Part II: Comparison of model predictions to literature data

The energy balance model presented in Part I is applied here to data taken from the literature. Care was taken to choose well-characterized systems to give a true test of the model's predictive character, rather than its ability to curve-fit the data. The effects of concentration, particle size, strain rate, and temperature on the stress-strain and dilatation curves are examined. Good agreement is seen for each of these variables. This predictive approach will allow the design of particulate composites with given mechanical behavior, and analysis of material behavior in various geometries and conditions.
Alpha fetoprotein directly induces a unique pro-inflammatory, IL-2 hyperresponsive phenotype in human natural killer cells

Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is an oncofetal antigen commonly produced by hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). Previous studies have shown that tumor-derived AFP (tAFP) has an immunosuppressive role on natural killer (NK), T, B, and dendritic (DC) cells which may play a role in HCC pathogenesis. Defects in NK cell frequency and function have partially been attributed to tAFP-mediated immunosuppression of DC function. However, a direct tAFP effect on NK cells remains unclear. Here we examine the ability of cord blood-derived AFP (nAFP) and tAFP to modulate human NK cell activity in vitro. We show that exposure to tAFP or, especially, nAFP proteins induces a unique pro-inflammatory NK cell activation profile as measured by CD69 upregulation, IL-1β and IL-6 secretion, and enhanced tumor cell killing. Interestingly, AFP-treated plus interleukin-2 (IL-2) stimulated cultures promote a degree of NK cell activation that is higher than that of NK cells activated with IL-2 alone by both phenotypic and functional measures, including elevated IFN-γ and GM-CSF secretion. To confirm that the observed effects are directly mediated by AFP protein, we confirmed that NK cells can readily bind to and take up nAFP and tAFP. The observed synergism between AFP and IL-2 may be mediated by the ability of AFP to modulate IL-2 receptor signaling, as shown by the ability of AFP to upregulate CD25, and downregulate CD122 and CD132 on NK cells. Overall, these data show that nAFP and tAFP induce a unique pro-inflammatory, IL-2 hyperresponive phenotype in NK cells. Defining the impact of circulating AFP on NK cells may be crucial to understand the NK cell functional deficits described in HCC patients, and for the development of an effective HCC-targeting immunotherapy.
Computer Analysis of Condensation in Highly Expanded Flows

The equations of spontaneous nucleation theory are combined with the steady one-dimensional diabatic flow equations for a digital computer solution of the expansion of a pure vapor in a two-dimensional nozzle. The results indicate that the solution gives a reasonable prediction of the condensation in highly expanded flows. Theoretical predictions of condensation, primarily in the flow of nitrogen, with some in copper and zinc vapors are obtained. The effects of variations in specific heat, latent heat, and accommodation coefficient show only minor effects on the condensation compared to the effect of a variation in surface tension. The solution critically depends on the value of surface tension. The theoretical prediction of condensation of nitrogen compares well with experimental results. The degree of supersaturation of the flow increases with an increased rate of expansion, and, for some initial conditions, "condensation-free" flow is obtainable. Nomenclature A = nozzle cross-sectional area A* = throat area B, C = saturation curve constants for Inpoo = B — C/T Cp = specific heat at constant pressure g = fraction of mixture, by mass, which is in condensed phase
The Burger triangle in curve from

Abstract The average Burger triangle gives more accurate results than the Einthoven triangle. This paper described the average Burger triangle in curve form. It is easier to use than the triangle itself. It was pointed out that the curves may be used together with the curves derived from the Einthoven triangle to obtain simultaneous results from both triangles. The physician may check each time at a glance the inaccuracy of the Einthoven triangle in individual electrocardiograms.
Nonreducible crosslink formation in tibial dyschondroplastic growth plate cartilage from broiler chicks fed homocysteine

Summary In the study of tibial dyschondroplasia, scientists have for a long time thought that an altered extracellular matrix might be involved in the etiology of the disease. The results presented in this paper show that the collagen content was increased in the dyschondroplastic cartilage when compared to normal growth plate and day-old hypertrophic cartilage. Furthermore, nonreducible crosslinks were found only in dyschondroplastic cartilage, with the greatest amounts occurring in the distal region of the lesion, approximately 10-fold higher than that found in the dyschondroplastic growth plate. Thus, intermolecular collagen bonding is altered in the extracellular matrix of dyschondroplastic cartilage. Possible models for the etiology of the disease are discussed.
Enterprise integration across the globally disbursed service organization

The goal of enterprise integration---to create a shared informationenvironment that supports the delivery of products or services---becomes an even greater challenge when business units are spread throughout the world, decentralized, and accustomed to working their own way.
A survey of swine production health problems and health maintenance expenditures

Abstract Swine producers in the Missouri Mail-In-Record program provided information on herd health problems, death losses and health maintenance expenditures in their swine herd for the years 1978 and 1979. Swine health problems and death losses dampen profits for swine producers. During the study period approximately one-third of all pigs raised by Missouri Mail-In-Record swine panel producers were affected by health problems. It is important for swine producers to keep health problems under control. Important health problems for swine producers were scours, pneumonia, salmonellosis, TGE, and influenza. Important death causal factors were crushing or trauma, scours, lack of milk, and pneumonia. Health problems and death losses were most severe during the first quarter of the year. The major swine health expenditure was for services which were farmer administered. On a relative basis smaller producers depended more on veterinarians for seervices than did larger producers. Also, producers that had more than one type of production technology (pasture, confinement, etc.) tended to have larger animal health expenditure levels.
Toughening by stress induced phase transformation

Calcul du facteur d'intensite de contrainte. Obtention du maximum de tenacite dans les cas de transformation reversible ou irreversible
Minimizing the reflection of waves by surface impedance using boundary elements and global optimization

Abstract In this paper we consider the problem of minimizing the scattered field intensity with respect to the boundary impedance. Usual optimization procedures based on gradient type local minimization algorithms will not be effective for this problem because the scattered field intensity is not a convex function of the impedance, and it has many local extrema. We approach the problem here by first discretizing the Helmholtz partial differential equation using the boundary element method. Then we apply some recently developed global optimization algorithms to find approximate distributions of the boundary impedance for particular shapes which minimize the reflected field intensity. The boundary element method effects a reduction of dimensionality resulting in much greater computational efficiency. The global optimization algorithm allows us to pick out nearly global minimum solutions among many local minima. Numerical solutions are represented graphically and discussed. Our results show that a variable boundary impedance is much more effective for minimizing the scattered field than a constant boundary impedance.
Does Exclusivity Always Pay Off? Exclusive Price Promotions and Consumer Response.

Abstract Although customized price promotions are increasingly common in the marketplace, relatively little is known about how deal recipients evaluate them. The authors investigate the role of a promotional characteristic that has received little attention in the literature by examining whether consumers' responsiveness to a targeted discount is influenced by their perceptions of the deal's exclusivity (i.e., the degree to which the offer is available only to them or to other consumers as well). The results demonstrate that exclusive promotions may be viewed more, equally, or less favorably than inclusive offers, depending on several factors used in decisions about the delivery of targeted offers (e.g., customer demographics, transactional histories). Specifically, the authors find that exclusive deals are favored over inclusive offers (Study 1), a preference that is pronounced for consumers adopting independent self-construals (Study 2) and for male consumers with a history of purchasing from the market...
Linear and quadratic time-frequency signal representations

A tutorial review of both linear and quadratic representations is given. The linear representations discussed are the short-time Fourier transform and the wavelet transform. The discussion of quadratic representations concentrates on the Wigner distribution, the ambiguity function, smoothed versions of the Wigner distribution, and various classes of quadratic time-frequency representations. Examples of the application of these representations to typical problems encountered in time-varying signal processing are provided. >
Bonded penetration analysis for a severe lightning strike to a facility

Lightning strikes pose a serious threat to facilities and their subsystems. If a facility takes a direct strike, large amounts of pulsed electromagnetic (EM) energy can radiate into the interior of the facility. This energy can couple into electronic systems causing failures. Often, proper shielding of the facility can reduce the radiated energy by an order of magnitude. In an attempt to reduce pulsed EM energy, facilities are built to resemble a Faraday cage. However, most facilities have several imperfections which limit the effectiveness of their shielding capabilities. Penetrations into the facility are a type of imperfection that allows EM fields to be produced in the interior of the facility. Therefore, penetrations must be connected to the Faraday cage through bond wires to maintain the shield's integrity and protect sensitive components. Finite element computer simulations have been performed to determine the effects of bonded penetrations, using 6 AWG bond wires. In an attempt to offer guidelines, which optimize the facility's shielding effectiveness; several bond wire configurations have been investigated. Bond wire lengths, bond wire orientation, single and multiple bond wire configurations and varying the angle between bond wires have been investigated. Simulation results have shown that multiple bond wires result in greater than 40dB reduction of pulsed EM fields in the interior of the facility and a spacing of greater than 45° is optimum for bond wire spacing, for the simulated facility. In addition, the penetration current diverted by the bond wire was monitored. For severe direct lightning strikes, i.e. Ipeak=200 kA and dI/dt=400 kA/μs, the simulation suggest greater than 90% of the lightning current is diverted through the bond wire into the Faraday cage for the configurations examined. The high current nature of the severe lightning pulse produces large Lorentz forces on the bond wire. Laboratory experiments are being developed at the LLNL pulsed power lab to ensure that bond wires maintain proper connection when exposed to high currents, ensuring desired shielding throughout a direct strike.
Quantitative thin-layer chromatography of Nicotianatabacum leaf surface components

Abstract A thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) method and scanning densitometry technique have been developed for quantitation of major primary and secondary metabolites of Nicotiana tabacum L. leaf surface components. These components were resolved after a single development with isopropanol—chloroform—methylene chloride—hexane (7:8:6:79) using laned silica gel G TLC plates. R F values were reproducible to ± 0.01 units. Quantitation of all components of interest was accomplished by charring with 30% fuming sulfuric acid followed by densitometry using white light. Overall, charring results were semiquantitative (⩽ 10% relative error), but were quantitative (⩽ 6% relative error) for all major secondary metabolites except the sucrose esters. Quantitation of three secondary metabolites was also accomplished by scanning uncharred plates at a wavelength of 200 nm. In general, UV scanning provided semiquantitative results. For both charring and UV quantitation methods, highly correlated, curvilinear responses between mass and integration area were obtained. Advantages and limitations of these procedures versus an existing gas chromatographic procedure and their potential implementation are discussed.
Transport-specific isolation of large channels reconstituted into lipid vesicles.

To develop a technique for purifying and identifying pore-forming membrane proteins, we used a transport-specific increase in buoyant density to select for lipid vesicles containing voltage-dependent anion channels (VDAC). Monodisperse, single-walled vesicles were formed by gel filtration from a detergent-solubilized mixture of lipid and protein in a urea buffer. The vesicles were layered on a linear iso-osmolar density gradient formed of urea and sucrose buffers. Since VDAC is open at zerotrans-membrane voltage and is permeable to urea and sucrose, vesicles containing functional VDAC should become more dense as sucrose enters and urea leaves, while those lacking open channels should maintain their original density. Vesicles formed in the absence of VDAC migrated to a characteristic density, while vesicles formed in the presence of VDAC fractionated into two populations in the gradients, one migrating to the same density as the vesicles formed without VDAC, and one at a significantly greater density. In contrast to the lower density vesicles, the higher density vesicles showed a high permeability to calcein, and contained functional VDAC channels (shown by electrophysiological recordings following fusion with a planar bilayer). Thus, vesicles containing open channels were separable from those that did not by a transport-specific shift in density. This technique may be useful for the enrichment of channels of known permeability properties from impure, material.
Extracellular Interaction between hCD98 and the PDZ Class II Domain of hCASK in Intestinal Epithelia

The extracellular domain of the glycoprotein-associated integrin hCD98 protrudes into the basolateral extracellular space of the intestine and contains a PDZ class II-binding domain (GLLLRFPYAA, amino acids 520–529). Protein-protein interaction studies in vitro as well as in human colonic sections and Caco2-BBE cells have revealed that hCD98 coimmunoprecipitated with the basolateral membrane-associated guanylate kinase hCASK and that this interaction occurred in a PDZ domain-dependent manner. These novel results, which provide the first evidence for a PDZ domain-dependent interaction between a membrane protein and an extracellular protein, open a new field of investigation related to extracellular signaling in cell biology.
Real-time display and manipulation of 3-D medical objects: the Voxel processor architecture

The fundamental problems associated with the interactive display, manipulation, and editing of three-dimensional (3-D) objects obtained from medical imaging systems such as CT, PET, and MRI are addressed. Software, hardware, and firmware techniques for shaded graphics display of medical objects are described and evaluated in terms of flexibility and performance. A special purpose multiprocessor architecture (the Voxel Processor architecture) developed specifically for medical research, clinical diagnosis, and surgical planning is presented. The Voxel Processor implements a shaded graphics display system with rotation, scaling, translation, slice planes and tone scale transformations on gray-scale data in true real time. The high-speed image generation algorithms exploit the ability to partition object space and require only simple arithmetic and logical operations. Minimal preprocessing steps are required to prepare object data for the Voxel Processor, and the data are always readily accessible for analysis or editing. The architecture is highly structured and is ideally suited for VLSI implementation.
An APL procedure for computing the eigenvectors and eigenvalues of a real symmetric matrix

An APL procedure is presented for rapid, efficient computation of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a real symmetric matrix. Since APL has an interpreter, but not a compiler, many iterative procedures are very slow when executed in APL. In this paper, the writers develop a highly compact way of coding an iterative procedure in APL and then apply it to Kaiser's JK method of computing eigenvectors. The resulting APL program is presented in the Appendix.
The Inferior Stability Provided by the Glenohumeral Capsule Increases With External Rotation in the Abducted Glenohumeral Joint

The shoulder is the most frequently dislocated major joint in the body, and the glenohumeral capsule is the primary stabilizer to the joint in positions of dislocation. Although the majority of dislocations occur in the anterior direction, multidirectional instability is common and usually occurs in the anterior and inferior directions. Clinicians have difficulty differentiating between multidirectional and unidirectional instability, and greater than 38% of post-operative recurrences may be due to misdiagnosis of the type of instability [1].Copyright © 2008 by ASME
EFFICACY OF INTENSIFIED PHOTOTHERAPY AND ORAL HYDRATION IN EXTREME NEONATAL JAUNDICE. 1848

Background: Early discharge of mothers and infants from maternity hospitals has become much more frequent in recent years. In the follow-up of such infants jaundice may be overlooked or underestimated. Increasing numbers of infants are now being readmitted to hospitals with extreme jaundice.Material and results: We report on three infants (4, 6, and 6 days old) who where admitted for serum bilirubin levels of >30 mg/dL (=510μmol/L). In one of them unrecognized Rhesus immunization was the cause of the hyperbilirubinemia, while in the two others increased enterohepatic circulation of bilirubin secondary to low nutrient intake was an important contributory factor. In all three infants intensified phototherapy (11-14μW/cm2/nm) with whole body exposure plus ad lib oral hydration with milk were initiated immediately upon admission to the nursery. After two hours serum bilirubin values were reduced by approximately 10-11 mg/dL (170-185μmol/L) in all of these infants (see figure, arrows indicate the time that phototherapy was discontinued). The planned exchange transfusions were eventually cancelled as serum bilirubin values continued to fall. Discussion: The initial rate of reduction in serum bilirubin observed in these cases (≥5 mg/dL/h [85 μmol/L/h]) was considerably higher than that previously reported in the literature. This experience suggests that in selected infants with extreme jaundice, intensified phototherapy and oral hydration with formula started at the time of admission may reduce the need for exchange transfusions. Even if an exchange transfusion is eventually performed, utilizing this strategy in the waiting period should be beneficial, as both the reduction in serum bilirubin levels as well as the conversion of significant amounts of bilirubin into water soluble isomers should reduce the risk of neurotoxicity.
Methods of presenting paired associates

Summary Three different methods of ordering a list of nine pairs of nonsense syllables to be learned were compared both when Ss were and were not told that their responses were correct or incorrect. The results showed that the method of presentation of material is unimportant but the effects due to the presentation of partial knowledge of results are equivocal. Providing information as to the correctness of each response early in learning is beneficial.
A TPD, HREELS, and XPS study of electron-induced deposition of germanium on Si(100)

Abstract The decomposition of digermane and deposition of germanium via electron irradiation of digermane overlayers on Si(100) at 110 K was studied using temperature programmed desorption (TPD), high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). At high digermane exposures, hydrogen TPD traces exhibit three peaks at 140, 575, and 740 K, corresponding to desorption of molecularly adsorbed digermane, hydrogen desorption from adsorbed germanium, and hydrogen desorption from the silicon monohydride state, respectively. HREELS spectra of Si(100) following high exposures to digermane, exhibit losses at 820 and 2050 cm−1, and a shoulder at 2150 cm−1, corresponding to the GeHx scissor, Ge–H stretching, and Si–H stretching vibrational modes, respectively. Electron irradiation (E=150 eV) of digermane overlayers on Si(100) causes a decrease in the intensity of the 140-K TPD peak and an increase in the intensity of the 575-K TPD peak, and a decrease in the intensity of the HREELS losses. The relative concentration of germanium on Si(100) (as determined by XPS) after annealing the surface to 200 K is at least 2 times higher on electron-irradiated surfaces than on surfaces that were not exposed to the electron beam.
Deviation from the Einstein relation of the single-file diffusion coefficient.

Abstract The deviation of the diffusion coefficient D of a one-dimensional fluid from its tracer diffusion coefficient D ★ is calculated from Gursey's equation of State, using a square-well interaction potential. Enormous departures from the Einstein relation D = D * are noted.
Particle Formation during Oxidation Catalysis with Cp* Iridium Complexes

Real-time monitoring of light scattering and UV–vis profiles of four different Cp*IrIII precursors under various conditions give insight into nanoparticle formation during oxidation catalysis with NaIO4 as primary oxidant. Complexes bearing chelate ligands such as 2,2′-bipyridine, 2-phenylpyridine, or 2-(2′-pyridyl)-2-propanolate were found to be highly resistant toward particle formation, and oxidation catalysis with these compounds is thus believed to be molecular in nature under our conditions. Even with the less stable hydroxo/aqua complex [Cp*2Ir2(μ-OH)3]OH, nanoparticle formation strongly depended on the exact conditions and elapsed time. Test experiments on the isolated particles and comparison of UV–vis data with light scattering profiles revealed that the formation of a deep purple-blue color (∼580 nm) is not indicative of particle formation during oxidation catalysis with molecular iridium precursors as suggested previously.
A cloud-to-ground lightning climatology for north-eastern Italy

Abstract. This study analyzes the spatial distribution and temporal characteristics of cloud-to-ground lightnings (C2G) in the North East of Italy and the neighboring areas of Austria, Slovenia and Croatia. The dataset consists of about 6.5 millions C2G flash records, both positive and negative, observed between January 1995 and December 2011 by the "Centro Elettrotecnico Sperimentale Italiano-Sistema Italiano Rilevamento Fulmini'' (CESI/SIRF), part of the European Cooperation for Lightning Detection (EUCLID) Network. The results show that C2G lightnings concentrate in the foothill regions on the southern flank of the Eastern Alps with a maximum of discharge frequency of 10 lightnings per km2 per year. The number of C2G strokes varies with the period of the year: the most active period for lightning starts in April and lasts through November with the highest number of C2G strokes happening during the summer months of July and August, with maximum spatial density slightly moving from the mountain to the coastal area. The least frequency of C2G strokes is observed during wintertime. The mean diurnal C2G lightning activity for the whole domain shows a peak around 16:00–17:00 UTC and reaches a minimum around 07:00–09:00 UTC; the mean spatial distribution follows different patterns depending on the period of the day.
Factors associated with clopidogrel use, adherence, and persistence in patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

AbstractObjective:Recent guidelines recommend use of aspirin and either clopidogrel or prasugrel for at least 12 months following use of drug-eluting or bare metal stents in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study evaluated factors associated with clopidogrel use and adherence in ACS patients following PCI.Research design and methods:The US employer-based MarketScan commercial claims database was used to examine factors associated with clopidogrel use and adherence. Adherence was defined as a medication possession ratio of 80% or higher. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with clopidogrel use and adherence and included patient demographics, comorbidities, and prior beta-blocker, statin, and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (BSI) use as factors.Results:A total of 10,465 patients aged 18–65 years who met inclusion criteria were hospitalized for ACS and underwent PCI between 01/01/...
Identification of AlgR-Regulated Genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Use of Microarray Analysis

The Pseudomonas aeruginosa transcriptional regulator AlgR controls a variety of different processes, including alginate production, type IV pilus function, and virulence, indicating that AlgR plays a pivotal role in the regulation of gene expression. In order to characterize the AlgR regulon, Pseudomonas Affymetrix GeneChips were used to generate the transcriptional profiles of (i) P. aeruginosa PAO1 versus its algR mutant in mid-logarithmic phase, (ii) P. aeruginosa PAO1 versus its algR mutant in stationary growth phase, and (iii) PAO1 versus PAO1 harboring an algR overexpression plasmid. Expression analysis revealed that, during mid-logarithmic growth, AlgR activated the expression of 58 genes while it repressed the expression of 37 others, while during stationary phase, it activated expression of 45 genes and repression of 14 genes. Confirmatory experiments were performed on two genes found to be AlgR repressed (hcnA and PA1557) and one AlgR-activated operon (fimU-pilVWXY1Y2). An S1 nuclease protection assay demonstrated that AlgR repressed both known hcnA promoters in PAO1. Additionally, direct measurement of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) production showed that P. aeruginosa PAO1 produced threefold-less HCN than did its algR deletion strain. AlgR also repressed transcription of two promoters of the uncharacterized open reading frame PA1557. Further, the twitching motility defect of an algR mutant was complemented by the fimTU-pilVWXY1Y2E operon, thus identifying the AlgR-controlled genes responsible for this defect in an algR mutant. This study identified four new roles for AlgR: (i) AlgR can repress gene transcription, (ii) AlgR activates the fimTU-pilVWXY1Y2E operon, (iii) AlgR regulates HCN production, and (iv) AlgR controls transcription of the putative cbb3-type cytochrome PA1557.
The effect of the holiday season on body weight and composition in college students

Background With the rapid increase in obesity rates, determining critical periods for weight gain and the effects of changes in fat mass is imperative. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in body weight and composition over the holiday season (Thanksgiving through New Year's) in male and female college students.
Structure-property relationships in addition polyimides. I: Resins from four-ring aromatic diamines containing carbonyl and methylene groups

In an effort to improve the processing characteristics of addition-type polyimide resins the use of flexibilized four-ring aromatic diamine moieties was investigated. A series of 12 diamines containing carbonyl and methylene, as well as oxo and thio bridging groups, was synthesized. The diamines were polymerized with the dimethyl ester of 3.3', 4.4' - benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid (BTDE), using the monomethyl ester of nadic acid (NE) as an end-cap. The effect of diamine structure on the solubility and rheological properties during cure was determined. This paper also describes the effect of diamine structure and formulated molecular weight on the glass transition temperature and thermo-oxidative stability at elevated temperatures after various post-cure regimes. The results indicate that polyimides from some of the diamines containing methylene connecting groups have potential as matrix resins for long-term applications at temperatures up to 300 C.
Effectiveness of Influenza Vaccination in the United Kingdom, 1996–2007

Study Objective. To estimate the effectiveness of influenza vaccination in people in the United Kingdom at low risk for influenza during an 11-year period from July 1996–June 2007. Design. Case-control study. Data Source. United Kingdom General Practice Research Database. Subjects. A total of 4985 patients (aged < 80 yrs) who were considered to be at low risk for influenza, but were diagnosed with influenza or influenza-like illness from July 1996–June 2007, were identified as cases. A total of 19,940 controls who were also low-risk individuals, who had no diagnosis of influenza, were matched to the cases by year of birth, sex, specific general practice, and date on which case patient was diagnosed with influenza (index date). Measurements and Main Results. We identified previous vaccination status from the subjects' electronic medical records and evaluated the effect of timing of influenza vaccination and the number of previous annual vaccinations received. We estimated the relative risk of influenza in those who received the influenza vaccination compared with those who did not, conditional on the matching variables. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Age, sex, general practice, index date, and preexisting medical conditions were closely controlled for in the analysis. Vaccination conferred an important protective effect (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.60–0.91) when given within 4 months before seasonal influenza outbreaks. This effect was similar for each calendar year and across all ages. Conclusion. Seasonal influenza vaccination provided substantial protection against clinically diagnosed influenza when given within 4 months of annual seasonal outbreaks in people at low risk. A review of the incidence of influenza over the 11-year period provides compelling indirect evidence that influenza vaccines were similarly effective in those who were at high risk. These results provide a useful background to current and future influenza outbreaks whose course is uncertain.