cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimization of LANSCE proton beam performance for isotope production

Abstract The LANSCE Isotope Production Facility (IPF) utilizes a 100-MeV proton beam with average power of 23 kW for isotope production in the fields of medicine, nuclear physics, national security, environmental science and industry. Typical tolerable fractional beam loss in the 100-MeV beamline is 4 × 10−3 . Experimental beam study was made to minimize the beam losses. Adjustments to the ion source’s extraction voltage resulted in the removal of tails in phase space. Beam based steering in beamlines led to the reduction of beam emittance growth. Readjustment of the 100-MeV quadrupole transport resulted in the elimination of excessive beam envelope oscillations and removed significant parts of the beam halo at the target. Careful beam matching in the drift tube linac (DTL) provided high beam capture (75%) in the DTL. After improvements, beam losses in the 100-MeV beamline were reduced by an order of magnitude and reached the fractional level of 5 × 10−4.
The impact of neoadjuvant and adjuvant immunotherapy on the survival of pancreatic cancer patients: a retrospective analysis.

Immunotherapy has become an essential part of cancer treatment after showing great efficacy in various malignancies. However, its effectiveness in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), especially in resectable pancreatic cancer, has not been studied. The primary objective of this study is to compare the OS impact of immunotherapy between PDAC patients who receive neoadjuvant immunotherapy and patients who receive adjuvant immunotherapy. The secondary objective is to investigate the impact of neoadjuvant and adjuvant immunotherapy in combination with chemotherapy and chemoradiation by performing subset analyses of these two groups. Patients diagnosed with PDAC between 2004 and 2016 were identified from the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis was performed to examine the effect of neoadjuvant and adjuvant immunotherapy in combination with chemotherapy and chemoradiation on the OS of the patients. The multivariable analysis was adjusted for essential factors such as the age at diagnosis, sex, race, education, income, place of living insurance status, hospital type, comorbidity score, and year of diagnosis. Overall, 526 patients received immunotherapy. Among whom, 408/526 (77.57%) received neoadjuvant immunotherapy, and the remaining 118/526 (22.43%) received adjuvant immunotherapy. There was no significant difference in OS between neoadjuvant and adjuvant immunotherapy (HR: 1.06, CI: 0.79–1.41; p < 0.714) in the multivariable analysis. In the univariate neoadjuvant treatment subset analysis, immunotherapy was associated with significantly improved OS compared to no immunotherapy (HR: 0.88, CI: 0.78–0.98; p < 0.026). This benefit disappeared in the multivariable analysis. However, after patients were stratified by educational level, the multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that neoadjuvant immunotherapy was associated with significantly improved OS (HR: 0.86, CI: 0.74–0.99; p < 0.04) compared to no immunotherapy only in patients with high-level of education, but not in patients with low-level of education. In this study, no difference in the OS between patients who received neoadjuvant immunotherapy and patients who received adjuvant immunotherapy was noticed. Future studies comparing neoadjuvant adjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and chemoradiation are needed.
CHSH-Nonlocality-Breaking Channels and their Activation

We characterize CHSH-breaking conditions for different qubit channels, and demonstrate that certain pairs of CHSH-breaking channels can be activated to become CHSH-nonlocality preserving when used in parallel, thus enabling CHSH-nonlocality distribution through noisy channels.
Putative invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in critically ill patients with COVID-19: An observational study from New York City.

Background Critically ill patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) are at the theoretical risk of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) due to known risk factors. Patients/methods We aimed to describe the clinical features of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis at a single centre in New York City. We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with COVID-19 with Aspergillus isolated from respiratory cultures. Results A total of seven patients with COVID-19 who had one or more positive respiratory cultures for Aspergillus fumigatus were identified, all of whom were mechanically ventilated in the ICU. Four patients were classified as putative IPA. The median age was 79 years, and all patients were male. The patients had been mechanically ventilated for a mean of 6.8 days (range: 1-14 days) before Aspergillus isolation. Serum galactomannan level was positive for only one patient. The majority of our cases received much higher doses of glucocorticoids than the dosage with a proven mortality benefit. All four patients died. Conclusions Vigilance for secondary fungal infections will be needed to reduce adverse outcomes in critically ill patients with COVID-19.
Quantitative Operator Strategy Comparisons across Human Supervisory Control Scenarios

Human-automation collaborations, like automated driving assistance and piloting drones, have become prevalent as these technologies become more commonplace. Designers need tools that help them understand how and why design interventions may change the strategies of operators in such complex human supervisory control systems. To this end, we demonstrate that when the divergence metric is applied to Hidden Markov Model (HMM) comparisons, it can accurately capture statistical differences between operator strategies for interfaces that embody different tasks. However, the use of such an approach is problematic when used to compare HMM strategy models with non-equivalent observations. To address this limitation, we developed an observation reduction approach and conducted a sensitivity analysis to assess the impact of this approach. Our results show that when comparing two non-equivalent interfaces, our observation reduction approach does not fundamentally change the divergence metric, thus allowing for direct model comparison. The results further show that HMMs from different interfaces produce a much higher divergence metric than model comparison from the same people who repeatedly use the same interface. Future work will examine if this method can detect differences in models with different tasks or modified interfaces.
Diabetes Distress, Daily Functioning, and A1C in Older Black Individuals With Diabetes and Mild Cognitive Impairment.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of the cross-sectional study was to identify associations of diabetes distress, physical functioning, and cognition with A1C in older Black individuals with diabetes and mild cognitive impairment. METHODS The investigators analyzed previously collected data from 101 older Black individuals with diabetes and mild cognitive impairment. Participants were administered surveys at baseline to assess diabetes distress, physical functioning, and cognitive functioning and had A1C testing. RESULTS The mean age of participants was 68.4 years, and 62% were women. Participants with higher A1C showed worse self-reported daily functioning (r = −0.28, P CONCLUSION Regimen-related diabetes distress and self-reported daily functioning were found to compromise glycemic control in Black individuals with mild cognitive impairment and diabetes. This finding suggests that diabetes interventions should be multifaceted to improve glycemic control in the high-risk population of Black individuals with diabetes.
COVID-19 and the role of medical professional societies

Abstract Responding to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has helped craft a global medical community of medical professional society members and nonmembers alike in ways previously unanticipated. The public-facing elements of medical professional societies include their websites, official organs, and educational elements that have been liberated using a Free Open-Access Medical education approach. Work products including guidelines, blogs, and social media offerings have helped clinicians to prepare for pandemic care or refine existing practices to support outcome excellence. Often, that guidance has flowed from collaborations between medical professional organizations, some of which are novel and might not have occurred outside of a dire global need. Leaders of such organizations have been catapulted into the spotlight by the universal need for information and guidance—including that of one’s home government—and appeared quite regularly in print and digital media as well as live radio broadcasts. Finally, the need to pursue remote medical professional organization work as well as education has developed member and nonmember facilities with a host of digital platforms. Such skill sets have also helped to maintain communication between clinicians and patient's remote family members to support patient- and family-centered care while maintaining shared decision making. The flexibility and innovation that characterize medical professional organizations have been highlighted by the realities of providing pandemic care.
Laser Cooling Using Metasurface-Enabled Beam Shaping

We present laser cooling of atomic Rb using a metasurface optic for beam shaping and polarization control. This technology will enable miniaturized quantum devices and calibration-free sensors utilizing the properties of cold atoms.
Diaspora Well-Being and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Some Reflections on Public Discourses on Impacts in the USA and UK

It is generally acknowledged that the 30 million strong, Indian diaspora, although heterogeneous and diverse, is relatively wealthy, dynamic and generally thriving, more so in countries that are highly developed. Much evidence exists to support this general assertion. Indeed, the dream of life of luxury living in rich countries such as the USA and UK acts as a powerful magnet for potential migrants from India. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated both strengths and weaknesses of these diasporas, bringing to the fore some interesting characteristics. More significantly the pandemic has exposed health vulnerabilities of the community and brought out the extent of its ill-being, leading to a disproportionate number of deaths. The main objective of this chapter is to provide an overview of Indian diaspora experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. It will focus specifically on comparative experiences of the Indian diaspora in the USA and UK, bearing in mind that the USA is the hardest hit country globally in terms of deaths, with UK at number two and by far the worst affected in Europe. These comparative experiences bring out, on the one hand, the degree of health inequalities and economic vulnerabilities of these communities and on the other, the significant contribution these communities have made or are making in mitigating the effects of the pandemic. These varied experiences provide some important insights into socio-economic diversities of USA and UK Indian diasporas.
MAPPING LANDSLIDE HAZARDS IN FOREST WATERSHEDS

A physically realistic methodology is presented for estimating and mapping landslide hazards for watersheds. This methodology also considers the variability of the controlling factors. A demonstration of this methodology on an area in Southeast Alaska is described.
Midterm Outcome of Mitral Valve Repair with Artificial Chordae for Only Posterior Leaflet Disease-Comparison with the Resectional Technique in a Single Institute.

Objective: We compared the midterm results of mitral valve repair with and without leaflet resection, and revealed the effectiveness of this technique, even for in the posterior leaflet alone. Patients: From August 2002 to March 2014, a total of 306 mitral valve repairs were carried out at our hospital. Of these patients, 50 cases did not undergo leaflet resection (Artificial Chordae; Group A) and 56 cases underwent leaflet resection (Resectional; Group R). There were no significant differences in the preoperative profiles. Results: The follow up rate was 98% and 100% respectively. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross clamp time were not significantly different. The average ring size was significantly larger (p <0.01) in Group A. All cause mortality at 3 years and 8 years was both 97.8% in Group A and was both 98.1% in Group R. Freedom from moderate mitral regurgitation at 3 years was 97.1% and at 8 years was 91.7% in Group A and 97.4% and 94.6% in Group R respectively. There were no cases of mortality, re-operation for recurrent mitral regurgitation, hemolytic anemia and infectious endocarditis. Conclusion: We demonstrated good midterm results in mitral valve repair without leaflet resection. However, further follow-up was needed.
Couple Therapy Interventions for Problems with Extramarital Affairs

SUMMARY A number of couples request therapy because of relational problems resulting from an extramarital affair. In treating such couples, five phases of cognitive and emotional aspects of problematic affairs have been identified: (1) the start, (2) suspicion and negation, (3) explosion and impulsive reactions, (4) making choices and deadlock, (5) working through. Clients may enter therapy at very different points in these phases. Some come in full crisis, others in the deadlock phase, not being able to decide what to do. A different therapeutic intervention is proposed for each phase.
The Status of Legal Professionalism at the Close of the Twentieth Century: Chicago Lawyers and Urban Lawyers

When Chicago Lawyers hit the academic street in 1982, it made an enormous, and well-deserved, splash. Chicago Lawyers synthesized and tran scended the findings of two seminal ethnographies on the legal profession to that point, Jerome Carlin's Lawyers on Their Own (1962) and Erwin SmigePs The Wall Street Lawyer (I960).1 The central finding of Chicago Lawyers was that solo and large-firm lawyers may be best understood as two relatively distinct occupations within a broader profession. Chicago Ixiwyers transcended the Carlin and Smigel studies by theorizing the implications of an attorney's client-base?individual or corporate?in sorting the profession
A multiple access technique for cellular packet networks with admission control

We propose a code division multiple access technique for cellular packet data networks. In this technique, each user is assigned a distinct quasi-orthogonal pseudonoise (PN) sequence code for accessing the spread spectrum channel. Packet transmission is admitted to the network with explicit acknowledgement from the base station. To prevent the bistable behavior of ALOHA-type systems, the base station controls access attempts by broadcasting a busy tone when there are too many simultaneously arriving packets. We analyze the throughput, blocking probability, and average delay of the proposed system and evaluate system performance using ATM format packets. The results show the proposed approach leads to a good performance. With 33 percent of error control bits and open-loop power control, a 40 percent improvement in effective throughput over TDMA systems is possible even in the presence of Rayleigh fading.
Recombination of automatic processing components: the effects of transfer, reversal, and conflict situations

This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of compatible and incompatible automatic processes on performance. Subjects were trained for 8400 trials of consistent mapping practice in a semantic category visual search task and then transferred for 2352 trials to conditions that utilized the trained component processes in various ways. Results indicate that if the components were reused in a compatible fashion (target and distractor transfer), there was positive transfer. Target and distractor reversal resulted in equivalent and severe performance disruption that persisted for the entire retraining period. Target conflict produced disruption equivalent to the reversal conditions. Distractor conflict resulted in less initial disruption, which dissipated before the end of the retraining period. The results are discussed in terms of agreement with strength-theoretic views of visual search and in terms of practical training and retraining issues.
Non-conventional resistance to viruses in plants - concepts and risks.

Viruses cause large yield losses in many crop species and, in some situations, can limit the use of certain crops in some areas. There are three basic approaches to preventing these crop losses. Firstly, the sources of virus infection can be removed, say, by use of virus-free planting stock or by eradication schemes. Secondly, attempts can be made to prevent virus spread by cultural techniques such as killing their vectors. Thirdly, virus-resistant varieties of crops can be used. This latter approach has several major advantages: it is considered to be the most economical for farmers; it reduces the ecological problems caused by the widespread use of pesticides; and it is thought to be the most effective control measure in the long term.
Exploitation of a thermosensitive splicing event to study pre-mRNA splicing in vivo.

Abstract The spliced form of MuSVts110 viral RNA is approximately 20-fold more abundant at growth temperatures of 33 degrees C or lower than at 37 to 41 degrees C. This difference is due to changes in the efficiency of MuSVts110 RNA splicing rather than selective thermolability of the spliced species at 37 to 41 degrees C or general thermosensitivity of RNA splicing in MuSVts110-infected cells. Moreover, RNA transcribed from MuSVts110 DNA introduced into a variety of cell lines is spliced in a temperature-sensitive fashion, suggesting that the structure of the viral RNA controls the efficiency of the event. We exploited this novel splicing event to study the cleavage and ligation events during splicing in vivo. No spliced viral mRNA or splicing intermediates were observed in MuSVts110-infected cells (6m2 cells) at 39 degrees C. However, after a short (about 30-min) lag following a shift to 33 degrees C, viral pre-mRNA cleaved at the 5' splice site began to accumulate. Ligated exons were not detected until about 60 min following the initial detection of cleavage at the 5' splice site, suggesting that these two splicing reactions did not occur concurrently. Splicing of viral RNA in the MuSVts110 revertant 54-5A4, which lacks the sequence -AG/TGT- at the usual 3' splice site, was studied. Cleavage at the 5' splice site in the revertant viral RNA proceeded in a temperature-sensitive fashion. No novel cryptic 3' splice sites were activated; however, splicing at an alternate upstream 3' splice site used at low efficiency in normal MuSVts110 RNA was increased to a level close to that of 5'-splice-site cleavage in the revertant viral RNA. Increased splicing at this site in 54-5A4 viral RNA is probably driven by the unavailability of the usual 3' splice site for exon ligation. The thermosensitivity of this alternate splice event suggests that the sequences governing the thermodependence of MuSVts110 RNA splicing do not involve any particular 3' splice site or branch point sequence, but rather lie near the 5' end of the intron.
Total α-Tocopherol Intakes Are Associated with Serum α-Tocopherol Concentrations in African American Adults

African Americans in the southern United States have a high prevalence of chronic disease. Tocopherol intake and status have been associated with protection against several chronic diseases. Our objectives were, therefore, to examine the association between tocopherol intakes as measured by 2 regional FFQ and their corresponding concentrations in serum and to report on dietary sources of tocopherols in 404 men and women participating in the cross-sectional Diet and Physical Activity Sub-Study of the Jackson Heart Study. A large proportion (49% of men and 66% of women) reported dietary supplement use. Only 5.8% of men and 4.5% of women met the estimated average requirement (EAR) for vitamin E from foods alone, whereas 44.2% men and 49.2% women met it from foods and supplements. Total (diet + supplement) intake of alpha-tocopherol was associated with its corresponding measure in serum. Vitamin E supplement use, sex, serum cholesterol, education, and BMI, but not gamma-tocopherol intakes, were associated with serum gamma-tocopherol. For delta-tocopherol, associated variables included sex and serum cholesterol. The top food sources of alpha- and gamma-tocopherol were snack chips and the top food source of delta-tocopherol was margarine. Despite prevalent vitamin E supplement use, more than one-half of this population did not meet the EAR for alpha-tocopherol intake and very few met it from food alone. Supplement use was associated with higher alpha- but lower gamma-tocopherol concentration in serum. The possible health implications of this difference in relative tocopherol subtypes require further study.
Leaf anatomy inCaesalpinia andHoffmannseggia (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae) with emphasis on secretory structures

Leaflets of 65 species ofCaesalpinia s.l. and seven species ofHoffmannseggia were studied in clearings supplemented by resin sections and scanning electron microscopy. Three types of secretory structure occurred among 46 species; in 43 species they were distributed mutually exclusively (external glands: 8 species; internal cavities: 5 species; idioblastic cells: 30 species); three other species each had two types. Species with secretory structures conform mostly to proposed subgenera and informal “groups.” Other unusual features were external glands with internal spaces, thickened walls or conspicuous localized wall thickenings in epidermal cells or mesophyll cells of certain species, and differentially stained epidermal cells surrounding stomata. Prismatic crystals predominate but druse crystals also occur.
Entry flow into blood vessels at arbitrary Reynolds number.

Abstract The steady axisymmetric flow in the inlet region of a circular cylindrical tube is studied. Emphasis is laid on the entry flow at lower (but finite) Reynolds numbers, and on flow in which arbitrary axial and radial velocity distributions are prescribed at the entry section. The boundary layer approximation is not used. A solution is presented in the form of a series of two sets of properly chosen eigenfunctions. Numerical results are presented for the case of uniform entry in the Reynolds number range 0–100. The application of the results to the blood flow problem is discussed.
Selective transport of calcium ion from a mixed cation solution through an HDEHP/n-dodecane supported liquid membrane

Abstract The separation of calcium ion from a mixed cation solution is studied. A lipophilic ester of phosphoric acid, bis-(2-ethylhexyl) hydrogen phosphate, is used as the carrier in a supported liquid membrane with n-dodecane as the solvent. With this system, a feed solution containing equal concentrations (100 ppm) of seven cations (LiCl, MgCl 2 , NaCl, NaCl 2 , SrCl 2 , KCl, BaCl 2 ), the order of transport is Ca 2+ >Sr 2+ >Ba 2+ >Mg 2+ with Li + , Na + and K + showing no appreciable transport. The flux and selectivity for calcium has been studied as a function of the feed composition, the strip phase acidity, the concentration of carrier in the membrane, the absence of well-mixed aqueous phases, and the porosity and pore size of the support material. Experiments with synthetic feed concentrations characteristic of a brine solution show that only calcium ion is transported through the membrane. Experiments with synthetic feed concentrations characteristic of extracellular fluid show considerable selectivity for calcium ion. These results suggest that in selected situations, this membrane system may have application as a calcium ion detecting electrode.
Ionic dissociation dynamics in a polarizable liquid

Abstract In this paper we investigate solvent polarization effects on relaxation processes in a dissociating salt solution. It is found that the neglect of polarization may overestimate the mean square induced dipole moment per local solvent molecule by a factor of 4 to 10. This significantly distorts intermolecular interactions and thus the dynamic processes taking place in the solution. The results underline the importance of including polarization in a molecular solvent model when dealing with ionic species.
Acquired chiari-i malformation and hydromyelia secondary to a giant craniopharyngioma

Hydromyelia, or hydrosyringomyelia is frequently associated with the Chiari I malformation of the cerebellar tonsils. Descent of the cerebellar tonsils is considered a congenital anomaly with a few re
THE ASSESSMENT OF DIMINISHED TESTICULAR FUNCTION IN BOYS OF PUBERTAL AGE

SUMMARY Nine boys with anorchia and 9 individuals with diminished testicular function were followed between ages 10 and 18 with serial determinations of urine gonadotrophins and serum testosterone. Ten hCG stimulation tests were performed in eight of these patients. Adult levels of LH (> 500 mIU/h) and low measurements of serum testosterone (> 54 ng/dl) confirmed the anorchic state. Boys with diminished testicular reserve exhibited urinary gonadotrophin changes similar to peripubertal anorchic patients but testosterone levels increased progressively with age (90–715 ng/dl). FSH attained adult castrate levels (> 1700 mIU/h) by age 13 in these boys and served to distinguish them from normal controls. The longitudinal assessment of basal hormone levels can separate anorchia from diminished testicular reserve in boys of pubertal age and testing with hCG is not required for evaluation.
Bombesin-mediated calcium fluxes in myenteric plexus neurons

Abstract Dual excitation microfluorimetry (Fura-2) was used to measure changes in intracellular calcium ([Ca 2+ ]i) in individual cultured guinea pig myenteric neurons. Bombesin (5–500 n M ) induced concentration-dependent increases in [Ca 2+ ] i responses, with a maximal effect at 500 n M (56% of neurons responding, mean peak Ca 2+ response 244 ± 25 n M vs. basal 65 ± 7 n M ). Removal of Ca 2+ from the medium did not affect the initial [Ca 2+ ] 1 peak but eliminated the subsequent plateau phase. The [Ca 2+ ] 1 response to bombesin was abolished by preincubation with thapsigargin (1 μ M ), a Ca 2+ -ATPase inhibitor (91 ± 7% inhibition). [Ca 2+ ] 1 responses to bombesin were inhibited by U73122 (1 μ M ), an inhibitor of phospholipase C (84 ± 6% inhibition).
Effects of allergens: Beyond IgE

Discussion: These studies demonstrate that allergens can act as auto-adjuvants to upregulate IgE synthesis. Some may also lead directly to infl ammatory mediator generation in the absence of specifi c IgE. Comments Der p 2 is a lipid-binding protein with homology binding to MD-2 (LY96), the lipopolysaccharide component of the TLR4 complex. Trompette et al. showed that Der p 2 can replace the functionality of MD-2 and then act as an auto-adjuvant. Because many major allergens are thought to be lipid-binding proteins as well, this suggests that the intrinsic adjuvant activity of such proteins and their lipids may be a fundamental mechanism for their allergenicity. Barrett et al. demonstrated that activation of dectin-2, a c-type lectin receptor, by extracts of Df results in innate immune cell products (cysteinyl leukotrienes) that promote allergic infl ammation. The results of these interesting experiments enhance our understanding of the mechanisms involved in allergic responses and may ultimately lead to novel therapeutic approaches.
Gene Chips: Applications to Neuroscience

A convergence between molecular biological technique and the technology of miniaturization has produced the "gene chip" or microhybridization array. This device multiplies by several thousand fold the power of the northern blot for studying gene expression. Now, it is possible to survey simultaneously a large fraction of all genes in an experimental organism, and within a few years all of the approximately 140,000 human genes will be within reach of the technique. This capability is not only accelerating the rate of research into gene expression and function, it is changing the perspective of inquiry from single genes in isolation to networks of genes operating as a system. Many neurological diseases, from hydrocephalus to schizophrenia, have a genetic component, and individual responses to therapeutic drugs can vary with the genetic background of patients. In neurology and neurobiology, the ability to obtain "gene expression profiles" from nervous tissue promises to illuminate interactions between neuronal genes and the environment, development, disease, aging, and response to drugs and injury.
A new method of determination of the carboxyl-terminal residue of peptides.

Abstract A method is presented for removal of the carboxyl terminal residue of peptides in high yield. The method appears to be suitable for extension to a sequential degradation of peptides and proteins.
The Plateau of Recognition in Specialty Acute Care

‘‘I take care of lots of older patients, and I do OK.’’ I hear this statement too often to ignore it and understand it too well not to worry. I believe that many colleagues now recognize that they live and practice in an aging society—and indeed an aging world. Many nurses, physicians, and others who recognize the implications of practice in an aging society understand that this means, whatever their specialty, they now, and in the future, care primarily for older adults. This recognition is a tremendously significant step forward, resulting from decades of consciousness raising chronicled in a recent report from the Institute of Medicine, Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Health Care Workforce. The consequences of an aging society and an ever-larger population of older Americans are now widely discussed, projected, and analyzed. However, recognition of these consequences and the mandate to care for older adults across the health care system has reached a plateau. The plateau of recognition is most apparent in specialty care for older adults. My colleagues in oncology know, by virtue of epidemiology, that most of their patients are over the age of 65 or 70. Colleagues in other specialties know the same thing is true of their patients with most other chronic, noncommunicable diseases. Colleagues act on recognition by accepting that, whether or not they intended to work with older adults, their patients are, for the most, part older. They seem to act as though recognition is sufficient given their increasingly explicit acceptance of this fact: ‘‘I take care of lots of older adults, and I do OK.’’ Recognition that most of specialty acute care— oncology, neuroscience, cardiology, general surgery, specialty surgery—is geriatric care and is important. This recognition helps overcome imbedded ageism and avoid abject neglect of the unique needs of acutely ill and injured older adults.
Political Behavior Under the Unit Rule A Research Note

This research note examines a formally derived property of unit rule voting systems. It is found that the propensity of a unit voting rule to misrepresent the popular vote is related to the charact...
Investigation of Alginate Binding to Germanium and Polystyrene Substrata Conditioned with Mussel Adhesive Protein

Abstract Binding of alginate from Macrocystis pyrifera (kelp) to germanium and polystyrene substrata conditioned with mussel adhesive protein (MAP) from Mytilis edulis , to germanium substrata conditioned with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and polylysine, and to germanium substrata coated with aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) was investigated using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. Binding of alginate to MAP appears to be proportional to surface coverage for levels tested. Distinct spectral features appear in the region associated with pyranose ring vibrations upon binding of alginate to MAP, polylysine, and APS, indicating that lysine residues play a prominent role in promoting irreversible adsorption with perturbation of pyranose ring atoms. BSA does not appear to enhance alginate adsorption over that observed on clean germanium and no new spectral features appear as a result of binding. The level of irreversible binding of alginate to germanium and polystyrene substrata conditioned with MAP is similar.
The Rheological Characteristics of Elastomeric Impression Materials

An indirect extrusion viscometer has been used to assess the shear rate dependence of viscosity of a range of pastes supplied for elastomeric impression materials. A suggested specification for these pastes has been proposed.
Structure, function, and biosynthesis of the major human histocompatibility antigens (HLA-A and HLA-B).

Summary In summary, the complete primary structure of one HLA antigen (HLA-B7) has now been determined, and sufficient information is available about other HLA-A and -B and H-2 molecules to begin to assess the location of the variable regions within these molecules. It is these regions of the molecules which have evolved to give rise to the extensive polymorphism in human populations, and they most likely define functionally important regions of the molecule. Thus, this information may help us to elucidate the natural biological function of these molecules, as, for example, in the recognition of allogeneic or virally infected syngeneic cells by cytotoxic T cells. Some functional studies, using purified HLA-A and -B antigens inserted in liposomes, have been initiated, and studies of the biosynthesis of these antigens are of great interest in their own right. Further, using cDNA probes, they are being extended to permit us ultimately to underScand the organization of the genes on the sixth human chromosome which encode HLA-A and -B antigens. Finally, such probes may permit the rapid accumulation of sequence information, which would allow us to underScand more completely the structure of these extremely important cell surface molecules.
Incidence of infusion plan alterations after angiography in patients undergoing intra-arterial chemotherapy for brain tumors

During intra-arterial (IA) chemotherapy of brain tumors, the initial vessels chosen for infusion are based on the vascular distribution of the tumor as revealed by CT or MR imaging. However, angiography may reveal details of vascular anatomy that require an alteration of the vessel infusion plan. The incidence of infusional alterations and the underlying vascular anatomy involved remains unknown in patients with brain tumors undergoing IA chemotherapy. To evaluate this question, we performed a chart, CT/MRI, and angiography review of brain tumor patients receiving IA chemotherapy. Seventy-eight patients were identified with primary (39) and metastatic (39) brain tumors. The cohort consisted of 40 males and 38 females, with a mean age of 47.8 years. During the course of IA treatment, angiographic review identified 5 patients (6.4%) that required an alteration of the vessel infusion plan. In three cases, angiography demonstrated more substantial perfusion of the tumor from a different arterial supply. In two cases, angiography revealed variations in normal anatomy associated with unexpected tumor perfusion. Careful interpretation of angiography at the initiation of each cycle of IA chemotherapy is very important to verify that the appropriate vessels have been chosen for drug infusion, in order to maximize regional dose intensity. In our series, the angiography results necessitated an alteration of the infusion plan in 6.4% of the patient cohort.
The use of transfer radiometers in validating the visible to shortwave infrared calibrations of radiance sources used by instruments in NASA's Earth Observing System

The detection and study of climate change over a time frame of decades requires successive generations of satellite, airborne, and ground-based instrumentation carefully calibrated against a common radiance scale. In NASA s Earth Observing System (EOS) program, the pre-launch radiometric calibration of these instruments in the wavelength region from 400 nm to 2500 nm is accomplished using internally illuminated integrating spheres and diffuse reflectance panels illuminated by irradiance standard lamps. Since 1995, the EOS Calibration Program operating within the EOS Project Science Office (PSO) has enlisted the expertise of national standards laboratories and government and university metrology laboratories in an effort to validate the radiance scales assigned to sphere and panel radiance sources by EOS instrument calibration facilities. This state-of-the-art program has been accomplished using ultra-stable transfer radiometers independently calibrated by the above participating institutions. In ten comparisons since February 1995, the agreement between the radiance measurements of the transfer radiometers is plus or minus 1.80% at 411 nm, plus or minus 1.31% at 552.5 nm, plus or minus 1.32% at 868.0 nm, plus or minus 2.54% at 1622nm, and plus or minus 2.81% at 2200nm (sigma =1).
THE MECHANISM OF FAILURE UNDER CYCLIC SIMPLE SHEAR STRAIN

ABSTRACT Many of the simple shear devices which have been used to study soil behaviour under cyclic loading do not provide sufficient measurements to determine the complete stress state of samples of soils tested in them. Consequently, certain assumptions regarding failure are normally made in interpreting the results. Tests on a dry sand under constant vertical loads were conducted in the elaborately instrumented Cambridge University’s cyclic simple shear apparatus and the results of the stresses on the center of the samples are presented. The results revealed that failure in simple shear strain is initiated on the vertical planes at a very early stage of the tests. But, neither the vertical nor the horizontal planes are planes of maximum stress obliquity. The planes of maximum stress obliquity are inclined at (π/4-ϕ/2 ± ϕ) to the horizontal of planes on which the maximum shear stress ratio occurs where p is the angle of internal friction and ϕ is the inclination of the principal axes of stress to the vertical planes. At low levels of shear strains the inclination of the principal axes of stress and of strain increments were, in general, non coaxial.
SEARCHING METHODS FOR RAPID GRID INTERPOLATION

A widely used method for grid interpretation from a set of discrete sample points is based on the inverse distanceweighted model. This method requires the identification of k-nearest sample points for each grid point, probably the most time-consuming portion of the grid interpolation process. Three searching methods for identifying the k-nearest sample points are discussed and compared. Two of these methods were consistenty faster without sacrificing accuracy than the brute-force searching method, and one method was from one to over 90 times faster than the brute-force searching method.
Testing of differential cascode voltage switch one-count generators

Clocked differential cascode voltage switch (DCVS) circuits are dynamic CMOS circuits which can implement both inverting and noninverting functions. They have protection against test-set invalidation due to timing skews at the inputs and circuit delays as well as due to charge distribution. The problem of detecting stuck-at, stuck-open, and stuck-on faults in DCVS implementations of one-count generators is considered. A one-count generator counts the number of ones in its inputs. It is made up of full adders and half-adders. If the number of inputs to the one-count generator is n, then the number of outputs k is given by (log/sub 2/(n+1)). For a maximal DCVS one-count generator, for which n=2/sup k/-1, it is shown that the size of the test set is only four. For a nonmaximal DCVS one-count generator, for which n not=2/sup k/-1, the upper bound on the size of the test set is 5(K-1), in other words, the size is O(log/sub 2/n). For a DCVS ripple-carry adder, which forms a part of the DCVS one-count generator, the test-set size is four. >
Micromanagement of the immune system by microRNAs

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an abundant class of evolutionarily conserved small non-coding RNAs that are thought to control gene expression by targeting mRNAs for degradation or translational repression. Emerging evidence suggests that miRNA-mediated gene regulation represents a fundamental layer of genetic programmes at the post-transcriptional level and has diverse functional roles in animals. Here, we provide an overview of the mechanisms by which miRNAs regulate gene expression, with specific focus on the role of miRNAs in regulating the development of immune cells and in modulating innate and adaptive immune responses.
Vocational Behavior and Career Development, 1982: A Review.

Abstract This paper reviews the research published on vocational behavior and career development in 1982. A total of 278 studies published in 31 journals are reviewed. The literature is presented in the following major categories: discrimination; performance; turnover; satisfaction; commitment and involvement; job analysis and evaluation; selection and classification; life history experiences; performance appraisal; assessment centers; training; unions and collective bargaining; alternate work schedules; job design; pay; motivation; leadership; stress; Type A behavior; career preference, choice and behavior; consistency; maturity; indecision; work orientation; assessment; interventions; instrumentation; and methodology. Trends in current research and possible directions for future research are discussed.
Dielectric functions of thin interface layers in a-Si:H-based device structures by spectroscopic ellipsometry

Abstract Studies of interfaces by single photon energy ellipsometry during plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) of Si:H-based device structures have revealed interface layers with optical properties different than the bulk. Analysis of spectroscopic and single energy data can often provide the dielectric function of the interface layers. This gives more detailed chemical and structural information. Examples are reviewed for thin layers at a-Si:H/μc-Si:H/ a-Si:H:B, and TCO/a-Si:H interfaces, (TCO being a transparent conducting oxide). Procedures to minimize interface layers will be discussed.
On an application of the Fitting invariants

Suppose that R is any commutative ring with unity element and that M is a finitely generated R-module. The usual way in which one investigates the extent to which M deviates from being free is to map a free module of appropriate rank onto M and to examine the module of relations. This point of view was exploited by H. Fitting in [4] when he defined an ascending sequence of invariant ideals for M which generalized the classical invariant factors for a finite abelian group. For our purposes, the smallest ideal in this sequence is the one of greatest interest. This is the invariant which generalizes the order of a finite abelian group. Let us denote this invariant by F(M) (see Section 2 for definitions). The most important formal properties of the function F may be summarized as follows. If S is a multiplicatively closed set in R not containing 0, then F(M), =F(M,) where the subscript S denotes extension to the ring of quotients R, . If 0 + A -+ B + M + 0 is a short exact sequence of finitely generated R-modules and M satisfies the conditions (i) the annihilator of M contains a nondivisor of zero and (ii) the homological dimension of M is at most one, then F(A)F(M) = F(B). This is analogous to the fact that the order of a finite group divided by the order of an invariant subgroup is equal to the order of the quotient group. Finally, if M satisfies (i) and (ii) above and R is a noetherian ring, then F(M) is an invertible ideal of R. This generalizes the fact that the order of a finite abelian group is a nonzero integer. The details of these assertions are treated in Section 2. Now the multiplicative property of F on short exact sequences whose cokernel satisfies certain conditions shows that F bears a formal similarity to the notion of the rank of a module. This similarity turns out to be strong enough to define an Euler characteristic for long exact sequences
Sharing of Potential Nest Sites by Etheostoma olmstedi Males Suggests Mutual Tolerance in an Alloparental Species

When reproductive competitors tolerate or cooperate with one another, they may gain particular benefits, such as collectively guarding resources or attracting mates. Shared resources may be those essential to reproduction, such as a breeding site or nest. Using the tessellated darter, a species where males but not females compete over potential nest sites, we examined site use and sharing under controlled conditions of differing competitor density. Sharing was observed even when competitor density was low and individuals could have each occupied a potential nest site without same-sex sharing. Males were more likely to share a nest site with one other when the difference in size between them was larger rather than smaller. There was no evidence that female sharing was dependent on their relative size. Fish were generally more likely to use and share larger sites, in accordance with the greater relative surface area they offered. We discuss how one or both sharing males may potentially benefit, and how male sharing of potential nest sites could relate to female mating preferences. Tessellated darter males are known to provide alloparental care for eggs but this occurs without any social contact between the alloparent and the genetic father of the young. Thus, the suggestion that they may also share sites and maintain social contact with reproductive competitors highlights the importance of increased focus on the potential complexity of reproductive systems.
Hematoporphyrin photosensitization of epidermal microsomes results in destruction of cytochrome P-450 and in decreased monooxygenase activities and heme content

Abstract Epidermal microsomal cytochrome P-450 was rapidly degraded when microsomes were aerobically exposed to ultraviolet light in the presence of hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD). Destruction of microsomal cytochrome P-450 was accompanied by loss of heme content, and inhibition of catalytic activity of the monooxygenases, including aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase and 7-ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase. Destruction of cytochrome P-450 by photosensitized HPD was oxygen dependent. Quenchers of singlet oxygen, including 2,5 dimethylfuran, histidine, and B-carotene, largely pre- vented photodestruction of cytochrome P-450. Inhibitors of hydroxyl radical including benzoate and mannitol, protected microsomal cytochrome P-450 from destruction. Superoxide dismutase and catalase, scavengers of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide, respectively, had no protective effect. These results indicate that generation of singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals during hematoporphyrin photosensitization is associated with rapid degradation of cytochrome P-450 and heme in epidermal microsomes, and suggest a novel target for this type of tissue damage in the skin.
Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor-type O truncated (PTPROt) regulates SYK phosphorylation, proximal B-cell-receptor signaling, and cellular proliferation.

The strength and duration of B-cell-receptor (BCR) signaling depends upon the balance between protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activation and protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) inhibition. BCR-dependent activation of the SYK PTK initiates downstream signaling events and amplifies the original BCR signal. Although BCR-associated SYK phosphorylation is clearly regulated by PTPs, SYK has not been identified as a direct PTP substrate. Herein, we demonstrate that SYK is a major substrate of a tissue-specific and developmentally regulated PTP, PTP receptor-type O truncated (PTPROt). PTPROt is a member of the PTPRO family (also designated GLEPP, PTP-O, PTP-oc, and PTPu2), a group of highly conserved receptor-type PTPs that are thought to function as tumor suppressor genes. The overexpression of PTPROt inhibited BCR-triggered SYK tyrosyl phosphorylation, activation of the associated adaptor proteins SHC and BLNK, and downstream signaling events, including calcium mobilization and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) activation. PTPROt overexpression also inhibited lymphoma cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in the absence of BCR cross-linking, suggesting that the phosphatase modulates tonic BCR signaling.