cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exposure to pesticides during development negatively affects honey bee (Apis mellifera) drone sperm viability

Honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies invest a substantial amount of colony resources in the production of drones during the reproductive season to enable mating with virgin queens from nearby colonies. Recent studies have shown significant differences in the production of sperm cells that are viable (i.e., sperm viability) and can fertilize an ovule among sexually mature drones that are exposed to different environmental conditions during development or as adults. In particular, sperm viability may be negatively affected during drone development from exposure to pesticides in contaminated beeswax. To assess whether sperm viability is negatively affected during drone development from exposure to beeswax contaminated with in-hive pesticides, we compared the viability of sperm collected from drones reared in pesticide-free beeswax with that of drones reared in beeswax contaminated with field-relevant concentrations of the pesticides most commonly found in wax from commercial beekeeping operations in the United States. These pesticides include the miticides fluvalinate, coumaphos and amitraz, and the agro-chemicals chlorothalonil and chlorpyrifos. Sperm from drones collected at 10 and 18 days post emergence were classified as viable or non-viable to calculate sperm viability. For all pesticide treatment groups, drones that were reared in pesticide-laden beeswax had lower sperm viability compared to those reared in pesticide-free beeswax. This difference was especially pronounced among drones reared in miticide-laden wax. Our results reinforce the notion that pesticide contamination of beeswax negatively affects the reproductive quality of drones, which can affect the queens they mate with, ultimately compromising colony health.
Christian Apologists and the Antonine Emperors

EnglishThe Antonine period from Hadrian onwards sees the beginning of a Christian literature of “apology,” more precisely of defense and justification of the new religion. These defenses sometimes take the form of attacks on “pagan” cults or on Judaism. The Christians begin to represent their religion as a philosophy, worthy of consideration beside the traditional philosophies of the Graeco-Roman world. At the same time Christians are still persecuted, and imperial policy towards them, as expressed in the form of imperial edicts or implicitly by the practice of governors, continues, even if unevenly. There is a sharp upturn of persecution in the reign of Marcus Aurelius, perhaps exacerbated by the internal and external setbacks of the reign. EnglishEl periodo Antonino a partir de Adriano ve el comienzo de una literatura cristiana de “apologia”, mas precisamente de defensa y justificacion de la nueva religion. Esas defensas a veces toman la forma de ataques a los cultos “paganos” o al Judaismo. Los cristianos comienzan a representar su religion como una filosofia, digna de consideracion junto a las filosofias tradicionales del mundo Greco-Romano. Al mismo tiempo, la persecucion de los cristianos y la politica imperial hacia ellos continuan, expresadas a traves de edictos imperiales o implicitamente en la practica de los gobernadores, aunque en manera desigual. Hay un repunte agudo de la persecucion en el reinado de Marco Aurelio, quizas exhacerbado por los reveses internos y externos del reino.
Minimal Norm Constrained Interpolation

In computational fluid dynamics and in CAD/CAM, a physical boundary is usually known only discreetly and most often must be approximated. An acceptable approximation preserves the salient features of the data such as convexity and concavity. In this dissertation, a smooth interpolant which is locally concave where the data are concave and is locally convex where the data are convex is described. The interpolant is found by posing and solving a minimization problem whose solution is a piecewise cubic polynomial. The problem is solved indirectly by using the Peano Kernal theorem to recast it into an equivalent minimization problem having the second derivative of the interpolant as the solution. This approach leads to the solution of a nonlinear system of equations. It is shown that Newton's method is an exceptionally attractive and efficient method for solving the nonlinear system of equations. Examples of shape-preserving interpolants, as well as convergence results obtained by using Newton's method are also shown. A FORTRAN program to compute these interpolants is listed. The problem of computing the interpolant of minimal norm from a convex cone in a normal dual space is also discussed. An extension of de Boor's work on minimal norm unconstrained interpolation is presented.
Mammalian Nudix proteins cleave nucleotide metabolite caps on RNAs.

We recently reported the presence of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-capped RNAs in mammalian cells and a role for DXO and the Nudix hydrolase Nudt12 in decapping NAD-capped RNAs (deNADding) in cells. Analysis of 5'caps has revealed that in addition to NAD, mammalian RNAs also contain other metabolite caps including flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and dephosphoCoA (dpCoA). In the present study we systematically screened all mammalian Nudix proteins for their potential deNADing, FAD cap decapping (deFADding) and dpCoA cap decapping (deCoAping) activity. We demonstrate that Nudt16 is a novel deNADding enzyme in mammalian cells. Additionally, we identified seven Nudix proteins-Nudt2, Nudt7, Nudt8, Nudt12, Nudt15, Nudt16 and Nudt19, to possess deCoAping activity in vitro. Moreover, our screening revealed that both mammalian Nudt2 and Nudt16 hydrolyze FAD-capped RNAs in vitro with Nudt16 regulating levels of FAD-capped RNAs in cells. All decapping activities identified hydrolyze the metabolite cap substrate within the diphosphate linkage. Crystal structure of human Nudt16 in complex with FAD at 2.7 A resolution provide molecular insights into the binding and metal-coordinated hydrolysis of FAD by Nudt16. In summary, our study identifies novel cellular deNADding and deFADding enzymes and establishes a foundation for the selective functionality of the Nudix decapping enzymes on non-canonical metabolite caps.
The yielding behavior of SiC under high pressure and temperature conditions

A large volume cubic anvil press integrated with synchrotron energy-dispersive x-ray diffraction was employed to study the yielding behavior of powdered beta silicon carbide (SiC) under high pressure and high temperature conditions up to 7.4 GPa and 1400 °C. During compression and heating, the x-ray pattern was collected at each pressure–temperature point, and, then, via assessing the peak width of the x-ray diffraction pattern, the strains/stresses developed inside the sample under varied pressure–temperature conditions were determined. From the constitutive response of the sample as a function of pressure and temperature, we did not observe the yielding occurrence in SiC at cold compression. In contrast, high temperature induces a yielding at 1100 °C with a constant loading pressure of ∼7.4 GPa. By comparison, we found that this material is the most stable, compared with the other three strong ones (diamond, moissanite, and alfa silicon nitride), in terms of the yielding under high pressure and temperature conditions. Along with its much higher pressure and temperature requirements for phase transition and decomposition, SiC is a competent material for the development of novel tools/devices to be used in the harshly extreme working environment, such as deep drilling, high-speed cutting, and aerospace engineering.
Identifying patients’ priorities for quality survivorship: conceptualizing a patient-centered approach to survivorship care

This study explored cancer survivors’ experiences with and priorities for cancer survivorship care to describe a patient-centered approach to quality survivorship care. We conducted 22 focus groups with 170 adult survivors of breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer from six cities across the country and online. We used thematic analysis to identify participants’ principles and priorities for quality survivorship care. Based on our analysis of a limited group of cancer survivors, we identified two core principles that underlie participants’ expectations for survivorship care and 11 practice priorities that reflect opportunities to improve patient-centeredness at the individual, interpersonal, and organizational levels. The principles reflect participants’ desire to be better prepared for and equipped to accept and manage their chronic care needs post-cancer treatment. The priorities reflect practices that patients, providers, and cancer centers can engage in to ensure survivors’ goals for post-treatment care are met. Results from the study suggest the need to expand conceptualization of high-quality survivorship care. The survivor principles and practice priorities identified in this study challenge the field to organize a more patient-centered survivorship care system that empowers and respects patients and provides a holistic approach to survivors’ chronic and long-term needs. Quality cancer survivorship care must reflect patients’ priorities. The findings from this study can be used to develop a patient-centered framework for survivorship care that can be used in conjunction with quality guidelines to ensure survivorship care is organized to achieve both clinical and patient-centered outcomes.
Utility of Computed Tomography Overreading and Abdominal Ultrasound in Children With Suspected Appendicitis and Nondiagnostic Computed Tomography at Community Hospitals

Objective The aim of the study was to examine the ability of overreading of computed tomography (CT) and right lower quadrant ultrasound (RLQ US) to diagnose appendicitis for children with suspected appendicitis with equivocal CTs at community hospitals. Methods This was a retrospective chart review of all children transferred to a children's hospital from community emergency departments with suspected appendicitis over 2 years for whom both CT and RLQ US were performed. Results One hundred eighty-four children were included with a median age of 10.8 years, and 57.6% were female. Community hospitals documented that CTs were equivocal for appendicitis in 110 (59.8%), positive in 63 (34.2%), and negative in 11 (6.0%). Ninety-seven CTs (88.1%) designated equivocal at community hospitals were later deemed interpretable by pediatric radiologists: 21 (19.1%) as appendicitis and 76 (69.1%) as normal. In 13 children (11.8%), both the community and children's hospital CT interpretations were equivocal. In equivocal cases, RLQ US was consistent with appendicitis in 6 (46.2%), normal in 5 (41.7%), and nondiagnostic in 2. κ value between CT interpretations at community versus children's hospital was 0.13 (95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.22), and κ value between CT interpretation at the children's hospital and RLQ US was 0.59 (95% confidence interval, 0.48-0.70). Conclusions Most CTs deemed equivocal for appendicitis at community hospitals were interpretable by pediatric radiologists. In a few children for whom CTs were designated nondiagnostic, RLQ US provided a definitive diagnosis in almost 90% of cases. The first step in evaluation of children with suspected appendicitis for whom outside CTs are deemed equivocal should be to have the study reinterpreted by a pediatric radiologist.
Mixed logit approach to modeling the severity of pedestrian-injury in pedestrian-vehicle crashes in North Carolina: Accounting for unobserved heterogeneity

In transportation, pedestrians are among the most vulnerable entities. Each year, a total of about 2,000 pedestrians are reported to be involved in traffic crashes with vehicles in North Carolina. ...
Some Examples of Hypercyclic Operators and Universal Sequences of Operators

Many examples of hypercyclicity take place in analytic function spaces, such as spaces of entire functions, Hardy spaces, Bergman spaces, and Dirichlet spaces. Using unique features of these analytic function spaces, we explore properties of some hypercyclic operators, such as spectral properties, orbital properties, as well as their hypercyclicity with respect to different topologies of the spaces.
Employing Hybrid Lennard-Jones and Axilrod-Teller Potentials to Parametrize Force Fields for the Simulation of Materials’ Properties

The development of novel materials has challenges besides their synthesis. Materials such as novel MXenes are difficult to probe experimentally due to their reduced size and low stability under ambient conditions. Quantum mechanics and molecular dynamics simulations have been valuable options for material properties determination. However, computational materials scientists may still have difficulty finding specific force field models for their simulations. Force fields are usually hard to parametrize, and their parameters’ determination is computationally expensive. We show the Lennard-Jones (2-body interactions) combined with the Axilrod-Teller (3-body interactions) parametrization process’ applicability for metals and new classes of materials (MXenes). Because this parametrization process is simple and computationally inexpensive, it allows users to predict materials’ behaviors under close-to-ambient conditions in molecular dynamics, independent of pre-existing potential files. Using the process described in this work, we have made the Ti2C parameters set available for the first time in a peer-reviewed work.
The Importance of Mucosal Healing in Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic condition of the colon, in which acute and chronic inflammation results in an injured bowel. Chronic inflammatory damage, confined exclusively to the mucosa of the colorectum, is the hallmark of the disease. The inflammation is characteristically superficial in nature and appears to begin in the rectum with variable extension to more proximal portions of the colon. This inflammation, and subsequent loss of function, is the mechanism underlying the typical symptoms of UC. Although there may be more systemic symptoms, the majority of the symptoms of UC are derived from an inflamed rectum and due to loss of compliance of the rectum, loss of sensation of stool, as well as symptoms of tenesmus incomplete evacuation, urgency, and bleeding with hematochezia. The healed bowel can result in the resolution of symptoms and has been associated with disease control and resolution, but traditional clinical assessment of UC involves symptom management primarily, with the assumption that when bleeding and urgency are improved, adequate disease control has been achieved. However, resolution of bowel inflammation is not always manifest as improved or resolved symptoms, and improved symptoms are not always associated with a healed bowel or durable disease control. This chapter reviews the importance of mucosal healing as a prognostic marker and therapeutic endpoint in UC.
Study of defect structures in MLEK grown InP single crystals by synchrotron white beam X-ray topography

The application of synchrotron white beam X-ray topography (SWBXT) as a non-destructive diagnostic technique to the characterization of defect structures in large size InP single crystals was presented. Various kinds of defect configurations, including slip bands, micro-twin lamellae, growth striations, individual dislocations, and precipitates, were revealed. The relationship between defect formation and growth conditions was briefly discussed.
Analysis of Stress Intensity Factors for an Edge Cracked T-Section in Tension

Using a finite element model to generate compliance values, stress intensity solutions were developed for an edge cracked T-section in tension. The finite element model was developed specifically for T-section geometries with thin web sections. Several T-section geometries were analyzed. A limited set of experiments were performed to validate some of the finite element modeling using compliance specimens. The experimental results were in good agreement with the predictions made using the finite element model. Dimensional similarity was investigated and a set of dimensionless modeling parameters were identified.
Pharmaceutical Properties of Paclitaxel and Their Effects on Preparation and Administration

Paclitaxel is a mainstay in the treatment of ovarian and breast cancers, and its use in other malignancies is being explored. Although it has great clinical utility, the drug and its formulation components pose a number of challenges to pharmacists and nurses. Paclitaxel is insoluble in water and is formulated in an equal parts mixture of ethanol and Cremophor EL, which disperses the drug in an aqueous medium. At concentrations of 0.3-1.2 mg/ml, paclitaxel is stable for at least 2 days. Additional research identified precipitation as the major limitation to long-term stability and supports the use of an inline filter for all infusions. The formulation vehicle also leaches the plasticizer DEHP from polyvinyl (PVC)-containing solution bags and administration sets. This effect is dependent on the concentration of surfactant, the amount of accessible DEHP, and many other factors. Health care practitioners must educate themselves regarding appropriate non-PVC containers and administration sets for safe and convenient delivery of paclitaxel. The compatibility of this and other drugs in solution is under investigation; currently, amphotericin B, chlorpromazine, hydroxyzine, methylprednisolone sodium succinate, and mitoxantrone have been determined to be physically incompatible with paclitaxel infusions.
The Neighborhood Networks project: a case study of critical engagement and creative expression through participatory design

In this paper we examine the Neighborhood Networks project: a community-based participatory design project. The goal of the Neighborhood Networks project is to facilitate and investigate the use of participatory design to prompt critical engagements between people, technology, and the urban environment, and to enable the production of creative expressions of local issues by residents, using robotics and sensing technologies. We describe the activities and outcomes of the first workshop, and discuss how participants used the technology in a rhetorical sense, that is, to discover, invent, and deliver arguments about how we could or should live in the world.
Genomic organization of the human LAR protein tyrosine phosphatase gene and alternative splicing in the extracellular fibronectin type-III domains.

Abstract The structure of the human leukocyte-common antigen-related molecule (LAR) protein tyrosine phosphatase gene was elucidated using phage and cosmid genomic DNA clones. The LAR gene is composed of 33 exons spanning over 85 kilobase pairs. Exon 2 encodes the signal sequence and the first four amino acids in the mature LAR protein. The three immunoglobulin-like domains are encoded by exons 3-7, and the eight fibronectin type III (Fn-III) domains by exons 8-17. Exons 18-22 encode the juxta-membrane and transmembrane domains, and exons 23-33 encode the two conserved tyrosine phosphatase domains and the entire 3'-untranslated region. Exon 1, which presumably encodes the 5'-untranslated sequence, has not been identified. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed the alternative splicing of a mini-exon (exon 13) in the Fn-III domain 5 of human LAR and other related genes (rat LAR, rat PTP sigma, and human PTP delta). RNase protection analysis showed that the human LAR mRNA in which exon 13 is spliced-out is the major mRNA species in all cell lines examined. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed further alternative splicing of LAR mRNA involving the Fn-III domains 4, 5, 6, and 7 in various combinations. These findings will facilitate the understanding of the physiological functions of the LAR extracellular domain.
Genetic Identities of Cryptic Species in the Strombidium stylifer/apolatum/oculatum Cluster, Including a Description of Strombidium rassoulzadegani n. sp.

. To assess diversity among cryptic species of the ciliate genus Strombidium, we characterized the small subunit ribosomal DNA gene (SSU-rDNA) from several lineages that had been identified previously as distinct based on the internal transcribed spacer regions of the rDNA locus. We sequenced SSU-rDNA from four members of a cryptic species cluster of ciliates from tidepools in the North Atlantic Ocean. One of the sequences was very similar (>99% similarity) to that of Strombidium apolatum. The other three sequences differed from each other and from the closest named species on GenBank by 4–10%. We were able to cultivate only one of these three species. Here we name it Strombidium rassoulzadegani n. sp. and describe its morphology, behavior, and feeding. The history of observations of tidepool Strombidiidae is discussed along with hypotheses about how they may partition the tidepool niche for coexistence. Given the apparent high degree of cryptic diversity of ribotypes in the Strombidiidae, we recommend that no new species descriptions be made without accompanying genetic information.
Ascending Aortic Injuries Following Blunt Trauma

Background The diagnosis and the management of traumatic thoracic aortic injuries have undergone significant changes due to new technology and improved prehospital care. Most of the discussions have focused on descending aortic injuries. In this review, we discuss the recent management of ascending aortic injuries. Methods We found 5 cohort studies on traumatic aortic injuries and 11 case reports describing ascending aortic injuries between 1998 to the present through Medline research. Results Among case reports, 78.9% of cases were caused by motor vehicle accidents (MVA). 42.1% of patients underwent emergent open repair and the operative mortality was 12.5%. 36.8% underwent delayed repair. Associated injuries occurred in 84.2% of patients. Aortic valve injury was concurrent in 26.3% of patients. The incidence of ascending aortic injury ranged 1.9–20% in cohort studies. Conclusions Traumatic injuries to the ascending aorta are relatively uncommon among survivors following blunt trauma. Aortography has been replaced by computed tomography and echocardiography as a diagnostic tool. Open repair, either emergent or delayed, remains the treatment of choice. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12237 (J Card Surg 2013;28:749–755)
Cold Molecules Beat the Shakes

Due to their relative complexity, molecules have been harder to cool than atoms, but that is beginning to change.
Rabdomiosarcoma primario de corazón como causa de síncope recurrente en el adulto

Primary or secondary neoplasms can affect the heart. Secondary are more common. However, primary neoplasms are relevant because is a group with diverse genesis, behavior, treatment and clinical manifestations. We present a case of a 45 year-old woman, with recurrent syncope started 1 year before her first consult. She had palpitations and chest pain. Echocardiography identified a left atrium mass of 2.1 x 1.8 cm. Endomyocardial biopsy document a primary rhabdomyosarcoma of the heart. The patient dies after a overall-survival of 22 months. This case presented had a good study of its symptoms with an accurate diagnosis and early treatment, which provided prolonged survival of this rare and aggressive neoplasm.
Comparison of currents in differential log-domain filters with common-mode feedback

Applying high-gain common-mode feedback (CMFB) at both ports of a differential second-order log-domain filter allows all of the currents within the filter to be calculated in simple closed form. This is very useful for design, as it greatly simplifies choosing transistor geometries to avoid clipping. It also makes it easier to compare filter topologies. Considering the possibility of not using CMFB at one or both ports, or adding geometric-mean CMFB or harmonic-mean CMFB at one or both ports in a second-order filter yields nine unique log-domain filter circuits. Closed-form solutions are derived for the maximum currents in eight of these cases. For one of the combinations with no added CMFB at one of the ports, simulations verify that the filter performs almost as well as the best combination using CMFB at both ports.
Predictors and outcomes following naloxone administration during Phase I anesthesia recovery

Purpose To identify characteristics associated with postoperative respiratory depression that required naloxone intervention during Phase I recovery following general anesthesia. A secondary aim is to compare postoperative outcomes between patients who received naloxone and those who did not.
Application of the Dirichlet transformation to the performance evaluation of generalized selection combining over Nakagami-m fading channels

The Dirichlet transformation may be used to simplify certain multiple integrals which occur in the distribution theory of ordered gamma random variables. The evaluation of the average error rate performance of generalized selection combining receivers for digital signals transmitted over Nakagami-m channels involves just such a multiple integral and thus is a perfect application for the transformation. A well-structured procedure for obtaining the average error rate in a simple form suitable for numerical evaluation is presented for the generic problem of selection combining L c (≤ L) out of L received paths and specific results are presented for a number of examples both numerically and as simple closed form expressions. As a byproduct of the general results, some interesting closed form expressions are presented for certain single and multiple definite integrals which heretofore appear not to have been tabulated.
Characterizing soil organic matter in Arctic tundra soils by different analytical approaches

Abstract Soil organic matter (SOM) of five soil horizons from Arctic tundra and one soil horizon from a temperate region was separated into an extractable fraction (EF) and a non-extractable fraction (NEF) by dilute alkali. The modified classical fractionation method was applied to characterize SOM in the EF; and the wet chemical fractionation scheme, cross-polarization magic angle spinning (CP–MAS) 13C NMR, and pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py–GC/MS) techniques were used to characterize SOM in the NEF. Each of these methods provides information on the chemical composition of SOM at varying angles. The NEF comprises a large amount of SOM in these arctic tundra soils and has great potential to influence carbon cycling in these ecosystems with climate warming.
Depth Profiling of SiC Lattice Damage Using Micro-Raman Spectroscopy

Abstract : Depth profiling for the amount of lattice damage using a Confocal Micro-Raman (CMR) spectrometer is demonstrated in this paper. Samples of n-type silicon carbide were implanted with 2 MeV He and O ions at both room temperature and 500 deg C, and fluences between 10(exp 15) and 10(exp 17) ions/sq cm. Post-implantation annealing at 1000 deg C was also performed in order to study the damage evolution. Optical Absorption Spectrophotometry (OAS) was used for establishing the opacity (and therefore the probing depth) of the damaged layer to the 632.8 nm wavelength of the He-Ne laser used for CMR throughout this study. The methodology used and the results obtained are presented herein. Total dissipation of amorphous carbon islands was observed even at low annealing temperatures of the RT implanted samples, along with an increase in the size of the amorphous silicon islands.
WE-E-BRB-01: Safety in Radiation Therapy

The use of paperless, filmless, and automated computer‐controlled processes in treatment planning and delivery of radiation therapytreatments has drastically increased over the past decade. Treatment plans and delivery records are increasingly available in electronic form and in many situations this is the only way to access these records. However, the processes used to 1) evaluate quality and integrity of treatment plans, 2) validate the data transfer between treatment planning systems and treatment machines, and 3) review treatment records have all remained predominantly manual. Often, the current methods are still based on processes which were developed for paper based and manual radiation therapydelivery. Therefore, there is an opportunity to augment these processes with techniques and software tools that can improve the safety and quality of radiation therapydelivery by more thorough, consistent, and standardized evaluation of treatment planning and delivery data. This is especially important as the amount of data that needs to be reviewed and verified is ever‐increasing. Software tools for plan review and audits of treatmentdelivery records can increase the number of parameters that are verified and the audit frequency as well as perform checks that are impossible or simply impractical to perform manually. This symposium will present opportunities for automation of QA and QC processes and describe custom solutions which have been developed at various institutions. While most of these solutions are not commercially available, the goal of the symposium is to demonstrate the potential benefits of these techniques, especially after incorporation into commercial systems which are widely employed. Learning Objectives: 1. To discuss the need for systems thinking and automation in radiation therapy quality management 2. To demonstrate automatic QA/QC solutions which have been clinically implemented 3. To discuss potential benefits and pitfalls of automation in radiation therapy processes
Heterogeneity of cycloid psychoses: a latent class analysis

Background Three hypotheses have been proposed in regard to the origin of cycloid psychoses: (1) they are an independent nosological entity; (2) they are atypical cases of affective disorders; and (3) they are a heterogeneous group of disorders. This study examined the heterogeneity hypothesis by attempting to delineate distinct affective and non-affective subgroups. Methods In 60 cases drawn from a classic study of cycloid psychoses by Perris (1974), latent class analysis was used to delineate subgroups. Results Two classes were identified in the analysis: one characterized by the convergence of affective symptoms and family history of affective disorders and the other by the relative paucity of such features. Conclusions Cycloid psychoses are composed of at least two subgroups, distinguishable on the basis of symptoms and family history.
Implementing national standards for cancer pain management: program model and evaluation.

Abstract The purpose of this quasi-experimental (pre- and posttest) study was to test a model pain management program (PMP) to implement the American Pain Society (APS) quality assurance standards for the management of acute and chronic cancer pain using a continuous quality improvement (CQJ) approach to improve professionals' knowledge and skills, patient satisfaction, and to identify areas needing improvement. The sample consisted of 1210 nurse responses and 698 interviews of patients with pain during hospitalization at a major urban cancer center. The PMP provided a structure (standards), educational opportunities, and training in CQI methods. Outcome measures included a patient evaluation questionnaire and concerns checklist: nurse knowledge, attitude and barriers questionnaire; and focus groups to identify areas needing improvement. Significant improvements were found in patients' satisfaction, nurses' knowledge and attitude scores, and reductions in nurses' perceptions of barriers. Focus groups revealed the need for improved communication among disciplines about pain and better assessment of patients unable to self-report. The program met its goal of implementing the APS standards, educating nurses, and identifying "system" problems, and improving overall patient satisfaction.
Magnetism in CePtPb

We report the behavior of the hexagonal compound CePtPb, which has an antiferromagnetic transition at ${T}_{N}=0.9$ K. The magnetic susceptibility is highly anisotropic, with the ratio $\frac{{\ensuremath{\chi}}_{\mathrm{ab}}}{{\ensuremath{\chi}}_{\mathrm{ac}}}$ extrapolating to the value 65 at ${T}_{N}$. The low-temperature magnetization is also anisotropic with ${M}_{\mathrm{ab}}$ saturating to $\frac{0.92{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}}{\mathrm{Ce}}$ atom at $B=5$ T, where ${M}_{c}$ is five times smaller. The anisotropy is due both to low-symmetry crystal fields and to exchange anisotropy, which causes basal plane ferromagnetic fluctuations to develop below $T\ensuremath{\approx}15$ K. Three facts suggest that the magnetic order might coexist with heavy-fermion behavior: heat-capacity data show a linear-in-temperature contribution $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\approx}300$ mJ/mol ${\mathrm{K}}^{2}$ in the antiferromagnetic state; the resistivity is quadratic in temperature below ${T}_{N}$; and the magnetic entropy is generated very slowly with temperature reaching a value of only $0.7R\mathrm{ln}2$ at $T=2{T}_{N}$. On the other hand, the long high-temperature tail of the heat-capacity data correlates with the ferromagnetic fluctuations above ${T}_{N}$; and ac susceptibility measurements under hydrostatic pressure (to 17 kbar) show that ${T}_{N}$ increases with pressure at an approximate rate 20 mK/kbar, which suggests that CePtPb sits in the small $\mathcal{T}$ limit of the Doniach phase diagram; hence heavy-fermion effects may be negligible.
Interactive Video: Integrating Design “Levels” and Hardware “Levels”

As interactive video technologies become more widespread and diverse, it becomes more difficult for potential designers/users to categorize and select appropriate hardware/software systems. Until now, taxonomies have dealt exclusively with videodisc hardware “levels;” this article presents a model which integrates design and hardware attributes for both videotape and videodisc technologies and incorporates a wider range of equipment and presentation/testing strategies.
Net Energy Value of a Corn and a Barley Ration for Lactation

Abstract Two rations containing 39% corn silage, 12% protein-mineral supplement, and 49% of the dry matter from either corn or barley were each fed continuously to four Holstein cows during a 12 wk experiment. The amount of ration fed was restricted to minimize body tissue change and eliminate feed refusals. Two complete energy balance measurements were made on each cow during the experiment. Ration had no effect on digestibility of proximate and fiber components, but increasing intake from near maintenance to three times maintenance was associated with a depression in digestibility of organic matter and energy. Digestibility of cellulose and hemicellulose declined 8 percentage units and starch declined 3 percentage units for each increase in intake equivalent to one multiple of maintenance. Assuming net energy for maintenance of 73 kcal/wt .75 per day, the average net energy value for lactation of the corn ration adjusted to maintenance intake was 1.99 Mcal/kg dry matter compared to 1.83 for the barley ration. Net energy value decreased with increasing intake.
Imatinib mesylate effectively combines with chaperone-rich cell lysate-loaded dendritic cells to treat bcr-abl+ murine leukemia.

Imatinib mesylate has become an effective agent for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, the development of drug resistance has led to examination of combination therapies. In this study, we investigated the effects of combining imatinib with immunotherapy against a murine bcr-abl+ leukemia, 12B1. We have previously shown that multiple chaperone proteins may be enriched into a vaccine form from tumor cell lysates by a free-solution isoelectric focusing method. We refer to these vaccines as chaperone-rich cell lysates (CRCLs) and have found that they are potent immunologic agents against a variety of murine tumors, including 12B1. We now demonstrate that the combination of imatinib with dendritic cells loaded with 12B1-derived CRCL yields high activation of anti-12B1-specific T cells and potent antitumor activity, resulting in tumor-free survival in up to 63% of mice with bcr-abl+ 12B1 tumors. Our data suggest that immunotherapy can be effectively combined with imatinib for the treatment of CML. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A convective transport theory for high rate discharge in lithium ion cells

Abstract A solution phase transport theory considering solvent effects is developed for lithium ion cells. The solvent convection velocity is derived from a volume conservation argument, leading to a diffusive correction, a transference number gradient correction and a pore-wall flux correction to the material balance equation. The diffusive correction exactly cancels the solvent-related ( 1 − d ln c 0 / d ln c ) factor in the original diffusion term. The transference number gradient and pore-wall flux corrections lead to a larger effective value of the lithium ion transference number. Comparative discharge simulations are carried out for a graphite– LiMn 2 O 4 cell with 1 M or 2 M LiPF 6 solution. The convective transport theory demonstrates little cell voltage difference at low rates (1 C and 3 C) compared with the original approach that neglects convection. Nevertheless, at a 6 C rate, a maximum of 51.32 mV excess cell voltage is predicted by the convective theory for the 1 M cell. For the 2 M cell the convective theory predicts a slightly slower voltage drop at the beginning of discharge, but a faster drop at the end of the 6 C discharge. At all rates the convective theory also gives a lower salt concentration profile within the negative electrode, but higher within the positive electrode. This implies that the concentration gradient is diminished by convection. Detailed analysis shows that the transference number gradient correction is always positive during discharge and is highly rate sensitive; the pore-wall flux correction is not only rate sensitive but also proportional to the salt concentration and is thus more prominent in the 2 M cell.
Differential susceptibility to carcinogen-induced amplification of SV40 and dhfr sequences in SV40-transformed human keratinocytes.

Gene amplification contributes to carcinogenesis by enhancing proto-oncogene activity and causing chromosomal instability. The ease of detecting amplified tumor-virus sequences has encouraged use of this system as a surrogate for studying the molecular events involved in endogenous gene amplification. We report here a new system for studying carcinogen-induced amplification of both endogenous and viral sequences in the SV40-transformed human keratinocyte line AG06. Treatment with carcinogens induced a transient dose-dependent amplification of the integrated SV40 sequences. The amplified sequences appeared in the extra-chromosomal fraction. Treatment of these cells with carcinogens prior to methotrexate (MTX) selection increased the frequency of MTX-resistant colonies, 67% of which exhibited dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) amplification. The abilities of five carcinogens with different DNA-damaging activities (the DNA-damaging agents N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, mitomycin C (MMC), ultraviolet light C, and X-rays and the non-DNA-damaging agent arsenite) to induce SV40 and dhfr amplification at concentrations that result in 50% clonal survival were compared. All four DNA-damaging carcinogens (as well as growth arrest) were able to elicit some SV40 amplification, but responses varied markedly, from 1.8-fold for X-rays to sevenfold to eightfold for MMC. There was no correlation between the ability to elicit the two amplification responses. Arsenite, which did not induce SV40 amplification, was the best inducer of MTX resistance. These results point to different controls involved in the induction of viral and dhfr amplification. The signal for amplification of viral genes may be triggered by DNA damage and growth arrest, whereas amplification of dhfr, and perhaps other endogenous sequences, seems to be triggered by other signals as well. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Exploring Differences in Students' Copy-and-Paste Decision Making and Processing: A Mixed-Methods Study

This mixed-methods study examined cognitive correlates and learning outcomes related to the use of copy and paste (CP). Quantitative results indicated that college students whose CP capability was restricted to a small amount of text as they entered information into a matrix-like tool recalled more facts, recognized more concepts, and inferred more relationships among information from text than students for whom copying and pasting into the matrix was unrestricted. Then, 24 interviews revealed depth of processing and decision-making differences that may account for the discrepancies in learning between the restricted and unrestricted groups. This study suggests that both individuals' differing habits and experimentally induced variations in CP note-taking approaches may have significant differential consequences for cognitive processes and for learning.
Constraints on Higgs Fields in Unified Weak-Electromagnetic Gauge Theories

In renormalizable unified gauge theories of the weak and electromagnetic interactions, for a given gauge group we ask the following question: Which representations of the scalar Higgs particles can reproduce a vector-meson mass spectrum in which one vector meson, the photon, remains massless and all other vector mesons acquire mass? Given the Higgs representation, we then examine what restrictions are placed on the charge operator of the theory. The examples of SU(3) and SU(3) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} U(1) are worked out in detail. The possible Higgs representations for all the unexceptional classical Lie groups are given. For each such group, there are some low-dimensional representations for which no solution exists.
Electronic Properties of Complex Crystalline and Amorphous Phases of Ge and Si. II. Band Structure and Optical Properties

We present calculations of the band structures and the imaginary part of the dielectric function ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{2}$ as a function of energy for Ge and Si in the diamond, wurtzite, Si-III (BC-8) and Ge-III (ST-12) structures using the empirical pseudopotential method. In particular we have obtained the symmetries of wave functions along important symmetry directions and identified the major contributions to the optical structure. A further study is made into the optical properties of amorphous Ge and Si using our short-range-disorder model. We find that, unlike long-range-disorder models, short-range disorder can explain both the amorphous density of states and the amorphous ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{2}$. In particular we find that the ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{2}$ spectrum has the same form as an averaged matrix element as a function of frequency.
Body region shocked need not critically define the neurochemical basis of stress analgesia

Both opioid and non-opioid forms of stress-induced analgesia have been demonstrated in rats, although the conditions leading to their selective activation are still being investigated. We have shown that variations in shock intensity, duration or temporal pattern can determine whether opioid or non-opioid stress analgesia occurs. Others have suggested that body region shocked is the critical determinant, analgesia from front paw shock being opioid and that from hind paw shock non-opioid. We now report that either opioid or non-opioid stress analgesia can be evoked from either front or hind paws depending only on footshock intensity when duration and temporal pattern are held constant.
Production of single cell protein from ethanol by fed‐batch process

The production of single cell protein (SCP) form ethanol is an interesting process to study from a biochemical engineering viewpoint. The cellular yield mainly depends upon the metabolic activity of the cells and the amount of substrate available. Fedbatch fermentations Were run in a 70 liter highly instrumented computer-coupled fermentor using Candida utilis. Respiratory quotient and culture fluorescence, measuring NADH, indicate by which pathway ethanol is utilized. By monitoring these parameters it is possible to control the ethanol concentration so that accumulation of acetate is minimized and the conversion of ethanol to cell mass is maximized.
Selective lesions of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis impair cognitive flexibility

The authors tested the hypothesis that the cholinergic nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) is involved in solving problems requiring cognitive flexibility. Rats with 192 IgG-saporin lesions of the NBM were assessed for perseveration (i.e., cognitive inflexibility) in the serial reversal of an operant discrimination and during subsequent extinction testing. It was hypothesized that the NBM lesion and control groups would not differ in the acquisition of the initial, simple discrimination, because this task does not demand cognitive flexibility. In contrast, it was hypothesized that the NBM lesion group would show perseveration during serial reversal and extinction testing. Results generally supported these hypotheses, suggesting that the NBM plays an important role in mediating cognitive flexibility.
Performance of Nanoliter-Sized Droplet-based Microfluidic PCR

A microfluidic device was used to characterize PCR in aqueous-in-oil droplets for potential point-of-care applications. Droplets with a volume range of 5-250 nL can be formed on-chip reproducibly, and PCR in the droplets shows amplification efficiencies comparable to benchtop reactions with no evaporation loss. A higher polymerase concentration is required in the reaction droplet while the optimal Magnesium ion concentration is the same for both on-chip and benchtop systems. The optimal hold time is 9 s and 30 s for denaturation and annealing/extension in thermal cycling, respectively. With the optimized cycling parameters, the total reaction time is reduced to half of that required for benchtop PCR. For the droplets containing the same quantity of template DNA, the PCR yield is approximately the same with either fixed droplet size or fixed template DNA concentration. The droplet-based PCR can be monitored in real time with FRET probes, and provide amplification with a cycle threshold of ~10 cycles earlier than the benchtop instruments.
Neonatal small bowel epithelia: enhancing anti-bacterial defense with lactoferrin and Lactobacillus GG.

Background and Aims. Extremely preterm human infants have increased susceptibility to small bowel infection. We hypothesized that early colonization of the immature small intestine with Lactobacillus GG (LGG), and use of a recombinant lactoferrin (rhLF) to promote growth of LGG, would enhance gut defenses against enteroinvasive Eschericheria coli.Methods. Newborn rat pups were treated with nothing, intra-gastric LGG, or rhLF + LGG on days 3 and 4 of life. Gut colonization by LGG was quantified in lavaged jejunal and ileal fluid and gut wall homogenates on day 5 of life. Separate studies used similarly treated litters of newborn rats that were infected late on day 4 of life with E. coli[1012 CFU/kg]. Sixteen hours later, the numbers of E. coli were measured in small bowel fluid and gut wall homogenates.Results. Control pups initially had lactic acid bacteria colonize the bowel, but these bacteria were not LGG. Pups treated with LGG or rhLF + LGG had significantly higher numbers of LGG in the ileum versus jejunum. Contrary to our hypothesis, rhLF did not augment LGG colonization. After E. coli-related gut infection, planktonic [lavage fluid] and epithelia-adherent growth [gut wall homogenates] of E. coli in the small bowel were most effectively reduced by pre-treatment with rhLF and LGG (P<.05).Conclusion. Prophylactic therapy with recombinant human lactoferrin and the probiotic, Lactobacillus GG, act to enhance defenses against invasive E. coli in the nascent small intestine. We suggest that rhLF and LGG are therapeutic agents that may reduce necrotizing enterocolitis and gut-related sepsis in preterm human infants.