cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expression of galectins on microvessel endothelial cells and their involvement in tumour cell adhesion.

Lactoside-binding lectins (galectins) with molecular weights of about 14.5 kDa (galectin-1) and 29–35 kDa (galectin-3) bind preferentially to polylactosaminoglycan-containing glycoconjugates and have been found on the surface of tumour cells and implicated in cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix adhesion and metastasis. We have demonstrated by immunoblotting that both galectin-1 and galectin-3 are present in extracts of endothelial cells cultured from bovine aorta, rat lung, mouse lung and mouse brain microvessels, whereas mouse hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells expressed primarily galectin-1. These galectins were also localized by indirect immunofluorescent labelling on the surface of the different endothelial cells in culture and by immunohistochemical staining in human tissuesin vivo. Anti-galectin-1 antibodies inhibited the adhesion of liver-preferring murine RAW117-H10 large-cell lymphoma cells to hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells or lung microvessel endothelial cellsin vitro. The data indicate that galectin-1 is expressed on the extracellular surface of endothelial cells and can mediate in part the adhesion of RAW117-H10 cells to liver microvessel endothelial cells.
Prolyl carboxypeptidase: a forgotten kidney angiotensinase. Focus on “Identification of prolyl carboxypeptidase as an alternative enzyme for processing of renal angiotensin II using mass spectrometry”

hypertension, which affects one-third of the population, is commonly treated with inhibitors of ANG II production or action, as this hormone triggers vasoconstriction and raises extracellular volume by increasing sodium reabsorption along the nephron. ANG II, an octapeptide [ANG-(1–8)], emanates
A Comparison of the Efficacy of Two Interventions to Reduce HIV Risk Behaviors Among Drug Users

Numerous interventions have been developed and implemented to decrease risk behaviors which lead to HIV infection and transmission. These interventions have been differentially successful in reducing high risk behaviors in various populations. Testing and evaluation of the interventions have been subject to various degrees of rigor. The CDC recommends the use of interventions which have been rigorously tested and meet the standards for evidence based intervention rather than the continuation of the development of new interventions. Project RESPECT is an evidence based intervention that proved efficacious in increasing condom use among patients of STD clinics. We tested the efficacy of the RESPECT intervention against the NIDA standard intervention to determine if the RESPECT intervention was more effective in reducing high risk behaviors among drug users. Both interventions showed changes from baseline to follow-up; RESPECT was more effective than the NIDA standard intervention in reducing high risk sex behaviors.
Exploring peptide space for enzyme modulators.

A method is presented for screening high-density arrays to discover peptides that bind and modulate enzyme activity. A polyvinyl alcohol solution was applied to array surfaces to limit the diffusion of product molecules released from enzymatic reactions, allowing the simultaneous measurement of enzyme activity and binding at each peptide spot. For proof of concept, it was possible to identify peptides that bound to horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, and β-galactosidase and substantially altered enzyme activity by comparing the binding level of peptide to enzyme and bound enzyme activity. This basic technique may be generally applicable to find peptides or other small molecules that modify enzyme activity.
Electromagnetic Structure of the 3-Nucleon System

The cross sections for elastic scattering of high-energy electrons on ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$ and ${\mathrm{H}}^{3}$ are calculated. The nuclear ground-state wave functions are assumed to consist of a dominant fully symmetric $S$ state with either Gaussian or exponential space dependence and a small component of $D$ state. We include also estimates of effects of relativistic terms in the nuclear current, and effects of the exchange currents. The results are compared with the experimental data of Hofstadter, Collard, and Yearian. We can fit these data to within their experimental limits for both ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$ and ${\mathrm{H}}^{3}$. The best fits are not obtained by choosing the same wave parameters for both nuclei.
The Evolution of Abdominal Stab Wound Management

The results of the selective management of 300 abdominal stab wound victims have been reviewed for a 5-year period. Initially the need for laparotomy was evaluated by sinography, later physical examination, and most recently by local wound exploration combined with peritoneal lavage. The use of sinography resulted in an unnecessary laparotomy rate of 38%. Exploration based upon physical findings eventuated in 36% unnecessary laparotomies, of which 79% were negative, 17% morbidity, and no mortality. Local wound exploration followed by peritoneal lavage when peritoneal violation was suspected resulted in 8% unnecessary laparotomies of which half were negative, 9% morbidity, and no mortality. Based on this experience we have adopted the following approach to abdominal stab wounds. Patients with unexplained blood loss or overt signs of visceral injury undergo prompt exploration. In all other cass with intact peritoneum are discharged from the Emergency Department. If peritoneal violation is evident peri toneal lavage is performed. If the lavage is positive laparotomy is undertaken, and if negative the patient is hospitalized for an additional 24 hours of observation.
Human γ-Aminobutyric Acid-Type A Receptor α5 Subunit Gene (GABRA5): Characterization and Structural Organization of the 5′ Flanking Region

Abstract The γ-aminobutyric acid-type A receptor α5 subunit gene (GABRA5) is widely expressed in brain and localized to the imprinted human chromosome 15q11–q13. A combination of cDNA library screening and 5′ RACE analysis led to identification of three distinct mRNA isoforms of GABRA5 in human adult and fetal brain tissues, each of which differs only in the noncoding 5′ UTR sequence. Alignment of the genomic and cDNA sequences of GABRA5 revealed that the mRNA isoforms resulted from three alternative first exons 1A, 1B, and 1C. Northern blot analysis showed that the expression of GABRA5 was not only tissue specific but region specific in brain. CAT reporter assays revealed promoter elements in the 5′ proximity of each first exon. The GABRA5 promoter regions lacked TATA and CCAAT boxes but contained several other consensus transcriptional factor recognition sequences. These findings suggest that the differential exon 1 usage of GABRA5 arises as a consequence of alternative promoter activation.
Plastic Bags for Calibration of Air Sampling Devices—Determination of Precision of Method

Abstract The precision of a described technique for preparation of known concentrations of volatile liquid vapor in air in plastic bags was determined by gas chromatography. The average of five samples taken from each of 50 Mylar bags into which concentrations of 50 to 150 ppm of trichloroethylene had been introduced was shown to be within a maximum of 3 ppm from the calculated values. Results are reported on use of this method for calibration of a continuous indicating device and also of a number of so-called grab sampling devices.
Chest staining variation as a signal of testosterone levels in male Verreaux's Sifaka

Male Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi) exhibit variation in the staining of chest hair in association with the activity of the sternal gland. Scent-marking behavior and social relationships have been shown to vary with the state of chest staining. Research on other mammals suggests that sternal gland activity is modulated by testosterone. The goal of this study was to examine the relationship among fecal testosterone, testes mass, and chest staining in sifaka. I predicted that for sifaka (1) testosterone and testes mass are positively correlated, (2) stained males have higher testosterone and larger testes than clean-chested males, (3) testes mass is greater during the mating season than the birth season, and (4) testes mass is comparable to species with multimale mating systems. Eighty fecal samples were collected from eight adult males in five social groups in the Kirindy Mitea National Park of Madagascar during the mating season and analyzed using enzyme immunoassays. Males were captured during the mating season and the subsequent birth season to measure body mass and testes size and to document chest staining. Stained males had significantly higher fT and larger testes mass than clean-chested males. Testes mass was significantly greater during the mating season than the birth season for all males. However, the stained males exhibited less testes mass reduction during birth season than clean-chested males. These results suggest that the activity of the sternal gland is regulated by testosterone and that sexual selection has shaped male morphological variation in Verreaux's sifaka.
Engineering antiphagocytic biomimetic drug carriers.

Drug-delivery carriers have the potential to not only treat but also diagnose many diseases; however, they still lack the complexity of natural-particulate systems. Cell-based therapies using tumor-targeting T cells and tumor-homing mesenchymal stem cells have given researchers a means to exploit the characteristics exhibited by innate-biological entities. Similarly, immune evasion by pathogens has inspired the development of natural polymers to cloak drug carriers. The ‘marker-of-self’ CD47 protein, which is found ubiquitously on mammalian cell surfaces, has been used for evading phagocyte clearance of drug carriers. This review will focus on the recent progress of drug carriers co-opting the tricks that cells in nature use to hide safely under the radar of the body’s innate immune system.
Corn Motion in the Wind During Senescence: I. Motion Characteristics

Lodging in corn (Zea mays L.) is often the result of wind-induced motion, which creates a strain on the stalk and root system. A study was conducted to characterize corn motion during windy periods at senescence and examine the implications for lodging. Motion was measured on 23 plants with a modified computer joystick during 6 d in October, 1988, at West Lafayette, IN. The wind force on each plant was estimated from within-canopy wind speeds, foliage area distribution, and foliage drag coefficients. Results showed that corn stalk displacement during windy periods was variable over time (...)
Glycine: An important potential component of spinal shock

Amino acid neurotransmitters (AANTs) play a major role in maintenance of muscle tone. Abnormal AANT concentrations are associated with hyper- or hypotonic states. Flaccidity from spinal shock commonly occurs after spinal cord injury (SCI) and may be associated with changes in AANT concentrations. Ischemic SCIs created in the lumbar region of rabbits by intraaortic balloon occlusion produced spastic or flaccid injuries. Microdialysis sampling of AANTs from the injured segmental structures was done 3 days after SCI. Evoked potentials were used to monitor spinal cord stability. No significant changes in AANT levels occurred in the spastic or flaccid group after 4 hour sampling. However, flaccid animals had baseline glycine levels 2–3 times higher (p<0.001) than spastic animals or controls. High concentrations of the inhibitory AANT glycine is associated with flaccidity following SCI, or spinal shock, but not spasticity. Glycinergic compounds directed toward suppression of excess muscle tone deserve further study.
Challenges in 3D memory manufacturing and process integration

Memory industry transition from planar to 3D scaling and the introduction of several new emerging memory devices into manufacturing over the next decade is going to drive several new and unique manufacturing and process integration challenges. The inflection point we are faced with is a new paradigm where advancements in materials science, non-litho equipment technology, testing and characterization methods, and control methodologies will lead the way for scaling cadence.
A note on relativized log space

It is shown that there is a recursive oracleD such that , thereby answering an open question of Ladner and Lynch [5]. Here\(\mathfrak{L}\) and\(\mathfrak{N}\mathfrak{L}\) denote the class of languages accepted in deterministic, respectively nondeterministic, space logn.
Estimating Multiple Target Locations in Multi-Path Environments

This paper addresses the problem of multi-target localization with distributed multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) radar systems without angular resolution capability-i.e., only based on the measurements of the signal propagation delays. In particular, we address the case that multiple targets cannot be distinguished by their “signatures” or other unique characteristics. Further complications in realistic settings arise from the following factors: 1) the direct path (DP) between transmitter/receiver and target might be blocked, and 2) indirect paths (IPs) arising from multi path propagation might be present. We present in this paper a novel algorithm that can accurately localize multiple targets even under these difficult circumstances. This algorithm is based on an iterative approximation to an exhaustive maximum likelihood (EML) estimation of the target locations, yet avoiding the exponential complexity that an EML requires. It utilizes a clustering technique that gives the number and locations of targets, and incorporates an IP detection mechanism based on the likelihood of several propagation delay measurement (PDM) correspond to DPs from the same target. Despite its lower complexity, our algorithm achieves almost the same performance as the EML in a variety of simulation settings. We finally study the choice of algorithm parameters and the configurations of the MIMO system nodes to achieve the best localization performance.
Middle cerebral artery reconstruction

The authors have conducted an experimental study of the microanatomic features of the middle cerebral artery in unfixed human brains to assess the feasibility of reconstructive procedures within the Sylvian fissure. It was found that reconstructive procedures within the Sylvian fissure such as end-to-end, end-to-side, side-to-side, and grafting procedures were possible according to the anatomic data provided by our study. Possible surgical solutions to theoretical pathologic situations involving the middle cerebral artery vascular tree are highlighted and their feasibility is discussed.
Stabilization of General Loop-Free Routing

We present a protocol for maintaining a spanning tree that is maximal with respect to any given (bounded and monotonic) routing metric. This protocol has two interesting adaptive properties. First, the protocol is stabilizing: starting from any state, the protocol stabilizes to a state where a maximal tree is present. Second, the protocol is loop-free: starting from any state where a spanning tree is present, the protocol stabilizes, without forming any loops, to a state where a maximal tree is present. The stabilization time of this protocol is O(n deg), where n is the number of nodes, and deg is the node degree in the network.
Magnetoelastic vibrational biomaterials for real-time monitoring and modulation of the host response

Magnetoelastic (ME) biomaterials are ferromagnetic materials that physically deform when exposed to a magnetic field. This work describes the real-time control and monitoring capabilities of ME biomaterials in wound healing. Studies were conducted to demonstrate the capacity of the materials to monitor changes in protein adsorption and matrix stiffness. In vitro experiments demonstrated that ME biomaterials can monitor cell adhesion and growth in real-time, and a long-term in vivo study demonstrated their ability to monitor the host response (wound healing) to an implant and control local cell density and collagen matrix production at the soft tissue-implant interface. This approach represents a potentially self-aware and post-deployment activated biomaterial coating as a means to monitor an implant surface and provide an adjuvant therapy for implant fibrosis.
Mercury in non-breeding sparrows of North Carolina salt marshes.

We captured Nelson’s, Saltmarsh and Seaside Sparrows (Ammodramus nelsoni, A. caudacutus and A. maritimus) at three salt marsh sites near Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina during five non-breeding seasons (September through April, 2006–2011). We analyzed breast feather samples from all of these seasons and blood and first primary feather (P1) samples from three seasons (2008–2011) for mercury (Hg). Generalized linear models were used to test for the impact of species, season, site and month on blood Hg, species, season and site on P1 Hg and species and season on breast feather Hg. The best-fit model for blood indicated that Hg varied among species, seasons and months. Saltmarsh Sparrows maintain higher blood Hg than Nelson’s and Seaside Sparrows during the non-breeding season while they are feeding in mixed flocks. In Nelson’s and Seaside Sparrows, blood Hg decreased during mid-winter compared to early fall and late spring. Breast feather and P1 Hg varied among species with Saltmarsh Sparrows exhibiting higher concentrations than the other two species, while Nelson’s Sparrows had lower concentrations than the other two species. Breast feather Hg was higher in the final three seasons than in the first two. Our results indicate that Hg exposure on breeding sites may be increasing and that high levels of Hg exposure during the breeding season may affect blood Hg concentrations year-round in Saltmarsh Sparrows. Our data thus provide a baseline for future Hg assessments in these species in NC.
Renal transplantation in patients with "valve bladder": is bladder augmentation necessary?

Abstract Introduction Posterior urethral valve is a common cause of renal failure in children. This disorder often results in small bladder and low compliance, which frequently requires bladder augmentation. Herein, we report our experience in 5 children with “valve bladder” who underwent renal transplantation without preliminary bladder enlargement. Materials and Methods Thirteen children with valve bladder undergoing renal transplantation were considered candidates for bladder augmentation. All had oligoanuria at transplantation. In 8 children, bladder augmentation was performed before renal transplantation; in the remaining 5, the decision was postponed until after transplantation. These children underwent transplantation with a ureteral reimplant, and a suprapubic catheter was in place for 2 months. Periodically, renal function, bladder capacity, and compliance were assessed, and renal ultrasonography was performed. Results At 1-, 2-, 4-, and 6-month follow-up, the 5 children who did not undergo bladder augmentation demonstrated normal renal function, with improved bladder capacity and absence of hydronephrosis. No significant difference was evident between the 2 groups (augmented vs nonaugmented) insofar as renal function, bladder capacity, or hydronephrosis. After transplantation, bladder augmentation was not deemed necessary in any of the 5 children because of complete restoration of clinical and urodynamic parameters. Conclusion Renal transplantation can be performed safely without preemptive bladder augmentation. Ureteral reimplantation is recommended, even in patients with small valve bladders. The decision about the need for bladder augmentation should be made only after normal diuresis is restored.
Effect of local anesthetics on patient recovery after transrectal biopsy.

Abstract Objectives. To determine the analgesic efficacy of local anesthetics injected lateral to the seminal vesicles before prostate biopsy, during and immediately after the procedure, because pain is a common side effect of transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. Methods. Patients were randomized to receive 5 mL of either 1% lidocaine or sterile normal saline injected (under ultrasound guidance) lateral to the seminal vesicles bilaterally before performance of the prostate biopsies, with the patient and physician unaware of the treatment group. Five minutes after the injection, a series of 12 prostate biopsies were performed. A visual analog scale (VAS) for pain at rest and with activity was obtained before the biopsy (preprocedure VAS) and immediately (intraprocedure VAS) and 30 minutes (postprocedure VAS) after the biopsy. Surveys examining the patients’ expectations for biopsy pain were administered before and immediately after the biopsy. Results. No significant differences were found between the groups with regard to demographic data, VAS pain scores at rest and with activity, and survey results. Conclusions. Injection of lidocaine lateral to the seminal vesicles before prostate biopsy did not diminish biopsy-associated pain.
Effect on lens regeneration of implantation of spinal ganglia into the eyes of the newt, Notophthalmus.

Homologous implantation of brachial spinal ganglia from intact animals into the vitreous chamber of the newt eye had no effect on initiation of lens regeneration from the dorsal margin of the iris in the absence of both adult lens and retina; while implantation of ganglia innervating regenerating limbs resulted in an increased rate of lens regeneration as compared to contralateral eyes in which nothing or a piece of liver had been implanted. Ganglia innervating regenerating limbs were also capable of initiating lens regeneration in the presence of an intact lens. Such lens regeneration proceeded no further than nuclear activation and depigmentation of iris tissue even after 18 days of ganglia culture in the anterior chamber of the newt eye. This limited response may be due to insufficient amount of trophic factor(s) because of the size of the implant or the duration of its production by the implant. It is suggested that the neural trophic factor influencing limb regeneration may also be capable of initiating lens regeneration and substituting for the retinal trophic factor in the eye.
Long-Term Effects of Injection Laryngoplasty With a Temporary Agent on Voice Quality and Vocal Fold Position

Objectives/Hypothesis: Patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) treated with temporary injection laryngoplasty (IL) have a decreased rate of permanent medialization laryngoplasty (ML) compared to UVFP patients initially treated by observation. The aim of this study was to determine whether the lower rate of ML corresponded with improved quantifiable measures. Study Design: Retrospective review. Methods: Examinations at presentation and follow-up of 14 IL patients and 24 observation patients were analyzed for laryngoscopic features and Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V) scores. Results: The groups were similar at presentation. At follow-up, the IL group showed significant improvement in 11/18 laryngoscopic criteria and 7/12 CAPE-V parameters compared to the observation group (P < .05). The observation group underwent ML more frequently than the IL group (75% vs. 29%, P = .008). Conclusions: The lower rate of permanent ML in patients undergoing temporary IL corresponds with improvements in CAPE-V scores and laryngoscopic features. Improvements persisted beyond the accepted time frame for temporary graft resorption. Laryngoscope, 2012
2-methylisoborneol implicated as a cause of off-flavour in channel catfish, Ictalums punctatus (Rafinesque), from commercial culture ponds in Mississippi

. Samples of water, sediment and fish were collected from six commercial channel catfish, Ictalurus punctalus (Rafinesque), ponds from May to October and analysed for muddy-odour producing compounds. Three episodes of off-flavour in the fish occurred in late summer. The episodes were of 2–3 months' duration and correlated with the levels of 2-methylisoborneol in water, sediment and fish. Oscillatoria agardliii was the dominant phytoplankton in ponds with off-flavour fish. Other known muddy odour-producing compounds such as geosmin, 2-isopropyl-3-mcthoxypyrazinc, 2-isobutyl-3-methoxypyrazine and 2-isobutyl-6-methoxypyrazinc were not detected in the water sediment or at concentrations greater than 5·0 ng/l.
The WKB and Related Methods

In the method of matched asymptotic expansions studied in Chap. 2, the dependence of the solution on the boundary-layer coordinate was determined by solving the boundary-layer problem. In a similar way, when using multiple scales the dependence on the fast time scale was found by solving a differential equation. This does not happen with the WKB method because one begins with the assumption that the dependence is exponential. This is a reasonable expectation since many of the problems we studied in Chap. 2 ended up having an exponential dependence on the boundary-layer coordinate. Also, with this assumption, the work necessary to find an asymptotic approximation of the solution can be reduced significantly.
PHENOTYPIC PLASTICITY IN AGE AT FIRST REPRODUCTION OF FEMALE NORTHERN SEA OTTERS (ENHYDRA LUTRIS KENYONI)

Life-history theory predicts that within a species, reproduction and survival rates will differ among populations that differ in resource availability or predation rates through phenotypic plasticity. When populations are near carrying capacity (K) or when they are declining due to reduced prey resources, the average age at 1st reproduction (average AFR) is predicted to be older than in populations below K. Differences between the trajectories of northern sea otter (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) populations in Alaska provides an opportunity to examine phenotypic plasticity. Using premolar teeth or reproductive tracts, we estimated average AFR from demographically distinct populations of sea otters in Alaska. We obtained samples from 2 populations near K, Prince William Sound (PWS) and the Aleutian Archipelago (archived samples), and from 2 populations below K, the Kodiak Archipelago and Sitka. The average AFR was lower in populations below K (3.60 years 6 0.16 SD) compared to those near K (4.21 6 0.13 years, P , 0.001), and differed among all populations, with the Aleutian population possessing the oldest average AFR (4.29 6 0.09 years) followed by PWS (4.05 6 0.24 years), Sitka (3.80 6 0.21 years), and Kodiak (3.19 6 0.37 years). The difference in average AFR among populations supports life-history theory and provides evidence of phenotypic plasticity in sea otters. Our findings highlight the value of using average AFR as a tool for monitoring mammalian populations.
Dynamic stability testing of aircraft—needs versus capabilities

Abstract This paper presents highlights of a recent survey of the future needs for dynamic stability information for such aerospace vehicles as the space shuttle and advanced high-performance military aircraft. The importance of obtaining this information for high-angle-of-attack high-Reynolds-number flight conditions is indicated. A review of the wind-tunnel capabilities in North America for measuring dynamic stability derivatives reveals an almost total lack of such capabilities for Mach numbers above 0.1 at angles of attack higher than 25°. In addition, capabilities to determine certain new cross-coupling derivatives and to obtain information on effects of the coning motion are almost completely lacking. Recommendations are made regarding equipment that should be constructed to remedy this situation. A description is given of some of the more advanced existing facilities, which can be used to satisfy at least partly the immediate needs.
Structure and Dynamics of Earth's Lower Mantle

Processes within the lowest several hundred kilometers of Earth's rocky mantle play a critical role in the evolution of the planet. Understanding Earth's lower mantle requires putting recent seismic and mineral physics discoveries into a self-consistent, geodynamically feasible context. Two nearly antipodal large low-shear-velocity provinces in the deep mantle likely represent chemically distinct and denser material. High-resolution seismological studies have revealed laterally varying seismic velocity discontinuities in the deepest few hundred kilometers, consistent with a phase transition from perovskite to post-perovskite. In the deepest tens of kilometers of the mantle, isolated pockets of ultralow seismic velocities may denote Earth's deepest magma chamber.
Get Screened: A Randomized Trial of the Incremental Benefits of Reminders, Recall, and Outreach on Cancer Screening

Rates of breast cancer (BC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening are particularly low among poor and minority patients. Multifaceted interventions have been shown to improve cancer-screening rates, yet the relative impact of the specific components of these interventions has not been assessed. Identifying the specific components necessary to improve cancer-screening rates is critical to tailor interventions in resource limited environments. To assess the relative impact of various components of the reminder, recall, and outreach (RRO) model on BC and CRC screening rates within a safety net practice. Pragmatic randomized trial. Men and women aged 50–74 years past due for CRC screen and women aged 40–74 years past due for BC screening. We randomized 1,008 patients to one of four groups: (1) reminder letter; (2) letter and automated telephone message (Letter + Autodial); (3) letter, automated telephone message, and point of service prompt (Letter + Autodial + Prompt); or (4) letter and personal telephone call (Letter + Personal Call). Documentation of mammography or colorectal cancer screening at 52 weeks following randomization. Compared to a reminder letter alone, Letter + Personal Call was more effective at improving screening rates for BC (17.8 % vs. 27.5 %; AOR 2.2, 95 % CI 1.2–4.0) and CRC screening (12.2 % vs. 21.5 %; AOR 2.0, 95 % CI 1.1–3.9). Compared to letter alone, a Letter + Autodial + Prompt was also more effective at improving rates of BC screening (17.8 % vs. 28.2 %; AOR 2.1, 95 % CI 1.1–3.7) and CRC screening (12.2 % vs. 19.6 %; AOR 1.9, 95 % CI 1.0–3.7). Letter + Autodial was not more effective than a letter alone at improving screening rates. The addition of a personal telephone call or a patient-specific provider prompt were both more effective at improving mammogram and CRC screening rates compared to a reminder letter alone. The use of automated telephone calls, however, did not provide any incremental benefit to a reminder letter alone.
Gene Mapping and Phylogenetic Analysis of the Complete Genome from 30 Single-Stranded RNA Male-Specific Coliphages (Family Leviviridae)

Male-specific single-stranded RNA (FRNA) coliphages belong to the family Leviviridae. They are classified into two genera (Levivirus and Allolevivirus), which can be subdivided into four genogroups (genogroups I and II in Levivirus and genogroups III and IV in Allolevivirus). Relatively few strains have been completely characterized, and hence, a detailed knowledge of this virus family is lacking. In this study, we sequenced and characterized the complete genomes of 19 FRNA strains (10 Levivirus strains and 9 Allolevivirus strains) and compared them to the 11 complete genome sequences available in GenBank. Nucleotide similarities among strains of Levivirus genogroups I and II were 75% to 99% and 83 to 94%, respectively, whereas similarities among strains of Allolevivirus genogroups III and IV ranged from 70 to 96% and 75 to 95%, respectively. Although genogroup I strain fr and genogroup III strains MX1 and M11 share only 70 to 78% sequence identity with strains in their respective genogroups, phylogenetic analyses of the complete genome and the individual genes suggest that strain fr should be grouped in Levivirus genogroup I and that the MX1 and M11 strains belong in Allolevivirus genogroup III. Strains within each genus share >50% sequence identity, whereas between the two genera, strains have <40% nucleotide sequence identity. Overall, amino acid composition, nucleotide similarities, and replicase catalytic domain location contributed to phylogenetic assignments. A conserved eight-nucleotide signature at the 3' end of the genome distinguishes leviviruses (5' ACCACCCA 3') from alloleviviruses (5' TCCTCCCA 3').
Volume change during partial melting reactions: implications for melt extraction, melt geochemistry and crustal rheology

Abstract The volume change associated with dehydration melting has been investigated experimentally in muscovite and biotite-bearing assemblages because it is a possible driving force for melt segregation during orogenesis. Experiments have been performed on cores of a muscovite+biotite-bearing pelite and on a biotite+plagioclase+quartz gneiss. The muscovite+biotite-bearing pelite produced a similar set of melt-filled cracks to that observed in muscovite-bearing quartzite under partial melting conditions of 700 MPa, and 850 and 900 °C. However, no cracking was observed in the biotite gneiss under a range of temperature conditions (700 MPa, 800–900 °C). The textures of the partially melted rock samples suggest the volume change and associated dilational strain accompanying melting in assemblages with only biotite is insignificant or negative. This is confirmed by calculations of the dilational strain in the biotite gneiss experiments and other experiments in the literature. For example, the dilational strain associated with partial melting of biotite-bearing metagreywacke assemblages ranges from +1.90% to −12.24% (given 30% modal biotite, calculated on a 1-oxygen basis), becoming negative when garnet is produced at higher pressure. In contrast, the dilational strain associated with melt-induced cracking in a muscovite-bearing metapelite is higher, +6.76%, for the same modal abundance. These results suggest that volume change alone is not an important driving force for melt segregation in biotite-only-bearing assemblages, and external deformation at higher melt fractions may be required to segregate melt from the lower crust during partial melting. Reaction-controlled segregation is possible in muscovite-bearing rocks and melt will be more easily expelled in the upper to mid levels of the crust because of rapid pore pressure development during early stages of melting. Major element chemistry of melt in the two-mica assemblage is dominated by muscovite melting, even when assemblage contains reacting biotite. Some implications of these results are that: (1) the melt that escapes at low melt volumes from the mid-crust is likely to have a muscovite-melting chemical signature; and (2) in the lower portions of the crust where melting is controlled by biotite stability, melt may become trapped within and along grains and remain distributed, pervasively, at the grain scale until greater melt fractions are generated. Recent modeling of orogenic belts shows that the evolution of collisional belts likely involves the prolonged presence of a weak crustal layer. Melt trapped along grain boundaries from low dilational strain melting reactions may be a mechanism for keeping melt in the crust and weakening it during active orogenesis.
Ataxic sensory neuropathy and dorsal root ganglionitis associated with Sjögren's syndrome.

Thirteen patients, 11 women and 2 men, developed sensory and autonomic neuronopathies in association with features of primary Sjogren's syndrome. In 11, Sjogren's syndrome had not been previously diagnosed at the time of neurological presentation. All had prominent loss of kinesthesia and proprioception. Pain and thermal sensibility were less severely affected. Most had evidence of autonomic insufficiency. In some this was severe, with Adie's pupils, fixed tachycardia, and orthostatic hypotension. The course ranged from an abrupt, devastating onset to indolent progression over years. Stabilization or functional improvement occurred in 6 patients, 2 of whom received no drug therapy. Sensory nerve conduction studies and examination of nerve biopsy specimens demonstrated a wide spectrum in the severity of loss of large myelinated fibers. The cutaneous nerves of 6 patients had perivascular mononuclear infiltrates without necrotizing arteritis. Examination of biopsy specimens of dorsal root ganglia in 3 patients revealed lymphocytic (T-cell) infiltration in the dorsal roots and ganglia, with focal clusters around neurons. In the more mildly affected ganglia, individual sensory neurons were undergoing degeneration. In the most advanced case, very few neurons remained. The possibility of Sjogren's syndrome should be considered in patients, especially women, who develop acute, subacute, or chronic sensory and autonomic neuropathies, with ataxia and kinesthetic loss.
Emotional and social loneliness in later life Associations with positive versus negative social exchanges

The adverse effects of loneliness on health and well-being accelerate with age, making it important to understand the relationship experiences that underlie loneliness in later life. The current study distinguished between emotional and social loneliness and compared their associations with parallel categories of positive and negative social exchanges in a representative sample of older adults. Given the high rates of marital loss in later life, analyses included comparisons of currently and formerly married individuals. The results revealed that emotional support and its negative counterpart (insensitive behavior) are particularly consequential for emotional loneliness among married participants. Companionship was associated with emotional and social loneliness among married and formerly married participants, whereas its negative counterpart (rejection) appeared to be particularly consequential for social loneliness among formerly married participants. The results underscore the value of a differentiated...
Generating formal specifications for security-critical applications - A model-driven approach

The SecureMDD approach aims to generate both, a formal specification for verification and executable code, from UML diagrams. The UML models define the static as well as dynamic components of the system under development. This model-driven approach is focused on security-critical applications that are based on cryptographic protocols, especially Java Card applications. In this paper we describe the generation of the formal specification from the UML model which is then used as input for our interactive verification system KIV. The formal specification is based on abstract state machines and algebraic specifications. It allows to formulate and to prove application-specific security properties.
‘If I Only Wore a Coat and Pants’: Gender and Power in the Making of an American Public High School, 1847–1851

Using Hartford Public High School as a case study, this article analyses how women teachers in the nineteenth century used their ties to the community and their success in the classroom to influence the decision-making structure of a co-educational institution. While women teachers are not usually considered a powerful constituency, Hartford Public High School affords a unique opportunity to re-evaluate the meaning of educational politics from a gendered perspective. Based on manuscript sources for teachers who worked at the school, this examination reveals not only the gendered allocation of power in nineteenth-century high schools, but also the active role of committed women teachers in contesting that power.
Methylation and carbamylation of human γ-crystallins

Accessible sulfhydryls of cysteine residues are likely sites of reaction in long-lived proteins such as human lens crystallins. Disulfide bonding between cysteines is a major contributor to intermolecular cross-linking and aggregation of crystallins. A recently reported modification of gammaS-crystallins, S-methylation of cysteine residues, can prevent disulfide formation. The aim of this study was to determine whether cysteines in gammaC-, gammaD-, and gammaB-crystallins are also S-methylated. Our data show that all the gamma-crystallins are S-methylated, but only at specific cysteines. In gammaD-crystallin, methylation is exclusively at Cys 110, whereas in gammaC- and gammaB-crystallins, the principal methylation site is Cys 22 with minor methylation at Cys 79. gammaD-crystallin is the most heavily methylated gamma-crystallin. gammaD-Crystallins from adult lenses are 37%-70% methylated, whereas gammaC and gammaB are approximately 12% methylated. The specificity of gamma-crystallin methylation and its occurrence in young clear lenses supports the idea that inhibition of disulfide bonding by S-methylation may play a protective role against cataract. Another modification, not reported previously, is carbamylation of the N termini of gammaB-, gammaC-, gammaD-crystallins. N-terminal carbamylation is likely a developmentally related modification that does not negatively impact crystallin function.
UHF satellite broadcast to palm-top receiver display-a last mile solution

With a small, hand-held, palm-top receiver/LCD display, command and control, weather, hazard warnings, and common operational pictures may be conveniently presented and rapidly understood in context by deployed forces. Commercial information appliances based on palm-top products are in development, but military applications development lags, partly due to lack of a convenient delivery system. A major military problem continues to be the delivery of information to lowest echelons ("the last mile"). Currently, GBS receive equipment (size, weight, and cost) is incompatible with application to lowest echelons. A low cost equipment solution is required and this is best accomplished by using lower frequencies, such as UHF, for data delivery. Fortunately, a UHF receiver on a 3/spl times/5 inch card is not only feasible, but has already been developed by SPAWAR. This is the ENTR. The concept of integrating ENTR with a palm-top display is suggested as a universal military product with numerous applications. For ubiquitous, joint, global data delivery, a high power UHF satellite broadcast channel (EIRP >40 dBW) is suggested. The high power can support >64 kb/s delivery and data rate can be controlled to match G/T of addressed receivers. Such a channel is feasible for a GEO satellite such as the MUOS or the MEO GMSP (GPS replacement under study). Operational, schedule and cost advantages of the satellite broadcast channel and palm-top receiver-display are reviewed, including issues of technical feasibility and frequency management. Data would be broadcast without request, but return links for requesting data are discussed.
On what god would do

Many debates in the philosophy of religion, particularly arguments for and against the existence of God, depend on a claim or set of claims about what God—qua sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient, and perfectly good being—would do, either directly or indirectly, in particular cases or in general. Accordingly, before these debates can be resolved we must first settle the more fundamental issue of whether we can know, or at least have justified belief about, what God would do. In this paper, I lay out the possible positions on the issue of whether we can know what God would do, positions I refer to as Broad Skeptical Theism, Broad Epistemic Theism, and Narrow Skeptical Theism. I then examine the implications of each of these views and argue that each presents serious problems for theism.
Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Nonimmunocompromised, Nonneutropenic Hosts

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis occurs predominantly in individuals who are neutropenic or who have severe defects in cell-mediated immunity. The isolation of Aspergillus from respiratory secretions of normal hosts usually signifies tracheobronchial colonization, not disease. Recent experience with three nonimmunocompromised patients who had invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, each of whom had Aspergillus isolated from respiratory secretions early in his illness, led to a reassessment of the significance of the isolation of Aspergillus from tracheobronchial secretions. Two of 10 nonimmunocompromised, nonleukopenic individuals who had pulmonary infiltrates and whose sputum yielded Aspergillus had invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, whereas two of five individuals who had pulmonary infiltrates and whose bronchial washings grew Aspergillus had invasive disease. These findings indicate that invasive pulmonary aspergillosis should be considered when Aspergillus is isolated from the respiratory secretions of anyone who has pneumonia, regardless of host defense status.
Interacting multiple model fixed-lag smoothing algorithm for Markovian switching systems

We investigate a suboptimal approach to the fixed-lag smoothing problem for Markovian switching systems. A fixed-lag smoothing algorithm is developed by applying the basic Interacting Multiple Model (IMM) approach to a state-augmented system. The computational load is roughly d (the fixed lag) times beyond that of filtering for the original system. In addition, an algorithm that approximates the "fixed-lag" mode probabilities given measurements up to current time is proposed. The algorithm is illustrated via a target tracking simulation example where a significant improvement over the filtering algorithm is achieved at the cost of a time delay (i.e., data up to time k are used to produce the smoothed state estimate at time k-d where the fixed large d>0). the IMM fixed-lag smoothing performance for the given example is comparable to that of an existing IMM fixed-interval smoother. Compared with fixed-interval smoothers, the fixed-lag smoothers can be implemented in real-time with a small delay.
Humboldt's Unity of Research and Teaching: Influence on the Philosophy and Development of U.S. Higher Education

The 19th century German model of higher education, with its emphasis on the unity of teaching and research and graduate education, was the model emulated by several of what were to become the most prestigious universities in the United States. The German model has its origins in the philosophy of the German Wilhelm von Humboldt. This university model played a significant role in the economic ascendance of Germany in the late 1800s and was a precursor to the development of corporate funded large-scale university research. This model of research, combined with the extreme level of faculty independence, also played a role in the rise of German militarism in the 20th century. Finally, the German university, based upon the Humboldtian model, illustrates the difficulty of attempting to both maintain elite research universities while allowing mass access. The influence on higher education in the United States and the lessons to be learned from the German university system are valid reasons for learning more about Wilhelm von Humboldt.