cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physical therapists' perception of patients' pain and its effect on management.

Background and Purpose The purpose of this qualitative study was twofold: (1) to determine the factors that affected physical therapists' (PTs) perception of patients' pain and (2) to determine how this perception affected the management of patients. Methods Forty-six PTs with at least two years' experience practicing in pain management clinics, outpatient clinics or sports medicine clinics were interviewed. The data collected were transcribed, coded and analyzed for main themes. Results The most predominant factors found to affect PTs' perception of patients' pain were the therapist's personal and professional experience, area of practice and evaluative findings. Conclusions In this sample there exists a common link between experience and evaluative findings: the longer PTs have been practicing the more proficient they become in performing and interpreting a thorough subjective and objective evaluation. PTs practicing in pain clinics were found to have a more holistic and multidisciplinary approach to patient care, whereas therapists practicing in out-patient and sports medicine facilities were more apt to focus on patients' physical symptoms and complaints. Four main themes of perceived patient pain and their corresponding management were developed: (1) patients presenting with legitimate/acute pain profiles render a slow, conservative approach by the PT; (2) patients presenting with debilitating/chronic pain were most often treated with an approach that stressed functional gains and patient independence; (3) the preferred treatment of patients characterized with a non-legitimate pain profile was an aggressive and multidisciplinary approach; (4) ‘special cases’ and their management were dependent upon the patient's functional level and pain tolerance. Copyright © 1998 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Contractors' Claims Insurance: A Risk Retention Approach

The negative effects of claims and disputes have serious negative impacts on contracting parties, their projects, the construction industry as a whole, and consequently on the nation’s economy. This paper explores a method for mitigating the negative effects associated with contractors’ claims and disputes using a risk retention approach. This method can help contractors in getting early relief from the financial and economic burdens of construction claims. To meet the goals and objectives of this study, the writers have: (1) investigated the feasibility of pricing insurance premiums using the options pricing theory; (2) explored the applicability of modeling the options pricing theory using Monte Carlo simulation; (3) set up the principles required for optimal design of a risk retention group for construction claims; and (4) tested the possible impact of the newly developed risk retention group using historic data of 10,193 construction projects spanning over 12 different California districts. Pursuant t...
A bird's eye view of cross‐platform web interaction

Purpose – This exploratory study sets out to describe the ways in which end‐users exchanged information between the web and a web online catalog, how they searched one device based on what they knew about the other, and their experiences in navigating between the two devices.Design/methodology/approach – Thirty‐one participants were observed searching the web or a web online catalog. After the observations, an interview guide was used to ask targeted questions.Findings – The findings suggest that people familiar with the use of traditional online catalogs were more comfortable using web tools than those who lacked online catalog experience. People who had recent web experience expected online catalog searching to be similar to web searching. However, drawing too close an association between the two systems sometimes caused difficulties when the searching protocols varied, like keyword searching versus selecting an index.Research limitations/implications – Some limitations of the study include a small samp...
Application of a new numerical method for characterizing heterogeneous solids by using gas-solid chromatographic data

Abstract A new numerical method for calculating the adsorption energy distribution function from retention volume data obtained by gas-solid adsorption chromatography is introduced. The method, which considers the ill-posed character of the problem, is applicable to all physico-chemical models that describe the local adsorption on one kind of sites. Using Langmuir and Jovanovic local isotherms the distribution functions are determined for n -hexane and 1-hexene on a glass and for cyclohexane and cyclohexene on two silica gels with different pore sizes.
Precise Determination of the Refractive Index of Samples Showing Low Transmission Bands by THz Time-Domain Spectroscopy

In this paper, we propose a method to determine the refractive index and the absorption coefficient of samples showing spectral bands of very low transmission. The method, takes advantages of both transmission and reflection terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) to obtain more precise optical constants than when only reflection measurement is used. It has been then validated using pellets made of maltose, which exhibits resonant lines within the THz spectral range.
Hypothalamic opioids and the acute-phase glycoprotein response in guinea pigs.

Abstract Endogenous opioids (EO) probably do not modulate endotoxin (LPS)- or interleukin 1 (IL1)-induced fever because naloxone does not prevent its development. Yet, increases in CSF and hypothalamic levels of β-endorphin have been reported during LPS-and IL1-induced fevers. Since IL1 also reduces the specific binding of opioids to their receptors in guinea pig brain, the opioids could be involved in modulating nonfebrile effects of IL1. To determine whether EO might have a role in the IL1-induced acute-phase glycoprotein response of guinea pigs, (1) naloxone (5 and 10 mg/kg, SC) was injected prior to LPS ( S. enteritidis 2 μg/kg, IV; N = 5), and (2) morphine (MOR, 10 μg/μl), [D-ala 2 ]-met-enkephalinamide (DAME, 5 μg/μl), or dynorphin A (DYN, 5 μg/μl) was injected into the preoptic area (1 μl, bilaterally; N = 8/treatment) or into the 3rd ventricle (N = 4/treatment); pyrogen-free saline was the control injection. Measurements were: core temperature (T co ) and, as indices of acute-phase glycoproteins, plasma levels of copper (Cu) and N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA). Naloxone did not prevent the fever or the increases in plasma Cu and NANA levels evoked by LPS. The intracerebral administration of opioid agonists by either route induced variable rises in T co , each with a different pattern, but no increases in plasma Cu and NANA levels. Thus, EO do not participate in the central modulation of acute-phase glycoprotein synthesis, but may have a role in influencing other nonthermal IL1 effects in the CNS.
Intrinsic interference: a unique interference system used in assaying non-cytopathic viruses.

Intrinsic interference is a unique type of interference induced by a variety of noncytopathic agents, which prevents superinfection with NDV. Other challenge viruses are unaffected. It is coded for by the viral genome and not the cellular genome. As can be seen in the example given, its use in the hemadsorption-negative plaque test allows for a quantitative assay of noncytopathic agents.
Fractionated sulfur isotopes in sulfides of the Kaidun meteorite

— The Kaidun meteorite contains carbonaceous chondrite (CM1) clasts that have been highly altered by reactions with hydrothermal fluids. Pyrrhotite in these clasts occurs as unusual needles wrapped by sheaths of phyllosilicate, and pentlandite forms veins that crosscut aggregates of phyllosilicate and garnet but not pyrrhotite. The isotopic compositions of S (δ34SCDT) in individual sulfide grains, measured by ion micro-probe, are fractionated compared to troilite in ordinary chondrites. The S in Kaidun sulfides is isotopically light (as much as −4.2% for pyrrhotite and −5.7%0 for pentlandite), unlike sulfides in other carbonaceous chondrites, which are enriched in 34S. The unusual S-isotopic composition of these texturally unique sulfides supports the hypothesis that Kaidun CM1 clasts were pervasively altered under extreme thermal conditions, possibly by fluids that had lost isotopically heavy SO2.
β1 Integrin-Mediated T Cell Adhesion and Cell Spreading Are Regulated by Calpain☆

Abstract To investigate the function of calpain in T cells, we sought to determine the role of this protease in cellular events mediated by β1 integrins. T cell receptor cross-linked or phorbol ester-stimulated T cells binding to immobilized fibronectin induce the translocation of calpain to the cytoskeletal/membrane fraction of these cells. Such translocation of calpain is associated with proteolytic modification of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B, increased cellular adhesion, and dramatic alterations in cellular morphology. However, affinity-related increases in T cell adhesion induced by the anti-β1 integrin antibody 8A2 occur in a calpain-independent manner and in the absence of morphological shape changes. Furthermore, calpain undergoes activation in response to either α4β1 or α5β1 integrin binding to fibronectin in appropriately stimulated T cells, and calpain II as well as protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B accumulates at sites of focal contact formation. Inhibition of calpain activity not only inhibits the proteolytic modification of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B, but also decreases the ability of T cells to adhere to and spread on immobilized fibronectin. Thus, we describe a potential regulatory role for calpain in β1 integrin-mediated signaling events associated with T cell adhesion and cell spreading on fibronectin.
Resolution Limits of Focused-Ion-Beam Resist Patterning

We have recently demonstrated the ability to focus a 50-keV Ga+ beam to an 8-nm-diameter spot diameter. This ultra-high resolution probe has been used to study the resolution limits of conventional resists for focused-ion-beam lithography. Lines and dots in poly (methylmethacrylate) resist as small as 7–8 nm have been formed with high throughput. In addition, no proximity effects have been observed for 25 to 30-nm size features on high-z substrates. However, for the smallest geometries obtainable, the pattern fidelity and resolution are most likely limited by ion scattering effects and statistical dose fluctuations. The use of lighter ions (such as He, Li, or Be) with lower sensitivity resists should, in principle, allow focused-ion-beam lithography to be extended to the sub-5 nm regime.
Near-infrared imaging loaded polymeric nanoparticles: in vitro and in vivo studies

Introduction: Recent research has focused on developing new biomaterials for delivery of imaging agents and drugs. In our study, we report a new biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, termed poly(glycerol-co-malic-dodecanoate) (PGMD), which was then used for synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) and loading of NIR dyes. Methods: The PGMD polymer was synthesized via thermal condensation method and was characterized by FTIR. The NPs were synthesized via o/w single emulsion technique. IR820 was chosen as the NIR dye. The loading efficiency of IR820 in PGMD NPs was measured by spectrophotometer. The release of IR820 was estimated with a spectrofluorometer in different pH phosphate buffered saline. The cytotoxicity of NPs was estimated through a Sulforhodamine B colorimetric assay. A biodistribution and pharmacokinetics study of the NPs versus free IR820 was performed in a murine model (n=12) after i.v. injection. Plasma samples were collected at time points 15-30-60 minutes and 24 hours. Organ samples were also collected and measured at the 24-hour time point. Results and Discussion: Void PGMD NPs and IR820-PGMD NPs had mean sizes around 90 nm and 110 nm, respectively. FTIR showed that polyester bonds were forming in the PGMD polymer. The release of IR820 was increased in acidic buffer (pH=5.0) as compared to neutral buffer (pH=7.4), indicating that the release of IR820 is controllable. Cellular uptake studies showed comparable fluorescence of IR820-PGMD NPs to free IR820 (5 μM) after 24-hour exposure. IR820-PGMD NPs induced significant cancer cell killing after laser exposure due to the photothermal effect of the dye. In vivo studies showed that the IR820 in NPs formulation has a longer plasma half-life than free IR820, providing longer imaging collection times for cancer diagnostics, and potentially widening the window for hyperthermia applications. Conclusion: We expect that ease of synthesis and good biocompatibility make PGMD a good candidate for numerous imaging agent and drug delivery applications. The IR820-PGMD NPs have the ability to be used for both imaging and hyperthermia purposes.
Protection of guinea-pigs from experimental Rocky Mountain spotted fever by immunization with baculovirus-expressed Rickettsia rickettsii rOmpA protein

Baculovirus recombinants that express the Rickettsia rickettsii rOmpA protein were constructed. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the rOmpA protein reacted with recombinant-infected Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells in indirect immunofluorescence assays. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting of infected Sf9 cell lysates with a mAb against rOmpA showed that the recombinant-expressed rOmpA protein migrated slightly below rOmpA extracted from R. rickettssi. Guinea-pigs immunized with lysates of recombinant-infected Sf9 cells developed antibodies reactive with R. rickettsii and were protected against challenge, indicating that the baculovirus-expressed rOmpA protein could be useful in subunit vaccines and for studies of the immune response to R. rickettsii infection.
MEMS and microsystems for navigation, sensing, and spectral processing

Micro and nano-electromechanical devices are poised to revolutionize integrated microsystems and provide paradigm shifts in sensing, communication, and navigation. Among them, micro- and nano-resonators enable integrated platforms for environmental and biological sensing, inertial sensing, as well as energy harvesting, and are the building blocks for spectrum processing and timing applications. For example, the motion and position of an object in space can be accurately mapped through the use of a ten degrees-of-freedom (10-DOF) sensing microsystem comprising of multi-axis accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers and barometers augmented with a stable timing resonator to synchronize the devices and enable sensor fusion. Fundamental characteristics of resonators such as frequency, impedance and quality factor (Q) have strong temperature and process dependencies that must be carefully designed and compensated for, especially in applications requiring high degree of stability and accuracy. Therefore, there exists a need to tune, compensate and reconfigure MEMS. Integration, interconnect, and packaging represent major challenges as substrates become thinner. Finally, the interface integrated circuits (interface IC) employed for the readout, actuation and reconfiguration of micro and nano-electromechanical devices play a critical role in delivering high performance in low-power microsystems. In this talk, I will present the latest advances in the area of high-Q micro- and nano-resonators and their applications to sensing, communication, and navigation.
Quantifying underestimates of long-term upper-ocean warming

The ocean stores over 90% of the heat due to anthropogenic warming. This study uses satellite observations and climate models to investigate the warming of the upper ocean (0–700 m) and finds that warming is biased low, most likely because of poor Southern Hemisphere sampling. Applying adjustments results in a large increase in upper-ocean heat content estimates.
The Effects of Alarm System Reliability and Reaction Training Strategy on Alarm Responses

Research has shown that humans react predictably to unreliable alarm systems and that some variables may mediate the relationship between alarm reliability and performance. Researchers have identified alarm design and operator training strategies to improve task operator reactions. The goal of the current project was to train task performers to use sensor activity patterns to improve subsequent alarm reactions. Eighty participants monitored a simulated security screen while completing a primary word search task. During low- and high-alarm reliability sessions motion sensors activated in various rooms, requiring acknowledgement. Alarms then activated, requiring participants to respond or ignore them. Participants received spatial, temporal, single sensor, or no training. They were also aware of alarm system reliability levels. Analyses revealed quicker reactions for trained participants and to high reliability alarms. Results suggest that single sensor training was most beneficial and that participants who...
Magnetic Needle Viscometer for Langmuir Monolayers

We have built a magnetic needle viscometer capable of measuring the surface shear viscosity of Langmuir monolayers at constant surface pressure or molecular area. A Langmuir trough with dual symmetrical compression/expansion barriers is positioned between two electromagnetic coils that create a homogeneous magnetic field gradient. The gradient drives a Teflon-encapsulated magnetic needle floating on the monolayer along the surface to a terminal velocity. A channel created by two glass plates centers the needle and minimizes drift. The ratio of monolayer surface shear viscosity at a given composition, temperature, surface pressure, and so forth to a reference surface shear viscosity is determined by taking the appropriate ratio of the limiting velocities of the magnetic needle for a given applied force. The monolayer viscometer was calibrated using thin films of silicone oil of known viscosity. We demonstrate the utility of the viscometer by showing that the shear viscosity of saturated dipalmitoylphosphat...
Lipolytic Activity of Gonadotropins and Their Subunits

The lipolytic activity of highly purified gonadotropins (LH, FSH, PMSG and hCG) and the related glycoprotein, TSH, was evaluated in rat adipose cells. It was found that LH, FSH and TSH were able to stimulate glycerol release. hCG and PMSG, tested at similar dose levels, were not active. The pituitary gonadotropins and TSH displayed a dose—response relationship similar to that for ACTH except that much higher concentrations were required. A varying degree of potency was noted among the different LH molecules studied: bovine > human > ovine. All gonadotropins tested were inactive in rabbit adipose cells. The α and β subunits of ovine LH were tested and found to possess 5 and 2% activity, respectively, compared to native LH. Recombination of the subunits yielded 40% activity. The potency of hormones possessing sialic acid (human LH, ovine FSH, PMSG and hCG) was unaffected following the removal of sialic acid with neuraminidase. (Endocrinology 91: 543, 1972)
QUALITATIVE ASPECTS OF THE MOTION OF RIGID BODIES WITH LIQUID-FILLED TOROIDAL CAVITIES

Abstract : For a rigid body subject to no moments, the integral curves of the differential equations for the angular velocity are intersections of the energy and angular momentum ellipsoids, which have common centers and principal axes. If the solid contains a cavity that is topologically equivalent to the interior of a sphere completely filled with non-viscous incompressible fluid, these properties remain valid. But if the cavity is topolocially equivalent to the interior of a torus, the fluid may have a non-vanishing circulation, A. The angular velocity integral curves are still intersections of ellipsoids, but one of the centers was displaced through a distance that depends on A. If A is 0 there are four types of closed integral curves; five for weak circulation; three for intermediate (Al); and one for strong (A). The qualitative nature of the integral curves for cavities of greater topological complexity is closely skin to that for toroidal cavities.
Comparisons of railway motive power in the pacific northwest

Reciprocating steam, Diesel-electric, and electric locomotives compete today for main-line freight and passenger assignments. It is doubtful if the present struggle for dominance among the three will be influenced greatly by other types of locomotives. Reciprocating steam locomotives have occupied a position of leadership since the coming of the railroad, but it is apparent that they face strong competition from Diesel-electric and electric motive power.
Aromatic hydroxylation catalyzed by toluene 4-monooxygenase in organic solvent/aqueous buffer mixtures.

Toluene 4-monooxygenase is a four-protein component diiron enzyme complex. The enzyme catalyzes the hydroxylation of toluene to give p-cresol with ∼96% regioselectivity. The performance of the enzyme in two-phase reaction systems consisting of toluene, hexane, or perfluorohexane and an aqueous buffer was tested. In each of the cosolvent systems, containing up to 93% (v/v) of solvent, the enzyme was active and exhibited regioselectivity indistinguishable from the aqueous reaction. Using the perfluorohexane/buffer system, a number of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were oxidized that were not readily oxidized in aqueous buffer. An instability of the hydroxylase component and a substantial uncoupling of NADH utilization and product formation were observed in reactions that were continued for longer than ∼3 min. More stable enzyme complexes will be needed for broad applicability of this hydroxylating system in nonaqueous media.
Closure approximation error in the mean solution of stochastic differential equations by the hierarchy method

The iterative or stochastic Green's function method of solution of stochastic differential equations is used to find the error terms in the solution and mean solution due to truncation in the hierarchy method. A comparison is made of solutions by the iterative and the hierarchy method.
Research in perceptual development: History, methods, and recent directions

Over the past four decades, numerous investigators have examined the perceptual and cognitive capabilities of young infants, and how these skills develop. The contributors to this Special Issue on Perceptual Development take divergent, and complementary, approaches to this problem. Their work has revealed important new evidence for early competence in intermodal perception and the sense of self, as well as developmental processes in infants and children involving categorization, manual exploratory activity, visual object segregation, coordination of visual and body-centred knowledge, and integration of visual information over space and time. There are also theoretical contributions from experienced researchers in speech perception and imitation. Together, this collection of articles illustrates the wide-ranging character of research in perceptual development, and continues the tradition of revealing fundamental and often surprising abilities in infants and children. ©1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adversaries' Holy Grail: access control analytics

The analysis of access control data has many applications in information security, including: role mining and policy learning; discovering errors in deployed policies; regulatory compliance; intrusion detection; and risk mitigation. The success of research in these areas hinges on the availability of high quality real-world data. Thus far, little access control data has been released to the public. We analyze eight publicly released access control datasets and contrast them with three client policies in our possession. Our analysis indicates there are many differences in the structure and distribution of permissions between the public and client datasets, including sparseness, permission distributions, and cohesion. The client datasets also revealed a wide range of semantics and granularities of permissions, ranging from application-specific rights to general accounts on systems we could not observe on the public data due to anonymization. Finally, we analyze the distribution of user-attributes, which the public datasets lack. We find techniques that work well on some datasets do not work equally well on others and discuss possible future research and directions based on our experience with real-world data.
Incidence of atom shuffling on the shear and decohesion behavior of a symmetric tilt grain boundary in copper

The constitutive response of a Sigma9(221) symmetric tilt grain boundary in copper is investigated with an atomistic quasicontinuum method under tension and shear. The maximum strength is found to change with the deformation mode triggered at the interface. Atom shuffling processes cause a major decrease in the intrinsic boundary strength under shear. (C) 2004 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Comparison of symmetry breaking in the canonical and microcanonical ensembles

Abstract High temperature field theories have always been formulated in the canonical ensemble (i.e., fixed T). Here the same theories are investigated in the microcanonical ensemble (i.e., fixed total energy E). To incorporate spontaneous symmetry breaking a microcanonical analogue of the effective potential is developed. There is a critical value of the energy Ec which separates the broken from the unbroken phase. Explicit one loop calculations in the two ensembles allow for detailed comparisons and lead to agreement in the limit VT3 → ∞.
Stimulation-elicited pain

L enz and coauthors marshall a wide array of data in support of an intriguing hypothesis, stating that activation of partioular brain pathways gives rise to the reexperience of pain and emotion (affect) previously engendered by various pathologies (heart disease, panic attacks, etc.). The pain experienced is said to be a product of a memory process, not a direct product of the activation itself, as when a pain is elicited directly by thermal or mechanical stimulation. Likewise, the affective response is said to be associatively coupled to the memory process, not a direct response to the pain. The brain region implicated in the re-experience of pathogenic pain is the region posterior and inferior to the human principal sensory nucleus, the nucleus ventralis caudal is (Vc). Henceforth this area will be referred to as the posteroinferior (PI) region. The principal empirical bases for the hypothesis are findings in studies of effects of presurgical electrical brain stimulation. Electrical stimulation of the PI region in patients with a history of pathological pain evokes pain and associated affective responses. The pain is described by the patients as being the same as the pain experienced during the prior episodes of pathogenic pain (e.g., angina, chest pain associated with panic attack, pain experienced during sexual intercourse). Pain is also elicited by stimulation in patients without a prior history of pathological pain. However, the affective response that accompanies the stimulation occurs only in those patients who have a prior history of pathogenic pain and who identify the stimulation-elicited pain as being the same as their previous pathogenic pain. The authors suggest that the stimulation-elicited pain experience and the associated affective response
Importance of homodimerization for the in vivo function of yeast RNA triphosphatase.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA triphosphatase Cet1 is an essential component of the yeast mRNA capping apparatus. The active site of Cet1 resides within a topologically closed hydrophilic β-barrel (the triphosphate tunnel) that is supported by a globular hydrophobic core. The homodimeric quaternary structure of Cet1 is formed by a network of contacts between the partner protomers. By studying the effects of alanine-cluster mutations, we highlight the contributions of two separate facets of the crystallographic dimer interface to Cet1 function in vivo. One essential facet of the interface entails hydrophobic cross-dimer interactions of Cys330 and Val331 and a cross-dimer hydrogen bond of Asp280 with the backbone amide of Gln329. The second functionally relevant dimer interface involves hydrophobic side-chain interactions of Phe272 and Leu273. Ala-cluster mutations involving these residues elicited lethal or severe temperature-sensitive phenotypes that were suppressed completely by fusion of the mutated triphosphatases to the guanylyltransferase domain of mammalian capping enzyme. The recombinant D279A-D280A and F272A-L273A proteins retained phosphohydrolase activity but sedimented as monomers. These results indicate that a disruption of the dimer interface is uniquely deleterious when the yeast RNA triphosphatase must function in concert with the endogenous yeast guanylyltransferase. We also identify key residue pairs in the hydrophobic core of the Cet1 protomer that support the active site tunnel and stabilize the triphosphatase in vivo.
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ: Trends in Geographic, Temporal, and Demographic Patterns of Care and Survival

While long-term prognosis is excellent, treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) remains controversial and inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to track geographic and temporal patterns of care for women diagnosed with DCIS, and analyze subsequent cancer-specific risk of mortality. Subjects for this study were 41,245 women diagnosed with primary DCIS in the National Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program from 1973 through 2000. Variables analyzed included patient age, year of diagnosis, SEER site of residence at the time of diagnosis, treatment (surgery, radiation), race, age, and hormone (estrogen and progesterone) receptor status. The percentage of women diagnosed with DCIS out of the total number of women diagnosed with breast cancer increased steadily between 1973 and 2000, with the largest increase occurring around 1985. Breast conserving surgery (BCS) utilization increased over time for each SEER site to the current proportions, ranging from 49.5% in Utah to 76.9% in Connecticut. Younger women were significantly more likely to receive mastectomy and had significantly lower risk of death. Women receiving BCS who also had radiation therapy (RT) had a significantly lower risk of death, although those receiving mastectomy had the lowest risk of death. Black women and Asian/Pacific island women were significantly more likely to receive BCS, although black women were less likely to receive follow-up RT and had a significantly increased risk of death. Racial and age differences in the treatment of DCIS resulted in significantly disparate rates of survival, which should be considered in public health programming. Mastectomy utilization resulted in improved survival, although additional studies may elucidate the interaction of treatment with patient age.
Complete Penile Disassembly for Epispadias Repair: The Mitchell Technique

AbstractPurpose: We report a new technique for epispadias repair, which relies on the unique blood supply of the corpus cavernosum and glans. The epispadiac phallus is completely disassembled into 3 discrete components: the urethral plate, and the right and left hemicorporeal glandular bodies.Materials and Methods: Ten boys 10 months to 17 years old presented for repair of epispadias between 1990 and 1994 (6 primary and 4 secondary repair). One patient underwent bladder exstrophy closure at the time of epispadias surgery. Two patients underwent prior para-exstrophy flap procedures and neither had fistulas.Results: Followup (8 to 57 months) revealed a conical glans in 8 patients, straight shaft upward in 1 and ventral orthotopic meatus in 7. In 2 patients who underwent secondary repair 3 fistulas formed that were repaired on an outpatient basis. All patients are potent.Conclusions: Complete disassembly allows tubularization and ventralization of the entire distal urethra; makes glans and urethral repair in...
Risk factors for hospitalization among Medicare home care patients.

This study determined factors associated with an increased risk of ending Medicare home health care because of hospitalization and examined specific types of and reasons for hospitalization. Sample members (N = 922) were followed from admission to discharge as they received home care from Ohio Medicare-certified home care agencies between December 1999 and March 2002. Potential patient-level risk factors were predisposing, enabling, or need variables, and an agency-level variable denoting hospital affiliation or free-standing status was examined as a second-level risk factor. Among those hospitalized (18.3%), more than 80.0% experienced emergency hospitalizations, mostly for acute exacerbations of chronic diseases. Statistically significant risk factors for hospitalization included dyspnea severity, functional disability level, skin or wound problems, diabetes, case mix score, and guarded rehabilitation prognosis. Home care agencies might reduce hospitalizations by using clinical prognosis as a key resour...
Viability of using digital signals from the keyboard to capture typing force exposures

Although previous studies have shown that systematic temporal changes in keystroke durations may be used as surrogate measures of muscle fatigue, software-based keystroke duration may be adversely affected by different keyswitch force-displacement characteristics. Therefore, this study used a force platform to measure the keystroke durations and compared them to software-based measures in order to determine whether the software-based keystroke duration is a robust surrogate measure for the force-derived durations (independent of keyswitch designs). A total of 13 subjects typed for 15 minutes each on three keyboards with different force-displacement characteristics. The results showed that the software-based keystroke durations closely mirrored and approximated the true force-derived keystroke durations, regardless of the force-displacement characteristics. Furthermore, the subject-dependent correlations indicated that the software-based keystroke durations approximated the true force-derived keystroke dur...
The application accelerator illustration system

The Application Accelerator Illustration System is a prototype of an integrated CAD environment that supports the development of application-specific integrated circuits. The current implementation features a hardware description language compiler, timing analyzer, functional simulator, waveform tracer, and data path place and route facility. The system is implemented in Smalltalk-80™.
Concurrent Validity of Three Forced-Choice Measures of Symptom Validity

Forced-choice measures of recognition memory are used to assess the validity of an evaluation by using cutoff scores that discriminate individuals demonstrating good effort from those who are intentionally performing suboptimally. The current study evaluated three measures of motivation in a clinical sample of over 150 individuals. The Forced-Choice subtest from the California Verbal Learning Test and the Test of Memory Malingering generated comparable percentages of poor effort at 23% and 21%, respectively, yet they did not have complete concordance. Overall detection of poor performance using the 85% cut score on the three easy subtests from the Medical Symptom Validity Test (MSVT; Green, 2004) fell at 37%. When the MSVT cut score was lowered to 70%, the failure rate dropped to 21%, consistent with the other two measures and embedded measures of effort. The data are discussed in terms of adjusting the MSVT cut score and examining comparability in detection rates across these measures of symptom validity.
Reticulon short hairpin transmembrane domains are used to shape ER tubules

Reticulons are integral membrane proteins that partition into and shape the tubular endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We propose that reticulons use a membrane insertion mechanism to generate regions of high membrane curvature in the ER. A reticulon contains two short hairpin transmembrane domains (TMDs), which could generate membrane curvature by increasing the area of the cytoplasmic leaflet. Here, we test whether the short length of these hairpin TMDs is required for reticulon membrane-shaping functions in mammalian cells. We lengthened the TMDs of reticulon 4 to resemble a typical bi-pass TMD that spans both leaflets. We find that TMD mutants oligomerize like wild type (wt), however, they are not immobilized, do not partition into tubules, do not constrict tubules and no longer suppress peripheral ER cisternae. Therefore, short hairpin TMD length is required for reticulon protein partitioning and membrane-shaping functions. Another membrane protein with a short hairpin TMD is caveolin. We show that an ER-retained caveolin construct also partitions within the ER in a manner that is dependent on it containing a short hairpin TMD. These data suggest that a short hairpin TMD may be a general feature used by membrane-shaping proteins to partition into and shape regions of high membrane curvature.
Analysis of the 14C β-decay spectrum

Abstract The β-decay correction factor for the 14 C decay is calculated, using “exact” electron radial functions and including higher-order effects. Results are presented for a number of nuclear models of the mass-14 system, and for the general class of such models agreeing with the 14 C ft value. The calculated correction factors are in disagreement with recent measurements.
The determination of maternal run time in juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) based on Sr/Ca and 87Sr/86Sr within otolith cores

Abstract Historically, Pacific salmon ( Oncorhynchus spp.) returned to natal streams throughout much of the year and extant populations continue to display extensive variation in run time. The genetic and environmental mechanisms that regulate run time are not well-understood, and there are few objective criteria to determine an individual’s run time. Here, in order to develop an independent marker of run time, the relationship between maternal run time and otolith core strontium (Sr/Ca and 87 Sr/ 86 Sr) of progeny was examined. Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ) juveniles from three rivers with fall- and spring-run hatchery populations were used to: (1) test the hypotheses that otolith Sr/Ca core and 87 Sr/ 86 Sr core are greater in progeny of females from fall-runs, which return to natal rivers and spawn during fall, compared with spring-runs, which return to natal rivers in spring and spawn during fall; and (2) determine if otolith Sr/Ca core and 87 Sr/ 86 Sr core can accurately predict maternal run time. Progeny of fall-run Chinook salmon consistently displayed greater Sr/Ca core and 87 Sr/ 86 Sr core than those of spring-run Chinook salmon, with the exception of Sr/Ca core in one of the three rivers. Differences in core chemistry resulted in accurate determination of maternal run time for 87–100% of the juveniles examined. The use of Sr/Ca core , however, resulted in more accurate identification of spring-run progeny while the use of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr core resulted in more accurate identification of fall-run progeny. This methodology should be applicable to other anadromous species with variable run times although additional validation using wild runs is warranted. The ability to accurately determine individual run time will allow for independent examination of correlated life history traits that are related to individual and population growth rates.
Daily temperature shifts during the embryonic period do not alter the phenotypic sex ratio of spring-run chinook salmon

The purpose of this study was to determine whether daily-elevated water temperature shifts during the embryonic period in spring-run chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) could influence the phenotypic sex ratio. Three families of salmon embryos were divided into two groups; one was moved between 7.5 °C and 12 °C each day (6–8 hours) for 105 days while the other (control) remained at a constant 7.5 °C. Sex ratios varied between the three families, but no significant sex ratio differences were observed between the control and temperature shifted groups.
The power of the Buckley and Casson thesis: the ability to manage institutional idiosyncrasies

Recent patterns of rapid internationalization in sectors characterized by strong public interest and both government and domestic capital constraints seem, at first, inconsistent with the drivers of internationalization identified by Buckley and Casson (1976) for manufacturing industries in the postwar era. A more microanalytic perspective, however, identifies the ability to manage institutional idiosyncrasies as a firm-level capability akin to research or advertising that can drive internalization across national borders and thereby internationalization. These arguments are examined using evidence from the independent power production sector.
Development of differential recognition for own- and other-race faces

Subjects (N = 106) ranging in age from six to 20 years performed two face-recognition tasks--one with Caucasians' photo portraits and one with Orientals'. Although the youngest children recognized both kinds of faces equally well, recognition accuracy for Caucasian faces was superior to that for Oriental faces among older subjects. Results are interpreted in terms of development of a familiar-face schema which facilitates recognition of exemplars of the more familiar sort of face with increasing age and experience. Boys and girls recognized faces about equally well up to approximately age 13; at that age a trend appeared for girls to be superior to boys in recognizing faces. Females at college level were clearly superior to males at recognizing faces.
Glutamate transporter expression and function in a striatal neuronal model of Huntington’s disease

Abstract Excitotoxicity may contribute to the pathogenesis of Huntington’s disease. High affinity Na+ dependent glutamate transporters, residing in the plasma membrane, clear glutamate from the extracellular space and are the primary means of protection against excitotoxicity. Many reports suggest that Huntington’s disease is associated with a decrease in the expression and function of glutamate transporters. We studied the expression and function of these transporters in a cellular model of Huntington’s disease, STHdhQ111/Q111 and STHdhQ7/Q7 cells. We found that only GLT-1b and EAAC1 were expressed in these cell lines and only EAAC1 significantly contributed to the glutamate uptake. Surprisingly, there was an increase in Na+-dependent glutamate uptake in STHdhQ111/Q111 cells accompanied by an increase in surface expression of EAAC1. We studied the influence of the Akt pathway on EAAC1 mediated uptake, since EAAC1 surface expression is influenced by Akt and previous studies have shown increased Akt expression in STHdhQ111/Q111 cells. Glutamate uptake was inhibited by Akt pathway inhibitors in both the STHdhQ7/Q7 and the STHdhQ111/Q111 cell lines. We found no difference in Akt activation between the two cell lines under our conditions of culture. Therefore a difference in Akt activation does not seem to explain the increase in EAAC1 mediated uptake in the STHdhQ111/Q111 cells.
Green's function partitioning procedure applied to foil heat flux gages

This paper presents a new procedure for using Green's functions for transient heat conduction problems. It is developed as part of continuing research on the unsteady surface element (USE) method; the USE method provides a means for combining solutions for two or more different basic geometries. By combining such geometries, problems involving composite media can be solved including problems associated with foil heat flux gages. The new method involves partitioning Green's function solutions over different time domains for each of which only a few terms are needed to describe the Green's function. The method is illustrated for the two-dimensional problem of a circular foil of finite thickness that is uniformly heated over a circular region and otherwise insulated. It is demonstrated that the method has the potential of providing extremely accurate values since six decimal accuracy is provided. Obtaining such accuracy using classical solution procedures is extremely difficult particularly for the extreme aspect ratios covered in this paper.
Acid-base and electrolyte disturbances in hypothermia

Abstract If the ventilation were normal, physicochemical factors would not affect the pH, but will seriously reduce the buffer capacity of the body, so that any further disturbance in the circulatory, respiratory or renal function will seriously affect acid-base homeostasis. Circulatory insufficiency, mainly at the capillary level or arteriovenous shunts, causes tissue anoxia. This stimulates anaerobic metabolism, and excessive amounts of lactic acid are produced. Hypothermia affects the capability of the liver to metabolize this excess, and metabolic acidosis develops. The reduced metabolism and need for oxygen do not stimulate the respiratory center any longer. This condition depresses the ventilatory rate, causes an accumulation of CO 2 and produces a respiratory acidosis. Normally the kidney responds to these metabolic changes by increasing the bicarbonate reabsorption in respiratory acidosis or by increasing the excretion of hydrogen ions in metabolic acidosis. Hypothermia presumably blocks many of the enzymatic activities of the renal tubular cell, so that the regulatory effect of the kidney upon acid-base homeostasis is completely lost. However, assisted respiration and adequate circulation minimize these acidbase disturbances and make hypothermia an important and useful addition to our therapeutical efforts.
Thermal-infrared scale verifications at 10 μm using the NIST EOS TXR

One element of a multi-year calibration program between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) Earth Observing System (EOS) Project Science Office has been the development and deployment of a portable transfer radiometer for verifying the thermal-infrared scales being used for flight-instrument pre-launch calibration. This instrument, the Thermal-infrared Transfer Radiometer (TXR), has been built and the first deployment test was completed successfully, as has been reported previously.1 The 5 µm channel, based on a photovoltaic Indium Antimonide (InSb) detector, so far has demonstrated a pre-deployment to post-deployment uncorrected repeatability of better than 30 mK to 60 mK, which is sufficient to enable intercomparisons at useful uncertainty levels for the EOS program. However, the 10 µm channel, based on a photovoltaic Mercury Cadmium Telluride (MCT) detector, shows uncorrected repeatability levels of about 0.5 K, the response changes being induced by cryocycling. This paper describes the technique that has been developed for correcting these changes. A portable black body check-source travels with the TXR that is used to verify the repeatability during the deployment trip. The check-source, in combination with the stability of the 5 µm channel, is used to restore a higher accuracy scale to the 10 µm channel than would otherwise be possible. This application is analogous to the use of an on-orbit calibration source to check for and correct for launch-induced or degradation-induced flight instrument detector response changes.
Critical care of nursing in Nebraska.

(Ed. note) The University of Nebraska School of Nursing has two campuses: one, the Medical Center in Omaha; the other, the Lincoln Division campus, an hour or so away. The worsening economy of Nebraska agriculture forced the State to examine its expenses, and the Chancellor proposed elimination of the Lincoln nursing program. The Regents voted not to close it. The details of the issues and the concepts of strategy and negotiation used by the College of Nursing to effect this change of policy will be published in Nursing and Health Care in articles by the Dean, Rosalee Yeaworth, and the then Associate Dean, Nancy Langs ton. In an unusual editorial collaboration, IMAGE presents the rest of the story in this piece by the faculty and students—the “grassroots.”
Multivariate statistics and three-dimensional graphics

This paper describes the process by which a system of three-dimensional computer-generated graphics was developed for use by students and researchers in analyzing multivariate psychological data. Examples of the application and use of the system in analyzing factor analytic and discriminant analysis data are presented. Details on the operation of the system are also included.