cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensional assessment of impacted canines and root resorption using cone beam computed tomography

Objective The objective of this study was to localize impacted canines in 3 dimensions and determine the most common location of impaction using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). We also assessed root resorption of adjacent teeth. The cusp tip of each impacted canine was located and digitized using Dolphin 3D imaging, after viewing sagittal, coronal, and axial views. The position on the occlusal plane where the normally erupted canine cusp tip should be located was used as a control reference point. The degree of impaction was defined by the difference between the impacted canine cusp tip and reference cusp tip positions. Materials and Methods CBCT scans of 29 consecutive individuals with impacted canines undergoing orthodontic treatment at the UCSF Orthodontic Clinic were included in this study. Results The average degree of mesial impactions was 10.1 mm, of distal impactions was 4.2 mm, of facial impactions was 4.16 mm, of palatal impactions was 1.8 mm, and of gingival impactions was 10 mm; 40.4% had no root resorption, 35.7% showed slight root resorption, 14.2% showed moderate resorption, and 4% showed severe root resorption of the adjacent lateral incisor. Conclusion We reliably assessed the position of impacted canines in 3 dimensions using CBCT, thereby improving accuracy of location and facilitating precise surgical and orthodontic management. In our study 40.4% had no root resorption, 35.7% showed slight root resorption, 14.2% showed moderate resorption, and 4% showed severe root resorption of the adjacent lateral incisor. The most frequent location of impacted canines was palatal, mesial, and gingival.
A reflection on analytical work in marketing: Three points of consensus

This article presents three points of consensus about game-theoretic work in marketing: First, equilibrium analysis is necessary for studying situations that have strategic interactions. In many cases, empirical examination of these strategic scenarios is difficult or impossible, at least without the guidance of an equilibrium model. Second, more general models are not necessarily “better,” because institutional details matter. Thus, the appropriate compromise between generality and specificity depends on the scope of the research question. Finally, there should be a two-way road between theory and empirics—theory is necessary to interpret empirical results, while empirical findings should guide theoretical modeling choices.
Near-Death Visions of Unborn Children: Indications of a Pre-Earth Life

A limited number of accounts of near-death visions that include unborn children suggest a life before birth. The unborn children in these visions have been described as spirits, as children or children but full-grown, and as residing in another world, perhaps different from the realm of the afterlife. The arrival of these children into our earthly world is similar to the departure of near-death experiencers into the other world.
Developing our understanding of patronizing frontline employees

Purpose – In an overwhelming portion of the US service economy, the multifaceted responsibilities that frontline employees play as patrons have been overlooked within the academic literature. The notion of employees as customers is a common business practice that garners sizeable benefits to both the firm and its employees; unfortunately, research on this topic is still in its infancy. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of internal marketing and job satisfaction on employee patronage, and the role of patronage on employee engagement in a Cooperative Extension Service System.Design/methodology/approach – An online survey administered to Cooperative Extension employees in frontline service roles was used to test the proposed structural model. Structural equation modeling carried out using the Amos 18.0 software program was employed to analyze the proposed hypotheses.Findings – It was found that internal marketing is composed of five dimensions, as tested using a second‐order hierarchical str...
Solving integer programs over monotone inequalities in three variables: A framework for half integrality and good approximations

Abstract We define a class of monotone integer programs with constraints that involve up to three variables each. A generic constraint in such integer program is of the form ax−by⩽z+c, where a and b are nonnegative and the variable z appears only in that constraint. We devise an algorithm solving such problems in time polynomial in the length of the input and the range of variables U. The solution is obtained from a minimum cut on a graph with O(nU) nodes and O(mU) arcs where n is the number of variables of the types x and y and m is the number of constraints. Our algorithm is also valid for nonlinear objective functions. Nonmonotone integer programs are optimization problems with constraints of the type ax+by⩽z+c without restriction on the signs of a and b. Such problems are in general NP-hard. We devise here an algorithm, relying on a transformation to the monotone case, that delivers half integral superoptimal solutions in polynomial time. Such solutions provide bounds on the optimum value that can only be superior to bounds provided by linear programming relaxation. When the half integral solution can be rounded to an integer feasible solution, this is a 2-approximate solution. In that the technique is a unified 2-approximation technique for a large class of problems. The results apply also for general integer programming problems with worse approximation factors that depend on a quantifier measuring how far the problem is from the class of problems we describe. The algorithm described here has a wide array of problem applications. An additional important consequence of our results is that nonmonotone problems in the framework are MAX SNP-hard and at least as hard to approximate as vertex cover. Problems that are amenable to the analysis provided here are easily recognized. The analysis itself is entirely technical and involves manipulating the constraints and transforming them to a totally unimodular system while losing no more than a factor of 2 in the integrality.
A review of the utility of soluble peptide combinatorial libraries

This paper reviews the preparation and use of soluble synthetic combinatorial libraries (SCLs) made up of millions of peptide and nonpeptide sequences for the identification of highly active individual compounds. First presented in 1991, SCLs have been prepared in a number of different lengths and formats, and are composed entirely of L-, D-, and unnatural amino acids. Also, existing peptide libraries have been chemically transformed to yield large diversities of nonpeptidic compounds. This review encompasses the published work from this laboratory using SCLs for the identification of antigenic sequences recognized by monoclonal antibodies, novel peptide agonists and antagonists to opioid receptors, new trypsin inhibitors, novel antibacterials, and compounds that inhibit melittin's hemolytic activity. SCLs offer a fundamental, practical advance in the study of interactions between peptide and nonpeptide sequences and their biochemical or pharmacological targets.
Positioning Genomics in Biology Education: Content Mapping of Undergraduate Biology Textbooks †

Biological thought increasingly recognizes the centrality of the genome in constituting and regulating processes ranging from cellular systems to ecology and evolution. In this paper, we ask whether genomics is similarly positioned as a core concept in the instructional sequence for undergraduate biology. Using quantitative methods, we analyzed the order in which core biological concepts were introduced in textbooks for first-year general and human biology. Statistical analysis was performed using self-organizing map algorithms and conventional methods to identify clusters of terms and their relative position in the books. General biology textbooks for both majors and nonmajors introduced genome-related content after text related to cell biology and biological chemistry, but before content describing higher-order biological processes. However, human biology textbooks most often introduced genomic content near the end of the books. These results suggest that genomics is not yet positioned as a core concept in commonly used textbooks for first-year biology and raises questions about whether such textbooks, or courses based on the outline of these textbooks, provide an appropriate foundation for understanding contemporary biological science.
Thermal response of the tropical tropopause region to solar ultraviolet variations

[1] Correlative and linear regression analyses of National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) temperature data in the tropical lower stratosphere and upper troposphere confirm the existence of a thermal response to solar ultraviolet variations occurring on the time scale of the solar rotation period. The maximum response occurs near the 100 hPa level (approximately 16 km altitude) at a phase lag of 2 ± 2 days with an amplitude of 0.24 ± 0.07 Kelvin for a change in the Mg II core-to-wing ratio of 0.01 (approximately equivalent to a 4% change in solar UV flux at a wavelength near 200 nm). It is suggested that the observed thermal response near the tropical tropopause is caused by changes in upwelling rates induced by the direct effects of solar UV forcing on photochemistry, radiative heating, and dynamics in the upper stratosphere.
Maintenance effects of coping skills and sensory information on young children's response to repeated dental procedures

The maintenance of the stress reduction procedures of teaching specific coping skills or providing sensory information about the dental experience was investigated in preschool-aged (42 to 71 months) children using 26 of the children studied by Siegel and Peterson (1980) . The child's response to the dental sessions was measured by behavioral, physiological, and self-report measures during a diagnostic session and during dental sessions. After the diagnostic session, each child was seen individually for one brief intervention period. Results reported in the original study indicated that both experimental preparation strategies were significantly more effective than the control preparation in reducing disruptive and uncooperative behavior ratings of anxiety and discomfort, and physiological arousal immediately following preparation. Furthermore, the present results indicate that these reductions were maintained in both experimental groups during a second dental treatment session approximately 1 week after preparation. There were no differences in effectiveness between experimental groups.
Numerical simulations of hysteresis in longitudinal magnetic tape

Hysteresis in longitudinal particulate tape media has been studied by numerical simulation. Individual particle reversal is discussed and for typical tape media it is sufficient to discretize only along the particle length. A tape is created by placing particles in a quasi-random array with a desired degree of orientation. Numerical methods involve the use of multipole expansion techniques to calculate interparticle interactions. The coercivity decreases approximately linearly with volume packing fraction in agreement with early work by Neel. Here the decrease is shown to be caused by the dominant interactions between transverse adjacent particles. Squareness increases monotonically with packing, but only slightly.
Pointwise Fourier inversion: A wave equation approach

Functions of the Laplace operator F(− Δ) can be synthesized from the solution operator to the wave equation. When F is the characteristic function of [0, R 2 ], this gives a representation for radial Fourier inversion. A number of topics related to pointwise convergence or divergence of such inversion, as R → ∞, are studied in this article. In some cases, including analysis on Euclidean space, sphers, hyperbolic space, and certain other symmetric spaces, exact formulas for fundamental solutions to wave equations are available. In other cases, parametrices and other tools of microlocal analysis are effective.
Functional Comparison of Pronation and Supination Strengths

Studies have shown that functional activities involving pronation and supination, such as turning a doorknob or a screwdriver, involve wrist positions of extension and/or ulnar deviation. Previous studies of isometric forearm pronation and supination strength have utilized a neutral wrist position, resulting in a possible underestimation of true functional strength. Twenty healthy subjects between the ages of 24 and 45 years were assessed for isometric pronation and supination strength using cylinder, screwdriver, and doorknob handle adaptations. Maximal strength in both pronation and supination was observed with the use of the doorknob handle. Although pronation strength was exceeded by supination strength within all three handle adaptations, the difference was statistically significant for the screwdriver and doorknob handles. The results suggest that in clinical and research-oriented testing of maximal forearm rotation strength, further consideration must be given to the terminal grip device and positioning of the wrist.
Valuations of Lattice-Ordered Groups

Abstract In this paper, we introduce the concept of a valuation mapping of an l -group G onto a distributive lattice and use such valuations to investigate the structure of G . Then we examine the maximal immediate extensions of G with respect to these valuations. For the natural valuation, these are the archimedean extensions ( a -extensions) first investigated by 12 and 30 . This leads to new results and new proofs of old results about a -extensions. Then we obtain new structure theorems for Δ-extensions of l -groups. In another paper, it will be shown that this valuation theory determines all the torsion classes of l -groups that have invariant torsion radicals. This includes most of the well known and interesting torsion classes that are not l -varieties.
Unhealthy and Uninsured: Exploring Racial Differences in Health and Health Insurance Coverage Using a Life Table Approach

Millions of people in the United States do not have health insurance, and wide racial and ethnic disparities exist in coverage. Current research provides a limited description of this problem, focusing on the number or proportion of individuals without insurance at a single time point or for a short period. Moreover, the literature provides no sense of the joint risk of being uninsured and in need of medical care. In this article, we use a life table approach to calculate health- and insurance-specific life expectancies for whites and blacks, thereby providing estimates of the duration of exposure to different insurance and health states over a typical lifetime. We find that, on average, Americans can expect to spend well over a decade without health insurance during a typical lifetime and that 40% of these years are spent in less-healthy categories. Findings also reveal a significant racial gap: despite their shorter overall life expectancy, blacks have a longer uninsured life expectancy than whites, and this racial gap consists entirely of less-healthy years. Racial disparities in insurance coverage are thus likely more severe than indicated by previous research.
Classification of chronic pain associated with spinal cord injuries.

Abstract Cardenas DD, Turner JA, Warms CA, Marshall HM. Classification of chronic pain associated with spinal cord injuries. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2002;83:1708-14. Objectives: To determine interrater reliability of a classification system for chronic pain in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to determine the frequency and characteristics of various pain types as categorized by this system. Design: Independent categorization (based on questionnaires; for 15 persons, questionnaires plus personal interviews) by 2 investigators. Setting: Community. Participants: A total of 163 individuals aged ≥18 years with SCI and pain. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Pain categories, Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, and Chronic Pain Grade questionnaire. Results: Among 41 (25%) questionnaires categorized independently by 2 investigators, strength of agreement in categorizing 68 pain problems was substantial (κ=.68). For 15 persons whose pain was categorized in person by 2 investigators, strength of agreement was also substantial (κ=.66). Among 163 survey respondents with pain, the most common worst pain was SCI pain (31.9%). Mean characteristic pain intensity ± standard deviation for worst pain, regardless of type, was 61.02±18.5 on a scale from 0 to 100. On average, for worst pain, respondents reported moderate pain-related disability (43.70±29.4; scale range, 0–100). Although certain pain descriptors were more often associated with a specific type of pain, none was pathognomonic. Conclusions: Substantial interrater reliability was achieved in determining pain categories by use of responses to a questionnaire with a classification system based on presumed pathology. Adding interviews with patients increased our ability to classify pain but did not improve overall interrater reliability. © 2002 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Relative infrared (IR) and terahertz (THz) signatures of common explosives

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has recently recorded the infrared (IR) and far-infrared (FIR, sometimes also called the terahertz, THz) spectral signatures of four common explosives in the condensed phase. The signatures of RDX, PETN, TNT and Tetryl were recorded both in the infrared and the THz domains, using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Samples consisted of thin films and were made by depositing and subsequent evaporation of an acetone-explosive mixture. The complete spectrum spanned the range from 4,000 to 8 cm-1 at 2.0 cm-1 spectral resolution. Preliminary results in the infrared agree with those of previous workers, while the THz signatures are one order of magnitude weaker than the strongest IR bands.
College Students' Visions of Power and Possibility as Moderated by Gender:

The research literature, the shortage of women in positions of visible leadership, and the media's treatment of powerful women suggest that cultural prescriptions for power and leadership mesh uncomfortably with expectations for women in many contexts. To explore the ways in which young women and men may be absorbing cultural messages about power and gender, this study investigated the ways in which university students imagined their “possible powerful selves.” Respondents provided written descriptions of their possible selves as persons with power, political leaders, chief executive officers, and directors of scientific research centers as well as ratings of how possible and how positive such roles would be for them. Women rated the possibility of becoming a person with power or a political leader lower than men did. Women were also significantly more likely than men to anticipate relationship problems associated with the political leader role.
X-ray diffraction study of the zeolite natrolite: T―PH2O phase diagram and phase transitions during dehydration/rehydration

The response of the natrolite crystal structure (Na 16 Al 16 Si 24 O 80 · 16H 2 O) to dehydration/rehydration was evaluated as a function of P H 2 O with X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) data measured in situ from 23 to 400 °C. Dehydrated natrolite at a low- P H 2 O appears as a mixture of two anhydrous phases, the previously described α1-metanatrolite ( F 112, a = 16.177(1) A, b = 16.943(1) A, c = 6.4370(4) A, γ = 89.685(2)°, V = 1764.3(2) A 3 ), and a new phase, α2-metanatrolite ( Fdd 2, a = 17.576(1) A, b = 18.163(1) A, c = 6.3704(4) A, V = 2033.7(2) A 3 ). The structure of α2-metanatrolite was solved using a combination of powder pattern indexing, distance least-squares modeling, and Rietveld refinement. The structures of α1- and α2-metanatrolite provide an excellent context for describing the behavior of natrolite phase transitions and the effects of P H 2 O . Both metanatrolite phases occur simultaneously during dehydration under low- P H 2 O conditions and they re-adsorb H 2 O molecules at different rates during rehydration. α2-metanatrolite adsorbs H 2 O molecules and reconverts to natrolite more rapidly than α1-metanatrolite because of the larger channel size in the α2-metanatrolite framework. The path dependence of natrolite phase transitions and the dependence on P H 2 O illustrate the sensitivity of the natrolite framework and its extraframework Na cations to hydration state, with α1- and α2-metanatrolite forming under low- P H 2 O conditions and only α1-metanatrolite forming under high- P H 2 O conditions. The flexibility of the natrolite framework makes the natrolite- to- α1-/α2-metanatrolite-to-natrolite reaction reversible, although strain-induced mosaicity resulting from the phase transition is not reversible.
Molecular identification of an MHC-independent ligand recognized by a human α/β T-cell receptor

During an analysis of T-cell responses against human renal cell carcinoma (RCC), we identified a CD4+ T-cell line that showed TCR-mediated recognition and lysis of nearly all RCC lines regardless of MHC type. We have now elucidated the nature of the ligand for this α/β TCR, and it contains no MHC-related moiety and does not involve classic peptide processing. First, matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14) expressed on RCC cells releases membrane-bound TRAIL expressed by the T cell; then, soluble TRAIL binds to its receptor DR4 (TRAIL-R1), which is expressed on tumor cells, and this TRAIL-DR4 complex is recognized by the TCR through a complementarity-determining region 3α (CDR3α)–mediated interaction. Direct and specific antigen-TCR interaction was demonstrated when the immobilized recombinant TRAIL/DR4 complex stimulated the TCR. In addition, amino acid substitutions in the CDR3α of the TCR either obliterated or enhanced target-specific recognition. This description of the molecular nature of a non-MHC target structure recognized by a naturally occurring α/β TCR not only broadens our concept of what the TCR can recognize, but also raises the question of whether such a T cell could be of clinical utility against RCC.
Structure–Activity Relationships of Herbicidal Aryltriazolinones†

A series of substituted aryltriazolinones, known to inhibit protoporphyrinogen oxidase, were prepared and their structure-activity requirements at positions 4 and 5 of the aromatic ring investigated. A QSAR equation obtained for substituents at the 5 position identified the hydrophobicity term π and the Sterimol minimum width B 1 as the two parameters affecting in-vitro biological activity. Greenhouse pre-emergence activity correlated with in-vitro activity and the hydrophobicity term π of the substituent at that position. It was found that the phenoxy-4-oxyacetate group at aromatic position 5 was an outlier and had to be considered separately. SAR analysis of substituents at aromatic position 4 revealed that two different models were required to explain all observed substituent effects. In the first model, where the 5 position was occupied by hydrogen, the 4-chlorobenzyloxy group at aromatic position 4 gave the best compound. The second model, where the 5 position of the aromatic ring was occupied by a group other than hydrogen, resulted in a QSAR equation, previously derived, which links substituent effects at position 4 with π and with the electronic para inductive term F p . In this model the chloro group provides optimum biological activity. The need to separate the aryltriazolinone herbicides into several different classes in order to explain their substituent effects at aromatic positions 4 and 5 could be rationalized if more than one binding conformation, within the same binding site, is possible.
The relationship among physical activity, obesity, and physical function in community-dwelling older women.

Abstract Background. The relationship between obesity and physical function is not well understood. Physical activity may be a key factor impacting on the relationship between obesity and physical function. Methods. Subjects included 171 community-dwelling women (mean age = 74.3, SD = 4.3) participating in a 14-year follow-up study to a walking intervention trial. Measures of obesity [body mass index (BMI)] and physical activity (Modified Paffenbarger Questionnaire) were collected in 1982, 1985, 1995, and 1999. Physical function was assessed in 1999 using the Functional Status Questionnaire (FSQ) and gait speed. Results. Measures of obesity from 1982 to 1995 and measures of physical activity from 1982 to 1995 were related to physical function in 1999. However, hierarchical regression analysis to predict physical function in 1999 controlling for the presence of chronic conditions indicated that physical activity from 1982 to 1995, and not obesity from 1982 to1995, was an independent predictor of physical function (FSQ: adjusted R2 = 0.09, F = 4.68, P Conclusion. Physical activity appears to be as important if not more important than body weight in predicting future physical function.
Use of Two Profilers during MCTEX for Unambiguous Identification of Bragg Scattering and Rayleigh Scattering

Abstract A 2835-MHz (10.6-cm wavelength) profiler and a 920-MHz (32.6-cm wavelength) profiler were collocated by the NOAA Aeronomy Laboratory at Garden Point, Australia, in the Tiwi Islands during the Maritime Continent Thunderstorm Experiment (MCTEX) field campaign in November and December 1995. The two profilers were directed vertically and observed vertical velocities in the clear atmosphere and hydrometeor fall velocities in deep precipitating cloud systems. In the absence of Rayleigh scatterers, the profilers obtain backscattering from the refractive index irregularities created from atmospheric turbulence acting upon refractive index gradients. This kind of scattering is commonly referred to as Bragg scattering and is only weakly dependent on the radar wavelength provided the radar half-wavelength lies within the inertial subrange of homogeneous, isotropic turbulence. In the presence of hydrometeors the profilers observe Rayleigh backscattering from hydrometeors much as weather radars do and this ba...
Biosynthesis of reovirus-specified polypeptides The s1 mRNA synthesized in vivo is structurally and functionally indistinguishable from in vitro-synthesized s1 mRNA and encodes two polypeptides, σ1a and σ1bNS

Abstract The structural and functional properties of the reovirus serotype 1 (Lang strain) sl mRNA were examined. Reovirus s-class mRNAs, synthesized either in vivo within infected mouse L cells or in vitro by chymotrypsin-derived cores of purified virions, were purified by filter-hybridization using cDNA clones of the S-class genome segments. S1 cDNA-selected mRNA encoded the synthesis of the Mr ∼ 12,000 nonstructural polypeptide designated σ1bNS in addition to the well-established structural polypeptide σ1 now designated σ1a. The coding properties of in vivo- and in vitro-synthesized s1 mRNA were equivalent: both encoded σ1a and σ1bNS. Primer extension analysis of s1 mRNA revealed a single major 5′ terminus for both in vivo- and in vitro-synthesized s1 mRNA. These results suggest that there is a single transcript of the reovirus S1 genome segment which is functionally dicistronic, and likely encodes both σ1a and σ1bNS.
The impact of female reproductive function on outcomes after traumatic brain injury.

Abstract Ripley DL, Harrison-Felix C, Sendroy-Terrill M, Cusick CP, Dannels-McClure A, Morey C. The impact of female reproductive function on outcomes after traumatic brain injury. Objectives To determine the impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on female menstrual and reproductive functioning and to examine the relationships between severity of injury, duration of amenorrhea, and TBI outcomes. Design Retrospective cohort survey. Setting Telephone interview. Participants Women (N=30; age range, 18–45y), between 1 and 3 years postinjury, who had completed inpatient rehabilitation for TBI. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Data collected included menstrual and reproductive functioning pre- and postinjury, demographic, and injury characteristics. Outcome measures included the Glasgow Outcome Scale–Extended (GOS-E), the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory–4 (MPAI-4), and the Medical Outcome Study 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey, Version 2 (SF-12v2). Results The median duration of amenorrhea was 61 days (range, 20–344d). Many subjects' menstrual function changed after TBI, reporting a significant increase in skipped menses postinjury ( P P =.061). More severe TBI, as measured by the duration of posttraumatic amnesia, was significantly predictive of a longer duration of amenorrhea ( P =.004). Subjects with a shorter duration of amenorrhea scored significantly better on the SF-12 physical component subscale ( P =.004), the GOS-E ( P =.05), and the MPAI-4 participation subscale ( P =.05) after controlling for age, injury severity, and time postinjury. Conclusions The severity of TBI was predictive of duration of amenorrhea and a shorter duration of amenorrhea was predictive of better ratings of global outcome, community participation, and health-related quality of life postinjury.
Characterizing routing with radio-to-router information in an airborne network

The current generation of long-range, high capacity, military radios are stove-piped systems that work well in a homogeneous environment, but require significant setup and configuration to interoperate with other radio systems. Each radio provides a subset of disparate link information in nonstandard interfaces and has built-in home-grown or industry-based routers running potentially different routing protocols. In a heterogeneous radio system airborne environment, wireless link characteristics change rapidly, often requiring direct link feedback from the radio to make routing decisions. In recent years, there has been a number of work in developing a common radio-to-router interface that standardizes a subset of per-link information to pass to the network layer for use in dynamic MANET routing. While simulations and emulation tests can provide a baseline for how systems will perform, field-tests are crucial to demonstrate capabilities in real-world operating environments. In this paper, we present measurement results from a field test involving three airborne and two ground assets with various radio systems that test an implementation of RFC4938, a radio-to-router interface protocol, and its interaction with a modified OSPFv3 routing protocol to support dynamic link metrics and OSPF cost generation. The assets participated in the exercise formed a high capacity, dynamically routed aerial IP backbone made of heterogeneous radio technologies over 250 nautical miles (Nm), allowing the passing of military operational traffic.1
Curative surgery for atrial fibrillation: current status and minimally invasive approaches

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common disorder of heart rhythm. Affecting 2.2 million Americans and millions more worldwide, AF is a dangerous and costly epidemic. AF is associated with an increased risk of stroke, premature death and billions of dollars in healthcare expenditures. Traditional treatments of AF, which include medications aimed at rate or rhythm control have been disappointing, leaving most patients in AF and failing to eliminate the risk of stroke. In contrast, advances in surgical and catheter-based therapies offer the chance to cure AF. With more than a decade of experience, surgical treatment of AF is the most effective means of curing this arrhythmia. The classic Maze procedure eliminates AF in more than 90% of patients. A complex but safe operation, the Maze procedure is applied by relatively few surgeons. Recently, however, there has been a resurgence of interest in surgical treatment of AF. Advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of AF and development of new ablation...
Preventing youth suicide: time to ask how.

i f c m f T he 50th anniversary of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry is a cause for celebration because its development mirrors that of the field of child and adolescent psychiatry. At the time of the Journal’s inception, there were almost no systematic methods of assessment or empirically validated treatments. In addition to many other conditions, this was certainly true of adolescent suicidal behavior. Over time, the Journal framed important questions, provided comprehensive answers to these questions, and has pointed promising directions for the next generation of research. In 1981, clinicians, educators, parents, and the general public were panicked about the problem of adolescent suicide. The adolescent suicide rate had tripled in the previous two decades. The news media described teen suicide as resulting from a lack of adult understanding and empathy and blamed the increase in teen suicide on divorce, rock music, and cultural anomie. Although child psychiatrists were frequently called on to evaluate suicidal adolescents, there were few studies and no standards. That year, Shaffer and Fisher published an elegant review that was a call to arms for empirical research on youth suicide. This review extracted an amazing amount of information from the descriptive epidemiology of youth suicide and called on the field to obtain a clearer picture of antecedents and risk factors for attempted and completed suicide. Specifically, the article recommended psychological autopsy studies to understand the risk factors for suicide and longitudinal studies to understand the antecedents of suicidal behavior. In the subsequent two decades, articles in the Journal documented a rapidly growing understanding of the developmental, cognitive, diagnostic, and family environmental contributions to youth suicide and suicidal behavior. Mood disorder, especially in combination with nonaffective comorbidity, like conduct disorder and
Zinc-and/or cadmium-induced intestinal metallothionein and copper metabolism in adult rats

Abstract Feeding diets with high zinc or cadmium concentrations to animals compromises their copper status. Previous work suggested that metallothionein (MT), induced in the intestinal mucosa by zinc or cadmium, binds copper and inhibits its absorption. More recent studies showed that this mechanism may not be operative for zinc and that intestinal MT adapts to long-term feeding of high-zinc diets. The present study was designed to determine the effects of feeding high-zinc and/or high-cadmium diets on the induction of intestinal MT and its subsequent effect on copper status. Six-week-old male rats were placed in a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial experiment with two concentrations of dietary zinc (60 and 350 mg/kg), two concentrations of dietary copper (3 and 9 mg/kg), and three concentrations of dietary cadmium (0, 1, and 5 mg/kg). After 3 weeks, the difference in the MT concentration between rats fed high- and normal-zinc diets was only 1.5 times. However, rats fed the highest amount of cadmium had MT concentrations about five time higher than those not fed cadmium. In both the zinc and cadmium groups, the concentration of intestinal zinc and cadmium followed that of MT; however, the copper concentrations were not changed. Although intestinal MT was not elevated appreciably in zinc-fed rats, the copper status of these rats fed 3 mg of copper/kg of diet was severely depressed. Rats fed 9 mg of copper/kg of diet were not affected. The copper status in rats fed high-cadmium and 3 mg of copper/kg of diet was depressed even more than with a high-zinc diet. This study suggests that the effects of high dietary zinc or cadmium on copper status are not the result of induced intestinal MT binding of copper thus preventing its passage into the circulation.
Structure of Bence—Jones protein, Pav: an initial report

Abstract A Bence-Jones protein, Pav, was isolated from the urine of a myeloma patient. Crystals were grown by five different methods yielding different morphologies with slightly changed cell parameters, but the space group was the same (P212121) in every case and X-ray patterns appeared to be identical. The cell parameters are: a = 93.6 (4) to 95.1(4) A , b = 92.7(3) A and c = 72.8(2) A . The crystal density and solvent content are approximately 1.128 g/cm3 and 0.64, respectively. Chemical evidence suggest that the two subunits of Pav are identical in chemical sequence. The crystal structure may prove useful in defining allosteric effects among antibody domains.
Iterative instantaneous frequency estimation and adaptive matched spectrogram

Abstract In this paper, we present an iterative algorithm to estimate the instantaneous frequency (IF) and matched spectrogram of nonstationary signals. The matched spectrogram obtained by this method is concentrated along the IF for monocomponent signals. The proposed algorithm is then combined with a simple window adaptation scheme to obtain an adaptive spectrogram method matched to the estimated IF. The convergence analysis and the properties of the IF estimation algorithm are presented. Finally examples showing the performance of the proposed algorithms are given.
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol responsiveness to diet in normolipidemic subjects.

Abstract Both apolipoprotein E genotype (apo E) and diet predict very-low-density (VLDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. In a retrospective pooled analysis of six studies, we sought to identify the predictors of VLDL-C and LDL-C change, or “responsiveness,” to a diet crossover. “Response” to diet was studied in 67 normolipidemic subjects of common apo E genotype. Subjects were fed two contrasting, metabolically controlled diets: one had a low polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio (P:S), and the other had a high P:S ratio. Multiple blood samples were analyzed for VLDL-C and LDL-C levels at the end of each metabolic diet period, and values were averaged and differences were calculated. Despite adjustment for significant predictors across the component studies, a wide range of LDL-C responsiveness was found, with an average decrease of 28 mg/dL. Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify the most significant predictors of LDL-C response to the diet crossover. All dietary and clinical variables were entered by stepwise regression for potential inclusion in a “best-fit” model. The degree of change in saturated fat content and age were the most significant predictors of LDL-C responsiveness. Neither dietary cholesterol nor apo E phenotype were significant predictors of responsiveness. The most LDL-C-responsive subjects were older and required smaller reductions in dietary saturated fat levels than did less-responsive subjects to achieve a comparable reduction in LDL-C levels. Multiple regression analysis suggested a precursor-product relationship between VLDL-C and LDL-C responsiveness.
Mesonephric adenocarcinoma of the cervix: a case report and review of the literature.

Abstract Background. Malignant mesonephric tumor arising in the uterine cervix is an exceedingly uncommon variant of cervical adenocarcinoma with only 30 well-documented cases in the literature. Case. We present a case of a 54-year-old woman with postmenopausal vaginal bleeding who was found to have a stage IB mesonephric adenocarcinoma of the cervix. Conclusion. At present there is no consensus on a standardized treatment protocol for malignant mesonephric tumors of the cervix. The present case suggests that a favorable outcome may be achieved for patients with stage IB tumors with aggressive initial therapy.
Phosphocitrate as a potential therapeutic strategy for crystal deposition disease

The deposition of basic calcium phosphate and calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals in articular tissues is probably an underrecognized event. Clinical observations indicate that exaggerated and uniquely distributed cartilage degeneration is associated with these deposits. Measurements of putative markers of cartilage breakdown suggest that these crystals magnify the degenerative process. In vitro studies reveal two potential mechanisms by which crystals cause degeneration. These involve the stimulation of mitogenesis in synovial fibroblasts and the secretion of metalloproteinases by cells that phagocytose these crystals. Approaches that may ameliorate the degenerative process may ensue from new information about how crystals form and how they exert their biologic effects.
Psychopathology, family functioning, and cognitive style in urban adolescents with suicide attempts

This study examined psychopathology, family functioning, and cognitive style in 121 African-American adolescents who attempted suicide. Group means suggested that these youths, when taken together, were not reporting significant psychological distress. However, after classifying the youths into three groups by level of depressive symptoms interesting findings emerged. Youth self-reports of depressive symptoms on the Children's Depression Inventory were associated with the presence of internalizing and externalizing disorders on the Youth Self-Report and Child Behavior Checklist, and with a maladaptive attributional style. Sixty-seven percent of participants classified their family types as maladaptive in terms of levels of cohesion and/or adaptability. In fact, the majority of adolescents and parents reported their families as disengaged. These findings are discussed from a culturally and developmentally sensitive framework which considers key demographic variables (race, socioeconomic status, age). Clinical implications are offered for individual and family interventions.
Screening of water samples for polar organic micropollutants using on-column sample enrichment

Methodology and instrumentation are described which allow chromatographic screening of water samples under substantially simplified conditions and at reduced cost. A single column is used to accomplish sample extraction, trace enrichment, and separation. The performance of such a system is demonstrated, and the results compared with conventionally used concepts.
Following the Leader? Mormon Voting on Ballot Propositions

Why did Utah voters-most of whom are Mormons-vote in favor of repealing Prohibition in 1933, and against a modest relaxation of Utah's liquor laws in 1968? In answering this question, we illuminate some important facets of the political behavior of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We hypothesize that Mormons are likely to "follow their leaders" on political questions when two conditions hold: (1) official endorsement of a position by LDS church leaders; and (2) internal agreement among those leaders. Each is necessary, but neither is sufficient alone. In 1933, only one of these two conditions held; in 1968 both did. Using ecological inference to generate estimates of individual-level behavior of Mormon and non-Mormon voters in Utah, we find that Mormon voters were significantly more likely to vote in accordance with the Mormon Church's official position in 1968 than in 1933. We further test our hypothesis by examining other referenda in states with a large Mormon population. We conclude with a discussion of when and how contemporary Mormon leaders get involved in political issues.
What's good for the goose may not be as good for the gander: the benefits of self-monitoring for men and women in task groups and dyadic conflicts.

The authors posit that women can rely on self-monitoring to overcome negative gender stereotypes incertain performance contexts. In a study of mixed-sex task groups, the authors found that female groupmembers who were high self-monitors were considered more influential and more valuable contributorsthan women who were low self-monitors. Men benefited relatively less from self-monitoring behavior.In an experimental study of dyadic negotiations, the authors found that women who were highself-monitors performed better than women who were low self-monitors, particularly when they werenegotiating over a fixed pool of resources, whereas men did not benefit as much from self-monitoring.Further analyses suggest that high self-monitoring women altered their behavior in these negotiationswhen their partner behaved assertively, they increased their level of assertiveness, whereas men and lowself-monitoring women did not alter their behavior.Keywords: self-monitoring, sex, gender, negotiations, groups
Evaluating directorial control in a character-centric interactive narrative framework

Interactive narrative allows the user to play a role in a story and interact with other characters controlled by the system. Directorial control is a procedure for dynamically tuning the interaction towards the author's desired effects. Most existing approaches for directorial control are built within plot-centric frameworks for interactive narrative and do not have a systematic way to ensure that the characters are always well-motivated during the interaction. Thespian is a character-centric framework for interactive narrative. In our previous work on Thespian, we presented an approach for applying directorial control while not affecting the consistency of characters' motivations. This work evaluates the effectiveness of our directorial control approach. Given the priority of generating only well-motivated characters' behaviors, we empirically evaluate how often the author's desired effects are achieved. We also discuss how the directorial control procedure can save the author effort in configuring the characters.
25-Hydroxyvitamin D: functional outcomes in infants and young children

Vitamin D deficiency occurs in the United States in exclusively breastfed infants who have high levels of skin pigmentation, inadequate vitamin D supplementation, and insufficient sunlight exposure. I review serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations and functional outcomes of vitamin deficiency in young children and breastfed and nonbreastfed infants. These outcomes include the presence or absence of vitamin D deficiency rickets, bone mineral content, and serum parathyroid hormone concentration. Daily vitamin D supplements of 400 IU/L keep serum 25(OH)D concentrations higher than 50 nmol/L and prevent rickets in infants and young children. The available evidence is not sufficient to support the use of bone mineral content or parathyroid hormone concentrations in infants and young children as functional outcomes to define deficient or sufficient levels of 25(OH)D. I therefore propose a research agenda to establish the functional definitions of vitamin D sufficiency or deficiency in infants and young children.
The center of the center of marine shore fish biodiversity: the Philippine Islands

Multiple datasets show global maxima of marine biodiversity in the Indo–Malay–Philippines archipelago (IMPA). Analysis of distribution data for 2983 species reveals a pattern of richness on a finer scale and identifies a peak of marine biodiversity in the central Philippine Islands and a secondary peak between peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra. This pattern is repeated in diverse habitat and higher taxa classes, most rigorously for marine shore fishes, supporting geohistorical hypotheses as the most general unifying explanations. Specific predictions based on area of overlap, area of accumulation, and area of refuge hypotheses suggest that present day eastern Indonesia, or Wallacea, should be the center of marine biodiversity. Processes suggested by these three hypotheses contribute to the diversity in this region and are also a likely explanation for the secondary center of diversity. Our study indicates, however, that there is a higher concentration of species per unit area in the Philippines than anywhere in Indonesia, including Wallacea. The Philippine center of diversity is consistent with hypotheses that this area experienced numerous vicariant and island integration events and these hypotheses warrant further testing. Special attention to marine conservation efforts in the Philippines is justified because of the identification of it as an epicenter of biodiversity and evolution.