cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Respiratory metabolism of temperature acclimated Fundulus heteroclitus (L.): Zones of compensation and dependence

Abstract The oxygen consumption of temperature acclimated mummichogs, Fundulus heteroclitus (L.) weighing ≈0.1–10.0 g, was measured at 5, 13, 21, and 29 C. Between 13 and 21°C and 21 and 29°C, the values of Q10 were 1.55 and 1.04, respectively, indicating relative thermal independence of respiratory metabolic rate over this 16°C range (Q10 = 1.27). This range encompasses the normal late spring, summer, and early fall range of habitat temperature in Maine estuaries, so that mummichogs are able to grow and reproduce relatively independent of environmental temperature. Between 5 and 13°C, respiratory metabolism is very temperature sensitive (Q10 = 4.42) indicating a substantial reduction of metabolic processes at low temperatures. This enables mummichogs to conserve any metabolic reserves during the coldest months. The regression of log weight-specific oxygen consumption on log body weight was determined at each experimental temperature. All had significantly negative slopes indicating the importance of body size in mummichog respiration.
Transition to adult care: systematic assessment of adolescents with chronic illnesses and their medical teams.

Objective To examine the process of transition from pediatric to adult health care services from the perspectives of young adults with chronic disease and both pediatric and adult health care providers. Study design A qualitative approach using focus-group interviews was performed to investigate transition experiences. Novel games were also used to generate data. Content and narrative analyses of interview transcripts were performed. Results We conducted 6 focus groups with 10 young adults who had chronic disease and with 24 health care providers. Content analysis yielded 3 content domains: (1) transition experiences in the context of relationships among patients, parents, and health care providers; (2) differences between pediatric and adult-oriented medicine and how these differences inhibit or facilitate transition; and (3) identification of transition services that should be provided to young patients who have chronic disease. Conclusion This study demonstrates the need for gradual transfer of disease management from parent to child and the need for better communication between adult and pediatric services during the transition process. Pediatric medicine and adult medicine represent different subcultures; acknowledging these differences may improve cooperation during transition from pediatric to adult providers. Young-adult patients with chronic disease embrace the use of technology for specific interventions to improve the transition experience.
Response of Life Threatening Dimenhydrinate Intoxication to Sodium Bicarbonate Administration

AbstractThis is a report of an intentionally administered overdose of dimenhydrinate to a 4 month-old infant who subsequently presented with status epilepticus, coma, and life threatening ventricular dysrhythmias. Initial toxicologic analysis of the serum by fluorescence polarization immunoassay was positive for tricyclic antidepressants. Repeat analysis of the serum at 6 hours post ingestion by gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis defined diphenhydramine 4.8 μg/mL. The infant was managed with IV sodium bicarbonate as utilized in tricyclic antidepressant intoxication. The dysrhythmias resolved and the infant recovered without sequelae.
Estimation of melt film variables during the steady‐state penetration phase of thermoplastic vibration welding using a generalized newtonian fluid model

The thickness of the melt film and the temperature profiles within the melt film in the weld zone are key process variables governing the development of weld-zone microstructures and the resulting development of weld strengths, during vibration welding of thermoplastics. The mathematical model described in this report is aimed at investigating the role of the rheology of the melt—specifically the magnitude and shear-rate as well as temperature dependence of the melt viscosity—in governing the process variables such as the molten film thickness and the viscosities, stresses, and the temperatures within the melt film during vibration welding. The analysis is focused on the steady-state penetration phase (phase III) of vibration welding. The coupled steady-state momentum balance and heat transfer within the melt film, formulated using the Cross-WLF (Williams-Landel-Ferry) relationship for viscosity, are solved in an iterative finite element framework. The model has been implemented for two different polymers displaying significant differences in viscosities and shear thinning behaviors. An attempt has been made to correlate the trends in the estimated melt film variables with the experimentally measured weld quality. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Electron Transmission through Self-Assembled Monolayers

Electron transmission through a series of self-assembled monolayer films is studied using an iterative Green's function method with absorbing boundary conditions. The nuclear-electron interactions are calculated using suitable pseudopotentials, and the Hamiltonian is evaluated using a discrete variable representation. The presence of electronegative head groups on the metal surface gives rise to much lower transmission through the layers. The presence of these headgroups also produces asymmetric transmission effects where the transmission coefficient depends on the incident direction of the electron, as observed in recent STM measurements. Longer alkane chains (up to 18 carbon atoms) are more ordered due to the self-assembly process and have higher transmission coefficients at lower electron energies. This collective effect is observable experimentally and is not a property of single molecules in which transmission probabilities decay roughly exponentially with chain length.
U.S. Energy relations with the Asia-Pacific region

Abstract The goal of the U.S. National Energy Policy is to foster an adequate supply of energy at reasonable costs by promoting a balanced and mixed energy resource system that is not unduly dependent on any single source of supply, either foreign or domestic. Because the world oil market is interdependent, the United States is concerned not only with reducing its own vulnerability to oil and to other energy emergencies, but also with reducing the vulnerability of other countries, such as those in the Asia-Pacific region. To accomplish this the United States can modify its energy and oil use to ensure that Asia-Pacific countries will not be deprived of the energy supplies necessary for growth; it can undertake joint research and development efforts with countries in the region to promote cooperative approaches to mutual energy concerns; and it can cooperate with countries in the region to promote greater exports of U.S. energy resources and to thus provide secure and reliable energy supplies to Asia-Pacific countries.
Nonlinear optics at nanoscale: The stimulated Raman effect

Nonlinear optics at nanoscale is a recent fascinating research field. Among the numerous nonlinear optics phenomena, due to its significant implications from both fundamental and applicative point of view, stimulated Raman scattering is one of the most interesting. In this paper, the observations of stimulated Raman scattering in silicon nano-particles, at the wavelengths of interest for telecommunications, is reported and a significant Raman gain enhancement with respect to silicon is demonstrated. In addition, Raman gain coefficient in a nanostructured material obtained by a high niobium content glass belonging to the K 2 O_Nb 2 O 5 _SiO 2 (KNS) glass-forming system is measured. A significant enhancement of Raman gain (up to 25 times higher) and of its bandwidth with respect to SiO 2 glass is reported.
Novel M(1) allosteric ligands: a patent review.

Introduction: There is substantial evidence from preclinical and early proof-of-concept studies suggesting that selective modulation of the M1 muscarinic receptor is efficacious in cognitive models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and antipsychotic models of schizophrenia. For example, a number of nonselective M1 muscarinic agonists have previously shown positive effects on cognitive function in AD patients, but were limited due to cholinergic adverse events thought to be mediated by pan activation of the M2 to M5 subtypes. Thus, there is a need to identify selective activators of the M1 receptor to evaluate their potential in cognitive disorders. One strategy to confer selectivity for M1 is the identification of allosteric agonists or positive allosteric modulators, which would target an allosteric site on the M1 receptor rather than the highly conserved orthosteric acetylcholine binding site. Areas covered: This review discusses the M1 muscarinic receptor and its potential therapeutic value in the treatment ...
Prophylactic aspirin use among US physicians.

Abstract Several studies indicate usefulness of therapy with aspirin in patients with unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction. 1 A recent report suggests decreased mortality in patients with acute myocardial ischemia when thrombolytic therapy is combined with aspirin. 2 Results of a recent trial among US physicians showed a significant reduction in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the aspirin group versus the placebo group. 3 However, among British male physicians, aspirin intake did not result in similar reduction in the frequency of cardiovascular events. 4 Because of the extensive reporting of the "benefits" of aspirin in the news media, it is likely that physicians are prescribing aspirin frequently to their patients, as well as taking it themselves prophylactically. This study details the results of a survey of US physicians attending a cardiovascular symposium.
Effect of vitamins C and E on sulfated proteoglycan metabolism and sulfatase and phosphatase activities in organ cultures of human cartilage.

Previous studies conducted in cell culture utilizing chondrocytes isolated from human articular cartilage showed that inclusion of ascorbic acid in the nutrient medium resulted in an increase in the net biosynthesis of sulfated proteoglycans concomitant with a reduction in the activities of arylsulfatases A and B. This suggested a possible connection between the stability of the sulfated macromolecules and the activity of these desulfating enzymes. To examine whether this relationship also was operative in a more native milieu, the effect of ascorbate on these parameters was measured in an organ culture system using slices of human articular cartilage where the structural extracellular framework surrounding the chondrocytes is comparable to that present in vivo. In addition, since numerous studies have shown that vitamin E inhibits lysosomal enzymes, the effect of alpha-tocopherol on these parameters was also investigated. Concurrent with an inhibition of arylsulfatase A and B activities, an increase in sulfated proteoglycan biosynthesis per unit of DNA as reflected in35S-sulfate uptake was present in all cartilage specimens examined 6 days after the introduction of vitamin C in the culture fluid. A larger fraction of the newly synthesized sulfated macromolecules was incorporated into the matrix of the tissue in samples maintained in the vitamin-supplemented cultures. Supplementation of the organ culture medium with vitamin E resulted in the inhibition of arylsulfatase A and no change in arylsulfatase B activities. In contrast to the action of vitamin C which stimulated acid phosphatase activity, a potent inhibition of this enzyme was effected by vitamin E. Sulfated proteoglycan content was greatly enhanced by alpha-tocopherol, although the vitamin did not alter the distribution of the newly synthesized molecules between the tissue and medium fractions. Inhibition of acid phosphatase and arylsulfatase A by alpha-tocopherol was evident in tissue lysates and partially purified enzyme preparations. This implies a direct interaction between the enzymes and vitamin E. The actions of alpha-tocopherol and ascorbate on cartilage enzymes and structural components were dissimilar. Both vitamins, however, appeared to enhance the stability of sulfated proteoglycans in the complex structure comprising articular cartilage.
The short of it: Abbreviating the temporal discounting procedure

A typical temporal discounting procedure determines the present, subjective value (indifference point) of a delayed outcome at 5 – 8 different delays to that outcome. These indifference points are used to determine a single index of discounting called a discounting rate. One concern that remains in the collection of this data is the high number of trials or choices, resulting in participant fatigue or other factors that may affect the validity of the data. In this report, we propose an abbreviated alternative to the more comprehensive and time-consuming discounting procedure. Specifically, we propose that fewer indifference points can be used to determine statistically equivalent discount rates with no loss in data sensitivity. We reanalyzed temporal discounting data obtained with 7 indifference points, and estimated discount rates from all combinations of 2, 3, and 4 of the 7 indifference points. Results indicate that valid and sensitive discounting indices can be obtained with fewer indifference points, and the most appropriate sets of indifference points are highlighted. The proposed abbreviated procedure is likely to be particularly useful when time constraints or participant fatigue is a concern, as well as in repeated-measures contexts.
Seasonal and annual variability in particle fluxes in the Gulf of California: A response to climate forcing

Abstract A six-year time series of sediment trap samples is used to document seasonal and interannual changes in particle fluxes in Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California. Sedimentation in this region of the Gulf of California is dominated by two seasonally varying components: biogenic silica during the late fall–spring and lithogenic material during the summer. This variability in sediment fluxes is a direct response to the seasonally reversing monsoon climate in this region. In addition, this seasonal variability in particle flux to the seafloor combined with the lack of bioturbation results in the formation of sediment laminae or varves in Guaymas Basin. Observed interannual differences in the magnitude of sediment fluxes appear to be related to ENSO. These findings indicate that biogenic sediment fluxes, and hence primary productivity, are higher during non-ENSO years in the central Gulf of California. A decrease in the carbonate: opal flux ratio from 1991 to 1996 indicates that diatoms became an increasingly important component of the plankton during this period and further supports our findings that productivity in Guaymas Basin is higher during non-ENSO years.
A cure for outdated capital budgeting techniques

Is your firm still using outdated capital budgeting techniques? They tend to be overly conservative in evaluating alternatives—and may reject a project that should have been accepted. Instead, the authors suggest a simulation method that will help you make better decisions. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Using Immersive 3D Terrain Models For Fusion Of UAV Surveillance Imagery

job to constantly monitor the video and coordinate with other operators to ensure the region of interest in covered. This paper presents initial steps towards an approach that would allow a single operator to utilize data from several UAVs and interact with the data in a more natural and less stressful way. The concept is to paint video directly onto a 3D model of the environment and allow the operator to interact with the model as they would a computer game. The location of any of the UAVs need not be known to the operator. The operator might eventually mark areas of the environment to be searched more or less carefully or often and allow the UAVs to cooperatively and autonomously determine paths that achieve this.
Stochastic modeling of fatigue crack propagation

Abstract This paper presents a stochastic model of fatigue-induced crack propagation in metallic materials. The crack growth rate predicted by the model is guaranteed to be non-negative. The model structure is built upon the underlying principle of Karhunen–Loeve expansion and does not require solutions of stochastic differential equations in either Wiener integral or Ito integral setting. As such this crack propagation model can be readily adapted to damage monitoring and remaining life prediction of stressed structures. The model results have been verified by comparison with experimental data of time-dependent fatigue crack statistics for 2024-T3 and 7075-T6 aluminum alloys.
Molecular Farming in Plants: A Current Perspective

The low cost of production makes plants an ideal candidate for producing many high value compounds through genetic engineering. Expression of vaccines, therapeutic proteins, nutraceuticals, industrial enzymes, and other bio-polymers has been achieved in different plants. A few products for human health care that have been produced in plant systems are currently undergoing human clinical trials. Some recombinant molecules produced in plants for diagnostic use are currently available in the market and several other compounds are in the pipeline for commercialization. The involvement of several biotechnology companies and the successes achieved provide promise for the growth of this emerging field, “Molecular Farming”.
Liability and risk management for defective expert systems

The use of medical expert systems brings the prospect of tort litigation when adverse care is delivered as a result of reliance on the system. A key issue is the distribution of responsibility between the person acting on the advice and the system manufacturer. It is suggested that to address this potential liability it is appropriate to apply risk management and system safety to the development, selection, and use of expert systems. This is based on the principle that safety requires the explicit application of procedures which identify hazards and address their elimination or control. >
The photoelectrochemical production of chlorine from sea water

Abstract An examination has been made of the evolution of Cl2 from saline solution upon photo-irradiation of certain photo anodes. Photo illumination by means of a Xe lamp was used, and the light chopped to find the photo response. Electrodes were prepared by heating T2O3 or TO2 with R2O3 in argon (T=transition metal, R=rare earth; T=Cr, Ru, Pt; R=La). Electrodes were mounted in Teflon and examined microscopically. The i-V curves were quasi-exponential; iλ-λ relations were parabolic, with two peaks in certain systems. LaRuO3 on Ti evolved Cl2, but LaCrO3 on Ti evolved O2 from saline solution. Current efficiencies were 0.1–1%. A GaAs self-generating cell gave 0.01–0.1% quantum efficiency. When an anion exchange membrane was present, changes indicated the formation of NaOH in the anode compartment. The onset potential is 1.3 V cathodic to the potential for oxygen evolution. On the cathodic side, it is 0.4 V anodic to the potential for hydrogen evolution. The photoelectrochemical spectrum shows two maxima for LaCrO3 on Ti. Quantu, efficiency increases with increase of anodic potential. The phenomenology of the onset potential and onset frequency are qualitatively rationalized. A potential sea-borne caustic, chlorine, ammonia, hydrogen and fresh water, solar-aided plant is described.
Multi-Gram Scale Synthesis of FR180204

A concise synthesis of the ERK inhibitor FR180204 has been developed. The synthesis consists of six operationally simple steps and can be utilized to make multi-gram quantities of FR180204.
Polarimeter for threshold photoneutron spectroscopy

Abstract A polarimeter system has been developed which is suitable for use with a continuous energy spectrum of neutrons below 1 MeV. This polarimeter is well-suited for measuring the polarization of photoneutrons near threshold. Analyzing targets of 16 O and Mg were selected for the present study. A spin-precession solenoid, designed for use with a continuous energy spectrum of neutrons, was employed in order to minimize systematic errors. As an example of the method, the photoneutron polarization is observed from resonances near threshold for the 208 Pb(γ,n) 207 Pb reaction at an angle of 135°.
Russian attitudes toward gambling

Abstract The restructuring of Russian society has led to a marked increase in opportunities to gamble. To help understand Russian attitudes toward gambling, and various facets of these attitudes, the Gambling Attitude Scales (GAS) were adapted into Russian. Participants from St. Petersburg State University ( n = 171) were given the Russian version of the GAS, which measures general attitudes toward gambling and specific attitudes toward the casino, the lottery, and horse races. The scales showed adequate internal consistency, with alpha coefficients ranging from 0.77 to 0.89. Although there were no differences among the scale means, suggesting similarity in valence toward these activities, Russian women held more positive attitudes than men toward the lottery. Positive attitudes toward gambling were found to be related to individual differences in risk taking, liberalism, and previous gambling experience.
Transboundary river basin agreements in the Mekong and Zambezi basins: Enhancing environmental security or securitizing the environment?

Multilateral agreements are emerging as important mechanisms for structuring cooperation in politically and ecologically complex transboundary river basins around the world. While such agreements are offered and legitimized as a means to advance ecological and human security, they instead often promote state-centric environmental securitization. As a result, seemingly progressive agreements grounded in international law are likely to precipitate and mask environmental degradation until it becomes serious or even irreversible, creating both ecological and human security crises at a variety of scales. Case studies of wetland ecosystems in both the Zambezi and Mekong basins reveal the material and discursive linkages between international agreements and security. By drawing on critical approaches that acknowledge both the socially constructed and the multi-dimensional nature of sovereignty, this paper exposes significant institutional barriers to ecologically sustainable transboundary cooperation in the two basins.
SENSITIVELY ANALYSIS IN GEOMETRIC PROGRAMMING

A unified approach to computing first, second, or higher-order derivatives of any of the primal and dual variables or multipliers of a geometric programming problem, with respect to any of the problem parameters (term coefficients, exponents, and constraint right-hand sides) is presented. Conditions under which the sensitivity equations possess a unique solution are developed, and ranging results are also derived. The analysis for approximating second and higher-order sensitivity generalizes to any sufficiently smooth nonlinear program.
Changes in Plasma Proteins in Zinc-Deficient Rats

SummaryA reduction in total plasma proteins was observed in young zinc-deficient rats after 4 weeks on the experimental diet. Zinc deficiency also resulted in alterations in plasma protein patterns obtained by disc gel electrophoresis. These results were due to zinc deficiency, per se, and not due to inanition since neither pair-fed nor paired-weight controls showed these changes.
Meissner shielding currents and magnetic flux penetration in thin-film superconductors

We have observed the magnetic flux penetration at 4.2 K into superconducting lead films of about 4 µm thickness using a high-resolution magnetooptical technique. The specimens had the shape of small squares or long strips. In increasing magnetic field it was found that magnetic flux starts to penetrate into the bulk of the specimens in the form of flux tubes containing about 60 flux quanta. For the samples with the strip geometry the magnetic fieldH*, at which flux penetration into the bulk sets in, was investigated in the presence of an external electrical currentI along the strip superimposed on the Meissner shielding currents. The fieldH* was found to decrease linearly with increasing transport currentI. The magnetic field near a long superconducting cylinder in the presence of both a transverse applied magnetic field and an applied electrical current parallel to the cylinder axis has been calculated. The calculation is valid for a cylinder of elliptical cross section, which approximates a long, flat strip. The experimental observations for the slope ∂H*/∂I are in good agreement with the calculations.
Structure and growth kinetics of zirconium hydrous polymers in organic solutions

Abstract The objective of this study was to understand the kinetics of hydrolysis and condensation reactions and structures of zirconium hydrous polymers formed by these reactions. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements were made on solutions for an aging period ranging from 109 ms to few days. Results prove that condensation reactions start before completion of hydrolysis and as a result polymers formed at the earlier stages ( t ≈ 100 ms) are weakly cross-linked (linear). On further aging, due to the internal condensation process these weakly cross-linked polymers convert to highly branched polymers with a structure identical to an ideal Gaussian randomly branched polymer with a persistent length (building block) of 8.3 ± 0.5 A.
A Mobile Interface for Hierarchical Information Visualization and Navigation

There is a dramatic increase in the population who use mobile computing devices. Though the hardware becomes more powerful, effective support for information rendering on small screens very much lags behind. To display hierarchical information, researchers have proposed many algorithms for desktop screen visualization. Such algorithms are generally divided into connection and enclosure. Connection approach displays hierarchy with a clear structure but consume display area. Enclosure can maximally utilize the screen space but the layout is essentially implicit. This paper describes a new Radial Edgeless Tree (RELT) for visualizing hierarchical data on palm sized devices. The aim of RELT is to combine the advantages of connection and enclosure approaches. By recursively partitioning the display area, this technique maximizes the space usage. The structural clarity of layout can be reached by arranging location of non-overlapping regions. RELT can be adapted for visualizing structural information for various applications.
The Reliability and Validity of Drug Users' Self Reports of Amphetamine Use Among Primarily Heroin and Cocaine Users

Relatively few studies have addressed the psychometric properties of self-report measures of amphetamine use. This study examines the reliability and validity of the Risk Behavior Assessment's (RBA) lifetime and recent amphetamine-use questions. To evaluate validity, 4027 out-of-treatment primarily cocaine and heroin users provided urine samples that were compared to self-report data; to evaluate reliability, 218 completed the RBA at two time points, 48h apart. In the overall sample, self-reports demonstrated moderately high validity, with a 95% accuracy rate (kappa=.54). When analysis was restricted to recent amphetamine users validity was slightly lower (71.5% accuracy; kappa=.41). Test-retest data indicated good reliability for self-reports of ever having used amphetamine (kappa=.79), and amphetamine use in the past 30 days (.75<r<.91). Out-of-treatment drug users provided accurate self-reports of amphetamine use. Reliable and valid measures are essential for describing and predicting trends in amphetamine use, evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, and developing policies and programs.
Prolactin inhibition of luteinizing hormone-stimulated androgen synthesis in ovarian interstitial cells cultured in defined medium: mechanism of action.

The mechanism by which PRL acts on ovarian interstitial cells to inhibit androgen synthesis was examined using primary cultures of ovarian cells from hypophysectomized immature rats grown in serum-free medium. In the presence of LH, the cultured interstitial cells showed a 200-fold increase in androgen production, of which androsterone was the principal metabolite. The addition of highly purified PRL (100 ng/ml) markedly inhibited (98%) the LH-stimulated androsterone accumulation. The ED50 of PRL action was calculated to be 1.3 ± 0.4 ng/ml. The inhibition of androsterone production by PRL was rapid (t½ = 75 min), not readily reversible, and could be evoked at any time during the culture period. The effects of PRL on LH-stimulated androgen production were not due to changes in [125I]iodo-hCG binding, LH-stimulated adenylate cyclase, cell number, or cell viability. As with LH, prostaglandin E2, cholera toxin, or 8-bromo cAMP also caused marked increases in androsterone synthesis, and these effects were bloc...
Paleoislands in the stream: paleogeography and expected circulation patterns

Abstract Marine islands belong to discrete geographic realms attended by persistent patterns of oceanic and atmospheric circulation. Wet and dry vegetation zones on the opposite sides of Hawaii, for example, result from northeasterly trade winds in an open-ocean setting. Distinct windward and leeward shores are due to variations in wave exposure. The Channel Islands off southern California meet northwesterly winds that push the California Current and its associated upwelling along the west coast of North America. Other islands within the Gulf of California are influenced by the seasonal shifts in winter and summer winds related to a semi-monsoonal pattern of atmospheric circulation. Ancient islands preserved in the rock record as drowned monadnocks provide a direct link to a comparable range of climatic and oceanographic interactions through Phanerozoic time. Exemplary case studies, one each from the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras, are reviewed with respect to geography, ecology, and climate. They include the Ordovician Jens Munk Archipelago on Hudson Bay in Manitoba (Canada), the Cretaceous island group on the Pacific shores of northern Baja California (Mexico), and the Pliocene Santa Ines Archipelago from the Gulf of California in Baja California Sur (Mexico). Key physical features shared in common include sedimentary ramps with 6–12° slopes constructed on basal conglomerates that incorporate debris from eroded basement rocks. Biological attributes shared in common are contrasting biofacies indicative of distinct windward and leeward environments.
Dynamic power considerations in a complete 12 /spl times/ 12 optical packet switching network

The dynamic optical power characteristics of an implemented 12-port optical packet switching network are measured for multiple-wavelength packets with 16 payload wavelengths and five routing header wavelengths. The system demonstrates an average dynamic optical power range of approximately 6.7 dB at the 10/sup -12/ bit-error-rate (BER) threshold, and 8.2 dB at 10/sup -9/ BER. These measurements which investigate how the system affects the encoded optical packets are discussed as metrics for network scalability and robustness.
District elections and the power of municipal employee unions

Very little prior research has been devoted to the effects of the institutional structure of local government on public sector labor markets. This study addresses the differential effects of the two main systems used to elect city council members — district versus citywide (at-large) elections. The study hypothesizes that, in district-election cities, municipal employees, especially those who are unionized, face a lower cost of influencing city council candidates and, consequently, will have greater power to influence employment conditions. To test this hypothesis, data on U.S. cities over 25,000 population are used to estimate both reduced form and structural wage and employment equations. The results are consistent with the basic hypothesis: district elections provide a more fertile ground for municipal employees, especially those organized in unions, to affect their employment conditions.
FT-IR Studies Of Lipid/Protein Interaction In Biological Membranes

FT-IR spectroscopy has been used to monitor phospholipid order and melting characteristics as well as protein secondary structure in reconstituted membrane systems. The protein used in the current work is CaATPase, a Calcium-pumping protein isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle. The protein is isolated, purified and reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles of the desired composition. High precision (0.03 cm-1) measurements of the temperature dependence of the acyl chain CH2 stretching frequencies are used to construct melting curves for the various phospholipids used in the current work. The effect of CaATPase on lipid order depends upon the level of unsaturation of the lipid acyl chains, the strongest perturbations being observed for molecules containing one saturated and one unsaturated chain. Use of acyl chain perdeuterated lipids as one component of a binary lipid mixture permits studies of the thermal response of each component in either binary lipid mixtures or ternary complexes composed of two lipids plus protein. The tendencies of this integral membrane protein to preferentially interact with a particular lipid component is noted in several instances.
SU‐E‐T‐627: An Optimal Treatment Planning Scheme for Breast IMRT

Purpose: To ensure dose coverage at shallow depth and to reduce breathing effect during adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer patients, by using optimal treatment planning. Methods: When treating the breast or chest wall with tangential fields, low energy beams should be used as much as possible to ensure dose coverage to the target volume at shallow depth close to the skin, provided that the dose variation within the target volume is clinically acceptable. When using a hybrid plan, namely a plan that consists of open beams and IMRT segments, the weightings of open beams should be set as high as possible to minimize breathing effect in the skin region during IMRT delivery. Based on these two considerations, a treatment planning scheme is proposed to assign optimal weightings to low and high energy open beams as well as to IMRT segments. Delivery of the IMRT segments in the hybrid plans was verified by using a MapCheck device attached to a motion simulation table. Results: Compared with 3DCRT plans and non‐optimal hybrid plans, i.e. plans with non‐optimized weightings, the optimal hybrid plans demonstrated better dose uniformity, conformity and coverage of the target, especially at shallow depth close to the skin. As to the verification of the delivery of the IMRT segments in the hybrid plans, when breathing was shallow, the pass rate of gamma‐test (3%/3mm and 10% threshold) was greater than 95% for both optimal and non‐optimal plans; however, when breathing was deep, the pass rate was about 95% for optimal plans and 91% for non‐optimal plans. Conclusion: Our optimal hybrid planning can effectively improve the quality of treatment plans in terms of improving dose uniformity (including adequate dose coverage at shallow depth close to the skin and avoidance of cold/hot spots at beam junction) and minimizing breathing effect.
An Educational Intervention to Support Caregivers of Elders With Dementia

The majority of home-dwelling elders with dementia are cared for by family members or friends. Interventions to support community-based caregivers are needed. A community-based seminar series was p...
Epidermal dendritic cells induce potent antigen-specific CTL-mediated immunity.

Professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are required for the initiation of an immune response. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent APCs identified thus far and can present antigen in the context of co-stimutatory signals required for the stimulation of both primed and naive T cells. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are critical to the immune response against tumors or virally infected cells. Optimal stimulation of antigen-specific CTLs is the goal of evolving immunization strategies for the prevention or therapy of viral infections and tumors. Epidermal dendritic cells (eDCs), or Langerhans cells, can present antigens for the stimulation of CD4 + T cell dependent anti-tumor immunity and may play a role in tumor surveillance. The capacity of eDCs to induce tumor-specific CD88 CTL immunity has not been determined. We have previously shown that DCs derived from bone marrow precursors (BmDCs) under the influence of cytokines can induce protective, antigen-specific CTL-mediated anti-tumor immunity. Here we show that subcutaneous immunization with ovalbumin (OVA) peptide (SIINFEKL 257–264 )-pulsed eDCs induced OVA-specific, CD8 + CTLs that lyse the OVA-expressing target. Furthermore, mice vaccinated with OVA peptide–pulsed eDCs were completely protected from subsequent challenge by the OVA-expressing melanoma MOS. The capacity of peptide-pulsed eDCs to induce CTL-mediated immunity is directly dependent on the dose of eDCs administered. Importantly, the APC capacity of eDCs is comparable to that of BmDCs, as mice immunized with eDC populations containing at least as many class II + /B7.2 + cells as populations of BmDCs were equally protected against challenge with MO5. These results demonstrate that eDCs can be potent inducers of antigen-specific CD8 + CTL-mediated immunity. They suggest that eDCs may be important targets for antigen delivery strategies aimed at inducing anti-viral or anti-tumor immunity.
Teacher-Implemented Prelinguistic Communication Intervention

The purpose of this case study was to explore the efficacy of a prelinguistic intervention implemented by a classroom teacher in the ongoing daily activities of one special education preschool classroom. The project used a multiple baseline across behavior design for both child and teacher. The participants were a 3-year-old boy with severe communication and cognitive delays and his special education classroom teacher. The teacher implemented a prelinguistic intervention designed to increase the child's frequency and clarity of communication. The strategies used by the teacher were environmental arrangement, following the child's lead, imitation of vocalizations and gestures, modeling of vocalizations and gestures, and prompting for communication. The results indicated that the teacher was able to implement the intervention and showed increases in all the intervention strategies. The child increased his rate of intentional communication, eye contact, vocalizations with consonants, and conventional gesture...
The role ofCandida albicans in the pathogenesis of angular cheilosis

It was concluded from the results of this study that: 1. The incidence of chronic C. albicans infection is greater than previously believed. 2. Angular cheilosis and denture sore mouth are often found together. The etiology of both lesions is C. albicans. 3. Systemic factors may be responsible for intraoral candidiasis, but they are of secondary importance in the etiology of angular cheilosis. The primary etiologic agent is C. albicans. 4. Nutritional deficiency or reduced vertical dimension of occlusion are contributing factors in the pathogenesis of angular cheilosis, but C. albicans is the agent primarily responsible for the lesions.
Computational Mitral Valve Evaluation and Potential Clinical Applications

The mitral valve (MV) apparatus consists of the two asymmetric leaflets, the saddle-shaped annulus, the chordae tendineae, and the papillary muscles. MV function over the cardiac cycle involves complex interaction between the MV apparatus components for efficient blood circulation. Common diseases of the MV include valvular stenosis, regurgitation, and prolapse. MV repair is the most popular and most reliable surgical treatment for early MV pathology. One of the unsolved problems in MV repair is to predict the optimal repair strategy for each patient. Although experimental studies have provided valuable information to improve repair techniques, computational simulations are increasingly playing an important role in understanding the complex MV dynamics, particularly with the availability of patient-specific real-time imaging modalities. This work presents a review of computational simulation studies of MV function employing finite element structural analysis and fluid–structure interaction approach reported in the literature to date. More recent studies towards potential applications of computational simulation approaches in the assessment of valvular repair techniques and potential pre-surgical planning of repair strategies are also discussed. It is anticipated that further advancements in computational techniques combined with the next generations of clinical imaging modalities will enable physiologically more realistic simulations. Such advancement in imaging and computation will allow for patient-specific, disease-specific, and case-specific MV evaluation and virtual prediction of MV repair.
Nicotinic cholinergic stimulation increases cyclic GMP levels in vertebrate skeletal muscle.

CYCLIC GMP seems to be an intracellular second messenger for certain actions of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors (for a review, see ref. 1). For example, previous studies have provided evidence that activation of muscarinic, but not of nicotinic, cholinergic receptors leads to an increase in the level of cyclic GMP in many tissues2–8, including smooth muscle3–5. Also, it has been demonstrated that contraction of cross-striated muscle fibres of the giant barnacle elicited by nerve stimulation is associated with an increase in the level of muscle cyclic GMP9. These observations prompted us to determine whether a similar cyclic GMP increase is associated with contractile activity in vertebrate skeletal muscle. We report here that activation of a nicotinic cholinergic synapse raises the level of cyclic GMP in frog skeletal muscle. As in smooth4,5 and in barnacle9 muscle, this cyclic GMP increase in vertebrate skeletal muscle is a consequence of a neurotransmitter-induced depolarisation of the muscle membrane.
Effects of estrogen replacement with and without medroxyprogesterone acetate on brachial flow-mediated vasodilator responses in postmenopausal women with coronary artery disease.

Background Hormone therapy has been shown to have no cardioprotective effect and may, in fact, be harmful in older postmenopausal women. Estrogen has been shown to enhance endothelial-dependent flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) in healthy and younger women. The effect of estrogen on older and less healthy postmenopausal women with atherosclerosis is unclear. Methods The Estrogen Replacement and Atherosclerosis trial randomized 309 postmenopausal women with established coronary atherosclerosis (mean, 65.8 years) to unopposed estrogen (conjugated estrogen, 0.625 mg), estrogen plus 2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone actate (MPA), or placebo. After mean of 3.2 years of follow-up, brachial FMD was measured using 2-dimensional ultrasound in women available for follow-up at 4 of the 5 clinic sites (n = 198). Results The %FMD of the brachial artery was not statistically different in the placebo arm compared with either unopposed estrogen or estrogen + MPA arm in both the adjusted and the unadjusted models. Subsequent analysis combining the estrogen arm with the estrogen + MPA arm and comparing with the placebo arm was also not significant in both the adjusted and the unadjusted models. Similar results were obtained when analyses were limited to women who took >80% of the study medication over the course of the trial (n = 133). Conclusion An average of 3.2 years of treatment with unopposed estrogen or estrogen plus progestins did not result in significant improvements in endothelial vasodilation compared with placebo. This apparent absence of an effect on brachial artery endothelial function in older postmenopausal women with established coronary heart disease may help explain the lack of benefit of estrogen for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease.
Public health impact of including two lineages of influenza B in a quadrivalent seasonal influenza vaccine.

Abstract The annual trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) includes viruses representing three influenza strains – one A/H1N1, one A/H3N2, and one B, although two antigenically distinct lineages of influenza B (Victoria and Yamagata) co-circulate annually in the United States. Predicting which lineage of influenza B will predominate during a season is challenging, and cross-protection by immunization against the other lineage is expected to be low. One proposed alternative is to produce a quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) including an influenza B virus from each of the two circulating lineages. We estimated the additional public health benefit of QIV compared with TIV by calculating the expected impact on influenza-related health outcomes (illness, hospitalization, and death) over ten influenza seasons (1999/2000–2008/2009). We included data on the annual incidence of influenza-associated outcomes, virologic circulation, vaccine coverage, and vaccine effectiveness. We also considered annual vaccine production capacity, since available resources would have produced four vaccine viruses instead of three, potentially resulting in fewer doses of QIV. Use of QIV could have reduced annual cases (range: 2200–970,000), hospitalizations (range: 14–8200), and deaths (range: 1–485) in the US. During earlier seasons, adjusting production capacity for a fourth virus in QIV could have resulted in reduced overall influenza vaccine availability and net increases in influenza-associated outcomes. However, in recent seasons, the expected supply of QIV is likely to exceed the doses of vaccine actually administered. The potential net impact of QIV on influenza-associated outcomes is expected to vary between seasons, depending on annual variability in the incidence of influenza caused by the two influenza B lineages, vaccine coverage, and effectiveness. The additional protection provided by including a second lineage of influenza B could result in a modest reduction in influenza-associated outcomes.
Standpoint: Can we generalize from generation X? Not!

(1996). Standpoint: Can we generalize from generation X? Not! Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media: Vol. 40, No. 3, pp. 441-446.
Head Shape and Size of Newborn Infants

UMMARY Studies of head shape and size in 55 newborn infants showed that all measurements of head size related equally well with gestational age and birthweight. Formulae were derived for calculating head circumference from measurements of anteroposterior, biparietal and cross-sectional areas of the head; in this way spuriously large measurements of head circumference in unusually shaped heads might be corrected for skull deformity. RESUME Forme et taille de la tete des nouveaux-nes ' etude de la forme et de la taille de la tete de 55 nouveaux n As a montre que toutes les mesures du tour de tete etaient reliees correctement a 'âge de la gestation et an poids de naissance. Les formules de calcul de la circonference crânienne ont ete tirees de mesures de diametre antero-posterieur et bi-parietal et de surfaces transversales de la tete. De cette facon, une circonference crânienne exagerement grande sur une tete de forme anormale permet de corriger 'erreur due a une difformite du crâne. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Kopfform und -grose von Neugeborenen Untersuchungen der Kopfform und -gro se bei 55 Neugeborenen zeigten, das alle Schadel mase gleicherma sen gut mit dem Gestations-alter und dem Geburtsgewicht ubereinstimmten. Es wurden Formeln abgeleitet zur Bestimmung des Schadelumfanges aus den Masen der antero-posterioren, biparietalen und transversen Schadelflachen; auf diese Weise konnen gering erhohte Umfangsmase bei ungewohnlich geformten Kopfen auf Grund der Deformitat korrigiert werden. RESUMEN Perimetro y forma de la cabeza en recien nacidos Estudios de la forma y dimensiones de la cabeza en 55 recien nacidos mostraron que todas las mediciones craneales se relacionaban con la edad gestacional y el peso al nacer.
Postprenylation CAAX processing is required for proper localization of Ras but not Rho GTPases.

The CAAX motif at the C terminus of most monomeric GTPases is required for membrane targeting because it signals for a series of three posttranslational modifications that include isoprenylation, e...