cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CLINICAL OUTCOMES OF FRACTIONAL FLOW RESERVE (FFR) BASED PERFORMANCE OR DEFERRAL OF REVASCULARIZATION IN ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME (ACS) PATIENTS

Fractional flow reserve (FFR) based deferral or performance of revascularization has been a standard practice with data showing positive outcomes in stable ischemic heart disease patients. Data regarding use of FFR for intermediate grade coronary stenosis (ICS) in the setting of Acute coronary
Civilizations in world politics : plural and pluralist perspectives

1. A World of Plural and Pluralist Civilizations: Multiple Actors, Traditions, and Practices Peter J. Katzenstein 2. The United States as a Civilizational Leader James Kurth 3. Europe as a Civilizational Community of Practice Emanuel Adler 4. Civilization and State Formation in the Shadow of China David C. Kang 5. The Samurai Ride to Huntington's Rescue: Japan Ponders Its Global and Regional Roles David Leheny 6. Four Variants of Indian Civilization Susanne Hoeber Rudolph 7. Islam in Afro-Eurasia - A Bridge Civilization Bruce B. Lawrence 8. How to Think about Civilizations Patrick Thaddeus Jackson
M.C. Escher’s Use of the Poincaré Models of Hyperbolic Geometry

The artist M.C. Escher was the first artist to create patterns in the hyperbolic plane. He used both the Poincare disk model and the Poincare half-plane model of hyperbolic geometry. We discuss some of the theory of hyperbolic patterns and show Escher-inspired designs in both of these models.
Top-Down Spillover

This chapter describes top-down spillover as a strategy people use to optimise subjective well being. The strategy is described in some detail. Empirical evidence is presented to demonstrate its use. I will provide a little bit of advice based on the principle of top-down spillover. Furthermore, a discussion will ensue regarding how personality traits and other factors facilitate the top-down spillover process.
Chameleon: Online Clustering of MPI Program Traces

The data explosion in scientific computing applications continues to fuel increasing demand for computational power. Understanding application behavior in this context becomes essential to determine shortcomings, e.g., by collecting detailed information with tracing toolsets. This work considers parallel applications using the SPMD (single program multiple data) paradigm that relies on iterative kernels. This characteristic provides an opportunity to empower tracing toolsets with effective machine learning algorithms. One solution is to cluster processes with the same behavior into a group. Instead of collecting performance information from each individual process, this information can be collected from just a set of lead processes, i.e., one lead process per group. This work, called Chameleon, contributes an online, fast, and scalable signature-based clustering algorithm. Unlike related work, namely ScalaTrace V2, that generates the compressed global trace within MPI_Finalize, Chameleon creates this trace incrementally during the execution of applications and only for lead processes. Chameleon also identifies different program phases, clusters processes exhibiting different execution behavior, and creates a compressed global trace file on-the-fly, all incrementally at interim execution points of applications. The resulting system combines low overhead at the clustering level a lower time complexity of log (P) than prior work.
An Observed Performance Test of Medication Management Ability in HIV: Relation to Neuropsychological Status and Medication Adherence Outcomes

Neuropsychological assessment may identify mild deficits in HIV-infected persons, but it is sometimes unclear if such deficits compromise functional competencies, such as the ability to adhere to complex medication regimens. We examined the relationship between neuropsychological status (NP), observed performance on a medication management test (MMT), and antiviral medication adherence as elicited in a 3-day recall measure. Two samples of HIV+ subjects (n = 20, n = 41) were used to develop and validate the MMT. An additional 57 HIV+ patients taking antivirals were assessed to examine NP, MMT, and adherence outcomes. NP performance was scored according to age- and education-based norms. Adherence was assessed by comparing reported medication use to medication insert information. Poorer performance on the MMT was associated with scores 1 adherence error, as reported in the recall measure. Number of errors was related to both NP and MMT performance. Deficits identified in NP assessment and captured in an observed performance test of medication management are related to HIV medication adherence.
Patient and Provider Variables Associated with Systemic Treatment of Advanced Prostate Cancer

AbstractIntroduction:Six treatments have improved overall survival in men with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer, each differing in toxicities and cost. We identified patient and prov...
Myeloma Cell Interaction with Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Heterogeneity of Myeloma Cell Survival and Gene Expression Studies

Abstract Myeloma is intimately associated with osteolytic bone disease, in part by inhibiting mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation into osteoblasts via blocking Wnt signaling (Tian, N Engl J Med 2003; 349:2483). Stimulation of osteoblast activity by bortezomib is associated with anti myeloma effects in patients (Zangari, Br J Haematol 2005; 131:71) and by MSC infusion in a model system (Yaccoby, Haematologica 2006; 91:192). To further evaluate the potential therapeutic utility of MSCs, we investigated the effects of MSCs on myeloma cell survival and the genomic consequences of MSC-myeloma cell interactions. CD138-purified myeloma (MM) cells from 16 consented patients were cocultured with MSCs derived from the bone marrow of 3 healthy donors (MSC 1, 2, &3, provided by Dr. D. Prockop, Tulane University). In 7 co-culture experiments, MSCs supported MM cell survival for 6–8 days compared to MM cells cultured alone, with a median viable cell count increasing by 2.3 fold v controls (1.2–4.1, p=0.003); in 4, coculture suppressed MM survival (median=0.5, range 0.3–0.7, p=0.016); and in 5 there was no effect (median=0.9, range 0.9–1.0). In 3 experiments, the effects of the different MSCs on MM cell survival varied inconsistently among the 3 MSCs, from 0.5 to 2.5 fold surviving cells. In order to understand this heterogeneity, we investigated the genomic consequences of MM-MSC interactions. RNA was extracted immediately after mixing (t=0) and following 18 hours co-culture (t=18), and changes in gene expression analyzed using the Affymetrix microarray system. Since myeloma cells adhere tightly to MSCs, we analyzed expression changes in 1,708 genes expressed only in MM cells and 4862 expressed only in MSCs. At t=18, 250 MM cell genes were changed by >2 fold compared with t=0 (222 up and 28 down regulated), and 1,036 MSC genes were changed >2 fold (1018 up and 18 downregulated). Each of the 3 MSCs also had unique genes expressed (40, 85 and 162 for MSC 1, 2, &3, respectively), of which expression of 12, 30, and 39, respectively, was changed by >2 fold. Analysis of 776 MM- and 2398 MSC-related genes after a signal cutoff of 500 with Ingenuity Pathways Analysis software showed changes in the expression of several groups of interrelated genes following co-culture. For MM, these included ERKs, AKT, NFKB, E2F1, and FOS. The transcription regulators BTG2, ACTN2, CALR, E2F1, E2F5, and ATF7 were up regulated, while FOS and FOXM1 were down regulated. Groups changed in MSCs included IL1B, CCND1, MYC, CTBP1, EGFR, RUNX1, HRAS, and SMAD3. There were minor differences in changes of the expression patterns of some of the probesets between the three MSCs, likely related to alternative splicing or to variations in the 3′-UTR. These studies continue in order to discern possible differences in the interactions between MM cells and MSCs, and to identify whether MM cells or MSC determine the outcome of these differences.
High-Grade Gliomas

This chapter focuses on pediatric high-grade gliomas, with the exception of diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas, which will be covered in a different chapter of this text. Gliomas arise from glial cells, which support and protect neurons and are most commonly differentiated along the astrocytic or oligodendroglial lineage. The World Health Organization (WHO) classification divides gliomas into low (WHO grade I and II)- and high-grade subgroups (Luis et al. 2007). High-grade pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors are comprised primarily of anaplastic astrocytomas (AA, WHO grade III) and glioblastomas (GBM, WHO grade IV), as anaplastic tumors with an oligodendroglial component are very uncommon in children (Hyder et al. 2007). High-grade gliomas can either present as high-grade disease, or they can result from transformation of a low-grade tumor, although the latter is less common in children. In contrast to the adult population, high-grade gliomas in children are relatively infrequent, representing less than 20 % of cases (Pollack 1994; Packer 1999). The etiology for most pediatric CNS tumors is unknown, although some genetic syndromes are associated with an increased risk. Despite advances in treatment for other childhood tumors, patients with high-grade gliomas invariably have a poor outcome, and 5-year survival rates remain less than 20 %.
Online aggression and romantic relationships in adolescence

Abstract In adolescence, individuals undergo many changes; peer relationships grow in importance, and puberty sparks a growth in sexual maturity, both of which encourage the initiation of romantic relationships. Adolescents must learn, practice, and acquire the social and relationship skills that are essential to initiating, maintaining, and sometimes terminating close, meaningful romantic relationships. In this chapter, we focus on negative experiences such as dating aggression in online spaces because social media is an important social context in the lives of adolescents. Our approach is to review the current research literature on three forms of online aggression that may occur among romantic partners in adolescence: cyberstalking, revenge porn, and cyberbullying. A conceptual model will be proposed that will aim to integrate the uniqueness of each form of online aggression and identify why adolescents may be involved in these forms of aggression in romantic relationships.
Medications and treatment practices used on California dairies

During the December, 2010, Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (RB5) board meeting, requests were made for more stringent permit requirements for dairy operations. The dairy industry proposed that UC-Davis complete a study of pharmaceutical use on California dairies in order to generate current and objective data with which to inform the permit development process. To obtain the data required, a survey of practicing dairy veterinarians was conducted to provide a point of reference for evaluating pharmaceutical use specific to California dairies.
Clinical presentation of multiple myeloma by race/ethnicity and Asian subgroup in an integrated healthcare system.

e20012Background: Several US studies have evaluated ethnic differences in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), but few have focused on populations other than non-Hispanic Whites and Blacks. We exam...
Sexual Function, Anxiety, Depression and Coping After Myocardial Infarction: An Exploratory Study

Myocardial infarction (MI) may decrease sexual function and satisfaction in men and can be influenced by anxiety, depression, and sexual fear. However, few studies have examined short-term changes in sexual function over time in a post-MI population. This study aimed to longitudinally describe changes in sexual function and satisfaction in a sample of men post-MI. Eighteen patients were recruited from a Midwestern United States hospital. Surveys were mailed two weeks and three months post discharge. Sexual function was measured with the Male Sexual Function Index. Other variables collected included sexual fear (Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire), anxiety and depressive symptoms (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Anxiety and Depression 4a), and use of coping strategies (Coping Strategy Indicator). Sexual function scores increased in the entire sample from 8.9 (SD 7.3) at two weeks to 14.6 (SD 8.9) at three months (18.8 % improvement, p = 0.04). Men who were sexually active improved their scores by 27.3 % (p = 0.01), while those who were not sexually active decreased their scores by 2.3 % (p = 0.5). Depressive symptoms and anxiety scores were low and largely stable across timepoints, though there were some improvements among men who were sexually active compared to those who were not. Decreased utilization of avoidance coping strategies was reported in sexually active versus inactive men. While sexual function improved within a short-time period post discharge among sexually active men post-MI, further research is needed with a larger sample to understand these changes across a longer period. Additional research is also warranted to examine any potential influence of psychosocial predictors.
Intestinal Cell Membranes

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the particular properties of the intestine that are important to studies of the plasmalemma of the enterocyte. The chapter also reviews methods for preparing enterocyte membranes along with their particular advantages and problems. The properties and characteristics that distinguish the isolated membrane preparations are presented. In addition, the chapter presents comparisons of the studies of enterocyte membrane synthesis to those with cells in tissue culture or other tissues. The studies of intestinal cell membranes, their characteristics, and synthesis have contributed significantly to an understanding of the plasmalemmal organization of a fixed tissue cell. The role of Golgi and Golgi-derived vesicles in plasmalemmal synthesis and turnover is well-recognized. The intestine has been shown to be a readily accessible tissue, uniquely suited to the study of the molecular biology of membranes. The two unique features of the intestine include the continuous gradient of differentiation with loss of cells along the crypt-villus axis, and the continuous changes in organization and function along the aboral gradient. The presence of pancreatic and biliary secretions or the active hydrolytic enzyme activities inherent in the mature enterocyte microvillus membrane also contribute to the unusual properties attributed to the intestine.
Diel Activity Patterns of Mink, Neovison vison , Change with Habitat

Using video traps, we tested the commonly held view that Mink, Neovison vison , are mostly nocturnal. We compared Mink passages during daylight and darkness in two habitats. Mink were significantly more nocturnal in uplands with streams and significantly more diurnal in wetlands. Assuming that uplands have a higher proportion of terrestrial prey active at night and wetlands have a higher proportion of aquatic prey, the observed difference in activity periods may be related to the difficulty of seeing aquatic prey at night and suggests a dynamic interaction between food visibility and diel activity in Mink.
Beyond Positivism: Research, Practice, and Undergraduate Professional Education

Undergraduate professional education programs are supposed to mediate the relationship between research and practice. The positivist conception of the curriculum and the research-practice relationship remain dominant today. Unfortunately, this positivist conception carries flawed views of the undergraduate curriculum and its mediating role. Research is inevitably incomplete and “silent” on aspects of practice. The positivist view ignores the necessity for problem-setting and the uncertainty, complexity, and diversity that are embedded in work practices. This view also brings unfounded assumptions about the effectiveness of courses and programs, the language of practice, the work epistemologies of practitioners, and practitioners' work organizations. An alternative conception is founded upon the realities and demands of practice. Rather than assuming that research can and should drive both undergraduate curricula and work practices, practice should serve as the source of coherence for both. Practitioners' ...
Transition from paediatric clinic to the adult service.

Adolescence is a challenging, often traumatic but fascinating time of life whether or not it is accompanied by a chronic medical disorder such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, arthritis—or epilepsy1,2,3, a condition which is in fact more common than the three preceding disorders cited by Professor David in his somewhat pessimistic editorial (August 2001 JRSM, pp. 373-374). In 1991 a specific ‘hand-over’ or transition clinic for teenagers with epilepsy was established in Liverpool which is supervised jointly by a paediatric and an adult neurologist (both of whom have a particular interest in epilepsy) together with a nurse specialist in epilepsy. The primary objectives of this teenager clinic are to address the unique needs and concerns of this age group and, importantly, to facilitate a smooth hand-over of specialist epilepsy care from paediatric to adult services4. The success of this clinic—as assessed by both the teenagers themselves (who have a ‘did not attend clinic’ rate of < 3%)—and the development of other similar units throughout the UK and the rest of Europe, would suggest that this approach is generally regarded as a ‘model’ service. Undoubtedly, the success of this service is largely dependent on demonstrating a clear commitment to the young people, the philosophy and personalities of the clinic staff and the teenagers themselves. In Liverpool, and for teenagers with epilepsy, the future is bright.
Ethical Differences Between Men and Women in The Sales Profession

This research addresses the question of whether men and women in sales differ in their ethical attitudes and decision making. The study asked 209 subjects to respond to 20 ethical scenarios, half of which were "relational" and half "non-relational." The study concludes (1) that there are significant ethical differences between the sexes in situations that involve relational issues, but not in non-relational situations, and (2) that gender-based ethical differences change with age and years of experience. The implications of these finding for sales organizations are discussed.
The decays $K \to \pi \pi \nu \overline\nu$ within the standard model

We study the reactions $K \rightarrow \pi \pi \nu \overline{\nu}$ within the minimal standard model. We use isospin symmetry to relate the matrix elements to the form factors measured in $K_{\ell 4}$. We argue that these modes are short distance dominated and can be used for precise determinations of the CKM parameters $\rho$ and $\eta$. Depending on the value of the CKM angles we find branching ratios in the following ranges: $B(K_L \rightarrow \pi^+ \pi^- \nu \overline{\nu}) = [2-5] \times 10^{-13}$; $B(K_L \rightarrow \pi^0 \pi^0 \nu \overline{\nu}) = [1-3] \times 10^{-13}$; $B(K^+ \rightarrow \pi^+ \pi^0 \nu \overline{\nu}) = [1-2] \times 10^{-14}$. We also discuss a possible $CP$-odd observable.
Particle-in-Cell Simulation of Plasmas - A Tutorial

This chapter serves as a tutorial introduction to the field of particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation of plasmas. The full particle version of these models, in which both the electrons and ions are treated as particles, makes no approximations to the basic laws of mechanics and electricity and magnetism, and thus the full range of collisionless plasma physics is included in such a model. The basic techniques involved in a PIC model are illustrated: accumulation of the charge and current densities on a spatial grid, time integration of the field and particle equations, and limitations imposed by the underlying kinetic physics of a plasma. Various approximations to the full set of Maxwell’s equations are described as well as the case of hybrid models (particle ions, fluid electrons) in which fluid equations are used to model the slow time evolution of high frequency phenomena, thus allowing a study of lower frequency kinetic phenomena on longer temporal and larger spatial scales. Examples of PIC simulations of magnetic reconnection are discussed.
Defining Pastoral Psychotherapy

Defends his previous definition of pastoral psychotherapy as “a psychotherapeutic activity in which a pastoral psychotherapist observes, understands, and interprets the psychological, religious, an...
Remarkable archaeal diversity detected in a Yellowstone National Park hot spring environment

Abstract Of the three primary phylogenetic domains--Archaea (archaebacteria), Bacteria (eubacteria), and Eucarya (eukaryotes)--Archaea is the least understood in terms of its diversity, physiologies, and ecological panorama. Although many species of Crenarchaeota (one of the two recognized archaeal kingdoms sensu Woese [Woese, C. R., Kandler, O. & Wheelis, M. L. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87, 4576-4579]) have been isolated, they constitute a relatively tight-knit cluster of lineages in phylogenetic analyses of rRNA sequences. It seemed possible that this limited diversity is merely apparent and reflects only a failure to culture organisms, not their absence. We report here phylogenetic characterization of many archaeal small subunit rRNA gene sequences obtained by polymerase chain reaction amplification of mixed population DNA extracted directly from sediment of a hot spring in Yellowstone National Park. This approach obviates the need for cultivation to identify organisms. The analyses document the existence not only of species belonging to well-characterized crenarchaeal genera or families but also of crenarchaeal species for which no close relatives have so far been found. The large number of distinct archaeal sequence types retrieved from this single hot spring was unexpected and demonstrates that Crenarchaeota is a much more diverse group than was previously suspected. The results have impact on our concepts of the phylogenetic organization of Archaea.
On Perturbing Lyapunov Functions

A new idea of perturbing Lyapunov functions is presented which permits one to discuss nonuniform properties of solutions of differential equations under weaker assumptions
The legacies of losing: rethinking the ‘failure’ of Toronto's Olympic Games bids

Toronto has failed to secure the right to the host the Olympic Games on five different occasions (1960, 1964, 1976, 1996 and 2008). Toronto's Olympic bids do not emerge from a love of sport, instead they have been driven by the desire to use the Olympic Games as a vehicle to stimulate a large-scale redevelopment of Toronto's waterfront. This research demonstrates that sport and recreation are not seen as important pieces of the city's public infrastructure, and consequently Toronto has had to place its hope on the legacies of hosting (or winning), which even if successful, might represent a losing strategy for sport development.
Ohmic contacts to Zinc telluride and their high temperature behavior

Ohmic contacts to zinc telluride (ZnTe) have been studied as a function of operating temperature and at room temperature following annealing at 150° C for extended periods of time. Contacts investigated included Ag-diffused, electroless Au, Ag paste, Cu-graphite and electroless Cu-Au. Of these, the Cu-Au contacts improved with annealing and stabilized after 2 hr at 150° C. A copper/gold ratio of 98%/2% yielded a contact resistivity of 0.28 ohm-cm2 after stabilizing. Although the other contacts were ohmic, contact resistivity and/or stability was unacceptable.
High-throughput profiling of ion channel activity in primary human lymphocytes.

We present a high-throughput method to quantify the functional activity of potassium (K+) ion channels in primary human lymphocytes. This method is rapid, automated, specific (here for the voltage-gated Kv1.3 ion channel), and capable of measuring, in parallel, the electrical currents of over 200 individual lymphocytes isolated from freshly drawn blood. The statistics afforded by high-throughput measurements allowed direct comparison of Kv1.3 activity in different subsets of lymphocytes, including CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, γδ T cells, and B cells. High-throughput measurements made it possible to quantify the heterogeneous, functional response of Kv1.3 ion channel activity upon stimulation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with mitogen. These experiments enabled elucidation of time-courses of functional Kv1.3 activity upon stimulation as well as studies of the effects of the concentration of mitogenic antibodies on Kv1.3 levels. The results presented here suggest that Kv1.3 ion channel activity can be used as a functi...
Production of therapeutic radioisotopes in the ORNL High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) for applications in nuclear medicine, oncologyand interventional cardiology

Greater availability of therapeutic radioisotopes is required to meet the demands for increasing clinical applications in nuclear medicine, oncology and interventional cardiology. Because of the need for very high specific activity products, methods other than direct neutron capture reactions (n,γ-elastic and n,n’-inelastic routes) are required to insure that the highest specific activity - and hopefully no carrier added (nca) - radioisotopes are available. Two major methods to obtain nca radioisotopes from reactors are through the use of radionuclide generator systems using reactor-produced parents and the formation of desired radioisotopes through beta-decay of reactor-produced species. In this paper we describe our recent development of new approaches to obtain nca 177Lu from the decay of reactor-produced 177Yb and free of the long-lived 177mLu (T1/2 = 160 d) radiocontaminant. We also describe preliminary results of our new “indirect” method for the production of 195mPt via decay of 195mIr, reactor-produced by neutron irradiation of highly enriched 193Ir.
Application of Bayesian Inference to Milling Force Modeling

This paper describes the application of Bayesian inference to the identification of force coefficients in milling. Mechanistic cutting force coefficients have been traditionally determined by performing a linear regression to the mean force values measured over a range of feed per tooth values. This linear regression method, however, yields a deterministic result for each coefficient and requires testing at several feed per tooth values to obtain a high level of confidence in the regression analysis. Bayesian inference, on the other hand, provides a systematic and formal way of updating beliefs when new information is available while incorporating uncertainty. In this work, mean force data is used to update the prior probability distributions (initial beliefs) of force coefficients using the MetropolisHastings (MH) algorithm Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) approach. Experiments are performed at different radial depths of cut to determine the corresponding force coefficients using both methods and the results are compared. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4026365]
Unsupervised incremental sequence learning for insider threat detection

Insider threat detection requires the identification of rare anomalies in contexts where evolving behaviors tend to mask such anomalies. This paper proposes and tests an incremental learning algorithm based on unsupervised learning that addresses this challenge by maintaining repetitive sequences in a compressed dictionary to identify anomaly over dynamic data streams of unbounded length. For unsupervised learning, compression-based techniques are used to model normal behavior sequences. The result is a classifier that exhibits substantially increased classification accuracy for insider threat streams relative to traditional static learning approaches and effectiveness over supervised learning approaches.
SU-E-T-426: Comparison of HDR Brachytherapy for Cervix Cancer Using an Adaptive Simulated Annealing Program and Oncentra- for Simultaneously Integrated Boost

Purpose: High dose rate (HDR) volumetric brachytherapy is an effective method of treating advanced cervix carcinoma. Local failure is associated with multiple factors including higher maximal standardized uptake value (SUV) values in fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐ PET) scans. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the ability to simultaneously boost regions of high SUV values using an in‐house adaptive simulated annealing (ASA) algorithm and the Oncentra® (Nucletron V.B., Veenendaal, The Netherlands) treatment planning system, thereby potentially improving local control. Methods: Five cervix cancers were evaluated for brachytherapy treatment (tandem/ring and/or interstitial needles). MRI and PETimages were obtained post‐implant and fused with treatment planning CTs to define a high‐risk (HR) CTV (cervix and tumor on MRI) and GTV (volume with >50% of the maximum SUV on PET). The prescribed dose was 5–6 Gy to the HR CTV and 7–9 Gy to the GTV. Treatment plans were first generated in Oncentra® with IPSA followed by manual graphic optimization by the physician. Plans were also independently optimized using the ASA program. The two plans were compared side by side and one was chosen for treatment. Dose‐volume parameters including D90, V100 of targets, D2cc to the critical organs, and generalized equivalent uniform dose (gEUD) of all structures were compared between the ASA and the Oncentra plans. Results: Both ASA and Oncentra plans were considered acceptable by the physician in four of five cases. Two ASA plans were chosen due to better critical organ sparing and tumor coverage. Two Oncentra plans were preferred because of lower doses to critical organs. One ASA plan was not accepted because of a higher bowel dose.Conclusions: Both ASA and Oncentra® planning methods produce acceptable treatment plans for optimized brachytherapy of cervix carcinoma. Continued studies are warranted to further determine the relative strength of each method. This study was supported in part by a research grant from Varian Medical System Inc.
Pulsed laser crystallization and doping for thin film transistors

Abstract Pulsed excimer-laser processing of amorphous silicon on non-crystalline substrates allows the creation of new materials and devices. In this paper, we review (1) fabrication of polysilicon thin film transistors (TFTs) on glass substrates, (2) integration of polysilicon and amorphous silicon devices on the same glass substrate and (3) formation of self-aligned contacts for amorphous silicon thin-film transistors via laser doping.
Community Forums: Finding Common Ground for Change.

A major challenge in the field of early intervention is to develop strategies for collaboration across programs, agencies, and disciplines. This article presents one model for bringing together diverse community members to learn about and collaborate on early childhood inclusion. The history and critical features of community forums are described along with basic principles of community change supporting the model. Participants' demographic data and their satisfaction with the forum are reported for the 1,647 people who completed evaluation forms out of more than 2,000 attending 36 forums during 1992-95.
Genetic strategies for brain tumor therapy

Gene therapy is a potentially useful approach in the treatment of human brain tumors, which are notoriously refractory to conventional approaches. Most human clinical trials to date have been unsuccessful in terms of improving patient outcome. Recent improvements in viral vectors, the development of stem cell technology, and increased understanding of the mechanism of action of therapeutic transgenes provide hope that the next generation of gene therapeutics may show increased efficacy in treatment of this devastating disease.
The serotonin transporter in the midbrain of suicide victims with major depression

Abstract Background: The involvement of serotonin in depression and suicide has been proposed, because major depression is successfully treated by medications that specifically block the serotonin transporter, and there is evidence for a decrease in serotonin transporters in major depression and suicide. The midbrain dorsal raphe nucleus (DR) has been implicated as a site for diminished serotonergic activity in that suicide victims with major depression have a significant increase in serotonin-1A autoreceptors in the DR. Methods: [ 3 H]Paroxetine was used to label the serotonin transporter in the subnuclei of the DR at several rostral-to-caudal levels of the midbrain in ten pairs of suicide victims with major depression and age-matched psychiatrically normal control subjects. Results: There was a significant increase in serotonin transporters in the entire DR progressing from rostral-to-caudal levels in both normal control subjects and suicide victims with major depression. At comparable rostral-to-caudal levels, there were no significant differences in [ 3 H]paroxetine binding between depressed suicide victims and normal control subjects in either the entire DR or its constituent subnuclei. Conclusions: The pathophysiology of serotonin mechanisms in suicide victims with major depression does not appear to involve alterations in the binding of [ 3 H]paroxetine to the serotonin transporter in the midbrain DR.
Short Communication: Some Photophysical Properties of Nanotubes

Abstract The absorption spectra of (10,10) nanotubes are reported at varying concentrations. In addition, we have found that nanotubes are unable to photosensitize formation of singlet oxygen (1O2) and do not significantly quench it. These results imply that nanotubes are not able to form long-lived or localized excited states.
Acetyl phosphatase in brain microsomes: A partial reaction of Na+ + K+ ATPase☆

Abstract A K + -stimulated acetyl phosphatase has been described in brain microsomes. On the basis of ouabain, Ca ++ , SH inhibitor sensitivity, and nucleotide inhibition, it is considered that this reaction reflects the terminal stage of the Na + and K + ATPase. From labeling studies, and from comparison with the properties of the K + -stimulated fraction of p -nitrophenol phosphatase, a tentative scheme is proposed suggesting two phosphorylated protein intermediates in the ATPase reaction, a protein-bound carboxyl phosphate, and a second lower energy ester.
Wilderness challenge programs for delinquent youth: a meta-analysis of outcome evaluations

Evaluations of wilderness challenge programs were meta-analyzed to assess the impact on delinquent behavior. The overall mean effect size for delinquency outcomes was 0.18 (N=22), equivalent to a recidivism rate of 29% for program participants vs 37% for comparison subjects. Program length was not related to outcome among short-term programs (up to 6 weeks) but extended programs (over 10 weeks) showed smaller effects overall. However, the most influential program characteristics were the intensity of the physical activities and whether the program included a distinct therapeutic component. Programs involving relatively intense activities or with therapeutic enhancements produced the greatest reductions in delinquent behavior.
Response of five tobacco cultivars to sodium phosphate and ammonium polyphosphate

Abstract Three greenhouse experiments were conducted to compare the response of five tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) cultivars to different levels of NaH2PO4 and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) in nutrient media by measuring tissue content of selected nutrient elements (P, Na, K, Ca and Mg). Plants were grown in sand cultures fertilized with nutrient solutions in two experiments and a soil‐sand mix fertilized with solid materials in a third experiment. Plant P and Na content increased as the concentrations of these elements increased in nutrient solution. Plant K content was not generally affected by treatments. Magnesium was reduced in flue‐cured and cigar‐filler tobaccos but was not changed in cigar‐wrapper and Turkish types by increasing amounts of NaH2PO4. All of the cultivars responded similarly to NaH2PO4 with respect to plant Ca. High levels of P in the nutrient media were consistently related to low levels of Ca in plant tissue.
Academic progress of children who attended a preschool for abused children: a follow-up of the keepsafe project.

Abstract Objective: This study was undertaken to assess academic progress of children 1 to 5 years after graduating from the C. Henry Kempe Center’s Therapeutic Preschool Day Treatment Program. Method: Information was gathered through chart review; telephone surveys of care providers, relatives, and social service workers; as well questionnaires on all children who attended the therapeutic preschool day treatment program between 1984 and 1989, including the 24 children reported on by Oates, Gray, Schweitzer, Kempe, and Harmon, 1995. Results: Classroom placement was determined for 27 of the 44 graduates (61.4%), 14 of whom (51.9%) were in a regular classroom, 10 (37.0%) in special education, two (7.4%) in residential treatment, and one (3.7%) was receiving home schooling. Twenty-two of the 27 children (81.5%) improved or remained in the same grade and type of classroom as they had been staffed into at the time of their graduation from the preschool day treatment program. Factors thought to affect stability of classroom placement were studied, of which frequency of family moves was the only significant variable. Its significance was in the direction opposite to that expected. The most effective method of locating families was to contact the Department of Social Services who provided information used to find 60% of them. Conclusions: Intervention in a therapeutic preschool day treatment program was found to be beneficial, as it enabled most of the children to progress appropriately in public school.
Flow-induced thermal effects on spatial DNA melting

Continuous-flow temperature gradient microfluidics can be used to perform spatial DNA melting analysis. To accurately characterize the melting behavior of PCR amplicon across a spatial temperature gradient, the temperature distribution along the microfluidic channel must be both stable and known. Although temperature change created by micro-flows is often neglected, flow-induced effects can cause significant local variations in the temperature profile within the fluid and the closely surrounding substrate. In this study, microfluidic flow within a substrate with a quasi-linear temperature gradient has been examined experimentally and numerically. Serpentine geometries consisting of 10 mm long channel sections joined with 90° and/or 180° bends were studied. Infrared thermometry was used to characterize the surface temperature variations and a 3-D conjugate heat transfer model was used to predict interior temperatures for multiple device configurations. The thermal interaction between adjacent counter-flow channel sections, which is related to their spacing and substrate material properties, contributes significantly to the temperature profile within the microchannel and substrate. The volumetric flow rate and axial temperature gradient are directly proportional to the thermal variations within the device, while these flow-induced effects are largely independent of the cross-sectional area of the microchannel. The quantitative results and qualitative trends that are presented in this study are applicable to temperature gradient heating systems as well as other microfluidic thermal systems.
Urdu as an African Language: A Survey of a Source Literature

This article provides the first survey of the development of Urdu literature in Africa, with a particular emphasis on East and South Africa. Dealing with the colonial and postcolonial periods, the survey encompasses the early evolution of Indian settler descriptions of Africa before moving on to the range of other genres of African Urdu, including travel writing, hagiography, poetry, and historiography. While in many cases these sources display Islamic cultural and religious concerns, other texts were written by non-Muslim settlers from Punjab. The emergence of these source materials is placed in its historical contexts, particularly colonial South Asian labor and merchant migration and settlement in Africa. Where possible, the Urdu sources are compared to sources in Gujarati and other regional languages.
Benefit/Risk Of Mammographic Screening

The hypothetical risk of carcinogenesis to the breast from low dose mammography and the known benefits to the patient from detection of breast cancer at an early curable stage through mammographic screening will be assessed. Benefit/risk ratios will be derived based on the best available clinical and biological evidence. This analysis will support mammographic screening of all women above 40 years of age.
Beyond incidence: Costs of complications in trauma and what it means for those who pay

Introduction Trauma patients have greater rates of complications than general surgery patients; however, existing surgical pay-for-performance (P4P) guidelines have yet to be adapted for trauma care. To better understand whether current P4P measures are applicable to trauma, this study used nationally representative data to determine the mortality and attributable costs associated with the presence or absence of both Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services–recognized complications (urinary tract infections, surgical site infections [SSIs], and pneumonia) and other major trauma-related complications. Methods Trauma admissions were extracted from the 2008 National Inpatient Sample using primary ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes (range, 800–905, 910–939, 950–958). Patients aged 18–65 years with a duration of hospital stay of >3 days and isolated complications were included. To account for differences in patient factors, coarsened-exact matching was used to create comparable cohorts of adult patients with and without complications. Multivariable regression was then performed within matched groups to determine differences in cost and mortality, controlling for hospital characteristics and wage index. Results Of 493,372 trauma patients, 78,156 met inclusion criteria, of whom 24.4% had an isolated complication. Consistent with surgical P4P guidelines, SSI, urinary tract infections, and pneumonia had the greatest incidence (8.0%, 5.2%, and 4.4%, respectively); however, mortality in matched patients with complications was greatest for sepsis (odds ratio [OR], 9.76; 95% CI, 3.84–24.80), myocardial infarction (MI; OR, 4.21; 95% CI, 1.70–10.44) and stroke (OR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.40–6.52). Excess costs associated with a complication were similarly greatest for sepsis (relative cost, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.57–2.17), followed by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS; relative cost, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.7–1.99) and MI (relative cost, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.51–1.99). Conclusion Consideration of attributable costs and mortality suggest that additional complications have a substantial impact among trauma patients, beyond the conditions used in general surgery P4P guidelines. These aspects of trauma should be prioritized to capture the influence of complications in trauma that the incidence of frequent but less costly conditions overlooks.
Isolation and Identification of Rubisco Extracted from Spinach Leaves

This paper evaluates a laboratory process for extracting, isolating, and identifying rubisco, an essential protein found in plant cells and an important catalyst during photosynthesis. Isolating rubisco from other proteins also found in plants requires a carefully planned series of laboratory procedures to separate the proteins on the basis of physical characteristics including solubility, electrical charge, and molecular size. In this study, ammonium sulfate precipitation was used to extract proteins from a sample of spinach leaves and to separate the proteins into two samples with different solubility characteristics. These samples were then subjected to ion exchange column chromatography using buffers with a range of salt concentrations to produce fractions with varying electrical charge characteristics. The resultant fractions were then analyzed via protein electrophoresis to determine the molecular weight of the isolated proteins, which were compared against the known molecular weight of rubisco. Fin...
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography/High-Resolution Multiple Stage Tandem Mass Spectrometry Using Negative-Ion-Mode Hydroxide-Doped Electrospray Ionization for the Characterization of Lignin Degradation Products

In the search for a replacement for fossil fuel and the valuable chemicals currently obtained from crude oil, lignocellulosic biomass has become a promising candidate as an alternative biorenewable source for crude oil. Hence, many research efforts focus on the extraction, degradation, and catalytic transformation of lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose. Unfortunately, these processes result in the production of very complex mixtures. Further, while methods have been developed for the analysis of mixtures of oligosaccharides, this is not true for the complex mixtures generated upon degradation of lignin. For example, high-performance liquid chromatography/multiple stage tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MSn), a tool proven to be invaluable in the analysis of complex mixtures derived from many other biopolymers, such as proteins and DNA, has not been implemented for lignin degradation products. In this study, we have developed an HPLC separation method for lignin degradation products that is amenable to negat...
Isolation and characterization of an ipt gene from the Ti plasmid Bo542

A 1.9 kb clone of the T-DNA region of the Agrobacterium tumefaciens Ti plasmid Bo542 which exhibited homology to the isopentenyl transferase (ipt) locus of pTiA6 was identified by low stringency DNA hybridization. Introduction of this segment of pTiBo542 DNA into cells of Nicotiana tabacum or N. glauca caused tumor formation in vivo, and allowed hormone independent growth in vitro. Furthermore, this DNA segment complemented ipt mutant strains of A. tumefaciens, restoring their ability to cause tumors on Kalanchoe leaves and tomato stems. The complete DNA sequence of this segment has been determined, revealing an open reading frame homologous to other known Agrobacterium ipt genes.
Pools and streams a stochastic process model of applied research

Abstract Applied research is often viewed as a process of testing ideas drawn from a pool of candidate innovations. This model is formalized for the case in which the pool of ideas is continually replenished through basic research. The intensity of applied research is determined by the equilibrium of an n-person non-cooperative game, where players choose dynamic strategies for exploiting the pool. The presence of a pool cannot be detected in a stationary state, but when the number of applied researchers is finite, transient responses to exogenous shifts in basic research policy may reveal the pool's existence.
Bewitchment of the biologist

Unfinished Synthesis: Biological Hierarchies and Modern Evolutionary Thought. By Niles Eldredge. Oxford University Press: 1986. Pp.237. 22.50, 24.95
A tale of two T cells: suppressor CD8 T cells recalled to life

Comment on Noble et al, page [4475][1] The paper by Noble and colleagues describes a novel population of regulatory CD8+ T cells that is generated in vitro by exposure of CD8+ T cells to the combination of IL-4 and IL-12. In the 1970s, 2 types of CD8+ T cells were described: cytotoxic and
SYNERGISTIC LETHALITY OF PHAGE T7 BY NEAR-UV RADIATION AND HYDROGEN PEROXIDE: AN ACTION SPECTRUM

— Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) enhances the killing of phage T7 by near-ultraviolet irradiation (NUV), maximally at 340 nm. There is no synergistic action below 300 nm. The addition of H2O2 resulted in a marked increase in the number of single strand (SS) DNA breaks induced at all near-UV wavelengths tested. However, there is no correlation between SS break induction and degree of killing.