cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of continuous low dose rate versus acute single high dose rate radiation combined with oncolytic viral therapy for prostate cancer.

Purpose: Conditionally Replicative Adenovirus (CRAd) has been previously demonstrated to augment the activity of radiation, resulting in synergy of cell kill. However, previous models combining radiation with CRAd have not focused on the methods of radiation delivery.Materials and methods: We model the combination of a novel prostate-specific CRAd, Ad5 PSE/PBN E1A-AR (Ad5: adenovirus 5; PSE: prostate-specific enhancer; PBN: rat probasin promoter; E1A: early region 1A; AR: androgen receptor), with radiation delivered both acutely and continuously, in an effort to better mimic the potential clinical modes of prostate cancer radiotherapy.Results: We demonstrate that pre-treatment of cells with acute single high dose rate (HDR) radiation 24 hours prior to viral infection results in significantly enhanced viral replication and virus-mediated cell death. In addition, this combination causes increased level of γ-H2AX (Phosphorylated histone protein H2AX on serine 139), a marker of double-stranded DNA damage and ...
Anomalous electrical conduction in quasicrystals and Fibonacci lattices

It is shown in perturbation theory that if a dc current is set up in a quasicrystal (or Fibonacci lattice), and then the electric field turned off, the current will decay slowly to zero with an anomalous logarithmic dependence on time. This is most likely due to the extremely long-wavelength Fourier components possessed by a quasiperiodic potential. The calculated electrical conductivity approaches infinity as ${(\mathrm{frequency})}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$.
Accurate First Principles Calculation of Many-Body Interactions

The electronic structure Schrodinger equation is solved for the van der Waals complexes spin-polarized H2 and H3, and the closed-shell systems He2 and He3 by Monte Carlo methods. Two types of calculations are performed, variational Monte Carlo, which gives an upper bound to the eigenvalue of the Schrodinger equation, and Green's function Monte Carlo, which can solve the Schrodinger equation exactly within statistical sampling errors. The simulations are carried out on an ETA-10 supercom puter, and already existing computer codes were exten sively modified to ensure highly efficient coding. A major component of the computations was the develop ment of highly optimized many-electron wave functions. The results from the variational Monte Carlo simulations are reported for both the two- and three-body interac tion energies.
Morphine treatment selectively regulates expression of rat pituitary POMC and the prohormone convertases PC1/3 and PC2

The prohormone convertases, PC1/3 and PC2 are thought to be responsible for the activation of many prohormones through processing including the endogenous opioid peptides. We propose that maintenance of hormonal homeostasis can be achieved, in part, via alterations in levels of these enzymes that control the ratio of active hormone to prohormone. In order to test the hypothesis that exogenous opioids regulate the endogenous opioid system and the enzymes responsible for their biosynthesis, we studied the effect of short-term morphine or naltrexone treatment on pituitary PC1/3 and PC2 as well as on the level of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), the precursor gene for the biosynthesis of the endogenous opioid peptide, β-endorphin. Using ribonuclease protection assays, we observed that morphine down-regulated and naltrexone up-regulated rat pituitary PC1/3 and PC2 mRNA. Immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis confirmed that the protein levels changed in parallel with the changes in mRNA levels and were accompanied by changes in the levels of phosphorylated cyclic-AMP response element binding protein. We propose that the alterations of the prohormone processing system may be a compensatory mechanism in response to an exogenous opioid ligand whereby the organism tries to restore its homeostatic hormonal milieu following exposure to the opioid, possibly by regulating the levels of multiple endogenous opioid peptides and other neuropeptides in concert.
Prepaid pediatric health care in a university teaching hospital: a working model for pediatric education and health care delivery.

To provide a working model for the teaching and improved delivery of pediatric health care in a university teaching hospital, a pilot comprehensive prepaid health care plan was developed. House staff and fellows functioned as primary physicians to their own panel of patients. Enrollment, utilization, financial experience, and consumer satisfaction were examined in the context of the plan's educational function and its location in a university hospital. Low initial enrollment with adverse selection, high illness and specialty referral rates, low hospitalization rates, and high consumer satisfaction were found. Educational benefits identified by trainees dealt with the opportunities to learn to handle common pediatric problems, to learn about normal growth and development through longitudinal patient observation, and to receive feedback about their professional roles through continuing physician-parent and child contact.
Analysis of nonlinear reactions in modulated molecular beam surface experiments

An approximate method of analyzing nonlinear reaction models in modulated molecular beam surface kinetic studies is developed. The exact method for treating nonlinear surface mechanisms is tedious and almost always requires computer analysis. The proposed approximate method is a simple extension of the Fourier expansion technique valid for linear surface reactions; it quickly provides analytical expressions for the phase lag and amplitude of the reaction product for any type of nonlinear surface mechanism, which greatly facilitates comparison of theory and experiment. The approximate and exact methods are compared for a number of prototypical adsorption–desorption reactions which include coverage-dependent adsorption and desorption kinetics of order greater than unity. Except for certain extreme forms of coverage-dependent adsorption, the approximate method provides a good representation of the exact solution. The errors increase as the nonlinearities become stronger. Fortunately, when the discrepancy between the two methods is substantial, the reaction product signal is so highly demodulated that reliable experimental data usually cannot be obtained in these regions anyway.
Minimally Invasive Vascular Surgery: Review of Current Modalities

The concept of a minimally invasive approach to the treatment of vascular pathology was realized nearly 30 years ago when Charles Dotter described dilatation of atherosclerotic stenoses. Since that time biotechnology and therapeutic innovation have progressed to the point where entire medical subspecialties are based on the endoluminal treatment of diseases of the blood vessels. The most rapid progress has been made in the area of endoluminal treatment of vascular lesions, with angioplasty, stent, and stent graft deployment becoming an increasingly common method of treating various vascular lesions. Extraluminal endoscopic treatment of vascular disease has been gaining popularity, particularly for management of perforator vein incompetence associated with venous stasis disorders. Endoscopic saphenous vein harvest has become an accepted method for minimizing the length of incision required for saphenectomy. Vascular imaging has followed similar trends, with more detailed information being derived from tiny intravascular ultrasonic catheters. This article summarizes the current state of minimally invasive vascular surgery to provide the reader with an understanding of the efficacy of the various modalities. It also discusses future directions in the field.
THE COST OF PUBLIC HEALTH WORK

THE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS of the 100 largest cities of the United States reported for 1923 gross expenditures of $28,104,954. This represents 87.4 cents per capita for the 32,155,096 people estimated by the Bureau of the Census to live in these cities. It represents a tax rate of 6 cents per hundred dollars, or six-tenths of one mill per dollar, on the reported assessed valuation of taxable property in these cities ($46,662,225,335). It represents, also, 1.77 cents for each dollar of the total expenditures ($1,588,142,292.70) by the cities under consideration for 1923. The owner of a house assessed at $5,000, therefore, under average conditions, paid for the support of his municipal health department $3.00 out of the total of approximately $170 contributed by him in one way or another to the support of his municipal government. The total expenditures of health departments increased approximately 41 per cent in the 5 years 1919-1923, inclusive. Figures for this period are available for 74 of the 100 cities and the total annual expenditures for this group increased from $12,895,264 to $18,189,798. The per capita increase for the period was 30 per cent. The annual per capita expenditure for the group was, in cents, as follows: 1919 63.64 1920 74.18 1921 81.85 1922 80.84 1923 83.00
Theory for the hysteretic properties of the low-field dc magnetization in type-II superconductors.

We examine theoretically the following types of magnetization measurements of type-II superconductors: (1) zero-field cooled (ZFC), (2) field cooled with data collected on cooling (FCC), (3) field cooled with data collected on warming (FCW), and (4) remanent. In analyzing the irreversible behavior of the low-field dc susceptibilities, the important parameters are the critical current density, sample dimensions, and lower critical field. We point out that the irreversibility temperature is determined by the merging point of the FCC and ZFC, but not the FCW and ZFC, magnetization curves.
The Later Mohists and Logic

This article is a study of the Later Mohists' ‘Lesser Selection (Xiǎoq )’, which, more than any other early Chinese text, seems to engage in the study of logic. I focus on a procedure that the Mohists called mou . Arguments by mou are grounded in linguistic parallelism, implying perhaps that the Mohists were on the way to a formal analysis of argumentation. However, their main aim was to head off arguments by mou that targeted their own doctrines, and if their argument succeeds then it entails that linguistic parallelism can never ground a cogent argument. In a way, this committed them to the view that formal logic cannot work, but the fact that they did not pursue this line of investigation was by no means inevitable. One consequence of this study is that the Later Mohists conducted their logical work by studying the behaviour of terms and verb phrases, and did not identify the sentence as a significant linguistic unit. This tends to confirm Chad Hansen's generalisation that early Chinese philosophers di...
Observations of the Thermal and Dynamic Evolution of a Solar Microflare

We observed a solar microflare over a wide temperature range with three instruments aboard the SOHO spacecraft (Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS), Extreme-ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT), and Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI)), TRACE (1600 A), GOES, and RHESSI. The microflare’s properties and behavior are those of a miniature flare undergoing gentle chromospheric evaporation, likely driven by nonthermal electrons. Extremeultraviolet spectra were obtained at a rapid cadence (9.8 s) with CDS in stare mode that included emission lines originating from the chromosphere (temperature of formation Tm ≈ 1 × 10 4 K) and transition region (TR), to coronal and flare (Tm ≈ 8 × 10 6 K) temperatures. Light curves derived from the CDS spectra and TRACE images (obtained with a variable cadence ≈ 34 s) reveal two precursor brightenings before the microflare. After the precursors, chromospheric and TR emission are the first to increase, consistent with energy deposition by nonthermal electrons. The initial slow rise is followed by a brief (20 s) impulsive EUV burst in the chromospheric and TR lines, during which the coronal and hot flare emission gradually begin to increase. Relative Doppler velocities measured with CDS are directed upward with maximum values ≈ 20 km s −1 during the second precursor and shortly before the impulsive peak, indicating gentle chromospheric evaporation. Electron densities derived from an Oiv line intensity ratio (Tm ≈ 1.6 × 10 5 K) increased from 2.6 × 10 10 cm −3 during quiescent times to 5.2 × 10 11 cm −3 at the impulsive peak. The X-ray emission observed by RHESSI peaked after the impulsive peak at chromospheric and TR temperatures and revealed no evidence of emission from nonthermal electrons. Spectral fits to the RHESSI data indicate a maximum temperature of ≈ 13 MK, consistent with a slightly lower temperature deduced from the GOES data. Magnetograms from MDI show that the microflare occurred in and around a growing island of negative magnetic polarity embedded in a large area of positive magnetic field. The microflare was compact, covering an area of 4 × 10 7 km 2 in the EIT image at 195 A, and appearing as a point source located 7 �� west of the EIT source in the RHESSI image. TRACE images suggest that the microflare filled small loops.
SYSTEM ENGINEERING FOR ALL ENGINEERS

This paper describes a plan to increase the capability of general engineers in the area of system engineering and to increase the number of system engineers within an organization. Key features are emphasis on a hierarchy of system engineering capability, experience and demonstrated skills, involvement of the first-line supervisor, facilitating early responsibility, and the ability to tailor the training and experience to the needs of the individual. Included are the preliminary measures of effectiveness.
Breakup of spectator residues in relativistic nuclear collisions

Low energy nuclear fragments (12< or =A< or =140) from the bombardment of Au by high energy protons, /sup 4/He, and /sup 20/Ne projectiles are measured to yield information on the breakup of the target nucleus. We discuss the shapes of the fragment energy spectra across this broad range of fragment mass and pick out the fission component by its binary breakup. Multiplicities of coincident fast charged particles are presented as a measure of the degree of violence of the initial stage of the collision. Angular distributions of light fragments (8< or =Z< or =11) give the average velocities imparted to the residue in central collisions, and these values are compared to the results of cascade calculations. Measurements of slow fragment multiplicities from central events reveal a many-fragment final state. In the light of this finding we develop a simple calculation of the Coulomb features of the observed spectra. The applicability of a statistical breakup model is discussed.
On the equivalent width of the Fe Kα line produced by a dusty absorber in active galactic nuclei

Obscured AGNs provide an opportunity to study the material surrounding the central engine. Geometric and physical constraints on the absorber can be deduced from the reprocessed AGN emission. In particular, the obscuring gas may reprocess the nuclear X-ray emission producing a narrow Fe K$\alpha$ line and a Compton reflection hump. In recent years, models of the X-ray reflection from an obscuring torus have been computed; however, although the reflecting gas may be dusty, the models do not yet take into account the effects of dust on the predicted spectrum. We study this problem by analyzing two sets of models, with and without the presence of dust, using the one dimensional photo-ionization code Cloudy. The calculations are performed for a range of column densities ($22 <{\rm log}[N_H(\rm cm^{-2})]< 24.5$ ) and hydrogen densities ( $6 <{\rm log}[n_H(\rm cm^{-3})]< 8$). The calculations show the presence of dust can enhance the Fe K$\alpha$ equivalent width (EW) in the reflected spectrum by factors up to $\approx$ 8 for Compton thick (CT) gas and a typical ISM grain size distribution. The enhancement in EW with respect to the reflection continuum is due to the reduction in the reflected continuum intensity caused by the anisotropic scattering behaviour of dust grains. This effect will be most relevant for reflection from distant, predominately neutral gas, and is a possible explanation for AGNs which show a strong Fe K$\alpha$ EW and a relatively weak reflection continuum. Our results show it is an important to take into account dust while modeling the X-ray reflection spectrum, and that inferring a CT column density from an observed Fe K$\alpha$ EW may not always be valid. Multi-dimensional models are needed to fully explore the magnitude of the effect.
Comparison of the efficiency of four different ultrasonic tips to remove dentin over time.

Abstract Introduction The objective of this study was to compare the efficiency of 4 ultrasonic tips to remove dentin from sectioned third molars. Methods The 4 groups (n = 5) were as follows: ET-18D, BUC-1, TUFI-2, and P5. A P5 Newtron XSTM ultrasonic unit was used. A universal tester applied a downward force of 15 g , previously determined in a pilot study, in cycles of 20 seconds for a total of 4 minutes of instrumentation time. Efficiency was measured by change in weight of the dentin specimen measured to the nearest 0.01 mg after 2 and 4 minutes of instrumentation. Results There was no statistically significant difference in dentin removal between measurement times for any tip ( P > .05). There was a statistically significant difference in dentin removal as a function of tip type ( P = .0001), with the BUC-1 tip removing significantly more dentin across time. Conclusions On the basis of the results, the BUC-1TM tip removes dentin more efficiently than the other tips tested.
Crystal chemistry and band structures of the group V semimetals and the IV-VI semiconductors

Some simple facts regarding crystal structures and semiconducting vs semimetallic behavior of the Group V elements and the related Group IV–VI compounds are summarized. The simple chemical interpretation of these facts (based on three perpendicular p-bonding orbitals) is reviewed. This picture is reinterpreted in terms of a simple pseudopotential band model, which provides a deeper basis for understanding the simple chemical notions. The results of various band structure calculations are presented in detail in order to make explicit the direct relation between band and bond pictures as well as between crystal structures and semimetallic vs semiconducting behavior. The calculations also provide information as to probable locations of valence and conduction band edges.
Cultivation of Herpes febrilis Virus on Agar Slant Tissue Cultures

SummaryThe virus of Herpes febrilis apparently persists and multiplies on agar slant tissue cultures prepared according to the method of Zinsser.
Comments on the interior of Pluto

Abstract Models of the interior of Pluto have been constructed for a variety of combinations of mass and radius. The equations of state used in these models were those of terrestrial core and mantle material. Considering the ranges of uncertainty of Pluto's mass and radius it is found that it is possible that Pluto and the Earth have similar gross chemical compositions but considerably more likely that Pluto contains more heavy materials than does the Earth.
Eculizumab in the Treatment of Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis

A major shift in our understanding of the membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) lesion is the focus on which components of the complement pathway are involved in mediating renal injury. Hence, MPGN is no longer classified solely by ultrastructural findings on biopsy but instead divided into immune complex-mediated lesions versus complement-mediated lesions. This emphasis on complement, in turn, leads to interest in therapies that target complement as potential disease-modifying agents. Eculizumab, the first available anticomplement therapy, blocks at the level of C5 and has revolutionized the treatment of complement-mediated diseases such as paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Whether this agent will work equally well for the far more heterogeneous complement-mediated MPGN lesions, also known as C3 glomerulopathy, remains unclear. To date, the experience and published data on using eculizumab in MPGN suggests this agent will work for some, but not all, patients with this pathologic lesion.
Establishing safety stocks for master production schedules

Abstract The basic master production scheduling problem assumes that periodic demands are known with certainty. Uncertainty in the forecasts arc typically accommodated afterwards by adding safety stocks to a schedule. Two popular methods for establishing safety stocks are: (1) the constant cycle service level method; and (2) the constant safety stock method. This paper outlines these methods and then develops a third method which results in optimal safety stocks. The paper includes an experimental investigation aimed at comparing performances of the three safety stock methods. The constant safety stock method is shown to perform within one or two per cent of optimal, while the constant cycle service level method performs worse under most conditions. Shorter lead times, variable order interval lengths, and time-dependent forecast errors all adversely affect the performances of the non-optimal methods. An operations manager could use these results to evaluate the appropriateness of the methods for his maste...
Modeling Species Inhibition of NO Oxidation in Urea-SCR Catalysts for Diesel Engine NOx Control

Urea-selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts are regarded as the leading NOx aftertreatment technology to meet the 2010 NOx emission standards for on-highway vehicles running on heavy-duty diesel engines. However, issues such as low NOx conversion at low temperature conditions still exist due to various factors, including incomplete urea thermolysis, inhibition of SCR reactions by hydrocarbons and H2 O. We have observed a noticeable reduction in the standard SCR reaction efficiency at low temperature with increasing water content. We observed a similar effect when hydrocarbons are present in the stream. This effect is absent under fast SCR conditions where NO ∼ NO2 in the feed gas. As a first step in understanding the effects of such inhibition on SCR reaction steps, kinetic models that predict the inhibition behavior of H2 O and hydrocarbons on NO oxidation are presented in the paper. A one-dimensional SCR model was developed based on conservation of species equations and was coded as a C-language S-function and implemented in Matlab/Simulink environment. NO oxidation and NO2 dissociation kinetics were defined as a function of the respective adsorbate’s storage in the SCR catalyst. The corresponding kinetic models were then validated on temperature ramp tests that showed good match with the test data.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Frequency Dependence of Attenuation In Ground-Penetrating Radar: Insights From the Bishop Tuff.

Total attenuation in ground-penetrating radar (GPR) was directly measured in radargrams of the Bishop Tuff, CA, from 12.5–200 MHz. The weak variation of attenuation with frequency reaffirms the "GPR Plateau" concept and argues against a constant-Q model. Electrolytic absorption —determined using collocated DC resistivity profiling/ sounding—accounts for about half of the attenuation and is by definition independent of frequency. The radargrams contain numerous reflections interpreted to be subvertical and subhorizontal cooling and unloading joints, suggesting that scattering is the other major contributor to attenuation. The residual attenuation after subtraction of absorption is attributed to scattering: significant variations in scattering attenuation are restricted to the decade around 30 MHz and are well fit by a Born scattering model.
Maternal undernutrition induces premature reproductive senescence in adult female rat offspring.

Objective To determine the effects of maternal undernutrition (MUN) on the reproductive axis of aging offspring. Design Animal (rat) study. Setting Research laboratory. Animal(s) Female Sprague-Dawley rats. Intervention(s) Food restriction during the second half of pregnancy in rats. Main Outcome Measure(s) Circulating gonadotropins, antimullerian hormone (AMH), ovarian morphology, estrous cyclicity, and gene expression studies in the hypothalamus and ovary in 1-day-old (P1) and aging adult offspring. Result(s) Offspring of MUN dams had low birth weight (LBW) and by adult age developed obesity. In addition, 80% of adult LBW offspring had disruption of estrous cycle by 8 months of age, with the majority of animals in persistent estrous. Ovarian morphology was consistent with acyclicity, with ovaries exhibiting large cystic structures and reduced corpora lutea. There was an elevation in circulating T, increased ovarian expression of enzymes involved in androgen synthesis, an increase in plasma LH/FSH levels, a reduction in E 2 levels, and no changes in AMH in adult LBW offspring compared with in control offspring. Hypothalamic expression of leptin receptor (ObRb), estrogen receptor-α (ER-α), and GnRH protein was altered in an age-dependent manner with increased ObRb and ER-α expression in P1 LBW hypothalami and a reversal of this expression pattern in adult LBW hypothalami. Conclusion(s) Our data indicate that the maternal nutritional environment programs the reproductive potential of the offspring through alteration of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The premature reproductive senescence in LBW offspring could be secondary to the development of obesity and hyperleptinemia in these animals in adult life.
The complete sequence of the M RNA of snowshoe hare bunyavirus reveals the presence of internal hydrophobic domains in the viral glycoprotein.

Abstract The complete sequence of the viral M RNA of snowshoe hare (SSH) bunyavirus has been determined. The RNA is 4527 nucleotides long (mol wt: 1.5 × 10 6 , base composition: 27.5% A, 33.5% U, 17.7% G, 21.3% C), and has 3′ and 5′ terminal sequences that, depending on how they are arranged, are complementary for some 44 residues. The viral RNA codes in its viral-complementary sequence, for a single primary gene product (the viral glycoprotein) that is comprised of 1441 amino acids (162,391 Da), and is rich in cysteine residues but poor in potential asparagine-linked glycosylation sites. Like the SSH S RNA, the M viral-complementary 5′ noncoding region is shorter than the 3′ noncoding sequence (61 as opposed to 142 nucleotides). The different functions of the M RNA are discussed in relation to those of the S RNA of SSH virus. No other large open reading frames have been identified in either the viral, or viral-complementary, M RNA sequences. Examination of the sequence of the M gene product reveals the presence of an 18 residue amino terminal hydrophobic sequence (putative signal) and a much longer 32 amino acid carboxy proximal hydrophobic region that is followed by a terminal sequence rich in charged amino acids (12 out of 20 residues). The size and constitution of the carboxy end regions are consistent with a transmembranal and anchor function for the glycoprotein in the viral envelope. In addition to these terminal hydrophobic sequences, a localized internal region of the gene product contains several hydrophobic sequences, 15 to 29 amino acids in length. Their possible role in the morphogenesis of bunyaviruses that occurs in the Golgi cisternae of infected cells is discussed.
Bose-Fermi equivalence of the two-dimensional torus for simply-laced groups

Abstract Bosonic and fermionic partition functions on the two-dimensional torus are explicitly calculated to establish a Bose-Fermi equivalence for each fundamental representation of every simple-laced group G. A one-to-one correspondence exists for bosons with momenta generated by the root lattice of G shifted by the element w k , where w k is a minimal weight of G, i.e. and element of the center of the covering group of G, and fermions with generalized boundary conditions ψ → (exp iθk)ψ (under rotation around the torus) where exp(iθk) is the same element of Z as is w k . The non-orthogonal weight lattices of G are converted into orthogonal lattices with constraints. It is shown that only for spin(2N) can these constraints be written as projection operators, which correspond to sums over spin structure in fermion language. For SU(N), E6 and E7 the appropriate constraints are imposed by coupling the fermions to background U(1) world-sheet gauge fields which act as Lagrange multipliers, i.e. the equivalence is to constrained fermions. Explicit modular invariant partition functions are presented for closed strings compactified ti simply-laced groups associated to Kac-Moody algebras with central charge k = 1.
The effects of overlearning and distributed practise on the retention of mathematics knowledge

In two experiments, 216 college students learned to solve one kind of mathematics problem before completing one of various practise schedules. In Experiment 1, students either massed 10 problems in a single session or distributed these 10 problems across two sessions separated by 1 week. The benefit of distributed practise was nil among students who were tested 1 week later but extremely large among students tested 4 weeks later. In Experiment 2, students completed three or nine practise problems in one session. The additional six problems constituted a strategy known as overlearning, but this extra effort had no effect on test scores 1 or 4 weeks later. Thus, long-term retention was boosted by distributed practise and unaffected by overlearning. Unfortunately, most mathematics textbooks rely on a format that emphasises overlearning and minimises distributed practise. An easily adopted alternative format is advocated. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Life-history patterns in the brooding freshwater bivalve Pisidium (Sphaeriidae)

Of all freshwater molluscs, the life history of sphaeriid bivalves has been one of the best studied, partly because they brood their young. In Pisidium, one of five genera in the Sphaeriidae, offspring develop and are released synchronously and therefore the reproductive state is easily determined from collections of adults. This study examines life-history trade-offs, morphological constraints on reproductive effort, intraclutch variation and brood production differences in different habitats in the pea clam, Pisidium. My results challenge previous ideas about life-history trade-offs in the pea clams and are as follows: (1) there is a trade-off between offspring number and size, larger embryos being found in smaller clutches when controlling for adult body size; (2) total embryo area is highly correlated with total gill area, but the measured maximum total area of embryos relative to gill area is rarely achieved; (3) intraclutch variance itself varies non-normally across Pisidium and does not appear to relate strongly to other measured variables; (4) creeks, ponds, springs and marshes appear to have higher relative per-clutch brood production than lakes in the best-sampled taxon, P. casertanum. Relative brood production is lower in high alpine lakes (above 3350 m), perhaps due to low dissolved organic material and ions.
Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Staging of Cutaneous Lymphoma.

Primary cutaneous lymphomas (PCLs) are an extremely heterogeneous group of non-Hodgkin lymphomas that manifest in the skin. Their diagnosis is complex and based on clinical lesion type and evaluation of findings on light microscopic examination, immunohistochemistry and molecular analysis of representative skin biopsies. The evaluation, classification, and staging system is unique for mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sezary syndrome (SS), the most common subtypes of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) versus the other subtypes of Non-MF/Non-SS CTCL and the subtypes of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (CBCL). Since current treatment is stage-based, it is particularly important that the correct diagnosis and stage be ascertained initially. The purpose of this article is to review the current evaluation, diagnosis, classification, staging, assessment techniques, and response criteria for the various types of both T-cell and B-cell PCLs.
Cuba's National Characters: Setting the Stage for the Hombre Novísimo

En Cuba, los artistas e intelectuales juegan papeles decisivos en la creacion de la imagen nacional y en la reescritura de la historia. Este articulo investiga la transformacion de la Cubania desde de la perspectiva de los artistas?especificamente de la de aquel-los que trabajan en el teatro y representan personajes nacionales a traves tanto de la encarnacion como de la actuacion. Asi, en la escena se crea una sintesis de ideas en las que el relato original es narrado de nuevo para su audiencia popular asi como para el estado. Durante el Periodo Especial, los politicos y los artistas que trabajaban para el estado se enfrascaron en un proyecto de sustituir el "hombre nuevo" de Che Guevara por el "hombre sincero" de Jose Marti, y el campesino rural emergio como uno de los heroes de la nueva narrativa nacional. Este articulo explora como el proceso creativo del teatro comunitario se halla entretejido con la estructura politica y la ideologia socialista, y cuestiona como las imagenes nacionales y la definicion de autenticidad cultural son manipuladas y se mantienen como parte de la conciencia popular durante un periodo de crisis y cambio. Mi analisis aspira a revelar las razones por las cuales las imagenes del campesino del pasado, el del presente y el del futuro, han sido utilizadas para revigorizar el espiritu nacional, defendiendo asi lo cubano de una cul-tural global aglutinadora asi como de todo lo que desafia la autoridad de Fidel Castro y su Revolucion
High-risk single ventricle palliation in children with Down syndrome: single institution experience.

Background: Of the children with Down syndrome 40–50% have cardiac defects and the majority of these cardiac defects are amenable to biventricular repair. The outcome of single ventricle palliation is improving; nonetheless, there are limited data on Down syndrome patients with associated high-risk factors undergoing single ventricle palliation. Our aim was to study the outcomes of children with Down syndrome and high-risk factors on the single ventricle palliation pathway. Methods: A retrospective study on all patients with Down syndrome on the single ventricle palliation pathway from 2005 until 2011 was conducted. Operative, clinical, echocardiographic, haemodynamic data, and follow-up data were reviewed. Results: A total of 310 patients underwent at least one single ventricle surgical intervention. Of those, eight patients had Down syndrome, five of which had associated risk factors – low birth weight, high pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary vein stenosis, significant atrioventricular valve regurgitation, and extracardiac anomalies. Mortality in the high-risk group was 80% (4/5), compared with 33% (1/3) in the non-high-risk patients. Overall, after a median follow-up period of 138 days (8–576 days), only 37.5% (3/8) of patients were alive. Conclusion: Despite many improvements in the care of single ventricle patients, the fate of those with Down syndrome and associated high-risk factors remains poor. Further multicentre longer-term studies are needed to validate and quantify the cumulative effects of negative prognostic factors in this complex group of patients.
Screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip.

To the Editor .— Representing the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, we are writing in response to the special article by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) “Screening for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: Recommendation Statement.”1 We agree with the USPSTF that the available literature does not offer the highest level of evidence regarding screening and treatment. We also appreciate the difficulties in formulating recommendations for a disease with a severity spectrum that can range from severe teratologic dislocations to mild acetabular dysplasias. However, the authors of this recommendation statement reached their conclusion with flawed evidence synthesis (using “best data” rather than a model-driven method) and a misunderstanding of current practice, particularly as it relates to ultrasound use …
TennCare—A Failure Of Politics, Not Policy: A Conversation With Gordon Bonnyman

ABSTRACT: Gordon Bonnyman is the indefatigable advocate who has spent the past dozen years both championing and challenging TennCare, Tennessee's controversial Medicaid program. As the executive di...
STRUCTURAL CHANGES PRODUCED IN BROWN-PEARCE CARCINOMA CELLS BY MEANS OF A SPECIFIC ANTIBODY AND COMPLEMENT

Structural changes were regularly observed in Brown-Pearce rabbit carcinoma cells that had been brought into contact, in the presence of complement, with rabbit serum containing an antibody that reacts specifically with a distinctive sedimentable constituent of the carcinoma cells. The cellular changes appeared rapidly and were accompanied by an equally rapid loss of viability. The structural changes, as disclosed by histological and cytological methods, including phase contrast microscopy, were described in detail and illustrated. Essentially they were characterized by the entrance of considerable quantities of fluid into the cell, together with swelling and disorganization of its cytoplasm, vesiculation and rupture of the bulk of its cytoplasmic particles, and rapid and virtually complete loss of cytoplasmic basophilism. The plasma membranes, though stretched thin about the swollen cytoplasm of the altered cells, and otherwise changed also, remained unruptured during many hours' observation. The nuclei of the altered cells, however, remained relatively un-changed, their membranes persisting unruptured and their sap remaining wholly transparent and undiminished in amount for long periods, while within it the chromatin retained its staining properties, though sometimes becoming clumped and marginated; by contrast, the nucleoli of the treated cells promptly shrank and lost much of their affinity for the basic dyes. The experimental conditions under which the structural changes became manifest were given in detail, together with an analysis of the findings and brief mention of certain of their implications for cytology and immunology.
Organ mass and composition in growing dairy goat wethers fed different levels of poultry fat and protein

Abstract Growing castrated dairy goats ( n = 20; BW = 30 ± 3.3 kg) were used in an 82 d growing experiment to assess effects of protein and fat levels on performance and splanchnic tissue mass and composition. Animals were individually housed in elevated pens (1.2 m × 1.2 m), stratified by body weight, and randomly assigned to four dietary treatments. In a second experiment, four mature dairy bucks were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with 21 d periods (14 d adjustment and 7 d collection) to evaluate nutrient digestibility. Diets were formulated to provide, either 2.5 Mcal/kg DM DE and 12% CP (low fat low protein = LFLP, 2.5 Mcal/kg DM DE and 18% CP (low fat high protein = LFHP), 2.9 Mcal/kg DM DE and 12% CP (high fat low protein = HFLP), or 2.9 Mcal/kg DM DE and 18% CP (high fat high protein = HFHP). The low and high fat diets contained 3 and 15% poultry fat, respectively. At the end of the 82 d growing experiment, the animals were weighed and sacrificed. Immediately after evisceration, the digestive tract segments were tied at junctions, separated, and weighed with and without digesta. The weight of the liver and other organs of the abdominal and thoracic cavities were also recorded. Blood samples were analyzed for glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, and plasma urea nitrogen. On day 14 of each period of the digestibility experiment, total urine and feces outputs were collected and weighed. These samples were composited across days for each animal (10% of daily excretion). Fecal composites were dried at 55 °C for 48 h to determine dry fecal output. Dry fecal and feed samples were ground and analyzed for DM, N, NDF, ADF, EE, and ash. Urine samples were analyzed for nitrogen. Liver, small intestinal and reticulo-rumen mucosa samples from the growing experiment were analyzed for dry matter, protein, DNA and RNA. Data from the growing experiment were analyzed as a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized experiment, using fat, protein and fat × protein interaction in the model. Daily DM intakes and daily urinary outputs were similar among treatments. Dry matter, nitrogen, and fiber digestibilities were not affected by dietary treatments. Goats fed low fat diets consumed more feed than those fed high fat diets but was not affected by protein or fat by protein interaction. Average daily gains were greater for animals fed the low than high fat diets. Blood glucose and NEFA were similar among treatments, but plasma urea nitrogen increased in animal fed high protein diets. There were no differences in liver, heart, lungs, kidneys, and spleen weights. Small intestine weights (full or empty), as a percent of slaughter weight (SWT), were lower for the animals fed low fat as compared to high fat diets (1.9 vs. 2.7 and 1.5 vs. 1.9 for full or empty, respectively). Small intestinal weight (% SWT) tended to decrease with high protein diets. Liver DNA increased with high fat diet. Small intestinal epithelial DM contents were high ( P
Hiring nurses re-entering the workforce after chemical dependence

Although many studies may have been conducted to gain greater insight into the experiences of chemically impaired nurses, few, if any, studies focused on understanding and explaining the experiences of administrators who have hired, fired, or supervised chemically rehabilitated professionals. Imogene King’s conceptual system and theory of goal attainment forms the framework for this study because the model is focused on three interacting systems identified as personal, interpersonal, and social systems. King views people as dynamic human beings whose discernment of persons, events, and objects guide their behaviors, social interactions, and physical well-being. This phenomenological study explored, the lived experiences of administrators, supervisors, and managers who have hired, fired, or supervised recovered chemical dependent nurses. Direct Nurse Managers’ perceptions and attitudes about rehabilitated professionals from chemical dependency who are re-entering practice are explored as well. The participants in the study unveiled assumptions as well as personal and professional insights about chemically rehabilitated professionals returning to the work setting. The themes that emerged from the study included demonstration of compassion, concern for the assignment of duties, the influence of personal values (forgiveness, acceptance, and respect for others), and concern for eligibility of employment and for the successful completion of the IPN program. The results from the study add to existing nursing literature and may assist leaders to construct a work setting conducive to meeting the goals set forth by nursing administrators as well as provide insight into and acceptance of the rehabilitated professional in the work setting.
Regulation of Copper Transport Crossing Brain Barrier Systems by Cu-ATPases: Effect of Manganese Exposure

Regulation of cellular copper (Cu) homeostasis involves Cutransporting ATPases (Cu-ATPases), i.e., ATP7A and ATP7B. The question as to how these Cu-ATPases in brain barrier systems transport Cu, i.e., toward brain parenchyma, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), or blood, remained unanswered. This study was designed to characterize roles of Cu-ATPases in regulating Cu transport at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-CSF barrier (BCB) and to investigate how exposure to toxic manganese (Mn) altered the function of Cu-ATPases, thereby contributing to the etiology of Mn-induced parkinsonian disorder. Studies by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qPCR), Western blot, and immunocytochemistry revealed that both Cu-ATPases expressed abundantly in BBB and BCB. Transport kinetic studies by in situ brain infusion and ventriculo-cisternal (VC) perfusion in Sprague Dawley rat suggested that the BBB was a major site for Cu entry into brain, whereas the BCB was a predominant route for Cu efflux from the CSF to blood. Confocal evidence showed that the presence of excess Cu or Mn in the choroid plexus cells led to ATP7A relocating toward the apical microvilli facing the CSF, but ATP7B toward the basolateral membrane facing blood. Mn exposure inhibited the production of both Cu-ATPases. Collectively, these data suggest that Cu is transported by the BBB from the blood to brain, which is mediated by ATP7A in brain capillary. By diffusion, Cu ions move from the interstitial fluid into the CSF, where they are taken up by the BCB. Within the choroidal epithelial cells, Cu ions are transported by ATP7B back to the blood. Mn exposure alters these processes, leading to Cu dyshomeostasis-associated neuronal injury.
Predictors of nutritive sucking in preterm infants.

Objective: The purposes of this analysis were to determine how select characteristics of nutritive sucking (number of sucks, sucks/burst, and sucks/minute) change over time and to examine the effect of select factors (morbidity, maturity, prefeeding behavior state, and feeding experience) on those changes. Study design: A longitudinal, non-experimental study was conducted in a Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit using a convenience sample of 88 preterm infants. Statistical analyses were performed using a repeated-measures mixed-model in SAS. Results: Sucking activity (number of sucks, sucks/burst, and sucks/ minute) was predicted by morbidity, maturity, feeding experience and prefeeding behavior state. Experience at oral feeding had the greatest effect on changes in the number of sucks, suck/burst and sucks/minute. Conclusion: Experience at feeding may result in more rapid maturation of sucking characteristics.
Energy management for real-time embedded systems with reliability requirements

With the continued scaling of CMOS technologies and reduced design margins, the reliability concerns induced by transient faults have become prominent. Moreover, the popular energy management technique dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) has been shown to have direct and negative effects on reliability. In this work, for a set of real-time tasks, we focus on the slack allocation problem to minimize their energy consumption while preserving the overall system reliability. Building on our previous findings for a single real-time application where a recovery task was used to preserve reliability, we identify the problem of reliability-aware energy management for multiple tasks as NP-hard and propose two polynomial-time heuristic schemes. We also investigate the effects of on-chip/off-chip workload decomposition on energy management, by considering a generalized power model. Simulation results show that ordinary energy management schemes could lead to drastically decreased system reliability, while the proposed reliability-aware heuristic schemes are able to preserve the system reliability and obtain significant energy savings at the same time.
Chronological Age-Grading of Three Species of Stored-Product Beetles by Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

The accuracy of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for predicting the chronological age of adults of the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.); the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.); and the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), three pests of stored grain, was examined. NIRS-predicted age correlated well with actual age of these three species. Age predictions in S. oryzae by using the NIRS method are not dependent upon adult sex or temperatures to which adult weevils are exposed. Results indicated that water content decreased with increasing age in rice weevil adults, and excluding wavelengths at which water absorbs NIR radiation reduced the accuracy of correct classification. Additionally, removing cuticular lipids from insects resulted in a significant decrease in classification accuracy of weevils, indicating that these compounds may be partly responsible for the ability of NIRS to differentiate young from old beetles. NIRS is a nondestructive technique that can be used to age-grade large numbers of adult stored-product beetles, information that could help to increase the accuracy of population models for these pest species.