cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pretty good quantum state transfer in symmetric spin networks via magnetic field

We study pretty good single-excitation quantum state transfer (i.e., state transfer that becomes arbitrarily close to perfect) between particles in symmetric spin networks, in the presence of an energy potential induced by a magnetic field. In particular, we show that if a network admits an involution that fixes at least one node or at least one link, then there exists a choice of potential on the nodes of the network for which we get pretty good state transfer between symmetric pairs of nodes. We show further that in many cases, the potential can be chosen so that it is only nonzero at the nodes between which we want pretty good state transfer. As a special case of this, we show that such a potential can be chosen on the endpoints of a spin chain to induce pretty good state transfer in chains of any length. This is in contrast to the result of Kempton et al. (Quantum Inf Comput 17(3):303–327, 2017), in which the authors show that there cannot be perfect state transfer in chains of length 4 or more, no matter what potential is chosen.
Characterization of the Mechanical Behavior of Colorado Mason Sand at Grain-Level by Nanoindentation

Colorado Mason sand has received increasing attention for use as a model granular material for the investigation of the soil response under a blast. The grain-level mechanical properties of Colorado Mason sand, which are important input for modeling and simulation of such granular material, are measured by nanoindentation. The as-received assorted sand is sorted into six grain sizes: 0.15 mm, 0.21 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.42 mm, 0.6 mm, and 0.84 mm. The sand chemical constituents are determined using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and three main types of sand grains are determined as silica, rock, and metal oxide. The Young’s modulus and hardness are measured using nanoindentation with a Berkovich tip. A cube-corner indenter tip is used to generate radial cracks, the lengths of which are used to determine the fracture toughness. The mechanical properties (Young’s modulus, hardness and fracture toughness) of the sand are statistically analyzed, and are found to follow a tri-modal Weibull distribution, corresponding to three main types of constituent grains. The grains show ductile behavior under Berkovich tip due to confinement by high pressure induced by the tip. An inverse method is used to determine the stress-strain relationship for individual sand grains using finite element analysis, with the consideration of Drucker-Prager yield criterion. The grain-level mechanical properties determined in this study can be used in microscale and mesoscale simulations.
Temporal and Malar-Zygomatic Reduction and Augmentation

The temporal fossa, zygomatic arch, and malar-midface should be considered jointly when augmentation of the temporal area or reduction of the zygomatic arch are to be carried out. These anatomic areas relate so closely to one another that altering one affects the other. In addition, augmentation of the malar-midface area may be done if one of the other two procedures is to be considered, or if a brow lift, subperiosteal face lift, or other reason for using a coronal incision exists. Use of the coronal incision for malar augmentation is probably not justified because of the large amount of surgery required in spite of the lesser morbidity associated with this approach in terms of amount of infections, lip stiffness, and hypesthesia. Planning a surgical procedure must be done in the office, by examining the patient at eye level to determine the amount of zygomatic arch reduction and the amount of temporal fossa augmentation necessary. Similarly, the three zones of the malar-midface complex must be assessed, with the amount of augmentation of each zone determined prior to the day of surgery. The surgical procedure is then executed through a coronal incision, with the dissection extending down to the zygomatic arch. If the temporal muscle is to be elevated out of its fossa, it is cut on its anterior, superior, and posterior edges, elevating it out of its fossa so that a Proplast implant, typically 3 to 4 mm thick and finely tapered on its superior and posterior edges, with suturing done anteriorly, may be inserted. The muscle is then resutured to its aponeurosis on all three edges. If the zygomatic arch and malar-midface area are to be approached, the dissection is carried to the deep and superior edge of the zygomatic arch, and the periosteal elevator is used to elevate the soft tissue off the lateral and inferior edge. The arch and malar-midface are cleared of soft tissue, extending the tunnel to the upper buccal sulcus. The arch is then reduced with a contouring burr to the thinness desired. Alternatively, the malar-midface area may be augmented with synthetic material precisely positioned, with a suture around the zygomatic arch, holding it in position as measured from the lateral orbital rim. The incision in the temporal fascia is then resutured, and the coronal incision is closed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Meningeal Whole Mount Preparation and Characterization of Neural Cells by Flow Cytometry

Neuroimmunologists aim to understand the interactions between the central nervous system and the immune system under both homeostatic and pathological conditions. The meninges, contrary to the brain parenchyma, are populated by numerous immune cells. Soluble factors produced by these cells are capable to diffuse into the brain parenchyma and influence the brain cells within the parenchyma, including neurons. In this unit, we will describe two protocols: analysis the meningeal compartment of rodents and the use flow cytometry to study the cells of the brain parenchyma (particularly neurons).
Disparities in breast cancer: a multi-institutional comparative analysis focusing on American Hispanics.

Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer death in Hispanic/Latino women nationwide. Hispanic women are more likely to be presented with advanced disease and adverse prognosis subtypes. The aim of this study is to describe the clinico- pathological characteristics and disparities in breast cancer in this group at two tertiary care University-based medical centers. After IRB approval, Cancer registry was used to analyze the variables of 3441 patients with breast cancer diagnosed and treated consecutively at two large tertiary University based medical and cancer center database centers in El Paso, TX and Loma Linda, CA between 2005 and 2015. Association between race/ethnicity and cancer type, stage, hormone receptor status and treatment option were investigated. Overall 45.5% of the patients were Hispanic (n: 1566) and those were more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age (57 years) similar to African Americans, more likely to have invasive ductal carcinoma type (82.7%) & triple negative disease (17.1%, 95%CI: 15% to 19%). 58.8% of Hispanics (95%CI: 56% to 61%) have hormone receptor (HR)+ & HER2- as opposed to 71% in non-Hispanic White people. In addition, Hispanic individuals presented with advanced stages of BC (25.3%, 95% CI: 23% to 28%) similar to African American (25.4%), and had a lower proportion of lumpectomy (50%) similar to African American (50%). When compared to African American patients, Hispanic patients had a higher prevalence of triple negative BC (17.11% in Hispanics Versus 13.86% in African American). CONCLUSION Hispanics had significantly higher relative risk of advanced stages at presentation (Relative Risk Ratio (RRR) = 2.05, P < 0.001), triple negative tumors (RRR = 2.64, P < 0.0001), HER2 + /HR - disease (RRR = 1.77, P < 0.0001), and less HR+ /HER2- BC (RRR = 0.69, P < 0.0001). Hispanics and African Americans are diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age, have a higher prevalence of Triple negative breast cancer, and are diagnosed at more advanced stages of disease. Increasing awareness and targeting minority populations for health promotion interventions, screening and early detection continue to be of paramount importance to reduce the burden of health disparities.
Strengthening community data: towards pervasive participation

Data, big data, and data analytics are contemporary touchstones for rational and technocratic thinking about human activity. Data also provide a new foundation and focus for community innovation, and new concrete possibilities for enhancing community activities, experiences, and civic participation. We present and discuss a series of community design scenarios envisioning how community data can be produced, gathered, analyzed, interpreted and used by community members to enhance community awareness and engagement, to provide new opportunities for learning and development among community members, and to increase the transparency, effectiveness and fairness of local government. Our argument is that community data can be seen as a vehicle not only for more pervasive participation in local communities but also for richer, better-grounded, and more effective participation.
Chronic Stress and its Implications on Health Among Families of Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD)

Abstract Parenting a child with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD) can be considered a chronic stressor that may increase one's susceptibility to disease, illness, and poor health. In this chapter, we discuss allostatic load—the physiological disruption to adaptation when repeatedly faced with stressful situations—and its potential to affect the heart, GI tract, immune system, and brain. After presenting theories of stress, we summarize studies connecting chronic stress and physical health problems in vulnerable populations, including families of children with I/DD. We also call attention to psychosocial factors that influence risks to caregiver health, including socioeconomic status, race, and marital status. We then highlight interventions that help protect bodily systems from wear and tear, before ending with recommendations for further research on health issues for families of children with I/DD.
Nicotinic Modulation of Dopaminergic Neurotransmission: Functional Implications

There is substantial evidence from diverse sources to indicate an important interactive relationship between the cholinergic and dopaminergic systems in brain. It has been known for some time that dopaminergic agonists and antagonists exert a profound influence on the release, turnover, or concentration of striatal acetylcholine (ACh) (1–5). In general, the findings from such studies have suggested that the function of dopaminergic nigrostriatal fibers is to exert a tonic inhibitory influence on cholinergic interneurons. Likewise, cholinergic agents also seem to exert an effect on dopaminergic function. Systemic injections of muscarinic cholinergic agonists have been found to enhance the synthesis (6) and utilization (7–10) of striatal as well as mesolimbic dopamine (DA). Muscarinic antagonists, on the other hand, appear to reduce the rate of utilization of dopamine (6, 11–15).
Euratom: The Troubled Forerunner of Community Research Policy

This chapter illustrates how the problems in the existing European Community research activities in nuclear energy influenced the plans for a more comprehensive common approach to research. The European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), whose difficulties exacerbated at the very moment when the first proposals for a general research policy were launched, served as a useful though highly problematic basis for the proposed new activities. These findings support a broader thesis of the book, which is the importance of institutional continuity in European integration.
Middle school students' engagement in and beliefs about student misbehavior: A social domain approach.

Abstract Introduction Through the lens of social domain theory, the present study examined how 7th grade students coordinated social and moral reasoning when thinking about transgressions. Method Eighty-nine 7th-grade students (Meanage = 13.05 years; 46 female students) were sampled to assess their beliefs about and engagement in school and classroom misbehavior. Interactive sorting tasks were employed to examine how participants coordinated competing social concerns inherent in everyday misbehaviors. Results Analyses revealed that engagement and reasoning were domain differentiated; students engaged most in conventional and contextually conventional transgressions and least in transgressions that involved harm to others (moral) or to the self (prudential). Sorting task responses revealed that, over and above domain-consistent reasoning (e.g., moral reasoning used to justify decisions about moral transgressions), students appealed to conventional justifications like teacher authority, school rules, and peer norms when reasoning about all types of misbehavior (i.e., moral, conventional, contextually conventional, and prudential). Reasoning also differed by misbehavior groupings. Analyses also indicated that the number of social cognitive domains that a participant considered relevant when defining a transgression was negatively associated with engagement in that transgression. Finally, a multigroup path analysis model revealed that the association between type of reasoning and misbehavior was moderated by misbehavior group. Conclusions The findings from this study increased understanding of the ways that individuals coordinate social and moral concerns in everyday decision making. Moreover, discussion focused on how the results can be used to support domain-based values education and in more effective teacher/administrator responses to student misbehavior.
Case 61: A Neck Abscess

You have been working in a mission hospital in the southern part of Morocco for 6 months. Your French has improved and you are able to converse with people relatively easily.
miR-199a-5p inhibits the Expression of ABCB11 in Obstructive Cholestasis

ATP-binding cassette, sub-family B member 11 (ABCB11) is an efflux transporter for bile acids on the liver canalicular membrane. The expression of this transporter is reduced in cholestasis; however, the mechanisms contributing to this reduction are unclear. In this study, we sought to determine whether miR-199a-5p contributes to the depletion of ABCB11/Abcb11 in cholestasis in mice. In a microRNA (miRNA) screen of mouse liver after common bile duct ligation (CBDL), we found that miR-199a-5p was significantly upregulated by approximately 4-fold. In silico analysis predicted that miR-199a-5p would target the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of ABCB11/Abcb11 mRNA. The expression of ABCB11-3'-UTR luciferase construct in Huh-7 cells was markedly inhibited by cotransfection of a miRNA-199a-5p mimic, which was reversed by a miRNA-199a-5p mimic inhibitor. We also show treatment of mice after CBDL with the potent nuclear receptor FXR agonist obeticholic acid (OCA) significantly increased Abcb11 mRNA and protein and decreased miR-199a-5p expression. Computational mapping revealed a well-conserved FXR-binding site (FXRE) in the promoter of the gene encoding miR-199a-5, termed miR199a-2. Electromobility shift, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and miR199a-2 promoter-luciferase assays confirmed that this binding site was functional. Finally, CBDL in mice led to depletion of nuclear repressor NcoR1 binding at the miR199a-2 promoter, which facilitates transcription of miR199a-2. In CBDL mice treated with OCA, NcoR1 recruitment to the miR199a-2 FXRE was maintained at levels found in sham operated mice. In conclusion, we demonstrate that miR-199a-5p is involved in regulating ABCB11/Abcb11 expression, is aberrantly upregulated in obstructive cholestasis, and is downregulated by the FXR agonist obeticholic acid.
System Dynamics Simulation of Spatial Character

System Dynamics modeling has been applied to regional, urban, and community problem solving where critical policies are concerned with land-use controls. Representation of change in the spatial distribution and physical appearances of various activities have traditionally been achieved by modeling these as transfers between relatively homogeneous sub-area sectors. Due to lack of capabilities for direct representation of physical space showing the distribution and appearances of activities over geographic space, System Dynamics modeling has received little attention in environmental and city planning practice. In this paper, we describe the main components of a methodology to make the System Dynamics modeling more integral in planning and design for community development, also including spatial representation.
Mechanism of Action of Nalidixic Acid on Conjugating Bacteria

When nalidixic acid, a specific and effective inhibitor of cellular deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis, is added to conjugating bacteria at any time during mating, it stops genetic transfer provided the donor bacterium is sensitive to the drug. When this inhibition is released by the removal of the nalidixic acid, transfer does not resume at the point on the chromosome where it was stopped, but begins again at the transfer origin. Curves relating the effects of various low doses of nalidixic acid to the frequency of recombination reveal that several “hits” are necessary to inhibit recombination for early markers. The number of required “hits” decreases as the distance of the marker from the transfer origin increases. Transfer between drug-resistant cells may also be inhibited by nalidixic acid. The effect of high drug doses on matings between resistant cells is similar to that of low drug doses on matings with a sensitive male.
Spinal and paraspinal lesions: the role of stereotactic body radiotherapy.

Stanford University has a long legacy of contributions to the field of radiation therapy. The Cyberknife image-guided robotic radiosurgery is the latest in a series of radiation advancements that all
Solution strategies and algorithm behavior in large-scale network codes

This paper surveys results of a recent set of experiments testing different solution strategy parameters and implementation schemes for the U.S. Department of Treasury’s in/out-of-core, primal-simplex-based solution system for optimally merging microdata files. Numerous runs were implemented to study the effects of pricing and pivoting rule, data storage technique, compiler, data page size, and problem density on algorithm behavior. Improvements over previous performance levels are noted.
Mesh networking protocols to exploit physical layer capabilities

Wireless mesh networks are becoming increasingly popular as a low-cost alternative to wired networks for providing high-speed last mile connectivity. A key challenge in mesh networks is the need for sufficient network capacity to meet the requirements of applications, especially when network density increases over time, and newer applications require higher throughputs. In this paper, we consider some approaches for improving network capacity by exploiting various physical layer capabilities. Specifically, we consider the use of multiple wireless channels, and improving utilization of any given channel by introducing “spatial backoff”, for improving network capacity. Through these example scenarios, we highlight the challenges involved and benefits possible by exploiting physical layer capabilities in mesh networks.
Elements of Mathematical Ecology

Preface Part I. Unstructured Population Models Section A. Single Species Models: 1. Exponential, logistic and Gompertz growth 2. Harvest models - bifurcations and breakpoints 3. Stochastic birth and death processes 4. Discrete-time models 5. Delay models 6. Branching processes Section B. Interacting Populations: 7. A classical predator-prey model 8. To cycle or not to cycle 9. Global bifurcations in predator-prey models 10. Chemosts models 11. Discrete-time predator-prey models 12. Competition models 13. Mutualism models Section C. Dynamics of Exploited Populations: 14. Harvest models and optimal control theory Part II. Structured Population Models Section D. Spatially-Structured Models: 15. Spatially-structured models 16. Spatial steady states: linear problems 17. Spatial steady states: nonlinear problems 18. Models of spread Section E. Age-Structured Models: 19. An overview of linear age-structured models 20. The Lokta integral equation 21. The difference equation 22. The Leslie matrix 23. The McKendrick-von Foerster PDE 24. Some simple nonlinear models Section F. Gender-Structured Models: 25. Two-sex models References Index.
DYNAMICAL EQUATIONS AND APPROXIMATION METHODS

Publisher Summary This chapter presents dynamical equations and approximation methods. An exact procedure has been given for correctly incorporating Coulomb forces in calculations of scattering from a charged bound state below the break-up threshold. For the case of proton–deuteron scattering, a formulation based on the quasi-particle approach is reported and on a screening technique similar to that of Veselova. The strong nucleon–nucleon interaction is assumed to be separable, and Coulomb interaction is treated exactly. The chapter presents another generalized separable expansion based on the Noyes–Kowalski model and the Bateman method. It has the attractive feature that the unphysical poles, which appear in both the Noyes–Kowalski model and in the Bateman method, can be made to vanish simultaneously by an appropriate choice of a set of Bateman parameters. The expansion is applicable to all energies in contrast to the situation in applications of Bateman method. The chapter discusses several physical properties of the two-body system, which are invariant under the phase-shift equivalent transformation. The Fredholm determinant and several other quantities are invariant in addition to the known invariants such as scattering phase shifts.
Pattern recognition and call preferences in treefrogs (Anura: Hylidae): a quantitative analysis using a no-choice paradigm

Abstract Studies of mate attraction have traditionally employed one of two experimental methods: choice tests in which female preferences from among two or more signals are tabulated, or single-stimulus tests in which the female response to one signal is quantified. Choice tests have long been preferred for examining mate attraction in anurans. Inspired by Wagner's (1998, Animal Behaviour,55, 1029–1042) discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the two experimental approaches, we used a single-stimulus design to examine mate attraction in two sibling species of treefrogs (Hyla versicolor and H. chrysoscelis). We quantified female responses based upon the relative time required to approach signals varying in pulse rate, pulse rise time and pulse number. The data were used to generate response functions providing a quantitative measure of female attraction to the stimuli. Comparisons with data from choice experiments reveal broad similarities, as well as properties of female responses that had not been detected with choice tests. The results are discussed with regard to female selectivity for call parameters that are likely to mediate sexual selection and homospecific pairing.
Method of Cutting a Diffraction Grating

Owing to an error in specifications, a plane-reflection grating recently received in our laboratory-was found to be too long. This caused vignetting of a light beam in the monochromator in which the grating was to be used, with a consequent loss of transmitted light. Because of the cost and delivery-time incurred in obtaining the grating, it was therefore desired to cut it. It was, of course, essential that the ruled surface of the grating remain undamaged during the cutting operation. Since a diamond saw was to be used, it was also essential that the lubricant used with the saw be prevented from reaching the rulings. The lubricant contained a wetting agent which penetrated most common adhesives, and finding a satisfactory adhesive was one of the main difficulties encountered. However, after a number of trials the following method of cutting the grating without damage was found.
Camptothecins: a review of their development and schedules of administration

Used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, camptothecin was rediscovered in the 1950s during a search for compounds that could be used as a source for steroid synthesis. Due to its limited water solubility, a sodium salt was used in the early clinical trials. The severe toxicity and erratic absorption relegated this compound to the research laboratory until the 1980s when the topoisomerase enzyme was identified as the cellular target of camptothecin, the topoisomerase enzyme was found to be overexpressed in cancer cells and a structure-activity relationship was determined for camptothecin. These new developments brought the camptothecins back to the clinical setting for further testing. The various analogues that have been most studied to date include: irinotecan (CPT-11), and its derivative SN-38, topotecan, and 9-aminocamptothecin. Numerous trials have been conducted in an attempt to establish the efficacy in various tumour types, to determine the dose-limiting toxicity and to define the optimal schedule of administration. It seems that large doses of these drugs given on intermittent schedules are not effective. Our hypothesis is that the camptothecins require a prolonged schedule of administration given continuously at low doses or frequent intermittent dosing schedules to be most effective. With these schedules, normal haematopoietic cells and mucosal progenitor cells with low topoisomerase I levels may be spared, while efficacy is preserved.
Evaluation of functional properties of imaging materials for water immersion lithography

The introduction of an immersion fluid in contact with the resist-coated substrate is, from the perspective of the resist material, a significant departure from the conventional lithographic process. The impact of this modification on the lithographic imaging materials is as yet only poorly characterized. We report the results of studies aimed at an improved understanding of how immersion in water during exposure influences the functional properties of films of lithographic materials. We have evaluated the water permeability of candidate immersion topcoat materials; the role of immersion topcoat materials in reducing airborne contamination and water-resist interactions; the impact of water immersion on image blur in chemically amplified resists; and high-resolution imaging of candidate immersion resist materials under conditions of poor aerial image contrast. Analytical techniques such as QCM and reflectance analysis of thin films, DUV interferometric immersion lithography, and trace organic analysis are applied in this work.
Structural and kinetic effects of PAK3 phosphorylation mimic of cTnI(S151E) on the cTnC-cTnI interaction in the cardiac thin filament.

Residue Ser151 of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is known to be phosphorylated by p21-activated kinase 3 (PAK3). It has been found that PAK3-mediated phosphorylation of cTnI induces an increase in the sensitivity of myofilament to Ca(2+), but the detailed mechanism is unknown. We investigated how the structural and kinetic effects mediated by pseudo-phosphorylation of cTnI (S151E) modulates Ca(2+)-induced activation of cardiac thin filaments. Using steady-state, time-resolved Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and stopped-flow kinetic measurements, we monitored Ca(2+)-induced changes in cTnI-cTnC interactions. Measurements were done using reconstituted thin filaments, which contained the pseudo-phosphorylated cTnI(S151E). We hypothesized that the thin filament regulation is modulated by altered cTnC-cTnI interactions due to charge modification caused by the phosphorylation of Ser151 in cTnI. Our results showed that the pseudo-phosphorylation of cTnI (S151E) sensitizes structural changes to Ca(2+) by shortening the intersite distances between cTnC and cTnI. Furthermore, kinetic rates of Ca(2+) dissociation-induced structural change in the regulatory region of cTnI were reduced significantly by cTnI (S151E). The aforementioned effects of pseudo-phosphorylation of cTnI were similar to those of strong crossbridges on structural changes in cTnI. Our results provide novel information on how cardiac thin filament regulation is modulated by PAK3 phosphorylation of cTnI.
Hydantoin formation by cyclo-elimination: reactivity difference between Merrifield- and Wang-derived resins

Abstract cyclo-Elimination reactivity differences in I→II are reported. These reactivity differences dictate the selection of Wang resin for N1-substituted hydantoin formation and Merrifield resin for N1-unsubstituted hydantoin formation.
Proliferation of donor spleen and bone-marrow cells in the spleens and bone marrows of unirradiated and irradiated adult mice.

SummaryCBA/HT6T6 spleen or bone-marrow cells were injected into unirradiated or irradiated CBA/H mice, and the percentages of donor-type cells in the spleen and the bone marrow were scored at vario...
Behavioral and histological outcomes following neonatal HI injury in a preterm (P3) and term (P7) rodent model.

Abstract Hypoxia–ischemia (HI) occurs when blood and/or oxygen delivery to the brain is compromised. HI injuries can occur in infants born prematurely (
Expressive Practices: The Local Enactment of Culture in the Communication Classroom

As students participate in corporate communication classes, they may, on occasion, use the term culture to make sense of their experiences. The authors use Mino's idea of a learning paradigm to shift the emphasis away from teaching traditional theories of culture and use student-centered experiences to teach culture as an expressive practice. Using instances drawn from their own classrooms, the authors show how students can recognize the value of understanding their role in creating culture each time they choose how to act, how to evaluate others' behavior, and whether to label what is going on as cultural.
Evaluation of warfarin prescription labels

Introduction Due to warfarin’s frequent dosage adjustments and the potential for serious adverse consequences (bleeding, bruising, etc.), the dosage must be individualized for each patient according to the indication for therapy and patient response to the medication as measured by prothrombin time (PT)/international normalized ratio (INR). Ideally when there are dosing changes, the dosing instructions written on the prescription label should be the same as the patient’s actual dosage regimen. Patients may take incorrect warfarin doses secondary to having incorrect directions on the prescription label, which may lead to adverse events. Dosage instructions may not be reissued for each difference in dosage to save time, avoid waste of multiple bottles of medication, and to reduce cost. Objective To ascertain whether a discrepancy exists between the warfarin dosage listed on the prescription bottle label dispensed from the pharmacy and the patients’ actual dosage instruction obtained from the anticoagulation clinic at the Loma Linda VA Medical Center, and if the discrepancy existed, to determine its magnitude. If discrepancies existed, examine if there was a[10% difference in the weekly dose. Method A retrospective chart review utilizing an MS DOS based program Clinstat for randomization scheme of 300 charts was carried out of patients 18 years or older with active management of anticoagulation and received warfarin prescription from Loma Linda VA Medical Center between May 1,2005 and December 1, 2005. Results Of the 298 charts, which met inclusion criteria, 12 (4%) were unable to be assessed due to lack of patient’s inability to recall warfarin dosage documented in chart. Of the remaining 286, the mean age was 69.8 and males constituted 98.9%. Discrepancy was noted in 161 charts (56%). Of those, 122 (76%) had a [10% discrepancy: with a mean of 32%, and range of 11–100%. Conclusion/Discussion The results of the warfarin label retrospective review demonstrated that there was a discrepancy between patient’s prescription bottle label and patient’s verbalized dosage in over half of the patients’ from the anticoagulation clinic with a mean discrepancy of 32% of the warfarin dose and 76% of the discrepancies exceeding 10% of the warfarin dose. This study raises a question whether warfarin labels should simply read, ‘‘take as directed,’’ or with the specific dosing instructions provided on a separate instruction sheet or calendar. This study may also be significant to fuel future studies to look into the greater impact of this discrepancy such as patient safety (bleeding rates, hospitalization rates), and cost (new labels, medication waste).
Control of anthocyanin synthesis by the C locus in maize

Alleles at the C locus in maize include C, one of the complementary genes required for anthocyanin pigmentation in the aleuone tissue of the mature kernel; C-I, dominant inhibitor of pigmentation; and c, recessive colorless. The recessive colorless alleles can be differentiated into two distinct forms: c-p (p for positive), conditional colored, develops pigment in the light during germination; c-n (n for negative), colorless, fails to develop pigment at any time. Four-point linkage data support the differentiation of c-p (in the alleles derived from either W22 or K55 inbreds) from c-n. Light and germination conditions are both required for anthocyanin synthesis in c-p tissue, but light “induction” and germination “induction” are two separable events inasmuch as the light stimulus can be stored. The ratio between the two major pigments, cyanidin and pelargonidin, is lowered in c-p tissue relative to that in dominant colored (C) tissue for the W22 allele and background but not for the K55 allele and background. Segregation tests reveal that the difference in the cyanidin-to-pelargonidin ratio in the C and the c-p tissue of W22 background is associated with the C locus. Several properties of the C locus, including anomalous allelic functions, stage- and condition-dependent anthocyanin synthesis controlled by its multiple allelic series, and tissue-specific function, suggest that C may be a regulatory locus in the control of anthocyanin synthesis in aleurone tissue.
Effect of Hydroxymethyl Glutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase Inhibitor Therapy on High Sensitive C-Reactive Protein Levels

Background —Prospective studies indicate that baseline levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), the prototypic marker of inflammation, are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular events. Limited studies have examined therapies that influence high-sensitive CRP (hs-CRP) levels, especially in hyperlipidemic patients. Thus, we tested the effects of 3 hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins), simvastatin (20 mg/d), pravastatin (40 mg/d), and atorvastatin (10 mg/d), on levels of hs-CRP in a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial of 22 patients with combined hyperlipidemia (LDL cholesterol >130 mg/dL and triglycerides of 200 to 600 mg/dL). Methods and Results —After 6 weeks of an American Heart Association Step 1 diet, fasting blood samples were drawn at baseline and after 6 weeks of therapy with each drug. hs-CRP levels were significantly decreased after treatment with all 3 statins compared with baseline (median values: baseline, 2.6 mg/L; atorvastatin, 1.7 mg/L; simvastatin, 1.7 mg/L; and pravastatin, 1.9 mg/L; P <0.025). The reductions obtained with the 3 statins were similar. In addition, there was no significant effect on either plasma interleukin-6 or interleukin-6 soluble receptor levels. There was no relationship between reductions in hs-CRP and LDL cholesterol. Conclusions —Pravastatin, simvastatin, and atorvastatin significantly decreased levels of hs-CRP. These data support an anti-inflammatory effect of these drugs.
Attempted salvage resection for recurrent gastric or gastroesophageal cancer

The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of surgery for patients with recurrent gastric or gastroesophageal cancer. We queried records from 7,459 patients who presented with gastric or gastroesophageal cancer to our institution from 1973 through 2005 to identify those for whom resection of recurrent disease had been attempted. We assessed the associations between various clinicopathologic factors and resectability with logistic regression analysis and between clinicopathologic factors and overall survival (OS) with the Cox proportional hazards model. Sixty patients underwent attempted resection for recurrent cancer. In 31 cases (52%), recurrent disease proved unresectable at laparotomy. Factors associated with the ability to undergo re-resection included neoadjuvant treatment prior to initial resection [odds ratio (OR) 12.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9-75.6] and having an isolated local recurrence (OR 5.1, 95% CI 1.3-20.5). Of the 29 patients who underwent re-resection, 14 required adjacent organ resection, and 6 required interposition grafting. Three- and 5-year OS rates for all 60 patients were 21% and 12%, respectively; median follow-up time was 23 months. Median OS for patients undergoing resection was 25.8 months (95% CI 17.1-49.8) versus 6.0 months (95% CI 4.0-10.5) for unresectable patients (P < 0.001). Initial tumor location at the gastroesophageal junction was associated with diminished OS [hazard ratio (HR) 2.8, 95% CI 1.2-6.5] and ability to undergo resection of recurrence was associated with improved OS (HR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.6). We conclude that surgical resection of select patients with recurrent gastric or gastroesophageal cancer can result in improved OS but often requires adjacent organ resection or interposition graft placement.
Business Letter Writing: English, French, and Japanese

This article examines the form and content of business letters of request in English, French, and Japanese, focusing on prescriptive accounts in the respective languages. Since writing is the process of creating meaning, the examination of a highly prescriptive form of written communication increases our understanding of the varied interpretations of the writer's purpose and reader's expectations in different cultures. The rhetorical differences of note in this comparative exercise were that despite amazingly similar surface characteristics, American business letters are reader oriented, French business letters are writer oriented, and Japanese business letters are oriented to the space between the writer and reader.
Expression of mRNAs encoding α and β subunit isoforms of the Na,K-ATPase in the rat cochlea

The distributions of mRNAs coding for three different isoforms of the alpha and two of the beta subunits of Na,K-ATPase were studied in the rat cochlea using in situ mRNA hybridization. The alpha1 and beta1 subunit isoforms were widely distributed and appear to mediate the Na and K transport needs of most cochlear cells. The mRNAs encoding the alpha2 and alpha3 subunit isoforms were present in glial and neuronal types, respectively. The only subunit isoform mRNAs found in the stria vascularis were alpha1 and beta2. This suggests that Na,K-ATPase consisting of the alpha1 and beta2 subunits plays a critical role in the maintenance of high extracellular K(+) levels in the cochlear endolymph and appears to transport K(+) ions against very low levels of intracellular potassium.
Airborne algae and cyanobacteria

Abstract Airborne algae and cyanobacteria were collected on the New England, USA coast by stationary plate and bottle sampling as well as by air filtration and were grown in culture. Genera of 5 green algae, 2 cyanobacteria and 4 diatoms were identified. Since all the genera cultured can be found in the local marine environment and they grew in various marine media the evidence points to at least some of these organisms likely being viable marine airborne organisms. This would be only the fourth report in the literature in which airborne algae and cyanobacteria probably of marine origin have been trapped and cultured. Further studies may point out the role of the airborne route in the distribution of these organisms.
Glucagon gene transcription activation mediated by synergistic interactions of pax-6 and cdx-2 with the p300 co-activator.

In the endocrine pancreas, α-cell-specific expression of the glucagon gene is mediated by DNA-binding proteins that interact with the proximal G1 promoter element, which contains several AT-rich domains. The homeodomain transcription factors brain-4, pax-6, and cdx-2 have been shown to bind to these sites and to transactivate glucagon gene expression. In the present study, we investigated the interaction of cdx-2 and pax-6 with p300, a co-activator coupled to the basal transcription machinery. In transient transfection-expression experiments, we found that the transactivating effects of cdx-2 and pax-6 on the glucagon gene were greatly enhanced by the additional expression of p300. This enhancement was due to direct protein-protein interactions of both pax-6 and cdx-2 with the N-terminal C/H1 domain of p300. pax-6 and cdx-2 also directly interacted with one another at the protein level. pax-6, bound to its DNA recognition site in the glucagon G1 promoter element, tethered cdx-2 to the molecular complex of pax-6 and p300. Further, we found that the presence of cdx-2 enhanced the interaction of pax-6 with p300, thus establishing a molecular complex of transcription factors implicated in tissue-specific glucagon gene expression with the basal transcriptional machinery.
Association of bone dimensions with a parathyroid hormone gene polymorphism in women.

We have recently shown that bone radiogrammetric dimensions are associated with vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism. Since parathyroid hormone (PTH) plays a central role in maintaining calcium homeostasis and in bone remodeling, we investigated whether bone radiogrammetric dimensions are associated with a PTH gene polymorphism in 91 healthy Caucasian women, who were premenopausal at entry into the study. These women had assessments of bone by radiogrammetry every five years for a median period of 20 years (range 4–27). DNA was extracted from white blood cells. A segment of the PTH gene with a polymorphism at a BstBI restriction site was amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Diameter, cortical thickness and cross-sectional area at standard sites of the metacarpals, radius and femur were measured with radiogrammetry. Higher metacarpal diameter and cross-sectional cortical area, and a slower decrease in radial cortical area with age, were associated with the absence of the BstBI restriction site of the PTH gene. PTH gene polymorphism accounts for about 7–9% of the total variances of bone dimensional variables. These findings suggest that the dimensions of long bones are influenced by allelic variations in the PTH gene or in genes nearby.
Activity and involuntary memory: A failure to replicate

Forty-five Ss viewed an array of 16 words printed on cards. As each card was illuminated, S said the word aloud. In Condition 1, S also removed six cards whose positions were pointed to by E. In Condition 2, S removed 6 words beginning with the letter “s.” After 15 min, Ss recalled more words in Condition 2 than in Condition 1 and a greater than chance number of positions in both conditions. Although these procedures of Leont’ev & Rozanova (1957) were closely followed, their results could not be confirmed. Leontev and Rozanova were investigating involuntary memory (incidental learning) as a function of S’s activity and instructions intended to activate the second signal system.
New and emerging infectious diseases

New and emerging diseases present a constant challenge. Globalization of business, international adoption, immigration, and tourism have contributed to the rapid spread of diseases, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Infectious diseases that emerge in Africa or Asia may arrive on US shores within days. This article reviews the new and emerging pathogens important to dermatologists.
A peptide from the extension of Lys-tRNA synthetase binds to transfer RNA and DNA

Abstract Eukaryotic aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases have dispensable extensions appended at the amino- or carboxyl-terminus as compared to their bacterial counterparts. While a synthetic peptide corresponding to the basic amino-terminal extension in yeast Asp-tRNA synthetase binds to DNA, the extension in the intact protein evidently binds to tRNA and enhances the tRNA specificity of Asp-tRNA synthetase. On the other hand, the amino-terminal extension in human Asp-tRNA synthetase, both within the intact protein and as a synthetic peptide, binds to tRNA. Here, the tRNA binding of a synthetic peptide, hKRS(Arg 25 -Glu 42 ), corresponding to the amino-terminal extension of human Lys-tRNA synthetase (hKRS) was analyzed. This basic peptide bound to tRNA Phe and the apparent-binding constant increased with increasing concentrations of Mg 2+ . The hKRS peptide also bound to DNA and polyphosphate; however, the apparent DNA-binding constants decreased at increasing concentrations of Mg 2+ . The ability of the hKRS peptide to adopt α-helical conformation was demonstrated by NMR and circular dichroism. A Lys-rich peptide derived from the elongation factor 1α was also examined and bound to DNA but not to tRNA.
Modeling decision uncertainties in total situation awareness using cloud computation theory

Uncertainty plays decisive role in the confidence of the decisions made about events. For example, in situation awareness, decision-making is faced with two types of uncertainties; information uncertainty and data uncertainty. Data uncertainty exists due to noise in sensor measurements and is classified as randomness. Information uncertainty is due to ambiguity of using (words) to describe events. This uncertainty is known as fuzziness. Typically, these two types of uncertainties are handled separately using two different theories. Randomness is modeled by probability theory, while fuzzy-logic is used to address fuzziness. In this paper we used the Cloud computation theory to treat data randomness and information fuzziness in one single model. First, we described the Cloud theory then used the theory to generate one and two-dimensional Cloud models. Second, we used the Cloud models to capture and process data randomness and fuzziness in information relative to decision-making in situation awareness. Finally, we applied the models to generate security decisions for security monitoring of sensitive area. Testing results are reported at the end of the paper.
Identification and Prediction of Latent Classes of Weight-loss Strategies Among Women

We apply latent class analysis (LCA) to quantify multidimensional patterns of weight-loss strategies in a sample of 197 women, and explore the degree to which dietary restraint, disinhibition, and other individual characteristics predict membership in latent classes of weight-loss strategies. Latent class models were fit to a set of 14 healthy and unhealthy weight-loss strategies. BMI, weight concern, body satisfaction, depression, dietary disinhibition and restraint, and the interaction of disinhibition and restraint were included as predictors of latent class membership. All analyses were conducted with PROC LCA, a recently developed SAS procedure available for download. Results revealed four subgroups of women based on their history of weight-loss strategies: No Weight Loss Strategy (10.0%), Dietary Guidelines (26.5%), Guidelines+Macronutrients (39.4%), and Guidelines+Macronutrients+Restrictive (24.2%). BMI, weight concerns, the desire to be thinner, disinhibition, and dietary restraint were all significantly related to weight-control strategy latent class. Among women with low dietary restraint, disinhibition increases the odds of engaging in any set of weight-loss strategies vs. none, whereas among medium- and high-restraint women disinhibition increases the odds of use of unhealthy vs. healthy strategies. LCA was an effective tool for organizing multiple weight-loss strategies in order to identify subgroups of individuals who have engaged in particular sets of strategies over time. This person-centered approach provides a measure weight-control status, where the different statuses are characterized by particular combinations of healthy and unhealthy weight-loss strategies.