cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rod Photoresponse Kinetics Limit Temporal Contrast Sensitivity in Mesopic Vision.

The mammalian visual system operates over an extended range of ambient light levels by switching between rod and cone photoreceptors. Rod-driven vision is sluggish, highly sensitive, and operates in dim or scotopic lights, whereas cone-driven vision is brisk, less sensitive, and operates in bright or photopic lights. At intermediate or mesopic lights, vision transitions seamlessly from rod-driven to cone-driven, despite the profound differences in rod and cone response dynamics. The neural mechanisms underlying such a smooth handoff are not understood. Using an operant behavior assay, electrophysiological recordings, and mathematical modeling we examined the neural underpinnings of the mesopic visual transition in mice of either sex. We found that rods, but not cones, drive visual sensitivity to temporal light variations over much of the mesopic range. Surprisingly, speeding up rod photoresponse recovery kinetics in transgenic mice improved visual sensitivity to slow temporal variations, in the range where perceptual sensitivity is governed by Weber9s law of sensation. In contrast, physiological processes acting downstream from phototransduction limit sensitivity to high frequencies and temporal resolution. We traced the paradoxical control of visual temporal sensitivity to rod photoresponses themselves. A scenario emerges where perceptual sensitivity is limited by: (1) the kinetics of neural processes acting downstream from phototransduction in scotopic lights, (2) rod response kinetics in mesopic lights, and (3) cone response kinetics as light levels rise into the photopic range. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Our ability to detect flickering lights is constrained by the dynamics of the slowest step in the visual pathway. Cone photoresponse kinetics limit visual temporal sensitivity in bright (photopic) lights, whereas mechanisms in the inner retina limit sensitivity in dim (scotopic) lights. The neural mechanisms underlying the transition between scotopic and photopic vision in mesopic lights, when both rods are cones are active, are unknown. This study provides a missing link in this mechanism by establishing that rod photoresponse kinetics limit temporal sensitivity during the mesopic transition. Surprisingly, this range is where Weber9s Law of Sensation governs temporal contrast sensitivity in mouse. Our results will help guide future studies of complex and dynamic interactions between rod–cone signals in the mesopic retina.
An Uplink Multiuser MIMO Decomposition without Feedback or Precoding for Frequency Flat Fading Channels

Methods to decompose downlink (DL) multiuser (MU) MIMO signals for both frequency flat or selective fading channels have been proposed at the expense of feedback and precoding. The paper proposes a method to decompose the uplink (UL) MU MIMO signal (for both asynchronous and synchronous MU transmissions) into parallel single-user (SU) MIMOs without feedback or precoding. The base station (BS) decomposes the MU MIMO signal by cancelling, for each user, its MU interference through multiplying the received signal with the left null space of the MU interference MIMO space. The decomposed SU MIMO has a reduced size because each user’s signal can only be received undistorted in the left null space of its MU interference MIMO space. The paper proves in theory that the distribution of the decomposed reduced-size SU MIMO channel has the same distribution as that of an independent SU MIMO channel with the same size. In addition, the paper presents simulation results on the performance of MU MIMO using our decomposition method and the capacity of uplink MU-MIMO systems, which match the theoretical analyses. The decomposition method can be extended to frequency selective fading channels similarly but on a per subcarrier basis.
Association Between Serological Markers and Crohn's Disease Activity.

Background: The aim was to study the association between six serological markers and Crohn’s disease (CD) activity at an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) referral center. Methods: We designed a retrospective cohort study using adults (> 18 years) with CD followed for at least 1 year at University of Alabama at Birmingham. Baseline serological markers ASCA-IgA, ASCA-IgG, anti-OmpC IgA, anti-CBir1 IgG, anti-A4Fla2 IgG and anti-FlaX IgG were drawn at initial visit. Poisson regression was used to assess the longitudinal relationship between these markers drawn at baseline and rate of active clinical disease during follow-up. Results: Each marker, from 135 patients, was categorized into high vs. low. A Poisson regression model adjusted for age, gender, race, duration of disease, obesity, proton pump inhibitor; steroid and thiopurine use, and disease location demonstrated that CD patients with high anti-CBir1 IgG at baseline were approximately twice more likely to have active clinical disease (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 2.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28 - 3.33, P = 0.0032). The unadjusted Poisson regression model for A4Fla2 IgG antibody level did suggest that a high A4Fla2 IgG at baseline was associated with a higher likelihood of active CD (IRR 1.64, 95% CI 1.07, 2.53, P = 0.0238) which however, upon adjustment based on effect size, was not significant. The other four antibodies did not appear to predict clinical course. Conclusions: High levels of anti-CBir1 IgG appear to be associated with a greater likelihood of active CD. Whether routine baseline testing for anti-CBir1 IgG to predict a more active clinical course is warranted needs more research. J Clin Med Res. 2020;12(1):6-12 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jocmr4016
Two Person Dressing Change Team to Prevent Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI) in a Stem Cell Transplant Unit at a Tertiary Medical Center

Topic Significance & Study Purpose/Background/Rationale Stem Cell Transplant (SCT) patients are at high risk for Central Line Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI). These infections may result in extended length of stay, increased cost, CMS penalty, and death. Care and maintenance of Central Venous Lines (CVL) is an oncology nursing practice. In 2017 SCT unit nursing staff acknowledged concern for unit CLABSI rate along with reports of practice variation. Literature, guidelines, and best practice were collected. Through collaboration with institution healthcare professionals these nurses identified a potential practice change. The purpose was to evaluate if implementation of a 2 person (CVL) dressing change team would reduce CLABSIs on the SCT unit of a tertiary medical center. Methods, Intervention, & Analysis We selected the Iowa Model Revised- Evidence Based Practice to Promote Excellence in Health Care© along with the Quality Improvement Model, DMAIC, to guide our change process. Four nurses were trained and worked to standardize workflow and maintain sterility throughout the CVL dressing change. In addition, a supply cart and standardized day were established. All patients with a CVL on the SCT unit were included. The outcome, CLABSI rate, was conducted utilizing the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) CLABSI manual, internal focused reviews, and observations of care and maintenance of the CVL by Nursing Practice Leaders and an Infection Preventionist. Findings & Interpretation Implementation of a 2 person (CVL) dressing change team led to a 78.3% non-MBI CLABSI reduction on the SCT unit of a tertiary medical center 1 year following implementation. This standardized personnel/workflow/day of the week procedure also improved central line stewardship by patients. These findings are novel to the literature. Implications of these results have led this team to disseminate their work with other areas of the institution and share externally. Discussion & Implications Pivotal to the success of the 2 person dressing change team was continued focus on CLABSI prevention bundle by other healthcare team members. It is recognized that variations to workflow may need adjusted to fit needs. Continued investment to the CLABSI prevention bundle and standardized workflow is beneficial to the SCT nursing practice.
Using federated data sources and Varian Learning Portal framework to train a neural network model for automatic organ segmentation.

Abstract Purpose In this study we trained a deep neural network model for female pelvis organ segmentation using data from several sites without any personal data sharing. The goal was to assess its prediction power compared with the model trained in a centralized manner. Methods Varian Learning Portal (VLP) is a distributed machine learning (ML) infrastructure enabling privacy-preserving research across hospitals from different regions or countries, within the framework of a trusted consortium. Such a framework is relevant in the case when there is a high level of trust among the participating sites, but there are legal restrictions which do not allow the actual data sharing between them. We trained an organ segmentation model for the female pelvic region using the synchronous data distributed framework provided by the VLP. Results The prediction performance of the model trained using the federated framework offered by VLP was on the same level as the performance of the model trained in a centralized manner where all training data was pulled together in one centre. Conclusions VLP infrastructure can be used for GPU-based training of a deep neural network for organ segmentation for the female pelvic region. This organ segmentation instance is particularly difficult due to the high variation in the organs’ shape and size. Being able to train the model using data from several clinics can help, for instance, by exposing the model to a larger range of data variations. VLP framework enables such a distributed training approach without sharing protected health information.
Stereotactic MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy for extratemporal lobe epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRg-LITT) is an alternative to open epilepsy surgery. We assess safety and effectiveness of MRg-LITT for extratemporal lobe epilepsy (ETLE) in patients who are considered less favorable for open resection. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed sequential cases of patients with focal ETLE who underwent MRg-LITT between 2012 and 2019. Epileptogenic zones were determined from standard clinical and imaging data ± stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG). Standard stereotactic techniques, MRI thermometry, and a commercial laser thermal therapy system were used for ablations. Anatomic MRI was used to calculate ablation volumes. Clinical outcomes were determined longitudinally. RESULTS Thirty-five patients with mean epilepsy duration of 21.3 ± 12.2 years underwent MRg-LITT for focal ETLE at a mean age 36.4 ± 12.7 years. A mean 2.59 ± 1.45 trajectories per patient were used to obtain ablation volumes of 8.8 ± 7.5 cm3 . Mean follow-up was 27.3 ± 19.5 months. Of 32 patients with >12 months of follow-up, 17 (53%) achieved good outcomes (Engel class I + II) of whom 14 (44%) were Engel class I. Subgroup analysis revealed better outcomes for patients with lesional ETLE than for those who were nonlesional, multifocal, or who had failed prior interventions (P = .02). Of 13 patients showing favorable seizure-onset patterns (localized low voltage fast activity or rhythmic spiking on SEEG) prior to ablation, 9 (69%) achieved good outcomes, whereas only 3 of 11 (27%) who show other slower onset patterns achieved good outcomes. Minor adverse events included six patients with transient sensorimotor neurologic deficits and four patients with asymptomatic hemorrhages along the fiber tract. Major adverse events included one patient with a brain abscess that required stereotactic drainage and one patient with persistent hypothalamic obesity. Three deaths-two seizure-associated and one suicide-were unrelated to surgical procedures. SIGNIFICANCE MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (or MRg-LITT) was well-tolerated and yielded good outcomes in a heterogeneous group of ETLE patients. Lesional epilepsy and favorable seizure-onset patterns on SEEG predicted higher likelihoods of success.
Establishing Trust and Authentic Communication Among Organizational Teams

This chapter surveys contemporary research on psychological safety, trust, and communication, discussing how these interpersonal, affective elements of the team experience relate to team collaboration and productivity. It then describes how mindfulness and contemplative arts practices can help to foster a sense of trust and open communication among members of a team. With this research and context in mind, the second part of the chapter lays out specific mindfulness and contemplative arts exercises designed to help foster the sense of safety and trust among teams and groups that is vital for open communication and dialogue.
Pifalls in the interpretation of pacemaker ECGs

Die Analyse von Schrittmacher-EKGs wird in der Regel als schwierig empfunden und generiert bisweilen bescheidene Interpretationen. Vielfach herrscht die Ansicht, dass ohne Kenntnis des Schrittmachers (1-, 2‑, 3‑Kammer, Hersteller, Modell) und seiner Programmierung ohnehin keine Aussage erfolgen kann. Wie man dennoch im praktischen Alltag zu einer klinisch verwertbaren Einschatzung kommt, wird in den vorgestellten Pitfalls dargestellt. Entscheidend ist ein systematisches Vorgehen bei der EKG-Interpretation: Was ist der Grundrhythmus (P-Wellen, Eigenrhythmus oder Stimulation), wie sieht der stimulierte QRS-Komplex aus (Lagetyp, Breite, Schenkelblock-Morphologie), gibt es Zeichen fur eine Schrittmacherfehlfunktion (Undersensing, Oversensing, Stimulationsverlust) oder Arrhythmien, auf die der Schrittmacher reagiert? Ist ein Schrittmacheralgorithmus aktiv? Es gibt einige Dinge, die man nicht ubersehen sollte, und vieles, was man bei Kenntnis einiger Prinzipien leicht beurteilen kann. Das Verstandnis des Schrittmacher-EKGs kann das Leben von Device-Patienten auf Knopfdruck verbessern.
Simulation of SAXS patterns from oriented lamellar structures and their elliptical trajectories

Abstract Small-angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) patterns are useful for studying the organization of crystalline and amorphous regions that make up a semi-crystalline polymer and influence its properties. To understand how these patterns originate and evolve during deformation, three distinct SAXS patterns (2-point, 4-point ‘eyebrow’, and 4-point ‘butterfly’) were generated using simple microstructural models and compared in detail with experimental data from poly(ethylene-co-octene). As the patterns typically contain a single unique reflection, it is not possible to fully determine the structure from the patterns alone. Therefore, structural models with lamellar stacks were used to simulate SAXS patterns. When stack orientation (interlamellar shear) and chain slip act to rotate lamellae in the same sense, the result is an ‘eyebrow’ pattern. Opposite senses give a ‘butterfly’ pattern. Experimental patterns often have reflections where the peak position traces out an ellipse. Adding moderate amounts of rotational disorder to the models produces this effect without any elliptical correlations or deformed lattice in the material.
An extracellular matrix damage sensor signals through membrane-associated kinase DRL-1 to mediate cytoprotective responses in Caenorhabditis elegans.

We and others previously identified circumferential bands of collagen named annular furrows as key components of a damage sensor in the cuticle of Caenorhabditis elegans that regulates cytoprotective genes. Mutation or loss of non-collagen secreted proteins OSM-7, OSM-8, and OSM-11 activate the same cytoprotective responses without obvious changes to the cuticle indicating that other extracellular proteins are involved. Here, we used RNAi screening to identify protein kinase DRL-1 as a key modulator of cytoprotective gene expression and stress resistance in furrow and extracellular OSM protein mutants. DRL-1 functions downstream from furrow disruption and is expressed in cells that induce cytoprotective genes. DRL-1 is not required for expression of cytoprotective genes under basal or oxidative stress conditions consistent with specificity to extracellular signals. DRL-1 was previously shown to regulate longevity via a 'Dietary Restriction-Like' state, but it functions downstream from furrow disruption by a distinct mechanism. The kinase domain of DRL-1 is related to mammalian MEKK3, and MEKK3 is recruited to a plasma membrane osmosensor complex by a scaffold protein. In C. elegans, DRL-1 contains an atypical hydrophobic C-terminus with predicted transmembrane domains and is constitutively expressed at or near the plasma membrane where it could function to receive extracellular damage signals for cells that mount cytoprotective responses.
Modeling the spatial distribution of the current and future ecosystem services of urban tree planting in Chicopee and Fall River, Massachusetts

Abstract Mature urban tree canopy cover disrupts the local effects of urban heat islands and provides important ecosystem services such as energy savings through evaporation and shading, pollution removal, storm runoff control, and carbon sequestration. Sustainable urban tree canopy relies on the planting of juvenile trees. Typically, tree planting programs are only evaluated by the number of trees planted and there is a lack of analysis of juvenile trees post-planting. This study examines the value and distribution of energy savings provided by juvenile trees and how that value changes considering predicted tree growth and mortality by 2050. Using i-Tree Eco software, this study models the current and future ecosystem services provided to residents based on a juvenile tree inventory of 2,271 street and residential trees planted in Massachusetts (USA) from 2014-2015 by the Greening the Gateway Cities Program (GGCP) in Chicopee and Fall River, MA. Juvenile trees planted by the GGCP provided $776 and $1,520 (2018) in annual savings from ecosystem service in Chicopee and Fall River while services modeled to mature tree 2050 conditions show increased total annual savings of $2,911 and $5,840 in Chicopee and Fall River (2050). The mean total savings per tree per household were $0.77 in 2018 and $13.60 in 2050, with the majority from cooling energy savings in the summer. Services were maximized in neighborhoods where large numbers of trees were planted or when tree planting location (distance and orientation to the house) was optimized for highest savings. Analysis of the distribution of benefits reveals different planting strategies in Chicopee and Fall River. Ecosystem services from juvenile trees are concentrated in US Census block groups with more pre-existing tree canopy cover and lower median income. A tree planting density of two to three trees per acre was able to achieve the largest energy savings. Results of this study reinforce the importance of tree survivorship on sustaining the urban tree canopy to provide ecosystem services.
Developing the remote sensing-based early warning system for monitoring TSS concentrations in Lake Mead

Adjustment of the water treatment process to changes in water quality is a focus area for engineers and managers of water treatment plants. The desired and preferred capability depends on timely and quantitative knowledge of water quality monitoring in terms of total suspended solids (TSS) concentrations. This paper presents the development of a suite of nowcasting and forecasting methods by using high-resolution remote-sensing-based monitoring techniques on a daily basis. First, the integrated data fusion and mining (IDFM) technique was applied to develop a near real-time monitoring system for daily nowcasting of the TSS concentrations. Then a nonlinear autoregressive neural network with external input (NARXNET) model was selected and applied for forecasting analysis of the changes in TSS concentrations over time on a rolling basis onward using the IDFM technique. The implementation of such an integrated forecasting and nowcasting approach was assessed by a case study at Lake Mead hosting the water intake for Las Vegas, Nevada, in the water-stressed western U.S. Long-term monthly averaged results showed no simultaneous impact from forest fire events on accelerating the rise of TSS concentration. However, the results showed a probable impact of a decade of drought on increasing TSS concentration in the Colorado River Arm and Overton Arm. Results of the forecasting model highlight the reservoir water level as a significant parameter in predicting TSS in Lake Mead. In addition, the R-squared value of 0.98 and the root mean square error of 0.5 between the observed and predicted TSS values demonstrates the reliability and application potential of this remote sensing-based early warning system in terms of TSS projections at a drinking water intake.
The Hindu Undivided Family : Effects on the Indian Tax System

Property, according to Hindu law, may be divided into two classes, namely, joint family property and separate property. This article is available in The Park Place Economist: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/parkplace/vol3/iss1/17 Anurag Sanyal '95 is a mathematics major minoring in economics. Anurag wrote the following .paper in.bis_Public Finance .class with Dr. Leekley. Anurag has maintained an active role in the Economics Society and Journal for the past two years.
Orbital Decay in Non-Spherical Galaxies

The slow orbital decay of a satellite galaxy into a larger aspherical system is calculated. The main galaxy is modeled by an axisymmetric oblate Stackel potential and the satellite by a softened point mass. Dynamical friction is described by the local Chandrasekhar formula; rotation and velocity anisotropy are neglected. Decaying orbits tend toward tubes with small radial excursions, but the angular excursion out of the equatorial plane changes slowly. Stars stripped from the satellite form a subsystem that appears X-shaped in projection, making the final galaxy boxy. Similar slow cannibalism may have placed stars on thin tube orbits in the Galactic halo.
Low-field magnetoresistance in GaAs two-dimensional holes

We report low-field magnetotransport data in two-dimensional hole systems in GaAs/Al x Ga 1 - x As heterostructures and quantum wells, in a large density range 2.5×10 1 0 ≤p≤4.0×10 1 1 cm - 2 , with a primary focus on samplesgrown on (311)A GaAs substrates. At high densities, p≥1 × 10 1 1 cm - 2 , we observe a remarkably strong positive magnetoresistance. It appears in samples with an anisotropic in-plane mobility and predominantly along the low-mobility direction, and is strongly dependent on the perpendicular electric field and the resulting spin-orbit interaction-induced spin-subband population difference. A careful examination of the data reveals that the magnetoresistance must result from a combination of factors including the presence of two spin subbands, a corrugated quantum-well interface which leads to the mobility anisotropy, and possibly weak antilocalization. None of these factors can alone account for the observed positive magnetoresistance. We also present the evolution of the data with density: the magnitude of the positive magnetoresistance decreases with decreasing density until, at the lowest density studied (p=2.5×10 1 0 cm - 2 ), it vanishes and is replaced by a weak negative magnetoresistance.
Student Injuries in Secondary Schools in Oregon

(1953). Student Injuries in Secondary Schools in Oregon. Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 24, No. 3, pp. 276-283.
Interpretation of Mariner 10 Infrared Observations of Venus

The infrared radiometer experiment on Mariner 10 measured limb-darkening curves for Venus in two spectral intervals, one near 11 microns and the other near 45 microns. These are analyzed in terms of the vertical opacity profile at each wavelength over a limited altitude range, approximately 60 to 80 km above the surface of the planet. Accurate multiple-scattering calculations are used to show that both opacity profiles are consistent with a model containing a cloud of sulphuric acid droplets with radii of 1.1 microns and a small amount of water vapor. Profiles of particle number density and humidity vs height are presented.
Mutations in the transmembrane domain M3 generate spontaneously open orphan glutamate delta 1 receptor

Glutamate delta-1 receptors (GluRδ1) are expressed in the adult hippocampus and inner ear and have recently been shown to be important for high-frequency hearing. Similar to the closest homolog glutamate delta-2 receptor (GluRδ2), no agonist-induced currents are observed from GluRδ1 receptors. In an effort to understand the function of the GluRδ1 subunit, we probed the conserved transmembrane 3 (TM3) region of the GluRδ1 subunit, where the GluRδ2 lurcher mutation is localized. Four mutations in the TM3 domain A650C, L652A, A654C, and F655A resulted in spontaneously open GluRδ1 channels suggesting that GluRδ1 receptors can form homomeric receptors. The leak currents were partially blocked by pentamidine but showed negligible inhibition by NASP. It has been demonstrated that extracellular Ca(2+) binds and stabilizes the ligand binding domain (LBD) dimer interface leading to potentiation of currents through GluRδ2(Lc) channels. We found that extracellular Ca(2+) potentiated the spontaneous currents through GluRδ1F655A suggesting that extracellular Ca(2+) may interact with the conserved residues at GluRδ1 LBD dimer interface. A recent study suggested that d-serine and glycine bind to the GluRδ2 LBD and reduce spontaneous currents through the GluRδ2(Lc) channels. d-Serine and glycine produced only a modest reduction of spontaneous currents through GluRδ1F655A and had no effect on the spontaneous current through GluRδ1L652A. However, spontaneous currents in a chimeric GluRδ1-δ2(Lc) were robustly inhibited by d-serine. These results suggest that the activation gate is conserved in GluRδ1 receptors. Moreover, the conformational changes induced by d-serine and extracellular Ca(2+) are conserved among GluRδ1 and GluRδ2 receptors.
Effect of image display on the quality of multiplanar reconstruction of computed tomography data.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES The objective of this study is to determine whether the use of edge-enhancement post-processing filters was useful in the computed tomographic (CT) multiplanar evaluation of skeletal trauma. METHODS The group consisted of a series of 10 cases of skeletal trauma (3 cases of acetabular fractures, 3 cases of tibial plateau fractures, and 4 cases of ankle fractures). All patients had a CT scan using a scan protocol of 4-mm collimation and 3-mm interscan interval. All transaxial images were reconstructed with both a standard algorithm and with an edge-enhancement filter. The images from each group were then reconstructed into coronal and sagittal planes. Three individuals independently reviewed each case and compared image pairs to determine whether images using an edge-enhancement filter were of better or worse quality than standard images. RESULTS The reviewers found the images with edge-enhancement to be equal to or superior to images reconstructed with a standard algorithm, regardless of the image plane chosen. This bias was especially true in cases of hip and ankle trauma. CONCLUSIONS When CT supplemented by multiplanar imaging is used in patients with skeletal trauma, image data reconstruction should be done with an edge-enhancement filter to optimize image detail.
Unsupervised learning of spatial transformations in the absence of temporal continuity

Learning features invariant to arbitrary transformations in the data is a requirement for any recognition system, biological or artificial. Such transformations may be learned using label information or from temporal data in an unsupervised manner by exploiting continuity. This paper presents a dynamical system for learning invariances from real-world spatial patterns in an unsupervised manner and in the absence of temporal continuity. The model consists of a simple and a complex layers. Given an input, the simple layer imagines all of its variations, each with a degree of consistency, and eventually settles for the most consistent reconstruction. During this imagination, the complex layer learns the consistent variations of the same pattern as a transformation in each spatial region. Experimental results are comparable to those from supervised learning. The conditions for stability of the system are analyzed.
The Experimental Antipsychotic Agent 1192U90 Targets Tapetum Lucidum in Canine Eyes

To assess the potential adverse effects in people of the antipsychotic agent 1192U90, we dosed mice, rats, beagles, and cynomolgus monkeys for up to 3 mo. In dogs, but not the other species, 1192U9...
CONDITIONS AFFECTING THE EXTRACTION AND MOLECULAR WEIGHT OF RIBONUCLEIC ACID FROM MAMMALIAN TISSUES.

Abstract A comparison was made of the extraction of nucleic acids from rat liver and HeLa cells with different procedures. Extractions with the combination of SDS and chloroform gave a higher total yield when compared to the concurrent use of SDS and phenol, or phenol alone. Conditions are described which are required to obtain the precipitation of ribonucleic acid with 1 M NaCl. Characterization of this RNA as obtained by the SDS procedure suggests that it contains nuclear RNA as well as cytoplasmic RNA.
Homosexually and nonhomosexually identified men who have sex with men: A behavioral comparison

The HIV Blood Donor Study Group includes: American National Red Cross Principal Investigator: Alan Williams, Ph.D., Jerome H. Holland Laboratory; Regional Principal Investigators: Ronald Altman, M.D., New Jersey State Department of Health; Gary Becker, M.D., Badger Region, American Red Cross; Jean Bernarducci, M.T., Bergen Community Blood Center; Michael Busch, M.D., Ph.D., Irwin Memorial Blood Center; Nancy Clary, M.T., North Jersey Blood Center; Jeffery Davis, M.D., Division of Health, State of Wisconsin; Frederick Darr, M.D., Washington Region, American Red Cross; Alfred Grindon, M.D., Atlanta Region, American Red Cross; Steven Kleinman, M.D., Los Angeles‐Orange County Region, American Red Cross; Harold Lamberson, M.D., Ph.D., Syracuse Region, American Red Cross; Bruce Lenes, M.D., Miami Region, American Red Cross; Jay Menitove, M.D., The Blood Center of Southeastern Wisconsin; Jose Molinaris, M.D., Puerto Rico Region, American Red Cross; Paul Ness, M.D.; Chesapeake Region, American Red Cross; Cathy Ra...
Intervening to Enhance Home Involvement in Schooling

Details types of home involvement in schooling and ways to effectively implement this involvement for populations that need systematic outreach and ongoing encouragement
Vortex dynamics and baroclinically forced inhomogeneous turbulence for shock—planar heavy curtain interactions

We consider the laminar and turbulent evolution of a heavy curtain (fast/slow/fast environment) following interaction with a planar shock. These simulations in two and three dimensions are a generalization and extension of our work on evolutions of a light helium planar curtain (slow/fast/slow environment). Under the visiometrics mode of working, we observe and quantify many generic phenomena in shock accelerated inhomogeneous flows (AIFs), e.g. the formation of opposite-signed vortex bilayers (VBLs) and the generation of vortex projectiles (VPs). Scaling laws are developed for variations of circulation and enstrophy with Mach and Atwood numbers. The recent observation of the monotonic growth of positive and negative circulation by secondary baroclinic processes is investigated in detail. Intermediate- to late-time turbulent states are studied with energy and enstrophy decay and power spectra. Three-dimensional simulations exhibit strong enstrophy growth at intermediate times; this arises from intrinsic b...
A high order B-spline collocation method for linear boundary value problems

Abstract Collocation methods are investigated because of their simplicity and inherent efficiency for applications to linear boundary value problems on [ a , b ] . The objective of the present research is obtaining numerical solution of the boundary value problems for d th order linear boundary value problem by a B-spline collocation method using B-splines of order k and their index of regularity is m , d - 1 ⩽ m ⩽ k - 2 . The collocation points in our method form a strictly increasing sequence of points in [ a , b ] , each interior j th collocation point belongs to the interior of the compact support of corresponding j th B-spline basis element, and the number of B-spline basis elements equals the number of collocation points. The order of accuracy of the proposed method is shown to be optimal. The mathematical properties of this collocation method are less well established , primarily because the order of accuracy depends on the regularity and order of B-spline basis and location of the collocation points. The error analysis is through the Green’s function approach than the matrix approach. We compare the efficiency and accuracy of our method to nodal and orthogonal collocation methods as applied to linear ordinary differential equations with boundary conditions. Our collocation method like Greville collocation method is more convenient than nodal or orthogonal collocation because exactly the correct number of collocation points is available. The Greville and Botella collocation methods are special cases of our collocation method.
Teaching Social Workers About Substance Use Problems via Temporary Abstinence from Normal Mood-Altering Behavior

Abstract Social work students enrolled in a graduate-level course in substance abuse (N = 450, over nine years) assessed their own “mood-altering” behaviors (i.e., stress-reduction strategies and leisure-time activities), abstained from one or more of these activities for one week, then completed a written summary of their personal bio-psycho-social experiences. Student papers indicate significant personal insights were gained regarding alcohol and other drug (AOD) issues, and also provide grounded-theory support for major AOD themes. This paper describes the details of this experientially based teaching strategy, and also summarizes AOD themes that emerged from student experiences, including anticipatory reward, substitution, craving, willpower, impaired control, rationalization, shame, guilt, powerlessness, and the challenges of change.
Accelerated and blastic phases of chronic myelogenous leukemia

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) may have a biphasic or triphasic course, whereby patients who were initially diagnosed in the chronic phase (CP) develop more aggressive disease, frequently pass through an intermediate or accelerated phase (AP), and finally evolve into an acute leukemia like blastic phase (BP). A slowing in the rate of development of AP or BP has accompanied successive improvements in therapy for patients who have CP CML. Variable diagnostic criteria for AP and BP are used in the literature, rendering comparisons difficult. The management of patients in AP or BP consistently has been less effective than the management of those inCP for all modalities of therapy. This article reviews the current diagnostic criteria, therapeutic strategies, outcomes, and investigational therapies for AP and BP CML.
Strontium-Isotope Stratigraphy of a Red Sea Core

The concentrations and isotopic compositions of strontium of the noncarbonate fractions of sediment from a piston core taken in the median valley of the Red Sea have been determined. The results support the hypothesis that the silicate fraction of the sediment in this core is a two-component mixture. The observed 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios and Sr concentrations fit a hyperbolic curve that results from the mixing of volcanic-basaltic and terrigenous-sialic components. The Sr concentrations of these components were then derived by assuming reasonable values for the 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios. The concentration of the basaltic component in the sediment was calculated for each sample, using its observed Sr concentration. The variation of the abundance of volcanogenic material with depth in the core was used to define stratigraphic layers having either a normal, high, or low content of the volcanic component. The resulting Sr-isotope stratigraphy complements and refines the lithologic stratigraphy obtained by conventional means.
Evidence for the presence of a tonically active forebrain gaba system influencing central sympathetic outflow in the cat

Abstract Bicuculline administered into the lateral cerebral ventricle of chloralose-anesthetized cats produces increases in arterial pressure and heart rate. To determine whether this effect is localized to forebrain areas, bicuculline in doses of 1, 5 and 25 μg was administered into either the lateral and third ventricles with cannulation of the cerebral aqueduct, or into the fourth ventricle of vagotomized cats. Administration into the lateral and third ventricles resulted in dose-dependent increases in pressure and rate, with the maximal response being 63 ± 11 mm Hg and 44 ± 9 beats/min, respectively. These same doses when administered into the fourth ventricle had no significant effect on heart rate and only a slight effect on pressure. Administration of the GABA receptor agonist, muscimol, into the lateral and third ventricles in a dose that had no effect alone on pressure and rate (10 μg) prevented the cardiovascular effects of bicuculline. In contrast, administration of the centrally-active antihypertensive agent, clonidine (31 μg), had no effect on bicuculline-induced increases in pressure and rate. In addition, muscimol (10 μg), when administered at the time of the peak pressure and rate responses of bicuculline, restored these indices of cardiovascular function to normal. Clonidine (31 μg), however, administered in the same fashion had no effect. These results suggest that a tonically-active GABAergic system exists in the region of the forebrain and exerts inhibitory control over sympathetic activity influencing arterial pressure and heart rate.
Review article: Oesophageal pH monitoring - Technologies, interpretation and correlation with clinical outcomes

Using a simple 'test' to diagnose gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is difficult because accurately measuring gastric refluxate and correlating reflux events with symptom episodes is complex. This paper reviews the safety, tolerability and diagnostic accuracy of Bravo (Medtronic, Shoreview, MN, USA), ambulatory oesophageal pH monitoring technology. Catheter-based pH electrodes inhibit patients' normal activity, and can yield erroneous results because of placement or subsequent migration of the probe or errors in the thermal compensation algorithm that is requisite for antimony pH electrodes. Bravo pH studies reliably discriminated oesophagitis patients from controls, but are less discriminatory in endoscopy-negative gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients. The Bravo system can be accurately placed using endoscopic landmarks and pH studies demonstrated more accurate in vivo pH recording than with a catheter-based system. The Bravo system detected fewer reflux events of short duration compared with a catheter-based system. Studies examining the correlation between reflux events and symptoms have not yet been conducted using the Bravo system. In conclusion, the Bravo system offers a more user-friendly ambulatory pH monitoring technique that more accurately records pH compared with a catheter-based system. More research is needed to determine whether the detection of reflux events with Bravo will provide a good correlation with symptom episodes.
Use of animals with unknown ancestries in scientifically managed breeding programs

Whether to incorporate animals with unknown ancestries as founders into scientifically managed captive breeding programs, can be a difficult decision. If the animals are offspring of known founders, their inclusion in the breeding program will result in an increased incidence of inbreeding in the captive population. If the animals are additional founders, excluding them from the breeding program will result in the loss of valuable genetic variation. In general, the practice in scientifically managed captive breeding programs is to exclude animals with unknown ancestries to avoid possible inbreeding. A method of estimating the cost of making an incorrect decision on whether to use animals of unknown ancestry as founders both in terms of lost genetic variation and increased inbreeding is presented. It was determined that the loss of genetic variation resulting from excluding founders is always greater than the loss of genetic variation caused by unequal founder line representation resulting from including related animals, as if they were founders. In addition, the increased rate of accumulation of inbreeding resulting from excluding founders will eventually overcome the initial inbreeding resulting from including related animals. However, in some cases, it will take a substantial number of generations for this to occur, and the benefits of possible lowered future expected inbreeding may never be realized. The decision concerning whether to use animals with unknown ancestry should, therefore, be based on the estimated relative costs of making an error, in terms of both lost genetic variation and expected future inbreeding, rather than on avoiding the immediate possibility of increased inbreeding alone. Two examples using studbook data are given to show how this method can be practically applied to the management of captive populations. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Crystallization under external pressure

The influence of external pressure on the dynamics of crystallization is examined by considering a solid–liquid two-phase system in a cylinder closed by a piston. The dynamic equations are derived using three methods, namely, Rational Thermodynamics (Liu’s procedure), the Matrix Model, and the general equation for the nonequilibrium reversible-irreversible coupling (GENERIC) formalism. The constitutive relation for the multiphase pressure on the piston is identical for all three methods, whereas some aspects of the result for the phase change dynamics differ. The rational thermodynamics treatment constrains the phase change dynamics of only those structural variables that enter into the dissipation inequality, whereas the other two formalisms make statements about the phase change of all structural variables. Nevertheless, all three methods show, first, that the phase change happens instantaneously at constant volume and, second, where morphological detail can be built into the model without violating thermodynamic principles. It is discussed how an appropriate choice of the morphological variables allows one to incorporate impingement of crystals and depletion zone effects, as well as to distinguish crystal shapes.
The Rest of the Story Public Health, the News, and the 2001 Anthrax Attacks

The 2001 anthrax attacks brought public health into the media spotlight in away unmatched since the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s. This moment presented Americans with opportunities to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the nation’s public health infrastructure, as well as to better understand the political and policy backgrounds against which this infrastructure operates. The authors systematically examined how thoroughly this underlying political context was covered by two major U.S. news papers: the New York Times, widely considered the nation’s paper of record; and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the home newspaper of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).In particular, the authors explored whether and how these news sources drew connections between political decision making and functioning of the CDC. They conducted quantitative and qualitative analysis of 157 news articles, supplemented by interviews with four reporters and one editor close to the story. Political contex...
Miscibility of PVC with chlorinated PE and chlorinated PVC

Miscibility of PVC with chlorinated PE and chlorinated PVC was reviewed. The miscible region of chlorine content ranged from 44 wt% to 65 wt%, which was not symmetric to the chlorine content of PVC, 56.7 wt%. Two group contribution methods were used to calculate solubility parameters of polymers. The results of solubility parameters showed a more symmetric miscible region with respect to the value of PVC. However, the ranges of miscibility were different. It was 2.3 (J/cm 3 ) 0.5 in a three-dimensional method and was 1.5 (J/cm 3 ) 0.5 in the Fedors method.
Using Talent Searches to Identify and Meet the Educational Needs of Mathematically Talented Youngsters

Regional talent searches have been available since Julian Stanley developed the Talent Search model in the early 1970s, and over 200,000 students per year nationwide take advantage of the opportunities these university-based programs offer. The above-level testing offered by regional talent searches is useful in (a) identifying mathematically talented students, (b) tailoring educational recommendations to the abilities of the students, and (c) providing challenging educational opportunities for the students. Important considerations and concerns, as well as a discussion of the benefits, are explored in this article.
The Bielschowsky Staining Technic a Study of the Factors Influencing Its Specificity for Nerve FIBERS

By comparing results obtained with adult mammalian tissue from introducing variables into each separate step in block-staining by the Bielschowsky silver method, the following conclusions were reached:No specific means for inhibiting the staining of connective tissue and still permitting complete staining of nerve fibers was found, but the avoidance of overstaining was very helpful toward such differentiation.Overstaining could be corrected by reducing the concentration of the silver nitrate bath or by adding an excess of ammonia to the ammoniated silver bath.Staining of fine fibers was favored by adding acetic acid to the formaldehyde used for fixation or by adding pyridin to the silver nitrate bath.Addition of protein-precipitating organic acids (trichloracetic or sulfosalicylic) to the fixative was disadvantageous.Prolonged fixation favored an increase in intensity of the stain. Four days' time was sufficient.Extraction of lipids with ammoniated alcohol gave results similar to those obtained after extr...
Cancer among Haitians in Florida.

Data on cancer rates from West Indian populations are scarce, and to the authors' knowledge there are no published data on cancer rates and distributions among Haitians. Proportional distributions of cancers among three groups of patients living in Florida were compared: Haitian born blacks, United States born blacks, and non-Haitian Caribbean born blacks. The incidence rate of cancer of the cervix among the Haitian and United States born black groups was also compared. Increased rates of certain malignancies associated with viral infection or immunodeficiency were found in the Haitian group. These tumors were hepatocellular carcinoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, reticulum cell sarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, and carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The age-adjusted incidence rate of carcinoma of the cervix was especially high among Haitian women even with a liberal estimate of the female Haitian population from whom the cases were drawn. Except for cancer of the cervix, the numbers of cancers of interest were small, and age-adjusted incidence rates were not calculated. Continued epidemiological study of larger numbers of patients is needed to evaluate these findings further. Cancer 59:184–188, 1987.