cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The March to Accountable Care Organizations—How Will Rural Fare?

Purpose: This article describes a strategy for rural providers, communities, and policy makers to support or establish accountable care organizations (ACOs). Methods: ACOs represent a new health care delivery and provider payment system designed to improve clinical quality and control costs. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) makes contracts with ACOs a permanent option under Medicare. This article explores ACA implications, using the literature to describe successful integrated health care organizations that will likely become the first ACOs. Previous research studying rural managed care organizations found rural success stories that can inform the ACO discussion. Findings: Preconditions for success as ACOs include enrolling a minimum number of patients to manage financial risk and implementing medical care policies and programs to improve quality. Rural managed care organizations succeeded because of care management experience, nonprofit status, and strong local leadership focused on improving the health of the population served. Conclusions: Rural provider participation in ACOs will require collaboration among rural providers and with larger, often urban, health care systems. Rural providers should strengthen their negotiation capacities by developing rural provider networks, understanding large health system motivations, and adopting best practices in clinical management. Rural communities should generate programs that motivate their populations to achieve and maintain optimum health status. Policy makers should develop rural-relevant ACO-performance measures and provide necessary technical assistance to rural providers and organizations.
Mechanism of NLRP3 inflammasome activation

Inflammasomes continue to generate interest in an increasing number of disciplines owing to their unique ability to integrate a myriad of signals from pathogen- and damage-associated molecular patterns into a proinflammatory response. This potent caspase-1-dependent process is capable of activating the innate immune system, initiating pyroptosis (an inflammatory form of programmed cell death), and shaping adaptive immunity. The NLRP3 inflammasome is the most thoroughly studied of the inflammasome complexes that have been described thus far, perhaps owing to its disparate assortment of agonists. This review highlights our current understanding of the mechanisms of both priming and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.
Partial wave analyses of elastic meson-nucleon scattering

Elastic scattering from nucleons has been analyzed for pion, and nucleon beams below 1 GeV (T1ab), and for K+ beams below 3 GeV/c (P 1ab). In recent years new data on π-N and N-N scattering has produced a continually evolving set of solutions for these basic reactions. In this talk I shall discuss the development at VPI & SU of a package of interactive computer programs which, along with the most recent scattering data bases, are being used to promulgate the most recent solutions. This package, which we call SAID (for Scattering Analysis Interactive Dial-in), can be accessed by dialing into the computers at VPI & SU, or it can be transported on backup tapes to VAX computers, such as the one in Berlin. At the present time there are about fifty such tapes in existence at VAX facilities around the world. I shall demonstrate the capabilities of SAID through presentation of our most recent analysis; π-N scattering below 1100 MeV.
Inhibition of neurite growth by the NG2 chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan

The chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) have been implicated as both positive and negative modulators of axonal growth; however, the functional properties of only a few specific CSPGs have been investigated. Here we demonstrate that NG2, an integral membrane CSPG expressed on the surfaces of glial progenitor cells, inhibits neurite growth from neonatal rat cerebellar granule neurons when presented to the cells as a component of the substrate. Growth inhibition occurred when NG2 was mixed with either laminin or L1, two potent promoters of axonal extension. Moreover, when given a choice between surfaces coated with NG2 and laminin or L1, the axons of the cerebellar neurons extended preferentially on laminin or L1 and avoided areas of the substrate containing NG2. The NG2 proteoglycan inhibited neurite growth after digestion with chondroitinase ABC, demonstrating that the inhibitory activity is a property of the core protein and not the covalently attached chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan chains. NG2 also inhibited neurite growth from embryonic rat dorsal root ganglia neurons on substrates containing laminin. However, when the sensory neurons were plated onto surfaces containing the L1 glycoprotein and NG2, neurite growth was not inhibited. These results demonstrate that the NG2 proteoglycan provides an unfavorable substrate for axonal growth. Cells that express this proteoglycan in vivo may participate in axonal guidance by defining areas of the developing CNS that are nonpermissive for axonal extension from specific classes of developing neurons.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: An Overview

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology in which the normal immune responses are directed against healthy organs and tissues. The disregulated immune system produces antibodies that attack the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and brain. Some people experience mild rashes and arthritis, others suffer debilitating fever, fatigue, joint pain, and severe organ and/or life-threatening disease. This article provides a medical overview of the epidemiology of SLE, the challenges of diagnosing SLE, the complexity of the clinical manifestations and treatment issues, and the impact of SLE on patients' lives. We also discuss the progress in understanding the disease and its therapy over the last century.
High di/dt switching with thyristors

Two types of involute-structured SCRs, one with the amplifying gate shorted to the pilot gate (shorted devices), and the other with a normal gate arrangement (unshortened devices), were tested as closing switches in a PFN (pulse forming network). The shorted devices were able to switch larger anode currents at higher values of di/dt of the shorted devices. All energy losses in the shorted thyristors were less than the losses in the unshorted ones. The gate current amplitude had a strong direct relationship to the anode di/dt of the shorted devices. There seemed to be a very weak, if any, correlation between the gate current amplitude and the unshorted device di/dt. The gate pulse width has no measurable effect on the switching parameters. The results indicate that for high-current, narrow-pulse switching, the amplifying gate has a detrimental effect on the thyristor performance. >
Recovery of Macroinvertebrates by Screening in the Field: A Comparison between Coarse (1.18 mm)- and Fine (0.60 mm)-Mesh Sieves

ABSTRACT We evaluated the potential loss of target benthic macroinvertebrates from coarse-mesh field wash down of samples through a 1.18-mm mesh sieve nested on a 0.60-mm mesh sieve. Visible target organisms (midges, mayflies, and fingernail clams) in the 1.18-mm mesh sieve were removed from the sample and enumerated in the field. The entire contents of both sieves were preserved for subsequent laboratory enumeration under 4X magnification. Percent recoveries from each treatment were based on total intact organisms found in all sieves. Percent recovery for fingernail clams found in the field (31%) was lower than for mayflies (79%) and midges (88%). Laboratory enumeration of organisms retained by the 1.18-mm sieve yielded additional fingernail clams (to total 74% recovered in the field and lab), mayflies (to total 89%), and midges (to total 91%). If the 1.18-mm sieve is used alone in the field, it is adequate to monitor mayflies, midges >1 cm, and adult fingernail clams ≥5.0 mm shell length.
Assessment of bowel function in the peripartum period

Purpose Obstetric patients frequently experience changes in bowel function, throughout pregnancy and into the postpartum period. Little is known regarding the timing and consistency of bowel movements immediately postpartum. The primary aim of this study was to characterize the timing and consistency of the first bowel movement after obstetric delivery in a racially diverse population at an academic medical center.
An investigation of the changes in poly(methyl methacrylate) specimens after exposure to ultra-violet light, heat, and humidity

Abstract The degradation of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) exposed to ultra-violet (UV) light, heat, and humidity is examined using a variety of materials characterization techniques. Using contemporary material formulations, some of which are specifically marketed to the PV industry, techniques were identified that can readily discern material changes in PMMA degraded by artificial weathering. Separate PMMA formulations were categorized as “hazy” or “yellow”, based on their visual appearance after 18 cumulative months of indoor aging in an environmental chamber equipped with a xenon-arc lamp. The characteristics examined included: optical transmittance (and the corresponding yellowness index); surface roughness (examined via atomic force and scanning electron microscopy); surface chemistry (via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy); elastic modulus and mechanical hardness (via nanoindentation); thermal decomposition (via thermogravimetric analysis); bulk chemistry (via nuclear magnetic resonance); molecular weight (via gel permeation chromatography); and optical fluorescence. The comparison between the most affected “hazy” and “yellow” specimens illustrates some of the ways these measurement techniques can be used to explore changes in application-critical characteristics and mechanisms involved in material degradation.
Fractionation of rare-earth elements in allanite and monazite as related to geology of the Mt. Wheeler mine area, Nevada

Abstract Rare-earth contents of 20 allanites and 13 monazites, accessory minerals from a restricted outcrop area of intrusive granitic rocks, are reported. A quantity called sigma (Σ), which is the sum of the atomic percentages of La, Ce and Pr, is used as an index of composition with respect to the rare-earth elements. Values of sigma vary from 61.3 to 80.9 at.% for these allanites and monazites, representing an appreciable range of composition in terms of the rare-earth elements. Degree of fractionation of rare earths varies directly with CaO content of the granitic rocks, which in turn depends largely on proximity of limestone. Four xenoliths included in the study suggest that spotty mosaic equilibria are superimposed on the regional gradients and that locally the degree of fractionation of rare earths responds to whole rock composition over distances of a few yards or less. The chemistry of the granitic rocks under study appears to be similar in some respects to that of alkalio rocks and carbonatites. Allanites from the most calcium-rich rocks show a pronounced concentration of the most basic rare earths, and whole-rock concentrations of such rare constituents as total cerium earths, Zr, F, Ti, Ba and Sr increase sympathetically with whole-rock calcium. The explanation for the concentration gradients observed in this chemical system must involve assimilation more than magmatic differentiation.
CIRCULATING IMMUNE COMPLEXES IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND OTHER NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES

Abstract Circulating immune complexes were detected in 49% of sera from patients with multiple sclerosis, 45% of monosymptomatic optic neuritis, 45% of Guillain-Barresyndrome, and 15% of normal sera studied. The frequency of immune complexes in multiple-sclerosis sera was not correlated with the clinical status of the patients. Results with serial blood-samples were variable.
The effect of pulsed irradiation on microstructural evolution

Abstract Discontinuous irradiation, such as could ensue from the operation of a magnetic fusion reactor, may cause changes in the development of radiation damage microstructures. In this paper, the experimental observations of pulsing effects are collected and compared. Trends are related to the implications of theoretical mechanisms. The influence of pulsed irradiation is sensitive to such parameters as temperature, dose, pulse period, and duty factor. Aspects of the damage microstructure that have shown significant changes due to pulsing include dislocation loops, voids (especially at above-peak-swelling temperatures), and phase evolution under irradiation.
Permeation behavior of deuterium implanted in electro- and sputter-deposited copper coatings on aluminum alloy substrates

Abstract Permeation behavior of deuterium in copper coatings (∼6 μm thickness) deposited on Al-6061 substrates by the electro- and the sputter-deposition methods is compared. The electroplated coating contained copper and aluminum phases, and exhibited microcracks that were distributed uniformly all over the surface. The sputtered coating contained Cu 9 Al 4 and CuAl 2 phases in addition to copper and aluminum, and was fairly dense. Both the coatings contained oxygen at the free surface and at the coating–substrate interface. Deuterium was implanted in both the coatings under identical conditions and the deuterium profiles were subsequently measured using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). In case of the electroplated coating, the implanted deuterium diffused into the sample without any interference and reached the oxygen-rich interface where it was trapped by the aluminum oxide. On the contrary, in case of the sputtered coating, the diffusing deuterium was trapped continuously before reaching the oxygen-rich coating–substrate interface. The results are discussed.
Mesons in the Medium:. Experiments with Clas at Jefferson Lab

In this article, we report on on investigations of the in-medium meson-nucleon interaction for the ω, ɸ, and mesons. Their in-medium cross sections and collisional widths can be measured by their absorption in a nucleus. In Hall B at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab), the CLAS detector was used to study these long-lived mesons in nuclei. All of the mesons were produced by a photon beam with Eγ < 4 GeV in targets of 2H, C, Fe, and Pb. The vector mesons were reconstructed through their decay into e+e-. The mesons were measured with their dominant π+π- decay. The in-medium widths of the ω and ɸ mesons are found to be substantially larger than their values from the elementary reaction with a free nucleon. The analysis with the is preliminary, and its status will be discussd in this paper.
Staurosporine Promotion of Formation of Continuous Monolayers of Primary Rat Hepatocytes by Improving Attachment and Spreading

Primary rat hepatocytes form discontinuous monolayers even at their maximum density. Here, we show that staurosporine promotes attachment and spreading of hepatocytes onto culture substrates, so that hepatocytes form a close, continuous monolayer. This treatment did not attenuate major hepatic functions. Therefore, this technique is promising for making seamless cell-sheet structures, which will be applicable for cell-polarity experiments or artificial liver construction.
The impact of information technology on public access to social science databases

Abstract An examination of four trends in American society and their impact on public libraries, librarians and public access to information. The trends examined include: the rapid increase in the availability of microcomputers; the existence of a telecommunications network; the tendency for more information to appear in machine-readable form; and an increase in the number of individuals familiar with and inclined to utilize machine-readable data files.
A comprehensive multi-factor analysis on RFID localization capability

The concept of using radio frequency identification (RFID) devices to obtain the location information of objects is novel, and it has great potentials for supply chain applications. The capability of RFID localization, reflected by localization accuracy, is a fundamental issue. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis on how the accuracy is affected by multiple factors, which include region geometry, target distribution, ranging-error distribution, and landmark layout. The performance metrics are the expected mean squared error (MSE) and the expected Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) over the entire localization region. The optimal landmark layouts were first obtained for all the combinations of other factors, and then the impact of individual factors on the localization accuracy was analyzed and discussed. By combining the theoretical analysis and Monte Carlo simulation, it was discovered that (1) the optimal landmark layouts follow simple empirical deployment rules; (2) the performance generally improves as the target distribution is more centering in the region; (3) the performance for rectangular geometries decreases as the aspect-ratio increases; (4) a higher landmark number can improve localization accuracy, but the beneficial result becomes negligible if more than 8 landmarks are used. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the results from a preliminary RFID localization experiment are in agreement with the findings from the simulation.
The honored society: the history of Italy’s most powerful Mafia

Petra Reski is a German writer who is known for her anti-mafia essays. She has lived and worked in Italy since 1989 and speaks fluent Italian. Reski is the author of 10 books, including Mafia: A Ta...
Erythropoiesis in the regenerating spleen.

Till and McCulloch1 have observed that cells obtained from mouse bone marrow can produce colonies of cells with haematopoietic competence when injected into the spleens of irradiated mice. Their findings verify the earlier reports of other workers, notably Jacobson et al.2 and Cole et al.3, who observed that the partial shielding of either bone marrow or spleen, or the injection of homogenates of these tissues from normal animals into irradiated animals, would prevent deaths normally associated with the haematopoietic syndrome.
Sex, Educational Differentiation, and Occupational Status: Analyzing Occupational Differences for Community and Four‐Year College Entrants*

Based on the Fames data, the author analyzes how the differentiation of higher education into sectors affects current occupational status among a homogeneous age population. The sample consists of young men and women ten years after high school graduation. Past studies analyzing correlations between educational level and occupational status virtually ignore the effects of community college attendance. Most earlier work defines school quality solely in terms of per-pupil expenditures, but these studies fail to account for the complexity of the higher educational system in the United States today. My research shows that the type of first college entered is a significant variable in analyzing differences in occupational status, even when holding constant variations in ability, socioeconomic background, and college goal. The average status of four-year college entrants' jobs is almost 12 points higher on the Duncan scale than the status of community college entrants' jobs. Community college entrants suffer an occupational penalty, compared to four-year college entrants, even when controlling for years of education.
Motivating and enabling organizational memory with a workgroup wiki

Workgroups can struggle with remembering past projects and sharing this information with other groups in the organization. In a case study of the deployment of MediaWiki as a publishing tool for building organizational memory, group members' motivation to document past projects increased. A browsable collection of past projects allowed for discovery of past work, building the reputation of individuals and the workgroup, and development of transactive memory within the workgroup. The "anyone can edit" feature, frequently touted as the main benefit of wikis, had both benefits and drawbacks in this implementation. Group members did not feel comfortable making substantial edits to others' content but did occasionally use the wiki to coauthor content and also categorize and link to others' content and fix typos, particularly when asked to help.
Obesity in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Insulin Sensitizing Therapy

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive endocrine disorder in women that is highly associated with obesity. Whether obesity is intrinsic to the disorder or is a result of different lifestyle and environmental concerns is unclear, however obesity influences the risks of PCOS with respect to fertility complications, pregnancy complications and cardiovascular risk. Polycystic ovary syndrome is known to be associated with insulin resistance in both lean and obese individuals. Insulin resistance in fact is felt to be a key feature in the reproductive and metabolic dysfunction of PCOS. There are numerous studies reporting the benefits of insulin sensitizing therapy, specifically metformin and thiazolidinediones, on the features of PCOS and emerging evidence on the impact of these agents on the risk and management of obesity. Weight loss and maintenance of weight reduction has been seen in women and adolescents treated with metformin therapy. Most studies indicate a synergy of metformin with lifestyle therapy in the general population but there are limited data in PCOS.
Complete signal processing bases and the Jacobi group

The continuous windowed Fourier and wavelet transforms are created from the actions of the Heisenberg and affine groups, respectively. Both wavelet and windowed Fourier bases are known to be complete; that is, the only signal which is orthogonal to every element of each basis is the zero signal. The Jacobi group is a group which contains both the Heisenberg and affine groups, and it can also be used to produce bases for signal processing. This paper investigates completeness for bases of one and two real variables which are produced by the Jacobi group.
Evidence for subsurface water ice in Korolev crater, Mars

Abstract Following the work of Kieffer and Titus (2001, Icarus 154, 162–180), we present results of thermal IR observations of Korolev crater, located at ∼ 73 ° latitude in the martian northern polar region. Similar to techniques employed by Titus et al. (2003, Science 299, 1048–1050), we use infrared images from the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) aboard Mars Odyssey to identify several regions within the crater basin with distinct thermal properties that correlate with topography. The THEMIS results show these regions exhibit temperature variations, spatially within the crater and throughout the martian year. In addition to the variations identified in the THEMIS observations, Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) observations show differences in albedo and temperature of these regions on both daily and seasonal cycles. Modeling annual temperature variations of the surface, we use TES observations to examine the thermal properties of these regions. This analysis reveals the crater interior deposits are likely thick layers (several meters) of high thermal inertia material (water ice, or extremely ice-rich regolith). Spatial variations of the physical properties of these regions are likely due to topography and possibly variations in the subsurface material itself. The nature of these deposits may help constrain polar processes, as well as provide context for the polar lander mission, Phoenix.
Prognostic factors in elderly women with metastatic breast cancer treated with tamoxifen : an analysis of patients entered on four prospective clinical trials

BACKGROUND Information regarding prognostic factors and survival in elderly women with metastatic breast cancer treated with tamoxifen is limited. METHODS The data from 4 prospective clinical trials were analyzed, including information on 396 postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer who received tamoxifen as initial therapy for metastatic disease. Emphasis was placed on 184 elderly patients (age greater than 65 years) to characterize the response to therapy, time to progression (TTP), overall survival (OS), prognostic factors, and treatment-related toxicity. RESULTS Among 363 patients with measurable or evaluable disease, the objective response rates were higher in the elderly patients (46% versus 33%, P = 0.06); but age did not achieve significance in a logistic regression analysis (P = 0.1). The median TTP (10.5 months versus 6.2 months, log rank P = 0.002) and OS (35.7 months versus 28.8 months, log rank P = 0.02) were superior in the elderly cohort. In multivariate analysis, age at diagnosis approached statistical significance (P = 0.055) for TTP but was not significant for OS (P = 0.17). Among elderly patients, disease free interval (DFI) (greater than 5 years), dominant disease site (soft tissue), prior adjuvant chemotherapy, positive estrogen/progesterone receptor (ER/PgR) and performance status (PS) were independent prognostic factors. Hot flashes were common in both younger and older cohorts (25% versus 33%, P = 0.14), while anorexia (14% versus 22%, P = 0.04) and mood changes (2% versus 6%, P = 0.03) were more common in the elderly patients. CONCLUSIONS There was no indication that elderly women with metastatic breast cancer treated with tamoxifen have a poorer outcome with regard to response rate, TTP or OS; in fact, they appeared to have a slightly better prognosis although this was not significant after adjustment for other prognostic factors. In elderly patients, DFI, PS, positive ER or PGR, and dominant disease site are independent prognostic factors. Cancer 1996; 77:683-90.
The role of kin-structured migration in genetic microdifferentiation.

SUMMARY Most current models of human population structure view migration solely as a deterministic force reducing the variance in gene frequencies among the local colonies of a subdivided population. By an empirical example and through simulation experiments, it is shown that migration structured along kinship lines (by analogy to the lineal or ‘kinship’ effect) does not always reduce the variances of gene frequencies arising through intergenerational random genetic drift. Thus populations experiencing high rates of migration may not be genetically homogenous.
Detection of pulmonary metastases with pathological correlation: effect of breathing on the accuracy of spiral CT.

Background. CT of the chest for suspected pulmonary metastases in adults is generally performed using a breath-hold technique. The results may not be applicable to young children in whom breath-holding may be impossible. Objective. Determine the effect of breathing on the accuracy of pulmonary metastasis detection by spiral CT (SCT). Materials and methods. Prior to euthanasia four anesthetized dogs with metastatic osteosarcoma underwent SCT with a collimation of 5 mm and a pitch of 2, during both induced breath-hold and normal quiet breathing. Images were reconstructed as contiguous 5-mm slices. Macroscopically evident metastases were noted at postmortem. Hard-copy SCT images were reviewed by ten radiologists, each of whom circled all suspected metastases. SCT images were compared with postmortem results to determine true and false positives. Results. The pathologist identified 132 macroscopically evident pulmonary metastases. For metastasis detection, there was no significant difference between breath-hold SCT and breathing SCT. Conclusion. In our animal model, SCT can be performed during normal resting breathing without significant loss of accuracy in the detection of pulmonary metastases.
Salient factors influencing resident advisor turnover: An exploratory study

Child care workers have been in the forefront of using their expertise in planning and staffing Community Living Arrangements (e.g., small group homes and apartments) for mentally retarded children and adults. Unfortunately, many child care workers who entered the field of Resident Advisorship (e.g., houseparents) with enthusiasm have voluntarily left after a short period of time. This study examines the results of several open-ended interviews with Resident Advisors working in apartment-based Community Living Arrangements for the mildly and moderately retarded. These interviews were conducted to identify those factors they perceived as sources of job “satisfaction” and “dissatisfaction,” contributing to employment longevity. Herzberg's formulations regarding the attractiveness of employment are presented as a logical way of interpreting the data.
In-home Sex Toy Party Facilitators as Sex Educators: What Questions Are They Asked and What Makes Them More “Askable”?

Data from an Internet-based survey of 1,197 women who facilitate in-home sex toy parties in the United States were analyzed to explore facilitators’ potential to serve as resources for sexual health promotion. Findings indicate that many facilitators had had sexuality education or work experience related to health, education, or sexuality. Also, intensive sexuality education in high school, college, or from a workshop/seminar was significantly related to facilitators’ being asked questions about condoms (p < .01), lubricants (p < .01), and health-related sexuality topics (p < .01). These results have implications for facilitators, corporate entities, and sexual health professionals who collaborate to enhance the sexual health of their communities.
Mutant p53 exerts a dominant negative effect by preventing wild-type p53 from binding to the promoter of its target genes

Mutation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene is the most common genetic alteration in human cancer. A majority of these mutations are missense mutations in the DNA-binding domain. As a result, the mutated p53 gene encodes a full-length protein incapable of transactivating its target genes. In addition to this loss of function, mutant p53 can have a dominant negative effect over wild-type p53 and/or gain of function activity independently of the wild-type protein. To better understand the nature of the tumorigenic activity of mutant p53, we have investigated the mechanism by which mutant p53 can exert a dominant negative effect. We have established several stable cell lines capable of inducibly expressing a p53 mutant alone, wild-type p53 alone, or both proteins concurrently. In this context, we have used chromatin immunoprecipitation to determine the ability of wild-type p53 to bind to its endogenous target genes in the presence of various p53 mutants. We have found that p53 missense mutants markedly reduce the binding of wild-type p53 to the p53 responsive element in the target genes of p21, MDM2, and PIG3. These findings correlate with the reduced ability of wild-type p53 in inducing these and other endogenous target genes and growth suppression in the presence of mutant p53. We also showed that mutant p53 suppresses the ability of wild-type p53 in inducing cell cycle arrest. This highlights the sensitivity and utility of the dual inducible expression system because in previous studies, p53-mediated cell cycle arrest is not affected by transiently overexpressed p53 mutants. Together, our data showed that mutant p53 exerts its dominant negative activity by abrogating the DNA binding, and subsequently the growth suppression, functions of wild-type p53.
Accurate test of rotationally perturbed wave functions in 161–167Yb

Abstract The E2: M1 mixing and branching ratios of ΔI=1 transitions within a family of high-j quasiparticle levels are characteristically different in the decoupled and strong-coupled limits of the rotational model. The rapidly changing experimental values through a sequence of transitional cases, the i 13 2 levels of 161,163,165,167Yb, are shown to be accurately described with the wave functions of a BCS quasiparticle plus rotor calculation with an empirical Coriolis coupling strength chosen to reproduce observed level energies. However, certain discrepancies are also noted.
Diagnostic yield of repeated transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsies stratified by specific histopathologic diagnoses and prostate specific antigen levels.

Abstract Objectives To determine the diagnostic yield of secondary and tertiary transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsies of the prostate in men suspected of having carcinoma of the prostate because of an elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level or an abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE). Methods The pathology database at the Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center was retrospectively searched for patients who had undergone at least two TRUS-guided biopsies of the prostate within a 6-month time span. Pertinent demographic data, serum PSA, outcomes of the two (or more) biopsies stratified in six distinct histopathologic diagnoses and Gleason grade if carcinoma of the prostate was identified, were entered into a database and analyzed. Results A total of 123 men had at least two TRUS-guided biopsies, of which 22 had three biopsies. Mean age of this group was 68.5 ± 0.51 (SE), and mean PSA was 1 1.5 ± 1.07 (SE). Of 123 patients, 28 had a positive second biopsy following a negative first biopsy, for a positive biopsy rate of 23%. Only 2 of 22 patients who underwent a third biopsy were found to have carcinoma of the prostate, for a positive biopsy rate of 9%. The positive biopsy rate for the second biopsy was 19% (3 of 16) if the PSA was 4.0 ng/mL or less, 15% (10 of 66) if the PSA was between 4 and 10.0 ng/mL independent of the ORE findings, and 37% (15 of 41) if the PSA was 10.0 ng/mL or higher. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (59 of 123 [48%]) and atypia (38 of 123 [31 %]) were the most common histopathologic diagnoses on the first biopsy, and the positive re-biopsy rates were similar for these two groups (25% versus 21%). Conclusions An overall positive biopsy rate of 23% in our retrospective series of 123 men with a mean PSA of 11.5 ng/mL warrants the performance of a second biopsy independent of the histopathologic diagnosis made on the first (negative) biopsy, if the outcome of such biopsy would have therapeutic consequences for the patient. This policy should not be restricted to men with a PSA above the cutoff level of 4.0 ng/mL alone. Patients with atypia should be pursued aggressively, as even on a third biopsy the positive biopsy rate was 29%.
Tissue distribution of pyrimidine-5'-nucleotidase.

Abstract Pyrimidine-5′-nucleotidase is an enzyme that is known to exist in human erythrocytes but not in cultured fibroblasts. In order to determine whether or not this enzymatic activity is present in other tissues, chromatographic fractions were assayed for their ability to hydrolyze phosphate from a pyrimidine nucleotide (CMP) and from a purine nucleotide (AMP). Assays were carried out both in the presence and absence of magnesium, and with the 5′-nucleotidase inhibitor α,β-methylene ADP so as to differentiate between the activities of pyrimidine-5′-nucleotidase, on the one hand, and 5′-nucleotidase and nonspecific phosphatases on the other. It is suggested by the results of our studies that, in addition to erythrocytes, brain and kidney tissue contain pyrimidine-5′-nucleotidase activity, while liver tissue probably does not.
Urinary excretion of MPTP and its primary metabolites in mice

Mice were injected with single doses of MPTP (15 mg/kg, s.c.) containing one microCi of [3H]methyl-MPTP. Approximately 42% of the total injected [3H] was detected in the urine within 3 hours after drug administration. The early urine samples were analyzed using high pressure liquid chromatography. MPTP N-oxide was identified as a major metabolite, with trace amounts of MPP+ and MPTP also detected. The urinary volume and excretion of MPTP metabolites were inhibited by pretreating the animals with probenecid (250 mg/kg, i.p.). These results indicate that large amounts of injected MPTP are rapidly metabolized in the periphery by liver enzymes to form MPTP N-oxide.
Social shock in transforming Central and Eastern Europe

Abstract Central and Eastern European societies, in spite of significant successes of transformation, are in a social shock. Economic hardship, unemployment, lower income and even poverty for many, and social polarization played a role in disappointment. The main reason of social shock, however, was cultural, the sharp collision of state socialist, and traditional values on the one hand and new values and social behavioral requirements on the other. The doors opened widely, but most of the people were frightened to enter into an unknown world. Social-behavioral changes are generations-long processes.
The distal splenorenal shunt: An update

The distal splenorenal shunt (DSRS), as the prototype for selective variceal decompression, has evolved over the 17 years since its introduction. Attention to detail in the preoperative assessment and perioperative management will minimize morbidity. Reported experience from over 25 centers has shown an average overall operative mortality rate of 9%, shunt patency and bleeding control rates in excess of 90%, encephalopathy in from 0 to 18% of cases, and a 5-year survival rate between 50 and 60%. Non-alcoholic cirrhotics (70–80%) have a significantly (p< 0.05) greater 5-year survival rate than do alcoholic cirrhotics (45%). The 6 prospective randomized trials comparing DSRS to total portal systemic shunts have been conducted primarily in alcoholic cirrhotics; they show no significant difference in survival. Current experience in schistosomiasis and portal vein thrombosis shows selective variceal decompression to be superior to total shunt. Quantitative data prior to and 1 year after DSRS show a fall in liver volume, stabilization of hepatocyte function, and variable change in hemodynamics: alcoholic cirrhotics have a 70% chance of losing portal venous flow, while nonalcoholics maintain portal perfusion. Loss of portal venous flow is associated with a systemic hyperdynamic response in those with poorer hepatocyte function. Splenopancreatic disconnection is currently being studied in an attempt to maintain portal perfusion better and preserve liver volume. We conclude that the DSRS has achieved its pathophysiological goals of preventing recurrent variceal bleeding, while maintaining hepatocyte function. Modifications in management and the operative procedure are evolving from increased understanding of the pathology of the underlying causes of the portal hypertension leading to variceal bleeding.
Three-dimensional folding of the tRNA-like domain of escherichia coli tmRNA

UV irradiation of Escherichia coli tmRNA both on and off the ribosome induced covalent cross-links between its 3‘- and its 5‘-terminal segments. Cross-linking was unaffected in a molecule that lacked the tag-peptide codon region and pseudoknots 2, 3, and 4. Intact and truncated cross-linked tmRNAs were aminoacylated as efficiently as the respective nonirradiated molecules, suggesting that the added UV-induced bonds did not disturb tmRNA conformation. Using RNase H digestion followed by primer extension with reverse transcriptase, two cross-linked sites were identified within the tRNA-like region of tmRNA. The first was formed between nucleotides U9/U10 near the 5‘ end and nucleotides C346/U347 in the T loop. The second cross-link involved residues at positions 25−28 and 326−329 within helix 2a. Together with comparative sequence analysis, these findings yielded a three-dimensional model of the tRNA-like domain of E. coli tmRNA. Despite significant reduction of the D domain and the proximity of U9/U10 and ...
Theory of Deviations from Pion Pole Dominance

It is shown how mass dispersion relations can be effectively used to quantitatively determine the effects of extrapolating an amplitude off the mass shell. Light-cone operator-product expansions abstracted from the canonical gluon model are used to determine the asymptotic behavior in the mass variable. This determination is made quantitative via the principles of precocious asymptopia and smooth threshold behavior. These techniques are used to calculate some corrections to pion pole dominance for vertex functions and scattering amplitudes in the weak PCAC (partially conserved axial-vector current) framework. Corrections to kaon pole dominance and to SU (3) symmetry are determined in the course of the analysis. Put differently, some measurable consequences of broken SU (3) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} SU (3) symmetry are determined. The canonical equal-time and light-cone operator algebraic structures are presumed to be exact, but the physical states (and hence on-shell) $S$-matrix elements) may exhibit considerable, but now controllable, deviations from the underlying SU (3) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} SU (3) symmetry. As explicit examples of the methods, the ${K}_{l3}$ form factors ${f}_{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}({q}^{2})$ and the symmetric and antisymmetric $\ensuremath{\pi}N$ scattering amplitudes are discussed in detail. The numerical results are: ${f}_{+}(0)\ensuremath{\cong}1.0$, $\ensuremath{\xi}(0)\ensuremath{\equiv}\frac{{f}_{\ensuremath{-}}(0)}{{f}_{+}(0)}\ensuremath{\cong}\ensuremath{-}0.7$, ${f}_{+}({{m}_{K}}^{2})+{f}_{\ensuremath{-}}({{m}_{K}}^{2})\ensuremath{\cong}(0.7)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\frac{{f}_{K}}{{f}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}}$, ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{8}=[\mathrm{SU}(3)\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{b}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{k}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{g}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{p}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{m}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{r}]\ensuremath{\cong}\ensuremath{-}140$ MeV, ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{N}=(\ensuremath{\pi}N \ensuremath{\sigma} \mathrm{term})\ensuremath{\sim}450$ MeV, ${g}_{A}\ensuremath{\sim}1.23$. The results for $\ensuremath{\pi}N$ scattering confirm and extend the previous weak PCAC analysis, based on Regge theory, but some of the ${K}_{l3}$ results are now different. The good result $\ensuremath{\xi}(0)\ensuremath{\sim}\ensuremath{-}0.7$ is, however, maintained and is now obtained without any assumption about the ${q}^{2}$ dependence of ${f}_{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$. None of the present results involved assumptions of smooth off-shell behaviors of Green's functions. In all cases the mass dispersion relations were used to compute the effects of off-shell extrapolations.
Light dosimetry in brain tissue: An in vivo model applicable to photodynamic therapy

The intensity of blue-green (488 nm) and red (633 nm) light as a function of increasing distance from an implanted laser fiberoptic source in the brains of anesthetized rats was measured. There was significant (90%) attenuation of the light intensity for both 488 nm and 633 nm at a distance of 2.5 mm from the intracerebral laser light-emitting source. At greater distances from the light-emitting source that corresponded to areas in the cerebral cortex, there was greater attenuation of light intensity for increasing distance with 488 nm than with 633 nm because of the increased vascularity of the cortical mantle and absorption of 488 nm by hemoglobin. When hematoporphyrin derivative was given intravascularly, there was increased attenuation of 633 nm through the cerebral cortex that was similar to that seen for 488 nm in normals. Direct assessment of light intensity in living tissue, which we have shown is possible in this report, will aid in our understanding and interpretation of the histological changes that occur following photodynamic therapy.
Acute aseptic myocarditis: Corticosteroid therapy

Acute aseptic myocarditis associated with serologic evidence of recent infection with various types and stains of influenza virus occurred in 8 infants and children. The clinical picture was quite constant and consisted of an antecedent influenzal illness, septic fever, myalgia, leukocytosis, transient rash, and the sudden onset of severe congestive heart failure, intractable to conventional therapy. The addition of corticosteroids or their synthetic analogues to the therapeutic regimen proved a valuable life-saving adjunct.
Development of Capital in Poor, Inner-City Neighborhoods

Abstract Social work practice in poor, inner-city neighborhoods can be enhanced through assessment of individual and community needs that takes into account various forms of capital, i.e., financial, human, social, cultural, environmental, and political. This article defines and illustrates these forms of capital by reference to social science studies of the social problems in inner-city neighborhoods. Examples are provided of community interventions that focus on capital development and community building for residents in areas of extreme poverty.
Bending of Rectangular Plates With Finite Deflections

Abstract : A previously developed iterative procedure is applied to obtain numerical solutions of the von Karman equations for rectangular plates subjected to a uniform normal pressure. On the simple supported boundary it is assumed that the normal membrane stress and the tangential membrane displacement vanish. Solutions are obtained for a wide range of values of the loading parameter and the aspect ratio. Boundary layers develop both as the loading parameter and the aspect ratio increase. The stresses and deflections are examined and compared with an 'asymptotic' solution which can be valid only in the interiors of long plates. A comparison is made with a previously obtained approximate solution by the Ritz method for the square plate. (Author)
Graph theory,SO(n) current algebra and the Virasoro master equation

We announce an isomorphism between a set of generically irrational affine-Virasoro constructions onSO(n) and the unlabelled graphs of ordern. On the one hand, the conformal constructions are classified by the graphs, while, conversely, a group-theoretic and conformal field-theoretic identification is obtained for every graph of graph theory. High-level expansion provides a strong argument that each construction is unitary down to some finite critical level.
Vagal control of pacemaker periodicity and intranodal conduction in the rabbit sinoatrial node.

Effects of brief vagal bursting on pacemaker periodicity and intranodal conduction were studied by recording transmembrane potentials in isolated rabbit sinoatrial preparations. Postganglionic vagal terminals were activated by applying brief (50- to 150-msec) trains of pulses (duration, 100 mu sec; frequency, 200 Hz) to the endocardial surface of the node. Sympathetic effects were prevented by superfusion with Tyrode's solution containing propranolol (1 microgram/ml). Vagal trains applied singly every 10 seconds produced brief hyperpolarizations in "true" pacemaker and transitional cells, and induced phasic changes in periodicity and conduction. These changes were out of phase with each other, and were dependent on the magnitude and duration of the vagal train, as well as on its position within the pacemaker period. When similar trains were applied repetitively at cycle lengths (200-1200 msec) that were independent of the pacemaker period, complex patterns of vagus-sinoatrial node interactions resulted. Hence, depending on the vagal stimulus cycle length, the sinoatrial pacemaker was forced to beat at stable and predictable harmonic (i.e., 1:1, 1:2, 2:1, etc.), subharmonic (3:2, 4:3, etc.), or more complex entrainment ratios. At some of these ratios, arrhythmic sinus patterns coexisted with intranodal conduction disturbances, including first- and second-degree block, Wenckebach phenomena, or combinations thereof. At other entrainment ratios, arrhythmias occurred in the absence of conduction changes. At still other ratios, conduction disturbances developed in the presence of apparently undisturbed sinus rhythm. These results provide insight into the mechanism of the dynamic vagal control of sinoatrial periodicity and conduction, and may have clinical implications as well.
Modelling temperature fluctuations in stored frozen foods

Abstract A finite element computer model was used to predict temperature distribution and time-temperature history for frozen food products when subjected to fluctuating storage conditions. Satisfactory agreement was obtained between computer predicted values and experimental data recorded from commercial ice cream and a model system. A sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the effects of product properties on temperature predictions. The model takes into account thawing, convective and radiative heat gain from the surroundings, and variable thermal properties below the freezing point.