cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is it feasible to pay specialty substance use disorder treatment programs based on patient outcomes

Abstract Background Some US payers are starting to vary payment to providers depending on patient outcomes, but this approach is rarely used in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Purpose We examine the feasibility of applying a pay-for-outcomes approach to SUD treatment. Methods We reviewed several relevant literatures: (1) economic theory papers that describe the conditions under which pay-for-outcomes is feasible in principle; (2) description of the key outcomes expected from SUD treatment, and the measures of these outcomes that are available in administrative data systems; and (3) reports on actual experiences of paying SUD treatment providers based on patient outcomes. Results The economics literature notes that when patient outcomes are strongly influenced by factors beyond provider control and when risk adjustment performs poorly, pay-for-outcomes will increase provider financial risk. This is relevant to SUD treatment. The literature on SUD outcome measurement shows disagreement on whether to include broader outcomes beyond abstinence from substance use. Good measures are available for some of these broader constructs, but the need for risk adjustment still brings many challenges. Results from two past payment experiments in SUD treatment reinforce some of the concerns raised in the more conceptual literature. Conclusion There are special challenges in applying pay-for-outcomes to SUD treatment, not all of which could be overcome by developing better measures. For SUD treatment it may be necessary to define outcomes more broadly than for general medical care, and to continue conditioning a sizeable portion of payment on process measures.
Poroacoustic solitary waves under the unidirectional Darcy–Jordan model

Abstract Working in the context of poroacoustics, we present new, physically relevant, explicit solutions to the Cauchy problem for the model we term the (1D) damped Riemann equation. The solitary waveforms that evolve from both Lorentzian ( C ∞ -smooth) and symmetric-exponential ( C 0 -smooth) initial conditions are analyzed, the focus being on wave overturning and the evolution/structure of the shocks which develop thereafter. In addition to those for both the multi- and single-valued forms of each solution, expressions for the shock amplitude, velocity, and critical values of the physical parameters are derived/compared. Lastly, links to other areas of continuum physics, and possible follow-on investigations, are noted.
Long-term fate of aortic branches in patients with aortic dissection.

Abstract Objective Late morbidity and mortality related to aortic branches in patients with aortic dissection (AD) have not been well described. We investigated the fate of aortic branches in a population cohort of patients with newly diagnosed AD. Methods We used the Rochester Epidemiology Project record linkage system to identify all Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents with a diagnosis of AD from 1995 to 2015. Only patients with >30 days of available follow-up imaging studies were included in the present analysis. The primary outcome was freedom from any branch-related event (any intervention, aneurysm, malperfusion, rupture, or death occurring after the acute phase >14 days). The secondary outcome was the diameter change in the aortic branches. Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify the predictors of branch-related events. Univariate and multivariate linear regression models were used to assess the aortic branch growth rate. Results Of 77 total incident AD cases, 58 patients who had survived and had imaging follow-up studies available were included, 28 (48%) with type A and 30 (52%) with type B AD. The presentation was acute in 39 patients (67%), 6 (10%) of whom had had branch malperfusion. Of 177 aortic branches involved by the AD, 81 (46%) had arisen from the true lumen, 33 (19%) from the false lumen, and 63 (36%) from both. After the acute phase, freedom from any branch-related event at 15 years was 48% (95% confidence interval [CI], 32%-70%). A total of 31 branch-related events had occurred in 19 patients within 15 years, including 12 interventions (76% freedom; 95% CI, 63%-92%), 10 aneurysms (67% freedom; 95% CI, 50%-90%), 8 cases of malperfusion (76% freedom; 95% CI, 61%-94%), and 1 rupture (94% freedom; 95% CI, 84%-100%). No branch-related deaths had occurred. Type B AD (hazard ratio [HR], 3.5; 95% CI, 1.1-10.8; P = .033), patency of the aortic false lumen (HR, 6.8; 95% CI, 1.1-42.2; P = .038), and malperfusion syndrome at presentation (HR, 6.0; 95% CI, 1.3-28.6; P = .023) were predictors of late aortic branch-related events. The overall growth rate of aortic branches was 1.3 ± 3.0 mm annually. Patency of the aortic false lumen, initial branch diameter, and Marfan syndrome were significantly associated with diameter increase. Conclusions In patients with AD, aortic branch involvement was responsible for significant long-term morbidity, without any related mortality. Type B AD, patency of the aortic false lumen, and malperfusion syndrome at presentation resulted in a greater risk of branch events during the long-term follow-up. Dilatation of the aortic branches was observed in one third of cases during follow-up, especially in the case of a patent aortic false lumen or the presence of Marfan syndrome.
MRI Radiomics for Assessment of Molecular Subtype, Pathological Complete Response, and Residual Cancer Burden in Breast Cancer Patients Treated With Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

Rationale and Objectives There are limited data on pretreatment imaging features that can predict response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). To extract volumetric pretreatment MRI radiomics features and assess corresponding associations with breast cancer molecular subtypes, pathological complete response (pCR), and residual cancer burden (RCB) in patients treated with NAC. Materials and Methods In this IRB-approved study, clinical and pretreatment MRI data from patients with biopsy-proven breast cancer who received NAC between September 2009 and July 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Tumors were manually identified and semi-automatically segmented on first postcontrast images. Morphological and three-dimensional textural features were computed, including unfiltered and filtered image data, with spatial scaling factors (SSF) of 2, 4, and 6 mm. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were used for statistical analysis. Results Two hundred and fifty nine patients with unilateral breast cancer, including 73 (28.2%) HER2+, 112 (43.2%) luminal, and 74 (28.6%) triple negative breast cancers (TNBC), were included. There was a significant difference in the median volume (p = 0.008), median longest axial tumor diameter (p = 0.009), and median longest volumetric diameter (p = 0.01) among tumor subtypes. There was also a significant difference in minimum signal intensity and entropy among the tumor subtypes with SSF = 4 mm (p = 0.009 and p = 0.02 respectively) and SSF = 6 mm (p = 0.007 and p Conclusion MRI radiomics features are associated with different molecular subtypes of breast cancer, pCR, and RCB. These features may be noninvasive imaging biomarkers to identify cancer subtype and predict response to NAC.
Frailty Worsens Antidepressant Treatment Outcomes in Late Life Depression.

Abstract Objective To investigate the relationship between frailty and treatment response to antidepressant medications in adults with late life depression (LLD). Methods Data were evaluated from 100 individuals over age 60 years (34 men, 66 women) with a depressive diagnosis, who were assessed for frailty at baseline (characteristics include gait speed, grip strength, activity levels, fatigue, and weight loss) and enrolled in an 8-week trial of antidepressant medication followed by 10 months of open-treatment. Results Frail individuals (n = 49 with ≥3 deficits in frailty characteristics) did not differ at baseline from the non/intermediate frail (n = 51 with 0–2 deficits) on demographic, medical comorbidity, cognitive, or depression variables. On average, frail individuals experienced 2.82 fewer Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) points of improvement (t = 2.12, df 89, p = 0.037) than the non/intermediate frail over acute treatment, with this difference persisting over 10 months of open-treatment. Weak grip strength and low physical activity levels were each associated with decreased HRSD improvement, and lower response and remission rates over the course of the study. Despite their poorer outcomes, frail individuals received more antidepressant medication trials than the non/intermediate frail. Conclusion Adults with LLD and frailty have an attenuated response to antidepressant medication and a greater degree of disability compared to non/intermediate frail individuals. This disability and attenuated response remain even after receiving a greater number of antidepressant medication trials. Future research must focus on understanding the specific pathophysiology associated with the frail-depressed phenotype to permit the design and implementation of precision medicine interventions for this high-risk population.
Changes in Young Adults' Alcohol and Marijuana Use, Norms, and Motives From Before to During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Abstract Purpose Alongside the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with several secondary health effects. There is concern for increased substance use motivated by coping with stress, anxiety, depression, and boredom–all of which may be elevated during the pandemic. The current study examined intraindividual changes (from pre-COVID to during COVID) in young adults’ alcohol and marijuana use, perceptions of peers’ use (i.e., norms), and motives for use. Methods A community sample of young adults (N = 572; Mage = 25.14; 60.8% women) was recruited in Washington State. By using a repeated-measures design, data were collected prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (January 2020) and again during the initial acute phase of the pandemic (April/May of 2020). Results Young adults, on average, increased alcohol use frequency but decreased the amount consumed per drinking occasion. No changes in marijuana use were identified. Young adults (on average) perceived that peers had increased the frequency and total amount of alcohol use and perceived that peers were engaging in heavier marijuana use than prior to COVID-19. For alcohol use motives, there was a significant increase in depression coping motives and significant decreases in social, enhancement, and conformity motives. Boredom motives for marijuana use significantly increased, while celebration motives decreased. Conclusions Using a prospective design with a sample initially recruited in Washington State, these data indicate that (a) young adults’ patterns of alcohol use may have changed, (b) young adults tend to think that peers are engaging in heavier alcohol/marijuana use than before the pandemic, and (c) motives for using alcohol/marijuana may have changed during the pandemic.
Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Covid-19 and Vaccines Among a New York Haredi-Orthodox Jewish Community.

The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the difficulty of the US public health system to respond effectively to vulnerable subpopulations, causing disproportionate rates of morbidity and mortality. New York Haredi-Orthodox Jewish communities represent a group that have been heavily impacted by Covid-19. Little research has examined their experience or perceptions toward Covid-19 and vaccines. We conducted a cross-sectional, observational study to explore the experience of Covid-19 among Haredim. Paper surveys were self-administered between December 2020 and January 2021 in Haredi neighborhood pediatricians' offices in Brooklyn, New York. Of 102 respondents, 43% reported either a positive SARS-CoV-2 viral or antibody test. Participants trusted their physicians, Orthodox medical organizations, and rabbinic leaders for medical information. Knowledge of Covid-19 transmission and risk was good (69% answered ≥ 4/6 questions correctly). Only 12% of respondents would accept a Covid-19 vaccine, 41% were undecided and 47% were strongly hesitant. Independent predictors of strong vaccine hesitancy included believing natural infection to be better than vaccination for developing immunity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23-14.86), agreement that prior infection provides a path toward resuming communal life (aOR 4.10; 95% CI 1.22-13.77), and pandemic-related loss of trust in physicians (aOR 5.01; 95% CI 1.05-23.96). The primary disseminators of health information for self-protective religious communities should be stakeholders who understand these groups' unique health needs. In communities with significant Covid-19 experience, vaccination messaging may need to be tailored toward protecting infection-naive individuals and boosting natural immunity against emerging variants.
Antarctic Soil Properties and Soilscapes

Antarctica can be divided into eight ice-free regions that comprise 47,000 km2 (0.35%) of the continent and its offshore islands. Soils, as traditionally defined, cover most of this area. Soils of Antarctica are influenced primarily by regional differences in climate and age of the parent materials. Predominant soil-forming processes include rubification (reddening), salinization/alkalization (accumulation of soluble salts), carbonation, humification, cryoturbation, desert pavement formation, podzolization, permafrost formation, and phosphatization (accumulation of P from bird influence). Soils of Antarctica generally are coarse -textured with abundant coarse fragments (>2 mm) and a predominance of sand in the fine-earth (<2 mm) fraction. Many soils of Antarctica, particularly in the interior mountains, have low moisture contents. Permafrost occurs continuously in Antarctica except in the offshore islands, where it is discontinuous or sporadic. Whereas soils in the interior mountains often contain abundant salts and low levels of organic C and P, soils along the coast generally contain fewer salts and higher levels of organic C and total P. Although weathering processes tend to be slower in Antarctica than in other regions, mineral alteration can be advanced in soils of early Quaternary and older age. About 53% of the soils of Antarctica have been mapped at a reconnaissance scale. Gelisols (permafrost-affected soils) are dominant in most regions of Antarctica, but coastal areas may feature Inceptisols and Histosols. Key soil properties affecting the distribution and abundance of organisms include available water content, duration of the period in which the ground temperature exceeds 0°C, the level of soluble salts, pH, the relative abundance of inorganic and organic N, and the amount of organic C.
INTERVENSI GURU TERHADAP EKSPRESI TUTUR SISWA TUNARUNGU

This study aims to describe teacher interventions in deaf students’ oral expressions, comprising those in speech acts, speech functions, and speech strategies. It employed the qualitative descriptive approach. The data comprised descriptive and reflective data. They were analyzed by means of pragmatics theory, especially clinical pragmatics. The findings are as follows. First, interventions in speech acts include illocutionary acts, conversation capabilities, understanding, and narration. Second, interventions in speech functions include directive and facilitative interventions. Third, interventions in speech strategies include context manipulation and pre-symbolic and minimum symbolic interventions.
Delegation of Power: Agency Theory

This article is reproduced from the previous edition, volume 5, pp. 3375–3377, © 2001, Elsevier Ltd.
AEM and AES of radiation-induced segregation in proton-irradiated stainless steels

In order to avoid complications from long-term induced radioactivity of neutron-irradiated specimens, 4 type 304L alloys were irradiated to 1 dpa with 3.4 MeV protons at 400 C. Analytical electron microscopy and Auger electron spectrometry were used to measure composition at and near grain boundaries in controlled purity alloys. As a result of the narrow RIS profiles (<20 nm width) at grain boundaries induced in these materials by low temperature irradiation and the finite size of the excited volume for x-ray microanalysis, the measured profiles are convolutions of these two factors.
Chemical interactions between two lichen-degrading fungi

Many obligate fungal pathogens of lichens, the so-called lichenicolous fungi, seem to be tolerant of antibiotic lichen secondary metabolites. However, certain lichenicolous fungi are known to be strongly inhibited by chemical defenses of lichens, even those on which they are frequently found in nature. One of these fungi is Nectria parmeliae, an obligate lichenicolous fungus that is observed on many species of lichens. Field observations of this fungus in northern Virginia indicate a marked preference for the lichen Punctelia rudecta. Laboratory studies established that N. parmeliae is incapable of growing on tissues of this lichen unless they are first washed with acetone to remove phenolic defense compounds. It was determined that N. parmeliae can grow on P. rudecta in nature after another lichen inhabitant, a species of Fusarium, enzymatically degrades lecanoric acid (LEC), the dominant lichen compound of P. rudecta. Field studies in northern Virginia demonstrate that observed lichens harboring N. parmeliae generally also harbor the Fusarium sp. Furthermore, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) shows that LEC is completely degraded by Fusarium in 90 days, which permits growth of N. parmeliae. Taken together, these results suggest that some obligate lichenicolous fungi cannot colonize certain lichens unless there has been prior chemical processing of these lichens.
The effect of pressure on the structure of NiAl2O4

NiAl2O4 is known to transform from a normal spinel, (Ni2+)[Al 23+ ]O 4, to an inverse spinel, (Al3+)[Ni2+Al3+]O4, and vice versa. In this process, the larger Ni2+ ions which occupy the tetrahedral (8a) sites in normal spinel move to the octahedral (16d) sites in inverse spinel while half of the smaller Al3+ ions move in the opposite direction. The extent of this move is measured by the disorder or inversion parameter, I (the fraction of tetrahedral sites occupied by the Al ions; I = 0 for normal spinel and I = 1 for inverse spinel). Previous studies suggest that the lattice constant of spinel can decrease as the disorder parameter increases to better accommodate the Ni ions. In situ neutron diffraction studies performed by us indicate that this process is also occurring during the reduction of NiAl2O4 to Ni and Al2O3. It is possible that the compressive residual stresses generated during reduction play a role in the structural evolution of NiAl2O4. To systematically investigate the effect of pressure on the structure of NiAl2O4, x-ray diffraction studies at the X17 beamline of the National Synchrotron Light Source were performed. The pressure (up to 35 GPa) was applied via a diamond anvil cell and the experiments were conducted using a polychromatic x-ray beam. By comparing the relative intensities of certain spinel reflections that are sensitive to cationic disorder, a trend toward inverse spinel as a function of pressure was observed. The results are presented in comparison to previous studies on this material.
Infrared spectroscopic studies on metal carbonyl compounds-III: Assignment of the totally symmetric C-O stretching bands of the metal carbonyls, with special respect to the spectra of tetracobalt-dodekacarbonyl and dicobalt-octacarbonyl

Abstract The spectra of several metal carbonyl compounds suggest that the frequency of the totally symmetric C-O stretching vibration is the highest of all C-O stretching frequencies of a given metal carbonyl compound. This result can be justified theoretically. On this basis the spectra of Co 4 (CO) 12 and Co 2 (CO) 8 were re-examined and new assignments have been made. In the case of Co 2 (CO) 8 the existence of two different structural forms in solution is suggested. The bonding problems of some cobalt carbonyl compounds are discussed on the basis of their v 1 co frequency values.
Ascertainment in Genetics Studies

Certain ascertainment schemes are often used to recruit the study subjects in genetic studies in order to enhance the study feasibility. It could raise potential problems such as biased inference. Efforts have been made to correct the ascertainment bias by integrating ascertainment information into models. Recently, it has been noted that the past efforts may not be enough due to parameter heterogeneity, which probably exists in a complex genetic trait. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the ascertainment problems and correction procedures and remaining challenges. Keywords: ascertainment scheme; ascertainment bias; parameter heterogeneity; proband
Two dimensional LOCA analysis for fusion reactors

The results of a two-dimensional loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) analysis for the inboard shield of a US design proposed for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) are reported. The finite-element heat transfer code TOPAZ2D has been used to model the inboard shield. It is assumed that the plasma continues to operate for 10 s after the onset of the LOCA. During this time, the heat source consists of the heat flux on the first wall (FW) tiles, the nuclear heating, and the radioactive decay heat. After the first 10 s, the decay heat becomes the only heat source. The magnets are assumed to be intact during and after the accident, and heat is radiated from the shield to the magnet's thermal shield, which is at 70K. The temperature response of the shield has been calculated up to 12.8 after the LOCA starts. The results show that the temperature everywhere in the shield is tolerable. The maximum temperature of the back of the shield, which is made of lead, reaches 41 degrees C at the end of the 10-s plasma-on period. The maximum temperature of the first wall reaches 520 degrees C at 7.5 h after shutdown and then decreases slowly. >
DNA Theft: Recognizing the Crime of Nonconsensual Genetic Collection and Testing

The fact that you leave genetic information behind on the discarded tissues, used coffee cups, and smoked cigarettes everywhere you go is generally of little consequence. The trouble arises when third parties are interested in retrieving this detritus of everyday life for the genetic information you’ve left behind. These third parties may be the police, and the regulation over their ability to collect this evidence is unclear.And the police aren't the only people who are curious about your genetic information. Whether the victims are celebrities, private persons with secrets to keep, or just the targets of nosy third parties with bad intentions, if someone wants to collect and analyze another person's DNA without consent, they can do so. Committing DNA theft is as easy a sending in a used tissue to a company contacted over the internet, and waiting for an analysis by email. A quick on-line search reveals many companies that offer "secret" or "discreet" DNA testing. The rapid proliferation of companies offering direct-to-consumer genetic testing at ever lower prices means that both the technology and motives exist for DNA theft.Yet in nearly every American jurisdiction, DNA theft is not a crime. Rather, the nonconsensual collection and analysis of another person's DNA is virtually unconstrained by law. This article explains how DNA theft poses a serious threat to genetic privacy and why it merits consideration as a distinct criminal offense.
Predictive data grouping: Defining the bounds of energy and latency reduction through predictive data grouping and replication

We demonstrate that predictive grouping is an effective mechanism for reducing disk arm movement, thereby simultaneously reducing energy consumption and data access latency. We further demonstrate that predictive grouping has untapped dramatic potential to further improve access performance and limit energy consumption. Data retrieval latencies are considered a major bottleneck, and with growing volumes of data and increased storage needs it is only growing in significance. Data storage infrastructure is therefore a growing consumer of energy at data-center scales, while the individual disk is already a significant concern for mobile computing (accounting for almost a third of a mobile system's energy demands). While improving responsiveness of storage subsystems and hence reducing latencies in data retrieval is often considered contradictory with efforts to reduce disk energy consumption, we demonstrate that predictive data grouping has the potential to simultaneously work towards both these goals. Predictive data grouping has advantages in its applicability compared to both prior approaches to reducing latencies and to reducing energy usage. For latencies, grouping can be performed opportunistically, thereby avoiding the serious performance penalties that can be incurred with prior applications of access prediction (such as predictive prefetching of data). For energy, we show how predictive grouping can even save energy use for an individual disk that is never idle.Predictive data grouping with effective replication results in a reduction of the overall mechanical movement required to retrieve data. We have built upon our detailed measurements of disk power consumption, and have estimated both the energy expended by a hard disk for its mechanical components, and that needed to move the disk arm. We have further compared, via simulation, three models of predictive grouping of on-disk data, including an optimal arrangement of data that is guaranteed to minimize disk arm movement. These experiments have allowed us to measure the limits of performance improvement achievable with optimal data grouping and replication strategies on a single device, and have further allowed us to demonstrate the potential of such schemes to reduce energy consumption of mechanical components by up to 70p.
How great is the threat of chikungunya virus

In the last decade, chikungunya virus has emerged from an obscure arbovirus that caused limited outbreaks of disease in Africa and Asia to the cause of a pandemic affecting millions of people and spanning five continents. Two separate chikungunya virus genotypes have been responsible for outbreaks during this period, including strains adapted to transmission in Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Further spread of this virus into new regions of the Western Hemisphere is predicted during the present rainy season in the tropics, and recurrent viral introductions and disease outbreaks, as occurred in Reunion in 2010, should be expected. Chikungunya virus no longer simply threatens; it has arrived as a significant, global pathogen.
Measurement of residence time distribution of a multicomponent system inside an ohmic heater using radio frequency identification

The residence time of the fastest particle through an ohmic heater should be known with a high degree of reliability to calculate the minimum lethality delivered to the product inside the heater. Many methods are available for the determination of residence time distribution (RTD) of particles inside heating systems, but the main limitation in all these methods is their inability to detect multiple particles. Radio frequency identification (RFID), which offers the possibility of tracking multiple particles inside the system, was used to measure the RTD of analog chicken particles in chicken chowmein inside an ohmic heating system. Results showed that the residence time of the fastest RFID tag embedded tracer inside the heater was as expected, higher than that associated with the laminar flow of a fluid in a tube, which is accepted by regulators in process filings. The experiment demonstrated that RFID could be successfully used to measure RTD under aseptic conditions and offers an innovative, time-saving technique for tracking multiple particles.
Who Deserves Help? Who Must Provide?

Human societies have always provided help for the needy, and this provision has frequently been calibrated according to notions of deservingness and obligation. These notions have been shaped by gendered double standards, including measures of sexual morality, personal demeanor, housekeeping, and self-sacrifice, that are applied to women but not to men. Most fundamental, the fact that women are the primary child raisers has given many of them, in modern societies, two jobs--working for wages and working without wages to raise children. The modern welfare system arose from campaigns to help mothers who try to perform these two jobs without male help. Focusing first on deserted women, then on widows, and more recently on never-married mothers, U.S. welfare policy in the twentieth century was self-defeating because it tried to provide for poor children while avoiding giving aid or encouragement to lone mothers.
Estrogen Action Via the G Protein-Coupled Receptor, GPR30: Stimulation of Adenylyl Cyclase and cAMP-Mediated Attenuation of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-to-MAPK Signaling Axis

Estrogen triggers rapid yet transient activation of the MAPKs, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk)-1 and Erk-2. We have reported that this estrogen action requires the G protein-coupled receptor, GPR30, and occurs via Gbetagamma-subunit protein-dependent transactivation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor through the release of pro-heparan-bound EGF from the cell surface. Here we investigate the mechanism by which Erk-1/-2 activity is rapidly restored to basal levels after estrogen stimulation. Evidence is provided that attenuation of Erk-1/-2 activity by estrogen occurs via GPR30-dependent stimulation of adenylyl cyclase and cAMP-dependent signaling that results in Raf-1 inactivation. We show that 17beta-E2 represses EGF-induced activation of the Raf-to-Erk pathway in human breast carcinoma cells that express GPR30, including MCF-7 and SKBR3 cells which express both or neither, ER, respectively. MDA-MB-231 cells, which express ERbeta, but not ERalpha, and low levels of GPR30 protein, are unable to stimulate adenylyl cyclase or promote estrogen-mediated blockade of EGF-induced activation of Erk-1/-2. Pretreatment of MDA-MB-231 cells with cholera toxin, which ADP-ribosylates and activates Galphas subunit proteins, results in G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-independent adenylyl cyclase activity and suppression of EGF-induced Erk-1/-2 activity. Transfection of GPR30 into MDA-MB-231 cells restores their ability to stimulate adenylyl cyclase and attenuate EGF-induced activation of Erk-1/-2 by estrogen. Moreover, GPR30-dependent, cAMP-mediated attenuation of EGF-induced Erk-1/-2 activity was achieved by ER antagonists such as tamoxifen or ICI 182, 780; yet not by 17alpha-E2 or progesterone. Thus, our data delineate a novel mechanism, requiring GPR30 and estrogen, that acts to regulate Erk-1/-2 activity via an inhibitory signal mediated by cAMP. Coupled with our prior findings, these current data imply that estrogen balances Erk-1/-2 activity through a single GPCR via two distinct G protein-dependent signaling pathways that have opposing effects on the EGF receptor-to-MAPK pathway.
Epidote phenocrysts in dacitic dikes, Boulder County, Colorado

Epidote (Ps21%) crystallized early as elongate phenocrysts in Late Cretaceous rhyodacitic dikes in the vicinity of Ward, Boulder County, Colorado. Other unusual phenocryst phases are garnet (Gr17–24%) and muscovite. In a xenolith containing kyanite, corundum, biotite, and plagioclase, magmatic garnet grew as a rim around xenocrystic pyrope-rich (Py37%) garnet. The xenolith was derived from a granulite-facies zone, not represented at the present-day erosion surface which is composed of upper amphibolite-facies cordierite and sillimanite-bearing gneisses. The dike magmas were fed not from an immediately underlying batholith but from a magma chamber at a depth corresponding to a pressure of 8–13 kilobars. Phenocrysts cystallized in the temperature range 800 to 700° C, under H2O and O2 activities greater than normal for silicic magmas. This occurrence shows convincingly not only that epidote can be magmatic but that it is a possible early-crystallization phase in silicic magmas.
Equatorial Atlantic Velocity and Temperature Observations: February–November 1981

Abstract Upper ocean velocity and temperature measurements were obtained in the central equatorial Atlantic using surface moored current meters from February to November 1981. Distinct seasonal variations were observed in the zonal momentum and temperature on the equator of both the surface South Equatorial Current (SEC) and the subsurface Equatorial Undercurrent (EUC). After initially intensifying during boreal spring the SEC halted abruptly in early summer and the signature associated with this change progressed. At the observational depth of 100 m both speed and temperature increased during early summer with eastward progression and then decreased in fall. Higher frequency motions were also modulated by the seasonal cycle. Notable were the 2–3 week time scale oscillations of the meridional velocity component which appeared most energetically during the summer and fall seasons. Oscillations generally tended to be anisotropic and inhomogeneous. Vertical advection of zonal momentum was an important term i...
A critical time for nursing diagnosis research.

Viewpoint provides a forum for scholarly discussion about the theoretical, philosophical, and practical issues related to nursing language and classification systems. The sometimes controversial views are intended to stimulate readers' comments and perspectives. We welcome brief, informal responses to published viewpoints. If you have a viewpoint you want to submit, or if you want to discuss it beforehand, contact the column editor: judithwilkinsatt.net;913.631.1089.
The Accessibility and Usability of College Websites: Is your Website Presenting Barriers to Potential Students?

Thirty community college websites were evaluated for compliance with federal web accessibility standards found in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d). Two typical sites were tested for usability by individuals with visual impairments, individuals with reading-related learning disabilities (LD), and a control group of individuals without disabilities. Ten additional sites were selected for Simulated Target Group usability testing. Testing revealed that less than 1% of pages evaluated met Section 508 web accessibility standards. Over half of the users found the online admissions application process frustrating, and less than a third of all users could complete the online application without assistance. The Simulated Target Group usability testing encountered similar usability issues across the additional 10 community college websites examined. All four evaluation techniques found that community college websites fared poorly in both accessibility and usability. However, many of the...
Temperature coefficient of resistivity of silicon and germanium near room temperature.

Temperature coefficients for resistivity of n- and p-type germanium and silicon near room temperature
Volatile non-terpenoid hydrocarbons from Ligusticum grayi roots

Abstract The root essential oil of Ligusticum grayi Coult. & Rose (Apiaceae) was found to contain three volatile non-terpenoid hydrocarbons: the known C11 compound viridene, whose structure is hereby corrected to 1-[(2Z)-pent-2-en-1-yl]cyclohexa-1,3-diene; and the heretofore unreported C10 compounds 1-[(2Z)-but-2-en-1-yl]cyclohexa-1,3-diene (norviridene), and (Z)-but-2-en-1-ylbenzene (ar-norviridene). These compounds are structurally similar to the 3-alkylphthalides that are widespread in the Apiaceae and, like the latter, probably arise from polyketide precursors.
Antisocial Networking in T Helper Cells

T helper cell differentiation is controlled by a network of transcription factors. In this issue of Immunity, Yagi et al. (2010) describe the opposing effects of transcription factors Runx3 and GATA3 in the network promoting T helper 1 cell development.
Vibrational and Photochemical Consequences of an Asp Residue Near the Photoactive Accessory Bacteriochorophyll in the Photosynthetic Reaction Center

Qy-excitation resonance Raman (RR) and subpicosecond resolution transient absorption (TA) studies are reported for Rhodobacter capsulatus reaction centers (RCs) containing a mutation at M-polypepti...
Partial Characterization of Chlamydia trachomatis Isolates Resistant to Multiple Antibiotics

In vitro susceptibility testing was done on urogenital isolates of Chlamydia trachomatis from five patients, four of whom were suspected treatment failures. At least one isolate from each patient was resistant to tetracycline at concentrations greater than or equal to micrograms/ml, although less than 1% of a population of organisms showed high-level resistance. Fully resistant populations selected by passage through 8 micrograms/ml tetracycline either died or lost their resistance on further passage in antibiotic-free medium. Relatively large inocula were required to demonstrate resistance, and morphology of inclusions was altered at high tetracycline concentrations. The observed resistance may be a new characteristic of the organism or merely newly recognized. Isolates resistant to tetracycline were resistant to doxycycline, erythromycin, sulfamethoxazole, and clindamycin but sensitive to rifampin, ciprofloxacin, and ofloxacin. Thus, resistance to tetracycline, erythromycin, and clindamycin occurs in C. trachomatis and may be a factor in some treatment failures.
Loop-C and a Cyclic Activation Scheme for Acetylcholine Receptor-Channels (AChRs)

The ‘capping' of loop-C at each transmitter binding site has been proposed to initiate the AChR channel-opening isomerization. We recorded single-channel currents from various loop-C constructs (adult mouse; both α-subunits, 188-198: VFYSCCPTTPY), both with and without ACh, to probe its role in binding vs. gating. One construct (11gly) had glycines at all positions, and others had n=9, 7, 5 or 3 glycines. The loop A mutation αA96H was added as a background to increase constitutive activity. 1) None of these constructs altered the unliganded gating activity. 2) The open-probability of the 11gly-construct was not increased by 1mM ACh. 3) Reverting only two amino acids (bold) in the 11gly-construct to tyrosines generated AChRs that were activated by ACh, again without altering unliganded gating. These results suggest that loop-C is mainly involved in agonist binding.A sequential kinetic scheme has been used to describe brief and long unliganded openings in AChRs with background pore mutations (βδM2,9'-S). We compared this scheme with others using AChRs activated by low [ACh], in a construct that had only one functional binding site (αW149F+βδ9'S+eP121R). The interval durations were fitted across-concentrations using three different kinetic schemes, each having four states (C, O, AC and AO). The best fit was obtained by using the full cycle (MWC model). The estimated increase in the gating equilibrium constant with ACh (∼740-fold) was similar to that obtained previously by saturating the binding site (∼690-fold). These results show that a cyclic scheme describes brief/long unliganded openings at low [ACh] and can be used to estimate the association/dissociation rate constants to the high-affinity, open transmitter binding site.
Evaluation of blast-resistant performance predicted by damaged plasticity model for concrete

In order to evaluate the capacity of reinforced concrete (RC) structures subjected to blast loadings, the damaged plasticity model for concrete was used in the analysis of the dynamic responses of blast-loaded RC structures, and all three failure modes were numerically simulated by the finite element software ABAQUS. Simulation results agree with the experimental observations. It is demonstrated that the damaged plasticity model for concrete in the finite element software ABAQUS can predict dynamic responses and typical flexure, flexure-shear and direct shear failure modes of the blast-loaded RC structures.
EFFECTS OF PROLONGED DOBUTAMINE INFUSION ON SYSTEMIC, PULMONARY, RENAL AND MESENTERIC HEMODYNAMICS IN THE AWAKE PIGLET. 134

EFFECTS OF PROLONGED DOBUTAMINE INFUSION ON SYSTEMIC, PULMONARY, RENAL AND MESENTERIC HEMODYNAMICS IN THE AWAKE PIGLET. 134
Clustering and visualization of geodetic array data streams using self-organizing maps

The Pacific Northwest Geodesic Array at Central Washington University collects telemetered streaming data from 450 GPS stations. These real-time data are used to monitor and mitigate natural hazards arising from earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and coastal sea-level hazards in the Pacific Northwest. Recent improvements in both accuracy of positioning measurements and latency of terrestrial data communication have led to the ability to collect data with higher sampling rates. For seismic monitoring applications, this means 1350 separate position streams from stations located across 1200 km along the West Coast of North America must be able to be both visually observed and automatically analyzed at a sampling rate of up to 1 Hz. Our goal is to efficiently extract and visualize useful information from these data streams. We propose a method to visualize the geodetic data by clustering the signal types with a Self-Organizing Map (SOM). The similarity measure in the SOM is determined by the similarity of signals received from GPS stations. Signals are transformed to symbol strings, and the distance measure in the SOM is defined by an edit distance. The symbol strings represent data streams and the SOM is dynamic. We overlap the resulted dynamic SOM on the Google Maps representation.
Design and manufacturing advisor for turbine disks

Abstract The design and manufacturing advisor (DMA) is a generic architecture for an expert system which assists in the process of product design. It integrates various parts of the production environment which affect the final product—such as fabrication, assembly, inspection and inventory. The design process can be partitioned into four stages: problem specification, feature specification, testing and generation. DMA facilitates the development of tractable designs, defined by the intersection of three spaces relating to specifications, features and productibility. The system consists of a domain-independent module and a domain-dependent module, each of which contains subcomponents; this modular structure facilitats system modification, expansion, and portability. The DMA has been validated by specializing the architecture to the design of gas-turbine disks for jet engines.
LC/MS DETERMINATION OF A SULFOLANE METABOLITE IN WETLAND VEGETATION EXPOSED TO GAS-CONDENSATE CONTAMINATED GROUND WATER

Groundwater containing the process chemicals sulfolane (tetrahydrothiophene 1,1-dioxide) and diisopropanolamine (DIPA) has contaminated a wetland in the vicinity of a sour-gas natural gas processing facility. Residues of the chemicals are found in wetland soil, water and vegetation. While it is known that DIPA undergoes transformation in wetlands plants, little is known regarding the degree of transformation of sulfolane. This is due in part to the lack of analytical methods suitable for the determination of transformation products of sulfolane in vegetation. Described is a new procedure, employing electrospray ionization with reverse-phase liquid chromatography mass spectrometry for the determination of the 3-hydroxysulfolane metabolite in plant tissue. The metabolite was determined using filtered water extracts of the vegetation, preconcentrated using solid-phase extraction with no further clean up or derivatization steps. Under positive ion electrospray conditions, there was preferential formation of a...
Antibodies in the Sera of Acute Rheumatic Fever Patients Bind to Human Cardiac Tropomyosin

Previous work from this laboratory has demonstrated the occurrence of heart reactive antibodies (HRA) in the sera of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) patients which bound primarily to the sarcolemmal sheath of cardiac myofibres. While many investigators have reported the presence of antibodies to myosin in the sera of ARF patients, the question of whether these sera also contain antibodies to other cytoskeletal proteins has not been addressed. In this study, crude human sarcolemmal sheaths were extracted with 3 M KCl and partially purified using a DEAE cellulose column and a step gradient of NaCl. Maximum reactivity with ARF sera was seen with a protein fraction eluted with 0.3 M NaCl. Using FPLC, a single polypeptide of 38 kDa reacted in ELISA preferentially with ARF sera when compared to sera from patients with uncomplicated streptococcal infections and acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN). A comparison of the N-terminal sequence of the purified protein and competitive inhibition assays indicated that the reactive sarcolemmal antigen was human cardiac tropomyosin.
Consistent and contrasting properties of lineage-specific genes in the apicomplexan parasites Plasmodium and Theileria

Lineage-specific genes, the genes that are restricted to a limited subset of related organisms, may be important in adaptation. In parasitic organisms, lineage-specific gene products are possible targets for vaccine development or therapeutics when these genes are absent from the host genome. In this study, we utilized comparative approaches based on a phylogenetic framework to characterize lineage-specific genes in the parasitic protozoan phylum Apicomplexa. Genes from species in two major apicomplexan genera, Plasmodium and Theileria, were categorized into six levels of lineage specificity based on a nine-species phylogeny. In both genera, lineage-specific genes tend to have a higher level of sequence divergence among sister species. In addition, species-specific genes possess a strong codon usage bias compared to other genes in the genome. We found that a large number of genus- or species-specific genes are putative surface antigens that may be involved in host-parasite interactions. Interestingly, the two parasite lineages exhibit several notable differences. In Plasmodium, the (G + C) content at the third codon position increases with lineage specificity while Theileria shows the opposite trend. Surface antigens in Plasmodium are species-specific and mainly located in sub-telomeric regions. In contrast, surface antigens in Theileria are conserved at the genus level and distributed across the entire lengths of chromosomes. Our results provide further support for the model that gene duplication followed by rapid divergence is a major mechanism for generating lineage-specific genes. The result that many lineage-specific genes are putative surface antigens supports the hypothesis that lineage-specific genes could be important in parasite adaptation. The contrasting properties between the lineage-specific genes in two major apicomplexan genera indicate that the mechanisms of generating lineage-specific genes and the subsequent evolutionary fates can differ between related parasite lineages. Future studies that focus on improving functional annotation of parasite genomes and collection of genetic variation data at within- and between-species levels will be important in facilitating our understanding of parasite adaptation and natural selection.
Comparing various algorithms for discovering social groups with uni-party data

The challenge of identifying important individuals and their membership as part of a group is a continuing and ever growing problem. In recent years, the data mining community has been identifying and discussing a new paradigm of data analysis using uni-party data. Within this paradigm, a methodology known as Link Discovery based on Correlation Analysis (LDCA), defines a process to compensate for the lack of relational data. CORAL, a specific implementation of LDCA, demonstrated the value of this methodology by identifying suspects involved in a Ponzi scheme with limited success. This paper introduces several new algorithms and analyzes their ability to generate a prioritized ranking of individuals involved in the Ponzi scheme based on their individual activity. To compare the accuracy of each algorithm, we present the experimental results of the algorithms, and conclude with a discussion of open issues and future activities.