cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Auxiliary variable-enriched biomarker-stratified design.

Clinical trials in the era of precision medicine require assessment of biomarkers to identify appropriate subgroups of patients for targeted therapy. In a biomarker-stratified design (BSD), biomarkers are measured on all patients and used as stratification variables. However, such a trial can be both inefficient and costly, especially when the prevalence of the subgroup of primary interest is low and the cost of assessing the biomarkers is high. Efficiency can be improved and costs reduced by using enriched biomarker-stratified designs, in which patients of primary interest, typically the biomarker-positive patients, are oversampled. We consider a special type of enrichment design, an auxiliary-variable-enriched design (AEBSD), in which enrichment is based on some inexpensive auxiliary variable that is positively correlated with the true biomarker. The proposed AEBSD reduces the total cost of the trial compared to a standard BSD when the prevalence rate of true biomarker positivity is small and the positive predictive value (P P V) of the auxiliary biomarker is larger than the prevalence rate. In addition, for an AEBSD, we can immediately randomize the patients selected in the screening process without waiting for the result of the true biomarker test, reducing the treatment waiting time. We propose an adaptive Bayesian method to adjust the assumed P P V while the trial is ongoing. Numerical studies and an example illustrate the approach. An R package is available.
The procedure of compiling the Red List of microscopic algae of the Czech Republic

Nature, species and biodiversity conservation should be a priority of each country. Publishing of Red Lists of animals or higher plants is quite common, but practical protection of algae and especially microalgae is quite a complex task with several difficulties. These complications are the result of our quite poor knowledge about biodiversity (taxonomy, phylogeny) of microalgae together with insufficient data about worldwide distribution of microalgae taxa (undersampling). The need to protect microorganisms, microalgae and heterotrophic protists is a crucial matter due to their role in bioindication and evaluation of the quality of their habitats. That is why it is necessary to have a Red List of these phototrophic organisms as a practical manual for the protection of their habitat and, subsequently, also to have it as a basis for the protection of these organisms. Generally, microorganisms must be viewed not as rare species (in terms of their poor knowledge about distribution, ecology and taxonomy), but as little-known species and a Red List would reflect this idea. We propose a Red List of microalgae, using euglenophytes as a model group, with reflection of taxonomy and autecology of listed species with links to endangered habitats: habitat protection must be understood as a synonym for species conservation. Our proposal is the “starting point” for the evaluation of microalgal biodiversity of the Czech Republic and for deducting conclusions that can be used in the practical habitat conservation.
Deliver Me from food waste: Model framework for comparing the energy use of meal-kit delivery and groceries

Abstract This work shares a model that was developed to compare the energy requirements of meal-kit delivery systems to conventional grocery shopping. Meal-kit services can reduce food waste because the kits pre-portion ingredients for each recipe, thereby saving energy. However, the supply chain and packaging requirements of meal-kit delivery are different than those for grocery stores, potentially offsetting any energetic benefits of reduced food waste. If meal-kit delivery replaces some trips to the grocery store, then transportation-related savings might be significant. The tradeoffs of these competing effects are non-obvious, so mass and energy balances were used to assess embedded energy in both pathways. The model was illustrated under representative operating conditions for a consumer in Austin, Texas using Monte Carlo simulation. Both per-meal and per-week, a meal-kit delivery service meal is more energy intensive than procuring the same meal from conventional grocery stores primarily due to single-use packaging. Consumer transportation to the grocery store was also found to be particularly energy intensive. These results suggest that the energetic requirements of meal-kit delivery services could be reduced such that they are less than conventional grocery shopping if reusable or low-impact packaging is used, and if the delivery services are able to reduce the number of weekly trips to the grocery store.2
Teacher fidelity to Conscious Discipline and children’s executive function skills

Abstract Conscious Discipline is a social-emotional learning classroom management program that uses classroom activities and routines to teach children problem-solving skills and to foster a sense of safety in the classroom. According to the publishers of Conscious Discipline, the program is currently practiced in 47 countries and is widely implemented across the United States, including approximately 11,000 Head Start classrooms and 935 school districts (Loving Guidance Inc., 2018a). Although the increasingly popular Conscious Discipline program is based on theories of child development and neuroscience and proposes to influence children’s executive function (EF), social, and academic skills, longitudinal studies of Conscious Discipline implementation and children’s skills in these areas have not been conducted. To address this gap in the literature, we examined the association between preschool teachers’ (N = 45) fidelity to the Conscious Discipline program and students’ (N = 293) EF, social, and basic academic skills development over the course of the school year. We found that higher fidelity to the Conscious Discipline program was positively associated with preschool students’ EF and social skills development but not their basic academic skills development. Given the correlational design of this initial study, future research examining (a) the causal relations between the use of Conscious Discipline and developmental outcomes; and (b) how Conscious Discipline compares to other classroom behavior management strategies is warranted.
Water Droplet Erosion of Wind Turbine Blades: Mechanics, Testing, Modeling and Future Perspectives

The problem of erosion due to water droplet impact has been a major concern for several industries for a very long time and it keeps reinventing itself wherever a component rotates or moves at high speed in a hydrometer environment. Recently, and as larger wind turbine blades are used, erosion of the leading edge due to rain droplets impact has become a serious issue. Leading-edge erosion causes a significant loss in aerodynamics efficiency of turbine blades leading to a considerable reduction in annual energy production. This paper reviews the topic of water droplet impact erosion as it emerges in wind turbine blades. A brief background on water droplet erosion and its industrial applications is first presented. Leading-edge erosion of wind turbine is briefly described in terms of materials involved and erosion conditions encountered in the blade. Emphases are then placed on the status quo of understanding the mechanics of water droplet erosion, experimental testing, and erosion prediction models. The main conclusions of this review are as follow. So far, experimental testing efforts have led to establishing a useful but incomplete understanding of the water droplet erosion phenomenon, the effect of different erosion parameters, and a general ranking of materials based on their ability to resist erosion. Techniques for experimentally measuring an objective erosion resistance (or erosion strength) of materials have, however, not yet been developed. In terms of modelling, speculations about the physical processes underlying water droplet erosion and consequently treating the problem from first principles have never reached a state of maturity. Efforts have, therefore, focused on formulating erosion prediction equations depending on a statistical analysis of large erosion tests data and often with a combination of presumed erosion mechanisms such as fatigue. Such prediction models have not reached the stage of generalization. Experimental testing and erosion prediction efforts need to be improved such that a coherent water droplet erosion theory can be established. The need for standardized testing and data representation practices as well as correlations between test data and real in-service erosion also remains urgent.
Machine learning based predictive model of early mortality in stage III and IV prostate cancer

Abstract Prostate cancer remains the third highest cause of cancer-related deaths. Metastatic prostate cancer could yield poor prognosis, however there is limited work on predictive models for clinical decision support in stage III and IV prostate cancer. We developed a machine learning model for predicting early mortality in prostate cancer (survival less than 21 months after initial diagnosis). A cohort of 10,303 patients was extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program. Features were constructed in several domains including demographics, histology of primary tumor, and metastatic sites. Feature selection was performed followed by regularized logistic regression. The model was evaluated using 5-fold cross validation and achieved 75.2% accuracy with AUC 0.649. Of the 19 most predictive features, all of them were validated to be clinically meaningful for prediction of early mortality. Our study serves as a framework for prediction of early mortality in patients with stage II and stage IV prostate cancer, and can be generalized to predictive modeling problems for other relevant clinical endpoints. Future work should involve integration of other data sources such as electronic health record and genomic or metabolomic data.
Bending Induced Wrinkling and Creasing in Axially Crushed Aluminum Tubes

Abstract Concertina folding of tubes used for impact mitigation bends the tube section to tight curvatures that can lead to failures on the tensioned side of the folds. This paper reports results from such axial crushing experiments on Al-6061-T6 circular tubes in which cleft-like features were also observed on the compressed sides of folds. Microscopic examination of the compressed sides of sectioned folds at different stages of bending revealed the following. Compression leads to surface wrinkles that are initiated by small initial surface roughness. Further bending increases the amplitude of the wrinkles, and at even higher bending the wrinkles morph into folds, creases, and sharp discontinuities. Metallographic examination of these surface undulations revealed that surface wrinkles encompass several grains, which deform conforming to the imposed local geometric changes. With this in mind, the axial crushing was simulated at the continuum level via an axisymmetric finite element analysis coupled with a suitably calibrated non-quadratic elastic-plastic constitutive model. A sufficiently refined mesh and representative initial surface imperfections enabled monitoring of the evolution of surface instabilities on the compressed sides of folds. Surface wrinkles appear at compressive strains of about 50%. As the local bending increases, their amplitude grows, and subsequently they evolve into local folds, and creases that resemble surface features observed in the experiments.
Differences in Adolescent Symptom Reporting Following Motor Vehicle Accident Versus Sport-Related Concussion.

OBJECTIVE To characterize potential differences in youth concussion sustained in motor vehicle accident (MVA) versus sport-related concussion (SRC), hypothesizing that youth who sustain concussion in a MVA would endorse higher initial and persistent symptom scores compared to those with SRC, despite similar injury severity levels. METHODS Participants age 12-18 who sustained a concussion (i.e., Glasgow Coma Scale = 13-15) in a MVA (n = 35) were matched with SRC participants (n = 35) by sex, age, and days since injury. ANCOVA comparing initial postconcussion total symptom scores between the MVA and SRC groups were performed. Chi-square analysis with injury group by recovery time was used to determine whether youth who sustained concussion from MVA were more likely to endorse symptoms persisting >30 days at 3 months postinjury, and ANCOVA compared 3-month total symptom scores. RESULTS On average, the MVA group reported significantly higher initial postconcussion and more frequent persistent symptom scores compared to the SRC group. CONCLUSIONS This is the first known study to examine context of injury in youth concussion while matching for injury severity, age, sex, and days since injury. Findings suggest the context of injury is an important clinical variable related to initial reporting of symptoms and endorsement of symptoms lasting more than 30 days. Tailored interventions that consider the context of injury may facilitate symptom resolution.
Use of medical marijuana in cystic fibrosis patients

The usage and attitudes towards medical marijuana in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients is unknown. Through the use of a survey we aim to clarify rates and reasons for use. An anonymous survey was sent out to six centers in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Use of and reason for medical marijuana was assessed, along with attitudes of the perceived utility of medical marijuana. A total of 637 surveys were sent out, and 193 surveys were returned (30.3% return rate). Three did not give consent, and one was empty, for a total of 189 completed surveys. 31 subjects (16.5%) reported having used marijuana for medical purposes in their lifetime, with 29 (15.4%) of these in the past year. The most used forms were edible and vaporized. The most common indications for usage were pain and stress. 28 out of 31 found marijuana to be a great deal effective for their symptoms. 21 of the 31 rated marijuana very important or important to their health. There were two reported side effects, both mild. Of 156 subjects who responded to the question if they would be interested in medical marijuana if available, 72 (46.2%) replied yes. The use of marijuana for medical reasons was 15.4% in the past year in this sample CF population, although more expressed interest if it was available through prescription. Side effects were rare. CF physicians are going to have to familiarize themselves with advantages and disadvantages of medical marijuana as there is a great deal of interest within the community, and legalization becomes more common.
Measurement of the Spatial Cross-Correlation Function of Damped Lyman Alpha Systems and Lyman Break Galaxies

We present the first spectroscopic measurement of the spatial cross-correlation function between damped Lyman alpha systems (DLAs) and Lyman break galaxies (LBGs). We obtained deep u'BVRI images of nine QSO fields with 11 known z ~ 3 DLAs and spectroscopically confirmed 211 R 2 LBGs. We find strong evidence for an overdensity of LBGs near DLAs versus random, the results of which are similar to that of LBGs near other LBGs. A maximum likelihood cross-correlation analysis found the best fit correlation length value of r_0 = 2.9^(+1.4)_(-1.5) h^(-1)Mpc using a fixed value of gamma = 1.6. The implications of the DLA-LBG clustering amplitude on the average dark matter halo mass of DLAs are discussed.
Human rights in domestic responses to the COVID-19 pandemic: preliminary findings from a media-coverage database to track human rights violations

Abstract Background As COVID-19 has spread throughout the world, domestic public health responses have neglected human rights. Human rights are crucial to public health promotion, yet there are significant gaps in how human rights are being monitored during the pandemic response. Existing efforts to track potential human rights violations in domestic responses to COVID-19 are neither comparative nor comprehensive. To fill this gap, we developed a novel, comparative database to systematically track media coverage of potential human rights violations. Using these data, we examine how public health policies impacted human rights realisation across countries during the first 3 months of the pandemic. Methods We used a systematic qualitative coding methodology to examine the extent and range of media coverage at the intersection of COVID-19, public health, and human rights. Using a structured key-term search strategy, we searched the NexisUni news database for English-language media reports. Results were screened based on pre-determined eligibility criteria, such as whether the report discussed a public health action (or inaction) in response to COVID-19 and described the human rights implications of that action (or inaction). Reports were coded by geographic location, type of public health response, human rights implications, and populations impacted. To guide the coding process, we developed a codebook based on WHO frameworks in public health and UN frameworks in human rights. Findings In the first 3 months of the pandemic, media coverage of domestic public health responses to COVID-19 increased rapidly as the crisis escalated. This coverage included a wide range of public health actions that impacted human rights across six geographic regions. We identified 17 public health actions that impact 24 distinct human rights, and noted that domestic public health responses were reported to have consequences for the range of civil, political, economic, and social rights that underlie public health. For example, domestic actions to implement lockdown measures were reported to have implications for the human rights to life, liberty and security of person, health, work, and education. These effects were reported to have been experienced differently across national contexts and disproportionately impacted the human rights of particular groups, including women and minority populations. Interpretation Public health and human rights are inextricably linked in the COVID-19 pandemic. Ongoing data collection and comparative analysis can inform domestic best practices and future pandemic preparedness efforts. Our comparative database provides a foundation for future research that examines the public health impacts of human rights violations in the pandemic response. Funding None.
Study histological alterations of the effect of Deltamethrin on the skin of the earthworm

Our study aims to investigate all the histological changes that occur in skin tissues of the earthworms that exposure to deltamethrin at concentration (1:2000) g/L. our study is included two groups, the first group exposed to deltamethrin at a concentration (12.5) mg/L while the second group is included normal earthworms (control group). The soil samples were collected from local agricultural land randomly in the Daghara district in the city of Diwaniyah, then adding deltamethrin by distributed to the collected soil samples equally. The experimental group is consists of (20) samples wherever, which showed that the histological changes of the skin of the earthworm that exposure to deltamethrin (12.5) mg/L is included breaking in the cuticle layer, with clear degeneration in the longitudinal and circular smooth muscle fibers. Furthermore, the sub-dermal layer is very thin and destroyed with clear degeneration of the epidermal cells as well as showed slight congestion of the blood vessels under the nerve and a clear breakdown of the cerebral nerve ganglia, while the control group consists of (20) soil samples collected randomly, wherever, demonstrates that the tissue of the skin of the earthworm was naturally without changes, as a normal cuticle layer is observed, the epidermis layer is lined with normal epithelial cells, and the smooth muscle layer appears naturally arranged. In a conclusion, deltamethrin has histopathological effects on skin tissues of the earthworms that make are destroyed and leading to negative effects on the earthworm.
Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes from Conversion of Low-Grade to High-Grade Appendiceal Neoplasms for Patients Undergoing Multiple Cytoreductive Surgeries with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

Conversion from low-grade to high-grade disease is known to occur following repeat cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC); however, the incidence rate, risk factors, and outcomes have not been studied. We conducted a retrospective review of multiple CRS/HIPEC cases for patients originally diagnosed with low-grade appendiceal neoplasms, and compared converted cases with non-converters. Primary outcomes were the incidence rate and risk factors for conversion, while secondary outcomes were effect on cytoreduction, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS). Overall, 65 patients undergoing 134 cases of repeat CRS/HIPEC were identified; 11 patients converted to high-grade disease, an incidence rate of 16.92%. Converted cases averaged 4.4 years between CRS/HIPEC, versus 3.7 years for non-converters. Elevated baseline carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, splenectomy at index CRS/HIPEC, and adjuvant chemotherapy utilization were statistically significant with conversion. Conversion had no impact on specific cytoreductive scores at repeat CRS/HIPEC (p = 0.435). Evaluating the effect on OS from the index CRS/HIPEC conversion had no impact. Mean OS was 9.5 and 8.8 years for cases that remained low-grade compared with those that converted, respectively (p = 0.668); however, when comparing OS from the time of conversion at repeat CRS/HIPEC, patients who progressed to high-grade disease had decreased survival at 4.4 versus 5.8 years (p = 0.0317). There was no difference in DFS between non-converters and converters at 4.1 and 3.6 years, respectively (p = 0.671). Conversion had no impact on OS from the index CRS/HIPEC but resulted in inferior survival from repeat surgery. Conversion was insignificant in regard to DFS, and should not be considered a contraindication to repeat CRS/HIPEC. Adjuvant chemotherapy should be avoided.
Outcomes of Participatory Ergonomics and Self-management in Commercial Clam Farmers with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Feasibility Study.

Purpose: Participatory ergonomics engages workers in the development of strategies to reduce workplace-related pain, offering a flexible and practical option to create individualized context-specif...
Fulfilling Skills and Writing Requirements in Externship

The ABA’s newly announced Revised Standards for Accreditation of Law Schools, approved in August 2014, should have a positive impact on efforts in regard to recognizing professional skills learned in externship; their impact on recognition of writing experience in externship is unclear. Nevertheless, working toward greater academic recognition of writing and other skills in externship is an appropriate goal for externship faculty.
Structural Aspects of Manganese-Pyruvate Kinase Substrate and Inhibitor Complexes Deduced from Proton Magnetic Relaxation Rates of Pyruvate and a Phosphoenolpyruvate Analog

Abstract The distance between enzyme-bound Mn(II) at the active site of rabbit muscle pyruvate kinase and the protons of bound substrate or inhibitor was determined in ternary and quaternary enzyme complexes. In particular, the NMR relaxation rates of pyruvate protons effected by bound Mn(II) were measured for (a) the ternary pyruvate kinase-Mn(II)-pyruvate complex; (b) the abortive quaternary complex containing ADP as the fourth component; and (c) the quaternary complex containing ATP as the fourth component, i.e. the equilibrium mixture. The relaxation rates of the three proton resonances of the inhibitor, α-(dihydroxyphosphinylmethyl)acrylate, the methylene analog of P-enolpyruvate, were measured for the ternary enzyme-Mn(II)-inhibitor complex. Longitudinal (T1) and transverse (T2) NMR relaxation times were measured as a function of temperature and of Mn(II) concentration. Relaxation times were measured at two frequencies, 220 and 60 MHz, so that the correlation time and subsequently the distance of the substrate or inhibitor protons from the paramagnetic Mn(II) could be determined. The correlation time for all the pyruvate ternary and quaternary complexes was found to be 3.5 ± 1.2 x 10-9 s when determined from the T1:T2 ratio for the pyruvate resonance, and to be 2.7 x 10-9 s when determined from the frequency dependence of T1. The Mn(II) to pyruvate-proton distance of 8.2 ± 0.5 A is too large to accommodate a structure with direct Mn(II) coordination to pyruvate. The calculated distance is consistent with a structure in which the pyruvate is in the second coordination sphere of the Mn(II) bound to the enzyme. The correlation time for the ternary complex with the inhibitor, α-(dihydroxyphosphinylmethyl)acrylate, was found to be 1.0 x 10-9 s from the frequency dependence of T1. The distance from Mn(II), determined to be 5.3 A to the methylene protons, 6.5 A to one vinyl proton, and 6.2 A to the other vinyl proton, provides evidence that the ternary P-enolpyruvate analog complex involves coordination of the phosphinyl group to Mn(II) bound to the enzyme. Although binding experiments indicate that P-enolpyruvate and α-(dihydroxyphosphinylmethyl)acrylate compete for the same site on pyruvate kinase in the ternary complex, water proton relaxation rate data and EPR spectra show that the methylene analog of P-enolpyruvate forms a very different ternary complex than P-enolpyruvate. Consequently an extrapolation from the structure of the inhibitor complex to that of the substrate P-enolpyruvate is questionable.
Absence of glycosylation on cyanobacterial phycobilisome linker polypeptides and rhodophytan phycoerythrins.

Abstract The 27-, 30-, and 33-kDa rod linker polypeptides and the 75-kDa core linker of phycobilisomes from the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7942 have been reported to be glycoproteins with carbohydrate contents ranging from 3.2 to 18.8% and composed of N-acetylgalactosamine and glucose (H.C. Riethman, T.P. Mawhinney, and L.A. Sherman, J. Bacteriol. 170:2433-2440, 1988). Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7942 phycobilisomes were purified extensively, and the linker polypeptides were separated from the phycobiliproteins by precipitation in 1 M NaSCN. Upon hydrolysis, the linker fraction yielded 0.037% glucose and 0.015% galactosamine by weight and no other carbohydrate. Phycobilisome polypeptides separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate were subjected to various glycoprotein-specific staining procedures. Linker polypeptides showed very weak concanavalin A binding and no staining by the Schiff-periodate method or by a much more sensitive periodate oxidation-based method. These results indicated that the linker polypeptides are not glycosylated. An earlier report (T. Fujiwara, J. Biochem. 49:361-367, 1961) contended, on the basis of the isolation of sugar-containing peptic chromopeptides from Porphyra tenera R-phycoerythrin, that this red algal phycobiliprotein is a glycoprotein. Analysis of Gastroclonium coulteri R-phycoerythrin and Porphyridium cruentum B-phycoerythrin revealed only traces of carbohydrate in these two proteins, 0.36 and 0.14%, respectively. Results of glycoprotein staining of gels suggested that the carbohydrate in the R-phycoerythrin preparation is due to a glycoprotein contaminant and that neither red algal phycoerythrin is glycosylated.
Solid phase organic synthesis

Preface. 2--Aminothiazoles. Solid--Phase Mannich Reactions of a Resin--Immobilized Secondary Amine. Solid--Phase Synthesis of Ureas on Microtubes. Synthesis of p--Benzyloxybenzyl Chloride Resin. Solid--Phase Mannich Reactions of a Resin--Immobilized Alkyne. Solid--Phase Synthesis of Di--beta--Peptoids from Acrylate Resin: N--Acetyl--N--Benzyl--beta--Alaninly--N--Benzyl--beta--Alanine. Solid--Phase Synthesis of Benzoxazoles via Mitsunobu Reaction. N--Fmoc--Aminooxy--2--Chlorotrityl Polystyrene Resin for High Throughput Synthesis of Hydroxamic Acids. Facile Preparation of Chloromethylaryl Solid Supports. Preparation of Ameba Resin. An Efficient Solid Phase Synthetic Route to 1,3--Distributed 2,4 (1H, 3H)--Quinazolinediones Suitable for Combinatorial Synthesis. Backbone Amide Linker (Bal) Strategy for Solid--Phase Synthesis. The Allylsilyl Linker: Synthesis of Catalytic Binding of Alkenes and Alkynes to and Cleavage from Allyldimethylsilyl Polystyrene. Resin--Bound Isothiocyanates as Intermediates for the Solid--Phase Synthesis of Substituted Thiophenes. Author Index. Subject Index.
Black Women in Menopausal Transition

ABSTRACT Objective To describe the experience of menopausal symptoms of midlife Black women in the United States. Design Qualitative online forum using a feminist perspective. Setting Internet communities for midlife women and Blacks. Participants Twenty midlife Black women recruited using a quota sampling method. Methods A 6-month online forum was conducted with seven discussion topics on menopausal symptoms. The discussion topics were posted sequentially on the forum site, and the women posted messages at their convenience over 6 months. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results The identified themes were raised to be strong, accepting a natural aging process, silent and without knowledge, and our own experience. The women tried to be strong during their menopausal transitions while dealing with other important family matters. The women did not report their menopausal symptoms and were silent about or downplayed their symptoms, but many emphasized the importance of education about menopausal symptoms and highlighted their own lack of knowledge. These women generally did not talk about their symptoms because they believed that nobody except other Black midlife women could understand their menopausal experience. Conclusion Health care providers need to develop a mechanism to deliver the necessary knowledge about menopausal symptoms and management strategies to Black midlife women in their health care practices.
Job retention of medical clerical Job Training Partnership Act trainees in rural health care settings.

: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (cf. Crispell, 1990), the medical clerical field is one of the faster growing areas of employment. This paper reports on long-term employment of trainees involved in nontraditional medical clerical programs. These programs were funded by the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) and filled both the needs of the local rural health care facilities and the employment needs of unskilled youths and adults. These nontraditional students of low socioeconomic background and poor work history were successfully mainstreamed into university courses and consequently obtained productive employment. A follow-up study was conducted of 64 individuals who completed three different, one-year JTPA programs. The study investigated the following questions: Was the trainee currently employed? If so, was employment related to the training program, and were the quarterly salaries higher than minimum wage and previous salaries? How many different jobs were reported since training? Did the individual retain employment in a rural setting? The JTPA programs at Southern Illinois University included some innovative yet practical components that resulted in very high program completion rates, high initial placement, and a continuing pattern of long-term employment. These components included: emphasis on training for the most needed positions/jobs that matched university capabilities; the pursuit of higher starting salaries; informing participants of support services; training in job hunting and work readiness; using some individualized, competency-based instruction; establishing internship arrangements with prospective employers; and careful matching of the trainee to initial placement site with consideration of personality as well as skills.
Production of xylanase by streptomyees xylophagus nov. sp.

Die Xylanaseproduktion durch Streptomyces xylophagus nov. sp. wurde im Schu ttelkolben und in einem 14-Liter-Laborfermentor in diskontinuierlicher und in kontinuierlicher Kultur untersucht. Die maximale Enzymausbeute wurde auf 1%igem handelsu blichen Xylanmedium bei 30°C durch 7,5%ige u berimpfung einer 5 Tage alten Xylankultur erreicht, wobei dem Medium im Schu ttelkolben 0,8% und dem Submersfermentor 0,3% Bactopepton zugestzt wurden. Die maximale Xylanaseproduktion wurde bei pH 7,4 erreicht. Eine Hitzbehandlung bis zu 200°C wirkte sich nicht hemmend auf die Xylanaseproduktion aus. Die Gleichgewichtsparameter fu r die Zellmasse, losliches Protein und die Xylanaseaktivita t wurden in Abha ngigkeit der Verdu nnungsraten von 0,02 bis 0,04 h+1 bestimmt, wobei Xylan (wood gum xylan) als Kohlenstoffquelle diente. Die maximale Enzymaktivita t und Produktivita t von 7,2 X.U. (1 xylanase unit, X.U. ≙ 1 mg reduzierter Zucker, der aus 1 ml Enzym in 15 Minuten bei 50°C gebildet wird) und 0,194 X.U./h wurden bei einer Verdu nnungsrate von 0,027 h+1 beobachtet. Die maximale Zellkonzentration und Produktivita t von 7,2 g/l und 0,245 g/lh wurden bei einer Verdu nnungsrate von 0,34 h+1 beobachtet.
Metocurine kinetics in patients undergoing operations requiring cardiopulmonary bypass

Metocurine kinetics were determined in 10 patients undergoing operations requiring hypothermie cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and nine patients of similar age undergoing operations of similar duration but not requiring CPB. The metocurine dosage regimen was a bolus of 0.3 mg/kg given concomitantly with the commencement of an infusion at a rate of 0.04 mg/kg/hr; this regimen was designed to produce and maintain a plasma metocurine concentration associated with 95% depression of the twitch response. Metocurine kinetics were affected minimally by hypothermie CPB. The kinetic parameters including volumes of distribution at steady state of 0.35 L/kg and 0.34 L/kg and elimination clearances of 1.3 ml/min/kg and 1.1 ml/min/kg in the control and CPB groups, respectively, are in agreement with the results of others. Changes in neuromuscular blockade with the onset of CPB and the return to original blockade intensities with rewarming suggest a decreased sensitivity to the effects of metocurine at lower temperatures. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1987) 42, 576–581; doi:10.1038/clpt.1987.199
Radiobiology with heavy charged particles directed at radiotherapy

Abstract Work is beginning in the United States directed at the treatment of tumours other than those of pituitary and brain using range-modulated heavy charged particles. The biological effectiveness and the oxygen dependence of the mixed radiations in the treatment zone are being evaluated by studying the inactivation of human cells in three-dimensional cultures. Experimental depth-survival profiles are presented for range-modulated protons, helium ions, and oxygen ions. In the cases of oxygen and helium ions a decreased O 2 dependence and increased effectiveness are observed. The use of a flat dose profile in the treatment zone does not necessarily lead to a flat survival profile.
Significance of the banff borderline biopsy

In the Banff classification of kidney transplant pathology the "borderline changes" category falls short of a diagnosis of mild acute rejection, with the recommendation that no treatment is a possible clinical approach. We reviewed the clinical course of patients whose renal allograft biopsies showed "borderline changes" to determine how often these histologic findings actually represented acute rejection. Between January 1992 and June 1994, 351 biopsy specimens were obtained from 170 renal allografts and graded according to the Banff criteria. Eighty-one biopsy specimens were classified as "borderline changes" (23%). Of these, 59 had Banff scores of i1, t1, and vO; the remaining 22 had scores of i2, t1, and vO (i = interstitial infiltrate, t = tubulitis, and v = vasculitis). Medical record review showed that nearly all the "borderline" biopsies had been performed because of an elevated creatinine (Cr; 78 of 81 [96%]), with a mean increase of 1.1 +/- 0.1 mg/dL (+/- SE) over baseline. Most of the patients with "borderline changes" and elevated Cr were treated for acute rejection (61 of 78 [78%]); some with pulse steroids alone (29 of 61 [48%]), the rest with antilymphocyte antibody (32 of 61 [52%]). Among all 61 patients with "borderline" biopsies treated for rejection, 26 had a complete response (43%), 17 had a partial response (28%), and 18 had no response (30%). Interpretation of these changes in Cr, however, was confounded by intercurrent conditions in 28 of the patients. A group of 33 patients was therefore identified in whom a "borderline changes" biopsy was obtained, who were treated for rejection, and in whom all other identifiable causes of elevated Cr other than possible acute rejection had been systematically eliminated from consideration. In this group the mean Cr was 2.0 +/- 0.1 mg/dL at baseline, 3.3 +/- 0.2 mg/dL at the time of biopsy, and 2.2 +/- 0.1 mg/dL 1 month after treatment (P < 0.001 Cr at biopsy v Cr 1 month later). Among these 33 patients, 19 had a complete response (58%), 10 had a partial response (30%), and four had no response (12%). Therefore, the Cr in 88% of the patients in this group was lower 1 month after treatment for rejection than it was at the time of the biopsy. Follow-up biopsies were performed within 1 month of the "borderline" biopsy in 24 cases; these showed "borderline changes" (five of 24 [21%]), mild acute rejection (eight of 24 [33%]), or moderate to severe acute rejection (11 of 24 [46%]). We conclude that in the clinical setting of deteriorating renal graft function with mild elevation of serum Cr, the "borderline changes" biopsy frequently represents acute rejection. Antirejection treatment is therefore appropriate in the majority of cases. The reader should bear in mind that the current study is retrospective, with no control group. The risk of loosely interpreting these data is that some patients will be treated without due cause. Banff "borderline changes" should be used as part of an algorithm, but not the sole criterion, for therapeutic decision making.
Ionic polymer-metal composites as multifunctional materials

This paper presents a description and a set of experimental results on Ionic Polymer-Metal Composites (IPMC's) as dynamic sensors, transducers, and actuators. Strips of IPMC can exhibit large dynamic deformation if placed in a time-varying electric field of the order of 10's of volts/mm. Conversely, dynamic deformation and flexing of such ionic polymers produces dynamic electric fields that closely follow the form of the electric signal. The underlying principle of such a mechanoelectric effect in IPMC's can be explained by the linear irreversible thermodynamics in which ion and solvent transport are the fluxes and electric field and solvent pressure gradient are the forces. Important parameters include the material conductance and the solvent permeability. The dynamic sensing, transduction, and actuation responses of a strip of IPMC under an impact-type loading is also discussed. When a cantilever strip of IPMC is flipped, a damped oscillatory electric response is produced across a pair of electrodes placed at the cantilever of the strip, which is highly repeatable with a broad frequency range above 104 Hz. Such direct mechanoelectric responses of IMPC's are related to the endo-ionic mobility due to stresses imposed. Imposition of a finite solvent flux without allowing a current flux causes the material to create a certain conjugate electric field that can be dynamically monitored and measured. IPMC's are shown to be highly capacitive at low frequencies while they are highly resistive under high frequency excitations. IN a sending mode, IPMC strips can also sense chemical environments and humidity. These types of sensors/transducers/actuators conceivably can replace piezoresistive and piezoelectric sensors with just one sensor for broad ranges of frequencies.
I Hear a Rhapsody: A Reading of The Republic of Choice

Readers coming to another volume by Lawrence Friedman might well expect a tightly crafted legal history. But this book is quite different. It offers a sweeping account of the transformation of modern law, a synoptic overview of what is finally distinctive about our legal culture, even a broadbrushed portrait of Western individualism. It does so breathlessly, in prose style and velocity. It's sometimes an engaging read, sometimes a distressing one, but-and here's what really matters-never a persuasive one. Or, worse yet, when it is persuasive it's because of its poetic and ideological features, not any kind of rigorous analysis. The simple outlines of Friedman's story are told easily enough. Start with two historical discontinuities: Once upon a time, modernization made Western society a good deal more individualistic than it had been; then, between the 19th and 20th centuries, individualism changed dramatically. An older culture of discipline crumbled, only to be replaced with a narcissistic and freewheeling celebration of self-expression. These cultural shifts do not exist apart from the law. Presumably they are in part shaped by the law, but Friedman is far more interested in the sense in which legal culture reshapes the law itself. So central legal doctrines have obligingly turned out to be quite pliable, and courts and other lawmaking bodies have sculpted "the republic of choice," a polity taking the free choices of individuals as the ultimate source of legitimacy. That
WE‐E‐330D‐06: Conceptual Examination of Conformal, Transparent, Indirect Detection, Active Matrix Mammographic Imagers

Purpose: The recent development of techniques to create high‐quality amorphous silicon (a‐Si:H) at relatively low deposition temperatures enables the creation of active matrix arrays of thin‐film transistors(TFTs) on very thin, flexible plastic sheets, rather than on thick, rigid glass substrates. In this presentation, an examination of the potential advantages and theoretical performance of indirect detectionmammographicimagers based upon such arrays will be reported. Methods and Materials: Prototype active matrix arrays of thin‐film transistors based on low‐temperature a‐Si:H and deposited on plastic substrates have demonstrated TFT performance essentially equivalent to that of devices produced with conventional a‐Si:H. In addition, other prototype imagers have demonstrated that the incorporation of continuous photodiode structures can provide improved signal gain compared to arrays with discrete photodiodes at small pixel pitches. Techniques based on Monte Carlo simulations and cascaded systems analysis, parameterized by empirical information obtained from these early prototypes, have been employed to explore the performance of optimized imaging array designs operated under mammographicimaging conditions. Results: The excellent performance of transistors and photodiodes fabricated from low temperature a‐Si:H, coupled with the incorporation of continuous photodiode structures, provides good signal and noise characteristics, even for sub‐100 μm pitch designs. In addition, the flexibility and x‐ray transparency of a thin plastic substrate allows for the possibility of conforming the shape of the detector to an arc and to position the scinitillator (and opposing active matrix array circuits) on the opposite side of the substrate relative to the x‐ray source — leading to improvements in spatial resolution and DQE. Conclusion: Early investigations of the potential performance of indirect detection active matrix mammographicimagers based on low‐temperature a‐Si:H and fabricated on plastic substrates suggest that significant advantages would accrue from the development and implementation of such devices.
Secondary structure, orientation, oligomerization, and lipid interactions of the transmembrane domain of influenza hemagglutinin.

Influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA), the viral envelope glycoprotein that mediates fusion between the viral and cellular membranes, is a homotrimer of three subunits, each containing two disulfide-l...
Differential Stability of Lead Sulfide Nanoparticles Influences Biological Responses in Embryonic Zebrafish

As the number of nanoparticle-based products increase in the marketplace, there will be increased potential for human exposures to these engineered materials throughout the product life cycle. We currently lack sufficient data to understand or predict the inherent nanomaterial characteristics that drive nanomaterial–biological interactions and responses. In this study, we utilized the embryonic zebrafish (Danio rerio) model to investigate the importance of nanoparticle (NP) surface functionalization, in particular as it pertains to nanoparticle stability, on in vivo biological responses. This is a comparative study where two lead sulfide nanoparticles (PbS-NPs) with nearly identical core sizes, but functionalized with either sodium 3-mercaptopropanesulfonate (MT) or sodium 2,3-dimercaptopropanesulfonate (DT) ligand, were used. Developmental exposures and assessments revealed differential biological responses to these engineered nanoparticles. Exposures beginning at 6 h post fertilization (hpf) to MT-functionalized nanoparticles (PbS-MT) led to 100% mortality by 120 hpf while exposure to DT-functionalized nanoparticles (PbS-DT) produced less than a 5% incident in mortality at the same concentration. Exposure to the MT and DT ligands themselves did not produce adverse developmental effects when not coupled to the NP core. Following exposure, we confirmed that the embryos took up both PbS-MT and PbS-DT material using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The stability of the nanoparticles in the aqueous solution was also characterized. The nanoparticles decompose and precipitate upon exposure to air. Soluble lead ions were observed following nanoparticle precipitation and in greater concentration for the PbS-MT sample compared to the PbS-DT sample. These studies demonstrate that in vivo assessments can be effectively used to characterize the role of NP surface functionalization in predicting biological responses.
Determination of stoichiometry of radioiodination of proteins.

Abstract We present a simple method for determining the stoichiometry of three different proteins which had been radioiodinated using two different labeling agents. The method consists of developing a silica gel thin-layer chromatography plate containing an aliquot of the crude reaction mixture in ethanol and subsequently measuring the radioactivity at the origin. This procedure obviates the need for prior purification of the protein, requires less protein than most other methods, yields a precise stoichiometry, and is particularly useful for time-course studies. The method may be applied to the quantitative analysis of other macromolecules which have been derivatized by alcohol-soluble reagents.
DISTRIBUTION OF EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR |[lpar]|EGF|[rpar]| RECEPTORS|[lpar]|R|[rpar]| IN THE FETAL|[lpar]|F|[rpar]| GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT |[lpar]|GI|[rpar]|

Top of pageAbstract EGF stimulates mitosis and enzymatic function of GI. Regional differences of EGF R in F GI might clarify the role that EGF plays in GI maturation. Plasma membrane bound EGF R of the 27d. F rabbit stomach(S), jejunum(J), ileum(I) and colon(C) were isolated and characterized by protein con., % recovery, DNA and 5'-nucleotidase. Optimal binding of 125I-EGF was obtained at 37° C, and pH 7.45 after 45 min. of incubation. All Scatchard plots were linear. (All data ±SEM, DNS-displacement not seen) At 27d. there was very little EGF binding in the stomach while the highest density of EGF R was observed in the colon. EGF probably plays an important differential role in maturation of the fetal GI.