cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The occupational history in the primary care setting.

Abstract purpose: To assess the need for services in occupational medicine, we determined the prevalence of reported occupational exposures in patients seen in the primary care setting. In addition, we evaluated the validity of our survey instrument. patients and methods: All patients (n = 1,112) seen over a 3-month period of time in the Primary Care Clinic at the Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center were considered eligible for this study. A survey instrument was developed to obtain specific information regarding occupational exposures. The questionnaire was administered to 534 or 48% of all eligible patients. The validity of the survey instrument was evaluated by comparing chest radiographs in subjects with a history of exposure to asbestos, coal dust, or silica to those in patients who were not exposed to any of these agents. results: We found that almost 75% of the patients reported prior occupational exposure to at least one potentially toxic agent, and over 30% claimed exposure to at least four potentially toxic agents. The validation study indicated that the reported exposure history for asbestos, coal dust, and silica is significantly associated with anticipated changes on chest radiographs. These findings suggest that this easily administered survey instrument is valid for pneumoconiotic dust exposures and may also be valid for other potentially toxic exposures. conclusion: Data from our study indicate that patients seen in the ambulatory care setting may have clinically significant occupational exposures that are relevant to their medical condition.
Simple macroscopic theory of cyclotron maser instabilities

The stability of an annular layer of relativistic electrons, guided by a uniform magnetic field inside a circular waveguide, is analyzed using a fluid dynamical treatment. The simple theory presented here is aimed at providing some perspective of the cyclotron maser instability which traditionally has required an analysis in phase space. The same dispersion relationship is recovered from the macroscopic fluid model. Thus in addition to the usual interpretation in terms of phase bunching in the electronic motions, the cyclotron maser instability may also be regarded simply as a growing space-charge wave in a relativistic beam which is in sychronism with the surrounding structure, or as due to current bunching, or even as an instability of the shear flow of a rotating relativistic electron fluid. Such a variety of interpretations emerges because the cyclotron maser instability is recently identified as the negative mass instability in rotating relativistic beams. The ac space-charge effects are completely accounted for in the present study. The theory presented here follows closely the treatment of classical electron tubes, and is valid even for nonsynchronous interactions. The threshold beam voltage required for the onset of cyclotron maser instability may also be derived using the fluid dynamical approach. The effects of axial bunching are analyzed. This macroscopic theory may be applied to various geometrical configurations.
OH-Initiated Heterogeneous Oxidation of Internally-Mixed Squalane and Secondary Organic Aerosol

Recent work has established that secondary organic aerosol (SOA) can exist as an amorphous solid, leading to various suggestions that the addition of SOA coatings to existing particles will decrease the reactivity of those particles toward common atmospheric oxidants. Experimental evidence suggests that O3 is unable to physically diffuse through an exterior semisolid or solid layer thus inhibiting reaction with the core. The extent to which this suppression in reactivity occurs for OH has not been established, nor has this been demonstrated specifically for SOA. Here, measurements of the influence of adding a coating of α-pinene+O3 SOA onto squalane particles on the OH-initiated heterogeneous oxidation rate are reported. The chemical composition of the oxidized internally mixed particles was monitored online using a vacuum ultraviolet-aerosol mass spectrometer. Variations in the squalane oxidation rate with particle composition were quantified by measurement of the effective uptake coefficient, γeff, which is the loss rate of a species relative to the oxidant-particle collision rate. Instead of decreasing, the measured γeff increased continuously as the SOA coating thickness increased, by a factor of ∼2 for a SOA coating thickness of 42 nm (corresponding to ca. two-thirds of the particle mass). These results indicate that heterogeneous oxidation of ambient aerosol by OH radicals is not inhibited by SOA coatings, and further that condensed phase chemical pathways and rates in organic particles depend importantly on composition.
Perceptions of patients' self-efficacy for managing pain and lung cancer symptoms: correspondence between patients and family caregivers

This study examined the degree of correspondence between lung cancer patients and their family caregivers in their perceptions of the patients' self-efficacy for managing pain and other symptoms of lung cancer, and the association of this correspondence to demographic, disease, and psychosocial variables. Thirty patients who were newly diagnosed with lung cancer and their primary family caregivers completed telephone interviews assessing the patient's symptoms, the patient's self-efficacy for managing symptoms, the quality of the relationship between the patient and caregiver, patient and caregiver psychological distress, and caregiver strain. Although patients and their caregivers showed a moderate degree of agreement in their perceptions of the patient's self-efficacy for managing pain and other symptoms, there was considerable variability in the degree of congruence. Factors that contributed to lower levels of congruence included low patient-rated self-efficacy, female gender of the patient, high patient psychological distress, and high caregiver strain. Caregivers were about evenly split in their tendency to overestimate versus underestimate the patient's self-efficacy. A poorer quality of relationship between the caregiver and the patient (as rated by the patient), high levels of patient-rated symptoms, and high levels of caregiver strain were associated with caregivers overestimating patient self-efficacy.
On the computation of imaginary-time correlation functions beyond the ℏβ limit

Abstract The prevailing formalism for the computation of exact time correlation functions is imaginary time path integration followed by analytic continuation. This formalism is constrained to the fundamental imaginary-time interval [0, ℏβ] which vanishes in the classical limit. While going beyond the ℏβ limit may substantially increase the accuracy of the analytic continuation, it is beyond the reach of straightforward path integration, and, furthermore, it is impossible for systems and operators for which imaginary-time correlation functions do not exist for arbitrary times. To circumvent this problem, we propose evaluating the correlation functions of auxiliary operators whose existence is guaranteed for all imaginary times and from which the spectral densities of the operators of interest can be retrieved. To this end, we formulate a novel path integration method that treats exponentials of the squared Liouville operator. Initial numerical results, which give mixed indications regarding the feasibility of the method, are provided and discussed.
The Second International Symposium on the Developmental Aspects of Androgen Excess, Toronto, Canada, 20 June 2000.

Abstract Clinical hyperandrogenism, in particular polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), affects 4–7% of women of reproductive age, making it one of the most common human reproductive endocrinological abnormalities. However, our understanding of the developmental aspects of these disorders remains limited. The Second International Symposium on the Developmental Aspects of Androgen Excess (Toronto, Canada, 20 June 2000) was held with the purpose of fostering greater investigative communication, consensus and focus. It was felt that a better understanding of PCOS phenotypes was needed; that an aggressive attempt should be made to continue to expand the molecular genetic studies of the disorder; that research into the role and mechanism(s) underlying the associated defects in insulin action and signaling should be continued; that longitudinal studies, particularly those focusing on the role of intrauterine stress and malnutrition, and premature adrenarche, on the development of PCOS were warranted; and that an improved understanding of the molecular defects in steroidogenesis present in PCOS is needed.
Effect of fiber strength on the room temperature

To increase understanding of what controls SCS-6 SiC/Ti-24Al-11Nb (at. pct) composite strength, fibers of known strength were incorporated into composites and the effect of fiber strength variability on room temperature composite strength was investigated. Fiber was also etched out of a composite fabricated by the powder cloth technique, and the effect of the fabrication process on fiber strength was assessed. The strength of the composite was directly correlated with the strength of the as-received fiber. Fabrication by the powder cloth technique resulted in only a slight degradation of fiber strength. Examination of failed tensile specimens revealed periodic fiber cracks, and the failure mode was concluded to be cumulative.
Dairy Goat Management

Statistically significant published research into the nutritional and breeding management, behavior, and economics of milk production of dairy goats is sparse. Goat numbers in affluent Central Europe have declined greatly since World War II. In Mediterranean, African, Asian, and South American countries, dairy goats have considerable economic importance. New interest in dairy goats is developing in affluent societies because of special health and nutritive value attached to goat milk and goat milk products. The annual production of goat milk in the US is estimated at 350 million kg. Formulae and tables of nutrient requirements, sample feed rations, and land requirements for dairy goats are presented. Estimates of production costs and comparative economic advantages between cattle and goats are discussed. Salient work concerning breeding management of dairy goats is reviewed.
Characterization and Analysis of Early Enzymes for Petrobactin Biosynthesis in Bacillus anthracis

Recently, iron acquisition and, more specifically, enzymes involved in siderophore biosynthesis have become attractive targets for discovery of new antibiotics. Accordingly, targeted inhibition of the biosynthesis of petrobactin, a virulence-associated siderophore encoded by the asb locus in Bacillus anthracis, may hold promise as a potential therapy against anthrax. This study describes the biochemical characterization of AsbC, the first reported 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid-AMP ligase, and a key component in the biosynthesis of DHB-spermidine (DHB-SP), the first isolable intermediate in petrobactin biosynthesis. AsbC catalyzes adenylation to the corresponding AMP ester of the unusual precursor 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate, in addition to benzoate substrates bearing hydrogen bond-donating substituents at the para and meta positions on the phenyl ring. In a second reaction, AsbC catalyzes transfer of the activated starter unit to AsbD, an aryl carrier protein similar to acyl and peptidyl carrier proteins that function in fatty acid, polyketide, and nonribosomal peptide biosynthesis. A third protein, AsbE, is shown to be responsible for condensation of 3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl-AsbD with spermidine, providing the DHB-spermidine arms that are linked to citrate for assembly of petrobactin. On the basis of the selective substrate profile of AsbC, a nonhydrolyzable analogue of 3,4-DHB-AMP was synthesized and shown to effectively inhibit AsbC function in vitro.
Characterization of polyethyleneimine modified with organotin halides. Thermal, solubility, and fungal properties

Modified polyethyleneimine products are hydrophobic with products from monohalotin reactants soluble in HMPA, DMSO, CHCI3 and 2,4-pentanedione, while products from dihalotin reactants are insoluble in all solvents. Antifungal activity varies markedly with the nature of the tin moiety. For products from triphenyltin chloride, antifungal activity is widespread and suitable to about 40 ppb of the polymer, which is clearly acceptable for medical and industrial uses. Thus, such modified polymers can be used as retarders of fungi related rot and mildew. The products show moderate high-temperature stabilities.
The influence of grain size on the high cycle fatigue crack initiation of a metastable beta Ti alloy

A study is made of crack initiation under high cycle fatigue loading for the metastable beta alloy Ti-8 Mo-8V-2Fe-3Al, focusing on the influence of beta grain size. It was shown that cracks initiate and grow in the beta grain boundary by a void formation and coalescence process. Comparison of S-N fatigue curves for materials of different reduction and grain size suggests that beta grain size is very influential in determining fatigue strength of metastable beta Ti alloys. (SDF)
Soybean leaf consumption by Nomuraea rileyi (Fungi: Deuteromycotina)-infected Plathypena scabra (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae

Abstract To determine the impact of Nomuraea rileyi on consumption by the green cloverworm, Plathypena scabra , larvae were reared from eggs obtained from field-collected moths, inoculated with conidia, and placed individually in separate plastic vials with a piece of surface-sterilized soybean leaflet. No significant differences in consumption rates were found between N. rileyi -inoculated and control larvae until after 144 hr post-treatment. After this period, consumption by larvae inoculated as first, second, third, or fourth instars was significantly less than that of control larvae because of mortality. First or second instars inoculated with N. rileyi conidia had significantly longer subsequent stadia than did control larvae. The average LT 50 of all inoculated instar groups was 6.5 days, and there was little evidence of significantly different N. rileyi susceptibility among instar groups. In general during the N. rileyi infection period leading to their deaths, inoculated P. scabra larvae had consumption patterns that were very similar to those of healthy larvae.
In Whose Interest? Financial Surveillance and the Circuits of Exception in the War on Terror:

In this paper I argue that discourses of terrorism financing that emerged in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks encourage the practice of ethnic/religious profiling while categorically delegitimizing and criminalizing Muslim financial networks. In partnership with these discourses are legal and regulatory frameworks that alter accountability parameters for certain classifications of money. Surveillance and monitoring have become sufficiently nuanced, granting the everyday bureaucrat powers of differentiation so as to allow certain money to remain fully mobile while other money is subject to increased tracking and suspicion. The war on terrorism finance is queried as an appropriate tactic in the effort to combat terrorism. I discuss the various facets of the discursive associations forged between terrorism finance hawala wire-transfer services and Islamic charities. Drawing upon Judith Butler's notion of ‘deeming’, I make linkages between discursive associations, sovereignty, and contempor...
Imaging Supersonic Aircraft Shock Waves

A schlieren imaging system that uses the sun as a light source was developed it) obtain direct flow-field images of shock waves of aircraft in flight. This system was used to study how shock waves evolve to form sonic booms. The image quality obtained was limited by several optical and mechanical factors. Converting the photographs to digital images and applying digital image-processing techniques greatly improved the final quality of the images and more clearly showed the shock structures.
Risk of deep vein thrombosis in patients with cellulitis and erysipelas: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract Introduction The occurrence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is often considered in patients with cellulitis and erysipelas because of the common presentation of unilateral limb swelling, erythema and pain. Different authors however have reached different conclusions about the prevalence of DVT in these patients and for the need for compression ultrasound (CUS). The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of DVT in patients with cellulitis and erysipelas, and inform the utility of CUS. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted of Medline and Cochrane for studies that reported groups of patients with cellulitis or erysipelas who had CUS to evaluate for DVT. Study quality assessment was based on the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale for Cohort Studies. The incidence rates from the included studies were pooled using a random-effects model to calculate an overall DVT rate. Individual and pooled DVT rates with corresponding upper and lower limits were graphed as a forest plot. Between-study heterogeneity was estimated using the I 2 statistic. Results Nine studies were included totaling 1054 patients with cellulitis or erysipelas with 18 DVTs. The overall pooled incidence rate was 2.1% (95% confidence interval, 0.5%-9.1%) for proximal DVT and 3.1% (95% confidence interval, 1.9%-4.9%) for any DVT. When analyzed separately, the pooled incidence rate for the three retrospective studies was 1.1% (95% CI, 0.6%-2.2%), while the rate for the six prospective studies was 7.8% (95% CI, 4.2%-14.2%). Conclusion The risk of DVT in cellulitis and erysipelas is low compared to the average risk of patients referred for CUS and comparable to low risk patients as determined by the commonly employed Wells criteria.
THE COULOMB OPERATOR IN A GAUSSIAN PRODUCT BASIS

Abstract We discuss a scheme for Fock matrix evaluation in Hartree-Fock calculations that significantly reduces the work required to evaluate the Coulomb contributions. The method is based upon a representation of densities in terms of products of Gaussian basis functions, which are expanded in a new set of auxiliary Gaussians without further approximations by virtue of the Gaussian product theorem. The matrix elements of the Coulomb operator are then evaluated in the same auxiliary basis set, and all transformations to the final LCAO representation is done outside the innermost loops.
Nonprofit and for‐profit developers of subsidized rental housing: Comparative attributes and collaborative opportunities

Abstract This article presents background information on the growth, productivity, and unique focus of nonprofit housing producers and discusses the various government and private initiatives that support this sector. The article also explores the strengths and weaknesses of for‐profit and nonprofit organizations in developing and owning subsidized rental housing and questions the cost‐effectiveness of pursuing one strategy or the other and the long‐term viability of projects developed by each type of sponsor. Answers, however, are far from conclusive. Effective housing production and long‐term ownership of subsidized housing require the developer to address at least 12 broad areas of concern. In some, nonprofits appear to have the advantage, while in others, for‐profit developers generally have the edge. Nonprofits and for‐profits can join together in partnership arrangements, and some of the key requirements for such efforts are discussed. Recommendations for policy changes to enhance the role of nonpro...
A fault injection analysis of Linux operating on an FPGA-embedded platform

An FPGA-based Linux test-bed was constructed for the purpose of measuring its sensitivity to single-event upsets. The test-bed consists of two ML410 Xilinx development boards connected using a 124-pin custom connector board. The Design Under Test (DUT) consists of the "hard core" PowerPC, running the Linux OS and several peripherals implemented in "soft" (programmable) logic. Faults were injected via the Internal Configuration Access Port (ICAP). The experiments performed here demonstrate that the Linux-based system was sensitive to 199,584 or about 1.4 percent of all tested bits. Each sensitive bit in the bit-stream is mapped to the resource and user-module to which it configures. A density metric for comparing the reliability of modules within the system is presented. Using this density metric, we found that the most sensitive user module in the design was the PowerPC's direct connections to the DDR2 memory controller.
Dominance and aggression in social groups of male and female rats.

Two experiments were performed to examine aggression and dominance in domestic male and female Rattus norvegicus living in small mixed-sex (3 males and 3 females) groups. Experiment 1 examined the development of aggression in females. A single female (alpha) within each of the six colonies tested showed the preponderance of attacks on male intruders placed into the home-cage when male colony residents were absent. Over 12 weeks of intruder-aggression training female alphas showed only a mild nonsignificant elevation of aggressive behavior. A comparison of aggression of male and female colony alphas tested with opponents of each sex revealed that aggression was mainly directed at like-sex opponents, and that female attack was more defensive in character than male attack regardless of opponent sex. The highest intensity of aggression occurred when male alphas confronted male intruders. Although intruders never showed offense toward male residents, 61% of intruding males showed offense in response to attack by females. Experiment 2 investigated the relationship between aggressive dominance and competitive measures of dominance within each of 10 mixed-sex colonies. Alpha stat s of male and female colony residents did not reliably predict priority of access to food or water in tests of direct resource competition with like-sex colony members. When colony males were simultaneously tested for copulation, the copulatory behavior of alpha males was significantly greater than that of other colony males. Results are discussed in relation to the role of aggression in the reproductive strategy of male and female Rattus norvegicus .
Race/Ethnic Difference in Diabetes and Diabetic Complications

Health disparities in diabetes and its complications and comorbidities exist globally. A recent Endocrine Society Scientific Statement described the Health Disparities in several endocrine disorders, including type 2 diabetes. In this review, we summarize that statement and provide novel updates on race/ethnic differences in children and adults with type 1 diabetes, children with type 2 diabetes, and in Latino subpopulations. We also review race/ethnic differences in the epidemiology of diabetes, prediabetes, and diabetes complications and mortality in the United States and globally. Finally, we discuss biological, behavioral, social, environmental, and health system contributors to diabetes disparities to identify areas for future preventive interventions.
Plasmacytoma. Treatment results and conversion to myeloma

Forty-six cases of solitary plasmacytoma were reviewed for response to radiation and progression to multiple myeloma. Cases were classified as solitary plasmacytomas of bone (SPB) (32 cases) or extramedullary plasmacytomas (EP) (14 cases). There was an overall 93% response rate of the tumor to radiation therapy: 62% had a complete response after radiation therapy, whereas 31% had a partial response. Conversion to multiple myeloma was influenced by the type of plasmacytoma; 53% of the patients with SPB converting to myeloma versus 36% of the patients with EP. Time from diagnosis to conversion for patients with SPB showed no evidence of plateau, with conversion continuing to occur even after 17 years. The median survival time for patients after conversion to myeloma was 14.5 months and was not affected by time to conversion. Serum protein level, presence of monoclonal gammopathy, and size of primary lesion were of some prognostic significance in predicting conversion to myeloma. Adjuvant chemotherapy did not affect the incidence of conversion but did appear to delay conversion to myeloma. Seven patients in whom multiple sequential solitary plasmacytomas developed formed a distinct subset, with a median time to a second plasmacytoma of 63 months. In three of these patients, conversion to myeloma occurred subsequently. This study supports the idea of EP having a lower incidence of conversion to myeloma and a different natural history from SPB, with SPB likely to be multiple myeloma in evolution.
The Lawyer and the Law Professor as Public Private Citizen

When the first comprehensive biography of Justice Louis D. Brandeis was published in 1946,' some enthusiastic reviewers declared that it should be required reading for all law students.2 These exhortations probably reflected, at least in part, the often-expressed view that our nation's legal history can be gleaned from the biographies of our leading Supreme Court justices.3 Louis Brandeis, who sat on the Supreme Court from 1916 to 1939, and Felix Frankfurter, who sat from 1939 to 1961, are generally ranked among the greatest Supreme Court justices.4 Consequently, both biographies reviewed here provide much information about twentieth-century United States legal history
Stress transfer from polymerization shrinkage of a chemical-cured composite bonded to a pre-cast composite substrate.

Abstract Objectives : (1) To develop and test a strain gauge-based method for evaluating the strain transferred through a bonded interface to a deformable substrate; and (2) to develop and test a finite element (FE) model for evaluating the stress development in a chemical-cured composite during polymerization. Methods : A generic light-cured resin composite was used to fabricate a rectangular plate with an internal slot filled with a chemical-cured composite. Strain gauges on the surface of the composite in the channel and on the plate adjacent to the channel-plate interface were used to record strain continuously up to 500 s after mixing the composite paste. A quadrant three-dimensional (3D) finite element model used strains measured on the channel to simulate the experimental conditions. The model was used to estimate stresses in the channel and at the bonded interface. Results : Strain in the plate reached a plateau 200 s after mixing the composite. Strain of the composite paste in the channel continued to rise with time but at a steadily decreasing rate. Maximum principal stress predicted by the FE model on top of the plate, on top of the channel and within the channel was 5.12 MPa, 3.78 MPa, and 5.26 MPa, respectively. Significance : Stresses were effectively transferred through the bonded interface in this test configuration, and results were in close agreement with previously reported literature values for polymerization contraction stresses generated in composite configurations with similar bonded to unbonded surface ratios.
IV.—Principal Characters of American Cretaceous Pterodactyls

The first remains of Pterodactyls discovered in this country were found by the writer, in the autumn of 1870, near the Smoky Hill River, in Western Kansas. These belonged to a gigantic species, which was described by the writer in 1871, and is now known as Pteranodon occidentalis. The geological horizon of these fossils was in the Middle Cretaceous, in the same deposits that contain the Odontornithes, or Birds with teeth. In the following year, additional specimens were secured by the writer in the same region, and referred to two new species of the same genus
Effects of television on children and adolescents

The average child born today will, by age 15, have spent more time watching television than going to school. Research has shown that heavy doses of TV violence viewing are associated with the development of aggressive attitudes and behavior. TV viewing also appears to cultivate stereotypic views of gender roles and race. Finally, television commercials often capitalize on children's naivete, and also can foster and reinforce overly materialistic attitudes. All of these adverse effects can be minimized if parents restrict the amount of overall viewing, encourage some programs and discourage others, and talk to children frequently about the meaning of what they see on television.
Repeatability of measurements of small mammalian fossils with an industrial measuring microscope

ABSTRACT Five small (<2.5 mm), morphologically complex mammalian teeth were measured repeatedly (10 measurers, 2 dimensions per tooth, 1 daily measuring session repeated over 10 days, to accuracy of 0.01 mm) using a “Shopscope” measuring microscope. The experiment was designed to show, within and among measurers: (1) the ranges of variation that may be expected; and (2) the primary components of observed variation. Variations in repeated measurements consistently were very low (for lumped samples, N = 100: 80% of time SEX was 0.002 mm or less; mean of SD = 0.019 mm), even though specimens were reoriented before each trial and several participants had no prior experience with the instrument. A randomized, complete block design (with repeated measures on blocks) analysis of variance showed that, in 8 of the 10 required length and width measurements, the component of intrameasurer variation explained a larger part of total variance than did the component of intermeasurer variation. Assuming that unambiguous ...
Landau gauge within the Gribov horizon.

We consider a model which effectively restricts the functional integral of Yang-Mills theories to the fundamental modular region. Using algebraic arguments, we prove that this theory has the same divergences as the ordinary Yang-Mills theory in the Landau gauge and that it is unitary. The restriction of the functional integral is interpreted as a kind of spontaneous breakdown of the BRS symmetry.
Efficacy of a Polyvalent Inactivated-virus Vaccine in Protecting Mice from Infection with Clinical Strains of Group B Coxsackieviruses

A polyvalent vaccine developed from formalin-inactivated prototype strains of coxsackieviruses group B1-6 was tested for its ability to protect mice from acute infection with clinical strains. Adolescent male CD1 mice received an intraperitoneal injection, repeated once or twice at 8 day intervals, containing 0.3 ml placebo or vaccine. Eight days after the final dose of vaccine, groups of 4 mice were challenged with 1 x 10(4) plaque-forming units of a test strain of group B coxsackievirus, and killed 3 days later. The mean neutralizing antibody titers for the 29 strains tested (4 mice/strain, log2) were 2.2 +/- 0.6, 3.3 +/- 0.9 or 6.4 +/- 1.7 after 1, 2 or 3 doses of vaccine, respectively. In mice receiving 2 or 3 doses of vaccine, titers of virus were significantly lower in the pancreas and/or blood in 7/14 or 14/15 strains, respectively, compared to unvaccinated infected controls. Uninfected, vaccinated mice failed to develop islet cell autoantibodies, histopathological abnormalities in the pancreas, or evidence of viral RNA in the pancreas 12 weeks after 3 doses of vaccine. Thus, prophylaxis with a polyvalent, inactivated-virus vaccine reduced the severity of acute infection with clinical strains of coxsackie group B viruses. A schedule of 3 doses of vaccine was superior to 1 or 2 doses.
Some Thoughts on Conservation, Biodiversity, Museums, Molecular Characters, Systematics, and Basic Research

Conservation biology and molecular genetics are two of the most dynamic and rapidly expanding fields of science. Both fields are complex and interact with many issues that are not only important to mammalogy, but to society in general. Several such issues are addressed including the use of genetic markers in conservation programs, the use of phylogenetic theory and molecular markers in understanding the epidemiology of hantavirus and human immunodeficiency virus, the value of museum collections to society, and techniques that improve the field collection of DNA samples from voucher specimens.
Dual-level transmission line model for current flow in metal-semiconductor contacts

Parasitic resistance in the metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor becomes increasingly important as design rules shrink. The majority of this resistance arises from the contact resistance of the metal-semiconductor interface and the resistance of the semiconductor source and drain regions. The most popular method for deriving current flow in this region is the transmission line model. Though this model has proven quite useful, the severe restriction of one-dimensional current flow will introduce errors in some situations. We formulate and solve a more sophisticated dual-level transmission line model in which we incorporate to first order the two-dimensional nature of the current flow. We discuss this model in terms of an enhancement to the transmission line model and present a detailed comparison of the two models. We find that the dual-level transmission line model produces significant (12 percent) corrections to the transmission line model with source resistivity and thickness and specific contact resistivity typical of 1-µm design rule technologies.
Medical care use by mexican-americans: Evidence from the human population laboratory studies

Data are presented from sample surveys conducted in 1974 (N = 3,119) and 1975 (N = 657) in Alameda County, California, by the Human Population Laboratory. Mexican-Americans are compared to Anglos and blacks in terms of physician visits, dental examinations, general physical examinations, and eye examinations. Comparison of crude percentages indicates that there is very little ethnic variation in either sample regarding regular source of medical care or health insurance coverage, although the trend is for fewer Chicanos to have such coverage. In terms of physician visits, there is little difference between Anglos and Chicanos. By contrast, fewer Chicanos and blacks report dental examinations in the past year (Chicanos have the lowest rate). Fewer Chicanos report a general medical examination in the past year and more report never having had a medical checkup. Likewise, more Chicanos report never having an eye examination while relatively fewer report such an exam in the past year. Controlling for the effects of age, sex, education, family income, health insurance, regular source of care, physical health status and perceived health reduces differences in rate of physician visits among the ethnic groups, primarily by reducing the rate for blacks and increasing the rate for Chicanos. Likewise, adjustment for all 8 factors reduces ethnic differences in general medical examination rates, in this case by increasing the rates for the minority groups. Adjustment reduces the ethnic differences in dental examination rates by increasing the minority group rates, but large differences still remain. For eye examinations, adjustment has little effect on the rates for Anglos and blacks, but substantially increases the rate for Chicanos. For all 4 types of medical care behavior, controlling for the effects of education and family income (so-called inequitable reasons for lower access to care) consistently produces the greatest effect, particularly for Chicanos. In each case, the effect is to create greater parity between Chicanos and Anglos by increasing the utilization rate for Chicanos. However, even after adjustment, the rate for Chicanos remains lower.
Atoms, optics, and molecules on chips

We discuss the realization of atomic, molecular and optical physics experiments using microfabricated "chip" structures. We focus in particular on the potential for trapping ultra-cold polar molecules using such chip devices and consider the feasibility of several designs and applications.
Continuing Medical Education on the Internet: State of the Art.

The Internet is a powerful communication tool. It offers new and novel ways to provide continuing medical education (CME) to health care professionals. However, it is not yet clear whether universities and university medical schools are using this new technology. Also, few standards exist for controlling and measuring content quality on the Internet. To address these issues, 205 different Internet host computers offering CME information were identified using standard Internet search engines. These sites were then reviewed by examining their sponsoring organization, type of information, and quality with respect to proposed standards for quality control. University-sponsored Internet sites most frequently provided CME information, followed by commercial sites. However, most university-sponsored sites offered only schedule information for traditional CME courses: twice the percentage of commercial sites offered on-line CME compared to university sites. Thus, more commercial sites than university sites offer on-line CME content. Between 60% and 80% of sites offering on-line CME meet proposed standards for quality control, and only 10% provide any information on content peer review. University sites performed somewhat better than commercial sites in meeting these standards. As of 1998, universities may be losing their traditional leadership in CME using the new Internet medium. Many sites offering on-line CME also do not meet minimal standards for quality control. Universities need to reassert their traditional strengths by providing CME in this new medium, and quality standards need to be applied to all CME material on the Internet.
Neurotensin: dual roles in psychostimulant and antipsychotic drug responses.

Abstract Central administration of neurotensin (NT) results in a variety of neurobehavioral effects which, depending upon the administration site, resemble the effects of antipsychotic drugs (APDs) and psychostimulants. All clinically effective APDs exhibit significant affinities for dopamine D 2 receptors, supporting the hypothesis that an increase in dopaminergic tone contributes to schizophrenic symptoms. Psychostimulants increase extracellular dopamine (DA) levels and chronics administration can produce psychotic symptoms over time. APDs and psychostimulants induce Fos and NT expression in distinct striatal subregions, suggesting that changes in gene expression underlie some of their effects. To gain insight into the functions of NT, we analyzed APD and psychostimulant induction of Fos in NT knockout mice and rats pretreated with the NT antagonist SR 48692. In both NT knockout mice and rats pretreated with SR 48692, haloperidol-induced Fos expression was markedly attenuated in the dorsolateral striatum; amphetamine-induced Fos expression was reduced in the medial striatum. These results indicate that NT is required for the activation of specific subpopulations of striatal neurons in distinct striatal subregions in response to both APDs and psychostimulants. This review integrates these new findings with previous evidence implicating NT in both APD and psychostimulant responses.
Exploring weighted student formulas as a policy for improving equity for distributing resources to schools: A case study of two California school districts

Abstract This paper presents a case study of two California school districts, San Francisco and Oakland, each of which have implemented their own versions of what is popularly known as a weighted student formula (WSF). One primary goal of the WSF policy is to increase the equity with which resources are distributed to schools. With respect to equity, the findings suggest that for particular schooling levels per-pupil spending became more responsive to student poverty and that the increase in responsiveness appears to have coincided with implementation of the WSF in the two districts. Moreover, each district relies on a different mechanism for driving resources to the schools: San Francisco relying to a greater degree on the unrestricted funds, while Oakland relies more heavily on restricted sources which, as directed by law, drive dollars to special need populations. Interestingly, neither district exhibited any significant change in the distribution of teacher experience after implementation of their SBF models; schools serving the highest proportion of students from low-income families continued to employ teachers with the least experience after implementation of the SBF models. While an additional goal of WSF was to drive more resources down to the school level to be spent, our analysis found little substantial change in the proportion of resources expended at the school versus the district level.
Solution structure of a post-transition state analog of the phosphotransfer reaction between the A and B cytoplasmic domains of the mannitol transporter IIMannitol of the Escherichia coli phosphotransferase system.

Abstract The solution structure of the post-transition state complex between the isolated cytoplasmic A (IIAMtl) and phosphorylated B (phospho-IIBMtl) domains of the mannitol transporter of the Escherichia coli phosphotransferase system has been solved by NMR. The active site His-554 of IIAMtl was mutated to glutamine to block phosphoryl transfer activity, and the active site Cys-384 of IIBMtl (residues of IIBMtl are denoted in italic type) was substituted by serine to permit the formation of a stable phosphorylated form of IIBMtl. The two complementary interaction surfaces are predominantly hydrophobic, and two methionines on IIBMtl, Met-388 and Met-393, serve as anchors by interacting with two deep pockets on the surface of IIAMtl. With the exception of a salt bridge between the conserved Arg-538 of IIAMtl and the phosphoryl group of phospho-IIBMtl, electrostatic interactions between the two proteins are limited to the outer edges of the interface, are few in number, and appear to be weak. This accounts for the low affinity of the complex (Kd ∼ 3.7 mm), which is optimally tuned to the intact biological system in which the A and B domains are expressed as a single polypeptide connected by a flexible 21-residue linker. The phosphoryl transition state can readily be modeled with no change in protein-protein orientation and minimal perturbations in both the backbone immediately adjacent to His-554 and Cys-384 and the side chains in close proximity to the phosphoryl group. Comparison with the previously solved structure of the IIAMtl-HPr complex reveals how IIAMtl uses the same interaction surface to recognize two structurally unrelated proteins and explains the much higher affinity of IIAMtl for HPr than IIBMtl
Voltage-probe-position dependence and magnetic-flux contribution to the measured voltage in ac tansport measurements: Which measuring circuit determines the real losses?

The voltage V ab measured between two voltage taps a and b during magnetic flux transport in a type-II superconductor carrying current I is the sum of two contributions, the line integral from a to b of the electric field along an arbitrary path C s through the superconductor and a term proportional to the time rate of change of magnetic flux thrugh the area bounded by the path C s and the measuring circuit leads. When the current I(t) is oscillating with time t, the apparent ac loss (the time average of the product IV ab) depends upon the measuring circuit used. Only when the measuring-circuit leads are brought out far from the surface does the apparent power dissipation approach the real (or true) ac loss associated with the length of sample probed. Calculations showing comparisons between the apparent and real ac losses in a flat strip of rectangular cross section will be presented, showing the behavior as a function of the measuring-circuit, dmensions. Corresponding calculations also are presented for a sample of elliptical cross section.
Design of Compliant Mechanisms: Applications to MEMS

Compliant mechanisms are single-piece flexible structures that deliver the desired motion by undergoing elastic deformation as opposed to jointed rigid body motions of conventional mechanisms. Compliance in design leads to jointless, no-assembly (Fig. 1), monolithic mechanical devices and is particularly suited for applications with small range of motions. The compliant windshield wiper shown in Fig. 1 illustrates this paradigm of no-assembly. Conventional flexural mechanisms employ flexural joints that connect relatively rigid links as depicted in Fig. 2. Reduced fatigue life, high stress concentration and difficulty in fabrication are some of the drawbacks of flexural joints. Our focus is on designing compliant mechanisms with distributed compliance which employs flexural links (see Fig. 3) and have no joints (neither pin nor flexural joints) for improved reliability, performance, and ease of manufacture. Distributed compliant mechanisms derive their flexibility due to topology and shape of the material continuum rather than concentrated flexion at few regions. This paper focuses on the unique methodology employed to design jointless mechanisms with distributed compliance. The paper also illustrates a compliant stroke amplification mechanism that was recently designed, fabricated and tested for MEMS application.
Determinants of Growth during Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analog Therapy for Precocious Puberty

In children with precocious puberty (PP), treatment with GnRH analogs (GnRHa) often decreases height velocity below normal. Based on previous animal studies, we hypothesized that this impaired growth is due to excessive advancement in growth plate senescence induced by the prior estrogen exposure. This hypothesis predicts that the height velocity during treatment will be inversely related to the severity of prior estrogen exposure. We analyzed data from 100 girls (age, 5.8 +/- 2.1 yr; mean +/- SD) with central PP who were treated with GnRHa. During GnRHa therapy, height velocity was low for age (-1.6 +/- 1.7 SD score; mean +/- SD). The absolute height velocity correlated most strongly with the bone age (BA), which we used as a surrogate marker for growth plate senescence (r = -0.727, P < 0.001). The severity of the growth abnormality (height velocity SD score for age) correlated inversely with markers of the severity of prior estrogen exposure, including duration of PP (r = -0.375, P < 0.001), Tanner breast stage (r = -0.220, P < 0.05), and BA advancement (r = -0.283, P < 0.01). Stepwise regression confirmed that BA was the best independent predictor of growth during GnRHa therapy. The findings are consistent with our hypothesis that impaired growth during GnRHa therapy is due, at least in part, to premature growth plate senescence induced by the prior estrogen exposure.
Guides for hypertext: an overview

As biomedical hypertexts have grown in popularity and size, interest in navigational aids has led to the widespread use of the terms 'guides' and 'agents' as descriptors for a wide range of computer programs designed to ensure the efficient and selective retrieval of information. At one extreme, these terms are used to denote simple paths through a body of information. At another extreme, the terms are used to emphasize a profound shift in emphasis from retrieval programs that execute on the basis of user commands to programs that guide through characterization of user needs. This review proposes a simple taxonomy for hypertext-based information retrieval 'guides' and presents a broad overview of research relevant to this topic.