cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical genotyping: The need for interrogation of single nucleotide polymorphisms and mutations in the clinical laboratory

Abstract Background Detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and gene mutations is becoming more routine to the clinical laboratory. Methods Completion of the Human Genome Project has led to new scientific knowledge of human disease processes that has revealed the most fundamental of abnormalities in nucleic acids while at the same time bringing some of the most sophisticated diagnostic tools to the clinical laboratory. In addition, public awareness (both lay persons and healthcare providers) and sensitivity to human genetics has increased tremendously. Together, this rapidly evolving science and increased public education has led to an increasing demand for genotypic testing. Conclusions There are several clinical applications of human genotyping that are available using these newer technologies.
Compositional studies of human RPE lipofuscin: mechanisms of molecular modifications.

The accumulation of lipofuscin has previously been implicated in several retinal diseases including Best's macular dystrophy, Stargardt's disease and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Previously one of the major fluorophores of lipofuscin was identified as a bis-retinoid pyridinium salt called A2E, which is known to photochemically cause damage. In addition to A2E, there are numerous components in RPE lipofuscin that are unidentified. These compounds were determined to be structurally related to A2E by their fragmentation pattern with losses of 106, 190, 174 and/or 150 amu from the parent ion and the formation of fragments of ca 592 amu. The vast majority consists of relatively hydrophobic components corresponding to derivatized A2E with molecular weights in discrete groups of 800–900, 970–1080 and > 1200 m/z regions. In order to determine the mechanism of these modifications, A2E was chemically modified by; (1) the formation of specific esters, (2) reaction with specific aldehydes and (3) spontaneous auto-oxidation. The contribution of ester formation to the naturally occurring components of lipofuscin was discounted since their fragmentation patterns were different to those found in vivo. Alternatively, reactions with specific aldehydes result in nearly identical products as those found in vivo. Artificial aging of RPE lipofuscin gives a complex mixture of structurally related components. This results from the auto- and/or photooxidation of A2E to form aldehydes, which then back react with A2E giving a series of higher molecular weight products. The majority of these modifications result in compounds that are much more hydrophobic than A2E. These higher molecular weight materials have increased values of log P compared to A2E. This increase in hydrophobicity most likely aids in the sequestering of A2E into granules with the concomitant diminution of its reactivity. Therefore, these processes may serve as protective mechanisms for the RPE. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characteristics of Oxygen Precipitation in Silicon Wafers Preannealed at 723K

We investigated phenomena of oxygen precipitation in silicon single crystals by two kinds of thermal treatment, supposing a CMOS fabrication process. The one consisted of the first annealing at 1123K for 4 hrs and the second annealing at 1423K for 16 hrs. The other one consisted of the annealing at 1273K for 4 hrs and the second annealing at 1423K for 13 hrs. In the results, a single-step preannealing at 723K for 2 hrs was effective for the oxygen precipitation by the former process and nonuniform distribution profiles along crystal growth axis were well improved, however, insufficiently improved against the latter process. We considered a two-step preannealing process consisting of the first annealing at 723K for 2 hrs and the second annealing at 923K for 2 hrs. This new process was effective for the oxygen precipitation by the latter process. Especially, we could obtain uniform distribution profiles of oxygen precipitation along a crystal growth axis.
Small-signal modeling of variable-frequency pulsewidth modulators

Small-signal linear models are presented for variable-frequency constant on-time and variable-frequency constant off-time pulsewidth modulators. Both modulation methods are shown to have leading phase characteristics and nonlinear amplitude responses. The analytical results are validated by numerical simulation results and compared with previously published empirical models. The models are intended for use in analysis and control design of pulsewidth modulated switching power converters.
Planning reunification: the planning history of the fall of the Berlin Wall

This article looks at the history of plans for the reuse of the zone of land left vacant by the fall of the Berlin Wall. This strip and its redevelopment offer a window on the complex planning processes and issues that have been animating the city as a whole for the past fifteen years. In the main, plans developed since 1989 took a restorative approach, aimed at establishing continuity with the pre‐Wall character of sites and ground plans. More recently, however, a maverick view, which urged an ahistorical solution in the form of a greenbelt, merged with the desire to preserve the historical memory of the Wall. The result of this synthesis is a second layer of development that challenges the authority of the conventional planning process. The article sets analysis of post‐reunification planning documents within the context of post‐war planning experiences to gain insight into how planning in East and West Berlin contributed to recent developments.
Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in the determination of brain death.

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography was used to perform multiple examinations of 24 patients who sustained cranial injuries, 23 of whom progressed to death. In the 20 of these 23 patients for whom an adequate TCD signal could be obtained, a characteristic reverberating wave form pattern was o
Adsorption and active transport.

On demontre l'identite formelle de l'equation de Langmuir (pour l'adsorption) et de celle de Michaelis-Menten, toutes deux fondees sur la loi de «mass action». Cette demonstration justifie la vue d'apres laquelle l'accumulation des ions par les cellules vivantes selon la loi de Michaelis-Menten represente une liaison d'adsorption au niveau intracellulaire. Les centres d'adsorption, qui peuvent etre inactives par divers poisons chimiques, dependraient du metabolisme de la cellule. Cette conception offre une alternative a l'hypothese du «carrier» qui a ete souvent postulee.
Use of Biologics in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Current and Emerging Paradigms of Care

Abstract Background Improved understanding of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis has led to the development of new biologic treatments that target specific elements of RA inflammatory response. Objective Our aim was to provide a comprehensive review of biologic therapies currently used for the treatment of RA. Methods A search of MEDLINE (up to October 2010) was conducted. Preference for article inclusion was given to English language meta-analyses and large, Phase III, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of biologic treatments in patients with RA. Results In large RCTs, significantly more patients treated with tumor necrosis factor–α (TNF-α) antagonists (as monotherapy, or as an adjunct to methotrexate) versus controls (35%–67% vs 9%–33% of patients; P ≤ 0.01) achieved an American College of Rheumatology 20 response as a primary study end point. However, safety concerns—especially the potential for serious infections and malignancy—remain for TNF-α blockade. For example, 1 meta-analysis (>5000 patients) reported a 2-fold increase (95% CI, 1.3–3.1) in the risk of serious infections and a 3.3-fold increase (95% CI, 1.2–9.1) in the risk of malignancy. Abatacept and rituximab (given in combination with methotrexate) may be useful clinical alternatives for RA patients with an inadequate response to TNF-α antagonists. These agents do not appear to increase the risk of serious infections (OR, 1.35–1.45; 95% CI, 0.56–3.73), although rituximab may rarely cause progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (0.4 cases per 100,000 hospitalizations). Conclusions Over the last decade, targeted biologic agents have transformed RA treatment. Although relatively expensive in the short term, the direct costs of these biologics may be offset by slowed disease progression and significant improvements in RA symptoms, physical function, and quality of life.
Inexperienced banks and interstate mergers

Abstract This paper implements an event study, operational performance study, and a financial market accuracy study with respect to interstate bank mergers in general and interstate mergers vis-a-vis the Riegle–Neal Interstate Banking Act. The focus is on banks inexperienced in the merger process. Through the use of a GARCH-M event study model our results show that interstate mergers have been positively received by financial markets with respect to stock price reactions. Also, these banks appear to be less profitable after their merger post-IBBEA. Lastly, the financial markets seem to have difficulty accurately predicting subsequent performance successes/failures of such mergers.
Per-survivor based detection of DPSK modulated high rate turbo codes over Rayleigh fading channels

We investigate the performance of a new method for implementing high rate turbo codes over complex fading channels with unknown states. The proposed system features the serial concatenation of an outer punctured turbo code and an inner accumulator separated by a nonuniform interleaver. Per-survivor based a posteriori probability (APP) demodulation and turbo processing are applied to achieve iterative channel estimation and decoding under unknown channel states.
An improved, high-throughput method for detection of bluetongue virus RNA in Culicoides midges utilizing infrared-dye-labeled primers for reverse transcriptase PCR

A new rapid (less than 6 h from insect-to-results) high-throughput assay that is sensitive and specific for detecting BTV RNA in Culicoides biting midges is reported. Homogenization and extraction of nucleic acids from individual Culicoides specimens were performed in a 96-well plate format using specialized beads in a homogenization buffer compatible with cell culture and RNA extraction. A portion of homogenate (10%) from each specimen was retained for confirmatory infectious virus isolation, while the remaining 90% was used for RNA extraction. The RNA was used in a single step reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) reaction with infrared (IR)-dye-labeled primers. The RT-PCR products were visualized in agarose gels with an infrared scanner. The adaptation of IR-dye-labeled primers in combination with a one step RT-PCR resulted in a detection limit of 0.5 pfu of purified BTV RNA. All 24 serotypes of BTV prototype strains and none of the 8 serotypes of the closely related epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) prototype strains were detected.
Effect of weight restoration on the dyslipoproteinemia of anorexia nervosa.

Abstract Dyslipoproteinemia, a risk factor for atherosclerosis, has been described in anorexia nervosa (AN). To assess whether dyslipoproteinemia is present in our AN population, and to investigate the effect of controlled refeeding, we prospectively examined lipid profiles in 16 hospitalized adolescents with anorexia nervosa on admission and at discharge with a body weight of 90% of ideal. Healthy high school females served as controls. Total cholesterol concentration was not different from controls at either time, and there was no change with weight restoration. Triglyceride levels decreased significantly with treatment, and at discharge, levels were significantly lower than controls. High-density lipoproteincholesterol (HDL-C) levels increased significantly with weight gain, and were significantly higher than controls at discharge. Apoprotein A1, the major structural protein of high-density lipoprotein, was also significantly higher among the AN patients after weight gain. Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) values did not change, but apoprotein B was significantly higher than controls at discharge. The dyslipoproteinemia demonstrated in our patients was characterized by elevated HDL-C and apoprotein A levels with normal LDL-C and low triglyceride concentrations. These changes were accentuated by restoring body weight.
Multiplicities in Hadronic and Current Induced Reactions

Mean multiplicities of hadrons in hadron-hadron collisions and in current-induced reactions are discussed. It is argued that we have to consider one of three possibilities: (1) A more rapid growth with lns of multiplicities in e/sup +/e/sup -/ annihilations than in hadronic collisions. (2) Violations of constituent-counting rules for exclusive cross sections. (3) Substantially different clustering properties of hadrons in e/sup +/e/sup -/ annihilations than in hadronic collisions.
Editorial: Evolution: Education and Outreach goes open access!

Editorial It’s a New Year and, with it, a momentous change for Evolution: Education and Outreach as we enter our sixth year of publication. From now on, we will be fully Open Access on our website (http://www.evolution-outreach. com/). In addition, the first five previously published volumes a total of 20 issues, most of them dedicated to particular topics (e.g. ‘Co-evolution,’ ‘Biogeography,’ ‘Evolution and Medicine,’ ‘Museums and Evolution,’ ‘Human Evolution’), organized and written by experts in their fields will be freely available, too, for the very first time on SpringerLink (http://link.springer.com). We’ll keep publishing great articles on both evolution and education including several new essays by evolutionary biologist Dan Brooks and paleontologist William Miller III, and many more excellent papers in the pipeline. This move to Open Access is a dream come true. Everyone with a computer can have free and simple access to every contribution that we publish now, in the future, as well as our past publications. We are, after all, an outreach journal, dedicated to facilitating the teaching and clear understanding of the total range of subject matter subsumed under the modern meaning of ‘evolution.’ This means that everyone with an interest in evolution can now read our journal without being concerned about subscription costs, or needing to be affiliated with large academic institutions who routinely supply access to journals such as our own to their faculty, students and associates. We continue to seek strong general-interest papers by scientists wanting to promote understanding of their research and areas of special interest and expertise, the better to inform everyone of the latest understanding and results in the evolutionary sciences. And, likewise, we continue our earnest efforts to publish the very best in evolutionary education research and theory, the better
Growing Old in the Cradle: Old Age and Immortality among the Kings of Ancient Assyria

The desire for a long and healthy life was expressed often by Assyrian kings in their extant public texts from the 14th through the 7th centuries BC. But advanced old age, whether for monarchs or commoners, was not achieved very often in the ancient world. Consequently, Assyrian royal inscriptions frequently reflect concern for another kind of longevity--an immortality achieved by having one's works and one's name preserved and remembered by posterity. Almost every dedicatory inscription associated with public works--palaces, temples, etc.--expressed the importance of these kings' participation in what this writer terms a "family cult." The latter constituted a sense of continuity from father to son to grandson, and so on, which depended upon each new generation to preserve and/or restore the works and the "names" of their predecessors. If the Assyrian kings each did their job as "Curator" or "Steward" of the family's heritage, they expressed the hope that they would not be forgotten--perhaps the closest they could get to achieving immortality.
Progestatinal drugs in the management of endometrial cancer

Abstract The progestational agents have a definite place in the management of disseminated adenocarcinoma of the endometrium. Twenty-two patients have been treated at the Delafield and Presbyterian Hospitals with 5 objective remissions. The patients with chest metastases appeared to show a better response than those with generalized abdominal spread. In our opinion progestational agents should not be used instead of radiation and surgery in the operable cases.
Privatizing in stages and the dynamics of ownership structure

Abstract We examine the dynamics of privatization and provide an explanation for the different patterns of evolution of private ownership. In our model the government simply chooses the degree of privatization (and associated corporate governance mechanisms) and delegates production to the management. The management's objective and its alignment with that of the government is determined by the level of privatization. We have a complete characterization of privatization dynamics for all possible stochastic evolutions of the economy in the history-independent case. We also characterize the privatization dynamics when the economy exhibits habit formation, learning by doing and revolution of rising expectations. In particular we are able to distinguish characteristics of privatization in stages (experimentation) from those of partial privatization (hesitation). We illustrate the model using examples from several countries.
Chickenpox and leukemia

Summary This report concerns chickenpox occurringin the course of acute leukemia. Four children are described, including 2 who died with chickenpox and one who survived a prolonged course of the disease. Histologic study in the fatal cases revealed focal hepatic necrosis and pulmonary hemorrhage and edema. There was a lack of inflammatory cells in the visceral pox lesions, suggesting a deficiency in cellular response to chickenpox infection. The serious nature of chickenpox complicatingacute leukemia may be due to the leukemia itself or to the drugs used to treat it. Adrenal steroids, 6-mercaptopurine, and Methotrexate all tend to inhibit immune response in certain situations. Large doses of pooled gamma globulin administeredto 2 children may have exerted some beneficial effect. Further trial of gamma globulin in large doses for modifying chickenpox in children with leukemia seems worth while. Exposure of susceptible children withleukemia to chickenpox should be avoided. When exposure or illness does occur, the physician should try to discontinue or reduce antileukemia chemotherapy if it seems feasible.
Hemochromatosis: genetics helps to define a multifactorial disease

Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is a common autosomal recessive disorder that can result in iron overload and a wide range of clinical complications, including hepatic cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, hypopituitarism, hypogonadism, arthritis, and cardiomyopathy. People with HH can be detected at an asymptomatic stage of the disease by abnormalities in serum iron measures. Early detection is desirable, because periodic phlebotomy provides effective treatment for iron overload and may prevent complications of the disorder. The natural history of HH is poorly understood, however, and the proportion of people detected by screening who will develop serious complications of HH is unknown. The genetics of HH may help to resolve these questions. The gene, HFE, and two mutations, C282Y and H63D, have been identified: the C282Y mutation has a higher penetrance than the H63D mutation, and appears to result in a greater loss of HFE protein function. Most people with HH are C282Y homozygotes, a small proportion are compound heterozygotes or H63D homozygotes, and some have no identifiable HFE mutation or are HFE heterozygotes, suggesting that additional mutations associated with HH are yet to be found. Gender and environmental agents, such as alcohol and dietary iron, influence phenotypic expression of HH. The severity of HH is thus determined by an interaction between genotype and modifying factors. HFE mutations also appear to increase the likelihood of iron overload in inherited anemias and to promote the clinical manifestations of porphyria cutanea tarda. HH is an important paradigm for medical genetics because it offers an opportunity to explore the complexity of gene gene and gene environment interactions.
Isolated lateral collateral ligament complex injury in rock climbing and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

We report two occurrences of high-grade tears of the lateral collateral ligament complex (LCLC), consisting of the anterolateral ligament (ALL) and fibular collateral ligament (FCL). One injury occurred in a rock climber and the other in a martial artist. Increasing awareness of isolated injuries of the LCLC will allow for appropriate diagnosis and management. We review and discuss the anatomy of the LCLC, the unique mechanism of isolated injury, as well as physical and imaging examination findings.
A Dimensionless Model for the Calculation of Temperature Increase in Biologic Tissues Exposed to Nonionizing Radiation

The dimensionless solution to the heat conduction equation allows the calculation of temperature increase in tissues exposed to nonionizing radiation. The solutions may be reduced to a small number of tables, eliminating the need to solve the equation for each new exposure condition or different tissue. Optimization of parameters and parameter identification is much easier in dimensionless form than in standard dimensional solutions. Multilayer and multiple wavelength source effects may be calculated using the dimensionless model.
Dynamic Congestion and Tolls with Mobile Source Emission

Abstract This paper proposes a dynamic congestion pricing model that takes into account mobile source emissions. We consider a tollable vehicular network where the users selfishly minimize their own travel costs, including travel time, early/late arrival penalties and tolls. On top of that, we assume that part of the network can be tolled by a central authority, whose objective is to minimize both total travel costs of road users and total emission on a network-wide level. The model is formulated as a mathematical programming with equilibrium constraints (MPEC) problem and then reformulated as mathematical programming with complementarity constraints (MPCC). The MPCC is solved using a quadratic penalty- based gradient projection algorithm. A numerical study on a toy network illustrates the effectiveness of the tolling strategy and reveals a Braess-type paradox in the context of traffic-derived emission.
Activated charcoal in barbiturate and glutethimide poisoning of the dog

The effectiveness of orally administered activated charcoal in simulated acute barbiturate and glutethimide poisoning was assessed in fasting dogs. Twenty grams of activated charcoal was administered 30 minutes after a hypnotic dose of secobarbital, phenobarbital, or glutethimide. Differences greater than 50 per cent between control and experimental serum drug concentrations indicated significant inhibition of systemic absorption; this effect persisted over a 24 hour period. These studies show that activated charcoal is extremely effective in reducing barbiturate and glutethimide absorption in vivo and that the activated charcoal-drug complexes formed are essentially stable throughout the gastrointestinal tract.
Femtosecond dynamics in organic thin films of fluoro-aluminium phthalocyanine

Abstract Femtosecond laser pulses are employed to study the dynamics of the absorption spectra of fluoro-aluminium phthalocyanine polycrystalline thin films. Following excitation by 620 nm pulses into the first electronic transition a very rapid energy relaxation of the excitons is observed within the 55 fs duration of the pump pulse. Following this process two extremely fast decay routes lead to the recovery of the ground state: exciton-exciton annihilation with an intensity-dependent decay of 550 fs at power density of 1.2 GW/cm2 and exciton-phonon coupling with a 4 ps decay time.
Computer matched filter location of fetal R-waves.

Statistical decision theory indicates that the best way to locate a signal of known waveshape is to use a matched filter. The degree of improvement actually achieved is investigated using actual signals of varying signal-to-noise ratio in which the maternal complex has been automatically eliminated by computer processing. It is shown that a simplified 3-point version of the matched filter provides almost as much improvement with the added advantage that prior knowledge of the fetal waveshape is not required. It is possible to improve the performance further by using a two-stage process that exploits the almost-periodic characteristic of the fetal ECG.
Costs of Transplantation across a Positive Crossmatch

Purpose There is growing acceptance of the strategy of transplantation across a positive virtual crossmatch (XM) for highly allosensitized pediatric heart transplant (Tx) candidates. While early post-Tx survival is similar to patients (pts) transplanted across a negative XM, the costs of this practice are unknown. We sought to compare hospital charges on the basis of a positive virtual/actual XM. Methods and Materials We reviewed clinical and hospital charge data for all heart Tx recipients at our center from 5/07 to 6/12 (n=60). Charges for all procedures, testing, laboratory studies, therapies, and medications for the Tx admission (day of Tx to hospital discharge) and in the first-year post-Tx (day of Tx to 365d post-Tx in pts with ≥1 yr follow-up) were analyzed. Pts were categorized as virtual/actual XM positive (XM+) if there was pre-Tx donor-specific antibody ≥1000 MFI and/or a positive retrospective XM. Results Median age was 6.2 yrs (15d–20.5 yrs). Pts were 63% male, 32% non-white, and 27% XM+. Diagnosis was cardiomyopathy in 56%, congenital heart disease (CHD) 36%, and re-Tx in 8%. XM+ pts less commonly awaited Tx as inpatients (69 vs. 91%; p=0.048) and more commonly had CHD (81 vs. 32%; p=0.001). Use of plasmapharesis was more common in XM+ pts (50 vs. 5%; p Conclusions Despite the greater use of plasmapharesis, Tx across a positive XM was not associated with longer lengths of stay or higher Tx admission charges. The association with higher first-year charges may reflect increased rejection events, testing/bloodwork, or medication requirements and deserves further study.
Israel: ‘occupier’ or ‘occupied’? The psycho-political projection of Christian and post-Christian supersessionism

Political attitudes towards the modern state of Israel are substantially influenced by underlying theological issues in Pauline Christianity regarding ethnic versus spiritual Israel. The very charge of Israel as occupier can be seen as an inverted perception or even a psychological projection emerging from the supersessionist view that the Pauline Church is the New Israel, displacing the Jewish people as God's elect. Hard and soft political charges of Israel as ‘occupier’ are discussed as are hard and soft claims of theological supersessionism. Dual covenant Christians tend not to espouse the view of Israel as occupier. Finally, these political and theological realms of thinking are linked in an attempt to bring psychological clarity to the peculiar nature of political projection towards the modern state of Israel, among Christians and even post-Christians in the West.
Prise en charge des fractures supracondyliennes en extension stade IV de Lagrange et Rigault

Resume Le but de cette etude retrospective de 44 fractures supracondyliennes de l’humerus en extension, stade IV de Lagrange et Rigault, a ete d’evaluer les resultats des differentes methodes de traitement de ces fractures, et de determiner ainsi la meilleure conduite a tenir. Trente garcons et quatorze filles ont ete traites entre janvier 1990 et decembre 2001. L’âge moyen etait de 7 ans et 6 mois. La technique de Blount a ete appliquee dans seize cas (dont quatre repris a foyer ouvert pour deplacement secondaire a court terme), le brochage percutane dans deux cas et la reduction a foyer ouvert avec brochage en croix dans trente cas (incluant les quatre deplacements secondaires apres Blount). La duree moyenne d’immobilisation etait de trois semaines et demie. Huit traitements initiaux selon Blount ont ete effectues avant la sixieme heure, et huit apres, parmi lesquels se trouvaient les quatre deplacements secondaires, repris a foyer ouvert. Ainsi, plus le delai entre le traumatisme et la reduction augmentait, plus grand etait le nombre de cas traites a foyer ouvert. Suivant les criteres de Flynn et avec un recul moyen de 7 ans et 8 mois, les resultats ont ete satisfaisants dans tous les cas traites en definitive selon Blount et par brochage percutane, et dans 97 % des cas traites a foyer ouvert. La methode de Blount, appliquee precocement, doit etre la technique prioritaire dans la prise en charge de ces fractures, le brochage percutane reserve aux fractures instables, et l’abord direct aux fractures irreductibles ou compliquees.
Clinical flexibility and confidentiality: Effects of reporting laws

Legal constraints upon therapeutic flexibility, resulting in breaches of confidentiality, can promote counterproductive effects upon patients and society. Conflicts can be created for mental health professionals who sometimes must choose between maximum self-protection and doing what they believe is ethical. A survey of forensic psychiatrists indicated that most believe they face ethical problems created by some ambiguities in current reporting statutes if they are interpreted to mandate reporting and warning. Emphasis is given: (1) to the ethical choice faced by therapists as to whether rigidly to report and warn to limit liability in all Tarasoff-type situations and in some ambiguous child abuse situations, or to take an alternative action when it is clinically indicated for the benefit of a patient and/or society; (2) to the importance of understanding the distinction between potential criminal liability for failure to report under many child abuse laws, and the risk only of civil liability in Tarasoff-type cases; and (3) to appreciate the flexibility permitted by current “Tarasoff” laws. Our case histories demonstrate that mandated erosion of therapeutic confidentiality can present serious problems for patients and others. Suggestions are included for modifications in the current reporting statutes, focusing on the perspective that clinical flexibility is an essential adjunct to community protection as well as to effective therapy.
W-shaped occultation signatures: Inference of entwined particle orbits in charged planetary ringlets

A model for the ringlets of Saturn is proposed where concentration of material near the inner and outer radial edges of the ringlets is a natural consequence of particles in entwined elliptical orbits, with the same particles alternately defining both edges. The existence of a collisionless state where particles fly along entwined paths in a compressed helical formation on and within a toroidal surface whose meridional cross section is a very thin ellipse is explained. The cancellation of strong oblateness perturbations by an extremely weak force normal to the orbit planes and directed primarily outward from the major axis of the meridional cross section of the torus is shown, and the possibility that electric repulsion of like-charged particles could provide the expansion force preventing cross-sectional collapse is examined. The model features a large stability domain within which orbital inclinations and arguments of periapse oscillate but do not progress. Features of the model that can be tested experimentally are mentioned.
Sexual Abuse in Childhood and Adolescence and the Risk of Early Pregnancy Among Women Ages 18–22

Abstract Purpose This clinic- and community-based study of young women investigated the relationship between previous sexual abuse and early pregnancy, examining the effect of the developmental period in which sexual abuse occurred and type of sexual abuse, while also providing methodological advances in the assessment of distinctive sexual abuse and its sequelae. Methods Secondary data analysis using Cox proportional hazards models was conducted to determine the association between sexual abuse in childhood, in adolescence, or both, and risk of early pregnancy among 1,790 young women. In addition, this study examined the type of sexual abuse that occurred during each period. Results As compared with women with no history of sexual abuse, women who experienced sexual abuse only in childhood had a 20% greater hazard of pregnancy; women who experienced sexual abuse only in adolescence had a 30% greater hazard of pregnancy; and women who experienced sexual abuse in both childhood and adolescence had an 80% greater hazard of pregnancy. Across these periods, attempted rape and rape were associated with an increased hazard of pregnancy. The association between sexual abuse and pregnancy was mediated by age at first intercourse and moderated by a woman's education level. Conclusion This study provides evidence that both the developmental timing and the type of sexual abuse contributes to an increased risk for early pregnancy. The study findings indicate that sexual abuse leads to an earlier age of first sexual intercourse, which in turn increases the likelihood of an early pregnancy. Women with higher educational attainment are less likely to experience early pregnancy as a result of abuse.
Characteristics of Predominantly Nonwhite Patients with Frequent Hospitalizations for Acute Asthma in Chicago

The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of predominantly nonwhite patients with recurrent visits to the emergency department (ED) and admissions to an inner-city hospital in Chicago for acute asthma. Over a 21-month period, two groups of age and gender-matched individuals with asthma seen at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center were studied: group I included 26 patients with frequent visits to the ED and no more than one admission for acute asthma/year; and group II included 28 patients with recurrent visits to the ED and two or more admissions for acute asthma/year. We found that 70% of all patients (38/54) were females and 72% (39/54) were African-Americans. The latter predominated in group II (25/28; 89%). There were no significant differences in public aid recipients, baseline FEVi, type of antiasthma medications used, and illicit drug use between the two groups. However, group II reported more asthma onset before the age of 11 years and used higher daily doses o...
A Novel Signaling Pathway of Nitric Oxide on Transcriptional Regulation of Mouse κ Opioid Receptor Gene

Nitric oxide (NO) suppressed the transcription of the mouse κ opioid receptor (KOR) gene, mediated by a rapid downregulation of c-myc gene expression. KOR was constitutively expressed in postnatal day 19 (P19) embryonal carcinoma stem cells and is suppressed by NO donors [sodium nitroprusside (SNP), 3-morpholinosydnonimine-1, and S -nitrosoglutathione] in P19 stem cells within 4 hr. The suppression was reversed by 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide, an NO scavenger, but could not be blocked by dithiothreitol, ruling out S -nitrosylation as the underlying mechanism. The suppressive effect of NO on KOR occurred at the level of gene transcription, mediated by E boxes located in promoters I and II of this gene. Protein–DNA complexes that formed on these E boxes contained c-myc ; c-myc expression was suppressed by NO in P19 stem cells within 2 hr of treatment. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated reduced c-myc binding to the E boxes and hypoacetylation of histone H3 on the chromatin of endogenous KOR promoters in P19 stem cells treated with SNP. It is proposed that NO regulates KOR at the level of gene transcription, mediated by a rapid suppression of c-myc gene expression and its binding to KOR promoters, and followed by chromatin hypoacetylation of and reduced transcription from KOR promoters in P19 stem cells. A novel pathway mediating the potential interplay between NO and opioid systems is discussed.
Prion protein remodelling confers an immediate phenotypic switch.

The prospects of limiting the spread of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies such as Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease depend in part on identifying the most infectious forms of the prions that carry the diseases. A study of modified scrapie prions shows that clusters of 14 to 28 prion proteins are the most infectious and that clusters of less than six molecules have virtually no infectivity. That could have implications for the treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, characterized by deposition of prion-related amyloid fibrils. It's possible that efforts to alleviate symptoms by destabilizing these large protein aggregates might make things worse by producing smaller, more infective particles. Two other papers in this issue tackle fundamental aspects of the biology of prions and amyloid fibrils. The conversion of the yeast protein Sup35 to its prion form does not need to happen during the synthesis of Sup35 — mature and fully functional molecules can readily join a prion seed. This remodelling of the mature protein is accompanied by the immediate loss of its activity. And a study of a ‘designed’ amyloid fibril made from ribonuclease A reveals that amyloid containing native-like molecules can retain enzyme activity. This involves a domain swap with the neighbouring protein, and supports the ‘zipper-spine model’ for β-amyloid structures. In a variety of systems, proteins have been linked to processes historically limited to nucleic acids, such as infectivity and inheritance1,2. These atypical proteins, termed prions3, lack sequence homology but are collectively defined by their capacity to adopt multiple physical and therefore functional states in vivo. Newly synthesized prion protein generally adopts the form already present in the cell, and this in vivo folding bias directs the near faithful transmission of the corresponding phenotypic state1,2. Switches between the prion and non-prion phenotypes can occur in vivo2; however, the fate of existing protein during these transitions and its effects on the emergence of new traits remain major unanswered questions. Here, we determine the changes in protein-state that induce phenotypic switching for the yeast prion Sup35/[PSI+]. We show that the prion form does not need to be specified by an alternate misfolding pathway initiated during Sup35 synthesis but instead can be accessed by mature protein. This remodelling of protein from one stable form to another is accompanied by the loss of Sup35 activity, evoking a rapid change in cellular phenotype within a single cell cycle.
Interpretation of Drug Risk and Benefit: Individual and Population Perspectives

OBJECTIVETo provide pharmacists with the necessary nomenclature and tools to interpret the medical literature on drug risks and benefits.DATA SOURCESPrimary articles were identified by MEDLINE search (1990—December 2003) and through secondary sources.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTIONAll of the articles identified from the data sources were evaluated, and all information from secondary sources deemed relevant was included.DATA SYNTHESISArticles in the primary and secondary literature were reviewed. The articles show that measurement of drug risks and benefits is consistently reported with similar terminology. However, the interpretation and subsequent balancing of risks and benefits can be difficult.CONCLUSIONSAll drugs have concomitant risks and benefits. The medical literature documents those risks and benefits and it is this medical evidence that is typically used to make drug therapy decisions. Pharmacists who either manage individual patients or populations of patients (pharmacy benefit managers) ma...
A Demonstration of Push/Pull Assembly Line

In the introduction to operations management course, both at the MBA and undergraduate level, we use a variety of demonstrations and games to illustrate key concepts of production and operation (Ammar and Wright, 1999). One particular topic, which is the subject of this demonstration, is the difference between push and pull production. Although it is easy to describe the two systems of production, the benefits of the pull system are hard to motivate especially to undergraduate students with limited exposure to assembly line manufacturing. In our experience, an in-class demonstration of the two systems allows for a better discussion and ultimately a better understanding of the benefits. One very effective demonstration is the cups game designed by Peter Jackson (2). It illustrates clearly the difference between push and pull production and serves as a very stimulating vehicle for discussion of the relevant concepts.
Beta diversity among prairie restorations increases with species pool size, but not through enhanced species sorting

Summary Understanding variation in community composition across space, or beta diversity, is of longstanding interest in ecology, yet the determinants of beta diversity remain poorly known. In part, this results from a lack of manipulative tests of hypothesized drivers. The size of species pools is one putative driver, but few studies have provided a direct test of this mechanism through manipulation of clearly defined species pools independent of local communities. Furthermore, we know little about underlying mechanisms, such as enhanced species sorting, or whether a species pool size-beta diversity relationship is scale-dependent or modified by environmental conditions. Here, we evaluate 29 prairie plant communities restored from bare soil with known species pools (seed mixes) to address those questions. To address the generality of beta diversity drivers across scales, we investigated how the size of species pools during restoration influenced beta diversity in the plant community at two scales: among prairies and within prairies (among plots). Among a group of prairies sown with larger species pools, among-site beta diversity was greater than among a group of prairies assembled from smaller pools, but not because of enhanced species sorting. We found an interaction between species pool size and an environmental filter, whereby beta diversity was higher among prairies restored with species-rich seed mixes, but only when soil moisture was also high. We detected neither greater beta diversity nor stronger species sorting among plots within prairies sown with species-rich mixes. Synthesis. This work provides what is to our knowledge the first large-scale manipulative test of how species pool size influences beta diversity. We found higher beta diversity among restored prairies sown with species-rich seed mixes, but little evidence for species sorting as a causal mechanism. Our results, based on manipulated real-world communities, provide an important link between previous theoretical and observational studies and small-scale experimental approaches. Of applied importance, our findings show that by creating communities of high beta diversity, ecological restoration can counteract widespread anthropogenic biotic homogenization.
Regime change: sampling rate vs. bit-depth in compressive sensing

The compressive sensing (CS) framework aims to ease the burden on analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) by exploiting inherent structure in natural and man-made signals. It has been demonstrated that structured signals can be acquired with just a small number of linear measurements, on the order of the signal complexity. In practice, this enables lower sampling rates that can be more easily achieved by current hardware designs. The primary bottleneck that limits ADC sampling rates is quantization, i.e., higher bit-depths impose lower sampling rates. Thus, the decreased sampling rates of CS ADCs accommodate the otherwise limiting quantizer of conventional ADCs. In this thesis, we consider a different approach to CS ADC by shifting towards lower quantizer bit-depths rather than lower sampling rates. We explore the extreme case where each measurement is quantized to just one bit, representing its sign. We develop a new theoretical framework to analyze this extreme case and develop new algorithms for signal reconstruction from such coarsely quantized measurements. The 1-bit CS framework leads us to scenarios where it may be more appropriate to reduce bit-depth instead of sampling rate. We find that there exist two distinct regimes of operation that correspond to high/low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In the measurement compression (MC) regime, a high SNR favors acquiring fewer measurements with more bits per measurement (as in conventional CS); in the quantization compression (QC) regime, a low SNR favors acquiring more measurements with fewer bits per measurement (as in this thesis). A surprise from our analysis and experiments is that in many practical applications it is better to operate in the QC regime, even acquiring as few as 1 bit per measurement. The above philosophy extends further to practical CS ADC system designs. We propose two new CS architectures, one of which takes advantage of the fact that the sampling and quantization operations are performed by two different hardware components. The former can be employed at high rates with minimal costs while the latter cannot. Thus, we develop a system that discretizes in time, performs CS preconditioning techniques, and then quantizes at a low rate.
Characterization of energy minimizers in micromagnetics

We present a new characterization of minimizing sequences and possible minimizers (all called the minimizing magnetizations) for a nonlocal micromagnetic-like energy (without the exchange energy). Our method is to replace the nonlocal energy functional and its relaxation with certain local integral functionals on divergence-free fields obtained by a two-step minimization of some auxiliary augmented functionals. Through this procedure, the minimization problem becomes equivalent to the minimization of a new local variational functional, called the dual variational functional, which has a unique minimizer. We then precisely characterize the minimizing magnetizations of original nonlocal functionals in terms of the unique minimizer of the dual variational functional. Finally, we give some remarks and ideas on solving the dual minimization problem.
The altitude variation of the ionospheric photoelectron flux: a comparison of theory and measurement

The 145 to 300-km altitude variation of the measured photoelectron flux in the 13 to 18 eV, 28 to 34 eV, and 50 to 55 eV energy regions are compared with the variations expected from theory. There is a strong linear relationship between the measured photoelectron flux and the attenuation of the solar EUV flux at these energies. Therefore, the photoelectron flux is sensitive to changes in the solar zenith angle, neutral density scale height, and total neutral density. However, contrary to previous assertions, the photoelectron flux at most energies is not sensitive to the relative densities of the neutral constituents. In addition, good agreement between theory and measurement is obtained. By using the concept of photoelectron production frequencies, the usually complex evaluation of the local equilibrium photoelectron flux is reduced to a trivial calculation so that the steps in the calculation can be readily verified.
Sexually abused children and the legal system: Some policy recommendations

Abstract There are two broad types of questions raised by sexually abused children's involvement in the legal system: 1) competency to testify; and 2) procedural and evidentiary reforms to protect child witnesses. Relevant psychological research is reviewed. It is recommended that children be permitted to testify without prior qualification. There is insufficient evidence to justify substantial modifications of criminal procedure on psychological grounds. The federal government should launch a research initiative to examine the effects of legal procedures on children.
Reduction of blood pressure levels study group.

To the Editor: Smith et al1 reported that office blood pressure (BP) was lower in subjects whose antihypertensive therapy was guided by noninvasive hemodynamics (impedance cardiography) than …