cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aligning social and health care services: The case of Community Care Connections.

Abstract The Community Care Connections (CCC) program aims to align social and healthcare services to improve health outcomes in older adults with complex medical and social needs. This study assessed changes in healthcare utilization before and after CCC program participation. Between June 2016 and March 2019, 1214 adults with complete data who provided informed consent participated in the CCC program. CCC client data were linked with data on hospitalizations, emergency department (ED) visits, and observation stays 90 days before and after program start. Data analysis examined changes in health care utilization 90 days after program start, compared to 90 days before. Hospitalizations decreased by 30% (Change = −0.029, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = −0.053, −0.005), ED visits decreased by 29% (Change = −0.114, 95% CI = -0.163, −0.066), and observation stays decreased by 23% (Change = −0.041, 95% CI = -0.073, −0.009) during the post period. ED visits decreased by 37% (Change = −0.140, 95% CI = -0.209, −0.070) for those with hypertension and by 30% (Change = −0.109, 95% CI = -0.199, −0.020) for those with high cholesterol, while observation stays decreased by 46% (Change = −0.118, 95% CI = -0.185, −0.052) for those with diabetes and by 44% (Change = −0.082, 95% CI = -0.150, −0.014) for those with high cholesterol during the post period. Connecting older adults with social services through the healthcare delivery system may lead to decreases in hospitalizations, ED visits, and observation stays. Implementation of cross-sector partnerships that address non-clinical factors that impact the health of older adults may reduce the use of costly healthcare services.
Utility and Prognostic Ability of a Diagnostic Injection Before Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background Diagnostic injections are commonly utilized in the workup of painful total knee arthroplasties (TKA), particularly when the diagnosis remains unclear. However, current literature provides limited evidence regarding the utility and prognostic capability of anesthetic injections in this scenario. This study sought to establish the role of diagnostic injections in predicting successful revision TKA. Methods A retrospective review was conducted on 144 consecutive aseptic revision TKAs receiving diagnostic anesthetic injections. Instability (57.6%) and aseptic loosening (33.3%) comprised most revision etiologies. Patient-reported percentage pain relief after the injection was statistically correlated with KOOS JR, Knee Society Score, UCLA Activity Level, and satisfaction scores. Results About 74.3% (107/144) of revision TKAs reported >50% pain relief after injection. There were no differences in pain relief based on revision indication (P = .841). Improvement from preoperative activity level was greater in the >50% pain relief group (P = .024). Four-month patient satisfaction did not differ between patients who reported >50% and ≤50% pain relief (67% vs. 66%, P = .130). About 64% of patients who reported >50% pain relief were satisfied at minimum 1-year follow-up, compared with only 47% of those who reported ≤50% pain relief after diagnostic injection (P Conclusion Study results show that patients reporting >50% pain relief after diagnostic injection have improvements in activity level and maintain greater satisfaction at minimum 1-year than those reporting ≤50% pain relief. Expectations for improvement after revision TKA should be tempered if diagnostic anesthetic injection yields minimal subjective pain relief.
Activation of T cell checkpoint pathways during β-cell antigen presentation by engineered dendritic cells promotes protection of non-obese diabetic mice from type 1 diabetes

Defective immune regulation has been recognized in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Immune regulatory T cell check-point receptors, which are generally upregulated on activated T cells, have been the molecules of attention as therapeutic targets for enhancing immune response in tumor therapy. We reported that dendritic cells (DCs) that are engineered to express selective ligands for checkpoint receptors can induce effective T cell tolerance in antigen-immunization models. Here, we show that pancreatic beta-cell antigen (BcAg) presentation by engineered tolerogenic-DCs (tDCs) that express CTLA4 selective ligand (B7.1wa) or a combination of CTLA4, PD1 and BTLA selective ligands (B7.1wa, PD-L1, and HVEM-CRD1 respectively; multiligand-DCs) causes an increase in regulatory cytokine and T cell (Treg) responses and suppression of the effector T cell function as compared to engineered control-DCs. Non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice treated with BcAg-pulsed CTLA4-ligand-DCs and multiligand-DCs at pre-diabetic and early-hyperglycmic stages showed significantly lower degree of insulitis, higher frequencies of insulin-positive islets, profound delay in, and reversal of, hyperglycemia for a significant duration. Immune cells from the tDC treated mice not only produced lower amounts of IFN-gamma; and higher amounts of IL10 and TGF-beta1 upon BcAg challenge, but also failed to induce hyperglycemia upon adoptive transfer. While both CTLA4-ligand-DCs and multiligand-DCs were effective in inducing tolerance, multiligand-DC treatment produced an overall higher suppressive effect on effector T cell function and disease outcome. These studies show that enhanced engagement of T cell checkpoint receptors during BcAg presentation can modulate T cell function and suppress autoimmunity and progression of the disease in T1D.
Postfire treatments alter forest canopy structure up to three decades after fire

Abstract We evaluated the effects of postfire management on forest structure in mixed-conifer forests of northeastern Washington, USA. Postfire treatments were harvest-only, harvest combined with planting, planting-only, and postfire prescribed fire. We used aerial light detection and ranging (LiDAR) to measure vertical and horizontal components of postfire forest structure over a period of 2 to 32 years after fires. We compared treated areas to control areas with similar bioclimatic environments and past fire severity. We used niche overlap statistics to quantify distributions of individual forest structure components and PERMANOVA to assess forest structural response to the presence or absence of treatments, past fire severity, time since treatment, and bioclimatic setting. Harvest alone after fire decreased dominant tree height and reduced vertical canopy complexity and the cover of tall trees. Harvest combined with planting increased dominant tree height, vertical complexity, and cover in lower height strata. Planting and prescribed fires showed little difference in forest structure relative to untreated controls. Overall, the burn severity of the initial fire was the strongest influence on postfire structure, and many aspects of vertical and horizontal forest structure showed little difference with increasing time since fire.
The electronic government purchases in a Brazilian City Hall

The present study deals about the auction public sector format. From the traditional presence modality, the public sector is migrating to a more sophisticated alternative, the electronic auction. In general words, the electronic auction contributes significantly to the improvement of public purchases process, but limitations also need to be observed. This paper first conceptualize auction, the electronic face of the same process and based in literature revision make available a some advantages and disadvantages related topics. After the theoretical construction, the case study research is employed in a city hall to identify if the related theory is congruent to the reality, and some practical insights are forged. After the case analysis and discussions, the final considerations conclude this research with some identified elements.
Spatial distribution of understory fruit-eating birds and fruiting plants in a neotropical lowland wet forest

Spatial distribution of fruit-eating birds and fruiting shrubs of the Melastomataceae and Rubiaceae were examined on a 10 ha plot in tropical lowland wet forest of Costa Rica. Many plant species and most birds exhibited considerable spatial variation in their occurrence on the plot, as indicated by the distribution patterns of shrubs with ripe fruits and captures in mist nets, respectively. In many cases, captures of fruit-eating birds were correlated with abundance of fruiting plants, particularly for species that rely heavily on fruits. In general, fruit-eating birds concentrated their use of the plot to areas rich in fruiting shrubs. This differential use of certain areas likely results in differential visitation to fruiting plants located in these areas and in a heterogeneous dissemination of seeds into the habitat.
Aminopyrine n-Demethylation: A Prognostic test of liver function in patients with alcoholic liver disease

To determine whether results of the aminopyrine breath test, an indirect measurement of functional hepatic microsomal mass, can be correlated with mortality and changes in clinical status and liver function, 51 hospitalized patients who had alcoholic hepatitis were studied prospectively for 3 wk. The aminopyrine breath test was performed weekly, and the results were compared with clinical features of liver disease and SGOT, SGPT, bilirubin, albumin, and prothrombin time. Only an aminopyrine breath test of > 1% of administered dose of 14C as 14CO2 correlated with 3-week survival (P = 0.0075). Only an increase of more than 100% in the aminopyrine breath test was associated with clinical improvement (P = 0.0036). For the 21 patients who had histologic confirmation of alcoholic liver disease, the aminopyrine breath test also correlated best with the degree of histologic severity. In this group of patients with alcoholic hepatitis the aminopyrine breath test predicted short-term survival, clinical improvement, and histologic severity more reliably than conventional liver function tests.
Induction and superinduction of auxin-responsive mRNAs with auxin and protein synthesis inhibitors

We have identified a class of small mRNAs (approximately 0.5 kilobases), referred to as small auxin-up RNAs (SAURs), that increases in abundance within minutes after auxin application to excised elongating hypocotyl sections of soybean. In this study, we present evidence that SAURs accumulate in the absence of auxin when protein synthesis is inhibited. Superinduction of SAURs occurs if the synthetic auxin 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid is added under conditions where protein synthesis is inhibited. Transcription run-on experiments with isolated nuclei show that, unlike 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, protein synthesis inhibitors do not activate transcription of the SAUR genes. These results suggest that protein synthesis inhibitors act by stabilizing SAURs and that some labile protein(s) are involved in the rapid turnover of SAURs. This stabilization is not observed with GH3, another auxin-inducible mRNA. Whether induced with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid or cycloheximide, SAURs are primarily expressed in epidermal and cortical cells of elongating hypocotyl sections, with little or no expression in vascular tissue. Unlike 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid-induced SAUR accumulation, the increase in abundance of SAURs induced by cycloheximide is transient, with a peak approximately 1 h after inhibitor addition. Complete inhibition of protein synthesis is not required for SAUR accumulation in the presence of protein synthesis inhibitors.
Viruses and renal carcinoma of Rana pipiens. XI. Isolation of frog virus 3 temperature-sensitive mutants; complementation and genetic recombination.

Abstract Eleven temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants were obtained from frog virus 3 (FV 3) grown in the presence of bromodeoxyuridine. Six mutants were selected for further study; each gave plaque counts at the nonpermissive temperature (30°) which ranged from 1.4 × 10 −4 to 3.5 × 10 −5 of the plaque count at the permissive temperature (25°). The yields of mutant viruses at the nonpermissive temperature as determined by single-step growth cycles were from 0.4% to 3.6% of the yield obtained at permissive temperature. Heat inactivation kinetics indicated that none of the mutants was more temperature-sensitive than the wild-type FV 3. Mixed infection experiments showed that five of the six mutants complemented each other with complementation levels ranging from 9 to 126. High recombination frequencies (9 to 63%) were obtained with all mutants. Evidence is presented which rules out factors other than genetic exchange to account for the recombination frequencies obtained.
Robust stock value prediction using support vector machines with particle swarm optimization

Attempting to understand and characterize trends in the stock market has been the goal of numerous market analysts, but these patterns are often difficult to detect until after they have been firmly established. Recently, attempts have been made by both large companies and individual investors to utilize intelligent analysis and trading algorithms to identify potential trends before they occur in the market environment, effectively predicting future stock values and outlooks. In this paper, three different classification algorithms will be compared for the purposes of maximizing capital while minimizing risk to the investor. The main contribution of this work is a demonstrated improvement over other prediction methods using machine learning; the results show that tuning support vector machine parameters with particle swarm optimization leads to highly accurate (approximately 95%) and robust stock forecasting for historical datasets.
Quantitative structure-activity relationships: analysis of interactions of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and 2-substituted analogues with rat, mouse, guinea pig, and hamster cytosolic receptor.

The competitive receptor binding affinities of thirteen 2-substituted 3,7,8-trichlorodibenzo-p-dioxins to hepatic cytosol from rat, mouse, guinea pig, and hamster were determined with [3H]-2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin as the radioligand. Multiple parameter linear regression analysis of the binding data from the four species gave the following equations: pEC50 (rat) = 7.196 + 0.600 pi - 0.255 delta Es - 1.683 HB pEC50 (mouse) = 6.365 + 1.641 pi + 1.206 sigma 0 pEC50 (hamster) = 7.416 + 1.026 pi + 0.509 delta Es + 0.748 sigma 0 pEC50 (guinea pig) = 6.892 + 1.035 pi where pi, delta Es, HB, sigma 0, and Vw are physicochemical parameters for substituent lipophilicity, steric effect, hydrogen bonding capacity, electronegativity, and van der Waals volume (relative to H), respectively. These equations demonstrate that there are important species differences in the receptor protein binding site interactions with the substituted analogues. These data, coupled with the known species differences in the molecular properties of the receptor proteins, are evidence for a heterologous nature of the receptor between mammalian species. Multiple parameter linear regression analysis of the relative aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) induction potencies of these analogues in rat hepatoma H-4-II E-cells in culture gave the following equation. The correlation pEC50 (AHH induction) = 3.208 + 0.950 pEC50 (rat binding) - 0.955 delta B5 between receptor binding and AHH induction was dependent on a steric parameter (delta B5, STERIMOL) and the results suggest that an additional substituent-dependent process (e.g., an activation step) may be required after initial ligand-receptor binding for the ultimate expression of the receptor-mediated response (i.e., AHH induction).
Postprandial Transient Visual Loss: A Symptom of Critical Carotid Stenosis

Purpose: The authors report the association of transient visual loss after eating meals with severe carotid occlusive disease, and propose a hypothesis for its pathophysiology. Methods: Description of clinical history and examination, radiologic and other studies in two patients with postprandial transient visual loss, and review of the literature for three related cases. Results: Two women, 59 and 65 years of age, presented with splotchy visual loss lasting up to more than 1 hour in the left and both eyes, respectively. In both patients, the visual loss was precipitated by eating a meal. Radiologic investigations revealed 90% stenosis of the left internal carotid artery in the first patient and occlusion of the right internal carotid artery and 40% to 70% stenosis of the left internal carotid artery in the second patient. Conclusions: Visual loss after eating a meal may result from hypoperfusion of the retinal and choroidal circulations and is suggestive of severe carotid occlusive disease.
Diffusion: Mass Transfer in Fluid Systems

This overview of diffusion and separation processes brings unsurpassed, engaging clarity to this complex topic. Diffusion is a key part of the undergraduate chemical engineering curriculum and at the core of understanding chemical purification and reaction engineering. This spontaneous mixing process is also central to our daily lives, with importance in phenomena as diverse as the dispersal of pollutants to digestion in the small intestine. For students, Diffusion goes from the basics of mass transfer and diffusion itself, with strong support through worked examples and a range of student questions. It also takes the reader right through to the cutting edge of our understanding, and the new examples in this third edition will appeal to professional scientists and engineers. Retaining the trademark enthusiastic style, the broad coverage now extends to biology and medicine.
Stabilization of projection-based reduced-order models

SUMMARY A rigorous method for stabilizing projection-based linear reduced-order models without significantly affecting their accuracy is proposed. Unlike alternative approaches, this method is computationally efficient. It requires primarily the solution of a small-scale convex optimization problem. Furthermore, it is nonintrusive in the sense that it operates directly on readily available reduced-order operators. These can be precomputed using any data compression technique including balanced truncation, balanced proper orthogonal decomposition, proper orthogonal decomposition, or moment matching. The proposed method is illustrated with three applications: the stabilization of the reduction of the Computational Fluid Dynamics-based model of a linearized unsteady supersonic flow, the reduction of a Computational Structural Dynamics system, and the stabilization of the reduction of a coupled Computational Fluid Dynamics–Computational Structural Dynamics model of a linearized aeroelastic system in the transonic flow regime. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pilot symbol aided soft-output demodulation of CPM signals in flat Rayleigh fading channels

Symbol-by-symbol detection algorithms are useful in systems in which soft-decision metrics are important, e.g., systems with interleaved coded modulation. A soft-output algorithm for the detection of continuous phase modulated (CPM) signals transmitted over frequency flat, Rayleigh fading channels is developed. Since the optimum detector is too computationally complex for any practical implementation, some sub-optimal detectors which give near optimal performance are proposed. The performance of the soft-output detector is demonstrated by simulations.
Assessing genetic resistance to spot blotch, Stagonospora nodorum blotch and tan spot in wheat from Nepal

Fungal leaf spot diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Nepal cause significant yield reduction. Although field testing has identified a few partially resistant cultivars, most wheat grown in Nepal lacks adequate resistance to leaf spot diseases. During 2009–2010, 116 local and commercial spring wheat cultivars and advanced breeding lines were selected from multi-year field experiments in Nepal and evaluated for seedling resistance to three leaf spot diseases: spot blotch, Stagonospora nodorum blotch (SNB) and tan spot races 1 and 5 (two of the most prevalent races) in the growth chambers at North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA. The wheat cultivars and lines were artificially inoculated with individual pathogens or races at the two-leaf stage and disease reactions were evaluated 6 to 10 days after inoculation (DAI). Results indicated that 30%, 31%, 19% and 10% of the tested wheat cultivars and lines were resistant to spot blotch, SNB, tan spot races 1 and 5, respectively. Six advanced breeding lines (SW89-5422, BL 2127 = DANIAL88/HLB30//NL297, BL 3033, FILIN/IRENA/5/CNDO/R143//ENTE/MEXI-2/3/AE. SQUA (TAUS)/4WEAVER, GAN/AE.SQUARROSA (236)//DOY1/AE.SQUARROSA(447)/3/MAIZ/4/INQALAB91, Mayoor//TK SN1081/Ae. Squarrosa (222)/3/FCT, were resistant to spot blotch, SNB and tan spot race 1. Similarly, two wheat cultivars Chirya 3 and Chirya 7 were resistant to spot blotch, and tan spot races 1 and 5. The resistant wheat lines identified in this study represent potentially useful and untapped sources of resistance to multiple leaf spot diseases and should be utilized in wheat breeding programs in Nepal in order to develop wheat cultivars with broad-spectrum resistance.
Numerical MHD modeling of the solar driver for the destabilization of a coronal helmet streamer

Abstract We investigate the forms of the solar driver which cause the destabilization of helmet streamers. Two forms of solar drivers are considered; (i) emergence of a flux-rope from sub-photospheric levels and (ii) application of a photospheric shear motion to a streamer-flux rope system. Numerical results showed that both cases exhibit the characteristics of commonly observed coronal mass ejections (CMEs), but the propagation speed of the CME is higher than the background solar wind speed when the solar driver is the emerging magnetic flux and is the same as the solar wind speed when the photospheric shear is used as the solar driver. The energy constraint allowing the magnetic field transition from a closed to an open configuration is also addressed.
Case studies on smallholder farmer voice: an introduction to a special symposium

In the spring of 2013, project leaders who received funding from the John Templeton Foundation’s program “Can GM Crops Help to Feed the World?” met in England to discuss progress on funded projects and to identify common objectives and research interests. The collection of essays in this special symposium is one outcome of that meeting. This introduction provides background on the symposium’s theme of understanding the challenges to smallholder farmers having a voice. Farmer voice is important not only in debates about genetically modified crops but also for policies, technologies and other efforts designed by interests seeking ostensibly to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
3-HOP: a high-compression indexing scheme for reachability query

Reachability queries on large directed graphs have attracted much attention recently. The existing work either uses spanning structures, such as chains or trees, to compress the complete transitive closure, or utilizes the 2-hop strategy to describe the reachability. Almost all of these approaches work well for very sparse graphs. However, the challenging problem is that as the ratio of the number of edges to the number of vertices increases, the size of the compressed transitive closure grows very large. In this paper, we propose a new 3-hop indexing scheme for directed graphs with higher density. The basic idea of 3-hop indexing is to use chain structures in combination with hops to minimize the number of structures that must be indexed. Technically, our goal is to find a 3-hop scheme over dense DAGs (directed acyclic graphs) with minimum index size. We develop an efficient algorithm to discover a transitive closure contour, which yields near optimal index size. Empirical studies show that our 3-hop scheme has much smaller index size than state-of-the-art reachability query schemes such as 2-hop and path-tree when DAGs are not very sparse, while our query time is close to path-tree, which is considered to be one of the best reachability query schemes.
Wing tips: The wing disc as a platform for studying Hedgehog signaling

Hedgehog (Hh) signal transduction is necessary for the development of most mammalian tissues and can go awry and cause birth defects or cancer. Hh signaling was initially described in Drosophila, and much of what we know today about mammalian Hh signaling was directly guided by discoveries in the fly. Indeed, Hh signaling is a wonderful example of the use of non-vertebrate model organisms to make basic discoveries that lead to new disease treatment. The first pharmaceutical to treat hyperactive Hh signaling in Basal Cell Carcinoma was released in 2012, approximately 30 years after the isolation of Hh mutants in Drosophila. The study of Hh signaling has been greatly facilitated by the imaginal wing disc, a tissue with terrific experimental advantages. Studies using the wing disc have led to an understanding of Hh ligand processing, packaging into particles for transmission, secretion, reception, signal transduction, target gene activation, and tissue patterning. Here we describe the imaginal wing disc, how Hh patterns this tissue, and provide methods to use wing discs to study Hh signaling in Drosophila. The tools and approaches we highlight form the cornerstone of research efforts in many laboratories that use Drosophila to study Hh signaling, and are essential for ongoing discoveries.
Rapid wavelength-swept spectrally encoded confocal microscopy.

Spectrally encoded confocal microscopy (SECM) is a technique that allows confocal microscopy to be performed through the confines of a narrow diameter optical fiber probe. We present a novel scheme for performing SECM in which a rapid wavelength swept source is used. The system allows large field of view images to be acquired at rates up to 30 frames/second. Images of resolution targets and tissue specimens acquired ex vivo demonstrate high lateral (1.4 μm) and axial (6 μm) resolution. Imaging of human skin was performed in vivo at depths of up to 350 μm, allowing cellular and sub-cellular details to be visualized in real time.
Copper coupling of 1-chloro-2-iodo- and 1,2-di-iodo-perfluorocycloalkenes

Abstract Reductive coupling of 1-chloro-2-iodoperfluorocyclobutene (I), cyclopentene (III) and cyclohexene (VI) has been carried out with copper powder and a trace amount of dimethylformamide to give the corresponding 2,2′-dichloroperfluoro-(bi-1-cycloalken-1-yl) derivatives in 69%, 36% and 73% yield, respectively. A reduced by-product, 2 H ,2′ H -dodecafluoro-(bi-1-cyclopenten-1-yl) was also obtained in the copper coupling of (III). Coupling of 1,2-di-iodoperfluorocyclobutene (IX) and cyclopentene (XII) under similar conditions gave good yields of cyclic trimers and tetramers. Mass spectra, infrared and 19 F NMR data are discussed.
BIOTINIDASE ACTIVITY IN BRAIN AND ITS IMPLICATION IN BIOTINIDASE DEFICIENCY

The neurologic features of biotinidase deficiency include myoclonic seizures, ataxia and hearing loss which may occur without overt organic aciduria. Previous studies by Pispa (Ann Med Exp Biol Fenn 43, suppl. 5:1-39, 1965) indicated that there was no biotinidase activity in normal mammalian brains. However, using a sensitive radioassay we have determined that the mean activity in perfused rat brains (n=4) is 9.9 pmol/min/mg protein (range= 6.4-12.0) in the brain stem, 3.5 (2.9-4.3) in the cerebellum and 1.7 (1.0-2.2) in the cerebrum. The mean enzyme activity in human cerebrum is 32 pmol/min/mg (7.2-91; n=6). The mean biotinidase activity in human CSF is 30 pmol/ min/ml (range=0-100; n=44). These results indicate that the brain is capable of recycling biotin. Therefore, in biotinidase deficient individuals the brain's only access to biotin is via transport across the blood-brain barrier. Since the requirement for biotin in the brain appears to be high and studies by Baker et al. (Nutr. Rep. Intl. 27:661-670, 1983) indicate that the concentration of biotin in the CSF is only 1/5 that of the serum, then a severe systemic depletion of biotin would result in concomitant decrease of biotin in the brain. Even if carboxylase turnover is slower in the brain than in other tissues, biotin deficiency may occur sooner in the brain and preferentially affect biotinylation of the carboxylases, primarily pyruvate carboxylase, resulting in a localized accumulation of lactate and/or organic acids which may not be detectable in the urine.
New potential for irreversible processes

Abstract This paper reports two results. If a system is driven by several reservoirs, then two different Gibbsian distributions, both of which obey the Liouville equation with additional stochastic terms, will approach each other in the course of time; we have constructed a whole class of positive-definite function-als of these two distributions, which decrease monotonically in the course of time. The other, and probably more useful, result is the construction of a functional of a single distribution, also positive-definite, which tends to zero monotonically in the course of time and which will equal zero only if the distribution is stationary.
Effects of Unilateral Entorhinal Cortex Lesion on Retention of Water Maze Performance

In a previous study, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats with unilateral, electrolytic entorhinal cortex lesions showed significant deficits in acquisition of a water maze task that measured working memory. The 10 days of testing used two trials per day with an intertrial interval of 1 h, and the rats with entorhinal damage were impaired in total distance to the platform in both trials. In the present retention study, rats who learned the same task prior to injury and were then retested for 5 days after lesion showed only a first day deficit in total distance to platform in the second trial. Analysis of swim patterns indicated that rats with unilateral entorhinal lesions used an altered strategy in retention testing to find the platform in the second trial of each day and incorporated the use of headings appropriate for Trial 1 only. This altered or compensatory strategy was not the optimum choice for problem solution. Although the rats then were able to switch headings and find the platform without significant impairment in total distance to platform on days 2-5 of testing, the use of an initial incorrect strategy indicated subtle residual deficits in cue integration and use of working memory.
The effect of concentration, temperature, and molecular weight on the dynamics of rigid-rod molecules in semi-dilute solutions

The dynamics of rigid-rod-like molecules are studied using rheo-optical techniques. Measurements of flow birefringence as a function of shear rate are utilized to understand the scaling behavior of rotational diffusivity with respect to concentration and temperature. The concentration scaling exponent increases with increasing concentration and the scaling laws are valid in narrow concentration windows. The Doi-Edwards (DE) scaling law D r ∼ c -2 , holds at very high concentrations (cL 3 > 150). The concentration scaling exponent decreases dramatically with increasing temperature at concentrations, cL 2 d > 1. Scaling of rotational diffusivity, with respect to temperature and solvent viscosity in the semidilute regime, does not follow the predictions of DE theory (and related caging ideas). On the contrary, a model proposed by Fixman was found to explain both the temperature and concentration dependence of the rotational diffusivity.
Fiber optic rotation sensor for long lifetime space missions

The present F-O rotation sensors (FORS) are all-solid state devices for measuring rotations and rotation rates in inertial space that may reach the 0.003 deg/hr (1-sigma) accuracies required for NASA's Saturn-orbiting Cassini mission. Attention is presently given to the mission, inertial reference unit, and FORS instrument optoelectronic component requirements envisioned for such spacecraft applications.
The human glutathione peroxidase genes GPX2, GPX3, and GPX4 map to chromosomes 14, 5, and 19, respectively

cDNA probes of human glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) genes, including the classic GPX1 (GSHPx-1), the newly characterized GPX2 (GSHPx-GI), the plasma enzyme GPX3 (GSHPx-P), and the phospholipid hydrope
FLIP and the death effector domain family

Death effector domains (DEDs) are protein interaction modules found in a number of proteins known to regulate apoptosis from death receptors. The core DED family members that orchestrate programmed cell death from death receptors include the adaptor protein FADD, the initiator caspases procaspases-8 and -10 and the regulatory protein c-FLIP. Through homotypic DED interactions, these proteins assemble into the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) to regulate initiator caspase activation and launch the apoptotic proteolytic cascade. A considerable body of evidence, however, is revealing that the same core group of DED-containing proteins also paradoxically promotes survival and proliferation in lymphocytes and possibly other cell types. This review delves into recent findings regarding these two opposing functional aspects of the core DED proteins. We discuss the current effort expanding our structural and biochemical view of how DED proteins assemble into the DISC to fully activate initiator caspases and execute cell death, and finally we examine details linking the same proteins to proliferation and describe how this outcome might be achieved through restricted activation of initiator caspases.
What to do if called upon to testify

There are fundamental differences in the healthcare delivery systems, cultural ideologies, and legal procedures for malpractice litigation among the US, UK and Australia. Nursing malpractice litigation is definitely on the increase in the US. Evidence shows that this same trend is beginning in Australia and the UK. This article addresses some of the reasons for this increase in litigation, and identifies actions that a nurse can undertake to prepare for a deposition or court testimony if called upon to do so.
Americans' awareness, knowledge, and behaviors regarding fats: 2006-2007.

Abstract In recent years, epidemiologic and clinical studies, public and regulatory policy activity, and media coverage have focused on issues related to trans fats. To help increase awareness and understanding of trans fats and other fats, the American Heart Association (AHA) launched the "Face the Fats" national consumer education campaign in April 2007. The AHA commissioned a quantitative tracking survey between 2006 and 2007 to measure changes in consumer awareness, knowledge, and behaviors related fats and oils and their perceived impact on heart disease. The survey was conducted by Cogent Research. Data were collected during March 2006 and May 2007. At both time points, the survey included a representative sample of the American population age 18 to 65 years (n=1,000). The sampling plan for the survey was designed based on the 2000 and 2003 US Census. The margin of error was ±3.10 percentage points. Awareness of trans fats increased during the 1-year study period. In 2007, 92% of respondents were aware of trans fats, an increase from 84% in 2006 ( P trans fats (73% in 2007 vs 63% in 2006; P P P trans fats in 2007, up from 17% in 2006 ( P trans fat information, such as buying food products because they show "zero trans fat" on labels or packages (37% in 2007 vs. 32% in 2006; P trans fats increased and attained awareness levels similar to saturated fats. The increased awareness is associated with improved self-reported behaviors in grocery shopping. Nonetheless, overall knowledge, especially regarding food sources of saturated and trans fats, remains relatively low, underscoring the need for heightened consumer education activities. The positive change in consumer awareness about trans fats is likely attributable to the wide range of messages available to them, including the AHA "Face the Fats" national consumer education campaign.
Proton decay in three-generation matter-parity-invariant superstring models

Proton decay in three-generation superstring models with intermediate scale is investigated. It is shown that matter-parity (${M}_{2}$) invariance alone does not stabilize the proton. However, models with ${M}_{2}$ invariance and Calabi-Yau manifolds such that the exotic C-odd quarks and leptons are superheavy will generally lead to proton lifetimes consistent with existing data.
A Matrix Sampling Study of the Children's Adaptive Behavior Scale:

A multiple matrix sampling procedure was used to obtain local norms on the Children's Adaptive Behavior Scale (CABS). Matrix sampling is briefly explained and then exemplified in the method section. A sample of 158 children was drawn from a population of 784 fourth graders in a local Midwestern school system. The estimates based on the local sample were compared with the standardization data from the preliminary national sample. Of the five CABS subtests, two were significantly different. Differences between variances of the local and national samples were also observed. The standard deviations of the lo cal sample were more restricted. The implications of the findings are discussed as they relate to the assessment of children's adaptive behavior functioning.
Addition of Aromatic Heterocyclic Amines to Cobalt(II) Bis (Methylacetoacetate)

Hexa-coordinated complexes of cobalt(II) bis(methylacetoacetate) with pyridine, 3-methylpyridine, 4-methylpyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2′-dipyridyl have been isolated in pure crystalline forms. These are dull red to orange-yellow in colour and are non-electrolytes. The complexes are all paramagnetic (μB = 4.8–5.0 B.M.). Magnetic moment and electronic absorption spectra identify the complexes as octahedral ones. A cis configuration is assigned to the pyridine and substituted pyridine adducts on the basis of chemical evidence. Es wurden reine, kristalline oktaedrische Komplexe des Kobalt(II)-bis-methylacetoacetates mit Pyridin, 3-Methylpyridin, 4-Methylpyridin, 1,10-Phenanthrolin und 2,2−-Dipyridyl isoliert. Sie sind dunkelrot bis orangegelb, Nichtelektrolyte und durchweg paramagnetisch (μeff = 4,8–5,0 B. M.). Letzteres und die Elektronenspektren zeigen oktaedrische Koordination an. Den Addukten mit Pyridin unf den Methylpyridinen wird cis-Konfiguration zugeschrieben.
Water-Cooling System for Pelleting Machine in a Boll Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Rearing Operation

An economical and versatile water-cooling system was developed for supplying a source of cooled water to a machine for making food pellets for adult Anthonomus grandis Boheman. The system uses commonly available components to maintain a supply of water at the desired temperature for the pelleting machine. A list of the components and the general operation of the system are discussed.
Hyperirritability, lever-press avoidance, and septal lesions in the albino rat

Abstract Rats with septal lesions varying in size and extent of damage to structures adjacent to the septal nuclei were tested in acquisition of discriminated lever-press avoidance and reactivity to sensory stimulation (emotionality). Compared with sham-operated and normal, unoperated control groups, the lesioned groups were uniformly facilitated in avoidance acquistition, regardless of lesion size and distribution of structural damage. Animals with septal lesions emitted significantly fewer lever-press responses than controls during the early stages of avoidance training, when differential learning and shock frequency effects were not operating to bias response frequency. Lesion size was not significantly correlated with differences in emotionality ratings between lesioned and sham-operated animals. However, the extent to which damage extended into structures ventral to the septal nuclei was highly correlated with emotionality differences.
Diagnostic and Assessment Findings: A Bridge to Academic Planning for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Increasing numbers of children diagnosed and treated for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has impacted both neuropsychologists and educators. Though both play key evaluative and treatment roles, there is no available method or process in place enabling the translation of the neuropsychological report recommendations into a format educational teams can easily use, leading to a gap between neuropsychological recommendations and educational planning. In the following, we review the areas evaluated by a neuropsychologist when assessing a child with an ASD, discuss the domains targeted by educational teams when designing an educational plan, and then present a process that has met with some success creating a “bridge” between the diagnostic/assessment process and the subsequent academic planning. Though presented in the context of ASD, the process described can be used by neuropsychologists for various populations to facilitate partnerships with educators that result in improved care for the child.
The synthesis and ring opening of N-substituted-2-oxo-6-azaspiro[2,5] octanes

N-Substituted-4-piperidones have been reacted with trimethyl sulfoxonium iodide to give the title compounds. These undergo ring opening with lithium aluminum hydride-aluminum chloride to give piperidine-4-methanols which were converted to the chloromethylpiperidines.
Direct photoassociative formation of ultracold KRb molecules in the lowest vibrational levels of the electronic ground state

We report continuous direct photoassociative formation of ultracold KRb molecules in the lowest vibrational levels $({v}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}=0\ensuremath{-}10)$ of the electronic ground state $(X{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{1}{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{+})$, starting from ${}^{39}$K and ${}^{85}$Rb atoms in a magneto-optical trap. The process exploits a new-found resonant coupling between the $2(1),\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}{v}^{\ensuremath{'}}=165$ and $4(1),\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}{v}^{\ensuremath{'}}=61$ levels, which exhibit an almost equal admixture of the uncoupled eigenstates. The production rate of the ${X}^{1}{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{+}$ $({v}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}=0)$ level is estimated to be $5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{3}$ molecules/s.
Mechanisms of polarized and depolarized scattering from a rough dielectric surface

Abstract A theory is developed to explain the nature of polarised and depolarized scattering of electromagnetic waves from a slightly rough dielectric surface. The method of small perturbation is used together with the Fourier transformation and results are carried up to and including the second-order. It is shown that first-order fields result from a single scattering process and second order fields result from a two-bounce multiple scattering process. It is also shown that regardless of the dielectric property of the surface, the incident wave number, the incident angle and the direction of the receiver combine to determine exactly the harmonic components of the surface that are responsible for scattering.
Soliton phase shifts in a dissipative lattice

We measured the amplitude, width, velocity, and phase‐shift characteristics of solitons in the LC lattice of Hirota and Suzuki [Proc. IEEE 61, 1483 (1974)], an inexact electrical analog of the Toda lattice. We found that dissipative effects are important in this lattice, and that amplitudes decrease, widths increase, and velocities remain constant as solitons propagate along the lattice. We found that there are distinct families of solitons, distinguished by the shape of the amplitude‐width curve, and determined by the reverse bias of the input pulses that generate them. Within a family, the properties of a soliton are determined by the input amplitude and width of its generating pulse. Marked phase shifts occur when solitons of different families collide head‐on, and these phase shifts are found to be independent (within experimental error) of the location of the collision on the lattice. Thus, the positional phase of solitons can be used to encode information in a simple way, and the lattice used to perform computation, of which parity checking is a simple example.We measured the amplitude, width, velocity, and phase‐shift characteristics of solitons in the LC lattice of Hirota and Suzuki [Proc. IEEE 61, 1483 (1974)], an inexact electrical analog of the Toda lattice. We found that dissipative effects are important in this lattice, and that amplitudes decrease, widths increase, and velocities remain constant as solitons propagate along the lattice. We found that there are distinct families of solitons, distinguished by the shape of the amplitude‐width curve, and determined by the reverse bias of the input pulses that generate them. Within a family, the properties of a soliton are determined by the input amplitude and width of its generating pulse. Marked phase shifts occur when solitons of different families collide head‐on, and these phase shifts are found to be independent (within experimental error) of the location of the collision on the lattice. Thus, the positional phase of solitons can be used to encode information in a simple way, and the lattice used to per...
Scalable max-min fairness in wireless ad hoc networks

Our previous work proposes a macro model to perform flow and access control in wireless ad hoc networks. In this paper, we demonstrate specifically how to apply the model to achieve max-min fair rate allocation. Our proposed scheme is simple and scalable when comparing to other techniques in the literature. Moreover, it has the ability to provide stability in mobile environment. Simulation results show that our new method provides a good max-min fair flow assignment, and with that assignment, quality of service guarantees can be achieved for real-time applications.
Evaluation of perfusion with the 81Rb-81mKr generator.

The development of the 81 Rb- 81m Kr generator-delivery system has made available an ultrashort (13-sec) half-life radionuclide for continuous, constant-rate delivery as a gas, or as an isotonic, nonionic solution in 5% dextrose and water. This system has been evaluated and applied to the scintigraphic imaging of various organs and anatomic regions by intravenous and intraarterial infusion and by inhalation and deglutition. This diffusible, noble gas is inert chemically and biologically. When the gas is administered intraarterially, the volume of tissue being perfused may be defined with the scintillation camera. The 13-sec half-life is of a similar magnitude to the rate of capillary exchange, producing a heterogeneous image with steady-state administration in which the intensity of detectable radioactivity is proportional to the time of diffusion into the tissue. This system appears capable of defining the rate of capillary exchange and the moment-to-moment changes brought about by vasoactive stimuli in specific organs.
Amino acids as probes for ancient life in the solar system

Surface and atmospheric conditions make it unlikely that life as we know it presently exists elsewhere in our solar system. However, this does not preclude the possibility of ancient, extraterrestrial life, which could have originated from Earth or have been introduced to Earth. Since the oldest known sediments on Earth contain evidence for life, it is not possible to determine what the Earth's chemical composition was like prior to life's origin. This evidence can only be sought from meteorites and planetary materials that were formed during the early stages of solar system formation approximately 4.5 to 4.0 GΑa. Criteria are presented that can be used to determine if amino acids in these ancient materials are evidence of ancient life or if they were formed by non-biological processes.