cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Poststroke Rehabilitation: Outcomes and Reimbursement of Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities and Subacute Rehabilitation Programs

Background and Purpose—To assess whether poststroke rehabilitation outcomes and reimbursement for Medicare beneficiaries differ across inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) and skilled nursing facility (SNF) subacute rehabilitation programs. Methods—Clinical data were linked with Medicare claims for 58 724 Medicare beneficiaries with a recent stroke who completed treatment in 1996 or 1997 in IRFs and subacute rehabilitation SNFs that subscribed to the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation. Outcome measures were discharge destination, discharge FIM ratings and Medicare Part A reimbursement during the institutional stay. Results—IRF patients that were more likely to have a community-based discharge, compared with rehabilitation SNF patients, were patients with mild motor disabilities and FIM cognitive ratings of 23 or greater (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]2.19; 95% CI: 1.52 to 3.14), patients with moderate motor disabilities (AOR1.98; 95% CI: 1.49 to 2.61), patients with significant motor disabilities (AOR1.26; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.57) and patients younger than 82 with severe motor disabilities (AOR1.43; 95% CI: 1.25 to 1.64). IRF patients with significant and severe motor disabilities achieved greater motor function of 2 or more FIM units compared with rehabilitation SNF patients. Medicare Part A payments for IRFs were higher than rehabilitation SNF payments across all subgroups. Conclusions—For most patients, poststroke rehabilitation in the more costly and intensive IRFs resulted in higher functional outcomes compared with care in a SNF-based rehabilitation program. IRF and SNF outcomes were similar for patients with minimal motor disabilities and patients with mild motor disabilities and significant cognitive disabilities. Cost-effectiveness analyses require considering the costs of the full episode of care. (Stroke. 2006;37:14771482.)
Potential Nitrogen Mineralization in Sandy Soils under Long-Term Poultry Litter Management

Application of poultry litter to crops and pastures as an organic nutrient source is a common practice in U.S. agriculture. A laboratory incubation study for 60 days was laid out in a randomized block design. The treatments consisted of poultry litter applications corresponding to 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 21 Mg ha–1 in addition to control. Accumulation of mineralized nitrogen (N) was observed in all the treatments, with a typical small increase in inorganic N during the first 3 days followed by a big flush between 3 and 5 days. Mineralized N ranged from 69% to 39% of the total N applied in the greatest to lowest application treatments, respectively. The results suggested that recommendations should emphasize partitioning the total litter into smaller installments to coincide with crop growth period. Also, long-term application of poultry litter was found to increase soil pH.
Incomplete polynomials of best approximation

The main theorem proved in this paper is as follows. There exist odd functionsf ɛC[−1,1] with the following property. LetP n be the polynomial of best uniform approximation tof of degree≦n. Then for infinitely manyn,P n has zero of orders(n)≧c logn atx=0.
Optical wave propagation in a cholesteric liquid crystal using the finite element method

Bragg reflections of cholesteric liquid crystals at normal and oblique incidences were investigated using the finite element method (FEM). Detailed FEM derivations together with the consideration of boundary conditions are given. Two methods for achieving broadband Bragg reflection are analysed: one is to use high birefringence liquid crystal in the uniform pitch structure, the other is to use the gradient pitch structure. In each case, the number of cholesteric pitches required for establishing the Bragg reflection was simulated.
A study of the Buckingham exponential-six fluid mixtures

Abstract Extensive Monte Carlo computer simulation results for the configurational energy, compressibility and the radial distribution functions of mixtures of exponential-six molecules at 352 state points and presented. These data are used to test mixture models that have been proposed, and to develop a model which describes the exp-6 fluid quite well. Using this model, explicit expressions are obtained for the partition function for pure fluids and mixtures of exp-6 molecules. It is also shown how, by redefinition of the free volume and mean potential terms, simple models can be used to describe the behavior of exp-6 fluids and that with this definition the behavior of the exp-6 and square-well fluids are very similar.
How well does multiple OCR error correction generalize

As the digitization of historical documents, such as newspapers, becomes more common, the need of the archive patron for accurate digital text from those documents increases. Building on our earlier work, the contributions of this paper are: 1. in demonstrating the applicability of novel methods for correcting optical character recognition (OCR) on disparate data sets, including a new synthetic training set, 2. enhancing the correction algorithm with novel features, and 3. assessing the data requirements of the correction learning method. First, we correct errors using conditional random fields (CRF) trained on synthetic training data sets in order to demonstrate the applicability of the methodology to unrelated test sets. Second, we show the strength of lexical features from the training sets on two unrelated test sets, yielding a relative reduction in word error rate on the test sets of 6.52%. New features capture the recurrence of hypothesis tokens and yield an additional relative reduction in WER of 2.30%. Further, we show that only 2.0% of the full training corpus of over 500,000 feature cases is needed to achieve correction results comparable to those using the entire training corpus, effectively reducing both the complexity of the training process and the learned correction model.
Preparation of superconducting films of Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu oxides by in-situ melting

Abstract Preparation of superconducting films in the BiSrCaCuO system by in-situ melting has been extended to the (Bi,Pb)system with improved characteristics. Zero-resistance temperatures, Tc,0, of up to 95 K have been obtained. Films are highly oriented with the c axis perpendicular to the substrate. A film with Tc,0 of 95 K has been identified to be exclusively of the n = 2 (the 2-2-1-2) structure which is consistent with our earlier findings that the n = 2 phase with excess Cu content also constitutes the “high-Tc phase” in this system.
Evaluation of computer diagnosis of ectopic beats encountered in routine patient monitoring.

Abstract The accuracy with which an on-line computer system could diagnose premature contractions was measured by comparison with an independent cardiologist's diagnosis of the same beats. Approximately 20 000 beats were diagnosed from 16 patients who were found to have premature contractions during the course of routine monitoring. A convention was used in which the computer diagnosed premature beats as PVC (premature ventricular contractions), PAC (premature atrial contractions) or PC (premature contractions) the later diagnosis for beats which were abnormal but which did not meet strict requirements for a PVC or a PAC. Using this convention and assuming the cardiologist's diagnosis to be correct, the computer diagnosed 90 per cent of the PVC's as either PVC or PC and 81 per cent of the PAC's as either PAC or PC. False positive diagnoses occurred in 57 beats five of which were called PVC's. Limitations of the current system were analyzed and methods for improvement discussed.
Shortened analog of the gramicidin a channel argues for the doubly occupied channel as the dominant conducting state

A shortened analog of the gramicidin A transmembrane channel has been synthesized and its transport characterized in planar lipid bilayer membranes. General considerations of a shorter diffusional length and a shorter distance over which the voltage drop occurs (i.e., an increased electric field) would contribute to an increase in single-channel conductance. The finding of a decreased single-channel conductance supports the perspective that the dominant conducting state is the doubly occupied channel wherein distance-dependent repulsion due to the first ion in the channel impedes entry of the second ion in the shorter channel.
Freedom, affluence, growth and inequality

Abstract Following Gastil's classification of countries into ‘free’, ‘partly free’ and ‘not free’, and considering the developing world, there appears to be a mild negative correlation between freedom and per capita income. However, no clear pattern emerges in the relationship between freedom and income growth, or between freedom and intra-country inequality.
Determinants of Local Governmental Support for Alternative Forms of Regional Coordination

Local governments are under increasing pressure to maintain services while saving money. One mechanism for such economies is coordinating services with other municipalities, but local-government officials have often resisted such coordination. Overcoming this resistance requires understanding the factors that contribute to support for regionalism by local officials. Several forms of regional coordination exist, each with its unique impact on localities, and if the factors responsible for support by local officials for one form of regional coordination are indeed different from those responsible for other forms, then general conclusions on how to enhance this support could be misleading. The results of a survey of local officials in Virginia regarding alternative roles for regional councils confirm the predicted differences in models of support. Local officials' support for regional council involvement in service provision is primarily a function of previous council activities, with technical assistance to...
An experimental investigation of radiative properties of aluminum oxide particles.

The radiative properties of aluminum oxide at high temperatures were determined at various wavelengths. Absorption cross-sections of aluminum oxide particles averaged over a particle size distribution were determined by measuring the radiative emission from the particles in a flame and by determining the particle number density and size distribution from measurements of the scattering of laser light incident on the particles in this flame. From these values of average absorption cross-section, the imaginary part of the refractive index was deduced. Results indicate that the absorption cross-section and the imaginary part of the refractive index increase as the temperature increases in the range from 1920 to 2610 K, and that these properties decrease with increasing wavelength in the interval from 0.35 to 1.2 micron, indicating a nongray-body behavior.
Abstract 1943: On-demand reversible boronate-catechol crosslinked nanocarriers for cancer therapy

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL We have previously reported the development of a versatile nanocarrier platform comprised of PEG-cholic acid cluster telodendrimers that can self-assemble together with hydrophobic cytotoxic anti-cancer agents to form stable nanoparticle drugs. We have successfully loaded these nanoparticles with a number of different cancer drugs. These include paclitaxel, doxorubicin, vincristine, vinblastine, actinomycin D, bortezomib, temsirolimus, sarofinib, and lapatinib. Using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, we have demonstrated that the micelles can be disrupted by LDL and VLDL causing premature drug release. Such undesirable properties can be eliminated by cross-linking the telodendrimers with disulfide bonds. The disulfide crosslinked micelles can be triggered to release drugs by endogenous glutathione inside the cancer cells or via exogenous addition of N-acetyl cysteine, a FDA approved-drug that has been used for years in the treatment of Tylenol overdose. Very recently, we created a novel crosslinking strategy by incorporating boronic acids or catechols into the telodendrimers. The final nanocarriers were crosslinked by boronate-catechol bonds resulting in stable micelles, thus avoiding premature drug release. Inside the endosomal compartment, the boronate-catechol bonds were cleaved by the acidic environment resulting in drug release. An additional very important feature of this nanocarrier is that exogenous mannitol (another FDA-approved drug for diuresis) can be administered in vivo to trigger drug release. Therapeutic studies in ovarian cancer xenograft model indicated that paclitaxel-loaded boronate-catechol crosslinked nanoparticles were much more efficacious when mannitol was given 24 hours after each dose of nanoparticle drug. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1943. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1943
Roles of FMO and CYP450 in the metabolism in human liver microsomes of S-methyl-N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate, a disulfiram metabolite.

Background: The conversion of S-methyl-N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate (MeDDC) to MeDDC sulfine is the first step after methylation in the metabolic pathway of disulfiram, an alcohol deterrent, to its ultimate active metabolite. Various isoforms of CYP450 have recently been shown to catalyze this reaction, but the involvement of flavin monooxygenase (FMO) in this metabolism in humans has not been evaluated. In this study we examined the ability of recombinant human FM03 in insect microsomes to metabolize MeDDC, and investigated the relative roles of FMO and CYP450 in the metabolism of MeDDC in human liver microsomes. Methods: HPLC-mass spectrometry was used to identify the products of MeDDC formed by human liver microsomes and by recombinant human FM03. MeDDC metabolism in human liver microsomes was studied by using either heat inactivation to inhibit FMO, or N-benzylimidazole (NBI) or antibodies to the CYP450 NADPH reductase to inhibit CYP450. Results: We confirmed by HPLC-mass spectrometry that MeDDC sulfine was the major product of MeDDC formed by human liver microsomes and by FM03. Recombinant FM03 was an efficient catalyst for the formation of MeDDC sulfine (5.3 ± 0.2 nmol/min/mg, mean ± SEM, n = 6). Inhibition studies showed MeDDC was metabolized primarily by CYP450 in human liver microsomes at pH 7.4, with a 10% contribution from FMO (total microsomal activity 3.1 ± 0.2, n= 17). In the course of this work, methyl p-tolyl sulfide (MTS), sulfoxidation of which is used by some investigators as a specific probe for FMO activity, was found to be a substrate for both FMO and CYP450 in human liver microsomes. Conclusions: Our results prove that MeDDC sulfine is the major product of MeDDC oxidation in human liver microsomes, MeDDC is a good substrate for human FM03, and MeDDC is metabolized in human liver microsomes primarily by CYP450. We also showed that use of MTS sulfoxidation as an indicator of FMO activity in microsomes is valid only in the presence of a CYP450 inhibitor, such as NBI.
Fungal mitigation of soil erosion following burning in a semi-arid Arizona savanna

In the semi-arid savannas of southern Arizona, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and saprophytic fungi are unique and measurable linkages between soil, plant and erosion processes. In the first growing season following burning significant declines in perennial grass cover and soil infiltration rates were observed, as were increases in bulk density. In the second growing season, perennial grass cover and infiltration rates continued to be lower on the burned plots. There were also appreciable declines in fungal variables, water stable aggregates (WSA) and other variables indicating declines in surface soil structure that were not present in the first year. Significant correlative relationships were evident between plant, fungal and physical soil attributes. The relationship of percent WSA to live fungal biomass was a strong predictor of soil loss from erosion plots. The live fungal fraction of the soil organic carbon (SOC) and not total levels of SOC appeared to strongly influence the soil structural stability and erosion processes in semi-arid Arizona savannas.
Daily serotonin changes persist in rat pineals in organ culture.

Abstract The daily pineal serotonin rhythm in 11–15-day old rats in vivo appears to persists when the glands are placed in organ culture.
Internet companies' growth strategies: determinants of investment intensity and long-term performance

To exploit first-mover advantages, pioneers may be motivated to amass customers before rivals enter the market. Likewise, when they enjoy increasing returns due to network effects, static scale economies, or learning effects, companies have incentives to invest aggressively in growth. This paper presents econometric analysis of factors that determined the intensity of Internet companies' investments in growth, and analyzes the long-term performance consequences of such investments. Results indicate that first movers spent significantly more on upfront marketing than non-pioneers. Contrary to expectations, however, firms in markets that exhibited increasing returns did not spend more on their early customer acquisition efforts than other sample companies. Although the typical sample company did not earn positive long-term returns, heavy early investments in growth were nevertheless economically rational. In most cases, reducing marketing outlays would have worsened a bad outcome, consistent with an inverted ‘U’ relationship between long-term returns and upfront marketing spending. Thus, the typical sample company invested in marketing, ex ante, at levels close to those that would have maximized returns, observed ex post. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Star-forming Complexes in a Sample of Spiral and Irregular Galaxies

Over 300 star-forming complexes in 11 intermediate- and late-type spiral and irregular galaxies have been observed in the B, I, and Hα bands to determine their luminosity functions, ages, sizes, and masses. The total Hα luminosity from complexes compared with the total galaxy Hα luminosity ranges from 20% to 70%, but the percentage is nearly constant at 7% in the B band for most galaxies. A comparison of the colors and luminosities of the complexes with published cluster evolutionary models suggests that the complexes range in age from a few times 106 yr to nearly 109 yr; the majority have ages of less than 1 to 2 × 107 yr. The complex masses range from 104 to 107 M⊙. The luminosity functions for the complexes follow a power law with an exponent of approximately -2; late-type galaxies have slightly shallower slopes than intermediate-type galaxies. The sizes of the largest complexes in each galaxy scale approximately with the square root of the galaxy luminosity, confirming previous studies. The complexes may have a fractal size distribution that is consistent with values predicted by theoretical turbulence models of the interstellar medium.
Towards a Symbiotic Coexistence of Comparative Literature and World Literature

In his article "Towards a Symbiotic Coexistence of Comparative Literature and World Literature" Juri Talvet postulates that comparative literature has really never enjoyed a pivotal or central status in the broad field of literary studies, yet at the same time specialized studies of separate literary traditions have not been able to fill numerous gaps in the understanding of literary creation as a broader cultural phenomenon influencing (although often invisibly) the world-view and axiological attitudes of entire societies and vast communities of people. Developing some ideas presented in his book A Call for Cultural Symbiosis (2005) and in his article "Edaphos and Episteme of Comparative Literature," Interlitteraria (2005), as well as the ideas of Juri M. Lotman, Talvet proposes a symbiotic approach aimed at reconciling extreme oppositions and establishing a dialogue that would strengthen the position of the discipline of comparative literature, as well as the field of world literatures.
An analysis and application of the size distribution of waste flakes from the manufacture of bifacial stone tools

Abstract A replication experiment tested the hypothesis that the size range of waste flakes from biface manufacture decreases from initial to final reduction stages and may be used to estimate biface reduction stages in prehistoric flake samples by comparison with replicated flake data. All waste flakes from the replication of twelve projectile points were separated into four experimentally defined stages, and were then sieved into ten size categories. The size distribution was based on the cumulative distribution function of flake frequency by size category, and was accurately modeled by the Weibull distribution. Constrained least squares analysis successfully assigned most single and multiple stage test samples to their correct stage of reduction. Based on careful replication, this method should allow the rapid, systematic estimation of biface reduction stages in unbiased prehistoric flake samples. The Weibull distribution may potentially serve as a screening device to help assure that a particular preh...
CELL BLOTTING: A NEW APPROACH TO QUANTIFY HORMONE SECRETION FROM INDIVIDUAL RAT PITUITARY CELLS

A new technique is described for quantification of PRL secretion from individual pituitary cells incubated 1-6 h on ImmobilonTM, a high protein binding capacity transfer membrane. After incubation, the membrane is processed according to procedures commonly used in Western blotting. Individual cells and their "zone of secretion" can be seen by light microscopy. Purified hormone, incubated and processed in a similar fashion, is used to generate a PRL standard curve. An OasysTM Image Analysis System is used to measure area and intensity of released hormone. PRL release ranged from 0.1-1.5 pg/cell, depending upon time of incubation and cell donor. Heterogeneity of hormone release from single cells was obvious.
Morgan Systems, Inc.: Application of Six Sigma to the finance function

Abstract This teaching case is based on a Six Sigma project undertaken by a subsidiary of a Fortune 100 company to improve its quarterly financial-reporting process. It is presented as a six-phase Problem-Based Learning (PBL) unfolding problem. The first five phases correspond to the stages of the Define–Measure–Analyze–Improve–Control (DMAIC) model, a process-improvement methodology used extensively in Six Sigma. The sixth phase focuses on Six Sigma as a way of doing business. This case can be used in MBA or Master of Accountancy (MAcc) courses. Upon completion, students should be able to explain the DMAIC model stages and identify tools used in each stage; describe a project charter; and interpret a suppliers–inputs–process–outputs–customers (SIPOC) analysis, cause-and-effect (C & E) diagram, and failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA). Students should also be able to calculate and interpret process sigma levels and risk priority numbers (RPNs).
Cancer treatment-induced bone loss (CTIBL) in prostate cancer: Pathophysiology, preclinical findings, and treatment with zoledronic acid

Abstract Objective: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the treatment of choice for men with advanced prostate cancer, and the most common indication for the initiation of ADT is a rising serum prostate-specific antigen level after failed local therapy. Consequently, potentially long periods of androgen suppression exist in these patients, resulting in clinically significant bone loss. This review will discuss the pathophysiology of cancer treatment-induced bone loss (CTIBL) and the treatment and prevention of CTIBL with zoledronic acid. Methods: Relevant information was identified through searches of published studies, abstracts from scientific meetings, and review articles. Results: The treatment of prostate cancer patients with surgical or pharmacologic ADT results in the activation of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption, leading to reductions in bone mineral density (BMD) and increased fracture risk. Preclinical evidence from a murine prostate cancer model also suggests that ADT may potentially increase the risk of bone metastasis. Bone loss caused by long-term ADT and bone metastases can result in significant skeletal morbidity in patients with prostate cancer. Zoledronic acid has been shown to increase BMD in prostate cancer patients receiving ADT, and is the only bisphosphonate effective in reducing the risk of skeletal complications in prostate cancer patients with bone metastases in the setting of hormone-refractory disease. In addition, preclinical evidence suggests that zoledronic acid may prevent tumor metastasis to bone. Conclusions: Zoledronic acid can provide clinical benefit for patients with advanced prostate cancer throughout the course of their disease. In these patients BMD should be monitored routinely, and zoledronic acid treatment should be considered to prevent bone loss.
The republic of Korea's experience with export-led industrial development

Findings concerning the results of Korea's industrial incentive policies are summarized in relation to export-led industrial development. By the mid-1960s, Korea was following an outward-looking policy that provided incentives to exports and to import substitution. However, the policy has not been one of purely neutral free trade. Exporters have benefitted from unrestricted access to imported inputs and have paid neither tariffs nor indirect taxes on inputs. Incentive policies have discriminated in favor of agriculture and within manufacturing. Incentive policies have contributed to the rapid expansion of exports, with annual increases averaging nearly 30 percent between 1960 and 1975. Increased factor utilization and allocative efficiency have resulted from export growth. As a result of being labor intensive, industrial development has yielded rapid employment growth. In turn, the distribution of income is relatively equitable. The high level of foreign assistance has contributed to the export-led, labor intensive industrialization. The most important lessons from Korea's experience appear to be that exports respond to incentives while efficiency in the resource allocation can be assured by operating closer to a free trade regime. 27 references.
Intraocular Ovarian Isografts in Female Rats and Their Response to Gonadotropins and to Pituitary Isografts

Intraocular ovarian isografts in intact female rats showed primordial follicles only, which were little affected by follicle stimulating hormone administration. Similar grafts in castrated females showed sequential development of vesicular and luteinized follicles in correlation with normal vaginal cycles. Each new set of corpora exhibited hyperemia for about 2 days. Luteinizing hormone administration did not affect luteal hyperemia or vaginal cycles. In previous work with similarly isografted mice, intact and castrated females showed the same graft response as in corresponding rats. However, administration of luteotropic hormone (LtH) to castrated-grafted rats for 20–28 days produced hyperemic corpora that persisted not only during dosage but for 2–17 days afterward; vaginal cycles were not changed. In corresponding mice, LtH administration gave luteal hyperemia of only about 7 days’ duration, regardless of continuing LtH dosage; vaginal cycles were interrupted. When a pituitary graft was also present in...
2H + reactions from 1.96 to 6.20 MeV

Abstract The differential cross sections of 2H(d, d)2H, 2H(d, 3He)n, 2H(d, p)3H and 2H(d, t)p have been measured in a gas scattering chamber at ten bombarding energies between 2.0 and 6.2 MeV with accuracies ranging from ±1.7 % to ±3.4 %. The differential cross section of 2H(d, n)3He has been measured at forward angles to an accuracy of ±2.5 % at the same energies using a time-of-flight detection system. The neutron detection efficiency was calibrated from the 2H(d, 3He)n cross sections, so the neutron production cross sections reported here do not depend on any previous neutron measurements. The 2H(d, 3He)n cross sections have been converted into 2H(d, n) 3He cross sections and Legendre polynomial fits are given for the complete angular distributions of 2H(d, n)3He.
Socioeconomic differences in Medicare supplemental coverage.

In this study we compare the beneficiaries with various types of Medicare supplemental insurance coverage to examine the impact of socioeco- nomic characteristics on such coverage. We found that those who are more disadvantaged are less likely to have any coverage, and those who have it are less likely to have it subsidized by a former employer. These findings have direct implications for the fairness of proposed programs to provide prescription drug coverage to Medicare beneficiaries, and for the advisability of various proposals for reforming Medicare, including "premium-support" programs.
Fault analysis of plasma facing component mounts using multiphysics simulation

Plasma facing components like the ITER blanket shield modules (BSMs) often consist of a first wall and a shield block that are mounted to a vacuum vessel wall. The ITER mount is comprised of an Inconel bolt, Ni-Al-bronze collar, insulating layers of alumina and a flexible Inconel cartridge that allows compliance to reduce stress. Here we describe our efforts to perform multiphysics simulations on the flexible mount using current densities calculated for ITER halo scenarios and off-normal disruption events over various size faults or breaks in the insulator layers. This effort also entailed a study of fault size and simulations of high current flow over small area faults that would likely lead to melting. In addition to ohmic heating and thermal analysis, melting and solidification physics were included using computational fluid dynamics to track the solid/liquid interface and the degree of melting near the fault. Temperature dependent conductivities were used for the solid and liquid phases of all the materials. We concluded that for the anticipated off-normal conditions in ITER, the flexible mount is very fault tolerant for both large and small area faults.
Drosophila Dystroglycan is a target of O-mannosyltransferase activity of two protein O-mannosyltransferases, Rotated Abdomen and Twisted.

Recent studies highlighted an emerging possibility of using Drosophila as a model system for investigating the mechanisms of human congenital muscular dystrophies, called dystroglycanopathies, resulting from the abnormal glycosylation of α-dystroglycan. Several of these diseases are associated with defects in O-mannosylation, one of the most prominent types of α-dystroglycan glycosylation mediated by two protein O-mannosyltransferases. Drosophila appears to possess homologs of all essential components of the mammalian dystroglycan-mediated pathway; however, the glycosylation of Drosophila Dystroglycan (DG) has not yet been explored. In this study, we characterized the glycosylation of Drosophila DG using a combination of glycosidase treatments, lectin blots, trypsin digestion, and mass spectrometry analyses. Our results demonstrated that DG extracellular domain is O-mannosylated in vivo. We found that the concurrent in vivo activity of the two Drosophila protein O-mannosyltransferases, Rotated Abdomen and Twisted, is required for O-mannosylation of DG. While our experiments unambiguously determined some O-mannose sites far outside of the mucin-type domain of DG, they also provided evidence that DG bears a significant amount of O-mannosylation within its central region including the mucin-type domain, and that O-mannose can compete with O-GalNAc glycosylation of DG. We found that Rotated Abdomen and Twisted could potentiate in vivo the dominant-negative effect of DG extracellular domain expression on crossvein development, which suggests that O-mannosylation can modulate the ligand-binding activity of DG. Taken together these results demonstrated that O-mannosylation of Dystroglycan is an evolutionarily ancient mechanism conserved between Drosophila and humans, suggesting that Drosophila can be a suitable model system for studying molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying human dystroglycanopathies.
GABA receptor binding in bovine retina

Abstract As in brain, bovine retinal GABA receptors appear to exist in at least two states based on differing affinities for GABA, one having a higher affinity (20–40 nM), the other a lower affinity (200–400 nM). In synaptosomal fractions from bovine retina, treatment with Triton X-100 and NaC104 specifically enhanced the high affinity binding of 3H-GABA to these two sites, both of which have pharmacological specificity consistent with the GABA receptor. In the photoreceptor cell synaptosomal fraction, Triton X-100 and NaC104 had similar enhancement effects on 3H-GABA binding at both the 20 nM and the 200 nM site. However, in the conventional sized synaptosomal fraction, the 20 nM site was virtually absent after Triton treatment, but was readily detectable in the presence of NaC104. These results suggest that major differences exist in the receptor solubility characteristics of different populations of retinal GABA receptors.
Progress toward gene therapy.

The prospect of treating human disease at its most fundamental (i.e., genetic) level has been the dream of clinicians for decades. There are over 4000 distinct genetic diseases, many of which are debilitating or fatal and most of which are incurable by standard medical approaches. Initial research was directed toward gene replacement treatment of genetic diseases involving the bone marrow, such as sickle cell anemia. Efficient metholds for gene transfer were developed, but as this research progressed it became apparent that the biology of the bone marrow stem cell and the regulation of hemoglobin synthesis were not understood well enough to realistically permit an attempt at gene therapy for these diseases. These difficulties spurred research on alternative approaches which has unexpectedly led to the development of techniques to use gene therapy for the treatment of both rare genetic disorders as well as more common “nongenetic” diseases such as cancer. Our research has focused on one of the most promising cellular alternatives to the bone marrow stem cell, the T lymphocyte. This paper summarizes the historical background and evolution of thinking which led to the initial clinical applications of gene transfer and gene therapy in man.
Amorphous magnetic alloys of cobalt‐titanium

Amorphous cobalt‐titanium films were deposited by r.f. sputtering for titanium content in excess of 14 atom percent. The properties of amorphous CoTi films are similar to those of transition metal‐metalloid glasses: they have soft magnetic properties and their resistivity is in the 100–200μΩcm range. Contrary to most metal‐metalloid glasses, these films have very small magnetostriction, are most thermally stable, and more corrosion resistant.
Treatment of keloids and hypertrofic scars with an argon laser

A report is given on the treatment of keloids and hypertrofic scars using an argon laser. Of the 45 patients who participated, only three patients had a diminishing of over 50%, and 40 patients were classified as obtaining slight improvement, which means a diminishing of between 20 and 50% of the original keloid. Twenty-seven patients showed no change after treatment with the argon laser and one patient had a poorer result, due to a complication after the last treatment. Directly after treatment, most keloids showed an obvious shrinkage. After several days, however, the keloids became the same size as before treatment. Decrease of tension of the skin after treatment seems to influence the result favorably. We find the best response to treatment with an argon laser in long narrow keloids (hypertrofic scars). In general, the results are disappointing, especially because until now the literature claims good results on this subject.
Decreased aggressive and social responsiveness of chronically anosmic male rats

Sexually experienced male rats, injected intranasally with ZnSO4 solution, showed decreased social investigation toward juvenile and adult conspecifics of either sex, when tested 2 months posttreatment. Saline-treated control males exhibited levels of social-investigatory behavior toward juveniles similar to those displayed toward adult nonreceptive females. Copulatory attempts and aggression toward juveniles was minimal, with intense aggression against adult males exhibited by controls but not by anosmic subjects. Anosmic and control subjects showed comparable frequencies of mounting adults of both sexes. The results emphasize the importance of olfaction in social recognition and the differential effects of olfactory loss upon copulatory and aggressive behavior.
Progress in the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors.

Traditional treatments for patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors include surgical debulking, hepatic embolization, somatostatin analogues, and interferon-α. Patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors also may benefit from treatment with the alkylating agents streptozocin or temozolomide. In recent years, several promising new approaches have been investigated in patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors. One such approach has been the use of radiopeptide therapy targeting somatostatin receptors. Additionally, agents targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway and mammalian target of rapamycin have shown preliminary evidence of activity and are currently being evaluated in large randomized studies.
The Internet Brain Volume Database: A Public Resource for Storage and Retrieval of Volumetric Data

Every month, numerous publications appear that include neuroanatomic volumetric observations. The current and past literature that includes volumetric measurements is vast, but variable with respect to specific species, structures, and subject characteristics (such as gender, age, pathology, etc.). In this report we introduce the Internet Brain Volume Database (IBVD), www.nitrc.org/projects/ibvd, a site devoted to facilitating access to and utilization of neuroanatomic volumetric observations as published in the literature. We review the design and functionality of the site. The IBVD is the first database dedicated to integrating, exposing and sharing brain volumetric observations across species and disease. It offers valuable functionality for quality assurance assessment of results as well as support for meta-analysis across large segments of the published literature that are obscured from traditional text-based search engines.
Regulation of neuropeptide gene expression by steroid hormones.

Steroid hormones modify several brain functions, at least in part by altering expression of particular genes. Of interest are those genes that are involved in cell-cell communication in the brain, for instance neuropeptide genes and genes that code for enzymes involved in synthesis of neurotransmitters. Steroid regulation of mRNA levels for several genes has been reported, including the genes coding for the neuropeptides vasopressin, corticotropin releasing factor, luteinizing hormone-releasing factor, pro-opiomelanocortin, somatostatin, preproenkphalin, and the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase. Steroid control of releasing factor genes is consistent with classical neuroendocrine concepts of negative feedback. Steroid-induced plasticity of gene expression is sometimes in evidence, with the presence or absence of a particular steroid inducing expression of a neuropeptide gene in neurons that under other conditions do not express the gene.
Development of Bi-2223 superconducting wires

Abstract The essential conditions of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) wires are a high transport critical current density, shape uniformity of long length wire and mechanical performance. By exploiting the properties of (Bi, Pb) 2 Sr 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O x (Bi-2223) HTS material, we have succeeded in semi-mass-producing long wire (in the kilometer-class), which can be drawn, by processing silver alloy sheathed multifilamentary wire into tape form. It is now developing Bi-2223 HTS wire with even higher performance in order to develop the superconducting equipment required for industrial applications at the earliest possible time. This paper presents the results of Bi-2223 HTS wires' performance by the powder-in-tube manufacturing technologies, which we developed. Typical J c performances for 10–1623 m long wires are above 30 kA/cm 2 (77 K, self-field, 1 μV /cm). Recently we have completed the production of total over 150 km Bi-2223 HTS wires necessary to HTS magnet for Si single crystal growth applications and 66 kV/1 kA, three phase, 100 m long HTS power cable.
Classification Accuracy of easyCBM First-Grade Mathematics Measures Findings and Implications for the Field

The results from a year-long study to investigate the technical features of easyCBM mathematics screening measures for first grade are presented. Measures were designed based on the National Counci...
Meaning and Health: A Systematic Review

The research base linking meaning with physical health is significantly underdeveloped in comparison to that linking subjective well-being and physical health. We address this deficit by first providing an overview of the study of meaning, and then examining evidence of its positive relationship to physical health in a systematic review of relevant literature. We searched PsycINFO and PubMed databases for studies of varying design and populations, excluding studies that did not have clear measures of meaning and physical health and/or did not address their relationship. Overall, higher levels of meaning are clearly associated with better physical health, as well as with behavioral factors that decrease the probability of negative health outcomes or increase that of positive health outcomes. Methodological challenges and future directions are discussed.
Voltage-activated sodium conductances in cultured normal and trisomy 16 dorsal root ganglion neurons from the fetal mouse.

Current and voltage clamp recordings were made with a patch-clamp technique from large, light, dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons in tissue culture, derived from trisomy 16 and normal fetal mice. In a Na gradient of [52 mM]o/[28 mM]i, the action potential was accelerated, depolarization and repolarization were faster and the total Na conductance was higher in trisomic neurons. A tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive, fast Na current was demonstrated, about 0.9 nA in trisomic and 0.3 nA in control neurons. The calculated mean specific membrane conductances were 0.74 mS/cm2 and 0.28 mS/cm2, respectively. A TTX-insensitive, slow Na conductance, 3–4 times the fast Na conductance and sensitive to Cd, also was demonstrated, with a 2-fold greater current density and conductance in trisomic as compared with control neurons, of 2.22 ± 0.54 mS/cm2 and 1.26 ± 0.09 mS/cm2, respectively. The voltage-dependence and kinetics of the TTX-insensitive, slow, Na current were similar in the two neuronal groups. The results indicate that depolarization during the action potential, in fetal mouse DRG neurons in culture, is mediated by this slow TTX-insensitive Na current. Further, acceleration of depolarization in trisomy 16 neurons is caused by a 2-fold increase in the density of the slow Na current.
Bovine Sperm Hyperactivation Is Promoted by Alkaline-Stimulated Ca2+ Influx

Sperm hyperactivated motility is characterized by high flagellar bend amplitude and asymmetrical beating, which are detected by computer-assisted sperm motility analysis as increased curvilinear velocity and lateral head movement. It is required for sperm penetration of the oocyte zona pellucida during fertilization and is induced by an increase in flagellar Ca(2+). Our objective was to determine whether pH plays a role in promoting Ca signaling of hyperactivated motility. The cell-permeant weak base NH(4)Cl increased curvilinear velocity and amplitude of lateral head movement of bovine sperm, indicative of hyperactivation. Fluorometric recordings of sperm loaded with BCECF-AM or fluo3-AM, revealed that NH(4)Cl evoked elevations of intracellular pH and Ca(2+), respectively, with the rise in pH occurring more rapidly than that of Ca(2+). Single-cell image analysis showed increased Ca(2+) levels in the flagellum in response to NH(4)Cl. When extracellular Ca(2+) was lowered with BAPTA (1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid) prior to treatment with NH(4)Cl, intracellular pH was increased, but elevation of Ca(2+) and hyperactivation were diminished. This suggests that the rise in intracellular pH precedes an influx of Ca(2+). The Ca(2+) channel blocker Ni(2+) also diminished NH(4)Cl stimulation of hyperactivation, demonstrating that Ca(2+) entry is required for maximal expression of hyperactivation. Ca(2+) ionophore produced an increase in Ca(2+) that was 3-fold greater than that produced by NH(4)Cl; however, it produced a weaker hyperactivation response. These results indicate that a rise in pH increases intracellular Ca(2+)and promotes hyperactivation primarily by stimulating Ca(2+) influx, but also by other mechanisms.
Can Life Expectancy and QALYs Be Improved by a Framework for Deciding Whether to Apply Clinical Guidelines to Patients With Severe Comorbid Disease

Background: Guidelines with short-term harms and long-term benefits are often applied to chronically ill patients who may not benefit. The payoff time framework has been proposed (i.e., do not apply a guideline if a patient’s life expectancy (LE) is shorter than when a guideline’s cumulative incremental benefits first exceed its cumulative incremental harms), but its health impact is unclear. Objective: To investigate whether the payoff time framework improves LE and/or quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) for chronically ill patients. Methods: I evaluate impact of the payoff time framework on LE and QALYs, assuming (1) high and constant background mortality rate from chronic illness (≥ 10% per year), (2) immediate guideline-related harm with probability < 1, and (3) constant guideline-related benefit that occurs over an extended time. I apply the framework to questions of whether to screen chronically ill 50-year-old women for colorectal cancer using colonoscopy, and whether to advocate intensive glucose c...
Low-Dose Dopamine and Oxygen Transport by the Lung

Dopamine is an endogenous catecholamine that preferentially reduces renal vascular resistance and increases glomerular filtration rate, urine flow, and solute excretion in normal subjects.1 In contrast to norepinephrine, it increases cardiac output and aortic pressure without raising systemic vascular resistance (Table⇓) and increases rather than decreases renal blood flow. Hence, dopamine was suggested as a potentially valuable pharmacological agent for treatment of cardiogenic and septic shock,2 3 particularly in patients who were oliguric. Even at low doses (ie, <5 μg · kg−1 · min−1), at which hemodynamic effects are relatively small, it raises glomerular filtration and causes modest diuresis in normal subjects that might protect against acute renal failure in oliguric patients who are in shock or heart failure.4 5 6 7 The synthetic catecholamine dobutamine was introduced later and had many features similar to those of dopamine but without preferential renal vasodilation.8 However, at high infusion rates, dobutamine enhances cardiac output, stroke index, and O2 transport more effectively than dopamine,9 and it also minimizes afterload on the left ventricle. Dobutamine now is more often used for hemodynamic support in heart failure or cardiogenic shock, although the 2 drugs are sometimes used together for their complementary effects. Low-dose or so called “renal-dose” dopamine, however, has become widely used in intensive care units for its presumed protective effect on renal function in patients undergoing major surgical procedures, patients with refractory heart failure, and patients with cardiorespiratory failure who are receiving ventilatory support. In these settings, it is often considered to be relatively free of serious adverse effects. However, as pointed out by van de Borne et al10 in this issue of Circulation , there are two …