cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Time-Dependent Anisotropy Decays

In the preceding chapter we described the measurement and interpretation of steady-state fluorescence anisotropies. These values are measured using continuous illumination and represent an average of the anisotropy decay over the intensity decay. Measurement of steady-state anisotropies is simple, but interpretation of the steady-state anisotropies usually depends on an assumed form for the anisotropy decay, which is not directly observed in the experiment. Additional information is available if one measures the time-dependent anisotropy, that is, the values of r(t) following pulsed excitation. The form of the anisotropy decay depends on the size, shape, and flexibility of the labeled molecule, and the data can be compared with the decays calculated from various molecular models. Anisotropy decays can be obtained using the TD or the FD method.
Morphine in Acute Pulmonary Oedema Treatment

We will review the pharmacodynamics and clinical outcomes of morphine therapy for pulmonary oedema. Both animal and human studies demonstrate that morphine has vasodilatory properties. The effect on pulmonary hemodynamics seems to be neutral and possibly adverse on ventilation. Morphine, along with furosemide and nitrates, is routinely used to treat cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. Clinical data on the safety and efficacy of morphine for cardiogenic pulmonary oedema are scarce; however, morphine use has been correlated with increased rates of ICU admission and mechanical ventilation. European and American heart failure guidelines do not recommend routine use of morphine for cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. Morphine is of questionable benefit and may be harmful in treatment of acute pulmonary oedema. Clinical guidelines do not encourage routine use of morphine for pulmonary oedema; other medications for anxiolysis and vasodilation may be preferable.
Organization of an Acute Care Surgery Service and Patient Safety Management

The acute care surgery paradigm represents a unique method by which care is provided to trauma, emergency general surgery, and critically ill surgical patients. Many hospitals currently divide up care of such patients among a rotating pool of elective general surgeons. However, recent data indicate that proper adoption of an acute care surgery model both improves the care of emergency surgical patients and enhances provider well-being. Critical steps in the adoption and organization of an acute care surgery service include identification of key stakeholders, definition of the scope of practice, delineation of a coverage model, maintenance of an elective practice, and development of strategies for patient hand offs. This chapter will review each of these issues in detail.
Pulmonary Capillary Hemorrhage Induced by Different Imaging Modes of Diagnostic Ultrasound.

Abstract The induction of pulmonary capillary hemorrhage (PCH) is a well-established non-thermal biological effect of pulsed ultrasound in animal models. Typically, research has been done using laboratory pulsed ultrasound systems with a fixed beam and, recently, by B-mode diagnostic ultrasound. In this study, a GE Vivid 7 Dimension ultrasound machine with 10 L linear array probe was used at 6.6 MHz to explore the relative PCH efficacy of B-mode imaging, M-mode (fixed beam), color angio mode Doppler imaging and pulsed Doppler mode (fixed beam). Anesthetized rats were scanned in a warmed water bath, and thresholds were determined by scanning at different power steps, 2 dB apart, in different groups of six rats. Exposures were performed for 5 min, except for a 15-s M-mode group. Peak rarefactional pressure amplitude thresholds were 1.5 MPa for B-mode and 1.1 MPa for angio Doppler mode. For the non-scanned modes, thresholds were 1.1 MPa for M-mode and 0.6 MPa for pulsed Doppler mode with its relatively high duty cycle (7.7 × 10−3 vs. 0.27 × 10−3 for M-mode). Reducing the duration of M-mode to 15 s (from 300 s) did not significantly reduce PCH (area, volume or depth) for some power settings, but the threshold was increased to 1.4 MPa. Pulmonary sonographers should be aware of this unique adverse bio-effect of diagnostic ultrasound and should consider reduced on-screen mechanical index settings for potentially vulnerable patients.
D-cis-Diltiazem Can Produce Oxidative Stress in Healthy Depolarized Rods In Vivo.

Purpose New perspectives are needed to understand decades of contradictory reports on the neuroprotective effects of the Cav1.2 L-type calcium channel blocker d-cis-diltiazem in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) models. Here, we address, in vivo, the following two knowledge gaps regarding d-cis-diltiazem's actions in the murine outer retina: (1) do normal mouse rods contain d-cis-diltiazem-insensitive Cav1.2 L-type calcium channels? (2) Can d-cis-diltiazem modify the normal rod redox environment? Methods First, transretinal Cav1.2 L-type calcium channels were noninvasively mapped with manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following agonist Bay K 8644 in C57BL/6 (B6) and in Cav1.2 L-type calcium channel BAY K 8644-insensitive mutant B6 mice. Second, d-cis-diltiazem-treated oxidative stress-vulnerable (B6) or -resistant [129S6 (S6)] mice were examined in vivo (QUEnch-assiSTed [QUEST] MRI) and in whole retina ex vivo (lucigenin). Retinal thickness was measured using MRI. Results The following results were observed: (1) manganese uptake patterns in BAY K 8644-treated controls and mutant mice identified in vivo Cav1.2 L-type calcium channels in inner and outer retina; and (2) d-cis-diltiazem induced rod oxidative stress in dark-adapted B6 mice but not in light-adapted B6 mice or dark-adapted S6 mice (QUEST MRI). Oxidative stress in vivo was limited to inferior outer retina in dark-adapted B6 mice approximately 1-hour post d-cis-diltiazem. By approximately 4 hours post, only superior outer retina oxidative stress was observed and whole retinal superoxide production was supernormal. All groups had unremarkable retinal thicknesses. Conclusions D-cis-diltiazem's unexpectedly complex spatiotemporal outer retinal oxidative stress pattern in vivo was dependent on genetic background and rod membrane depolarization, but not apparently dependent on Cav1.2 L-type calcium channels, providing a potential rationale for contradictory results in different RP models.
Adult Children's Perceptions of Maternal Favoritism During Caregiving: Comparisons Between Turkey and the United States.

This study explores cross-cultural variations in adult children’s perceptions of maternal favoritism during caregiving in Turkey and the United States. Qualitative analysis of interview data from t...
Evaluating the Regulatory Immunomodulation Effect of Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) has been demonstrated as an effective local method for locally advanced (stage 3) pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Immune regulatory T cells (Tregs) induce immunosuppression of tumors by inhibiting patients’ anti-tumor adaptive immune response. This study aimed to evaluate the immunomodulation effect of IRE to identify an ideal time point for potential adjuvant immunotherapy. This study prospectively evaluated an institutional review board-approved study of patients undergoing either in situ IRE or pancreatectomy. Patient blood samples were collected at different time points (before surgery [preOP] and on postoperative day [POD] 1, POD3, and POD5). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and evaluated for three different CD4 + Treg subsets (CD25 + CD4 +, CD4 + CD25 + FoxP3 +, CD4 + CD25 + FoxP3 −) by flow cytometry and analyzed for median fold change (MFC) between each two consecutive time points (MFC = log2(T2/T1)). The study analyzed 15 patients with in situ IRE (n = 11) or pancreatectomy (PAN) (n = 4). In both groups, CD25 + CD4 + Tregs decreased on POD1 followed by a steady increase in pancreatectomy, whereas the trend in the IRE group reversed between D3 and D5 (MFC: IRE [− 0.01], PAN [+ 0.39]). For each period, CD4 + CD25 + FoxP3 + Tregs showed the most dramatic inverse effect, with D3 to D5 showing the most change (MFC: IRE [− 0.18], PAN [+ 0.39]). Also, CD4 + CD25 + FoxP3 − Tregs showed an inverse effect between D3 and D5 (MFC: IRE [− 0.25], PAN [+ 0.49]). Altogether, the Treg trend was inversely affected by the in situ IRE procedure, with the greatest cumulative significant change for all three Treg subsets between D3 and D5 (MFC ± SEM: IRE [− 0.24 ± 0.05], PAN [+ 0.37 ± 0.02]; p = 0.016). The study data suggest that in situ IRE procedure-mediated Treg attenuation between POD3 and POD5 can provide a clinical window of opportunity for potentiating clinical efficacy in combination with immunotherapy.
Error estimates for the bifurcation function for semilinear elliptic boundary value problems

A semilinear elliptic boundary value problem of the form + g{xyVi..,\) = 0 and a cor­ responding discrete problem based on the finite element method are considered. The method of alternative problems is used to reduce the boundary value problem to an equivalent finitedimensional problem B{c, A) = 0. The bifurcation function B(c, A) is a vector field on for fixed A. The solutions of the reduced problem are in a one-to-one correspondence with the solutions of the boundary value problem. The method of alternative problems is also applied to reduce the discrete problem to an equivalent lower-dimensional problem. An approximate bifurcation function Ba,(c, A) for the lower-dimensional problem is also defined as a vector field on whose zeros are in a one-to-one correspondence with the solutions of the discrete prob­ lem. Estimates of the differences 5(c, A) A), Bc(c, A) — (BA)c(e, A), and £{Cy A) —£a(c. A) are derived. Here, 5(c, A) (resp. Sa(c,A)) denotes the value of energy functional associated with the boundary value problem (resp. the discrete problem). Morse decompositions are computed for some classical examples, and their bifurcation diagrams are presented. Results &om numerical experiments on the orders of convergence for the difference B(c, A) — A) are presented.
Predicting aggression to others in youth with autism using a wearable biosensor

Unpredictable and potentially dangerous aggressive behavior by youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can isolate them from foundational educational, social, and familial activities, thereby markedly exacerbating morbidity and costs associated with ASD. This study investigates whether preceding physiological and motion data measured by a wrist-worn biosensor can predict aggression to others by youth with ASD. We recorded peripheral physiological (cardiovascular and electrodermal activity) and motion (accelerometry) signals from a biosensor worn by 20 youth with ASD (ages 6-17 years, 75% male, 85% minimally verbal) during 69 independent naturalistic observation sessions with concurrent behavioral coding in a specialized inpatient psychiatry unit. We developed prediction models based on ridge-regularized logistic regression. Our results suggest that aggression to others can be predicted 1 min before it occurs using 3 min of prior biosensor data with an average area under the curve of 0.71 for a global model and 0.84 for person-dependent models. The biosensor was well tolerated, we obtained useable data in all cases, and no users withdrew from the study. Relatively high predictive accuracy was achieved using antecedent physiological and motion data. Larger trials are needed to further establish an ideal ratio of measurement density to predictive accuracy and reliability. These findings lay the groundwork for the future development of precursor behavior analysis and just-in-time adaptive intervention systems to prevent or mitigate the emergence, occurrence, and impact of aggression in ASD. Autism Res 2019, 12: 1286-1296. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: Unpredictable aggression can create a barrier to accessing community, therapeutic, medical, and educational services. The present study evaluated whether data from a wearable biosensor can be used to predict aggression to others by youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Results demonstrate that aggression to others can be predicted 1 min before it occurs with high accuracy, laying the groundwork for the future development of preemptive behavioral interventions and just-in-time adaptive intervention systems to prevent or mitigate the emergence, occurrence, and impact of aggression to others in ASD.
Zagier duality and integrality of Fourier coefficients for weakly holomorphic modular forms

Abstract In this note, we first see that the isomorphism in [26] between vector-valued modular forms and scalar-valued modular forms holds for more general discriminant forms. With this established, we shall prove the Zagier duality for canonical bases for spaces of weakly holomorphic modular forms satisfying some ϵ-condition, thus obtain the complete grids for the duality. Finally we raise a question on certain integrality of the Fourier coefficients of reduced modular forms and provide a partial solution.
Childhood and adolescent changes of skeletal relationships

This paper describes the development of anteroposterior (AP) and vertical (VER) skeletal relationships. A mixed-longitudinal sample of 49 females and 50 males was followed during childhood and adolescence. Childhood growth changes were assessed from 6 to 10 years for females and 8 to 12 years for males. Adolescent changes were evaluated from 9 to 13 years for females and 11 to 15 years for males. Anteroposterior relationships were described by the horizontal distance between ANS and Pg. Vertical relationships were described by the vertical distance between Pg and Go. Subsamples were defined based on overall changes (AP and VER) that were either greater than or less than average. The results showed that AP and VER relationships were not stable during growth. AP relationships changed over time due to differential growth movements of the mandible (as opposed to the maxilla). There was greater potential for horizontal discrepancies to decrease during childhood than during adolescence. The potential for AP discrepancies to increase was greater during adolescence. The VER relationships increased in the majority of subjects. The subsample whose vertical discrepancies increased most showed less inferior movement of gonion and more inferior movement of pogonion. Inferior movements of Pg and Go were greater during adolescence than childhood.
Modeling stimulus-dependent variability improves decoding of population neural responses

Abstract Neural responses to repeated presentations of an identical stimulus often show substantial trial-to-trial variability. How the mean firing rate varies in response to different stimuli or during different movements (tuning curves) has been extensively modeled in a wide variety of neural systems. However, the variability of neural responses can also have clear tuning independent of the tuning in the mean firing rate. This suggests that the variability could contain information regarding the stimulus/movement beyond what is encoded in the mean firing rate. Here we demonstrate how taking variability into account can improve neural decoding. In a typical neural coding model spike counts are assumed to be Poisson with the mean response depending on an external variable, such as a stimulus or movement. Bayesian decoding methods then use the probabilities under these Poisson tuning models (the likelihood) to estimate the probability of each stimulus given the spikes on a given trial (the posterior). However, under the Poisson model, spike count variability is always exactly equal to the mean (Fano factor = 1). Here we use two alternative models - the Conway-Maxwell-Poisson (CMP) model and Negative Binomial (NB) model - to more flexibly characterize how neural variability depends on external stimuli. These models both contain the Poisson distribution as a special case but have an additional parameter that allows the variance to be greater than the mean (Fano factor >1) or, for the CMP model, less than the mean (Fano factor
Cheesy casts: Lymphatic plastic bronchitis in an adult

Introduction: Plastic bronchitis (PB) is a rare entity which involves expectoration of bronchial casts made of thick tenacious mucus. It is more commonly seen in children after cardiac surgery for congenital heart diseases, but has been reported in adults and is associated with <20 systemic/pulmonary illnesses like tuberculosis (TB), cystic fibrosis (CF) and lymphatic anomalies (LA). Here, we report a case of PB due to a thoracic duct (TD) malformation. Case Description: A 24-year-old woman with Graves' disease presented to the emergency department (ED) with a 1-month history of unremitting cough with expectoration of thick white casts. She reported associated malaise but denied fevers, chest pain, or hemoptysis. She was a former smoker and denied any history of congenital heart disease or cardiac surgeries. In the ED, she was afebrile (36.8°C ), normotensive (134/74 mmHg), and saturating 100% on room air. Initial labs were significant for low TSH (<0.01 uIU/ml) and high free thyroxine (1.9 ng/dl). COVID-19 PCR and respiratory viral panel was negative. Computed tomography chest showed pan-lobar centrilobular ground glass (left greater than right), enlarged thyroid and thymus. Autoimmune workup(ANA, c-ANCA, p-ANCA, Anti-GBM Ab, SSA), Aspergillus fumigates antibodies, sweat chloride test, and quantitative immunoglobulins were unrevealing. Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) on day 3 showed a left upper lobe cast (Figure 1). Cytology revealed a significant number of lymphocytes and macrophages in a background of mucin. BAL acid fast bacilli, bacterial, and fungal cultures were negative. Patient was discharged on day 3 for outpatient workup. Magnetic resonance lymphangiogram showed abnormal lymphatic flow from the TD into the mediastinum consistent with lymphatic PB. Subsequent lymphangiography demonstrated prominent left greater than right lymphatic malformation arising from the mid TD extending into the lung parenchyma which was successfully embolized. The patient reported complete resolution of her symptoms post-procedure. Discussion: PB is a rare disease which presents as expectoration of bronchial casts. It has been associated with various pulmonary/systemic illnesses with LA being one of them. The mechanism of cast formation in LA involves engorgement of the bronchial submucosa with slow seepage of lymph into the bronchial lumen which eventually desiccates and form casts. It can remain silent for years and manifest in adulthood after any physiologic stressor. In our patient, the likely physiologic stressor is her Graves' disease. Percutaneous lymphangiogram followed by TD embolization is a less invasive intervention shown to provide a successful resolution of symptoms in patients with lymphatic PB.
Do Analysts Distribute Negative Opinions Earlier

This paper examines analysts’ forecast timing when issuing negative opinions. We are motivated by two findings in the literature. One finding is that management tends to withhold bad news, which would result in good news being more abundant but relatively uninformative and bad news with the opposite features. The other finding is that analysts tend to issue accurate forecasts earlier. Taken together, the two findings suggest that analysts treat observed bad news as having higher precision and respond to it by issuing forecasts more quickly. Our theoretical predictions and empirical evidence support this. We find that relative to good news forecasts 1) bad news forecasts are released earlier, and 2) holding timing fixed, bad news forecasts have lower absolute forecast errors. These results are robust to alternative sample selections and variable measurements.
Evidence for the “Slippery Slope” to Censorship: The Story from Florida and Collier County

The House sponsor of Florida's 2017 HB 989 Instructional Materials law, which allows any county resident to challenge classroom and school library materials, has argued that those who anticipate his bill’s detrimental impact on science curricula “are trying to read down a slippery slope that doesn’t exist.” Tracing the genesis of HB 989 back to censorship efforts by ideologically-motivated groups in Collier County, Florida, this paper validates not only the concerns of science educators, but of all educators who value "the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction."
Invasive nontyphoidal Salmonella infection in a patient with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and gastrostomy tube: a case report.

BACKGROUND Infections with nontyphoidal Salmonella most commonly cause a self-limited gastroenteritis in humans and are the leading source of foodborne illness. In the USA, the incidence of culture-confirmed invasive Salmonella is extremely rare. Here, we present a unique case of enteric nontyphoidal Salmonella enteritidis infection that progressed to an invasive bacteremia in a patient with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and gastrostomy feeding tube. CASE PRESENTATION A 58-year-old Caucasian woman with a past medical history of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with revision and recent gastrostomy feeding tube insertion was admitted with fever and diarrhea. During her inpatient stay, two sets of blood cultures grew Salmonella enteritidis and she was promptly treated with intravenous antibiotics. Her hospital course was also complicated by acute kidney injury. The patient recovered after treatment with a third-generation cephalosporin and supportive treatment. CONCLUSION We present an unusual case of nontyphoidal Salmonella enteritidis bacteremia complicated by acute kidney injury in a middle-aged woman with a previous history of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and gastrostomy feeding tube insertion. Further investigation is needed to identify whether gastric surgeries or procedures are independent risk factors for invasive nontyphoidal salmonellosis.
Acidic Cannabinoid Decarboxylation.

Introduction: Cannabis is a valuable plant, cultivated by humans for millennia. However, it has only been in the past several decades that biologists have begun to clarify the interesting Cannabis ...
Cytogenetic Analysis of Genomic Destabilization in Solely Estrogen-Induced Female ACI Rat Mammary Neoplasms

A high frequency of aneuploid cells in carcinoma in-situ (CIS) and in small and large mammary tumors of female ACI rats are induced by estrogen (E) treatment alone. Employing G-banding karyotype analysis, consistent numerical chromosome alterations were detected as gains in chromosome 7, 11, 13, 19, and 20, and loss of chromosome 12, when the data were analyzed by binomial distribution for a frequency of occurrence ≥ 30.0%. Recurrent chromosome gains were also detected in chromosomes 3, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 15, whereas infrequent losses were observed in chromosome 5. Regional genomic alterations were detected by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) in eleven individual E- induced primary mammary gland tumors (MGTs) obtained from an equal number of female ACI rats. CGH analysis revealed consistent regional gains at 1p11, 1q11-q22, 4q41-q44, 7q31-q33, 11p12-q11, 13p, and 20p12.
Explicit incorporation of deformation twins into crystal plasticity finite element models

Abstract Deformation twinning is a subgrain mechanism that strongly influences the mechanical response and microstructural evolution of metals especially those with low symmetry crystal structure. In this work, we present an approach to modeling the morphological and crystallographic reorientation associated with the formation and thickening of a twin lamella within a crystal plasticity finite element (CPFE) framework. The CPFE model is modified for the first time to include the shear transformation strain associated with deformation twinning. Using this model, we study the stress–strain fields and relative activities of the active deformation modes before and after the formation of a twin and during thickening within the twin, and in the parent grain close to the twin and away from the twin boundaries. These calculations are carried out in cast uranium (U), which has an orthorhombic crystal structure and twins predominantly on the { 130 } 3 1 0 > systems under ambient conditions. The results show that the resolved shear stresses on a given twin system on the twin–parent grain interface and in the parent are highly inhomogeneous. We use the calculated mechanical fields to determine whether the twin evolution occurs via thickening of the existing twin lamella or formation of a second twin lamella. The analysis suggests that the driving force for thickening the existing twin lamella is low and that formation of multiple twin lamellae is energetically more favorable. The overall modeling framework and insight into why twins in U tend to be thin are described and discussed in this paper.
REVISITING THE NOTION OF INDUCED TRAFFIC THROUGH A MATCHED-PAIRS STUDY

In investigating the question of the existence of "induced demand" in connection with highway expansion projects, Hansen et al. (1993) studied eighteen California state highway segments whose capacities had been improved in the early 1970s. For the present study, these segments were paired with control segments that matched the improved segments to unimproved ones with regard to facility type, region, approximate size, and initial volumes and congestion levels. Taking annual data for average daily traffic (ADT) and design-hour-traffic-to-capacity (DTC) ratios during the 21 years 1976–1996, three approaches were used to compare growth rates between the improved and unimproved segments: overall growth comparisons for the matched pairs, repeated measures analysis, and analysis of matched mean profiles. We found the growth rates between the two types of segments to be statistically and practically indistinguishable, suggesting that the capacity expansions, in and of themselves, had a negligible effect on traffic growth over the period studied. Reasons for the differences between these results and those of aggregate cross-sectional models finding a significant induced demand effect are discussed. Our analyses suggest that the aggregate models may overestimate induced traffic due to the attribution of at least a fraction of the observed traffic growth to "induced demand" rather than to some of the confounding factors which were not controlled for in such studies. At the same time, it is noted that the traffic induced by capacity expansion may in certain circumstances be larger than that observed in the present study, with the effect of new highway construction on traffic growth being a prime candidate for scrutiny in this regard. The results of this study nonetheless suggest that, for existing facilities, the size of the induced-traffic effect that can be attributed to capacity enhancements may be sufficiently small that its detection in a case-control study would be difficult, if not impossible, without a substantially larger sample size.
Immune mediators in the brain and peripheral tissues in autism spectrum disorder

Various lines of evidence suggest that immune system dysregulation has a key role in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Estes and McAllister review this evidence, covering genetic and maternal immune system-related risk factors, chronic immune system changes in individuals with ASD and in animal models, and potential pathophysiological mechanisms. Increasing evidence points to a central role for immune dysregulation in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Several ASD risk genes encode components of the immune system and many maternal immune system-related risk factors — including autoimmunity, infection and fetal reactive antibodies — are associated with ASD. In addition, there is evidence of ongoing immune dysregulation in individuals with ASD and in animal models of this disorder. Recently, several molecular signalling pathways — including pathways downstream of cytokines, the receptor MET, major histocompatibility complex class I molecules, microglia and complement factors — have been identified that link immune activation to ASD phenotypes. Together, these findings indicate that the immune system is a point of convergence for multiple ASD-related genetic and environmental risk factors.
Studying Economic Growth: An Avenue for Enhancing Student Empirical Skills

The study of economic growth provides an opportunity for students to exercise their empirical skills, reinforcing the tool building that occurs in statistics and math courses. Descriptive analysis allows lower level students to develop their ability to work with data as they examine how fast the economy has grown, ascertain the regularity versus irregularity of this growth, test whether the U.S. economy is slowing down, and perform simple extrapolation forecasts. Explanatory analysis allows higher level students in macro and econometric courses to see how theory and empirics can complement each other, and see why econometric issues matter, as they seek estimates for parameters consistent with the theory. The activities presented here may be of interest to those seeking to enhance the teaching of analytical skills across the curriculum.
Making Citizens Beyond the Borders

The decision to extend citizenship to nonresidents grows out of specific identity projects undertaken, most often, by right-wing governments and results in fluid and variable conditions of membership.
Investigating the Needs and Concerns of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Older Adults: The Use of Qualitative and Quantitative Methodology

Extensive research on the specific needs and concerns of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older adults is lacking. This article describes the results of both quantitative studies (i.e., LGBT Elders Needs Assessment Scale) and qualitative studies (i.e., focus groups and in-depth interviews with lesbian, gay, or bisexual [LGB] older adults and LGB grandparents) that specifically sought to investigate the unique needs and concerns of LGBT elders. The results identified 7 areas (medical/health care, legal, institutional/housing, spiritual, family, mental health, and social) of concern and the recognition that the needs and concerns of LGBT older adults be addressed across multiple domains, rather than in isolation.
Growth of the two layers of the chick sclera is modulated reciprocally by visual conditions

Purpose. Although visual deprivation causes increased ocular elongation and myopia in both birds and mammals, changes in sclera appear to be in opposite directions. Because avian sclera has a cartilaginous layer as well as the fibrous layer found in mammals, we examined whether the scleral responses to various visual manipulations differ between the two layers. Methods. To produce increases in ocular elongation and myopia, monocular diffusers or negative lenses were fitted to eyes. Conversely, to produce decreases in ocular elongation, diffusers were removed (restoring normal vision) or monocular positive lenses were fitted. Scleral layers were then dissected apart, and incorporation of labeled precursors into glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), DNA, and protein was assessed. Tissue coculture experiments were used to assess humoral interactions between scleral layers and with the choroid. Results. In the cartilaginous layers, the incorporation of label into proteoglycans and DNA was significantly higher in eyes elongating faster than normal because of wearing diffusers or negative lenses and significantly lower than normal in eyes elongating slower than normal because of removal of the diffuser or wearing positive lenses. In the fibrous layers, the reverse was the case. Coculturing cartilaginous sclera from normal eyes with fibrous sclera from myopic or recovering eyes produced the same increase or decrease in sulfate incorporation into GAGs in the cartilaginous layer as though the tissue measured was from the animal providing the conditioning tissue. Coculturing with choroid, especially from recovering eyes, also inhibited cartilaginous sclera. Conclusions. The fibrous layer of the avian sclera shows changes in sulfate incorporation into GAGs during deprivation and recovery from deprivation in the same direction as does the mammalian sclera, whereas the cartilaginous layer changes in the opposite direction. The responses of the cartilaginous layer may be controlled by the fibrous layer, although they are influenced by the choroid as well. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1997;38:1726-1739.
Optimal Replication Activity of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus RNA Polymerase Requires Phosphorylation of a Residue(s) at Carboxy-Terminal Domain II of Its Accessory Subunit, Phosphoprotein P

The phosphoprotein, P, of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a key subunit of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase complex. The protein is phosphorylated at multiple sites in two different domains. We recently showed that specific serine and threonine residues within the amino-terminal acidic domain I of P protein must be phosphorylated for in vivo transcription activity, but not for replication activity, of the polymerase complex. To examine the role of phosphorylation of the carboxy-terminal domain II residues of the P protein in transcription and replication, we have used a panel of mutant P proteins in which the phosphate acceptor sites (Ser-226, Ser-227, and Ser-233) were altered to alanines either individually or in various combinations. Analyses of the mutant proteins for their ability to support replication of a VSV minigenomic RNA suggest that phosphorylation of either Ser-226 or Ser-227 is necessary for optimal replication activity of the protein. The mutant protein (P226/227) in which both of these residues were altered to alanines was only about 8% active in replication compared to the wild-type (wt) protein. Substitution of alanine for Ser-233 did not have any adverse effect on replication activity of the protein. In contrast, all the mutant proteins showed activities similar to that of the wt protein in transcription. These results indicate that phosphorylation of the carboxy-terminal domain II residues of P protein are required for optimal replication activity but not for transcription activity. Furthermore, substitution of glutamic acid residues for Ser-226 and Ser-227 resulted in a protein that was only 14% active in replication but almost fully active in transcription. Taken together, these results, along with our earlier studies, suggest that phosphorylation of residues at two different domains in the P protein regulates its activity in transcription and replication of the VSV genome.
Sodium Hydride–Palladium(II) Acetate–Sodium tert‐Pentoxide

(NaH) [7646-69-7] HNa (MW 24.00) InChI = 1S/Na.H InChIKey = MPMYQQHEHYDOCL-UHFFFAOYSA-N (Pd(OAc)2) [3375-31-3] C4H6O4Pd (MW 224.52) InChI = 1S/2C2H4O2.Pd/c2*1-2(3)4;/h2*1H3,(H,3,4);/q;;+2/p-2 InChIKey = YJVFFLUZDVXJQI-UHFFFAOYSA-L (NaO-t-C5H11) [14593-46-5] C5H11NaO (MW 110.15) InChI = 1S/C5H11O.Na/c1-4-5(2,3)6;/h4H2,1-3H3;/q-1;+1 InChIKey = CGRKYEALWSRNJS-UHFFFAOYSA-N (complex reducing agent; reduction of aromatic halides;1 self-terminating semihydrogenation of alkynes2) Physical Data: see Sodium Hydride and Palladium(II) Acetate; the t-pentoxide salt is prepared in situ. Solubility: sol THF, DME, ethanol, hydrocarbon solvents. Preparative Methods: from NaH, t-pentanol, and Pd(OAc)2 in THF. Add the t-pentanol at 40 °C, as it is very important not to exceed 45 °C throughout the process. After 3 h of stirring at 45 °C, the catalyst is ready for use.1, 3, 4 Handling, Storage, and Precautions: store under argon in air-tight bottles; moisture sensitive; use in a fume hood.
How is the effectiveness of immune surveillance impacted by the spatial distribution of spreading infections

What effect does the spatial distribution of infected cells have on the efficiency of their removal by immune cells, such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL)? If infected cells spread in clusters, CTL may initially be slow to locate them but subsequently kill more rapidly than in diffuse infections. We address this question using stochastic, spatially explicit models of CTL interacting with different patterns of infection. Rather than the effector : target ratio, we show that the relevant quantity is the ratio of a CTL's expected time to locate its next target (search time) to the average time it spends conjugated with a target that it is killing (handling time). For inefficient (slow) CTL, when the search time is always limiting, the critical density of CTL (that required to control 50% of infections, C*) is independent of the spatial distribution and derives from simple mass-action kinetics. For more efficient CTL such that handling time becomes limiting, mass-action underestimates C*, and the more clustered an infection the greater is C*. If CTL migrate chemotactically towards targets the converse holds—C* falls, and clustered infections are controlled most efficiently. Real infections are likely to spread patchily; this combined with even weak chemotaxis means that sterilizing immunity may be achieved with substantially lower numbers of CTL than standard models predict.
A study of the photorefractive effect in linbo3: Ti waveguides by using pulsed illumination at 810 nm

There is increasing interest in LiNbO3:Ti integrated optical devices as transducers in fast, analog, data-acquisition systems. A possible limitation to such use, however, results from the photorefractive effect in LiNbO3:Ti. From existing data, we know of difficulties due to the photorefractive effect with continuous-wave (CW) illumination. Here we present pulse measurements at 810 nm of the optical-transmission distortion due to the photorefractive effect in LiNbO3:Ti waveguides. We subjected the optical devices to pulsed input light generated by a mechanically shuttered dye-laser system. We then measured and compared the transmitted light to an input monitor and obtained the transmission of the LiNbO3:Ti devices as a function of time. We varied the peak power from 50 pW to 150 mW, and the pulse length from 10 ms to 1 s. We have obtained a 21-mW output with a 10-ms duration from a LiNbO3:Ti waveguide with no prom2t transmission degradation. Further, we have found preliminary evidence suggesting an activation time of 100 to 150 min. for the onset of photorefractive transmission degradation.
Acoustic radiation from lifting airfoils in compressible subsonic flow

The far field acoustic radiation from a lifting airfoil in a three-dimensional gust is studied. The acoustic pressure is calculated using the Kirchhoff method, instead of using the classical acoustic analogy approach due to Lighthill. The pressure on the Kirchhoff surface is calculated using an existing numerical solution of the unsteady flow field. The far field acoustic pressure is calculated in terms of these values using Kirchhoff's formula. The method is validated against existing semi-analytical results for a flat plate. The method is then used to study the problem of an airfoil in a harmonic three-dimensional gust, for a wide range of Mach numbers. The effect of variation of the airfoil thickness and angle of attack on the acoustic far field is studied. The changes in the mechanism of sound generation and propagation due to the presence of steady loading and nonuniform mean flow are also studied.
Combining fitness-based search and user modeling in evolutionary robotics

Methodologies are emerging in many branches of computer science that demonstrate how human users and automated algorithms can collaborate on a problem such that their combined solutions outperform those produced by either humans or algorithms alone. The problem of behavior optimization in robotics seems particularly well-suited for this approach because humans have intuitions about how animals---and thus robots---should and should not behave, and can visually detect non-optimal behaviors that are trapped in local optima. Here we introduce a multiobjective approach in which a surrogate user (which stands in for a human user) deflects search away from local optima and a traditional fitness function eventually leads search toward the global optimum. We show that this approach produces superior solutions for a deceptive robotics problem compared to a similar search method that is guided by just a surrogate user or just a fitness function.
The Radiation from an Electron Moving in a Uniform Magnetic Field

The radiation from an electron moving in a uniform magnetic field is investigated quantum mechanically. Reasons are given for expecting deviations from the classical calculations at electron energies of about 100 Mev in the presence of a magnetic field of ${10}^{4}$ gauss. The quantum-mechanical calculation is carried through and is compared with the classical calculation. Although the deviations are considerable, it is explained why the experiments of Elder, Langmuir, and Pollock of the G. E. synchroton would not detect them.
Genomic Localization of a T Serotype Locus to a Recombinatorial Zone Encoding Extracellular Matrix-Binding Proteins in Streptococcus pyogenes

Streptococcus pyogenes is an important bacterial pathogen afflicting humans. A striking feature is its extraordinary biological diversity, evident in the wide range of diseases it can cause and the antigenic heterogeneity present on its surface. The T antigens form the basis of a major serological typing scheme that is often used as an alternative or supplement to M typing. Unlike M typing, the genetic basis for T typing is poorly understood. In this report, the tee6 gene is localized to a position ≈3.3 kb downstream from prtF1 (or sfbI), which encodes the Fn-binding protein, protein F, a key virulence factor. Comparison of this portion of the genome with those of four additional strains reveals the presence of genes encoding a collagen-binding protein (Cpa) and a second Fn-binding protein (PrtF2 or PfbpI). This chromosomal region—here designated the FCT region—is ≈11 to 16 kb in length and is flanked at both ends by long stretches of highly conserved sequence. For each of the five strains, the FCT region contains a unique combination of semiconserved loci, indicative of extensive intergenomic recombination. The data provide evidence that the highly recombinatorial FCT region of the S. pyogenes genome is under strong selection for change in response to the host environment.
Mesozoic extension in the southern Appalachians

Geophysical data from the southern Appalachians are generally interpreted in terms of Paleozoic collisional tectonics; the later effects of Mesozoic extension are often overlooked or downplayed. This paper reinterprets seismic reflection data from Georgia with the view that Mesozoic extension is responsible for most of the seismic reflection patterns one sees today. The interpretation suggests that geophysical data from a particular area reflect the most recent tectonic event rather than earlier and perhaps more geologically obvious events.
A prospective study of dietary carbohydrate quantity and quality in relation to risk of ovulatory infertility.

To evaluate whether the amount or quality of carbohydrate in diet is associated with ovulatory infertility. In total, 18 555 married, premenopausal women without a history of infertility were followed as they attempted a pregnancy or became pregnant during an 8-year period. Diet was assessed two times during follow-up using a validated food-frequency questionnaire and prospectively related to the incidence of infertility due ovulatory disorder. During follow-up, 438 women reported ovulatory infertility. Total carbohydrate intake and dietary glycemic load were positively related to ovulatory infertility in analyses adjusted for age, body mass index, smoking, parity, physical activity, recency of contraception, total energy intake, protein intake and other dietary variables. The multivariable-adjusted risk ratio (RR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) of ovulatory infertility comparing the highest-to-lowest quintile of total carbohydrate intake was 1.91 (1.27–3.02). The corresponding RR (95% CI) for dietary glycemic load was 1.92 (1.26–2.92). Dietary glycemic index was positively related to ovulatory infertility only among nulliparous women. Intakes of fiber from different sources were unrelated to ovulatory infertility risk. The amount and quality of carbohydrate in diet may be important determinants of ovulation and fertility in healthy women.
Effects of self-care education on the health status of inner-city patients with osteoarthritis of the knee

Objective. To evaluate a concise program of self-care education delivered by an arthritis nurse specialist as an adjunct to primary care for inner-city patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods. An attention-controlled clinical trial; 211 inner-city patients with knee OA were assigned arbitrarily to education (E) or attention-control (AC) conditions. Group E received an individualized 30-60-minute educational intervention that emphasized non-pharmacologic management of joint pain, preservation of function by problem-solving, and practice of principles of joint protection. Brief telephone contacts 1 week and 4 weeks later monitored and reinforced new self-care activities. Group AC viewed a 20-minute standardized public education presentation on arthritis and received followup telephone calls (only to encourage continued participation in the study). Outcomes included the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) Disability and Discomfort Scales, 10-cm visual analog scales measuring knee pain at rest and while walking, and the Quality of Well-Being (QWB) scale. Assessments were made at baseline and at 4-month intervals for 1 year. Results. A total of 165 subjects (78%) completed all assessments. After control for baseline status, group E had significantly lower scores for disability and resting knee pain throughout the year of postintervention followup (P < 0.05 for both). Effects were somewhat discordant. By 12 months, functional benefits had begun to wane, while the effect on resting knee pain had grown. The overall effects of education on walking knee pain, overall joint pain (by HAQ), and general health status (by QWB) were not significant. Conclusion. Self-care education for inner-city patients with knee OA, delivered as an adjunct to primary care, was found to result in notable preservation of function and control of resting knee pain. The magnitude of the observed effects compares well with those of more labor-intensive and time-consuming intervention models. However, more sustained preservation of function and consistent effects on pain may require prolonged, more proactive followup, either by the patient educator or by a trained clinical assistant dedicated to the task of supporting self-care by patients with knee OA.
GPU-accelerated large-signal device simulation using the 3D particle-in-cell code ‘Neptune’

Summary form only given. The design of modern, high-performance vacuum electron devices relies on the use of advanced numerical simulation tools to achieve high performance operation while reducing development time and cost. For specific classes of slow-wave amplifiers, 1D and 2D large-signal simulation codes, such as CHRISTINE [1] and TESLA [2] developed at NRL, provide accurate predictions of amplifier performance over a wide range of conditions. These are widely used as design tools due to their speed of execution, ranging from a few seconds per simulation point in 1D to typically tens of minutes in 2D. There are, however, many situations when these 1D and 2D codes cannot capture the either the simulation geometry or the essential physics sufficiently well. In these cases, full 3D modeling is possible using well-tested electromagnetic particle-in-cell (PIC) codes such as MAGIC [3]. For these simulations, however, speed of execution is typically measured in hours per simulation point, even using parallel computation across a multiple-CPU cluster, making such codes less effective as design tools.