cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ATTITUDES TOWARD CLINICAL AND TRADITIONAL TREATMENT FOR THE BURULI ULCER IN THE GA DISTRICT, GHANA

Background: Buruli ulcer (BU) is the third most common mycobacterial disease in the world, following tuberculosis and leprosy, and has many serious consequences. In 1998 the World Health Organization (WHO) established the Global BU Initiative to encourage research about the disease and its treatment. Methods: HART conducted research on BU during the summer of 2001 in rural villages in the Ga district, about a forty-five-minute drive northwest of Accra, Ghana. Researchers used participant observation combined with open-ended interviews to collect data on basic demographics, social beliefs, cultural knowledge, and attitudes towards BU exhibited by the Ga people. Results: Most indigenous people believe the disease is caused by supernatural factors (i.e. witchcraft), environmental factors (i.e. water, suggested by health educators), or both. More than 80 percent of villagers first seek traditional treatment because of its convenience, its low cost, and the reasonably high success rate of traditional cures for BU. Satisfaction with clinical treatment is not higher than with traditional medicine; people tend to turn to clinical medicine after traditional treatments fail. Few social stigmas result from the disease other than avoidance of the unsightly ulcer and the unpleasant smell, and among children, some teasing. The major concern expressed by villagers is the economic impact of the disease from reduced productive capacity. Conclusion: The strong preference for traditional cures and their relatively high success rate coupled with the fact that traditional cures are not effective for advanced cases suggests that close cooperation between traditional healers and clinical staff might contribute to a better control of the disease. Key Words: Buruli ulcer, Ghana, traditional medicine, clinical medicine (Annals Af Med: 2002 1(2): 99-111)
Effects of Human Activities and Sea Level Rise on Wetland Ecosystems in the Cape Fear River Estuary, North Carolina, USA

There have been tremendous changes in wetlands bordering the Cape Fear estuary since the first permanent European settlement in the 1720’s. First, tidal freshwater swamps were cleared of cypress (Taxodium distichum) and gum (Nyssa sylvatica), diked, managed for rice production and finally abandoned around 1908. During the past 100 years the main channel through the estuary has been widened and deepened, increasing the tidal range at Wilmington, North Carolina by 53 cm. This produced a high tide 26.5 cm above previous levels. Also during the last century relative sea level has risen 30 cm. Today these increases result in the average high tide being 56.5 cm higher than in 1885. Wetlands inhabiting abandoned rice fields and swamps previously not subject to tidal flooding and/or to salinities above that of fresh water are now being affected. The intrusion of saline water into these wetlands has led to the conversion of freshwater tidal swamps into brackish marshes in the middle reaches of the estuary. Swamps in the upper reaches are gradually disintegrating and being replaced by oligohaline tidal marshes. Tropical and extratropical storms have the potential for pushing more saline water farther into the estuary and may accelerate conversion of swamp to marsh.
Itard, Jean-Marc Gaspard

French physician Jean-Marc Gaspard Itard (1774–1838) is noted for his descriptions of tics and pneumothorax and for his contributions to otology and the education of those with deafness or mental retardation. Itard was lauded as an educator of deaf-mutes and tried his educational theories in the celebrated case of ‘Victor, the Wild Boy of Aveyron,’ a retarded teenager who had been abandoned by his parents. In 1825, Itard gave the first clear description of tic disorders when he reported the case of a young noblewoman, the Marquise (countess) de Dampierre, who was often surprised and embarrassed by her own involuntary vocal and motor tics.
The “Better Than Myself Effect”

Participants in three studies were asked to estimate the percentage of times they exhibited polar ends of a trait dimension (e.g., behaved cooperatively or uncooperatively) when the opportunity to display that trait arose, and then to evaluate their standing on the trait based on their behavioral estimates. Approximately 6 weeks later, participants were provided with behavior estimates that purportedly represented the average estimates of their peers and asked to evaluate the average person's standing on the trait dimension. The “better than myself effect” is reflected in the finding that people consistently evaluate themselves more favorably than others, even when the behavioral estimates on which they base their ratings of the average person are the identical estimates they provided for themselves. Study 1 demonstrated the basic “better than myself effect,” and Study 2 showed that participants did not alter their behavior estimates when they learned that the average person's estimates were the same as their own. Study 3 demonstrated the “better than myself” effect in comparisons with a randomly selected peer rather than the average peer. A fourth study, using a different methodology, showed that people who wrote behavior descriptions to represent their standing on a trait dimension, and then read similar trait descriptions from a randomly selected peer, also continued to evaluate themselves more favorably than others, despite basing these evaluations on behavior descriptions that were presumably no more favorable than those provided by others.
Low-Energy Electron Diffraction Study of the (2x2) GaAs(111) Surface

We have used a multiple scattering theory of low-energy electron diffraction to determine the geometric structure of (2x2) GaAs(111). We find that there is one vacancy per (2x2) unit cell. Orbital rehybridization of the type sp3 → sp2 for group III atoms and sp3 → s, Px,y,z for group V atoms are responsible for the reconstruction mechanism.
Nucleosomes are positioned with base pair precision adjacent to the alpha 2 operator in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Analysis of the chromatin structure of minichromosomes containing the binding site for the yeast alpha 2 repressor protein by indirect end-labeling has previously indicated that nucleosomes are stably positioned over sequences adjacent to the alpha 2 operator in the presence of the repressor. Development of a primer extension assay for nucleosome position now allows a more detailed examination of the location of these nucleosomes relative to the operator sequence, and indicates that nucleosomes are precisely and stably positioned both translationally and rotationally over sequences adjoining the operator. In addition, this assay enables analysis of the chromatin structure of single copy, genomic sequences. Chromatin structures determined for two genes regulated by alpha 2, STE6 and BAR1, are consistent with nucleosomes precisely positioned downstream of the operator sequence, incorporating promoter elements, in alpha cells but not in a-cells. The location of these nucleosomes relative to the operator sequence is highly analogous to that observed in the minichromosome. The stability of the nucleosomes adjacent to the operator together with the precision of their location suggests that they may play a role in repression of a specific gene expression by alpha 2. Further, the primer extension assay allows a comparison of the structure of these positioned nucleosomes formed in vivo to that previously described for core particles reconstituted in vitro.
Conscientious Practice: Post-Master’s Student Affairs Professionals’ Perspectives on Engaging Social Justice

Using critical consciousness as a theoretical framework and the qualitative methodology of narrative inquiry, we conducted focus groups and interviews with early career HESA professionals about nav...
Metal complex strategies for photo-uncaging the small molecule bioregulators nitric oxide and carbon monoxide

Abstract Photochemical release (uncaging) of small molecule bioregulators (SMBs) such as nitric oxide (NO) or carbon monoxide (CO) at physiological sites offers exquisite control of timing, location and dosage. However, photo-uncaging faces two major problems that challenge its therapeutic applications: the relatively poor transmision of visible light through tissue and the need to deliver the appropriate precursors to the desired targets. In this brief review are discussed research activities that address these issues of spatial-temporal control.
Magnetic Pendulum Arrays for ULF Transmission

Ultra Low Frequencies (ULF) have many applications including underwater and underground communications. However, it is a challenge to build portable and efficient antennas at these frequencies since the wavelengths are of the order of kilometers. In this paper we present an electromechanical system called magnetic pendulum array for efficient ULF transmission. We take advantage of the high quality factor and low dissipation in this mechanical system for efficient radiation at these frequencies. We present a proof of concept demonstration of the magnetic pendulum array at 154 Hz by measuring the generated time varying field.
The Relationship Between Hearing Loss and Substance Use Disorders Among Adults in the U.S.

Introduction Hearing loss is common and associated with poorer health and impeded communication. Little is known about the association between hearing loss and substance use disorders in the general population. The objective of this study was to assess substance use disorder prevalence among individuals with hearing loss, versus those without hearing loss, in a nationally representative sample of adults. Methods Two years (2015 and 2016) of National Survey on Drug Use and Health (unweighted N=86,186) were combined to compare substance use disorders among adults with and without self-reported hearing loss. Statistical analysis included descriptive frequencies, chi-square tests, and multiple logistic regressions. Analyses were performed in 2018. Results Hearing loss prevalence across all age groups was 5.2%. Among younger age groups, after adjusting for sociodemographics, hearing loss was independently associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing a substance use disorder (ages 18–34 years, AOR=1.34, 95% CI=1.10, 1.64 vs 35–49 years, AOR=1.87, 95% CI=1.39, 2.53). Hearing loss was also associated with a greater likelihood of a prescription opioid use disorder (AOR=2.85, 95% CI=1.86, 4.39) in the group aged 18–34 years and, for the group aged 35–49 years, hearing loss increased the likelihood of both an alcohol use disorder (AOR=1.87, 95% CI=1.39, 2.53) and a prescription opioid use disorder (AOR=1.99, 95% CI=1.01, 3.91). Conclusions Hearing loss is independently associated with substance use disorders among those aged 49 years and younger; these associations are particularly pronounced for prescription opioid use disorders in the group aged 18–34 years. Given the concern of inappropriate use of prescription opioids, this information may have implications for healthcare providers’ pain management for patients with hearing loss.
State of the Art: MR Imaging of Thymoma

Thymoma is the most common primary malignancy of the anterior mediastinum and the most common thymic epithelial neoplasm, but it is a rare tumor that constitutes less than 1% of adult malignancies. Computed tomography (CT) is currently the imaging modality of choice for distinguishing thymoma from other anterior mediastinal masses, characterizing the primary tumor, and staging the disease. However, magnetic resonance imaging is also effective in evaluating and characterizing anterior mediastinal masses and staging thymoma in patients with contraindications to contrast-material-enhanced CT such as contrast allergy and/or renal failure.
Comparing life satisfaction and functioning 15 years after September 11, 2001 among survivors with and without injuries: a mixed-method study.

This study compares life satisfaction and limited activity days among 9/11 survivors with and without physical injuries using quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study population included World Trade Center Health Registry enrollees who reported being injured on 9/11 in 2003–2004 and a sample of non-injured enrollees who participated in a cross-sectional substudy. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine differences in life satisfaction and number of limited activity days in the last 30 days between those with and without injuries. The free-response section of the survey was analyzed qualitatively to compare themes of those with and without injuries. The final sample consisted of 2821 adult enrollees. Compared to those who were not injured, those who were injured on 9/11 were more likely to report being unsatisfied with their life (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.5, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.1–2.0) and have 14 or more limited activity days in the last 30 days (AOR: 1.4, 95% CI 1.0–1.9). Among those who were injured, being partially or completely prevented from working increased the odds of being unsatisfied with life and having 14 or more limited activity days. In qualitative analysis, the emotional trauma experienced from 9/11 was a major and common theme, regardless of injury status. Those with injuries were more likely to express anger/lack of recognition/appreciation, describe substance use/abuse, and have financial/health care access issues. More than 15 years after 9/11, those who were injured continue to be impacted, reporting lower life satisfaction and more functional impairment.
Comparing Undergraduate and Graduate Perspectives of Adviser Interactional Justice, Sociocommunicative Style, and Credibility

The goal of the current study was to further the research findings generated by Wrench and Punyanunt (2004, 2005, 2008), and Punyanunt-Carter and Wrench (2008), which examined the influence of a variety of communication variables in the graduate adviser-advisee interpersonal relationship. The current study examined undergraduate and graduate advisee perceptions of advisers' interactional justice, sociocommunicative style, and credibility. Findings revealed that undergraduate advisees scored higher on adviser assertiveness than did graduate advisees. Moreover, graduate advisees reported higher ratings of adviser trustworthiness and mentoring than did undergraduate advisees.
Contributions of carcinoma-associated fibroblasts to the prostate cancer microenvironment

Abstract Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a component of the cancer microenvironment. CAF influence the recruitment of leukocytes to the tumor and contribute to the regulation of tumor cell growth and migration. Details of the origins of CAF and the extent of their heterogeneity and function are not fully defined, especially in human cancer. Human prostatic CAF are heterogeneous and can induce malignant transformation in genetically initiated epithelial cells in vivo. CAF appear to be genomically normal, although the expression of some genes may be fixed by epigenetic mechanisms. The cells nevertheless represent a stable target for therapy development. Studies to define the heterogeneity and interactions of human prostate CAF are incomplete and will yield a fuller understanding of their nature and role in cancer initiation and progression.
Social Safety Theory: A Biologically Based Evolutionary Perspective on Life Stress, Health, and Behavior

Social Safety Theory hypothesizes that developing and maintaining friendly social bonds is a fundamental organizing principle of human behavior and that threats to social safety are a critical feature of psychological stressors that increase risk for disease. Central to this formulation is the fact that the human brain and immune system are principally designed to keep the body biologically safe, which they do by continually monitoring and responding to social, physical, and microbial threats in the environment. Because situations involving social conflict, isolation, devaluation, rejection, and exclusion historically increased risk for physical injury and infection, anticipatory neural-immune reactivity to social threat was likely highly conserved. This neurocognitive and immunologic ability for humans to symbolically represent and respond to potentially dangerous social situations is ultimately critical for survival. When sustained, however, this multilevel biological threat response can increase individuals' risk for viral infections and several inflammation-related disease conditions that dominate present-day morbidity and mortality.
Essentials of psychological assessment supervision

A great deal of literature exists regarding supervision to facilitate development of skills used in clinical practice. The American Psychological Association (2015) developed Guidelines for Clinica...
Anderson, David A. The Origins of the Press Clause, 30 UCLA L. Rev. 455 (1983)

A part of me has always wanted to write something that started the academic equivalent of a rap battle. The idea that two scholars could provide a rich and meaningful discourse about an important t...
Matrigel-Free Laminin-Entactin Matrix to Induce Human Renal Proximal Tubule Structure Formation In Vitro.

A successful in vitro tissue model must recapitulate the native tissue features while also being reproducible. Currently, Matrigel is the principal biomaterial used to induce the formation of proximal convoluted tubules (PCTs) in vitro, because of its similar composition and structure with the kidney tubular basement membrane and the presence of critical growth factors. However, Matrigel is not well-defined, and batch-to-batch variability is a significant issue. Here, we define a Matrigel-free method, using a laminin-entactin (L-E) matrix to support the formation of proximal tubular-like structures in vitro using immortalized human renal epithelial cells (RPTEC/TERT1) cocultured with murine fibroblast stromal cells (FOXD1lacZ+). The matrix supports the presence of specific components of the tubular basement membrane (laminin, entactin/nidogen, and heparan sulfate proteoglycan) in addition to fibroblast growth factor 8a (FGF-8a). The matrix also induces tubulogenesis, leading to the formation of PCTs based on several key markers, including E-cadherin, aquaporin-1, and Na+/K+ ATPase. Moreover, these PCT structures displayed cell polarity and a well-defined lumen after 18 days in culture. This laminin-entactin (L-E) matrix constitutes a defined and consistent biomaterial that can be used in kidney tissue engineering for understanding in vitro proximal tubule development and for nephrotoxicity studies.
Association Between Travel Distance and Use of Postoperative Radiation Therapy Among Men With Organ-Confined Prostate Cancer: Does Geography Influence Treatment Decisions?

Abstract Purpose After radical prostatectomy, men with adverse pathologic features or a persistent postoperative detectable prostate-specific antigen (PSA) are candidates for postoperative radiation therapy (PORT). Previous data have suggested disparities in receipt of adjuvant radiation therapy for adverse pathologic features according to travel distance. Among patients without adverse pathologic features (pT2 disease and negative margins), the main indication for PORT is a persistent postoperative detectable PSA. However, it remains unknown whether the rate of receipt of PORT in this cohort of men with persistently detectable PSA is related to travel distance from the treating facility. Methods and Materials Using the National Cancer Database, we identified 170,379 men with prostate cancer diagnosed from 2004 to 2015 managed with upfront surgery who were found to have pT2 disease with negative surgical margins. Multivariable logistic regression defined adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of receiving PORT as the primary dependent variable and distance ( Results Within our cohort, progressively farther distance from the treatment facility was associated with lower rates of PORT. In patients living 20 miles from the treating facility, rates of PORT of were 1.37% (referent), 1.16% (AOR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.79-1.04; P = .158), 0.98% (AOR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.70-0.93; P = .003), and 0.64% (AOR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.41-0.54; P Conclusions For men with localized prostate cancer without adverse pathologic features managed with surgery, increasing distance from treatment facility was associated with lower receipt of PORT. Given that the rate of a persistent postoperative detectable PSA is unlikely to depend on the distance to the treatment facility, these findings raise the possibility that the geographic availability of radiation treatment facilities influences the decision to undergo PORT for patients with persistent postoperative detectable PSA.
Predictors of Enrollment of Older Smokers in Six Smoking Cessation Trials in the Lung Cancer Screening Setting: The Smoking Cessation at Lung Examination (SCALE) Collaboration.

Significance Increased rates of smoking cessation will be essential to maximize the population benefit of low-dose CT screening for lung cancer. The NCI's Smoking Cessation at Lung Examination (SCALE) Collaboration includes eight randomized trials, each assessing evidence-based interventions among smokers undergoing lung cancer screening (LCS). We examined predictors of trial enrollment to improve future outreach efforts for cessation interventions offered to older smokers in this and other clinical settings. Methods We included the six SCALE trials that randomized individual participants. We assessed demographics, intervention modalities, LCS site and trial administration characteristics, and reasons for declining. Results Of 6,285 trial- and LCS-eligible individuals, 3,897 (62%) declined and 2,388 (38%) enrolled. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, Blacks had higher enrollment rates (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2,1.8) compared to Whites. Compared to 'NRT Only' trials, those approached for 'NRT+prescription medication' trials had higher odds of enrollment (OR 6.1, 95% CI 4.7,7.9). Regarding enrollment methods, trials using 'Phone+In Person' methods had higher odds of enrollment (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2,1.9) compared to trials using 'Phone Only' methods. Some of the reasons for declining enrollment included 'too busy' (36.6%), 'not ready to quit' (8.2%), 'not interested in research' (7.7%), and 'not interested in the intervention offered' (6.2%). Conclusion Enrolling smokers in cessation interventions in the LCS setting is a major priority that requires multiple enrollment and intervention modalities. Barriers to enrollment provide insights that can be addressed and applied to future cessation interventions to improve implementation in LCS and other clinical settings with older smokers. Implications We explored enrollment rates and reasons for declining across six smoking cessation trials in the lung cancer screening setting. Offering multiple accrual methods and pharmacotherapy options predicted increased enrollment across trials. Enrollment rates were also greater among Blacks compared to Whites. The findings offer practical information for the implementation of cessation trials and interventions in the lung cancer screening context and other clinical settings, regarding intervention modalities that may be most appealing to older, long-term smokers.
Predicting Success: A Comparative Analysis of Student Performance on the Surgical Clerkship and the NBME Surgery Subject Exam

Background: The National Board of Medical Examiners Surgery Shelf Exam (SSE) is a well established terminal measure of student medical knowledge. No study has explored the correlation between intraclerkship quizzes and shelf exam performance. Methods: Weekly quiz and NBME scores were collected from 156 third-year students who participated in a 12-week surgical clerkship from 2015-2017. Kruskal Wallis, Wilcoxon Rank Sum, and linear regression analysis was completed. Results: Trauma/Burns, Esophagus/Anorectal, and Wound/ICU quiz content corresponded with increased NBME performance with β-coefficients of 1.57 (p<0.001), 1.42 (p<0.001),1.38 (p<0.001), respectively. Wound/ICU and Cardiac/Vascular content corresponded with decreased likelihood of scoring <70 points on the NBME (OR: 0.75 (p=0.03), and 0.68 (p=0.02)). Aggregate quiz scores stratified by academic block were 67 (IQR 64-69.5), 77 (IQR 74.5-80),76.5 (IQR of 67-89.5), 83 (IQR of 76-85) corresponding to academic blocks 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively (P<0.001). Conclusion: Modeling NBME outcomes as a function of weekly quizzes taken during a 12-week surgery clerkship is a viable concept. This can allow surgical educators to intervene and assist students at risk for failing the SSE.
The Economic Costs of Forecasting Errors in the PJM Interconnection Due to the COVID-19 Quarantine

Using hourly metered load and weather data, this article shows that PJM electricity consumption during the COVID-19 period declined 10.6%, leading to poor-performance of load forecasts. The costs of over-purchasing day-ahead generation were likely low in March 2020 due to mild temperatures; however, the costs may increase as summer approaches.
Status Myoclonus with Post-cardiac-arrest Syndrome: Implications for Prognostication.

Status myoclonus (SM) after cardiac arrest (CA) may signify devastating brain injury. We hypothesized that SM correlates with severe neurologic and systemic post-cardiac-arrest syndrome (PCAS). Charts of patients admitted with CA to Mayo Clinic Saint Marys Hospital between 2005 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Data included the neurologic examination, ancillary neurologic tests, and systemic markers of PCAS. Nonsustained myoclonus was clinically differentiated from SM. The cerebral performance category score at discharge was assessed; poor outcome was a cerebral performance category score > 2 prior to withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies or death. Of 296 patients included, 276 (93.2%) had out-of-hospital arrest and 202 (68.5%) had a shockable rhythm; the mean time to return of spontaneous circulation was 32 ± 19 min. One hundred seventy-six (59.5%) patients had a poor outcome. One hundred one (34.1%) patients had myoclonus, and 74 (73.2%) had SM. Neurologic predictors of poor outcome were extensor or absent motor response to noxious stimulus (p = 0.02, odds ratio [OR] 3.8, confidence interval [CI] 1.2–12.4), SM (p = 0.01, OR 10.3, CI 1.5–205.4), and burst suppression on EEG (p = 0.01, OR 4.6, CI 1.4–17.4). Of 74 patients with SM, 73 (98.6%) had a poor outcome. A nonshockable rhythm (p < 0.001, OR 4.5, CI 2.6–7.9), respiratory arrest (p < 0.001, OR 3.5, CI 1.7–7.2), chronic kidney disease (p < 0.001, OR 3.1, CI 1.6–6.0), and a pressor requirement (p < 0.001, OR 4.4, CI 1.8–10.6) were associated with SM. No patients with SM, anoxic-ischemic magnetic resonance imaging findings, and absent electroencephalographic reactivity had a good outcome. Sustained status myoclonus after CPR is observed in patients with other reliable indicators of severe acute brain injury and systemic PCAS. These clinical determinants should be incorporated as part of a comprehensive approach to prognostication after CA.
Emergencies in Oncology and Crises in Palliative Care

It belongs to the distinguishing features of cancer that its disease trajectory and its causative treatment implicate numerous critical situations and emergencies that lead to life-threatening situations, and in a significant proportion of patients, these emergencies (instead of the tumour manifestations themselves) will be life-limiting. Therefore, the care of patients suffering from cancer as well as the respective anticancer treatment requires profound expertise in oncology and in emergency care.
Removing chiral contamination of lactate solutions by selective metabolism of the d-enantiomer

A bio-based process is appealing for purification of l-lactic acid, the major enantiomer of polylactic acid syrup, generated by thermochemical processes at the end of life of PLA-based plastics, from its chiral impurity, d-lactic acid, before reuse. Polylactic acid (PLA), a renewable alternative to petroleum-derived plastics, contains a mixture of l- and d-lactic acid (LA) isomers with the l-isomer dominating (up to 95 %). A novel bio-based process was developed to produce chirally pure l-LA from syrup produced during recycling of PLA-plastics. This process utilizes an engineered Escherichia coli (strain DC1001) containing novel gene deletions (lld, ykg) that eliminated the oxidative metabolism of l-lactate, leaving the membrane-bound d-lactate dehydrogenases to selectively metabolize the d-isomer. Strain DC1001 removed 8.7 g d-lactate l−1 from a PLA-syrup containing 135 g total lactic acid l−1 in 24 h. Average rates of removal of d-lactic acid were 0.25 g d-lactate h−1 (g cell dry weight)−1 and 0.36 g d-lactate l−1 h−1. Bio-based purification of PLA-syrup utilizing E. coli strain DC1001 is an attractive process step during recycling of PLA-plastics. This selective oxidation process can also be used to remove chiral contamination of l-lactate in medical applications.
On Physical Properties and Interactions of Polyatomic Molecules: With Application to Molecular Recognition in Biology

Publisher Summary This chapter evaluates the properties of semiempirical all-valence-electron molecular orbital theory for description of the charge distribution of polyatomic molecules. The chapter focuses on two of important methods, that is, the iterative extended Huckel theory (IEHT) method and the complete neglect of differential overlap (CNDO) method. The formal treatment of intermolecular forces is based on quantum mechanical perturbation theory. The analysis of wave functions aims to establish the relative usefulness of the two types of wave functions in predicting values for various physical properties. It determines the particular electronic aspects to which a given type of wave function is most sensitive and thereby evaluates the relative applicability of these wave functions to the various physical problems under study. The dipole approximation for short separation distances and for molecules of the size and complexity of pyridine is inadequate and the monopole approximation fails for all considered separation distances. The theory of electronic structure and intermolecular interactions is applied to molecular biology that is the characterization of the nature of physical interactions involved in molecular recognition processes. Electrostatic interactions play a fundamental role in molecular recognition processes. The development of quantitative treatment for these interactions makes possible an unambiguous evaluation of the degree to which these interactions participate in such fundamental biological events as hydrogen bonding formation and stability, and enzyme-substrate interactions.
Noninvasive volumetric quality evaluation of post-surgical clear corneal incision via high-resolution Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography

A novel approach for post-surgical evaluation of clear corneal incision quality is presented. The complete volumetric information of an ex-vivo bovine cornea with incision and suture is obtained by high-resolution Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography and illustrated by various computer graphics technologies. This method provides more comprehensive information to evaluate surgery quality and monitor the healing process.
Understanding Relationships: Classifying Verb Phrase Semantics

Relationships are an essential part of the design of a database because they capture associations between things. Comparing and integrating relationships from heterogeneous databases is a difficult problem, partly because of the nature of the relationship verb phrases. This research proposes a multi-layered approach to classifying the semantics of relationship verb phrases to assist in the comparison of relationships. The first layer captures fundamental, primitive relationships based upon well-known work in data abstractions and conceptual modeling. The second layer captures the life cycle of natural progressions in the business world. The third layer reflects the context-dependent nature of relationships. Use of the classification scheme is illustrated by comparing relationships from various application domains with different purposes.
An Information-Based Bayesian Approach to History Taking

Effective history-taking systems need to dynamically reduce the number of questions to ask. This can be done either categorically or probabilistically, by exploiting previous patient's answers. In this paper, we propose a probabilistic information-based history-taking strategy that combines synergistically two information-content measures for reducing the number of questions asked. We have applied this strategy to an existing history-taking system and some preliminary results seem to confirm our initial intuitions.
Reliability, individual differences and intravariation of endurance performance on the bicycle ergometer.

Abstract A procedure is described for measuring endurance performance on the bicycle ergometer where all individuals begin work at the same pace initially and continue for the same duration of time. Individuals with 100% endurance showed no drop-off in work rate from the initial pace, while those lower in endurance showed varying amounts of drop-off. Reliability, individual differences, and intravariation of endurance performance were determined for 34 subjects who pedalled a Monark bicycle ergometer at an initial work rate of 1,512 kgm/min for 10 min. on two occasions. Because the initial rate of work was so heavy there was an average 17.5% drop-off in work rate at the end of the test. Test-retest reliability for the endurance scores (defined as cumulated work performed) was r = .87. Within each test, individual differences increased progressively over the 10 min. to 420%, while intravariation increased 55%. In the test-retest situation, reliability increased 45%, individual differences increased 30-fold...
Incorporating the social environment in genotype environment interaction studies of mental disorders.

'That both genetic (nature) and environmental (nurture) factors contribute to the aetiology of depression and other common mental disorders is well recognised. However, the study of gene-environment interaction (G x E) in mental disorders has recently incited a great deal of controversy. We have suggested (1) that what is needed is more, and better quality, rather than less, research on how genotypes and a range of environmental factors jointly produce mental disorders. In particular, we believe that the non-replication of genetic main effects and G x E in mental disorders may be explained at least in part by the lack of consideration of relevant social environmental contexts.
Glucocorticoids inhibit serum depletion-induced apoptosis in T lymphocytes expressing Bcl-2

Depletion of growth factors and glucocorticoids are known to induce apoptosis and inhibit growth in T lymphocytes. We have examined the effect of Bcl-2 expression on the cellular response to growth factor depletion in the presence or absence of glucocorticoids. Cell growth was determined by cell counting and viability was quantitated by dye exclusion. Apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry, analysis of DNA integrity, and enzymatic determination of caspase-3-like activity. Serum depletion and glucocorticoid administration inhibited cell growth and stimulated apoptosis in Bcl-2 negative cells. Cotreatment with both stimuli had additive effects on apoptosis but not on inhibition of cell growth. Bcl-2 expression abrogated the repressive effect of glucocorticoids on apoptosis but not on cell growth. In contrast, neither apoptosis nor growth inhibition induced by serum depletion of cells was blocked by Bcl-2 expression. However, glucocorticoid treatment of Bcl-2-overexpressing cells protected them from apoptosis induced by serum depletion. Glucocorticoid protection of Bcl-2-overexpressing cells from serum depletion-induced apoptosis was mimicked by other inducers of apoptosis, which act to inhibit protein synthesis. These data suggest that Bcl-2 expression can switch the effect of glucocorticoids from proapoptotic to antiapoptotic when lymphocytes expressing Bcl-2 are exposed to other apoptotic stimuli.
LaPt2B2C: A conventional borocarbide superconductor.

Local-density-approximation electronic-structure calculations for the recently discovered ${\mathrm{LaPt}}_{2}$${\mathrm{B}}_{2}$C superconductor are reported. The calculations show, as in ${\mathrm{LuNi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{B}}_{2}$C, that despite the quasi-two-dimensional crystal structure, the electronic structure in the vicinity of the Fermi energy (${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{F}}$) is quite three dimensional, with substantial contributions from all atoms. In this compound, ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{F}}$ falls on the low-energy side of a peak in the electronic density of states, suggesting that ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ may be increased by doping to a higher electron count. The value of the density of states at ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{F}}$ is found to be substantially smaller than that of ${\mathrm{LuNi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{B}}_{2}$C in agreement with experiment.
Benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide-induced 3p21.3 aberrations and genetic predisposition to lung cancer.

3p deletion, a common chromosome defect in lung cancer, occurs more frequently in the lung tumor tissues of smoking patients than it does in those of nonsmoking patients. This pilot study evaluated whether 3p aberrations induced by benzo[ a ]pyrene diol epoxide (BPDE), the metabolic product of benzo[ a ]pyrene, a constituent of tobacco smoke, were more common in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 40 lung cancer patients than they were in those of 54 matched controls. Our hypothesis was that 3p sensitivity to BPDE reflects the susceptibility of a specific locus to damage from carcinogens in tobacco smoke. BPDE-induced chromosome 3p21.3 aberrations were significantly more frequent in cases (34.1 per 1000) than they were in controls (22.1 per 1000; P < 0.0001). However, no such difference was observed for 6q27, a control locus. Using the median value in the controls (20 per 1000) as a cutoff point to classify BPDE-induced sensitivity at 3p21.3 and after adjustment by age, sex, ethnicity, and smoking status, 3p BPDE sensitivity was associated with an elevated risk of 14.1 (95% confidence interval: 3.5, 56.2) for lung cancer. There was also a dose-response relationship between the degree of BPDE sensitivity at 3p21.3 and increased risk for lung cancer. Therefore, 3p may be a molecular target for BPDE damage in lung cancer cases.
Apoptotic Cells Induce Tolerance by Generating Helpless CD8+ T Cells That Produce TRAIL

The decision to generate a productive immune response or immune tolerance following pathogenic insult often depends on the context in which T cells first encounter Ag. The presence of apoptotic cells favors the induction of tolerance, whereas immune responses generated with necrotic cells promote immunity. We have examined the tolerance induced by injection of apoptotic cells, a system in which cross-presentation of Ag associated with the dead cells induces CD8+ regulatory (or suppressor) T cells. We observed that haptenated apoptotic cells induced CD8+ suppressor T cells without priming CD4+ T cells for immunity. These CD8+ T cells transferred unresponsiveness to naive recipients. In contrast, haptenated necrotic cells stimulated immunity, but induced CD8+ suppressor T cells when CD4+ T cells were absent. We further found that CD8+ T cells induced by these treatments displayed a "helpless CTL" phenotype and suppress the immune response by producing TRAIL. Animals deficient in TRAIL were resistant to tolerance induction by apoptotic cells. Thus, the outcome of an immune response taking place in the presence of cell death can be determined by the presence of CD4+-mediated Th cell function.
Management of rapidly ascending driveline tunnel infection

We present a case of rapidly ascending left ventricular assist device driveline and tunnel infection in a patient with a long length of driveline buried beyond the distal velour coating. Device salvage with radical debridement, exit site relocation, and local tissue advancement is described. The findings in this case suggest that the interface between nonvelour covered driveline and subcutaneous tissue can become the nidus of a virulent ascending infection because of poor tissue ingrowth.
Robust classifiers without robust features

We develop a two-stage, modular neural network classifier and apply it to an automatic target recognition problem. The data are features extracted from infrared and TV images. We discuss the problem of robust classification in terms of a family of decision surfaces, the members of which are functions of a set of global variables. The global variables characterize how the feature space changes from one image to the next. We obtain rapid training times and robust classification with this modular neural network approach.
Holocene glacial and tree-line variations in the White River Valley and Skolai Pass, Alaska and Yukon Territory

Complex glacier and tree-line fluctuations in the White River valley on the northern flank of the St. Elias and Wrangell Mountains in southern Alaska and Yukon Territory are recognized by detailed moraine maps and drift stratigraphy, and are dated by dendrochronology, lichenometry, 14C ages, and stratigraphic relations of drift to the eastern (1230 14C yr BP) and northern (1980 14C yr BP) lobes of the White River Ash. The results show two major intervals of expansion, one concurrent with the well-known and widespread Little Ice Age and the other dated between 2900 and 2100 14C yr BP, with a culmination about 2600 and 2800 14C yr BP. Here, the ages of Little Ice Age moraines suggest fluctuating glacier expansion between ad 1500 and the early 20th century. Much of the 20th century has experienced glacier recession, but probably it would be premature to declare the Little Ice Age over. The complex moraine systems of the older expansion interval lie immediately downvalley from Little Ice Age moraines, suggesting that the two expansion intervals represent similar events in the Holocene, and hence that the Little Ice Age is not unique. Another very short-lived advance occurred about 1230 to 1050 14C yr BP. Spruce immigrated into the valley to a minimum altitude of 3500 ft (1067 m), about 600 ft (183 m) below the current spruce tree line of 4100 ft (1250 m), at least by 8020 14C yr BP. Subsequent intervals of high tree line were in accord with glacier recession; in fact, several spruce-wood deposits above current tree line occur bedded between Holocene tills. High deposits of fossil wood range up to 76 m above present tree line and are dated at about 5250, 3600 to 3000, and 2100 to 1230 14C yr BP. St. Elias glacial and tree-line fluctuations, which probably are controlled predominantly by summer temperature and by length of the growing and ablation seasons, correlate closely with a detailed Holocene tree-ring curve from California, suggesting a degree of synchronism of Holocene summer-temperature changes between the two areas. This synchronism is strengthened by comparison with the glacier record from British Columbia and Mt. Rainier, Likewise, broad synchronism of Holocene events exists across the Arctic between the St. Elias Mountains and Swedish Lappland. Finally, two sequences from the Southern Hemisphere show similar records, in so far as dating allows. Hence, we believe that a preliminary case can be made for broad synchronism of Holocene climatic fluctuations in several regions, although further data are needed and several areas, particularly Colorado and Baffin Island, show major differences in the regional pattern.
Optimal Spacing Between Pin Fins With Impinging Flow

This is an experimental, numerical, and theoretical study of the heat transfer on a pin-finned plate exposed to an impinging air stream. The pin fins are aligned with the air approach velocity. The base plate and the fin cross section are square. It is demonstrated experimentally that the thermal conductance between the plate and the air stream can be maximized by selecting the fin-to-fin spacing S. Next, a simplified numerical model is used to generate a large number of optimal spacing and maximum heat transfer data for various configurations, which differ with respect to fin length (H), fin thickness (D), base plate size (L), fluid type (Pr), and air velocity (Re L ). Finally, the behavior of the optimal spacing data is explained and correlated theoretically based on the intersection of asymptotes method. The recommended correlations for optimal spacing, S opt /L≃0.81 Pr -0.25 Re L -0.32 , and maximum thermal conductance, (q/ΔT) max /k a H ≃ 1.57 Pr 0.45 Re L 0.69 (L/D) 0.31 , cover the range D/L = 0.06 - 0.14, H/L = 0.28-0.56, Pr = 0.72-7, Re D = 10-700, and Re L = 90-6000.
Estimating dynamic roadway travel times using automatic vehicle identification data for low sampling rates

The paper describes a low-pass adaptive filtering algorithm for predicting average roadway travel times using automatic vehicle identification (AVI) data. The algorithm is unique in three aspects. First, it is designed to handle both stable (constant mean) and unstable (varying mean) traffic conditions. Second, the algorithm can be successfully applied for low levels of market penetration (less than 1%). Third, the algorithm works for both freeway and signalized arterial roadways. The proposed algorithm utilizes a robust data-filtering procedure that identifies valid data within a dynamically varying validity window. The size of the validity window varies as a function of the number of observations within the current sampling interval, the number of observations in the previous intervals, and the number of consecutive observations outside the validity window. Applications of the algorithm to two AVI datasets from San Antonio, one from a freeway link and the other from an arterial link, demonstrate the ability of the proposed algorithm to efficiently track typical variations in average link travel times while suppressing high frequency noise signals.
Immunostimulatory DNA mediates inhibition of eosinophilic inflammation and airway hyperreactivity independent of natural killer cells in vivo.

Abstract Background: Immunostimulatory DNA sequences (ISS) inhibit eosinophilic inflammation and airway hyperreactivity in mouse models of asthma. In vitro ISS activate natural killer (NK) cells to secrete IFN-γ, and this cytokine is hypothesized to contribute to the antiallergic effect of ISS in vivo. Objective: We investigated whether ISS activation of NK cells is important in mediating the reduction in airway hyperreactivity and the antieosinophilic effect of ISS in vivo. Methods: We assessed whether ISS modulated the development of eosinophilic airway inflammation and airway hyperreactivity to methacholine in ovalbumin (OVA)–sensitized and OVA allergen–challenged mice pretreated with an antibody to deplete NK cells. Results: Mice sensitized and challenged with OVA had significant bronchoalveolar lavage and lung eosinophilia, as well as airway hyperresponsiveness. ISS induced significant inhibition of bronchoalveolar lavage and lung eosinophilia, as well as airway hyperresponsiveness, in OVA-sensitized mice pretreated before OVA challenge with an NK cell–depleting antibody (NK – mice), as well as in mice pretreated with a control non-NK cell–depleting antibody (NK + mice). The NK cell–depleting antibody inhibited ISS-induced IFN-γ production by spleen cells. Conclusion: These studies demonstrate that depletion of NK cells has no significant effect on ISS-mediated inhibition of airway eosinophilia and airway hyperresponsiveness in vivo, suggesting that non-NK cells and cytokines other than IFN-γ derived from NK cells mediate the majority of the ISS-inhibitory effect on eosinophilic inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in vivo. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2001;108:759-63.)
Properties of coupled magnetic films

A brief review is given of some properties of coupled films. Emphasis is placed upon those aspects of the behavior of such structures which depend simply upon the existence of a coupling energy per unit area.