cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Critical Configurations of Systems Subjected to Wide-Band Excitation

The relationships between the parameters of a structural system and its wide-band response are explored. The goal is to identify and characterize critical system configurations for which the response may become highly sensitive to small parameter variations. Such configurations are useful in design applications since minor modification of the system may lead to a significant reduction in response. The investigation, which centers on an examination of analytical expressions for the modal properties and mean-square response, shows that critical systems can be identified with mode crossing sets defined in the space of variable parameters. Emphasis is on characteristics associated with the intrinsic dynamic properties of the system rather than user-defined parameterizations. Two examples demonstrate the insight the results of this paper provides into the system dynamic properties and their relation to the response.
Chapter 41 – The Global Impact of HIV and AIDS

This chapter summarizes the global impact of HIV/ AIDS outside of the U.S., with a focus on the developing world, including overviews of the epidemiology, demographic impact, and socioeconomic impact of the epidemic. The monitoring of these trends is essential to the planning and implementation of a global response to HIV/AIDS. It is also crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and impact mitigation interventions around the world. Data from several countries has shown that it is possible to reduce the spread of HIV with existing technology and interventions. Prevention successes in Senegal, Thailand, and Uganda demonstrate the importance of aggressive national intervention programs that include well-defined components. The experience of these countries shows that sound programs and political commitment make a difference. However, there remain significant gaps in the understanding of the socioeconomic impact of the epidemic. Important areas of uncertainty exist on the macroeconomic impact of the epidemic as well as on the impact of HIV/AIDS on certain specific sectors including agriculture and business.
Methods of reporting hospital financial information

Various methods for reporting financial information in a hospital are discussed. Both statistical and financial reporting are used in management decision making. Financial statements, such as the hospital balance sheet and the statement of revenues and expenses, constitute the majority of management information prepared within the hospital's finance department. Financial indicators derived from these statements are explained. Accounts receivable, budget, and cash reports are also discussed. Several types of reports that analyze financial information by diagnosis-related groups are described, and the level of detail needed in these reports is discussed. Management of hospital financial operations under new hospital reimbursement systems will require more specialized types of management information and reporting. Through the marriage of medical and financial data, hospitals will have the information needed to manage their product--health care--in the most cost-effective and efficient manner.
Neuronal Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Using Exosomes Derived from Differentiating Neuronal Cells

Exosomes deliver functional proteins and genetic materials to neighboring cells, and have potential applications for tissue regeneration. One possible mechanism of exosome-promoted tissue regeneration is through the delivery of microRNA (miRNA). In this study, we hypothesized that exosomes derived from neuronal progenitor cells contain miRNAs that promote neuronal differentiation. We treated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) daily with exosomes derived from PC12 cells, a neuronal cell line, for 1 week. After the treatment with PC12-derived exosomes, MSCs developed neuron-like morphology, and gene and protein expressions of neuronal markers were upregulated. Microarray analysis showed that the expression of miR-125b, which is known to play a role in neuronal differentiation of stem cells, was much higher in PC12-derived exosomes than in exosomes from B16-F10 melanoma cells. These results suggest that the delivery of miRNAs contained in PC12-derived exosomes is a possible mechanism explaining the neuronal differentiation of MSC.
Evolution of enzymatic activities in the enolase superfamily: Partitioning of reactive intermediates by (D)-glucarate dehydratase from Pseudomonas putida

Glucarate dehydratase (GlucD) from Pseudomonas putida catalyzes the dehydration of both (D)-glucarate and (L)-idarate to 3-deoxy-(L)-threo-2-hexulosarate as well as their epimerization. (D)-[6-13C]Glucarate and (L)-[6-13C]idarate have been synthesized for use in continuous assay of the reactions catalyzed by GlucD by both 13C and 1H NMR spectroscopies, thereby allowing the simultaneous measure of both the dehydration and epimerization reactions. Substrate and solvent isotope effects for the dehydration reactions have been quantitated. The mechanism of the GlucD-catalyzed reaction is discussed in the context of that previously established for the homologous mandelate racemase from P. putida, also a member of the enolase superfamily whose members catalyze reactions initiated by abstraction of a proton alpha to a carboxylate group.
On the Efficiency of Representability Tests for Matroids

An efficient algorithm is described for testing regularity of a matroid (i.e., representability over every field). Furthermore it is shown that a number of other matroid representability questions cannot be decided efficiently. In each case it is assumed that the matroid in question is specified by an independence oracle.
Effect of age on the membrane lipid composition of Streptococcus sanguis.

The cell membrane of Streptococcus sanguis contains three classes of lipid: neutral lipid, glycolipid and phospholipid. A striking difference in membrane lipid composition between cells in the exponential and in the stationary phases of growth was observed. During the exponential phase, approx. 37–45%, 14–19% and 37–45% of the lipids synthesized were found to be neutral lipid, glycolipid and phospholipid, respectively. The amount of lipid synthesized reached a maximum at the early stationary phase. The amount of phospholipid drastically declined thereafter and that of neutral lipid slightly declined. In contrast, the amount of glycolipid markedly increased and exceeded the amount of phospholipid. The phospholipid present during the exponential phase was found to be mainly phosphatidylglycerol (82–88%) and a small amount of cardiolipin (12–18%). At the stationary phase, the amount of phosphatidylglycerol greatly decreased and reached approx. 16% of that in the early stationary phase, while cardiolipin steadily increased and became the major phospholipid in the late stationary phase. The glycolipid was found to be composed of mainly mono- and diglucosyldiglycerides. At the end of the experiment (after 8 h incubation), the distribution of lipids was found to be: neutral lipid, 46%; glycolipid (monoglucosyldiglyceride, 28%; diglucosyldiglyceride, 13%) 41%; and phospholipid (phosphatidylglycerol, 3%, cardiolipin, 8%) 13%.
Efficiently Determining Transform Filter Coefficients for Image Processing by Applying Distributed Genetic Algorithms

An important aspect of contemporary military communications in the design of robust image transforms for defense surveillance applications. In particular, efficient yet effective transfer of critical image information is required for decision making. The generic use of wavelets to transform an image is a standard transform approach. However, the resulting bandwidth requirements can be quite high, suggesting that a different bandwidth-limited transform be developed. Thus, our specific use of genetic algorithms (GAs) attempts to replace standard wavelet filter coefficients with an optimized transform filter in order to retain or improve image quality for bandwidth-restricted surveillance applications. To find improved coefficients efficiently, we have developed a software engineered distributed design employing a genetic algorithm (GA) parallel island model on small and large computational clusters with multi-core nodes. The main objective is to determine whether running a distributed GA with multiple islands would either give statistically equivalent results quicker or obtain better results in the same amount of time. In order to compare computational performance with our previous serial results, we evaluate the obtained "optimal" wavelet coefficients on test images from both approaches which results in excellent comparative metric values.
Dyslipidemia in Type 2 Diabetes: Prevalence, Pathophysiology, and Management

Dyslipidemia is one of the key risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in diabetes mellitus. Despite the mounting clinical trial data, the management of dyslipidemia other than lowering the low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) continues to be controversial. The characteristic features of diabetic dyslipidemia are high plasma triglyceride concentration, reduced high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) concentration, and increased concentration of small dense LDL particles. These changes are caused by increased free fatty acid flux secondary to insulin resistance and aggravated by increased inflammatory adipokines. The availability of several lipid-lowering drugs and nutritional supplements offers novel and effective options for achieving target lipid levels in people with diabetes. While initiation of drug therapy based on differences in the lipid profile is an option, most practice guidelines recommend statins as first-line therapy. Although the evidence for clinical utility of combination of statins with fibrates or nicotinic acid in reducing cardiovascular events remains inconclusive, the preponderance of evidence suggests that a subgroup who have high triglycerides and low HDL-c levels may benefit from combination therapy of statins and fibrates. The goal of therapy is to achieve at least 30–40 % reduction in LDL-c levels. Preferably the LDL-c should be less than 100 mg/dL in low-risk people and less than 70 mg/dL in those at high risk, including people with established CVD.
Using Temperature Fluctuation Measurements to Estimate Meteorological Inputs for Modelling Dispersion During Convective Conditions in Urban Areas

We examine the performance of several methods to estimate meteorological inputs for modelling dispersion in urban areas during convective conditions. Sensible heat flux, surface friction velocity and turbulent velocities are estimated from measurements of mean wind speed and the standard deviation of temperature fluctuations at a single level on a tower at two suburban sites and at one urban site in Riverside, California. These estimates are compared with observations made at these sites during a field study conducted in 2007. The sensible heat flux is overestimated in the urban area, while it is underestimated at a suburban site when temperature fluctuations are used in the free convection formulation to estimate heat flux. The bias in heat flux estimates can be reduced through a correction that depends on stability. It turns out that the bias in heat flux estimates has a minor effect on the prediction of surface friction velocity and turbulent velocities. Estimates of sensible heat flux, surface friction velocity and turbulent velocities are sensitive to estimates of aerodynamic roughness length, and we suggest estimating the aerodynamic roughness length through detailed micrometeorological measurements made during a limited field study. An examination of the impact of the uncertainty in estimating surface micrometeorology on concentrations indicates that, at small distances from a surface release, ground-level concentrations computed using estimates of heat flux and surface friction compare well with the those based on observed values: the bias is small and the 95% confidence interval of the ratio of the two concentrations is 1.7. However, at distances much larger than the Obukhov length, this confidence interval is close to 2.3 because errors in both friction velocity and heat flux affect plume spread. Finally, we show that using measurements of temperature fluctuations in estimating heat flux is an improvement on that based on the surface energy balance, even when net radiation measurements are available.
Threshold 60-Hz Current Required for Ventricular Fibrillation in Subjects of Various Body Weights

This paper reports the threshold 60-Hz alternating-current values required to induce ventricular fibrillation when the current is applied to electrodes at different sites on the surface of the bodies of rabbits, puppies, one monkey, dogs, goats, and ponies. It is shown that for a given body weight, the duration of exposure to current influences the fibrillation threshold; exposure times shorter than 1 s require more current. For a given duration of current flow, the threshold current for fibrillation is a function of body weight and electrode location. The lowest current for fibrillation was required with lead III (left forelimb-left hindlimb) and lead I (right-left forelimbs) required the highest current. For a 5-s exposure, the threshold current for fibrillation varies almost as the square root of body weight (W), the general expression being I = KW ? , where ? is nearly 0.5. Values for K and ? are presented for leads I, II, and III.
Fabrication and Magnetic Properties of Arrays of Metallic Nanowires

Arrays of ferromagnetic nickel and cobalt nanowires have been fabricated by electrochemical deposition of the metals into templates with nanometer-sized pores prepared by nuclear track etching. These systems display distinctive characteristics because of their one-dimensional microstructure. The preferred magnetization direction is perpendicular to the film plane. Enhanced coercivities as high as 680 oersteds and remnant magnetization up to 90 percent have also been observed.
Synthesis, material properties, and biocompatibility of a novel self-cross-linkable poly(caprolactone fumarate) as an injectable tissue engineering scaffold.

A novel self-crosslinkable and biodegradable macromer poly(caprolactone fumarate) (PCLF) has been developed for guided bone regeneration. This macromer is a copolymer of fumaryl chloride, which contains double bonds for in-situ crosslinking, and poly(e-caprolactone) that has a flexible chain to facilitate self-crosslinkability. PCLF was characterized with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Porous scaffolds were fabricated with sodium chloride particles as the porogen and a chemical initiation system. The PCLF scaffolds were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). The cytotoxicity and in vivo biocompatibility of PCLF were also assessed. Our results suggest that this novel copolymer, PCLF, is an injectable, self-crosslinkable, and biocompatible macromer that may be potentially used as a scaffold for tissue engineering applications.
Global Climate Change Ecosystems Effects

AbstractMuch concern is felt about global warming and many debates have ranged widely on this subject without as yet arriving at a precise answer; the 'best guess' at present is a 60% chance of a global average change in the 1·5–4·5 K range if carbon dioxide concentrations were to double. However, regional temperature changes are still more speculative depending on the heat retaining properties of the oceans and the continents. The reaction of ecosystems to climatic change is here illustrated by considering forests and birds, and it is concluded that the more rapid the climatic change, the higher the probability of disruption and surprise in the ecosystems affected. The author finally recommends the banning of chlorofluorocarbons and switching fuels from coal to natural gas thus buying time and slowing down global warming.
Textiles and Apparel in Global Context: Bridging Gaps and Forging Linkages:

As an introduction to this focused issue of the Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, the editors suggest that the issue represents new approaches to the scholarly dissemination of thought in the discipline of textiles and apparel. Diversity in terms of subject matter, cultural approaches to education, cross-cultural collaboration, and comparative investigation are represented. The articles are ordered into three groupings: markets and marketing, cultural differences and similarities, and education. The editors highlight the important contributions of each to the scholarship of the discipline.
Phycoerythrin 566 — a fluorescence study

The cryptomonad biliprotein, phycoerythrin 566 from Cryptomonas ovata , has been studied by a variety of spectroscopic technics, including absorption, fluorescence, fluorescence polarization, and ultrafast fluorescence kinetics. The data were analyzed to obtain information about the transfer of excitons among the various chromophores (bilins) on the isolated protein. Ultrafast fluorescence studies were performed using a variety of interference filters to monitor emission after excitation at 532 nm. The fluorescence kinetics was found to be dependent on the emission wavelength being observed. The kinetic fits of the data suggest that 532-nm light excited two typesof chromophores and that one type transferred energy to the other in about 30 ± 3 ps. This conclusion was based on the fitting of the fluorescence to two kinetic equations in which the rate of energy transfer out of one chromophore was equalto the rate of energy transfer into another chromophore. Emission from the protein occurred with a 1000-ps radiative lifetime. The fluorescence polarization spectrum of phycoerythrin 566 was consistent with several energy-transfer events between various energetically different chromophores. The various steady-state fluorescence results suggested that one type of chromophore, or a group of chromophores in equilibrium, was the final emitter. After absorption of photons, excitons were transferred with great efficiency (97%) between various spectroscopically distinct chromophores and were eventually emitted by the lowest-energy chromophores. These results were for a dimeric (α 2 β 2 ) protein at pH 6.0; at lower pH or lower protein concentration, the protein dissociated.
Metastable Hexagonal Molybdates: Hydrothermal Preparation, Structure, and Reactivity

Hydrothermal treatment of acidified M{sub 2}MoO{sub 4} solutions at 150{degrees}C for 3 days leads to a range of structures depending on the metal M. Hexagonal molybdates with the general formula (M{sub y} {center_dot} zH{sub 2}O)Mo{sub 6{minus}x}O{sub 13{minus}x}H{sub 4{minus}y} are formed when M is a small cation, such as Na{sup +}, NH{sup +}{sub 4}, and Ag{sup +}. These molybdates crystallize as hexagonal rods and have the space group P6{sub 3}/m. The open structure of these hexagonal molybdates both allows the M ions in the tunnels to be readily mobile and permits the ready intercalation of additional cations such as hydrogen and lithium. Upon continuous ion exchange of sodium molybdate with 6 N HNO{sub 3}, a new hydrate, MoO{sub 3} {center_dot}O.6H{sub 2}O, was formed; subsequent dehydration of this hydrate results in the formation of a new hexagonal modification of {open_quotes}MoO{sub 3}.{close_quotes} The structural features, thermal properties, diffusion, and reactivity of these phases have been determined and compared with phases synthesized by other methods.
Higher-Order Terms in a Perturbation Expansion for the Impedance of a Corrugated Wave Guide

We consider a circular waveguide whose radius a(z) = a(1+?s(z)) varies periodically with the axial coordinate z. Chatard-Moulin and Papiernik have introduced a perturbation expansion in powers of ? for the longitudinal impedance of such a waveguide. We have reformulated the derivation of this expansion in a manner which elucidates the structure of the higher-order terms, and allows the determination of the dependence on ? of the resonant frequencies. For a square-wave (SW) wall distortion, there are divergent coefficients in the perturbation expansion. Hence, a special treatment is required in this case, and we present a calculation of the resonant behavior for small ?, using an approach which does not assume an expansion in powers of ?. The resulting expression for the resonant impedance involves functions singular at ?=O; however, to leading order in ?, the loss-factors and resonant frequencies are in agreement with the perturbation theory of ref. 1.
A new Atp2b2 deafwaddler allele, dfw(i5), interacts strongly with Cdh23 and other auditory modifiers

Tight regulation of calcium (Ca2+) concentrations in the stereocilia bundles of auditory hair cells of the inner ear is critical to normal auditory transduction. The plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase 2 (PMCA2), encoded by the Atp2b2 gene, is the primary mechanism for clearance of Ca2+ from auditory stereocilia, keeping intracellular levels low, and also contributes to maintaining adequate levels of extracellular Ca2+ in the endolymph. This study characterizes a novel null Atp2b2 allele, dfw(i5), by examining cochlear anatomy, vestibular function and auditory physiology in mutant mice. Loss of auditory function in PMCA2 mutants can be attributed to dysregulation of intracellular Ca2+ inside the stereocilia bundles. However, extracellular Ca2+ ions surrounding the stereocilia are also required for rigidity of cadherin 23, a component of the stereocilia tip-link encoded by the Cdh23 gene. This study further resolves the interaction between Atp2b2 and Cdh23 in a gene dosage and frequency-dependent manner, and finds that low frequencies are significantly affected by the interaction. In +/dfw(i5) mice, one mutant copy of Cdh23 is sufficient to cause broad frequency hearing impairment. Additionally, we report another modifying interaction with Atp2b2 on auditory sensitivity, possibly caused by an unidentified hearing loss gene in mice.
Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis and mRNA Expression are Altered by Perinatal Arsenic Exposure in Mice and Restored by Brief Exposure to Enrichment

Arsenic is a common and pervasive environmental contaminant found in drinking water in varying concentrations depending on region. Exposure to arsenic induces behavioral and cognitive deficits in both human populations and in rodent models. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard for the allotment of arsenic in drinking water is in the parts-per-billion range, yet our lab has shown that 50 ppb arsenic exposure during development can have far-reaching consequences into adulthood, including deficits in learning and memory, which have been linked to altered adult neurogenesis. Given that the morphological impact of developmental arsenic exposure on the hippocampus is unknown, we sought to evaluate proliferation and differentiation of adult neural progenitor cells in the dentate gyrus after 50 ppb arsenic exposure throughout the perinatal period of development in mice (equivalent to all three trimesters in humans) using a BrdU pulse-chase assay. Proliferation of the neural progenitor population was decreased by 13% in arsenic-exposed mice, but was not significant. However, the number of differentiated cells was significantly decreased by 41% in arsenic-exposed mice compared to controls. Brief, daily exposure to environmental enrichment significantly increased proliferation and differentiation in both control and arsenic-exposed animals. Expression levels of 31% of neurogenesis-related genes including those involved in Alzheimer’s disease, apoptosis, axonogenesis, growth, Notch signaling, and transcription factors were altered after arsenic exposure and restored after enrichment. Using a concentration previously considered safe by the EPA, perinatal arsenic exposure altered hippocampal morphology and gene expression, but did not inhibit the cellular neurogenic response to enrichment. It is possible that behavioral deficits observed during adulthood in animals exposed to arsenic during development derive from the lack of differentiated neural progenitor cells necessary for hippocampal-dependent learning. This study is the first to determine the impact of arsenic exposure during development on adult hippocampal neurogenesis and related gene expression.
N-ethylmaleimide blocks the modulatory effects of divalent cations and guanine nucleotides on the brain substance P receptor

Abstract The binding of [ 3 H]physalaemin ([ 3 H]PHY) to rat brain substance P receptors is modulated by cations and guanine nucleotides. [ 3 H]PHY binding in the presence of either monovalent or divalent cations (125 mM Na 2 SO 4 or 2.5 mM MnCl 2 ) shows a K D of 5.9 and 5.5 nM and a B max of 44.4 and 63.9 fmol/mg protein respectively. In the presence of both, there is a 2-fold increase in the affinity (K D 2.8 nM) and a 25–80% increase in the B max (81.6 fmol/mg protein). Addition of 100 μM GTP or Gpp(NH)p in either 125 mM Na 2 SO 4 or 2.5 mM MnCl 2 or both decreases the B max by 25–55%. However, the receptor affinity for [ 3 H]PHY is not significantly altered by guanine nucleotides. N-Ethylmaleimide (NEM) irreversibly inhibits the receptor binding with an IC 50 of 1.0 mM, demosntrating that SH groups play a critical role in the interaction of the ligand with the receptor. If the SP receptors are protected with 1 μM PHY, NEM irreversibly inhibits the effect of divalent cations and guanine nucleotides. Analysis of [ 3 H]PHY binding in 125 mM Na 2 SO 4 , 2.5 mM MnCl 2 on membranes that were protected with 1 μM PHY and then preincubated with NEM demonstrates a variable decline in receptor number and a 2-fold decrease in the affinity (K D , from 2.8 to 6.9 nM). These observations indicate the existence of a second class of SH groups that are essential for the interaction of divalent cations and guanine nucleotides with the receptor. The blockade of the modulatory effects of divalent cations and guanine nucleotides by NEM treatment further suggests that brain SP receptors are coupled to a guanine nucleotide binding regulatory protein.
Scientific Misconduct: A Response to Davies and Fielding

The author responds to criticism regarding his recent paper, “Scientific Misconduct: The Perversion of Scientific Evidence for Policy Advocacy,” (Avery 2010).
Fabrication of a reversible protein array directly from cell lysate using a stimuli-responsive polypeptide.

We report a new method to reversibly bind proteins to a surface in a functionally active orientation directly from cell lysate by exploiting a thermodynamically reversible hydrophilic−hydrophobic lower critical solution temperature (LCST) transition exhibited by a recombinant, stimuli-responsive elastin-like polypeptide (ELP). An ELP is covalently micropatterned on a glass surface against an inert BSA background. The ELP-patterned surface is incubated with the soluble fraction of E. coli lysate containing an expressed ELP fusion protein, which is appended with the same ELP as on the surface. The LCST transition of the grafted ELP and the ELP fusion protein is simultaneously triggered by an external stimulus. The LCST transition results in capture of the ELP fusion protein from solution onto the immobilized ELP by hydrophobic interactions between the grafted ELP and the ELP fusion protein. The captured ELP fusion protein is oriented such that the fusion partner is accessible to binding of its target from s...
The influence of grammatical units on learning

An experiment was performed in an effort to determine the extent to which S s would learn response sequences which conformed to a convenient response unit more rapidly than otherwise equivalent sequences. One group of S s learned acceptable English sentence segments which were phrase units (e.g., HIT THE SMALL BALL). Another group learned sentence segments which were not phrases (e.g., BALL HIT THE SMALL). A third group learned the words in a scrambled order (e.g., BALL THE HIT SMALL). Half the S s in each group learned sequences based on four-word predicates and the other half learned sequences based on three-word prepositional phrases. The learning rates for the three groups were in the expected order (i.e., phrase > nonphrase > scrambled) and, when degree of learning was controlled, the tendency to emit the sequences in an all-or-none manner decreased in the same order.
Measuring preschool attainment of print-concept knowledge: a study of typical and at-risk 3- to 5-year-old children using item response theory.

Purpose This research determined the psychometric quality of a criterion-referenced measure that was thought to measure preschoolers' print-concept knowledge (PCK). Method This measure, titled the ...
Geographic Access to Health Care for Rural Medicare Beneficiaries

ABSTRACT: Context: Patients in rural areas may use less medical care than those living in urban areas. This could be due to differences in travel distance and time and a utilization of a different mix of generalists and specialists for their care. Purpose: To compare the travel times, distances, and physician specialty mix of all Medicare patients living in Alaska, Idaho, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Washington. Methods: Retrospective design, using 1998 Medicare billing data. Travel time was determined by computing the road distance between 2 population centroids: the patient's and the provider's zone improvement plan codes. Findings: There were 2,220,841 patients and 39,780 providers in the cohort, including 6,405 (16.1%) generalists, 24,772 (62.3%) specialists, and 8,603 (21.6%) nonphysician providers. There were 20,693,828 patient visits during the study. The median overall 1-way travel distance and time was 7.7 miles (interquartile range 1.9–18.7 miles) and 11.7 minutes (interquartile range 3.0–25.7 minutes). The patients in rural areas needed to travel 2 to 3 times farther to see medical and surgical specialists than those living in urban areas. Rural residents with heart disease, cancer, depression, or needing complex cardiac procedures or cancer treatment traveled the farthest. Increasing rurality was also related to decreased visits to specialists and an increasing reliance on generalists. Conclusions: Residents of rural areas have increased travel distance and time compared to their urban counterparts. This is particularly true for rural residents with specific diagnoses or those undergoing specific procedures. Our results suggest that most rural residents do not rely on urban areas for much of their care.
The School Bell and The Bell Curve. Why They Don't Mix

As educators, we are constantly faced with the temptation of blaming the ills of society in general, and of our schools in particular, on things over which we have no control. The Bell Curve plays right into this temptation.
Abstract IA12: Redox pathways as platforms for drug development

While oxygen based metabolism is the most evolved and efficient method for producing energy, the generation of reactive oxygen electrophiles creates physiological stress. Sulfur has variable valencies, and as a consequence its nucleophilicity allows it to react with electrophilic species and exist in a variety of oxidation states. Lung cancer cells, in common with most cancers have aberrant redox homeostasis, a property that has provided a platform for drug development for both therapeutic and prevention approaches. There are >200,000 cysteines encoded by the human genome and the most common non-protein form of sulfur in cells is glutathione (GSH). Glutathione S-Transferase P (GSTP) is one member of the family of GST9s that contribute to cellular thiol and redox balance. GSTP is characteristically expressed at high levels in some tumors (including lung) and in drug resistant cancer cells. Targeting of GSTP with small molecules has identified a specific inhibitor (Telintra) that has myeloproliferative properties and may be useful in combination drug regimens. There are also a number of preclinical and clinical (e.g. Telcyta) GSTP activated pro-drug candidates that are at various stages of testing. A recently completed Phase III trial in NSCLC used NOV-002 (a glutathione disulfide mimetic) to alter the toxicity profiles of standard anticancer drugs by modulating intra- and extracellular redox balance. Changes in cellular redox homeostasis play an essential role in numerous signaling cascades, including those associated with proliferation, inflammatory responses, apoptosis, and senescence. Moreover, GSTP has been implicated in catalyzing S-glutathionylation (a post-translational modification adding glutathione to cysteine residues) of a number of proteins that fall into functional clusters important to these signaling events. Recent studies suggest that S-glutathionylated proteins may serve as clinical biomarkers of drug response. Finally, many chemoprevention drugs are designed to stimulate the production of protective Phase II detoxification enzyme systems in target normal tissues. Many of these agents are sulfur based and most contain electrophilic centers that show selectivity for the Nrf2 transcription factor and genes that contain antioxidant response elements (ARE). Chronic, low dose exposure to these agents may have short-term prevention potential, but the down sides of long term impact of low levels of electrophilic stress remains to be answered.
Pattern of shedding of the Norwalk particle in stools during experimentally induced gastroenteritis in volunteers as determined by immune electron microscopy

In 11 of 23 volunteers the Norwalk virus-like particle was visualized by immune electron microscopy in at least one stool specimen obtained during the acute phase of experimentally induced nonbacterial gastroenteritis. Examination of multiple stool specimens obtained during the course of illness in these 11 volunteers revealed maximal concentration of Norwalk virus-like particle at the onset of illness and shortly thereafter; in no case was the Norwalk particle visualized in stools obtained before the onset of illness. This finding further suggests that the Norwalk particle was the etiological agent of the Norwalk gastroenteritis outbreak. The limit of reliability of our immune electron microscopy assay system for particle counting was examined.
Cytology Adds Value to Imaging Studies for Risk Assessment of Malignancy in Pancreatic Mucinous Cysts

Objective:Evaluate the value of cytology relative to imaging features in risk assessment for malignancy as defined in the Sendai Guidelines.Background:The Sendai Guidelines list symptoms, cyst size >30 mm, dilated main pancreatic duct (MPD) >6 mm, mural nodule (MN) and “positive” cytology as high ri
Evaluation of the Hurricane Research Division Doppler Radar Analysis Software Using Synthetic Data

AbstractThe Hurricane Research Division Doppler radar analysis software provides three-dimensional analyses of the three wind components in tropical cyclones. Although this software has been used for over a decade, there has never been a complete and in-depth evaluation of the resulting analyses. The goal here is to provide an evaluation that will permit the best use of the analyses, but also to improve the software. To evaluate the software, analyses are produced from simulated radar data acquired from an output of a Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting (HWRF) model nature run and are compared against the model “truth” wind fields. Comparisons of the three components of the wind show that the software provides analyses of good quality. The tangential wind is best retrieved, exhibiting an overall small mean error of 0.5 m s−1 at most levels and a root-mean-square error less than 2 m s−1. The retrieval of the radial wind is also quite accurate, exhibiting comparable errors, although the accuracy of t...
Iron-Binding E3 Ligase Mediates Iron Response in Plants by Targeting Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors

Iron uptake and metabolism are tightly regulated in both plants and animals. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), BRUTUS (BTS), which contains three hemerythrin (HHE) domains and a Really Interesting New Gene (RING) domain, interacts with basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors that are capable of forming heterodimers with POPEYE (PYE), a positive regulator of the iron deficiency response. BTS has been shown to have E3 ligase capacity and to play a role in root growth, rhizosphere acidification, and iron reductase activity in response to iron deprivation. To further characterize the function of this protein, we examined the expression pattern of recombinant ProBTS::β-GLUCURONIDASE and found that it is expressed in developing embryos and other reproductive tissues, corresponding with its apparent role in reproductive growth and development. Our findings also indicate that the interactions between BTS and PYE-like (PYEL) basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors occur within the nucleus and are dependent on the presence of the RING domain. We provide evidence that BTS facilitates 26S proteasome-mediated degradation of PYEL proteins in the absence of iron. We also determined that, upon binding iron at the HHE domains, BTS is destabilized and that this destabilization relies on specific residues within the HHE domains. This study reveals an important and unique mechanism for plant iron homeostasis whereby an E3 ubiquitin ligase may posttranslationally control components of the transcriptional regulatory network involved in the iron deficiency response.
Singing Cowboys and Musical Mountaineers: Southern Culture and the Roots of Country Music

Always lively and often surprising, this book is an authoritative survey of country music's 200-year precommercial legacy and its early popularisation through radio and recordings. Using the music as a kind of window on the South, Bill C. Malone views country's commercial rise within the context of other key developments in the region's folk culture. Among Malone's insights is that early country music derived its forms and styles not only from the culture of the British Isles, but also from that of Germany, Spain, France, Mexico, Africa and the Caribbean. Malone also dispels the notion that the first country stars were coerced into assuming the personas of cowboys or hillbillys. On the contrary, they willingly joined their northern agents, publicists and Tin Pan Alley songwriters in exploiting the nostalgic preconceptions about the South held by many of their listeners. Portraying a number of unjustly neglected figures, "Singing Cowboys and Musical Mountaineers" is a study of the cultural milieu of country's pioneering fiddlers, pickers, balladeers and yodelers.
Postnatal growth of intrauterine growth retarded infants

205 single, term newborns were followed up to their first birthdays. Each was classified as intrauterine growth retarded (IUGR) (59), or adequate birth weight (ABW) (146), and further subdivided by their individual ponderal index at birth (PI). By the end of their first year the IUGR infants had not reached the weight and length of their normal counterparts. Those with low PI obtained adequate PI values by the third month; IUGR infants with adequate PI at birth remained shorter and lighter but with adequate PI throughout the first year of life. The catch-up process in the IUGR infants with low PI can be explained by a higher growth velocity in weight, triceps and subscapular skinfolds apparent during the first trimester of postnatal life. The limitations of using PI as a tool to monitor the growth patterns of a heterogenous group of IUGR infants are discussed.
Visual Experience in Infants: Decreased Attention to Familiar Patterns Relative to Novel Ones

A complex visual pattern presented for ten successive 1-minute exposure periods was fixated progressively less than comparable novel stimuli by infants 2 to 6 months old. This indicates the occurrence of recognition and habituation of visual responsiveness to specific patterns, and suggests that familiarization with the environment begins through visual exploration before more active exploration is possible.
P-007 Trends in aneurysm treatment modality at a single, high-volume tertiary care center

Introduction Device developments and evolution in technique over the past decade since the International Study of Aneurysms Trial results were first available make the treatment of aneurysms which were previously considered poor candidates for coiling more feasible. Significant regional practice variations are likely to influence the proportion of techniques employed to treat aneurysms at different institutions. We describe our experience treating aneurysms at a single, high-volume tertiary care center. Methods A retrospective review was undertaken of all the aneurysms treated at a single institution (Cleveland Clinic) between 2003 and 2010. Results 1455 aneurysms were treated at our institution during the study period (45% SAH). Over this period, there was a near-linear increase in the number of aneurysms being treated. 137 were treated in 2003 and 208 were treated in 2010. In 2003, aneurysms were treated equally with clipping (49.6%) and coiling (50.4%). Over the 8-year period, there was a steady decline in the percentage of aneurysms treated surgically. By 2010, 25.5% of aneurysms were treated surgically and 74.5% by endovascular coiling. Among aneurysms that were coiled there has been an increase in the cases that are treated with adjuncts. Balloon-assisted remodeling is currently employed in 57.6% of all coiled aneurysms. The number of stent-assisted cases increased modestly and then has reached a plateau since 2007. Among stent-assisted cases, the “coil-through” technique was initially the preferred method (84% of all stent-assisted cases in 2003–2004). There has been a dramatic decrease in the proportion of “coil-through” cases and currently only 38% of stent-assisted cases are performed employing this method. The “coil-stent” and “jailing” techniques have remained relatively constant over time and both still represent a relative minority in treatment method, currently constituting 11.4% and 13.9%, respectively. The most dramatic increase in the relative proportion of a single method was the more widespread use of ‘balloon-stent’. Initially employed in 12% of stent-assisted cases, it is currently employed in 35.4% of cases. Conclusions Significant changes in practice trends for aneurysm treatment have been observed at a single, high-volume tertiary care center over the past decade. Although these changes are multifactorial, they are explained in party by institutional comfort level with the adoption of adjunctive techniques with a growing number of aneurysms treated with balloon remodeling and the “balloon-stent” technique. A preference of endovascular strategies over microsurgical clipping for treatment of both ruptured and unruptured aneurysms is now evident.
Structure and thermodynamics of metal binding in the P5 helix of a group I intron ribozyme.

Abstract The solution structure of an RNA hairpin modelling the P5 helix of a group I intron, complexed with Co(NH 3 ) 6 3+ , has been determined by nuclear magnetic resonance. Co(NH 3 ) 6 3+ , which possesses a geometry very close to Mg(H 2 O) 6 2+ , was used to identify and characterize a Mg 2+ binding site in the RNA. Strong and positive intermolecular nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) cross-peaks define a specific complex in which the Co(NH 3 ) 6 3+ molecule is in the major groove of tandem G·U base-pairs. The structure of the RNA is characterized by a very low twist angle between the two G·U base-pairs, providing a flat and narrowed major groove. The Co(NH 3 ) 6 3+ , although highly localized, is free to rotate to hydrogen bond in several ways to the O4 atoms of the uracil bases and to N7 and O6 of the guanine bases. Negative and small NOE cross-peaks to other protons in the sequence reveal a non-specific or delocalized interaction, characterized by a high mobility of the cobalt ion. Mn 2+ titrations of P5 show specific broadening of protons of the G·U base-pairs that form the metal ion binding site, in agreement with the NOE data from Co(NH 3 ) 6 3+ . Binding constants for the interaction of Co(NH 3 ) 6 3+ and of Mg 2+ to P5 were determined by monitoring imino proton chemical shifts during titration of the RNA with the metal ions. Dissociation constants are on the order of 0.1 mM for Co(NH 3 ) 6 3+ and 1 mM for Mg 2+ . Binding studies were done on mutants with sequences corresponding to the three orientations of tandem G·U base-pairs. The affinities of Co(NH 3 ) 6 3+ and Mg 2+ for the tandem G·U base-pairs depend strongly on their sequences; the differences can be understood in terms of the different structures of the corresponding metal ion-RNA complexes. Substitution of G·C or A·U for G·U pairs also affected the binding, as expected. These structural and thermodynamic results provide systematic new information about major groove metal ion binding in RNA.
Integrated pest management (IPM): definition, historical development and implementation, and the other IPM

In the long run, this holistic approach to dealing with pests should reduce pesticide use, provide economic savings for the farmer and protect both the environment and human health. The term ‘integrated’ implies incorporation of natural enemy/antagonist levels into decision-making, and use of compatible, non-disruptive tactics that preserve these agents. Integration can be viewed as either vertical (i.e., within a class of pests; sometimes called first-level) or horizontal (i.e., among all classes of pests; sometimes called second-level). For example, an insecticide applied for control of an insect pest that also kills natural enemies of that and other insect pests represents a lack of vertical integration; similarly, a fungicide applied for plant disease management that also kills natural enemies of insect or mite pests represents a lack of horizontal integration. Historically, the lack of such integration has been one of the major impediments to the implementation of IPM in agriculture.
Argon-laser-induced fluorescence detection in sodium dodecyl sulfate-capillary gel electrophoretic separations of proteins

Abstract The use of argon-laser-induced fluorescence detection in sodium dodecyl sulfate-capillary gel electrophoresis (SDS-CGE) separations of proteins is described. A simple, rapid (10 min) precolumn labeling reaction for a series of standard proteins (molecular masses of 20100–77000) was developed which utilizes 4-fluoro-7-nitrobenzofurazan and 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan as fluorogenic labeling reagents. Detection limits of 25 ng/ml for labeled bovine serum albumin were obtained. These detection limits compare favorably with alternate detection techniques such as Coomassie blue staining (2.5 μg/ml) and UV-Vis absorption detection in SDS-CGE (0.5 μg/ml). Conditions were identified for the labeling reactions which produce no measurable zone broadening effects for labeled proteins relative to unlabeled species. By using relative migration data from labeled proteins and molecular mass calibration plots obtained exclusively from unlabeled proteins, molecular mass estimates of labeled proteins typically accurate to within 4.5% of literature values can be obtained. The labeling reaction thus maintains the molecular mass information inherent in the separation.
The microwave spectrum of venus in the frequency range 18–36 Gc/sec

Abstract The microwave emission from Venus was measured at seven frequencies in the interval 18 to 36 Gc/sec in July 1964 shortly after inferior conjunction. The resulting spectrum shows a fairly smooth but rapid decrease in the planet's brightness toward the higher frequencies. The measurements are compared with the spectra of several model atmospheres which contain CO2, N2, water vapor, liquid water clouds, and high dust or ice clouds. None of the model spectra exactly fit all the present measurements. A best fit for the model in which absorption is due to CO2 and N2 requires a surface pressure of about 200 atm. A best fit for the model which contains, in addition, water vapor and liquid water clouds requires about 12 gm/cm2 of the vapor and 0.06 gm/cm2 of liquid water clouds at a temperature of 240°K. The nicest agreement is provided by a model which contains scattering particles. For dust particles of mean diameter 0.3 mm and dielectric constant 5, the required number of particles is 2.5 × 106/cm2.