cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chemotherapy in gynecological malignancies--and its nursing aspects.

Carcinomas of the female reproductive system rank among the five most common causes of death in the female population. Gynecological malignancies respond in varying degrees to different chemotherapeutic agents The gynecological nurse should he knowledgeable concerning their indications, applications, and complications. Her role will extend from knowledgeable bedside care to acting as a liason between the physician and the patient and her family. In dealing with the cancer patient she becomes in educator, a listener, and a friend.
Examining Latino differences in mental healthcare use: the roles of acculturation and attitudes towards healthcare

Latinos are less likely to use mental health services compared to non-Latino whites, but little research has examined the relative contribution of acculturation and attitudes towards healthcare. In the current study, we analyze data from a nationally representative sample of Mexicans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans and non-Latino whites from the 2002–2003 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (n = 30,234). Findings show different utilization patterns in use of specialty, non-specialty, and any type of mental healthcare across the three Latino subgroups. The predictive efficacy of acculturation variables on ethnic group differences varies by subgroup. Self-reliant attitudes towards healthcare are associated with lower use, but these attitudes do not explain the ethnic gaps in use.
INHIBITORY EFFECTS OF MITOGENS ON ADENOIDAL LYMPHOCYTES IN VITRO

Cultures of human adenoidal lymphocytes exposed briefly to either phytohemagglutinin (PHA), Staphylococcus filtrate (Staph-F), concanavalin-A (Con-A), or pokeweed mitogen (PWM) incorporate increased amounts of thymidine earlier than replicate cultures exposed continuously to the mitogens. These effects can begin in the first 24 hr of culture and are seen maximally between 36 and 72 hr. Once a blastogenic response is established, PHA or PWM can diminish that response. Inhibition with PWM requires that the initial stimulation was with this mitogen, while PHA can inhibit blastogenesis to both PHA and PWM-stimulated cells. Because these mitogens can have a paradoxical effect on adenoidal lymphocytes, being capable of both initiating and inhibiting DNA synthesis, this phenomena should be kept in mind when such systems are utilized for the evaluation of antigens and drug effects.
Deep Space Networking Experiments on the EPOXI Spacecraft

NASA's Space Communications & Navigation Program within the Space Operations Directorate is operating a program to develop and deploy Disruption Tolerant Networking [DTN] technology for a wide variety of mission types by the end of 2011. DTN is an enabling element of the Interplanetary Internet where terrestrial networking protocols are generally unsuitable because they rely on timely and continuous end-to-end delivery of data and acknowledgments. In fall of 2008 and 2009 and 2011 the Jet Propulsion Laboratory installed and tested essential elements of DTN technology on the Deep Impact spacecraft. These experiments, called Deep Impact Network Experiment (DINET 1) were performed in close cooperation with the EPOXI project which has responsibility for the spacecraft. The DINET 1 software was installed on the backup software partition on the backup flight computer for DINET 1. For DINET 1, the spacecraft was at a distance of about 15 million miles (24 million kilometers) from Earth. During DINET 1 300 images were transmitted from the JPL nodes to the spacecraft. Then, they were automatically forwarded from the spacecraft back to the JPL nodes, exercising DTN's bundle origination, transmission, acquisition, dynamic route computation, congestion control, prioritization, custody transfer, and automatic retransmission procedures, both on the spacecraft and on the ground, over a period of 27 days. The first DINET 1 experiment successfully validated many of the essential elements of the DTN protocols. DINET 2 demonstrated: 1) additional DTN functionality, 2) automated certain tasks which were manually implemented in DINET 1 and 3) installed the ION SW on nodes outside of JPL. DINET 3 plans to: 1) upgrade the LTP convergence-layer adapter to conform to the international LTP CL specification, 2) add convergence-layer "stewardship" procedures and 3) add the BSP security elements [PIB & PCB]. This paper describes the planning and execution of the flight experiment and the validation results.
Biomedical applications of laser technology at Los Alamos

Los Alamos has a long history of research in laser technology and over the past few years we have begun to build a program directing some of that technology to a variety of applications in biology and medicine. As examples two of these activities will be described in this manuscript: 1) the use of a laser interferometer to measure the microwave absorption spectrum of DNA and 2) spectral measurements of the secondary light produced during laser corneal ablation with an ArF laser.
Constitutive activation of SHP2 protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibits ICSBP-induced transcription of the gene encoding gp91PHOX during myeloid differentiation.

The IFN consensus sequence-binding protein (ICSBP; also referred to as IFN regulatory factor 8) is a transcription factor which is expressed in myeloid and B cells. In previous studies, we found that ICSBP activated transcription of the gene encoding gp91 PHOX (the CYBB gene), a rate-limiting component of the phagocyte respiratory burst oxidase expressed exclusively after the promyelocyte stage of myelopoiesis. Previously, we found that CYBB transcription was dependent on phosphorylation of specific ICSBP tyrosine residues. Since ICSBP is tyrosine-phosphorylated during myelopoiesis, this provided a mechanism of differentiation stage-specific CYBB transcription. In the current studies, we found that ICSBP was a substrate for Src homology-containing tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2-PTP) in immature myeloid cells but not during myelopoiesis. Therefore, SHP2-PTP inhibited CYBB transcription and respiratory burst activity in myeloid progenitor cells by dephosphorylating ICSBP. In contrast, we found that ICSBP was a substrate for a leukemia-associated, constitutively active mutant form of SHP2, described previously, throughout differentiation. Consistent with this, constitutive SHP2 activation blocked ICSBP-induced CYBB transcription and respiratory burst activity in differentiating myeloid cells. ICSBP-deficiency and constitutive SHP2 activation have been described in human myelodysplastic syndromes. As these two abnormalities may coexist, our results identified a potential molecular mechanism for impaired phagocyte function in this malignant myeloid disease.
Early spontaneous metastasis in the human epidermoid carcinoma HEp3/chick embryo model: contribution of incidental colonization.

In the experimental model system where human tumor cells (HEp3) are implanted on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of the chick embryo, metastasis of HEp3 cells to the embryonic lung occurs within a few days. Such rapidity in tumor dissemination makes this an attractive and potentially useful model for studying the metastatic process. The model, however, involves microvascular trauma at the site of implantation and thus tumor cells may accidentally enter the circulation during implantation or shortly thereafter. If these cells are the cause of the lung metastasis subsequently measured, the model would be in effect a colonization system and not a true, spontaneous metastasis system. The possible contribution of accidental lung colonization to secondary tumor growth was therefore critically examined in this model. In standard metastasis assays, HEp3 was inoculated onto the CAMs of 10-day embryos, which were then incubated for various periods of time. The embryos' lungs were passaged to a second group of CAMs, incubated for 7 days to allow expansion of any HEp3 cells present, and then assayed for HEp3 cells by both microscopy and measurement of human plasminogen activator (PA) activity. Metastasis was evidenced by PA values above background (30mU/mg protein). Morphological analysis of HEp3 cells in the embryonic lung correlated closely with PA values. To focus on the early stages of tumor dissemination when colonization might occur, the primary tumor was surgically excised from 38 embryos at various intervals after tumor inoculation, and after the operation embryos were allowed to develop to day 17. This procedure increased estimated assay sensitivity down to the level of 1 to 10 cells per lung in embryos operated on within 2 days of inoculation. Median PA values in the transplanted lungs were 13, 3, 37, 1,290 and 3,765 mil/mg protein in the groups operated on at 4 hr, 1, 2, 3 and 4 days after inoculation, respectively. Thus very few or no HEp3 cells arrest and grow in the lungs during the first 24 to 48 hr, but extensive metastasis occurs by 72–96 hr. Accidental colonization therefore plays no major part in the rapid pulmonary spread of HEp3 in this model.
Neither 'timorous souls' nor 'bold spirits': courts and the politics of judicial review in post-colonial Africa

In one of his most celebrated dissents on the Court of Appeals of England, the legendary common law jurist Lord Denning suggested a binary classification of judges: “On the one side there were timorous souls who were fearful of allowing a new cause of action. On the other side there were bold spirits who were ready to allow it if justice so required.” 1 The progressive development of the law, according to Denning, is to be credited to the judicial creativity and courage of bold spirits; timorous souls showed blind allegiance to existing rules and precedent – the ‘dead hand of the past’ – and, in so doing, served a sterile, not a constructive, role in the law. 2 If “[t]he powerful still abuse their powers without restraint,” 3
Redox modulation inhibits CD8 T cell effector function.

Abstract The evolutionary preservation of reactive oxygen species in innate immunity underscores the important roles these constituents play in immune cell activity and as signaling intermediates. In an effort to exploit these pathways to achieve control of aberrant immune activation we demonstrate that modulation of redox status suppresses cell proliferation and production of IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17 in two robust CD8 T-cell-dependent in vitro mouse models: (1) response to alloantigen in an mixed leukocyte reaction and (2) CD8 T cell receptor transgenic OT-1 response to cognate peptide (SIINFEKL). To correlate these findings with cytotoxic lymphocyte (CTL) function we performed cytotoxicity assays and found that redox modulation diminishes the ability of alloantigen-specific and antigen-specific OT-1 CTLs to kill their corresponding antigen-expressing target cells. To further examine the mechanisms of redox-mediated repression of CTL target cell lysis, we analyzed the expression of the effector molecules IFN-γ, perforin, and granzyme B and the degranulation marker CD107a (LAMP-1). In both models, redox modulation reduced the expression of these effector components by at least fivefold. These results demonstrate that redox modulation quells the CD8 T cell response to alloantigen and the T cell receptor transgenic CD8 T cell response to its cognate antigen by inhibiting proliferation, proinflammatory cytokine synthesis, and CTL effector mechanisms.
Application of chiral ionic liquids in the copper catalyzed enantioselective 1,4-addition of diethylzinc to enones

Copper catalyzed enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to various enones has been achieved in the presence of a new class of chiral ionic liquid (ChirILs) derived from α-pinene. This first study on the application of ChirILs for the title reaction shows that the chiral reaction medium has a significant influence on chiral induction.
Induced polarization research at Kennecott, 1965–1977

Currently there is much concern regarding the viability of research and development efforts within the mining and petroleum industries. This paper reviews the development of induced polarization (IP) technology by the geophysical R&D group at Kennecott over the 10-year period 1965–1975. Although the group worked on electromagnetic methods, magnetic interpretation, and borehole logging, the focus of this paper is on its frequency‐domain IP research. I wish to review not only the technical accomplishments of the group, but also to explore from a historical perspective why the group was successful and to consider the factors surrounding its demise in 1977 when Kennecott terminated its exploration research.
Effects of developmental exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in rodents: clues for other environmental estrogens

The synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a potent perinatal endocrine disrupter. In humans and experimental animal models, exposure to DES during critical periods of differentiation permanently alters estrogen target tissues subsequently resulting in structural, functional, and long-term abnormalities including neoplasia in reproductive tract tissues. Using the developmentally exposed rodent model, multiple mechanisms have been identified that play a role in DES-induced toxic effects. Although DES is a potent estrogen, it can be used as a model compound to predict the effects of other environmental estrogens. It was, therefore, of particular interest that very low doses of DES were found to adversely affect fertility and increase tumor incidence. These effects were seen at environmentally relevant estrogen dose levels. Not surprising, new studies verify that DES effects are not unique; when other environmental chemicals with estrogenic activity were tested in the experimental rodent model, developmental exposure was shown to result in an increased incidence of neoplasia, including uterine adenocarcinoma, similar to that shown following DES exposure. Finally, a growing number of reports suggest that some adverse effects can be passed on to subsequent generations, although the mechanisms involved in these transgenerational events remain unknown. These data point out the possibility that environmental estrogens and other endocrine disrupting compounds are indeed valid suspects in the alarming rise in adverse reproductive health consequences in human and wildlife populations.
Soybean Flour Lipoxygenase Isozymes Effects on Wheat Flour Dough Rheological and Breadmaking Properties

The effects of soy flour from LOX null mutant isolines and purified LOX isozymes on the rheological and breadmaking properties of a commercial hard wheat flour were investigated. Wheat flours were fortified with either 3% soy mutant flours alone, or in the presence of 0.2% and 1% linoleic acid. Purified LOX 2 isozyme had the greatest effect among LOX isozymes on dough extensibility and strength. Linoleic acid substrate addition reduced dough extensibility and strength. The L2L3 null isoline mutant for L1 resulted in the largest increase in bread volume. A reduction in bread firmness occurred after 5 day storage for all three single null mutant-containing samples in the presence of 1.0% linoleic acid substrate.
Newcomer schools: First impressions

As a result of political and economic climates in several Central American, Eastern European, and Southeast Asian countries, there are an unprecedented number of newly arrived immigrant students (Lucas, Henze, & Donato, 1990). Quite often these students or "newcomers" arrive in the school system with no or extremely limited experience with the English language and often little or no experience with the American school system (Minicucci & Olsen, 1992). With a myriad of experiences coming into the classroom, these students provide a special challenge for educators. Some students need language instruction while others are not adequately prepared for the content area work for their appropriate age level. Compounding these factors, some students arrive in the United States with severe psychological and emotional trauma due to war zone experiences and/or the immigration process (Lavadenz, 1991). Although there is ample research on programs, curricula, and instructional practices for elementary bilingual and limited English proficient (LEP) learners, there is little research pertaining to bilingual learners at the secondary level (Faltis & Arias, 1992). Within the secondary LEP population is "a wide range of English language proficiency and prior academic preparation" (Minicucci & Olsen, 1992, p. 3). Accordingly, many of the newly arrived students do not have adequate levels of literacy in either their native language and English. Since the majority of bilingual and English as a Second language (ESL) programs are directed toward elementary LEP students, the secondary population has fallen
On The Stability of a Barotropic Basic Flow in a Stratified Atmosphere

Abstract The stability of a barotropic, horizontally sheared, zonal current in a stratified atmosphere is investigated. It is found that several unstable internal modes may exist. These unstable disturbances have longer wave-lengths and somewhat smaller growth rates than unstable, two-dimensional, non-divergent disturbances. The energetics of the unstable internal modes are investigated and it is found that the energy source is the zonal kinetic energy while the disturbances convert eddy kinetic energy to eddy available potential energy. Several examples are shown for an atmosphere characterized by a constant lapse rate.
Statistical and methodological issues in the analysis of complex sample survey data: Practical guidance for trauma researchers

Standard methods for the analysis of survey data assume that the data arise from a simple random sample of the target population. In practice, analysts of survey data sets collected from nationally representative probability samples often pay little attention to important properties of the survey data. Standard statistical software procedures do not allow analysts to take these properties of survey data into account. A failure to use more specialized procedures designed for survey data analysis can impact both simple descriptive statistics and estimation of parameters in multivariate models. In this article, the author provides trauma researchers with a practical introduction to specialized methods that have been developed for the analysis of complex sample survey data.
Snake Species Discrimination and the Role of Olfactory Cues in the Snake-Directed Behavior of the California Ground Squirrel

This experiment had two objectives. One was to seek evidence for greater caution by California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beccheyi) when interacting with venonnous rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis), their most important snake predator, than when interacting with nonvenomous gopher snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus), their second-most important snake predator. The second was to examine the role of olfaction in mediating snake-directed behavior by these squirrels, since matry squirrel-snake encounters occur in burrows where visual cues are unavailable. In an illuminated room, we videotaped the responses by eight freely moving ground squirrels to the two snake species; the snakes were presented in large, transparent plastic bags that were either sealed (odor unavailable) or perforated (odor available). The results confirmed our predictions that the squirrels should behave more cautiously toward rattlesnakes than toward gopher snakes, and that olfaction is an important mediator of snake-directed behavior. Although the squirrels approached the two snake species equally often, they attended more to the rattlesnake than to the gopher snake, but remained farther away from the rattlesnake. When snake odor was available, the squirrels spent more time attending to the snakes, approached the snakes more frequently, approached the snakes in elongate postures more often and sand kicked more at the snakes. We proposed the following. 1. The antipredator strategy of snake harassment by California ground squirrels is sensitive to risk, exhibiting attenuation where risk is higher. 2. Olfaction is likely to be even more important during squirrel-snake encounters in the dark, especially in burrows. 3. The ability to recognize snakes on the basis of odor may not depend on prior experience with snakes, and may circumvent difficulties associated with visual detection of snakes.
Friction in cold strip rolling

Abstract The variation in friction across the roll-strip interface in the cold rolling of metal sheet and strip is examined. Data from controlled high pressure surface contact and friction experiments are used to deduce an exponential friction stress-normal pressure relation. Friction coefficients calculated using this expression are compared with measured values from the literature obtained by embedding pressure-sensitive pins in work rolls. The agreement between measured and calculated values is generally good. The reported coefficients are highest near the entry and exit planes and decrease to zero at the neutral plane, where some evidence indicates that friction may be speed dependent. The conditions under which commonly made assumptions for friction are valid and the application of the results to the calculation of rolling forces are discussed.
A Microcomputer-Based Fault-Tolerant Control System for Industrial Applications

The concept and development of a fault-tolerant control system and the results of its real-time application using commercial microprocessors are presented. The system incorporates (via recursive filtering) on-line detection and reconfiguration of faulty equipment, sensor calibration, and information display within a structure that relies on alternatively configured regulators for plant control under different operational modes; these regulators are designed on the basis of analytically derived control laws and using a rule-based heuristic approach. Each critical input signal is a weighted average of all valid measurements of the appropriate plant variable where the weighting matrix is adaptively updated as a function of a posteriori probabilities of failure of these redundant measurements. Since the weight of a degraded measurement is smoothly reduced, eventual isolation of this fault does not cause an abrupt change in the estimate of the measured variable, and therefore, the feedback control system remains ``bumpless.'' The automated system has been shown to be tolerant of equipment failure(s), sensor degradation and noise, and certain types of process malfunctions, disturbances, and uncertainties by experimentation at the MIT nuclear research reactor.
Plutonium oxidation states in seawater.

Abstract Studies of the oxidation-state distribution of plutonium in the ocean illustrate the need to characterize seawater by means of the pH, the EH, and quantitative complexation parameters. The parameters are combined in an easy-to-use equation that determines the fractions of the four oxidation states. Similar analyses have been applied to plutonium in other solutions, and the same methods can be applied to seawater. An appendix shows how to estimate and interpret the alpha coefficient for tetravalent plutonium using published information for tetravalent thorium.
Selective Oxidation of Ammonia by Co-adsorbed Oxygen on Iridium Surfaces: Formation of N2O

Temperature programmed desorption is used to investigate ammonia oxidation by pre-adsorbed oxygen on planar Ir(210) and faceted Ir(210) with different facet sizes. Evidence is found for formation of N2O from both surfaces, which is the first observation of N2O production in catalytic ammonia oxidation under UHV conditions (<1 × 10−9 Torr). The selectivity of the reaction to N2, N2O and NO can be tuned by oxygen pre-coverage, surface structure, and facet size. The reaction exhibits strong structure sensitivity on faceted Ir(210) versus planar Ir(210) and moderate size effects on faceted Ir(210) for average facet sizes of 5–14 nm.
Equilibrium Analysis of Three Classes of Automotive Airbag Inflator Propellants

ABSTRACT In most vehicle airbag systems, the gaseous mixture which fills the airbag comes from rapid combustion of a condensed-phase propellant. An area of current interest in the development of airbag systems is the decomposition behavior of these condensed-phase propellants over a range of operating conditions. The purpose of this paper is to examine the performance of gas-generating propellants by comparing the theoretical combustion behavior of three condensed-phase propellants commonly used in the airbag industry. The propellants discussed in this paper are a sodium-azide (NaN3) propellant, a non-azide propellant containing azodicarbonamide (ADCA), and a double-base propellant (DB). The thermophysical properties investigated in this study include the flame temperature and chemical composition of the product gases, the number of gaseous moles produced per mass of condensed-phase propellant consumed, the condensed-phase (slag) production of each propellant, and the toxicity of gas-phase combustion prod...
Anodic oxidation of enaminones

Anodic oxidation of enaminones (1a-1e), prepared from p-substituted acetophenones and N,N-dimethylformamide dimethylacetal were studied under different solution conditions using cyclic voltammetry, coulometry at controlled potential and preparative electrolysis. Two major products from preparative anodic oxidation of 3-(N,N-dimethylamino)-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-propen-1-one, 1a, were isolated, ie the dimeric product 2 and 2,5-bis-(p-nitrophenyl)furane, 3, in 50 and 20% yield, respectively.
Abnormal Lymphocyte Profiles and Leukotriene B4 Status in a Patient with Crohn's Disease and Severe Periodontitis

THIS CASE REPORT DESCRIBES clinical and laboratory findings for a 60-year-old woman with recently diagnosed Crohn's disease and severe generalized periodontitis. Comparison of dental radiographs taken in 1975, in 1983, and at the time of our evaluation in 1986 revealed dramatic progression of alveolar bone loss over that period. Standard laboratory blood tests did not reveal any remarkable significant leukocyte abnormalities, but flow cytometric analysis of lymphocytes revealed a paucity of B cells stained with anti-light chain antibodies, and an increased proportion of T lymphocytes which were dully-stained with anti-CD5 monoclonal antibody. B cell function as determined by in vitro proliferative responsiveness to anti-IgM antibody was only about 50% of that observed with cells from two healthy normal subjects. Serum leukotriene B4 (LTB4) was elevated to 150% of normal values, in spite of the fact that the patient was taking a systemic anti-inflammatory drug which is known to reduce LTB4 levels. The microbial flora was highly mixed and included several putative periodontopathic bacteria. Therapy consisted of oral hygiene instruction, scaling and root planing, mucoperiosteal-flap curettage, extracoronal splinting, and selective extraction of three teeth. The periodontal status improved markedly with therapy. Possible relationships between the patient's immunological status, her Crohn's disease, and the severe periodontal breakdown are discussed.
Quenching of CdSe-ZnS Core-Shell Quantum Dot Luminescence by Water-Soluble Thiolated Ligands

Water-soluble thiolated molecules are among the most commonly used ligands to render quantum dots (QDs) water-soluble and biocompatible. These ligands maintain a relatively small total QD size, which makes them useful for many biological applications, but often cause a reduction of the quantum yield. The resulting quantum yields vary significantly between different reports and a complete understanding of the mechanism underlying the quenching of luminescence is lacking. We have studied the effect of ligand-exchange reaction time with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) and find an exponential decrease of quantum yield with time. We have also investigated the quenching effect of various commonly used thiolated ligands. A strong dependence on size and charge of the quenching molecule was observed; the Stern−Volmer plots were nonlinear and represent multiple quenching pathways. By comparison with nonthiolated analogues, the relative contributions of the thiol group, carboxyl group, and alcohol group to the quen...
VORTEX LATTICES IN STRONG TYPE-II SUPERCONDUCTING TWO-DIMENSIONAL STRIPS

We show how to calculate semi-analytically the dense vortex state in strong type-II superconducting nanostructures. For the specific case of a strip, we find vortex lattice solutions which also incorporate surface superconductivity. We calculate the energy cost to displace individual vortex rows parallel to the surfaces and find that this energy oscillates with the magnetic field. Remarkably, we also find that, at a critical field $H^*$ below $H_{c2}$, this ''shear'' energy becomes strictly zero for the surface rows due to an unexpected mismatch with the bulk lattice.
Distribution of Mn2+ ions around poly(rI)·poly(rC)

The distribution of bound Mn2+ ions about poly(rI)·poly(rC) has been studied by measuring the effect of this paramagnetic metal ion on the relaxation behavior of poly(rI)·poly(rC) protons. By combining selective spin – lattice and spin – spin relaxation rates for various protons, some of the principle regions of ion association can be identified. The relaxation data on the CH6 proton are consistent with a < 10% occupancy of phosphate inner-sphere binding sites. The broadening of the imino proton resonance requires a substantial occupancy of sites located in the major groove, possibly near IN7. This would also be consistent with the observation that IH8 resonance is the proton most susceptible to relaxation by Mn2+. The relaxation data for the IH2 proton indicate a relatively low occupancy of minor-groove binding sites (e.g., IN3).
IMPLICATIONS OF THE UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS OF PERT

PERT, as an aid in planning for project managers, has been widely accepted, but as yet there appears to be a wide gap between the user's apparent impression of the underlying assumptions and the theoretical assumptions. This paper points out some of the more common misconceptions and their implications upon the total project. The Beta distribution as the underlying probability distribution is evaluated as to first, the overall effects of the inherent errors that are imposed by the basic PERT assumptions, and second, the effects, from a probability distribution viewpoint, of some of the more common PERT misconceptions. Finally, several alternatives to the basic PERT methodology are explored, both from the theoretical and practical viewpoints.
Variation in the gene TAS2R38 is associated with the eating behavior disinhibition in Old Order Amish women.

Insensitivity to the bitter-tasting compound 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) has been proposed as a marker for individual differences in taste perception that influence food preference and intake. The principal genetic determinants of phenotypic variation in PROP taste sensitivity are alleles of the TAS2R38 gene, which encodes a chemosensory receptor sensitive to thiourea compounds including PROP and phenylthiocarbamide. Members of the TAS2R family are expressed in the gustatory system, where they function as bitter taste receptors, and throughout the gut, where their physiological roles in prandial, gut-derived hormone release are beginning to be elucidated. To better understand the relationship between TAS2R function and ingestive behaviors, we asked if TAS2R38 variants are associated with one or more of three eating behaviors: restraint, disinhibition, and hunger. We genotyped a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located within the TAS2R38 gene, rs1726866 (T785C, Val262Ala) in 729 nondiabetic individuals (381 females, 348 males) within the Amish Family Diabetes Study. Eating behaviors were assessed using the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire. An association analysis between rs1726866 and these three traits revealed a significant association of the PROP-insensitive “T” allele with increased disinhibition (p = 0.03). Because eating behaviors differ substantially between males and females, we subsequently performed sex-stratified analyses, which revealed a strong association in females (p = 0.0002) but not in males. Analyses with other SNPs in close proximity to rs1726866 suggest that this locus is principally responsible for the association. Therefore, our results indicate that a polymorphism in TAS2R38 is associated with differences in ingestive behavior.
Biocompatible silicon wafer bonding for biomedical microdevices

In this paper,several candidate bonding materials are reviewed for use in biomedical microdevices. These include poly propylmethacrylate (PPMA), poly methylmethacrylate (PMMA), a copolymer of poly methacrylate and two types of silicone gels. They were evaluated based on their cytotoxicity and bond strength, as well as several other qualitative assessments. The cytotoxicity was determined through a cell growth assay protocol in which cells were grown on the various substrate and their growth was compared to cells grown on control substrate. The adhesive strength was assessed by using a pressurized plate test in which the adhesive interface was pressurized to failure. All of the substrate were found to be non-cytotoxic in an inert manner except for the industrial silicone adhesive gel. The adhesive strengths of the various materials are compared to each other and to previously published adhesive strengths. All of the materials were found to have a sufficient bonding strength for biomedical applications, but several other factors were determined that limit the use of each material.
Fixed delay tree-search based detection for volume holographic data storage

ABSTRACT As densities of storage increase in holographic optical memories, ISI becomes an issue calling for efficient equalizationtechniques. We investigate the use of fixed delay tree-search (FDTS) as an economical alternative to the optimal but often complex solution of maximum likelihood sequence detection. We compare the two techniques from aperformance and complexity perspective and show that the former is simpler to implement with limited loss in performance. We adapt fixed-delay tree search with partial response equalization to holographic storage and quantify SNR and density gains obtained from it. The benefit of low-pass codes used with FDTS is also investigated. A cumulative density improvement of 71% is shown to be feasible using FDTS for scatter-limited channels.Keywords: equalization, detection, Nyquist aperture, holographic storage, PRML, FDTS/DF, 2D low-pass codes 1. INTRODUCTION The density of storage in page-oriented optical memories such as volume holographic data storage systems [1] isdependent primarily on the dynamic range of the storage medium, the page-size and stacking efficiency of hologramstacks. Generally, the dynamic range is determined by material properties while the page-size is constrained by opticaldesign considerations such as the field-of-view of the imaging system. The last factor namely stacking efficiency hererefers to the density with which we can pack hologram stacks next to each other within the storage medium. With ajudicious choice of page size and storage material, the strategy often involves storing data pages within small sub-volumes of the medium, as shown in Fig. 1 .
A multiparameter approach to the prediction of fatigue crack growth in metallic materials

A multiparameter approach is proposed for the characterization of fatigue crack growth in metallic materials. The model assesses the combined effects of identifiable multiple variables that can contribute to fatigue crack growth. Mathematical expressions are presented for the determination of fatigue crack growth rates, da/dN, as functions of multiple variables, including stress intensity factor range, ΔK, stress ratio, R, crack closure stress intensity factor, K cl , the maximum stress intensity factor K max , nominal specimen thickness, t, frequency, Ω, and temperature, T. A generalized empirical methodology is proposed for the estimation of fatigue crack growth rates as a function of these variables. The validity of the methodology is then verified by making appropriate comparisons between predicted and measured fatigue crack growth data obtained from experiments on Ti-6Al-4V. The effects of stress ratio and specimen thickness on fatigue crack growth rates are then rationalized by crack closure considerations. The multiparameter model is also shown to provide a good fit to experimental data obtained for HY-80 steel, Inconel 718 polycrystal and Inconel 718 single crystal. Finally, the implications of the results are discussed for the prediction of fatigue crack growth and fatigue life.
Is the concept of “average shape” legitimate, for a mixture of inclusions of diverse shapes?

Abstract In heterogeneous materials, inhomogeneities (pores, cracks, particles) usually represent a mixture of diverse shapes. In modeling the effective elastic and conductive properties, they are often replaced by identical spheroidal shapes – for which exact solutions are available – that intend to represent certain “average shape” (for cracks, for example, the circular shape is routinely used). We find that, in anisotropic cases of non-random orientations, such a replacement cannot generally be done (with the exception of flat cracks). In other words, the concept of “average spheroid’ is not legitimate, and its use may lead to large errors in predicting the effective properties – information on shape distribution is needed. In cases of overall isotropy, the replacement is possible in certain cases; even in these cases, however, the aspect ratio of the “average shape” may not be intuitively obvious.
Becoming Aware of Types of Health Practitioners and Cultural Imposition

This is an edited version of one of the "classics" in frequent demand because it includes types of health practitioners and the concept of cultural imposition. It was originally published in 1973 in the ANA (Speeches of the 48 Convention) Kansas City, and reprinted, Transcultural Nursing: Concepts. Theories and Practices by M. Leininger through J. Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, 1978 (Now out of print)
A note on the two-stage assembly flow shop scheduling problem with uniform parallel machines

We study the problem of minimizing the makespan in a two-stage assembly flow shop scheduling problem with uniform parallel machines. This problem is a generalization of the assembly flow shop problem with concurrent operations in the first stage and a single assembly operation in the second stage. We propose a heuristic with an absolute performance bound which becomes asymptotically optimal as the number of jobs becomes very large. We show that our results slightly improve earlier results for the simpler assembly flow shop problem (without uniform machines) and for the two-stage hybrid flow shop problem with uniform machines.
Positron emission tomography imaging in nonmalignant thoracic disorders.

The role of the fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) technique positron emission tomography (PET) is well established in the management of patients with lung cancer. Increasingly, it is becoming evident that FDG-PET can be effectively employed to diagnose a variety of benign pulmonary disorders. Knowledge of such applications further expands the domain of this powerful modality and further improves the ability to differentiate benign from malignant diseases of the chest. We describe pertinent technical factors that substantially contribute to optimal imaging of the thoracic structures. Particularly, the complementary role of attenuation correction (AC) to that of non-AC images is emphasized. We further outline the need for and the state of the art for co-registration of PET and anatomic images for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. We then review patterns of physiologic uptake of FDG in thoracic structures, including the lung, the heart, the aorta and large arteries, esophagus, thymus, trachea, thoracic muscles, bone marrow, and joints and alterations following radiation therapy to the thorax. A great deal of information is provided with regard to differentiating benign from malignant nodules and in particular, we emphasize the role of dual time point imaging and partial volume correction for accurate assessment of such lesions. Following a brief review of the diagnostic issues related to the assessment of mediastinal adenopathies, the role of FDG-PET imaging in environment-induced lung diseases, including pneumoconiosis, smoking, and asthma are described. A large body of information is provided about the role of this technology in the management of patients with suspected infection and inflammation of the lungs such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, fever of unknown origin, sarcoidosis, chronic granulomatous disease and monitoring the disease process and response to therapy. Finally, the value of FDG-PET in differentiating benign from malignant diseases of the pleura including asbestosis-related disorders is described at the conclusion of this comprehensive review.
Robust support vector machines for multiple instance learning

This paper presents the multiple instance classification problem that can be used for drug and molecular activity prediction, text categorization, image annotation, and object recognition. In order to model a more robust representation of outliers, hard margin loss formulations that minimize the number of misclassified instances are proposed. Although the problem is $\mathcal{NP}$ -hard, computational studies show that medium sized problems can be solved to optimality in reasonable time using integer programming and constraint programming formulations. A three-phase heuristic algorithm is proposed for larger problems. Furthermore, different loss functions such as hinge loss, ramp loss, and hard margin loss are empirically compared in the context of multiple instance classification. The proposed heuristic and robust support vector machines with hard margin loss demonstrate superior generalization performance compared to other approaches for multiple instance learning.
Informed consent and collaborative research: perspectives from the developing world.

Informed consent has been recognized as an important component of research protocols and procedures of disclosure and consent in collaborative research have been criticized as they may not be in keeping with cultural norms of developing countries. This study which is part of a larger project funded by the United States National Bioethics Advisory Commission explores the opinions of developing country researchers regarding informed consent in collaborative research. A survey of developing country researchers involved in human subject research was conducted by distributing a questionnaire with 169 questions which included questions relating to informed consent. In addition six focus group discussions eight in-depth interviews and 78 responses to open-ended questions in the questionnaire provided qualitative data. 203 surveys were considered complete and were included in the analysis. Written consent was not used by nearly 40% of the researchers in their most recent studies. A large proportion of respondents recommended that human subject regulations should allow more flexibility in ways of documenting informed consent. 84% of researchers agreed that a mechanism to measure understanding should be incorporated in research studies as part of the process of informed consent. This paper is an empirical step in highlighting the ethical issues concerning disclosure. Health researchers in developing countries are well aware of the importance of consent in health research and equally value the significance of educating human subjects regarding study protocols and associated risks and benefits. However respondents emphasize the need for modifying ethical regulations in collaborative research. (authors)
Constipation, renovascular hypertension, and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinico-radiological entity characterized by variable associations of headaches, encephalopathy, seizures, vomiting, visual disturbance, and focal neurological signs. Neuroimaging shows cerebral edema of different patterns, classically involving the parieto-occipital white matter. PRES has been associated with several conditions predominantly hypertension, eclampsia, and immunosuppressive therapy. However, constipation has not been previously described in association with the development of PRES. In this report, we describe an 11-year-old child with history of severe functional constipation who developed PRES, as a consequence of renovascular hypertension from severe fecal impaction. Both hypertension and neurologic dysfunction resolved after resolution of fecal impaction. Conclusion: Severe functional constipation is a previously unrecognized cause of severe acute hypertension, resulting in life-threatening neurologic dysfunction. We highlight this unrecognized complication of severe functional constipation with fecal impaction that is potentially preventable if managed appropriately.
Smooth muscle α-actinin interaction with smitin

Actin-myosin II filament-based contractile structures in striated muscle, smooth muscle, and nonmuscle cells also contain the actin filament-crosslinking protein alpha-actinin. In striated muscle sarcomeres, interactions between the myosin-binding protein titin and alpha-actinin in the Z-line provide an important structural linkage. We previously discovered a titin-like protein, smitin, associated with the contractile apparatus of smooth muscle cells. Purified native smooth muscle alpha-actinin binds with nanomolar affinity to smitin in smitin-myosin coassemblies in vitro. Smooth muscle alpha-actinin also interacts with striated muscle titin. In contrast to striated muscle alpha-actinin interaction with titin and smitin, which is significantly enhanced by PIP2, smooth muscle alpha-actinin interacts with smitin and titin equally well in the presence and absence of PIP2. Using expressed regions of smooth muscle alpha-actinin, we have demonstrated smitin-binding sites in the smooth muscle alpha-actinin R2-R3 spectrin-like repeat rod domain and a C-terminal domain formed by cryptic EF-hand structures. These smitin-binding sites are highly homologous to the titin-binding sites of striated muscle alpha-actinin. Our results suggest that direct interaction between alpha-actinin and titin or titin-like proteins is a common feature of actin-myosin II contractile structures in striated muscle and smooth muscle cells and that the molecular bases for alpha-actinin interaction with these proteins are similar, although regulation of these interactions may differ according to tissue.
Response monitoring, the error-related negativity, and differences in social behavior in autism

Children with autism not only display social impairments but also significant individual differences in social development. Understanding the source of these differences, as well as the nature of social impairments, is important for improved diagnosis and treatments for these children. Current theory and research suggests that individual differences in response monitoring, a specific function of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), may contribute to social-emotional and social-cognitive impairments and individual differences in autism. To examine this hypothesis, we used a modified flanker task to assess an ERP index of response monitoring, the error-related negativity (ERN), in a sample of higher function children with autism (HFA) and an IQ-matched control sample. The results revealed a significant Diagnostic group by Verbal IQ interaction on ERN amplitude indicating that the most verbally capable HFA children displayed significantly larger ERN amplitudes than did the control children. Within the HFA sample, greater ERN amplitude was also related to parent reports of fewer symptoms of social interaction impairments, fewer internalizing problems, but more externalizing problems, although these associations were reduced to nonsignificance when medication status was controlled. The latter results complement previous observations from imaging studies of a significant association between ACC activity and social symptoms and impairments in autism. The implications of these results for future research on brain-behavior relations, as well as treatment related research with children with autism are discussed.