cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improvements in depression and changes in quality of life among HIV-infected adults

Improving quality of life (QOL) for HIV-infected individuals is an important objective of HIV care, given the considerable physical and emotional burden associated with living with HIV. Although worse QOL has been associated with depression, no research has quantified the potential of improvement in depression to prospectively improve QOL among HIV-infected adults. We analyzed data from 115 HIV-infected adults with depression enrolled in a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of improved depression care on antiretroviral drug adherence. Improvement in depression, the exposure of interest, was defined as the relative change in depression at six months compared to baseline and categorized as full response (≥50% improvement), partial response (25-49% improvement), and no response (<25% improvement). Multivariable linear regression was used to investigate the relationship between improvement in depression and four continuous measures of QOL at six months: physical QOL, mental QOL, HIV symptoms, and fatigue intensity. In multivariable analyses, physical QOL was higher among partial responders (mean difference [MD] = 2.51, 95% CI: -1.51, 6.54) and full responders (MD = 3.68, 95% CI: -0.36, 7.72) compared to individuals who did not respond. Mental QOL was an average of 4.01 points higher (95% CI: -1.01, 9.03) among partial responders and 14.34 points higher (95% CI: 9.42, 19.25) among full responders. HIV symptoms were lower for partial responders (MD = -0.69; 95% CI: -1.69, 0.30) and full responders (MD = -1.51; 95% CI: -2.50, -0.53). Fatigue intensity was also lower for partial responders (MD = -0.94; 95% CI: -1.94, 0.07) and full responders (MD = -3.00; 95% CI: -3.98, -2.02). Among HIV-infected adults with depression, improving access to high-quality depression treatment may also improve important QOL outcomes.
Response to R. C. Hansen's "sinusoidal current duality"

The paper is the authors' response regarding the the comment made by R.C. Hansen on his work " The incremental far field and degree of freedom of the sinusoidal current filament". Hansen claims the duality in applying sinusoidal currents in the equation formulated by the author.
Real-time optimal filtering for stochastic systems with multiresolutional measurements

Abstract A real-time optimal filtering algorithm for stochastic systems with multiresolutional measurements is derived. The algorithm gives fused estimates based upon all available data at a particular time index. A multiresolutional distributed filtering scheme is employed. The wavelet transform is utilized as a bridge, effectively linking different resolution levels. A tree-like hierarchical data structure introduced in this paper facilitates the real-time multiresolutional filtering.
Interstellar Weather Vanes: GLIMPSE Mid-Infrared Stellar Wind Bow Shocks in M17 and RCW 49

We report the discovery of six infrared stellar wind bow shocks in the Galactic massive star formation regions M17 and RCW 49 from Spitzer GLIMPSE (Galactic Legacy Infrared Mid-Plane Survey Extraordinaire) images. The Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) on the Spitzer Space Telescope clearly resolves the arc-shaped emission produced by the bow shocks. We combine Two Micron All-Sky Survey (2MASS), Spitzer, MSX, and IRAS observations to obtain the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of the bow shocks and their individual driving stars. We use the stellar SEDs to estimate the spectral types of the three newly identified O stars in RCW 49 and one previously undiscovered O star in M17. One of the bow shocks in RCW 49 reveals the presence of a large-scale flow of gas escaping the H II region at a few 102 km s−1. Radiation transfer modeling of the steep rise in the SED of this bow shock toward longer mid-infrared wavelengths indicates that the emission is coming principally from dust heated by the star driving the shock. The other five bow shocks occur where the stellar winds of O stars sweep up dust in the expanding H II regions.
The steady-state kinetics of parallel reaction networks

Abstract The conventional kinetic analysis of an overall reaction (OR) is limited to a single sequential pathway of molecular steps at a time, based either on the general quasi-steady state (QSS) approach of Bodenstein, or on the much simpler but limited Langmuir–Hinshelwood–Hougen–Watson (LHHW) approach based on assuming a single rate-determining step (RDS), the remaining being quasi-equilibrated (QE). We recently described a new algebraic methodology for deriving the QSS rate expression for a reaction sequence, which allowed interpretation of the final result in an Ohm's law form, i.e., OR rate=OR motive force/OR resistance of an equivalent electric circuit, where the consecutive mechanistic steps represent resistors in series. Here, we propose a similar Ohm's law form of QSS rate for a reaction system involving parallel pathways, whose equivalent electrical circuit derives directly from the reaction route (RR) Graph of its mechanism, as proposed earlier by us. The results are exact for a reaction network with mechanistic steps linear in intermediates concentrations, while they are approximate, albeit accurate, for non-linear step kinetics. We further show how the LHHW methodology, combined with the concept of intermediate reaction might be utilized to obtain the step resistances involved. For illustration, we utilize the relatively simple examples of: (1) the gas-phase hydrogen–bromine non-catalytic reaction (non-linear kinetics), and (2) zeolite catalyzed N 2 O decomposition reaction (linear kinetics). However, the approach is useful for more complex non-catalytic, catalytic and enzymatic reactions networks as well.
Synthesis and thermal stability of carbon-supported Ru-Ni core-and-shell nanoparticles

Abstract Binary nanoparticles of Ru–Ni supported on a carbon nanolayer and carbon-coated Ru–Ni core-and-shell nanoparticles were synthesized in a single step spray-pyrolysis process. A precursor containing ruthenium chloride and nickel chloride solution mixture was used to deposit Ru–Ni nanoparticles on a carbon nanolayer generated from hexane. Carbon-coated nanoparticles were produced by using ruthenium chloride and nickel chloride solution mixed with methanol and hexane as precursor in the spray-pyrolysis process. A carbon layer that was derived from the thermal decomposition of hexane and methanol forms a protective shell around the binary core-and-shell nanoparticles of Ru–Ni. TEM and EDS spectral graphs confirm the presence of carbon layers encapsulating the Ru–Ni nanoparticles. The encapsulating carbon layers are effective in reducing agglomeration of binary nanoparticles in the spray-pyrolysis process. The carbon-coated binary nanoparticles were subjected to heat treatment at temperatures up to 800 °C, the size and morphology of the nanoparticles before and after heat treatment were compared to examine the thermal stability of the nanoparticles. It was observed that the carbon-coated Ru–Ni nanoparticles exhibit unique thermal stability. EDS, SEM, and TEM data revealed that the morphology of the nanoparticles did not change during the heat treatment.
METALLICITY EVOLUTION OF DAMPED Lyα SYSTEMS OUT TO z ∼ 5

We present chemical abundance measurements for 47 damped Lyα (DLA) systems, 30 at z > 4, observed with the Echellette Spectrograph and Imager and the High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer on the Keck telescopes. H I column densities of the DLAs are measured with Voigt profile fits to the Lyα profiles, and we find an increased number of false DLA identifications with Sloan Digital Sky Survey at z > 4 due to the increased density of the Lyα forest. Ionic column densities are determined using the apparent optical depth method, and we combine our new metallicity measurements with 195 from previous surveys to determine the evolution of the cosmic metallicity of neutral gas. We find the metallicity of DLAs decreases with increasing redshift, improving the significance of the trend and extending it to higher redshifts, with a linear fit of –0.22 ± 0.03 dex per unit redshift from z = 0.09-5.06. The metallicity "floor" of ≈1/600 solar continues out to z ~ 5, despite our sensitivity for finding DLAs with much lower metallicities. However, this floor is not statistically different from a steep tail to the distribution. We also find that the intrinsic scatter of metallicity among DLAs of ~0.5 dex continues out to z ~ 5. In addition, the metallicity distribution and the α/Fe ratios of z > 2 DLAs are consistent with being drawn from the same parent population with those of halo stars. It is therefore possible that the halo stars in the Milky Way formed out of gas that commonly exhibits DLA absorption at z > 2.
Food Stamp Participation by Emergency Food Recipients

Despite long-term interest in poverty in the United States, and the increasing role of applied and practicing anthropologists as producers and consumers of policy research, anthropologists have not yet had much impact on the welfare policy debate. That debate rests on certain widespread assumptions about the causes and consequences of poverty, the characteristics of the poor, and the effectiveness of proposals to eliminate poverty. As Brett Williams points out, discussions of poverty and welfare have been dominated by economists, who count and classify the poor, and journalists, who depict the poor as isolated and pathological ("Poverty Among African Americans in the Urban United States," Human Organization 51,2[1992]:164-174).
The Electrophysiology of Electric Organs of Marine Electric Fishes : II. The electroplaques of main and acccessory organs of Narcine brasiliensis.

Studies on the electric organs of Narcine brasiliensis and particularly of the responses of the electroplaques of the accessory organ confirm and amplify data obtained on the electroplaques of Torpedo nobiliana. Only the innervated surface is electrogenically reactive and the uninnervated surface has a low resistance, as in Torpedo electroplaques. However, in the accessory organ of Narcine the innervated surface is the dorsal, rather than the ventral, and it has a different pattern of innervation. The responses of single cells of the accessory organ exhibit marked facilitation on repetitive stimulation. The facilitated responses, like the individual responses of Torpedo and of the main organ of Narcine, are electrochemically graded on changing the membrane potential with applied currents, and are inverted in sign when outward currents through the innervated face are very strong.
Abstract 2262: Elevated peroxiredoxin expression in breast cancer and its protective role in doxorubicin-resistance

Peroxiredoxin (Prdx) proteins are thiol-specific antioxidants that protect cells from oxidative stress in various normal and disease states. There are six different Prdx proteins expressed in mammals, each possessing a characteristic tissue and subcellular distribution. Recent studies have revealed elevated Prdx levels in many cancers, suggesting a protective role for these proteins in cancer cell survival. In the present study we analyzed Prdx levels in several human breast tumor samples, and also investigated the function of Prdx proteins in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. Analysis of breast tumor and adjacent normal breast tissue from almost 20 patients showed elevated levels of most Prdx proteins in tumor tissue from the majority of patients. To address the role of Prdxs in breast cancer, we used transient siRNA transfections of MCF-7 cells and examined resulting cell viability in the absence and presence of doxorubicin treatment. Our data show that individual suppression of four of six of the Prdx proteins leads to increased cell death, as well as increased sensitivity to doxorubicin-induced toxicity. Finally, we show that clonal selection of doxorubicin-resistant MCF-7 cells by two-week culture in 0.1uM doxorubicin resulted in a marked elevation in the expression of several Prdx proteins. Similar studies are currently underway in the highly metastatic MDA cell line, and possible upstream regulators of Prdx overexpression in these lines are being investigated. Together, these data show a strong protective role for Peroxiredoxins in breast cancer cell survival, and suggest that Prdx overexpression in breast cancer may play a role in chemotherapy-resistance. Citation Format: Jillian Muhlbauer, Gregg Perlmutter, Caitlin McDonald, Harry Cintineo, Caterina Aiello, Shelley A. Phelan. Elevated peroxiredoxin expression in breast cancer and its protective role in doxorubicin-resistance. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2262. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2262
MULTI-LAMELLAR AND MULTI-AXIAL MATURATION OF CELL-SEEDED FIBER- REINFORCED TISSUE ENGINEERED CONSTRUCTS

The architecture of load-bearing fibrous tissues is optimized to enable a specific set of mechanical functions. This organization arises from a complex process of cell patterning, matrix deposition, and functional maturation [1]. In their mature state, these tissues span multiple length scales, encompassing nanoscale interactions of cells with extracellular matrix to the centimeter length scales of the anatomic tissue volume and shape. Two structures that typify dense fibrous tissues are the meniscus of the knee and the annulus fibrosus (AF) of the intervertebral disc (IVD). The mechanical function of the wedge-shaped knee meniscus is based on its stiff prevailing circumferential collagen architecture that resists tensile deformation [2,3]. Adding to its complexity, radial tie fibers and sheets are interwoven amongst these fibers, increasing stiffness in the transverse direction and binding the tissue together [4]. In the annulus fibrosus, multiple anisotropic lamellae are stacked in concentric rings with their prevailing fiber directions alternating above and below the horizontal axis in adjacent layers [5]. The high circumferential tensile properties of this laminate structure allow it to resist bulging of the nucleus pulposus with compressive loading of the spine. Given their structural properties, unique form, and demanding mechanical environments, the knee meniscus and the AF region of the IVD represent two of the most challenging tissues to consider for functional tissue engineering.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Racial differences in stage and survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to characterize differences in survival between black patients and white patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCCA). Design: Cases of oral tongue and glottic SCCA in black patients or white patients were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (years 1988–2002). For each primary site, TNM staging was imputed, and staging distributions were compared between races. For each black patient, a randomly selected white control was matched for age at diagnosis, sex, stage, surgical treatment, and radiation. Kaplan-Meier survival comparisons for both overall and disease-specific survival were then conducted for the matched pairs. Results: From 1,919 cases of carcinoma of the oral tongue, those of 151 black and 1,768 white patients were extracted. Black patients had a significantly elevated T stage (P = .001) and N stage (P = .002) at primary presentation. Of glottic carcinoma, 4,578 cases (625 black and 3,953 white patients) were extracted. Black patients again presented with significantly elevated T stage (P < .001) and N stage (P < .001) compared with white patients. For 43 matched pairs with tongue carcinoma, mean overall survival for black patients was 66.1 months versus 74.8 months for matched white controls (P = .502, log-rank test). Disease-specific survival was 91.1 months for black patients versus 109.6 months for white patients (P = .168). For 401 matched pairs with glottic carcinoma, mean overall survival for black patients was 96.6 months versus 114.5 months for white controls (P < .001). Similarly, the mean disease-specific survival was 149.4 months for black patients versus 167.1 months for white patients (P < .001) Conclusion: Controlling for stage and treatment, black patients demonstrate poorer overall and disease-specific survival with SCCA, implying other intrinsic or extrinsic factors influencing survival.
Identifying topics for instructional improvement through on-line tracking of programming assignments

This paper stresses the need for identifying specific learning objectives for student programming projects and describes the use of an on-line project submission system for assessment of those objectives. Specifically, the emphasis of the article is on on-line tracking of student progress in order to identify topics that need particular instructional attention. The examples and data collected are drawn from a junior level operating system course.
Performance of retrieved Kuntscher intramedullary rods: improved corrosion resistance with contemporary material design.

Abstract Eighteen Kuntscher-type intramedullary rods were obtained after human implantation periods ranging from 1 to 23 years. A clinical evaluation, metallurgical and chemical analyses of each implant were performed. Idiopathic, implant-related pain was the most common reason for removal, but was not related to extent of implant corrosion. When classified as early versus contemporary material compositions, a significant increase in surface corrosion, inclusion content and carbon content were demonstrated in rods made of the earlier composition of stainless steel. Intergranular corrosion was associated with structural design, rather than material microcleanliness or composition. While contemporary intramedullary fracture fixation provides excellent clinical results, the present investigation suggests that the performance of stainless steel implants may be improved through continued refinement of steel composition, careful consideration of structural design and fabrication techniques, and by routine removal of implants at the earliest opportunity.
Data extrapolation for high resolution radar imaging

In radar imaging, AR modeling is sometimes used to extrapolate the scattered field data to obtain a high resolution image. In general, the Burg method is used to estimate the prediction parameters. The Burg method leads to a stable prediction filter but can also cause bias in the estimated spectra. One can also use the modified covariance method (MCM) to estimate the prediction parameters. These parameters lead to unbiased spectra. However, the MCM does not guarantee a stable prediction filter. One may have to modify the prediction parameters to ensure a stable prediction filter. One way to ensure stability is to reflect the unstable poles inside the unit circle. It is shown that the modified parameters can be used effectively for data extrapolation. The radar images obtained using this extrapolated data are more accurate than those obtained using the extrapolated data from the Burg prediction parameters. >
Change Again: A New Look for Journal Articles:

Throughout its 25 volume history, the Journal of Child Neurology has undergone numerous changes. Some of these changes have been successful and some not. The most recent successful change was the acquisition of the Journal of Child Neurology by the journal publishing powerhouse SAGE Publications in January 2007. Since this change, all 25 volumes have become available electronically at the journal’s SAGE Web site (http://jcn.sagepub.com/) hosted by another dominant media force, the HighWire Press of Stanford University. This has been a particularly significant change for the Journal of Child Neurology, since electronic (PDF format) versions of articles have overtaken the printed journal issues in importance. The current article style of the Journal of Child Neurology has changed little from that of the pre-electronic version era. However, with this issue, articles will take on a new look that will facilitate the preparation of the electronic versions. Another critical portion of the current change in article appearance is the highlighting of new sections that are necessary to reduce the potential for the ethical lapses or dishonesty of physicians and scientists that has been increasingly identified in recent years. There will now be specific sections at the end of the main text of each published article discussing author contribution, declaration of conflicting interests, funding, and ethical approval. It is expected that authors will conscientiously provide this information at the time of manuscript submission. The author contribution section should detail the contribution of each author to the study leading to the article and to the preparation of the manuscript (including who wrote the first draft of the manuscript). Any ‘‘ghost author’’ or other assistance must be specified. Guidelines for authors and contributors have been carefully outlined in documents prepared by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE; http:// www.icmje.org/) and in a variety of articles. The declaration of conflicting interests section must describe any potential conflicting or competing interests that could affect the conduct of the study, interpretation of results, or preparation of the manuscript. This should include financial disclosures not only from the manuscript authors, but also from any collaborators who contributed to the study but did not merit article authorship. The funding section should list all funding sources related to the study and the article preparation. In the ethical approval section, the authors must attest to the approval of the investigation by the appropriate institutional review committees involved in the oversight and approval of research protocols. It is hoped that these new changes will expedite the process from acceptance to publication, will provide greater transparency to the studies being reported, and assure readers of the integrity of the published material.
Influence of γ-aminobutyric acid on lordosis behavior and dopamine activity in estrogen primed spayed female rats

In the first experiment the role of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the display of lordosis behavior was examined in septal-lesioned and sham-operated ovariectomized rats. Following estradiol benzoate (EB) priming, septal-lesioned rats were tested for lordosis behavior before and after bilateral infusion of picrotoxin or saline directly into the substantia nigra (SN). Sham animals were given the same behavioral tests but received intranigral infusion of either hydrazinopropionic acid (HPA) or saline. Picrotoxin, which blocks GABA receptors, was effective in suppressing the high levels of lordosis behavior seen in the EB-primed septal-lesioned female rat 30 min after infusion, but not at 120 min. Conversely, HPA, which elevates endogenous GABA levels, was effective in facilitating lordosis behavior in sham-operated rats treated with EB only. The lordosis quotient was moderately increased 30 min after HPA infusion, reached high levels at 120 min, and returned to low levels by 360 min post-infusion, demonstating the reversibility of the drug effect. Saline infusions in lesioned and sham-operated controls were without effect. In the second experiment sepal-lesioned and sham-operated rats were primed with EB and infused with the drugs as in the first experiment, but were sacrificed at the time the macimal behavioral effect had been observed in the first experiment. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity and dopamine (DA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) levels were measured. No effect on TH activity was found. However, sham-operated rats receiving HPA infusions had lower DA and HVA levels compared to those of saline-injected controls, and septal-lesioned rats receiving picrotoxin infusions had higher DA and HVA levels than those of lesioned saline-injected controls. Septal-lesioned saline-infused rats also showed decreased DA and HVA levels relative to sham-operated saline-infused animals. These results support the concept of a GABA inhibitory neuronal feedback system which modulates DA turnover and perhaps plays a critical role in the neural control of lordosis behavior.
The ParaView Coprocessing Library: A scalable, general purpose in situ visualization library

As high performance computing approaches exascale, CPU capability far outpaces disk write speed, and in situ visualization becomes an essential part of an analyst's workflow. In this paper, we describe the ParaView Coprocessing Library, a framework for in situ visualization and analysis coprocessing. We describe how coprocessing algorithms (building on many from VTK) can be linked and executed directly from within a scientific simulation or other applications that need visualization and analysis. We also describe how the ParaView Coprocessing Library can write out partially processed, compressed, or extracted data readable by a traditional visualization application for interactive post-processing. Finally, we will demonstrate the library's scalability in a number of real-world scenarios.
On the low-Reynolds-number flow in a helical pipe

A non-orthogonal helical co-ordinate system is introduced to study the effect of curvature and torsion on the flow in a helical pipe. It is found that both curvature and torsion induce non-negligible effects when the Reynolds number is less than about 40. When the Reynolds number is of order unity, torsion induces a secondary flow consisting of one single recirculating cell while curvature causes an increased flow rate. These effects are quite different from the two recirculating cells and decreased flow rate at high Reynolds numbers.
Patterns of Care and Locoregional Treatment Outcomes in Older Esophageal Cancer Patients: The SEER-Medicare Cohort

Purpose Optimal management of elderly patients with nonmetastatic esophageal cancer is unclear. Outcomes data after locoregional treatment are lacking for this group. Methods We assessed outcomes associated with standard locoregional treatments in 2,626 patients (age > 65 years) from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare cohort diagnosed with nonmetastatic esophageal cancer from 1992 to 2002. In patients treated with radiotherapy alone (RT), surgery alone (S), chemoradiotherapy (CRT), or preoperative chemotherapy followed by surgery (CRT + S), overall and disease-free survival were compared using proportional hazards regression. Postoperative complications were compared using logistic regression. Results Mean age was 76 ± 6 years. Seven percent underwent CRT + S, 39% CRT, 30% S, and 24% RT. One-year survival was 68% (CRT + S), 52% (CRT), 53% (S), and 16% (RT), respectively ( p p = 0.03) and RT (HR = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.35–0.55; p p = 0.06). Patients who underwent CRT + S also had comparable postoperative mortality (HR = 0.96; 95% CI, 0.87–1.07; p = 0.45) and complications (OR = 0.89; 95% CI, 0.70–1.14; p = 0.36) compared with S alone. Conclusions Preoperative chemoradiotherapy may be an acceptable treatment option in appropriately selected older esophageal cancer patients. This treatment modality did not appear to increase surgical complications and offered potential therapeutic benefit, particularly compared with surgery alone.
Echocardiographic features of total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage into the coronary sinus.

Abstract Echocardiograms were obtained from five Infants with total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage to the coronary sinus or the portal system or the superior vena cava and from one child with a secundum atrial septal defect and a large coronary sinus due to persistence of the left superior vena cava. The results demonstrate that an enlarged coronary sinus is positioned consistently posterior to the left atrium in approximately the same horizontal plane as the aortic valve. Echocardiographically the coronary sinus can be located as an echo complex behind the left atrium by using the aortic root as a reference point. The echo complex can be differentiated from the other spurious echoes in the left atrium by its characteristic phasic motions. The additional demonstration of the enlarged common pulmonary venous chamber behind the right atrium confirms the diagnosis of anomalous pulmonary venous drainage to the coronary sinus. For other types of anomalous pulmonary venous return, anatomic diagnosis with single crystal M mode echocardiography is not always possible because of the positional variability of the common pulmonary venous chamber in relation to the left atrium.
Median and mean filters produce similar shifts on curved boundaries

This Letter considers the shifts produced by median filters on curved boundaries and contours, and shows that mean and Gaussian filters produce similar but generally slightly smaller shifts, the cases of linear intensity variations and of step edges being somewhat different and at opposite extremes of a continuum. In all cases, the shifts are zero for straight edges and contours, and are proportional to the angle turned through within the filter neighbourhood.
Design of test system to characterize very high frequency ultrasound transducer arrays

A flexible test system is described that has the capability to characterize very high frequency ultrasound transducer arrays up to 128 elements. The system has the capability of testing single element transducers as well as groups of array elements. The RF front end electronics consists of pulser circuit, preamp and time gain compensation circuit. The pulser circuit is a high voltage, high speed, switching circuit designed for -60 V pulse amplitude and pulse width as low as 10 ns. The preamp is a low noise, wide bandwidth amplifier and the time gain compensation circuit has a low noise figure and a bandwidth of 75 MHz. Custom, miniaturized PCB's have been fabricated and tested for the RF electronics. The data acquisition system has the capability to synchronously sample 8 channels at 250 MHz, or 16 channels at 125 MHz with 8 bit resolution. Multiplexing and demultiplexing units have been designed and tested for all the 128 channels. The demultiplexers are suitable for frequencies up to more than 100 MHz, and the multiplexers have a bandwidth of 700 MHz with good off isolation and cross talk. The multiplex/demultiplex architecture gives the test system the capability to perform synthetic aperture processing as well as dynamic apodization. An adapter board interfaces the external components to the PC (digital I/O card). A software control structure for control and synchronization of the system components for 128 elements has been designed and developed. Results are shown for the characterization of individual 50 MHz transducers as well as element responses for a 30 MHz array.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Properties of structurally excellent N-doped TiO2 rutile

Abstract We have used plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy to synthesize structurally near-perfect crystalline films of TiO 2− x N x rutile for the first time. These materials allow the properties of TiO 2− x N x to be elucidated without the interfering effects of bulk substoichiometric defects that have characterized previous investigations. In the absence of such defects, the extent of N incorporation in the lattice is limited to ∼2 ± 1 at.% of the anions. Substitutional N (N O ) exhibits a −3 formal charge due to charge transfer from shallow-donor interstitial Ti(III), which forms during epitaxial growth. Hybridization between N O and adjacent lattice Ti ions occurs, resulting in new states at the top of the rutile valence band and an apparent band gap reduction of ∼0.6 eV.
Recordings as Performances

This article claims that there is no in principle aesthetic difference between a live performance and a recording of that performance, and as such, performance individuation ought to be revised to reflect this. We ought to regard performances as types able to be instantiated both by live performances and by recordings of those performances, or we ought to abandon performances qua aesthetic objects.
Synthesis of radiofluorinated O‐tyrosine and preliminary evaluation as possible aromatic amino acid decarboxylase tracer

[ 18 F]Fluoro-o-tyrosines (FOT) were prepared by the direct reaction of [ 18 F]acetylhypofluorite with L-o-tyrosine. Two isomers were formed in this reaction, 3-FOT and 5-FOT, with unoptimized decay-corrected isolated radiochemical yields of about 11% and 8%, respectively. Results of preliminary in vitro evaluation found 5-FOT to be the more promising isomer and suggest further evaluation of this compound as aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AAAD) PET tracer should be undertaken.
Simulation of the Diurnal Cycle in Tropical Rainfall and Circulation during Boreal Summer with a High-Resolution GCM

Abstract The simulation of the diurnal cycle (DC) of precipitation and surface wind pattern by a general circulation model (GCM) with a uniform horizontal resolution of 50 km over the global domain is evaluated. The model output is compared with observational counterparts based on datasets provided by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission and reanalysis products of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. The summertime diurnal characteristics over tropical regions in Asia, the Americas, and Africa are portrayed using the amplitude and phase of the first harmonic of the 24-h cycle, departures of data fields during selected hours from the daily mean, and differences between extreme phases of the DC. There is general agreement between the model and observations with respect to the large-scale land–sea contrasts in the DC. Maximum land precipitation, onshore flows, and landward migration of rainfall signals from the coasts occur in the afternoon, whereas peak maritime rainfall and offshore f...
Who Will Care for the Women

This article describes the long‐term care system in the United States—what long‐term care is, who needs it, in what settings it is provided, and who pays for it. It shows that a substantial portion of those who need long‐term care rely on unpaid care from family and friends, mainly from women, and that almost half of those that need long‐term care receive it in institutional settings, despite a preference for home‐ and community‐based care. It then argues that, for a number of reasons, states and the federal government will have to respond to the preferences of consumers for home‐ and community‐based care. The problems of ensuring an adequate supply of caregivers, focusing particularly on home‐ and community‐based settings are discussed, and the article argues that problems of recruitment and retention will be solved only when wages and benefits meet workers minimal needs for income and health insurance security. The article concludes by suggesting a set of policies that could be implemented at the federa...
A comparison of three dimensional maximum reach estimation techniques

Abstract Spline, periodic spline and spherical harmonic maximum reach estimation procedures are compared and evaluated based on ease of usage, estimation error and bias. The comparison indicates that each method provides comparable estimates based on percent variance accounted for (R2) and standard error. Spherical harmonics, however, are less biased and provide accurate estimates of the maximum reach sphere at the north and south poles, whereas splines and periodic splines are substantially biased in these regions. Three dimensional computer graphic depictions of reach data for the seated operator illustrate these biases.
Development of p97 AAA ATPase inhibitors

Specific p97 inhibitors are valuable research tools to carry out mechanistic and cellular investigations of p97 biology. p97 is an abundant, ubiquitin-selective chaperone that has multiple functions and is essential for life. Therefore, genetic methods that require long incubations like siRNA or expression of dominant-negative p97 mutants are likely to generate complicated outcomes due to secondary consequences that arise upon slow depletion of p97 activity. We recently identified a small molecule p97 inhibitor, N2,N4-dibenzylquinazoline-2,4-diamine (DBeQ), and documented its effects on blocking autophagic degradation of LC3-II and proteasomal degradation of a p97-dependent ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) substrate. What distinguishes DBeQ from conventional proteasome inhibitors is that DBeQ affects both the UPS and autophagic protein degradation pathways and rapidly activates cell death. Whether DBeQ activates autophagic and/or apoptotic cell death will require further work to evaluate its detailed mec...
A Recursive Blind Adaptive Identification Algorithm and Its Almost Sure Convergence

This paper presents a novel blind adaptive identification algorithm based on least-squares type arguments. Parameter estimates are recursively updated with each output measurement, without resorting to any matrix inversion operation. It is proved that the parameter estimates converge almost surely (a.s.) toward a scalar multiple of the true parameters. Possible application of this algorithm to the channel equalization problem is discussed.
Nonsurgical root canal therapy treatment with apparent indications for root-end surgery

The recent introduction of the surgical microscope to the practice of endodontics, especially for surgery, has allowed clearer visualization of the periapex during root-end resection and filling. However, despite this and other technologic advances, it has not been demonstrated that in the absence of thorough canal debridement the success rate of periapical surgery has improved over the 50% to 60% demonstrated in most long-term prognosis studies. Therefore it remains important to fully instrument and obturate the root canal system with conventional therapy before surgery is considered; this considerably improves the long-term prognosis. Each of the case reports in this article involves a situation in which conventional treatment was performed when a surgical approach might have been considered as the treatment of choice. Surgery should not be considered to be the primary treatment when root canal treatment or retreatment may be readily achieved. Indeed, the operating microscope and other technical aids will probably allow more cases to be treated and retreated conventionally that might otherwise have required surgical intervention.
Dynamical friction in a mean field approximation

An exact formula is derived for the average frictional force acting upon a ‘test’ star which moves along a prescribed trajectory amongst a collection of ‘field’ stars which are characterized by a Maxwellian distribution of velocities. In the limit that the actual stellar trajectories may be approximated by their average forms, as determined by the mean gravitational field, one obtains a relatively simple expression which establishes an important connection with the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. For the case of an infinite, homogeneous system, one recovers Chandrasekhar's classical result. Alternatively, by allowing for the possibility of nearly periodic motion, one is led to new and intriguing phenomena.
PHASE‐CINEMICROGRAPHIC OBSERVATIONS ON CULTURED CELLS. I. FORMATION OF TRANSVACUOLAR STRANDS IN EUPHORBIA MARGINATA

MAHLBERG, P. G., and S. X ENKETESWARAN. (U. Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa.) Phase-cinemicrographic observations on cultured cells. I. Formation of transvacuolar strands in Euphorbia marginata. Amer. Jour. Bot. 50(6): 507-513. Illus. 1963.-Living and vacuolated plant cells frequently possess a network of transvacuolar strands. In the dynamics of the strand system, individual strands can be observed to disappear as well as to become re-formed from the cytoplasm in characteristic patterns. A strand can disappear from the reticulum either by total contraction, or by fusion of the entire length with adj acent cytoplasm. New strands are delimited from the surrounding cytoplasm when vacuoles become evident in an aggregated mass of the cytoplasm within a localized portion of a cell. During subsequent movements of the new strands, the vacuoles enlarge and become confluent with the total vacuolar content of the cell. Streaming within the new strands becomes unior bi-directional in contrast to a multi-directional pattern within the aggregated cytoplasm. The formation of new strands is associated with an increase in the cytoplasmic membrane area in contact with the vacuole. The membrane is interpreted as possessing a proteinaceous lattice structure. Changes in area and movement of the strands are interpreted to be reversible involving alteration of the struietural proteins, their addition or removal, from the lattice of the mem-
Structural Characterization of FKBP Interactions with RyR Channels Using Site-Directed Fluorescent Labeling and FRET

The small FK506-binding proteins (FKBP12/12.6) tightly bind to ryanodine receptor (RyR) channels and may stabilize channels in a closed conformation. To investigate the structural basis of FKBP12.6 binding to the RyR1 and RyR2 isoforms, we used cysteine mutagenesis, fluorescent labeling, direct-binding measurements, and FRET. Single cysteines were introduced at five positions distributed over the surface of FKBP12.6 (T14C, N32C, D41C, R49C, and T85C). Results showed that each of the five FKBP12.6 mutants retained high-affinity binding to the RyR1. Furthermore, high-affinity binding was retained following the covalent attachment of a 720 Da fluorescent donor at four of the five positions (14, 32, 49, and 85), suggesting that these positions are removed from the major RyR1 binding interface. By comparison, attachment of the fluorescent donor at one position (41) resulted in a marked decrease in FKBP12.6 binding. FRET from the different donor-labeled FKBPs to an acceptor attached within the RyR CaM subunit was examined to determine the orientation of FKBP12.6 bound to the RyR1 and RyR2. Results showed that FRET was dependent on the donor's position on FKBP12.6, and that the rank order of FRET efficiency from the different positions was the same for the two RyR isoforms (position 49 > 85 ≥ 14 > 32). These results indicate that in binding either RyR1 or RyR2, FKBP12.6 is oriented such that position 49 is nearest and 32 furthest from the RyR CaM binding site. Together, our results are consistent with the model of FKBP binding proposed by Samso and coworkers (2006), and point to loop 39–46 as a key component of the RyR binding interface.
Recent improvements in the digital design laboratory at the University of Michigan

The authors discuss the enhancements that have recently been implemented in the digital design lab course at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor (USA). The purpose of the course is to expose students to the tools and techniques of digital design, so that all the basics skills needed for the design, development, and implementation of small microprocessor-based systems may be acquired. Novel laboratory experiments, project assignments, and lecture material were developed to more successfully introduce students to modern digital design tools and techniques. The Hewlett-Packard 64000 logic development system is used as a basis for all laboratory activities. >
Framing the evaluation of health and human service programs in community settings: Assessing progress

A framework for the evaluation of health and human service programs in community settings is proposed and used to critique how well the chapters in this volume advance community-based program evaluation.
Sex differences in the likelihood of arrest

Using data from the new National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), this study analyzed the impact of a criminal offender's sex on the likelihood of arrest for 555,752 incidents of kidnapping, forcible rape, forcible fondling, robbery, aggravated assault, simple assault, and intimidation in nineteen states and the District of Columbia during 2000. The data used in this study advanced the literature by enabling the authors to determine the likelihood of arrest for males and females based on sex-specific offending as reported by crime victims. Controlling for offense seriousness and a variety of other factors, logistic regression results showed that the probability of arrest for females was 28 percent lower for kidnapping, 48 percent lower for forcible fondling, 9 percent lower for simple assault, and 27 percent lower for intimidation than for males. A supplemental analysis also revealed that Black females had a higher probability of arrest than did White females for aggravated and simple assault. No discernable impact of an offender's sex on the prospect of arrest was noted for the crimes of forcible rape and robbery. Overall, these findings suggest that the lower arrest rate for females is partly the result of leniency shown women by law enforcement personnel.
Molecular biology of cervical myelopathy and spinal cord injury: role of oligodendrocyte apoptosis.

Abstract Background context Rational design of treatment strategies for cervical myelopathy and spinal cord injury requires a working knowledge of the molecular biology underlying these pathological processes. The cellular process of apoptosis is an important component of tissue and organ development as well as the natural response to disease and injury. Recent studies have convincingly demonstrated that apoptosis also plays a pivotal role in numerous pathological processes, contributing to the adverse effects of various diseases and traumatic conditions. A growing body of evidence has implicated apoptosis as a key determinant of the extent of neurological damage and dysfunction after acute spinal cord injury and in chronic cervical myelopathy. Purpose To provide clinicians and research investigators interested in spinal cord injury and myelopathy with a practical and up-to-date basic science review of cellular apoptosis in the context of spinal cord pathology. Study design/setting A review of recently published or presented data from molecular biological, animal model and human clinical studies. Methods A computer-based comprehensive review of the English-language scientific and medical literature was performed in order to identify relevant publications with emphasis given to more recent studies. Results Investigation into the role of apoptosis in spinal cord injury and myelopathy has drawn the interest of an increasing number of researchers and has yielded a substantial amount of new information. Conclusions Apoptosis is a fundamental biological process that contributes to preservation of health as well as development of disease. There is now strong evidence to support a significant role for apoptosis in secondary injury mechanisms after acute spinal cord injury as well in the progressive neurological deficits observed in such conditions as spondylotic cervical myelopathy.
Inexpensive ethography using digital video

We describe an inexpensive method for digital video recording of behavioral experiments and present a simple, freely-redistributable software tool enabling ethographic analysis of these recordings via classification of video frames into user-defined categories. While high-end commercial solutions already exist for these purposes, we focus on minimizing equipment expenses and complexity for research projects or undergraduate laboratory courses employing compatible behavioral paradigms.
QUANTIFICATION OF THE REM SLEEP CYCLE AS A RHYTHM

The goal of this study was to develop an objective quantitative method for representing the temporal organization of sleep in terms of the period and rhythmicity of REM sleep occurrences. Data on normative human sleep, already scored for stage REM and not stage REM, were subjected to a “binary autocorrelation.” The mean period over 92 nights of sleep for 10 Ss was 101.5 min and quite stable. Data is also presented on variability of the rhythm in terms of an “index of rhythmicity.” Measures of temporal organization may prove to be as significant for sleep research as amount of the various sleep stages.