cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epidermal growth factor and the multiplication of cultured human epidermal keratinocytes

The culture lifetime of epidermal cells of newborn humans is increased from 50 to 150 generations by adding to the medium epidermal growth factor, a polypeptide mitogen. EGF seems to delay senescence of the cells by maintaining them in a state further removed from terminal differentiation. This effect is revealed by a greater ability of the cells to survive subculture and initiate new colonies, but not necessarily by an increased growth rate.
Invasive grass litter facilitates native shrubs through abiotic effects

Questions: Plant invasions are considered one of the top threats to the biodiversity of native taxa, but clearly documenting the causal links between invasions and the decline of native species remains a major challenge of invasion biology. Most studies have focused on impacts of invaders’ living biomass, rather than on mechanisms mediated by litter. However, invasive plant litter, which is often of a very different type and quantity than a system’s native plant litter, can have multiple important effects on ecosystem processes – such as nitrogen cycling and soil microclimate – that may influence native plants. Location: We studied effects of litter of invasive grass species that are widespread throughout western North America on native shrubs in southern California’s semiarid habitat of coastal sage scrub. Methods: We combined a 3-year field manipulation of non-native litter with structural equation modeling to understand interacting effects on non-native grasses, native shrubs, soil nitrogen (available and total), and soil moisture.
Chaperone Functions of the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase CHIP

The carboxyl terminus of the Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP) is an Hsp70 co-chaperone as well as an E3 ubiquitin ligase that protects cells from proteotoxic stress. The abilities of CHIP to interact with Hsp70 and function as a ubiquitin ligase place CHIP at a pivotal position in the protein quality control system, where its entrance into Hsp70-substrate complexes partitions nonnative proteins toward degradation. However, the manner by which Hsp70 substrates are selected for ubiquitination by CHIP is not well understood. We discovered that CHIP possesses an intrinsic chaperone activity that enables it to selectively recognize and bind nonnative proteins. Interestingly, the chaperone function of CHIP is temperature-sensitive and is dramatically enhanced by heat stress. The ability of CHIP to recognize nonnative protein structure may aid in selection of slow folding or misfolded polypeptides for ubiquitination.
Atlantoaxial instability in adults with down syndrome: A clinical and radiological survey

A survey of 129 adults with Down syndrome was undertaken to determine the prevalence of atlantoaxial instability (AAI) and to establish a base line for long term prospective study. Clinical and radiological evaluations were performed to determine optimal screening methods for this condition. The findings indicate that radiological evidence of AAI was found in 40% with anterior atlanto-odontoid distance (AAOD) of 3 mm or more and in 10% with 5 mm or more. These findings are similar to those reported in the pediatric age group. A preponderance of females with symptomatic AAI is noted. Clinical evaluation suggested the presence of spinal cord compression, which was confirmed by CT scan of the atlantoaxial region. There were no false negative clinical results. Among the false positive clinical findings other explanations were present in some cases. A comparison with the literature is offered along with guidelines on screening and management.
Laminar natural convection heat transfer from vertical plate to power-law fluid

Approximate solutions for laminar natural convection heat transfer between a vertical plate and a power-law fluid with high Prandtl number were obtained using an integral method for cases with various types of boundary conditions. The results were found in good agreement with available experimental evidence.
Grain size gradient nickel alloys II: Fatigue properties

Grain size gradient nickel alloys were tested in a rotating-bending fatigue machine and found to display better fatigue behavior than non-gradient, homogeneous nickel specimens having the same average grain size. This demonstrates that the overall fatigue properties are improved through the concept of a grain size gradient. The following reasons are suggested for the improved fatigue behavior. For the case of a gradient alloy with fine grains at the exterior and coarse grains in the center, the combined effect of a fine-grained surface and the presence of Al2O3 particles (grain growth inhibitor) increases fatigue crack initiation resistance, while the coarse-grained central region increases fatigue crack propagation resistance. For an alloy having the reversed grain size gradient, the coarse-grained surface increases crack propagation resistance near the threshold region, and the central, Al2O3 - added region contributes to fatigue resistance by enhancing yield strength. In both cases, when the applied stress is small, the fatigue crack propagates intergranularly at the beginning of the fracture process, but changes to a transgranular mode with striations as the stress intensity factor ΔK increases. At higher stresses the fatigue crack growth occurred only in a transgranular mode with striations. Grain size was found to exert a stronger influence upon the overall fatigue behavior than do the dispersed Al2O3 particles, probably because of the two opposing effects of oxide particles on crack front deflection and cavity formation. The portion of intergranularly fractured surface area decreases with an increase in the applied stress, and fatigue life increases with an increase in the portion of intergranularly fractured surface area.
Trophoblastic tumors of the testis other than classic choriocarcinoma: "monophasic" choriocarcinoma and placental site trophoblastic tumor: a report of two cases

We report two unusual forms of testicular trophoblastic tumor. One was a mixed germ cell tumor in a 19-year-old man that had a predominant component of nodules of cytotrophoblast cells with only rare syncytiotrophoblast cells. These nodules of "monophasic" choriocarcinoma were diffusely positive for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which stained the syncytiotrophoblast cells more intensely; stains for human placental lactogen (HPL) highlighted only the latter cells. The second tumor occurred in a 16-month-old boy. It consisted of a pure proliferation of intermediate trophoblast cells and was identical to the placental site trophoblastic tumor of the uterus. The tumor cells showed diffuse immunoreactivity for HPL and patchy staining for hCG. Despite the occurrence of vascular wall invasion, the patient was alive and well at 8 years follow-up with no treatment other than orchiectomy. These cases show that trophoblastic tumors other than classic choriocarcinoma occur rarely in the testis. The differential diagnosis of the "monophasic" choriocarcinoma included seminoma and the solid variant of yolk sac tumor, but the tumor had larger, more irregular nuclei than those of seminoma and was not associated with distinctive yolk sac tumor patterns. The placental site trophoblastic tumor may be confused with Leydig cell tumor or choriocarcinoma, but awareness of its occurrence in the testis and the immunohistochemical findings should permit its recognition.
Sleep Deprivation and Epilepsy

This review summarizes the data for and against sleep deprivation as a facilitator of epileptic seizures and interictal epileptiform discharges. Much of these data are derived from clinical studies; however, basic science investigations are greatly needed to determine the influence of sleep deprivation on seizure susceptibility and neuronal function. Study of the effects of sleep deprivation on epilepsy may create a window of opportunity that could help decipher how seizures are triggered and facilitated, potentially providing an avenue for future interventions.
Satellite observation and model simulation of water turbidity in the Chesapeake Bay

Turbidity is one of the important factors that can be used for measuring water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)-Aqua derived diffuse attenuation coefficient at the wavelength 490 nm (Kd(490)) can be used to relate the Chesapeake Bay water turbidity. In this presentation, we use the recently developed shortwave infrared (SWIR)-based atmospheric correction algorithm for deriving MODIS-Aqua ocean color products in the Chesapeake Bay. It has been demonstrated that the SWIR-based data processing produces better quality ocean color products over the turbid coastal waters. We use the Kd(490) data derived from MODIS-Aqua with SWIR-based algorithm to study the turbidity in the Chesapeake Bay. Spatial distribution and seasonal variations of turbidity are analyzed. In addition, simulations from the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) coupled with a sediment model have been carried out to investigate the mechanisms of sediment transport, deposition, and resuspension processes in the Chesapeake Bay. Factors that contribute to the turbidity variations, such as wind, current, tide, and sediment settling velocity are simulated in the model. The satellite observations combined with the model simulations are used to study and understand the turbidity variation and its impact on the water quality in the Chesapeake Bay.
Reduction in the Medial Compartment Force Correlates With the Reduction in Knee Adduction Moment Using a Variable-Stiffness Shoe With an Instrumented Knee

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee affects an estimated 20–40% of individuals over the age of 65 [1], and is nearly 10 times more common in the medial compartment than the lateral compartment [2]. Many studies have reported the effectiveness of footwear modifications using laterally-wedged insoles [3,4] and more recently, variable-stiffness soles [5] in reducing the adduction moment at the knee in patients with medial compartment knee OA. The adduction moment is known to be associated with the progression [6] and treatment outcome [7] of medial compartment knee OA, and has been shown to be correlated with medial compartment joint loading [8]. However, the exact changes in medial compartment joint loading in vivo with the variable-stiffness shoe remain unknown. The development of an instrumented total knee implant which has the ability to directly measure tibial forces, and can differentiate between medial and lateral joint loads in vivo during walking [9], allows the testing of changes in the medial compartment loading with an intervention shoe.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Condition particularities of a jet-impact spraying desalination plant

This paper reviews some aspects of the hydrodynamics and heat transfer in a jet-impact spraying desalination pilot plant based on experimental data. It discusses certain particularities of regime vaporization of seawater in the vertical film evaporator with liquid spraying of a heat inner surface from the built-in tube spray with nozzle orifices. The equations for transfer of heat and velocity values of jet spilling with liquid were obtained.
Total ozone during the 88‐89 Northern Hemisphere winter

Total ozone values measured by the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer during January, February, and March 1989 are analyzed. During this period, polar total ozone values did not reveal clear depletions, although average winter total ozone values indicate that a 2-6 percent ozone reduction has occurred in northern mid to high latitudes over the last 10 years. Rapid total ozone increases were seen during mid-February, resulting from a wave 2 major stratospheric warming. In order to track polar air over the warming period, total ozone trends are further analyzed using Ertel's potential vorticity.
Cost effectiveness of an inpatient influenza immunization assessment and delivery program for children with asthma.

BACKGROUND: Influenza is common in children. Children with asthma are underimmunized. The Centers for Disease Control recommends immunization in an acute-care hospital setting. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the potential clinical benefit and cost savings of delivering influenza vaccination to hospitalized children with asthma. DESIGN: The study was designed as a decision and cost-effectiveness analyses. A decision tree was constructed to represent an intervention to assess and deliver influenza vaccinations to hospitalized pediatric patients with asthma. A literature survey provided estimates for the decision tree assumptions. In the decision analysis, various rates of screening for influenza vaccine status were investigated to determine the effects on final up-to-date (UTD) status in a hypothetical cohort. The cost-effectiveness analysis was used to determine potential cost savings resulting from the modeled increase in UTD status. MEASUREMENTS: The percentage of children ultimately becoming UTD, direct and indirect costs, and cost savings of the intervention were measured. RESULTS: With existing data showing that only 29% of asthmatics receive the influenza vaccine in a given year, our decision analysis demonstrated that even modest increases in the screening rate for influenza vaccine status among hospitalized patients with asthma can result in clinically significant increases in UTD status. For example, screening just 20% of those with asthma who are hospitalized would result in 35% ultimately being UTD for that influenza season; and 100% screening would result in 59% being UTD. The cost savings for this intervention would be $5.45/child assessed and $9.19/child vaccinated. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated the results to be robust and generalizable. CONCLUSIONS: An intervention to improve the assessment and delivery of influenza vaccination to hospitalized pediatric asthmatics would improve clinical outcomes and result in cost savings. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2008;3:134–141. © 2008 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Increased PO glycoprotein gene expression in primary and transfected rat Schwann cells after treatment with axolemma-enriched fraction

To elucidate the role of axonal plasma membrane factors in the differentiation of Schwann cells, we investigated the effect of an axolemma-enriched fraction (AEF) isolated from myelinated CNS tissue on the expression of PO glycoprotein, the major glycoprotein in peripheral myelin, in primary rat Schwann cells (PSC) isolated from sciatic nerve, as well as in a transfected rat Schwann cell line (TSC). AEF increased PO-mRNA levels in PSC and TSC in a concentration-dependent manner, producing a maximal induction of nearly twofold after 48 hr of treatment. A similar induction of PO mRNA was elicited in TSC by the cAMP-activating agents 8-bromo-cAMP and forskolin, which have been shown to induce myelin proteins in PSC. In addition to inducing PO mRNA, AEF and forskolin also increased the amount of PO protein in TSC, as indicated by increased PO-immunoreactive staining. However, in TSC, axolemma caused no increase in expression of CAT linked to a PO promoter while forskolin caused a marked increase in the expression from the PO promoter. These results suggest that AEF, in contrast to forskolin, does not regulate PO-mRNA expression at the level of transcriptional activity. These in vitro systems may be useful for the study of axolemmal factors that in-duce Schwann cell differentiation. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
PARASITISM AND DISJUNCTIVISM IN NYĀYA EPISTEMOLOGY

From the early modern period, Western epistemologists have often been concerned with a rigorous notion of epistemic justification, epitomized in the work of D escartes: properly held beliefs require insulation from extreme skepticism. To the degree that veridical cognitive states may be indistinguishable from non-veridical states, apparently veridical states cannot enjoy high-grade positive epistemic status. Therefore, a good believer begins from what are taken to be neutral, subjective experiences and reasons outward — hopefully identifying the kinds of appearances that properly link up to the world and those that do not. Good beliefs, beliefs that are justified (warranted, etc.), are those that a believer has consciously arrived at by such reasoning (or, in a weaker version, those that could be consciously arrived at by such reasoning if required). This approach, which I will occasionally call a Cartesian approach, has two important features. First, it considers doubt a legitimate default position in the space of reasons. The burden of proof is upon the believer to defend her belief. In the absence of such a defense, belief is suspect. Second, one’s cognitive starting point consists in alethically neutral cognitive states as described above. The tradition that I will discuss in this essay, the Nyāya school of classical India, looks at things from a very different perspective. It defends what may be called epistemic trust as the proper default position. Furthermore, Nyāya has a conception of knowledge sources as faculties that directly connect us to a mind-independent world, irrespective of the potential for indistinguishable error states. Despite such potential for error, Nyāya argues that when we get things right, we directly gain purchase on an external world. This notion of direct openness to the world is tied deeply to Nyāya’s epistemic trust. Though, indeed, various sorts of factors trigger review, d efense, and, if required, rejection of belief, the notion that we must step outside our knowledge-producing faculties and pass judgment on their overall effectiveness is held to be a fantasy that is unnecessary, pragmatically troublesome, and ultimately incoherent. This essay will examine a battery of Nyāya arguments in support of default trust and a ground-level realism, which I collectively call arguments from parasitism. These are meant to prove that error presupposes veridical cognition, and, this being the case, we cannot even engage in philosophical reflection and critique unless we appeal to a background of true belief and a baseline cognitive connection with the real world. Given that we must acknowledge such a connection, trust is therefore taken to be the correct default epistemic attitude. I will illustrate and classify various forms that the argument takes, consider allied arguments further offered by Nyāya, and suggest ways in which Naiyāyikas may respond to certain challenges. I conclude
Genome-wide searching of rare genetic variants in WTCCC data

Although they have demonstrated success in searching for common variants for complex diseases, genome-wide association (GWA) studies are less successful in detecting rare genetic variants because of the poor statistical power of most of current methods. We developed a two-stage method that can apply to GWA studies for detecting rare variants. Here we report the results of applying this two-stage method to the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC) dataset that include seven complex diseases: bipolar disorder, cardiovascular disease, hypertension (HT), rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes (T2D). We identified 24 genes or regions that reach genome wide significance. Eight of them are novel and were not reported in the WTCCC study. The cumulative risk (or protective) haplotype frequency for each of the 8 genes or regions is small, being at most 11%. For each of the novel genes, the risk (or protective) haplotype set cannot be tagged by the common SNPs available in chips (r 2 < 0.32). The gene identified in HT was further replicated in the Framingham Heart Study, and is also significantly associated with T2D. Our analysis suggests that searching for rare genetic variants is feasible in current GWA studies and candidate gene studies, and the results can severe as guides to future resequencing studies to identify the underlying rare functional variants.
The Effect of Ash Accumulation on Gasoline Particulate Filters: A Comparison Between Laboratory and Field Aged Samples

Stringent regulations worldwide will limit the level of particulate matter (PM) and particle number (PN) emitted from gasoline engines. Gasoline particulate filters (GPFs) present one strategy for meeting PM and PN limits over the full operating range of the engine. Over time these filters accumulate incombustible ash, increasing system pressure drop and adversely effecting engine performance. The effect of aging as a result of ash accumulation is examined over the full lifetime of gasoline particulate filters, using a novel accelerated aging system. This system utilizes a gasoline combustion chamber into which lubricating oil is injected simulating combustion in the cylinder — the primary source of ash. This report details the construction and validation of this system.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Rank procedures for testing subhypotheses in linear regression

In the linear regression modelXi=α+βci+Zi, we consider the problem of testing the subhypothesis that some (but not all) components of β are equal to 0. A class of asymptotically distribution-free tests based on a quadratic form in aligned rank statistic is studied and the asymptotic relative efficiencies of the proposed tests with respect to the general likelihood ratio test and the test based on least-squares estimates of regression parameters are derived. Asymptotic optimality (a la Wald) is also discussed.
Programmed cell death: Apoptosis meets necrosis

Apoptotic cell death is essential for the development of multicellular organisms. Paradoxically, three proteins instrumental in apoptosis also collaborate to preserve life by preventing necrotic cell death. See Letters p.363 , p.368 & p.373 Caspase-8 mediates apoptosis induced by 'death receptors' on the cell's surface. At the same time, it is able to prevent receptor interacting protein kinase (RIPK)-dependent necrosis. Without caspase-8, mice die during embryonic development, but why this happens is not clear. Two groups show that this lethality is not caused by the absence of apoptosis, but by the RIPK3-dependent necrosis that is unleashed without caspase-8. Mice lacking both caspase-8 and RIP3 develop into viable, immunocompetent adults, but have a progressive lymphoaccumulative disease similar to that in mice that lack the CD95 death receptor. Oberst et al. also show that caspase-8 forms a proteolytically active complex with FLICE-like inhibitory protein long (FLIPL), and that this complex is required for protection against RIP3-dependent necrosis.
The Direction Dependence of Surface Wave Speed at the Surface of Magneto-Electro-Elastic Half-Space

The direction dependence of surface wave speed and the influence of electrically and magnetically short/open circuit are investigated in this paper. First, the elastic, piezoelectric and piezomagnetic coefficients in the considered ordinate system are obtained by Bonde transformation from those in the crystal axis ordinate system. Then, the secular equation of surface wave is derived from the free traction condition on the surface of half space with consideration of short/open circuit case. Some numerical examples are given. The direction dependence of surface wave speed and the influences of short/open circuit are shown graphically and discussed based on the numerical results.
Corrigendum to “Preventing caries in preschoolers: Successful initiation of an innovative community-based clinical trial in Navajo Nation Head Start” [Contemp Clin Trials 37 (2014) 242–251]

Corrigendum to “Preventing caries in preschoolers: Successful initiation of an innovative community-based clinical trial in Navajo Nation Head Start” [Contemp Clin Trials 37 (2014) 242–251] David O. Quissell⁎, Lucinda L. Bryant, Patricia A. Braun, Diana Cudeii, Nikolas Johs, Vongphone L. Smith, Carmen George, Nikola Toledo, William G. Henderson, Judith Albino a Department of Craniofacial Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, United States b Department of Community and Behavioral Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 East 17th Place B119, Aurora, CO 80045, United States c Children's Outcomes Research Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13199 E. Montview Blvd., Suite 300 F443, Aurora, CO 80045, United States d Centers for American Indian and Alaska Native Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Nighthorse Campbell Native Health Building, Mail Stop F800, 13055 E. 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, United States e Department of Biostatistics & Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E. 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, United States
Terahertz spectroscopy for space applications: 2.5–2.7 THz spectra of HD, H2O and NH3

Abstract At the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) a vibrant THz development program supports the construction of space-based spectroscopic instruments. The recent successes of the Aura’s Microwave Limb Sounder (0.1–2.5 THz) and Herschel’s Heterodyne Instrument for the Far-Infrared (0.5–1.9 THz) have demonstrated the wide range of molecular astro- and geophysics accessible when remote sensing from a space platform. With access to the THz spectral range these instruments readily observe the rotational spectra of small molecules, and the laboratory spectroscopy of these molecules is then utilized to convert the remote observation into physical quantities such as density and temperature. At the JPL millimeter and submillimeter spectroscopy laboratory we utilize the same technology developed for the space missions in order to make new or improved spectroscopic measurements that support these remote sensing objectives. By virtue of the improvements in technology these new measurements often result in improved structural understanding for the species of interest. We present an overview of the space applications and report a series of improved measurements in the 2.5–2.7 THz range obtained with our most recent hardware under development for sub-orbital/orbital astronomy.
C-peptide reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in LPS-stimulated U937 monocytes in condition of hyperglycemia.

We investigated C-peptide effects on inflammatory cytokine release and adhesion of monocytes exposed to high glucose and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro. Monocytic cells (U-937) were cultured in the presence of 30 mmol/L glucose and stimulated with 0.5 ng/μL LPS in the presence or absence of C-peptide (1 μmol/L) for 24 h to induce inflammatory cytokine secretion. Adhesion of U-937 monocytes to human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) was also studied in the presence or absence of C-peptide. Concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, macrophage inflammatory protein(MIP)-1α, and MIP-1β in supernatants from LPS-stimulated U-937 monocytes were assessed by Luminex. To gain insights into potential intracellular signaling pathways affected by C-peptide, we investigated nuclear translocation of nuclear factor(NF)-κB p65/p50 subunits by western blot in LPS-treated U-937 cells. The effect of C-peptide on LPS-induced phosphorylation of the cytoplasmic protein IκB-α was also investigated by immunoblotting. Addition of C-peptide significantly reduced cytokine secretion from LPS-stimulated U-937 monocytes. Adhesion of U-937 cells to HAEC was also significantly reduced by C-peptide. These effects were accompanied by reduced NF-κB p65/p50 nuclear translocation and decreased phosphorylation of IκB-α. We conclude that, in conditions of hyperglycemia, C-peptide reduces monocytes activation via inhibition of the NF-κB pathway
Michael Herman and Gwilym Hughes (eds.) Intelligence in the Cold War: What Difference did it Make?

This collection of essays, previously published in the December 2011 issue of Intelligence and National Security, addresses three questions. First, did intelligence on either side of the Cold War t...
Inversion For Source Wavelet And AVA Parameters From Prestack Seismic Data

It is difficult to establish the influence of the seismic wavelet on reflection data away from well control. In this paper we present an inversion methodology to extract a source wavelet from a prestack gather. This inversion estimates and deconvolves the effective source contribution, at the same time estimating reflectivity with high resolution. Discrimination of source from reflectivity depends on differential, that is, non-parallel, moveout over offset.
Malignant melanoma in children.

Background: Cutaneous melanoma is an uncommon malignancy in children and for this reason, there is little information available regarding the timing and patterns of recurrence in children with this disease. This study reviews the experience at a single institution (Duke University Melanoma Clinic) in treating children with malignant melanoma. Methods: Eighty-five patients ≤18 years of age with malignant melanoma have been treated. All but three patients were over the age of 10; 73% of them were >14. As for adults, treatment consisted of wide local excision of all primary lesions with primary closure or split-thickness skin graft, as needed. In addition, 22 patients underwent dissection of regional lymph nodes. Patients whose tumors had aggressive pathologic characteristics were treated with an adjuvant immunotherapy protocol. Patients with recurrence at distant sites were offered combination chemotherapy. Results: Patients and pathologic characteristics of sex, race, primary site, histologic type, tumor thickness, and Clark level were similar to those observed in adults. Actuarial survival rates (79% versus 77% at 5 years) of the pediatric and adult Stage I melanoma patients were also not significantly different. Children had a greater incidence of recurrence after initial treatment, although recurrence tended to happen after a longer disease-free interval than for adults. Half of the 79 children who were first seen with Stage I disease have suffered a relapse, but more than one-third were disease free for ≥5 years after initial treatment. Of the 18 patients who were disease free for ≥7 years, 12 (67%) ultimately had recurrent disease, including five patients who had recurrences >13 years after initial diagnosis. Conclusions: The early age at which malignant melanoma may occur and the significant potential for very late recurrence mandate that pediatricians and other primary care physicians consider the diagnosis of melanoma even in young patients with new skin lesions and that patients treated for melanoma be carefully followed for a lifetime.
The Predictive Validity of Student Self- Evaluations, Teachers' Assessments, and Grades for Performance on the Verbal Reasoning and Numerical Ability Scales of the Differential Aptitude Test for a Sample of Secondary School Students Attj7Ending Rural Appalachia Schools:

For a sample of 301 8th- through 12th-grade students attending four rural schools located in Appalachia, an examination was made of the ability of several school-related variables including student self-evaluations, teachers' assessments, and grades to predict performance on two scales of the Differential Aptitude Test (DAT) (Verbal Reasoning-VR and Numerical Ability-NA). In addition, the accuracy of student self-evaluations on both the VR and the NA were considered. For the llth-grade sample (n = 149) step- wise multiple regressions employed teacher-estimates of student success, student self-assessments, and grades as predictor variables with VR and NA scores serving as criterion variables. VR scores were explained jointly by teacher-assessments of academic ability, student self-evaluation of verbal ability, and GPA (R2c = .39), while the most valid correlates of NA scores were student self-evaluation of numerical ability, teacher-assessment of probability of success, and GPA (R2C .42). With respect to t...
A graph-theoretic method to quantify the airline route authority

The paper introduces a graph-theoretic method to quantify the legal statements in route certificate which specifies the airline routing restrictions. All the authorized nonstop and multistop routes, including the shortest time routes, can be obtained, and the method suggests profitable route structure alternatives to airline analysts. This method to quantify the C.A.B. route authority was programmed in a software package, Route Improvement Synthesis and Evaluation, and demonstrated in a case study with a commercial airline. The study showed the utility of this technique in suggesting route alternatives and the possibility of improvements in the U.S. route system.
Lactate metabolism in fetal type II pneumocytes

Fetal rat lung type II pneumocytes in organotypic culture produce significant quantities of both pyruvate and lactate, even when maintained under aerobic conditions (5% CO2/air). A hypoxic atmosphere of 95% nitrogen/5% CO2 increased lactate production by 35%, while cells in a hyperoxic environment (95% oxygen/5% CO2) manufactured lactate at a rate similar to controls. Cells incubated under aerobic conditions following hypoxia synthesized lactate at a rate intermediate between those found for the aerobic and hypoxic states. The presence of 1.5 mM glucose in the incubation medium resulted in a 79% increase in lactate synthesis, but no further increases were found with extracellular glucose concentrations up to 20 mM. Lactate and pyruvate production by type II cells was decreased in a concentration-dependent fashion by the presence of these metabolites in the incubation medium. Physiological levels of pyruvate or lactate caused a net utilization of these substrates by the type II pneumocyte. These data indicate that fetal lung type II pneumocytes are capable of producing pyruvate and lactate under aerobic conditions and that these cells are apparently able to adjust the rate of lactate production to the extracellular oxygen tension. This study also suggests that the type II pneumocyte may be a net utilizer of lactate and pyruvate under the conditions present in utero during late gestation.
Virtual reality as a distraction intervention for women receiving chemotherapy.

Purpose/objectives To explore the use of virtual reality as a distraction intervention to relieve symptom distress in women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer. Design Crossover study. Setting The outpatient clinic of a midwestern comprehensive cancer center. Sample 20 women 18-55 years of age. Methods Using a crossover design, 20 subjects served as their own controls. For two matched chemotherapy treatments, one pretest and two post-test measures were employed. Participants were assigned randomly to receive the virtual reality distraction intervention during one chemotherapy treatment and received no distraction intervention (control condition) during an alternate chemotherapy treatment. An open-ended questionnaire elicited each subject's evaluation of the intervention. Main research variables Symptom distress, fatigue, anxiety. Findings Significant decreases in symptom distress and fatigue occurred immediately following chemotherapy treatments when women used the virtual reality intervention. Conclusions The distraction intervention decreased symptom distress, was well received, and was easy to implement in the clinical setting. Implications for nursing Nursing interventions to manage chemotherapy-related symptom distress can improve patient quality of life and increase chances for survival by reducing treatment-related symptom distress and enhancing patients' ability to adhere to treatment regimens and cope with their disease.
Disturbances of the metatarsal arch and an aid to certain static foot conditions

F OR a Iong period it was a genera1 conception that nearIy every disturbance invoIving the metatarsa1 arch was a “Morton’s toe.” The term “metatarsaIgia,” meaning pain in the metatarss1 region, is a symptom and does not describe the pathoIogic condition. tight and very narrow shoes. The fifth metatarsa1 is thus pressed against the head and neck of the fourth. The phaIanx of the fifth especiaIIy is forced down upon the head of the fourth and its associated phaIanx.
Struggling with Recovery: Participant Perspectives on Battling an Eating Disorder

Recovery from an eating disorder encompasses a complex matrix of mental, physical, and social factors. Although methodological differences affect rates of reported recovery (from 24 to 76%), many women are not experiencing full recoveries from eating disorders. This trend is apparent in persons who discontinue severely destructive behaviors but continue to exhibit psychiatric problems and impairment in social and occupational roles. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to provide an explanatory schema about recovery. Data collection included 17 interviews, a focus group, and participant observation. Findings included repeating wavelike patterns of disease and recovery that seldom returned to a state of normal eating but, instead, remained at a level of atypical eating.
Renal Function and Oncologic Outcomes after Cryoablation or Partial Nephrectomy for Tumors in Solitary Kidneys

Purpose: Preservation of renal function is of paramount importance in patients with tumors in solitary kidneys. We compared the renal function and oncologic outcomes of patients treated by partial nephrectomy with those of patients treated by cryoablation for solitary kidney tumors. Materials and Methods: All patients with solitary kidneys who were treated for renal tumors at our institution between 1997 and 2007 were included in the screen. We retrospectively identified 23 patients who underwent cryoablation and 15 patients who underwent partial nephrectomy. Results: The two groups were similar with regard to age, gender, and tumor laterality. Patients in the partial nephrectomy group had a larger tumor size (3.4 cm vs. 2.5 cm, p=0.01), higher mean estimated blood loss (316 cc vs. 87 cc, p＜0.001), longer duration of hospital stay (5.8 vs. 1.8 days, p＜0.001), and a higher rate of perioperative complications (53.3% vs. 8.7% patients, p=0.03). Percentage changes in the glomerular filtration rate postoperatively and on follow-up were found to be similar in the two groups. Both the cryoablation and the partial nephrectomy groups with mean follow-ups of 31.2 months and 30.8 months, respectively, had evidence of local or distant recurrence in 3 patients each (13% and 20% respectively, p=0.7). Both groups had a similar mean overall survival (88.9 and 86.9 months in the cryoablation and partial nephrectomy groups, respectively, p=0.8). Conclusions: For tumors in solitary kidneys, renal functional and clinical outcomes for cryoablation were not significantly different from those for partial nephrectomy. However, cryoablation has the distinct advantage of a lower morbidity rate and can be preferentially offered to selected cases.
Paramagnetic lipid-coated silica nanoparticles with a fluorescent quantum dot core: a new contrast agent platform for multimodality imaging.

Silica particles as a nanoparticulate carrier material for contrast agents have received considerable attention the past few years, since the material holds great promise for biomedical applications. A key feature for successful application of this material in vivo is biocompatibility, which may be significantly improved by appropriate surface modification. In this study, we report a novel strategy to coat silica particles with a dense monolayer of paramagnetic and PEGylated lipids. The silica nanoparticles carry a quantum dot in their center and are made target-specific by the conjugation of multiple αvβ3-integrin-specific RGD-peptides. We demonstrate their specific uptake by endothelial cells in vitro using fluorescence microscopy, quantitative fluorescence imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging. The lipid-coated silica particles introduced here represent a new platform for nanoparticulate multimodality contrast agents.
A study of adaptation of multiple actuating signals for LTI systems

This paper presents an adaptive scheme to adjust the gains of multiple actuating signals, as combined with an adaptive state feedback control law, for linear time-invariant single-output systems. Adaptation of multiple actuating signals makes it possible to relax some critical design conditions for desired system performance. A controller parametrization and a plant-model matching structure are derived. As an illustrative example, a simulation study is carried out for adaptive cooperative control of aircraft ailerons and rudder for desired lateral motion of tracking a reference trajectory.
Job Discrimination in the Post-ADA Era Estimates from the 1994 and 1995 National Health Interview Surveys

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 was intended to facilitate employment, job retention, and workplace promotion of individuals with disabilities by protecting them from job discrimination. However, ongoing questions have been raised about the efficacy of the legislation. This study uses population data from the Disability Supplement to the 1994 and 1995 National Health Interview Surveys to assess rates of work discrimination among adults with disabilities ages 18 and older. The analysis suggests that nearly a 10th of all adults with disabilities who were in the workforce during the 5-year period immediately following passage of the ADA experienced some form of job discrimination. People who reported job discrimination were more likely to be younger and poorer and to have more severe disabilities than those who did not report any discrimination. About a third of the respondents who experienced discrimination left the workforce permanently. The implications of these findings for rehabilitati...
Protein kinase activity is associated with CD63 in melanoma cells

Background The tetraspan protein CD63, originally described as a stage-specific melanoma antigen but also present in a number of normal cells, regulates melanoma cell growth in nude mice, motility in serum containing media, and adhesion to several extracellular matrix proteins. CD63 has been reported to associate with β1 and β2 integrins, but the mechanism of signal transduction by CD63 is not clear. This study examined whether CD63 is associated with protein kinase and can transmit signals in melanoma cells.
Transplacentally induced neuronal migration disorders: an animal model for the study of the epilepsies.

Recent clinical and laboratory data suggest that there is a link between neuronal migration disorders (NMD) and increased seizure threshold. To characterize an animal model with features similar to human NMD and to assess seizure susceptibility, NMD were induced in the rat at the time of neuroblastic division (PG15) and three other gestational ages (PG 13, PG14, PG16) by transplacental exposure to methylaxozymethanol (MAM, 25 mg/kg). Offspring pups were monitored for spontaneous and electrographic seizures. At postnatal day 14, randomly selected rat pups were sacrificed for histological examination. In other MAM-exposed pups and controls, status epilepticus was induced by intraperitoneal administration of kainic acid. On histology, NMD were found in all PG 15 MAM-exposed rats, in comparison to 63% of PG 13, 70% of PG 14, 80% of PG16. Histological features included cortical laminar disorganization, ectopic neurons in the subcortical white matter and in cortical layer I, persistent granular layer, marginal glioneuronal heterotopia, and discrete areas of neuronal ectopia in the CA1 subfield of the hippocampus. Based on the severity of the neuronal migration abnormalities, rats were divided into three categories: severe, moderate, and mild. Severe and moderate NMD were only found in the PG 15 MAM-exposed rats. EEG recording in rats with NMD did not disclose spontaneous seizures; however, rats with severe NMD had higher slow wave activity compared to controls (P < .05). MAM-exposed rats with severe NMD were more susceptible to kainic-induced seizures compared to controls (P < .05). In rats with severe NMD, kainic acid-induced status epilepticus produced hippocampal damage in the CA3/4 region. These results demonstrate that MAM-induced NMD have histological and electrographic characteristics similar to human NMD. The severity of neuronal abnormality depends on the time of transplacental exposure as the most severe NMD were found after exposure to MAM at the time of neuroblastic division. The degree of NMD positively correlates with seizure susceptibility, since only rats with severe NMD have decreased seizure threshold. The occurrence of status epilepticus-induced hippocampal damage in pups with severe NMD suggests that the severely compromised hippocampus is less resistant to seizure-induced injury than the normal developing brain. J. Neurosci. Res. 51:473–488, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Evidence for trans-generational medication in nature

Parasites pose a serious threat to host fitness, and natural selection should favour host traits that reduce infection or disease symptoms. Here, we provide the first evidence of trans-generational medication, in which animals actively use medicine to mitigate disease in their offspring. We studied monarch butterflies and their virulent protozoan parasites, and found that neither caterpillars nor adult butterflies could cure themselves of disease. Instead, adult butterflies preferentially laid their eggs on toxic plants that reduced parasite growth and disease in their offspring caterpillars. It has often been suggested that sick animals may use medication to cure themselves of disease, but evidence for the use of medication in nature has so far been scarce. Our results provide evidence that infected animals may indeed use medicine as a defence against parasites, and that such medication may target an individual's offspring rather than the individual itself.
Nonstationary signal enhancement using the wavelet transform

Conventional signal processing typically involves frequency selective techniques which are highly inadequate for nonstationary signals. In this paper, the authors present an approach to perform time-frequency selective processing using the wavelet transform. The approach is motivated by the excellent localization, in both time and frequency, afforded by the wavelet basis functions. Suitably chosen wavelet basis functions are used to characterize the subspace of signals that have a given localized time-frequency support, thus enabling a time-frequency partitioning of signals. A practical implementation scheme using filter banks is also presented, and the effectiveness of the approach over conventional techniques is demonstrated.
An Intramolecular Signaling Element that Modulates Dynamin Function In Vitro and In Vivo

Dynamin exhibits a high basal rate of GTP hydrolysis that is enhanced by self-assembly on a lipid template. Dynamin's GTPase effector domain (GED) is required for this stimulation, though its mechanism of action is poorly understood. Recent structural work has suggested that GED may physically dock with the GTPase domain to exert its stimulatory effects. To examine how these interactions activate dynamin, we engineered a minimal GTPase-GED fusion protein (GG) that reconstitutes dynamin's basal GTPase activity and utilized it to define the structural framework that mediates GED's association with the GTPase domain. Chemical cross-linking of GG and mutagenesis of full-length dynamin establishes that the GTPase-GED interface is comprised of the N- and C-terminal helices of the GTPase domain and the C-terminus of GED. We further show that this interface is essential for structural stability in full-length dynamin. Finally, we identify mutations in this interface that disrupt assembly-stimulated GTP hydrolysis and dynamin-catalyzed membrane fission in vitro and impair the late stages of clathrin-mediated endocytosis in vivo. These data suggest that the components of the GTPase-GED interface act as an intramolecular signaling module, which we term the bundle signaling element, that can modulate dynamin function in vitro and in vivo.