cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comment on MaaniHessari, N.; van Schalkwyk, M.C.; Thomas, S.; Petticrew, M. Alcohol Industry CSR Organisations: What Can Their Twitter Activity Tell Us about Their Independence and Their Priorities? A Comparative Analysis. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 892

We noted with concern that you published recently (12 March 2019) an article about so-called “Alcohol industry CSR Organisations”, which selectively targets criticism of Drinkaware [...]
Striving toward translation: strategies for reliable fMRI measurement

fMRI has considerable potential as a translational tool for understanding risk, prioritizing interventions, and improving the treatment of brain disorders. However, recent studies have found that many of the most widely used fMRI measures have low reliability, undermining this potential. Here, we argue that many fMRI measures are unreliable because they were designed to identify group effects, not to precisely quantify individual differences. We then highlight four emerging strategies [extended aggregation, reliability modeling, multi-echo fMRI (ME-fMRI), and stimulus design] that build on established psychometric properties to generate more precise and reliable fMRI measures. By adopting such strategies to improve reliability, we are optimistic that fMRI can fulfill its potential as a clinical tool.
Device profile of the tack endovascular system® for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease: overview of safety and efficacy.

Introduction: The 6 F Tack Endovascular System® is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for post-percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) dissection repair in the sup...
Tellurium Single-Crystal Arrays by Low-Temperature Evaporation and Crystallization.

Thermally evaporated tellurium possesses an intriguing crystallization behavior, where an amorphous to crystalline phase transition happens at near-ambient temperature. However, a comprehensive understanding and delicate control of the crystallization process for the evaporated Te films is lacking. Here, the kinetics and dynamics of the crystallization of thermally evaporated Te films is visualized and modeled. Low-temperature processing of highly crystalline tellurium films with large grain size and preferred out-of-plane orientation ((100) plane parallel to the surface) is demonstrated by controlling the crystallization process. Tellurium single crystals with a lateral dimension of up to 6 µm are realized on various substrates including glass and plastic. Field-effect transistors based on 5 °C crystallized Te single grains (6-nm-thick) exhibit an average effective hole mobility of ≈100 cm2 V-1 s-1 , and on/off current ratio of ≈3 × 104 .
Proliferation resistance assessment of a typical pebble bed reactor fuel

Abstract A study is carried out to assess the proliferation resistance (PR) of pebble bed reactor (PBR) fuel using two methods. The Proliferation Resistance Analysis and Evaluation Tool for Observed Risk (PRAETOR) code is the first method, which employs 68 attributes (intrinsic and extrinsic) to assess the overall PR. Forty-six uranium and plutonium diversion scenarios are analyzed with initial 235U enrichments from 4.95 to 17 wt% and a fuel burnup varying from 5 to 90 GWd/MTU. PRAETOR code gave same PR values (within 1%) for all the 46 scenarios and not able to distinguish between the uranium and plutonium diversion scenarios. A second PR analysis method employing only four attributes is developed and analyzes the intrinsic PR of plutonium spheres, which is able to distinguish the intrinsic PR of all the 23 plutonium diversion scenarios analyzed. Data needed for PR assessments are generated using neutronics simulations of PBR fuel irradiation.
A mmWave Switch Using Novel Back-End-Of-Line (BEOL) in 22nm FinFET Technology

This paper presents a mmWave switch designed using novel back-end-of-line (BEOL) in Intel 22nm FinFET (22FFL) technology. In the newly developed mmWave BEOL, ExpressVia is introduced, which allows direct transistor connection to thick metal layer. Continuous via and 3+1 thick metal layers are also enabled to provide design flexibility. Taking advantage of the new features, an ultra-wideband (DC-60GHz) series SPST switch is implemented in this technology achieving 1.9dB insertion loss, 21.0dB isolation, 17.3dB return loss, 24.1dBm IP1dB, 35.9dBm IIP3 at 28GHz within an active area of 0.00176mm2. Reliability measurements show the switch can handle up to 24.9dBm of power at 28GHz. The measured ${\mathrm{R}_{\text{on}}}^{\ast}\mathrm{C}_{\text{off}}$ at top metal is 107fs, which is well suited for emerging 5G applications.
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy and Concurrent Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer Not Amenable to Brachytherapy.

Hypothesis Cervical cancer patients ineligible for brachytherapy due to tumor geometry suffer poor local control and survival outcomes despite treatment with concurrent IMRT and chemotherapy. Purpose/Objective(s) In this study of patients with cervical cancer tumors too large for brachytherapy boost, we report tumor control and toxicity outcomes of patients treated with intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and concurrent chemotherapy. Materials/Methods We performed a retrospective study of patients with FIGO 2018 stage III-IVB cervical cancer treated with high dose IMRT and concurrent cisplatin without brachytherapy at a tertiary academic center from 2005 – 2020. All patients underwent FDG-PET/CT and were examined by an experienced gynecologic brachytherapist. Patients received 48.6-50.4 Gy in 25 to 35 fractions to the cervix, pelvis, and if involved on FDG-PET, paraaortic, and supraclavicular lymph nodes with IMRT. Lymph nodes greater than 3 cm received a simultaneous boost to a total dose of 60 Gy. The primary metabolically active cervical tumor received a simultaneous or sequential boost without additional planning margin to a total dose of 60-70.2 Gy with concurrent weekly cisplatin or carboplatin. Toxicity is reported with CTCAEv5. Results Twenty patients out of 1005 (2%) were identified with median age of 55 (range 37 – 76) years. Sixty percent were Caucasian, 35% black, 5% Asian. Median metabolic primary tumor volume was 111 cm3 (range 26 – 473). Nineteen (95%) had squamous histology and one (5%) had adenosquamous. Median follow up was 15 months (range 2 - 154). 7 (35%) patients had PET positive pelvic lymph nodes, 5 (25%) paraaortic, and 3 (15%) supraclavicular. Classic FIGO stage was: III 7 (35%), IVA 11 (55%), IVB 2 (10%). FIGO 2018 stage was: III 3 (15%), IVA 9 (45%), IVB 8 (40%). Five (20%) patients were disease free at the end of follow up (III 1 (33%), IVA 3 (33%), IVB 1 (13%)). One- and 2-year freedom from local progression were 70% and 60%, respectively. One and 2-year OS were 60% and 35%, respectively. Grade 3 anemia and nausea occurred in 4 (20%), and 2 (10%) patients, respectively. Grade 4 diarrhea and nausea occurred in 1 (5%) and 3 (15%) patients, respectively. Two (10%) patients died of treatment-related toxicity. Conclusion Our study shows that patients ineligible for brachytherapy suffer poor local control and survival outcomes. Grade 4-5 toxicity occurred in 25% of patients. Novel radiation techniques for this patient population should be further explored.
Nominalistic Analysis of Mathematical Language

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the nominalistic analysis of mathematical language. The chapter focuses on the foundational theories that are directed toward the extent to which these are susceptible of mathematical formulation and toward the solution of technical problems that may arise from such analyses. In particular, this has characterized the approach to modern efforts to obtain a nominalistic interpretation of mathematical language. While the nominalistic tradition in philosophy is very ancient, a specific concentration of interest in this viewpoint—as applied especially to the analysis of mathematical language—can be discerned in the work of the Polish school of logicians. The difficulties in providing a nominalistic interpretation for particular sentences are discussed in the chapter. It is desirable to investigate what possibilities are for a nominalist to provide a systematic interpretation for all the sentences of some well-defined mathematical language that is adequate for most mathematical discourse.
Noncespaces: Using Randomization to Enforce Information Flow Tracking and Thwart Cross-Site Scripting Attacks.

Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities are among the most common and serious web application vulnerabilities. Eliminating XSS is challenging because it is difficult for web applications to sanitize all user inputs appropriately. We present Noncespaces, a technique that enables web clients to distinguish between trusted and untrusted content to prevent exploitation of XSS vulnerabilities. Using Noncespaces, a web application randomizes the XML namespace prefixes of tags in each document before delivering it to the client. As long as the attacker is unable to predict the randomized prefixes, the client can distinguish between trusted content created by the web application and untrusted content provided by an attacker. To implement Noncespaces with minimal changes to web applications, we leverage a popular web application architecture to automatically apply Noncespaces to static content processed through a popular PHP template engine. We show that with simple policies Noncespaces thwarts popular XSS attack vectors.
Modification of an Arginyl Residue in Pepsin by 2,3-Butanedione

Abstract 2,3-Butanedione (biacetyl) was found to modify an arginyl residue in porcine pepsin at pH 6.0, 25°. In an inhibition study, half-inactivation occurred after 2½ hours of reaction, and maximum inactivation of 80 to 85% was reached after 24 hours. Amino acid analysis of the modified pepsin revealed that 1 arginine residue remained, indicating that 1 arginine residue had been modified. The loss of activity and loss of arginine occurred concomitantly during the course of reaction. The presence of substrates retarded enzyme inactivation, as well as arginine loss, at corresponding rates. Porcine pepsinogen treated with biacetyl in a pH 7.0 solution did not lose activity significantly, as shown by its proteolytic activity after subsequent activation by acid. Biacetyl-modified pepsin continued to be susceptible to specific esterification reagents: diazoacetyl-dl-norleucine methyl ester, p-bromophenacyl bromide, and 1,2-epoxy-3-(p-nitrophenoxy)propane. Peptides from a chymotryptic digest of pepsin and of biacetyl-treated pepsin were separated by high voltage paper electrophoresis at pH 6.5. Two peptides were isolated, containing one each of the only 2 arginine residues of pepsin. The sequences of these peptides were ascertained from amino acid compositions and amino-terminal determinations. One of the peptides (A1) from biacetyl-pepsin contained almost no free arginine. An additional spot, apparently representing modified arginine, was observed for the digest of Peptide A1 in high voltage electrophoresis. These results indicated that the arginyl residue in Peptide A1, located 12 residues from the carboxyl terminus of pepsin, is the site of biacetyl modification. This arginyl residue apparently does not directly participate in the catalysis of the enzyme. Biacetyl was also found to inactivate other gastric proteases in similar fashion, i.e. human gastricsin, human pepsin, and bovine rennin.
The Use of Interaction in Public Cryptosystems.

For every k, we construct an oraclc relative to which secret agreement can be done in k passes, but not in k-1. In particular, for k=3, we get an oracle relative to which secret agreement is possible, but relative to which trapdoor functions do not exist. Thus, unlike the case of private cryptosystems, there is no black box reduction from a k-pass system to a k-1 pass system. Our construction is natural— suggesting that real-world protocols could trade higher interaction costs for an assumption strictly weaker than the existence of trapdoor functions. Finding a complexity theoretic assumption necessary and sufficient for public cryptosystems to exist is one of the important open questions of cryptography. Our results make clear the possibility that this question is impossible to answer because it contains a false hidden assumption: the existence of a 2-pass public cryptosystem follows from the existence of a k-pass system. The question should really be a family of questions: given k find an assumption equivalent to the existence of a k-pass public cryptosystem.
Determination of the Transverse Shear Stress in an Euler-Bernoulli Beam Using Non-Admissible Virtual Displacements

The point of view that a beam can be considered as a three-dimensional continuum with a constrained position field (cf. [1]) together with the virtual work principle and the concept of perfect constraint stresses, leads to a systematic way to reduce the equilibrium equations of the continuous body to an ordinary differential equation describing the constrained displacement field of the beam. Using virtual displacements, being non-admissible with respect to the constrained beam kinematics, together with the solution of the boundary value problem, allows us to analytically determine the constraint stresses and consequently the total stresses of a beam up to a certain indeterminacy. (© 2014 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Comparative chemistry of 30S ribosomal proteins of Salmonella typhimurium.

Abstract Individual proteins from the 30S ribosome of Salmonella typhimurium were isolated and compared with their counterparts in Escherichia coli. Amino acid composition data reveal either no significant differences, or only minor differences in a few residues between paired proteins. Tryptic peptide fingerprints were used to amplify any possible differences between protein pairs.
Magnetron sputtered CdTe solar cells on flexible substrates

We describe the application of sputter deposition processes to the fabrication of CdS/CdTe solar cells on light weight, flexible substrates in both the substrate and superstrate configurations. We have fabricated CdS/CdTe cells on molybdenum foil and Kapton polyimide. The Mo-based devices are among the best reported for substrate configuration CdTe solar cells, with efficiencies of /spl sim/7% at AM1.5.
Enhanced expression of the Escherichia coli serA gene in a plasmid vector: Purification, crystallization, and preliminary X-ray data of D-3 phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase

The serA gene of Escherichia coli strain K-12, which codes for the cooperative allosteric enzyme D-3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase, was inserted into an inducible expression vector which produced phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase as 8% of the soluble protein of E. coli. The purified protein was used to grow several different single crystal forms. One of these, with space group P2(1), appears to contain all four subunits of the tetrameric enzyme in the asymmetric unit and diffracts to sufficient resolution to allow determination of the structure of phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase.
Faith Communities and Breast/Cervical Cancer Prevention: Results of a Rural Alabama Survey

Limited research has been conducted in the area of faith-based health promotion programs. Data reported here are from a survey of faith communities in Walker County, Alabama for the following purposes: 1. To ascertain if breast and/or cervical cancer education was being offered by faith communities in Walker County, Alabama; 2. If so, what opportunities do faith communities provide; 3. To identify barriers that might inhibit the offering of breast/cervical cancer education to women in Walker County, Alabama; and 4. To determine the willingness of faith communities to meet with researchers to explore the option of providing breast/cervical cancer education to their faith communities. A survey was sent to 218 faith communities that were listed in the Daily Mountain Eagle (Walker County newspaper). A total of 46 surveys were returned, for a response rate of 25%. Data were analyzed using SPSS 11.0 for Windows. Researchers with qualitative expertise conducted the content analysis. Less than 1% of the faith communities reported any involvement in breast/cervical cancer education. Barriers to offering breast/cervical cancer education included a lack of financial resources and a lack of clergy/spiritual leaders with experience in providing breast/cervical cancer education. In addition, breast/cervical cancer education was not seen as part of the faith community’s mission. Ministers cited a lack of community resources and a personal lack of knowledge about breast/cervical cancer as reasons for not providing health promotion activities in this area. Ninety-nine percent (99%) stated that they would be willing to meet with the researchers to plan breast/cervical cancer education. One percent (1%) stated that such informational offerings would not be necessary.
Tri-service optometry productivity findings and benchmark recommendation.

ABSTRACT Objective: The 2005 Tri-Service Relative Value Unit (RVU) Production for Optometric Services is examined and used as a basis to provide military leadership with a realistic, evidence-based benchmark recommendation. Methods: The Fiscal Year 2005 RVU Production for Optometric Services was collected. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the mean RVU per patient per clinic for each military service. The results were used to develop a global benchmark. Results: The triservice RVU per patient per clinic was determined to be 1.33 RVU or 1.45 RVU depending on the method of calculation. Navy and Air Force optometry clinics had higher average RVU outputs compared to that of the Army. Statistical analysis revealed that the Army's RVU production was significantly different from the other services, while the Navy and Air Force did not have significant differences in their means. Conclusions: A benchmark of 1.45 RVU per patient translates into a daily RVU benchmark recommendation of 18.85.
Improved sensitivity in sensor fibers by the proper source/coating selection

The dependence of the optical attenuation on the fiber coating has been measured for a sensor fiber subjected to periodic microbending. The dependence on the spectral characteristics of the selected light sources is also addressed and the proper source/coating combination is discussed. Results indicate that the proper selection of this combination is of crucial importance in the design, development, and performance of fiber optic sensors in which intensity modulated microbending transducers are considered. A combination of a short wavelength for the light source and a fiber coated with a hard, elastomeric material seems to be the optimal selection for enhancing the sensitivity in controlled microbending experiments with applications to fiber optic sensors. The highest sensitivity to microbending was obtained for a nylon coated fiber and using a He–Ne laser at 632.8 nm.
Studies in steroid metabolism XX. “The determination of plasma testosterone using thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatography.”

Abstract A method has been devised for the relatively rapid and sensitive determination of testosterone in human plasma. The procedure incorporates a thin-layer chromatogram to separate most of the 17-ketosteroids from testosterone followed by GLC on silicone elastomer. An average recovery of 39% of added 3H-testosterone was obtained, Values for young males of 0.30–1.27 μg 100 ml of plasma were found.
On liouvillian solutions of linear differential equations

This paper deals with the problem of finding liouvillian solutions of a homogeneous linear differential equationL(y)=0 of ordern with coefficients in a differential fieldk. For second order linear differential equations with coefficients ink o(x), wherek o is a finite algebraic extension ofQ, such an algorithm has been given by J. Kovacic and implemented. A general decision procedure for finding liouvillian solutions of a differential equation of ordern has been given by M.F. Singer, but the resulting algorithm, although constructive, is not in implementable form even for second order equations. Both algorithms use the fact that, ifL(y)=0 has a liouvillian solution, then,L(y)=0 has a solutionz such thatu=z′/z is algebraic overk. Using the action of the differential galois group onu and the theory of projective representation we get sharp bounds ℱ(n) for the algebraic degree ofu for differential equations of arbitrary ordern. For second order differential equations we get the bound ℱ(2)=12 used in the algorithm of J. Kovacic and for third order differential equation we improve the bound given by M.F. Singer from 360 to ℱ(3)≦36. We also show that not all values less than or equal to ℱ(n) are possible values for the algebraic degree ofu. For second order differential equations we rediscover the values 2, 4, 6, and 12 used in the Kovacic Algorithm and for third order differential equations we get the possibilities 3,4, 6, 7, 9, 12, 21, and 36. We prove that if the differential Galois group ofL(y)=0 is a primitive unimodular linear group, then all liouvillian solutions are algebraic. From this it follows that, if a third order differential equationL(y)=0 is not of Fuchsian type, then the logarithmic derivative of some liouvillian solution ofL(y)=0 is algebraic of degree 3. We also derive an upper bound for the minimal numberN(n) of possible degreesm of the minimal polynomial of an algebraic solution of the riccati equation associated withL(y)=0.
Lithium nitrate as a fusion reactor coolant fluid?: A thermochemical assessment

In connection with possible application as a coolant fluid in fusion reactors, molten LiNO3 and LiNO3/LiNO2 mixtures, and their mixtures with Na/K nitrates, have been evaluated with respect to their high temperature stability, their ability to reversibly dissolve and release tritium and, in a very limited sense, their corrosiveness toward structural alloys. The results of the primarily thermochemical evaluation indicate that with respect to thermal/radiolytic decomposition and corrosivity LiNO3/LiNO2 may be suitable for application up to R 700°K; however, with respect to reversibility/irreversibility of tritium release, it appears unsuitable at all likely operating temperatures (R 675–800°K).
A new look at inference engine synthesis

Designing effective inference strategies has been something of a black art. In this paper we articulate a methodology for designing inference strategies based on an inspection of already acquired domain knowledge. We formulate the design principle of knowledge-mediated control, which dictates that every deviation from a strategy of blind search should be mediated by explicit knowledge structures. We apply this principle to develop several inference strategies for troubleshooting electronic instruments. Finally, we identify a model of the inference process which serves as a basis for a tool to support this methodology.
Re-equilibration of CO2fluid inclusions at controlled hydrogen fugacities

Natural, pure CO2 inclusions in quartz and olivine (c. Fo90) were exposed to controlled fH2 conditions at T= 718–728°C and Ptotal= 2 kbar; their compositions were monitored (before and after exposures) by microsampling Raman spectroscopy (MRS) and microthermometry. In both minerals exposed at the graphite–methane buffer (fH2= 73 bar), fluid speciations record the diffusion of hydrogen into the inclusions. In quartz, room-temperature products in euhedral isolated (EI type) inclusions are carbonic phases with molar compositions of c. CO2(60) + CH4(40) plus graphite (Gr) and H2O, whereas anhedral inclusions along secondary fractures (AS type) are Gr-free and contain H2O plus carbonic phases with compositions in the range c. CO2(60) + CH4(40) to CO2(10) + CH4(90). EI type inclusions in olivine evolved to c. CO2(90–95) + CH4(5–10) without Gr, whereas AS type inclusions have a range of compositions from CO2(90) + CH4(10) ± Gr to CH4(50) + H2(50) ± Gr; neither H2O nor any hydrous species was detected by optical microscopy or MRS in the olivine-hosted products. Differences in composition between and among the texturally distinct populations of inclusions in both minerals probably arise from variations in initial fluid densities, as all inclusions apparently equilibrated with the ambient fH2. These relations suggest that compositional variability among inclusions in a given natural sample does not require the entrapment of multiple generations of fluids. In addition, the absence of H2O in the olivine-hosted inclusions would require the extraction of oxygen from the fluids, in which case re-equilibration mechanisms may be dependent on the composition and structure of the host mineral. Many of the same samples were re-exposed to identical P–T conditions using Ar as the pressure medium, yielding ambient fH2= 0.06 bar. In most inclusions, the carbonic fluids returned to pure CO2 and graphite persisted in the products. Reversal of the mechanisms from the prior exposure at fH2= 73 bar did not occur in any inclusions but the AS types in olivine, in which minor CO2 was produced at the expense of CH4 and/or graphite. The observed non-reversibility of previous mechanisms may be attributed to: (1) slower fluid–solid reactions compared to reactions in the homogeneous fluid phase; (2) depressed activities of graphite due to poor ordering; and/or (3) low ambient fO2 at the conditions of the second run.
Comparison of percutaneous interventions for unstable angina pectoris in patients with and without previous coronary artery bypass grafting.

Abstract An increasing number of patients who have undergone previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are referred for percutaneous coronary revascularization. We identified patients who underwent percutaneous intervention for unstable angina from 1990 to 1998 at our institution and assigned them into 2 groups based on whether or not they had undergone previous CABG. There were 1,431 patients with and 4,629 patients without previous CABG. Previous CABG patients were older, had more atherosclerotic risk factors, more heart failure, lower ejection fraction, more multivessel disease, more multilesion treatment, more complex lesions, and less complete revascularization. Adjusting for baseline differences, previous CABG was associated with worse long-term mortality (RR 1.47, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.22 to 1.77, p
USS Greeneville collides with Japan’s Ehime Maru: Cultural issues in image repair discourse

Abstract On February 9, 2001, the USS Greeneville collided with the Japanese trawler, the Ehime Maru, near Pearl Harbor, killing nine people. The U.S. Navy’s image was threatened, exacerbated by the possible involvement of civilians on board the sub at key control stations. The image repair effort relied heavily on mortification which was appropriate given the Japanese culture. However, an unmet expectation was for Captain Waddle to apologize directly to the victims’ families in Japan. This analysis also addresses the importance of diplomatic efforts in image repair, especially when cultural issues are at play. Also addressed is the use of the instigator as a spokesperson and the use of “accident” as a defense in conjunction with claimed responsibility.
Progressive Dyspnea on Exertion in a Patient With Known Coronary Artery Disease and a Remote History of Hodgkin's Lymphoma

48-YEAR-OLD, 87-kg, 191-cm man with a history of coronary artery disease, tobacco abuse, and hyperlipidemia presented to the authors’ institution for evaluation of progressive dyspnea on exertion. The patient had suffered a myocardial infarction 12 years before but had done well without functional limitations until approximately 9 months before admission when his symptoms began while lifting heavy loads and walking up hills. An exercise-thallium stress test revealed large, reversible perfusion defects in the left ventricular (LV) anterior wall, septum, and apex; moderate LV dilatation; and mildly reduced LV systolic function (ejection fraction, 43%). A cardiac catheterization showed an 85% stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), a 40% ostial stenosis of the left circumflex coronary artery, and a 30% proximal stenosis of the right coronary artery (RCA) concomitant with several distal luminal irregularities. The patient had a remote history of Hodgkin’s lymphoma at 22 years old that had been successfully treated with chemotherapy and mediastinal irradiation. He denied a history of rheumatic fever. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed these images (Figs 1-4). What is the diagnosis?
Behavioral intervention for childhood sleep terrors.

Sleep terrors involve a sudden arousal from slow wave sleep accompanied by screaming, crying, and other manifestations of intense fear. Although many children exhibit isolated sleep terror episodes, a few experience these sleep difficulties on a chronic basis. These frequent sleep terrors can lead to a great deal of concern as well as disruption in sleep for other family members. We conducted a study of the effectiveness of one behavioral intervention (scheduled awakenings) for the sleep terrors of three young boys. The boys (5, 6, and 9 years old) had a several-year history of sleep terrors, each more than 2 years. Scheduled awakenings involved arousing the child from sleep approximately 30 minutes before expected sleep terror episodes. Results through a 12-month follow-up using a multiple baseline across children indicated that this intervention quickly and durably reduced the frequency of their nighttime difficulties. Scheduled awakenings are a potentially useful nonmedical intervention for chronic sleep terrors.
Cerebroside sulfate hydrolysis by fibroblasts from a parent with metachromatic leukodystrophy

A GENERALIZED deficiency of arylsulfatase A, necessary for normal turnover of cerebroside sulfate, prevails in all types of metachromatic leukodystrophy. The usual enzyme assay techniques have failed to differentiate biochemically the three types of disorders? We have found that fibroblasts provided with exogenous cerebroside sulfate during growth accumulated the sulfolipid intracellulady. Control cells with a normal complement of arylsulfatase A hydrolyzed the sulfatide; late infantile MLD cells showed no hydrolysis; adult MLD cells showed about half-normal rates of hydrolysis; and juvenile MLD cells showed hydrolysis rates intermediate between those of late infantile and adult cells? The sulfatide loading thus provided a test system with greatly increased sensitivity compared to cell or tissue extract enzyme assay technique s . This loading test has also been useful for establishing whether the enzyme present in extracts of cells derived from patients with atypical MLD was indeed functional in the intact, growing cells} 3 Recently, several subjects who were obligate heterozygotes, but otherwise healthy, were found to be profoundly deficient in arylsulfatase A. Dubois et al 4 noted that a father of twins affected with MLD had leukocyte arylsulfatase A in the same low range as the twins. Three unaffected siblings of the twins also had the same deficiency. Lott et aP observed that a father of two children with MLD and a mother in another family with three affected children had the enzyme deficiency in
The performance analysis of partitioned circuit switched multistage interconnection networks

An integral part of any parallel processing system is its interconnection network. These networks have been the objects of intense research in recent years. Existing Markov chain analysis techniques for circuit switched, generalized cube interconnection networks will be extended to allow the performance modeling of partitionable SIMD/MIMD systems. Based on both analysis and simulation data, the relationship between the network performance, the partitioning scheme employed, and the conflict resolution algorithm used within the network will be enumerated. It will be shown that "input partitioning" coupled with the use of the "hold" conflict algorithm produces the best network operation in terms of the time to establish a circuit switched path through the network. Additionally, it will be shown that the performance of partitioned subnetworks is generally better than the performance of comparable sized random groupings of network resources.
The structure of an authentic spore photoproduct lesion in DNA suggests a basis for recognition

The spore photoproduct lesion (SP; 5-thymine-5,6-dihydro­thymine) is the dominant photoproduct found in UV-irradiated spores of some bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis. Upon spore germination, this lesion is repaired in a light-independent manner by a specific repair enzyme: the spore photoproduct lyase (SP lyase). In this work, a host–guest approach in which the N-terminal fragment of Moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase (MMLV RT) serves as the host and DNA as the guest was used to determine the crystal structures of complexes including 16 bp oligo­nucleotides with and without the SP lesion at 2.14 and 1.72 A resolution, respectively. In contrast to other types of thymine–thymine lesions, the SP lesion retains normal Watson–Crick hydrogen bonding to the adenine bases of the complementary strand, with shorter hydrogen bonds than found in the structure of the undamaged DNA. However, the lesion induces structural changes in the local conformation of what is otherwise B-form DNA. The region surrounding the lesion differs significantly in helical form from B-DNA, and the minor groove is widened by almost 3 A compared with that of the undamaged DNA. Thus, these unusual structural features associated with SP lesions may provide a basis for recognition by the SP lyase.
Discrimination of Alicyclobacillus strains using nitrocellulose membrane filter and attenuated total reflectance fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

: Alicyclobacillus spp. are thermoacidophilic, spore-forming bacteria, some of which cause spoilage in pasteurized and heat-treated apple juice products through the production of guaiacol. It would be helpful if a rapid method to detect and discriminate Alicyclobacillus strains was available. A simple and rapid sample preparation method using nitrocellulose membrane filter (NMF) and a single reflection horizontal attenuated total reflection (HATR) accessory with Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) was developed here. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was used and tested on 8 Alicyclobacillus strains (KF, WAC, NWN-13501, NWN-12697, NWN-12654, NWN-10682, 1016, 1101). A linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was established to discriminate Alicyclobacillus strains. The sample preparation method could successfully separated strains into different groups by principal component analysis (PCA). High identification accuracy (95%) was achieved with the LDA model. Practical Application: The method developed in the paper can be used to discriminate different Alicyclobacillus strains from each other making it possible to easily determine whether the strain of Alicyclobacillus present is associated with juice spoilage.
Peripheral administration of Interleukin-1 Receptor antagonist inhibits brain damage after focal cerebral ischemia in the rat.

We assessed the efficacy of recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (rhIL-1ra) on brain injury and edema formation after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) in the rat. Previous studies showed that low amounts of rhIL-1ra injected directly into the brain significantly decreased infarct size after MCAo or excitotoxic injury in rats. Peripheral administration of rhIL-1ra (100 mg/kg sc at 0, 4, 8, 12, and 18 h after MCAo) significantly inhibited infarct size, by 46% (P < 0.05), measured at 24 h. This was greater than the effect of MK801 administered immediately after MCAo (4 mg/kg ip, 0 h) which did not significantly reduce infarct size. rhIL-1ra (100 mg/kg) also significantly inhibited cerebral edema formation by 49% (P < 0.05) measured 24 h after MCAo, but did not reduce edema formation measured 2 h after MCAo. Inhibition of infarction by rhIL-1ra was dependent on dose and time of administration. Together the results demonstrate that peripherally administered rhIL-1ra at high doses is able to mimic the efficacy of a low dose of rhIL-1ra administered directly into the brain in a rodent model of stroke and that protection observed with rhIL-1ra was better than that offered by MK801 in this model.
Kinetics of tertiarybutylphosphine adsorption and phosphorus desorption from indium phosphide (001)

Abstract The kinetics of tertiarybutylphosphine adsorption and phosphorus desorption from indium phosphide ( 0 0 1 ) have been determined using reflectance difference spectroscopy for real-time monitoring of the phosphorus coverage. The precursor adsorption rate depends linearly on the coverage, and the initial sticking coefficient varies from 0.007 to 0.001 as the temperature increases from 420 to 520 °C. The phosphorus desorption rate is first order in the coverage and exhibits an activation energy and pre-exponential factor of 2.4 ± 0.2 eV and 10 14.7 ± 1.5 s −1 . These reaction kinetics play an important role in the growth of phosphide-based alloys by metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy.
Non‐hodgkin's lymphoma, poorly differentiated lymphocytic and mixed cell types. Results of sequential staging procedures, response to therapy, and survival of 100 patients

The results of sequential staging procedures including laparotomy, radiotherapy, and combination chemotherapy are reported for 100 patients with poorly differentiated lymphocytic (PDL) and mixed cell (MC) non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Twelve patients were found to have localized disease, pathologic stage (PS) I or II; 88 patients had PS III or IV disease. Bone marrow biopsy showed a high incidence of involvement and advanced 34% of the patients from PS I, II, and III to PS IV. Staging laparotomy has a very limited role in the evaluation of these patients. All of 12 patients with PS I and II NHL were treated with radiotherapy; at 5 years, they had 100% survival, 80% being disease-free. Fifteen patients with PS III disease were treated with total nodal radiotherapy (TNRT) alone and had a median disease-free survival of 41 months. The remaining patients with PS III and IV disease were treated with chemotherapy consisting of vincristine and prednisone (V and P); cyclophosphamide, vincristine (Oncovin), procarbazine, and prednisone (COPP); cyclophosphamide, vincristine (Oncovin), adriamycin, and prednisone (COPA); or palliative therapy consisting of chlorambucil and prednisone. Two-year and 4-year survivals for patients with diffuse lymphoma were 93% and 60%, respectively; for patients with +2 nodular lymphoma, 80% andmore » 30%; and for patients with nodular lymphomas, 76 to 93% and 50%, respectively. Treatment with COPP showed no advantage over V and P, palliative therapy, or TNRT for patients with +2 nodular and nodular disease. The likelihood of cure appears most promising for patients in complete remission (CR) with diffuse lymphoma; patients in CR with nodular lymphoma show a high rate of relapse over 5 years of observation. We conclude that staging laparotomy in PDL and MC NHL is of limited value, and that the role of aggressive chemotherapy for patients with +2 nodular and nodular lymphoma needs to be redefined.« less
Monte Carlo simulation and equation of state for flexible charged hard-sphere chain fluids: Polyampholyte and polyelectrolyte solutions

The thermodynamic modeling of flexible charged hard-sphere chains representing polyampholyte or polyelectrolyte molecules in solution is considered. The excess Helmholtz energy and osmotic coefficients of solutions containing short polyampholyte and the osmotic coefficients of solutions containing short polyelectrolytes are determined by performing canonical and isobaric-isothermal Monte Carlo simulations. A new equation of state based on the thermodynamic perturbation theory is also proposed for flexible charged hard-sphere chains. For the modeling of such chains, the use of solely the structure information of monomer fluid for calculating the chain contribution is found to be insufficient and more detailed structure information must therefore be considered. Two approaches, i.e., the dimer and dimer-monomer approaches, are explored to obtain the contribution of the chain formation to the Helmholtz energy. By comparing with the simulation results, the equation of state with either the dimer or dimer-monomer approach accurately predicts the excess Helmholtz energy and osmotic coefficients of polyampholyte and polyelectrolyte solutions except at very low density. It also well captures the effect of temperature on the thermodynamic properties of these solutions.
Comparison of DLPC and DPPC in Controlling the Dynamic Adsorption and Surface Tension of Their Aqueous Dispersions

The adsorption of dilauroylphosphatidylcholine (DLPC) at the air/ water interface was investigated with tensiometry, infrared reflection−absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS), and ellipsometry. The tension dynamics at 25 °C at constant and pulsating area depends strongly on the concentration (10−1000 ppm) and sizes of dispersed DLPC particles, which are liposomes or vesicles. Dynamic surface tensions as low as 1−5 mN/m are observed for DLPC. For dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), such tensions are also observed, but only for certain special preparation procedures. Direct probing of the surface by IRRAS and ellipsometry indicates that DLPC adsorbs by a molecular adsorption mechanism, controlled largely by the rate of dissolution of the dispersed particles. The surface layer is a monolayer with no particles attached to it, unlike DPPC in which the surface monolayer forms by particles which reach the interface and remained attached to it (Wen, X.; Franses, E. I. Langmuir 2001, 17, 3194). Spectroturbidimetry an...
Assembly of cytochrome-c oxidase in the absence of assembly protein Surf1p leads to loss of the active site heme.

Surf1p is a protein of the inner membrane of mitochondria that functions in the assembly of cytochrome-c oxidase. The specifics of the role of Surf1p have remained unresolved. Numerous mutations in human Surf1p lead to severe mitochondrial disease. A homolog of human Surf1p is encoded by the genome of the α-proteobacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides, which synthesizes a mitochondrial-like aa3-type cytochrome-c oxidase. The gene for Surf1p was deleted from the genome of R. sphaeroides. The resulting aa3-type oxidase was purified and analyzed by biochemical methods plus optical and EPR spectroscopy. The oxidase that assembled in the absence of Surf1p was composed of three subpopulations with structurally distinct heme a3-Cu active sites. 50% of the oxidase lacked heme a3, 10–15% contained heme a3 but lacked CuBB, and 35–40% had a normal heme a3 -CuB active site with normal activity. CuA assembly was unaffected. All of the oxidase contained low-spin heme a, but the environment of the heme a center was slightly altered in the 50% of the enzyme that lacked heme a3. Introduction of a normal copy of the gene for Surf1p on an exogenous plasmid resulted in a single population of normally assembled, highly active enzyme. The data indicate that Surf1p plays a role in facilitating the insertion of heme a3 into the active site of cytochrome-c oxidase. The results suggest that maturation of the heme a3-CuB center is a step that limits the association of subunits I and II in the assembly of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase.
Hydroxyurea revisited: A decade of clinical effects studies

Abstract Over a decade ago hydroxyurea was shown to selectively kill cells in the S phase in a proliferating cell population and to block cells at the G 1 -S border. Consequently, blocked cells became sensitized to irradiation and were further sensitized when the drug was present after exposure. These features were identified initially in Chinese hamster cells in culture. They seemed to indicate that, in circumstances where tumor cells are proliferating more rapidly than the surrounding normal tissues, hydroxyurea might be an effective agent for use in combination therapy with X or gamma radiation. In the ensuing decade, many in vivo studies on hydroxyurea have confirmed that the main properties of hydroxyurea identified in the dish are also evident in vivo . During a period of about ten years, a considerable number of clinical studies have been performed, the results of which have been mixed, ranging from indeterminate to encouraging, depending to some extent on the site treated and whether careful randomized studies were done. Some clinicians have abandoned hydroxyurea in favor of other drugs or procedures, but others find the agent useful and perhaps especially so in the treatment of carcinoma of the cervix. Definitive, quantitative information on the value of the drug in combination therapy seems to be available in only a few instances. Thus, its value is still debatable. The question then arises whether the clinical studies have represented adequate tests, by laboratory standards, of the likely effectiveness of the drug in clinical circumstances. The clinical studies with hydroxyurea have been examined in this light, since the results might also bear on the use of many other such agents in combination therapy. This examination revealed that no attempts have been made to determine the concentration of hydroxyurea in the tumor and other relevant tissues as a function of time or to assess the cell kinetic features of the tumor and thus estimate the appropriate dose regimen. It would seem that a wide gap still exists between laboratory research and clinical application. While the difficulties of the latter are well known, it may be more important to adequately exploit, in the clinic, the laboratory properties of the drugs we know rather well than to continue searching for a miracle panacea while repeating similar errors in translating from laboratory to clinic.
Reduction of praseodymium and terbium higher oxides: Chemical reactions similar to diffusionless phase transitions

Abstract Some solid state chemical reactions such as a change in the degree of oxidation can occur without a great displacement of the atomic positions of one kind of atom in a structure. When praseodymium and terbium oxides are reduced, the rare earth atom movement is less than the cation crystallographic distances in the fluorite-related structure. This means that the chemical transformation occurs without a great change in the framework of one kind of atom. The relative positions of these atoms are nevertheless slightly modified as in a diffusionless phase transition. In the Pr and Tb oxides the deformation changes both the volume and the shape of the structural unit. A displacement tensor can be defined for these chemical transformations. Interfaces between the two phases can be found as in ferroelastic or martensitic phase transitions by satisfying the condition of a strain-free interface. No general solution exists under these circumstances but approximate solutions exist for thin layers which give needle-like domains. The great number of glide defects in only one direction that occur in the iota phase of praseodymium thin layers obtained by reduction of the zeta phase can then be related to the chemical transformation itself. Similar results are obtained in bulk material but the transformation mechanism is not yet completely settled.
The Measurement of Job Characteristics

Perceptual methods of measuring six job characteristic dimensions were developed and validated. A perceptual instrument, called the Job Characteristic Inventory (JCI), demonstrated construct validi...