cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ATTITUDES AND PROBLEMS OF ELDERLY STUDENTS IN THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF GEORGIA

Registrars of the junior and four year colleges and universities of the university system of Georgia were asked to supply the names and addresses of elderly students attending their institutions under a state constitutional amendment that provides for free tuition on a space available basis for residents 62 years of age or older. Names were obtained from six junior colleges, eight senior colleges, and one university. Elderly students were asked to complete a form to determine their problems with and attitudes toward college study; 70 responses were received. Analysis of the responses indicated that the 70 elderly students were above average in education and that they were vigorous and active. Only a few had encountered difficulty in adjusting to college study. A few had difficulty in hearing classroom discussions. Approximately 90% felt that attending classes was stimulating and would recommend the experience to other elderly adults. As a group they felt accepted by faculty and younger students. In common...
HIV-associated pericardial effusions

Following a case of cardiac tamponade in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), we examined the frequency and clinical spectrum of pericardial effusions associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) at our institution. Of 187 hospitalized patients documented to have pericardial effusions over a one-year period, 14 (7 percent) were known to be HIV-positive at the time of their echocardiograms. One patient presented with a large effusion and cardiac tamponade, three had moderate effusions, and ten had small effusions. The probable effusion etiology was established in four cases and included endocarditis (2), lymphoma (1), and myocardial infarction (1). In hospital mortality was 29 percent (4 of 14). From our study, as well as a growing number of reports in the literature, we conclude that HIV-associated pericardial effusions are frequently seen and that their clinical spectrum is broad.
EFFECTS OF GLUCOSE OXIDASE IN MICE.

Abstract The effects of glucose oxidase, which oxidizes glucose and produces H2O2, were studied in mice after intraperitoneal injection of supralethal doses of the enzyme. Such injections cause the appearance of hematin pigment in the plasma, up to 20 per cent of this pigment being methemoglobin. After high lethal doses of glucose oxidase, the hematocrit decreases (readings as low as 7 have been obtained), and the total hematin pigment of whole blood also decreases strikingly. After lower, but stilllethal, doses of the enzyme, the hematocrit increases (readings as high as 80 have been obtained), and the percentage of hematin pigment in whole blood correspondingly increases. At least part of this loss of fluid from the blood is accounted for by increased water content of liver and kidney. After such doses of glucose oxidase, decreases were demonstrated in blood sugar and in liver glycogen.
Retinoic acid acts during peri-implantational development to alter axial and brain formation.

All-trans retinoid acid (RA) induces a stereotypic spectrum of stage-specific malformations in vertebrate conceptuses. The present work evaluated the anatomic and biochemical effects of exposure to RA in mouse embryos at a peri-implantational stage of development – gestational day (GD) 5. The RA receptors (RARs) βand γ, the retinoid X receptors (RXRs) α and β, and the cellular retinoid acid binding proteins (CRABPs) I and II were detected by RT-PCR in both control and treated individual GD 5 decidua/embryo complexes 3 h after RA injection, indicating the presence of the mRNAs coding for the proteins that mediate the effects of RA. In contrast, the RAR α mRNA was detected in some but not all decidua/embryo complexes, both control and treated, suggesting that its expression is initiated at approximately GD 5, while RXR γ mRNA was not detected. Examination of the control and RA-exposed embryos on GD 10, 12, or 17 showed that greater than 50% of the RA-exposed embryos were adversely affected, many with defects found only after serial histopathological examination. The malformations were localized primarily in the central nervous system, the branchial arches, and their derivatives. These terata included excessive folding and elevation of the neural tube floor plate, exencephaly (with detachment of the cephalic neuroepithelium and rarefied cephalic mesenchyme), persistent patency of Rathke’s pouch, small trigeminal ganglia, neural diverticula (chiefly from the spinal cord), and/or various optic and otic defects. Unexpectedly, limb reduplications were not apparent in RA-exposed fetuses. Those litters examined on GD 17 had a high percentage of resorbed or malformed implantations, and the few apparently normal fetuses were developmentally delayed with repect to bone ossification. These data confirm that the development of neural- and neural crest-derived structures are severely disrupted by RA exposure prior to initial specification of the neural plate and suggest that many of the proteins that regulate RA signaling are available in early vertebrate embryos at this developmental stage.
Gaining the upper hand: Economic mobility among immigrant and domestic minorities

Abstract Labour market experiences of three immigrant minorities in the United States are reviewed and contrasted with the three principal theories bearing on ethnic poverty and economic mobility: cultural assimilation, human capital acquisition, and industrial restructuring. Although there is support for each, they do not account satisfactorily for the experiences of many ethnic groups, in particular those who have progressed on the basis of socially embedded small entrepreneurship. An alternative conceptualization is suggested by these experiences that highlights the significance of community level variables and, in particular, alternative sources of social capital. The character of these processes is examined. Its implications for theories and policy towards ethnic minorities are discussed.
Increased resistance to a farnesyltransferase inhibitor by N-cadherin expression in Bcr/Abl-P190 lymphoblastic leukemia cells.

Increased resistance to a farnesyltransferase inhibitor by N-cadherin expression in Bcr/Abl-P190 lymphoblastic leukemia cells
Governance and Financing of Chinese Higher Education

With an introduction to the overall underdevelopment of higher education in China compared with the American counterpart, this article briefly examines the main trends of over two decades of development of the governance and financing systems of China's higher education sector. This article analyzes the resource allocation from governments and revenue generation in institutions under the reform policies of administrative decentralization and financing diversification. The new "Great Leap Forward" in higher education in 1999 and beyond, i.e., the radical and, to a certain extent, desperate mass higher education policy and practice of expanding enrollments in order to spur domestic consumption, is critically analyzed. By examining the ongoing institutional merging and "co-building" and the most recent enrollment expansion, the writer points out the economic significance for higher education of overcoming diseconomies of scale and inefficiencies. However, the long-range outcomes of the seemingly exciting investment in and consumption of mass higher education are difficult to predict.
Congenital immature teratoma of the central nervous system: three case reports with literature review

Three cases of congenital immature intracranial teratomas were examined by autopsy. The fetuses were diagnosed prenatally as macrocephalic and hydrocephalic due to skull-occupying lesions. These fetuses were born alive at 32, 31, and 36 weeks gestation, respectively, via Cesarean section. Intracranial teratoma in the first case was diagnosed by MRI and in the second and third cases by ultrasound. All tumors were deemed to be unresectable. Congenital CNS teratoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of fetuses diagnosed with macrocephaly or hydrocephaly.
Dissolved organic carbon release from surface sand of a high energy beach along the Southeastern Coast of North Carolina, USA

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the flux of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from high-energy beach sand to the coastal ocean. The DOC concentration of seawater was measured before and after exposure to the beach sand in laboratory experiments. Increases were observed in all experiments (n = 36) conducted on seawater and high-energy beach sand collected on a monthly basis for one year. Final dissolved organic carbon in seawater after exposure to surface sands were positively correlated with water column DOC concentrations measured in the surf zone at the same time of sand collection for laboratory experiments. Increases in DOC during laboratory experiments displayed marked seasonality with larger increases observed during summer with a corresponding low DOC carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N) suggesting phytoplankton as the source of DOC during this time of year. Higher DOC C:N was observed during winter indicating a more aged organic material as the source of DOC during this time of low flux. Sandy beach sediments release over an order of magnitude more DOC per meter squared compared to coastal shelf sediments and rainwater suggesting that in locations where there are no direct river inputs these beach environments play a significant, previously unrecognized role as an external source of DOC to the immediate coastal ocean. It is likely that DOC released from these environments has a significant effect on surf zone biogeochemistry potentially affecting oxygen concentrations in coastal regions.
The extemporaneous method and speech contests

This article argues that current contest competition in extemporaneous speaking and oratory contradicts classroom instruction and should be modified to coincide with it.
Irrigation, nitrogen and gypsum effects on specific gravity and internal defects of Atlantic potatoes

Irrigation, nitrogen and gypsum were investigated in a 3-year study to determine their influence on specific gravity and internal physiological defects. Excess irrigation during August and September reduced specific gravity, increased the incidence of hollow heart, and in some years, internal brown spot. Tuber yields were not significantly affected by excess irrigation. Exclusion of late season irrigation, however, significantly reduced tuber yields. No consistent yield response to nitrogen was evident, but a response up to 168 kg/ha was observed in 1987. Nitrogen rate did not effect hollow heart, internal brown spot or chip color. The incidence of internal brown spot in the tubers of check treatments was quite variable from year to year, and ranged from 8 to 21%. The lowest incidence of internal brown spot observed in 1989 coincided with the highest calcium levels in the tuber peel. Although gypsum treated potatoes had reduced incidence of internal brown spot, the effects were partial and inconsistent. Significant increases in peel and petiole calcium concentrations in the gypsum treated plots only occurred in one year. The peel calcium levels appeared to be influenced more by the season and to a lesser extent by gypsum. Gypsum applications produced no effects on total or US#1 tuber yield, specific gravity, hollow heart, or chip color. Preliminary data also suggested that gypsum did not markedly influence the incidence of blackspot. Based on this study, a routine gypsum application to improve the tuber quality of the variety Atlantic is not recommended.
Formation of long-lived hydroxyl free radical adducts of proline and hydroxyproline in a Fenton reaction.

Abstract Proline and hydroxyproline when exposed to the hydroxyl free radical generating system of ADP-Fe(II)-H 2 O 2 yielded long-lived free radicals. An analysis of the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of the long-lived hydroxy free radical adducts of proline and hydroxyproline is consistent with a free electron on a nitroxyl group interacting with the nitrogen atom as well as with three separate protons. In the case of proline, nitroxide formation was observed under the influence of tert-butyl-hydroperoxide, giving a similar EPR spectrum (Lin, J.S., Tom, T.C. and Olcott, H.S. (1974) J. Agr. Food Chem. 22, 526–528); however, the hydroxyl free radical adduct of hydroxyproline has not been described yet. In the case of the proline nitroxide radical, two of the three protons involved interact with the free electron equivalently. The coupling constants for the hydroxyl free radical adduct of proline are A N = 1.58 mT, A β H1 = A β H2 = 2.13 mT, A β H3 = 1.77 mT and for hydroxyproline are A N = 1.54 mT, A β H1 = 2.56 mT, A β H2 = 2.03 and A β H3 = 1.51. The data are consistent with the amine nitrogen of proline and hydroxyproline being oxidized to a nitroxyl group and the free electron of nitroxyl interacting with the β-protons of these amino acid hydroxyl free radical adducts.
Ventilation caused by external chest compression is unable to sustain effective gas exchange during CPR: a comparison with mechanical ventilation

Abstract Objective : To compare the tidal volume, minute ventilation, and gas exchange caused by mechanical chest compression with and without mechanical ventilatory support during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a laboratory model of cardiac arrest. Design: A laboratory swine model of CPR was used. Eight animals with and eight animals without mechanical ventilation received chest compression (100/min) for 10 min. Coronary perfusion pressure, tidal volume, and minute ventilation were recorded continuously. Interventions: Ventricular fibrillation for 6 min without CPR, then mechanical chest compression for 10 min. Results: During the first minute of chest compression, mean (± S.D.) minute ventilation was 11.2 ± 5.91 l/min in the mechanically ventilated group and 4.5 ± 2.8 l/min in the group without mechanical ventilation ( P = 0.01). Minute ventilation gradually declined to 5.8 ± 1.4 1/min and 1.7 ± 1.6 1/min, respectively, during the last minute of chest compression ( P 2 was higher (62 ± 19 compared with 35 ± 9 mmHg). Mixed venous Pco 2 was also higher (76 ± 15 compared with 61 ± 8 mmHg). Conclusion: Standard chest compression alone produced measurable tidal volume and minute ventilation. However, after 10 min of chest compression following 6 min of untreated ventricular fibrillation, it failed to sustain pulmonary gas exchange as indicated by significantly greater arterial and mixed venous hypercarbic acidosis when compared with a group receiving mechanical ventilation.
C/EBPα and C/EBPα oncoproteins regulate nfkb1 and displace histone deacetylases from NF-κB p50 homodimers to induce NF-κB target genes

Mutated CEBPA defines a subgroup of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We have previously shown that C/EBPα or its AML mutants synergize with NF-κB p50 to activate antiapoptotic genes, including BCL2 and FLIP. Furthermore, p50 binds and activates the CEBPA gene in myeloid cells. We now report that C/EBPα or C/EBPα leucine zipper AML mutants bind in vivo to the nfkb1 (p50) promoter and induce its expression even in the presence of cycloheximide. Induction of p50 by C/EBPα depends on 2 conserved κB sites in the nfkb1 promoter. C/EBPα did not induce p65 expression. Thus, C/EBPα and p50 reciprocally regulate each other's expression, establishing a positive feedback relationship. Although p50 homodimers inhibit transcription, C/EBPα and p50 synergistically activate antiapoptotic genes. ChIP analysis showed that C/EBPα diminishes the occupation of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) or HDAC3 on the endogenous FLIP promoter but not in mice lacking p50. Coimmunoprecipitation confirmed that C/EBPα, its AML variants, or C/EBPβ disrupt interaction between p50 and HDACs dependent on the C/EBP basic region. These findings suggest that C/EBPs displace HDACs from p50 homodimers bound to antiapoptotic genes, contributing to NF-κB dysregulation in leukemia, and that the C/EBPα:p50 complex is a potential therapeutic target.
The association of spinal retroflexion with limb anomalies

The spectrum of conditions in which retroflexion of the spine occurs includes anencephaly, iniencephaly, and Klippel-Feil syndrome. It was suggested by Gimour ('41) that a continuum may exist linking the latter two entities. The present paper attempts to reopen this question by reporting two specimens which have none of the above conditions, yet have spinal retroflexion and limb malformations. Combined with other isolated case reports, they show that spinal retroflexion can arise over a variable period of time.
Gender, Loyalty, and the Reproduction of the Wang Zhaojun Legend: Some Social Ramifications of Drama in the Late Ming

Scholars have long noted a heightened concern over female virtue in late Ming literati society; more recently, this social trend has been connected with the boom in print production of drama, and many other types of popular and elite texts, which occurred during the Jiajing through Wanli periods. Ming print circulation of the legend of Wang Zhaojun, a palace woman of the Han dynasty who was given in marriage to a northern leader, further illuminates these connections. Through detailed analysis of the text, and its reproduction during the late Ming, and through comparison with other versions of the story also in circulation during this period, this essay argues that the zaju play, Autumn in the Han Palace , was at the center of a significant reconfiguration of the Wang Zhaojun legend — one in which both the exquisitely tragic beauty of her departure across the Han border, and her loyalty to the emperor are foregrounded. Further, this reconfiguration was conditioned by, and in turn conditioned, late Ming social constructions of woman as both cultural and commercial commodity.
Increased mammography use and its impact on earlier breast cancer detection in Vermont, 1975–1999

BACKGROUND A trend toward earlier breast carcinoma detection in the United States has been attributed to screening mammography, although direct evidence linking this trend to the increased use of mammography in a general population is lacking. This study examined the effects of mammography on tumor size and axillary lymph node metastasis in Vermont over 25 years. METHODS Pathology and mammography data from 3499 Vermont women who were diagnosed with invasive breast carcinoma during 1975–1984, 1989–1990, and 1995–1999 were compared. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the effects of age, mammography use, and period on the odds of a tumor ≤ 2 cm and the odds of negative lymph nodes. RESULTS The proportion of breast tumors that were detected by screening mammography increased from 2% during 1974–1984 to 36% during 1995–1999 (P 50 years, the odds ratio (OR) was 4.5, with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 3.5–6.4. The effect was smaller in younger women (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1–3.0). Mammographic detection increased the odds of negative lymph nodes by a similar amount in both age groups, although women age > 50 years were more likely to have negative lymph nodes than younger women (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1–1.6). Tumor size and lymph node metastasis also were related to the number of mammograms and to the mammographic interval. CONCLUSIONS Most of the trend toward earlier detection in Vermont was due to mammography. Mammography had a lesser effect on tumor size among younger women, which may be related to less frequent screening, although its effect on lymph node metastasis was not age dependent. Women age < 50 years were more likely to have positive lymph nodes, independent of the method of detection or the frequency of mammography. Cancer 2002;94:2160–8. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10459
Intensive chemotherapy for Philadelphia-chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Abstract Chilhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with the classic Philadelphia chromosome translocation is fatal in patients treated with chemotherapy alone. We report probable curses in three adolescents and one child who received extensively reinforced, early chemotherapy followed by rotational treatment with pairs of non-cross-resistant drugs. The median duration of leukaemia-free survival in this subgroup is 6 5 years (range 6–8 years). The two patients with long-term bone marrow surveillance fro residual disease showed no evidence of the Philadelphia chromosome at 31 and 53 months post-remission. Such intensive chemotherapy is a reasonable option for patients who are not able to undergo bone marrow transplantation.
Incidence of non-small-cell lung cancer among California Hispanics according to neighborhood socioeconomic status

Introduction Lung cancer incidence is associated with markers of lower socioeconomic status (SES) in whites, blacks, and Asians but with markers of higher SES in Hispanics. The magnitude and etiology of this positive gradient in Hispanics remain undefined. We examined non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) incidence and ever-smoking rates among California Hispanics according to measures of SES. Methods We computed neighborhood (n)SES-specific incidence rates by sex and race or ethnicity for 74,179 NSCLC cases in the California Cancer Registry, 1998–2002. Associations between nSES and NSCLC incidence were examined, using incidence rate ratios and linear trend tests, and stratified by age, stage, and histology. Ever-smoking rates among Hispanics were obtained from California Health Interview Survey 2001 data, and odds ratios for ever-smoking were calculated for measures of SES and acculturation. Results Compared with the lowest nSES quintile, the NSCLC incidence in the highest quintile was 1.86 and 1.18 times higher for Hispanic women and men, respectively. The positive nSES gradients remained significant for all ages, stages, and nonsquamous histologies in women, and only for older age, local or regional stages, and adenocarcinoma histology in men. Ever-smoking rates were associated with English-speaking households and U.S.-born status for Hispanic women and low education and U.S.-born status for Hispanic men. Conclusions For California Hispanics, higher nSES was strongly associated with increased NSCLC incidence in women, but weakly associated in men, and ever-smoking rates were strongly correlated with increased acculturation. This finding may portend an increasing burden of NSCLC in Hispanic women, given future trends in acculturation and SES.
The Home Disadvantage in the National Football League's Conference Championship Games:

It has been debated by many researchers whether a home disadvantage exists within professional sports, especially in a decisive game of a championship competition. The present study checked for a h...
Routing and Scheduling I/O Transfers on Wormhole-Routed Mesh Networks

This paper studies the problem of routing and scheduling parallel I/O operations to minimize the time required to transfer data between processors and I/O devices. In particular, a 2-dimensional mesh architecture is considered in which routing is performed using wormhole switching and I/O nodes are placed on the periphery of the mesh. Two broad classes of data transfer mechanisms are examined: schedules with blocking (SB), in which packets may be temporarily blocked during transit, and schedules with no blocking (SNB), in which packets are never blocked in the network. For both classes, optimal scheduling is shown to be NP-complete and heuristics are presented and experimentally evaluated via a detailed simulation.
Interaction potentials and dynamics for Li + F collisions

We present diabatic potential curves for 1Σ, states of LiF and integral cross sections for elastic scattering of Li(2S) + F(2P) at thermal collision energies. Potential curves were obtained using atomic pseudopotentials and the extended valence-bond method. Pairs of coupled scattering equations were numerically integrated with a recently developed approach. Comparison of cross sections for homopolar (single channel) and homopolar plus ionic (two coupled channels) interactions provides information on the electron jump mechanism during collision.
Exposure characterization of aerosols and carbon monoxide from supplemental inflatable restraint (automotive air bag) systems

Abstract The purpose of this study is to determine the characteristics of aerosols inside a passenger car after the deployment of air bags (supplemental inflatable restraints, SIR) for a worst-case situation. Mass concentrations and size distributions of the SIR-aerosols, and the concentration of carbon monoxide were measured. The average total particulate mass concentrations during each of the 25-min observation periods immediately following deployment of three different preproduction SIR-systems, each employing three inflators were 86, 83 and 415 mg m −3 , and the average carbon monoxide concentrations were 46, 48 and 180 ppm, respectively. The SIR-aerosols exhibited bimodal size distributions with modes centred at 0.8 and 10 μm. Using ion chromatography, the fine aerosol fraction near 1 μm was found to contain carbonates, while the larger aerosol near 10 μm was not alkaline and was probably derived from corn starch, a dry lubricant which coated the air bag. Currently, very limited human exposure data exist which can be used to assess the respiratory effects from a single acute exposure to such dusts. The absence of short-term exposure limits for workplace aerosols or nuisance dusts with similar properties warrants studies to quantify the human respiratory response to SIR-aerosols.
Adults' beliefs about children and mathematics: how important is it and how do children learn about it?

A series of studies was conducted which focused on US adults' beliefs about the relative importance of acquiring mathematical skills for preschool children and about how children acquire these skills. In Study 1, adults rated general information, reading and social skills as all being more important than mathematical skills. They also claimed that parents have the most influence on preschool children's learning regardless of content area. In Study 2, the parents of kindergarten children also rated reading, general information and social skills as all being more important than mathematics in preparing children for the first grade. The more important parents felt mathematics were, the more they reported engaging in a variety of mathematical-related activities with their children. However, the importance they placed on mathematics was not related to their child's actual mathematical performance. In summary, adults seem to value mathematics less than other skills in preparing young children to enter elementary school. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Purification, and comparison, of two forms of dextransucrase from Streptococcus sanguis.

Abstract A procedure has been developed whereby native and proteolyzed forms of dextransucrase have been purified; it involves gel filtration, and hydroxylapatite chromatography in the presence of 0.10% sodium dodecyl sulfate. This procedure is highly reproducible, and permits ∼30% recovery of high purity (94% homogeneous) enzyme as an inactive, SDS complex that can be reactivated by the addition of Triton X-100. The purified enzymes have been compared with regard to amino acid compositions, and isoelectric and catalytic properties. An analysis of the structure of their product d -glucans was also made. Although the structural characteristics of the enzyme forms differ, proteolysis does not cause alterations in their catalytic properties.
Serum protein binding of prednisolone in four species

The protein binding of prednisolone in serum from humans, rabbits, dogs, and rats was determined by equilibrium dialysis. Two nonlinear least-squares regression programs were used to characterize transcortin and albumin binding of the steroid. The animal species differed markedly in their ability to bind prednisolone, but the rabbit was most similar to humans in transcortin concentration and affinity constant.
Cytoplasmic FANCA-FANCC Complex Interacts and Stabilizes the Cytoplasm-dislocalized Leukemic Nucleophosmin Protein (NPMc)

Eight of the Fanconi anemia (FA) proteins form a core complex that activates the FA pathway. Some core complex components also form subcomplexes for yet-to-be-elucidated functions. Here, we have analyzed the interaction between a cytoplasmic FA subcomplex and the leukemic nucleophosmin (NPMc). Exogenous NPMc was degraded rapidly in FA acute myeloid leukemia bone marrow cells. Knockdown of FANCA or FANCC in leukemic OCI/AML3 cells induced rapid degradation of endogenous NPMc. NPMc degradation was mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway involving the IBR-type RING-finger E3 ubiquitin ligase IBRDC2, and genetic correction of FA-A or FA-C lymphoblasts prevented NPMc ubiquitination. Moreover, cytoplasmic FANCA and FANCC formed a cytoplasmic complex and interacted with NPMc. Using a patient-derived FANCC mutant and a nuclearized FANCC, we demonstrated that the cytoplasmic FANCA-FANCC complex was essential for NPMc stability. Finally, depletion of FANCA and FANCC in NPMc-positive leukemic cells significantly increased inflammation and chemoresistance through NF-κB activation. Our findings not only reveal the molecular mechanism involving cytoplasmic retention of NPMc but also suggest cytoplasmic function of FANCA and FANCC in NPMc-related leukemogenesis.
Existence and uniqueness of solutions to degenerate semilinear parabolic equations

Abstract An elementary proof for the existence of solutions to semilinear degenerate parabolic equations is given. The assumptions are such that solutions to approximating parabolic problems are a priori bounded in L∞. Then an Ascoli-Arzela argument is used. Under more restrictive conditions on the coefficients, uniqueness of the solutions is shown separately and a regularity result is provided.
Injury surveillance: a method for recording E codes for injured emergency department patients.

Study purpose: Little information exists on the cause of injury for patients who are treated and discharged from emergency departments; these patients comprise approximately 90% of all injured patients requiring medical care. A method is described to assign external cause of injury codes (E codes) prospectively to all injured patients seen in a large-volume ED. Methods: E code assignment was performed by the ED triage nurses on entrance to the ED. A checklist was used that contained frequently occurring codes as identified in a pilot study. E codes were entered into the patients' records on the hospital mainframe computer by a medical records technician. These were acquired for a nine-month period to determine feasibility, accuracy, and ease of use. Accuracy was verified retrospectively. Results: During the nine-month period, 67,495 patients were treated. Acute injury accounted for 16,186 of the visits, and 2,085 were return visits for a previously treated injury. The majority of patients with any injury type were treated and discharged and would not have been included in traditional data sets of injured patients. Overall admission rate for injury was 13%. Accuracy of prospectively assigned E codes was 98%, and this method of assigning E codes resulted in no additional effort by the triage nurse. Conclusion: E coding is a valuable method for injury surveillance, easily performed in EDs with high volume. Its value is essential for injury prevention research on injuries from any cause.
Optimization of Electron Transfer Dissociation via Informed Selection of Reagents and Operating Parameters

Electron transfer dissociation (ETD) has improved the mass spectrometric analysis of proteins and peptides with labile post-translational modifications and larger intact masses. Here, the parameters governing the reaction rate of ETD are examined experimentally. Currently, due to reagent injection and isolation events as well as longer reaction times, ETD spectra require significantly more time to acquire than collision-induced dissociation (CID) spectra (>100 ms), resulting in a trade-off in the dynamic range of tandem MS analyses when ETD-based methods are compared to CID-based methods. Through fine adjustment of reaction parameters and the selection of reagents with optimal characteristics, we demonstrate a drastic reduction in the time taken per ETD event. In fact, ETD can be performed with optimal efficiency in nearly the same time as CID at low precursor charge state (z = +3) and becomes faster at higher charge state (z > +3).
Peripapillary Dark Choroid Ring as a Helpful Diagnostic Sign in Advanced Stargardt Disease

Purpose To investigate the prevalence of a peripapillary dark choroid ring on fluorescein angiography (FA) and the associated clinical features in patients with Stargardt disease. Design Retrospective review of 135 patients with Stargardt disease. Methods The presence or absence of a peripapillary dark choroid ring on FA was noted and was compared with patient demographics and clinical features. Results Thirty-seven percent (50/135) had a peripapillary dark choroid ring on FA. When evaluated in subgroups, this sign was present in 41% (9/22) of patients with 2 causative ABCA4 mutations, in 28% (5/18) of patients with 1 causative ABCA4 mutation and a clinical diagnosis of Stargardt disease, and in 38% (36/95) of patients with a clinical diagnosis of Stargardt disease pending mutational analysis. Ninety-four percent (44/47) of patients for whom mutational testing confirmed the presence of ABCA4 mutations demonstrated a dark choroid sign. The peripapillary dark choroid ring sign was associated with diffuse flecks ( P P = .03), larger central scotoma size ( P = .0146), and the presence of complete macular atrophy ( P = .0017) compared with patients without this sign. Conclusions The presence of a peripapillary dark choroid ring on FA should prompt further evaluation for Stargardt disease by examination of peripheral retinal FA images for a dark choroid sign, followed by subsequent ABCA4 mutation screening.
Is Transnational Data Flow Regulation a Problem

Data processing and telecommunications have become more sophisticated. More data can be analyzed and moved faster than ever before. This is potentially helpful for international business, but has raised concern among governmental officials and has resulted in a host of regulations pertaining to transnational data flow.
Comparison of filtering methods for the modeling and retrospective forecasting of influenza epidemics

A variety of filtering methods enable the recursive estimation of system state variables and inference of model parameters. These methods have found application in a range of disciplines and settings, including engineering design and forecasting, and, over the last two decades, have been applied to infectious disease epidemiology. For any system of interest, the ideal filter depends on the nonlinearity and complexity of the model to which it is applied, the quality and abundance of observations being entrained, and the ultimate application (e.g. forecast, parameter estimation, etc.). Here, we compare the performance of six state-of-the-art filter methods when used to model and forecast influenza activity. Three particle filters—a basic particle filter (PF) with resampling and regularization, maximum likelihood estimation via iterated filtering (MIF), and particle Markov chain Monte Carlo (pMCMC)—and three ensemble filters—the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF), the ensemble adjustment Kalman filter (EAKF), and the rank histogram filter (RHF)—were used in conjunction with a humidity-forced susceptible-infectious-recovered-susceptible (SIRS) model and weekly estimates of influenza incidence. The modeling frameworks, first validated with synthetic influenza epidemic data, were then applied to fit and retrospectively forecast the historical incidence time series of seven influenza epidemics during 2003–2012, for 115 cities in the United States. Results suggest that when using the SIRS model the ensemble filters and the basic PF are more capable of faithfully recreating historical influenza incidence time series, while the MIF and pMCMC do not perform as well for multimodal outbreaks. For forecast of the week with the highest influenza activity, the accuracies of the six model-filter frameworks are comparable; the three particle filters perform slightly better predicting peaks 1–5 weeks in the future; the ensemble filters are more accurate predicting peaks in the past.
La protection sociale au Chili: des réformes pour plus de justice

Resume. Au debut des annees quatre-vingt, le Chili – imite ensuite par d'autres pays – a lance une reforme privatisant en partie ou totalement les systemes de l'assurance maladie et des retraites. Mise en œuvre sans concertation sociale, la reforme se fera aux depens des principes de solidarite et de justice sociale, contribuant a la progression de la pauvrete et des inegalites. Depuis, les gouvernements democratiques ont apporte bien des corrections. L'auteur analyse les progres realises, mais aussi les inegalites qui persistent – vues sous l'angle de la couverture, du sexe et de la contribution financiere – et les problemes qui restent a resoudre.
Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of cis-diphenyl pyridineamine platinum(II) complexes as potential anti-breast cancer agents

Although cisplatin is considered as an effective anti-cancer agent, it has shown limitations and may produce toxicity in patients. Therefore, we synthesized two cis-dichlorideplatinum(II) compounds (13 and 14) composed of meta- and para-N,N-diphenyl pyridineamine ligands through a reaction of the amine precursors and PtCl2 with respective yields of 16 and 47 %. We hypothesized that compounds 13 and 14, with lipophilic ligands, should transport efficiently in cancer cells and demonstrate more effectiveness than cisplatin. When tested for biological activity, compounds 13 and 14 were found to inhibit the growth of MCF 7 and MDA-MB-231 cells (IC50s 1 ± 0.4 µM and 1 ± 0.2 µM for 13 and 14, respectively, and IC50 7.5 ± 1.3 µM for compound 13 and 1 ± 0.3 µM for compound 14). Incidentally, these doses were found to be lower than cisplatin doses (IC50 5 ± 0.7 µM for MCF 7 and 10 ± 1.1 µM for MDA-MB-231). Similar to cisplatin, 13 and 14 interacted with DNA and induced apoptosis. However, unlike cisplatin, they blocked the migration of MDA-MB-231 cells suggesting that in addition to apoptotic and DNA-binding capabilities, these compounds are useful in blocking the metastatic migration of breast cancer cells. To delineate the mechanism of action, computer-aided analyses (DFT calculations) were conducted for compound 13. Results indicate that in vivo, the pyridineamine ligands are likely to dissociate from the complex, forming a platinum DNA adduct with anti-proliferative activity. These results suggest that complexes 13 and 14 hold promise as potential anti-cancer agents.
A concerted structural transition in the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 mechanism of inhibition.

The inhibition mechanism of serpins requires a change in structure to entrap the target proteinase as a stable acyl−enzyme complex. Although it has generally been assumed that reactive center loop insertion and associated conformational change proceeds in a concerted manner, this has not been demonstrated directly. Through the substitution of tryptophan with 7-azatryptophan and an analysis of transient reaction kinetics, we have described the formation of an inhibited serpin−proteinase complex as a single concerted transition of the serpin structure. Replacement of the four tryptophans of plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) with the spectrally unique analogue 7-azatryptophan permitted observations of conformational changes in the serpin but not those of the proteinase. Formation of covalent acyl−enzyme complexes, but not noncovalent Michaelis complexes, with tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) or urokinase (u-PA) resulted in rapid decreases of fluorescence coinciding with insertion of the ...
Simplified Primary Screening Procedure for Detection of Hyperlipidemias in Healthy Individuals

A simplified primary screening procedure is described for determining serum β- plus pre-β-lipoproteins, which is more rapid and less expensive than cholesterol or triglyceride determinations. This method is based on the ability of β- and pre-β-lipoproteins to form insoluble complexes with heparin in presence of Ca2+. Comparison with analytical ultracentrifugation indicated the accuracy of concentrations determined by the present method. This method was used to screen a group of healthy adults and children and diabetic patients. The results show that measuring serum β- plus pre-β-lipoprotein concentrations may be more useful for screening and detecting subtle abnormalities than is determination of either cholesterol or triglyceride.
Trajectory generation for a class of nonlinear systems with input and state constraints

Autonomous vehicles with nonlinear dynamics need to have a planned reference trajectory and a feedback controller to accomplish the task of traveling from a launch point to a goal point. Traditionally the planning stage has either been done from a purely geometrical point of view without regarding the dynamic constraints of the system, or by time-consuming numerical optimization including the dynamic constraints and input bounds. This paper presents a new way to generate a trajectory quickly when a nonlinear system is input-output linearizable while satisfying the dynamic constraints. An example of a trajectory based on a simplified nonlinear longitudinal helicopter model with minimum time criteria is presented.
Thermal Dynamics of a Distributed Parameter Nonadiabatic Humidification Process

Results of a theoretical and experimental study of the thermal dynamics of a distributed parameter nonadiabatic humidification process are presented. A wetted-wall column was selected for study to ensure standard and reproducible velocity profiles and a definable area for heat and mass transfer. Four mathematical models which consider various heat and mass transfer. Four mathematical models which consider various heat and mass transfer effects were derived in the time domain and solved in the frequency domain. All models, including a simple model previously tested for the adiabatic humidification case, were in good agreement with experimental results obtained by pulse testing.
Injectable simvastatin in periodontal defects and alveolar ridges: pilot studies.

Background: Topical injection of simvastatin in methylcellulose gel was shown to stimulate bone growth and inflammation over mouse calvaria and in rat mandible models. The purpose of these pilot studies was to evaluate the potential of locally injected simvastatin in human-sized periodontal defects.Methods: Chronic periodontal defects were created bilaterally in seven 1-year-old beagle dogs: 3-walled intrabony defects distal of the mandibular second premolar and mesial of the fourth premolar and Class II furcation defects at the buccal furcation of the mandibular first molars. The edentulous space distal to the mandibular canine was left undisturbed. After 16 weeks of healing, defect sites were treated with scaling and root planing, and mandible sides were randomly selected to receive three weekly injections of 0.5 mg simvastatin in 30 μl methylcellulose gel and contralateral gel alone (n = 3) or 2.0 mg simvastatin/methylcellulose gel and contralateral gel alone (n = 4). Two months following drug applicat...
Electromagnetic Wave Propagation in Birefringent Multilayers

Reflection and transmission of birefringent plates surrounded by semiinfinite birefringent media with incident waves having polarized electric fields
Infections of the external ear.

The external auditory meatus (EAM), a skin-lined canal, is an area commonly subject to acute and chronic inflammatory processes. Infection constitutes the most common disease of the external ear.’ Bacterial and viral organisms may elicit typical signs, symptoms, and syndromes. There are numerous diseases affecting the skin and its appendages, perichondrium, or cartilage that can manifest acute and chronic inflammation. The focus of this article is infections of the EAM. Reviewing the pertinent anatomy, histology, and microbiology of the external ear will provide the foundation for understanding infections unique to this area.
Modeling Soil Solution, Mineral Formation and Weathering

Simulation models are valuable tools to increase understanding of complex soil chemical processes. Initially modeling was restricted by limited computational power; thus, complex natural systems were often simulated with site-specific, regression-based models. These models (classified as functional models by Hoosbeek & Bryant, 1992) do not deal with the actual processes but were designed to simulate the response of the studied system to specific variables. Although useful for the conditions represented by the collected data set, these models are usually not suited for other environments. Often the process controlling variables or responses to these variables are different in different environments. Nonetheless, due to the complexity of natural systems, quantitative mechanistic models often do not exist. The development of quantitative models has evolved from initial attempts to determine species distributions and ion activity, to models that attempt to represent chemical processes including soil mineral formation and prediction of soil solution composition and rates of mineral weathering. In this chapter we present an overview of the types of quantitative models suitable for describing soil chemical processes including mineral weathering. Generally following a chronological development, the models can be classified into a series of increasingly complex treatments of the natural system.
Side-Channel Leakage in Masked Circuits Caused by Higher-Order Circuit Effects

Hardware masking is a well-known countermeasure against Side-Channel Attacks (SCA). Like many other countermeasures, the side-channel resistance of masked circuits is susceptible to low-level circuit effects. However, no detailed analysis is available that explains how , and to what extent , these low-level circuit effects are causing side-channel leakage. Our first contribution is a unified and consistent analysis to explain how glitches and inter-wire capacitance cause side-channel leakage on masked hardware. Our second contribution is to show that inter-wire capacitance and glitches are causing side-channel leakage of comparable magnitude according to HSPICE simulations. Our third contribution is to confirm our analysis with a successful DPA-attack on a 90nm COMS FPGA implementation of a glitch-free masked AES S-Box. According to existing literature, this circuit would be side-channel resistant, while according to our analysis and measurement, it shows side-channel leakage. Our conclusion is that circuit-level effects, not only glitches, present a practical concern for masking schemes.
Unusual Hepatic Tumor with Features of Mesenchymal Hamartoma and Congenital Solitary Nonparasitic Cyst

We report a hepatic tumor in an adolescent that does not fit into any of the described categories of liver tumors. The patient presented with hepatomegaly, abdominal pain, and normal liver function test; the tumor was cystic in imaging studies. The resected specimen, result of a partial hepatectomy, measured 21 cm and was multicystic with solid areas. Microscopically, the cysts were lined by a mucous-producing or intestinal-type epithelium, associated with smooth muscle and small mucous-producing glands. The solid component contained fibrous and adipose tissue, smooth muscle and thick-walled vessels. Aneuploidy was demonstrated by flow cytometry. We interpreted the tumor as having features of a mesenchymal hamartoma and congenital solitary nonparasitic cyst. It is conceivable that the lesions originated with small peribiliary glands with dilatation and intestinal metaplasia.