cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
2037 INITIAL STAGING FOR HIGH RISK PROSTATE CANCER: IS THERE A ROLE FOR 11C-CHOLINE PET/CT SCAN?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Initial staging of high risk prostate cancer has traditionally included a pretreatment CT and bone scan to assess for metastatic disease. We investigate the performance of C-choline PET/CT scan for staging of prostate cancer prior to definitive treatment. METHODS: Retrospective review was performed of all prostate cancer patients who underwent evaluation using C-choline PET/CT scan from 9/2007 to 11/2010 at Mayo Clinic. Test results for Ccholine PET/CT scan were compared to results from conventional imaging, targeted biopsy, or surgical resection. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). RESULTS: 45 patients with high risk prostate cancer underwent C-choline PET/CT scan for initial staging prior to treatment. The mean and median pretreatment PSA were 29.2 and 8.4 ng/ml. The mean and median Gleason score were 8. Of these men 19 (35.5%), 13 (28.9%), and 10 (22.2%) ultimately underwent radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy, and primary androgen deprivation therapy, respectively as treatment for prostate cancer. In the setting of initial staging, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 100%, 100%, 100%, and 93% respectively. C-choline PET/CT scan correctly predicted metastatic disease in 16/18 patients (89%) with confirmed metastasis. The only 2 false negative scans occurred in patients on androgen deprivation therapy at the time of PET scan who were found to have lymph node metastasis at radical prostatectomy. Additionally C-choline PET/CT scan improved detection of metastasis over conventional imaging in 5/45 patients (11%). CONCLUSIONS: C-choline PET/CT scan is an accurate diagnostic tool when used as the initial staging modality prior to definitive treatment and could potentially eliminate the need for conventional imaging modalities in this setting. C-choline PET/CT scan should be used with caution in hormone naive men on androgen deprivation therapy as false negative results are more likely.
A note on REIT bankruptcy and intraindustry information transfers: An empirical analysis

Abstract This paper examines the capital market response to the bankruptcy of Residential Resources (Res Res), a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). We find a significant event day value decline for a broad portfolio of REITs. REITs whose portfolios are most similar to Res Res experienced both a significant value decline and an increase in bankruptcy risk on the event day. REITs with dissimilar portfolios experienced neither of these effects. Among the REITs with similar portfolios to Res Res, leverage ratios explain 84% of the event day value declines. Our findings suggest that ignoring intraindustry firm differences can lead to spurious conclusions.
Nitric Oxide in Gastrointestinal Health and Disease

Nitric oxide is an intracellular and intercellular messenger with important functions in a number of physiologic and pathobiologic processes within gastroenterology and hepatology, including gastrointestinal tract motility, mucosal function, inflammatory responses, gastrointestinal malignancy, and blood flow regulation. Since the broad review of this topic in Gastroenterology more than 10 years ago, a number of advances have been made in the area of NO biology and its relevance to the gastrointestinal system. The aim of this review is to focus on our expanded understanding of the role NO plays in human gastrointestinal and hepatic physiology and disease processes by drawing on data from relevant in vitro and animal models as well as observational human studies.
Predictors of Low-income, Obese Mothers' Use of Healthful Weight Management Behaviors

Abstract Objective To examine the influence of personal and environmental factors on healthful weight management behaviors mediated through self-efficacy among low-income obese mothers. Design Cross-sectional design. Setting Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children in Wisconsin. Participants Two hundred eighty-four obese mothers aged 18-34 years. Main Outcome Measures Personal factors (eg, eating low-fat/low-calorie food for weight management), environmental factors, self-efficacy, and weight management behaviors. Data were collected via self-administered written questionnaires. Analysis Latent class cluster analysis and structural logistic regression. Results Women who perceived more importance of eating low-fat/low-calorie food for weight management were more likely to practice multiple behavioral strategies to manage their weight (odds ratio = 0.37) than women who perceived less importance of eating low-fat/low-calorie food for weight management. Women who reported higher positive mood self-efficacy were more likely (odds ratio = 1.63) to practice multiple strategies to manage their weight than women who reported lower positive mood self-efficacy. Environmental factors did not predict use of multiple healthful weight management behaviors. No mediation effect was found. Conclusions and Implications Stressing the importance of food choices and reinforcing learners' self-confidence to make healthful choices at parties and celebrations may be helpful ways to address common barriers to healthful weight management.
Hurricane Katrina's Impact on Students and Staff Members in the Schools of Mississippi

Following Hurricane Katrina, a team of researchers from the University of Southern Mississippi's Department of Educational Leadership and Research surveyed school administrators regarding the impact of Hurricane Katrina upon students and school staff members in Mississippi public schools. Respondents disclosed concerns over displacement and psychological stressors experienced by both students and staff. Additional concerns were expressed regarding support systems for students, destruction of student and personnel records, student achievement and school accountability, and the employment status of teachers. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.
Desflurane pharmacokinetics during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Abstract Objective: To describe the washin and washout of desflurane when first administered during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for cardiac surgery. Design: A single-arm prospective study. Setting: University-affiliated hospital operating room. Participants: Ten adult patients presenting for cardiac surgery. Interventions: Consenting patients presenting for cardiac surgery received anesthesia with midazolam and fentanyl. Patients were cooled to 32°C on CPB, then desflurane 6% was administered and blood samples drawn repeatedly from the arterial and venous bypass cannulae as well as from the membrane oxygenator inlet and exhaust from 2 to 32 minutes of desflurane administration. Just before rewarming, final (maximum) washin samples were taken. On rewarming, desflurane was discontinued, and blood and gas samples were taken 2 to 24 minutes thereafter. Measurements and Main Results: CPB time was 116 ± 10 minutes, and ischemic time was 81 ± 6 minutes. Mean pump flow was 4.49 ± 0.03 L/min, and mean arterial pressure was 70.1 ± 1 mmHg during the study period. Arterial washin of desflurane was initially rapid; arterial concentrations reached 50% of administered concentrations within 4 minutes, but then slowed, reaching 68% of inspired concentrations at 32 minutes (desflurane concentration 4.0% ± 0.3%). Arterial washout of desflurane was more rapid; arterial concentrations fell to 18% of the maximum concentration reached within 4 minutes, and only 8% of the maximum arterial concentration was present in blood 20 minutes later. Conclusion: Desflurane showed rapid initial washin and washout on CPB when administration was started at 32°C and stopped at time of rewarming. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company
Relationships between body size and sound‐producing structures in crickets: do large males have large harps?

Abstract. Male crickets produce conspicuous acoustic signals to attract mates and deter potential rivals. These signals are created when a male cricket closes his wings rapidly and a file and scraper mechanism causes several areas of the wing to vibrate. The harp is an area of the wing that is part of the resonating structure. Because the harp acts as part of a mechanical resonator, changes in harp area or mass could influence the frequency of sound produced. Because females exhibit stabilizing selection on the frequency used in male songs, we hypothesized that there would be a negative allometric relationship between body size and harp area. In addition, we examined the degree of asymmetry in the harp, wing, and tibia. We examined this in four different species of cricket: Acheta domesticus, Gryllus bimaculatus, Gryllus rubens, and Teleogryllus oceanicus. For each species, we measured pronotum width as an index of body size, tibia length, and the area of the forewing and harp. There were significant differences among species in their morphological characteristics. We observed consistent directional asymmetry in the harp area but not in the total wing area. When wings did exhibit directional asymmetry, it was in the opposite direction of the directional asymmetry observed in the harp. Within species, larger males typically had larger harps and the relationship between harp area and body size exhibited negative allometry. Wing area exhibited an isometric relationship with body size. Our data provide a potential mechanism linking decreases in song frequency with body size in male crickets, and suggest that sensory constraints might influence the morphology of signaling structures in a similar fashion as genitalia.
Mechanical Engineering Curricula: A Baseline Study for the Future Effects of ABET EC2000

The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) is recognized by the US Department of Education as the sole agency responsible for accreditation of educational programs leading to degrees in engineering, engineering technology, and related engineering areas. Starting in 2001, engineering programs are being accredited under the new Engineering Criteria 2000 (EC2000). The philosophy of Engineering Criteria 2000 is to allow institutions and programs to define their mission and objectives to meet the needs of their constituents and enable program differentiation. Emphasis is placed on continuous improvement of programs based on the input of constituents and a process that links outcomes and assessment to program objectives. This paper is a preliminary study of selected mechanical engineering programs to discern the impact of EC2000 on curriculum development. Data on the layout and composition of mechanical engineering curricula for nine schools in the United States with PhD programs and nine sch...
Fine-needle aspiration cytology of pancreatoblastoma.

Pancreatoblastoma is a rare pancreatic neoplasm seen most commonly in the pediatric age group. We report on the aspiration cytology and immunohistochemical findings of a pancreatoblastoma in a 16-yr-old male.
Earlier expression of the transcription factor HFH-11B diminishes induction of p21CIP1/WAF1 levels and accelerates mouse hepatocyte entry into S-phase following carbon tetrachloride liver injury

Abstract Partial hepatectomy (PH) or toxic liver injury induces the proliferation of terminally differentiated hepatic cells to regenerate the original size of the adult liver. Previous PH liver regeneration studies showed that premature transgenic expression of the Forkhead Box M1b (FoxM1b, HFH-11B) transcription factor accelerated hepatocyte entry into DNA replication (S-phase). In this study, we used carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) liver injury to induce a different type of mouse liver regeneration and show that premature hepatic HFH-11B levels also accelerate the onset of hepatocyte S-phase in this injury model. Unlike PH liver regeneration, earlier hepatocyte proliferation after CCl 4 liver injury is correlated with diminished transgenic hepatic levels of p21 CIP1/WAF1 at the G1/S transition of the cell cycle. Differential hybridization of cDNA arrays and RNase protection studies determined that CCl 4 regenerating liver of transgenic mice displayed early stimulated expression of the S-phase promoting cyclin D1 and cyclin E and sustained levels of Cdc25a phosphatase genes. Compared with previous PH liver regeneration studies, our data suggest that premature expression of HFH-11B activates distinct S-phase promotion pathways in the CCl 4 liver injury model. Although proliferating transgenic hepatocytes induced by either PH or CCl 4 liver injury displayed early expression of identical M-phase cyclin genes (cyclin B1, B2, A2, and F), only CCl 4 regenerating transgenic liver exhibited earlier expression of the M-phase promoting Cdc25b. These studies suggest that CCl 4 injury of transgenic liver not only uses the same mechanisms as PH to mediate accelerated hepatocyte entry into mitosis, but also promotes M-phase entry by stimulating Cdc25b expression. (H EPATOLOGY 2001;33:1404-1414.)
Raman spectra of ordered crystalline ethane

Abstract The Raman spectrum of ethane in phase II at 74 K has been obtained. The spectrum lends support to the crystal structure previously deducted from i.r. spectra.
Integral equation based domain decomposition method for electromagnetic wave scattering problems

The integral equation (IE) method is commonly used to model time-harmonic electromagnetic (EM) phenomena. One of the major challenges in its application arises in the solution of the resulting ill-conditioned matrix equation. Here, we introduce a new domain decomposition (DD) based iterative method for the IE solution of time-harmonic electromagnetic problems. There are two major ingredients in the proposed IE-DDM: (a) the method is a type of non-overlapping DD method and provides a computationally efficient and effect preconditioner for the dense matrix equation from the IE method. (b) The presented method is very suitable for dealing with multi-scale EM problem. Each sub-domain has its own characteristics length and will be meshed independently from others. Numerical results demonstrate superior performance of the IE-DDM.
New faculty development: Creating a community of practice

When new faculty arrive for a new position at a college or university, they are typically flooded with information on all the "things to know and do" before the start of their first semester. They often participate in orientation sessions that give them snapshots on human resources, research protocol, departmental requirements, getting a computer account, using the library, using the course management system, ordering textbooks, getting a parking permit and, if time permits, participating in a teaching and learning workshop. This paper will discuss how an instructional support specialist with expertise in faculty development created a semester-long program for new faculty based upon requests from department heads and new faculty hires. The paper will also discuss how this program evolved into a regular component of new faculty development, forming a community of practice among the participants. This paper will describe the New Faculty Development Tips Program, how and why it was established, the topics of the sessions, and the assessment data collected from the cohorts.
Burnout in day care workers: The effects of learned helplessness and self-esteem

The study focused on the relationships between selected personality factors and burnout in day care workers. The results indicated that caregivers who experienced emotional exhaustion and depersonalization tended toward lower self-esteem and learned helplessness. Burnout did not, however, include a reduced sense of personal accomplishment in this population.
The Effect of Whole-Body X Irradiation on the Bactericidal Activity of Phagocytic Cells II. Survival of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa within Livers and Spleens of Mice

Mice irradiated five days previously with doses of 0, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Immediately thereafter, aa antibiotic was also injected intravenously to kill extracellular bacteria. Livers and spleens were removed from the infected mice 0, 4, and 24 hours later, ground, and the total numbers of viable bacteria determined by culture methods. The results indicate that the bacteria survived and multiplied within the spleens and livers of mice receiving 500 to 700 r X radiation but were destroyed in the organs of normal mice and mice receiving the lower doses of X irradiation (100 to 300 r). In mice previously immunized with killed Pseudomonas the bacteria did not survive within the livers and spleens even though the animals were subjected to 500 to 700 r. (auth)
SU-FF-T-383: Regularization and the L-Curve for Inverse Planning Based On Equivalent Uniform Dose

Purpose: In the dose optimization based on equivalent uniform dose (EUD), a single dose value is assigned to PTV or organ at risk. Obviously, this optimization problem is poorly defined ‐ there is an unlimited number of nonuniform dose distributions (and, correspondingly, beam intensity functions) which will satisfy the EUD‐based objective function. Together with the ill‐posedness of the underlying integral equation, this may present a challenging mathematical problem. We propose an objective function for the EUD‐based inverse planning which can solve this problem and produce stable and accurate numerical solutions.Method and Materials: We apply to EUD‐based inverse treatment planning a variational regularization technique which was previously studied for the least squares dose optimization. The regularization parameter is found using the L‐curve method which is based on minimization of the residual norm and the smoothing norm of beam intensity functions. The optimization technique is applied to the prostate cancer treatment. Results: We have compared inverse treatment planning with the standard least squares objective function and an EUD‐based objective function. The dose distributions obtained from EUD‐based optimization are extremely nonuniform with significant hot spots in the PTV. We have applied to the EUD‐based optimization the variational regularization technique with the L‐curve method for determining an optimal value of the regularization parameter. We demonstrate that the regularization method decreases dose variance and mean dose in the PTV while keeping EUD of the same value. The regularized dose distribution is stable and uniform in the PTV. Conclusion: Inclusion of a variational regularization technique into the EUD‐based dose optimization produces robust dose distributions and beam intensity functions without deterioration of optimization accuracy.
A note on gyrotron traveling-wave amplifiers using rectangular waveguides

The coupling constant e between a relativistic electron beam and the TE 10 rectangular waveguide mode is calculated. By reducing the height of the waveguide, this coupling constant may exceed the corresponding value for the operation with the TE 11 circular polarized mode, under identical conditions of the electron beam. The calculation is followed by a discussion on optimum mode choice in gyro-TWA's.
Summary of the development of a signature for detection of residual dust from collapse of the World Trade Center buildings.

The collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC) towers on September 11, 2001, caused lower Manhattan and adjacent areas to be covered in millimeters to centimeters of dust. WTC dust penetrated into indoor spaces, and public health concerns remain regarding exposure to possible residual dust in the affected areas. The goal of the studies outlined in this review was to determine which, if any, components of the bulk WTC dust are sufficiently above typical background dust levels in New York City to develop an analytical method to screen for the component(s). Components of the <150-μm-size fraction of the dust are gypsum, phases compatible with crushed concrete, man-made vitreous fibers (MMVFs), silica, lead, chrysotile asbestos, and other materials. Slag wool was the most common WTC MMVF, whereas soda-lime glass and rock wool were minor to trace constituents. Most background samples also contained gypsum, phases compatible with concrete, and MMVF. However, the proportions of the various MMVF in background samples are typically unlike those characteristic of bulk WTC dust. Results indicate that slag wool can be used as a signature marker to identify areas that contain potential residual WTC dust contamination at concentrations that are less than average background levels for the material.
Xylaria moelleroclavus sp. nov. and its Moelleroclavus anamorphic state.

Moelleroclavus is considered to be an anamorphic genus. The teleomorph of M. penicilliopsis is shown through field observations, collection examination, and cultures to represent a previously unnamed species of Xylaria, X. moelleroclavus sp. nov. Xylaria lingua and X. scruposa are also discussed.
Two Lecture Demonstrations in Physics

(1) Two conducting wires or rods about five feet in length are stretched in a wedge shape, the gap being one-half inch at the bottom and three-quarters of an inch at the top. The upper three feet of the wires are covered with a glass tube. It is well known that if an induction coil is connected to the two wires, the resultant sparks will be carried up the wires by the rising ions; hence the spark will seem to climb the wires. When the spark reaches the top of the glass tube, the ions go out of the end, so that the spark begins again at the bottom. If now the top of the glass tube is tightly corked, the spark when it enters the tube will travel more slowly than along the lower part of the wires, and when it reaches the cork, a layer of ions will stay there, so that the spark, instead of returning to the bottom, will remain just under the cork. With the cork removed, an air blast down the tube will either prevent the spark from climbing or will blow it down the wires.
Semi-automated, single-band peak-fitting analysis of hydroxyl radical nucleic acid footprint autoradiograms for the quantitative analysis of transitions

Hydroxyl radical footprinting can probe the solvent accessibility of the ribose moiety of the individual nucleotides of DNA and RNA. Semi-automated analytical tools are presented for the quantitative analyses of nucleic acid footprint transitions in which processes such as folding or ligand binding are followed as a function of time or ligand concentration. Efficient quantitation of the intensities of the electrophoretic bands comprising the footprinting reaction products is achieved by fitting a series of Lorentzian curves to line profiles obtained from gels utilizing sequentially relaxed constraints consistent with electrophoretic mobility. An automated process of data ‘standardization’ has been developed that corrects for differences in the loading amounts in the electrophoresis. This process enhances the accuracy of the derived transitions and makes generating them easier. Together with visualization of the processed footprinting in false-color two-dimensional maps, DNA and RNA footprinting data can be accurately, precisely and efficiently processed allowing transitions to be objectively and comprehensively analyzed. The utility of this new analysis approach is illustrated by its application to the ion-meditated folding of a large RNA molecule.
LITTLE FALLS, GORHAM: RECONSTRUCTION TO A MODERN ROUNDABOUT

Older American traffic circles can typically handle high traffic volumes, but they often have poor safety records. Modern roundabouts are similar to traffic circles in the sense that traffic "circles" around a central island, but many other design concepts differ. The first modern roundabout in Maine was opened to traffic in July 1997. The total accident rate after 16 months of operation is below that which would be expected if the junction had been signalized. There still has not been a single accident with injuries, and the injury rate is expected to stay significantly below that of a signalized intersection. The one-lane design will be able to handle traffic growth for years to come. Vehicle exhaust has been reduced, and delay on the minor approaches has been reduced by approximately 80 percent during morning and afternoon peak hours. In total, the reconstruction will save 5,000 to 10,000 h of travel time annually. This alone will pay for the investment within 5 years.
Management of Vegetation by Alternative Practices in Fields and Roadsides

In attempts to reduce the amounts of conventional herbicides used, alternative practices are sought in the management of roadside vegetation. In this investigation, alternative herbicides (citric-acetic acids, clove oil, corn gluten meal, limonene, and pelargonic acid), flaming, and mulching were assessed in management of annual and perennial, herbaceous vegetation in field and roadside plots. Several formulations of alternative herbicides applied singly or repeatedly during the growing season were evaluated and compared with conventional herbicides (glyphosate and glufosinate ammonium) or with flaming or mulching. Citric-acetic acid formulations, clove oil, limonene, or pelargonic acid applied as foliar sprays immediately desiccated foliage, but the efficacy lasted for no longer than five weeks. Repeated applications were better than single applications of these herbicides in suppressing plant vegetative growth. Corn gluten meal imparted little or no early control and stimulated late-season growth of vegetation. A single flaming of vegetation gave no better control than the alternative herbicides, but repeated flaming strongly restricted growth. Mulching with wood chips or bark gave season-long suppression of vegetation. Glyphosate gave season-long inhibition of vegetation, but the efficacy of glufosinate ammonium waned as the growing season progressed. For season-long suppression of vegetation with alternative herbicides or flaming repeated applications will be required.
Cognitive profiles in persons with chronic schizophrenia

Cognitive heterogeneity has been a key barrier to clarifying the neuropathologic underpinnings of schizophrenia. We used an idiographic method for cluster analysis of neuropsychological data from 144 middle-aged and older people with schizophrenia to characterize and group the patterns of relative (within-person) profiles of cognitive strength and weakness. Results indicated a 5-cluster solution as most appropriate, with relatively even distribution across the 5 clusters in terms of the proportion of patients in each cluster. Cognitive subtyping may be useful in imaging and genetic research on schizophrenia, as well as having practical utility in treatment planning and cognitive rehabilitation.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio Requirements of Filtered Biphase Channels

Formulas have been derived for a sharp cutoff biphase digital communication channel, which yield the relationship between the (signal-to-noise ratio) at the input to the decoder and the SNR at the threshold detector. The channel has narrow bandwidth and parabolic noise density. The formulas are given in terms of tabulated functions.
DIAGONALIZATION OF A HAMILTONIAN DESCRIBING A SINGLE TWO-LEVEL ATOM INTERACTING WITH A TWO MODE AMPLIFIER

A Hamiltonian which describes the interaction of a single atom with two photon modes is introduced. It is shown that the Hamiltonian can be diagonalized in a particular basis. The energies and an eigenvector basis set are obtained. Some quasi-probability densities are calculated using amplitudes determined with respect to the rotated basis. Some of the physical phenomena which are manifested in the calculations are discussed.
Per oral pneumocolon examination of the ileocecal region

The combination of orally administered barium and the introduction of air rectally at the time the barium column is in the region of the cecum and terminal ileum leads to an excellent visualization of the ileocecal region. It may be used whenever a conventional barium enema examination fails to show this region adequately.
On the Emergence of Bulimia Nervosa as a Syndrome A Historical View

A review of the anorexia nervosa literature suggests that bulimia as a symptom has been known throughout the past century, but that bulimia as a syndrome is of recent origin, around 7940, when it occurred in connection with anorexia nervosa. Comments indicating concern over body shape are infrequent in case reports before the forties, but afterwards become the rule. It is hypothesized that changes in the cultural and economic conditions, such as the rising prosperity after the Depression Years, promoted an increased concern over body weight and recruited not only more, but also women of a psychologically different composition from the traditional anorexia nervosa patient, into dieting. This situation exposed more females to the risk of developing anorexia nervosa and those with a particular vulnerability, for example a tendency for aftective instability, to the risk of developing bulimia nervosa. Similar dynamics might have promoted the unfolding of the bulimia nervosa syndrome in the late fifties and sixties. Bulimia nervosa denotes a condition in dieting teenage girls or young women which is characterized by recurrent episodes of uncontrollable overeating or binge-eating followed commonly by self-induced vomiting or prolonged abstinence from food, vigorous exercise and/or intake of purgatives. As a result of this abnormal eating pattern, the body weight of such patients fluctuates up and down, usually by not more or less than 15% (Diagnostic and
A simple spatially explicit ideal-free distribution: a model and an experiment

This investigation presents a simple spatially explicit analysis of the ideal-free distribution. The traditional ideal-free distribution assumes discrete sites with definite boundaries, and predicts how many individuals should occupy each site. In contrast, the present analysis assumes that a forager’s gains gradually decline with distance from a site, and asks where in space individuals ought to be. Although many interesting situations may arise, the analysis asks how individuals should position themselves as the distance between two identical sources increases. Nash equilibrium positions should follow a pitchfork pattern as the distance between sites is increased; that is, an individual should maintain a position between two sources when they are close together but should move nearer one of the sources when they are far apart. In addition, the text describes an experimental study that parallels the theoretical analysis. The experiment supports the predicted pitchfork pattern, and provides somewhat weaker support for the predicted differences in ”individual” and ”paired” pitchforks.
Prion Stability and Infectivity in the Environment

The biology of normal prion protein and the property of infectivity observed in abnormal folding conformations remain thinly characterized. However, enough is known to understand that prion proteins stretch traditional views of proteins in biological systems. Numerous investigators are resolving details of the novel mechanism of infectivity, which appears to feature a protein-only, homologous replication of misfolded isoforms. Many other features of prion biology are equally extraordinary. This review focuses on the status of infectious prions in various natural and man-made environments. The picture that emerges is that prion proteins are durable under extreme conditions of environmental exposure that are uncommon in biological phenomena, and this durability offers the potential for environmental reservoirs of persistent infectivity lasting for years. A recurrent theme in prion research is a propensity for these proteins to bind to mineral and metal surfaces, and several investigators have provided evidence that the normal cellular functions of prion protein may include metalloprotein interactions. This structural propensity for binding to mineral and metal ions offers the hypothesis that prion polypeptides are intrinsically predisposed to non-physiological folding conformations that would account for their environmental durability and persistent infectivity. Similarly, the avidity of binding and potency of prion infectivity from environmental sources also offers a recent hypothesis that prion polypeptides bound to soil minerals are actually more infectious than studies with purified polypeptides would predict. Since certain of the prion diseases have a history of epidemics in economically important animal species and have the potential to transmit to humans, urgency is attached to understanding the environmental transmission of prion diseases and the development of protocols for their containment and inactivation.
Distributed and centralized iterative detection of self-encoded spread spectrum in multi-channel communication

We propose self-encoded spread spectrum with two different iterative detection methods in multi-channel communication. The centralized iterative detection outperforms the iterative detection distributed over multiple channels. The results show that self-encoded spread spectrum with the centralized iterative detection is an excellent candidate for cognitive radio network.
Toward a greater understanding of mental health issues in today's military.

Elevations in psychiatric disorders and suicides among American military constitute a pressing public-health concern. In today’s military in America, there are intensive efforts to screen, assess, and intervene to improve mental health and maintain an optimal military workforce. Yet, during the extended deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq, increases in psychiatric disorders and suicide are apparent among active-duty military and military veterans. Clearly, a completed suicide is a complex, multiply determined event. Commonly, it is precipitated by the presence of psychiatric and substance abuse conditions. Are these elevations in rates a function of deployment stress, combat stress, pre-existing propensities, current-day stressors, or an interaction of all these factors? The Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS [1] ) represents a systematic attempt to provide definitive information on rates of psychiatric conditions and suicide in active-duty soldiers by using epidemiological, clinical, and neurobiological methods to triangulate factors that affect onset, course, and initiation of these major mental health concerns. The goal of this great effort is for information derived from Army STARRS to generate best practices and guidelines for screening, intervention, and prevention. This issue of Depression & Anxiety (D&A) presents important new information from the remarkable scientific team assembled to study mental health and suicide in the U.S. Army. Using epidemiological methods to more fully understand risk and resilience factors, these articles present new, important, and nuanced information. Against the backdrop of a suite of articles in JAMA Psychiatry this past spring, these D&A articles provide information stemming from the New Soldier Study (NSS) rather than the All Army Survey (AAS) reported earlier. The NSS began its data collection at the point of
Assessment of Bleb Morphologic Features and Postoperative Outcomes After Ex-PRESS Drainage Device Implantation Versus Trabeculectomy

Purpose To investigate bleb morphologic features and postoperative outcomes after Ex-PRESS drainage device (Alcon Laboratories) implantation versus trabeculectomy. Design Retrospective, consecutive case-control series. Methods Information was collected from the charts of 35 consecutive Ex-PRESS procedures and 35 consecutive trabeculectomy procedures with at least 2 years of follow-up. Intraocular pressure (IOP), bleb morphologic features, reduction of dependence on medication, visual recovery, number of postoperative visits, and postoperative complication rates were compared between groups. Results Average follow-up was 28 months (standard deviation, 3.23 months). Mean IOP measurements were similar after 6 months, then became slightly higher in the Ex-PRESS group at 1 year and at the final follow-up ( P = .004 and P = .008, respectively). Final percent IOP lowering was similar between groups ( P = .209). Unqualified success was achieved in 77.14% of Ex-PRESS and 74.29% of trabeculectomy procedures at last follow-up ( P = 1.00). An additional 5.71% and 8.57% reached qualified success for Ex-PRESS and trabeculectomy surgeries, respectively ( P = .99). Evaluation by the Moorfields Bleb Grading System revealed less vascularity and height but more diffuse area associated with the Ex-PRESS blebs, although these differences were absent at study completion. There were fewer cases of early postoperative hypotony and hyphema and quicker visual recovery in the Ex-PRESS group. The Ex-PRESS group required fewer postoperative visits compared with the trabeculectomy group ( P Conclusions Success of Ex-PRESS surgery, as defined in our study, was similar to trabeculectomy. Final IOP measurements were slightly lower after trabeculectomy compared with Ex-PRESS. Differences in some postoperative outcomes faded with follow-up. There remains a need for long-term prospective studies comparing these 2 procedures.
Animals with anatomy

In general, computer graphics achieves greater realism using methods that simulate the real world rather than ad hoc methods that just appear somewhat realistic. To this end, we need to develop modeling and animation approaches based on anatomical and physiological principles. The method presented in this article models any animal that has a jointed endoskeleton moved by muscles and covered by a flexible skin. This semi-automated method permits user-defined parameters and achieves comfortable interactive speeds on graphics workstations.
Image-state electron scattering on flat Ag ∕ Pt ( 111 ) and stepped Ag ∕ Pt ( 997 ) metal surfaces

Angle-resolved ultrafast two-photon-photoemission is used to investigate image-state-electron lifetimes on two bimetallic surfaces, $\mathrm{Ag}∕\mathrm{Pt}(111)$ and $\mathrm{Ag}∕\mathrm{Pt}(997)$. This photoemission probe measures the relative dependence of image-electron dynamics on parallel electron momentum, ${k}_{\ensuremath{\Vert}}$, for flat and stepped surfaces. The $n=1$ and $n=2$ image states are identified by their ${k}_{\ensuremath{\Vert}}$-dependent energy values on the flat surface and for directions parallel and perpendicular to the step array. A weakly dispersive feature was observed in the energy distribution curves in the direction across steps. We show that the ratio of the $n=2∕n=1$ state lifetimes on the flat surface at ${k}_{\ensuremath{\Vert}}=0$ is increased over its value for single-crystal Ag(111) due to the Pt substrate. The ${k}_{\ensuremath{\Vert}}$ dependence of scattering time of the $n=1$ state on both flat and stepped surfaces can be fitted to a function ${T}_{1}\ensuremath{-}S{k}_{\ensuremath{\Vert}}^{2}$; on the flat surface $S$ is equal to $205\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}45\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{fs}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{\AA{}}}^{2}$, on the stepped surface the measured values for $S$ are $110\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}30\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{fs}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{\AA{}}}^{2}$ and $40\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}30\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{fs}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{\AA{}}}^{2}$ in the direction parallel and perpendicular to the step edges, respectively. These results are compared to those on flat and stepped Cu(100) surfaces.
Elastic analysis of the energy and relaxation of stepped surfaces

We present an analytical, elastic analysis for the energy and relaxation of stepped surfaces. The analysis is based upon the observation that the most prominent feature of the non-reconstructive surface relaxation consists of the atoms at the top of the ledges relaxing inwards toward the bulk. This is modeled by replacing the true atomic structure with a continuum elastic half space subjected to a periodic array of line forces (with the periodicity of the steps) directed normal to the free surface. This mode1 is then employed to determine the stress, strain and displacement fields and elastic energy associated with the surface relaxation. We find that the stress and strain fields decay quick& into the bulk as Y e- ‘, where Y is the distance from the surface normalized by the interledge spacing. The surf&e energy is largely controlled by the terrace energy and the ledge energy, while the ledge interaction energy decays as the inverse square of the ledge spacing. The elastic model provides an accurate description of the wavelength, phase and decay rate of the surface relaxations compared with atomistic simulation results for metals.
An Evaluator's Guide To Detecting Attrition Problems

This article reviews simple methods for detecting problematic attrition (nonresponse) in longitudinal evaluations. It begins by discussing nonresponse more generally and considers three situations ...
Expression of Toxoplasma Gondii Genes in rBCG

Toxoplasma gondii (Tg) is a well described ubiquitous intracellular Apicomplexan protozoan parasite of mammals and birds responsible for several clinical diseases in man, including congenital infection in normal hosts and encephalitis in patients with AIDS. Cell mediated immunity is now felt to be of primary importance for providing protection from Tg infection. In order to generate cell mediated immune responses to cloned Tg antigens we have expressed Tg cDNA clones in BCG vectors. Live recombinant BCG (rBCG) cells expressing foreign antigen genes have been shown to generate both humoral and cellular immune responses (both helper and cytotoxic) to the expressed genes. Initially a Tg cDNA clone reactive to a Tg specific Mab 92- 10b was isolated from a gt11 library and subcloned into pMV261. Sequence analysis has shown this cDNA Tg clone is GRA-1 (p24). pMV261.
A region in the first exon/intron of rat carnitine palmitoyltransferase Iβ is involved in enhancement of basal transcription

Carnitine palmitoyltransferase-Ibeta (CPT-Ibeta) catalyses the transfer of long-chain fatty acids to the enzymes of beta-oxidation of muscle and heart. Transcriptional control of this regulatory protein is relevant to disorders of fatty acid oxidation and the switch to glucose metabolism that occurs in cardiac pathology. The presence of a transcriptional enhancer sequence in the first untranslated exon and first intron of the CPT-Ibeta gene was identified using deletional and mutational analysis, and by ligation of an oleate responsive element (fatty acid response element) to a minimal promoter. The enhancer sequences are contained in the first 40 bases downstream of the transcription start site and increase CPT-Ibeta reporter gene expression independent of any 5' cis-acting elements. Deletion of the first 40 bases of the 3'-untranslated region does not affect the up-regulation of transcription by 10 microM phenylephrine. However, mutation and/or deletion of bases between +11 and +30 dramatically decreases reporter gene expression. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assays reveal two DNA (+11 to +36)-protein complexes that appear cardiac specific. The exon/intron element enhances activation of the heterologous thymidine kinase promoter in a position- and orientation-dependent manner. Therefore we have identified a novel region in the first exon/intron of the CPT-Ibeta gene that acts as a non-classical transcriptional enhancer downstream of regulatory elements characterized previously in the 5'-flanking region of the minimal promoter.
Technique for subclavian to carotid transposition, tips, and tricks

When performed properly, a transposition is the most efficient and most durable procedure for reconstructing the subclavian artery for proximal occlusive disease or to extend the landing zone in the aortic arch prior to endovascular therapy for thoracic aortic pathology. The proximal subclavian artery, on the right or on the left, is approached quite differently than it is for a bypass procedure. The technique is described in detail here. There are very few contraindications to transposition, the advantages over the alternate options are many, and it can be the approach of choice in the vast majority of patients.
Identification of a Mutation in Liver Glycogen Phosphorylase in Glycogen Storage Disease Type VI

Glycogen storage disease type VI (GSD6) defines a group of disorders that cause hepatomegaly and hypoglycemia with reduced liver phosphorylase activity. The course of these disorders is generally mild, but definitive diagnosis requires invasive procedures. We analyzed a Mennonite kindred with an autosomal recessive form of GSD6 to determine the molecular defect and develop a non-invasive diagnostic test. Linkage analysis was performed using genetic markers flanking the liver glycogen phosphorylase gene ( PYGL ), which was suspected to be the cause of the disorder on biochemical grounds. Mennonite GSD6 was linked to the PYGL locus with a multipoint LOD score of 4.7. The PYGL gene was analyzed for mutations by sequencing genomic DNA. Sequencing of genomic DNA revealed a splice site abnormality of the intron 13 splice donor. Confirmation of the genomic mutation was performed by sequencing RT-PCR products, which showed heterogeneous PYGL mRNA lacking all or part of exon 13 in affected persons. This study is the first to demonstrate that a mutation in the PYGL gene can cause GSD6. This mutation is estimated to be present on 3% of Mennonite chromosomes and the disease affects 0.1% of that population. Determination of this mutation provides a basis for the development of a simple and non-invasive diagnostic test for the disease and the carrier state in this population and confirms biochemical data showing the importance of this gene in glucose homeostasis.
Families of distributions characterized by entropy

In this correspondence, we examine the relation between two random variables with common entropy function. The entropy has been used to measure dispersion, uncertainty, risk, and volatility. There is no general relationship between two random variables having equal entropies. We present results that identify certain conditions based on the entropy under which two random variables are stochastically equal. We also obtain similar results for the relative entropy.
Nurses’ Clinical Reasoning Processes and Practices of Medication Safety

In this article, we describe the depth of knowledge and skill nurses used in making decisions regarding the safe processes and practices of medication administration. Using grounded theory, we identified the essence of medication safety by nurses as the theme of clinical reasoning. Nurses used two medication safety processes within the clinical reasoning theme-maintaining medication safety and managing the environment-together with six categories of patient-focused medication safety practices in the first process and four categories of environmental-focused safety practices within the second process. These processes and practices present an emerging model of safe medication administration developed from the narratives of 50 medical-surgical nurses. This model provides researchers with the basis for the development of systemic policies for safer medication administration for patients. Health care professional educators might also find the results useful in developing curricula focused on patient safety as the foundation of quality care.