cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adults' perceptions of genetic counseling and genetic testing

Abstract Purpose This study described the perceptions of genetic counseling and testing of adults ( N =116) attending a genetic education program. Understanding perceptions of genetic counseling, including the importance of counseling topics, will contribute to patient-focused care as clinical genetic applications for common, complex disorders evolve. Methods Participants completed a survey addressing: the importance of genetic counseling topics, benefits and negative effects of genetic testing, and sharing test results. Results Topics addressing practical information about genetic conditions were rated most important; topics involving conceptual genetic/genomic principles were rated least important. The most frequently identified benefit and negative effect of testing were prevention/early detection/treatment and psychological distress. Participants perceived that they were more likely to share test results with first-degree than other relatives. Conclusions Findings suggest providing patients with practical information about genetic testing and genetic contributions to disease, while also determining whether their self-care abilities would be enhanced by teaching genetic/genomic principles.
Ultrastructural analysis of prefrontal cortical inputs to the rat amygdala: spatial relationships to presumed dopamine axons and D1 and D2 receptors

Projections from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) to the amygdala (AMG) regulate affective behaviors in a manner that is modulated by dopamine (DA). Although PFC and DA inputs overlap within the basolateral nucleus (BLA) and intercalated cell masses (ICMs), the spatial relationship between these afferents has not been investigated, nor is it known how DA D1 (D1R) and D2 (D2R) receptors are localized in relationship to PFC terminals. We therefore combined tract-tracing from the rat PFC to the AMG with immunocytochemical labeling of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) to identify presumed DA axons or D1R and D2R. In both the ICMs and BLA, PFC terminals formed asymmetric synapses onto spines that typically did not receive secondary synaptic inputs. TH-immunoreactive (-ir) fibers in the adjacent neuropil typically contacted different structures. Although PFC and TH-ir axons were sometimes apposed to the same dendrites or to each other, PFC terminals only rarely synapsed onto dendrites that also received synapses from TH-ir axons. D1R-ir spines and dendrites were observed commonly within the ICMs but less frequently within the BLA, and PFC axons in the ICMs occasionally synapsed onto D1R-ir spines. Within both regions, D2R-ir spines, dendrites, and axons were observed. PFC terminals occasionally contained presynaptic labeling for D2R but were not observed to synapse onto D2R-ir targets. The infrequent observation of synaptic convergence between PFC and presumed DA terminals within the AMG suggests that DA modulates PFC inputs primarily via extrasynaptic mechanisms, a conclusion supported by the localization of D2R within and D1R postsynaptic to PFC terminals.
In vivo peroxidative activity of FALS-mutant human CuZnSODs expressed in yeast.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder leading to loss of motor neurons. We previously characterized the enhanced peroxidative activity of the human familial ALS (FALS) mutants of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) A4V and G93A in vitro. Here, a similar activity is demonstrated for human FALS CuZnSOD mutants in an in vivo model system, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Spin trap adducts of α-(pyridyl-4-N-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone (POBN) have been measured by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) in yeast expressing mutant (A4V, L38V, G93A, and G93C) and wild type CuZnSOD upon addition of hydrogen peroxide to the culture. The trapped radical is a hydroxyethyl adduct of POBN, identified by spectral parameters. Mutant CuZnSODs produced greater concentrations of the trapped adduct compared to the wild type enzyme. This observation provides evidence for an oxidative radical mechanism, whereby the mutants of CuZnSOD catalyze the formation of reactive oxygen species that may be related to the development or progression of FALS. This study also presents an in vivo model system to study free radical production in FALS-associated CuZnSOD mutations.
New research in low-tech solutions to a significant public health problem: assessment of depression in the elderly.

Dr. McDonald reports that he serves on the Executive Board of the Georgia Psychiatric Physicians Association and is the Director of the Fuqua Center for Late-Life Depression that advocates for geriatric psychiatry. Dr. McDonald is also the Chair of the APA Committee on Electroconvulsive Therapy and Other Electromagnetic Therapies and a member of the APA Council on Research. He reports Consultant/Speaker Honorarium from Myriad, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Janssen. He has received grant support from Boehinger Ingelheim and Neuronetics and was an investigator in a trial sponsored by Janssen. He is presently PI on an NIMH study that uses Neuronetics' transcranial magnetic stimulators. Dr. McDonald works for Emory University that holds a patent for the transcranial magnetic stimulator that is used in the NIMH trial. He is also in an NINDS trial that is evaluating medication donated by Smith Kline (Paxil CR) and Wyeth (Effexor XR).
The outcomes movement--will it get us where we want to go?

Arnold Relman, editor-in-chief of the Journal, has dubbed it "the third revolution in medical care."1 That description of what I call the outcomes movement may be hyperbole, but clearly we have entered an era of unprecedented growth in activity directed at the assessment of outcomes, the analysis of effectiveness, and quality assurance. There are many conspicuous manifestations of this type of activity. For example, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals, moving away from its traditional reliance on structural measures, has formally embraced quality assessment based on severity-adjusted outcomes as the cornerstone of its future strategy for monitoring hospitals.2 , 3 Paul . . .
Effectiveness of Interventions for Adults With Psychological or Emotional Impairment After Stroke: An Evidence-Based Review

This evidence-based review was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions to prevent or mitigate the effects of psychological or emotional impairments after stroke. Thirty-nine journal articles met the inclusion criteria. Six types of interventions were identified that addressed depression, anxiety, or mental health-related quality of life: exercise or movement based, behavioral therapy and stroke education, behavioral therapy only, stroke education only, care support and coordination, and community-based interventions that included occupational therapy. Evidence from well-conducted research supports using problem-solving or motivational interviewing behavioral techniques to address depression. The evidence is inconclusive for using multicomponent exercise programs to combat depression after stroke and for the use of stroke education and care support and coordination interventions to address poststroke anxiety. One study provided support for an intensive multidisciplinary home program in improving depression, anxiety, and health-related quality of life. The implications of the findings for practice, research, and education are discussed.
Oxytocin concentrations of cattle in response to milking stimuli through lactation and mammary involution II

Abstract Patterns of oxytocin release to milking stimuli over a lactation and during mammary involution, were examined in seven Holstein cows used in the previous study. Blood samples were taken before, during and after milking or udder massage. Oxytocin as measured by radioimmunoassay increased within O to 2 min after attachment of the milking unit. Oxytocin levels fluctuated during milking and declined after the initial increase. Oxytocin often dropped below basal levels after milking. Milking-induced oxytocin release decreased as lactation advanced. The maximal increment for oxytocin release was significantly different between early and late lactation. The time taken to reach peak hormone concentrations declined across lactation. Relative amounts of oxytocin released in response to milking stimuli were significantly more in early than during late lactation. Cows released oxytocin during mammary involution with relatively large, rapid increases to udder massage. A distinct peak was observed and return to basal concentrations was rapid. The mean increment of oxytocin concentration above basal was 51.6 ±10.1 uU/ml. Maximal oxytocin levels occurred 1.6 ±.2 min (0 to 2 min) after initial stimulation. The total amount of oxytocin released in response to stimulation was 1.2 ±.1 uU/ml. In summary, a continuous or multiple release of oxytocin occurs during milking. The sensitivity of the neuroendocrine reflex for oxytocin appears dynamic. Changes in maximal concentrations and total amounts of hormone released in response to milking during lactation, and the relationship between these variables and basal concentrations suggest a gradual loss of sensitivity from the early stages of lactation to mammary involution.
Signal analysis for distributed systems

The remote IR sensor measurements and data reduction and analysis are important aspects of the development of massively parallel processing (MPP) skills. The problem of data fusion in a central decision center is very important in view of the deployment of distributed multiple sensors for communication, surveillance, and battle management. Because of a limited transmission capacity, the sensors are required to transmit their decision (with or without information bits) instead of the raw data. Besides, the performance of a sensor is based upon its operating conditions such as weather in the case of an infrared (IR) sensor. Several sensors can be used to increase recognition and classification of targets in general. If complementary sensors are used, then robust recognition can be achieved. An example of complementary sensors is IR and millimeter wave (MMW) sensors. The performance of an IR sensor (which has high resolution and day and night capability) decreases with inclement weather conditions whereas the performance of a MMW sensor (which suffers from low resolution) is not affected by these conditions. The basic goal of such a multiple-sensor distributed system is to improve system performance such as reliability, speed, coverage area, multiple target tracking, system response to various bands/channels for the various target or object features. This paper describes the processing of such information and suitable configurations to maximize applications.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Mesoscale and Convective-Scale Characteristics of Mature Hurricanes. Part I: General Observations by Research Aircraft

Abstract The analysis of instrumented aircraft data from four recent mature hurricanes reveals common mesoscale and convective-scale features. The structure and organization of the convection, precipitation, and wind flow are studied by combining the airborne observations, using basic instrumentation, with quantitative radar measurements. Three predominant precipitation features seen are 1) the eyewall, 2) a stratiform rain region adjacent to and outside the eyewall, and 3) rainbands that contain both convective and stratiform regions. The eyewall is so named because it surrounds the rain-free eye, but several additional features distinguish it from other convective bands in the hurricane. In particular the updraft, tangential wind maximum, and highest rainfall have preferred locations relative to each other, with the updraft being radially inward from the rain and wind maxima. The 10 dBZ radar reflectivity contour (indicative of the inner edge) slopes substantially outward with height, and there is evide...
Gain and noise figure in analogue fibre-optic links

A single model for analogue fibre-optic links is presented that is applicable using either direct or external modulation. The impact of device slope efficiency and effective resistance on the link gain and noise figure is explored, and it is found that both may be improved significantly. The gain improvements may be implemented at the source or detector end of the link; the noise figure is more effectively improved at the source end. The influence on gain and noise figure of average optical power and modulator sensitivity is also examined.
Distinct expression patterns of CD69 in mucosal and systemic lymphoid tissues in primary SIV infection of rhesus macaques.

Although the intestinal tract plays a major role in early human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, the role of immune activation and viral replication in intestinal tissues is not completely understood. Further, increasing evidence suggests the early leukocyte activation antigen CD69 may be involved in the development or regulation of important T cell subsets, as well as a major regulatory molecule of immune responses. Using the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) rhesus macaque model, we compared expression of CD69 on T cells from the intestine, spleen, lymph nodes, and blood of normal and SIV-infected macaques throughout infection. In uninfected macaques, the majority of intestinal lamina propria CD4+ T cells had a memory (CD95+) phenotype and co-expressed CD69, and essentially all intestinal CCR5+ cells co-expressed CD69. In contrast, systemic lymphoid tissues had far fewer CD69+ T cells, and many had a naive phenotype. Further, marked, selective depletion of intestinal CD4+CD69+ T cells occurred in early SIV infection, and this depletion persisted throughout infection. Markedly increased levels of CD8+CD69+ T cells were detected after SIV infection in virtually all tissues, including the intestine. Further, confocal microscopy demonstrated selective, productive infection of CD3+CD69+ T cells in the intestine in early infection. Combined, these results indicate CD69+CD4+ T cells are a major early target for viral infection, and their rapid loss by direct infection may have profound effects on intestinal immune regulation in HIV infected patients.
FDG metabolism and uptake versus blood flow in women with untreated primary breast cancers.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between tumor blood flow and glucose utilization in women with untreated primary breast carcinomas. Noninvasive determinations of blood flow and glucose utilization with positron emission tomography (PET) were performed in 101 regions of tumor from nine women with untreated primary breast carcinoma. [15O]H2O PET scans of tumor blood flow were compared with fluorine-18 fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) PET scans of tumor glucose metabolism. Modeling of multiple parameters was undertaken and flow and glucose utilization compared. Mean whole-tumor blood flow was 14.9 ml dl–1 min–1, but ranged from 7.6 to 29.2 ml dl–1 min–1. Mean whole-tumor standardized uptake value corrected for lean body mass, SUV-lean (50–60 min), was 2.32±0.19 while mean Ki was 1.2 ml dl–1 min–1 for FDG. SUV-lean and blood flow were strongly correlated (r=0.82, P=0.007) as were K1 for FDG and flow (r=0.84, P=0.004). In these women with untreated breast cancers, FDG uptake (SUV-lean) and tumor blood flow are strongly correlated. The slope of FDG uptake versus blood flow appears higher at low flow rates, suggesting the possible presence of areas of tumor hypoxia.
Catastrophic Human-Induced Change in Stream-Channel Planform and Geometry in an Agricultural Watershed, Illinois, USA

The adverse effects of channelization on the environmental quality of streams and rivers at a global scale are well documented, but the magnitude of human-induced changes in river systems relative to the efficacy of geomorphological processes has yet to be ascertained quantitatively. Stream channelization is a common feature of the agricultural landscapes of the midwestern United States. This study shows that channelization in the Embarras River basin of east central Illinois has altered stream channel and planform geometries to an extent that exceeds background rates of change for unchannelized reaches by one to two orders of magnitude. The average rate of change in channel position resulting from stream responses to channelization also greatly exceeds the average rate of change for unchannelized reaches, yet the spatial extent of stream adjustments to channelization is limited, and most straightened or relocated channels persist in their altered state for decades following channelization.
Collisional redistribution of radiation

Abstract The subject of this review is the collisional redistribution of resonance atomic radiation in dilute gases. The formation of scattered spectra in weak and intense fields is discussed and the formation that may be obtained from experiments is presented. The focus of recent work in the field is on radiative events taking place during collisions. Different aspects of the problem are presented using mainly the density matrix and correlation function approach. This work has shown what types of information on interatomic potentials and collision dynamics can be obtained using near-resonant light scattering from gases: this is highlighted in a discussion of light scattering in the presence of depolarizing collisions. We discuss the relationship of work on collisional redistribution to the various “half-collision” experiments that have recently come to the fore.
Chitin synthase III activity, but not the chitin ring, is required for remedial septa formation in budding yeast.

Chitin is a minor but essential component of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall. In wild-type, chitin synthase II is required for the formation of primary septa and chitin synthase III (CSIII) is not essential. However, in chs2 mutants CSIII becomes essential for the formation of aberrant septa. We examined which of two CSIII functions, the formation of a chitin ring at bud emergence or of chitin in the remedial septa, was required for viability. By using cell cycle synchronization in combination with nikkomycin Z, a specific inhibitor of CSIII, we inhibited chitin synthesis in a chs2 mutant, during formation of either the ring or the remedial septa. The results show that only synthesis of the chitin during aberrant septa formation is essential for viability. Thus, the unique function of the chitin ring seems to be maintenance of the integrity of the mother–bud neck, as we recently found, and the importance of chitin in septum closure, both in normal and abnormal situations, is underlined.
Beta spectrum analysis: a new method to analyze mixtures of beta-emitting radionuclides by liquid scintillation techniques

Abstract A description is given of a method to couple a liquid scintillation spectrometer to a multichannel pulse-height analyzer to record beta spectra simultaneously with three different energy ranges. Spectra of tritium, carbon-14 and phosphorus-32 recorded by this method are presented. Analyses of the beta spectra are performed by a least-squares technique, and the results are shown in tabular form.
Vacancy ordering in Y1xSe

Abstract Y 1- x Se with the NaCl-type structure above 275 °C and a defect ordered superstructure below 275 °C was prepared and analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction. The ordered superstructure has cubic symmetry with twice the NaCl-type a parameter. The data favor a structure with Fd 3 m symmetry.
Robotic versus open radical hysterectomy: A comparative study at a single institution

Abstract Objective To compare the short-term surgical outcome of patients undergoing robotic radical hysterectomy (RRH) versus open radical hysterectomy (ORH) for the treatment of early stage cervical cancer. Methods IRB approval was obtained for a retrospective chart review of all radical hysterectomies (RHs) for Stage I and II cervical cancer performed at Brigham and Women's Hospital between August 1, 2004 and August 1, 2007. Prior to August 1, 2006 all procedures were ORHs. After this date, all procedures were RRHs. Demographic data, operative data and short-term outcomes were compared. Statistical analysis using t -tests and Fisher's Exact test were performed with SAS software. Results A total of 48 RHs were identified, including 16 RRHs and 32 ORHs. The groups did not differ significantly in age, body mass index, stage, or histology. Mean operative time was significantly longer for RRH than ORH (4:50 vs 3:39 h, p =0.0002). The mean estimated blood loss was significantly less for RRH than ORH (81.9 vs 665.6 mL, p p =0.532). There were no intra-operative complications in the RRH group and one ureteral transection in the ORH group. Three RRH patients (18.8%) suffered post-operative complications which included a vaginal cuff infected hematoma, a transient ureterovaginal fistula, and a pelvic lymphocele, in comparison to seven in the ORH group (21.9%) which included 3 wound infections, two patients with pulmonary emboli, a partial small bowel obstruction with a mesenteric abscess, and a post-operative ileus ( p =0.999). Mean length of stay was significantly shorter for the RRH group (1.7 vs. 4.9 days, p Conclusion RRH results in lower blood loss and shorter length of stay, compared to ORH. Intra-operative and post-operative complication rates are comparable. RRH is a promising new surgical technique that deserves further study.
Effects of Self-Congruity and Source Credibility on Consumer Responses to Coffeehouse Advertising

This study examines the impacts of self-congruity and source credibility (i.e., attractiveness, trustworthiness, and expertise) on consumer responses to coffeehouse advertising. This study tests the model and associated hypotheses based on responses from a sample of 403 participants recruited via snowball sampling. The result of the structural equation modeling reveals that self-congruity is a significant predictor of source credibility, and that the three dimensions of source credibility are important factors influencing consumers’ attitudes and purchase intentions. The multigroup analysis shows that spokesperson type (i.e., celebrity vs. noncelebrity) moderates the relationship between self-congruity and source attractiveness. Further, this study finds that source credibility mediates the relationship between self-congruity and ad attitude. We discuss both academic and practical implications of these findings.
Distributed fault tolerant computation of weakly connected dominating set in ad hoc networks

Our purpose in this paper is to propose a self-stabilizing protocol for weakly connected dominating set (WCDS) set in a given ad hoc network graph. WCDS is a particular variant of graph domination predicates which play an important role in routing in ad hoc networks. There are many variants of domination problems in bidirectional networks; WCDS is also useful in forming clusters in ad hoc networks. There are many heuristic and distributed algorithms to compute WCDS in network graphs while almost all of them will need complete information about the network topology and most of them are not fault tolerant or mobility tolerant. Self-stabilization is a protocol design paradigm that is especially useful in resource constrained infrastructure-less networks since nodes can make moves based on local knowledge only and yet a global task is accomplished in a fault tolerant manner; it also facilitates for nodes to enter and exit the network freely. There exist self-stabilizing protocols for minimal spanning tree, total domination, and others. We have shown that the paradigm is capable of designing a protocol for WCDS. Our objective is to mathematically prove the correctness and the convergence of the protocol in any worst-case scenario, as is usually done for self-stabilizing protocols for other graph predicates used for ad hoc networks.
Future public health delivery models for Native American tribes

Summary Background More and more Native American tribes are assuming control of their own public health care delivery systems by contracting the functions of the Indian Health Service (IHS) through the provisions of P.L. (public law) 93-638, the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. In doing this, some Native American tribes are making decisions to create or plan their own departments of public health. In Arizona, the Gila River Indian Community has already established its own department of public health and the Navajo Nation is in the planning stages of establishing its own department of public health. Methods and results This paper proposes three public health organizational delivery models to meet the public health needs of small, medium, and large Native American tribes. Information for these models was derived from interviews with officials associated with the Arizona Department of Health Services and leaders of Native American tribes. These models progress in size and complexity as we move from small to medium to large tribes. Conclusions (a) service delivery should focus on both preventative and curative services; (b) services should be developed with input from the underserved population; (c) members of underserved populations should be trained to provide service to their communities; (d) one model of health service delivery will not be appropriate for all underserved populations; and (e) different models are required to respond to differing cultures, populations, and geographic locations.
Targeted Alteration of Real and Imaginary Refractive Index of Biological Cells by Histological Staining

Histological staining changes the intracellular refractive index due to the Kramers-Kronig relation. We present a method for creating 2-D maps of real and imaginary refractive index of stained biological cells using their thickness and absorptance.
A case for RDMA in clouds: turning supercomputer networking into commodity

Modern cloud computing infrastructures are steadily pushing the performance of their network stacks. At the hardware-level, already some cloud providers have upgraded parts of their network to 10GbE. At the same time there is a continuous effort within the cloud community to improve the network performance inside the virtualization layers. The low-latency/high-throughput properties of those network interfaces are not only opening the cloud for HPC applications, they will also be well received by traditional large scale web applications or data processing frameworks. However, as commodity networks get faster the burden on the end hosts increases. Inefficient memory copying in socket-based networking takes up a significant fraction of the end-to-end latency and also creates serious CPU load on the host machine. Years ago, the supercomputing community has developed RDMA network stacks like Infiniband that offer both low end-to-end latency as well as a low CPU footprint. While adopting RDMA to the commodity cloud environment is difficult (costly, requires special hardware) we argue in this paper that most of the benefits of RDMA can in fact be provided in software. To demonstrate our findings we have implemented and evaluated a prototype of a software-based RDMA stack. Our results, when compared to a socket/TCP approach (with TCP receive copy offload) show significant reduction in end-to-end latencies for messages greater than modest 64kB and reduction of CPU load (w/o TCP receive copy offload) for better efficiency while saturating the 10Gbit/s link.
Imaging of degenerative and posttraumatic disease in the shoulder joint

Without doubt, imaging of the shoulder joint is a fashionable topic in musculoskeletal radiology. This issue of the European Journal of Radiology also deals with this theme, concentrating however on different points of emphasis. Attention is not only directed to imaging, but also to the anatomical, functional and clinical basics. We cannot fully appreciate the discussion of different modalities evaluating the ageing and degeneration of the shoulder joint without a thorough knowledge of the anatomy. Therefore, Dr Andreas Prescher, who teaches anatomy at the University of Aachen, Germany, provides the fundamentals of radiological anatomy with his basic morphological descriptions. His wonderfully illustrated paper also makes – in part – statements contradicting clinical and radiological belief. His ideas about the shape of the acromion are different from those of Bigliani. He also makes it clear that the rotator cuff only represents the fusion of the poorly vascularized tendons of the rotator muscles, not the muscles themselves. Dr Ulrich Boenisch and coworkers from the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Hessing Klinik in Augsburg, Germany present a thorough discussion of the clinical signs of and therapeutic options in degenerative and postraumatic shoulder disease. Their schematic drawings of the physical examination of the patient’s shoulder give an excellent idea why an experienced orthopaedic surgeon often is able to make a definite diagnosis in this clinical setting. Drs Marco Zanetti and Juerg Hodler, well-known radiologists from the Orthopaedic University Hospital Balgrist, Zurich, present their vast experience with the use of sonography to identify shoulder girdle disease and review the efficacy of sonography in relation to MR imaging. Drs Shi Uk Lee and Philipp Lang from Stanford University School of Medicine focus on MRI of degenerative and posttraumatic shoulder disease. Findings of MR imaging and MR arthrography in impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tears and glenohumeral instability are carefully reviewed. The editor of this issue acknowledges an excellent cast of experienced and knowledgeable authors recruited for the completion of this text and thanks them for their contribution.
Cluster Approximations for Order-Disorder-Type Hydrogen-Bonded Ferroelectrics. I. Small Clusters

A high-temperature cluster series is derived for the partition function of an order-disorder-type hydrogen-bonded ferroelectric crystal, taking into account a simplified interaction between protons as well as the overlap of the protonic wave functions between the two sites in a hydrogen bond. The zero-order result is the Weiss molecular-field approximation, and the two-particle-cluster result reduces in the classical limit to the Bethe treatment of the Ising model. The specific properties of crystal lattices can be taken into account in higher order terms. The results of the above approximations as well as the results of an "Oguchi"-type treatment, valid at all temperatures, are compared with exact solutions in the case of a simple soluble model.
Esophagogastrectomy for Carcinoma of the Middle Third of the Esophagus

Elective esophagogastrectomy and reconstruction by esophagogastrostomy were performed on 55 patients with malignant tumors of the midesophagus, despite invasion of contiguous structures in 60% and regional lymph node involvement in 75%. The operations were invariably palliative. Two patients died within thirty days of operation. Dysphagia was relieved and oral alimentation resumed in the other 53. Twenty-nine patients who had experienced painful swallowing and 16 who had vomiting obtained relief. Survival curves show no improvement from previous decades for patients with malignancies of the middle third of the esophagus. The mean survival was 10.4 months. Mean survival of patients with liver metastases was 3.5 months.
INTRA‐CELLULAR AND EXTRA‐CELLULAR TOXINS IN THE RED TIDE DINOFLAGELLATE, GYMNODINIUM BREVE

The marine dinoflagellate, Gymnodinium breve (Davis), produces several neurotoxins that cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (nsp), massive fish kills and respiratory irritation in marine mammals and humans. The common method for discerning toxic levels of G. breve for public health advisories is enumeration of live cells in a given water mass. In this study, laboratory cultures, as well as natural blooms, were added to a stirred ultra-filtration cell concentrator to separate viable cells containing intra-cell toxins from ambient water containing extra-cell toxins. Methods were validated using various mixtures of lysed and whole G. breve laboratory culture. Extractions and recovery of brevetoxins were done using a C-18 bonded-phase glass fiber extraction disc eluted with methanol. Total PbTx toxin concentrations were quantified by HPLC/UV using a C-18 column and an 85:15 methanol:water (1 ml min−1) isocratic elution at 215 nm. This method of separation and extraction was subsequently applied to water samples collected during natural blooms along two different areas of the Florida Gulf coast. The results indicated that early stages of G. breve blooms contained primarily intra-cell toxins with extra-cell toxins increasing as the bloom progressed, even though very few viable G. breve cells were present. This suggests that enumeration of cells alone may be insufficient and additional toxin quantitation is necessary.
A martingale approach to scan statistics

Scan statistics are commonly used in biology, medicine, engineering and other fields where interest is in the probability of observing clusters of events in a window at an unknown location. Due to the dependent nature of the number of events in a large number of overlapping window locations, even approximate solutions for the simplest scan statistics may require elaborate calculations. We propose a new martingale method which allows one to approximate the distribution for a wide variety of scan statistics, including some for which analytical results are computationally infeasible.
The Nitrite/Alpha Crystallin Reaction: A Possible Mechanism in Lens Matrix Damage

Recent work has explored the potential deleterious role that nitric oxide (NO) and its derivatives may have in human disease. The many by-products of NO include nitrite ion, which accumulates in the anterior chamber during ocular inflammation and can be derived from cigarette smoking. Cigarette smoking has been strongly linked to nuclear cataract formation, although the mechanism remains unknown. We have previously observed that nitrite reactions with the matrix proteins elastin and collagen produce damaging effects that mimic those observed in age- and smoking-related illnesses. In the present study we report on the reaction of nitrite with alpha crystallin, the major lens matrix protein. Incubations at neutral pH and body temperature of nitrite with alpha crystallin resulted in protein modifications indicative of oxidative damage and similar to changes seen in the aging lens as well as cataracts. These include increased fluorescence, yellowing and protein cross-linking. L-kynurenine, a tryptophan derivative, was identified as a reaction product. L-kynurenine was also formed from the reaction of nitrite with free tryptophan. Thus, this non-enzymatic nitration of alpha crystallin provides a novel mechanism by which lens proteins may be damaged in vivo. Since human exposure to nitrite is increased by cigarette smoking, this reaction could provide an explanation for the association between nuclear cataracts and smoking.
Strategies for Covalent Multilayer Growth. 2. Interlayer Linking Chemistry

We report a strategy for the covalent assembly of polymer multilayers at interfaces, where growth is accomplished one layer at a time. The individual layer constituents are maleimide−vinyl ether alternating copolymers with side groups that possess reactive functionalities. The identity of the polymer layer side groups determines the chemistry we employ in interlayer linkage formation. We report on the selective creation of amide, ester, ether, urea, and urethane interlayer linkages. We achieve controlled multilayer growth using each of these covalent bonding schemes. The resulting multilayer structures show linear growth in terms of thickness, measured ellipsometrically, and total mass loading, measured by UV−visible and FTIR spectroscopies.
Implications of the delamination theory on wear minimization

Abstract Various implications of the delamination theory on wear minimization are discussed by considering various means of reducing surface tractions, microstructural changes which retard the processes necessary for wear and precautions required in machining. Surface coating techniques are also briefly discussed.
Comparison of Transthoracic and Intraoperative Transesophageal Color Flow Doppler Assessment of Mitral and Aortic Regurgitation

Background: We examined the agreement between transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and intraoperative prepump transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the assessment of left-sided regurgitant lesions and echocardiographic variables associated with grading discrepancies. Methods: The TTE and prepump TEE studies of 54 patients undergoing aortic-valve replacement for aortic stenosis were reviewed. Agreement and correlation in assessment of aortic (AR) and mitral regurgitation (MR) severity were evaluated. Results: There was no significant difference between mean TTE and prepump TEE grading of MR (0.23 ± 0.19 vs. 0.21 ± 0.15 jet area/area of the left atrium, p = 0.49), but the correlation between the two methods was weak (r = 0.40, p = 0.003), with an exact agreement of 54%. Prepump TEE tended to grade AR as more severe (mean grade 1.43 ± 0.94 vs. 1.24 ± 0.75, p = 0.058). The correlation between the two methods in AR assessment was fair (r = 0.70, p = 0.0001) with an agreement of 59%. For MR and AR grading, no significant correlations between valvular regurgitation severity and blood pressure differences between preoperative TTE and prepump TEE were found. In 17% of cases, discrepancies in identifying severe mitral or aortic valve regurgitation could have affected patient management. Conclusions: There is modest agreement in MR and AR assessment between TTE and prepump TEE. Cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and anesthesiologists must be aware of differences between these methods when using prepump TEE to guide intraoperative decisions.
The Use of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy With Older Adults in Mexico: A Preliminary Study

This preliminary study investigated the use of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) with older adults in Mexico. The three session SFBT treatment focused on a self-defined problem, such as relationship issues or psychological well-being. Compared with a waiting list control group, the treatment group showed significant posttest improvements as indicated by the Outcome Questionnaire, the participant and an independent assessor. There was a significant difference between groups on participants' perception of goal achievement and in pre-post change during therapy on the Outcome Questionnaire. This study provides preliminary tentative support for the use of SFBT with the geriatric population in Mexico.
Time in General Relativity

In order to distinguish between physical and coordinate effects in an arbitrary gravitational field, the space coordinate system and the clock rates must be specified operationallya priori. Once this is done, it is no longer possible to set up an initial surface arbitrarily, since this operation must be consistent with certain physical experiments, whose results depend upon the particular physical situation. A method is given for setting up the initial surface, and the time evolution of the system is discussed.
Decreased systolic wall thickening in myocardium adjacent to ischemic zones in conscious swine during brief coronary artery occlusion

The purpose of this study was to examine wall thickening in normally perfused myocardium adjacent to acutely ischemic zones. Regional wall thickening (%WT), internal minor axis diameter, and hemodynamics were monitored in nine conscious swine during temporary occlusion of the left circumflex coronary artery (LCCA). Animals were chronically instrumented with ultrasonic dimension gauges for measuring left ventricular (LV) wall thickness and minor axis, catheters in the left atrium and aorta, and a pneumatic occluder around the proximal LCCA. During a 2-minute occlusion of the LCCA, radiolabeled tracer microspheres (10 micron) were injected into the left atrium to determine regional myocardial blood flow (RMBF). Within the ischemic zone, reduction of %WT was related linearly (Y = 24.9 X -4.1, p less than 0.001) to reduced RMBF and endocardial/epicardial blood flow ratio was reduced from 1.30 +/- 0.12 (mean +/- SE) to 0.87 +/- 0.11 (p less than 0.01). In zones adjacent to the ischemic zones RMBF was unchanged by LCCA occlusion. RMBF and %WT were poorly correlated (r = 0.38) and endocardial/epicardial blood flow ratio was unchanged from preocclusion values. Therefore, myocardium adjacent to ischemic zones may have reduced thickening despite no apparent blood flow changes. We conclude that such dysfunction may be due to either mechanical tethering effects or a reduction of global LV function due to the presence of an acutely ischemic zone.
Degradation of polyethylene–starch blends in soil

Binary polymer films containing different percentages of corn starch and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were exposed to soils over a period of 8 months and monitored for starch removal and chemical changes of the matrix using FTIR spectroscopy. A standard curve using the area of the CO stretch band and an empirical second-degree polynomial to fit the data made it possible to calculate starch concentration over a wide range (0–46% by mass). Starch removal was found to proceed rapidly during the first 40 days and to nearcompletion in very high starch blends (52% and 67% by weight). Starch removal was slower, consisting of mostly surface removal in 29% starch blends. Weight loss data supported spectroscopic data showing similar gross features. Weight loss and spectroscopic data were consistent with percolation theory and suggested that starch removal continues past 240 days. Degradation rates in different soils containing different amounts of organic matter were approximately the same after a period of a few weeks. IR analysis did not show significant chemical changes in the polyethylene matrix after 240 days. However, the matrix did show evidence of swelling, an increase in surface area, and removal of low molecular weight components.
Who is a "real woman"? Empowerment and the discourse of respectability in Namibia's Zambezi region

Synopsis The third Millennium Development Goal expresses a commitment to promoting gender equality and women's empowerment. We use respectability discourse as a lens for understanding constraints and opportunities for women's empowerment. A case study of Kwandu Conservancy, located in Namibia's Zambezi region, generated 49 interviews with women. We also collected data through participant observation, document review, and twenty key informant interviews. Our analysis revealed that a “real woman” construct embodies feminine respectability in Kwandu. While the construct reinforces a woman's power to provide a livelihood through educational achievement, hard work, and collaboration with supportive community members, spouses, and children, its narrow definition of respectability also disempowers. Fear of losing respect and access to resources restrict strategic choices like choosing to divorce or remain single, saving rather than sharing resources, valuing and pursuing informal knowledge, and directly challenging limitations, uncertainties, and inequalities that can deter women from achieving a ‘better life’.
International risk sharing, learning by doing, and growth

Abstract This paper explores the influence of international risk sharing on aggregate growth for a country that trades with the rest of the world. Learning by doing supports long-run growth as it generates sector-specific increases in productivity proportional to labor's allocation across sectors. The paper shows that trade permits specialization in production which raises the growth rate of aggregate output. Uncertainty in productivity, however, discourages growth since greater diversification in production reduces aggregate risk. Consequently, international risk sharing raises growth during transition to the balanced growth equilibrium, although it leaves long-run growth unchanged. The model also helps to explain related empirical observations.
Assessing the function of genetic variants in candidate gene association studies.

Knowledge of inherited genetic variation has a fundamental impact on understanding human disease. Unfortunately, our understanding of the functional significance of many inherited genetic variants is limited. New approaches to assessing functional significance of inherited genetic variation, which combine molecular genetics, epidemiology and bioinformatics, promise to enhance reproducibility and plausibility of associations between genotypes and disease.
A brief annotated sign list of Yucatec Maya sign language

Abstract This glossary presents signs for some 150 terms. These signs derive from the manual language used by the deaf inhabitants of a Maya Indian village in Yucatan, Mexico, and were gathered by the author in 1977. The basis for this glossary is the Swadesh 100 word list, but the terms presented here are supplemented by other terms observed in everyday use. Most signs were obtained from the hearing father of three deaf children, but some terms derive from observations of, and participation in, manual conversations with deaf villagers. Because the author has not had an opportunity to return to this village, the data collected here must be considered provisional.
Singularly perturbed elliptic systems and multi-valued harmonic functions with free boundaries

Here we study the asymptotic limits of solutions of some singularly perturbed elliptic systems. The limiting problems involve multiple valued harmonic functions or, in general, harmonic maps to singular spaces and free interfaces between supports of various components of the maps. The main results of the paper are the uniform Lipschitz regularity of solutions as well as the regularity of free interfaces.
Inbreeding rate and effective population size: A comparison of estimates from pedigree analysis and a demographic model

Abstract Demographic models have been used to calculate effective population size, (Ne) which is a measure of the expected rate of loss of genetic variability. However, accurately calculating effective size for most populations of wild vertebrates is difficult because the required demographic or pedigree data are unavailable. We used data from a long-term study of the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker Picoides borealis in south-central North Carolina to construct a pedigree, which we then used to calculate the realized rate of inbreeding (F). We compared our values, estimated via pedigree analysis, with published, expected values of F calculated from a demographic model. The change in inbreeding coefficient per generation (ΔF) based on a demographic model fell below the 95% confidence limit around the pedigree value. Thus, ΔF, as calculated from a demographic model, significantly underestimated the ΔF estimated via pedigree analysis. We suggest that a multi-method approach can be useful to managers in increasing the accuracy of estimates of rate of loss of genetic variability.
Kleene computable functionals and the higher order existence property

Abstract Let F be the free topos with the natural number object (n.n.o.). Let C be the full Cartesian closed subcategory of F generated by n.n.o. We show that the morphisms of C are given by the Kleene computable functionals that are provably total in intuitionistic type theory. We thus establish the existence property for functionals of finite type.