cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Joint-use libraries: Balancing autonomy and cooperation

Harmony Library in Fort Collins, Colorado, is a joint-use library built and operated by Front Range Community College and the City of Fort Collins. In planning this library, the partners carefully crafted a common vision and then examined their own libraries and expectations, identifying the areas in which they needed to maintain control and those in which they could operate less independently. Using examples from over four years of experience at Harmony Library, the author shows how balancing the need for control with the opportunities for cooperation is an ongoing, delicate process enhanced by constant communication and coordination.
Um jovem com hipocalcémia: um relato breve

Introduction: The coexistence of two endocrine diseases is rare. Making the right diagnoses can be challenging. Case report: A 32 year-old man complained of difficulty in maintaining a sustained erection and mechanical low back pain in 2011. Those complaints were attributed to lumbar spinal stenosis with mixed neuropathy. Six months later he went to his family doctor with generalized paraesthesia. Supplementation with oral magnesium was started and hypocalcaemia was found. Ten days later due to exacerbation of his condition, he went to the emergency department of a local hospital and was admitted to an internal medicine ward for investigation of hypocalcaemia. He was discharged with the diagnosis of autoimmune thyroiditis with subclinical hypothyroidism and hypoparathyroidism. This raised the possibility of polyglandular autoimmune syndrome. Eight months later, he was admitted to the endocrinology ward with similar symptoms. The diagnoses of hypoparathyroidism and primary hypothyroidism were made but an autoimmune aetiology for hypoparathyroidism was ruled out. The results of genetic testing confirmed the existence of a polymorphism in the CASR gene. Comment: This case report shows that we cannot always fit signs and symptoms into the diagnosis of a single disease. Many diagnostic tests were necessary to make the right diagnosis in this case. Genetic testing confirmed the polymorphism of the CASR gene. This polymorphism results in amplification of function of the receptor that leads to the inhibition of PTH secretion and resorption of calcium with increased urinary excretion.
The influence of rainfall upon Scatterometer estimates for sea surface stress: Applications to boundary layer parameterization and drag coefficient models within tropical cyclone environments

The use of satellite scatterometers to probe the winds in and near strong tropical cyclones (TCs) is a valuable tool for both numerical weather prediction (NWP) and weather forecasters. The presence of widespread rain in these storms complicates the estimation of surface winds from the satellite. Improvements in the techniques to infer surface winds from the satellite observations, which remove the effects of rain contamination at the ocean surface, will improve the modeling efforts as they pertain to the prediction of TC intensity. We demonstrate the use of collated and simultaneous high-resolution rain measurements obtained from nearby Next-Generation Radar (NEXRAD) and NASA Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) measurements, respectively. Through the application of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratories (AOML)/Hurricane Research Division (HRD) TC wind analysis (H*WIND; Powell and Houston [1996] ), we will study the dependence of a surface normalized radar cross-section (NRCS) on the TC wind-speed and rain-rate. The objective is to better observe and understand the dependence of the drag coefficient upon the surface stress across a wide range of conditions and spatial scales within these storms.
Lymphadenopathy in sclerosing cholangitis: Pitfall in the diagnosis of malignant biliary obstruction

We retrospectively reviewed abdominal computed tomographic (CT) studies from 20 patients with sclerosing cholangitis and found evidence of abdominal lymphadenopathy in 13 patients. Enlargement occurred primarily in areas draining the liver, such as the gastrohepatic ligament or celiac axis (N=8), the porta hepatis (N=7), and the pancreaticoduodenal region (N=2). One patient had reactive adenopathy and retroperitoneal fibrosis. The presence of benign reactive lymphadenopathy in at least one intraabdominal location was confirmed by pathological examination of excised lymph nodes in seven patients. Malignancy was excluded by surgical exploration or clinical follow-up. We conclude that enlarged lymph nodes are a common finding by CT in patients with sclerosing cholangitis. Enlarged reactive lymph nodes in this condition should not be mistaken for evidence of periportal metastasis or cholangiocarcinoma.
Cortisol suppression as a surrogate marker for inhaled corticosteroid-induced growth retardation in children.

Abstract Exposure of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) in pediatrics results in adrenal suppression and growth inhibition. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship of ICS mediated growth retardation with cortisol suppression in asthmatic children. A meta-analysis approach was performed with 33 published articles. Growth velocity (GV) data were obtained from the literature for evaluation of growth. Cumulative cortisol suppression within 24 h (CCS%) was calculated at steady state with a validated algorithm. Consolidated GV and CCS% data were employed for model development. A linear mixed effects model was developed to adequately describe the relationship between GV and CCS%. No impact of tested covariates was observed. Population estimate of the rate of change in GV was −0.06 cm/year/CCS% (12.7%, coefficient of variation) for both stadiometry and knemometry methods. However, GV from stadiometry is expected to be approximately three fold higher than that from knemometry when cortisol suppression was not presented. The final model was evaluated with posterior predictive check and pattern check approaches. The results from this study elucidate CCS% as an excellent predictor of ICS mediated growth retardation in asthmatic children.
Declining financial capacity in patients with mild Alzheimer disease: a one-year longitudinal study.

Objective The objective of this study was to investigate change over time in financial abilities in patients with mild Alzheimer disease (AD). Methods The authors conducted a prospective 1-year longitudinal study at a large southern U.S. metropolitan-area medical school university. Participants included healthy older adults (N = 63) and patients with mild AD (N = 55). The authors conducted a standardized performance measure of financial capacity. Performance was assessed on 18 financial tasks, nine domains of financial activity, and overall financial capacity. Capacity outcomes classifications (capable, marginally capable, or incapable) for domains and overall performance were made using cut scores referenced to comparison group performance. Results At baseline, patients with mild AD performed significantly below healthy older adults on 16 of 18 tasks, on all nine domains, and on overall financial capacity. At one-year follow up, comparison group performance was stable on all variables. In contrast, patients with mild AD showed substantial declines in overall financial capacity, on eight of nine domains, and on 12 of 18 tasks. Similarly, the proportion of the mild AD group classified as marginally capable and incapable increased substantially over one year for the two overall scores and for five financial domains. Conclusions Financial capacity is already substantially impaired in patients with mild AD at baseline and undergoes rapid additional decline over one year. Relative to the comparison group, overall financial capacity performance in the AD group declined 10%, from approximately 80% of the comparison group performance at baseline to 70% at follow up. Financial skills showed differential rates of decline on both simple and complex tasks. Of clinical and public policy interest was the declining judgment of patients with mild AD regarding simple fraud schemes. The study supports the importance of prompt financial supervision and planning for patients newly diagnosed with AD.
The impact of reflective writing paper on non-English major learners’ autonomy in the context of Vietnam

The article aims to investigate the impact of the reflective writing paper on non- English major learners’ learning autonomy in a Vietnamese context. The data was collected by means of questionnaire, competence tests and interviews. The participants did two reflective writing papers as an intervention during the research. The research results show the possibilities for teachers to modify their teaching methods through analysis of feedback from the subjects. The findings showed that most participants appreciated the role of the reflective writing paper and they were aware of the significance of learning autonomy in their study process. Journal of NELTA, Vol. 17 No. 1-2, December 2012, Page 104-128 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nelta.v17i1-2.8102
Intrinsic stoichiometry and oxygen-induced p -type conductivity of pyrite FeS 2

The stoichiometry and ubiquitous observation of $p$-type conductivity of synthetic pyrite FeS${}_{2}$ thin films are investigated via first-principles computations of native (vacancies, interstitials, antisites) and extrinsic (O${}_{\mathrm{S}}$, O${}_{i}$) point defects. Native defects have high formation energies and are predicted to occur in low concentrations within the Fe- and S-rich limits, showing that pyrite should be intrinsically stoichiometric. Under sufficiently oxidizing conditions, O${}_{\mathrm{S}}$ becomes the most dominant defect type and induces $p$-type conductivity. At the experimental oxygen impurity concentration, the hole concentration is predicted to be $O({10}^{19})$ cm${}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$, in agreement with Hall measurements reported in the literature. Therefore, we attribute the unintentional $p$-type conductivity of pyrite to oxygen impurities and propose that improvements in device performance may be achieved under more reducing conditions.
Robotics and manufacturing education and research— the New Mexico initiatives

Abstract Since the early 1980s, the University of New Mexico (UNM) has been increasingly active in the area of manufacturing engineering and robotics research and education. Six robotics and manufacturing laboratories devoted to research and instruction have been established. Many PhD and master's students use these facilities in their research, and instructional programs have been established at the undergraduate and graduate level in both the Mechanical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering Departments. Notably, a master's level program was established in 1987 with participation from two universities, UNM and New Mexico State University. Active collaboration is the mode of operation between the College of Engineering and the Robert O. Anderson Schools of Management at UNM in the manufacturing program, a program in total quality management, and in the establishment of a computer-integrated manufacturing program and laboratory through IBM's CIM in Higher Education Alliance. This paper describes these programs in detail, and discusses some approaches and future plans.
The turbulent boundary layer on a porous plate: Experimental heat transfer with uniform blowing and suction

Abstract There exists a need for additional experimental work in the field of heat transfer through a turbulent boundary layer with blowing and suction. An apparatus has been constructed which allows the determination of Stanton number to within 0·0001 units over most of the range between the asymptotic suction layer and the apparent “blow off” of the boundary layer. Data are presented for the case of uniform blowing and suction, constant free stream velocity, and essentially constant properties. Stanton numbers ranged from 0·0080 (asymptotic suction layer behavior; blowing fraction of −0·00765) to a value of 0·0001 (near “blow off”; blowing fraction of + 0·00955). The Reynolds number range is 1·3 × 105−2·3 × 106. Tabular and graphical results are presented.
Broadcast protocols for distributed systems

An innovative approach is presented to the design of fault-tolerant distributed systems that avoids the several rounds of message exchange required by current protocols for consensus agreement. The approach is based on broadcast communication over a local area network, such as an Ethernet or a token ring, and on two novel protocols, the Trans protocol, which provides efficient reliable broadcast communication, and the Total protocol, which with high probability promptly places a total order on messages and achieves distributed agreement even in the presence of fail-stop, omission, timing, and communication faults. Reliable distributed operations, such as locking, update, and commitment, typically require only a single broadcast message rather than the several tens of messages required by current algorithms. >
Intersectionality and Research in Psychology

Feminist and critical race theories offer the concept of intersectionality to describe analytic approaches that simultaneously consider the meaning and consequences of multiple categories of identity, difference, and disadvantage. To understand how these categories depend on one another for meaning and are jointly associated with outcomes, reconceptualization of the meaning and significance of the categories is necessary. To accomplish this, the author presents 3 questions for psychologists to ask: Who is included within this category? What role does inequality play? Where are there similarities? The 1st question involves attending to diversity within social categories. The 2nd conceptualizes social categories as connoting hierarchies of privilege and power that structure social and material life. The 3rd looks for commonalities across categories commonly viewed as deeply different. The author concludes with a discussion of the implications and value of these 3 questions for each stage of the research process.
Reexamination of the energy levels of 15F by 14O+1h elastic resonance scattering

The energy levels of {sup 15}F have been measured by the p({sup 14}O,p){sup 14}O reaction. The 120 MeV {sup 14}O radioactive ion beam was produced by the BEARS coupled cyclotron system at an intensity averaging 1x10{sup 4} particles/second on target. Energy calibration was obtained using resonances from the p({sup 14}N,p){sup 14}N reaction. The two lowest resonances in {sup 15}F were fitted with an R-matrix calculation. The fit to the ground state had J{sup {pi}}=1/2{sup +} at 1.23 {+-} 0.05 MeV (width 0.5 - 0.84 MeV), and the first excited state was J{sup {pi}}=5/2{sup +} at 2.81 {+-} 0.02 MeV (width 0.30 {+-} 0.06 MeV), both relative to the mass-energy of the proton and {sup 14}O. The {sup 15}F ground state energy supports the disappearance of the Z = 8 proton magic number for odd Z,T{sub z}=-3/2 nuclei.
Genetics of New Crop Genus Limnanthes I. Five Morphological Marker Loci in L. alba × L. gracilis Progenies

New crop development often depends on a few essential traits such as nonshattering of seed at maturity and pollination control. In order to domesticate Limnanthes alba (meadowfoam), as a source of industrial oil, we performed genetic analysis of crosses between L. alba and its closest relative Limnanthes gracilis var. gracilis which shows higher selfing ability and nutlet abscission. Differences in pubescence, nutlet abscission, and seedling pigmentation were each found to be governed primarily by a single locus; two interacting loci appeared to control capsule dehiscence. Segregation distortion was detected for pigmentation in F2 and F3 populations, and for pubescence in several F3 families. Loci controlling pubescence, nutlet abscission, and capsule dehiscence resided in a single linkage block which assorted independently of the locus controlling pigmentation.
Expression of human estrogen receptor using an efficient adenoviral gene delivery system is able to restore hormone-dependent features to estrogen receptor-negative breast carcinoma cells.

Abstract Estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast carcinomas are often difficult to treat as they do not respond to hormone therapy. In an attempt to determine if expressing the human estrogen receptor in an ectopic manner could restore the hormone responsiveness of these cells, we have expressed the human ER in ER-negative MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cells using a recombinant adenovirus gene delivery system that allows high level expression of ER in essentially all cells. In these cells, the ER was correctly translated, had a wild type hormone binding affinity ( K d =0.6 nM), bound well to estrogen response element-containing DNA, and showed an activation pattern of estrogen response element-reporter gene activity by estrogen and antiestrogens very similar to that observed in MCF-7 breast cancer cells containing endogenous ER (stimulation by estrogen, no stimulation by the antiestrogens trans-hydroxytamoxifen or ICI 164 384, and blockade of estradiol stimulation by trans-hydroxytamoxifen or ICI 164 384). Intriguingly, estradiol stimulation of these cells was also able to induce expression of pS2, an estrogen regulated gene considered to be a favorable prognostic marker for endocrine therapy in ER-positive breast cancer cells. Expression of the ER had no effect by itself on the proliferation rate of MDA-MB 231 cells. However, treatment of the ER-containing cells with estradiol or with the pure antiestrogen ICI 164 384 suppressed proliferation of the cells while the antiestrogen trans-hydroxytamoxifen had little effect on proliferation; and cotreatment with trans-hydroxytamoxifen reversed the estradiol- or ICI 164 384-evoked suppression of proliferation. To understand the mechanism underlying the inhibition of proliferation by estradiol, we examined the expression of several growth related endogenous genes. c- Myc protooncogene expression was strongly inhibited by treatment with estradiol as was expression of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which is in agreement with their mitogenic-dependent expression, while expression of β-actin, a housekeeping gene, was not affected by hormone treatment. Together, these data suggest that reexpressing the human ER in breast cancer cells that no longer express this protein renders them sensitive to hormone treatment. The ability of the antiestrogen ICI 164 384 to suppress the proliferation of ER-negative breast cancer cells that reexpress ER might be useful ultimately as an endocrine gene therapy approach for controlling the growth of ER-negative breast cancer cells. The application of recombinant adenoviruses expressing the human ER presents interesting features which might be used as a basis for designing more powerful and effective treatments for ER-negative breast cancers.
Purification and Cardiovascular Activity of [Met1, Met5]-Bradykinin from the Plasma of a Sturgeon (Acipenseriformes)

Abstract The sturgeons (Order Acipenseriformes) are extant representatives of a group of primitive Actinopterygian (ray-finned) fish that probably shared a common ancestor with present-day teleosts. Incubation of heat-denatured plasma from a sturgeon (a hybrid of the shovelnosed sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchus and the pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus ) with either trypsin or porcine pancreatic kallikrein generated bradykinin-like immunoreactivity. The primary structure of sturgeon bradykinin was established as Met-Pro-Pro-Gly-Met-Ser-Pro-Phe-Arg. This amino acid sequence contains two amino acid substitutions (Arg 1 → Met and Phe 5 → Met) compared with mammalian bradykinin. Bolus injections of synthetic sturgeon bradykinin in doses as low as 1 pmol/kg into the dorsal aorta of unanesthetized sturgeon resulted in an immediate and significant fall in arterial blood pressure with a maximum depressor response at 300 pmol/kg. Thus, the cardiovascular response of the sturgeon to bradykinin resembles more closely the response of mammals rather than the predominantly pressor response seen in teleost fish. Sturgeon bradykinin produced a strong and concentration-dependent (EC 50 = 4.7 ± 0.7 × 10 −10 M) relaxation of rings of vascular tissue from the sturgeon ventral aorta that had been pre-contracted with acetylcholine. The data indicate that sturgeon tissues are particularly responsive to native bradykinin and suggest that the kallikrein–kinin system may have evolved before the appearance of the neopterygians (gars, bowfin and teleosts).
Attraction of clover head weevil, Hypera meles, to flower bud volatiles of several species of Trifolium

Abstract Steam distilled volatiles from flower buds of white clover, Trifolium repens, attracted significantly greater numbers of female clover head weevils, Hypera meles, than males, in laboratory bioassays. Persian clover, T. resupinatum, bud extract, which attracted significantly more females than either small hop clover, T. dubium or red clover, T. pratense, also displayed qualitative and quantitative differences in the gas chromatographic profile of its bud volatiles. The strong attraction of normal females to Persian clover in laboratory bioassays was abolished by antennectomy, suggesting that attraction is regulated by olfactory receptors located on weevil antennal clubs. Weevils demonstrated a similar attraction to Persian clover in the field, indicating the possibility of developing a lure made from the flower bud extract of this clover to trap weevils for control or population monitoring purposes.
Effect of aging on scale-dependent plasticity in aluminum alloy 2024

Abstract The effect of aging on strain-gradient plasticity (SGP) in aluminum alloy 2024 is quantified using nanoindentation. The measured hardness decreases with increasing depth for all conditions; however, the characteristic depth over which the decrease occurs changes. An indentation model which incorporates SGP correlates for penetration depths greater than ∼300 nm, and enables estimation of material length scale ( l * ) that is a constitutive parameter in gradient plasticity theory. This l * is 50–200 nm for alloy 2024, increasing through a maximum with increasing artificial aging time, and is always smaller than values obtained for pure metals. It is suggested that the specific l * values depend on dislocation interactions with atomic clusters through precipitates produced by artificial aging. The implication of the measured values of l * , and other constitutive parameters, on the stress elevation at crack tips in ductile materials is briefly discussed.
Cell biology as an approach to the study of the vascular complications of diabetes

Diabetic retinopathy and macroangiopathy share the common hisologic features of cellular injury and proliferation. We have studied factors in the diabetic milieu that may affect the metabolism and growth of vascular cells derived from retinal capillaries and arteries. Using cultured endothelial cells from retinal capillaries and human aorta and vascular supporting cells (pericytes and aortic smooth muscle cells), we found that the metabolism and proliferation of endothelial cells from capillaries are responsive to insulin and insulin like growth factors (IGFs). At concentrations ranging from below physiologic levels to physiologic, insulin and IGFs were additive in their effect on growth of endothelial cells from retinal capillaries. Endothelial cells from arteries were much less responsive to insulin and IGFs, although like capillary endothelium they also have high affinity receptors for these hormones. No differences in response to insulin and IGFs were observed in the vascular supporting cells. Both pericytes and arterial smooth muscle cells responded to insulin and IGFs. The effect of insulin and IGFs was also additive with other growth factors tested, including platelet-derived growth factor. Hyperglycemia inhibited the growth of capillary pericytes but had no effect on other vascular cells. The results of these studies provide us with a potential explanation for the different histologic features observed in diabetic microangiopathy and macroangiopathy.
Autoepistemic logic of knowledge and beliefs

Abstract In recent years, various formalizations of nonmonotonic reasoning and different semantics for normal and disjunctive logic programs have been proposed, including autoepistemic logic, circumscription, CWA, GCWA, ECWA , epistemic specifications, stable, well-founded, stationary and static semantics of normal and disjunctive logic programs. In this paper we introduce a simple nonmonotonic knowledge representation framework which isomorphically contains all of the above-mentioned nonmonotonic formalisms and semantics as special cases and yet is significantly more expressive than each one of these formalisms considered individually. The new formalism, called the Autoepistemic Logic of Knowledge and Beliefs, AELB , is obtained by augmenting Moore's autoepistemic logic, AEL , already employing the knowledge operator , L , with an additional belief operator , B . As a result, we are able to reason not only about formulae F which are known to be true (i.e., those for which L F holds) but also about those which are only believed to be true (i.e., those for which B F holds). The proposed logic constitutes a powerful new formalism which can serve as a unifying frame-work for several major nonmonotonic formalisms. It allows us to better understand mutual relationships existing between different formalisms and semantics and enables us to provide them with simpler and more natural definitions. It also naturally leads to new, even more expressive, flexible and modular formalizations and semantics.
16A. Fatigue: Common Physiologic Contributing Factors—An Algorithm for Evaluation & Management

Focus Area: Integrative Approaches to Care Fatigue is a common problem, with high prevalence in the community, and is a common complaint for individuals seeking primary, specialty, and integrative consultation. It often defies efforts to find a specific treatable etiology and may lead to chronic impairment. Background will include discussion of chronic fatigue syndrome and depression, as differentiated from fatigue as a symptom. Also, dimensions of fatigue will be noted. A simple protocol will be presented with 5 lab tests to identify physiologic factors contributing to fatigue. These include thyroid function, vitamin D, ferritin, DHEA-Sulfate, and methyltetrahydrafolate reductase (MTHFR) gene mutation. The scientific rationale for screening each of these will be presented, as well as the suggestion that we revise lab norms from what is present in the normal population to values that reflect optimal physiological functioning. As an example of this, the upper limit of TSH is commonly cited as 4.5 or 5, but there is discussion in both the endocrine and integrative medicine fields that levels over 3 may reflect dysfunction. The normal range for Vitamin D3 was changed from population norms to minimal values needed for optimal health. Similarly, low normal ferritin or DHEA may contribute to fatigue, and these may represent opportunities to impact on cellular metabolism in a way that enhances energy and physiologic functioning. MTHFR is an enzymatic pathway key in folate metabolism, and 2 common polymorphisms result in deficiency of this enzyme with potential health consequences and fatigue. The presentation will conclude with lab and clinical assessments of a case series. Exemplar case studies will be discussed with tracking of response to supplementation, using standardized measures of mood and fatigue. Cases will also include discussion of dietary management, supplements, medications, exercise, and mind-body approaches.
A low-power 2.4-GHz transmitter/receiver CMOS IC

A 2.4-GHz CMOS receiver/transmitter incorporates circuit stacking and noninvasive baseband filtering to achieve a high sensitivity with low power dissipation. Using a single 1.6-GHz local oscillator, the transceiver employs two upconversion and downconversion stages while providing on-chip image rejection filtering. Realized in a 0.25-/spl mu/m digital CMOS technology, the receiver exhibits a noise figure of 6 dB and consumes 17.5 mW from a 2.5-V supply, and the transmitter delivers an output power of 0 dBm with a power consumption of 16 mW.
Excessive Reassurance Seeking as a Mediator of Sociotropy and Negative Interpersonal Life Events

The Interpersonal Theory of Depression suggests that depressed individuals have behavioral patterns that alienate people in their environment, thereby reducing social support and maintaining their depression. Excessive reassurance seeking has been implicated as such a behavior. A model was tested in which excessive reassurance seeking mediates the relationships between sociotropy and increases in negative interpersonal life events as well as sociotropy and depressive symptoms. Participants consisted of 110 undergraduate students. Measures were given at two time points 6 weeks apart assessing sociotropy, excessive reassurance seeking, negative interpersonal life events, and depressive symptoms. Results suggested that excessive reassurance seeking mediated the predicted relationship between sociotropy and negative interpersonal life events, but did not mediate the relationship between sociotropy and depressive symptoms. The implications for these findings in the interactional nature of depression are discussed.
Phase flow and statistical structure of Galton-board systems

Galton boards, found in museum exhibits devoted to science and technology, are often used to demonstrate visually the ubiquity of so-called laws of probability'' via an experimental realization of normal distributions. A detailed theoretical study of Galton-board phase-space dynamics and statistical behavior is presented. The study is based on a simple inelastic-collision model employing a particle fall- ing through a spatially periodic lattice of rigid, convex scatterers. We show that such systems exhibit indeterminate behavior through the presence of strange attractors or strange repellers in phase space; nevertheless, we also show that these systems exhibit regular and predictable behavior under specific circumstances. Phase-space strange attractors, periodic attractors, and strange repellers are present in numerical simulations, confirming results anticipated from geometric analysis. The system's geometry (dictated by lattice geometry and density as well as the direction of gravity) is observed to play a dominant role in stability, phase-flow topology, and statistical observations. Smale horseshoes appear to exist in the low-lattice-density limit and may exist in other regimes. These horseshoes are generated by homoclinic orbits whose existence is dictated by system characteristics. The horseshoes lead directly to deterministic chaos in the system. Strong evidence exists for ergodicity in all attractors. Phase-space complexitiesmore » are manifested at all observed levels, particularly statistical ones. Consequently, statistical observations are critically dependent upon system details. Under well-defined circumstances, these observations display behavior which does not constitute a realization of the laws of probability.''« less
NADPH Diaphorase-Containing Striatal or Cortical Neurons Are Resistant to Apoptosis

The small subpopulation of striatal neurons containing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d, recently identified as nitric oxide synthase, NOS) is selectively spared in Huntington's disease. Previous search for pathogenic mechanisms capable of destroying striatal neurons but sparing NADPH-d(+) cells has identified only NMDA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity. In view of suggestions that neuronal death in Huntington's disease may occur by apoptosis, we examined the vulnerability of NADPH-d(+) neurons to apoptosis. Murine striatal or cortical cultures exposed to serum deprivation developed extensive neuronal apoptosis, but NADPH-d(+) neurons were relatively spared. This sparing was seen when cultures were exposed to several other apoptosis-inducing insults. It was not seen after toxic exposure to H2O2, and it was not blocked by NOS inhibition. The selective resistance of NADPH-d(+) neurons to several forms of apoptosis provides key support for the possibility that apoptosis may contribute to the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease.
A critique of current methods in hydrologic systems investigation

The paper presents a critical review of current methods employed for the establishment of quantitative relationships between precipitation and runoff in hydrology. These procedures, which are classified under the general categories of ‘parametric’ and ‘stochastic’ hydrologies, include the methods of correlation analysis, partial and general synthesis, general nonlinear analysis, and statistical simulation. They are studied as mathematical models of the hydrologic systems, having specific theoretical properties and limitations. The structures of these models are examined with the aid of flow charts, and the areas of their optimum application are suggested.
Nanoparticle-mediated photothermal therapy: A comparative study of heating for different particle types†

Introduction Near-infrared (NIR) absorbing plasmonic nanoparticles enhance photothermal therapy of tumors. In this procedure, systemically delivered gold nanoparticles preferentially accumulate at the tumor site and when irradiated using laser light, produce localized heat sufficient to damage tumor cells. Gold nanoshells and nanorods have been widely studied for this purpose, and while both exhibit strong NIR absorption, their overall absorption and scattering properties differ widely due to their geometry. In this paper, we compared the photothermal response of both nanoparticle types including the heat generation and photothermal efficiency. Methods Tissue simulating phantoms, with varying concentrations of gold nanoparticles, were irradiated with a near-infrared diode laser while concurrently monitoring the surface temperature with an infrared camera. We calculated nanoshell and nanorod optical properties using the Mie solution and the discrete dipole approximation, respectively. In addition, we measured the heat generation of nanoshells and nanorods at the same optical density to determine the photothermal transduction efficiency for both nanoparticle types. Results We found that the gold nanoshells produced more heat than gold nanorods at equivalent number densities (# of nanoparticles/ml), whereas the nanorods generated more heat than nanoshells at equivalent extinction values at the irradiance wavelength. To reach an equivalent heat generation, we found that it was necessary to have ∼36× more nanorods than nanoshells. However, the gold nanorods were found to have two times the photothermal transduction efficiency than the gold nanoshells. Conclusion For the nanoparticles tested, the nanoshells generated more heat, per nanoparticle, than nanorods, primarily due to their overall larger geometric cross-section. Conversely, we found that the gold nanorods had a higher photothermal efficiency than the gold nanoshells. In conclusion, the ideal choice of plasmonic nanoparticle requires not only per particle efficiency, but also the in vivo particle targeting ability under study. Lasers Surg. Med. 44: 675–684, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Excitation Functions of Proton-Induced Reactions of Nb 93

The excitation functions for the ($p, n$), ($p, \mathrm{pn}$), and ($p, \ensuremath{\alpha}n$) reactions of ${\mathrm{Nb}}^{93}$ have been determined with proton energies up to 21 Mev. A new niobium activity with half-life of 13\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2 hours was found and has been assigned to an isomeric state of ${\mathrm{Nb}}^{92}$. This new activity decays by electron capture and emits a 2.35-Mev gamma ray. Recent results by other workers on the characteristics of the 10-day ${\mathrm{Nb}}^{92}$ were verified.
Technology Solutions for Improving Accuracy and Availability of Healthcare Records

Providers need access to the data in patient healthcare records to make decisions that provide the type of high-quality services, which lead to successful medical treatments. This article summarizes the data accuracy and data availability problems that exist in managing healthcare records, and then describes various technology solutions that could be designed to address specific data problems.
Cat Heart Muscle in Vitro VIII. Active transport of sodium in papillary muscles

The cells of cat right ventricular papillary muscles were depleted of K and caused to accumulate Na and water by preincubation at 2–3°C. The time courses of changes in cellular ion content and volume and of the resting membrane potential (Vm) were then followed after abrupt rewarming to 27–28°C. At physiological external K concentration ([K]o = 5.32 mM) recovery of cellular ion and water contents was complete within 30 minutes, the maximal observable rates of K uptake and Na extrusion (Δmmol cell ion/(kg dry weight) (min.)) being 3.4 and 3.6, respectively. The recovery rate was markedly slowed at [K]o = 1.0 mM. Rewarming caused Vm measured in cells at the muscle surface to recover within from <1 to 9 minutes, but only slight restoration of cellular ion contents (measured in whole muscles) had occurred after 10 minutes. Studies of recovery in NaCl-free sucrose Ringer's solution made it possible to separate the ouabain-insensitive outward diffusion of Na as a salt from a simultaneous ouabain-sensitive Na extrusion which is associated with a net cellular K uptake. A hypothesis consistent with these observations is that rewarming may activate a ouabain-sensitive "electrogenic" mechanism, most probably the net active transport of Na out of the cell, from which net K uptake may then follow passively.
Multi-decisions decision-making: In addition to wheeling and dealing, our national political bodies need a formal approach for prioritization

Individuals, corporations and governments constantly face the extremely complex problem of ordering and prioritizing their numerous decisions according to urgency and importance. They need to sequence expenditures and allocate scarce resources to optimize the returns on their investments over time. Prioritization requires general and diverse economic, social, political, environmental, cultural and other criteria that reach beyond the familiar process of deciding on the best alternative in making a single decision. Decisions about decisions are more difficult as the best choice for each particular decision is often unknown requiring a large amount of time and resources to determine. There are three cases to consider: (1) the best alternative in each decision is known, (2) the best alternative in each decision is unknown, and (3) a combination of these two cases. What are the values and criteria that we need to use to prioritize the decisions themselves as the alternatives of a more general decision process? Decision-making often involves, among other things, generating alternatives, setting priorities, choosing a best alternative, allocating resources, determining requirements, predicting outcomes, designing systems, optimizing performance, insuring the stability of a system, planning, and resolving conflicts. Government decisions are even more complex than those of corporations: corporations do not have the issues with pressure from all sides that governments have, nor do they involve as much politics. And they are much more resource oriented than governments that tend to make their decisions easier with narrower constraints.
Emergency planning and long-term care: least paid, least powerful, most responsible.

As disasters can occur anywhere, planning to avoid emergencies is an international concern. Our research specifically addresses planning for the needs and safety of a vulnerable population, long-term care residents. Our initial purposes in this evaluation research were to assess the utility of a template to gather emergency management information for individual long-term care communities, to report on how prepared they are to cope with emergencies that have occurred elsewhere in areas like ours, and to assess the effectiveness of employing gerontology students in the planning process. As we began analyzing our data, we realized that it is imperative to consider whether it is possible for long-term care communities to respond effectively to disasters. In our findings we focus on the impact of gender in the planning process, the importance of size with regard to template utility, the positive and negative consequences of student aid, and the fact that gathering plans for individual long-term care communitie...
Grammatical deficits in German and English: a crosslinguistic study of children with specific language impairment:

Children with specific language impairment acquiring German and English were compared in terms of their use of articles, third person singular verb inflections, and copula forms. The German- speaking children showed higher degrees of appropriate use of third singular inflections and copula forms, but not articles. Verb errors in the form of bare stems outnumbered other types of errors even in the data for German. Of the four accounts of grammatical deficits in specific language impairment considered, one based on the morphological richness of the target language appears most consistent with the findings.
Some effects of ovine prolactin on body fluid composition in the cichlid teleost Sarotherodon mossambicus acclimated to seawater.

Abstract Some effects of ovine prolactin on plasma and muscle intracellular compositions in seawater-acclimated Sarotherodon mossambicus are described. Plasma electrolyte concentrations and intracellular potassium concentration increased significantly after five daily prolactin treatments. Increases in plasma concentrations resulted predominantly from electrolyte accumulation whereas the increased intracellular potassium concentration resulted from dehydration.
A comparison of primary cultures of rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells to rat aortic endothelial cells

A method to culture rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (RCMECs) was developed and adapted to concurrently obtain cultures of rat aortic endothelial cells (RAECs) without subculturing, cloning, or "weeding." The attachment and growth requirements of endothelial cell clusters from isolated brain microvessels were first evaluated. RCMECs required fetal bovine serum to attach efficiently. Attachment and growth also depended on the matrix provided (fibronectin approximately laminin much greater than gelatin greater than poly-D-lysine approximately Matrigel greater than hyaluronic acid approximately plastic) and the presence of endothelial cell growth supplement and heparin in the growth medium. Non-endothelial cells are removed by allowing these cells to attach to a matrix that RCMECs attach to poorly (e.g., poly-D-lysine) and then transferring isolated endothelial cell clusters to fibronectin-coated dishes. These cell cultures, labeled with 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethyl-indocarboxyamine perchlorate (DiI-Ac-LDL) and analyzed using flow cytometry, were 97.7 +/- 2.6% (n = 6) pure. By excluding those portions designed to isolate brain microvessels, the method was adapted to obtain RAEC cultures. RAECs do not isolate as clusters and have different morphology in culture, but respond similarly to matrices and growth medium supplements. RCMECs and RAECs have Factor VIII antigen, accumulate DiI-Ac-LDL, contain Weibel-Palade bodies, and have complex junctional structures. The activities of gamma-glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase were measured as a function of time in culture. RCMECs had higher enzymatic activity than RAECs. In both RCMECs and RAECs enzyme activity decreased with time in culture. The function of endothelial cells is specialized depending on its location. This culture method allows comparison of two endothelial cell cultures obtained using very similar culture conditions, and describes their initial characterization. These cultures may provide a model system to study specialized endothelial cell functions and endothelial cell differentiation.
Vitamin D-interacting Protein 205 (DRIP205) Coactivation of Estrogen Receptor α (ERα) Involves Multiple Domains of Both Proteins *

Vitamin D-interacting protein 205 (DRIP205) is a mediator complex protein that anchors the complex to the estrogen receptor (ER) and other nuclear receptors (NRs). In ZR-75 breast cancer cells treated with 17β-estradiol (E2) and transfected with a construct containing three tandem estrogen responsive elements (pERE3), DRIP205 coactivates ERα-mediated transactivation. DRIP205Δ587–636 is a DRIP205 mutant in which both NR boxes within amino acids 587–636 have been deleted and, in parallel transfection studies, DRIP205Δ587–636 also coactivates ERα. Moreover, both wild-type and variant DRIP205 also colocalize with ERα in the nuclei of transfected cells. Extensive deletion analysis of DRIP205 shows that multiple domains of this protein play a role in coactivation of ERα and in interactions with ERα. Coactivation of ERα by DRIP205 does not require NR boxes, and variants with deletion of N-terminal (amino acids 1–639) and C-terminal (amino acids 576–1566) significantly coactivate ERα. DRIP205 resembles p160 coactivators that also interact with multiple regions of ERα; however, unlike p160 coactivators, DRIP205 coactivation of ERα does not require NR boxes.
PREVENTION OF BONE LOSS AFTER WITHDRAWAL OF TAMOXIFEN

ABSTRACT Objective Tamoxifen has antiestrogenic effects in the breast and estrogenlike activity in the skeletons of post-menopausal women. We hypothesized that post-menopausal women with breast cancer would experience a rapid decline in bone mineral density (BMD) after stopping tamoxifen, similar to that seen with estrogen withdrawal. The objective of this study was to assess, in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, whether administration of alendronate (70 mg weekly) would prevent bone loss associated with tamoxifen discontinuation. Methods Postmenopausal women with breast cancer were randomly assigned to receive alendronate or placebo for 1 year within 3 months after withdrawal of tamoxifen therapy. We initiated a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of alendronate (70 mg weekly) in an effort to prevent bone loss associated with discontinuation of tamoxifen therapy. Patients treated with aromatase inhibitors were excluded from the study. BMD at the spine, hip, and forearm was measured at baseline and at 12 months. Analyses employed repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results Patient accrual was considerably limited by the substantial increase in use of aromatase inhibitors during the enrollment period. The study patients (N = 11) had similar baseline BMD T-scores in the alendronate (n = 6) and placebo (n = 5) subgroups. After 1 year, tamoxifen withdrawal was associated with a significant decline in BMD at the femoral neck, which appeared to be prevented by weekly administration of alendronate (-5.2% versus 0.1%; P = .02). Levels of urinary N-telopeptide, a marker of bone turnover, increased by 48% in study subjects in the placebo group (P Conclusion Differences in BMD and bone turnover were evident despite the small sample size. These data suggest that postmenopausal women with breast cancer completing tamoxifen therapy warrant an evaluation of their skeletal health and that bisphosphonate therapy may be useful in preventing bone loss associated with discontinuation of tamoxifen. (Endocr Pract. 2008;14:162-167)