cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing HPV vaccination status in a Latino population; and parental attitudes towards vaccine mandates

We performed a retrospective cohort study in a largely Latino population in Los Angeles, surveying 95 parents of 11-17 year old girls between May and June 2008 to examine factors associated with [1] parental consent for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) immunization one year after vaccine implementation and [2] parental support of an HPV vaccine mandate for adolescents prior to middle school entry. 73% of participants had heard of the HPV vaccine and 37% of daughters had already received the vaccine. Variables associated with vaccination included Latino ethnicity, the belief that vaccines are safe, and that HPV vaccine prevents cervical cancer. The most frequent reasons for refusing vaccination included parental request for more information and missed opportunities in clinic. Variables associated with parents agreeing with a law mandating HPV vaccination included: belief in vaccine safety, recent maternal Pap Smear, HPV vaccination of participant's daughter prior to survey, and Latino ethnicity. Our survey supports the work of previous studies recommending continued educational campaigns emphasizing the safety of HPV vaccine, and its efficacy in reducing cervical cancer.
Components of fraction III and pepsin-digested fraction III from papain-digested rabbit γ-globulin

Abstract Fraction III of papain-digested rabbit γ-globulin consists of a number of components as revealed by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel. The more rapidly migrating components of this mixture arise from progressive degradation of the earlier members. Nondialyzable fragments from pepsin-digested Fraction III present an even more complex picture, with a number of rapidly migrating protein bands which are absent from the patterns given by Fraction III. The two mixtures can each be partially resolved into three principal fractions by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. In the chromatogram of Fraction III, the first two fractions comprise 70 per cent or more of the total protein and are comparable to unfractionated Fraction III and to each other with respect to ability to ‘fix’ to guinea pig tissue. The first has somewhat the higher sedimentation coefficient (3·6 S as compared to 3·2 S ) and contains the major one of two antigenic types. The second fraction includes both antigenic types while the third, which consists of more highly degraded material, retains only the minor antigenic type and has a diminished capacity for tissue fixation. In the chromatogram of the nondialyzable fragments from pepsin-digested Fraction III, the third fraction comprised about 50–60 per cent of the total protein and proved to be antigenically deficient as well as deficient in ‘tissue-fixing’ capacity. The first fraction proved to be a better inhibitor of the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction than Fraction III itself on a weight basis.
A model to estimate the cost benefit of an occupational vaccination programme for influenza with Influvac in the UK.

Objectives: To model the economic impact of introducing an occupational vaccination programme for influenza with an inactivated influenza subunit vaccine (Influvac®) in the UK. Design and setting: Using published sources, a decision tree was constructed which modelled the costs and benefits of introducing an influenza vaccine in a business in the UK from the perspective of an employer. Study participants and interventions: The model considered the implementation of an occupational vaccination programme with Influvac® in a business employing 1000 normal healthy adults earning the national average wage in the UK. The model assumed that 95% of employees would be absent from work after contracting influenza for a mean of 5 days and that the level of productivity would be reduced by 60% for one day by 85% of sick employees returning to work. Main outcome measures and results: The expected probability of an employee being absent from work following an influenza vaccination would be reduced from 5.7 to 1.8% when the incidence of influenza in the community is 6%.Accordingly, if all 1000 employees were vaccinated, a business would be expected to reduce absenteeism from work attributable to an influenza outbreak by 220 days. Moreover, the expected return on every pound invested by an employer would be £1.03, £3.09 and £5.15 (2000 values) when the annual incidence of influenza in the community is 2, 6 and 10%, respectively. Conclusions: Implementation of an occupational vaccination programme with Influvac® would be expected to reduce the incidence of influenza among a workforce leading to less absenteeism from work and averted lost productivity. Even if the incidence of influenza was as low as 2% it may be a worthwhile investment for UK employers to vaccinate their employees with Influvac®.
AMPK regulated metabolic programing: oncogenic or growth suppressive? Evolving lessons from genetic and pharmacologic studies

Background Cancer cells reprogram their metabolism for optimal growth and survival. Identifying the genes and their functions crucial for cancer metabolic reprograming might have therapeutic implications. The multifunctional kinase AMPK is an evolutionarily conserved energy sensor that plays an important role in cell proliferation, growth and survival. It remains unclear whether AMPK functions as a tumor suppressor or a contextual oncogene. This is because while on one hand active AMPK inhibits mTOR and lipogenesis - two crucial arms of cancer growth, AMPK also ensures viability during metabolic stress. Many studies have shown that AMPK activation by two indirect AMPK agonists AICAR and metformin (now in many cancer clinical trials) reduces cancer cell proliferation - an effect that is rescued by an AMPK inhibitor Compound C in some studies. We used genetic models to scrutinize the specificity of these reagents and examine whether AMPK is a growth suppressor in glioblastoma. Materials and methods We used silencing RNA against AMPK in established GBM cell lines and examined viability in the presence or absence of the reagents to define their mechanisms of action. Results Surprisingly, we found that compared to normal tissue, AMPK is constitutively active in both human and mouse gliomas in vivo. We found that both AMPK agonists inhibited proliferation, but through discrete AMPK-independent mechanisms and both reagents reduced GBM growth in vivo independent of AMPK. Importantly, A769662, a new and direct AMPK activator had no effect on GBM cell proliferation. Metformin directly inhibited mTOR by enhancing PRAS40 association with RAPTOR, while AICAR blocked cell cycle through proteasomal degradation of the G2M phosphatase cdc25c. In another surprise, Compound C itself proved to be a potent anti-GBM agent; however, its cell killing effects were pleiotropic and also independent of AMPK. We next examined if AMPK is required for viability of freshly established patient-derived GBM cells and found that many of these cells lose viability in vitro when AMPK was silenced. Conclusions Our results suggest that AICAR, metformin and Compound C are all AMPK-independent anti-proliferative agents. Importantly, physiologically active AMPK in GBM could be a growth promoter rather than a growth suppressor in vivo. We are taking multiple genetic approaches to determine this in mouse models of human GBM.
Reduced dNTP Binding Affinity of 3TC-resistant M184I HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Variants Responsible for Viral Infection Failure in Macrophage

We characterized HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) variants either with or without the (-)-2′,3′-deoxy-3′-thiacytidine-resistant M184I mutation isolated from a single HIV-1 infected patient. First, unlike variants with wild-type M184, M184I RT variants displayed significantly reduced DNA polymerase activity at low dNTP concentrations, which is indicative of reduced dNTP binding affinity. Second, the M184I variant displayed a ∼10- to 13-fold reduction in dNTP binding affinity, compared with the Met-184 variant. However, the kpol values of these two RTs were similar. Third, unlike HIV-1 vectors with wild-type RT, the HIV-1 vector harboring M184I RT failed to transduce cell types containing low dNTP concentrations, such as human macrophage, likely due to the reduced DNA polymerization activity of the M184I RT under low cellular dNTP concentration conditions. Finally, we compared the binary complex structures of wild-type and M184I RTs. The Ile mutation at position 184 with a longer and more rigid β-branched side chain, which was previously known to alter the RT-template interaction, also appears to deform the shape of the dNTP binding pocket. This can restrict ground state dNTP binding and lead to inefficient DNA synthesis particularly at low dNTP concentrations, ultimately contributing to viral replication failure in macrophage and instability in vivo of the M184I mutation.
Water quality of a coastal Louisiana swamp and how dredging is undermining restoration efforts

Abstract The Bayou Boeuf Basin (BBB), a sub-basin of the Barataria Basin estuary in coastal Louisiana, consists of forested and floating wetlands receiving drainage from surrounding agricultural fields and urban watersheds. We characterized surface water quality in the BBB, and determined through hydrologic modeling if a series of levee breaks along major drainage channels would significantly improve water quality by allowing flow into surrounding wetlands. Surface water monitoring found surrounding sugarcane farm fields to be major sources of nutrient and sediment loading. Hydrological modeling indicated that levee breaks would increase N reduction from the current 21.4% to only 29.2%, which is much lower than the anticipated 90–100% removal rate. This was due to several factors, one them being dredging of main drainage channels to such a degree that water levels do not rise much above the surrounding wetland elevation even during severe storms, so only a very small fraction of the stormwater carried in the channel is exposed to wetlands. These unexpected results provide insight into an undoubtedly pervasive problem in human dominated wetland systems; that of decreased flooding during storm events due to channel deepening by dredging activities. Additional water quality management practices should be implemented at the farm field level, prior to water entering major drainage canals.
Special session - have You tried…? the sequel

This special session is organized to provide a highly interactive forum for a spirited exchange of varied ideas and teaching techniques between presenters and audience. Six presenters have been invited in advance by the session chairs with each presenter limited to 5 minutes and 3 slides followed by 3 minutes of discussion with the audience. Members of the audience are encouraged to bring a 1 paragraph summary for a random selection of up to three additional presenters. A 12 minute, informal exchange between all participants will follow the speakers. Under ideal conditions, the rapid, paced presentations and exchanges with the audience will make it difficult to distinguish between the presenters and the audience.
Anisotropy and coupled free oscillations: simplified models and surface wave observations

SUMMARY We have explored the long-period seismic response of several idealized isotropic and anisotropic earth models to determine the observable aspects of anisotropy in the Earth’s upper mantle. The models chosen are zonally symmetric (i.e. constant with respect to longitude), with 3.0 per cent and -1.5 per cent peak-to-peak perturbations to shear and compressional velocities, respectively, to a depth of 216 km. Our calculations suggest that upper mantle azimuthal anisotropy of a few per cent, spatially coherent over the length scale of a typical ocean basin, is sufficient to generate significant waveform anomalies in long-period seismic records. These anomalies are termed ‘quasi-Love’ and ‘quasi-Rayleigh’ waves, and are best observed for shallow events near the Rayleigh and Love source-radiation minima, respectively. For three large, recent, shallow, predominantly strike-slip events, seismic observations at itations with auspicious source-receiver geometry show evidence for 4-7 rnHz waveforms similar to those seen in synthetic experiments for ‘smooth’ anisotropic mantle structure. We infer the presence of smoothly varying upper mantle anisotropy after determining that other causative factors are less plausible. The waveforms observed could be explained by isotropic structures, but the velocity perturbations would need to be >20 per cent to explain the observations in the 4-7 mHz bandpass. ‘Rough’ anisotropic structure is also a possibility, but our calculations suggest that regional-scale anisotropy of a few per cent, if globally pervasive rather than confined to some regions (e.g. plate collision zones), would cause strong mixed-type coupling at frequencies f > 10 mHz. In the data we have analysed, the quasi-Love waveforms appear to be bandlimited to f 5 10 - 15 mHz, depending on the source-receiver pair. Angular selection criteria for coupling between fundamental spheroidal and toroidal modes suggest that this frequency dependence is consistent with the presence of upper mantle anisotropy with angular degrees s 5 10-15 and peak amplitude of a few per cent. However, the restriction of quasi-Love waveforms to Rayleigh wave minima restricts our resolution, for three predominantly strike-slip earthquakes, to six great circles, not one of which is free from apparent waveform anomalies.
The Gaseous Environment of the Chick Embryo in Relation to Its Development and Hatchability 1. Effect of Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen Levels during the First Four Days of Incubation upon Hatchability

Abstract TESTING an assumption that the developing chick embryo may have different requirements at different stages of incubation, a series of experiments has been projected to determine the optimal levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2) during short segments of the total period of incubation. Previous investigations and much practical testing have been concerned almost exclusively with the effect of conditions maintained uniformly throughout the entire incubation period or with cumulative effects produced by the increasing rate of metabolism of the embryo. The results from such experiments may reflect either a response by the embryo to conditions obtaining at all times during incubation or a limitation of development at certain stages when the embryo is particularly sensitive to its gaseous environment. Evidence from many sources has been accumulating that may be interpreted as indicating varying optimal requirements according to the stage of development of the embryo. The present report is …
Chemical and Radiation Environmental Risk Management: Differences, Commonalities, and Challenges

Driven by differing statutory mandates and programmatic separation of regulatory responsibilities between federal, state, and tribal agencies, distinct chemical and radiation risk management strategies have evolved. In the field this separation poses real challenges since many of the major environmental risk management decisions we face today require the evaluation of both types of risks. Over the last decade, federal, state, and tribal agencies have continued to discuss their different approaches and explore areas where their activities could be harmonized. The current framework for managing public exposures to chemical carcinogens has been referred to as a "bottom up approach." Risk between 10(-4) and 10(-6) is established as an upper bound goal. In contrast, a "top down" approach that sets an upper bound dose limit and couples with site specific As Low As Reasonably Achievable Principle (ALARA), is in place to manage individual exposure to radiation. While radiation risk are typically managed on a cumulative basis, exposure to chemicals is generally managed on a chemical-by-chemical, medium-by-medium basis. There are also differences in the nature and size of sites where chemical and radiation contamination is found. Such differences result in divergent management concerns. In spite of these differences, there are several common and practical concerns among radiation and chemical risk managers. They include 1) the issue of cost for site redevelopment and long-term stewardship, 2) public acceptance and involvement, and 3) the need for flexible risk management framework to address the first two issues. This article attempts to synthesize key differences, opportunities for harmonization, and challenges ahead.
The meaning of existence in Plato's Sophist

In this paper, I should like to give arguments for the following points: (1) that, for the later Plato, what exists must be defined by forms interrelated in logos; (2) that the particular things of experience exist, and also are defined by the interrelated forms. Their existence is not that of substantial subjects beyond their predicative forms, but is comprised by the forms, which formulate them and bring them out of the matrix of experience. Thus, Plato is sketching a profoundly original approach to the perennial problems of philosophy.
A new species of Phyllanthus (euphorbiaceae) from Central America

During the last week of June, 1962, in the course of a Purdue botanical expedition to Central America, an unfamiliar species of Phyllanthus subg. Conami (Fig. 1) was encountered growing abundantly along roadsides and was collected three times: first in Chiapas between Tuxtla Guti6rrez and San Cristobal, and subsequently in Guatemala at two places along the shore of Lago Atitlan, about 175 miles (airline) to the southeast. At all three places the plant was common, and at the Chiapas locality it formed extensive low thickets among the highly disturbed roadside scrub. Cytological material was collected from both the Mexican and Guatemalan populations, and Dr. Kim Miller later successfully determined the chromosome number (n = 26) in both samples while preparing a cytotaxonomic survey of some neotropical Euphorbiaceae (Miller & Webster, infra 372-379.) In the treatment of Phyllanthus in the Flora of Guatemala (Standley & Steyermark, Fieldiana 24(6): 144-155. 1949) these specimens keyed down to P. micrandrus Muell. Arg., a name which has been widely applied to Mexican and Central American shrubs that obviously belong to subg. Conami but which have relatively large, blunt, non-scabrous leaves. However, P. micrandrus was described by Mueller (Linnaea 32: 27. 1863) on the basis of two Venezuelan collections (Fendler 1195 and Otto 594), and the author noted that the plant had, inter alia, 'floribus longe capillaceo-pedicellatis ... disco utriusque sexus urceolari ... antheris inter se liberis.' These characters do not accord with our Central American specimens, in which the pedicels of the male flowers are only 1.5-4.0 mm long (vs. 15-20 mm long on a Fendler syntype seen at Kew), the male disk is divided into three distinct massive segments, and the anthers are fused by the connectives to the bases of the locules (Fig. 7). As nearly as can be determined from examination of extensive series of collections of subg. Conami from Central America, P. micrandrus is entirely unrepresented in the area, and is probably confined to northern South America. Most of the Mexican and Guatemalan specimens which have been misdetermined as P. micrandrus should be referred to P. mocinianus Baill., a species which resembles our Chiapas and Guatemalan collections in its rather broad, thin, often bluntish leaves and in its tendency to have deciduous branchlets with a greatly reduced number of lateral axes (Fig. 2). However, P. mocinianus has larger male flowers (pedicels ca 6-10 mm long, inner calyx-lobes 2.0-2.8 mm long vs. only 1.0-1.9 mm in our plants), and the anthers are quite discrete, emarginate, and not compressed. A search of the literature indicates that there is no published name available for the populations from Chiapas and Lago Atitlan. Since a name is needed for reference to the plant in a forthcoming paper on chromosome counts in the Euphorbiaceae, there appears to be no alternative to proposing a new species to accommodate our three collections.
Two new methanol transitions in Orion A.

Emission from the 11(1) - 10(2) (A-) and 5(0) - 4(1) (E) transitions of CH3OH at rest frequencies of 76,247.4 and 76,509.9 MHz, respectively, has been detected toward Orion A. The velocity widths of the two transitions are estimated to be approximately 3 km/s, which is consistent with other methanol lines in Orion. It is noted that the 117.5-kayser upper-state energy of the 11(1) - 10(2) (A-) transition is the highest yet reported for methanol in any source. The observed intensity is shown to be consistent with the 90-K thermal excitation model that seems to be appropriate for all other reported CH3OH lines in Orion A. Total column densities of 3 x 10 to the 16th per sq cm for the 11(1) - 10(2) (A-) transition and of 2 x 10 to the 16th per sq cm for the 5(0) - 4(1) (E) transition are calculated.
Concerning the Source of “Labile” Sulfur in Clostridial Ferredoxin

Ferredoxin was isolated and purified from Clostridium pasteurianum grown in the presence of [35S]sulfate as the sole sulfur source. Apoferredoxin prepared from this [35S]ferredoxin (uniformly labeled) retained 46–48% of the specific radioactivity. Ferredoxin was reconstituted from this apoferredoxin with unlabeled sulfide and found to retain 52% of the specific activity of the native radioactive [35S]ferredoxin. These results indicate that 8 atoms of 35S were removed from [35S]ferredoxin as sulfide in the preparation of apoferredoxin and the same amount of sulfide was supplied by the unlabeled sulfide in the reconstituted ferredoxin. Apoferredoxin-I and apoferredoxin-II prepared from ferredoxin previously reconstituted with Na235S retained only 1.3% and 1.4% of the 35S. These observations further support previous conclusions that clostridial ferredoxin contains two distinct classes of sulfur: the acid-labile sulfide and the sulfur in the cysteine residues of the polypeptide. Previous experiments concerning the origin of the acid-labile sulfide in clostridial ferredoxin are summarized and discussed.
Prophylactic amnioinfusion in pregnancies complicated by thick meconium

Abstract Objective: We hypothesized that prophylactic intrapartum amnioinfusion in pregnancies complicated by thick meconium will not decrease the incidence of fetal distress, cesarean section for fetal distress, or meconium below the cords. Study Design: Patients with thick meconium were randomized to amnioinfusion ( n = 65) or control ( n = 59). The amnioinfusion group received an 800 ml bolus of normal saline solution followed by a continuous infusion at 180 ml/hr. Continuous variables were compared by Student t test, and discrete variables were compared by x 2 analysis and Fisher's exact test as appropriate. Results: The incidence of fetal distress (16 of 65 vs 8 of 59) and cesarean section for fetal distress (seven of 65 vs seven of 59) was not significantly different between the amnioinfusion and control groups, respectively. The rate of meconium below the cords (one of 65 vs eight of 59) was significantly lower in patients receiving amnioinfusion (relative risk 0.09, confidence interval 0.01 and 0.82, p = 0.02). Two cases of meconium aspiration syndrome occurred in control patients but in none receiving amnioinfusion ( p = 0.22). Conclusion: Prophylactic amnioinfusion in patients with thick meconium decreases the incidence of meconium below the cords and may subsequently have an impact on the incidence of meconium aspiration syndrome in larger series.
Differences in the cytochrome P-450S from resistant and susceptible house flies.

Abstract A comparison of difference spectra formed with microsomal cytochrome P-450 from a susceptible and a resistant strain of house flies shows both quantitative and qualitative differences. The differences are similar to those observed for the same spectra between normal and phenobarbital- or 3-methylcholanthrene-treated mammals. The relationship of these findings to resistance, synergism, and cytochrome P-450 in the house fly is discussed. Contamination of house fly preparations with mitochondrial components, endogenous inhibitors, and cytochrome P-420 is also discussed with particular reference to the use of abdomens vs. whole flies as the microsome source.
Pharmacogenomics of Analgesic Agents

The treatment of pain is a priority in the practice of medicine today. A comprehensive understanding of the pharmacogenomic determinants of analgesic efficacy can help clinicians optimize pain treatment to improve quality of care provided and patient satisfaction. A number of studies have increased our knowledge of genetic influences on analgesic response and pain relief. Few but consistent studies of opioid medications have revealed the shortcomings of analgesia provided by codeine and the advantages to the use of hydrocodone and oxycodone. Ongoing studies investigating the effect of genotypes on other commonly used analgesics should contribute to our knowledge of the effect of genes on clinical outcomes. This review of the contribution of pharmacogenomics to the interindividual variability in response to opioid analgesics will offer insight into the success and failure of commonly used medications in the emergency department.
An assessment of two training interventions designed to increase the knowledge of obstetrical nurses and nurse-midwives about the maternal serum triple screen.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of two brief training interventions designed to improve nurses' and nurse-midwives' knowledge about the maternal serum triple screen. The low intervention consisted of written information on the triple screen: the high intervention consisted of written information plus a one hour oral presentation. Knowledge was assessed at baseline. immediately following the oral presentation (high intervention only). and one month following the interventions. Forty-seven nurses. nurse-midwives and nursing assistants participated. Sixteen respondents (34 per cent) who routinely talk to patients about the triple screen obtained a score of less than 70 per cent on the knowledge questionnaire at baseline assessment. Respondents' knowledge about the maternal serum triple screen included areas that needed to be improved in order for them to be able to provide patients with accurate and complete information. Both interventions assessed in this study resulted in an increase in participants' knowledge about the maternal serum triple screen. however the high intervention was more effective. This study presents evidence that improvements in health care professionals' knowledge can be made with brief educational interventions.
Oxidation of titanium-decorated single-walled carbon nanotubes and subsequent reduction by lithium.

The chemical surface structure of Ti-decorated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) is studied. X-ray photoelectron spectra show that Ti adatoms on the SWNT surface oxidize even under ultra-high-vacuum conditions, presenting a serious obstacle for the use of Ti-decorated SWNTs for hydrogen storage. A subsequent deposition of Li can, however, reduce the degree of Ti oxidation, “liberating” Ti atoms for the interaction with hydrogen molecules in hydrogen storage applications.
An Examination of the Golf Vacation Package-Purchase Decision: A Case Study in the U. S. Gulf Coast Region

ABSTRACT The hospitality and tourism industry accounts for nearly 22 percent of the large U.S. golf economy. Of all golf-related trips, golf vacation trips represent the largest category. Golf vacation packages are an important promotional tool used by marketers to attract more golfers to a particular destination, especially during the off-peak seasons (i.e. non-summer seasons). Thirty in-depth, personal interviews were conducted among male golfers along the Alabama Gulf Coast, primarily to identify important factors associated with the golf vacation package-purchase decision. The findings indicate that vacationing golfers seek to reduce the inherent risks associated with their golf vacation purchase by initially relying heavily on word-of-mouth communications and later on their own experiences. Important factors in selecting (or not selecting) a golf vacation package include: weather; golf course availability/accessibility; perceived value; restaurants and nightlife; time constraints. The theoretical fra...
Taking Care of Children: Applying Anthropology in Maternal and Child Nutrition and Health

Bringing anthropology to bear on programs and policies in nutrition and health requires the application of both theory and method. This paper describes several examples, drawing from my experiences related to infant and young child feeding and management of infectious disease in children. Part of the task is reframing the dominant biomedical and economic models to encompass the sociocultural contexts in which caregiving behaviors are embedded and elucidate their implications for the design and implementation of interventions. Another aspect is the development of tools that facilitate the use of anthropological methods in public health and nutrition. Thirdly, applying anthropological theories and methods to explicate the systems that deliver services and meaningful engagement with these systems so that the results can be used to improve nutrition and health interventions is another key focus. Finally, it is essential that we remain grounded in our anthropological roots and critically appraise and reapprais...
A clinician's view of the mass screening of the newborn for inherited diseases: current practice and future considerations.

The case for or against mass screening for inherited diseases is discussed. There is universal acceptance for mass screening for phenylketonuria and congenital hypothyroidism. The case for mass screening for galactosaemia and for maple syrup urine disease is not very strong; they could be considered under the heading of ‘urgent screening of the sick newborn’. It is difficult to find good arguments for mass screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia. For screening for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and sickle cell disease, the established criteria for mass screening do not apply. A simple tool for early detection is now available and the population afflicted with a mutant gene which causes major health problems should receive special attention from its government. It is too early to offer any comment about cystic fibrosis screening; further developments must be awaited.
A Three-Dimensional View of Personality

How should personality be depicted? Sheldon, Cheng, and Hilpert (this issue) locate personality using levels along a single dimension that ranges from smaller systems such as neurons and brain stru...
Analysis of quaternary structure of a [LDH-like] malate dehydrogenase of Plasmodium falciparum with oligomeric mutants.

l-Malate dehydrogenase (PfMDH) from Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent for the most severe form of malaria, has shown remarkable similarities to l-lactate dehydrogenase (PfLDH). PfMDH is more closely related to [LDH-like] MDHs characterized in archae and other prokaryotes. Initial sequence analysis and identification of critical amino acid residues involved in inter-subunit salt-bridge interactions predict tetrameric structure for PfMDH. The catalytically active recombinant PfMDH was characterized as a tetramer. The enzyme is localized primarily in the parasites cytosol. To gain molecular insights into PfMDH/PfLDH relationships and to understand the quaternary structure of PfMDH, dimers were generated by mutation to the potential salt-bridge interacting sites. The R183A and R214G mutations, which snapped the salt bridges between the dimers and resulted in lower dimeric state, did not affect catalytic properties of the enzyme. The mutant dimers of PfMDH were active equally as the wild-type PfMDH. The studies reveal structure of PfMDH as a dimer of dimers. The tetrameric state of PfMDH was not essential for catalytic functions of the enzyme but may be an evolutionary adaptation for cytosolic localization to support its role in NAD/NADH coupling, an important metabolic function for survival of the malaria parasite.
The relationship of epithelial cell types in the ventral prostate glands of castrated mice treated with testosterone

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of epithelial cell types in the ventral prostate glands of castrated mice treated with testosterone during the period of maximum DNA synthesis, mitosis, and restitution of the epithelium. Of 33 adult mice, ten were used as normal controls, six were used as castrated controls at day zero of treatment, and 17 castrates were treated with testosterone for 1 through 8 days. Selected normals, castrates, and treated mice were injected with 3H-thymidine prior to their sacrifice. Tissue samples from each mouse were processed for electron microscopy and autoradiography. The epithelium of the ventral prostate glands after testosterone treatment had four cell types: basal, intermediate, mitotic, and columnar. Intermediate and mitotic cells were most frequent during the second, third, and fourth day of androgen treatments. Basal and columnar cells were observed in normal, castrates, and androgen-treated mice. The restitution of the epithelium included an initial phase of cell growth which was essentially complete by the fifth day of hormone treatment. During the growth phase many basal and columnar cells synthesized DNA and became mitotic. Columnar cells increased their cell height and showed variable amounts of organelles and inclusions. The growth phase was followed by the secretory phase in which columnar cells contained abundant supranuclear organelles and inclusions and appeared as secretory cells much as those observed in normal prostate. The restitution process of the prostate glands of castrates was completed by the eighth day of hormone treatment.
Bubble Density in a Propane Bubble Chamber

Measurements of the number of bubbles per centimeter in a propane bubble chamber are described. A method insensitive to the effects which cause inefficiency in direct bubble counting was used, based on the distribution of bubble spacings. The number of bubbles per centimeter measured by using this method is consistent with the rate of delta-ray formation. (auth)
Superconductivity by quantum size effect II. Ground state properties of a wire with mesoscopic subdivisions

Abstract The current carrying ground state of a solid with delocalized electrons and finite length is studied. The critical current for pair breaking is determined by the quantum size gaps and by the strength of the magnetostatic electron-electron coupling. In a wire with mesoscopic subdivisions, which are in sufficiently weak electrical contact with each other, the critical current is inversely proportional to the length a of the mesoscopic units, if the diameter of the wire is larger than the London penetration depth. It is then of the order of 108–109 A cm−2 for a length a of around several hundred angstroms.
Interpreting the Influence of Community College Attendance upon Baccalaureate Attainment

National quantitative studies examining the impact of community college attendance upon educational attainment conclude that initial attendance at a community college (as opposed to a 4-year instit...
Implementing a Natural Helper Lay Health Advisor Program: Lessons Learned from Unplanned Events

Programs that train natural helpers, or members of the community to whom others naturally turn for help, to be lay health advisors (LHAs) have proliferated throughout the United States; evaluations of these programs, however, are uncommon. The goal of this exploratory study was to understand how the natural helper LHA approach, as operationalized by the North Carolina Breast Cancer Screening Program (NC-BCSP), was translated from idea into practice. Data from document review and in-depth interviews with 24 LHAs and four of their coordinators were used to compare theory-based program plans with actual practice. Results suggest that although in large part the natural helper model was followed, program implementation departed from program plans in several unanticipated ways in the areas of (a) recruitment, (b) program direction, and (c) LHA activities. Differences illustrate the tensions between theory and practice and between community and program planners that may be inherent in a natural helper program, a...
Approaches to Chronic Disease and Chronic Care

The increasing prevalence and cost of chronic diseases and care indicate that comprehensive changes and paradigm shifts are needed in how healthcare systems approach and care for the chronically ill. Biological systems theory has been suggested as a model to explain human differences within surrounding systems that could translate into biological mechanisms, and is consistent with the chronic care model. Biological systems theory defines five levels of environmental contexts within the social milieu of an individual: the microsystem, comprising the direct interactions and intimate relationships of an individual’s everyday life; the mesosystem, relating to interactions between the components of the microsystem; the exosystem, comprising the wider social and community setting; the macrosystem, consisting of cultural value, ethnic identity, beliefs, laws, and customs; and the chronosystem, comprising the patterns of events throughout the lifecourse. Interventions incorporating biological systems theory have shown some success in pediatric populations. Bioecological systems theory presents an out-of-the-box discipline approach for potential application or contribution to chronic care that is consistent with the chronic care model.
Exceptional visuospatial imagery in schizophrenia; implications for madness and creativity

Biographical and historical accounts suggest a link between scientific creativity and schizophrenia. Longitudinal studies of gifted children indicate that visuospatial imagery plays a pivotal role in exceptional achievements in science and mathematics. We asked whether visuospatial imagery is enhanced in individuals with schizophrenia (SZ). We compared SZ and matched healthy controls (HC) on five visuospatial tasks tapping parietal and frontoparietal functions. Two aspects of visuospatial transformation, spatial location and mental imagery manipulation were examined with Paper Folding Test (PFT) and jigsaw puzzle task (JPT), respectively. Visuospatial intelligence was assessed with Ravens Progressive Matrices, which is associated with frontoparietal network activity. Hemispatial inattention implicating parietal function was assessed with line bisection (LB) task. Mediated by prefrontal cortex, spatial delayed response task (DRT) was used to index working memory maintenance, which was impaired in SZ compared to HC. In contrast, SZ showed intact visuospatial intelligence and transformation of location. Further, SZ performed significantly better than HC on JPT indicating enhanced mental imagery manipulation. Spatial working memory (SWM) maintenance and mental imagery manipulation were strongly associated in HC but dissociated in SZ. Thus, we observed enhanced mental imagery manipulation in SZ but the dissociation of mental imagery from working memory suggests a disrupted frontoparietal network. Finally, while HC showed the expected leftward pseudoneglect, SZ showed increased rightward LB bias implicating left hemispatial inattention and impaired right parietal control of spatial attention. The current results chart a unique profile of impaired, spared and enhanced parietal-mediated visuospatial functions implicating parietal abnormalities as a biobehavioral marker for SZ. We discuss these results in relation to creative cognition.
A theory-based decision aid for patients with cancer: results of feasibility and acceptability testing of DecisionKEYS for cancer

Purpose Appropriate utilization of treatment is a goal for all patients undergoing cancer treatment. Proper treatment maximizes benefit and limits exposure to unnecessary measures. This report describes findings of the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a short, clinic-based decision aid and presents an in-depth clinical profile of the participants.
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound evaluation of residual blood flow to hepatocellular carcinoma after treatment with transarterial chemoembolization using drug-eluting beads: a prospective study.

Objectives To evaluate the accuracy and change over time of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (US) imaging for assessing residual blood flow after transarterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma with drug-eluting beads at 2 different follow-up intervals. Methods Data from 16 tumors treated by transarterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads were successfully obtained. As part of the study, patients provided consent to undergo contrast-enhanced US examinations the morning before embolization, 1 to 2 weeks after embolization, and the morning before follow-up contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) (1 month after embolization). Blinded review of contrast-enhanced US and MRI/CT studies were performed by 2 radiologists who evaluated residual flow as no change, partial change, or no residual flow. Inter- and intra-reader variability rates were calculated before discordant individual reads were settled by consensus. Results The only adverse event reported during the contrast-enhanced US examinations was a single episode of transient back pain. Contrast-enhanced US at 1 to 2 weeks after embolization (n = 14) resulted in 100% sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy. Contrast-enhanced US 1 month after embolization (n = 15) resulted in 75% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value, 92% negative predictive value, and 93% accuracy. Inter-reader agreement was 86% for contrast-enhanced US at 1 to 2 weeks, 93% for contrast-enhanced US at 1 month, and 100% for contrast-enhanced MRI/CT at 1 month, whereas intra-reader agreement was 71% for contrast-enhanced US at 1 to 2 weeks, 87% for contrast-enhanced US at 1 month, and 91% for MRI/CT. Conclusions Contrast-enhanced US imaging at 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure may be a viable alternative to MRI/CT for evaluating residual blood flow after transarterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads, albeit with a higher degree of reader variability.
Analysis of coronary blood flow velocity dynamics in angiographicaily normal and stenosed arteries before and after endolumen enlargement by angioplasty

Abstract Objectives . This study was designed to assess whether the spectral waveform of coronary velocity on Doppler study is characteristically altered in the presence of significant stenosis with normalization of the spectral waveform after relief of endolumen obstruction. Background . Although coronary flow reserve determinations have provided physiologic information complementary to the angiographic percent diameter narrowing, flow velocity measurements have been limited to proximal arteries with inconsistent results after angioplasty. A 12-MHz Doppler guide wire permits flow velocity determination in the proximal and distal coronary artery with fast Fourier spectral analysis. Methods . With the Doppler guide wire, proximal arterial flow velocity and flow reserve measurements in 17 angiographically normal arteries were compared with measurements in 29 significantly stenosed arteries. Proximal and distal flow velocity measurements were also obtained before and after angioplasty of the 29 abnormal arteries. Velocity spectrum was digitized to compute peak diastolic velocity, peak systolic velocity, mean velocity, diastolic/systolic velocity ratio and first third and first half flow fraction. Results . Compared with proximal stenosed arteries, proxtmal normal arteries had significantly higher peak diastolic velocity (64 ± 26 cm/s vs. 41 ± 26 cm/s) and higher coronary vasodilator reserve (2.3 ± 0.8 vs. 1.6 ± 0.7). Normal arteries had higher flows in the first third and first half of the coronary cycle (46 ± 3% vs. 39 ± 7% and 65 ± 2% vs. 56 ± 10%, respectively). Before angioplasty, coronary velocity variables were significantly lower distal than proximal to the stenosis. After angioplasty, there was a greater mean increase in distal velocities (200% vs. 90% for the proximal arteries) that resulted in near equalization of proximal and distal mean velocity and a significant reduction in proximal/ distal mean velocity ratio (2.4 ± 1.7 vs. 1.2 ± 0.4). Conclusions . Before angioplasty, abnormal coronary flow velocity dynamics are more marked distal than proximal to the stenosis. Greater increase in coronary flow velocities in the distal circulation after relief of endolumen obstruction results in a significant reduction in the proximal/distal flow velocity ratio. Thus, normalization of Doppler-derived flow velocity variables with marked reduction of the proximal/distal flow velocity ratios parallels angiographic success and may prove useful as an additional end point measurement in interventional cases with questionable angiographic findings.
Rates of fission in Aquilonastra corallicola Marsh (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) as affected by population density

The sea star Aquilonastra corallicola reproduces asexually by splitting across the central disc, a process known as fission. Although photoperiod and body mass are known to influence the rate of reproduction in fissiparous asteroid species, to our knowledge, the effects of population density have not been experimentally measured in asteroids. We tested the effects of three population densities on the rate of fission in laboratory populations maintained for 4 months at low, medium, and high (n = 5, 15, and 30 per treatment replicate, respectively) population densities. Our results show that population density has a significant, inverse effect upon rate of reproduction in this species. This suggests that density-dependent regulation of asexual reproduction is a significant factor in explaining the observed patterns of population structure in marine clonal invertebrates.
A review of the use of script-based tracking in CALL research for data sharing: applications providing meaning aids

Using script-based tracking to gain insights into the way students learn or process language information can be traced as far back as to the 1980s. Nevertheless, researchers continue to face challenges in collecting and studying this type of data. The objective of this study is to propose data sharing through data repositories as a way to (a) ease the challenges that researchers face in collecting and studying this type of tracking data in non-CMC environments, (b) increase the use of this type of data to gain insights into second language learning, and (c) synthesize and enhance CALL research. To this end, the study outlines the functions of a potential data repository and reviews extant research studies. The review focuses on computer applications that used meaning aids to make the meaning of language items accessible during reading activities. The goal is to identify the required data fields for such repository by taking into account existing research studies. Finally, the study provides two potential ...