cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unmet Care Needs and Financial Hardship in Patients With Metastatic Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer on Immunotherapy or Chemoimmunotherapy in Clinical Practice

PURPOSE:Immunotherapy or chemoimmunotherapy is now standard treatment for most patients with metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer (mNSCLC), yet patient supportive care needs (SCNs) on immunotherap...
Applications of molecular markers in strawberry

This review examines current and potential applications of molecular markers in strawberry (Fragaria spp.). The most prevalent uses of markers in strawberry are for analyses of genetic diversity, genetic mapping, and cultivar identification. Cultivar identification is by far the most important use of markers to date for the protection of intellectual property as well as to confirm the identity of nursery stock through multiple cycles of asexual propagation. These applications have been accelerated by continuous discovery of simple sequence repeat markers and the development of multiplexed sets. Mapping studies have confirmed the allopolyploid genome structure of cultivated strawberry and shed light onto genetic events that punctuate its domestication. Though marker-trait associations have been identified for disease resistance, photoperiodic flowering, and sex expression, marker-assisted selection in breeding is currently confined to a few entities in the private sector. Pedigree-based analysis holds promise for identifying additional marker-trait associations and simultaneously mining alleles in multiple genetic backgrounds. Meanwhile, the completion of the diploid strawberry genome sequence promises to accelerate candidate-gene approaches for marker discovery.
Neurology Workforce in Hawai‘i: Current and Historical Observations (P6.336)

OBJECTIVE: To follow the history of neurology in Hawai‘i from its first written account of neurological disease to the present, with a focus on the number of neurologists in Hawai‘i. BACKGROUND: In the mid-1800s, leprosy took such hold on the Kingdom of Hawai‘i that King Kamehameha V passed a law mandating the detainment of afflicted individuals. The most severe cases were isolated to the island of Molokai. Although leprosy is associated with neurological sequelae, the first trained neurologist did not arrive in Hawai‘i until the mid-20th Century. Today, there is still a recognized shortage of neurologists and neurosurgeons in Hawai‘i. DESIGN/METHODS: Historical data was collected by searching PubMed, relevant online resources, primary sources regarding leprosy in Hawai‘i, as well data collected by the Area Health Education Committee. RESULTS: In 1938, Ralph B. Cloward arrived in Hawai‘i, to practice both neurology and neurosurgery. Hawai‘i’s population was then 422,770. By the 1950s, there were 3 neurologists and neurosurgeons for 499,794 persons. The 2012 Hawai‘i Physician Workforce Assessment Project estimated a supply of 10.7 neurosurgeons and 32.58 neurologists for Hawai‘i’s population of 1.4 million, a shortage of 55[percnt] neurosurgeons and 42[percnt] neurologists relative to the demand. The American Academy of Neurology’s Workforce Task Force found a greater number of neurologists, but still calculated a shortfall of 20[percnt] compared to demand. Comparatively, the national estimated shortage of neurologists in 2012 was 11[percnt]. CONCLUSIONS: Historically and presently, there has been a shortage of physicians to address neurological diseases in Hawai‘i. This demand is projected to rise, and as older physicians retire, there will be an even greater shortage. The one medical school in Hawai‘i lacks a neurology department to train local medical students who could remain in the local workforce. Proposed remedies include the development of local programs to teach and train students and residents. Disclosure: Dr. Chen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sakoda has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wei has nothing to disclose. Dr. Miles has nothing to disclose.
Participant-Created Case Studies in Multiagency Training

Abstract The case study has long been a staple of professional education. However, as ongoing training in the human services has come to focus more on interagency collaboration to meet the growing and increasingly complex needs of children and families, traditional training methodology, including the creation and use of case studies, has required corresponding change. This paper describes the work of The Center for Child and Family Studies in bringing case study methodology in line with current practice and training reality and discusses The Center's use of this methodology in multiagency collaborative training.
Farm and Weather Summary

Executive Board of Directors President Frank Moore, Cresco Vice President JoAnn Tupper, Ionia Secretary Terry Basol, Waverly Treasurer Bill Lotz, Independence Board Member Mark Mueller, Waverly Board Member Andy Hill, Manly Board Member Dave Drape, Waverly
O-GlcNAcylation of STIM1 in pulmonary artery endothelial cells (1176.8)

Extracellular calcium entry following endoplasmic reticulum store depletion, known as store-operated calcium entry (SOCE), represents the major Ca2+ signaling event in non-excitable cells. In the p...
When Was the State of Nature? A Lockean Response to Rousseau's Critiques

When was the state of nature? Rousseau views the state of nature much differently than other natural rights theorists, including Hobbes, Pufendorf, and Locke, and vigorously critiques their philosophies. While the differences between these two states of nature are vast, a key distinction can be reduced to one concept; time. Ostensibly, the dissimilarity is the temporal location of the state of nature, defined as how far removed that epoch is from the present time. In this essay, I will explore the concept of when the state of nature was located. In the process, I will seek to vindicate Locke's oft-attacked notion of the state of nature, and weaken many of Rousseau's critiques. Further, I will venture a guess how Locke, if given the opportunity, would have responded to some of Rousseau's attacks. First, I highlight Rousseau's critiques of Locke's state of nature. In discussing these criticisms, I focus on Rousseau's argument that savage man in the state of nature lacked reason and language, could not consent to the social compact, and did not cohabitate in families. Contrary to Locke, Rousseau contended these human characteristics are products of civil society and did not exist in the state of nature. Second, I explore whether Locke and Rousseau considered the state of nature to be a hypothetical or a historical period. I contend that both philosophers viewed the state of nature solely as a hypothetical construct useful to discuss human nature and civil society. Assuming the state of nature is a fictitious and hypothetical state, I query why should philosophers study it? In answering this question, I focus on Locke's purposes in writing the Second Treatise, and how the state of nature conveys that message. This analysis attempts to vindicate Locke's philosophy against cynical attempts to disparage his state of nature, and shows why it remains a valid and persuasive method to explain the origins of civil society. Third, I propose a Lockean defense to Rousseau's critiques. Because many of Rousseau's criticisms are styled as if Locke actually viewed the state of nature to be a historical, provable fact, which Locke did not, many of Rousseau's critiques are blunted. I contend that Locke and Rousseau are answering different questions, and therefore many of Rousseau's criticisms are inapt.
High Fetal-Hemoglobin C Disease: a New Syndrome.

A case of interaction of the genes for hemoglobin C and "high fetal" has been reported, with an incomplete family study. The "high F" gene seems to behave as a dominant one. A discussion of the relationship, if any, with this disease to "classical" C-thalassemia was presented. The evidence is inconclusive, but this case does not fit the picture of C-thalassemia as previously reported and is considered to be a separate condition.
High cooperativity, specificity, and multiplicity in the protein kinase C-lipid interaction.

Abstract The number of phosphatidylserine molecules involved in activating protein kinase C was determined in a mixed micelle system where one monomer of protein kinase C binds to one detergent:lipid micelle of fixed composition. Unusually high cooperativity, specificity, and multiplicity in the protein kinase C-phospholipid interaction are demonstrated by examining the lipid dependence of enzymatic activity. The rates of autophosphorylation and substrate (histone) phosphorylation are specifically regulated by the phosphatidylserine content of the micelles. Hill coefficients of 8-11 were calculated for phosphatidylserine-dependent stimulation of enzyme activity, with a maximum occurring in micelles containing greater than or equal to 12 phosphatidylserine molecules. The high specificity that exists is illustrated by the fact that phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol, but not phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidic acid, can replace only some of the phosphatidylserine molecules. We propose that Ca2+ and acidic phospholipids cause the protein to undergo a conformation change revealing multiple phosphatidylserine binding sites and resulting in the highly cooperative and specific interaction of protein kinase C with phosphatidylserine. Consistent with this, the proteolytic sensitivity of protein kinase C increases approximately 10-fold in the presence of phosphatidylserine and Ca2+ compared to Ca2+ alone. The high degree of cooperativity and specificity may provide a sensitive method for the physiological regulation of protein kinase C by phospholipid.
Estimating sediment budgets at the interface between rivers and estuaries with application to the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta

[1] Where rivers encounter estuaries, a transition zone develops where riverine and tidal processes both affect sediment transport processes. One such transition zone is the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, a large, complex system where several rivers meet to form an estuary (San Francisco Bay). Herein we present the results of a detailed sediment budget for this river/estuary transitional system. The primary regional goal of the study was to measure sediment transport rates and pathways in the delta in support of ecosystem restoration efforts. In addition to achieving this regional goal, the study has produced general methods to collect, edit, and analyze (including error analysis) sediment transport data at the interface of rivers and estuaries. Estimating sediment budgets for these systems is difficult because of the mixed nature of riverine versus tidal transport processes, the different timescales of transport in fluvial and tidal environments, and the sheer complexity and size of systems such as the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Sediment budgets also require error estimates in order to assess whether differences in inflows and outflows, which could be small compared to overall fluxes, are indeed distinguishable from zero. Over the 4 year period of this study, water years 1999-2002, 6.6 ± 0.9 Mt of sediment entered the delta and 2.2 ± 0.7 Mt exited, resulting in 4.4 ± 1.1 Mt (67 ± 17%) of deposition. The estimated deposition rate corresponding to this mass of sediment compares favorably with measured inorganic sediment accumulation on vegetated wetlands in the delta.
Synapse formation is regulated by the signaling adaptor GIT1

Dendritic spines in the central nervous system undergo rapid actin-based shape changes, making actin regulators potential modulators of spine morphology and synapse formation. Although several potential regulators and effectors for actin organization have been identified, the mechanisms by which these molecules assemble and localize are not understood. Here we show that the G protein–coupled receptor kinase–interacting protein (GIT)1 serves such a function by targeting actin regulators and locally modulating Rac activity at synapses. In cultured hippocampal neurons, GIT1 is enriched in both pre- and postsynaptic terminals and targeted to these sites by a novel domain. Disruption of the synaptic localization of GIT1 by a dominant-negative mutant results in numerous dendritic protrusions and a significant decrease in the number of synapses and normal mushroom-shaped spines. The phenotype results from mislocalized GIT1 and its binding partner PIX, an exchange factor for Rac. In addition, constitutively active Rac shows a phenotype similar to the GIT1 mutant, whereas dominant-negative Rac inhibits the dendritic protrusion formation induced by mislocalized GIT1. These results demonstrate a novel function for GIT1 as a key regulator of spine morphology and synapse formation and point to a potential mechanism by which mutations in Rho family signaling leads to decreased neuronal connectivity and cognitive defects in nonsyndromic mental retardation.
Quasi-two-dimensional electron gas at the interface of γ-Al2O3/SrTiO3 heterostructures grown by atomic layer deposition

We report the formation of a quasi-two-dimensional electron gas (2-DEG) at the interface of γ-Al2O3/TiO2-terminated SrTiO3 (STO) grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD). The ALD growth of Al2O3 on STO(001) single crystal substrates was performed at temperatures in the range of 200–345 °C. Trimethylaluminum and water were used as co-reactants. In situ reflection high energy electron diffraction, ex situ x-ray diffraction, and ex situ cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy were used to determine the crystallinity of the Al2O3 films. As-deposited Al2O3 films grown above 300 °C were crystalline with the γ-Al2O3 phase. In situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to characterize the Al2O3/STO interface, indicating that a Ti3+ feature in the Ti 2p spectrum of STO was formed after 2–3 ALD cycles of Al2O3 at 345 °C and even after the exposure to trimethylaluminum alone at 300 and 345 °C. The interface quasi-2-DEG is metallic and exhibits mobility values of ∼4 and 3000 cm2 V−1 s−1 at room temperature...
Assignment of the structural gene for argininosuccinate synthetase to proximal mouse chromosome 2.

Abstract In order to develop linkage markers for the murine argininosuccinate synthetase locus (Ass-1), we have searched for restriction fragment length polymorphisms in the mouse genome using cloned sequences from the mouse argininosuccinate synthetase structural gene. Five restriction fragment length polymorphisms were found among the recombinant inbred progenitor strains AKR/J, BALB/cByJ, C3H/HeJ, C57BL/6J, C57L/J, DBA/2J, and SWR/J. Of these, four polymorphisms were found to distinguish the SWR/J strain from the other six strains, which all had the same fragment. The fifth polymorphism revealed differences among the progenitor strains for recombinant inbred strain sets AKXL, BXD, and SWXL. The strain distribution pattern for this polymorphism indicated close linkage of Ass-1 to Hc (the fifth component of complement) on proximal mouse chromosome 2 with a recombination fraction of 0.016 and a 95% confidence interval of 0.003 to 0.054. These data place Ass-1 in a syntenic group with the genes Hc, Abl, Fpgs, and Ak-1 whose linkage has been conserved between human chromosome 9q and mouse chromosome 2.
DCAFE: A Distributed Cyber Security Automation Framework for Experiments

Cyber security has quickly become an overwhelming challenge for governments, businesses, private organizations, and individuals. In an increasingly connected world, the trend is for resources to be accessible from anywhere at any time. Greater access to resources implies more targets and potentially a larger surface area for attacks, which makes securing systems more difficult. Automated and semi-automated solutions are needed to keep up with the deluge of modern threats, but designing such systems requires a distributed architecture to support development and testing. Several such architectures exist, but most only focus on providing a platform for running cyber security experiments as opposed to automating experiment processes. In response to this need, we have built a distributed framework based on software agents which can manage system roles, automate data collection, analyze results, and run new experiments without human intervention. The contribution of this work is the creation of a model for experiment automation and control in a distributed system environment, and this paper provides a detailed description of our framework based on that model.
Safety of Intramuscular Influenza Immunization Among Patients Receiving Long-term Warfarin Anticoagulation Therapy

Background: The effect of influenza vaccine on the prothrombin time (PT) among patients taking warfarin is unclear, as previous studies have shown conflicting results and the clinical significance of such a purported effect is uncertain. Moreover, to our knowledge, there are no data confirming the safety of intramuscular injections in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy with regard to possible local hematoma formation. We measured the effect of influenza vaccine on the PT among patients receiving long-term warfarin sodium therapy and evaluated the safety of intramuscular injections among them. Methods: Forty-one adult patients who were receiving anticoagulant therapy were given 0.5 mL of influenza vaccine intramuscularly. Prothrombin time and arm girth were measured at baseline and on days 3, 7, and 14 after immunization. Local pain and tenderness were assessed on a five-point scale. Patients and study nurses were blinded to all prior measurements. Differences between baseline PT and that at each subsequent visit and the maximal change in arm circumference from baseline were calculated for each patient. Mean, range, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the entire group. Results: There was no statistically significant change in PT between baseline and days 3, 7, and 14 after vaccination, and no significant change in arm circumference was noted. There were no clinically detectable local complications after intramuscular injection and no major or minor bleeding episodes after influenza vaccination. Conclusions: Influenza vaccine has no significant effect on the PT in patients who are being treated with warfarin. Influenza vaccine can be administered intramuscularly to patients who are receiving anticoagulant therapy without the risk of local bleeding complications. (Arch Intern Med. 1995;155:1529-1531)
Modernization and multiscale databases at the U.S. Geological Survey

Abstract The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has begun a digital cartographic modernization program. Keys to that program are the creation of a multiscale database, a feature-based file structure that is derived from a spatial data model, and a series of “templates” or rules that specify the relationships between instances of entities in reality and features in the database. The database will initially hold data collected from the USGS standard map products at scales of 1:24,000, 1:100,000, and 1:2,000,000. The spatial data model is called the digital line graph-enhanced model, and the comprehensive rule set consists of collection rules, product generation rules, and conflict resolution rules. This modernization program will affect the USGS mapmaking process because both digital and graphic products will be created from the database. In addition, non-USGS map users will have more flexibility in uses of the databases. These remarks are those of the session discussant made in response to the six papers and the keynote address given in the session.
Effect of structural modification on second harmonic generation in collagen

The effects of structural perturbation on second harmonic generation in collagen were investigated. Type I collagen fascicles obtained from rat tails were structurally modified by increasing nonenzymatic cross-linking, by thermal denaturation, by collagenase digestion, or by dehydration. Changes in polarization dependence were observed in the dehydrated samples. Surprisingly, no changes in polarization dependence were observed in highly crosslinked samples, despite significant alterations in packing structure. Complete thermal denaturation and collagenase digestion produced samples with no detectable second harmonic signal. Prior to loss of signal, no change in polarization dependence was observed in partially heated or digested collagen.
Exchange rate flexibility in Latin America

Purpose – Exchange rate regime decisively impacts key policy objectives such as financial stability, inflation control, etc. The purpose of this paper is to overview the evolution of exchange rate regimes spanning 12 nations in the Latin American region over the last two decades and estimate the degrees of influence of other major currencies on each nation.Design/methodology/approach – Using the methodology developed by Frankel and Wei, the de facto extent of exchange rate flexibility is discerned for these nations and put into perspective with that of the IMF exchange rate regime classifications.Findings – An increase in flexibility is found from the 1990s to the 2000s, especially for inflation targeting nations. However, the results reveal these nations adopt a policy of “guarded caution” and follow more of a de facto managed floating regime that is far from pure floats. The smaller economies of the region still pursue more fixed regimes. While the results correlate, to an extent, with the IMF's classif...
Tympanoplasty with intact canal wall mastoidectomy for cholesteatoma: long-term surgical outcomes.

ObjectiveWith different mastoidectomy approaches available to the surgeon for treatment of cholesteatoma, we review long-term outcomes of intact canal wall (ICW) mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty.St...
Displacement operator based decompositions of matrices using circulants or other group matrices

Abstract We show how an arbitrary square matrix can be expressed as sums of products of circulant and upper or lower triangular Toeplitz matrices, and as sums of products of matrices derived from finite groups (group matrices) and matrices which are “close” to group matrices. The results obtained are interesting from several points of view: they lead to different methods for computing linear transforms using FFTs or fast convolution algorithms, to faster methods for solving Toeplitz systems, to potential methods for mapping linear transforms to parallel computer architectures with interconnection scheme given by the group graph of a finite group, and possibly to matrix theoretic methods for expressing relationship between finite groups.
Origin of brachiopod-bryozoan assemblages in an Upper Carboniferous limestone: importance of physical and ecological controls

Skeletal accumulations in the Upper Carboniferous Bird Spring Formation of southern Nevada have yielded new information regarding ecological succession in the fossil record and the development of shell concentrations. Through hydraulic baffling processes, a community dominated by cndobyssate bivalves and strophomcnid brachiopods was locally supplanted by a community composed primarily of bryozoans, compositid brachiopods, and various epizoans. The general trophic and diversity changes resemble those expected during ‘short-term ecological succession’ but are due for the most part to the sedimentological and hydraulic regime. In view of this evidence, previous paleontologic examples of ‘autogenic’ succession arc re-interpreted as having been primarily controlled by the physical environment. Upper Carboniferous, Brachiopoda, Bryozoa, paleoecology, ecological succession, epifauna.
Raman Spectroscopic Investigation of Gramicidin A' Conformations

Gramicidin A' is believed to form transmembrane channels in lipid bilayers and biological membranes. The first Raman spectroscopic study of gramicidin A' is presented. Evidence is found for two types of conformation. One type is found in the powder and has a Raman spectrum similar to that of model polypeptides with beta hydrogen bonding. The second type is found when gramicidin A' is dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide.
BDELLOVIBRIO BACTERIOVORUS GEN. ET SP. N., A PREDATORY, ECTOPARASITIC, AND BACTERIOLYTIC MICROORGANISM.

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, gen. et sp. n., a predatory and ectoparasitic microorganism with lytic activity against susceptible bacteria, is described, as are techniques for isolation and cultivation. These unusual bacteria cause reactions that are similar in their outward manifestations to bacteriophage-induced lysis. Upon plating a mixture of host bacteria and parasites, confluent lysis or single plaque formation occurs, just as in titration experiments with bacteriophage. However, the parasite plaques develop more slowly than phage plaques. Lysis of host bacteria in liquid culture is accompanied by a decrease in optical density; actually, a population of infected host bacteria is replaced by a population of the tiny parasite. Individual cells of the presently known strains ofBdellovibrio bacteriovorus are typically about 0.3 µ in width and, thus, are considerably narrower than ordinary bacteria. Therefore, they can pass Millipore filters of 0.45 µ pore size diameter. Their shape is often vibrio-like. They possess one unusually thick polar flagellum of about 50 mµ diameter, and they show a distinctive type of motility. The interaction betweenBdellovibrio and the attacked host bacterium can be followed in the phase-contrast microscope; it is characterized by a physical attack of the highly motile parasite, attachment to the bacterial cell surface, and lysis of the host cell. It has not yet been possible to cultivateBdellovibrio in its parasitic form on any artificial substrate. All parasitic strains require living host cells for their propagation. However, saprophytic mutants can be selected from a population of the parasite. These saprophytic derivatives are unable to lyse living bacteria as does the wild-type parasite. On the basis of morphological and physiological properties, a saprophyte strain which has been examined in some detail shows no close relationship to any of the already known categories of bacteria. A study of the kinetics of growth ofBdellovibrio in mixed culture with a susceptible host has disclosed that the number of parasites produced is not proportional to the number of host bacteria killed during the same period. After the majority of the host cells has been destroyed, there is still a considerable increase in parasites, indicating that they grow at the expense of material released from the lysed bacteria. Under the conditions of this trial, the generation time is about 100 minutes. All presently known isolates ofBdellovibrio possess lytic activity only against gram-negative bacteria. The individual strains, however, show certain differences in their host activity spectra; some have a restricted host range, while others are able to attack a broad spectrum of host bacteria.
A synthesis strategy for mechanical devices

Good mechanical designs are often composed of highly integrated, tightly coupled components in which the interactions among the components are essential to the function and economic execution of the design. This assertion runs counter to design methodologies in other engineering fields, such as software design and circuit design, that advocate designs in which each component fulfills a single function with minimal interaction. Because of the geometry, weight, and cost of mechanical components, converting a single functional requirement into a single component is usually not practical. Each component may contribute to the performance of more than one function, and the performance of each function may be distributed over many components. In fact, most mechanical components perform not only the desired function, but also have many additional, unintended behaviors. In good mechanical designs, these additional behaviors often are exploited. We describe a synthesis strategy to utilize these behaviors by transforming design specifications in a function-preserving manner to obtain function structures which correspond closely to collections of available components. This strategy is elaborated in the context of simple gearbox design. We feel that design strategies derived from characteristics of good designs will foster improved design practice and facilitate the development of computer-based assistance to the designer.
Multi-dimensional radiation transport for modeling axisymmetric Z pinches: Ray tracing compared to Monte Carlo solutions for a two-level atom

Radiation plays a critical role in the dynamical evolution and energetics of Z pinches and a dominant role for those loads designed as radiation sources in the keV photon energy region. Therefore, in modeling such plasmas it is essential to employ an accurate and realistic calculation of radiation generation and transport. This study presents a straightforward method to carry out three-dimensional radiation transport calculations in an azimuthally symmetric cylindrical geometry for use in magnetohydrodynamic simulations of high energy Z-pinch plasma radiation sources. The present approach is based on the integral solution of the radiative transfer equation using long characteristics with equal weight angular quadratures, and uses either a multifrequency grid or probability-of-escape-based zone-to-zone coupling. Using previously published Monte Carlo calculations of a two-level atom in cylindrical geometry as a benchmark, the accuracy of the approach is assessed as a function of the frequency grid, number of rays employed, and spatial grid. An analytic expression for the frequency averaged escape probability of an emission line is found to be as accurate for the population kinetics as the multifrequency method. While the escape probability description sacrifices information on the line profile, it is far more computationally efficient yet sufficiently accurate for line dominated plasmas such as Z-pinch radiation sources.
A Procedure for Locating Emergency-Service Facilities for All Possible Response Distances

The problem of locating emergency-service facilities involves the assignment of a set of demand points to a set of facilities. One way to formulate the problem is to minimize the number of required facilities, given that the maximum distance between the demand points and their nearest facility does not exceed some specified value. We present a procedure for determining the numbers of such facilities for all possible values of the maximum distance. Computational results are presented for a microcomputer implementation.
Magnetostatic simulations for design of superconducting magnetic shields

A magnetostatic approach to numerical simulations of magnetic field attenuation by superconducting shields is demonstrated on simple geometries. Comparisons to published measurements and analytic calculations show that results are accurate for simulation of a shield in the shape of a cylindrical tube. The capabilities of the method are shown by simulations which close the cylinder with end caps having access ports or gaps. With end caps having cylindrical ports, the simulated attenuation transits smoothly between the analytical results for semi-infinite tubes of the two radii. Radial gaps between solid end caps and the cylinder allow little flux leakage for time-varying fields, but significant leakage for static fields.
Alternate paths to chaos in optical bistability

Alternate paths to chaos are observed experimentally in a hybrid optically bistable system with delayed feedback. The waveforms observed on these alternate paths are the frequency-locked waveforms seen in an earlier experiment which we find to be modified versions of the typical period-doubled waveforms. The transitions between these waveforms are discontinuous and show hysteresis loops. By the introduction of an external locking signal we are able to stabilize waveforms in the neighborhood of the discontinuous transitions. By so doing we show that the transitions among the branches are due to their lack of stability. The transition are thus not strictly first-order nonequilibrium phase transitions, since in that case the branches cease to exist at the transition point.
Mass and charge distribution in the fission of 232Th

Abstract The mass and charge distributions in the fission of 232 Th by protons of 15·6 MeV have been measured using Ge(Li) spectroscopy. The cumulative yields of 15 nuclides were used to calculate a total fission cross-section of 315 m.b. For 10 shielded or quasi-shielded nuclides, correlation of their independent yields with a Gaussian charge dispersion was investigated using various mass formulae and charge distribution hypotheses. The minimum potential energy postulate with a shell-effected mass equation, was found to give equal “best correlations” to the data.
Writing Numerals Suggestions for Helping Children

We adults are so accustomed to writing numerals and letters that we tend to underestimate the difficulty faced by the small child, who not only must learn to copy, recognize, and name some 36 arbitrary scribbles, but also must recall which of these scribbles are used in reading, and which are used in math. It is important to remember that the ability to write numerals is different from the ability to understand their value and process them correctly, although numerals must be legible to the writer and reader and positioned so computation can be accomplished without confusion. Statements such as "Johnny is a very poor math student; he can't even write his numbers well, , show a lack of appreciation for the difference between writing skills and the ability to think mathematically. Since learning to write numerals is not very different from learning to write letters, it should be part of penmanship practice in the primary classroom. It need not be part of the mathematics lesson, though of course practice will take place there. If any bad grades must be given for lack of precision in making those lines and curves, they should be penmanship grades, not mathematics grades. Here, then, are proved and practical ways to help children who are facing difficulties in writing numerals properly.
Cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate activation of the rat prolactin promoter is restricted to the pituitary-specific cell type

Pituitary lactotroph cell function and PRL gene expression are highly regulated by the cAMP-protein kinase-A (PKA) pathway. To further our understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which cAMP/PKA regulates rat (r) PRL promoter activity and to determine whether cAMP regulation is cell type specific, we 1) transected intact (-425), internal and 5'-deletion, and site-specific mutants of the rPRL promoter ligated to the firefly luciferase reporter gene into both pituitary and nonpituitary cell lines; and 2) assessed the role of the cAMP-cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) pathway in GH4 rat pituitary cells. The data show that deleting the rPRL promoter from -425 to -116 did not abolish cAMP regulation, implying that proximal elements, such as the basal transcription element (-112/-80) or the pituitary-specific footprint (FP) I (-67/-45), mediate the cAMP response. However, nucleotide changes within FP I or FP II (-130/-120) did not alter the rPRL promoter response to 1 microM forskolin (FSK), desp...
Gap junction enhancer increases efficacy of cisplatin to attenuate mammary tumor growth.

Cisplatin treatment has an overall 19% response rate in animal models with malignant tumors. Increasing gap junction activity in tumor cells provides the targets to enhance antineoplastic therapies. Previously, a new class of substituted quinolines (PQs) acts as gap junction enhancer, ability to increase the gap junctional intercellular communication, in breast cancer cells. We examined the effect of combinational treatment of PQs and antineoplastic drugs in an animal model, showing an increase in efficacy of antineoplastic drugs via the enhancement of gap junctions. Mice were implanted with estradiol-17s (1.7 mg/pellet) before the injection of 1×107 T47D breast cancer cells subcutaneously into the inguinal region of mammary fat pad. Animals were treated intraperitoneally with DMSO (control), cisplatin (3.5 mg/kg), PQ (25 mg/kg), or a combining treatment of cisplatin and PQ. Cisplatin alone decreased mammary tumor growth by 85% while combinational treatment of cisplatin and PQ1 or PQ7 showed an additional reduction of 77% and 22% of tumor growth after 7 treatments at every 2 days, respectively. Histological results showed a significant increase of gap junction proteins, Cx43 and Cx26, in PQ-treated tissues compared to control or cisplatin. Furthermore, evidence of highly stained caspase 3 in tumors of combinational treatment (PQ and cisplatin) was seen compared to cisplatin alone. We have showed for the first time an increase in the efficacy of antineoplastic drugs through a combinational treatment with PQs, a specific class of gap junction enhancers.
APPLICATIONS OF ACOUSTICAL MICROSCOPY IN DIAGNOSTIC MEDICINE

Even from the beginnings of acoustical microscopy in the mid-1970s, biomedical problems were thought to be an important application area for this new technology. In fact, the first acoustical microscopy images produced by both Quate at Stanford and Kessler at Zenith were of biological structures. Unfortunately, over the past 2 decades, the wide application of acoustical microscopy to biomedicine did not develop as initially predicted. Recently, however, a new generation of biomedical scientists, coupled with a new generation of instruments, has rediscovered this technology and is applying this tool to a myriad of applications in the basic sciences as well as in diagnostic medicine. Here we report our experiences with acoustical microscopy in the evaluation of biopsy specimens, primarily from the human skin. At our institution this technology is replacing conventional optical microscopy in the evaluation of skin lesions as we develop a new standard by which tissue changes and disease processes may be defined. We also report our ongoing development of instrumentation, based on acoustical microscopy, for the noninvasive and minimally invasive diagnosis of tissue state. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 8: 61–68, 1997
Complication Rates Following Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Ankle Fractures

Background: Ankle fractures are among the most common injuries treated by orthopaedic surgeons. The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the risks of complications after open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fractures in a large population-based study. Methods: With use of California's discharge database, we identified 57,183 patients who had undergone open reduction and internal fixation of a lateral malleolar, bimalleolar, or trimalleolar ankle fracture as inpatients in the years 1995 through 2005. Short-term complications were examined on the basis of the rates of readmission within ninety days after discharge. The intermediate-term rate of reoperation for ankle fusion or arthroplasty was also analyzed. Logistic regression and proportional hazard regression models were used to determine the strength of the relationships between the rates of complications and fracture type, patient demographics and comorbidities, and hospital characteristics. Results: The overall rate of short-term complications was low, including the rates of pulmonary embolism (0.34%), mortality (1.07%), wound infection (1.44%), amputation (0.16%), and revision open reduction and internal fixation (0.82%). The intermediate-term rates of reoperation were also low, with ankle fusion or ankle replacement being performed in 0.96% of the patients who were observed for five years. Open fractures, age, and medical comorbidities were significant predictors of short-term complications. The presence of complicated diabetes was a particularly strong predictor (odds ratio, 2.30; p < 0.001), as was peripheral vascular disease (odds ratio, 1.65; p < 0.001). The intermediate-term rate of reoperation for ankle fusion or replacement was higher in patients with trimalleolar fractures (hazard ratio, 2.07; p < 0.001) and open fractures (hazard ratio, 5.29; p < 0.001). Treatment at a low-volume hospital was not significantly associated with either the aggregate risk of short-term complications or the risk of intermediate-term reoperation. Conclusions: By analyzing a large, diverse patient population, the present study clarifies the risks associated with open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fractures. Open injury, diabetes, and peripheral vascular disease were strong risk factors predicting a complicated short-term postoperative course. Fracture type was a strong predictor of reoperation for ankle fusion or replacement. Hospital volume did not play a significant role in the rates of short-term or intermediate-term complications. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level II. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Sodium and potassium in meteorites

Abstract Using a method previously published, the sodium and potassium contents of nineteen chondritic meteorites, sixteen achondrites, and two carbonaceous chondrites, and the olivine from four pallasites, have been determined. The latest group of chondrites show the same total spread of values indicated in the previous publication. 90 per cent of all sodium values for chondrites lie between 0.60 and 0.76 per cent and potassium between 0.072 and 0.096 per cent. The olivine from pallasites is very uniform in alkali content with K 0.009–0.011 per cent and Na 0.04–0.05 per cent. The achondrites have quite variable sodium and potassium contents.
Post-irradiation protection and recovery. I. Effects of lipids on haematopoietic organs of x-irradiated male mice.

SummaryAdministration of olive oil within an hour before or after whole-body x-irradiation of male mice at 625 r significantly increased the survival-rate when compared with irradiated untreated mice. The effects of irradiation on bone-marrow, spleen and thymus of irradiated, and oil-treated irradiated, male mice at different time-intervals after irradiation have been studied. Olive-oil therapy accelerated the rate of cellular regeneration and re-population in the bone-marrow, spleen and thymus. The mechanism of action of olive-oil therapy in accelerating the rate of cellular regeneration in the irradiated male mice is broadly discussed. There are indications that olive-oil therapy, by restoring the impaired cell functions, accelerates the rate of cellular regeneration in the haematopoietic organs.
On necessary conditions for the secondary flow of non-Newtonian fluids in straight tubes

Abstract In this paper, we provide a necessary condition for the development of steady secondary flow of non-Newtonian fluids in straight tubes of arbitrary bounded cross-section under constant body force potential, without making any specific constitutive assumption. Speziale [11] showed, that for certain models involving quadratic terms in the kinematical tensors, axial flow is possible in straight tubes. However, his claim that secondary flows are not possible is only true under the additional assumption that the equations have unique solutions.
Structure and chemistry of glucose-producing cells in meningeal tissue of the lamprey

Abstract The structure of meningeal tissue of sea and brook lampreys was investigated with light and electron microscopy. Glucose and other metabolites were measured in separated meningeal and nervous tissues, and a direct fluorometric method was developed to follow the release of glucose from incubated meningeal tissue. Meningeal tissues around brains and spinal cords of both larval and adult lampreys of both species contain prominent round cells. These cells are the probable source of the glucose produced since they contain considerable glycogen. They also contain lipid droplets, darkly staining mitochondria, membrane-bound granules, and whorled endoplasmic membranes which are related to glycogen deposits. Direct extracellular pathways extend from round cells to the basement membrane covering the brain. Evidence is presented that glucose produced by the meninges can pass into the brain. Furthermore, dyes injected into the meningeal tissue also enter the nearby nervous tissue. Kinetics and stability of meningeal glucose-6-phosphatase, which probably participates in the conversion of glycogen to glucose, were investigated. The enzyme resembles that of mammalian liver and kidney, but differs from β-glycerophosphatase.
Second order boundary value problems on an unbounded domain

Abstract We consider the second order nonlinear differential equation ( p ( t ) u ′ ( t ) ) ′ = f ( t , u ( t ) , u ′ ( t ) ) , a.e. in ( 0 , ∞ ) , satisfying two sets of boundary conditions: u ′ ( 0 ) = 0 , lim t → ∞ u ( t ) = 0 and u ( 0 ) = 0 , lim t → ∞ u ( t ) = 0 , where f : [ 0 , ∞ ) × R 2 → R is Caratheodory with respect to L 1 [ 0 , ∞ ) , p ∈ C [ 0 , ∞ ) ∩ C 1 ( 0 , ∞ ) and p ( t ) > 0 for all t ≥ 0 . We obtain the existence of at least one solution using the Leray–Schauder Continuation Principle.
Reconfigurable SRAM Architecture With Spatial Voltage Scaling for Low Power Mobile Multimedia Applications

This paper presents a dynamically reconfigurable SRAM array for low-power mobile multimedia application. The proposed structure use a lower voltage for cells storing low-order bits and a nominal voltage for cells storing higher order bits. The architecture allows reconfigure the number of bits in the low-voltage mode to change the error characteristics of the array in run-time. Simulations in predictive 70 nm nodes show that the proposed array can obtain 45% savings in memory power with a marginal (~10%) reduction in image quality.
Conformational Transitions in Model Silk Peptides

Protein structural transitions and beta-sheet formation are a common problem both in vivo and in vitro and are of critical relevance in disparate areas such as protein processing and beta-amyloid and prion behavior. Silks provide a "databank" of well-characterized polymorphic sequences, acting as a window onto structural transitions. Peptides with conformationally polymorphic silk-like sequences, expected to exhibit an intractable beta-sheet form, were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, circular dichroism, and electron diffraction. Polymorphs resembling the silk I, silk II (beta-sheet), and silk III (threefold polyglycine II-like helix) crystal structures were identified for the peptide fibroin C (GAGAGS repetitive sequence). Two peptides based on silk amorphous sequences, fibroin A (GAGAGY) and fibroin V (GDVGGAGATGGS), crystallized as silk I under most conditions. Methanol treatment of fibroin A resulted in a gradual transition from silk I to silk II, with an intermediate state involving a high proportion of beta-turns. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has been used to observe conformational changes as the peptides adsorb from solution onto a hydrophobic surface. Fibroin C has a beta-strand structure in solution but adopts a silk I-like structure upon adsorption, which when dried on the ZnSe crystal contains silk III crystallites.
Receipt of specialty eye care by children.

Background.—No nationally representative data are available regarding use of eye care services by children. Objectives.—To determine the proportion of children who receive specialty eye care and to evaluate the association of such care with age and other factors associated with health care utilization. Methods.—We used the 2000 National Health Interview Survey to estimate the proportion of nonblind children who received eye care in the preceding 12 months. The association between eye care and the factors of interest among children aged 6–17 years was measured through adjusted bivariate comparisons and logistic regression modeling. Results.—Eye care was received in the preceding 12 months by an estimated 7.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.0–8.6) of the 22.8 million children aged 0–5 years and 24.8% (95% CI 23.5–26.2) of the 48.5 million children aged 6–17 years. Among children aged 6–17 years, girls had 29% greater odds than boys to have received eye care (P = .001). Among children 200% of the federal poverty level, uninsured children had lower odds than did children with public or private health insurance (P Conclusions.—Receipt of specialty eye care is common and increases with age. However, there are marked variations among school-aged children. Future studies should address the causes and effects of these findings.