cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 13428: A Scoring System for Early Prognostication of Neurologic Outcomes in Out-of-hospital Sudden Cardiac Arrest Treated With Mild Therapeutic Hypothermia

Background: Out of hospital sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is highly fatal, with estimated survival to hospital discharge 10-37%. The leading cause of death is neurologic injury, but with mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH), favorable neurologic outcomes (NO) improve by 20%. Current guidelines recommend delayed prognostication for 72 hours post-SCA; our study aims to determine if early quantitative stratification of NO can be made using data available at hospital presentation. Methods: A retrospective chart review identified adult patients who received intravascular MTH for out of hospital SCA at a single institution from 2008-12 (n = 122). Patient demographics, pre-arrest diagnoses, resuscitation timing, and initial laboratory/imaging studies were compared between favorable and poor NO. As in landmark studies, favorable NO was defined as cerebral performance category (CPC) 1-2, poor 3-5. CPC assignment was made retrospectively by neurology using consultation and discharge physical exams. Univariate analysis was performed on all collected variables; those with ρ Results: 42 patients survived to hospital discharge (34%), 33 with favorable NO (27%). The final model included the following variables: age >45, CAD, non-VT/VF arrest, initial blood glucose >200, and initial pH Conclusions: This scoring system may allow for stratification of neurologic outcomes at hospital presentation and may identify a subset of patients who do not derive benefit from MTH and continued intensive care. Future multi-site, prospective investigation is needed.
The impact of real-world cardiovascular-related pharmacogenetic testing in an insured population.

BACKGROUND Pharmacogenomics is intended to help clinicians provide the right drug to the right patient at an appropriate dose. However, limited evidence of clinical utility has slowed uptake of pharmacogenomic testing (PGT). OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of real-world cardiovascular (CV)-related PGT on clinical outcomes, healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU) and cost in a large, heterogeneous population. METHODS Individuals with Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug, Medicaid, or commercial coverage between 1/1/2011 and 9/30/2015 and ≥1 atherosclerotic CV-related diagnosis were identified. Those with ≥1 claim for CV-related PGT were included in the test group (index date = 1st PGT claim) and matched 1:2 to controls without PGT. Individuals aged <22 or ≥90 years old on the index date, with <12 months continuous enrollment before and after the index date, or without an ASCVD-related diagnosis in the 12-month pre-index period were excluded. The primary outcome was occurrence of a major CV event during the 12-month post-index period. RESULTS After adjustment, the PGT group was significantly more likely to experience ischaemic stroke, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis or a composite event compared with controls. Adjusting for baseline characteristics, HCRU was significantly higher for the test group across all measured outcomes except all-cause and ASCVD-related inpatient admissions. Median all-cause and ASCVD-related healthcare costs were significantly higher for the test group. CONCLUSIONS Real world PGT in a large population did not improve outcomes. Tailoring medication therapy to each patient holds great promise for providing quality care but a deeper understanding of how widespread utilisation of PGT might impact objective health outcomes is needed.
Survey Results of Multifilamentary Nb-Ti Users

This survey was undertaken to describe market forces characterizing the gradual commercialization of a high-technology application. The purpose of this graduate school field study, conducted in January 1975, was to document and classify product demand, priorities of the purchaser, and supplier capabilities as reported by the users of Nb-Ti superconductor.
On Saying What You Really Want to Say: Wittgenstein, Gödel, and the Trisection of the Angle

Wittgenstein’s remarks on the first incompleteness theorem1 have often been denounced, and mostly dismissed. Despite indirect historical evidence to the contrary,2 it is a commonplace that Wittgenstein rejected Godel’s proof because he did not, or even could not, understand it.3 Kreisel twice used the word “wild” when he reviewed Wittgenstein on Gode1.4 Dummett, in many respects an admirer of Wittgenstein’s philosophy, wrote that the remarks on Godel and on the notion of consistency are “of poor quality or contain definite errors”.5 Godel’s own comments were damning (see Section III below).
Development of Speech and Thinking

The subject of this chapter—the development of speech and thinking, especially development of higher forms of thinking during childhood—is difficult and complicated. For this reason I will allow myself to begin with what is simplest: with the best known concrete facts, so elementary that I am afraid I will be reproached for extreme simplification of a great problem. But I see no other way to approach the enormous and complex problem immediately from the theoretical aspect.
Task-specific experience and task-specific talent: Decomposing the productivity of high school teachers

Abstract We use administrative panel data to decompose worker performance into components relating to general talent, task-specific talent, general experience, and task-specific experience. We consider the context of high school teachers, in which tasks consist of teaching particular subjects in particular tracks. Using the timing of changes in the subjects and difficulty levels to which teachers are assigned to provide identifying variation, we show that a substantial part of the productivity gains to teacher experience are actually subject-specific. Similarly, while three-quarters of the variance in the permanent component of productivity among teachers is portable across subjects and levels, there exist non-trivial subject-specific and level-specific components. Counterfactual simulations suggest that maximizing the test-score contribution of task-specific experience and task-specific talent can increase student performance by as much as .04 test score standard deviations relative to random assignment of teachers to classrooms.
Cost benefit analysis of TOGA and the ENSO observing system

R&D programs intended to develop climate prediction capabilities are costly. But if they are successful, they yield continuing economic benefits. However, because such benefits are difficult for private companies to capture, it falls to the public sector to pursue them. Public sector decision makers, before funding climate research programs, must be convinced that such programs serve the public interest, i.e., that their economic benefits exceed their economic costs. The purpose of this paper is to shed some light on that issue. Specifically, we construct a cost benefit analysis of the recently completed TOGA (Tropical Ocean Global Atmosphere) program. TOGA, a successful 10 year international scientific effort to understand and model the ENSO (El Nino/Southern Oscillation) phenomenon, has led to models which are capable of predicting ENSO events a year or so in advance. In our cost benefit analysis, we used estimates of the benefits of climate forecasts to the U.S. agricultural sector, the actual historical and the estimated future costs (to the U.S.) of the research, development and operationalization that climate forecast system, and a 36 case sensitivity analysis. Our results indicate that TOGA will provide a real economic return on investment to the U.S. of at least 13% to 26%, depending on the assumptions made in the analysis. This is substantially in excess of the hurdle rate of 7% usually used by the federal government. We conclude that the TOGA program was a sound use of public resources, and that additional funding of climate forecasting R&D efforts (at both the national and international levels) merits serious consideration.
Growth factor-dependent proliferative stimulation of hematopoietic cells is associated with the modulation of cytoplasmic and nuclear 68- Kd calmodulin-binding protein

Calcium and calmodulin (CaM) are known to play critical roles in controlling cell cycle progression in a variety of cells. We observed that the CaM antagonist, N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1- naphthalensulfonamide hydrochloride (W-7), inhibited 3H-thymidine incorporation into DNA of factor-dependent hematopoietic cells. To delineate the role of CaM in proliferation of hematopoietic cells, we have investigated intracellular distribution of specific CaM-binding proteins (CaM-BPs) in response to hematopoietic growth factors in FDC- P1, 32D, NFS-60, and T1165 cells. Each of these cell lines, when deprived of cytokines for 16 to 18 hours, essentially ceased proliferation, even in the presence of fetal calf serum. Concomitant to the cessation of proliferation, there was a dramatic depletion of a specific CaM-BP of about 68 Kd in both their cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions. Within 6 to 12 hours of reexposure to proliferation-specific cytokines, there was a restoration of the nuclear as well as cytoplasmic 68-Kd CaM-BP. Furthermore, such an induction and nuclear localization of the 68-Kd CaM-BP by the cytokines coincided temporally with the progression of synchronized FDC-P1 cells from G1 to S phase. By contrast, colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1)-dependent bone marrow macrophages and BAC-1 cells did not exhibit 68-Kd CaM-BP in the nuclear or cytoplasmic fractions. These studies suggest that while hematopoietic growth factor granulocyte CSF-, granulocyte-macrophage CSF-, interleukin-3 (IL-3)-, or IL-6-, whose receptors are members of the hematopoietin receptor family, induced cell proliferation is associated with a common mechanism involving nuclear localization of the 68-Kd CaM-BP, the CSF-1-induced proliferation seems to involve 68- Kd CaM-BP-independent pathways.
Gordon F. Murray, MD, January 8, 1939 to May 21, 2018

Dr Gordon F. Murray was the 44th president of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and a distinguished member of this profession. He had a major influence on surgery as both Chief of Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Chairman of the Department of Surgery at West Virginia University. An advocate of resident education, he served on the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and the Residency Review Committee, and was President of the Thoracic Surgery Directors Association. He was a tireless worker and leader in our specialty.
Fear reactivity to head-mounted display perceptual illusion challenges is associated with suicidality.

Abstract Suicide remains a public health concern with suicide rates showing a consistent increase over the last 20 years. Recent studies have found a relationship between anxiety sensitivity (i.e., the fear of anxiety related symptoms) and suicidality. Specifically, a relationship has been found between anxiety sensitivity cognitive concerns (ASCC) and suicidality. The knowledge around this relationship, however, has relied mostly on self-report measures. This study seeks to expand on the current literature by exploring the association between ASCC and suicidality, through the use of head-mounted display perceptual illusion challenges (e.g., using tactile sensations and mannequins to create illusions that the participant has switched bodies). A head-mounted display was used to elicit symptoms (e.g., depersonalization, derealization) related to ASCC in a sample of undergraduate students (N = 54). Suicidality and depression were measured by the Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms-2 (IDAS-II), anxiety sensitivity cognitive concerns by the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3), and distress by the Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS). Findings indicated that suicidality was associated with self-reported ASCC as well as the fear generated from the challenges. Furthermore, our results found that challenge-induced fear predicted suicidality scores above and beyond the traditional self-report measures of ASCC. The small sample size and low suicide risk of the current sample limits generalizations to more severe populations.
Inhibition of glutamine metabolism accelerates resolution of acute lung injury.

Despite recent advances, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains a severe and often fatal disease for which there is no therapy able to reduce the underlying excessive lung inflammation or enhance resolution of injury. Metabolic programming plays a critical role in regulating inflammatory responses. Due to their high metabolic needs, neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes rely upon glutamine metabolism to support activation and function. Additionally, during times of physiologic stress, nearly all cells, including fibroblasts and epithelial cells, require glutamine metabolism. We hypothesized that inhibiting glutamine metabolism reduces lung inflammation and promotes resolution of acute lung injury. Lung injury was induced by instilling lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intratracheally. To inhibit glutamine metabolism, we administered a glutamine analogue, 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON) that binds to glutamine-utilizing enzymes and transporters, after injury was well established. Treatment with DON led to less lung injury, fewer lung neutrophils, lung inflammatory and interstitial macrophages, and lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines at 5 and/or 7 days after injury. Additionally, DON led to earlier expression of the growth factor amphiregulin and more rapid recovery of LPS-induced weight loss. Thus, DON reduced lung inflammation and promoted resolution of injury. These data contribute to our understanding of how glutamine metabolism regulates lung inflammation and repair, and identifies a novel target for future therapies for ARDS and other inflammatory lung diseases.
Novel Organo-soluble Fluorinated Polyimides for Optical, Microelectronic, and Fiber Applications

PFMB can be used to prepare aromatic polyimides that display solubility in ketone, ether, and polar aprotic solvents. This unusual solubility can be utilized in the facile preparation of thin films that display anisotropy in their structures and properties. The anisotropy in the optical properties of the films makes them promising candidates for use as compensation layers in liquid-crystal displays. Their low dielectric constants and CTEs in combination with their outstanding thermal and thermooxidative stabilities make them candidates for dielectric layers in microelectronics applications.
Lipid Chaperoning of a Thylakoid Protease Whose Stability is Modified by the Protonmotive Force

Abstract Protein folding is a complex cellular process often assisted by chaperones but can also be facilitated by interactions with lipids. Disulfide bond formation is a common mechanism to stabilize a protein. This can help maintain functionality amidst changes in the biochemical milieu which are especially common across energy-transducing membranes. Plastidic Type I Signal Peptidase 1 (Plsp1) is an integral thylakoid membrane signal peptidase which requires an intramolecular disulfide bond for in vitro activity. We have investigated the interplay between disulfide bond formation, lipids, and pH in the folding and activity of Plsp1. By combining biochemical approaches with a genetic complementation assay, we provide evidence that interactions with lipids in the thylakoid membrane have chaperoning activity towards Plsp1. Further, the disulfide bridge appears to prevent an inhibitory conformational change resulting from proton motive force-mimicking pH conditions. Broader implications related to the folding of proteins in energy-transducing membranes are discussed.
Estimating Individuals’ Political Perceptions While Adjusting for Differential Item Functioning

Questions about people’s perceptions of politicians or other political actors are of central interest in a wide variety of research areas. But measuring these perceptions is difficult in part because respondents may use survey response scales in different ways. In a classic article, Aldrich and McKelvey (1977) introduce a method adjusting for such differential item functioning by assuming that all respondents perceive political stimuli identically. I propose a modeling approach built on the Aldrich and McKelvey framework but incorporating anchoring vignettes. This approach allows for scale use adjustments without assuming that all respondents perceive a given politician identically. I apply this model to data on Americans’ perceptions of parties, elected officials, and other political actors, showing that, contrary to previous arguments, most variation in ideology ratings is due not to differing scale use, but to differences in underlying perceptions. Specifically, while perceptions of Republican politicians and the Republican party show no significant differences by respondent partisanship, Democratic and Republican respondents differ strongly in their perceptions of the ideology of Democratic political actors as well as the Supreme Court.
Building a therapeutic relationship between probation officers and probationers with serious mental illnesses.

Objective The purpose of this study was to engage in a collaborative process with a variety of stakeholders to develop the Brief Intervention to Promote Service Engagement (BIPSE), which aims to enhance the therapeutic relationship between probation officers and probationers with serious mental illnesses (SMI). Methods The BIPSE intervention was developed through a multistage “design for implementation” process, including a series of stakeholder meetings, observations of probation supervision sessions, incorporating existing intervention approaches, and workshopping initial BIPSE components with three randomly selected officers from a specialized mental health probation unit. Acceptability and feasibility of BIPSE components were assessed through focus groups with probation officers, additional observations of probation sessions, and qualitative interviews with probationers with SMI. Results Two foundational components of the BIPSE intervention were identified during the stakeholder meetings and observations: (1) engagement and (2) shared decision-making. These two components inform and undergird the intervention’s third component, strategic case management. During focus groups, probation officers expressed interest in using the modified tools they were given and also saw the benefit of structuring their sessions. Probationers expressed their appreciation for the caring and collaborative nature with which their probation officers approached their sessions. Conclusion Building a therapeutic relationship between probation officers and probationers with SMI is an essential task toward improving mental health and criminal justice outcomes. The BIPSE development and refinement process demonstrates that interventions targeting the therapeutic relationship are acceptable to officers and clients, and can be tailored and feasibly structured into standard probation practices.
Autoimmune disorders in patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

7103 Background: B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) results from the accumulation and proliferation of malignant B cells with a predisposition for autoreactivity and autoimmune disease, part...
Immigrant Status and Sexual Orientation Disclosure: Implications for HIV/STD Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Seattle, Washington.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV and may avoid disclosing their sexual preferences to others. With heightened attention on immigrant status in the United States, foreign-born MSM may be particularly concerned about disclosing their sexual orientation. We sought to examine how immigrant status is associated with sexual orientation disclosure among MSM and to assess the impact of disclosure on HIV/STD prevention outcomes stratified by nativity. We analyzed data from the 2014 and 2017 Seattle-area surveys of MSM from the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) system. Foreign-born MSM were less likely than U.S.-born MSM to have disclosed their sexuality to friends who are not gay, lesbian, or bisexual (85.0% vs. 95.5%; p < .001) or to family members (80.5% vs. 91.3%; p < .001). Further, disclosure to one’s health care provider significantly increased the likelihood of having tested for HIV in the past 12 months among foreign-born and U.S.-born MSM. Findings highlight the need to better understand the risks and benefits of disclosure among foreign-born MSM. Future research may explore how responses and reactions to disclosure among foreign-born MSM shape pathways to HIV risk and prevention.
Cryopreservation and functional analysis of cardiac autonomic neurons

Abstract Background Generally, primary neurons are isolated and seeded within hours of isolation, but cryopreservation, documented for a small number of central and peripheral neuronal subtypes, can contribute to improved utility and reduce the cost of developing new in vitro models. The preservation of cells of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), specifically sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons, has not been explored. New Method In this work, we establish a method for preserving cardiac ANS neurons as well as evaluating the phenotypical changes of dissociated superior cervical ganglia (sympathetic neurons) and intracardiac ganglia (parasympathetic neurons) for up to a month of storage in liquid nitrogen. Results Neuron populations maintained a viability of at least 35%, and the extent of neurite outgrowth was not different from fresh cells, regardless of the storage duration studied. Expression of tyrosine hydroxylase and choline acetyl transferase were maintained over one month of cryopreservation in sympathetic and parasympathetic populations, respectively. Electrophysiological recordings for both neuron types indicate sustained characteristic resting potentials, excitability, and action potentials after more than one month in liquid nitrogen. Comparison with Existing Methods Primary cultures of the autonomic nervous system have been previously established for in vitro investigations. This is the first example of preserving primary ANS neuron cultures for long-term on-demand use. Conclusions This report describes a readily implemented method for cryopreserving sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons that does not alter neither morphological nor electrophysiological characteristics. This methodology expands the utility of ANS cultures for use in morphological and functional assays.
Production of mechanically-generated 316L stainless steel feedstock and its performance in directed energy deposition processing as compared to gas-atomized powder

Abstract The objective of this work is to study the feasibility of mechanically-generated feedstock for use in directed energy deposition (DED) processing. Mechanically-generated powder was created by machining 316L stainless steel bar stock followed by comminution of the resulting chips through oscillation ball milling. This methodology's production yield and processing time for the specifications of a commercially available DED system are presented along with resulting powder morphology. Performance of the mechanically-generated feedstock was compared to gas-atomized powder and evaluated based on the following figures of merit: flowability, printed part height, printed part density, and chemical compositional stability throughout processing. Mechanically-generated feedstock was created to meet deposition system requirements. Compared with gas-atomized powder, mechanically-generated powder did not flow as well through the powder-delivery system. Parts printed from mechanically-generated feedstock were generally taller than their counterparts from gas-atomized feedstock, but their densities were less predictable. Chemical composition of prints using both feedstocks was within standard nominal compositions for 316L stainless steel.
A PI Based Simplified Closed Loop Controller for Dual Active Bridge DC-AC Converter For Standalone Applications

DAB based inverter (DABI) provides DC to AC conversion with variable input voltage source. The fundamental modulation consists of either dual or triple phase shift modulation. Therefore, it is important to understand the dynamic model for the fundamental dual phase shift modulations before designing a closed loop controller for the DABI. With an accurate dynamic model, the AC output voltage can be controlled in every high frequency switching cycle. Alternatively, the peak switching cycle may be controlled once every line cycle to maintain peak voltage at a desired value. In this work a modified generalized average model is developed for dual phase shift modulation and is applied to control the DABI output AC voltage. Afterwards, a simple PI based closed loop controller is developed based on the derived model for output voltage control. Finally, in order to improve the response time for the PI-only controller, a combined feedback and feedforward controller is proposed which is shown to improve the settling time by 66%. Simulation and experimental results are provided validating the controller performance.
Reconciling Apples & Oranges: A Constructivist SoTL Writing Program

Faculty new to SoTL, especially when they consider writing for publication, often react by focusing on how different it is—apples and oranges—from their familiar disciplinary processes and products. Although there are indeed significant differences between individual disciplines and SoTL, appealing to the similarities can demystify SoTL as disciplinary experts reach out of their comfort zones and into areas of research and writing that often make them doubt themselves. We fill a gap in the SoTL literature by describing how to go from data analysis to publication in SoTL. We also report on our descriptive study delving into the complexities of participants’ experiences, helping us come to a greater understanding of how to support this work.
Technologists’ Radiation Exposure During Lutetium-177 Dotatate Therapy

3073 Introduction: The recent FDA approval of Lutetium-177 Dotatate Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy poses substantial radiation risks to Nuclear Medicine Technologists. Therefore, in order to reduce radiation exposure to the technologist, it is important to take extra precautions when handling Lutetium-177. This analysis investigates radiation exposure concerns for technologists administering Lutathera and examines the effectiveness of commercially available plastic shielding at reducing exposure to the technologist. Methods: This analysis utilizes Lutetium-177 Dotatate therapies performed with 10 patients’ ages ranging from 30-75. It uses three different measuring methods to determine the levels of radiation exposure during administration of Lutetium-177 Dotatate. The following is a description of the variables used and of the frequency distributions for these variables. Measurement 1 : Radiation exposure at surface and 1 meter without Plexiglass Measurement 2 : Radiation exposure at surface and 1 meter using 2mm Acrylic Plexiglass Measurement 3 : Radiation exposure at surface and 1 meter using 5.6mmAcrylic Plexiglass After setting up the Lutathera vial, measurements were taken and recorded before beginning the patient9s infusion using a survey meter. For Measurement 1, exposure rate was recorded at the surface of Lutathera vial and at 1 meter. For Measurement 2 and 3, Plexiglass was placed around the Lutathera vial and measurements were taken at the surface of Plexiglass and at 1 meter. Results: Measurements compared between 2mm and 5.6mm plexiglass remained almost equivalent throughout each trial. Exposure rate at one meter and at the surface shows a significant difference when surveyed with and without the plexiglass. Conclusions: This analysis demonstrates the capability of commercially available plastic shielding at reducing the exposure to the technologist while administering Lutathera. Supporting data:
Global Neurosurgery: Its Time Has Come

The world is shrinking. We, as neurosurgeons, are enjoying an ever-increasing opportunity to communicate with each other via email, WhatsApp, webinars, virtual visiting professorships, and on and on. This ‘movement’ provides much-needed augmented access to experts and each other worldwide. This, simply put, is the essence of the term ‘Global Neurosurgery.’ ‘Global neurosurgery’ is increasingly referenced in manuscripts and social media. Of course, neurosurgeons have traveled the world for educational purposes for over 100 years. However, in those days gone by, only the elite few were afforded the opportunity for such travel and education. Accompanying the marked increase in opportunities to communicate and educate, the term ‘global neurosurgery’ now takes on a new meaning. In a sense, it is a banner phrase that heralds the introduction and implementation of the latest communication and education access to all neurosurgeons. Global neurosurgery has become the words on the banner of a new and exciting movement – i.e., disseminating neurosurgery knowledge, skills, and hopefully, resources to all neurosurgical world reaches.
Interplanetary shock collisions: Forward with reverse shocks

When one interplanetary shock overtakes another, the structure that results depends upon the nature of the interacting shocks. We examine, numerically, the results of collisions of forward with reverse shocks, in two dimensions, and show that the results depend primarily upon shock strength. We also note that such interactions could explain why many energy outbursts on the Sun that would be expected to cause geomagnetic effects at Earth, do not.
“sarc” Sequence Transcription in Moloney Sarcoma Virus-Transformed Nonproducer Cell Lines

(3)H-labeled complementary DNA(sarc), complementary to the murine sarcoma virus (MSV)-specific portion of the Moloney MSV (M-MSV) genome, was prepared. M-MSV-specific RNA was then quantitated in the cytoplasm of several M-MSV-transformed, non-virus-producing, clonal NIH 3T3 cell lines. These lines, designated 71 N clones 5, 6, and 3, have been characterized previously by the degree to which they exhibit transformation properties and transcribe Moloney murine leukemia virus-related RNA (S. Salzberg and M. Green, J. Virol. 13:1001-1004, 1974; N. Tsuchida and M. Green, J. Virol. 14:587-591, 1974). By the criteria of cell morphology and agglutination by concanavalin A, cells of clone 5 are highly transformed, cells of clone 6 are almost normal in the sense that they resemble the parent NIH 3T3 cells, and cells of clone 3 are phenotypically intermediate. In the present study, the amounts of cytoplasmic MSV-specific RNA correlated well with the relative degrees of transformation of the cell lines, varying over 35-fold between the least transformed (clone 6) and most transformed (clone 5) lines. Superinfection of either clone 5 or clone 6 with Moloney murine leukemia virus resulted in a fivefold increase in the MSV-specific RNA in the cell cytoplasm. Evidence from (3)H-labeled complementary DNA:cell DNA hybridization studies indicated that the quantity of M-MSV-specific RNA in the nonproducer lines was not directly related to DNA provirus copy number in the cell DNA. Although clones 5 and 6 differ greatly in transformation characteristics and in MSV-specific RNA content, they each apparently contain about two copies of MSV-specific DNA sequence per haploid genome. Thus, factors such as site of provirus integration may be of primary importance in determining virus-specific transcription and cell transformation.
The Distribution of Messenger RNAs Encoding the Three Isoforms of the Transducer of Regulated cAMP Responsive Element Binding Protein Activity in the Rat Forebrain

Increasing evidence indicates that the cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB)-dependent transcriptional activation of a number of genes requires the CREB co-activator: transducer of regulated CREB activity (TORC). Because of the central importance of CREB in many brain functions, we examined the topographic distribution of TORC1, 2, and 3 mRNAs in specific regions of the rat forebrain. In situ hybridisation analysis revealed that TORC1 is the most abundant isoform in most forebrain structures, followed by TORC2 and TORC3. All three TORC isoforms were found in a number of brain nuclei, the ventricular ependyma and pia mater. Although high levels of TORC1 were widely distributed in the forebrain, TORC2 was found in discrete nuclei and TORC3 mostly in the ependyma, and pia mater. The relative expression of TORC isoforms was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis in the hippocampus and hypothalamus. In the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, TORC1 and 2 mRNAs were abundant in the parvicellular and magnocellular neuroendocrine compartments, whereas TORC3 expression was low. All three isoform mRNAs were found elsewhere in the hypothalamus, with the most prominent expression of TORC1 in the ventromedial nucleus, TORC2 in the dorsomedial and arcuate nuclei, TORCs 1 and 2 in the supraoptic nucleus, and TORC2 in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. These differential distribution patterns are consistent with complex roles for all three TORC isoforms in diverse brain structures, and provide a foundation for further studies on the mechanisms of CREB/TORC signalling on brain function.
Phototactic Orientation by the Marine Dinoflagellate Gyrodinium dorsum Kofoid.

SYNOPSIS. The phototactic orientation of the dinoflagellate Gyrodinium dorsum was examined using photomicrographic, cinematographic, and closed-circuit television technics. Particular emphasis was placed on examining the movements and possible roles of the flagella during orientation. The data suggest that the longitudinal flagellum is primarily responsible for phototactic orientation, while the lateral flagellum is involved in forward propulsion and cell rotation. A possible receptor mechanism is proposed by which light direction sensing is accomplished.
Management of stage II endometrial adenocarcinoma.

Charts of 36 patients with clinical stage II endometrial adenocarcinoma over ten years were reviewed. All were staged before any treatment, in accordance with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) guidelines. Although details of treatment varied, two main protocols were used. Fourteen patients were treated with the standard protocol involving external whole-pelvis radiation, followed by intracavitary cesium and then hysterectomy. In 1981, a modified protocol was introduced, which called for a hysterectomy immediately following intrauterine and vaginal cesium. External radiation therapy was given only to those patients found to have deep myometrial invasion or cervical involvement. Of 14 patients treated by this protocol, seven had no surgical indication for postoperative external radiation. There was no increase in recurrence in these patients, and the five-year survival rate was 76% for patients treated with the modified protocol compared with 65% for those who had standard therapy. Morbidity related to external radiation therapy occurred in two patients with the standard protocol and one patient who received pelvic radiation on the modified protocol.
Complete Albinism in a Northern Red-backed Vole, Myodes rutilus , in Alaska

During a study of small mammal abundance and species composition in interior Alaska, I collected a Northern Red-backed Vole ( Myodes rutilus ) showing complete albinism. This report documents that extremely rare occurrence, with notes on habitat and morphometrics.
Novel PKC pathway provides insight into the regulation of tone in vascular smooth muscle (865.13)

Vascular smooth muscle (VSM) tone is the phenomenon of intrinsic force developed in the absence of a stimulus. Although the primary site of VSM regulation is on the thick filament, our research has...
Regularity via topology of the lcm-lattice for $C_4$-free graphs

We study the topology of the lcm-lattice of edge ideals and derive upper bounds on the Castelnuovo-Mumford regularity of the ideals. In this context it is natural to restrict to the family of graphs with no induced 4-cycle in their complement. Using the above method we obtain sharp upper bounds on the regularity when the complement is a chordal graph, or a cycle, or when the primal graph is claw free with no induced 4-cycle in its complement. For the later family we show that the second power of the edge ideal has a linear resolution.
Nurses respond to healthcare restructuring: the transformation of the Massachusetts Nurses Association.

Abstract The most recent period of Massachusetts healthcare system reorganization began in the early 1980s. In part, this has been a response to soaring healthcare costs, countering them with diminished reimbursements. To decrease labor costs and survive in an increasingly competitive and market-driven healthcare environment, hospitals downsized and laid off nursing staff. Patient care and safety has concomitantly suffered. These efforts severely challenged nurses status. Radicalized rank and file members of the Massachusetts Nurses Association mobilized against the association leadership's weak efforts to protect nurses social and economic interests and the deteriorating quality of care. They transformed an association whose main focus was supporting nursing's professional image to one which became an activist labor union of professional workers. The history of this often contentious transformation is presented here within the context of these healthcare system changes. The MNA's successes and pending ch...
Exactly linearizing algebras for risk-sensitive filtering

A new approach to the solution of risk-sensitive control and estimation problems is developed. The particular application that is used as a vehicle for this development is the risk-sensitive filtering problem. The partial differential equation (PDE) associated with risk-sensitive filtering is a quasilinear, second-order PDE with a term which is quadratic in the gradient, The solution of this PDE forward in time propagates the filter conditional density. Although the PDE is nonlinear, the associated semi-group is linear over the log-plus algebra. This is used as a basis for a superposition principle and the development of a new class of numerical methods. In a second direction, the log-plus algebra is used to formulate the risk-sensitive filter problem in an entirely new light so that it takes the form of a standard filter via a generalized definition of what it means to be a probability measure.
Isolation and sequencing of cDNA clones encoding alpha and beta subunits of Drosophila melanogaster casein kinase II.

Abstract Cloned cDNAs encoding both subunits of Drosophila melanogaster casein kinase II have been isolated by immunological screening of lambda gt11 expression libraries, and the complete amino acid sequence of both polypeptides has been deduced by DNA sequencing. The alpha cDNA contained an open reading frame of 336 amino acid residues, yielding a predicted molecular weight for the alpha polypeptide of 39,833. The alpha sequence contained the expected semi-invariant residues present in the catalytic domain of previously sequenced protein kinases, confirming that it is the catalytic subunit of the enzyme. Pairwise homology comparisons between the alpha sequence and the sequences of a variety of vertebrate protein kinase suggested that casein kinase II is a distantly related member of the protein kinase family. The beta subunit was derived from an open reading frame of 215 amino acid residues and was predicted to have a molecular weight of 24,700. The beta subunit exhibited no extensive homology to other proteins whose sequences are currently known.
On the appearance of translucent edges

Edges in images of translucent objects are very different from edges in images of opaque objects. The physical causes for these differences are hard to characterize analytically and are not well understood. This paper considers one class of translucency edges—those caused by a discontinuity in surface orientation—and describes the physical causes of their appearance. We simulate thousands of translucency edge profiles using many different scattering material parameters, and we explain the resulting variety of edge patterns by qualitatively analyzing light transport. We also discuss the existence of shape and material metamers, or combinations of distinct shape or material parameters that generate the same edge profile. This knowledge is relevant to visual inference tasks that involve translucent objects, such as shape or material estimation.
Syntactic classification of radar measurements of commercial aircraft

A syntactic pattern recognition system for applications to radar signal identification is designed, and the performance of the resulting classification system is evaluated. Two different techniques for generating symbolic patterns from radar backscatter signals are considered. The classification utility of the symbolic patterns is assessed in terms of the performance of maximum-likelihood classification of the observed symbol strings. A syntax analysis algorithm that makes use of symbolic patterns derived from radar backscatter measurements is developed from the likelihood function classifier. Performance results obtained from simulated classification experiments for both maximum-likelihood and language-theoretic classifiers are presented. >
The Effect of Marital Status on the Presentation and Outcomes of Elderly Male Veterans Hospitalized for Pneumonia

Background Although marital status has been shown to affect the outcomes of many conditions, there are limited data on the relationships between marital status and the presentation and outcomes of pneumonia. Methods We used Veterans Affairs administrative databases to identify a retrospective cohort of male veterans age ≥ 65 years hospitalized for pneumonia between 2002 and 2007. We assessed unadjusted and adjusted associations between marital status and mortality, hospital length of stay, and readmission to the hospital using generalized linear mixed-effect models with admitting hospital as a random effect and adjusted for baseline patient characteristics. Results There were 48,635 patients (26,558 married and 22,077 unmarried) in the study. Married men had a slightly higher Charlson comorbidity score (3.0 vs 2.8, P Conclusions Unmarried elderly men admitted to the hospital with pneumonia have a higher risk of in-hospital and postdischarge mortality, despite having a lower degree of comorbidity. Although marital status may be a surrogate marker for other predictors, it is an easily identifiable one. These results should be considered by those responsible for care-transition decisions for patients hospitalized with pneumonia.
Morphology of electrically conductive grades of carbon black

Abstract In recent years, several new types of highly electrically conductive (HEC) carbon blacks have been commercially introduced for use in plastic. Morphological features of these HEC carbon blacks are directly related to polymer melt rheology, proper loading concentration, resistivity and overall performance of the plastic composite. It was found that the unique mesoporous structure of these new HEC carbon blacks are primarily responsible for their success in Polyvinylchloride formulations.
Polyfluorinated Electrolyte Solutions and Additives for High Voltage Non-Flammable Lithium Batteries

The highly flammable nature of current lithium battery electrolyte solution (hydrocarbons) presents a major challenge for operation at large scale, though significant efforts are being made to improve the battery safety and capacity. One of the key challenges for safe high voltage lithium batteries is to develop new electrolyte systems that are non-flammable and possess wide electrochemical windows. Here, we report the synthesis and fundamental electrochemical characterization of polyfluorinated electrolyte solutions and additives that could potentially be used in high voltage non-flammable lithium batteries. Our results show that the polyfluorinated electrolyte solutions we tested possess wider electrochemical windows than their hydrocarbon analogs, and are non-flammable. We further find that use of perfluorinated alcohol additives improves the reversibility of lithium ion reduction which is important for rechargeable lithium batteries. Together, polyfluorinated ethers and perfluorinated alcohols exhibit great potential in developing high voltage lithium batteries.
Stepwise solvation of molecules as studies by picosecond-jet spectroscopy: dynamics and spectra

We report on the stepwise solvated complexes of isoquinoline with water, methanol, and acetone under supersonic jet conditions. Lifetimes, dispersed fluorescence and excitation spectra are presented for different solute-solvent complexes. These studies reveal manifestations of solute-solvent hydrogen-bonding and of excited state hydrogen bond dissociation.
Environmental - Lifestyle related factors

The prevalence of Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) has been increasing worldwide. This increase is likely associated with the increased prevalence of obesity, the ageing of the population and the decreased prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection. These different environmental factors interact with GORD pathogenesis in a potentially negative way. Oesophago-gastric junction (OGJ) competence, oesophageal clearance mechanisms and reflux causticity are involved in GORD pathophysiology. Obesity alters GORD pathogenesis by disrupting the OGJ and increasing intragastric pressure. Additionally, the number of transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations is potentially increased in obese patients. The potential effect of obesity on oesophageal peristalsis and the implication of impaired oesophageal clearance in GORD pathogenesis are still to establish. Ageing also plays an important role in GORD pathogenesis by decreasing lower oesophageal sphincter pressure and impairing oesophageal clearance. However a link between these abnormalities and an increased acid oesophageal exposure has not yet been demonstrated in the elderly. The role of H . pylori and its eradication remain controversial. The type of Hp gastritis may explain the controversial effect. Hp with antral predominant gastritis is responsible for an increased gastric acid secretion and thus promotes GORD. On the opposite spectrum, Hp with diffuse gastritis induces a gastric atrophy and in this particular case, the Hp eradication may restore acid secretion and lead to a more caustic refluxate in patients with predisposing conditions for GORD. The association of GORD and the type of Hp gastritis remains to be confirmed.
Adult sesiidae of Maryland collected in traps baited with isomers of 3,13‐octadecadien‐1‐o1 acetate 1 , 2 , 3

Abstract During an annual spring‐summer trapping program conducted in Maryland, (Z,Z) and (E,Z)‐3,1 3‐octadecadien‐l‐ol acetate (ODDA) were evaluated as baits for attracting Sesiidae species. Later, two different types of trap (Jackson and 3HB) were compared for effectiveness in luring or attracting the Sesiidae. Smaller numbers of adult clearwing moths and larger numbers of other lepidoptera were attracted to the baits dispensed from 3HB traps compared to Jackson traps. Over 5500 adult Sesiidae were trapped that season.
A Magneto-Optic Method of Determining the Vitamin Content of Various Substances

In this investigation, the magneto‐optic apparatus was used, but it was modified to some extent from the original apparatus used by Allison. The modifications included a mercury vapor arc and a monochromator to furnish a steady source of monochromatic light, and a photoelectric cell and amplifier circuit to read the minima. The apparatus gave a distinct minimum, at 32.9 on the electrical path scale, for all substances tested which contained vitamin A but did not show this minimum for similar substances in which this vitamin was lacking. Pure carotene did not give this minimum. Pure carotene after irradiation with ultraviolet light, however, did give it.