cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Global Women’s Eye Health: A Genetic Epidemiologic Perspective

Globally, women experience a greater burden of eye disease as compared to men. Women around the world face different obstacles in maintaining both healthy vision and prevention of vision loss. Understanding women’s eye health can be a challenge because risk can vary based on demographic, environmental, genetic, and social factors. Women also experience varying risk for visual impairment in different stages of their lives such as pregnancy, menopause, and post-menopause. Moreover, women experience a greater risk of visual impairment because of where they live in terms of resources and social and cultural norms. Furthermore, genetics can increase women’s risk for visual impairment due to heritable ocular conditions and gene-environment interactions. Overall, due to these factors, women have differences in health needs that are less understood and can cause health inequity for women across the globe. Understanding these unique health needs can only be achieved by research driven to address these issues and why it is essential for women to take part in research and clinical studies. Thus addressing these unique health needs are essential to provide opportunity for women around the world to have both adequate and relevant health care, targeted preventative services, and management services to avoid life-long visual impairment.
Deriving Mercury Geodetic Parameters With Altimetric Crossovers From the Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA)

Based on previous applications of laser altimetry to planetary geodesy at GSFC, we use the recently developed PyXover software package to analyze altimetric crossovers from the Mercury Laser Altime...
6DOF Virtual Reality Dataset and Performance Evaluation of Millimeter Wave vs. Free-Space-Optical Indoor Communications Systems for Lifelike Mobile VR Streaming

Dual-connectivity streaming can be a key enabler of next generation 6 Degrees Of Freedom (DOF) Virtual Reality (VR) scene immersion. Indeed, using conventional sub-6 GHz WiFi allows to reliably stream a lower-quality baseline representation of the VR content while emerging communication technologies allow to stream in parallel a high-quality user viewport-specific enhancement representation that synergistically integrates with the baseline representation to deliver high-quality VR immersion. In this paper, we evaluate two candidates emerging technologies, Free Space Optics (FSO) and millimeter-Wave (mmWave), which both offer unprecedented available spectrum and data rates. We formulate an optimization problem to maximize the delivered immersion fidelity of the envisioned dual-connectivity 6DOF VR streaming, which depends on the WiFi and mmWave/FSO link rates, and the computing capabilities of the server and the user’s VR headset. The problem is mixed integer programming and we formulate an optimization framework that captures the optimal solution at lower complexity. To evaluate the performance of the proposed systems, we collect actual 6DOF measurements. Our results demonstrate that both FSO and mmWave technologies can enable streaming of 8K-120 frames-per-second (fps) 6DOF content at high fidelity.
Multimodal Endoscopic Therapy for Closure of a Gastrogastric Fistula: The “Triple O” Method

Abstract Introduction: Surgical management of gastrointestinal (GI) fistulae is complex and evolving. Recently, numerous endoscopic tools and techniques have been introduced that have changed the m...
Violent criminality and self-compassion

This paper reviews and discusses multiple sociological, psychological, and neurological risk factors associated with violent crime and proposes self-compassion, an indicator of positive mental health, as a common link among these variables. Cross-disciplinary findings have implicated neurological abnormalities resulting from exposure to violence, low self-control, lack of social bonds, and self-esteem to violent criminality. This paper contends that self-compassion is associated with each of these variables and discusses current findings that provide evidence for a link between self-compassion and violent crime. Furthermore, this paper discusses an example of an intervention that involves self-compassion. Finally, this paper discusses implications of the link between self-compassion to violent crime and risk factors associated with violent crime.
A web-based multimedia database for national flag application

Frequently in the database management systems (DBMS) class, we teach students the theory and practical skills required to create efficient Web-based database systems. Generally, at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and Lamar University, the projects done in the DBMS class are text-based database systems. However, in this paper we describe a project in which students implement a Web-based multimedia database for the national flag application. The development and implementation of the multimedia database require the good understanding of both database theories and some image processing techniques.
Inverse perturbation method for structural redesign with frequency and mode shape constraints

A procedure is described for the redesign of undamped structural systems to meet natural frequency and/or mode shape objectives. The procedure can be applied to large or small modal changes and is based on a single finite element analysis of the baseline system. Perturbation of the baseline system is used to develop a set of equations that characterize the redesign process. Depending on the number of modal objectives and design variables, the problem is formulated as underconstrained, properly constrained, or overconstrained. AH three problems are solved using an incremental predictor-corrector technique within the feasibility domain defined by the practical constraints imposed on the design variables. The procedure is illustrated by the redesign of a 1254 degree-of-freedom casting for a frequency objective.
A distributed mobile backbone formation algorithm for wireless ad hoc networks

In this paper, we present a novel fully distributed version of a mobile backbone network topology synthesis algorithm (MBN-TSA) for constructing and maintaining a dynamic backbone in mobile wireless ad hoc networks. The following features induce the key advantages offered by the algorithm: a) the MBN-TSA algorithm is designed to work with the unreliable natural of wireless environment; b) the backbone layout is dynamically formed and locally modified in response to communications link quality fluctuations, nodal failures and nodal mobility; c) a control mechanism employing the BN/spl I.bar/neighbor/spl I.bar/limit threshold as a key parameter, is introduced to control the size of the backbone network (BNet) and improve stability; d) analytical results show that the MBN-TSA has very little control overhead: time complexity in the order of O(l) and message complexity in the order of O(l) per node. In addition, we present an on-demand routing protocol that makes use of the underlying dynamically self-configured MBN network infrastructure. By carrying out extensive simulations, we demonstrate the performance advantages when compared to a non backbone oriented on-demand ad hoc routing protocol such as AODV.
Involvement of NAD-Poly(ADP-Ribose) Metabolism in p53 Regulation and Its Consequences

We have used two different approaches to study the consequences of NAD/poly(ADP-ribose) deficiency on p53 expression and its activity in V79-derived cell lines. In the first approach, we have used two cell lines that are deficient in poly(ADP-ribose) (pADPR) synthesis because of deficiency in the enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). In a second approach, we have used a cell line that is deficient in NAD/pADPR metabolism due to unavailability of NAD, the substrate for PARP. These NAD/PARP-deficient cell lines exhibit a significant reduction in both baseline p53 expression and its activity compared to their parental V79 cells. Furthermore, etoposide, a topoisomerase II inhibitor that was shown to cause an increase in p53 expression and subsequent apoptosis in V79 cells, failed to produce any significant increase in p53 expression or apoptotic DNA fragmentation in NAD/PARP-deficient cell lines. Thus, our studies suggest that NAD/pADPR synthesis may be involved in the regulation of p53 and its dependent pathways.
Peroxidase activity in brown-rot basidiomycetes.

Basidiomycetes which cause brown-rot of wood possess intracellular but little or no extracellular peroxidase activity. These fungi had been reported not to produce peroxidase.
Nucleotide binding to IAF-labelled Na+K+-ATPase measured by steady state fluorescence quenching by TNP-ADP

Abstract Nucleotide binding to 5-iodoacetamidofluorescein (IAF) labelled Na + K + -ATPase was measured by steady state fluorescence quenching of the fluorescein label via energy transfer to trinitrophenyl (TNP) labelled nucleotide. TNP-nucleotides are valuable probes of nucleotide binding to ATPases. Interpretation of these and other experiments in our laboratory using TNP-nucleotides with the Na + K + -ATPase rely on having a good model for the interaction of TNP-nucleotide with the enzyme. Sets of fluorescence quenching curves obtained by titrating the enzyme with TNP-ADP in the presence of various concentrations of ADP could not be adequately modelled using a simple model with a single nucleotide binding site. Therefore, we compare various models which allow for additional TNP-nucleotide binding to the enzyme. In the two-site model, the additional binding is to a second specific site for which TNP-nucleotide and unlabelled nucleotide compete. In two other models, the additional binding (in one case saturable, and in the other case non-saturable) of TNP-nucleotide is not blocked by or affected by unlabelled nucleotide, and is, therefore, referred to as non-specific binding of the TNP-nucleotide. The goal of this work is to determine which of the distinctly different physical pictures associated with these models most accurately describes the interaction of TNP-nucleotide with the enzyme. We find that the interaction of TNP-ADP with IAF-labelled Na + K + -ATPase is best described by a model in which there are two classes of binding: TNP-ADP and ADP compete for a specific binding site with dissociation binding constants of 0.13 μM for TNP-ADP and 2.0 μM for ADP: and non-saturable non-specific binding of TNP-ADP.
Using a Declarative Language to Build an Experimental Analysis Tool

In this paper we give a brief summary of our experience in using a declarative language, Prolog, to develop an experimental formal analysis tool, the NRL Protocol Analyzer, which was updated and modified over the years to incorporate new theories and techniques. We discuss the benefits of using such an approach, and also some of the downsides...
Mobilization of Host Stem Cells Enables Long‐Term Liver Transplant Acceptance in a Strongly Rejecting Rat Strain Combination

Careful examination of liver, kidney or heart transplants in human recipients has revealed small numbers of host bone marrow derived stem cells in the graft. If the limited recipient repopulation of a donor graft that is currently observed could be facilitated, it is possible that conversion to a predominantly host phenotype would permit long term graft function without immunosuppression. We proposed to “engineer” repopulation after transplant in a strain combination (DA to Lewis GFP+) which rejects liver grafts strongly, a model which more closely resembles the situation in humans. Treatment on days 0,1,2,3 and 7 after transplantation with low-dose (0.1mg/kg) tacrolimus (T) designed to blunt rejection combined with plerixafor (P) to mobilize host stem cells resulted in greater than 180 day graft survival with extensive albeit spotty conversion of a small (50%) DA graft to the recipient Lewis GFP+ genotype. Subsequent skin grafting revealed donor specific graft prolongation. T plus P treatment resulted in higher levels of Lin-Thy1+CD34+CD133+ stem cells and Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in the blood and liver at day 7. Thus, pharmacological mobilization of host stem cells sustains liver allografts by two mechanisms: repopulation of injured donor cells, and regulation of the immune response.
A Comparison of the Request Process and Outcomes in Adult and Pediatric Organ Donation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although existing studies suggest that factors affecting families’ decisions regarding pediatric organ donation mirror those for adult patients, health professionals working in this area maintain that pediatric and adult decision-makers differ in significant ways. This study compared the request process, experiences, and authorization decisions between family decision-makers (FDMs) of adult and pediatric donors and nondonors. METHODS: Perceptions of the donation request were collected via telephone interviews with 1601 FDMs approached by staff from 9 US organ procurement organizations (OPOs). Authorization regarding donation (ie, authorized/refused) was obtained from FDM reports and verified by using OPO records. Tests of association were used to estimate differences between FDMs of adult and pediatric patients. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify variables predicting FDM authorization. RESULTS: FDMs of children were significantly more likely to authorize donation than were FDMs of adults (89.7% vs 83.2%; χ 2 = 6.2, P = .01). Differences were found between pediatric and adult families’ initial feelings toward donation, donation-related topics discussed, communication behaviors and techniques used, perceptions of the request, and receipt and preference of grief information. The likelihood of FDM authorization increased with the number of topics discussed and communication skills employed during requests. Authorization was not predicted by patient age (ie, adult versus pediatric). CONCLUSIONS: FDMs of children are willing to donate and experience no more psychological distress from the request for donation than do FDMs of adults. Communication emerged as a critical factor of family authorization, reinforcing its importance in requests for donation.
Does the Bible Speak about Gays or Same-Sex Orientation? A Test Case in Biblical Ethics: Part I

This article examines the biblical texts commonly cited on the question of same-sex behavior in the light of three core values of traditional Mediterranean culture: honor, reproductivity, and holiness. Genesis 19, Leviticus 18–20, Romans 1:1, 1 Corinthians 6, and 1 Timothy 1 are each shown to reflect these core values. For this reason these texts frame the ethical issue in terms of males fulfilling their traditional culturally defined roles rather than in terms of the contemporary ethical challenge presented by males and females who are understood by themselves and others as constitutionally oriented towards same-sex behavior. Thus, the biblical texts in question fail to address either those known as gays and lesbians or the issues arising from same-sex orientation.
Expression and function of the homoeotic genes Antennapedia and Sex combs reduced in the embryonic midgut of Drosophila

Drosophila homoeotic genes control the formation of external morphological features of the embryo and adult, and in addition affect differentiation of the nervous system. Here we describe the morphogenetic events in the midgut that are controlled by the homoeotic genes Sex combs reduced (Scr) and Antennapedia (Antp). The midgut is composed of two cell layers, an inner endoderm and an outer visceral mesoderm that surround the yolk. Scr and Antp are expressed in the visceral mesoderm but not in the endoderm. The two genes are required for different aspects of the midgut morphogenesis. In Scr null mutant embryos the gastric caeca fail to form. Scr is expressed in the visceral mesoderm cells posterior to the primordia of the gastric caeca and appears to be indirectly required for the formation of the caeca. Antp is expressed in visceral mesoderm cells that overlie a part of the midgut where a constriction will form, and Antp null mutant embryos fail to form this constriction. An ultrastructural analysis of the midgut reveals that the visceral mesoderm imposes the constriction on the endoderm and the yolk. The mesodermal tissue contracts within the constriction and thereby penetrates the layer of the midgut endoderm. Microtubules participate in the morphological changes of the visceral mesoderm cells. The analysis of the expression of Scr in Antp mutant embryos revealed a case of tissue-specific regulation of Scr expression by Antp. In the epidermis, Antp has been shown to negatively regulate Scr, but it positively regulates Scr in the visceral mesoderm.
DNA cloning in Streptomyces : resistance genes from antibiotic-producing species

The biochemical and morphological differentiation of actinomycetes makes them academically and economically interesting. Their secondary metabolites provide the majority of medically and agriculturally important antibiotics (streptomycete genes may also be the primary source of clinically important antibiotic resistance); their complex morphological developmental cycle involves a series of changes from vegetative mycelial growth to spore formation. Recombinant DNA technology would add a powerful new dimension to the analysis of these various aspects of actinomycete biology and would also facilitate the development of industrial strains with increased antibiotic yield, or capable of making new antibiotics. For most of these purposes, cloning of genes within and between actinomycetes is required to study the expression of particular genes in genetic backgrounds defined by mutations of the characters under study. To achieve this, we have now developed a method for molecular cloning involving the transfer of genes between unrelated streptomycetes.
Comparison of cardiac findings at necropsy in octogenarians, nonagenarians, and centenarians

Certain clinical and necropsy cardiac findings are described and compared in 391 octogenarians (80%), 93 nonagenarians (19%), and in 6 centenarians (1%). The number of men and women was similar (248 [51%] and 242 [49%]). The cause of death was cardiac in 228 patients (47%), vascular but noncardiac in 71 (14%), and noncardiac and nonvascular in 191 (39%). The frequency of a cardiac condition causing death decreased with increasing age groups (51% vs 32% vs 0), and the frequency of a noncardiac, nonvascular condition causing death increased with increasing age groups (36% vs 47% vs 100%). Among the cardiac conditions causing death, coronary artery disease was found in 62% of cases (141 of 228), aortic valve stenosis in 16% (36 of 228), and cardiac amyloidosis in 10% of cases (22 of 228). Calcific deposits were found at necropsy in the coronary arteries in 81% of the patients (398 of 490), in the aortic valve in 47% (228 of 490), in the mitral annular area in 39% of the patients (190 of 490), and in 1 or both left ventricular papillary muscles in 25% of the patients (122 of 490). The calcific deposits tended to be less frequent in the octogenarians. Three hundred (61%) of the 490 patients had > or = 1 major coronary arteries narrowed > 75% in cross-sectional area by plaque and the percent of patients in each of the 3 age groups and the percent of coronary arteries significantly narrowed in each of the 3 age groups were similar.
Infant cross-fostering between Japanese (Macaca fuscata) and rhesus macaques (M. mulatta).

Cross-fostering of infant rhesus macaques between unrelated females has become a routine management strategy at the California Primate Research Center. In order to study the effect of environmental factors on vocal development, we extended this procedure to offspring exchange between two different macaque species living in small social groups. A total of four neonatal Japanese and rhesus monkeys were fostered onto mothers of the other species. Six attempts were required, for an overall success rate of 67%. However, two of the adoptions involved the same foster mother, and both rejections occurred with the same female. The cross-fostered individuals gained weight normally in the first year of life and did not require any hospital treatment. These results indicate that raising nonhuman primate infants with members of a different species can be a viable means of altering species-typical experience without sacrificing essential aspects of maternal care, socialization, and psychological well-being.
Breastfeeding during Pregnancy

Questionnaire data were gathered on the experiences of 57 women who were concurrently pregnant and breastfeeding. Respondents provided information on nursing and weaning patterns, informational and emotional support, and pregnancy history. The main reasons given for continued breastfeeding after conception were the emotional needs of the child or child-led weaning. Forty-three percent of the children continued to breastfeed throughout the pregnancy and tandem nurse after the birth. Mothers who initiated weaning cited breast and/or nipple pain as the principal reason. Most weanings initiated by the children occurred during the second trimester, corresponding with the diminution of breastmilk. The infants born to these mothers were healthy and appropriate for gestational age.
Management of a pancreatic duct injury with an endoscopically placed stent.

A 17-YEAR-OLD WOMAN was a belted, front-seat passenger in a head-on motor vehicle collision. On arrival at a local medical center, the patient was awake and alert with stable vital signs and complaining predominantly of abdominal and flank pain. Advanced Trauma Life Support protocol was followed. Laboratory evaluations were normal with the exception of a serum amylase greater than 1500 U/L (normal 28–100) and a serum lipase greater than 3000 U/L (normal 16–63). An urgent computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a contusion of the left lateral segment of the liver and a fracture at the junction of the body and tail of the pancreas just lateral to the spine. There was no evidence of pancreatic necrosis. The patient was kept non per OS (nothing bymouth) and showed a rapid normalization of her hyperamylasemia and hyperlipasemia during the next few days. She was discharged on hospital day 4, free of symptoms and tolerating a regular diet.
Mental Distress and Family Functioning in Bereaved Parents: Case Examples and Intervention Challenges

Mental distress and family functioning are important adaptive challenges that affect bereaved parents differentially by gender. In this second of two articles, we provide insights into mental distress and family functioning and intervention challenges. The Olson Circumplex Model (Olson, 1985) was used to determine levels of family functioning for 30 couples with children living at home. Based on these results and mental distress scores, four couples were selected for in-depth analysis. Results showed that discrepancies within couples changed over time. It was concluded that both mental distress and family functioning should be addressed jointly in intervention planning.
Geranyl diphosphate synthase from Abies grandis: cDNA isolation, functional expression, and characterization.

Abstract Geranyl diphosphate synthase catalyzes the condensation of dimethylallyl diphosphate and isopentenyl diphosphate to generate geranyl diphosphate, the essential precursor of monoterpene biosynthesis. Using geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase from Taxus canadensis as a hybridization probe, four full length cDNA clones, sharing high sequence identity to each other (>69%) and to the Taxus geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (>66%), were isolated from a grand fir ( Abies grandis ) cDNA library. When expressed in Escherichia coli , three of the recombinant enzymes produced geranyl diphosphate and one produced geranylgeranyl diphosphate as the dominant product when supplied with isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate as cosubstrates. One enzyme (AgGPPS2) was confirmed as a specific geranyl diphosphate synthase, in that it accepted only dimethylallyl diphosphate as the allylic cosubstrate and it produced exclusively geranyl diphosphate as product, with a k cat of 1.8 s −1 . Gel filtration experiments performed on the recombinant geranyl diphosphate synthases, in which the plastidial targeting sequences had been deleted, revealed that these enzymes are homodimers similar to other short-chain prenyltransferases but different from the heterotetrameric geranyl diphosphate synthase of mint.
Functional mandibular surgical stents: Use in primary reconstruction of the cancer patient

0 ral neoplasms that affect the teeth, gingiva, and alveolar bone of the mandible are frequently removed surgically by a marginal resection. To ensure a good vascular closure and to enhance healing, it has been a common procedure for cancer surgeons to close these defects by suturing the buccal mucosa to the floor of the mouth and/or the lateral surface of the tongue. While the surgical results are successful, this technique produces a loss of oral function, an esthetic loss, and a loss of the teeth or alveolar ridge needed to support a prosthesis. Consequently, before a prosthesis can be made to restore the lost function, a second surgical procedure must be performed. The buccal mucosa must be separated from its lingual attachment, and the remaining mandibular bony segment must be uncovered and lined with a splitthickness skin graft.
Three-Dimensional Effective Elastic Constants for Thick Laminates

Equivalent homogeneous anisotropic solids are used to represent thick laminates con sisting of large numbers of a repeating sublaminate. The typical sublaminate is used for studying its load-deform...
Correlation of localization of alkaline and acid phosphatases with morphological development of the rat kidney

The Gomori (metal-salt) and azo-dye techniques were used for the localization of alkaline and acid phosphatases in the metanephric kidneys from 13- to 22-day-old fetal rats. Alkaline phosphatase activity was localized first in the luminal (brush) border of the differentiated proximal tubule in the kidneys of 19-day-old fetuses. Acid phosphatase activity was first localized in the cytoplasm of all the morphologically differentiated cells of the nephron in the kidneys of 20-day-old fetuses as cytoplasmic “droplets.” The relationships of the localization of these to the morphological differentiation of the nephron is discussed.
Local renin-angiotensin system in the thyroid – myth or fact?

Beside the basic control system associated with the hypothalamus-hypophysis-thyroid axis and thyrotropin, a growing evidence suggests that thyroid function is influenced by a vast spectrum of locally produced factors. Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is considered as one of the most powerful and effective regulatory systems in humans. In the “classical” cascade of RAS, angiotensinogen is enzymatically conversed to the most active element of RAS – angiotensin (Ang) II. Ang II exerts its effects via two main receptors: AT1R and AT2R. The understanding of RAS biological function was significantly changed by the discovery of new enzymatic cascades leading to the production of molecules with different than Ang II functional properties – for instance Ang (1-7), molecule reacting with its specific receptor – Mas. Beside the growing complexity of RAS-structure, diverse expression patterns of RAS components in various tissues formed a basis for a concept of “local RAS” in many organs including brain and immune system. It was shown that many organ-specific effects of hormonal factors, including the influence of thyroid hormones on cardiovascular system, were dependent on the modulation of local RAS components. However, very little is known about the role of RAS in the control of thyroid function. In our immunohistochemical analysis of operative specimens we observed for the first time expression of RAS components in human thyroid. Interestingly, although our recently published findings suggest a direct regulatory influence of thyroid function on the phenotype and activity of immune cells in humans, no studies regarding the influence of human RAS on the course of such common inflammatory process as thyroiditis are available. Flow Cytometry analyses performed in our laboratory on thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy material allowed us to assess quantitatively and phenotypically the immune cell populations of local thyroid blood. The comparison of results obtained with paired peripheral blood and local thyroid blood samples suggested differences in the structure of antigen presenting cell populations, e.g. monocytes, known to be the main source of RAS components in the immune system. Interestingly, RAS positive immune cells have been shown to correlate with clinical course of various inflammatory and malignant diseases. In conclusion, better knowledge about local RAS in the thyroid seems to be of great importance for the understanding of both: thyroid physiology and pathological processes associated with inflammatory and malignant disorders of this gland.
Examination of a clinical teaching effectiveness instrument used for summative faculty assessment.

This study explores whether a clinical teaching effectiveness (CTE) instrument provides valid scores for summative faculty assessment. The sample included all CTE instruments (n = 10,087) that learners (N = 1,194) completed to assess clinical teachers (N = 872) during 1 academic year. The authors investigated response processes (e.g., missing data, straight-line responses, level of learner), internal structure (e.g., confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis), teaching ratings by learner group (medical student or resident), and relation to other variables (e.g., correlation with global rating). Response processes identified a high prevalence of straight-line responses (same rating across all items) and differential patterns of missing data by learner group. Medical students rated their teachers higher than residents, and CTE scores had different factor structures depending on learner group. High correlation coefficients of CTE items with a single rating of overall teaching performance suggest that lear...
An exploratory study of grandparents raising grandchildren and the criminal justice system: a research note

There are nearly one million grandparents living with their grandchildren without either parent present in the household according to the 2010 US Census. Furthermore, approximately 10% of these grandparents are the primary caregivers of their grandchildren due to a parent's incarceration. Yet, our understanding of grandparents raising grandchildren in relation to the criminal justice system is limited. The present research is an exploratory qualitative study of five grandparents raising grandchildren in these circumstances. Each grandparent was interviewed individually and all participated in a focus group. We first sought to shed light on the context in which the grandparent gained caregiving responsibilities. The findings indicate that the arrest of the parent was not the initiating event. We then examined the networks and services accessed when attempting to meet the multiple health, behavioral health, and financial needs of their grandchildren. Findings indicate that both formal and informal networks ...
A comparison of three survey methods to obtain data for community mental health program planning

A perennial problem for mental health planners is assessing community needs and existing services. The three most common methods used to obtain this data are the telephone survey, the mail-out questionnaire, and the face-to-face interview. However, there are advantages and disadvantages associated with each approach in terms of sampling, response rates, and economic costs. The present study utilized all three methods to survey the same community population in order to determine the comparability of obtained data and relative efficacy of the methods. A standard 21-item questionnaire was developed to obtain demographic and epidemiological data. This included nine Likert-type items to obtain opionions on a typical question such as "To what extent would you have confidence in recommending the Mental Health Center to members of your immediate family?" In the first method, survey teams made door-to-door interviews to complete 449 questionnaires on a random sample. In the second method, 1,000 questionnaires were mailed to a random sample with returns requested. In the third method, 224 people were randomly selected from the telephone directory and asked to respond to the questionnaire over the phone. Precautions were taken in all methods to ensure confidentiality of responses. All respondents were classified according to a two-factor index based on occupation and education. The data were analyed to determine whether comparable data were obtained through divergent methods. Results are discussed and implications are given for community mental health planners.
Graduate students' experiences with standardized patients as adjuncts for teaching pelvic examinations.

Purpose: To explore graduate nurse practitioner students’ perceptions of their experiences when learning to perform pelvic examinations in the laboratory and performing them in subsequent clinical rotations. One group was taught by faculty with voluntary peer examination, and the other two groups were taught by standardized patients (SPs). Data sources: Surveys with open- and closed-ended (responses on Likert scales) items administered twice during 3 consecutive years to students enrolled in an advanced health assessment course. Conclusions: All groups reported feeling anxious while learning pelvic exam techniques and in subsequent clinical experiences. SPs provided immediate feedback to students, decreased their feelings of anxiety, and increased their confidence in performing examinations. Students who were taught pelvic examination techniques by SPs rated their learning experiences more positively and reported a better understanding of exam techniques than students who learned to perform exams by voluntary examination of classmates. Implications for practice: Graduate nursing programs should consider locating and using SP programs for teaching pelvic examinations in advanced health assessment courses. Although more cost-effective, voluntary peer examination was a less effective teaching method.
Gendered ideologies: cultural and social contexts for illustrated medical manuals in Renaissance England

Considers the social and political ideologies that affected the design of illustrations of the female body in English Renaissance medical manuals. Through a semiotic analysis, we examine medical illustrations explicitly tied to female bodies-anatomical illustrations of female genitalia, a clitorectomy and a hymenectomy-to show that the ways in which a body or surgical procedure was visually represented served to create the "other". We learn, by extension, how social and political ideologies affect the decision-making of modern-day technical communicators.
Electron Transport in InAs/AlSb Quantum Wells: Interface Sequencing Effects

We present data on electron transport in AlSb/InAs/AlSb quantum wells grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Because both anion and cation change across an InAs/Alsb interface, it is possible to grow such wells with two different types of interfaces, one with an InSb-like bond configuration, the other AlAs-like. Electron mobility and concentration were found to depend very strongly on the manner in which the quantum well’s interfaces were grown, with high mobilities seen only if the bottom interface is InSb-like. An As-on-Al sites antisite defect model is postulated for bottom AlAs-like interfaces.
Repeatability of a reference region model for analysis of murine DCE-MRI data at 7T.

Purpose To test the repeatability of a reference region (RR) model for the analysis of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in a mouse model of cancer at high field. Materials and Methods Seven mice were injected with 106 4T1 mammary carcinoma cells and imaged eight to 10 days later on a Varian 7.0T scanner. Two DCE-MRI studies were performed for each mouse (separated by 2.5 hours). The RR model was used to analyze the data, and returned estimates on the perfusion-permeability index (Ktrans) for the RR and the tissue of interest (TOI), as well as the extravascular extracellular volume fraction (ve) for the TOI. Results When the first injection was compared with the second injection, all parameters tested were highly correlated (r2 = 0.90, 0.62, 0.82 for the RR Ktrans, TOI Ktrans, and TOI ve, respectively, with P < 0.001 for all). To observe a statistically significant change (at the 5% level) in a treatment study with seven animals in each group, log10 changes of 0.084 and 0.077 in the tumor Ktrans and ve, respectively, are required. Conclusion If a reliable arterial input function (AIF) is unavailable, the RR model is a reasonable alternative to measuring MRI contrast-agent (CA) kinetics in mouse models of cancer at high field. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Isotope-detected 1H NMR studies of proteins: a general strategy for editing interproton nuclear Overhauser effects by heteronuclear decoupling, with application to phage lambda repressor

Abstract A strategy for editing interproton nuclear Overhauser effects (NOEs) in proteins is proposed and illustrated. Selective incorporation of 13C- (or 15N)-labeled amino acids into a protein permits NOEs involving the labeled residues to be identified by heteronuclear difference decoupling. Such heteronuclear editing simplifies the NOE difference spectrum and avoids ambiguities due to spin diffusion. Isotope-detected 1H NMR thus opens to study proteins too large for conventional one- and two-dimensional NMR methods (20-75 kDa). We have applied this strategy to the N-terminal domain of phage lambda repressor, a protein of dimer molecular mass 23 kDa. A tertiary NOE from an internal aromatic ring (Phe-51) to a beta-13C-labeled alanine residue (Ala-62) is demonstrated.
Monitoring Charge Flux to Quantify Unusual Ligand-Induced Ion Channel Activity for Use in Biological Nanopore-Based Sensors

The utility of biological nanopores for the development of sensors has become a growing area of interest in analytical chemistry. Their emerging use in chemical analysis is a result of several ideal characteristics. First, they provide reproducible control over nanoscale pore sizes with an atomic level of precision. Second, they are amenable to resistive-pulse type measurement systems when embedded into an artificial lipid bilayer. A single binding event causes a change in the flow of millions of ions across the membrane per second that is readily measured as a change in current with excellent signal-to-noise ratio. To date, ion channel-based biosensors have been limited to well-behaved proteins. Most demonstrations of using ion channels as sensors have been limited to proteins that remain in the open, conducting state, unless occupied by an analyte of interest. Furthermore, these proteins are nonspecific, requiring chemical, biochemical, or genetic manipulations to impart chemical specificity. Here, we r...
Stochastic Scheduling by the Horizon Method

The stochastic scheduling problem discussed in this paper is similar to the classical inventory model. It is concerned with the demand for a single commodity expressed as a set of independent stochastic variables with known distributions and an objective functional composed of production and inventory cost variables. The model, however, incorporates a uniquely determined planning horizon, and in the usual application requires only a finite number of time periods. The horizon period is based upon the minimum expected loss in the operation and therefore is subject to the stochastic variables of demand.
Laboratory determination of thermal diffusion constants for 29N2/28N2 in air at temperatures from −60 to 0°C for reconstruction of magnitudes of abrupt climate changes using the ice core fossil–air paleothermometer

Rapid temperature change causes fractionation of isotopic gaseous species in air in firn (snow) by thermal diffusion, producing a signal that is preserved in trapped air bubbles as the snow forms ice. Using a model of heat penetration and gas diffusion in the firn, as well as the values of appropriate thermal diffusion constants, it is possible to reconstruct the magnitude of a particular paleoclimate change. Isotopic nitrogen in air serves as a convenient tracer for such paleoreconstruction, because the ratio 29N2/28N2 has stayed extremely constant in the atmosphere for ≥106 years. However, prior to this work no data were available for thermal diffusion of 29N2/28N2 in air, but only in pure N2. We devised a laboratory experiment allowing fractionation of gases by thermal diffusion in a small, tightly controlled temperature difference. A mass spectrometer was employed in measuring the resulting fractionations yielding measurement precision greater than was attainable by earlier thermal diffusion investigators. Our laboratory experiments indicate that the value of the thermal diffusion sensitivity (Ω) for 29N2/28N2 in air is +(14.7 ± 0.5) × 10−3 per mil/°C when the average temperature is –30.0°C. The corresponding value for 29N2/28N2 in pure N2 that we find is +(15.3 ± 0.4) × 10−3 per mil/°C at –30.6°C, in agreement with the previously available literature data within their large range of uncertainty. We find that an empirical equation, Ω = (8.656/TK − 1232/T K2) ± 3% per mil/°C, describes the slight variation of the sensitivity values for 29N2/28N2 in air with temperature in the range of –60 to 0°C. A separate set of experiments also described in this paper rules out adsorption as a candidate for producing additional temperature change-driven fractionation of 29N2/28N2 in the firn air. The combined newly obtained data constitute a calibration of the fossil–air paleothermometer with respect to isotopic nitrogen and will serve to improve the estimates of the magnitudes of past abrupt climate changes recorded in ice cores.
Factors Associated with Resistance to Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Southwestern Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Corn at Different Vegetative Stages

Corn, Zen mays L., germplasm with resistance to leaf feeding by southwestern corn borer, Diatraea grandiose/la Dyar, and fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), has been released. Resistant genotypes sustain less leaf-feeding damage than susceptible genotypes. Larvae that feed on plants of resistant genotypes or on tissue collected from these plants !!;row more slowly than those that feed on susceptible genotypes. Both resistant and susceptible genotypes sustain less damage as the plants mature. This investigation was undertaken to determine the associations between various chemical and physical characteristics of resistant and susceptible corn hybrids and leaf-feeding damage and larval growth on hybrids infested at different vagetative stages of growth. Leaf feeding was heavier on plants infested 28-35 d after planting than older plants. Larvae from the field weighed more when plants were infested between 28 and 35 d. Larvae fed on lyophilized leaf tissue in laboratory bioassays were heaviest when whorl tissue was collected from plants 28-35 d after planting. Larvae fed on tissue of resistant hybrids weighed less than those fed on tissue of susceptible hybrids. Resistant hybrids completed the transition from juvenile to adult earlier than susceptible hybrids. The 7th leaf was the 1st adult leaf of the resistant hybrids, but the 10th or 11th was the 1st adult leaf of susceptible hybrids. Leaves of susceptible hybrids were less tough than leaves of resistant hybrids, and toughness increased with plant age. Relative amounts of hemicellulose were higher in resistant genotypes and in older plants of all genotypes. Hemicellulose and protein levels appear to be associated with fall armyworm resistance, but not southwestern corn borer resistance. Relative amounts of cellulose were negatively correlated with leaf feeding by both insects. Relative amounts of ash, fat, and lignin did not appear to be associated with resistance. Further investigations of resistant and susceptible genotypes at different vegetative stages of growth should be useful in identifying factors associated with resistance to fall armyworm and southwestern corn borer.
Predictors of Weaning After 6 Weeks of Mechanical Ventilation

Study objective To identify variables associated with weaning outcome in long-term ventilator-dependent patients. Using those variables, to construct models to predict weaning success and to test the accuracy of those models. Design Retrospective medical record review. Setting Regional weaning center (RWC). Patients An initial group of 421 and a subsequent group of 170 consecutive patients referred for attempted weaning after 6 weeks of mechanical ventilation. Measurements and results Data obtained on admission to our facility were analyzed for correlation with weaning outcome. In the initial patient group, selected variables which correlated with weaning success were alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference (P[A—a] O 2 ), BUN, BUN/creatinine ratio (each with p≤0.001), and female gender (p=0.04). We used these variables in logistic regression models to predict weaning success in this population. We then tested the models in the 170-patient validation group using both standard and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The ROC analysis indicated 59% accuracy using P(A—a)O 2 alone and 68% accuracy using all previously mentioned variables. We used data from all 565 patients with known outcome and omitted BUN/creatinine ratio to fashion a simple scoring system to predict weaning success with 70% accuracy using P(A—a)O 2 , BUN, and Gender—the A+B+G score. Conclusion In patients suffering prolonged mechanical ventilation, models incorporating simple measurements allowed construction of a score to predict weaning success at our RWC.
Ischemic preconditioning augments survival of stem cells via miR-210 expression by targeting caspase-8-associated protein 2.

MicroRNAs (miRs) participate in most cellular functions by posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression albeit with little information regarding their role in ischemic preconditioning (IP) of stem cells. We report that IP of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with two cycles of 30-min ischemia/reoxygenation (I/R) supported their survival under subsequent longer exposure to anoxia and following engraftment in the infarcted heart. IP significantly reduced apoptosis in MSCs through activation of Akt (Ser473) and ERK1/2 (Thr202/Tyr204) and nuclear translocation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). We observed concomitant induction of miR-210 in the preconditioned MSCs (PCMSCs). Inhibition of HIF-1α or of miR-210 abrogated the cytoprotective effects of preconditioning. Extrapolation of these data to in vivo studies in a rat model of acute myocardial infarction predominantly improved stem cell survival after engraftment with a role for miR-210. Notably, multiple I/R cycles more effectively regulated the miR-210 and hence promoted MSC survival compared with single-cycle hypoxia of an equal duration. Real time PCR array for rat apoptotic genes, computational target gene analyses, and luciferase reporter assay identified FLICE-associated huge protein (FLASH)/caspase-8-associated protein-2 (Casp8ap2) in PCMSCs as the target gene of miR-210. Induction of FLASH/CASP8AP2 in miR-210 knocked-down PCMSCs resulted in increased cell apoptosis. Taken together, these data demonstrated that cytoprotection afforded by IP was regulated by miR-210 induction via FLASH/Casp8ap2 suppression. These results highlighted that IP by multiple short episodes of I/R is a novel strategy to promote stem cell survival.