cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mobile Health Intervention Promoting Physical Activity in Adults Post Cardiac Rehabilitation: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an exercise-based program prescribed after cardiac events associated with improved physical, mental, and social functioning; however, many patients return to a sedentary lifestyle leading to deteriorating functional capacity after discharge from CR. Physical activity (PA) is critical to avoid recurrence of cardiac events and mortality and maintain functional capacity. Leveraging mobile health (mHealth) strategies to increase adherence to PA is a promising approach. Based on the social cognitive theory, we sought to determine whether mHealth strategies (Movn mobile app for self-monitoring, supportive push-through messages, and wearable activity tracker) would improve PA and functional capacity over 2 months. Objective: The objectives of this pilot randomized controlled trial were to examine preliminary effects of an mHealth intervention on group differences in PA and functional capacity and group differences in depression and self-efficacy to maintain exercise after CR. Methods: During the final week of outpatient CR, patients were randomized 1:1 to the intervention group or usual care. The intervention group downloaded the Movn mobile app, received supportive push-through messages on motivation and educational messages related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) management 3 times per week, and wore a Charge 2 (Fitbit Inc) activity tracker to track step counts. Participants in the usual care group wore a pedometer and recorded their daily steps in a diary. Data from the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and self-reported questionnaires were collected at baseline and 2 months. Results: We recruited 60 patients from 2 CR sites at a community hospital in Northern California. The mean age was 68.0 (SD 9.3) years, and 23% (14/60) were female; retention rate was 85% (51/60). Our results from 51 patients who completed follow-up showed the intervention group had a statistically significant higher mean daily step count compared with the control (8860 vs 6633; P=.02). There was no difference between groups for the 6MWT, depression, or self-efficacy to maintain exercise. Conclusions: This intervention addresses a major public health initiative to examine the potential for mobile health strategies to promote PA in patients with CVD. Our technology-based pilot mHealth intervention provides promising results on a pragmatic and contemporary approach to promote PA by increasing daily step counts after completing CR. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03446313; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03446313
Development of a Mobile Robot Test Platform and Methods for Validation of Prognostics-Enabled Decision Making Algorithms

As fault diagnosis and prognosis systems in aerospace applications become more capable, the ability to utilize information supplied by them becomes increasingly important. While certain types of vehicle health data can be effectively processed and acted upon by crew or support personnel, others, due to their complexity or time constraints, require either automated or semi-automated reasoning. Prognostics-enabled Decision Making (PDM) is an emerging research area that aims to integrate prognostic health information and knowledge about the future operating conditions into the process of selecting subsequent actions for the system. The newly developed PDM algorithms require suitable software and hardware platforms for testing under realistic fault scenarios. The paper describes the development of such a platform, based on the K11 planetary rover prototype. A variety of injectable fault modes are being investigated for electrical, mechanical, and power subsystems of the testbed, along with methods for data collection and processing. In addition to the hardware platform, a software simulator with matching capabilities has been developed. The simulator allows for prototyping and initial validation of the algorithms prior to their deployment on the K11. The simulator is also available to the PDM algorithms to assist with the reasoning process. A reference set of diagnostic, prognostic, and decision making algorithms is also described, followed by an overview of the current test scenarios and the results of their execution on the simulator.
Abstract P636: Social Determinants of Stroke Hospitalization and Mortality in the United States

Introduction: Stroke hospitalization and mortality are influenced by various social determinants. This ecological study aimed to determine the associations between social determinants and stroke ho...
Artificial intelligence in medical ultrasonography: driving on an unpaved road.

Recent advances in deep-learning technology have brought revolutionary changes to artificial intelligence (AI) research and application across industries, yielding major innovations such as facial recognition and self-driving cars. Medicine is no exception, and radiology, which is based on the interpretation of image data obtained through various methods-and has often been compared with computer vision using pattern analysis-is anticipated to experience a major revolution. Despite expectations for increasing research and development of AI-empowered ultrasonography, the clinical implementation of AI in medical ultrasonography faces unique obstacles. It will be necessary to standardize image acquisition, regulate operator and interpreter qualification and performance, integrate clinical information, and provide performance feedback to maximize benefits for patient care.
Targeting interferon-λ signaling promotes recovery from central nervous system autoimmunity

Type III interferons (IFNLs) are newly discovered cytokines, acting at epithelial and other barriers, that exert immunomodulatory functions in addition to their primary roles in antiviral defense. Here we define a role for IFNLs in maintaining autoreactive T cell effector function and limiting recovery in a murine model of multiple sclerosis (MS), experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Genetic or antibody-based neutralization of the IFNL receptor (IFNLR) resulted in lack of disease maintenance during EAE, with loss of CNS Th1 effector responses and limited axonal injury. Phenotypic effects of IFNLR signaling were traced to increased antigen presenting cell (APC) function, with associated increase in T cell production of IFN{gamma} and GM-CSF. Consistent with this, IFNL levels within lesions of CNS tissues derived from MS patients were elevated compared to MS normal appearing white matter (NAWM). Furthermore, expression of IFNLR was selectively elevated in MS active lesions compared to inactive lesions or NAWM. These findings suggest IFNL signaling as a potential therapeutic target to prevent chronic autoimmune neuroinflammation.
Pertussis vaccines and the challenge of inducing durable immunity

Pertussis has re-emerged as an important public health concern. In the 1990s whole-cell pertussis vaccines were replaced with less reactogenic acellular vaccines consisting of purified pertussis components. However, recent data show that protection from acellular pertussis vaccines is not long-lasting. Antibody levels wane rapidly following vaccination, likely a result of the inability of acellular pertussis antigens to stimulate long-lasting B cell memory. In addition, T cell responses to acellular pertussis vaccines are mixed Th2/Th1, while whole-cell pertussis vaccination and infection stimulate Th17 responses, important for host defense against extracellular mucosal pathogens. Consistent with this T cell skewing, acellular vaccines did not prevent colonization or transmission following challenge in nonhuman primates while whole-cell vaccinated and previously infected animals cleared the infection more rapidly.
Physiological Basis for the Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Adrenal Disorders: Cushing’s Syndrome, Adrenal Insufficiency, and Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a classic neuroendocrine system. One of the best ways to understand the HPA axis is to appreciate its dynamics in the variety of diseases and syndromes that affect it. Excess glucocorticoid activity can be due to endogenous cortisol overproduction (spontaneous Cushing’s syndrome) or exogenous glucocorticoid therapy (iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome). Endogenous Cushing’s syndrome can be subdivided into ACTH-dependent and ACTH-independent, the latter of which is usually due to autonomous adrenal overproduction. The former can be due to a pituitary corticotroph tumor (usually benign) or ectopic ACTH production from tumors outside the pituitary; both of these tumor types overexpress the proopiomelanocortin gene. The converse of Cushing’s syndrome is the lack of normal cortisol secretion and is usually due to adrenal destruction (primary adrenal insufficiency) or hypopituitarism (secondary adrenal insufficiency). Secondary adrenal insufficiency can also result from a rapid discontinuation of long-term, pharmacological glucocorticoid therapy because of HPA axis suppression and adrenal atrophy. Finally, mutations in the steroidogenic enzymes of the adrenal cortex can lead to congenital adrenal hyperplasia and an increase in precursor steroids, particularly androgens. When present in utero, this can lead to masculinization of a female fetus. An understanding of the dynamics of the HPA axis is necessary to master the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of pituitary-adrenal diseases. Furthermore, understanding the pathophysiology of the HPA axis gives great insight into its normal control.
Echocardiographic predictors of left ventricular dysfunction after aortic valve surgery in children with chronic aortic regurgitation.

Objective Postoperative left ventricular dysfunction is associated with poor prognosis in adults with severe chronic aortic regurgitation and published practice guidelines aim to minimize this risk. However, only limited information exists in pediatrics. The goal of this study was to define preoperative risk factors for postoperative left ventricular dysfunction in children with chronic aortic regurgitation. Methods Patients fulfilling the following criteria were included in this study: (1) age at preoperative echocardiogram ≤18 years; (2) ≥moderate aortic regurgitation; (3) ≤mild aortic valve stenosis; (4) no additional valve disease/shunt; (5) underwent aortic valve surgery for aortic regurgitation; and (6) available preoperative and ≥6-month postoperative echocardiograms with adequate information. Primary outcome was postoperative left ventricular dysfunction defined as ejection fraction z-score < −2. Results Median ages at diagnosis and surgery of the 53 eligible patients were 6.9 (0.04–17.2) and 13 years (1.2–22.4), respectively. Compared with patients whose postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was normal, those with left ventricular ejection fraction z-score < −2 (n = 10) had significantly higher preoperative left ventricular end-diastolic and systolic volumes and dimensions and lower indices of systolic function. Preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction z-score < −1 was the most sensitive (89%; confidence interval [CI] 52, 100) but least specific (58%; CI 41, 73), whereas left ventricular end-systolic diameter z-score ≥ 5 was the most specific (95%; CI 84, 99) but least sensitive (60%; CI 26, 88) outcome identifier. A combination of shortening fraction z-score < −1 or end-systolic diameter z-score ≥ 5 best identified postoperative left ventricular dysfunction with an area of 0.819 under the receiver-operator characteristic curve. Conclusion Lower indices of left ventricular systolic function and severity of dilation identify children at risk for postoperative left ventricular dysfunction after aortic valve surgery. These identifiers are similar to predictors defined in adult patients albeit with different threshold values.
Effects of arsenate and phosphate on their accumulation by an arsenic-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata L.

Arsenate and phosphate interactions are important for better understanding their uptake and accumulation by plant due to their similarities in chemical behaviors. The present study examined the effects of arsenate and phosphate on plant biomass and uptake of arsenate and phosphate by Chinese brake (Pteris vittata L.), a newly-discovered arsenic hyperaccumulator. The plants were grown for 20 weeks in a soil, which received the combinations of 670, 2670, or 5340 μmol kg−1 arsenate and 800, 1600, or 3200 μmol kg−1 phosphate, respectively. Interactions between arsenate and phosphate influenced their availability in the soil, and thus plant growth and uptake of arsenate and phosphate. At low and medium arsenate levels (670 and 2670 μmol kg−1), phosphate had slight effects on arsenate uptake by and growth of Chinese brake. However, phosphate substantially increased plant biomass and arsenate accumulation by alleviating arsenate phytotoxicity at high arsenate levels (5340 μmol kg−1). Moderate doses of arsenate increased plant phosphate uptake, but decreased phosphate concentrations at high doses because of its phytotoxicity. Based on our results, the minimum P/As molar ratios should be at least 1.2 in soil solution or 1.0 in fern fronds for the growth of Chinese brake. Our findings suggest that phosphate application may be an important strategy for efficient use of Chinese brake to phytoremediate arsenic contaminated soils. Further study is needed on the mechanisms of interactive effects of arsenate and phosphate on Chinese brake in hydroponic systems.
1,4-Dithiothreitol

[27565-41-9] C4H10O2S2 (MW 154.28) InChI = 1S/C4H10O2S2/c5-3(1-7)4(6)2-8/h3-8H,1-2H2/t3-,4-/m1/s1 InChIKey = VHJLVAABSRFDPM-QWWZWVQMSA-N (reducing agent for disulfides;1, 2 protection of thiols and proteins containing free SH groups from air oxidation3) Alternate Names: DTT; threo-2,3-dihydroxybutane-1,4-dithiol. Physical Data: mp 42–44 °C (racemate); redox potential −0.33 V, pH 7, varying −0.06 V per pH unit; pK 9.2 and 10.1. Solubility: very sol water, alcohols. Form Supplied in: white solid; widely available; normally supplied as the racemate, but chiral 1,4-dithio-l-threitol [16096-97-2],4 mp 49–51 °C, is also available. The erythro isomer (1,4-dithioerythritol, DTE, [6892-68-8], mp 82–84 °C)1 has redox properties similar to the threo isomer (E°′ is more positive by 0.004 V)5 and is also available. The oxidized cyclic form (trans-1,2-dithiane-4,5-diol [14193-38-5], mp 130–132 °C)1 is available; it has a UV spectrum (λmax 283 nm; e = 273). DTT and DTE are colorless above 260 nm, but both reduced and oxidized forms absorb below 240 nm. Analysis of Reagent Purity: the presence of monothiols can be detected by addition of arsenite (which forms a tight tridentate complex with DTT),6 followed by addition of 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate).7 Total thiol content is determined by omitting arsenite. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: solid material should be stored under refrigeration in a closed bottle. Solutions will slowly oxidize in the presence of air to the cyclic disulfide, which is inert. The concentration of reduced material can be determined by assay with 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate).8
Vern Countryman and the Path of Progressive (and Populist) Bankruptcy Scholarship

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Vern Countryman was the leading progressive bankruptcy scholar- and in fact the leading bankruptcy scholar of any perspective. This article explores the links between Countryman's work and that of his New Deal predecessors, on the one hand, and his successors, on the other. In addition to Countryman himself, the article focuses on William Douglas, who was Countryman's predecessor and mentor, as well as being the leading bankruptcy scholar of the New Deal. Among Countryman's successors, the article focuses on the work of Elizabeth Warren, Countryman's successor at Harvard Law School and the nation's leading current progressive scholar. The article considers both the continuities and some surprising disjunctions in the evolution of progressive bankruptcy scholarship. Countryman differed from William Douglas, who as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission had spearheaded a dramatic overhaul of the nation's corporate reorganization laws, in three crucial respects. Whereas Douglas was best known for his contributions to corporate bankruptcy, Countryman focused much of his energy on the financial distress of individuals. Countryman also forged much closer ties to the bankruptcy bar, and he was much less sympathetic to instrumental perspectives, as evidenced by his hostility to the emerging law and economics movement. Each of these attributes plays a similarly prominent role in the work of Elizabeth Warren and other current progressives. The article shows that the shifts in progressive thinking can be traced in large part to economic forces such as changes in the credit markets. The analysis also suggests ways in which current progressives could revitalize the kinds of arguments made by their predecessors.
The disciplinary politics of antagonistic nationalism in militarized South and North Korea

After the Korean War (1950–53), the two militarized Koreas governed each and every member of society in similar ways through their disciplinary politics of antagonistic nationalism. The existing studies of state formation in the two Koreas have neglected an aspect of state power that was neither necessarily top-down nor violent from above but also reproduced from below. In both South and North Korea, especially from the 1960s to the 1970s, state power had internal dynamics that penetrated the day-to-day activities of most citizens and led them to actively accept and participate in nationalist rule. This article explores an understudied aspect of the two Koreas' state power that was disciplinarily diffused in people's everyday practices through reproduction of aggressive nationalism from below and the organic construction of the individual body and nation.
New therapeutic strategies targeting D1-type dopamine receptors for neuropsychiatric disease

The neurotransmitter dopamine acts via two major classes of receptors, D1-type and D2-type. D1 receptors are highly expressed in the striatum and can also be found in the cerebral cortex. Here we review the role of D1 dopamine signaling in two major domains: L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias in Parkinson’s disease and cognition in neuropsychiatric disorders. While there are many drugs targeting D2-type receptors, there are no drugs that specifically target D1 receptors. It has been difficult to use selective D1-receptor agonists for clinical applications due to issues with bioavailability, binding affinity, pharmacological kinetics, and side effects. We propose potential therapies that selectively modulate D1 dopamine signaling by targeting second messengers downstream of D1 receptors, allosteric modulators, or by making targeted modifications to D1-receptor machinery. The development of therapies specific to D1-receptor signaling could be a new frontier in the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
The prognostic significance of stable disease following high-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) treatment in patients with metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma

High-dose interleukin-2 (HD IL-2) is an approved immunotherapy agent for metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma resulting in objective responses in 15–20 % of patients. An additional subset of patients achieves stable disease, and the natural history of these patients has not been well documented. We hypothesized that stable disease following HD IL-2 is associated with a survival advantage. To explore this hypothesis, a retrospective chart review of 305 patients diagnosed with metastatic melanoma or renal cell carcinoma treated with HD IL-2 was conducted. Patient characteristics, response based on standard RECIST criteria and overall survival were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method and associations with clinical response were compared using a log-rank test. Two hundred and forty-five patients had melanoma and 60 had renal cell carcinoma. Of these, 217 had complete data available for analysis. Fifty-nine percentage had progressive disease (PD), 26 % had stable disease (SD) and 15 % had an objective complete (CR) or partial response (PR). Median overall survival was 16.8 months for all patients with available survival data; patients with PD had a median survival of 7.9 months compared to 38.2 months for stable disease, while the median has not been reached for those with objective responses. This retrospective data support an association between overall survival and stable disease, suggesting that clinical benefit may be underestimated for patients treated with HD IL-2. The data further support the use of disease control rate (CR + PR + SD) as a more meaningful endpoint for future clinical studies of tumor immunotherapy, including future studies of HD IL-2.
Dissociable Neural Modulation Underlying Lasting First Impressions, Changing Your Mind for the Better, and Changing It for the Worse

Unattractive job candidates face a disadvantage when interviewing for a job. Employers' evaluations are colored by the candidate's physical attractiveness even when they take job interview performance into account. This example illustrates unexplored questions about the neural basis of social evaluation in humans. What neural regions support the lasting effects of initial impressions (even after getting to know someone)? How does the brain process information that changes our minds about someone? Job candidates' competence was evaluated from photographs and again after seeing snippets of job interviews. Left lateral orbitofrontal cortex modulation serves as a warning signal for initial reactions that ultimately undermine evaluations even when additional information is taken into account. The neural basis of changing one's mind about a candidate is not a simple matter of computing the amount of competence-affirming information in their job interview. Instead, seeing a candidate for the better is somewhat distinguishable at the neural level from seeing a candidate for the worse. Whereas amygdala modulation marks the extremity of evaluation change, favorable impression change additionally draws on parametric modulation of lateral prefrontal cortex and unfavorable impression change additionally draws on parametric modulation of medial prefrontal cortex, temporal cortex, and striatum. Investigating social evaluation as a dynamic process (rather than a one-time impression) paints a new picture of its neural basis and highlights the partially dissociable processes that contribute to changing your mind about someone for the better or the worse.
Fatalities in the Peace Corps: A Retrospective Study, 1984 to 2003

BACKGROUND: To determine causes of death for Peace Corps Volunteers (PCV) between 1984 and 2003 and compare them with prior Volunteer death rates and with US death rates. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all PCV between 1984 and 2003 and compared them to published data for prior years and against US death rates. RESULTS: Of the 66 deaths in our study period, the major causes were unintentional injury, homicide, medical illness, and suicide. Comparisons to US mortality data controlled for age, marital status, and educational attainment found equal or lower death rates among Volunteers. When compared to previous study results from 1961 to 1983, the total number of deaths, as well as the death rate per Volunteer-year, decreased. Deaths from unintentional injury, suicide, and medical illness decreased in number and rate; only homicides increased in number during our study period, but this increase did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: PCV are exposed to unique risks, but these risks have become significantly less fatal over the past 20 years when compared to prior Peace Corps data and matched US population data. Language: en
Re-using traditional animation: methods for semi-automatic segmentation and inbetweening

A large body of traditional animation exists that contains characters with poses, expressions, and appeal not easily achievable with modern 3D techniques. To create new uses for this body of animation, this paper presents components of a system that can help incorporate the animation into re-usable libraries. In particular, we discuss two semi-automatic techniques that allow the re-use of traditional animation. First, support vector machines are used to segment cartoon images from their backgrounds for incorporation into an image library, for such applications as re-sequencing. Second, a radial basis function implicit surface modeling technique and a fast non-rigid elastic registration algorithm provide inbetween contours and textures given two key images of traditional animation. Our system is fast, model-free, and requires minimal animator intervention.
“Anatomizing” reversed: Use of examination questions that foster use of higher order learning skills by students

"Anatomizing" is a new verb some use to describe the breaking apart of a complex entity such as the human body, into isolated tidbits of information for study, which can never equal the complex, integrated whole. Although popular with first-year medical students, this practice of "tidbitting" anatomical information into easy to memorize facts or tables of facts does not prepare medical students for the inevitable task of dealing with the integrated structure-function of the human body, both normal and diseased, as patient managers. Examination questions drive the cognitive methods students will use to learn content. Asking students on examinations for recall of previously memorized tidbits fosters the cognitive learning behavior of only memorization. Examination questions, however, can be constructed that assess student understanding and integration of the content, that is, student use of cognitive and metacognitive methods of higher order learning that will foster high-quality learning producing better practitioners and lifelong learners. This kind of efficient student learning needs to begin in the first year of medical school.Learning more efficiently and at deeper levels of understanding is especially pertinent as the contact hours in anatomy courses continue to decrease.
Intercarrier interdomain control plane for global optical networks

This paper presents the Photonic Interdomain Negotiator (PIN) as the secure global optical control plane architecture to interoperate multiple wavelength-routed network domains with incompatible local control planes. The PIN interdomain routing and wavelength assignment is characterized by constraint-based optical path-vector routing to determine end-to- end lightpath across multiple domains, and by conversion-aware wavelength discovery to resolve wavelength blocking during discovery phase. The PIN interdomain optical signaling is supported by the Robust Fast Optical Reservation Protocol (RFORP) to minimize reservation delay by employing parallel reservation processing in multiple domains along a domain-path, and to minimize wavelength blocking during reservation phase by employing localized rerouting.
Shotgun proteomics‐based clinical testing for diagnosis and classification of amyloidosis

Shotgun proteomics technology has matured in the research laboratories and is poised to enter clinical laboratories. However, the road to this transition is sprinkled with major technical unknowns such as long-term stability of the platform, reproducibility of the technology and clinical utility over traditional antibody-based platforms. Further, regulatory bodies that oversee the clinical laboratory operations are unfamiliar with this new technology. As a result, diagnostic laboratories have avoided using shotgun proteomics for routine diagnostics. In this perspectives article, we describe the clinical implementation of a shotgun proteomics assay for amyloid subtyping, with a special emphasis on standardizing the platform for better quality control and earning clinical acceptance. This assay is the first shotgun proteomics assay to receive regulatory approval for patient diagnosis. The blueprint of this assay can be utilized to develop novel proteomics assays for detecting numerous other disease pathologies.
Grade Level, Gender, and School-Related Curiosity in Urban Elementary Schools

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of grade level and gender on student curiosity in urban elementary schools. Three basic questions were addressed: (a) Does student curiosity decrease as grade level increases? (b) Are gender differences present in curiosity? (c) Are these effects evident across educational settings with different student populations? A scale designed to measure school-related curiosity (SRC scale) was created and administered to elementary school students in Grades 3, 5, and 7 in one Catholic school (n = 148) and two public schools (n = 150). Two-way ANOVAs (Grade Level x Gender) were conducted separately in the Catholic school and public school samples in order to examine the generalizability of the grade level and gender effects across educational settings. There was a decrease in student curiosity as a function of grade level in both Catholic school and public school students. No significant gender differences were found in either group. Suggestions for f...
Asymmetries between Balance of Payments Surpluses and Deficits

HIS PAPER examines the concepts of surplus or deficit applied by countries in analyzing their balance of payments position.' These concepts may be classified into two broad categories, which are here referred to as "basic" and "over-all" surplus or deficit. The ideas underlying "basic" and "over-all" balances are analyzed, and the surplus or deficit concepts applied by a number of countries are related to these two categories. It is found that some countries, e.g., Germany and Japan, apply a concept of surplus or deficit mainly in terms of their "over-all" balance of payments position, whereas other countries, e.g., the United Kingdom, apply a concept that corresponds more closely to the "basic" balance. However, most countries apply a mixture of the two concepts. The varying content of the concept of surplus or deficit is not apparent in public discussion, in which it is often implicitly assumed that the deficit of one country must have a counterpart in a surplus elsewhere. No such symmetry in fact exists between surplus and deficit.2 Not only are there differences among countries in the definitions they apply, but also these definitions, even when applied consistently, are (and must be) to some extent asymmetrical. All countries, for instance, include the change in their official gold reserves in their
The bovine papillomavirus E1 protein alters the host cell cycle and growth properties.

Abstract A stable E1-expressing cell line, CE1, was developed to investigate the effect of bovine papillomavirus E1 protein on host cell growth. Expression of E1 in CE1 cells is under control of the dexamethasone-inducible mouse mammary tumor virus LTR promoter. Flow cytometry was used to determine the intracellular levels of E1 in CE1 cells in parallel with cell cycle distributions and cell growth parameters. CE1 cells expressed a basal level of E1 that was increased following exposure to increasing concentrations of dexamethasone. As E1 expression increased, the following effects on cell growth were observed: (1) the overall cell generation lime increased and (2) the duration of G1 + G0 phases increased slightly while the duration of G2 + M phases increased twofold. The appearance of a cell subpopulation with a greater than G2 phase DNA content was also observed in E1-expressing cells. Removal of dexamethasone resulted in a return of E1 levels to the basal state with a concomitant restoration of both cell growth properties and cell cycle phase distributions. All of the observed effects were seen in the absence of both other papillomaviral proteins and papillomaviral DNA replication. We conclude that E1 is sufficient to negatively affect host cell growth, with a prominent effect observed in the G2 + M phases.
Cancer and autonomy

The idea to be reflected upon in this article concerns choice as a basic act in case of illness. Choices are precondition for decision making, decision making is crucial during the course of an illness. The making of choices depends on autonomy as a characteristic of identity. This article describes different psychological characteristics of autonomous behavior, some options for the health professional to accordingly interact with the patient, his history and future and the consequences for the provoking of stress during the diagnostic and treatment procedures. Stress remaining an important and probably decisive factor in the course of an illness like cancer.
Pathophysiologic factors influencing prognosis after myocardial infarction.

The major determinants of outcome after surviving the acute phase of myocardial infarction include the extent of cumulative myocardial damage, infarct type and location, ventricular electrical instability, the extent of residual jeopardized ischemic myocardium, rheologic conditions, and neurohumoral factors. These several factors are intimately related to each other, yet each contributes prognostic information. Patients with multiple myocardial infarctions are at considerably greater mortality risk than those with first infarctions
Braking Impact of Normal Dither Signals

Dither control is a method of introducing high-frequency control efforts into a system to suppress a lower-frequency disturbance. One application of dither control is the suppression of automotive brake squeal. Brake squeal is a problem that has plagued the automotive industry for years. Placing a piezoceramic stack actuator in the piston of a floating caliper brake creates an experimental normal dither system. Many theoretical models indicate a reduction in the braking torque due to the normal dither signal. Using a Hertzian contact stiffness model, the loss in friction is due to lowering the average normal force. There are also theories that the dither signal eliminates the "stick-slip" oscillation causing an effective decrease in the friction force. Yet another theory indicates that the effective contact area is reduced, lowering the mean coefficient of friction. A particular approach considering a single-degree-of-freedom friction oscillator predicts a maximum friction reduction of 10%, occurring at the primary resonance of the system. This paper will concentrate on validating this claim by experimentally determining braking torque reduction for a variety of dither control signals. Several dither control frequencies were chosen at system resonances, while others were chosen at frequencies most likely to provide control of the system. These frequencies were chosen based on previous squeal suppression research. The results indicate that dither control frequencies at system resonances have a greater impact on the braking system's performance. In general, dither control reduces braking torque by no more than 2%.
Who Benefits?: Tourism Development in Fenghuang County, China

The Chinese government is making tourism an important rural development strategy. Local governments and outside developers jointly manage and develop natural and cultural resources to increase tourism revenues. The government sells development and management rights to large for-profit corporations. This paper examines one such project in Fenghuang County, Hunan Province, where Yellow Dragon Cave Corporation (YDCC) and the local government of Fenghuang County are jointly promoting tourism. Pleasant climate, stunning views, "colorful" ethnic minority cultures, and the newly discovered and partially restored Ming Dynasty "Southern China Great Wall" are the primary tourist attractions in Fenghuang County. This project impacts 374,000 people, made up of 29 national minorities and representing 74 percent of the local population. Some researchers argue that this public-private partnership successfully produces profits for developers and creates economic growth. The present research uses a power and scale perspective to identify the preliminary socioeconomic impacts of this capital-intensive development model on local communities. Open-ended interviews with residents, government officials, and business representatives are combined with demographic and economic statistics to identify the decision-makers, document the distribution of social power, and identify the flow of costs and benefits through the tourism system.
Nurses' Perceptions of Research Utilization in a Corporate Health Care System

Purpose: To explore selected characteristics of nurses based upon educational level (masters, baccalaureate, associate degree/diploma), years of experience, and hospital position (management, advanced practice, staff nurse) that might affect perceived availability of research resources, attitude towards research, support, and research use in practice. Design: A descriptive nonexperimental mailed survey design was used for this study. Methods: Nurses in five hospitals within a corporate hospital system were surveyed using the Research Utilization Questionnaire (RUQ). The RUQ was used to measure nurses' perceptions of research utilization in the four dimensions of perceived use of research, attitude toward research, availability of research resources, and perceived support for research activities. Findings: ANOVA was used to analyze the data. Statistically significant differences (p<.001) were found in the perceived use of research, attitude toward research, availability of research resources, and perceived support for research activities based on educational level and organizational position. No significant differences were found in the perception of nurses based on years of experience. Conclusions: The results of this study have implications for staff nurses, administrators, advanced practice nurses, and educators working in hospital systems. The different perceptions based upon educational level and hospital position can be integrated and used at all levels of nursing practice to promote research utilization and evidence-based practice initiatives within the organizational structure. Clinical Implications: The results of this study have nursing implications within administration and for nursing practice. The different perceptions that were found based upon educational level and hospital position can be positively integrated and used by administrators and by nurses all levels of nursing practice to promote research utilization and evidence based practice initiatives within the organizational structure.
LEF-1/TCF proteins mediate wnt-inducible transcription from the Xenopus nodal-related 3 promoter.

Abstract The Xenopus nodal-related 3 gene (Xnr3) is expressed in the Spemann organizer of the embryo and encodes a member of the transforming growth factor β family that mediates some activities of the organizer. Xnr3 is transcriptionally activated by wnt signaling during gastrulation in the Xenopus embryo. Here we show that a small region of the Xnr3 promoter is sufficient to confer wnt-inducible transcription. By mutational analysis of the promoter, we have identified two distinct sequence elements required for the response to wnt signals. One regulatory sequence interacts with a factor which accumulates in Xenopus gastrulae independent of wnt signaling. The other functionally important site can bind mammalian LEF-1 protein, a member of the LEF-1/TCF family of transcription factors. In addition, misexpression of LEF-1 in embryo explants induces transcription of the endogenous Xnr3 gene. Taken together, these data provide further evidence for a role of LEF-1/TCF proteins in wnt signaling and identify the Spemann organizer-specific gene Xnr3 as a direct target of these transcription factors in vertebrates.
Characterization procedures for double-sided silicon microstrip detectors

Abstract Since double-sided silicon microstrip detectors are still evolving technologically and are not yet commercially available, they require extensive electrical evaluation by the user to ensure they were manufactured to specifications. In addition, measurements must be performed to determine detector operating conditions. Procedures for measuring the following quantities are described: - Leakage current, - Depletion voltage, - Bias resistance, - Interstrip resistance, - Coupling capacitance, - Coupling capacitor breakdown voltage.
Novel Shallow Trench Isolation Process from Viewpoint of Total Strain Process Design for 45 nm Node Devices and Beyond

In this paper, a novel shallow trench isolation (STI) process is proposed for 45 nm node technologies and beyond. The major features of this process are the use of a fluorine-doped (F-doped) SiO2 film for gap filling and high-temperature rapid thermal oxidation (HT-RTO) for gate oxidation. Voidless filling of a narrow trench can be realized by F-doped high-density plasma chemical vapor deposition (F-doped HDP-CVD). Moreover, electron mobility degradation caused by STI stress and junction leakage currents can be minimized using F-doped HDP-CVD with HT-RTO. It was also confirmed that compressive stress in the F-doped HDP-CVD sample is smaller in every measurement point around STI than that in the conventional HDP-CVD sample by convergent-beam electron diffraction (CBED). The Si-F bonds in the oxide film play a very important role in stress reduction. By utilizing HT-RTO, Si-F bonds remain and make the SiO2 film in the trench coarse. This technique is a very promising 45 nm node STI scheme with high performance and high reliability.
Enhancement or suppression of CIDNP intensities by a second magnetic nucleus: Interplay between g factor difference, external magnetic field, and hyperfine coupling constants

The enhancement factors of the 1H polarization induced in radical pairs generated by α-cleavage of 12CO- and CO-labelled ketones deviate from the ratios expected on the basis of the relative abundances of the respective carbon isotopomers. For dibenzyl ketone, the ratio of absolute CIDNP intensities of the 1H(13C) doublet (90% 13CO) to the 1H(12C) singlet (10% 12CO) was found to be >9:1 at 58·3 kG and <9:1 at 21 kG. Similar deviations were observed for other 13C labelled ketones, viz. deoxybenzoin (13CO) and acetophenone (13CO or 13CH3). This novel enhancement or suppression effect on the CIDNP enhancement can be ascribed to the presence of a second hyperfine coupled nucleus in the intermediate radical pair. The individual contributions of the g factor difference (Δg), the external magnetic field strength (Ho), and the hfc constants of the observed (aA) and the interacting nucleus (ax) in the enhancement-suppression are exemplified. The experimental results are consistent with theoretical calculations of the mutual effect of Δg, H0, aA and ax on the CIDNP enhancement factor of the observed nucleus.
Reply [to “Comment on ‘JGR—Planets thriving” JGR—Planets should be ended”]

Let me first state that I welcome this discussion. JGR—Planets must be a journal that represents the best interests of the planetary science community, as determined by its members. The journal should continue to evolve in format and composition to best serve those needs, and constructive discussion is an important part of the process. However, I believe that the needs of the planetary science community are best filled at present by a broad, interdisciplinary journal that can serve as the centerpiece or focal point for the entire spectrum of planetary science.
TECHNETIUM-99 REMOVAL FROM PROCESS SOLUTIONS AND CONTAMINATED GROUNDWATER

Abstract The predominant form of technetium under oxic conditions is the pertechnetate anion (TcO4 −), which is highly soluble in water and readily mobile in the environment. Technetium-99 is of particular concern because of its persistence and mobility. Various equipment decontamination and uranium recovery operations at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant generate a “raffinate” waste stream characterized by toxic heavy metals, high concentration of nitric acid, and low levels of radionuclides (235u and 99Tc). Dilution and adjustment of solution pH to a value of 8.2 to 8.5 precipitates a heavy-metals-sludge and a filtrate. The removal of 99Tc from these waste streams and from contaminated groundwater can be accomplished using anionic ion-exchange resins. Batch equilibrium and packed column breakthrough and regeneration studies were performed using inorganic sorbenta and organic ion-exchange resins (Dowex SRB-OH and Reillex resins). These studies were performed on actual and surrogate raw raffinates, f...
Mapping quantitative trait loci mediating sensitivity to etomidate.

Long- and Short-Sleep (LS and SS) mice were selectively bred for differences in ethanol-induced loss of the righting reflex (LORR) and have been found to differ in LORR induced by various anesthetic agents. We used a two-stage mapping strategy to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting duration of LORR caused by the general anesthetic etomidate and brain levels of etomidate (BEL) following regain of the righting reflex. Analysis of recombinant-inbred strains derived from a cross between LS and SS mice (LSXSS) yielded a heritability estimate of 0.23 for etomidate-induced LORR and identified one marker that showed suggestive linkage for a QTL, on mouse Chromosome (chr) 12. Mapping in an F2 population derived from a cross between inbred LS and SS (ILS and ISS) revealed a significant QTL for etomidate-induced LORR on Chr 12, and two significant QTLs mediating BEL on Chrs 6 and 12. Several QTLs showing suggestive linkage for etomidate-induced LORR and BEL were also identified in the F2 population. Brain levels of etomidate in the RI and F2 mice suggested that differences in LORR were due to differential central nervous system sensitivity, rather than differential etomidate metabolism. Interestingly, the region on Chr 7 has also been identified as a region influencing ethanol-induced LORR, suggesting the possibility of a common genetic mechanism mediating etomidate and ethanol sensitivity. These QTL regions need to be further narrowed before the testing of candidate genes is feasible.
Least squares finite element simulation of transonic flows

Finite difference approximation of transonic flow problems is a well-developed and largely successful approach. Nevertheless, there is still a real need to develop finite element methods for applications arising from fluid-structure interactions and problems with complicated boundaries. In this paper we introduce a least squares based finite element scheme. It is shown that, if suitably formulated, such an approach can lead to physically meaningful results. Bottlenecks that arise from such schemes are also discussed.
Copper(I) Phenoxide Complexes in the Etherification of Aryl Halides

Copper-catalyzed Ullmann ether synthesis has been studied for many years because aryl ethers comprise important classes of medicinally active compounds and agrochemicals.[1,2] The traditional Ullmann-type reactions required high temperatures, use of polar and high-boiling solvents, and stoichiometric quantities of the copper salt. Recently, by combining the copper with a variety of different ligands, milder catalytic Ullmann reactions have been developed [Eq. (1)]. Examples
Communication apprehension, social preference, and social behavior in a college environment

An investigation of high and low communication apprehensives in a college environment indicated that high communication apprehensives interact less with peer strangers, are less likely to accept a blind date, have fewer dates, are more likely to engage in exclusive dating, have close relationships with fewer faculty, are less satisfied with a university's advising system, and are less satisfied with the college environment. These results are examined within the context of the Berger‐Calabrese developmental theory of interpersonal communication and an extension of that theory is tentatively advanced.