cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bridging the Information Gap at Three Mile Island: Radiation Monitoring by Citizens

This paper describes a unique effort to provide citizens with information about radiation exposure and to rebuild public confidence in information supplied by government agencies. The Citizen Radiation Monitoring Program (CRMP) trained lay citizens to monitor, interpret, and publicize radiation levels in 12 communities surrounding Three Mile Island (TMI) during the purge of radioactive Krypton from the reactor a year after the accident. One outgrowth of the accident was an erosion in the community's confidence in information about risks associated with the clean-up. Traditional mechanisms for information exchange between government officials and the public had a deviation-amplifying effect on this information gap. The CRMP sought to reverse this effect by (1) involving the communities in the program's design and operation, (2) trusting local citizens to measure and publicize radiation levels, and (3) addressing emotional as well as technical issues associated with the purge. Several implications for disse...
The peripheral pulse wave: Information overlooked

Although the waveform derived from a peripheral pulse monitor or pulse oximeter may resemble an arterialpressure waveform, it is in fact a visualization of blood volume change in transilluminated tissue caused by passage of blood: an indication of perfusion or bloodflow. Most currently available pulse oximeters indicate this flow, but few display it in usable form. Since adequate tissue blood flow is a prerequisite for normal metabolic activity, it is a parameter that should merit a place in standard anesthesia or intensive care monitors. That the peripheral tissue blood flow is not routinely displayed may be in part due to the difficulty in quantifying data obtained: flow is not accurately measured as simply as pressure, even by invasive means. It is in the pattern of the waveform that beat-to-beat changes in stroke volume can be better seen than measured, or in the interaction of ventilation and circulation that tests general circulatory performance. The origin and interpretation of these changes are discussed and illustrated with examples. We indicate how new physiological tests of autonomic function and cardiac preload can be developed using pulse plethysmography. The importance and application of the Valsalva effect on the waveform is emphasized. This effect is particularly applicable for monitoring adequate fluid loading and the action of vasodilator drugs, which are both important in anesthesia. Differences between the arterial pulse pressure wave and tissue flow wave are discussed, as well as the cause of certain artifacts, including the wandering dicrotic notch.
Jean-Martin Charcot and his vibratory chair for Parkinson disease.

Vibration therapy is currently used in diverse medical specialties ranging from orthopedics to urology to sports medicine. The celebrated 19th-century neurologist, J.-M. Charcot, used vibratory therapy to treat Parkinson disease (PD). This study analyzed printed writings by Charcot and other writers on vibratory therapy and accessed unpublished notes from the Salpetriere Hospital, Paris. Charcot lectured on several occasions on vibratory therapy and its neurologic applications. He developed a vibration chair for patients with PD after he observed that patients were more comfortable and slept better after a train or carriage ride. He replicated this experience by having patients undergo daily 30-minute sessions in the automated vibratory chair (fauteuil trepidant). His junior colleague, Gilles de la Tourette, extended these observations and developed a helmet that vibrated the head on the premise that the brain responded directly to the pulsations. Although after Charcot's death vibratory therapy was not widely pursued, vibratory appliances are reemerging in 21st century medicine and can be retested using adaptations of Charcot's neurologic protocols.
Substrate and Inhibitor-induced Dimerization and Cooperativity in Caspase-1 but Not Caspase-3

Caspases are intracellular cysteine-class proteases with aspartate specificity that is critical for driving processes as diverse as the innate immune response and apoptosis, exemplified by caspase-1 and caspase-3, respectively. Interestingly, caspase-1 cleaves far fewer cellular substrates than caspase-3 and also shows strong positive cooperativity between the two active sites of the homodimer, unlike caspase-3. Biophysical and kinetic studies here present a molecular basis for this difference. Analytical ultracentrifugation experiments show that mature caspase-1 exists predominantly as a monomer under physiological concentrations that undergoes dimerization in the presence of substrate; specifically, substrate binding shifts the KD for dimerization by 20-fold. We have created a hemi-active site-labeled dimer of caspase-1, where one site is blocked with the covalent active site inhibitor, benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone. This hemi-labeled enzyme is about 9-fold more active than the apo-dimer of caspase-1. These studies suggest that substrate not only drives dimerization but also, once bound to one site in the dimer, promotes an active conformation in the other monomer. Steady-state kinetic analysis and modeling independently support this model, where binding of one substrate molecule not only increases substrate binding in preformed dimers but also drives the formation of heterodimers. Thus, the cooperativity in caspase-1 is driven both by substrate-induced dimerization as well as substrate-induced activation. Substrate-induced dimerization and activation seen in caspase-1 and not in caspase-3 may reflect their biological roles. Whereas caspase-1 cleaves a dramatically smaller number of cellular substrates that need to be concentrated near inflammasomes, caspase-3 is a constitutively active dimer that cleaves many more substrates located diffusely throughout the cell.
Do the donors have it right? Decentralization and changing local governance in Indonesia

Indonesia has initiated an ambitious decentralization program since 1999 spurred on by the international donor community (earlier decentralization measures were more like “deconcentration” under strong central control). This paper examines the degree to which Laws 22/1999 and 25/1999 are working. Local government employment has been expanded (not fully offset by a decline in central government employment) and training has been provided. Many functions have been transferred to the local level, but this was not matched by adequate funding transfers. Those localities that fare best have revenues available from their own natural resources. The results, therefore, are very mixed, and it is much too early to determine whether decentralization is a success.
Composition Space of the (CuO, (1)/(2)Nb(2)O(5))/(HF)(x)().pyridine/H(2)O System. Structure and Synthesis of [pyH(+)](2)[CuNb(2)(py)(4)O(2)F(10)](2-) and CuNb(py)(4)OF(5).

Single crystals of [pyH(+)](2)[CuNb(2)(py)(4)O(2)F(10)](2)(-) and CuNb(py)(4)OF(5) were synthesized in a (HF)(x)().pyridine/pyridine/water solution (150 degrees C, 24 h, autogeneous pressure) using CuO and Nb(2)O(5) as reagents. The compound [pyH(+)](2)[CuNb(2)(py)(4)O(2)F(10)](2)(-) contains clusters of [CuNb(2)(py)(4)O(2)F(10)](2)(-) anions linked through N-H(+).F hydrogen bonds to the [pyH(+)] cations. In contrast CuNb(py)(4)OF(5) is a unidimensional compound consisting only of chains, perpendicular to the c axis, of alternating [Cu(py)(4)(O/F)(2/2)](0.5+) and [NbF(4)(O/F)(2/)(2)](0.5)(-) octahedra. The chains change direction between the [110] and [1o0] every c/2. Crystal data for [pyH(+)](2)[CuNb(2)(py)(4)O(2)F(10)](2)(-): tetragonal, space group I4(1)22 (No. 98),with a = 11.408(3) A, c = 30.36(1) A, and Z = 4. Crystal data for CuNb(py)(4)OF(5): monoclinic, space group C2/c (No. 15), with a = 10.561(3) A, b = 13.546(6) A, c = 16.103(4) A, beta = 97.77(2) degrees, and Z = 4.
Laparoscopic Urinary Tract Surgery in Infants Weighing 6 kg or Less: Perioperative Considerations and Comparison to Open Surgery

Purpose: Laparoscopic urinary tract surgery is rarely performed in small infants. We compared the safety, feasibility and outcome of laparoscopic urinary tract surgery in children weighing 6 kg or less with a weight matched cohort undergoing open urinary tract surgery.Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective nonrandomized chart review comparing 17 infants weighing 6 kg or less who underwent laparoscopic urinary tract surgery beginning in 2005 with a weight matched historical group of 18 patients who had undergone open urinary tract surgery. We recorded procedures performed, operative times, blood loss, length of hospitalization, preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin and serum creatinine levels, analgesia requirements, complications and outcomes. Urine output during anesthesia was recorded and expressed as ml/kg per hour. We also recorded intraoperative changes in heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, peak inspiratory pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, CO2 and core body tempe...
Young Children'S Notations For Fractions

This paper focuses on the kinds of notations young children make for fractional numbers. The extant literature in the area of fractional numbers acknowledges children's difficulties in conceptualizing fractional numbers. Some of the research suggests possibly delaying an introduction to conventional notations for algorithms and fractions until children have developed a better understanding of fractional numbers (e.g., Hunting, 1987; Saenz-Ludlow, 1994, 1995). Other research (e.g., Empson, 1999), however, acknowledges the interaction between conceptual understandings and the representations for those understandings. Following the latter line of thinking, this paper argues that children's notational competencies and conceptual understandings are intertwined, addressing the following research questions: (a) What kinds of notations do five and six-year-old children make for fractional numbers?; and (b) What can be learned about young children's learning of fractional numbers by analyzing the notations they make? This paper presents data from interviews carried out with twenty-four children in Kindergarten and first grade (five and six-year-old children), exploring the nuances of their notations and the meanings that they attach to fractions.
Different modes and potencies of translational repression by sequence-specific RNA–protein interaction at the 5′-UTR

To determine whether sequence-specific RNA-protein interaction at the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) can potently repress translation in mammalian cells, a bicistronic translational repression assay was developed to permit direct assessment of RNA-protein interaction and translational repression in transiently transfected living mammalian cells. Changes in cap-dependent yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) and internal ribosome entry sequence (IRES)-dependent cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) translation were monitored by fluorescence microscopy. Selective repression of YFP or coordinate repression of both YFP and CFP translation occurred, indicating two distinct modes by which RNA-binding proteins repress translation through the 5'-UTR. Interestingly, a single-stranded RNA-binding protein from Bacillus subtilis, tryptophan RNA-binding attenuation protein (TRAP), showed potent translational repression, dependent on the level of TRAP expression and position of its cognate binding site within the bicistronic reporter transcript. As the first of its class to be examined in mammalian cells, its potency in repression of translation through the 5'-UTR may be a general feature for this class of single-stranded RNA-binding proteins. Finally, a one-hybrid screen based on translational repression through the 5'-UTR identified linkers supporting full-translational repression as well as a range of partial repression by TRAP within the context of a fusion protein.
Optically generated single electron spin coherence

This work demonstrates the coherent optical creation and detection of the coherence between the states of a single electron spin in a charged quantum dot
Enzymatic conversion of two geometrical isomers into enantiomorphs.

MUCONIC acid is an intermediate in the oxidation of certain aromatic compounds by bacteria. It is formed enzymatically by an oxidative ring cleavage from catechol1, and is then rearranged to β-ketoadipic acid, which cannot be further degraded by the cell-free extracts. Evans, Smith, Linstead and Elvidge2 studied the action of crude cell-free bacterial extracts on the three isomers of muconic acid, and found that only the cis-cis isomer could be converted to β-ketoadipic acid. They also tested the ability of extracts to attack certain lactones related to the muconic acids, and demonstrated that γ-carboxymethyl-Δa-butenolide could be rapidly converted to β-ketoadipic acid. On the basis of these findings they postulated the reaction sequence shown in Fig. 1.
What Will They Call You? Rhetorically Listening to Lesbian Maternal Narratives

This article examines maternal narratives by lesbian, nonbiological co-parents published in the last decade and explains problems of recognition, wherein claims of identity are challenged, for lesbian parents whose partners give birth. These women encounter a discursive gap since no default term exists for their familial role. Applying Burke's theory of identification and Ratcliffe's rhetorical listening model illuminates how legal and social problems of recognition disempower lesbian co-mothers. The author concludes that narratives written by lesbian co-parents function as socio-discursive ways of affirming motherhood outside heterosexist norms and signify one additional way scholars must continue to attend to meaningful silences.
Unraveling the Role of the SCAR/WAVE Complex in Regulating the Traction Stresses during Amoeboid Motility

Chemotaxis, or guided cell migration plays an essential role in many key physiological and disease processes. Chemotaxis requires a tightly regulated, spatiotemporal coordination of underlying biochemical processes. SCAR/WAVE-mediated dendritic F-actin polymerization at the cell's leading edge plays a key role in cell migration. Our study identifies a mechanical and biochemical role for the SCAR/WAVE complex in modulating the traction stresses that drive cell movement. We demonstrate that the traction stresses of wild-type Dictyostelium cells or cells lacking the SCAR/WAVE complex protein PIR121 (pirA-) or SCAR (scrA-) exert stresses of different strength that correlate with their levels of F-actin. By processing the time records of the cell length and the strain energy exerted by the cells on their substrate, we showed that wild-type cells migrate by repeating a specific set of mechanical steps (motility cycle), whereby the cell length (L) and the strain energy exerted by the cells on their substrate (Us) vary periodically. Our analysis also revealed that scrA- cells exhibit an altered motility cycle with a longer period and a lower migration velocity compared to those of wild-type cells. In marked contrast to these strains, pirA-cells, although they have a higher F-actin content, migrate as slowly as scrA- cells but their migration occurs in a seemingly random manner in that they lack the periodic changes in traction stresses that are observed for the other two strains. Finally, by quantifying the level of F-actin in the leading edge in combination with the traction stresses, we demonstrated that the level of leading edge, SCAR/WAVE complex-mediated F-actin polymerizations is critical for the level and spatiotemporal control of the traction stresses, cell-substrate interactions, and the motility cycle.
Myocardial transfection with naked DNA plasmid encoding hepatocyte growth factor prevents the progression of heart failure in dogs.

This study examined the effects of localized intramyocardial injections of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) naked DNA plasmid on the progression of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and remodeling in...
Bonding of nitride based LEDs on tin oxide templates for advanced optoelectronic devices

A process for fabrication of flip chip LEDs based on SnO 2 -GaN wafer bonding is reported. Typical LED characteristics have been measured and no detrimental effect of the bonding interface has been observed. The forward voltage at 20 mA is 3.96 V and differential resistance at 100 mA is as low as 16 Ω.
Coronary artery bypass with ventricular restoration is superior to coronary artery bypass alone in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy

Abstract Background Coronary artery bypass is an acceptable therapy in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. However, it has been demonstrated that patients with increased left ventricular volume have a worse outcome than patients with normal ventricular volume. Our hypothesis was that ventricular restoration plus coronary artery bypass provides improved outcome compared with coronary artery bypass alone in ischemic cardiomyopathy with ventricular enlargement. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ejection fraction Results Ninety-five patients were included in the study. Thirty-nine patients had coronary artery bypass alone, whereas 56 patients had ventricular restoration with coronary artery bypass. Both groups demonstrated an improved postoperative ejection fraction; however, the improvement was significantly greater in the ventricular restoration plus coronary artery bypass group ( P P Conclusions Ventricular restoration affords significant improvement in ejection fraction compared with coronary artery bypass alone, without added mortality. Most importantly, left ventricular restoration reduces late morbidity and mortality compared with coronary artery bypass alone in patients with large ventricles.
Human judgment and the logic of evidence: A critical examination of research methods in special education literature

Abstract This paper provides a conceptual framework for evaluating research into the transition of handicapped youth from high school to post-high school experiences. It notes that much of the transition research is quasi-experimental and that researchers have typically failed to address issues pertaining to threats to validity, which are pervasive. The paper reviews common research designs and provides examples from the transition literature for each design discussed. It discusses the need for a broader and more sophisticated treatment of scientific evidence in the consideration of causal influences. Finally, it argues that the role of human judgment in evaluating research results should be enhanced.
Interaction of one-dimensional bright solitary waves in quadratic media

© 1995 Optical Society of America. The interaction of spatial solitary waves with one transverse dimension in materials with a ?(2):?(2) nonlinearity is investigated. The relation between the phases of the two interacting solitary waves strongly inf luences this interaction and generates threshold phenomena.
A nutritional study of eight strains of Gymnoascus reessii.

Eight strains ofGymnoascus reessii representing several morphological variants were grown in media which contained a variety of carbon and nitrogen sources in order to determine whether there was a correlation between morphological variation and physiological characteristics. Seven strains were similar in their assimilatory abilities, while one strain, 0-309 (NRRL 3612), was consistently dissimilar from the others. The defined medium which permitted the most growth of all eight isolates contained glycine as the nitrogen source and glucose as the carbon source. Other good, defined sources of carbon and nitrogen included soluble starch, maltose, KNO3 and NaNO3. Peptone and casamino acids were effective nitrogen sources also. Seven strains grew better with added growth factors although they did not have an absolute requirement for such factors. The other strain, 0-309, appeared to have a growth factor deficiency. Seven of the eight strains were basically similar in their nutritional characteristics. Only strain 0-309 (NRRL 3612) consistently demonstrated sufficient differences so that it could possibly be considered to be a variety ofG. reessii.
Electrical transport characterizations of nitrogen doped ZnSe and ZnSe films

Temperature-dependent Hall effect measurements are reported on a series of nitrogen doped ZnSe and ZnTe epilayers using a van der Pauw configuration. A Zn(Se,Te) pseudo-graded band gap layer was used to form ohmic contacts to p-type ZnSe. The activation energy of nitrogen in ZnSe at the infinite dilution limit was extrapolated to be 114 meV. For a ZnTe film having a room temperature free hole concentration of p = 4.1 x 1016 cm−3, the activation energy of the nitrogen acceptors was found to be 46 meV.
Wickelgren's neglect

l completely agree with Kantowitz that the choices of particular dependent and independent variables are important theoretical decisions. As Kantowitz admits, I did not discuss this matter. Failure to discuss the choice of particular accuracy and time measures does not imply (tacitly, naively, or any other way) that I think "any old measures of speed and accuracy" are equally good. Wickelgren also neglected some other important topics concerning SAT methodology: (a) dual-response methods, (b) cognitive process spectrograms, (c) continuous-respo nse methods, (d) incremental strength scaling, and (e) neutral control conditions. (a)In the response-signal method it helps induce subjects to respond quickly at all lags to have them press both 'yes' and 'no' keys trying to press the correct key first. Reed (in preparation) showed that the RT difference between 'yes' and 'no' key presses provides an instantaneous measure of confidence (strength), which yields d' values that increase monotonically with processing time. (b) Reed (in preparation) also developed a spectrographic method of analyzing such data that can permit one to decide whether the growth in accuracy with increasing time is due to a continuous accrual of strength or an all-or-none process with large variation in finishing times. (c) Dosher (personal communication) suggested that the ideal SAT method would have a subject continuously responding in a manner which tracked the internal state of information processing in the mind, such as by continuously moving a lever in either 'yes' or 'no' directions dependent upon his internal state. Initial efforts were not successful, but the payoff for getting some version of the method to work is so great (making SAT experiments as easy as RT experiments) that we must persist. Preliminary indications are that one can get multiple responses from a subject on each trial, every half second, which yield SAT functions identical to the single-response signal method. We wish to explore having subjects make a standard continuous movement (e.g., move a lever away from the body) as a sort of carrier signal on which the choice response could be a modulation (e.g., acceleration-dec eleration or veering to the left or right). (d) Estimating the accuracy asymptote of SAT functions poses a problem under conditions where a subject makes no mistakes with unlimited processing time (e.g., in classifying a dog as an animal). It does not help to use probability-corr ect as one's accuracy variable, since it is clear that all Pr = 1 scores do not represent the same underlying strength of association. Two plausible solutions have been developed: add noise or otherwise reduce perceptibility to reduce asymptotic performance below 100% or use strength (confidence) ratings that don't run into a measurement ceiling. With the latter it is often necessary to use a method similar to that of Creelman (1967),
Receptor models to study groundwater contamination

Abstract This paper describes the use of receptor modeling to accomplish three tasks: estimating the number of sources making significant contributions to groundwater contamination at a receptor site, revealing the chemical signatures of effluent from each pollutant source, and apportioning responsibility for contamination at a receptor site among the sources. Physical and chemical processes cannot be ignored in groundwater modeling as they usually are in air pollution receptor modeling. If the contaminants undergo differential chemical reactivity and retardation in the soil column, estimates of the number of pollution sources will be inflated by the number of important physical chemical processes. This problem is addressed by coupling pattern recognition and factor analysis methods. Chemical reactivity and retardation cause changes in apparent source signatures with time and contribute to error in source apportionment with linear receptor models. The receptor modeling process reveals the nature and rates of physical chemical processes occurring in the soil column, allowing correction of apparent source signatures. Model error can be reduced by use of non-linear receptor models employing corrected source signatures.
Functional failure analysis of a thermal–hydraulic passive system by means of Line Sampling

Abstract Assessing the failure probability of a thermal–hydraulic (T–H) passive system amounts to evaluating the uncertainties in its performance. Two different sources of uncertainties are usually considered: randomness due to inherent variability in the system behavior (aleatory uncertainty) and imprecision due to lack of knowledge and information on the system (epistemic uncertainty). In this paper, we are concerned with the epistemic uncertainties affecting the model of a T–H passive system and the numerical values of its parameters. Due to these uncertainties, the system may find itself in working conditions that do not allow it to accomplish its functions as required. The estimation of the probability of these functional failures can be done by Monte Carlo (MC) sampling of the epistemic uncertainties affecting the model and its parameters, followed by the computation of the system function response by a mechanistic T–H code. Efficient sampling methods are needed for achieving accurate estimates, with reasonable computational efforts. In this respect, the recently developed Line Sampling (LS) method is here considered for improving the MC sampling efficiency. The method, originally developed to solve high-dimensional structural reliability problems, employs lines instead of random points in order to probe the failure domain of interest. An “important direction” is determined, which points towards the failure domain of interest; the high-dimensional reliability problem is then reduced to a number of conditional one-dimensional problems which are solved along the “important direction”. This allows to significantly reduce the variance of the failure probability estimator, with respect to standard random sampling. The efficiency of the method is demonstrated by comparison to the commonly adopted Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) and first-order reliability method (FORM) in an application of functional failure analysis of a passive decay heat removal system in a gas-cooled fast reactor (GFR) of literature.
A quantitative study of perceptual vector analysis.

Building on the general notion of perceptual vector analysis (Johansson, 1950) and the more quantitative coding model (Restle, 1979), we propose a description of the stimulus based on a Fourier analysis of the motion stimulus. The Fourier description of the motion is more general than Restless description, which is based on the concept of circular motion. In addition, two experiments are reported in which subjects were asked to make psychophysical judgments about the orbits of moving stimuli. Those judgments allowed us to examine quantitatively the effects of several variables on perceptual vector analysis.
Atomistic–continuum interphase model for effective properties of composite materials containing nano-inhomogeneities

Classical micromechanics were revised to study the elastic properties of heterogeneous materials containing nano-inhomogeneities. Contrary to previous studies, this work introduces the concept of an interphase, in contrast to a sharp interface, to account for the interface excess stress effect at the nano-scale. The interphase's constitutive properties are derived from atomistic simulations within the continuum framework. These properties are then incorporated in a micromechanics-based interphase model to compute the effective properties of nano-composites. This scale transition approach bridges the gap between discrete systems (atomic level interactions) and continuum mechanics. An advantage of this approach is that it combines atomistic with continuum models that consider inhomogeneity and interphase morphology. It thereby enables us to account simultaneously for both the shape and the anisotropy of a nano-inhomogeneity and interphase at the continuum level when we compute a material's overall propertie...
Evidence for Long-Range Exciton-Impurity Interaction in Tetracene-Doped Anthracene Crystals

It is shown that diffusion of singlet excitons cannot explain the time dependence of the fluorescence intensity in tetracene-doped anthracene crystals; however, the predictions of a long-range energy-transfer mechanism can be made to agree with experimental results.
Curvature approximation of 3D manifolds in 4D space

Abstract A method for the approximation of the three principal curvatures at points on a discretized, triangulated 3D manifold in 4D space (referred to as 3-surface) is presented. The approximation scheme is based on the fact that a parametric 3-surface can locally be approximated by the graph of a trivariate function. Using a local coordinate system, a least square polynomial approximation is constructed for the estimation of the principal curvatures at each 3-surface point. Curvature is extremely useful for the analysis of qualitative characteristics of surfaces. The technique presented is an example of extending existing surface interrogation methods to multivariate data. Such a generalization is valuable for scientific visualization.
FAMILY BEREAVEMENT AFTER COLLECTIVE TRAUMA: PRIVATE SUFFERING, PUBLIC MEANINGS, AND CULTURAL CONTEXTS

Abstract The author describes how the September 11 terrorist attack challenged her to articulate more fully the social and political dimensions of culture as a critical context for family bereavement after traumatic grief. The article begins with a classroom example of how diverse urban undergraduate students experienced, discussed, and learned from the distinctive ways that the trauma of September 11 affected their lives. The author questions the social ethics of a biomedicalized therapeutic approach to traumatic grief that dominates public and media images of bereaved survivors, arguing that cultural attitudes toward grief serve social and political purposes for a particular community. The author describes a multisystemic, developmental approach to family grief after traumatic loss that highlights the role of public interpretations, social supports, and ethical accountability as contexts for the family's grief and potential for shared growth. The sociopolitical dimension of cultural context in family be...
Neural Repair and Neuroprotection with Stem Cells in Ischemic Stroke

Stem cells have been touted as a potential source of cells for repair in regenerative medicine. When transplanted into the central nervous system, stem cells have been shown to differentiate into neurons and glia. Recent studies, however, have also revealed neuroprotective properties of stem cells. These studies suggest that various types of stem cells are able to protect against the loss of neurons in conditions of ischemic brain injury. In this article, we discuss the use of stem cells for ischemic stroke and the parameters under which neuroprotection can occur in the translation of stem cell therapy to the clinical setting.
G×G×E for lifespan in Drosophila: mitochondrial, nuclear, and dietary interactions that modify longevity

Dietary restriction (DR) is the most consistent means of extending longevity in a wide range of organisms. A growing body of literature indicates that mitochondria play an important role in longevity extension by DR, but the impact of mitochondrial genotypes on the DR process have received little attention. Mitochondrial function requires proper integration of gene products from their own genomes (mtDNA) and the nuclear genome as well as the metabolic state of the cell, which is heavily influenced by diet. These three-way mitochondrial-nuclear-dietary interactions influence cellular and organismal functions that affect fitness, aging, and disease in nature. To examine these interactions in the context of longevity, we generated 18 “mito-nuclear” genotypes by placing mtDNA from strains of Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans onto controlled nuclear backgrounds of D. melanogaster (Oregon-R, w1118, SIR2 overexpression and control) and quantified the lifespan of each mitonuclear genotype on five different sugar:yeast diets spanning a range of caloric and dietary restriction (CR and DR). Using mixed effect models to quantify main and interaction effects, we uncovered strong mitochondrial-diet, mitochondrial-nuclear, and nuclear-diet interaction effects, in addition to three-way interactions. Survival analyses demonstrate that interaction effects can be more important than individual genetic or dietary effects on longevity. Overexpression of SIR2 reduces lifespan variation among different mitochondrial genotypes and further dampens the response of lifespan to CR but not to DR, suggesting that response to these two diets involve different underlying mechanisms. Overall the results reveal that mitochondrial-nuclear genetic interactions play important roles in modulating Drosophila lifespan and these epistatic interactions are further modified by diet. More generally, these findings illustrate that gene-by-gene and gene-by-environment interactions are not simply modifiers of key factors affecting longevity, but these interactions themselves are the very factors that underlie important variation in this trait.
1208 NITROGEN WASHOUT (NW) TECHNIQUE FOR THE TREATMENT OF PULMONARY INTERSTITIAL EMPHYSEMA (PIE) IN NEWBORN INFANTS

We describe a nonsurgical treatment for severe hyperinflation of the lung due to PIE. PIE occurs frequently in mechanically ventilated newborn infants (NBI) with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). There is a significant increase in morbidity and mortality associated with PIE. We have adapted a modification of the method of NW proposed by Chernick and by Rhodes to the treatment of PIE. The rationale is replacement (“washout”) of trapped nitrogen by oxygen, which is then absorbed by blood. Inspired fraction of oxygen (P1O2) was raised .2-.5 while PEEP and peak inspiration pressure (PIP) were decreased. After a 2-6 hour treatment, the F1O2 was weaned to previous settings, 4 NBI were treated with this regimen. PaO2 improved in all patients, allowing a decreased FIO2 at both 4-6 hrs and 24 hrs post NW. A progressive improvement was seen in ventilation as estimated by PaCO2 and ventilator settings so that by 24 hrs post NW all patients had lower arterial PCO2, with unchanged or decreased ventilator support. Chest x-rays at 4-6 hrs and at 24 hrs improved over pre NW films in all cases. Three of the infants survived. We have found NW to be a useful and, thus far, a safe method of treating PIE in NBI with RDS and PIE.
On equitable ratios of Dubins–Freedman type

Abstract Let Xk be non-negative random variables with positive, finite expectation, F k an increasing sequence of σ-fields to which the Xk are adapted, and p k =E(X k ∣ F k−1 ) . It is shown how a martingale form of Kronecker's Lemma and the theorem of Abel and Dini on series can quickly yield a number of sufficient conditions ensuring that ∑Xk/∑pk→1 on certain sets. In this case we say that the ratios are equitable on the sets. A number of new and old results are seen to be immediate consequences, including a martingale proof of the strong law of large numbers. The paper concludes with a few simple examples illustrating non-equitable behavior.
Implicit curves and surfaces in CAGD

The role of implicit curves and surfaces in computer-aided geometric design (CAGD) are described. The ways in which the study of implicit algebraic curves and surfaces draws on algebraic geometry are reviewed. The implicitization of parametric curves and surfaces, parameterization of implicits, and techniques used to circumvent conversions between implicit and parametric representations are discussed. >
Freeway traffic flow simulation using the Link Node Cell transmission model

This paper illustrates the calibration and imputation procedure implemented to specify the inputs to the Link-Node Cell Transmission model used for simulating traffic flow in freeways. Traffic flow and occupancy data from loop detectors is used for calibrating these models and specifying the inputs to the simulation. In addition, flow data from ramps are often found to be missing or incorrect. A model based iterative learning technique is used to impute these ramp flows by minimizing the error between simulated and measured densities. The simulation results using the calibrated parameters and imputed flows indicate good conformation with loop detector measurements.
Molecular Characterization and Substrate Specificity of Nitrobenzene Dioxygenase from Comamonas sp. Strain JS765

Comamonas sp. strain JS765 can grow with nitrobenzene as the sole source of carbon, nitrogen, and energy. We report here the sequence of the genes encoding nitrobenzene dioxygenase (NBDO), which catalyzes the first step in the degradation of nitrobenzene by strain JS765. The components of NBDO were designated Reductase NBZ , Ferredoxin NBZ , Oxygenase NBZα , and Oxygenase NBZβ , with the gene designations nbzAa , nbzAb , nbzAc , and nbzAd , respectively. Sequence analysis showed that the components of NBDO have a high level of homology with the naphthalene family of Rieske nonheme iron oxygenases, in particular, 2-nitrotoluene dioxygenase from Pseudomonas sp. strain JS42. The enzyme oxidizes a wide range of substrates, and relative reaction rates with partially purified Oxygenase NBZ revealed a preference for 3-nitrotoluene, which was shown to be a growth substrate for JS765. NBDO is the first member of the naphthalene family of Rieske nonheme iron oxygenases reported to oxidize all of the isomers of mono- and dinitrotoluenes with the concomitant release of nitrite.
Comparison of range-energy calculations of heavy ions in silicon using the inverse square law and thomas-fermi potentials

Abstract The projected range and projected range straggling of heavy ions in silicon are calculated using an inverse square law potential. These results are compared with similar computations using the Thomas-Fermi potential. It is shown that there is reasonable agreement between these two models for ion energies between 20–400 keV.
Protection from scrotal hyperthermia in laptop computer users

Objective To evaluate methods of prevention of scrotal hyperthermia in laptop computer (LC) users. Design Experimental study. Setting University hospital. Patient(s) Twenty-nine healthy male volunteers. Intervention(s) Right and left scrotal temperature and LC and lap pad temperatures were recorded during three separate 60-minute sessions using a working LC in a laptop position: session 1, sitting with closely approximated legs; session 2, sitting with closely approximated legs with a lap pad below the working LC; and session 3, sitting with legs apart at a 70° angle with a lap pad below the working LC. Main Outcome Measure(s) Scrotal temperature elevation. Result(s) Scrotal temperature increased significantly regardless of leg position or use of a lap pad. However, it was significantly lower in session 3 (1.41°C ± 0.66°C on the left and 1.47°C ± 0.62°C on the right) than in session 2 (2.18°C ± 0.69°C and 2.06°C ± 0.72°C) or session 1 (2.31°C ± 0.96°C and 2.56°C ± 0.91°C). A scrotal temperature elevation of 1°C was reached at 11 minutes in session 1, 14 minutes in session 2, and 28 minutes in session 3. Conclusion(s) Sitting position with closely approximated legs is the major cause of scrotal hyperthermia. Scrotal shielding with a lap pad does not protect from scrotal temperature elevation. Prevention of scrotal hyperthermia in LC users presently is not feasible. However, scrotal hyperthermia may be reduced by a modified sitting position (legs apart) and significantly shorter use of LC.
Iterative Wiener filters for image restoration

The iterative Wiener filter, which successively uses the Wiener-filtered signal as an improved prototype to update the covariance estimates, is investigated. The convergence properties of this iterative filter are analyzed. It has been shown that this iterative process converges to a signal which does not correspond to the minimum mean-squared-error solution. Based on the analysis, an alternate iterative filter is proposed to correct for the convergence error. The theoretical performance of the filter has been shown to give minimum mean-squared error. In practical implementation when there is unavoidable error in the covariance computation, the filter may still result in undesirable restoration. Its performance has been investigated and a number of experiments in a practical setting were conducted to demonstrate its effectiveness. >
Structured Rehabilitation Program in LVAD Patients Leads to Shortened Lengths of Stay

Purpose Candidates for LVAD implantation tend to have poor functional status due to their heart failure. A structured rehabilitation program is essential for these patients to regain functional mobility post-LVAD implant. Methods and Materials Our physical therapy program is personalized and has 4 phases which address functional limitations. Phase-I: patients who are in the acute phase with multiple medical problems and/or unable to stand. Phase-II: patients in the subacute phase; continue to have multiple medical problems but who are stable and ready to start pre-gait activities. Phase-III: patients with resolving medical problems who are able to start gait re-education activities. Phase-IV: stable and without significant medical problems. The physical therapy evaluation includes the assessment of mental status, vital signs, skin integrity, strength, range of motion, sensation, coordination, balance, gait, endurance, and the prior level of function. The program is initiated within 48 hours of implant. The physical therapy occurs once daily for 7 days/week and the duration of a treatment session is 15 minutes to 1 hour. Results 91 patients went through our rehabilitation program starting Jan 1, 2010 – Dec 31, 2011. Demographics: Male 75% vs Female 25%; patients were mostly INTERMACS 1-2 pre-VAD. Average post-implant ICU days = 10.4; Post-implant total Length of Stay (LOS) days (average) = 20.1. Compared to 2008-2009 which was pre-implementation of our structured PT program, post-implant LOS was 37.5 days on average. During our current study period, discharge to home was 41% and discharge to temporary acute care facility was 59%. Conclusions LVAD patients are able to recover more effectively from their severe heart failure status with the aid of an appropriate mobility program. Our aggressive stepwise PT program provides clinical benefit for post-LVAD recovery as demonstrated by our low LOS following LVAD implantation.
Exploiting mobility in multihop infostation networks to decrease transmit power

Mobility, rather than being a liability, can be an asset. If delay constraints are loose, it is possible for a given packet to observe many different network topologies as nodes move relative one another, and these different topologies can be treated as diversity. Opportunistic strategies can exploit these large scale changes in the channel quality to decrease transmit power at the expense of greater delay. We study the tradeoff between mobility, transmit power and delay and along the way develop simple greedy (packet-based) threshold rules for packet transmission.
Clinical outcomes and treatment practice patterns of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer in the post-trastuzumab era

Abstract Background Trastuzumab is associated with improvements in overall survival (OS) among patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC); however disease course and patterns of care in individual patients are highly variable. Methods 113 HER2-positive patients diagnosed with MBC from 1999 to 2005 who received trastuzumab-based therapy were retrospectively identified to allow for a minimum of 5 years of follow-up time. Median OS and median duration of therapy were determined using Kaplan–Meier methodology and group comparisons were based on the log-rank test. Hazard ratios (HR) were obtained using a Cox proportional hazards model. Results Median OS was 3.5 years (95% CI 3.0–4.4) from time of initiation of first therapy in the metastatic setting. On univariate analysis, central nervous system (CNS) disease at first recurrence was associated with a shorter OS compared with liver and/or lung metastases or other sites (CNS: 1.9 years CI 0.1–5.9, liver/lung: 3.2 years CI 2.5–4.2, other: 4.6 years CI 2.7–8.0; p = 0.05), however, this was not predictive of survival outcome in multivariate analysis. CNS metastases developed in 62 (55%) patients by the time of death or last follow-up. Median duration of therapy was similar up to 6 lines of treatment, and ranged from 5.2 months to 7.2 months. Conclusions The natural history of HER2-positive MBC has evolved with trastuzumab-based therapy with median OS now exceeding 3 years. CNS disease is a major problem with continued risk of CNS progression over time. Patients demonstrate clinical benefit to multiple lines of HER2-directed therapy.
Wizarding in the Classroom: Teaching Harry Potter and Politics.

This article describes teaching a course called Harry Potter and Politics. Focusing on aspects of political culture, the class tackled themes of identity, institutional behavior, and globalization. Teaching Harry Potter has several benefits. Students are both familiar with the wizarding world and yet have enough distance to examine it dispassionately. The book is driven by ethnic conflict, political power struggles, and dysfunctional bureaucracies. Finally, there is an academic literature on the books. Beyond Harry Potter, teaching politics through popular culture is not only natural for addressing political culture, but taps into the ways undergraduates are increasingly experiencing politics.
Oral cavity and pharynx-throat cancer in the United States, 1973-2003.

Objective To study incidence rates (Is) of oral cavity and pharynx-throat cancer in adults age 20+ years from 1973 to 2003, and to estimate how many of these cancers occurred in the United States in 2003. Study design We used data and software from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program to generate age-adjusted Is, reported as cases per 100,000 person-years. Results For oral cancer, the Is for young men were stable, and Is at ages 40+ years declined by one third after the mid 1980s. Is declined by one third in women ages 40 to 74, but increased in the youngest and oldest groups. In 2003 there were 10,432 cases of oral cavity cancer among persons age 20+ years in the United States, and there were 12,157 cases of pharynx-throat cancer. Conclusion The Is of cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx-throat are stable or declining for men and women in most age groups. Of the nearly 30,000 malignant neoplasms occurring in the SEER “oral cavity-pharynx” category in 2003, almost three quarters (21,455) were detectable during a routine oral examination.