cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
National survey of patterns of care for Hodgkin's disease

Patterns of care for Hodgkin's disease were surveyed through voluntary audits of hospitals with cancer programs approved by the Cancer Commission of the American College of Surgeons. Four hundred seventy-three hospitals reported 6314 patients in the long-term survey (patients diagnosed immediately preceding December 31, 1975), and 611 hospitals identified 3168 new patients in the short-term study (patients diagnosed immediately following January 1, 1981). The latter represent 45% of the estimated annual incidence in the United States. Comparison of the two studies showed changes in the procedures employed in staging, including an increased use of lung and abdominal computed tomography and bilateral bone marrow biopsies. Use of upper mantle plus periaortic node radiotherapy increased, whereas the inverted-Y field decreased. The use of single-agent chemotherapy decreased, and MOPP (nitrogen mustard, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone) chemotherapy increased. The survival rates varied with age, being better at younger ages and worse in the elderly.
Chronic NMDA administration increases neuroinflammatory markers in rat frontal cortex: cross-talk between excitotoxicity and neuroinflammation.

Chronic N-Methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) administration, a model of excitotoxicity, and chronic intracerebroventricular lipopolysaccharide infusion, a model of neuroinflammation, are reported to upregulate arachidonic acid incorporation and turnover in rat brain phospholipids as well as enzymes involved in arachidonic acid metabolism. This suggests cross-talk between signaling pathways of excitotoxicity and of neuroinflammation, involving arachidonic acid. To test whether chronic NMDA administrations to rats can upregulate brain markers of neuroinflammation, NMDA (25 mg/kg i.p.) or vehicle (1 ml saline/kg i.p.) was administered daily to adult male rats for 21 days. Protein and mRNA levels of cytokines and other inflammatory markers were measured in the frontal cortex using immunoblot and real-time PCR. Compared with chronic vehicle, chronic NMDA significantly increased protein and mRNA levels of interleukin-1beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha, glial fibrillary acidic protein and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Chronic NMDA receptor overactivation results in increased levels of neuroinflammatory markers in the rat frontal cortex, consistent with cross-talk between excitotoxicity and neuroinflammation. As both processes have been reported in a number of human brain diseases, NMDA receptor inhibitors might be of use in treating neuroinflammation in these diseases.
New Insights into Prion Structure and Toxicity

Prion diseases in humans and animals are due to conformational conversion of PrP C , a cellular glycoprotein of unknown function, into PrP Sc , an isoform that appears to be infectious in the absence of nucleic acids. Proteins that behave as prions are also found in yeast and filamentous fungi. Although there is now strong experimental support for the hypothesis that prions are infectious proteins, two subjects have remained poorly understood: the structure of prions, and the mechanisms by which they kill neurons. In this review, we will highlight recent studies that shed new light on these important issues.
Coarctation of the Aorta and Ventricular Septal Defect

Figure 1. Shown is a cineangiogram (posteroanterior [left] and lateral [right] projections) of a contrast injection into the ascending aorta of a 4-kg, 8-week-old boy who presented …
Optimal Filling of Shapes

We present filling as a type of spatial subdivision problem similar to covering and packing. Filling addresses the optimal placement of overlapping objects lying entirely inside an arbitrary shape so as to cover the most interior volume. In $n$-dimensional space, if the objects are polydisperse $n$-balls, we show that solutions correspond to sets of maximal $n$-balls. For polygons, we provide a heuristic for finding solutions of maximal disks. We consider the properties of ideal distributions of $N$ disks as $N\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$. We note an analogy with energy landscapes.
Limit cycles in a Kolmogorov-type model and its application in immunology

In this paper, we propose a kolmogorov-type model, which includes the Gause-type model (Kuang and Freedman, 1988), the general predator-prey model (Huang 1988, Huang and Merrill 1989), and many other specialized models. The stability of equilibrium points, the existence and uniqueness of limit cycles in the model are discussed. We also derive a predator-prey model which simulates an immune response and is different from Bell's model (1973). We consider this model as a special case of the Kolmogorov model and obtain the theorems of existence and uniqueness of limit cycles in the model.
Stability of Genetic Evaluations for Active Artificial Insemination Bulls

Abstract Genetic evaluations for milk, fat, and protein from 1995 through August 2003 for 17,987 Holstein bulls in active artificial insemination (AI) service were examined for changes to the November 2003 evaluation. Evaluations for active AI bulls at each of 31 evaluation dates showed mean declines to November 2003. No evidence was seen of a worsening situation over time. Bulls’ early evaluations with active AI status showed much larger declines, but this overevaluation diminished and essentially disappeared after 3 yr. The bulls with first active AI evaluations since 1995 were the primary focus of the study. The influx of second-crop daughters did not appear to cause a decline in evaluations for these bulls, attesting to the successful modification to the genetic evaluation system by expanding the genetic variance of short records. Mean declines and the variation of those differences were generally similar by bull sampling organization. A change from active to inactive AI status was generally concurrent with a decline in predicted transmitting ability (PTA). Bulls coded as having standard AI sampling declined less than bulls coded as having other sampling, but the differences were much less than in previous reports. Larger increases in reliability were generally associated with greater declines in PTA, and the magnitude of these changes decreased over time (increasing evaluation number). Change in reliability underpredicted the variance of change in PTA, indicating that other important factors contribute or that the assumptions for the calculation of the expected change in PTA are not met. Declines in estimated merit over time are not sufficient to alter present genetic selection programs, but reasons for the declines continue to elude explanation.
Magnetic anisotropy and lattice strain in Co/Pt multilayers

The correlation is reported between perpendicular anisotropy and in‐plane lattice strain in Co/Pt multilayers. (Cox/Pty)n samples, where x, y are the thickness of the individual Co and Pt layers and n is the number of repeats that were prepared by molecular beam epitaxy and studied by means of polar magneto‐optic Kerr effect and transmission electron microscopy. Kerr rotation data and electron diffraction experiments show that the largest perpendicular anisotropy and square hysteresis loop occur when x=3 A while the Pt layers are subjected to about −2% in‐plane strain. As Co thickness increases, Co and Pt layers gradually lose coherency and the magnetic anisotropy goes from perpendicular to planar. This is accompanied by a relaxation of lattice strain in both Co and Pt layers. The close relationship between magnetic anisotropy and lattice strain can be explained as magnetoelastic anisotropy or stress anisotropy effect due to lattice mismatch between the adjacent epitaxial layers.
Locking mechanism failure in semiconstrained total elbow arthroplasty

Between 1988 and 2000, we performed 170 total elbow replacements using a semiconstrained implant (custom or standard). We are aware of 9 implants (5.3%) that have had late failure of the locking mechanism, as evidenced by migration of the connecting axle on radiographic examination. The mean time to failure of the locking mechanism was 5.5 years. Eight elbows required surgery for revision of the polyethylene bushing and locking mechanism by use of a custom-made locking clip. A limited approach was devised that allowed sufficient exposure to change the bushing and axle. In 1 of the 8 cases, the revised locking mechanism failed at 5.5 years, necessitating a reoperation. Of the 8 patients, 7 have not had recurrence of the failure at a mean of 1.4 years (minimum follow-up of 1 year). These 7 patients have good or excellent results based on the Hospital for Special Surgery elbow scoring system, with a mean arc of motion of 130°.
Metal Complexes of Thiouracils I: Stability Constants by Potentiometric Titration Studies and Structures of Complexes

The divalent metals, Cu++, Pb++, Cd++, Ni++, and Zn++, complex with the 5- and/or 6-alkyl-substituted thiouracils, HU. Significant concentrations of MU+ and MU2 complexes in homogeneous solution for all but Cu++ permitted estimation of the respective K1 and K2 stability constants by potentiometric titrations, where the log K1 values were directly proportional to the pKa values of the parent thiouracils. Thus, the complex with 5,6-dimethyl-2-thiouracil (pKa′ 8.08) was the most stable, and the complex with 5-carboethoxy-2-thiouracil (pKa′ 6.43) was the least stable of those studied. The initial MU+ complex is formed by the covalent bonding of the divalent cation at the anionic sulfur. When sulfhydryl formation in thiouracil is blocked by prohibiting tautomerization, as with 6-methyl-N, N′-diethyl-2-thiouracil, or by alkylation of the sulfur, as with 2-ethylmercapto-4-hydroxypyrimidine, no complexation with metal ions was observed. Pb++ and Cd++ ions have stability constants, K1, for MU+ formation with thiouracils that are 100 times greater than with Ni++ or Zn++. No complexation of thiouracils with Fe+++, Fe++, Co++, Ca++, or Mn++ was observed. The MU2 complex is formed by the covalent bonding of the divalent metal to two sulfur anions; this bis(6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil)-cadmium (II) is the first complex to precipitate from solution on the titration of cadmium ion and 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil at 25 and 35°. The structure was confirmed by elemental analysis and IR spectra of synthesized compounds. In all other cases of studied complexation of Cd++ and Pb++ with 2-thiouracil, 6-methyl-2-thiouracil, 5-methyl-2-thiouracil, 5,6-dimethyl-2-thiouracil, 5-carboethoxy-2-thiouracil, and 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil, the first complex that precipitated on potentiometric titration had a 1:1 stoichiometry and was most probably the cyclic dimer, M2U2, bis(thiouracil-metal) (II), although the polynuclear polymer, MnUn, was possible. The heightened acidity of the 4-OH of the initial MU+ complex promoted dissociation at low pH values and subsequent covalent bonding of the divalent cation to the sulfur of one thiouracil and the oxygen of another. The resultant M2U2 or MnUn structure was confirmed by elemental analysis and IR spectra of synthesized complexes. The formed and precipitated complexes of Pb++ and Cd++ as MU+, MU2, and M2U2 were stable, at least in mildly alkaline solutions, whereas those of Ni++ and Zn++ were destroyed in mild alkali with the final precipitation of the metal hydroxides.
Evidence for monoaminergic involvement in triadimefon-induced hyperactivity.

Triadimefon is a triazole fungicide that produces hyperactivity in both mice and rats similar to that seen following administration of compounds with catecholaminergic activity (e.g., d-amphetamine). To determine whether the triadimefon-induced hyperactivity is due to an action on CNS catecholaminergic systems, we evaluated the effects of combined treatment of triadimefon with either the tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor d,l-alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine methyl ester HCl (alpha MPT) or the amine depletor reserpine. Adult male Long-Evans hooded rats, approximately 70 days of age were used. Dosage-effect functions were determined for alpha MPT (0-200 mg/kg IP), reserpine (0-2.5 mg/kg IP), d-amphetamine (0-3 mg/kg IP), and methylphenidate (0-40 mg/kg IP). Motor activity was measured as photocell interruptions in figure-eight mazes. The interaction between triadimefon and alpha MPT was determined with the following groups: 1) vehicle control; 2) 200 mg/kg triadimefon PO; 3) 100 mg/kg alpha MPT; and 4) both alpha MPT and triadimefon. A similar design was used to determine the interaction between triadimefon and reserpine (0.62 mg/kg), alpha MPT and d-amphetamine (1.5 mg/kg), and reserpine and methylphenidate (5.0 mg/kg). In the first experiment alpha MPT did not block the increased motor activity produced by triadimefon (i.e., both triadimefon alone and alpha MPT in combination with triadimefon produced significant increases in motor activity). alpha MPT did, however, block d-amphetamine-induced hyperactivity. Since alpha MPT did not antagonize the effect of triadimefon, these data suggest that increased motor activity produced by triadimefon is not mediated through release of newly synthesized catecholamines.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Field adsorption and desorption of helium and neon

He and Ne adsorption and desorption on field ion microscope tip, determining minimum required field strengths of gas films at different temperatures
Fabrication of high-strength long-length fibers

It has been said that the properties of the protective coatings on fibers have a close relationship to the strength degradation in the proof-test. The selection of the coating materials is also very important to estimate precisely the performance of drawing furnace and preform quality.
The Athos Codex of the Georgian Old Testament

Georgian literature, if it must yield the palm to the Armenian for extent and variety of content, is in at least one respect distinctly superior to its neighbor. A large body of extremely ancient manuscripts have survived, which have preserved to us a highly diversified series of texts. And in general the oldest Georgian manuscripts usually contain the most valuable material. This is true of the Old Testament; the most complete, and on the whole the best, surviving manuscript of that is likewise the oldest. About this manuscript much has been written, but hardly anything has been published from it, and, strangely enough, no detailed description of it has ever appeared. The account herewith presented rests on a careful personal study of the entire codex in the original and in photographs.
Shear-Induced Fracture at the Interface of PDMS and a Rigid Slab Modified with Polyelectrolyte Layers

We studied the interaction between a surface modified glass prism and a thin film of PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) elastomer using a shear adhesion test. The glass prism was chemically modified either by depositing a self-assembled silane monolayer (silanization) or by depositing a few layers of polyelectrolytes. The PDMS was modified only with the polyelectrolyte layers (PEL). While the interaction between the chemically modified glass prism and unmodified PDMS (free of any filler additive) is primarily dispersive, some specific interaction prevails when the PEL-modified glass prism contacts a commercial PDMS (i.e., Sylgard® 184) that has silica additives. The surfaces were examined with wettability analysis, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) that established the locus of failure. Water immersion tests show that the adhesion between PDMS and glass is stable under water for a long time when the interfacial interaction is mainly dispersive, whereas it deteriorates rapi...
Molecular characterization and expression of p23 (OspC) from a North American strain of Borrelia burgdorferi.

We have found that sera from patients with early stages of Lyme disease contain predominant immunoglobulin M reactivity to a major 23-kDa protein (p23) from Borrelia burgdorferi 2591 isolated in Connecticut. To characterize this immunodominant antigen, we cloned and sequenced p23 and found it to be 83% identical by nucleotide sequence and 75% identical by amino acid sequenced to pC (recently renamed OspC), an abundantly expressed protein on the outer surface of PKo, a European strain of B. burgdorferi (B. Wilske, V. Preac-Mursic, S. Jauris, A. Hofmann, I. Pradel, E. Soutschek, E.Schwab, G. Will, and G. Wanner, Infect. Immun. 61:2182-2191, 1993). In addition, immunoelectron microscopy localized p23 to the outer membrane, confirming that p23 is the strain 2591 homolog of OspC. The North American strain B31, commonly used in serologic assays for Lyme disease, does not express OspC. Northern (RNA) blot analysis detected low levels of ospC mRNA in B31, and DNA sequencing of the ospC gene from B31 revealed a 54-bp deletion in the upstream regulatory region, possibly accounting for the low transcriptional activity of ospC. The ospC coding region from B31 was cloned and antibody-reactive OspC was expressed in Escherichia coli. An immunoglobulin M enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using recombinant OspC as the target antigen shows promise for the serodiagnosis of early stages of Lyme disease.
The impact of obesity on health-related quality-of-life in the general adult US population.

Background The US Preventive Services Task Force recently recommended screening all adult patients for obesity due in part to the strong association between obesity and numerous chronic diseases. However, how obesity affects health-related quality-of-life (HRQL), particularly for persons without any chronic diseases, is less clear. Methods The relationship between obesity and HRQL was examined using data from the 2000 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Respondents ≥18 years were classified as underweight, normal weight, overweight, class I obesity, and class II obesity based on their BMI. HRQL was measured by the 12-item Short Form physical and mental summary scores (PCS-12 and MCS-12, respectively) and EuroQol EQ-5D index and visual analogue scale (EQ VAS). The impact of obesity on HRQL was examined through multivariate regression, adjusting for sociodemographics and disease status. Results After adjustment, HRQL decreased with increasing level of obesity. Compared to normal weight respondents, persons with severe obesity had significantly lower scores with scores on the PCS-12, MCS-12, EQ-5D index, and EQ VAS being 4.0, 1.1, 0.073, and 4.8 points lower, respectively. Such decrements of HRQL for severe obesity were similar to the decrements seen for diabetes or hypertension. Persons with moderate obesity or who were overweight also had significantly lower HRQL scores, particularly on the PCS-12 and EQ-5D index. Underweight persons also had lower MCS-12 and EQ VAS scores. Conclusions Persons with obesity had significantly lower HRQL than those who were normal weight and such lower scores were seen even for persons without chronic diseases known to be linked to obesity.
Coherent structures in the very stable atmospheric boundary layer

This study examines the structure of horizontal modes (meandering, vortical modes or fossil turbulence) in a layer of intermittent turbulence occurring at the top of a strongly stratified nocturnal inversion layer as observed by fast response aircraft data. The spatial variation of the coefficients of the principal components identify regular coherent structures with mainly horizontal motions. Conditional sampling is formulated in terms of this spatial variation. The quasi-horizontal motions are characterized by relatively sharp edges (transition zones) where horizontal convergence or divergence, small-scale turbulence and vertical fluxes seem to be concentrated. Zones of horizontal divergence appear to be associated with ejection of cold air from the underlying surface inversion while the convergent zones might be due to random “collisions” between horizontal modes.
Parent Assessment of Psychological and Behavioral Functioning Following Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury

and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS), were completed following injury or diagnosis. Results: The DICA-R identified the highest prevalence of anxiety disorders and acting-out behaviors, whereas the CBCL identified the lowest prevalence. Opposite results were found within the domain of attentional problems. Interview measures were more concordant for global psychological impairment than were questionnaires. Discussion: Discordant findings across measures are discussed in terms of type of disorder, classification model, response format, item characteristics, and scaling.
Memory for serial position

Memory for serial position was studied by requiring serial position recall of a word list which varied in sequence on each study trial. Experiment I tested for memory of words by transfer between serial and free recall. Experiment II compared performance during serial recall of the same list of words to a control with different lists of words. Serial recall produced a stable level of performance and little learning. The apparent lack of accumulation in memory suggested the transformation of temporal sequence into serial position is limited in extent. It was hypothesized that serial recall learning requires a particular combination of general memory factors, the transformation to serial position being useful for initially distinguishing items in memory.
Race and Ethnicity in Leisure Behavior: Where Have We Been and Where Do We Need to Go?

The ethnic and racial profile of the U.S. is undergoing a major shift such that in the decades ahead people of color will constitute a majority of the population. This demographic condition already...
Cyclo-Oxygenase-2 Mediates Hyperbaric Oxygen Preconditioning-Induced Neuroprotection in the Mouse Model of Surgical Brain Injury

Background and Purpose— We investigated the role of cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) in mechanisms of hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning (HBO-PC) in the mouse model of surgical brain injury (SBI). Methods— C57BL mice were administered 100% oxygen for 1 hour at 2.5 atmosphere absolute for 5 consecutive days and subjected to SBI. Neurological status and brain edema were evaluated at 24 hours and 72 hours after the brain insult. Fluorescent immunostaining and Western blotting were performed to study hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and COX-2, respectively. Two doses of COX-2 inhibitor, NS398 (3 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) were used to verify the role of COX-2 signaling pathway in the mechanism of HBO-PC. Results— HBO-PC improved neurological status and decreased brain edema at 24 hours and 72 hours after SBI. HBO-PC by itself and SBI independently increased COX-2 levels by 2-fold and 4-fold, respectively. HBO-PC, however, reduced increase in hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and COX-2 expression after SBI. The HBO-PC-induced improveme...
Herbert Hoover, the Wage-earner, and the “New Economic System,” 1919–1929*

Herbert Hoover's seven years as Secretary of Commerce raised that department to a level of prestige and influence it has not known since. In the prosperity of the 1920s, real wages rose rapidly, the wage-earners' standard of living began to resemble that of white-collar groups, and all that remained, it seemed, was to replace the traditional antagonism between employer and worker with a system that would give the latter a voice in plant decisions. In this climate, “welfare capitalism” and company unions, encouraged by Hoover's department, flourished for a time. Professor Zieger shows that Hoover never realized that the wage-earner could have no effective representation through company-sponsored schemes. By the late 1920s, some academic experts posited the virtual demise of the labor movement unless it found a means of transcending the limitations that the circumstances of the New Era and its own weaknesses imposed.
Not the Community, but a Community: Transforming Youth into Citizens through Volunteer Work.

Public discourse suggests that volunteer work will transform youth into productive citizens by connecting youth to their communities. However, the meaning and practice of ‘community’ is rarely defined or investigated. Using interview and observation data from a study of 47 volunteers aged 15–23, I argue that there are three different types of community youth commonly join via volunteer work. One kind of community was composed of a homogenous group of students. A second type of community was formed from a diverse group of volunteers and far-flung networks of marginalized groups. A third community developed when youth became attached to a city-wide web of nonprofit agencies but formed few ties to other volunteers and clients. The types of communities youth join through their volunteer work may shape their ongoing civic and political socialization differently.
FUNCTIONALLY GRADED MAGNETOSTRICTIVE-PIEZOELECTRIC LAYERED COMPOSITES: STUDIES ON MAGNETO-ELECTRIC INTERACTIONS

ABSTRACT Ferromagnetic/piezoelectric composites show strong magnetoelectric coupling that is mediated by mechanical forces. This work is on (i) synthesis of functionally-stepped ferrite-ferroelectric composites and (ii) investigations on the magneto-electric (ME) interactions. Studies were performed on sintered samples of nickel cobalt ferrite and lead zirconate titanate (PZT). The grading parameters of interest are the piezomagnetic coefficients, q, and the piezoelectric coefficients, d. The grading in q is accomplished by compositional variation and the grading in d by poling direction. Measurements of the ME coefficient revealed the strongest coupling in functionally graded samples and the weakest for bilayers with homogeneous q and d.
Two-Stage Screening for Math Problem-Solving Difficulty Using Dynamic Assessment of Algebraic Learning

The purpose of this study was to explore the utility of a dynamic assessment (DA) of algebraic learning in predicting third graders’ development of mathematics word-problem difficulty. In the fall, 122 third-grade students were assessed on a test of math word-problem skill and DA of algebraic learning. In the spring, they were assessed on word-problem performance. Logistic regression was conducted to contrast two models. One relied exclusively on the fall test of math word-problem skill to predict word-problem difficulty on the spring outcome (less than the 25th percentile). The second model relied on a combination of the fall test of math word-problem skill and the fall DA to predict the same outcome. Holding sensitivity at 87.5%, the universal screener alone resulted in a high proportion of false positives, which was practically reduced when DA was included in the prediction model. Findings are discussed in terms of a two-stage process for screening students within a responsiveness-to-intervention preve...
Interesting case of subependymoma of the spinal cord

Abstract Background context Subependymomas are rare, slow-growing, and usually noninvasive/nonaggressive World Health Organization Grade I tumors that tend to occur in the ventricles. Their most common site of occurrence is the fourth ventricle followed by the lateral ventricles. Spinal cord subependymomas typically manifest as cervical and cervicothoracic intramedullary or, rarely, extramedullary mass lesions. They often present clinically with pain and neurologic symptoms, including motor, sensory, urinary, and sexual dysfunction. Histologically, there are hypocellular areas with occasional clusters of cells and frequent microcystic changes, calcifications, and hemorrhage. Radiologically, subependymomas generally manifest as eccentric well circumscribed nodular lesions with mild-to-moderate enhancement. Purpose To highlight an interesting and rare presentation for subependymoma of the spinal cord. Study design This is a case report of a single patient in whom a subependymoma was resected from the cervical spinal cord with return to normal functioning. Methods Clinical examination, magetic resonance imaging evaluation, surgical resection, and histological analysis were performed for diagnosis and treatment of this patient. Results The patient experiencing myelopathy symptoms underwent a surgical resection of cervical spinal cord subependymoma that resulted in return to normal function. Conclusions Subependymoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of atypical presentations for myelopathy, as discrete surgical resection can result in good outcome.
Molecular, morphological, and biogeographic resolution of cryptic taxa in the Greenside Darter Etheostoma blennioides complex.

The systematic identity and genetic divergence of cryptic taxa and morphological subspecies in the Greenside Darter Etheostoma blennioides complex are analyzed from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data, along with morphological characters. We sequenced the mtDNA cytochrome b gene and control region and is the nuclear S7 intron 1 for 345 Greenside Darters from 19 locations across their distribution including areas of sympatry and allopatry, in comparison to putative sister species and relatives. Results provide the first genetic evidence that E. gutselli is a separate species and is the sister species of E. blennius, which together with E. rupestre comprise the sister group to the Greenside Darter complex; separating 4.0 mya. MtDNA results show that the complex comprises 6 clades and supports only the morphological subspecies Etheostoma blennioides blennioides, distinguished by hST = 0.94, 1.7 my, scale counts, and ventral squamation. The former E. b. pholidotum and E. b. newmanii are polyphyletic and are invalid taxa, together comprising 5 differentiated clades that diverged 0.90–1.7 mya. Nuclear DNA results recover some of the mtDNA clades, which are distinguished morphologically by subtle meristic count differences. Populations of E. b. blennioides genetically diverge, with diversity increasing to the southwest; attributed to restricted gene flow and genetic isolation with geographic distance. Samples of the former E. b. pholidotum from the Great Lakes/Wabash River clade are less divergent, with diversity increasing to the southwest, reflecting allopatric fragmentation and isolation by distance.
Compliance with routine use of gowns by healthcare workers (HCWs) and non-HCW visitors on entry into the rooms of patients under contact precautions.

Background.Modified contact precautions (MCP), defined as routine donning of isolation gowns (along with routine gloving) on entry into the rooms of patients under contact precautions, regardless of the likelihood of direct exposure to the patient or their immediate environment, were instituted at our medical center to reduce nosocomial transmission of common hospital pathogens.Objectives.To study compliance with MCP policy regarding routine gowning in intensive care units (ICUs) and general wards and to determine the relationship between gown and glove use in the care of patients under MCP in ICUs.Design.Prospective observational study from February 20, 2004, through January 8, 2005, involving 2,110 persons (1,504 healthcare workers [HCWs] and 606 non-HCW visitors).Setting.A 900-bed tertiary care teaching community hospital.Results.Overall compliance with routine gown use was observed for 1,542 persons (73%), including 1,150 HCWs (76%) and 392 visitors (65%) (odds ratio [OR], 1.8 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.4-2.2]; P < .001). Visitors in the ICUs (186 [91%] of 204) were more likely than visitors in the general wards (202 [51%] of 398) to comply with gown use (OR, 10 [95% CI, 6.0-17.0]; P < .001). In logistic regression analysis, independent predictors of gown compliance among HCWs were female sex (OR, 2.3 [95% CI, 1.8-3.0]; P < .001) and ICU setting (OR, 2.2 [95% CI, 1.7-2.9]; P < .001). In the ICUs, gown use was highly predictive of glove use among HCWs (positive predictive value, 95%).Conclusion.Improvement in compliance with gown use at our medical center will require more-intensive educational efforts targeted at male HCWs and at HCWs and visitors on general wards. In the care of ICU patients under MCP, HCW compliance with gown use may be used as a proxy for their compliance with glove use.
Simultaneous stabilization of multiplicatively perturbed plants

Necessary and sufficient conditions are obtained for simultaneous stabilizability of a given linear, time-invariant, multi-input multi-output nominal plant and a multiplicatively perturbed plant, where the multiplicative perturbation is stable. These conditions are derived from the general parity-interlacing-property applicable to any two arbitrary plants and are expressed explicitly in terms of the real-axis poles and zeros of the nominal plant and the perturbation. The class of perturbations for which simultaneous stabilization is achievable are characterized using these conditions. A special class of unknown diagonal perturbations is also considered and simultaneously stabilizing controllers are designed for the nominal plant under any such unknown perturbation.
Event‐Related Potential Responses to the Acute and Chronic Effects of Alcohol in Adolescent and Adult Wistar Rats

Background This study explored the hypothesis that adolescent ethanol (EtOH) exposure may cause long-lasting changes in EtOH sensitivity by exploring the age-related effects of acute alcohol on intoxication and on event-related potential (ERP) responses to acoustic stimuli in EtOH-naive adolescent and adult male Wistar rats and in adult rats that were exposed to chronic EtOH/control conditions during adolescence. Methods EtOH-naive adolescent (postnatal day 32 [PD32]) and adult male rats (PD99) were included in the first study. In a second study, rats were exposed to 5 weeks of EtOH vapor (blood EtOH concentrations at 175 mg%) or air from PD24 to 59 and allowed to mature until PD90. In both studies, rats were implanted with cortical recording electrodes, and the effects of acute EtOH (0.0, 1.5, and 3.0 g/kg) on behavioral and ERP responses were assessed. Results Adolescents were found to have higher amplitude and longer latency P3a and P3b components at baseline as compared to adult rats, and EtOH was found to produce a robust dose-dependent increase in the latency of the P3a and P3b components of the auditory ERP recorded in cortical sites in both adolescents and adults. However, EtOH produced significantly larger delays in P3a and P3b latencies in adults as compared to adolescents. Acute EtOH administration was also found to produce a robust dose-dependent increase in the latency of the P3a and P3b components in adult animals exposed to EtOH vapor as adolescents and air exposed controls; however, larger acute EtOH-induced increases in P3a and P3b latencies were seen in controls as compared to adolescent vapor exposed rats. Conclusions Adolescent rats have a less intense P3 latency response to acute EtOH administration when compared to adult rats. Exposure to chronic EtOH during adolescence can cause “retention” of the adolescent phenotype of reduced P3 latency sensitivity to EtOH.
Physical, chemical, and in vitro toxicological characterization of nanoparticles in chemical mechanical planarization suspensions used in the semiconductor industry: towards environmental health and safety assessments

This tutorial review focuses on aqueous slurries of dispersed engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) used in chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) for polishing wafers during manufacturing of semiconductors. A research consortium was assembled to procure and conduct physical, chemical, and in vitro toxicity characterization of four ENPs used in CMP. Based on input from experts in semiconductor manufacturing, slurries containing fumed silica (f-SiO2), colloidal silica (c-SiO2), ceria (CeO2), and alumina (Al2O3) were selected and subsequently obtained from a commercial CMP vendor to represent realistic ENPs in simplified CMP fluids absent of proprietary stabilizers, oxidants, or other chemical additives that are known to be toxic. ENPs were stable in suspension for months, had highly positive or negative zeta potentials at their slurry working pH, and had mean diameters measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS) of 46 ± 1 nm for c-SiO2, 148 ± 5 nm for f-SiO2, 132 ± 1 nm for CeO2, and 129 ± 2 nm for Al2O3, all of which were larger than the sub 100 nm diameter primary particle sizes measured by electron microscopy. The concentration of ENPs in all four slurries that caused 50% inhibition (IC-50) was greater than 1 mg mL−1 based on in vitro assays using bioluminescence of the bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri and the proliferation, viability, and integrity of human cells (adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cell line A549). The general practice in the CMP industry is to dilute the slurry waste stream so actual abrasive concentrations are typically orders of magnitude smaller than 1 mg mL−1, which is lower than IC-50 levels. In contrast to recent reports, we observed similar toxicological characteristics between c-SiO2 and f-SiO2, and the materials exhibited similar X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra but different morphology observed using electron microscopy. The ENPs and CMP slurries used in this study have been made available to a number of other research groups, and it is the intention of the consortium for this paper to provide a basis for characterizing and understanding human and environmental exposures for this important class of industrial ENPs.
A large-scale, high-resolution hydrological model parameter data set for climate change impact assessment for the conterminous US

Abstract. To extend geographical coverage, refine spatial resolution, and improve modeling efficiency, a computation- and data-intensive effort was conducted to organize a comprehensive hydrologic data set with post-calibrated model parameters for hydro-climate impact assessment. Several key inputs for hydrologic simulation – including meteorologic forcings, soil, land class, vegetation, and elevation – were collected from multiple best-available data sources and organized for 2107 hydrologic subbasins (8-digit hydrologic units, HUC8s) in the conterminous US at refined 1/24° (~4 km) spatial resolution. Using high-performance computing for intensive model calibration, a high-resolution parameter data set was prepared for the macro-scale variable infiltration capacity (VIC) hydrologic model. The VIC simulation was driven by Daymet daily meteorological forcing and was calibrated against US Geological Survey (USGS) WaterWatch monthly runoff observations for each HUC8. The results showed that this new parameter data set may help reasonably simulate runoff at most US HUC8 subbasins. Based on this exhaustive calibration effort, it is now possible to accurately estimate the resources required for further model improvement across the entire conterminous US. We anticipate that through this hydrologic parameter data set, the repeated effort of fundamental data processing can be lessened, so that research efforts can emphasize the more challenging task of assessing climate change impacts. The pre-organized model parameter data set will be provided to interested parties to support further hydro-climate impact assessment.
High-dose recombinant apolipoprotein A-I(milano) mobilizes tissue cholesterol and rapidly reduces plaque lipid and macrophage content in apolipoprotein e-deficient mice. Potential implications for acute plaque stabilization.

Background —Repeated doses of recombinant apolipoprotein A-IMilano phospholipid complex (apoA-Im) reduce atherosclerosis and favorably change plaque composition in rabbits and mice. In this study, we tested whether a single high dose of recombinant apoA-Im could rapidly mobilize tissue cholesterol and reduce plaque lipid and macrophage content in apoE-deficient mice. Methods and Results —High cholesterol–fed, 26-week-old apoE-deficient mice received a single intravenous injection of saline (n=16), 1080 mg/kg dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC; n=14), or 400 mg/kg of recombinant apoA-Im complexed with DPPC (1:2.7 weight ratio; n=18). Blood was sampled before and 1 and 48 hours after injection, and aortic root plaques were evaluated for lipid content and macrophage content after oil-red O and immunostaining, respectively. One hour after injection, the plasma cholesterol efflux–promoting capacity was nearly 2-fold higher in recombinant apoA-Im–treated mice compared with saline and DPPC-treated mice ( P <0.01). Compared with baseline values, serum free cholesterol, an index of tissue cholesterol mobilization, increased 1.6-fold by 1 hour after recombinant apoA-Im injection, and it remained significantly elevated at 48 hours ( P <0.01). Mice receiving recombinant apoA-Im had 40% to 50% lower lipid content ( P <0.01) and 29% to 36% lower macrophage content ( P <0.05) in their plaques compared with the saline- and DPPC-treated mice, respectively. Conclusions —A single high dose of recombinant apoA-Im rapidly mobilizes tissue cholesterol and reduces plaque lipid and macrophage content in apoE-deficient mice. These findings suggest that this strategy could rapidly change plaque composition toward a more stable phenotype.
Still Here: African American Male Perceptions of Social and Academic Engagement at a 4-Year, Predominantly White Institution of Higher Learning in Southern New Jersey

This study explores perceptions of the academic, social, and institutional forces that shape success for African American male students attending a 4-year, predominately White public college in sou...
A module area estimator for VLSI layout

An efficient module area estimator for VLSI chip layout has been developed to reduce the number of design iterations required to develop a chip floor plan. Module area is estimated for standard-cell and full-custom layout methodologies. The structure of the estimator and its algorithms are discussed. The authors' layout area estimates are very close to those of manually laid out modules. >
Padé error estimates for the logarithm of a matrix

The error of Pade approximations to the logarithm of a matrix and related hypergeometric functions is analysed. By obtaining an exact error expansion with positive coefficients, it is shown that the error in the matrix approximation at X is always less than the scalar approximation error at x, when ∥X∥ < x. A more detailed analysis, involving the interlacing properties of the zeros of the Pade denominator polynomials, shows that for a given order of approximation, the diagonal Pade approximants are the most accurate. Similarly, knowing that the denominator zeros must lie in the interval (1,∞) leads to a simple upper bound on the condition number of the matrix denominator polynomial, which is a crucial indicator of how accurately the matrix Pade approximants can be evaluated numerically. In this respect the Pade approximants to the logarithm are very well conditioned for ∥X∥ < 0·25. This latter condition can be ensured by using the ‘inverse scaling and squaring’ procedure for evaluating the logarithm.
Multi-PRI Signal Processing for the Terminal Doppler Weather Radar. Part I: Clutter Filtering

Multiple pulse repetition interval (multi-PRI) transmission is part of an adaptive signal transmission and processing algorithm being developed to aggressively combat range–velocity ambiguity in weather radars. In the past, operational use of multi-PRI pulse trains has been hampered due to the difficulty in clutter filtering. This paper presents finite impulse response clutter filter designs for multi-PRI signals with excellent magnitude and phase responses. These filters provide strong suppression for use on low-elevation scans and yield low biases of velocity estimates so that accurate velocity dealiasing is possible. Specifically, the filters are designed for use in the Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) and are shown to meet base data bias requirements equivalent to the Federal Aviation Administration’s specifications for the current TDWR clutter filters. Also an adaptive filter selection algorithm is proposed that bases its decision on clutter power estimated during an initial long-PRI surveillance scan. Simulations show that this adaptive algorithm yields satisfactory biases for reflectivity, velocity, and spectral width. Implementation of such a scheme would enable automatic elimination of anomalous propagation signals and constant adjustment to evolving ground clutter conditions, an improvement over the current TDWR clutter filtering system.
Quantifying oxygen in paper-based cell cultures with luminescent thin film sensors

Paper-based scaffolds are an attractive material for generating 3D tissue-like cultures because paper is readily available and does not require specialized equipment to pattern, cut, or use. By controlling the exchange of fresh culture medium with the paper-based scaffolds, we can engineer diffusion-dominated environments similar to those found in spheroids or solid tumors. Oxygen tension directly regulates cellular phenotype and invasiveness through hypoxia-inducible transcription factors and also has chemotactic properties. To date, gradients of oxygen generated in the paper-based cultures have relied on cellular response-based readouts. In this work, we prepared a luminescent thin film capable of quantifying oxygen tensions in apposed cell-containing paper-based scaffolds. The oxygen sensors, which are polystyrene films containing a Pd(II) tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin dye, are photostable, stable in culture conditions, and not cytotoxic. They have a linear response for oxygen tensions ranging from 0 to 160 mmHg O2, and a Stern-Volmer constant (K sv) of 0.239 ± 0.003 mmHg O2 −1. We used these oxygen-sensing films to measure the spatial and temporal changes in oxygen tension for paper-based cultures containing a breast cancer line that was engineered to constitutively express a fluorescent protein. By acquiring images of the oxygen-sensing film and the fluorescently labeled cells, we were able to approximate the oxygen consumption rates of the cells in our cultures.
TRAINING IN HUMAN RELATIONS FOR DORMITORY RESIDENT ASSISTANTS

Summary.-The study was designed to determine whether resident assistants could develop the human relations skill of affective sensitivity within a short period through a teaching program integrating didactic and cxperiential techniques. Two groups of 16 randomly assigned resident assistants were placed in experimental and control groups. The trained group participated in a 4-hr. workshop composed of exercises structured to enhance accurate identification of expressed affect, while the control group received no training. Posrtest data demonstrated significant improvement by the group who received training. The value of teaching affective sensitivity for informal counseling and the application of integrated training programs for other populations were discussed. On most university campuses, the availability of professional counseling for students is limited by the comparatively small number of staff in the student counseling center. Donk and Oetting (1967) have reported that this problem is partially circumvented through students' informal use of professors, academic advisers, resident assistants, and friends. The resident assistant would appear to be a particularly valuable resource because of his proximity to the college student and his involvement in a commonly shared peer culture. Investigators (Schroeder & Dowse, 1968; Murphy, 1964) indicate that counseling students with immediate problems, such as, dormitory living, study habits, and social skills, is a primary function of the resident assistant. Biggs (1971) has suggested that human relations training for the resident assistant may be relevant to the development of relationship skills considered by Lynch (1970) and Tyler (1969) as fundamental to the counseling process. In reviewing basic ingredients to counseling, affective sensitivity (Kagan,