cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Meta-Analysis of Adherence Promotion Interventions in Pediatric Asthma.

BACKGROUND Youth with asthma commonly have suboptimal adherence to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). It is critical to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of ICS adherence promotion interventions and discern which techniques are most effective. OBJECTIVE This study aims to (1) quantify the extent to which interventions improve ICS adherence in pediatric asthma, (2) explore differences in effect size estimates based on intervention and study characteristics, and (3) characterize the risk of bias across interventions. METHODS We conducted literature searches across five databases. Included studies quantitatively measured ICS adherence as an intervention outcome among youth (<18 years old) diagnosed with asthma and were published after 1997. We analyzed aggregate effect sizes and moderator variables using random-effects models and characterized risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. RESULTS Thirty-three unique studies met inclusion criteria. At post-intervention, the aggregate effect size for pediatric ICS adherence promotion interventions was small but significant (n = 33, g = 0.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.24-0.54); however, the aggregate effect size at follow-up was not statistically significant (n = 6, g = 0.38, 95% CI = -0.08 to 0.83). Method of adherence measurement and intervention format were significant moderators. Most interventions had a high risk of performance bias and an unclear risk of bias in one or more domains. CONCLUSIONS ICS adherence promotion interventions are effective among youth with asthma. Additional longitudinal research is needed to quantify a more precise measure of intervention effectiveness over time, and moderators of intervention effectiveness should be reassessed as the literature base expands.
P-type InxGa1−xN semibulk templates (0.02 < x < 0.16) with room temperature hole concentration of mid-1019 cm−3 and device quality surface morphology

Using the semibulk approach, p-InxGa1−xN semibulk (p-SB) templates were grown with an indium content ranging from 2.4% to 15.2% via metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. When compared to optimized bulk p-GaN, the hole concentration in p-SB with an In content of ∼15.2% increased by two orders of magnitude from 5.22 × 1017 to 5.28 × 1019 cm−3. The resistivity and mobility of the templates decreased gradually from 3.13 Ω · cm and 3.82 cm2/V s for p-GaN to 0.24 Ω · cm and 0.48 cm2/V s for p-SB with an In content of 15.2%. Temperature dependent Hall measurements were conducted to estimate the activation energy of the p-SB template. The p-SB with the In content of ∼15.2% is estimated to have an activation energy of 29 meV. These heavily doped p-SB templates have comparable material qualities to that of GaN. The atomic force microscopy height retraces of p-SB films show device quality surface morphology, with root mean square roughness ranging from 2.53 to 4.84 nm. The current results can impact the performances of several nitride-based devices, such as laser diodes, LEDs, solar cells, and photodetectors.
Characterization of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) from imported food products

Food contaminated with extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Salmonella enterica has emerged as an important global issue due to the international food-product trade. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether imported food products can serve as a reservoir for non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) that can transmit β-lactam-resistance to humans through ingestion of the contaminated food. NTS isolates (n=110) were collected from various imported food products (n=3480) from 2011 to 2013. The NTS isolates were analyzed by serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility tests, and plasmid profiling. Salmonella ser. Weltevreden, Salmonella ser. Newport, Salmonella ser. Senftenberg, Salmonella ser. Virchow, Salmonella ser. Enteritidis, Salmonella ser. Typhimurium, and Salmonella ser. Bareilly were the most prevalent serovars. Nine NTS strains were resistant to ampicillin and/or one or more cephalosporins (MIC>32 μg/mL). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection revealed that all nine isolates carried the bla(TEM-1) β-lactamase gene, with or without the bla(CTX-M-9) or bla(OXA-1) genes. Two isolates, PSS_913 and PSS_988, exhibited decreased susceptibility to extended-spectrum cephalosporins and ampicillin. Plasmids ranging in size from less than 8 to over 165 kbp, from all of the 9 resistant isolates, belonged to the IncHI1, IncI1, IncN, or IncX groups. Conjugation experiments and Southern hybridization, using bla(TEM-1), confirmed the plasmid-mediated transfer of ESBL genes, which resulted in increased MICs of β-lactams for Escherichia coli transconjugants. The contamination of imported food products by NTS with conjugative plasmid-borne ESBL genes may contribute to the spread of ESBL-producing NTS and compromise the therapeutic activity of extended-spectrum β-lactam antibiotics.
A Field-Based Approach to the Validation of Behavioral Competencies for Young Children

Contemporary theory and practice suggest numerous alternatives for providing educational programs for preschool and early kindergarten years (Powell, 1977). These programs such as the child development-oriented nursery schools, Montessori Preschools, academically oriented preschools, the British infant schools, and structured vs. nonstructured programs have all emerged as a result of research and theoretical issues on child development, motivation, and the psychological nature of learning.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN 83-INCH CYCLOTRON. PART IV. THE EXTERNAL BEAM HANDLING SYSTEM

The external beam handling system consists of two 110 deg , n = 1/2 focusing magnets with radii of curvature 200 cm and three 180 deg , n = 1/2 analyzer magnets with radii of curvature of 133 cm. The energy resolution provided by the ion-optics is E/ DELTA E = 8 x 10/sup 3/. The design is based on first order theory, but second order equations were programmed for a 709 computer to study aberrations and the position of the focal surfaces in the three-magnet analysis system. The general properties of the magnets are described. (auth)
Remitted depression studies as tests of the cognitive vulnerability hypotheses of depression onset: A critique and conceptual analysis

Investigations of cognitive patterns among individuals who have recovered from a depressive episode (i.e., remitted depressives) have figured importantly in evaluations of the validity of the vulnerability hypotheses of the cognitive theories of depression. However, we suggest that remitted depression studies as typically conducted and interpreted are inadequate tests of the cognitive vulnerability hypotheses of depression onset for four reasons: (1) remitted depression studies are based on the erroneous assumption that cognitive vulnerability should be an immutable trait; (2) remitted depression studies use a logically "backward" participant selection strategy in which participants are selected on the basis of the "dependent" variable (depression) and then compared on the "independent" variable (cognitive vulnerability), which is likely to result in heterogeneity of cognitive vulnerability among both the remitted depressed as well as the nondepressed groups given the causal relations specified in the cognitive theories of depression; (3) many remitted depression studies have ignored the possible activating role of stress in the cognitive vulnerability-stress theories, particularly Beck's theory, and thus, may attempt to assess cognitive vulnerability at a time when it is not operative (i.e., priming hypothesis); and (4) remitted depression studies inappropriately use postmorbid participants to test causal hypotheses, and therefore, are ambiguous about whether negative cognitive styles observed in remitted depressed persons are vulnerabilities as opposed to consequences of depression (i.e., scar hypothesis). As a remedy, we advocate the use of a theory-guided behavioral high-risk strategy to more adequately test the cognitive vulnerability hypotheses of depression onset.
Is Longevity Related to Body Size or Behavior in a Hatchling Turtle

Adequate knowledge of life history patterns is crucial when evaluating conservation options of declining species. Data often exist for adult animals, which are usually more visible in the environment and thus easier to study. However, hatchling and juvenile animals are critical to maintaining recruitment into a population, and data on these life stages are often lacking. We investigated the manner by which body size and behavior of hatchlings affect longevity (days) in a terrestrial turtle, Gopherus polyphemus , living in a protected habitat in Florida, USA. Survival was not related to body size, activity, or movement patterns and the occurrence of hatchlings killed by predators seemed random. Body size was consistent within, but not among clutches. However, variation in behavior and longevity was consistent among, but not within clutches. Thus, it appears that individual female tortoises are producing offspring of consistent size, with different behavioral traits that also differ in longevity (during the first year of life). These findings demonstrate the importance of individual female gopher tortoises to the stability and growth potential of a population because all females seem capable of producing offspring varying in longevity over short time-scales (<1 year). However, because all hatchlings in this study were depredated during their first year of life, the relationship between patterns of longevity in juvenile animals and population dynamics in long-lived species deserves further attention.
Anime's media mix: Franchising toys and characters in Japan, by Marc Steinberg

Review of Marc Steinberg, Anime's Media Mix: Franchising Toys and Characters in Japan. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2012, $25.00 paper (304p) ISBN 978-0-8166-7550-0, $75.00 cloth (304p) ISBN 978-0-8166-7549-4.
Dirichlet pagerank and trust-based ranking algorithms

Motivated by numerous models of representing trust and distrust within a graph ranking system, we examine a quantitative vertex ranking with consideration of the influence of a subset of nodes. An efficient algorithm is given for computing Dirichlet PageRank vectors subject to Dirichlet boundary conditions on a subset of nodes. We then give several algorithms for various trust-based ranking problems using Dirichlet PageRank with boundary conditions, showing several applications of our algorithms.
Functional association of TGF-β receptor II with cyclin B

Utilizing the cytoplasmic tail of Transforming Growth Factor Receptor Type II (TGFβ RII) as bait in a yeast two hybrid system, we have identified human cyclin B2 as a direct physical partner of TGFβ RII. Analysis of deletion mutants of glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-cyclin B2 mapped its binding domain for TGFβ RII to the C-terminal and revealed a negative regulatory region immediately upstream of the cyclin box. Using recombinant proteins, Cdc2 was demonstrated to indirectly interact with TGFβ RII via cyclin B2. This interaction was reproduced in THP-1 monocytic cells, where TGFβ treatment markedly enhanced the ability of cyclin B2 and, correspondingly, Cdc2 from TGFβ-treated THP-l cells, to bind the GST-TGFβ RII fusion protein. More importantly, TGFβ RII co-precipitated with cyclin B2 in TGFβ-treated THP-1 cells. TGFβ treatment also caused threonine phosphorylation of Cdc2 in the TGFβ RII-cyclin B2-Cdc2 complex in THP1 cells, in parallel with down regulation of Cdc2 function as measured by histone H1 kinase activity. Cyclin B1 had the same capacity to bind TGFβ RII and mediate indirect Cdc2 binding. These results suggest an alternative mechanism that cell cycle arrest in the G1/S phase caused by TGFβ may, in part, be due to inactivation of cyclin B/Cdc2 kinase, which is needed for entry into the G2/M phase.
Power in the Classroom I: Teacher and Student Perceptions.

The primary focus of this study was to determine the degree to which teachers and students have shared perceptions of the use of power in the classroom. The results indicated that even though statistically significant associations between teacher and student perceptions were found, teacher/student perceptions of the use of power are not isomorphic. The results also indicated that both teachers and students view the overwhelming proportion of power use to stem from reward, referent, and expert bases.
Cognitive Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: a Case Example

Abstract Cognitive therapy for OCD is an empirically validated alternative to the more widely used and validated behavioral therapy for OCD. The cognitive approach is based on the premise that belief systems contribute importantly to the development and maintenance of all types of OCD. By identifying and challenging maladaptive thoughts, beliefs, and core beliefs, patients can improve significantly and maintain their gains over time. This approach is demonstrated in detail with the case of Caroline, a 51-year-old woman with contamination obsessions.
Comparative analysis of exclusionary rules in the United States, England, France, Germany, and Italy

The exclusionary rule remains one of the most controversial doctrines in America’s constitutionalized criminal procedure. Jurists and commentators criticize the American exclusionary rule as a rule unique to American jurisprudence. Though American jurists and commentators’ criticism focuses on the Fourth Amendment exclusionary rule, the criticism of the American exclusionary rule with reference to practices in foreign countries serves to create and maintain the misconception that the United States is the only country that has the exclusionary rule. The belief that the exclusionary rule exists only in the United States is far from accurate. This article examines the historical development and the current status of exclusionary rules in the United States, England, France, Germany, and Italy. Attentions are especially devoted to analyzing the characteristics of the American exclusionary rule with reference to exclusionary rules in other countries.
Confronting the global burden of surgical disease.

In the 100 years since the International Society of Surgery was founded, there have been dramatic advances in the field of surgery and anesthesia. Patients with numerous, previously fatal conditions such as severe injuries, malignancies, end-stage kidney or liver failure, and many others can now be successfully treated. Many who had previously led lives of disability and exclusion—persons with club feet, cleft lip, other congenital anomalies, burn wound contractures—are now able to lead normal, active, lives. Yet the situation is not wonderful. These advances are not available to many people in the world, especially those who live in poverty in low- and middle-income countries. Many pregnant women die from obstructed labor and hemorrhage, without ever having had even basic obstetric care. Many trauma patients die by the roadside or in small peripheral health posts from injuries that could be successfully treated. Many patients with treatable malignancies do not receive any care at all, or only when their disease is unresectable. The same is true for many other surgical conditions. Part of the solution to this problem involves more of what the surgical community has been good at, including training qualified surgeons and developing new operations. However, much of what is needed to confront the global burden of surgical disease involves activities that we in the surgical field have not traditionally addressed.
Congenital midline cervical cleft: A practical approach to Z-plasty closure

Summary A congenital midline cervical cleft (CMCC) is a rare developmental abnormality with several common features of variable severity: a midline defect of anterior neck skin, a superior nipple-like skin projection, and a subcutaneous fibrous cord. Congenital midline cervical clefts have important functional and cosmetic implications as cicatrical contracture with subsequent deformity may result without early surgical intervention. Treatment involves excision of all abnormal tissue, and reconstruction with Z-plasty techniques is favored because linear closure results in hypertrophic scarring and recurrent contracture. Z-plasty allows broken-line closure, reorientation of the defect in the horizontal plane with re-creation of a cervicomental angle, and most importantly, a lengthening of the anterior neck skin that aids in preventing recurrent contracture. We present our experience managing a congenital cervical midline cleft in a 3-month-old patient and describe a simple technique for planning the ideal Z-plasty closure. No simple description for planning the ideal closure for this defect could be found in the otolaryngology literature.
Polymerization of Microtubule-associated Protein Tau under Near-physiological Conditions

Neurofibrillary tangles, which form in certain degenerating neurons in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease, are amassed from filaments having a straight or paired helical morphology. Solubilization of these filaments reveals that they are composed of the microtubule-associated protein tau. It has not previously been shown, however, that tau will assemble to form filaments of similar morphology under conditions representative of the intracellular environment. We have succeeded in forming such filaments using tau purified from porcine or rat microtubules. The filaments are relatively straight with narrowing at irregular intervals, and are about 10 nm wide, a morphology similar to that of straight filaments seen in Alzheimer's disease neurofibrillary tangles. At tau concentrations of 1-10 μM, in vitro assembly occurs at physiological pH, ionic strength, temperature, and reducing potential, and each one of these factors modulates the reaction. Assembly is judged to be only slowly reversible by the exponential rather than normal distribution of filament lengths, and by the limited disassembly observed under conditions which inhibit polymerization. Tau purified directly from whole brain tissue rather than from microtubules does not polymerize under conditions described in this report.
Associations of phenylthiocarbamide tasting to alcohol problems and family history of alcoholism differ by gender

Past research associating phenylthiocarbamide/propylthiouracil (PTC/PROP) taste status with alcoholism has produced equivocal results. Some have found higher proportions of nontasters among those with a family history of alcoholism than controls, whereas others have not. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between PTC taste status, alcohol problems, and family history of alcoholism. A total of 244 undergraduate students participated in this study, with a gender distribution of 75% female and 25% male. We found support for our hypothesis that male supertasters would report fewer problems with alcohol and a less significant family history of alcoholism. Interestingly, we also found that female supertasters had a greater family history of alcoholism and more current problems associated with alcohol use. Implications for the genetic link between PTC taste status and alcoholism are discussed.
Synthesis and expression of metastasis-associated, Met-72/83 antigens.

In the present study, we report a more detailed biochemical analysis of the B16 melanoma, metastasis-associated, Met-72 antigen. Specifically, we have examined (1) the molecular forms of Met-72 isolated during synthesis, surface expression and ‘shedding’ and (2) the cell-surface expression of Met-72 during the cell cycle. These experiments show that the 72 kD species originally described [20] has an isoelectric point of between 6·3 and 6·9, but is the desialylated derivative of an 83 kD native molecule whose isolectric point ranges between pH 4·9 and 5·6. In addition, a 90 kD glycoprotein doublet was immunoprecipitated from biosynthetically labelled B16 melanoma cells, but does not appear to be a precursor of the 83 kD or 72 kD molecule. These findings have led us to interchangeably use the terminology Met-72 and Met 72/83. The latter terminology more accurately describes the physical forms which can be identified by different labelling procedures. When culture supernatants from3H-leucine labelled cells were subjected to anti-Met-72 immunoprecipitation, a 35 kD species was identified as a possible ‘shed’ product of these cells. Met-72/83 expression during the cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry and found not to be restricted to any particular stage.
A note on Marx and Weber in Gouldner's thought

The panel on Alvin Gouldner's work at the 1981 American Sociological Association meetings in Toronto achieved as high a collective intellectual level as any I have heard on similar occasions.1 Yet, as was revealed in the discussion period at the end of the session, I was not alone in thinking that the speakers had unduly neglected the influence on Gouldner of Max Weber. Several of them displayed a corollary tendency to overemphasize Gouldner's complex relation to Marxism, especially by claiming to find traces in his earlier work of his later interest in the Frankfurt School theorists. One senses that Keats' "hungry generations tread thee down" when awareness dawns that one's memories have become "history," if only intellectual history. I am at least a decade older than any of the members of the ASA panel and, although I never knew Gouldner personally until 1969, I became a graduate student in sociology at Columbia in the fall of 1945, the term immediately following his last term in residence. Not surprisingly, Al was still a remembered presence among the senior graduate students, especially several who had been his close friends and shared his commitment to the American Communist Party.
Spinal sympathetic neurons: possible sites of opiate-withdrawal suppression by clonidine

Morphine, methadone, meperidine, fentanyl, and clonidine rapidly depressed transmission through sympathetic preganglionic neurons in cats with the spinal cord transected. Naloxone promptly antagonized this effect of the opiates but not that of clonidine which was reversed by alpha 2-adrenergic receptor antagonists. The independent depression of preganglionic neurons by clonidine may contribute to the ability of this drug to depress the symptoms of opiate withdrawal that are characterized by sympathetic hyperactivity.
Traumatic ruptured globe eye injuries in a large urban center

Background The purpose of this study was to examine patient characteristics and outcomes in a group of consecutive patients with ruptured globe eye injuries at Kings County Hospital Center, a large, urban, level 1 trauma center. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed to identify all patients with ruptured globe eye injuries seen between January 2009 and October 2011. Thirty-eight patients who sustained ruptured globe eye injuries from all causes were investigated for etiology and final visual outcomes. Results Eight eyes in which vision could be assessed were evaluated as having no light perception at presentation and three of these eyes required primary enucleation. Of the 38 eyes, orbit fractures were found in 15 eyes and an intraocular foreign body was found in six eyes. Discussion Our cohort revealed a 37.5% rate of primary enucleation in eyes with no light perception, which we believe to be a reflection of the severity of injury. All three cases were secondary to a gunshot wound. Further, our sample, although small in size, revealed a very high percentage of eyes that were ruptured secondary to violent causes compared with other studies.
1559 DEPAKENE (VPA) INDUCED HYPERAMMONEMIA (HA)

A 16 year old brain damaged girl with 10% activity of carbamyl phosphate synthetase (CPS) maintained NH4 levels of 20-55uM, on ketoacid therapy for 4 years. VPA (20 mg/kg/d) was then started to control akinetic seizures. Plasma NH4 rose from 30 to 226μM in one week. VPA was stopped and reinstituted on 3 other occasions with a similar HA response. During VPA therapy SGOT was 13-27 IU/1, SGPT 9-24 IU/1, bil. 0.4mg/dl. Plasma citrulline fell from 15 ± 1 to 9 ± lμM (SEM) p < .005 on VPA. Plasma glycine remained normal. Plasma NH4 was also measured in 28 epileptic children on VPA and in 29 patients on other anticonvulsants. Plasma NH4 was higher in the VPA group, 33.6 ± 1.9 vs 23.6 ± 1.5, p < .001. Mean plasma VPA level was 11.5 mg/dl, SGOT 23 and SGPT 13. There was no correlation between plasma concentrations of NH4 and VPA. Two adults and one child received VPA (20mg/kg/d) for a period of one week proceeded and followed by 1 week control periods. Plasma NH4 levels before, during and after VPA were: 32.3±3.7, 50.4±4.7, 26.9±3.9 p < .001. Plasma VPA levels were therapeutic and SGOT 18. Thus, VPA therapy resulted in a modest but significant increase in plasma NH4 without evidence of liver damage. It caused symptomatic HA in a patient with impaired waste nitrogen excretion. VPA induced HA may be a result of inhibition of activity of CPS or acetylglutamate synthetase as is thought to occur in certain organic acidemias. These data suggest that NH4+ levels should be monitored in patients receiving VPA.
Physical diagnosis skills of physicians in training: a focused assessment.

Objective: To assess the proficiency of emergency medicine (EM) trainees in the recognition of physical findings pertinent to the care of the critically ill patient. Methods: Fourteen medical students, 63 internal medicine (IM) residents, and 47 EM residents from three university-affiliated programs in Philadelphia were tested. Proficiency in physical diagnosis was assessed by a multimedia questionnaire targeting findings useful in emergencies or related to diseases frequently encountered in the ED. Attitudes toward diagnosis not based on technology, teaching practices of physical examination during EM training, and self-motivated learning of physical diagnosis also were assessed for all the EM trainees. Results: With the exception of ophthalmology, the EM trainees were never significantly better than the senior students or the IM residents. They were less proficient than the IM residents in cardiology, and not significantly different from the IM residents in all other areas. For no organ system tested, however, did they achieve less than a 42.9% error rate (range: 42.9–72.3%, median = 54.8%). There was no significant improvement in proficiency over the three years of customary EM training. The EM residents who had received supervised teaching in physical diagnosis during training achieved a significantly higher cumulative score. The EM residents attributed great clinical importance to physical diagnosis and wished for more time devoted to its teaching. Conclusions: These data confirm the recently reported deficiencies of physical diagnosis skills among physicians in training. The results are particularly disturbing because they relate to EM trainees and concern skills useful in the ED. Physical diagnosis should gain more attention in both medical schools and residency programs.
Uranium isotopic fractionation factors during U(VI) reduction by bacterial isolates

We experimentally determined the magnitude of uranium isotopic fractionation induced by U(VI) reduction by metal reducing bacterial isolates. Our results indicate that microbial U(VI) reduction induces isotopic fractionation; heavier isotopes (i.e., 238 U) partition into the solid U(IV) products. The magnitudes of isotopic fractionation (expressed as e = 1000& � (a� 1)) for 238 U/ 235 U were 0.68& ± 0.05& and 0.99& ± 0.12& for Geobacter sulfurreducens strain PCA and strain IFRC-N, respectively. The e values for Anaeromyxobacter dehalogenans strain FRC-W, strain FRC-R5, a novel Shewanella isolate, and Desulfitobacterium sp. strain Viet1 were 0.72& ± 0.15&, 0.99& ± 0.12&, 0.96& ± 0.16& and 0.86& ± 0.06&, respectively. Our results show that the maximum e values of � 1.0& were obtained with low biomass (� 10 7 cells/mL) and low electron donor concentrations (� 500 lM). These results provide an initial assessment of 238 U/ 235 U shifts induced by microbiallymediated U(VI) reduction, which is needed as 238 U/ 235 U data are increasingly applied as redox indicators in various
Using Course Management Systems to Enhance the Value of Student Evaluations of Teaching

In this article, the authors propose a method of course management system (CMS) administration of student evaluations of teaching (SETs). The method provides a mechanism for providing greater guarantee of anonymity to the student respondents. The authors report on a case study in which this guarantee was likely a significant factor contributing to the increase in response rates for online submissions. In addition, the results suggest that the method provides significant benefits for improving both the summative and formative value of SETs.
Radiation therapy for the salvage of unresectable subungual squamous cell carcinoma.

Background A case of subungual squamous cell carcinoma, which is a rare malignancy and has an elusive etiology, is reported. Objective To present radiation therapy as a viable treatment option to amputation for surgically unresectable subungual squamous cell cancer. Methods A 69-year-old man with a 16-year-old history of subungual squamous cell carcinoma of the left thumb was treated by external beam radiation therapy. In this case, bone invasion precluded the patient from successfully completing Moh's micrographic surgery. Results The treated thumb at 17 months after radiation therapy remained tumor free. Conclusion Radiation therapy should be considered a treatment option for nail bed squamous cell carcinoma before considering amputation and perhaps as salvage for all unresectable lesions.
Claws, Disorder, and Conformational Dynamics of the C Terminal Region of Human Desmoplakin

Multicellular organisms consist of cells that interact via elaborate adhesion complexes. Desmosomes are membrane-associated adhesion complexes that mechanically tether the cytoskeletal intermediate filaments (IFs) between two adjacent cells, creating a network of tough connections in tissues such as skin and heart. Desmoplakin (DP) is the key desmosomal protein that binds IFs, and the DP·IF association poses a quandary: desmoplakin must stably and tightly bind IFs to maintain the structural integrity of the desmosome. Yet, newly synthesized DP must traffic along the cytoskeleton to the site of nascent desmosome assembly without “sticking” to the IF network, implying weak or transient DP···IF contacts. Recent work reveals that these contacts are modulated by post-translational modifications (PTMs) in DP’s C-terminal tail (DPCTT). Using molecular dynamics simulations, we have elucidated the structural basis of these PTM-induced effects. Our simulations, nearing 2 μs in aggregate, indicate that phosphorylati...
Core shifts and pseudo-potential trajectories

Abstract A pseudo-potential description is used as the basis for a close comparison of the experimentally determined band structures and the various existing ‘first principles’ band calculations for Al and the group IV elements. Our analysis shows that, in the case of Al, differences between various calculations are attributable to a ‘core shift’. The latter can be represented by a single parameter in a pseudo-potential scheme and the best calculations of this shift from ‘first principles’ are in error by about 0.3 Ry. For Si and Ge, it seems that very few first principles band calculations are internally consistent. This may also emphasize the importance of the pseudo-potential scheme in approaching the band structure problem for open (covalently bonded) crystal structures. For these structures also the ‘core shift’ concept proves an aid to understanding not only differences between various calculations for the same element but also chemical shifts in structure, e.g. from Si to Ge to grey Sn.
dbZach toxicogenomic information management system.

Quantitative risk assessment and the elucidation of mechanisms of toxicity require innovative computational analysis and infrastructure capable of integrating all levels of biological data organization. Enterprise data management solutions provide the capability to manage and integrate disparate data throughout the source-to-outcome continuum. These capabilities enable software engineers and developers to create and validate software solutions to facilitate the identification of more predictive biomarkers for exposures, molecular responses and toxicity, allowing evaluation of historical assessments and the comparison of data across technologies, species and chemical classes. The toxicogenomic information management system dbZach is a modular relational database with associated data insertion, retrieval and mining tools that manages traditional toxicology and complementary toxicogenomic data to facilitate comprehensive data integration, analysis and sharing. To achieve widescale toxicogenomic data reportin...
Screening for colorectal cancer: an annotated bibliography for clinicians and educators--Part II.

(1987). Screening for colorectal cancer: An annotated bibliography for clinicians and educators‐part II. Journal of Cancer Education: Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 113-127.
Technology and the Hubble Space Telescope

The components of the Hubble Space Telescope which is a 13.1 m long, 4.27 m in diameter, and weighs 11,000 kg are described. The telescope will be placed in a 600-km circular orbit of 28.5 deg inclination and it has an expected service life of 15 years. The optical telescope assembly contains the hyperbolic Ritchey-Chretin type primary and secondary mirrors and the optical control system. The telescope is to have a field of view of 28 arcmin in diameter. The use of the fine guidance sensors for pointing stability is examined. The optical and scientific system of the telescope are contained in the support system module. A wide-field/planetary camera, ESA-furnished faint object camera, the high-speed photometer, faint-object spectrograph, high resolution spectrograph, and ESA-furnished solar arrays are located on the telescope. The maintenance and refurbishment of the telescope are discussed. The precise lambda/20 optics, stringent cleanliness, and stable pointing of the telescope produce good image quality for astronomical and solar system science studies.
Collisionless Dynamical Friction and Relaxation in a Simple Drift Wave-Zonal Flow Turbulence

We present a study of the role of zonal flows in relaxation and transport in a reduced model of collisionless ITG turbulence. A fundamentally new constituent in the relaxation dynamics is revealed, namely that ion and electron guiding center motion togather necessitate a radial flux of polarization charge, which in turn exerts a dynamical friction on phase space density evolution. This effect then enters the evolution of 〈δ f 2〉 and the transport dynamics, as described by a Lenard-Balescu type equation. The underlying physics is similar to that which follows from conservation of potential vorticity, albeit now for a phase space fluid, and is not simple shearing or wave packet modulation. Consequences for zonal flow momentum balance are discussed.
Fractal structures of single-walled carbon nanotubes in biologically relevant conditions: Role of chirality vs. media conditions

Aggregate structure of covalently functionalized chiral specific semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) was systematically studied employing static light scattering (SLS). Fractal dimensions (Df) of two specific chirality SWNTs—SG65 and SG76 with (6, 5) and (7, 6) chiral enrichments—were measured under four biological exposure media conditions, namely: Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM), Minimum Essential Medium (MEM), Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) 1640 medium, and 0.9% saline solution. The SWNTs exhibited chiral dependence on Df with SG65 showing more fractal or loosely bound aggregate structures, i.e., lower Df values (range of 2.24 ± 0.03 to 2.64 ± 0.05), compared to the SG76 sample (range of 2.58 ± 0.13 to 2.90 ± 0.08). All the Df values reported are highly reproducible, measured from multiple SLS runs and estimated with ‘random blockeffects’ statistical analysis that yielded all p values to be <0.001. The key mechanism for such difference in Df between the SWNT samples was identified as the difference in van der Waals (VDW) interaction energies of these samples, where higher VDW of SG76 resulted in tighter packing density. Effect of medium type showed lower sensitivity; however, presence of di-valent cations (Ca 2+ ) in DMEM and MEM media resulted in relatively loose or more fractal aggregates. Moreover, presence of fetal bovine serum (FBS) and bovine serum albumin (BSA), used to mimic the in vitro cell culture condition, reduced the Df values, i.e., created more fractal structures. Steric hindrance to aggregation was identified as the key mechanism for creating the fractal structures. Also, increase in FBS concentration from 1% to 10% resulted in increasingly lower Df values.
Concurrent grain growth in two superplastic aluminum-lithium based alloys

Etude de la croissance concurrente des grains pendant la deformation de deux alliages a base d'aluminium-lithium de composition presque identique mais prepares differemment: l'alliage Al-2,9 Cu-1,9 Li-1,0 Mg-0,15 Zr prepare en lingot et l'alliage Al-2,8 Cu-1,9 Li-0,9 Mg-0,20 Zr prepare par metallurgie des poudres
Implementation of a community participation project for dengue prevention in Puerto Rico

Purpose Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease of the tropics and Aedes aegypti is the most important vector worldwide. In the absence of a vaccine, dengue prevention efforts emphasize control of the mosquito. The limited efficacy of current control programs, often emphasizing insecticides, has prompted the search for alternative methods to prevent dengue involving community participation. The goal of this project is to develop a novel approach to community participation by developing a model that involves the active participation of community residents in the planning and conduction of activities to reduce Aedes aegypti infestations. Methods Initial steps in project development included identification of intervention and control communities with similar community environment and organizational level capable of supporting a community participation project, entomologic inspections of 20% of the houses (comparable baseline Breteau Index ≥ 50 was required), and determination of community characteristics. To promote community participation we also required a community inventory, partnership identification, and in-depth and informal interviews with gatekeepers and community leaders in the intervention community to determine project viability. Results We evaluated communities in 22 of the 78 municipalities of Puerto Rico. Thirteen communities were selected for further evaluation. From these, two communities (≈200 houses in each) with similar organizational level and comparable larval indices (house index 67.5% and 75%, respectively; p -value = 0.46) were chosen. Three informal and 7 in-depth interviews were conducted during December 2003. Content analysis of these interviews indicated that interviewees viewed dengue as a disease of interest but only when there were cases in the community. Correct dengue knowledge was mixed with misconceptions and the community had a well-organized health committee. Conclusion We identified incorrect knowledge and nonsustained interest in dengue preventive behavior and our model will address these issues in the intervention community.
How to structure your technical paper or report: Using basic engineering training as a take-off, the author gives you a step-by-step construction of a comprehensive paper or report

The engineer's talent for analyzing, planning, and organizing can be a great asset in the preparation of a technical paper or report. To the extent that in either the carrying out of an engineering project or the writing of a technical report, an engineering problem is defined and subsequently solved, project work and manuscript development go hand-in-hand. Planning is the first step in either situation, with some special elements to be considered in the planning of a manuscript.
Assessment of brain perfusion in stroke patients with echo contrast enhanced transcranial ultrasound: preliminary results

20 fasted healthy volunteers were injected with a single bolus of SonoVue (1.2mL) iv. Images of the liver and right kidney, and spleen and left kidney were obtained intermittently over 5 mins using low MI scanning [Vascular Recognition Imaging (VRI) Aplio, Toshiba]. VRI depicts stationary microbubbles in a green color. The amount of SonoVue was quantified by calculating the proportionate green pixel count in the ROI for each organ over time, designated the %total uptake (TU). Relative uptake (RU) was calculated as the ratio of the %total uptake of the liver (to the right kidney, RK) and spleen (to left kidney, LK).
A structural model for “barium hexagallate”

Abstract A model for the structure of “barium hexagallate” (and by implication Phase II of “barium hexa-aluminate”) has been derived from a comparison of calculated and experimental high-resolution electron microscope images. In the proposed structure Ba is placed in the “spinel” blocks as well as on the mirror planes of the structure.
A new clinical index of growth rate in the staging of breast cancer

Abstract The clinical rate of growth in patients with breast cancer can be auxometrically classified by identifying the first clinical manifestation observed by the patient (or physician) and by then noting the progression interval that elapsed before treatment and the occurrence of prognostically unfavorable transition events during that interval. These two features can be used to demarcate slow, intermediate and rapid auxometric stages, which approximate the cancer's rate of progression. A fourth stage consists of patients who have systemic or metastatic symptoms before treatment. Within any TNM (tumor-nodes-metastases) stage, degree of nodal involvement or treatment, these four auxometric stages delineate patients with distinctly different prognoses. In particular, the slow auxometric stage can be used to identify a subgroup of patients with excellent 10 year survival and other patients who have good outcomes despite an anatomically unfavorable status. Conversely, the rapid and systemic-metastatic stages identify patients with relatively poor prognoses despite an apparently favorable anatomic status. The auxometric classification is easily used, readily available and involves no technologic expense or risk. By improving the accuracy of anatomic staging, auxometry adds an important refinement to the estimation of prognosis and the evaluation of therapy for patients with breast cancer.
2003 C. Anderson Aldrich award lecture: enhancing developmental services in child health supervision--an idea whose time has truly arrived.

In 1938, in his famous Babies Are Human Beings , C. Anderson Aldrich was cautious in describing the feasibility of enhancing children's developmental potential: “Every human being, as he grows into childhood, must inevitably be hampered and opposed by the restrictions of his environment, and the best we can hope for is to modify somewhat the urgency of this conflict. The degree to which we are considerate of our baby's early needs, however, may be the measure of his later ability to feel secure in a world of change and to adapt himself to the necessities of circumstance.”1(p xi) Aldrich's contributions occurred at a crucial transitional period for child health. In the early 20th century, child health services were almost exclusively focused on the treatment of the sick child, with the modest exception of cursory examinations to detect signs of contagion, milk stations for feeding and weighing, and urban child health conferences for examining and later immunizing children. Subsequent control of infection through improved sanitation, public health measures, the introduction of antibiotic agents, and effective immunization profoundly influenced the scope of child health care, with the founding of the American Academy of Pediatrics in 1930 heralding a shift of emphasis to include health promotion and disease prevention.2 In 1944, Aldrich helped to pioneer this shift through the founding of the Rochester (Minnesota) Child Health Institute, devoted to research on the development of normal infants and children and to a program of delivering child health care to an entire community. Contemporary efforts to enhance the effectiveness of developmental services similarly occur within the context of a profound transition in children's health services. In the mid-1970s, the recognition of developmental, behavioral, and psychosocial problems as the “new morbidity” of pediatric practice by Haggerty et al3 reinforced an emphasis … Reprint requests to (P.H.D.) Connecticut Children's Medical Center, 282 Washington St, Hartford, CT 06106. E-mail: pdworki{at}ccmckids.org
Assessment of Patients' Competence to Consent to Treatment

A 75-year-old woman has type 2 diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, and a gangrenous ulcer of her left foot. A below-the-knee amputation is recommended, but she declines, saying that she has lived long enough and wants to die with her body intact. Her internist is concerned about her increasing confusion over the past year and notes that she appears to be depressed. How should her physician determine whether her decision is competent?
Morphology of species of Litosphaeridium (Cretaceous, Dinophyceae)

Abstract Litosphaeridium is a genus of skolochorate dinoflagellate cysts characterized by an apical archeopyle and 16 to about 45 basically intratabular hollow processes that are conical, cylindrical, or bulbous, with subcircular cross‐sections and simple tips. Other indications of paratabulation are absent and, depending upon the species, some paraplates may be without processes while others may be represented by as many as four. Typically, the species are highly variable in details, especially showing many small differences in process number and position. Analysis of six species and one subspecies here assigned to Litosphaeridium suggests that a similar pattern of gonyaulacoid paratabulation can be discerned in each of them. This pattern is distinct from that of other skolochorate cysts and analogous in detail with the epithecal tabulation of Gonyaulax polyedra. Paratabulation, along with similarities in process and wall structure, support the position that these six species can be included in one genus...
A Strange Drift to the Right: The Civic Historiography of Michael Sandel

Michael Sandel's Democracy's Discontent strives to contribute to the project of "democratic theory," which aims to bring people together across ideological differences. Sandel wants to revitalize citizenship by uniting religious conservatives and those committed to a more just political economy through an appeal to the American tradition of civic republicanism. However, his project is fundamentally incoherent. First, Sandel's narrative conflates the republican and religious aspects of the American founding, ignoring the fact that civic republican political theory actually developed in direct opposition to the ideal of a Christian polity. Second, his version of civic republicanism deviates from the historic tradition in a way that renders it much more conservative than it actually was and might still be. Third, his reading of American history consistently highlights conservative themes. Consequently, Sandel ultimately undercuts the progressive aspects of his own vision, detracting from rather than contribu...