cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Volumetric tumor growth in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients with EGFR mutations during EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to define the volumetric tumor growth rate in patients who had advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with sensitizing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and had initially received treatment with EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy beyond progression. METHODS The study included 58 patients with advanced NSCLC who had sensitizing EGFR mutations treated with first-line gefitinib or erlotinib, had baseline computed tomography (CT) scans available that revealed a measurable lung lesion, had at least 2 follow-up CT scans during TKI therapy, and had experienced volumetric tumor growth. The tumor volume (in mm3) of the dominant lung lesion was measured on baseline and follow-up CT scans during therapy. In total, 405 volume measurements were analyzed in a linear mixed-effects model, fitting time as a random effect, to define the growth rate of the logarithm of tumor volume (logeV). RESULTS A linear mixed-effects model was fitted to predict the growth of logeV, adjusting for time in months from baseline. LogeV was estimated as a function of time in months among patients whose tumors started growing after the nadir: logeV = 0.12*time + 7.68. In this formula, the regression coefficient for time, 0.12/month, represents the growth rate of logeV (standard error, 0.015/month; P < .001). When adjusted for baseline volume, logeV0, the growth rate was also 0.12/month (standard error, 0.015/month; P < .001; logeV = 0.12*months + 0.72 logeV0 + 0.61). CONCLUSIONS Tumor volume models defined volumetric tumor growth after the nadir in patients with EGFR-mutant, advanced NSCLC who were receiving TKI, providing a reference value for the tumor growth rate in patients who progress after the nadir on TKI therapy. The results can be studied further in additional cohorts to develop practical criteria to help identify patients who are slowly progressing and can safely remain on EGFR-TKIs. Cancer 2013;119:3761–3768. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
A 30Gb/s 1:4 demultiplexer in 0.12/spl mu/m CMOS

A 1:4 demultiplexer, implemented in 0.12/spl mu/m SOI and bulk CMOS technology, operates with a BER below 10/sup -13/ at 30Gb/s (SOI) and 26Gb/s (bulk) input data rates (2/sup 7/-1 PRBS), drawing 200mA from a 2V supply. At 1.2V, the chips draw 100mA and operates at input data rates of 21Gb/s (SOI) and 18Gb/s (bulk). The design has an active area of 300/spl mu/m /spl times/ 90/spl mu/m.
Background Principles and the Rule of Law: Fifteen Years after Lucas

The Supreme Court’s 1992 decision in Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council was welcomed by property right advocates. Justice Scalia’s opinion for the Court established a categorical taking where all economic value is lost as a result of regulation. Not surprisingly, advocates of unconstrained environmental and land use regulation were dismayed, although many were quick to suggest (hopefully) that Lucas’s impacts would be minimal since most regulations do not destroy all economic value. Fifteen years later some who saw only dark clouds on the regulatory horizon as a consequence of Lucas now see a rainbow with a pot of gold at its end. The source of this newly optimistic understanding of Lucas is Justice Scalia’s reference to “background principles” of common law nuisance and property. In a nutshell the argument is that background principles serve not only as an exception in categorical takings where all economic value is lost, but also as an affirmative defense that immunizes government from virtually all takings claims. In this article I argue that there is nothing extraordinary in Justice Scalia’s statement that background principles of the common law are relevant to the definition of property rights. What is extraordinary is the claim that, consistent with the historic evolution of the common law, these principles are almost infinitely malleable in the hands of courts and legislatures. It is this claim that creates a pot of gold at the end of the Lucas rainbow, but it reflects a misunderstanding of the common law process, a clear distortion of Justice Scalia’s meaning in Lucas, and a blatant disregard for the requirements of the 5th amendment takings clause.
The Research-Practice Gap in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Related Fields: Challenges and Potential Solutions

The gap between science and practice in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and related fields is large and, some believe, getting larger. Although not everyone views this as a matter for concern, there is growing momentum to take actions to strengthen the interface between science and practice. The present paper examines three underlying sources of the gap: lack of awareness of what the other side knows and cares about; lack of belief or confidence in the knowledge generated or held by the other side; and lack of implementation of knowledge or ideas, even in the face of awareness and belief. Based on this analysis, proposed solutions are offered for each source of the gap, as are directions for future research and practice.
Stability of relative equilibria in arbitrary axisymmetric gravitational and magnetic fields

Relative equilibria occur in a wide variety of physical applications, including celestial mechanics, particle accelerators, plasma physics, and atomic physics. We derive sufficient conditions for Lyapunov stability of circular orbits in arbitrary axisymmetric gravitational (electrostatic) and magnetic fields, including the effects of local mass (charge) and current density. Particularly simple stability conditions are derived for source‐free regions, where the gravitational field is harmonic (∇2U = 0) or the magnetic field irrotational (∇ × B = 0). In either case the resulting stability conditions can be expressed geometrically (coordinate‐free) in terms of dimensionless stability indices. Stability bounds are calculated for several examples, including the problem of two fixed centers, the J2 planetary model, galactic disks, and a toroidal quadrupole magnetic field.
Integrated services packet networks with mobile hosts: architecture and performance

This paper considers the support of real-time services to mobile users in an Integrated Services Packet Network. In the currently existing architectures, the service guarantees provided to the mobile hosts are mobility dependent, i.e., mobile hosts experience wide variation in the quality of service and often service disruption when hosts move from one location to another. The network performance degrades significantly when mobile hosts are provided with mobility independent service guarantees. In this paper we have proposed a service model for mobile hosts that can support adaptive applications which can withstand service degradation and disruption, as well as applications which require mobility independent service guarantees. We describe an admission control scheme for implementing this service model and evaluate its performance by simulation experiments. Simulation results show that, if sufficient degree of multiplexing of the mobility dependent and independent services are allowed, the network does not suffer any significant performance degradation and in particular our admission control scheme achieves high utilization of network resources.
Sr2Fe4/3Mo2/3O6 as anodes for solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract Sr 2 Fe 4/3 Mo 2/3 O 6 has been synthesized by a combustion method in air. It shows a single cubic perovskite structure after being reduced in wet H 2 at 800 °C and demonstrates a metallic conducting behavior in reducing atmospheres at mediate temperatures. Its conductivity value at 800 °C in wet H 2 (3% H 2 O) is about 16 S cm −1 . This material exhibits remarkable electrochemical activity and stability in H 2 . Without a ceria interlayer, maximum power density ( P max ) of 547 mW cm −2 is achieved at 800 °C with wet H 2 (3% H 2 O) as fuel and ambient air as oxidant in the single cell with the configuration of Sr 2 Fe 4/3 Mo 2/3 O 6 |La 0.8 Sr 0.2 Ga 0.83 Mg 0.17 O 3 (LSGM)| La 0.6 Sr 0.4 Co 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3 (LSCF). The P max even increases to 595 mW cm −2 when the cell is operated at a constant current load at 800 °C for additional 15 h. This anode material also shows carbon resistance and sulfur tolerance. The P max is about 130 mW cm −2 in wet CH 4 (3% H 2 O) and 472 mW cm −2 in H 2 with 100 ppm H 2 S. The cell performance can be effectively recovered after changing the fuel gas back to H 2 .
p53 and p73: seeing double?

Whereas p73 is closely related to the tumour-suppressor protein p53, its contribution to tumour suppression and the spatial and temporal regulation of its isoforms is unclear. It has now been established that p73 is a transcriptional target of E2F1. Its ability to induce apoptosis in TP53−/− cells indicates a tumour-control mechanism that runs parallel to but independent of that mediated by p53. The new results illustrate a complex cross-talk between p53, E2F1 and p73.
Treatment of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia with individually adjusted heparin dosing in dogs.

Background: A major cause of death in dogs with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is thromboembolism. Previous studies suggest unfractionated heparin (UH) is not effective in preventing thromboembolism in IMHA; however, subtherapeutic dosing could explain the seeming lack of efficacy. Hypothesis: Providing therapeutic plasma concentration of UH by individually adjusting doses based on antifactor Xa activity would improve survival in IMHA. Animals: Fifteen dogs with primary IMHA. Methods: Randomized, prospective, controlled clinical trial. Dogs received standardized therapy for IMHA and either constant dose (CD) (150 U/kg SC) (n = 7) or individually adjusted dose (IAD) (n = 8) UH, monitored via an anti-Xa chromogenic assay, adjusted according to a nomogram. UH was administered every 6 hours until day 7, and every 8 hours thereafter. UH dose was adjusted daily in IAD dogs until day 7, weekly until day 28, then tapered over 1 week. Dogs were monitored for 180 days. Results: At day 180, 7 dogs in the IAD group and 1 in the CD group were alive (P= .01). Median survival time for the IAD group was >180 days, and 68 days for the CD group. Thromboembolic events occurred in 5 dogs in the CD group and 2 dogs in the IAD group. Doses of UH between 150 and 566 U/kg achieved therapeutic anti-Xa activity (0.35–0.7 U/mL). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: This study suggests that IAD UH therapy using anti-Xa monitoring reduced case fatality rate in dogs with IMHA when compared with dogs receiving fixed low dose UH therapy.
Osteopontin is a ligand for the alpha4beta1 integrin

Recent work has shown that osteopontin expression is upregulated at sites of cardiovascular injury. It has been hypothesized that osteopontin provides an adhesive matrix for endothelial and smooth muscle cells during remodeling of the vascular wall following injury. Osteopontin has also been found to be synthesized by monocytes and macrophages within injury sites. Here, we present data showing that osteopontin can promote leukocyte adhesion through the alpha4beta1 integrin. In the presence of physiologic concentrations of Mg2+ and Ca2+, osteopontin purified from bovine milk promoted cell-substrate adhesion of HL-60 and Ramos cells, two model leukocyte cell lines. As with other adhesive ligands, adhesion to osteopontin required leukocyte activation. Under these conditions, no adhesion to control substrates such as bovine serum albumin was observed. Leukocyte adhesion was inhibited by anti-integrin antibodies directed at either the alpha4 or beta1 integrin subunits but not by control antibodies directed to other integrins. Further adhesion experiments revealed that leukocyte binding to osteopontin was completely inhibited by an alpha4beta1-binding peptide containing the leucine-aspartate-valine (LDV) sequence, while a control, non-binding peptide containing leucine-glutamate-valine (LEV) had minimal effects. Affinity chromatography using either surface labeled HL-60 or Ramos cell extracts revealed that the alpha4beta1 integrin specifically bound to osteopontin. Immunoprecipitation of eluted fractions from these columns positively identified the alpha4beta1 integrin. In order to localize potential alpha4beta1-binding sites within osteopontin, the protein was proteolytically cleaved with thrombin. A 30 kDa N-terminal osteopontin fragment purified using fast protein liquid chromatography promoted alpha4beta1 dependent leukocyte adhesion in a manner similar to that of the intact protein. These data collectively demonstrate that the alpha4beta1 integrin is a new adhesion receptor for osteopontin and that an alpha4beta1 binding site exists in the NH2-terminal thrombin fragment of osteopontin.
The Machete and the Cross: Campesino Rebellion in Yucatan: The Conquest of the Last Maya Kingdom: Río Azul: An Ancient Maya City

The Machete and the Cross: Campesino Rebellion in Yucatan. Don E. Dumond. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1997.571pp. The Conquest of the Last Maya Kingdom. Grant D. Jones. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 1998.568 pp. Rio Azul: An Ancient Maya City. Richard E. W. Adams. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1999. 238 pp.
Nonsingular holomorphic flows

Soit M une variete de Kahler compacte et v un champ vectoriel holomorphe. Alors soit v a un zero soit sa partie reelle v+v a une section droite
The relative impacts of spills of two alternative fuels on the microalgae of a sandy site: a microcosm study

Abstract Electric power generation in the United States uses substantial amounts of fuel oil #6. Orimulsion®, an emulsion of bitumen, water, and a surfactant, is an alternative. A portion of the information that managers need to compare the two fuels is their relative environmental impacts. Both fuels are shipped by sea, so the impact of spills on the marine benthos is a concern. We used microcosms to assess the relative impacts of simulated spills of these fuels on the microalgae of shallow subtidal sandy bottoms. Response variables included microalgal abundance, primary productivity, ratio of chlorophyll a to phaeophytin, and ratio of primary production to chlorophyll a. During our 88-day experiment, we found no significant differences between the fuels for any variable. We suggest that weathering before the spill reaches the shore removes the most toxic components, rendering the fuels essentially equal in their impact on benthic microalgae.
Antimicrobial activity of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus is caused by phenol-soluble modulin derivatives

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) are causing an ongoing pandemic of mostly skin and soft tissue infections. The success of CA-MRSA as pathogens is due to a combination of antibiotic resistance with high virulence. In addition, it has been speculated that CA-MRSA strains such as the epidemic U.S. clone USA300 have increased capacity to colonize human epithelia, owing to bacteriocin-based bacterial interference. We here analyzed the molecular basis of antimicrobial activity detected in S. aureus strains, including those of the USA300 lineage. In contrast to a previous hypothesis, we found that this activity is not due to expression of a lantibiotic-type bacteriocin, but proteolytically processed derivatives of the phenol-soluble modulin (PSM) peptides PSMα1 and PSMα2. Notably, processed PSMα1 and PSMα2 exhibited considerable activity against Streptococcus pyogenes, indicating a role of PSMs in the interference of S. aureus strains with the competing colonizing pathogen. Furthermore, by offering a competitive advantage during colonization of the human body, the characteristically high production of PSMs in USA300 and other CA-MRSA strains may thus contribute not only to virulence but also the exceptional capacity of those strains to sustainably spread in the population, which so far has remained poorly understood.
Effect of Comparable Worth Policies on Earnings

The initial impact of comparable worth legislation on male and female earnings is estimated using five public sector comparable worth studies. We find that women would earn an average 17 per cent more if a comparable worth policy were implemented and men would earn an average 1 per cent more. In addition, about half of the earnings gap between women and men in the sample jurisdictions would be eliminated. We also discuss the limitations of previous analyses by examining Aldrich and Buchele's recent empirical work.
Serum potassium and prolongation of Q-T interval of electrocardiogram in acute myocardial infarction.

SummaryIn a study of 67 electrocardiograms taken on 47 patients with acute myocardial infarction in conjunction with a similar number of serum potassium determinations, it was found that the [K+] was either normal or slightly above normal at a time when the Q-Tc was prolonged, normal or shortened. The prolongation of the Q-Tc that occurs during acute myocardial infarction is not correlated with a low level of serum potassium. Other possibilities for prolonged Q-Tc are discussed.
Demonstration of Gigabit-per-second and higher data rates at extremely high efficiency using superconducting nanowire single photon detectors

Superconducting nanowire single photon detectors have recently been demonstrated as viable candidates for photon-counting optical receivers operating at data rates in excess of 100 Mbit/s. In this paper, we discuss techniques for extending these data rates to rates > 1 Gbit/s. We report on a recent demonstration of a 2-element nanowire detector array operating at a source data rate of 1.25 Gbit/s. We also describe techniques for emulating larger arrays of detectors using a single detector. We use these techniques to demonstrate photon-counting receiver operation at data rates from 780-Mbit/s to 2.5 Gbit/s with sensitivities ranging from 1.1 to 7.1 incident photons per bit.
Some notes on milieu management for drug addicts

Summary Although many milieu management systems for the treatment of drug addicts constitute an extended drug subculture, many systems do not. Observations from a treatment program of the latter sort indicate that integration of residents in suck programs with non-addict community persons is antithetical to the development of an extended drug subculture. It is recommended that in a society characterized by extensive use of psychoactive drugs and a diversity of ethnic groups, therapeutic communities oriented to abstinence from addictive drugs be viewed as a responsibly conceived avenue of treatment for some addicts. Furthermore, it is recommended that these treatment facilities, and the society in general, demonstrate increased sensitivity to the cultural identities of all addicts and ex-addicts.
Correlation factor in tracer diffusion for high tracer concentrations

Abstract The meaning of cross terms in the Onsager equation for diffusion in multicomponent systems is clarified based on the Path Probability method of irreversible statistical mechanics. The problems involved in increasing the concentration of tracer atoms in tracer diffusion experiments are discussed. Some comments on the correlation function approach with respect to the present problem are also added.
Measurement of the morphology of high-surface-area solids: porosimetry as a percolation process

Abstract The void size distribution in high surface area solids is often characterized by porosimetry. This measurement technique involves the sequential invasion of a fluid into the void structure as pressure is increased and its evacuation as the pressure is subsequently decreased. It is attractive to view porosimetry as a network percolation process. However, the process of porosimetry differs from classical percolation processes in certain significant ways. In addition to the problem of sequential availability, “shadowing,” during the intrusion, only a fraction of the constrictions in the void structure are measured. We have also found that there is a similar “shadowing” during extrusion. These deviations from classical percolation theory and the influence on porosimetry are discussed.
The amylase system of Drosophila—I. Comparison of the amylases of D. pseudoobscura

Abstract 1. 1. Two amylases encoded by the Amy1.0 and Amy0.84 alleles of Drosophila pseudoobscura were compared in terms of pH optima, substrate specificities, inhibitor and activator sensitivities, and responses to temperature. 2. 2. Both crude extracts and partially purified preparations were studied. 3. 3. The amylases appeared quite similar to other α-amylases of Drosophila and possessed general propertes of α-amylases. 4. 4. A major difference between the two amylases was observed in terms of response to temperature: the Amy0.84 amylase appears to have a temperature optimum at 20°C whereas the Amy1.0 amylase shows increasing activity with increasing temperature over the 10–25°C range tested.
A Specialized Nucleosome Modulates Transcription Factor Access to a C. glabrata Metal Responsive Promoter

Abstract The ability of DNA binding transcription factors to access cis -acting promoter elements is critical for transcriptional responses. We demonstrate that rapid transcriptional autoactivation by the Amt1 Cu metalloregulatory transcription factor from the opportunistic pathogenic yeast Candida glabrata is dependent on rapid metal-induced DNA binding to a single metal response element (MRE). In vivo footprinting and chromatin-mapping experiments demonstrate that the MRE and a homopolymeric (dA • dT) element adjacent to the MRE are packaged into a positioned nucleosome that exhibits homopolymeric (dA • dT)-dependent localized distortion. This distortion is critical for rapid Amt1 binding to the MRE, for Cu-dependent AMT1 gene transcription, and for C. glabrata cells to mount a rapid transcriptional response to Cu for normal metal detoxification. The AMT1 promoter represents a novel class of specialized nucleosomal structures that links rapid transcriptional responses to the biology of metal homeostasis.
Use of polymorphic short and clustered coding-region microsatellites to distinguish strains of Candida albicans

We describe the identification of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the pathogenic yeast, Candida albicans. A search for all coding-region microsatellites with more than four repeats that can be found in Candida sequences in GenBank was conducted. Nine such microsatellite sequences consisting of trinucleotide motifs were found. Three of these were perfect microsatellites while the remaining six sequences were found in one imperfect microsatellite and two compound microsatellites. Because of the close proximity of some of these repeats, all could be assayed with six PCR primer pairs. All of these microsatellite sequences were found in five nuclear genes, ZNF1, CCN1, CPH1, EFG1, and MNT2. Except for a single (CTT)5 serine tract, all coded for polyglutamine tracts. Another locus with seven alleles, a region of the ERK1 protein kinase gene, was also examined, and may be a representative of a new class of highly polymorphic ‘clustered’ microsatellites. Such loci, in which several non-contiguous but closely linked microsatellites are clustered together, may be a useful source of DNA polymorphisms in microorganisms in which long microsatellite sequences are unavailable. All seven regions amplified were polymorphic, having between two and seven variable length alleles in the 11 strains of Candida albicans examined. The results of this and similar searches will facilitate epidemiological and evolutionary studies of Candida and other microorganisms.
Studies on cofactor functions of folinic acid using radiolabeled compounds.

Abstract Carbon-14-labeled formyltetrahydrofolic acid-N 10 was prepared by catalytic reduction of a product resulting from treating folic acid with a formylating mixture enriched isotopically with NaOOC 14 H. The N 10 isomer was converted into the N 5 isomer (folinic acid) by modifications of existing techniques. By employing conventional methods, experimental evidence was obtained which indicated the incorporation of carbon-14 from carbon-14-labeled folinic acid into thymine by Pediococcus cerevisiae , growing in a chemically defined medium.
Which fireballs are meteorites? A study of the Prairie Network photographic meteor data

Abstract Plausible meteorite mass distributions imply that in the Prairie Network data there must be many fainter fireballs produced by meteorites with physical properties that, except for mass, are very similar to the recovered ordinary chondrite ( H 5) Lost City. Four criteria are proposed for identifying these other meteorites among the fireballs. These are: deceleration to final velocity ≤8 km/sec; a photometric mass/dynamic mass ratio within a factor of 2 of that of Lost City, agreement of the observed and theoretical single body end heights (calculated using dynamic mass), and a lightcurve no more irregular than those of the three recovered fireballs. These criteria can be related to the PE criterion of Ceplecha and McCrosky, but include a wider range of observational data, and also differ from the PE criterion in avoiding inclusion of data not helpful to the particular problem of identifying ordinary chondrite fireballs. By use of our criteria, 27 Prairie Network fireballs are identified as being meteorites comparable to or greater in strength and density to Lost City, most of these should be ordinary chondrites. The orbital element distributions of these objects span a wide range, include those of recovered fireballs, and show that the 4.0-AU aphelion of the Pribram meteorite is not unusually large. Perihelia are concentrated near 1.0 AU, in agreement with previous inferences from time-of-fall and radiant distributions, demonstrating the usefulness of these data based on visual observations.
Induction of embryonic major histocompatibility complex antigen expression by γ-IFN

Abstract Preimplantation mouse embryos were incubated in vitro with mouse recombinant γ-interferon (IFN). The effect of the γ-IFN on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen expression was tested using an ELISA procedure. It was found that there is a doubling of D b antigens and a tripling of Qa-2 antigens on C57BL/6 mouse embryos cultured from the 8-cell stage for 24 h in the presence of 10 5 units/ml γ-IFN. The effect of γ-IFN on the rate of preimplantation embryonic development was tested by culturing 2-cell embryos for 48 h and 8-cell embryos for 24 h in the presence of varying concentrations of γ-IFN up to 10 6 units/ml. Two methods were used to assess the cell number per embryo after the culture period: incorporation of [ 3 H]thymidine into DNA, and direct counting of nuclei in fixed and stained embryos. Both methods showed that treatment with γ-IFN increases the rate of development of preimplantation mouse embryos. Since rate of preimplantation embryonic development is genetically controlled by the Ped gene, it is suggested that γ-IFN has a direct effect on the Ped gene phenotype of preimplantation mouse embryos.
Head pose tracking and gesture detection using block motion vectors on mobile devices

We present a novel and practical algorithm for head pose tracking and head gesture detection applicable to avatar applications and Human Computer Interaction (HCI) on mobile devices. The algorithm takes advantage of block motion vectors estimated for real-time video encoding on the device. After spatial and temporal smoothing, block motion vectors are mapped into a video pointer signal, which is further mapped into head pose signals for avatar animation control. In contrast to conventional tracking algorithms, our algorithm processes block motion vectors rather than pixel data, leading to drastically reduced computational requirement. This makes it a practical solution for head tracking in real time on high end mobile devices. A simple and reliable way of detecting head nod and shake gestures is also presented, using a deterministic finite state machine.
Water permeability of the endolymph-perilymph barrier in the guinea pig cochlea

The diffusional water permeability of the endolymph-perilymph barrier was determined in guinea pigs by perfusing the perilymphatic space with tritiated water and measuring the uptake of tritiated water into the endolymph. Assuming that the volume flow across the endolymph-perilymph barrier is negligible for short periods of perfusion, the water permeability of the barrier is approximately 130 times greater than its permeability to K+ in normal guinea pigs.
Developing an Evaluation Design for the Senior Executive Service

In 1979, the Office of Personnel Management requested that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS, then the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare) plan an evaluation study to assess the impact of the Senior Executive Service (SES) on the department. An evaluability assess ment was conducted which produced an agreed-upon model of the SES program design and a clear basis for a longitudinal evaluation study. This paper summarizes the conclusions of the HHS/SES evaluability assessment.
Quality of scientific articles

The paper discusses the difficulties in judging the quality of scientific manuscripts and describes some common pitfalls that should be avoided when preparing a paper for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. Peer review is an imperfect system, with less than optimal reliability and uncertain validity. However, as it is likely that it will remain as the principal process of screening papers for publication, authors should avoid some common mistakes when preparing a report based on empirical findings of human research. Among these are: excessively long abstracts, extensive use of abbreviations, failure to report results of parsimonious data analyses, and misinterpretation of statistical associations identified in observational studies as causal. Another common problem in many manuscripts is their excessive length, which makes them more difficult to be evaluated or read by the intended readers, if published. The evaluation of papers after their publication with a view towards their inclusion in a systematic review is also discussed. The limitations of the impact factor as a criterion to judge the quality of a paper are reviewed.
Diet and decline

Handbook of Nutrition, Health and Ageing. By Donald M. Watkin. Noyes Publications, Park Ridge, New Jersey: 1983. Pp.290. 32.
Community Foundations: What Do They Offer Community Development?

This article provides case studies of the role of three community foundations in facilitating the establishment of community development collaboratives to galvanize support for local community deve...
Current Interest in Careers in Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery From the Millennial Generation

Objective Interest in cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) as a career has decreased over the past decade. Anecdotal evidence suggests that many surgeons develop an interest in CTS before medical school and even before college. This study evaluates the interest of high-school students at a magnet high school, with regard to careers in medicine, in surgery, and in CTS. Design A survey assessing career interests and values was conducted among junior and senior high-school students. Students were given a 1-hour presentation by a cardiothoracic (CT) surgeon on the postgraduate training process and then completed a postpresentation survey. Setting A magnet math and science high school, the Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center. Participants Of 128 students, 117 (91% response rate) completed the survey. Results Overall, 38% of students reported having a high interest in medicine; of this group, 58% reported a high interest in surgery and 36% reported having a high interest in CTS. Men were more likely than women were to have a high interest in surgery and CTS (p Conclusions There exists a large interest in both surgery and CTS at the high-school level, but there may be a need for more active outreach to maintain and foster their interest in surgery and CTS through undergraduate and medical school.
Features of Realization of Moral-Spiritual Formation in Post-Soviet Kazakhstan

Abstract Modern Kazakhstan, the first of the post-Soviet territory countries has started realization of the new concept of the moral- spiritual formation which methodological basis of a steel philosophical views on process it is moral - spiritual education, psychological bases of formation the persons traditional, national and modern pedagogic. In a higher school context the new educational paradigm realized through discipline “Self-knowledge”, assumes integration valuable and competence approaches in designing of methodology and technology of realization of vocational training of the future experts. Kazakhstan's society finds the new theory of formation based on principles of humanity, tolerance, justice.
The ECG and the single channel

Our ability to understand and use the ECG has increased with the availability of tools to study the heart's electrical system. Great advances were achieved with direct electrical recordings from intact animal and human hearts. The microelectrode opened the way to recording of the cellular action potentials and their underlying currents. We now have two new and powerful methods to study cardiac electrophysiology--the patch clamp and molecular biology. We have begun to characterize the behavior of the elementary unit of membrane current, the single channel. The single channel can best be visualized as existing in a finite set of states related sequentially as in a Markov chain. The primary structures of several channels have now been determined by cloning, and the structural determinants of channel function can be explored. We have entered the molecular age of electrophysiology and can expect a greater understanding of the basic physiological and pathophysiological processes underlying the ECG. We can also expect powerful drugs to be designed based on the structures of their channel targets. The ECG remains a rich area for study and an ever better clinical tool.
Dynamic shape analysis via degree metrics

Applications continue to increase in size and complexity which makes debugging and program understanding more challenging. Programs written in managed languages, such as Java, C#, and Ruby, further exacerbate this challenge because they tend to encode much of their state in the heap. This paper introduces dynamic shape analysis, which seeks to characterize data structures in the heap by dynamically summarizing the object pointer relationships and detecting dynamic degree metrics based on class. The analysis identifies recursive data structures, automatically discovers dynamic degree metrics, and reports errors when degree metrics are violated. Uses of dynamic shape analysis include helping programmers find data structure errors during development, generating assertions for verification with static or dynamic analysis, and detecting subtle errors in deployment. We implement dynamic shape analysis in a Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Using SpecJVM and DaCapo benchmarks, we show that most objects in the heap are part of recursive data structures that maintain strong dynamic degree metrics. We show that once dynamic shape analysis establishes degree metrics from correct executions, it can find automatically inserted errors on subsequent executions in microbenchmarks. These suggests it can be used in deployment for improving software reliability.
Dislocation pair correlations from dislocation dynamics simulations

The concept of stochastic fiber process is used in conjunction with the method of dislocation dynamics simulation to compute the pair correlations in three-dimensional dislocation systems. The results show that the pair correlations exhibit oscillatory behavior as a function of the radial distance and that the correlations are highly anisotropic in the crystal and dislocation line orientation spaces. The correlation oscillations are found to have smaller magnitude at higher strain levels and to decay as a function of distance to unity or to asymptotic values slightly below unity in some cases, which indicates that dislocations can be uncorrelated or anti-correlated at long range. The results suggest that incorporating the dislocation pair correlations in density-based kinetic dislocation models is not an easy task because of the need to represent the correlations as functions of three spatial coordinates and two line-orientation coordinates.
Predictive Modeling for Rollover Warning of Heavy Vehicles

A predictive model to determine the rollover threat of heavy vehicles is proposed. The purpose of this model is to predict the rollover threat sufficiently in advance of the actual event so as to enable the driver to react accordingly. The Load Transfer Ratio (LTR) is used as a rollover threat index in this model. In order to facilitate a practical implementation of the proposed approach, a predictive model is established using a simple roll-plane model of the vehicle in conjunction with an online parameter identification strategy. This is to address the inherent issues involved in assessing certain key parameters in the proposed predictive model. The proposed predictive model and the associated parameter-identification algorithm are verified using a 14 degrees-of-freedom vehicle simulation model previously developed as a part of a broader study on heavy vehicles undertaken at Texas A&M University and supported by Texas Transportation Institute (TTI).© 2002 ASME
Nicotine blocks ethanol and diazepam impairment of air righting and ethanol impairment of maze performance.

Results of our previous research in rats demonstrate the following: (a) Angiotensin II (Ang II) inhibits long term potentiation (LTP) in dentate granule cell-perforant path synapses and that this inhibition can be blocked by losartan, an Ang II AT1 receptor antagonist; (b) both ethanol and diazepam inhibit LTP induction and this inhibition can be blocked by losartan; (c) impairment of air righting by ethanol and diazepam (DZ) and eight-arm radial maze performance by ethanol can be blocked by pretreatment with losartan: (d) inhibition of dentate granule cell LTP by Ang II can also be prevented by pretreatment with nicotine. Therefore, it seemed reasonable to hypothesize that ethanol and diazepam impairment of air righting and maze performance might also be blocked by pretreatment with nicotine. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of nicotine 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC) on 2.0 g/kg ethanol per os (PO) and 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg DZ intraperitoneally (i.p.) induced impairment of air righting; and to determine if the impaired maze performance due to 2.0 g/kg ethanol PO could be prevented by pretreatment with 0.4 mg/kg of nicotine, SC. Results confirm the hypothesis that moderate doses of ethanol, 2.0 g/kg PO, and DZ, 1.0 mg/kg i.p. impair air righting and that the impairment can be prevented by pretreatment with nicotine SC. Nicotine was not effective in blocking the 2.0 mg/kg DZ impairment of air righting. Nicotine, 0.4 mg/kg SC, prevented the impaired maze performance induced by 2.0 g/kg ethanol PO.
30 years of advances in active bioacoustics: A personal perspective

Abstract The area of active bioacoustics involves the use of sound to study distributions of fish and zooplankton in aquatic environments. There have been significant advances in this area over the past 30 years, covering many categories, spanning technology and modeling. These advances, as witnessed throughout my career, are reviewed. Issues with past and current approaches are discussed as well as projections into the future.
Fluorescent Guest Molecules Report Ordered Inner Phase of Host Capsules in Solution

Despite recent strides in the synthesis of elaborate nanometer-scale molecular hosts, the internal structure of these self-assembled cages remains ill characterized. We used fluorescent probe molecules, pyrene butyric acid (PBA), as guests in C-hexylpyrogallol[4]arene capsules to relay information about the chemical environment on the interior of the assemblies. Spectroscopic and single-crystal x-ray diffraction studies show that, in both solution and the solid state, the host can encapsulate two PBA guests and keep them well separated through specific interactions with the capsule walls.
Prevalence and characteristics associated with self-reported gall bladder disease in Mexican American elders: Results from the Hispanic Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies in the Elderly (H-EPESE)

Background and aims: To identify the prevalence and characteristics of gall bladder disease (GBD) that has been self-reported in Mexican American Elders. Methods: A prospective survey of a regional probability sample of self-identified Mexican Americans aged 65 and over. The Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (H-EPESE), a probability sample of non-institutionalized, Mexican Americans, aged 65 and over, residing in Southwestern states of Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and California. In 1993–1994 (Wave 1), 3050 Mexican Americans, aged 65 and over, were selected at baseline as a weighted probability sample. In 1995–1996 (Wave 2), 2895 remained. Sample weights were used to extrapolate to the estimated 498,176 older Mexican Americans residing in the Southwest United States. Self-reported GBD was collected via in-home interviews. Results: The prevalence of self-reported GBD in Mexican American elders was found to be 18.8% with an average age of 75.05 years. The findings indicate that older Mexican Americans have an increased rate of GBD if they are female, have history of arthritis or hypertension and have more acculturation to the United States. However, the rate decreases when they score poorly on the Mini Mental State Exam. One major limitation was reliance on self-report, as GBD and other co-morbid illnesses may be under-, or overestimated. Conclusions: Age is not protective in the prevalence of GBD in elder Mexican Americans. Persistent underlying genetics and dietary habits most likely attribute to this consistent high percentage, even in the elderly.
Geographical differences in primary therapy for early-stage breast cancer.

Background: Breast-conserving surgery may not be uniformly available to all women. We evaluated geographical differences across Connecticut in the proportions of cases with early stage breast cancer treated by partial mastectomy PM. We also looked at geographical variation in PM with axillary lymph node dissection AND and PM with adjuvant radiotherapy RAD. Methods: The Connecticut Tumor Registry identified 9106 cases of early disease for 1991 to 1995. Latitude-longitude coordinates for place of residence at diagnosis and initial form of therapy were available for 8795 records. A spatial scan statistic was used to detect geographical differences in treatment rates across the state. Results: A total of 57.7% of early breast cancer cases were treated by PM. Women living around New Haven were less likely than others to be treated in that manner relative risk [RR] = .86; P = .0001, whereas those living around Norwalk were more likely RR = 1.26; P = .0001. PM with AND, relative to PM alone, was reported less often for cases from a large area of southwestern Connecticut RR = .89; P = .0001, but more often for those in north central Connecticut RR = 1.13; P = .0001. PM with RAD, relative to PM alone, was less common for cases around Danbury RR = .40; P = .0001 but more common among cases around Hartford RR = 1.14; P = .0001. Conclusions: Geographical analysis is a way for physicians and health officials to identify groups of women who may not yet benefit from preferred surgical procedures.
Expression of the receptor protein-tyrosine kinases Tyro-3, Axl, and mer in the developing rat central nervous system.

Tyro-3, Axl, and Mer are three related receptor protein-tyrosine kinases (RPTKs) characterized by an extracellular domain exhibiting significant amino acid sequence similarity to neural cell adhesion molecules. The molecule Gas6 (for growth arrest-specific gene-6) has been shown to activate each of these receptors. Gas6 is expressed extensively in the central nervous system (CNS), suggesting that interactions between Gas6 and its receptors are likely to have physiologically relevant functions. To identify and localize the relevant Gas6/RPTK pairs, we have characterized the developmental expression of Tyro-3, Axl, and Mer in rat CNS using blotting and mRNA in situ hybridization analyses. Throughout development, Tyro-3 was the most widely expressed of the three receptors in the CNS, with Axl and Mer detected in only a limited number of sites in the adult. Tyro-3 expression was low in the embryo and increased markedly during early postnatal stages, with a time course paralleling that of synaptogenesis. Axl and Mer were expressed at low but relatively constant levels throughout development. In the cerebellum, all three receptors were found in Purkinje cells, and Tyro-3 was also detected in both granule neurons and Bergmann glia. Insofar as Gas6 has been previously shown to also be expressed by Purkinje cells, it may be engaged in both autocrine and paracrine signaling. The three receptors were also detected in cerebellar white matter, primarily during myelination. In the cortex, Tyro-3 was expressed at high levels during postnatal development and in the adult. Beginning at P6 in the hippocampus, Tyro-3 was expressed at high levels in CA1 pyramidal neurons and at lower levels in CA3 and was not detected in dentate granule neurons. Axl and Mer were found in the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus and were absent from the pyramidal and dentate granule neurons. In that Gas6 is expressed throughout the pyramidal cell layer, it may activate these cells in both an autocrine and a paracrine manner. These studies provide initial clues for elucidating the cellular functions of the Axl subfamily members and suggest potential complex Gas6/RPTK as well as RPTK/RPTK signaling interactions in the mature and developing CNS. J. Comp. Neurol. 425:295–314, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Factor analysis on the Sensory Profile from a national sample of children without disabilities.

Objective The purpose of this study was to identify relationships in the 125 items of the revised Sensory Profile, a tool designed to assess children's responses to commonly occurring sensory events. Method Parents of 1,115 children ages 3 to 10 years and without disabilities completed the Sensory Profile. The parents reported the percentage of time their children engaged in each of the 125 behaviors listed on the profile. Results Factor analysis revealed nine discreet factors that indicate sensory modulation and responsiveness: sensory seeking, emotionally reactive, low endurance/tone, oral sensory sensitivity, inattention/distractibility, poor registration, sensory sensitivity, sedentary, and fine motor/perceptual. Conclusions In addition to the traditional method of organizing sensory history information by sensory system, we may need to consider a person's thresholds to sensory events as well as his or her responsiveness to sensation. Because the Sensory Profile factors in these children without disabilities are similar to patterns observed in children with various disabilities, it may be that some sensory processing problems are related to intensity or duration of behaviors as they begin to interfere with functional performance in daily life.
Heart rate changes in chronic insomnia

This study assessed physiological activity in patients with chronic insomnia before sleep, during sleep and in response to acute stress. Twenty-four subjects with chronic insomnia and 25 normal sleepers slept in the laboratory overnight and were given a stressful performance task in the morning. Heart rate was significantly higher in the insomniac group at night. The next morning, heart rate was not different at baseline, but was significantly higher during the performance task in the insomniac group. These results are discussed as supporting the notion that insomniacs have greater physiological responsivity to stress. Further research is needed to determine if altered physiological activity is a cause or consequence of insomnia.