cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Collapse characterization and shock mitigation by elastomeric metastructures

Abstract Viscoelastic metastructures made with elastomeric polymers are recently suggested as solutions for shock mitigation and crash absorption. In these investigations, the mechanical properties are used as proxy indicators of capabilities to suppress energy transfer under such dynamic load conditions. Yet, recent high speed video studies revealed a startling disconnect between quasi-static and dynamic behavior in metastructures having internal beam networks due to the coupled local–global dynamics that are not triggered during quasi-static load cycles. This research undertakes an extensive high speed video data collection synchronized with force measurements to reveal the influences that govern transient shock mitigation properties in elastomeric metastructures. Despite an intuitive advantage of prolonging the collapse behavior through material design, it is conclusively found that unimodal collapse of the metastructure cross-section is the most effective mechanism to mitigate shock amplitude, prolong the duration of the transmitted force, and to reduce the impulse passed through the media. This research may specifically inspire the next generation of elastomeric, reusable shock damping materials.
Congenital herpes simplex virus infection in a 26-week extremely premature infant.

At 26 weeks and 5 days of gestation, a 640 g male infant was born to a woman without a history of genital infection by vaginal delivery. In addition to respiratory distress, physical examination revealed marked general erythroderma without vesicles, especially on the face and thorax (figure 1). Initial laboratory evaluation demonstrated thrombocytopenia (13×109/L) and neutropenia (1.7×109/L), and antibiotic and antifungal treatments were administered for suspected sepsis. Over the …
The impact of shipment consolidation strategies for green home delivery: a case study in a Mexican retail company

The growth of e-commerce has increased the number of home deliveries that need to be made in retail operations. Strategies such as reducing routing distance using optimisation models have been the ...
Religious Coping and Gender Moderate Trajectories of Marital Love among Black Couples

An increasing body of work documents the roles of religion and spirituality in Black American marriages. We built on this research to examine religious coping as a potential cultural resource for Black marriages using a dyadic analytic approach with longitudinal data. Specifically, we investigated the effects of positive (i.e., sense of spiritual connectedness) and negative (i.e., spiritual tension or struggle) religious coping on trajectories of marital love reported by wives and husbands in 161 Black, married, mixed-gender couples, and we tested the potential moderating role of spouse gender. At baseline, spouses reported on their religious coping, and they rated their marital love at baseline and during two additional home interviews conducted annually. Data were analyzed using growth curve modeling within an Actor-Partner Interdependence Modeling framework. Husbands who reported more positive religious coping at baseline exhibited relatively high and stable marital love over time, whereas those who reported less positive religious coping reported less love at baseline and exhibited declines in love over time. Wives who reported less negative religious coping at baseline were higher in marital love initially but showed declines over time, whereas those who reported more negative religious coping at baseline were lower in marital love initially but showed increases in love over time. Results highlight the importance of further research on the role of religion and religious coping in Black couples' marital experiences and suggest differential roles of positive and negative religious coping for men's and women's marital love. Clinical and policy implications are discussed.
Cost-optimal wave-powered persistent oceanographic observation

Abstract Historically, energy constraints have limited the spatial range, endurance and capabilities of ocean observation systems. Recently developed wave energy conversion technologies have the potential to help overcome these limitations by providing co-located and persistent power generation for ocean observations, enabling new opportunities for ocean research. In this paper, we develop the first techno-economic model for wave-powered ocean observation systems and use the model to study system characteristics and cost drivers. Our model utilizes time-domain simulation and optimization to identify cost-optimal system characteristics and to estimate capital and operational costs. Using our model, we evaluate the use of wave energy to power a 200 W ocean observation system deployed for five years at five unique geographic locations. We found that, depending on the geographic location, cost-optimal wave energy powered systems require an ≈ 0.5–3 kW wave energy converter and an ≈ 15-50 kWh battery. The corresponding range of power system costs over the deployment duration is between $110,800 and $673,200. We build on these results by performing a sensitivity analysis of key model parameters and identifying the potential economic impact of future technology advancements. Overall, our results indicate that characteristics of the geographic location, power system durability, and electrical power demand are key drivers of power system economics for ocean observing.
Association Between Biologically Effective Dose and Local Control After Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Metastatic Sarcoma.

Purpose/objective(s) Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is increasingly utilized for treatment of patients with recurrent and metastatic tumors. Considering the relative radioresistance of some sarcoma histologies, SBRT may allow for higher biological effectiveness compared to conventional radiotherapy. We report local control outcomes after SBRT based on radiation dose and histology. Materials/methods From our IRB-approved single-institution registry, all patients treated with SBRT for metastatic sarcoma between 2014 and 2020 were identified. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate local control and overall survival at 1 year. Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazard model analyses were performed to determine association between SBRT dose, histology, and local control. Small round blue cell sarcomas were classified as more radiosensitive and others as radioresistant histologies. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated to determine optimal biologically effective dose (BED) using a/β of 3 Gy. Local control was compared by SBRT dose using the BED cut point and histology. Results Forty-two patients with a total of 138 lesions met inclusion criteria. Median follow up was 9.7 months (range 0.5-34.5). Patients were heavily pre-treated with systemic therapy. Median SBRT prescription was 30 Gy (range 15-60) in 4 fractions (range 1-5). Sixty-two lesions met criteria for radiosensitive histology while 75 lesions were considered radioresistant. Local control for all lesions was 66.7% (95% CI, 56.6-78.5) at 1 year and 50.2% (95% CI, 38.2-66.1) at 2 years. Stratifying by histology, 1-year local control was 65.3% for radiosensitive and 68.6% for radioresistant histologies (P = 0.49). The ROC cut point for BED was 95 Gy. Local control at 1-year was 75% for lesions receiving ≥ 95 Gy BED, and 46.2% for lesions receiving Conclusion For patients undergoing stereotactic body radiotherapy for metastatic sarcoma, local control was significantly improved when BED was ≥ 95 Gy for radiosensitive histologies, but was not significant for radioresistant histologies. Further investigation into the dose-response relationship is warranted to maximize the therapeutic index.
Morphology and cytochemistry of rat salivary gland acinar secretory granules and their alteration by isoproterenol

A variety of fixation and staining procedures have been utilized for electron microscopy of rat parotid gland tissue in untreated and isoproterenol-injected animals. Fixatives included aldehydes, osmium tetroxide, potassium dichromate, potassium permanganate, and mercuric chloride. Stains applied to thin sections included uranyl acetate, lead citrate, Luxol Fast Blue, and iron hematoxylin. Acid phosphatase was also localized in secretory granules and lysosomes. Control parotid acinar cell granules demonstrated a bizonal distribution of matrix density with most of these techniques. Matrix density was altered in granules reconstituted following isoproterenol, and the bizonal distribution of matrix components was lost. The evidence accumulated indicates that control granules contain a lipoidal material in the matrix which is usually distributed in a zonal pattern. This lipoidal material is lost or altered in composition in granules reconstituted after isoproterenol. A theoretical consideration of the formation of secretory granules is included as a possible clue to the source of granule matrix lipid.
Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Sertraline in Patients with Late-Life Depression and Comorbid Medical Illness

Objectives: To report on the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of sertraline in the treatment of elderly depres-sed patients with and without comorbid medical illness. Setting: Multicenter. Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Participants: A total of 752 patients aged 60 and older with diagnosis of major depressive disorder according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, diagnosis. Measurements: Outcome measures included the 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD); the Clinical Global Depression—Severity/Improvement (CGI-S/CGI-I); efficacy and safety/adverse event assessments; Quality of Life, Enjoyment, and Satisfaction Questionnaire; and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Status Survey. Results: In the overall sample, sertraline was superior to placebo on all three primary outcome measures, HAMD, and overall clinical severity and change (CGI-S/CGI-I). Furthermore, therapeutic response to sertraline was comparable in those with or without medical comorbidity, and there were no treatment-by–comorbidity group interactions. Sertraline was also associated with a faster time to response than placebo in the comorbid group (P<.006). Sertraline-treated patients in the comorbid group had similar adverse events and discontinuations when compared to those in the noncomorbid group. Conclusion: Sertraline was efficacious in reducing depressive symptomatology, regardless of the presence of comorbid medical illness. Sertraline was safe and well tolerated by patients with or without medical illness.
What Is Law? A Search for Legal Meaning and Good Judging Under a Textualist Lens

pontifications of Gadamer, Wittgenstein, and Schleiermacher. Furthermore, the insistent and vehement viewpoints defending one approach over another prompt a reader to ask how advocates of one approach or another can take themselves seriously. Textualism, for example, has some obvious practical weaknesses. Problems with a plain meaning rule seem so self-evident as to prompt the query: why bother, either with the rule, or with the critique? And yet the Justices do bother. They cite plain meaning with increasing frequency.8 They wield dictionaries at a laughable rate.9 The circus over the meaning of words forces a Court watcher to ask whether the question of meaning has become too complicated and modem day statutes too technical and detailed to trust that nine CARDozo L. REv. 1597 (1991). 6. See Richard J. Pierce, Jr., The Supreme Court's New Hypertextualism: An Invitation to Cacophony and Incoherence in the Administrative State, 95 COLuM. L. REv. 749 (1995); William D. Popkin, An "Internal" Critique of Justice Scalia's Theory of Statutory Interpretation, 76 MINN. L. REv. 1133 (1992); Muriel Morisey Spence, The Sleeping Giant: Textualism as Power Struggle, 67 S. CAL. L. REV. 585 (1994); George H. Taylor, Structural Textualism, 75 B.U. L. REv. 321 (1995). 7. For example, Judge Easterbrook of the Seventh Circuit is a textualist. For a summary of his views, see Frank H. Easterbrook, Text, History, and Structure in Statutory Interpretation, 17 HARV. J.L. P Smith v. United States, 508 U.S. 223 (1993) (Scalia, J., dissenting) (countering Justice O'Connor's use of dictionaries to define "use" with dictionaries of his own). 1997] 1135
A low complexity multiresolution approach to image compression using pruned nested tree-structured vector quantization

A novel algorithm is described for constructing a progressive, multiresolution compression code. The codec consists of nested levels of tree-structured vector quantizers (TSVQs) where the codebook for each level of the nested TSVQs is constructed from the terminal leaves of the TSVQ from the previous level. In order to generate a multiresolution output in a progressive manner, the codeword dimension at each level's TSVQ is greater than or equal to those of the previous levels. Pruning is performed on the nested TSVQs to achieve the bit allocation across the levels. The resulting pruned TSVQ provides a multiresolution output with low computational complexity at the decoder while simultaneously providing superior performance to ordinary pruned TSVQ at low bit rates. >
α1‐Adrenergic responsiveness in human skeletal muscle feed arteries: the impact of reducing extracellular pH

Graded exercise results not only in the modulation of adrenergic mediated smooth muscle tone and a preferential increase in blood flow to the active skeletal muscle termed 'functional sympatholysis', but is also paralleled by metabolically induced reductions in pH. We therefore sought to determine whether pH attenuates α(1)-adrenergic receptor sensitivity in human feed arteries. Feed arteries (560 ± 31 μm i.d.) were harvested from 24 humans (55 ± 4 years old) and studied using the isometric tension technique. Vessel function was assessed using KCl, phenylephrine (PE), ACh and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) concentration-response curves to characterize non-receptor-mediated and receptor-mediated vasocontraction, as well as endothelium-dependent and -independent vasorelaxation, respectively. All concentration-response curves were obtained from (originally contiguous) vessel rings in separate baths with a pH of 7.4, 7.1, 6.8 or 6.5. Reduction of the pH, via HCl, reduced maximal PE-induced vasocontraction (pH 7.4 = 85 ± 19, pH 7.1 = 57 ± 16, pH 6.8 = 34 ± 15 and pH 6.5 = 16 ± 5% KCl(max)), which was partly due to reduced smooth muscle function, as assessed by KCl (pH 7.4 = 88 ± 13, pH 7.1 = 67 ± 8, pH 6.8 = 67 ± 9 and pH 6.5 = 58 ± 8% KCl(max)). Graded acidosis had no effect on maximal vasorelaxation. In summary, these data reveal that reductions in extracellular pH attenuate α(1)-mediated vasocontraction, which is partly explained by reduced smooth muscle function, although vasorelaxation in response to ACh and SNP remained intact. These findings support the concept that local acidosis is likely to contribute to functional sympatholysis and exercise hyperaemia by opposing sympathetically mediated vasoconstriction while not impacting vasodilatation.
Enhanced urinalysis as a screening test for urinary tract infection.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common and important clinical problem in infants and young children. UTI is often suspected on the basis of results of microscopic urinalysis; accordingly, it is important that its results be as reproducible, accurate, and easily interpretable as possible. A positive urinalysis allows early detection and treatment of UTI, while a negative urinalysis can potentially eliminate the cost of expensive hospitalization for intravenous administration of antibiotics, the current standard treatment of UTI in young febrile children. In pediatric primary care facilities, microscopic urinalysis often is performed using centrifuged urine and reported as the number of white blood cells (WBCs) or bacteria per high-power microscopic field (hpf).
Spacetime supersymmetry in a nontrivial Neveu-Schwarz-Neveu-Schwarz superstring background

In this paper we consider superstring propagation in a nontrivial Neveu-Schwarz\char21{}Neveu-Schwarz background. We deform the world sheet stress tensor and supercurrent with an infinitesimal ${B}_{\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\nu}}$ field. We construct the gauge-covariant super-Poincar\'e generators in this background and show that the ${B}_{\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\nu}}$ field spontaneously breaks spacetime supersymmetry. We find that the gauge-covariant spacetime momenta cease to commute with each other and with the spacetime supercharges. We construct a set of ``magnetic'' super-Poincar\'e generators that are conserved for constant field strength ${H}_{\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\lambda}},$ and show that these generators obey a magnetic extension of the ordinary supersymmetry algebra.
Hepatitis C treatment of patients with bipolar disorder: a case series.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infection affects 10% to 15% of patients with bipolar disorder. Patients with HCV infection and comorbid psychiatric illness pose a tremendous clinical and therapeutic challenge. The cases presented in this report illustrate several critical issues facing clinicians who manage patients with comorbid HCV infection and bipolar disorder. Method: Five cases are described in which patients with DSM-IV bipolar disorder were treated with interferon-α–based therapies and ribavirin to induce viral clearance of HCV. In all cases, the patients were treated using an integrated model of care, and the treatment decision was a consensus between the treating hepatologists and psychiatrists. Results: In the first case, the patient had no significant neuropsychiatric adverse effects and had viral clearance. In 2 other cases, viral clearance of HCV was achieved through the delicate management of affective symptoms induced by interferon-α and ribavirin. Interferon-α and ribavirin treatment was halted due to mania and suicidal ideation in the 2 remaining cases. Conclusion: These cases suggest that patients with hepatitis C and bipolar disorder should be evaluated for HCV antiviral treatments, as these patients can receive and tolerate these treatments if assessed meticulously, observed carefully, and followed extensively during interferon-α and ribavirin treatment. This case series will hopefully spark a dialogue about when HCV antiviral treatment should be withheld or delayed in these difficult cases.
Tricky Business: A Decision-Making Framework for Legally Sound, Ethically Suspect Business Tactics

TRICK: “a crafty or underhanded device, maneuver, stratagem, or the like, intended to deceive or cheat.” Tricks are designed to outwit others in a cunning and skillful manner. Despite well-written, philosophically sound codes of ethics and core values, businesses are not above employing tricky tactics to suit their pecuniary interests. These strategies often involve the legal system as the outwitted ask courts to vindicate their rights. However, the most successful tricks are skillfully crafted to survive legal scrutiny. This article evaluates three tricky business tactics found lawful by United States Supreme Court during its most recent term. The story begins with a legal analysis designed to appraise how and why the justices upheld each tactic in near unanimous fashion. An ethical analysis then scrutinizes each tactic under the prominent ethical frameworks of Utilitarianism, Deontology and Virtue Ethics. The goal is to compare and contrast legal outcomes with the ethical consequences and draw important conclusions for law and business. Legally, each of the tricky tactics prevailed. Each was blessed by a series of courts, including the highest court in the land, and now abides under the strong protection of precedent. This article evaluates the cases as well as their legal and ethical implications in five parts. Part II introduces and synthesizes the three prominent ethical frameworks of Utilitarianism, Deontology and Virtue Ethics. These frameworks are typically used in evaluating business ethics scenarios but are also appropriate to also evaluate cases at the intersection of business, law and ethics. Part III evaluates the three tricky tactics from a legal standpoint by analyzing how these companies were able to outwit (or trick) the system. This sets up Part IV where each tactic is evaluated under the ethical frameworks and determined to be ethically suspect. Part V concludes with an argument that this inconsistency between law and ethics is not the fault of judges stuck with precedent that has not anticipated these tricky tactics. In fact, the American Bar Association’s Model Code of Judicial Conduct implies that judges should “uphold and apply the law” and not intersperse ethical frameworks into legal decision-making. Instead, the task of considering ethical implications is for legislators (and the citizens who elect them), lawyers, and (most importantly) business professionals who confront the business ethics dilemmas on a regular basis. These groups must consider the moral implications of their actions and do so more consistently. The old adage, “just because something is legal does not make it ethical” rang true in each of these cases. It is likely that the managers responsible for these three tricky practices would have (and should have) acted differently upon deeper ethical introspection. This article provides a framework to guide this more ethically focused decision-making process.
Analysis of imperative XML programs

The widespread adoption of XML has led to programming languages that support XML as a first class construct. In this paper, we present a method for analyzing and optimizing imperative XML processing programs. In particular, we present a program analysis, based on a flow-sensitive type system, for detecting both redundant computations and redundant traversals in XML processing programs. The analysis handles declarative queries over XML data and imperative loops that traverse XML values explicitly in a uniform framework. We describe two optimizations that take advantage of our analysis: one merges queries that traverse the same set of XML nodes, and the other replaces an XPath expression by a previously computed result. We show the effectiveness of our method by providing performance measurements on XMark benchmark queries and XLinq sample queries.
Thermal decomposition of gadolinium-doped silver carbonate

Abstract A thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) study of the decomposition kinetics of gadolinium-doped silver carbonate is reported. The TGA data were used to obtain the activation energy, pre-exponential factor, and order of reaction by the method of Ozawa. Powdered samples were found to obey a first-order rate law from 10 to 90% decomposition. Neither an induction nor an acceleratory period was observed. By decomposing pressed pellets the interface mechanism for the decomposition of Gd-doped silver carbonate was confirmed. Water vapor catalyzed the decomposition, and water incorporated in the crystal lattice during sample preparation may partly account for the high reactivity of Gd-doped silver carbonate. Values for the pre-exponential factor and the activation energy with and without water vapor revealed an apparent compensation effect. The activation energy, 21.4 kcal/mole, for decomposition of Gd-doped silver carbonate in the presence of water vapor agreed favorably with the heat of reaction, suggesting that the recombination of doped silver oxide and carbon dioxide requires little or no energy of activation. The model proposed by Barnes and Stone to describe the decomposition of active silver carbonate is related to the findings with Gd-doped silver carbonate.
Rapid Micro-Raman Imaging Using Fiber-Bundle Image Compression:

A new technique for rapid Raman imaging and chemical analysis of micro-composites and biomaterials, with potential applications in real-time robotic vision, automated manufacturing, and medical imaging, is described and demonstrated. The key feature of this new instrument is a fiber-optic bundle used to compress two-dimensional images onto a one-dimensional fiber stack, which serves as the entrance slit of an imaging optical spectrograph. Thus a complete Raman spectrum is simultaneously collected from every point within a sample in a single scan of a charge-coupled-device (CCD) detector. The method is demonstrated by using Raman imaging of a microscopic mixed-salt sample. Its efficiency relative to alternative Raman imaging methods is quantitatively evaluated, and potential applications in other spectral imaging measurements are discussed.
Facets of redistribution: research challenges and opportunities.

Within the past few years the world has passed 3 demographic milestones: 1) total world population passed the 4 billion mark after reaching 3 billion 15 years earlier and will probably reach 5 billion within 13 years; 2) most of the worlds cities and most of the worlds urban population now are in less developed countries; and 3) in more developed countries the smaller cities and rural areas are showing faster growth than cities and adjoining suburbs. In many nations a new emphasis on quality of life as opposed to strictly economic consideratio ns seems to be increasingly important in both the decision to move and in the choice of residence. All of these underscore the importance of m igration as a component of population change. On a worldwide basis the U.N. estimates that about 100 million persons moved from rural to urban areas. In the U.S. alone 33 million persons were living in a different country in 1975 than in 1970. By contrast during this time only 17 million births and 10 million deaths took place in the U.S. The close interrelations between migration and other demographic and social aspects of behavior need study in both developing and developed areas of the world. In fact migration may have played a key role already in homogenization of fertility values and behavior and in the future it may act as an agent of change as migrants from urban centers bring knowledge with them to the countryside. Migration has always been the stepchild of demography. The U.S. Census did not even ask questions on migration until 1940. Alternate sources of information have serious drawbacks. Understanding of the streams of movement of people is essential to understanding of the problems which will affect the future. An understanding of those who do not move as well as those who do is also essential. Improved sources of data are essential.
Policy Characteristics, Patterns of Politics, and the Minimum Wage: Toward a Typology of Redistributive Policies

The central hypothesis of all policy typologies is that distinctively different patterns of politics can be identified for different types of public policy issues. Lowi identified three different policy types, which he termed distributive, regulative, and redistributive, each of which triggers a distinctively different pattern of political behavior. Unfortunately, Lowi's categories were inductively derived and ambiguously defined, leading to disagreements over how to categorize particular policies. Hayes built on Lowi's seminal effort, deriving Lowi's three policy categories from two underlying dimensions and identifying additional categories Lowi's original formulation had missed. Using the minimum wage issue as an example, this article will identify a critical deficiency in both these typologies. While Hayes' typology defines the boundaries between policy categories more precisely than Lowi's, neither typology is equipped to deal with variations in political patterns occurring within a particular cell. As this article will show, the minimum wage issue, although consistently redistributive in Hayes' terms, has manifested three very different patterns of politics at different points in time. Accordingly, a typology of redistributive policies will be advanced to account for these variations in the redistributive politics of the minimum wage.
Ice cover influence on transverse bed slopes in a curved alluvial channel

Abstract Presented are the results of a study to determine the influences of level ice cover presence on bathymetry, particularly transverse bed slopes, of a curved alluvial-bed channel. The study, which is of significance for under-standing flow in ice-coverred rivers, entailed conduct of a laboratory experiment using a curved a flume and adaptation, to cover-flow conditions, of prior formulation of openwater bend flow. The formulation treats bend flows as a damped, forced oscillatory system for which changing channel alignment prescribes a forcing function, and transverse bed slope is a depent variable of fluctuating magnitude. It was found that cover presences alter flow distribution, mildly diminishes transverse bed slopes, but more significantly diminishes bedload transport of sediment. Increased roughness of cover underside, water temperature, additionally reduce transverse bed slopes.
Treatment of recurrent and advanced stage squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Despite advances in our ability to safely treat patients with recurrent cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract, outcomes for retreatment are generally poor and the first chance to cure these patients remains the best chance. Thorough knowledge of the outlook and options for patients with recurrent disease is also of significance in choosing therapy for patients with newly diagnosed disease. This is especially true for newly diagnosed patients making the choice between surgery and nonsurgical (“organ-sparing”) options, who need to know the outlook for salvage surgery, should they recur after radiation with or without concomitant chemotherapy. Salvage surgery is generally the best option for previously irradiated patients who are faced with resectable, recurrent disease. Unfortunately, the results of surgical salvage are generally poor for patients with advanced stage recurrence and for those who recur after treatment of advanced disease. The site of initial and recurrent disease is important. Surgical salvage is most effective for patients with recurrent laryngeal cancer, least effective for recurrent cancer of the pharynx, and is intermediate for recurrence in the oral cavity. Patients choosing nonsurgical treatment for newly diagnosed cancer of the pharynx cannot rely on salvage surgery in the event of recurrence. Reirraditation for patients who have failed initial treatment that included radiation therapy has been used at a number of institutions with some success. Experience using reirradiation with or without concomitant chemotherapy continues to evolve. Palliative chemotherapy is an option for most patients, but response rates are generally poor and of short duration, after failure of initial treatment that includes radiation therapy. The best approach for many patients and families who face advanced recurrent disease is honest but compassionate communication and supportive care with the help of a hospice organization.
International collaboration: initial steps and strategies.

The nurse practitioner (NP) movement, which began in the United States in 1965, has caused sweeping changes both in nursing and in health care delivery. The concept of NPs then spread to the United Kingdom (U.K.) and continues to move globally. The international development of NPs has been streamlined through collaborative efforts of the U.S. and the U.K. There have been striking similarities in the evolution of expanded practice roles in both countries. In 1993, NPs from the U.S. and the U.K. came together to support the first international NP conference and, in the process, developed a framework for global international collaboration. This article summarizes the collective knowledge and the strategies for success developed through this collaborative effort.
A multigrid algorithm for parallel computers: CPMG

In this article, we present a multigrid algorithm for parallel computers, the chopped parallel multigrid (CPMG) algorithm. The CPMG algorithm improves the processor utilization by reducing the work load on coarse grids without affecting the convergence rate of the algorithm. This is in contrast to earlier approaches (Gannon and van Rosendale, 1986; Frederickson and McBryan, 1989), where unutilized processors are used to improve the convergence rate. The CPMG algorithm reduces the coarse grid work bychopping the alternate cycles of multigrid. Using analytical results and simulations on sequential machines we show that the CPMG can achieve almost the same convergence rate as standard MG for many cases. Analytically we show that the advantage gained by CPMG over standard MG on a mesh connected massively parallel machine is 33% in hardware utilization, 50% in communication overheads and 38% in overall execution time. We have also evaluated the performance of CPMG on an actual massively parallel machine, the DAP-510. The advantage gained by CPMG over standard MG is 35% in overall execution time. Moreover, the CPMG can be integrated with other parallel multigrid algorithms, such as the PSMG algorithm (Frederickson and McBryan, 1989) and Decker's algorithm (Decker, 1990).
Control of the arteriolar myogenic response by transvascular fluid filtration

Mechanisms of the myogenic response have not been completely established. We hypothesized that transvascular fluid filtration from plasma across smooth muscle cells (SMC) and into the surrounding interstitium helps regulate arteriolar myogenic tone. Arteriolar diameters in the rat mesentery were monitored before and following vascular occlusion with a glass micropipette. Arteriolar occlusion not only gave an increase in hydrostatic pressure that initiated myogenic constriction upstream of the pipette, but also allowed measurement of fluid filtration rate by monitoring the movement of vascular red blood cells. A statistically significant correlation (P < 0.001) existed between basal myogenic tone and fluid filtration. Additionally, the myogenic response was attenuated by 47% +/- 7% (N = 10) when an osmotic solution of albumin or albumin plus Ficoll was infused into the bloodstream to decrease fluid filtration by 53% +/- 3%. Moreover, the same inhibition of myogenic tone was found in isolated, cannulated rat soleus muscle arterioles when filtration was osmotically attenuated by intravascular dextran. Taken together, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that shear stress on arteriolar smooth muscle, induced by transvascular fluid filtration, is a contributing factor that helps control myogenic tone.
Activity of a type 1 picornavirus internal ribosomal entry site is determined by sequences within the 3′ nontranslated region

We have proposed a cancer treatment modality based on poliovirus chimeras replicating under the translational control of an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) derived from human rhinovirus type 2. Insertion of the heterologous IRES causes a neuron-specific propagation deficit and eliminates neurovirulence inherent in poliovirus without affecting viral growth in cells derived from malignant gliomas. We now report the elucidation of a molecular mechanism responsible for the cell type-specific defect mediated by the rhinovirus IRES. Rhinovirus IRES function in neuronal cell types depends on specific structural elements within the 3′ non-translated region of the viral genome. Our observations suggest long-range interactions between the IRES and the 3′ terminus that control IRES-mediated gene expression and virus propagation.
1014 CHRONIC ACTIVE EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS (CAEBV) INFECTION AND IgE-MEDIATED ALLERGY

At least 70% of patients with CAEBV have symptomatic IgE-mediated allergic diseases (Ann Intern Med, 102:1, 1985). As the initial inquiry into the basis for this relationship, we used multivariant discrimination analyses to examine the 11 following variables in 46 EBV-seropositive allergic individuals, 11 of whom had CAEBV: anti-viral capsid antigen (VGA) and anti-early (EA) titers, serum IgE, percent in vitro lymphocyte response to 7 aeroallergens, mean stimulation indices to allergens, spontaneous H3TdR into resting lymphocytes, percentages of T and B cells, total IgE+ cells and IgE+ B and T cells. The results show a clear separation between CAEBV patients and the others with or without inclusion of the anti-EBV titers (p=.001). B and T cell numbers were not important in this separation. If only IgE levels and mean stimulation indices were compared, CAEBV patients and the most allergic others had high allergy related values. Three groups (mild and moderate allergy and CAEBV) could be generated, however, using all 11 variables (p=.0001). When these groups were compared, the CAEBV group had significantly higher values (p=.0315 to p=.0001) in all variables except T and B cells and IgE+ T and B cells. Correlation coefficients derived by comparing results of all variables in all patients indicated 2 sets of 5 and 6 independent variables which may represent biological trends. Thus, statistical differences between CAEBV patients and allergic controls using important test-independent variables of immune function suggest that IgE-mediated allergy may contribute to expression of CAEBV.
Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of Group 4 and 5 Metal Pyrazolato Chloride Complexes.

Treatment of titanium tetrachloride with 3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazole (2 equiv) and triethylamine (2 equiv) in toluene afforded dichlorobis(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato)titanium(IV) (93%). A similar reaction with 3 equiv of 3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazole and triethylamine gave chlorotris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato)titanium(IV) (91%). Trichloro(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato)titanium(IV) was prepared in 93% yield through reaction of titanium tetrachloride with 1-trimethylsilyl-3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazole (1 equiv) in toluene. Treatment of zirconium and hafnium tetrachlorides with 3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolatopotassium (4 equiv) in toluene afforded the homoleptic pyrazolato complexes tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato)zirconium(IV) (90%) and tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato)hafnium(IV) (68%). Analogous reaction of 3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolatopotassium (≥3 equiv) with niobium and tantalum pentachlorides gave dichlorotris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato)niobium(V) (98%) and dichlorotris(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato)tantalum...
Equilibrium and Dynamic Interfacial Tension Measurements at Microscopic Interfaces Using a Micropipet Technique. 2. Dynamics of Phospholipid Monolayer Formation and Equilibrium Tensions at the Water−Air Interface

Phospholipid monolayers at the water−air interface have been used extensively as models approximating one-half of the biological bilayer membrane and are of particular interest as stabilizers of microbubbles and emulsions. Interfacial tension is an important measure of adsorption and monolayer formation, but for macroscopic interfaces, equilibrium conditions have been difficult if not impossible to reach, especially over the wide range of temperatures necessary to study homologous series of lipids such as the phosphatidylcholines (C12−C18). By use of a new micropipet technique, however, clean, freshly prepared interfaces on the scale of microns can be rapidly and repeatably produced and exposed to monolayer-forming materials (such as phospholipids and surfactants), the equilibrium condition can be quickly achieved in minutes, and changes in the surface tension by introducing new solutions to the interface (and hence, adsorption dynamics) can be accurately measured and tracked. We have used this technique ...
Identification of a Second Active Site Residue in Escherichia coli L-Threonine Dehydrogenase: Methylation of Histidine-90 with Methyl p-Nitrobenzenesulfonate

Abstract Incubation of L-threonine dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli with methyl p-nitrobenzenesulfonate results in a time- and concentration-dependent loss of enzymatic activity. As the concentration of the methylating agent is increased, the rate of inactivation reaches a limiting value of 0.01 min−1 at pH 7.0 and 25°C, suggesting that the inhibitor is binding at a specific site prior to reaction. Approximately one methyl group is incorporated per enzyme subunit inactivated. Reaction with [14C]methyl p-nitrobenzenesulfonate followed by amino acid analysis shows that greater than 90% of the radioactivity incorporated into the enzyme is associated with a peak that coelutes with 3-methyl-N-histidine. Tryptic digestion of the inactive enzyme adduct yields a radioactive peptide corresponding to residues 85-97 of the protein; the radioactivity is associated with histidine residue-90. The Zn2+ content of the inactivated and the native enzyme remains the same. The substrate, L-threonine, and substrate analogs, L-threonine methyl ester and L-threonine amide, provide about 60% protection against inactivation, whereas NAD+ has no effect. In contrast, NADH markedly enhances the rate of inactivation by this methylating agent, suggesting a possible conformational change in the vicinity of His-90 is induced by binding of the coenzyme.
Multidisciplinary Team Approaches to the Investigation and Resolution of Child Abuse and Neglect: A National Survey:

Many benefits have been attributed to multidisciplinary team (MDT) approaches used in the investigation and resolution of child abuse and neglect. Yet more than a decade has passed since the nature and characteristics of MDTs have been examined. Findings presented in this article suggest that MDTs vary according to configuration, legislation, function, composition, and training. Current approaches are distinctive when compared with approaches found in previous national surveys. Specifically, the past 10 years have been characterized by the creation of a variety of MDT configurations, a dramatic expansion of legislation permitting or mandating MDT use, an increased diversity of MDT functions, a broader spectrum of discipline representation on MDTs, and an augmented use of training to implement and maintain MDTs. Results described here enable comparison with previous national surveys to shed light on the evolution of MDT system design and to suggest an agenda for future research.
Efficient implementation of bit-rate matching for LTE-A with sub-matrix transpose technique

This work proposes an efficient software implementation of circular buffer rate matching algorithm in Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A). Rate matching algorithm in LTE-A performs bit re-positioning to randomize the data bits. Due to data format mismatch, such algorithm is inefficient in commodity word-based microprocessors. This work implements the transposed matrix with one or a few square sub-matrices, and each sub-matrix is performed with perfect shuffling operations. Performance of the algorithm is evaluated on the Texas Instruments C6416 with CCS-5.0. According to the results, order of magnitude performance enhancement can be achieved.
Intra-individual Change in Personality Stability and Age.

Abstract The stability of individual differences in personality traits is typically examined at the group level with test–retest correlations across two assessments. For 684 subjects (age range 17–76) we computed individual coefficients from three sequential assessments to evaluate intra-individual (i.e., within-person) change in stability over time. For both trait and profile (ipsative) stability, results indicate that intra-individual stability increases up to age 30 and then plateaus. Neither demographic variables (sex, ethnicity, education, and secular trends), nor the standing on the five major dimensions of personality, were predictors of change in trait stability. Contrary to results from studies of adolescents, personality “maturity” was unrelated to personality stability in adulthood. These findings support the notion that personality stability plateaus early in adulthood.
Detection and regulation of rat thyroid MHC class II (RT1.D) transcripts.

We have reexamined 1B-6 cells, a cloned line of FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells in order to determine whether such cells demonstrate constitutive MHC class II gene expression. A new homologous cDNA probe for the RT1.D α-chain region was developed and proved significantly more sensitive at detecting specific mRNA levels in 1B-6 cells than a human class II α-chain specific probe used in previous studies. Recombinant rat γ-interferon induced MHC class II (RT1.D) antigen at concentrations as low as 1 U/ml (in the presence of bovine TSH), as detected by both α-chain specific mRNA transcripts and surface antigen expression. There was no evidence for constitutive expression of MHC class II transcripts in proliferating 1B-6 cells in the absence of γ-interferon, even when bovine TSH was present. These studies add further evidence to our hypothesis that MHC class II antigen expression in thyroid cells is secondary to external stimulating factors.
Addition of a spontaneous awakening trial improves outcome in mechanically ventilated medical ICU patients

Delayed discontinuation of mechanical ventilation is associated with increased mortality. The Sixth International Consensus Conference on Intensive Care Medicine recommends spontaneous breathing trials (SBT) as best practice for mechanical ventilation weaning. Daily spontaneous awakening trials (SAT) are also correlated with reduced ventilation duration and ICU length of stay. The aim of our study was to implement the SBT and SAT as best practices in the ICU and to assess the outcome of using the SAT and SBT combined.
Body water handling in response to hypertonic-saline induced diuresis in fasting northern elephant seal pups (Mirounga angustirostris)

During natural fasting conditions in postweaned northern elephant seal (NES) (Mirounga angustirostris) pups, urinary water loss is minimized and percent total body water (TBW) is maintained constant. However, following infusion of hypertonic saline, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urine output increased in fasting pups. Therefore, we quantified the magnitude of the hypernatremia-induced diuresis relative to the animal's total body water (TBW) pool and the percentage of filtered water reabsorbed. Following a 24 h control period, naturally fasting NES pups (n=7) were infused (4 ml min(-1)) with hypertonic saline (16.7%) at a dose of 3 mmol NaCl kg(-1) body mass. Total body water was estimated prior to infusion by tritium dilution, GFR was estimated by standard creatinine clearance, and urine output (V) was measured for 24 h during the control and post infusion periods. Percentage of filtered water reabsorbed was calculated as (1-(V/GFR))x100. Twenty-four hours following the infusion, GFR (control: 69+/-12 ml min(-1) and post-infusion: 118+/-19 ml min(-1); mean+/-S.E.) increased 77+/-28% above control and the percentage of filtered water reabsorbed was decreased 0.4+/-0.1%. The increase in urine output (control: 218+/-47 ml d(-1) and post-infusion: 883+/-92 ml d(-1)) accounted for 1.7+/-0.2% of the pups' TBW. The hypernatremia-induced diuresis was accompanied by the loss of body water indicating the lack of water retention. Although the 77% increase in GFR was only associated with a 0.4% decrease in the percentage of filtered water reabsorbed, this decrease was significant enough to result in a 4-fold increase in urine output. Despite the observed diuresis, fasting NES pups appear to possess an efficient water recycling mechanism requiring only a small percentage of body water to excrete an excess salt load. This water recycling mechanism may allow pups to avoid negative perturbations in body water as they initiate feeding in a marine environment following the fast.