cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Survey of Nephrologists Regarding Their Communication with Transplant Centers.

Background: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergo a transition of care between their primary nephrologist and the transplant center during evaluation for kidney transplantation. Due to medical complexity, high hospitalization rate, and involvement of multiple medical stakeholders, transitions of medical care among patients with ESRD are likely to be associated with suboptimal care and medical errors. Provider-to-provider communication improves outcomes among ESRD patients transitioning between dialysis and transplant. There is little data analyzing proper transition of care between the nephrologist and the transplant center (TC). Objective: Using survey methodology, we examined nephrologists’ current practice and experience regarding patient-related communication with the TC. Methods: From among 822 nephrologists who were following at least 20 ESRD patients, we randomly selected 252 nephrologists to participate in the study. The survey consisted of 102 multiple choice and Likert-style items probing perceptions about various aspects of transplant, including communication between TC and nephrologist. Responses from 216 participants who submitted complete responses were included in the final analysis. Results: Depending on the phase of transplant, nephrologist-TC communication varied between 50%– 81% of nephrologists. Factors associated with higher likelihood of nephrologist-TC communication included attending transplant-related educational activity, practicing in a group with more than 5 nephrologists, and having more than 50 patients on dialysis. The majority of nephrologists indicated satisfaction with access to an attending physician in the TC, receiving timely and adequate information from the TC about their patients. Factors associated with higher likelihood of nephrologist satisfaction regarding communication with the TC included attending national nephrology meetings, medical directorship of a dialysis unit, fellowship training at an institution with an on-site transplant program, and availability of more than 2 transplant centers within 50 miles. Conclusion: There is a lack of evidence-based guidelines for patient transfer of care between nephrologists and transplant centers during various phases of transplant referral, evaluation and post-transplant care. We found that the likelihood of the nephrologists’ communication with the transplant center and their satisfaction with the communication are related to their training, participation in continuing educational meetings, their practice location and size, and the overall composition of their patient population.
Comparison of microcapillary column length and inner diameter investigated with gradient analysis of lipids by ultrahigh‐pressure liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry

Biological samples in lipidomic studies can consist of extremely complex mixtures due to the diverse range of species and isomerism. Herein, highly efficient, in-house packed microcapillary columns introduce the potential to better separate these complex mixtures. We compared the effects of changing column length (15, 30, and 60 cm) and inner diameter (75 and 100 μm) on lipid separation efficiency by reversed-phase gradient analysis using ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry with operating pressures ranging from 450 to 2200 bar. Seven lipid standards composed of phosphatidylcholine and triacylglycerol species were analyzed at four different gradient rates to calculate conditional peak capacity. The longest column, 60 cm, at the shallowest gradient of 2% gave the highest peak capacity of 359 with a separation window of 2 h. The intermediate column length of 30 cm with 75 μm inner diameter provided a peak capacity of 287 with a separation window of 1 h. There was no significant difference in peak capacity between 75 and 100 μm inner diameter columns. This study showed that using highly efficient microcapillary columns increased peak capacity and resolution of lipids, and thus, this technique seems promising for enhancing lipid coverage and enabling better discovery of lipid biomarkers.
Multiresonant Nanolaminate Plasmonic Metamaterials with Spatial Mode Overlap

By supporting multiple hybridized surface plasmon resonances with spatial mode overlap, multiresonant nanolaminate plasmonic metamaterials can achieve broadband deep-subwavelength light concentration in the same nano-localized volume at multiple different wavelength ranges.
The Infrared Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) for TMT: the atmospheric dispersion corrector

We present a conceptual design for the atmospheric dispersion corrector (ADC) for TMT's Infrared Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS). The severe requirements of this ADC are reviewed, as are limitations to observing caused by uncorrectable atmospheric effects. The requirement of residual dispersion less than 1 milliarcsecond can be met with certain glass combinations. The design decisions are discussed and the performance of the design ADC is described. Alternative options and their performance tradeoffs are also presented.
The Association of Family Eating Behaviors With Children's Cognitive Functioning: A Cross-Sectional Study Among 3–6-Year-Old Mexican Children

Objectives Little is known about the association of family eating behaviors with young children's cognitive development, particularly among non-White populations. The objective of this study is to determine if healthier family eating behaviors are associated with young Mexican children's cognitive functioning.
Shrinkage with shrunken shoulders: Gibbs sampling shrinkage model posteriors with guaranteed convergence rates

Use of continuous shrinkage priors -- with a "spike" near zero and heavy-tails towards infinity -- is an increasingly popular approach to induce sparsity in parameter estimates. When the parameters are only weakly identified by the likelihood, however, the posterior may end up with tails as heavy as the prior, jeopardizing robustness of inference. A natural solution is to "shrink the shoulders" of a shrinkage prior by lightening up its tails beyond a reasonable parameter range, yielding a regularized version of the prior. We develop a regularization approach which, unlike previous proposals, preserves computationally attractive structures of original shrinkage priors. We study theoretical properties of the Gibbs sampler on resulting posterior distributions, with emphasis on convergence rates of the P{o}lya-Gamma Gibbs sampler for sparse logistic regression. Our analysis shows that the proposed regularization leads to geometric ergodicity under a broad range of global-local shrinkage priors. Essentially, the only requirement is for the prior $\pi_{\rm local}$ on the local scale $\lambda$ to satisfy $\pi_{\rm local}(0) 0$, as in the case of Bayesian bridge priors, we show the sampler to be uniformly ergodic.
Non-Randomized Trial of Dornase Alfa for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Secondary to Covid-19.

Background: The most severe cases of Coronavirus-Disease-2019 (COVID-19) develop into Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). It has been proposed that oxygenation may be inhibited by extracellular deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the form of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Dornase alfa (Pulmozyme, Genentech) is recombinant human deoxyribonuclease I that acts as a mucolytic by cleaving and degrading extracellular DNA. We performed a pilot study to evaluate the effects of dornase alfa in patients with ARDS secondary to COVID-19. Methods: We performed a pilot, non-randomized, case-controlled clinical trial of inhaled dornase for patients who developed ARDS secondary to COVID-19 pneumonia. Results: Improvement in arterial oxygen saturation to inhaled fraction of oxygen ratio (PaO2/FiO2) was noted in the treatment group compared to control at day 2 (95% CI, 2.96 to 95.66, P-value = 0.038), as well as in static lung compliance at days 3 through 5 (95% CI, 4.8 to 19.1 mL/cmH2O, 2.7 to 16.5 mL/cmH2O, and 5.3 to 19.2 mL/cmH2O, respectively). These effects were not sustained at 14 days. A reduction in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) myeloperoxidase-DNA (DNA : MPO) complexes (95% CI, -14.7 to -1.32, P-value = 0.01) was observed after therapy with dornase alfa. Conclusion: Treatment with dornase alfa was associated with improved oxygenation and decreased DNA : MPO complexes in BALF. The positive effects, however, were limited to the time of drug delivery. These data suggest that degradation of extracellular DNA associated with NETs or other structures by inhaled dornase alfa can be beneficial. We propose a more extensive clinical trial is warranted. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT04402970.
Effect of adrenocorticotropic hormone infusion on circulating sclerostin levels.

Glucocorticoid use is the most common cause of secondary osteoporosis. Poor skeletal health related to glucocorticoid use is thought to involve inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, a key pathway in osteoblastogenesis. Sclerostin, a peptide produced primarily by osteocytes, is an antagonist of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, raising the possibility that sclerostin is involved in glucocorticoids' adverse effects on bone. The aim of this study was to determine whether an acute infusion of cosyntropin (i.e., ACTH [1-24]), which increases endogenous cortisol, increases serum sclerostin levels as compared to a placebo infusion. This study was performed using blood samples obtained from a previously published, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, cross-over study among healthy men and women who received infusions of placebo or cosyntropin after being supine and fasted overnight (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02339506). A total of seventeen participants were analyzed. There was a strong correlation (R2 = 0.65, p < 0.0001) between the two baseline sclerostin measurements measured at the start of each visit, and men had a significantly higher average baseline sclerostin compared to women. As anticipated, cosyntropin significantly increased serum cortisol levels, whereas cortisol levels fell during placebo infusion, consistent with the diurnal variation in cortisol. There was no significant effect of cosyntropin as compared to placebo infusions on serum sclerostin over 6-24 hours (p = 0.10). In conclusion, this randomized, placebo-controlled study was unable to detect a significant effect of a cosyntropin infusion on serum sclerostin levels in healthy men and women.
Nanoparticle delivery of CDDO-Me remodels the tumor microenvironment and enhances vaccine therapy for melanoma

Lipid-calcium-phosphate nanoparticle (NP) delivery of Trp2 peptide vaccine is one of the most effective vaccine strategies against melanoma. However, due to the immunosuppressive microenvironment in the tumor, the achievement of potent immune responses remains a major challenge. NP delivery systems provide an opportunity to deliver chemotherapy agent to modulate the tumor microenvironment (TME) and improve the vaccine activity. Anti-inflammatory triterpenoid methyl-2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oate (CDDO-Me) is a broad spectrum inhibitor of several signaling pathways that are important in both cancer cells and cells in the TME. Intravenous delivery of CDDO-Me using poly-lactic-glycolic-acid NP combination with subcutaneous Trp2 vaccine resulted in an increase of antitumor efficacy and apoptotic tumor tissue than Trp2 vaccine alone in B16F10 melanoma. There was a significant decrease of both Treg cells and MDSCs and a concomitant increase in the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte infiltration in TEM of the vaccinated animals. Also, CDDO-Me remodeled the tumor associated fibroblasts, collagen and vessel in TME, meanwhile, enhanced the Fas signaling pathway which could sensitize the tumor cells for cytotoxic T lymphocyte mediated killing. The combination of systemic induction of antigen-specific immune response using Trp2 nanovaccine and targeted modification of the TME with the NP delivered CDDO-Me offers a powerful combination therapy for melanoma.
Study of the Acute Effects of Povidone-Iodine on Conjunctival Bacterial Flora.

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this laboratory study was to assess the effect of povidone–iodine (PI) use topically on the conjunctiva in regard to needle bore contamination and to compare these results with our previous findings from an evaluation of bacterial contamination following gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin administration. Methods: We performed 100 conjunctival 27-gauge needle penetrations of both eyes of 13 fresh cadavers. Eyes were then soaked in 10% PI, after which conjunctiva was again penetrated 100 times. After conjunctival penetration, the needles were irrigated, and the irrigant was assessed for bacterial growth. Results were compared with previous work assessing fluoroquinolone effectiveness through the same model. Results: We observed a 28% (P = 0.003) decrease in bacterial growth and 40% (P < 0.0001) decrease in colony counts after PI placement. Differences between the effect of PI versus moxifloxacin and gatifloxacin were not statistically significant. Conclusions: There is a greater ...
Sampling Edge Covers in 3-Regular Graphs

An edge cover C of an undirected graph is a set of edges such that every vertex has an adjacent edge in C. We show that a Glauber dynamics Markov chain for edge covers mixes rapidly for graphs with degrees at most three. Glauber dynamics have been studied extensively in the statistical physics community, with special emphasis on lattice graphs. Our results apply, for example, to the hexagonal lattice. Our proof of rapid mixing introduces a new cycle/path decomposition for the canonical flow argument.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of ketamine for the prevention of persistent post-surgical pain

While post-operative pain routinely resolves, persistent post-surgical pain (PPSP) is common in certain surgeries; it causes disability, lowers quality of life and has economic consequences. The objectives of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to evaluate the effectiveness of ketamine in reducing the prevalence and severity of PPSP and to assess safety associated with its use. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE and EMBASE through December 2012 for articles in any language. We included randomized, controlled trials in adults in which ketamine was administered perioperatively via any route. Seventeen studies, the majority of which administered ketamine intravenously, met all inclusion criteria. The overall risk of developing PPSP was not significantly reduced at any time point in the ketamine group vs. placebo, nor did comparisons of pain severity scores reach statistical significance. Sensitivity analysis of exclusively intravenous ketamine studies included in this meta-analysis demonstrated statistically significant reductions in risk of developing PPSP at 3 and 6 months (P = 0.01 and P = 0.04, respectively). Adverse event rates were similar between ketamine and placebo groups. The study data from our review are heterogeneous and demonstrate efficacy of intravenously administered ketamine only in comparison with placebo. Highly variable timing and dosing of ketamine in these studies suggest that no unifying effective regimen has emerged. Future research should focus on clinically relevant outcomes, should stratify patients with pre-existing pain and possible central sensitization and should enroll sufficiently large numbers to account for loss to follow-up in long-term studies.
ULTIMATE LOAD TESTS ON BRACED MULTI-STORY FRAMES.

Abstract : Four tests were conducted on three-story, two-bay fully welded frames fabricated from ASTM A36 steel. The frames were full size and were proportioned by the plastic design methods. Gravity, 'checkerboard' and lateral loads were applied to the frames up to failure. The frames were braced against sidesway by diagonal bracing. The tests were conducted to study the behavior and strength of braced multi-story steel frames and to evaluate plastic design methods for predicting frame behavior at maximum load. Theory is compared with experimental behavior in both the elastic and inelastic range. The experimental ultimate load reached or exceeded the maximum load predicted by plastic theory with an average discrepancy of 4%. The tests indicate that plastic design methods can be applied to braced multi-story frames. (Author)
Oral pulse prednisone therapy after relapse of severe autoimmune chronic active hepatitis: A prospective randomized treatment trial evaluating clinical, biochemical, and lymphocyte subset responses

To assess the efficacy of oral pulse prednisone therapy after relapse of severe autoimmune chronic active hepatitis and to determine the effects of such therapy on serum immunoglobulin G levels and peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets, 16 patients were randomized after relapse to therapy with prednisone 90 mg daily for 5 days each month or conventional daily dose therapy with prednisone in combination with azathioprine. Seven of the eight patients randomized to pulse therapy failed treatment after 1.9 ± 0.7 months (range, 24 days to 6 months). Treatment failure occurred more commonly (87 vs. 0%, p p
Investing in Commercial Real Estate for Individual Investors

Commercial real estate is seen as providing an attractive alternative to investing strictly in stocks and bonds. Even though commercial real estate values can be volatile their addition to an investor's portfolio of assets will reduce risk without necessarily compromising return. In fact, the advantages of personal control, financial leverage, tax shields, and an inflation hedge promise to increase the returns available to investors in commercial real estate. To be successful, commercial real estate investors must take consideration of the location, type of commercial real estate, and the stage of the local commercial real estate cycle. The greatest risk to investors of well-chosen commercial real estate is a lack of liquidity, but this problem can be minimized through the ability to successfully manage long-term compounding cash flows. The returns and risks to the commercial real estate investor are found to be sensitive to the organizational form in which the property is held. While the advantages and disadvantages of various organizational forms are considered, particular attention is paid to the limited liability company as being the vehicle of choice for most commercial real estate investors. Keywords: location; diversification; financial leverage; operating leverage; limited liability partnership; limited liability company
Enhancing the Performance of Direction Sensetive Filters for Multiple Failures

For improving reliability of control systems and from safety considerations, it is important to detect and identify faults in a control system. Faults occuring in a linear dynamic system can be modeled in several ways. This paper concentrates on additive type of failures. For detecting and identifying additive type of failures, Beard-Jones (BJ) filters can be used. These filters are observers designed in such a way that when a failure occurs, the error in the measured and estimated output grows in a particular direction in the output error space. The problem associated with this kind of filters is that the number of different failures it can identify is limited by the number of outputs. To overcome this problem, a bank of BJ filters along with likelihood ratio tests is porposed. Each filter in the bank will be designed for different groups of failures. The properties of these filters when coupled with likelihood ratio test give some intersting properties to the ratio test results.
Tailored, interactive text messages for enhancing weight loss among African American adults: the TRIMM randomized controlled trial.

Abstract Background Helping patients control obesity remains a clinical challenge for internists, and African Americans experience obesity rates higher than other racial/ethnic groups. Purpose To investigate whether a behavioral theory-based mobile health intervention would enhance weight loss when added to standard care among overweight/obese African American adults. Methods A randomized controlled trial of 124 adults recruited from Baltimore-area African American churches. Participant follow-up ended March 2013. Participants were randomized to standard care (included one-on-one counseling sessions with a dietitian and a physician) or standard care plus daily tailored text messages for 6 months. Text messages were delivered in phases: preparation, reinforcement of participant-selected diet and exercise goals, reflection, goal integration, weight loss methods, and maintenance. There were follow-up visits at 3, 6, and 12 months. Primary outcome was weight change from baseline to end-intervention at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included weight change at 3 months, engagement, and satisfaction with the intervention. Results Sixty-three participants were randomized to the mobile health intervention and 61 to standard-care control. Weights were collected in-window for 45 (36.3%) at 3 months and 51 (41.1%) at 6 months. Mean weight loss at 3 months was 2.5 kg greater in the intervention group compared with standard care (95% confidence interval [CI], −4.3 to −0.6; P P = .001) at 6 months. Degree of engagement with messages was correlated with weight loss. Conclusions While attrition was high, this study supports a tailored, interactive text-message intervention to enhance weight loss among obese African-American adults.
Structural Queries in Electronic Corpora

We present a methodology for automatically constructing structural hyperlinks in electronic technical corpora. A structural hyperlink connects components of a document that have specified structural properties with word-based content similarity. Our approach enables queries that may be posed in terms of keywords, as well as structural segments such as definitions, figures, etc.
Quantum resonances in physical tunneling

It has recently been emphasized that the probability of quantum tunneling is a critical function of the shape of the potential. Applying this observation to physical systems, we point out that in principal information on potential surfaces can be obtained by studying tunneling rates. This is especially true in cases where only spectral data is known, since many potentials yield the same spectrum. 13 refs., 10 figs., 1 tab.
Cutting Edge: Expression of FcγRIIB Tempers Memory CD8 T Cell Function In Vivo

During reinfection, high-affinity IgG Abs form complexes with both soluble Ag and Ag displayed on the surface of infected cells. These interactions regulate cellular activation of both innate cells and B cells, which express specific combinations of activating FcγRs (FcγRI, FcγRIII, FcγRIV) and/or the inhibitory FcγR (FcγRIIB). Direct proof for functional expression of FcγR by Ag-specific CD8 T cells is lacking. In this article, we show that the majority of memory CD8 T cells generated by bacterial or viral infection express only FcγRIIB, and that FcγRIIB could be detected on previously activated human CD8 T cells. Of note, FcγR stimulation during in vivo Ag challenge not only inhibited the cytotoxicity of memory CD8 T cells against peptide-loaded or virus-infected targets, but FcγRIIB blockade during homologous virus challenge enhanced the secondary CD8 T cell response. Thus, memory CD8 T cells intrinsically express a functional FcγRIIB, permitting Ag–Ab complexes to regulate secondary CD8 T cell responses.
Some effects of continuous low-dose congenital exposure to methylmercury on organ growth in the rat fetus†

Congenital low-dose exposure of rat fetuses to methylmercury produced smaller offspring without anatomical abnormalities. The present study explored the mechanisms of the smallness of fetuses. The pregnant rats were given methylmercury water (25 ppm) from day 1 of pregnancy continuously until day 20 of gestation. There was a negative correlation of fetal weight and maternal and fetal mercury burden. The whole organ DNA and protein content of the livers and kidneys in the experiments were significantly lower than the control (P less than 0.05) indicating that there were fewer cells per organ in the mercury exposed fetuses. When the data were compared on a per gram of tissue basis, there was no significanct difference, indicating that the number and size of the cells of each were not diminished. The incorporation of 3H-thymidine into fetal tissue DNA was also substantially lower in the experimental group indicating decreased proliferative activity. We conclude from this study that, at least for some major organs, the decreased size in the mercury exposed fetuses is due to fewer cells in the organs due to decreased proliferative activity.
Fine structure of the ‘gland cells’ of the red alga, Opuntiella californica (Solieriaceae, Gigartinales)

Abstract Ultrastructural and histochemical studies of the enlarged, refractive ‘glandular’ cells of Opuntiella californica were undertaken to provide structural evidence for their function. Most of the cell volume is occupied by a large vacuole containing a homogeneous, electron dense, proteinaceous material. The vacuole develops by the swelling and coalescence of smooth-surfaced cisternae. Incomplete coalescence of the cisternae frequently results in the formation of numerous cytoplasmic channels which penetrate the vacuole. The channels characteristically contain a crystalline array of cytoplasmic tubules (29 nm total diameter). Well developed chloroplasts are present in the peripheral cytoplasm, but dictyosomes are absent. In contrast to the vegetative outer cortical cells, the gland cells are multinucleate. Because neither vacuolar breakdown nor organelles for extracellular secretion were observed in mature cells, the ‘gland’ cells of Opuntiella appear to be specialized for storage rather than secretion.
Oxidation of contaminative methane traces with radio-frequency discharge

An 11.8 MHz glow discharge was used to oxidize trace levels of methane in oxygen. The concentration of methane can be reduced by three orders of magnitude. The effects of power (0-400 W), flow rate (10-1000 cc-STP/min) and concentration (70-8000 ppm) were investigated at pressures ranging from 50 torr to almost 1 atm. No organic reaction products were detected in the treated gas stream. The process may prove useful for the removal of atmospheric trace contaminants at ambient pressure.
Transcriptional disruption by the L1 retrotransposon and implications for mammalian transcriptomes

LINE-1 (L1) elements are the most abundant autonomous retrotransposons in the human genome, accounting for about 17% of human DNA. The L1 retrotransposon encodes two proteins, open reading frame (ORF)1 and the ORF2 endonuclease/reverse transcriptase. L1 RNA and ORF2 protein are difficult to detect in mammalian cells, even in the context of overexpression systems. Here we show that inserting L1 sequences on a transcript significantly decreases RNA expression and therefore protein expression. This decreased RNA concentration does not result from major effects on the transcription initiation rate or RNA stability. Rather, the poor L1 expression is primarily due to inadequate transcriptional elongation. Because L1 is an abundant and broadly distributed mobile element, the inhibition of transcriptional elongation by L1 might profoundly affect expression of endogenous human genes. We propose a model in which L1 affects gene expression genome-wide by acting as a 'molecular rheostat' of target genes. Bioinformatic data are consistent with the hypothesis that L1 can serve as an evolutionary fine-tuner of the human transcriptome.
An automated external defibrillator in the home did not reduce mortality in patients at risk for cardiac arrest.

Source Citation Bardy GH, Lee KL, Mark DB, et al. Home use of automated external defibrillators for sudden cardiac arrest. N Engl J Med. 2008;358:1793-804. 18381485
Traces, lengths, and simplicity for loops on surfaces

Abstract This paper gives a condition that loop on a hyperbolic surface be homotopic to a power of a simple loop in terms of the trace of the corresponding isometry of the universal cover of the surface. This yields an algorithm for testing simplicity of loops as well as providing a universal lower bound for the lengths of loops which are not homotopic to powers of simple loops.
From Biltmore Estate to Biltmore Winery

Biltmore Winery is the most visited winery in the United States. Interestingly, the Biltmore Winery is located in Asheville, NC, a state that has not been considered a major wine area, as compared with northern California wineries, for example. More than one million people visit the estate annually and about 60% of estate visitors visit the Biltmore Winery. The goal of this study is to explore why the Biltmore Winery has been successful and how the winery has developed its competitive branding strategy. The results of the study provide insightful managerial implications for local wineries.
Susceptibility to lipid peroxidation and accumulation of fluorescent products with age if greater in T-cells than B-cells

Abstract The age-related loss of immune function, which is primarily due to loss of T-lymphocyte function, is also associated with accumulation in spleen lymphocytes of autofluorescenct products indicative of peroxidation damage. In this study, we examined T-cell membranes for age-related changes which could be related to lipid peroxidation. Using fluorescence spectroscopy of CHCl 3 :CH 3 OH membrane extracts, we observed that old T-cells have a 2-fold greater accumulation of fluorescent products than old B-cells and that young T-cell, when exposed to free radicals in an in vitro system, accumulate significantly more fluorescent products over time than young B-cells. We used fluorescence polarization to show that young T-cell membranes are more fluid than young B-cell membrane. However, T-cell membrane fluidity decreases with age, whereas B-cell membrane fluidity does not change; in old mice, T-cell membranes are significantly less fluid than old B-cell membranes. Using two-dimensional electrophoresis, we showed that membrane extracts of old T-cells contain amny more proteins than extracts of young T-cells. Our results indicate the age-related changes occur in T-cell membranes which could be due to their increased susceptibility to lipid peroxidation and these changes may contribute to the age-related decline in immune function.
The thermodynamics of tetrataenite and awaruite: A review of the Fe-Ni phase diagram

There are two well-known ordered ferromagnetic intermetallic compounds in the iron-nickel system: tetrataenite, FeNi, and awaruite, FeNi3. Their thermodynamic properties are established from the various stable and metastable equilibria in which they are involved, and a review to make this data accessible is appropriate. The Fe-Ni phase diagram shows a paramagnetic face-centered cubic phase (gamma) with well-measured properties over the entire composition range from 1184 to 1662 K. Its properties can be extrapolated to lower temperatures, and known stable and metastable equilibria are used to establish models for the thermodynamic properties of the ferromagnetic alpha phase, a high-temperature paramagnetic alpha phase, a paramagnetic gamma-ordered Fe3Ni phase, the ferromagnetic disordered gamma phase, and both ordered ferromagnetic gamma phases, tetrataenite, FeNi, and awaruite, FeNi3. The overestimate of Chuang et al. for the entropy of ordering in awaruite is corrected. The standard enthalpies at 298.15 K of tetrataenite (0.5 FeNi) and awaruite (0.25 FeNi3) are −1170 and −3560±1000 J mol−1. The corresponding standard entropy values are 35.7 and 33.3±3 J mol−1 K−1. All the second-order transitions are accurately modeled and the full phase diagram is calculated. The spinodal regions and metastable equilibria responsible for the complex behavior on cooling of alloys with mole fractions of nickel between 0.26 and 0.40 are described in detail.
SIMPLE ALGORITHMS FOR PERFECT PHYLOGENY AND TRIANGULATING COLORED GRAPHS

This paper presents an O((r–n/m)mrnm) algorithm for determining whether a set of n species has a perfect phylogeny, where m is the number of characters used to describe a species and r is the maximum number of states that a character can be in. The perfect phylogeny algorithm leads to an O((2e/k)ke2k) algorithm for triangulating a k-colored graph having e edges.
Giant solar flares in Antarctic ice

A new hypothesis proposes an explanation for the presence of four prominent spikes in a long time record of the NO3(-) concentration inside the Antarctic ice. This solar flare hypothesis suggests that the ionizing radiation necessary in the spike formation could have come from extremely powerful solar flares. It is proposed that these flares would have occurred during the times of the largest maxima in the solar cycle. The solar flare hypothesis is compared with the supernova hypothesis.
Quasi-destructive graph unification with structure-sharing

Graph unification remains the most expensive part of unification-based grammar parsing. We focus on one speed-up element in the design of unification algorithms: avoidance of copying of unmodified subgraphs. We propose a method of attaining such a design through a method of structure-sharing which avoids log(d) overheads often associated with structure-sharing of graphs without any use of costly dependency pointers. The proposed scheme eliminates redundant copying while maintaining the quasi-destructive scheme's ability to avoid over copying and early copying combined with its ability to handle cyclic structures without algorithmic additions.
Plasma-surface interactions of hydrogenated carbon

We present a review of our study of interactions of plasma particles (atoms, molecules) with hydrogenated amorphous carbon surfaces typical of plasma-facing divertor tiles and deposited layers in magnetic-fusion reactors. Our computer simulations of these processes are based on classical molecular dynamics simulations, using the best currently available multibody bond-order hydrocarbon potentials. Our research in this field has been focused on the chemical sputtering of carbon surfaces at low impact energies, the most complex of the plasma-surface interactions (PSI). Close collaboration with beam-surface and plasma-surface experiments provides not only theoretical support for the experiments, but also builds suitable benchmarks for our methods and codes, enabling production of theoretical plasma-surface data with increased reliability.
Three-Dimensional Hückel Theory for closo-Carboranes.

We have recently developed a 3-dimensional Huckel method for cluster compounds. The method uses a set of approximations for Coulomb, resonance, and overlap integrals very similar to those employed in the familiar 2-dimensional Huckel theory for the pi electrons of planar conjugated hydrocarbons. The method can be adapted to heteroatomic clusters by introducing heteroatomic Coulomb integrals, alpha(Y) = alpha(X) + hbeta, whereh is a parameter for heteroatom Y. In this paper, we use the 3-dimensional Huckel method to study the properties of the closo-carboranes, C(2)B(n)()(-)(2)H(n)(). We calibrate the method by choosing a value of the heteroatomic parameter h that distinguishes positional isomers by energy and gives them relative energies in rough agreement with those established by observation and ab initio calculations. We obtain modest improvement in matching ab initio relative energies of isomers by means of a three-parameter, first-order perturbation treatment. We use the calibrated method to evaluate various mechanisms proposed for the isomerizations of C(2)B(4)H(6), C(2)B(5)H(7), and C(2)B(6)H(8), all of which have been observed to undergo intramolecular isomerizations. Rearrangements of C(2)B(6)H(8) have been satisfactorily explained by a single-DSD (diamond-square-diamond) process. Those for C(2)B(5)H(7) require at least two DSD processes, concerted, consecutive, or overlapping. Several different mechanisms have been proposed for the rearrangement of C(2)B(4)H(6). In evaluating intermediate and transition state structures, the 3-dimensional Huckel method gives higher energies to those structures with a larger number of nontriangular faces, a plausible conclusion except that occasionally it is wrong. In comparison with ab initio results, the 3-dimensional Huckel method fails to give low energies for classical structures.
High-performance EHA controls using an interior permanent magnet motor

A controller for a high-performance electrohydrostatic actuator (EHA) using an interior permanent magnet (IPM) synchronous motor to produce servo motion is described. The buried-magnet design of the IPM motor yields desired characteristics such as high efficiency, robust rotor construction, and wide operating speed range. Power converter size is minimized by using insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) power switches combined with high-voltage integrated circuit (HVIC) gate drivers in phase-leg power modules. Experimental results for the demonstrator motor-controller hardware rated at 12 hp (continuous) are presented confirming the IPM motor drive's performance. >
Energetic mono and dibasic 5-dinitromethyltetrazolates: synthesis, properties, and particle processing

Energetic mono and dianionic 5-dinitromethyltetrazolate salts, prepared by combining stoichiometric amounts (1 : 1 or 1 : 2 mol ratio) of 5-dinitromethyltetrazole and various azoles and amines, exhibit thermodynamic properties as well as detonation velocities and pressures that make them competitive with some common energetic materials. Aminoguanidinium 5-dinitromethyltetrazolate, 2, exhibited different particle shapes when crystallized from solutions of varying concentrations. Di(aminoguanidinium) 5-dinitromethyltetrazolate, 3, when treated with a solvent-diffusion process, gave nanoparticles with a branched net structure. Salts 7 and cocrystallized 10 were investigated using single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.
Pregnancy among obstetricians: a comparison of births before, during, and after residency.

Questionnaires were sent to 1025 female board-certified obstetricians, and information was retrieved about pregnancy outcome. A total of 454 pregnancies, one third of which occurred during residency, were evaluated, and the relationship between pregnancy outcome and residency was assessed. Children of primiparous women who were delivered during or after residency had significantly lower mean birth weights than those who were delivered before residency (p
Evaluation of MP tape packing homogeneity through depth-probing

The particle packing of MP tape media is explored by means of a new measurement technique. Utilizing a narrow gap length record head, the tape is evaluated throughout its thickness with the use of an incremental DC erase measurement. A quantitative analysis of the medium noise spectra at different erase currents allows for the packing fluctuations at different depths into the tape to be proportioned. The technique provides a method for evaluating the interface between the magnetic recording layer and non-magnetic underlayer in dual-layer tape, and measurements indicate that interfacial roughness at the magnetic coating backside in some dual-layer media is a major source of medium noise.
Acoustic near field and local flow properties associated with broadband shock noise

Shock noise associated with unheated supersonic jets were investigated using a near field microphone array and a single sensor wedge shaped hot-film probe. Both over and underexpanded cases were investigated using Mach 1.5 and 2.0 convergent-divergent nozzles. Correlation measurements through each shock cell of a single underexpanded case with the Mach 1.5 nozzle were obtained between the hot-film probe and microphone array. The results show for the Mach number cases selected that the probe's response is primarily sensitive to velocity. The results of the hot-film near field microphone correlations show general agreement with certain theoretical models as to the location for shock noise production, although they demonstrate the existence of some large perhaps turbulent structure that collectively interacts and phases the motion of the downstream shocks. The near field microphone correlations demonstrate that downstream shocks dominate shock noise production, and suggests the existence of a Doppler effect in near field of the sources. In addition broadband shock noise is found to also propagate at small angles to the jet axis.
Silverleaf Whitefly Induces Salicylic Acid Defenses and Suppresses Effectual Jasmonic Acid Defenses

The basal defenses important in curtailing the development of the phloem-feeding silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci type B; SLWF) on Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) were investigated. Sentinel defense gene RNAs were monitored in SLWF-infested and control plants. Salicylic acid (SA)-responsive gene transcripts accumulated locally (PR1, BGL2, PR5, SID2, EDS5, PAD4) and systemically (PR1, BGL2, PR5) during SLWF nymph feeding. In contrast, jasmonic acid (JA)- and ethylene-dependent RNAs (PDF1.2, VSP1, HEL, THI2.1, FAD3, ERS1, ERF1) were repressed or not modulated in SLWF-infested leaves. To test for a role of SA and JA pathways in basal defense, SLWF development on mutant and transgenic lines that constitutively activate or impair defense pathways was determined. By monitoring the percentage of SLWF nymphs in each instar, we show that mutants that activate SA defenses (cim10) or impair JA defenses (coi1) accelerated SLWF nymphal development. Reciprocally, mutants that activate JA defenses (cev1) or impair SA defenses (npr1, NahG) slowed SLWF nymphal development. Furthermore, when npr1 plants, which do not activate downstream SA defenses, were treated with methyl jasmonate, a dramatic delay in nymph development was observed. Collectively, these results showed that SLWF-repressed, JA-regulated defenses were associated with basal defense to the SLWF.
Simulation of carbon pathways in the planktonic ecosystem off Peru during the 1997–1998 El Niño and La Niña

[1] A numerical model is used to quantify the pathways of carbon flow through the planktonic ecosystem from 1996 through 1998 at 9.5°S off the coast of Peru. The objective was to evaluate the response of the planktonic ecosystem to the forcing associated with normal conditions in 1996, the 1997–1998 El Nino, and the La Nina which began in June of 1998. During El Nino, the depth of the upper layer increased, temperature increased, and the nitrate concentration in the source water for upwelling was reduced. La Nina forcing was the opposite. The simulated phytoplankton biomass, carbon uptake, vertical export, and food available for higher trophic levels were reduced during the El Nino period compared to normal conditions. Phytoplankton biomass and uptake were slightly less during La Nina than in 1996, though carbon export and advective loss were significantly enhanced. A series of numerical experiments were run to determine whether the upwelling rate, source water characteristics, depth of the upper layer, or phytoplankton size composition of the source water was the primary forcing factor for the planktonic community. Although all factors contributed to the magnitude of the simulated response, the primary determinant for El Nino conditions was the concentration of new nitrogen in the upwelling source water, followed by depth of the upper layer and upwelling rate. The depth of the upper layer was the dominant forcing term for La Nina, followed by upwelling rate and temperature of the source water.
Biosynthesis and function of tRNA modifications in Archaea

tRNA modifications are important for decoding, translation accuracy, and structural integrity of tRNAs. Archaeal tRNAs contain at least 47 different tRNA modifications, some of them, including archaeosine, agmatidine, and mimG, are specific to the archaeal domain. The biosynthetic pathways for these complex signature modifications have recently been elucidated and are extensively described in this review. Archaeal organisms still lag Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in terms of genetic characterization and in vivo function of tRNA modifications. However, recent advances in the model Haloferax volcanii, described here, should allow closing this gap soon. Consequently, an update on experimental characterizations of archaeal tRNA modification genes and proteins is given to set the stage for future work in this field.
Genetic aspects of early childhood stuttering.

Although stuttering has long been acknowledged as a familial disorder, the nature of a genetic component remains unclear. Most previous data used in genetic studies were obtained primarily from adu...
Why older community-dwelling adults do not discuss urinary incontinence with their primary care physicians.

OBJECTIVES: This study explored reasons why older adults with urinary incontinence (UI) do not initiate discussions with or seek treatment for Ul from their primary care provider. DESIGN: A randomized, prospective controlled trial involving 41 primary care sites. SETTING: Primary care practice sites. PARTICIPANTS: 49 older adults age 60 and older not previously screened for UI by their primary care doctor. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic data, self-reported bladder-control information using questionnaires, and health status. RESULTS: Adults who did not discuss UI were older, had less-frequent leaking accidents and fewer nighttime voids and were less bothered by UI than those who did. The two main reasons why patients did not seek help were the perceptions that UI was not a big problem (45%) and was a normal part of aging (19%). CONCLUSIONS: Embarrassment or lack of awareness of treatment options were not significant barriers to discussing UI. Adults with a fairly high frequency of UI (average of 1.7 episodes per day) did not view UI as abnormal or a serious medical condition.
Processing and Maturation of Flavocytochromeb 558 Include Incorporation of Heme as a Prerequisite for Heterodimer Assembly

The phagocyte NADPH-dependent oxidase generates superoxide by reducing molecular oxygen through a transmembrane heterodimer known as flavocytochrome b(558) (flavocytochrome b). We investigated the biosynthesis of flavocytochrome b subunits gp91(phox) and p22(phox) to elucidate features of flavocytochrome b processing in myeloid cells. Although the gp91(phox) precursor, gp65, was processed to gp91(phox) within 4-8 h of chase, unassembled gp65 and p22(phox) monomers were degraded by the cytosolic proteasome. gp65 associated with p22(phox) post-translationally, within 1-4 h of chase, but prior to its modification in the Golgi complex. Moreover, p22(phox) coprecipitated with unglycosylated gp91(phox) primary translation product made in the presence of tunicamycin, suggesting that heterodimer formation does not require glycosylation. Blocking heme synthesis with succinyl acetone completely inhibited heterodimer formation, although biogenesis of gp65 and p22(phox) was unaffected. In succinyl acetone-treated cells, p22(phox) and gp65 were degraded completely by 8 h of chase, a process mediated by the cytosolic proteasome. Taken together, these data suggest that the formation of the gp65-p22(phox) heterodimer is relatively inefficient and that acquisition of heme by gp65 precedes and is required for its association with p22(phox), a process that requires neither the addition of N-linked oligosaccharides nor modification in the Golgi complex.