cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract OT2-10-01: Treatment burden and capacity to manage care among patients with breast cancer

Patients with breast cancer spend significant time1, effort, and financial resources2 to combat the disease for years after their diagnosis. The large volume of healthcare tasks can cause patients to become overburdened, leading to reduced adherence with care plans and worse outcomes3. On the other hand, certain patient characteristics such as physical resilience, financial well-being, and supportive family environments increase patients9 capacity to manage care4. Assessing treatment burden and capacity when prescribing care has been applied to populations such as diabetes patients5. We are investigating this paradigm in treatment of patients with breast cancer. The goal of this preliminary study is to identify significant factors that contribute to treatment burden, capacity to manage care, and outcomes of overburden for patients with breast cancer. Through literature review, interviews with survivors, and expert panels of navigators and providers, we will develop a survey instrument given to patients at the time of diagnosis. The survey will assess patient capacity and help providers give treatment options based on attributes of the patient. Additionally, we will attempt to correlate survey results with treatment burden measures derived from electronic health record data at a population level1. With treatment personalized for patient capacity, patients should be better able to adhere to care plans leading to improved quality of life during treatment and beyond. Acknowledgements: The authors would like to thank Cheryl Jernigan, our patient advocate mentor, for her guidance in this project. We would also like to thank the Susan G. Komen Foundation for their support of this research. References: 1. Cheng, A. C. & Levy, M. A. Data Driven Approach to Burden of Treatment Measurement: A Study of Patients with Breast Cancer. AMIA Annu. Symp. proceedings. AMIA Symp.2016, 1756–1763 (2016). 2. Zafar, S. Y. et al. The financial toxicity of cancer treatment: a pilot study assessing out-of-pocket expenses and the insured cancer patient9s experience. Oncologist.18, 381–90 (2013). 3. Mair, F. S. & May, C. R. Thinking about the burden of treatment. BMJ.349, g6680–g6680 (2014). 4. Boehmer, K. R., Shippee, N. D., Beebe, T. J. & Montori, V. M. Pursuing Minimally Disruptive Medicine: Correlation of patient capacity with disruption from illness and healthcare-related demands. J. Clin. Epidemiol. (2016). 5. Ishii, H. et al. Reproducibility and Validity of a Questionnaire Measuring Treatment Burden on Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Diabetic Treatment Burden Questionnaire (DTBQ). Diabetes Ther.9, 1001–1019 (2018). Citation Format: Cheng A, Levy M. Treatment burden and capacity to manage care among patients with breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT2-10-01.
California Poverty Without Los Angeles

This study examines and projects demographic poverty within the state of California without the overpowering statistical dominance of the Los Angeles metropolitan region. The selected population segments include All Persons, Asians & Pacific Islanders, Blacks, Hispanics and Whites. One goal is to provide a portrait of net poverty within the state of California. By the end of the coming decade, poverty is projected to increase 25% to almost 3.8 million persons. This increase is due primarily to the explosive rise among Hispanics. A second goal is to demonstrate a methodology that may be easily applied to other sub-national locales, jurisdictional levels and time frames. The methodology permits computations of annual poverty estimates in the absence of official statistics.
Decentralized Equalization With Feedforward Architectures for Massive MU-MIMO

Linear data-detection algorithms that build on zero forcing (ZF) or linear minimum mean-square error (L-MMSE) equalization achieve near-optimal spectral efficiency in massive multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) systems. Such algorithms, however, typically rely on centralized processing at the base station (BS) which results in 1) excessive interconnect and chip input/output (I/O) data rates and 2) high computational complexity. Decentralized baseband processing (DBP) partitions the BS antenna array into independent clusters that are associated with separate radio-frequency circuits and computing fabrics in order to overcome the limitations of centralized processing. In this paper, we investigate decentralized equalization with feedforward architectures that minimize the latency bottlenecks of existing DBP solutions. We propose two distinct architectures with different interconnect and I/O bandwidth requirements that fuse the local equalization results of each cluster in a feedforward network. For both architectures, we consider maximum ratio combining, ZF, L-MMSE, and a nonlinear equalization algorithm that relies on approximate message passing. For these algorithms and architectures, we analyze the associated post-equalization signal-to-noise-and-interference-ratio. We provide reference implementation results on a multigraphics processing unit system which demonstrate that decentralized equalization with feedforward architectures enables throughputs in the Gb/s regime and incurs no or only a small performance loss compared to centralized solutions.
Functionally overlapping variants control TB susceptibility in Collaborative Cross mice

Host genetics plays an important role in determining the outcome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. We previously found that Collaborative Cross mouse strains differ in their susceptibility to Mtb, and that the CC042/GeniUnc (CC042) strain suffered from a rapidly progressive disease and failed to produce the protective cytokine, IFN{gamma}, in the lung. Here, we used parallel genetic and immunological approaches to investigate the basis of CC042 susceptibility. Using a population derived from a CC001/Unc (CC001) x CC042 intercross, we mapped four QTL underlying Tuberculosis ImmunoPhenotypes (Tip1-4). These included 2 major effect QTL on Chromosome 7 (Tip1 and Tip2) that were associated with bacterial burden. Tip2, along with Tip3 (Chromosome 15) and Tip4 (Chromosome 16) also correlated with IFN{gamma} production following infection, whereas Tip1 appeared to control an IFN{gamma}-independent mechanism of bacterial control. Further immunological characterization revealed that CC042 animals recruited relatively few antigen-specific T cells to the lung and these T cells failed to express the Integrin alpha L (L; i.e., CD11a), which contributes to T cell activation and migration. These defects could be explained by a CC042 private variant in the Itgal gene, which encodes CD11a, and is found within the Tip2 interval. This 15bp deletion leads to aberrant mRNA splicing and is predicted to result in a truncated protein product. The ItgalCC042 genotype was associated with all measured disease traits, indicating that this variant is a major determinant of susceptibility in CC042. The combined effect of functionally distinct Tip variants likely explains the profound susceptibility of CC042 and highlights the multigenic nature of TB control in the Collaborative Cross.nnImportance statementThe variable outcome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection observed natural populations is difficult to model in genetically homogenous small animal models. The newly-developed Collaborative Cross (CC) represents a reproducible panel of genetically-diverse mice that display a broad range of phenotypic responses to infection. We explored the genetic basis of this variation, focusing on a CC line that is highly susceptible to M. tuberculosis infection. This study identified multiple quantitative trait loci associated with bacterial control and cytokine production, including one that is caused by a novel loss-of-function mutation in the Itgal gene that is necessary for T cell recruitment to the infected lung. These studies verify the multigenic control of mycobacterial disease in the CC panel, identify genetic loci controlling diverse aspects of pathogenesis, and highlight the utility of the CC resource.
The Art of Paper Tearing With Sing Man Lee

Recommended for K–5th gradesFOLK ART has the unique feature of deriving from ordinary people rather than professional artists. Although folk artists may not receive professional training in arts, t...
Prevalence of oral human papillomavirus infections by race in the United States: An association with sexual behavior

Objectives To investigate the differences in oral HPV infection and sexual behaviors by race in the US. Materials and methods We analyzed data from the 2011-2014 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during which participants aged 18-69 years completed oral rinse exam for HPV detection (n = 8,229). Logistic regression was used to examine the associations of race with various types of oral HPV infection and sexual behaviors. Results The prevalence of overall oral HPV infection and HPV type16 infection was 7.5% [95% CI: 6.6-8.4] and 1.1% [95% CI: 0.7-1.3], respectively. Blacks were more likely to have any oral HPV infection [OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.01-1.47] and Asian Americans were less likely to have any oral HPV infection [OR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.24-0.49] than Whites. In a multivariate model, Whites were less likely to have any oral HPV infections than Blacks while having higher order of impact by the number of lifetime sex partners. Overall, Asian Americans were less likely to have type16 infection [OR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.06-0.67] than Whites; however, that difference disappears when adjusting for sexual behaviors. Conclusions In this nationally representative sample of US adults, the prevalence of overall oral HPV infections was higher among Blacks and lower among Asians in comparison to Whites. Further analysis with sexual behavior data suggested that the racial differences in prevalence are likely due to different sexual behaviors.
The orbital pericenter precession in the 2PN approximation

Recent article Revisiting the 2PN Pericenter Precession in View of Possible Future Measurements published by Iorio (Universe 6(4):53, 2020. https://doi.org/10.3390/universe6040053 ) argues that calculations of the secular 2PN precession of the orbital pericenter of a binary system accomplished by Damour and Schafer (Nuovo Cim B Ser 101B(2):127–176, 1988. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02828697 ) and Kopeikin and Potapov (Astron Rep 38(1):104–114, 1994) with different mathematical techniques are inconsistent, differ from each other and do not agree with the result obtained by L. Iorio. The purpose of this communication is to demonstrate that the article by Iorio (2020) is erroneous, suffers from misconceptions and cannot be trusted.
Normalizing resistance: saying no to facial recognition technology

Facial recognition technology is part of a growing trend in controlling borders, movement, and social life. It could also become standard practice at every U.S. airport, after the Transportation Se...
Medicaid Nursing Home Policies and Risk-Adjusted Rates of Emergency Department Visits: Does Rural Location Matter?

Abstract Objectives Medicaid nursing home (NH) reimbursement rates and bed-hold policies have been shown to be associated with hospitalization of urban NH residents, but their relationships with emergency department (ED) visits, especially in rural NHs, remain unknown. This study explores the relationships of Medicaid NH policies with three NH quarterly risk-adjusted rates of ED use for long-stay residents and evaluates whether the associations differed by NHs' geographical locations. Design Longitudinal study of Medicaid policies and NH risk-adjusted rates over 3 quarters (2011 Q3, 2012 Q3, and 2013 Q3), using Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) models. Setting and Participants 14,514 unique NHs. Measures Quarterly risk-adjusted rates of any ED visit, ED visits without hospitalization or observation stay (outpatient ED), and potentially avoidable ED visits (PAED) were calculated from national Medicare claims and NH Minimum Data Set 3.0. Medicaid policies were consolidated from several publicly available sources. NH and market characteristics were extracted from the Certification And Survey Provider Enhanced Reporting and the Area Health Resources File. Results In 2012, states reimbursed NHs, on average, $162.60 per resident-day, and 36 states employed bed-hold policies. Although a $10 increase in reimbursement rates was associated with statistically significantly lower rates of any ED, outpatient ED, and PAED in both urban and micropolitan NHs (−0.79%, −1.09%, and −1.02% for urban NHs; −1.29%, −1.90%, and −3.22% for micropolitan NHs, respectively), it was not associated with any ED measure in rural NHs. Medicaid bed-hold polices were associated with about 9% to 12% lower rates of all types of ED visits in urban NHs, but were not related to any of the ED measures in micropolitan and rural NHs. Conclusions and Implications Associations of Medicaid NH policies with ED utilization are weaker in rural NHs than urban NHs. Yet, the financial viability of increasing Medicaid reimbursement to reduce the ED use may not be cost-effective.
Recurrent Neural Networks for Colluded Applications Attack Detection in Android OS Devices

The paper presents a design and an implementation of an intelligent detector of a novel "colluded applications" attack on user’s privacy in Android OS devices, which employs recurrent neural network (RNN) models. The paper reports the results of an empirical study that involved the attack research, data collection and pre-processing, the choice of the RNN model for a detector design, multiple detector implementations, their performance evaluation and analysis, and finally, an Android app realization and execution on a real device. We investigate and analyze multiple attack scenarios and the attack influence on such technological signals as memory consumption and a CPU’s cores clock speed. For the attack detection, a few detectors exploring multiple RNN models are designed, implemented, and examined. The detectors employ various RNN models, such as a simple recurrent neural network, a long short-term memory, and a gated recurrent unit. Each model’s performance in detecting multiple attack scenarios is evaluated and analyzed in order to compare classification models against various criteria.
Nectar bacteria stimulate pollen germination and bursting to enhance microbial fitness.

Summary Many organisms consume pollen, yet mechanisms of its digestion remain a fundamental enigma in pollination biology,1–3 as pollen is protected by a recalcitrant outer shell.4–8 Pollen is commonly found in floral nectar,9,10 as are nectar microbes, which are nearly ubiquitous among flowers.11–13 Nectar specialist bacteria, like Acinetobacter, can reach high densities (up to 109 cells/mL), despite the fact that floral nectar is nitrogen poor.14–17 Here, we show evidence that the genus Acinetobacter, prevalent nectar- and bee-associated bacteria,12,18–20 can induce pollen germination and bursting, gain access to protoplasm nutrients, and thereby grow to higher densities. Although induced germination had been suggested as a potential method in macroscopic pollen consumers,2,21–23 and fungal inhibition of pollen germination has been shown,24–27 direct biological induction of germination has not been empirically documented outside of plants.28–32 Acinetobacter pollinis SCC47719 induced over 5× greater pollen germination and 20× greater pollen bursting than that of uninoculated pollen by 45 min. When provided with germinable pollen, A. pollinis stimulates protein release and grows to nearly twice the density compared to growth with ungerminable pollen, indicating that stimulation of germination benefits bacterial fitness. In contrast, a common nectar-inhabiting yeast (Metschnikowia)33 neither induced nor benefited from pollen germination. We conclude that Acinetobacter both specifically causes and benefits from inducing pollen germination and bursting. Further study of microbe-pollen interactions may inform many aspects of pollination ecology, including floral microbial ecology,34,35 pollinator nutrient acquisition from pollen,2,3,21,36 and cues of pollen germination for plant reproduction.37–39
Diminished androgen levels are linked to irritable bowel syndrome and cause bowel dysfunction in mice.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) have prominent sex differences in incidence, symptoms, and treatment response that are not well understood. Androgens are steroid hormones present at much higher levels in males than females and could be involved in these differences. In adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a FGID that affects 5-10% of the population worldwide, we found that free testosterone levels were lower than those in healthy controls and inversely correlated with symptom severity. To determine how this diminished androgen signaling could contribute to bowel dysfunction, we depleted gonadal androgens in adult mice and found that this caused a profound deficit in gastrointestinal transit. Restoring a single androgen hormone was sufficient to rescue this deficit, suggesting that circulating androgens are essential for normal bowel motility in vivo. To determine the site of action, we probed androgen receptor expression in the intestine and discovered, unexpectedly, that a large subset of enteric neurons became androgen-responsive upon puberty. Androgen signaling to these neurons was required for normal colonic motility in adult mice. Taken together, these observations establish a role for gonadal androgens in the neural regulation of bowel function and link altered androgen levels with a common digestive disorder.
Religion and Ritual in Ancient Egypt

This book is a vivid reconstruction of the practical aspects of ancient Egyptian religion. Through an examination of artefacts and inscriptions, the text explores a variety of issues. For example, who was allowed to enter the temples, and what rituals were performed therein? Who served as priests? How were they organized and trained, and what did they do? What was the Egyptians' attitude toward death, and what happened at funerals? How did the living and dead communicate? In what ways could people communicate with the gods? What impact did religion have on the economy and longevity of the society? This book demystifies Egyptian religion, exploring what it meant to the people and society. The text is richly illustrated with images of rituals and religious objects.
Closing Remarks: Concerning Aspects of Specificity, Biological Function and Aging

Rather than attempt to undertake the virtually impossible task of making a proper scientific summary of the exciting proceedings of this 1st International Ischia Symposium in about 20 minutes, I have decided to briefly discuss three general topics or questions which may be common to all the posttranslational reactions discussed at this meeting.
STUDENT ATTENDANCE PATTERNS AND PERFORMANCE IN AN URBAN POSTSECONDARY ENVIRONMENT

Interest in student transfer/attendance patterns remains high. There is considerable evidence that the traditional perception of transfer from a single community college directly to university is becoming less the norm than in the past. In a continuation of a research consortium project begun in 1992, an urban university and three community colleges investigated the complex nature of student attendance/transfer patterns and their effects on student achievement in terms of credits transferred, GPA performance after transfer, degree completion, and time to degree. While previous research has documented the varied patterns of student attendance/transfer, the goal of this phase of the study was to identify what effects, if any, these varied patterns have on student performance.
On the Near-Optimality of Training-Based GLRT Spectrum Sensing

Spectrum sensing is of utmost importance in cognitive radio and dynamic spectrum access systems for achieving spectrum awareness. To provide reliable spectrum awareness, it is critical to develop (near-) optimal sensing techniques and understand achievable performance limits. In this paper, we study likelihood ratio test (LRT)-based methods for detection of a signal of interest (SOI) assuming multiple receive antennas in the presence of spatially correlated additive noise (colored noise). We show that with on/off status information of the SOI available at receiver, a training-based generalized likelihood ratio test (TB-GLRT) method can be designed which approximates the optimal LRT estimator-correlator (EC) detector. Using the inverse Laplace transform and complex Wishart distribution theory, we derive formulas for detection and false alarm probabilities of both LRT-EC and GLRT schemes. The convergence of the TB-GLRT to the LRT-EC is analyzed and proved based on convergence behaviors of the detectors and their decision statistics. Simulation results verify the analytical convergence properties. In addition, the results illustrate the effects of different system design parameters, and demonstrate that the TB-GLRT scheme can provide substantial performance improvement over several existing GLRT methods.
Pregnancy increases the IgG4 and decreases the IgG1 response to influenza vaccine (VAC2P.935)

Although the increased morbidity and mortality of influenza during pregnancy provide a compelling reason to vaccinate pregnant women, pregnancy is associated with a decreased hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) response to influenza vaccine. We hypothesized that in addition to this quantitative reduction, pregnancy-associated increases in IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13 secretion might promote production of IgG4 over the better complement- and Fc receptor-activating isotypes, IgG1 and IgG3; such a change might decrease antibody-dependent killing of virus. To begin to evaluate this hypothesis, we compared IgG1, IgG3 and IgG4 anti-H1N1 titers by ELISA in sera obtained from 50 pregnant and non-pregnant 18-39 year old women 24-31 days after vaccination. The IgG1:IgG4 ratio was significantly decreased in pregnant vs. non-pregnant women (29.0±35.0 vs. 69.3±94.1 (mean ± SD), p=0.04). Both HAI (p=0.017) and IgG1 (p=0.047) titers were decreased in trimesters 2 and 3 vs. trimester 1. These changes could be quite marked: 28% of women immunized during trimesters 2 and 3 had a combination of high IgG4/low IgG1 titers that was not seen in any non-pregnant or first trimester vaccinated women. Our results suggest that cytokine-mediated qualitative and quantitative changes in the anti-influenza antibody response may decrease protection in a considerable percentage of women vaccinated during the last 2/3 of pregnancy, which, in turn, suggests a need to consider changes in vaccination for this population.
Fear of Democracy: A Cultural Evaluation of Sunstein on Risk

The effective regulation of risk poses a singular challenge to democracy. The public welfare of democratic societies depends on their capacity to abate all manner of natural and man-made hazards – from environmental catastrophe and economic collapse to domestic terrorism and the outbreak of disease. But the need to form rational responses to these and other dangers also challenges democratic societies in a more fundamental way: by threatening their commitment to genuinely deliberative policy making. Effective risk regulation depends on* Reprinted from Kahan, D. M., Slovic, P., Braman, D. and Gastil, J. (2006) ‘Fear of democracy: A cultural critique of Sunstein on risk,’ Harvard Law Review, vol 119, pp1071-1109highly technical forms of scientific information – epidemiological, toxicological, economic and the like. Most citizens don’t even have access to such information, much less the inclination and capacity to make sense of it. Why, then, should regulatory law afford any weight to the uneducated opinions of ordinary citizens as opposed to the reasoned judgements of politically insulated risk experts?
Fidelity in Law's Commonwealth

The rule of law promises protection and recourse against the arbitrary exercise of power. The guiding aim of the rule of law ideal is served when law’s rule extends to all forms of power in the polity, social as well as political. This chapter defends the centrality to the rule of law of the task of protecting individuals from power wielded by non-governmental entities and individuals. It also argues that the rule of law is realized when law is planted firmly in a commonwealth of mutual faithfulness to the differentiated and interconnected responsibilities of fidelity to law. Law rules not only when government officials are held accountable for the discharge of their duties under law, but also when ordinary citizens structure their relationships by law and hold each other accountable to the common, public terms that the law provides.
Investigation of the interactions of enteric and hydrophilic polymers to enhance dissolution of griseofulvin following hot melt extrusion processing.

Objectives This study focuses on the application of hot melt extrusion (HME) to produce solid dispersions containing griseofulvin (GF) and investigates the in-vitro dissolution performance of HME powders and resulting tablet compositions containing HME-processed dispersions. Methods Binary, ternary and quaternary dispersions containing GF, enteric polymer (Eudragit L100-55 or AQOAT-LF) and/or vinyl pyrrolidone-based polymer (Plasdone K-12 povidone or S-630 copovidone) were processed by HME. Two plasticizers, triethyl citrate (TEC) and acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC), were incorporated to aid in melt processing and to modify release of GF in neutral media following a pH-change in dissolution. Products were characterized for GF recovery, degrees of compositional amorphous character, intermolecular interactions and non-sink dissolution performance. Key findings Binary dispersions exhibited lower maximum observed concentration values and magnitudes of supersaturated GF in neutral media dissolution in comparison with the ternary dispersions. The quaternary HME products, 1 : 2 : 1 : 0.6 GF : L100-55 : S-630 : ATBC and GF : AQOAT-LF : K-12 : ATBC, were determined as the most optimal concentration-enhancing compositions due to increased hydrogen bonding of enteric functional groups with carbonyl/acetate groups of vinyl pyrrolidone-based polymers, reduced compositional crystallinity and presence of incorporated hydrophobic plasticizer. Conclusions HME products containing combinations of concentration-enhancing polymers can supersaturate and sustain GF dissolution to greater magnitudes in neutral media following the pH-transition and be compressed into immediate-release tablets exhibiting similar dissolution profiles.
The Pennsylvania-Permian Contact in New Mexico: ABSTRACT

The Pennsylvania-Permian contact in New Mexico has generally been recorded as being between the marine Pennsylvanian "Magdalena formation" and the non-marine Permian Abo formation. Evidence is presented in this discussion to show that two unconformities of large magnitudes, with intervening marine deposits, are present between the Pennsylvanian "Magdalena formation" and the Permian Abo formation in many areas of New Mexico. One of these unconformities is at the base of the Abo formation and the other occurs lower in the section. Furthermore, evidence is presented to show that the lower of these two unconformities marks a contact between fusulinid-bearing marine Pennsylvanian and fusulinid-bearing marine Permian sediments. In extreme northern New Mexico, the Pennsylvanian- ermian contact seems to be between marine Des Moines Pennsylvanian sediments and non-marine Permian redbeds. End_of_Article - Last_Page 907------------
Pathologies of the Extensor Carpi Ulnaris (ECU) Tendon and its Investments in the Athlete

Those who have dedicated significant time to the study and care of stick-and-ball athletes have an appreciation for the unique anatomy, unusual forces, and proclivity for injury. It is imperative that hand surgeons involved in the care of baseball, hockey, tennis, and golf athletes appreciate the anatomic and mechanical elements of extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) pathology. It is necessary to maintain a high level of suspicion for ECU problems, among other ulnar wrist pathologies, as well as acute diagnostic skill and a portfolio of therapeutic alternatives for their treatment.
WISKOTT-ALDRICH SYNDROME: DETECTION OF CARRIER STATE BY METABOLIC STRESS OF PLATELETS

A stress test has been designed which shows a consistent abnormality in platelets from carriers of the Wiskott-Aldrich-syndrome (W.A.S.) gene. 2-deoxy-D-glucose (D.D.G.), an inhibitor of glycolysis, completely inhibited second-wave adrenaline (epinephrine)-induced aggregation of platelets from 10 W.A.S. carriers, whereas it had no effect on the response of control platelets. Antimycin A (Ant A), an inhibitor of oxidative phosphorylation, had no effect on adrenaline-induced platelet aggregation of either carriers or controls. Incubation of control platelets with a combination of Ant A and D.D.G. inhibited aggregation in a way comparable to the effect of D.D.G. alone on carrier cells. Thus, W.A.S. carriers have a defect in platelet metabolism similar to that produced in normal platelets with Ant A. The D.D.G. stress test is a simple reproducible assay for detection of W.A.S. carriers.
Lake Erie hypoxia prompts Canada‐U.S. study

Because of its size and geometry, the central basin of Lake Erie, one of North America's Great Lakes, is subject to periods in the late summer when dissolved oxygen concentrations are low (hypoxia). An apparent increase in the occurrence of these eutrophic conditions and ‘dead zones’ in recent years has led to increased public concern. The International Field Years for Lake Erie (IFYLE) project of the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL, a U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) laboratory), was established in 2005 in response to this increase. This project is investigating the causes and consequences of hypoxia in the lake. As part of the effort, scientists from the United States and Canada conducted an extensive field study in 2005 to gather more information on the duration and extent of the hypoxic zone and its effects on the biota in the lake. This article gives a brief history and description of the problem and presents initial results from the field study.
The effects of group and individual animal-assisted therapy on loneliness in residents of long-term care facilities

AbstractAnimal-assisted therapy (AAT) has been shown to reduce the loneliness of residents in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). In this study, we determined the relative contribution of socialization (human–human bonding) and human–animal bonding as mechanisms by which AAT reduces loneliness. Residents in LTCFs volunteering for AAT were randomized to receive AAT as individuals (Individual) or in groups of two to four (Group). Individual AAT was used as a measure of animal–human bonding, and Group AAT was used as a measure of the combination of animal–human bonding and socialization. Any greater effect of Group AAT in comparison to Individual AAT would be ascribed to socialization. Thirty-seven residents of LTCFs, who were cognitively intact, volunteered for AAT, and scored as significantly lonely on the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3), were studied. Six weeks of AAT, one 30-minute session per week, in an individual or group setting was performed, with posttesting during week five. Two residents dropped...
Application of a tuned Langmuir probe for the diagnostic study of radio frequency glow discharges: instrumentation and theory

Abstract A computer-controlled, tuned Langmuir probe system has been designed and implemented for the diagnostic study of analytical, radio frequency (r.f.) glow discharge sources. Use of an impedance-tuned probe eliminates deleterious effects created by the capacitive character of the r.f. plasma-induced probe sheath. Results indicate that r.f.-induced distortion of the probe characteristic does exist, but can be effectively mitigated by the use of the tuned probe. An automated Langmuir probe acquisition and processing system for the r.f. glow discharge plasma is developed to obtain complete and undistorted current-voltage (i-V) curves over a wide potential range (± 100 V) with typical curves generated in less than 1 1 2 min , though acquisition time can be less than 1 s. Various Langmuir probe theories are reviewed and evaluated for their suitability in the characterization of these plasmas. Evidence indicates that the collisionless theories can be effectively employed to evaluate the obtained i-V curves and to derive the parameters of electron temperature, electron average energy, electron density and ion density.
Does Mothering a Doll Change Teens' Thoughts About Pregnancy?

Objective. To determine the effect of age on the efficacy of the computerized, infant simulator doll Baby Think It Over (BTIO) for increasing middle school girls' knowledge about the responsibilities of parenthood and discouraging plans for teen childbearing. We hypothesized: 1) 8th grade students would be less apt than 6th grade students to equate BTIO care with mothering because they would rationalize that their infant would be easier to care for than BTIO; and 2) BTIO would be a more effective teen pregnancy prevention program with 6th grade students than with 8th grade students. Methods. Nulliparous 6th ( n = 68) and 8th ( n = 41) grade girls attending an urban middle school in a predominantly lower socioeconomic, Hispanic, neighborhood were asked to care for BTIO for 3 days and 2 nights. Responses to a self-administered questionnaire were used to assess the girls' understanding of the responsibilities and difficulties associated with parenting, their feelings about the similarity of BTIO care and real infant care, and their childbearing intentions before and after caring for BTIO. Results. Only 32 (29%) of the 109 girls thought that real infant care would be like BTIO care. Although 8th grade students were less apt than 6th grade students to equate BTIO care with real infant care (17% vs 37%), 6th grade students were more likely than 8th grade students to endorse statements suggesting that real infant care would be easier than BTIO care (37% vs 24%). Multivariate analyses revealed that this was largely because 6th grade students found BTIO care more difficult than did 8th grade students. Also, regardless of age or grade, the more difficult a girl found it to care for BTIO than anticipated, the more likely she was to endorse statements indicating that it would be easier to care for her own infant than it had been for her to care for BTIO. Little learning about the difficulties of parenting took place during the study. On average, the 6th grade students did not find BTIO care more difficult than anticipated and the 8th grade students actually found it easier than anticipated. Finally, caring for BTIO had no affect on the intent of students to become teen parents; 13 (12%) of the 109 students wanted to be teen parents before they cared for BTIO and 16 (15%) wanted to be teen parents after they cared for the doll. Conclusion. The results of this study demonstrate that the propensity of people this age for rationalizing their own immunity to the nocuous aspects of potentially desirable situations (the personal fable of omnipotence) allows those who perceive parenthood to be attractive to overlook the negative aspects of any parenting experience they have.
Rapid analysis of oncornaviral RNA employing agglutination of virions with concanavalin A

Abstract A simple, rapid method for quantitatively isolating and detecting oncornaviral RNA in virus released into culture medium by infected cells is described.
Interaction of calcineurin with substrates and targeting proteins.

Calcineurin is a calcium activated protein phosphatase with a major role in calcium signaling in diverse cells and organs and clinical importance as the target of the immunosuppressive drugs cyclosporin A and tacrolimus (FK506). Cell biology studies have focused mainly on the role of calcineurin in transcriptional signaling. Calcium entry in response to extracellular stimuli results in calcineurin activation, and signal transmission from the cytosol into the nucleus through dephosphorylation and nuclear translocation of the transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). This initiates a cascade of transcriptional events involved in physiological and developmental processes. Molecular analyses of the calcineurin–NFAT interaction have been extended recently to encompass the interaction of calcineurin with other substrates, targeting proteins and regulators of calcineurin activity. These studies have increased our understanding of how this essential calcium activated enzyme orchestrates intracellular events in cooperation with other signaling pathways, and have suggested a link between altered calcineurin signaling and the developmental anomalies of Down syndrome.
Connectionist models for part-family classifications

Abstract This paper presents a neutral network approach to clustering and classification of parts into families, as applied to Group Technology principles. Kohonen's self-organizing feature maps have been used for clustering parts into families and the part-family associations thereby obtained are fed as training inputs to a simple feedforward back-propagation network. This network has been seen to model the part-family relationships well and is also capable of accurate family prediction for test parts that were not used for training. The methodology of clustering followed by classification and generalization is not problem specific, and can be applied to other problems in the fields of dynamical system modeling, recognition, prediction and control.
Observation of coherence oscillations of single ensemble excitations in methanol

We demonstrate coherence measurements of single-photon-level collective excitations of vibrational states using transient coherent spontaneous Raman scattering in liquid methanol. We observe the decay of the 1033 cm−1 mode and coherence oscillations due to simultaneous excitation of the 2834 and 2944 cm−1 modes. The coherence life-times and oscillation frequencies agree with frequency-domain line-shape measurements and femtosecond coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering measurements. The demonstrated technique is complementary to and, in some cases, simpler than traditional stimulated spectroscopy techniques in that it does not require more than one laser and is free of nonresonant background.
Diagnosis of obstruction in experimental hydroureteronephrosis.

Abstract A canine model with partial ureteral obstruction and progressive hydroureteronephrosis was utilized to validate and compare the accuracy of several diagnostic methods currently used to assess urinary tract obstruction. Tests of renal function and measurements of intrapelvic intrapelvic pressure were not helpful in following the progress of hydroureteronephrosis but did provide insight into the mechanisms by which incomplete ureteral occlusion impairs renal function. Serial intravenous pyelography, diuretic radionuclide urography, and perfusion pressure flow studies were frequently accurate in assessing obstruction, but each was subject to potential and, at times, regular misinterpretation. In applying the results of these laboratory studies to the problems of evaluating human hydroureteronephrosis, the clinician must recognize the pitfalls and limitations of these methods in order to ensure an accurate diagnosis of partial urinary obstruction.
Nonlocal fluid mechanics description of wall turbulence

Abstract A surface functional approximation to the general theory of nonlocal Stokesian fluids is obtained. The relationship between this theory and the existing phenomenological theories of turbulence is demonstrated. The theory is then applied to the problem of turbulent channel flow. An exact solution is obtained for the mean velocity and turbulent stresses which is shown to he consistent with existing experimental data.
EVALUATION OF AUTONOMIC INNERVATION OF THE CLITORIS AND BULB

ABSTRACTPurpose:: Female sexual dysfunction is a common disorder but there are few objective measures of female genital function. We present a novel technique to record electrical activity of the female genital erectile tissue.Materials and Method:: We placed concentric needle electrodes in the right clitoral crus and the bulb of 22 healthy women. Following spontaneous activity recording we stimulated the median nerve to activate the sympathetic nervous system. We simultaneously measured evoked activity in the clitoris and bulb, and hand sympathetic skin responses (SSRs).Results:: Spontaneous electrical activity of the clitoris and bulb was present in 13 subjects. A total of 21 subjects had evoked activity in the bulb, while 18 had evoked activity in the clitoris. All subjects had hand SSRs. Evoked genital response latencies were similar to hand SSR latency (p >0.05). Evoked electrical activity was recordable in the clitoris and bulb but it was more easily performed in the bulb.Conclusions:: Evoked electr...
Reorganization energy of electron transfer processes in ionic fluids: A molecular Debye-Hückel approach

The reorganization energy of electron transfer processes in ionic fluids is studied under the linear response approximation using a molecule Debye-Huckel theory. Reorganization energies of some model reactants of electron transfer reactions in molten salts are obtained from molecular simulations and a molecule Debye-Huckel approach. Good agreements between simulation results and the results from our theoretical calculations using the same model Hamiltonian are found. Applications of our theory to electron transfer reactions in room temperature ionic liquids further demonstrate that our theoretical approach presents a reliable and accurate methodology for the estimation of reorganization energies of electron transfer reactions in ionic fluids.
Lipidomic Analysis of Dynamic Eicosanoid Responses during the Induction and Resolution of Lyme Arthritis

Eicosanoids and other bioactive lipid mediators are indispensable regulators of biological processes, as demonstrated by the numerous inflammatory diseases resulting from their dysregulation, including cancer, hyperalgesia, atherosclerosis, and arthritis. Despite their importance, a robust strategy comparable with gene or protein array technology for comprehensively analyzing the eicosanoid metabolome has not been forthcoming. We have developed liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methodology that quantitatively and comprehensively analyzes the eicosanoid metabolome and utilized this approach to characterize eicosanoid production during experimental Lyme arthritis in mice infected with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Eicosanoids were extracted throughout infection from the joints of Lyme arthritis-resistant and -susceptible mice and subjected to lipidomic profiling. We identified temporal and quantitative differences between these mouse strains in the production of eicosanoids, which correlated with differences in arthritis development. The eicosanoid biosynthetic enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 has been implicated in the regulation of Lyme arthritis pathology, and subsequent lipidomic profiling of B. burgdorferi-infected COX-2−/− mice identified reductions not only in COX-2 products but, surprisingly, also significant off-target reductions in 5-lipoxygenase metabolites. Our results demonstrate the utility of a comprehensive lipidomic approach for identifying potential contributors to disease pathology and may facilitate the development of more precisely targeted treatment strategies.
Reconstruction of ancestral protosplice sites.

Abstract Most of the eukaryotic protein-coding genes are interrupted by multiple introns. A substantial fraction of introns occupy the same position in orthologous genes from distant eukaryotes, such as plants and animals, and consequently are inferred to have been inherited from the common ancestor of these organisms. In contrast to these conserved introns, many other introns appear to have been gained during evolution of each major eukaryotic lineage. The mechanism(s) of insertion of new introns into genes remains unknown. Because the nucleotides that flank splice junctions are nonrandom, it has been proposed that introns are preferentially inserted into specific target sequences termed protosplice sites. However, it remains unclear whether the consensus nucleotides flanking the splice junctions are remnants of the original protosplice sites or if they evolved convergently after intron insertion. Here, we directly address the existence of protosplice sites by examining the context of introns inserted within codons that encode amino acids conserved in all eukaryotes and accordingly are not subject to selection for splicing efficiency. We show that introns are either predominantly inserted into specific protosplice sites, which have the consensus sequence (A/C)AG|Gt, or that they are inserted randomly but are preferentially fixed at such sites.
Litter Quality and Climate Decouple Nitrogen Mineralization and Productivity in Chilean Temperate Rainforests

We measured litter quality, N mineralization, air and soil temperatures, soil moisture, and aboveground net primary production (ANPP) at 18 plots in three forest types typical of full-stature forests found on western slopes of the Cordillera de Piuchue (CP) on Isla de Chiloe in southern Chile. The primary objectives were to examine the range of net N mineralization across forest types that have different vegetation and litter composition, assess probable controls on mineral N production and leaching, and to determine if the relationship between N mineralization and ANPP was similar to that observed in cool temperate northern hemisphere forests. Average annual litter lignin/N ratios were high in the evergreen montane broadleaf forest plots (50:1) and very high in the montane conifer plots (80:1). Net N mineralization during the summer months was correspondingly low (1.2 and 2.2 kg ha - 1 , respectively). The high litter lignin content and associated low rate of N mineralization can explain the extremely low concentrations of mineral N in soils and upland streams of this region. In the broadleaf evergreen coastal forest plots, lignin/N ratio was lower (23:1) and N mineralized was considerably greater over the same measurement period than in the montane forest plots (14 kg ha - 1 ). In contrast to findings in many cool temperate northern hemisphere forests, ANNP in the broadleaf forest type was high (average 11.1 Mg ha - 1 yr - 1 ) in spite of the low net N mineralization rates, and ANPP and net N mineralized were not correlated. Net N mineralization was best correlated with litter quality, soil temperature, and soil moisture content, and ANPP was best correlated with growing degree days.
The Social and Educational Thought of Harold Rugg by Peter F. Carbone, Jr. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 1977. 225 pp. $10.75

(1978). The Social and Educational Thought of Harold Rugg by Peter F. Carbone, Jr. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 1977. 225 pp. $10.75. The Educational Forum: Vol. 42, No. 3, pp. 376-377.
The effect of the microsporidan, Nosema algerae, on Anopheles stephensi.

Abstract A bioassay method was established to examine infectivity differences between different batches of Nosema algerae spores. The IC 50 of N. algerae spores produced in one unusual host, Heliothis zea, was the same as for spores from the normal mosquito host, Anopheles stephensi . Soil and sand bottoms caused an approximate 200–400 fold increase in the IC 50 . Nosematosis had little effect on the survival of larvae and pupae but the adult life span was reduced to the extent that malaria transmission would be doubtful.