cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictors of vaccination in India for children aged 12-36 months.

Introduction India has one of the lowest immunization rates worldwide despite a longstanding Universal Immunization Program (UIP) that provides free childhood vaccines. This study characterizes the predictors for under- and non-vaccination among Indian children aged 12–36 months. Methods This study utilized District Level Household and Facility Survey Data, 2008 (DLHS3), from India. DLHS3 is a nationally representative sample collected from December 2007 through December 2008; this analysis was conducted during 2014. Children's vaccination status was categorized as fully, under-, and non-vaccinated based on whether children received all, some, or none of the UIP-recommended vaccines (one dose each of bacillus Calmette–Guerin and measles, and three doses of diphtheria–pertussis–tetanus). A multinomial logistic regression model estimated the odds of under-vaccination compared with full vaccination, and odds of non-vaccination compared with full vaccination. Analytic predictors included socioeconomic, cultural, household, maternal, and childhood characteristics. Results The analysis included 108,057 children; the estimated proportions of fully, under-, and non-vaccinated children were 57%, 31%, and 12%, respectively. After adjusting for state of residence, age, gender, household wealth, and maternal education, additional significant predictors of children's vaccination status were religion, caste, place of delivery, number of antenatal care visits, and maternal tetanus vaccination, all of which demonstrated large effect sizes. Conclusions India's immunization coverage remained low in 2008, with just slightly more than half of all children aged 12–36 months fully vaccinated with UIP-recommended vaccines. A better understanding of the predictors for vaccination can help shape interventions to reduce disparities in full vaccination among children of differing demographic/cultural groups.
Aggressive Tetrahedral Mesh Improvement

We present a tetrahedral mesh improvement schedule that usually creates meshes whose worst tetrahedra have a level of quality substantially better than those produced by any previous method for tetrahedral mesh generation or “mesh clean-up.” Our goal is to aggressively optimize the worst tetrahedra, with speed a secondary consideration. Mesh optimization methods often get stuck in bad local optima (poor-quality meshes) because their repertoire of mesh transformations is weak. We employ a broader palette of operations than any previous mesh improvement software. Alongside the best traditional topological and smoothing operations, we introduce a topological transformation that inserts a new vertex (sometimes deleting others at the same time). We describe a schedule for applying and composing these operations that rarely gets stuck in a bad optimum. We demonstrate that all three techniques—smoothing, vertex insertion, and traditional transformations—are substantially more effective than any two alone. Our implementation usually improves meshes so that all dihedral angles are between 31° and 149°, or (with a different objective function) between 23° and 136°
Neural Activation During Cognitive Emotion Regulation in Previously Depressed Compared to Healthy Children: Evidence of Specific Alterations.

Objective Impairments in cognitive emotion regulation (CER) have been linked to functional neural abnormalities and the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder (MDD). Few functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have investigated the neural underpinnings of CER in samples with depression. As CER develops in childhood, understanding dysfunctional CER-related alterations in brain function during this period could advance knowledge of the developmental psychopathology of MDD. Method This study tested whether neural activity in brain regions known to support cognitive reappraisal differed between healthy 7- to 15-year-old children and same-age peers with a history of MDD (MDD-ever). A total of 64 children participated in this event-related fMRI study, which used a developmentally appropriate and validated fMRI reappraisal task. Children were instructed to passively view sad or neutral images and to decrease negative emotions using cognitive reappraisal. Results MDD-ever and healthy children showed similar patterns of cortical activation during reappraisal, but with a significant difference found in 1 key CER region, the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). In addition, individual differences in CER were associated with left IFG activity during reappraisal. Conclusion Alterations in the neurocircuitry of reappraisal are evident in children with a depression history compared to healthy controls. The finding that MDD-ever children showed reappraisal-related neural responses in many regions similar to healthy controls has clinical implications. Findings suggest that identification of alterations in reappraisal in children with remitted depression, for whom much, although not all, of the neural circuitry remains intact, may be an important window of opportunity for intervention.
Adolescents at risk for mistreating their children. part ii: a home- and clinic-based prevention program

Abstract Objective: To determine if adding an intensive home visitation component to a comprehensive adolescent-oriented maternity program prevents child abuse and neglect. Methods: We studied 171 participants in a comprehensive, adolescent-oriented maternity program who were deemed to be at high risk for child abuse and neglect. Half were randomly assigned to receive in-home parenting instruction. Major disruptions of primary care-giving by the adolescent mother were classified hierarchically as abuse, neglect, and abandonment. Results: Compliance with home visits varied in relation to the support the teenage mothers received from their families and the fathers of their babies (p Conclusions: Prediction efforts were effective in identifying at-risk infants, but this intensive home-and clinic-based intervention did not alter the incidence of child maltreatment or maternal life course development. A parenting program that was more inclusive of the support network might be more popular with teenagers and therefore more effective. Our findings also emphasize the importance of including counseling specifically designed to prevent teenagers from abandoning their children.
Energy Abundance or Environmental Worries? Analyzing Public Support for Fracking in the United States

This paper provides an analysis of public attitudes toward fracking use and policies with an eye toward factors that help us account for differing levels of support. Using data from a national survey of American adults, we found that women and people residing in urban areas are slightly more inclined to oppose fracking and to favor more regulation in terms of drilling operations and company chemical disclosure requirements than men or people living in rural areas. Our key findings, however, are that opposition to fracking and support for current or increased levels of regulation are strongly related to Democratic Party identification and to pro-environmental policy attitudes. We conclude by suggesting that a tendency for people to view fracking as an environmental rather than an energy issue has potentially important implications for the implementation of locally based regulatory requirements.
The Cambridge Illustrated History of the Middle Ages, 950–1250

(1998). The Cambridge Illustrated History of the Middle Ages, 950–1250. History: Reviews of New Books: Vol. 26, No. 3, pp. 141-141.
THE RETIREMENT DISTRIBUTION DECISION TEN YEARS LATER: RESULTS FROM AN EMPIRICAL STUDY

From 1964 until 2002, the State of Nebraska sponsored a defined contribution plan for its employees. During this period, the plan was unique among state pension plans because it was an individual account-type plan that offered participants the choice of a lump-sum or annuity distribution upon retirement. Such a choice presents the opportunity to learn more about how individuals perceive financial risks and weigh various factors when deciding how to access their retirement benefits. This study reports the results of a new survey of Nebraska state workers who retired or terminated employment in 1997. The results offer a perspective on how individuals perceive their decisions ten years later. The findings reveal three general themes. First, retirees tended to underestimate the financial risks associated with uninsured health care expenses. Sixty-five percent of retiree respondents said that they had initially underestimated such risk. Second, federal policies may influence the distribution decision. For example, many respondents cited tax penalties on lump-sum distributions as a major factor in their decision, which is consistent with a high percentage choosing a nontaxable direct rollover distribution. Finally, the results provide a basis for cautious optimism that retirees will be able to successfully manage a present value sum distribution during retirement. Over 90% of retiree respondents reported that they were able to cover their living expenses ten years after their retirement.
Cyclization versus polymerization in phase transfer catalyzed polytioetherification

Some unexpected results were observed in the phase transfer of catalyzed (PTC) (two phase, aqueous-organic) polymerization of α,ω-dibromoalkanes with sodium sulfide. Alkane dielectrophiles containing fewer than six methylene units give rise to large, and sometimes quantitative, amounts of cyclic thioethers. These cyclic sulfides are formed under “polymerization” conditions and can be minimized by using only the monomer as the organic phase. Alkane dielectrophiles containing more than six methylene units yield only polymer. When a comonomer system composed of a 1:1 mixture of 1,4-dibromobutane (DBB) and 1,8-dibromooctane (DBO) is employed, the resulting copolymer's molecular weight and polydispersity are vastly improved compared to the corresponding homopolymerizations. Microstructurally, this copolymer is formed by complete consumption of DBO and partial incorporation of DBB. The remaining DBB forms tetrahydrothiophene (THT). These two odd and seemingly conflicting results could not be explained by “normal” or “inverse” PTC extraction mechanisms. Support of this new mechanism is given in the PTC polymerization of DBO with sodium sulfide in the presence of a catalytic amount of THT. The resulting polymer is of very high molecular weight and narrow polydispersity; it also does not contain tetramethylene sequences. Using this new mechanism, all results suggest the participation of cyclic sulfides either facilitates cyclic formation or enhance polymer reactivity as controlled by the length of the alkane dielectrophile.
An Ultrastructural and Cytochemical Study of the Cell Surface of a Suctorian Ciliate1

The surfaces of the main cell body, tentacle shaft, and knob of Discophrya collini, a freshwater suctorian ciliate, were characterized using various cytochemical techniques. Cells prepared for conventional transmission electron microscopy exhibited a 50–60 nm thick fuzzy layer over the cell body surface; this layer was absent from the tentacle knob. A thick (240 nm), two-layered surface coat surrounding the main cell body was stained with ruthenium red. This heavy coat was absent from the surface of the knob where a thin, dense, ruthenium red-positive layer and projecting filaments were present. Freeze-etched material revealed a “particle region” (150–250 nm in thickness) closely associated with the outer cell surface of the suctorian. Fixed specimens were treated with four different lectins and analyzed with electron microscopy in order to obtain information about the carbohydrate composition of the outer surface of D. collini. Concanavalin A bound to the surface of the cell body and tentacle shaft as a dense, particulate layer (80 nm thick) but thinned to 13–16 nm over the surface of the knob. Wheat germ agglutinin-treated cells also displayed a heavy, electron-dense layer (128 nm thick) that surrounded the main cell body and tentacle shaft, but only scattered patches of bound wheat germ agglutinin were observed on the surface of the knob. Discophrya treated with Helix agglutinin or peanut agglutinin appeared similar to control cells. Suctorians were treated with lectins in vivo in an attempt to inhibit capture and ingestion of their prey, Tetrahymena pyriformis, by masking prey receptor sites on the knob. Concanavalin A and, to a lesser degree, wheat germ agglutinin, successfully inhibited attachment of the prey organism. Helix agglutinin and peanut agglutinin had little effect on prey capture.
A particle spanning the photosynthetic membrane.

The structure of the thylakoid membrane of spinach has been examined by the techniques of freeze-fracturing and deep-etching. Distinct populations of particles exist both within the membrane and on each of its surfaces, as described by other workers. The fact that certain types of particles occasionally form regular lattices in the membrane has been exploited to show that particles visible on both surfaces of the membrane and one fracture face may in fact be merely different views of a single particle that spans the thylakoid membrane. This particle possesses a tetrameric substructure visible on both surfaces of the membrane, but not on the fracture face, indicating that plastic deformation accompanying the fracture process may tend to obscure substructure in intramembrane particles. The existence of a membrane-spanning structure in the photosynthetic membrane raises interesting possibilities concerning the integration of the light reaction within the thylakoid.
Chronic high pressure potentiates the antiproliferative effect and abolishes contractile phenotypic changes caused by endothelial cells in cocultured smooth muscle cells.

Abstract High in vitro pressures have been reported to alter smooth muscle cell (SMC) and endothelial cell (EC) phenotype, while endothelial cells (ECs) can influence the proliferation, phenotype, and contractile features of smooth muscle cells (SMC) in coculture systems. However, little is known about the in vitro effects of pressure on EC/SMC cocultures. We therefore sought to compare SMC proliferation in independent and EC coculture under ambient and high pressure, and identify changes in the contractile phenotype of SMCs by measuring levels of the l -type Ca 2+ channel a 1 subunit (dihydropyridine-DHP receptor) which is critical for Ca 2+ transients, differentiation and contractility in SMC. Methods. Rat aortic SMCs in independent culture (SMC/0) and coculture with ECs (SMC/EC) were maintained in 5% CO 2 under either atmospheric or high pressure (130 mmHg). SMC were counted at 0, 1, 3, and 5 days and compared to initial cell counts of day 0 before the exposure to experimental conditions. DHP receptor levels were quantitated by Western blotting (three similar studies). Results. ECs suppressed SMC proliferation on day 1 of coculture in both atmospheric and high pressure (20% inhibition vs independent culture, P ≤ 0.05). By day 3, cocultured SMC under atmospheric pressure displayed no EC-mediated inhibition, and at day 5, atmospheric cocultured SMCs revealed statistically significant enhanced proliferation as compared with SMCs in independent cultures. However, cocultured SMCs exposed to 130 mmHg pressure displayed sustained sensitivity to EC growth inhibition at both days 3 and 5 of the experiment. Coculture decreased SMC DHP-receptor levels under atmospheric pressure. However, this effect was abolished in cocultures exposed to high pressure. Conclusions. High pressure substantially alters the regulatory influence of EC on SMC proliferation and contractile potential. This pressure/coculture model should increase our understanding of cellular interaction in hypertensive vasculopathy.
HER-2/neu Cancer Vaccines: Present Status and Future Prospects

Immunotherapeutic approaches to cancer should focus on novel undertakings that modulate immune responses by synergistic enhancement of anti-tumor immunological parameters. Cancer vaccines should preferably be composed of multiple defined tumor antigen specific B- and T-cell epitopes. The main focus of this article is to briefly review the present status of Her-2/neu vaccine strategies and to describe the innovative strategies developed in my laboratory for a vaccine against HER-2/neu (ErbB-2) with emphasis on the humoral arm of the immune response. Elucidating the underlining mechanisms of anti-tumor effects elicited by peptide vaccines against a self-protein is a requirement for developing an immunotherapeutic strategy that might be effective in human cancer vaccines. Our approach entails the identification of biologically relevant epitopes, establishing relevant in vitro assays for monitoring vaccine efficacy, devising strategies to engineer conformationally dependent sequences, developing highly immunogenic vaccines for an outbred population and delivering the immunogen/vaccine in a safe and efficacious vehicle, utilizing transgenic animal models for assessing tumor development, and developing challenge models using transplantable tumors to study efficacy of vaccine constructs. We have developed a multi-HER-2/neu B-cell epitope approach and shown in preclinical studies that immunization with a combination of two B-cell epitope was more effective in preventing mammary tumors than a single epitope. We have translated that work to the clinic (OSU 0105) in an FDA approved, NCI sponsored “Phase 1 Active Immunotherapy trial with Chimeric and Multi-epitope based peptide vaccine targeting HER-2 oncoprotein and nor-MDP adjuvant in patients with metastatic and/or recurrent solid tumors” at the James Cancer Hospital at the Ohio State University. The correlation between overexpression of HER-2/neu and up-regulation of VEGF has been demonstrated in breast cancer patients. Thus, blocking angiogenesis is an attractive strategy to inhibit tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. The hypothesis that combination of anti-angiogenic therapy and tumor immunotherapy of cancer may be synergistic is an important future goal. In this review, I will discuss insights into our preclinical studies that might aid in the design of the next generation of cancer vaccines and become an integrated component of prophylactic/preventive and therapeutic approach.
Fluid flow in pachuca (Air-Agitated) tanks: Part II. Mathematical modeling of flow in pachuca tanks

A generalized mathematical model that combines Bernoulli’s equation and thek-e model of turbulence, using only the gas flow rate and tank geometry as inputs, has been formulated to predict the fluid flow pattern in industrial-scale full-center-column Pachuca tanks. Predictions from this model reproduce reasonably well the trends that were observed in experiments when design and operating parameters, such as superficial air velocity and tank height/tank diameter ratio, were varied. Results from these calculations indicate that design parameters, such as tank height/tank diameter and draft tube/tank diameter ratios, have a significant effect on the flow pattern in full-center-column Pachuca tanks at large tank diameters or small tank height/tank diameter ratios.
Tunneling into the Edge of a Compressible Quantum Hall State

We present a composite fermion theory of tunneling into the edge of a compressible quantum Hall system. The tunneling conductance is non-ohmic, due to slow relaxation of electromagnetic and Chern-Simons field disturbances caused by the tunneling electron. Universal results are obtained in the limit of a large number of channels involved in the relaxation. The tunneling exponent is found to be a continuous function of the filling factor nu, with a a slope that is discontinuous at nu=1/2 in the limit of vanishing bulk resistivity rho_xx. When nu corresponds to a principal fractional quantized Hall state, our results agree with the chiral Luttinger liquid theories of Wen, and Kane, Fisher and Polchinski.
An Analysis of the Electromyogram by Fourier, Simulation and Experimental Techniques

The electromyogram of a single motor unit is studied by considering it as a time function defined by a convolution integral where a point process input passes through a filter whose impulse response is the shape of a single motor unit action potential. The interspike intervals are assumed to be normally distributed, independent random variables. Simulation is performed on a digital computer. The theoretical analysis shows that the absolute value of the ensemble average of the Fourier transform of the simulated EMG approaches the absolute value of the Fourier transform of the motor unit potential. This has been confirmed by simulation except at the very low end of the spectrum. These results are compared with the Fourier transforms of the recorded surface EMG data from human muscles.
Black-white differences in health care utilization among US children with frequent ear infections.

Objective. To examine differences in patterns of and barriers to health care utilization between black and white children who have frequent ear infec- tions (FEI). Methods. Analysis was conducted using the 1997 and 1998 National Health Interview Survey-Sample Child Files. Data on 25 497 children under 18 years of age and 1985 who were reported by the parent/guardian to have had "3 or more ear infections during the past 12 months" were analyzed. The data were weighted and analyzed to represent all black and white children nationwide, ac- counting for the complex survey design. Results. Of white and black children under 18 years of age in the United States, 8.0 and 6.6%, respectively, had FEI in the past year. Among those with FEI, whites and blacks exhibited significantly different patterns in the type of health insurance they had and in the usual source of care. After accounting for sociodemographic factors, health insurance, and usual source of care, there were still significant differences in health care use be- tween whites and blacks. The affected black children had an increased risk of getting delayed care because of trans- portation problems (odds ratio (OR): 2.32) and a reduced likelihood of seeing a medical specialist (OR: 0.49) and having surgery (OR: 0.39) in comparison to white chil- dren. Conclusion. Although black children with FEI were as likely as white children to be covered by health insur- ance and have a usual place of health care, they were significantly more likely to face barriers in obtaining the care, especially the more specialized care. Pediatrics 2002; 109(5). URL: http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/ 109/5/e84; racial disparity; health care utilization; frequent ear infection.
Improving Sexuality Education: The Development of Teacher‐Preparation Standards

BACKGROUND: Teaching sexuality education to support young people's sexual development and overall sexual health is both needed and supported. Data continue to highlight the high rates of teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections, among young people in the United States as well as the overwhelming public support for sexuality education instruction. In support of the implementation of the National Sexuality Education Standards, the current effort focuses on better preparing teachers to deliver sexuality education. METHODS: An expert panel was convened by the Future of Sex Education Initiative to develop teacher-preparation standards for sexuality education. Their task was to develop standards and indicators that addressed the unique elements intrinsic to sexuality education instruction. RESULTS: Seven standards and associated indicators were developed that address professional disposition, diversity and equity, content knowledge, legal and professional ethics, planning, implementation, and assessment. CONCLUSIONS: The National Teacher-Preparation Standards for Sexuality Education represent an unprecedented unified effort to enable prospective health education teachers to become competent in teaching methodology, theory, practice of pedagogy, content, and skills, specific to sexuality education. Higher education will play a key role in ensuring the success of these standards. Language: en
Effects of cervical and subdiaphragmatic vagotomy on osmotic and volemic thirst

Abstract After left cervical vagotomy rats showed a decreased water intake relative to controls following osmotic thirst induced by an intraperitoneal injection of 2 ml 2M saline. Following a subcutaneous injection of 10% polyethylene glycol 15 ml/kg, producing volemic thirst, nephrectomized and left cervically vagotomized rats drank more isotonic saline than nephrectomized controls. In another experiment, total but not partial subdiaphragmatic vagotomy was associated with increased responsiveness to volemic challenge in nephrectomized rats.
AgNO3 increases type II callus production from immature embryos of maize inbred B73 and its derivatives.

Incorporating 10 to 100 μM AgNO3 into Phytagel™ (0.2%) solidified N6 medium containing 1 mg/L 2,4-D, 100 mg/L casamino acids and 25 mM praline (N6 1-100-25) promoted type II callus production from cultured Zea mays L. immature embryos of FRB73, B73 X A188 and a proprietary B73 BC6 genotype. Under these conditions, approximately 15, 80 and 80% of the respective FRB73, B73 X A188 and B73 BC6 explants produced type II calli after 2 to 3 weeks incubation in the dark at 28 C. In the absence of AgNO3, the type II culture response from B73BC6 immature embryos was 25% on N6 1 100-25 solidified with Phytagel™ (0.2%) as compared to 0% for that solidified with 0.8% agar. Duncan's medium was tested using 10 to 100 μm AgNO3 and generally promoted type I callus initiation, although up to 6% of the explants produced type II cultures in the presence of 0.2% Phytagel™. Ethylene emanation rates of up to 370 and 115 nL g-1 h-1 were detected from B73 X A188 immature embryos and calli, respectively, cultured on N6 1-100-25.
Effect of acetylcholinesterase inhibition on behavior is age-dependent in freely moving Aplysia.

Abstract The significance of age-dependent changes in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity level is poorly understood. Reported here is one approach to understand AChE's function as it relates to age: to investigate how inhibition of AChE affects behavior in freely moving Aplysia of two age groups, mature and old. The siphon/gill withdrawal reflex (S/GWR) and gill pumping movement (GPM) were examined to assay the effects of AChE inhibition by BW284c51, a specific and reversible AChE inhibitor. In mature Aplysia AChE inhibition by 2 μM and 5 μM of BW284c51 resulted in a significantly shortened S/GWR duration, and in suppression of habituation and dishabituation. In old animals, AChE inhibition by 2 μM of BW284c51 did not affect S/GWR and only dishabituation was suppressed by inhibition by 5 μM of BW284c51. AChE inhibition reduced the GPM rate significantly only in mature animals. AChE inhibition did not alter the decrement in GPM rate which is regularly observed in both age groups during repetitive exposure to acidified sea water. Thus both S/GWR and GPM were affected by AChE inhibition, and a significant age effect on the two behaviors was observed. Comparisons of the results of AChE inhibition which would elevate acetylcholine (ACh) levels with those of carbachol administration revealed that AChE inhibition affects both cholinergic and non-cholinergic mechanisms underlying the two behaviors.
TbENF is an essential TbTFIIB-interacting trypanosomatid-specific factor

Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of African Sleeping Sickness, is replete with unique biochemistry, including unusual features of gene transcription. The parasite also contains over 4500 non-annotated genes, representing novel biochemistry yet to be explored. Using tandem affinity purification (TAP)-tagged TbTFIIB, we identified and subsequently confirmed, one of the non-annotated T. brucei proteins, Tb11.02.4300, as a TbTFIIB-interacting protein. The 49 kDa protein is nuclear and essential for parasite variability as determined by RNA interference studies; hence, the nomenclature T. brucei Essential Nuclear Factor (TbENF). TbENF is shown to interact with DNA in a sequence-independent fashion under the conditions examined. Furthermore, TbENF bears motifs associated with many eukaryotic transcription factors, such as a glutamine-rich region and a leucine zipper, yet TbENF is specific to trypanosomatids making it a potentially attractive therapeutic target. Taken together, our results suggest a role for TbENF in trypanosome gene transcription.
Stress-strain characteristics and slip band formation in copper-base alloy crystals

The plastic properties at room temperature of extended copper crystals alloyed with aluminium, germanium and silicon were examined as a function of crystal orientation, alloy concentration and nature of solute. A strong orientation dependence was observed on the gross shape of the shear stress/shear strain diagram in all of the alloy crystals examined. In those crystals exhibiting a well-defined two-stage hardening curve, the extent of shear associated with stage I and the shear hardening coefficients of stages I and II are significantly dependent on orientation, nature and concentration of solute. On the other hand, the shear stress defining the onset of stage II is constant and independent of crystal orientation. Variations in the gross shape of the shear stress/shear diagram and in the parameters defining the two-stage hardening curve are correlated with changes in slip line development. No evidence of Luders band propagation, kink band development or twinning, was observed.
Optimizing the tonescale display of computed radiography images

Computed radiography (CR) systems transform exposures incident on the imaging plates to image densities using examination specific tonescale display algorithms. A procedure is proposed which permits CR users to optimize these algorithms based on the premise that image contrast should be optimized. This procedure was applied to portable chest x-rays on a medical intensive care unit. Changes made to the display parameters supplied by the manufacturer resulted in an improved quality of the displayed image.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Model of Determining a Fair Market Value for Teaching Residents: Who Profits?

Context Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Health Resources and Services Administration Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education (GME) Payment Program now supports freestanding children's teaching hospitals. Objective To analyze the fair market value impact of GME payment on resident teaching efforts in our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Design Cost-accounting model, developed from a 1-year retrospective, descriptive, single-institution, longitudinal study, applied to physician teachers, residents, and CMS. Setting Sixteen-bed PICU in a freestanding, university-affiliated children's teaching hospital. Participants Pediatric critical care physicians, second-year residents. Main outcome measures Cost of physician opportunity time; CMS investment return; the teaching physicians' investment return; residents' investment return; service balance between CMS and teaching service investment margins; economic balance points; fair market value. Results GME payments to our hospital increased 4.8-fold from 577 886 dollars to 2 772 606 dollars during a 1-year period. Critical care physicians' teaching opportunity cost rose from 250 097 dollars to 262 215 dollars to provide 1523 educational hours (6853 relative value units). Residents' net financial value for service provided to the PICU rose from 245 964 dollars to 317 299 dollars. There is an uneven return on investment in resident education for CMS, critical care physicians, and residents. Economic balance points are achievable for the present educational efforts of the CMS, critical care physicians, and residents if the present direct medical education payment increases from 29.38% to 36%. Conclusions The current CMS Health Resources and Services Administration Children's Hospitals GME Payment Program produces uneven investment returns for CMS, critical care physicians, and residents. We propose a cost-accounting model, based on perceived production capability measured in relative value units and available GME funds, that would allow a clinical service to balance and obtain a fair market value for the resident education efforts of CMS, physician teachers, and residents.
The Measurement of Environmental Levels of Rare Gas Nuclides and the Treatment of Very Low-Level Counting Data

The radioactive isotopes of the rare gases provide unique geophysical and mete-orological information concerning the properties and history of our (atmospheric) environment. The extremely low activity levels, however, require very special methods of measurement, experiment design, and data interpretation. Following an examination of the decay characteristics and atmospheric abundances of Kr and Ar radioisotopes, the question of experiment planning and data interpretation in the "extreme Poisson" (few counts) region is considered. A reduced activity plot is offered as an aid for making rapid evaluations and decisions in this region. The concept of an effectively zero background is illustrated by means of atmospheric 37Ar data. Finally, the problem of the blank is examined, and the merits and deficiencies of three alternative approaches are discussed, again with special emphasis on the measurement of 37Ar in Nature.
The Rohme Episode in Arnold Zweig’s Das Beil von Wandsbek

Most of Arnold Zweig’s novels are autobiographical. Das Beil von Wandsbek seems to be an exception in this respect. But even in this work, which deals with the events of everyday life in Hamburg under fascism, there is one episode where Zweig brings in something highly personal, albeit in a carefully camouflaged way. This is the Rohme episode, which can only be understood in all its ramifications against the backdrop of his lifelong relationship with Hermann and Helene Weyl, whom he — after a period of estrangement — met again in 1939 in Princeton. Instead of the expected reconciliation, a clash of political opinions evolved which led to a total breakdown of their relationship and was finally incorporated by Zweig into Das Beil von Wandsbek.
Folded Fabry-Perot Quasi-Optical Ring Resonator Diplexer: Theory and Experiment

Performance of folded Fabry-Perot quasi-optical ring resonator diplexers with different geometries of reflecting surfaces is investigated both theoretically and experimentally. Design of optimum surface geometsy for minimum diffraction, together with the figure of merit indicating improvement in performance, are given.
The visual response component of rotary pursuit tracking.

Adams (1955) found that watching the rotary pursuit affected subsequent performance. Since this finding disagrees with reports by Melton (1947), Ammons (1951), and Duncan (1957), the present experiment set out to test Adams' watching procedure for reliability and generality. Each of 198 Ss tracked the rotary pursuit for 5 min. with the right hand, next received one of 11 different treatments consisting of various durations of watching, resting, or both, and finally resumed tracking for another 5 min., using the left hand. After statistical adjustment of left-hand scores to the expected post-rest level, the results showed a decremental effect, supporting Adams, and indicated that the effect was functionally related to various durations of watching and resting.
Effects of antiplatelet drugs on dialysis-associated platelet deposition in polytetrafluoroethylene grafts

Abstract Hemodialysis is associated with platelet deposition in polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft fistulas. We determined whether aspirin or ticlopidine would modify this response. Patients on chronic hemodialysis with forearm loop PTFE fistulas were studied. Platelets labeled with 111 indium were injected and a baseline scan of the fistula arm was made with a large field of view gamma camera. After a routine dialysis treatment, a second scan was performed within 1 hour. Four weeks later, a repeat labeled platelet study was conducted after taking either aspirin 325 mg/d or ticlopidine 250 mg/d orally for 7 days. Images were computer analyzed by drawing seven standardized regions along each graft. The counts per second per pixel in postdialysis images were compared with predialysis images for each region and a percent uptake compared with the predialysis image was calculated. Regions with dialysis-induced uptake of more than 1.5-fold compared with the predialysis image before antiplatelet drug therapy were compared with these same regions after therapy. Six patients were studied before and after aspirin therapy. Uptakes larger than 1.5-fold over predialysis images were found in 12 of 40 regions and were 292% ± 50% (±SEM) before and 193% ± 25% of predialysis values after aspirin ( P = 0.02, paired t -test). Uptakes in the remaining regions were 107% ± 4% before and 115% ± 6% after aspirin ( P = NS). A second group was studied before and after ticlopidine (n = 5). Uptakes increased by more than 1.5-fold compared with predialysis images in 19 of 30 regions and had a median of 286% increased uptake (mean, 785% ± 374%) before and 160% (153% ± 10%) after drug therapy ( P P = NS). Platelet aggregation studies suggested compliance with both drugs. These studies show that these antiplatelet drugs reduce, but do not completely prevent, dialysis-associated radiolabeled platelet deposition in PTFE grafts.
Caught in the act: binding of Ku and PARP to MARs reveals novel aspects of their functional interaction

Specific regions of eukaryotic genomic DNA that exhibit high-affinity binding to the nuclear matrix in vitro are called matrix attachment regions (MARs) and are implicated in the loop domain organization of chromatin. Small regions possessing high base unpairing potential within these MARs are referred to as base unpairing regions (BURs). BUR-affinity chromatographic separations of proteins from breast cancer cells yielded, almost exclusively, a mixture of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), two nuclear enzymes that are implicated in the cellular response to DNA damage. Contrary to the long-held notion that PARP and Ku autoantigen, the DNA-binding heterodimeric subunit of DNA-PK, bind only to DNA ends, recently we have shown that both proteins individually bind BURs with high affinity and specificity in an end-independent manner. Furthermore, Ku autoantigen forms a molecular complex with PARP in the absence of DNA, and the physical association of these proteins synergistically enhanced their BUR-binding activity. Autoribosylation of PARP abolished its association with Ku autoantigen and BUR-binding activity. These findings have, for the first time, provided a molecular link toward elucidating the functional interaction between PARP and DNA-PK. The identification of MARs as their common binding target suggests a novel role for these enzymes in the modulation of chromatin structure and function.
Multiple interactions stabilize a single paused transcription intermediate in which hairpin to 3' end spacing distinguishes pause and termination pathways

Transcription is delayed in the leader regions of the Escherichia coli trp and his operons by multipartite pause signals that consist of four components: a nascent RNA structure (the pause hairpin), the 10 or 11 nt 3'-proximal region between the pause hairpin and the RNA 3' end, the bases in the active site, and approximately 14 bp of duplex DNA downstream from the pause site. Results described in the accompanying paper suggest that the his pause hairpin slows nucleotide addition via interaction with an easily disordered surface on RNA polymerase. Here we report that the four pause signal components slow nucleotide addition in a single kinetic intermediate. Formation of the paused transcription complex, in contrast, involves synergistic effects of RNA and DNA sequences that select the wild-type pause site from among several adjacent possibilities. Extending the pause hairpin with one G x C base-pair reduces pausing, apparently by interfering with pause hairpin interaction; adding a second C x G base-pair that reduces the 3'-proximal RNA to 9 nt or less (within the 7 to 9 nt characteristic of rho-independent terminators) induces transcript release. We propose that escape from the pause is governed by a rate-limiting isomerization that may require substrate NTP binding to re-establish the active site geometry, whereas transcript release and termination ensue when the hairpin interaction is weakened and isomerization to an active conformation is blocked.
Positive and negative predictive power as an aid in robust/dynamic decision making

The diagnostic capability of using positive and negative predictive power in dynamic and robust decision making paradigms is explored. Several mathematical formulations are discussed to employ this concept to assist in decision making when human-machine systems may have characteristics that change with time.
The role of canopy structural complexity in wood net primary production of a maturing northern deciduous forest

The even-aged northern hardwood forests of the Upper Great Lakes Region are undergoing an ecological transition during which structural and biotic complexity is increasing. Early-successional aspen (Populus spp.) and birch (Betula papyrifera) are senescing at an accelerating rate and are being replaced by middle-successional species including northern red oak (Quercus rubra), red maple (Acer rubrum), and white pine (Pinus strobus). Canopy structural complexity may increase due to forest age, canopy disturbances, and changing species diversity. More structurally complex canopies may enhance carbon (C) sequestration in old forests. We hypothesize that these biotic and structural alterations will result in increased structural complexity of the maturing canopy with implications for forest C uptake. At the University of Michigan Biological Station (UMBS), we combined a decade of observations of net primary productivity (NPP), leaf area index (LAI), site index, canopy tree-species diversity, and stand age with canopy structure measurements made with portable canopy lidar (PCL) in 30 forested plots. We then evaluated the relative impact of stand characteristics on productivity through succession using data collected over a nine-year period. We found that effects of canopy structural complexity on wood NPP (NPPW) were similar in magnitude to the effects of total leaf area and site quality. Furthermore, our results suggest that the effect of stand age on NPPW is mediated primarily through its effect on canopy structural complexity. Stand-level diversity of canopy-tree species was not significantly related to either canopy structure or NPPW. We conclude that increasing canopy structural complexity provides a mechanism for the potential maintenance of productivity in aging forests.
Titanium silicide contacts on semiconducting diamond substrates

Titanium silicide contacts have been deposited on semiconducting (p-type) natural diamond substrates by the codeposition of silicon and titanium by electron-beam evaporation. Current-voltage (I–V) measurements conducted at room temperature have demonstrated rectifying characteristics. Consistent with the observed small turn-on voltage, the corresponding I–V measurements recorded at 400°C exhibit ohmic-like behaviour. However, on subsequent annealing of the titanium silicide contacts at 1100°C in a vacuum of ∼10−6 Torr for 30min, stable rectifying I–V characteristics were observed in the 25–400°C temperature range.
Flow and turbulence in a stirred tank

Photographic measurements have been made of the mean and fluctuating components of velocity of water in a fully baffled stirred tank. Confirmation of much of the photographic data was obtained with a Kiel impact tube. Eulerian correlation coefficients and also Eulerian scales of turbulence were calculated from the photographic data. The Eulerian scale was of the same order as the blade dimensions, a result consistent with earlier measurements on the turbulence behind grids. Equations have been developed to describe the flow of energy and the conservation of angular momentum in the impeller stream of a stirred tank with a radial flow impeller and vertical baffles. These are simplifications of the Navier-Stokes equations and the energy equation. They relate energy, angular momentum, and pressure to the mean and fluctuating components of velocity in the impeller stream. The equations derived are used with the photographic data on mean and fluctuating velocities to estimate the angular momentum at different radial sections of the tank and to calculate the flow of energy through these sections. The estimates are compared with more accurate values of the total torque and energy determined with a torque table.
The intrinsic link between motor behavior and temporal cognition

Abstract The debate about the cognitive mechanisms behind human temporal processing has raged for decades without a clear resolution. The theory presented here describes a different perspective to the traditional accounts on the issue, namely, that motor behaviors or sequences of motor behaviors provide a means of reproducing time intervals. Evidence behind this perspective includes tapping strategies (exemplified by musicians), counting strategies, and neuropsychological results showing activation of motor areas during temporal cognitive tasks. I propose that motor behaviors aid human timing by offering a set of processes that consistently take a set amount of time to accomplish. Motor behaviors also allow segmentation of larger intervals into smaller intervals that are easier to estimate. I conclude with a discussion of implications of this perspective on temporal cognition.
Effects of milky disease on hemolymph coagulation and on the number of hemocytes in infected larvae of the Japanese beetle.

Abstract Daily counts of hemocytes in diseased and healthy larvae of the Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, showed a 1.4-fold increase in hemocytes in diseased larvae after 98-day degrees. The average counts/mm3 for infected (24,988) and healthy (25,044) larvae were not significantly different for the test period of 161-day degrees. Ability of the hemolymph to coagulate was not significantly altered in diseased larvae. The average weight of all larvae was 211±4 mg (standard error with 160 observations), and it did not change significantly during the test.
A review of the present understanding of the role of ion/surface interactions and photo-induced reactions during vapor-phase crystal growth

Recent progress in the use of low-energy (⪅200 eV) ion/surface interactions and photo-induced reactions during vapor-phase crystal growth in order to provide better control over film growth kinetics and hence the microstructure, microchemistry, and physical properties of as-deposited layers is reviewed. Ion/surface interaction effects such as trapping, preferential sputtering, and collisional mixing are used to interpret and, in some cases, model experimental results concerning the effects of low-energy ion bombardment on nucleation and film growth kinetics, elemental incorporation probabilities, surface segregation rates, dopant depth distributions, and film microstructure. The role of photo-stimulated gas-phase and surface reactions during laser-assisted chemical vapor deposition including single, multiple, and multi-photon-initiated-processes, radical production,and adlayer photochemistry are also discussed together with newly developed laser-processing techniques during deposition. The focus of this review is on the development of an understanding of the controlling mechanisms in both ion/surface and photo-stimulated processes in order to more fully utilize the advantages inherent in these techniques.