cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complications of Indwelling Catheters in Cystic Fibrosis: A 10-Year Review

Study objective: Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF)frequently require recurrent courses of IV antibiotics to treat acuteexacerbations of their pulmonary disease. Over time, CF patients oftenlose peripheral access, and indwelling central venous catheters areplaced. We attempted to determine the type and incidence of cathetercomplications so that CF patients could be fully informed of the risksprior to placement of these catheters. Design: Thecharts of all CF patients who attended the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Clinicof the University of Washington Medical Center from January 1989through December 1998 were reviewed. Demographic information wasobtained along with the type and duration of catheter, type and numberof complications, and the use of anticoagulant medication. Measurements and results: Of the 218 CF patients whoattended the clinic, 65 patients (30%) had indwelling catheters inplace at some time during the study period. A total of 87 catheterswere placed into these 65 patients. The total number ofcatheter-days for first indwelling catheters was 68,220. The totalnumber of catheter-days for all catheters was 75,660 (210catheter-years). Thirty-five catheter-related complications wereidentified, occurring in 26 patients. Complications included thrombosis(n = 14), infections (n = 9), mechanical problems (n = 6),pneumothorax (n = 3), superior vena cava syndrome/stenosis (n = 2),and air embolism (n = 1), for an overall complication rate of0.463/1,000 catheter-days. Conclusion: We concludethat indwelling catheters are relatively safe in patients with CF. Goodinfection control policies appear to prevent most infectiouscomplications. The most common complication is that of thrombosis, which may be recurrent in some patients. Consideration should be givento prophylactic warfarin therapy despite the potential risk ofsignificant hemoptysis in this patient population.
Do budget deficits cause capital inflows? Evidence from the United States

Abstract In this research article, following the literature, we argue that budget deficits that raise interest rates, can cause capital inflow. Using quarterly data over 1973–1988 period, cointegration technique is used to establish the long-run relationship between budget deficits and capital flows into the U.S. Results from error-correction modeling indicate that there exist bidirectional causality between two variables.
A nuclear hormone receptor-associated protein that inhibits transactivation by the thyroid hormone and retinoic acid receptors.

Abstract Nuclear hormone receptors are transcription factors that require multiple protein-protein interactions to regulate the expression of their target genes. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, we identified a protein, thyroid hormone receptor uncoupling protein (TRUP), that specifically interacts with a region of the human thyroid hormone receptor (TR) consisting of the hinge region and the N-terminal portion of the ligand binding domain in a hormone-independent manner. Interestingly, TRUP inhibits transactivation by TR and the retinoic acid receptor but has no effect on the estrogen receptor or the retinoid X receptor in mammalian cells. We also demonstrate that TRUP exerts its action on TR and retinoic acid receptor by interfering with their abilities to interact with their DNA. TRUP represents a type of regulatory protein that modulates the transcriptional activity of a subclass of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily by preventing interaction with their genomic response elements.
The Necessity of Continuing Education for Psychotherapy Supervisors

Over the past decade, the practice of neurobiology has come to dominate hospital-based psychotherapy, and the teaching of psychotherapy has become marginalized in psychiatry residency programs across the country. As a result, psychotherapy supervisors must play an increasingly important role in maintaining the viability of this discipline. Moreover, because the supervisory relationship is the main way that trainees develop their identity as psychotherapists, supervisors’ development of knowledge and skill is critical to their role as mentor. The authors describe a symposium and lecture series for trainee supervisors that enabled them to come together and offer a forum for a lively exchange of ideas and information.
Effects of non contact low-frequency ultrasound on healing of suspected deep tissue injury: a retrospective analysis

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of non contact low-frequency ultrasound on the healing of suspected deep tissue injury (SDTI). Participants were adults ranging in age from 28 to 93 years old, with multiple diagnoses including anaemia, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Data were examined retrospectively on 85 patients (intervention group = 43 and non intervention group = 42) with 127 SDTI (intervention group = 64 and non intervention group = 63). Participants in both groups received standard of care for treating pressure ulcers. A severity score was used to assess SDTI severity before treatment and healing/progression after treatment. This scale measures surface area, wound colour/tissue assessment, and skin integrity with potential scores of 3 to 18 (higher scores indicate greater severity). A significant difference in changes in wound severity was found (t = 5·67, P < 0.000). Difference in mean change scores was 2·52 on the 3-18 severity scale. The decrease in wound severity for the intervention group was 1·45. Severity in the non intervention group increased by 1·06. This exploratory study of the effect of the non contact low-frequency ultrasound provides initial findings that support its use with SDTI.
Decision-Directed Automatic Gain Control for MAPSK Systems

An automatic gain control (AGC) loop is presented for use with M -ary amplitude- and phase-shift keying (MAPSK) systems. The gain control amplifier is regulated by an error signal formed by the difference between the estimated amplitude level and the received amplitude level. The AGC performance is thus independent of the short-term average received signal energy. AGC loop analysis and simulation is presented for M -ary amplitude-shift keying (MASK) and quadrature amplitude-shift keying (QASK). The AGC is shown to have a negligible degradation on the symbol probability of error for most practical cases. A generalized AGC for an arbitrary MAPSK system is also presented.
The First Stellar Explosions: Theoretical Light Curves and Spectra of Pair‐Instability Supernovae

The flrst generation of stars likely consisted of massive objects (M<100 M⊙) which suffered minimal mass loss, setting the stage for an impressive first generation of stellar explosions. For the initial mass range (140<M<260 M⊙) stars die in a thermonuclear runaway triggered by the pair production instability. Such supernova events can be remarkably energetic (∼1053 ergs) and some may synthesize considerable amounts of radioactive isotopes (∼50 M⊙ of 56Ni). We have calculated broadband light curves and spectral time‐series for a number of pair‐instability supernova models, spanning a range of initial masses and degrees of mass loss. Here we briefly discuss the observable properties and potential detectability of a few representative models.
Economic Voting Appeals in Congressional Campaigns

Although they agree that economics and elections are intertwined, theories of economic voting disagree on the policy focus (on positions taken or outcomes achieved) and time horizon (retrospective or prospective) that guides voters’ decisions. Most research on these debates looks at the considerations voters weigh. Instead, I explore the types of economic voting that candidates encourage through their campaign appeals. Content-coded advertising data from the 2004 congressional elections show that appeals focus more on policy positions than outcomes and more on the past than the future. Consistent with predictions from emphasis allocation theory, strategic incentives and electoral context shape the exact mix of economic appeals campaigns make. When promoting their own candidacy, politicians ask voters to think about (more unifying) future economic outcomes; when attacking their opponent’s candidacy, they ask voters to think about (more divisive) past policy positions. In districts experiencing worsening ec...
Processing Effects on the Surface Composition of Glass Fiber

In this study, differences in the surface composition of commercial glass fiber have been characterized as a function of process. The two processes studied were flame attenuation, a high-temperature combustion-assisted process, and continuous filament drawing through a bushing. The techniques used to determine the surface compositions were TOF-SIMS and XPS; the presence of a very thin, boron-depleted silica-enriched layer on the flame-attenuated fibers was most significant. Thermodynamic modeling of the equilibrium vapor pressures at the surface, during fiberization, showed significant differences in the behavior of Na, B, and F species in the two processes. To further test the models, glass fibers were produced under more closely controlled conditions in a laboratory-scale flame attenuation system. These experiments verified the important effect of flame temperature and residence time in creating the surface layer.
ENERGY LEVELS OF TRIVALENT GADOLINIUM AND IONIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE GROUND- STATE SPLITTING

This paper represents an attempt to estimate the ionic contributions to the ground-state splitting of the trivalent gadolinium ion in a lanthanum ethyl sulfate lattice. The energy levels of the $4{f}^{7}$ configuration are calculated and compared with those observed experimentally. The calculated ground-state $g$ factor is found to deviate significantly from its measured value. An attempt has been made to estimate the contributions to the ground-state splitting for eight different mechanisms: (1) a fourth-order mechanism that is linear in the crystal-field strength and cubic in the spin-orbit interaction; (2) fourth-order mechanisms that are quadratic in both the crystal-field strength and the spin-orbit interaction; (3) a third-order spin-spin mechanism acting within the $4{f}^{7}$ configuration; (4) Pryce's second-order spin-spin configuration mixing mechanism; (5) a second-order relativistic mechanism; (6) mechanisms involving configuration mixing by the crystal field; (7) mechanisms involving nonlinear electrostatically correlated crystal-field interactions; (8) fifth-order configuration interaction mechanisms. The total contribution due to these mechanisms is found to be twice the magnitude of the observed splitting and of opposite sign. It is suggested that no purely ionic model can account for the observed splitting and that the correct explanation must involve the detailed interaction of the gadolinium ion with its ligands. A semiqualitative explanation of some of the intensity features of the crystal and solution spectra of trivalent gadolinium is attempted.
Determination of Yang-Mills potentials from the field strengths

The existence and uniqueness of a Yang-Mills potential for a given field strength is discussed. Previous results are reviewed. In two space-time dimensions every nonzero field strength can be derived from any element of a very large class of potentials which are not related by a gauge transformation. We exhibit these potentials explicitly. In four dimensions we show that both a constant electric field and a Coulomb field can be described by a variety of nongauge-related potentials which describe very different physical situations.
Looking Backward: An Autocritique

A retrospective and critical review of my own work in medical anthropology, I examine here what I now believe are the strengths and weaknesses of an ecological approach to the discipline. Although of major importance, the etic view embodied in the ecological perspective is not sufficient for a full understanding of cultural and biological adaptations to disease. Medical anthropology should remain true to its roots in the mother discipline by continuing to investigate the combined effects of biology and culture on human behavior.
The effect of syntactical violation upon the recall of form class

The recall of form class was investigated by having Ss learn word lists as sentences and anagrams. Although nouns had the highest recall and adverbs the lowest for both types of word lists, differences between adjacent form classes at the point of transition from the noun phrase to the verb phrase decreased with practice for sentences but not for anagrams. Recall of form class was found to depend to some extent upon the verbal context of the word list.
Eating high fat chow enhances the locomotor-stimulating effects of cocaine in adolescent and adult female rats

Dopamine systems vary through development in a manner that can impact drugs acting on those systems. Dietary factors can also impact the effects of drugs acting on dopamine systems. This study examined whether eating high fat chow alters locomotor effects of cocaine (1–56 mg/kg) in adolescent and adult female rats. Cocaine was studied in rats (n = 6/group) with free access to standard (5.7% fat) or high fat (34.3%) chow or restricted access to high fat chow (body weight matched to rats eating standard chow). After 1 week of eating high fat chow (free or restricted access), sensitivity to cocaine was significantly increased in adolescent and adult rats, compared with rats eating standard chow. Sensitivity to cocaine was also increased in adolescent rats with restricted, but not free, access to high fat chow for 4 weeks. When adolescent and adult rats that previously ate high fat chow ate standard chow, sensitivity to cocaine returned to normal. In adolescent and adult female rats eating high fat chow, but not those eating standard chow, sensitivity to cocaine increased progressively over once weekly tests with cocaine (i.e., sensitization) in a manner that was not statistically different between adolescents and adults. These results show that eating high fat chow alters sensitivity of female rats to acutely administered cocaine and also facilitates the development of sensitization to cocaine. That the type of food consumed can increase drug effects might have relevance to vulnerability to abuse cocaine in the female population.
On the forgotten theorem of Mr. Vincent

Summaries A little known theorem concerning the isolation of roots of polynomial equations, published in 1836 by a mathematician known only as Mr. Vincent, is discussed. Mr. Vincent's method is of historical and practical interest because it requires fewer computations than Sturm's method. The advantages afforded by this theorem are particularly relevant to software systems for computerized algebra. Certain computational results which offer an empirical comparison of the two methods are also presented.
Safety of nurse-administered deep sedation for defibrillator implantation in the electrophysiology laboratory.

UNLABELLED Implantation of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in the electrophysiology (EP) laboratory has been shown to be safe. However, general endotracheal anesthesia and/or administration of sedatives is mostly performed by anesthesiologists. In 53 patients undergoing ICD implantation in the EP laboratory, we prospectively assessed whether deep sedation without endotracheal intubation can be administered by nursing personnel under medical supervision. The mean patient age was 67 +/- 7 years, and the mean ejection fraction was 32 +/- 8%. All ICDs were placed in the abdomen requiring lead tunneling. Patients were monitored with pulse oximetry and noninvasive blood pressure recordings. The level of consciousness and vital signs were evaluated at 5-minute intervals. Deep sedation was induced with phenergan and midazolam and maintained with either meperidine or fentanyl. The mean doses given were as follows: phenergan 0.33 +/- 0.15 mg/kg, midazolam 0.05 +/- 0.03 mg/kg, meperidine 0.46 +/- 0.10 mg/kg per hour, and fentanyl 1.94 +/- 0.71 micrograms/kg per hour. None of the patients required intubation during or after the procedure. No death occurred and no patient had any recollection of the procedure. In three patients, O2 desaturation was easily managed by transient reversion of the effects of meperidine or fentanyl with naloxone. No patient experienced prolonged hospitalization after the implant (mean 2.4 +/- 0.5 days). IN CONCLUSION (1) adequate sedation for ICD implantation and testing can be administered safely by nursing staff in the EP lab; (2) optimum sedation protocols should include drugs easy to reverse in case of excessive respiratory depression; and (3) this may represent a more cost-effective approach to ICD implantation.
Use of a Religious HYMN in Remission of Symptoms of Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder): A Case Study:

This case report described a veteran with social anxiety disorder who reported fears of negative evaluation by others, social avoidance, and accompanying physiological symptoms of heart palpitations, gastrointestinal discomfort, muscle tension and mental confusion. The symptoms of social anxiety disorder subsided with the use of a Christian hymn "Be Still My Soul" and its accompanying musical poem, in Finlandia. The veteran attributed the symptom remission to the feeling of stillness and surrender to God conveyed by the words and music of the hymn. Although previous studies have shown that both music and religious beliefs can affect mental health, the findings in this case cannot be generalized without conducting further prospective empirical studies.
Weight Loss for the Obese: Panacea or Pound-Foolish?

Despite increasing prevalence of dieting, Americans continue to get fatter. Because traditional weight loss programs have poor long-term efficacy, a nonweight-centered paradigm might be more effective for improving the health of individuals considered overweight or obese. Many obesity-related health conditions can be ameliorated via physical activity and improved nutrition, independent of weight loss. Epidemiological evidence suggests that, compared to reported intentional weight loss, increasing physical activity or fitness, independent of body weight or changes in body weight, is associated with greater reductions in all-cause mortality rates. In view of the potential risks associated with calorie-restrictive dieting and weight fluctuation (yo-yoing), public health may be better served by placing greater emphasis on lifestyle changes and less importance to weight loss per se.
Urbana Meteor Radar observations during GRMWSP/CTOP periods

Observations with the Urbana Meteor Radar during three GRMWSP/CTOP observational periods are presented. These data were collected at Urbana during the periods 12-13 August 1974, 13-17 October 1975 and 14-23 January 1976. The height-averaged wind is presented for the August period. Determinations of prevailing wind and tidal variability are made during the October period. Tidal determinations and an observed temporary dominance by short period dynamics are presented for the January period. More data supporting our earlier result of a significant correlation between equatorward flow and d-region ionization during winter are shown.
A Test of a Shorter Privacy Preference Scale

Summary The development, rationale, and evaluation of the Privacy Activity in Vicarious Situations Scale (PAVSS) are described. The scale contains 12 vignettes designed to assess an individual's privacy needs associated with six subscale areas: anonymity, not neighboring, reserve, solitude, seclusion, and intimacy. Each vignette is scored on a five-point Likert-type scale. The scale was derived from the only other scale developed to measure an individual's privacy needs, the Privacy Preference Scale (PPS) with 56 items scored on a five-point Likert-type scale. Both scales were administered to 63 male and female graduate students (average age was 28.8 years). The PPS was completed once, the PAVSS twice with a two-week interval. Correlation coefficients between corresponding subscales within the PAVSS and the PPS suggested that the PAVSS has practical utility, as it is associated with the PPS but much shorter, relatively reliable, and more concrete through the use of vignettes.
Pair correlation function in model anharmonic crystals

Abstract It has been shown in the literature that long-range order in harmonic two-dimensional crystals exists at low temperatures despite the zero-point motions, and in practice also at high temperatures despite the fact that in principle it is destroyed by the thermal motions. We have investigated what happens to long range order in two-dimensional crystals under conditions of anharmonicity and absence of an equilibrium Bravais lattice. To this end we have constructed various types of static “anharmonic” lattices on a computer. It is found that long range order disappears significantly faster than in harmonic lattices, that the pair-correlation function flattens out over distances of the order of a thousand lattice distances, and that the single-particle distribution function spreads out over one or more lattice distances. Hence, long range order cannot be used to distinguish between a liquid and an anharmonic solid.
PULMONARY HYPERTENSION AND VALVULAR HEART DISEASE: INCIDENCE AND IMMEDIATE IMPACT OF SURGICAL REPAIR

quent use of multiple therapies. Disease specific therapies and diuretics are used more frequently as symptoms worsened. Vasoreactivity testing to direct CCB treatment was not performed in the majority of patients. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Greater adherence to ACCP guidelines for vasoreactivity testing is recommended. DISCLOSURE: Vallerie McLaughlin, No Financial Disclosure Information; No Product/Research Disclosure Information
The False Spring of 2012, Earliest in North American Record

Phenology—the study of recurring plant and animal life cycle stages, especially their timing and relationships with weather and climate—is becoming an essential tool for documenting, communicating, and anticipating the consequences of climate variability and change. For example, March 2012 broke numerous records for warm temperatures and early flowering in the United States [Karl et al., 2012; Elwood et al., 2013]. Many regions experienced a “false spring,” a period of weather in late winter or early spring sufficiently mild and long to bring vegetation out of dormancy prematurely, rendering it vulnerable to late frost and drought.
Sciatic cross-over in patients with peroneal and tibial intraneural ganglia confirmed by knee MR arthrography

A predictable mechanism and stereotypic patterns of peroneal intraneural ganglia are being defined based on careful analysis of MRIs. Peroneal and tibial intraneural ganglia extending from the superior tibiofibular joint which extend to the level of the sciatic nerve have been observed leading to the hypothesis that sciatic cross-over could exist. Such a cross-over phenomenon would allow intraneural cyst from the peroneal nerve by means of its shared epineurial sheath within the sciatic nerve to cross over to involve the tibial nerve, or vice versa from a tibial intraneural cyst to the peroneal nerve. One patient with a peroneal intraneural ganglion and another with a tibial intraneural ganglion each underwent a knee MR arthrogram. These studies were not only definitive in demonstrating the communication of the cyst to the superior tibiofibular joint connection but also in confirming sciatic cross-over. Contrast injected into the knee could be demonstrated tracking to the superior tibiofibular joint and then proximally into the common peroneal or tibial nerve respectively, crossing over at the sciatic nerve, and then descending down the tibial and peroneal nerves. The arthrographic findings mirrored MR images upon their retrospective review. This study provides direct in vivo proof of the nature of sciatic cross-over theorized by critical review of MRIs and/or experimental dye injections done in cadavers. This study is important in clarifying the potential paths of propagation of intraneural cysts at points of major bifurcation.
Anatomical Brain Images Alone Can Accurately Diagnose Chronic Neuropsychiatric Illnesses

Objective Diagnoses using imaging-based measures alone offer the hope of improving the accuracy of clinical diagnosis, thereby reducing the costs associated with incorrect treatments. Previous attempts to use brain imaging for diagnosis, however, have had only limited success in diagnosing patients who are independent of the samples used to derive the diagnostic algorithms. We aimed to develop a classification algorithm that can accurately diagnose chronic, well-characterized neuropsychiatric illness in single individuals, given the availability of sufficiently precise delineations of brain regions across several neural systems in anatomical MR images of the brain.
Mood, side of motor symptom onset and pain complaints in Parkinson's disease.

Objective Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) present with a variety of non-motor symptoms including sensory complaints and mood disturbances. In the current pilot study, we aimed to explore pain complaints and the association between mood and pain in PD. We hypothesized that pain ratings would be elevated in patients with PD relative to controls. As PD is lateralized at onset and studies have found lateralization of some non-motor symptoms in PD, we also hypothesized that PD patients would exhibit differing pain profiles depending on side of onset of the disease. Methods Twenty-three PD patients (11 right-onset (RPD), 12 left-onset (LPD) disease), and 11 control participants (CS) completed a mood questionnaire (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale; DASS) as well as the short form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Results Both PD groups reported higher present pain intensity scores (p = 0.001), more evaluative pain intensity (p = 0.02), and more overall pain (p = 0.02) than control participants. There was a significant association between mood and all of the McGill pain ratings in the LPD patients, with those reporting more mood symptoms rating higher on all pain scales (all p-values < 0.001). This association was not found in the RPD group. Conclusions Our results suggest an association between mood and pain in patients with PD that may be related to the differential contribution of right-hemispheric neural networks in processing of mood and pain states. These findings merit further investigation into the relation between mood and pain in patients with PD. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molybdenum carbide-derived carbon for hydrogen storage

Abstract Physisorption of hydrogen in microporous molybdenum carbide (Mo 2 C)-derived carbons has been studied as a function of synthesis conditions. Changes in local structure induced by varying the chlorination temperature afford controllable variations in average pore size and specific surface area. Optimal hydrogen storage capacity of 4.3 wt%, measured at −196 °C and 35 bar pressure, is obtained from a sample chlorinated at 660 °C for 3 h. This optimum correlates with the largest fraction of total pore volume having average pore sizes in the 0.6–0.8 nm range.
Synthesis and Characterization of Mg-Al Layered Double Hydroxide

Mg-Al layered double hydroxide was synthesized by the method of mechanochemistry /crystallization at the dry milling time of 6 h, wet milling time of 2 h, milling speed of 250 r/min, and ball to powder weight ratio of 50 to 1 using brucite, Al(OH)3 and Na2CO3 as the raw materials. Characterizations of the materials were achieved by XRD, TEM, FT-IR and TG-DSC. The results showed that well crystallized Mg-Al LDH with average partical size of 40 nm were synthesized under this condition. Mg-Al LDH was formed with CO32- freely intercalated between the hydroxide host layers. The material generally decomposed via two distinct stages. The first stage at 229.5 °C was attributed to the loss of interlayer water, and the second stage at 407.8°C was due to the loss of hydroxyl groups from the brucite-like layer, as well as of the carbonate irons.
Improving the predictiveness of the quasi-d combustion model for spark ignition engines with flexible intake systems

Fast and predictive simulation tools are prerequisites for pursuing simulation based engine control development. A particularly attractive tradeoff between speed and fidelity is achieved with a co-simulation approach that marries a commercial gas dynamic code WAVE™ with an in-house quasi-dimensional combustion model. Gas dynamics are critical for predicting the effect of wave action in intake and exhaust systems, while the quasi-D turbulent flame entrainment model provides sensitivity to variations of composition and turbulence in the cylinder. This paper proposes a calibration procedure for such a tool that maximizes its range of validity and therefore achieves a fully predictive combustion model for the analysis of a high degree of freedom (HDOF) engines. Inclusion of a charge motion control device in the intake runner presented a particular challenge, since anything altering the flow upstream of the intake valve remains “invisible” to the zero-D turbulence model applied to the cylinder control volume. The solution is based on the use of turbulence multiplier and scheduling of its value. Consequently, proposed calibration procedure considers two scalar variables (dissipation constant Cβ and turbulence multiplier CM), and the refinements of flame front area maps to capture details of the spark-plug design, i.e. the actual distance between the spark and the surface of the cylinder head. The procedure is demonstrated using an SI engine system with dual-independent cam phasing and charge motion control valves (CMCV) in the intake runner. A limited number of iterations led to convergence, thanks to a small number of adjustable constants. After calibrating constants at the reference operating point, the predictions are validated for a range of engine speeds, loads and residual fractions.
SparkInfo: designing a social space for co-creation of audiovisual elements and multimedia comments

People can have more insights and social experiences when they collaborate on collecting, revisiting, and utilizing their contents, such as images and videos; however, designing a social space that offers rich co-creation and exploration of multimedia contents remains a challenge. We propose a new system, SparkInfo, which enables users to create, exchange and augment their audiovisual elements in ways that are personally unique and sociable. SparkInfo is designed for a group of people, who have created audiovisual elements for the same purpose or at the same event, to collect their elements in one place and have a meaningful experience of their co-created media resources. SparkInfo provides a social space for the co-creation of audiovisual and multimedia resources. In the process of exploring and embellishing their materials, SparkInfo users can create new ideas, stories, and information. By utilizing this process, the users are able to experience how SparkInfo can embody the cycle of knowledge building, re-mixing, and sharing.
Tests on mice for evaluating carcinogenicity

Six chemical compounds were tested for carcinogenic potency in mice (C3H/Anf) by subcutaneous implantation or repeated skin application. Three compounds, aminotriazole, Aramite [2-(p-tert-butylphenoxy)isopropyl 2-chloroethyl sulfite], and Flectol H (a polymer of 1,2-dihydro-2,2,4-trimethylquinoline), were carcinogens or suspected carcinogens. Three compounds, butylated hydroxyanisole, dioctyl adipate, and methoxychlor had shown no carcinogenic potential when fed chronically to rats and dogs. Six groups of 100 mice (50 of each sex) were given single, subcutaneous injections (10 mg/mouse) of the test compounds. A seventh group of 100 mice was given the injection vehicle only (trioctanoin) and served as controls. No evidence of carcinogenic activity attributable to the treatment was noted over periods of observation averaging 273–575 days. Six groups of 100 mice (50 of each sex) were given weekly skin applications of 0.1 mg of the test compound in acetone, and six additional groups of 100 mice were given weekly applications of 10 mg of the test compound in acetone. A total of 200 control mice (100 of each sex) were given weekly applications of acetone only (0.20 ml). No gross evidence of tumor formation was detected in the skin of these mice (mean survival times ranged from 310 to 519 days for the low dose and from 309 to 459 days for the high dose). Microscopic examination of the skin from 205 mice from the low-dose study and of 189 mice from the high-dose study showed no evidence of tumors. Test procedures on mice observed for the remainder of their lives and involving weekly applications to the skin or single subcutaneous implantations of chemical agents having low carcinogenic potential are not adequate substitutes for tests by other routes of administration. For the compounds selected, these procedures failed to contribute significant additional information.
Strongly coupled quarks in the standard model.

For sufficiently strong Yukawa couplings the standard model goes over to the linear \ensuremath{\sigma} model. We point out that the associated heavy quarks may behave like strongly interacting low-energy u and d quarks so one cannot argue that very-heavy-quark systems will provide an easy test of QCD. An upper-quark-mass bound of about 1.5 TeV is found. (This should also apply to techniquarks.) Experimental confirmation of the scheme might come from the observation of very tightly bound baryons made from three heavy quarks.
Childhood and adolescent problems of adult psychiatric inpatients.

Abstract The Missouri Standard System of Psychiatry (SSOP) is a computerized information system that gathers codable, objective data from all Missouri Department of Mental Health facilities. 1 This automated system is an attempt to create a more objective approach to psychiatry. There are many theories concerning what are important etiologic factors for psychiatric illnesses. Using automated information gathered from relatives and other community informants via the SSOP's Community Adjustment Profile System (CAPS), a 98-item questionnaire, 2 we have addressed ourselves to the question of what relationships childhood deprivation and maladjustment have to adult behavior patterns in psychiatric inpatients. The basic questions studied concerned early (before age 20) deprivation and maladjustment: 1. 1. Did the adult community behavior adjustment patterns and diagnoses of inpatients who suffered early deprivation differ from those of inpatients who did not? 2. 2. Did the adult adjustment patterns and diagnoses of inpatients who manifested early maladjustment differ from those inpatients who had not? 3. 3. Did the adult adjustment patterns and diagnoses of inpatients who manifested both early deprivation and early maladjustment differ from inpatients displaying neither pattern? 4. 4. If differences existed, did they form patterns that were clinically comprehensible?
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression among Older Versus Younger Veterans: Results of a National Evaluation

Objectives. The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for depression (CBT-D) among older adults in routine clinical settings has received limited attention. The current article examines and compares outcomes of older versus younger veterans receiving CBT-D nationally. Method. Patient outcomes were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory–II and World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF. Therapeutic alliance was assessed using the Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised. Results. A total of 764 veterans aged 18–64 and 100 veterans aged 65+ received CBT-D; 68.0% of older and 68.3% of younger patients completed all sessions or finished early due to symptom relief, and mean depression scores declined from 27.0 (standard deviation [SD] = 10.7) to 16.2 (SD = 12.4) in the older group and from 29.1 (SD = 11.2) to 17.8 (SD = 13.5) in the younger group. Within-group effect sizes were for both groups. Significant increases in quality of life and therapeutic alliance were observed for both groups.
Interferon regulatory factor-5-regulated pathways as a target for colorectal cancer therapeutics.

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death. A significant obstacle to successful management of patients with colorectal cancer is intrinsic drug resistance or, in patients who initially responded to chemotherapy, acquired drug resistance. Failure in normal apoptotic pathways often contributes to resistance to anticancer drugs or radiotherapy. As a result, the identification of genes that control cell death and apoptosis has come to the forefront of cancer research, leading to new targets and novel therapeutic strategies in the treatment of colorectal cancer. To this effect, the authors have recently identified a new apoptotic signaling pathway that occurs through the transcription factor interferon regulatory factor-5. Here, the different strategies for targeting the interferon regulatory factor-5 signaling pathway in colorectal cancer are discussed. These strategies can be applied to a new generation of cytotoxic agents, as well as to novel biological compounds that are dir...
How should we be selecting our graduate students

We use many quantitative undergraduate metrics to help select our graduate students, but which of these usefully discriminate successful from underperforming students and which should be ignored? Almost everyone has his or her own pet theory of the most predictive criteria, but I hoped to address this question in a more unbiased manner. I conducted a retrospective analysis of the highest- and lowest-ranked graduate students over the past 20 years in the Tetrad program at the University of California at San Francisco to identify undergraduate metrics that significantly differed between these groups. Only the number of years of research experience and subject graduate record exams (GREs) were strong discriminators between the highest- and lowest-ranked students, whereas many other commonly used admissions metrics (analytical, verbal, and quantitative GREs, grade point average, and ranking of undergraduate institution) showed no correlation with graduate performance. These are not necessarily the same criteria that matter at other graduate programs, but I would urge faculty elsewhere to conduct similar analyses to improve the admissions process and to minimize the use of useless metrics in selecting our students.
Approximated Headway Distributions of Free-Flowing Traffic on Ohio Freeways for Work Zone Traffic Simulations

Headway or interarrival time (IAT) data of successive vehicles in freeflowing traffic ahead of work zones for each lane on six different Ohio freeways (two with two lanes in one direction, three with three lanes, and one with four lanes) for 3 days were measured and analyzed. Approximated IAT distributions were generated as a function of the traffic volume for each lane, and relationships between traffic volumes and approximate cumulative IAT distributions were established; this allowed a direct conversion from hourly traffic counts to corresponding cumulative IAT distributions. On the basis of the validation of these IAT distributions with IAT data collected in an independent study, this conversion method produces fairly accurate cumulative IAT distributions for selected hourly traffic volumes. A set of cumulative IAT distribution spreadsheets may be downloaded at webce.ent.ohiou.edu/orite/cumulativeIATdistributions.html. It was also found that the same approximated cumulative IAT distribution can be use...
Capturing sensor-generated time series with quality guarantees

We are interested in capturing time series generated by small wireless electronic sensors. Battery-operated sensors must avoid heavy use of their wireless radio which is a key cause of energy dissipation. When many sensors transmit, the resources of the recipient of the data are taxed; hence, limiting communication will benefit the recipient as well. We show how time series generated by sensors can be captured and stored in a database system (archive). Sensors compress time series instead of sending them in raw form. We propose an optimal online algorithm for constructing a piecewise constant approximation (PCA) of a time series which guarantees that the compressed representation satisfies an error bound on the L/sub /spl infin// distance. In addition to the capture task, we often want to estimate the values of a time series ahead of time, e.g., to answer real-time queries. To achieve this, sensors may fit predictive models on observed data, sending parameters of these models to the archive. We exploit the interplay between prediction and compression in a unified framework that avoids duplicating effort and leads to reduced communication.
A theoretical study on the effects of interference UWB multiple access impulse radio

Ultra wide bandwidth impulse radio occupies huge bandwidth from near DC to up to a few GHz. This suggests that many coexisting communication systems working simultaneously at different regions of impulse radio's bandwidth cause interference. The effects of an arbitrary external interference as SNR and bit error rate degradation of multiple access UWB radio versus interference frequency is theoretically evaluated and pulse shape design for narrow band interference rejection is presented. Using doublet pulses, it is shown how narrow bandwidth interference is mitigated significantly. Effects of amplitude mismatches and gap time offset from the nominal value in a doublet pulse are investigated.
Signature Extension Using the MASC Algorithm

A new signature extension method for use with LANDSAT data has been developed. The MASC (Multiplicative and Additive Signature Correction) algorithm uses an unsupervised clustering routine to gain relative information from two data sets. This information is then used to map the signatures derived from one data set onto the other data set. The MASC algorithm can be totally automated, thus making it suitable for use in large area crop inventories. This signature extension method has been tested on agricultural LANDSAT data. The results of field center pixel classification using MASC-extended signatures have been compared with classification results using untransformed signatures. In all three data set pairs the MASC algorithm yielded very good results.
Relative importance of redox buffers GSH and NAD(P)H in age-related neurodegeneration and Alzheimer disease-like mouse neurons

Aging, a major risk factor in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is associated with an oxidative redox shift, decreased redox buffer protection, and increased free radical reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, probably linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. While NADH is the ultimate electron donor for many redox reactions, including oxidative phosphorylation, glutathione (GSH) is the major ROS detoxifying redox buffer in the cell. Here, we explored the relative importance of NADH and GSH to neurodegeneration in aging and AD neurons from nontransgenic and 3xTg-AD mice by inhibiting their synthesis to determine whether NADH can compensate for the GSH loss to maintain redox balance. Neurons stressed by either depleting NAD(P)H or GSH indicated that NADH redox control is upstream of GSH levels. Further, although depletion of NAD(P)H or GSH correlated linearly with neuron death, compared with GSH depletion, higher neurodegeneration was observed when NAD(P)H was extrapolated to zero, especially in old age, and in the 3xTg-AD neurons. We also observed an age-dependent loss of gene expression of key redox-dependent biosynthetic enzymes, NAMPT (nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase), and NNT (nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase). Moreover, age-related correlations between brain NNT or NAMPT gene expression and NADPH levels suggest that these genes contribute to the age-related declines in NAD(P)H. Our data indicate that in aging and more so in AD-like neurons, NAD(P)H redox control is upstream of GSH and an oxidative redox shift that promotes neurodegeneration. Thus, NAD(P)H generation may be a more efficacious therapeutic target upstream of GSH and ROS.
Coarsening and persistence in the voter model

The voter model is a simple model for coarsening with a nonconserved scalar order parameter. We investigate coarsening and persistence in the voter model by introducing the quantity ${\mathit{P}}_{\mathit{n}}$(t), defined as the fraction of voters who changed their opinion n times up to time t. We show that ${\mathit{P}}_{\mathit{n}}$(t) exhibits scaling behavior that strongly depends on the dimension as well as on the initial opinion concentrations. Exact results are obtained for the average number of opinion changes, 〈n〉, and the autocorrelation function, A(t)\ensuremath{\equiv}\ensuremath{\sum}(-1${)}_{\mathit{n}}^{\mathit{nP}}$\ensuremath{\sim}${\mathit{t}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{d}/2}$ in arbitrary dimension d. These exact results are complemented by a mean-field theory, heuristic arguments, and numerical simulations. For dimensions d\ensuremath{\gtrsim}2, the system does not coarsen, and the opinion changes follow a nearly Poissonian distribution, in agreement with mean-field theory. For dimensions d\ensuremath{\le}2, the distribution is given by a different scaling form, which is characterized by nontrivial scaling exponents. For unequal opinion concentrations, an unusual situation occurs where different scaling functions correspond to the majority and the minority, as well as for even and odd n. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Embedded cavities and waveguides in three-dimensional silicon photonic crystals

To fulfil the promise that complete-photonic-bandgap materials hold for optoelectronics applications, the incorporation of three-dimensionally engineered defects must be realized. Previous attempts to create and characterize such defects were limited because of fabrication challenges. Here we report the optical and structural characterization of complex submicrometre features of unprecedented quality within silicon inverse opals. High-resolution three-dimensional features are first formed within a silica colloidal crystal by means of two-photon polymerization, followed by a high-index replication step and removal of the opal template to yield embedded defects in three-dimensional silicon photonic crystals. We demonstrate the coupling of bandgap frequencies to resonant modes in planar optical cavities and the first waveguiding of near-infrared light around sharp bends in a complete-photonic-bandgap material.
Branch nucleophile selection in pre-mRNA splicing: evidence for the bulged duplex model

Selection of the nucleophile for the first step of nuclear pre-mRNA splicing was probed by site-specific incorporation into splicing substrates of nucleotides modified at the 2' position. The differing abilities of ribose, 2'-deoxyribose, and arabinose nucleotides to base-pair within an RNA.RNA duplex and to contribute a nucleophilic 2'-OH group were exploited to analyze the paired/unpaired disposition of the branch site nucleotide. The results provide direct evidence for a bulged duplex model in which either of two adjacent purines within the consensus branch site sequence may shift into a bulged position and contribute the 2'-OH group for the first step of splicing. Furthermore, the presence of a consensus branch site that cannot present a reactive nucleophile suppresses splicing, including the use of cryptic branch sites elsewhere. We conclude that the branch site region base-pairing with U2 snRNA determines the first step nucleophile and persists at the time of the first transesterification reaction.