cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design and technology for Collaborage: collaborative collages of information on physical walls

A Collaborage is a collaborative collage of physically represented information on a surface that is connected with electronic information, such as a physical In/Out board connected to a people-locator database. The physical surface (board) contains items that are tracked by camera and computer vision technology. Events on the board trigger electronic services. This paper motivates this concept, presents three different applications, describes the system architecture and component technologies, and discusses several design issues.
Sum frequency generation spectroscopy of dicyanamide based room-temperature ionic liquids. Orientation of the cation and the anion at the gas-liquid interface.

The orientation of the cation and the anion of room-temperature ionic liquids using sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy is reported. The ionic liquids are based on butyl-methyl imidaz...
Correlation between air pollution and socio-economic factors in Los Angeles County

Abstract The correlation between air pollution dosage and socio-economic group is analyzed for Los Angeles County. Census derived socio-economic data are aggregated to 31 statistical areas. Nine general socio-economic variables are used : age, time of moves, transportation, schooling, employment, income, rent, housing value and race, each subdivided into several categories, for a total of 37 categories. The air pollution dosage experienced by each of these 37 categories is computed, and the degree of correlation of dosage with each of the nine socio-economic variables is determined by analyzing the pattern of the dosages among the categories for that variable. Even though the air pollution and socio-economic variables have widely ranging spatial patterns, there is no strong correlation between the air pollution and socio-economic patterns. Weak correlations are observed in the following cases : (i) blacks breathe on the average better air as measured either in terms of oxidant level or a combined pollutant measure and (ii) by the combined measure air quality improves slightly (so slightly as to perhaps be insignificant) with education, recentness of move, income, rental level and housing value.
Absence of a tidal component in the diel pattern of locomotory activity of sea catfish,Arius felis

Sea catfish, tested individually for 3-day periods in an automated data acquisition system, displayed a nocturnal pattern of locomotor activity with 62% of the activity occurring during scotophase. In addition, there were two relative maxima of activity at 0700–0900 and 1300–1500 C.S.T. This diel pattern of activity could not be correlated with tidal phenomena in the fish's natural environment and is virtually identical to that exhibited by several freshwater catfish species. Thus, even though sea catfish are a primarily estuarine fish and subject to daily tidal fluctuations, tidal rhythmicity is apparently not used as a cue for diel activity patterns.
Demonstration of optical packet switching using optical-label switching technologies

This paper discusses optical-label switching and an experimental demonstration of high-speed all-optical packet switching with all-optical label-swapping capabilities. The subcarrier optical-label content was optically extracted and compared against the forwarding table, which induced packet forwarding as well as label-swapping decisions. The all- optical label processing technique was immune from dispersion induced fading and polarization induced degradation effects. The packet switching was accomplished by a combination of rapidly tunable wavelength conversion and a uniform-loss cyclic frequency (ULCF) 8 X 8 arrayed waveguide grating router (AWGR). The packet routing system achieved 600 psec switching time with a forwarding decision time of 250 nsec. All optical label swapping incorporated optical subcarrier filtering using fiber Bragg gratings. Accumulated packet-by- packet Bit-Error-Rate measurements confirm the successful and low-penalty packet routing with label swapping technique, while maintaining optical transparency for the data payload.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Brief report: the role of National Brain and Tissue Banks in research on autism and developmental disorders.

Donated organs and tissues give life and sight, teach researchers how the brain works, provide drugs for fighting cancer, and allow us to master the very genes that define us as human. (Swerdlow, 1989)
Microscopic Study on the Molecular Arrangements in the Smectic A, B and C Modifications

Abstract The molecular arrangements in three smectic modifications, i.e., the smectic A, B and C states are discussed on the basis of optical observations of smectic spherulites, which were fixed in a very viscous polymer matrix. The observed microscopic patterns for the smectic A state support the conventional idea that the smectic A state has a molecular arrangement such that the long molecular axis lies perpendicular to the layers. In the smectic B state, similar patterns to the smectic A were observed, suggesting a similar molecular arrangement to the smectic A state. On the other hand, the smectic C state exhibits strikingly different patterns from those of the smectic A and B states. Twisted smectic layers are proposed for the molecular arrangement of the smectic C state in order to reasonably explain all the observed microscopic patterns.
Pleural Fluid Analysis - Role in Diagnosing Pleural Malignancy

This study aimed to assess the role of pleural fluid analysis in diagnosing pleural malignancy. Thoracentesis and closed needle biopsy of parietal pleura, using Cope's needle, were performed in 45 cases of pleural effusion coming to Department of Pulmonary Medicine. Samples were processed and studied as per standard methods. The male to female ratio was 4.6:1. Age range was 18-74 years. Two pleural effusions were transudates. Amongst the 43 exudates, 17 cases were malignant on pleural fluid analysis. Cyto­histological correlation was 68.4% for malignancy. Adenocarcinoma was the most common malignancy. Pleural fluid showed good sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. In developing countries, where investigations and health facilities are inadequate and cost of treatment is un-affordable, careful analysis of pleural fluid still remains a very convenient, low-cost and safe investigation that helps in diagnosing cases of malignant pleural effusion. Its combination with pleural closed needle biopsy can further enhance its usefulness in diagnosing pleural malignant lesions.
Vasoactive agents induce cytotoxicity in cultured human penile smooth muscle cells.

Objectives To evaluate the direct in vitro cytotoxicity of vasoactive agents (papaverine, phentolamine, and prostaglandin E(1) [PGE(1)]) to human penile cavernosal smooth muscle cells. Intracavernous pharmacotherapy with vasoactive agents for male erectile dysfunction has been associated with long-term complications such as a reduction in penile smooth muscle content and fibrosis. Methods Human penile cavernosal tissue explants (1 to 2 mm(3) size) were obtained with proper institutional review board approval from patients undergoing penile prosthesis implantation. Primary culture was initiated in Dulbecco's modified Eagles medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, and monolayer cavernosal cells were grown in 48-well tissue culture dishes. At 60% to 80% confluence, cells were labeled overnight with (51)Na(2)CrO(4) (1.5 microCi) and then incubated with therapeutic concentrations of papaverine (1.5 to 30 mg/mL), phentolamine (0.5 mg/mL), and PGE(1) (5 microg/mL) alone, as well as in combination, for 30 minutes at 37 degrees C. At the end of incubation, an aliquot of supernatant was collected in scintillation vials. The release of cell-free chromium in supernatants was determined in a liquid scintillation counter, and results were expressed as the percentage of cytotoxicity. Results Papaverine induced a significant dose-dependent increase in chromium release from the cavernosal cells. At therapeutic concentrations, papaverine (30 mg/mL) produced up to 60% cytotoxicity; PGE(1) (5 microg/mL) resulted in 40% toxicity. The combination of papaverine with either PGE(1) or phentolamine had a cumulative toxic effect, and maximal toxicity (70%) was observed with the triple combination. Conclusions Papaverine-induced cytotoxicity to cavernosal smooth muscle cells may contribute to the fibrosis and loss of smooth muscle content associated with the intracavernous pharmacotherapy. Quantitative evaluation of in vitro cytotoxicity in human cavernosal smooth muscle cell culture may be important in the development of new intracavernosal vasoactive agents.
Visible and infrared detectors at Rockwell Science Center

Rockwell Space Center is developing low-noise visible and IR imaging sensors and systems for astronomy, high-end commercial, NASA, and advanced military applications. The first science grade 2048 by 2048 HAWAII-2 focal plane array (FPA) for astronomy was recently demonstrated for the SWIR waveband. Science-grade deliveries to the University of Hawaii's Institute for Astronomy, the European Southern Observatory and the Subaru Telescope, among others, will soon start. MWIR/visible 2048 by 2048 HAWAII-2 arrays are also being developed for the NGST program using our process for removing the CdZnTe substrate from the back-side illuminated HgCdTe FPAs to detect visible radiation in addition to IR. Previously, more than 25 science grade 2.5micrometers 1024 by 1024 HAWAII FPAs were delivered for use in many observatories; these typically exhibit 90 percent with near-100 percent fill factor, and the dark current is negligible with minimum cooling. Our near-term plan to develop 4096 by 4096 visible and IR FPAs will also be discussed.
UNUSUAL MORPHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIORAL TRAITS IN ABROCOMA (RODENTIA: ABROCOMIDAE) FROM ARGENTINA

We report a series of unusual morphological and ecological observations for a specimen of Abrocoma vaccarum, a member of the South American caviomorph family, Abrocom­ idae. The specimen, collected in Mendoza Province, Argentina, has buccal epidermal den­ ticles, or false teeth, in the midline of the mouth and a tongue with a horny pad. The animal also seems to store a watery liquid subcutaneously around the cranium, perhaps enhancing the broad-headed appearance of the species. A. vacca rum inhabit fissures in rock cliff faces and form remarkable latrines that likely are highly persistent over time. These and other features indicate that this species is a highly unusual rock specialist.
Hypertension and sleep apnoea.

SUMMARY Epidemiological data indicate a link between sleep-disordered breathing and elevation of arterial pressure. Previous studies suggest increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system in patients with sleep apnoea. The response of muscle sympathetic nerve activity was further investigated in normal, awake subjects following exposure to 20 minutes of asphyxia. Sympathetic nerve traffic increased during exposure and remained elevated even after the return to room air breathing. These findings raise the possibility that this sustained elevation of sympathetic nerve traffic could play a role in the development of daytime hypertension in patients with sleep-disordered breathing.
Cross-cultural perspective on dating relationships of young Iranian women: A pilot study

Abstract This study aimed to determine whether young Iranian women experience a conflict in values between their parents and those of mainstream America. Specifically, the study focused on dating and boyfriend-girlfriend relationships. Through an open-ended interview conducted in Farsi, the results indicated that the subjects experiencing the most pressure were those who had not yet forged an identity for themselves within either culture. Implications for cross-cultural counselling are discussed.
A demonstration of the value of interchangeable observers

The remarkably high agreement between observers using the SRIC, the TSBC, and the CFRS makes the observers interchangeable. This agreement is a product of the intensive and extensive training and monitoring of full-time observers, the use of categories rather than continua, the low degree of interpretation required by the procedures, the use of lay language, the immediate recording after short observational periods, and the familiar and standard setting. Other important features include use of rates, emphasis on time, concern for positive behavior, and close linkages between concepts and categories so that concepts are explicitly specified. Taken together, these characteristics make these systems powerful instruments for the guidance of treatment and the prediction of outcomes. The key to their success seems to be the recording of simple actions and action sequences (the basic phenomena of psychology) as the basic data from which a variety of useful indexes can be readily formed.
Photolysis of heptamethyl-2-phenyltrisilane and octamethyl-2,3-diphenyltetrasilane in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide

Abstract Photolysis of heptamethyl-2-phenyltrisilane and of octamethyl-2,3-diphenyltetrasilane in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) occurs by two major pathways. The first involves loss of methylphenylsilylene, which reacts with DMSO to yield methylphenylsilanone and dimethyl sulfide. Methylphenylsilanone has been trapped by reaction with hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane (VII) to yield heptamethylphenylcyclotetrasiloxane and by 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-2-oxa-1,3-disilacyclopentane (XIII) to yield 1,1,3,5,5-pentamethyl-3-phenyl-2,4-dioxo-1,3,5-trisilacycloheptane. The second pathway involves nucleophilic attack by the oxygen of DMSO on a phenyl substituted silicon atom leading to migration of a phenyl group to an adjacent silicon atom with formation of methyl(trimethylsilyl)silanone and dimethyl sulfide. Methyl(trimethylsilyl)silanone has been trapped by reaction with VII to yield heptamethyl(trimethylsilyl)cyclotetrasiloxane and by XIII to yield 1,1,3,5,5-pentamethyl-3-trimethylsilyl-2,4-dioxa-1,3,5-trisilacycloheptane. Possible mechanisms for these reactions are considered.
Mites of the Subfamily Harpirhynchinae (Acariformes: Harpirhynchidae) from North American Birds

Three new harpirhynchid species of the subfamily Harpirhynchinae (Acariformes: Harpirhynchidae) are described from North American birds: Harpyrhynchoides aegolius sp. n. from Aegolius acadicus (Strigiformes: Strigidae), Harpyrhynchoides accipiter sp. n. from Accipiter striatus (Accipitriformes: Accipitridae), and Neharpyrhynchus icterus sp. n. from Icterus galbula (Passeriformes: Icteridae). Three species are recorded from new hosts from North America for the first time: Harpyrhynchoides tracheatus (Fritsch, 1954) from Buteo lineatus (Accipitriformes: Accipitridae), Harpyrhynchoides pectinifer (Lawrence, 1959) from Colaptes auratus (Piciformes: Picidae), and Harpyrhynchoides rubeculinus (Cerný & Sixl, 1971) from Catharus ustulatus (Passeriformes: Turdidae). Neharpyrhynchoides novoplumaris (Moss et al., 1968) previously recorded from Cardinalis cardinalis (Passeriformes: Cardinalidae) from the United States is recollected from this host.
Experimental scrapie in the mouse: electrophoretic and sedimentation properties of the partially purified agent.

Some biochemical and biophysical properties of the scrapie agent in a partially purified fraction P5 from murine spleen are described in this communication. The agent was stable in the nonionic detergents Triton X-100 and Nonidet P40 and stable in the nondenaturing, anionic detergents sodium cholate and sodium N-lauroyl sarcosinate. In contrast, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) inactivated the agent at high concentrations (1% or >) when the detergent-to-protein ration approached 1.5 g SDS/g protein. The agent was resistant to inactivation by nucleases and proteases, even in the presence of 0.1% SDS. A broad peak of infectivity was exhibited in modified colloidal silica (Percoll) density gradients. Maximal titers were found at a Percoll density of 1.10 g/cm3 in the presence and absence of 0.05% SDS. Gel electrophoresis of the agent in the presence of 0.1% SDS resulted in inactivation of > 95% of the agent loaded onto the gel. Free-flow electrophoresis showed that > 99% of the agent in fraction P5 migrated toward the anode, but not as a discrete species. Sedimentation analysis of the agent in fraction P5 in the presence of 1% lysolecithin showed that the agent has a sedimentation coefficient of 30S. Heating P5 preparations caused the agent to associate with cellular elements and form aggregates with sedimentation coefficients > 10,000S. Removal by differential centrifugation of the large forms of the agent produced upon heating permitted characterization of a discrete subpopulation of scrapie agent particles. Rate-zonal sucrose gradient studies showed that > 95% of the infectivity in this subpopulation sedimented as uniform particles with a sedimentation coefficient of 240S.
Field-aligned currents and ion convection at high altitudes

Hot plasma observations from Dynamics Explorer 1 have been used to investigate solar-wind ion injection, Birkeland currents, and plasma convection at altitudes above 2 earth-radii in the morning sector. The results of the study, along with the antiparallel merging hypothesis, have been used to construct a By-dependent global convection model. A significant element of the model is the coexistence of three types of convection cells (merging cells, viscous cells, and lobe cells). As the IMF direction varies, the model accounts for the changing roles of viscous and merging processes and makes testable predictions about several magnetospheric phenomena, including the newly-observed theta aurora in the polar cap.
The effect of auxin type and concentration on pecan (Carya illinoinensis) somatic embryo morphology and subsequent conversion into plants

Embryogenic cultures were initiated from immature pecan zygotic embryos. Explants were induced for one week on Woody Plant Medium with either α-naphthaleneacetic acid or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid at 2, 6 or 12 mg/l, then subcultured monthly to fresh basal medium. Observations were made on callus production, embryo formation, and embryo morphology. Somatic embryo morphology and overall callus proliferation were affected by auxin type. Callus proliferation was less extensive and more somatic embryos resembling zygotic embryos were obtained from cultures initiated with α-naphthaleneacetic acid than with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Repetitive somatic embryogenesis was obtained in all auxin treatments. Conversion into plantlets was affected by somatic embryo morphology in that embryos with poorly developed apices exhibited lower percentages of conversion than those with well developed single or multiple apices. Consequently, although more embryos were obtained with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, naphthaleneacetic acid was the superior auxin for production of somatic embryos more likely to convert into plants.
Influence of Flocculation on Optical Properties of Emulsions

The influence of droplet flocculation on the optical properties of 1 and 10 wt% oil-in-water emulsions with and without dye was investigated. Flocculation was induced by addition of SDS micelles to the aqueous phase of emulsions to increase the depletion attraction between droplets. Droplet flocculation caused the spectral reflec tance and L-value (lightness) of emulsions to decrease, and the magnitude of the a- and b- values to increase, but the changes were rather small. Similar trends were observed for emulsions with and without dye. Overall, emulsion optical properties were dominated by light scattering from droplets rather than flocs. L'influenece de la floculation sur les proprietes optiques d'une emulsion huile dans l'eau avec ou sans colorant a ete etudiee. La floculation a ete induite par l'ajout de SDS dans la phase aqueuse. Le coefficient de reflexion et la luminosite de l'emulsion ont diminue quand la floculation a augmente.
Optimizing sparse representations for dataflow analysis

Sparse program representations allow inter-statement dependences to be represented explicitly, enabling dataflow analyzers to restrict the propagation of information to paths where it could potentially affect the dataflow solution. This paper describes the use of a single sparse program representation, the value dependence graph, in both general and analysis-specific contexts, and demonstrates its utility in reducing the cost of dataflow analysis. We find that several semantics-preserving transformations are beneficial in both contexts.
A dual version of the ribbon graph decomposition of moduli space

This note gives a construction of a dual version of the ribbon graph decomposition of the moduli spaces of Riemann surfaces.
An engineered vascular endothelial growth factor-activating transcription factor induces therapeutic angiogenesis in ApoE knockout mice with hindlimb ischemia.

Objective Angiogenesis is the growth and proliferation of blood vessels from existing vascular structures, and therapeutic angiogenesis seeks to promote blood vessel growth to improve tissue perfusion. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a prototypic angiogenic agent that exists in vivo in multiple isoforms, and studies with VEGF to date had used single isoform therapy with disappointing results. We tested plasmid and adenoviral vectors encoding a zinc-finger DNA-binding transcription factor (ZFP-32E) that was designed to increase the expression of all major VEGF isoforms in a preclinical model of peripheral arterial obstructive disease (PAOD) in hypercholesterolemic (ApoE knock-out) mice. Methods Unilateral femoral artery ligation/excision was performed in 117 mice. At 7 days postoperatively, the ischemic tibialis anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius (GAS) muscles received either ZFP-32E treatment (125 μg of plasmid, 2.5 × 10 11 viral particle units [vpu] of adenovirus; some mice received a second plasmid injection 3 days later) or no-ZFP treatment (125 μg of β-galactosidase [β-gal], a plasmid-lacking insert, or an equal dose of adenoviral encoding β-gal; some mice received a second plasmid injection 3 days later). Group 1 mice (n = 31) were euthanized 3 days later, and VEGF messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels were measured. Group 2 mice (n = 38) were euthanized 7 days later, and measures of capillary density, cell proliferation, and apoptosis were quantified. Group 3 mice (n = 48) were euthanized 28 days later, and changes in lower limb blood flow perfusion were measured. Results In group 1, VEGF mRNA and protein levels were significantly higher in those with ZFP-32E treatment vs β-gal. In group 2, capillary density and proliferating cells were significantly greater and apoptosis was significantly lower in those with ZFP-32E treatment vs β-gal. Finally, in group 3, changes in the perfusion ratio (ischemic/nonischemic limb) at 21 days after injection were significantly greater in those with ZFP-32E treatment vs no-ZFP treatment. Conclusion The ability of this engineered zinc-finger VEGF-activating transcription factor to induce therapeutic angiogenesis in hypercholesterolemic mice suggests this approach warrants investigation as a novel approach to treat PAOD.
Mechanical deformation of high-purity sputter-deposited nano-twinned copper

Near classical yield points were reproducibly observed at room and liquid nitrogen temperatures during tensile deformation of 170 μm thick, high-purity copper foils synthesized by magnetron sputter deposition. Uniformly distributed mobile dislocations introduced by rolling to ∼20% reduction in thickness eliminated the yield point at both temperatures. The experimental observations clearly demonstrate that the observed yield-point behavior is a direct result of the very low initial dislocation density in these sputtered films as expected for “ideal” nanoscale microstructural materials.
Treatment Guidelines for Substance Use Disorders and Serious Mental Illnesses: Do They Address Co-Occurring Disorders?

Practice guidelines are important tools for improving the delivery of evidence-based practices and reducing inappropriate variation in current treatment approaches. This study examined the degree to which guidelines targeted to the treatment of substance use disorders or serious mental illness address treatment of co-occurring disorders. Guidelines archived by the National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC) were retrieved in December 2007 and content analyzed. Nineteen pertinent guidelines were identified, and 11 included recommendations regarding the assessment and/or treatment of co-occurring disorders. None of the guidelines making recommendations for treatment of co-occurring disorders included outcomes that clearly targeted both substance use and mental health disorders. Limitations and implications of this study are noted.
A method of inferring changes in deep ocean currents from satellite measurements of time‐variable gravity

[1] The NASA/Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) satellite gravity mission Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), launched in March 2002, will map the Earth's gravity field at scales of a few hundred kilometers and greater every 30 days. We describe a method of using those gravity measurements to estimate temporal variations in deep ocean currents. We examine the probable accuracy of the current estimates by constructing synthetic GRACE data, based in part on output from an ocean general circulation model. We ignore the possible contamination caused by short-period gravity signals aliasing into the 30-day solutions. We conclude that in the absence of aliasing, GRACE should be able to recover the 30-day variability of midlatitude currents at a depth of 2 km with an error of about 6–15% in variance when smoothed with 500–700 km averaging radii.
A randomized recruitment intervention trial in Parkinson's disease to increase participant diversity: early stopping for lack of efficacy.

Background Failure to include participants of diverse race and ethnicity (i.e. those other than European Caucasian, non-Hispanic) in clinical trials impedes the safe development of new therapies given the potential for racial/ethnicity-related variations in treatment response. Increasing diversity is problematic for low prevalence diseases, where most community-based approaches do not reach those with the disease.Purpose Increase racial/ethnic diversity of participants in a Parkinson’s disease therapeutic trial.Methods We incorporated a randomized Ancillary Trial into the multisite National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke Exploratory Trials in Parkinson’s Disease Long-Term Study 1. Movement disorders clinics already participating in long-term trial 1 were eligible and were the unit of randomization and analysis. At least 14% of adult residents over age 55 and living within 30 miles of the eligible site were from a diverse population, or there was a near-by zip code with a highly diverse popul...
Characterization of the tobramycin-kanamycin-neomycin resistance plasmid in Staphylococcus epidermidis.

A strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis was transduced to tobramycin resistance and all transductants were also resistant to kanamycin and neomycin. Results of curing studies also indicated that these resistances were controlled by a single determinant on a plasmid. Agarose gel electrophoresis of the plasmid DNA from parent, cured, and transduced strains showed a single plasmid was responsible and its molecular weight was calculated to be 2.85 ×106. Attempts to determine other properties of the organism controlled by this plasmid were unsuccessful.
Introduction to the Cloud Service Science and Systems Minitrack

Agility and innovation are essential for survival in today's business world. Mergers and acquisitions, new regulations, rapidly changing technology, increasing competition and heightened customer expectations mean companies must become more responsive to changing demands, i.e., become more agile. This move to agility through innovation has been referred to as the "innovation-services-based economy." If properly applied, 'service oriented' concepts and "service systems" can support the agility organizations are seeking.
Gaia: goddess and idea.

Abstract This paper introduces Gaia theory to the general reader. It provides the necessary background to follow the development of James Lovelock's thinking as he originated the Gaia theory by comparison of the atmospheres around Mars and other planets during his sojourn at NASA. Lynn Marguli's contributions to Gaia are also presented and the bases for her collaboration with Lovelock explored. In addition to descriptions of the discoveries stimulated by Gaia thinking, the paper indicates how Gaians have dealt with the controversies that have arisen over the theory. Finally, the paper touches on the broader aspects of the Gaia idea. Namely, its development into a spiritual elixir, and how it has been a launching platform for interdisciplinary thinking inside of and beyond the boundaries of the sciences.
Hospice nurses. Caring support for caregiving families.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine caring behaviors of hospice nurses, as perceived by family caregivers in a hospice home-care program. Semistructured interviews and participant observations were conducted biweekly with a convenience sample of 10 families. A final interview was conducted 3 weeks after their relative's death. Subjects encompassed a variety of ages and relationships to their dying relatives. The constant comparative method of content analysis was used, with 55 taped and transcribed interviews, in order to search inductively for recurrent themes in families' descriptions of their interactions with the hospice nurses. Scientific rigor was evaluated according to credibility, applicability, auditability, and confirmability. Families identified four areas of caring of the hospice nurses: 24-hour accessibility, effective communication, a nonjudgmental attitude, and clinical competence. The implications for nursing practice include taking time to talk with families openly and honestly, maintaining contact and follow-up regarding concerns, and accepting families' difficulties with care-giving. Future research needs to address these behaviors within a theoretical framework and to study the relationship of such behaviors to families' satisfaction with hospice care and bereavement outcomes.
Extended Longitudinal Scaling: Direct evidence of saturation

Abstract Multiparticle production of charged particles at high energies exhibit the phenomenon of Limiting Fragmentation. Furthermore, the region in rapidity over which the production of particles appears to be independent of energy, increases with energy. It is argued that this phenomenon, known as Extended Longitudinal Scaling, is a direct manifestation of some kind of saturation, akin to that in the Color Glass Condensate picture of particle production.
Response of fusion reactor first walls to major plasma disruptions

Abstract The melting and vaporization responses of a reactor's stainless steel first wall to plasma disruption heat fluxes are predicted using several analytical techniques. A comparison of the results shows that the simplest techniques can produce results which differ by orders of magnitude from the more sophisticated models. These more complex models generally exhibit good agreement over the range of heat fluxes selected, and also indicate the importance of the high temperature thermal conductivity value, especially on vaporization predictions.
Applying developmental threshold models to evolutionary ecology

Process-based models of development predict developmental rates and phenology as a function of physiological responses to multiple dynamic environmental factors. These models can be adapted to analyze diverse processes in evolutionary ecology. By linking models across life stages, they can predict life cycles and generation times. By incorporating fitness, they can identify environmental and physiological factors that limit species distributions. By incorporating population variance, they can investigate mechanisms of intraspecific variation or synchronization. By incorporating genetics, they can predict genotype-specific phenology under diverse climatic scenarios and examine causes and consequences of pleiotropy across life stages. With further development, they have the potential to predict genotype-specific ranges and identify key genes involved in determining phenology and fitness in variable and changing environments.
Compression fatigue behavior of laser processed porous NiTi alloy

Porous metals are being widely used in load bearing implant applications with an aim to increase osseointegration and also to reduce stress shielding. However, fatigue performance of porous metals is extremely important to ensure long-term implant stability, because porous metals are sensitive to crack propagation even at low stresses especially under cyclic loading conditions. Herein we report high-cycle compression-compression fatigue behavior of laser processed NiTi alloy with varying porosities between ∼1% and 20%. The results show that compression fatigue of porous NiTi alloy samples is in part similar to metal foams. The applied stress amplitude is found to have strong influence on the accumulated strain and cyclic stability. The critical stress amplitudes associated with rapid strain accumulation in porous NiTi alloy samples, with varying relative densities, were found to correspond to 140% of respective 0.2% proof strength indicating that these samples can sustain cyclic compression fatigue stresses up to 1.4 times their yield strength without failure.
Multichannel quantum-defect theory and an equivalent N-level system.

A derivation and geometrical interpretation of multichannel quantum-defect theory (MQDT) is presented. An alternative set of MQDT parameters is suggested which separates into two independent groups, one representing the quantum defect of a Rydberg series in the absence of channel coupling and the other representing the channel coupling itself. An equivalent N-level system is developed so that the MQDT boundary conditions are replaced by a simple energy restriction on the N-level system, resulting in easier solutions of the equations. The equations are solved and spectra are presented for the simple two-channel case and for the three-channel case, where channel interactions lead to interferences in the spectra.
Crystal growth of a novel oxygen-deficient layered perovskite: Ba7Li3Ru4O20

Abstract Single crystals of both Ba 7 Li 3 Ru 4 O 20 and Ba 4 NaRu 3 O 12 were grown from reactive molten hydroxide fluxes. Ba 7 Li 3 Ru 4 O 20 is a 7L-layer perovskite-related phase resulting from the stacking of six [AO 3 ] layers and one oxygen deficient [AO 2 ] layer, thereby creating LiO 4 tetrahedra in addition to the LiO 6 octahedra and face-sharing Ru 2 O 9 bi-octahedra formed from the [AO 3 ] layers. The compound crystallizes in the space group R 3 m with a =5.7927(1) A and c =50.336(2) A, Z =3. Ba 4 NaRu 3 O 12 crystallizes in the space group P 6 3 mc with lattice parameters of a =5.8014(2) A and c =19.2050(9) A, Z =2. Ba 4 NaRu 3 O 12 is identical to a previously reported neutron refinement structure. The magnetic properties of Ba 7 Li 3 Ru 4 O 20 are also reported.
A practical correction for sensitivity change in thermoluminescence multi-aliquot-regeneration dating of feldspar dominated fine grain loess

Abstract Multi-aliquot (MA) thermoluminescence (TL) has been used little since the advent of modern single-aliquot-regenerative-dose (SAR) sediment dating methods for both quartz and feldspar. However, for dating unheated feldspar-bearing sediments older than 100–200 ka, MA TL can still be useful. To improve precision in burial-dose estimation from TL, a post-bleaching regenerative-dose procedure is beneficial. However, the long-known regenerative-dose TL sensitivity changes cause significant age under-estimation in such MA TL. Here a practical procedure is demonstrated to correct for this post-bleaching sensitivity change. Two samples of fine grain, polymineral loess having independent ages of ∼130 ka and ∼350 ka are employed with the use of the SLIDE (combined additive-dose and regenerative-dose responses) procedure to show that not only accuracy but improved precision can be attained with use of this practical procedure. The procedure employs an operational definition of laboratory-dose sensitivity change with respect to a second-glow TL signal, and corrects for the sensitivity change as a function of laboratory dose and of glowcurve temperature.
NMDA receptor expression in the mouse cerebellar cortex.

A detailed, light microscopic study on the distribution of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 1(NMDAR1) was carried out with immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization on the cerebellar cortex of the mouse. With a monoclonal antibody, labeling of Purkinje cell bodies varied from intense to negative, while heavy dendritic staining was limited to the proximal dendrites (unlike the rat, which also had heavily stained distal dendrites). In the granular layer, the cell bodies and the dendritic shafts of Golgi II cells were only moderately stained, but very intense labeling was associated with granule cell bodies, and with their dendrites and dendritic endings in the glomeruli. The mossy and climbing fibers were negative. In situ hybridization with a cRNA probe showed levels and spatial distributions of NMDAR1 mRNA consistent with the immunolabeling pattern, in that signals were strongest in the granular and Purkinje cell layers and relatively low or absent in the molecular layer and white matter. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that NMDAR1 may be especially well concentrated at the synaptic target sites of the mossy and climbing fibers. In the mouse, NMDAR1 at the parallel fiber sites associated with Purkinje cell spiny branchlets may differ from the rat in its level of expression or in its molecular configuration. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Dose and age dependent variations in effect of tetracycline on enamel formation in rat.

— Incidence of rats with gross enamel lesions in response to tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) was studied in relationship to age, tooth type, and concentration of antibiotic in the injection fluid. Incidence was defined as percentage of animals with defects in at least one incisor or one molar. Serum levels were measured at various intervals in 4- and 75-day-old rats, which received a single i.p. injection with 130 mg/kg bw in concentrations of either 13 or 25 mg/ml saline. The study confirmed that the effect of TC on enamel varied with age of the animal and that the molar responded more readily than the incisor. Furthermore, the incidence was higher the higher the concentration of antibiotic. This effect appeared tied to a direct relationship between concentration and serum level. Serum levels declined more slowly in the younger than in the older rats, resulting in significantly higher levels 6, 24 and 48 h after dosing, which correlated with a more extensive labeling of the dentin in the young rats. The possible roles of serum levels, capillary supply and cell susceptibility are discussed in relation to differences in response with animal age, between tooth types, tooth surfaces and with age of the secretory cells.
Role of PTCH and p53 genes in early-onset basal cell carcinoma.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer in the Western world. Ultraviolet (UV) exposure, race, age, gender, and decreased DNA repair capacity are known risk factors for the development of BCC. Of these, UVB irradiation from sunlight is the most significant risk factor. The incidence of sporadic BCC increases in individuals older than age 55, with the greatest incidence reported in individuals who are older than 70, and is rare in individuals who are younger than 30. In this study, we analyzed 24 BCC samples from individuals who had BCC diagnosed by the age of 30. Fifteen single-stranded conformation polymorphism variants in the PTCH gene were identified in 13 BCC samples. Sequence analysis of these single-stranded conformation polymorphism variants revealed 13 single nucleotide changes, one AT insertion, and one 15-bp deletion. Most of these nucleotide changes (nine of 15) were predicted to result in truncated PTCH proteins. Fifteen p53 mutations were also found in 11 of the 24 BCC samples. Thirty-three percent (five of 15) and 60% (nine of 15) of the nucleotide changes in the PTCH and p53 genes, respectively, were UV-specific C→T and CC→TT nucleotide changes. Our data demonstrate that the p53 and PTCH genes are both implicated in the development of early-onset BCC. The identification of UV-specific nucleotide changes in both tumor suppressor genes suggests that UV exposure is an important risk factor in early onset of BCC.
Attenuating gene expression (AGE) for vaccine development.

Live attenuated vaccines are adept in stimulating protective immunity. Methods for generating such vaccines have largely adopted strategies used with Salmonella enterica. Yet, when similar strategies were tested in other gram-negative bacteria, the virulence factors or genes responsible to incapacitate Salmonella often failed in providing the desired outcome. Consequently, conventional live vaccines rely on prior knowledge of the pathogen’s virulence factors to successfully attenuate them. This can be problematic since such bacterial pathogens normally harbor thousands of genes. To circumvent this problem, we found that overexpression of bacterial appendages, e.g., fimbriae, capsule, and flagella, could successfully attenuate wild-type (wt) Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Further analysis revealed these attenuated Salmonella strains conferred protection against wt S. Typhimurium challenge as effectively as genetically defined Salmonella vaccines. We refer to this strategy as attenuating gene expr...
Diabetes Care: “State of the Union”

With this issue, I have completed my first full year as Editor in Chief for Diabetes Care . I have attempted with each editorial to give a different perspective on the issues to date and really try to inform, educate, and, if nothing else, simply provide acknowledgment that I do appreciate and understand the issues of interest to our readership, authors, and reviewers. So, what does one do to celebrate 1 year at the helm? My first thought was to take on the mindset of a CEO of a large corporation and, as required of the position, provide an update to the stockholders through an annual report. In that way, I could provide the required information about our activities, performance, and projected direction. Clearly, Diabetes Care , as the main clinical journal of the American Diabetes Association (ADA)—an organization whose reach and influence could be argued to rival a major corporation—would clearly qualify for such an approach. Alternatively, I could use the practice that arose from a command given to the president as outlined in the Constitution of the United States that the president “…shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient…” (1) . In thinking about it, I believe the latter approach has promise. Specifically, we know in these addresses that the president always opens with a statement on the strength or weakness of the nation and says something to the effect of “My fellow citizens, the state of our union is strong.” After considering these words, I felt a State of the Union approach was very appropriate for Diabetes Care . So, let’s get started. Ladies and gentlemen, the state of Diabetes Care is strong!! …
Putting inference to the best explanation in its place

This paper discusses the nature and the status of inference to the best explanation (IBE). We (1) outline the foundational role given IBE by its defenders and the arguments of critics who deny it any place at all; (2) argue that, on the two main conceptions of explanation, IBE cannot be a foundational inference rule; (3) sketch an account of IBE that makes it contextual and dependent on substantive empirical assumptions, much as simplicity seems to be; (4) show how that account avoids the critics' complaints and leaves IBE an important role; and (5) sketch how our account can clarify debates over IBE in arguments for scientific realism.
SECOND SITE SUPPRESSOR MUTATIONS OF A GTPASE-DEFICIENT G-PROTEIN ALPHA -SUBUNIT : SELECTIVE INHIBITION OF GBETA GAMMA -MEDIATED SIGNALING

G proteins transmit signals from cell surface receptors to intracellular effectors. The intensity of the signal is governed by the rates of GTP binding (leading to subunit dissociation) and hydrolysis. Mutants that cannot hydrolyze GTP (e.g. GsalphaQ227L, Gi2alphaQ205L) are constitutively activated and can lead to cell transformation and cancer. Here we have used a genetic screen to identify intragenic suppressors of a GTPase-deficient form of the Galpha in yeast, Gpa1(Q323L). Sequencing revealed second-site mutations in three conserved residues, K54E, R327S, and L353Delta (codon deletion). Each mutation alone results in a complete loss of the beta gamma-mediated mating response in yeast, indicating a dominant-negative mode of inhibition. Likewise, the corresponding mutations in a mammalian Gi2alpha (K46E, R209S, L235Delta) lead to inhibition of Gbeta gamma-mediated mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphorylation in cultured cells. The most potent of these beta gamma inhibitors (R209S) has no effect on Gi2alpha-mediated regulation of adenylyl cyclase. Despite its impaired ability to release beta gamma, purified recombinant Gpa1(R327S) is fully competent to bind and hydrolyze GTP. These mutants will be useful for uncoupling Gbeta gamma- and Galpha-mediated signaling events in whole cells and animals. In addition, they serve as a model for drugs that could directly inhibit G protein activity and cell transformation.
Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is one of the most common cardiac surgery procedures performed in the United States to treat coronary artery disease (CAD) and has evolved since its introduction in the 1960s (1).
Influence of Sediment and Phosphorus Loading on Phytoplankton Communities in an Urban Piedmont Reservoir

ABSTRACT The response of phytoplankton communities to an imposed gradient of sediment loading under low versus high phosphate enrichment was assessed with enclosures (2-m-diameter polyethylene columns, open to the surface and the sediment) in a small piedmont reservoir within an urbanized watershed. The experimental design included replicated controls [CON, with ambient suspended solids (SS) and phosphorus (P)] and treatments low clay (LC), a natural hydrated sediment mix, sufficient clay initially added to effect an average daily concentration of 5 mg SS L−1 d−1), high clay (HC), 15 mg SS·L−1·d−1, phosphate enrichment (PHOS), ≥ 250 μg PO4 −3 P L−1); LC+P, and HC+P, imposed for ca. 10 weeks in the summer growing season. Clay additions without P led to decreased phytoplankton production (as chlorophyll a, chla) relative to controls, with colonial blue-greens and colonial greens increasing in LC, and HC dominated by filamentous blue-greens and mixotrophic flagellates. Significant increases in chla occurred ...