cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Leadership in Times of Crisis.

SUMMARY: In the wake of the death toll resulting from coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), in addition to the economic turmoil and strain on our health care systems, plastic surgeons are taking a hard look at their role in crisis preparedness and how they can contribute to crisis response policies in their own health care teams. Leaders in the specialty are charged with developing new clinical policies, identifying weaknesses in crisis preparation, and ensuring survival of private practices that face untenable financial challenges. It is critical that plastic surgery builds on the lessons learned over the past tumultuous year to emerge stronger and more prepared for subsequent waves of COVID-19. In addition, this global health crisis presents a timely opportunity to reexamine how plastic surgeons can display effective leadership during times of uncertainty and stress. Some may choose to emulate the traits and policies of leaders who are navigating the COVID-19 crisis effectively. Specifically, the national leaders who offer empathy, transparent communication, and decisive action have maintained high public approval throughout the COVID-19 crisis, while aggressively controlling viral spread. Crises are an inevitable aspect of modern society and medicine. Plastic surgeons can learn from this pandemic to better prepare for future turmoil.
Are Statins Indicated in Senior Citizens? A Review of Statin Therapy in the Elderly.

The use of statin therapy in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) has demonstrated substantial improvement in morbidity and mortality of the aging population. Despite exhaustive studies demonstrating the benefits of statin therapy linking lower cholesterol levels to decreased vascular events, statin guidelines vary greatly with age and recommendations are unclear regarding initiation and discontinuation of statin therapy in patients 65 years and older. Data suggests that statins are highly effective at secondary prevention of major cardiovascular events and development of coronary heart disease in patients with a history of vascular disease and/or risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, or smoking. Therefore, patients who meet this criteria, regardless of age, should begin statin therapy. There is also some evidence to suggest that statin therapy may be beneficial in primary prevention of major cardiovascular events, though this data is not as well studied as secondary prevention use of statin therapy, and should therefore be individualized for each patient.
Space Telecommunications Radio System (Strs) Compliance Testing

The Space Telecommunications Radio System (STRS) defines an open architecture for software defined radios. This document describes the testing methodology to aid in determining the degree of compliance to the STRS architecture. Non-compliances are reported to the software and hardware developers as well as the NASA project manager so that any non-compliances may be fixed or waivers issued. Since the software developers may be divided into those that provide the operating environment including the operating system and STRS infrastructure (OE) and those that supply the waveform applications, the tests are divided accordingly. The static tests are also divided by the availability of an automated tool that determines whether the source code and configuration files contain the appropriate items. Thus, there are six separate step-by-step test procedures described as well as the corresponding requirements that they test. The six types of STRS compliance tests are: STRS application automated testing, STRS infrastructure automated testing, STRS infrastructure testing by compiling WFCCN with the infrastructure, STRS configuration file testing, STRS application manual code testing, and STRS infrastructure manual code testing. Examples of the input and output of the scripts are shown in the appendices as well as more specific information about what to configure and test in WFCCN for non-compliance. In addition, each STRS requirement is listed and the type of testing briefly described. Attached is also a set of guidelines on what to look for in addition to the requirements to aid in the document review process.
The Cases of Indonesia, France, and Cuba

In this chapter, three cases of disassociation will be examined: Indonesian “withdrawal” from the United Nations; French refusal to participate in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); and the Cuban “expulsion” from the Organization of American States (OAS). In spite of their physical disassociations from the respective international organizations, states concerned are or had to be regarded as members of the respective international organizations in law.
Can't Stop the Hustle: The Department of Housing and Urban Development's "One Strike" Eviction Policy Fails to Get Drugs Out of America's Projects

In Department of Housing and Urban Development v. Rucker, the United States Supreme Court upheld the agency's use of the "one strike" eviction policy, which requires housing authorities to issue leases with the condition that tenants who engage in any drug-related criminal activity are subject to eviction. Moreover, the court held that a tenant's ignorance of the activity is not a defense to eviction. Although this ruling appears consistent with the Court's decision in Goldberg v. Kelly, the seminal case delineating the government's ability to terminate public assistance, the one strike eviction policy nevertheless suffers from several problems that limit its effectiveness. In particular, housing authorities have excessive discretion when implementing the policy; the policy does not define "engaging" in drug-related criminal activity; and the policy fails to prevent non-residents from participating in drugrelated criminal activity in the housing community. This Article proposes means of alleviating these problems to increase the effectiveness of the one strike eviction policy. * B.A., University of Southern California, 1995; J.D., The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, 1999. Trial Attorney, District of Columbia Office of Corporation Counsel, Child Abuse and Neglect Section. The views and opinions expressed in this Article in no way reflect the views and opinions of the Government of the District of Columbia. The author would like to take this opportunity to dedicate this Article to Margie Harrell, Executive Director, Diboll, Texas Public Housing Authority. Mrs. Harrell's technical assistance was greatly appreciated and her tireless, selfless, and boundless efforts on behalf of her tenants are an exemplary model to be followed throughout the United States. Those efforts reflect proven leadership and are the kind necessary to regain control of the public housing community.
Cutting Edge: A cis-Acting DNA Element Targets AID-Mediated Sequence Diversification to the Chicken Ig Light Chain Gene Locus

Somatic hypermutation and gene conversion are two closely related processes that increase the diversity of the primary Ig repertoire. Both processes are initiated by the activation-induced cytidine deaminase that converts cytosine residues to uracils in a transcription-dependent manner; these lesions are subsequently fixed in the genome by direct replication and error-prone DNA repair. Two alternative mechanisms were proposed to explain why this mutagenic activity is targeted almost exclusively to Ig loci: 1) specific cis-acting DNA sequences; or 2) very high levels of Ig gene transcription. In this study we now identify a novel 3' regulatory region in the chicken Ig light chain gene containing not only a classical transcriptional enhancer but also cis-acting DNA elements essential for targeting activation-induced cytidine deaminase-mediated sequence diversification to this locus.
CARL R. ROGERS: Grunnleggeren av klient-sentrert rådgivning og psykoterapi

SUMMARYThe purpose of this paper is to present to Scandinavian readers a survey of Rogers' contribution to psychology based upon several years of first-hand co-operation with him. The paper describes his career and most significant books, his present therapeutic orientation, his theory of personality, and some selected research findings.
Postsynaptic calcium, but not cumulative depolarization, is necessary for the induction of associative plasticity in Hermissenda.

The neuronal modifications that underlie associative mem­ ory in Hermissenda have their origins in a synaptic inter­ action between the visual and vestibular systems, and can be mimicked by contiguous in vitro stimulation of these con­ verging pathways. At the offset of vestibular stimulation (i.e., hair cell activity), the B photoreceptors are briefly released from synaptic inhibition resulting in a slight depolarization (2-4 mV). If contiguous pairings of light-induced depolar· ization and presynaptic vestibular activity occur in close temporal succession, this depolarization "accumulates" and has been hypothesized to culminate in a sustained rise in intracellular Ca2+ and a resultant Ca•+-mediated phosphor­ ylation of K+ channels as well as an associated increase in input resistance. Here we demonstrate that this cumulative depolarization is neither necessary nor sufficient for the bio­ physical modifications of the B cell membrane indicative of memory formation. Consistent with several recent reports of one-trial learning in Hermissenda, one pairing of light with mechanical stimulation of the vestibular hair cells resulted in a rise in neuronal input resistance across the B cell mem­ brane that was attenuated by a prepairing iontophoretic in­ jection of the Ca2+ chelator EGTA (25 mM), indicating that this potentiation was ca•+ dependent. However, the use of a single pairing negates the possibility of an accumulation of depolarization across trials. In a subsequent experiment, B photoreceptors underwent a cumulative depolarization, and a coincident rise in input resistance, during multiple pairings of light and hair cell stimulation. However, if the B photoreceptor was voltage clamped at its initial resting po­ tential before and after each pairing, thus eliminating the cumulative depolarization, the rise in resistance not only persisted, but was enhanced. Moreover, if unpaired light presentations were followed by a current-induced depolar­ ization (to mimic cumulative depolarization), no increase in input resistance was detected. To assess directly the effect of a cumulative depolarization on the voltage-dependent Ca2+ current, an analysis of the inward current on the B cell soma membrane was conducted. It was determined that ( 1) the inward current may undergo a partial inactivation during susThis work was supported by grants from the U.S. Public Health Service (RR 07058-26) and the Rutgers University Research Council (2-02186). We extend thanks to Daniel Fass for his assistance during the development of the in vitro
The State of the Art of General Aviation Autopilots: Now and in the Future

A study was performed under contract with NASA-Langley Research Center to document the state of the art of general aviation (GA) autopilots and provide information about the current status of GA autopilot technology. Results are based on findings obtained from general and product literature, as well as interviews with manufacturers, users and service centers. The autopilot systems are divided into three categories - wing leveler, automatic, and integrated flight control systems, and a listing of currently available autopilots and their available options is presented. Various autopilot components are discussed, such as the display, data entry devices, and computers; gyroscopes, altitude sensors, airspeed sensors and accelerometers are presented as the primary sensor types. Electromechanical servos, pneumatic and hydraulic actuators are compared in their ability to improve airframe response. Recommendations concerning potential areas of further research and possible areas of improvement are also presented.
Cyclosporine‐Induced β‐Adrenergic Receptor Down‐Regulation in Bovine Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells: A Pilot Study

We attempted to determine the effects of cyclosporine on β-adrenergic receptors in bovine pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Bovine pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells were exposed to cyclosporine at a concentration of 100 ng/ml in culture media for 5 days, and control bovine pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells were exposed to only culture media for the same 5-day period. β-Adrenergic receptors were measured as total binding capacity (B max ) by nonlinear least squares fit of the specific binding curve. In a separate experiment β 1 - versus β 2 -adrenergic receptor subtypes were identified by computer modeling (LIGAND) of 17-19 point CGP20712A-1251CYP competition curves. Cyclosporine significantly (p=0.02) decreased bovine pulmonary artery smooth muscle β-adrenergic receptor density by 54% ± 7%. The B max for control versus treated cells was 38.9 ± 18 versus 17.7 ± 12 fmol/mg protein, respectively. Subtype determination of β-receptors revealed 70% or more β 2 - and 30% or less β 1 -adrenergic receptors. Cyclosporine caused a 54% reduction in overall β-adrenergic receptor density in bovine pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. The reduction in B max is suspected not to be a result of selective down-regulation of β i -adrenergic receptors alone. We believe that cyclosporine may also contribute to a decrease in β 2 -adrenergic receptors.
Wisconsin's BadgerCare Plus Reform: Impact on Low‐Income Families' Enrollment and Retention in Public Coverage

Wisconsin's BadgerCare Plus (BC+) program was designed to ensure access to health insurance coverage to virtually all Wisconsin children and to bolster coverage for parents and other caretaker adults. The program, launched in February 2008, expanded upon BadgerCare (Wisconsin's Children's Health Insurance Program) and Medicaid. BC+ combines its predecessor programs into one streamlined umbrella program and its introduction was characterized by the following reforms: an eligibility expansion augmented with an autoenrollment initiative; simplification of eligibility rules and enrollment and verification processes; and an aggressive marketing and outreach campaign. This paper provides estimates of the impact of the reform effort on program enrollment and the continuity of coverage. We find that the introduction of BC+ was associated with increases in enrollment and decreases in exit rates, suggesting that the Wisconsin experience may be instructive for other states interested in achieving similar aims.
Determination of IC interconnect line parameters by S-parameter measurements

A procedure for extracting distributed transmission-line circuit parameters from S-parameter measurements of a microstrip has been developed. A methodology for extracting model parameters from these measurements is presented. The model is valid from 45 MHz to 18 GHz. Horizontal layout and cross sections are reported and extraction results are reviewed. >
Path matching in compressed control flow traces

Due to its large size, a whole program path (WPP) is stored in compressed form generated using SEQUITUR. The occurrence of an intraprocedural path in the WPP cannot be carried out using existing algorithms due to the path interruption and path context problems. We present an algorithm that addresses the above problems. The complexity of the algorithm is analyzed and experimental data is presented to demonstrate that our algorithm is efficient in practice.
Physiology and metabolism of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis: implications for pathogenesis.

Gonococci and meningococci are obligate human pathogens that can infect diverse sites within the human host. Each of these sites represents a unique niche with respect to nutrients, environmental factors, and competing microorganisms. The growth environment has a marked effect on the metabolism and cellular composition of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis. Altered cellular composition is often reflected by changes in the cell surface that can ultimately affect the interaction of these microorganisms with the human host. The physiology and metabolism of the pathogenic Neisseria spp. have not been reviewed since 1979 (41). This review will discuss selected areas that have implications for the pathogenesis of these important microorganisms.
Integrating anti-EGFR therapies in metastatic colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer remains one of the most common causes of cancer diagnoses and mortality in the United States. The treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer has evolved significantly over the last decade with near-tripling of patient survival rate. A significant contribution to this outcome was the advent of novel targeted agents, such as the epidermal growth factor (EGFR) inhibitors. In an era of emphasis on refining therapy, the presence of KRAS mutation will predict for resistance and limit exposure to patients who are more likely to benefit. In contrast, the presence of BRAF mutations does not seem to have a predictive value. Agents that are thought to reverse resistance to EGFR inhibitors such as those targeting PI3K, c-MET or IGF-1R are currently under study. EGFR inhibitors have exhibited single agent activity, and seem to synergize very well with standard chemotherapy except for cetuximab and 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin (FOLFOX). Preliminary data suggests that EGFR inhibitors have similar effectiveness to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors in the first line setting. Skin toxicity remains the main limiting factor for the utilization of EGFR inhibitors, but strategies including the use of agents such as minocycline or doxycycline added to topical care seem to limit the severity of the rash.
Church, Place, and Crime: Latinos and Homicide in New Destinations

Latinos are moving beyond traditional areas and settling in new, potentially disorganized destinations. Without an established immigrant community, new destinations appear to rely more on the local religious ecology to regulate community life and to keep crime low. We examine the link between religious ecology and Latino homicide victimization for traditional and new destination counties. We observe four findings. (1) A Catholic presence has no effect on Latino violence in the old and well-organized traditional settlement areas. But in new Latino settlement areas, a Catholic presence substantially lowers violence against Latinos. In contrast, mainline Protestantism is linked to high levels of violence against Latinos in new destinations. (2) Previous claims that Latino communities are safe do not apply to new destinations, where Latinos are murdered at a high rate. (3) Previous claims that areas with high Latino immigration are safe for Latinos are not true for new destinations. (4) New Latino destinations offer little insulation from the effects of economic deprivation on violence. We discuss the implications of the findings.
Consumer Decision‐Making Styles as a Function of Individual Learning Styles

The interrelations between individuals' learning styles and their consumer decision-making styles are explored. A Secondary Learning Styles Inventory is developed to measure six characteristics of learning, and a Consumer Styles Inventory is developed to measure eight characteristics of consumer decision making. Significant correlations between 21 of the 48 pairs of learning and consumer decision-making characteristics are found. Implications for the dissemination of consumer education and information are suggested.
The chemical effects of carbon dioxide as an additive in an ethylene diffusion flame: implications for soot and NOx formation

Abstract A numerical study of the chemical effects of carbon dioxide addition on both the fuel side and the oxidizer side of a diffusion flame was conducted in an attempt to explore the chemistry mechanism of the experimentally observed soot suppression by carbon dioxide addition. The laminar ethylene diffusion flame established in a counterflow configuration was considered by using detailed chemistry and transport properties. A novel strategy was developed that is able to isolate the chemical effects of a species added on either the fuel or the oxidizer side. Numerical results show that carbon dioxide, added either on the fuel side or the oxidizer side, indeed participates in chemical reactions. The specific aspects of the chemical effects of carbon dioxide addition that have direct implications for chemical suppression of soot formation are reduced concentration of acetylene and flame temperature and conversion of carbon dioxide by hydrogen atom to hydroxyl which prompts oxidation of soot precursors in the soot formation region. Reactions CO 2 +H → CO+OH and CO 2 +CH → HCO+CO were found to be responsible for the chemical effects of carbon dioxide addition. The chemical effects of CO 2 addition on the fuel side are small but becomes significant when introduced on the oxidizer side. The chemical effects of CO 2 addition were also found to suppress NO x formation.
The Antiapoptotic Protein Mcl-1 Controls the Type of Cell Death in Theiler's Virus-Infected BHK-21 Cells

Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) results in a persistent central nervous system infection (CNS) and immune-mediated demyelination in mice. TMEV largely persists in macrophages (Ms) in the CNS, and infected Ms in vitro undergo apoptosis, whereas the infection of other rodent cells produces necrosis. We have found that necrosis is the dominant form of cell death in BeAn virus-infected BHK-21 cells but that ~20% of cells undergo apoptosis. Mcl-1 was highly expressed in BHK-21 cells, and protein levels decreased upon infection, consistent with onset of apoptosis. In infected BHK-21 cells in which Mcl-1 expression was knocked down using silencing RNAs there was a 3-fold increase in apoptotic cell death compared to parental cells. The apoptotic program switched on by BeAn virus is similar to that in mouse Ms, with hallmarks of activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in a tumor suppressor protein p53-dependent manner. Infection of stable Mcl-1-knockdown cells led to restricted virus titers and increased physical to infectious particle (PFU) ratios, with additional data suggesting that a late step in the viral life cycle after viral RNA replication, protein synthesis, and polyprotein processing is affected by apoptosis. Together, these results indicate that Mcl-1 acts as a critical prosurvival factor that protects against apoptosis and allows high yields of infectious virus in BHK-21 cells.
Cavity QED: applications to quantum computation

Possible schemes to implement the basic quantum gates for quantum computation have been presented based on cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED) systems. We then discuss schemes to implement several important quantum algorithms such as the discrete quantum fourier transform (QFT) algorithm and Grover's quantum search algorithm based on these quantum gates. Some other applications of cavity QED based systems including the implementations of a quantum disentanglement eraser and an entanglement amplifier are also discussed.
Surrogate mothering: exploitation or empowerment?

KIE: The morality of surrogate mothering is analyzed from a "consequentialist" framework which attempts to separate those consequences that invariably accompany a given act from those that accompany it only in particular circumstances. Critics of surrogacy argue that it transfers the burden and risk of pregnancy onto another woman, separates sex and reproduction, and separates reproduction and childrearing; none of these acts is necessarily wrong, either morally or for women's or society's basic interests. While surrogate mothering can be rendered immoral if women are coerced into the practice or become victims of subordinating or penalizing contracts, it has the potential to empower women and increase their status in society by providing a job that is less risky and more enjoyable than other jobs women are forced to take and by achieving greater social recognition for reproductive labor.
Lipoxygenase isozymes of peanut.

Lipoxygenase was isolated and partially purified from peanut seed by ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration, and ion exchange column chromatography. Three isozymes of lipoxygenase were identified. Two had pH optima of 6.2, and the other an optimum of 8.3. Molecular weight of each isozyme was 7.3×104, as determined by gel filtration. The alkaline optimum isozyme was not inhibited by NaCN and was inhibited by CaCl2 except at very low concentrations. The acid optimum isozymes were inhibited by NaCN and were stimulated by CaCl2 concentrations up to ca. 0.7 mM.
Application of the Deming Philosophy to Higher Education

A brief overview of the historical significance of the work of W. Edwards Deming, one of the originators of Total Quality Management (TQM), is provided. The essence of the Deming philosophy is that quality must be the pre-eminent consideration in any strategy aimed at long-term success. Within this context, the idea of what constitutes true quality in higher education is discussed followed by an explanation of how Deming's famous ‘14 points’ are as applicable to colleges and universities as they are to business and industry. The author then explains how the ‘14 points’ can be used as a framework for ensuring quality, customer satisfaction and greater accountability within the collegiate environment.
The sick and the dead: The development of psychological theory on necrophilia from Krafft‐Ebing to the present

Researchers dealing with necrophilia over the past century have conducted their investigations using a great variety of methodological strategies and theoretical formulations. The multiplicity of approaches has been partially responsible for the diverse nature of speculations on the etiology, essence, and evolution of necrophilia, and for the accumulation of case histories and an aggregation of data from which it is exceedingly difficult to draw generalizations. There are only two assumptions on which most of the investigators agree. One is that necrophilia is exceedingly rare. The other is that the literature on the subject is severely limited. This paper not only questions the first assumption but establishes that the second is demonstrably false. It also attempts to locate some measure of constancy among the several theoretical lines on necrophilia that have emerged since the time of Krafft-Ebing, to evaluate their effect on scholarship, and to provide some sense of the directions taken by more recent investigators.
Tissue distribution and urinary excretion of dimethylated arsenic and its metabolites in dimethylarsinic acid- or arsenate-treated rats

Abstract Adult female Fisher 344 rats received drinking water containing 0, 4, 40, 100, or 200 parts per million of dimethylarsinic acid or 100 parts per million of arsenate for 14 days. Urine was collected during the last 24 h of exposure. Tissues were then taken for analysis of dimethylated and trimethylated arsenicals; urines were analyzed for these arsenicals and their thiolated derivatives. In dimethylarsinic acid-treated rats, highest concentrations of dimethylated arsenic were found in blood. In lung, liver, and kidney, concentrations of dimethylated arsenic exceeded those of trimethylated species; in urinary bladder and urine, trimethylated arsenic predominated. Dimethylthioarsinic acid and trimethylarsine sulfide were present in urine of dimethylarsinic acid-treated rats. Concentrations of dimethylated arsenicals were similar in most tissues of dimethylarsinic acid- and arsenate-treated rats, including urinary bladder which is the target for dimethylarsinic acid-induced carcinogenesis in the rat. Mean concentration of dimethylated arsenic was significantly higher (P
27.5-percent silicon concentrator solar cells

Recent advances in silicon solar cells using the backside point-contact configuration have been extended resulting in 27.5-percent efficiencies at 10 W/cm2(100 suns, 24°C), making these the most efficient solar cells reported to date. The one-sun efficiencies under an AM1.5 spectrum normalized to 100 mW/cm2are 22 percent at 24°C based on the design area of the concentrator cell. The improvements reported here are largely due to the incorporation of optical light trapping to enhance the absorption of weakly absorbed near bandgap light. These results approach the projected efficiencies for a mature technology which are 23-24 percent at one sun and 29 percent in the 100-350-sun (10-35 W/ cm2) range.
A Controlled Study of a Stress-Reduction, Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Program in Fibromyalgia

Objective: To determine the results of a stress-reduction, cognitive behavioral treatment [SR-CBT] program in fibromyalgia. Methods: Seventy-nine patients with fibromyalgia completed a 10 week meditation based SR-CBT program that met once weekly for 2 hours per session. Controls consisted of 42 fibromyalgia patients, 18 of whom had been placed on a waiting list for the treatment program and 24 randomly selected patients who had not expressed an interest in enrolling in the program. Medications and other treatments were not altered during the 10 week study. Fibromyalgia symptoms were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the study in patients and controls by self-administered visual analog scales [VAS] for global well-being, pain, sleep, fatigue, and tiredness upon awakening. Functional status was evaluated by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire [FIQ], and psychological status by the SCL-90-R. Participants and controls were comparable at study entry. Results: Fibromyalgia symptoms improved in 67% ...
Dependence of two-photon ionization photoelectron spectra on laser coherence bandwidth

We have employed the technique of two-photon ionization via the transient intermediate S2 state of phenanthrene to obtain molecular photoelectron spectra. This transient S2 electronic state is known to undergo internal conversion to a highly excited vibrational manifold of the S1 electronic state. Our observed photoelectron spectra show an interesting dependence on the laser coherence bandwidth, which is interpreted in terms of changes in the degree of S1 and S2 contents of the superposition of molecular eigenstates which comprise the optically prepared intermediate state.
Stress and death: breaking up the c-Abl/14-3-3 complex in apoptosis.

Nuclear accumulation of the c-Abl tyrosine kinase is associated with a pro-apoptotic response after DNA damage, but the mechanism regulating c-Abl nuclear localization is unclear. DNA damage and other stress signals are now shown to induce phosphorylation of 14-3-3 proteins by the c-Jun amino-terminal kinase, disrupting a c-Abl/14-3-3 cytoplasmic complex, and liberating c-Abl for translocation to the nucleus.
Risky and cautious decision shifts in small groups

Research revealed a trend for discussion groups to reach decisions taking greater risks than the group members would recommend individually. While noting the social importance of this phenomenon, no investigators have examined the communication resulting in decision shifts. This investigation attempts to identify and compare the patterns of communication of groups making risky‐and cautious‐decision shifts. Risky‐and cautious‐shift group discussions displayed nonrandom and statistically different distributional and sequential structures. The findings were discussed in terms of two explanations of the risky‐shift phenomenon.
Co‐sleeping: Help or hindrance for young children's independence?

This study investigated the relationship between sleep arrangements and claims regarding possible problems and benefits related to co-sleeping. Participants were 83 mothers of preschool-aged children. Data were collected through parent questionnaires. Early co-sleepers (who began co-sleeping in infancy), reactive co-sleepers (children who began co-sleeping at or after age one), and solitary sleepers were compared on the dimensions of maternal attitudes toward sleep arrangements; night wakings and bedtime struggles; children's self-reliance and independence in social and sleep-related behaviours; and maternal autonomy support. The hypothesis that co-sleeping would interfere with children's independence was partially supported: solitary sleepers fell asleep alone, slept through the night, and weaned earlier than the co-sleepers. However, early co-sleeping children were more self-reliant (e.g. ability to dress oneself) and exhibited more social independence (e.g. make friends by oneself). Mothers of early co-sleeping children were least favourable toward solitary sleep arrangements and most supportive of their child's autonomy, as compared to mothers in other sleep groups. Reactive co-sleepers emerged as a distinct co-sleeping sub-type, with parents reporting frequent night wakings and, contrary to early co-sleepers, experiencing these night wakings as highly disruptive. Implications for parents and pediatricians are discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Portability of syntax and semantics in DATALOG

This paper presents a discussion of the techniques developed and problems encountered during the design, implementation, and experimental use of a portable natural language processor. Datalog (for “database dialogue") is an experimental natural language query system, which was designed to achieve a maximum degree of portability and extendibility. Datalog uses a three-level architecture to provide both portability of syntax to new and extended tasks and portability of semantics to new database applications. The implementation of each of the three levels, the structures and conventions that control the interactions among them, and the way in which different aspects of the design contribute to portability are described. Finally, two specific, implemented examples are presented, showing how it was possible to transport or extend Datalog by changing only one “layer” of the system's knowledge and achieve correct processing of the extended input by the entire system.
Corrigendum: Minimum energy control for in vitro neurons

Objective. To demonstrate the applicability of optimal control theory for designing minimum energy charge-balanced input waveforms for single periodically-firing in vitro neurons from brain slices of Long-Evans rats. Approach. The method of control uses the phase model of a neuron and does not require prior knowledge of the neuron’s biological details. The phase model of a neuron is a one-dimensional model that is characterized by the neuron’s phase response curve (PRC), a sensitivity measure of the neuron to a stimulus applied at different points in its firing cycle. The PRC for each neuron is experimentally obtained by measuring the shift in phase due to a short-duration pulse injected into the periodically-firing neuron at various phase values. Based on the measured PRC, continuous-time, charge-balanced, minimum energy control waveforms have been designed to regulate the next firing time of the neuron upon application at the onset of an action potential. Main result. The designed waveforms can achieve the inter-spike-interval regulation for in vitro neurons with energy levels that are lower than those of conventional monophasic pulsatile inputs of past studies by at least an order of magnitude. They also provide the advantage of being charge-balanced. The energy efficiency of these waveforms is also shown by performing several supporting simulations that compare the performance of the designed waveforms against that of phase shuffled surrogate inputs, variants of the minimum energy waveforms obtained from suboptimal PRCs, as well as pulsatile stimuli that are applied at the point of maximum PRC. It was found that the minimum energy waveforms perform better than all other stimuli both in terms of control and in the amount of energy used. Specifically, it was seen that these charge-balanced waveforms use at least an order of magnitude less energy than conventional monophasic pulsatile stimuli. Significance. The significance of this work is that it uses concepts from the theory of optimal control and introduces a novel approach in designing minimum energy charge-balanced input waveforms for neurons that are robust to noise and implementable in electrophysiological experiments. (Some figures may appear in colour only in the online journal)
Accuracy of diagnostic mammography at facilities serving vulnerable women

BACKGROUND Breast cancer missed on diagnostic mammography may contribute to delayed diagnoses, whereas false-positive results may lead to unnecessary invasive procedures. Whether accuracy of diagnostic mammography at facilities serving vulnerable women differs from other facilities is unknown. OBJECTIVE To compare the interpretive performance of diagnostic mammography at facilities serving vulnerable women to those serving nonvulnerable women. DESIGN We examined 168,251 diagnostic mammograms performed at Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium facilities from 1999 to 2005. We used hierarchical logistic regression to compare sensitivity, false positive rates, and cancer detection rates. SUBJECTS Women aged between 40 and 80 years underwent diagnostic mammography to evaluate an abnormal screening mammogram or breast problem. MEASURES Facilities were assigned vulnerability indices according to the populations served based on the proportion of mammograms performed on women with lower educational attainment, racial/ethnic minority status, limited household income, or rural residences. RESULTS Sensitivity of diagnostic mammography did not vary significantly across vulnerability indices adjusted for patient-level characteristics, but false-positive rates for diagnostic mammography examinations to evaluate a breast problem were higher at facilities serving vulnerable women defined as those with lower educational attainment (odds ratio [OR], 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08, 1.79); racial/ethnic minorities (OR, 1.32; 95% CI: 0.98, 1.76); limited income (OR, 1.34; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.66); and rural residence (OR, 1.55; 95% CI: 1.27, 1.88). CONCLUSIONS Diagnostic mammography to evaluate a breast problem at facilities serving vulnerable women had higher false positive rates than at facilities serving nonvulnerable women. This may reflect concerns that vulnerable populations may be less likely to follow-up after abnormal diagnostic mammography or concerns that such populations have higher cancer prevalence.
A consistent control of spurious singular modes in the 9-node Lagrange element for the laplace and mindlin plate equations

Abstract When 2 × 2 quadrature is used with the 9-node Lagrange element, which is essential in C 0 plate elements to avoid locking, spurious singular modes appear on the element level which can lead to singularity or near-singularity of the global equations. Here these modes are controlled by a procedure that introduces additional generalized stresses and strains so that the spurious modes are eliminated and the consistency of the resulting finite difference equations is not impaired; hence the procedure passes the patch test. Applications to the diffusion and Mindlin plate equations are presented. Results show that h 3 convergence in the L 2 -norm is almost retained.
Meta-State Conversion

In MIMD (Multiple Instructionm Strea, Multiple Data Stream) execution, each processor has its own state.
Evaluation of a precipitation collector for PCB analysis

Abstract The efficiency of a large wet-only precipitation collector for polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) analysis was investigated using generator column-produced solutions. Total recoveries were quantitative for two experiments utilizing mixed Aroclor generator columns for the PCB source, with input-weighted average congener recoveries of 104 and 99%. Small losses were observed on the filter and collection reservoirs (> 3%), and no breakthrough to the second extraction cartridge was observed. Loss to the collector surface was 11 and 2%, and in the first case most likely reflects contamination rather than actual retention during the experiment. Individual congener recoveries generally rather than actual chlorination, a relationship that may be due mostly to analytical uncertainties for more highly chlorinated congeners.
A probasin promoter, conditionally replicating adenovirus that expresses the sodium iodide symporter (NIS) for radiovirotherapy of prostate cancer.

The sodium iodide symporter (NIS) directs the uptake and concentration of iodide in thyroid cells. We have extended the use of NIS-mediated radioiodine therapy to other types of cancer, we transferred and expressed the NIS gene into prostate, colon and breast cancer cells using adenoviral vectors. To improve vector efficiency we have developed a conditionally replicating adenovirus (CRAd) in which the E1a gene is driven by the prostate-specific promoter, Probasin and the cassette RSV promoter human NIScDNA-bGH polyA replaces the E3 region (CRAd Ad5PB_RSV-NIS). In vitro infection of the prostate cancer cell line LnCaP resulted in virus replication, cytolysis and release of infective viral particles. Conversely, the prostate cancer cell line PC-3 (androgen receptor negative) and the pancreatic cancer cell line Panc-1 were refractory to the viral cytopathic effect and did not support viral replication. Radioiodine uptake was readily measurable in LnCaP cells infected with Ad5PB_RSV-NIS 24 h post-infection, confirming NIS expression. In vivo, LnCaP tumor xenografts in nude-mice injected intratumorally with Ad5PB_RSV_NIS CRAd expressed NIS actively as evidenced by 99Tc uptake and imaging. Administration of therapeutic 131I after virus injection significantly increased survival probability in mice carrying xenografted LnCaP tumors compared with virotherapy alone. These data indicate that Ad5PB_RSV_NIS replication is stringently restricted to androgen-positive prostate cancer cells and results in effective NIS expression and uptake of radioiodine. This construct may allow multimodal therapy, combining cytolytic virotherapy with radioiodine treatment, to be developed as a novel treatment for prostate cancer.
Failure Rates of Young Patients with Sickle Cell Disease on a Hearing Screening Test

100 young subjects with sickle cell disease were screened for hearing loss at the Sickle Cell Clinic at Children's Hospital. 12% of the sample failed, which is higher than prevalence rates for the age groups suggest. Routine screening of hearing is suggested as the first step in the audiologic rehabilitation process.
Large scale least squares scattered data fitting

The least squares approximation by tensor products of B-splines of large sets of scattered data is considered. This ill-conditioned or even singular problem requires special techniques, some of which are described in this paper. The performance of a Block Truncated Singular Value Decomposition (BTSVD) algorithm and two Lanczos based algorithms for sparse LSQ is compared. Several regularization methods are discussed.
β-Lactamase inhibitors derived from N-tosyloxy-β-lactams

Abstract Electrophilic N -tosyloxy-β-lactams, N -tosyloxy-4-phenyl-2-azetidinone ( 2b ) and N -tosyloxy-3-( S )-phthalimido-4-( S )-2-azetidinone ( 2c ), are described. These agents are novel potent β-lactamase inhibitors.
Relationship between structure and point of zero surface charge for molybdenum and tungsten oxides supported on alumina

Laser Raman spectroscopy was used to characterize alumina-supported molybdenum and tungsten oxides at loadings ranging from 0.5 to 15 wt% Mo and 0.5 to 30 wt% W. The structure of calcined Mo6+/Al2O3 and W6+/A12O3 was governed by the point of zero surface charge of each system, with the point of zero surface charge being dependent on metal loading. The structures formed by the molybdenum and tungsten overlayers at the sample point of zero surface charge were found to be analogous to the structures formed by molybdenum and tungsten oxyanions in aqueous solution at a solution pH equal to the sample point of zero surface charge.
Pineal melatonin: Circadian rhythm and variations during the hibernation cycle in the ground squirrel, Spermophilus lateralis

Variations in pineal melatonin content throughout a 24-hour period and during different phases of the hibernation bout cycle were studied in the golden-mantled ground squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis). In addition to pineal melatonin, the circadian variation in the activities of pineal N-acetyltransferase (NAT) and hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT) were also investigated in summer animals maintained at 22 ± 2°C, on a light:dark (L:D) schedule of 12:12 hr for 1 month (lights on at 08.00 hr). Pineal glands were collected from six animals in each group at 1200, 1600, 2000, 2400, 0200, 0400, and 0800 hr. Changes in pineal melatonin content during the hiberation bout cycle were investigated in ground squirrels housed at 4 ± .05°C in relative darkness (1.9–3.4 lux; 10:14 LD). Pineal glands were obtained between 12:00 and 18:00 hr from 30 animals during one of three phases of the cycle (deep hibernation, euthermic interbout, and entrance into hibernation). Pineal melatonin was also measured for comparison in six winter euthermic animals that were housed at 22 ± 2°C, on a L:D schedule of 10:14 hr. Melatonin was measured in individual pineal glands by radioimmunoassay. The daily melatonin rhythm in S. lateralis was characterized by a marked increase in pineal melatonin during the dark phase, in which peak nighttime values were nearly 20-fold greater than daytime basal levels. The daily rhythm for NAT activity paralleled the changes in melatonin, showing a peak activity at 0200 hr that was 45 times greater than mean daytime values. No significant variation was observed in HIOMT activity. Pineal melatonin levels in winter animals were lowest during the state of deep hibernation. Melatonin content was increased significantly in the interbout phase within 1 hr postarousal (p < .01). A significant decline was evident in interbout animals that were sacrificed 6–8 hr postarousal and in animals that were in the entrance phase of hibernation (p < .01), although these values remained significantly higher compared to hibernation.
Increased immunoreactive vasoactive intestinal peptide in the cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) of dogs and monkeys in hepatic failure.

Abstract Immunoreactive vasoactive intestinal peptide was measured in the cisternal CSF of dog and in the lateral ventricular CSF of monkeys, before and after portacaval shunt and when hepatic failure supervened as manifested by encephalopathy. CSF VIP was not significantly affected by shunt, but was markedly increased in hepatic failure. In monkeys, therapy of hepatic failure by the infusion of an amino acid mixture rich in branched chain amino acids and poor in aromatic amino acids, and recovery from encephalopathy, was accompanied by a return of CSF immunoreactive VIP towards, but not to normal. The results provide additional evidence for a gut-brain axis. Peripheral influences on metabolism of VIP and other gut hormones such as hepatic failure, influence central nervous system VIP synthesis and degradation. The results also suggest that the gut-brain axis may vary with different situations and that peptide gut hormone candidates may function both in a central nervous system role as well as in the periphery in the gastrointestinal tract.
Metabolism of 2-chlorobiphenyl by suspension cultures of Paul's Scarlet rose.

Several studies have shown that plant-soil systems were capable of degrading chlorinated biphenyls, with the resulting accumulation of breakdown products in both the plants and the soil. However, since these studies were performed under field conditions, it is not certain what portion of the degradation was due to plant metabolism and what portion to that of soil microbes which have been demonstrated in pure culture to degrade chlorinated biphenyls. This question is addressed in the present research by determining the metabolism of (/sup 14/C)-labeled 2-chlorobiphenyl provided aseptically to axenic cultures of Paul's Scarlet rose.