cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Educational attainment for youth who were maltreated in adolescence: Investigating the influence of maltreatment type and foster care placement.

Abstract Decades of research have consistently shown a link between foster care and low rates of high school completion. Despite the overwhelming knowledge surrounding this association, it remains unclear whether the low rates of high school completion are due to placement in foster care or the maltreatment and other contextual factors that foster care youth have experienced. This study examined the extent to which (a) maltreatment type and (b) foster care placement were associated with the educational attainment of 337 maltreated adolescents. Logistic regression analyses were conducted using two waves of data and the ACR dataset of the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW). After controlling for academic risk factors related to the adolescents (age, race, and gender), their family (household poverty and parental education), and their environment (community environment), neither maltreatment type nor foster care placement status were associated with subsequent high school completion. Overall, only 58% of the maltreated adolescents reported completing their education. That is about 15% less than the national average at the time data were collected for this study. Results, overall, suggest a need for educational supports and interventions for youth who experience maltreatment during their adolescent years, regardless of maltreatment type and foster care placement.
Evidence on land deals’ impacts on local livelihoods

Transnational land deals are expected to benefit local livelihoods by directly and indirectly contributing to economic development. However, mixed evidence exists on the livelihood impacts of land deals. In this paper, I summarize and reconcile findings from quantitative and qualitative studies to identify the variations in impacts and factors that help explain those variations. I use the findings to demonstrate how and why research on land deals’ livelihood impacts can first, benefit from the use of both quantitative and qualitative research methods, and second, provide grounds for more rigorous analyses and practical policy implications. Lastly, I discuss future research directions by identifying gaps and opportunities to be explored in the literature on land deals’ impacts on local livelihoods.
Economic Impacts of an Unscheduled, Disruptive Event: A Miyazawa Multiplier Analysis

The damages and losses from unscheduled events, such as earthquakes, flood, and other major natural disasters, have significant and intense impacts on a region’s economy. The demand for the estimation of the economic impacts of recovery and reconstruction as well as of damages per se may become immediate after such events. Most analytical models of urban and regional economies, however, cannot confront these unscheduled and significant changes, since, at best, they assume incremental changes in systems over time. The consequences associated with the event, moreover, will have many aspects including damages on demand and supply sides, for example, since the event may affect a wide range of regional activities in different ways. The difficulties with impact analysis of unscheduled events are, therefore, 1) disentangling the consequences stemming directly and indirectly from the event; 2) deriving possibly different assessments at each spatial level — cities, region, or nation — (Hewings and Mahidhara, 1996), and 3) evaluating the reaction of households which are poorly understood (West and Lenze, 1994).
Design and Implementation of Computer Vision based In-Row Weeding System

Autonomous robotic weeding systems in precision farming have demonstrated their full potential to alleviate the current dependency on herbicides or pesticides by introducing selective spraying or mechanical weed removal modules, thus reducing the environmental pollution and improving the sustainability. However, most previous works require fast weed detection system to achieve real-time treatment. In this paper, a novel computer vision based weeding control system is presented, where a non-overlapping multi-camera system is introduced to compensate the indeterminate classification delays, thus allowing for more complicated and advanced detection algorithms, e.g. deep learning based methods. The suitable tracking and control strategies are developed to achieve accurate and robust in-row weed treatment, and the performance of the proposed system is evaluated in different terrain conditions in the presence of various delays.
Building a Visible Government

The progressive budget reformers sought efficiency through standardization, transparency, and bringing business practices to the government. Balancing the federal budget was seen as a form of efficiency. However, the executive budget process created in 1921 was a difficult fit compared to existing institutions. Congress also replaced a system where they governed federal debt on a rolling basis with a series of limits. It is impossible to know for sure how the American Founders would have considered the fundamental reforms of this period; however, the control over taxation and debt had been seen as the primary determinant of sovereignty to be vested in the people. The progressive reformers, of course, believed this power was best placed in the hands of the executive.
The Graph Based Benchmark Suite (GBBS)

In this demonstration paper, we present the Graph Based Benchmark Suite (GBBS), a suite of scalable, provably-efficient implementations of over 20 fundamental graph problems for shared-memory multicore machines. Our results are obtained using a graph processing interface written in C++, extending the Ligra interface with additional functional primitives that have clearly defined cost bounds. Our approach enables writing high-level codes that are simultaneously simple and high-performance by virtue of using highly-optimized primitives. Another benefit is that optimizations, such as graph compression, are implemented transparently to high-level user code, and can thus be utilized without changing the implementation. Our approach enables our codes to scale to the largest publicly-available real-world graph containing over 200 billion edges on a single multicore machine. We show how to use GBBS to process and perform a variety of tasks on real-world graphs. We present the high-level C++ APIs that enable us to write concise, high-performance implementations. We also introduce a Python interface to GBBS, which lets users easily prototype algorithms and pipelines in Python that significantly outperform NetworkX, a mature Python-based graph processing solution.
A missed case of lurasidone induced laryngospasm: A case study and overview of extrapyramidal symptom identification and treatment.

ObjectiveMany patients with bipolar disorder are treated exclusively in primary care settings, and the use of atypical antipsychotics as primary treatment for bipolar depression is increasing. Extr...
Challenges in Collecting Real-World Dementia Discourse

The authors provide guidance for interactional research design involving persons with dementia. This guidance includes gaining institutional approval to best guarantee the ethical treatment of persons within this vulnerable population. In particular, the protection of such persons’ identities and personal information are key. Also essential is identifying clear purposes for collecting discourse data, which will then set the types of activities that serve those goals and the agenda. Since collecting data can be complicated, we present ways by which speakers who have dementia may be located. They walk researchers through the steps to gain consent from guardians and permission from residential centers, to include agreement for the use of equipment such as recorders, cameras, or cell phones. This chapter, overall, provides guidance for productive and practical research outcomes by ensuring, first, that the best interest of the study participants is part of the research design.
Criminal Law: Second Edition

This is a casebook for a first-year criminal law course at American law schools. It covers statutory interpretation, actus reus, mens rea, attempt, conspiracy, homicide, rape, and general affirmative defenses. The included material is either public domain, Creative Commons, or included with the copyright owner's permission. The book itself is released under a Creative Commons license which you can find at the beginning of the book. I encourage editing, revising, and distributing under those permissive terms.
Concentric and eccentric inertia-velocity and inertia-power relationships in the flywheel squat.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of varying flywheel inertia on velocity and power during flywheel squats. Fifteen healthy physically active males performed 6 maximal effort flywhe...
The US Public Health Service House-to-House Canvass Survey of the Morbidity and Mortality of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic.

Between November 20, 1918, and March 12, 1919, the US Public Health Service carried out a vast population-based survey to assess the incidence rate and mortality of the influenza pandemic among 146 203 persons in 18 localities across the United States. The survey attempted to retrospectively assess all self-reported or diagnosed cases of influenza since August 1, 1918. It indicated that the cumulative incidence of symptomatic influenza over 6 months had been 29.4% (range = 15% in Louisville, KY, to 53.3% in San Antonio, TX). The overall case fatality rate (CFR) was 1.70%, and it ranged from 0.78% in San Antonio to 3.14% in New London, Connecticut. Localities with high cumulative incidence were not necessarily those with high CFR. Overall, assuming the survey missed asymptomatic cases, between August 1, 1918, and February 21, 1919, maybe more than 50% of the population was infected, and about 1% of the infected died. Eight months into the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States has not yet launched a survey that would provide population-based estimates of incidence and CFRs analogous to those generated by the 1918 US Public Health Service house-to-house canvass survey of influenza. Published online ahead of print December 8, 2020: 1-8. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2020.306025).
Nurse Managers Leading the Way: Reenvisioning Stress to Maintain Healthy Work Environments.

BACKGROUND: Stress among nurses is well documented, and in the midst of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, it has reached record highs. PROBLEM: Under normal conditions, nurse managers and frontline nurses face stressors that come with the territory of their profession, but the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has greatly added to their burden. Nurse managers are being called not only to help their organizations manage the crisis operationally, but also to help the nurses they supervise mentally, emotionally, and even ethically. DISCUSSION: This article provides recommendations for how nurse managers can use the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Healthy Work Environment standards and make the experience of stress more productive. CONCLUSION: Stress comes with the territory in nursing, but nurses can work together to make stress their ally and not their enemy. The real enemies are coronavirus disease 2019, burnout, and the aftermath of uncontrolled stress. When nurses keep stress in perspective and focus on what they can control, they contribute to developing healthier work environments.
Hepatitis B birth dose vaccination patterns in the military health System, 2014-2018.

BACKGROUND Since 2005, the universal hepatitis B (HepB) birth dose has been recommended for all medically stable infants weighing ≥2,000 g at birth. The timing of the birth dose provides a critical safeguard and prevents infection among infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers not identified prenatally. We assess infant HepB vaccination in the U.S. Department of Defense's Military Health System (MHS) to identify trends in vaccination coverage and sociodemographic factors associated with non-receipt of the birth dose, receiving the first HepB vaccine >3 days of life, and not receiving any HepB vaccine in the first 18 months of life utilizing parental refusal codes. To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies assessing trends in parental refusal of the HepB birth dose utilizing administrative claims parental refusal codes. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of MHS live births from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2018 utilizing administrative claims data. Data were included from 44 hospitals in 24 unique states, territories, or countries. We analyzed diagnosis codes for vaccine refusal and vaccination and current procedural terminology (CPT) codes to identify vaccination patterns. Generalized linear mixed effects models with a logit link were used to assess factors associated with vaccination patterns. RESULTS HepB birth dose vaccination coverage increased from 79.6% in 2014 to 88.1% in 2018 (p < .0001). Refusal rates also increased from 3.7% in 2014 to 4.5% in 2018 (p < .0001). The percentage of patients with missing diagnosis codes for vaccine refusal or vaccination decreased from 16.7% in 2014 to 7.4% in 2018. Factors associated with non-receipt of the birth dose included earlier year of birth, white maternal race, higher maternal age, higher birth order, and longer infant length of stay in hospital. CONCLUSION Vaccination coverage for HepB birth dose is high in the MHS and increased over time; concurrently, refusal rates also increased over time. Utilizing administrative claims data has the benefit of differentiating reasons for non-receipt of the birth dose over time.
Opto-Thermo-Electrohydrodynamic Tweezers: Towards On-chip Single-Molecule Trapping and Analysis

The trapping and dynamic manipulation of nanoscale biological molecules such as proteins and exosomes using the conventional optical tweezer technology have been met with challenges. This arises because of the substantial optical intensity required, which poses photo-induced damage to the biomolecules. In this talk, I will introduce a new kind of optically controlled nanotweezers termed Opto-Thermo-Electrohydrodynamic Tweezers (OTET) that enables the stable trapping and dynamic manipulation of sub-10 nm biomolecules at locations that are several microns away from the high-intensity laser focus, where they experience both negligible photothermal heating and light intensity. This novel non-invasive optical nanotweezer is expected to open new horizons in life science and medicine by offering an unprecedented level of control of tiny nano-sized biological objects in solution without photo-induced damage.
A qualitative understanding of nurses' challenges with pain management.

Abstract Background Studies have shown that providers deliver inadequate pain management, which is important since ineffective pain management can lead to patient safety concerns and negative health outcomes. There is a gap in the literature understanding the specific details of nurses’ struggles treating patients who need help with pain management. Methods This qualitative descriptive study assessed nurses’ challenges with pain management to provide a comprehensive, low-inference summary of the data. Participants were interviewed about their biggest challenges. Findings Three main themes emerged from the data: prescribing patterns, education on zero pain, and system problems. Major challenges identified in this study were understanding nurses’ perceptions of pain management care delivery and the need for quality pain management education. Discussion The health community needs to raise awareness and provide more comprehensive education regarding the nurse’ role in pain management.
Fundamental Genetics: Cutting, Sorting, and Copying DNA

Overview Because the genes of all organisms consist of DNA, and because a gene's structure largely determines its functional properties, analysis of any particular gene demands the isolation and structural analysis of DNA. To manipulate DNA experimentally, or even to determine its base sequence, chromosomal DNA must be reduced to small fragments, which are then sorted, identified, copied, and stored for future use. This chapter explains some basic principles of cutting DNA enzymatically into fragments, separating pieces of DNA or RNA by size, making DNA copies of RNA, identifying one particular piece of DNA or RNA, copying DNA, and establishing large collections of DNA fragments for storage and retrieval. Cutting and Fractionating DNA Restriction Enzymes It is easy to isolate chromosomal DNA. However, chromosomes tend to be long, and, even after random breakage, the DNA isolated from chromosomes exists as intractably long pieces. It is convenient to cut DNA into appropriate-sized fragments with bacterial restriction endonucleases (often simply called restriction enzymes), which cut only at particular sites. Bacteria protect themselves against viral infection by cutting foreign DNA with restriction enzymes, so called because they restrict foreign DNA's ability to invade the cell. The cell distinguishes its own DNA from foreign DNA by methylating certain bases shortly after replication, using modification enzymes . At least one strand of the bacterium's own DNA is modified and therefore resistant to restriction, whereas foreign DNA is not modified and therefore susceptible to restriction.
Let's Get Physical: The Role of Physical Activity in the Training of Graduate Mental Health Students

LET’S GET PHYSICAL: THE ROLE OF PHYSCIAL ACTIVITY IN THE TRAINING OF GRADUATE MENTAL HEALTH STUDENTS By Cassandra D. Pasquariello, EdM A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2011 Major Director: Micah L. McCreary, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Psychology Department of Psychology There is growing awareness of the role of physical activity (PA) in the prevention and treatment of health disorders. Mental health practitioners are well positioned to provide PA counseling and may have ethical obligations to address PA. Researchers have cited insufficient training as a barrier to PA counseling, yet little is known about training in mental health. This exploratory study examines the need for training students in PA counseling. A national sample of 361 current graduate students in psychology, social work, rehabilitation counseling, and psychiatric nursing completed a Web-based survey on their training, knowledge, attitude towards PA, personal PA, and use of PA with clients. Knowledge, training, and attitude significantly predicted use of PA in counseling. Psychiatric nursing students reported significantly higher knowledge and use of PA, 75% of students reported no training in PA counseling, and 86% of students reported need for training. Implications for training are discussed.
Constructive Category Theory (No. 1)

In this paper, a notion of effective categories and effective functions is presented as an attempt to handle effective properties of categories with effectiveness constraint. Using this notion, we study a categorical generalization of the Kleene 1st recursion theorem, as the effectively initial algebra theorem. Various effective categories and effective functors are studied.
Business failure analysis: an events approach.

An events approach to investigating business failure is presented in this study. The study identifies events in the bankruptcy process that characterize restaurant companies that have filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11. Based on a sample of 12 matched bankrupt and non-bankrupt companies, events that were unique to the bankrupt companies were: net losses, management turnover, loan default, credit accommodation, royalty default, decline in unit sales, and renegotiation of franchise contract.
Cellular automata for distributed computing: models of agent interaction and their implications

We propose cellular automata (CA) based models as a useful mathematical idealization for modeling large-scale distributed computing in general, and large-scale multi-agent systems (MAS), in particular. The classical CA need to be modified in several important respects, in order to become an appropriate abstraction for a broad class of large-scale MAS made of autonomous reactive agents. We argue that thus generalized CA can capture many important MAS properties at the level of agent ensembles and their long-term global behavior patterns. In this paper, we focus on the issue of inter-agent communication in CA. We propose sequential CA as the first step towards the genuinely asynchronous CA as the ultimate CA-based abstraction for MAS insofar as the model of inter-agent communication is concerned. We then compare and contrast certain configuration space properties of simple threshold sequential CA with the corresponding properties of parallel, perfectly synchronous simple threshold CA. Specifically, we show that the possibility of "looping" in parallel threshold CA is solely due to the unrealistic assumption of perfect inter-agent communication synchrony.
Neuromyelitis optica IgG stimulates an immunological response in rat astrocyte cultures

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a primary astrocyte disease associated with central nervous system inflammation, demyelination, and tissue injury. Brain lesions are frequently observed in regions enriched in expression of the aquaporin-4 (AQP4) water channel, an antigenic target of the NMO IgG serologic marker. Based on observations of disease reversibility and careful characterization of NMO lesion development, we propose that the NMO IgG may induce a dynamic immunological response in astrocytes. Using primary rat astrocyte-enriched cultures and treatment with NMO patient-derived serum or purified IgG, we observed a robust pattern of gene expression changes consistent with the induction of a reactive and inflammatory phenotype in astrocytes. The reactive astrocyte factor lipocalin-2 and a broad spectrum of chemokines, cytokines, and stress response factors were induced by either NMO patient serum or purified IgG. Treatment with IgG from healthy controls had no effect. The effect is disease-specific, as serum from patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, Sjogren's, or systemic lupus erythematosus did not induce a response in the cultures. We hypothesize that binding of the NMO IgG to AQP4 induces a cellular response that results in transcriptional and translational events within the astrocyte that are consistent with a reactive and inflammatory phenotype. Strategies aimed at reducing the inflammatory response of astrocytes may short circuit an amplification loop associated with NMO lesion development.
High performance 33.2 GHz gyroklystron

The design for a high performance, 33.2 GHz three-cavity gyroklystron has been completed. The design modifies Varian's pioneering 28 GHz gyroklystron in order to suppress oscillation and yield higher gain and efficiency. Modifications include an additional buncher cavity, lower beam a, and a slight increase in frequency. Self-consistent simulation for an axial velocity spread of 7% and α=1.5 predicts an output power of 250 kW with a saturated gain of 52 dB and an efficiency of 39%. An investigation of penultimate cavity detuning showed no improvement in efficiency for the above velocity spread. A synchronously tuned gyroklystron is currently being constructed.
Isothermal rolling circle amplification of virus genomes for rapid antigen detection and typing

In this work, isothermal rolling circle amplification (RCA) of the multi-kilobase genome of engineered filamentous bacteriophage is used to report the presence and identification of specific protein analytes in solution. First, bacteriophages were chosen as sensing platforms because peptides or antibodies that bind medically relevant targets can be isolated through phage display or expressed as fusions to their p3 and p8 coat proteins. Second, the circular, single-stranded genome contained within the phage serves as a natural large DNA template for a RCA reaction to rapidly generate exponential amounts of double stranded DNA in a single isothermal step that can be easily detected using low-cost fluorescent nucleic acid stains. Amplifying the entire phage genome also provides high detection sensitivities. Furthermore, since the sequence of the viral DNA can be easily modified with multiple restriction enzyme sites, a simple DNA digest can be applied to detect and identify multiple antigens simultaneously. The methods developed here will lead to protein sensors that are highly scalable to produce, can be run without complex biological equipment and do not require the use of multiple antibodies or high-cost fluorescent DNA probes or nucleotides.
Yeast Copper Metallothionein

The first structure of yeast copper metallothionein (1) was determined from solution NMR data using experimental NOEs and dihedral angle constraints along with specific metal to Cys connectivities derived for the isomorphic Ag(I) substituted Cu(I) yeast MT. In solution, both MTs bind seven moles of Cu(I) or Ag(I) ions, respectively, in a single cluster embedded in a cleft between two large parallel protein loops with only the metals on the open side of the cleft exposed to the solvent. It is reassuring to see the precision of the earlier solution structure compared to the recently published crystal structure (2) of a yeast copper thionein construct lacking the first 4 and last 13 residues of the intact protein. All of the crystal metal–Cys connectivities are identical to the previous solution structure, with the additional verification of the earlier postulated third Cys ligand to metal VI. The only difference is that the truncated, crystallized CuMT protein binds an eighth Cu(I) ion, labeled Cu39. (Note error in (2) where the “copper ion missing in solution structure” is misidentified as Cu44). Considering the fact that two of the three coordinating cysteines for Cu39 in (2) come from the N terminus, it is conceivable that cutting off four residues from this end enables an eighth metal to bind. Unfortunately, no solution study of the Cu(I) binding stoichiometry to this truncated form of the protein was reported. Naturally, the important structure is the structure of the native, full-length yeast MT. We, therefore, recommend that caution be exercised before drawing any conclusions about the native protein structure on the basis of the crystal structure on the truncated yeast MT construct. 3D Structure Keywords: yeast metallothionein; NMR structure; metal-thiolate clusters; substituted metallothioneins
PCR identification of four medically important Candida species by using a single primer pair.

A single pair of primers was used in a PCR assay to amplify and identify the DNAs from four medically important Candida species: C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and C. (Torulopsis) glabrata. The report describes the first successful amplification of a chitin synthase-specific fragment from the four Candida species responsible for more than 90% of all cases of neonatal candidemia. The primer pair sequence was based on that from the C. albicans chitin synthase gene, CHS1 (J. Au-Young and P.W. Robbins, Mol. Microbiol. 4:197-207, 1990). Each of the four amplified products is a single band of a different size. The DNA sequence of each PCR product was determined, and four species-specific probes were synthesized. The DNAs from as few as 10 organisms in 100 microliters of plasma could be detected after amplification and Southern blot analysis. In a retrospective study of 27 paired blood samples from 16 patients with culture-proven candidemia, PCR analysis was successful at detecting and correctly identifying to the species level 26 of the 27 Candida isolates. The speed and accuracy of this PCR-based technology make it a very powerful tool for detecting and diagnosing candidemia. Implementation of this assay for analyzing blood samples should result in the more timely treatment of neonatal candidemia, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality.
Europe’s brave new world: security implications of global population changes, 2007–2050

Demographic changes must take centre stage on the European agenda if Europe wishes to prevent crippling long-term trends. The author proposes to combat European population decline and ageing, and their attendant evils, by means of the four policy shifts enumerated below. Domestically, Europe must target fertility and immigration. With higher fertility and encouragement of immigrant labour Europe could counterbalance the dearth of workforce and support threatened national identity. Internationally, Europe must build on its technological leadership and bolster political and economic development overseas. In this way Europe would ensure its central role in international development and solve issues at their roots before they escalate.
Urographic evidence that urine enters the rectum and ceca of the roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) aves

Abstract 1. 1. Intravenous and retrograde urographs demonstrate that urine can move into the rectum and ceca of the roadrunner. 2. 2. These tissues, as well as the cloaca, could be involved in the osmoregulatory processes.
On the general theory of polymer absorption at a surface

Previous theoretical work dealt with polymer adsorption in which the adsorbed segments (trains) interact in the surface layer only. In this work the treatment is extended to Include also interaction between the loops dangling in solution. Fortunately, the excluded volume effects for adsorbed polymer chains are found to be small. Therefore an approximate treatment is possible that leads to equations that govern polymer chains under a wide variety of conditions.
Opposing Effects of ERK and JNK-p38 MAP Kinases on Apoptosis

Apoptosis plays an important role during neuronal development, and defects in apoptosis may underlie various neurodegenerative disorders. To characterize molecular mechanisms that regulate neuronal apoptosis, the contributions to cell death of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family members, including ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase), JNK (c-JUN NH2-terminal protein kinase), and p38, were examined after withdrawal of nerve growth factor (NGF) from rat PC-12 pheochromocytoma cells. NGF withdrawal led to sustained activation of the JNK and p38 enzymes and inhibition of ERKs. The effects of dominant-interfering or constitutively activated forms of various components of the JNK-p38 and ERK signaling pathways demonstrated that activation of JNK and p38 and concurrent inhibition of ERK are critical for induction of apoptosis in these cells. Therefore, the dynamic balance between growth factor-activated ERK and stress-activated JNK-p38 pathways may be important in determining whether a cell survives or undergoes apoptosis.
Prognostic significance of immunohistochemical analysis of cathepsin D in low‐stage breast cancer

Background. Cathepsin D is an estrogen-regulated lysosomal protease that may be overexpressed in breast cancer. Several studies based on biochemical analysis of tumor cytosol have shown that high levels of cathepsin D are associated with poor outcome in patients with breast cancer. In contrast, a few immunohistochemical studies have shown that cathepsin D positivity in breast cancer cells indicates a favorable prognostic outcome or is of noprognostic significance. Methods. Because of the current controversy, the authors studied, using immunohistochemistry, the distribution (0 to 3) and intensity (0 to 3) of cathepsin D in Stage I and II infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast from 245 patients treated at the City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, from 1970 to 1986. A commercially available rabbit antiserum to purified human cathepsin D and the standard avidin-biotin complex method were used. Statistical analysis was based on a combined low (0 or 2) or high (3 to 6) score. Results. A high cathepsin D score was associated with Stage II disease (P = 0.007), positive lymph nodes (P = 0.019), high nuclear grade (P = 0.005), and c-erbB-2 oncogene amplification (P = 0.013). Cathepsin D positivity was not an independent prognostic indicator of disease-free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS). In a subgroup analysis, the presence of cathepsin D had only a modest association with predicting a shorter DFS in patients with negative lymph nodes (P = 0.072) or positive progesterone receptors (PR) (P = 0.086). Conclusions. Immunohistochemical analysis of cathepsin D, with the antiserum used in this study, is not an independent predictor of outcome in patients with breast cancer because of its strong associations with several well-established prognostic indicators.
Semicrystalline Polymers via Ring-Opening Polymerization: Preparation and Polymerization of Alkylene Phthalate Cyclic Oligomers.

Preparation of cyclic oligomeric alkylene phthalates via pseudo-high dilution condensation of alkylene diols with iso- and terephthaloyl chlorides and conversion to high molecular weight polyesters via ring-opening polymerization is described. Sterically unhindered amines such as quinuclidine or 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) catalyze the condensation significantly faster than other tertiary amines and are useful for carrying out this conversion in high yield, in the first direct reaction of diol and diacid chloride to form cyclic polyesters. The mixtures of oligomeric cyclics melt at 150−200° C, providing liquids of low viscosity. Ring-opening polymerization using tin or titanate catalysts affords high molecular weight polymers within minutes. Complete polymerization of PBT oligomeric cyclics can be achieved at 180−200 °C, significantly below the polymer's melting point of 225 °C, and with molecular weights as high as 445 × 103. Polymers formed via such a process are more crystalline than conventi...
ThinPrep® Vitreous-Based Diagnosis of Choroidal Malignant Melanoma

Purpose: To report an alternative method for the diagnosis of atypical choroidal malignant melanoma—ThinPrep® sampling of the vitreous cavity through 25-gauge vitrectomy. Method: Case report. Results: A 79-year-old gentleman presented with a progressive decline in visual acuity in his left eye. A clinical diagnosis of large choroidal malignant melanoma was made. Given the history of trauma and the possibility of enucleation, the patient wished to have histopathological confirmation. The patient underwent 25-gauge vitrectomy. However, he developed a choroidal hemorrhage during the procedure and the surgeon elected not to perform transretinal biopsy. Instead a sample of the vitreous was evaluated by ThinPrep® analysis, and a diagnosis of choroidal malignant melanoma was made. Conclusions: Cytological evaluation of vitreous substance with ThinPrep® may provide an alterative method for a diagnosis in select cases in which FNA is not possible or desirable. This technique is straightforward and minimizes the ri...
Functional studies of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase

11 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-HSD) catalyzes the interconversion of cortisol and cortisone. This activity is postulated to protect the type I (mineralocorticoid) receptor from excessive concentrations of cortisol, allowing aldosterone to function as a mineralocorticoid. An enzyme with 11-HSD activity was isolated from rat liver and the corresponding rat and human cDNA and genomic clones isolated. This enzyme is a member of the "short chain dehydrogenase" family. Using site-directed mutagenesis, it was demonstrated that two highly conserved residues, Tyr-179 and Lys-183, are required for enzymatic function. Elimination of the amino terminus or the two glycosylation sites also destroys enzymatic activity. This may be due to actual disruption of enzymatic function or to effects on intracellular localization or stability of the enzyme. Examination of patients with apparent mineralocorticoid excess, a syndrome of juvenile hypertension thought to represent 11-HSD deficiency, did not reveal any mutations in the gene for this enzyme. There is substantial evidence for a second 11-HSD isozyme with distinct kinetic properties that is expressed in the renal distal tubule and possibly other sites of mineralocorticoid action. Apparent mineralocorticoid excess may involve this enzyme.
Detailed computational study of p53 and p16: using evolutionary sequence analysis and disease-associated mutations to predict the functional consequences of allelic variants.

Deciding whether a missense allelic variant affects protein function is important in many contexts. We previously demonstrated that a detailed analysis of p53 intragenic conservation correlates with somatic mutation hotspots. Here we refine these evolutionary studies and expand them to the p16/Ink4a gene. We calculated that in order for 'absolute conservation' of a codon across multiple species to achieve P or =5 somatic mutations also likely indicate functionally critical residues, even though P0.05. We calculated p16 evolution using amino acid substitution matrices and nucleotide substitution distances. We looked for evolutionary parameters at each codon that would predict whether missense mutations were disease associated or disrupted function. The current p16 evolutionary substitution database is too small to determine whether observations of 'absolute conservation' are statistically significant. Increasing the number of sequences from three to seven significantly improved the predictive value of evolutionary computations. The sensitivity and specificity for conservation scores in predicting disease association of p16 codons is 70-80%. Despite the small p16 sequence database, our calculations of high conservation correctly predicted loss of cell cycle arrest function in 75% of tested codons, and low conservation correctly predicted wild-type function in 80-90% of codons. These data validate our hypothesis that detailed evolutionary analyses help predict the consequences of missense amino-acid variants.
DSA type secure interactive batch verification protocols

The author proposes some DSA type secure interactive batch verification protocols, where the signer generates n signatures through interactions with the verifier, and the verifier validates all these n signatures.
The effects of diet and arginine treatment on serum metabolites and selected hormones during the estrous cycle in sheep

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of diet and arginine (Arg) treatment on serum concentrations of selected metabolites and metabolic and reproductive hormones in nonpregnant ewes. Sixty days before the onset of estrus (Day 0), Rambouillet ewes were randomly assigned to one of three dietary groups: maintenance control (C; N = 16; 100% National Research Council requirements), overfed (O; N = 16; 2 × C), or underfed (U; N = 16, 0.6 × C) to achieve and maintain three different body conditions during their estrous cycle(s). At Day 0, ewes from each nutritional group were randomly assigned to receive one of two treatments: saline (Sal) or Arg (L-Arg-HCl; 155 μmol Arg per kg of body weight [BW]; intravenous), which was administered three times per day for 21 or 26 days. Blood samples were collected on Days 0, 6, 10, 12, 16, 21, and 26 of Sal or Arg treatment for evaluation of Arg, nitric oxide metabolite, cholesterol, glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1, leptin, and progesterone. For a time-response trial, blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 7 hours after Sal or Arg treatment at the mid-luteal phase to determine serum Arg concentrations. During the 11-week study, C maintained body weight, O gained 9.6 ± 0.7 kg, and U lost 13.9 ± 0.1 kg. Overall, serum concentrations of Arg, glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1, leptin, and progesterone were greater (P < 0.05) in O ewes than C and/or U ewes and were not affected by Arg treatment. Serum Arg concentration increased at 1 and 2 hours and decreased to basal level at 4 and 7 hours after Arg treatment. These data reinforce the importance of diet in regulation of metabolic and endocrine functions, and demonstrated that the dose and duration of Arg treatment used in this study does not alter serum metabolites or hormones in nonpregnant ewes of various nutritional planes.
Self-catheterization during adolescence

Objective. It has been suggested that clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) during the teenage years is associated with poor motivation to comply with the treatment, recurrent urinary tract infections and epididymitis. The aim of this study was to identify the main problems and complications associated with self-CIC in a group of adolescents with no overt neurological problems. Material and methods. The medical records of 24 boys and girls aged ≥12 years on self-CIC with severe bladder dysfunction and intact perineal sensibility and motor function in the lower limbs were reviewed. The median age of the patients was 16.5 years (range 12–24 years) and they had been on CIC for a median of 11 years (range 2–16 years). Results. No urethral damage was reported. Of the 11 patients (46%) who had good CIC routines, two had cystitis and none had epididymitis. Thirteen patients (54%) reported a poor CIC regimen at a median age of 11.5 years (range 9–16 years). In this group, 10 had recurrent cystitis, five had py...
New circular radial-scan frame-storage CCDs for low-order adaptive optics wavefront curvature sensing

CCDs having circular rather than rectilinear symmetry offer some advantages for low-order wavefront sensing. A series of imagers having 24 sectors and 12 radial zones (plus frame store) has been developed. Three different output structures have been utilized in order to investigate low-noise operational limits.
"Where do you come from? and where are you going?"

The noted management consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton recently issued a report identifying the world's 10 most enduring institutions of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Infertility and endometriosis: comparison of pregnancy outcomes with laparotomy versus laparoscopic techniques.

OBJECTIVES: The null hypothesis of this retrospective literature analysis was that the superiority of laparoscopy over laparotomy to correct infertility resulting from tubal injury has not been proved because of the lack of well-designed comparative studies. The same was true for the correction of infertility caused by minimal and mild endometriosis. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of the English-language literature since 1975 was made to ascertain whether laparoscopic surgical correction of infertility caused by tubal injury and endometriosis resulted in an increased pregnancy rate compared with laparotomy techniques. Complication rates associated with laparoscopy versus laparotomy were also compared. RESULTS: There were almost no adequate studies designed and executed to answer these questions based on criteria established by the United States Preventive Services Task Force. Furthermore, there was no evidence in the reported series that laparoscopic surgical procedures were superior to laparotomy in correcting infertility. The complication rates were similar. There was suggestive, but not yet proven, evidence that laparoscopic surgery with laser techniques may be superior to laparotomy in the management of infertility resulting from moderate and severe endometriosis. CONCLUSION: Although results and complications were similar, the cost in savings with respect to decreased hospital expenses and loss of work time favor the use of laparoscopy over laparotomy when results are similar and not associated with increased risk. What has not been established are costs and work-time losses for minilaparotomy compared with laparoscopy.
Hierarchical simulation for complex domains: air traffic flow management

A key element in the continuing growth of air traffic is the increased use of automation. The Next Generation (Next-Gen) Air Traffic System will include automated decision support systems and satellite navigation that will let pilots know the precise locations of other aircraft around them. This Next-Gen suggestion system can assist pilots in making good decisions when they have to direct the aircraft themselves. However, effective automation is critical in achieving the capacity and safety goals of the Next-Gen Air Traffic System. In this paper we show that evolutionary algorithms can be used to achieve this effective automation. However, it is not feasible to use a standard evolutionary algorithm learning approach in such a detailed simulation. Therefore, we apply a hierarchical simulation approach to an air traffic congestion problem where agents must reach a destination while avoiding separation violations. Due to the dynamic nature of this problem, agents need to learn fast. Therefore, we apply low fidelity simulation for agents learning their destination, and a high fidelity simulation employing the Next-Gen technology for learning separation assurance. The hierarchical simulation approach increases convergence rate, leads to a better performing solution, and lowers computational complexity by up to 50 times.
Pharmacological localization of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic regions in crayfish slow abdominal flexor muscle-fibres.

1. 1. The membrane responses to γ-aminobutyric acid and L-glutamate applied to tonic muscle-fibres of crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) are found to correlate well with the action of the postsynaptic inhibitory and excitatory innervation. 2. 2. Large dosages of L-glutamate evoke complex multiphasic depolarizations thought to correspond to the distribution of excitatory neuromuscular junctions. 3. 3. Regions of maximal sensitivity to the two agents are found in near proximity, but do not coincide exactly.
Neuroform in-stent stenosis: incidence, natural history, and treatment strategies.

Objective Delayed in-stent stenosis is an important and well-characterized complication of angioplasty and stenting for the treatment of intra- and extracranial atheromatous disease. The current series describes the incidence and natural history of in-stent stenosis after the deployment of the Neuroform stent within the cerebrovasculature for the treatment of aneurysms. Methods The collaborative Cleveland Clinic Foundation-Barrow Neurological Institute endovascular database was reviewed to identify cases of delayed moderate or severe in-stent stenosis observed during the follow-up of cerebral aneurysms treated with the Neuroform stent. The hospital charts, clinic records, and operative reports for these patients were reviewed. Results Of a total of 156 patients with follow-up, nine (5.8%) cases of moderate or severe delayed (>2 mo) in-stent stenosis were identified, including two parent vessel occlusions. In two cases, patients presented 3 months after stent-supported aneurysm embolization with focal neurological symptoms. Both of these patients were treated with angioplasty. One eventually required surgical bypass. Of the seven asymptomatic patients, four demonstrated some degree of spontaneous resolution at follow-up, one progressed to complete occlusion, one is awaiting further follow-up, and one patient died of unrelated causes. Of the nine patients in the series, five were treated with "bioactive" coils (Matrix, Hydrocoil, Cerecyte), three were treated with bare platinum coils, and one was treated with stenting alone. The earliest time interval to diagnosis was 2.5 months and 3 months for asymptomatic and symptomatic patients, respectively. The earliest interval documented for spontaneous resolution was 9 months. Conclusion Delayed Neuroform in-stent stenosis, occurring in 5.8% of cases, is not a rare phenomenon. The stenosis can be symptomatic and may require endovascular treatment or surgical bypass. In asymptomatic patients, a strategy of "watchful waiting" may be effective because many patients demonstrate partial or complete resolution at follow-up. The spontaneous resolution of delayed in-stent stenosis has not been previously described. This may be a phenomenon unique to the application of low radial force, self-expanding stents within the nonatheromatous cerebrovasculature.