cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alterations in event-related potentials (ERPs) of MPTP-treated monkeys.

Abstract Using an auditory ‘oddball’ paradigm and classical conditioning, we have studied auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) and P300-like potentials in monkeys pre- and post-MPTP treatment. Free-field acoustic stimuli were 500 Hz and 4000 Hz tones, which were designated as the ‘frequent’ and ‘rare’ conditions, respectively. The 4000 Hz stimuli were reinforced with mild somatosensory electrical stimulation. During the first few weeks following 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) administration, all monkeys gradually developed a parkinsonian syndrome, which partially, but not completely improved within 30–40 days in 2 animals. The amplitudes of the AEP were initially significantly decreased, but progressively returned to pretreatment magnitudes in the 2 monkeys which partially recovered. P300-like potentials were initially abolished in all animals; however, 30–40 days later P300 spontaneously re-emerged in the same 2 monkeys. Latencies of both of these signals were unaffected by MPTP. Acute administration of dopamine precursor during the first phase of neurotoxicity partially and temporarily improved depressed AEP amplitudes, but did not restore absent P300-like potentials. The relevance of these results for Parkinson's disease is discussed.
Early Recollections, Present Crises, and Future Plans in Psychotic Patients:

Summary.-To assess relationships among early recollections, present crises, and future goals 118 hospitalized patients with different psychiatric diagnoses were interviewed about problems, plans and two early childhood recollections. Relationships among these recollections, present crises, and future plans were identified and recorded for each patient by two psychologists. There was a greater frequency of relationships between early childhood recollections and present crises than berween such recollections and future goals or present crises and future goals (xk 34.91, df 1, p < .001). According to Adler (1956), one of the most trustworthy approaches to exploration of the personality of a patient is looking into his earliest childhood recollections. "Early recollections were retained because they were consistent with the individual's attitudinal frame of reference, that is, the life style" (Adler, 1956, p. 350). In sum, early recollections give hints and clues that are invaluable when attempting to find the direction of a person's striving, i.e., his life style ( Adler, 1937). In a style of life, we can find connections between remembrance of the
UNDERSTANDING THE ANTECEDENTS TO AN ENTREPRENEURIAL FIRM'S INTENT TO ENGAGE IN INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC ALLIANCES

Most research has looked at international strategic alliances from the view of large and well-established firms but comparatively little is known about alliances in entrepreneurial settings. This conceptual paper looks into the antecedents of the entrepreneurial firm's intentions of entering into international strategic alliances. Focus is placed on the entrepreneurial firm's dual liabilities of "newness" and "smallness". Secondly, the impact of entrepreneurial orientation as a main resource and capability of small firms has been examined and employed in the study of cooperative relationships between firms. Thirdly, this paper takes the view that entrepreneurial intention is crucial for those who care to understand about the formation of cooperative relationships. This paper adopts Shapero's (1982) model of the "Entrepreneurial Event", implicitly an intention model and specific to the domain of entrepreneurship, to develop a framework for understanding the antecedents leading to the intentions of entrepreneurial firms entering into international cooperative relationships.
Object detection by step-wise analysis of spectral, spatial, and topographic features

Abstract In many computer vision systems accurate identification of various objects appearing in a scene is required. In this paper we address the problem of object detection in analyzing high resolution multispectral aerial images. Development of a practical object detection approach should consider issues of speed, accuracy, robustness, and amount of supervision allowed. The approach is based upon extraction of information from images and their systematic analysis utilizing available prior knowledge of various physical attributes of the objects. The step-wise approach examines spectral, spatial, and topographic features in making the object vs background decision. Techniques for the analysis of the spectral, spatial, and topographic features tend to be of increasing levels of computational complexity. The computationally simpler spectral feature analysis is performed for the entire image to detect candidate object regions. Only these regions are considered in the spatial feature analysis step to further reduce the number of candidate regions which need to be analyzed in the topographic feature analysis step. Such step-wise analysis makes the entire object detection process efficient by incorporating the process of “focus of attention” to identify regions of interest thus eliminating a relatively large portion of image from further detailed examination at every stage. Results of the experiments performed using several high resolution multispectral images have demonstrated the basic feasibility of the approach. The images utilized in the experiments are acquired from geographically different locations, at different times, with different types of background, and are of different resolution. Successful object detection with high accuracy and low false alarm rates indicate the robustness of this approach.
The nonlinear dynamical system generated by the AKT pulse combustor model

Using the technique of averaging we study the behavior of the nonlinear dynamical system generated by a simple model of pulse combustor operation; the existence of a periodic solution (cycle) for this system is established for those cases in which a ratio of parameters associated with the burning rate submodel and the natural frequency of the system is sufficiently small.
Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen am Rauch von CdCl2 und CdBr2

Es wurde elektronenmikroskopisch gezeigt, das die plattchenformigen Rauche von CdCl2 und CdBr2 sehr dunne Kristalle von runder hexagonaler Form und von Zwischenformen aufweisen. Die Oberflachen und damit die Spaltflachen sind (111)-Flachen.
Is home renovation or repair a risk factor for exposure to lead among children residing in New York City

Children can be lead poisoned when leaded paint is disturbed during home renovation or repair. We conducted a case-control study to assess the association between elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in children younger than 5 years of age and renovation or repair of homes built before 1950 in New York City. In 1998, we interviewed parents of 106 case children (BLLs)≥10 μg/dL) and 159 control children (BLLs≤5 μg/dL) living in selected New York City neighborhoods. We then used logistic regression methods to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for elevated BLLs among children living in housing that had undergone varous renovations or repairs in the 6 months before the blood lead test, and we adjusted for age and test month. Case children were only slightly more likely than control children to live in a house that had undergone any renovation (OR=1.2, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]=0.7, 2.1). Case children were more likely to (1) live in housing that had interior surfaces prepared for painting, especially by hand sanding (OR=3.5, 95% CI=1.1, 10.9; population attributable risk [PAR%]=10.4%, 95% CI=0.5% 19.3%); and (2) have work-created dust throughout their housing unit (OR =6.3, 95% CI=1.2, 32.3; PAR%=6.8%, 95% CI=0.0%, 13.1%). The risk for excess lead exposure is increased by home renovation or repair work involving interior paint preparation or reported dispersal of dust beyond the work area. The proportion of cases related to this exposure is high enough to merit preventive measures.
Noradrenergic Control of Associative Synaptic Plasticity by Selective Modulation of Instructive Signals

Synapses throughout the brain are modified through associative mechanisms in which one input provides an instructive signal for changes in the strength of a second coactivated input. In cerebellar Purkinje cells, climbing fiber synapses provide an instructive signal for plasticity at parallel fiber synapses. Here, we show that noradrenaline activates alpha2-adrenergic receptors to control short-term and long-term associative plasticity of parallel fiber synapses. This regulation of plasticity does not reflect a conventional direct modulation of the postsynaptic Purkinje cell or presynaptic parallel fibers. Instead, noradrenaline reduces associative plasticity by selectively decreasing the probability of release at the climbing fiber synapse, which in turn decreases climbing fiber-evoked dendritic calcium signals. These findings raise the possibility that targeted presynaptic modulation of instructive synapses could provide a general mechanism for dynamic context-dependent modulation of associative plasticity.
Dynamics of Pushing

A standing individual can use several strategies for modulating pushing force magnitude. Using a static model, researchers have shown that the efficacy of those strategies varies considerably. In the present article, the authors propose a human motor control dynamic model for analyzing transients that occur when an individual is asked to modulate force magnitude. According to the model, the impedances of both the upper and the lower limbs influence the time course of force variations and foot placement has a profound effect on pushing force dynamics. With a feet-together posture, the center of pressure has a limited range of motion and changes in force may be preceded by initial changes in the opposite direction; that is, to decrease force, an individual must first increase force. When the feet are placed apart, individuals can move the center of pressure over a much larger range, thereby modulating pushing force magnitude, without reversing behavior, over a larger range of force magnitudes. Therefore, the best way to control pushing force at the hand may be by using the foot.
X-ray structure of sesterterpene, 16β-acetoxy-24-methyl-12,24-dioxoscalaran-25-al

The molecular geometry of a tetracyclic sesterterpene has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The conformation of the aldehyde group as observed in the crystal structure supports the rationalization for the absence of aldehyde proton coupling in the nmr spectra of the compound. Crystal data: C28H42O5, M.W.=458.6; orthorhombic, P212121;a=10.797(2),b=29.270(9),c=8.033(1)A,V=2538.7A3,Dx=1.199 g cm−3;R=0.045 for 2287 observed reflections.
Verifying aircraft position on approach with infrared imagery

We have investigated the use of forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensors to verify aircraft navigation information during approach and landing. Our research includes the development of an experimental primary flight display (PFD) integrated with a synthetic vision system (SVS). The effectiveness of a traditional SV display is limited by navigation equipment position and orientation errors, database limitations, and lack of knowledge of temporary obstacles. However, integrating information from the navigation system with an external FLIR sensor has the potential to increase information provided to the pilot, improving flight safety. In prior work, we developed software to correct aircraft orientation inaccuracies. Our algorithm locates the runway in a LWIR image and uses the extracted runway location to validate and correct the SV system's understanding of aircraft orientation. Evaluations demonstrated that this orientation correction worked well when there were no position errors. However, uncorrected position inaccuracies introduce errors into the pitch and heading correction estimates as the aircraft approaches the runway. To address this problem, we have developed a new algorithm to separate the image effects of orientation and position errors. This allows our system to correct for both orientation and position errors. We evaluated our system using LWIR video and navigation data recorded by test aircraft during runway approaches. Our results show significant improvements in correction accuracy using dual orientation and position estimation compared to orientation correction alone.
A continuous hemorrhage model of fatal hemorrhagic shock in swine.

We studied the effect of bleed rate on survival time and hemodynamics in a continuous hemorrhage model of fatal hemorrhagic shock in lightly anesthetized swine. Fasted immature swine (12-16 kg) were sedated with intramuscular (i.m.) ketamine, endotracheally intubated, anesthetized with halothane (0.75%), nitrous oxide, and oxygen, and then prepared for experimentation by placement of a pulmonary artery thermodilution catheter, femoral arterial and venous catheters, and by splenectomy. After instrumentation, halothane was discontinued and sedation was maintained with nitrous oxide and intravenous lorazepam. Thirty minutes later, the animals were bled continuously at 1.0 ml/kg per min (n = 8, Group I) or 1.25 ml/kg per min (n = 8, Group II) by a roller pump connected to the femoral arterial catheter. Hemodynamic parameters were recorded every 15 min until death occurred. Mean survival time was 50.2 +/- 3.0 min in Group I and 39.8 +/- 3.2 min in Group II (P less than 0.001). There was a stepwise decrease in blood pressure and cardiac index consistent with progressive hemorrhagic shock. This model results in reproducible survival times with small standard deviations. Although the animals are lightly anesthetized and the experiments are performed acutely, the hemodynamic responses and survival times observed are similar to those reported in previous studies of chronically instrumented, unanesthetized swine. This model may be more practical than unanesthetized, chronically instrumented swine models for evaluating the effects of various interventions on survival time and hemodynamics in acute hemorrhagic shock.
Detecting and diagnosing ampullary neoplasms

Commentary to: Gene Expression Profiling Identifies Markers of Ampullary Adenocarcinoma N. Tjarda Van Heek, Anirban Maitra, Jens Koopmann, Neil Fedarko, Alka Jain, Ayman Rahman, Christine A. Iacobuzio-Donahue, Volkan Adsay, Raheela Ashfaq, Charles J. Yeo, John L. Cameron, Johan A. Offerhaus, Ralph H. Hruban, Karin D. Berg and Michael Goggins
California’s Agriculture-Related Local Air Pollution Policy

Air pollution is a critical environmental issue for California, which has some of the nation’s most polluted air basins and also the nation’s most stringent set of state and local air quality standards. This paper reviews my previous work in Lin (2011), in which I examine the effects of agriculture-related local regulations in California on air quality, as measured by the number of exceedances of the CO and NO2 standards, by exploiting the natural variation in policy among the different air districts in California. Agricultural burning policies and penalty fees reduce the pollution from CO. Other policies such as the prohibition on visible emission, fugitive dust, particulate matter, nitrogen and the reduction of animal matter are correlated with higher levels of CO. Regulations on orchard and citrus heaters have no significant effect on the number of exceedances of the CO and NO2 standards.
Genetic association study of putative functional single nucleotide polymorphisms of genes in folate metabolism and spina bifida.

Objective We tested putative functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes that regulate the folate/homocysteine metabolism pathway for their contribution to spina bifida (SB) susceptibility. Study Design The study consisted of 610 unrelated simplex SB patient families. Genotypes of 46 SNPs located in the coding sequence or promoter region of 11 genes were investigated. Associations between transmission of alleles and SB in the offspring were examined using the reconstruction combined transmission disequilibrium test. Results Significant association of SNP rs5742905 in cystathionine-β-synthase, rs1643649 in dihydrofolate reductase, rs2853533 in thymidylate synthetase, and rs3737965 in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase was found ( P = .015, .041, .021, and .007 respectively). Conclusion Transmission disequilibrium of SNP alleles in cystathionine-β-synthase, dihydrofolate reductase, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, and thymidylate synthetase confers an increased susceptibility to SB.
Conformal invariance in two-dimensional discrete field theory

A discretized massless wave equation in two dimensions, on an appropriately chosen square lattice, exactly reproduces the solutions of the corresponding continuous equations. We show that the reason for this exact solution property is the discrete analogue of conformal invariance present in the model, and find more general field theories on a two-dimensional lattice that exactly solve their continuous limit equations. These theories describe in general nonlinearly coupled bosonic and fermionic fields and are similar to the Wess-Zumino-Witten model. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Methadone and intake of palatable fluids

Rats were maintained on a daily schedule of water deprivation for 22 h, followed by 2 h of access to water and test solution. For one group, the test solution was 0.9% NaCl. For another group, the test solution was 24% sucrose. After rats’ intakes were stable, both groups were given placebos or doses of methadone. Methadone (0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg) increased intakes of both the salty and the sweet solutions. These data confirm that certain opioids increase intake of palatable ingesta and indicate that the prescription of methadone may have a side effect of unduly enhancing intake of certain foods.
A case-control and nerve biopsy study of CREST multiple mononeuropathy

From 536 patients with the CREST syndrome (calcinosis, Raynaud9s phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasis), seven were identified as having peripheral neuropathy not attributable to another cause. Peripheral neuropathy developed 0 to 25 years after their first symptoms of scleroderma. Unexplained neuropathy in CREST patients (seven patients) was more frequent than in control subjects (two patients) matched for age, sex, time of evaluation, and geographic referral region. Multiple mononeuropathy occurred significantly more frequently in the CREST group (six patients) than in the control group (0 patients). Four sural nerve biopsy specimens from the CREST patients demonstrated multifocal fiber loss and perivascular inflammation; one was diagnostic for necrotizing vasculitis and two others were highly suggestive for necrotizing vasculitis. The density of myelinated fibers in three nerves from CREST patients was significantly decreased, whereas the index of dispersion (a measure of multifocal fiber loss) was increased, and the frequency of axonal degeneration was significantly increased. Based on these clinical and pathologic findings, we conclude that in the CREST syndrome multiple mononeuropathy, although occurring infrequently, occurs more frequently than by chance and necrotizing vasculitis is the cause of this multiple mononeuropathy.
RIVERINE TRANSPORT OF NUTRIENTS AND DETRITUS TO THE APALACHICOLA BAY ESTUARY, FLORIDA

: The Applachicola River basin in northwest Florida covers an area of 3,100 square kilometers. Fifteen percent of the area is a dense bottomland hardwood forest which is periodically flooded. The annual leaf-litter fall from the flood-plain trees is a potential source of nutrients and detritus which eventually can flow into Apalachicola Bay. Transport of such material is dependent on the periodic inundation of the flood plain. The U.S. Geological Survey Apalachicola Rim Quality Assessment measured a total organic carbon flux of 2.1 × 105 metric tons during the one-year period from June 3, 1979, to June 2,1980. Fluxes of total nitrogen and phosphorus during the same year were 2.1 × lo4 and 1.7 × lo3 metric tons, respectively. Flood characteirstics, such as prior hydrologic conditions, extent, and timing, are important in determining the amount and forms of materials transported. The 1980 spring flood produced a fourfold discharge increase over the annual mean outflow of 800 cubic meters per second. Nutrient concentrations varied little with discharge, but the 86-day spring flood accounted for 53, 60, 48, and 56 percent of the annual flux of total organic carbon, particulate organic carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus, respectively. In 1980, the flood peaks, rather than the rise or recession, accounted for maximum nutrient and detritus transport.
IMPROVING MINORITY RETENTION IN HIGHER EDUCATION: A SEARCH FOR EFFECTIVE INSTITUTIONAL PRACTICES

Attrition of minority students from postsecondary education represents a major obstacle to attainment of equal educational opportunity. Gains in admission rates of minority students that have been made over the past decade have been eroded by their higher attrition rate. From a policy perspective, the most important issue is not merely why students drop out, but what can be done to prevent withdrawal. This study examined programs and policies at four four-year predominantly White institutions with good minority retention in an attempt to identify variables that enhance minority retention. The institutions studied were: Boston College, California State University-Fresno, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, and Purdue University. These schools varied in terms of institutional environment, including selectivity, size, and proportion of minorities on campus; rationale for developing minority retention efforts; grade level of students served by special programs; and scope and type of services. The differences we found across institutions demonstrate that retention efforts for minority students can be developed and carried out successfully in many different ways, at different types of institutions. Although we found much diversity among the programs, we also found that there were certain common characteristics across programs–characteristics that appear to be elements of successful retention efforts. These characteristics are: the presence of a stated policy on minority enrollments; a high level of institutional commitment; a substantial degree of institutionalization of the program; comprehensiveness of services; dedicated staff; systematic collection of data, monitoring, and follow-up; strong faculty support; and non-stigmatization of participants. From our study, we developed a general model that represents steps needed to formulate a retention program. The steps are: making a policy decision to enhance minority retention, conducting a needs assessment and developing a data base to examine minority enrollment patterns, implementing a program and monitoring and evaluating this program. This model emphasizes that retention efforts include all parts of the institution and constitute an ongoing process in which changes are made as needed. We hope that other colleges and universities will view the programs described in this report as models from which to gain ideas for adaptation in their own settings.
Developmental changes in agonist-mediated gastric smooth muscle contraction in the rabbit

We studied smooth muscle strips from rabbit proximal stomach to explore the age-related changes in agonist-mediated contraction. Strips from neonatal (1 d) and weanling (11 wk) rabbits were oriented to measure isometric tension in circular muscle. Bethanechol stimulated maximal tension in both age groups. Although the potencies for bethanechol were similar (ED50 approximately 5 microM), the maximal response was nearly 4-fold greater in weanling (1140 +/- 73 mN/cm2) versus neonate (305 +/- 54 mN/cm2), p less than 0.001. Maximum stress increased with age for bethanechol, high extracellular K+, and substance P, but not for serotonin, cholecystokinin octapeptide, neurotensin, or bombesin. Only bombesin stimulated larger contraction in neonates (152 +/- 37 mN/cm2) versus weanlings (86 +/- 20 mN/cm2), p less than 0.05. Potencies did not change with age, except for substance P and serotonin. Substance P and serotonin induced early phasic and prolonged tonic contractions, which were unaffected by tetrodotoxin or atropine. ED50 for the phasic and tonic components of substance P-stimulated contraction in neonates were 1.8 and 7.7 nM. Substance P was 60-70 times more potent in neonates versus weanlings (p less than 0.001). ED50 for serotonin-stimulated contraction in neonates (33 and 22 nM, respectively) were 20-30 times more potent than in weanlings (p less than 0.05). Motilin, morphine, epidermal growth factor, and gastrin did not stimulate contraction at either age. We conclude that age-dependent changes in agonist potency and efficacy may be one factor to explain in part the changes that occur in gastric motility during postnatal development.
History, structure, and function of the internet

The Internet stands at the forefront of telecommunications in medicine. This worldwide system of computers had its beginnings in networking projects in the United States and western Europe in the 1960s and 1970s. The precursor of the Internet was ARPANET, a long-distance telecommunication network funded by the Department of Defense that linked together computers throughout the United States. In the 1980s, ARPANET was superseded by NSFNET, a series of networks created by the National Science Foundation, which established the present-day structure of the Internet. The physical structure of the Internet resembles and is integrated with the telephone system. Long-distance data transport services are provided by large telecommunication companies, called network service providers (NSPs), through high-capacity, high-speed national and international fiber optic cables. These transport services are accessed through Internet service providers, ISPs. ISPs, the equivalent of regional Bell operating companies, provide the physical link to the NSPs for individuals and organizations. Telecommunications on the Internet are standardized by a set of communications protocols, the TCP/IP protocol suite, that describe routing of messages over the Internet, computer naming conventions, and commonly used Internet services such as e-mail. At present, the Internet consists of over 20 million computer worldwide and is continuing to grow at a rapid rate. Along with the growth of the Internet, higher speed access methods are offering a range of new services such as real-time video and voice communications. Medical education, teaching, and research, as well as clinical practice, will be affected in numerous different ways by these advances.
Timing of elective colectomy for diverticulitis: A modeled decision analysis

Abstract Introduction: Determining the optimal strategy for elective colectomy in diverticular disease involves a balance of the morbidity, mortality, costs and quality of life associated with both elective and expectant management. Using decision and cost analysis we simulated the clinical path after an episode of diverticulitis to determine the preferable approach. Methods: A Markov model, payer’s perspective, was constructed to evaluate the lifetime risks of death and colostomy, care costs and quality of life associated with elective colectomy after subsequent episodes of diverticulitis, using hypothetical cohorts of 35 and 50 year old patients (n = 10,000). Probabilities of clinical events and costs for the base-case analysis were derived from a large cohort using a statewide administrative database. One- and two-way sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: Elective colectomy after the fourth episode was cost-saving, yielded fewer deaths, fewer colostomies and more quality adjusted life years than operating earlier for both younger and older patients. Operating after the fourth compared to the second episode in patients older than 50 resulted in 0.5% fewer deaths, 0.7% fewer colostomies and saved $1,035/patient. In younger patients, operating after the fourth episode compared to the first resulted in 0.1% fewer deaths, 2% fewer colostomies and saved $5,429/patient. Colectomy after the fourth episode was the dominant strategy across the full range of the variables tested in the sensitivity analysis. Conclusions: Performing an elective colectomy after the fourth episode of diverticulitis was associated with lower rates of deaths and colostomy and was cost-saving for both younger and older patients.
Precision Statements for the Surface Resistivity of Water Cured Concrete Cylinders in the Laboratory

A rigorous round-robin testing program was conducted for surface resistivity (SR) measurements of water cured concrete cylinders in the laboratory. Fourteen different laboratories participated in this effort, testing twelve different Portland cement concrete mixtures containing a wide range of constituent materials. Also, test results from two different commercially available SR meters were compared for statistical equivalence of the data. The results of this effort have been used to formally document the repeatability (single-operator precision) and reproducibility (multilaboratory precision) of SR measurements in the laboratory.
The life cycle of the metazoan nuclear envelope

The nuclear envelope is a double-layered membrane that encloses the nuclear genome and transcriptional machinery. In dividing cells of metazoa, the nucleus completely disassembles during mitosis, creating the need to re-establish the nuclear compartment at the end of each cell division. Given the crucial role of the nuclear envelope in gene regulation and cellular organization, it is not surprising that its biogenesis and organization have become active research areas. We will review recent insights into nuclear membrane dynamics during the cell cycle.
Assessing “global warming” with surface heat content

Although climate change and variability involves all aspects of the climate system [Pielke, 1998],the assessment of anthropogenically-forced climate change has focused on surface temperature as the primary metric [Mann and Jones, 2003; Soon et al., 2004]. Our contribution only addresses this very specific (and limited) metric of the climate system. The term “global warming” has been used to describe the observed surface air temperature increase in the 20th century. However, this concept of “global warming” requires assessments of units of heat (that is, Joules). Temperature, by itself, is an incomplete characterization of surface air heat content.
Erythrocyte acid phosphatase phenotype and gestational length: no relationship in a sample of 3001 births

Erythrocyte acid phosphatase (ACP1) phenotype was examined in 3001 Caucasian infants born at the University of Michigan Women's Hospital. Contrary to reports from other studies, there was no relationship between the ACP1 phenotype and risk of preterm birth in either the total sample or when the sample was subdivided by sex of infant.
lJ-dependence of the real optical potential near neutron threshold

Abstract The unique features of low-energy neutron scattering have been used to observe an lJ -dependence of the depth of the real volume optical potential near threshold for 208 Pb + n. At E = 0.5 MeV the s- and d-wave potentials are ∼ 3 MeV deeper than those for the p waves.
Effects of the circadian rhythm of corticosteroids on leukocyte-endothelium interactions in the AM and PM

Abstract Circadian rhythms are responsible for a number of key cycles within the body. In vivo microscopy was used to investigate the hypothesis that the circadian rhythm of corticosterone in rats produces different leukocyte-endothelium interactions throughout the day. The data indicate that corticosterone levels range from 12 ng ml in the AM to 260 ng ml in the PM. In contrast, the number of circulating polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) yields peak values in the AM (630 PMNs/μl) and trough values in the PM (262 PMNs/μl). During surgical stress there is a significant increase in the number of circulating PMNs in the PM but little change in the AM. Furthermore, there is significantly greater leukocyte-endothelium adhesion in the PM (5.2 cells/100 μm) than in the AM (2.9 cells/100 μm). Addition of the chemoattractant FMLP increased adhesion 125% in the AM but only 62% in PM. Both exogenous glucocorticoid supplementation for 2 weeks and bilateral adrenalectomy abolished the circadian rhythms of circulating PMNs, the number of sticking white blood cells and the initial stages of an acute inflammatory response. These findings suggest that the circadian rhythm of corticosterone alters leukocyte-endothelium interactions throughout the day.
Mixture Ensembles for Data Assimilation in Dynamic Data-driven Environmental Systems

Abstract Many inference problems in environmental DDDAS must contend with high dimensional models and non-Gaussian uncertainties, including but not limited to Data Assimilation, Targeting and Planning. In this this paper, we present the Mixture Ensemble Filter (MEnF) which extends ensemble filtering to non-Gaussian inference using Gaussian mixtures. In contrast to the state of the art, MEnF embodies an exact update equation that neither requires explicit calculation of mixture element moments nor ad-hoc association rules between ensemble members and mixture elements. MEnF is applied to the chaotic Lorenz-63 model and to a chaotic soliton model that allows idealized and systematic studies of localized phenomena. In both cases, MEnF outperforms contemporary approaches, and replaces ad-hoc Gaussian Mixture approaches for non-Gaussian inference.
MO‐EE‐A4‐05: Reproducibility of DCE‐CT Kinetic Analysis

Purpose: Reproducibility of dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) CT kinetic analysis is sensitive to both the inherent uncertainties associated with data acquisition and the applied model. This study aims to ascertain the DCE‐CT reproducibility of canine sinonasal tumors using three different kinetic models: a commercial deconvolutionsoftware and in‐house deconvolution and distributed parameter models. Methods and Materials: Anesthetized canine patients with sinonasal tumors were immobilized and underwent two DCE‐CT scans approximately two days apart. Gross tumor volumes (GTV) were contoured by a veterinary oncologist and evaluated for each scan. Blood flow (BF), blood volume ratio (BVR), mean transit time (MTT), and permeability were generated using two in‐house MATLAB deconvolution‐based kinetic models and the commercially available GE Advantage Perfusion 4.0 software. Paired t‐tests using the Bonferroni correction (α = 0.025) were applied to assess the mean differences of the slices of a tumor GTV. Results: Between the two reproducibility scans, BF had an average variation of 90% among the three models, which was significantly different (p<0.02). MTT and BVR had an average variation of 30%, where the former was significantly different using commercial software (p<0.01), while the latter was significantly different using in‐house models (p<0.01). Permeability had an average variation of 10%, which was not significantly different for any of the kinetic models. Conclusions: None of the four perfusion parameters were found to be consistently reproducible among the applied kinetic models. The uncertainties may be linked to errors in patient setup and post‐anesthetized scan time, which are associations of data acquisition rather than kinetic analysis. Further investigation is required to determine the extent to which these uncertainties may limit the reproducibility of DCE‐CT kinetic analysis.
A hardware/software system for advanced development guidance and control experiments

This paper describes the SANDAC-IV aerospace digital computer and the Real Time Executive (RTE) software which has evolved from Sandia's participation in advanced navigation and guidance programs. A brief description of the RIMS-II inertial platforms is also included for the purpose of completeness. A small-physical-size and a high-iteration-rate navigator have been primary goals of our design. This has been achieved via use of commercially available integrated circuits, with no custom-designed IC's, an example of an approach often ignored in favor of a custom bit-slice design.
The influence of symbolic and motor rehearsal in observational learning

Abstract The experiment investigated the effects of the mode and patterning of rehearsal on the acquisition and retention of modeled activities varying in organizational complexity. Subjects observed a filmed model construct two configurations, containing high or low organizational requirements. Immediately after exposure they rehearsed the modeled activities either mentally, motorically, mentally and then motorically, motorically and then mentally, or engaged in a distracting activity that prevented rehearsal of what they had see. Performance tests were conducted immediately after the rehearsal phase and again 1 week later. Subjects who rehearsed the modeled behaviors symbolically, whether singly or in conjunction with motor practice, reproduced both configurations more accurately than those who rehearsed motorically or not at all. Motor rehearsal increased speed on the organizationally simple task, but did not enhance response acquisition over and above observation alone. The overall results are interpreted as supporting the social learning view that modeled behaviors are best acquired when demonstrated activities are first organized symbolically and then refined on the basis of performance feedback.
Sediment-water oxygen and nutrient fluxes in a river-dominated estuary

Sediment oxygen uptake and net sediment-water fluxes of dissolved inorganic and organic nitrogen and phosphorus were measured at two sites in Fourleague Bay, Louisiana, from August 1981, through May 1982. This estuary is an extension of Atchafalaya Bay which receives high discharge and nutrient loading from the Atchafalaya River. Sediment O2 uptake averaged 49 mg m−2 h−1. On the average, ammonium (NH4+) was released from the sediments (mean flux =+129 μmol m−2 h−1), and NO3− was taken up (mean flux =−19 μmol m−2h−1). However, very different NO3− fluxes were observed at the two sites, with sediment uptake at the upper, river-influenced, high NO3− site (mean flux =−112 μmol m−2 h−1) and release at the lower, marine-influenced low NO3− site (mean flux =+79 μmol m−2 h−1). PO43− fluxes were low and often negative (mean flux =−8 μmol m−2 h−1), while dissolved organic phosphorus fluxes were high and positive (mean flux =+124 μmol m−2 h−1). Dissolved organic nitrogen fluxes varied greatly, ranging from a mean of +305 μmol m−2 h−1 at the lower bay, to −710 μmol m−2 h−1 at the upper bay. Total dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus fluxes indicated the sediments were a nitrogen (mean flux =+543 μmol m−2 h−1) and phosphorus source (mean flux =+30 μmol m−2 h−1) at the lower bay, and a nitrogen sink (mean flux =−553 μmol m−2 h−1) and phosphorus source (mean flux =+17 μmol m−2 h−1) in the upper bay. Mean annual O∶N ration of the positive inorganic sediment fluxes were 27∶1 at the upper bay and 18∶1 at the lower bay. Based on these data we hypothesize that nitrification and denitrification are important sediment processes in the upper bay. We further hypothesize that Atchafalaya River discharge affects sediment-water fluxes through seasonally high nutrient loading which leads to net nutrient uptake by sediments in the upper bay and release in the lower bay, where there is less river influnces.
Thiotepa-associated cardiomyopathy during blood or marrow transplantation: association with the female sex and cardiac risk factors.

Abstract Thiotepa (TT) has not been reported to cause cardiomyopathy, whereas cyclophosphamide (Cy)-related cardiomyopathy is well characterized. To search for cases of acute onset cardiomyopathy associated with TT, we retrospectively reviewed 171 patients who received TT-containing conditioning regimens for blood or marrow transplantation (BMT). Nine of 171 patients (5.3%) developed clinical congestive heart failure in the post-BMT period. The median time to onset of heart failure was 15 days after BMT (range 5-30). The median pre-BMT left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 50% (range 42-65%) as determined by two-dimensional echocardiogram, or gated blood pool scan. At the time of cardiomyopathy onset, LVEF was 30%. Six patients died of causes unrelated to heart failure. All affected patients who developed congestive heart failure following administration of TT had some evidence of cardiac dysfunction prior to transplantation. Significant risk factors for the development of cardiomyopathy included low pre-BMT-LVEF and female sex--particularly in females receiving allogeneic transplantation. The incidence of congestive heart failure with TT-containing regimens was similar to the incidence using other regimens with and without Cy. The mean time to clinical evidence of TT-associated cardiomyopathy was longer than the mean time reported with Cy. We recommend caution in using high-dose TT-containing regimens for patients with histories of cardiac dysfunction. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 1999;5(5):322-7.
Welfare Policy and Subjective Well-Being Across Nations: An Individual-Level Assessment

In the vast and diverse literature on determinants of life-satisfaction and happiness, there is a relative dearth of empirical research on the role of specifically political factors. We identify one such possible factor, the industrial welfare state, and assess its impact on how individuals perceive their well-being. The voluminous literature on the welfare state highlights its position as one of the most profound chapters in the latter-day human experience, but focuses on its indirect effects on well-being through economic and social conditions. We contend that the welfare state exerts a more direct effect to the extent that individuals experience very real impacts on their quality of life. Considering individual responses in 18 industrial democracies from 1981 to 2000, we find that welfare state generosity exerts a positive and significant impact on life-satisfaction and happiness. We discuss implications for further research generated by these findings.
The Effect of Auxin on Synthesis of Oat Coleoptile Cell Wall Constituents

In the previous paper (2) we repor.ted that a substantial increase in gross cell wall synthesis occurs when oat coleoptile cylinders whose elongation is inhibited by Ca+ + are treated with IAA; this effect of auxin is direct in the sense that it is due to hormone action rather than to the occurrence of elongation. This paper presents information on the components of the cell wall whose synthesis is affected directly by auxin under the conditions of these experiments.
Evaluation of PEDD in patients with refractory Meniere's disease

Making the diagnosis is difficult, as it is largely a diagnosis of exclusion, and there are variants of the disease presentation. As illustrated in the AAO-HNS guidelines, there are subcategories including definite, probable, and possible Meniere’s disease. The gold standard of initial treatment remains diet with or without diuretic therapy, although other treatment paradigms exist. It is not uncommon to have patients referred for further treatment, when acceptable initial therapies do not work. To date, there has not been a study which looks exclusively at the success and failure of re-educating and re-initiating medical therapies in the refractory patient. We sought to examine whether patient education, diet, +/diuretic therapy (PEDD) were successful in the referred and refractory patient, and what the resulting patient outcomes were for this subset. Ninety-three patients with MD were identified through the billing database of the senior author. Thirty-eight patients (27 TN, 11 RR) met inclusion criteria. All patients had improvement in their vestibular symptoms and had improvement or stabilization of their auditory symptoms at the end of their treatment regimen. Overall, an average 5.7 dB hearing improvement, median functional level of 1, and a median improvement of 2 functional levels was found after treatment. Subcategory information, including information from patients with TN vs RR MD with prior PEDD vs RR MD without prior PEDD are also listed (Table 2). TN patient vestibular symptom abatement with PEDD was 78% (21/27 patients). RR patient vestibular symptom abatement was overall 64% (7/11 patients), with an 86% (6/7 patients) chance of abatement amongst those not on PEDD specifically prior to seeing the senior author, and a 25% (1/4 patients) chance of abatement amongst those patients who were already on PEDD. Vestibular symptom abatement was measured as an AAO-HNS vestibular functionality level of 1 out of 6 (“My dizziness has no effect on my activities at all”) or 2 out of 6 (“When I am dizzy I have to stop what I am doing for a while, but it soon passes and I can resume activities. I continue to work, drive, and engage in any activity I choose without restriction. I have not changed any plans or activities to accommodate my dizziness”). Table 3 shows results broken down by MD type.
Immunoglobulin A subclass distribution in serum from patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Immunoglobulin levels are elevated in the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and one class, IgA, has been suggested as a marker of disease progression. IgA is composed of two subclasses, IgA1 and IgA2; circulating IgA1 is roughly 85% of the total in healthy individuals. We have attempted to determine if the subclass distribution in the serum of AIDS patients is similar to that of healthy subjects. IgA subclasses were measured by end-point radial immunodiffusion (RID). Sera from 27 AIDS patients and 27 controls who approximated the age and sex composition of the AIDS group were studied. Total IgA by RID, i.e., the sum of IgA1 and IgA2, correlated well with IgA determined by rate nephelometry (n = 51; r = 0.918; p less than 0.0001). Total IgA (IgAT), IgA1 and IgA2 were significantly elevated in the AIDS group (p less than 0.0001, p = 0.0001 and p = 0.033, respectively). However, the AIDS patients had a roughly equivalent percent IgA1 of total (87.2 +/- 7.6%) as the control group (85.0 +/- 6.1%). The subclass distribution is not altered in AIDS patients, and serum concentrations of IgA subclasses do not reflect possible alterations in secretory IgA which might be expected because of recurrent mucosal infections in these patients; nor is the subclass distribution altered due to clearance of predominantly IgA1-bearing immune complexes.
Do HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors Affect Fibrinogen?

OBJECTIVE:To review commonly used fibrinogen assay methods and the evidence demonstrating an association between fibrinogen and increased risk of coronary artery disease and to review the current literature to determine and assess the impact of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors on fibrinogen.DATA SOURCES:Primary and review articles identified from a MEDLINE search (1966–December 1999); references obtained from these publications were subsequently reviewed for additional relevant articles.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:All articles were evaluated, and all relevant information was included in this review.DATA SYNTHESIS:The Clauss method is currently the preferred method for determining plasma fibrinogen concentrations, due to its high degree of accuracy and precision. Furthermore, unlike immunologic methods, its reliability is unaffected by change in triglycerides. The effects of four HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin) on fibr...