cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Venous thromboembolism occurs infrequently in meningioma patients receiving combined modality prophylaxis

BACKGROUND. Individuals with brain tumors have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Within this population, patients with meningiomas have been reported to have the highest incidence, exceeding rates associated with gliomas and brain metastases. However, earlier studies did not employ VTE prophylaxis, and VTE were detected with radionuclide scans, the reliability of which has since been questioned. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective review of postoperative meningioma patients receiving contemporary VTE prophylaxis and diagnostic methods to define the current incidence of and risk factors for symptomatic VTE in this population. METHODS. Medical records were reviewed from all patients undergoing craniotomy for meningioma at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 2004 and 2005. The association between clinical characteristics and VTE was assessed using parametric and nonparametric statistical tests and survival analysis. RESULTS. A total of 224 individuals met criteria for the review. The mean age was 52 years (standard deviation [SD] 14 years), and 167 patients (75%) were women. Median follow-up time was 230 days (interquartile range [IQR], 89–428 days). VTE was diagnosed in 11 patients (4.9%; 95% confidence interval, 2.5%–8.6%) at a median of 16 days (IQR, 7–33 days) postoperatively. The development of VTE was associated with older age (mean, 68 years vs 52 years; P = .0001), male gender (P = .007), and nonambulatory status postoperatively (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS. VTE occurs infrequently in postoperative meningioma patients who receive combined modality VTE prophylaxis. VTE risk factors in these patients include advanced age, male gender, and nonambulatory status postoperatively. Cancer 2007. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Semiautomated monitoring of glovebox work stations for radiation hazards

The Los Alamos Plutonium Facility handles kilogram quantities of plutonium, americium, and other radioactive materials for a variety of research and development, metal fabrication, and scrap recovery operations. These diverse operations are conducted in full contained and partially shielded glovebox enclosures. A major effort is made to minimize radiation exposures of workers. The accomplishment of this effort requires periodic radiation surveys of work areas to identify potential problem locations at which dose reduction efforts should be expended. To this end, approximately 5000 radiation dose-rate measurements are taken at the glovebox work stations each month. After evaluation for potential problem locations the data are filed in historical archives. The monitoring procedure is described in detail. >
Vertically stacked square lattice photonic crystals for Large angle optical beam steering

In this paper, we reported the fabrication of 2-D square lattice photonic crystals structures targeted at beam steering application using double exposure holographic interference method. Computer simulation gives the electric field distribution patterns and SEM images show the developed photonic crystals on the glass substrate.
Impact of Obesity and Bariatric Surgery on Cardiovascular Disease

Morbid obesity is a growing public health concern with multiple associated cardiovascular comorbidities. Bariatric surgery has emerged as a safe and effective treatment for morbidly obese patients at risk for, or already suffering from, cardiovascular disease. Weight loss induced by the surgery has been shown to improve cardiovascular risk factors, cardiac structure and function, and the clinical course of established cardiovascular disease. The role of adipocyte-derived cytokines in mediating cardiovascular pathophysiology in obesity-and its modulation after weight loss-is under active investigation.
The C4 and Slp genes of the complement region of the murine H-2 major histocompatibility complex.

Recent analyses, at the protein and DNA levels of structure, of the murine complement component C4 and the closely related sex-limited protein, Slp have led to new insights into the H-2/S region-linked C4 and Slp genes and their products. The primary products are 200 000 Da precursors which are cleaved, intracellularly and extracellularly, into the mature $\alpha$ - $\beta$ - $\gamma$ -subunit molecules of plasma. Precursor order of subunits is $\beta$ - $\alpha$ - $\gamma$ ; a complementary DNA clone spanning the $\alpha$ - $\gamma$ junction has been extensively analysed. The C-terminal of the $\alpha$ -chain is of particular interest because of post-secretion processing which differentiates \`secreted' and \`plasma' forms of C4, both apparently functional, and because allelic variants of C4 and the Slp protein, which differ substantially in molecular masses, owe their differences principally to different levels of glycosylation of the $\alpha$ -chain. Allelic variations in rate of C4 synthesis (C4-high compared with C4-low) have been analysed in cultures of hepatocytes and macrophages. Three distinct modes of genetic regulation of the expression of the Slp protein have been identified.
A “Helium atom” of space: Dynamical instability of the isochoric pentahedron

We present an analysis of the dynamics of the equifacial pentahedron on the Kapovich-Millson phase space under a volume preserving Hamiltonian. The classical dynamics of polyhedra under such a Hamiltonian may arise from the classical limit of the node volume operators in loop quantum gravity. The pentahedron is the simplest nontrivial polyhedron for which the dynamics may be chaotic. We consider the distribution of polyhedral configurations throughout the space and find indications that the borders between certain configurations act as separatrices. We examine the local stability of trajectories within this phase space and find that locally unstable regions dominate although extended stable regions are present. Canonical and microcanonical estimates of the Kolmogorov-Sinai entropy suggest that the pentahedron is a strongly chaotic system. The presence of chaos is further suggested by calculations of intermediate time Lyapunov exponents which saturate to nonzero values.
Estrogen responses in killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) from polluted and unpolluted environments are site- and gene-specific.

Abstract Epidemiological, ecological, and laboratory-based studies support the hypothesis that endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the environment are responsible for developmental and reproductive abnormalities. We have previously described a killifish population resident in a highly polluted Superfund site (New Bedford Harbor, NBH) that shows evidence of exposure to an estrogenic environment and endocrine disruption. Here, we compare NBH with a local reference population (Scorton Creek, SC) for developmental patterns and direct effects of exogenous estradiol on the estrogenic markers, brain cytochrome P450 aromatase (CYP19A2 or AroB), hepatic vitellogenin (Vtg), and hepatic estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). In contrast to our previous observation of elevated ERα in NBH embryos, developmental levels of AroB and Vtg mRNAs did not differ between the two sites, demonstrating that not all estrogen-responsive genes are upregulated in NBH embryos. A dose–response experiment showed that NBH larvae are less responsive (lower maximum induction, as measured by ERα) and less sensitive (higher EC50 for induction, as measured by AroB) to estradiol than SC larvae, changes that would be adaptive in an estrogenic environment. In contrast, induction of Vtg mRNA is similar in the two populations, indicating that the adaptive mechanism is target gene-specific. Based on the lower basal levels of ERα mRNA in several tissues from adult NBH fish vs SC fish ( Greytak and Callard, 2007 ), we predicted estrogen hyporesponsiveness; however, induction of ERα by estradiol exposure in reproductively inactive males did not differ between the two sites. Moreover, AroB was more responsive and Vtg induction was greater (2d) or similar (5d) in NBH as compared to SC males. Worth noting is the high inter-individual variability in estrogen responses of gene targets, especially in NBH killifish, which may indicate evolving preadaptive or adaptive mechanisms. In conclusion, although multi-generational exposure to a highly polluted environment is associated with changes in basal levels of ERα mRNA, this is not a simple predictor of estrogen responsiveness. We hypothesize that adaptation of killifish to the estrogenic and polluted environment may be occurring through diverse mechanisms that are gene-, tissue type- and life-stage-specific.
The Limitations of X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy for Determining the Structure of Zinc Sites in Proteins. When Is a Tetrathiolate Not a Tetrathiolate?

X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectra have been measured for a series of structurally characterized zinc model complexes that mimic the zinc sites found in metalloproteins. These include both inorganic zinc coordination complexes and small zinc binding peptides. These data have been analyzed to determine the extent to which Zn XAFS can be used to determine reliably the ligation environment of the zinc. Because Zn−N and Zn−S XAFS oscillations are nearly out of phase over the accessible energy range, it is difficult to determine the relative number of sulfur and nitrogen scatterers, and in some cases, it is even difficult to determine whether a low-Z (N or O) ligand is bound in the presence of high-Z (S) ligands. We describe a protocol that, by controlling the number of variable parameters, can be used to obtain an accurate quantitation of the number of low-Z ligands. We also show that two of the variables that are often treated as freely adjustable parameters, the scale factor and shift in the thr...
The effect of initial temperature on free radical decay in PMMA bone cement

The effect of varying the initial temperature of the components of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) bone cement has been investigated. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to monitor free radical decay during the curing of the cement. Samples cured in saline at 37 degrees C were found to exhibit first-order decay kinetics for the polymerization radicals for approximately one week after mixing. This indicates that the decay did not take place by combination or disproportionation and was probably due to a transfer process. Decreasing the temperature of the bone cement components prior to mixing resulted in smaller decay rates, but still with first-order kinetics. This decrease in decay rate with lower initial temperature may be due to decreased porosity of the cement, possibly due to decreased monomer evaporation. SEM micrographs of the samples were consistent with this change in porosity.
Impact of health knowledge on older adults' comprehension of multimedia health information

We studied hypertensive older adults' processing of multimedia (text and picture) displays of hypertension information, and how reading patterns related to hypertension knowledge and passage comprehension. Eye movements of 23 older adults were tracked as they studied 4 text-picture passages. Eye movements were analyzed during and after participants first read the passage. Compared to the less knowledgeable participants, more knowledgeable participants spent a greater proportion of time looking at the text than the pictures when first reading passages, but focused more on pictures than text afterwards. This pattern of fixation time was also associated with more accurate passage comprehension.
Emergency room visits and readmissions after pediatric urologic surgery.

Abstract Objective Reducing readmissions has become a focal point to increase quality of care while reducing costs. We report all-cause unplanned return visits following urologic surgery in children at our institution. Materials and methods Children undergoing urology procedures with returns within 30 days of surgery were identified. Patient demographics, insurance status, type of surgery, and reason for return were assessed. Results Four thousand and ninety-seven pediatric urology surgeries were performed at our institution during 2012, with 106 documented unplanned returns (2.59%). Mean time from discharge to return was 5.9 ± 4.9 days (range, 0.3–24.8 days). Returns were classified by chief complaint, including pain (32), infection (30), volume status (14), bleeding (11), catheter concern (8), and other (11). Circumcision, hypospadias repair, and inguinal/scrotal procedures led to the majority of return visits, accounting for 21.7%, 20.7%, and 18.9% of returns, respectively. Twenty-two returns (20.75%) resulted in hospital readmission and five (4.72%) required a secondary procedure. Overall readmission rate was 0.54%, with a reoperation rate of 0.12%. Conclusions The rate of unplanned postoperative returns in the pediatric population undergoing urologic surgery is low, further strengthening the argument that readmission rates in children are not necessarily a productive focal point for financial savings or quality control.
Interference between communicating parallel processes

Various kinds of interference between communicating parallel processes have been examined by Dijkstra, Knuth, and others. Solutions have been given for the mutual exclusion problem and associated subproblems, in the form of parallel programs, and informal proofs of correctness have been given for these solutions.In this paper a system of parallel processes is regarded as a machine which proceeds from one state S (i.e. a collection of pertinent data values and process configurations) to a next state S′ in accordance with a transition rule S ⇒ S′.A set of such rules yields sequences of states, which dictate the system's behavior. The mutual exclusion problem and the associated subproblems are formulated as questions of inclusion between sets of states, or of the existence of certain sequences. A mechanical proof procedure is shown, which will either verify (prove the correctness of) or discredit (prove the incorrectness of) an attempted solution, with respect to any of the interference properties.It is shown how to calculate transition rules from the “partial rules” by which the individual processes operate. The formation of partial rules and the calculation of transition rules are both applicable to hardware processes as well as to software processes, and symmetry between processes is not required.
Rydberg excitation of NO IN H+NO collisions near threshold

Abstract Emission from Rydberg states of NO molecules has been observed in H + NO collisions at relative energies as low as 10 eV. Agreement between the observed NO γ band spectrum and a model spectrum based on vertical electronic transitions indicate that a relatively long range interaction produces these excitations. Collisions between protons and N 2 , CO and O 2 molecules produced no neutral molecule emissions in the range 190–800 nm; the apparently anomalous behavior of NO is interpreted in terms of molecular electronic structure.
Alterations in components of the pineal melatonin synthetic pathway by acute insulin stress in the rat and Syrian hamster

Acute insulin stress increased plasma catecholamine levels in both the Syrian hamster and albino rat within 3 h after an intraperitoneal injection of either 5 or 10 units of insulin. In the rat, this stress caused a concurrent increase in pineal serotonin N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity and melatonin content with no observable change in hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT) activity. In the hamster, on the other hand, acute insulin stress did not alter pineal NAT activity, but depressed both HIOMT activity and melatonin content up to 3 h after the stress. These results present further evidence that catecholamines do not control hamster pineal melatonin synthesis by the same mechanism as observed in the rat.
Use of an expert system for optimization of optical systems

We present, as a different perspective on optimization, an expert system for optimization of optical systems that can be used in conjunction with damped least squared methods to find minima for specific design forms. Expert system optimization differs from global optimization in that it preserves the basic structure of the optical system and limits its search for a minima to a relatively small portion of the design space. In general, the high density of local minima obscures the general trend of the merit function in the region of interest for systems with a large number of variables and constraints. Surprisingly, there may be a potential decrease of an order a magnitude in the merit function for a region of solution space. While global optimization is well-suited to identifying design forms of interest, expert system optimization can be used for in-depth optimization of such forms. An expert system based upon such techniques was used to obtain the winning entry for the 2002 IODC lens design problem. The expert system used is discussed along with other design examples.
Subjective Religiosity and Depression in the Transition to Adulthood

Does being more religious make one less susceptible to depression? We consider the association between subjective religiosity (religious self-perception and coping) and depression in the context of social support (from family and friends) and stress exposure (recent negative life events, chronic stress, lifetime trauma, and discrimination). Data come from a sample of 1,803 Miami-Dade County young adults interviewed between 1997 and 2000. We find higher levels of depression among the moderately religious than among either very religious or nonreligious respondents. Interestingly, when observations are made within gender, this relationship applies only to females. Controlling for socioeconomic status and social support largely accounts for the link between religiosity and depression. However, controlling for stress exposure reveals a suppressor effect wherein religiosity once again emerges as significant. Our interpretation is that, while established patterns of religious coping can routinely mitigate distress, heightened stress exposure may elicit increased prayer among the less religious.
Understanding and representing the arithmetic averaging algorithm: an analysis and comparison of US and Chinese students' responses

Analysing the responses of 311 sixth-grade Chinese students and 232 sixth-grade US students to two problems involving arithmetic average, this study explored students' understanding and representation of the averaging algorithm from a cross-national perspective. Results of the study show that Chinese students were more successful than US students in obtaining correct numerical answers to each of the problems, but US and Chinese students had similar cognitive difficulties in solving the second task. The difficulties were not due to their lack of procedural knowledge of the averaging algorithm, rather due to their lack of conceptual understanding of the algorithm. There were significant differences between the US and Chinese students in their solution representations of the two average problems. Chinese students were more likely to use algebraic representations than US students; while US students were more likely to use pictorial or verbal representations. US and Chinese students' use of representations are...
CO2/HCO3−-responsive soluble adenylyl cyclase as a putative metabolic sensor

Abstract Cyclic AMP (cAMP) is an evolutionarily conserved regulator of metabolism. Recently, we identified a novel mammalian source of cAMP – soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) – that is regulated directly by bicarbonate ions (HCO 3 − ). As the concentration of HCO 3 − reflects cellular levels of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), energy-generating metabolic processes (which increase intracellular CO 2 ) are poised to activate bicarbonate-responsive sAC. This direct link between metabolic activity, sAC and cAMP could represent an evolutionarily conserved mechanism of metabolic feedback regulation.
The affective texture of Anouilh's Becket

Anouilh's Becket does not readily submit to traditional modes of structural analysis. The play abandons probability of action and character for a tightly knit unity of effect and may be examined mo...
Recent Use of Covariance Data for Criticality Safety Assessment

The TSUNAMI codes of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory SCALE code system were applied to a burnup credit application to demonstrate the use of sensitivity and uncertainty analysis with recent cross section covariance data for criticality safety code and data validation. The use of sensitivity and uncertainty analysis provides for the assessment of a defensible computational bias, bias uncertainty, and gap analysis for a complex system that otherwise could be assessed only through the use of expert judgment and conservative assumptions.
The impact of meteorological parameters on urban air quality

Abstract Previous studies have shown that global climate change will have a significant impact on both regional and urban air quality. As air temperatures continue to rise and mid-latitude cyclone frequencies decrease, the overall air quality is expected to degrade. Climate models are currently predicting an increased frequency of record setting heat and drought for Oklahoma during the summer months. A statistical analysis was thus performed on ozone and meteorological data to evaluate the potential effect of increasing surface temperatures and stagnation patterns on urban air quality in the Oklahoma City Metropolitan area. Compared to the climatological normal, the years 2011 and 2012 were exceptionally warm and dry, and were therefore used as case study years for determining the impact of hot, dry conditions on air quality. These results were then compared to cooler, wetter summers to show how urban air quality is affected by a change in meteorological parameters. It was found that an increase in summertime heat and a decrease in summertime precipitation will lead to a substantial increase in both the minimum and maximum ozone concentrations as well as an increase in the total number of exceedance days. During the hotter, drier years, the number of days with ozone concentrations above the legal regulatory limit increased nearly threefold. The length of time in which humans and crops are exposed to these unsafe levels was also doubled. Furthermore, a significant increase was noted in the overnight minimum ozone concentrations. This in turn can lead to significant, adverse affects on both health and agriculture statewide.
A comparison of peritoneal fluid values in mares following bilateral laparoscopic ovariectomy using a vessel sealing and dividing device versus placement of two ligating loops

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of bilateral laparoscopic ovariectomy on peritoneal fluid values in mares and compare how this effect was modified by the method of ovarian vessel hemostasis used. Ten mares undergoing standing bilateral laparoscopic ovariectomy were used in a randomized clinical study. During surgery, blood vessels within the mesovarium were either: (1) sealed and transected with a vessel sealing and dividing device (VSDD), or (2) ligated using two loops placed proximal to each ovary and then the mesovarium transected using laparoscopic scissors. The ovaries were removed through the ipsilateral body wall. Abdominocentesis was performed before surgery and 24 h and 72 h after surgery. Markers of peritoneal inflammation, as measured by total nucleated cell count, total protein (TP) and red blood cell count via abdominocentesis, were consistently increased for all groups compared to pre-operative values. The mean (range) of TP for the VSDD group was 4.14 (3.9-4.5) g/dL, and that for the ligating loop group was 3.18 (2.7-3.5) g/dL. Use of the VSDD resulted in significantly greater TP concentrations in the abdominal fluid at 24 h and 72 h post-operatively when compared to a ligating loop (P <0.001 and 0.04, respectively).
Unique Variant of Levator Glandulae Thyroideae Muscle

A diverse array of accessory muscles and nonindepend- ent muscular slips associated with the thyroid gland has been reported. The first, described in 1743 and called the thyro-adeno€ idien, runs from the inferior pharyngeal con- strictor to the thyroid gland (Winslow, 1743). Later, Soem- merring introduced the levator glandulae thyroideae, and since his initial report in 1794, five origin/insertion patterns of this muscle have been described (Soemmerring, 1794; Mori, 1964). The levatores glandulae thyroideae originate on either the hyoid bone or thyroid cartilage and insert on the isthmus, pyramidal lobe, or lateral lobe of the thyroid gland. Despite their diversity, all accessory thyroid muscles are rare, with a combined incidence of one in 203 (0.49%;
Second-order perturbation correction to the Bogoliubov excitation spectrum☆

Abstract Two substantially different perturbation methods are used to obtain two equivalent exact results for the leading correction to the Bogoliubov formula for the energy spectrum of an elementary excitation in a boson fluid.
Metaphorical Mapping: The Arts in Graduate Theological Education

Doctoral students in Bible, theology, ethics, history, preaching, worship, pastoral care, and Christian education come together for a required seminar in teaching. Assignments include reading and discussion, student-led teaching demonstrations, and the ‘metaphorical mapping’ of each student's field of study. In developing their ‘metaphorical maps’ students use artistic and expressive media to demonstrate their understanding of their field. The assignment has been successful in establishing an open and mutually respectful climate in the classroom, in fostering a pattern of critical reflection on teaching, and in demonstrating appropriate inclusion of personal experience in the academic classroom.
Cytomegalovirus-Specific Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses in Human Pregnancy

levels of complement-fixing and immunofluorescent antibodies to CMV. These reduced lymphocyte proliferative responses returned to levels detected early in pregnancy by one year after delivery. None of the subjects excreted CMV during the study period. General parameters of cellular immunity, including thymus derived-cell counts as determined by formation of erythrocyte rosettes and mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation, were unaffected. Reactivation of latent CMV during pregnancy might be related to transient depression of CMV-specific cellular immunity.
Effect of Altitude on Hand-held Peak Flowmeters

Measurements: Twoeachofninemodels ofcommer¬ cially available hand-held peak flowmeters anda vol¬ ume spirometer were tested atsixsimulated altitudes (100, 500,1,000, 1,500, 2,000, and3,000 m)using five target peak flows. Eachpeak flow was injected into eachmetertwice. Forwardstepwise regression was usedtocheck fornonlinear relationships between al¬ titude andpeak expiratory flowmeter readings. Linear regression equations were fit tothedata ateachtarget flow acrossaltitude. Effect ofabsolute peak flow was tested byanalysis ofcovariance. Results: Forthese altitudes, linear relationships were foundbetween altitude andmeasured peak flow. For all meterstested, theaverage decrease inpeak flow ranged from-8.7%atthelowest target flow(123 L/min) to-6.5%atthehighest target flow(702 L/min) foreach100mm Hgdecrease inbarometric pressure (Pb). Individual metersranged from-12.3%atthe lowest target flow to-4.4%atthehighest target flow for100mm Hgdecrease inPb. Thespirometer hadno significant changes associated withchanges inPb . In all cases,themagnitude ofthealtitude effect, mea¬ suredbypercent change, decreased withincreasing peak flow. Conclusions: Peakexpiratory flowmeters underread PEF as a function ofbothincreasing altitude and increasing target peak flow. (CHEST 1996; 109:475-79)
Gas-Phase Collision-Induced Dissociation of Highly Excited NO2

The gas-phase collision-induced dissocation (CID) of highly excited NO 2 with argon has been observed in a crossed beams experiment. The dissociation yield as a function of the initial NO 2 excitation energy is reported. The structure of the CID signal is similar to that observed in the fluorescence excitation spectrum of NO 2 , and the scaling of energy transfer can be described by an exponential decay law. NO is detected state selectively using laser ionization, and state distributions are determined
Lens extraction for chronic angle‐closure glaucoma

Background Angle-closure glaucoma is characterized by obstruction to the outflow of aqueous humor and consequent rise in intraocular pressure. The obstruction may result from an anatomical predisposition of the eye or may be due to pathophysiologic processes in any part of the eye. The former is considered the primary form and the latter a secondary form of angle closure. Relative pupillary block obstructing free flow of aqueous from the posterior chamber of the eye to the anterior chamber is considered to be the most common mechanism of angle closure. Crowding of the angle is another mechanism, which often coexists with pupillary block. This can result from an anterior placement of the lens due to an increase in the thickness of the lens (as occurs with aging), anterior displacement by a posterior force (for example choroidal effusion), or laxity of the zonules.
Avian sebokeratocytes and marine mammal lipokeratinocytes: Structural, lipid biochemical, and functional considerations

In terrestrial mammals, stratum corneum lipids derive from two sources: deposition of lamellar body lipids in stratum corneum interstices and excretion of sebaceous lipids onto the skin surface, resulting: in a two-compartment (bricks and mortar) system of lipid-depleted cells surrounded by lipid-enriched intercellular spaces. In contrast, intracellular lipid droplets, normally not present in the epidermis of terrestrial mammals, are prominent in avian and marine mammal epidermis (cetaceans, manatees). We compared the transepidermal water loss, ultrastructure, and lipid biochemistry of the viable epidermis and tratum corneum of pigeon apterium, fledgling (featherless) zebra finches, painted storks, cetaceans, and manatees to those of humans and mice. Marine mammals possess an even more extensive lamellar-body secretory system than do terrestrial mammals; and lamellar-body contents, as in terrestrials, are secreted into the stratum corneum interstices. In cetaceans, however, glycolipicls, but not ceramides, persist into the stratum corneum; whereas in manatees, glycolipids are replaced by ceramides, as in terrestrial mammals. Acylglucosylceramides, thought to be critical for lamellarbody deposition and barrier function in terrestrial mammals, are present in manatees but virtually absent in cetaceans, a finding that indicates that they are not obligate constituents of lamellar-body-derived membrane structures. Moreover, cetaceans do not elaborate the very long-chain, saturated N-acyl fatty acids that abound in terrestrial mammalian acylglucosylceramides. Furthermore, cold-water marine mammals generate large, intracellular neutral lipid droplets not found in terrestrial and warm-water marine mammals; these lipid droplets persist into the stratum corneum, suggesting thermogenesis, flotation, and/or cryoprotectant functions. Avians generate distinctive multigranular bodies that may be secreted into the intercellular spaces under xerotic conditions, as in zebra fledglings; ordinarily, however, the internal lamellae and limiting membranes deteriorate, generating intracellular neutral lipid droplets. The sphingolipid composition of avian stratum corneum is intermediate between terrestrials and cetaceans (= 50% glycolipids), with triglycerides present in abundance. In the midstratum corneum of avians, neutral lipid droplets are released into the interstices, forming a large extracellular, lipid-enriched compartment, surrounding wafer-thin corneocytes, with a paucity of both iipid and keratin (“platesand-platesand-mortar” rather than the “bricks-and-mortar” of mammals). These studies demonstrate remarkable structural and biochemical heterogeneity of epidermal lipids in various homeotherms and provide new insights into the functions of specific lipid-enriched organelles in these organisms.
A physical database design evaluation system for CODASYL databases

An interactive design tool for designing CODASYL databases is described. The system is composed of three main modules: a user interface, a transaction analyzer, and a core module. The user interface allows a designer to enter interactively information concerning a database design which is to be evaluated. The transaction analyzer allows the designer to specify the processing requirements in terms of typical logical transactions to be executed against the database and translates these logical transaction into physical transaction which access and manipulate the physical databases. The core module is the implementation of a set of analytical models and cost formulas developed for the manipulation of indexed sequential and hash-based files and CODASYL sets. These models and formulas account for the situation in which occurrences of multiple record types are stored in the same area. Also presented are the results of a series of experiments in which key design parameters are varied. The system is implemented in UCSD Pascal running on IBM PCs. >
Persistent Visual Tracking and Accurate Geo-Location of Moving Ground Targets by Small Air Vehicles

Small unmanned aerial vehicles are increasingly popular in many applications for their low cost, ease of use, and rapid deployment. One highly desirable capability is the pursuit of a target along a roadway while providing a persistent aerial view. This is made di cult by large UAV state uncertainty and limited maneuverability, however by carefully representing state uncertainty, planning in the space of available control actions, and using environmental knowledge to constrain possible target motion, adequate performance can be achieved with existing elded vehicles. This paper presents a comparative study of several target estimation and motion planning techniques and motivates the need for teams of multiple UAVs. Results from eld experiments applying these ideas to a commercial human-portable xed-wing UAV system are also presented.
A Test Procedure for the Determination of (2-Methoxyethoxy)acetic Acid in Urine from Jet Fuel-Exposed Mice

A test procedure for the determination of (2-methoxyethoxy)acetic acid (MEAA) was adapted and applied to urine samples from jet fuel (JP-8)-exposed mice using capillary gas chromatography with a mass selective detector (MSD). MEAA is a metabolite and proposed biomarker for exposure to 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethanol, a glycol ether component in the formulation of JP-8. The collected urine samples were spiked with deuterated butoxyacetic acid internal standard, and extracted with ethyl acetate, and esterified with ethanol and sulfuric acid, and the esters of the glycol ethers were extracted with methylene chloride. The chromatographic conditions used easily separate the MEAA ethyl ester from interferences within mouse urine. The application of this procedure to urine samples collected from mice demonstrated that MEAA was detectable after oral (2000 mg/kg) or dermal (50 mu L) exposure for 7 days to JP-8 at levels as high as 8.5 or 6.5 mu g/mL, respectively. This pilot demonstration indicated that total urinary MEAA was a viable biomarker for the two routes of JP-8 exposure in laboratory mice.
The Ethics of Forensic Practice: Reclaiming the Wasteland

After beginning with a warm appreciation of Alan Stone's scholarship and character, this article argues that Stone's woeful characterization of forensic practice as a wasteland that has no genuine ethical guide to practice and little to contribute is vastly overstated. It claims that the basis for useful ethical practice is rooted in a proper understanding of the law's folk psychological model of behavior and criteria. Then it suggests the proper bounds of forensic practice, including an aspirational list of do's and don'ts. The view presented is deflationary and cautious compared to what the law permits and most practitioners do, but it still leaves forensic practitioners with a wide and important role in the legal system.
Interaction of Surfactant Protein A with Peroxiredoxin 6 Regulates Phospholipase A2 Activity

Abstract Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) is a “moonlighting” protein with both GSH peroxidase and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activities. This protein is responsible for degradation of internalized dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, the major phospholipid component of lung surfactant. The PLA2 activity is inhibited by surfactant protein A (SP-A). We postulate that SP-A regulates the PLA2 activity of Prdx6 through direct protein-protein interaction. Recombinant human Prdx6 and SP-A isolated from human alveolar proteinosis fluid were studied. Measurement of kinetic constants at pH 4.0 (maximal PLA2 activity) showed Km0.35 mm and Vmax 138 nmol/min/mg of protein. SP-A inhibited PLA2 activity non-competitively with Ki 10 μg/ml and was Ca2+ -independent. Activity at pH 7.4 was ∼50% less, and inhibition by SP-A was partially dependent on Ca2+. Interaction of SP-A and Prdx6 at pH 7.4 was shown by Prdx6-mediated inhibition of SP-A binding to agarose beads, a pull-down assay using His-tagged Prdx6 and Ni2 -chelating beads, co-immunoprecipitation from lung epithelial cells and from a binary mixture of the two proteins, binding after treatment with a trifunctional cross-linker, and size-exclusion chromatography. Analysis by static light scattering and surface plasmon resonance showed calcium-independent SP-A binding to Prdx6 at pH 4.0 and partial Ca2+ dependence of binding at pH 7.4. These results indicate a direct interaction between SP-A and Prdx6, which provides a mechanism for regulation of the PLA2 activity of Prdx6 by SP-A.
Whitney Numbers of Geometric Lattices

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses Whitney numbers of geometric lattices. There is a homology theory on the category of ordered sets such that the Betti numbers of a geometric lattice are the Whitney numbers of the first kind. The chapter describes such a theory. The theory is a sheaf cohomology on a topological space associated to the ordered set. It is, however, also possible to develop the theory in terms of specific simplicial chain complexes.
Palliative goals, patient selection, and perioperative platelet management: outcomes and lessons from 3 decades of splenectomy for myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia at the Mayo Clinic.

BACKGROUND. Although splenectomy may palliate massive splenomegaly in patients with myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia, this procedure carries significant risks. The authors retrospectively analyzed their experience with splenectomy over the course of 30 years to analyze the impact of improved techniques, antimicrobials, and aggressive postoperative control of platelet counts on outcome. METHODS. A total of 314 patients underwent splenectomy between 1976 and 2004 for mechanical symptoms (= 156 patients [49%]), anemia (= 78 patients [25%]), portal hypertension (= 47 patients [15%]), or thrombocytopenia (= 33 patients [11%]). Of a total of 91 patients studied during the last decade, 69 patients (76%) experienced a palliative benefit for their primary surgical indication for a median of 12 months (range, 1-91 months). RESULTS. Perioperative complications occurred in 87 patients (27.7%) including infection (= 31 patients [9.9%]), thrombosis (= 31 patients [9.9%]), or bleeding (= 44 patients [14%]), 21 of which (6.7% of all patients) were fatal. Perioperative thrombohemorrhagic complications decreased in the last decade through the use of platelet apheresis and the prompt use of cytoreductive agents to counteract postsplenectomy thrombocytosis. Survival after splenectomy was found to be decreased in patients with preoperative thrombocytopenia (<100 × 109/L [P = 0.006]) but not by indication, myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia (MMM) prognostic score, or the decade in which splenectomy was performed. CONCLUSIONS. The lack of improvement in overall postsplenectomy survival over time may be a reflection on the failure of medical therapy to improve survival in patients with MMM. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
In silico elucidation of the recognition dynamics of ubiquitin.

Elucidation of the mechanism of biomacromolecular recognition events has been a topic of intense interest over the past century. The inherent dynamic nature of both protein and ligand molecules along with the continuous reshaping of the energy landscape during the binding process renders it difficult to characterize this process at atomic detail. Here, we investigate the recognition dynamics of ubiquitin via microsecond all-atom molecular dynamics simulation providing both thermodynamic and kinetic information. The high-level of consistency found with respect to experimental NMR data lends support to the accuracy of the in silico representation of the conformational substates and their interconversions of free ubiquitin. Using an energy-based reweighting approach, the statistical distribution of conformational states of ubiquitin is monitored as a function of the distance between ubiquitin and its binding partner Hrs-UIM. It is found that extensive and dense sampling of conformational space afforded by the µs MD trajectory is essential for the elucidation of the binding mechanism as is Boltzmann sampling, overcoming inherent limitations of sparsely sampled empirical ensembles. The results reveal a population redistribution mechanism that takes effect when the ligand is at intermediate range of 1–2 nm from ubiquitin. This mechanism, which may be depicted as a superposition of the conformational selection and induced fit mechanisms, also applies to other binding partners of ubiquitin, such as the GGA3 GAT domain.
Test and evaluation of a midwater three dimensional underwater tracking array

A continuing need exists for accurate three dimensional tracking of submerged targets on instrument ranges. The common problems faced by developers of acoustic underwater tracking systems range from launch, recovery, and structure life to telemetry and real time processing of source signals. The Naval Surface Warfare Center controls an underwater test site that ranges from shore to a water depth of 600 meters. To support long term growth, an underwater tracking system capable of operating over the majority of the range with a serviceable life of twenty years was developed and is described. The system design goals included long term compatibility with the marine environment and stringent tracking accuracy requirements. Environmentally compatible materials selection included fiber reinforced plastics for structures, glass spheres for pressure vessels, and titanium for fasteners. Tracking accuracy is achieved using a synchronous tracking system consisting of four hydrophones on an eight meter baseline. Pulse detection and arrival time are determined using a combination of in band and out of band energy detection with replica correlation of the apex channel. The system has single bit digitizing using zero crossing detectors. Differential arrival times for two adjacent channels are determined using cross correlation with the apex channel. This paper contributes an overview of the underwater tracking system and of the Fort Lauderdale facilities and test capabilities. A summary of experimentally obtained data on the tracking accuracy from deployments in 180 and 450 meters is given. Tracking resolutions are given as a function of environmental parameters including range from the array, depth, and ambient sound velocity profiles. Array performance characteristics are extrapolated over usable water depth based on evaluation of the arrays at the two test sites. >
Relationship between Walleye Stocking and Year-Class Strength in Three Minnesota Lakes

Abstract We evaluated fry and fingerling walleye Stizostedion vitreum stocking to supplement natural reproduction for 17–21 years in three west-central Minnesota lakes ranging in size from 960 to 2,363 ha. We used year-class strength as our primary indicator variable because strong walleye year-classes were necessary for angling to improve. An index of year-class strength (YCI) was estimated with a linear model based on catch-at-age data from gill nets. In each lake, YCI did not vary significantly among years with and without stocking of fry or fingerlings. The mean YCI was greatest for fry stocking in lakes Mary and Ida and for no stocking on Lake Miltona. The greater economic costs associated with fingerling stocking indicate that it is the least effective walleye management strategy on these lakes.
Migration and Class as Constraints in Battered Women's Attempts to Escape Violence in Lima Peru:

The impact of migration on women's experiences of intimate violence and on their efforts to leave abusive relationships in Latin American states is an important area that has yet to be sufficiently explored. A case study reveals many of the external obstacles that migrant battered women in Lima face in attempting to leave abusive relationships. The experience of Daisy, a 29-year-old indigenous woman and mother of four boys who migrated to Lima with her abusive partner and their children in 1997, shows that migration and class can play an important role in battered women's vulnerability to isolation and poverty, thereby prolonging the violence they experience.
A large-scale quantitative analysis of latent factors and sentiment in online doctor reviews

Online physician reviews are a massive and potentially rich source of information capturing patient sentiment regarding healthcare. We analyze a corpus comprising nearly 60 000 such reviews with a state-of-the-art probabilistic model of text. We describe a probabilistic generative model that captures latent sentiment across aspects of care (eg, interpersonal manner ). We target specific aspects by leveraging a small set of manually annotated reviews. We perform regression analysis to assess whether model output improves correlation with state-level measures of healthcare. We report both qualitative and quantitative results. Model output correlates with state-level measures of quality healthcare, including patient likelihood of visiting their primary care physician within 14 days of discharge (p=0.03), and using the proposed model better predicts this outcome (p=0.10). We find similar results for healthcare expenditure. Generative models of text can recover important information from online physician reviews, facilitating large-scale analyses of such reviews.
Sea Level Requirements as Systems Engineering Size Metrics

The Constructive Systems Engineering Cost Model (COSYSMO) represents a collaborative effort between industry, government, and academia to develop a general model to estimate systems engineering effort. The model development process has benefited from a diverse group of stakeholders that have contributed their domain expertise and historical project data for the purpose of developing an industry calibration. But the use of multiple stakeholders having diverse perspectives has introduced challenges for the developers of COSYSMO. Among these challenges is ensuring that people have a consistent interpretation of the model's inputs. A consistent understanding of the inputs enables maximum benefits for its users and contributes to the model's predictive accuracy. The main premise of this paper is that the reliability of these inputs can be significantly improved with the aide of a sizing framework similar to one developed for writing software use cases. The focus of this paper is the first of four COSYSMO size drivers, # of Systems Requirements, for which counting rules are provided. In addition, two different experiments that used requirements as metrics are compared to illustrate the benefits introduced by counting rules.