cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multi-mode cylindrical surface wave excitation☆

Abstract In this paper, we study the solution of the 3-dimensional reduced wave equation above an infinite plane 2-dimensional surface wave supporting structure. The structure is simulated by a multiple impedance boundary condition that allows for the excitation of two different cylindrical surface wave modes. At first we investigate the problem of a simple source which is then generalized to multi-pole sources. For the cases considered, we are able to give an explicit solution that exhibits the character of the surface wave field. Furthermore, using a virtual structure notion, we are able to identify the power travelling within the impedance structure associated with a given external surface wave mode. Thus, a definition of the total surface wave power is applied in a manner that modal power flow separability is maintained. The far field pattern is observed to vanish in certain directions, in particular along the impedance plane. Furthermore, the far field power is calculated in terms of a non-elementary definite integral which is then estimated at high and low frequencies so that a partial verification of our calculations can be made by observing that power is conserved to these orders.
The next cluster of differentiation (CD) workshop

One may participate in the next workshop by submitting monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that react with molecules on the surface of human leukocytes, platelets or endothelial cells, by carrying out investigations on the mAb panels sent out by the workshop, or by attending the concluding meeting.
Reintervention for arch obstruction after stage 1 reconstruction does not adversely affect survival or outcome at Fontan completion.

Objective To determine the effect of reintervention for coarctation after stage 1 reconstruction for hypoplastic left heart syndrome and variants on survival, suitability for Fontan, and morbidity at Fontan. Methods A retrospective review of echocardiograms, catheterizations, hospital records of patients who underwent stage 1 reconstruction from January 2002 to May 2005, with a cross-sectional analysis of hospital survivors, was performed. Kaplan–Meier curves were derived for patients alive more than 30 days after stage 1 reconstruction. Results A total of 176 patients underwent stage 1 reconstruction. Forty-three patients (23%) underwent balloon angioplasty (n = 43) or surgical intervention (n = 4) for re-coarctation. Median time to intervention was 123 (1–316) days. Seven of 43 patients (16%) underwent more than 1 balloon angioplasty. Thirty-nine patients underwent intervention before stage 2 reconstruction, and 4 patients had intervention between stage 2 reconstruction and Fontan. Kaplan–Meier curves showed no difference in freedom from death or transplant between patients who did and did not undergo intervention for re-coarctation. Fontan completion was performed in 107 patients. By echocardiogram, the prevalence of moderate to severe ventricular dysfunction between groups was similar at Fontan; however, significant atrioventricular valve regurgitation was more common in patients who required intervention (28/33 vs 40/65, P = .02). Overall Fontan mortality was 2% and not different between groups. Length of stay was not different between patients with and without re-coarctation. Conclusions Reintervention for coarctation after stage 1 reconstruction is common. Hemodynamic differences between groups did not affect Fontan completion, mortality, or hospital length of stay. Follow-up is necessary to determine the impact of re-coarctation on longer-term mortality and morbidity.
RNA splicing: More clues from spinal muscular atrophy

Spinal muscular atrophy is caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene, the product of which is part of a multi-component complex involved in the assembly of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins. A recent study indicates that SMN may also play a role in pre-mRNA splicing.
Heavy drinking during periods of high unemployment: 15-year trend study of the role of race/ethnicity.

Abstract Objectives This study conceptualized high unemployment rate as a stressor deriving from the social structure. It tracked American adults’ heavy drinking rates 1997–2011, intending to examine (1) whether heavy drinking escalates with rising unemployment, and (2) whether racial minorities, who feel economic downturns more than the majority, engage in heavy drinking at a higher level than Whites in times of high unemployment. Methods Research questions were answered using data from the Combined National Health Interview Survey. The present final sample included only respondents classified as heavy drinkers: those reporting that, on days (in the preceding year) on which they had consumed alcohol, they had regularly had at least 5 drinks. Results The study, which considered individual-level social structural factors, overall found rising unemployment rate to be associated with high measures for heavy-drinking frequency but low measures for heavy-drinking quantity. It did not find race to moderate the unemployment–heavy-drinking relationship, although some empirical evidence has shown racial minorities to be relatively more responsive to fluctuating unemployment inherent in the economic cycle. Conclusions Our results in general call for further research on roles of gender and race in heavy drinking, especially where Black females are concerned. Blacks’ greater heavy-drinking frequency and greater heavy-drinking quantity (versus Whites) observed in this study may shed light on persistent racial disparities in Americans’ health.
Long-term consequences of Reye syndrome: A sibling-matched, controlled study of neurologic, cognitive, academic, and psychiatric function*

Sixteen survivors of Reye syndrome treated at Yale-New Haven Hospital between January, 1977, and December, 1978, received neurologic, neuromaturational, cognitive, educational, and psychiatric assessments; 12 had siblings who were also evaluated. In the RS cohort, 13 of 16 patients were in stage 3/5 coma and intracranial pressure was monitored in 12 of 16 for 4.7 days. Blood ammonia concentration was>300 μg/ml in 13 of 16 patients with a mean peak 438. Abnormalities on neurologic examination were noted in eight RS children and in none of the siblings. No significant differences emerged on psychometric testing of RS with siblings (12 children) or on group differences (16 RS children as a group compared to 12 siblings as controls). A significant difference was noted for those four children with onset of RS under age 7 years compared to their siblings (IQ 108 vs 134). The sibling IQ-RS IQ difference was significantly correlated with age of onset of RS. Individual Full Scale IQ scores and the sibling-RS IQ differences were also correlated with severity of RS. Similar findings were observed for educational testing. Eleven of the RS children received a psychiatric diagnosis (attention deficit disorder or anxiety reaction) compared to two of the control children. Five of the RS children had experienced a significant recent life stress. As a group, children with RS remain remarkably intact; however, those with most severe RS or who were very young when affected may have some sequelae.
Nutrition Practices of Older Athletes

Abstract The purpose of this study was to identify nutrition practices of older athletes that may affect competitive performance and reflect nutrition misinformation. Statewide Senior Games participants (n=100) were surveyed on dietary practices, supplement use and sources of nutrition information. The survey instrument was previewed by an exercise physiologist and gerontology RD for content validity and pretested in a seniors exercise class. Surveys were distributed in registration packets and voluntary return was made to collection boxes at event sites. Mean age of the 38 women and 61 men who responded was 66.6 years (range=50–88). No chronic illness was reported by 47% of the sample. Body mass index was in the acceptable range for 79%. A diet change within the last 5 years was reported by 50%; 24% diet to lose weight. Ninety-four % reported drinking more liquids during activity, though only 11% consumed sports drinks. Forty-two % reported eating more when they were physically active; 47% ate more carbohydrate and 35% ate more protein. Reported supplement use was: 54% multivitamin, 46% vitamin E, 40% vitamin C, 38% calcium, 19% B vitamins, 17% no supplements, 13% herbal preparations, 4% protein drink. Other supplement use included chromium and other minerals, antioxidants (unspecified), pycogenol, garlic, wheat germ. The media and physicians were primary sources of nutrition information. However, when queried separately about sports-related nutrition information media followed by friends and fellow athletes were primary sources. Based on the survey results it appears older athletes show knowledge of fluid and energy needs, are conservative in use of ergogenic supplements and would be well served by accurate information in media sources. Given U.S. demographics, this kind of population of more active seniors may be expected to grow. Their concerns and practices increasingly need to be followed and reflected in the content and delivery of nutrition messages.
Meningitis with a negative cerebrospinal fluid gram stain in adults: Risk classification for an adverse clinical outcome

Objective To derive and validate a risk score for an adverse clinical outcome in adults with meningitis and a negative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Gram stain.
Unius Amissi Leonis : Taming the Lion and Caesar's Tears ( Silvae 2.5)

Silvae 2.5 addresses the problematic aspects of the domesticated, acculturated natural world and its impact. Sorrow for a lion's death is transformed into a discussion of the problematics of culture imposed contra naturam. The lion's unused skills and gentleness did not help at all when it was exposed to the merciless arena. And yet the lion opposes the artificiality of its own domesticity and fights back against its fleeing enemy. As the Romans transgress human and natural boundaries, the poet questions the advantage of such achievements while becoming involved in a continuous rewriting of the Thebaid.
Corticotropin releasing hormone, receptor regulation and the stress response.

Abstract Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) coordinates behavioral, autonomic and hormonal responses to stress, including activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis with stimulation of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and glucocorticoids. Differential changes of expression of CRH and vasopressin(VP) in the parvicellular hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), as well as regulation of CRH and VP receptors, are critical for the responsiveness of the HPA axis during stress. Pituitary CRH receptor (CRH-R)expression and content is controlled by the coordinated action of CRH, VP and glucocorticoids. Marked changes in hypothalamic and pituitary CRH-R expression support a key regulatory role for CRH in the HPA axis and the integrated stress response.
Global change: China at the carbon crossroads.

In China, as in other nations that produce carbon dioxide from fossil fuels on a large scale, the terrestrial biosphere mops up a proportion of the emissions. Estimates of the amounts involved are now available. The publication of a comprehensive assessment of China's terrestrial carbon budget fills a major gap in the geographical spread of carbon balance data, and helps to further reduce uncertainties in the Northern Hemisphere carbon balance. Three different indicators were used to monitor China's carbon balance and its driving mechanisms during the 1980s and 1990s: biomass and soil carbon inventories extrapolated from satellite greenness measurements, ecosystem models and atmospheric inversions. The three methods produce similar estimates for the net carbon sink at 0.19 to 0.26 petagrams per year. Global terrestrial ecosystems, in comparison, have absorbed carbon at a rate of 1 to 4 Pg carbon per year during the 1980s and 1990s, which offsets 10–60% of fossil fuel emissions. Northeast China is a net source of CO2 to the atmosphere as a result over-harvesting and degradation of forests. In contrast, southern China accounts for over 65% of the carbon sink, attributable to regional climate change, tree planting and shrub recovery.
Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma: guidelines for early diagnosis and treatment

The incidence of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the most common vulvar cancer in women, is increasing worldwide. Furthermore, despite the increasing prevalence, this disease is commonly misdiagnosed by physicians. Unfortunately, late-stage vulvar SCC has a poorer prognosis compared with early vulvar neoplasia and requires aggressive therapy such as radical surgical intervention. Therefore, early diagnosis by physicians is critical to reduce both the mortality and morbidity rates of vulvar SCC. This review discusses the etiology, clinical characteristics, and diagnostic staging of vulvar SCC. Treatment options are reviewed, including novel topical immunotherapies such as imiquimod.
Analyzing scenery images by monotonic tree

Content-based image retrieval (CBIR) has been an active research area in the last ten years, and a variety of techniques have been developed. However, retrieving images on the basis of low-level features has proven unsatisfactory, and new techniques are needed to support high-level queries. Research efforts are needed to bridge the gap between high-level semantics and low-level features. In this paper, we present a novel approach to support semantics-based image retrieval. Our approach is based on the monotonic tree, a derivation of the contour tree for use with discrete data. The structural elements of an image are modeled as branches (or subtrees) of the monotonic tree. These structural elements are classified and clustered on the basis of such properties as color, spatial location, harshness and shape. Each cluster corresponds to some semantic feature. This scheme is applied to the analysis and retrieval of scenery images. Comparisons of experimental results of this approach with conventional techniques using low-level features demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.
VALIDATION OF KEPLER'S MULTIPLE PLANET CANDIDATES. III. LIGHT CURVE ANALYSIS AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF HUNDREDS OF NEW MULTI-PLANET SYSTEMS

The Kepler mission has discovered more than 2500 exoplanet candidates in the first two years of spacecraft data, with approximately 40% of those in candidate multi-planet systems. The high rate of multiplicity combined with the low rate of identified false positives indicates that the multiplanet systems contain very few false positive signals due to other systems not gravitationally bound to the target star. False positives in the multi-planet systems are identified and removed, leaving behind a residual population of candidate multi-planet transiting systems expected to have a false positive rate less than 1%. We present a sample of 340 planetary systems that contain 851 planets that are validated to substantially better than the 99% confidence level; the vast majority of these have not been previously verified as planets. We expect ~two unidentified false positives making our sample of planet very reliable. We present fundamental planetary properties of our sample based on a comprehensive analysis of Kepler light curves, ground-based spectroscopy, and high-resolution imaging. Since we do not require spectroscopy or high-resolution imaging for validation, some of our derived parameters for a planetary system may be systematically incorrect due to dilution from light due to additional stars in the photometric aperture. Nonetheless, our result nearly doubles the number verified exoplanets.
Relationship of Body Weight to Maintenance Cyclosporine A Dose in Canine Atopic Dermatitis

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a commonly prescribed and effective therapy for canine atopic dermatitis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential relationship between patient body weight and CsA dosing. Seventy-seven cases of canine atopic dermatitis managed between 2000 and 2011 were evaluated retrospectively. Duration of CsA therapy was at least 16 wk. Groups analyzed included the study population as a whole, those treated with only CsA, and those treated with both CsA and metoclopramide. The division between small and large dogs was set at 15 kg. Descriptive analysis, two-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlations, and a Student t test were used to analyze data. There were no significant differences between CsA dose and body weight regardless of method of analysis. Concurrent corticosteroid use, other medication use, and pruritus score were also analyzed over the study period. There was a significant decrease in CsA dose, corticosteroid dose, medication score, and pruritus score between the time points for all patients, but no significant relationship between those changes and body weight. These study findings suggest that differential CsA dosing is not warranted based on body weight.
Glassmaking in renaissance Italy: The innovation of venetian cristallo

The incremental incorporation of new processing steps in the 1450s allowed Venetian cristallo glass to be made in response to perceived consumer demand. The purification of the alume catino ash was the key that allowed cristallo production in the 15th and 16th centuries. However, other steps were involved: the careful selection of a source for SiO2, the addition of the proper amount of MnO, the use of a fritting process to overcome the limitations imposed by the temperatures attainable in a wood-fired furnace, the process of passing the glass melt several times through water, careful and sustained stirring of the melt, and conscientious attention paid to furnace maintenance. Most of these steps had been employed in the Venetian glass industry since the 14th century, and their use allowed the Venetians to produce a reasonably high-quality vitrum blanchum glass before cristallo was made.
A3 adenosine receptor activation during reperfusion reduces infarct size through actions on bone marrow-derived cells

The goal of this study was to examine whether the A(3) adenosine receptor (A(3)AR) agonist Cl-IB-MECA protects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury when administered at the time of reperfusion in an in vivo mouse model of infarction induced by 30min of coronary occlusion and 24h of reperfusion. Treating B6 wild-type with Cl-IB-MECA during the reperfusion phase (100microg/kg i.v. bolus+0.3microg/kg/min subcutaneously via implantation of Alzet mini-osmotic pumps) reduced myocardial infarct size approximately 37% from 50.1+/-2.5% in vehicle-treated mice to 31.6+/-2.8% in Cl-IB-MECA-treated mice, and significantly reduced the number of leukocytes that infiltrated into the ischemic-reperfused myocardium. Cl-IB-MECA did not reduce infarct size or limit leukocyte accumulation in studies using B6 congenic A(3)AR gene "knock-out" mice or in chimeric mice lacking the expression of A(3)ARs in bone marrow (BM)-derived cells. Subsequent mechanistic studies demonstrated that Cl-IB-MECA inhibited migration of mouse neutrophils isolated from BM towards the chemotactic substance c5a in trans-well migration assays, and inhibited leukocyte migration into the peritoneal cavity in a mouse model of thioglycollate-induced peritonitis. We conclude that treating with the A(3)AR agonist Cl-IB-MECA at the time of reperfusion provides effective protection from ischemia/reperfusion injury in the heart through activation of the A(3)AR expressed in BM-derived cells, potentially by suppressing the robust inflammatory reaction that occurs during reperfusion and neutrophil-mediated tissue injury.
Embodied Decisions: Reversible and Irreversible Contraceptive Methods among Rural Women in the Brazilian Amazon

In the past 40 years, Brazil has experienced rapid fertility decline, where the number of children per woman (i.e., total fertility rate) has dropped sharply from 6.0 in the 1960s to 2.3 in the late 1990s.What makes Brazil's fertility decline particularly interesting is its strong reliance on a nonreversible method of contraception: tubal ligation, here referred to as female sterilization. As recently as 1996, the country led the world in recorded rates of female sterilization. This practice is so pervasive and dominant that among some Brazilian scholars it has come to be called the surgical transition rather than the fertility transition. In this paper, we discuss the prevalence of female sterilization and other contraceptive methods among rural women of the Lower Amazon. The use of reversible (e.g., the pill, condoms) and irreversible (sterilization) methods is analyzed in terms of women's birth cohorts and in terms of their individual characteristics. We argue that to understand contraceptive choices we need to consider the social and cultural context, particularly the availability of local health services, the influence of doctors and politicians, as well as women's own goals for themselves and their children.
The initial diagnosis of GERD

The diagnosis of GERD in primary care settings can be enhanced by the use of structured questionnaires that suggest a high probability of GERD. Clinical outcomes can be improved and costs reduced by adopting this strategy. Using predominant symptoms to determine the path of treatment or the use of an empirical test of proton pump inhibitors has not been proven to be reliable and should be abandoned.
Heat transfer and interfacial drag in countercurrent steam-water stratified flow

Abstract Local condensation heat transfer coefficients and interfacial shear stresses have been measured for countercurrent stratified flow of steam and subcooled water in rectangular channels over a wide range of inclination angles (4–87°) at two aspect ratios. Dimensionless correlations for the interfacial friction factor have been developed that show that it is a function of the liquid Reynolds number only. Empirical correlations of the heat transfer coefficient, based upon the bulk flow properties, have also been set up for the whole body of data encompassing the different inclination angles and aspect ratios. These indicate that the Froude number as a dimensionless gas velocity is a better correlating parameter than the gas Reynolds number. As an alternative approach, a simple dimensionless relationship for the beat transfer coefficient was obtained by analogy between heat and momentum transfer through the interface. Finally, a turbulence-centered model has been modified by using measured interfacial parameters for the turbulent velocity and length scales, resulting in good agreement with the data.
Thermochemistry of mixing strontianite [SrCO3(s)] and aragonite [CaCO3(s)] to form CaxSr1−xCO3(s) solid solutions

Abstract Enthalpies of mixing [Δ H 298 mix ] of aragonite and strontianite to form Ca x Sr 1− x CO 3 (s) solid solutions were obtained at 298 K from drop-solution enthalpies [Δ H 975 ds ] of pellets of the respective solid solutions into molten 2PbO · B 2 O 3 at 975 K. The measured Δ H 298 mix values are positive for all measured values of x , are nearly symmetric around x = 0.50, and reach a maximum value of +3.82 ± 0.94 kJ mol −1 . Previous electrochemical studies have reported that Δ G 298 ex values are also positive over the range 0.0 x −1 at x ≈ 0.7. The general similarity between the Δ H 298 mix and the Δ G 298 ex values indicates that the excess entropy of mixing is small or zero, consistent with the regular-solution treatment. Within this regular-solution treatment, the interaction parameter is W = 13.5(±1.3) kJ mol −1 , which yields a very narrow range of stable miscible compositions at Earth surface conditions. Compositions of aragonite or strontianite with even a few percent impurity are not stable and will unmix to form a mechanical mixture of Ca-rich strontianite and a Sr-rich aragonite. It is, in general, difficult to accurately estimate the compositions of coexisting, miscible solids such as the Ca x Sr 1− x CO 3 solids at Earth-surface conditions. The predictions are quite sensitive to small uncertainties in the data and such estimates are probably beyond the capabilities of either electrochemical cell measurements or calorimetry.
The Use of Health Information Technology in Ambulatory Surgery Centers

Many of the more than 1.2 billion ambulatory care visits in the United States in 2011 resulted in a patient being handed-off from one outpatient provider to another. As patients transition from one outpatient provider to another, information gaps present a challenge to safe, continuous, and efficient patient care [1]. Among the most common outpatient transitions are those between referring physicians and ambulatory surgery centers (ASC). The use of Health Information Technology (HIT) is imperative to timely and excellent patient care. Despite the projected benefits of HIT and the frequency of physician hand-offs to ASCs, it has not been at all clear how, or even if, HIT is used internally by ASCs, or if it is used during patient transitions to and from ASCs. We conclude that ASCs in this study have low usage of HIT, both within their Centers and between outpatient settings.
High-resolution spectroscopy of hyperfine structure using phase-correlated four-wave mixing.

We have obtained high-resolution spectra of hyperfine transitions in an excited state ( 1 D 2 ) of Pr 3+ :YAlO 3 using a novel four-wave-mixing technique. Subkilohertz resolution is obtained. The hyperfine transition line shapes are determined unambiguously, revealing an interesting effect of mutual-flip interaction between the |m = ± 1/2> hyperfine states of the Pr ions and the host nuclear spins. The necessary conditions for obtaining laser-jitter-independent resolution in inhomogeneously broadened samples are discussed.
The Buddhist doctrine of two truths as religious philosophy

These stanzas from a hymn attributed to Nâgârjuna reflect a problem recognized in many Buddhist attempts to express the truth. The problem basically is how to use language to release human beings from their attachment to deceptive (false) mental and emotional habits. The Buddha and his followers claimed they could provide a path, a means, of release from life's anxieties and frustrations. This meant that the Buddhist teach ers (therapists) had to entice their hearers into trying the Buddha's remedy, but without diluting its cathartic power to the point where it became simply a narcotic or worse, a poison. Thus, in expressing the truth (dharma) the spiritual teachers recognized, on the one hand, that the truth which illumines must be appropriate to the spiritual condition of the hearer, and on the other, that there is a criterion of truth which distinguishes salutary teachings from perversions. One way of explaining how there could be a variety of truth statements some appearing to be mutually contradictory while also affirming that there was a criterion of truth which applied to all truth claims was to assert that there were two kinds of truth: conventional or world-ensconced truth (samvrti-satya), and ultimate or highest truth (jparamartha-satya). While this distinction solved some problems in relating different Bud dhist statements, it raised new questions at another level of explanation. For instance, if there are two kinds of truth, what is the relationship between them? Are these kinds of truth simply two kinds of statements having their own linguistic (i.e. logical) structures that apply to different realms of discourse (as in the difference between metaphorical and ana
Acute recruitment of prolactin-secreting cells is regulated posttranscriptionally

Abstract 17β-estradiol (E2) stimulates the release of an activity from neurointermediate lobe (NIL) cells which increases the relative abundance of prolactin (PRL) secretors in cultures of anterior pituitary (AP) cells. In the present study, we sought to determine whether this NIL/E2 effect was due to recruitment of growth hormone (GH)-releasing cells into the PRL-secreting population and to define the mechanism regulating this induction of PRL secretors. AP cells from ovariectomized rats were cultured overnight, exposed to NIL/E2 treatment (or medium alone) for 3 h and then subjected to reverse hemolytic plaque assays for PRL and GH release. We found that exposure to NIL/E2 increased by 10% the proportion of AP cells that secreted PRL but did not influence the overall abundance of cells that released GH. A more critical analysis of these cultures revealed that all of the newly recruited PRL-secreting cells also released GH. This increment in the proportion of cells that released both PRL and GH concurrently was accompanied by an equivalent decrease in the fraction that secreted GH alone. Thus, it appeared that NIL/E2 treatment initiated PRL secretion by cells that previously released only GH. We then tested whether this induction of PRL secretors required the synthesis of proteins and/or RNA. We found that the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide completely abolished the recruitment of PRL-releasing cells by NIL/E2 treatment, whereas the RNA synthesis inhibitor actinomycin D had no effect on this response. We conclude that NIL/E2 treatment induces PRL secretion by cells that formerly released only GH and that this induction is regulated posttranscriptionally.
Morphology and histochemistry of the thalamus in the course of intoxication by ethyl-mercury-p-toluenesulphanilide (EMTS).

Summary Organic Mercury compounds are known for their neurotoxicity. From our previous studies it appeared that a variable degree of damage is brought about in the individual structures of the CNS by ingestion of organic mercurials. A detailed study was undertaken on the histotopography of pathological changes occurring in the thalamus — the major integrator of various cerebral functions — following intragastric administration of EMTS, a fungicide widely applied in agriculture. Rats served as the experimental animals. They were treated intragastrically with a daily dose of 15 mg of EMTS over a period of 10 days (the per os DL 50 for rats is 100 mg/kg of body weight). The results of our study have revealed that chronic ingestion of large doses of EMTS brings about a considerable inhibition of the activities of AChE, BuTJ, acP and ATPase in many thalamic nuclei with a concomitant elevation of TPPase and NsE activities. There was considerable variation as to the degree of histoenzymatie changes in the individual thalamic nuclei. The accompanying glial reaction was evaluated as well. An interpretation of the findings made in this study has been undertaken.
Technology transfer: making expert systems commercially successful

Technology and organizational behavior issues that are barriers to the commercial success of expert systems are discussed. The issues include interfacing and integrating with existing systems, picking the correct problem, fulfilling development goals, representing knowledge, acquiring knowledge, validating and maintaining the system, deploying and introducing expert systems in an organization, and managing organizational behavior after development is complete. It is argued that overcoming these barriers requires technology-transfer methods that account for an expert system's size and the structure and culture of the organizations involved. Examples of the technology transfer of expert systems are presented. >
Linking Household Transitions and Housing Transitions: A Longitudinal Analysis of Renters:

In this paper I use discrete-time proportional hazards models of competing risks to assess the association between household transitions and housing transitions for individuals in the rental sector. Specifically, moves within the rental sector are treated as a competing risk with moves to homeownership. A series of longitudinal models indicates the differential role household transition serves in predicting each of these movement types. This research confirms the association between relative household stability, relative income level, and the move to homeownership. Conversely, homeownership remains unattainable for individuals with relatively low incomes, in relatively transient household types, and especially for minorities.
Multivesicular Body-ESCRT Components Function in pH Response Regulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans

The ESCRT-I, -II, and -III protein complexes function to create multivesicular bodies (MVBs) for sorting of proteins destined for the lysosome or vacuole. Prior studies with Saccharomyces cerevisia...
Micro-CT based quantification of non-mineralized tissue on cultured hydroxyapatite scaffolds.

An improved method to determine material volumes from microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) data is presented. In particular, the method can account for materials with significantly overlapping peaks and small volumes. The example case is a hydroxyapatite scaffold cultured with osteoprogenitor cells. The histogram obtained from the micro-CT data is decomposed into a Gaussian attenuation distribution for each material in the sample, including scaffold, pore and surface tissue, and background. This is done by creating a training set of attenuation data to find initial parameters and then using a nonlinear curve fit, which produced R2 values greater than 0.998. To determine the material volumes, the curves that simulated each material are integrated, allowing small volume fractions to be accurately quantified. Thresholds for visualizing the samples are chosen based on volume fractions of the Gaussian curves. Additionally, the use of dual-material regions helps accurately visualize tissue on the scaffold, which is otherwise difficult because of the large volume fraction of scaffold. Finally, the curve integration method is compared with Bayesian estimation and intersection thresholding methods. The pore tissue is not represented at all by the Bayesian estimation, and the intersection thresholding method is less accurate than the curve integration method. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2007
Verteporfin ocular photodynamic therapy

This article reviews the pharmacotherapeutics of verteporfin (Visudyne), Novartis Pharma AG) used in ocular photodynamic therapy. The chemistry, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drug are reviewed. The article highlights and summarises the results of the multi-centre, randomised, controlled clinical trials with verteporfin to treat subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation in age-related macular degeneration, ocular histoplasmosis syndrome and pathologic myopia. In addition, the safety profile and side effects of verteporfin are discussed.
Pediatric CT Radiation Dose: How Low Can You Go?

OBJECTIVE. There is a known risk from radiation. The objective of this article is to answer the following question regarding CT: Is there a risk of lowering the radiation exposure so low that the risk of missing a diagnosis from excessive noise in the image begins to exceed the risk of the radiation itself.CONCLUSION. When performing CT, adequate radiation dose must be used to make a confident and accurate diagnosis. The total population radiation exposure can be reduced effectively by numerous other means, including aggressively reducing the number of CT examinations performed for poor clinical indications, scanning only the anatomic region of interest, and not performing both unenhanced and contrast-enhanced scanning unless absolutely necessary.
Photodynamic therapy for the treatment of extramammary Paget's disease.

SummaryBackground Surgical and ablative treatment modalities for extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) have high recurrence rates and can be associated with significant morbidity. Objectives To evaluate photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of EMPD. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of notes and histology of five men with anogenital, groin and axillary EMPD treated with PDT at Roswell Park Cancer Institute between 20 April 1995 and 1 February 2001. Results Sixteen EMPD lesions were treated with topical aminolaevulinic acid (ALA)-PDT. Eleven of these lesions had failed previous Mohs micrographic surgery, excision or laser ablation. When evaluated 6 months after one treatment with ALA-PDT, eight of 16 (50%) sites achieved a complete clinical response (CR); six of eight CRs were in lesions that had failed prior conventional therapies. Three of the eight CRs (37·5%) recurred at 9, 10 and 10 months. One patient who was partially responsive to topical ALA-PDT subsequently received systemic Photofrin®-PDT, with a complete clinical and histological response at 1 year. Functional and cosmetic outcome was excellent in all patients. Conclusions PDT is an effective treatment for EMPD. Recurrence rates are high with topical ALA-PDT, but comparable with standard therapies. Topical ALA-PDT causes little scarring and is preferred for superficial disease and mucosal surfaces. Systemic Photofrin®-PDT may be better suited for bulky disease. While further studies are indicated, PDT is well tolerated and appears to be a useful therapy for EMPD.
Are Physicians Easy Marks? Quantifying the Effects of Detailing and Sampling on New Prescriptions

Much public attention and considerable controversy surround pharmaceutical marketing practices and their impact on physicians. However, views on the matter have largely been shaped by anecdotal evidence or results from analyses with insufficient controls. Making use of a dynamic fixed-effects distributed lag regression model, we empirically assess the role that two central components of pharmaceutical marketing practices (namely, detailing and sampling) have on physician prescribing behavior. Key differentiating features of our model include its ability to (i) capture persistence in the prescribing process and decompose it into own-growth and competitive-stealing effects, (ii) estimate an unrestricted decay structure of the promotional effects over time, and (iii) control for physician-specific effects that, if not taken into account, induce biased coefficient estimates of detailing and sampling effects. Based on pooled time series cross-sectional data involving three drugs, 24 monthly observations, and 74,075 individual physicians (more than 2 million observations in total), we find that detailing and free drug samples have positive and statistically significant effects on the number of new prescriptions issued by a physician. However, we find that the magnitudes of the effects are modest.
Research issues in data stream association rule mining

There exist emerging applications of data streams that require association rule mining, such as network traffic monitoring and web click streams analysis. Different from data in traditional static databases, data streams typically arrive continuously in high speed with huge amount and changing data distribution. This raises new issues that need to be considered when developing association rule mining techniques for stream data. This paper discusses those issues and how they are addressed in the existing literature.
A simplified hybrid model for radiation under discontinuous canopies

The hybrid geometric optical and radiative transfer (GORT) model (1995) for the radiation climate under a discontinuous canopy is simplified for easier application by approximation of the multiple scattering. The approximation involves decoupling the multiple scattering into path scattering within the canopy layer and multiple bouncing between the canopy layer and the ground surface. A three-stream approximation is used for multiple bouncing. The path scattering (including reflectance and transmittance) is approximated as functions of mean depth of single scattering source distribution and leaf albedo by extending the analytical solutions of path scattering parameters for a homogeneous layer with limited optical thickness. The approximated path scattering agrees reasonably well with the numerical solutions of the GORT model. By combining path scattering and multiple bouncing, the approximated downwelling radiation at the forest floor and upwelling radiation at top of the forest are close to the numerical solutions by the GORT model. The signature of the sunlit crown surface can also be approximated by the product of the canopy path reflectance parameter and the total gap probability in the discontinuous plant canopies. Through this, the signature of sunlit crown surface, a parameter required by the pure GO model can be derived. The calculated signature of sunlit crown surface agrees well with measurements made in a conifer forest in Howland, Maine.
The absence of a growth inhibitor during the log phase of growth of Dictyostelium discoideum

Abstract When amebae of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum Ax-3 reach stationary phase in liquid nutrient medium, an extracellular factor appears which will inhibit cell multiplication when added to a logarithmically multiplying culture ( Yarger et al. , 1974 ). Recently, Hanish (1975) presented evidence that an inhibitor also accumulated during log phase and concluded that the cessation of cell multiplication and the final cell concentration were controlled by the accumulation of this inhibitor to an effective level. We have reexamined this extremely interesting observation, but have found no evidence to support Hanish's conclusions.
A PDMS pinch-valve module embedded in rigid polymer lab chips for on-chip flow regulation

A new dead-volume-free PDMS pinch microvalve has been designed, fabricated and characterized in this work for valving and flow regulation on rigid polymer lab chips as an embedded modular platform. The pinch microvalve is operated by compressing a microfabricated flexible channel with an external actuation force. The assembly of modular PDMS pinch microvalves within rigid thermoplastic microfluidic devices provides numerous benefits in realizing hybrid polymer lab chips with functionality to precisely regulate flow. Flow rates of the developed pinch microvalve were characterized with respect to the pinch valve channel dimension and the pinching displacement distance applied to the valve. Finally, a microfluidic system with a single channel that branches into four pinch-valved channels was realized and a novel scheme for simultaneously actuating all four valves with a single actuator was demonstrated. The microfluidic PDMS pinch valves developed in this work will have a variety of applications in microfluidic systems developed in rigid polymers.
MULTIGENERATIONAL GENETIC ANALYSIS OF TROPICAL SECONDARY REGENERATION IN A CANOPY PALM

Iriartea deltoidea (Arecaceae) is an abundant canopy palm with a wide geographic distribution in Neotropical wet forests. We analyzed the genetic profile across three generations of Iriartea within a 43-ha area encompassing two areas of second-growth and adjoining old-growth forest at La Selva Biological Field Station in northeastern Costa Rica. A total of 311 reproductively mature trees, 99 large saplings, 207 small saplings, and 601 seedlings were genotyped using 141 AFLP loci. Parentage analysis revealed high dispersal distances, both for seed (over 2.3 km) and pollen (over 3.8 km), indicating a large genetic neighborhood within La Selva Biological Station. In a 20-ha area of second growth, the founding palm population was dominated by a small number of parental trees located in the adjacent old-growth forest; two old-growth trees contributed 48% of the second-growth genes. The genetic diversity of reproductively mature trees in this second-growth forest was significantly reduced compared to adjacent old-growth forest. Within 400 m of the border with old-growth forest, we observed a similar reduction of genetic diversity in saplings, and an even greater loss of genetic diversity in the second generation of seedlings. Nearly half of these seedlings were offspring of local parents. In contrast, in the distant portion of second-growth forest (400-800 m from the old-growth border), parentage analysis showed that 40% of seedlings originated from outside the study area and only 10% were offspring of local parents. These high levels of gene flow maintained genetic diversity in saplings and seedlings similar to levels observed in old-growth forest. Our findings highlight the importance of gene flow from diverse seed and pollen sources for sustaining levels of genetic diversity of tree populations in second-growth forests.
Limitations of the back-to-back barrier-intrinsic-n/sup +/ (BIN) diode frequency tripler

Problems of the back-to-back GaAs barrier-intrinsic-n/sup +/ (BIN) diode frequency tripler concept along with the associated device physics are presented. The back-to-back GaAs BIN diode structure was originally proposed to have an intrinsic cutoff frequency close to 1 THz and to be a highly efficient millimeter-wave frequency tripler. Frequency limitations will be discussed to explain the failure of the back-to-back GaAs BIN diode as a millimeter-wavelength device. Optimization is also carried out to explore the possibility of improving the high-frequency performance by modifying the BIN diode structure. >
THE HEALING OF FRACTURES OF ATROPHIC BONES

1. Atrophy of bones of young rats was produced by feeding a diet low in calcium content. 2. The healing of fractures of atrophic bones produced by a diet low in calcium progressed to the stage of complete bony union at a rate comparable to that observed in animals of a control series fed a normal stock diet. 3. The total amount of bone laid down in repair was less and the new trabeculae and cortices of the bone were definitely thinner in those animals fed the deficient diet than in those constantly receiving a diet adequate in calcium. 4. Addition of an excess of vitamin D or calcium carbonate, or both of these elements, to the diet of rats, whether they had been previously on a diet low in calcium or on a normal stock diet, did not hasten the rate or improve the quality of healing of the fracture, as compared with the fracture healing of rats constantly fed the normal stock diet. 5. Some evidence is presented to indicate that massive doses of calcium or of calcium and vitamin D by mouth may produce an inhibiting effect on the quality of healing of fractures of normal or atrophic bones. 6. Since the vitamin-D requirement for the average human adult is not known, and since massive doses of vitamin D may produce atrophic changes in the bones of experimental animals and delayed healing of fractures, we question the advisability of continuing the practice now becoming common of prescribing massive doses of vitamin D, or of vitamin D and calcium, for patients with fractures, in whom there is no evidence of a deficiency of these elements. 7. There is a real need of a carefully planned and executed longtime study to determine the vitamin-D and calcium requirements of the average adult human.
Income Imputation: Toward Equal Treatment of Renters and Owners

This chapter argues that fundamental fairness principles demand changes in U.S. tax law to place those who rent on an equal tax footing with those who own their residences. The disparity in tax treatment of owners and renters results primarily from the failure of the tax law to include the use value from investment of capital in a personal residence in the incomes of owners. While the yield from investment in a personal residence is not cash, the yield is valuable as it replaces an outlay for dwelling use the owner otherwise would have to make. That occupancy right as an investment yield remains undiminished by any income tax. Renters, on the other hand, may not deduct what they pay for their dwelling use. Renters pay for residence occupancy with what they have left after their income from all sources, including alternative investments of capital, has been taxed.