cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Transorbital Pericranial Flap.

Objective The objective of the present study was to describe and evaluate the feasibility, mobility, and surface area provided by the simple and extended transorbital pericranial flap (TOPF). Furthermore, we compared this novel technique with the current practice of pericranial flap harvesting and insetting techniques. We also studied the adequacy of the TOPF in the reconstruction of postoperative anterior cranial fossa (ACF) defects. Methods The TOPF was performed bilaterally in 5 alcohol-preserved, latex-injected human cadaveric specimens. The TOPF was harvested in 2 stages: the orbitonasal stage and the cranial stage. For the orbitonasal stage, a transorbital superior eyelid approach was used. We have described 2 harvesting techniques for creating 2 distinct TOPF types (simple and extended) according to the main vascular pedicle. The superficial flap areas offered by the simple and extended TOPF and the traditional bicoronal pericranial flap were calculated and compared. The distances from the supratrochlear and supraorbital arteries to specified anatomical landmarks were also measured. Additionally, the ACF defect area of relevant surgical cases performed using endoscopic transcribriform approaches were measured on immediate postoperative computed tomography head scans using radiological imaging software. Results The harvest of both the simple and the extended TOPFs was efficient. As expected, the areas offered by simple and extended TOPFs were smaller than that offered by the traditional bicoronal flap. However, the surface area offered by either the simple or extended TOPF provides sufficient coverage for most ACF defects. A high spatial distribution was observed between the vascular pedicles and their respective foramen or notch. Conclusions The TOPF represents a novel harvesting, tunneling, and insetting technique that offers a large, versatile, pedicled flap for coverage of most standard ACF defects after endoscopic surgery.
Intensive sick day rules to prevent recurrent diabetic ketoacidosis- An intervention that exemplifies health disparities

Abstract Objective Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). In established T1D patients, DKA is frequently a result of insulin omission or inadequate insulin administration during illness or stress. Ethnic minorities and patients with lower socioeconomic status are affected disproportionately. We hypothesized that implementation of intensive sick day rules with frequent reinforcement would reduce hospitalizations secondary to DKA in T1D youth irrespective of their demographics. Methods Intensive sick day rules were implemented beginning January 2016. All T1D patients seen in the pediatric endocrinology clinic or hospital between January 1st 2015 through December 31st 2017 were included for chart review. Categorical variables were analyzed with Chi-square test. For the continuous variables, t test was used. Episodes of DKA per 100 patients were compared using the trends test over the three-year period. Patients who had DKA in 2015 were analyzed as a subgroup. Results The frequency of DKA episodes per 100 patient years for 2015 was 19.1, for 2016 was 15.2 and was 12.4 for 2017. This decrease was statistically significant (p=0.006). The decline was also statistically significant for the subgroup of patients who developed DKA in 2015 and followed longitudinally. The decline was not uniform across all patient groups and DKA episodes remained associated with African- American race, Medicaid insurance status and higher HbA1c throughout the years. Conclusion Implementation of intensive sick day rules led to a decrease in total number of DKA admissions in our population with T1D youth. However, this intervention did not reduce the health disparity in this population and African-Americans on Medicaid insurance continued to form the disproportionate majority of admissions with DKA. This study highlights the need for further research into interventions that can improve outcomes across racial and socio-economic barriers.
Peering peer-to-peer providers

The early peer-to-peer applications eschewed commercial arrangements and instead established a grass-roots model in which the collection of end-users provided their own distributed computational infrastructure. While this cooperative end-user approach works well in many application settings, it does not provide a sufficiently stable platform for certain peer-to-peer applications (e.g. DHTs as a building block for network services). Assuming such a stable platform isn't freely provided by a benefactor (such as NSF), we must ask whether DHTs could be deployed in a competitive commercial environment. The key issue is whether a multiplicity of DHT services can coordinate to provide a single coherent DHT service, much the way ISPs peer to provide a completely connected Internet. In this paper, we describe various approaches for DHT peering and discuss some of the related performance and incentive issues.
Regulatory focus theory.

Regulatory focus theory was the child of self-discrepancy theory and the parent of regulatory fit theory. Self-discrepancy theory distinguishes between self-regulation in relation to hopes and aspirations (ideals) versus self-regulation in relation to duties and obligations (oughts). It proposes that ideal versus ought self-regulation are two different motivational systems for approaching pleasure and avoiding pain. In regulatory focus theory, promotion concerns with ideals (growth and advancement more generally) and prevention concerns with oughts (safety and security more generally) are motivational states that not only vary across individuals (personality) but also can be situationally induced. Regulatory focus theory proposes that the motivational state of being at “0” has negative valence in promotion (“0”as a nongain in relation to “+1”) but positive valence in prevention (“0” as a nonloss in relation to “−1”). Finally, giving rise to regulatory fit theory, regulatory focus theory distinguishes between the eager strategies that fit promotion and the vigilant strategies that fit prevention. Foundational research supporting each of these proposals is reviewed, and then more recent cutting-edge research is described, including how this distinction is revealed in the behavior of nonhuman animals and how different tactics (e.g., risky vs conservative) can serve either promotion-eagerness or prevention-vigilance under different circumstances. Finally, I discuss two key issues for future research: whether promotion and prevention are competing motivations or can work together as partners, and whether there is support for the promotion–prevention distinction in everyday life beyond the laboratory. Keywords: motivation; self-regulation; goal; strategy; decision-making; performance; emotion
Early epidemiologic studies of Tay-Sachs disease.

Publisher Summary This chapter illustrates the early Epidemiologic studies of Tay-Sachs disease (TSD), known only to a modest number of physicians as an arcane storage disorder of infancy, a morbid footnote in the lengthier pediatric texts. Few infants arrested with cerebral development, blindness, hyperacusis, and bizarre retinal change called the “cherry-red spot”, were brought to the unit for diagnostic evaluation and inpatient. The early investigative effort was necessarily primitive, diffuse, and at best marginal to the fundamental metabolic defect of TSD. A host of essentially noninvasive, serial measurements were recorded in order to achieve some notion of the evolution and trajectory of the disease. The expanding collection of cases of Tay-Sachs and allied diseases demanded a more extensive record-keeping system which could then be explored for genetic and epidemiologic insights. An archive was begun and a lengthy questionnaire was devised which sought information pertaining to three generations of maternal and paternal forebears of each proband, their religions, places of birth, occupations, fertilities, illnesses, general causes of death, and ages at death. After appropriate permission, medical records, including autopsies, from other sources and institutions were incorporated in each TSD family record whenever possible.
Pulmonary Function Studies in the Rat Addressing Concentration Versus Time Relationships of Ozone

Recent data from human studies suggest that the current 1 hr National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for O3 may not be appropriate for exposures of several hours. Animal studies are being used to further investigate this issue: (1) A polynomial model has been developed to depict lung injury from the interaction of O3 concentration (C) and exposure duration (T). The model was derived from lung fluid protein values in rats exposed in a matrix design to 0.1 to 0.8 ppm O3 for 2, 4, or 8 hrs. Airway dysfunction was correlated only at the highest CxT products. (2) Rats, exposed to 0.5 or 0.8 ppm O3 for 2 or 7 hours with intermittent 8% CO2 to augment ventilation, were evaluated with static and dynamic lung function tests. Protein leakage into the airspace was also assessed. Although, the impact of T on O3toxicity appeared to be C-dependent, loss of function was not necessarily linear. Collectively, these studies provide a preliminary basis for the evaluation of duration of exposure on the pulmonary response to O3.
Evaluation of a mechanical beam-switching system

An evaluation was conducted of a mechanical beam switching system that may be appropriate for use with HID lamps. Subjects rated the adequacy of the beam change time at several rates, compared with an electrical beam changing system. The results indicate that subjects rated the mechanical and electrical systems the same, at the shortest change time for the former. Longer change times elicited poorer ratings for the mechanical system. The change from low to high beam was rated better than the change from high to low beam in the mechanical system. This difference was statistically significant at the two slower change rates investigated.
Effect of Steel Framing in Attic/Ceiling Assemblies on Overall Thermal Resistance

Experiments have been performed to assess the impact of cold-formed-steel framing on the thermal performance of attic/ceiling assemblies. Test configurations duplicated features of full-sized, truss-based and conventional joist-and-rafter assemblies away from the edges of the ceiling. Steady-state tests were done at winter conditions in a climate simulator. In truss systems, strong thermal bridges due to framing members that penetrated through the insulation to the bottom chords persisted as the insulation level increased. Without penetrations, the effect of steel framing eventually disappeared as insulation level was increased. For negligible effect of the framing, framing spaced 41 cm oc required greater insulation depth than did framing spaced 61 cm oc. Without penetrations but with enough insulation to cover framing with depths of 8.9 cm, 20.3 cm and 30.5 cm, greater framing depth yielded slightly poorer thermal performance. In some tests, a continuous layer of extruded polystyrene foam insulation was placed between the C-shaped bottom chords of trusses and the gypsum board ceiling. System R-values improved slightly more than the R-value of the foam insulation. A three-dimensional model of the thermal behavior of the assemblies was used to extend the test results to the entire range of steel-framed attic/ceiling configurations. Equations generated from this and related work can be the basis for changes in codes and standards that reflect the effect of steel framing on the thermal performance of attic/ceiling assemblies and discourage allowing steel framing to extend beyond insulation in the assemblies.
Multivariate Control Charts Overview

Multivariate statistical process control is used to simultaneously monitor multiple measurements from a process. Similar to the case for a single variable, the objective is to detect assignable causes of variation. Multiple measurements are quite common in modern processes. This overview presents a brief summary of the advantages of an integrated solution for multiple measurements, types of applications, structure of the data, assignable causes, characteristics of charts, and signal interpretation. Keywords: statistical process control; MSPC ; high dimensional; correlation; signal detection; T2 chart; Mahalanobis distance; signal contributors
Simultaneous FDG PET+/Glut1+ lung and FDG PET−/Glut1− subcarinal lymph node metastases from prostate cancer

A 78-year-old man with a history of prostate cancer and a rise in PSA presented with a new left lung mass, detected on computed tomography (CT). Positron emission tomography (PET)-CT (PET-CT) scan with 18-F fluorodeoxyglucose glucose revealed intense uptake in the lung mass without any other areas of abnormal uptake. Surgical resection of the mass and mediastinal lymph node dissection revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma from prostate cancer in the left lung mass (tumor size 5 cm) as well as in a subcarinal lymph node (tumor size 1.9 cm), which were identical on hematoxylin and eosin stains with a Gleason score of 8. The size of the subcarinal lymph node metastasis could not explain its non-visualization on PET. Glut1 stains of the lung mass were positive with moderate (2+ out of maximum 3+) reactivity in 95% of the carcinoma cells, whereas Glut1 stains of the subcarinal lymph node were negative with faint (1+ out of maximum 3+) reactivity in ca. 30% of the carcinoma cells. The low Glut1 expression in the subcarinal lymph node is the most likely explanation for its non-visualization on PET.
Ka-band tunable reflectarray unit cell using BST technology

A Ka-band tunable reflectarray unit cell is presented in this paper using Barium Strontium Titanate (BST) technology. A rectangular patch is capacitively loaded with a narrow gap in the middle and a layer of BST thin film is deposited underneath the gap. The BST layer is patterned so that it is limited only under the gap to minimize the total loss. Varying the permittivity of the BST material changes the effective capacitance of the gap. Therefore, the reflection phase of the reflectarray unit cell can be continuously controlled. Simulation results exhibit 114° phase shift at 32 GHz. Due to the monolithic integration of the tuning mechanism with the unit cell, this configuration can be realized at millimeter-wave frequencies without suffering from packaging and bonding problems.
Arctic Ocean sea ice response to Northern Annular Mode-like wind forcing

The response of the Arctic Ocean sea ice system to Northern Annular Mode-like wind forcing has been investigated using an ocean/sea ice general circulation model coupled to an atmospheric boundary layer model. A series of idealized experiments was performed to investigate the Arctic Ocean's response to idealized winter wind anomalies on interannual to multi-decadal time scales. The sea ice response of the model consists of a rapid change of ice movements leading to widespread variation in sea ice thickness and concentration. In most areas the response is largely independent of the forcing frequency with only a slight increase towards longer periods. Only the Greenland Sea exhibited a change in sign of sea ice concentration anomalies at about 20 years period which appears to be caused by slow adjustment of the oceanic circulation.
The utility of napsin-A in the identification of primary and metastatic lung adenocarcinoma among cytologically poorly differentiated carcinomas

BACKGROUND: New developments in the treatment of lung cancer have necessitated the further histologic and cytologic subtyping of nonsmall cell lung carcinomas. Thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) long has served as the predominant marker for demonstrating lung origin. However, it is also expressed in a variety of other tumors, particularly neuroendocrine neoplasms and, to a much lesser degree, squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Napsin-A, which is expressed in lung tissue, is a relatively new marker for lung adenocarcinoma. In this study, the authors examined the utility of napsin-A compared with TTF-1 in cytologic specimens of primary and metastatic, poorly differentiated lung adenocarcinomas. METHODS: The archives of the Department of Pathology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital were searched for cytologic cases of poorly differentiated lung adenocarcinoma that were histologically confirmed. In total, 75 patients (cases) along with 95 controls were included, each of whom had adequate cell block material for TTF-1 and napsin-A staining. Tissue microarrays of lung adenocarcinoma also were examined. RESULTS: TTF-1 and napsin-A were detected in 61 of 75 cases (81.3%) and in 49 of 75 cases (65.3%), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of TTF-1 were 81% each; and napsin-A had a greater specificity of 96%, and sensitivity of 65%. Napsin-A was not detected in small cell carcinomas or in other carcinomas of nonlung origin except for renal cell carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Although TTF-1 had a higher sensitivity, napsin-A was useful as a surrogate marker when encountering a poorly differentiated lung adenocarcinoma or an unknown primary tumor, particularly in cytologic specimens and difficult cases. The current results indicate that the dual use of both markers may be necessary to improve diagnostic accuracy.
The chemistry of thiamine: Studies on the dimerization of thiazolium salts

Abstract In this communication we report on our studies into the previously undetected dimerization chemistry of thiazolium salts. Thiazolium salts with electron-withdrawing substituents, such as 3,4-dimethyl-5-ethoxycarbonylthiazolium iodide, yield acid- and oxygen-sensitive ethylenic dimers under conditions originally used to detect the dimerization of 3-methylbenzothiazolium iodide. The 5-ethoxycarbonyl-4-methyl-3-phenylmethylthiazolium and 5-(2- O -triphenylmethyl-hydroxyethyl)-4-methyl-3-phenylmethylthiazolium bromides yield stable rearranged dimers, rather than the labile ethylenic dimers, under identical conditions. 4-Methyl-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-phenylmethylthiazolium bromide and thiamine hydrochloride yield rearranged dimers which were isolated as their N,O -ketal derivatives when these salts were heated in aprotic solution in the presence of DBN and K 2 CO 3 , respectively. Rearrangement of the ethylenic dimer of 3-phenylmethylbenzothiazolium bromide to 2-(benzothiazol-2-yl)-2,3-diphenylmethylbenzothiazoline (J. Baldwin, S. E. Branz, and J. A. Walker (1977) J. Org. Chem. 42 , 4142) demonstrates that rearranged dimers of these thiazolium salts are produced via a mechanism involving 1,3-sigmatropic rearrangement of intermediate ethylenic dimers. Based on literature precedent we argue that this dimerization chemistry demonstrates the nucleophilic carbene nature of C-2 deprotonated thiazolium salts in aprotic basic solution.
Advantages of international cooperation in space life sciences research

Abstract Today, a worldwide community of life scientists interested in space research is attempting to improve the understanding of general biological processes, aid the development of procedures to reduce the biomedically related risks of space flight, and/or directly support the health care of people who fly in space. Unfortunately, limited resources and subject availability and the technical challenges of performing space experiments have all hampered the full growth and development of space life sciences research. For many years, international cooperation in this field has been considered an attractive approach towards overcoming some of these difficulties, since pooling resources and sharing results would enhance the knowledge of all cooperating partners. International cooperative activities, however, require an investment by each partner and, just as in many other endeavors, the research gain can be directly related to the investment made. In this paper, the authors will discuss four possible types of cooperation: formal data exchange agreements; formal data exchange coupled with standardized data collection; joint strategic and tactical planning and full exchange of standardized data; and joint international team research with full data sharing and standardization. The advantages of these types of cooperation will be described.
A statistical study of the effects of urethral instrumentation on urine flow in women

Data were obtained from a retrospective review of the records of 125 women who had undergone full urodynamic studies for a variety of clinical indications, to determine whether urethral instrumentation has an adverse effect on the parameters of urine flow in women. All patients had an initial urine flow study with a spontaneous void of at least 100 ml, after which they were catheterized to measure the postvoid residual urine. All patients then underwent urethral pressure studies, complex filling cystometry, pressure-flow voiding studies and urethrocystoscopy, after which they underwent another spontaneous non-instrumented urine flow study. Peak and mean flow rates were analysed statistically by blocked analysis of variance. The data were corrected for the effects of the volume voided by converting the flow rates into a nomogram percentile ranking using a computer program.
Changes in thinking about early sex role development

Abstract How do we learn to recognize ourselves and to live as beings endowed with gender? This paper discusses changes in our answer to this question over the last 15 years. As our methods of study have changed, we have been forced to see the development of sex role as an increasingly complicated process. This paper documents two studies that were attempts to bring together two methodologies: cognitive development and social learning. In the first study, 180 children were tested using the R. G. Slaby and K. S. Frey (1975, Child Development, 46 , 849–856) gender identification interview. The findings documented that children's gender understanding followed the sequence predicted by L. Kohlberg (1966, in E. Maccoby (Ed.), The development of sex differences . Stanford, CA: Stanford Univ. Press): identity, stability, and constancy. However, the child's level of gender understanding was unrelated to the adoption of sex-typed behaviors. In the second study, a second group of 64 children, 20 to 30 months of age, were tested for understanding of gender labels, gender identity, and sex-typed behaviors. Sex of playmates and boys' play with feminine toys were related to understanding of verbal gender labels. Reasons for continuing problems of interpretation in the sex role area are discussed.
Sensor planning for moving targets

Planning a search for moving ground targets is difficult for humans and computationally intractable. This paper describes a technique to solve such problems. The main idea is to combine probability of detection assessments with computational search heuristics to generate sensor plans which approximately maximize either the probability of detection or a user- specified knowledge function (e.g., determining the target's probable destination; locating the enemy tanks). In contrast to super computer-based moving target search planning, our technique has been implemented using workstation technology. The data structures generated by sensor planning can be used to evaluate sensor reports during plan execution. Our system revises its objective function with each sensor report, allowing the user to assess both the current situation as well as the expected value of future information. This capability is particularly useful in situations involving a high rate of sensor reporting, helping the user focus his attention on sensors reports most pertinent to current needs. Our planning approach is implemented in a three layer architecture. The layers are: mobility analysis, followed by sensor coverage analysis, and concluding with sensor plan analysis. It is possible using these layers to describe the physical, spatial, and temporal characteristics of a scenario in the first two layers, and customize the final analysis to specific intelligence objectives. The architecture also allows a user to customize operational parameters in each of the three major components of the system. As examples of these performance options, we briefly describe the mobility analysis and discuss issues affecting sensor plan analysis.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Syntheses and electrochemistry of (p-XC6H4O)6W (1-X, X = H, CH3, OCH3, Cl, Br, OH, OCH2Ph) and (p-XC6H4O)5W(OC6H4OH) (X = H, CH3, OCH3, Cl, Br): an approach to electrocatalytic CH bond activation

Abstract Alcoholysis of W(OMe)6 afforded (p-PhCH2OC6H4O)6W (1-OCH2Ph), which could be hydrogenated (10% Pd/C, 1 atm H2) to prepare (p-HOC6H4O)6W (1-OH). Related alcoholyses of WCl6 with HOC6H4-p-X provided the hexaphenoxides (p-XC6H4O)6W (1-X, X = H, CH3, OCH3, Cl, Br) through minor modifications of literature procedures. Acid catalyzed treatment of 1-X with p-HOC6H4OCH2Ph provided a mixture of substitution products (p-XC6H4O)6−xW(OC6H4OCH2Ph)x (x = 1, 5-X) that could be hydrogenated (10% Pd/C, 1 atm H2) to a mixture of hydroxylated products. Chromatography permitted isolation of (p-XC6H4O)5W(OC6H4OH) (6-X, X = H, 19%; Me, 29%; OCH3, 19%; Cl, 12%; Br, 11%) in modest yields. Hexaphenoxides 1-X and 6-X manifested two electrochemical reduction waves whose positions were a function of para-substituent. When oxidized, 6-X and 1-OH were proposed to behave as W(V)quinone mimics, albeit at potentials capable of oxidizing hydrocarbons as shown via a thermochemical cycle. If the proposed transients (p-XC6H4O)5W(OC6H4O) (7-X) were generated, degradation was apparently competitive with CH bond activation. The structure of oligomeric {K[(p-ClC6H4O)6W]}∞ (8-Cl) is addressed, and comments on the nature of radical CH bond activation in this and related systems are presented.
Conceptual Model of Human-Automation Interaction:

Why is it important to understand human behavior in automated environments? The performance of a human-automation system is a product of the quality of the support provided by the automation and the manner in which that support is used by the human. Therefore, the solution to reaching an optimal level of system performance does not lie exclusively within possible improvements to technological components, but also by understanding the interaction of humans with automated agents. A conceptual model of human-automation interaction is presented in this paper. The model includes most of the well-established variable relationships to date, as well as a brief description of the literature that supports each relationship.
High-frequency modulation characteristics of hybrid dielectric/AlGaAs mirror singlemode VCSELs

The authors have measured the small-signal frequency response characteristics of a GaAs VCSEL (λ = 835 nm) implementing a novel MOVPE-grown AlOaAs/AlAs-TiO2/SiO2 hybrid distributed Bragg reflector used to control emission to a single mode. A small-signal 3 dB bandwidth of 12.1 GHz was recorded at a bias level of only 2.8 mA. A very high modulation efficiency of 9.5 GHz/√(mA) was measured which is the highest reported for VCSELs or any semiconductor laser of any variety. In addition, large signal measurements were conducted which showed open eye patterns with pre-bias currents of ~0 mA demonstrating the possibility of direct logic-level drive.
Exposure-age record of Holocene ice sheet and ice shelf change in the northeast Antarctic Peninsula

Abstract This paper describes glacial–geologic observations and cosmogenic-nuclide exposure ages from ice-free areas adjacent to the Sjogren, Boydell, and Drygalski Glaciers of the northeast Antarctic Peninsula. These provide a record of Holocene glacier and ice shelf change in this region. Early Holocene ice surface elevation near the present coastline was locally at least 500 m above present sea level, but our observations do not constrain the maximum thickness of Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) ice or the time at which it was attained. The boundary between frozen-based and wet-based ice reached a maximum elevation of 100–150 m above present sea level. The ice surface elevation decreased from 300–500 m elevation to near present sea level between 9 ka and ca 4 ka. Below 160 m elevation, we observed a bimodal distribution of apparent exposure ages in which a population of glacially transported clasts with mid-Holocene exposure ages coexists with another that has exposure ages of 100–600 years. We consider the most likely explanation for this to be i) complete deglaciation of currently ice-free areas, which presumably required the absence of ice shelves, at 3.5–4.5 ka, followed by ii) subsequent ice shelf formation and grounding line advance after ca 1.4 ka, and iii) complete re-exposure of the sites after ice shelf breakup and glacier surface lowering in recent decades. This explanation is consistent with marine sedimentary records indicating that ice shelves in the Prince Gustav Channel and Larsen A embayment were absent in the middle to late Holocene and were re-established within the last 2000 years.
Effects of lithium and amitriptyline therapy on somatosensory evoked response "excitability" measurements.

Somatosensory responses obtained with a variety of stimulating conditions were measured in 14 patients before and during lithium carbonate therapy and in 12 patients treated with amitriptyline. Lithium increased evoked response amplitude, particularly in the early portion, and augmented the dynamic range of test responses following conditioning stimuli of different intensity; excitatory effects were enhanced more than inhibitory. Amitriptyline reduced response amplitude in both early and later portions, but did not affect dynamic range. The effects of amitriptyline were dominant over those of lithium in 3 patients treated with a combination of both drugs.
Gulf menhaden (Brevoortia patronus): A potential vector of domoic acid in coastal Louisiana food webs

Harmful algal blooms are an increasing problem for coastal waters world-wide. The presence of the toxigenic diatom genus Pseudo-nitzschia is of concern in the Gulf of Mexico, due to the potential for several species in this genus to produce the neurotoxin domoic acid (DA). Louisiana coastal waters are of particular interest due to the presence of both toxin-producing species of Pseudo-nitzschia and abundant potential vectors. While trophic transfer of DA to consumers has repeatedly occurred along the California coast, little is known about trophic transfer of recently detected DA in the Gulf of Mexico. In this study, the presence of DA was investigated in filter-feeding gulf menhaden (Brevoortia patronus) and in seawater where high abundances of these fish reside. Pseudo-nitzschia presence and enumeration was determined using light microscopy, species identification in seawater and gulf menhaden gut contents was conducted with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and DA quantification in corresponding seawater and tissue samples was determined by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). Examination of the phytoplankton revealed the presence of four species of Pseudo-nitzschia: P. calliantha for the first time, P. pseudodelicatissima, P. pungens, and P. americana, with P. calliantha as the dominant Pseudo-nitzschia species. Low levels of DA were detected in both seawater and fish samples, with a significant correlation between the two (n = 22, p = 0.043). Thus, for the first time in the Gulf of Mexico, a potential vector of DA has been identified, revealing the possibility of DA contamination in coastal Louisiana food webs. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Noise Enhances Modulation Sensitivity in Cochlear Implant Listeners: Stochastic Resonance in a Prosthetic Sensory System?

Cochlear implants restore auditory sensitivity to the profoundly hearing-impaired by means of electrical stimulation of residual auditory nerve fibers. Sensorineural hearing loss results in a loss of spontaneous activity among the remaining auditory neurons and is accompanied by a reduction in the normal stochastic nature of neural firing in response to electric stimulation. It has been hypothesized that the natural stochasticity of the neural response is important for auditory signal processing and that introducing some optimal amount of noise into the stimulus may improve auditory perception through the implant. In this article we show that, for soft but audible stimuli, an optimal amount of "prosthetic" noise significantly improves sensitivity to envelope modulation in cochlear implant listeners. A nonmonotonic function relates modulation sensitivity and noise level, suggesting the presence of stochastic resonance.
High-order maps with acceleration for optimization of electrostatic and radio-frequency ion-optical elements

A method has been developed to calculate accurate high-order ion-optical maps for electrostatic and radio-frequency accelerating elements. The method has been incorporated into the arbitrary-order map-based beam optics code COSY Infinity. The treatment is restricted to the case of negligible magnetic fields, as is typical of heavy-ion accelerating cavities, and does not include space charge. For validation purposes, the beam dynamics calculated for these elements is compared against ray tracing for typical beam and cavity parameters. Different from the ray-tracing approach, parameter changes of individual components typically require only recalculation of the maps of the particular components and not the entire system, and thus the method is particularly suitable for optimization. The approach developed for accurate analytical representation of the on- and off-axis electric fields of cylindrically symmetric electrostatic lenses and radio-frequency cavities is described. Some of the many possible applications for using accurate high-order map representations of Einzel lenses, electrostatic accelerating gaps, and radio-frequency accelerating structures are discussed.
Intercalate ordering in first stage graphite-lithium

Abstract Two commensurate crystalline phases are reported for first stage C 6 Li in various temperature ranges by use of electron diffraction techniques. The implication of these observations on the relations between the structure of a graphite intercalation compound and its parent materials is discussed.
Sensitivity limits for the current-step method for zinc and cadmium amalgam stripping

Constant-current stripping with potential—time readout indication is applied to zinc and cadmium amalgams In order that the anodic transition time for either of these elements be a correct indication of the amount of the element present in the system, the potential of the working electrode must be controlled by an electrochemical couple involving that element, and the electrode poising must be maintained while nearly 100% of that element is stripped electrically from the electrode. The exchange current densities for zinc and cadmium amalgam electrode systems are taken as measures of the electrode poising ability for these systems. It was found that the exchange current density for an electrode system must exceed 10−9 A/cm2 in order that the system poise an electrode long enough to give a measurable transition time plateau on the potential—time readout- This minimum exchange current density value increases when competitive electrode systems are present. Detection limits for zinc and cadmium in solution were calculated and depend on the size of the sample.
Cholelithiasis after treatment for childhood cancer.

The authors evaluated the risk of development of cholelithiasis in 6050 patients treated at a single hospital for various childhood cancers with different therapeutic modalities, including chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and bone marrow transplantation, from 1963 to 1989. Patients with underlying chronic hemolytic anemia or preexisting gallstones were excluded. Nine female and seven male patients with a median age of 12.4 years (range, 1.2 to 22.8 years) at diagnosis of primary cancer had gallstones develop 3 months to 17.3 years (median, 3.1 years) after therapy was initiated. Cumulative risks of 0.42% at 10 years and 1.03% at 18 years after diagnosis substantially exceed those reported for the general population of this age group. Treatment-related factors significantly associated with an increased risk of cholelithiasis were ileal conduit, parenteral nutrition, abdominal surgery, and abdominal radiation therapy (relative risks and 95% confidence intervals = 61.6 (27.9-135.9), 23.0 (9.8-54.1), 15.1 (7.1-32.2), and 7.4 (3.2-17.0), respectively). There was no correlation with the type of cancer, nor was the frequency of conventional predisposing features (e.g., family history, obesity, use of oral contraceptives, and pregnancy) any higher among the affected patients in this study than in the general population. Patients with cancer who have risk factors identifiedmore » here should be monitored for the development of gallstones.« less
Using X-ray absorption to probe sulfur oxidation states in complex molecules

Abstract X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy offers an important non-destructive tool for determining oxidation states and for characterizing chemical speciation. The technique was used to experimentally verify the oxidation states of sulfur in different types of complex molecules because there are irregularities and uncertainties in assigning the values traditionally. The usual practice of determining oxidation states involves using a set of conventional rules. The oxidation state is an important control in the chemical speciation of sulfur, ranging from −2 to +6 in its different compounds. Experimental oxidation-state values for various types of sulfur compounds, using their XANES peak-energy positions, were assigned from a scale in which elemental sulfur and sulfate are designated as 0 and +6, respectively. Because these XANES-based values differed considerably from conventionally determined oxidation states for most sulfur compounds, a new term ‘oxidation index’ was coined to describe them. The experimental values were closer to those conventional values obtained by assigning shared electrons to the more electronegative atoms than to those based on other customary rules for assigning them. Because the oxidation index is distinct and characteristic for each different type of sulfur functionality, it becomes an important parameter for characterizing sulfur species, and for experimentally verifying uncertain oxidation states.
In vitro and in vivo effects of lead, methyl mercury and mercury on inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate receptor bindings in rat brain.

Abstract In vitro and in vivo effects of mercury (Hg), methyl mercury (MM) and lead (Pb) on [ 3 H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP 3 ) and [ 3 H]linositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (IP 4 ) receptor binding in the Sprague-Dawley rat brain cerebellar membranes were studied. In vitro studies indicate that binding of [ 3 H]IP 3 and [ 3 H]IP 4 to cerebellar membranes was inhibited by Hg while they were stimulated by MM or Pb in a concentration-ependent manner. MM was more potent (EC 50 3,4 μM) than Pb (EC 50 18.2 μM) in stimulating the [ 3 H]IP 3 receptor binding activity whereas Pb (IC 50 30 μM) was more potent than MM (IC 50 133 μM) in stimulating the [ 3 H]IP 4 , receptor binding. When the rats were treated (i.p) with Hg (5 mg/kg body wt.) or MM (5 mg/kg body wt.) or Pb (25 mg/kg body wt.) for 3 or 24 h, no significant alterations in[ 3 H]IP 3 receptor binding were observed in cerebellum and cerebral cortex. But the above treatment of Pb or MM for 3 or 24 h to rats resulted in an increase of [ 3 H]IP 4 receptor binding in the membranes of cerebral cortex. However, the rats treated with Hg (1 mg/kg body wt./day) or Pb (25 mg/kg body wt./day) for 7 days did not show any alteration in binding of [ 3 H]IP 3 to its receptors in cerebellar membranes but an increase in this receptor binding was noticed with the treatment of MM (2.5 mg/kg body wt./day) for 7 days. The cerebellum and cerebral cortex of rats with the above treatment of MM or Pb for 7 days exhibited an increase in [ 3 H]IP 4 receptor binding. These in vitro and in vivo data suggest that alterations in inositol polyphosphate receptor binding by metals could result in alterations in intracellular calcium levels which may influence neuronal activity.
Increased Stress and Effectiveness of Placebos and "Active" Drugs

Evidence is presented to indicate that placebos are far more effective in producing carefully defined relief of pathological pain than they are in the case of experimental pain. This is construed as further support for the view that placebos are more effective when stress is great than they are when stress is not so great. A similar situation holds for morphine. Certain drugs are effective in relieving visceral sensations only if an essential psychological state is present. This is, in effect, a new principle of drug action.
Continued Host Seeking by Partially Engorged Culex Tarsalis (Diptera: Culicidae) Collected in Nature

The proportion of partially engorged Culex tarsalis attracted to live chickens was determined by collecting mosquitoes in traps designed to prevent captured mosquitoes from feeding on the bait animals. Collections were made at weekly intervals from late June through early August in rural areas of Larimer Co., Colorado. Twelve (1.5%) of 792 Cx. tarsalis collected in the traps contained visible blood in their midguts. Extension and refinement of the approach used may afford a means of quantifying multiple-feeding rates in field populations of vector mosquitoes. Frequency of multiple feeding may have an important impact on the epidemiology of several mosquito-borne diseases.
Three dimensional refractive index imaging with differential interference contrast microscopy

We report here a new approach based on an extension of the transport of the intensity equation for three dimensional refractive index imaging of a weak phase object from a series of images recorded by a differential interference contrast microscope at different focus (z-stack). Our method is first validated by imaging polystyrene spheres. We then apply this method to monitor in vivo apoptosis of human breast MCF7 epithelial cells. The potential applications are discussed at the end.
Protection of Geoprivacy and Accuracy of Spatial Information: How Effective Are Geographical Masks?

Spatial analysis and mapping of georeferenced, individual-level data can help identify important geographical patterns or lead to knowledge significant for dealing with specific social issues in a particular area. However, given the need to protect personal privacy when using geospatial data, the possibility for undertaking geographical analysis on certain types of individual-level data is becoming increasingly circumscribed. This article addresses the need to protect geoprivacy while making georeferenced, individual-level data available in such a way that analytical results are not significantly affected. The effectiveness of three geographical masks with different perturbation radii (r) is examined using a data set for lung-cancer deaths in Franklin County, Ohio, in 1999. The findings reveal a rather consistent trade-off between data confidentiality and accuracy of analytical results. There seems to be a threshold r-value at which the results of analyses on masked data become substantially different fro...
Weaving the U.S. Census: Visualization and Cross-jurisdictional Exploration and Comparisons

Weave (Web-based Analysis and Visualization Environment) facilitates extensive real-time user interaction with visualizations of US Census Bureau data, both geographic and non-geographic. This paper discusses the complexities of preparing a large complex data set for visualization in the tool, and the potential advantages of engaging such data visually. The required pre-processing of the American Community Survey (ACS) data serves as the prime example. The procedure for loading detailed data into Weave is described. Several examples of presenting and interactively manipulating Census data are presented including analytics using R Project supported statistics and how drawing upon Weave's multigeo layering capabilities can support flexibility in implementing normalization options. The development trajectory for weave seeks to expand capabilities for metadata insertion, browsing and searching this rich data source.
Numerical modeling of Martian gully sediment transport: Testing the fluvial hypothesis

[1] Using a stereo pair of HiRISE images of a pole-facing crater slope at 38°S, 218°E, we measure topographic profiles along nine gullies. Typical slopes of the interior channel region (above the depositional apron) are ∼20°. We test the hypothesis that sediment transport on gully slopes occurs via fluvial transport processes by developing a numerical sediment transport model based on steep flume experiments performed by Smart (1984). At 20° slopes, channels 1 m deep by 8 m wide and 0.1 m deep by 3 m wide transport a sediment volume equal to the alcove volume of 6 × 105 m3 in 10 h and 40 days, respectively, under constant flow conditions. Snowpack melting cannot produce the water discharge rates necessary for fluvial sediment transport unless long-term (kyr) storage of the resulting meltwater occurs. If these volumes of water are discharged as groundwater, the required aquifer thicknesses and aquifer drawdown lengths would be unrealistically large for a single discharge event. More plausibly, the water volume required by the fluvial transport model could be discharged in ∼10 episodes for an aquifer 30 m thick, with a recurrence interval similar to that of Martian obliquity cycles (∼0.1 Myr).
Aliphatic polyesters as models for relaxation processes in crystalline polymers: 1. Characterization

Syntheses and characterization of poly(pentamethylene pimelate), poly(1,6 hexamethylene adipate), poly(1,6 hexamethylene sebacate) and poly(2,5 hexamethylene adipate) are described. The first three are semicrystalline and the last completely amorphous. Dilatometry is used to establish volume-temperature curves (in both the solid and liquid regions in the first three). Liquid densities at 25°C are respectively 1104, 1096, 1033 and 1076 kg m−3. Powder and fibre X-ray diffraction patterns on poly(pentamethylene pimelate) and poly(hexamethylene adipate) are indexed as monoclinic (a = 0.614, b = 0.737, c = 1.716 nm, β = 54.6°) and orthorhombic (a = 1.008, b = 0.732, c = 0.1683 nm), respectively. Under the assumption of 2 and 4 chains/cell, respectively, these lead to crystal densities of 1198 and 1222 kg m−3, respectively, for these two polymers. The density of poly(1,6 hexamethylene sebacate) is known from the literature. Differential scanning calorimetry is used to establish crystal heats of fusion for the first three polymers as 151, 151, and 134 kJ kg−1, respectively. The melting and crystallization temperatures of poly(1,6-hexamethylene adipate) are measured as a function of pressure up to 275 MPa. The heat of fusion derived from these data and the density data using the Clausius-Clapeyron equation is 167 kJ kg−1.
Maternal mortality: community-based interventions

Abstract Maternal mortality is one of the great neglected problems of health care in developing countries. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 500 000 women die each year from pregnancy-related causes, over 98% of these deaths occurring in the developing world, where maternal mortality is as much as 100 times higher than rates seen in industrialized countries. The most common causes include obstructed labor and ruptured uterus, postpartum hemorrhage, eclampsia, postpartum infection and complications of illegal abortion. It is suggested that no new or costly technologies are needed; rather that appropriate priority setting and allocation of needed resources are essential to the solution of the problem. There are few interventions that hold much hope of success at the village level, although antibiotics, ergotrate, and sedatives might be productively utilized, after appropriate training. Overall, however, networks of maternity care facilities, trained personnel, and means of transport are necessary to provide needed emergency maternity care services.