cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Urokinase: Past, present, and future

Discovered in 1947, the plasminogen activator urokinase (UK) was found to have major safety advantages over streptokinase (SK) as a thrombolytic drug. In 1978, it received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the systemic treatment of pulmonary embolism, and in 1983 as catheter-directed treatment of acute myocardial infarction, with studies showing a significantly lower rate of bleeding complications in patients treated with UK than in patients treated with SK. Approval was granted in 1984 for restoration of patency in occluded intravenous catheters, including central venous catheters, obviating the need for catheter removal and replacement in most patients treated. While not FDA-approved, the most common use of UK has been catheter-directed intra-arterial treatment of peripheral arterial occlusion of the leg, with more than 100,000 procedures performed annually in the United States. It is also widely used for the treatment of iliofemoral venous thrombosis and as an adjunct to angioplasty for acute occlusions of aortocoronary bypass grafts. Other limited uses include the treatment of superior vena cava syndrome, occluded prosthetic heart valves, stroke, and loculated pleural effusions; it is also used adjunctively with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in patients with flow restriction due to thrombus accumulation or complex coronary narrowings. Novel forms of UK currently under development are recombinant urokinase and prourokinase. Produced by genetic engineering, recombinant urokinase is purer, more homogeneous, and more fully active than previously available forms of UK. Prourokinase, a single-chain UK with the same molecular weight as the double-chain UK but greater clot specificity, activates fibrin-bound plasminogen preferentially and therefore induces relatively fibrin-specific clot lysis.
Upregulation of lysyl oxidase in vascular smooth muscle cells by cAMP: role for adenosine receptor activation.

Lysyl oxidase (LO) is a key participant in the accumulation of insoluble fibers of elastin and collagen by virtue of its role in the initiation of the covalent cross-linkages between and within individual molecules comprising these fibers. In view of the essential role played by LO in the accumulation of the fibrotic components of occlusive arterial lesions in atherosclerosis, identification of the signaling molecules which can affect the expression of the LO gene in vascular smooth muscle is of considerable interest. In the present report, we describe evidence for the role of the second messenger, cAMP, in the modulation of the levels of LO in vascular smooth muscle cells. Elevated intracellular cAMP induces the transcription of the LO gene, as revealed by Northern blot analysis and nuclear run on assays. Transient transfection experiments performed with the wild-type LO promoter and with this promoter mutated at a consensus CREB site, located within the region -100 to -93 base pairs relative to the start of transcription, indicate that cAMP-induced transcriptional activation is partially due to the presence of this CREB site within the promoter. Activation of stimulatory adenosine receptors in vascular smooth muscle cells with 5'-N-ethylcarboxamido adenosine (NECA) increases cAMP, LO mRNA, and enzyme activity. These findings point to the importance of cAMP signaling, potentially initiated by a variety of physiological agents, in the upregulation of LO expression in vascular smooth muscle cells.
Computations of Low Pressure Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Ducts Using the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo Method

High Knudsen number (Kn) gas flows are found in vacuum and micro-scale systems. Such flows are usually in the slip or transition regimes. The direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method has been applied to compute low pressure, high Kn flow fields in partially heated channels. Computations were carried out for nitrogen, argon, hydrogen, oxygen and noble gas mixtures. Variation of the Kn is obtained by reducing the pressure while keeping the channel width constant. Nonlinear pressure profiles along the channel centerline are observed. Heat transfer from the channel walls is also calculated and compared with the classical Graetz solution. The effects of varying pressure, inlet flow and gas transport properties (Kn, Reynolds number, Re and the Prandtl number, Pr respectively) on the wall heat transfer (Nusselt number, Nu) were examined. A simplified correlation for predicting Nu as a function of the Peclet number, Pe and Kn is presented
Influence of Surface Roughness on Traction and Scuffing Performance of Lubricated Contacts for Aerospace and Automotive Gearing

In this study, a two-disk test set-up was employed to investigate the impact of surface roughness on the performance of lubricated contacts. In an attempt to simulate contacts from automotive transmissions and rotorcraft gearboxes, roller specimens made of a typical automotive gear steel (AISI 5120) and a common rotorcraft gear steel (AISI 9310) were paired with 80W90 and MIL-PRF23699 lubricants, respectively. The specimens were subjected to various operating conditions to measure their traction and scuffing outcome (i) axially ground, (ii) chemically polished isotropic surfaces, and (iii) highly polished mirror-like surfaces.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
NOx adsorption on Pt/K/Al2O3

Abstract This study explores NOx storage in a Pt/K/Al2O3 lean NOx trap (LNT) catalyst using in situ diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS) in conjunction with chemisorption. The combination of these techniques allows the quantification of surface species for this catalyst system. A free nitrate ion, NO3−, is the primary form of stored NOx on the potassium phase at all temperatures, but there was significant nitrite formation observed below 200 °C during short adsorption times. The NO2 saturation storage on Pt/K/Al2O3 decreases from 6.7 μmol/m2 at 150 °C to 1.8 μmol/m2 at 400 °C, and DRIFTS indicates that the equilibrated surface species are identical over this entire temperature range. While the final state of Pt/K/Al2O3 is identical at all temperatures, the rates and observed surface species change significantly. After 1 min uptake, NOx adsorption varies from 0.35 μmol/m2 at 150 °C to a maximum of 3.2 μmol/m2 at 250 °C, and at 400 °C the adsorption decreases to 1.1 μmol/m2. This temperature sweep illustrates the limiting regimes associated with NOx adsorption: kinetic limitations at lower temperatures due to the strength of the Pt–O bond and insufficient storage sites at higher temperatures. This study propose three routes for the storage of NOx on Pt/K/Al2O3, two of them involving a potassium storage site adjacent to Pt sites, and a third route that involves a form of NO2 disproportionation on storage sites irrespective of their proximity to Pt.
Abundance, size, and feeding success of larval shortnose suckers and Lost River suckers from different habitats of the littoral zone of Upper Klamath Lake

We examined near-shore habitat use by larval shortnose and Lost River suckers in the lower Williamson River and Upper Klamath Lake of south-central Oregon. Emergent macrophytes Scirpus, Sparganium and Polygonum supported significantly more, larger, and better-fed larvae than submergent macrophytes, woody vegetation, or open water. Abundance, size, and gut fullness were similar for sucker larvae collected from different emergent macropytes. During the larval period, there was no evidence of density dependant effects or habitat shifts. Ranked catch per unit effort data indicated potential predators also were more likely to use emergent macrophytes, but ordination indicated larvae and potential predators were differentially distributed along a vegetation structure-water depth gradient with larvae in shallow vegetated areas. Between-habitat differences appeared to be due to larval sucker selection for, or better survival in, emergent macrophytes, rather than differential access or exclusion from other habitats. The importance of emergent macrophytes appears to be related to increased foraging success and reduced predation. Because larvae in emergent macrophytes have a size and gut fullness advantage, the amount of emergent habitat could affect early survival. However, interannual differences in recruitment to the adult population may or may not be dependent on larval dynamics. Our results suggest larval sucker access to emergent macrophytes may be necessary, but perhaps not sufficient, for promoting good year class formation.
Surveillance of healthy cats and cats with inflammatory skin disease for colonization of the skin by methicillin‐resistant coagulase‐positive staphylococci and Staphylococcus schleiferi ssp. schleiferi

In this study, bacterial cultures were collected from five sites on each of 50 healthy cats and 48 cats with inflammatory skin disease (ISD), to determine prevalence of carriage and relative frequency of methicillin resistance in coagulase-positive staphylococci and Staphylococcus schleiferi ssp. schleiferi. Latex agglutination testing for penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a) and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were performed on all methicillin-resistant (MR) isolates. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the mecA gene was performed on MR S. intermedius and S. schleiferi isolates. Staphylococcal chromosomal cassette (SCCmec) typing was performed on all MR S. aureus isolates. Coagulase-positive staphylococci and S. schleiferi ssp. schleiferi were isolated from 24 of 48 cats with ISD: Staphylococcus aureus (14 of 24, 58%), Staphylococcus intermedius (11 of 24, 46%), Staphylococcus schleiferi ssp. schleiferi (1 of 24, 4%), and Staphylococcus hyicus (1 of 24, 4%). Prevalence of MR was 7% for S. aureus, 0% for S. intermedius, 100% for S. schleiferi ssp. schleiferi, and 0% for S. hyicus. Coagulase-positive staphylococci were isolated from 17 of 50 healthy cats: S. aureus (10 of 17, 59%), S. intermedius (11 of 17, 65%), and S. schleiferi ssp. coagulans (1 of 17, 6%). Prevalence of MR was 20% for S. aureus, 18% for S. intermedius, and 0% for S. schleiferi ssp. coagulans. All MR isolates were positive for PBP2a via latex agglutination. Methicillin-resistant S. intermedius and S. schleiferi ssp. schleiferi isolates were also positive for the mecA gene via PCR. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates were identified as SCCmec type II. Results of PFGE indicated heterogeneity among isolates. There was no significant difference in staphylococcal isolation or methicillin resistance between study groups. While present, MR coagulase-positive staphylococci are significantly less common in these study populations.
Protein chaperones and the heat shock response in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Recent studies have shed new light on the complexities of the heat shock response in yeast. Multiple pathways for transcriptional induction of both classic and novel heat shock proteins are emerging together with a more detailed understanding of the interactions between protein chaperones and their physiological targets. New roles for heat shock proteins in defense and recovery from the impacts of thermal stress on critical cellular processes have expanded our understanding of these elaborate and ubiquitous proteins.
A 2 GHz variable gain low noise amplifier in 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS

This paper describes a 2 GHz active variable gain low noise amplifier (VGLNA) in a 0.18-mum CMOS process. The VGLNA provides a 50 Omega input impedance and utilizes a tuned load to provide high selectivity. The VGLNA achieves a maximum small signal gain of 16.8 dB and a minimum gain of 4.6 dB with good input return loss. In the high gain and the low gain modes, the NFs are 0.83 dB and 2.8 dB, respectively. The VGLNA's IIP3 in the high gain mode is 2.1 dBm. The LNA consumes approximately 4 mA of current from a 1.8-V power supply
Human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C infections induce distinct immunologic imprints in peripheral mononuclear cells.

Coinfection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is present in one-third of all human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals in the United States and is associated with rapid progression of liver fibrosis and poor response to pegylated interferon (IFN) and ribavirin. In this study we examined gene expression profiles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from different groups of individuals who are monoinfected or coinfected with HIV and HCV. Data showed that HIV and HCV viremia up-regulate genes associated with immune activation and immunoregulatory pathways. HCV viremia is also associated with abnormalities in all peripheral immune cells, suggesting a global effect of HCV on the immune system. Interferon-α-induced genes were expressed at a higher level in PBMCs from HIV-infected individuals. HCV and HIV infections leave distinct profiles or gene expression of immune activation in PBMCs. HIV viremia induces an immune activated state; by comparison, HCV infection induces immunoregulatory and proinflammatory pathways that may contribute to progression of liver fibrosis. Conclusion: An aberrant type-I IFN response seen exclusively in HIV-infected individuals could be responsible for the poor therapeutic response experienced by HIV/HCV coinfected individuals receiving interferon-α-based current standard of care. (HEPATOLOGY 2009;50:34–45.)
Ion implantation into strained-layer superlattices

Abstract Studies are presented of the structural and electrical properties of strained-layer superlattices (SLSs) after ion implantation and controlled-atmosphere annealing. GaAsn 0.2P 0.8/GaP and In 0.2Ga 0 8 As/GaAs SLS structures with 100 to 250Athick layers were implanted with Be, N, Si or Zn, and analyzed by ion channeling and backscattering, X-ray diffraction, cantilever beam bending and Hall effect measurements. Implantation introduces compressive stresses comparable to the as-grown levels in SLSs; however, the SLS structures can often be retained in their coherent, epitaxial state after implantation and annealing. Disorder production, annealing and dopant activation are similar for SLSs to that for GaP and GaAs bulk alloys. At sufficiently high fluences (≳10 15/cm 2) and ion mass (Si, Zn), ion beam mixing decreases the composition modulation and Zn diffusion produces additional layer alloying beyond the ion range. Acceptor dopant activation and simple device structure formation have been demonstrated.
Punishment as a factor in early childhood imitation

Abstract Changes in two children's imitative behavior were examined in an ABAB design as a function of adult model's use of differential attention and time-out. The children were classified by their teachers, parents, and supplementary service personnel as highly oppositional to adult instructions. Each child was treated by a different teacher/ model in thr same preschool setting. The results showed that the children's oppositional behavior varied predictably with the presence and absence of differential attention and time-out. As expected, imitative behavior occurred more frequently during intervention periods than during baseline periods, even though imitation was not reinforced. The children also interacted with their individual teacher/models more often when the teacher/models used differential attention and time-out, even though the proportion of adult attention that occured concurrently with social interaction did not vary across the experimental conditions. Any one or a combination of four factors could have been responsible for the results: (1) quality of teacher/model attention, (2) enhancement of the teacher/models' social reinforcement value, (3) alertness of the children to their teacher/models, and (4) the children's perceptions of their teacher/models.
Stereoselective effects of 2,3-benzodiazepines in vivo : Electrophysiology and neuroprotection studies

The stereoselectivity and potency of 3N-substituted 2,3-benzodiazepines were examined in vivo against excitation of spinal neurons induced by electrophoretic ejection of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA), α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) and kainate in anaesthetised rats. AMPA receptor antagonist activity resided in the (−) isomers, LY300164 and LY303070, which were effective given electrophoretically, intravenously (2.5–5 mg/kg) or orally (10 mg/kg). The same stereoselectivity was observed in neuroprotection studies. Thus, systemic administration of the (−) isomer, but not the (+) isomer, of these 2,3-benzodiazepines before or immediately after bilateral carotid artery occlusion in the gerbil was neuroprotective. For example, 10 mg/kg of LY300164 intraperitoneally or orally provided survival of up to 25% of hippocampal CA1 neurones. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometric quantitation of juvenile hormone III in whole body extracts of the Formosan subterranean termite.

Abstract Juvenile hormone (JH) III is responsible for control of a variety of insect physiological and developmental states, including caste differentiation of the Formosan subterranean termite ( Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki). We report here a simplified, efficient sample preparation and an optimized LC–ESI-MS method for quantifying JH III in whole body extracts. Sample preparation comprises hexane extraction (from termite whole bodies) and C18 cartridge purification. Previous LC–ESI-MS protocols exhibited the following two problems: (1) ion fragmentation differed when comparing spectra from insect samples and authentic JH III and (2) a JH III monitoring ion was not resolved from other unknown compounds in whole body samples from termites. To overcome these problems, we used a pentafluorophenyl LC column and water/acetonitrile containing ammonium acetate as solvent. In a mass chromatogram ( m / z 235) of termite samples, a peak was detected at the retention time of authentic JH III, and MS 2 of this peak confirmed that the ion is a fragment of JH III, [M–CH 3 OH+H] + , being the base peak in both termites and authentic JH III samples. The protocol enables quantification of JH III in a single termite with signal/noise >10:1 and the limit of quantification is 21 pg.
Multiangle lidar performance in the presence of horizontal inhomogeneities in atmospheric extinction and scattering.

The performance of single-ended multiangle lidar for measurements of atmospheric extinction and backscattering is analyzed in the presence of shot noise. An algorithm for determining the transmission coefficient in the presence of horizontal inhomogeneities is described. The analysis indicates that real-time measurements of atmospheric properties with the multiangle lidar may be feasible even in inhomogeneous regions.
Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic and Pyruvic Transaminases in a Case of Cardiac Arrest Resuscitated by External Cardiac Massage

Serial serum transaminase determinations were made before and following cardiac arrest encountered during retrograde left ventricular catheterization and successfully managed by external cardiac massage. Prompt, significant elevation of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and slight rise in serum pyruvic transaminase occurred without evidence of myocardial infarction. Skeletal muscle trauma appeared the most likely cause.
Double-Walled Boron Nitride Nanotubes Grown by Floating Catalyst Chemical Vapor Deposition

One-dimensional nanostructures exhibit quantum confinement which leads to unique electronic properties, making them attractive as the active elements for nanoscale electronic devices. Boron nitride nanotubes are of particular interest since, unlike carbon nanotubes, all chiralities are semiconducting. Here, we report a synthesis based on the use of low pressures of the molecular precursor borazine in conjunction with a floating nickelocene catalyst that resulted in the formation of double-walled boron nitride nanotubes. As has been shown for carbon nanotube production, the floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition method has the potential for creating high quality boron nitride nanostructures with high production volumes.
Introduction: the challenge of integrating research into practice.

The Introduction to this volume on the ways Healthy Families America (HFA) integrates research, theory, and practice describes nine articles that offer a contemporary snapshot of HFA research and practice, including four empirical articles presenting research and practice at the state, multi-state, or national level and the most comprehensive summary of HFA outcomes. It contrasts the history of child abuse prevention with progress in the fields of substance abuse and violence prevention. It presents arguments underscoring the critical importance of the researcher-practitioner relationship and the need for an iterative model of action research. It examines implementation and action research challenges, illustrates lessons learned, and recommends ways to strengthen HFA and guide the next phase of child abuse prevention. Language: en
Radiosynthesis and PET imaging of [N-methyl-11C]LY257327 as a tracer for 5-HT transporters.

Abstract No-carrier-added [ N-methyl - 11 C]LY257327 was synthesized by methylation of the free base of the desmethyl precursor LY214281 with [ 11 C]methyl iodide in anhydrous acetonitrile. Synthesis time was 52 ± 3 min, radiochemical yield (based on [ 11 C]methyl iodide) was 35 ± 8%, radiochemical purity was 99 ±1%, and specific activity at EOB was 3900 ± 1300 mCi/μmol. Two in vivo studies in baboon were carried out before and after pretreatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor citalopram. The first experiment showed high accumulation of radioactivity in midbrain, striatum, and thalamus, with slightly lower accumulation in the occipital and cerebellum regions. The radioactivity concentration peaked 5 min postinjection, decreasing steadily for the rest of the scanning time. The second experiment (blocked with citalopram) showed only partial inhibition of incorporation in all of the same brain regions. Although [ N-methyl - 11 C]LY257327 displayed high brain uptake (5% of injected dose at 5 min postinjection) and localized in serotonergic areas of the brain, its target-to-nontarget ratio and its insensitivity to citalopram blocking suggest that its accumulation is dominated by nonspecific uptake. Therefore, [ N-methyl - 11 C]LY257327 is not a useful agent for measuring serotonin reuptake sites in vivo by positron emission tomography.
Association of rib anomalies and childhood cancers.

Congenital anomalies have been found more often in children with cancer than in those without. Rib abnormalities (RAs) have been associated with childhood cancer; however, studies have differed in the type of RAs and cancers implicated. Rib abnormalities were assessed predominantly by X-ray in a hospital-based case–control study. There was a significant difference in the number of cases vs controls with RAs after controlling for age and sex, specifically for acute myelogenous leukaemia, renal tumours, and hepatoblastoma. The results of this study support previous reports that there is an association of rib anomalies with childhood cancer.
A stereoselective synthesis of α-halo vinyl sulfides and their applications in organic synthesis☆

Abstract α-Halo vinyl sulfides have been synthesized stereoselectively via the addition of the in situ generated hydrogen halide to acetylenic thioether. α-Halo vinyl sulfides are versatile substrates that can undergo many important transformations.
The coordination of sterically hindered bases to metalloporphyrins.

The coordination of sterically hindered nitrogenous bases to octaethylporphinatocobalt(II), (Co(OEP)), has been studied by epr techniques. It is shown that, despite reports in the literature to the contrary, 2,4,6-trimethylpyridine (s-collidine) and 2,6-dimethylpyridine (2,6-lutidine) do not coordinate to cobalt porphyrins. On the basis of progressive purification of the s-collidine it is shown that previous reports of its coordination result from the presence of impurities in the material. We have also found that 2-methylpyridine (2-picoline) at best coordinates weakly. This work, along with the results of independent structural studies, shows that the trigger mechanism for the allosteric linkage of hemoglobin cannot apply unmodified to cobalt-substituted hemoglobin.
Melting and surface deformation in pulsed laser surface micromodification of Ni-P disks

The nanosecond pulsed laser-induced transient melting and miniature surface deformation of Ni-P hard disk substrates has been investigated experimentally. A photothermal displacement method has been developed to detect the transient melting and surface deformation process with nanosecond time resolution. The deflection signals show the variation of the feature shape in response to different pulse energies of the near-infrared pulsed nanosecond heating laser beam. A laser flash photography system is also developed to visualize the growth dynamics of the entire feature with nanosecond time resolution and submicron spatial resolution. The feature formation is explained as a result of surface tension driven flow. The surface tension depends not only on the surface temperature, but also on the surfactant concentration. Competition between the thermocapillarity and a surfactant concentration effect is revealed in the course of the bump formation process. Smaller features with diameters of 5 μm are obtained by using visible pulsed laser radiation. On-line monitoring of the transient growth process of such small features is achieved by a new laser flash deflection microscope
Ages of onset and rates of syndromal and subsyndromal comorbid DSM-IV diagnoses in a prepubertal and early adolescent bipolar disorder phenotype.

ABSTRACT Objective To study rates and ages of onset of DSM-IV syndromal and subsyndromal comorbidity in a prepubertal and early adolescent bipolar disorder phenotype (PEA-BP) ( N = 93) compared to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) ( N = 81). Method The WASH-U-KSADS was given by raters blinded to subject group separately to mothers about their children and to children about themselves. PEA-BP was defined as DSM-IV mania with at least one cardinal symptom of mania (elation or grandiosity) to avoid diagnosing using only symptoms that overlapped with those for ADHD. Syndromal diagnoses required a CGAS score of 60 or less to ensure severity at a level of definite “caseness.” Results PEA-BP subjects were aged 10.9 (SD = 2.6) at baseline and 6.8 (SD = 3.4) at onset of first mania episode. Rates of oppositional defiant disorder and total number of comorbidities were significantly higher in the PEA-BP group than the ADHD group. In PEA-BP subjects, mean ages of onset of ADHD occurred before the first manic episode, and obsessive compulsive, oppositional defiant, social phobia, generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, and conduct disorders occurred after. Conclusions Onsets of ADHD before mania and of oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder after mania have clinical and research implications. These include the need to examine for mania symptoms in children with ADHD and/or oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder and to develop scales to differentiate preschool mania from ADHD. Comparison with other studies demonstrated the importance of DSM system and severity scales in reporting comorbidity rates.
Partial coherence interferometry versus immersion ultrasonography for axial length measurement in children

Purpose To determine whether measurements obtained by partial coherence interferometry (PCI) correlate well with measurements obtained using immersion ultrasound (US) in children. Setting Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Design Evaluation of a diagnostic test or technology. Methods The charts of pediatric patients who had cataract surgery from August 2008 to September 2009 were reviewed. Axial length (AL) measurements in the operative eye were obtained using PCI at the preoperative clinic visit and then using immersion US in the operating room before surgery. The data were compared to determine the degree of agreement. Results The charts of 18 patients (27 eyes) were reviewed. Preoperative AL measurements by PCI were obtained in 21 eyes (78%). On average, the PCI-measured ALs were 0.1 mm less than the immersion US values (95% confidence interval, −0.2 to −0.1; P = .002). All eyes with an AL of 23.5 mm or less had lower PCI values than immersion US values. There was no systematic pattern of 1 measurement being greater or less than the other in eyes with an AL longer than 23.5 mm. Conclusions There was a systematic difference in AL measurement between PCI and immersion US, with PCI tending to give lower values, particularly in eyes with an AL of 23.5 mm or less. Depending on the length of the eye, a 0.1 mm error in AL measurement could result in a 0.25 to 0.75 diopter difference in intraocular lens calculation that could be clinically significant in some patients. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
New solvent systems for the resolution of corticosteroids by paper chromatography.

Abstract A simplified procedure is described which permits employment of the Bush method for the separation of C-21 steroids on paper chromatograms at room temperature. Several new solvent systems have been devised, in which tert-butanol or a combination of tert-butanol and methanol constitutes the stationary phase. The new systems, used in combination with modified Bush systems, permit increased resolution of various steroid mixtures and increased structural characterization of unknown steroids, on the basis of their changing chromatographic behavior.
Fast convergence of quasi-Monte Carlo for a class of isotropic integrals

We consider the approximation ofd-dimensional weighted integrals of certain isotropic functions. We are mainly interested in cases where d is large. We show that the convergence rate of quasi-Monte Carlo for the approximation of these integrals isO( p logn=n). Since this is a worst case result, compared to the expected convergence rate O(n 1=2 ) of Monte Carlo, it shows the superiority of quasi-Monte Carlo for this type of integral. This is much faster than the worst case convergence, O(log d n=n), of quasi-Monte Carlo.
The evolution of human disease and the rise of allergy: Epidemiological transitions

The concept of epidemiological transition is expanded to describe the evolution of disease in human populations. A.R. Omran observed that in modern nations pandemics of infections are gradually displaced by degenerative and “man‐made diseases.” In retrospect, Omran's description is not the first example of an epidemiological transition. The Neolithic represents the initial epidemiological transition with an increase in nutritional and infectious disease. Sedentism, increase in population size and density, domestication of animals created foci of disease. We use the second epidemiological transition to understand the evolution of allergy in human populations. The high level of IgE in humans results in a super sensitivity to foreign proteins. Populations chronically exposed to helminthic parasites display high levels of IgE without any apparent adverse health effects. A blocking antibody provides a check‐and‐balance mechanism to the IgE‐levels. This mechanism was advantageous to both the host and pathogen. ...
An Analysis of the Role of Special Interest Groups in the Formation of the Cooperative Extension Service

In this description and analysis of the political role of special interest groups in the formation of the Cooperative Extension Service the events and activities leading up to the passage of the Smith-Lever Act are examined. Attention is paid to the growing formalization of early extension education activities and to the increasing collaboration among special interest groups from agriculture, education and private enterprise in support of a national extension program. The conflict over the Smith-Lever Act in Congress is reviewed, and the significant innovations contained in the Smith-Lever Act are examined. Finally, the authorization of the Cooperative Extension Service and the establishment of a formal relationship between federal, state, and county governments, and the university signal the beginning of a trend towards bringing higher education into the public domain as a political actor.
A machining potential field approach to tool path generation for multi-axis sculptured surface machining

This paper presents a machining potential field (MPF) method to generate tool paths for multi-axis sculptured surface machining. A machining potential field is constructed by considering both the part geometry and the cutter geometry to represent the machining-oriented information on the part surface for machining planning. The largest feasible machining strip width and the optimal cutting direction at a surface point can be found on the constructed machining potential field. The tool paths can be generated by following the optimal cutting direction. Compared to the traditional iso-parametric and iso-planar path generation methods, the generated MPF multi-axis tool paths can achieve better surface finish with shorter machining time. Feasible cutter sizes and cutter orientations can also be determined by using the MPF method. The developed techniques can be used to automate the multi-axis tool path generation and to improve the machining efficiency of sculptured surface machining.
Genomics, Intellectual Disability, and Autism

the age of 18 years, 1 affects 1.5 to 2% of the population in Western countries. 2 A diagnosis of intellectual disability is usually made when IQ testing reveals an IQ of less than 70, which means that often the diagnosis is not made until late childhood or early adulthood. However, most persons with intellectual disability are identified early in childhood on the basis of concern about developmental delays, which may include motor, cognitive, and speech delays. A genetic underpinning of this disorder has long been recognized in a subset of cases, with trisomy 21 (Down’s syndrome) detectable by chromosomal studies since 1959. 3 Trisomy 21 remains the most important chromosomal cause of intellectual disability. Single-gene causes have also been identified for a number of intellectual disability syndromes and include both autosomal and X-linked genes, with the fragile X syndrome being the most common of inherited syndromes caused by a single-gene defect leading to this phenotype in male patients. Autism spectrum disorders have been estimated to affect as many as 1 in 100 to 1 in 150 children. 4,5 Disorders on the autism spectrum share features of impaired social relationships, impaired language and communication, and repetitive behaviors or a narrow range of interests. Many children with autism spectrum disorders also have intellectual disability, and approximately 75% have lifelong disability requiring substantial social and educational support. Thus, autism and intellectual disability together represent an important health burden in the population and are frequent reasons for referral to genetics and developmental pediatrics clinics for a diagnostic workup. During the past decade, advances in genetic research have enabled genomewide discovery of chromosomal copy-number changes and single-nucleotide changes in patients with intellectual disability and autism as well as in those with other disorders. These technological advances — which include array comparative genomic hy bridization (CGH), single-nucleotide-polymorphism (SNP) genotyping arrays, and massively parallel sequencing — have transformed the approach to the identification of etiologic genes and genomic rearrangements in the research laboratory and are now being applied in the clinical diagnostic arena. Here we review these techniques and how they have enabled the rapid discovery of chromosomal and single-gene causes of intellectual disability and autism.
Reflections on metaclass programming in SOM

This paper reports on the evolution of metaclass programming in SOM (the IBM System Object Model). Initially, SOM's use of explicit metaclasses introduced metaclass incompatibilities. This was cured by having SOM dynamically derive an appropriate metaclass by interpreting the “metaclass declaration” as a constraint. In effect, inheritance is given a new dimension, because the constraint is also inherited. The derived metaclass is the least solution to all these constraints. Subsequently, this cure led to the possibility of metaclasses conflicting over the need to assign meaning to a method. The cure for this problem is a framework that facilitates the programming of metaclasses that cooperate on the assignment of meaning to methods.
Osteogenic and sarcomatoid differentiation of a renal cell carcinoma.

Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma is an uncommon renal tumor, and osteogenic differentiation has been reported in only a few of these tumors. The authors report such a case with radiographic, light microscopic, and electron microscopic findings, which demonstrate that the sarcomatiod areas of the tumor are derived from the malignant epithelial cells, retaining epithelial features such as desmosomes and lumina with microvilli. The use of electron microscopy is important in the establishment of this diagnosis.
Mohawk Reinvention of the Fort Orange and Albany Courthouses, 1652-77

This article analyzes the process of how Albany came to stand as a center of Anglo-Indian relations in the seventeenth century. Through the understanding of the diverse and changing geographical interpretations of particular places and spaces, this paper analyzes Iroquois, Dutch and English understandings of significance and uses of the Fort Orange, later Albany, courthouse to demonstrate how the Iroquois, Mohawks in particular, were able to both function within and contribute to the reinvention of this quintessential European institution to suit their own diplomatic purposes. Through understanding varying interpretations of the court as a diplomatically significant place, we gain a clearer understanding of the role of Native peoples in the creation of this cross-cultural courthouse as it became “the only appointed and prefixed place” of the Covenant Chain of Alliance between the Iroquois and English in 1677.
Using post‐outcome measurement information in censoring‐by‐death problems

Summary Many clinical studies on non-mortality outcomes such as quality of life suffer from the problem that the non-mortality outcome can be censored by death, i.e. the non-mortality outcome cannot be measured if the subject dies before the time of measurement. To address the problem that this censoring by death is informative, it is of interest to consider the average effect of the treatment on the non-mortality outcome among subjects whose measurement would not be censored under either treatment or control, which is called the survivor average causal effect (SACE). The SACE is not point identified under usual assumptions but bounds can be constructed. The previous literature on bounding the SACE uses only the survival information before the measurement of the non-mortality outcome. However, survival information after the measurement of the non-mortality outcome could also be informative. For randomized trials, we propose a set of ranked average score assumptions that make use of survival information before and after the measurement of the non-mortality outcome which are plausibly satisfied in many studies and we develop a two-step linear programming approach to obtain the closed form for bounds on the SACE under our assumptions. We also extend our method to randomized trials with non-compliance or observational studies with a valid instrumental variable to obtain bounds on the complier SACE which is presented in on-line supplementary material. We apply our method to a randomized trial of the effect of mechanical ventilation with lower tidal volume versus traditional tidal volume for acute lung injury patients. Our bounds on the SACE are much shorter than the bounds that are obtained by using only the survival information before the measurement of the non-mortality outcome.
Redundancy Aware Virtual Disk Mobility for Cloud Computing

With multiplicity of Cloud service providers offering geographically distributed Compute Clouds, both providers and customers find it necessary to quickly move virtual machine images between data centers. This is usually accomplished using standard rsync-based transfer which is slow and bandwidth intensive given large size of virtual machine images. This article proposes a mechanism to reconstitute an image on target data center using information about overlap among images and content already available in the target data center. No changes to file system are needed and the approach can immediately be used with traditional libraries storing images as regular files. Moreover, we use a peer-to-peer approach that allows simultaneous retrieval of fragments from multiple data centers. The system and algorithms have been implemented and evaluated on two Compute Cloud environments using three image libraries representative for a typical service provider. The evaluation shows an average 6 times reduction in terms of network transfer volume and time and can result in even larger reductions in case of images with small configuration changes.
Some Aspects of Sampling Salty Ground Water in Coastal Aquifersa

Investigations of the fluctuations of chloride content in wells that tap the zone of diffusion between fresh and salt water show that the salty well water behaves erratically when the well is pumped. Frequently, a static distribution of chloride content that ranges from less than 1,000 ppm at the top to more than 10,000 ppm at the bottom is present in the open-hole part of a well. When the well is pumped, the discharge water tends to come from the upper part of the open hole because less energy is expended by removal of low-density water from this region than by removal of high-density water from the lower part of the open hole. Where the permeability of strata in the deep part of the open hole is greater than that in the shallow part, the tendency for natural selection of the less dense, shallow water is suppressed, and practically all the water in the blend comes from the deep part. As a result of this complex interrelation of hydraulics, distribution and density of the salt water, and permeability, the depth at which the pumped water enters the well bore is indeterminate. This deficiency leads to the use of multiple-depth-bottle, windshield-wiper, and electrical-conductivity sampling techniques for collection of data used in constructing maps and cross sections that show the areal-depth relations of salt water in the Biscayne aquifer of the Miami area, Florida.
Brown-McLean syndrome.

Abstract Background Brown-McLean syndrome is a rare corneal presentation usually resulting from intracapsular cataract extraction or multiple anterior segment surgeries and the passage of time. Case reports Two patients presented to our clinic with Brown-McLean syndrome. Both had undergone intracapsular cataract extraction with peripheral iridectomies many years before their current examinations. Conclusions Brown-McLean syndrome can be overlooked or misdiagnosed. Although intracapsular cataract extraction is rare in this country today, eye doctors should be made aware of its presence and potential side effects.
Brain tissue oxygenation changes in children during the first 24 h following head injury

The aim of this study is to assess the changes of brain tissue oxygen levels in children during the first 24 h following head injury and its correlation with changes of intracranial pressure and clinical outcome. Invasive monitoring of partial brain tissue oxygen tension (PbtO2) using the Licox (Integra Neurosciences, Plainsboro, NJ, USA) oxygen probe was performed in children with severe head injury requiring ventilation, during the years 2002–2005. The study focused in the recordings of the first 24 h following injury. There were four patients (three males, one female) with an age range of 2–12 years. All injuries were due to motor vehicle accidents. The Glasgow Coma Score ranged from 5 to 9. All patients had diffuse axonal injuries on Computed Tomography scan. One patient underwent a bilateral decompressive craniectomy. The total duration of monitoring was 567.84 h. During the first 24 h, the mean PbtO2 was 4.2 mmHg, 12.7 mmHg, 21.8 mmHg, and 25.1 mmHg in each patient. Fifteen episodes of ICP > 20 mmHg were seen in the first 24 h of monitoring. Nine of these episodes were accompanied by a reduction in PbtO2 levels. The Glasgow Outcome Score at 1 year was good recovery (GOS 3) in three patients and severe disability in one patient. There were no complications from the monitoring. In children with head injury, rise in ICP may be accompanied by fall in PbtO2. However, low brain oxygen levels during the first 24 h following head injury may not correlate necessarily with poor outcome.
Piezoelectric Composites with 3–1 Connectivity and a Foamed Polyurethane Matrix

The effect of porosity on the hydrostatic piezoelectric sensitivity was explored for 3–1 composites with a polyurethane matrix. Hydrostatic sensitivity increases rapidly with volume of porosity, and dh increases from 12 x10−12to >200X10-12 C/N when 40% porosity is incorporated. These composites become strongly nonlinear at >I MPa and consequently would be limited to shallow water operation.
Previous Statin Use Is Not Associated With an Increased Prevalence or Degree of Gradient-Echo Lesions in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack

Background and Purpose—Microhemorrhages on gradient-echo T2*-weighted MRI sequences are often found in patients with cerebrovascular disease and are related to intracerebral hemorrhage. Because statin therapy is associated with increased risk of intracerebral hemorrhage, we investigated whether statin use was also associated with microhemorrhages in patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. Methods—We performed a retrospective analysis on prospectively collected data from a stroke registry containing patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. The primary and secondary outcome variables were the prevalence and degree of microhemorrhages as detected on gradient-echo MRI sequences and categorized as mild (1–2), moderate (3–10), or severe (>10). The location of the microhemorrhages was noted and rated by 2 neuroradiologists. Previous use of statins and other covariates were assessed as potential predictors. Results—Three hundred forty-nine patients were admitted ...
When Have Presidential Campaigns Decided Election Outcomes

How often and when have fall presidential general election campaigns during the past 50 years been decisive in determining which presidential candidate would receive the plurality of the national popular vote? This article addresses these questions using data from the Gallup Poll, the National Election Studies, and actual election returns for the 14 presidential elections from 1948 to 2000. Based on an analysis of four measures of net effects of general election campaigns from after the national party conventions until election day, there is some evidence of campaigns being decisive in 5 of the 14 elections examined. Campaigns after the conventions were probably decisive in two elections, the 1948 and 1960 contests, and possibly made the difference in the outcomes of the 1976, 1980, and 2000 elections. A conservative estimate is that campaigns conducted after the conventions have probably been decisive in about a quarter of presidential elections since 1948.