cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection and Hospitalization in High-Risk Patients in the Year following Detection

BackgroundMany studies have evaluated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections during single hospitalizations and subsequent readmissions to the same institution. None have assessed the comprehensive burden of MRSA infection in the period after hospital discharge while accounting for healthcare utilization across institutions.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients insured by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care who were newly-detected to harbor MRSA between January 1991 and December 2003 at a tertiary care medical center. We evaluated all MRSA-attributable infections associated with hospitalization in the year following new detection, regardless of hospital location. Data were collected on comorbidities, healthcare utilization, mortality and MRSA outcomes. Of 591 newly-detected MRSA carriers, 23% were colonized and 77% were infected upon detection. In the year following detection, 196 (33%) patients developed 317 discrete and unrelated MRSA infections. The most common infections were pneumonia (34%), soft tissue (27%), and primary bloodstream (18%) infections. Infections occurred a median of 56 days post-detection. Of all infections, 26% involved bacteremia, and 17% caused MRSA-attributable death. During the admission where MRSA was newly-detected, 14% (82/576) developed subsequent infection. Of those surviving to discharge, 24% (114/482) developed post-discharge infections in the year following detection. Half (99/185, 54%) of post-discharge infections caused readmission, and most (104/185, 55%) occurred over 90 days post-discharge.Conclusions/SignificanceIn high-risk tertiary care patients, newly-detected MRSA carriage confers large risks of infection and substantial attributable mortality in the year following acquisition. Most infections occur post-discharge, and 18% of infections associated with readmission occurred in hospitals other than the one where MRSA was newly-detected. Despite gains in reducing MRSA infections during hospitalization, the risk of MRSA infection among critically and chronically ill carriers persists after discharge and warrants targeted prevention strategies.
High Spped Motion Pictures

High speed motion pictures have been found to be extremely useful in studying the motions of various types of mechanisms, especially transient high speed motions. Modern electronic devices have contributed new methods of producing accurately controlled light flashes of extremely high intensity so that now pictures may be taken by reflected light at rates up to several thousands per second.
Logocratic method and the analysis of arguments in evidence

Legal analysis is dominated by legal arguments, and the assessment of any legal claim requires the assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of those arguments. The 'logocratic' method is a systematic method for assessing the strengths and weaknesses of arguments. More specifically, it is a method designed to help the analyst determine what degree of warrant the premises of an argument provide for its conclusion. Although the method is applicable to any type of argument, this essay focuses on the logocratic framework for assessing the strengths and weaknesses of evidentiary legal arguments, arguments offered in litigation in which evidentiary propositions are proffered to support hypotheses. The focus is on American law, but the logocratic analysis offered here could be adjusted without much trouble to handle arguments about evidence in other systems of litigation. In any legal system that aspires to have a fact-finding process that is sufficiently reliable to meet the requirements of justice, we might fashion an analogue for the Socratic maxim 'the unexamined life is not worth living': the unexamined evidentiary argument is not worth believing. The logocratic method seeks to help the evidence analyst pursue that Socratic mission, tailored to the rules and institutions of evidence law. Language: en
The effect of single and repeated electroconvulsive shock (ECS) on locomotor activity in rats.

Abstract 1. 1. Locomotor activity following administration of apomorphine (0.1 mg/kg), and amphetamine (1 mg/kg) was studied in rats receiving single and multiple electroconvulsive shock (ECS). 2. 2. Three groups of rats were utilized, one half of each group received sham treatment and the other half received either 1,5, or 10 daily ECS. 3. 3. Significant enhancement of the locomotor response to amphetamine, but not apomorphine, was seen in rats given repeated ECS as compared to controls. 4. 4. This study suggests that the number of ECS, is an important variable in ECS enhancement of locomotor response to amphetamine.
Preferential locations for critical reentry circuit sites causing ventricular tachycardia after inferior wall myocardial infarction.

Reentrant VT Post MI. Introduction: For relatively slow monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) after myocardial infarction, entrainment can be used to identify reentry circuit “isthmus sites” (exit sites and sites proximal to the exit) where radioifrequency (RF) catheter ablation has the greatest likelihood of interrupting reentry. Similarities in coronary and ventricular anatomy may cause such sites to form in preferential locations. The objective of this study is to determine if there are preferential locations for reentry circuit isthmus regions in chronic inferior wall infarctions causing VT. Methods and Results: Catheter mapping and RF catheter ablation was performed in 21 patients with an old inferior wall myocardial infarction and VT. The inferior wall was divided into 9 anatomic regions: 3 apical, 3 mid, and 3 basal segments. Of 46 different VTs, an endocardial isthmus site was identified in one or more zones in 28 (61%), with 10 VTs having isthmus sites in two or more adjacent regions. Isthmus zones were found in a basal region of the left ventricle in 24 (86%) of 28 VTs, in a mid segment in 9 (32%) VTs, and in an apical segment in 1 (4%) (P = 0.002). Of 30 RF current applications that terminated VT, 21 (70%) were at basal isthmus sites. Conclusion: The high prevalence of endocardial isthmus zones near the base of the left ventricle suggests that the mitral annulus often plays a role in defining the margins of reentry circuits that cau.se relatively slow VTs after inferior wall myocardial infarction.
Generating conjugate directions without line searches using factorized variable metric updating formulas

It is shown how to generate conjugate directions without exact line searches by applying variable metric updating formulas in factorized form to give the columns of the Cholesky factors of the Hessian matrix one at a time. Minimization methods based upon these results are given, including one which can take advantage of sparsity in the matrix of second derivatives of the objective function. The results of some numerical tests on a small sample of test problems are presented.
Fast textured algorithms for optimal power delivery problems in deregulated environments

For the future deregulated (open access) environments, we need to find the best way to deliver the electric power to buyers after the generation settings are determined by sellers' own economic strategies. In this paper, the authors formulate such a problem as an optimal power delivery (OPD) problem in terms of transmitted line flows and parameters of FACTS (flexible AC transmission systems) devices, such as phase shifters and series compensators. The total transmission losses are taken into account and represented by the transmitted line flows across those lines. Unwanted loop flow can be reduced or eliminated by FACTS devices and can be achieved by minimizing the total transmission loss. The OPD problem is then solved by two fast textured algorithms for modified IEEE 14-bus and 57-bus systems.
Exploring Middle School Girls’ Science Identities: Examining Attitudes and Perceptions of Scientists when Working “Side-by-Side” with Scientists

This article is the culmination of an extensive inquiry-focused interactive experience involving female middle school students and five university scientists, which demonstrated that middle school girls ‘perception of science and scientists can be successfully improved. The study exposed students to adult professional scientists over a period of a few days in laboratory and field exercises. Based on student journal entries and pictorial illustrations, as well as attitude surveys, the experience resulted in a keen appreciation of the sciences among the majority of participants and both a heightened and broadened awareness of Science as a Human Endeavor. The students’ resulting perceptions reinforce the importance for science educators to expose their students to adult professional scientists in order for students, especially female students, to develop a better understanding of science and the role of scientists. Engaging scientists in helping promote science as a positive, exciting and satisfying career goal will help debunk common myths in the minds of young students about science and drive students, especially female students, to consider science careers.
Microfluidic cartridges preloaded with nanoliter plugs of reagents: an alternative to 96-well plates for screening

In traditional screening with 96-well plates, microliters of substrates are consumed for each reaction. Further miniaturization is limited by the special equipment and techniques required to dispense nanoliter volumes of fluid. Plug-based microfluidics confines reagents in nanoliter plugs (droplets surrounded by fluorinated carrier fluid), and uses simple pumps to control the flow of plugs. By using cartridges pre-loaded with nanoliter plugs of reagents, only two pumps and a merging junction are needed to set up a screen. Screening with preloaded cartridges uses only nanoliters of substrate per reaction, and requires no microfabrication. The low cost and simplicity of this method has the potential of replacing 96-well and other multi-well plates, and has been applied to enzymatic assays, protein crystallization and optimization of organic reactions.
Autonomous Vehicle-Target Assignment: A Game-Theoretical Formulation

We consider an autonomous vehicle-target assignment problem where a group of vehicles are expected to optimally assign themselves to a set of targets. We introduce a game-theoretical formulation of the problem in which the vehicles are viewed as self-interested decision makers. Thus, we seek the optimization of a global utility function through autonomous vehicles that are capable of making individually rational decisions to optimize their own utility functions. The first important aspect of the problem is to choose the utility functions of the vehicles in such a way that the objectives of the vehicles are localized to each vehicle yet aligned with a global utility function. The second important aspect of the problem is to equip the vehicles with an appropriate negotiation mechanism by which each vehicle pursues the optimization of its own utility function. We present several design procedures and accompanying caveats for vehicle utility design. We present two new negotiation mechanisms, namely, "generalized regret monitoring with fading memory and inertia" and "selective spatial adaptive play," and provide accompanying proofs of their convergence. Finally, we present simulations that illustrate how vehicle negotiations can consistently lead to near-optimal assignments provided that the utilities of the vehicles are designed appropriately.
Clozapine response and the 5HT2C Cys23Ser polymorphism.

THE presence of the 5HT 2C receptor allele, Ser 23 , has recently been reported to predict favorable response to the antipsychotic drug, clozapine. This finding is of interest as Ser 23 , compared with the more abundant Cys 23 , alters pharmacological characteristics of the receptor and therefore may provide insights into the mechanism of action of antipsychotic drugs. We determined 5HT 2C receptor genotype at the Cys 23 Ser locus in 66 subjects participating in double-blind studies of clozapine. There was no relationship between Ser 23 and clozapine response (p = 0.30, Fisher's exact) nor was there any effect of Ser 23 upon absolute levels of psychiatric symptoms after 10 weeks of clozapine treatment (t = -0.57, p = 0.57). These data suggest that this 5HT 2C receptor polymorphism is not associated with clozapine response.
Renormalization and gauge independence in spontaneously broken gauge theories

We discuss the renormalization of spontaneously broken gauge theories in a larg class of renormalization gauges which includes the unitary gaugc as a singular limit. Particular attention is paid to the constraints of gauge invariance on the renormalization program and to the gauge invariance and finiteness of the S matrix. Our intention is to supplement the formal discussions already in the literature by carrying out the renormalization program in an explicit and complete way (fixing counterterms and defining the physical parameters), and by restricting demonstrations of gauge invariance and finiteness to the one-loop level. The discussion is limited to an Abelian model for simplicity, and can easily be extended to more complicated gauge theories. All the essential. features, however, are found already in the Abelian model. (auth)
Multiple bilateral renal oncocytoms in a known case of tuberous sclerosis: a case report

One of the rare patterns of renal involvement by tuberous sclerosis is oncocytoma. This is a report of a known male patient diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis. He was asymptomatic, but his periodic abdominal ultrasound examination revealed bilateral renal masses. CT and MRI confirmed the presence of these masses which were proven histopathologically to be multiple oncocytomas.
Hydraulic Conductivity of Cotton Roots as Influenced by Plant Age and Rooting Medium

(...) An experiment was conducted to determine if plant age or rooting medium environmental conditions affected hydraulic conductivity of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) roots. Hydraulic conductivity was measured by the pressure outflow method at 12, 24, 36, and 48 d after planting (DAP) on roots grown in both hydroponics and sand. Hydraulic conductivity decreased 45% in nutrient-solution-grown and 57% in sand-grown roots from 12 DAP to the mean of 24, 36, and 48 DAP. Hydraulic conductivity of sand-grown roots was 4 to 10 times lower than that for roots grown hydroponically, whether conductivity was compared at equal DAP or at equal root length
Instabilities of Strategic Alliances: An Internal Tensions Perspective

The instabilities of strategic alliances have been examined in the literature through a number of theoretical approaches. Alliance instabilities refer to major changes or dissolutions of alliances that are unplanned from the perspective of one or more partners. Although the literature identifies certain characteristics of strategic alliances that may lead to their unplanned dissolution, the extent of our understanding of this subject appears to be fragmented and incomplete. In this article we propose a comprehensive framework for adequately understanding alliance instabilities based on the notion of internal tensions. We suggest that strategic alliances are sites in which conflicting forces develop and which can be viewed as being constituted by three key pairs of competing forces--namely, cooperation versus competition, rigidity versus flexibility, and short-term versus long-term orientation. This tensions framework helps us in explaining the intrinsic vulnerability of alliances in terms of a wide range of internal contradictions and enables us to examine, in an integrated manner, the incidence, dynamics, and eventual dissipation of the inherent instabilities. We discuss the interrelationships among the different internal tensions and their impacts on different types of strategic alliances. We also examine the termination of alliances through mergers/acquisitions and dissolution. Finally, we suggest ways to empirically test the various ideas and propositions developed here and indicate directions for further research.
Fibre type composition of single motor units during synapse elimination in neonatal rat soleus muscle

Skeletal motor neurones innervate the specialized ‘types’ of fibres comprising most mammalian muscles in a characteristic fashion: each motor neurone forms a ‘motor unit’ by innervating a set of fibres all of the same type1–4. Because the type expression of adult muscle fibres is plastic and apparently controlled by their innervation, each motor neurone is thought to impose a common type differentiation on all the fibres in its motor unit4–6. However, the situation in developing muscles cannot be this simple. Muscle fibres in neonates receive synaptic input from several motor neurones and achieve the adult, single innervation only after a period of ‘synapse elimination’7,8. Despite this polyneuronal innervation, differentiated fibre types are present in neonatal muscles9–14. This means either that the motor neurones polyne-uronally innervate fibres in a random fashion and type expression is not determined by innervation or that the polyneuronal innervation is ordered in such a way that each fibre could receive unambiguous instructions for type differentiation. We have investigated these possibilities here by determining the fibre type composition of motor units in neonatal rat soleus muscle. We find that even during the time of poly neuronal innervation each motor neurone confines its innervation to largely one of two fibre types present in the muscle. Therefore, some mechanism during early development segregates the synapses of two groups of soleus motor neurones onto two separate populations of soleus muscle fibres.
Demonstration of the significance of pulmonary surfactants at birth.

Abstract A potent non-ionic surface active agent, Tween 20, that presumably would displace the normal pulmonary surfactants, was added to the fetal pulmonary fluid of goats to test its effects on the establishment of air-breathing in the early neonatal period. The newborns that were so-treated developed severe respiratory distress including tachypnea, retractions, flaring, hypoxemia, acidemia, and hypercapnia. They were unable to resorb pulmonary fluid after birth as large quantities of this fluid, which contained the normal phospholipid surfactants, flowed out of the airways during life. Morphological examinations demonstrated that (1) a normal alveolar lining layer was not formed, (2) Type I epithelial cells were detached from the basement membranes, and (3) there was significant collapse of the alveoli. The surface tension of the affected lungs was abnormal. These studies support the concept that the pulmonary phospholipid surfactants are essential for normal transition at birth. In their effective absence pulmonary fluid resorption is compromised, alveoli tend to collapse, and a picture analogous to respiratory distress syndrome ensues.
The impact of changing air quality on multiple regression models for coarse and fine particle fractions

Abstract Increases were noted in the concentrations of total suspended paniculate matter and several metals in New York City air in late 1968. This shift in the air quality persisted until late 1980. We have found that the change in air quality affects the multiple regression technique for apportioning sources of the suspended particulate matter. Separate regression models are required for coarse and fine particles. The shift appears related mainly to increased coarse particle emissions possibly related to changing sources of residual oil for use in boilers used for heating systems.
A comparative study of four input devices for desktop virtual walkthroughs

This paper presents the results of an experiment measuring the effect of four different input devices on overall task performance for desktop virtual walkthroughs. The input devices tested are: a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick and a gamepad. The results indicate that the participants completed the tasks in significantly less time and distance travelled with the mouse than with the three other input devices. The use of the mouse also significantly reduced the number of collisions, while the use of the gamepad resulted in significantly more collisions.
Geometric view of adaptive optics control.

The objective of an astronomical adaptive optics control system is to minimize the residual wave-front error remaining on the science-object wave fronts after being compensated for atmospheric turbulence and telescope aberrations. Minimizing the mean square wave-front residual maximizes the Strehl ratio and the encircled energy in pointlike images and maximizes the contrast and resolution of extended images. We prove the separation principle of optimal control for application to adaptive optics so as to minimize the mean square wave-front residual. This shows that the residual wave-front error attributable to the control system can be decomposed into three independent terms that can be treated separately in design. The first term depends on the geometry of the wave-front sensor(s), the second term depends on the geometry of the deformable mirror(s), and the third term is a stochastic term that depends on the signal-to-noise ratio. The geometric view comes from understanding that the underlying quantity of interest, the wave-front phase surface, is really an infinite-dimensional vector within a Hilbert space and that this vector space is projected into subspaces we can control and measure by the deformable mirrors and wave-front sensors, respectively. When the control and estimation algorithms are optimal, the residual wave front is in a subspace that is the union of subspaces orthogonal to both of these projections. The method is general in that it applies both to conventional (on-axis, ground-layer conjugate) adaptive optics architectures and to more complicated multi-guide-star- and multiconjugate-layer architectures envisaged for future giant telescopes. We illustrate the approach by using a simple example that has been worked out previously [J. Opt. Soc. Am. A73, 1171 (1983) ] for a single-conjugate, static atmosphere case and follow up with a discussion of how it is extendable to general adaptive optics architectures.
Quantum chemical, other theoretical and physicochemical studies on narcotics and narcotic antagonists to understand their mechanism of action

The topological and topographical requisites for effective narcotic and narcotic antagonist action are outlined. Quantum chemical calculations by several methods have been carried out for these drugs. CNDO/2 and PCILO results are compared for morphine and nalorphine, both for the free bases and the protonated forms. CNDO/2 results are presented for some additional narcotics and narcotic antagonists: naloxone, cyclazocine, and methadone. The CNDO/2 calculated electron densities on the nitrogens are very close in the free bases of the N-methyl and the N-allyl cogeners and they are also very close in the protonated forms of these compounds, contrary to the assumption usually held by chemists that the electron density on the nitrogen is lower in the allyl compound which is what makes it a weaker base. Also, as we first showed many years ago for pyridine aldoximes the positive charge in the N-protonated species is not localized on the nitrogen but spread over many of the neighboring atoms. Both of the above results on the charge distributions on the nitrogens were experimentally given credence by the ESCA results of Carlson and Saethre. Narcotic action had previously been shown to be governed both by the pharmacological interaction of the drug and by its lipophilicity which is necessary to pass through the blood brain barrier. Use of a special titrimetric technique enabled us to measure not only the pKa's but also the partition coefficients as a smoothly varying function of pH. The pertinent background data on the effects of narcotics and narcotic antagonists on biogenic amine turnover, synthesis, release, etc., are reviewed in a brief comprehensive manner. We performed an intensive systems analysis of these data and were able to postulate the mechanism by which a narcotic causes addiction and, thus, to suggest a new method of treating addiction which does not use either maintenance on synthetic narcotics or on narcotic antagonists. Our analysis also indicates a mechanism of action of narcotic antagonists (which we do not feel is merely competitive antagonism). A comparison of the psychotomimetic symptoms caused by narcotic antagonists with those caused by the LSD and mescaline groups on the one hand and by the anticholinergics on the other hand indicate pertinent similarities.
Stream cipher hash based execution monitoring (SCHEM) framework for intrusion detection on embedded processors

Hardware based execution monitoring of applications holds the promise for an effective and tamper-proof solution for intrusion detection on processor. This paper presents a practical hardware based intrusion detection framework which uses stream cipher based hashing techniques for runtime control flow and instruction integrity monitoring. This framework enables accurate monitoring of the control flow of a process with an instruction level granularity. Additional hardware required for implementation of our framework has very low power and area overheads which makes it possible to practically implement execution monitoring even on embedded processors. Our technique achieves an order of magnitude lower power overhead compared to other similar techniques. Furthermore, our implementation of the developed framework has a low intrusion detection latency, which enables us to verify the control flow integrity of the executing code before the violating control flow instructions are retired from the processor pipeline.
Ultraviolet Red Fluorescence of Bacteroides melaninogenicus

Under longwave ultraviolet light, Bacteroides melaninogenicus fluoresced vivid red on blood-agar plates as well as in chronic cutaneous ulcers and purulent drainage.
Continuous production of ethanol from hexoses and pentoses using immobilized mixed cultures of Escherichia coli strains

We have developed highly efficient ethanologenic Escherichia coli strains that selectively consume pentoses and/or hexoses. Mixed cultures of these strains can be used to selectively adjust the sugar utilization kinetics in ethanol fermentations. Based on the kinetics of sugar utilization, we have designed and implemented an immobilized cell system for the optimized continuous conversion of sugars into ethanol. The results confirm that immobilized mixed cultures support a simultaneous conversion of hexoses and pentoses into ethanol at high yield and at a faster rate than immobilized homogenous cells. Continuous ethanol production has been maintained for several weeks at high productivity with near complete sugar utilization. The control of sugar utilization using immobilized mixed cultures can be adapted to any composition of hexoses and pentoses by adjusting the strain distribution of immobilized cells. The approach, therefore, holds promise for ethanol fermentation from lignocellulosic hydrolysates where the feedstock varies in sugar composition.
Embedding an Edge-colored K(a (p) ; λ, μ) into a Hamiltonian Decomposition of K(a (p+r) ; λ, μ)

Let K(a (p); λ, μ) be a graph with p parts, each part having size a, in which the multiplicity of each pair of vertices in the same part (in different parts) is λ (μ, respectively). In this paper we consider the following embedding problem: When can a graph decomposition of K(a (p); λ, μ) be extended to a Hamiltonian decomposition of K(a (p+r); λ, μ) for r > 0? A general result is proved, which is then used to solve the embedding problem for all $${r \geq \frac{\lambda}{\mu a}+ \frac{p-1}{a-1}}$$ . The problem is also solved when r is as small as possible in two different senses, namely when r = 1 and when $${r = \frac{\lambda}{\mu a} - p+1}$$ .
Two-time-scale distributions and singular perturbations

Two-time-scale (TTS) distributions are introduced. For a class of stable systems, it is shown that every TTS distribution has a two-frequency-scale (TFS) Laplace transform. Conversely, it is shown that the impulse response of any stable TFS transfer function, and hence any stable (standard) singularly perturbed system, can be characterized in terms of a stable TTS distribution. A time domain decomposition for TTS distributions is obtained which parallels the slow and fast decomposition of singularly perturbed systems and also the frequency domain decomposition of TFS transfer functions. It is shown that every stable TTS distribution can be decomposed in terms of two simpler distributions represented in two different time scales. A composite distribution is constructed from these two which approximates the TTS distribution arbitrarily closely in the L 1 norm.
An Equilibrium Flow Model of a University Campus

This paper develops a simple deterministic model that relates student admissions and enrollments to the final demand for educated students. It includes the effects of drop-out rates and student-teacher ratios upon student enrollments and faculty staffing levels. Certain technological requirements are assumed known and given. These, as well as the laws of flow conservation and the relations between equilibrium enrollment levels and average flow rates, are used to predict the effects of specific administrative policies and institutional controls at the campus level.
Obesity blunts insulin-mediated microvascular recruitment in human forearm muscle.

We have previously shown that skeletal muscle capillaries are rapidly recruited by physiological doses of insulin in both humans and animals. This facilitates glucose and insulin delivery to muscle, thus augmenting glucose uptake. In obese rats, both insulin-mediated microvascular recruitment and glucose uptake are diminished; however, this action of insulin has not been studied in obese humans. Here we used contrast ultrasound to measure microvascular blood volume (MBV) (an index of microvascular recruitment) in the forearm flexor muscles of lean and obese adults before and after a 120-min euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic (1 mU · min −1 · kg −1 ) clamp. We also measured brachial artery flow, fasting lipid profile, and anthropomorphic variables. Fasting plasma glucose (5.4 ± 0.1 vs. 5.1 ± 0.1 mmol/l, P = 0.05), insulin (79 ± 11 vs. 38 ± 6 pmol/l, P = 0.003), and percent body fat (44 ± 2 vs. 25 ± 2%, P = 0.001) were higher in the obese than the lean adults. After 2 h of insulin infusion, whole-body glucose infusion rate was significantly lower in the obese versus lean group (19.3 ± 3.2 and 37.4 ± 2.6 μmol · min −1 · kg −1 respectively, P P = 0.019) but not in the obese group (20.4 ± 3.6 to 18.8 ± 3.8, NS). Insulin increased brachial artery diameter and flow in the lean but not in the obese group. We observed a significant, negative correlation between ΔMBV and BMI ( R = −0.482, P = 0.027) in response to insulin. In conclusion, obesity eliminated the insulin-stimulated muscle microvascular recruitment and increased brachial artery blood flow seen in lean individuals.
Sacralization is not associated with elongated cervical costal process and cervical rib.

Cervical rib/elongated costal process of the seventh cervical vertebra and sacralization of a lumbar vertebra are associated with clinical problems—neurological, vascular, and obstetrical. A previous study reported an association between these morphologies, and suggested that clinicians use presence of one trait to predict presence of the other. This study tested three hypotheses from this association: costal process length among individuals with sacralization differs from that among individuals without sacralization for: (1) only the seventh cervical vertebra, (2) only transitional presacral vertebrae—seventh cervical, twelfth thoracic, and fifth lumbar, and (3) presacral vertebrae in general. Skeletons of 961 individuals between ages 20 and 49 years from the United States were surveyed for sacralization. Costal process length was measured on 100 individuals with sacralization and 184 without sacralization for cervical vertebrae 3 to 7, thoracic vertebrae 11 and 12, and all lumbar vertebrae. Cervical rib was evaluated for 102 individuals with sacralization and 472 without sacralization. Results showed that 11% (105 of 961) of individuals have sacralization. Compared to individuals without sacralization, those with sacralization: (1) have significantly longer costal process for the last lumbar vertebra, but are nonsignificantly different for costal process lengths of other vertebrae, (2) are nonsignificantly different in prevalence of cervical rib—2.9% with sacralization and 0.4% without sacralization, and (3) are significantly more likely to have an extra presacral vertebra. Clinically, results suggest that sacralization is not a predicate for either cervical rib or elongated costal process of the seventh cervical vertebra. Clin. Anat. 24:209–217, 2011. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
GRAPHENE AND THE QUANTUM SPIN HALL EFFECT

We show that the intrinsic spin orbit interaction in a single plane of graphene converts the ideal two dimensional semi metallic groundstate of graphene into a quantum spin Hall (QSH) state. This novel electronic phase shares many similarities with the quantum Hall effect. It has a bulk excitation gap, but supports the transport of spin and charge in gapless "spin filtered" edge states on the sample boundary. We show that the QSH phase is associated with a Z2 topological invariant, which distinguishes it from an ordinary insulator. The Z2 classification, which is defined for any time reversal invariant Hamiltonian with a bulk excitation gap, is analogous to the Chern number classification of the quantum Hall effect. We argue that the QSH phase is topologically stable with respect to weak interactions and disorder. The QSH phase exhibits a finite (though not quantized) dissipationless spin Hall conductance even in the presence of weak disorder, providing a new direction for realizing dissipationless spin transport. We will discuss various proposals for experimentally observing the QSH phase, along with generalizations of this effect in three dimensional systems.
Role of Complement in Host Defense against Experimental Disseminated Candidiasis

The role of complement in experimental disseminated candidiasis was studied in normal guinea pigs, animals congenitally deficient in the fourth component of complement (C4), and animals depleted of alternative pathway activity by cobra venom factor (CVF). Animals pretreated with CVF and challenged with Candida albicans had a high rate of mortality. Results of quantitative organ cultures corroborated prior reports that the kidney was the major target organ of infection. Infection of the kidney was markedly enhanced by CVF-induced depletion of the alternative pathway but not by classical pathway deficiency (deficiency in C4). There were differences among organs (kidney, liver, and spleen) in their requirement for complement to mount an effective host defense response. Ultimately, the integrity of the alternative pathway and late components of complement appears necessary for the limitation of and survival from sepsis due to C. albicans in nonimmune animals.
Strangers in a Strange Land: The Ph.D. in the Land of the Medical Doctor

This essay contains the comments made by Professor Burgoon in his plenary address at the 41st meeting of the International Communication Association. Burgoon expresses concern about the communication researcher's role in the study of doctor-patient interaction. He argues that the communication scholar potentially does more harm than good. Burgoon outlines the underlying assumptions which guide current research and application and then offers suggestions for more fruitful research directions.
The Critique on Natural Causality in the Mutakallimun and Nominalism

One of the most significant developments in medieval Islamic thought was the emergence in the ninth and tenth centuries of a theological reaction against some of the rationalistic and deterministic elements of Greek philosophy that had begun to influence Islamic life and thought. Alongside the assimilation of Greek ideas and the development of Arabic philosophy by al-Kindi, al-Farabi, and Avicenna, a counter-movement arose, among the Mutakallimun (speculative theologians), that rejected any attempt to view nature as a closed, eternal, and necessary system or to view God as limited by human conceptions of justice or by human free will.
Nicotinic Agonists Regulate α-Bungarotoxin Binding Sites of TE671 Human Medulloblastoma Cells

The TE671 human medulloblastoma cell line expresses a variety of characteristics of human neurons. Among these characteristics is the expression of membrane-bound high-affinity binding sites for alpha-bungarotoxin, which is a potent antagonist of functional nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on these cells. These toxin binding sites represent a class of nicotinic receptor isotypes present in mammalian brain. Treatment of TE671 cells during proliferative growth phase with nicotine or carbamylcholine, but not with muscarine or d-tubocurarine, induced up to a five-fold increase in the density of radiolabeled toxin binding sites in crude membrane fractions. This effect was blocked by co-incubation with the nicotinic antagonists d-tubocurarine and decamethonium, but not by mecamylamine or by muscarinic antagonists. Following a 10-13 h lag phase upon removal of agonist, recovery of the up-regulated sites to control values occurred within an additional 10-20 h. These studies indicate that the expression of functional nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on TE671 cells is subject to regulation by nicotinic agonists. Studies of the murine CNS have consistently indicated nicotine-induced up-regulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, thereby supporting the identification of the toxin binding site on these cells as the functional nicotinic receptor. Although a mechanism for this effect is not apparent, nicotine-induced receptor blockade does not appear to be involved.
Blind equalization and identification of nonlinear and IIR systems-a least squares approach

A deterministic approach to blind nonlinear channel equalization and identification is presented. This approach applies to nonlinear channels that can be approximately linearized by either finite memory, finite-order Volterra filters, or by a finite number of finite memory nonpolynomial nonlinearities. Both the nonlinear equalizers and the linearized channels are identified. This method also applies to blind identification of linear IIR channels. General conditions for existence and uniqueness are discussed, and numerical examples are given.
Controller for a solar heating system with an electrical backup

This paper describes the mathematical modeling and optimization of a solar heating system that stores reserve energy from the electric power network. The paper focuses on the design of a controller which minimizes use of electric energy, uses that energy at times when its cost is low, and miximizes human comfort. The objectives of the optimization scheme are (1) maximizing the use of solar energy, (2) minimizing the cost of electricity, and (3) maximizing human comfort. These are combined into an overall system performance index. A suboptimal feedback controller based on this index uses an extension of Pearson's method; it involves (1) linearizing the system about an equilibrium point which shifts with time, (2) employing on-line computer control of the linearized system, and (3) changing the control strategy frequently. Results of computer simulations show that the formulated controller acceptably achieved the design objectives. 5 figures.
Prevalence of nonclinical Moraxella bovis infections in bulls as determined by ocular culture and serum antibody titer

Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) is a widespread, highly contagious ocular disease of cattle that causes significant economic loss to the livestock industry. 1,2,8,9,15 The pathogenesis of the disease and the development of the carrier state is not completely understood. Epidemiologically, the disease is seen most commonly in young cattle, reaching epizootic proportions in late summer and autumn. Although the exact mode of transmission is unclear, the disease is probably transmitted via the ocular route and is associated with an increased prevalence of Musca domestica, M. autumnalis, and Stomxys calcitrans and increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation. 3,4,6-8 Persistence of the disease in herds is maintained by both infected animals and asymptomatic carriers, either of which may serve as carriers for periods > 1 year. 3,4,6-8,11-13 The etiologic agent of IBK is Moraxella bovis, a nonmotile diplobacillus measuring 0.5 x 1 μm. Pathogenic M. bovis strains can be distinguished from nonpathogenic strains on the basis of ,&hemolysis on blood agar and the prevalence of many pili on the cell surface. Most isolates of M. bovis contain multiple plasmids, although the function of these plasmids is not known. 16 An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for measuring IgG and IGA in serum and lacrimal secretions provided evidence that resistance to IBK can be associated with the presence of circulating antibody. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of M. bovis in asymptomatic bulls and to monitor the spread of IBK among cohorts from culture-positive cattle to sentinel cattle of unknown IBK status. One hundred sixty bulls that were presented to the Large Animal Clinic and veterinary field service units of Auburn University over a 21⁄2-year period for evaluations of various conditions unrelated to the eye were included in the study. All bulls met the following criteria: 1) free of clinical signs of IBK, 2) no antimicrobial agents received within the preceding 28 days, 3) none originated from a herd with a history of IBK during the preceding year, 4) not exposed to known infected animals during the preceding 3 months. No more than 3 bulls from the same herd were included in the study. The bulls were from 103 farms in Alabama and Georgia. Twelve different breeds were represented by 3 or more bulls. Twelve bulls had white eyes and unpigmented eyelids. One hundred twenty-two lacrimal culture and sera samples were collected from May 1 through October 31. Thirty-eight samples were collected from November 1 through April 30. One
Localization of wideband sources in colored noise VIA generalized least squares (GLS)

In this paper we present a new method for localization of wideband sources in the presence of colored noise. The optimization criterion used is an extension of conventional least-squares method known as generalized least squares (GLS). The crux of the criterion is based on covariance matching and involves its transformation that yields a more efficient and consistent estimate of the direction of arrivals (DOAs) as compared to the LS and GLS methods that are only developed in the literature for narrowband sources
Using semantic and structural properties of the UMLS to discover potential terminological relationships.

The Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) integrates knowledge from several biomedical terminologies. One of the important sources of knowledge is the set of semantic relationships asserted between the concepts derived from different source terminologies. Such integration of multiple sources of terminological knowledge can potentially enable discovery of implicit meaningful relationships between the concepts (unrelated at a given time). In this research we explore whether the existing knowledge in the UMLS in the form of semantics (types or categories) and structure (network topology) can be used to discover potential relationships. In this paper, we propose a problem-independent approach to discover potential terminological relationships by semantic abstraction of transitive relationship paths to perform classification and analyzing network theoretic measures such as topological overlap and average number of transitive paths. Using different versions of the UMLS, we evaluate the proposed approach over newly added relationships. Strong discriminative characteristics were observed with semantic abstraction based classifier (area under curve of 0.96) and average number of transitive paths (t[198]=−4.19, p<0.001) to identify potential relationships. The UMLS has sufficient knowledge to enable discovery of potential terminological relationships.
Survey and 3D Reconstruction of the St. Orso Capitals in Aosta, through Three-Focal Photogrammetry

This paper describes the methodology adopted and the results obtained during the 3D documentation of the medieval capitals of St. Orso Collegiate Church, in Aosta, for reference and digital archiving. This task has been carried out through low cost technology entirely based on digital scanning of high quality images applying stereophotogrammetric principles. This technology allows to obtain point clouds with RGB information and geometries at different levels of complexity, processing a number of images taken with a limited set of constraints, with the use of a special acquisition equipment and through an image matching algorithm. Issue in this research was to obtain the accurate 3D information required to build models of artifacts of a such heritage importance, with a high degree of complexity. In future the 3D model will contribute to create a spatial Information System which will assist conservation and restoration activities on the one hand and will be used for tourist information inside the St. Orso Collegiate Church on the other.
Task preparation in macaque monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

We investigated whether macaque monkeys possess the ability to prepare abstract tasks in advance. We trained two monkeys to use different stimulus-response (S-R) mappings. On each trial, monkeys were first informed with a visual cue which of two S-R mapping to use. Following a delay, a visual target was presented to which they would respond with a left or right button-press. We manipulated delay time between cue and target and found that performance was faster and more accurate with longer delays, suggesting that monkeys used the delay time to prepare each task in advance.
Resampling Hypothesis Tests for Autocorrelated Fields

Abstract Presently employed hypothesis tests for multivariate geophysical data (e.g., climatic fields) require the assumption that either the data are serially uncorrelated, or spatially uncorrelated, or both. Good methods have been developed to deal with temporal correlation, but generalization of these methods to multivariate problems involving spatial correlation has been problematic, particularly when (as is often the case) sample sizes are small relative to the dimension of the data vectors. Spatial correlation has been handled successfully by resampling methods when the temporal correlation can be neglected, at least according to the null hypothesis. This paper describes the construction of resampling tests for differences of means that account simultaneously for temporal and spatial correlation. First, univariate tests are derived that respect temporal correlation in the data, using the relatively new concept of “moving blocks” bootstrap resampling. These tests perform accurately for small samples ...