cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Erythromycin for the prevention of chronic lung disease in intubated preterm infants at risk for, or colonized or infected with Ureaplasma urealyticum

Background Controversy exists over whether or not Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization or infection of the respiratory tract contributes to the severity of chronic lung disease (CLD), a major cause of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. Objectives To evaluate the efficacy and safety of prophylactic or therapeutic erythromycin in preventing chronic lung disease in intubated preterm infants with unknown U. urealyticum status or proven positivity. Search methods Searches were done of MEDLINE (1966-June 9, 2003), EMBASE (1980-May 5, 2003), The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2002), previous reviews including cross-references, and abstracts of conference proceedings (Pediatric Academic Societies 2000-2003, American Thoracic Society 2001-2003). There were no language restrictions. Expert informants were contacted. Selection criteria Randomized or quasi-randomized studies comparing either prophylactic or therapeutic administration of oral or intravenous erythromycin (regardless of dose and duration) versus no treatment or placebo among intubated preterm infants <37 weeks and <2500 grams with either unknown U. urealyticum status or proven positivity by culture or polymerase chain reaction. Data collection and analysis Data were extracted by all of the authors independently and differences were resolved by consensus. Treatment effects for categorical outcomes were expressed as relative risk, with 95% confidence intervals. Main results Two small controlled studies, both involving intubated babies <30 weeks gestation, were eligible for inclusion. Lyon 1998 tested prophylactic erythromycin in babies whose U. urealyticum status was unknown at the time of initiation of treatment. Jonsson 1998 tested erythromycin in babies known to be culture positive for U. urealyticum. Neither trial showed a statistically significant effect of erythromycin on CLD, death or the combined outcome CLD or death. Because the two studies differed importantly in their design, the results were not combined in meta-analyses. No adverse effects of a 7-10 day course of erythromycin were reported in either study. Authors' conclusions Current evidence does not demonstrate a reduction in CLD/death when intubated preterm infants are treated with erythromycin prophylactically before U. urealyticum culture/PCR results are known or when Ureaplasma colonized, intubated preterm infants are treated with erythromycin. However, a true benefit could easily have been missed with the small sample sizes in the two eligible studies. The studies were greatly underpowered to detect uncommon adverse effects such as pyloric stenosis. Additional controlled trials are required to determine whether antibiotic therapy of Ureaplasma reduces CLD and/or death in intubated preterm infants.
Rate-Dependent Lowering of Surface Tension during Transformations of Water-Soluble Surfactants from Bolaform to Monomeric Structures

We report the synthesis of water-soluble, bolaform surfactants containing disulfide bonds (Br-N+(CH3)3(CH2)8SS(CH2)8N+(CH3)3Br-, 1) and measurements of the surface tensions of aqueous solutions of these surfactants during their reduction to monomeric, thiol-containing fragments (Br-N+(CH3)3(CH2)8SH, 2). Surface tensions measured during the redox-induced transformation of 1 to 2 were found to be lower, by up to 10 mN/m, as compared to surface tensions of solutions of 1 or 2. The extent of lowering of the surface tension was dependent on the rate of transformation of 1 to 2. These results and others suggest that, during the transformation of 1 to 2 at the surface of the solution, slow desorption of 2 leads to a transient accumulation of 2 at the surface of the solution and thus to low surface tensions. We believe that redox-induced transformations of surfactants may form the basis of a general principle to create low (transient) surface tensions.
Validation of Two-Fluid Simulations of a Pseudo-Two-Dimensional Bubble Column with Uniform and Nonuniform Aeration

The multiphase flow simulated in this work corresponds to the pseudo-2D bubble-column experiments at Delft University of Technology (Harteveld et al. Can. J. Chem. Eng. 2003, 81, 389−394). As in th...
Preventing Child Abuse: A Meta-Analysis of Parent Training Programs.

Objective: A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the ability of parent training programs to reduce parents’ risk of abusing a child. Method: A total of 23 studies were submitted to a meta-analy...
First Report of the Occurrence of Grapevine fanleaf virus in Washington State Vineyards

Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV; genus Nepovirus, family Comoviridae), responsible for fanleaf degeneration disease, is one of the most important viruses of grapevines worldwide (1). During our reconnaissance studies during 2007, dormant wood cuttings from individual grapevines of wine grape cv. Chardonnay were collected randomly from two geographically separate vineyards in eastern Washington State. Extracts made from cambial scrapings of these cuttings were tested separately for different viruses by single-tube reverse transcription (RT)-PCR using virus-specific primers. Two of the thirty-one grapevines in one vineyard tested positive for GLFV as mixed infection with Grapevine leafroll-associated virus (GLRaV)-3. In another vineyard, six of the twenty-six grapevines tested positive for GFLV as mixed infection with GLRaV-1, GLRaV-3, and Grapevine virus A (GVA) A forward primer (5'-ACCGGATTGACGTGGGTGAT, corresponding to nucleotides [nt] 2231-2250) and reverse primer (5'-CCAAAGTTGGTTTCCCAAGA, complementary to nt 2533-2552) specific to RNA-2 of GFLV-F13 isolate (GenBank Accession No. X16907) were used in RT-PCR assays for the detection of GFLV (4). Primers used for RT-PCR detection of GLRaV-1, GLRaV-2, and GVA were described in Martin et al (2) and Minafra et al (3). The RT-PCR results indicated mixed infection of GFLV with GLRaV-1, GLRaV-3, and GVA. To confirm the presence of GFLV, the 322-bp sequence representing a portion of the coat protein encoded by RNA-2 genomic segment was cloned into pCR2.1 (Invitrogen Corp., Carlsbad, CA). Amplicons obtained from six individual grapevines in the two vineyards were used for cloning. Three independent clones per amplicon were sequenced from both orientations. Pairwise comparison of these sequences showed 99 to 100% nucleotide sequence identity among themselves, indicating that GFLV isolates from the two vineyards may be identical. A comparison of the consensus sequence (GenBank Accession No. EU573307) with corresponding sequences of other GFLVs deposited in GenBank showed 89 to 91% identity at the nucleotide level and 95 to 99% identity at the amino acid level. However, mixed infection of GFLV with different viruses in the two vineyards suggests separate introduction of the planting material. ELISA with GFLV-specific antibodies further confirmed the presence of the virus in samples that were positive in RT-PCR. To our knowledge, this is the first report of GFLV in grapevines grown in the Pacific Northwest states of the United States. Further investigations are being carried out on the distribution, symptoms, molecular variability, and nematode vector transmission of GFLV. References: (1) P. Andret-Link et al. J. Plant Pathol. 86:183, 2004. (2) R. R. Martin et al. Plant Dis. 89:763, 2005. (3) A. Minafra et al. Arch. Virol. 142:417, 1997 (4) A. Rowhani et al. Phytopathology 83:749, 1993.
Ultra Stable High Field Superconducting Dipoles

Tolerance of superconducting magnets to beam heating can be crucial. The magnets described produce a dipole field between parallel current sheets. Images in iron extend the sheets. The field is parallel to the current sheets so that high purity aluminum spacers can extend over the full length and height of the coil. High aluminum thermal conductivity and diffusivity results in locally produced heat being dissipated into helium over a large area. All magnets show little training with complete "memory" to ~ 100% of short sample. ? induced quenching is not observed. The 2 m, 8° dipole coils do not quench at 4 T if the correcting coil is driven normal, dissipating > 1 kW. Intralayer quench propagation induced by 30 GeV protons is described. A 1 m, 6 T pulsed dipole first quenched at 5 T. Pulsing losses at 0.5 T/sec are small.
Bacteroid distributions in alfalfa nodules upon dark-induced senescence and subsequent partial rejuvenation

Photosynthate availability directly controls the maturation, senescence and distribution of bacteroids (inoculum Rhizobium meliloti 102 F28) in alfalfa (Medicago saliva L. cv. Buffalo) nodules. Mature, dinitrogen-fixing bacteroids were located principally in the middle section (region) of 6- to 8-week-old nodules in light-grown alfalfa plants. Upon dark treatment of the plants, bacteroids in the middle region of a nodule were induced to senescence while those in the tip region began to mature faster. Senescence and deterioration of bacteroids in the basal region of a nodule also were more advanced in the dark-treated plants. Sugar supplied exogenously during the dark period retarded the senescence process. Exposure of the dark-treated plants to light partially restored nitrogenase activity. The distribution of bacteroids in the rejuvenated nodules was similar to that of the light-grown plants.
Pauli Approximation in Many-Electron Atoms

The Pauli approximation for many-electron atoms is derived. This yields an unambiguous expression for the fine-structure splitting and other first-order relativistic corrections to the energy, using nonrelativistic wave functions. A formalism is developed for atoms, based on these results, which is suitable for the evaluation of the fine structure using multiconfiguration wave functions. Fine-structure splittings calculated from Hartree-Fock wave functions are presented for ground states from He through Ar; the remaining energy corrections are also presented. Multiconfiguration results are presented for the lowest $^{2}D$ and $^{2}P$ states of N, accounting for about 80% of the discrepancy between Hartree-Fock values and experimental values.
Constraint on Reproductive Output in Brachyuran Crabs: Pinnotherids Test the Rule

Brood weight and number of eggs per brood are primarily determined by female body size in brachyuran crabs. Brood weight exhibits an isometric relationship spanning more than four orders of magnitude in body weight among 33 non-pinnotherid species, with brood size being constrained to about 10% of female body weight by the space available for yolk accumulation within the cephalothorax. In contrast, two pinnotherids ( Pinnotheres ostreum, Fabiasubquadrata ) have relative brood sizes which are 66% and 97%, respectively, of body weight. The allometric constraint is circumvented in these extraordinarily large brood sizes by two pinnotherid features which allow more space for yolk accumulation. Unlike other brachyurans, their ovaries extend out of the cephalothorax into the abdomen, and calcification of their exoskeleton is greatly reduced, potentially allowing distension of the body. As in crabs, pinnotherid egg size is highly variable among species, which tends to increase the variance among species in fecundity per brood, making pinnotherid fecundities not extraordinary. Thenumber of broods produced per year in these two species is limited by short reproductive seasons, which tends to bring their annual reproductive output in line with other brachyurans. The trade-offs among reproductive variables in pinnotherids is adaptive for the small body size and parasitic niche of these species.
Surface segregation of boron in dispersion-strengthened copper

The improved yield strength of annealed dispersion-strengthened copper (DSC) over conventional oxygen-free high-conductivity copper makes it a possible candidate for use in extremely high potential gradient particle accelerator structures where stability is of critical importance. Test brazes of such structures show that the surface of DSC is not readily wetted by conventional gold-based braze alloys used for copper. Surface analyses (by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy) of samples raised to brazing temperature show the presence of boron, which diffuses to the surface and possibly interferes with the wetting process. Boron is an intentional oxygen scavenger added to the DSC during manufacture. Alumina, the primary additive in the strengthening process, is not detected on the surface.
Inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation blocks hormone-stimulated calcium influx in an insect steroidogenic gland

In the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta (M. sexta) as in other insects, ecdysone synthesis occurs in the prothoracic glands and is stimulated by the brain neuropeptide prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH). PTTH activates the prothoracic glands through the second messenger cAMP, the synthesis of which is stimulated by calcium. We previously found that the Src kinase inhibitor 4-amino-5-(4-methylphenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-D]-pyrimidine (PP1) inhibits PTTH-stimulated cAMP synthesis and ecdysone secretion. In the present study, we show that by contrast, PP1 does not block cAMP synthesis stimulated by the calcium ionophore A23187, and that PP1 augments A23187-stimulated ecdysone secretion. Hence, once glandular levels of calcium are elevated, Src family kinase activity is no longer needed for, and may actually inhibit, steroidogenesis. PP1 blocks calcium influx in PTTH-stimulated prothoracic glands, indicating that tyrosine phosphorylation by a member of the Src kinase family is required for calcium influx. These results suggest that prothoracic gland calcium channels are regulated either directly or indirectly by tyrosine phosphorylation.
A Pulse Radiolysis Study of the Reaction of the Hydrated Electron with Tert-Butyl Alcohol,

Abstract In pure tert-butyl alcohol (tBuOH) at 27°C, the upper limit for k(es-+tBuOH) is 2·5 × 104 dm3 mol–1s–1. In aquaeous solution, the upper limit for k(eaq- + tBuOH) is 104 dm3 mol–1s–1. However, solutions of commercial tBuOH used without special treatment give much higher apparent rate constants, and would be unsuitable for many experiments in which tBuOH is intended to scavenge OH radicals only. The optical absorption spectrum of es- in tBuOH is found to have λmax = 1075 nm and Gϵmax = 3·8×103 (ϵ in m2 mol–1).
Nonlinear coupling of waves in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies to tokamak trapped electron modes

The results of a theoretical study of nonlinear coupling of waves in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies (ICRF) to tokamak dissipative trapped electron modes (DTEM) via sidebands of the ICRF source wave are presented. These interactions can affect the stability of the DTEM spectrum and thus tokamak energy confinement. Explicit expressions are derived for the nonlinear growth rates of DTEM both for fast magnetosonic and ion Bernstein source waves. Fast wave coupling is found to be destabilizing for frequencies in the ICRF at low plasma ion beta, but can be stabilizing for wave frequencies well above the ion gyrofrequency (ω0≳ωciβ−1/2i). Ion Bernstein coupling can also be stabilizing or destabilizing depending on details of the source wave. Waves with ω0>ωci, k0>k, and k0 ρi≳1 appear better suited for stabilization (k0, k are the wavenumbers of the source wave, DTEM). For example, if these conditions are met and 2k0y<k (k0y is the poloidal source wavenumber), it is shown that the whole DTEM spectrum for ...
Sections, isometries, and generalized group characters

1. INTR~Duc~TIoN Let H be a subgroup of a finite group G, and D a union of conjugate classes of H. Under certain assumptions, Dade [2] has constructed a mapping CJ which carries each generalized character (i-e., difference of characters) B of H which vanishes on H - D to a generalized character & of G, and which is an isometry with respect to the usual inner products; this in&s it can be read independently of [2], since it incorporates most of the ideas of the latter. To formulate our results, let %?oVn and wH.n be the vector spaces of compIexvalued functions constant on v-sections, defined on G and H, respectively. There is a natural restriction mapping of %o,, into gHeV; we cab the mapping of VH,, into go,= which is dual to this mapping (under the usual inner products for class functions)
History of Subsection Ca: Biological Control

The Establishment of Subsection Ca coincided with the formation of the new Entomological Society of America in 1953 (JEE 1954, 47(1):195–203). However, its historical roots date back to letter written by Paul DeBach in 1948 requesting that the American Association of Economic Entomologists form a section devoted to biological control (JEE 1949, 42(1):181). This letter was read at the 1948 AAEE annual meeting in New York and discussed; no formal action was taken on the proposal until the following year.
The performance of the Container Shipping I/O system

I/O subsystems, and the APIs used to access them, have long been designed with two basic assumptions. First, I/O is performed to relatively slow disks or terminals, so processor time for I/O operations is available while waiting for devices. Second, optimization is done by guessing the user’s needs, such as a filesystem cache does by assuming locality. This traditional design causes I/O performance problems for modern devices such as video displays and high-speed networks, where the above assumptions are no longer valid. We have designed a high-performance I/O subsystem, and a uniform API through which it is accessed, that gives a user-level programmer greater control, which allows operations to be performed more efficiently, and often optimally. Speedups from 30 to over 700 percent can be demonstrated with our technique. Our API is fully uniform, and yields gains for any form of device, including disks, networks, frame buffers, and even IPC performed through the I/O system. This paper describes our implementation of this mechanism, called Container Shipping, and its measured performance for different kinds of I/O.
Vertical Motion Characteristics of Tropical Cyclones Determined with Airborne Doppler Radial Velocities

Abstract Vertical motions in seven Atlantic hurricanes are determined from data recorded by Doppler radars on research aircraft. The database consists of Doppler velocities and reflectivities from vertically pointing radar rays collected along radial flight legs through the hurricane centers. The vertical motions are estimated throughout the depth of the troposphere from the Doppler velocities and bulk estimates of particle fallspeeds. Portions of the flight tracks are subjectively divided into eyewall, rainband, stratiform, and “other” regions. Characteristics of the vertical velocity and radar structure are described as a function of altitude for the entire dataset and each of the four regions. In all of the regions, more than 70% of the vertical velocities range from −2 to 2 m s−1. The broadest distribution of vertical motion is in the eyewall region where ∼5% of the vertical motions are >5 m s−1. Averaged over the entire dataset, the mean vertical velocity is upward at all altitudes. Mean downward mot...
Ascertainment of risk factors for osteoporosis: Comparison of interview data with medical record review

To determine the accuracy of self-reported risk factors for osteoporosis, an age-stratified random sample of Rochester, MN, women was studied. Results from a structured face-to-face interview were compared with information documented in contemporary inpatient and outpatient health care records in the community. Using the kappa statistic to evaluate concordance of these two data sources, we found substantial agreement for a history of proximal femoral and distal forearm fractures, peptic ulcer disease, estrogen replacement therapy and oral contraceptive use, and cigarette and alcohol exposure. Moderate agreement was seen for histories of other age-related fractures, hysterectomy or oophorectomy, thyroidectomy, and use of thyroid supplements. Poor agreement was found for prior thyroid disease, gastrectomy, and corticosteroid or anticonvulsant use. This study demonstrates a need for greater attention to the quality of self-reported risk factor data in studies of bone loss and fractures.
Group weight and vanishing graphs

Various properties of the group weight of Feynman graphs in non-Abelian gauge theories are discussed. Infinitely many skeleton graphs with vanishing weight are exhibited for every compact Lie group. The 1/N/sup 2/ dependence of the topological expansion is related to a 1/N/sup 2/ expansion in some channels with the exchange of definite quantum numbers.
Direct numerical simulation of turbulent flows with chemical reaction

Results from full turbulence simulations incorporating the effects of chemical reaction are compared with simple closure theories and used to reveal some physical insights about turbulent reacting flows. Pseudospectral methods for homogeneous turbulent flows with constant physical and thermal properties in domains as large as 643 Fourier modes were used for these simulations. For the case of nonpremixed flows involving a two-species, second-order, irreversible chemical reaction, it is found that the scalar dissipation microscale is only a weak function of the reaction rate and that chemical reaction contributes very little to the decay of the variance of the reactant concentration. Examination of local values of the velocity and concentration fields shows that the local reaction rate is highest in regions of the greatest rates of strain and that vorticity tends to align with the reaction zone. Finally, difficulties associated with the evaluation of multipoint pdf's and with the archival of time-dependent data from the threedimensional simulations are described.
DETERMINISTIC AND NON-DETERMINISTIC ASYNCHRONOUS AUTOMATIC STRUCTURES

Following the definition of asynchronous automatic structures in [3], we define non-deterministic asynchronous automatic structures and characterize these in terms of the asynchronous fellow traveller property. We show that any group with a non-deterministic asynchronous automatic structure has an asynchronous automatic structure. Non-deterministic asynchronous automatic structures are a labor saving method of showing that a group has an asynchronous automatic structure. They also allow one to define an equivalence relation on the class of non-deterministic asynchronous automatic structures which descends to the subclasses of deterministic asynchronous automatic structures and synchronous automatic structures.
A systematic investigation to optimize simultaneous extraction and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis of estrogens and their conjugated metabolites in milk

In this study, the simultaneous extraction of estrone (E1), 17beta-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), ethinylestradiol (EE2), and their glucuronated and sulfated metabolites in milk was optimized using solid-phase extraction (SPE). The aim of this research was to analyze estrogens and their conjugated metabolites by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in a single run, without the need to perform enzymatic cleavage and derivatization. Two SPE cartridges in tandem were used, consisting of sorbents based on the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance and amine-functionalized packing materials. To monitor analyte loss at every step of the SPE procedure (14)C-labeled E2 was spiked into the milk sample and the radioactivity was monitored at all stages of the SPE. In addition, non-radiolabeled standards of estrogens and metabolites were used to optimize solvent systems for the SPE and LC-MS/MS. The optimized method described in this paper can achieve recoveries ranging from 72% to 117% for the free estrogens (E1, E2, E3, and EE2), and 62% to 112% for seven conjugated metabolites. The three doubly conjugated, highly polar metabolites included in this study gave lower recoveries (< or = 43%) due to poor retention in SPE. Finally, commercial milk samples were analyzed for the presence of estrogens and their conjugated metabolites. Estrone (concentration range: 23-67 ng/L) was found to be the major free estrogen present in all milk samples. Estradiol was consistently observed in milk, but the concentrations were below the limit of detection (LOD of 10 ng/L), and no estriol and ethinylestradiol were detected. Several conjugated estrogen metabolites were identified, 17beta-estradiol-3-glucuronide (71-289 ng/L), estrone-3-sulfate (60-240 ng/L), 17beta-estradiol-3,17beta-sulfate (< LOD to 30 ng/L), and estrone-3-glucuronide (< LOQ of 25 ng/L). This method proved efficient in the simultaneous analysis of estrogens and their metabolites in milk.
Quasispin model of itinerant magnetism: High-temperature theory

The high-temperature properties of itinerant magnetic systems are examined by using the coherent-potential approximation. We assume a local moment on each atom so that at elevated temperatures there is a number of reversed spins. The coherent potential is solved, and from that the moment on each atom is determined self-consistently. It is found that when the condition for ferromagnetic ordering is satisfied, the local moments persist even above the critical temperature. Conversely, if local moments do not exist at high temperatures, the system can at most condense into a spin-density-wave state. Furthermore, spin-flip scatterings of the conduction electrons from the local moments give rise to additional correlation not treated in the coherent-potential approximation. This correlation energy is an important part of the coupling energy of the local moments. The relations between our work and the theories of Friedel, Hubbard, and others are discussed.
UNDERSTANDING INSTITUTIONAL IMAGE

An organization's image is not a clear, concise concept but rather a set of an individual's perceptions about the institution. An educational institution has a multifaceted image that includes academic, social, political, and perhaps stylistic dimensions. We discuss the use of the semantic differential research tool to investigate one institution's image. Specifically, we explore the following questions: (1) What are the differences between the institution's desired image and current image? (2) Do various constituencies view the institution differently? If so, how do alumni perceptions differ from those of current students? Does the institution's internal image differ from its external image?
MEDICATION FOR CHILDREN WITH ATTENTION- DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER

When making assessments and planning interventions, social workers adopt a biopsychosocial perspective. One important area where biologically based treatments influence psychosocial functioning is the area of psychopharmacology. However, even though many clients take medications, social workers often feel poorly prepared to address a subject that could be very important to their clients; that subject is the meaning of the medication to the client. The meanings that clients ascribe to medication can have a significant impact on medication adherence. Using attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to illustrate, I provide an overview of ADHD and common forms of treatment, discuss the possible meanings and acceptability of stimulant treatment for ADHD, provide practice guidelines for helping families reduce ambivalence about medication, present two clinical vignettes, and suggest resources for social workers and families.
Paper chromatographic detection and colorimetric determination of some 5-O-substituted tryptamines 3-(2-amino-ethyl)indoles), utilizing the formation of xanthylium salts

Abstract A method is described which allows the rapid and precise quantitative determination, either directly in expressed plant juice, or in crude alkaloid extracts of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin), N,N-dimethyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (bufotenine), 5-methoxyxytryptamine, and N,N-dimethyl-5-methoxytryptamine in the presence of tryptophan, tryptamine, N,N-dimethyl-5-methyltryptamine, N,N-dimethyltryptamine, 3-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-indole (gramine), p -(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-phenol (hordenine), or 3-indolylacetic acid. The absorption spectra, effect of variable concentrations in the composition of the developing reagent, and conditions for the determination are reported. The concentrations of N,N-dimethyl-5-methoxytryptamine found in Phalaris tuberosa leaves are given.
Getting to Know Your Baby: Development of a 6-week Countdown Calendar for Participants in WIC Program

time for new parents, because infants feed and wake up quite frequently, and parents must adjust to meeting the needs of their new infant. This 6-week, countdown-style calendar was created to address the concerns of new parents by incorporating tips and facts about newborn infants, motivational messages, and breastfeeding support information. The calendar was distributed to pregnant women participating in the WIC program at the intervention clinics. This paper will describe the development and preliminary testing of the calendar.
Behavioral assessment of functional deficit in rats with contusive spinal cord injury

Abstract We have previously reported a method for assessing functional deficits in rats after contusive spinal cord injury in which a Combined Behavioral Score (CBS) is calculated that is indicative of the overall percent deficit (Exp. Neurol., 88: 123–134, 1985). The test battery used includes several neurologic tests as well as the Motor Score in which use of the hindlimbs in locomotion is graded. In this report we present correction criteria in order to reduce potential interlaboratory variability in assessing functional deficit by the CBS. Groups of rats were subjected to contusive injury using a weight drop technique. The calculated CBS at 4 weeks was compared to that obtained if the Motor Score was over- or underestimated by 1 grade. The results indicated a considerable effect on the calculated CBS, especially when the Motor Score was underestimated in mildly injured animals. Behavioral test data were examined in terms of the distribution of the responses to the various other behavioral tests in relation to the Motor Score. The results were used to develop a set of correction criteria that minimized the effects on the CBS of subjective errors in the Motor Score.
Stress, Strain, and Mechanotransduction in Cells

It is widely accepted that numerous cell types respond to mechanical stimuli, yet there is no general agreement as to whether particular cells respond directly to stress, strain, strain-rate, strain-energy, or other mechanical quantities. By recalling the definitions of the mathematical (not physical) concepts of stress and strain, it is suggested herein that cells cannot respond directly to these continuum metrics or to quantities derived from them--mechanistic models will need to be based on more fundamental quantities, as, for example, inter-atomic forces or conformational changes of the appropriate molecules. Nonetheless, the concepts of stress and strain should continue to play an important role in mechanobiology, both in the identification of empirical correlations and in the development of phenomenological constitutive models, each of which can contribute to our basic understanding as well as help in the design of future experiments and some clinical interventions. It is important to remember, therefore, that empirical correlations and most constitutive relations in continuum mechanics do not seek to model the actual physics--rather, their utility is in their predictive capability, which is often achieved via different relations in terms of different metrics for the same material under different conditions. Hence, with regard to quantifying cellular responses to mechanical stimuli, we must delineate between the identification of fundamental mechanisms and the formulation of phenomenological correlations, the latter of which only requires convenient metrics that need not be unique or physical.
Congruence of polynomial matrices

Abstract Let R= C [t] be the ring of all polynomials in the real variable t with complex coefficients. We show that if A is an n -square hermitian matrix with entries in R , then A is congruent to the direct sum of a zero matrix and a diagonally dominant matrix. Here, diagonally dominant means that the degree of any main diagonal entry is greater than the degree of any other entry in the same row and column.
Robust designs for ratio and regression estimation

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to introduce a class of robust designs to be used with ratio estimators and extend them to regression estimators. Robustness is to be achieved against departures from a model for which the estimator is ‘optimal’. Practical implementation of the design is indicated both for large and small samples.
Hypersonic lifting body optimization.

Lifting hypersonic configurations were optimized to produce maximum lift-drag ratios. Simplified aerodynamic equations (with Newtonian pressure and laminar skin friction proportional to the inverse root of length) were written for a generalized shape with ten degrees of geometric freedom; a numerical searching routine was employed to ascertain the optimum vehicle. Constraints of volumetric efficiency, nose-heating limit, and skin friction were imposed singly and in combination. In general, the derived configurations tended towards delta planforms when the leading-edge bluntness drag exceeded the skin-friction drag, and for the alternate situation, the planforms were trapezoidal. Geometric details of the optimal configurations are tabulated for each set of constraints. Experimental correlation of the mathematical model for the aerodynamic characteristics was obtained by conducting a wind-tunnel test at a Mach number of 14 to obtain the lift-drag ratio. The results provided confidence in the adequacy of the formulation.
Successful treatment of acute postoperative pulmonary hypertension with nifedipine

Abstract We report the successful use of nifedipine in the treatment of acute pulmonary hypertension in an infant after a cardiac operation. This patient had undergone total surgical correction of his truncus arteriosus malformation. He had signs of severe pulmonary artery hypertension unresponsive to hyperventilation, oxygenation, sedation, and a myriad of vasodilators. Nifedipine, 0.2 mg/kg every 4 hours, effectively treated his pulmonary artery hypertension and allowed for a smooth post operative course and positive outcome.
MRI appearance of surgically proven abnormal accessory anterior–inferior tibiofibular ligament (Bassett’s ligament)

A thickened accessory anterior–inferior tibiofibular ligament (Bassett’s ligament) of the ankle can be a cause of ankle impingement. Its imaging appearance is not well described. The purpose of this study was to determine if the ligament could be identified on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to determine associated abnormalities, and to determine if MRI could be used to differentiate normal from abnormal. Eighteen patients with a preoperative ankle MRI and an abnormal Bassett’s ligament reported at surgery were found retrospectively. A separate cohort of 18 patients was selected as a control population. The presence of Bassett’s ligament and its thickness were noted. The integrity and appearance of the lateral ankle ligaments, talar dome cartilage, and anterolateral gutter were also noted. In 34 of the 36 cases (94%), Bassett’s ligament was identified on MRI. The ligament was seen in all three imaging planes and most frequently in the axial plane. The mean thickness of the ligament in the surgically abnormal cases was 2.37 mm, compared with 1.87 mm in the control with a p value = 0.015 (t test). Nine of the 18 abnormal cases (50%) had talar dome cartilage lesions as a result of contact with the ligament at surgery, with only 3 cases of high-grade defects seen on MRI. Fourteen of the 18 abnormal cases (78%) had of synovitis or scarring in the lateral gutter at surgery, with only 5 cases with scarring seen on MRI. The anterior–inferior tibiofibular ligament was abnormal or torn in 8 of the 18 abnormal cases (44%) by MRI and confirmed in only 3 cases at surgery. Bassett’s ligament can be routinely identified on MRI and was significantly thicker in patients who had it resected at surgery. An abnormal Bassett’s ligament is often present in the setting of a normal anterior–inferior tibiofibular ligament. The cartilage abnormalities and synovitis associated with an abnormal Bassett’s ligament are poorly detected by conventional MRI.
Old age as a criterion for trauma team activation.

Background: Elderly trauma patients have been shown to have a worse prognosis than young patients. Age alone is not a criterion for trauma team activation (TTA). In the present study, we evaluated the role of age ≥ 70 years as a criterion for TTA. Methods: The present study was a trauma registry study that included injured patients 70 years of age or older. Patients who died in hospital, were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) within 24 hours, or had a nonorthopedic operation were assumed to benefit from TTA. Results: During a 7.5-year period, 883 elderly (≥ 70 years) trauma patients meeting trauma center criteria were admitted to our center. Overall, 223 patients (25%) met at least one of the standard TTA criteria. The mortality in this group was 50%, the ICU admission rate was 39%, and a nonorthopedic operation was required in 35%. The remaining 660 patients (75%) did not meet standard TTA criteria. The mortality was 16%, the need for ICU admission was 24%, and nonorthopedic operations were required in 19%. Sixty-three percent of patients with severe injuries (Injury Severity Score > 15) and 25% of patients with critical injuries (Injury Severity Score > 30) did not have any of the standard hemodynamic criteria for TTA. Conclusion: Elderly trauma patients have a high mortality, even with fairly minor or moderately severe injuries. A significant number of elderly patients with severe injuries do not meet the standard criteria for TTA. It is suggested that age ≥ 70 years alone should be a criterion for TTA.
Is there an age at which we should stop performing screening pap smears and mammography

Mammography is reasonable if life expectancy is at least 5 years, but screening for cervical cancer is more complex.
Towards digital video steganalysis using asymptotic memoryless detection

This paper studies the potential for passive steganalysis in correlated image frames using non-classical detection theory. In particular, an algorithm for digital video steganalysis, named MoViSteg for Motion-based Video Steganalysis, is developed that exploits the temporal correlation among individual image frames in video signals to enhance steganalysis performance. The method differs from prior art in the use of motion interpolation and non-classical asymptotic memoryless detection that we believe is well-suited for video steganalysis. Results and discussion are provide in order to demonstrate the potential of our ideas for intrusion detection in a broad class of emerging multimedia applications.
Photonic-Band-Gap Resonator Gyrotron

We report the design and experimental demonstration of a gyrotron oscillator using a photonic-band-gap (PBG) structure to eliminate mode competition in a highly overmoded resonator. The PBG cavity supports a TE(041)-like mode at 140 GHz and is designed to have no competing modes over a minimum frequency range delta omega/omega of 30% about the design mode. Experimental operation of a PBG gyrotron at 68 kV and 5 A produced 25 kW of peak power in the design mode. No other modes were observed over the full predicted operating range about the design mode. PBG cavities show great promise for applications in vacuum electron devices in the millimeter- and submillimeter-wave bands.
Spatial resolution and the geologic interpretation of martian morphology: Implications for subsurface volatiles

Viking Orbiter images of the Acheron Fossae on Mars are presented and analyzed, with an emphasis on the impact of image resolution on the interpretation. High-resolution (less than 10 m/pixel) images reveal small mounds which can be interpreted as aeolian dunes, but these features are not evident on images with resolution of 50 m/pixel or greater. Also reported are the results of a visual inspection of 527 usable high-resolution images: it is found that all of the morphological features identified can arise in the absence of subsurface volatiles.
The effect of altered drive states on the contigent negative variation (CNV) in rhesus monkeys

Abstract The contingent negative variation (CNV), a vertex-negative slow potential that occurs in the interval between two stimuli when the second is made the cue for a motor response, has been linked in the literature with psychological concepts such as drive, motivation, expectancy, attention, preparation set and conation. The CNV was studied in rhesus monkeys using epidural and subcortical platinized-platinum electrodes and long time constant, capacitor-coupled amplifiers. The study was designed to determine the effects of different levels of drive, as determined by normal diet or total deprivation of food, on the amplitude of the CNV in subjects trained to respond for a food reward. Recordings made over several months from four subjects led to the following conclusions: 1. 1. At least two independent negative slow potentials are present during the course of conditioning a task of this type; one is present over the frontal regions and the other over more central areas. The two potentials may sum to produce the CNV typically recorded at the scalp. 2. 2. The central-dominant potential decreases. in amplitude with overtraining, appearing most commonly after periods of food deprivation. The frontal-dominant potential reaches its maximal amplitude early in training and continues to be present as long as the subject maintains a high level of performance. 3. 3. The CNV is not related in any simple manner to drive. It is suggested that food deprivation acts to increase the probability of the subject's detecting the cues and subsequently making a correct response, and the frontal-dominant potential may, therefore, be the electrical sign of activation of a basic mechanism of selective attention subserved by non-specific thalamo-cortical pathways.
International Data Exchange for Geothermal Energy Power Production

During the past five years great strides have been made in the development of geothermal energy resources for electrical power production. However, the same time has seen an enormous growth in publications dealing with geothermal energy, thereby raising the question of economic data handling and dissemination. An approach to this problem is the establishment of an international data exchange cooperative program with the idea to avoid unnecessary and expensive duplication of research and development effort.
Three-dimensional stress echocardiography: the promise and limitations of volumetric imaging

Purpose of review Three-dimensional (3D) volumetric imaging has potential advantages in stress echocardiography, including the ability to provide an unlimited number of planes for analysis and more rapid acquisition than conventional two-dimensional (2D) imaging. This review focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of 3D volumetric imaging and the current and future role of the technique in stress echocardiography. Recent findings Three-dimensional volumetric imaging uniformly shortens the time required for acquisition of stress images. The success of imaging is high with pharmacologic stress but the feasibility is not established with exercise stress. The lower spatial and temporal resolution of 3D imaging and artifacts introduced by suboptimal subvolume integration are limitations of the current 3D technique. The ability to provide more planes for analysis has not been clearly shown to improve the accuracy of stress echocardiography. However, 3D imaging eliminates apical foreshortening, which is common with 2D imaging, and may improve detection of apical wall motion abnormalities. Summary In general, 3D imaging has shown rates of success and accuracy comparable to those of 2D imaging in pharmacologic stress echocardiography. Further studies are needed in larger and more heterogeneous patient populations. As improvements in 3D technology continue, successful application of the technique to exercise echocardiography is likely. Development of automated image registration, quantitative analysis techniques, and single beat acquisition is needed to fully exploit the potential of 3D imaging in the stress laboratory.
The Effect of Emotional Content on Visual Recognition Memory: A PET Activation Study

Abstract The emotional content of stimuli can enhance memory for those stimuli. This process may occur via an interaction with systems responsible for perception and memory or via the addition of distinct brain regions specialized for emotion which augment mnemonic processing. We performed an15O PET study to identify neuroanatomical systems which encode visual stimuli with strong negative emotional valence compared to stimuli with neutral valence. Subjects also performed a recognition memory task for these same images, mixed with distracters of similar emotional valence. The experimental design permitted us to independently test effects of emotional content and recognition memory on regional activity. We found activity in the left amygdaloid complex associated with the encoding of emotional stimuli, although this activation appeared early in the scanning session and was not detectable during recognition memory. Visual recognition memory recruited the right middle frontal gyrus and the superior anterior cingulate cortex for both negative and neutral stimuli. An interaction occurred between emotional content and recognition in the lingual gyrus, where greater activation occurred during recognition of negative images compared to recognition of neutral images. Instead of distinct neuroanatomical systems for emotion augmenting memory, we found that emotionally salient stimuli appeared to enhance processing of early sensory input during visual recognition.
Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors Show Serotype Specific Transduction of Equine Joint Tissue Explants and Cultured Monolayers

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) receptors range from heparan sulfate proteoglycan to sialic acid moieties present on cell surfaces. Abundance of the glycan profiles is greatly influenced by animal species, cell type, and culture conditions. The objective of this study was to determine whether AAV serotypes' transduction efficiencies specifically in the equine monolayer culture model are an accurate representation of transduction efficiencies in tissue explants, a model more closely related to in vivo transduction. It was found that AAV 2 and 2.5 transduced cells more efficiently in explants than in monolayers. Through experiments involving assessing enzyme degradation of cell surface proteoglycans, this change could not be attributed to differences in the extra cellular matrix (ECM), but a similar change in AAV 5 transduction efficiency could be readily explained by differences in cell surface sialylated glycan. Unexpectedly it was found that in a small but diverse sample of horses evidence for serum neutralizing antibodies was only found to AAV 5. This suggests a unique relationship between this capsid and the equine host or an unresolved relationship between similar bovine AAV and the AAV 5 capsid immune response.
Optical Imaging with Frequency-Dependent Spectral-Density Functions

In this investigation, the quasimonochromatic condition is not assumed, and the spectral-density function of the radiation depends on frequency as well as on positions. We discuss various models for the impulse-response function of the optical system, and examine the results in temporal-frequency space. We approximate the integration by employing the method of steepest descent. An explicit relation of the mutual coherence function and the spectral-density function of the source is established with some correction factors that differ from the results of the quasimonochromatic approximation.