cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mucosal brush biopsy of the oral cavity to detect local, peanut-specific immunoglobulin E

Background This study compares the ability of mucosal brush biopsy (MBB) from 2 separate locations in the oral cavity to detect peanut-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) in patients who report adverse oral cavity reactions when ingesting peanuts. Methods Twenty patients who reported a history of oral cavity itching or swelling when ingesting peanuts underwent either MBB of the dorsal tongue (n = 10) or the vestibule (n = 10). Serum testing for total and peanut-specific IgE, using standard immunofluorescent assay, was obtained for all patients. Total and specific IgE for each location were compared. Additionally, the correlation between MBB and peanut-specific IgE on serum was determined using Fisher's exact probability testing. Results Peanut-specific IgE was detected in 3 of 10 (30%) MBB specimens from the dorsal tongue and in 10 of 10 (100%) MBB specimens from the vestibule. The mean peanut-specific IgE on MBB (kU/L) in the dorsal tongue group was 0.03 vs 0.17 in the vestibule group (p = 0.0002). No significant association was noted for peanut-specific IgE between MBB and serum testing (p = 1.0). Conclusion This study demonstrates for the first time that peanut-specific IgE can be detected using MBB in the oral cavity of patients who are symptomatic when consuming peanuts. The vestibule was a superior location compared to the dorsal tongue for oral cavity MBB, correlating very well with self-reported symptoms. Peanut-specific IgE on MBB overall did not correlate well with serum testing for peanut-specific IgE.
Macrophage interaction with very-low-density lipoproteins results in triacylglycerol-enriched smooth muscle cells

Abstract Macrophage-conditioned medium containing very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and its effects on smooth muscle cell triacylglycerol metabolism was investigated. Macrophages exposed to VLDL from normolipemic rats accumulated high levels of intracellular triacylglycerol, while similarly treated smooth muscle cells showed only slight changes. Medium, initially composed of VLDL and albumin, contained substantial levels of free fatty acids after exposure to macrophages. In the presence of albumin, the loss of VLDL triacylglycerol from the medium and the appearance of medium free fatty acids was consistent with a precursor-product relationship. The extent of medium fatty acid accumulation was dependent on the length of time of incubation with macrophages and was proportional to the concentration of VLDL and albumin added to the culture dish. This macrophage-conditioned medium, when given to smooth muscle cells, promoted a 6–12-fold increase in smooth muscle cell triacylglycerol levels over that produced by fresh VLDL and albumin. Similar increases in cell triacylglycerol levels could be produced using fresh medium approximating the oleate concentration and the fatty acid to albumin molar ratios found in macrophage-conditioned medium. In macrophage-conditioned medium with VLDL but without albumin, little free fatty acid was found. Other factors produced by macrophages did not seem to affect the metabolism of VLDL by smooth muscle cells since, in the absence of albumin, media with VLDL caused comparable responses in smooth muscle cell triacylglycerol accumulation whether or not the medium was previously exposed to macrophages. Thus, the minor changes in triacylglycerol content in smooth muscle cells promoted by medium containing VLDL and albumin were substantially enhanced by a prior exposure of the medium to macrophages, primarily due to the free fatty acids present in the macrophage-conditioned medium.
Níveis de suplementação com lactose na dieta de leitões desmamados

Foram comparados quatro niveis de inclusao de lactose (0, 7, 14 e 21%) na dieta pre-inicial de leitoes desmamados aos 21 dias de idade, com o objetivo de definir qual o melhor nivel de lactose para a dieta de desmame nesta idade. As dietas experimentais foram fornecidas do dia do desmame ate 14 dias apos e os leitoes foram acompanhados ate o final da fase de creche, aos 35 dias apos o desmame. O ganho de peso diario (GPD) e o consumo de racao diario (CRD) de 0 a 14 dias apos o desmame aumentaram linearmente (P<0,002, Y=151+3,26X e P<0,0002, Y=247+4,04X, respectivamente), enquanto a conversao alimentar (CA) reduziu linearmente (P<0,08, Y=1,73-0,011X), com o aumento dos niveis de lactose na dieta. No periodo total de creche (0 a 35 dias), o GPD e o ganho de peso total (GPT) aumentaram linearmente (P<0,14, Y=339+6X, Y=11,86+0,23X, respectivamente), com o aumento dos niveis de lactose. O peso medio dos leitoes aos 14 (PM14), 28 (PM28) e 35 (PM35) dias apos o desmame tambem elevou-se linearmente (P<0,006, Y=9,90+0,027X, P<0,08, Y=17,06+0,024X e P<0,14, Y=19,81+0,223X), em consequencia do aumento dos niveis de lactose na dieta. Foi concluido que a suplementacao da dieta com lactose nas duas primeiras semanas apos o desmame melhorou o desempenho de leitoes desmamados aos 21 dias de idade. A definicao do melhor nivel de inclusao de lactose nas dietas de desmame dependera de uma avaliacao do custo adicional desta suplementacao em relacao ao ganho obtido no desempenho.
Precipitation and characterization of colloidal copper hydrous oxide sols

Abstract The results of aging at 25 and 75°C solutions containing copper(II) nitrate, copper(II) sulfate, and copper(II) nitrate and potassium phosphate mixtures are presented in the form of log copper salt concentration-pH domains, which delineate the solubility and various precipitation regions. Depending on the conditions used, the solid phase which separates from solution consists either of copper(II) hydroxide, complex basic salts, or copper(II) oxide, CuO. The particle size and shape characteristics in each precipitation region were determined by electron microscopy. A number of copper(II) hydrous oxide sols were purified and restabilized and their electrophoretic mobilities and stability were measured as a function of pH and electrolyte concentration. The sols have a zero point of charge at approximately pH 5. At high pH the particles are sufficiently strongly negatively charged to give a stable sol. The presence of surfactants during the precipitation and aging processes has a marked effect on the properties of the sols produced.
Supported Lipid Bilayers at the Air-Water Interface: A Comprehensive Mechanistic Study of the Cyclic Peptoid Ml 2-6 on Model Bacteria Membrane Systems

In this investigation, three complimentary experimental techniques including atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray reflectivity (XR), and epiflourescence microscopy (EFM) were employed to determine the mechanism of action of the antimicrobial cyclic peptoid ML2-6 on model mammalian and bacteria membrane systems. Mammalian and bacterial membranes were mimicked with Langmuir monolayers and supported bilayers both at solid support and at the air-water interface. We introduce a novel approach in which octadecyltrimethoxysilane (OTMS) supported lipid bilayers are used to mimic mammalian and bacterial membranes, which can be probed with X-ray scattering at the air-water interface. ML2-6 was found to be active on all bacteria membrane models, which was deduced by morphological changes observed from AFM and EFM images following the introduction of the peptoid into the system. In addition, XR revealed changes in film thickness and electron-density profile after the addition of ML2-6, consistent with peptoid insertion into phosphatidyl-glycerol (PG) lipid headgroup in both monolayer and bilayer mimics. Conversely, ML2-6 was found to be inactive on all mammalian membrane models investigated, which was concluded form the lack of morphological changes observed from AFM and EFM images when the peptoid was introduced into the system. Furthermore, XR revealed little change in DPPC/Cholesterol film thickness and electron-density profile after the addition of ML2-6. This suggests that ML2-6 may exhibit potential as an antibacterial agent with low cytoxicity to mammalian host cells.
Temperature Dependence of the Rate Constant and Product Distribution of the Reaction of CH3 Radicals with O(3P) Atoms

The kinetics and product distribution for the reaction of methyl radicals, CH3, with ground-state, O(3P) oxygen atoms, have been investigated at temperatures up to 925 K and at constant bath gas (He) concentrations of about 3.2 × 1016 cm-3. With a photoionization/time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOFMS) as an analytical tool, precursor species, reactants, and products were observed simultaneously. The radicals were produced by an excimer laser pulse (λ = 193 nm), in the cophotolysis of acetone, CH3C(O)CH3 and sulfur dioxide, SO2. In addition to the dominant product, formaldehyde (CH2O), carbon monoxide (CO) was detected as the only other main product. The yields for both products were found to be independent of temperature with values of ΦCH3+O(CH2O) = 0.84 ± 0.12 (2σ) and ΦCH3+O(CO) = 0.15 ± 0.06 (2σ). However, the overall rate constant for this reaction shows a slight increase with temperature with kCH3+O = (2.4 ± 0.3) × 10-10 exp(-(202 ± 60) K/T) cm3 molecule-1 s-1 between T = 354 and 925 K at [He] = 3...
Regulation of [35S]t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate binding sites in rat brain by GABA, pyrethroid and barbiturate.

Abstract GABA regulates the binding of [35S]t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([35S]TBPS) within the GABA receptor-ionophore complex by decreasing the rate of radioligand association and increasing the rate of dissociation but in different ways for the EDTA/water-dialyzed rat brain membranes and a solubilized prepration obtained on treatment with the zwitterionic detergent CHAPS. In the membranes, GABA at 0.3−1 μM is a non-competitive inhibitor of [35S]TBPS binding, affecting the density of binding sites but not the affinity of the receptor, while at 5 μM both the apparent density and affinity are significantly decreased. On treatment with CHAPS the solubilized preparation and the corresponding pallet fraction become less sensitive to GABA which even at 5 μM acts only as a non-competitive inhibitor. CHAPS solubilization decreases the sensitivity of the receptor-[35S]TBPS complex to GABA-induced dissociation. GABA at micromolar levels also greatly influences the action of compounds within the TBPS domain, facilitating and modulating displacement of [35S]TBPS from EDTA/water-dialyzed membranes by the α-cyanopyrethroid cypermethrin and the barbiturate 5-(1′,3′-dimenthylbutyl)-5-ethylbarbiturate. Large differences in the Hill numbers indicate that different mechanisms may be involved in GABA modulation of the pyrethroid and barbiturate sites. In contrast, GABA does not effect [35S]TBPS displacement by photoheptachlor epoxide which acts directly at the TBPS binding site.
X-ray diffraction study of thermal vacancies in solid helium-3

Abstract Thermal vacancy concentrations in solid 3 He have been directly measured by x-rays over a wide range of molar volumes in the bcc phase and one molar volume in the hcp phase. Values of the vacancy free energies and free volumes of formation have been obtained, and comparison with NMR and ultrasonic studies yields information about vacancy motion in the two phases of the solid.
Fixation of the vaginal apex to the coccygeous fascia during repair of vaginal vault eversion with enterocele

Abstract Objective: This study was undertaken to compare the effectiveness of fixation of the vaginal apex to the coccygeus fascia with fixation to the sacrospinous ligament during surgical repair of vaginal vault eversion with enetrocele. Study design: The records of 121 patients with postheysterectomy vaginal vault eversion with enterocele treated by the author between 1983 and 1994 were reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative symptoms and findings on pelvic examination and postoperative recovery were compared in patients undergoing sacrospinous ligament suspensino and coccygeus fascial suspension. Statistical analysis was performed with χ 2 analysis and Kaplan-Meier life tables. Results: Eighty-one patients underwent fixation to the coccygeus fascia and 30 underwent sacrospinous ligament suspension. The two groups are similar for clinical history, symptoms, and findings on pelvic examination. Ten patients, underwent an abdominal sacral colpopexy for specific indications and are not comparable. The incidence of postoperative complications and length of hospital stay were similar for the two vaginal procedures. Patients with coccygeus fascial suspension have a projected 96% cure rate at 2 years compared with an 80% cure rate for patients with a sacrospinous ligament suspension. Consclusion: Bilateral vaginal vault suspension to the coccygeus fascia is a safe, simple, and effective technique in the management of vaginal vault eversion with eneterocele.
Evidence of high stability of the glucose transport carrier function in human red cell ghosts extensively washed in various media

In an attempt to extract selectively the glucose transport carrier without grossly disrupting the diffusion barrier, human red cell ghosts were prepared and repeatedly washed in solutions of varying solute compositions, ionic strengths, pH values, and divalent cation contents. Ghosts so treated released 99.98% of their cellular hemoglobin but also were shown to have lost 50–75% of their nonhemoglobin membrane protein and to have suffered moderate damage to their membrane diffusion barrier, as measured by a 10- to 50-fold increase in permeability to mannitol. In spite of these profound insults to the original red cell, such ghosts retained a capacity for carrier-mediated glucose flux comparable to that of the intact red cell. Such refractoriness to attempts to extract the carrier, during procedures which remove other presumably membrane-related components and functions to a significant extent, suggests that the glucose carrier function is subserved by a component of the fundamental structural integrity of the membrane, presumably located in the hydrophobic core of the membrane.
Lymphangiography and Bone Scan in the Study of Lymphangiomatosis

Lymphangiomatosis is a rare congenital systemic lymphatic malformation involving multiple bones and other sites. A 12-year old boy with lymphangiomatosis was studied with lymphangiography and bone scan. Lymphangiogram demonstrated irregular pooling of contrast medium in both the mediastinal tumor and bones. Bone scan also revealed increased activity in areas which were not demonstrated radiographically.
Evaluation of the role of polymorphonuclear leukocytes on contractile function in myocardial reperfusion injury. Evidence for plasma-mediated leukocyte activation.

BACKGROUNDIt has been hypothesized that chemotaxis and activation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) occur upon reperfusion of ischemic myocardium. Questions remain, however, regarding the mechanisms by which PMNs are chemotaxed and activated and how this process causes contractile failure.METHODS AND RESULTSStudies were performed in an isolated rat heart model in which the effects of isolated cellular or humoral factors could be studied. Isolated rat hearts were perfused by the method of Langendorff, subjected to 20 minutes of global ischemia, and reperfused with perfusate alone or with perfusate containing PMNs, plasma, PMNs plus plasma, or PMNs plus inactivated plasma (preheated to 56 degrees C for 30 minutes to denature complement) (n = 10 in each group). Left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) was measured during 1 minute of preischemic control infusion and on reflow after a 20-minute period of global ischemia. Additional measurements of free-radical generation were also performed on the coron...
Effective writing in mathematical statistics

Care should be taken in the writing of papers in mathematical statistics for two reasons. First this enhances a paper’s chances to be accepted for publication in a top journal. Second the contributions of a paper will reach a wider audience if the main ideas are easily accessible. This paper gives suggestions for improvement in two directions: presentation of mathematics and organization of papers.
Micropatterning of three-dimensional electrospun polyurethane vascular grafts.

Abstract The uniform alignment of endothelial cells inside small-diameter synthetic grafts can be directed by surface topographies such as microgrooves and microfibers to recapitulate the flow-induced elongation and alignment of natural endothelium. These surface micropatterns may also promote directional migration and potentially improve anastomotic ingrowth of endothelial cells inside the synthetic grafts. In this paper, we developed electrospinning and spin casting techniques to pattern the luminal surface of small-diameter polyurethane (PU) grafts with microfibers and microgrooves, respectively, and evaluated endothelial cell orientation on these surface micropatterns. Tracks of circumferentially oriented microfibers were generated by electrospinning PU onto a mandrel rotated at high velocity, whereas longitudinal tracks of microgrooves were generated by spin casting PU over a rotating poly(dimethylsiloxane) mold. We found that both PU grafts possessed longitudinal Young’s moduli in the range of 0.43 ± 0.04 to 2.00 ± 0.40 MPa, comparable with values obtained from native artery. Endothelial cells seeded onto the grafts formed confluent monolayers with individual cells exhibiting elongated morphology parallel to the micropatterns. The cells were phenotypically similar to natural endothelium as assessed by the expression of the endothelial cell-specific marker, vascular endothelial cell cadherin. In addition, the cells were also responsive to stimulation with the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α as assessed by the inducible expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1. These results demonstrate that our micropatterned PU grafts possessed longitudinal Young’s moduli in the same range as native vascular tissue and were capable of promoting the formation of aligned and cytokine-responsive endothelial monolayers.
Association of anti-donor HLA class I antibodies with early coronary transplant vasculopathy

3 cases due to in-stent stenosis from excessive granulation tissue. The mean time to in-stent stenosis was 188 days. Stent migration into the mediastinum occurred in 1 patient, requiring replacement with a wider, longer stent. Two patients required repeat insertion of SEMS after removal, due to severe bronchomalacia. The mean time between stent replacements was 38 days. Conclusion: In patients with high-grade BD SEMS offers prospects for successful outcome. SEMS are known to be associated with significant granulation tissue formation. In our opinion this property of SEMS provides a platform for healing of dehiscence and in time, peribronchial soft-tissue support grows in to cover the defect allowing stent removal.
Physiologic evidence for descending tryptaminergic pathways in the spinal cord.

Abstract LSD was more effective in facilitating the flexor reflex in the chronic than in the acute spinal dog. On the other hand, 1 -tryptophan produced a significant facilitation of the flexor reflex in the acute spinal dog but not in the chronic spinal dog. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that there are long descending tryptaminergic axons which have the capacity of converting tryptophan to tryptamine and releasing it in the vicinity of post-synaptic facilitatory receptors which degenerate in the chronic spinal dog.
The Use of MACSYMA for Solving Elliptic Boundary Value Problems

A boundary method is presented for the solution of elliptic boundary value problems. An approach based on the use of complete systems of solutions is emphasized. The discussion is limited to the Dirichlet problem, even though the present method can possibly be adapted to treat other boundary value problems.
Farinograph Responses for Wheat Flour Dough Fortified with Wheat Gluten Produced by Cold-Ethanol or Water Displacement of Starch

ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to identify and define mixing characteristics of gluten-fortified flours attributable to differences in the method for producing the gluten. In these studies, a wheat gluten concentrate (W-gluten) was produced using a conventional process model. This model applied physical water displacement of starch (dispersion and screening steps), freeze-drying, and milling. W-gluten was the reference or “vital” gluten in this report. An experimental W-concentrate was produced using a new process model. The new model applied coldethanol (CE) displacement of starch (dispersion and screening steps), freeze-drying, and milling. Freeze-drying was used to eliminate thermal denaturation and thereby focus on functional changes due only to the separation method. The dry gluten concentrates were blended with a weak, low-protein (9.2%), soft wheat flour and developed with water in a microfarinograph. We found that both water and cold-ethanol processed gluten successfully increased the...
Olive removal with pneumatic branch shaker and abscission chemical

Abstract This study involves designing a branch shaker operating with an air compressor and its application for harvesting olives. Fruit detachment force (FDF) and fruit weight ( W ) were measured and hence the changes in the percentage of removed fruits with shaking were determined at different maturity times. During the harvesting season, two sets of experiments were conducted to test the shaker in the removal of Halhali cultivar olives ( Olea europaea L.) with and without application of abscission chemical (ethrel). Experiments were also carried out to determine the effect of the chemical on fruit detachment force, fruit weight, and mechanical harvesting efficiency. Shaking tests showed that the removal percentage of olives without chemical application was lower than 50%. However, application of abscission chemical reduced the FDF/ W ratio and thus increased the removal percentage of olives. The lowest fruit detachment force and the highest fruit removal (96%) were obtained by employing a frequency of 24 Hz and 12.5 mL/L concentration of abscission chemical with constant amplitude of 60 mm. Moreover, it was found that the fruit removal efficiency increases with decreasing olive detachment forces.
Lightweight energy prediction framework for solar-powered wireless sensor networks

This research studies lightweight energy prediction filters for solar-powered wireless sensor networks. A generalized prediction filter is developed from the empirical analysis of several solar intensity datasets. The Array of Beta Coefficients (ABC) energy prediction filter is proposed. A comparison metric is also proposed to evaluate different filters based on their accuracy, storage requirements, and calculation complexity. Simulation results show that the ABC filter has up to 8-fold accuracy improvement over other published filters.
PEGASUS: an information mining system for TV news videos

In this paper, we present the PEGASUS system. PEGASUS is an integrated news video search system with three major components: (1) user interface, where users can formulate search queries and browse the returned results; (2) server, which takes the queries from user interface, performs the searches and ranks the search results before returns them to the users; (3) data storage, which is composed of feature indexing system and video database. The PEGASUS system has the capability to allow users to perform fast multi-modality video search using video features, including features from both audio and visual portions of the videos. To search a target topic, the user first submits an initial query using the prior knowledge on the topic. Then, through a series of relevance feedback processes, a set of relevant video shots are returned by the system to the user. The user is able to further view the results using the video-on-demand (VoD) functionality of the system. The system has been constructed using over 45,000 news video shots, and it is available online of public access.
Basic FGF and TGF-β differentially modulate integrin expression of human microvascular endothelial cells☆

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) are known to alter the migratory and proliferative capacity of endothelial cells in vitro and to stimulate angiogenesis in vivo. One mechanism by which these cytokines induce their effects may be through the regulation of integrin adhesion receptor expression and activity. We examined the ability of these growth factors to modulate the expression of specific integrins in human microvascular endothelial cells (MEC). Immunoprecipitation of metabolically labeled MEC showed that bFGF upregulated the biosynthesis of α2, α5, β1,and β3. bFGF induced an increase in the levels of mRNA for α2 and β1. TGF-β increased synthesis of α2, α5, and β1. These results suggest that bFGF and TGF-β selectively alter integrin profiles and influence interactions of MEC with the extracellular matrix during neovascularization. In particular, the upregulation of the collagen/laminin receptor, α2β1, by bFGF may provide activated endothelial cells with an enhanced capacity to migrate through both their underlying basement membrane and the interstitial matrix.
Molecular Aspects of Calcium Binding in NCAD12

Cadherins are calcium dependent,transmembrane proteins, which mediate cell-cell adhesion through homophilic interactions. They play a fundamental role in embryogenesis and tissue morphogenesis. The primary structure of cadherins comprises five extracellular domains, a transmembrane segment, and a conserved C-terminal cytoplasmic region, which interacts with the cytoskeleton through catenins. It has been known that cadherins require calcium binding at the interfaces of the extracellular domains for cell adhesion and for protection from proteases. Recent literature has proposed that binding of three calcium ions (Ca1, Ca2 and Ca3) at the domain interfaces causes a conformational change, a “closed” to “open” transition, in the extracellular domain 1, which leads to cell-cell adhesion. However, to date, no solution studies have demonstrated the conformational change upon calcium binding. Despite the important function of calcium binding in cadherin mediated cell adhesion, the characteristics of calcium binding are still unclear .In order to determine the molecular aspects of binding of Ca1, Ca2 and Ca3 in cell adhesion, a comprehensive study of the calcium binding properties is required. Our work focuses on the first two-extracellular domains of neural cadherin (NCAD12). We mutated an essential residue D134 for the binding of Ca3 in NCAD12 wild type. We used Circular dichroism and Fluorescence spectroscopy in order to obtain global and local information of conformational change on calcium binding to NCAD12 wild type and D134A. These studies were repeated with a mutant, D136N, designed to probe the cooperativity between calcium binding sites.Spectroscopic and proteolytic footprinting studies of NCAD12 wild type, D134A and D136N show that these proteins behave differently in presence of calcium. The mutations significantly lowered the stability and increased protease sensitivity in the presence of calcium. These preliminary results imply that binding of Ca3 is a critical step in conformational change.
Reliability and accuracy of the endoscopic appearance in the identification of aberrant crypt foci.

Background Aberrant crypt foci (ACF) have emerged as a putative precursor to colorectal adenoma, with potential use as a biomarker of colorectal cancer. However, there are wide differences in ACF prevalence, dysplasia, and histologic confirmation rates across studies. These differences may, in part, be because of variability in identification of endoscopic criteria. Objective To systematically evaluate the accuracy and reliability of various endoscopic criteria used to identify ACF when using magnification chromoendoscopy (MCE). Design Images obtained via MCE were shown to participating endoscopists who diagnosed them as ACF or not and who assessed them for the endoscopic characteristics used to identify ACF in the literature. Main Outcome Measurements The predictive ability of the endoscopic criteria (crypt number, staining, margin, crypt size, epithelial thickness, and lumen shape) for histologic confirmation of ACF, and their reliability across endoscopists. The accuracy of the examiners in identifying ACF that were histologically confirmed was also assessed. Results The interrater agreement rate for all except one of the endoscopic criteria (crypt number) was low and did not improve with training. None of the criteria could significantly predict histologic confirmation of ACF. Despite training exercises, accuracy of endoscopists to correctly identify a histologically proven ACF remained low. Limitations Still images with ×40 optical magnification were analyzed rather than real-time endoscopy. All ACF samples were hyperplastic; none were dysplastic. Conclusions No endoscopic criteria evaluated by our study predicted histologic confirmation of ACF. MCE had low accuracy and poor reliability.
Community participation based on three-dimensional simulation models

Abstract Three-dimensional models are shown to be useful tools for enabling communities to participate in the design process, by discovering preferences and other information pertinent to the design of new environments. Faced with the problem of investigating the concepts related to house and settlement form of a mainly illiterate third-world population, the author developed and used various modelling techniques. These elicit a wealth of information, opinion and attitudes that even observation and in-depth interviews do not disclose. A house modelling apparatus was developed as a research tool to enable people to model their desired house and thus discover their preferences. This apparatus is now widely used in Southern Africa, particularly in self-help projects as a means by which participants can design their own homes. Various modelling techniques are discussed; why they were developed, the form they take and the type of information they generate, with emphasis on the usefulness of this information in the design process.
Comparison of the trabecular and cortical tissue moduli from human iliac crests

The purpose of this study was to design a method to produce and test mechanically microspecimens of trabecular and cortical tissue from human iliac crests, and compare their measured moduli. Rectangular beam specimens were prepared on a low-speed diamond blade saw and a miniature milling machine. The final specimen dimensions ranged from approximately 50-200 microns for base and height. The modulus of each specimen was measured using three-point bending tests across a span length of 1.04 mm and performed at a constant rate of displacement. A subset of specimens was recovered for a radiographic estimation of degree of mineralization. The results showed the mean trabecular tissue modulus of all iliac crest specimens to be 3.81 GPa, whereas cortical tissue specimens averaged 4.89 GPa. This was a significant difference according to a two-way analysis of variance that controlled for differences between donors. No strong correlations were found between modulus and mineral density. Future investigations that consider other microstructural characteristics and their contributions to modulus, and specimen size effects, are indicated.
Near horizon conformal symmetry and black hole entropy

Near an event horizon, the action of general relativity acquires a new asymptotic conformal symmetry. For two-dimensional dilaton gravity, this symmetry results in a chiral Virasoro algebra, and Cardy's formula for the density of states reproduces the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy. This lends support to the notion that black hole entropy is controlled universally by conformal symmetry near the horizon.
Health Care Reform and the Primary Care Workforce Bottleneck

To establish and sustain the high-performing health care system envisioned in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), current provisions in the law to strengthen the primary care workforce must be funded, implemented, and tested. However, the United States is heading towards a severe primary care workforce bottleneck due to ballooning demand and vanishing supply. Demand will be fueled by the “silver tsunami” of 80 million Americans retiring over the next 20 years and the expanded insurance coverage for 32 million Americans in the ACA. The primary care workforce is declining because of decreased production and accelerated attrition. To mitigate the looming primary care bottleneck, even bolder policies will be needed to attract, train, and sustain a sufficient number of primary care professionals. General internists must continue their vital leadership in this effort.
Fast fine-pixel aerial image calculation in partially coherent imaging by matrix representation of modified Hopkins equation

A fast computation algorithm for fine-pixel aerial images is presented that modifies the transmission cross coefficient approach of Hopkins as a product of two matrices. The spatial frequency of the image is calculated by the sum of diagonal and off-diagonal elements of the matrix. Let N, NF, and M be the number of the point sources, the sampling number for fast Fourier transform, and the sampling number in the spatial frequency domain ranging twice the pupil size, respectively. The calculation time of this method is proportional to BN[(M−1)/2]4, while that of a conventional source integration method is 2ANNFlog2NF, where A and B are constants and generally B<A. If NF is sufficiently greater than M or M is small enough, which is the fine-pixel condition, this method runs faster than the source integration method. If the coherence factor is 0.9 and M≤55, this method runs faster than the source integration even under the Nyquist sampling condition.
Computers in hospital management and improvements in patient care—new trends in the United States

This article discusses the current state of informations systems in hospital management. Decision Support Systems (DSS) for the management, administrative and patient care units of the hospital are described. These DSS's include market planning, nurse scheduling and blood screening systems. Trends for future uses of information systems in the hospital environment are addressed.
The Real Cost of Software Errors

Software is no longer creeping into every aspect of our lives - it's already there. In fact, failing to recognize just how much everything we do depends on software functioning correctly makes modern society vulnerable to software errors.
Meta-analysis of the effects of ractopamine hydrochloride on carcass cutability and primal yields of finishing pigs

The objective was to summarize previous literature, using a meta-analysis approach, on the effects of ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) when fed at doses of 5 to 10 mg/kg for up to 35 d before harvest on carcass cutability and belly quality of finishing pigs. The meta-analysis provided an opportunity to determine the consensus of previously published literature. Ten studies were evaluated to determine cutting yields and 8 studies were used to determine belly quality in this review. Pooled dietary RAC concentrations (5 mg/kg, 7.4 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and step-up feeding programs) and pooled feeding durations (up to 35 d before harvest) were compared with pigs not fed RAC (controls) and were analyzed as a meta-analysis using the mixed procedure of SAS. Ractopamine inclusion was the fixed effect in the model and the individual study was considered a random variable. The only difference between RAC and control pigs for whole primals as a percentage of side weight was the whole ham (P < 0.01). No other differences were detected for whole primals as a percentage of side weight. Yet, differences were detected in the standardized trimmed primal yields. A difference (P < 0.05) in percentages of the side weight was detected for the Boston butt, trimmed loin, and trimmed ham. This translated into RAC pigs having a carcass cutting yield (74.70% vs. 73.69%, respectively; P = 0.02; SED = 0.33) advantage of 1.01% units and a bone in lean cutting yield (61.43% vs. 60.33%, respectively; P = 0.03; SED = 0.40) advantage of 1.10% units when compared with control pigs. The advantage in bone-in cutability was a result of increased boneless sub primal yields in each of the lean cuts (shoulder, loin, and ham). When further evaluated, RAC pigs had a boneless shoulder (Boston butt + picnic) yield advantage of 0.32% units (P < 0.01; SED = 0.11), a 0.43% unit (P = 0.01; SED = 0.13) yield advantage in the boneless loin (Canadian back + tenderloin + sirloin), and a 0.51% unit (P < 0.001; SED = 0.11) advantage in the boneless ham (inside + outside + knuckle). A boneless yield was calculated using a summation of the percentage of side weight from the boneless shoulder, boneless loin, and boneless ham, which resulted in a 1.08% unit (36.28% vs. 35.20%, respectively; P = 0.002; SED = 0.25) advantage of RAC pigs when compared with control pigs. There were no subprimal yield differences (P = 0.93) in the trimmed belly between RAC pigs (12.18%) and control pigs (12.18%). However, RAC pigs (15.27 cm; 73.42) had narrower flop distances (P = 0.02; SED = 0.62) and greater iodine values (P = 0.01; SED = 0.33), respectively, when compared with control pigs (17.08 cm; 71.48).
AN EFFICIENT DATA MODEL FOR LARGE SCALE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS

The emphasis on transportation for urban, suburban and interstate systems has brought about a need for reconsidering the types of models which are used for such systems. Two primary problems appear to be common in most large‐scale applications involving the amount of data and the time required to use the model as part of a real‐time system. The systems considered are traffic systems which can be classically modeled using vertices and edges to form a static network over which a vehicle or vehicles are to be routed. The problem that is solved is one of developing a model to be used for the storage of the connection and/or cost information of the system.
On strong product integration

Abstract Product integration is defined for a very general class of bounded-operator-valued functions on a Banach space X. Previous assumptions of continuity or Riemann-integrability of such functions are not needed. Properties of the product integral in the new setting are derived, including material on improper product integration. The theory is applied to the study of an equation of evolution involving unbounded operators, and a stronger form of a theorem due to T. Kato and K. Yosida is obtained.
Ultrasound enhancement of thrombolysis and reperfusion in vitro.

Abstract Objectives. The aims of this study were 1) to develop an in vitro flow system in which reperfusion mediated by ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis could be studied, and 2) to test whether ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis could hasten reperfusion in this system. Background. Ultrasound has been shown to increase tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA)-induced thrombolysis in vitro as assessed by radioactive fibrinogen release from labeled clots and in an animal in vivo model. Methods. To test whether reperfusion is accelerated, we created obstructive whole blood clots in an in vitro flow system. Four control clots were exposed to ultrasound only without any thrombolytic agent (group 1). Sixteen clots were exposed to continuous infusion of recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator rt-PA and randomized to either continuous wave ultrasound exposure at a frequency of 0.5 MHz and an intensity of 8 W/cm2(group 2) or to no ultrasound (group 3). Flow distal to the clot and the rate of release of radiolabeled fibrin products were used as an index of reperfusion and thrombolysis, respectively. Samples were obtained for measurements of lytic variables such as plasminogen, fibrinogen and rt-PA concentrations. Results. Flow was significantly higher in the rt-PA-treated clots within 10 min of exposure to ultrasound than in those without such exposure (9.4 ± 9.9% of maximal flow in group 2 vs. 0.5 ± 1.5% in group 3, p Conclusions. Continuous wave ultrasound at 0.5 MHz and an intensity of 8 W/cm2accelerates rt-PA-induced thrombolysis and reperfusion in vitro.
Verification of target motion effects on SAR imagery using the Gotcha GMTI challenge dataset

This paper investigates the relationship between a ground moving target's kinematic state and its SAR image. While effects such as cross-range offset, defocus, and smearing appear well understood, their derivations in the literature typically employ simplifications of the radar/target geometry and assume point scattering targets. This study adopts a geometrical model for understanding target motion effects in SAR imagery, termed the target migration path, and focuses on experimental verification of predicted motion effects using both simulated and empirical datasets based on the Gotcha GMTI challenge dataset. Specifically, moving target imagery is generated from three data sources: first, simulated phase history for a moving point target; second, simulated phase history for a moving vehicle derived from a simulated Mazda MPV X-band signature; and third, empirical phase history from the Gotcha GMTI challenge dataset. Both simulated target trajectories match the truth GPS target position history from the Gotcha GMTI challenge dataset, allowing direct comparison between all three imagery sets and the predicted target migration path. This paper concludes with a discussion of the parallels between the target migration path and the measurement model within a Kalman filtering framework, followed by conclusions.
Adult Day Centers and Mental Health Care

ABSTRACT This research focused on the mental health issues at adult day centers and used a cluster analysis to profile older persons who received these services. The sample included 280 participants who attended adult day care. The data were collected from intake files using a biopsychosocial framework to guide the selection of variables from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2000. A cluster analysis revealed two distinct profiles of participants. The first profile was characterized by women, who were single, African-American, had low incomes, relied more on public funding, and had no psychiatric diagnoses. The second profile was differentiated with more men, who were married, relied more on private funding, and had higher incomes and psychiatric diagnoses. Participants clustered in the second profile, including those diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, disenrolled at a faster rate than those in the first profile, including older adults without psychiatric disorders. Both profiles were similar in age, edu...
Species and Phenobarbitone-Induced Differences in the Kinetic Constants of Liver Microsomal Harmine O-Demethylation

1. The apparent kinetic constants for the O-demethylation of harmine to harmol by 10 000 g supernatant fractions from livers of mice, rats, guinea-pigs, rabbits, cats and cows have been determined. The Km values were 10–39 μM and Vmax 0.25 and 1.65 nmol/mg protein/min.2. Optimal conditions of incubation time and NADP requirements differed between species. In all species except cat and cow the rate of O-demethylation of harmine was linear for 5 min, but in the latter species was linear for 15 min. Maximum stimulation of O-demethylation occurred at NADP concn. of between 50 and 375 μm.3. Phenobarbitone pre-treatment of weanling, young adult and mature adult mice increased the Vmax for O-demethylation by 2.9- to 4.6-fold but did not change Km. Increased Vmax values were greatest in young and least in old mice and these changes were directly correlated with a decrease of hexobarbitone sleeping time.
Pseudo-Outbreak of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Due to Cross-Reactivity of Surfactant and a Rapid Immunoassay

We describe a pseudo-outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus infection in a neonatal intensive care unit at the White Memorial Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. Investigation of a reported cluster of cases in the early fall of 2007 identified false-positive results due to cross-reactivity between surfactant and a rapid immunoassay. This highlights the need for diagnosis confirmation, especially during periods of low disease prevalence.
Lydia's open door: inside Mexico's most modern brothel

Patty Kelly, Berkeley, University of California Press, 2008, 296 pp., US$24.95 (paperback), ISBN 978-0-520-25536-4, US$55.00 (hardback), ISBN 978-0-520-25535-7. In Lydia's open door, Patty Kelly ex...
Nonprofits Partnering With Postsecondary Institutions to Increase Low-Income Student Access

This article reports on a three year case study and interview project of a federal initiative to help low income students access college called individual development accounts (IDA). The study focused on partnership development between community agencies that offer IDAs and postsecondary institutions, examining challenges and facilitators. A set of challenges are identified as well as strategies for overcoming the obstacles. The results also suggest underlying reasons for challenges: (a) postsecondary institutions being hesitant to partner with community agencies that they perceive as having limited assets and prestige (essentially disempowered) and (b) community agencies lacking familiarity with the higher education environment.
Sex Discrimination and Rewards in a Public Comprehensive University

Baldridge, Cutis, Ecker, and Riley (1978) posit that differences in academic rewards for men and women faculty are largely due to differences in the type of employing institution, with males being employed in more prestigious institutions than females. To examine their hypothesis that sex differences do not exist in a single type of institution, we construct four regression models, one each for the rewards of type of appointment, tenure, rank, and salary. Twenty-three background characteristics including sex, work activities, and productivity variables are used as predictors. Reward variables which theoretically precede in time the reward being analyzed are also included as predictors of that reward. Data were collected from personnel files, institutional records, interviews with administrators, and faculty questionnaires. The analyses produced four strong but heterogeneous models of faculty rewards. Thus, there is no single academic reward structure; rather, four different reward structures exist. The he...
The Role of Collective Efficacy in Adventure Racing Teams

This study examines the relationship between collective efficacy and performance in a single competition of adventure racing. Adventure racing is a team-based sport that requires the multidisciplinary tasks of trekking, mountain biking, canoeing, and climbing to navigate through a preplanned racecourse. Seventeen teams competing in an adventure race completed measures of prior performance, preparation effort, and a collective efficacy assessing perceptions of their team's functioning in six performance areas. Three in-race measures of collective efficacy and environmental factors-conditions are taken at various checkpoints. A correlational analysis indicates a positive relationship between preparation effort and initial perceptions of collective efficacy. A repeated measures analysis reveals the dynamic nature of collective efficacy and the reciprocal relationship between efficacy and performance. The results are consistent with D. L. Feltz and C. D. Lirgg's (1998) examination of collegiate teams and A. B...