cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effects of a Neurobehavioral Intervention on Motor Skill Acquisition and Generalization

This study reports the effects of a neurobehavioral intervention approach on the motor skills of 4 young children with cerebral palsy. The intervention is a hybrid of behavioral and neuromotor and approaches. The behavioral approach used principles of “how to teach” by addressing motivational issues and precise definitions of expected outcomes. The neuromotor approach specified “what to teach” by focusing on underlying movement components. The impact of the approach was assessed with a multiple baseline design. Children demonstrated generalization of the movement component by using it to perform both a treated exemplar skill and an untreated exemplar skill. The study extends previous findings by demonstrating that motor skills can be treated concurrently, thus enhancing the efficiency of the intervention.
Gender differences among older drivers in a comprehensive driving evaluation

Abstract Research studies typically consider older drivers as a homogenous group and do not report on the influence of gender on driving performance. Prior studies report that females are over-represented in crashes compared to males, caused by errors of yielding, gap acceptance, and speed regulation, all of which are assessed in a comprehensive driving evaluation (CDE). In a sample of 294 community dwelling older drivers, we examined and compared specific and total driving errors of both genders, and determined predictors of gender-specific driving errors and pass/fail outcomes who completed a CDE assessed by a certified driving rehabilitation specialist. No differences in specific or total number of driving errors on the CDE were found between older males (Mean age 73.4 ± 6.0) and older females (Mean age 73.8 ± 5.7). Education, days of driving, Useful Field of View™ (UFOV), Rapid Paced Walk Test (RPW) and the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) were all independent predictors of failing a road test for both genders ( p 75 years were 3.2 and 3.5 times more likely to fail the on-road test compared to younger males and females (aged between 63 and 75), respectively. Our findings suggest that focusing on older old (75+) and old–old (85+) age groups may be more efficient for future investigations of driving performance.
Allelic spectrum of the natural variation in CRP

With the recent completion of the International HapMap Project, many tools are in hand for genetic association studies seeking to test the common variant/common disease hypothesis. In contrast, very few tools and resources are in place for genotype–phenotype studies hypothesizing that rare variation has a large impact on the phenotype of interest. To create these tools for rare variant/common disease studies, much interest is being generated towards investing in re-sequencing either large sample sizes of random chromosomes or smaller sample sizes of patients with extreme phenotypes. As a case study for rare variant discovery in random chromosomes, we have re-sequenced ~1,000 chromosomes representing diverse populations for the gene C-reactive protein (CRP). CRP is an important gene in the fields of cardiovascular and inflammation genetics, and its size (~2 kb) makes it particularly amenable medical or deep re-sequencing. With these data, we explore several issues related to the present-day candidate gene association study including the benefits of complete SNP discovery, the effects of tagSNP selection across diverse populations, and completeness of dbSNP for CRP. Also, we show that while deep re-sequencing uncovers potentially medically relevant coding SNPs, these SNPs are fleetingly rare when genotyped in a population-based survey of 7,000 Americans (NHANES III). Collectively, these data suggest that several different types re-sequencing and genotyping approaches may be required to fully understand the complete spectrum of alleles that impact human phenotypes. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00439-006-0160-y and is accessible for authorized users.
Identifying polymorphic microsatellite loci for Andean bear research

Abstract The Andean (spectacled) bear (Tremarctos ornatus) is the only extant species of bear in South America. This species is considered Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), although current population sizes are unclear. To study Andean bears using DNA and non-invasive sampling, we screened 13 microsatellite loci using DNA extracted from blood, saliva, hair, and feces from 16 captive bears. Polymorphic loci were tested with samples from wild bears using DNA extracted from hair and feces collected in the Oyacachi territory inside the Cayambe-Coca Reserve in Ecuador during 2000 and 2001. Ten loci produced reliable results and were polymorphic with a mean of 4 alleles/locus. A minimum of 7 loci were needed for individual identification of wild bears using a probability of identity for siblings PID(sib) threshold of <0.01. Andean bears in the Oyacachi territory had moderate levels of genetic diversity (expected heterozygosity, HE = 0.45). Although genotyping success rat...
Characteristics of cassava resistance to superelongation disease (Elsinoë brasiliensis)

Abstract Cassava cultivars were inoculated, under controlled conditions, with single‐conidium isolates of Elsinoe brasiliensis Bitancourt & Jenkins (Sphaceloma manihoticola Bitancourt & Jenkins) of diverse origins to study cassava resistance to superelongation disease. Disruption of the stem cuticle significantly increased the amount of stem disease on field resistant and field susceptible cultivars. In susceptible and resistant cultivars stem tissue developed a high level of resistance by the age of 10 days. Significant cultivar x isolate interactions indicating pathogenic specialisation were consistently observed. The interactions were weak, not always reproducible and none were characterised by a hypersensitive‐like component. Field resistant and field susceptible cultivars were treated with gibberellin A4 (the plant hormone responsible for shoot elongation) at 0 to 1 μg/μl and inoculated with a virulent isolate of the pathogen to test the possibility of using the hormone as a screening tool. No differ...
The new mutation theory of phenotypic evolution

Recent studies of developmental biology have shown that the genes controlling phenotypic characters expressed in the early stage of development are highly conserved and that recent evolutionary changes have occurred primarily in the characters expressed in later stages of development. Even the genes controlling the latter characters are generally conserved, but there is a large component of neutral or nearly neutral genetic variation within and between closely related species. Phenotypic evolution occurs primarily by mutation of genes that interact with one another in the developmental process. The enormous amount of phenotypic diversity among different phyla or classes of organisms is a product of accumulation of novel mutations and their conservation that have facilitated adaptation to different environments. Novel mutations may be incorporated into the genome by natural selection (elimination of preexisting genotypes) or by random processes such as genetic and genomic drift. However, once the mutations are incorporated into the genome, they may generate developmental constraints that will affect the future direction of phenotypic evolution. It appears that the driving force of phenotypic evolution is mutation, and natural selection is of secondary importance.
NONEQUILIBRIUM FLOW OVER A CONE

The modifications in the flow over a cone are considered due to departure from thermodynamic equilibrium behind the shock wave. Only the effects due to vibrational relaxation are considered. The flow was calculated using the method of characteristics. The numerical technique that was successful for the cone flow involved a slight modification of the standard method. As for the case of wedge flow, there is a curved shock, a relaxation layer at the shock, and an entropy layer at the cone surface. For the cone case, the thickness of the entropy layer must vanish sufficiently far downstream from the tip. The pressure on the cone surface shows an overexpansion.
On cyclic conjugation

A novel approach to the theory of cyclic conjugation is proposed, which is free of some disadvantages of the previously used methods. It is shown that in the general case the effect of cyclic conjugation is an additive function of individual ring effects.
Hybrid Monte Carlo with multidimensional replica exchanges: conformational equilibria of the hypervariable regions of a llama VHH antibody domain.

Since the structural repertoire of the hypervariable regions of human antibodies is known to be more restricted than what is implied by sequence variability, a common approach to structural prediction is to use a knowledge-based (KB) method, such as the canonical structure model (C. Chothia and A. M. Lesk, Journal of Molecular Biology, 1987, Vol. 196, pp. 901–917). However, this model is less successful when applied to camelid heavy chain antibodies. In this study, molecular simulations were used to examine the conformational equilibria of the hypervariable regions (H1, H2, and H3) of a llama heavy chain variable domain, for which KB predictions are poor. Simulations were carried out using both conventional molecular dynamics (MD) and hybrid Monte Carlo with multidimensional replica exchanges (HYMREX). The advantage of the latter method is its ability to selectively target parts of the Hamiltonian that can most readily improve sampling. A novel variant of HYMREX was implemented in which, besides the temperature, torsional interactions and the range of nonbonded interactions were varied. To compare the sampling abilities of MD and this HYMREX scheme, simulations were started from a misfolded conformational state. Overall, MD yielded final conformations more similar to the initial state, implying quasi-ergodic sampling. In contrast, HYMREX achieved more ergodic sampling, and the majority of conformations that it sampled agreed well with the known crystal structure. The HYMREX simulation results were used to help identify the chief interactions governing the conformational equilibria and to reexamine the key assumptions underlying the KB predictions. The data show that the H1 region exhibited significant conformational freedom, in support of the hypothesis that main-chain structural variability in this region could play a greater role in antigen binding in camelid antibodies than it does in normal antibodies. Key H1 residues and associated inter-loop interactions are conjectured to account for the poor KB predictions. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 68:160–177, 2003
Global positioning system (GPS) controlled triangulation of single flight lines

Aerial triangulation controlled by GPS observations in the aircraft has been established as a precise method of photogrammetric point determination without the need of ground control. If the GPS observations are available for blocks of aerial photos, the aerial triangulation can be carried out without any ground control points. Unfortunately, this method cannot be applied for single flight lines, since the GPS observations do not recover the roll angle of the aircraft. Therefore, ground control is mandatory for GPS controlled strip triangulation. This paper investigates GPS controlled strip triangulation using known, linear features on the ground that are approximately parallel to the flight line. This described technique models the linear feature in the images by low order polynomials and forces the known line on the ground onto this function. Thus, the roll angle can be determined. We investigate the effects of different GPS measurement accuracies both in the air and on the ground on the results. Experiments using simulated and real data are presented. We also show that this new technique is useful for mapping railroads.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Power education at the crossroads

To meet the demands of designing and running far more complex and highly integrated electricity systems, a new kind of power engineer is needed. In this paper, the author describes how, though students tend to favor higher-tech and more lucrative fields than power engineering, reports of the discipline's demise are exaggerated.
Perceptual reasoning predicts handwriting impairments in adolescents with autism

Background: We have previously shown that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have specific handwriting deficits consisting of poor form, and that these deficits are predicted by their motor abilities. It is not known whether the same handwriting impairments persist into adolescence and whether they remain linked to motor deficits. Methods: A case-control study of handwriting samples from adolescents with and without ASD was performed using the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment. Samples were scored on an individual letter basis in 5 categories: legibility, form, alignment, size, and spacing. Subjects were also administered an intelligence test and the Physical and Neurological Examination for Subtle (Motor) Signs (PANESS). Results: We found that adolescents with ASD, like children, show overall worse performance on a handwriting task than do age- and intelligence-matched controls. Also comparable to children, adolescents with ASD showed motor impairments relative to controls. However, adolescents with ASD differ from children in that Perceptual Reasoning Indices were significantly predictive of handwriting performance whereas measures of motor skills were not. Conclusions: Like children with ASD, adolescents with ASD have poor handwriting quality relative to controls. Despite still demonstrating motor impairments, in adolescents perceptual reasoning is the main predictor of handwriting performance, perhaps reflecting subjects9 varied abilities to learn strategies to compensate for their motor impairments.
MOCVD growth of InGaN:Mg for GaN/InGaN hbts

InGaN:Mg growth by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) for GaN/InGaN HBTs is studied. Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) images show that the surface roughness is reduced by increasing the growth temperature and decreasing the growth pressure. In addition, the indium mole fraction of the InGaN layers can be controlled by varying the growth rate – a faster growth rate giving a higher indium composition. Hall measurements show that a hole concentration of 4 × 1018 cm–3 can be consistently produced with a Cp2Mg molar flow rate in the range of 0.18 µm/min at a growth temperature of 800 °C. GaN/InGaN HBT structures are grown on sapphire substrates and the Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (SIMS) profiles indicate abrupt doping profiles with no Mg memory effect or evidence of Mg diffusion from the InGaN:Mg base layer into the emitter. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Achromatic multibeam coupling in KNbO3: Rb

Abstract We examine, both theoretically and experimentally, photorefractive coupling in KNbO 3 : Rb with beams at several wavelengths in a dual grating achromatic arrangement. It is shown that, at normal incidence, the coupling gain in the multi-wavelength achromatic configuration is nearly equal to the gain of two beam coupling with a monochromatic source of the same intensity. The dependence of the achromatic gain on the angle between the bisector, of the pump and signal beams, and the normal to the crystal surface is also studied.
Stability of human methanogenic flora over 35 years and a review of insights obtained from breath methane measurements.

Background & Aims: Breath methane measurements reflect the in situ activity of the methanogenic colonic flora. Thirty-five years ago we found that 34% of healthy adult subjects were methane producers (breath methane level >1 ppm above atmospheric methane levels). The current study presents a new survey of breath methane levels designed to determine if the activity of the methanogenic flora has changed over the past 35 years. In addition, we review insights into the methanogenic flora that have resulted from breath methane measurements. Methods: The end-alveolar breath methane concentrations of 212 healthy adults living in the Minneapolis area were determined via gas chromatography. The influence of sex, age, and bowel movement frequency on methane production was assessed. Results: The findings that 36.4% of participants were methane producers, with a mean methane concentration in these producers of 16.6 ppm, are strikingly similar to the values of 33.6% and 15.2 ppm observed 35 years ago. Neither sex nor age showed a statistically significant relationship to methane production. There was a negative correlation between frequency of bowel movements and breath methane concentration in methane producers. Conclusions: The activity of the methanogenic flora of healthy adults remained remarkably stable over the past 35 years despite widespread antibiotic use and dietary changes. A literature review revealed that many associations have been shown between methane production and clinical states, but it remains to be determined if methanogens actively influence human physiology or are simply a marker of colonic function.
Spatially and Socially Progressive State Policy and Programs: The Case of Brazil's National Housing Bank

Abstract A variety of conceptions of the state, from pluralist to Marxist, can be used to interpret the social and spatial dimensions of state activity and the limits of state relative autonomy. Three of these state theories are compared and assessed in this paper in the context of an empirical analysis of the performance of Brazil's massive National Housing Bank (BNH), which set ambitious goals of spatially and socially progressive resource redistribution. A comparison of BNH's investments in two cities (Curitiba and Salvador) reveals that the latter, which is relatively poor, has received more loan money, but a smaller share of it has gone to low-income households. BNH has been able to transfer substantial resources to the urban periphery, thus fulfilling its spatial objective and demonstrating how the state can spatially disperse resources, but has had far less success with its social objective of providing housing loans to the periphery's poor. This is largely attributable to its institutional form co...
Supporting collaborative play via an affordable touching + singing plant for children with autism in China

The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in mainland China is still largely unknown despite a recent increase in public awareness of the disorder itself. Technology-based intervention strategies are scarce in China, which is why we chose to explore one such possibility in this paper. We present a collaborative play environment enabled by an affordable touching and singing plant for children with autism; the plant allows two users (such as the child and a family member) to collaboratively play a variety of music through the touch. The plant is also simple to assemble, making it portable and accessible. To the best of our knowledge, the plant is China's first affordable assistive device for children with autism. A pilot study with 5 children with ASD revealed mixed results.
CD-ROM source data uploaded to the operating and storage devices of an IBM 3090 mainframe through a PC terminal.

A powerful method of processing MEDLINE and CINAHL source data uploaded to the IBM 3090 mainframe computer through an IBM/PC is described. Data are first downloaded from the CD-ROM's PC devices to floppy disks. These disks then are uploaded to the mainframe computer through an IBM/PC equipped with WordPerfect text editor and computer network connection (SONNGATE). Before downloading, keywords specifying the information to be accessed are typed at the FIND prompt of the CD-ROM station. The resulting abstracts are downloaded into a file called DOWNLOAD.DOC. The floppy disks containing the information are simply carried to an IBM/PC which has a terminal emulation (TELNET) connection to the university-wide computer network (SONNET) at the Ohio State University Academic Computing Services (OSU ACS). The WordPerfect (5.1) processes and saves the text into DOS format. Using the File Transfer Protocol (FTP, 130,000 bytes/s) of SONNET, the entire text containing the information obtained through the MEDLINE and CINAHL search is transferred to the remote mainframe computer for further processing. At this point, abstracts in the specified area are ready for immediate access and multiple retrieval by any PC having network switch or dial-in connection after the USER ID, PASSWORD and ACCOUNT NUMBER are specified by the user. The system provides the user an on-line, very powerful and quick method of searching for words specifying: diseases, agents, experimental methods, animals, authors, and journals in the research area downloaded. The user can also copy the TItles, AUthors and SOurce with optional parts of abstracts into papers under edition. This arrangement serves the special demands of a research laboratory by handling MEDLINE and CINAHL source data resulting after a search is performed with keywords specified for ongoing projects. Since the Ohio State University has a centrally founded mainframe system, the data upload, storage and mainframe operations are free.
Presumption, privilege, and preemption.

The title I have chosen is meant to be obtuse, but I hope not gratuitous. I chose the title because I thought it would allow me to focus on 3 aspects that were important to me. First, presumption. It is to some degree presumptuous of me to be speaking from this lectern to this group, characterized so clearly, as the leadership of American surgery. The people who have preceded me in this office have led the leaders, both within the surgical profession and within medicine, in its greater context. I hesitate to refer to specific individuals for fear I will do so inadequately and only highlight my own deficiencies when contrasted with many of them. It appears traditional and appropriate to at least acknowledge the debt one owes to one’s teachers and colleagues as they are the key to one’s own success.
Household Intertemporal Behavior: A Collective Characterization and a Test of Commitment

In this paper, a formal test of intra-household commitment is derived and performed. To that end, two models of household intertemporal behavior are developed. In both models, household members are characterized by individual preferences. In the first formulation, household decisions are always on the ex-ante Pareto frontier. In the second model, the assumption of intra-household commitment required by ex-ante efficiency is relaxed. It is shown that the full-efficiency household Euler equations are nested in the no-commitment Euler equations. Using this result, the hypothesis that household members can commit to future allocations of resources is tested using the Consumer Expenditure Survey. I strongly reject this hypothesis. It is also shown that the standard unitary framework is a special case of the full-efficiency model. However, if household members are not able to commit, household intertemporal behavior cannot be characterized using the standard life-cycle model. These findings have two main implications. First, policy makers can change household behavior by modifying the decision power of individual household members. Second, to evaluate programs designed to improve the welfare of household members, it would be beneficial to replace the standard unitary model with a characterization of household behavior that allows for lack of commitment.
Time-domain separation of interfering waves in cancellous bone using bandlimited deconvolution: Simulation and phantom study

In through-transmission interrogation of cancellous bone, two longitudinal pulses (“fast” and “slow” waves) may be generated. Fast and slow wave properties convey information about material and micro-architectural characteristics of bone. However, these properties can be difficult to assess when fast and slow wave pulses overlap in time and frequency domains. In this paper, two methods are applied to decompose signals into fast and slow waves: bandlimited deconvolution and modified least-squares Prony's method with curve-fitting (MLSP + CF). The methods were tested in plastic and Zerdine® samples that provided fast and slow wave velocities commensurate with velocities for cancellous bone. Phase velocity estimates were accurate to within 6 m/s (0.4%) (slow wave with both methods and fast wave with MLSP + CF) and 26 m/s (1.2%) (fast wave with bandlimited deconvolution). Midband signal loss estimates were accurate to within 0.2 dB (1.7%) (fast wave with both methods), and 1.0 dB (3.7%) (slow wave with both methods). Similar accuracies were found for simulations based on fast and slow wave parameter values published for cancellous bone. These methods provide sufficient accuracy and precision for many applications in cancellous bone such that experimental error is likely to be a greater limiting factor than estimation error.
Coherently controlled quantum emitters in cavities

Semiconductor nanostructures such as quantum dots (QDs) have offered unique opportunities to investigate quantum optical effects in solid-state systems. These include quantum interference, Rabi oscillations, as well as photon antibunching, and were previously observable only in isolated atoms or ions. In addition, QDs can be integrated into optical microcavities, making them attractive for applications in quantum information processing and high efficiency quantum light sources. Despite much progress towards these goals, one area that was little explored is coherent control of such solid-state quantum emitters in cavities. The main technical hurdle lies in overcoming the laser background scattering. By using a sample structure in which QDs are embedded in a planar Fabry-Perot cavity and by using an orthogonal excitation geometry, we have achieved a nearly complete elimination of laser background scattering. This in turn allows us to show resonantly controlled light emission of quantum dots in the cavity including (a) Rabi flopping using pulse control, (b) direct observation of Mollow triplets in the frequency domain, and (c) simultaneously measured first-order and second order photon-photon correlations.
The rise velocity of bubbles in tubes and rectangular channels as predicted by wave theory

In a previous paper, an analogy was presented which related the rise velocity of bubbles in liquids of infinite extent to the velocity of surface waves over infinitly deep liquids. In the present paper, a corresponding analogy is found which relates bubble velocities in bounded liquids to wave velocities over liquids of finite depth.
HOW INFLATION IS USED TO RESOLVE THE FLATNESS PROBLEM

We give a mathematically rigorous exposition of the flatness problem, and show how Guth's original model of inflation is used to resolve it.
Effect of Stochastic and Correlated Defaults and Recoveries on CDO Tranche Returns

This article summarizes an analysis designed to determine the effects of stochastic recovery rates (generated by Monte Carlo simulations) and their negative correlation with defaults on different tranches of a given set of CDOs. Following earlier studies that have revealed a negative correlation between default and recovery rates on corporate bonds, with a resulting negative impact on risk-adjusted return projections, the authors cite more recent studies finding a similar negative relationship between overall levels of defaults and recovery rates for CDOs. In periods of high default rates, recovery values in default tend to be low, whereas recovery rates tend to be high when default rates are low. Such a negative relationship has important implications for asset pricing and valuation of credit portfolios; ignoring it may lead to underestimating losses, volatility in the distribution of those losses, and value at risk (VaR) for different tranches of a CDO— particularly in worst-case default scenarios—with the effect on each tranche dependent on its attachment point and its size in the capital structure.
A causal analysis of the relationship between locus of control and academic achievement in first grade

Abstract Eighty-nine middle- and lower-socioeconomic status (SES) first graders from 15 classrooms were seen individually the first week of school and again 7 months later to obtain scores on an achievement test and a measure of locus of control. Results revealed that middle-SES children began first grade with a higher average score on the achievement test and a more internal locus of control than lower-SES children. While middle-SES children gained more in achievement during first grade, the change toward a more internal locus of control was more pronounced for lower-SES children. Results of both cross-lagged panel correlational and path analyses suggested that an internal locus of control contributed to academic achievement.
The Influence of Race on Employment Status and Earnings of African Immigrant Men in the United States

This paper uses the labor queue theory to examine the changing influence of race on the employment status and earnings of African immigrant men in the United States between 1980 and 2008. The results show that the white advantage echoed in previous research has diminished. Black African immigrant men's chance of being employed is now greater than that of their white counterparts when their sociodemographic characteristics are taken into consideration. However, when human capital factors are included in the regression models, white African immigrant men still maintain a significant advantage in earnings. This study also uncovered differential impacts of marriage and school enrollment on white and black African immigrant men's employment and earnings. These results challenge the use of labor queue theory as a framework for explaining immigrants' experience in the US job market.
Hemodynamic characteristics of hypertension after coronary bypass surgery and effects of the converting enzyme inhibitor.

In 13 patients with hypertension after coronary bypass surgery, the underlying hemodynamic mechanism was an increased systemic vascular resistance. To elucidate the role of the renin-angiotensin system in left ventricular function, plasma renin activity and hemodynamic measurements were performed during the peak of the hypertensive episode and 15 to 30 minutes after the administration of the converting enzyme inhibitor SQ20881 (1 mg/kg body weight). Eight of the 13 patients responded to the inhibitor; in these patients control plasma renin activity was 8.78 ± 2.3 ng/ml per hour, and mean arterial pressure decreased markedly from 123 ± 6 to 101 ± 5 mm Hg (P < 0.005), due to a decrease in systemic vascular resistance from 22 ± 2 to 14 ± 1 units (P < 0.005). The decrease in systemic vascular resistance induced by the inhibitor correlated with the control plasma renin activity (r = 0.825, P < 0.05). In the responders, administration of the inhibitor also increased cardiac output from 5.26 ± 0.36 to 7.39 ± 0.61 liters/min (P < 0.005) because of an increase in stroke volume from 61 ± 3 to 78 ± 5 ml/beat (P < 0.005), although left ventricular filling pressure decreased from 8.5 ± 1 to 6.0 ± 1 mm Hg (P < 0.005). In the remaining five patients (nonresponders to the inhibitor), control plasma renin activity was 1.8 ± 0.3 ng/ml per hour (P < 0.05 compared with the responders), but the control hemodynamic data did not differ from those of the responders. In the nonresponders the small decrease in mean arterial pressure (from 128 ± 5 to 123 ± 4 mm Hg, P < 0.025) was due to a decrease in stroke volume and cardiac output, but systemic vascular resistance did not change. As in the responders, administration of the inhibitor decreased left ventricular filling pressure in this group from 8 ± 1 to 6 ± 0.8 mm Hg (P < 0.025). These results indicate that the renin-angiotensin system is often involved in postcoronary artery bypass hypertension. In patients with increased renin, blockade of angiotensin II improved left ventricular function by reducing afterload rather than preload, thus indicating that angiotensin II acts on the heart and veins.
Studies with a plant fungicide, imazalil, with vapor-phase activity, in the therapy of human alternariosis.

The use of a plant fungicide, the imidazole imazalil, in the therapy of human alternariosis is described. The patient's disease involved the palate, nose and sinuses, and had been unresponsive to conventional therapy. Imazalil has been used to treat Alternaria infections of plant materials. The patient's isolate was susceptible in vitro. We also showed that the drug was inhibitory to fungi in vitro as a vapor, not requiring contact by diffusion through agar or broth. The drug was used topically, by installation and irrigation, in this case and administered orally in doses of up to 1 200 mg daily, for 6 months. Peak serum concentrations exceeded 4 meg/ml. The infection was arrested but not cured. The drug was tolerated without evident toxicity, though an unpleasant taste and nausea at high doses were limiting.
Thiopurine Methyltransferase Predicts the Extent of Cytotoxicty and DNA Damage in Astroglial Cells after Thioguanine Exposure

Thiopurine methyltransferase (Tpmt) is the primary enzyme responsible for deactivating thiopurine drugs. Thiopurine drugs (i.e., thioguanine [TG], mercaptopurine, azathioprine) are commonly used for the treatment of cancer, organ transplant, and autoimmune disorders. Chronic thiopurine therapy has been linked to the development of brain cancer (most commonly astrocytomas), and Tpmt status has been associated with this risk. Therefore, we investigated whether the level of Tpmt protein activity could predict TG-associated cytotoxicity and DNA damage in astrocytic cells. We found that TG induced cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner in Tpmt(+/+), Tpmt(+/-) and Tpmt(-/-) primary mouse astrocytes and that a low Tpmt phenotype predicted significantly higher sensitivity to TG than did a high Tpmt phenotype. We also found that TG exposure induced significantly more DNA damage in the form of single strand breaks (SSBs) and double strand breaks (DSBs) in primary astrocytes with low Tpmt versus high Tpmt. More interestingly, we found that Tpmt(+/-) astrocytes had the highest degree of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity (i.e., IC(50), SSBs and DSBs) after TG exposure. We then used human glioma cell lines as model astroglial cells to represent high (T98) and low (A172) Tpmt expressers and found that A172 had the highest degree of cytoxicity and SSBs after TG exposure. When we over-expressed Tpmt in the A172 cell line, we found that TG IC(50) was significantly higher and SSB's were significantly lower as compared to mock transfected cells. This study shows that low Tpmt can lead to greater sensitivity to thiopurine therapy in astroglial cells. When Tpmt deactivation at the germ-line is considered, this study also suggests that heterozygosity may be subject to the greatest genotoxic effects of thiopurine therapy.
Manual guidance used in a punishment procedure: the active ingredient in overcorrection.

Simple manual hand and arm guidance used in the context of a punishment paradigm can be effective in suppressing the frequency of self-injurious behaviour in severely retarded individuals. The procedure involves a socially more acceptable consequence for self-injurious behaviour than many other treatment approaches; it is quite economical and easy to administer; and, the procedure appears to produce fairly rapid suppression of response rates. Brief periods of manual guidance following self-injurious behaviour may indeed be the most efficacious intervention for use in on-going treatment programmes. Questions relating to the generalisation of effects and the effects of verbal prompts and other behavioural prompts remain for future research. Language: en
A comparison of physical fitness of children in Iowa, U.S.A. and Tokyo, Japan

Abstract In order to compare the physical fitness of children in Iowa and Tokyo, Japan, the Iowa Test of Motor Fitness was given to 395 Tokyo children and 355 Iowa children, 9 to 12 years of age. The test battery included sit-ups, standing broad jump, shuttle run, forward bend, grasshopper, pull-ups for boys, bent arm hang for girls, and dash. Anthropometric measurements were taken in height, weight, knee-finger length, and leg length. The results indicated that Iowa children were heavier, taller, and had longer legs than Tokyo children but Tokyo children scored better in all motor performance tests except one, sit-ups. A comparison of the physical education program in these schools was also made and showed that Tokyo children had more chances for activity through physical education classes than the Iowa group.
Covert formulation and editing of anomalies in speech production: Evidence from experimentally elicited slips of the tongue

Models of speech production have been modified in recent years by the addition of an “editing” component, the supposed function of which is to verify the linguistic integrity of covert speech plans, and to prevent anomalous output. Empirical support for editing has been offered by the present authors. That evidence has been challenged, however, on the issue of whether the covert formulation of anomalous potential output in speech production has in fact been demonstrated. The present study provides a more direct test on the question of anomaly formulation by examining laboratory-generated spoonerism errors in which emotionally neutral target words may be transformed into obscene error utterances. Evidence for the covert formulation, and the prearticulatory edit-veto, of anomalous (taboo) potential output is discussed.
Mechanism of electrothermal atomization for yttrium by mass spectrometry

Abstract Mechanisms controlling atomization of Y 2 O 3 were investigated by mass spectrometric techniques applied to vacuum vaporization as well as vaporization in N 2 at 1 atmosphere pressure. Molecular beam sampling was used in the latter case. The real-time mass spectra of gas species generated in the furnace elucidated the reaction paths involved during the atomization cycle. Gas phase yttrium oxides dissociatively chemisorb on or are directly reduced by sites on the graphite surface. The free species is due to desorption of the resulting yttrium. No low-temperature precursors to atomization were observed, but high-temperature analyte losses persist as oxides, the carbide, and the hydroxide above 2400 K.
Inhibition of human β-factor XIIA by squash family serine proteinase inhibitors

Many inhibitors of trypsin and human beta-factor XIIa have been isolated from squash and related seeds and sequenced (Wieczorek et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. (1985) 126, 646-652). The association equilibrium constants (Ka) of several of these inhibitors have now been determined with human beta-factor XIIa using a modification of the method of Green and Work (Park et al., Fed. Proc. Fed. Am. Soc. Exp. Biol. (1984) 43, 1962). The Ka's range from 7.8 x 10(4) M-1 to 3.3 x 10(8) M-1. Two isoinhibitors from Cucurbita maxima seeds, CMTI-I and CMTI-III, differ in only a single glutamate to lysine change in the P'4 position. This results in a factor of 62 increase in the Ka of the lysine inhibitor, CMTI-III (Ka = 3.3 x 10(8) M-1). To our knowledge, this is the largest effect ever seen for a residue substitution at the P'4 position of a serine proteinase inhibitor. The result is even more surprising because beta-factor XIIa's natural substrate, Factor XI, contains Gly in the P'4 position.
Geometric invariance of sampling

Recently, there has been growing interest in data structures in high dimensional pixel spaces. Among these structures are image manifolds. A point on an image manifold is an image; that is, a brightness function of two variables. In any in- depth geometric study of image manifolds,the impact of various sampling resolutions must be taken into account: will a manifold composed of a specific set of images sampled at one resolution differ geometrically from manifolds composed of the same image set sampled at other resolution. The main theorem of this paper states that under a specific Nyquist criterion, two image manifolds generated from the same source, but samples at differing pixel resolutions are not only diffeomorphic but isometric. This surprising new result proves the fundamental notion that geometric properties are invariant under sampling. Loosely speaking, this means that the two manifolds are of the same shape. In addition to proving this isometry theorem, an examination of fundamental image manifold properties such as curvature validates the theorem. Finally, the limitations of the Nyquist criterion are explored.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Renal modulation of electrically stimulated adrenal medullary secretion.

In acutely anephric dogs, depressed reflex adrenal medullary secretion (AMS) may be related to low plasma angiotensin. Either local (adrenal medulla) or central nervous system mechanisms are responsible. Local influences of acute bilateral nephrectomy on AMS were evaluated after left splanchnic nerve section. Two groups of five healthy, fasted mongrel dogs (16–20 kg) were prepared (Na pentobarbital iv anesthesia, 98% O2/2% CO2, Harvard volume ventilator) at celiotomy with blood pressure and sampling catheters per femoral arteriotomies and left adrenal-femoral venous T-shaped Silastic shunt. Group 2 dogs had acute bilateral nephrectomy. The acutely divided distal left splanchnic nerve was arranged for electrical stimulation (Grass, bipolar nerve stimulator, 10 V, 1-msec delay, 10 Hz, 10-msec square wave). Heparin anticoagulation was maintained and arterial pH monitored. Simultaneous adrenal vein, aortic blood sampling, and adrenal blood flow (F) determinations followed 10-min periods of alternating electrical stimulation and nerve rest. AMS for epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) was calculated [E and NE plasma concentration (single isotope radioenzymatic technique) differences of adrenal vein minus aorta multiplied by F]. Results were grouped, analyzed for variance, and compared (Wilcoxon unpaired rank sum, Student's t test, Fischer's tables, ANOVA). Low aortic E, NE concentrations confirmed absent systemic adrenergic stimulation. The AMS ratio of NE:E was low in the anephric group. At the first stimulation interval NE:E was 0.28 ± 0.14 (1 SD) in renal intact dogs vs 0.11 ± 0.04 in anephric dogs, P < 0.05. At rest NE:E was 0.33 ± 0.12 in group 1 vs 0.17 ± 0.02 in group 2 dogs, P < 0.02. Plasma NE was also low in the anephric group (289 mg/liter ± 126 (1 SD) vs 612 ± 189, P = 0.033, resting). This study indicates suppressed plasma NE and relative suppression of AMS of NE in anephric dogs after acute nephrectomy but maintenance of E secretion during electrical stimulation of the divided splanchnic nerve. These results suggest that angiotensin modulates locally the relative proportions of AMS of catecholamines and are consistent with more important AII modulation of sympathetic activity at the CNS level.
Cutting-Edge Report: TLR10 Plays a Role in Mediating Bacterial Peptidoglycan-Induced Trophoblast Apoptosis

Problem There is a strong correlation between intrauterine bacterial infection and preterm labor. While inflammation is a common mechanism, certain pathogens may trigger placental apoptosis. TLR2 activation by gram-positive bacterial peptidoglycan (PDG) induces first-trimester trophoblast apoptosis and decreased IL-6 secretion. This is dependent upon the presence of TLR1 and the absence of TLR6 and both TLR2 coreceptors. As TLR10 is also a TLR2 coreceptor, the objective of this study was to determine its expression and function in the trophoblast. Method of study First-and third-trimester human placental tissue and isolated trophoblast were evaluated for TLR10 expression. A first-trimester human trophoblast cell line stably transfected with a TLR10 dominant negative (TLR10-DN) or vector control was treated with or without PDG and analyzed for apoptosis and IL-6. Results TLR10 was expressed by trophoblasts during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. PDG-induced trophoblast caspase-3 activity was inhibited by the presence of the TLR10-DN. The presence of the TLR10-DN had no effect on PDG reduction in trophoblast IL-6 secretion. Conclusion This study demonstrates that trophoblast TLR10 plays a role in promoting apoptosis triggered by gram-positive bacterial components and suggests that TLR10 may regulate the balance between trophoblast survival and cell death.
Bipolar depression: relationship between episode length and antidepressant treatment

Background The role of antidepressant medications in bipolar depression remains controversial, mainly due to a lack of research in this area. In this study the authors examined the episode length in bipolar depression and the relationship between antidepressant therapy and episode length. Method A retrospective chart review of 165 subjects identified 50 (30%) with bipolar illness who experienced a major depressive episode between 1 January 1998 and 15 December 2000. Data gathered utilized a structured instrument completed by the clinician at each visit. This instrument includes modified SCID mood modules as well as continuous ratings for each associated symptom of depression and mood elevation. Survival analysis was employed to calculate the median length of the depressive episodes for the entire group. Further survival analysis compared the episode length for subjects treated with antidepressants during the depression (N = 33) with those who did not receive antidepressants (N = 17). The rate of switch into elevated mood states was compared for the two groups. Results The survival analysis for the entire sample demonstrated 25%, 50% and 75% probability of recovery at 33 (S.E. 8.7), 66 (S.E. 17.9) and 215 (S.E. 109.9) days, respectively. Comparing those who received (N = 33) and those who did not receive (N = 17) antidepressants during the episode did not reveal any difference in the length of the depressive episode. Switch rates were not significantly different between those receiving antidepressants and those not taking these medications (15.2% v. 17.6%, respectively). Conclusions Over the past 20 years little progress has been made in reducing the length of depressive episodes in those with bipolar illness. This is despite increasing pharmacological options available for treating depression. Clinicians treating bipolar depression should discuss with their patients the likelihood that the episode will last between 2-3 months. Our results also suggest that antidepressant treatment may not reduce the length of depressive episodes, neither did it appear to contribute to affective switch in our sample.
Criteria for Cross-Plane Dominated Thermal Transport in Multilayer Thin Film Systems During Modulated Laser Heating

Pump-probe transient thermoreflectance (TTR) techniques are powerful tools for measuring the thermophysical properties of thin films, such as thermal conductivity A, or thermal boundary conductance, G. This paper examines the assumption of one-dimensional heating on, A and G, determination in nanostructures using a pump-probe transient thermoreflectance technique. The traditionally used one-dimensional and axially symmetric cylindrical conduction models for thermal transport are reviewed. To test the assumptions of the thermal models, experimental data from Al films on bulk substrates (Si and glass) are taken with the TTR technique. This analysis is extended to thin film multilayer structures. The results show that at 11 MHz modulation frequency thermal transport is indeed one dimensional. Error among the various models arises due to pulse accumulation and not accounting for residual heating.