cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Strokes and congenital heart disease in infants and children

Abstract This article examines the incidence, mechanisms, recognition, prevention, and management of strokes associated with congenital heart disease in infants and children.
Survey of partial removable dental prosthesis (partial RDP) types in a distinct patient population

Statement of problem Current demographic information on the number and types of removable partial dentures is lacking in the prosthodontic literature. Purpose This study was designed to investigate patterns of tooth loss in patients receiving removable partial dentures (RPDs) in eastern Wisconsin. Material and Methods Digital images (1502) of casts at 5 dental laboratories in eastern Wisconsin were collected. Any prescription requesting fabrication of a removable partial denture was photographed twice. The first photograph was made immediately upon arrival at the laboratory, while the second photograph was made immediately before being returned to the prescribing dentist for the first time. A calibrated investigator analyzed all the photographs for Kennedy Classification, type of RPD, major connector, and other details. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Fisher's exact test was used to confirm repeatability. Results Kennedy Class I was the most common RPD with a frequency of 38.4%. More than 40% of prescriptions had no design input from the dentist. One in 3 RPDs used acrylic resin or flexible frameworks. One in 5 RPDs had no rests. The horseshoe major connector was the most common maxillary major connector, while the lingual plate was the most common in the mandible. Conclusions RPDs remain a common prosthodontic treatment in this region. Non-metal RPD frameworks are a common treatment type and rarely include rests. These data indicate a changing partially edentulous patient population and a variable commitment to standard levels of prosthodontic care. (J Prosthet Dent 2011;106:48-56)
Relationship of the Method of Addition and Temperature of Cryoprotective Agents to the Fertilizing Capacity of Cooled Chicken Spermatozoa

Abstract Three experiments were conducted to determine the relationship of the method of adding (fraction or bulk) and/or holding temperature (41°, 25°, 10°) of glycerol, dimethylsulf oxide or ethylene glycol to the fertilizing capacity of chicken spermatozoa during cooling. No significant effect on fertility was observed when sperm were washed, suspended without dilution in phosphate buffer or milk and cooled to 15° in 30 min. With phosphate buffer as the medium, fertility was comparable with that of the control only when ethylene glycol was maintained at 41° or 25° prior to addition in fractions (3 equal parts at 10 min. intervals). Similar effects were observed when 4% DMSO at 25° was added in bulk after cooling. However, when DMSO was added to sperm suspended in milk, fertility was significantly reduced regardless of treatment. None of the methods were successful in eliminating the contraceptive action of glycerol. The results indicate that a number of in vitro techniques can be used to maintain the fertilizing capacity of chicken spermatozoa in the presence of 4% ethylene glycol or DMSO.
Pentoses as precursors of heptuloses in plants.

Abstract Either an l or d form of every heptulose having hydroxyls oriented in the trans position on carbons 3 and 4 has been induced to accumulate in plant tissue into which a pentose with the appropriate stereoconfiguration is introduced. These four heptuloses are d - altro -heptulose (sedoheptulose), l - gluco -heptulose, l - galacto -heptulose, and d - ido -heptulose. During the interconversion of the pentose to the heptulose, no CC bonds of the pentose molecule appear to be disrupted since the arrangement of hydroxyls on carbons 4, 5, and 6 of each heptulose is identical to the arrangement of hydroxyls on carbons 2, 3, and 4 of the pentose which caused it to accumulate. Thus, the reaction by which biosynthesis of these four heptuloses occurred seems to be most likely that catalyzed by transketolase. If the pentoseheptulose interconversions are considered to be reversible, as has been shown to be the case with d -ribose and d - altro -heptulose, the results presented here conform to Racker's observation that, with the exception of hydroxypyruvate, all known ketol donors in transketolase-catalyzed biosynthesis have their hydroxyl groups on C-3 and C-4 in the trans position. The possibility that an aldolase enzyme is involved in the biosynthesis of the four heptuloses is not excluded since the configuration of carbons 1, 2, 3, and 4 in every case is that of d -xylulose, which Hough and Jones noted to be characteristic of the products of aldolase-catalyzed biosynthesis. Evidence presented here which conforms to the observations both of Racker and of Hough and Jones is the isolation and identification of d - ido -heptulose from alfalfa leaves into which d -xylose is introduced and the presumptive chromatographic identification of l - galacto -heptulose in extracts of leaves into which l -lyxose is introduced. Previously, using alfalfa and other plants, it had been shown that l -arabinose induces the accumulation of l - gluco -heptulose. None of the enantiomorphic pairs of these three pentoses induced the accumulation of detectable levels of heptulose under the same conditions. The more reactive member of each pair is also the form which occurs most commonly in nature.
Pyridoxine-induced toxicity in rats: a stereological quantification of the sensory neuropathy

Excess ingestion of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) causes a severe sensory neuropathy in humans. The mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated, and studies of pyridoxine neuropathy in experimental animals have yielded disparate results. Pyridoxine intoxication appears to produce a neuropathy characterized by necrosis of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensory neurons and degeneration of peripheral and central sensory projections, with large diameter neurons being particularly affected. The major determinants affecting the severity of the pyridoxine neuropathy appear to be duration and dose of pyridoxine administration, differential neuronal vulnerability, and species susceptibility. The present study used design-based stereological techniques in conjunction with electrophysiological measures to quantify the morphological and physiological changes that occur in the DRG and the distal myelinated axons of the sciatic nerve following pyridoxine intoxication. This combined stereological and electrophysiological method demonstrates a general approach that could be used for assessing the correlation between pathophysiological and functional parameters in animal models of toxic neuropathy.
Movement of fibrinogen receptors on the ventral membrane of spreading platelets

Abstract We have used fibrinogen–gold conjugates and fluorescein-labelled fibrinogen to examine the presence of fibrinogen receptors on the ventral membrane of spreading platelets and to visualize the redistribution of the receptors during platelet spreading. The movement of fibrinogen–gold conjugates was observed in real time using video-enhanced interference reflection microscopy (VEIRM) and the redistribution of fluorescein-labelled fibrinogen was examined using video-intensified epifluorescence microscopy (VIFM). Fibrinogen was picked up by spreading platelets and moved towards the centre of the platelets. The velocity of the movement of fibrinogen–gold conjugates under the ventral membrane ranged from less than 0.1 μm min-1 to more than 10 μm min-1. The average velocity in the peripheral web region was more than 6 μm min-1, and was reduced to around 1 μm min-1 in the outer and inner filamentous zones. The centralized fibrinogen molecules were internalized and eventually removed from the platelets. Video microscopy in conjunction with colloidal gold particles provides a simple method for real-time observation of the movement of fibrinogen receptors on the ventral membrane of spreading platelets.
The need to examine metastatic tissue at the time of progression of breast cancer: is re-biopsy a necessity or a luxury?

Knowledge of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) status is necessary for determining the optimal treatment of breast cancer patients. At the same time, the discordance between marker profiles (ER/PR and HER2) of primary and metastatic breast cancer is well documented. Whether discordant cases are secondary to “clonal selection” in the face of targeted anti-estrogen or anti-HER2 therapy or whether they are a laboratory artifact is still debated; both scenarios are likely. This article outlines current modalities for ER, PR, and HER2 testing in primary breast carcinoma and its metastases and reviews prospective and retrospective studies that have addressed these issues, as well as recent advances in the field.
Resetting the US–Russian relationship: is ‘cooperative engagement’ possible?

Abstract The determination of the USA to ‘reset its relationship’ with Russia has been a major security policy objective for the current US Administration. An admirable objective, it has proved more illusive than anticipated. But a focus on ‘cooperative engagement’1 that selectively addresses areas of common interests such as Iranian nuclear developments, a range of issues dealing with nuclear arms control, missile defense, and NATO-Russian relations (among others) could prove fruitful for both lessening tensions and establishing common agendas to resolve contentious issues. Important to that process will be enhancing institutions in order to assure longer-term productive relations that engage and vest both the USA and Russia. This more realistic approach of ‘cooperative engagement’ within existing, but strengthened organizations would both ‘reset’ the relationship and encourage relations that reach beyond cold war military thinking to sustained future cooperation.
From Thought to Action: Exploring Beliefs and Outcomes in the Foreign Language Program edited by SISKIN, H. JAY

The article reviews the book "From Thought to Action: Exploring Beliefs and Outcomes in the Foreign Language Program," edited by H. Jay Siskin.
ACADEMIC FIT OF STUDENT-ATHLETES: An analysis of NCAA division I-A Graduation Rates

Federal law mandates that universities reveal their graduation rates purportedly to inform policy makers and constituencies about efforts to support educational attainment for students and athletes. These rates are widely used to compare universities. Analysis of 10 years of graduation rates across all major athletic programs concludes that graduation rates alone are insufficient and misleading unless they account for the widely varying constituencies served by different universities. Constituency factors include university mission, admission restrictions, and institutional wealth. Universities with more selective admission policies graduate both students and athletes at higher rates, although their athletes graduate at lower rates, relative to their student cohorts. This research assesses: (1) athlete educational attainment, (2) the impact of athletic success and (3) the relationship between admission selectivity and educational attainment. The results provide implications for across-university policies and suggest a method for identifying universities that model the bifurcated goal of academic and athletic excellence.
Exploring Relevent Concepts in the Presentation of Audio within a Simulated or Virtual Environment

This report proposes a taxonomy for audio presentation within virtual environments. After a brief review of relevant audio and hearing issues, a step-by-step process for integrating the audio component of the simulation is offered. The taxonomy is the result of research by Darin Hughes from the Institute for Simulation and Training in Orlando, FL. This work was originally submitted as a class project under the guidance of Dr. Mustapha Mouloua, where Mr. Hughes was co-author. For more information on the taxonomy or his expertise in the field of audio engineering, contact him at darin@cs.ucf.edu.
Effects of phonemic awareness instruction on the encoding skills of children with severe speech impairment

Purpose: To examine the effects of phoneme-grapheme correspondence and phonemic awareness instruction on the encoding abilities of three pre-reading children with severe speech impairment (SSI). Method: Using a single subject multiple baseline design across behaviours and participants, children received phoneme-grapheme awareness instruction followed by instruction in segmenting, manipulating, and encoding consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) pseudowords. Results: Generalization occurred to encoding of novel CVC pseudo- and real words for two of the three participants. Conclusions: Results suggest that phoneme-grapheme correspondence and phonemic awareness instruction is effective in developing encoding skills in children with SSI. Findings are consistent with those for other at-risk children.
Moisture sorption isotherms of concentrated yogurt and microwave vacuum dried yogurt powder.

Abstract Moisture sorption isotherms of yogurt, concentrated yogurt and microwave vacuum dried yogurt were determined and compared with those of freeze dried and spray dried yogurts, using the GAB and Halsey models. The GAB model showed better fitness than the Halsey equation for the moisture sorption isotherms of yogurt products. The temperature shift of isotherms could be expressed using GAB parameters m0, c1, and c2. Yogurt showed higher sorption energy levels than those of concentrated yogurt at moisture contents of 0.025 kg water/kg solid or higher. Three yogurt powders processed from the concentrated yogurt showed very similar heat curves. Concentrated yogurt showed a lower level of equilibrium moisture content than yogurt, which implied structural changes of yogurt during preconcentration. Microwave vacuum dried concentrated yogurt powder showed a lower level of equilibrium moisture content than freeze dried and spray dried yogurts. However, the differences were not significant when concentrated yogurt was used as a raw material for the three drying methods. The differences between sorption isotherms of the three powders may be ascribed to the different surface structures.
Clinical Reasoning in Massage Therapy

Abstract: Background. Clinical reasoning has long been a valuable tool for healthcare practitioners, but has been under-researched in the field of massage therapy. Case reports have been a useful method for exploring the clinical reasoning process in various fields of manual therapy, and can provide a model for similar research in the field of massage therapy. A diagnostically challenging case concerning a client with low back pain serves as a guideline for examining the clinical reasoning process of a massage therapist. Methods. A 2-part methodology was employed: 1) A client profile and 2) A reflective inquiry. The inquiry included questions pertaining to beliefs about health problems; beliefs about the mechanisms of pain; the medical conditions that could explain the client’s symptoms; knowledge of the client’s anatomy; assessment and treatment choices; observations made during treatment; extent of experience in treating similar problems; and the ability to recognize clinical patterns. Results. The clinical reasoning process of a massage therapist resulted in a differential diagnosis, which provided an explanation for the client’s symptoms and led to a satisfactory treatment resolution. Conclusion. This report serves as an example of the value of clinical reasoning in the field of massage therapy, and the need for expanded research into its methods and applications. The results of such research could be beneficial in teaching the clinical reasoning process at both the introductory and advanced levels of massage therapy education.
The role of cancer risk in the regulation of industrial pollution.

The extent of carcinogen regulation under existing U.S. environmental statutes is assessed by developing measures of the scope and stringency of regulation. While concern about cancer risk has played an important political role in obtaining support for pollution control programs, it has not provided the predominant rationale for most regulatory actions taken to date. Less than 20% of all standards established to limit concentrations of chemicals in various media address carcinogens. Restrictions on chemical use are more frequently based on concerns about noncancer human health or ecological effects. Of the chemicals in commercial use which have been identified as potential human carcinogens on the basis of rodent bioassays, only a small proportion are regulated. There is an inverse relationship between the scope of regulatory coverage and the stringency of regulatory requirements: the largest percentages of identified carcinogens are affected by the least stringent requirements, such as information disclosure. Standards based on de minimis cancer risk levels have been established for only 10% of identified carcinogens and are restricted to one medium: water. Complete bans on use have affected very few chemicals. The general role that carcinogenicity now plays in the regulatory process is not dramatically different from that of other adverse human health effects: if a substance is identified as a hazard, it may eventually be subject to economically achievable and technically feasible restrictions.
Fabrication of biconical tapered optical fibers using hydrofluoric acid

Abstract An easy to implement procedure for etching silica fibers in biconical form useful in sensing applications is described. A simple etching reactor was developed to obtain reproducible tapers of desired diameter and length. An approach for on-line monitoring of etching using a commonly used fluorometer is demonstrated. A mathematical model describing the light power transmission is proposed, and is validated using experimental data. The data and the model indicate that the diameter of the silica fiber decreases linearly with time with hydrofluoric acid (HF, 49.5% w/w) used as etchant at room temperature. The observed etching rate was 0.0023±0.00019 s −1 , which was repeatable using the procedure developed in this study. Method to arrest etching and subsequent preservation of the small diameter taper in mildly alkaline solution was found to be successful.
Direct simulation of fatigue failure in solder joints during cyclic shear

Abstract A numerical finite element analysis is undertaken to directly simulate failure of solder joint caused by cyclic shear deformation. In the model the tin (Sn)-silver (Ag)-copper (Cu) solder and two copper substrates constitute a lap-shear testing configuration. A progressive damage model is incorporated into the rate-dependent elastic-viscoplastic response of the solder alloy, resulting in the capability of simulating damage evolution and eventual failure through crack formation. The study concerns three different applied shear strain rates, 1, 10 and 100 s −1 , under both the monotonic and cyclic loading conditions. It is found that, in the reference case of monotonic loading, the strain at failure can be influenced significantly by the fracture path in the solder. There is a tendency for cracking to occur closer to the interface during cyclic loading. The initiation of fatigue cracks is generally insensitive to the applied strain rate. However, the total fatigue life, in terms of the number of cycles to final failure, is seen to decrease significantly in the case of highest strain rate.
Gentic evidence for superoperonal organization of genes for photosynthesis pigments and pigment-binding proteins in Rhodobacter capsulatus

Three adjacent operons, each concerned with photosynthesis in Rhodobacter capsulatus, have been shown by genetic means to be cotranscribable. In the course of describing the characteristics of the bchCA operon, which encodes two enzymes essential for bacteriochlorophyll synthesis, we found that the expression of the bchCA genes is influenced by readthrough from the upstream crtE and crtF genes. The crtE and crtF genes encode enzymes required for carotenoid biosynthesis and function as an operon. Furthermore, the distal structural gene of the bchCA operon, bchA, contains within it both the major oxygen-regulated promotor (Ppuf1) and the constitutive (Ppuf2) promotor for the puf operon. Since these three operons, crtEF, bchCA, and puf, are all transcribed in the same direction, it appears that polymerases traversing the down-stream regions may start at any of several promoters. This pattern of transcription, which is unusual among bacteria, demonstrates that the activities of individual operons in a superoperonal cluster may be affected by their positions within the cluster.
Approximation power of polynomial splines on T-meshes

Polynomial spline spaces defined on T-meshes are useful tools for both surface modeling and the finite element method. Here the approximation power of such spline spaces is established. The approach uses Bernstein-Bezier methods to get precise conditions on the geometry of the meshes which lead to local and stable bases.
Using physical models to improve thermal IR detection of buried mines

Many aspects of a buried mine's thermal IR signature can be predicted through physical models, and insight provided by such models can lead to better detection. Several techniques for exploiting this information are described. The first approach involves ML estimation of model parameters and followed by classification of those parameters. We show that this approach is related to an approximate evaluation of an integral over the parameters that arises in a Bayesian formulation. This technique is compared with a generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) and with computationally efficient, model-free approaches, in which soil temperature data are classified directly. The benefit of using the temporal information is also investigated. Algorithm performance is illustrated using broadband IR imagery of buried mines acquired over a 24 hour period. It is found that the detection performance at a suitably selected time is comparable to the performance achieved by processing all times. The performance of the GLRT, for which detection is based only on the residual error, is inferior to a classifier using the parameters.
Climb of dislocation spirals and loops during room-temperature oxidation of zinc crystals

Abstract Dislocation spirals and loops are observed by Berg-Barrett X-ray topography in the basal cleaved zinc single crystals in the presence of large numbers of slip dislocations of all three basal Burgers vectors. Dislocation spirals and loops are often composed of bundles of these basal slip dislocations. The climb of dislocation spirals and loops, associated with vacancy injection into the lattice during oxidation, is also observed during the surface oxidation process at room temperature. The results imply that the oxidation process is closely related to and controlled by the lattice defect density and dislocation arrangements near the crystal surface.
Härtemessung an Wachsen nach verschiedenen Methoden

An chemisch unterschiedlichen Wachsen wurden Hartemessungen nach den drei Methoden Kugeldruckharte, Kegelfliesgrenze und Fliesharte durchgefuhrt. Bei Kugeldruckharte und Kegelfliesgrenze wurde ein registrierendes Verfahren installiert, um auch zeitabhangige Effekte zu erfassen. Mit der Kugeldruckharte kann man ferner elastische Deformationen erfassen, zu deren Auswertung ein entsprechendes Verfahren vorgeschlagen wird. Elastische Effekte lassen sich bei der Kegelfliesgrenze wegen ihrer geringen Grose nicht vernunftig erfassen. Die bleibenden Deformationen von Kugeldruckharte und Kegelfliesgrenze laufen weitgehend parallel und sind in hohem Mase miteinander korreliert. Spielen elastische Effekte bei der Kugeldruckharte noch eine grose Rolle, so werden sie bei der Fliesharte durch die vollige Zerstorung des Probekorpers weitgehend unterdruckt. Daher charakterisieren beide Methoden etwas unterschiedliche anwendungstechnische Merkmale von Wachsen. Die Kegelfliesgrenze liegt in ihrer Aussage zwischen Kugeldruckharte und Fliesharte. Hardness Determination of Waxes by Different Methods Hardness determination according to the three methods ball-pressure hardness, cone-flow limit and flow hardness were carried out in chemically different waxes. The results of ball-pressure hardness and cone-flow limit were recorded, to measure time depending effects, too. By ball-pressure hardness furthermore elastic deformations can be measured. A corresponding evaluation procedure is suggested. Elastic effects cannot be measured reasonably by cone-flow limit because of their small dimension. The remaining deformations of ball-pressure hardness and cone-flow limit are largely parallel and are correlated in a high degree. Whereas elastic forces are important for ball-pressure hardness, they are extensively suppressed by the complete destruction of the specimen in the flow hardness. Therefore both methods characterize slightly different application features of waxes. The cone-flow limit is between bail-pressure hardness and flow hardness with respect to its results.
The Relationship between Supervisory Power and Organizational Characteristics

This study tested hypotheses regarding the relationships between types of power used by supervisors and organizational characteristics. Data about organizational characteristics were provided by top level managers in 45 various organizations. Data about supervisory power were provided by 280 employees in those organizations. Results suggested that supervisors possessed more power in organizations that were formalized, growing, innovative, and not status stratified.
Immunosuppressant Activity of the Ansamycins

The immunosuppressive effect of four analogues of rifampin and two streptovaracins on cell-mediated immunity has been determined. Tuberculin hypersensitivity in the footpads of immunized mice was inhibited by three of the rifampin analogues and by both streptovaracins. The observed in vivo immunosuppressive activity of the compounds tested was not correlated with their in vitro activity against mycobacterial growth but was associated with their toxicity in mice. These data indicate that some of the analogues of rifampin and the streptovaracins can significantly suppress cell-mediated immunity and suggest that other ansamycins may have significant immunosuppressant activity.
Rapid O serogroup identification of the six clinically relevant Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli by antibody microarray.

Abstract An antibody microarray was developed to detect the “top six” non-O157 serogroups, O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145 of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), that have been declared as adulterant in meat by the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. The sensitivity of the array was 105 CFU and the limit of detection of each serogroup in artificially inoculated ground beef was 1–10 CFU following 12 h of enrichment. Optimal concentrations of antibodies for printing and labeling and bacterial dilutions for binding to the antibodies were assessed. The array utilized a minimal amount of antibodies and other reagents and may be utilized for screening of multiple target O groups of STEC in parallel, directly from enriched samples in less than 3 h. Furthermore, the antibody array provides the flexibility to include other O serogroups of E. coli and may be adopted for high throughput screening. The method is potentially applicable to detect the pathogenic STEC O groups of E. coli in meat and other food, thus improving food safety and public health.
Use of a Serum-Free Epidermal Culture Model to Show Deleterious Effects of Epidermal Growth Factor on Morphogenesis and Differentiation

The presence of serum has limited the utility of many culture models for the study of cytokine effects because Its complexity and variability can confound the interpretation of data. In the present study, a serum-free skin co-culture model was used to investigate the effect of exogenous epidermal growth factor (EGF) on epidermal proliferation and differentiation, Human keratinocytes cultured on collagen rafts at the air-liquid interface produced a well-differentiated epithelium that resembled normal epidermis. Keratin filaments, membrane-coating granules, and keratohyalin granules were all observed. Epidermal differentiation markers keratin K1/K10, involucrin, and transglutaminase were localized in most of the supra-basal layers, whereas profilaggrin/filaggrin was confined to the granular layers and stratum corneum, In the continual presence of 10–20 ng/mL EGF, the epidermis was less organized, thinner, and less proliferative. EGF also depressed several indicators of differentiation: The number of keratohyalin granules and membrane-coating granules was greatly decreased; antigen expression of profilaggrin/filaggrin appeared diminished by immunocytochemical staining; frequent nuclear retention was noted in the relatively thickened stratum corneum-like layers. As detected by immunohistochemical staining, the expression of EGF receptor in the epidermis was reduced by exogenous EGF. These data illustrate that EGF cannot be considered a simple mitogen. Our findings also underscore tile importance of using sophisticated culture models to assess complex cytokine effects that may be dependent on the architecture of a differentiating epidermis.
Reliability of retrieval from semantic memory: Noun meanings

The purpose of this experiment was to determine how reliably college students could retrieve from memory semantic information about commonly used nouns. In two recall sessions separated by 1 week, subjects gave definitions for abstract nouns, category labels, and concrete nouns. It was found that more propositions were given in definitions of concrete nouns (7.13) than in definitions of category labels (6.73) or abstract nouns (4.13). The within-subject reliability of retrieval was.55 for concrete nouns,.46 for category labels, and.43 for abstract nouns. The between-subjects reliability was.29 for concrete nouns,.20 for category labels, and.17 for abstract nouns. Discussed are the implications of these data for the hypothesis that the single word represents the unit of meaning.
AIDS-associated membranous nephropathy with advanced renal failure: Response to prednisone

We report the case of a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who developed nephrotic syndrome and progressive renal failure mimicking human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) who required initiation of hemodialysis and was found on renal biopsy to have membranous nephropathy. Hepatitis B and C serologies were negative. Although she required hemodialysis, she was treated with prednisone and experienced a progressive decline in her serum creatinine from 10.1 mg/dL to 1.9 mg/dL, which permitted the discontinuation of hemodialysis. After she abruptly discontinued prednisone, her creatinine level increased to 4.8 mg/dL, and she experienced marked worsening of her nephrotic syndrome. Resumption of prednisone resulted in normalization of serum creatinine and reduction in urine protein excretion. No adverse effects of prednisone occurred during this time. She remains off of hemodialysis for 1 year with a serum creatinine level of 1.0 mg/dL and urine protein excretion of 0.4 g/d. Although most patients with HIV infection, nephrotic-range proteinuria, and renal failure have FSGS, a minority may have membranous nephropathy. Although typically not a steroid-responsive lesion in the setting of advanced renal failure, membranous nephropathy may be a highly steroid-responsive lesion in the HIV-infected patient, and treatment may help avert the need for dialysis in a patient population that generally has a poor outcome on dialysis.
The effects of humidity on the dielectric response in ferroelectric polymers made by langmuir-blodgett deposition

The effects of humidity on Langmuir-Blodgett poly(vinylidine fluoride-trifluoroethylene) 70/30 were investigated by measuring dielectric properties. At a constant temperature, the capacitance of the films increases linearly with the humidity. The experimental drying rate of the films ranges from 2 to 3 hours in the temperature range of 10°C to 30°C. Communicated by Dr. George W. Taylor (Originally presented at the 10th European Meeting on Ferroelectricity, Cambridge, UK, August 3-8, 2003)
Counter Action Frames: Employer Repertoires and the Union Menace in the Late Nineteenth Century

This article explores collective action frames associated with U.S. employer mobilization against unions in the late nineteenth century. The study makes several contributions to the literature on framing processes. First, it emphasizes that the interests and identities of counter-mobilizing elites are no less problematic than those of challengers. The character of labor protest did not in itself dictate how employers would construct the actors and issues at stake in industrial conflict. Second, it adds another explanation for why certain frames prevail, supplementing discussions of strategic framing and frame resonance. From among a larger repertoire of possibilities, proprietary employers adopted those anti-union frames that corresponded with diagnostic categories and identities constructed in other organizational settings. My focus here is on frames deployed in the arenas of municipal reform and status group formation as well as industrial relations. Finally, the case suggests that for elite counter-mobilization, the development of oppositional identities may also involve social closure, as higher status groups construct hierarchies of social honor.
Ultrafast optical control of electron spins in quantum wells and quantum dots

Using two-color time-resolved Faraday rotation and ellipticity, we demonstrate ultrafast optical control of electron spins in GaAs quantum wells and InAs quantum dots. In quantum wells, a magnetic-field induced electron spin polarization is manipulated by off-resonant pulses. By measuring the amplitude and phase of the spin polarization as a function of pulse detuning, we observe the two competing optical processes: real excitation, which generates a spin polarization through excitation of electron-hole pairs; and virtual excitation, which can manipulate a spin polarization through a stimulated Raman process without exciting electron-hole pairs. In InAs quantum dots, the spin coherence time is much longer, so that the effect of many repetitions of the pump pulses is important. Through real excitation, the pulse train efficiently polarizes electron spins that precess at multiples of the laser repetition frequency, leading to a "mode-locking" phenomenon. Through virtual excitation, the spins can be partially rotated toward the magnetic field direction, leading to a sensitive dependence of the spin orientation on the precession frequency and detuning. The electron spin dynamics strongly influence the nuclear spin dynamics as well, leading to directional control of the nuclear polarization distribution.
The use of a team-based strategy for organizational transformation: guidance for moving toward a high reliability organization

Organizations are operating in increasingly complex , dynamic and even ambiguous environments. In response , many organizations have turned to the use of teams and employ a highly proactive strategy to business (i.e. attempting to estimate all possibilities). However , within a complex environment being proactive is not enough , organizations must also promote resilience in order to adapt to a wide range of situations and do so while maintaining an impressive safety record. Organizations that are able to accomplish this are known as high reliability organizations (HROs). While much about HROs is known , less is known about how non-HROs can make the journey to becoming an HRO. Therefore , the purpose of this paper is two-fold. First , the theory is extended behind HROs by developing a theoretical framework that serves to illustrate this process. In doing so , information was extracted and integrated from the literature on organizational theory (i.e. institutional theory) and change (i.e. change process) wi...
Immunobiology of IgA.

In humans, IgA is produced in quantities larger than those of all other immunoglobulin isotypes combined. In comparison with immunoglobulin of other isotypes, human IgA displays a unique heterogeneity of its molecular forms with a characteristic distribution in various body fluids. Serum IgA is represented by predominantly monomeric molecules of the IgAl subclass and is produced mainly in the bone marrow, while in external secretions most of the IgA, produced locally in mucosal tissues, occurs in the polymeric configuration with a relatively increased proportion of IgA2 molecules. Cells that produce monomeric or polymeric IgA and IgAl or IgA2 molecules are characteristically distributed in various lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues. The differential interactions of monomeric and polymeric IgA molecules with various cells lead to their selective distribution in body fluids and to differences in the effector functions. Contrary to immunoglobulins of other isotypes, IgA participates in the disposal of antigens by mechanisms mostly devoid of inflammatory consequences. Various modes of immunization can induce an immune response in the systemic and/or secretory IgA compartments. Although most of the total serum IgA is momomeric, recent studies indicate that specific serum IgA antibodies induced by either mucosal or systemic immunizations with microbial antigens appear first in the polymeric form. Thus, cautious immunochemical analyses of IgA antibodies in systemic and secretory compartments with respect to their kinetics of appearance, monomeric and polymeric forms, and subclass may elucidate their tissue origin and character of the antigen involved in their induction.
Involving parents in child sexual abuse prevention programs

The importance of involving parents in child sexual abuse prevention programs has been given much lip-service by prevention educators, but relatively little time, energy or resources in reality. This seems short-sighted at best, if the goal of these programs is truly prevention as they purport. Although the results of this study may have limited generalizability because of its sample size and its highly educated respondents, it is the first study to compare the knowledge of attending versus nonattending parents of a typical one-shot parent workshop. The results indicated that the parents as a whole were fairly well versed in the facts of sexual abuse, although as in previous studies, they did not extend the statistics on sexual abuse to their own children. However, probably the most important results were the enthusiastic responses for parent programs and involvement but in different formats, at different times, and in different environments than the current typical PTO evening, one-time meeting. Clearly child sexual abuse prevention programs should experiment with innovative ways to reach parents. If prevention programs can involve a small minority of motivated parents as they seem to be able to do, then together these parents and the educators may be able to develop methods and resources to involve the large majority of currently uninvolved parents. Such an integrated and involving community approach to the prevention of child sexual abuse seems necessary if the goal of prevention is ever going to be reached.
Exploring reductions for long web queries

Long queries form a difficult, but increasingly important segment for web search engines. Query reduction, a technique for dropping unnecessary query terms from long queries, improves performance of ad-hoc retrieval on TREC collections. Also, it has great potential for improving long web queries (upto 25% improvement in NDCG@5). However, query reduction on the web is hampered by the lack of accurate query performance predictors and the constraints imposed by search engine architectures and ranking algorithms. In this paper, we present query reduction techniques for long web queries that leverage effective and efficient query performance predictors. We propose three learning formulations that combine these predictors to perform automatic query reduction. These formulations enable trading of average improvements for the number of queries impacted, and enable easy integration into the search engine's architecture for rank-time query reduction. Experiments on a large collection of long queries issued to a commercial search engine show that the proposed techniques significantly outperform baselines, with more than 12% improvement in NDCG@5 in the impacted set of queries. Extension to the formulations such as result interleaving further improves results. We find that the proposed techniques deliver consistent retrieval gains where it matters most: poorly performing long web queries.
Factors affecting the outcome of territorial contests between hatchery and naturally reared coho salmon parr in the laboratory

In aquarium experiments using coho salmon as a model species, prior residents dominated intruders of the same size but intruders with a 6% length advantage were equally matched against prior residents. Prior winning experience (distinct from individual recognition) also strongly influenced competitive success and overcame a prior residence effect. Coho salmon reared in a hatchery dominated size-matched fish from the same parental population reared in a stream. Hatchery-reared salmon also dominated naturally spawned salmon, even when the wild salmon were prior residents. Thus the combined effects of greater size and rearing experience of hatchery-produced salmon were sufficient to overcome a wild salmon's advantage of prior residence. Efforts to rehabilitate salmonid populations must consider such behavioural interactions if displacement of wild fish is to be prevented.
Comparison of postprocessing techniques for the detection of perfusion defects by cardiac computed tomography in patients presenting with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Background Despite rapid advances in cardiac computed tomography (CT), a strategy for optimal visualization of perfusion abnormalities on CT has yet to be validated. Objective We evaluated the performance of several postprocessing techniques of source data sets to detect and characterize perfusion defects in acute myocardial infarctions with cardiac CT. Methods Twenty-one subjects (18 men; 60 ± 13 years) that were successfully treated with percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment myocardial infarction underwent 64-slice cardiac CT and 1.5 Tesla cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans after revascularization. Delayed enhancement MR images were analyzed to identify the location of infarcted myocardium. Contiguous short-axis images of the left ventricular myocardium were created from the CT source images with 0.75-mm multiplanar reconstruction (MPR), 5-mm MPR, 5-mm maximal intensity projection (MIP), and 5-mm minimum intensity projection (MinIP) techniques. Segments already confirmed to contain infarction by MRI were then evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively with CT. Results Overall, 143 myocardial segments were analyzed. On qualitative analysis, the MinIP and thick MPR techniques had greater visibility and definition than the thin MPR and MIP techniques ( P P P Conclusion The results of our current investigation found that MinIP and thick MPR detected infarcted myocardium with greater visibility and definition than MIP and thin MPR.
Examples and properties of nonexact ergodic shift measures

We construct examples of nonexact n-to-one shifts. We first construct examples of one-sided shift measures with maximal automorphic factors of any prescribed finite cardinality. Then we give an example of a two-to-one shift with a maximal automorphic factor which is an odometer.
Cumulative generation of octree models from range data

This paper describes algorithms used to assimilate one or more range images into an octree model of the three dimensional space surrounding the subject of the range images. In addition, a software package for simulating a three dimensional sensor setup is described.
Test generation for maximizing ground bounce considering circuit delay

In this paper, we focus on the aspect of ground bounce due to the combination of current produced by gates (signals) switching and the flow of this current through pin electronics. We present a branch-and-bound test generation procedure to obtain high quality 2-vector tests that produce a large amount of ground bounce. We present a framework that accurately captures the relationship between a test and the associated relative size of the maximum amount of ground bounce while taking into account gate delay. Experimental results show that our search procedure can efficiently and effectively find a test that produces the maximum value of ground bounce. We also discuss a binary search based approach that allows our search to cover a larger portion of the search space and find a good test in a reduced amount of CPU time.
Proliferative effects of apical, but not basal, matrix metalloproteinase-7 activity in polarized MDCK cells

Matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) is primarily expressed in glandular epithelium. Therefore, its mechanism of action may be influenced by its regulated vectorial release to either the apical and/or basolateral compartments, where it would act on its various substrates. To gain a better understanding of where MMP-7 is released in polarized epithelium, we have analyzed its pattern of secretion in polarized MDCK cells expressing stably transfected human MMP-7 (MDCK-MMP-7), and HCA-7 and Caco2 human colon cancer cell lines. In all cell lines, latent MMP-7 was secreted to both cellular compartments, but was 1.5- to 3-fold more abundant in the basolateral compartment as compared to the apical. However, studies in the MDCK system demonstrated that MMP-7 activity was 2-fold greater in the apical compartment of MDCK-MMP-7(HIGH)-polarized monolayers, which suggests the apical co-release of an MMP-7 activator. In functional assays, MMP-7 over-expression increased cell saturation density as a result of increased cell proliferation with no effect on apoptosis. Apical MMP-7 activity was shown to be responsible for the proliferative effect, which occurred, as demonstrated by media transfer experiments, through cleavage of an apical substrate and not through the generation of a soluble factor. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the importance of MMP-7 secretion in relation to its mechanism of action when expressed in a polarized epithelium.
Dermatoglyphic pattern types in subjects with nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) and their unaffected relatives in the Philippines

Abstract Objective: To investigate dermatoglyphic patterns in 95 nonsyndromic Filipino subjects with nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) and 90 of their unaffected relatives. Design: Retrospective study of dermatoglyphic pattern types. Setting: Negros Occidental and Cavite in the Philippines. Participants: Nonsyndromic subjects with CL/P and their unaffected relatives. Methods: Dermatoglyphic patterns were categorized as arch, ulnar loop, radial loop, whorl, or other by three independent raters. Pattern data from the subjects, the unaffected relatives, and an unaffected control population (from the literature) were compared using chi-square tests. As a measure of asymmetry, dissimilarity between pattern types on homologous fingers was quantified and compared using Student's t tests. Results: The frequency of arches (p = .016) and ulnar loops (p = .04) were significantly increased, and whorls decreased in the affected group (p = .0015), compared with the unaffected group. Affected fe...