cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optical misalignment sensing and image reconstruction using phase diversity

A segmented-aperture telescope such as the Multiple-Mirror Telescope will suffer from phase errors unless the segments are aligned to within a small fraction of a wavelength. Such a coherent alignment of the segments is difficult to achieve in real time. An alternative is to record the images degraded by phase errors and to restore them after detection by using phase-retrieval techniques. In this paper we describe the use of Gonsalves’s phase-diversity method (which was previously used to combat atmospheric turbulence) to correct imagery blurred by a misaligned segmented-aperture telescope. Two images are recorded simultaneously: the usual degraded image in the focal plane and a second degraded image in an out-of-focus plane. An iterative gradient-search algorithm finds the phase error of the telescope that is consistent with both degraded images. We refer to this technique as the method of multiple-plane measurements with iterative reconstruction. The final image is obtained by a Wiener–Helstrom filtering of the degraded image using the retrieved phase errors. The results of reconstruction experiments performed with simulated data including the effects of noise are shown for the case of random piston phase errors on each of six segments.
Distinctive features of cilia in metazoans and their significance for systematics

Abstract A comparative study of epidermal cilia in the Turbellaria and Nemertea has revealed features in these organelles that are specific to certain taxonomic groups. Turbellarians of the order Acoela, in particular, have a characteristic pattern of axonemal filament termination in the distal tips of their cilia and a characteristic ciliary rootlet system that is not seen in other turbellarian orders nor in other metazoans. Each epidermal cilium in acoels has a typical 9 + 2 axonemal pattern through the main part of its length, but near its distal tip there is an abrupt shelf-like narrowing at which filaments 4–7 terminate; filaments 1, 2, 3, 8 and 9 continue into the thinner distal-most part of the shaft along with the singlet microtubules from the axonemal center. The rootlet system in acoel cilia involves an interconnecting pattern with lateral connectives. The unique structure of these cilia has systematic and phylogenetic significance for the Acoela, and it is argued that ultrastructural characters in general, including characters of organelles, can be validly applied to the phylogeny and systematics of the Metazoa.
The Bridgman Ring Paradox Revisited

The Bridgman ring experiment, in which a hard rubber ring slipped over a steel rod was observed to split when subjected to a hydrostatic confining pressure, was repeated with Pyrex glass rings. Three cases were studied, in which (a) both ring and rod were unjacketed, (b) the inner wall of the ring was sealed from the pressure medium and (c) both rod and ring were completely jacketed. In the first two cases the ring was observed to split abruptly, with a single axial crack when confining pressure reached a critical level. In the third case no abrupt failure occurred, but a number of axial cracks were found to have formed, grown stably, but not penetrated the outer wall of the ring. The first two cases are explained by hydraulic fracturing of the ring. Observations and analysis indicate that in the third case the cracks started at flaws on the inner surface of the ring and propagated outwards in a stable manner. This case, in which a tensile crack propagates in an all-around compressive stress field, provides some insight into axial cracking of rock in triaxial compression and tensile failure of rock under radial shock loading.
Clinicopathologic analysis of patients with adult rhabdomyosarcoma.

BACKGROUND Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) in adults (age ≥ 16 years) is rare, accounting for less than 3% of adult soft tissue sarcomas. There is little information describing the disease biology or clinicopathologic factors that influence survival in adults with RMS. The objective of this study was to define the factors in patients with adult RMS that predict outcome, disease progression, and survival. METHODS Eighty-four adult patients with a pathologic diagnosis of RMS that was confirmed by immunohistochemistry were identified by a prospective inpatient data base during the period 1982–-1999 and were analyzed for disease specific survival and metastasis free survival using the Kaplan–Meier actuarial method. Statistical significance was evaluated using the log-rank test for univariate influence and a Cox regression model for multivariate influence. RESULTS The median disease specific survival was 22 months. Patient age, extent of disease, tumor size at the time of diagnosis, and margin status after resection were significant predictors of disease specific survival. Patients who underwent a complete resection had a significantly longer median survival (105 months) compared with any other subgroup of patients. The histologic subtype did not predict patient survival but did vary with patient age. Most notably, the proportion of the pleomorphic subtype increased with advancing age, accounting for 42% of RMS in patients over the age of 40 years. CONCLUSIONS The most important predictors of outcome in patients with adult RMS are patient age, tumor size, extent of disease, and margin status after resection. In contrast to patients with pediatric RMS, no association was noted between survival and histologic subtype in this group of patients with adult RMS. All histologic subtypes of RMS are aggressive malignancies with poor disease specific survival despite aggressive multimodality management. Cancer 2001;91:794–803. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
A MapReduce based glowworm swarm optimization approach for multimodal functions

In optimization problems, such as highly multimodal functions, many iterations involving complex function evaluations are required. Glowworm Swarm Optimization (GSO) has to be parallelized for such functions when large populations capturing the complete function space, are used. However, large-scale parallel algorithms must communicate efficiently, involve load balancing across all available computer nodes, and resolve parallelization problems such as the failure of nodes. In this paper, we outline how GSO can be modeled based on the MapReduce parallel programming model. We describe MapReduce and present how GSO can be naturally expressed in this model, without having to explicitly handle the parallelization details. We use highly multimodal benchmark functions for evaluating our MR-GSO algorithm. Furthermore, we demonstrate that MR-GSO is appropriate for optimizing difficult evaluation functions, and show that high function peak capture rates are achieved. We show with the experiments that adding more nodes would help to solve larger problems without any modifications to the algorithm structure.
Respiration-deficient Chinese hamster cell mutants: Genetic characterization

We present here genetic experiments with a series of Chinese hamster cell mutants defective in oxidative energy metabolism. The mutations were all shown to be recessive in intraspecies hybrids. Thirty-five mutants were sorted into eight complementation groups, but one of these mutants failed to complement representatives of two distinct complementation groups. The possibility was raised that this is a cell carrying two mutations or a deletion. Because of the greatly different frequencies with which such mutants could be isolated from two different Chinese hamster cell lines, CCL16 (DON) and V79, the stability of representatives from each cell line was examined, and it was found that revertants could be obtained after treatment with mutagens, while spontaneous revertants appeared at unmeasurable or extremely low frequencies, with one exception. The mutant with a very noticeable frequency of spontaneous reversion was defective in mitochondrial protein synthesis, and the question arose whether the mutation was on the mitochondrial genome. A detailed fluctuation analysis of reversion rate and comparison with rates for other mutations was consistent with a nuclear mutation. This conclusion was supported by experiments involving fusions with cytoplasts.
Intraorganizational Aspects and Agency Effectiveness

The research reported concentrates on the intraorganizational aspects of planning behavior on the premise that a planning agency that can coordinate the actions of parallel agencies with direct implementation powers has made a great step towards effective action. In addition, the findings concerning intraorganizational planning behavior may well have practicable implications for interorganizational planning behavior. The empirical findings are based on a study of planning behavior at the municipal level and are thus not directly transferable. The concepts, however, are generally applicable at both levels, and a discussion of the implications for the design of state agencies seems useful. The context of the empirical study is explained in an appendix. An attempt was made by several city governments to implement planning-programming-budgeting systems (PPBSs), a notion that has had wide popularity in recent years. The study was conducted in an iterative manner. The first phase, focusing on PPBS efforts in Ann Arbor, Michigan, used the participant observer method to affirm that the three planning products were important. It then went on to develop more detailed hypotheses concerning characteristics of each of the planning products. The second phase of the study involved an examination of PPBS efforts in additional cities in ordermore » to test seventeen detailed hypotheses. (MCW)« less
Self-organized task assignment for distributed sensors

A new paradigm in ground surveillance consists of swarms of autonomous internetted sensors that can be used for target localization and environmental monitoring. The individual component is an inexpensive device containing multiple sensor types, a processor and wireless communication hardware. Scattered over a certain region, these devices are able to detect the direction or proximity of targets. One of the most limiting factors of the devices is the battery supply. In order to conserve power, these units should be able to adjust their activities to the current situations. Energy consuming signal processing should only be performed if the quality of the raw sensor data promises a significant improvement to the localization results. We propose a self-organized control system that allows the devices to select the algorithm complexity which balances the requirements for good localization performance and energy conservation. The devices make their selection autonomously, based on their own sensor data, information that they receive from other devices in the region, and the amount of energy they have left. The capability of this system will be demonstrated via computer simulations.
Sugar Babies: High-Risk Obstetric Diabetes Resource Team to the Rescue

Childbearing Poster Presentation Purpose for the Program The average number of patients with diabetes in the hospital setting on any given day averages from 26% to 30% of the population. In a high-risk obstetric (OB) Level III tertiary medical center, there is a large population of pregnant patients with diabetes. A team of registered nurses was formed to strengthen the knowledge base of staff, support the care process, and provide safe, optimal care of the diabetic patient population in Women and Infant Services (WIS). Proposed Change After conducting a needs assessment in the department, team members of staff with a special interest in care of the female patient with diabetes was formed. Advanced education sessions were provided to the team members quarterly with primary focus on standardizing best practice in the women's health and pregnant population. Members then chose education topics per year to train fellow staff and collaborated with the health care providers to ensure best outcomes for the patient population with diabetes and pregnancy. Implementation, Outcomes, and Evaluation A business plan was purposed to the WIS leadership and a charter was written to establish the OB diabetic resource team. Members were recruited from staff and quarterly meetings were scheduled. The results indicated that this team filled a need for diabetes management support through providing increased staff coaching and patient education, ultimately improving staff knowledge and confidence in care of the patient with diabetes. Validation of increased staff knowledge and confidence was tracked with coaching and patient education sessions. The average number of staff coached per month by the Sugar-Babies team was 19 and the average number of patient education sessions per month was 13. Topics included treatment of patient with hypoglycemia, carbohydrate counting, proper use of insulin pumps, insulin timing, action, and administration. Before this program, there was no unit-specific diabetes education resource team available to staff. Continued successes are recognized daily by patients, staff, and physicians. Implications for Nursing Practice With the establishment of a unit-based diabetic resource team, all shifts are covered with a knowledgeable diabetic resource consultant. This has greatly affected night shift staff because they experience limited diabetic resources. With the increasing number of pregnant diabetic patients as well as increased use of insulin pumps and the different insulin regimens, the bedside nurse now has the tools to provide evidence-based practice when managing the challenges of providing care for these patients.
Proton total reaction cross sections of carbon from 16 to 28 MeV

Abstract Optical model analysis of the elastic scattering of 18 to 31 MeV protons from carbon has shown that fairly wide variations in the optical model parameters are necessary to reproduce the data. A later analysis of these data in which it was assumed that the scattering amplitude is described by the sum of optical model and Breit-Wigner terms has indicated possible resonances at 19.8, 20.01, and 24.9 MeV (c.m.). The later analysis predicts an inflection point in the proton total reaction cross section at about 21 MeV (lab). In this work the reaction cross sections were measured in the energy range 16 to 28 MeV using the anti-coincidence beam attenuation technique, and the energy variation was achieved with beryllium absorbers and subsequent magnetic analysis. The measured reaction cross section agrees well with the cross section predicted by the later analysis except that there is a weak maximum instead of an inflection point at about 21 MeV (lab).
A Conserved Structural Determinant Located at the Interdomain Region of Mammalian Inositol-requiring Enzyme 1α

Inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α), an endoplasmic reticulum-resident sensor for mammalian unfolded protein response, is a bifunctional enzyme containing kinase and RNase domains critical for trans-autophosphorylation and Xbp1 mRNA splicing, respectively, in response to endoplasmic reticulum stress. However, the amino acid residues important for its function and activation remain largely unexplored. Here, through analysis of IRE1α mutants associated with human somatic cancers, we have identified a highly conserved proline residue at position 830 (Pro830) that is critical for its structural integrity and hence, the activation of both kinase and RNase domains. Structural analysis revealed that Pro830 may form a highly conserved structural linker with adjacent tryptophan and tyrosine residues at positions 833 and 945 (Trp833 and Tyr945), thereby bridging the kinase and RNase domains. Indeed, mutation of Pro830 to leucine (P830L) completely abolished the kinase and RNase activities, significantly decreased protein stability, and prevented oligomerization of IRE1α upon ER stress; similar observations were made for mutations of Trp833 to alanine (W833A) and to a lesser extent for Y945A. Our finding may facilitate the identification of small molecules to compromise IRE1α function specifically.
Bird Use of Fields Treated Postharvest With Two Types of Flooding in Tulare Basin, California

Abstract We surveyed birds on grain and nongrain fields in the Tulare Basin of California treated postharvest with two types of flooding that varied in duration and depth of water applied (flooded-type [FLD] fields: 1 wk; irrigated-type [IRG] fields: <1–15 cm water for <1 wk at a time). Our goal was to compare use of these field types by birds to guide habitat conservation in the region. During 19 August–6 December 2005, we counted a total of 80,316 birds during 23 surveys of 5 FLD fields (four wheat, one alfalfa) and 8,225 birds during 38 surveys of 33 IRG fields (23 cotton, 4 tomato, 3 wheat, 1 alfalfa, 1 oat, 1 fallow). We recorded 14 waterfowl (13 duck, 1 goose), 29 other waterbird (coots, shorebirds, grebes, pelicans, herons, egrets, gulls, terns), and 14 nonwaterbird (passerines, raptors, and vultures) species on FLD fields compared to 5 duck, 14 other waterbird, and 9 nonwaterbird species on IRG fields. Species composition differed by field type; waterfowl comprised a greater perce...
Phonon-assisted hopping of an electron on a Wannier-Stark ladder in a strong electric field

With the application of a spatially constant electric field, the degeneracy of electronic energy levels of geometrically equivalent sites of a crystal is generally lifted. As a result, the electric field causes the electronic eigenstates of a one-dimensional periodic chain to become localized. In particular, they are Wannier-Stark states. With sufficiently large electric-field strengths these states become sufficiently well localized that it becomes appropriate to consider electronic transport to occur via a succession of phonon-assisted hops between the localized Wannier-Stark states. In this paper, we present calculations of the drift velocity arising from acoustic- and optical-phonon-assisted hopping motion between Wannier-Stark states. When the intersite electronic transfer energy is sufficiently small so that the Wannier-Stark states are essentially each confined to a single atomic site, the transport reduces to that of a small polaron. In this regime, while the drift velocity initially rises with increasing electric field strength, the drift velocity ultimately falls with increasing electric-field strength at extremely large electric fields. More generally, for common values of the electronic bandwidth and electric field strength, the Wannier-Stark states span many sites. At sufficiently large electric fields, the energy separation between Wannier-Stark states exceeds the energy uncertainty associated with the carrier's interaction with phonons. Then, it is appropriate to treat the electronic transport in terms of phonon-assisted hopping between Wannier-Stark states. The resulting high-field drift velocity falls with increasing field strength in a series of steps. Thus, we find a structured negative differential mobility at large electric fields. Such a situation may be experimentally realized in superlattice structures at low temperatures.
Localization of O6-alkylguanine transferase in cancer susceptible cells of human female breast

Abstract The cell type specific distribution of O 6 -alkylguanine-DNA-alkyltransferase (AGT) protein was assessed using immuno-histochemical localization in human female breast tissue sections and biochemical quantitation of fractionated cell extracts. The results demonstrated that the AGT protein is predominantly localized in luminal epithelial and myoepithelial cells of the intralobular mammary ducts. Western blot analysis revealed that the AGT level in epithelial cell rich organoid fraction was substantially higher than the whole tissue and fibro-collagenous stromal cell fraction of the normal breast. The quantitative activity measurements confirmed the occurrence of a statistically significant 2.7-fold ( P = 0.05) and 4.0-fold ( P = 0.04) enriched AGT activity in extracts prepared from the organoids compared to the whole tissue homogenate and fractionated stromal cells, respectively. The results suggest that the invariably high AGT level in malignant compared to the normal breast tissue could be due to AGT accumulation in luminal epithelial and myoepithelial cell mass, increasing as a consequence of the uncontrolled proliferation and differentiation of ductal cells in invasive carcinoma.
Meal patterns in the genetically obese Zucker rat: a reexamination.

Abstract The meal patterns of four obese and four lean female Zucker rats were analyzed using five different intermeal interval definitions in combination with four minimum meal size definitions. Results from these 20 analyses revealed that obese rats typically initiate fewer but larger meals than their lean littermates. However, these general findings were not always observed with the use of particular combinations of intermeal interval and minimum meal size definitions. The interaction between meal pattern analysis parameters and rat genotype led to a second series of statistical analyses. Results from these procedures revealed that unlike the “nibble-eat” pattern of intake that characterizes lean rats, obese rats seem to initiate three classes of meals; the very small meal, the typical meal, and the “super-meal.” It is suggested that the analysis of the meal patterns of Zucker rats incorporate relatively large minimum meal size definition with at least two intermeal interval definitions.
Characterization of the optic disc in retinal imagery using a probabilistic approach

The application of computer based image analysis to the diagnosis of retinal disease is rapidly becoming a reality due to the broad-based acceptance of electronic imaging devices throughout the medical community and through the collection and accumulation of large patient histories in picture archiving and communications systems. Advances in the imaging of ocular anatomy and pathology can now provide data to diagnose and quantify specific diseases such as diabetic retinopathy (DR). Visual disability and blindness have a profound socioeconomic impact upon the diabetic population and DR is the leading cause of new blindness in working-age adults in the industrialized world. To reduce the impact of diabetes on vision loss, robust automation is required to achieve productive computer-based screening of large at-risk populations at lower cost. Through this research we are developing automation methods for locating and characterizing important structures in the human retina such as the vascular arcades, optic nerve, macula, and lesions. In this paper we present results for the automatic detection of the optic nerve using digital red-free fundus photography. Our method relies on the accurate segmentation of the vasculature of the retina along with spatial probability distributions describing the luminance across the retina and the density, average thickness, and average orientation of the vasculature in relation to the position of the optic nerve. With these features and other prior knowledge, we predict the location of the optic nerve in the retina using a two-class, Bayesian classifier. We report 81% detection performance on a broad range of red-free fundus images representing a population of over 345 patients with 19 different pathologies associated with DR.
Precision Metrology with a Strontium Ion Interferometer

We present a strontium ion interferometer for use as an electromagnetic field sensor with unprecedented sensitivity. Applications include measurements of fringing fields, studies of image charge scattering in superconductors, and ultra-precise tests of electromagnetism.
Medicaid and prenatal care. Necessary but not sufficient.

The findings reported by Piper and colleagues1that appear in this issue ofThe Journalshould not be baffling or discouraging to policymakers concerned with reducing the nation's infant mortality rate. The authors evaluate the effects in Tennessee of the first of a series of expansions in Medicaid eligibility that were intended to improve the outcome of pregnancy among women with low incomes. This report, and others that will surely follow, should help shape future maternal and child health financing policies. Since the early 1980s, Congress has repeatedly amended Medicaid (Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, 1981, 1986, 1987, and 1989; Deficit Reduction Act, 1984; Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, 1985; and Catastrophic Care, 1988) to expand incremental eligibility for pregnant women and infants.2Congress initially conceptualized infant mortality as a problem of access to health care. Congressional action was influenced by the findings of the Institute of Medicine's Committee
Origin and evolution of the protein-repairing enzymes methionine sulphoxide reductases

The majority of extant life forms thrive in an O2-rich environment, which unavoidably induces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during cellular activities. ROS readily oxidize methionine (Met) residues in proteins/peptides to form methionine sulphoxide [Met(O)] that can lead to impaired protein function. Two methionine sulphoxide reductases, MsrA and MsrB, catalyse the reduction of the S and R epimers, respectively, of Met(O) in proteins to Met. The Msr system has two known functions in protecting cells against oxidative damage. The first is to repair proteins that have lost activity due to Met oxidation and the second is to function as part of a scavenger system to remove ROS through the reversible oxidation/reduction of Met residues in proteins. Bacterial, plant and animal cells lacking MsrA are known to be more sensitive to oxidative stress. The Msr system is considered an important cellular defence mechanism to protect against oxidative stress and may be involved in ageing/senescence. MsrA is present in all known eukaryotes and eubacteria and a majority of archaea, reflecting its essential role in cellular life. MsrB is found in all eukaryotes and the majority of eubacteria and archaea but is absent in some eubacteria and archaea, which may imply a less important role of MsrB compared to MsrA. MsrA and MsrB share no sequence or structure homology, and therefore probably emerged as a result of independent evolutionary events. The fact that some archaea lack msr genes raises the question of how these archaea cope with oxidative damage to proteins and consequently of the significance of msr evolution in oxic eukaryotes dealing with oxidative stress. Our best hypothesis is that the presence of ROS-destroying enzymes such as peroxiredoxins and a lower dissolved O2 concentration in those msr-lacking organisms grown at high temperatures might account for the successful survival of these organisms under oxidative stress.
Nonlinear Optical Processes by Van der Waals Interaction during Collision

We describe an optical process where off-diagonal optical excitation of a first atomic species is coupled during collision to a second species. This coupling leads to new types of nonlinear optical processes, and allows large cross sections for inelastic collision between atoms with nonresonant energy levels.
Designing instructional media for attitudinal outcomes

There is no best medium for producing attitudinal outcomes, but there is probably a best approach for maximizing desirable outcomes in a specific situation.
DPPC Langmuir monolayer at the air-water interface: probing the tail and head groups by vibrational sum frequency generation spectroscopy.

Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) is the predominant lipid component in lung surfactant. In this study, the Langmuir monolayer of deuterated dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC-d62) in the liquid-expanded (LE) phase and the liquid-condensed (LC) phase has been investigated at the air−water interface with broad bandwidth sum frequency generation (BBSFG) spectroscopy combined with a Langmuir film balance. Four moieties of the DPPC molecule are probed by BBSFG: the terminal methyl (CD3) groups of the tails, the methylene (CD2) groups of the tails, the choline methyls (CH3) in the headgroup, and the phosphate in the headgroup. BBSFG spectra of the four DPPC moieties provide information about chain conformation, chain orientation, headgroup orientation, and headgroup hydration. These results provide a comprehensive picture of the DPPC phase behavior at the air−water interface. In the LE phase, the DPPC hydrocarbon chains are conformationally disordered with a significant number of gauche configurations. ...
Numerical object oriented quantum field theory calculations

The qft++ package is a library of C++ classes that facilitate numerical (not algebraic) quantum field theory calculations. Mathematical objects such as matrices, tensors, Dirac spinors, polarization and orbital angular momentum tensors, etc. are represented as C++ objects in qft++. The package permits construction of code which closely resembles quantum field theory expressions, allowing for quick and reliable calculations.
Sleep-disordered breathing in children with craniofacial anomalies

Background : Children with craniofacial anomalies are at risk for sleep disordered breathing (SDB). Their polysomnograpic and laboratory findings may differ from those of infants and children with SDB secondary to adeno-tonsillar hyperthrophy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the rate, characteristics, severity and laboratory findings of SDB in children with syndromatic craniofacial anomalies. Patients and Methods : Twenty-six consecutive infants and children with syndromatic craniofacial anomalies and snoring or noisy breathing were referred for an initial PSG to rule out SDB. Results : Specific diagnoses and syndromes were: Crouzon9s (n=7), Apert (n=5), Saethre-Chotzen (n=1), Goldenhar (n=1), idiopathic craniosynostosis (n=2), achondroplasia (n=8) and Pierre-Robin (n=2). Their mean age was 5.1 years, none was overweight or obese. Of these patients, 19/26 (73%) had evidence of SDB and 7 (27%) had primary snoring. In patients with SDB, the mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 10.3 (median=5.7, range 2.5-65.0). Abnormally increased CO2 was observed in 12/26 (46%). Laboratory results (mean, median, range) were: wide range CRP (7.2, 1.0, 0.1-33.5), total cholesterol (135, 125, 112-180), HDL (40, 37, 23-59), LDL (75, 67, 52-115), triglyceride – normal, fasting glucose and insulin – normal. Conclusion : The results confirm a high prevalence SDB in children with craniofacial anomalies with a higher rate of carbon-dioxide retention. Underlying chronic inflammation exists also in these patients. Metabolic changes were not found.
Autoimmune bicytopenia in pulmonary tuberculosis. Report of a pediatric case

Summary Background The haematological abnormalities are common in patients with tuberculosis (TB). However, autoimmune bicytopenia is extremely rare in childhood TB. Case report A 11-year-old girl presented with 4-week history of fever and cough associated to weight loss. The diagnosis of active pulmonary TB was achieved based on radiological and microbiological findings. Simultaneously, laboratory investigations revealed autoimmune haemolytic anaemia associated to immune thrombocytopenia. These haematological disorders were successfully treated with anti-tubercular drugs only. Conclusion Tuberculosis should be included in the etiological investigation of autoimmune “cytopenias” in childhood, specially in endemic countries, since they may respond to anti-tubercular drugs.
Cascading Effects of Climate Change on Forest Ecosystems: Biogeochemical Links Between Trees and Moose in the Northeast USA

The relationship between herbivores, plants and nutrient dynamics, has been investigated in many systems; however, how these relationships are influenced by changing climate has had much less attention. In the northeastern USA, both moose populations and winter climate have been changing. Moose, once extirpated from the region, have made a comeback; while locally, snow depth and duration of snow cover have declined. There is considerable uncertainty in how these changes will interact to influence forested systems. We used small experimental plots and transects along with snow removal (to elicit soil freezing and expose potential forage plants), mechanical browsing, and fecal additions (labeled with 15N) to examine ecosystem responses. We found that snow removal changed moose browsing behavior, with balsam fir more heavily browsed than sugar maple or Viburnum under low snow conditions. Soil freezing alone did not significantly alter N dynamics or selected plant responses, but there were significant interactions with moose activity. The combined effects of moose fecal additions, mechanical browsing, and soil freezing resulted in higher levels of NO3 − leaching under fir and maple, whereas Viburnum had essentially no response to these multiple factors. Our results suggest that declines in snow depth can initiate a cascade of ecosystem responses, beginning with exposure of plants to increased browsing that then triggers a series of responses that can lead to higher N losses, precipitated by decreased N demand in plants compromised by soil freezing damage. Balsam fir may be particularly susceptible to this cascade of multiple stresses.
Endoscopic endonasal transethmoidal transcribriform transfovea ethmoidalis approach to the anterior cranial fossa and skull base.

Objective The anterior skull base, in front of the sphenoid sinus, can be approached using a variety of techniques including extended subfrontal, transfacial, and craniofacial approaches. These methods include risks of brain retraction, contusion, cerebrospinal fluid leak, meningitis, and cosmetic deformity. An alternate and more direct approach is the endonasal, transethmoidal, transcribriform, transfovea ethmoidalis approach. Methods An endoscopic, endonasal approach was used to treat a variety of conditions of the anterior skull base arising in front of the sphenoid sinus and between the orbits in a series of 44 patients. A prospective database was used to detail the corridor of approach, closure technique, use of intraoperative lumbar drainage, operative time, and postoperative complications. Extent of resection was determined by a radiologist using volumetric analysis. Results Pathology included meningo/encephaloceles (19), benign tumors (14), malignant tumors (9), and infectious lesions (2). Lumbar drains were placed intraoperatively in 20 patients. The CSF leak rate was 6.8% for the whole series and 9% for intradural cases. Leaks were effectively managed with lumbar drainage. Early reoperation for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak occurred in 1 patient (2.2%). There were no intracranial infections. Greater than 98% resection was achieved in 12 of 14 benign and 5 of 9 malignant tumors. Conclusion The endoscopic, endonasal, transethmoidal, transcribriform, transfovea ethmoidalis approach is versatile and suitable for managing a variety of pathological entities. This minimal access surgery is a feasible alternative to transcranial, transfacial, or combined craniofacial approaches to the anterior skull base and anterior cranial fossa in front of the sphenoid sinus. The risk of CSF leak and infection are reasonably low and decrease with experience. Longer follow-up and larger series of patients will be required to validate the long-term efficacy of this minimally invasive approach.
Age-dependent changes of hyaluronan in human skin

Hyaluronan is a major component of the extracellular matrix of skin. The large volume of water of hydration associated with hyaluronan may be a mechanism for maintaining the normal hydration of skin. As such, decreasing levels of hyaluronan deposition might underlie the changes associated with the aging process. To test this hypothesis, hyaluronan levels were determined in extracts of skin obtained at autopsy from individuals of different ages. However, no significant differences in hyaluronan concentrations were found. The distribution of hyaluronan polymer sizes in various extracts did not change as a function of age as measured by size exclusion chromatography. However, major differences in hyaluronan extractability did occur as a function of age. Sequential extraction was performed utilizing 1) 0.1% Triton X-100, 2) 4 M guanidine-HCl, and 3) papain digestion, to release species of hyaluronan progressively more tightly associated with tissue. With advancing age, hyaluronan polymers became progressively more tissue associated. The proportion of hyaluronan released after papain digestion increased from 7% of the total in fetal to 23% of the total in senescent skin. Finally, histolocalization of hyaluronan was examined in full-thickness sections of human skin of different ages. Major differences in compartmentalization were found. We conclude that neither the concentration nor polymer size of hyaluronan changes as a function of age. However, enhanced association with tissue occurs, presumably through hyaluronan-binding proteins and alterations in the histolocalization of hyaluronan. Such observations may underlie some of the changes in human skin that occur with aging.
The Electronic Kilogram and Lasers

The best measurements of the Planck constant are from the electronic kilogram project at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Precise laser position measurements are one of the many components of this system.
Statistical verification of dynamical systems using set oriented methods

Modeling, analyzing and verifying real physical systems has long been a challenging task since the state space of the systems is usually infinite and the dynamics of the systems is generally nonlinear and stochastic. In this work, we employ an extension of linear temporal logic (LTL) to describe the behavior of discrete-time nonlinear stochastic systems; this extension is so-called linear inequality LTL (iLTL) which allows for atomic propositions that are linear inequalities on state spaces. To statistically verify iLTL formulas on the systems, we first reformulate discrete-time nonlinear stochastic dynamical systems into Markov processes on their continuous state spaces and then reduce them to discrete-time Markov chains (DTMC) using set-oriented methods. Furthermore, a statistical verification algorithm is proposed to verify iLTL formulas on the reduced systems. The correctness of this statistical verification algorithm is checked both by theoretical analysis and the simulation of a fluid problem. We will show in the successive work that the framework extends to hybrid systems, which is a significant motivation for the approach taken.
Positive anemotaxis by Varroa mites: responses to bee odour plumes and single clean-air puffs.

.The stimuli and mechanisms mediating host location and host choice by the bee mite, Varroa jacobsoni (Oudemans), are currently unknown. It is shown that Varroa can use single clean-air puffs and bee-odour plumes in a wind tunnel as directional cues. Varroa turned nearly straight upwind in response to single 0.1-s puffs of clean air directed at 90° to the their anterior-posterior axis. They turned significantly further to their left side (104°) than to their right (76°), but showed no difference in latency to initiation of the turns (means of 63.3 ms vs. 62.6 ms, respectively). They also followed bee-odour plumes in a wind tunnel. When released in odour and control plumes mid-way between the plume's origin and the downwind end of the tunnel, mites responding to bee-odour walked upwind in, or along the edge of, the odour plume with 38% making contact with the odour delivery tube; mites in clean air did not walk upwind along the air stream, and none made contact with the air delivery tube. Walking speeds were not different between the bee-odour and control groups (0.28 vs. 0.29 cm s–1); there were also no differences in the turning rates (96.85 vs. 97.16 deg s–1 and 388.08 vs. 379.18 deg cm–1, respectively). Under all conditions, mites walked in a zigzag fashion.
A note on "book review tracking and data fusion: A handbook of algorithms" [Authors' reply]

We, the authors of [1], are appreciative of the positive review of our book given in [2]. Two points were raised in [2] that we found very interesting and important enough to be useful for the audience, so we wanted to further discuss and amplifiy them.
Peroral endoscopic reduction of dilated gastrojejunal anastomosis after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a possible new option for patients with weight regain

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is an effective treatment for severe obesity. However, many patients regain weight over time. The mechanisms for this are unclear, and several factors may contribute, including dilation of the gastrojejunal anastomosis. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of endoscopic gastrojejunal anastomotic tightening and to determine the effect of tightening on body weight. Eight patients with significant weight regain and dilated gastrojejunal anastomosis after RYGB were included in this pilot study. Sutures were placed endoscopically at the rim of the anastomosis. When tightened, the sutures formed tissue placations, reducing the size of the anastomotic aperture. The average preprocedure body mass index (BMI) was 40.5, and the patients had regained a mean of 24 kg from their post-RYGB nadir. The average pouch length was 5.7 cm, and the average anastomotic diameter was 25 mm. The average postreduction diameter was 10.0 mm (68% reduction). Six of the eight patients showed weight loss (mean, 10 kg) at 4 months. Repeat procedures were performed for three patients who had lost 4, 5, and 9 kg, respectively with the initial procedure. After the second anastomotic reduction, the final diameters were, respectively, 14, 5, and 5 mm. The first patient did not have further weight loss. The remaining two patients showed a total weight loss of 19 and 20 kg, respectively, at 5 months. All 11 reductions were accomplished without significant complication. The average postreduction BMI was 37.7, and the percentage of excess weight loss was 23.4%. Peroral endoscopic suturing to tighten dilated gastrojejunal anastomoses appears technically feasible and safe. This procedure is associated with variable but significant weight loss, and preliminary results suggest that it may offer a new treatment option for postbypass weight regain in selected patients.
Healthcare‐associated candidemia—A distinct entity?

BACKGROUND: The concept of health care-associated infection (HCAI) was developed to address the fact that select patients now present to the hospital with infections due to traditionally nosocomial pathogens. Although epidemiologic studies document the clear existence of health care-associated pneumonia, little is known about fungal pathogens and their role in HCAIs. OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology of health care-associated bloodstream infections (BSIs) due to candida species and to compare patients with HCA candidemia to nosocomial candidemia. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Academic, tertiary care hospital. MEASUREMENTS: We measured the proportion of cases of candidal BSI classified as health care-associated along with the microbiology of these infections. We compared health care-associated and nosocomial cases of candidemia with respect to demographics, severity of illness, and fluconazole susceptibility. RESULTS: We noted 233 cases of candidal BSI over a 3-year period. Nearly one-quarter represented an HCAI that presented to the hospital, as opposed to a nosocomial process. Although patients with HCA candidemia were similar to subjects with nosocomial infection in terms of underlying comorbidities and severity of illness, those with HCA yeast BSI were more likely to be immunosuppressed and to have their infection caused by a fluconazole-resistant organism. C. glabrata was seen more often in patients presenting to the hospital with an HCA case of candidemia. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians must recognize the potential for candida species to cause HCA infections and to be present at time of hospital presentation. Physicians need to consider this and the distribution of species of yeast causing BSI in their institution when considering initial therapy for patients with a suspected BSI. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:298–301. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Control of a stochastic production system with estimated parameters

For an uncertain production system, the rule that controls the flow of material relies on parameters, such as the yield rates and the demand rate. These parameters are estimates, and they are usually inaccurate. In this paper, we analyze a type of "pull" rule called a proportional restoration rule. We show that these rules are stable; they do not lead to erratic behavior even when the estimation error is significant. We also show that these rules localize the effect of mis-estimates; e.g., underestimating the demand rate lowers the level of finished goods inventory, but has scant effect within the line. We show that these rules exhibit other desirable attributes-that they are efficient, that they are easy to interpret, and that they recover from disruptions quickly.
Some Problems of Liberation Theology: A Polanyian Perspective

L iberation theology understands itself as a new way of theological knowing and understanding. The new element--"new" relative at least to the mainstream of modern European and North American theology-is its insistence that the concrete historical situation or context of the theologian plays an essential, hermeneutical role. This is not to say the obvious, however, as traditional theology has of course always said, that theology must translate the gospel into a particular historical context; rather, it is to say that the right employment of the historical context is essential for the knowing of the gospel in the first place. It would deny that there is in fact an abstract, universal gospel in general, which the professor of the academy in proper academic objectivity and distance from the particular historical situation can grasp and then, if he should choose, apply to that particular context. As the following pages will show, there is, of course, more to liberation theology than this, not least of which is the word "liberation." However, this brief introduction suffices for me to advance the basic propositions of this paper-(1) that liberation theology as a way of knowing in which the context plays an essential role suffers peculiar problems and confusions, and (2) that Michael Polanyi's theory of knowledge, with its analogous focus on the personal and bodily "indwelt" context of knowing, provides some critical perspectives with which to clarify and resolve some of the problems common to all who understand themselves as liberation theologians. In development of these two propositions, I propose first to offer an introduction to liberation theology by taking a summary look at one example, that of the Latin American Jesuit Jon Sobrino. In the course of analysis I will refer to other liberation theologians, using Sobrino as a reference point with which to identify some of the common tendencies within the movement and the related methodological confusions and problems.