cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Imposex in Ilyanassa obsoleta still common in a Delaware estuary

Abstract Populations of Ilyanassa obsoleta (Gastropoda) in Delaware estuaries were assessed for imposex. This phenomenon involves the abnormal imposition of male features on females and is associated with marinas and TBT (tributyltin) pollution from antifouling paints. Imposex was assessed in the northern section of the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal in a 1983–1984 study. In summer 1995, snails were taken from this section, the south Canal, and Rehoboth Bay. In the Canal, imposex was least frequent (52% of females) at the north terminus, reached a peak in Lewes Harbor (94%), and was 78–90% to the south. At the Rehoboth Bay site it was 23%. Imposex frequency has not changed in the northern section since 1983–1984. However, the intensity of imposex expression has declined. No female had a full-size penis in this study, while previously many did. Intense boating activity is confined to the Canal's northern section. Frequent imposex in the south Canal suggests that, over the years, TBT pollution has spread south.
Enhanced pullulan production in a biofilm reactor by using response surface methodology

Pullulan is a linear homopolysaccharide that is composed of glucose units and often described as α-1, 6-linked maltotriose. In this study, response surface methodology using Box–Behnken design was employed to study the effects of sucrose and nitrogen concentrations on pullulan production. A total of 15 experimental runs were carried out in a plastic composite support biofilm reactor. Three-dimensional response surface was generated to evaluate the effects of the factors and to obtain the optimum condition of each factor for maximum pullulan production. After 7-day fermentation with optimum condition, the pullulan production reached 60.7 g/l, which was 1.8 times higher than the result from initial medium, and was the highest yield reported to date. The quality analysis demonstrated that the purity of produced pullulan was 95.2%, and its viscosity was 2.5 centipoise (cP), which is higher than the commercial pullulan and related to its molecular weight. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) also suggested that the produced exopolysaccharide was pullulan.
Grüneisen’s Criteria for the Capillary Viscosimeter

It is shown that Gruneisen’s criteria, for determining the velocity at which the value of pt for a given viscosimeter will exceed, by a given amount, its value at very low velocity, are incorrect. Other criteria, in accordance with the general experience of investigators and with Bond’s observations at very low velocities are derived. An error which vitiates many of the published tests of viscosimeters is pointed out.
Ab initio calculation of uranium plasma emission coefficients

Abstract Ab initio calculations of energy-level, oscillator-strength, and emission distributions have been made for transition arrays involving the ground and 31 excited configurations of singly, doubly, and triply ionized uranium (U II, U III, and U IV). The quantum-mechanical model was based on a modification of the Slater-Condon theory in the single-configuration approximation. Wavefunctions were developed from an approach resembling the Hartree-Fock method with relativistic corrections. Tables of atomic parameters and graphs of weighted oscillator strength vs. wavelength are presented for each ion. There is good shape correlation and order-of-magnitude agreement between the calculated and measured uranium plasma emission coefficients at similar temperature/pressure conditions. This comparison supports the hypothesis that major emission features of spectroscopically complex systems can be predicted or verified with an ab initio approach.
Photoinduced hole transfer forming polymer quantum dot nanocomposites.

The study of hole transfer from CdSe QD core to ligands under visible light irradiation and conductive polymer–QD composites formation without conventional photoinitiator.
Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus testing in patients with hepatitis B and C infection.

Objective To determine the proportion of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) who are adequately assessed for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and to identify variables associated with absence of HIV testing. Patients and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who had positive serologic test results for reactive HBV and/or HCV between January 1999 and December 1999 and were followed up at a general internal medicine clinic in East Harlem, NY. Data were collected on patient demographics, HIV risk factors, and other variables that might influence the physician's decision to test the patient for HIV. Primary outcomes were HIV tests performed and documented discussions of at-risk HIV behavior. Results The HIV tests were performed in 40% (95% confidence interval [CI], 32%-49%) of the 141 patients with reactive HBV and/or HCV serologic test results. Predictors of HIV testing on multivariate logistic regression were age younger than 50 years (odds ratio [OR], 2.5; 95% CI, 1.8-3.8), male sex (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.2), and having an established primary care provider (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.2-3.9). Injection drug use was not significantly associated with HIV testing. Conclusions Although HBV and HCV have clear epidemiological links with HIV, this study shows that a high percentage of these patients are not being tested. Although some of the factors associated with lack of testing were identified, further studies on the barriers to HIV testing are needed to reveal potential approaches to increase rates of HIV testing in this high-risk population.
Evaluation of model-based retrieval effectiveness with OCR text

We give a comprehensive report on our experiments with retrieval from OCR-generated text using systems based on standard models of retrieval. More specifically, we show that average precision and recall is not affected by OCR errors across systems for several collections. The collections used in these experiments include both actual OCR-generated text and standard information retrieval collections corrupted through the simulation of OCR errors. Both the actual and simulation experiments include full-text and abstract-length documents. We also demonstrate that the ranking and feedback methods associated with these models are generally not robust enough to deal with OCR errors. It is further shown that the OCR errors and garbage strings generated from the mistranslation of graphic objects increase the size of the index by a wide margin. We not only point out problems that can arise from applying OCR text within an information retrieval environment, we also suggest solutions to overcome some of these problems.
Improved wear resistance of orthopaedic UHMWPE by reinforcement with zirconium particles

Abstract A considerable number of total-joint replacement devices used in orthopaedic medicine involve articulation between a metallic alloy and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Though this polymer has excellent wear resistance, the wear particulate that is produced leads to the limited lifetime of the devices—osteolytic bone loss. Crosslinking has been shown to reduce the wear rate of UHMWPE, but can cause a reduction in various mechanical properties such as impact toughness. Previous work by the authors has shown that UHMWPE-based composites have wear resistance comparable to the irradiation-crosslinked polymer. However, the selection of the reinforcing material is complicated both by understanding the mechanical behavior of the filler and also by biocompatibility considerations. Zirconium has been shown to have excellent corrosion resistance and biocompatibility, and the authors have used the material as a reinforcing filler in UHMWPE with promising results. Compression-molded UHMWPE composites with up to 20 wt.% of microsized zirconium particles were investigated with regards to wear behavior and impact toughness. These composites showed a significant reduction in wear compared to unfilled polymer while still maintaining impact toughness. These results reinforce the paradigm of using polymer composites for orthopaedic applications and may provide a viable alternative to the property tradeoffs encountered with irradiation crosslinking.
Syntax-driven Neuromolecular Learning

Neuromolecular information processing devices, whether synthetic, naturally occurring, or simulated, invariably take advantage of parallelism and adaptability. We present syntactic constructs for programming a network of such devices. Our constructs consist of a "LEARN" statement for the training phase and a l'DECIDE" statement for the performing phase. The constructs are easily integrated into conventional programming languages. We discuss an implementation which uses the constructs as the interface to a network of simulated enzyme-driven neurons.
Viscous detonation in H2-O2-Ar using intrinsic low-dimensional manifolds and wavelet adaptive multilevel representation

A standard ignition delay problem for a mixture of hydrogen–oxygen–argon in a shock tube is extended to the viscous regime and solved using the method of intrinsic low-dimensional manifolds (ILDM) coupled with a wavelet adaptive multilevel representation (WAMR) spatial discretization technique. An operator-splitting method is used to describe the reactions as a system of ordinary differential equations at each spatial point. The ILDM method is used to eliminate the stiffness associated with the chemistry by decoupling processes which evolve on fast and slow time scales. The fast time scale processes are systematically equilibrated, thereby reducing the dimension of the phase space required to describe the reactive system. The WAMR technique captures the detailed spatial structures automatically with a small number of basis functions thereby further reducing the number of variables required to describe the system. A maximum of only 300 collocation points and 15 scale levels yields results with striking resolution of fine-scale viscous and induction zones. Additionally, the resolution of physical diffusion processes minimizes the effects of potentially reaction-inducing artificial entropy layers associated with numerical diffusion.
Memorial Tribute to Manfred L. Ristig (1935-2011)

Manfred Ristig was a leading contributor to the advancement of microscopic theory of strongly interacting quantum many-body systems for over four decades. This retrospective on his life and scientific career pays tribute to his pivotal role in the development of correlated wavefunction approaches to quantitative ab initio description of quantum fluids, nuclear systems and condensed matter more generally. Highlights include his contributions to the formulation of Fermi hypernetted chain theory and correlated density matrix theory. Special attention is given to Ristig's seminal work of recent years, which has yielded rich insights into the interplay of exchange effects (arising from quantum statistics) and the strong interactions between constituent bosons or fermions.
Main-memory scan sharing for multi-core CPUs

Computer architectures are increasingly based on multi-core CPUs and large memories. Memory bandwidth, which has riot kept pace with the increasing number of cores, has become the primary processing bottleneck, replacing disk I/O as the limiting factor. To address this challenge, we provide novel algorithms for increasing the throughput of Business Intelligence (BI) queries, as well as for ensuring fairness and avoiding starvation among a concurrent set of such queries. To maximize throughput, we propose a novel FullSharing scheme that allows all concurrent queries, when performing base-table I/O, to share the cache belonging to a given core. We then generalize this approach to a BatchSharing scheme that avoids thrashing on "agg-tables" ---hash tables that are used for aggregation processing---caused by execution of too many queries on a core. This scheme partitions queries into batches such that the working-set of agg-table entries for each batch can fit into a cache; an efficient sampling technique is used to estimate selectivities and working-set sizes for purposes of query partitioning. Finally, we use lottery-scheduling techniques to ensure fairness and impose a hard upper bound on staging time to avoid starvation. On our 8-core testbed, we were able to completely remove the memory I/O bottleneck, increasing throughput by a factor of 2 to 2.5, while also maintaining fairness and avoiding starvation.
Health and hassles in older and younger men.

This study compared hassles and uplifts in older and younger chronically ill men in regard to whether they perceived their health as good or poor (N = 50). Hassles are irritating and frustrating demands (minor stress) that characterize everyday transactions with the environment, such as losing things or being in traffic jams. Uplifts are positive events that could help counteract the effects of stress. Men in the study rated 40 potential hassles and 40 uplifts on 1 to 4 scales for the preceding month. These were compared by multivariate analysis of variance between older (age 65 and over) and younger (ages 45 through 64) men and between good vs. poor perceptions of health. Uplifts did not discriminate significantly between ages or health perceptions. In addition, hassles were similar between old and young; however, they differed significantly by good and poor assessments of health. Those who viewed their health as poor reported more hassles, mostly from events that were related to their physical health care. Because of the confounding effects with health in individuals who are already ill, hassles may not be good predictors of future health status, but they can help health professionals understand the kinds of demands that produce stress in management of diseases.
Water challenges for geologic carbon capture and sequestration.

Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) has been proposed as a means to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions with the continued use of fossil fuels. For geologic sequestration, the carbon dioxide is captured from large point sources (e.g., power plants or other industrial sources), transported to the injection site and injected into deep geological formations for storage. This will produce new water challenges, such as the amount of water used in energy resource development and utilization and the “capture penalty” for water use. At depth, brine displacement within formations, storage reservoir pressure increases resulting from injection, and leakage are potential concerns. Potential impacts range from increasing water demand for capture to contamination of groundwater through leakage or brine displacement. Understanding these potential impacts and the conditions under which they arise informs the design and implementation of appropriate monitoring and controls, important both for assurance of environmental safety and for accounting purposes. Potential benefits also exist, such as co-production and treatment of water to both offset reservoir pressure increase and to provide local water for beneficial use.
Determining specific contact resistivity from contact end resistance measurements

A method is described to determine specific contact resistivity from contact end resistance measurements using a transmission line model. A test pattern is described which minimizes the effect of current fringing around contact corners and yields an accurate determination of contact width. With this pattern, the specific contact resistivities measured on 1.3 wt % Si/Al contacts to n+ silicon junctions with different dopings show very consistent values and are independent of contact geometries. The dependence of measured specific contact resistivities on doping concentration is also in good agreement with the predictions of tunneling theory. Surprisingly, the dependence on surface concentration extends well beyond the usual range of electrically active solid solubility.
Production and efficiency of protozoa

Despite the chronic and debilitative nature of the infection they cause, several species of microsporidia and neogregarines offer a good potential as microbial control agents, particularly against insect pests of high economic thresholds. Techniques for mass production of protozoa have usually involved per os, inoculation or injection of the protozoa into their usual or alternate hosts. The spores are harvested subsequently from heavily infected host tissues by grinding, filtration, and differential centrifugation. Although fresh spores are used in most field tests, the spores of many species can be stored with high survival either frozen or in water at low temperatures (0–4°C) for up to several months. Sunlight or ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a serious factor limiting spore persistence. However, the protozoa do not appear to be significantly limiting spore persistence. However, the protozoa do not appears to be significantly more susceptible to UV radiation than other insect pathogens and persistence can be prolonged with UV protectants. Most field tests with protozoa have involved the application of spores in sprays and have usually resulted in a high degree of infection in the target host species. The potential for control of few species has been improved by formulation of spores in to baits, and the potential of other species will likely increase if suitable bait formulation can be devised in the future. One species, Nosema locustae, formulated as a bait, has been successfully used to control grasshoppers on rangelands. Limited laboratory and field studies have also suggested that increased short-term control might be obtained if candidate protozoan species can be combined with certain insecticides. While recent and increased efforts have been devoted to assess the potential of protozoa as microbial control agents, potential hazards to nontarget organism have been investigated for only three species. Their close relation taxonomically to protozoa pathogenic for mammals will necessitate careful evaluation of the safety of candidate control species for nontarget organisms.
Towards building a virtual counselor: modeling nonverbal behavior during intimate self-disclosure

Nonverbal behavior is considered critical for indicating intimacy and is important when designing a social virtual agent such as a counselor. One key research question is how to properly express intimate self-disclosure. In this paper we present an extensive study of human nonverbal behavior during intimate self-disclosure. This is an important milestone in creating a virtual counselor. A study of video interactions between human participants demonstrated that people display more head tilts and pauses when they revealed highly intimate information about themselves; they presented more head nods and eye gazes during less intimate sharing. An implementation of these behaviors in a virtual agent suggests that people tend to perceive head tilts, pauses and gaze aversion by the agent as conveying intimate self-disclosure. These findings are important for future research with virtual counselors and other social agents.
Influence of growth factors on proliferation and morphogenesis of rabbit ovarian mesothelial cells in vitro.

The ovarian mesothelium (OM) is the source of one of the most frequent and lethal types of common ovarian epithelial tumors, the so-called papillary serous carcinomas. Recent work from our laboratory indicates the existence of postovulatory luteal OM mitogens with variable affinity for heparin. To further investigate the paracrine regulation of this ovarian tissue, rabbit ovarian mesothelial cells (OMC) were cultured in serum-free, fibronectin-rich HL-1 medium with or without one of the following luteal growth factors (0.1, 1, and 10 ng/ ml): basic (bFGF) and acidic (aFGF) fibroblastic growth factors, epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factors a (TGFe) and P (TGFP), tumor necrosis factor a, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB), and vascular endothelial growth factor. After 8 days of culture, OMC growth was stimulated 3-fold by all tested doses of bFGF, EGF, and TGFa and 2-2.5-fold by 10 ng/ml of PDGF-BB and aFGF; it was inhibited more than 60% by TGFP (10 ng/ml). In addition to enhancing the formation of cohesive OMC monolayers, most factors enhanced 3- to 6-fold the aggregation of OMC into papillary processes. The finding of a growth and morphogenetic response to intraluteal growth factors is novel and suggests a role for postovulatory paracrine regulation of OM pathobiology.
A finite volume method for stochastic integrate-and-fire models

The stochastic integrate and fire neuron is one of the most commonly used stochastic models in neuroscience. Although some cases are analytically tractable, a full analysis typically calls for numerical simulations. We present a fast and accurate finite volume method to approximate the solution of the associated Fokker-Planck equation. The discretization of the boundary conditions offers a particular challenge, as standard operator splitting approaches cannot be applied without modification. We demonstrate the method using stationary and time dependent inputs, and compare them with Monte Carlo simulations. Such simulations are relatively easy to implement, but can suffer from convergence difficulties and long run times. In comparison, our method offers improved accuracy, and decreases computation times by several orders of magnitude. The method can easily be extended to two and three dimensional Fokker-Planck equations.
Semblance or similarity? Reflections on Simulation and Similarity

In this essay, I critically evaluate components of Michael Weisberg’s approach to models and modeling in his book Simulation and Similarity. First, I criticize his account of the ontology of models and mathematics. Second, I respond to his objections to fictionalism regarding models arguing that they fail. Third, I sketch a deflationary approach to models that retains many elements of his account but avoids the inflationary commitments.
Design of Return/Ground Electrode for Neural Stimulator

Probe used for neural stimulation has two parts- the stimulating and return electrodes. Most of the researches are evolving around designing stimulating electrode(s) to stimulate the neurons almost neglecting return electrode. Although some of the research group are using part of the stimulating electrodes as return electrode(s), while others are using a common electrode placed far away from the stimulating electrode as a return electrode. Designing return electrode is as important as the stimulating one is. It has a profound affect on the overall performance of a stimulator. The impedance of a probe is influenced equally by both the electrodes. So careful design of a return electrode can reduce the overall impedance and the required power of a probe dramatically. Here we are presenting a few designs of return electrode and their analysis to find out the best one. We have tested some of the fabricated designs in 0.9% saline solution and found that donut design has less resistance but suffers from high capacitance at higher frequency.
THE ROLE OF CONVECTION AND DIFFUSION ON PLATELET ADHESION AND AGGREGATION

Summary The reactions among clotting components, among platelets, and between these groups are complex biochemical phenomena that importantly affect thrombogenesis, but thrombogenesis is also affected by the physical phenomena of convection and diffusion, which, in turn, are importantly mediated by conditions of flow. The principles that govern convection and diffusion processes are generally well understood, but the significance of these processes in thrombogenesis is in only the early stages of demonstration. In this paper there have been considered the special effect of erythrocytes upon the diffusion of platelets in flowing blood; the measurement of the diffusion of platelets that had been rendered unreactive by a dispersion technique; measurement and rationalization of platelet adhesion to artificial surfaces; and a quantitative assessment of the role of platelet diffusion, activating substance diffusion, and platelet arrival on the growth of platelet aggregates. Further work is needed to explain the full role of convection and diffusion in platelet aggregation and thrombus formation, including a more detailed description of the platelet arrival process and the acquisition of more data concerning the time sequence of aggregate formation on surfaces of known geometry over which known flows are passing.
Grating-coupler based low-loss optical interlayer coupling

Optical interlayer couplers with 2.8dB insertion loss and 48nm bandwidth were designed and demonstrated in a commercial 130nm SOI CMOS process. 10Gb/s transmission through an interlayer-coupled link showed a power penalty of &#60;0.1dB.
The Microelectronic Wire Bond Pull Test-How to use It, How to Abuse It

The wire bond pull test is the most universally accepted method for controlling the quality of the wire bonding operation, and thereby offering added assurance that semiconductor devices will not fail in the field due to weak wire bonds. Specific test procedures and pull-force values are called out in military and other device purchase specifications, and yet there has never been a carefully controlled interlaboratory comparison of this important test. All of the variables that are known to affect the bond pull test are examined including ones that cannot be treated theoretically, such as bond peeling and tearing. Careless pulling methods and other abuses that affect test results are described and the results of an eight-organization interlaboratory pull test experiment are given. The conclusions are 1) attempts to cut costs during the test by following nonstandard procedures will generally result in pull-force values that are lower than those that would be obtained were the test conducted carefully in accordance with standard procedures; 2) Overdeformed bonds tend to show a larger percentage change in pull strength due to nonstandard pulling procedures than do less deformed bonds; 3) Although artificially inflated pull-force values can be obtained when one bond is significantly stronger than the other, the effort of intentionally exploiting this difference (cheating) in most cases is greater than any benefit derived.
Comparative effectiveness research in inflammatory bowel disease: prospects and challenges.

Comparative effectiveness research (CER), as defined by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), is ‘the generation and synthesis of evidence that compares the benefits and harms of alternative methods to ...
Wavelet-based response spectrum compatible synthesis of accelerograms—Eurocode application (EC8)

An integrated approach for addressing the problem of synthesizing artificial seismic accelerograms compatible with a given displacement design/target spectrum is presented in conjunction with aseismic design applications. Initially, a stochastic dynamics solution is used to obtain a family of simulated non-stationary earthquake records whose response spectrum is on the average in good agreement with the target spectrum. The degree of the agreement depends significantly on the adoption of an appropriate parametric evolutionary power spectral form, which is related to the target spectrum in an approximate manner. The performance of two commonly used spectral forms along with a newly proposed one is assessed with respect to the elastic displacement design spectrum defined by the European code regulations (EC8). Subsequently, the computational versatility of the family of harmonic wavelets is employed to modify iteratively the simulated records to satisfy the compatibility criteria for artificial accelerograms prescribed by EC8. In the process, baseline correction steps, ordinarily taken to ensure that the obtained accelerograms are characterized by physically meaningful velocity and displacement traces, are elucidated. Obviously, the presented approach can be used not only in the case of the EC8, for which extensive numerical results/examples are included, but also for any code provisions mandated by regulatory agencies. In any case, the presented numerical results can be quite useful in any aseismic design process dominated by the EC8 specifications.
Paraphrasing, Plagiarism, and Misrepresentation in Scientific Writing

One of the most challenging issues confronting scientific writers, especially young or otherwise inexperienced writers, is the concept of plagiarism. Although some forms of plagiarism are obvious, such as quoting someone else without quotation marks or citation, other instances are more challenging to discern, and there is no universal agreement as to what extent text must be paraphrased to avoid the stigma of plagiarism. However, in an effort to avoid plagiarism, some text is paraphrased with words and phrases that misrepresent the original meaning, perhaps only subtly, but enough that it could be considered inappropriate, an issue not typically addressed in discussions of plagiarism. This summary addresses the issues of plagiarism, misrepresentation, and related topics in scientific writing in the hope it will assist authors as they assess and improve their writing skills.
ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC CHANGES DUE TO DELAYED ACTIVATION OF THE WALL OF THE RIGHT VENTRICLE.

Abstract The onset of activation of 20 to 30 right ventricular epicardial areas has been determined before and after sectioning of the right ventricular free-running false tendons, or the septal right bundle; the corresponding electrocardiogram and vectocardiogram are shown. It is postulated that many cases of incomplete right bundle branch block result from damage to the free-running false tendons in dogs (moderator band in man.) Delay in activation of the free right ventricular wall appears to be important in producing electrocardiographic changes in both conditions. Microelectrode experiments on isolated tissues demonstrated that the basilar part of the main right bundle branch located above the anterior papillary muscle does not excite the adjoining right septal musculature.
The safety of RhIG in the prevention of haemolytic disease of the newborn

Overview Haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN), erythroblastosis fetalis, is an immune reaction caused by an incompatibility between the blood types of the mother and fetus. Haemolytic disease of the newborn was first described in 1609 by a midwife in France, after the birth of twins, one of whom was stillborn and hydropic and the other who was jaundiced and died of kernicterus (Levine 1941). This syndrome was named erythroblastosis fetalis by Diamond and colleagues in 1932, who hypothesised a relationship between stillbirth with erythroblastosis in the tissues, fetal hydrops, congenital anaemia, and icterus gravis, all due to a single pathophysiologic process (Diamond 1932; Brantley 2002). Rhesus (Rh) antibodies were discovered by Karl Landsteiner in 1940, who had also discovered and described ABO blood antibodies earlier, for which he won a Nobel Prize (Avent and Reid 2000; Nobel Prize [Internet] 2006). In 1941, the primary cause of HDN was determined to be a difference in the D antigen (a member of the Rh system) between mother and fetus. This occurs when the mother does not express the D antigen while the fetus is positive (Levine 1941). Originally, similar blood antibody-blood incompatibility was isolated on Rhesus monkey red cells, the human analogue (D antigen) was shown to be present in nearly 85% of humans. Since then, other blood antigens have also been shown to cause HDN, including Kell (K and k), Duffy (Fya), Kidd (Jka and Jkb), MNSs (M, N, S, and s), and many others; however, Rh incompatibility is still the most common clinically significant factor (Avent and Reid 2000). Today, pregnancy is still associated with a rate of D incompatibility (RhD-negative mother with a RhD-positive fetus) of approximately 10% in Caucasians; however, the rate of haemolytic disease in the newborn has been substantially reduced, but not completely eliminated. Through education, improvements in screening, and better access to care, it is the hope that the number of cases of HDN decreases even further.
A Millimeter-Wave Schottky Diode Detector in 130-nm CMOS Technology

A 182-GHz Schottky barrier diode detector has been demonstrated in 130-nm foundry CMOS using signals generated on-chip by modulating the bias current of a push-push voltage controlled oscillator as input. This work demonstrated that it is possible to build a detector operating near the top end of millimeter-wave range using digital CMOS
Evidence for corticotropin-releasing factor, neurotensin, and somatostatin in the neural pathway from the central nucleus of the amygdala to the parabrachial nucleus

The central nucleus of the amygdala (CNA) and the parabrachial nucleus of the pons (PBN) are included within a group of brain nuclei involved in autonomic responses. Previous studies have shown that the CNA sends a considerable projection to the PBN and that both nuclei contain neurons immunoreactive to many different peptides. In the present study, we used the combined retrograde fluorescence-immunofluorescence method to determine whether the CNA projection to the PBN contains any of the following neuropeptides: corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), neurotensin (NT), somatostatin (SS), and enkephalin (ENK). Following injections of fluorescent dye into the PBN, neurons within both lateral and medial subdivisions of the CNA were retrogradely labeled. A significant percentage of CRF (54-66%)-, NT (40-53%)-, and SS (31-50%)-immunoreactive neurons were retrogradely labeled, predominantly within the lateral CNA. Enkephalin-immunoreactive neurons were never retrogradely labeled, although they were often found adjacent to retrogradely labeled neurons. Our results show that the lateral CNA is a major source of CRF, NT, and SS terminals within the PBN. Neurons in the medial CNA also provide a significant contribution to the CNA-PBN pathway, but their chemical nature remains to be determined. We conclude that CRF, NT, and SS are important putative neurotransmitters in the CNA's regulation of PBN function. This CNA-PBN peptidergic pathway may participate in stress-related cardiovascular and respiratory responses.
Preclinical modeling of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation – advantages and limitations

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, which was first successfully performed in the 1950s, remains a critical therapeutic modality for treatment of a diverse array of diseases, including a multitude of hematological malignancies, autoimmune disorders, amyloidosis and inherited genetic hematological disorders. Although great advances have been made in understanding and application of this therapy, significant complications still exist, warranting further investigation. Of critical importance, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), in both acute and chronic forms, remains a major complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, responsible for both the development of chronic illness and morbidity, as well as mortality. Use of an appropriate preclinical model may provide significant insight into the mechanistic pathways leading to the development and progression of graft-versus-host disease, as well as cancer in general. However, existing preclinical modeling systems exhibit significant limitations, and development of models that recapitulate the complex and comprehensive clinical scenario and provide a tool by which therapeutic intervention may be developed and assessed is of utmost importance. Here, we review the present status of the field of graft-versus-host disease research. We discuss and summarize the preclinical models currently in use, as well as their advantages and limitations.
Personalized Medicine, Genomics and Oral Diseases: The Future

As has been noted throughout this book, there are at least three key applications for genetics and genomics that are ultimately impact clinical care. First, genomics can be used to predict disease risk. Second, genomics can help define the pathogenesis and pathobiology of an illness. And third, in the context of pharmacogenomics, drug targets can be identified, responder populations to specific agents can be determined, and toxicity risk established. Given that the success of a drug is defined by its efficacy and safety, one would conclude that these latter two elements would provide a powerful incentive to include pharmacogenomics as a routine component in the clinical development schema. However, as of 2012 only 0.19 % of trials reported on the ClinTrials.gov database had pharmacogenomics outcomes. Clearly we have a ways to go. This chapter focuses on both the potential and the challenges associated with the translation of genomics to the clinic.
Transcriptome changes specifically associated with apple (Malus domestica) root defense response during Pythium ultimum infection

Abstract RNA-seq technology was applied to identify the transcriptomic changes associated with apple root defense response to Pythium ultimum infection. Genes encoding homolog proteins with functions of pathogen detection such as chitin elicitor receptor kinase (CERK) and wall-associated receptor kinase (WAK) were among the differentially expressed apple genes. The biosynthesis and signaling of several plant hormones including ethylene, jasmonate and cytokinin were specifically induced in response to P. ultimum inoculation. Genes encoding enzymes of secondary metabolisms, cell wall fortification and pathogenesis related (PR) protein, laccase, mandelonitrile lyase and cyanogenic beta-glucosidase were consistently up-regulated in the later stages of infection.
Britten the Anthologist

Abstract Benjamin Britten was one of several twentieth-century British composers active before the Second World War who wrote “anthology cycles”—that is, cyclic vocal works on poetry anthologies of the composer9s own making. This apparently British invention is deeply indebted to the widespread success of the anthology as a literary form in classrooms, homes, and marketplaces of Victorian and Edwardian England. Britten9s early attraction to canonical anthologies such as Arthur Quiller-Couch9s Oxford Book of English Verse (1900), for example, is representative of a cultural practice of reading. Britten and other British composers renewed their connection to that practice when they became anthologists for their musical works, identifying themselves as arbiters of poetic and musical taste. Britten9s anthology cycle Serenade for tenor, horn, and strings (1943) uses Quiller-Couch9s Oxford Book for as many as four of its six texts, many of which share pastoral themes. And yet the composer9s musical settings often seem to challenge a conventional reading of the chosen texts and the generic titles Britten assigned to each movement. By creating a canonical, pastoral anthology and then challenging it through music, Britten, who had just returned to England from the United States, invested Serenade with the potential to present the world of prewar England as embattled.
Homeostasis without Reserve — The Risk of Health System Collapse

In this Sounding Board article, the author describes the changes in public policy and in the marketplace that have placed stress on the U.S. health care system over the past decade. The system has showed considerable homeostasis, and its structure has not changed dramatically. The author contends, however, that we have not addressed the underlying problems and that the turbulence of the past 10 years has left our health care system with little reserve and vulnerable to collapse.
Selective Media for Recovery of Cylindrocladium and Fusarium Species from Roots and Stems of Tree Seedlings

Root and soil-level stem sections of diseased forest tree seedlings were placed on glucoselima bean rose bengal agar (GLBRA) to determine the efficacy of the medium for recovery of Cylindrocladium species. Yeast extract was substituted for lima bean agar in the medium to determine its effect on Cylindrocladium isolation. The GLBRA medium allowed for excellent recovery, growth, and microsclerotial production of Cylindrocladium species from all seedlings tested, and effectively suppressed contaminating fungi and bacteria. The use of yeast extract reduced recovery of Cylindrocladium species, but greatly enhanced isolation of Fusarium species.
Field Competitiveness of Sterile Male Boll Weevils Released in the Boll Weevil Eradication Trial, 1979

Competitiveness of sterile male boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman, released in the boll weevil eradication trial averaged 11.7%. Sterile males were significantly more competitive against males of a native strain when laboratory strain virgin females rather than native-strain virgins were released (20.0 vs. 6.2%). Laboratory quality control tests of mortality and mating ability indicated that the sterile males were inferior to those used in previous years. Treated females laid fewer than five eggs each. No progeny developed from treated female × normal male crosses. Of the eggs laid by treated females, 89% were identifiable by traces of dye found on them.
Mental Health Clinical Simulation: Therapeutic Communication

Abstract Background The article describes a mental health simulation that encourages student nurses to use therapeutic communication while assisting patients with mental illness in a clinical setting. Method A quasi-experimental, one group, pre–post test design using simulation during a mental health clinical orientation; data were analyzed using dependent t tests. Results There was significant improvement (p = .000) in student's self-reported confidence with their communication skills and knowledge following a mental health simulation experience using standardized patients. Conclusions Although more research is needed, a therapeutic communication mental health simulation given before students participating in their clinical experience should be integrated into undergraduate nursing education.
328 CHANGES IN SERUM LIPID VALUES IN OVERWEIGHT CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS TREATED FOR 12 WEEKS UNDER MEDICAL SUPERVISION.

Background Obesity has been related with abnormal serum lipid values and increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Objective To assess the changes in the serum lipid values in a group of overweight children and adolescents treated under medical supervision for 12 weeks. Methods This study included 270 children and adolescents with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 95th percentile, treated in our risk factor reduction program over a period of 12 weeks. As part of the program all participants received nutrition and healthy style habits counseling and performed physical activity under medical supervision. Fasting blood samples were obtained at entry to the program and 12 weeks later. Paired t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results There were 127 girls and 143 boys, mean age: 11.3 years (range: 7-18), mean BMI Z-score: 2.34 ± 0.32, ethnic distribution: Hispanic: 50%, Caucasian: 30%, African American: 13%, other races: 7%. Comparisons of mean values of lipid panel are shown in the table below. Conclusion This group of overweight children and adolescents who participated in a 12-week intervention program designed to promote healthy nutritional and activity lifestyle achieved significant improvement in serum lipid values.
Human intestinal and biliary cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) is a coccidian parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa that infects the gastrointestinal, biliary and respiratory epithelium of humans and animals. Early reports described a disease in humans characterized by protracted, watery diarrhea occurring in immunosuppressed patients, many with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Recent epidemiologic studies indicate that cryptosporidiosis may also present as an acute, self-limited diarrheal disease in immunocompetent individuals and may account for 1%-10% of diarrheal disease worldwide. Despite the magnitude and severity of cryptosporidial infection, the pathogenesis is poorly understood, and there is currently no effective therapy. In this review, we provide a concise summary of what is known about cryptosporidial infection of the intestinal and biliary tract.
An efficient system to fund science: from proposal review to peer-to-peer distributions

This paper presents a novel model of science funding that exploits the wisdom of the scientific crowd. Each researcher receives an equal, unconditional part of all available science funding on a yearly basis, but is required to individually donate to other scientists a given fraction of all they receive. Science funding thus moves from one scientist to the next in such a way that scientists who receive many donations must also redistribute the most. As the funding circulates through the scientific community it is mathematically expected to converge on a funding distribution favored by the entire scientific community. This is achieved without any proposal submissions or reviews. The model furthermore funds scientists instead of projects, reducing much of the overhead and bias of the present grant peer review system. Model validation using large-scale citation data and funding records over the past 20 years show that the proposed model could yield funding distributions that are similar to those of the NSF and NIH, and the model could potentially be more fair and more equitable. We discuss possible extensions of this approach as well as science policy implications.
Sarah Loguen Fraser, MD (1850 to 1933): the fourth African-American woman physician.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article appeared in the Alumni Journal of the SUNY/Syracuse Medical Alumni Association, summer 1998. The author wishes to thank Katie Salzmann, Donna M. Wells, Carole L. Novick, Colleen Kiefer, Susan Keeter, Barbara Hamilton, and Peter Uva for their help in the preparation of both versions.
Valproate and Carbamazepine Comparative Trial

The efficacy and side-effects of sodium valproate (VA) and carbamazepine (CBZ) were compared in 260 children (5 to 16 years of age) with primary generalized epilepsy or partial epilepsy followed for three years at 63 outpatient clinics in the UK and Ireland and results were reported from Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London, and the Trial Office at Sanofi Winthrop Ltd, Guildford, Surrey, UK.
Using a novel dynamic molecular imaging technique to study addiction

E from clinical, animal, and neuroimaging experiments suggest that the addictive behavior is associated with dysregulated dopamine neurotransmission. Precise role of dopamine in establishment and maintenance of addiction however is unclear. In this context animal studies on the brain reward system and associative memory processing provide a novel insight. It was shown that both processing involve dopamine neurotransmission and are disrupted in addiction. These findings indicate that dysregulated dopamine neurotransmission alters the brain processing of not only the reward system but also that of the memory of association between an addictive substance and reward. These alterations lead to maladaptive motivational behavior leading to addiction. This concept however is based mostly on the data obtained in laboratory animals because of the paucity of human data. Due to lack of a reliable technique to study neurotransmission in the live human brain, it has been a problem to study the role of dopamine in human volunteers. A recently developed dynamic molecular imaging technique however, provides an opportunity to study these concepts in human volunteers because the technique allows detection, mapping and measurement of dopamine released in the live human brain during task performance.