cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Managing Research Animal Specimens and Laboratory Safety

The procedures necessary to perform testing in a veterinary diagnostic laboratory have inherent associated risks to personnel in regard to exposure to infectious agents. In research institutions animals can be experimentally infected, acquire naturally occurring infections and can also be exposed to other hazards such as toxic chemicals or radiologic entities. A critical component of the use of animals in a research environment is the collaboration between the responsible researcher and the veterinary diagnostic laboratory with the institutional health and safety professionals to ensure that the proper engineering controls, personal protective equipment, laboratory procedures and training are in place for personnel working with the animals or their specimens. Unlike the typical researcher, the veterinary diagnostic laboratory generally has to be equipped to safely process and work with a wide range of potential hazards where the communication of pertinent information from the researcher to the diagnostic laboratory regarding the identity of the potential hazard is paramount. Diagnostic laboratory design, safety equipment, personal protective equipment, laboratory procedures, occupational health program and personnel training must be sufficient to address hazards based on a risk assessment performed in conjunction with safety professionals. This article will summarize safety considerations with the various areas of concern in the operation of a diagnostic laboratory for research animal specimens.
Quantitative Assessment of the Effect of Chronic Kidney Disease on the Nonrenal Clearance of 10 Drugs After Intravenous Administration

The investigation identified 10 publications that reported the individual values of total clearance (CL), renal clearance (CLr), nonrenal clearance (CLnr), and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), in subjects with varying renal functions. We used these data to estimate extent and prevalence of changes in CLnr in chronic kidney disease (CKD) by examining the relationship between clearances and renal function. The investigation was restricted to drugs given intravenously and eliminated by mixed renal and nonrenal pathways. Six drugs showed a significant reduction of CLnr of 61% to 63% in subjects with severe renal impairment, suggesting that the decline of CLnr in advanced CKD can be clinically relevant and may not be uncommon. The decline of CLnr in CKD for these 6 drugs is linearly correlated with the decline of CLr. With 4 of the drugs studied, a significant reduction of CLnr in CKD was not seen. Renal clearance is a more reliable measure of renal function than GFR assessed by creatinine clearance. Chronic kidney disease affects the elimination more than the distribution of the 10 drugs.
Laparoscopic Choledochal Cyst Resection with Hepaticoduodenostomy Using a Novel Articulating Instrument in a 19-Month-Old

Abstract Introduction: Historically, choledochal cyst excision has been performed as an open procedure. Controversy remains regarding managing this technically challenging entity in a minimally inv...
The network link outlier factor (NLOF)

We present and evaluate the performance of our Network Link Outlier Factor (NLOF) for detecting transmission channel faults in communication networks. An NLOF is computed for each transmission channel in a network under management using the throughput values derived from ow data. Throughput values of flows are clustered in two stages, outlier values are determined within each of the clusters, and then ow outlier ratios determine the outlier score for each transmission channel (link). Specifically, we first cluster the throughput of flows into the set of clusters we believe will naturally exist in a network and then identify the outliers within those throughput clusters. Our technique to detect network transmission channel faults consists of: 1) ow throughput clustering, 2) ow throughput outlier detection using an outlier score, 3) tracing flows on the network topology using routing information, and 4) network link outlier score computation from ow outlier scores.
Influence of resilience on the relations among acculturative stress, somatization, and anxiety in latinx immigrants

OBJECTIVE In cultures where psychological distress is stigmatized, the presentation of emotional distress as somatic complaints is a frequent occurrence. Understanding factors that contribute to the presentation of somatization in Latinx immigrants is crucial due to its tie to poor quality of life. The purpose of this study was to explore relations among acculturative stress, anxiety, somatization, and resilience in a sample of Latinx immigrants living in the United States. METHODS Data were collected from 204 Latinx immigrants across diverse community settings. RESULTS Acculturative stress was positively related to both anxiety and somatization, and the relation between acculturative stress and somatization occurred through anxiety. Resilience moderated the relations between acculturative stress and somatization, and between anxiety and somatization. CONCLUSION This study suggests that Latinx immigrants presenting with somatic symptoms may benefit from the examination of a possible comorbid presentation of anxiety or acculturative stressors. An integrated behavioral healthcare approach is recommended when working with Latinx immigrants evaluating the impact of minority stressors on health. Clinicians are encouraged to incorporate cultural protective factors that reinforce the development and sustenance of resilience.
Effects of commercial metronidazole and metronidazole benzoate suspensions on food intake in chinchillas.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate if commercially available metronidazole and metronidazole benzoate suspensions cause a reduction in food intake in healthy chinchillas and if the reduction in food intake is dose-dependent. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twelve chinchillas were used in a randomised, controlled, blinded, complete-crossover study. All treatments were administered orally every 12 hours for 3 days. Metronidazole (125 mg/mL) was administered at 20 mg/kg and metronidazole benzoate (25 mg/mL) was administered at 20 and 10 mg/kg. Food intake was recorded daily. The washout period between treatments was at least 14 days. RESULTS At 20 mg/kg PO q12h administration of both commercial suspensions resulted in a significant reduction of food intake. The greatest mean reduction in food intake occurred after 2 to 3 days of drug administration (metronidazole: -54 ± 25%; metronidazole benzoate: -44 ± 36%). After administration of metronidazole benzoate at 10 mg/kg PO q12h, the reduction in food intake was significantly less pronounced (-24 ± 36%), suggesting that negative effect of metronidazole on food intake in chinchillas is dose-dependent. Variation in metronidazole-induced food intake reduction differed widely between individual chinchillas. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The oral administration of commercial metronidazole and metronidazole benzoate suspensions results in a dose-dependent clinically relevant reduction in food intake in chinchillas. Metronidazole should be used cautiously in this species and food intake should be monitored during treatment. Future studies are needed in order to determine if metronidazole at 10 mg/kg q12h is an effective therapeutic dosage in chinchillas.
Joint Antenna Selection and Power Allocation Scheme in Two-way AF Channels with OFDM Signals

Antenna selection, power allocations, and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) are key components of modern wireless communication systems (5G and beyond). In this paper, I propose a joint antenna selection and power allocation scheme in a two-way amplify-and-forward (AF) relay channel with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signals. I use sum-rate maximization as a metric to jointly find the best antennas and the best allocated powers at the communication nodes over different sub-carriers. Simulations results demonstrate that joint antenna selection and power allocation scheme significantly enhances the performance.
Abstract P135: Telestroke Mimic Score: Validation in the Mayo Clinic Population

Introduction: Telestroke consultations enable hospital providers to administer IV alteplase to patients who would otherwise not receive it due to lack of an in-house neurologist. However, up to 30%...
Environmental Problem Analysis and Policy Recommendations on Pacific Northwest Salmon

Environmental issues are becoming hot topics nowadays. As the steps of industrialization and urbanization expand, the conflict between economic development and environmental protection appears to intensify and catch people’s eyes more frequently, from the disappearing Amazon rainforest to the pollution of Mississippi River. Over the past few months, the news of one species, salmon, dying out in the northwestern part of the United States drew our team’s attention. In this paper, I would like to present my research on Pacific Northwest salmon from the perspectives of problem statement, policy proposal, and political analysis.
Combined Dimensional and Topology Optimization of Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine Rotors Using a Permanent Magnet Function Interpolation Method

This paper presents a magneto-structural combined dimensional and topology optimization technique for interior permanent magnet synchronous machine (IPMSM) rotors. Dimensional changes to the permanent magnet (PM) location or size are accomplished by interpolating or projecting a smoothed Heaviside rectangular function representing the presence of PM material onto the IPMSM rotor design domain mesh. A density based Solid Isotropic with Material Penalization (SIMP) topology optimization approach is then used to vary the presence of electrical steel in mesh elements to form flux barriers around the PM. The proposed method enforces a defined shape for the PM without requiring the mesh in the design domain to be deformed. Three examples are presented to demonstrate the technique: two flat bar IPMSM and one V-shaped IPMSM.
INTAKE DECISION MAKING IN CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES: EXPLORING THE INFLUENCE OF DECISION-FACTORS, RACE, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

INTAKE DECISION-MAKING IN CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES: EXPLORING THE INFLUENCE OF DECISION-FACTORS, RACE, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE By Michael Lee Howell, Ph.D. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2009 Major Director: Humberto Fabelo, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Social Work Child protective services begin with an intake (screening) decision to accept or reject maltreatment reports. This crucial decision may lead to significant positive or negative outcomes for children and families. Little is known about characteristics that intake decision-makers share or factors that influence the decision-making process. Racially-biased intake practices have been blamed for contributing to African American children’s disproportionate overrepresentation in the child welfare system. Concerns have emerged that social workers may hold negative stereotypes about African xx Americans and parents who use drugs. Stereotypical biases may influence decisions in reports alleging parental drug use and/or involving African American families. This study was conducted to examine the influence of race and parental drug-use allegations on intake decision-making. It was also conducted to identify factors that influence decision-making and to determine whether concepts drawn from naturalistic decision theory and attribution theory are relevant to intake decision-making. A conceptual model for describing decision-making was proposed and tested. Equivalent materials design was employed. Respondents completed an on-line questionnaire that included 24 vignettes describing hypothetical maltreatment concerns. Race and drug use were manipulated between two instrument versions. Respondents completed a 45-item scale measuring racial and parental drug use bias. They also described their application of policy to decision-making and the degree to which they engaged in different types of mental simulation (a naturalistic decision theory strategy) in making decisions. Eighty-seven child protective services intake decision-makers in Virginia participated (67% response rate). The findings suggest that respondents’ decisions were not influenced by racial bias but were influenced by parental drug use bias. Respondents’ parental drug use bias scores were higher than their racial bias scores. Social workers’ racial bias scores were higher than other respondents’ scores. A set of nine primary decision-factors used frequently in decision-making was identified. Finally, respondents reported using their discretion in adhering to CPS policy depending upon their concern for children’s safety. xxi The research contributes to understanding the intake decision-making process. Findings related to worker characteristics, relevant decision-factors, and decision-making behaviors may influence practice and future research. Findings also suggest that naturalistic decision theory concepts warrant further attention and study.
The gut microbiome: current understanding and future perspectives.

This chapter complements recent reviews by providing an overview of how the human gut microbiome develops, with a specific emphasis on the colon; some insights into life cycle assessment of gut microbiome structure-function relationships; and description of specific roles that foods might play in modulating these responses. The gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome in many carnivores is, in effect, in competition with the digestive and absorptive processes of the host animal, though the commensal microflora does serve to protect the host from pathogens, principally by colonization resistance. The chapter focuses on distal regions of the human GI tract. The greater abundance of staphylococci in the feces of breast-fed than in those of formula-fed infants may reflect a continuous inoculation of the GI tract of breast-fed infants. Phylogenetic studies employing cloning and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes amplified by PCR have greatly expanded one's knowledge of the diversity and composition of the adult gut microbiome. As noted by Peterson et al., advances in one's abilities to examine gut microbiomes at the RNA, protein, and metabolite levels of investigation will further the mechanistic understanding of microbiome function. In a human trial, Abell et al. noted that the inclusion of resistant starch in the diet significantly increased butyrate and acetate concentrations. The recent advances in genomics and metagenomics provide the opportunity to develop a better understanding of human gut microbiome structure-function relationships and their role in human health and disease, including modulating effects.
The Opposition Effect: A Very Unusual Case

The reflection of electromagnetic radiation from a planetary regolith involves a combination of geometric and physical optics processes which contribute to the signal returned to the remote observer. The geometric optics effects are the product of singly and multiply scattered radiation from the surfaces of the regolith particles, combined with radiation which has undergone various combinations of transmission through one or more regolith grains followed by one or more scatterings from other particles. The physical optics effects include diffraction of radiation around the edges of large irregular particles and cooperative coherent scattering between particles which are small when compared to the wavelength of the incident radiation. These effects produce measurable changes in the intensity and polarization of reflected light as a function of illumination and viewing geometry. In particular, as phase angle becomes small, the reflectance of a particulate material will increase non-linearly and exhibit the 'opposition effect'. In the planetary science context, the phase curve, and in particular the size of the opposition surge and the width of the phase curve near zero degrees, have been attributed to two processes commonly called 'shadow hiding' (SHOE) and 'coherent backscattering' (CBOE).
Computer Simulation Studies of Mammalian Pyruvate Kinase

Abstract Construction of a digital computer model based on measured kinetic constants of the pyruvate kinase reaction is described. A model omitting divalent cation activator is shown to behave in agreement with observation, and is then used to clarify the quantitative role of this enzyme in the control of glycolysis. The reaction velocity may increase by a factor of 2 to 4 on going from aerobic to anaerobic conditions. Part of this finding is then verified experimentally. Various inhibitors are included in the model, and new experimental data on inhibition by AMP are presented. The model is then amplified by including the controlling divalent cation activator, magnesium, the physiological concentration of which is low enough to exert strong control on the reaction velocity. This indicates that the powerful adenosine triphosphate inhibition is due both to its chelation of magnesium and to its occupying the enzyme binding site meant for adenosine diphosphate as well as the phosphoenolpyruvate phosphate site. Additional experiments are suggested. The kinetic feasibility of the mechanism proposed by Mildvan and Cohn (16) is demonstrated.
Parallel Algebraic Multigrid Methods — High Performance Preconditioners

The development of high performance, massively parallel computers and the increasing demands of computationally challenging applications have necessitated the development of scalable solvers and preconditioners. One of the most effective ways to achieve scalability is the use of multigrid or multilevel techniques. Algebraic multigrid (AMG) is a very efficient algorithm for solving large problems on unstructured grids. While much of it can be parallelized in a straightforward way, some components of the classical algorithm, particularly the coarsening process and some of the most efficient smoothers, are highly sequential, and require new parallel approaches. This chapter presents the basic principles of AMG and gives an overview of various parallel implementations of AMG, including descriptions of parallel coarsening schemes and smoothers, some numerical results as well as references to existing software packages.
Psychotherapy Integration and Integrative Psychotherapies

This chapter presents an overview of the theoretical and conceptual field of psychotherapy integration, and of the integrative models of psychotherapy that are derived from that intellectual framework. The history, important developments, and central contemporary approaches to psychotherapy integration are reviewed, as well as its empirical status. A case example that illustrates the use of an integrative model in a clinical setting also is included. Keywords: psychotherapy; psychotherapy integration; technical eclecticism; common factors; assimilative integration
Evolution and human sexuality

The aim of this review is to put core features of human sexuality in an evolutionary light. Toward that end, I address five topics concerning the evolution of human sexuality. First, I address theoretical foundations, including recent critiques and developments. While much traces back to Darwin and his view of sexual selection, more recent work helps refine the theoretical bases to sex differences and life history allocations to mating effort. Second, I consider central models attempting to specify the phylogenetic details regarding how hominin sexuality might have changed, with most of those models honing in on transitions from a possible chimpanzee-like ancestor to the slightly polygynous and long-term bonded sociosexual partnerships observed among most recently studied hunter-gatherers. Third, I address recent genetic and physiological data contributing to a refined understanding of human sexuality. As examples, the availability of rapidly increasing genomic information aids comparative approaches to discern signals of selection in sexuality-related phenotypes, and neuroendocrine studies of human responses to sexual stimuli provide insight into homologous and derived mechanisms. Fourth, I consider some of the most recent, large, and rigorous studies of human sexuality. These provide insights into sexual behavior across other national samples and on the Internet. Fifth, I discuss the relevance of a life course perspective to understanding the evolution of human sexuality. Most research on the evolution of human sexuality focuses on young adults. Yet humans are sexual beings from gestation to death, albeit in different ways across the life course, and in ways that can be theoretically couched within life history theory.
The HfaB and HfaD adhesion proteins of Caulobacter crescentus are localized in the stalk

Summary The differentiating bacterium Caulobacter crescentus produces two different cell types at each cell division, a motile swarmer cell and an adhesive stalked cell. The stalked cell harbours a stalk, a thin cylindrical extension of the cell surface. The tip of the stalk is decorated with a holdfast, an adhesive organelle composed at least in part of polysaccharides. The synthesis of the stalk and holdfast occur at the same pole during swarmer cell differentiation. Mutations in the hfaABDC gene cluster had been shown to disrupt the attachment of the holdfast to the tip of the stalk, but the role of individual genes was unknown. We used lacZ fusions of various DNA fragments from the hfaABDC region to show that these genes form an operon. In order to analyse the relative contribution of the different genes to holdfast attachment, mutations were constructed for each gene. hfaC was not required for holdfast attachment or binding to surfaces. The hfaA and hfaD mutants shed some holdfast material into the surrounding medium and were partially deficient in binding to surfaces. Unlike hfaA and hfaB mutants, hfaD mutants were still able to form rosettes efficiently. Cells with insertions in hfaB were unable to bind to surfaces, and lectin binding studies indicated that the hfaB mutants had the strongest holdfast shedding phenotype. We determined that HfaB and HfaD are membrane-associated proteins and that HfaB is a lipoprotein. Purification of stalks and cell bodies indicated that both HfaB and HfaD are enriched in the stalk as compared to the cell body. These results suggest that HfaB and HfaD, and probably HfaA, serve to anchor the holdfast to the tip of the stalk.
VLSI architectures for DSP applications: current trends

The current developments of VLSI DSP technology are reviewed. Specific topics addressed include general purpose DSP chips (floating-point DSP processors, parallel DSP chips, and reduced instruction set computer (RISC) DSP chips); and DSP cores (generic core processor and DSP controllers). Application-specific DSP chips are also discussed. >
A Comparative Analysis of the Distributive Property in U.S. and Chinese Elementary Mathematics Textbooks.

This study examines presentations of the distributive property (DP) in two widely used U.S. elementary text series and one main Chinese text series along three dimensions: problem contexts, typical problem types within each problem context, and variability in using the DP. In general, the two U.S. texts were found to resemble each other but to differ considerably from the Chinese text series. Both U.S. texts are computation-dominated, presenting various strategies centering on “breaking apart a factor to perform multiplication.” These strategies limit the use of the DP mainly with whole numbers and in a regular direction. The underlying principle of these strategies is seldom made explicit. In contrast, the Chinese text approaches focus on the underlying principle and are well aligned with cognitive research suggestions. Multiple-step word problems with particular structures are used in a systematic and hierarchic manner across grades to help students learn and transfer the DP. The Chinese texts also tend...
Dissection of protein linkage between keratins and pinin, a protein with dual location at desmosome-intermediate filament complex and in the nucleus.

Pinin is a cell adhesion-associated and nuclear protein that has been shown to localize in the vicinity of intermediate filament (IF) convergence upon the cytoplasmic face of the desmosomal plaque as well as in the nucleus. The localization of pinin to the desmosomes has been correlated with the reinforcement of intercellular adhesion and increased IF organization. In this study, keratins 18, 8, and 19 were identified to interact with the amino end domain of pinin in a two-hybrid screening. Further truncation analyses indicated that the 2B domain of keratin contains the sequence responsible for interacting with pinin. The amino end of pinin (residues 1–98) is sufficient to bind to keratin. Point mutation analyses revealed two essential residues within the pinin fragment 1–98, leucine 8 and leucine 19, for the interaction with keratin. Finally, in vitro protein overlay binding assays confirmed the direct interaction of the amino end domain of pinin with keratins, while pinin mutant L8P GST fusion protein failed to bind to keratins in the overlay assay. Coupled with our previous morphological observations and transfection studies, these data suggest that pinin may play a role in epithelial cell adhesion and the IF complex through a direct interaction with the keratin filaments.
Beamformer design for radio astronomical phased array feeds

A major research emphasis in current radio astronomy instrument development is the use of phased array feeds (PAF) to provide radio telescopes with larger fields of view. Statistically optimal beamformers have been shown to provide high sensitivity for PAFs, however, inability to precisely control beampattern details (even in sidelobes) is problematic. Enforcing beampattern structure with a deterministic beamformer is useful. A hybrid beamforming approach is presented in this paper, which offers the best in sensitivity for a desired amount of beampattern control. Designing any beamformer with simulated calibration data is inadequate for PAF operation and introduces distortion in the final beampattern. A transformation step is required to reduce such effects.
Parkinson's disease : a chronic, low-grade antioxidant deficiency ?

The cause of Parkinson's disease (PD) is aggressively being pursued. Several hypotheses have been advanced, yet none of these completely explains the large body of evidence research has already uncovered. A new hypothesis, that PD is caused by a chronic antioxidant deficiency state, is outlined in this article. Oxidative stress, mitochondrial abnormalities, epidemiology, genetics, toxins, history of PD and diet are discussed.
Sliding mode control approach for voltage regulation in microgrids with DFIG based wind generations

This paper presents a direct torque and reactive power control method which addresses the problem of voltage regulation in microgrids including doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) based wind generation. Due to significant line resistances in a microgrid, active power variations produced by wind turbines can lead to significant fluctuations in voltage magnitudes and results in power quality problems. This paper uses a nonlinear sliding mode control scheme to directly control torque and reactive power of a DFIG system. The control system adjusts the reactive power of DFIG to achieve voltage quality improvement in the important central bus of a microgrid. There is no decoupled proportional-integral (PI) control based method, therefore the control system is not highly dependent to the accuracy of the system parameters. Also, the method is local and can be implemented in the absence of a widespread communication system or remote measurement. The performance of the method is illustrated on the IEEE 13 bus distribution network. Dynamic models are considered for the DFIG, converters and internal controllers along with their operational limits. Stochastic fluctuations in wind speed are modeled with NREL TurbSim while accounting for the tower shadow and wind shear. Dynamic simulations are presented to assess the voltage fluctuation compensation and control system robustness.
Relative frequencies of secondary B cells activated by cognate vs. other mechanisms

Three distinct mechanisms for the activation of secondary B cells to antibody-forming cells have been examined in splenic fragment cultures. The clonal response to a protein antigen [cytochrome c (cyt)] was quantified in terms of both the number of B cells activated and the amount of antibody produced by each clone. The vast majority of memory B cells required surface immunoglobulin (sIg) receptor-mediated uptake of antigen followed by cognate interactions with an antigen-specific T helper cell. Nevertheless, a significant number (as many as 12%) could be activated via soluble factor-mediated bystander activation, involving occupation of neither the sIg receptor nor class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. This pathway, however, was relatively inefficient in that individual clones secreted less than half as much antibody as clones activated as a result of cognate collaboration with a T helper cell. A similar number of secondary B cells were activated following nonspecific uptake of high concentrations of antigen for which splenic fragment T cells had been primed [i. e., hemocyanin (Hy)], independent of sIg receptor occupancy. Antibody levels were similar to those in cultures where B cells were activated in a cognate manner with sIg receptor occupancy. When Hy-stimulated fragment cultures were supplemented with polymerized cyt, the frequency of activation via this latter pathway increased fourfold, despite the fact that no cyt-primed T cells were present. This observation supports the idea that receptor-mediated uptake of antigen serves not just to focus antigen but also provides an important signal in activating B cells. Bystander B cell activation, however, was not enhanced by providing a sIg cross-linking signal with polymerized cyt. The lower level of antibody production by B cells activated in a bystander fashion and the inability to enhance their frequency of activation with sIg receptor occupancy suggest that there is indeed a fundamental difference between soluble factor-mediated bystander activation and activation via T cell determinant-mediated cognate T helper-B cell interactions, perhaps involving signaling through class II MHC molecules.
Evolutionary trends and the salience bias (with apologies to oil tankers, Karl Marx, and others)

Salient examples may bias human judgments about the probability or frequency of events, an effect known as the “availability heuristic”; or the “salience bias.”; Scientific work has not been immune to this bias; in particular, the existence of certain large‐scale trends in evolution, such as those in size, complexity, and fitness, is widely accepted among professionals within evolutionary biology and paleontology, as well as among people outside these fields, even though these trends are poorly documented. Often, what documentation exists consists mainly of long lists of cases exemplifying the trend, or detailed descriptions of a small number of salient cases. Here, it is argued that although these lists and salient cases are not good evidence that a trend is pervasive, they may convince both the trend researcher and his or her audience. The possibility is raised that the bias may be pervasive in science and everyday thought, and a strategy for avoiding it, namely the use of random samples, is offered.
Performance bounds for estimating three-dimensional motion parameters from a sequence of noisy images

The problem considered here involves the use of a sequence of monocular images of a three-dimensional moving object to estimate both its structure and kinematics. The object is assumed to be rigid, and its motion is assumed to be smooth. A set of object match points is assumed to be available, consisting of fixed features on the object, the image plane coordinates of which have been extracted from successive images in the sequence. The measured data are the noisy image plane coordinates of this set of object match points, taken from each image in the sequence. In previous papers [ IEEE Trans. Pattern Anal. Mach. Intell.PAMI-8, 90 ( 1986); in Proceedings of the IEEE Workshop on Motion: Representation and Analysis ( Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, New York, 1986), p. 95; in Proceedings of the IEEE Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition ( Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, New York, 1986), p. 176] we discussed model-based approaches for motion and structure estimation from a long sequence of images. We examine here the performance of such techniques by using a Cramer–Rao lower bounds on the estimation error variance. This method permits a priori prediction of estimation accuracy as a function of a number of factors, including the number of images in the sequence, the time at which each image is made, the number of feature points used, the image-plane noise level, and the type of motion that is involved. Theoretical performance predictions are compared with the statistics of Monte Carlo simulation, and it is shown that the actual estimation accuracy is close to the Cramer–Rao bounds in most cases. These results also show that noisy sequences with fewer than four images often do not contain enough information to permit accurate estimation of motion and structure parameters. This conclusion is consistent with the observed instability of so-called two-frame estimation methods in the presence of noise.
Epithelioid sarcoma. An analysis of 22 cases indicating the prognostic significance of vascular invasion and regional lymph node metastasis

Twenty-two cases of epithelioid sarcoma seen and/or treated at Memorial Hospital are presented. With the exception of one tumor which occurred in the neck, all the sarcomas arose in the upper (15 cases) or lower extremities (6 cases). Ten originated in the hand. At the time of initial treatment, 14/22 patients were between 20 and 40 years of age. The tumor most commonly presented as a nodular lesion and involved dermis, subcutaneous tissue, fascia and tendons, and when it recurred (13 cases) it tended to grow proximally along tendons and fascial planes. Of special interest was the finding of vascular invasion in surgical specimens removed from 5 patients. Four of these represented recurrent tumor, and in two cases the vascular invasion was massive. Two of these patients also demonstrated tumor emboli in pulmonary vessels and cardiac involvement at autopsy. Metastasis to regional lymph nodes occurred in eight cases (42%). Follow-up ranging from 2 to 34 years (average of 8 years) was obtained for 19 cases (86%). Eleven patients are alive with disease or died as a result of their sarcoma (58% of the follow-up group). Adverse prognostic factors included recurrence after initial local excision, vascular invasion and lymph node metastasis. All of the patients with intravenous extension of tumor and 6 of 8 patients with lymph node involvement died with pulmonary metastases. Our data suggest that cure may best be achieved by amputation or by an exceptionally wide en bloc excision as early as possible, depending upon the location and extent of the original tumor.
Integrated qualitative assessment of wetland hydrological and land cover changes in a data scarce dry Ethiopian highland watershed

Wetlands are important sources of water for humans and livestock in the dry drought-prone northern Ethiopian highlands. Hydrological changes in these wetlands affect local populations and are indicators of change in the upstream catchments. In this paper, we present a case study of hydrological and land cover changes in Hara Swamp located southeast of Kobo in Amhara State, Ethiopia. An integrated approach used remote sensing images, limited hydrological measurements, climatic data, and a survey of residents to gain complementary insights into what changes have occurred, when and why they occurred, and the local perceptions of these changes. Aerial photos and satellite images from 1964, 1973, 1986, 2000, and 2001 indicated limited flooding and dense woody vegetation cover in the wetland 40 years ago and a trend towards the current condition of no living trees/bushes, extensive flooding, and heavy sedimentation. Rainfall records revealed no significant trends which could sufficiently explain the observed changes in the wetland. A simple water budget analysis based on hydrological measurements indicated higher wetland flood levels were a result of increasing runoff and sediment inflow from the surrounding watershed over time. Reasons for increasing amounts of runoff were higher population pressure on the land and creation of more impermeable surfaces including houses and road construction in the watershed. Local residents' perceptions of the wetland changes, which were collected first, validated the sparse biophysical data and provided supplementary details. An integrated watershed management strategy is required to reverse the recent trends and protect the wetland resources. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Epidemiological Comparison of the US and Canadian Plum pox virus Eradication Programs

Abstract Plum pox virus (PPV) was first detected in North America in 1999 in Pennsylvania, and the following year in Ontario, Canada. In response to these outbreaks, both countries implemented erad...
Normal and reactive NG2+ glial cells are distinct from resting and activated microglia

We have previously used antibodies to the NG2 proteoglycan and the alpha receptor for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF alpha receptor) to identify oligodendroglial progenitor cells in vivo and in vitro. It has recently become evident that the GD3 antigen, which has been widely used as a marker for oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, is also expressed by microglial cells. In this study we have examined the relationship between the NG2+/PDGF alpha receptor+ glial progenitor cells and microglial cells in normal developing and mature rat brain and in inflammatory lesions in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Double-labeling of sections from normal rat brain using anti-NG2 antibodies and lectin from Griffonia simplicifolia (GSA I-B4) or monoclonal antibody 4H1 indicated that there is no overlap between NG2+ glial progenitor cells and microglia in the parenchyma of the central nervous system. In EAE lesions, both NG2+ cells and microglia, identified by antibodies to F4/80 and CD45, displayed reactive changes characterized by increased cell number and staining intensity and shortening and thickening of cell processes. Both cell types were found surrounding perivascular infiltrates of lymphocytes. Double-labeling EAE sections for NG2 and F4/80 or CD45 failed to reveal cells that co-expressed both antigens, suggesting that reactive NG2+ cells are distinct from activated microglia. However, a close spatial relationship between NG2+ cells and microglia was observed in the normal brain and to a greater extent in EAE, where processes of an activated microglial cell were sometimes seen to encircle an NG2+ cell. These observations are indicative of a functional interaction between microglia and the NG2+ glial cells.
Regional distribution of monoamines in the cerebral cortex and subcortical structures of the rhesus monkey: concentrations and in vivo synthesis rates.

Summary Endogenous monoamine concentrations and turnover rates vary markedly in different regions of neocortex as well as in various subcortical structures of young adult rhesus monkeys. Monoamine levels and synthesis rates in amygdala, hippocampus, neostriatum, thalamus and brain stem are generally similar to comparable measures previously reported in a variety of species. However, extending and confirming the results of an earlier study 16 , cortical monoamines exhibit topographically specific patterns of distribution. Thus, dopamine concentration is highest in the prefrontal and temporal neocortex; it decrease along the fronto-occipital axis and only trace amounts are detectable in the visual cortex. The distribution of norepinephrine is similar to that of dopamine except that the highest concentrations of norepinephrine are found in somatosensory cortex instead of prefrontal cortex. The pattern of distribution of serotonin is more uniform. However, the distribution of its metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, is complementary to that of dopamine: the concentration is lowest in prefrontal cortex and highest in posterior regions of the telencephalon. Synthesis of catecholamines as measured by DOPA accumulation in monkeys treated with an aromatic amino acid decarboxylase inhibitors NSD 1015, generally parallels the distribution of the catecholamines while indoleamine synthesis, as measured by 5-HTP accumulation, is similar to the distribution of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. It may be significant that synthesis rates for the catecholamines are expecially high in various areas of association cortex.
Adolescent Medicine in Pediatric Practice: A Survey of Practice and Training

This study was designed to assess the relation between training in adolescent medicine, during and after residency, and self-reported practice of adolescent medicine. This is a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was mailed to all members of the South Carolina Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. After 2 mailings, 198 (83%) questionnaires were returned. Adolescent medicine training in residency was associated with more adolescent patients enrolled in a practice (P < 0.01) and more adolescent patient visits (P < 0.01) but not with an increase in perceived competence in the practice of adolescent medicine. Adolescent medicine continuing medical education was associated with seeing more adolescent patients and with increased competence in many areas, including contraceptives, suicide, and school problems (P < 0.05). training in adolescent medicine during and after residency is associated with treating more adolescent patients. Continuing medical education also is associated with increased perceived competence in areas related to adolescents.
Rural Population Dynamics as an Index to Social and Economic Development: A Geographic Overview*

Tins is an exploratory probe of the simple proposition that as a community progresses to and past a moderately advanced stage of economic and social development, the absolute size of its "basic rural" (or "landward") population will stabilize after an initial period of growth and then begin to decline.' If the validity of this rule can be demonstrated-and the economic logic and demographic evidence in its behalf are impressive -then it may well prove to be an extremely useful tool in the analysis of the current or recent population geography of many parts of the world. We are beginning to realize that not only are demographic phenomena a major indispensable element in geographic studies but also that, in this swiftly evolving world, the patterns of population change can offer valuable clues to the total geographic configuration of an area. Before we list the many difficulties that waylay anyone who would rigorously establish the effectiveness of rural population dynamics as a measure of stage of socioeconomic development or seek to apply them to this end on any extensive scale, the terms of our proposition must be meticulously defined. A "community," for the purposes of this prefatory paper, is usually a national state, since the political and economic divisions which generate or reflect demographic events are so often coterminous with national boundaries; but as will be seen later, the hypothesis can be applied, perhaps even more effectively, to small subna-
An integrative approach to advanced kidney disease in the elderly

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has increasingly become a "geriatric" disease, with a dramatic rise in incidence in the aging population. Patients aged >75 years have become the fastest growing population initiating dialysis. These patients have increased comorbid diseases and functional limitations which affect mortality and quality of life. This review describes the challenges of dialysis initiation and considerations for management of the elderly subpopulation. There is a need for an integrative approach to care, which addresses management issues, health-related quality of life, and timely discussion of goals of care and end-of-life issues. This comprehensive approach to patient care involves the integration of nephrology, geriatric, and palliative medicine practices.
Effect of Dietary Nitrogen Solubility on Lactation Performance and Protein and Dry Matter Degradation In Situ

Abstract Thirty lactating Holstein cows were fed one of five corn grain, corn silage based diets during a 20-wk trial to determine effects of dietary nitrogen solubility on milk yield, milk composition, and apparent digestibility of the diets. Cows were fed soybean meal supplemented diets for 2 wk postcalving and then assigned randomly to one of five diets that ranged from 21.7 to 34.4% soluble nitrogen. Protein supplements used to alter nitrogen solubility of the diets were regular soybean meal and four defatted soybean flakes that received variable heat treatment. Diets fed to provide 85% of the cow's nitrogen requirements and greater than 100% of their energy requirements had no effects on milk yield, 4% FCM yield, or milk composition. In a second experiment rumen degradability of protein and dry matter in protein supplements and complete diets was estimated by the dacron bag technique. Fractional disappearance rates of protein and dry matter from dacron bags were measured by nitrogen and dry matter disappearance after 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 h of incubation in the rumen. Complete diets had two rates of dry matter and nitrogen disappearance; protein supplements had three. For supplements, a rapid disappearance rate occurred from 0 to 1 h of incubation, a slow rate during 1 to 4 h of incubation, and an intermediate rate from 4 to 16 h of incubation. The three rates probably correspond to physical washout and solubilization, a lag phase, and a degradation phase.
Do co-morbid anxiety disorders predict drinking outcomes in women with alcohol use disorders?

Aims: It is unclear whether co-morbid anxiety disorders predict worse drinking outcomes during attempts to change drinking behavior. Studies have yielded mixed results, and have rarely examined drinking outcomes based on a specific type of anxiety disorder. Women with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are of particular interest as they are at risk for co-morbid anxiety [Kessler et al . (1997) Lifetime co-occurrence of DSM-III-R alcohol abuse and dependence with other psychiatric disorders in the national co-morbidity survey. Arch Gen Psychiat 54 :313–21]. Methods: Participants were 260 women with AUDs participating in an alcohol-treatment outcome studies. The Timeline Follow-Back was used to assess drinking frequency (percent days drinking) prior, within and 6 months post-treatment. The current study tested the hypothesis that having at least one lifetime anxiety disorder diagnosed at baseline using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders would be associated with more drinking at all study time points. Exploratory analyses examined patterns of drinking outcomes by specific anxiety diagnoses. Results: Lifetime anxiety diagnosis was linked to poorer drinking outcomes post-treatment ( β = 0.15, P = 0.020), despite less frequent drinking prior to treatment. Analyses by specific anxiety diagnosis indicated that generalized anxiety disorder predicted poorer drinking outcomes within treatment ( β = 0.14, P = 0.018) and during follow-up ( β = 0.16, P = 0.014). Conclusion : Co-morbid anxiety problems complicate treatment for AUDs among women. Further, specific anxiety disorders should be evaluated as distinct constructs as evidenced by the differential outcomes related to generalized anxiety disorder. Implications for treatment development for women with AUDs are discussed.