cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of Spatial Frequency Tuning in Macaque V1

Spatial frequency tuning in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus (LGN) and primary visual cortex (V1) differ substantially. LGN responses are largely low-pass in spatial frequency, whereas the majority of V1 neurons have bandpass characteristics. To study this transformation in spatial selectivity, we measured the dynamics of spatial frequency tuning using a reverse correlation technique. We find that a large proportion of V1 cells show inseparable responses in spatial frequency and time. In several cases, tuning becomes more selective over the course of the response, and the preferred spatial frequency shifts from low to higher frequencies. Many responses also show suppression at low spatial frequencies, which correlates with the increases in response selectivity and the shifts of preferred spatial frequency. These results indicate that suppression plays an important role in the generation of bandpass selectivity in V1.
Observations of Paragonimus westermani eggs in sputum after digestion for mycobacteria culture

Pulmonary paragonimiasis was diagnosed by the observation of Paragonimus westermani eggs on smears of sputum concentrated for the detection of mycobacteria and on the culture plates. The eggs were distorted but recognizable.
The thermal properties of polysiloxanes poly(dimethyl siloxane) and poly(diethyl siloxane)

New measurements and literature data on polysiloxanes covering heat capacities, transition parameters, enthalpies, entropies and Gibbs energies are presented and critically reviewed. TheATHAS computation method is used to bring heat capacities into agreement with an approximate frequency spectrum. The various crystal and mesophases are discussed. TheATHAS (1990) recommended data are as follows: For poly(dimethyl siloxane) the glass transition is at 146 K with an increase in heat capacity of 29.24 J/(K mol). The completely crystalline sample melts at about 219 K with a heat of fusion of 2.75 kJ/mol. For poly(diethyl siloxane) the glass transition is at 135 K with an increase in heat capacity of 34.48 J/(K mol). The completely crystalline sample changes to a condis crystal at 206.7 K with a heat of disordering of 2.72 kJ/mol. The transition to a poorly characterized “viscous crystal” with thermodynamic properties close to the melt occurs at 282.7 K with an enthalpy of transition of 1.84 kJ/mol. Final fusion occurs at 308.5 K and a small endotherm of about 231 J/mol. Tables of heat capacities, enthalpies, entropies and Gibbs energies are given from 0 K to 550 K.
Evaluation of Temperature-Induced Curling in Concrete Slabs Using Deflection Difference Analysis

The curling and warping of rigid pavements are the results of temperature and moisture gradients varying with depth, creep, and other factors, including construction. The indicators commonly used to evaluate slab deformation include a combination of deflections derived from a heavy-weight deflectometer (HWD) that are measured at specific locations on pavement slabs. Indicators comprise the sum of deflections (SD) across the joints and the impulse stiffness modulus (ISM) deflection ratio. The objective of this study was to identify the best indicator that can be employed for assessing the slab curling level relationship to temperature. The study was included in a project developed by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) and sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). At selected military bases, HWD testing on concrete slabs was executed on two different occasions toward the end of summer and in winter. These tests were conducted to monitor slab deflections under different temperature conditions to quantify a correlation between measured deflections and temperature. The analysis showed that the SD rather than the ISM ratio could be adopted as an indicator to determine the relative degree of slab curling. The proposed approach to analyze deflection parameters showed promising results, and with a dedicated database and intensive testing, it is believed possible to refine the regression analysis and increase its level of determination. The proposed methodology for analyzing SD and temperature differences can be adopted in those cases intended to evaluate curling trend relationships to construction or curing techniques.
The Tiros II Radiation Experiment

The TIROS II meteorological satellite was placed into orbit on November 23, 1960. It contains two television cameras and equipment for a family of electromagnetic radiation experiments, including a medium resolution radiometer. The medium resolution radiometer is a cluster of five sensors which have their optical axes inclined 45 deg. to the spin axis of the satellite. The spin of TIROS II provides the scanning motion. The five radiometer channels are sensitive to the following spectral bands: 6 to 6.5; 8 to 12; 0.2 to 6; 8 to 30; and 0.55 to 0.75 microns.
The professional development challenge for IT professionals

If IT professional development is good for overall corporate performance, as well as for IT professionals' employment prospects, security, self-esteem, and climbing the corporate ladder, why don't more of them do it?
Thin film processing of NLO materials. VII a new approach to design of cross-linked second-order nonlinear optical polymers

Abstract A new class of cross-linked second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) polymers has been developed by processing a NLO-dye and a polymer similar to conventional ‘doped polymer’ system. Intermolecular cross-linking was carried out by UV radiation subsequent to electric field induced poling of the composite. Cinnamate (C 6 H 5 − CH = CH − CO 2 − ) and styrylacrylate (C 6 H 5 − CH = CH − CH = CH − CO 2 − moieties are selected as the photoreactive chromophores which are attached to both the NLO molecules at two positions and randomly substituted to a vinyl polymer. The poled cross-linked polymers exhibit stable nonlinear activity over a long period of time as characterized by temporal response of second-harmonic generation signal and UV absorption characteristics.
A Clinical Assay of Cathode Ray Sterilized Cadaver Bone Grafts

(1959). A Clinical Assay of Cathode Ray Sterilized Cadaver Bone Grafts. Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica: Vol. 28, No. 3, pp. 198-211.
Composition of the surface lipids of pea leaves (Pisum sativum)

Surface lipid of pea leaves (Pisum sativum var. Frosty) was analyzed with column, thin layer and gas liquid chromatography in conjunction with mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy. It contained 42%n-hentriacontane and 7.3%n-hentriacontan-16-ol. About 5% was wax esters, C40–C50 consisting of primarily C26 and C28 alcohols and C16–C22 acids. Almost 5% was aldehydes, mainly C26 and C28. Primary alcohols, chiefly C26 and C28, made up 20% of the surface lipid.
Diagnostic Utility of Cerebral White Matter Integrity in Early Alzheimer's Disease

We compared white matter integrity with brain atrophy in healthy controls and participants with very mild dementia (Clinical Dementia Rating 0 vs. 0.5) from the Brain Aging Project, a longitudinal study of aging and memory at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Structural magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) including fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity were performed on 27 patients with very mild dementia (Clinical Dementia Rating = 0.5) of the Alzheimer's type (DAT), and 32 cognitively normal subjects. Patient groups were compared across 6 volumetric measures and 14 DTI regions of interest. Very mildly demented patients showed expected disease-related patterns of brain atrophy with reductions in whole-brain and hippocampal volumes most prominent. DTI indices of white matter integrity were mixed. Right parahippocampus showed significant but small disease-related reductions in fractional anisotropy. Right parahippocampus and left internal capsule showed greater mean diffusivity in early DAT compared with controls. A series of discriminant analyses demonstrated that gray matter atrophy was a significantly better predictor of dementia status than were DTI indices. Brain atrophy was most strongly related to very mild DAT. Modest disease-related white matter anomalies were present in temporal cortex, and deep white matter had limited discriminatory diagnostic power, probably because of the very mild stage of disease in these participants.
Cloning and sequence of the gene for heat shock protein 60 from Chlamydia trachomatis and immunological reactivity of the protein.

We isolated and sequenced the gene for the chlamydial heat shock protein 60 (HSP-60) from a Chlamydia trachomatis genomic library by molecular genetic methods. The DNA sequence derived revealed an operon-like gene structure with two open reading frames encoding an 11,122- and a 57,956-Da protein. The translated amino acid sequence of the larger open reading frame showed a high degree of homology with known sequences for HSP-60 from several bacterial species as well as with plant and human sequences. By using the determined nucleotide sequence, fragments of the gene were cloned into the plasmid vector pGEX for expression as fusion proteins consisting of glutathione S-transferase and peptide portions of the chlamydial HSP-60. HSP-60 antigenic identity was confirmed by an immunoblot with anti-HSP-60 rabbit serum. Sera from patients that exhibited both high antichlamydial titers and reactivity to chlamydial HSP-60 showed reactivity on immunoblots to two fusion proteins that represented portions of the carboxyl-terminal half of the molecule, whereas fusion proteins defining the amino-terminal half were nonreactive. No reactivity with the fusion proteins was seen with sera from patients that had been previously screened as nonreactive to native chlamydial HSP-60 but which had high antichlamydial titers. Sera from noninfected control subjects also exhibited no reactivity. Definition of recognized HSP-60 epitopes may provide a predictive screen for those patients with C. trachomatis infections who may develop damaging sequelae, as well as providing tools for the study of immunopathogenic mechanisms of Chlamydia-induced disease. Images
Biomechanical Effects of Load on Foot and Ankle Kinematics

A novel loading protocol was utilized to assess the kinematic response of the ankle joint complex for active and passive loading scenarios during simulation of stance phase gait in a human cadaveric lower extremity model. Passive (5N axial tibia load, no Achilles load) and active (530N axial tibia load, 178N Achilles load) loading conditions were repetitively tested over 10° dorsiflexion and 20° plantarflexion in two specimens. Target axial tibia loads were established by a 356N vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) in the neutral orientation. Applied tibia load was controlled within ±2N. Measurements included mean axial tibia loads, peak vGRFs, and mean positional values of the ankle instantaneous axis of rotation (IAR). All data were statistically analyzed with an ANOVA and Holm-Sidak post-hoc multiple comparisons test (P<;0.05) to assess repeatability of the loading parameters and compare IAR values between loading and movement scenarios. Mean IAR values differed by less than 1mm within each repetitive load and movement test. Statistical differences in IAR patterns occurred between dorsiflexion and plantarflexion, and between active and passive loading. Loading of the ankle joint and Achilles tendon played a major role in the kinematic response of a healthy foot and ankle.
Maturation of the cholinergic response of tracheal smooth muscle in the piglet.

Maturational changes of the contractile properties of airway smooth muscle have been suggested to occur during the late prenatal and early postnatal period in the piglet. However, the timing and mechanisms involved remain elusive. Therefore, we studied isometric contraction of tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) to evaluate the effects of maturation on (1) the response of TSM to the muscarinic agonist acetylcholine (Ach); and (2) the regulatory activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) during the early postnatal period in the piglet. Studies were per- formed in 1–5-day-old (n = 6) and 14–22-day-old (n = 8) anesthetized, mechanically ventilated piglets. Changes in tracheal tension were measured in vivo from an open tracheal segment and normalized for both longitudinal length of the tracheal segment and cross-sectional area. Dose- response curves to locally applied Ach were obtained before and after the intravenous administration of the AChE inhibitor physostigmine (Phys). Ach-induced changes in tracheal tension significantly increased with maturation during the first 3 weeks of life (P < 0.01), regardless of normalization method. The addition of Phys significantly increased the cholinergic responses of TSM in both age groups (P < 0.02). However, this increase was comparable between age groups. There was also no difference in AChE activity measured in tracheal smooth muscle homogenates between the 1–5 and 14–22-day-old animals. These data indicate that maturation significantly enhances the cholinergic responses of tracheal smooth muscle in the early postnatal period in the piglet. As the regulatory activity of AChE is equally developed in the first and third postnatal weeks, this does not account for the observed differences in force generation at these ages. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1994; 18: 28–33. © 1994 Wiley-Liss. Inc.
Teaching Facilitation: A Play in Three Acts

Practitioners and scholars alike are enamored of teams in the workplace. In an attempt to emulate this winning formula, many companies create teams, only to watch them fail. One reason is that mere...
Right Ventricular End-Diastolic Volume as a Predictor of the Hemodynamic Response to a Fluid Challenge

Objective To compare thermodilution right ventricular end-diastolic volume index (RVEDVI) and pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (Ppao) as predictors of the hemodynamic response to a fluid challenge. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Medical ICU of a university-affiliated county hospital and medical-surgical ICU of a community hospital. Patients Twenty-five critically ill patients who had one or more clinical conditions that suggested the possibility of inadequate preload. Interventions Thirty-six fluid challenges. Fluid (saline or colloid) was administered rapidly until the Ppao rose by at least 3 mm Hg. When a patient underwent more than one fluid challenge, these were given on separate days and for different clinical indications. Measurements and Results Responders (n=20; ≥10% increase in stroke volume [SV]) and nonresponders (n=16; 2 ; p=0.22). There was a moderate correlation between RVEDVI and fluid-induced change in SV (r=0.44); the relationship between Ppao and change in SV was stronger (r=0.58). A positive response to fluid was observed in 4 of 9 cases in which RVEDVI exceeded 138 mL/m 2 , a threshold value that has been suggested to reliably predict a poor response to fluid. Conclusion RVEDVI was not a reliable predictor of the response to fluid. As a predictor of fluid responsiveness, Ppao was superior to RVEDVI. In an individual patient, adequacy of preload is best assessed by an empiric fluid challenge.
Towards adiabatic waveforms for inspiral into Kerr black holes: A new model of the source for the time domain perturbation equation

We revisit the problem of the emission of gravitational waves from a test mass orbiting and thus perturbing a Kerr black hole. The source term of the Teukolsky perturbation equation contains a Dirac delta function which represents a point particle. We present a technique to effectively model the delta function and its derivatives using as few as four points on a numerical grid. The source term is then incorporated into a code that evolves the Teukolsky equation in the time domain as a ($2+1$) dimensional partial differential equation. The waveforms and energy fluxes are extracted far from the black hole. Our comparisons with earlier work show an order of magnitude gain in performance (speed) and numerical errors less than $1%$ for a large fraction of parameter space. As a first application of this code, we analyze the effect of finite extraction radius on the energy fluxes. This paper is the first in a series whose goal is to develop adiabatic waveforms describing the inspiral of a small compact body into a massive Kerr black hole.
Multi-Angular Multi-Spectral Polarized Reflectance from Coastal Waters for the Separation of Water Organic and Inorganic Particulate Components

Polarized solar radiation reflected from water bodies contains useful additional information on inherent optical properties, concentrations and size distributions of water constituents if compared with unpolarized data. We report the use of a modified hyperspectral radiance sensor with very high sensitivity in order to study in detail polarization characteristics of reflectance from field measurements in coastal waters. To compare multi-angular hyperspectral field measurements with theory, radiative transfer computations of the water-leaving radiance were performed. Good agreement between simulation and angularly-resolved field measurements was observed in a certain angular range, which can be considered less affected by Sun glint. The results of the analysis are also used to develop design criteria for effective polarization sensors aimed to measure above and underwater characteristics of polarized light in coastal regions.
For Love and Money? The Impact of Family Structure on Family Income

Summary What do the half-century decline in U.S. marriage and the attendant rise in single parenthood mean for the economic well-being of children, especially children living in single-parent families? Adam Thomas and Isabel Sawhill show how differing living arrangements can be expected to affect families’ economic well-being. Married-parent and cohabiting households, for example, can benefit from economies of scale and from having two adult earners. The availability of child support for single-parent families and the marriage penalties in the tax and transfer system reduce but rarely completely offset the economic benefits of marriage. Consistent with these expectations, national data on family income show that across all races and for a variety of income measures, children in lone-parent families (single-parent households with no cohabiter) have less family income and are more likely to be poor than children in marriedparent families. Cohabiting families are generally better off economically than lone-parent families, but considerably worse off than married-parent families. Thomas and Sawhill acknowledge the possibility that the link between family structure and family resources may not be causal. But new research that simulates marriages between existing single mothers and unattached men with similar characteristics suggests that family structure does affect family resources and that child poverty rates would drop substantially if these mothers were to marry.
Linear prediction of subband signals

The performance of linear prediction of fullband and subband signals is described in terms of the respective prediction gain. The subband prediction gain is characterized in terms of the fullband signal power spectral density and the frequency response of the subband filters. For Gaussian fullband signals, the asymptotic subband prediction gain can never be larger than the asymptotic fullband prediction gain. Simulation results compare fixed and adaptive fullband and subband prediction gains for Gaussian sources and speech. For speech, the subband prediction gain can exceed the fullband prediction gain. >
Knowledge of Normal and Pathological Memory Aging in College Students, Social Workers, and Health Care Professionals

The Knowledge of Memory Aging Questionnaire (KMAQ) measures laypersons' knowledge of normal memory changes and pathological memory deficits in adulthood. In Experiment 1, undergraduate and graduate social work students and social work practitioners completed the KMAQ. Social workers and graduate students were more accurate on the pathological than normal memory aging items, but undergraduate students' knowledge did not differ by question type. Experiment 2 was a conceptual replication where the same pattern of outcomes was obtained using a more heterogeneous sample to increase the ecological validity of the findings. Results confirmed that nonmedical and medical staff at an assisted living facility and health care professionals were more accurate on the pathological than normal memory aging items. Community college and university students' accuracy was similar across question type. Implications for research and the design of education programs to increase awareness of normal and pathological memory defici...
Gender Relations and Applied Research on Aging

As a concept in gerontology, gender appears as lists of traits learned through socialization when theorized at all. I argue for a framework that theorizes the intersections of relations of gender inequality with those of age. This framework holds that men and women gain resources and bear responsibilities, in relation to one another, by virtue of mundane categorization into naturalized stratified groups. Current research shows that this approach allows explanation of gender differences, which appear in many reports but which usually go untheorized, as responses to social inequality. I illustrate applications to research and practice in relation to three areas of old age experiences: financial security, spousal care work, and health. Throughout, I discuss implications of focusing on inequality to enhance our abilities to engage in effective research, practice, and policy for older people, women and men alike. For instance, an understanding of the gender division of labor and workplace discrimination makes clear that financial status in later life cannot be reduced to individual choices concerning paid labor or retirement planning. And understanding that people orient their behaviors to gender ideals allows us to see that men and women perform spousal care in similar and different ways that require varied responses from practitioners; it also reveals contexts in which men engage in positive health behaviors. Finally, I argue that gerontologists interested in facilitating favorable outcomes for old people should consider research and practice that would disrupt, not reinforce, the bases of gender inequalities in later life.
Economic growth and poverty: a tale of two decades

The relationship between poverty and economic growth is reexamined using pooled cross section and time series estimates of state level poverty. Empirical evidence is provided for both cash and comprehensive income headcounts and Sen indexes of poverty. Particular emphasis is placed on the differential impacts of growth on poverty in the long economic expansions of the 1980s and 1990s. Contrary to prior work, we find that the long-term effects of growth did not strengthen and may have actually diminished during the 1990s.
Krüppel-like factor 2 regulates trafficking and homeostasis of gammadelta T cells.

gammadelta T cells are generated in the thymus and traffic to secondary lymphoid organs and epithelial surfaces, where they regulate immune responses. alphabeta T cells require sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor type 1 (S1P(1)) and CD62L for thymic emigration and circulation through secondary lymphoid organs. Both of these genes are regulated by the transcription factor Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) in conventional alphabeta T cells. It is unclear if gammadelta T cells use similar mechanisms. In this study, we show that thymic gammadelta T cells express S1P(1) and that it is regulated by KLF2. Furthermore, KLF2 and S1P(1)-deficient gammadelta T cells accumulate in the thymus and fail to populate the secondary lymphoid organs or gut, in contrast to the expectation from published work. Interestingly, KLF2 but not S1P(1) deficiency led to the expansion of a usually rare population of CD4(+) promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger(+) "gammadelta NKT" cells. Thus, KLF2 is critically important for the homeostasis and trafficking of gammadelta T cells.
Ambiguity of "intention."

Knobe reports that subjects' judgments of whether an agent did something intentionally vary depending on whether the outcome in question was seen by them as good or as bad. He concludes that subjects' moral views affect their judgments about intentional action. This conclusion appears to follow only if different meanings of "intention" are overlooked.
Perceptual grouping and the interactions between visual cortical areas

Visual perception involves the grouping of individual elements into coherent patterns, such as object representations, that reduce the descriptive complexity of a visual scene. The computational and physiological bases of this perceptual remain poorly understood. We discuss recent fMRI evidence from our laboratory where we measured activity in a higher object processing area (LOC), and in primary visual cortex (V1) in response to visual elements that were either grouped into objects or randomly arranged. We observed significant activity increases in the LOC and concurrent reductions of activity in V1 when elements formed coherent shapes, suggesting that activity in early visual areas is reduced as a result of grouping processes performed in higher areas. In light of these results we review related empirical findings of context-dependent changes in activity, recent neurophysiology research related to cortical feedback, and computational models that incorporate feedback operations. We suggest that feedback from high-level visual areas reduces activity in lower areas in order to simplify the description of a visual image--consistent with both predictive coding models of perception and probabilistic notions of 'explaining away.'
Complementary and alternative medicine in chronic neurological pain

Background: There is a growing trend towards opting for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the therapeutic management of various medical disorders. We try to evaluate the current recommendations for CAM therapies in key neurological disorders. Materials and Methods: Sources like PubMed, Embase, UCLA libraries, USC libraries, and National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) books were searched to gather data for this review. Results: We discuss the current recommendations for CAM therapies in headaches, neck pains, lower back pains, neuropathic pains, and cancer-related pains. The CAM therapies discussed include natural therapies, mind and body therapies, and several other modalities. Conclusion: We conclude that in spite of vast literature available on the CAM therapies for neurological disorders; there is little evidence for the most beneficial CAM remedies that target common neurological disorders. Although new CAM modalities are brought to light in addition to those that have existed for centuries, further scientific data from evidence-based studies is needed to accurately compare the CAM therapies amongst each other and allopathic treatments.
Density fluctuations on mm and Mpc scales

We will in this Letter report on suggestive similarities between density fluctuation power versus wavenumber on small (mm) and large (Mpc) scales. The small scale measurements were made in fusion plasmas and compared to predictions from classical fluid turbulence theory. The data is consistent with the dissipative range of 2D turbulence. Alternatively, the results can be fitted to a functional form that cannot be explained by turbulence theory. The large scale measurements were part of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey galaxy redshift examination. We found that the equations describing fusion plasmas also hold for the galaxy data. The comparable dependency of density fluctuation power on wavenumber in fusion plasmas and galaxies might indicate a common origin of these fluctuations.
A sunny view of polarization.

There are a number of ways to react to the whole problem of polarization that Rispoli's review brings up. As a first reaction, like Rispoli, personally, I deplore the polarization. I find neither side likely to be right enough about everything to be entitled to require the kind of all-or-nothing allegiance each side seems to demand. My complaints about the two sides are more basic than Rispoli's rather specific criticisms of Elman et al. Unfortunately, going on to outline what seems generally useful and less useful in each approach in a short space like this basically consists of saying ‘I like this’ or claiming ‘this is obviously wrong’ with a little elaboration. This does not seem useful for such complicated problems, so I will leave my general complaint about the all-or-none polarization simply stated outright.
Climate as a driver of tropical insular diversity: comparative phylogeography of two ecologically distinctive frogs in Puerto Rico.

The effects of late Quaternary climate on distributions and evolutionary dynamics of insular species are poorly understood in most tropical archipelagoes. We used ecological niche models under past and current climate to derive hypotheses regarding how stable climatic conditions shaped genetic diversity in two ecologically distinctive frogs in Puerto Rico. Whereas the Mountain Coqui, Eleutherodactylus portoricensis, is restricted to montane forest in the Cayey and Luquillo Mountains, the Red-eyed Coqui, E. antillensis, is a habitat generalist distributed across the entire Puerto Rican Bank (Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, excluding St. Croix). To test our hypotheses, we conducted phylogeographic and population genetic analyses based on mitochondrial and nuclear loci of each species across their range in Puerto Rico. Patterns of population differentiation in E. portoricensis, but not in E. antillensis, supported our hypotheses. For E. portoricensis, these patterns include: individuals isolated by long-term unsuitable climate in the Rio Grande de Loiza Basin in eastern Puerto Rico belong to different genetic clusters; past and current climate strongly predicted genetic differentiation; and Cayey and Luquillo Mountains populations split prior to the last interglacial. For E. antillensis, these patterns include: genetic clusters did not fully correspond to predicted long-term unsuitable climate; and past and current climate weakly predicted patterns of genetic differentiation. Genetic signatures in E. antillensis are consistent with a recent range expansion into western Puerto Rico, possibly resulting from climate change and anthropogenic influences. As predicted, regions with a large area of long-term suitable climate were associated with higher genetic diversity in both species, suggesting larger and more stable populations. Finally, we discussed the implications of our findings for developing evidence-based management decisions for E. portoricensis, a taxon of special concern. Our findings illustrate the role of persistent suitable climatic conditions in promoting the persistence and diversification of tropical island organisms.
Potential cost savings associated with dose rounding antineoplastic monoclonal agents.

PurposeThis study explored the potential financial benefits associated with dose rounding three costly cancer agents: bevacizumab, trastuzumab, and cetuximab.MethodsElectronic chemotherapy health record software was queried to identify inpatient and outpatient use of bevacizumab, trastuzumab, and cetuximab. Available drug vial sizes were noted. Costs of actual doses prescribed were compared to theoretically reduced doses (5% and 10%) adjusted to the nearest vial size. Only doses resulting in a decrease in the number of vials qualified for dose rounding. New doses were analyzed for potential cost savings considering the percent-change from the original dose. All institutional review board procedures were followed.ResultsIn all, 425 doses of bevacizumab, trastuzumab, and cetuximab were identified. At a 5% dose reduction, 51 doses (12%) qualified for dose rounding, translating to a potential cost savings of $60,648 ($6,188, $52,640, and $1,820, respectively). Although a 5% limit was set, the average change i...
Networked electrophysiology sensor-on-a-chip

This paper presents the design of a mixed-signal integrated circuit (IC) prototype to provide complete, programmable signal conditioning and analog-to-digital conversion of an electrophysiologic signal. A front-end amplifier is designed with low input referred noise 1 μVrms, and common mode rejection ratio 102 dB. A novel second order sigma-delta (ΣΔ) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is used to program the low-frequency cutoff, and to enable an input common mode range of ±0.3 V. The overall system is implemented and simulated in Jazz Semiconductor 0.18 μm CMOS technology with power consumption 5.8 mW.
The changing epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus and influenza: impetus for new control measures.

Background: Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are the most important causes of medically attended acute respiratory illnesses. Medical encounters for acute respiratory illness peak each winter, coinciding with the peak of influenza activity. RSV is the most important cause of hospitalization of infants for acute lower respiratory illness. Methods: Surveillance of influenza and RSV have been maintained in Houston since 1974. Hospitalization rates during that period were compared with national data. U.S. influenza mortality rates and population dynamics were reviewed. Results: The number of deaths attributed to influenza in the United States have increased from ∼15,000 per year for the period from 1972 through 1984 to >50,000 from 1990 to 1999. RSV hospitalization rates for infants have more than doubled during the same period. Influenza epidemics have tended to occur earlier in Texas, with epidemic disease evident in early November in 3 of the last 4 years. Conclusions: Population dynamics with increased population density and urbanization probably are responsible for worsening of epidemics of the major respiratory viruses. New approaches to control will be necessary to reduce impact of these infections. These include earlier availability of influenza vaccine each autumn and use of antivirals and new vaccines for RSV.
miR‐33 controls the expression of biliary transporters, and mediates statin‐ and diet‐induced hepatotoxicity

Bile secretion is essential for whole body sterol homeostasis. Loss-of-function mutations in specific canalicular transporters in the hepatocyte disrupt bile flow and result in cholestasis. We show that two of these transporters, ABCB11 and ATP8B1, are functional targets of miR-33, a micro-RNA that is expressed from within an intron of SREBP-2. Consequently, manipulation of miR-33 levels in vivo with adenovirus or with antisense oligonucleotides results in changes in bile secretion and bile recovery from the gallbladder. Using radiolabelled cholesterol, we show that systemic silencing of miR-33 leads to increased sterols in bile and enhanced reverse cholesterol transport in vivo. Finally, we report that simvastatin causes, in a dose-dependent manner, profound hepatotoxicity and lethality in mice fed a lithogenic diet. These latter results are reminiscent of the recurrent cholestasis found in some patients prescribed statins. Importantly, pretreatment of mice with anti-miR-33 oligonucleotides rescues the hepatotoxic phenotype. Therefore, we conclude that miR-33 mediates some of the undesired, hepatotoxic effects of statins.
Characteristics of alginate pellets formulated with Trichoderma and Gliocladium and their effect on the proliferation of the fungi in soil

Pelletized formulations of wheat bran or kaolin clay in an alginate gel containing conidia, chlamydospores, or fermentor biomass (FB) of several isolates of the biocontrol fungi Trichoderma spp. and Gliocladium virens were prepared. The ability of fungal propagules within the pellets to proliferate in soil was determined. Higher population densities were obtained when alginate pellets added to soil contained chlamydospores rather than condia, and bran rather than kaolin as the bulking agent. The active ingredient in pellets prepared from FB was approximately 5% biomass by weight and contained many chlamydospores. Colony-forming units (cfu) ranged from 106’to 1010/g of soil after soil amendment with FB pellets of 12 Trichoderma and G. virens isolates. Population densities were high during the first 3 weeks of incubation and declined only gradually during 9 weeks. Propagules in FB pellets were more viable at 5° than at 25°C. Viability at 25°C remained high (> 70%) after 1 week, but declined to less than 10% after 24 weeks. Despite reduction in propagule viability in stored pellets, numbers of cfu formed after adding these pellets to soil were comparable with those formed from freshly prepared pellets.
Negative externalities of close guanxi within organizations

In this conceptual article we present a critical analysis of close guanxi, i.e., close personal connections, in terms of their negative externalities on organizations. We adopt a social dilemma perspective and examine how close guanxi parties, while cooperative toward each other, may nevertheless defect against the organization, causing negative externalities. We contend that relationalism exacerbates such negative effects of close guanxi and propose various institutional mechanisms and individual variables that can reduce them. Finally, we discuss research and practical implications of solving social dilemmas of close guanxi in Chinese organizations and strong ties in Western organizations.
Cortical Activation Through Passive-Motion Functional MRI

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Functional brain mapping is an important technique for neurosurgical planning, particularly for patients with tumors or epilepsy; however, mapping has traditionally involved invasive techniques. Existing noninvasive techniques require patient compliance and may not be suitable for young children. We performed a retrospective review of our experience with passive-motion functional MR imaging in anesthetized patients to determine the diagnostic yield of this technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of patients undergoing passive-motion fMRI under general anesthesia at a single institution over a 2.5-year period was performed. Clinical records were evaluated to determine the indication for fMRI, the ability to detect cortical activation, and, if present, the location of cortical activation. RESULTS: We identified 62 studies in 56 patients in this time period. The most common indication for fMRI was epilepsy/seizures. Passive-motion fMRI identified upper-extremity cortical activation in 105 of 119 (88%) limbs evaluated, of which 90 (86%) activations were in an orthotopic location. Lower-extremity cortical activation was identified in 86 of 118 (73%) limbs evaluated, of which 73 (85%) activations were in an orthotopic location. CONCLUSIONS: Passive-motion fMRI was successful in identifying cortical activation in most of the patients. This tool can be implemented easily and can aid in surgical planning for children with tumors or candidates for epilepsy surgery, particularly those who may be too young to comply with existing noninvasive functional measures.
Irritancy and Allergic Responses Induced by Topical Application of ortho-Phthalaldehyde

Although ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) has been suggested as an alternative to glutaraldehyde for the sterilization and disinfection of hospital equipment, the toxicity has not been thoroughly investigated. The purpose of these studies was to evaluate the irritancy and sensitization potential of OPA. The EpiDerm Skin Irritation Test was used to evaluate in vitro irritancy potential of OPA and glutaraldehyde. Treatment with 0.4125 and 0.55% OPA induced irritation, while glutaraldehyde exposure at these concentrations did not. Consistent with the in vitro results, OPA induced irritancy, evaluated by ear swelling, when mice were treated with 0.75%. Initial evaluation of the sensitization potential was conducted using the local lymph node assay at concentrations ranging from 0.005 to 0.75%. A concentration-dependent increase in lymphocyte proliferation was observed with a calculated EC3 value of 0.051% compared to that of 0.089%, previously determined for glutaraldehyde. Immunoglobulin (Ig) E-inducing potential was evaluated by phenotypic analysis of draining lymph node (DLN) cells and measurement of total and specific serum IgE levels. The 0.1 and 0.75% exposed groups yielded significant increases in the IgE+B220+ cell population in the lymph nodes while the 0.75% treated group demonstrated significant increases in total IgE, OPA-specific IgE, and OPA-specific IgG1. In addition, significant increases in interleukin-4 messenger RNA and protein expression in the DLNs were observed in OPA-treated groups. The results demonstrate the dermal irritancy and allergic potential of OPA and raise concern about the proposed/intended use of OPA as a safe alternative to glutaraldehyde.
11 – Case Studies

Five wetland restoration projects—saline tidal marsh, freshwater marsh, peat bog, forested wetland, and urban wetland—illustrate the techniques and challenges associated with their restoration and ecosystem development. Techniques include hydrologic restoration by site grading and excavation to restore tidal inundation of saline marshes and plugging ditches to restore freshwater marshes and peat bogs. Active management, transplanting seedlings and introducing seed mixtures, is used to accelerate development of the plant community in saline tidal marshes and freshwater marshes, respectively, whereas reestablishment of vegetation in peat bogs involves natural colonization and succession. In urban landscapes, stream and riparian restoration of forested wetlands and removal of fill during brackish marsh restoration are necessary to establish antecedent hydrology favorable for desired vegetation. Removal of invasive species prior to restoration also is necessary in urban environments. Control of herbivores and invasive species also may be needed. Ecosystem development proceeds at different rates in different wetlands. Saline tidal marshes with their predictable hydrology develop faster than wetlands such as peat bogs and freshwater marshes where hydrology is less predictable and is driven by precipitation.
Linear Normal Forms

Consider a smooth (real or complex) matrix-valued function A(e) of a (real) small parameter e, having formal power series $$ A\left( \varepsilon \right)\, \sim \,{A_{{0\,}}} + \varepsilon {A_1} + {\varepsilon^2}{A_2} + .... $$ (3.1.1) How do the eigenvectors (or generalized eigenvectors) and eigenvalues of such a matrix vary with e? This question arises, for instance, in studying the stability of the linear system of differential equations ẋ = A(e)x. Or the nonlinear system ẋ = f(x, e) may have a rest point x*(e) whose stability depends on the matrix A(e) = fx(x*(e), e). The same question arises for diiferent reasons in quantum mechanics; in this case A(e) is Hermitian, hence diagonalizable, and the interest focuses on the splitting (for e ≠ 0) of eigenvalues that are equal when e = 0. (These eigenvalues can be, for example, the spectral lines of an atom, which can split in the presence of an external field.)
Autocrine thrombospondin partially mediates TGF-β1- induced proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 has been implicated in vascular healing responses after mechanical injury. Using cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMC), we examined the hypothesis that...
Telomerase activity and prognosis in primary breast cancers.

PURPOSE: Recent studies associate telomerase activity with prognostic factors and survival. We compared quantitative telomerase activity in primary tumors with traditional prognostic factors and outcome in a group of invasive but nonmetastatic breast cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Telomerase activity was measured in 203 invasive breast cancers by the quantitative telomeric repeat amplification protocol method. Telomerase expression was compared with 28S rRNA level, tumor content, and clinical variables, including outcome. For clinical correlations, telomerase activity was standardized by two methods: (1) a correction for cellularity using 28S rRNA levels, and (2) a correction for the histologically determined invasive proportion of the specimen. RESULTS: Telomerase activity was found in 82% of breast cancers with measurable 28S rRNA levels. Telomerase activity was associated with the proliferative index (P < .01) of the tumor but not with any other prognostic variable. Neither uncorrected nor corrected te...
Moderating Effect of Affect on Decision Making in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

Working within the framework of the Affect Infusion Model (AIM), we use a sample of 351 minority owned, small and medium sized firms, to test whether negative affect is infused into business related decision making. Findings suggest that negative affect has a relationship with business owner’s intent to quit the business. Perceptions of success and satisfaction with the business and the entrepreneur’s personal goals were also related to owner’s intent to quit. Negative affect was found to moderate the relationship between perceived success and satisfaction and the entrepreneur’s personal goals and intent to quit which offer support to the AIM.
Abstract 306: A Protective Role of IL-1 beta in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Objectives: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a chronic disease characterized by persistent inflammation maintained by an array of inflammatory cells and mediators. Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) has largely been considered a pro-inflammatory cytokine but, interestingly, our previous studies of human AAAs showed that activated T-cells from patients with AAAs expressed lower levels of IL-1β compared to matched control patients without AAAs. This led us to hypothesize that IL-1β could have a protective role in preventing the development of AAA. Methods: Abdominal aortic aneurysms were induced in IL-1 receptor KO (IL-1R-/-) and control mice using the CaCl2 murine model of AAA. Mice were sacrificed six weeks after aneurysm induction. Aortic diameters were measured and compared at the time of aneurysm induction and sacrifice. Aortic samples were further evaluated histologically using connective tissue staining to assess the aortic structure in both groups. Results: At the time of sacrifice, IL-1R-/- mice demonstr...
Uptake and Persistence of Metepa and Hempa in the House Fly

The uptake and persistence of metepa and hempa in Musca domestica L. was determined by allowing the insects to feed on a treated sugar bait. Seventy-two hours after a 1-hour exposure to the 0.8% metepa bait, 33.6% of the compound picked up by the females and 3.72% of that picked up by the males were still present in the flies or in their containers. When house flies were tested in a simulated field trial, they consumed enough 1.0% metapa bait to become sterile, even though they were offered a supplementary diet of untreated food; the amounts recovered ranged from 0.28 to 5.64µg in males and from 0.14 to 15.0µg in females. When only treated bait was available, the metepa ranged from 0.54 to 6.38µg in males and from 0.36 to 15.2µg in females. In similar field tests with hempa bait, the captured flies contained 0.04-4.67µg of hempa.
The effect of cyclic salt in a maritime environment

A previous paper (Part I)4 has shown that when vegetation and land slope are favourable to the capture of aerosol, the salinity of rainfall provides no measure of rate of acquisition of cyclic salt by a given land area.