cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Event Processing as an Executive Enterprise

Actual experience as life unfolds tends to be an ebb and flow of dynamic, multimodal sensations, many of which are fleeting. Yet what is encoded, recalled, and talked about tends to be events—units of experience that are conceptualized as having both a beginning and an end. In this essay, we consider processing mechanisms that enable the extraction of event structure from the dynamically unfolding stream of experience. Two proposals emerge from our own and others' recent research on event processing: First, fluent detection of structure within activity streams appears to hinge on knowledge of the predictability relations within those streams. Second, skill at event processing seems to involve harnessing such knowledge of predictability relations to selectively direct attention to information-rich portions of the activity stream. If this account is correct, individual differences in knowledge and executive skill should influence event-processing fluency. As well, children's developmental progress in event processing should reveal the telltale impact of increasing knowledge and executive skill. Our hope is that research pursuing these ideas will ultimately make it possible to enhance event-processing fluency for all, which in turn has the potential to facilitate memory, learning, and social interaction. Keywords: executive function; event processing; child development; dwell-time paradigm; ADHD
A 44-Year-Old Man With Abdominal Pain, Lung Nodules, and Hemoperitoneum

A 44-year-old man presented with a 1-day history of sudden-onset abdominal pain. The pain was characterized as severe, diffuse, sharp, and nonradiating. Associated symptoms included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and subjective fevers. He was originally from El Salvador, but had not traveled in > 10 years. Review of systems was positive for 2 weeks of dry cough with associated mild, bilateral, pleuritic chest pain and subjective weight loss. His medical history was notable for gout and end-stage renal disease secondary to chronic nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use, for which he attended hemodialysis sessions three times weekly. Surgical history consisted of a currently nonfunctioning left upper extremity fistula, a longstanding right internal jugular PermCath IV access for chronic hemodialysis that had been removed 2 weeks prior to presentation, and a left brachiocephalic fistula. He did not smoke, consume alcohol, or have a history of illicit drug use.
“The Tyranny of Printers”: Newspaper Politics in the Early American Republic. by Jeffrey L. Pasley. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 2001. 512 pp

(2002). “The Tyranny of Printers”: Newspaper Politics in the Early American Republic. by Jeffrey L. Pasley. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 2001. 512 pp. American Journalism: Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 95-96.
Coherent laser radar at 1,06 μm using Nd:YAG lasers

A coherent laser radar system operating at the 1.06 micron Nd:YAG laser wavelength has been built and operated. A laser-diode-pumped monolithic ring laser served as the master oscillator. A single flash-lamp-pumped zigzag slab amplified the oscillator output to a power of 2.3 kW. Single-mode optical fiber was used to collect and mix the return signal with the local-oscillator output. Signals from clouds at a range of 2.7 km and from atmospheric aerosols at a range of 600 m were detected.
Aberrant early visual neural activity and brain-behavior relationships in anorexia nervosa and body dysmorphic disorder

Background: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and anorexia nervosa (AN) share the clinical symptom of disturbed body image, which may be a function of perceptual distortions. Previous studies suggest visual or visuospatial processing abnormalities may be contributory, but have been unable to discern whether these occur early or late in the visual processing stream. We used electroencephalography (EEG) and visual event related potentials (ERP) to investigate early perceptual neural activity associated with processing visual stimuli. Methods: We performed EEG on 20 AN, 20 BDD, 20 healthy controls, all unmedicated. In order to probe configural/holistic and detailed processing, participants viewed photographs of faces and houses that were unaltered or filtered to low or high spatial frequencies, respectively. We calculated the early ERP components P100 and N170, and compared amplitudes and latencies among groups. Results: P100 amplitudes were smaller in AN than BDD and healthy controls, regardless of spatial frequency or stimulus type (faces or houses). Similarly, N170 latencies were longer in AN than healthy controls, regardless of spatial frequency or stimulus type, with a similar pattern in BDD at trend level significance. N170 amplitudes were smaller in AN than controls for high and normal spatial frequency images, and smaller in BDD than controls for normal spatial frequency images, regardless of stimulus type. Poor insight correlated with lower N170 amplitudes for normal and low spatial frequency faces in the BDD group. Conclusions: Individuals with AN exhibit abnormal early visual system activity, consistent with reduced configural processing and enhanced detailed processing. This is evident regardless of whether the stimuli are appearance- or non appearance-related, and thus may be a reflection of general, early perceptual abnormalities. As N170 amplitude could be a marker of structural encoding of faces, lower values may be associated with perceptual dis
Sex Steroids and Human Behavior: Prenatal Androgen Exposure and Sex‐Typical Play Behavior in Children

Gonadal hormones, particularly androgens, direct certain aspects of brain development and exert permanent influences on sex-typical behavior in nonhuman mammals. Androgens also influence human behavioral development, with the most convincing evidence coming from studies of sex-typical play. Girls exposed to unusually high levels of androgens prenatally, because they have the genetic disorder, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), show increased preferences for toys and activities usually preferred by boys, and for male playmates, and decreased preferences for toys and activities usually preferred by girls. Normal variability in androgen prenatally also has been related to subsequent sex-typed play behavior in girls, and nonhuman primates have been observed to show sex-typed preferences for human toys. These findings suggest that androgen during early development influences childhood play behavior in humans at least in part by altering brain development.
Longitudinal Control and Footprint Analysis for a Reusable Military Launch Vehicle

Abstract : This paper examines two concepts for a reusable military launch system (RMLS). Both are rocket powered vertical takeoff-horizontal landing configurations. One is a conventional wing-body configuration like the Space Shuttle, and the other is a lifting body configuration. The lifting body design lands in an inverted attitude, which significantly reduces the maintenance requirements for the vehicle's thermal protection system. The longitudinal stability and control characteristics are examined, and footprint calculations are made for re-entry.
( k, g )-cages are 3-connected

Abstract A ( k, g )- cage is a graph that has the least number of vertices among all k -regular graphs with girth g . It has been conjectured that the connectivity of each ( k, g -cage is k , and a proof exists for k = 3. We prove here that all cages are 3-connected, a step towards a proof of the conjecture.
Effects of vasopressin on the isolated perfused human collecting tubule.

Effects of vasopressin on the isolated perfused human collecting tubule. Cortical collecting tubules (CCT) were dissected from the surviving normal tissue of human kidneys removed at operation for either carcinoma or calculus. These CCT's were perfused in vitro shortly after the nephrectomy was performed. Transtubular potential differences in different tubules varied from + 3.2 to -2.0 mV and were reduced towards zero by lowering the temperature or by adding ouabain to the bath. In the absence of vasopressin, tubules were essentially impermeable to water with extremely low net water fluxes even in the presence of a transtubular osmotic gradient. Addition of vasopressin to the bath caused the transtubular osmotic water permeability coefficient to increase to values of 125, 175, and 155 × 10 -4 cm/sec in three tubules thus studied. These results demonstrate close similarities between the human CCT and the more extensively studied rabbit CCT. Effet de la vasopressine sur le tube collecteur humain isole et perfuse. Des tubes collecteurs corticaux (CCT) ont ete disseques a partir du tissu normal de rein humain obtenu dans des pieces operatoires de carcinome ou de lithiase. Ces CCT ont ete perfuses in vitro peu de temps apres le prelevement. La difference de potentiel trans-tubulaire dans les differents tubules a varie de +3,2 a -2,0 mV et elle a ete ramenee vers zero par l'abaissement de la temperature ou l'addition d'ouabaine au bain. En l'absence de vasopressine les tubes etaient impermeables a l'eau avec des flux nets d'eau extremement faibles meme en presence d'un gradient osmotique trans-tubulaire. L'addition de vasopressine au bain entraine une augmentation du coefficient de permeabilite osmotique a l'eau jusqu'a des valeurs de 125, 175, et 155 × 10 -4 cm/sec dans trois tubules ainsi etudies. Ces resultats demontrent de grandes ressemblances entre le CCT humain et celui, plus etudie, du lapin.
Influence of work content on extrinsic outcome expectancy and intrinsic pleasure predictions of work effort

Abstract Most expectancy theory research has focused on work effort defined in general terms to cover the total job. The objective of this study is to narrow the focus to deal with content-specific work activities. Activity categories are differentiated in terms of (1) productive and supportive activities and (2) high and low situational structure. Extrinsic and intrinsic motivators and specific effort criteria are delineated. Differences in the configuration and strength of motivator—effort relationships as a function of the activity category classifications are demonstrated using two separate administration sessions in an Army work setting. The extrinsic motivator predicts better for the productive activities while the intrinsic motivator does better for the supportive activities. Motivator—effort relationships are stronger for low-structured than high-structured activities. Curvilinear as well as linear relationships exist for certain activities where structure may restrict maximum effort. Implications of the results for applied organizational development programs are discussed.
Large-Scale Model Footing Tests on Geogrid-Reinforced Foundation and Marginal Embankment Soils

This paper aims at investigating the behavior of foundations on geogrid-reinforced silty clay marginal embankment soil. For this purpose, a total of six large-scale field tests were conducted using a reinforced concrete model footing with dimensions of 457 mm by 457 mm. The parameters investigated in this study included the number of reinforcement layers, the vertical spacing between layers, and the tensile modulus of reinforcement. The effect of reinforcement on the vertical stress distribution in the soil and the strain distribution along the reinforcement were also investigated. The test results showed that the inclusion of geogrid reinforcements results in increasing the soil’s bearing capacity and reducing the footing settlement. The reinforcement benefits improve with the increase in number and tensile modulus of geogrids and with the decrease in layers’ spacing. The inclusion of reinforcements helps in redistributing the applied load to a wider area. The test results also showed that the developed strain along the geogrids is directly related to the footing settlement.
Residence and Income Inequality: Effects on Mortality Among U.S. Counties

Despite lower average incomes, greater percentages living in poverty, lower levels of health insurance, less preventive health care, and poorer health status, nonmetropolitan residents have been found to experience lower mortality than their metropolitan counterparts. Several pathways through which residence influences mortality have been proposed. The objective of this study is to examine the effects of income inequality on residential differentials in mortality. Using data from the Compressed Mortality File for counties in the coterminous United States for 1990, we estimate weighted least squares models of total mortality for 3,067 counties, and separately for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties. Mortality is lower in nonmetropolitan counties than in metropolitan counties, once rates are standardized for age, sex, and race. Moreover, income inequality exerts stronger effects in nonmetro counties, an effect that persists when per capita income, median household size, and racial composition are controlled. The percentage of the population that is black exerts an independent effect on mortality in both metro and non-metro counties. Language: en
Activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor in optic nerve astrocytes leads to early and transient induction of cyclooxygenase-2.

PURPOSE. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) appears in astrocytes after neural injury. The authors' laboratory has reported the presence of EGFR in glaucomatous optic nerves. The activation of EGFR is often associated with induction of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. In this study, the induction of COX-2 pathway in rat optic nerve astrocytes was investigated. METHODS. Induction of COX-2 was determined by immunoblot and immunocytochemistry in optic nerve astrocytes stimulated with EGF. EGF-induced prostaglandin (PG)E 2 release into the culture medium was assayed by ELISA. The effects of the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, AG1478, were studied on COX-2 expression and PGE 2 synthesis. In rat optic nerve transection and a rat optic nerve explant culture model, the relationship between the expression of COX-2 and activation of EGFR was examined. RESULTS. Activation of EGFR caused the rapid and transient induction of COX-2 in optic nerve astrocytes. The level of COX-2 was rapidly upregulated in optic nerves after axotomy and in an optic nerve explant culture model. When induced, COX-2 localized to the nuclear membrane of the astrocytes. When COX-2 was induced in response to activation of EGFR, the activated astrocytes produced and released the proinflammatory mediator, PGE 2 , in a time-dependent manner. EGF-stimulated induction of COX-2 protein and synthesis of PGE 2 were abolished by the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor AG1478. The stimulatory action of EGF on release of PGE 2 was inhibited by the COX-2-selective inhibitor NS398. CONCLUSIONS. The data demonstrate that the activation of EGFR in optic nerve astrocytes leads to the induction of the immediate early gene COX-2 and subsequent signaling through the synthesis of PGE 2 . This early signal of neural tissue damage may be important in setting up secondary events in the damaged tissue.
LYSOSOMES IN RAT THORACIC DUCT LYMPHOCYTES

10 acid hydrolases known to be lysosomal in other tissues were detected in rat thoracic duct lymphocytes (TDL). Except for cathepsin D, all these enzymes occurred in lower levels in TDL than in rat spleen. Fractionation by means of differential centrifugation revealed two types of distribution patterns. Most of the total cathepsin D activity appeared in a high-speed supernatant (S), whereas the other acid hydrolases associated mainly with a high-speed pellet (P). Further studies by isopycnic centrifugation in a sucrose density gradient showed that all the enzymes, including a small portion of cathepsin D, sedimented around a modal density of 1.18. In contrast, most cathepsin D activity was recovered in a soluble, unsedimentable form. These results suggest the presence of two populations of lysosomes. Because the possibility could be excluded that other cell types contaminated the lymphocyte preparations, it is concluded that both lysosomal populations arise from TDL.
Receptor binding characteristics of 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorinated dibenzofuran radioligands

The condensation of 2,6-dichloroaniline and 2,5-dichlorophenol gave 2-hydroxy-2′,3,6,6′-tetrachlorobiphenyl which was readily cyclized to 1,4,9-trichlorodibenzofuran (TrCDF). 1,4,9-TrCDF was converted into [1,4,9-3H3]-dibenzofuran by catalytic exchange with tritium gas. The tritiated dibenzofuran was dissolved in methylene chloride and chlorine gas was bubbled into the solution for 20 minutes to give the following PCDF congeners which were separated and purified by HPLC; [3H]-2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF, 57 Ci/mmol), [3H]-1,2,3,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PeCDF, 34 Ci/mmol) and [3H]-1,2,3,6,7,8-/1,2,3,4,7,8-hexachlorodibenzofuran (HCDF, 32.5 Ci/mmol). The dose-dependent binding of the new radioligands with different concentrations of cytosolic receptor protein was saturable. Scatchard plot analysis of the binding isotherms gave Kd values of 1.3 ± 0.07 (2), 5.9 ± 1.2 (2), 2.3 ± 1.5 (2) nM respectively for radiolabeled 2,3,7,8-TCDF, 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF and 1,2,3,6,7,8-/1,2,3,4,7,8-HCDF respectively (no. of determination shown in brackets). Although the Scatchard plots with 2,3,7,8-TCDD frequently were curvilinear at low concentrations of the radioligand, the plots obtained with the three PCDF radioligands were all linear. In addition, the Hill plot analysis of the data for all four radioligands gave slopes which were equal to one and the results are consistent with noncooperative ligand-receptor binding.
Parity nonconservation and the origin of cosmic magnetic fields

Three mechanisms of cosmic magnetic field generation are discussed: (1) asymmetric decay of particles emitted by rotating black holes; (2) asymmetric proton emission by black holes due to weak radiative corrections, and (3) equilibrium parity-violating currents. It is shown that all three mechanisms can produce a seed field sufficiently strong to account for the present galactic fields.
Pierce point minimization and optimal torch path determination in flame cutting

Abstract This paper addresses the problem of sequencing a torch for the cutting of a stock sheet nested with regular or irregular parts. The image of the nesting is reduced to an equivalent graph, and the objective is to traverse this graph with a minimum number of pierce points, or blowthroughs. If the graph has 2k vertices of odd degree, then k pierce points are necessary and sufficient to traverse the graph. The torch path problem formulation includes manufacturing cost, efficiency, and distortion considerations. We present three algorithms for the problem. The first algorithm shows how to determine the k torch paths, and is optimal in run time complexity. The second algorithm uses trim margin edges to investigate further reduction in the number of pierce points. The third algorithm guarantees that for the special case where a torch path has no vertices of odd degree, no piece will be dropped that needs further interior cuts. Some possible extensions to this work are also addressed.
Macroeconomic implications of S,s versus accelerator finished goods inventory strategies

Abstract Large scale disaggregated simulation techniques involving 315 firms in 21 different industries holding 6,615 different stockpiles of purchased materials inputs are used to evaluate the implications for the stability of the economy of alternative strategies for managing inventories. The simulations reveal that an S,s form of production scheduling results in a somewhat less stable economy than is obtained with accelerator type inventory management.
Subcellular localization determines the availability of non-targeted proteins to plasmodesmatal transport.

Abstract Background: Individual plant cells are encased in a cell wall. To enable cell-to-cell communication, plants have evolved channels, termed plasmodesmata, to span thick walls and interconnect the cytoplasm between adjacent cells. How macromolecules pass through these channels is now beginning to be understood. Results: Using two green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporters and a non-invasive transfection system, we assayed for intercellular macromolecular traffic in leaf epidermal cells. Plasmodesmata were found in different states of dilation. We could distinguish two forms of protein movement across plasmodesmata, non-targeted and targeted. Although leaves have generally been considered closed to non-specific transport of macromolecules, we found that 23% of the cells had plasmodesmatal channels in a dilated state, allowing GFP that was not targeted to plasmodesmata to move into neighboring cells. GFP fusions that were targeted to the cytoskeleton or to the endoplasmic reticulum did not move between cells, whereas those that were localized to the cytoplasm or nucleus diffused to neighboring cells in a size-dependent manner. Superimposed upon this non-specific exchange, proteins that were targeted to the plasmodesmata could transit efficiently between 62% of transfected cells. Conclusions: A significant population of leaf cells contain plasmodesmata in a dilated state, allowing macromolecular transport between cells. Protein movement potential is regulated by subcellular address and size. These parameters of protein movement illustrate how gradients of signaling macromolecules could be formed and regulated, and suggest that non-cell-autonomous development in plants may be more significant than previously assumed.
SU-GG-I-154: Evaluation of Quantitative Potential of Breast Tomosynthesis Using a Voxelized Anthropomorphic Breast Phantom

Purpose: To assess the quantitative potential of breast tomosynthesis by estimating the percent density of voxelized anthropomorphic breast phantoms. Method and Materials: A Siemens breast tomosynthesis system was modeled using Monte Carlo methods and a voxelized anthropomorphic breast phantom. The images generated by the simulation were reconstructed using Siemens filtered back‐projection software. The non‐uniform background due to scatter, heel effect, and limited angular sampling was estimated by simulating and subtracting images of a uniform 100% fatty breast phantom. To estimate the density of each slice, the total number of fatty and glandular voxels was calculated both before and after applying a thresholding algorithm to classify voxels as fat vs. glandular. Finally, the estimated density of the reconstructed slice was compared to the known percent density of the corresponding slice from the voxelized phantom. This percent density estimation comparison was done for a 30%‐ and a 60%‐ dense 5cm breast phantom. Results: Without thresholding, overall density estimation errors for the central eleven slices were 0.64% and 2.1% for the 30% and 60% dense phantoms, respectively. After thresholding to classify voxels as fat vs. glandular, errors for central eleven were 3.5% and 6.2%, respectively. Voxel to voxel matching of the phantom vs. reconstructed slice demonstrated 80.3% and 73.08% respectively of voxels were correctly classified. Conclusion: The errors in slice density estimation were within 10% for both the phantoms thus implying that quantification of breast density using tomosynthesis is possible. However, limitations of the acquisition and reconstruction process continue to pose challenges in density estimation leading to potential voxel to voxel errors that warrant further investigation. Conflict of Interest:Joseph Lo: research grant and consultant, Siemens Healthcare.
Gabriela Mistral entre el quicio y el umbral

Resumen es: Este articulo propone leer la poesia de Gabriela Mistral concentrandose en la muerte no como tema, sino como un concepto que la poeta invento para que su...
Beneficial impact of aorto‐coronary graft markers on post‐operative angiography

Objective When coronary and graft angiography is required for patients with prior coronary artery bypass (CAB) graft surgery, it is often difficult to localize the proximal aorto-coronary graft anastamosis. Our goal was to quantify the potential benefit during subsequent angiography if the proximal anastamosis is marked by an aorto-coronary graft marker at the time of CAB. Methods Retrospective review of 414 angiograms that were performed for patients with prior CAB. Cohorts with and without graft markers were compared. Results In the group with aorto-coronary graft markers and ≥2 aorto-coronary grafts, there were significant reductions in fluoroscopy time (30.5%, p<0.0001), contrast volume (21.7%, p<0.0001), and numbers of angiographic catheters used (17.0%, p=0.0001). If only one aorto-coronary graft was placed and marked, a trend toward reduced fluoroscopy time was observed (23.8%, p=0.07). Conclusions This study demonstrates the objective benefit supporting routine placement of circumferential aorto-coronary graft markers during CAB, particularly if >1 graft is required. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 40:249–253, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.1
The Role of Central Nervous System Endothelial Cell Activation in the Pathogenesis of Hepatic Encephalopathy

I propose that central nervous system endothelial cells are directly or indirectly responsible for the brain pathology in hepatic encephalopathy, and that this damage to the central nervous system is mediated by specific cytokines and nitric oxide which activate endothelial cells and thereby alter their cell functions. Liver diseases are conditions characterized by high circulating levels of cytokines, namely interleukin-1, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor. Interactions between these cytokines and central nervous system endothelial cells may trigger a cascade of events including enhanced blood-brain barrier permeability, brain edema, astrocyte alterations and gliosis. Cytokine-induced production of nitrogen reactive molecules by endothelial cells themselves may also lead to further cellular damage and neuronal dysfunction. This hypothesis may explain several characteristics of hepatic encephalopathy including reversibility, disease progression and clinical features. It also suggests potential ways of intervention.
AXIN2‐associated autosomal dominant ectodermal dysplasia and neoplastic syndrome

We describe a family with a novel, inherited AXIN2 mutation (c.1989G>A) segregating in an autosomal dominant pattern with oligodontia and variable other findings including colonic polyposis, gastric polyps, a mild ectodermal dysplasia phenotype with sparse hair and eyebrows, and early onset colorectal and breast cancers. This novel mutation predicts p.Trp663X, which is a truncated protein that is missing the last three exons, including the DIX (Disheveled and AXIN interacting) domain. This nonsense mutation is predicted to destroy the inhibitory action of AXIN2 on WNT signaling. Previous authors have described an unrelated family with autosomal dominant oligodontia and a variable colorectal phenotype segregating with a nonsense mutation of AXIN2, as well as a frameshift AXIN2 mutation in an unrelated individual with oligodontia. Our report provides additional evidence supporting an autosomal dominant AXIN2-associated ectodermal dysplasia and neoplastic syndrome.
Whisker Stimulation Enhances Angiogenesis in the Barrel Cortex following Focal Ischemia in Mice

Post-ischemia angiogenesis and vascular plasticity help to restore blood flow to ischemic tissue and likely benefit long-term functional recovery. Physical activity has been shown to cause morphologic and functional effects, including promoting angiogenesis in normal or injured animals. A therapeutic effect of peripheral activity on central angiogenesis after cerebral ischemia, however, has not been studied. In the present study of whisker-barrel cortex ischemia in the mouse model, we tested the hypothesis that enhancing whisker activity and sensory input to the ischemic barrel cortex might promote post-ischemia cerebral angiogenesis. Three days after focal ischemia in adult mice, the whiskers corresponding to the ischemic barrel cortex were stimulated by two methods: (1) whiskers on the right side of the mouse face were trimmed away, so the left whiskers were overused by the animals, (2) left whiskers were manually stimulated to enhance input signals to the ischemic barrel cortex. Western blot analysis showed that whisker stimulation increased expression of the angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, Tie-1, angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), and possibly Ang-1. Co-immunostaining with markers for proliferation (5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU)) and vascular endothelial cells (Glut-1/CD-31) identified vessel proliferation in the penumbra region. Whisker stimulation increased BrdU-positive endothelial cells and vessels in this region 7 and 14 days after ischemia. Whisker stimulation also attenuated endothelial cell death and increased local cerebral blood flow. Our data suggest that appropriately enhanced peripheral activity and afferent signals to the ischemic cortex can promote post-ischemic angiogenesis, which may imply beneficial effects of specific physical therapy on long-term recovery from ischemic stroke.
Determination of 222Rn in water by absorption in polydimethylsiloxane mixed with activated carbon and gamma-ray spectrometry: An example application in the radon budget of Paterno submerged sinkhole (Central Italy)

Abstract Passive gas accumulators made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mixed with activated C (AC) were studied to measure their efficiency for sampling Rn in water. In this composite the water-impermeable properties of PDMS act synergistically with adsorptive properties of AC, even when the accumulators are immersed in water for many days. A series of tests where cylindrical shaped PDMS–AC disks were exposed to different 222Rn-enriched waters showed that measured 222Rn specific activity matches the theoretical results coming from the equation that describes the process of internal diffusion integrated with the Rn decay term. The linear relationship between 222Rn in water and the accumulation process in PDMS–AC, the influence of temperature and the different sensitivity of the composite and its components were also studied and discussed. The high Rn volumetric enrichment factor in PDMS–AC disks respect to water resulted in about 206: 1, so lowering detection limits for 222Rn in water to 20 Bq m−3 when the total activity of Rn progeny in disks is measured by high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. The use of PDMS–AC accumulators was tested at the Paterno submerged sinkhole, in central Italy. This study allowed the production of a detailed synchronous vertical profile of the Rn content in the middle of the lake and to define the Rn balance by assessing the discharge rate of submerged springs and the average residence time of the lake water.
The history of urology on postage stamps and cancellations.

ABSTRACTPurpose: Many important phases and personalities in the history of urology have been depicted on postage stamps, stationery and cancellations.Materials and Methods: The article gives a short recounting of several notable events that contributed to the development of urology as chronicled by philatelic material.Results: Beginning with the Egyptian papyri and ending with a recently acknowledged urologist, the historical survey covers uroscopy, lithotomy, lithotrity, anatomy, pathology, instruments, surgical techniques in urology, imaging techniques of the urinary tract, dialysis and renal transplantation. Personalities whose accomplishments have made a deep imprint in the history of urology, if honored on philatelic items, are described in this article.Conclusions: Although the resulting picture does not necessarily present a continuity, it does emphasize certain peaks and high points in the evolution of this specialty.
Viral communities associated with healthy and bleaching corals

The coral holobiont is the integrated assemblage of the coral animal, its symbiotic algae, protists, fungi and a diverse consortium of Bacteria and Archaea. Corals are a model system for the study of symbiosis, the breakdown of which can result in disease and mortality. Little is known, however, about viruses that infect corals and their symbionts. Here we present metagenomic analyses of the viral communities associated with healthy and partially bleached specimens of the Caribbean reef-building coral Diploria strigosa. Surprisingly, herpes-like sequences accounted for 4–8% of the total sequences in each metagenome; this abundance of herpes-like sequences is unprecedented in other marine viral metagenomes. Viruses similar to those that infect algae and plants were also present in the coral viral assemblage. Among the phage identified, cyanophages were abundant in both healthy and bleaching corals and vibriophages were also present. Therefore, coral-associated viruses could potentially infect all components of the holobiont – coral, algal and microbial. Thus, we expect viruses to figure prominently in the preservation and breakdown of coral health.
Successful salvage with unrelated umbilical cord blood transplant for Hodgkin's disease relapsed following autologous stem cell transplant.

Successful salvage with unrelated umbilical cord blood transplant for Hodgkin's disease relapsed following autologous stem cell transplant
Trait versus state: A comparison of dispositional and situational measures of interpersonal communication competence

This investigation explored the relationship between situational and dispositional measures of interpersonal communication competence. Five propositions were derived and empirically supported. It was found that situational competence measures (i.e., self‐rated competence, rating of alter‐competence, and rating of alter's anxiety) were significantly associated with one another; and dispositional measures (i.e., communicative adaptability, communicative competence, trait self‐rated competence, and social self‐esteem) were significantly related to one another. However, situational measures were not found to be substantially related to dispositional measures. Furthermore, situational measures of competence were better predictors of the outcome state of feeling good. Interpersonal attraction did not confound the relationship between measures of competent interaction and the state of feeling‐good criterion. Contrary to expectations, dogmatism was generally unrelated to measures of competence.
Excitation of hydrogen molecules by electron impact

Excitation of hydrogen molecule from ground state to B and C electronic states by electron impact, using one-center wave functions of Huzinaga together with Born approximation
Tracking Central Hypovolemia with ECG in Humans: Cautions for the Use of Heart Period Variability in Patient Monitoring

Heart period variability (HPV) metrics have been suggested for use in medical monitoring of trauma patients. This study sought to ascertain the use of various HPV metrics in tracking central blood volume during simulated hemorrhage in individual humans. One hundred one healthy nonsmoking volunteers (58 men, 43 women) were instrumented for continuous measurement of electrocardiogram and beat-by-beat finger arterial blood pressure. Stroke volume (SV) was estimated from the arterial pulse wave and used to reflect central blood volume. Progressive lower body negative pressure (LBNP) was applied in 5-min stages until the onset of impending hemodynamic decompensation (systolic blood pressure or = 0.87). To ascertain the utility of the HPV metrics to track individual responses to central hypovolemia, the difference scores for each HPV metric were correlated at each successive LBNP level, with percentage change in SV at the subject level. This cross-correlation of difference scores revealed that none of the HPV metrics showed strong and consistent correlations (|r| < or = 0.49) with percentage change in SV across successive LBNP levels. Although aggregate group mean values for HPV metrics are well correlated with SV changes during central hypovolemia, these metrics are less reliable when tracking individual reductions in central volume during LBNP. HPV metrics, therefore, may not be useful in monitoring hemorrhagic injuries in individual patients.
Health and quality of life within Colonias settlements along the United States and Mexico border.

The Colonies settlements along the United States-Mexican border are reflective of third-world communities. Although most of the residents are U.S. citizens, they lack the basic educational and work opportunities found in most parts of the country. Because of the limited infrastructure, diseases controlled in most parts of the world are epidemic within these communities. Using the Giger and Davidhizar Transcultural Assessment Model, public health nurses can be instrumental in coordinating services in partnership with community members to enhance health and social service programs.
Jay Bailey as mentor-the students" perspective

Professor James E. Bailey was not only a world-renowned leader and pioneer in biochem. engineering but also a mentor to the many graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in his group. To provide non-"Bailey-ites" with an impression of Jay as a mentor, a brief review of his career, focusing on the dynamics of the research group, is provided. Typical student experiences of being part of the Bailey group are then discussed, including the recognition of a particular research style and Jay's expectations for hard work. Finally, Jay's mentoring style, which was marked by an ability to foster independence, a sense of quality, and passion for research is provided. Jay's contributions as a mentor can perhaps be recognized as being as significant as his research achievements. [on SciFinder (R)]
Self-consistent band structures, charge distributions, and optical-absorption spectra in MgO, alpha -Al2O3, and MgAl2O4.

The electronic structures, the charge-density distributions, and the optical-absorption spectra in MgO, {alpha}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}, and MgAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} crystals are studied by means of the first-principles self-consistent orthogonalized linear combination of atomic orbitals method. The calculated band structures of MgO and {alpha}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} are compared with experimental data and previous calculations. It is concluded that the electronic structure and optical properties of the spinel MgAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} cannot be taken as a simple average of that of MgO and {alpha}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}. By direct space integration of the calculated charge, it is shown that the ionic nature of these crystals should be best described by the formulas Mg{sup 1.83+}O{sup 1.83{minus}}, Al{sub 2}{sup 2.63+}O{sub 3}{sup 1.75{minus}}, and Mg{sup 1.79+}Al{sub 2}{sup 2.63+}O{sub 4}{sup 1.76{minus}}. The charge-density maps also reveal that there are open channels of very low electron density in MgAl{sub 2}O{sub 4}, which may be important in ionic conductivity. The calculated optical dielectric functions for the three crystals are compared with recent vacuum ultraviolet data for an energy range up to 40 eV and show good overall agreement. The existence of an excitonic peak near the absorption edge tends to sharpen the edge, thereby increasing the gap as comparedmore » with the one-electron local-density calculations. For absorption spectra beyond the excitonic peak, most of the experimentally resolved structures are reproduced by the calculations without the need of an adjustment to widen the gap. It appears that the high conduction-band states in these three crystals, calculated by using the local-density approximation, are reasonably accurate.« less
Asymptotic behavior of a low-dimensional model for magnetostriction for periodic input

Abstract Models for magnetostrictive actuators need to include rate-independent hysteresis phenomena, magneto-elastic coupling, and eddy current losses that vary nonlinearly with the frequency of the input. In this paper, we study a low-dimensional model for magnetostrictive rod actuators that describes the physical phenomena which are most prominent in the frequency range 0–800 Hz. We show that the solution of the system is asymptotically periodic for bounded, continuous and periodic voltage inputs and with general conditions on a Preisach operator modeling rate-independent hysteresis. The results of this paper are crucial for developing a parameter identification methodology for the model that is addressed in [D.B. Ekanayake, R.V. Iyer, W.P. Dayawansa, Wide band modeling and parameter identification in magnetostrictive actuators, in: Proceedings of IEEE American Control Conference, New York, NY (2007) 4321–4326].
The effects of glutathione and adenosine on plasma membrane ATPases of the corneal endothelium. An hypothesis on the stimulatory mechanism of perfused glutathione upon deturgescence

Reduced glutathione (0.3 mM) stimulates the activity of sodium-potassium activated ATPase (Na+ K+ ATPase) by 54% in plasma membranes prepared from bovine corneal endothelial cells. Oxidized glutathione, however, has no effect on Na+ K+ AT Pase activity in the same tissue, although it does inhibit magnesium activated ATPase (Mg ATPase) by approximately 30%. Adenosine neither stimulates nor inhibits either Na+ K+ ATPase or Mg++ ATPase in these plasma membranes. It is postulated that the stimulatory effect of glutathione on deturgescence stems from the direct reaction of the reduced form of the tripeptide on sulfhydryl groups located on plasma membranes of corneal endothelial cells. It is highly probable that these sulfhydryl groups are part of the Na+ K+ ATPase complex itself.
Geriatric psychopathology--internal or external?

ABSTRACT: The major psychiatric illness is depression. In the elderly this may be precipitated by internal psychic problems, but external complications can be added by ineffectual attempts to help by inadequately trained health professionals. The low utilization of psychiatric services by the aged may be explained on the basis of the attitudes of both patients and clinicians. Three main factors determine the patient's decision to consult a physician. The patient must recognize that: 1) a psychiatric disturbance is present, 2) that this disturbance is alien, and 3) that help is available. When such services are offered, the elderly will recognize their need for them. Two specific areas of clinical practice with geriatric patients are stressed; these involve drug problems and sexual problems. When stereotyped attitudes are replaced by attention to the underlying pathology, and treatment goals are formulated in the context of good psychiatric practice, the elderly will profit by psychiatric therapy and have a better life in their remaining days. The rates of success in treatment are just as high as with younger patients.
Assignment of independent tasks to minimize completion time

The task of scheduling dynamic applications that consist of single process tasks on a non-shared memory multicomputer is examined in this paper. Each task of the application is assumed to (1) require execution on a single processor, (2) have an estimate of its maximum execution time, and (3) not wait on communications with other tasks. The objective of the studied schedulers is to map an application's tasks onto the underlying hardware in such a way that the application's completion time is minimized. Experimental evaluation of the schedulers indicate that in many situations, a more sophisticated scheduler fails to outperform simpler schedulers.
Do prehospital criteria optimally assign injured children to the appropriate level of trauma team activation and emergency department disposition at a level I pediatric trauma center

To examine the association of prehospital criteria with the appropriate level of trauma team activation (TTA) and emergency department (ED) disposition among injured children at a level I pediatric trauma center. Injured children younger than 15 years and transported by emergency medical services (EMS) from the scene of injury between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2011 were identified using the institution’s trauma registry. Logistic regression was used to study the main outcomes of interest, full TTA (FTTA) and ED disposition. Out of 3,213 children, 1,991 were eligible and analyzed. Only 279 children initiated the FTTA and 73.9 % were admitted. Having a chest injury, abnormal heart rate or Glasgow Coma Scale less than 9 (GCSLT9) in the field was associated with higher odds of initiating the FTTA (odds ratio [OR] = 3.33, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.54–7.20; OR = 2.59, CI 1.15–5.79 and OR = 2.67, CI 1.14–6.22, respectively). Children with the criteria above in addition to abdominal injury were more likely to be discharged to the ICU, OR or morgue compared to those without them. Children with GCSLT9, abnormal heart rate, chest and abdominal injury showed a strong association with FTTA and higher resource utilization.
An investigation of the indium telluride-indium antimonide quasibinary phase diagram☆

Abstract The constitution diagram of the system InTe-InSb has been constructed from a combination of results obtained using thermal analysis, micrographic and X-ray diffraction techniques. An intermediate compound, 2InTe·InSb, melts incongruently at 553·5°C and undergoes a eutectoid decomposition at 420°C. The compound and InSb form a eutectic at 506·4°C and 86·5 wt.% InSb. The solid solubility of InSb in InTe was found to be immeasurably small; on the other hand InTe dissolves in solid InSb to the extent of 9·9 wt.% at 500°C and 3 wt.% at 488°C. The compositional range of the intermediate phase was found to be very narrow.
Real-time phase-resolved functional optical coherence tomography by use of optical Hilbert transformation

We have developed a novel real-time phase-resolved functional optical coherence tomography system that uses optical Hilbert transformation. When we use a resonant scanner in the reference arm of the interferometer, with an axial scanning speed of 4 kHz, the frame rate of both structural and Doppler blood-flow imaging with a size of 100 by 100 pixels is 10 Hz. The system has high sensitivity and a larger dynamic range for measuring the Doppler frequency shift that is due to moving red blood cells. Real-time images of in vivo blood flow in human skin obtained with this interferometer are presented.
Localization of Photoreceptors in the Cercariae of Proterometra macrostoma (Trematoda: Azygiidae)

abstract: The swimming behavior of the cercaria of the digenetic trematode Proterometra macrostoma changes in response to light. However, this cercaria does not possess obvious eyes or eyespots. Using behavioral assays, we were able to show that both intact and distome-removed cercariae swim significantly greater vertical distances under dim, red light than under brighter, white light. Electrophysiological experiments confirmed this result and further showed that the transverse band of the tail, known to control cercariae swimming behavior, was necessary and sufficient for the display of the light-dependent swimming behavior. Together, these data show that the distome is not required for light-dependent swimming behavior in P. macrostoma cercariae and indirectly demonstrates the presence of photoreceptors in the transverse band of the cercaria tail.