cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Methodology for a vaginal and urinary microbiome study in women with mixed urinary incontinence.

We describe the rationale and methods of a study designed to compare vaginal and urinary microbiomes in women with mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) and similarly aged, asymptomatic controls. This paper delineates the methodology of a supplementary microbiome study nested in an ongoing randomized controlled trial comparing a standardized perioperative behavioral/pelvic floor exercise intervention plus midurethral sling versus midurethral sling alone for MUI. Women in the parent study had at least “moderate bother” from urgency and stress urinary incontinence symptoms (SUI) on validated questionnaire and confirmed MUI on bladder diary. Controls had no incontinence symptoms. All participants underwent vaginal and urine collection for DNA analysis and conventional urine culture. Standardized protocols were designed, and a central lab received samples for subsequent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing of the bacterial16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene. The composition of bacterial communities will be determined by dual amplicon sequencing of variable regions 1–3 and 4–6 from vaginal and urine specimens to compare the microbiome of patients with controls. Sample-size estimates determined that 126 MUI and 84 control participants were sufficient to detect a 20 % difference in predominant urinary genera, with 80 % power and 0.05 significance level. Specimen collection commenced January 2015 and finished April 2016. DNA was extracted and stored for subsequent evaluation. Methods papers sharing information regarding development of genitourinary microbiome studies, particularly with control populations, are few. We describe the rigorous methodology developed for a novel urogenital microbiome study in women with MUI.
Idealized models, holistic distortions, and universality

In this paper, I first argue against various attempts to justify idealizations in scientific models that explain by showing that they are harmless and isolable distortions of irrelevant features. In response, I propose a view in which idealized models are characterized as providing holistically distorted representations of their target system(s). I then suggest an alternative way that idealized modeling can be justified by appealing to universality.
Hispanic and Catholic, or Hispanic-Catholic? Racialized Religious Identity for Self-Identified “Hispanic” Students at a Predominantly White Institution

Drawing from in-depth interviews with undergraduates at a predominantly non-Hispanic white and secular university in the U.S., I investigate how those self-identified as both Hispanic and Catholic negotiate the identity statuses that classify them as minorities on their campus. While participants in this study who did not identify as Hispanic also did not make connections between religious affiliation and racial/ethnic group membership, most Hispanic undergraduates did make these connections. I found that self-identified Hispanic students used the meanings they attach to Catholic religious affiliation to help them also make sense of their racialized Hispanic identities in the university space. Despite coming from diverse geographic, social class, and cultural backgrounds, these students move toward creating a shared definition of what it means to be a racialized Hispanic person (or Latinx person with Spanish-speaking ancestors) in this particular collegiate context. I conclude with suggestions for future research.
Source Control in Sepsis

Source control is generally accepted to be a key component in the treatment and reversal of sepsis. It is comprised of the physical efforts to remove or contain a focus of invasive infection in order to restore normal function [1]. The principles of source control for sepsis have been known for centuries, but only recently have prioritizing and achieving source control in sepsis become more recognized due to the heightened awareness of sepsis as a result of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign [2]. The majority of research in sepsis has focused on early diagnosis, resuscitation, antibiotics, and other therapies, and despite source control being the cornerstone of therapy for sepsis for centuries, it has not been widely studied. Due to this lack of evidence, source control is often overlooked or underutilized much to the detriment of septic patients.
What Is New in Zika Virus in Pregnancy?: Best Articles From the Past Year

This month we focus on current research in Zika virus in pregnancy. Dr. Ramsey discusses four recent publications that are concluded with a “bottom line” that is a take-home message. A complete reference for each can be found in Box 1 on this page along with direct links to abstracts.
Guinea-Bissau: Micro-State to “Narco-State”

In 2009 the small West African state of Guinea-Bissau made a dramatic appearance in the international media. Within the space of a single day, the military chief of staff, Tagme Na’ Waie, was kille...
Can PET/MR Imaging Assess Coronary Artery Plaque Biology?

No abstract available Keywords: (18)F-sodium fluoride; atherosclerosis; attenuation correction; coronary imaging; positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance.
Reply to Benkman: Hispaniolan crossbills formerly resided in the Bahamas

We appreciate the issues raised in Benkman’s letter (1), which is critical of our paper (2). Here, we will address these issues. Benkman (1) believes that the late Pleistocene Bahamian (Abaco island) fossils we identified as Hispaniolan crossbill ( Loxia megaplaga ), in fact, represent nonresident individuals of red crossbill ( Loxia curvirostra ). The title of his letter begins with “Crossbills were unlikely resident in the Bahamas” (leaving some uncertainty), but concludes with apparent certainty that “thus, there was no population to be … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: janet.franklin{at}ucr.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
No consensus on implant choice for oligometastatic disease of the femoral head and neck.

Abstract Objectives Metastatic disease involving the femoral head and neck is often treated with a hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty (THA) to prevent pathologic fracture but there are no outcome studies demonstrating superiority of one option over the other. Methods This investigation was designed as a survey of the current members of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS). The survey contained seven clinical vignettes with identical imaging of a pathologic lesion of the femoral head and neck. The primary outcome measured was decision to treat the lesion with hemiarthroplasty or THA. Secondary outcomes included method of fixation of the femoral/acetabular components and head type utilized. Results A total of 93 members (30.0%) of the MSTS completed the survey. Across all clinical vignettes, 73.3% (p Conclusions When treating metastatic lesions of the femoral head and neck orthopaedic oncologists do not agree on reconstructing with THA versus hemiarthroplasty for patients with younger age and favorable histology. This investigation highlights the controversy of this clinical decision and indicates the need for a collaborative prospective trial among this specific patient population in order to determine the optimal treatment method.
Intracerebroventricular administration of cobalt protoporphyrin elicits prolonged weight reduction in rats

Intracerebroventricular administration of the synthetic heme analogue cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) results in a dose-dependent decrease in body weight in rats. Among several other metalloporphyrins tested, this effect was found to be specific to cobalt chelated in native or minimally modified protoporphyrin rings. Metabolic balance studies showed that the initial effect of intracerebroventricular treatment with CoPP (0.4 mumol/kg body wt) was a transient reduction in food intake. However, following resumption of normal food intake and growth rate, absolute body weights remained reduced for prolonged periods of time (200-300 days) in both male and female rats. Heme oxygenase activity was induced and cytochrome P-450 activities were reduced in both brain and hypothalamus following intracerebroventricular administration of CoPP. The proximate mechanism of action of this synthetic heme analogue is not known at present, but it appears to act in the central nervous system, probably in the vicinity of the hypothalamus, to reduce the body weight set point of treated animals.
Multi-infarct dementia: diagnosis and management. Infarctions produce 20% to 35% of severe dementia cases.

Abstract Multi-infarct dementia (MID) is characterized by abrupt onset and stepwise deterioration, focal neurologic signs and symptoms, and evidence of cardiac or vascular disease. Psychosis, depression, and emotional lability are common behavioral features. Hypertension is the most frequent underlying cause of MID, but atherosclerosis, diabetes, inflammatory disorders, and embolic conditions may also produce the syndrome. Electroencephalography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging aid in distinguishing MID from other dementing disorders. Control of risk factors and treatment of the underlying disorder may prevent or limit progression of MID, and appropriate management of the behavioral complications may substantially aid the patient and family.
Pediatric Secondhand Smoke Exposure: Systematic Multilevel Strategies to Improve Health

The World Health Organization estimates that, worldwide, more than 50% of children experience secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe) daily, with higher rates of exposure observed in medically-underserved populations.1, 2 There is no safe level of SHSe, and routine exposure greatly increases the probability that children will initiate smoking themselves.3-5 Children's SHSe is linked to sudden infant death syndrome and numerous acute illnesses (e.g., otitis, respiratory infections), as well as asthma, cancers, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) - increasing CVD risk by as much as 20%.6,7 In addition to the direct harmful effects of SHSe on cardiovascular health,6, 8-10 SHSe negatively effects children's diets, activity levels, and percent body fat,11, 12 which can further impair their cardiovascular health.
Thermal Design and Analysis of a Cryogenless Superconducting Magnet for Interventional MRI Therapy

The thermal design and analysis of a cryogenless open superconducting magnet used in interventional magnetic resonance therapy (MRT) is presented and discussed. The magnet consists of two halves, with an open space between the halves, for physician access to the patient. The magnet cartridge is designed to operate at 10K, while the thermal radiation shield is at 60K. The magnet’s refrigeration is provided by two closed cycle Gifford-McMahon cryocoolers. Heat load management was a major design challenge, as was the necessity of incorporating robust thermal paths to minimize thermal conduction temperature gradients. Extensive 3D finite element analysis was performed to investigate the behavior of the magnet cartridge and thermal shield. The results of the analysis are compared to the actual thermal performance.
Operations research and constraint programming at google

The Operations Research and Optimization team at Google develops both general purpose optimization tools and solutions for internal optimization problems. We will describe the tools - most of which are available at http:// code.google.com/p/or-tools - and present a few applications, for example in the area of assigning jobs to machines. Furthermore, we will discuss our usage of Constraint Programming in greater detail, and how it fits into the general usage of Operations Research at Google. Finally, we will also share our future plans.
Associations between asthma trigger reports, mental health conditions, and asthma morbidity among world trade center rescue and recovery workers.

AbstractAim: There is limited information regarding asthma triggers in World Trade Center (WTC) rescue and recovery workers (RRW) or how mental health conditions affect the perception of triggers. ...
Advanced Encapsulation Technology for Reduced Costs, High Durability and Significantly Improved Manufacturability

A recent detailed analysis was performed by DOE and NREL [1] that identified avenues needed to lower solar LCOE. Two key areas are identified: reduce module costs and improved module reliably and lifetime. The NREL/DOE study found that for both crystalline silicon (c-Si) and thin film PV, the encapsulation and module assembly costs were the largest single cost category for manufacturing. The capital equipment (cap-ex) costs for the module assembly are also shown to be high. Current module designs have opportunities for reliably improvements. Studies of fielded modules by NREL have shown degradation of over 1.8%/yr. Reducing degradation to 0.2%/yr. while increasing module lifetime will facilitate further cost reductions. Supported by the US Dept. of Energy’s PVRD program, Colorado State University’s Next Generation PV Center is developing a new module architecture and associated manufacturing processes to reduce costs and improve reliably.
Transcriptional response of the obligate anaerobe Desulfuribacillus stibiiarsenatis MLFW‐2T to growth on antimonate and other terminal electron acceptors

Enzymes of the dimethyl sulfoxide reductase (DMSOR) family catalyse two-electron redox reactions pivotal to the dissimilatory metabolism of a variety of organic and inorganic compounds. The draft genome of the obligately anaerobic bacterium Desulfuribacillus stibiiarsenatis MLFW-2T contains 14 genes that are predicted to encode catalytic subunits of DMSOR family enzymes. We quantified transcription of these genes during growth on antimonate, arsenate, nitrate and selenate, with the goal of identifying the respiratory antimonate reductase. Transcription of BHU72_10330, BHU72_03635 and BHU72_07355 was enhanced during growth on arsenate, nitrate and selenate, respectively, implicating these genes as encoding the catalytic subunits of a respiratory arsenate reductase (arrA), periplasmic nitrate reductase (napA) and membrane-bound selenate reductase (srdA) respectively. Transcription of BHU72_07145 increased markedly when MLFW-2T was grown on antimonate, suggesting that this gene encodes the catalytic subunit of a respiratory antimonate reductase, designated anrA. We also compared the transcriptomes of MLFW-2T during growth on antimonate and arsenate to examine the broader physiological response of the organism to growth on these substrates. Relative to arsenate, antimonate was found to induce transcription of genes involved in pathways for dealing with oxidative stress, including those involved in repairing damaged cellular biomolecules and scavenging reactive oxygen species.
3D-printed torsional mechanism demonstrating fundamentals of free vibrations

Commercially available turn-key systems are expensive and require substantial lab space, making it harder to accommodate many in vibrations laboratories. This study presents a low-cost, compact, an...
The impact of exercise in improving executive function impairments among children and adolescents with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Objective: he goal of this work was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating and comparing exercise related improvements in various executive function (EF) domains among children and adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Methods: A systematic literature research was conducted in PubMed, CENTRAL, and PsycInfo from October 1st, 2018 through January 30th, 2019 for original peer-reviewed articles investigating the relationship between exercise interventions and improvements in three domains of executive function (working memory, attention/set shifting, and response inhibition) among children and adolescents with ADHD, ASD, and FASD. Effect sizes (ES) were extracted and combined with random-effects meta-analytic methods. Covariates and moderators were then analyzed using meta-regression and subgroup analyses. Results: A total of 28 studies met inclusion criteria, containing information on 1,281 youth (N=1197 ADHD, N= 54 ASD, N=30 FASD). For ADHD, exercise interventions were associated with moderate improvements in attention/set-shifting (ES 0.38, 95% CI 0.01-0.75, k=14) and approached significance for working memory (ES 0.35, 95%CI −0.17-0.88, k=5) and response inhibition (ES 0.39, 95%CI −0.02-0.80, k=12). For ASD and FASD, exercise interventions were associated with large improvements in working memory (ES 1.36, 95%CI 1.08-1.64) and response inhibition (ES 0.78, 95%CI 0.21-1.35) and approached significance for attention/set-shifting (ES 0.69, 95% −0.28-1.66). There was evidence of substantial methodologic and substantive heterogeneity among studies. Sample size, mean age, study design, and the number or duration of intervention sessions did not significantly moderate the relationship between exercise and executive function. Conclusion: Exercise interventions among children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders were associated with moderate improvements in executive function domains. Of note, studies of youth with ASD and FASD tended to report higher effect sizes compared to studies of youth with ADHD, albeit few existing studies. Exercise may be a potentially cost-effective and readily implementable intervention to improve executive function in these populations.
Prevention Educator Perspectives on LGBTQ+ Exclusion in Alcohol-Facilitated Campus Sexual Assault Education

Alcohol is involved in most sexual assaults on U.S. college campuses. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) students are at higher risk of both sexual assault victimization and su...
Neurobiology of Sensation and Reward

Synthesizing coverage of sensation and reward into a comprehensive systems overview, Neurobiology of Sensation and Reward presents a cutting-edge and multidisciplinary approach to the interplay of sensory and reward processing in the brain. While over the past 70 years these areas have drifted apart, this book makes a case for reuniting sensation and reward by highlighting the important links and interface between the two.Emphasizing the role of reward in reinforcing behaviors, the book begins with an exploration of the history, ecology, and evolution of sensation and reward. Progressing through the five senses, contributors explore how the brain extracts information from sensory cues. The chapter authors examine how different animal species predict rewards, thereby integrating sensation and reward in learning, focusing on effects in anatomy, physiology, and behavior.Features Synthesizes cutting-edge research by leading investigators in the neurobiology of sensation and reward Introduces sensation and reward from a multidisciplinary perspective that includes biology, ecology, evolution, and the history of neuroscience Presents critical links between basic and clinical neuroscience through the latest behavioral and pathological findings in humans with behavioral and cognitive impairments in sensation and reward processing Explores non-human and human brains, and the very human rewards of art, perfume, and music Discusses how the processing of sensory rewards benefits from the presence of a brain Drawing on empirical research, contributors build on the themes of the book to present insights into the human sensory rewards of perfume, art, and music, setting the scene for further cross-disciplinary collaborations that bridge the neurobiological interface between sensation and reward.
Allergen cross-reactivity in allergic rhinitis and oral-allergy syndrome: a bioinformatic protein sequence analysis.

Background Clinical allergy cross-reactivity that is seen with related inhalant allergens or between unrelated inhalant allergens and foods in oral allergy syndrome (OAS) remains poorly understood. The goal of this study is to determine whether clinical cross-reactivity can be identified from primary protein sequences in allergy epitopes and food proteins. Methods High-throughput analysis was performed by assembling all known allergy epitopes within the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB; http://www.iedb.org) for 5 common species from 5 inhalant allergen subclasses and comparing their protein sequences to each other, as well as to sequences of intact proteins from known cross-reactive foods in the European Molecular Biology Laboratory–European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) protein database (http://www.uniprot.org) that have been implicated in OAS. Computational methods were employed to allow for exact matching, gaps, and similar amino acids using multiple algorithms. A phylogenetic tree was created to determine evolutionary relationships between cross-reactive epitopes in OAS. Results Twenty-three common inhalant allergens had 4429 unique epitopes; the 19 foods implicated in OAS had 9497 protein sequences. The Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) algorithm identified interclass and intraclass sequence similarities for the 5 inhalant allergy classes with high similarity for mites, grasses, and trees. Analysis of OAS proteins identified 104 matches to inhalant allergy epitopes that are known to cross-react. The phylogenetic tree displayed relationships that mostly followed organism phylogeny. Conclusion Use of primary protein sequences was successful in explaining clinical allergy cross-reactivity. Clinical correlation is needed for use of these epitopes as diagnostic or therapeutic entities for patients with cross-reactive allergic disease.
Observation of coherent acousto-optic coupling in a single-mode fiber by two acoustic gratings with orthogonal perturbations

We investigate the transmission spectra in a single-mode fiber excited by two acoustic waves with orthogonal perturbations using a novel composite piezoelectric transducer. Polarization-dependent spectra are observed due to coherent acousto-optic coupling between core-to-cladding modes.
Reactions of β-substituted amines—II: Nucleophilic displacement reactions on 3-chloro-1-ethylpiperidine

Abstract Synthetic, kinetic and optical activity studies have established that 3-chloro-1-ethylpiperidine undergoes nucleophilic displacement reactions in solution by a two-step, neighboring group participation mechanism. Nitrogen displaces chloride internally, to give an ambident bicyclic aziridinium ion which then reacts with nucleophiles to give pyrrolidine and piperidine isomers. The aziridinium ion. 1-ethyl-1-azoniabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane perchlorate, has been synthesized separately.
Next Generation Sequencing to Characterize Mitochondrial Genomic DNA Heteroplasmy

This protocol describes the methodology to characterize mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) heteroplasmy by parallel sequencing. Mitochondria play an important role in essential cellular functions. Each eukaryotic cell contains hundreds of mitochondria with hundreds of mitochondria genomes. Mutant and wild-type mtDNA may co-exist as heteroplasmy, and cause human disease. The purpose of this protocol is to simultaneously determine mtDNA sequence and quantify the heteroplasmic level. This protocol includes a two-fragment mitochondrial genome DNA PCR amplification. The PCR product is then mixed at an equimolar ratio. The samples are then barcoded and sequenced with high-throughput, next-generation sequencing technology. This technology is highly sensitive, specific, and accurate in determining mtDNA mutations and the level of heteroplasmy.
Reversal of end stage renal disease in patient with transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become an alternative intervention in high-risk and inoperable patients with symptomatic aortic valve stenosis. The procedure has been associated with favorable clinical outcomes and safety profile in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). We describe a case of improved kidney function in a patient with ESRD without further need for dialysis after TAVR.
Fission of Heton-like Vortices under Sea Ice

Close interactions among vertically stacked pairs of counter-rotating eddies under sea ice were investigated in numerical experiments. The numerical model contains a stratified ocean capped by an ice layer. Under the ice layer, a shallow brine source produces a top cyclone and a submerged anticyclone, while a shallow freshening source generates a top anticyclone and a submerged cyclone. Ice-exerted friction would dissipate the top eddy, leaving the submerged one in lone existence. In this work the winning vorticity is sought from group settings. Arrays of equally spaced salinity sources and sinks, alternate in sign but equal in strength, are employed to produce rows of vertically stacked eddy pairs. Fission occurs when adjacent vortex centers are separated by less than one Rossby radius. This process ejects parcels of density anomalies to the ambient ocean in upper depths. Low salinity anomalies are quickly dispersed into a thin surface layer and are unable to regenerate submerged eddies. High salinity parcels, being difficult to disperse, often maintain or regenerate submerged anticyclones below. Fission is particularly effective if a single row of salinity forcing is used. With multiple rows, fission is active only in the outer rows. The strong interaction among closely packed eddies operates in time scales of tens of days, helping explain the predominance of submerged anticyclones under Arctic sea ice.
Procollagen production by rat hepatocytes in primary culture.

Abstract Hepatocytes were obtained from rat liver and maintained in primary culture for periods up to 14 days. Collagen synthesis was maximal after 3–5 days and declined thereafter. The rate of collagen production was appox. one-tenth that observed by the rat skin fibroblasts of the same animals after 3–5 passages. Type I procollagen, the major macromolecular collagenous species, was identified as a 450 000 dalton molecule which was converted to 120 000 dalton, denatured, reduced procollagen chains. Prior pepsin digestion of the native procollagen released 95 000 dalton collagen chains identified as α1(I) and α2(I) by co-migration with carrier rat skin type I collagen chains. The production of type III procollagen was also tentatively identified by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. This material was isolated and identified with type-specific antibodies developed against the amino-terminal extension peptide of bovine skin type III procollagen. The relative distribution of type I:type III procollagen was estimated at 7:3 similar to the ratio previously found in whole rat liver. No evidence of type IV or type V procollagen biosynthesis was observed. These results suggest that rat hepatocytes in primary culture are capable of interstitial type I and type III collagen biosynthesis in a ratio similar to that found in their parent hepatic tissue in situ. They also suggest that the less abundant type IV (basement membrane-associated) or type V are nor major collagenous products of these cells.
Successful Implementation of a Telemedicine-Based Counseling Program for High-Risk Patients With Breast Cancer

An interactive audio and video telemedicine feasibility program was established to provide counseling on breast cancer risk-reducing strategies for underserved, high-risk Alaskan native women through a collaboration among the Alaska Native Medical Center, the Mayo Clinic Breast Clinic, Mayo’s Center for Innovation, and the Alaska Federal Health Care Access Network. The telemedicine model included a navigator to facilitate patient encounters (referrals, electronic records, and scheduling) and a subscription billing contract. Between January 1 and December 31, 2011, 60 consultations were provided to the Alaska Native Medical Center. A survey of a sample of 15 women demonstrated overall patient satisfaction of 98% pertaining to the experience, technology, and medical consultation. The referring physician satisfaction, from 11 visit surveys and 8 referring physicians, revealed 99% satisfaction with the service. In this telemedicine pilot study, we demonstrated the feasibility of a telemedicine program to provide integrated specialty care that resulted in a positive effect on patient satisfaction. This program has a sustainable business model, thus creating a new modality for health care delivery.
‘Judicious narratives’, or ethnography as ecclesiology

Ethnography ought to be a means of doing theology. Following debates over John Milbank's influential work Theology and Social Theory, the paper responds to criticism that Milbank's church is too idealised, a critique that Milbank accepts, saying that his work requires ‘supplementation by judicious narratives’. The thesis of the paper proposes that ethnography provides the most robust corrective to the problem of too formal an ecclesiology, thus offering just the sort of ‘judicious narratives’ that can make such ecclesiology more recognisably real. Drawing on the author's research, such an approach is modelled by suggesting that a sense of ‘communal identity’ stands as a complex and crucial element in practical ecclesiology.The last chapter of Theology and Social Theory requires (infinite) supplementation by judicious narratives of ecclesial happenings which would alone indicate the shape of the Church we desire.
Calcified Amorphous Tumor of the Heart: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Calcified amorphous tumor of the heart (cardiac CAT) is a rare non-neoplastic cardiac mass that mimics malignancy on imaging and can cause symptoms due to flow obstruction or embolization of calcific fragments. We report a 57-year-old female with multiple medical problems affected by cardiac CAT. The echocardiogram showed a 2 x 1.7 cm right atrial mass. Under the clinical diagnosis of cardiac myxoma, a mass resection was performed. Microscopic examination of the resected mass showed nodular calcified amorphous debris with admixed degenerated fibrin and focal chronic inflammation. At the 1-year follow-up, the patient was free of disease. We performed a literature review of 16 previously reported cases. Histologically, a cardiac CAT consists of calcification and eosinophilic amorphous material in the background of dense collagenous fibrous tissue. A review of these cases shows a wide range of age at diagnosis and slight female predominance. The patients are either asymptomatic at presentation or complain of shortness of breath. The tumors have been found in all chambers of the heart, most commonly in the left ventricle. The sizes of the tumors range from 0.17 to 4 cm, with 62.5% of the tumors being mobile. Among the nine cases with documented follow-up study, all but one was free of disease and only one case of relapse was recorded. In conclusion, cardiac CATs are frequently asymptomatic at presentation, size is equal to or less than 4 cm, they can be located in all four chambers and are usually mobile, and they may relapse when not completely excised.
Leiomyoma of the Greater Saphenous Vein: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Greater saphenous vein tumors are exceedingly rare, whether benign or malignant. Leiomyoma is one of the benign vascular tumors that can present as a localized mass; however, the diagnosis cannot be made clinically. Multiple radiologic imagings are usually required, as well as histological examination, to make a definitive diagnosis. This tumor is treated by wide excision along with a normal portion of the vessel, and the recurrence rate is very low. We describe the case of a patient with great saphenous vein leiomyoma.
Enhancement of solid‐state polymerization with microwave energy

This work reports on using microwave energy to increase the rate of solid-state polymerization for PET and nylon 66. Theoretical analysis and experimental evidence show that the increase in polymerization rate is not due to an increase in the bulk temperature. Instead, the effect is consistent with directed heating of the condensate leading to enhanced diffusion rates. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 69: 1203–1212, 1998
Determination of amino acids in rat vitreous perfusates by capillary electrophoresis

In vivo determinations of amino acids are important for improving our understanding of physiological states of biological tissue function and dysfunction. However, the chemically complex matrix of different biological fluids complicates the assay of this important class of molecules. We introduce a method for characterizing the amino acid composition of submicroliter volumes of vitreous humor perfusates. Low-flow push-pull perfusion sampling is compatible with collecting small volume samples in a complicated matrix that are potentially difficult to separate. An efficient, sensitive, and rapid analysis of amino acids from in vivo perfusates of the vitreous is presented with 3-(4-carboxybenzoyl)-2-quinoline-carboxaldehyde (CBQCA) derivatitation and capillary electrophoresis (CE) separation with laser-induced fluorescence detection (LIF). Derivatization with CBQCA for up to 2 h provided high sensitivity and low detection limits at the nM level. Seventeen amino acids including D-serine (D-Ser) and D-aspartate (D-Asp) were resolved in less than 10 min. Importantly, D-Ser is separated from its enantiomeric pair. Characterization of vitreal amino acids with this assay technique will be useful for understanding ocular diseases and physiological mechanisms in vision.
Review of Stormwater Effects Handbook: A Toolbox for Watershed Managers, Scientists, and Engineers by G. Allen Burton, Jr. and Robert E. Pitt

This book advertises itself on the cover as ‘‘A toolbox for watershed managers, scientists, and engineers.’’ I don’t know about the managers category ~they may gain something from reading Chapter 1 and the Introduction section to subsequent chapters!, but for the scientists and engineers, this is the most comprehensive and in-depth piece of work I have read on what and how to sample for determining the water quality and ecologic effects of urban storm water discharges to receiving waters. It should be a prominent library holding of every professional and technician in the surface-water-quality management industry. The authors’ objective was to provide a super toolbox containing guidance to the user community on ~1! methods for measuring water quality and establishing water-quality criteria; ~2! biological monitoring and assessment methods to assess the effect of pollutants on aquatic communities; and ~3! factors necessary to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of all waters. In my opinion, they certainly achieved their objective. The book focuses mainly on quantity and quality measurements of storm water discharges, biologic sampling of receiving water, and soil and groundwater sampling with detailed instruction on the proper approach to the analysis of the collected data. But there is a plethora of additional subjects that are addressed in more or less detail in this 911-page book. It is organized into three units. Unit 1 comprises Chapters 1–3, and elucidates ‘‘The problem of stormwater runoff’’ with focus on ~1! receiving water uses, impairments, and sources of storm water pollutants; and ~2! stressor categories and their effects on humans and ecosystems. Unit 2 addresses ‘‘Components of the assessment’’ in Chapters 4–8 including study design, determination of sampling number, frequency for flow and water-quality data, ecosystem component characterization, and statistical analysis of receiving water data plus data interpretation. Unit 3 is the ‘‘Toolbox of assessment methods,’’ consisting of 10 appendices that discuss everything from habitat characterization and benthic and fish community as-
Oscillations of a load supported by incompressible, isotropic limited elastic shear mounts

The small-amplitude, free vibrational motion of a load supported symmetrically by incompressible, isotropic and homogeneous rubber-like shear mounts is studied for a general class of materials having limiting molecular chain extensibility. The oscillational frequency of the small motion of the load superimposed on a finite static shear is determined for all materials in this class of limited elastic materials. It is shown that, for the same static shear, the normalized vibrational frequency of a load on neo-Hookean shear mounts is a lower bound for its normalized vibrational frequency on any limited elastic shear mounts in the class. Formal relations are derived for the finite-amplitude oscillations of the load. Specific exact results for both small- and large-amplitude horizontal motions are provided for the limited elastic Gent material model, including a specific upper bound on the period of the finite motion, and the effects of limited extensibility are described both analytically and graphically. The intermediate amplitude solution is given explicitly in terms of a Jacobian elliptic function, and the corresponding second-order solution for the inclined motion of the load in terms of elliptic functions is noted.
Medical Ultrasonics: Applications of Ultrasound to Biologic Measurements

The achievement of reliable and reproducible measurements in the broad field of the life sciences demands the highest level of competency among the experts who know how to measure. The new technology called "sonics" encompasses heretofore problematic industrial measurements with ultrasound. The application of sonics for measurement in the biologic sciences gives promise. Methods for measuring the velocity of blood, the viscosity of blood and certain dimensions of living bodily tissues are described in this report.
Distributed Computation for Design Aids

This paper is directed at users who are contemplating a move to distributed computing or are already there. It is a compendium of data and analytic models which has been assembled from experience on computers at Bell Laboratories and at Rutgers and Stanford Universities. It will be presented as a series of observations followed by either data or analysis to support them. The object of this paper is to help the reader to avoid some of the obvious pitfalls in moving to such a facility, and to provide some rational guidelines for planning. We will quantify the key parameters that characterize a distributed computing environment, and suggest how those parameters can best be used to take advantage of an existing environment, or to design an improved environment. Finally, we will relate these observations to the introduction of 'personal computing' into the computing milieu.
Newcomer Adaptation in Teams: Multilevel Antecedents and Outcomes

This study tested a multilevel model of newcomer adaptation in teams using longitudinal and multisource data from 65 project teams. Results indicated that newcomer performance improved over time, p...
Electron-doped superconductivity at 40 K in the infinite-layer compound Sr1–yNdyCu02

THE known copper oxide superconductors all have intergrowth structures consisting of superconducting layers of fixed oxygen content alternating with non-superconducting oxide layers. Siegrist et al.1 reported the synthesis of the 'infinite-layer' parent compound of the copper oxide superconductor—a structure comprising CuO2 planes separated only by calcium and strontium atoms, with the composition Ca086Sr014CuO2. Although this compound has not been made to superconduct, here we show that the isostructural compound Sr1–yNdyCuO2, in which the substitution of neodymium for strontium adds electrons to the CuO2 planes, is superconducting at 40 K. The difference in dopant type seems to distinguish this superconductor from the superconductivity found in a multiphase sample of nominal composition Sr1–yBayCuO2 by Takano et al.2, in an independent study.
Assessing Medical Students' Personalities: A Parallel Comparison of Normed and Perception-Based Metrics

Various methodologies have been applied in the study of physicians' and medical students' personalities. Little, however, has been reported on distinguishing medical students' self-perceptions from their objectively measured personality traits. 687 first-year medical students at three U.S. medical schools were administered the 16PF and a parallel, author-generated, self-rating form. Paired sample t tests yielded significant differences between students' perceived personality traits vs normed measures of these traits on 14 of 16 personality factor dimensions. Students self-attributed greater magnitudes of socially acceptable traits than their objective scores indicated, as well as less domineering, suspicious, and self-doubting. Implications for admissions and career counseling are discussed.
Full time adult credential students’ instructional preferences at California State University, Long Beach: pedagogy or andragogy?

This study investigated the instructional preferences of full time adult credential students after they took a live course called Principles of Adult Education at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) in the fall semester of 2002. These full time adult credential students had been working on their adult teaching credentials to meet the competencies specified by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The course introduced students to Andragogy developed by Malcolm Knowles out of the andragogical model developed by Lindeman (1926). The study used Principles of Adult Learning Scales (PALS), advanced by Gary Conti in 1983 to measure instructional preferences. Data were collected from 30 (100% of 30) full time adult credential students enrolled in a live course to determine their instructional preferences of helping adults learn. The results of the study showed in most cases these adult learning professionals taught adult students andragogically; in some cases they taught adult students pedagogically.
Equilibrium Solutions of the Restricted Problem of 2+2 Bodies

Fourteen equilibrium solutions of the restricted problem of 2+2 bodies are shown to exist. Six of these solutions are located about the collinear Lagrangian points of the classical restricted problem of three bodies. Eight solutions are found in the neighborhood of the triangular Lagrangian points. Linear stability analysis reveals that all of the equilibrium solutions are unstable with the exception of four solutions; two in the vicinity of each of the triangular Lagrangian points. These four solutions are found to be stable provided the mass parameter of the primary masses is less than a critical value which depends also on the mass of the minor bodies.
Sonographic Measurement of Adipose Tissue

Regional adipose tissue deposits, especially intraabdominal adipose tissue, are associated with health risks, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Current anthropometric techniques can measure subcutaneous adipose tissue with calipers, but cannot measure intraabdominal adipose tissue. Scanning techniques, such as computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, which have been used to measure intraabdominal adipose tissue, are expensive, and some involve exposure to radiation. This study investigated the use of B-mode ultrasound for measuring adipose tissue. Subcutaneous adipose tissue could be measured reliably with B-mode ultrasound but intraabdominal adipose tissue could not.
Histochemical localization of gene expression in Onchocerca volvulus: in situ DNA histohybridization and immunocytochemistry.

Abstract We report here the development of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry protocols which permit the histological identification of gene expression of a cloned antigen of Onchocerca volvulus , O15, in the parasite. Skin nodules containing female adult worms were fixed in a modified Carnoy's fixative and embedded in paraffin. Histological staining of tissue sections revealed uniformly excellent morphology and RNA preservation. To localize mRNA by in situ hybridization, tissue sections were incubated with biotin-labeled pOI5, the plasmid containing the genomic sequence of the antigen, and hybridization signals were histochemically visualized using a streptavidin-enzyme conjugate and chromogenic substrates. The protein antigen was localized immunohistochemically by incubating the sections with specific antibodies prepared against a recombinant fusion protein containing the OI5 sequence (OI3), and visualized via a secondary antibody-biotin-enzyme conjugate procedure. The results reported here showed distinct localization of the OI5 mRNA and OI3 antigen in specific cellular and tissue regions of the adult parasite, and in microfilariae located within the uteri and in the surrounding host tissue. The specificity and high sensitivity of these histological detection methods should be generally applicable for the characterization of gene expression in the filarial parasite, particularly the insect-borne, infective filarial larvae, which are severely limited in quantity.
Free-Radical Frontal Copolymerization: The Dependence of the Front Velocity on the Monomer Feed Composition and Reactivity Ratios

Frontal copolymerization is a process in which a spatially localized reaction zone propagates into a mixture of two monomers, converting them into a copolymer. In the simplest case of free-radical copolymerization, a mixture of monomers and initiator is placed into a test tube. Reaction is initiated at one end of the tube, and a self-sustained thermal wave, in which chemical conversion occurs, develops and propagates through the tube. We develop a mathematical model of the frontal copolymerization process and analytically determine the structure of the polymerization wave, the propagation velocity, maximum temperature, and degree of conversion of the monomers Specifically, we examine their dependence on reactivity ratios as well as other kinetic parameters, monomer feed composition, and exothermicity of the reactions. Our analytic results are in good quantitative agreement with both direct numerical simulations of the model and experimental data, which are also presented in the paper.
Thermoelastic effects in a thin sliding seal—a review

Abstract In the design of sliding seals uniform loading is often assumed in order to calculate leakage, pressure and surface temperature. Previous theoretical and experimental evidence has shown that for some material properties and operating conditions non-uniform contact between the sliding surfaces can result. This non-uniform contact is exhibited as a concentrated region of higher pressure and temperature which moves under the influence of thermal expansion and wear. These effects are analyzed for the case of a two-dimensional scraper or blade which presses against the surface of a moving semi-infinite body. The roles of material properties and operating variables are delineated in terms of dimensionless parameters appropriate to the system. Sliding experiments are also described using several different material combinations and the speed at which the surface temperature becomes nonuniform is presented. The results of the experiments are compared with the stability analysis. Although the magnitude of the critical speed could not be accurately calculated using the analysis, the results indicated that the relative performance of different material combinations could be predicted.