cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of different statistical methods on union or time to union in a published study about clavicular fractures

Background Time to union is a suspect measure for comparing treatments given the absence of a consensus definition of union, the limited reliability of diagnostic tests, and inconsistency in evaluation times. The purpose of this study was to quantify the variations in union and time to union according to different statistical methods and different approaches to missing data. Materials and methods Data from a published multicenter, randomized trial comparing operative and nonoperative treatment of clavicular fractures were reanalyzed. Two main types of missing data were encountered: (1) lost to follow-up or died before union and (2) missed appointment. We studied the effect of four statistical methods—comparison of means, comparison of medians, ϰ 2 , and Kaplan-Meier curves—for comparing union or time to union between cohorts for the following scenarios: strict intention-to-treat, intention-to-treat with exclusion of patients with less than 12 months of follow-up, as-treated analysis, and four different imputation methods for missing data. Results Mean and median time to union varied up to 17%, but comparative statistics consistently demonstrated shorter time to union among operatively treated patients. There were significant differences in the odds ratio, ϰ 2 values, and the number needed to treat (8%-62%) of union vs nonunion for the three principal analyses. Conclusion Different strategies for handling missed evaluations seem to influence categoric results (eg, union or nonunion) more than continuous measures such as time to union.
ψψ production and multiple parton interactions at supercollider energies

Abstract We extend previous calculations of direct charmonium production at large pT to SSC energies and then calculate the cross-section for ψψ production due to multiple parton interactions in a single hadronic collision. We compare these results to standard ψψ production considering such processes as q q ¯ / g g → ψ ψ and discuss the possible utility of such events as a gauge of multip parton interactions.
N-Acetylaspartylglutamate catabolism is achieved by an enzyme on the cell surface of neurons and glia

N-Acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) is a nervous system-specific, acidic dipeptide which is released from neurons in a manner consistent with a function in synaptic neurotransmission. The hydrolysis of NAAG to produce glutamate and N-acetylaspartate was analyzed in cell cultures prepared from murine brain cells. Peptidase activity against NAAG was found in cultures which contained both neurons and glia, as well as in cultures of glia alone. Several lines of evidence were obtained in support of the hypothesis that this peptidase activity is predominantly bound to the extracellular face of the plasma membranes of these cells. Glutamate released from NAAG accumulated in the extracellular medium. Extracellular application of peptidase inhibitors effectively reduced NAAG hydrolysis. Peptidase activity was not secreted into the cell culture medium by intact cells, and lysed cells did not release detectable peptidase activity beyond that obtained with intact cells. Replacement of extracellular sodium with choline inhibited peptide uptake while stimulating apparent extracellular NAAG hydrolysis by intact cells in culture. Finally, the steady rise in extracellular glutamate as a consequence of NAAG hydrolysis by these brain cells, including glia, supports the conclusion that glutamate uptake is not tightly coupled to peptidase activity and thus that NAAG serves as a significant source of glutamate in the synaptic space following depolarization-induced peptide release.
Optoelectronic integration schemes for switching and computing applications

The properties of a GaAs-based integrated multiquantum well device capable of optoelectronic amplification are described. The device consists of a heterostructure bipolar transistor acting as a controller and a multiquantum well Stark effect p-i-n modulator grown in single step epitaxy. The integrated device also has cascadable properties and fan-out and fan-in values of 8 and 6, respectively, are measured.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
In vivo and in vitro measurements of red cell velocity under epifluorescence microscopy

Studies of blood flow in mesentery, cremaster muscle, and small bore glass tubes were performed to obtain a relationship between mean velocity (Vmean) and red cell velocity using the two-slit method under epifluorescence (Vepi) and transillumination (Vtrans) microscopy. The velocities Vepi and Vtrans obtained in vivo for 47 measurements in arterioles and venules (12- to 51-micron internal diameter) were linearly related by Vepi = 0.83 Vtrans + 0.074, and the ratio Vepi/Vtrans decreased gradually with increasing vessel diameter (P less than or equal to 0.05). In vitro studies in tapered glass tubes (diameter 30-70 micron) were conducted for feed hematocrits (HF) from 10 to 40%. Under transillumination, Vtrans/Vmean was nearly constant with an average of 1.56 +/- 0.16 (SD) for all hematocrits and diameters. The velocity ratio, Vepi/Vmean, however, decreased with HF from 1.8 to 0.8 as HF was increased from 10 to 40%. Theoretical considerations suggest that the variations of Vepi/Vmean with tube hematocrit and diameter might result from attenuation of the excitation light by absorption and scattering by red cells, and also due to a finite depth of field of the microscopic objective.
Electroencephalographic and histological characteristics of a model of limbic status epilepticus permitting direct control over seizure duration

Status epilepticus is a neurological emergency associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Experimental and clinical investigations suggest that prolonged seizure activity is associated with injury to vulnerable neurons. Compounds with neuroprotective properties may minimize such injury. Existing methods of inducing experimental status epilepticus result in seizure activity of variable duration and neuronal injury of variable degree. To minimize such variability, status epilepticus may be stopped with anticonvulsants, but this limits the ability to screen for independent neuroprotective properties. We have developed a simple and reliable non-pharmacological model of limbic status epilepticus in which the duration of status epilepticus is under direct experimental control. Status epilepticus is induced by continuous, unilateral hippocampal stimulation. Using this model, the degree of hippocampal pyramidal cell injury varies in direct proportion to status epilepticus duration across a range of 15-140 min. A progressive sequence of EEG changes unfolds with increasing status epilepticus duration, resembling that seen in other models. This model may serve as a reference against which the effects of potential neuroprotective compounds can be studied.
The chemistry of the carbon–transition metal double and triple bond: Annual survey covering the year 2010 ☆

Abstract This is a review of papers published in the year 2010 that focus on the synthesis, reactivity, or properties of compounds containing a carbon–transition metal double or triple bond.
Subspeciation of sulfidic nickel in particulates. Determination of Ni3S2, NiS2, and NiS in reference and fly ash samples by carbon paste electrode voltammetry

Nickel speciation of fly ash by sequential extraction lacks specific identification of the chemical forms in the sulfidic nickel phase. A new voltammetric analysis of Ni3S2, NiS, and NiS2 in a carbon paste electrode is reported. Characteristic peaks were observed in acetate (pH 5) as the electrolyte; the anodic peak for Ni3S2 gave a linear dose response with microgram sensitivity. Reference compounds included heazlewoodite, millerite, commercial Ni3S2, NiS2, and NiS, but the latter was shown to be mainly the subsulfide. No Ni3S2 was found in two types of laboratory generated ash: an oil ash containing mainly soluble nickel and a high sulfur petroleum coke ash enriched with nickel.
Bursting stimulation of proximal urethral afferents improves bladder pressures and voiding

Reflex bladder excitation has been evoked via pudendal nerve, pudendal nerve branch and intraurethral stimulation; however, afferent-evoked bladder emptying has been less efficient than direct activation of the bladder via sacral root stimulation. A stimulation method that improves activation of the urethra–bladder excitatory reflex with minimal sphincter recruitment may lead to improved bladder emptying. Fine wire electrodes were placed in the wall of the urethra in five cats. Placement of electrodes near the proximal urethra evoked bladder contractions with minimal sphincter activation. On these electrodes, lower frequency burst-patterned stimuli evoked greater bladder voiding efficiencies (71.2 ± 27.8%) than other stimulus patterns on the same electrodes (50.4 ± 41.5%, p > 0.05) or any stimulus pattern on electrodes that elicited urethral closure (16.5 ± 12.7%, p < 0.05). Fine wire electrodes specifically targeted afferent fibers in the urethra, indicating the feasibility of clinical evaluations using the same method. This work may improve the translation of next generation neuroprostheses for bladder control.
Eimeria of American chickens: characteristics of six attenuated strains produced by selection for precocious development.

Summary Six attenuated lines of Eimeria species of the chicken of USA origin were produced by selection for precociousness. These lines were less pathogenic, judged by body weight changes and intestinal lesions in infected chickens, than the parent strains from which they were derived. The immunogenicity of the precocious lines and their parent strains was similar. The use of these attenuated Eimeria Unes for immunological control of coccidiosis is discussed.
The adoptive transfer of chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis with lymph node cells sensitized to myelin proteolipid protein

In this report we describe the transfer of chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) with in vitro-stimulated lymph node cells (LNC) from SJL/J mice immunized with human myelin proteolipid protein (PLP). No additional immune enhancing procedures were applied in the transfer recipients. Clinical and histological EAE was transferred with 10-30 X 10(6) LNC to 27/28 mice. The LNC proliferated in vitro to PLP, but not to myelin basic protein (MBP), and induced delayed-type hypersensitivity. Enrichment for lymphoblasts by Ficoll centrifugation was essential for the disease development. The clinical course usually showed an early episode of acute paralytic illness, followed by chronic relapsing disease, and resembled the transfer of EAE using MBP-specific cells, both clinically and histologically.
Effect of rotation on melting in a horizontal tube rotating about a vertical axis

Abstract The effect of rotation on the local pattern of melting and on the overall rates of melting and energy storage were determined experimentally for melting in a rotating horizontal tube. The tube was rotated about a vertical axis situated midway between the ends of the tube. Separate sets of experiments were performed for each of two conditions of constraint of the melting solid. In one, the solid was constrained to lie along the axis of the tube, while in the second, the solid was free to fall to the bottom of the tube. For the constrained case, the shape of the melting solid was markedly affected by rotation, but the timewise variations of the melted mass and stored energy were only moderately affected—typically in the 10% range. In the case of the unconstrained solid, the shape of the solid was substantially less affected by rotation than for the constrained case; for the timewise variations of the melted mass and stored energy, the effects of rotation were generally somewhat smaller for the former than for the latter.
Biomechanical abnormalities and ulcers of the great toe in patients with diabetes.

A prospective analysis was conducted to identify structural and biomechanical first ray abnormalities in consecutive diabetic patients presenting with their first great toe ulcer. Twenty-six patients (33 feet) met the inclusion criteria, with seven patients having bilateral hallux ulcers. There was no other history of ulcer, trauma, or surgery on the respective limb. Data were obtained during the patients' initial presentation with a great toe ulcer and included verbal history, standardized weightbearing radiographs, and standardized objective clinical measurements. Four patients (four feet) with subungual ulcers were included because of mechanical etiology. Twenty-four of the remaining 29 involved limbs exhibited gastrocnemius/soleus equinus and two other limbs had gastrocnemius equinus. Twenty-eight of 29 had structural hallux limitus. Twenty-four had hallux interphalangeal abductus. Twenty of the 33 ulcers were located plantar-medially at the interphalangeal joint area. Other frequent findings were first ray elevatus or dorsi flexion deformity (18 of 29), functional hallux limitus (14 of 29), interphalangeal joint sesamoid bone (13 of 29), hyperextended interphalangeal joint (13 of 29), and a prominent plantar-medial condyle of the proximal aspect of the distal phalanx (7 of 29). Hallux malleus was less common (4 of 29), but consistently associated with plantar-distal tip ulceration. Metatarsus primus adductus was also infrequent (6 of 29). This study identifies and illustrates the importance of several biomechanical and structural factors present on initial presentation of great toe ulcers. Addressing these factors may improve the success of treatment and lessen the occurrence of this common and complex problem.
High-quality video denoising for motion-based exposure control

New digital cameras, such as Canon SD1100 and Nikon COOLPIX S8100, have an Auto Exposure (AE) function that is based on motion estimation. The motion estimation helps to set short exposure and high ISO for frames with fast motion, thereby minimizing most motion blur in recorded videos. This AE function largely turns video enhancement into a denoising problem. This paper studies the problem of how to achieve high-quality video denoising in the context of motion-based exposure control. Unlike previous denoising works which either avoid using motion estimation, such as BM3D [7], or assume reliable motion estimation as input, such as [13], our method evaluates the reliability of flow at each pixel and uses that reliability as a weight to integrate spatial denoising and temporal denoising. This weighted combination scheme makes our method robust to optical flow failure over regions with repetitive texture or uniform color and combines the advantages of both spatial and temporal denoising. Our method also exploits high quality frames in a sequence to effectively enhance noisier frames. In experiments using both synthetic and real videos, our method outperforms the state of the art [7, 13].
Infections in severely traumatized children.

Abstract To study the incidence and types of infection among severely traumatized children, we reviewed the medical charts of 212 children, hospitalized following traumatic injury, who received antibiotics at sometime during their hospitalization. Infection occurred in 19%. Eleven children had trauma-related infections, whereas 29 (71% of those infected) had 36 nosocomial infections. Tracheitis, sepsis, and urinary tract infections were the most common nosocomial infections and were diagnosed in the second week (10 ± 3 days) following injury. Nosocomial infections were more likely to develop in children who were more severely injured and who had a greater number of invasive procedures. Severe head injury (cerebral edema or subarachnoid hemorrhage) was more common in those with nosocomial infection ( P
On the dynamic response of beams with multiple geometric or material discontinuities

Abstract An analytic framework is developed for determining closed form expressions for the natural frequencies, mode shapes, and frequency response function for Euler–Bernoulli beams with any number of geometric or material discontinuities. The procedure uses a convenient matrix formulation to generalize the single discontinuity beam problem to beams with multiple step changes. Specifically, the multiple discontinuity beam problem is solved by analyzing the total structure as a series of distinct Euler–Bernoulli elements with continuity and compatibility enforced at separation locations. The method yields each respective section's eigenmode which may then be superpositioned to give the entire beam's mode shape and derivation of the frequency response function follows. Although the Euler–Bernoulli beam problem is demonstrated, any one-dimensional continuous structure is amenable to the prescribed analysis. Theoretical predictions are experimentally validated as well.
A comparison of low energy SIMS and AES in a study of the interaction of oxygen with polycrystalline nickel

A comparison has been made between low-energy SIMS yields and AES intensities during the oxidation of polycrystalline nickel. The AES measurements are in good agreement with earlier work that indicated an initial rapid chemisorption, a plateau in oxygen uptake during which oxide nucleation occurs and the subsequent lateral growth of the oxide layer at its limiting thickness (of 2–3 layers). At 300 K, the SIMS yield data show two regions during the chemisorption stage. In the first, up to about 1 L exposure. Ni+ and Ni+2 increase in a parallel fashion and Ni2O+ appears. In the second (1–4 L), the Ni+ increases more rapidly and reaches a maximum at the beginning of the plateau of oxygen uptake after an increase of 120 times over the clean surface yield. During the surface transformation as the oxide nuclei form, the yields of all the ions decrease significantly and particularly that of Ni+2. During the lateral growth of the oxide layer, there is a slow decline in all ion yields if the primary energy is in the range 150–500 eV but an increase in Ni+ yields is observed using higher primary energies. Some evidence was found for the incorporation of hydrogen into the oxide layer. The primary ion density must be kept extremely low during the nucleation stage especially at higher temperatures (<1 ion striking the surface per 200 molecules of oxygen) to avoid interference with the oxidation process. Sputtering of the oxidized surface was also examined.
An Analysis of Inertial Oscillations Observed Wear Oregon Coast

Abstract Nearly two months of current meter data taken during the summer of 1973 at eleven depths at a station off the coast of Oregon in 100 m of water have been analyzed. The spectra show an 8% increase in the frequency of the inertial peak (ω≈0.064 cph) above the local f (=0.059 cph). Because of the close proximity of the tidal frequencies to the local f, a sharp bandpass filter centered at ω = 0.064 cph was used to isolate the inertial motions. The results showed that the amplitude of the inertial oscillations decayed slowly with depth, but the decay within about 10 m of the bottom was more rapid. A lagged correlation of the inertial currents clearly showed an upward propagation of phases throughout the water column, at a speed of about 0.1 cm s−1 within the depth range 20–60 m, but generally higher both above and below this mid-depth. The inertial currents were found to turn clockwise (looking down) with depth, which corresponds to an upward phase and downward energy propagation, and the vertical pha...
Porphyrin Induced Calcium Release from Skeletal Muscle Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

Micromolar concentrations of the porphyrin mesotetra(4-N-methylpyridyl)porphine tetraiodide is shown to induce rapid release of Ca2+ from skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. Porphyrin-induced Ca2+ release is stimulated by ATP (KdATP = 100 microM) and Ca2+ (KdCa = 1 microM) and is inhibited by Mg2+ (KI = 220 microM) and ruthenium red (KI = 7 nM). The porphyrin is also shown to stimulate high affinity [3H]ryanodine binding by decreasing the dissociation constant (kd) and increasing the binding capacity (Bmax). Moreover, in the presence of Mg2+, receptor binding is sensitized to activation by Ca2+, and porphyrin-stimulated channel activity is sensitized to activation by Ca2+. These observations show that porphyrin-induced Ca2+ release is due to a direct interaction with the Ca2+ release protein from sarcoplasmic reticulum.
Treatment of Acute Frontal Sinusitis: A Survey of Current Therapeutic Practices among Members of the Northwest Academy of Otolaryngology:

The treatment of acute frontal sinusitis is extremely important, as the potential for significant morbidity exists. We conducted a survey of 140 members of the Northwest Academy of Otolaryngology t...
Mammalian Epidermal Barrier Layer Lipids: Composition and Influence on Structure

The outer layers of the mammalian epidermis protect the organism from water loss and external injury. The bather as visualized with tracers has been shown to develop initially in the stratum granulosum concurrent with the intercellular deposition of extruded lamellar-body contents. This lamellar material greatly expands the intercellular compartment, and following cornification appears to form broad sheets which freeze fracture like lipids, deviating the fracture-plane from the hydrophobic interior of the membrane to the apparently more hydrophobic material in the intercellular space. Isolated upper epidermal sheets were first obtained from neonatal mice with staphylococcal exfoliatin, and then were treated with lipid solvents in order both to identify membrane structures formerly obscured by intercellular lipid and to characterize lipids contributing to barrier function. Histochemical stains were also used to localize phospholipid and neutral lipid deposits in barrier layers. After solvent treatment, the fracture plane reverted from the intercellular space to the plasma membrane, revealing sparse membrane particles low in the stratum corneum and particle-free fracture faces in mid-to-upper regions. Extracted upper epidermal sheets contained 3-4% lipid, almost equally distributed between polar and nonpolar substances, with unexpectedly large quantities of glycolipid, hydrocarbons, and free fatty acids. Gas liquid chromatography demonstrated unusually large quantities of long-chain fatty acids (C24:0 and C26:0) in all polar lipid fractions and in free fatty acids. Histochemical stains demonstrated neutral lipids in stratum corneum intercellular spaces, phospholipids within granular cells, and PAS-positive material both within and between granular cells. These combined histochemical and biochemical studies confirm earlier reports demonstrating a shift from polar to neutral lipid during cornification. They also indicate that within the stratum corneum lipids are segregated in the intercellular spaces, a pattern consistent with electron microscopic images. Furthermore, they suggest that granular layer polar lipid, through as yet undefined mechanisms, may be transformed into the neutral lipids of the cornified layer. Finally, the observed admixture of lipids with long-chain, highly saturated fatty acid chains, as well as the sterols are ideally suited (and situated) to function as the epidermal permeability barrier.
The Virtues of Irrelevance

Through irrelevant, friendly comments or questions, physicians can establish key connections with patients. Such small talk conveys physicians' recognition of patients' individuality and their own shared experiences, observance of details, and openness to conversation.
Objective Tropopause Height Determination Using Use-Resolution VHF Radar Observations

Abstract The magnitude of backscattered power observed at vertical incidence by a VHF radar is related to atmospheric stability in accordance with the Fresnel scattering model. Utilizing a modified Fresnel scattering model, we can determine tropopause height objectively from the observed vertical profile of backscattered power. The method is tested with observations of the Alpine Experiment (ALPEX; France), Platteville, Colorado and Poker Mat, Alaska radars taken since 1979. Using 750 m resolution the tropopause is found to be within a few hundred meters of the tropopause determined from nearly simultaneous radiosonde observations and using 2.2 km resolution the tropopause is found to be within about 600 m. Furthermore, radar-determined tropopause heights can be automatically scaled from existing records, or even routinely determined on-line.
Vitamin C effect of an oxidized diet.

SummaryGuinea pigs on an oxidatively rancid, ascorbic acid-free test diet showed a lesser degree of scurvy when compared to overtly scorbutic animals on the nonrancid ascorbic acid-free test diet. ...
Treatment of dual diagnosis patients: A relapse prevention group approach

The authors describe the successful use of an adjunctive group psychotherapy for substance-abusing patients with major psychiatric disorders (bipolar, schizophrenia, schizoaffective, psychotic depression, and atypical psychosis). The group utilizes a psychoeducational approach that focuses on substance abuse causes and consequences, principles of recovery, and relapse prevention strategies. Eight patients with prolonged histories of abuse of cocaine, alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs were enrolled in this weekly group treatment at a community mental health center drug treatment program, while continuing in treatment with their current case manager or primary therapist. Six of the eight patients achieved periods of stable abstinence, documented by self-report, urine toxicology screens, continued group attendance, and improved social functioning. Case examples are utilized to illustrate the group process.
Behavioral Signs of Respiratory Instability: The Development and Administration of a Scale to Monitor Signs of Respiratory Distress During Developmental Interventions in Infants With Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia continue to be below average, even when compared with their Extremely Low Birth Weight peers. A 10-point scale that measures Behavioral Signs of Respiratory Instability (BSRI) was created to give the examiner objective information regarding a patient's tolerance to developmentally appropriate activities. The scale has not yet been validated but was being used to determine if the measures would be an accurate representation of the therapists' subjective reports before standardization. This report outlines application and use of the BSRI with two bronchopulmonary dysplasia patients during their inpatient stay. It demonstrates both a favorable and undesirable response to oxygen weaning when comparing the total BSRI score to the patients daily oxygen requirement. This information provided the medical team at the Nationwide Children's Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with a more complete clinical picture than that obtained from routine physiological variables. It is the developers' hope that the scale ultimately has the potential to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Human Herpesvirus 6 Infection of the Central Nervous System

Human herpesvirus (HHV) 6 infects all children, usually during the first year of life. High fever is the hallmark of primary infection, with febrile seizures the most common complication. After primary infection, HHV-6 remains latent or persistent at multiple sites, with intermittent reactivation. Many disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) have been linked to HHV-6 reactivation, including chronic seizure disorders, encephalitis, and demyelinating disorders including multiple sclerosis. Although multiple studies have pieced together an understanding of the molecular organization, viral characteristics, immunology, and epidemiology of HHV-6, the true role of this virus in diseases of the CNS is still unfolding.
Cyclic sulfoxides. I. dihydrothiophene 1-oxides

Although there have been extensive investigations on cyclic sulfones, especially the unsaturated, 5-membered ring compounds (3), cyclic sulfoxides have received considerably less attention. In this report, we wish to present a synthesis of the previously unknown dihydrothiophene 1-oxide isomers and, also, some preliminary results regarding their chemical reactivity (4).
Ultrasonic debridement of the aortic valve with six-month echocardiographic follow-up

Abstract We report our initial experience and 6-month follow-up data in patients with degenerative calcific aortic stenosis who underwent ultrasonic debridement of the aortic valve. Criteria for patient selection, details of operative technique and echocardiographic follow-up are included.
Providing primary health care through integrated microfinance and health services in Latin America

The simultaneous burdens of communicable and chronic non-communicable diseases cause significant morbidity and mortality in middle-income countries. The poor are at particular risk, with lower access to health care and higher rates of avoidable mortality. Integrating health-related services with microfinance has been shown to improve health knowledge, behaviors, and access to appropriate health care. However, limited evidence is available on effects of fully integrating clinical health service delivery alongside microfinance services through large scale and sustained long-term programs. Using a conceptual model of health services access, we examine supply- and demand-side factors in a microfinance client population receiving integrated services. We conduct a case study using data from 2010 to 2012 of the design of a universal screening program and primary care services provided in conjunction with microfinance loans by Pro Mujer, a women's development organization in Latin America. The program operates in Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Peru. We analyze descriptive reports and administrative data for measures related to improving access to primary health services and management of chronic diseases. We find provision of preventive care is substantial, with an average of 13% of Pro Mujer clients being screened for cervical cancer each year, 21% receiving breast exams, 16% having a blood glucose measurement, 39% receiving a blood pressure measurement, and 46% having their body mass index calculated. This population, with more than half of those screened being overweight or obese and 9% of those screened having elevated glucose measures, has major risk factors for diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease without intervention. The components of the Pro Mujer health program address four dimensions of healthcare access: geographic accessibility, availability, affordability, and acceptability. Significant progress has been made to meet basic health needs, but challenges remain to ensure that health care provided is of reliable quality to predictably improve health outcomes over time.
Quantum 1/f noise theory and experiment in QWIPs

The dark current of Quantum Well Inter-subband Photodetectors is known to be affected by quantum 1/f noise. This limits the detectivity. This paper compares various experimental 1/f noise measurements in QWIPs with the prediction of the conventional quantum 1/f noise expression [1-2] for GaN/AlGaN QWIPs. The elementary process causing the dark current is the transfer of an electron out of one well. This happens under the influence of the applied electric field, and has in general both thermally activated and tunneling components. The larger the applied electric field, the larger is the squared velocity change of the carriers, and the larger is the obtained conventional quantum 1/f effect. The detectivity of the devices is calculated on this basis. The results are compared with measurements of 1/f noise in QWIPs by C. Jelen, and 3 others, and the agreement is good.
Cancer Pain Assessment and Management Recommendations by Hospice Nurses

Pain is often the most prevalent symptom among cancer patients referred to hospice or palliative care programs. This study was designed to use performance-based testing to evaluate the skills of hospice nurses in assessing the severe pain of a cancer patient and the pain management recommendations they would present to the patient's primary care physician. Twenty-seven hospice nurses (ranging in experience from 1 month to 10 years) were presented with the same standardized patient with cancer pain. In Part A (7 minutes), one of the investigators checked for predetermined behaviors as the nurses performed the clinical pain assessment. In Part B (7 minutes), the nurses answered questions regarding their recommendations for pain management for the patient seen in Part A. In the admission pain assessment, hospice nurses did well in assessing pain intensity (85%), pain location (70%), and pain-relieving factors (59%). However, only 48% of the nurses adequately assessed the pain onset, and only 44% adequately assessed other symptoms the patient might be experiencing. In Part B, 96% of the nurses recommended opioids, 96% recommended the oral route of administration, and 82% recommended regular dosing of the opioids. Fifty-six percent of nurses included a breakthrough medication in their analgesic recommendations. All of the hospice nurses treated the patient's fear of addiction in an appropriate manner, and 93% of the nurses recommended increasing the patient's opioid dosage to treat the persisting pain problem. There were no significant differences among nurses with regard to length of time as a hospice nurse or hospice certification on any of the items in either Part A or Part B. Most practicing hospice nurses were judged to be competent in the assessment and management of the severe pain of the standardized cancer patient, although some deficits were noted. Regular oral opioids were the analgesics of choice. Co-analgesics were rarely recommended.
Cardiovascular hemodynamics in the swine following long-term placement of prosthetic grafts post right ventriculotomy.

Abstract 1. 1. Heart rate, cardiac output and arterial, pulmonary artery, central venous and pulmonary wedge pressures were measured in eight neutered male pigs of an average of 14 months of age and 145.0–231.0 kg body weight. 2. 2. These measurements were made 10–16 months after right ventriculotomy and placement of Gore-Tex® PTFE Vascular Grafts. 3. 3. Arithmetic means, standard deviations and coefficients of variation were calculated and the 95% confidence limits for ranges were established. 4. 4. Comparison of derived data with that from published data on swine and on humans indicated normal cardiovascular hemodynamics in this group. 5. 5. In addition, there was no gradient across the patched area. 6. 6. It appears, therefore, that these patches had no adverse effects on the cardiovascular system of growing pigs.
Relationships of lipocalin 2 with breast tumorigenesis and metastasis.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women worldwide and accounts for one-sixth of cancer deaths in the United States. Breast cancer consists of a heterogeneous group of tumours classified into five types, in which the HER2/neu positive and the basal type (most are ER and HER2 negative) have the worst clinical prognosis. In recent years, prognostic/predictive markers such as ER/PR or HER2/neu have been widely used in the selection of the optimal breast cancer treatments for individual patients, which have been proven to be very effective in disease control. These results suggest that further examination of the molecular mechanisms underlying the breast tumorigenesis and identification of the potential biomarkers in different types of breast cancers will greatly benefit clinical diagnosis and facilitate the design of more effective personalized therapies to increase patient survival. This review aims to summarize recent research findings on lipocalin 2 (LCN2), a newly identified biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer, and the possible mechanisms underlying its role in tumorigenesis and metastasis. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 309–314, 2011. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
THE TANH AND THE SINE–COSINE METHODS FOR A RELIABLE TREATMENT OF THE MODIFIED EQUAL WIDTH EQUATION AND ITS VARIANTS

Abstract The modified equal width equation and two of its variants are investigated. The strategy here rests mainly on a sine–cosine ansatz and the tanh method. Both schemes work well and reveal exact solutions with distinct physical structures. The obtained solutions include compactons, solitons, solitary patterns, and periodic solutions.
Randomized controlled trial of skin-to-skin contact from birth versus conventional incubator for physiological stabilization in 1200 g to 2199 g newborns.

UNLABELLED Publication of the report of Bergman et al. should stimulate replications by others. If these investigators' findings are confirmed, and clear guidelines for the care of premature infants in the kangaroo method in the first 6 h and beyond are published, with particular attention to warm coverings for the babies' backs, this research could benefit large numbers of premature infants in the Third World. CONCLUSION As the authors indicate, skin-to-skin contact from the birth of premature infants may also be a good alternative in First World settings.
Gamma and beta intra-operative imaging probes

Small area ( -1.5 cm2) scintillation cameras for imaging gammas and betas using inter-changeable detector front ends were built and characterized. Components common to both emission imaging cameras include: (1) fiber optic bundles 2-3m long, comprised of multi-clad fibers which connect the scintillation detector to (2) an MC-PMT; (3) parallel MC-PMT outputs feed a resistive positioning network and i-V converter/line driver network which produce balanced +X, -X, + Y, and - Y outputs; and (4) four ADCs and a Macintosh PC for system control and image display. The beta and gamma devices used distinct scintillation detectors which were characterized by both simulation and measurement. The beta camera utilized a 0.5 mm by 1.25 cm 4 CaF,(Eu) scintillation crystal coupled, through a diffusing light guide, to 19 2-mm 4 optical fibers. These front-end fibers are in turn coupled by a more flexible fiber bundle to the MC-PMT. CaF,(Eu) has high light output, high beta sensitivity, and low gamma sensitivity. Image signals are histogrammed and displayed after Anger logic computations are performed on digitized signals. The beta camera has <0.6mm FWHM intrinsic resolution. The gamma camera concept was tested with matrices of discrete 1 x 1 mm2 and 2 x 2 mm’ CsI(T1) and NaI(T1) crystals of various lengths, and 3 mm thick continuous crystals. Configurations using 4 x 4 element matrices with one-to-one coupling between crystals and fiber channels. and light diffusers between each crystal matrix and fibers were evaluated. The continuous crystals were coupled directly to the fiber optics with signal and data processing analogous to the beta camera. Coupling of discrete crystals to fiber optics by both methods gave essentially perfect identification of the crystal of interaction, allowing spatial resolution to be defined by the crystal size and collimator. The continuous crystal gamma camera gave intrinsic resolution of - 1.4mm FWHM.
Tunable optical frequency division using a phase-locked optical parametric oscillator

We report the experimental demonstration of a novel optical parametric oscillator approach to tunable optical frequency division. The beat frequency of the signal and idler subharmonic outputs of a tunable cw KTP optical parametric oscillator was phase locked to a microwave reference frequency source, which thus permitted precise determination of the output frequencies at approximately half the input pump frequency.
Whole-Genome Methylation Sequencing Reveals Distinct Impact of Differential Methylations on Gene Transcription in Prostate Cancer

DNA methylation is one of the most important epigenetic mechanisms in regulating gene expression. Genome hypermethylation has been proposed as a critical mechanism in human malignancies. However, whole-genome quantification of DNA methylation of human malignancies has rarely been investigated, and the significance of the genome distribution of CpG methylation is unclear. We performed whole-genome methylation sequencing to investigate the methylation profiles of 13 prostate samples: 5 prostate cancers, 4 matched benign prostate tissues adjacent to tumor, and 4 age-matched organ-donor prostate tissues. Alterations of methylation patterns occurred in prostate cancer and in benign prostate tissues adjacent to tumor, in comparison with age-matched organ-donor prostates. More than 95% alterations of genome methylation occurred in sequences outside CpG islands. Only a small fraction of the methylated CpG islands had any effect on RNA expression. Both intragene and promoter CpG island methylations negatively affected gene expression. However, suppressions of RNA expression did not correlate with levels of CpG island methylation, suggesting that CpG island methylation alone might not be sufficient to shut down gene expression. Motif analysis revealed a consensus sequence containing Sp1 binding motif significantly enriched in the effective CpG islands.
A Model for the Division of Semiotic Labor in Scientific Argument: The Interaction of Words and Images

A growing cross-disciplinary literature has acknowledged the importance of verbal-visual interaction in the creation and communication of scientific texts. I contend that the proper understanding of these texts must flow from a hermeneutic model that takes verbal-visual interaction seriously, one that is firmly grounded in cognitive constraints and affordances. The model I propose has two modules, one for perception, derived from Gestalt psychology, the other for cognition, derived from Peirce's semiotics. I apply this model to an important but largely neglected text in the history of nineteenth-century science, Charles Lyell's The Geological Evidences of the Antiquity of Man, and to two accounts by well-respected historians of science, both of the same key discovery in quantum physics. In doing so, I hope to demonstrate the advisability of incorporating the exegetical practices my model entails into the everyday practices of historians of science.
Static modules and non-normal Clifford theory

A version of the Dade-Cline equivalence from Clifford theory is proved for non-normal subgroups of a finite group in the context of a synthesis of a number of equivalences that arise in the representation theory of groups and algebras.
Stability of a class of nonreciprocal cellular neural networks

Cellular neural networks with an appropriate choice of templates can solve, among other things, local and global pattern recognition problems. The complete stability of these networks has been proved earlier for the symmetric (reciprocal) cases where the feedback values between the different cells within a neighborhood are the same in both directions. It is shown that at least for some interesting classes of templates, this symmetry (reciprocity) condition is in general not necessary for complete stability. Moreover, the conditions discussed are robust in the sense that they require neither precise template-value relations nor a closeness to some prescribed values. On the other hand, examples are shown of cases where violating some basic conditions would give rise to oscillations. >
Introduction to special issue: Sugars, bugs and us.

Glycan-mediated host–microbe interactions are critical to colonization by and maintenance of our helpful commensal microbiota, as well as to recognition and control of pathogenic microbes that can do us harm. This is a rapidly expanding field of research, so we are delighted that our first collection of themed reviews in Glycobiology is on this topic. The first article, by Bergstrom and Xia, describes the features of intestinal mucins, including the structures and synthesis of the O-glycans that are essential for the function of mucins as a physical barrier between microbes and intestinal epithelium. This review also discusses the disease states, such as inflammatory bowel disease, that occur when the mucin barrier is disrupted by loss of expression of specific glycosyltransferases that create the O-glycans on mucins. However, the intestinal mucin barrier is not simply a Maginot line against invading pathogens. The mucin layer is important for colonization by and maintenance of the commensal microbiota that help us digest food, provide nutrients and regulate immune homeostasis. As described in the second article by Sonnenburg and colleagues, intestinal mucus is more than a carbon source for beneficial microbes. The presence of mucins with specific types of glycan decorations helps guide microbes to the appropriate habitat within the gut. This article describes roles for specific glycosyltransferases in establishing the composition of the intestinal microbial communities. As the authors say, “while it may seem that these nuances are only of interest to a few expert glycobiologists around the world, countless microbes that inhabit each person’ sb owel share this appreciation”. The third article, by Ma and Underhill, addresses a novel function of the C-type lectin Dectin-1 in defense against fungal pathogens. It is well described that recognition of β-glucans on yeast by Dectin-1 on innate immune cells such as dendritic cells and macrophages triggers inflammation, with production of cytokines and reactive oxygen species and subsequent extracellular fungal killing. The current review highlights the role of Dectin-1 in phagocytosis and autophagy of yeast that have been ingested by the host cell. Additional recent reviews in Glycobiology touch on related aspects of this topic. These include reviews of human milk oligosaccharides, important for colonization of the newborn gut by microbiota (Bode 2012), and the roles of glycans in infection, inflammation and microbial evasion of the immune response (Kreisman and Cobb 2012), and a comprehensive review of the enzymes that initiate mucin type O-glycosylation (Bennett et al. 2012). We plan to make collections of themed reviews in Glycobiology a regular feature, and this first group is an exciting start.
Atypical Compound Nevus Arising in Mature Cystic Ovarian Teratoma (Dermoid Cyst)

Mature cystic ovarian teratomas (MCOT) are the most common ovarian neoplasm and contain components of one or more embryonic germ cell layers. Ectodermal components are most common. Rarely (1–3%), malignant transformation can occur in MCOT and are usually epidermoid, although multiple case reports of melanomas have been described. Four compound nevi and three blue nevi have also been reported; however, atypical (dysplastic) nevi have not been reported to our knowledge. A 28-year-old woman presented with a right ovarian mass. A 5 × 4 × 2.5 cm cystic ovarian mass was filled with hair and grumous keratinaceous debris. The lining was smooth with a 1 cm dark macule. Histologically, the mass was predominantly lined by epidermis and appendages. The pigmented lesion consisted predominantly of melanocytic nests irregularly disposed on sides and tips of distorted rete ridges, some with bridging between adjacent rete ridges, and junctional extension lateral to the small dermal component of nevus. Slight fibrosis invested some rete ridges. Moderate atypia was present. Although melanomas and melanocytic nevi have rarely been described previously in MCOT, we present the first atypical (dysplastic) compound nevus, to our knowledge. This case expands the spectrum of melanocytic lesions arising in MCOT.
Work in progress - an empirical study of virtual dissection and student engagement

This paper reports preliminary results from a study of physical and virtual dissection activities. Nine universities are developing virtual dissection tools to supplement and/or replace physical dissections. Student engagement was measured using the Situational Intrinsic Motivational Scale (SIMS). We describe the assessment methodology and preliminary findings. The results highlight the role virtual dissection can play in engaging students in engineering.