cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The postcoital test: a quantitative method.

: A minor modification of the postcoital test (PCT) is made, which allows for a volumetric inspection of the cervical mucus with a standard clinical microscope. Homogeneously sized (40.3-μm) plastic microspheres are sprayed on to the cervical mucus prior to placement of the coverslip, and these act as spacers to keep the slide-to-coverslip distance constant. As a result a known volume of cervical mucus is inspected with each microscope field of view and actual sperm concentrations can be calculated. Results from 20 patients are presented. Postcoital mucus samples were analyzed with and without spacer particles. Much of the variability in the microscopic portion (sperm concentration and motility) of the PCT test seems to be attributable to a factor controlled by the microparticles, presumably slide-to-coverslip distance. Variability in both sperm density and motility is decreased by the application of the microspheres.
Extraterrestrial Organic Compounds in Meteorites

Many organic compounds or their precursors found in meteorites originated in the interstellar or circumstellar medium and were later incorporated into planetesimals during the formation of the solar system. There they either survived intact or underwent further processing to synthesize secondary products on the meteorite parent body. The most distinct feature of CI and CM carbonaceous chondrites, two types of stony meteorites, is their high carbon content (up to 3% of weight), either in the form of carbonates or of organic compounds. The bulk of the organic carbon consists of an insoluble macromolecular material with a complex structure. Also present is a soluble organic fraction, which has been analyzed by several separation and analytical procedures. Low detection limits can be achieved by derivatization of the organic molecules with reagents that allow for analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy and high performance liquid chromatography. The CM meteorite Murchison has been found to contain more than 70 extraterrestrial amino acids and several other classes of compounds including carboxylic acids, hydroxy carboxylic acids, sulphonic and phosphonic acids, aliphatic, aromatic and polar hydrocarbons, fullerenes, heterocycles as well as carbonyl compounds, alcohols, amines and amides. The organic matter was found to be enriched in deuterium, and distinct organic compounds show isotopic enrichments of carbon and nitrogen relative to terrestrial matter.
Expanding Pre-Service Teachers’ Conceptions of Texts, Readers, and Response Through Multimodal Response

The author conducted a qualitative study of multimodal digital response to children’s historical fiction that his 23 pre-service graduate students read in book clubs. Grounded in sociocultural and multimodal theories of literacy, the study addresses the following two research questions: What influence did sociocultural and multimodal engagements with text have on students’ meaning-making? What influence did these engagements have on their conceptions of texts, readers, and response? Findings show how social negotiation of meaning and robustness of design work expanded participants’ understandings of texts, readers, and response that challenge current autonomous, verbocentric conceptions of literacy that predominate in schools.
Seasonal patterns in energy partitioning of two freshwater marsh ecosystems in the Florida Everglades

We analyzed energy partitioning in short- and long-hydroperiod freshwater marsh ecosystems in the Florida Everglades by examining energy balance components (eddy covariance derived latent energy (LE) and sensible heat (H) flux). The study period included several wet and dry seasons and variable water levels, allowing us to gain better mechanistic information about the control of and changes in marsh hydroperiods. The annual length of inundation is ~5 months at the short-hydroperiod site (25°26′16.5″N, 80°35′40.68″W), whereas the long-hydroperiod site (25°33′6.72″N, 80°46′57.36″W) is inundated for ~12 months annually due to differences in elevation and exposure to surface flow. In the Everglades, surface fluxes feed back to wet season precipitation and affect the magnitude of seasonal change in water levels through water loss as LE (evapotranspiration (ET)). At both sites, annual precipitation was higher than ET (1304 versus 1008 at the short-hydroperiod site and 1207 versus 1115 mm yr−1 at the long-hydroperiod site), though there were seasonal differences in the ratio of ET:precipitation. Results also show that energy balance closure was within the range found at other wetland sites (60 to 80%) and was lower when sites were inundated (60 to 70%). Patterns in energy partitioning covaried with hydroperiods and climate, suggesting that shifts in any of these components could disrupt current water and biogeochemical cycles throughout the Everglades region. These results suggest that the complex relationships between hydroperiods, energy exchange, and climate are important for creating conditions sufficient to maintain Everglades ecosystems.
Effects of a Zinc Deficient Diet upon Fluid Intake in the Rat

Zinc deficient rats demonstrate an increased intake of sodium chloride (NaCl) containing solutions as compared to normal rats, presumably related to decreased taste acuity. The purpose of this study was to determine if zinc deficient rats would show altered intake of other solutions since changes in NaCl intake may be reflective of serious pathophysiologic processes not related to taste. Eight littermate pairs of inbred Fisher CDF rats, 29 days of age, were divided into two groups and individually housed in stainless steel cages. One group was pair-fed a zinc deficient diet supplemented with ZnSO4, 100 ppm, while the second group was fed the zinc deficient diet, ad libitum. Using a two-bottle preference test, the rats fed the zinc deficient diet showed significantly increased preferences for 5 X 10(-2), 1.5 X 10(-1) and 3 X 10(-1) M NaCl as compared to controls, supporting previous observations. In addition, they showed significantly increased mean preferences for 3.0 X 10(-2) M sucrose, 1.3 X 10(-6) M quinine sulfate and 2.5 X 10(-3) M hydrochloric acid. Analysis of the individual water and fluid intakes showed that the altered preferences were generally the result of increased fluid intake with variable differences observed in water intake. The results demonstrate that zinc deficient rats exhibit altered intake of several different chemical compounds, and support the hypothesis that zinc deficient animals may have alterations in taste acuity.
Pore types and pore-size distributions across thermal maturity, Eagle Ford Formation, southern Texas

Pore types, pore size, and pore abundance vary systematically across thermal maturity in the Eagle Ford Formation, Maverick Basin, southern Texas. Scanning electron imaging of 20 samples from four wells is used to assess the complex response of pores to chemical and mechanical processes, entailing both destruction of primary porosity and generation of secondary pores. Primary mineral-associated pores are destroyed by compaction, cementation, and infill of secondary organic matter, whereas secondary pores are generated within organic matter (OM). Destruction of primary pores during early burial (to ∼0.5%) occurs by compaction of ductile detrital OM and clays and, to a lesser degree, as a result of cementation and infill of secondary OM. Larger pores are associated with coccolith debris. The dominant OM is spatially isolated detrital OM “stringers.” Porosity is volumetrically dominated (average 6.2%) by relatively large, mostly interparticle mineral-associated pores (median size 51.6 nm [0.000002 in.]; detection limit near 3–4 nm [0.00000012–0.00000015 in.]). At low maturity, porosity and pore size correlate directly with calcite abundance and inversely with OM volumes. At higher maturity, further destruction of primary pores occurs through cementation, secondary OM infill, and greater compaction. Mineral-associated pores are present at high-maturity ( ∼1.2%–1.3%), but are smaller (median size 30.2 nm [0.0000011 in.]) and less abundant (average of 2.5%) than at low maturity. A large portion of OM within high-maturity samples is diagenetic in origin and has pervaded into primary pore space, coating cement crystals, and filling intraparticle pores. Substantial mineral-associated porosity is locally present in samples where incursion of primary pore space by secondary OM has not occurred. Abundant secondary porosity is generated as OM matures into the wet-gas window. Porosity in most high-maturity samples is volumetrically dominated (average of 1.3%) by smaller, OM-hosted pores (median size 13.2 nm [0.00000051 in.]).
Reproductive risk of t(13q14q) carriers: Case report and review

We report a four-generation kindred with a balanced 13q 14q Robertsonian translocation. The proband had the Down syndrome, due to trisomy of chromosome 21; he also carried the balanced D-group translocation. A segregation analysis of 86 sibships was performed to examine the risk of t(13q 14q) carrier parents having trisomy 21, 47, XXY, or trisomy 13 children by which a number of families were ascertained. None of these disorders recurred after birth of the propositi. The frequency of abortions was not different from that of the general population. The conditional segregation ratio for balanced translocation carriers among the phenotypically normal offspring of carrier parents was 0.55 ± 0.04.
MicroRNAs 1, 133, and 206: Critical factors of skeletal and cardiac muscle development, function, and disease

microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of highly conserved small non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. miRNAs are known to mediate myriad cell processes, including proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. With more than 600 miRNAs identified in humans, it is generally believed that many miRNAs function through simultaneously inhibiting multiple regulatory mRNA targets, suggesting that miRNAs participate in regulating the expression of many, if not all, genes. While many miRNAs are expressed ubiquitously, some are expressed in a tissue specific manner. The muscle specific miR-1, miR-133 and miR-206 are perhaps the most studied and best-characterized miRNAs to date. Many studies demonstrate that these miRNAs are necessary for proper skeletal and cardiac muscle development and function, and have a profound influence on multiple myopathies, such as hypertrophy, dystrophy, and conduction defects.
Acoustical detection of coronary occlusions using neural networks

A nonlinear neural network classifier was applied to noninvasive acoustic detection of coronary artery disease; the classifier included a feature vector, derived from diastolic heart sounds, and a multi-layered network trained by the backpropagation. The feature vector is based on the linear prediction coefficients of the autoregressive method after an adaptive line enhancement method was used as the input pattern to the neural network. One hundred and twelve recordings (70 abnormal, 42 normal) were studied and the network was trained on a randomly chosen set of six abnormal and six normal patients. It was tested on a database consisting of 100 recordings to which it had not been exposed. The network correctly identified 50 of the 64 patients with coronary artery disease and 32 of the 36 patients without any coronary artery occlusions. These results showed that this neural network is capable of distinguishing normal patients from abnormal patients. In addition, the diagnostic capability of this approach is much better than any other available noninvasive approach.
Stimulation of arylsulphatase synthesis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by exogenous nucleotides

Although the synthesis of the enzyme may be induced in a few instances [1-3], arylsulphatase (arylsulphate sulphohydrolase, EC 3.1.6.1) is usually regulated by sulphur-mediated repressiondepression. The derepressible enzyme can be viewed as catalyzing the first step in an energyconsuming pathway which makes cysteine available to the cell from SO 2released due to arylsulphate ester hydrolysis. Generally methionine, which in bacteria cannot be generated directly from cysteine [4], serves as a derepressor whereas repression occurs when SO4 z-, SO32or the end product is present in the culture medium in excess of growth requirements [5-8]. If the concept of energy charge regulation of the activity of enzymes associated with ATP-utilizing pathways [9,10] is applied to the synthesis of these enzymes, then the synthesis of arylsulphatase should be subject to energy as well as sulphur availability. Moreover, an increase in the availability of ATP should stimulate the synthesis of this enzyme (cf., the effect of ATP on in vitro activity of enzymes associated with ATP-consuming pathways [ 11 ]). In contrast to the derepressible arylsulphatases, the related alkylsulphatase enzymes appear to be
Potential acuity pinhole ☆: A simple method to measure potential visual acuity in patients with cataracts, comparison to potential acuity meter

Abstract Objective To describe the potential acuity pinhole (PAP) test and compare its accuracy to the potential acuity meter (PAM) in predicting visual outcome after cataract surgery. Study design Prospective case series. Participants A total of 56 preoperative patients with cataracts participated. Main outcome measures Accuracy of predicting postoperative distance visual acuity was measured. Methods Lines of inaccuracy were calculated by subtracting actual postoperative best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCVA) from predicted values. Variables analyzed were method of prediction, preoperative BCVA, and preoperative spherical equivalent. Results The PAP test predicted visual outcomes within 2 lines in 100%, 100%, and 56% of eyes with preoperative BCVA of 20/50 and better (group I), 20/60 to 20/100 (group II), and 20/200 and worse (group III), respectively. The PAM predictions within 2 lines for the same groups were 42%, 47%, and 0%, respectively. Mean lines of inaccuracy of PAP predictions were 0.83, 1.11, and 3.50 lines for groups I, II, and III, respectively. Mean lines of inaccuracy for PAM predictions were 2.50, 2.68, and 6.22 lines for the same groups. Differences in lines of prediction between PAM and PAP were 1.67 ( P = 0.004), 1.58 ( P = 0.0002), and 2.72 lines ( P = 0.0001) for groups I, II, and III, respectively. There was no statistically significant correlation between PAP predictions and preoperative myopic spherical equivalent. Conclusions The PAP test is a simple, inexpensive, and relatively reliable method to estimate visual outcome after uncomplicated cataract surgery in eyes with no coexisting disease. It is less accurate in patients with preoperative BCVA worse than 20/200. It appears to be more predictive than PAM.
On the representation of linear system half‐line maps

An expression is given for the most general input–output map associated with the members of a certain important large family of causal linear shift-invariant systems with bounded inputs. This expression is a function-space limit of a convolution. Also given is a necessary and sufficient condition under which the limit can be written as a convolution with an integrable impulse-response function. Related material concerning engineering education, as well as additional results for other sets of inputs, is also given. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HISDL—a structure description language

The features of a language designed for the description of the structure of computer systems are described. The structure of a system is specified hierarchically as an interconnection of components with each component being a named instance of a component type. The system itself is another component type. The interconnection between components is specified in two ways: either by specifying all the ports that are connected together, or by specifying a component and the ports that are connected to its ports. A structure specification is a list of such connection specifications. The language has an iterative construct for specifying highly regular structures, and a conditional construct is also provided. A component type can be recursively specified while parameterization of component type specifications is supported. The latter is particularly useful for specifying classes of components of similar structure.
Underdoped cuprates as fractionalized Fermi liquids: Transition to superconductivity

We model the underdoped cuprates using fermions moving in a background with local antiferromagnetic order. The antiferromagnetic order fluctuates in orientation, but not in magnitude, so that there is no long-range antiferromagnetism, but a ``topological'' order survives. The normal state is described as a fractionalized Fermi liquid (FL*), with electronlike quasiparticles coupled to the fractionalized excitations of the fluctuating antiferromagnet. The electronic quasiparticles reside near pocket Fermi surfaces enclosing total area $x$ (the dopant density), centered away from the magnetic Brillouin zone boundary. The violation of the conventional Luttinger theorem is linked to a ``species doubling'' of these quasiparticles. We describe phenomenological theories of the pairing of these quasiparticles, and show that a large class of mean-field theories generically displays a nodal-antinodal ``dichotomy'': The interplay of local antiferromagnetism and pairing leads to a small gap near the nodes of the $d$-wave pairing along the Brillouin zone diagonals, and a large gap in the antinodal region.
Identifying Traditional and Nontraditional Predictors of Crash Injury Severity on Major Urban Roadways

Objective: This study identifies and compares the factors that contribute to injury severity on urban freeways and arterials and recommends potential countermeasures to enhance the safety of both facilities. The study makes use of an extensive data set from the State of Florida in the United States. To obtain a more complete picture, this study explores both traditional and nontraditional severity predictors. Some traditional predictors include traffic volume, speed limit, and road surface condition. The nontraditional predictors are comprised of those rarely explored in previous severity studies, including crash distance to the nearest ramp location, detailed vehicle types, and lighting and weather conditions. Methods: The analysis was conducted using the ordered and binary probit models, which are well suited for the inherently ordered property of injury severity. Results: An important finding is the significance of the distance of crash to the nearest ramp junction/access point, for which the increase ...
Agglutinin mediated opsonization of fungal blastospores in Melanoplus differentialis (Insecta)

Abstract Agglutinin from hemolymph of the grasshopper Melanoplus differentialis is prepared by affinity absorption to d -galactose-Sepharose followed by elution with EDTA into buffer containing CaCl 2 . The agglutinin enhances the association of fungal blastospores from Beauvaria bassiana with hemocyte monolayers four- to sixfold. Blastospores from Nomuraea rileyi are not opsonized. The opsonic stimulation occurs when either blastospores or the monolayer is treated with agglutinin prior to incubation. The opsonic activity is greatly reduced (approx. 76%) by α- d -methyl galactoside, palatinose and EDTA, all inhibitors of agglutinin carbohydrate binding, and less so (approx. 39%) by agglutinin-specific polyclonal antibody. Trehalose shows no inhibitory effect. In vivo clearance experiments with live insects show that injected B. bassiana blastospores treated with agglutinin are removed from the hemolymph 2.2-fold faster than those not treated. It is concluded that grasshopper agglutinin is an opsonin toward B. bassiana blastospores and acts as a molecular bridge between the fungal cell and the hemocyte. Grasshopper agglutinin appears to have a role in the immuno recognition of this fungus by cells functioning in defense against invading pathogens.
Analysis of trichroic infrared absorption in solids. I. Description of methods

Infrared absorption by polymeric solids is generally anisotropic due to orientational effects induced by industrial processing and fabrication. The isotropic-equivalent or structure-factor spectrum of a sample can be computed from the absorbances along the three principal axes of the absorption ellipsoid. Experimentally, this is accomplished by a tilting procedure which has been computer interfaced for precise angular control. The technique is applied to poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). The effects of refractive index dispersion, fringe distortion, reflection, and birefringence are evaluated in terms of the thickness direction calculation. Error spectra based on sample symmetry are generated, and the limits of accuracy of the tilting technique are established.
Bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy: retroperitoneal and transperitoneal approaches.

Objectives. To report our experience with bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy using either the retroperitoneal or the transperitoneal approach. Methods. Between June 1998 and October 2000, 6 consecutive patients with bilateral adrenal disease (Cushing syndrome in 4, pheochromocytoma in 1, and solitary adrenal metastases in 1) underwent bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy by way of the retroperitoneal or transperitoneal approach. Bilateral adrenalectomy was performed either synchronously (4 patients) or in a staged manner (2 patients). Results. All laparoscopic procedures were performed successfully. For the bilateral synchronous cases (n = 4) and metachronous cases (n = 4), the median surgical time was 278 and 195 minutes, blood loss was 175 and 125 mL, resumption of oral intake and ambulation required less than 1 day for both groups, and postoperative narcotic requirement comprised 14 and 10 mg morphine sulfate equivalent, respectively. For the synchronous and metachronous cases, the hospital stay was 1.5 and less than 1 day and convalescence was 3 and 2.5 weeks, respectively. An intraoperative surgical complication (adrenal vein bleeding) occurred in 1 case, but did not require open conversion. No postoperative complications or rehospitalization occurred. The retroperitoneal approach was used in 3 of the 4 bilateral synchronous and 3 of the 4 bilateral metachronous cases. In both synchronous and metachronous cases, the actual surgical time, blood loss, time to oral intake and ambulation, postoperative analgesia use, hospital stay, and convalescence of the transperitoneal approach were well within the range of those of the retroperitoneal approach. Conclusions. Retroperitoneal and transperitoneal bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy is feasible, safe, and results in minimal postoperative morbidity.
Use of Weighted Least‐Squares Method in Evaluation of the Relationship Between Dispersivity and Field Scale

Regression formulas relating dispersivity and field scale have been suggested in the literature by few researchers, among others: Arya (1986) and Neuman (1990). These studies employ conventional statistical techniques that cannot take into account the relative reliability level of a data point. Neuman (1990), using conventional statistics, discarded the low reliability data obtained by calibrating numerical grid models against solute concentrations of large-scale plumes. Although the numerical modeling data are of low reliability, they are important to consider because of the very limited overall availability of the data. Another problem is with the slope reduction of log{sub 10} {alpha}{sub L} versus log{sub 10} L for large values of L, where L is the field scale, and {alpha}{sub L} is the longitudinal dispersivity. Neuman (1990) used a different line of best fit with a reduced slope for L {ge} 100 m. Fitting two straight lines on a logarithmic scale, one for L {le} 100 m and another one for L {ge} 100 m, takes care of the slope change to some extent, but results in loss of data points for both statistical groups. In order to provide a better statistical model using the available data with varying reliabilities, a weighted least-squaresmore » data fitting method was used to define a relationship between dispersivity and field scale. By using this technique, less reliable data points were not simply ignored, but rather assigned a lower weight. The linear model is further improved by fitting a curve through the data drawn on a log{sub 10} {alpha}{sub L} versus log{sub 10} L diagram. The analysis shows a significant difference between the weighted and the unweighted curves. Further analysis indicated that the increase in longitudinal dispersivity is practically negligible when the scale of flow exceeds 1 km.« less
Adsorption of magnesium by bottom soils in inland brackish water shrimp ponds in Alabama.

Low-salinity (2.0–9.0 g/L) well waters used for inland culture of marine shrimp in Alabama are imbalanced with respect to ionic composition. Inputs of potassium (muriate of potash) and potassium-magnesium sulfate (Kmag®) fertilizers are used to correct these imbalances. Potassium is lost in overflow and intentional discharge, seepage, and through adsorption by bottom soils by exchangeable and non-exchangeable processes. This study was initiated to determine if bottom soils removed magnesium in the same manner as potassium. Laboratory soil–water mesocosms revealed that soils strongly adsorbed magnesium. The rate of adsorption tended to decline over time, indicating establishment of the equilibrium. Magnesium losses for the three soils ranged from 1405 to 1713 mg/tank (average = 1568 mg/tank). The cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the soils varied from 10.4 to 44.0 cmolc/kg (average = 24.6cmolc/kg). The decline in magnesium increased with higher soil CEC. In another trial, repeated exposures of soils to solutions of 40 mg Mg 2+ /L failed to saturate exchange sites, but rather maintained equilibrium with other base cations on soil adsorption sites. Dissolved sulfate resulting from additions of magnesium with magnesium sulfate heptahydrate (MgSO4·7H2O) was also monitored. Although difficulties of analysis occurred, sulfate was not adsorbed appreciably by the soils.
Salvage from cardiogenic shock by atherectomy after failed emergency coronary artery angioplasty

In this case report of a patient undergoing angioplasty for cardiogenic shock during acute myocardial infarction, recurrent occlusion resulted in recurrence of shock. Atherectomy reestablished lasting patency and reversed the patient's hemodynamic collapse. Atherectomy deserves further investigation as a means to salvage vessel patency during unsuccessful coronary angioplasty.
5′-Deoxypyridoxal inhibition of glucocorticoid receptor binding in HeLa S3 cells and rat thymocytes

Abstract Recent evidence suggests a possible role for pyridoxal 5′-phosphate, the active physiological form of vitamin B 6 , in steroid hormone action (1–3). We now report that 5′-deoxypyridoxal, a synthetic vitamin B 6 antagonist, causes a rapid and complete loss of dexamethasone receptor binding in cytosol preparations in whole HeLa S 3 cells or in rat thymocytes. This effect is concentration and time dependent, and is specific for 5′-deoxypyridoxal. In whole cell incubations of either HeLa S 3 cells or rat thymocytes at 37°C, a 50% reduction in [ 3 H]dexamethasone binding was observed in the presence of 0.25 mM 5′-deoxypyridoxal. Cytotoxicity was not evident in rat thymocytes or HeLa S 3 cells incubated with 3.0mM or 1.0mM 5′-deoxypyridoxal respectively. Pyridoxal 5′-phosphate, 5′-deoxypyridoxine and 5′-deoxypyridoxamine were ineffective in causing a loss of steroid receptor binding. These studies suggest that 5′-deoxypyridoxal may be an effective non-steroidal compound which can effect the binding of glucocorticoids to specific receptor proteins in whole cells.
Unsedated Peroral Endoscopy With a Video Ultrathin Endoscope: Patient Acceptance, Tolerance, and Diagnostic Accuracy

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess patient tolerance of unsedated routine upper endoscopy using a 6-mm ultrathin (UT) video endoscope (Olympus XGIF-N200H) and to compare its optical quality to a standard endoscope (Olympus GIF100). Methods: A total of 62 outpatients were recruited for unsedated UT endoscopy using topical spray followed by sedated endoscopy using a standard endoscope. After unsedated endoscopy, patients were asked to complete a questionnaire assessing tolerance. When both endoscopies were completed, the endoscopist recorded findings and optical quality of the UT. Results: Of 62 patients, 19 refused unsedated endoscopy because of anxiety (12), fear of gagging (3), and unwillingness to be study patients (4). Tolerance: Of 43 patients, 37 (86%) had a complete, unsedated UT exam (five patients did not have a GIF100 exam). During insertion, 60% of the patients reported none/mild discomfort, whereas, during the remainder of the examination, 73% had none/mild discomfort. Of 37 patients, 30 (81%) were willing to undergo future unsedated endoscopy with the UT and they tolerated UT endoscopy better than the patients who were unwilling (none/mild discomfort: 83% vs 29%). Of 43 patients, six (14%) failed UT endoscopy because of severe gagging (all were male, mean age 44 yr). Optics: Optical quality was rated as good 84%, 65%, and 78% of the time in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, respectively. Optical quality was diminished by excessive fluid and tenacious secretions. The UT missed five of 59 lesions: three hiatal hernias and two gastric erosions. Conclusion: A total of 69% of outpatients agreed to undergo peroral unsedated endoscopy with a UT endoscope. A total of 86% of patients tolerated a complete unsedated examination, and 81% of these were willing to undergo future unsedated examinations. Diagnostic accuracy of this ultrathin video endoscope was good, with 92% of lesions discovered when compared with a standard instrument.
Distributional ecology and food habits of the banded blennyParaclinus fasciatus (Clinidae): a resident in a mobile habitat

An ecological study of the banded blennyParaclinus fasciatus (Steindachner, 1876) showed that the fish is tolerant of physical/chemical conditions in the shallow subtidal area of Apalachee Bay, Florida (USA). Population density ofP. fasciatus was unrelated to physical/chemical characteristics and seagrass biomass at field stations. A strong correlation was found between numbers ofP. fasciatus captured and abundance of unattached red algae (drift algae) at the field sites, although seasonality in population density was related to summer spawning. Spawning began at approximately 28°C. The life span of the clinid is probably little longer than 1 yr. Long-term variation in population size was also demonstrated.P. fasciatus was found to be a highly specialized carnivore which consumes only a few species of amphipods and shrimps; however, major seasonal variation in diet occurred. Variations in food habits were related to known patterns of prey abundance in Apalachee Bay. The most important prey species taken byP. fasciatus, includingCymadusa compta andHippolyte zostericola, are associates of red algae masses, further substantiating the close functional relationship of the clinid with its algal habitat which moves about the bay. The driftalgae habitat is probably an important source of shelter, food, and dispersal for the banded blenny. The eurytolerance ofP. fasciatus makes it particularly well adapted for life in an unusual, mobile habitat.
Philosophical Idealism, the Irrational and the Personal

The potentiality and power of human rationality is the hallmark of Greek philosophy, whether Platonic or Aristotelian. Renaissance and Enlightenment philosophers developed the logos of rationality as a central feature of modern culture, either in the form of mathematical rationalism or experiential reasoning, with appropriate debate between these diverse modes. A self-consciousness culmination of the logos of reason was the elaboration of German Idealism complimented by Anglo-Saxon representatives, which idealism came under severe attack in the twentieth century from both postivistic or analytic philosophers as well as from phenomenological and existential thinkers. Within this latter community and specifically in the arena of philosophy of religion, a most serious attack was launched upon European Idealism and classical rationalism, which attack is the focus of this essay.
Application of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers in self-oscillating atomic clocks

We discuss practical aspects of building atomic clocks consisting of an optoelectronic oscillator stabilized with the electromagnetically induced transparency resonance in a 87Rb atomic vapour cell, where a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) is used as a light source. In particular, we show how the variable microwave power injection into the VCSEL, its optical injection-locking, and the phase stability of the optical-microwave link influences the stability of the clocks.
Surgical management of refractory venous stasis ulceration

A 15-year experience with 27 patients, 20 to 75 years of age, with refractory venous stasis ulcers is presented. All patients had been managed with support hose, elevation, elastic wraps, Unna's paste boots, and graduated compression stockings. Because of multiple recurrences of their ulcers, the patients were offered surgical treatment to reduce the venous hypertension in the areas of ulceration. The 27 patients had 32 modified Linton procedures. Five had bilateral procedures. At the time of operation, 18 limbs had medial malleolar ulcers, five had bimalleolar ulcers, four had lateral ulcers, three had posterior ulcers, and two patients were free of ulcer. Medial incisions were used in 20 limbs, lateral incisions in six, medial and lateral incisions in three, and midposterior incisions in three. Split-thickness skin grafts were placed on six limbs the day of surgery and on 22 limbs 4 to 7 days later. Postoperative complications included deep venous thrombosis in two, partial flap necrosis in three, and cellulitis of the lower leg in three patients. Follow-up has ranged from 6 months to 10 years. During the most recent clinic visits, 21 limbs were completely healed, whereas six limbs had a recurrence of the ulcer. Five patients have been lost to follow-up. The good long-term results in 78% of the cases indicate that patients with recurrent venous stasis ulcers may receive lasting benefit from modified Linton procedures.
A Method for Assimilation of Lagrangian Data

Abstract Difficulties in the assimilation of Lagrangian data arise because the state of the prognostic model is generally described in terms of Eulerian variables computed on a fixed grid in space, as a result there is no direct connection between the model variables and Lagrangian observations that carry time-integrated information. A method is presented for assimilating Lagrangian tracer positions, observed at discrete times, directly into the model. The idea is to augment the model with tracer advection equations and to track the correlations between the flow and the tracers via the extended Kalman filter. The augmented model state vector includes tracer coordinates and is updated through the correlations to the observed tracers. The technique is tested for point vortex flows: an NF point vortex system with a Gaussian noise term is modeled by its deterministic counterpart. Positions of ND tracer particles are observed at regular time intervals and assimilated into the model. Numerical experiments demon...
Displaying prosodic text to enhance expressive oral reading

This study assessed the effectiveness of software designed to facilitate expressive oral reading through text manipulations that convey prosody. The software presented stories in standard (S) and manipulated formats corresponding to variations in fundamental frequency (F), intensity (I), duration (D), and combined cues (C) indicating modulation of pitch, loudness and length, respectively. Ten early readers (mean age=7.6years) attended three sessions. During the first session, children read two stories in standard format to establish a baseline. The second session provided training and practice in the manipulated formats. In the third, post-training session, sections of each story were read in each condition (S, F, I, D, C in random order). Recordings were acoustically examined for changes in word duration, peak intensity and peak F0 from baseline to post-training. When provided with pitch cues (F), children increased utterance-wide peak F0 range (mean=34.5Hz) and absolute peak F0 for accented words. Pitch cues were more effective in isolation (F) than in combination (C). Although Condition I elicited increased intensity of salient words, Conditions S and D had minimal impact on prosodic variation. Findings suggest that textual manipulations conveying prosody can be readily learned by children to improve reading expressivity.
FORUM: Balancing basics and applications in teaching environmental and water resources engineering

This short forum suggest that engineering practitioners, asked about what they expect out of a fresh engineer immediately after their graduation in terms of on-job skills and technical training, prefer that an engineer be able to hit the road and run without too much on-job training. It suggests that engineering undergraduate curricula need to have a good balance in offering both basics and applications to satisfy students who may enter a professional career right away or elect to pursue their graduate studies. The challenges to this are briefly considered.
Extending DoDAF to Allow Integrated DEVS-Based Modeling and Simulation:

A recent DoD mandate requires that the DoD Architecture Framework (DoDAF) be adopted to express high-level system and operational requirements and architectures. DoDAF is the basis for integrated architectures and provides broad levels of specification related to operational, system, and technical views. The combination of DoDAF operational views, which capture the requirements of the architecture, and systems views, which provide its technical attributes, forms the basis for semi-automated construction of the needed simulation models. Unfortunately, DoDAF doesn’t mandate any simulation methodology to analyze the system or perform any pre-design feasibility studies. In this paper, we describe an approach to support specification of DoDAF architectures within a development environment based on DEVS (Discrete Event System Specification). The result is an enhanced system life cycle development process that includes both development and testing in an integral manner. We introduce two new operational views (OVs) in the current DoDAF making way for modeling and simulation as a part of the design process. We illustrate the process to build these new OVs from the existing OVs and their impact on the overall DoDAF system development process. We discuss automated model generation using XML through the introduced OVs, which paves the way for OVs to become service-providing components in the web services architecture.
Behavioral assessment of young nonhuman primates: Perceptual-cognitive development

The Infant Primate Research Laboratory at the University of Washington utilizes a range of test procedures to study perceptual-cognitive development in nonhuman primate infants at high and low risk for poor developmental outcome. These test procedures rely on the visual preferences of infants and are employed in research with both human and animal subjects. The forced-choice preferential looking technique is based on the primate infants' preference for patterned over plain stimuli and allows the early measurement of visual acuity. The novelty paradigm is based on the preference that infants show for novel over familiar stimuli and is used to study intramodal and cross-modal recognition memory. Tests of recognition memory have shown sensitivity in detecting subtle functional alterations associated with perinatal risk factors such as teratogen exposure. The use of measures which assess early patterns of visual attention should be considered in both human and nonhuman primate studies in behavioral teratology.
Evaluation of a moving slit technique for mammography

A linear self-scanning diode x-ray imaging system for the chest has been modified so that its characteristics for mammographic imaging can be measured. The system consists of an x-ray tube and self-scanning linear diode array assembly which moves in synchrony above and below a phantom or patient. The advantage of this type of system is that scattered radiation is rejected through the use of the line scanning geometry, resulting in improved image quality and less radiation than with area imaging systems. The line scanning digital system is characterized for resolution, MTF, linearity, and contrast sensitivity. Resolution in the scan direction is 6 lp/mm; perpendicular to the scan direction it is 5 lp/mm at 55 kVp and 10% MTF. As currently configured, the S/N ratio of the digital mammographic images is too low for it to be satisfactorily implemented as a mammographic system. S/N could be increased through the use of a more powerful x-ray tube, a multi-slit system, and longer scan times, which would make it more viable for mammography.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A clinical and immunologic study to assess risk of TMA-induced lung disease as related to exposure.

The objective of this study was to determine whether there are trimellitic anhydride (TMA) exposure levels that are very unlikely to cause immunologically mediated respiratory disease. A 3-year clinical and immunologic survey study of 286 employees was conducted at a facility that manufactures TMA. Each employee was assigned an exposure classification from 1 (highest) to 5 (lowest). Of the 28 individuals in exposure class 1, 8 (29%) developed disease; of the 57 class 2 employees, 2 (4 %) developed disease; of the 79 class 3 employees, 4 (5%) developed disease. Of the 98 class 4 employees and the 24 class 5 employees, none developed disease. Inasmuch as individuals in class 4 and 5 (TMA exposure < 0.002 mg/m 3 ) are at low risk of developing disease due to TMA, it appears that they do not warrant routine inclusion in surveillance studies.
Evidence of a functional role for the cyclin-dependent kinase-inhibitor p21WAF1/CIP1/MDA6 in promoting differentiation and preventing mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis induced by sodium butyrate in human myelomonocytic leukemia cells (U937)

The impact of dysregulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 WAF1/CIP1/MDA6 has been examined in U937 human monocytic leukemia cells in relation to cell cycle arrest and differentiation following treatment with the histone deacetylase inhibitor sodium butyrate (SB). Cells stably transfected with a p21 WAF1/CIP1/MDA6 antisense construct, in marked contrast to their wild-type counterparts, failed to up-regulate p21 WAF1/CIP1/MDA6 , undergo G 1 arrest, or express the maturation marker CD11b when exposed to 1 or 3 mM SB. However, antisense-expressing cells were significantly more susceptible to SB-mediated mitochondrial injury and apoptosis, manifested by increased cytosolic translocation of cytochrome c, activation of pro-caspase 3, and degradation of PARP. Dysregulation of p21 WAF1/CIP1/MDA6 did not modify the extent of SB-induced histone acetylation, but did result in cleavage of p27 KIP1 , Bcl-2 and pRb, as well as diminished levels of full-length underphosphorylated pRb. Finally, dysregulation of p21 WAF1/CIP1/MDA6 did not modify SB-mediated down-regulation of E2F-1 or c-Myc, but was associated with enhanced down-regulation of cyclins D 1 and E. Together, these findings indicate that in U937 leukemia cells, p21 WAF1/CIP1/MDA6 plays a critical functional role in SB-mediated G 1 arrest and maturation, and suggest that cells displaying dysregulation of this CDKI respond to SB by engaging a default apoptotic program.
A smooth convex loop with vanishing projections

Abstract Solomon (Projecting codimension-two cycles to zero on hyperplanes in R N+1 , Topology (2004) X-ref: doi: 10.1016/S0040-9383(03)00043-0 ) has studied the problem of existence of a simple closed curve in R 3 whose projections into planes in three linearly independent directions vanish in the sense of currents. He discovered some nonsmooth examples of such curves, and proved that no examples (smooth or otherwise) exist on strictly convex surfaces. We show that smooth (C∞) examples exist, and may be constructed on convex surfaces.
Scar pregnancy: a rare complication of caesarean section

In this paper, we report a rare type of ectopic pregnancy implanted in a previous caesarean scar. Scar pregnancy was diagnosed at six weeks gestation in a woman with three prior caesarean deliveries. Management with the usual dose of Methotrexate was unsuccessful. The patient continued to have pelvic pain, the beta human chorionic gonadotropin (shCG) increased and there was persistent foetal cardiac activity. Subsequently, dilatation and curettage was performed under ultrasound guidance without complications. We conclude that scar pregnancy presents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the clinician and the optimal management strategy needs to be explored.
A New Look at the Transition of Classical to Quantum Mechanics

In a recent “Rejoinder” by Landau,(8) he indicates that there is an error in a previous article of mine. In fact, this was corrected in an immediately subsequent article(2) of mine, and the “intriguing problem” to which Landau refers is solved in this subsequent article. In the present paper, I consolidate these and other ideas on the subject. In particular, I show that by discussing generalized coordinates in quantum mechanics one achieves much new insight, both philosophical and physical, in understanding the transition of classical to quantum mechanics.
The evaluation of cardiovascular drugs in the anaesthetized, unrestrained rat.

A method is reported which allows continuous long-term drug administration and simultaneous blood pressure measurement in the unanaesthetized unrestrained rat. The external jugular vein and abdominal aorta were cannulated and the opposite ends of the cannulae were passed subcutaneously and exteriorized at the back of the head. They were then passed through a spring attached at the lower end to the skull and, at the upper end, to a counter-weighted cantilever. In rats so prepared, infusion of angiotensin amide 200 ng kg−1 min−1 caused a rise of blood pressure which lasted the 48 h infusion period. Heart rate decreased initially but recovered within 6 h. Angiotensin amide 30 ng kg−1 min−1, infused up to seven days, was without effect on blood pressure or heart rate, and both doses of angiotensin amide failed to alter cardiac catecholamine turnover. Hydralazine, mecamylamine and clonidine reduced blood pressure to 63, 62 and 84% of control respectively while clonidine induced a transient increase before its depressor effect. Heart rate was increased by hydralazine to 138%, and decreased by clonidine to 74% of control, and was unaffected by mecamylamine. The magnitude of pressor response to noradrenaline, tyramine and angiotensin was reduced by hydralazine and increased by mecamylamine. Clonidine increased the pressor response to angiotensin but had no effect on that to noradrenaline or tyramine.
Thermodynamic and structural considerations of insertion reactions in lithium vanadium bronze structures

Abstract Lithium vanadium bronze structures show promise for use as positive electrode materials in advanced lithium batteries. Many studies indicate that the insertion of lithium in these structures is reversible and at high rates. However, the electrochemical behaviors among these phases are quite different and also deviate from that predicted by the high temperature phase diagram. In this paper, a rationalization based on the thermodynamic and structural considerations is proposed. Strikingly, metastable reactions are found during the insertion and metastable allotropes are produced. We call these types of reactions “allotropic insertions” to distinguish from the conventional isomorphic insertion and displacement reactions.