cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
‘In my end is my beginning’: Lumen gentium and the Priority of Doxology

Essential to the full reception of Lumen gentium is a recovery of that document’s doxological ecclesiology, which presents the Church—even on earth—as most fully itself when it praises God. This article proposes that acknowledging the priority of doxology in the life of the Church will foster a more effective evangelization, service, and mission. It first surveys Lumen gentium’s context, achievements, seeds, and incomplete reception. It then argues for the centrality of holiness and doxology in ecclesiology, looking at both several theologians (Frans Jozef van Beeck, Khaled Anatolios, Joseph Ratzinger) and exemplary passages from Lumen gentium. The article concludes with a brief reflection on the importance of Lumen gentium’s doxological ecclesiology for addressing contemporary challenges.
Multiprocessor design using polarization-encoded optical shadow-casting.

An efficient algorithm for designing a multiprocessor logic unit using a polarization-encoded optical shadow casting system is presented. Both efficient minterm pairing and associative memory mapping with dual addresses are exploited for the design For illustration, the algorithm is used to design a parallel adder–subtracter unit.
Angiosarcoma of the Heart: A Case Presentation and Review of the Literature

Primary tumors of the heart are rare, and only 25% of these are malignant. Angiosarcoma of the heart has been reported in fewer than 100 patients, of whom 23 were treated surgically.This report reviews the literature and presents a new case of primary angiosar coma of the heart treated with surgical extirpation.
Induction Motor with Free-Rotating DC Excitation

This paper describes an induction motor which has an additional dc field on the shaft. The dc field is free to rotate inside an independently rotating squirrel cage and it serves the purpose of improving the input power factor. The performance equations are derived, steady-state conditions discussed, and test data presented.
Pediatric “STUMP” lesions: Evaluation and management of difficult atypical Spitzoid lesions in children

Spitz nevi represent a distinct type of melanocytic nevi more commonly seen in childhood. Although typically benign, a subset of Spitz lesions raise concern and create a diagnostic dilemma as a result of confusing histology that involves characteristics of classic Spitz nevi intermixed with features of cutaneous melanoma. Such atypical Spitz lesions, or Spitzoid tumors of uncertain malignant potential, are difficult to classify and their biologic potential is uncertain. Nonetheless, these are critical tasks for both prognosis and clinical management. New tools, such as immunohistochemical stains, comparative genomic hybridization, and fluorescence in situ hybridization, have been used to provide further insight into these controversial lesions and to aid in their evaluation. In this review, we present our experience managing 6 cases of Spitzoid tumor of uncertain malignant potential and discuss the potential use of various diagnostic modalities, including sentinel lymph node biopsy, immunostaining, and molecular analysis.
Asparaginase synthesis by semi-continuous fermentor cultures of Vibrio succinogenes

Vibrio succinogenes produces an asparaginase that does not hydrolyze glutamine, is not immunosuppressive, and has antitumor activity. Fermentor cultures initiated by small inocula exhibit a pattern of increasing enzyme activity consistent with induction during exponential phase. Semi-continuous cultures permit the harvesting of fully induced cells.
Hyperventilation induced abnormalities in the electroencephalogram of children with moyamoya disease

Two cases of Moyamoya disease in children are presented. The EEG of each child demonstrated minimal abnormalities at rest. However, during 3 min of hyperventilation, the record developed rhythmic delta activity which persisted in excess of 5 min after termination of over breathing. This activity did not respond to glucose administration and was maximal in the areas correlating with the clinical symptoms. It appears to represent a physiologic correlate of an abnormal vascular response to hypocapnia. Although admittedly a non-specific response, the persistence of delta activity easily provoked by hyperventilation, the topographic correspondence to the ultimately demonstrated vascular anomaly, and the lack of response to glucose ingestion represent a combination of factors which, in the appropriate clinical setting, are distinctive and of diagnostic value. Currently, invasive arteriography is required for definitive diagnosis of Moyamoya. Improved selection of children for invasive studies may be accomplished by EEG screening.
Isolation of a cytochrome P-450 structural gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We have transformed a Saccharomyces cerevisiae host with an S. cerevisiae genomic library contained in the shuttle vector YEp24 and screened the resultant transformants for resistance to ketoconazole (Kc), an inhibitor of the cytochrome P-450 (P-450) enzyme lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase. Two plasmids were isolated which transformed yeast to both increased resistance to Kc and increased levels of total P-450. Hybrid-selection and immunoprecipitation experiments showed that these plasmids, pVK1 and pVK2, contained the structural gene for an S. cerevisiae P-450. This conclusion was confirmed by the nucleotide sequence of a portion of pVK2, which revealed an open reading frame encoding a characteristic P-450 heme-binding region.
Level of kidney function determines cardiovascular fate after coronary bypass graft surgery.

The traditional risk factors for cardiovascular (CV) disease, ie, hypertension, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome, are also risk factors for chronic kidney disease development.1 For more than a quarter of a century, the association between late-stage kidney disease, ie, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <30 mL/min, and higher CV death rate has been recognized.2 Only recently, however, have studies in the general population3–5 and in cohorts with previous CV events6 linked the continuum of increasing CV risk with decreasing kidney function. This is related in part to the fact that current studies used validated formulas derived from kidney disease outcome trials7,8 to find an estimated GFR (eGFR) rather than simply measuring serum creatinine randomly. Articles pp 1056 and 1063 All studies published within the last decade indicate that when GFR falls to <60 mL/min (stage 3 nephropathy), a significant increase in CV events occurs.5,6 This may relate to the fact that as GFR falls to <60 mL/min, many physiological and regulatory functions of the kidney start to wane; such functions include reductions in 1,25[OH] vitamin D and erythropoietin synthesis. …
X-Ray Diffraction analysis of Au/Ni Multilayers

X-ray diffraction is a useful method to measure the microscopic strain profile in multilayered materials. Depth profiles of strain in the modulation direction are obtained by an iterative fitting of the experimental diffraction pattern with a kinematic model. This approach was used to characterize the coherency strain profile in Au/Ni superlattices. The accommodation of coherency strain through the superlattice is dependent upon the atomic misfit between the component materials and the thickness of each layer. The depth profile of strain was determined for multilayers with repeat periodicities of 2.92 nm and 4.26 nm. A significant volume fraction of interfaces is present in these nanometric dimensioned laminates.
An ELISA to detect antibody specific for surface antigens of parasitic nematodes

Abstract An enzyme immunoassay method is described for the detection of specific immunoglobulins bound to the surface of intact adult Nippostronglus brasiliensis . Binding of antibody is complete in 1 h and the entire procedure can be completed in less than 4 h. This method has been used to detect the quatity of specific IgG antibodies in sera of rats infected with N. brasiliensis .
On the Finite Generation of Symbolic Blow-Ups

"symbolic blow-up", (~ P(n)=S a Noetherian ring? If S is Noetherian and dim n 0 RIP=l, Cowsik observed that P must be a set-theoretic complete intersection. If R is not regular, there is no hope in general of S being Noetherian. In fact if R is any normal two dimensional local ring and P is a height one prime ideal of R which is not torsion in the class group of R, then S is never Noetherian. This idea is behind the Rees counterexample [6] to the generalized Zariski question. As far as the author knows, there are no known counter examples to the question of Cowsik. The most trivial case is the following: if R is Nagata and
Revision rate after artificial urinary sphincter implantation for incontinence after radical prostatectomy: actuarial analysis.

Purpose: We determined the actuarial revision rate for artificial urinary sphincters implanted in patients who were incontinent after radical prostatectomy.Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of 70 consecutive patients who were incontinent after radical prostatectomy and who underwent primary artificial urinary sphincter implantation at the University of Michigan between 1984 and 1999. Questionnaires were mailed to all patients with an indwelling device, and telephone calls were placed to those who did not respond to the mailing. Information about surgical revision and current continence status was obtained from chart review and questionnaire response. The Kaplan-Meier curves for actuarial freedom from operative revision were constructed.Results: Of the 66 patients with available postoperative data 24 (36%) required reoperation at a mean followup of 41 months. The 5-year actuarial rate for freedom from any operative revision was 50%, and the corresponding rate for cuff revision was 60%. A singl...
The story of the sisters of the bund

The Jewish worker's movement provided a major impetus towards sexual egalitarianism in the Jewish subsociety in Russia. Although many goals of the movement remain elusive, its effect on the lives of Jewish women has proved its most enduring, though not totally realized, achievement. This study aims to trace the evolution of women's roles in Jewish life, encompassing the developmental process of change through education and participation in the movement. The movement began as an outgrowth of its members' participation in the Russian radical activities of the 1870s and culminated in the formation of the Jewish Bund in 1897.
Long-Term Measurement of Organ Copper Turnover in Rats by Continuous Feeding of a Stable Isotope

Utilizing the continuous feeding of a single stable isotope and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, we have developed a method that allows the measurement of organ copper turnover in the rat for at least 8 weeks. Previous methods, based on tracer studies using radioisotopes of copper, were severely limited by the short half-lives of the radioisotopes (12.8 and 61.8 h). Taking advantage of the known ratio of the two naturally occurring stable isotopes of copper (63Cu and 65Cu), dietary copper was replaced by a single isotope of copper (63Cu) for the entire 8-week period. Disappearance of the other isotope (65Cu) from tissues was then monitored as a measure of copper turnover. Because this method is not a tracer study, it has the unique advantage of uniformly labeled physiological and kinetic compartments. Half-lives of individual first-order kinetic compartments within organs and plasma were obtained by analysis of the 8-week copper turnover curves in copper-adequate and copper-restricted rats. Mean decreases in organ copper following 56 days of copper restriction were plasma, 99%; liver, 62%; heart, 3%; muscle, 26%; kidney, 66%; and brain, < 1%. Comparison of normal organ turnover to turnover in copper-restricted rats revealed that this method can be used during periods of severe copper restriction and that copper conservation during these periods is organ specific.
Models for optimization of energy consumption of pumps in a wastewater processing plant

In this paper, a data-mining approach for modeling pumps in the wastewater preliminary treatment process is discussed. Data-mining algorithms are utilized to develop pump performance models based on industrial data collected at a municipal wastewater processing plant. The performance of wastewater pumps is described by two parameters, pump energy consumption and water flow rate after the pumps. Two types of models, dynamic and steady state, are established to predict pump energy consumption and water flow rate. The first type of model is developed based on 5-min data and the second type is built based on 30-min data. The accuracy of the models has been validated.
Minimizing salt in drain water by irrigation management — Arizona field studies with citrus

Abstract A field experiment was conducted for 5 years in the Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District of southwest Arizona to investigate the potential for reducing the salt load in irrigation return flow by decreased leaching in citrus. Leaching treatments of 5, 10, and 20%, replicated nine times, were established on mature Valencia orange trees ( Citrus sinensis L.) and compared with conventional flood irrigation management. The annual evapotranspiration was found to be about 1470 mm. The leaching fractions, determined indirectly by several techniques, were close to those intended. The leaching fraction for the flood check was 0.47. During the first 4 years, the leaching treatments had no observable influence on fruit yield or quality or on tree growth. During the last year of the study, however, the yield of the 5% leaching treatment was significantly lower than the other treatments. Thus, with some uncertainty, the leaching requirement for Valencia orange irrigated with Colorado River water exceeds 5% but is less than 20%. Results verify that water applications could be reduced substantially below typical commercial practice without loss of crop yield. At the conclusion of the experiment reducing the leaching fraction to 0.20 for the 3000 ha of citrus in the District would reduce the salt load in the irrigation return flow by 127000 Mg annually. After steady state conditions are reached at 20% leaching the annual reduction would be 42500 Mg.
Increasing UV-B radiation at the earth’s surface and potential effects on aqueous mercury cycling and toxicity

In the past two decades, a great deal of attention has been paid to the environmental fate of mercury (Hg), and this is exemplified by the growing number of international conferences devoted uniquely to Hg cycling and its impacts on ecosystem functions and life. This interest in the biogeochemistry of Hg has resulted in a significant improvement of our understanding of its impact on the environment and human health. However, both past and current research, have been primarily oriented toward the study of direct impact of anthropogenic activities on Hg cycling. Besides a few indirect effects such as the increase in Hg methylation observed in acid-rain impacted aquatic systems or the reported enhanced Hg bioaccumulation in newly flooded water reservoirs; changes in Hg transformations/fluxes that may be related to global change have received little attention. A case in point is the depletion of stratospheric ozone and the resulting increase in solar UV-radiation reaching the Earth. This review and critical discussion suggest that increasing UV-B radiation at earth's surface could have a significant and complex impact on Hg cycling including effects on Hg volatilization (photo-reduction), solubilization (photo-oxidation), methyl-Hg demethylation, and Hg methylation. Therefore, this paper is written to provoke discussions, and more importantly, to stimulate research on potential impacts of incoming solar UV-radiation on global Hg fluxes and any toxicity aspects of Hg that may become exacerbated by UV-radiation.
Fabrication of particulate aluminium-matrix composites by liquid metal infiltration

Aluminium-matrix composites were fabricated by liquid metal infiltration of porous particulate reinforcement preforms, using AlN, SiC and Al2O3 as the particles. The quality of the composites depended on the preform fabrication technology. In this work, this technology was developed for high-volume fraction (up to 75%) particulate preforms, which are more sensitive to the preform fabrication process than lower volume fraction whisker/fibre preforms as their porosity and pore size are much lower. The technology developed used an acid phosphate binder (with P/Al molar ratio=23) in the amount of 0.1 wt% of the preform, in contrast to the much larger binder amount used for whisker preforms. The preforms were made by filtration of a slurry consisting of the reinforcement particles, the binder and carrier (preferably acetone), and subsequent baking (preferably at 200 °C) for the purpose of drying. Baking in air at 500 °C instead of 200 °C caused the AlN preforms to oxidize, thereby decreasing the thermal conductivity of the resulting Al/AlN composites. The reinforcement-binder reactivity was larger for AlN than SiC, but this reactivity did not affect the composite properties due to the small binder amount used. The Al/AlN composites were superior to the Al/SiC composites in the thermal conductivity and tensile ductility. The Al/Al2O3 composites were the poorest due to Al2O3 particle clustering.
Effects of aqueous buffers on electrocatalytic water oxidation with an iridium oxide material electrodeposited in thin layers from an organometallic precursor.

A thin layer of an amorphous, mixed-valence iridium oxide (electrodeposited from an organometallic precursor, [Cp*Ir(H2O)3]2+) is a heterogeneous catalyst among the most active and stable currently available for electrochemical water oxidation. We show that buffers can improve the oxygen-evolution activity of such thin-layer catalysts near neutral pH, but that buffer identity and concentration, as well as the solution pH, remain key determinants of long-term electrocatalyst activity and stability; for example, phosphate buffer can reduce the overpotential by up to 173 mV.
Multicriteria decision making (mcdm): a framework for research and applications

We view Multicriteria Decision Making (MCDM) as the conjunction of three components: search, preference tradeoffs, and interactive visualization. The first MCDM component is the search process over the space of possible solutions to identify the non-dominated solutions that compose the Pareto set. The second component is the preference tradeoff process to select a single solution (or a small subset of solutions) from the Pareto set. The third component is the interactive visualization process to embed the decisionmaker in the solution refinement and selection loop. We focus on the intersection of these three components and we highlight some research challenges, representing gaps in the intersection. We introduce a requirement framework to compare most MCDM problems, their solutions, and analyze their performances. We focus on two research challenges and illustrate them with three case studies in electric power management, financial portfolio rebalancing, and air traffic planning.
Inferring structure from motion in two-view and multiview displays.

Five experiments were conducted to examine constraints used to interpret structure-from-motion displays. Theoretically, two orthographic views of four or more points in rigid motion yield a one-parameter family of rigid three-dimensional (3-D) interpretations. Additional views yield a unique rigid interpretation. Subjects viewed two-view and thirty-view displays of five-point objects in apparent motion. The subjects selected the best 3-D interpretation from a set of 89 compatible alternatives (experiments 1–3) or judged depth directly (experiment 4). In both cases the judged depth increased when relative image motion increased, even when the increased motion was due to increased simulation rotation. Subjects also judged rotation to be greater when either simulated depth or simulated rotation increased (experiment 4). The results are consistent with a heuristic analysis in which perceived depth is determined by relative motion.
Stromal cell–dependent growth of B-1 B cell progenitors in the absence of direct contact

This protocol describes a transwell culture system in which stromal cells support the growth and differentiation of B cell progenitors in the absence of direct contact. In this system, a confluent layer of S17 stromal cells pre-established in 0.4 microm transwells is placed over wells seeded with purified B cell progenitors. The stromal cell-derived factors and additional cytokines added to the culture medium support the differentiation of the progenitors in the lower chamber. B-1 B cell progenitors seeded in the presence of thymic stromal lymphopoietin undergo significant expansion and differentiation in this culture system. Since the expanded B-1 B lineage cells are not contaminated with stromal cells, no additional purification steps are required before subsequent phenotypic, functional or genetic analyses of these lymphoid cells are performed. Once the transwell cultures and B cell progenitors are available, cultures can be initiated in less than an hour. The overall procedure, however, takes approximately 10 h when the initiation of the S17 transwell cultures and the isolation of the B cell progenitors steps are included.
Molecular weights of RNA segments of influenza A and B viruses

Abstract The RNAs of different influenza viruses were analyzed together with marker RNAs on polyacrylamide-urea gels after denaturation with glyoxal. Using this new method for determining molecular weights (MW) the following results were obtained: (1) The total MW of the RNA of human and animal influenza A viruses was found to be 4.9 x 106, and the MW of influenza B virus RNA was 5.3 x 106. (2) After glyoxalation migration patterns of the RNAs coding for HA and NA varied among influenza A viruses belonging to different subtypes, while the mobility of corresponding RNAs coding for the Pl, P2, P3, NP, M, and NS proteins was identical. This suggested that the size of the latter genes was conserved among different human and animal influenza A viruses but that the size of the HA and NA genes may vary. Among strains containing Nl neuraminidase three different migration patterns of the neuraminidase gene were observed. (3) After glyoxalation no migration differences were observed among corresponding RNA segments of different influenza B viruses.
The Missing Link between Itch and Inflammation in Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a common skin disease with high morbidity and is associated with severe itch and chronic skin inflammation. In this issue of Cell, Wilson et al. demonstrate that epithelial cells communicate directly with cutaneous sensory neurons via a cytokine to induce itch.
Short-term enhancement of visual field sensitivity in glaucomatous eyes following surgical intraocular pressure reduction.

Purpose To examine the hypothesis that surgical intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction leads to enhancement of visual field (VF) sensitivity in glaucomatous eyes. Design Prospective case-control study. Methods Patients with uncontrolled IOP requiring trabeculectomy or aqueous drainage device were enrolled. Controls consisted of medically treated glaucoma patients with stable IOP and no change in medical therapy during follow-up. Two baseline preoperative VFs and 3 follow-up VF examinations at 1, 2, and 3 months postoperatively were used for analysis. The same number of VF examinations measured within an 18-month interval was used for control eyes. VF locations with significant change were defined as exceeding 95% test-retest confidence limits based upon the mean sensitivity using the 2 baseline VF exams. The number of significantly changing locations per eye and changes in mean and pattern standard deviation (PSD) from the mean baseline fields were compared between groups using a Poisson generalized estimating equation model. Results Thirty eyes of 30 surgically treated glaucoma patients and 41 eyes of 28 stable controls were enrolled. Postoperative IOP was decreased at follow-up 3 compared with baseline ( P P = .92). At follow-up 3, the number of test locations improving in central ( P = .014) and peripheral ( P = .019) VF locations was significantly greater in the surgical eyes. The number of eyes with improved PSD at follow-up 3 was significantly greater in the surgical eyes compared with controls ( P = .02). Conclusions Short-term enhancement of central and peripheral VF sensitivity occurs after surgical reduction of IOP in glaucomatous eyes and may represent a potential biomarker for retinal ganglion cell response to therapeutic interventions in glaucoma.
Development of a compensation algorithm for accurate depth localization in diffuse optical tomography

Diffuse optical tomography endures poor depth localization, since its sensitivity decreases severely with increased depth. In this study, we demonstrate a depth compensation algorithm (DCA), which optimally counterbalances the decay nature of light propagation in tissue so as to accurately localize absorbers in deep tissue. The novelty of DCA is to directly modify the sensitivity matrix, rather than the penalty term of regularization. DCA is based on maximum singular values (MSVs) of layered measurement sensitivities; these MSVs are inversely utilized to create a balancing weight matrix for compensating the measurement sensitivity in increased depth. Both computer simulations and laboratory experiments were performed to validate DCA. These results demonstrate that one (or two) 3-cm-deep absorber(s) can be accurately located in both lateral plane and depth within the laboratorial position errors.
MANDIBULOHYOID DISTANCE IN DIFFICULT LARYNGOSCOPY

We studied radiographically 11 patients in whom direct laryngoscopy proved difficult and 100 control (general population) subjects. The vertical distance between the mandible and the hyoid bone (mandibulohyoid distance) was measured and the positions of the mandibular angle and hyoid bone determined in relation to the cervical vertebrae. We found that the mandibulohyoid distance was substantially longer in patients whose trachea was difficult to intubate; the mandibular angle tended to be positioned more rostrally in both men and women, and the hyoid bone tended to be positioned more caudally in women. This suggests that a relatively short mandibular ramus or a relatively caudal larynx may be important, unfavourable anatomic factors in difficult laryngoscopy.
Kinetic aspects of aqueous aluminum chemistry: environmental implications

Abstract Aluminum is a common constituent of the earth's crust and is present in many rock and soil forming minerals. In spite of its abundance Al(III) usually is not very soluble in water. However, strong mineral acids, such as may be present in rainfall, can solubilize some of the aluminum. On becoming solubilized the Al(III) can be present in the natural water environment in a number of forms. The speciation of Al(III) is complex and depends not only on the aqueous environment itself (inorganic and organic ions present, the solids the water is in contact with, inorganic and organic) but also on the past history of the Al(III) containing water. An attempt is made to predict the fate of Al(III) is complex and depends not only on some manner, such as through the precipitation of strong inorganic acid containing rain on various diverse landscapes. The past history of the Al(III) containing water, the effect of pH rise, the presence of inorganic and organic dissolved substances and the presence of various minerals and organic materials are considered in the predictions.
RNA polymerase activity in isolated nuclei from eggs of Oncopeltus fasciatus

Nuclei, isolated from various developmental stages of the eggs of the milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus, have been assayed for RNA polymerase activity in the presence of Mg2+ ions and in a low salt environment. This activity changes during development. These changes can be correlated with in vivo changes in the rate of RNA synthesis. The base composition of the RNA transcribed in vitro is intermediate between ribosomal RNA and DNA-like RNA.
Developing improved metamodels by combining phenomenological reasoning with statistical methods

A metamodel is relatively small, simple model that approximates the behavior of a large, complex model. A common and superficially attractive way to develop a metamodel is to generate data from a number of large-model runs and to then use off-the-shelf statistical methods without attempting to understand the models internal workings. This paper describes research illuminating why it is important and fruitful, in some problems, to improve the quality of such metamodels by using various types of phenomenological knowledge. The benefits are sometimes mathematically subtle, but strategically important, as when one is dealing with a system that could fail if any of several critical components fail. Naive metamodels may fail to reflect the individual criticality of such components and may therefore be quite misleading if used for policy analysis. Na*ve metamodeling may also give very misleading results on the relative importance of inputs, thereby skewing resource-allocation decisions. By inserting an appropriate dose of theory, however, such problems can be greatly mitigated. Our work is intended to be a contribution to the emerging understanding of multiresolution, multiperspective modeling (MRMPM), as well as a contribution to interdisciplinary work combining virtues of statistical methodology with virtues of more theory-based work. Although the analysis we present is based on a particular experiment with a particular large and complex model, we believe that the insights are more general.
Actigraphic estimates of circadian rhythms and sleep/wake in older schizophrenia patients

Twenty-four hour circadian activity rhythms and light-exposure levels of 28 older schizophrenia patients (mean age=58 years) were examined using an Actillume recorder. Sleep and wake were scored using the algorithm of the ACTION3 software which revealed that the patients slept for 67% of the night and napped for 9% of the day. Patients with more disturbed sleep and less robust circadian rhythms performed more poorly on neuropsychological tests. Patients with higher cognitive functioning and fewer extrapyramidal symptoms were more alert during the day. Few patients were exposed to high levels of illumination during the day, and older age was associated with lower levels of light exposure. Duration of antipsychotic use and higher antipsychotic doses were associated with decreased daytime alertness and less robust circadian activity rhythms. Patients taking antipsychotics were more sleepy both during the day and night than patients not taking antipsychotics. The circadian rhythm disturbances found in these patients did not seem to be due solely to low levels of illumination exposure. Life-style factors, behavioral factors, psychiatric symptoms and medications were likely contributors to the disturbed rhythms. The effects of the sleep disturbances did not seem to be benign. There were strong relationships between sleep and circadian rhythms and functioning.
Patient and provider perspectives on Bedsider.org, an online contraceptive information tool, in a low income, racially diverse clinic population.

Abstract Objective To explore patient and provider perspectives regarding a new Web-based contraceptive support tool. Study Design We conducted a qualitative study at an urban Medicaid-based clinic among sexually active women interested in starting a new contraceptive method, clinic providers and staff. All participants were given the opportunity to explore Bedsider, an online contraceptive support tool developed for sexually active women ages 18–29 by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy and endorsed by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Focus groups were conducted separately among patient participants and clinic providers/staff using open-ended structured interview guides to identify specific themes and key concepts related to use of this tool in an urban clinic setting. Results Patient participants were very receptive to this online contraceptive support tool, describing it as trustworthy, accessible and empowering. In contrast, clinic providers and staff had concerns regarding the Website's legitimacy, accessibility, ability to empower patients and applicability, which limited their willingness to recommend its use to patients. Conclusion Contrasting opinions regarding Bedsider may point to a potential disconnect between how providers and patients view contraception information tools. Further qualitative and quantitative studies are needed to explore women's perspectives on contraceptive education and counseling and providers' understanding of these perspectives. Implications Statement This study identifies a contrast between how patients and providers in an urban clinic setting perceive a Web-based contraceptive tool. Given a potential patient–provider discrepancy in preferred methods and approaches to contraceptive counseling, additional research is needed to enhance this important arena of women's health care.
Leukopenia in non-septic burn patients receiving topical 1% silver sulfadiazine cream therapy: a survey.

The cause of early postburn leukopenia (EPBL) is unknown. The evidence suggests that treating burn wounds with 1% silver sulfadiazine cream (SSD) is contributory, but that other factors exist, possibly including burn stress. Differences of opinion exist as to whether SSD applications to the wounds of non-septic burn patients should be discontinued if EPBL develops. A survey of opinion in 101 North American burn treatment facilities and a review of the literature show a strengthening of the perception that EPBL, whether caused by SSD or not, holds little risk for the burn patient. The majority of burn patients are now being assigned to treatment strategies in which the onset of EPBL requires discontinuance of SSD only at WBC counts lower than 2,000/cu mm or not at all. This is significantly lower (p less than .02) than the mean of the values recorded in the literature. There is now substantial experience with continuing the SSD therapy in this setting regardless of the WBC count. No complications are reported therefrom.
Microstructure of nitrogen-rich a-SixNyHz films

Abstract The optical dielectric function ϵ (1.5 to 6.5 eV), IR absorption (400–4000 cm−1), and film density have been measured for a series of a-SixNyHz films deposited at 400°C via rf plasma-enhanced CVD for varying NH3/SiH4 ratios. A proposed microstructural model based on a random mixture of Si-centered tetrahedra containing only SiN and NH bonds, i.e. SiN4−i(NH)i with i=0 to 4, is consistent with the IR and density results for a nitrogen-rich film with N/Si=1.9. In order to explain the measured ϵ of this film, however, it has been necessary to include SiSi bonds in the model, thus demonstrating that careful measurements of ϵ1 and ϵ2 can serve as a sensitive probe of the local atomic bonding in these alloys.
Is a gastrointestinal series necessary in patients with gallstones

CONSIDERABLE interest has been generated in recent years by the controversy surrounding the appropriate utilization of diagnostic procedures ( Newsweek , May 9, 1977, pp 8490; US News & World Rep , March 28, 1977, pp 35-38). Hall's 1 editorial entitled "Overutilization of Radiological Examinations" summarizes and discusses some of the impulses that lead physicians to overutilize radiological studies. Much of what he says represents his opinion and the opinions of others, but some statistical studies are quoted that lend strength to his argument. He quotes Bengmark et al 2 and their report of a study of 935 patients in whom requests for combined oral cholecystography and upper gastrointestinal (GI) series were made. Their study showed that when symptoms were typical of one of the two systems studied, examination of the other system added no therapeutically important information. Hall suggested that once the pertinent diagnosis has been confirmed for patients scheduled for several
Peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase and protein chain termination.

Abstract A peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase, partially purified from Escherichia coli, has been tested for its substrate specificity and its role in protein chain termination. Hydrolase activity was found both bound to and free from ribosomes; enzymes from these two sources could not be distinguished. The reaction products of substrate oligolysyl-tRNA were the set of oligolysines and lysine accepting tRNA. Lys-tRNA and other aminoacyl-tRNA's were not substrates. N-Acylaminoacyl-tRNA's were rapidly hydrolysed with the exception of N-formyl-Met-tRNAfMet. We conclude that our peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase is probably identical with the N-acylaminoacyl-tRNA hydrolases previously described. Oligolysyl-polynucleotide fragments, from digestion of oligolysyl-tRNA with ribonuclease-T1, were not substrates. In 20 % (v/v) dimethylsulphoxide the hydrolytic activity was enhanced toward oligolysyl-tRNA and di-Ac-Lys-tRNA but unchanged towards the oligolysyl-polynucleotide fragments and N-formyl-Met-tRNAfMet. The resistance of the latter molecules appears to be due to an inappropriate primary RNA structure. The susceptibility of substrate oligolysyl-tRNA was reduced if it was bound to ribosomes. Peptide release during protein synthesis stimulated by mRNA containing chain termination signals proceeded in the absence of peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase. Likewise it was not required for peptide release from pre-formed oligolysyl-tRNA, which occurred in the presence of chain termination signals. We conclude that peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase plays no role in normal protein chain termination.
Existence of graphs with a given set of r-neighborhoods

Abstract The problem of whether there exists a graph satisfying a particular set of local constraints can often be reduced to questions of the following sort: given a finite collection Φ of graphs, is there a graph G such that the set of r -neighborhoods of the vertices of G is precisely Φ? It is shown that, although such a question is in general recursively unsolvable, it becomes solvable when a bound on cycle length is imposed on G , even when G is required to be connected or arbitrarily large. This result is used to demonstrate the solvability of a problem from hypergraph theory involving degree sets of k -trees.
Congenital coronary artery- cardiac chamber fistula. Review of operative management.

Abstract Eight patients who had surgical correction of coronary artery–cardiac chamber fistula at our center and 163 from a review of the literature are presented. The patients are usually asymptomatic, and the diagnosis is suspected by observing a continuous cardiac murmur. Electrocardiographic findings are nonspecific. Angina pectoris or electrocardiographic evidence of severe ischemia are surprisingly uncommon since coronary artery steal syndrome is also rare. Cardiac catheterization with angiocardiography is required to establish the diagnosis and identify the involved coronary artery and the cardiac chamber into which the fistula terminates. Left-to-right shunt flow is usually low (average Q P /Q S = 1.5). Indications for operation are not precise. If there should be a large shunt flow (2.0) and symptoms of heart failure are present, the decision to operate is clearly justified. This situation is unusual, and operation is nearly always performed in an asymptomatic patient in whom the fistula is closed to prevent future symptoms or complications. The operation chosen is generally interruption of the fistula by direct ligation. Sometimes cardiopulmonary bypass is required. The results are good, with low morbidity (3.6% myocardial infarction) and low mortality (2%) justifying the operation, to be carried out prophylactically even in asymptomatic patients.
Asynchronous distributed estimation of topic models for document analysis

Abstract Given the prevalence of large data sets and the availability of inexpensive parallel computing hardware, there is significant motivation to explore distributed implementations of statistical learning algorithms. In this paper, we present a distributed learning framework for Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), a well-known Bayesian latent variable model for sparse matrices of count data. In the proposed approach, data are distributed across P processors, and processors independently perform inference on their local data and communicate their sufficient statistics in a local asynchronous manner with other processors. We apply two different approximate inference techniques for LDA, collapsed Gibbs sampling and collapsed variational inference, within a distributed framework. The results show significant improvements in computation time and memory when running the algorithms on very large text corpora using parallel hardware. Despite the approximate nature of the proposed approach, simulations suggest that asynchronous distributed algorithms are able to learn models that are nearly as accurate as those learned by the standard non-distributed approaches. We also find that our distributed algorithms converge rapidly to good solutions.
Tumori maligni del pancreas esocrino

L’adenocarcinoma duttale, che rappresenta piu del 95% dei tumori maligni del pancreas, e, con il cancro della colecisti, il cancro digestivo che ha la prognosi piu sfavorevole. La sopravvivenza a cinque anni e inferiore al 5%. Il fumo e il principale fattore di rischio ambientale. I segni clinici sono dominati dall’ittero classicamente nudo con voluminosa colecisti palpabile. I dolori, al plesso solare, sono frequenti, cosi come la perdita di peso e l’alterazione dello stato generale. L’ecografia e la TC spirale sono i principali esami di prima intenzione necessari per la diagnosi e il bilancio di estensione. L’ecoendoscopia completa il bilancio e puo permettere un agoaspirato. Le metastasi interessano prioritariamente il fegato e i polmoni. L’invasione vascolare arteriosa e la principale controindicazione alla chirurgia di exeresi. Il bilancio permette di classificare i pazienti in resecabili, cioe candidati fin dall’inizio a una chirurgia a scopo curativo, in metastatici o in tumori definiti borderline, cioe per i quali un’exeresi chirurgica sembra di indicazione discutibile, in quanto rischia di non essere curativa. La chirurgia curativa R0 mediante duodenopancreatectomia cefalica o splenopancreatectomia sinistra e il solo mezzo per sperare in una guarigione. I progressi della chemioterapia adiuvante hanno permesso di aumentare la sopravvivenza senza recidive e la sopravvivenza globale a cinque anni. Nel caso dei tumori metastatici, recenti progressi hanno permesso di migliorare in maniera significativa ma modesta la sopravvivenza mediana dei pazienti.
Two notes on the Crito: the impotence of the many, and ‘persuade or obey’

So far, interpreters have not made the import of this last clause clear. F. J. Church (followed later by R. E. Allen) translates the last phrase ‘they act at random’. Burnet says of Adam (who understands ( after this phrase and translates ‘They treat a man just as it occurs to them’) that he seems to have been the first to point out that the meaning cannot be ‘they act at random’. Instead, ‘the phrase expresses indifference’. Adam′s idea, which Burnet here commends, is that the many are thoughtless in their treatment of the individual; and Adam compares 48C below: the many would lightly put someone to death and just as lightly bring him back to life again. The Burnet-Adam point is evidently that the many have a policy of acting indifferently, or just as it occurs to them—by contrast with the ‘at random’ in Church′s translation, which suggests that they act without policy at all.
Scarring of the left ventricular papillary muscles in sickle-cell disease.

Abstract A number of publications have described various findings in the heart in patients with sickle-cell disease. 1,2 In general, both ventricular cavities are dilated, cardiac mass is increased, and the epicardial coronary arteries are dilated. Although the cardiac valve leaflets are usually normal anatomically, precordial systolic murmurs are common in these patients. 2,3 Although infarcts are common at necropsy in the lungs, spleen, liver, kidneys and even brain in sickle-cell disease, grossly visible myocardial infarcts are rare in these patients. 4,5 Because patients with sickle-cell disease usually have severe and chronic anemia, and because the papillary muscles are believed to be the last portion of the heart to be perfused by blood through the coronary system, we systematically examined the left ventricular papillary muscles at necropsy in a group of patients with sickle-cell anemia for foci of necrosis or fibrosis, findings indicative of inadequate myocardial perfusion.
Does selective defoliation mediate competitive interactions in a semiarid savanna? A demographic evaluation

. Three patterns of target-neighbor plant defoliation were imposed on a late-seral, perennial, C4-grass, Bouteloua curtipendula, in three long-term grazing regimes to determine the influence of selective defoliation on competitive interactions and species replacement in a semiarid savanna on the Edwards Plateau, Texas, USA. Short-term (3-yr) target plant defoliation did not significantly affect either tiller or plant responses in any of the three grazing regimes. Neighbor plant defoliation, either alone or in combination with target plants, produced a significant defoliation interaction with time for tiller number and basal area per plant, but not for tiller recruitment or mortality. The minimal effect of selective defoliation on the intensity of competitive interactions in this semiarid community indicates that selective grazing has a less definitive role in mediating herbivore-induced species replacement than it does in mesic grasslands and savannas. This interpretation is discussed within the context of long-term (45-yr) change in herbaceous vegetation associated with grazing in this community. Cumulative tiller recruitment in the intensively grazed regime was only 44% of that in the ungrazed regime because of greater plant mortality and fewer surviving plants that recruited tillers. Target plant mortality (50%) only occurred in the intensively grazed regime and the proportion of target plants that initiated tillers decreased by 70, 48 and 32% in the ungrazed, moderately and intensively grazed regimes, respectively, during the final two years of the investigation. The decrease in cumulative tiller recruitment in all grazing regimes was probably mediated by a drought-induced increase in median tiller age the second year of the study. However, tiller per tiller recruitment rate among plants that recruited at least one tiller remained relatively constant among grazing regimes and years. Intensive, long-term grazing has modified the population structure of this late-seral perennial grass to the extent that population responses to both herbivory and periodic drought have been altered in comparison with those of ungrazed and moderately grazed populations. Ecological consequences of a herbivore-induced transition in population structure may be to minimize the effect of selective herbivory on competitive interactions and to function as an avoidance mechanism to reduce the probability of localized population extinction in response to intensive long-term herbivory.