cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Sensory and Motor Skills in Neurosurgery Applicants Using a Virtual Reality Neurosurgical Simulator: The Sensory-Motor Quotient

Objective Manual skill is an important attribute for any surgeon. Current methods to evaluate sensory-motor skills in neurosurgical residency applicants are limited. We aim to develop an objective multifaceted measure of sensory-motor skills using a virtual reality surgical simulator. Design A set of 3 tests of sensory-motor function was performed using a 3-dimensional surgical simulator with head and arm tracking, collocalization, and haptic feedback. (1) Trajectory planning : virtual reality drilling of a pedicle. Entry point, target point, and trajectory were scored—evaluating spatial memory and orientation. (2) Motor planning : sequence, timing, and precision: hemostasis in a postresection cavity in the brain. (3) Haptic perception : touching virtual spheres to determine which is softest of the group, with progressive difficulty. Results were analyzed individually and for a combined score of all the tasks. Setting The University of Chicago Hospital’s tertiary care academic center. Participants A total of 95 consecutive applicants interviewed at a neurosurgery residency program over 2 years were offered anonymous participation in the study; in 2 cohorts, 36 participants in year 1 and 27 participants in year 2 (validation cohort) agreed and completed all the tasks. We also tested 10 first-year medical students and 4 first- and second-year neurosurgery residents. Results A cumulative score was generated from the 3 tests. The mean score was 14.47 (standard deviation = 4.37), median score was 13.42, best score was 8.41, and worst score was 30.26. Separate analysis of applicants from each of 2 years yielded nearly identical results. Residents tended to cluster on the better performance side, and first-year students were not different from applicants. Conclusions (1) Our cumulative score measures sensory-motor skills in an objective and reproducible way. (2) Better performance by residents hints at validity for neurosurgery. (3) We were able to demonstrate good psychometric qualities and generate a proposed sensory-motor quotient distribution in our tested population.
Reason, Habit, and Applied Mathematics

Hume is aware that reason is useful for drawing conclusions about matters of fact: "Mathematics, indeed, are useful in all mechanical operations, and arithmetic in almost every art and profession" (T 2.3.3.2; SBN 413-14). But he offers no account of how relations of ideas direct our judgment concerning matters of fact. This is a pity, because the application of mathematics offers an excellent opportunity to observe the interplay between reason and experience, and thus it provides an interesting perspective on Hume's philosophy. This article aims to turn a handful of Hume's remarks into a Humean account of applied mathematics (§§1-3). The account is interesting on its own, but it reveals also an odd consequence for Hume's philosophy, viz., the existence of a species of probability, in which reason lends force and vivacity to inferences involving matters of fact (§4).
Relationship of maternal placental blood flow to the placental clearance of maternal plasma dehydroisoandrosterone sulfate through placental estradiol formation.

Abstract We have suggested that the placental clearance of maternal plasma dehydroisoandrosterone sulfate (DS) through estradiol (E 2 ) formation (PC-DSE 2 ) is reflective of uteroplacental blood flow (F). Clewell and Meschia 13 suggested that PC-DSE 2 is related to F as follows: Cobs=F(1−e −C/F ), where Cobs=PC-DSE 2 and C=total placental clearance of maternal plasma DS. This equation contains two unknown quantities, F and C. To solve the equation, Clewell and Meschia assumed that C was constant. Using 19.7 ml/min for C, they allowed PC-DSE 2 to vary widely and computed F. Upon finding that F was unrealistically low for some values of PC-DSE 2 , they concluded that reductions in PC-DSE 2 do not reflect alterations in uteroplacental blood flow. In the analysis of the relationship of F to PC-DSE 2 , it is important to know the value of C. Since the direct measurement of C is not possible at this time, we have evaluated C by measuring the difference between the metabolic clearance rate of DS (MCR-DS) prior to and immediately following delivery. Any change in MCR-DS before and after delivery should be a reflection of the amount of maternal plasma DS cleared by the placenta through all metabolic routes including PC-DSE 2 , providing nonplacental clearances of maternal plasma DS before and immediately after delivery are the same. We measured MCR-DS and PC-DSE 2 in 15 pregnant women within 5 days before delivery and repeated the MCR-DS measurement in these women beginning 90 minutes after delivery. Among these 15 women, C ranged from a low of 4.7 ml/min in a woman with severe pre-eclampsia to a high of 28.5 ml/min in a woman with twins. In addition to the finding that C varied widely, it was also ascertained that PC-DSE 2 was positively correlated with C (r = 0.908; p 2 , observed in complicated pregnancies, were associated with similar changes in C is suggestive that a change in PC-DSE 2 is reflective of a change in uteroplacental blood flow.
Digital Soil Boundary Detection Using Quantitative Hydrologic Remote Sensing

Creating accurate soil maps at small scales using traditional methods is a time consuming and expensive process. However, remote sensing techniques can provide spatially and spectrally contiguous data in a timely manner. For this study, 20 root zone soil moisture maps derived from Landsat images during the growing season were used for the detection of soil boundaries. A split moving window analysis along two demonstration transects in, respectively, a semi-arid desert and riparian area located in the Middle Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico showed that remotely sensed root zone soil moisture can reveal subsurface trends that can be used to identify soil boundaries which do not have a strong surface expression. Overall, the use of multiple remotely sensed root zone soil moisture images for soil boundary delineation shows great promise of becoming a valuable tool in the field of digital soil mapping.
How Do Stock Markets in China and Japan Respond to Economic Policy Uncertainty in the United States

This study examines the response of stock markets in China and Japan to the changes in economic policy uncertainty in the United States. The analysis of data of monthly changes in economic policy uncertainty in the US and monthly returns on Shanghai Composite Index from 1991:1 to 2012:5 and Nikkei 225 Index from 1985:2 to 2012:5 shows that changes in economic policy uncertainty in the US negatively affect the returns on the Nikkei 225 Index. Although, the Shanghai Composite index is negatively affected by the changes in economic policy uncertainty in the US, the effect is not statistically significant. The finding suggests that stock market performance in Japan is significantly linked to the economic policy conditions in the US; however, the link is not significant for the case of China.
Race, sex, and total knee replacement consideration: Role of social support

Objective To determine whether there are racial differences in social support among patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and whether the impact of social support on patient preferences for total knee replacement (TKR) varies by race and gender.
Exhibiting Randomness in Arithmetic using Mathematica and C

In my book "Algorithmic Information Theory" I explain how I constructed a million-character equation that proves that there is randomness in arithmetic. My book only includes a few pages from the monster equation, and omits the software used to construct it. This software has now been rewritten in Mathematica. The Mathematica software for my book, and its input, are here in their entirety. The Mathematica code is remarkably compact, but it sometimes is slow. So one C program plus equipment for automatically generating another is also included in this software package.
Self-reports of faulty parental attachments in childhood and criminal psychopathy in an adult-incarcerated population: an integrative literature review

Accessible summary This study examined self-reports of psychopathic offenders' childhood interactions with their parents to better understand what variables influence adult criminal psychopathy. The findings showed that childhood separations, physical abuse and indifferent parenting styles were more prominent in self-reports of incarcerated male psychopaths than with incarcerated males who were not psychopathic. To better understand the worldview of the criminal psychopath, and the trajectory of psychopathy, there is a need for more studies that examine childhood interactions with parental figures as reported by the adult criminal psychopath. Abstract Despite the high percentage of incarcerated psychopaths, few studies attempt to assess the past parent–child bonds of these individuals by asking them to report childhood attachments with their parents. Currently, there is limited data regarding common variables that contribute to a break in parent–child attachment and later adult criminal psychopathy. The data that presently exist concentrate on juvenile or community samples and do not explore the attachment variables that continue into adult criminal psychopathy. This paper presents the current literature regarding self-reports of childhood attachment to parents as indicated by male-incarcerated adult psychopaths compared with self-reports of childhood attachment to parents as indicated by male-incarcerated adult non-psychopaths. Variables that influence a break in attachment between the offenders and their parents and suggestions for future clinical research are provided.
Metastatic renal cell carcinoma without evidence of a renal primary

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), without an identified kidney primary, has been reported rarely. We report a patient with RCC metastatic to bilateral adrenal glands and liver, without an apparent renal primary. We detail the immunohistochemical and molecular studies employed to substantiate the diagnosis of RCC and direct therapy. Histopathologic findings were correlated with imaging data and supplemented by a panel of immunohistochemical stains, as well as tumor sequence analysis. Despite the presence of bilateral adrenal masses and lack of tumor within kidney parenchyma, the diagnosis of RCC was substantiated by immunohistochemistry (RCC+/PAX2+/PAX8+/Melan-A−/SF-1− among others) and molecular genetic analysis, harboring mutations in VHL, TP53, KDM5C, and PBRM1. After debulking surgery, based on the diagnosis of RCC and the molecular profile, the patient was treated with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (sunitinib), resulting in stablilization of disease. This case illustrates the role of mutational analysis in carcinomas with rare or unusual presentations, such as metastatic RCC without a renal primary.
Therapist Responsiveness: Mirrored in Supervisor Responsiveness

One explanation for the repeated finding of similar client outcomes across therapy approaches is that successful therapists shift their style to be responsive to clients’ emerging needs. Following this reasoning, the primary educational function of supervision is to teach entry-level therapists to be maximally attuned and responsive to clients. Theorists have yet to elucidate how novice therapists learn to behave responsively to clients, however. This article introduces the concept of supervisor responsiveness, defined as accurate attunement and adaptation to a supervisee's emerging needs for knowledge, skills, and (inter)personal awareness with respect to the needs of the client(s) with whom he or she is working. Elaboration of the concept is provided with several case examples and a discussion of how responsiveness to clients is taught explicitly in supervision and mirrored in responsive supervisory interactions. The article concludes with practical implications as well as recommendations for future the...
Dynamic Multiple Tracing with D2and C2D4in Ethylene Hydroformylation over Mn–Rh/SiO2

Abstract Combined FT-IR/mass spectrometry was used to study the dynamic behavior of hydrogen/deuterium adsorbates in response to D 2 and C 2 D 4 pulses during ethylene hydroformylation on Mn–Rh/SiO 2 at 513 K and 0.1 MPa. Variation of exposure time of the catalyst to the D 2 and C 2 D 4 pulses revealed that readsorption did not play a significant role in the product responses; long exposure time allows more deuterium to enter the slower pathway of d 1 - and d 2 -propionaldehyde. The two-unequal-hump HD response from both the D 2 and C 2 D 4 pulses indicates the presence of an isotope effect on hydrogen/deuterium adsorption. The rapid responses of the deuterated ethylene and ethane can be described by the Horiuti-Polanyi mechanism and indicate that their intermediates have small θ (surface coverage) and τ (residence time) which cannot be resolved by the time resolution of their transient responses. The d 1 - and d 2 -propionaldehyde products show a two-hump response, which can be explained by the different deuterium incorporation pathways into the propionaldehyde. The first hump is due to hydrogen/deuterium exchange on adsorbed acyl and acyl hydrogenation. The second hump is due to H/D exchange on the adsorbed alkyl species, which then undergoes CO insertion and acyl hydrogenation. The second hump decay is partly due to the reaction with Si–OD as indicated by the parallel decay of d 1 - and d 2 -propionaldehyde and Si–OD.
Postmortem delay does not change regional diffusion anisotropy characteristics in mouse spinal cord white matter.

It has been demonstrated previously that water diffusion anisotropy in vivo is equivalent to that observed ex vivo after perfusion fixation in the mouse brain. This finding supports the practice of ex vivo diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measurement on perfusion-fixed tissues. However, the validity of extrapolating ex vivo DTI measurements from immersion-fixed autopsy specimens to the in vivo state is questionable because of variable postmortem delays often encountered before fixation. In this study, we investigated the effect of postmortem delay on the water diffusion anisotropy of ventrolateral spinal cord white matter from mice. Mouse spinal cords, each from the same animal, were examined using DTI in vivo, in situ after death before fixation, and ex vivo immersion fixed 10 h after death. Our results suggest that diffusion anisotropy in mouse spinal cord is preserved up to 10 h after death. Regional characteristics of diffusion anisotropy in mouse spinal cord white matter are equivalent in vivo, in situ after death (up to 10 h before fixation), and ex vivo 15 weeks after immersion fixation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Statistical complexity of dominant eigenvector calculation

Abstract We show that the number of arithmetic operations required to calculate a dominant e-eigenvector of a real symmetric or complex Hermitian n × n matrix, when averaged over any density invariant under linear transformations that preserve the Frobenius norm, is bounded above by a polynomial in the size of the matrix. In fact, a specific upper bound is given in terms of n and e. We also describe an estimate of the distance between an arbitrary complex n × m matrix and its rank one approximation.
Community patterns of nectivorous adult parasitoids (Diptera, Bombyliidae) on their resources.

Highly diverse assemblages of nectivorous bee flies (Diptera: bombyliidae) occur at desert sites in California presenting an opportunity to investigate the ecology of this little-known group. This study compared communities of adult bee flies visiting flowers at two sites, one in the Mojave Desert (Darwin Plateau) and one in the Great Basin (Mono Basin), during periods of higher and lower resource abundance. The range of resources used by single species varied inversely with the number of species present, with the greatest number of species and smallest niche breadths occurring at the Darwin Plateau. Adult bee flies did not visit flower resources at random. Rather the two major divisions of the family exhibited contrasting patterns of specialization on plant species. Results of this study support the hypothesis that resources were limiting for adult bee flies in the period of lower food abundance at the Darwin Plateau and not limiting at the Mono Basin during this study. Bee flies at the Mono Basin exhibited lower densities per flower (despite higher densities per unit area), lower frequency of feeding, a lower degree of specialization, and less pronounced phenological changes than bee flies at the Darwin Plateau. The data suggest that episodes of population regulation in the non-parasitic (i.e. adult) stage, due to short supply of the adults' food, contribute to determining the structure of parasitoid communities.
Sea level–air temperature correlations near a coastal zone

A NUMBER of naturally occurring chronometric records, such as the growth rings of trees1, distribution of pelagic fish scales preserved in anaerobic sediments2 and the thickness of annual laminations of these sediments3, have been correlated with time series of climatological variables. I have previously introduced sea level as one predictive variable of diatom abundance4; here I propose sea level as another predictive variable which can be used to estimate air temperature near the coast of San Diego (32°43′N 117°10′W) and Los Angeles (33°56′N 118°24′W). Although historical data series of sea level and air temperature have been correlated with several atmospheric and oceanic variables in the past5, no correlation between them has, as far as I know been reported previously.
Evidence for structural sympathetic reinnervation after orthotopic cardiac transplantation in humans

BACKGROUNDCardiac transplantation (CT) causes total cardiac denervation.METHODS AND RESULTSTo test directly for sympathetic reinnervation in humans, we measured the cardiac release of norepinephrine (NE) in response to tyramine (an agent that causes NE release from intact sympathetic nerve terminals) and sustained handgrip exercise (a reflex sympathetic stimulus) in 12 patients less than 5 months after CT, in 50 patients 1 year or more after CT, and in eight patients without CT. Plasma [NE] was measured in the aorta [( NE]Ao) and coronary sinus [( NE]CS) at rest, after tyramine administration (55 micrograms/kg, i.v.), and during sustained handgrip exercise. Cardiac NE release was determined by subtracting [NE]Ao from [NE]CS [( NE]CS-Ao). NE release was defined as [NE]CS-Ao during the intervention-[NE]CS-Ao at rest (delta [NE]CS-Ao). In patients studied within 5 months of CT, no significant NE release occurred after tyramine administration (delta [NE]CS-Ao, 33 +/- 18 pg/ml; range, -98 to 117 pg/ml) or hand...
Population dynamics of Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and associated arthropod natural enemies in Honduran subsistence maize

Abstract We investigated relationships between the population dynamics of the pest insect, the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) and associated natural enemies within small-scale maize fields in the Honduran highlands. In general, pest infestation levels remained below regionally defined economic thresholds. A broad complex of arthropod predators, parasitoids and entomopathogens was recorded from field plots. Low levels (1–11%) of parasitism of Spodoptera frugiperda were recorded, with the braconid Aleiodes laphygmae (Viereck) and the ichneumonid Campoletis sonorensis (Cameron) the most commonly observed parasitoids. Incidence of entomopathogens and parasitic nematodes was low, affecting only 3.8% of collected fall armyworm larvae. The most abundant predator was the earwig Doru taeniatum (Dorhn), which reached maximum densities of 2.3 individuals per plant. Frequently observed predators belonged to the order Aranea and insect families Formicidae, Carabidae and Pentatomidae. The ant community was dominated by the fire ant Solenopsis geminata (F.). Natural enemy abundance and diversity differed considerably between fields, as did their associations with fall armyworm infestation. High abundance of spiders during early maize developmental stages was associated with lowered pest levels. High abundance of ground beetles and earwigs was associated with lowered pest population levels throughout the maize vegetative cycle. Time-lagged relationships were found between pest population dynamics and the abundance of vespid wasps and ants. Spodoptera frugiperda infestation levels were lower at higher altitudes. When correcting for altitudinal effects, many associations between predator abundance and fall armyworm dynamics remained valid. Our study shows that the interaction between altitude, the natural enemy community and fall armyworm population dynamics in maize fields needs to be taken into consideration for the development of IPM in this crop. We suggest that conservation biological control programs can take advantage of the impact of predators and provide management recommendations tailored to the region's subsistence farming sector.
PLASMA DISTRIBUTION OF CATHODIC ARC DEPOSITION SYSTEMS

The plasma distribution using a cathodic arc plasma source with and without magnetic macroparticle filter has been determined by depositing on a transparent plastic substrate and measuring the film absorption. It was found that the width of the distribution depends on the arc current, and it also depends on the cathode material which leads to a spatial separation of the elements when an alloy cathode is used. By applying a magnetic multicusp field near the exit of the magnetic filter, it was possible to modify the plasma distribution and obtain a flat plasma profile with a constant and homogeneous elemental distribution which was demonstrated by depositing FeNd thin films.
A Historical Approach to Family Photography: Class and Individuality in Manchester and Lille, 1850–1914

The historian cannot afford to dismiss family photographs as mere symbols of bourgeois hegemony as critics and sociologists have done. Workers, moreover, frequently obtained their portraits, not to imitate their bourgeois “superiors,” but to show their pride in their own accomplishments and their children’s. Family collections of the mid-nineteenth and early twentieth-century can open up a world of life, death, aspirations, and sorrows when we investigate the archive surrounding such images. Here the author investigates the stories behind family collections in two European industrial towns, in order to discover how ordinary men and women use photography to construct their own histories.
Why is flexible employment increasing

Firms have increased their reliance on flexible, or temporary, employment. Some of this increase is a normal market response to technological and demographic trends largely beyond the control of public policy. But the trend toward flexible employment is also explained by increased government regulation of labor markets. This regulation has increased the cost of employing permanent workers relative to the cost of employing temporary workers. Of primary importance has been the substitution of regulatory restrictions on hiring and firing for the common law doctrine of employment at will.
Unexpected axial flow through hydrophilic tubes: Implications for energetics of water

We observed sustained axial flow through tubes immersed in water. The flow was spontaneous; i.e., no pressure gradient was applied. The tubes were made of hydrophilic materials: either the polymer Nafion, or a polyacrylic-acid gel in which a tunnel had been bored. Flow was monitored microscopically, with the aid of particles suspended in the water. The flow appears to be associated with recently discovered interfacial phase of water, which lines the insides of the tubes. This phase of water builds from electromagnetic energy absorbed by water from the surrounding environment [6]. That absorbed energy may power the observed flow.
The effects of intrastriatal hormones on the dorsal immobility response in gonadectomized male and female rats.

Abstract Previous research has shown that intrastriatal estradiol potentiates the dorsal immobility response in ovariectomized female rats. In order to test whether the gonadal steroid hormones act on the male striatum in the same way, gonadectomized male and female Long-Evans hooded rats were given bilateral intrastriatal implants of 17β-estradiol (17β-E2), 17-α-estradiol (17-α-E2), 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OH-E2), 4-hydroxyestradiol (4-OH-E2), or cholesterol. Four hours after the hormone implant the dorsal immobility response (DIR) was measured. In the ovariectomized females, the DIR was significantly potentiated only by 17β-E2 and 17-α-E2. In the castrated males, the DIR was significantly potentiated by 17β-E2, 17-α-E2, 2-OH-E2, and 4-OH-E2. While the DIRI durations did not differ between males and females after intrastriatal cholesterol, the males had significantly longer DIR durations after each of the other hormones. These results are discussed in terms of estradiol stereospecificity and the properties of catechol estrogens in male and female rats.
Parameter Space of General Gauge Mediation

We study a subspace of General Gauge Mediation (GGM) models which generalize models of gauge mediation. We find superpartner spectra that are markedly different from those of typical gauge and gaugino mediation scenarios. While typical gauge mediation predictions of either a neutralino or stau next-to-lightest supersymmetric particle (NLSP) are easily reproducible with the GGM parameters, chargino and sneutrino NLSPs are generic for many reasonable choices of GGM parameters.
Learning to play second-price auctions, an experimental study

Abstract Existing experimental results in second-price auctions show that subjects bid consistently above their valuations. Experience, gained repeating a second-price auction, does not improve subject's bidding behavior. When subjects ‘introspect,’ bidding behavior improves. Overbidding and underbidding fall significantly.
The effect of composition on the density of South Pacific Ocean waters

Abstract The conductivities and densities were measured on 331 samples collected in the South Pacific Ocean during the P18 CLIVAR (Climate Variability and Predictability) cruise. The relative densities (ρ − ρ 0 ) were compared to those determined from the equation of state of seawater. The excess densities (Δρ = ρ Meas − ρ Calc ) ranged from ± 0.003 kg m − 3 in surface waters to 0.015 kg m − 3 in deep waters due to additions of nutrients and carbonates. The values of Δρ were found to be a linear function of the increases of ΔNTA, ΔSi(OH) 4 and ΔNO 3 in the deep waters (σ = 0.002 to 0.005 kg m − 3 ). The best correlations of Δρ with changes in concentration of ΔSi(OH) 4 are (N = 331) given by Δ ρ / kg m − 3 = − 1.7 · 10 − 3 + 9.4 · 10 − 5 Δ Si ( OH ) 4 ( σ = 0.0043 kg m − 3 ) . Correlation of the South Pacific data with earlier measurements made in the North Pacific and Indian oceans (N = 596) are given by Δ ρ / ( kg m − 3 ) = − 1.7 · 10 − 3 + 9.44 · 10 − 5 Δ Si ( OH ) 4 ( σ = 0.0043 kg m − 3 ) . The excess densities can also be accounted for by determining the change in the absolute salinity (S A ) of seawater. The values of ΔS have been estimated from Δ S = 50 Δ NTA + 68 Δ SiO 2 + 63 Δ HNO 3 + 82 Δ H 3 PO 4 . The values of Δρ/kg m − 3 calculated from the estimated values of S A agreed with the measured densities with a standard error of ± 0.004 kg m − 3 . Values of S A determined from density measurements also show a correlation with ΔSi(OH) 4 . The Indian and South Pacific values have been fitted to (σ = 0.0044) Δ S = − 2.4 · 10 − 3 + 1.06 · 10 − 4 Δ Si ( OH ) 4 . An error of ± 0.0044 g kg − 1 in S A is equivalent to and error of ± 0.003 kg m − 3 in the density (which is the precision of the density measurements).
Surgical aspects of endocarditis of the aortic root.

Abstract Eleven patients were operated upon for severe aortic insufficiency secondary to bacterial endocarditis. In 6 patients, satisfactory medical treatment was accomplished well before surgery. In 5, intractable congestive failure and a critical clinical situation necessitated surgery while medical treatment was in progress. There were 10 survivors (91 per cent) and 1 death (9 per cent) in this group of patients followed up from three months to four years. The organisms responsible, their routes of entry and pre- and postoperative antibiotic regimens are presented. All patients exhibited one or more leaflet tears or perforations. In the acutely ill group, two aortic ring abscesses and one high ventricular septal defect were encountered. A ball valve prosthesis was used for aortic valve replacement in every instance. Teflon felt grafts were employed to replace the aortic perforations in the patients with abscess formation and to close the ventricular septal defect. The surgical results are most encouraging since death was considered imminent in 5 patients and inevitable in all patients without operative intervention.
Challenges in the treatment of depression with psychotic features

Major depression with psychotic features (MDpsy), a disorder with considerable morbidity and mortality, is more common than is generally realized and is a most difficult form of depression to treat. Patients with MDpsy exhibit more frequent relapses and recurrences and have increased use of services, greater disability, and a poorer clinical course when compared with nonpsychotically depressed patients. Patients with MDpsy demonstrate distinct biological abnormalities in studies of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, dopaminergic activity, enzyme studies, brain imaging, electroencephalogram sleep profiles, and measures of serotonergic function when compared with nonpsychotic depression. The social and occupational impairment in MDpsy has been hypothesized to be secondary to subtle cognitive deficits caused by the higher cortisol levels frequently observed in MDpsy patients. Several studies support a relationship between bipolar disorder and MDpsy, particularly in young-onset MDpsy. The most efficacious treatments for MDpsy include the combination of an antidepressant and an antipsychotic, amoxapine, or electroconvulsive therapy. Atypical antipsychotic medications may have particular relevance for the treatment of MDpsy because of the potential for reduced risk of extrapyramidal side effects and tardive dyskinesia, as well as antipsychotic and possibly antidepressant qualities. Based on the observations that MDpsy patients exhibit marked dysregulation of the HPA axis and elevated cortisol levels, several antiglucocorticoid strategies have been employed to treat MDpsy patients. Many questions regarding the acute and long-term treatment of MDpsy remain for future studies to address.
Immunosuppressive treatment of aortic allografts

Immunosuppression with cyclosporine (CsA) was explored as a means of preventing arterial allograft rejection and failure. Aortic allografts across the major histocompatibility barrier were studied in Brown-Norway and Lewis inbred rats. Grafts 1 cm long were interposed into the infra-abdominal aorta of Lewis recipients; five groups included two groups of untreated isograft and allograft control animals and three groups had allograft-CsA treatment regimens. The grafts were examined at 30, 60, and 100 days for patency, aneurysmal dilation, gross structural changes, inflammatory responses, and infiltration of W3/25- and OX8-positive lymphocytes. Only three allograft controls became occluded; the rest showed significant dilation (p less than 0.01), medial thinning and necrosis, intimal proliferation, and prominent cellular infiltration at 30 days. With all CsA regimens, aneurysmal dilation was significantly reduced or prevented (p less than 0.01), correlating with medial smooth muscle cell preservation. Cellular infiltration was delayed by an average daily dose of 5 to 10 mg/kg subcutaneous CsA for 30 days and was suppressed at 100 days by a continuous 5 mg/kg dose every 4 days. Intimal thickening in the graft was delayed but not prevented. We conclude that a low maintenance dose of CsA provides effective immunosuppression, thereby preventing aneurysm formation, and that the potential use of arterial allografts in vascular surgery may need to be readdressed.
Intensity modulated radiation therapy replaces 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy as prostate cancer treatment.

Purpose: We describe trends in the use of intensity modulated radiotherapy vs 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for prostate cancer and identified predictors of intensity modulated radiotherapy use.Materials and Methods: From the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results)-Medicare database we identified 52,290 men with incident nonmetastatic prostate cancer from 2000 to 2007 who were treated with radiotherapy. We tracked trends in the use of intensity modulated radiotherapy, 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, brachytherapy and combinations. Patient demographic and clinical characteristics were described and compared using chi-square and multivariate logistic regression. Trends at the place of service were also examined.Results: Intensity modulated radiotherapy use increased from 1% of all radiotherapy in 2000 to 70% in 2007. Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy use decreased from 75% to 12%. Most cases were treated with intensity modulated radiotherapy monotherapy. In 2007, 12% of the coh...
Reliability of a technique for determining sagittal knee geometry from lateral knee radiographs

The purposes of this study were to describe an analytical technique for determining selected 2-dimensional geometric characteristics of a knee joint using lateral knee radiographs and to examine the inter- and intra-analyst reliability of this technique. Five lateral knee radiographs of different knee flexion angles (25-85 degrees at intervals of 15 degrees ) were obtained from five subjects. Two graduate and five undergraduate students with knowledge of knee anatomy served as the analysts and were asked to identify certain landmarks from the radiographs. The coordinates of these landmarks were used to determine the effective moment arm of the quadriceps force, patellar tendon length, patella height, patellar mechanism and patellar tendon angles, and tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joint spaces. For each radiograph, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were computed for combinations of 2-7 analysts. Using all seven analysts, the ICCs ranged from 0.9967 to 0.9985 for different radiographs. When fewer analysts were used, the average ICCs were 0.9975 (6 analysts), 0.9974 (5 analysts), 0.9974 (4 analysts), 0.9974 (3 analysts), and 0.9973 (2 analysts). Four of the analysts re-analyzed the radiographs 2-3months after the initial analyses. Intra-analyst ICCs ranged from 0.9842 to 0.9999. Overall, the high ICC values indicate excellent inter- and intra-analyst reliability. The proposed technique is reliable and may be used for both clinical and research purposes. The relatively small reductions in ICCs when fewer analysts were used suggest that a single experienced analyst is sufficient for clinical assessment. However, 2-3 analysts are recommended for research purposes.
Long-term visual outcome after nonradical microsurgery patients with parasellar and cavernous sinus meningiomas.

Objective To determine the long-term visual outcome in patients with parasellar and cavernous sinus meningiomas treated with nonradical surgery. Methods Retrospective clinical review of 29 patients with parasellar or cavernous sinus meningiomas and visual sensory or ocular motor dysfunction at presentation, all of whom had at least 10 years of follow-up after initial diagnosis and treatment with nonradical surgery. Results Nineteen of 29 patients had a unilateral or bilateral optic neuropathy at presentation, and 7 patients developed a unilateral or bilateral optic neuropathy during a mean follow-up period of 13.6 years. However, 27 (93%) of 29 patients retained vision of 20/40 or better in at least one eye, and 14 patients (48%) retained vision of 20/40 or better in both eyes. New ocular motility deficits developed in 3 (10%) of 29 patients during the follow-up period. Conclusion Radical surgery is not required to achieve long-term useful visual function for patients with parasellar or cavernous sinus meningiomas.
Plasmodium berghei: Effect of carrageenan on the course of infection in the A/J mouse

Abstract Seakem-9 calcium carrageenan, a reported anti-macrophage agent, was found to confer partial immunity in mice subsequently challenged with 5 × 10 5 Plasmodium berghei NK65A parasitized erythrocytes. Transient parasitemias and significantly extended survival times were evident in carrageenantreated animals. It was suggested that carrageenan may have enhanced nonspecific cellular immunological mechanisms or affected specific immune reactions through the cytotoxicity to suppressor macrophages.
High diastereoselectivity in the cyclization of 1,5-biradicals: what causes such sizeable steric barriers to biradical coupling?

Abstract The high diastereoselectivites observed in the photocyclization of α-(o-ethylphenyl)acetophenones appear to reflect conformational equilibria in the triplet 1,5-biradical intermediates rather than steric barriers created during cyclization. The necessary biradical triplet→singlet intersystem crossing is proposed to occur along the cyclization reaction coordinate since the orthogonality of the two singly-occupied p orbitals does not depress biradical lifetimes.
Effects of photic stimulation on heart rate of infant rats

Abstract We present the results of three experiments which characterize the heart rate (HR) response of infant rats at a number of different ages to the onset, or the offset, of a bright light. Experiment 1 demonstrated that at ages 5, 8, 11, 14, 17 and 21 days, a sudden increase in ambient illumination caused a HR deceleration, whereas a sudden decrease in ambient illumination caused a HR acceleration. At each age, the HR acceleration did not habituate over 60 stimulus presentations, whereas at all ages beginning at 8 days, the HR deceleration did habituate. By varying the intensity of either the visual or thermal component of the stimulus at ages 8 and 17 days. Experiment 2 revealed that the directional effects were a result of the visual and not the thermal component of the stimulus, thereby ruling out any account of the findings in terms of local adaptational reflexes. Finally, Experiment 3 varied the rate of stimulation, tested for spontaneous recovery, and demonstrated that the decrement in response magnitude observed across trials conformed to several of the accepted parametric characteristics of habituation, and could not be accounted for by changes in baseline HR across trials. These results are discussed in terms of traditional interpretations of HR changes as orienting and defensive reactions.
Continuous regional anaesthesia in infants.

Physiological immaturity of the respiratory musculature and central respiratory control centres leads to an increased risk of apnoea and respiratory complications following general anaesthesia in neonates. Regional anaesthetic techniques may obviate the need for general anaesthesia and lessen the risks of perioperative morbidity. Although these techniques have been described in infants, previous reports have dealt with singleshot techniques for brief surgical procedures (< 60 min). Experience with prolonged operative cases using regional anaesthesia via indwelling catheters in infants is limited. We present our experience with four infants in whom either caudal epidural or spinal anaesthesia was administered via indwelling catheters for operative procedures that lasted 90 to 180 min. We believe this technique is an alternative to general anaesthesia in these patients.
General anesthesia for oral operations

B ECAUSE of different war tactics as shown in the present war in Europe with airplanes and bombings of cities and towns, there are civilian as well as military casualties demanding all forms of surgery including oral surgery. The experiences in England have changed the aspect of hospitalization from first aid stations to actual care of the wounded in the organized general hospital of cities and towns. In the last war dentistry was done primarily at the training stations and base hospitals by the dental expert, while the oral surgery was mostly performed by the general surgeon. Oral surgery was developed at this time when the operating dentists were taken into the army medical corps for the first time in medical history. Postwar organization of dentistry and training in dental schools have developed oral surgery to a high degree. As a result in the leading hospitals of the country, we now have well-established oral surgical departments. Anesthesia. has a somewhat similar history, insofar that only since the last war have anesthesia departments in the leading hospitals been organized. These departments now include anesthesia for oral surgery. Oral surgery demands a specialized type of anesthesia because of technical difficulties, and the close proximity of the oral cavity to the respiratory tract. The chief anesthetic problem in oral surgery is the relief of fear and pain and safeguarding the paGent, from the many complications which are possible.
Parametrized invariant manifolds: a recipe for multiscale modeling?

Given a fine-scale physical theory characterized by an evolutionary system of equations and a set of quantities, defined from the variables of the fine theory, that serve as a coarse representation of the fine scale phenomena, a method for developing an evolutionary set of equations for the coarse quantities is presented. This set may be considered as governing equations for a coarse model corresponding to the fine one since its solutions can be formally shown to generate exact/approximate solutions to the fine theory in a well-defined sense. The method for generating the coarse representation is illustrated on model problems.
Putative forms of soluble elastin and their relationship to the synthesis of fibrous elastin

Abstract Radiochemical labeling experiments suggest that there may be forms of soluble elastin which behave as proforms to tropoelastin, a known precursor to fibrous elastin. These protein subunits behave as 135,000 and 100,000 dalton subunits in SDS-polyacrylamide gels. However, they are only observed after chemical modification, specific for sulfydryl groups.
Polymer and composite foam for hydrogen storage application

Abstract Polymeric foams are a potential practical method of on-board vehicular hydrogen storage. The underlying concept by which these foams are being pursued is hydrostatic pressure retainment (HPR). An HPR pressure vessel uses a microscopic foam structure as a structural membrane to store the gas in enclosed cells. The accomplishments of this study were three-fold. First, ideal structural arrangements have proven to be a feasibly sound method for hydrogen storage. Second, an efficient methodology for examination of cellular polymers under internal pressure was developed. Third, this method was applied to two actual polymeric foams for examination as a hydrogen storage media. Cross-linked PVC foam and elastomeric polyurethane foam were chosen, neither of which will meet the hydrogen tank performance characteristic specified by the FreedomCAR project. The work of this study used scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray computed micro-tomography (micro-CT), compression testing, rapid prototyping and finite element methods (FEM).
Privatization and property in biology

Organisms evolve to control, preserve, protect and invest in their own bodies. When they do likewise with external resources they privatize those resources and convert them into their own property. Property is a neglected topic in biology, although examples include territories, domiciles and nest structures, food caching, mate guarding, and the resources and partners in mutualisms. Property is important because it represents a solution to the tragedy of the commons; to the extent that an individual exerts long-term control of its property, it can use it prudently, and even invest in it. Resources most worth privatizing are often high in value. To be useful to their owner in the future, they are typically durable and defensible. This may explain why property is relatively rare in animals compared to humans. The lack of institutional property rights in animals also contributes to their rarity, although owner–intruder conventions may represent a simple form of property rights. Resources are often privatized by force or threat of force, but privatization can also be achieved by hiding, by constructing barriers, and by carrying or incorporating the property. Social organisms often have property for two reasons. First, the returns on savings and investments can accrue to relatives, including descendants. Second, social groups can divide tasks among members, so they can simultaneously guard property and forage, for example. Privatization enhances the likelihood that the benefits of cooperation will go to relatives, thus facilitating the evolution of cooperation as in Hamilton's rule or kin selection. Mutualisms often involve exchange of property and privatization of relationships. Privatization ensures the stability of such cooperation. The major transitions in evolution, both fraternal and egalitarian, generally involve the formation of private clubs with something analogous to the nonrivalrous club goods of economics.
Foregrounding norms and ironic communication

Researchers in literary theory, linguistic pragmatics, and rhetoric have identified three principal communicative functions of irony: (1) to give emphasis or reinforcement to the values of a friendly listener, (2) to attack or ridicule the values of an hostile or unsuspecting listener, and (3) to undermine an opponent's intellectual position. This essay goes further by (7) arguing that a process called the “foregrounding of norms” is crucial to ironic comprehension and (2) arguing that differences among these three ironic outcomes owe to differences in the target audience's personal relation to these norms as well as to the type of norms foregrounded.
CT can reduce hospitalization for observation in children with suspected appendicitis.

Background: There are no clinical or laboratory tests that can eliminate the possibility of appendicitis in a child with abdominal pain that suggests the diagnosis. The standard of care is to admit these children to the hospital for observation. More than twice as many children hospitalized for abdominal pain suggesting appendicitis are subsequently sent home after observation compared to those who undergo appendectomy. Objective: To evaluate the ability of CT with rectal contrast medium (CTRC) to diagnose a normal appendix in children with abdominal pain. Materials and methods: A prospective cohort study in an urban pediatric emergency department. Children 6–17 years of age with abdominal pain were eligible when the attending physician planned to admit them for observation for possible appendicitis. All 94 patients underwent CTRC. CTRC results were compared to patient outcomes. Results: Ninety-four children successfully underwent CTRC. Among the 53 patients with reflux of contrast medium into the ileum, the appendix was visualized in 43 (81.1%). Among all 94 cases, the appendix was visualized in 53 cases (55.7%); 43 studies were read as normal, and 10 showed appendicitis. Of the 43 with a normal appendix, 23 were discharged home, 18 were admitted but discharged uneventfully, and two underwent surgery for another diagnosis. When the appendix was visualized, the sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values of CTRC were 100% (95% CI 66.4, 100.0), 97.7% (95% CI 88.0, 99.9), 100% (95% CI 91.8, 100.0), and 90% (95% CI 55.5, 99.8), respectively. The use of CTRC could have decreased the admission rate for observation for appendicitis by at least 41.8% and by more than 80% when the appendix could be seen. Conclusion: Our data suggest that when the appendix can be visualized, CTRC can accurately identify a normal appendix and reduce the number of children hospitalized for observation for possible appendicitis.