cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Community-acquired purulent meningitis of unknown etiology. A continuing problem.

• The clinical features and hospital course of 132 patients with purulent meningitis of unknown etiology (PMU) were compared with those of 1,032 patients with proven bacterial meningitis; all patients were admitted to a major referral center for meningitis treatment between 1954 and 1976. Most patients had no major underlying illnesses. Patients with PMU were more frequently older, "pretreated" with antibiotics, had longer duration of symptoms, evidenced less marked alterations of mental status, and died later in the hospitalization; however, the mortality and frequency of neurologic complications were similar to those in patients with bacterial meningitis. Patients with PMU who also had hemorrhagic rashes had fewer neurologic complications and none died; these patients comprised a distinct group in terms of better prognosis. New methods for rapid diagnosis of bacterial meningitis have only partially resolved the diagnostic dilemma of PMU.
Ion and neutral polar winds for northward interplanetary magnetic field conditions

The coupling of the ionosphere/magnetosphere system at high-latitudes is dependent in part upon the transport of neutral atoms from the ionosphere to the magnetosphere, and visa versa. The neutral atoms that flow between the ionosphere and the magnetosphere are neutral stream atoms that are produced in charge exchange reactions between the ions in the polar wind and the background thermal and geocoronal atoms. The characteristics of these neutral stream particles are highly dependent upon the ions in the polar cap. The ions are convected across the polar cap due to convection electric fields, and thus the neutral stream particles are also indirectly affected by the convection electric fields due to charge exchange. The horizontal flow of neutral stream particles, therefore, shows a general anti-sunward motion during periods of southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), and a general sunward flow across the magnetic pole during times of northward IMF. The vertical fluxes of these neutral stream particles depend upon several processes, including the heat input due to precipitating electrons, the vertical velocity of the ions involved in the charge exchange reactions that produce the neutral stream particles, and the time history of neutral stream particles in the high-latitude region.
Does continuous visual feedback aid debugging in direct-manipulation programming systems?

Continuous visual feedback is becoming a common feature in direct-manipulation systems of all kinds -- from demonstrational macro builders to spreadsheet packages to visual programming languages featuring direct manipulation. But does continuous visual feedback actually help in the domain of programming? There has been little investigation of this question, and what evidence there is from related domains points in conflicting directions. To advance what is know about this issue, we conducted an empirical study to determine whether the inclusion of continuous visual feedback into a direct-manipulation programming system helps with one particular task: debugging. Our results were that although continuous visual feedback did not significantly help with debugging in general, it did significantly help with debugging in some circumstances. Our results also indicate three factors that may help determine those circumstances.
Designing interfaces for an overlooked user group: considering the visual profiles of partially sighted users

In this position paper we argue the importance of research focusing on the issues involved in designing computer systems for partially sighted computer users. Currently, there is a lack of data that explores how combinations of impaired visual processes affect preferences for, and performance with, graphical user interfaces. This lack of fundamental information about how an individual's visual profile determines the strategies and behaviors exhibited while using computers limits our ability to design effective user interfaces for partially sighted computer users. The objective of this position paper is to motivate research that addresses this deficiency in our knowledge base so that researchers can design enabling technologies in a systematic fashion for this unique user group as has been done for fully sighted users and blind users.
Look who I found: understanding the effects of sharing curated friend groups

Online social networks like Google+, Twitter, and Facebook allow users to build, organize, and manage their social connections for the purposes of information sharing and consumption. Nonetheless, most social network users still report that building and curating contact groups is a time consuming burden. To help users overcome the burdens of contact discovery and grouping, Google+ recently launched a new feature known as "circle sharing." The feature makes it easy for users to share the benefits of their own contact curation by sharing entire "circles" (contact groups) with others. Recipients of a shared circle can adopt the circle as a whole, merge the circle into one of their own circles, or select specific members of the circle to add.In this paper, we investigate the impact that circle-sharing has had on the growth and structure of the Google+ social network. Using a cluster analysis, we identify two natural categories of shared circles, which represent two qualitatively different use cases: circles comprised primarily of celebrities (celebrity circles), and circles comprised of members of a community (community circles). We observe that exposure to circle-sharing accelerates the rate at which a user adds others to his or her circles. More specifically, we notice that circle-sharing has accelerated the "densification" rate of community circles, and also that it has disproportionately affected users with few connections, allowing them to find new contacts at a faster rate than would be expected based on accepted models of network growth. Finally, we identify features that can be used to predict which of a user's circles (s)he is most likely to share, thus demonstrating that it is feasible to suggest to a user which circles to share with friends.
New specialized journals, mature scientists, and shifting loyalties

A study was made of the level of sustained interest in 10 new specialized biomedical journals as indicated by a pattern of repeated publications. It was shown that a majority of the 265 mid-career scientists studied continued to publish within the journals after an initial paper and that the new journals became firmly embedded in their personal publication patterns. Loyalty to the new journals did not detract from established journals with a similar type and level of specialization, nor were the most prestigious multi-specialty or meetings abstracts journals affected. Rather, older, less specialized journals of less immediate relevance to their ongoing interests were abandoned and are suggested for cancellation. Scientists at this most prolific stage of their publishing careers seemed quite receptive to the flood of new, superspecialized titles being marketed by an increasingly sophisticated publishing industry.
Lipid metabolism in plasma, liver, and adipose tissue of rats with experimental chronic nephrotic syndrome.

Plasma, liver, and adipose tissue lipid composition and synthesis from [1-14C] acetate were studied three months following induction of nephrotic syndrome in rats by injection of antiglomerular basement membrane protein. Plasma triglyceride concentrations and specific radioactivities were elevated, and the triglycerides contained increased proportions of oleic acid. Plasma cholesterol and phospholipid concentrations were also increased, but free fatty acid levels were not. Liver triglyceride concentrations were decreased and incorporation of [1-14] acetate into liver triglycerides was also depressed below that of normal controls. Nephrotic rat liver triglycerides contained a higher proportion of oleic acid and lower arachidonic acid than did controls. Incorporation of [1-14C] acetate into adipose tissue lipids of the nephrotic rats was increased, and the proportion of palmitic acid was decreased. In the chronic nephrotic rat, the major source of the increased plasma triglycerides may be fatty acids mobilized from adipose tissue stores.
Arresting autoimmunity by blocking beta-arrestin 1.

The regulation of T cell survival and apoptosis contributes to the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease. A new study shows that the transcriptional regulator β-arrestin 1 enhances antiapoptotic Bcl-2 in T cells, which can heighten autoimmune disease.
Finite monadic algebras

Introduction. The elementary structure theory for finite Boolean algebras is, for our purposes, summarized in the following theorem, (see [1, p. 163], or [2, p. 344]). (*) If B is a finite Boolean algebra, then it is completely characterized by the number of its elements, a number which must be of the form 2n, where n is the number of atoms of B. In this case B is faithfully represented as the Boolean algebra of all subsets of a set with n elements. Moreover, B is a free Boolean algebra if and only if n is itself of the form 2r, in which case B is free on r generators. In particular, a finitely generated Boolean algebra is finite. Recent work of Halmos, Tarski, and others in algebraic logic has engendered interest in the study of more general systems in which the Boolean structure is augmented by introducing certain additional operators. For instance, a closure algebra A is a Boolean algebra with a unary operator 3: A --A satisfying the axioms,
Assessment of Violence Exposure Among Residential Children and Adolescents

SUMMARY Childhood victimization is an important factor in assessing children in residential treatment. These children often have extensive histories of abuse and neglect, and are of high risk for violence exposure in their schools and neighborhoods. This article describes the concept of exposure to community violence, and its importance in assessing and treating children/adolescents in residential treatment settings. The Recent Exposure to Violence Scale (REVS) is presented and its psychometric properties and usefulness in residential treatment settings are elaborated.
Transient osteoporosis of the hip in pregnancy: natural history of changes in bone mineral density

A 31-year-old white female developed severe bilateral hip pain during the third trimester of pregnancy that persisted after parturition. Laboratory abnormalities (elevated alkaline phosphatase and erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and radiographic changes (faint demineralization of the femur in the more symptomatic hip on plain films with evidence of bone marrow oedema and small joint effusions bilaterally on MRI) in the absence of other causes of focal osteoporosis were consistent with the diagnosis of transient osteoporosis of the hip in pregnancy. Although loss of bone mineral density (BMD) characterizes this syndrome, serial BMD measurements in symptomatic transient osteoporosis of the hip in pregnancy have not previously been reported. In the case reported here, serial bone density measurements were obtained over a 4-year period following the onset of symptoms. BMD in both femoral necks, which initially was approximately 20% lower than the average for age matched controls, increased markedly during the first year, plateaued during the following year, and then rapidly increased again following cessation of lactation. Unexpectedly, BMD in the lumbar spine, an asymptomatic site, was also markedly decreased at the time of presentation (31% lower than the mean of age-matched controls). Recovery of spinal density did not occur during the first year. However, spinal BMD did begin to increase during the second year and continued to rise after the cessation of lactation. In contrast to the marked reduction in bone density at these site of trabecular bone, cortical bone density in the forearm was normal. Possible aetiologies of pregnancy associated osteoporosis are discussed.
Tissue transplantation immunity in the adult newt, Diemictylus viridescens. I. The latent phase: healing, restoration of circulation, and pigment cell changes in autografts and allografts.

Following the allogeneic transplantation of dorsal pigmented skin to the throat and flank of field collected adult Diemictylus viridescens there was, at 23 ± 0.5°C, a long latent period of about 16 days when such grafts were histologically and grossly indistinguishable from autografts. Circulation was usually restored in autografts and allografts between 10 and 11 days post-grafting apparently by end to end anastomoses of graft and host vessels. Restoration of circulation was usually preceded by an initial dilation of the grafts' vessels and by the trauma induced death of some melanophores. An approximate five fold increase in the thickness of the dermal collagen of all grafts was noted throughout the latent phase as well as during graft rejection.
Mutations of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Attachment Glycoprotein G Associated with Resistance to Neutralization by Primate Polyclonal Antibodies

The respiratory syncytial (RS) virus attachment glycoprotein G is a type II transmembrane glycoprotein and an important target of the host immune response. Antigenic variability of the G protein is postulated to contribute to the ability of the virus to evade established immune responses. A glycoprotein G monospecific polyclonal antiserum from a nonhuman primate was used to select for an antibody resistant RS virus. The mutant virus was resistant to neutralization by the selecting antiserum and by the sera from three other G-protein immunized primates. G-protein amino acid changes were found at residues 61 (Phe to Leu), 174 (Ser to Cys), and 183 (Trp to Leu). Thus the mutant protein had amino acid changes in the transmembrane domain (61) and the central ectodomain (174 and 183). The change at amino acid 174 resulted in five rather than the usual four Cys found in the conserved central region of the ectodomain. These data demonstrate that an RS virus with resistance to neutralization by polyclonal antibodies can be selected readily in cell culture. In addition, only a limited number of amino acid changes is required to produce the resistant phenotype.
Two strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens bacteria differentially affect survivorship of waxworm (Galleria mellonella) larvae exposed to an arthropod fungal pathogen, Beauveria bassiana

Abstract Two strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens were found contaminating a biopesticide used in a previous study against Varroa destructor infestations in honey bee hives. In that study, the biopesticide, a formulation of a fungal pathogen of arthropods, Beauveria bassiana, failed to have any negative impact on the mite infestation despite successful results in previous studies using uncontaminated batches of the same biopesticide. The objective of the present research was to determine whether the bacteria may have interfered with the infectivity and/or virulence of B. bassiana in a simplified system; positive results in that system would then provide a rationale for further work under more complex conditions. Galleria mellonella late instar larvae treated topically with both a bacterial suspension of 6.8 to 7.0×107 cfu/ml and a fungal suspension of 2.5×107 or 2.5×108 B. bassiana conidia/ml showed, in the case of one of the bacterial strains, significantly increased survivorship compared to larvae treated...
Alumni and their alma mater: A partial test of the reformulated model of organizational identification

Summary Organizational identification is defined as a perceived oneness with an organization and the experience of the organization's successes and failures as one's own. While identification is considered important to the organization, it has not been clearly operationalized. The current study tests a proposed model of organizational identification. Self-report data from 297 alumni of an all-male religious college indicate that identification with the alma mater was associated with: (1) the hypothesized organizational antecedents of organizational distinctiveness, organizational prestige, and (absence of) intraorganizational competition, but not with interorganizational competition, (2) the hypothesized individual antecedents of satisfaction with the organization, tenure as students, and sentimentality, but not with recency of attendance, number of schools attended, or the existence of a mentor, and (3) the hypothesized outcomes of making financial contributions, willingness to advise one's offspring and others to attend the college, and participating in various school functions. The findings provide direction for academic administrators seeking to increase alumni support, as well as for corporate managers concerned about the loyalty of workers in an era of mergers and takeovers.
Modeling the partitioning of BTEX in water-reformulated gasoline systems containing ethanol

Abstract The objectives of this research were to quantify the extent of cosolvency for water–gasoline mixtures containing ethanol and to identify appropriate modeling tools for predicting the equilibrium partitioning of BTEX compounds and ethanol between an ethanol-bearing gasoline and water. Batch-equilibrium experiments were performed to measure ethanol and BTEX partitioning between a gasoline and aqueous phase. The experiments incorporated simple binary and multicomponent organic mixtures comprised of as many as eight compounds as well as highly complex commercial gasolines where the composition of the organic phase was not completely defined. At high ethanol volume fractions, the measured partition coefficients displayed an approximate linear relationship when plotted on semi-log scale as a function of ethanol volume fraction. At lower concentrations, however, there was a distinctly different trend which is attributed to a change in solubilization mechanisms at these concentrations. Three mathematical models were compared with or fit to the experimental results. Log-linear and UNIFAC-based models were used in a predictive capacity and were capable of representing the overall increase in partition coefficients as a function of increasing ethanol content in the aqueous phase. However, neither of these predicted the observed two-part curve. A piecewise model comprised of a linear relationship for low ethanol volume fractions and a log-linear model for higher concentrations was fit to data for a surrogate gasoline comprised of eight compounds and was then used to predict BTEX concentrations in the aqueous phase equilibrated with three different commercial gasolines. This model was superior to the UNIFAC predictions, especially at the low aqueous ethanol concentrations.
A model for interface intensities in stochastic particle transport

Abstract We consider particle transport and radiative transfer in a Markovian mixture of two immiscible fluids. An earlier reported balance equation for the ensemble-averaged intensity is rederived in a manner that generalizes to a derivation of a higher order balance-like equation for interface intensities. A closure is made in this higher order equation to obtain a relatively simple model for linear transport in a stochastic mixture, including the scattering interaction. This extends an earlier model that results from a lower order closure in the balance equation itself. Numerical results are given that compare the predictions of this model of stochastic transport with benchmark results available in the literature, as well as with predictions of the earlier model.
Effects of Preconditioning Host Plants on Population Development of Russian Wheat Aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae)

The effect of preconditioning hosts of Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), was evaluated. Three consecutive generations produced about twice as many progeny on ‘Stephens’ wheat as on ‘Border’ oats with preconditioning on ‘Stephens’ wheat. In the second and third generations, if the preceding generation had developed on ‘Border’ oats, there were significant reductions in the number of aphids produced. Smallest numbers of Russian wheat aphid progeny were produced in the third generation when two preceding generations were reared on ‘Border’ oats. Preconditioning of aphids is crucial if detailed responses of aphids or plants are to be noted, as in the evaluation of host plant resistance mechanisms.
Insignificant iodination of dietary lipids during isotopic equilibrium studies with dietary iodide.

Surks and Oppenheimer (1) found that the addition of 125I to a Remington low iodine diet resulted in 42.9% of the radioactivity in a lipid-like extract of the diet. We found only 0.17 to 0.36% of the dietary 125I extractable by lipid solvents when we used techniques previously published (3, 6) for labeling low iodine diets. There is a theoretical danger of artifactual iodination when carrier-free iodide is added to dietary material but we have been unable to produce significant iodination of dietary lipids when Remington diet was labeled as previously reported (3, 6). (Endocrinology 84: 1521, 1969)
AC field excitation of rare earths in zinc sulfide

Abstract AC field-excited luminescence of 4f-4f transitions of rare earths in zinc sulfide containing copper is reported. Details of the emission of Er+++ are presented, and tentative term assignments are derived.
Efficient light scattering in plasmonic light trapping designs for thin film solar cells

Plasmonic structures have been proposed for enhancing light absorption in thin film solar cells, for which insufficient light absorption is a limiting factor for further improvement of efficiency. The optical path of light in the absorber layer of a solar cell is increased due to the enhanced light scattering by plasmonic structures at resonance. This process involves two steps of energy conversion: light-electron and then electron-light. The first step couples optical energy into the kinetic energy of collective electron motions in plasmonic structures, forming oscillating current. This step is easy to implement as long as plasmonic structures are at resonance. The second step releases the energy from electrons to photons. An efficient release of photon energy is a must for solar cell applications and it is dependent on the two competing effects: light scattering and field localization that results in heat loss. Theoretical discussions and simulation work are provided in the paper. The scattering of light by a plasmonic structure is analyzed based on the antenna radiation theory. Three factors are found to be important for the efficiency of a plasmonic light trapping design: the radiation of each unit structure, the array factor and the energy feeding of the structure. An efficient plasmonic light trapping design requires proper considerations of all the three factors.
Heterogeneities in EGF receptor density at the cell surface can lead to concave up scatchard plot of EGF binding

The mechanism responsible for the concave up nature of the Scatchard plot of epidermal growth factor (EGF) binding on EGF receptor (EGFR) has been a controversial issue for more than a decade. Past efforts to mechanistically simulate the concave up nature of the Scatchard plot of EGF binding have shown that negative cooperativity in EGF binding on an EGFR dimer or inclusion of some external site or binding event can describe this behavior. However, herein we show that heterogeneity in the density of EGFR due to localization in certain regions of the plasma membrane, which has been experimentally reported, can also lead to concave up shape of the Scatchard plot of the EGF binding on EGFR.
A fully polynomial time approximation scheme for timing driven minimum cost buffer insertion

As VLSI technology enters the nanoscale regime, interconnect delay has become the bottleneck of the circuit timing. As one of the most powerful techniques for interconnect optimization, buffer insertion is indispensable in the physical synthesis flow. Buffering is known to be NP-complete and existing works either explore dynamic programming to compute optimal solution in the worst-case exponential time or design efficient heuristics without performance guarantee. Even if buffer insertion is one of the most studied problems in physical design, whether there is an efficient algorithm with provably good performance still remains unknown. This work settles this open problem. In the paper, the first fully polynomial time approximation scheme for the timing driven minimum cost buffer insertion problem is designed. The new algorithm can approximate the optimal buffering solution within a factor of 1 + e running in O(m2n2b/e3 + n3b2/e) time for any 0 ≪ e ≪ 1, where n is the number of candidate buffer locations, m is the number of sinks in the tree, and b is the number of buffers in the buffer library. In addition to its theoretical guarantee, our experiments on 1000 industrial nets demonstrate that compared to the commonly-used dynamic programming algorithm, the new algorithm well approximates the optimal solution, with only 0.57% additional buffers and 4.6× speedup. This clearly demonstrates the practical value of the new algorithm.
General solution to the inverse near-forward-scattering particle-sizing problem in multiple-scattering environments: theory

A general solution to the problem of measuring the size distribution of large particles in optically thick media by using small-angle light scattering is presented. The approach is general in the sense that no assumption of the form of the particle-size distribution function is required, although the particles must be distributed uniformly throughout the medium. The method is based on a successive order, discrete ordinates approach for modeling multiple-scattering phenomena and requires that the particle field be interrogated by using an array of near-forward input light angles. The scattering redistribution matrix is thereby determined, which permits a numerical inversion of the problem to obtain the single-scattering signature. Finally, conventional inverse scattering methods are used to reconstruct the particle-size distribution from the near-forward (single-scattering) light-scattering pattern.
Surface Loading of a Multilayered Viscoelastic Pavement: Semianalytical Solution

In this paper a new method is proposed to analyze the mechanical response of a linear viscoelastic pavement. The material parameters of the asphalt concrete are characterized by the relaxation modulus and creep compliance, which are further represented by the Prony series. By virtue of the Laplace transform and the correspondence principle, the solution in the Laplace domain is first derived. The interconversion between the relaxation modulus and creep compliance is then applied to treat the complicated inverse Laplace transform. The displacement, strain, and stress fields are represented concisely in terms of the convolution integral in the time domain, which is subsequently solved analytically. Therefore, responses of the viscoelastic pavement are finally expressed analytically in the time domain and numerically in space domain, called a semianalytical approach. Since both the relaxation modulus and creep compliance are used simultaneously, instead of only one parameter in the conventional methods, the present method is also called a dual-parameter method. The present formulation is verified at both the short- and long-term time limits analytically and at the other finite time numerically, as compared to the conventional numerical methods. We clearly show that the present dual-parameter and semianalytical method can predict accurately the time-dependent responses of the viscoelastic pavement, especially at the long-term time. The present formulation could also be employed to validate the widely used collocation method.
Randomized comparison of tolterodine with vaginal estrogen cream versus tolterodine alone for the treatment of postmenopausal women with overactive bladder syndrome.

Aims: To investigate whether vaginal estrogen cream combined with tolterodine is more effective than tolterodine alone in the treatment of postmenopausal women with overactive bladder (OAB). Materials and Methods: This is an unblinded study without placebo. A preliminary study consisted of tolterodine 2 mg twice per day for 3 months had been conducted for 25 postmenopausal women with OAB. Over a period of 11 months, 80 postmenopausal women with OAB underwent a prospective randomized trial. These patients were equally randomized into two groups. The interventions for the 12-week treatment period included 2 mg tolterodine twice per day for the group A and 2 mg tolterodine twice per day/vaginal conjugated equine estrogen 0.625 mg twice a week for the group B. Identical pre- and post-treatment assessments included bladder diary, Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6), and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 (IIQ-7). Results: All 80 women (65.2 years, range 58–73) completed this study. The between groups comparison showed that the group B had significant improvements in mean daytime frequency and voided volume after treatment (14.8–5.8 vs. 14.1–6.4, P ¼ 0.001 and 115.8–141.9 vs. 108.5–134.5, P ¼ 0.007, respectively). Additionally, a comparison of the final total scores of UDI-6 and IIQ-7 between the two groups revealed that the group B had a statistically significant improvement in quality of life than that in the group A (8.6–6.9 vs. 9.5–7.2, P < 0.001 and 9.4–6.1 vs. 10.2–6.5, P < 0.001, respectively). Changes in the other symptoms, including nocturia, urgency and urge incontinence, were not statistically significant but actually achieved improved in both groups. Conclusions: A combination of vaginal estrogen cream and tolterodine is a potential therapy for postmenopausal women with OAB. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:47–51, 2009. 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An Investigation into the Effects of Substrate Temperature on Magnetic Properties of RF Sputtered NiFe Films

The paper describes results of investigation on sputtered NiFe Films to determine the sputter deposition condition that could produce magnetic field sensors with the desired magnetic properties. The magnetic materials used in such devices should have a low coercive force, a low anisotropy field and a low magnetization dispersion, α50. .The results of systematic investigation of radio-frequency (RF) sputtered, RF biased, 82-18 % NiFe films showed (i) Improved Kobelev methods were applied to magneto-optic measurement techniques, suppress the magnetization ripples when subjected under the application of dc field. (ii) Anisotropy field results indicated an inverse trend with increasing substrate temperature (iii) the experimental measurements on magnetization dispersion relatively constant up to 200 °C with α50 approximately 1.2°, it then increases more sharply to about 3.5° at 400 °C substrate temperature. The work also provide understanding of the effects on the magnetic properties of sputtered magnetic films that is very limited as current literature is almost entirely limited to evaporated magnetic films.
Measurement of optical forces within a high-Q microcavity-waveguide system

Optical forces arising from the intense stored field within a high-Q microdisk cavity are measured through the displacement of a moveable, micron-scale fiber taper input waveguide. Tunable waveguide-cavity coupling is demonstrated at sub-mW input powers.
Quantification of skeletal alkaline phosphatase in osteoporotic serum by wheat germ agglutinin precipitation, heat inactivation, and a two-site immunoradiometric assay

Three methods for quantifying skeletal alkaline phosphatase (ALP; EC 3.1.3.1) activity/immunoactivity in serum--heat inactivation, wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) precipitation, and an immunoradiometric assay--were tested for recovery and specificity and applied to 81 sera collected from 14 postmenopausal osteoporotic subjects. The heat-inactivation and WGA precipitation assays showed relative recoveries of 91-100% and 16-32%, respectively, for skeletal ALP with complete specificity (no cross-reactivity with hepatic or intestinal ALP); the IRMA showed a relative recovery of 86-100% and 11-14% cross-reactivity with hepatic ALP. There was a closer correlation between the heat-inactivation assay and IRMA (r = 0.833) than between the WGA precipitation assay and IRMA (r = 0.673) or between the heat-inactivation and WGA-precipitation assays (r = 0.568). The WGA precipitation assay failed to detect skeletal ALP in three serum samples that contained significant amounts as determined by the heat-inactivation assay and the IRMA.
Comparison of renewal function estimators for censored data

The computation of the renewal function when the distribution function is completely known has received much attention in the literature. However, in many cases the form of the distribution function is unknown and has to be estimated nonparametrically. A nonparametric estimator for the renewal function for complete data was suggested by Frees (1986). In many cases, however, censoring of the lifetime might occur. We shall present parametric and nonparametric estimators of the renewal function based on censored data. In a simulation study we compare the nonparametric estimators with parametric estimators for the Weibull and lognormal distribution. The study suggests that the nonparametric estimator is a viable alternative to the parametric estimators when the lifetime distribution is unknown. Also, the nonparametric estimator is computationally simpler than the parametric estimator.
Advances in 3D echocardiography for mitral valve

The advent of real-time (RT) 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in 2007 has enhanced our understanding of the location and extent of the pathology of the native, as well as prosthetic, mitral valve (MV), particularly for MV prolapse and the anatomy of perivalvular dehiscence with prosthetic MV. MV quantification programs provide precise assessment of many quantitative MV parameters allowing 3D echocardiography to determine and quantify the geometry of mitral apparatus, including mitral annulus and periannular region, leaflet volume and anatomy, tethering distances, and tenting volumes. The detailed, accurate and optimal RT spatial visualization of the MV with 3D TEE gives greater confidence to the echocardiographer, interventionalist and the surgeon alike, facilitating medical and surgical treatment decisions. This article highlights recent advances in RT 3D TEE and transthoracic echocardiography echocardiographic imaging of the MV.
Formaldehyde Toxicity—New Understanding

(1990). Formaldehyde Toxicity—New Understanding. Critical Reviews in Toxicology: Vol. 20, No. 6, pp. 397-426.
Targeting CD36-Mediated Inflammation Reduces Acute Brain Injury in Transient, but not Permanent, Ischemic Stroke

SUMMARY Aims: The pathology of stroke consists of multiple pro-death processes, and CD36 has been suggested as a multimodal target to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in ischemic stroke. Using CD36-deficient mice and SS-31, a cell permeable tetrapeptide known to down-regulate CD36 pathways, the current study investigated whether targeting CD36 is effective in transient and permanent ischemic stroke. Methods: Wild-type or CD36deficient mice were subjected to either 30-min transient or permanent focal ischemic stroke. In parallel, a cohort of mice subjected to either transient or permanent stroke received either vehicle or 5 mg/kg of SS-31. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and its receptor CCR2, mRNA levels, and infarct volume and percent hemispheric swelling were measured in the postischemic brain. Results: CD36 deficiency or SS-31 treatment significantly attenuated MCP-1 or CCR2 mRNA up-regulation and injury size in the transient ischemic stroke. However, the approaches failed to show the protective effect in permanent ischemic stroke. Conclusion: The study revealed that targeting CD36 has a beneficial effect on transient but not permanent focal ischemic stroke. The study thus precludes a generalized strategy targeting CD36 in ischemic stroke and suggests careful consideration of types of stroke and associated pathology in developing stroke therapies.
Shared versus separate networks: the impact of reprovisioning

As networks improve and new services emerge, questions arise that affect service deployments and network choices. The Internet is arguably a successful example of a network shared by many services. However, combining heterogeneous services on the same network need not always be the right answer, and technologies such as virtualization make deploying new services on separate networks increasingly more viable. So, which is the right option? The question is not unique to networks, and there is a large body of work in the manufacturing systems literature that explores the trade-off between flexible and dedicated plants. This paper highlights an important feature missing from these earlier works, namely, the ability to ``reprovision'' resources in response to changes in demand. It demonstrates that this feature alone can affect the choice of network solutions, and argues for models that incorporate it.
Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of uracil derived human GnRH receptor antagonists: (R)-3-[2-(2-amino)phenethyl]-1-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-6-methyluracils containing a substituted thiophene or thiazole at C-5.

Abstract The synthesis of a series of ( R )-3-[2-(2-amino)phenethyl]-1-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-6-methyluracils containing a substituted thiophene or thiazole at C-5 is described. SAR around C-5 of the uracil led to the discovery that a 2-thienyl or (2-phenyl)thiazol-4-yl group is required for optimal receptor binding. The best compound from the series had a binding affinity of 2 nM ( K i ) for the human GnRH receptor. A novel and convenient preparation of N -1-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-6-methyluracil is also described.
Student Performance and Success Factors in Learning Business Statistics in Online vs. On-Ground Classes Using a Web-Based Assessment Platform.

This study aimed to quantify the influence of student attributes, coursework resources, and online assessments on student learning in business statistics. Surveys were administered to students at the completion of both online and on-ground classes, covering student perception and utilization of internal and external academic resources, as well as intrinsic motivating factors for success in the course. Student performance as defined by quality points, various assignment points, and time spent on assignments, was not significantly different between on-ground and online students. However, use of resources and tools to complete homework and learn new topics differed. As a whole, students predominantly utilized homework as the first tool to learn new topics and complete homework, suggesting a paradigm shift in the way instructors should cater to student’s learning habits.
Effects of Substrate Temperature and Gas Phase Chemistry on the APCVD of a Si:H Films From Disilane

The atmospheric pressure thermal decomposition of disilane to produce a Si:H films was studied between 450 and 520° C in a laminar flow reactor. The structural properties of the films exhibited a strong dependence not only on substrate temperature but also on reactor flow position. Films deposited at higher substrate temperatures had less dihydride bonding in the films while the monohydride bonding remained relatively constant. Despite a decrease in the total hydrogen content of the films as the deposition temperature increased from 450 to 500° C, the AM1 photoconductivity increased over an order of magnitude and the hole diffusion length of the films doubled. In addition to the changes in structural and electrical properties as a function of substrate temperature, variations in these properties were also observed as a function of flow position. At early flow positions the amount of dihydride bonding in the films was small and the AM1 photoconductivity and hole diffusion lengths of the films increased. The flow dependence of the film properties is explained by changes in the film precursors due to the evolution of the gas phase chemistry.
The Career Exploration Survey: A Summary of its Dimensionality, Reliability, and Validity

Dimensions of career exploration, reactions to exploration, and beliefs about exploration are defined and operationalized through the Career Exploration Survey. The results of several studies which...
Infection of the avian influenza A (H5N1) virus in poultry farm and population

Objective To learn the infection of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in poultry farm and in the poultry workers in Nanchang. Methods The environmental surveillance samples from poultry farm were tested by one-step RT PCR. The serum specimens from the poultry workers were detected by single radioimmunodiffusion hemolysis(SRH) assay and horse red blood cell hemagglutination inhibition assay. The data was analyzed by descriptive epidemiology. Result A total of 640 samples were collected and detected in 2009-2013 and 9 were positive for avian influenza A(H5N1) virus. The positive rate was 1.4%. The positive samples were the sewage from the poultry farm in 2009, and no other positive samples were detected in the rest. 5 positive serum specimens against H5N1 virus were obtained and the positive rate was 1%. Among the 5 positive samples, 2 were from scattering poultry raising households, and 2 were from the poultry farm workers and one was from a worker in poultry packinghouse.Conclusion The asymptomatic infections of H5N1 virus were detected in the occupational exposure population, which suggested the poultry occupational exposure population should enforce personal protection while working. Restrictions should be imposed on family backyard farmers.
Stem-Loop V of Varkud Satellite RNA Exhibits Characteristics of the Mg(2+) Bound Structure in the Presence of Monovalent Ions.

The Varkud Satellite RNA contains a self-cleaving ribozyme that has been shown to function independently of its surroundings. This 160 nucleotide ribozyme adopts a catalytically active tertiary structure that includes a kissing hairpin complex formed by stem-loop I and stem-loop V (SLV). The five-nucleotide 5′-rUGACU loop of the isolated SLV has been shown to adopt a Mg2+-dependent U-turn structure by solution NMR. This U-turn hairpin is examined here by molecular dynamics simulations in the presence of monovalent and divalent ions. Simulations confirm on an all-atom level the hypotheses for the role of the Mg2+ ions in stabilizing the loop, as well as the role of the solvent exposed U700 base. Additionally, these simulations suggest the Mg2+-free stem-loop adopts a wide range of structures, including energetically favorable structures similar to the Mg2+-bound loop structure. We propose this structure is a “gatekeeper” or precursor to Mg2+ binding when those ions are present.
Lung Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis

The lungs are frequently affected in systemic sclerosis, and pulmonary disease may significantly influence morbidity and mortality. The clinical, radiographic, and physiologic features of scleroderma lung disease are discussed in this article, as are new approaches to the detection and study of interstitial pneumonitis. The pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis is discussed in the context of data derived from bronchoalveolar lavage studies. Pulmonary vascular disease and less common pulmonary features of systemic sclerosis are also discussed.
Synthesis and Preliminary Biological Evaluation of Analogues of 5,8-Dideazaisofolic Acid and its 2-Desamino-2-Methyl Derivative Containing Fluorine at Position Five

The folate analogue 5,8-dideazaisofolic acid (IAHQ), 1a, has demonstrated antitumor activity against a variety of mammalian tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo.1–5 Its derivative, 2-desamino-2-methyl-5,8-dideazaisofolic acid, 1b, was found to be 20-and 44-fold more cytotoxic toward MCF-7 and L1210 cells in culture, respectively.6 In order to evaluate the effects of other substituents located at position five of the quinazoline nucleus upon antitumor activity, we have prepared 5-fluoro-5,8-dideazaisofolic acid, 2a, and desamino-2-methyl-5-fluoro-5,8-dideazaisofolic acid, 2c, together with their 9-methyl derivatives, 2b and 2d. This report describes the chemistry and preliminary biological evaluation of these new compounds.
Cardiac gap junction channel activity in embryonic chick ventricle cells.

We have recorded single-gap junction-channel currents from pairs of 7-day chick embryo ventricle cells, using the double whole cell patch-clamp technique. Junctional conductance (Gj) was variable f...
The Impact of Hardware on Database Systems

Relational database management systems translate queries posed in a non-procedural language into an efficiently executable plan. The plan consists of primitive database operators that use underlying database management system facilities or exploit the capabilities of the underlying operating system and hardware platform. The high level of the user's queries provides a substantial opportunity for hardware to increase the response time or throughput capacity of the DBMS. Such speedup can be derived from special devices for specific functions, such as sorting, or from entirely new architectures that apply more MIPS to the same data, such as database machines.
Evaluating the Validity of Classroom Observations in the Head Start Designation Renewal System

Classroom observations are increasingly common in education policies as a means to assess the quality of teachers and/or education programs for purposes of making high-stakes decisions. This article considers one policy, the Head Start Designation Renewal System (DRS), which involves classroom observations to assess the quality of Head Start programs in order to decide whether their funding is renewed. This article applies an argument-based approach for evaluating the validity of observational assessments that (a) explicates assumptions that underlie the presumed logic, leading from the collection of scores from observations of Head Start classrooms, to the inference that scores assess the quality of Head Start programs, to the decision to renew funding to Head Start programs, and (b) summarizes evidence that speaks to the plausibility of each assumption. There was limited evidence to support the plausibility of many assumptions, including those pertaining to score generalizability, predictive validity, a...
Multiple clear cell acanthomas and a sebaceous lymphadenoma presenting in a patient with Cowden syndrome - a case report.

Cowden Syndrome (CS) is an uncommon autosomal dominant multiorgan/system genodermatosis. It is characterized by the development of multiple hamartomas of endodermal, mesodermal and ectodermal origin, an increased lifetime risk of breast, thyroid, endometrial, and other cancers and an identifiable germline mutation. Mucocutaneous hamartomas are the most common lesions seen and mainly include facial trichilemmomas, oral mucosal papillomas, and benign acral keratoses. Herein, we report a case of a 63-year-old Caucasian male with a long-established diagnosis of CS and history of thyroid cancer, colonic polyps, and innumerable trichilemmomas, seborrheic keratoses, squamous papillomas, and non-melanoma skin cancers excised in the past. He presented in four separate occasions with small skin-colored papulonodular lesions that upon excision revealed to be clear cell acanthomas. He also developed a tumor in the preauricular area that was completely resected and was found to be a sebaceous lymphadenoma of the parotid gland. This is to our knowledge, the second report of clear cell acanthoma and also the second reported case of sebaceous lymphadenoma in a patient with CS.