cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Orthogonal polynomial trend surfaces for irregularly spaced data

The advantages of using orthogonal rather than nonorthogonal polynomials for trend-surface analysis are discussed briefly. A method for calculating orthogonal polynomial trend surfaces of any degree on the basis of irregularly spaced data is described. The method is illustrated with subsurface data for the elevation on top of the Devonian Dundee Limestone, Michigan.
A revision of Epidendrum subgenus Epidanthus (Orchidaceae)

Epidendrum subgenusEpidanthus (L. O. Williams) Barringer (Orchidaceae) is a group of small, slender-stemmed epiphytes formerly classified in the genusEpidanthus L. O. Williams. The seven species are distributed from southern Mexico to Columbia in wet forests, usually above 1000 m in elevation. Species of subgenusEpidanthus are distinguished from the rest ofEpidendrum by their linear leaves, slender stems, and two pollinia. The new speciesEpidendrum aurigineum is described and the new nameEpidendrum, insolatum is created forE. crassum (Dressler) Mora-Retana & J. Garcia.
Interacting composite fermions

Even though much of the dramatic physics of two-dimensional electrons in a high magnetic field is explicable in terms of weakly interacting composite fermions (CFs), the inter-CF interaction is responsible for many interesting, non-trivial phenomena. Here, we discuss four examples. (i) At small filling factors, a softening of the roton mode destroys the fractional Hall effect, giving way to the Wigner crystal. (ii) In higher Landau levels, the fractional Hall effect is destroyed due to a collapse of the energy of the neutral exciton. (iii) At na 5=2; the Fermi sea of CFs is unstable to Cooper pairing of CFs, thereby opening up a gap and producing a fractional Hall effect. (iv) Prior to the transition into the Wigner crystal, the CF liquid exhibits the Bloch instability into a magnetically ordered, spontaneously broken symmetry phase. q 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Respiratory Chain of Colorless Algae I. Chlorophyta and Euglenophyta.

Although it has been kniown for years that higher planits and yeast possess cytochromes of the a. b, and c type (18), there is a paucity of information on the respiratory chain of the algae. In particular, nothing is known about the terminal oxidase in this large group of plants (11). There have been some inhibitor studies on the respiration of algae with the classical inhibitors, carbon monoxide and cyanide: by Emerson on Chlorella, Anabaenia, and Oscillatoria (8, 9): by Genevois and independently by Syrett on Chior-ella (10, 30); and by Webster and Frenkel on A4niabaeiia (32). Chanice and Sager, working with a pale-green Cliamirydoinionas miutanit, were able to (lemonstrate the presence of band( c-type cytochroinies l)by spectrophotometric metho(ds, but thev foun(d no evidence for cytochroniie oxidlase. nior coul(d they find( evi(lenice for a CO-combiniing pigment (6). However, Perini. Kanien, and Schiff did find spectral evi(lence for the existenice of both aand b-type cvtochromes in an acetone powder for Eluglenia (23). In addition they purified 2 c-type cytochromes from the samiie organism. Cytochronies of the c-type have also been purified from the Rhodophyta (17, 33), and fromli the Cyaiophyta (15, 16). Nonetheless, in no report has the entire respiratory chain of an alga been studied, anid, except perhaps for Eutglenta, the terminial oxidase identified. Neither has there been alny report of the preparation of mitochondria from the higher algae (11, 22 28). This paper is concernied with the followinga question: wvhat is the nature of the respiratory chain in algae. and specifically, what is the terminal oxidase, if anvy that is present in different groups of algae? Students of plant respiration have classically used etiolated tissue to avoid the presence of interfering photosyntlhetic pigments. The same approach has b)een used in this study by using colorless members of 3 algal divisions. This paper reports the results obtained for 2 of them: Chjorophvta and Eitglentophyta.
Letter by Hyder and Barbara Regarding Article, “Perioperative Dexmedetomidine Improves Outcomes of Cardiac Surgery”

We read with great interest the article of Ji et al1 describing outcomes of cardiac surgery associated with perioperative dexmedetomidine administration, and we share their passion for the care of the critically ill patient. We have concerns, however, about the reporting, dosing of medications, methods for adjustment, and conclusions. The authors fail to report what sedative medication(s) patients received postoperatively in the non-dexmedetomidine group, and therefore the nature of the comparison group is unclear. In addition, in the dexmedetomidine group, the study does not report how sedation was managed for patients who required mechanical ventilation for >24 hours. This is important because the Methods section states …
Process and rate of dedolomitization: Mass transfer and 14C dating in a regional carbonate aquifer

Regional dedolomitization is the major process that controls the chemical character of water in the Mississippian Pahasapa Limestone (Madison equivalent) surrounding the Black Hills, South Dakota and Wyoming. The process of dedolomitization consists of dolomite dissolution and concurrent precipitation of calcite; it is driven by dissolution of gypsum. Deuterium and oxygen isotopic data from the ground water, coupled with regional potentiometric maps, show that recharge occurs on the western slope of the Black Hills and that the water flows northward and westward toward the Powder River Basin. A significant part flows around the southern end of the Black Hills to replenish the aquifer to the east of the Hills. Depth of flow was inferred from interpretation of the silica geothermometer based on the temperature-dependent solubilities of quartz and chalcedony in water. Chemical effects of warm water in the Pahasapa Limestone include changes in the solubility products of minerals, conversion of gypsum to anhydrite, solution and precipitation of minerals, and increases in the tendency for outgassing of carbon dioxide. Where sulfate reduction is not important, sulfur isotope data show that (1) in the Mississippian aquifer, most of the sulfate is from dissolution of gypsum and (2) some wells and springs have a hydrologic connection with overlying Permian and Pennsylvanian evaporites. Sulfate ion concentration, a progress variable, shows a strong correlation with pH as a result of the combined effects of the dedolomitization reactions. Mass-balance and mass-transfer calculations were used to adjust 14C values to determine a range of ground-water flow velocities between 2 and 20 m/yr. These velocities are characteristic of carbonate aquifers. The average rates of dolomite and gypsum dissolution are 1.7 × 10−4 and 3.4 × 10−4 mmol/kg of H2O/yr, respectively. The precipitation of calcite is occurring at the rate of 3.4 × 10−4 mmol/kg of H2O/yr. The close agreement among the model results demonstrates that dedolomitization is controlling water-rock interactions in this regional carbonate aquifer system.
Organizing Communities to Sustain Rural Landscapes: Lessons from New York

Growing social diversity in rural communities and increasing integration with urban areas contribute to the need for community organizing strategies that build coalitions to sustain rural landscapes. Drawing on the notion of social capital formation and based on analysis of Extension strategies in Orange and Dutchess Counties in New York state, we examine the process and outcomes of community organizing that integrate production and consumption interests in rural landscapes on the urban fringe. This analysis suggests that effective community organizing to sustain the rural landscape involves the intentional creation of "forums for interaction," where social capital can be generated and social, political, economic, and environmental interests can intersect. The development of "bridging ties" between single issue groups and networks is emphasized over attempts to form actual multi-issue coalitions. We demonstrate how identifying and building capacity at the local level forms the basis for effective regional...
Effects of dietary iron overload on glutathione peroxidase knockout mice.

Excess iron (Fe) intake has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in humans, presumably the result of increased oxidative stress. Previous work by us has shown that feeding a high-Fe diet to selenium (Se)-deficient weanling mice for 4 wk resulted in elevated plasma cholesterol and triglycerides and increased hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Here, we report the effect of Fe overload in mice lacking cellular glutathione peroxidase (GPX1 knockout [KO] mice), the selenoenzyme thought to account for much of the antioxidant action of Se. Four groups of 9–13 weanling wild-type (WT) or GPX1 KO mice were randomly assigned, then fed either an Fe-adequate (35 ppm Fe) or high-Fe (1100 ppm Fe) casein-based diet for 4 wk. Iron was added as ferric citrate. Both diets also contained 0.2 ppm Se added as sodium selenite. As expected, liver GPX1 activity was essentially absent in the KO mice. Another Se parameter measured (hepatic thioredoxin reductase activity) did not vary across groups. Although liver Fe was elevated in mice fed the high-Fe diet, liver TBARS was largely unaffected either by mouse genotype or diet fed. Moreover, plasma lipids were not elevated in the Fe-overloaded GPX1 KO mice. Thus, decreased GPX1 activity cannot account for the pro-oxidant hyperlipidemic effects observed earlier in mice fed the high-Fe Se-deficient diet. This suggests that impairment of Se functions other than GPX1 activity may be responsible for the elevated plasma lipids and hepatic TBARS seen in the Fe-overloaded Se-deficient mice.
Proper constraint as a design principle for assemblies

Purpose – This paper's objective is to explain the concept of proper kinematic constraint to guide requirements‐driven design of mechanical assemblies and to connects proper constraint to the datum flow chain (DFC) and key characteristics (KCs).Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents proper constraint as a way to support the goal of placing key parts in particular geometric relationships with respect to one another so that a DFC can deliver KCs unambiguously. Such a DFC is said to be competent. Additionally, a competent DFC is robust in the sense that the constraint relationships between parts retain their definition and effect under all allowed variations in parts.Findings – Failure to provide proper constraint can lead to undesired consequences including locked‐in stresses and difficult or inconsistent assembly. Some designs need to be over‐constrained, and this requires very careful control and tight tolerances on the over‐constrained degrees of freedom in order to avoid or at least understand...
Structural diversity and functional novelty of new carotenoid biosynthesis genes

Many new carotenoid synthesis genes have recently been identified through genomic sequencing or functional cloning. Some of them exhibit novel structures and/or novel functions. This review describes such examples in the families of lycopene beta-cyclases, putative homologues of phytoene dehydrogenases and new carotenoid hydroxylases. Both the functionally novel lycopene beta-monocyclases and structurally novel fusion-type of lycopene beta-cyclases were described. Another newly discovered sequence of lycopene beta-cyclase described might represent a new class of lycopene beta-cyclases previously not identified in several cyanobacteria. Three examples of putative homologues of phytoene dehydrogenases were described, however, they were confirmed to encode different and/or new functions such as beta-carotene ketolase, 4,4'-diapolycopene oxygenase or prolycopene isomerase. Two new carotenoid hydroxylase genes were described that encoded the new function of 2,2'-beta-ionone ring hydroxylase or 3,3'-isorenieratene hydroxylase. Phylogenetic analysis of these genes shed light on their possible evolutionary origins. These new genes also provide tools for synthesis of novel and desirable carotenoids by genetic engineering.
Solitary pulmonary nodules in patients with extrapulmonary neoplasms.

PURPOSE: To determine the frequency of single lung metastasis, primary lung cancer, and benign lesions in patients with a solitary lung nodule and a primary extrapulmonary neoplasm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors evaluated the electronic charts of 149 patients with an extrapulmonary malignant neoplasm and a solitary pulmonary nodule. The histologic characteristics of the nodule were correlated with those of the extrapulmonary neoplasm and with patient age and smoking history. RESULTS: Patients with carcinomas of the head and neck, bladder, breast, cervix, bile ducts, esophagus, ovary, prostate, or stomach were more likely to have primary bronchogenic carcinoma than lung metastasis (ratio, 25:3 for patients with head and neck cancers; 26:8 for patients with other types of cancer combined). Patients with carcinomas of the salivary glands, adrenal gland, colon, parotid gland, kidney, thyroid gland, thymus, or uterus had fairly even odds (ratio, 13:16). Patients with melanoma, sarcoma, or testicular carci...
Antibacterial Activity of Sphingoid Bases and Fatty Acids against Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria

There is growing evidence that the role of lipids in innate immunity is more important than previously realized. How lipids interact with bacteria to achieve a level of protection, however, is still poorly understood. To begin to address the mechanisms of antibacterial activity, we determined MICs and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of lipids common to the skin and oral cavity--the sphingoid bases D-sphingosine, phytosphingosine, and dihydrosphingosine and the fatty acids sapienic acid and lauric acid--against four Gram-negative bacteria and seven Gram-positive bacteria. Exact Kruskal-Wallis tests of these values showed differences among lipid treatments (P 500 μg/ml). Sapienic acid (MBC range, 31.3 to 375.0 μg/ml) was active against Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus mitis, and Fusobacterium nucleatum but not active against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, S. marcescens, P. aeruginosa, Corynebacterium bovis, Corynebacterium striatum, and Corynebacterium jeikeium (MBC > 500 μg/ml). Lauric acid (MBC range, 6.8 to 375.0 μg/ml) was active against all bacteria except E. coli, S. marcescens, and P. aeruginosa (MBC > 500 μg/ml). Complete killing was achieved as early as 0.5 h for some lipids but took as long as 24 h for others. Hence, sphingoid bases and fatty acids have different antibacterial activities and may have potential for prophylactic or therapeutic intervention in infection.
High-performance fractal coherence

Bugs in cache coherence protocols can cause system failures. Despite many advances, verification runs into state explosion for even moderately-sized systems. As multicores' core counts increase, coherence verifiability continues to be a key problem. A recent proposal, called fractal coherence, avoids the state explosion problem by applying the idea of observational equivalence between a larger system and its smaller sub-systems. A fractal protocol for a larger system is verified by design if a minimal sub-system is verified completely. While fractal coherence is a significant step forward, there are two shortcomings: (1) Architectural limitation: To achieve fractal coherence's logical hierarchy, TreeFractal, the specific fractal protocol, employs a tree architecture where each miss traverses many levels up and down the tree and each level redundantly holds its sub-trees' coherence tags. (2) Protocol restrictions: TreeFractal imposes a restriction on responses to read requests that forces read requests to obtain clean blocks from the nearest sharer even if the shared L2 or L3 is faster. These limitations impose significant performance and coherence tag state overheads. In this paper, we propose architectural support for coherence protocols to achieve scalable performance and verifiability. To address the architectural limitation, we propose FlatFractal, a directory-based architecture which decouples fractal coherence's logical hierarchy from the architecture and eliminates redundant tag state. To address the protocol restriction, we propose a simple change to the protocol that, while preserving observational equivalence, allows read requests to obtain the blocks from the shared L2 or L3. Our simulations show that for 16 cores, FlatFractal performs, on average, 57% better than TreeFractal and within 3% of a conventional directory.
Use of selected marketing alternatives by Iowa farmers.

Grain, hog, and fed cattle producers were surveyed to identify factors affecting the use of selected marketing alternatives. Iowa data were collected on farm size, financial status, management practices, and farm policy preferences. Differences were found among farm operators marketing various commodities. In all regressions, use of one forward pricing alternative was related to use of other forward pricing alternatives. Gross sales appeared to be related to the use of forward pricing alternatives for all enterprises. Finally, the study identified various factors that may help agribusinesses to more effectively target education programs on the forward pricing alternatives.
A recorder for off-line acquisition of brain stem auditory response data

A modified cassette tape recorder collects brain stem response data for later off-line analysis. This simple device permits assessments of brain stem function when a signal-averaging computer is not immediately available, and at locations not readily accessible to the computer.
A Counseling Practitioner's Primer to the Use of Multidimensional Scaling

Applications of multidimensional scaling (MDS) to counseling practice are discussed, and the author's use of MDS as a tool in a counseling training group is described.
Regulation of NF-κB by ubiquitination

The nuclear factor κ enhancer binding protein (NF-κB) family of transcription factors regulates the expression of a large array of genes involved in diverse cellular processes including inflammation, immunity and cell survival. Activation of NF-κB requires ubiquitination, a highly conserved and versatile modification that can regulate cell signaling through both proteasome dependent and independent mechanisms. Studies in the past few years have provided new insights into the mechanisms underlying regulation of NF-κB by ubiquitination, including the involvement of multiple linkages of ubiquitin, the essential role of ubiquitin binding, and the function of unanchored polyubiquitin chains. In this review, we will focus on recent advances in understanding the role of ubiquitination in NF-κB regulation in various pathways.
Identification of heme oxygenase and cytochrome P-450 in the rabbit heart

The regulation of cardiac heme oxygenase and cytochrome P-450 mixed function oxidase was studied in the rabbit heart. Heme oxygenase activity is found in ventricular and atrial microsomal fractions. This activity is NADPH dependent, and is inhibited by tin and zinc protoporphyrin, but not by either SKF 525A or 7,8-benzoflavone. Immunologic studies of cardiac heme oxygenase demonstrate that antibodies prepared against human purified hepatic heme oxygenase recognize rabbit atrial heme oxygenase and inhibit the enzyme activity by 92%. In contrast, control immunoglobulin does not inhibit heme oxygenase activity. Further, the western blotting technique demonstrates that a similar band of protein with a molecular weight of 32 000 exists in cardiac microsomes and that no protein cross-reacts with purified hepatocyte heme oxygenase. Marked induction of atrial heme oxygenase is observed in microsomal fractions prepared from rabbits treated with cobalt chloride. Atrial microsomes possess 0.24 nmol of cytochrome P-450 as compared to 0.68 nmol/mg protein in microsomes from the liver. The levels of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity, a cytochrome P-450-dependent enzyme, in ventricle and atrium are stimulated by a NADPH-generating system and are sensitive to 7,8-benzoflavone, and SKF 525A, known inhibitors of cytochrome P-450 mixed function oxidase. AHH activity in ventricular and atrial microsomes is 2–3% of that seen in liver microsomes whereas the P-450 content/mg protein is about 20% of that observed in the liver. AHH activity is mediated by a form of cytochrome P-450 that is inducible by 3-methylcholanthrene/β-naphthoflavone. A possible new role of the heart cytochrome P-450 system in cardiac function is proposed. It is also proposed that physiological regulation of cardiac cytochrome P-450 by heavy metals is mediated through the induction of cardiac heme oxygenase.
The effect of visual complexity when playing a slot-machine simulation: the role of computer experience, computer anxiety, and optimism

Abstract The increasing computerization of slot machines, as well as the growth of Internet gambling, has been a recent cause for concern. To investigate whether visual complexity promoted gambling behavior, we staked participants with money and had them play a computer-simulated slot machine that, for different groups, had a different number of symbols that appeared on the screen as the “reels” spun. We also measured participants’ experience with computers, their level of anxiety when dealing with computers, and their optimism for winning while playing the simulation. Although participants could quit immediately, not play the simulation, and keep the money, none did so. Analysis of their behavior while playing the simulation indicated no significant differences as a function of number of symbols appearing on the simulation. Furthermore, although computer experience was inversely related to computer-related anxiety, these measures (as well as optimism of winning) were not significantly related to participants’ behavior while playing the simulation. The present results appear to negate the idea that educating people about computers and how computerized games of chance are programmed could potentially inoculate individuals from becoming problem gamblers. Rather, they seem to demonstrate the strong allure of games of chance.
Scaling of van der Waals and Electrostatic Adhesion Interactions from the Micro- to the Nano-Scale

Work performed to study the scalability of continuum force models to describe particle adhesion from the micro- to the nano-scale is described. This work employed silicon nitride particles with nominal diameters on the micrometer scale and silicon nitride atomic force microscope cantilevers with nanometer-scale radii of curvature to determine adhesion interaction forces to substrates relevant to advanced lithography applications in the semiconductor industry. The force required to dislodge the particles or cantilevers from the substrates was taken to be the adhesion force. For all systems studied, a distribution of adhesion forces was observed resulting from roughness on the particles and/or substrates and geometry variations on the particles. Previously developed adhesion models that included van der Waals (vdW) and electrostatic (ES) interactions, and that also included the geometry and morphology of the interacting surfaces, were used to describe the force distributions. In air, the ES forces were foun...
Feedback aided content adaptive unequal error protection based on Wyner-Ziv coding

In prior work, we proposed an unequal error protection algorithm based on Wyner-Ziv coding for error resilient video transmission. In subsequentwork it was demonstrated that using either of content adaptive unequal error protection or feedback aided unequal error protection individually improved error resilience performance. In the current paper we propose to combine the use of a content adaptive function, implemented at the encoder, with the channel loss feedback provided by the decoder. The experimental results demonstrate improved rate distortion performance.
Blood flow distribution in a large series of patients having the Fontan operation: A cardiac magnetic resonance velocity mapping study

Objectives Our goal was to determine flow distribution in the cavopulmonary connections of patients with and without bilateral superior venae cavae who had the Fontan procedure. No large series exists that establishes the flow distributions in Fontan patients, which would be an important resource for everyday clinical use and may affect future surgical reconstruction. Methods We studied 105 Fontan patients (aged 2–24 years) with through-plane phase contrast velocity mapping to determine flow rates in the inferior and superior venae cavae and left and right pulmonary arteries. Superior caval anastomosis type included 40 bidirectional Glenn shunts (of which 15 were bilateral) and 53 hemi-Fontan anastomoses; Fontan type included 69 intra-atrial baffles, 28 extracardiac conduits, and 4 atriopulmonary connections. Results Total caval flow was 2.9 ± 1.0 L · min −1 · m −2 , with an inferior vena cava contribution of 59% ± 15%. Total pulmonary flow was 2.5 ± 0.8 L · min −1 · m −2 , statistically less than caval flow and not explained by fenestration presence. The right pulmonary artery contribution (55% ± 13%) was statistically greater than the left. In patients with bilateral superior cavae, the right cava accounted for 52% ± 14% of the flow, with no difference in pulmonary flow splits (50% ± 16% to the right). Age and body surface area correlated with percent inferior caval contribution ( r = 0.60 and 0.74, respectively). Superior vena cava anastomosis and Fontan type did not significantly affect pulmonary flow splits. Conclusions Total Fontan cardiac index was 2.9 L · min −1 · m −2 , with normal pulmonary flow splits (55% to the right lung). Inferior vena caval contribution to total flow increases with body surface area and age, consistent with data from healthy children.
Parametrized sum individuals for plural anaphora

L'A. examine le phenomene d'anaphore plurielle qui a ete discute et analyse dans le cadre de la Theorie des Representations Discursives et tente de l'expliquer dans une perspective non-representationnelle et totalement compositionnelle. Il montre que les phenomenes impliquant la distributivite, la quantification et la reference plurielle peuvent etre exprimes dans une telle perspective en developpant une notion plus complexe d'assignation de variables qui utilise des individus parametrises. De cette maniere, la structure recursive des Structures de Representation Discursive se reflete dans la structure recursive des assignations de variables avec des individus parametrises
Management of uric acid calculi in the elderly patient

Uric acid stones are more common in older patients. Their formation usually requires a persistently acid urine. Conversely, they can be dissolved and their re-formation prevented by the use of alkaline salt therapy. This paper discusses the spectrum of uric acid stone disease including the frequent presentation as a recurrent gravel/colic syndrome. It reviews the clinical situations in which uric acid stones often form and outlines an approach to dissolution of stones using either oral therapy or urinary tract irrigation. Prophylaxis of further stone formation is often possible with only alternate day, single dose treatment with alkaline potassium salts.
Rotational and vibrational analysis of bands of the f1Δ-a1Δ system of titanium oxide

Abstract Five new bands of the f1Δ-a1Δ TiO system have been observed in emission between 17774.0 cm−1 and 19801.0 cm−1. Rotational and vibrational analyses of the 0-1, 1-0, 1-2, 2-1, and 1-1 bands, as well as a reanalysis of the 0-0 band, yielded the following molecular constants (cm−1): f 1 Δ a 1 Δ v B v D v (×106) B v D v (×106) 0 0.502277 (17) 0.6411 (57) 0.536168 (20) 0.5938 (76) 1 0.499198 (32) 0.630 (15) 0.533227 (13) 0.5971 (46) 2 0.530335 (26) 0.636 (13) ω e = 874.104 (4) ω e = 1018.273 (4) ω e χ e = 2.501 (4) ω e χ e = 4.521 (4) T′ e −T″ e = 19140.567 (8) Some part of this region are heavily blended, but combination differences with the β system confirmed the identification.
SALL4: Engine of Cell Stemness

The spalt (sal) family is a class of evolutionarily conserved genes originally identified in Drosophila as homeotic genes required for embryonic development. In vertebrates, the expression of sal-like 4 (SALL4) is specifically enriched in both embryonic and adult stem/stem-like cells. SALL4 is a master regulator that contributes to cell stemness in biological development and tumor growth. Thus, Sall4 has emerged as a target for gene therapy. In addition, numerous mutations affecting the Sall4 gene have been discovered and clinically linked to a series of congenital abnormalities, such as Duane/Duane-related syndromes, ventricular septal defect and premature ovarian failure. This review delineates the underlying mechanisms of key functions of SALL4 and its use as a target for gene therapy. Finally, I summarize and discuss advances made on the application of Sall4 and its functions in diagnostics and treatments for human diseases.
ANORECTAL ABSCESS AND FISTULA

Anorectal abscesses are very common, and quite often it is the primary care physician who is first consulted by the patient harboring an abscess. Therefore, it is the primary care physician's responsibility to have a working understanding of the appropriate diagnosis and management of a perianal abscess. Improperly diagnosed and treated suppurative disease of the anorectum causes considerable unnecessary suffering. On rare occasions, an untreated abscess can progress to a life-threatening infection. With appropriate drainage, many abscesses resolve; however, a significant number of patients treated for an anorectal abscess have persistent, aggravating symptoms. An anal fistula denotes the chronic phase of an unhealed abscess.
How blind is double-blind? A study of fish oil versus placebo.

The distinctive aftertaste associated with fish oil preparations used in clinical trials of omega-3 fatty acids may weaken the double-blind. This double-blind pilot study was designed to examine whether normal subjects could correctly 'guess' if they were receiving capsules containing concentrated fish oil or capsules of pure olive oil. The informed consent was designed to give subjects ambiguous expectations about what oil they might be receiving to examine whether this would influence their guess. Despite a marked difference in taste experience, there was no significant difference in correct guesses between the two groups. The results suggest that altering subjects' expectations could further improve the validity of the double-blind.
Direct Measurements Of Phase Matching Properties In Small Single Crystals Of New Nonlinear Materials

Direct phase matching measurements are a powerful way to characterize the frequency conversion properties of small (submillimeter) crystals of new nonlinear materials. These measurements represent a level of characterization lying between powder tests and detailed refractive index and d coefficient determinations. Since crystals as small as 100um can be studied, a decision to pursue the development of a material can be made at an early stage of crystal growth. Representative data on some new harmonic generators are presented to illustrate various features of the technique.
Luminorefrigeration: vibrational cooling of NaCs

We demonstrate the use of optical pumping of kinetically ultracold NaCs to cool an initial vibrational distribution of electronic ground state molecules X1Σ+(v ≥ 4) into the vibrational ground state X1Σ+(v=0). Our approach is based on the use of simple, commercially available multimode diode lasers selected to optically pump population into X1Σ+(v=0). We investigate the impact of the cooling process on the rotational state distribution of the vibrational ground state, and observe that an initial distribution, Jinitial=0–2 is only moderately affected resulting in Jfinal=0–4. This method provides an inexpensive approach to creation of vibrational ground state ultracold polar molecules.
Analysis of volatile components isolated from Hawaiian green coffee beans (Coffea arabica L.)

Volatile components isolated from Hawaiian green coffee beans (Coffea arabica L.) were identified by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The mass of total volatile components recovered from 200 g C. arabica beans was 2.7 s 0.3 mg. The volatile components identified in this extract were: ten alcohols, four aldehydes, one ketone, one lactone, three heterocyclic compounds, two hydrocarbons, and two miscellaneous compounds. The major constituents were 3-methyl butanoic acid (32.8%), phenyl ethyl alcohol (17.3%), hexanol (7.2%), 4-hydroxy-3-methylacetophenone (3.7%), and 3-methyl butanol (3.6%). Heterocyclic compounds, important components in providing coffee with their characteristic flavours, were not found in the extract from green coffee beans, except for 2-methoxy-3-(2-methylpropyl)-pyrazine. Copyright  2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The long term impact of a “relationship-centered” child care program on public school performance

This research investigated whether a “relationship-centered” child care program was effective in accelerating the development of academic skills in a primarily lower socioeconomic, minority population and whether there was a carryover into the public school system over a period of eleven years. The data indicated that children in care for more than 10 months generally performed better than children in care less than 10 months who in turn performed better than children in a non-attending comparison group. Statistical significance was found with respect to reading skills, much less so with language skills and mathematics skills. However, the overall trend for all students is one of deceleration rather than acceleration. By the eighth grade most children, whether in the program or comparison group had declined between 10 and 20 percentiles. Whatever advantage a quality child care program provides in the early grades cannot completely overcome the impact of larger and more powerful forces that overwhelm this population.
A Morphometric Study of Euryhalinity in Marine Populations of the Ciliate Genus Euplotes

Twenty different clonal strains of marine and brackish Euplotes, representing four morphotypes, were tested for hy- posalinity tolerance by a method which gradually acclimated the cells to lower salinity medium. The lowest salinities in which the strains could thrive ranged from 60% of normal seawater to complete freshwater. The morphological effects of culture medium salinity were also examined for two strains of a small "Euplotes charon" morphotype, as well as for two mating compatible "Euplotes vannw" strains and several of their exconjugates. There were no differences between the euryhaline strains grown in fresh or saltwater, except for a slight increase in overall cell size in one strain when cultured in freshwater medium. E. vannus strains increased in overall cell size with decreased salinity; also, the dorsal surface of the cells can become disorganized when the cells are cultured in 30% normal seawater.
Rectal applications of nonoxynol-9 cause tissue disruption in a monkey model.

Background: Efforts to develop topical microbicide products have all but ignored evaluation for rectal use. Goal: The goal of this study was to assess the effects of multiple rectal applications of Conceptrol (containing 4% non-oxynol-9) on flora and mucosal tissues in the pig-tailed macaque model. Study Design: Monkeys (8 per group) received daily rectal applications of Conceptrol, placebo gel, or no product, for 3 days. At each visit, a preapplication rectal lavage specimen and swab specimen for microbiology and pH determination were collected. Conceptrol or placebo gel (2.5 ml) was then administered intrarectally. Fifteen minutes after application, samples were again collected. Results: Gross observation of rectal lavage indicated sheets of epithelium 15 minutes after application of the nonoxynol-9 product. Histopathology of these samples revealed epithelial sheets with stroma attached. The presence of H 2 O 2 -producing lactobacilli remained relatively constant, whereas that of H 2 O 2 -producing viridans streptococci diminished in all non-oxynol-9-exposed animals in which these organisms were detected at baseline. Conclusions: Repeated applications of nonoxynol-9 disrupts the rectal mucosa of the pig-tailed macaque. The disruption of these tissues could have serious implications for an increase in likelihood of acquisition of sexually transmitted infection/HIV in humans.
User Attitudes towards Physical Activity Websites in a Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective To better understand the mixed findings regarding the efficacy of Internet-based physical activity interventions, we examined the use and usefulness of particular website components that may lead to improvements in intervention efficacy.
The kinetics of lateral growth

Abstract A theoretical model to study the growth characteristics of a train of closely-spaced macrosteps is presented. Volume diffusion in the parent phase is assumed to be the rate controlling factor, and numerical calculations are performed to assess the effect of neighboring steps on the velocity of a given step. On the basis of the nearest neighbor step interaction, a stability analysis is presented to predict the behavior of a large train of macrosteps. The interaction analysis is extebded, and discussed qualitatively, to the case of microsteps which advance either by volume or by surface diffusion mechanism.
Rescue of infectivity by sequential in vitro transcapsidation of rotavirus core particles with inner capsid and outer capsid proteins.

Abstract We recently developed an in vitro transcapsidation system in which infectivity of single-shelled (ss) rotavirus particles was successfully rescued (Chen and Ramig, Virology [1993]). Here, we report the rescue of infectivity of rotavirus core particles using virus strain B223 (G serotype 10) as the core donor and strain SA11-4F (G3) as the capsid donor. Core particles of B223 were obtained by CaCl 2 treatment of B223 ss-particles followed by isopycnic CsCl gradient centrifugation. Inner capsid protein VP6 of SA11-4F was prepared by CaCl 2 treatment of SA11-4F ss-particles, followed by removal of core particles by two rounds of centrifugation. Outer capsid proteins VP4 and VP7 of SA11-4F were prepared by EDTA treatment of ds-particles, followed by three rounds of centrifugation to remove ss-particles and minimize residual infectivity. No infectivity ( in vitro transcapsidation, some infectivity was also detected and transcriptase activity was reconstituted. Semi-purified transcapsidated ss-particles were then mixed with SA11-4F outer capsid proteins VP4 and VP7 at acidic pH to obtain transcapsidated ds-particles, as described previously. The formation of ds-like particles was also confirmed by electron microscopy, protein composition, and density determination. As the result of formation of transcapsidated ds-like particles, viral infectivity increased significantly (80-fold) relative to that of transcapsidated ss-particles. The infectivity of transcapsidated ds-particles was neutralized by polyclonal anti-SA11 serum, but not by polyclonal anti-B223 serum. The transcapsidated particles formed small plaques like B223 (core donor), and all the progeny plaques contained B223 genomes. These results demonstrate that the infectivity of rotavirus core particles can be rescued by sequential addition of inner and outer capsid proteins in vitro.
Aspen age structure in the northern Yellowstone ecosystem: USA

Abstract Age-structure analysis of aspen (Populus tremuloides) was conducted on Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus) winter range in the northern Yellowstone area by collecting increment cores from aspen trees in Yellowstone National Park, the Gallatin National Forest, and the Sunlight/Crandall area of the Shoshone National Forest. Our goal was to compare aspen age structure for elk winter range in the park with age structures developed for elk winter range in the national forests. We collected increment cores from aspen in three diameter size classes and three aspen habitat types (xeric, mesic, and scree). A special effort was made to collect increment cores from the relatively rare scree habitat type, since scree forms a “natural exclosure” where browsing pressure on aspen is reduced. The age structure of aspen in Yellowstone was significantly different from the age structures of aspen in either of the national forest areas (P
Estimation of hepatic hematopoiesis in second and third trimester singleton gestations using flow cytometric light scatter analysis of archival autopsy tissue.

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to develop a simple, quantitative, reproducible and objective method for estimating fetal hepatic hematopoiesis using flow cytometric light scatter measurements and to use this methodology to determine standard values for singleton gestations. Percent hepatic hematopoiesis was estimated from autopsy tissue both flow cytometrically using forward angle and side light scatter characteristics and histologically (single observer) in 67 s and third trimester singleton gestations without evidence of infection, congenital malformation, chronic maternal or placental disorders, or growth retardation. Correlation of flow cytometric and histologic estimates was 0.70 with flow cytometric estimates showing less variability than histologic estimates, especially during the second trimester. Flow cytometric estimates of hepatic hematopoiesis were relatively constant at 50–70% between 16 and 27 weeks gestational age and decreased during the third trimester to a level of approximately 25–30% at term. These results confirm and quantitate the predicted decrease in hepatic hematopoiesis between the second and third trimesters of gestation as well as its persistence at term. In addition, they demonstrate that flow cytometric light scatter analysis is an objective, valid and simple method for estimating hepatic hematopoiesis in archival autopsy tissue and provides objective standard values for comparison with estimates in pathologic gestations.
Spatial-temporal characterization of synchrophasor measurement systems — A big data approach for smart grid system situational awareness

An approach for fully characterizing a synchrophasor measurement system is proposed in this paper, which aims to provide substantial data volume reduction while keep comprehensive information from synchrophasor measurements in time and spatial domains. Specifically, the optimal synchrophasor sensor placement (OSSP) problem with the effect of zero-injection buses (ZIB) is modeled and solved to ensure the minimum number of installed sensors and also the full observability of the power system. After the sensors are optimally placed, the matching pursuit decomposition algorithm is used to extract the time-frequency features for full description of the time-domain synchrophasor measurements. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed characterization approach, power system situational awareness is investigated on Hidden Markov Model (HMM) based fault detection and identification using the spatial-temporal characteristics generated from the proposed approach. Several IEEE standard systems such as the IEEE 14 bus system, IEEE 30 bus system and IEEE 39 bus system are employed to validate and evaluate the proposed approach.
Binarization effects in acousto-optic correlators

SNR expressions are derived for four different correlators in which, respectively, (1) the input and template are gray-scale signals, (2) the template signal is binarized, (3) the input is binarized, and (4) both signals are binarized. These expressions can be used with any reference image to quantify the loss of SNR due to binarization. The present results indicate that SNR loss due to binarization is not severe, allowing a relaxation of linearity and dynamic range requirements.
Growth and pathogenicity of influenza viruses in organ cultures of ciliated epithelium. I. Experiments in ferret and human tissue.

A study was made of human influenza A viruses and of recombinants in ring organ cultures of human and ferret tracheas. All these viruses had previously been given to man and their virulence defined by clinical observation. There was an apparent association between the ability to reduce ciliary activity and the ability to produce human disease. This association was more evident in the human organ cultures than in the ferret organ cultures. Attempts to relate virus growth in organ cultures to human virulence gave ambiguous results.
The Ontogeny of Holocene and Late Pleistocene Human Postcranial Strength

While a wide variety of studies have focused on population variation in adult cross-sectional properties, relatively little is known about population variation in postcranial robusticity in immature individuals. Furthermore, the age at which the population differences readily detected in adults manifest during growth is also unknown. This research addresses these gaps in our current understanding through the analysis of immature humeral and femoral long bone strength. Cross-sectional geometry was used to compare the developmental trajectories of diaphyseal strength in Late Pleistocene Neandertal and modern human subadults to a sample of immature humans from seven geographically diverse Holocene populations. Population differences in size-standardized cross-sectional properties appear to be systemic and develop very early in ontogeny in the Holocene sample. In many cases, these differences are present before one year of age. In general, the Late Pleistocene fossil samples fit within the range of recent human variation in long bone strength. Population differences detected here are likely related to a combination of factors including activity patterns, genetic propensities, and nutritional status. These results highlight the complex mosaic of processes that result in adult postcranial robusticity, and suggest that further exploration of the developmental interplay between intrinsic and extrinsic influences on skeletal robusticity will likely enhance our understanding of adult postcranial morphology.
Autoinoculation herpes of the hand in a child with recurrent herpes labialis

Herpes simplex virus infections involving the fingers and hands have been reported primarily in medical and dental personnel. A 10-year-old boy is described who presented with herpes simplex virus infection of his left hand two weeks after resolution of an episode of recurrent herpes labialis. Since herpes simplex infections of the fingers and hands may be confused with a variety of other more common conditions, clinicians should be alert to this possibility when diagnosing vesiculopustular lesions of the hands, particularly in medical and dental personnel and in patients with histories of recurrent herpes simplex infections elsewhere. A need for greater patient awareness of the potential for herpes simplex virus autoinoculation is also stressed.