cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Similarities and differences between patients included and excluded from a randomized clinical trial of vitamin d supplementation for improving glucose tolerance in prediabetes: interpreting broader applicability

Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) designs range from highly selective resulting in lack of external validity to more inclusive, requiring large sample sizes to observe significant results. Few publications, however, have compared excluded to enrolled participants. We aimed to assess our trial’s design based on the effectiveness versus efficacy continuum using the Pragmatic-Explanatory Continuum Indicator Summary (PRECIS) tool and to compare included and excluded patients. Fifteen members of endocrinology section completed PRECIS for DIVA (D-Vitamin Intervention in VA) trial; an RCT evaluating vitamin D supplementation in improving dysglycemia in patients with prediabetes. Retrospective chart review compared subjects excluded (OUT) to those included (IN) in RCT. Student’s t and Chi-square tests were used to compare continuous and categorical variables. Additionally, multiple logistic regression was completed. PRECIS scores were nearly universally pragmatic. 178 patients enrolled in DIVA trial were compared with 178 randomly selected patients excluded from study involvement. There was no significant difference between IN and OUT for the majority of the continuous and all of the categorical variables. Multivariate logistic regression identified only the A1c, HDL and Charlson Index as significant predictors of a participant’s inclusion or exclusion. There was higher HDL (51.3(13.9) versus 44.6(10.1), P = 0.001) and Charlson Index (2.85(1.6) versus 2.2(1.17), P = 0.001) for OUT versus IN groups. Subanalysis of excluded patients in A1c range 5.7 to 6.9, had lower BMI (30.7(3.4) versus 32(2.7), P = 0.002) but higher HDL (mg/l: 49.7(11.8) versus 44.6(10.1), P = 0.001) and Charlson index (2.85(1.6) versus 2.2(1.17), P = 0.001) than included participants. Additionally, there was a trend towards higher rates of cancer (22.9 % versus 12.9 %, P = 0.033) but less psychiatric problems (56.2 % versus 72.5 %, P = 0.026) and thiazide diuretic use (18.1 % versus 29.8 %, P = 0.034). DIVA trial design appears to favor broad clinical applicability. The majority of objectively compared variables did not different between patients included and excluded from this RCT. Advice based on the evidence from this RCT may be applicable to a larger group of patients than those fitting inclusion/exclusion criteria alone. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01375660 (registered 15 June 2011).
Information-theoretic model-averaged benchmark dose analysis in environmental risk assessment

An important objective in environmental risk assessment is estimation of minimum exposure levels, called Benchmark Doses (BMDs), that induce a pre-specified Benchmark Response (BMR) in a dose-response experiment. In such settings, representations of the risk are traditionally based on a specified parametric model. It is a well-known concern, however, that existing parametric estimation techniques are sensitive to the form employed for modeling the dose response. If the chosen parametric model is in fact misspecified, this can lead to inaccurate low-dose inferences. Indeed, avoiding the impact of model selection was one early motivating issue behind development of the BMD technology. Here, we apply a frequentist model averaging approach for estimating benchmark doses, based on information-theoretic weights. We explore how the strategy can be used to build one-sided lower confidence limits on the BMD, and we study the confidence limits' small-sample properties via a simulation study. An example from environmental carcinogenicity testing illustrates the calculations. It is seen that application of this information-theoretic, model averaging methodology to benchmark analysis can improve environmental health planning and risk regulation when dealing with low-level exposures to hazardous agents.
Echocardiography. Clinical application in combined mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation.

Abstract The echocardiogram was typically abnormal in patients with mitral valve disease. In the patient with combined mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation, when the slope of the E wave was generally less than 50 mm./sec., dominant mitral obstruction and mild mitral reflux was diagnosed by left heart catheterization and cineradiography. When the slope was generally greater than 60 mm./sec., dominant mitral regurgitation was noted. The slope of the E wave was increased with increasing mitral reflux. Echocardiography was helpful in differentiating the pansystolic murmur of tricuspid regurgitation from mitral regurgitation. The echocardiogram is characteristic for mitral valve obstruction in the patient with severe mitral stenosis and secondary tricuspid regurgitation. In patients with aortic and mitral valve disease, the echocardiogram demonstrated the pathologic findings at the mitral valve. Echocardiography was also helpful in the detection of “silent” mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation. Also, the systolic murmur of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction was differentiated from mitral regurgitation by echocardiography. In the former the slope was normal, and in patients with mitral reflux the slope was characteristically abnormal. The size of the cardiac chambers was determined by the “A” presentation. Right ventricular enlargement was suggested by the increased distance from the anterior chest wall to the most anterior portion of the mitral valve and left ventricular enlargement by an increased distance from the chest wall to the posterior wall.
Wittgenstein, Ethics and Aesthetics: The View from Eternity

Modernism, modern aesthetics and Wittgenstein art and ethics - an historical sketch ethics and aesthetics in the "Tractatus" the "Tractatus" re-examined discerning humanity discerning art discerning the humanity in art.
Neural networks for active echo classification

The paper explores the use of an artificial neural network to distinguish between echoes from a constellation of acoustic reflectors representing a target and similar echoes produced by other reflectors, e.g. reverberation. The network was both trained and tested with simulated data. A wide band linear frequency modulated pulse was used in order to resolve the highlights of the target.
The use of chlorpromazine in labor

Abstract The new drug, chlorpromazine, has been characterized as a "tranquilizing" agent. In itself it is neither analgesic nor anesthetic, but its potentiating effects on both classes of compounds are striking. These effects, coupled with our personal experience with the drug in prenatal care and postoperatively in gynecologic surgery, suggested its use as an adjunct in the management of labor. Recent preliminary studies by Benaron 7 and Hershenson 8 and their associates encouraged this view. The findings of these investigators are, in turn, further supported by much of the material herein presented. The major portion of this report is concerned with the use of chlorpromazine in a series of 290 parturient women I attended personally at the Trumbull Memorial Hospital.
Hepatocyte TRAF3 promotes insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes in mice with obesity.

Abstract Objective Metabolic inflammation is believed to promote insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes progression in obesity. TRAF3, a cytoplasmic signaling protein, has been known to mediate/modulate cytokine signaling in immune cells. The goal is to define the metabolic function of hepatic TRAF3 in the setting of obesity. Methods Hepatocyte-specific TRAF3 knockout mice were generated using the loxp/ albumin - cre system. Liver TRAF3 was deleted in adult obese mice via Cre adenoviral infection. Both high fat diet-induced and genetic obesity were examined. TRAF3 levels and insulin signaling were measured by immunoblotting. Insulin sensitivity, hepatic glucose production, and glucose metabolism were examined by glucose, insulin, and pyruvate tolerance tests. Hepatic steatosis was examined by Oil red O staining of liver sections and measuring liver triacylglycerol levels. Results Liver TRAF3 levels were lower in the fasted states in normal mice, and were aberrantly higher in obese mice and in mice with streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia. Glucose directly increased TRAF3 levels in primary hepatocytes. Hepatocyte-specific deletion of TRAF3 decreased hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and hepatic steatosis in mice with either high fat diet-induced obesity or genetic obesity ( ob/ob ); conversely, in lean mice, adenovirus-mediated overexpression of TRAF3 in the liver induced hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and glucose intolerance. Deletion of TRAF3 enhanced the ability of insulin to stimulate phosphorylation of Akt in hepatocytes, whereas overexpression of TRAF3 suppressed insulin signaling. Conclusions Glucose increases the levels of hepatic TRAF3. TRAF3 in turn promotes hyperglycemia through increasing hepatic glucose production, thus forming a glucose-TRAF3 reinforcement loop in the liver. This positive feedback loop may drive the progression of type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in obesity.
Wigner-Ville spectrum estimation via wavelet soft-thresholding

The high noise sensitivity of the Wigner distribution makes smoothing a necessity for producing readable time-frequency images of noise corrupted signals. Since linear smoothing suppresses noise at the expense of considerable smearing of the signal components, we explore two nonlinear denoising techniques based on soft-thresholding in an orthonormal basis representation. Soft-thresholding provides considerable noise reduction without greatly impairing the time-frequency resolution of the denoised distribution. >
Embolization of Veno-venous Collaterals after the Fontan Operation Is Associated with Decreased Survival

Objective After Fontan operation, hemodynamically significant veno-venous collateral (VVC) vessels can lead to systemic arterial desaturation. Outcomes after embolization of VVCs have not been determined. We sought to determine the frequency of and outcomes for patients undergoing VVCs embolization after Fontan operation. Design We retrospectively analyzed clinical and hemodynamic data of patients who underwent cardiac catheterization after the Fontan operation from 1995 to 2014 at Mayo Clinic. Clinical, imaging, and hemodynamic data from patients with VVCs were compared based on intervention (embolization) vs. nonintervention. Results Four hundred ninety-six patients with prior Fontan operation had catheterization; 109 VVCs were identified in 72 patients (37 males, mean age 26 ± 12 years). Embolization was performed in 31/72 patients (43%). Following embolization, no improvement was demonstrated in oxygen saturation or hemoglobin concentration at ambulatory follow-up (2.5 ± 2 years), and cardiac index declined at follow-up catheterization (5.6 ± 3 years). Overall, 15 patients (21%) died at a mean of 2.8 ± 4 years after embolization. Fifty percent of deaths after embolization occurred in patients with Fontan pressures ≥18 mm Hg. Five-year survival of patients with VVCs undergoing embolization was 74% compared with 92% in those patients who did not undergo embolization (P < .01). In multivariate analysis, significant predictors of death on follow-up were embolization [hazard ratio (HR) = 9.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.8–42), P = .0001], atrio-pulmonary Fontan (HR = 4.2 [95% CI, 1.4–15], P = .01), and heterotaxy (HR = 3.7 [95% CI, 1.0–15], P = .05). Conclusion We observed decreased 5-year survival in patients who had VVC embolization. Embolization of VVC in patients after Fontan should be evaluated very carefully in patients with atrio-pulmonary type Fontan, heterotaxy, and those with Fontan pressure above 18 mm Hg. These patients may benefit from the “natural” fenestration that VVCs provide.
Neoplasms of transitional cell origin in first twenty years of life

Abstract Three cases of transitional cell carcinoma in childhood are reported, including 1 patient with multiple tumors believed to be the second such case reported. The three cases are discussed in relation to cases previously described in this age group. Transitional cell tumors in the first two decades are then compared with a similar group of low-grade tumors in adults which indicate a much more benign behavior of this type tumor in the younger age group.
Learning to Rank Complex Semantic Relationships

This paper presents a novel ranking method for complex semantic relationship semantic association search based on user preferences. The authors' method employs a learning-to-rank algorithm to capture each user's preferences. Using this, it automatically constructs a personalized ranking function for the user. The ranking function is then used to sort the results of each subsequent query by the user. Query results that more closely match the user's preferences gain higher ranks. Their method is evaluated using a real-world RDF knowledge base created from Freebase linked-open-data. The experimental results show that the authors' method significantly improves the ranking quality in terms of capturing user preferences, compared with the state-of-the-art.
EMPIRICAL COST FUNCTIONS FOR LABOUR‐INTENSIVE PADDY FARMS IN FORMOSA*

This study includes an estimate of cost functions for paddy farms in Formosa. Two types of estimational techniques are used; namely regression estimates and synthesized or budgeted cost curves. Long-run and short-run regression-derived curves are estimated for rice and sweet potato farms from samples which provide the observations. Estimates are for total cost functions with average cost functions computed per hectare. From sample observations, it was possible to derive, through regression estimates, only linear total cost functions. The non-linear average cost functions have only slight (economically unimportant) slopes beyond 2?-5 hectares. Hence, large farms do not seem to be an important policy imperative. However, the steep slope of the average cost functions for farms under 1-5 hectares suggest that further farm fragmentation should be prevented. The cost estimates based on synthesized functions result in conclusions paralleling those based on regression-estimated cost functions. The area at which minimum average costs occur differs among sets of fixed inputs. However, the level of costs at minimum points on the curves are similar for the numerous resource situations examined. Within the limitations of the data and results, we believe both estimational techniques imply similar policy prescriptions.
Randomized controlled trial of vinyl bags versus thermal mattress to prevent hypothermia in extremely low-gestational-age infants.

Objective To compare the efficacy of vinyl bags and thermal warming mattresses in preventing hypothermia during delivery room resuscitation and stabilization of extremely low-gestational-age neonates (ELGANs). Study Design Preterm infants 23 to 28 weeks' gestational age were randomly allocated to either vinyl bag or thermal mattress group at delivery to prevent hypothermia. The primary outcome of the study was the axillary temperature on admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Results A total of 41 infants were enrolled in the study. The mean admission temperature in the vinyl bag group was 36.1°C ± 0.7°C as compared with 35.8°C ± 1.3°C in the thermal mattress group. The subgroup of these infants with lower birth weight ( Conclusion Vinyl bags and warming mattress are equally effective in improving admission temperature in ELGANs. Improvements in other areas such as delivery room temperature may be needed to achieve the goal of preventing hypothermia in this vulnerable population.
Developmental change in GABAA receptor desensitization kinetics and its role in synapse function in rat cortical neurons

We examined the maturation of GABAA receptor synapses in cortical pyramidal neurons cultured from embryonic rats. The decay kinetics of GABAA receptor-mediated miniature postsynaptic currents (mPSCs) were compared with those of responses evoked by GABA in excised membrane patches. Fast perfusion of 1 or 10 mM GABA on membrane patches evoked currents with different desensitizing time courses in young and old neurons. For neurons older than 4 days in vitro (DIV), GABAA currents had a fast component of desensitization (median ≈ 3 ms) seldom seen in patches from younger neurons. In contrast, mPSCs exhibited a substantial fast component of decay at 2–4 DIV that became more prominent with further development although the median value of its time constant remained unchanged. The selective α3 subunit positive modulator SB-205384 had no effect on mPSCs at any time in vitro but potentiated extrasynaptic activity. This suggests that synapse maturation does not proceed by a gradual exchange of early embryonic GABAA receptor subforms for adult forms. At all ages, the kinetic properties of mPSCs were heterogeneous. This heterogeneity extended to the level of mPSCs from single neurons and may be a normal aspect of synaptic functioning. These results suggest that inhibitory synapses in developing neurons are capable of selectively capturing GABAA receptors having fast desensitization kinetics. This functional preference probably reflects the developmental turning point from an inwardly looking trophic capacity of embryonic GABAA receptors to a role concerned with information processing.
Fenofibrate administration does not affect muscle triglyceride concentration or insulin sensitivity in humans

Animal data suggest that males, in particular, rely on peroxisome proliferator activated receptor–α activity to maintain normal muscle triglyceride metabolism. We sought to examine whether this was also true in men vs women and its relationship to insulin sensitivity (Si). Normolipidemic obese men (n = 9) and women (n = 9) underwent an assessment of Si (intravenous glucose tolerance test) and intramuscular triglyceride (IMTG) metabolism (gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and gas chromatography–combustion isotope ratio mass spectrometry from plasma and muscle biopsies taken after infusion of [U-13C]palmitate) before and after 12 weeks of fenofibrate treatment. Women were more insulin sensitive (Si: 5.2 ± 0.7 vs 2.4 ± 0.4 ×10−4/ μU/mL, W vs M, P < .01) at baseline despite similar IMTG concentration (41.9 ± 15.5 vs 30.8 ± 5.1 μg/mg dry weight, W vs M, P = .43) and IMTG fractional synthesis rate (FSR) (0.27%/h ± 0.07%/h vs 0.35%/h ± 0.06%/h, W vs M, P = .41) as men. Fenofibrate enhanced FSR in men (0.35 ± 0.06 to 0.54 ± 0.06, P = .05), with no such change seen in women (0.27 ± 0.07 to 0.32 ± 0.13, P = .73) and no change in IMTG concentration in either group (23.0 ± 3.9 in M, P = .26 vs baseline; 36.3 ± 12.0 in W, P = .79 vs baseline). Insulin sensitivity was unaffected by fenofibrate (P ≥ .68). Lower percentage saturation of IMTG in women vs men before (29.1% ± 2.3% vs 35.2% ± 1.7%, P = .06) and after (27.3% ± 2.8% vs 35.1% ± 1.9%, P = .04) fenofibrate most closely related to their greater Si (R2 = 0.34, P = .10) and was largely unchanged by the drug. Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor–α agonist therapy had little effect on IMTG metabolism in men or women. Intramuscular triglyceride saturation, rather than IMTG concentration or FSR, most closely (but not significantly) related to Si and was unchanged by fenofibrate administration.
Bacterial Colonization Rate of InterStim and Infection Outcome With Staged Testing

Objective To investigate the bacterial colonization rate of the InterStim connector and lead during staged testing and the infectious outcome. Methods A total of 38 consecutive patients who were scheduled to undergo staged InterStim surgery were enrolled in the present prospective study. During the second stage procedure, immediately after the connector incision was opened, aerobic and anaerobic cultures were obtained by swabbing the connector pocket, the connector, and the permanent lead itself with sterile swabs. Results Of the 38 patients, 9 (24%) had a positive culture at the connector or lead site after the incision was opened during the second stage procedure. Of the 9 patients who had a colonized connector or lead, 3 (33%) subsequently developed device infection that required explantation. In contrast, only 3% of those who did not have colonization developed an infection afterward (P = .038). Longer percutaneous testing period was associated with a greater colonization rate. Of the 10 patients who underwent >14 days of staged testing, 5 (50%) developed connector and/or lead colonization. However, only 4 of the 28 patients (14%) who underwent ≤14 days of testing did so (P = .036, relative risk 3.5, 95% confidence interval 1.2-10.5). Conclusion The risk of InterStim colonization is significant using the staged, tined lead testing approach. Testing for >14 days between the 2 stages was associated with greater colonization rates. Patients should be evaluated on an ongoing basis during staged testing, with attempts to perform generator implantation once efficacy has been unequivocally demonstrated to reduce the risk of colonization.
Concanavalin A binds to puffs in polytene chromosomes.

CHANGES in transcriptional activity at defined loci are often correlated with significant local structural changes in the genome1, and in polytene chromosomes, such changes are thought to be associated with compositional or conformational changes in the protein complement at these particular bands2,3. Thus, various studies on Balfoiani rings and specific ‘puffs’ in such chromosomes are useful for elucidating the role of defined chromosomal components in both chromosome structure and gene activity. Such studies require specific probes which will allow in situ localisation of a chromosomal component during the various stages of puffing. Antibodies specific to purified histone fractions4–7, HMG proteins8, RNA polymerase9 and non-histone protein subfractions10 have been used in studies on chromatin and chromosome structure. We reported previously that concanavalin A (Con A) specifically binds to three types of non-histone proteins present in chromatin purified from rat liver nuclei and suggested that derivatives of Con A might serve as specific probes to study the in situ organisation of these non-histone proteins11. We have now reacted fluorescein-labelled Con A with polytene chromosomes isolated from different developmental stages of Chironomus thummi and visualised the location of the bound Con A by fluorescence microscopy. We observed that the fluorescent lectin, which has an affinity for glucose- and mannose-containing molecules, specifically bound to the transcriptionally active regions of chromosome IV. The extent of binding of Con A to the Balbiani rings present in regions b and c of chromosome IV is proportional to the size of the respective ring. Our results indicate that glucose- or mannose-containing molecules are present in these Balbiani rings and that the availability of these sugars to interact with Con A can be correlated with the developmental stage of a puff. We suggest that lectins can be useful cytological tools with which to study the in situ organisation of defined chromosomal components during various functional states of the genome.
Heart Disease Occurs in a Biological, Psychological, and Social Matrix: Cardiac Risk Factors, Symptom Presentation, and Recovery as Illustrative Examples

Despite the basic premise of behavioral medicine that understanding and treatment of physical well-being require a full appreciation of the confluence of micro-, molar-, and macro-variables, the field tends to focus on linear, causal relationships. In this paper, we argue that more attention be given to a dynamic matrix approach, which assumes that biological, psychological, and social elements are interconnected and continually influence each other (consistent with the biopsychosocial model). To illustrate, the authors draw from their independent and collaborative research programs on overlapping cardiac risk factors, symptom interpretation, and treatment delay for cardiac care and recovery from heart disease. "Cabling" across biological, psychological, and social variables is considered as a transformative strategy for medicine and the other health-related disciplines.
Race contra space: the conflict between German geopolitik and national socialism

Abstract Popular views of the role of geopolitics in the Third Reich suggest a fundamental significance on the part of the geopoliticians in the ideological orientation of the Nazi state. The present article is an examination of the relationship of geopolitical doctrine to National Socialism, and concludes that these popular views are in important ways misleading and incorrect. Despite the numerous similarities and affinities between the two doctrines, geopolitics was always held suspect by the National Socialist ideologists. This suspicion was understandable, for the underlying philosophical orientation of geopolitics ran counter to that of National Socialism. Geopolitics, deriving from the political geography of F. Ratzel, shared his scientific materialism and determinism. Human society was determined by external influences, in the face of which qualities held innately by individuals or groups were of reduced or no significance. National Socialism both rejected in principle materialism and determinism, and also elevated innate human qualities, in the form of a hypothesized ‘racial character’, to the factor of greatest significance in the constitution of human society. These differences led after 1933 to friction, and ultimately to open denunciation of geopolitics by Nazi ideologists.
COMPUTERIZED INFORMATION SYSTEMS SUPPORTING MULTICRITERIA DECISION MAKING

This paper addresses two issues critical to the success of decision support systems in multiattribute/multicriteria decision-making contexts. A relationship is established between normative (prescriptive) work in the area of multicriteria decision making and behavioral (descriptive) decision research involving choice strategies. A conceptual system architecture based on the state-space approach to problem solving is presented. This architecture will enable decision makers to incorporate both prescriptive and descriptive strategies in the course of computer-aided multiple alternative/attribute problem resolution.
Topicalization effects in cued recall of technical prose.

The perceived topic of a passage should determine what information is given priority in storage effort for later recall. The topic should also determine how effective a later recall cue should be, in that recall should be best if the cue is the same as the passage topic. These issues were studied by investigating cued recall of passages that contained information about two candidate topic items, either of which could be marked as the passage topic by initial mention or the sentence surface subject position. The recall cue was either the item marked as the topic or the nontopic item. If the cue was the topic, recall about the topic item was greater than recall about the nontopic item. If the cue was the nontopic item, recall about the two items was roughly the same, unaffected by the topic marking. But the topic and nontopic cues produced the same overall level of recall. In contrast to the original hypothesis, the results are interpreted as the topic marking and recall cue acting as instructions for what information the subject should emphasize in recall. It is argued that the two-topic passages used in this work are processed differently from the usual one-topic passages in prose memory studies.
1H, 15N and 13C resonance assignments and secondary structure determination of the RNA-binding domain of E.coli rho protein.

Protein fragments containing the RNA-binding domain of Escherichia coli rho protein have been over-expressed in E. coli. NMR spectra of the fragment containing residues 1–116 of rho protein (Rho116) show that a region of this protein is unfolded in solution. Addition of (dC)10 to this fragment stabilizes the folded form of the protein. The fragment comprising residues 1–130 of rho protein (Rho130) is found to be stably folded, both in the absence and presence of nucleic acid. NMR studies of the complex of Rho 130 with RNA and DNA oligonucleotides indicate that the binding-site size, affinity, and specificity of Rho 130 are similar to those of intact rho protein; therefore, Rho 130 is a suitable model of the RNA-binding domain of rho protein. NMR line widths as well as titration experiments of Rho130 complexed with oligonucleotides of various lengths suggest that Rho130 forms oligomers in the presence of longer oligonucleotides. 1H, 15N and 13C resonance assignments were facilitated by the utilization of two pulse sequences, CN-NOESY and CCH-TOCSY. The secondary structure of unliganded Rho130 has been determined by NMR techniques, and it is clear that the RNA-binding domain of rho is more structurally similar to the cold shock domain than to the RNA recognition motif.
Utilization of Individual versus Family Therapy among Adolescents with Severe Emotional Disturbance

Service utilization patterns among children with severe emotional and/or behavioral disturbances are described for 89 children and families, interviewed at two time points across a 6-month period. Children received a greater number of individual therapy sessions than family therapy sessions, and children significantly decreased their levels of internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Family therapy was associated with decreases in internalizing behaviors when children reported outcomes. Individual therapy was not associated with changes in either internalizing or externalizing behaviors regardless of reporter. Symptom severity did not dictate whether children were provided individual or family therapy. Recommendations for individualized treatment plans are offered.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)–Based Diagnostic Assays for Invasive Candidiasis

Candidemia and other types of invasive candidiasis are associated with mortality rates as high as 40% despite antifungal therapy. In part, the poor outcomes stem from the inadequacies of diagnostic tests for invasive candidiasis. The current gold standard is blood culture, which is negative in 50% of autopsy-proven cases. As such, development of novel diagnostics is a top priority. Assays for invasive candidiasis based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are potentially attractive because of their high sensitivity, rapid turnaround time, capacity for speciation, and ability to quantitate the candidal burden. Research has refined PCR methods and performance parameters to the point that diagnostic assays for invasive candidiasis are approaching the clinic. Overall, optimized PCR assays have sensitivities and specificities for candidemia and proven or probable invasive candidiasis that exceed 90%. Studies are now needed to determine the precise clinical roles of PCR diagnostic assays and their impact on patient outcomes.
Percutaneous absorption of theophylline IN VIVO

AbstractThe percutaneous absorption of theophylline as its free acid has been demonstrated in vivo using the hairless (hr-1/hr-1) mouse as an experimental model. Following topical administration of 0.1 mg theophylline in concentrated aqueous solution, drug concentrations were measured in plasma at 1,2,4, and 6 hrs. A mean theophylline plasma concentration of 0.1 μg/ml was sustained throughout the study period, suggesting that percutaneous absorption may provide a useful route for continuous slow administration of theophylline. This may be particularly important, given the frequency of gastrointestinal side effects of oral administration of the drug.
Fulminant herpes simplex viral hepatitis: ultrasound and CT imaging appearance and a review of the imaging literature

We report the case of a previously healthy 21-year-old woman who presented 6 days post-partum in acute fulminant hepatic failure. A liver ultrasound demonstrated normal echogenicity without discrete nodules while an enhanced computed tomography (CT) demonstrated innumerable 1- to 3-mm hypodense nodules throughout the liver with greater involvement of the left lobe. Liver biopsy confirmed herpes simplex virus infection. We believe this disease has a characteristic appearance on CT and prompt recognition can expedite diagnosis and therapy.
The Dielectric Constant of Carbon Dioxide as a Function of Temperature and Density

The dielectric constant of carbon dioxide has been measured over a wide range of temperature and density. It has been found that the Clausius-Mosotti function $\frac{(\ensuremath{\epsilon}\ensuremath{-}1)V}{(\ensuremath{\epsilon}+2)}$, although independent of temperature increases slowly with increasing density.
Mechanical Description of PIGMI

PIGMI (Pion Generator for Medical Irradiation) is a compact linear proton accelerator whose prototype is being designed and built at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory. PIGMI consists of a 250-keV injector, a double harmonic buncher, a tape-wound 13-kG solenoid magnet, and four accelerator tanks with a total of 63 drift tubes of which 18 will contain strong focusing quadrupoles of permanent magnets. Small component sizes (for example, one drift tube is only 0.690-cm long) necessitates innovative design approaches. Fabrication and assembly are in progress, and some of the mechanical aspects of some of the accelerator components are described in this paper.
Behavior of a non-wetting melt in free fall: Experimental

To explain why nonwetting metals and semiconductors, directionally solidified in space, yield ingots which are smaller in diameter than the ampoule, the behavior of mercury during a parabolic free-fall in a KC135 aircraft was observed using transparent ampoules with attached video cameras. Triangular glass ampoules and cylindrical polycarbonate ampoules were filled to 30-95 percent capacity. In polycarbonate ampoules, mercury did not pull away from the ampoule walls. The photographs displayed either liquid columns separated by gas spaces or gas bubbles on the wall. At low levels of liquid, separated columns were favored, while only bubbles were seen when the liquid mercury almost filled the ampoule. In ampoules with triangular cross section, the liquid pulled away from the glass walls along the edges and contacted the walls along the centers, over about half of the wall width of each side.
A Study of Suppository Bases.: I.Review of Literature†

A review of the literature on suppository bases shows that much work has been done on fattype bases such as cocoa butter. Some investigations have been made on water-soluble and emulsion type bases. There seems to be little or no work done with such compounds as plastics, synthetic resins, and other similar condensation products. The review on sup pository bases includes 108 references, containing data in classified form.
Generalized Dominant Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex: Decreased Activity of a Gelatinolytic Protease in Cultured Fibroblasts as a Phenotypic Marker

To characterize biochemical traits associated with various forms of epidermolysis bullosa (EB), we used skin fibroblast cultures to measure a gelatin-specific neutral metalloprotease. Compared to normal cultures, levels of this gelatinase were 7-fold decreased in cell cultures from 3 patients from 3 kindreds with generalized dominant EB simplex of the Koebner type (DEBS-K) (p 1 SD below the mean control value and approximated those seen in the generalized DEBS-K patients. These studies suggest that the decrease in gelatinolytic activity is a marker for DEBS-K and that DEBS-K and DEBS-WC may be closely related genetic disorders in which the defect in gelatinolytic protease represents a pleiotropic effect of the gene for DEBS or is genetically linked to the DEBS gene.
An in situ tensile test apparatus for polymers in high pressure hydrogen

Degradation of material properties by high-pressure hydrogen is an important factor in determining the safety and reliability of materials used in high-pressure hydrogen storage and delivery. Hydrogen damage mechanisms have a time dependence that is linked to hydrogen outgassing after exposure to the hydrogen atmosphere that makes ex situ measurements of mechanical properties problematic. Designing in situ measurement instruments for high-pressure hydrogen is challenging due to known hydrogen incompatibility with many metals and standard high-power motor materials such as Nd. Here we detail the design and operation of a solenoid based in situ tensile tester under high-pressure hydrogen environments up to 42 MPa (6000 psi). Modulus data from high-density polyethylene samples tested under high-pressure hydrogen at 35 MPa (5000 psi) are also reported as compared to baseline measurements taken in air.
Model for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Operation on Reformate Feed: Effects of CO, H;2 Dilution, and High Fuel Utilization

We describe a polymer electrolyte fuel cell model emphasizing operation on hydrocarbon reformate, i.e., the anode feed stream consists of dry H 2 concentrations as low as 40%, inlet CO levels of 10-100 ppm, and hydrogen fuel utilization as high as 90%. Refinements of interfacial kinetics equations used in our previous work on CO effects in H 2 anodes have yielded a better quantitative fit to the measured dependence of voltage loss on inlet CO level [in Electrode Materials and Processes for Energy Conversion and Storage, J. McBreen, S. Mukerjee, and S. Srinivasan, Editors, PV 97-13, pp. 15-24, The Electrochemical Society Proceedings Series, Pennington, NJ (1997)]. We calculate anode potential losses by coupling such interfacial kinetic processes to reactant diffusion limitations and ionic resistance in the catalyst layer, and by accounting for the drop in local hydrogen concentration along the flow channel due to significant fuel utilization. As a result of internal readjustment of cell overpotentials when hydrogen concentration drops along the flow channel, we show that loss of current, or power, under the realistic condition of constant cell voltage is smaller than loss of current at constant anode potential. We show that voltage losses associated with CO poisoning are significantly amplified with diluted hydrogen feed streams and particularly so under high fuel utilization. We make projections on improvements required, qualitative and quantitative, in the physical parameters of the anode catalyst surface chemistry to significantly improve CO tolerance.
Research Advances: Improved Methods for Detecting Art Forgeries and Blood Types

This installment of Research Advances describes some results of continued efforts in analytical chemistry in fields as far ranging as art forgery detection and faster, cheaper blood typing.
The oxytocin secretory response to breast stimulation in women during the menstrual cycle

Plasma oxytocin concentrations were measured during 12 minutes of mechanical pump stimulation in nine healthy women during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. In the follicular phase (and in five healthy male subjects), plasma oxytocin values did not increase above baseline levels with breast pump stimulation. In contrast, pump stimulation evoked a significant increase in plasma oxytocin levels during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. These observations suggest that oxytocin secretion is modulated by hormones involved in the menstrual cycle in women.
Chromatin assembly on herpes simplex virus genomes during lytic infection

The human herpes simplex viruses HSV-1 and HSV-2 infect a significant portion of the human population. Both viruses can undergo lytic infection in epithelial cells and establish lifelong latency in neuronal cells. The large HSV-1 DNA genomes have long been considered to be devoid of histones both inside the virion particle and inside the cell during lytic infection, but to be packaged in repressive chromatin during latency. However, recent reports indicate that many histone and non-histone chromosomal proteins can associate with viral DNA during lytic infection and may influence important events during the HSV-1 lytic cycle. In this article, we summarize recent developments in this field and their implications.
Isolation of DNA from tannin-containing plants

Abstract A combination of techniques has been developed which permits purification of large amounts of DNA from plants containing high levels of tannins and brown pigments. The method uses lyophilized plant tissue, permitting storage of field collections and eliminating the need for fresh material. The tissue is disrupted by blending at 60° C. The DNA is separated by gel fractionation followed by hydroxyapatite (HAP) chromatography and the final product is concentrated by lyophilization. In this procedure all enzyme treatments and precipitation steps may be avoided.
Creep of metal-matrix composites with elastic fibers—Part I: Continuous aligned fibers

Abstract Three-dimensional constitutive equations are developed for the time-dependent (transient) creep behavior of metal-matrix composites reinforced by continuous elastic fibers. The composite model is developed in two steps: (i) one in which shear loads relative to the fibers are applied and the response is matrix-dominated, and (ii) another in which the composite is subjected to axisymmetric loads relative to the fibers and the response is fiber-dominated. The predictions of the model are compared with the solutions of a number of ‘unit cell’ problems; periodic boundary conditions, consistent with the requirements of homogenization theory, are imposed on the unit cell, and the solutions are obtained by using the finite element method. A method for the numerical integration of the developed constitutive equations is presented and the material model is implemented in a general-purpose finite element program.
Integrated control and related technology of assistive devices.

Assistive devices are now available that allow persons with severe physical disabilities to complete tasks independently. When the user has severe physical limitations, it may be advantageous to have an integrated control system where a single control interface (e.g., joystick, head switches, voice recognition system, keypad) is used to operate two or more assistive devices (e.g., power wheelchairs, augmentative communication devices, computers, environmental control units, and other devices that are controlled electronically). The advantages of integrated control are that persons with limited motor control can access several devices with one access site without assistance, and the user does not need to learn a different operating mechanism for each device. The purpose of this review is to convey the depth and breadth of the research that has been conducted on integrated control systems, as well as to provide some insights into future directions. We reviewed research works pertaining to communication and environmental control, computer access, and wheelchair guidance systems. Information gathered in this study will help people become fully aware of the status of contemporary integrated control technology in order to increase the quality of life of people who use electronic assistive devices.
Early literacy standards: What new teachers should know

Abstract Students in early childhood teacher education programs are expected to know, plan curriculum, and teach within several sets of content area, national, state, and local, learning standards. Understanding where these standards originated and why they are important within the context of classroom practice will help new teachers begin their careers aware of their role in helping children become competent in the content‐area standards. At the heart of the standards movement are the early literacy standards, necessary for achieving both reading and language arts competencies and for achieving competency in social studies, science, and mathematics in the K‐12 grades. Understanding and applying the standards, through best practices, can guide teachers in the writing of objectives, development of activities, selection of materials, and the authentic assessment of children's learning within their classroom.
Functions confined in space and spatial frequency include Gabor-like functions as well as intrinsically two-dimensional functions resembling “non-Cartesian” gratings

BDf Functions f that are confined in space are unchanged after application of D. Functions f that are confined in spatial frequency are unchanged after application of B. We therefore seek functions f for which successive application of D and B changes f as little as possible. f B Bf Consider a linear operator B windows f in spatial frequency by multiplying by a windowing function B(ω): ) ( ~ ω f ω B(ω)
Object-oriented methods: current practices and attitudes

Abstract A total of 160 experienced object-oriented (OO) developers and OO trainees responded to a survey covering current practices and attitudes toward various OO methods, in particular and some aspects of OO systems development, in general. The survey probed into developers' training in OO analysis and design (OOAD) methods; familiarity, preference and use of OOAD methods; the use of OO tools; and attitudes toward OOAD methods. The purpose of this paper is to report the findings in these areas. Overall, (1) trainees are relying more on universities and less on self-instruction compared to existing developers; (2) the Booch, OMT and Jacobson methods are known by, preferred by, and used by developers more than other methods; (3) automated tools are used regularly by less than 50% of developers; and (4) attitudes toward OOAD methods by developers and trainees are favorable, although some differences do exist. The results are important for understanding the current state of, and attitudes toward, OOAD methods as interest in this area continues to grow and mature.
Decreased inotropic but relatively preserved relaxation response to cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent agents in myopathic human myocardium.

Abstract Background: Increased intracellular concentrations of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) stimulate a positive inotropic and lusitropic response in healthy myocardial tissue. Heart failure results in an attenuated inotropic response to cyclic AMP-dependent agents. This study compares the inotropic versus relaxation response to cyclic AMP-dependent and cyclic AMP-independent agents in myocardium from patients with end-stage heart failure and control patients without heart failure. Methods and Results: Fifty-four control and 59 myopathic human ventricular trabeculae, 1 mm or less in diameter were placed in physiologic saline, 2.5 mM Ca 2+ , and stretched to the length at which maximal isometric force developed at 30°C, 0.33 Hz. Dose-response curves plotted as percentage change from baseline versus concentration of drug were determined for acetylstrophanthidin, isoproterenol, isobutylmethylxanthine, and milrinone. Acetylstrophanthidin, a cyclic AMP-independent agent, showed similar increases in peak tension relative to baseline over the entire dose range tested for both control and myopathic heart muscle; its effect on relaxation of control and failing cardiac muscle was equivalent over the dose range tested. In contrast, the inotropic actions of the cyclic AMP-dependent agents, isoproterenol and the phosphodiesterase inhibitors, were significantly decreased in myopathic muscle compared with control muscle, but effects on relaxation in the control and myopathic groups remained relatively preserved. Conclusions: A relatively preserved relaxant effect is associated with the cyclic AMP-dependentagents, despite significant diminution of their inotropic effects. Thus, in advanced heart failure, patients may continue to benefit from the lusitropic effects of the cyclic AMP-dependent agents, even when the inotropic effects of these agents are severely attenuated.