cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reproducibility of Data on Steady-State Gas Exchange and Indices of Maldistribution of Ventilation and Blood Flow

The reproducibility of data on steady-state gas exchange and arterial blood gas levels was examined in 45 patients with similar pathophysiologic abnormalities (idiopathic scoliosis) by comparing the data obtained during two sequential periods breathing air. Comparison in all patients of 12 variables by paired t -test demonstrated statistically significant differences in the following three variables: the ratio of physiologic dead space to tidal volume (Vd/TV), the alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference (P[A-a]O 2 ), and the arterial oxygen tension. By excluding four patients whose respiratory quotient was greater than two standard deviations from the mean value and one patient with a marked change in the pattern of ventilation, only the Vd/TV was significantly different (P 2 , was 18.8 percent; the majority were in the range of 6 to 13 percent (minute ventilation, TV, frequency, oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production, respiratory quotient, Vd/TV, dead space, and alveolar ventilation), and the coefficients of variation of partial pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the arterial blood were, respectively, 3.6 and 3.4 percent.
On the Quantum Theory for a Finite-Sized Electron. I

Section I discusses briefly different types of models for a finite-sized electron from the classical point of view with each model being characterized by a particular type of charge-current distribution. Each of these models can be quantized by the Feynman Lagrangian procedure and the new problems encountered are analyzed in Sec. II. These problems are illustrated in Sec. III which goes into the detailed calculations for the first-order perturbation calculation of a finite-sized electron interacting with an external field.
A digitized, direct contact b‐scanner for ophthalmic application

This paper presents the principles of a portable compact instrument utilizing a digital control system and providing B-scan displays. The instrument is designed exclusively for ophthalmic applications. The system is comprised of a self-contained scanning head and a signal display unit. The entire unit can easily be rolled to the patient's bedside or into the operating room. A programmed pulse generator provides signals for incremental angular positioning of the transducer as well as signals for the formation of the display. The transducer is moved by a stepping motor to establish the incremental sector scan. Display sweeps are generated by digital-to-analog conversion to circumvent the use of mechanically-driven position sensors as used in conventional systems.
Early experience with single incision laparoscopic surgery: eliminating the scar from abdominal operations

Abstract Purpose Single incision laproscopic surgery (SILS) involves performing abdominal operations with laparoscopic instruments placed through a single, small umbilical incision. The primary goal is to avoid visible scarring. This is the first report of SILS cholecystectomy in children and the first report in the literature of SILS splenectomy. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed in 20 consecutive inpatient SILS procedures (13 males, 7 females; ages 2-17 years) from May to December 2008. Outcome measures included need for conversion, operative time, time to oral analgesia, length of hospitalization, cosmetic outcome, and complications. Results There were 4 total splenectomies, 3 cholecystectomies, 2 combined splenectomy/cholecystectomies, and 11 appendectomies performed. All procedures were completed successfully without need for conversion to standard laparoscopy or open surgery. Mean operative time was 90 minutes for splenectomy, 68 minutes for cholecystectomy, 165 minutes for combined splenectomy/cholecystectomy, and 33 minutes for appendectomy. Mean hospital stay was 1 day for appendectomy, 1 day for cholecystectomy, and 2.5 days for splenectomy. One splenectomy patient received 1 U packed red blood cell transfusion. All appendectomy patients were converted to oral analgesia within 24 hours and splenectomy patients within 48 hours. All families were very pleased with the cosmetic outcome. Conclusion Single incision laparoscopic surgery is feasible for a variety of pediatric general surgical conditions, allowing for scarless abdominal operations. This early experience suggests that outcomes are comparable to standard laparoscopic surgery but with improved cosmesis, however, a larger series is necessary to confirm these findings and to determine if there are any benefits in pain or recovery. Surgeons performing SILS should have a firm foundation of advanced minimal access surgical skills and a cautious, gradated approach to attempting the various procedures. Technological refinements will further enable SILS.
In vitro development of individually cultured whole mouse embryos from blastocyst to early somite stage.

Abstract The sequential processes of in vitro development of whole mouse embryos were classified by stages according to the in vivo criteria of E. Witschi (1972, “Biology Data Book,” Part II: “Rat,” L. Altman and D. S. Dittmer, eds., 2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 178–180, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, Bethesda, Md.) and K. Theiler (1972, “The House Mouse,” Springer-Verlag, Berlin/New York). The mouse embryos which developed in vitro in each day of culture were then classified into stages according to the characteristics of mouse embryos developed in vivo . A series of 10 blastocysts were inoculated into 35-mm plastic culture dishes (30–50 blastocysts per experiment). Developing embryos were scored on the fourth, sixth, and eighth days and classified into stages. Among the total of 118 blastocysts cultured in three repeated experiments, 100 mouse embryos had attached and developed in culture dishes. Ninety-four percent of the attached mouse embryos developed to the early egg cylinder stage after 4 days of incubation, and 87% grew to the stage of late egg cylinder after 6 days of culture. An average of 62% of the embryos reached the early somite stage with heart beating after 8 days in culture with frequent medium change. In two separate experiments single mouse blastocysts were placed individually in culture dishes in 2 ml of culture medium. The development of each embryo was followed every day. Each of 10 blastocysts had attached in its respective culture dish and had developed to the early egg cylinder stage after 4 days of culture. About 50 to 70% of each of these 20 individually isolated mouse embryos developed in vitro to the early somite stage after 8 days of culture.
A case study of radiotherapy planning for Intensity Modulation Radiation Therapy for the whole scalp with matching electron treatment

The purpose of this report is to communicate a technique to match an electron field to the dose distribution of an Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) plan. A patient with multiple areas of squamous cell carcinoma over the scalp was treated using 60 Gy in 2.0-Gy fractions to the entire scalp and first echelon nodes with multiple 6-MV photon fields. To deliver an adequate dose to the scalp, a custom 1.0-cm bolus helmet was fashioned using a solid piece of aquaplast. Along with the IMRT scalp treatment, a left zygoma area was treated with electrons matching the anterior border of the IMRT dose distribution. The border was matched by creating a left lateral field with the multileaf collimator shaped to the IMRT dose distribution. The result indicated an adequate dose to the skin match between the IMRT plan and the electron field. Results were confirmed using optically stimulated luminescence placed at the skin match area, so that the dose matched the prescription within 10%.
Compression moduli of some PM P microcellular foams

The elastic moduli of poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) foams made by several processes are measured. The results reveal that several terms need to be added to the currently accepted mathematical representation. Thus, the amount of noncontributing mass and the efficiency of the contributing mass must be considered along with the isotropic reduction in total mass. The mathematical equation derived gives new insight into the structure and properties of microcellular foams.
Homogenization of scalar conservation laws with oscillatory forcing terms

The homogenization of a scalar conservation law with a highly oscillatory forcing term is studied. Effective equations are derived for the local averages of the oscillatory solutions, together with approximations that correctly represent the phase and the amplitude of the oscillations. A random choice method is also designed, which, as demonstrated by our numerical results, gives the correct local averages without necessarily resolving the small scales. Finally, the homogenization problem with an additional small viscosity term is studied.
Cryopreservation of murine embryos with trehalose and glycerol

Abstract Several concentrations of trehalose (0.0, 0.04, 0.1, 0.25 M) in combination with three concentrations of glycerol (1.0, 1.5, 2.0 M) were evaluated for the Cryopreservation of murine embryos. Embryos were transferred through increasing concentrations of glycerol in Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline with 10% fetal calf serum (PBS + PCS) to reach the final glycerol concentrations. They were then randomly assigned to one of the concentrations of trehalose. A total of 506 morulae were packaged individually in 0.25-ml plastic straws and cooled from ambient temperature at 1.0 °C/min in a programmable methanol freezer. Embryos were seeded at −7 °C and then cooled to −25 °C at 0.3 °C/min before being plunged into liquid nitrogen. After thawing and a one-step dilution of glycerol, embryos were cultured for 48 hr and viability was determined by blastocoel formation. Highest viability (70.0%) after 48 hr in culture was obtained for embryos frozen in 1.5M glycerol plus 0.10 M trehalose as compared to 31% viability for embryos frozen with glycerol alone. These observations suggest that trehalose can be used in combination with glycerol as a cryoprotectant and that a high rate of viability can be achieved after a one-step dilution of the cryoprotectants.
A History of Dermatologic Surgery in the United States

Background.Dermatologic surgery has a long and distinguished history in the United States.Objective.To examine the specific contributions of American dermatologic surgeons.Method.The medical literature on cutaneous reconstructive and cosmetic surgery for the last century and a half was researched.Re
NYC 311: A Tract-Level Analysis of Citizen–Government Contacting in New York City

311 is a telephone and web service that allows residents of many cities to report nonemergency concerns and problems with city services to their local government. This article explores the Census-t...
High strain rate superplasticity of a SiC particulate reinforced aluminium alloy composite by a vortex method

High strain rate superplasticity (HSRS) for a ceramic whisker or particulate reinforced aluminum alloy composites exhibiting a total elongation of 250--600% at a high strain rate such as 0.1--10S[sup [minus]1] is expected to establish an efficient, near-net shape forming for automobile engineering components, aerospace structures and semi-conductor packagings. The purpose of this study is to establish thermomechanical processing to build fine microstructure and to produce HSRS for a SiC particulate reinforced aluminum alloy composite fabricated by a voltex method and to make clear the superplastic characteristics.
An adaptive filtering approach for electrocardiogram (ECG) signal noise reduction using neural networks

Abstract Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals have been widely used in clinical studies to detect heart diseases. However, ECG signals are often contaminated with noise such as baseline drift, electrode motion artifacts, power-line interference, muscle contraction noise, etc. Conventional methods for ECG noise removal do not yield satisfactory results due to the non-stationary nature of the associated noise sources and their spectral overlap with desired ECG signals. In this paper, an adaptive filtering approach based on discrete wavelet transform and artificial neural network is proposed for ECG signal noise reduction. This new approach combines the multi-resolution property of wavelet decomposition and the adaptive learning ability of artificial neural networks, and fits well with ECG signal processing applications. Computer simulation results demonstrate that this proposed approach can successfully remove a wide range of noise with significant improvement on SNR (signal-to-noise ratio).
Welfare Implications of Commodity Storage under Uncertainty

Intertemporal equilibrium is determined for a competitive market when private inventories are held. Production and storage decisions respond to rational expectations of uncertain prices. Algebraic expressions for gains (losses) to buyers and producers are derived in this context. Competitive equilibrium maximizes gains to society. Government programs that stabilize price either completely or partially generate benefits to producers and losses to buyers relative to competitive equilibrium. Welfare effects are quantified assuming an initial period of abundance and various supply and demand elasticities.
The Effects of Neonatal Social Isolation on the Behavior and Endocrine Function of Holstein Calves

Abstract A link between neonatal isolation and increased milk production has been reported for Holstein dairy cattle (Donaldson, 1970; Arave et al., 1985). This research proposes and investigates four mechanisms that might underlie this effect. Three hypotheses were unsupported: neonatal isolation did not affect social dominance, reproductive maturation or socialization to humans. A fourth hypothesis proposes that neonatal isolation, by imposing stress, has organizational effects on hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenal axis function. This was supported by behavioral and endocrine evidence. Isolated calves stood more ( P P
Comparison of exchange transfusion and deferoxamine in the treatment of acute iron poisoning

The efficacy of iron removal by deferoxamine, exchange transfusion, and a combination of deferoxamine and exchange transfusion was studied in 3 groups of dogs with severe iron intoxication. The amount of iron excreted in the urine of dogs treated with deferoxamine was minimal. The mean amount of iron removed in the group receiving exchange transfusion alone was 30 times greater than the amount obtained by urinary excretion in the group treated with deferoxamine. Chelation with deferoxamine followed by exchange transfusion did not increase the amount of iron removed by exchange transfusion.
Changes in IP3R1 and SERCA2b mRNA levels in the gerbil brain after chronic ethanol administration and transient cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.

Despite epidemiological studies indicating a positive relationship between alcohol and stroke, little is known with regard to effect of chronic alcohol on neuronal injury after stroke. In this study, we examined the effect of chronic ethanol on mRNA levels of sarcoplasmic or endoplasmic Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2b) and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor (IP3R1) in gerbils subjected to global cerebral ischemia induced by ligation of both common carotid arteries. Gerbils were given daily by intragastric intubation either a liquid diet containing ethanol (4 g/kg) or the same diet with an isocaloric amount of sucrose for 35 days. They were subsequently subjected to a 5 min ischemic insult followed by reperfusion for 48 h. In agreement with other studies, ischemic insult caused significant decreases (P<0.05) in mRNA levels of both IP3R1 and SERCA2b in the hippocampal CA1 region but not in the dentate gyrus. Nevertheless, despite a significant (P<0.05) decrease in SERCA2b mRNA in the Purkinje neurons, chronic ethanol did not alter the expression of this mRNA species in the hippocampal CA1 neurons nor did it alter the decrease in SERCA2b mRNA due to cerebral ischemic insult. Since IP3R1 and SERCA2b are key mediators for regulation of intracellular Ca2+ stores, the decrease in SERCA2b mRNA but not IP3R1 mRNA in cerebellar neurons may be an important mechanism underlying alteration of calcium homeostasis and cerebellar degeneration upon chronic ethanol consumption.
Effects of water stress and rehydration on hemolymph volume and amino acid content in the blister beetle, Cysteodemus armatus

1. 1. Hemolymph volume, osmolality, amino acid concentrations and fecal amino acid concentrations were measured in a desert blister beetle, Cysteodemus armatus LeConte, which were not desiccated, 10% desiccated (% of body mass), or rehydrated. 2. 2. Desiccation and rehydration had significant effects on the hemolymph volume in this species but not hemolymph osmolality. 3. 3. Total amino acid concentrations were significantly affected by hydration state. 4. 4. Hemolymph urea, asparagine, methionine and histidine were significantly affected by hydration state, but other ninhydrin positive substances (NFS) were not affected. 5. 5. While production of fecal material (frass) decreased with desiccation, the concentration of most amino acids increased, indicating excretion as an avenue of hemolymph osmoregulation.
Determination of carbonyl compounds in air by HPLC using on-line analyzed microcartridges, fluorescence and chemiluminescence detection

Sensitive and selective detection of dansylhydrazones of atmospheric carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketones) can be achieved using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence or chemiluminescence detection. The carbonyl compounds are derivatized by drawing air through small glass cartridges packed with porous glass particles impregnated with dansylhydrazine. After sampling, the contents of the cartridges are analyzed on-line by using a small plug of water (200 μL) to transfer and focus the hydrazone derivatives at the head of a HPLC column. Greatly increased sensitivity over traditional methods derives from 1) analysis of the entire contents of the sampling cartridge, and 2) detection by fluoresence or peroxyoxalate chemilum-inescence. Results are compared for photo-initiated and H2O2-initiated peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence. This novel and practical system enables the detection of sub-ppbv concentrations of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone and higher carbonyls in air using relatively short sampling times.
Diagnosis and management of acute bronchitis and pneumonia in the ambulatory setting

Acute bronchitis and pneumonia are frequently encountered by primary care providers in an outpatient setting. The primary care nurse practitioner plays an active role in the diagnosis and management of acute bronchitis and pneumonia. Certain elements of the history and physical examination help separate infectious causes of acute cough from non-infectious causes. If an infectious cause is established by etiology, history and physical factors also help to identify whether acute bronchitis or pneumonia is present. Certain diagnostic tests are necessary to aid in making the diagnosis and in establishing the causative agent upon which the appropriate therapy is based. The primary care nurse practitioner must also be attuned to identifying those clients in whom respiratory illness can be a severe syndrome necessitating hospitalization and those for whom vaccination is recommended. This article addresses the practice needs of the clinician.
ANTIOXIDANTS AND THE AUTOXIDATION OF FATS

Experiments on the oxidation of purified methyl oleate support the view that its induction period, and probably that of natural oils, is due to the presence of inhibitors and that purified unsaturated compounds have no induction period, other than the time required for gaseous oxygen to diffuse into the liquid.
MK-801 pretreatment enhances N-methyl-d-aspartate-mediated brain injury and increases brain N-methyl-d-aspartate recognition site binding in rats

Direct intracerebral administration of N-methyl-d-aspartate typically produces focal brain injury. (+)-5-Methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[ a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-immine maleate (MK-801), a non-competitive N-methyl-d-aspartate antagonist, can protect against N-methyl-d-aspartate-mediated brain injury when administered shortly before or after an intracerebral injection of N-methyl-d-aspartate. However, in this study we report that in perinatal rats if MK-801 (1 mg/kg) is administered intra-peritoneally 24 h prior to a unilateral intrastriatal N-methyl-d-aspartate injection, N-methyl-d-aspartate-mediated brain injury is paradoxically enhanced. The severity of resulting brain injury is 15–25% greater in groups that received MK-801 in comparison with saline-treated controls (P < 0.001, linear regression analysis). In contrast, the severity of brain injury resulting from intrastriatal injection of the glutamate agonist quisqualate is not altered by a similar 24 h MK-801 pretreatment. Furthermore, the enhanced toxicity of N-methyl-d-aspartate produced by a 24 h pretreatment with MK-801 is completely blocked if a second dose of MK-801 is administered 15 min after the intrastriatal injection of N-methyl-d-aspartate. To determine if MK-801 produced alterations in glutamate receptor pharmacology co-incident with the enhanced toxicity of N-methyl-d-aspartate, in vitro quantitative autoradiography for excitory amino acid receptor subtypes was performed with [ 3H]glutamate and [3H] N-1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl-3,4-piperidine in seven-day-old rats killed 2 or 24 h after MK-801 (1 mg/kg) administration. A 2 h MK-801 pretreatment produced a 30–50% increase in [3H]glutamate binding at N-methyl-d-aspartate preferring recognition sites in all four brain regions examined (areas CA1 and CA3 of the hippocampus, corpus striatum, cingulate cortex) in comparison with saline-treated controls (P <0.05, ANOVA). [3H] N-1-(2-Thienyl)cyclohexyl-3,4-piperidine binding to the phencyclidine site associated with the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor was reduced by 60–80% in all brain regions examined (P < 0.001). Quisqualate-sensitive [3H]glutamate binding was not altered by a 2 h MK-801 pretreatment. In animals that received a 24 h MK-801 pretreatment, N-methyl-d-aspartate-sensitive [3H]glutamate binding remained elevated (29% increase in CA1 and CA3, P <0.05), [3H] N-1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl-3,4-piperidine binding was still suppressed (40% reduction in CA1 and CA3, P < 0.05) and quisqualate-sensitive [3H]glutamate binding was reduced by 15–20% in area CA3 and in the corpus striatum (P < 0.05, ANOVA). The results suggest that MK-801 induces rapid and persistent up-regulation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors and sensitizes the brain to N-methyl-d-aspartate-induced injury as the level of MK-801 in the brain declines. The observations provide new information about regulation of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor complex and may be relevant in the analysis of the neuroprotective properties of phencyclidine receptor ligands.
Protein Conformation and Dynamics. Effects of Crankshaft Motions on 1H NMR Cross-Relaxation Effects

In this paper, the slow backbone motions for segments of interleukin 1β and calbindin D9k are characterized and the effects of these motions on the interproton cross-relaxation effects are investigated. We assume that the flexible loop segments are involved in three motions: fast librational vibrations, slow crankshaft motions, and the overall tumbling motion of the protein. The parameters characterizing the conformers and dynamics (amplitude and time scale) of the flexible segments are estimated by fitting the calculated data to the experimental heteronuclear 15N relaxation data. NOESY spectra simulated by using the flexible model are in better agreement with the experimental data than those simulated by using the rigid model. Neglecting flexibility may cause biases in the estimated interproton distances derived from cross-relaxation peaks by up to 1 A.
School Attendance Demonstration Project: An Evaluation of a Program to Motivate Public Assistance Teens to Attend and Complete School in an Urban School District:

Objective: This article reports on the evaluation of The School Attendance Demonstration Project (SADP). SADP is an intervention aimed at improving the school attendance rates of 16- to 18-year-old...
Practice Gaps in Patient Safety Among Dermatology Residents and Their Teachers: A Survey Study of Dermatology Residents

Importance Curriculum and role modeling adjustments are necessary to address patient safety gaps occurring during dermatology residency. Objective To identify the source of clinical practices among dermatology residents that affect patient safety and determine the best approach for overcoming gaps in knowledge and practice patterns that contribute to these practices. Design, Setting, and Participants A survey-based study, performed at a national medical dermatology meeting in Itasca, Illinois, in 2012, included 142 dermatology residents from 44 residency programs in the United States and Canada. Main Outcomes and Measures Self-reported rates of dermatology residents committing errors, identifying local systems errors, and identifying poor patient safety role modeling. Results Of surveyed dermatology residents, 45.2% have failed to report needle-stick injuries incurred during procedures, 82.8% reported cutting and pasting a previous author’s patient history information into a medical record without confirming its validity, 96.7% reported right-left body part mislabeling during examination or biopsy, and 29.4% reported not incorporating clinical photographs of lesions sampled for biopsy in the medical record at their institution. Residents variably perform a purposeful pause (“time-out”) when indicated to confirm patient, procedure, and site before biopsy, with 20.0% always doing so. In addition, 59.7% of residents work with at least 1 attending physician who intimidates the residents, reducing the likelihood of reporting safety issues they witness. Finally, 78.3% have witnessed attending physicians purposefully disregarding required safety steps. Conclusions and Relevance Our data reinforce the need for modified curricula, systems, and teacher development to reduce injuries, improve communication with patients and between physicians, residents, and other members of the health care team, and create an environment free of intimidation.
Constitutive Ion Fluxes and Substrate Binding Domains of Human Glutamate Transporters

Abstract Application of L-glutamate activates ionic currents in voltage-clamped Xenopus oocytes expressing cloned human excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs). However, even in the absence of L-glutamate, the membrane conductance of oocytes expressing EAAT1 was significantly increased relative to oocytes expressing EAAT2 or control oocytes. Whereas transport mediated by EAAT2 is blocked by the non-transported competitive glutamate analog kainate (K = 14 μM), EAAT1 is relatively insensitive (K > 3 mM). Substitution of a block of 76 residues from EAAT2 into EAAT1, in which 18 residues varied from EAAT1, conferred high affinity kainate binding to EAAT1, and application of kainate to oocytes expressing the chimeric transporter blocked a pre-existing monovalent cation conductance that displayed a permeability sequence K > Na > Li choline. The results identify a structural domain of glutamate transporters that influences kainate binding and demonstrate the presence of a constitutive ion-selective pore in the transporter.
Cyclic ruthenium-alkylidene catalysts for ring-expansion metathesis polymerization.

A series of cyclic Ru-alkylidene catalysts have been prepared and evaluated for their efficiency in ring-expansion metathesis polymerization (REMP). The catalyst structures feature chelating tethers extending from one N-atom of an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand to the Ru metal center. The catalyst design is modular in nature, which provided access to Ru complexes having varying tether lengths, as well as electronically different NHC ligands. Structural impacts of the tether length were unveiled through 1H NMR spectroscopy as well as single-crystal X-ray analyses. Catalyst activities were evaluated via polymerization of cyclooctene, and key data are provided regarding propagation rates, intramolecular chain transfer, and catalyst stabilities, three areas necessary for the efficient synthesis of cyclic poly(olefin)s via REMP. From these studies, it was determined that while increasing the tether length of the catalyst leads to enhanced rates of polymerization, shorter tethers were found to facilitate intramolecular chain transfer and release of catalyst from the polymer. Electronic modification of the NHC via backbone saturation was found to enhance polymerization rates to a greater extent than did homologation of the tether. Overall, cyclic Ru complexes bearing 5- or 6-carbon tethers and saturated NHC ligands were found to be readily synthesized, bench-stable, and highly active catalysts for REMP.
Sex-specific gray matter volume differences in females with developmental dyslexia

Developmental dyslexia, characterized by unexpected reading difficulty, is associated with anomalous brain anatomy and function. Previous structural neuroimaging studies have converged in reports of less gray matter volume (GMV) in dyslexics within left hemisphere regions known to subserve language. Due to the higher prevalence of dyslexia in males, these studies are heavily weighted towards males, raising the question whether studies of dyslexia in females only and using the same techniques, would generate the same findings. In a replication study of men, we obtained the same findings of less GMV in dyslexics in left middle/inferior temporal gyri and right postcentral/supramarginal gyri as reported in the literature. However, comparisons in women with and without dyslexia did not yield left hemisphere differences, and instead, we found less GMV in right precuneus and paracentral lobule/medial frontal gyrus. In boys, we found less GMV in left inferior parietal cortex (supramarginal/angular gyri), again consistent with previous work, while in girls differences were within right central sulcus, spanning adjacent gyri, and left primary visual cortex. Our investigation into anatomical variants in dyslexia replicates existing studies in males, but at the same time shows that dyslexia in females is not characterized by involvement of left hemisphere language regions but rather early sensory and motor cortices (i.e., motor and premotor cortex, primary visual cortex). Our findings suggest that models on the brain basis of dyslexia, primarily developed through the study of males, may not be appropriate for females and suggest a need for more sex-specific investigations into dyslexia.
Studying the elusive environment in large scale.

It is possible that more than 50% of complex disease risk is attributed to differences in an individual’s environment.1 Air pollution, smoking, and diet are documented environmental factors affecting health, yet these factors are but a fraction of the “exposome,” the totality of the exposure load occurring throughout a person’s lifetime.1 Investigating one or a handful of exposures at a time has led to a highly fragmented literature of epidemiologic associations. Much of that literature is not reproducible, and selective reporting may be a major reason for the lack of reproducibility. A new model is required to discover environmental exposures associated with disease while mitigating possibilities of selective reporting.
Investigation of Defect Formation in a 3-Station Closed Die Forging Operation

Summary The objective of this study was to investigate, via finite element modelling, the effects of process parameters on the development of a lap type defect in forging a ring gear blank. This part was made of AISI 4320 steel and hot forged in three operations: busting, blocking and finishing. Each operation was simulated using the FFM code ALPID to understand the formation of the defect and to design a new blocker shape. The new blocker design was evaluated by simulating the metal flow in the finishing stage and was found to result in sound forgings.
A Pilot Study Examining Activity Participation, Sensory Responsiveness, and Competence in Children with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

This pilot study explored activity patterns in children with and without ASD and examined the role of sensory responsiveness in determining children’s level of competence in activity performance. Twenty-six children with high functioning ASD and twenty-six typically-developing children 6–12 years old were assessed using the Sensory Profile and the Child Behavior Checklist. Results reflect differences in the types of activities and jobs/chores engaged in by children with ASD compared to children without ASD. Significant differences were seen in overall level of competence in activities, social, and school performance. Children demonstrating more frequent Sensory Sensitivity and Sensory Avoiding had significantly lower competence scores than children with fewer behaviors in these domains, suggesting that sensory responsiveness may impact the ability to participate successfully.
On an extremal problem in the theory of rational approximation

Let I-= U;=, rj. Let R(G) be the uniform closure in G of the algebra of rational functions with poles outside of G. We recall that, for domains with analytic boundary, one can define a Smirnov class E,(G) as the collection of analytic functions in G whose boundary values belong to the closure of R(G) in L’(ds). Here,
The Political Economy of Public Use in Poletown: How Federal Grants Encourage Excessive Use of Eminent Domain

This article argues that the use of eminent domain that was at issue in Poletown [304 N.W.2d 455 (Mich. 1981)] was flawed by fiscal constraints. The funding for the project, which leveled a thickly-settled neighborhood of Detroit in order to build an automobile plant, was provided almost entirely by the federal government. I argue that it is unlikely that the city of Detroit would have undertaken the project if it was required to raise its own funds to finance it or if the money had been given to the city by the federal government to do with as it pleased. The Michigan Supreme Court's intentions in Hathcock [684 N.W.2d 765 (Mich. 2004)] to forestall the use of eminent domain for Poletown-like economic development would be better served by an inquiry into the nature of the financing of the projects than a categorical ban on them.
Global electron density distributions from topside soundings

A global morphology of electron density distributions in the topside ionosphere during sunspot minimum as deduced from Alouette I and II ionograms is presented. Graphs are shown illustrating the variations of electron density with altitude (400 to 3000 km), dip latitude (±90°), local time (24 hours), and season (December and June solstices; equinox) for both quiet and disturbed geomagnetic field conditions. "Average" daytime and nighttime electron density distributions, based on the analysis of large quantities of Alouette I quiet-time data, are presented for the lower altitudes (less than 1000 km) and for low and middle dip latitudes for each season. Large-scale anomalous features are summarized and discussed with respect to their bottomside counterparts where such exist. Small-scale effects and physical explanations for the topside ionosphere behavior are discussed in companion papers.
Nonstationary noise effects in the Abel inversion

A method for calculating the autocorrelation function of the output noise resulting from the Abel inversion of a wide-sense stationary random process is presented. An internal formula that expresses the autocorrelation in terms of the power spectral density of the input noise and explicitly as a function of radial position is derived. Asymptotic approximations for the variance are found for the case of bandlimited white input noise. >
Significance Testing:Necessary but Insufficient

Sampling fluctuation is an inherent characteristic of data. We cannot pretend that it does not exist, nor can we abandon significance testing without a viable replacement. It remains a concern as long as we wish to draw research conclusions within a positivistic paradigm. It is there regardless of whether we conduct a large-group or a single-subject study. It is also there whether we conduct a simple norm-referenced assessment, a complex judgment-based assessment, or any other assessment. The widespread misuse of significance testing suggests that sampling fluctuation has been an overbearing guest who has become the inappropriate center of attention at the party. Instead of wishing this guest away, we should put sampling fluctuation in its proper place; namely, as but one of the numerous epistemological concerns in any positivistic research. Applied and clinical studies are complex activities. The misplaced emphasis on and the widespread
Genetically Modified Organisms and the U.S. Retail Food Labeling Controversy: Consumer Perceptions, Regulation, and Public Policy

In this article, we address the public issue of mandatory Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) retail food labeling in the U.S., first by reviewing the policy arguments both in support and against labeling food containing GMOs; second, by describing the existing U.S. federal regulatory system pertaining to GMO labeling, and why it does not presently require labeling of food containing GMOs; third, by reviewing and interpreting the results of studies of American consumer attitudes toward mandatory GMO retail food labeling; fourth, by evaluating, through the utilization of issue life cycle analysis in the nonmarket environment, where the issue of GMO retail food labeling stands in the national public policy process; fifth, summarizing the state of scientific evidence addressing the safety of GMO foods and the existing regulatory and public policy environment for this issue; and sixth, offering legislative and litigation strategies for the mainstream food nonmarket strategy framework to formally assess the GMO industry to protect their interests and those of American consumers not concerned with GMO food ingredients, while offering a voluntary labeling strategy for firms responding to and recognizing the “rights” of American consumers who “choose” to purchase non-GMO food products.
Nature and Classification of Immediate-Type Allergic Reactions

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the mechanisms of allergic alteration of immediate-type allergic reactions followed by their classification. The primary focus and the basis of classification are the chemical mediators; whether they are or are not involved in a given reaction and if involved, their nature. On this basis, allergic reactions are first divided into direct reactions and indirect reactions. At first, the manifestations arise directly from the allergic damage to extracellular or cellular structures without chemical mediators being involved in any major sense. The direct reactions are further subdivided into direct non-cellular and direct cellular reactions. The indirect reactions are those of which the major manifestations stem from the action of the mediators arising as a result of antigen-antibody initiated changes. The further classification of the indirect reactions is based on the nature of the mediators involved.
Utility of DNA sequencing for direct identification of invasive fungi from fresh and formalin-fixed specimens.

Objectives: To describe and discuss the utility and potential pitfalls of ribosomal RNA locus sequencing for direct identification of invasive fungi from fresh and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens. Methods: DNA was extracted from fresh and formalinfixed, paraffin-embedded tissue and subjected to real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting ITS2 and D2 regions of fungal ribosomal RNA locus. Cycle sequencing was performed on PCR products, and the identity of sequences was determined using a public database. Results: Four clinical cases of invasive fungal infection are presented to illustrate the utility of DNA sequencing for determining etiology when microbiological culture is negative, for shortening the time to identification of slowgrowing fungi, for guiding antifungal therapy, and for shedding light on the pathogenesis of disseminated fungal infection. Conclusions: Fungal ribosomal RNA locus sequencing from fresh or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens is a powerful tool for rapid and accurate diagnosis of patients with culture-negative or uncultured invasive mycosis.
Rhizobial and bradyrhizobial symbionts of mesquite from the Sonoran Desert: salt tolerance, facultative halophily and nitrate respiration

Abstract Rhizobial symbionts were isolated from the surface (0–0.5 M) and phreatic (3.9–5.0 M) root environments of a mature mesquite woodland in the Sonoran Desert of Southern California, and from variable depths (0–12 m) of non-phreatic mesquite ecosystems in the Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico. They were tested for their ability to tolerate high salinity, and respire NO 3 − as mechanisms of free-living survival. Sixteen of 25 isolates were grown in yeast-extract mannitol (YEM) broth at NaCl concentrations of 2 (basal concentration), 100, 300, 500 and 600 mM, and their specific growth rates, cell dry weight and lag times were determined. Twenty of the 25 isolates were also grown in YEM broth under anaerobic conditions with or without 10 mM KNO 3 . Three categories of NaCl salinity responses were observed: (1) eight isolates showed decreased specific growth rates at NaCl concentrations of 100, 300 and 500 mM, but they nevertheless remained viable at 500 mM NaCl concentration; (2) the specific growth rate of six isolates increased significantly at 100 and 300 mM NaCl; and (3) specific growth rates of two isolates were significantly greater than the base-rate at all concentrations of NaCl. Five of 11 of the Bradyrhizobium isolates tested respired NO 3 − , but showed no growth. Seven Rhizobium isolates, three from the deep (3.9–5 m) phreatic rhizobial community, and four from the surface community denitrified NO 3 − but only the isolates from the phreatic community displayed anaerobic growth. Long-term interactions between rhizobial and bradyrhizobial communities and the surface and phreatic root environments of the mature Sonoran Desert mesquite woodland appear to have selected for strains of NO 3 − respiring rhizobia, general salt tolerance of both rhizobial and bradyrhizobial symbionts, and strains of weak facultative halophilic bradyrhizobia. These survival characteristics of mesquite rhizobia may be important regarding mesquite's establishment and long-term productivity in marginal desert soils, and may provide novel types of rhizobia for food crops growing in harsh environments.
Adenoviral Infection Decreases Mortality from Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Liver Failure Via Induction of TNF-α Tolerance

Effects of adenoviral infection on in vivo responses to LPS mediated by TNF-alpha were evaluated in a murine model. Adenovirus-infected mice showed decreased mortality from fulminant hepatitis induced by administration of LPS or staphylococcal enterotoxin B in the presence of D-galactosamine. Importantly, TNF-alpha resistance genes within adenoviral E3 region were not required, because E1,E3-deleted vectors showed similar effects. Adenovirus-infected mice exhibited higher TNF-alpha levels after LPS stimulation, no difference in TNFR1 expression, and similar mortality from Fas-induced fulminant hepatitis. Decreased production of IL-6 and KC in response to exogenous TNF-alpha, in addition to protection from TNF-alpha, suggested that adenoviral infection results in TNF-alpha tolerance.
Physics of biofilms: the initial stages of biofilm formation and dynamics

One of the physiological responses of bacteria to external stress is to assemble into a biofilm. The formation of a biofilm greatly increases a bacterial population's resistance to a hostile environment by shielding cells, for example, from antibiotics. In this paper, we describe the conditions necessary for the emergence of biofilms in natural environments and relate them to the emergence of biofilm formation inside microfluidic devices. We show that competing species of Escherichia coli bacteria form biofilms to spatially segregate themselves in response to starvation stress, and use in situ methods to characterize the physical properties of the biofilms. Finally, we develop a microfluidic platform to study the inter-species interactions and show how biofilm-mediated genetic interactions can improve a species? resistance to external stress.
The impact of ex vivo cytokine stimulation on engraftment of primitive hematopoietic cells in a non-human primate model.

: The impairment of engraftment ability after ex vivo or in vivo stimulation of hematopoietic stem cells, potentially related to induction of active cell cycling, has recently been a topic of intense interest. Our group has used the non-human primate autologous transplantation model and genetic marking to investigate a number of questions in hematopoiesis with direct relevance to human clinical applications. The issue of a potential reversible engraftment defect would have many implications for gene therapy and allogeneic or autologous transplantation. Initial in vitro studies with rhesus CD34+ cells indicated that after 4 days of stimulatory culture in stem cell factor (SCF), megakaryocyte growth and development factor (MDGF), and flt3 ligand (FLT), transfer of the cells to SCF alone on retronectin (FN) support resulted in decreased active cycling and a halt to proliferation, without a loss of viability or induction of apoptosis. We then directly compared the engraftment potential of cytokine-stimulated cells versus those transferred to SCF on FN alone before reinfusion, SCF/G-CSF mobilized CD34+ cells from three animals were split into two parts and transduced with either of two retroviral marking vectors for 4 days in the presence of SCF/FLT/MGDF on FN. One aliquot was cryopreserved, and the other was continued in culture without transduction for 2 days in the presence of SCF alone on FN. After total body irradiation, both aliquots were thawed and reinfused into each animal. In all animals, the level of marking from the fraction continued in culture for 2 days with SCF on FN was significantly higher than the level of marking from the aliquot transduced for 4 days without the 2-day period in SCF alone. This approach may allow more efficient engraftment of successfully transduced or ex vivo expanded cells by avoiding active cell cycling at the time of reinfusion.
Simulation of hydrilla growth by Fe(EDTA)

Abstract The growth of Hydrilla verticillata Royle (a perennial, submerged aquatic plant) is stimulated by the presence of trace metals. In vitro studies indicate that plant growth is stimulated by added iron, as Fe(EDTA)−, in a concentration range of 0·025 to 0·150 ppm (mg Fe/liter of water). Above a concentration of 0·150 ppm added iron, the growth rate, as reflected in pseudo first-order rate of oxygen production kO2, is retarded. The amount of iron takenup by the plants (weight per cent Fe, on a dry weight basis) could be correlated with the concentration of added Fe(EDTA)−. Specifically, the linear correlation coefficient, r, relating the two parameters was 0·989, which was statistically significant (P = 0·01). The significance of other correlations parameters is considered. These observations suggest a potential means of control in certain situations, and indicate a means of improving the economics of harvesting obnoxious aquatic plants.