cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative effectiveness research and genomic medicine: an evolving partnership for 21st century medicine.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has provided resources for comparative effectiveness research that will lead to evidence-based decisions about health and health care choices. Some have voiced concerns that evidence-based comparative effectiveness research principles are only relevant to “average” patients and not as much to individuals with unique combinations of genes, exposures and disease outcomes, intrinsic to genomic medicine. In this commentary, we argue that comparative effectiveness research and genomic medicine not only can and should coexist but also they will increasingly benefit from each other. The promise and success of genomic medicine will depend on rigorous comparative effectiveness research to compare outcomes for genome-based applications in practice to traditional non–genome-based approaches. In addition, the success of comparative effectiveness research will depend on developing new methods and clinical research infrastructures to integrate genome-based personalized perspectives into point of care decisions by patients and providers. There is a need to heal the apparent schism between genomic medicine and comparative effectiveness research to enhance knowledge-driven practice of medicine in the 21st century.
Cost-effectiveness of immediate postoperative radiographs after uncomplicated total knee arthroplasty: a retrospective and prospective study of 750 patients

We have questioned the value of postoperative radiographs after uncomplicated, primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A total of 750 patients were included in this 2-part study. In the first part, we retrospectively reviewed 200 consecutive, primary TKAs to determine if the immediate postoperative radiographs offered any information that altered the clinical course or if these radiographs could serve as baselines for future images. In the second part, 550 patients who underwent an uncomplicated TKA had their first postoperative radiographs taken at the initial visit. These patients were followed prospectively until the 6-week follow-up appointment to determine if any events occurred in which predischarge radiographs would have been useful as a comparison study. Of the 200 patients who underwent a primary TKA, 192 had postoperative radiographs performed before discharge. Among the 192 patients, the radiographs did not alter the postoperative management. In examining overall quality of the radiographs, only 36% were of sufficient quality to provide an accurate baseline for further studies. Total cost was approximately $36,000. In the 550 patients who had the first postoperative radiograph performed at 6 weeks, there were no instances in which radiographs taken before discharge were needed to aid in further management or legal defense. As with total hip arthroplasty, the past standard has been to obtain immediate postoperative radiographs after primary TKA. Although the information obtained in a total hip arthroplasty patient can be clinically important, the practice of obtaining routine, immediate postoperative knee radiographs in the absence of a specific clinical indication does not provide any additional clinical information and does not appear to benefit patient care.
Effect of diffusional losses on the formation of monolayers of soluble proteins at air/water interfaces with Trurnit's method

Abstract Monolayers of bovine serum albumin (BSA) were prepared with Trurnit's method; deposition of thin aqueous layers on an aqueous substrate followed by adsorption on the surface. The experiments demonstrated that adsorption was irreversible, initially diffusion controlled as determined before, but also that diffusional effects toward the bulk were important. Three two-layer-diffusion and adsorption models were solved numerically to gain insight into these effects and determine the conditions at which Trurnit's method is reliable. The method is most reliable for irreversible diffusion-controlled adsorption. For reversible diffusion-controlled adsorption the method can have significant error mostly at very long adsorption times. For slower adsorption kinetics and reversible adsorption, the method is unreliable even at small adsorption times.
Phospholipid vesicle fusion monitored by fluorescence energy transfer.

Abstract A method is presented which allows the observation of phospholipid vesicle fusion by the occurrence of Forster resonance energy transfer between the amphiphilic probes dansyldipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine and 3-[4-( p -N,N-didecylaminostyryl)-1-pyridinium]-propylsulfonate. This method is applied to the Ca ++ mediated fusion of phosphatidyl serine vesicles.
Recent developments on nonmodal and partial modal approaches for control of vibration

In this paper, we present a brief overview of some of the recent nonmodal and partial modal algorithms for feedback stabilization and eigenvalue assignment problems arising in control of vibration modeled by systems of matrix second-order differential equations. For a complete up-to-date account, see Datta (1999).
Is ε-Aminocaproic Acid as Effective as Aprotinin in Reducing Bleeding With Cardiac Surgery? A Meta-Analysis

Background—Although aprotinin is known to be effective in reducing postoperative hemorrhage after cardiac surgery, e-aminocaproic acid, an alternative antifibrinolytic, is considerably less expensive. Because the results of 3 small randomized clinical trials comparing these 2 agents directly were inconclusive, we performed a meta-analysis to compare the relative effectiveness and adverse-effect profile of these 2 agents against placebo. Methods and Results—Data from 52 randomized clinical trials published between 1985 and 1998 involving the use of e-aminocaproic acid (n=9) or aprotinin (n=46) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery were abstracted. Our primary outcomes were total blood loss, red blood cell transfusion rates and amounts, reexploration, stroke, myocardial infarction, and mortality. The meta-analysis revealed substantial reductions in total blood loss with e-aminocaproic acid and low-dose aprotinin (each with a 35% reduction versus placebo, P<0.001) and high-dose aprotinin (53% reduction, P<0...
Identification of a cysteine proteinase from Jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) hepatopancreas as cathepsin L.

Abstract A cysteine proteinase from Jumbo squid ( Dosidicus gigas ) hepatopancreas was partially purified by a two step procedure involving ammonium sulfate precipitation and gel filtration chromatography and further by SDS–PAGE. The molecular weight of the proteinase was 24 kDa determined by SDS–PAGE and 23.7 kDa with mass spectrometry. The activity had an optimum pH of 4.5 and optimum temperature of 55 °C under the assay for cathepsin L specific synthetic substrate Z-PAAFC. The cathepsin B and H specific synthetic substrates Z-AAAFC and H-AMC did not show any hydrolysis with the partially purified enzyme. Peptide mapping of trypsin digests of the 24 kDa band from SDS–PAGE showed the squid cysteine proteinase was homologous to cathepsin L from different animal sources. The activity of the partially purified fraction with the cathepsin L specific substrate Z-PAAFC was inhibited 75–89% by enzyme inhibitors specific for cysteine proteinases but was also significantly inhibited by serine and aspartate proteinase inhibitors.
Cardiopulmonary exercise parameters in children with atrial septal defect and increased pulmonary blood flow: short-term effects of defect closure.

Markedly increased pulmonary blood flow because of a relevant atrial septal defect (ASD) leads to impaired cardiopulmonary function during maximum exercise in adults. No comparative preoperative and postoperative data are available on the short-term effects of shunt closure on cardiorespiratory function at peak exercise in children. Pulmonary function testing at rest and cardiopulmonary exercise testing together with haemodynamic assessment was done prospectively in children with an ASD preoperatively and again after full recovery at 3-4 mo postoperatively and compared with a matched normal population. Sixteen children, aged 6.8-16.1 y, with a defect of 8-23 mm (median 15 mm) and a pulmonary/systemic flow ratio of 1.5-3.5 (median 2.2) were tested and compared with 15 healthy children. Preoperatively, baseline pulmonary function parameters and exercise capacity were no different from normals. At peak exercise, patients with a shunt had increased pulmonary resistance, especially of the distal airways (p = 0.04), with a significantly larger proportion of children having a paradoxical increase in total airway resistance during exercise (p < 0.05). Maximum serum lactate at peak exercise was elevated (p 0.05<) in patients. In patients, maximum oxygen uptake was impaired (p = 0.03) and remained so at repeat evaluation postoperatively. The same observation was made for chronotropic response to exercise.
Considerations for anesthetic management during veno-venous bypass in adult hepatic transplantation.

Intraoperative data from 42 adult orthotopic hepatic transplant recipients were analyzed retrospectively to assess the hemodynamic, coagulation, and thermal effects of heparin-less veno-venous bypass using a constrained vortex pump, Transient hemodynamic changes occurring at the onset of bypass incl
A cascade non-decimation charge-domain filter with noise-folding reduction

A cascade non-decimation charge-domain filter (CNCDF) with noise-folding reduction for high attenuation and bandwidth was proposed. The CNCDF, based on non-decimation property, could suppress the noise-folding source from a down-sampling rate and duplicate-sampled signals upon a sensible input-clock rate (ICR). By using 600-MS/s ICR, the measurement showed 91-dB attenuation of the first folding signal, 95-dB stop-band attenuation, and 10-MHz bandwidth. The chip also possessed 30-dB gain and 6-dBm ΠΡ3, consuming 11.86-mA current from a 1.2-V power supply. The chip, including ESD and clock-logical circuits, occupies 3.6 mm2 in 90-nm CMOS process.
Homogeneous polyesters of predetermined length, composition, and sequence : model synthesis of alternating glycolic-acid-co-(L)-lactic-acid oligomers

Methods for making monodisperse polyester copolymers of predetermined length, com-position, and sequence are reported. Alternating oligomers of (L)-lactic-co-glycolic acid (La-co-Gl), isosteric with polypeptides, are prepared by solution methods of protecting, coupling, and deprotecting alcohol and acid groups. The carboxylic acid is protected by benzyl ester formation and released by hydrogenation. The hydroxyl group is protected as the methoxyethoxyethyl ether and deprotected with sodium iodide and trimethylsilyl chlo-ride. Coupling uses dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. End-capped alternating oligomers containing (GILa)4 and (GILa)8 show polymer properties. They are noncrystalline oils that exhibit discernable Tg. The conformation of GILa and LaGl diads in the polyesters is shown to be similar to isosteric peptide diads GlyAla and AlaGly. Exactly structured, monodisperse polyesters suggest a chemical parallel to proteins. Designed struc-tural templates combining sheet-form (Gl)n and helical (La)n segments are at-tractive synthesis targets. The solution preparations reported here can be applied, but it is suggested that biosynthetic methods for introducing single ester units into peptide chains be adapted to synthesize precisely fashioned polyesters. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
China's Official Media Portrayal of Religion (1996-2005): Policy Change in a Desecularizing Society

This content analysis of religion news coverage in the People's Daily during a 10-year period (1996–2005) found a more positive tone toward religion after 2001, when a significant policy change was announced by Chinese political leaders. The number of newspaper articles about religion increased steadily. Underrepresentation of Christianity suggested by previous studies was not found, but a prejudicial tone toward different religions was identified.
Analog and digital interface solutions for the common large-area display set (CLADS)

Battelle is under contract with Warner Robins Air Logistics Center to design a common large area display set (CLADS) for use in multiple airborne command, control, communications, computers and intelligence applications that currently use unique 19 inch cathode ray tubes (CRTs). The CLADS is a modular design, with common modules used wherever possible. Each CLADS includes an application-specific integration kit, which incorporates all of the unique interface components. Since there is no existing digital video interface standard for high resolution workstations, a standard interface was developed for CLADS and documented as an interface specification.One of the application-specific modules, the application video interface module (AVIM), readily incorporates most of the required application electrical interfaces for a given system into a single module. The analog AVIM, however, poses unique design problems when folding multiple application interface requirements into a single common AVIM for the most prevalent workstation display interface: analog RGB video. Future workstation display interfaces will incorporate fully digital video between the graphics hardware and the digital display device. A digital AVIM is described which utilizes a fiber channel interface to deliver high speed 1280 by 1024, 24- bit, 60 Hz digital video from a PCI graphics card to the CLADS. A video recording and playback device is described, as well as other common CLADS modules, including the display controller and power supply. This paper will discuss both the analog and digital AVIM interfaces, application BIT and power interfaces, as well as CLADS internal interfaces.
Diagenetic evolution of Cenozoic sandstones, Gulf of Mexico sedimentary basin

Abstract The Gulf of Mexico sedimentary basin is a natural laboratory for the study of on-going diagenetic and incipient metamorphic processes. Sediments and rocks of Eocene through Pleistocene age have been studied from the surface to depths in excess of 6 km. Sediments heated to temperatures above 100°C have been massively transformed by mechanical compaction, cementation, and extensive alteration of detrital components. Grain dissolution, albitization, and clay-mineral transformations have reduced an initially complex detrital assemblage to quartz, albite, illite and minor carbonate at temperatures above 100°C. Volumetrically significant diagenetic processes observed in the basin include cementation by quartz, carbonate and kaolinite, grain dissolution (affecting mainly potassium feldspar, heavy minerals, and plagioclase), albitization, and the transformation of smectite to illite. Excepting carbonate cementation which shows essentially no depth-related variation, these processes occur shallower in older units, most likely in response to variations in the geothermal gradient, which is higher in the older Cenozoic depocenters. The magnitudes of the principal diagenetic processes all support the view that basinal diagenesis operates as an open system on a very large scale. Strontium isotopic data for authigenic carbonates document vertical transport on the scale of kilometers. The extent to which metamorphic processes below 6 km have effected the course of diagenesis in shallower rocks is still unproven, but current data suggest that burial diagenesis must be studied in such a context.
ON CIRCULAR CYLINDERS UNDERGOING TWO-DEGREE-OF-FREEDOM FORCED MOTIONS

Cylinders undergoing one- and two-degree-of-freedom (DoF) motions were studied. Since the forces on the cylinder fluctuate in both the streamwise and transverse direction, it is believed that such motions are more natural than transverse-only vibrations. A set of experiments was conducted in a water tunnel using both digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV) and force measurements. Several qualitative differences were noted, including a dramatic increase in phase coherence and the disappearance of the “2P” mode. It appears that the transverse motion sets the frequency of shedding, and the streamwise motion the relative phase therein.
A simultaneous temporal processing account of response rate

The goal was to determine whether a signal (e.g., a click) at food availability affects timing behavior in rats. Twenty-four rats were trained on an appetitive lever-press procedure that varied on two dimensions: shape of the interreinforcer distribution (i.e., fixed-interval 60s or random-interval 60s) and number of signals (i.e., the presence or absence of a click at the time of reinforcer availability). The rats were randomly partitioned into one of four groups (each group had six rats): Fixed, Signaled-Fixed, Random, and Signaled-Random. The shape of the interreinforcer distribution affected the response pattern; the presence of the click affected response rate. These results provide support for a simultaneous temporal processing account of behavior.
Gender differences in standards for romantic relationships

Why is it that women often report more problems in their romantic relationships than do men? One explanation apparent in the literature is that women may view different standards as important for relationships than do their male counterparts and, as a consequence, women may be less likely to have their standards met. A second explanation is that while women and men may not differ in terms of the importance they associate with various standards, the experiences they have in their romantic relationships may lead women Lo believe their standards are not fulfilled as often as do men. The current study offers a preliminary test of these two rival explanations and found greater support for the latter. Analyses of two composite measures and more detailed factor-based measures generally indicated that the standards held by women and men involved in heterosexual romantic relationships were rated similar in importance. Women, however, tended to note that their standards were met less fully than did men. Further, compared to men, women reported a greater discrepancy between the importance they associated with various standards and the extent to which the standards were fulfilled in the context of their relationship. The ability of two different theoretical models to predict and explain these findings is discussed, as re the implications of the results for future research.
Effects of sunflower residues and tillage on winter wheat

Abstract Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) offer oppurtunities for double-cropping but little is known about possible effects of sunflower residues on wheat in a cropping sequence. In this study, we have investigated effects of sunflower extracts and residues on wheat germination, growth and yield. Wheat germination in a soilless medium was not affected by aqueous extracts of sunflower residues; however, stem and leaf extracts (1:10 dilution) of dried sunflower tissues did inhibit dry-weight gain of 5-day-old wheat seedlings by 20–40%. In greenhouse studies, ground leaves or forage-chopped shoots, when surface-applied, promoted wheat growth. Wheat tissue had significantly greater N in wheat grown with ground leaf residues. Forty-day-old wheat grown in pots with incorporated, chopped sunflower residues had only one-third the dry weight of plants with the same amount of residue on the soil surface. Chopped sunflower residues equivalent to 6.9 Mg/ha suppressed weed numbers by 50% if incorporated, and ground leaf material surface-applied at 15 Mg/ha reduced weed populations by approximately 75% when compared to residue-free treatments. In a split-plot study, wheat was grown following sunflower or fallow. The plot splits were managed as either no-till (residues on surface) or conventionally tilled (residues incorporated). Wheat grain yields were higher in the no-till treatments (5.2 Mg/ha) than in the conventionally tilled treatments (4.9 Mg/ha). Residue applications rates did not affect grain yields. Overall, the results suggest that sunflower residues can inhibit early wheat and weed growth and that incorporation of residues may reduce grain yields, but no-till production of wheat following sunflower appears viable.
Production, harvesting, processing, utilization and economic importance of oats

Oats constitute an important feed grain crop in the United States and many other countries. World production in pounds averages one- third that of wheat and two- fifths that of rice or corn. The United States and Canada produce nearly half of the world crop. Oats are utilized primarily as feed for domestic animals. Although their bone- and muscle- building ingredients and other nutrient values are well known, less than five percent of the world crop is used as human food.
Calculation of wing-alone aerodynamics to high angles of attack

The raw and corrected velocity profiles for the 1.0-//,m alumina are shown in Fig. 3. The velocity profile from the computational solution is plotted for comparison. In contrast to the 0.3-ji6m profile, the 1.0-jLtm-seed corrected profile shape agrees extremely well with the CFD prediction, because of the reasonably accurate modeling of the particle size. The excellent agreement between the corrected measurements and the computational prediction show that the particle velocity lag bias may be accounted for in hypersonic flows with very weak gradients.
Chromatin conformation: A systematic analysis of helical parameters from hydrodynamic data

Chromatin has a “bead-and-bridge” appearance when viewed by electron microscopy. We have used quasielastic light scattering and sedimentation velocity techniques to study the hydrodynamic properties of chicken erythrocyte chromatin multimers in an attempt to determine the superstructure in solution. The functional dependence of the friction factor on the number of core particles in the multimer was analyzed by the Garcia de la Torre-Bloomfield formalism for a rigid array of odd-sized beads. The hydrodynamic parameters of the monomeric and dimeric subunit components, i.e., bead size and separation, form the basis of a systematic determination of the superstructure. These calculations support a helical conformation for chromatin multimers containing up to twenty repeat units. It is also shown that an “equivalent” helix can be obtained if the bead separation distance is not constrained to that determined for the dimer.
Negative ion processes for the unambiguous identification of polycyclic aromatic compounds

Abstract Electron capture negative ion processes have been applied to the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in complex mixtures using both chemical ionization mass spectrometry and a newly developed gas chromatographic detector. The negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometric technique allows isomeric PAH compounds to be differentiated on the basis of relative electron affinities. Compounds which have electron affinities > 0.5 eV form molecular anions while compounds with lower electron affinities are not ionized. The new gas Chromatographic detector also enables isomeric PAH to be differentiated as a function of relative electron affinities. This detector exhibits continuous tunability, allowing the gas phase reactions to be controlled to a greater degree than in the NICI experiment. This flexibility allows a wider variety of compounds to be differentiated using the g.c. detector. Additionally, the g.c. detector may be operated either as a conventional electron capture detector or as an argon ionization detector, which has virtually universal response to organics.
Patent Maintenance Recommendation with Patent Information Network Model

Patents are of crucial importance for businesses, because they provide legal protection for the invented techniques, processes or products. A patent can be held for up to 20 years. However, large maintenance fees need to be paid to keep it enforceable. If the patent is deemed not valuable, the owner may decide to abandon it by stopping paying the maintenance fees to reduce the cost. For large companies or organizations, making such decisions is difficult because too many patents need to be investigated. In this paper, we introduce the new patent mining problem of automatic patent maintenance prediction, and propose a systematic solution to analyze patents for recommending patent maintenance decision. We model the patents as a heterogeneous time-evolving information network and propose new patent features to build model for a ranked prediction on whether to maintain or abandon a patent. In addition, a network-based refinement approach is proposed to further improve the performance. We have conducted experiments on the large scale United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database which contains over four million granted patents. The results show that our technique can achieve high performance.
Left ventricular apical aneurysm in chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy—A case report

A 56-year-old female, who immigrated to the USA from Honduras, presented with worsening shortness of breath, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and decreased exercise tolerance over the previous 2 months. She was diagnosed 1 year previously with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy and non-sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator was placed. Cause for her dilated cardiomyopathy was unknown at that time. On admission, her electrocardiogram showed low voltage complexes, with frequent premature ventricular contractions. Transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiogram (2D ECHO) showed severely reduced ejection fraction of 20%, severe mitral regurgitation with left ventricular (LV) hypokinesis, and inferolateral and inferior wall akinesis. On review of her records, a contrast 2D ECHO from the previous year revealed an aneurysm of the LV apical region. Live three-dimensional (3D) ECHO on her present admission showed persistent LV apical aneurysm. Computed tomography angiogram showed no atherosclerotic lesions. Multiple episodes of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia were recorded on telemetry. Based on these findings, the diagnosis of Chagas cardiomyopathy was entertained. Serological tests for Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies were done and returned positive. We report a case of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy that was initially missed but ultimately diagnosed based on the finding of LV apical aneurysm.
The adrenal gland and the pre and post castrational aggressive behavior of male mice.

Abstract Adrenalectomized and sham-operated Swiss-Webster mice without previous fighting experience were paired with nonaggressive stimulus castrate males and observed for the spontaneous display of aggression. No differences were reported for the two groups on latency to first attack, attack frequency, attack rate, tail rattling frequency, or latency to submission by the stimulus castrate. Adrenalectomized and sham-operated mice which had displayed aggression were then paired against each other and observed for the establishment of a dominance-submission relationship. Again, no differences in fighting efficiency were observed as measured by initiation of aggression or achievement of dominance. In the second experiment, adrenalectomized and sham-operated mice were castrated and paired in aggression tests against a stimulus castrate. Both adrenalectomized and sham-operated subjects continued to display aggression for as long as 8 weeks after castration. These findings suggest that the adrenal secretions contribute little to the spontaneous display of aggression by inexperienced fighters as well as to the postcastrational maintenance of aggression by mice with fighting experience.
Gerichtsmedizin: ein Haar genügt für den genetischen Fingerabdruck

Der Einsatz gentechnischer Methoden in der Gerichtsmedizin ist einer der jungsten Zweige der molekularen Analytik. Durch die Analyse eines einzelnen Haares, eines Fingernagels, eines Bluttropfens oder von Hautschuppen ist es inzwischen moglich, diese biologischen Spuren anhand einer DNA-Analyse eindeutig einer Person zuzuordnen. Mit der PCR gelingt es, in den Spuren selbst kleinste Mengen an DNA nachzuweisen und auszuwerten.
A multiparticle 3d imaging technique to study the structure of molecular ions

Abstract When energetic molecular ions (Eion = 0.1–0.5 MeV/amu) pass through thin solid targets a Coulomb explosion ensues due to the rapid (∼ 10−17 s) stripping of the valence electrons. This process has been successfully used to derive stereochemical information on diatomic and on selected triatomic ions. In order to investigate more complex molecular ions as well as to obtain more accurate and detailed structure information, a large area, multiparticle, position and time-sensitive detector has been developed to detect all atomic fragments in coincidence. The requirement of multiparticle detection independent of the relative particle positions leads to a rather complex data-readout and -reduction system containing ~ 650 analog-to-digital conversions per event. The system relies heavily on techniques developed for high energy physics experiments during recent years. The single event resolution of the apparatus with respect to bond-lengths and -angles has been studied by Monte Carlo simulations and is typically a few percent.
Postnatal function following prenatal reserpine exposure in rats: neurobehavioral toxicity.

Abstract Behavioral and neurochemical analyses were conducted on preweanling CD rats prenatally exposed to either 0, 0.375 or 0.750 mg/kg/day reserpine SC on gestation days 12–15. Offspring body weights were taken on test days, and pups were tested for negative geotaxis responding on postnatal day 8, developmental activity on days 12, 16 and 20, and auditory startle habituation on day 19 or 20. In addition, brains were removed from culled pups on day 1, 1 male and 1 female/litter on day 8, and animals tested for activity on day 21. Neurochemical assays were performed on whole brains from 1- and 8-day-old pups, and on caudate nucleus, frontal cortex and hippocampus of day 21 rats. Treatment resulted in dose-related decreases in maternal weight gain over gestation and mean pup weight at birth. Changes in the normal developmental activity pattern were both sex and dose dependent in treated rats. In auditory startle habituation experiments, rats exhibited a dose-related decrease in response amplitude and rate of habituation. In the day 21 females, caudate nucleus dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) concentrations and DA-receptor binding were decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Males showed less dramatic, but similar trends in caudate changes. However, hippocampal 5-HT and 5-HT receptor binding were significantly reduced only in females. Thus, sex-related behavioral alterations were accompanied by sex-related neurochemical changes, and females generally were more affected than males by prenatal reserpine treatment. The significant decrease in activity and auditory startle amplitude in the females is consistent with the suggested down regulation of the DA system in regional brain areas.
The ability of the Dementia Rating Scale to predict everyday functioning.

Abstract The Dementia Rating Scale (DRS) is a brief neuropsychological assessment battery designed to assess five areas of cognitive functioning in the elderly. The relationship between DRS performance and everyday functioning was examined for 50 psychogeriatric patients. Everyday functioning was assessed with a standardized performance measure examining self-care, safety, money management, cooking, medication administration, and community utilization. Regression analyses were conducted for each of the six functional domains. In addition, correlations between the DRS subscales and the functional areas were computed. Results revealed significant predictive relationships (p
Anaphylactic reactions to zomepirac.

Three cases of apparent anaphylactoid reactions to zomepirac sodium (Zomax) are reported. One patient initially appeared to have a dissecting abdominal aortic aneurysm with vascular collapse. The second patient experienced conjunctival pruritis after each of several doses of zomepirac before emergency department presentation with acute dyspnea and urticaria. The third patient had been admitted previously with a diagnosis of rule out myocardial infarction, which in retrospect was probably a zomepirac reaction. All three recovered uneventfully.
Cell adhesion molecules in adrenal medulla grafts: Enhancement of chromaffin cell L1Ng-CAM expression and reorganization of extracellular matrix following transplantation

Intracerebral adrenal medulla grafts have been used in human patients as an experimental treatment for Parkinson's disease, based on studies in animal models of this disorder. However, alterations in chromaffin cell properties after transplantation and the factors controlling graft survival are poorly understood. Since cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are involved in regeneration and development of neural tissue in vivo and in vitro, the present study was undertaken to determine the expression of CAMs in adrenal medulla isografts. Fragments of rat adrenal medulla were implanted into the right lateral ventricle. The majority of grafts survived quite well, for up to 2 months (the longest studied period). The implanted chromaffin cells did not develop extensive processes. The cells retained tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) immunoreactivity, while phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) expression was decreased. Surviving transplanted chromaffin cells showed enhancement and spreading of surface L1/Ng-CAM expression as compared to normal chromaffin cells in adrenal medulla. The implanted chromaffin cells demonstrated only partial conversion to neuronal phenotypes. These chromaffin cells did not develop extensive processes, but showed an enhancement of L1/Ng-CAM expression. Surviving chromaffin cells were accompanied by reorganization of their closely associated extracellular matrix (ECM). As compared to normal in situ adrenal medulla, graft ECM demonstrated a substantial increase of L1/Ng-CAM and laminin immunoreactivities and a distinct decrease in J1/tenascin expression. Some adrenal medulla grafts degenerated, particularly when misplaced within the host brain parenchyma. In these cases the grafts showed fragmentation of ECM and gradual disappearance of CAMs. These results suggest that surviving adrenal medulla grafts exhibit increased synthesis of certain CAMs by chromaffin cells, which may be involved in interactions between chromaffin cells and the surrounding ECM. It is speculated that both surviving and degenerating adrenal medulla grafts could provide CAMs and ECM components including laminin to host brain and this way contribute to functional effects of grafts.
Statistical Validation of Engineering and Scientific Models: Bounds, Calibration, and Extrapolation

Numerical models of complex phenomena often contain approximations due to our inability to fully model the underlying physics, the excessive computational resources required to fully resolve the physics, the need to calibrate constitutive models, or in some cases, our ability to only bound behavior. Here we illustrate the relationship between approximation, calibration, extrapolation, and model validation through a series of examples that use the linear transient convective/dispersion equation to represent the nonlinear behavior of Burgers equation. While the use of these models represents a simplification relative to the types of systems we normally address in engineering and science, the present examples do support the tutorial nature of this document without obscuring the basic issues presented with unnecessarily complex models.
The Effect of Neurocranial Surgery on Basicranial Morphology in Isolated Sagittal Craniosynostosis

Abstract Objective: Isolated sagittal craniosynostosis produces a scaphocephalic neurocranium associated with abnormal basicranial morphology, providing additional evidence of the developmental relationship of the neurocranium and basicranium. Corrective surgical procedures vary, but the immediate impact of the surgical procedure is restricted to the neurocranium. This study addresses the secondary effects of neurocranial surgery on the cranial base. Design: Three-dimensional (3-D) computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained for preoperative (n = 25) and postoperative (n = 12) patients with isolated sagittal synostosis. Landmark data from 14 landmarks on and around the cranial base were collected from 3-D CT reconstructions and analyzed using Euclidean distance matrix analysis. Subsamples of age-matched patients were used to identify basicranial differences in pre- and postoperative patients and to compare postoperative growth patterns identified in longitudinal data with preoperative growth patterns cha...
Dendritic cell expression of the transcription factor T-bet regulates mast cell progenitor homing to mucosal tissue

The transcription factor T-bet was identified in CD4(+) T cells, and it controls interferon gamma production and T helper type 1 cell differentiation. T-bet is expressed in certain other leukocytes, and we recently showed (Lord, G.M., R.M. Rao, H. Choe, B.M. Sullivan, A.H. Lichtman, F.W. Luscinskas, and L.H. Glimcher. 2005. Blood. 106:3432-3439) that it regulates T cell trafficking. We examined whether T-bet influences homing of mast cell progenitors (MCp) to peripheral tissues. Surprisingly, we found that MCp homing to the lung or small intestine in T-bet(-/-) mice is reduced. This is reproduced in adhesion studies using bone marrow-derived MCs (BMMCs) from T-bet(-/-) mice, which showed diminished adhesion to mucosal addresin cellular adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), endothelial ligands required for MCp intestinal homing. MCp, their precursors, and BMMCs do not express T-bet, suggesting that T-bet plays an indirect role in homing. However, adoptive transfer experiments revealed that T-bet expression by BM cells is required for MCp homing to the intestine. Furthermore, transfer of WT BM-derived dendritic cells (DCs) to T-bet(-/-) mice restores normal MCp intestinal homing in vivo and MCp adhesion to MAdCAM-1 and VCAM-1 in vitro. Nonetheless, T-bet(-/-) mice respond vigorously to intestinal infection with Trichinella spiralis, eliminating a role for T-bet in MC recruitment to sites of infection and their activation and function. Therefore, remarkably, T-bet expression by DCs indirectly controls MCp homing to mucosal tissues.
An Autonomous, Broadband, Multi-channel Neural Recording System for Freely Behaving Primates

Successful laboratory proof-of-concept experiments with neural prosthetic systems motivate continued algorithm and hardware development. For these efforts to move beyond traditional fixed laboratory setups, new tools are needed to enable broadband, multi-channel, long duration neural recording from freely behaving primates. In this paper we present a dual- channel, battery powered, neural recording system with inte- grated 3-axis accelerometer for use with chronically implanted electrode arrays. The recording system, called HermesB, is self- contained, autonomous, programmable and capable of recording broadband neural and head acceleration data to a removable compact flash card for up to 48 hours. I. INTRODUCTION
Leadership in Computing History: Arthur Norberg and the Charles Babbage Institute

This article describes the Charles Babbage Institute's leadership role in the computing history profession. Much of the article's focus is on Arthur Norberg/ the Institute's director during most of its first quarter century, and on his role in shaping both CBI and the history of computing field more generally.
Lung disease in cystic fibrosis: is airway surface liquid composition abnormal?

recurrent infection and deterioration of lung function are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis. Although the genetic defect in cystic fibrosis, mutations in the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein (CFTR), was discovered in 1989,
Studies on straining of high polymer solids

Straining of high polymer solids is experimentally investigated from the standpoint of internal molecular structure. The test specimens used are epoxy cast resins as network polymers and hard polyvinylchloride as linear polymers. The experiment is mainly performed in compression. It is proved that the straining of network polymers is due solely to intramolecular micro-Brownian motion, named “deformation strain,” and is not true plastic strain, even though strain may be frozen by secondary bonding forces at room temperatures. On the other hand, intermolecular macro-Brownian motion, named “flow strain,” is further added for the straining of linear polymers. The mutual relations between flow strain and deformation strain on hard polyvinyl chloride are examined under various conditions, such as working and annealing temperature, magnitude of worked strain, rate of strain, etc. The plastic working ability of high polymer solids is discussed in relation to working temperature.
Health Monitoring of UAV Wing Skin-to-spar Joints using Guided Waves and Macro Fiber Composite Transducers:

This article deals with the monitoring of the composite wing skin-to-spar joint in unmanned aerial vehicles using ultrasonic guided waves. The study investigates simulated wing skin-to-spar joints with two different types of bond defects, namely poorly cured adhesive and disbonded interfaces. The bond-sensitive feature considered is the ultrasonic strength of transmission through the joints. The dispersive wave propagation problem is studied numerically by a semi-analytical finite element method that accounts for viscoelastic damping, and experimentally by ultrasonic testing that uses highly durable, flexible macro fiber composite transducers. The discrete wavelet transform is also employed to de-noise and compress the ultrasonic measurements. Both numerical and experimental tests confirm that the ultrasonic strength of transmission increases across the defected bonds.
THE INFLUENCE OF ANTECEDENTS AND CONSEQUENCES ON THE OCCURRENCE OF BIZARRE SPEECH IN INDIVIDUALS WITH DEMENTIA

We conducted a series of assessments to determine the differential effects of common antecedents and consequences that can influence the occurrence of bizarre speech in three women with moderate to severe dementia. First, a traditional functional analysis was conducted to assess the function of bizarre speech. After results revealed differentially higher levels of bizarre speech during control sessions, an antecedent analysis was conducted. During this second assessment, all consequences were held constant, and only the antecedents (i.e., open-ended questions, yes/no questions, and comments) were altered. Bizarre speech was differentially higher when open-ended questions were presented, replicating previous studies. The final assessment conducted was a modified functional analysis to further assess the effects of consequences on bizarre speech. More typical consequences were assessed, including two tests for a positive function (attention in the form of correction and attention in the form of following along) and two tests for a negative function (a break from one question and a break from all questions). Results consistently revealed that antecedents produced greater differentiation in responding than social consequences. These findings provide evidence that behavioral assessments may need to be modified to better capture the relevant environmental variables that influence problem behavior in individuals with dementia. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Field density estimates of Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from catches in sex pheromone-baited traps

The number of male tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (Fabricius), trapped on a daily basis in pheromone traps in individual cotton fields was compared to male and female adult densities measured by nocturnal field sampling. The decline of trap efficiency with increasing female density was demonstrated. A simple relationship for estimating H. virescens male density from the numbers trapped was derived as P♂ = (E 2 /13) 2 , where P♂ is density and E 2 is the two-day exponential average of number trapped. The standard error for the regression translates to an accuracy ratio of 2:1. The results compare favourably with previous research using mark-release-recapture methodology. Application of the formula is discussed.
Possible evidence for novel metabolism of nitrogen gas by a green alga

We report the isolation of a cukaryotic green alga (Chlorella, strain WPI-2) which accumulates large stores of nitrogen (N) during growth in N-free medium and seems to incorporate14N2, yet does not reduce acetylene to ethylene. Total N accumulation during growth on N-free medium and in gases free of combined N was measured by three methods: Kjeldahl, oxidative pyrolysis via chemiluminescence (Antek N analyzer), and Dumas (Coleman N analyzer). Increases in N ranging from 22–64%± 1% were observed. Isotope dilution studies using cells labelled with 15NO 3- and then shifted to 14N2 in N-free medium showed dilution of the 15N isotope by 14N from 5.67 to 5.32%± 0.05%. Using a variety of conditions, we were unable to demonstrate the reduction of acctylene to ethylene by WPI-2, although diazotrophic cyanobacteria gave positive results. Although the data on WPI-2 are not conclusive in establishing this alga as a diazotroph, the data do suggest that within the Chlorophyceae there may exist a novel form of nitrogen gas metabolism.
Regulation of c-SRC activity in glutamate-induced neurodegeneration

c-Src is heavily expressed in the brain and in human neural tissues. Our pursuit for characterization of the neuroprotective mechanisms of tocotrienols led to the first evidence demonstrating that rapid c-Src activation plays a central role in executing glutamate-induced neurodegeneration. It is now known that Src deficiency or blockade of Src activity in mice provides cerebral protection following stroke. Here, we sought to examine the mechanisms that regulate inducible c-Src activity in glutamate-challenged HT4 neural cells and primary cortical neurons. Knockdown of c-Src protected cells against glutamate-induced loss of viability. Consistently, microinjection of siRNA against c-Src protected cells against glutamate. Using overexpression and knockdown approaches, we noted that SHP-1 may be implicated in glutamate-induced c-Src activation. Following such activation, Cbp and caveolin-1 were phosphorylated and associated with Csk. Csk was translocated to the membrane where it down-regulated glutamate-induced c-Src activity by catalyzing the inhibitory phosphorylation of a tyrosine residue in c-Src. Findings of this study present a new paradigm that addresses the regulation of c-Src under neurodegenerative conditions.
Statin therapy is associated with improved survival in ischemic and non-ischemic heart failure

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to investigate the impact of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor (statin) therapy in patients with advanced heart failure (HF). Background Although statins are known to reduce mortality in coronary artery disease (CAD), the impact of statin therapy in patients with HF has not been well studied. Both the potential risks and benefits of statins in HF have been described. Methods We studied a cohort of 551 patients with systolic HF (left ventricular ejection fraction [EF] ≤40%) referred to a single university center for clinical management and/or transplant evaluation. Survival without the necessity of urgent heart transplantation was determined. Results The patients' mean age was 52 ± 13 years; mean EF was 25 ± 7%. Forty-five percent of the cohort had CAD, and 45% were receiving statin therapy, including 73% and 22% of CAD and non-CAD patients with HF, respectively. Patients receiving statins were significantly older and more likely to be male, with higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, and smoking. The EF and cholesterol levels were similar between treated and non-treated patients. Statin use was associated with improved survival without the necessity of urgent transplantation in both non-ischemic and ischemic HF patients (91% vs. 72%, p Conclusions Statin therapy is associated with improved survival in patients with ischemic and non-ischemic HF. Randomized trials are needed for confirmation of a therapeutic benefit.