cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What is politics

What is politics in the aftermath of the Arab Spring and in the context of an internationalized civil conflict in Syria? As I write this commentary, politics in the Middle East and North Africa (ME...
Urinary immunoprecipitation method for estimation of thyroxine to triiodothyronine conversion in altered thyroid states.

A new method is described for the estimation of T4 to T3 conversion in man and is applied to the study of hyperthyroid and hypothyroid clinical states. The method employs simultaneous iv injection of [125I]T4 and [131I]T3 with isolation of the labeled T3 tracers in 4- to 8-day pooled urine samples by a combination of solvent extraction, desalting, and immunoprecipitation procedures. Using [131I]T3as a recovery standard, the T4 to T3 conversion ratio was found to be 0.470 ± 0.011 in euthyroid subjects. This confirmed our earlier findings of 0.482 ± 0.014 using a paper chromatographic method and nonsimultaneous isotope administration. The conversion ratio was increased in hypothyroidism to 0.535 ± 0.011 (P < 0.02) and decreased in hyperthyroidism to 0.415 ± 0.009 (P < 0.01). These changes parallel the fraction of the radioiodine collected in the urine for both T4 and T3 normal values are 77 ± 4% for T4 and 76 ± 4% for T3, values in hypothyroidism are 79 ± 1% for T4 and 79 ± 3% for T3, and values in hyperthy...
Screening for colorectal neoplasia with CT colonography: initial experience from the 1st year of coverage by third-party payers.

Purpose: To evaluate our experience in the 1st year of computed tomographic (CT) colonography screening since the initiation of local third-party payer coverage. Materials and Methods: This HIPAA-compliant study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was waived. Over a 1-year period that ended on April 27, 2005, 1110 consecutive adults (585 women, 525 men; mean age, 58.1 years) underwent primary CT colonography screening. More than 99% were covered by managed care agreements. CT colonographic interpretation was performed with primary three-dimensional polyp detection, and the final results were issued within 2 hours. Patients with large (≥10-mm) polyps were referred for same-day optical colonoscopy, and patients with medium-sized (6–9-mm) lesions had the option of immediate optical colonoscopy or short-term CT colonography surveillance. Results: Large colorectal polyps were identified at CT colonography in 43 (3.9%) of 1110 patients. Medium-sized lesions were identified in 77...
An experimental survey of swelling in commercial Fe-Cr-Ni alloys bombarded with 5 MeV Ni Ions

Abstract The void swelling tendencies of over twenty Fe-Cr-Ni alloys have been compared by bombarding with 5 MeV Ni ions. The bombardments were at 625°C, the peak swelling temperature established for Types 304 and 316. The largest swellings in commercial alloys occurred at compositions in the vicinity of 17Cr-12Ni, a region that includes Types 304, 316, 318, 321 and Sandvik 12R72HV. A number of commercial alloys, spanning a wide compositional range, showed greatly reduced swellings. The low swelling materials included precipitation hardened alloys, and solid solutions alloys. The results imply that the major composition of an alloy has a strong influence on swelling behavior. Special alloys of Fe, Cr and Ni were prepared with 15 wt% Cr and 15, 20, 30 and 35 wt% Ni. The swelling decreased markedly with increasing nickel content, dropping by a factor of > 100 in going from 15% Ni to 35% Ni. There is an indication that the swelling in commercial alloys is also affected by the chromium content. The occurrence of low swelling over a wide compositional range in the Fe-Cr-Ni system provides confidence that a suitable lowswelling alloy can be selected for use in commercial LMFBR's.
Risk of Persistent Palatal Fistula in Patients With Cleft Palate

ImportanceMany individuals with a cleft palate also have an associated craniofacial syndrome or anomaly. ObjectiveTo investigate the predictive associations of persistent palatal fistulas in patien...
Stability of Quaternary Ammonium-Functionalized Organosiliconates in Alkaline Hydrolysis

Abstract The alkaline hydrolytic stability of quaternary ammonium-functionalized organosiliconate has been studied using 13C NMR. The half-life of (CH3O)3Si(CH2)3N(CH3)3Cl was determined under conditions in which base-catalyzed Si-R bond cleavage occurs. At 200°C, t1/2 decreased by three orders of magnitude from pH 5 to pH 13. The formation of propyltrimethyl ammonium, and its subsequent further hydrolysis to propanol and trimethylamine, was verified by deuterium labeling experiments. The relevance of these findings to the possible use of these reagents in novel materials synthesis is discussed.
Manubrial-Clavicular-Chest Wall Explantation to Expose the Anterior Thoracic Inlet

The anterior thoracic inlet is difficult to access surgically because of the overlying pectoral-shoulder girdle, clavicle, and manubrium. With both the Dartevelle and Grunenwald approaches, retraction of an osteomuscular flap is required, and patients may be left with the functional and aesthetic implications of partial clavicular resection. We describe a novel technique involving manubrial-clavicular-chest wall explantation with preservation and reimplantation. Manubrial and clavicular plating is performed to stabilize the anterior chest wall and clavicle after reimplantation. This approach represents an alternative technique that provides excellent visualization of the entire anterior thoracic inlet.
Ga:ZnO based transparent conducting oxides and devices

We report on the synthesis and processing, and structure - property correlations in gallium doped ZnO films grown on (0001) sapphire and glass substrates by pulsed laser deposition. Films with varying microstructure were grown on amorphous glass by changing the pulsed laser deposition parameters, namely temperature and oxygen partial pressure. The results corresponding to these films were compared with those from epitaxial single crystal films grown on (0001) sapphire. It is shown that resistivities and transmittance comparable to epitaxial Zn 0.95 Ga 0.05 O films (r=1.4x10 -4 O-cm, %T>80) can be achieved in the nanocrystalline films (r=1.8x10 -4 O-cm, %T>80) deposited on glass by carefully controlling the deposition parameters. We have investigated and modeled the conduction mechanisms (carrier generation and carrier transport) in the novel Ga:ZnO films through detailed structural characterization, chemical analysis, and electrical and optical property measurements. The device applications based on these highly conducting and transparent films as electrodes will also be discussed. Our preliminary results have demonstrated that power conversion efficiencies comparable to indium tin oxide (ITO) based organic photovoltaic devices can be achieved using ZnGaO films as the anode.
Termination of photoreceptor responses

Vertebrate and invertebrate photoreceptors respond with great speed and sensitivity to the onset of light; however, they also adapt quickly to constant light or a reduction of illumination. During the past year or so, new information has become available concerning the molecular mechanisms by which photoreceptors recover from and adapt to stimuli. These data have identified mechanisms that inactivate nearly every step of the vertebrate and invertebrate phototransduction pathways. Light-induced changes in the concentration of intracellular Ca2+ play an important role in photoreceptor recovery and adaptation. Recently, several proteins that may mediate the effects of Ca2+ on phototransduction have been identified.
THE EFFECT OF ELEVATED SYSTEMIC CORTISOL LEVELS ON PLASMA CATECHOLAMINES IN CUSHING'S SYNDROME PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT DEPRESSED MOOD

Abstract This study explored the effect of elevated systemic cortisol levels on plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine, and hemodynamic variables, in patients with active Cushing's syndrome; ratings of depressed mood were also obtained. Norepinephrine levels were significantly negatively correlated with 24 h urinary free cortisol levels. Cushing's patients without depressed mood showed more robust negative correlations than those with depressed mood. The inverse relationship between norepinephrine and cortisol is consistent with data obtained previously in acute studies of normal subjects. Mechanisms which might explain these relationships include changes in control of catecholamine production, release, and/or metabolic clearance in Cushing's patients. The decrease in the strength of association in depressed Cushing's patients is consistent with prior studies that suggest abnormal relationships between hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical activity and noradrenergic function in major depressive disorder.
Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Intracellular Delivery of Membrane-Impermeable Proteins

An MCM-41-type mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) material with a large average pore diameter (5.4 nm) is synthesized and characterized. The in vitro uptake and release profiles of cytochrome c by the MSN were investigated. The enzymatic activity of the released protein was quantitatively analyzed and compared with that of the native cytochrome c in physiological buffer solutions. We found that the enzymes released from the MSNs are still functional and highly active in catalyzing the oxidation of 2,2‘-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) by hydrogen peroxide. In contrast to the fact that cytochrome c is a cell-membrane-impermeable protein, we discovered that the cytochrome c-encapsulated MSNs could be internalized by live human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) and the protein could be released into the cytoplasm. We envision that these MSNs with large pores could serve as a transmembrane delivery vehicle for controlled release of membrane-impermeable proteins in live cells, which may lead to...
The Influence of Changing Orbital Parameters and Surface Boundary Conditions on Climate Simulations for the Past 18 000 Years

Abstract General circulation model experiments at 3000-year intervals for the past 18 000 years were made to estimate the magnitude, timing, and pattern of the climatic response to prescribed changes of orbital parameters (date of perihelion, axial tilt, eccentricity) and glacial-age lower boundary conditions (ice sheets, land albedo, sea ice and sea surface temperature). The experiments used the Community Climate Model (CCM) of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). The response of monsoon circulations and tropical precipitation to the orbitally produced solar radiation changes was much larger than the response to changes of glacial-age boundary conditions. The continental interior of Eurasia was 2–4 K warmer in summer, and summer monsoon precipitation of North Africa-South Asia was increased by 10–20% between 12 000 and 6000 yr BP (before present) when perihelion occurred during northern summer (rather than in winter as now) and the earth's axial tilt was larger than now. Southern Hemisphe...
Protein kinase C-α levels are inversely associated with growth rate in cultured human dermal fibroblasts

Human dermal fibroblasts are known to express the alpha, delta, epsilon, and zeta isoforms of protein kinase C (PKC). We asked whether the growth of human dermal fibroblasts correlates with expression of a particular PKC isoform. Of total PKC activity measured in the presence of calcium, a condition permissive for activation of all PKC isoforms, 75%) was contributed by PKC-alpha, suggesting that PKC-alpha is the dominant isoform in human dermal fibroblasts. We then further studied PKC-alpha under different culture conditions and in cultures derived from different aged donors. In both subconfluent and confluent cultures, total PKC activity and the level of PKC-alpha protein were consistently higher in slowly proliferating adult cells than in more rapidly proliferating newborn cells. Moreover, in newborn fibroblasts density strongly influenced these parameters. At subconfluent density, when cells were dividing exponentially, total PKC activity was 345+/-63 cpm/,ug protein; whereas at confluent density, when cells were growth arrested, it was 6-7 fold higher, 2334+/-50 cpm/ug protein. Immunoblot analysis using a specific monoclonal antibody against PKC-alpha exhibited a similar 6-7 fold increase in the level of PKC-alpha protein at confluent density. However, in adult cells, density had no influence on the already high total activity or level of PKC-alpha. To further determine whether the increases in the levels of total PKC activity and the alpha isoform correlate with the decreased growth rate, a characteristic of both adult donor-derived and confluent cells, total PKC activity and the level of PKC-alpha in subconfluent quiescent cells was compared to that in paired exponentially growing cells at the same density. Total PKC activity was 8836+/-71 cpm/microg protein in subconfluent quiescent cells versus 4415+/-175 cpm/microg protein in dividing cells. The level of PKC-alpha protein was also 2-3 fold higher in quiescent than in growing cultures. However, the amount of PKC-alpha mRNA in these two conditions was identical as determined by northern blot analysis. Taken together, these results suggest an inverse relationship between the levels of total PKC activity and PKC-alpha protein and fibroblast growth rate that is regulated at the post-transcriptional level.
Unraveling the Complexities of Androgen Receptor Signaling in Prostate Cancer Cells

Androgen signaling is critical for proliferation of prostate cancer cells but cannot be fully inhibited by current androgen deprivation therapies. A study by Xu et al. in this issue of Cancer Cell provides insights into the complexities of androgen signaling in prostate cancer and suggests avenues to target a subset of androgen-sensitive genes.
Law-Related Education: Implications for Teaching Gifted Students.

Law‐related education has not only broadened the content of the social studies curriculum but its goals are highly compatible with those goals for teaching gifted children.
The myth of war and peace in presidential discourse: John Kennedy's “new frontier” myth and the peace corps

Some presidents have found it problematic to employ war myths in peaceful, nonmilitary situations. This essay argues that John Kennedy's construction of a war myth for peaceful ends made his public campaign for the Peace Corps compelling. Specifically, Kennedy succeeded because he contextualized the myth of war within one of the country's premiere sacred stories—the Frontier Myth—altering the Myth's structural elements in the process. He portrayed the Peace Corps’ volunteers in the heroic spirit of traditional frontier warriors who now combated mythically‐endowed, yet real, enemies to achieve an attainable peace consistent with mythic war.
“Speaking with Names”: Language and Landscape among the Western Apache

An unfamiliar landscape, like an unfamiliar language, is always a little daunting, and when the two are encountered together-as they are, commonly enough, in those out-of-the-way communities where ethnographers have a tendency to crop up-the combination may be downright unsettling. From the outset, of course, neither landscape nor language can be ignored. On the contrary, the shapes and colors and contours of the land, together with the shifting sounds and cadences of native discourse, thrust themselves upon the newcomer with a force so vivid and direct as to be virtually inescapable. Yet for all of their sensory immediacy (and there are occasions, as any ethnographer will attest, when the sheer constancy of it grows to formidable proportions) landscape and discourse seem resolutely out of reach. Although close at hand and tangible in the extreme, each in its own way appears remote and inaccessible, anonymous and indistinct, and somehow, implausibly, a shade less than fully believable. And neither one, as if determined to accentuate these conflicting impressions, may seem the least bit interested in having them resolved. Emphatically "there" but conspicuously lacking in accustomed forms of order and arrangement, landscape and discourse confound the stranger's efforts to invest them with significance, and this uncommon predicament, which produces nothing if not uncertainty, can be keenly disconcerting. Surrounded by foreign geographical objects and intractable acts of speech, even the most practiced ethnographers become diffident and cautious. For the meanings of objects and acts alike can only be guessed at, and once the guesses have been recognized for the arbitrary constructions they almost always are, one senses acutely that one's own experience of things and events "out there" cannot be used as a reliable guide to the experience of native people (Conklin 1962; Frake
Artifact reduction with a wideband late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) MRI technique for patients with implanted cardiac devices: a two-center study

Background Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiac MRI is the clinical gold standard for non-invasive characterization of myocardial scar [1]. However, up to 75% of patients who may benefit from LGE MRI have preexisting implanted cardiac devices such as implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) and pacemakers (PM) [2]. The presence of an ICD produces hyper-intensity (HI) image artifacts in LGE (Figure 1) and can prevent assessment of myocardial scar. We recently proposed a wideband LGE MRI technique that removes these artifacts in ICD patients [3,4]. In this abstract, we present our two-center experience of using this wideband LGE sequence on a cohort of patients with ICDs who were referred to cardiac MRI.
Diluent Gas Effects on Properties of Ain and GaN Thin Films Grown by Metalorganic Vapor Phase Epitaxy on α(6H)-SiC Substrates

Thin films of A1N and GaN were deposited on α(6H)-SiC(0001) wafers using metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) and H2 and N2 diluents. A computational fluid dynamic model of the deposition process was used to analyze the film growth conditions for both diluents. Low temperature (12 K) photoluminescence of the GaN films grown in N2 had peak intensities and full widths at half maximum of ~7 meV which were equal to or better than those films grown in H2. Cross-sectional and plan-view transmission electron microscopy of films grown in both diluents showed similar microstructures with a typical dislocation density of 109/cm2. Hall measurements of n-type (Si doped) GaN grown in N2 revealed Hall mobilities equivalent to those films grown in H2. Acceptor-type behavior of Mg-doped GaN grown in N2 was repeatably obtained without post-growth annealing. Secondary ion mass spectrometry revealed equivalent levels of H in Mg-doped GaN films grown in both diluents.
VLSI-oriented architectures for real-time image processing

Real time computer vision applications require extremely high processing speeds which are very challenging for architectures as well as VLSI technologies. In this paper we investigate two different VLSI and architectural approaches to the decision analysis part of a complex low level image segmentation architecture (LISA). The two different technological approaches are full custom application specific integrated circuits (ASIC) and programmable gate arrays. The two different architectures are a modification of a classical statistical classifier and a connectionist approach using a layered feed forward net. We will also briefly mention the feature extraction part of the architecture, which is essential to understand the complete architecture and is realized using both technologies. LISA as a whole is capable of performing real time (20 M pixels/sec) grey level image segmentation based on grey level and textural properties of the objects. The architectures and technologies will be compared in terms of development time, design methodology, and finally experimental results will be shown.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Efficacy of bipolar radiofrequency endometrial ablation vs thermal balloon ablation for management of menorrhagia: A population-based cohort.

Abstract Study Objective To compare the efficacy of bipolar radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and thermal balloon ablation (TBA) using treatment failure and postprocedure amenorrhea as outcome measures. Design Population-based cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting Two medical centers in the upper Midwest. Patients Using the medical records linkage system of the Rochester Epidemiology Project, we identified 455 residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, who underwent global endometrial ablation because of menorrhagia from January 1, 1998, through December 31, 2005. Amenorrhea was defined as complete cessation of menstruation that started immediately after ablation and lasted at least 12 months. Treatment failure was defined as necessity of repeat ablation or hysterectomy because of persistent bleeding or pain. Time to treatment failure for each procedure was compared using Kaplan-Meier plots. Relevant clinical data and complications were abstracted from medical records. Risk adjustments were performed using Cox and logistic regression models. Interventions Radiofrequency ablation (n=255) and thermal balloon ablation (n=200). Measurements and Main Results Mean (SD) patient age was 43.3 (5.5) years, and median follow-up was 2.2 years. The 3-year cumulative failure rate was 9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5%–16%) for RFA and 12% (95% CI, 7%–16%) for TBA (p=.26). The difference remained nonsignificant after adjusting for known predictors of treatment failure such as age, parity, pretreatment dysmenorrhea, and tubal ligation (adjusted HR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.4–1.4; p=.31). However, women had significantly higher rates of amenorrhea after RFA compared with TBA (32% vs 14%; p Conclusion Both RFA and TBA were equally effective treatments for menorrhagia in a population-based cohort. However, women who underwent RFA were 3 times more likely to have postprocedure amenorrhea.
Notes on the Taxonomy and Natural Relationships of Fleas, with descriptions of Four New Species

Recently the writer has had occasion to go over and help arrange the United States National Museum collection of fleas. Although not as extensive as some of the other well-known flea collections, it is invaluable of the Philippines, and of Doctor Carrol Fox, Surgeon, United States Philippines, and of Doctor Carrol Fox, Surgeon, United States Public Health Service, Two of the foremost authorities on the Siphonaptera.
Random walk model based on DTI for predicting the microscopic spread of gliomas

The current methods of determining the treatment margins for Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT) are often inadequate as recurrences and/or secondary tumors occur at/near the boundaries of the treatment margin. If our hypothesis that paths of elevated water diffusion provide a preferred route for migration of cancer cells is correct then future SRT treatment volumes would be modified to provide elongated margins along the paths of elevated water diffusion; thereby reducing the incidence of recurrence. We hypothesize that the migration of tumor cells from the surface of the tumor can be predicted using a random walk model constrained by the local diffusion environment. In our implementation the diffusion environment is represented by the Principal Diffusion Direction (PDD) obtained from Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI). The results based on the analysis of DTI datasets of patients who had recurrences show a high correlation between areas of high cell concentration determined using the random walk model and the location of recurrences and/or secondary tumors.
Freeze-drying and scanning electron microscopy of setting dental gypsum

Abstract Objectives . The initial and final forms of reactive gypsum products have been photomicrographed previously. However, the purpose of this project was to document the microscopic morphology of setting dental stone at various stages during the reaction. Methods . Two dental products, a conventional (Type IV) die stone and a fast-setting (Type III) stone, were investigated. At selected times ranging from 1 min to 24 h after mechanically mixing the stone under vacuum, the conversion of calcium sulfate hemilhydrate to a dihydrate was suspended by immersion into liquid nitrogen. Water was immediately removed by freeze-drying the specimen to prevent any further reaction so that the specimen could be returned to room temperature for examination in a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results . Crystal formation appeared to be nearly complete at the 20 min interval for the die stone and at the 10 min interval for the fast-setting dental stone. Transitions noted during these times include the nucleation and growth of small needle-like crystals on and near the larger prismatic-shaped hemilhydrate crystals, the concurrent decrease in size and number of the hemihydrate crystals, and the progressive entanglement of the growing dihydrate crystals. Significance . The two-step process of suspending the reaction, then freeze-drying the specimen made it possible to observe and document the intermediate stages during crystal growth of dental stone. These observations should be helpful in understanding the structural dynamics of crystal growth during the setting of gypsum dental products. This procedure should be applicable to the study of other water-based dental materials.
Effect of age and endurance training on the capacity for epinephrine-stimulated gluconeogenesis in rat hepatocytes.

The effects of endurance training on hepatic glucose production (HGP) from lactate were examined in 24-h-fasted young (4 mo) and old (24 mo) male Fischer 344 rats by using the isolated-hepatocyte t...
Redirecting by injector

Describes the Object Infrastructure Framework (OIF), a system that seeks to simplify the creation of distributed applications by injecting behavior on the communication paths between components. We touch on some of the "ilities" (security, reliability, QoS and manageability) and services that can be achieved with injector technology, and then focus on the uses of redirecting injectors - injectors that take requests directed at a particular server and generate requests directed at others. We close by noting that OIF is an aspect-oriented programming system, and comparing OIF to related work.
Gaining Momentum: A Review of Recent Developments Surrounding the Expansion of the Copyright Misuse Doctrine and Analysis of the Doctrine in its Current Form

This article examines the copyright misuse doctrine. As a defense to claims of copyright infringement, copyright misuse limits attempts by intellectual property owners to expand their monopoly or enter into agreements that restrain trade. This article analyzes the current state of copyright misuse and posits that some form of the defense will eventually be adopted in most jurisdictions. Currently, the doctrine's strengths outweigh its weaknesses, making it suitable for use in actions taken by copyright owners who violate public policy. Copyright misuse is often preferable to antitrust remedies or the fair use defense. Indeed, the doctrine functions best to fill the gap between these remedies. Copyright misuse is most effective when other remedies are legally inapplicable or practically undesirable. Therefore, while the doctrine is not a panacea, it is an important mechanism for restoring balance to copyright law.
WORDY WOMEN: GENDER TROUBLE AND THE ORAL POLITICS OF THE EAST AFRICAN REVIVAL IN NORTHERN GIKUYULAND

This essay explores conversion to the East African Revival as a way that Gikuyu women and men argued about moral and economic change. Rural capitalism in the 1930s and 1940s attacked the material basis of Gikuyu gender order by denying some men land. Familial stability was at stake in class formation: landless laborers could scarcely be respectable husbands. Rural elders and revivalists offered contending answers to the terrifying problem of gender trouble. Literate male elders at Tumutumu Presbyterian church used customary law and church bureaucracy to discipline young men and women. Revivalists, many of them women, talked: they confessed private sins vocally, cleansing themselves of sorcerous familial strife. Tumutumu’s debate over Revival played out as a contest between the oral politics of conversion and the bureaucratic power of church elders. Mau Mau continued the debate.
Weak foot: Pathogenesis and treatment

Abstract The author has attempted a presentation of the rationale in the attack on the distortion of physiology leading to the common type of weak foot, that associated with poor body posture. The discussion has been limited to the uncomplicated weak foot, valgus relation, this abnormality being taken as the starting point in a large number of the pathological conditions of the foot, such as flat foot, callous, arthritis with true or false ankylosis, etc., that result from maladaptation of the weight bearing mechanism to the superstructure. Briefly, the sequence of events appears to be as follows: slouch posture with a forward shift of the line of gravity of the botly, lumbar lordosis, increased pelvic tilt, internal femoral rotation, internal astragalar rotation, valgus relation. The effect of valgus relation on the efficiency of the foot is discussed. It is pointed out that there are five therapeutic factors concerned in readapting the weight bearing mechanism to the superstructure and that all of these factors—postural correction, correct usage of the feet, exercises, proper shoes and arch supports—must be employed simultaneously. Absolute cooperation of the patient is essential since the plan of treatment has as its goal the development in the individual of a consciousness of posture that is followed eventually by a posture reflex. This necessitates first of all the instruction of the patient in the elements of correct posture. The “wall and chair maneuvers” are described in this connection. Development of neglected muscles through exercises enables the patient to pull himself into correct posture and to stay there. This act in time becomes reflex. An exercise routine is given and explained. It is obvious that the foot cannot function efficiently when the shoe covering it is not properly constructed and correctly sized. The elements of a good shoe are discussed. The arch support is considered from the mechanical and clinical points of view. Patients for postural correction must be selected with care since readjustment of a posture that has been maintained for years is a serious matter. In patients over fifty years of age the weak foot is almost invariably accompanied by various pathological sequels. Palliative treatment of these complications should be undertaken immediately and followed while postural correction is in progress. This latter correction must be slow and extended over a period of many months or even several years. The author wishes to express his appreciation for the valuable assistance and criticism of Mr. W. Gordon Garretson, Division of Architecture and Engineering, State of Illinois.
A review of linezolid: the first oxazolidinone antibiotic

Resistance of Gram-positive bacterial pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium, to existing antibiotics continues to increase, and new antibiotics with activity against these pathogens are in demand. Linezolid (Zyvox, Pharmacia and Upjohn) is the first agent of a new class of antibiotics called the oxazolidinones. Linezolid possesses excellent microbial activity against a wide variety of Gram-positive pathogens including those resistant to methicillin and vancomycin (Vancocin, Eli Lilly). Linezolid is available for intravenous and oral administration and possesses excellent bioavailability. It exhibits good penetration into pulmonary, as well as skin and related structure tissues, and does not require dosage adjustment in hepatic or renal dysfunction. Linezolid is generally well-tolerated, with the predominant adverse effect manifesting as a duration dependent, reversible thrombocytopenia. Linezolid possesses monoamine oxidase inhibitor activity and caution is warranted with coadministration of adrenergic or seritonergic medications. Clinical trials conducted with linezolid in skin and structure infections, lower respiratory tract infections and vancomycin-resistant enterococcal infections demonstrate that linezolid is an effective therapy. Recent data suggest that linezolid may be superior to vancomycin for the treatment of infections caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Linezolid is an excellent and promising new antibiotic for the treatment of resistant Gram-positive pathogens.
Enalapril prevents impaired nitric oxide synthase-dependent dilatation of cerebral arterioles in diabetic rats.

Background and Purpose— Our goal was to identify the effects of chronic treatment with enalapril on cerebrovascular dysfunction and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein in diabetic rats. Methods— Rats were assigned to 1 of 4 groups: nondiabetic, diabetic, nondiabetic/enalapril-treated, and diabetic/enalapril-treated groups. Rats assigned to the nondiabetic groups were injected with vehicle (sodium citrate buffer), and rats assigned to the diabetic groups were injected with streptozotocin (50 mg/kg IP). Enalapril (10 mg/kg per day) was administered in the drinking water and coincided with the injection of vehicle or streptozotocin. Two to 3 months later, we examined responses of pial arterioles to nitric oxide synthase (NOS)–dependent agonists (acetylcholine and ADP) and a NOS-independent agonist (nitroglycerin). After these functional studies, we harvested cerebral microvessels for Western blot analysis of eNOS protein. Results— We found that acetylcholine- and ADP-induced dilatation of pial a...
Supported Employment An Initiative for Employing Persons with Severe Developmental Disabilities

For many years, it has generally been recognized that persons having severe developmental disabilities could learn vocational tasks and perform these tasks productively in work settings. Techniques for developing vocational skills and related work behaviors are now widely available, yet most adults having severe disabilities remain without employment. Recent federal activities, including the passage of the Developmental Disabilities Act of 1984, have focused attention upon creating employment options for persons regardless of their level of disability. This article examines the emerging features of “supported employment,” a framework for employing persons normally served in segregated day activity and work activity centers.
Generation of transconductance grounded capacitor filters by signal-flow graph simulation of LC-ladders

The methods are presented for generating active simulations of LC-ladders, based on signal-flow graphs. Both methods use only tunable transconductance elements and grounded capacitors. Furthermore, all transconductances except possibly one are identical and all capacitors are grounded, making the approach extremely convenient for integration with automated systematic design procedures and dense layout. SPICE simulations of the circuits with actual CMOS transconductance have been used to verify the performance. >
Return of Nocturnal Erections and Erectile Function after Bilateral Nerve-sparing Radical Prostatectomy in Men Treated Nightly with Sildenafil Citrate: Subanalysis of a Longitudinal Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial

ABSTRACT Introduction After bilateral nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy (BNSRRP), nocturnal and sexually mediated erections may help to preserve normal erectile function (EF). Aim To investigate nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity (NPTR) in a subset (N = 54 men) from a randomized, double-blind trial (N = 76) of nightly sildenafil after BNSRRP. Methods Inclusion required preoperative “normal” EF (defined as a combined score of ≥8 for International Index of Erectile Function questions 3 (penetration) and 4 (maintained erection after penetration) and NPTR testing (≥10 continuous minutes of ≥55% rigidity [R ≥ 55%] at the base). Postoperative assessments were at weeks 4 (pretreatment), 16, 28, 40 (during 36 weeks of nightly prophylaxis: sildenafil 50 mg [N = 17], 100 mg [N = 18] or placebo [N = 19]), and 48 (after 8 weeks of no erectile dysfunction therapy, when “responders” were delineated by the defined normal EF and a “yes” response to “Over the past 4 weeks, have your erections been good enough for satisfactory sexual activity?”). Base and tip rigidity and tumescence were measured using penile plethysmography. Main Outcome Measures Duration of R ≥ 55% and area under the curves for rigidity and tumescence. Results Postoperatively, rapid profound reduction in nocturnal EF was noted in all groups. There was a gradual dose-dependent improvement in base and tip rigidity in the sildenafil groups but little improvement in the placebo group. Eight weeks after treatment termination (48 weeks postoperatively), 24% (4/17) of 50-mg sildenafil recipients, 33% (6/18) of 100-mg sildenafil recipients, and 5% (1/19) of placebo recipients were responders. Tip R ≥ 55% was the most discriminating NPTR measure between nonresponders and responders to sildenafil, in whom it regained baseline (preoperative) levels (whereas base R ≥ 55% did not). It was most prolonged in responders to sildenafil 100 mg. Conclusions In our subset analysis, nightly sildenafil for 9 months post-BNSRRP objectively improved nocturnal erections and pharmaceutically unassisted EF. McCullough AR, Levine LA, and Padma-Nathan H. Return of nocturnal erections and erectile function after bilateral nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy in men treated nightly with sildenafil citrate: Subanalysis of a longitudinal randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.
New York City’s Municipal Broadcasting Experiment: WNYC, 1922-1940

(1992). New York City’s Municipal Broadcasting Experiment. American Journalism: Vol. 9, No. 3-4, pp. 84-95.
An introduction to perceptual organization

Perceptual organization refers to the ability to impose organization on sensory data, so as to group sensory primitives arising from a common underlying cause. The existence of this sort of organization in human perception, including vision, was emphasized by Gestalt psychologists. Since then, perceptual organization ideas have been found to be extremely useful in computer vision, impacting object recognition at a fundamental level by significantly reducing the complexity. We provide a short introduction to perceptual organization, outlining its genesis in human vision, followed by a Bayesian interpretation of the organization process. This Bayesian framework lets us systematically design organizational processes suitable for each application. We also provide a unifying framework for the various spectral partitioning frameworks, such as average cut and normalized cut, which has been found to be very effective in computer vision. The impact of perceptual organization is showcased using examples of target segmentation for ATR and motion segmentation.
Multiplicative Functions on Arithmetic Progressions. VII: Large Moduli

A complex valued function $g$ , defined on the positive integers, is multiplicative if it satisfies $g(ab) = g(a)g(b)$ whenever the integers $a$ and $b$ are mutually prime. T HEOREM 1. Let $D$ be an integer , $2 \le D \le x, \varepsilon > 0$ . Let $g$ be a multiplicative function with values in the complex unit disc . There is a character $\chi_1({\rm mod}\, D)$ , real if $g$ is real, such that when $0 < \gamma < 1$ , \[ \sum_{\overset{n \le y}{n\equiv a({\rm mod}\, D)}} g(n)- \frac{1}{\phi(D)} \sum_{\overset{n\le y}{(n,D)=1)}} g(n)-\frac{\overline{\chi_1(a)}}{\phi(D)} \sum_{n\le y} g(n)\chi_1(n) \ll \frac{y}{\phi(D)} \left(\frac{\log D}{\log y}\right)^{1/4-\varepsilon} \] uniformly for $(a, D) = 1, D \le y, x^\gamma \le y \le x$ , the implied constant depending at most upon $\varepsilon, \gamma$ .
Antioxidant therapy potentiates antihypertensive action of insulin in diabetic rats.

Background: Poorly controlled longstanding diabetes frequently results in sustained hypertension (HTN) which plays a major role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. In addition, hyperglycemia, per se, causes a reversible rise in blood pressure (BP) and increases production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Increased ROS activity may raise BP by promoting inactivation of nitric oxide (NO) and/or nonenzymatic generation of vasoconstrictive prostaglandins from peroxidation of arachidonic acid. Therefore, we hypothesized that antioxidant therapy may enhance the BP-lowering effect of glycemia control with insulin replacement in diabetes. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were rendered diabetic by streptozotocin administration and randomized to untreated, antioxidant-treated (vitamin E-fortified food, tocopherol 5000 U/kg chow and vitamin C-fortified H2O, 1000 mg/L), insulin-treated and insulin plus antioxidant-treated groups. Normal rats fed a regular diet or antioxidant-fortified diet served as contro...
Tumor-Targeting Potential of Radioiodinated Iododeoxyuridine in Bladder Cancer

Since bladder cancer arises inthe superficial liningofthe urothelium, ft is a likelycandidatefor site-directedadministrationof 5-iodo-2'- deoxyundine radiolabeled with the Auger electron emitter 1231 or 1251 (IUdR). Methods We instilled*lUdRfor 2 hr directly withinthe bladder lumen of rats bearing N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU)-in duced bladder cancer and conducted scintigraphic, biodistribution and autoradiography(ARG)studies48 hr and 1 wk later. Control animals were not subjected to the carcinogen but were instilledwfth *lUdR Results: Two groups of animalswere identifiedafterinstilla tion of MNU:Group A consisted of rats with hyperplasia and Group B of rats with papillary carcinoma (stages Ta and Ti). Scintigraphic detection of carcinomaswas achievedwith high sensitivityand specificity,and increasedtumor-to-normaltissue ratios were ob tamed in both groups. Moreover, ARG demonstrated that (1) the uptake of *IUdR was observed in the hyperplasticand carcinoma tous urothelium but not in the normal urothelium; (2) uptake was detected at a very early stage of tumor development (hyperplasia stage); (3)*IUdRwas able to penetrate deep withinthe bladder wall; and (4) other normal dividing tissues, such as the bone marrow, the small intestine and the large intestine, were free of silver grains (i.e., no DNA-incorporated *ludR). Condusion: Since this earner of Auger electron emitters has antineoplastic effects ((â€˜23IIIUdR and (1251)IUdR) in addition to its scintigraphicpotential @(â€˜23I)IUdR and (â€˜311)IUdR), â€˜it holds promise for therapy and early diagnosis of bladder cancer.
Neuronal Activity–Induced Gadd45b Promotes Epigenetic DNA Demethylation and Adult Neurogenesis

The mammalian brain exhibits diverse types of neural plasticity, including activity-dependent neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus. How transient activation of mature neurons leads to long-lasting modulation of adult neurogenesis is unknown. Here we identify Gadd45b as a neural activity-induced immediate early gene in mature hippocampal neurons. Mice with Gadd45b deletion exhibit specific deficits in neural activity-induced proliferation of neural progenitors and dendritic growth of newborn neurons in the adult hippocampus. Mechanistically, Gadd45b is required for activity-induced DNA demethylation of specific promoters and expression of corresponding genes critical for adult neurogenesis, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor and fibroblast growth factor. Thus, Gadd45b links neuronal circuit activity to epigenetic DNA modification and expression of secreted factors in mature neurons for extrinsic modulation of neurogenesis in the adult brain.
Risk for DWI: A New Look at Gender Differences in Drinking and Driving Influences, Experiences, and Attitudes among New Adolescent Drivers

Adolescent drivers are over-represented in fatal auto accidents, especially those involving alcohol (DWI). Young male drivers appear to be at higher risk than adolescent female drivers because of a variety of important influencing factors. The current study takes a new look at the gender differences in these factors as they relate to driving behavior. Three hundred forty-three tenth-grade students (mean age: 15.8 years; 52% male, 48% female) were studied measuring demographics, family characteristics and influences, drug and alcohol use, perception of driving skill, sensation-seeking, other personality factors and responses to DWI vignettes for decision-making skill. Female respondents more often had difficulty with parents (p = 0.03) than males and more often used drugs and alcohol (p = 0.05). Boys more often attended speed competitions (p = 0.003), had legal problems (p = 0.004), and dated at a younger age (p less than 0.001). Males perceived greater driving skill in risky situations and used the automobile to enhance self-efficacy more than females (p = 0.001/p = 0.05). Male drivers scored higher on anger/hostility and sensation-seeking scales (p = 0.05). There were few significant gender differences in the way respondents analyzed risky DWI situations. Even though female subjects used more alcohol/drugs and came from more disturbed family backgrounds, their attitudes and behavior with respect to DWI appear more socially acceptable. Speculation as to some of the reasons for this effect are discussed with implications for prevention and further research.
Characterization and crystal structure of D-mannitol hemihydrate

The objectives of this study were (i) to isolate and characterize mannitol hydrate, and (ii) to solve its crystal structure from high-resolution synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data. Mannitol hydrate was prepared by freeze-drying aqueous mannitol solutions (5% w/v) under controlled conditions. X-ray powder diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analyses indicated that mannitol exists as a hemihydrate (C(6)H(14)O(6) . 0.5H(2)O). Synchrotron data were collected on the X3B1 beamline at the National Synchrotron Light Source. The simulated annealing program PSSP was used to solve the structure, which was subsequently refined by Rietveld analysis using the program package GSAS. The compound crystallizes in space group P1, with a = 9.8963 A, b = 10.5424 A, c = 4.7860 A, alpha = 102.589 degrees , beta = 86.092 degrees , and gamma = 116.079 degrees . The unit cell contains two dissimilar D-mannitol molecules and one water molecule, forming a hydrogen bonding pattern significantly different from that seen in the anhydrous polymorphs.
Large margin semi-tied covariance transforms for discriminative training

We discuss the applicability of large margin techniques to the problem of estimating linear transforms for discriminative training of a semi-tied covariance (STC) model. Since STC models are good proxies for full-covariance (FC) Gaussian models, the idea is to combine the benefit of the latest discriminative training techniques and the modeling advantage of FC Gaussians at a much lower computational cost. We study the interaction of these transforms with feature-space and model-space discriminative training on state-of-the-art speaker adapted systems built for a large-scale Arabic broadcast news transcription task.