cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Injury Prevention at 20.

It is with great pleasure that I call your attention to a milestone in our journal's history. This issue marks the first of our 21st volume, meaning that Injury Prevention is now 20 years old! The journal will be celebrating a number of ways. Those reading the print edition will already have noted the new cover design. We offered our readers an opportunity to vote, via social media, on one of three designs, and what you see here was the clear favourite. It is vexingly difficult to come up with an abstract representation of injury prevention. This design, at least, suggests caring hands and the lifespan focus of the journal. We are also reprinting a ‘classic’ paper from the journal in each issue this year. These classics were nominated by readers and selected by our editorial board as papers with a lasting impact in the field. Some represent ground-breaking science or innovative methodologies. Others ask provocative, novel questions or propose models useful in planning or pedagogy. All have been influential in ways …
New report of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides causing postbloom fruit drop on citrus in Bermuda

Abstract Postbloom fruit drop (PFD) of citrus was observed for the first time after a widespread and severe outbreak occurred in Bermuda in the 1990s. Fruit losses from the disease were estimated at 25% to 35% in sweet orange, grapefruit, lemon and Tahiti lime. The causal agent of PFD has been reported as either Colletotrichum gloeosporioides or Colletotrichum acutatum. Bermuda isolates of Colletotrichum recovered from diseased orange trees produced lesions typical of PFD in detached petals of orange, lime and grapefruit, and in attached orange blossoms. The isolates produced few to no lesions of anthracnose on leaves of key lime seedlings. Koch's postulates were fulfilled following reisolation of morphologically identical fungi from inoculated tissues. The isolates were characterized using morphological (conidial size and shape and colony colour), physiological (growth rate at 24 °C and on a benomyl-amended medium), immunological (ELISA) and molecular (PCR amplification and sequencing of the ITS region) ...
A pilot study of vincristine, ifosfamide, and doxorubicin in the treatment of pediatric non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas.

Background. Standard therapy for pediatric nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas (PNRSTS) consists of surgical resection with or without radiotherapy. The role of chemotherapy in the treatment of these tumors has not yet been defined. We investigated the efficacy and toxicity of an ifosfamide-based regimen in controlling disease in children with high-risk PNRSTS. Patients and Methods. Between January 1992 and June 1994 at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, we treated 11 children and young adults with PNRSTS who were at high risk for treatment failure by using a combined modality regimen that comprised aggressive surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy including vincristine, ifosfamide, and doxorubicin (VID). Nine of these patients had grade 3 disease and one had grade 2 tumor; due to insufficient tissue, the disease grade of the remaining patient could not be established. Metastases were present at diagnosis in 2 children. Results. Therapy was generally well tolerated, with minimal morbidity and no mortality. The most common toxicity was grade 4 neutropenia, which occurred in 51% of evaluable courses. Among 4 patients evaluable for response to chemotherapy alone, 1 child attained a partial response and 3 had stable disease. One child had a response to chemotherapy and concurrent irradiation. At a median follow-up of 30 months, 10 of 11 patients are alive; 8 of 11 patients are alive without evidence of disease. Conclusion. Aggressive multimodality therapy for PNRSTS is well tolerated, despite frequent and profound neutropenia. Although adjuvant chemotherapy for this group of cancers remains unproved, the rate of tumor control achieved in this pilot study encourages further investigation in a multi-institutional setting.
Surgical Pearl: Intralesional electrodesiccation of sebaceous hyperplasia☆☆☆★

From the Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ohio State University Hospitals. Reprints are not available from the authors. J Am Acad Dermatol 2000;42:127-8. Copyright © 2000 by the American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. 0190-9622/2000/$12.00 + 0 16/74/101938 S ebaceous hyperplasia is a common, benign proliferation of sebaceous glands occurring predominantly on the face. Clinically, there is one or several, 2to 4-mm yellowish papules, often with a central umbilication representing the site of a ductal opening. Sebaceous hyperplasia has been found to occur with an increased frequency in patients receiving hemodialysis1 or immunosuppressive therapy,2,3 especially after kidney transplantation.2 Most often these lesions represent little more than a cosmetic concern, although they may be confused clinically with basal cell carcinoma. Many modalities exist for the treatment of sebaceous hyperplasia, including shave excision, electrodesiccation, curettage with electrodesiccation, bichloroacetic or trichloroacetic acid destruction,4 isotretinoin (Accutane) therapy,5,6 cryotherapy,7 carbon dioxide laser ablation, erbium:YAG laser ablation, and pulsed dye laser photothermolysis.8 Unfortunately, treatment of these lesions often result in a depressed scar or are followed by recurrence. Here we adapt a simple procedure, intralesional desiccation,9 for which we have had no clinical scar formation or recurrences in more than 30 treated lesions. Each lesion is anesthetized with approximately 0.3 mL of 1% lidocaine (Xylocaine) with 1:100,000 epinephrine. We use a 733 Birtcher hyfrecator at the 20 setting, which is an intermediate setting, with a fine, noninsulated epilating needle (Fig 1). The needle is inserted into each lobule (Fig 2), one by one, and desiccated for less than 1 second, resulting in a crackling or popping sound. When all visible lobules are treated, a plastic strip (Band-aid) is applied over triple antibiotic ointment (Polysporin). Patients are instructed to continue to apply ointment until completely healed. PEARLS
Stress and failure analysis of composite structures

Abstract This paper describes the capabilities of the finite element program COMPASS (COMPosite Analysis of Structural Systems). COMPASS was developed under a grant from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, for the analysis of composite structures. COMPASS has the capability to perform non-linear static stress analysis, delamination growth analysis and progressive failure analysis of composite structures. The constitutive relations, failure criteria and boundary conditions employed in COMPASS are presented. Three analyses are performed which exemplify the capabilities of the code.
A rate-zonal centrifugation procedure for screening particle populations by sequential product recovery utilizing edge-unloading zonal rotors.

A new rate-zonal density gradient centrifugation procedure for sequential product recovery was used to analyze the sedimentation characteristics of subcellular particles of rat liver and tumor cells utilizing a B-XXIX edge-unloading zonal rotor. Particle sedimentation was measured over a range of forces necessary for sedimenting mitochondria, lysosomes, and peroxisomes. Even though the populations overlapped, a discrete sizing of the various particles was achieved. Ninety percent of the mitochondria had a s o 20 ω of 2.8–7.3×10 4 S. Lysosomes were distributed throughout the whole range of particle sizes separated. However, 80% of the lysosomes shown to bind the element gallium were found in a small-granule zone, the population of the particles having a s o 20 ω of 0.8–2.2×10 4 S.
Granuloma annulare of the buccal mucosa in association with AIDS.

Abstract This case report describes the occurrence of a lesion of granuloma annulare in the buccal mucosa. This skin condition occurs rarely on the mucous membranes and has not been previously described in the oral cavity. It was initally seen as a raised, firm lesion with a 1-month history in a 31-year-old patient with acquired immune deficency.
POLICY ANALYSIS AND POLITICAL MORALITY: A REJOINDER TO ANNE E. SCHNEIDER'S CRITIQUE OF MY PRESCRIPTIONS FOR A SCHOLARLY DIVISION OF LABOR

Although Schneider agrees with me that policy analysis does not occupy a central position in political science, she disagrees with my prescription for increasing its acceptance in the discipline. At the present time, political scientists are unwilling to address questions about how policy tools can be used to increase democracy in a country. But I believe this is an important priority for policy analyses as well as political science.
Real-Time Analysis of Speech Fluency

Many authors have suggested that it is possible for clinicians to collect basic data regarding their client's speech fluency on-line, or in real time, while the client is speaking. Unfortunately, t...
Holographic optical circuits

We present a new type of planar optical interconnects; the transverse holograms. With this type of interconnect, one dimensional, input light distribution is converted into a one dimensional output light distribution via holographic pattering along the direction of the optical wave propagation.
A class of exact solutions for a 3D filamentary continuous medium

A theory for a three-dimensional (3D) continuum composed of continuously distributed fibers is presented. General results are derived concerning kinematics, a constitutive equation, the uniqueness of the solution to the equilibrium equations, and convexity conditions. A class of exact solutions is obtained that contains, as a particular case, all homogeneous deformations.
A kinetic model for the chemical composition of sea water

The thermodynamic ocean of the Sillen school offers little incentive to those who search the sedimentary record for evidence of changes in ocean chemistry during Cenozoic time. Their models predict a uniform chemical composition. However as the sediments presently accumulating in the ocean show little evidence of equilibration with the overlying water, the possibility that kinetic factors play an important role must be seriously explored. Such a model is presented in this paper. Material balance restrictions are substituted for some of the usual chemical equilibria. The role of organisms is shown to be dominant for at least some of the important components of sea salt (i.e., C, N, P, Si, …). If, as proposed here, the chemistry of sea water is dependent on rates of supply of individual components, the rate of vertical mixing in the sea, and the type of material formed by organisms, then substantial changes in the chemical composition have almost certainly taken place. Several means by which such changes might be reconstructed from chemical and isotopic measurements on marine sediments are discussed.
A GIS-based spatial decision support system for tourists of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Abstract Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) is filled with an abundance of ecological diversity, historical significance, and recreational opportunities for visitors to explore and experience. The wide range of potential activities available in the park also present a major challenge for park visitors to plan activities that will better meet their preferences and constraints. With the large amounts of spatial and non-spatial data associated with the diverse resources and activities in the park, it is a logical choice to use geographic information systems (GIS) for storing, managing, analyzing, and visualizing the data. Nevertheless, GIS functions alone are insufficient to facilitate activity planning for park visitors. This paper presents a GIS-based spatial decision support system (SDSS) application that integrates GIS functions and SDSS designs with easy-to-use graphic user interfaces to help visitors of GSMNP choose and plan their activities more effectively to match their personal preferences and constraints.
Double primary epidermoid carcinoma of the vulva and cervix

Abstract A retrospective study was undertaken on patients with multiprimaries associated with vulva carcinoma, analyzing in particular 33 patients with double epidermoid primaries of the vulva and cervix. It is noted that 20.8% of patients with vulvar carcinoma had a second primary; this occurred more frequently in intraepithelial (33.3%) than in invasive (16.0%) vulvar carcinoma. While the commonest second primary is located in the cervix, this association appears significant only in patients with intraepithelial (22.5%), but not in invasive (7.9%), vulvar carcinoma. The incidences previously reported in the literature are also reviewed for comparison.
Aspects of color vision in bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus): ecological and evolutionary relevance

Spectral sensitivity curves were measured for bluegills using a heart-rate conditioning technique. A mean spectral sensitivity curve (n=3) determined using a white background exhibited two main peaks, indicating the possible presence of two cone photoreceptors mechanisms. Chromatic adaptation was used to separate the contribution of the cone mechanisms to sensitivity. Peak sensitivities were located at 540 and 640 nm against red and blue-green backgrounds, respectively. Light adaptation curves were measured for each cone mechanism indicating that these cone mechanisms have their greatest contrast sensitivity at higher background intensities. Spatial summation properties were also measured for each cone mechanism revealing a critical diameter (summation area) of 5° for both mechanisms. Microspectrophotometric (MSP) measurements were made on individuals from the same group of bluegills used in the above experiments. The results showed the presence of two cone types: single green-sensitive cones with an average λmax of 536 nm (SD±1.8nm,n=11) and twin redsensitive cones with an average λmax of 620 nm (SD ±1.9 nm,n=11). The correlation between the visual pigment absorption spectra and action spectra of the two cone mechanisms indicate a sound physiological basis for sensitivity. The functional properties of the two cone mechanisms, will be discussed in relation to the ecological and behavioral aspects of bluegills.
Finding centuries-old hyperlinks with a novel semi-supervised learning technique

Hyperlinks are so useful for searching and browsing modern digital collections that researchers have longer wondered if it is possi-ble to retroactively add hyperlinks to digitized historical documents. There has already been significant research into this endeavor for historical text; however, in this work we consider the problem of adding hyperlinks among graphic elements. While such a system would not have the ubiquitous utility of text-based hyperlinks, there are several domains where it can potentially significantly augment textual information.
The aging of the gender revolution: what do we know and what do we need to know?

Over the last decade, research on the elderly family has been glowing, portraying strong marital and family relationships. But the currently elderly, while they have benefited from the demographic and economic transformations of modernity, did not participate in the family revolutions that have followed. Cohorts who will become the elderly of the 21st century have been on the leading edge of the family revolution, the rapid growth of labor force participation among women, the tremendous rise in divorce and in childrearing out of marriage, and the overall decline in marriage and remarriage. Increasingly, the elderly will not be married or not in their first marriage. Research has focused on women and children as the sufferers from divorce, but in old age, as family relationships based on marriage and parenthood grow in importance, it is males who are at risk. This article presents a series of research findings that specify these risks.
DETECTION OF A SKILL DICHOTOMY USING STANDARDIZED ACHIEVEMENT TEST ITEMS

Multiple-choice reading comprehension items from a conventional, norm-referenced reading comprehension test are successfully analyzed using a simple latent class model. A classification rule for assigning respondents to “mastery” or “nonmastery” states is presented which simplifies the scoring procedure of Macready and Dayton (1977). A procedure is also derived for estimating the “true,” or “disattenuated,” latent cross-classification of masters versus nonmasters for two tests, and illustrated using two sets of items from the same content domain. Results support the use of latent class, state mastery models with more heterogeneous item pools than has been advocated by previous authors.
The Health and Social Service Needs of Transgender People in Philadelphia

SUMMARY Two Philadelphia-based HIV service organizations and a local university collaborated on a study of health and social service needs of transgender people. Transgender people were the primary resource for the development of the needs assessment survey. In this article, the survey development process, including two discussion groups and two focus groups, are described. Findings on barriers to care, violence, perception of public safety and comfort, suicide and health and social service needs are presented. Total sample size was 81, with 49 male-to-female and 32 female-to-male transgender individuals. Most (68%) were African American. About half of the respondents had thought about attempting suicide. High levels of violence were reported, especially among male-to-females. Health and social service needs included job training/work, dental care, health care, legal services, transportation, education and housing.
The development of bio-carbon adsorbents from Lodgepole Pine to remediate acid mine drainage in the Rocky Mountains

Abstract Activated carbon adsorbents were produced from biomass locally available in the Rocky Mountain West, e.g. Lodgepole Pine ( Pinus contorta ), by vacuum pyrolysis at moderate temperatures followed by steam activation, for use as metal adsorbents for acid mine drainage (AMD). Wood cubes from fresh cut Lodgepole Pine ( P. contorta ) with different sizes, 3 and 12 mm, were made. Sawdust was also used to study the effect of sample size as well as sample material. We applied chemical pretreatment with potassium hydroxide before charring to improve the quality of the activated carbons. We compared the characteristics of the activated carbons, which were chemically pretreated, before and after washing with water. After washing, the BET surface area was found to increase and diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy showed changes in the carbon matrix. We then tested the samples for metal adsorption from AMD sampled from AMD sites in Colorado, Clear Creek County and the Leadville mine drainage tunnel, along with a commercial activated carbon for comparison. We used a batch method to measure maximum metal adsorption of the activated carbons. The metals chosen to be monitored were copper, cadmium, manganese, nickel, lead, and zinc, because they are the principal metals of interest for the test areas, and metal concentrations were determined by ion coupled plasma–atomic emission spectroscopy. The samples produced in this work outperformed the commercial activated carbon in two AMD water treatment tests and for the six metals monitored. This metal adsorption data indicate that locally produced inexpensive activated carbons can be used as adsorbents for AMD successfully.
A thermodynamics based damage mechanics model for particulate composites

A micro-mechanical damage model is proposed to predict the overall viscoplastic behavior and damage evolution in a particle filled polymer matrix composite. Particulate composite consists of polymer matrix, particle fillers, and an interfacial transition interphase around the filler particles. Yet the composite is treated as a two distinct phase material, namely the matrix and the equivalent particle-interface assembly. The CTE mismatch between the matrix and the filler particles is introduced into the model. A damage evolution function based on irreversible thermodynamics is also introduced into the constitutive model to describe the degradation of the composite. The efficient general return-mapping algorithm is exploited to implement the proposed unified damage coupled viscoplastic model into finite element formulation. Furthermore, the model predictions for uniaxial loading conditions are compared with the experimental data.
Hypertensive emergencies and urgencies: Pathophysiology and clinical aspects

A hypertensive urgency should be distinguished from a hypertensive emergency. Although the distinction may not always be obvious, certain guidelines may help the clinician determine which therapeutic approaches are most appropriate for each patient. Hypertensive emergencies include those conditions in which new or progressive severe end-organ damage is present and a delay in appropriate therapy might result in permanent damage, progression of complications, and a poor prognosis. Hypertensive urgencies include those conditions with minimal to no obvious end-organ damage in which blood pressure should be lowered expeditiously. The risk of immediate complications or organ damage is less likely to occur, and thus the immediate prognosis is better, although the ultimate prognosis, if untreated, is poor. There is a marked individual, racial, sexual, and age difference in the ability to tolerate high intraarterial pressure, as evidenced by patients' symptoms and signs of end-organ damage. Patients may have no symptoms of elevated blood pressure until significant intraarterial levels are reached. If symptoms are present, they may include headache, dizziness, blurred vision, shortness of breath (especially with exertion), chest pain, rapid pulse, palpitations, malaise and fatigue, nocturia, or pedal edema. Signs of hypertensive disease vary and depend not only on the level of blood pressure but also include funduscopic changes with arteriolar narrowing, atrioventricular nicking, hemorrhages, exudates or papilledema, central nervous system changes and neurologic abnormalities, cardiac changes with gallop rhythm, cardiomegaly, tachycardia, ectopic ventricular beats, left ventricular hypertrophy or signs of congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema, and signs of renal insufficiency.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Use of a bone pencil in maxillofacial surgery

The use of markers to outline proposed surgical incisions has helped surgeons for many years. In 1912, the demand for improved skin marking techniques arose when James Thompson popularized the concept of intraoperative mapping for cleft lip repair.’ Marking devices have also allowed surgeons to decide potential surgical design before irreversible procedures. Marking bone with ink or dye is more difficult than marking skin. Felt-tipped skin marking pens do not easily transfer an ink mark to bone. Therefore, many surgeons outline proposed bone osteotomies with a bur mark. This is time consuming, irreversible, and may compromise thin bone. This report discusses the use of a graphite pencil and its application in corrective and cosmetic jaw surgery.2,3 These pencils can be purchased at art supply stores. The advantages of this technique are its simplicity, accuracy, reversibility, safety, and low cost. Marking the bone with a pencil versus a skin marking pen has the distinct advantage of good adherence to bone and resistance to irrigation and bleeding.
Flavonoid variation in Xanthisma texanum: Infrapopulation and interpopulation variation

Fourte en flavonoids were isolated from Xanthisma texanum. Chemosystematic interpretations are made concerning the origin and distribution of the infraspecific taxa of the species. The flavonoid chemistry of Xanthisma texanum DC. (Asteraceae) was investigated as part of a cytological and systematic study of the monotypic genus (1, 2). Flavonoid profiles were obtained using standard procedures (3), and tentative identifications of some compounds have been completed (Table 1). Fourteen compounds were isolated and ten were used for systematic conclusions given below: quer- cetin (1), quercetin-3-O-glucoside (9), quer- cetin-3-O-glycoside (10), luteolin (2), luteolin- 7-O-glucoside (6), a flavonol-7-O-glucoside (12), an anthocyanin (13), a flavanone (4), and unknown flavonoids.
Zeta Potential, Dissolved Organic Carbon, and Removal of Cryptosporidium Oocysts by Coagulation and Sedimentation

This study evaluated the removal of viable Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts and changes in zeta potential during alum coagulation and sedimentation. Experiments were designed to evaluate oocyst remov...
P300 Amplitude in Alzheimer's Disease: A Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression

Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60% of all dementia. Numerous biomarkers have been developed that can help in making an early diagnosis. The P300 is an event-related potential that may be abnormal in Alzheimer's disease. Given the possible association between P300 amplitude and Alzheimer's disease and the need for biomarkers in early Alzheimer's disease, the main purpose of this meta-analysis and meta-regression was to characterize P300 amplitude in probable Alzheimer's disease compared to healthy controls. Using online search engines, we identified peer-reviewed articles containing amplitude measures for the P300 in response to a visual or auditory oddball stimulus in subjects with Alzheimer's disease and in a healthy control group and pooled effect sizes for differences in P300 amplitude between Alzheimer's disease and control groups to obtain summary effect sizes. We also used meta-regression to determine whether age, sex, educational attainment, or dementia severity affected the association between P300 amplitude and Alzheimer's disease. Twenty articles containing a total of 646 subjects met inclusion and exclusion criteria. The overall effect size from all electrode locations was 1.079 (95% confidence interval=0.745-1.412, P<.001). The pooled effect sizes for the Cz, Fz, and Pz locations were 1.226 (P<.001), 0.724 (P=.0007), and 1.430 (P<.001), respectively. Meta-regression showed an association between amplitude and educational attainment, but no association between amplitude and age, sex, and dementia severity. In conclusion, P300 amplitude is smaller in subjects with Alzheimer's disease than in healthy controls.
Microsatellite loci for Symbiodinium A3 (S. fitti) a common algal symbiont among Caribbean Acropora (stony corals) and Indo-Pacific giant clams (Tridacna)

We developed ten polymorphic microsatellite loci for S. fitti (type A3), and tested their utility on a Caribbean population associated with the coral Acropora palmata and an Indo-Pacific population harbored by the giant clam Tridacna maxima. Our analyses identified from 3 to 8 alleles for each haploid locus. Diversity (R) indices were 0.48 for the Indo-Pacific and 0.81 for the Caribbean. Greater than 95% of the samples possessed a single, symbiont, multilocus genotype (MLG). Among their many uses for the study of coral-algal symbioses, population genetic markers provide insight on the potential for symbiont dispersal, can be used to assess symbiont population stability/longevity in hospite, and partition symbiont diversity into reproductively isolated operational taxonomic units (i.e. species).
An improved, “phase-relaxed” F -statistic for gravitational-wave data analysis

Rapidly rotating, slightly nonaxisymmetric neutron stars emit nearly periodic gravitational waves (GWs), quite possibly at levels detectable by ground-based GW interferometers. We refer to these sources as “GW pulsars.” For any given sky position and frequency evolution, the F-statistic is the maximum likelihood statistic for the detection of GW pulsars. However, in “all-sky” searches for previously unknown GW pulsars, it would be computationally intractable to calculate the (fully coherent) F-statistic at every point of (a suitably fine) grid covering the parameter space: the number of grid points is many orders of magnitude too large for that. Therefore, in practice some nonoptimal detection statistic is used for all-sky searches. Here we introduce a “phase-relaxed” F-statistic, which we denote F_(pr), for incoherently combining the results of fully coherent searches over short time intervals. We estimate (very roughly) that for realistic searches, our F_(pr) is ∼10–15% more sensitive than the “semicoherent” F-statistic that is currently used. Moreover, as a by-product of computing F_(pr), one obtains a rough determination of the time-evolving phase offset between one’s template and the true signal imbedded in the detector noise. Almost all the ingredients that go into calculating F_(pr) are already implemented in the LIGO Algorithm Library, so we expect that relatively little additional effort would be required to develop a search code that uses F_(pr).
Implementation of a novel point-of-care ultrasound billing and reimbursement program: fiscal impact.

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the fiscal impact of implementation of a novel emergency department (ED) point-of-care (POC) ultrasound billing and reimbursement program. Methods This was a single-center retrospective study at an academic medical center. A novel POC ultrasound billing protocol was implemented using the Q-path Web-based image archival system. Patient care ultrasound examination reports were completed and signed electronically online by faculty using Q-path. A notification was automatically sent to ED coders from Q-path to bill the scans. ED coders billed the professional fees for scans on a daily basis and also notified hospital coders to bill for facility fees. A fiscal analysis was performed at the end of the year after implementing the new billing protocol, and a before-and-after comparison was conducted. Results After implementation of the new billing program, there was a 45% increase in the ED faculty participation in billing for patient care examinations (30%-75%). The number of ultrasound examinations billed increased 5.1-fold (4449 vs 857) during the post implementation period. The total units billed increased from previous year for professional services to 4157 from 649 and facility services to 3266 from 516. During the post implementation period, the facility fees revenue increased 7-fold and professional fees revenue increased 6.34-fold. After deducting the capital costs and ongoing operational costs from approximate collections, the net profits gained by our ED ultrasound program was approximately $350 000. Conclusions Within 1 year of inception, our novel POC ultrasound billing and reimbursement program generated significant revenue through ultrasound billing.
Development of malignant lymphomas by cell-free filtrates prepared from a chemically induced mouse lymphoma.

SummaryA cell-free filtrate was prepared by the Gross technique from a thymic tumor induced by a single subcutaneous injection of 100 μg DMBA in a Swiss mouse and diagnosed cytologically as a malignant lymphoma, stem cell type. Out of 7 survivors injected with the filtrate at birth, 6 developed malignant lymphomas, while no such tumor occurred in 10 mice treated similarly at the age of 8 weeks. Cytologically they represented the more differentiated malignant lymphomas, namely the lymphocytic type in 5 cases and in one instance the histiocytic type.
Heparanase is a host enzyme required for herpes simplex virus-1 release from cells

Herpesviruses exemplified by herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) attach to cell surface heparan sulfate (HS) for entry into host cells. However, during a productive infection, the HS moieties on parent cells can trap newly exiting viral progenies and inhibit their release. Here we demonstrate that a HS-degrading enzyme of the host, heparanase (HPSE), is upregulated through NF-kB and translocated to the cell surface upon HSV-1 infection for the removal of HS to facilitate viral release. We also find a significant increase in HPSE release in vivo during infection of murine corneas and that knockdown of HPSE in vivo inhibits virus shedding. Overall, we propose that HPSE acts as a molecular switch for turning a virus-permissive 'attachment mode' of host cells to a virus-deterring 'detachment mode'. Since many human viruses use HS as an attachment receptor, the HPSE-HS interplay may delineate a common mechanism for virus release.
Depth-related influences on biodegradation rates of phenanthrene in polluted marine sediments of Puget Sound, WA.

Abstract A whole-core injection method was used to determine depth-related rates of microbial mineralization of 14C-phenanthrene added to both contaminated and clean marine sediments of Puget Sound, WA. For 26-day incubations under micro-aerobic conditions, conversions of 14C-phenanthrene to 14CO2 in heavily PAH-contaminated sediments from two sites in Eagle Harbor were much higher (up to 30%) than those in clean sediments from nearby Blakely Harbor ( 6 cm), especially in the most PAH polluted EH9 site. Differences in mineralization were associated with properties of the sediments as a function of sediment depth, including grain-size distribution, PAH concentration, total organic matter and total bacterial abundance. When strictly anaerobic incubations (in N2/H2/CO2 atmosphere) were used, the phenanthrene biodegradation rates at all sediment depths were two times slower than under micro-aerobic conditions, with methanogenesis observed after 24 days. The main rate-limiting factor for phenanthrene degradation under anaerobic conditions appeared to be the availability of suitable electron acceptors. Addition of calcium sulfate enhanced the first order rate coefficient (k1 increased from 0.003 to 0.006 day−1), whereas addition of soluble nitrate, even at very low concentration (
Synchronization of the four identical unbalanced rotors in a vibrating system of plane motion

A new mechanism is proposed to implement the synchronization of the four unbalanced rotors in a vibrating system, which consists of a main rigid frame (MRF) and two accessorial rigid frames (ARF). An analytical approach is developed to study the coupling dynamic characteristics of the four unbalanced rotors, which converts the problem of synchronization of the four unbalanced rotors into the existence and the stability of zero solutions for the non-dimensional differential equations of the angular velocity disturbance parameters (NDDEDP). The stability of zero solutions of the NDDEDP is decomposed into that of its generalized system and a system of the three first order differential equations for the disturbance parameters of the phase differences. The coupling dynamic characteristic of the four unbalanced rotors includes the inertia coupling, the stiffness coupling of angular velocity and the load torque coupling. The non-dimensional inertia coupling matrix is symmetric, the non-dimensional matrix of the stiffness coupling of angular velocity is antisymmetric and its diagonal elements are all negative. Hence, the general system of the NDDEDP automatically satisfies the generalized Lyapunov equations when the non-dimensional inertia coupling matrix is positive definite and its elements are all positive. Using Routh-Hurwitz criterion the condition of stability of differential equations for the disturbance parameters of the phase differences is obtained. The load torque coupling makes the vibrating system have the dynamic characteristic of selecting motions and self-synchronization of the four unbalanced rotors arises from the dynamic characteristic of selecting motion of the vibrating system. When the two coefficients of coupling cosine effect of phase angles are all greater than 0 and the three indexes of synchronization are all far greater than 1, the vibrating system can implement an elliptical motion of the main rigid frame required in engineering. Numeric results show that the structural parameters of the proposed mechanism can guarantee the non-dimensional inertia matrix to be always positive definite. Computer simulation is carried out to verify the results of the theoretical investigation.
The behavioral treatment of insomnia an alternative to drug therapy.

Abstract The use of hypnotic drugs to treat insomnia is criticized because of (a) tolerance effects, (b) carry-over effects, (c) alterations in sleep patterns, (d) rebound effects, and (e) attributional effects. Behavioral treatments represent a more viable alternative and are reviewed under four headings: (a) systematic desensitization: (b) applied relaxation; (c) attribution-based therapies; and (d) classical conditioning therapies. The behavioral therapies are predicated upon three views of insomnia: first, that insomnia results from excessively high levels of arousal prior to and during sleep; second, that insomnia occurs when the sleep environment lacks sufficient stimulus control over sleeping; and finally, that insomnia is often enhanced and maintained by exacerbation cycles in which worries about not falling asleep interfere even further with one's sleep.
The evaluation of human breast lesions with magnetic resonance imaging and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Purpose. MR spectroscopy (MRS) assists in lesion characterization and diagnosis when combined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cancerous lesions demonstrate elevated composite choline levels arising from increased cellular proliferation. Our study investigated if MR spectroscopy of the breast would be useful for characterizing benign and malignant lesions. Materials and methods. Single voxel proton MR spectroscopy (MRS) was acquired as part of an MR imaging protocol in 38 patients referred upon surgical consultation. The MR spectra were read independently in a blinded fashion without the MR images by three spectroscopists. The MRI exam was interpreted in two settings: (a) as a clinical exam with detailed histories and results from previous imaging studies such as mammography or ultrasound included and (b) as a blinded study without prior histories or imaging results. Results. Elevated choline levels were demonstrated by MRS in 19 of the 23 confirmed cancer patients. The sensitivity and specificity for determining malignancy from benign breast disease with MRS alone were 83 and 87%, respectively, while a blinded MRI review reported 95 and 86%, respectively. Conclusions. Proton MR spectroscopy provides a noninvasive, biochemical measure of metabolism. The technique can be performed in less than 10min as part of an MRI examination. MRI in combination with MRS may improve the specificity of breast MR and thereby, influence patient treatment options. This may be particularly true with less experienced breast MRI readers. In exams where MRI and MRS agree, the additional confidence measure provided by MRS may influence the course of treatment.
Determination of lamivudine/didanosine/saquinavir in human serum using capillary zone electrophoresis

The anti-HIV drug mixture of lamivudine (3TC), didanosine (ddI), and saquinavir was separated and quantitated in human serum with capillary zone electrophoresis. Serum samples were treated using a solid-phase extraction procedure. The effects of various factors, such as run buffer type, buffer concentration, and pH on the separation were investigated. The optimized resolution was achieved with a run buffer containing 100 nM N,N-dimethyloctylamine in 80 mM phosphate buffer (pH 2.5). An uncoated 52 cm (effective length 30 cm) × 50 μm ID fused-silica capillary operated at 30°C was used in the analysis with UV detection at 210 nm. Diltiazem was chosen as an internal standard. All analytes were separated within 10 min with a voltage of + 20 kV and a current around 30 μA. The method was validated over the range of 0.4–37.8 μg/mL for 3TC, 1.4–34 μg/mL for ddI and 0.5–24.4 μg/mL for saquinavir. Intra-day and inter-day accuracy was less than 13.7% and intra-day and inter-day precision was less than 13.3%. Extracti...
Chance and Serendipity in Science: Two Examples from My Own Career

The usual scientific paper follows a rather narrowly (but not ever rigidly) defined pattern. Both the author and the journal like to see a linear logical presentation of a "story." Seldom does the paper give the reader the "backstory." Where did the idea come from in the first place? How many false leads led down blind alleys? What happened by chance and what by logical planning? Was there an element of serendipity involved? Perhaps as we enter the paperless era and do not have to count words quite so religiously, it may be possible to encourage a more freewheeling scientific paper, but for now, we have to rely on the historians of science and/or those who "tell all" about their own research. "Reflections" seems an appropriate space for the latter. I have chosen two scenarios from my own career in which happy accidents played important roles but, unhappily, received little recognition in my published papers.
Scanning laser polarimetry with variable and enhanced corneal compensation in normal and glaucomatous eyes.

Purpose To investigate whether correction for atypical birefringence pattern (ABP) using scanning laser polarimetry with enhanced corneal compensation (SLP-ECC) reduces the severity of ABP compared with variable corneal compensation (SLP-VCC) and improves the correlation with visual function. Design Prospective observational study. Methods Normal and glaucomatous eyes enrolled from four clinical sites underwent complete examination, automated perimetry, SLP-ECC, and SLP-VCC. Eyes were characterized in three groups based upon the typical scan score (TSS): normal birefringence pattern (NBP) was defined as TSS ≥ 80, mild ABP as TSS 61 to 79, and moderate-severe ABP as TSS ≤ 60. For each of four SLP parameters, the area under the ROC curve (AUROC) was calculated to compare the ability of SLP-ECC and SLP-VCC to discriminate between normal and glaucomatous eyes. Results Eighty-four normal volunteers and 45 glaucoma patients were enrolled. Mean TSS was significantly ( P P P = .01, P P = .03) greater AUROC (0.91 ± 0.07) compared with SLP-VCC (0.78 ± 0.11). Conclusions SLP-ECC significantly reduces the frequency and severity of ABP compared with SLP-VCC and improves the correlation between RNFL measures and visual function.
Use of sucrose during removal of cryoprotectants after thawing eight-cell mouse embryos.

Abstract Eight-cell mouse embryos were frozen in 0.5-ml plastic straws in modified Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline (PBS) plus 5% steer serum plus either 1.32 M dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or 1.32 M glycerol. Upon thawing, embryos were diluted 1:4 with 0.0, 0.2, 0.6, or 1.0 M sucrose solutions within the straws. Thawing was either in air at ambient temperature or in 8°C or 38°C water. After 48 h of culture, more embryos frozen in DMSO and thawed in 8°C and 37°C water developed to blastocysts (87 and 93%, respectively) than embryos thawed in air (75%; P
Adichie's Genealogies: National and Feminine Novels

Both of Chimananda Adichie's novels name their relation to Achebe's Things Fall Apart. More important, they form part of a longer tradition of writing by African women, while at the same time, they extend that tradition. Like novels by Nwapa, Emecheta, Bâ, and others, Adichie's novels represent a politics of the family while quietly but clearly telling stories of the nation; this is especially the case with her first novel, Purple Hibiscus. Adichie also tells more explicit tales of the Nigerian national imaginary, especially in her second novel, Half of a Yellow Sun. By appropriating some of the struc- tural elements of Dangarembga's Nervous Conditions, as she did of Achebe's Things Fall Apart, Adichie advances her storytelling in Purple Hibiscus by telling a domestic tale with yet stronger national overtones. By illustrating a crosscontinental set of inspirations and intertexts in Purple Hibiscus I reveal Adichie's exploration of the contemporary Nigerian political crisis.
The effect of nighttime macronutrient choice and exercise training on resting metabolic rate, appetite, and body composition in overweight and obese men and women

Background Nighttime eating is often associated with metabolic syndrome and poor body composition and these conditions may be influenced by the natural decline in metabolism that occurs during sleep. However, previous research indicates that protein consumption increases metabolic rate more than carbohydrates or fat, and therefore may attenuate this decline when consumed at night before bed. In addition, digestion and absorption kinetics of whey protein (WP) and casein protein (CP) may independently influence appetite and body composition. Therefore, altering the type of protein or macronutrient consumed late at night when starting an exercise training program may influence changes in resting metabolic rate (RMR), appetite (hunger, desire to eat, and satiety), and body composition. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of isocaloric maltodextrin (PLA), WP and CP supplements when consumed immediately prior to nocturnal sleep when combined with four weeks of exercise training on RMR, appetite, and body composition. Methods Fifty-nine sedentary, overweight and obese volunteers were recruited and had baseline measurements of RMR, body composition (DXA), and appetite questionnaires taken after an overnight fast (0600-0900 h). Forty-eight completed the four-week study protocol. The participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: PLA (n= 14, men: 4, BMI= 34.4 ± 1.5, age= 28.1 ± 1.8 years), WP (n= 17, men: 3, BMI= 34.3 ±1 .3, age= 30.1 ±1 .6 years), CP (n=17, men: 3, BMI= 35.4 ± 1.3, age= 30.1 ± 1.6 years) in a double blind design. Participants were then instructed to consume their supplement at least two hours after dinner and no more than 30 minutes before bed each night for four weeks. All participants attended supervised exercise sessions (3x/week; 2 days of resistance exercise and 1 day of high-intensity cardiovascular exercise). A one-way ANOVA was performed to examine possible group differences at baseline and differences in change between groups. Two-way ANOVA with repeated measures was used to evaluate changes in dependent variables over time ([pre x post] x [PLA x WP x CP]). A Tukey test was used for post hoc comparisons. Values are reported as means ± SEM.
Shear bond strength of rebonded mechanically retentive ceramic brackets

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bond strength of rebonded mechanically retentive ceramic brackets. Twenty new and 100 sandblasted rebonded ceramic brackets (Clarity, 3M Unitek, Monrovia, Calif) were bonded to 120 extracted human premolars with composite resin and divided into 6 equal groups according to how the bracket bases were treated: (1) new brackets, (2) rebonded/sandblasted, (3) rebonded/sandblasted/sealant, (4) rebonded/sandblasted/hydrofluoric acid (HF), (5) rebonded/sandblasted/HF/sealant on bracket base, and (6) rebonded/sandblasted/silane. Shear bond strength of each sample was tested with a testing machine. Results showed that the new brackets group had the highest mean strength (15.66 +/- 7.05 megapascals [MPa]), followed by the rebonded/sandblasted/sealant group (7.65 +/- 5.62 MPa), the rebonded/sandblasted/silane group (5.94 +/- 5.33 MPa), the rebonded/sandblasted group (2.97 +/- 2.29 MPa), the rebonded/sandblasted/HF group (1.22 +/- 1.66 MPa), and the rebonded/sandblasted/HF/sealant group (0.82 +/- 1.16 MPa). Statistical analysis showed that only the rebonded/sandblasted/sealant group was comparable with the new brackets group in bond strength (P >.05). It was concluded that in the process of rebonding mechanically retentive ceramic brackets, (1) new brackets have the highest mean bond strength when compared with rebonded brackets, (2) the bond strength of sandblasted rebonded brackets with sealant is not significantly different from new brackets, (3) silane does not increase bond strength of rebonded brackets significantly, and (4) HF treatment on sandblasted rebonded brackets significantly decreases bond strength.