cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fluctuating Mental Status and Fever of Unknown Origin (P1.030)

Objective: To report an uncommon presentation of microscopic polyangiitis causing multiple punctuate infarcts in a patient presenting with encephalopathy and diplopia. Background: Microscopic polyangiitis is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis affecting small vessels. It primarily involves the small vessels of the kidneys, lungs, and skin. There are case reports of CNS manifestation including cerebral hemorrhages and ischemic stroke. Design/Methods: We report a 76 year old right handed Hispanic male with history of hypertension and alcohol abuse who was admitted for encephalopathy, diplopia, and unsteady gait. Clinically he was combative, had a vertical gaze palsy, and mild weakness of the left leg. Thiamine was administered given concern for Wernicke’s encephalopathy. Brain MRI revealed multiple punctuate infarcts involving both hemispheres and the central paramedian midbrain. MRA and MRV head and neck were unremarkable. This prompted an embolic stroke evaluation including a normal TEE, hypercoagulable panel, CT chest and abdomen, and negative tumor markers. During the hospitalization he developed fever and had unremarkable infectious work up including blood cultures, urinalysis, chest X ray, and CSF analysis. CRP rose from 12 to 31, and creatinine from 0.8 to 2. Urinalysis showed persistent proteinuria and microscopic hematuria. An inflammatory work up revealed positive ANA and myeloperoxidase antibodies of 39.6. Results: A nephrology consultation was requested given persistent fevers, encephalopathy, worsening renal function, and positive inflammatory studies as noted above. A repeat MRI brain revealed additional punctuate infarcts reinforcing concerns for an ongoing vasculitic process. The patient underwent a renal biopsy revealing pathology consistent with microscopic polyangiitis. He was subsequently treated with Prednisone and Cytoxan with improvement of the fever and encephalopathy prior to discharge. Conclusion: Central nervous system involvement as the initial manifestation of microscopic polyangiitis is rare and can result in a challenging clinical picture including recurrent ischemic strokes. Disclosure: Dr. Daniel has nothing to disclose. Dr. Brink has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hosley has nothing to disclose.
Measurement of Total Body Hemoglobin by Bloodless Technic

Abstract : The theory and methodology for the determination of total body hemoglobin by Sjostrand's closed breathing technic were evaluated. The results show that it is possible to determine total body hemoglobin from the measurement of alveolar carbon monoxide concentrations. A system for closed breathing measurement was designed and assembled, to permit continuous monitoring of alveolar carbon monoxide and oxygen. Improvements in this system are suggested so that total body hemoglobin may be read out directly, from the determinations of alveolar carbon monoxide concentrations, by means of a sensitive infrared analyzer. Such measurements of total body hemoglobin have a high correlation coefficient with measurements of total body hemoglobin made by the Risa (radioiodinated serum albumin) blood volume technic. (Author)
Finite-difference modeling in anisotropic media: A S-wave splitting study in fractured reservoirs

We have implemented a 3D finite-difference scheme to simulate wave propagation in arbitrary anisotropic media. The anisotropic media up to orthorhombic symmetry were modeled using a Standard Staggered Grid scheme (SSG) and beyond (monoclinic and triclinic) using a Rotated Staggered Grid scheme (RSG). The rationale of not using RSG for all types of anisotropic media is that the RSG schemes are slightly more expensive than the SSG schemes. For 1D azimuthally anistropic media, we show comparison between the seismic data generated by our finite-difference code and by the reflectivity algorithm; they are in excellent agreement.
Query indexing with containment-encoded intervals for efficient stream processing

Many continual range queries can be issued against data streams. To efficiently evaluate continual queries against a stream, a main memory-based query index with a small storage cost and a fast search time is needed, especially if the stream is rapid. In this paper, we study a CEI-based query index that meets both criteria for efficient processing of continual interval queries. This new query index is an indirect indexing approach. It centres around a set of predefined virtual containment-encoded intervals, or CEIs. The CEIs are used to first decompose query intervals and then perform efficient search operations. The CEIs are defined and labeled such that containment relationships among them are encoded in their IDs. The containment encoding makes decomposition and search operations efficient; from the encoding of the smallest CEI containing a data point, the encodings of other containing CEIs can be easily derived. Closed-form formulae for the bounds of the average index storage cost are derived. Simulations are conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the CEI-based query index and to compare it with alternative approaches. The results show that the CEI-based query index significantly outperforms existing approaches in terms of both storage cost and search time.
Modulation of opioids via protection of anandamide degradation by fatty acid amide hydrolase.

Abstract Lack of involvement of the opioid system with the endocannabinoid, arachidonylethanolamide (anandamide) was possibly due to hydrolysis by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Cyclohexylcarbamic acid 3′-carbamoyl-biphenyl-3-yl ester (URB597) is an inhibitor of FAAH, increases brain anandamide levels and enhances anandamide-induced antinociception in male ICR mice (25–30 g). The combination of URB597 (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and anandamide (40 mg/kg, i.p.) produced maximal antinociception in the mouse tail-flick test [68.7 ± 16.8 percent maximum possible effect (%MPE)], versus either substance alone (27.3 ± 7.9%MPE and 4.6 ± 2.3%MPE, respectively) and is significantly blocked ( p 1 receptor antagonist, SR141716A (rimonabant), the kappa opioid receptor-selective antagonist, nor-Binaltorphimine (10 μg i.t.; 12.7 ± 4.0%MPE) and the mu opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone (1 mg/kg, s.c.; 6.0 ± 3.8%MPE), but not by the delta opioid receptor-selective antagonist, naltrindole (2 mg/kg, s.c.; 29.7 ± 8.2%MPE) or the cannabinoid CB 2 receptor antagonist, SR144528. In addition, nor-BNI (10 μg i.t) administration to FAAH −/− knockout mice produced a nociceptive response. The URB597/anandamide combination was not active in the CB 1 −/− knockout mice, but retained activity in the MOR −/− knockout mice. The sub-active combination of (URB597 10 mg/kg, i.p/anandamide 10 mg/kg, i.p.; 15.5 ± 4.3%MPE) shifted the dose response curve of morphine to the left (morphine alone ED 50 = 4.6 mg/kg [3.7–5.6] versus morphine/URB597/anandamide (ED 50 = 2.5 mg/kg [1.9–3.4]). These data are the first demonstration that anandamide, if protected from degradation, acts via the CB 1 receptor to interact with kappa opioid receptor systems in opioid analgesia.
Superlattice of parahydrogen physisorbed on graphite surface

We examine the zero-temperature stability of 1/3- and 1/4-coverage superlattices and the liquid phase of parahydrogen physisorbed on graphite by calculating variational ground state energies. A general anisotropic hydrogen-substrate interaction that can be used for both para- and orthohydrogen is first derived by lattice summation. The single-hydrogen Schrodinger equation is solved. Potential parameters are chosen so that the eigenvalue spectrum can be fitted to experimental data. The eigenfunctions are used to form single-particle elements for the many-body wave function. For finite-coverage monolayers of adsorbed hydrogen, the trial wave function is chosen as a product of a properly symmetrized single-particle element and a Feenberg-Jastrow correlating factor. The energies of the liquid and superlattice phases are calculated within the same formalism. We find at 1/3 coverage a stable triangle superlattice. At 1/4 coverage, however, the submonolayer remains in the two-dimensional liquid phase.
Global health and global justice

Most people are concerned about international health inequalities and find them unjust. At the same time, we lack global institutions that can effectively act to reduce these health inequalities, which have various sources. Accordingly, the concern about health inequalities does not by itself support some one of the competing theories of global justice. Yet, many people believe that specific problems increase injustice globally and might be addressed by various measures: the brain drain of health workers from poorer to richer countries, the lack of development and dissemination of drugs that address the global burden of disease, the high rates of mortality (and morbidity) that reflect obvious weaknesses in health systems (e.g. maternal mortality rates), the lack of universal coverage for important health services, the lack of effective global public goods, such as better surveillance systems. I recommend an approach to developing an account of global justice that builds on promising solutions to such specific issues, where these solutions build sustainable institutions that address the problems.
Disruption, learning, and the heterogeneous benefits of smaller classes

Prior research suggests that the benefits from smaller classes may vary along multiple dimensions. In this paper we develop a flexible model of education production that incorporates the classroom-level time lost to disruption and the rate of learning during productive time as a function of teacher quality and individual propensity to acquire knowledge. We then investigate heterogeneity in class size effects by school poverty share, family income, teacher experience, and achievement percentile using data from Project STAR. We find that the benefits of small classes are consistently higher in schools with a larger low-income enrollment share. Conditional on school poverty share, we find little or no evidence that lower-income or lower-achieving students tend to realize larger benefits of smaller classes. Instead, we find that the return to smaller classes tends to increase with achievement regardless of school poverty share. Given the generally higher levels of disruption reported in higher poverty schools, this set of findings is consistent with, though not direct evidence of, the notion that reduced time lost to disruption is a primary mechanism through which smaller classes raise achievement and a compelling explanation for the empirical finding that class-size effects tend to be larger for lower-income children.
PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF 128-CHANNEL CORONARY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC ANGIOGRAPHY FOR ASYMPTOMATIC TYPE II DIABETIC PATIENTS

128-channel coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) provides high diagnostic accuracy for assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD). We evaluated the prognostic value of CCTA for asymptomatic diabetic patients. Asymptomatic type 2 diabetes patients without known CAD (n=809) were enrolled
Retrieval of Geophysical Parameters from GOES: Evaluation of a Split-Window Technique

Abstract The performance of a physical split-window retrieval algorithm used to retrieve skin temperature (ST) and precipitable water (PW) from Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites’ (GOES) infrared measurements is evaluated. The evaluation assesses the potential of using GOES measurements to provide accurate retrieval products for climate research studies. Several algorithm performance issues are addressed, including the time of retrieval (diurnal effects), sensitivity to the first-guess field, and an evaluation of performance differences associated with the split-window channel characteristics of the GOES-7 VISSR (Visible and Infrared Spin Scan Radiometer) Atmospheric Sounder (VAS) and the GOES-8 imager and sounder. The investigation used a mesoscale model, initialized by radiosonde data, to generate a simulated atmosphere representative of a case study characterized by summertime conditions over the east-central United States. Synthetic GOES channel radiances were developed from the surrog...
Diagnostic Miscues in Congenital Long-QT Syndrome

Background— Long-QT syndrome (LQTS) is a potentially lethal cardiac channelopathy that can be mistaken for palpitations, neurocardiogenic syncope, and epilepsy. Because of increased physician and public awareness of warning signs suggestive of LQTS, there is the potential for LQTS to be overdiagnosed. We sought to determine the agreement between the dismissal diagnosis from an LQTS subspecialty clinic and the original referral diagnosis. Methods and Results— Data from the medical record were compared with data from the outside evaluation for 176 consecutive patients (121 females, median age 16 years, average referral corrected QT interval [QTc] of 481 ms) referred with a diagnosis of LQTS. After evaluation at Mayo Clinic’s LQTS Clinic, patients were categorized as having definite LQTS (D-LQTS), possible LQTS (P-LQTS), or no LQTS (No-LQTS). Seventy-three patients (41%) were categorized as No-LQTS, 56 (32%) as P-LQTS, and only 47 (27%) as D-LQTS. The yield of genetic testing among D-LQTS patients was 78% co...
Depth through breadth, or why should we attend talks in other areas?

Given that the two other invited lectures in this conference are on such remote areas as "Quantum Computation" and "Algorithmic Game Theory," and given the diversity of other topics represented in the program, it makes sense to ask if the STOC/FOCS community is still one.Indeed, the program chair has asked me to respond to this question.In the talk I'll try to illustrate, with a few (of many) examples, how the presence of such diversity in our community and conferences was actually responsible for important progress in specific areas of research, why I find these a natural and expected phenomena, and why I expect this trend to continue.
Comprehensive metabolome analyses reveal N -acetylcysteine-responsive accumulation of kynurenine in systemic lupus erythematosus: implications for activation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients exhibit depletion of the intracellular antioxidant glutathione and downstream activation of the metabolic sensor, mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). Since reversal of glutathione depletion by the amino acid precursor, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), is therapeutic in SLE, its mechanism of impact on the metabolome was examined within the context of a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Quantitative metabolome profiling of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) was performed in 36 SLE patients and 42 healthy controls matched for age, gender, and ethnicity of patients using mass spectrometry that covers all major metabolic pathways. mTOR activity was assessed by western blot and flow cytometry. Metabolome changes in lupus PBL affected 27 of 80 KEGG pathways at FDR p < 0.05 with most prominent impact on the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). While cysteine was depleted, cystine, kynurenine, cytosine, and dCTP were the most increased metabolites. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) logistic regression approach identified kynurenine (AUC = 0.859), dCTP (AUC = 0.762), and methionine sulfoxide (AUC = 0.708), as top predictors of SLE. Kynurenine was the top predictor of NAC effect in SLE (AUC = 0.851). NAC treatment significantly reduced kynurenine levels relative to placebo in vivo (raw p = 2.8 × 10−7, FDR corrected p = 6.6 × 10−5). Kynurenine stimulated mTOR activity in healthy control PBL in vitro. Metabolome changes in lupus PBL reveal a dominant impact on the PPP that reflect greater demand for nucleotides and oxidative stress. The PPP-connected and NAC-responsive accumulation of kynurenine and its stimulation of mTOR are identified as novel metabolic checkpoints in lupus pathogenesis.
Mutations at F637 in the NMDA receptor NR2A subunit M3 domain influence agonist potency, ion channel gating and alcohol action

Background and purpose: NMDA receptors are important molecular targets of ethanol action in the CNS. Previous studies have identified a site in membrane-associated domain 3 (M3) of the NR1 subunit and two sites in M4 of the NR2A subunit that influence alcohol action; the sites in NR2A M4 also regulate ion channel gating. The purpose of this study was to determine whether mutations at the site in the NR2A subunit corresponding to the NR1 M3 site influence alcohol action and ion channel gating. Experimental approach: We investigated the effects of mutations at phenylalanine (F) 637 of the NR2A subunit using whole-cell and single-channel patch-clamp electrophysiological recording in transiently-transfected HEK 293 cells. Key results: Mutations at F637 in the NR2A subunit altered peak and steady-state glutamate EC50 values, maximal steady-state to peak current ratios (Iss:Ip), mean open time, and ethanol IC50 values. Differences in glutamate potency among the mutants were not due to changes in desensitization. Ethanol IC50 values were significantly correlated with glutamate EC50 values, but not with maximal Iss:Ip or mean open time. Ethanol IC50 values were linearly and inversely related to molecular volume of the substituent. Conclusions and implications: These results demonstrate that NR2A(F637) influences NMDA receptor affinity, ion channel gating, and ethanol sensitivity. The changes in NMDA receptor affinity are likely to be the result of altered ion channel gating. In contrast to the cognate site in the NR1 subunit, the action of ethanol does not appear to involve occupation of a critical volume at NR2A(F637). British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 151, 749–757; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707254
The use of folk and legendary motifs in Aspazija's The Serpent's Bride

In the fall of 1927, Latvia's famous poetess and dramatist, Aspazija (18651943), 1 and the wife of the foremost Latvian writer, Jānis Rainis (1865-1929), wrote a drama entitled The Serpent's Bride (ZaKa ligava). It was performed in the National Theater in Riga on 31 March 1928, but made no great impression. It was published serially in a popular magazine, Atpūta (No. 165-176), in 192728. The first publication in book form was in 1928 in Riga by Gulbis; a second printing followed in 1938. In 1968, the play was included in a small collection of Aspazijai plays (Aspazija, Lugas [Riga: liesma]). In the fall Gf 1979, after a 50-year hiatus, The Serpent's Bride was staged again, this time in Jelgava, and was very well received. A critic in Literatūra un Māksla states that the discovery of this play was like finding a rare gem.2 About the time that the rehearsals in Jelgava must have taken place, I (after obtaining the above mentioned collection in Riga) began a translation of the obscure drama. I did it really for no other reason than the pure pleasure of indulging in yet another exotic creation by Aspazija. As the translation took shape and gained its own life, I felt that I too had found something rare (not merely a gem, but a whole box of jewels): lovely lyrical verse, old wives' tales, proverbs, allusions to legends and mythologies, philosophy, psychology, religion; in short, the wide-ranging manifestations of Aspazija' s Sturm und Drang spirit. The Serpent's Bride may well be one of those rare literary and dramatic works that somehow has been misunderstood, misinterpreted, and miscast and then was lost in the confusion of the shifting and turbulent post-World War II rubble. But who knows? Once resurrected it might have a second life.
Demonstration of increased FDG activity in Rosai-Dorfman disease on positron emission tomography.

AbstractRosai-Dorfman disease, or sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy, is a rare benign disease of unknown etiology that most commonly involves the cervical lymph nodes. Imaging with F-18 positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) has been widely accepted as an important diagnostic modality
Governance, Management, and Performance: They Matter

Books reviewed in this article: Carolyn J. Heinrich and Laurence E. Lynn, Jr., eds., Governance and Performance: New Perspectives Patricia W. Ingraham, Philip G. Joyce, and Amy Kneedler Donahue, Government Performance: Why Management Matters Janet M. Kelly and William C. Rivenbark, Performance Budgeting for State and Local Government
Theoretical Models For The Optical Alignment Of Wafer Steppers

A series of models are presented which enable optical alignment signals to be computed for a wide range of target structures. Scalar diffraction theory is used to describe the illumination and imaging processes and a waveguide model is used to describe the way in which the alignment target scatters light. A generalised imaging configuration is used to model four alignment systems; bright field, scanned dark field, key and target convolution and interference of the first diffraction orders. The effects on alignment accuracy of asymmetric resist flow over the target are studied as well as the effects of focus error and comatic aberration. It is concluded that bright field alignment systems are unlikely to provide the alignment accuracy required by micron and sub-micron lithography.
Operational planning framework for multisite production and distribution networks

The operational planning of a multisite production and distribution network, which entails making operational-level decisions for efficient production facility utilitization and customer-order fulfillment over a time horizon of several months, is of great importance but has received considerably less attention compared to operational planning approaches for a single production site. The inherent complexities of simultaneously optimizing the allocation of production tasks at each facility, as well as the interplay between several production and distribution centers make operational planning of a multisite production and distribution network challenging especially when addressing large-scale, industrial applications. The proposed multisite planning with production disaggregation model (Multisite-PPDM) has been formulated in order to address industrially relevant supply chains and determine both the production and shipment profiles for the supply chain of interest.
Polyalkylene sulfides. VIII. Polymers from 4‐vinylcyclohexene

Pure 4-vinylcyclohexene and hexamethylenedithiol react under a variety of conditions to produce a polymer which has factice-like properties. The polymers with the highest inherent viscosity were prepared in MP-189-EF emulsion at a pH of 4 with a persulfate–bisulfite–copper sulfate initiator. The polymers are readily cross-linked, and if dried without careful removal of initiator solution, they show properties of vulcanized factice samples. Bisazoisobutyronitrile, a cumene hydroperoxide–ferrous pyrophosphate system, and a ceric sulfate–bisulfite copper system have also been used to initiate this polymerization reaction.
Georeferenced Registration of Construction Graphics in Mobile Outdoor Augmented Reality

This paper describes research that investigated the application of the global positioning system and 3 degree-of-freedom (3-DOF) angular tracking to address the registration problem during interactive visualization of construction graphics in outdoor augmented reality (AR) environments. The global position and the three-dimensional (3D) orientation of a user's viewpoint are tracked, and this information is reconciled with the known global position and orientation of superimposed computer-aided design (CAD) objects. Based on this computation, the relative translation and axial rotations between the user's viewpoint and the CAD objects are continually calculated. The relative geometric transformations are then applied to the CAD objects inside a virtual viewing frustum that is coincided with the real world space that is in the user's view. The result is an augmented outdoor environment where superimposed graphical objects stay fixed to their real world locations as the user navigates. The algorithms are implemented in a software tool called UM-AR-GPS-ROVER that is capable of interactively placing static and dynamic 3D models at any location in outdoor augmented space. The concept and prototype are demonstrated with an example in which scheduled construction activities for the erection of a structural steel frame are graphically simulated in outdoor AR.
Cellular and molecular aspects of immune system aging.

We begin with a brief discussion of the importance and advantages of immune studies to the problem of aging. This is followed by a short over-view of immune system aging at the systemic level. The major portion of the article is a review of observations, both at the cellular and molecular level, of changes in aging immune cells, with sections on intercellular communication, membrane phenomena, cyclic nucleotides, and molecular genetic changes.
Oscillations of interlayer exchange coupling and giant magnetoresistance in (111) oriented permalloy/Au multilayers.

The existence or not of oscillatory interlayer exchange coupling of ferromagnetic layers via (111) oriented copper spacer layers is controversial. We present evidence from magnetic and giant magnetoresistance studies of well-defined antiferromagnetic interlayer coupling in single crystalline (111) permalloy/Au multilayers. Four oscillations in the coupling are observed as the Au spacer layer thickness is increased. The oscillation period is \ensuremath{\simeq}10 \AA{} which is significantly shorter than the period of \ensuremath{\simeq}11.5 \AA{} predicted in Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida based models.
The Influence of Decision Style on Decision Making Behavior

Cognitive styles measured by the Myers-Briggs indicator were studied to isolate how style influences decision behavior. An experiment was conducted in which experienced decision makers from hospitals and firms were asked to assess several capital expansion projects. To control for environmental factors, the project summaries were tailored to be compatible or incompatible with each individual's cognitive style. Risk and information sources were also controlled in the summary by using two levels of risk, defined by the spread of the return on investment ROI projections, and by using personal judgements or a computer-based model to provide the ROI estimates. The decision makers assessed each project, indicating their likelihood of adopting it and their perception of its risk. The impact of style, setting hospital or firm, and the control factors environment, information source, and risk were related to a decision to adopt and assessments of risk by ANOVA techniques. Cognitive style was found to be an important factor in the decision to adopt and the assessment of risk. ST sensation-thinking styles saw the highest risk and were reluctant to adopt the projects, while SF sensation-feeling styles were risk tolerant and more likely to adopt the same projects. Our results support the views of cognitive theorists, who argue that decision style is an important determinant of behavior. Decisions seem to be a function of the decision maker's cognitive makeup which differs for different psychological types.
Ocular manifestations of leukemia: leukemic infiltration versus infectious process

Abstract Objective To determine whether specific guidelines can be developed to distinguish whether retinal infiltration in leukemia patients represents infection or neoplasia. Design Retrospective noncomparative interventional case series. Participants Six patients recently seen at University of California San Francisco with retinal infiltrates in a setting of leukemia, for which adequate written and photographic information of disease course was available. Intervention Observation consisted of retrospective review of clinic charts, hospital medical records, and fundus photographs. Main outcome measures Determination of whether retinal infiltrates represented neoplasia or infection was made by review of medical records. Results In this series, neoplastic retinal infiltrates were found in patients who had newly diagnosed leukemia and those who were in blast crisis. In contrast, the two patients who were in complete remission, but had undergone bone marrow transplantation, had retinal infiltrates attributable to infection. Conclusions Every patient with retinal infiltrates in the setting of newly or previously diagnosed leukemia requires a systemic and central nervous system workup before the initiation of ophthalmologic treatment. The systemic status of the patient is highly informative in determining whether infection or neoplasia is responsible for the infiltration.
Effect of edges on the reliability of GaAs and (AlGa) as heterojunction leds

The effect of various diode geometries on the degradation rate of heterojunction diodes with either GaAs or (AlGa)As in the recombination region has been studied. It is shown that GaAs diodes are particularly sensitive to edge-related degradation which varies with the current density J as J3/2. The addition of Al to the recombination region considerably reduces the degradation rate of diodes both with and without exposed edges, and data are reported for Al0.1Ga0.9As stripe-contact edge-emitting structures operating for over 20,000 hours with no change in output at 1000 A/cm2.
Glucose Concentrations and Glycogen Levels in the Aqueous Humor of Fresh and Refrigerated Bovine Eyes

Glucose concentrations in the aqueous humor and its incorporation into epithelial glycogen were measured by adding glucose uniformly labeled with radioactive carbon to the anterior chamber of both fresh and stored bovine eyes (24 hours at 5 degrees C). Concentrations of exogenous glucose in the aqueous humor were higher in refrigerated eyes but declined as rapidly as those in fresh eyes. Furthermore, the epithelium retained the ability to incorporate the exogenous glucose into glycogen after 24 hours of storage at 5 degrees C. Addition of glucose to the aqueous humor of human eyes after refrigeration may increase epithelial retention on donor corneal buttons.
HLA and Mate Selection: No Evidence in South Amerindians

There have been reports of nonrandom mating (negative-assortative mating) or preference for individuals of different major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genotypes in both mice and humans. We have examined the association of HLA-A and HLA-B genotypes, both for each locus by itself and for two-locus genotypes, in mates of 194 couples from 11 South Amerindian tribes. The proportion of couples sampled averaged >50% of the total matings with progeny for 10 of the tribes. In nearly all cases, HLA-sharing proportions were very close to those expected from random mating, suggesting strong negative-assortative mating for MHC is not present in these South Amerindians.
Comparison of the Lattice Boltzmann Method and the Artificial Compressibility Method for Navier-Stokes Equations

This paper compares in detail the lattice Boltzmann method and an isothermal Navier?Stokes method. It is found that these two methods are closely related to each other. Both methods satisfy similar macroscopic governing equations in their continuous forms, but they differ from each other in their discrete forms. Besides the obvious differences in stencils for spatial discretization, these two methods also differ from each other in temporal discretization. Numerical tests show that these differences have little impact on the simulation of velocity fields but do generate noticeable differences in the pressure fields. Both methods are capable of simulating transient flows and exhibit oscillatory behavior due to the propagation of pressure waves. The lattice Boltzmann method may be more accurate for capturing the pressure waves.
Detectability of moving objects in fluoroscopy

We investigate the effect of motion on detectability of low-contrast objects using 2 fluoroscopic imaging techniques: 30 acq/sec (pulsed-30) and 15 acq/sec pulsed (pulsed-15). We measure detectability using a new reference/test, adaptive 9-alternative forced-choice method. For pulsed-30 (reference) and pulsed-15 (test), we measure absolute detectabilities, an equivalent perception dose (EPD) for test, and response times. Computer-generated phantoms are x-ray projections of cylinders that mimic arteries, catheters, and guide wires. In the case of the larger cylinders, motion increases absolute detectability. With the smaller cylinders, motion decreases detectability. Results from four subjects show that dose savings for pulsed- 15 is around 18% with relatively little effect of velocity or object size. In general, subjects take slightly longer to respond in the case of low acquisition fluoroscopy.
The region between the operator and first structural gene of the tryptophan operon of Escherichia coli may have a regulatory function

Abstract Among a collection of 34 independent mutants with internal deletions in the trp operon of Escherichia coli we found six that fail to recombine with any known point mutant in trpE, the first gene in the operon. These six deletion mutants are regulated normally by tryptophan and thus appear to have the trp operator region intact. However, four of these deletions result in alterations in the maximum level of expression of the trpC, B and A genes when compared with wild type or with an internal deletion of similar length which retains a small operatorproximal segment of trpE. Two of these deletion mutants, trpΔED1 and trpΔED12, have lower levels of the protein products of trpB and trpA than the control strains. In contrast, deletions trpΔED2 and trpΔED102 both markedly increase the levels of the trpB and trpA polypeptides. Deletion mutant trpΔED2 has 3 to 3.5 times and mutant trpΔED102 has seven to eight times as much tryptophan synthetase β2 and α proteins as the wild-type or deletion control strains. The increase in tryptophan synthetase β2 and α proteins seen is a consequence of an increase in the level of trp mRNA directing the synthesis of these enzymes. The rate of synthesis of trpBA mRNA is increased in trpΔAED2 about twofold, and in trpΔED102 about four- to sixfold over the control strain. The left-hand deletion end-points of both trpΔED2 and trpΔAED102 have been shown to map to the right of a known trp operator-constitutive mutation and appear to lie before the first translation start codon in trpE (M. Bronson, C. Squires & C. Yanofsky, unpublished results). We propose that these deletions alter a region between the earliest known trpE point mutation and the trp operator which influences the maximum rate of synthesis of trp operon mRNA.
Expressing Possession in Spanish: The Use of Possessive Datives and Possessive Adjectives in Twentieth-Century Spanish-Language Drama

The present investigation comprises a statistical analysis of the use in Spanish of the possessive dative versus the use of possessive adjectives, with nouns that have the grammatical role of subject, direct object, or copula predicate. The corpus analysed here consists of dialogue taken from four Spanish-language plays dating from the second half of the twentieth century. The results of the analysis provide statistically significant support for the claim that there is a relationship in Spanish between the choice of possessor encoding and the noun class of the possessum and the class of verb. The dative encoding reflects the affected state of the possessor, casting the possessor as a participant in the event. These results follow from Hopper and Thompson's (1980) Transitivity Hypothesis and from the conceptual proximity that obtains between possessor and possessum (Maldonado 2002).
Equivalence of regression calibration methods in main study/external validation study designs

Abstract Measurement error occurs when one or more regression model covariates are measured with error, and is a common problem in occupational health and other fields. If the effects of measurement error are not corrected, estimates of the regression coefficients and their variances are biased. We consider the situation when an external validation study provides information about the measurement error process. Two related approaches for correcting measurement error, both called regression calibration, have been proposed. Although the estimators for the corrected regression coefficients can be shown to be the same under the two approaches, the asymptotic variances are derived using two different methods and have not been compared. In this paper, we show that these two methods give algebraically identical estimators for the corrected regression coefficients and their asymptotic variances, in the general case of multiple covariates measured with error, for a generalized linear model of exponential family form.
Isomerization and Beckmann rearrangement reactions in the metabolism of methomyl in rats

Abstract Methomyl { S -methyl- N -[(methylcarbamoyl)oxy]thioacetimidate}, also known as Lannate, may exist in two geometric configurations but the more stable syn isomer is the form applied as an insecticide. In the rat, syn [ 14 CN]methomyl [CH 3 S(CH 3 )CNOC(O)NHCH 3 ] was metabolized to respiratory 14 CO 2 and CH 3 14 CN in a ratio of about 2 to 1. Studies with the anti isomer showed that it was metabolized predominately to CH 3 14 CN . These and other data are presented supporting the contention that syn methomyl is partially isomerized to the anti isomer in the animal prior to the hydrolysis of the ester linkage. After hydrolysis, the syn oxime [CH 3 S(CH 3 ) 14 CNOH] is further metabolized to 14 CO 2 while the anti oxime is metabolized to CH 3 14 CN . Proposed immediate precursors to the carbon dioxide and acetonitrile, formed by Beckmann rearrangement of the syn and anti oximes, are CH 3 S 14 C(O)NHCH 3 and [ CH 3 14⊕ CNSCH 3 ]x − , respectively.
Web-based portfolios: a valuable tool for surgical education.

Background Our residency program developed and implemented an online portfolio system. In the present communication, we describe this system and provide an early analysis of its effect on competency-based performance and acceptance of the system by the residents. Materials and Methods To measure competency-based performance, end-of-rotation global evaluations of residents by faculty completed before ( n = 1488) and after ( n = 697) implementation of the portfolio were compared. To assess acceptance, residents completed a 20-question survey. Results Practice-based learning and improvement improved following implementation of the portfolio system ( P = 0.002). There was also a trend toward improvement in the remaining competencies. In the survey tool (response rate 69%), 95% of the residents agreed that the purpose and functions of the system had been explained to them, and 82% affirmed understanding of ways in which the system could help them, although fewer than half reported that their portfolio had aided in their development of the competencies. All residents appreciated the system's organizational capabilities, and 87% agreed that the portfolio was a useful educational tool. Conclusions This web portfolio program is a valuable new instrument for both residents and administrators. Early analysis of its impact demonstrates a positive effect across all competencies, and survey analysis revealed that residents have a positive view of this new system. As the portfolio is further incorporated into the educational program, we believe that our residents will discover new tools to craft a career of genuine self-directed learning.
Oxygen partitioning analysis during Czochralski silicon crystal growth via a dopant marker and a simple transfer function modeling technique I. Rotation rate transients

Abstract Intermediate transient oxygen redistribution during commercial size scale Czochralski silicon crystal growth caused by a step change in crystal rotation rate has been examined. Since a regular solute like phosphorus or boron is conservative and well-behaved during Czochralski growth of silicon, the melt was intentionally doped so that the dopant could act as a marker and its redistribution analyzed first. From this result, the time-varying degree of melt convection that influences the observed oxygen redistribution profile can be quantitatively determined provided that oxygen and the marker solute are incorporated by the same type of mechanism at the crystal interface. It is found that the traditional solute segregation equation in conjunction with a transfer function modeling technique, where only a single oxygen species present in the melt, is insufficient to account for all the transient oxygen profiles in the silicon crystals. The possibility of having two simultaneously incorporated and inter-reacting oxygen species during Czochralski silicon crystal growth is then examined and found to provide the needed degree of freedom to explain these results.
A variance decomposition approach to uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis of the Johnson and Ettinger model

The Johnson and Ettinger (J&E) model is the most widely used vapor intrusion model in the United States. It is routinely used as part of hazardous waste site assessments to evaluate the potential for vapor intrusion exposure risks. This study incorporates mathematical approaches that allow sensitivity and uncertainty of the J&E model to be evaluated. In addition to performing Monte Carlo simulations to examine the uncertainty in the J&E model output, a powerful global sensitivity analysis technique based on Sobol indices is used to evaluate J&E model sensitivity to variations in the input parameters. The results suggest that the J&E model is most sensitive to the building air exchange rate, regardless of soil type and source depth. Building air exchange rate is not routinely measured during vapor intrusion investigations, but clearly improved estimates and/or measurements of the air exchange rate would lead to improved model predictions. It is also found that the J&E model is more sensitive to effective d...
Hot Pressed DSP Cement Paste

DSP cement paste is prepared by hot-pressing technique in this study in order to improve its particle packing and chemical composition, and to investigate the relationship between its solid phase microstructure and mechanical strength at the porosity close to zero. The addition of silica fume improves strength development, although capillary porosities are not changed significantly. Results obtained indicate that the highest compressive strength reached are 800 MPa after 28 days hydration and oven drying at 200°C. The strength has better relation with degree of hydration or the physical density of C-S-H. the silicate anion polymerization closes not appear to influence strength.
From sediment bioassay to fish biomarker--connecting the dots using simple trophic relationships.

Abstract Two common problems in applying and interpreting invertebrate bioassays and fish biomarkers in sediment toxicology are the wide gap between significant effects concentrations determined by these two approaches, and a general lack of ecological context. We have devised an exposure system that is able to reconcile much of the disparity between invertebrate bioassay and fish biomarker results by incorporating realistic ecological processes based on deposit feeding and predator–prey interactions. This system relates the disturbance of interest (sediment contamination) to biologically meaningful effects in a resource of interest (marine flatfish) via a realistic contaminant vector (a deposit-feeding polychaete worm). In this pilot study, polychaetes (Armandia brevis) were exposed for 28 days to clean sediments supplemented with benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), para-para dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (pp′DDE), Aroclor 1254, or field sediments collected from two sites in Puget Sound, Washington, contaminated predominantly with polcyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or chlorinated compounds. Exposed worms were then fed live to juvenile English sole (Pleuronectes vetulus) for 10 or 12 days. At the end of the exposure period, fish were measured for length and weight, sacrificed, and preserved for either routine histopathology and immunohistochemical analysis of cytochrome P450 1A induction, or 32P post-labeling determination of hepatic PAH-DNA adducts. Growth of predatory flatfish was lower than reference in all but one of eight groups fed contaminant-exposed polychaetes; however, statistically significant reductions in growth were only observed in three of these eight groups, at least in part due to low statistical power. Juvenile sole from all contaminant-exposed groups showed increased expression of CYP1A, and fish exposed to BaP-exposed worms showed clear evidence of hepatic PAH-DNA adducts. This method allows the concurrent evaluation of sediment contamination at multiple biological and ecological levels. These results indicate that sediments determined to be nontoxic by common invertebrate bioassays may have the potential to cause adverse effects at higher trophic levels.
Mediators of preschoolers’ early mathematics concepts

The purpose of this study was to extend existing research relative to the predictors of early mathematics skills. Using Vygotskian theory as a framework, our primary goal was to determine whether social skills or letter awareness skills served as better mediators between receptive language and early mathematics concepts. The secondary goal was to examine possible differences in children’s early mathematics, language, letter awareness, and psychosocial skills for two different childcare settings, centre and family childcare. Participants included 109 children (48 girls) all of whom attended out‐of‐home childcare at least 13 hours each week and who would be attending kindergarten the following year. Sixty‐one children were enrolled in out‐of‐home family childcare and 48 in out‐of‐home centre childcare. Relative to our first goal, letter awareness fully mediated between receptive language and early mathematics (Sobel z‐value = 2.92, p = .003). This suggested that when children are able to understand a system...
Output Feedback Modular Adaptive Control of a Nonlinear Prototypical Wing Section

The paper presents nonlinear adaptive control systems for the control of limit cycle oscillations of a prototypical wing section with structural nonlinearities using only output feedback. The chosen model describes the plunge and pitch motion of a wing. The model includes plunge and pitch nonlinearities, and has a single control surface for the purpose of control. Using a canonical representation of the aeroelastic system, a modular output feedback adaptive control system consisting of an input-to-state stabilizing controller and a passive identifier (an observer and adaptation law) is derived. In the closed-loop system, asymptotic stabilization of the pitch and plunge motion is accomplished. Simulation results show that the control system is effective in regulating the state vector to the origin in spite of large parameter uncertainties.
Economic and ecological perspectives on agriculture in the Eastern Amazon

Abstract There are more than five million people that depend on subsistence agriculture for livelihood in the Brazilian Amazon. Using a case study approach, we show that intensive approaches to agriculture can offer advantages over extensive-style shifting cultivation and ranching in terms of productivity, net returns, and job and tax generation. We then use our data to illustrate how the availability of land, labor, and capital affects the adoption of intensive agricultural practices in the Eastern Amazon.
Photoelectron spectra of hydrated electron clusters vs. cluster size: connecting to bulk

Connecting cluster properties to bulk can result in new insights, both for the bulk and for clusters, and this is especially the case for the hydrated electron, e–(aq), and its cluster counterparts. In bulk, e–(aq) can be viewed as an anionic defect state of pure water, which is itself a large-band-gap semiconductor. Thus, when properly extrapolated to bulk, the properties of clusters must reflect important energetic properties of bulk water. Several of these have been extracted and are presented here. As for the nature of clusters themselves, the topic has now inspired spirited debate for over two decades. Here, we offer our perspective on these intriguing entities. Among several isomeric groups of and clusters, the one having the highest electron binding energies (herein called bulk embryonts) has been extrapolated to deduce the implied photoelectron spectrum of the bulk hydrated electron. The legitimacy of the lineshape fitting procedures used here is supported by the successful extrapolation of cluste...