cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Additional Host, Distribution, and Prevalence Records for Alloglossidium caridicolum and Alloglossidium dolandi (Digenea: Macroderoididae), Parasites of Procambarid Crayfish Inhabiting the Coastal Plains of the Southeastern United States

Abstract Examination of antennal glands of 11 specimens of Procambarus zonangulus, from a single locality in Texas and those of 4 specimens of Procambarus blandingii, from a single locality in South Carolina, indicated infections with adult Alloglossidium spp. Prevalence of Alloglossidium caridicolum in P. zonangulus was 18.2%, and that of Alloglossidium dolandi in P. blandingii was 100%. Both collections represented new hosts and distribution records for both digene species.
Formulating a first-principles statistical theory of growing surfaces in two-dimensional Laplacian fields

A statistical theory of two-dimensional Laplacian growths is formulated from first principles. First, the area enclosed by the growing surface is mapped conformally to the interior of the unit circle, generating a set of dynamically evolving quasiparticles. Then it is shown that the evolution of a surface-tension-free growing surface is Hamiltonian. The Hamiltonian formulation allows a natural extension of the formalism to growths with either isotropic or anisotropic surface tension. It is shown that the curvature term can be included as a surface energy in the Hamiltonian that gives rise to repulsion between the quasiparticles and the surface. This repulsion prevents cusp singularities from forming along the surface at any finite time, and regularizes the growth. An explicit example is computed to demonstrate the regularizing effect. Noise is then introduced as in traditional statistical mechanical formalism, and a measure is defined that allows analysis of the spatial distribution of the quasiparticles. Finally, a relation is derived between this distribution and the growth probability along the growing surface. Since the spatial distribution of quasiparticles flows to a stable limiting form, this immediately translates into a predictability of the asymptotic morphology of the surface. An exactly solvable class of arbitrary initial conditionsmore » is analyzed explicitly.« less
Conservation and variability in Archaea: protein antigens with tandem repeats encoded by a cluster of genes with common motifs in Methanosarcina mazei S-6

Three open reading frames, orf492, orf375 and orf783, were identified in a 5.9-kb DNA fragment from the genome of Methanosarcina mazei S-6 that code for proteins recognized by antibodies against cell-surface antigens. The deduced amino-acid (aa) sequences of orfs492 and 375, i.e., ORF492 and ORF375, contain seven and four copies of an approx. 42-aa repeat, respectively. The aa sequence of ORF783 contains nine copies of an approx. 85-aa repeat, one of which is also present once in each of the first two ORFs. The organization of the repeats is similar to that of some Gram+ cell-wall-associated proteins. Comparative analyses of aa sequences, compositions and hydropathy profiles of the archaeal ORFs showed similarity with surface (S-) layer and outer-membrane proteins of Bacteria and Archaea.
Slow potentials of the brain related to speech processing in normal speakers and stutterers.

Abstract A CNV paradigm was employed to study slow potential shifts of the brain in stutterers and normal speakers during speech and nonspeech verbal tasks and in a nonverbal manual task. Slow potential shifts were recorded from Cz. iF 3 ′ and iF 4 ′ . It was found that vertex CNVs were similar in normal speakers and stutterers in the verbal and nonverbal tasks. Differences between groups were found at the lateral electrode derivations in both verbal tasks. Preceding speech, four of five of the normal speakers showed a larger shift in the left hemisphere than in the right, while only 22% of the stutterers showed a left greater than right asymmetry. In the verbal condition in which the subjects did not speak (the “expectancy” condition) similar relationships were found. It is concluded that the left and right inferior frontal areas of nonstutterers and stutterers performed differently even when the stutterers were not approaching a moment of stuttering, i.e. , when both groups appeared to have equal speech performance, and also when they were making identical decisions about the “expectancy” of having difficulty speaking a word although no overt motor speech was required. The interhemispheric differences in the two groups are not attributed to increased “anxiety” since the vertex CNV was unaffected.
Interspecific aggression between Peromyscus and Microtus females: a possible factor in competitive exclusion.

Interspecific agonistic encounters between female Peromyscus leucopus and Microtus pennsylvanicus were observed in a neutral arena. Female P. leucopus , whether nulliparious or lactating, were generally aggressive towards, and dominant over, female M. pennsylvanicus in comparable breeding states. Such interspecific interaction may contribute to regulation of the growth and distribution of Microtus populations.
Acute left atrial intramural wall dissection after mitral valve replacement.

t TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY (TEE) has been used routinely in the diagnosis and follow-up of cardiac pathology. Left atrial (LA) dissection is a rare complication after mitral valve surgery. A case of LA dissection is presented, and the pathology was accurately defined and immediately diagnosed by using intraoperative TEE; the dissection was repaired at the time of surgery. This case highlights the importance of prompt diagnosis of LA dissection using intraoperative TEE, and a second cardiac surgery was avoided.
Electrically Driven Optical Modulator with a Strongly Coupled Quantum Dot

The frequency of a quantum-dot strongly coupled to a photonic-crystal cavity was electrically controlled. Electro-optic modulation (150MHz) of a coherently coupled probe laser is demonstrated. Operation at 10GHz and ~1fJ/bit are achievable with this device.
Latin America and Country Music

L'A. examine l'evolution de la Country music americaine vers les populations hispanophones et sa diffusion vers les pays d'Amerique latine. Il donne d'abord un bref apercu de l'emergence, au Texas, d'une Country music bilingue, anglophone et hispanophone, marquee par l'influence des musiques mexicaine, chicano, et hispano-americaine (tejano, norteno, cancion corrido, conjunto). Il decrit ensuite les potentialites du marche hispanique, tant en Amerique du Nord qu'en Amerique du Sud. Finalement, il decrit les efforts de l'industrie du disque nord-americaine, notamment du complexe musical de Nashville, pour la diffusion de ses productions vers l'Amerique latine.
Foundry technology trend

This paper gives an overview of the foundry model and foundry technology trend in the future. The foundry model is a part of the natural trend toward the vertical dis-integration (or horizontal specialization) of the semiconductor industry. Foundry technology is already in the leading pack, and will be on the leading edge from now on. Foundry technology will be market driven toward low voltage (core), low power, high performance, high density, and system on chip (SOC). Examples of leading-edge 0.25um logic and 0.18um and beyond process features will be used to illustrate this trend.
Ultraviolet spectrophotometric determination of platinum

Abstract A sensitive spectrophotometric procedure has been developed for the determination of small amount.s of platinum. It is based upon the measurement of the strong ultraviolet absorption maximum at 262 mμ which is characteristic of the PtCl 6 -2 ion. Beer's law is obeyed over a useful range in concentration, 3–11 p.p.m. being the range of most accurate spectrophotometric measurement. The sensitivity- is 0.05 p.p.m. and the precision ± 1%. The procedure is particularly suited for the determination of the concentrations of PtCl 6 -2 and PtCl 4 -2 ; since the latter has negligible absorbancy at 262 mμ, its concentration can be determined by subtracting the amount of PtCl 6 -2 found by the ultraviolet measurement from the total platinum concentration.
Large field renormalization. I. The basic step of the ℝ operation

We construct the renormalization operation of the expressions connected with the large field regions. This operation, denoted by ℝ, removes the main obstacle to prove the ultraviolet stability of four-dimensional gauge field theories. The proof will be completed in the second part of this paper.
Cholesterol biosynthesis in WI-38 and WI-38VA13A tissue culture cells.

Abstract Comparative studies on sterol biosynthesis have been conducted on WI-38 diploid human embryonic fibroblasts and the SV40-transformed sister cell line WI-38VA13A, grown in a sterol-free medium supplemented with delipidized serum protein. Both cell lines were capable of synthesizing cholesterol, although the cellular level of cholesterol was less than that reported when these cells were grown in serum-containing medium. When the cell lines were grown in medium containing 10% calf or fetal calf serum, de novo synthesis was reduced by more than 95%. As increased levels of unesterified cholesterol were added to the medium, both cell lines showed a concomitant decrease in de novo sterol biosynthesis, with the diploid cell line exhibiting a greater reduction than that observed in the transformed cells.
Methylation of the O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase promoter suppresses expression in mouse skin tumors and varies with the tumor induction protocol

Hypermethylation of CpG sites within the promoter region of the O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene occurs frequently in human cancer, preventing both MGMT expression and repair of alkylation damage. To assess the role of MGMT in the development of mouse skin tumors induced by initiation-promotion protocols, methylation of the MGMT promoter was examined in tumor DNA using methylation-specific PCR. To determine whether MGMT promoter methylation was affected by the tumor induction protocol, tumors were initiated by N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) or 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and promoted by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or mezerein. Although the MGMT promoter was not methylated in normal skin, promoter methylation was found in 56 of 136 papillomas (41.2%) and in 19 of 37 squamous cell carcinomas (51.4%). When methylation of the MGMT promoter was compared in the 4 treatment groups, hypermethylation was found more frequently in tumors initiated by DMBA and promoted by mezerein, a protocol associated with a high frequency of malignant conversion. Methylation was found in some tumors as early as 5 weeks after initiation, but the methylation frequency increased with time. MGMT promoter methylation reduced MGMT expression as determined by immunohistochemistry. Although MGMT promoter methylation was not generally correlated with ras mutations, the frequency of MGMT methylation was higher in MNNG-initiated, mezerein-promoted papillomas with mutations in Ha-ras compared to papillomas with Ki-ras. Methylation of the MGMT promoter, associated with reduced MGMT expression, is found in nearly half of mouse skin tumors, but varies with both the tumor initiator and tumor promoter, and may be a key step in the progression from papillomas to carcinomas. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
SU-DD-A4-03: Cone Beam Computed Tomography Reconstruction on Graphics Processing Units: Flat3D Texture Techniques

Purpose: Graphics processing units (GPUs) can shorten cone‐beam volume reconstruction time significantly in comparison to CPUs. We evaluated Flat3D texture techniques to further enhance calculation efficiency. Methods: Typical reconstruction involves processing of a set of 2D projection images, and filtered backprojection of them onto volume slices. We implemented three different back‐projection algorithms on GPUs. The first method, BP_tex2d, represents the volume as a set of 2D textures and backprojection onto the texture occurs one slice at a time. The second method (BP_flat3d) represents the volume using a Flat3D texture. Flat3D texture is a 2D texture that maps volume slices onto 2D texture surface side‐by‐side. Therefore, for a given projection image, the back‐projection is accomplished in a single rendering pass. The third approach (BP_flat3d_multitex) back‐projects multiple projection images (16 here) onto a Flat3D texture in a single rendering pass using multi‐texture support. We reconstructed a 3D Shepp‐Logan phantom (256×256×256 pixel 3) from a set of 360 projection images (512×384 pixel 2) using each method. Back‐projection time was estimated by subtracting the image load and filter time from the total reconstruction time. Ten measurements were performed for each method and the mean time determined. Host computer: 3.6 GHz Intel Pentium 4 CPU with 2 GB memory. GPU: Nvidia_GeForce_210 (512 MB)+PCIe. Results: The mean back projection times of BP_tex2d, BP_flat3d, and BP_flat3d_multitex were 51, 16, and 8 seconds respectively. The image loading and filtering time was 24 seconds. The reconstructed volumes had identical pixel values. Conclusion; Flat3D texture approach improved the back‐projection time by a factor of 3.2, compared to regular 2D texture based method. The utilization of multi‐texture improved the speedup by a factor of 2 (thus, 6.4 total). High quality iterative reconstruction may be possible in the clinical setting given such improvements on multiple GPUs.
Thiazolidinedione regulation of smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Abstract Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in the media of adult arteries are normally quiescent, proliferate at low frequency, and are arrested in the G 0 /G 1 phase of the cell cycle. Proliferation of VSMCs occurs in response to arterial injury and plays a crucial role in the atherosclerotic process and in the pathogenesis of restenosis. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are at increased risk for postangioplasty restenosis, which results from excessive intimal hyperplasia. Insulin sensitizers of the thiazolidinedione (TZD) class inhibit growth of VSMCs by attenuating the activity of important cell-cycle regulators. The TZDs inhibit progression from G 1 to S phase in the cell cycle by blocking growth factor–induced phosphorylation of retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (Rb). In animal models of restenosis, TZDs inhibit intimal hyperplasia after mechanical injury in both insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant vessels. Preliminary clinical studies using troglitazone demonstrate less intimal hyperplasia with this TZD after implantation of coronary stents in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Further large trials are needed to confirm that treatment with a TZD can protect against postangioplasty restenosis.
Designing multi-touch gestures to support emotional expression in IM

The dramatically increasing use of IM and the lack of visual and aural nonverbal behaviors in this channel of communication have presented a variety of challenges and opportunities for researchers in the area of HCI and design. In this preliminary study, we, through design research, identified a group of text-based emotional cues users apply to express their emotions in IM and accordingly developed a set of multi-touch gestures to support emotional expression in IM communication.
Assessment of basic endoscopic performance using a virtual reality simulator

Abstract Background The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supervised training using a state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) genitourinary endoscopy simulator on the basic endoscopic skills of novice endoscopists. Study design We evaluated 21 medical students performing an initial VR case scenario (pretest) requiring rigid cystoscopy, flexible ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy, and basket retrieval of a proximal ureteral stone. All students were evaluated with objective parameters assessed by the VR simulator and by two experienced evaluators using a global rating scale. Students were then randomized to a control group receiving no further training or a training group, which received five supervised training sessions using the VR simulator. All students were then evaluated again in the same manner using the same case scenario (posttest). Results Comparing the results of pre- and posttests, no major differences were demonstrated for any variable in the control group. In the trained group, posttest results revealed statistically significant improvement from baseline in the following parameters: total procedure time (p = 0.002), time to introduce a ureteral guidewire (p = 0.039), self-evaluation (p Conclusions Students trained on the VR simulator demonstrated statistically significant improvement on repeat testing, but the control group showed no improvement. Endourologic training using VR simulation facilitates performance of basic endourologic tasks and might translate into better performance in the operating room.
A Case for Enhanced Linkage of Substance Abusers to Primary Medical Care

Abstract Alcohol and drug abuse continue to be problems of major significance throughout the United States. Although experts have advocated linking substance abusers with primary medical care to help achieve both individual and public health goals, few successful and generalizable methods for linkage have been developed. Specific potential benefits for such linkage include HIV testing and initiation of therapy, treatment of tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases, appropriate immunizations, cervical cancer screening, promotion of healthy behaviors regarding sexual and drug practices, and encouragement of cessation of substance use. Distributive or decentralized models linking patients receiving addiction treatment to existing primary medical care services need evaluation, as they may be more generalizable and cost-effective compared with on-site integrated programs. Health care providers and policy makers need to explore innovative approaches to bring substance abusers into a medical care system in...
Estimates of biogenic emissions using satellite observations and influence of isoprene emission on O3 formation over the eastern United States

Abstract A biogenic emissions model for isoprene, monoterpenes, and nitric oxide has been developed with algorithms that rely on normalized difference vegetative index values derived from satellite remote sensing data to infer leaf area index. The model obtains emission factors from the Biogenic Emission Inventory System (BEIS). This biogenic emissions model, combined with a dry deposition model, was applied with environmental variable values supplied by MM5 (the fifth-generation Mesoscale Model). The modeled temporal variations and spatial distributions of the surface emissions rates of isoprene, monoterpenes, and nitric oxide the eastern US agreed well with reported simulations, measurements, and inferences. Use of the satellite data generates considerable detail in the spatial patterns, high temporal resolution, and a smooth seasonal variation in the emission rates. The new biogenic emissions model was used with a photochemistry modeling system to infer ozone (O 3 ) concentrations in the lower troposphere above the eastern United States for a two-day case in July 1995, which had O 3 episodes studied previously by the Ozone Transport Assessment Group. Compared to the results from the OTAG application of BEIS2, the satellite-data-derived isoprene emissions were slightly lower in the northeastern United States, which resulted in smaller values of O 3 concentration and were 3–4 times higher in southeastern mixed forests, which had little impact on O 3 except near strong NO x emission sources.
On the role of optimality functions in numerical optimal control

Abstract We present a survey of optimality conditions in optimality function form and discuss their role in establishing that discretized optimal control problems are consistent approximations to the original optimal control problems.
A prospective survey of patient-controlled epidural analgesia with bupivacaine and clonidine after total hip replacement: a pre- and postchange comparison with bupivacaine and hydromorphone in 1,000 patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) with bupivacaine and hydromorphone provides high quality analgesia after orthopedic surgery but is associated with a frequent incidence of opioid-related side effects (15%-30%). Epidural clonidine has a different side effect profile, but there are no large surveys documenting its use. We performed this prospective survey to evaluate analgesia and the side effect profile in total hip replacement patients before and after a systematic change from PCEA with bupivacaine/hydromorphone to bupivacaine/clonidine. METHODS Five hundred consecutive patients received PCEA with 0.06% bupivacaine and hydromorphone (10 mcg/mL) as a previously described prechange control group. The standard analgesic regimen was then systematically changed to 0.06% bupivacaine and clonidine (1 mcg/mL) without changing the PCEA settings or other aspects of perioperative care, and 500 consecutive patients were included as a postchange group. All data were prospectively entered and then abstracted from the electronic medical record. Data collection included daily verbal pain scores (VPS), pruritus, nausea, hypotension, need for IV fluid boluses, sedation, and respiratory depression. An online survey to measure staff satisfaction with the changeover was sent to all participating surgeons, anesthesiologists, physical therapists, and physician's assistants. RESULTS Patient characteristics were similar between groups. Most patients received central neuraxial anesthesia (99%). The clonidine group had lower VPS at rest (2.3 vs 3.7, P<0.001 with 95% confidence interval [CI] of difference of 1.4 [1.1, 1.7]) on POD0. The incidence of nausea was 10%-11% for clonidine and 13%-15% for hydromorphone. The incidence of pruritus was less with clonidine (1 vs 10%, P<0.01 with 95% CI of difference of 9% [6, 12]). However, the incidence of hypotension (20 vs 11%, P<0.001 with 95% CI of differences 9% [5, 14]) and IV fluid boluses was more frequent with clonidine (36 vs 19%, P<0.001 with 95% CI of differences of 16 [11, 12]). Sixty-five percent of staff completed the online survey, and 70% considered clonidine worse than hydromorphone. CONCLUSION The systematic changeover from epidural hydromorphone to clonidine produced mixed results without obvious superiority. The VPS at rest was reduced only on postoperative day 0; pruritus was reduced, but hypotension was increased. On the basis of medical staff preference, we discontinued the systematic change and returned to our previous standard solution of bupivacaine and hydromorphone for PCEA after total hip replacement.
Gracillariid hosts of Sympiesis marylandensis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in New England.

Mines of New England gracillariids were sampled to determine the hosts of the eulophid, Sympiesis marylandensis Girault, and its relative importance in parasitoid complexes. Sympiesis marylandensis parasitized mostly leafminers on leaf undersides, such as Cremastobombycia solidaginis (Frey & Boll), Parornix spp., and Phyllonorycter spp. In all, S. marylandensis parasitized 33 gracillariid leafminers associated with 49 plant species. It was the dominant parasitoid in 45.7% of the 70 samples from which it was recovered. The relative importance of S. marylandensis in the parasitoid complexes of Phyllonorycter spp. varied with time or exposure to insecticides.
Quantitative changes in anthocyanin pigments of lychee fruit during refrigerated storage

Changes in cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, malvidin-3-acetylglucoside, total anthocyanins, percent polymeric color and browning indexes in stored lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) fruits were determined. Total anthocyanin content declined from 1·77 to 0·73 mg/g fresh weight, and individual anthocyanins also decreased throughout the 48-day storage period. Decline in anthocyanins was accompanied by an increase in browning. Polymeric pigments also gradually increased from 20·9 to 53%.
Using geotextile tubes for dewatering and beneficial use of high water content solid wastes: design charts and verifications

The interest to push the beneficial use of high water content solid waste materials to a greater extent has increased tremendously. Using woven geotextile tubes as confinement and dewatering facilities for industrial, municipal sludges, and dredged materials offers various advantages to expand and enhance existing beneficial use strategies. To be successful, proper design of geotextile tubes is critical. This paper presents a non-dimensional mathematical solution for the design of geotextile tubes and to determine geotextile tube geometry and tensile strength parameters. Experimental results from butyl rubber and geotextile bag filling tests are used to validate the mathematical solutions. Excellent agreements are observed between the calculations and the measurements, which justify the use of the mathematical model and solution charts generated from it to determine design parameters for geotextile tubes.
Hamiltonian theories of the fractional quantum Hall effect

This paper reviews progress on the fractional quantum Hall effect (FQHE) based on what we term Hamiltonian theories, i.e., theories that proceed from the microscopic electronic Hamiltonian to the final solution via a sequence of transformations and approximations, in either the Hamiltonian or path-integral approach, as compared with theories based on exact diagonalization or trial wave functions. The authors focus on the Chern-Simons approach, in which electrons are converted to Chern-Simons fermions or bosons that carry along flux tubes, and on their own extended Hamiltonian theory, in which electrons are paired with pseudovortices to form composite fermions whose properties are a lot closer to the ultimate low-energy quasiparticles. The article addresses a variety of qualitative and quantitative questions: In what sense do electrons really bind to vortices? What is the internal structure of the composite fermion and what does it mean? What exactly is the dipole picture? What degree of freedom carries the Hall current when the quasiparticles are localized or neutral or both? How exactly is the kinetic energy quenched in the lowest Landau level and resurrected by interactions? How well does the composite-fermion picture work at and near $\ensuremath{\nu}=1/2?$ Is the system compressible at $\ensuremath{\nu}=1/2?$ If so, how can composite fermions be dipolar at $\ensuremath{\nu}=1/2$ and still be compressible? How is compressibility demonstrated experimentally? How does the charge of the excitation get renormalized from that of the electron to that of the composite fermion in an operator treatment? Why do composite fermions sometimes appear to be free when they are not? How does one compute (approximate) transport gaps, zero-temperature magnetic transitions, the temperature-dependent polarizations of gapped and gapless states, the NMR relaxation rate ${1/T}_{1}$ in gapless states, and gaps in inhomogeneous states? It is seen that though the Chern-Simons and extended Hamiltonian approaches agree whenever a comparison is possible, results that are transparent in one approach are typically opaque in the other, making them truly complementary.
A Consideration of Telecommunications Market Structure in the Presence of Municipal Provision: The Case of US Cities

We consider the effect of government-owned telecommunications providers on privately owned rivals by comparing the presence of private telecommunications services providers alongside municipal competitors in the US telecommunications industry from 1999 through 2002. Our primary finding is that the presence of a municipal provider is negatively correlated with a city’s having private providers. However, the marginal effects indicate that the effect of municipal competition on private provision is largely concentrated on the first entrant, suggesting cities may choose to provide telecommunications services in areas with inadequate demand to support private provision.
An introduction to the Sediment TRansport Events on Shelves and Slopes (STRESS) program

TRANSPORT of sediments on continental shelves involves several complex processes, including entrainment and deposition of particles at the sea floor, vertical transport of suspended particles by boundary layer turbulence, water-column evolution of particle size and density by floc aggregation and break-up, and advection of suspended particles by vertically non-uniform, unsteady, horizontal currents (Fig. 1). These processes lead to sediment dispersal and topographical evolution on a side range of spatial scales, which feed back to influence the various transport mechanisms. Shelf sediment transport influences, and is strongly influenced by, the activities of bottom-dwelling organisms, as well as by physical flow-particle and particle-particle interactions. The many processes involved in shelf sediment transport raise an intriguing array of scientific questions with applications related to evolution of bottom roughness and topography, development of stratigraphy, water clarity, and transport of contaminants attached to fine particles. The objective of the Sediment TRansport Events on Shelves and Slopes (STRESS) program (NoWELL et al. , 1987) was to understand the processes controlling sediment transport and microscale topography in the storm-dominated shelf setting, and to develop a tested capability to predict these processes. STRESS was primarily a field measurement program (Fig. 2) designed to provide comprehensive, high-quality measurements sufficient for critical evaluation and improvement of conceptual and mathematical models. The measurement program was a remarkably successful attempt to resolve the vertical distribution of velocity, temperature and salinity throughout the entire continental shelf bottom boundary layer, with corresponding indirect estimates of particle concentration, size and settling velocity, and accompanying observations of small-scale topography. This issue contains 10 articles describing initial results based on STRESS measurements. The first article (SHERWOOD et al . , 1994) provides a description and a classification of sediment transport events during fall and winter storms in the STRESS study area, off the coast of northern California (Fig. 2). A second group of articles addresses the difficult problem of obtaining time-series estimates of particle size and settling velocity, based on a novel laser diffraction device (AG~WAL and PO~SMITH, 1993), a more traditional optical settling tube (Hn~L et al. , 1994), and a combination of acoustical and optical backscatter
Relationship between Urinary Bisphenol A Levels and Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used chemical in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Recent animal studies have suggested that BPA exposure may have a role in the development of weight gain, insulin resistance, pancreatic endocrine dysfunction, thyroid hormone disruption, and several other mechanisms involved in the development of diabetes. However, few human studies have examined the association between markers of BPA exposure and diabetes mellitus. Methods: We examined the association between urinary BPA levels and diabetes mellitus in the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2008. Urinary BPA levels were examined in quartiles. The main outcome of interest was diabetes mellitus defined according the latest American Diabetes Association guidelines. Results: Overall, we observed a positive association between increasing levels of urinary BPA and diabetes mellitus, independent of confounding factors such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, body mass...
Gender difference trends in computer literacy of first-year students

We administered a computer literacy survey of our incoming, first-year students for the past three years. Our purpose was not to measure application skill levels, but to understand students' perception of their own skills, to identify from whom they learned how to perform a set of technology tasks, and to understand how access to different Internet connection types affects perception and the sources of student technology learning. Over the years, fale, first-year students have increased to parity in self-reported skill levels over the set of technology tasks, and report significantly higher skill levels on communications-oriented tasks. Males report significantly higher skill levels on technology-oriented tasks. Our results suggest that adoption of DSL Internet connections by fales is contributing to the improvent.
Retinoic acid and calcitriol inhibition of growth and NADH oxidase of normal and immortalized human keratinocytes

Abstract Plasma membranes were isolated by aqueous two-phase partition from normal human keratinocytes (HKc) and from human keratinocytes immortalized with human papillomavirus type 16 DNA (HKc/HPV16). The NADH oxidase of plasma membrane vesicles of normal HKc was stimulated by epidermal growth factor whereas that of HKc/HPV16 was not. The NADH oxidase of the plasma membranes from both normal HKc and HKc/HPV16 was inhibited by calcitrol (1α-1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D-3) and retinoic acid. However, with plasma membranes from HKc/HPV16 the NADH oxidase was more susceptible to inhibition by retinoic acid than were membranes from normal HKc. Similarly, clonal growth of HKc/HPV16 was inhibited by retinoic acid at lower concentrations than normal HKc whereas inhibition of clonal growth ofnormal HKc and HKc/HPV16 by calcitriol showed similar dose-dependencies. Comparing normal HKc and HKc/HPV16, the results demonstrate parallel inhibition of clonal growth and NADH oxidase by both retinoic acid and calcitrol of HKc/HPV16 but not of normal HKc. These results suggest that an increased sensitivity of the plasma membrane NADH oxidase of HKc/HPV16 to retinoic acid may be related to the increased sensitivity of these cells to growth control by retinoic acid. In addition, since plasma membrane NADH oxidase of HKc/HPV16 shows altered responsiveness to growth modulators such as EGF, retinoic acid and calcitriol, it appears that HKc/HPV16 express an NADH oxidase with different characteristics than those of normal HKc.
Do Published Studies of Educational Outreach Provide Documentation of Potentially Important Characteristics

Educational outreach is a common intervention used to translate research findings into practice; however, the intervention has a mixed effect on changing clinician behavior and improving patient outcomes. Based on a published set of characteristics aimed at standardizing the approach to educational outreach, the authors undertook a careful review of the literature to determine the consistency and completeness of documentation. Using a 25-item abstraction tool, the authors reviewed 68 published studies of a recent Cochrane meta-analysis to determine the extent to which educational outreach studies provide recommended documentation of important characteristics. The results indicate that studies are generally inconsistent (documentation range of 0% to 100% across characteristics) and incomplete (documentation average of 43.1% across studies) in their descriptions. Documentation shortcomings of educational outreach studies make understanding the intervention and interpreting its findings particularly challenging. The authors recommend the creation of a guideline to help improve documentation of educational outreach efforts.
Observations of Time Variation in the Sun's Rotation

Observations of solar p-mode frequency splittings obtained at Big Bear Solar Observatory in 1986 and during 1988-90 reveal small (∼1 percent) changes in the sun's subsurface angular velocity with solar cycle. An asymptotic inversion of the splitting data yields the latitude dependence of the rotation rate and shows that the largest changes in the angular velocity, ≈4 nanohertz, occurred between 1986 and the later years, at high (≈60°) solar latitudes. Earlier helioseismic observations suggest that solar cycle changes in the ratio of magnetic to turbulent pressure in the solar convection zone are large enough to account for the magnitude of the observed angular velocity variations but a detailed model of the phenomenon does not exist.
Peripheral brain: cephalosporins.

1. Barbara A. Jantausch, MD* 1. *Department of Infectious Diseases, Children’s National Medical Center; Associate Professor of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Describe the activity of first-generation cephalosporins and the primary infections they are used to treat. 2. Describe the activity of second-generation cephalosporins and the primary infections they are used to treat. 3. List the types of infections for which cefoxitin is used. 4. Explain the use of third-generation cephalosporins. 5. List the pathogens against which ceftazidime is effective and how the agent is used clinically. 6. Describe the pathogens against which vancomycin is effective and how the agent is used clinically. In the mid-1940s, products of the mold Cephalosporium acremonium were noted to inhibit the growth of bacteria in seawater contaminated by sewage. A decade later, cephalosporin C, the parent compound of the cephalosporins, was isolated from C acremonium . The first cephalosporin, cephalothin, was marketed in 1964. A large number of cephalosporins were developed subsequently, and today there are four generations of cephalosporins and more than 20 cephalosporin antibiotics. This review examines the properties of the first four generations of cephalosporin antibiotics, focusing on those used commonly in children. The structure of the cephalosporin antibiotic is a beta-lactam ring fused to a six-membered dihydrothiazine ring. Substitutions at positions 1, 3, and 7 of this cephem nucleus influence the chemical properties and antimicrobial spectrum of the resultant antibiotic. Cephalosporins interrupt the synthesis of the peptidoglycan component of bacterial cell walls by binding to and inhibiting penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). PBPs are enzymes located in the cytoplasmic membrane of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria that are required for cell wall synthesis. PBPs are unique in different bacterial species. The cephalosporins have varying affinities for PBPs, which helps to explain their differences in antimicrobial spectrum. Bacteria resist the antimicrobial effects of cephalosporins by: 1) altering their PBPs, 2) producing beta-lactamase enzymes that inactivate cephalosporins, and 3) changing their outer cell …
Healthy steps: A case study of innovation in pediatric practice

Healthy Steps (HS) represents a signifi- cant innovation in the way pediatric primary care can be delivered. Based on the standards and principles of Bright Futures and the American Academy of Pediatrics Health Supervision Guidelines, HS enhances and ex- pands traditional pediatric care by including a child de- velopment specialist (Healthy Steps specialist) as part of the pediatric practice team. Services offered by this per- son, typically a nurse, early childhood educator, or social worker, include more time to spend discussing preven- tive issues during well-child visits, home visits, a tele- phone information line exclusively addressing develop- mental and behavioral concerns, new written materials, and more seamless linkages to community resources and parent support groups. The original HS cohort consisted of 15 pediatric prac- tices in a variety of settings (private practices, health centers, pediatric training programs). Evaluated for the effects of HS on their family were 3737 intervention and comparison families. HS families received significantly more preventive and developmental services, compared to families in the control group. HS families were also less likely to be dissatisfied with their pediatric primary care. Additionally, HS had a positive impact on parent- ing in many areas including adherence to health visits, nutritional practices, developmental stimulation, appro- priate disciplinary techniques, and correct sleeping posi- tion. Other outcome measures (such as initiation or duration of breastfeeding, child development knowl- edge, sense of competence, and reports of child language development at 2 years of age) did not differ between intervention and comparison group. Compared to other early childhood intervention ef- forts, HS offers a comparable positive impact on parent- ing at a relatively inexpensive cost: an estimated $400 per family per year (compared to $4500 from Early Head Start). Approximately 3 years after the evaluation of HS ended, 10 of the original 24 sites are still in operation, and an additional 24 sites have started up. Although funding and reimbursement remain an important bar- rier, continued growth of HS suggests an abiding interest in this approach to expand and enhance preventive and developmental care in pediatric primary care. Pediatrics 2004;114:820-826; pediatric prevention, developmental ser- vices, parenting. ABBREVIATION. HSS, Healthy Steps specialist.
Intervention to enhance skilled arm and hand movements after stroke: A feasibility study using a new virtual reality system.

Background: Rehabilitation programs designed to develop skill in upper extremity (UE) function after stroke require progressive practice that engage and challenge the learner. Virtual realty (VR) provides a unique environment where the presentation of stimuli can be controlled systematically for optimal challenge by adapting task difficulty as performance improves. We describe four VR tasks that were developed and tested to improve arm and hand movement skills for individuals with hemiparesis. Methods: Two participants with chronic post-stroke paresis and different levels of motor severity attended 12 training sessions lasting 1 to 2 hours each over a 3-week period. Behavior measures and questionnaires were administered pre-, mid-, and post-training. Results: Both participants improved VR task performance across sessions. The less impaired participant averaged more time on task, practiced a greater number of blocks per session, and progressed at a faster rate over sessions than the more impaired participant. Impairment level did not change but both participants improved functional ability after training. The less impaired participant increased the number of blocks moved on the Box & Blocks test while the more impaired participant achieved 4 more items on the Functional Test of the Hemiparetic UE. Conclusion: Two participants with differing motor severity were able to engage in VR based practice and improve performance over 12 training sessions. We were able to successfully provide individualized, progressive practice based on each participant's level of movement ability and rate of performance improvement.
Kidney Paired Donation: Fundamentals, Limitations, and Expansions

Incompatibility between the candidate recipient and the prospective donor is a major obstacle to living donor kidney transplant. Kidney paired donation (KPD) can circumvent the incompatibility by matching them to another candidate and living donor for an exchange of transplants such that both transplants are compatible. KPD has faced legal, logistical, and ethical challenges since its inception in the 1980s. Although the full potential of this modality for facilitating transplant for individuals with incompatible donors is unrealized, great strides have been made. In this review article, we detail how several impediments to KPD have been overcome to the benefit of ever greater numbers of patients. Limitations and questions that have been addressed include blood group type O imbalance, reciprocal match requirements, simultaneous donor nephrectomy requirements, combining KPD with desensitization, the role of list-paired donation, geographic barriers, legal barriers, concerns regarding living donor safety, fragmented registries, and inefficient matching algorithms.
Application-specific CAD of VLSI second-order sections

An application-specific, very-high-level CAD (computer-aided design) tool is presented for producing very-high-throughput IIT (infinite-impulse response) filters. The architecture is a cascade of blocked, pipelined, second-order sections. It is necessary only to specify the word size w, the block size B, and each second-order section's coefficients. Using this information, the CAD tool will generate Celtech intermediate-form files for a filter system that at 10 MHz can process 5B/w million samples/s: the benefits of applying both bit-level array architecture and application-specific CAD to the problem of IIR filtering are illustrated. The resulting CAD system reduces the costs of very-high-throughput IIR filters with respect to design, fabrication, and operation. >
Smallpox and measles: historical aspects and clinical differentiation

Smallpox and measles have ravaged native populations worldwide for centuries. Millions of people have succumbed to smallpox or measles or suffered from their effects. Clinicians wonder how their predecessors confused measles with smallpox. The difficulty was in differentiating smallpox and measles in their early phases, which had important public health implications. The prodromal rash of smallpox sometimes resembled measles. Clinicians through the ages learned to differentiate smallpox and measles in their early stages. Osler's careful clinical description of prodromal smallpox is a classic in infectious diseases. Koplik's appreciation of the diagnostic significance of the spots on the buccal mucosa was another advance in the early diagnosis of measles. The clinical features and effects of measles and smallpox on history are reviewed.
Triaxial strongly deformed structures in the even-even Hf nuclei

Two rotational bands of distinct character have been identified in 164 Hf from a recent experiment at Gammasphere. They are suggested to correspond to the long- anticipated triaxial strongly deformed (TSD) bands predicted by theoretical studies. The bands are substantially stronger in intensity and are located at lower spins than the pre- viously observed TSD bands in 168 Hf, and have been linked to the known states, hereby making 164 Hf the best even-even system for the study of TSD structures in the A ∼ 160 mass region. Cranking calculations based on the modified-oscillator model suggest that the bands are associated with four-quasiparticle configurations involving high-j intruder (i13/2) 2 proton orbitals. Wobbling mode has not been observed in 164 Hf and the possible reasons are discussed.
Generic and Specific Synonymy of Mitonyssoides stercoralis Yunker, Lukoschus, and Giesen, 1990 with Coprolactistus whitakeri Radovsky and Krantz, 1998 (Acari: Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae)

Mitonyssoides stercoralis Yunker, Lukoschus, and Giesen, 1990 is recognized as a senior subjective synonym of Coprolactistus whitakeri Radovsky and Krantz, 1998, new synonymy, and therefore Mitonyssoides Yunker, Lukoschus, and Giesen, 1990 is a senior synonym of Coprolactistus Radovsky and Krantz, 1998, new synonymy. By the species synonymy reported in this work, the known range of bat guano associations for M. stercoralis is extended to include both Vespertilionidae and Molossidae. Systematic and distributional implications of the synonymies are discussed.