cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oral Corticosteroids for Pain Associated with Herpes Zoster

It is apparent from published studies that corticosteroids do not prevent the development of postherpetic neuralgia. Earlier trials that indicated some benefit in both acute neuralgia and the prevention of postherpetic neuralgia are of limited use to clinicians due to problems with uncontrolled study designs, small sample sizes, and the absence of statistical analysis of the results. The lack of a consensus definition of postherpetic neuralgia, the variable agents and dosages used, and the different pain scales reported are of concern when trying to interpret the results of these studies for their clinical significance. In more recent larger and well-designed studies, similar rates of postherpetic neuralgia were observed in the corticosteroid and control groups. As a result of these findings, corticosteroids should not be recommended for the prevention of postherpetic neuralgia. Despite lack of efficacy in preventing postherpetic neuralgia, limited studies suggest corticosteroids such as prednisone (40-60 mg/d tapered over 3 wk) are well tolerated and may confer slightly significant benefits in reducing the duration of acute neuralgia and improving quality-of-life measures. However, the clinical significance and application of these findings remain to be addressed. If corticosteroids are used for acute neuralgia, clinicians are advised to select their patients carefully. The patients treated in these studies were generally healthy and free of comorbid diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and psychiatric disorders, which can be exacerbated in the presence of corticosteroids. Although dissemination of herpes zoster has been reported infrequently, it remains a potential risk with use of corticosteroids. Until the results of these studies are repeated in more diverse patient populations, corticosteroids appear to have a limited role in the management of acute neuralgia associated with herpes zoster.
Development and Delivery of an Electroscience Curriculum for the Greenfield Coalition

This paper address the challenges associated with the development and delivery of an electroscience curriculum for the Greenfield Coalition. The Greenfield Coalition for New Manufacturing Education is a National Science Foundation-supported partnership of five diverse educational institutions, five top manufacturing companies, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, and Focus: HOPE. Greenfield was chartered to develop and produce a new innovative manufacturing technology and engineering curriculum. The development of the electroscience curriculum involves design, development, and delivery to Focus: HOPE candidates as well as an assessment of the curriculum. The project involves the innovative integration of physics and the principles of electrical engineering into one curriculum that serves candidates in three programs leading to the degrees of Associate of Science (AS), Bachelor of Engineering (BE), and Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BET). The electroscience curriculum employs computer-based instruction (CBI) is the primary mode of educational delivery. The assessment of the first delivery of this curriculum to Focus: HOPE candidates is also discussed.
Professional Development and Instructional Practice: Conceptions and Evidence of Effectiveness

As with many districtwide reform efforts, the San Diego reform sought to improve classroom instruction by focusing on building the capacity of teachers. This article examines practices of teacher professional development in the district and their impact on literacy instruction. Through examination of the literature on effective professional development, school staff's conceptions of what makes professional development effective, and detailed data on professional development experiences from 100 elementary teachers, we explore the extent to which characteristics of effective professional learning align with what is actually taking place in schools. We also examine relationships between professional development characteristics and teachers' use of instructional practices that have been shown to predict student growth in reading comprehension. We find that professional development characterized by an emphasis on content and curriculum and that incorporates coaching is related to a higher frequency of this ty...
Stability and Controllability of Euler-Bernoulli Beams With Intelligent Constrained Layer Treatments

This paper studies the stability and controllability of Euler-Bernoulli beams whose bending vibration is controlled through intelligent constrained layer (ICL) damping treatments proposed by Baz (1993) and Shen (1993, 1994). First of all, the homogeneous equation of motion is transformed into a first order matrix equation in the Laplace transform domain. According to the transfer junction approach by Yang and Tan (1992), existence of nontrivial solutions of the matrix equation leads to a closed-form characteristic equation relating the control gain and closed-loop poles of the system. Evaluating the closed-form characteristic equation along the imaginary axis in the Laplace transform domain predicts a threshold control gain above which the system becomes unstable. In addition, the characteristic equation leads to a controllability criterion for ICL beams. Moreover, the mathematical structure of the characteristic equation facilitates a numerical algorithm to determine root loci of the system. Finally, the stability and controllability of Euler-Bernoulli beams with ICL are illustrated on three cantilever beams with displacement or slope feedback at the free end.
Distribution of Norepinephrine in the Failing Bovine Heart

Studies were carried out during experimental heart failure induced in calves to compare the depletion of cardiac norepinephrine in the failing heart to the histochemical appearance of the adrenergic innervation in this tissue. A correlation has been established between the reduction of norepinephrine concentration and the changes in the distribution of the adrenergic neurotransmitter in the tissues. Absence of fluorescence in terminal varicose fibers in close association with cardiac muscle cells was characteristic of the failing heart. Little or no change occurred in preterminal fibers or in terminal fibers in connective tissue septa or around blood vessels. In two steers, recovery from heart failure was shown to be associated with a virtual restoration of the norepinephrine concentration and of thehistochemical appearance of the adrenergic nerve distribution in 28 days or less. These findings suggest that a reversible abnormality, possibly of neurotransmitter storage or synthesis, or both, is induced in...
Changes in qualities valued in children in the United States, 1964 to 1984

This paper examines changes that have occurred over the past few decades in parental assessments of qualities valued in children. Data are examined from eight NORC national surveys to assess the degree of change experienced in these parental values, and several explanations are considered for the observed changes. The major finding of this research supports earlier observations regarding changes in parental values. Those child qualities generally thought to be associated with obedience or conformity (to obey parents, to have good manners, to be neat and clean, and to act according to sex-role norms) are seen to have declined in importance, and the qualities generally associated with autonomy or self-direction (good sense and sound judgement, honesty, responsible, and considerate) have increased in their assessed importance to parents during this period. The potential sources of these changes are considered, and several explanations are examined. The results of these considerations suggest that changes in levels of schooling, a primary antecedent of parental autonomy versus conformity values, explains some of the change, and there appears to be support for the role of other cohort-related or “generational” factors. The results also provide evidence, as hypothesized, that an important source of change in parental autonomy vs. conformity values over this period is among persons of Catholic background, especially those persons born after the Great Depression. o
Theoretical Ecology: Continued growth and success

Our journal has finished another very successful year. The journal continues to attract top quality articles in a variety of areas in theoretical ecology. Among the highlights are that the journal is now covered by ISI, with all articles from the first issue of the first volume indexed in Web of Science. This coverage in such a short time since the inception of the journal is a real honor. Articles from the journal have been highlighted in the Faculty of 1000. Quantitative measures also point to continued success and growth. Submissions have grown from 39 in calendar year 2007 to 55 in 2008 to 71 in 2009. Submissions in the last year represent theoretical ecology from around the world: 20 from the United States, 20 from Europe excluding the United Kingdom, 11 from Canada, 10 from the United Kingdom, and 10 from other areas. We also have been both selective in the choices of which manuscripts to accept and have been able to reach a decision quickly. The mean time to the first decision in the last year has been 52 days, due in part to the diligence of our editors and even more to the responsibility taken on by our reviewers. The care and responsiveness of the community in reviewing manuscripts for Theoretical Ecology has been especially heartening. Reflecting the state of ecology, articles appearing in the journal during this past year are difficult to classify in a single subfield, though several areas have been the focus of a number of articles. Evolutionary ecology has been very well represented, as have been studies at the ecosystem level. Many articles have focused on areas that will be important for applications and management: understanding species invasions, and bioeconomic approaches. Reflecting current interest, several articles have considered the detection and implications of regime shifts. The journal continues to attract articles that mirror the breadth of current work in theoretical ecology, which is rapidly expanding beyond the classic approaches in population biology that date back to the early part of the twentieth century. The journal will continue to welcome contributions in all areas of theoretical ecology, ranging across all subfields of ecology, and ranging from non-mathematical approaches to computational approaches to those contributions which rely heavily on careful mathematical arguments. As stated in the aims and scope of the journal, the papers we seek “use theoretical approaches to answer questions of ecological interest and appeal to and are readable by a broad audience of ecologists.” During the next year we will look for contributions of review and synthesis papers. If you have any ideas for improvement or any other suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Exact penalty for mathematical programs with linear complementarity constraints

We establish a new general exact penalty function result for a constrained optimization problem and apply this result to a mathematical program with linear complementarity constraints
Investigation of a Planetary Differential for Use as a Continuously Variable Transmission

With gas prices and pollution on the rise, the production of electric and hybrid-electric vehicles has been a focus of all major automobile manufacturers. The further advancement of this technology must not only continue to focus on fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles, but also decrease their cost to make them more available and enticing to the general public.Results from this research include one potential solution to reduce the cost of electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. An exploration of the functionality of a Planetary Differential (PD) has shown that it can simplify expensive and complex electronic control systems for electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. This research is a furtherance of work performed previously and its main purpose is to discover a more efficient solution than what was already tested under similar circumstances. Recommendations for future work and implementation of the PD in electric and hybrid-electric vehicles are presented herein.© 2014 ASME
Scintigraphy in laryngopharyngeal and gastroesophageal reflux disease: A definitive diagnostic test?

AIM: To investigate the utility of scintigraphic studies in predicting response to laparoscopic fundoplication (LF) for chronic laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms. METHODS: Patients with upper aero-digestive symptoms that remained undiagnosed after a period of 2 mo were studied with conventional pH and manometric studies. Patients mainly complained of cough, sore throat, dysphonia and globus. These patients were imaged after ingestion of 99m-technetium diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid. Studies were quantified with time activity curves over the pharynx, upper and lower oesophagus and background. Late studies of the lungs were obtained for aspiration. Patients underwent LF with post-operative review at 3 mo after surgery. RESULTS: Thirty four patients (20 F, 14 M) with an average age of 57 years and average duration of symptoms of 4.8 years were studied. Twenty four hour pH and manometry studies were abnormal in all patients. On scintigraphy, 27/34 patients demonstrated pharyngeal contamination and a rising or flat pharyngeal curve. Lung aspiration was evident in 50% of patients. There was evidence of pulmonary aspiration in 17 of 34 patients in the delayed study (50%). Pharyngeal contamination was found in 27 patients. All patients with aspiration showed pharyngeal contamination. In the 17 patients with aspiration, graphical time activity curve showed rising activity in the pharynx in 9 patients and a flat curve in 8 patients. In those 17 patients without pulmonary aspiration, 29% (5 patients) had either a rising or flat pharyngeal graph. A rising or flat curve predicted aspiration with a positive predictive value of 77% and a negative predictive value of 100%. Over 90% of patients reported a satisfactory symptomatic response to LF with an acceptable side-effect profile. CONCLUSION: Scintigraphic reflux studies offer a good screening tool for pharyngeal contamination and aspiration in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Khan Academy and Computer Science

John Resig and Pamela Fox discuss the addition of computer science to the topics covered by Khan Academy, where instructors upload short educational lectures on YouTube. The first Web extra at http://youtu.be/veQaSgjQO2E is a video in which John Resig and Pamela Fox discuss the somewhat recent addition of computer science to the topics covered by Khan Academy, where instructors upload short educational lectures on YouTube. The second Web extra at http://youtu.be/zGvPvXKzny4 is an audio recording of the Computing Conversations column in which author Charles Severance discusses his interview with John Resig and Pamela Fox regarding the somewhat recent addition of computer science to the topics covered by Khan Academy, where instructors upload short educational lectures on YouTube.
The Junior Literary Guild and the Child Reader as Citizen

The study of American children's literature has recently turned toward institutional histories of editing, publishing, and distribution, represented by Leonard S. Marcus's Minders of Make-Believe (2008) and Jacalyn Eddy's Bookwomen: Creating an Empire in Children's Book Publishing, 1919-1939 (2006). 1 Notably, neither of these good accounts discusses the Junior Literary Guild (JLG), the most important children's book club from its founding in 1929 until the mid-1950s, when it turned its attention to serving libraries. The purpose of the present essay is to introduce the JLG into institutional histories of children's literature and to situate it within the social concerns of the afterglow of the Progressive Era. While the JLG was successful at developing and maintaining a constituency for its wares partly because it addressed structural weaknesses in distribution within children's publishing, it also negotiated and often reconciled an array of contradictory ways of framing the child reader as potential citizen. At a time when parental and institutional control of children's cultural consumption was in flux owing to new standards of child rearing and the appearance of new media that threatened reading's centrality, the JLG suggested how institutional control might foster reading as preparation for citizenship in a democracy by addressing such questions as the following: Is the reader solitary or part of a community? Should children exercise choice in their reading or should it be exercised for them? Should children read at will and primarily for pleasure, or is reading best understood, in the language of the day, to be personally or socially hygienic in some fashion? The JLG constructed a board of selectors and an advertising rhetoric that allowed it to insinuate itself between parents and children on the one hand and the newly professionalized supervisors of children's read- ing—librarians—and their clientele on the other. We might expect the commercialization of expertise to arouse opposition from constituencies
Cardiac Arrhythmias During Acute Myocardial Infarction

Dysrhythmias are common during acute myocardial infarction (AMI); these range from benign premature beats to ventricular fibrillation (VF). Reports from the early coronary-care unit (CCU) era suggested that the majority of patients with AMI have some abnormality of heart rhythm (1). In recent years, the management of arrhythmias associated with AMI has evolved significantly, along with other elements of CCU care. Malignant ventricular arrhythmias remain the cause of most prehospital sudden deaths as a result of AMI.
Comparison of Genotypic and Phylogenetic Relationships of Environmental Enterococcus Isolates by BOX-PCR Typing and 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Environmental Enterococcus spp. were compared by BOX-PCR genotyping and 16S rRNA gene sequencing to clarify the predictive relationship of BOX-PCR fingerprints to species designation. BOX-PCR and 16S rRNA gene relationships agreed for 77% of strains. BOX-PCR provided superior intraspecies discrimination but incorrectly identified some strains to the species level and divided some species into multiple groups.
A full-screen facility for defining relational and entity-relationship database schemas

An easy-to-use, interactive facility for defining schemas for a mainframe database system has been developed that is more convenient than a linear language. The facility called Dbdefs, has several features that make it easy to use. It provides similar interfaces for defining schemas for two data models, relational and entity-relationship. An overview of Dbdefs is followed by discussion of the relational and entity-relationship interfaces. >
A Unique Polyester Staple-Core / Cotton-Wrap Yarn Made on a Tandem Spinning System

A unique, all-staple, core/wrap composite yarn of relatively fine size and low core content has been developed using the air-jet spinning and friction spinning technologies in tandem. First, a fine, high tenacity polyester staple yarn of 10-tex is spun on a Murata air-jet spinner, and this yarn is then used as the core material on a Dref-3 friction spinner. The air-jet yarn is covered with a wrap or sheath of 100% cotton fibers, producing a 30-tex, 33/67 polyester/cotton, composite yarn with a nearly 100% cotton surface. We have tested the yarn for its physical and mechanical properties, including core coverage factor and strip resistance, and compared it with the equivalent size polyester staple-core/cotton-wrap yarns produced by the USDA-patented ring spinning system. Because of the relatively fine size and low core percentage of the yarn, we were unable to produce a satisfactory comparable yarn on the Dref-3 spinner alone. The new air-jet/friction spun composite yarn can be knitted and woven without en...
Single, context-specific glycans can target misfolded glycoproteins for ER-associated degradation

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) maintains an environment essential for secretory protein folding. Consequently, the premature transport of polypeptides would be harmful to the cell. To avert this scenario, mechanisms collectively termed “ER quality control” prevent the transport of nascent polypeptides until they properly fold. Irreversibly misfolded molecules are sorted for disposal by the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway. To better understand the relationship between quality control and ERAD, we studied a new misfolded variant of carboxypeptidase Y (CPY). The molecule was recognized and retained by ER quality control but failed to enter the ERAD pathway. Systematic analysis revealed that a single, specific N-linked glycan of CPY was required for sorting into the pathway. The determinant is dependent on the putative lectin-like receptor Htm1/Mnl1p. The discovery of a similar signal in misfolded proteinase A supported the generality of the mechanism. These studies show that specific signals embedded in glycoproteins can direct their degradation if they fail to fold.
An Evaluation of the Interactions of Antiestrogens with Pituitary and Striatal Dopamine Receptors

We have examined the ability of various antiestrogens (AE's) to compete with 3H-spiroperidol for binding to membrane preparations from striatal tissue and anterior pituitary glands of immature female rats in order to determine the affinity of binding of AE's to D-2 dopamine receptors. Scatchard analyses revealed the presence of a single class of high affinity receptor sites in both the striatum and pituitary with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.33 nM and 0.40 nM, respectively, for the dopamine antagonist spiroperidol. The AE's tamoxifen, 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen (TAM-OH), CI-628, LY 117018, and a structurally related compound t-butyl-phenoxyethyl diethylamine (BPEA) were all able to compete with spiroperidol for binding to D-2 receptors and demonstrated relative binding affinities of 0.4-0.06%, with spiroperidol set at 100%. Dopamine displayed a lower affinity, 0.01%. Estradiol failed to compete with spiroperidol for D-2 receptor binding while the non-steroidal estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) showed very weak competition. For the lipophilic AE's, alteration of the level of their non-specific binding greatly affected their relative affinities in these competitive binding assays. The amine side chain on an aromatic ring appears to be a critical structural requirement in allowing the AE's to bind to the dopamine receptor. The relatively low affinity of AE's for the dopamine receptor and the high degree of interaction of AE's with other proteins suggest that only limited occupancy of D-2 receptors by AE's is likely in vivo.
An Overview of the Use of Remote Embedded Sensors for Audio Acquisition and Processing

In recent decades, the cost of acoustic technologies has declined dramatically. Advances in networks, storage devices, and power management have made it practical to consider the remote location of sensors. Nonetheless, many challenges remain for the fabrication, deployment, and use of remote sensors. This paper provides an overview of the issues involved in developing remote acoustic sensors. We discuss physical design and the integration of components, data storage and communication issues, signal acquisition and classification, and the relationship of these issues to power usage requirements.
Syncope due to hyperkalemia

u t t b 45-year-old woman had a syncopal episode while reparing for some appointments. The episode was decribed as a gentle “easing down”; the patient’s husband aught her before she hit anything. She did not have any ead trauma. The past medical history was notable for ecently diagnosed carcinoma of the head of the panreas, for which she underwent biliary stent placement at nother instititution a few days before the syncopal episode. Physical examination revealed an extremely tiredppearing woman who was able to answer some quesions but had an altered level of consciousness. Her vital igns were within normal limits except for temperature, hich was 35.8°C. Extremities demonstrated pitting dema up to the knees. The rest of the physical examiation findings were normal. An electrocardiogram (EKG) was obtained immeditely and showed markedly peaked T waves, with a new eft bundle branch block (Figure 1). Because markedly levated T waves are consistent with hyperkalemia, elecrolyte levels were determined immediately and, simulaneously, treatment for hyperkalemia was instituted. he patient received 1 ampule of 10% calcium chloride nd 10 units of regular insulin intravenously, followed by ampule of D50 and 1 nebulizer treatment of 2.5 mg of lbuterol. After these measures, EKG was repeated and howed normalization of the T waves and disappearance f the left bundle branch block (Figure 2). The serum otassium level was 7.3 mEq/L. Arterial blood gas analysis revealed the following: pH .46; PCO2, 27 mm Hg; and bicarbonate, 16 mEq/L. The
CHESS: 10 Years of Research and Development in Consumer Health Informatics for Broad Populations, Including the Underserved

This paper reviews the research and development around a consumer health informatics system CHESS (The Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System) developed and tested by the Center for Health Systems Research and Analysis at the University of Wisconsin. The review places particular emphasis on what has been found with regard to the acceptance and use of such systems by high risk and underserved groups.
Psychological and Psychosocial Impairment in Preschoolers With Selective Eating

OBJECTIVE: We examined the clinical significance of moderate and severe selective eating (SE). Two levels of SE were examined in relation to concurrent psychiatric symptoms and as a risk factor for the emergence of later psychiatric symptoms. Findings are intended to guide health care providers to recognize when SE is a problem worthy of intervention. METHODS: A population cohort sample of 917 children aged 24 to 71 months and designated caregivers were recruited via primary care practices at a major medical center in the Southeast as part of an epidemiologic study of preschool anxiety. Caregivers were administered structured diagnostic interviews (the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment) regarding the child’s eating and related self-regulatory capacities, psychiatric symptoms, functioning, and home environment variables. A subset of 188 dyads were assessed a second time ∼24.7 months from the initial assessment. RESULTS: Both moderate and severe levels of SE were associated with psychopathological symptoms (anxiety, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) both concurrently and prospectively. However, the severity of psychopathological symptoms worsened as SE became more severe. Impairment in family functioning was reported at both levels of SE, as was sensory sensitivity in domains outside of food and the experience of food aversion. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that health care providers should intervene at even moderate levels of SE. SE associated with impairment in function should now be diagnosed as avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, an eating disorder that encapsulates maladaptive food restriction, which is new to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition.
Effect of p21WAF1/CIP1 Expression on Tumor Progression in Bladder Cancer

Background: Altered expression of p53 protein is an important predictor of progression in bladder cancer. The action of p53 on cell cycle regulation is mediated, in part, through expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 WAF1/CIP1 (p21). Loss of p21 expression may, therefore, contribute to tumor progression. We sought to determine the relationship between p21 expression in bladder cancer and disease progression. Methods: Tumor specimens were obtained from 242 patients who underwent cystectomy for bladder cancer. Median follow-up was 8.5 years (range, 0.1‐11.8 years). Nuclear p21 status was determined by immunohistochemistry and was then analyzed in relationship to the probability of tumor recurrence, overall survival, and tumor p53 status. Reported P values are two-sided. Results: Nuclear p21 expression was detected in the tumors of 156 (64%) of the 242 patients. Patients with p21-positive tumors had a decreased probability of tumor recurrence (P<.00001) and an increased probability of overall survival (P<.00001) in comparison with patients with p21-negative tumors. In a multivariable analysis, p21 expression was an independent predictor of tumor recurrence (P = .0017) and of survival (P = .006) when assessed with tumor grade, tumor stage, lymph node status, and p53 status. p21 expression was associated with p53 status (P<.001); 56% of tumors with p53 alterations showed loss of p21 expression, whereas 79% of tumors expressing wildtype p53 were p21 positive. Patients with p53-altered/p21negative tumors demonstrated a higher rate of recurrence and worse survival compared with those with p53-altered/ p21-positive tumors (P<.0001). Patients with p53-altered/ p21-positive tumors demonstrated a similar rate of recurrence and survival as those with p53-wild type tumors. Conclusion: Loss of p21 expression is a statistically significant and independent predictor of bladder cancer progression. Maintenance of p21 expression appears to abrogate the deleterious effects of p53 alterations on bladder cancer progression. [J Natl Cancer Inst 1998;90:1072‐9]
Confronting crime: Looking toward the twenty-first century

We have reached what may be an important turning point in the development of criminological thought and of social policy toward crime. The “conservative revolution” in criminology has lost considerable credibility, along with the entire set of minimalist strategies toward the disadvantaged that dominated social policy throughout much of the recent past. A space has opened for the development of a “social environmental” or “human-ecological” approach to crime, which combines a variety of interventions on the individual and family level with an array of broader policies aimed at controlling the social and economic forces that place individuals, families, and communities at risk in the first place.
Disposition of Bromodichloromethane in Humans Following Oral and Dermal Exposure

Exposure to bromodichloromethane (BDCM), one of the most prevalent disinfection byproducts in drinking water, can occur via ingestion of water and by dermal absorption and inhalation during activities such as bathing and showering. The objectives of this research were to assess BDCM pharmacokinetics in human volunteers exposed percutaneously and orally to 13 C-BDCM and to evaluate factors that could affect disposition of BDCM. Among study subjects, CYP2E1 activity varied fourfold; 20% had the glutathione S-transferase theta 1-1 homozygous null genotype; and body fat ranged from 7 to 22%. Subjects were exposed to 13 C-BDCM in water (target concentration of 36 μg/l) via ingestion and by forearm submersion. Blood was collected for up to 24 h and analyzed for 13 C-BDCM by solid-phase microextraction and high-resolution GC-MS. Urine was collected before and after exposure for mutagenicity determinations in Salmonella. After ingestion (mean dose = 146 ng/kg), blood 13 C-BDCM concentrations peaked and declined rapidly, returning to levels near or below the limit of detection (LOD) within 4 h. The T max for the oral exposure ranged from 5 to 30 min, and the C max ranged from 0.4 to 4.1 ng/l. After the 1 h dermal exposure (estimated mean dose = 155 ng/kg), blood concentrations of 13 C-BDCM ranged from 39 to 170 ng/l and decreased to levels near or below the LOD by 24 h. Peak postdose urine mutagenicity levels that were at least twice that of the predose mean level occurred in 6 of 10 percutaneously exposed subjects and 3 of 8 orally exposed subjects. These results demonstrate a highly significant contribution of dermal absorption to circulating levels of BDCM and confirm the much lower oral contribution, indicating that water uses involving dermal contact can lead to much greater systemic BDCM doses than water ingestion. These data will facilitate development and validation of physiologically based pharmacokinetic models for BDCM in humans.
Participation of Patients 65 Years of Age or Older in Cancer Clinical Trials

Purpose: Although 61% of new cases of cancer occur among the elderly, recent studies indicate that the elderly comprise only 25% of participants in cancer clinical trials. Further investigation into the reasons for low elderly participation is warranted. Our objective was to evaluate the participation of the elderly in clinical trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and assess the impact of protocol exclusion criteria on elderly participation. Patients and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis using NCI data, analyzing patient and trial characteristics for 59,300 patients enrolled onto 495 NCI-sponsored, cooperative group trials, active from 1997 through 2000. Our main outcome measure was the proportion of elderly patients enrolled onto cancer clinical trials compared with the proportion of incident cancer patients who are elderly. Results: Overall, 32% of participants in phase II and III clinical trials were elderly, compared with 61% of patients with incident cancers in the Uni...
Coronary Magnetic Resonance Imaging

This article highlights the technical challenges and general imaging strategies for coronary MRI. This is followed by a review of the clinical results for the assessment of anomalous CAD, coronary artery aneurysms, native vessel integrity, and coronary artery bypass graft disease using the more commonly applied MRI methods. It concludes with a brief discussion of the advantages/disadvantages and clinical results comparing coronary MRI with multidetector CT (MDCT) coronary angiography.
Collaborations Between Criminal Justice and Mental Health Systems for Prisoner Reentry

Objective: This study assessed reentry programs throughout the nation for people with mental illness who were leaving prisons or jails and developed a classification of service strategies based on practices that are emerging in the field in response to this need. Methods: A national survey identified service strategies that assist people who are incarcerated in prisons or jail and have a mental illness reenter the community. Data were used to develop a typology of reentry service strategies. Results: Fiftyeight reentry programs were identified. Program descriptions were developed for 50. Findings supported the use of a 2×2 typology of initiatives, with one factor being whether the criminal justice or mental health system initiated the program and the other being the degree of collaboration between the two systems. Conclusions: If the funding trend indicated by this survey continues, the criminal justice system will become a primary funder of treatment services for offenders with mental illness who are returning to the community. No one knows how this shift in funding will affect the provision of mental health services. (Psychiatric Services 57:875–878, 2006)
Dislocation substructures in tantalum and tantalum–nitrogen alloys deformed at 77 °K

Dislocation arrangements produced by tensile deformation at 77 °K of Ta–N alloy single crystals containing up to 15000 at ppm N have been investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The structures are dominated by primary screw dislocations plus secondary screw dislocations, 〈100〉 reaction dislocations and debris in the form of dipoles and loops. The effect of increasing N content is to produce longer screw dislocations and decrease the amount of debris. In the most concentrated alloys are significant numbers of non-screw glide-loop ends seen. The most important effect of N is to decrease the amount of cross-slip by increasing the frictional stress acting on the screw dislocations. Edge dislocations are relatively unaffected. Die durch Zugdeformation bei 77 °K hervorgerufenen Versetzungsanordnungen in Ta–N-Legierungseinkristallen mit bis zu 15000 At ppm N wurden mit Transmissionselektronen mikroskopie untersucht. Die Strukturen werden durch primare Schraubenversetzungen und sekundare Schraubenversetzungen, 〈100〉-Reaktionsversetzungen und Bruchstucken in Form von Dipolen und Schleifen bestimmt. Steigender N-Zusatz ruft langere Schrauben-versetzungen hervor und vermindert den Beitrag der Bruchstucke. In den konzentriertesten Legierungen werden betrachtliche Anzahlen von Gleitschleifenenden beobachtet. Der bedeutendste Einflus von N besteht in der Erniedrigung des Beitrages von Cross-Gleitung durch Anwachsen der Reibungsspannung fur die Schraubenversetzungen. Stufen-versetzungen sind relativ unbeeinflust.
Optimal Operation of Multireservoir Systems: State-of-the-Art Review

With construction of new large-scale water storage projects on the wane in the U.S. and other developed countries, attention must focus on improving the operational effectiveness and efficiency of existing reservoir systems for maximizing the beneficial uses of these projects. Optimal coordination of the many facets of reservoir systems requires the assistance of computer modeling tools to provide information for rational management and operational decisions. The purpose of this review is to assess the state-of-the-art in optimization of reservoir system management and operations and consider future directions for additional research and application. Optimization methods designed to prevail over the high-dimensional, dynamic, nonlinear, and stochastic characteristics of reservoir systems are scrutinized, as well as extensions into multiobjective optimization. Application of heuristic programming methods using evolutionary and genetic algorithms are described, along with application of neural networks and fuzzy rule-based systems for inferring reservoir system operating rules.
A Phased-Array Stimulator System for Studying Planar and Curved Cardiac Activation Wavefronts

Wavefront propagation in cardiac tissue is affected greatly by the geometry of the wavefront. We describe a computer-controlled stimulator system that creates reproducible wavefronts of a predetermined shape and orientation for the investigation of the effects of wavefront geometry. We conducted demonstration experiments on isolated perfused rabbit hearts, which were stained with the voltage-sensitive dye, di-4-ANEPPS. The wavefronts were imaged using a laser and a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. The stimulator and imaging systems have been used to characterize the relationship between wavefront velocity and fiber orientation. This approach has potential applications in investigating curvature effects, testing numerical models of cardiac tissue, and creating complex wavefronts using one-, two-, or three-dimensional electrode arrays.
Public Archaeology and Critical Histories: Collaborative Archaeology in Southern Illinois

This article considers how historical archaeologists and scholars of African-American heritage can work to decolonize existing historical narratives about our communities. I discuss an archaeological and historical work on a farmstead in rural southern Illinois, occupied by my African-American ancestors from the early nineteenth century onward. This project’s goals are multi-faceted. I seek to contribute to the often-invisible histories of Black pioneers, and to undertake an excavation open to the public, aided by community participation, and centered on community members’ questions about the area’s past. While my professional research questions focus on examining the material residues of changing processes of racialization in the nineteenth century, as a stakeholder and community member my research goals focus on making archaeological history accessible to a rural community.
Fast object recognition in noisy images using simulated annealing

A fast simulated annealing algorithm is developed for automatic object recognition. The object recognition problem is addressed as the problem of best describing a match between a hypothesized object and an image. The normalized correlation coefficient is used as a measure of the match. Templates are generated on-line during the search by transforming model images. Simulated annealing reduces the search time by orders of magnitude with respect to an exhaustive search. The algorithm is applied to the problem of how landmarks, e.g., traffic signs, can be recognized by a navigating robot. We illustrate the performance of our algorithm with real-world images of complicated scenes with traffic signs. False positive matches occur only for templates with very small information content. To avoid false positive matches, we propose a method to select model images for robust object recognition by measuring the information content of the model images. The algorithm works well in noisy images for model images with high information content. >
The Neonatal Transitional Circulation: A Combined Noninvasive Assessment

Dramatic changes occur in the circulation of the newborn during the transition from fetal to neonatal life. Closure of the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus, decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance, and improvement in right ventricular compliance are among these changes. These physiologicalanatomical events were characterized by means of two-dimensional, Doppler and color flow echocardiography. Forty-five full-term infants (22 male, 23 female) were studied at a mean age of 4.2 hours (T1), 25.5 hours (T2), 49.8 hours (T3), and 73.8 hours (T4) by two-dimensional, Doppler and color flow echocardiography. At T1, T2, T3, and T4, the ductus arteriosus was patent by color flow echocardiography in 100%, 34%, 22%, and 11%, respectively. Conversely, patency of the ductus by Doppler alone was detected in 100% (T1), 13% (T2, T3), and 11% (T4). Reversal of flow in the descending aorta, reflective of diastolic ductal filling, was not sensitive in detecting ductal patency (T1 50%, T2 3%, T3 and T4 O%). The patency of the foramen ovale was noted to decrease over the course of the study. Right ventricular compliance was quantitatively assessed by pulsed-Doppler diastolic properties (E-to-A ratio). This changed significantly from T1 to T4 (0.90 to 0.97) reflecting improving compliance of the right ventricle. The ratio of acceleration to ejection time, a Doppler estimation measure of pulmonary vascular resistance, increased from 0.28 to 0.33 (T1 to T4) reflecting a decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance. The incidence of tricuspid regurgitation detected by color flow mapping was 100% throughout the course of the study in multiple views. In comparison, tricuspid regurgitation detected by Doppler interrogation without color flow guidance was only present in 94% (T1), 53% (T2), 52% (T3), and 33% (T4) of infants studied. Timing of foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus closure can be determined noninvasively with great sensitivity. Changes in right ventricular compliance and pulmonary vascular resistance can also be assessed noninvasively. The presence of tricuspid regurgitation was appreciated best by use of color flow mapping. Echocardiography is a useful tool in assessing the neonatal transitional circulation.
Comparative Assessment of Mitral Regurgitation Severity by Transthoracic Echocardiography and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Using an Integrative and Quantitative Approach.

Although transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) are validated in quantitation of mitral regurgitation (MR), discrepancies may occur. This study assesses the agreement between TTE and CMR in MR and evaluates characteristics and clinical outcome of patients with discrepancy. From our institutional database, 70 subjects with MR underwent both TTE and CMR within 30 days (median 3 days). MR was evaluated semiquantitatively (n = 70) using a 4-grade scale and quantitatively (n = 60) with calculation of regurgitant volume (RVol) and regurgitant fraction (RF). Of the 70 subjects, qualitative assessment by TTE yielded 30 subjects with mild MR, 17 moderate, and 23 moderately severe or severe MR. Exact concordance in MR grade was seen in 50% and increased to 91% when considering concordance within one grade of severity (κ = 0.44). A modest correlation was observed for RVol and RF between both methods (r = 0.59 and 0.54, respectively, p 20%); the frequency of secondary MR was higher (100% vs 46%; p = 0.003) in patients with discrepancy. Although interobserver variability in RF was higher with TTE compared with CMR (-5.5 ± 15% vs 0.1 ± 7.3%), patients with discrepancy were equally distributed by severity and clinical outcome without an overestimation by either method. In conclusion, there is a modest agreement between TTE and CMR in assessing MR severity. In patients with discrepancy, there is a higher prevalence of functional MR, without a consistent overestimation of MR severity by either method.
An Investigation on Flame-Spreading Process of Thin Film Mg/PTFE/Mg Pyrotechnics

abstract An experimental study of flame-spreading behavior over thin Mg/PTFE/Mg (magnesium/poly-tetrafluoroethylene/magnesium) films with a thickness of 10/25/10 μm was conducted in both a pure argon and a 10% oxygen/90% argon environment. The objectives of this research was to determine the effect of initial chamber pressure, gap width between two adjacent films, and ambient gas composition on the flame-spreading rate (VFS) of Mg/PTFE/Mg pyrotechnic films. The flame-spreading rate was deduced from the flame-front trajectory measured by an array of fast-response lead-selenide (Pb-Se) infrared photodetectors. The initial chamber pressure was varied from 0.1 to 20.8 MPa. For tests with two films aligned in parallel, the gap width was varied from 50 to 400 um. For single-film tests, VFS was found to decrease as the initial chamber pressure increased; this observed trend is believed to be caused by a greater heat loss to ambient gases in a higher pressure environment. For double-film tests, results showed the...