cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trends in Midwife‐Attended Births, 1989 to 2007

Introduction: Rates of births attended by certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) rose throughout the 1990s and into the early part of this century, when rates leveled at about 7%. Methods: The data in this report are based on records gathered as part of the US National Standard Certificate of Live Birth from the public use Web site, VitalStats, that allows users to create and download specialized tables. Results: For the first time since such data were available in 1989, births attended by CNMs declined from the previous year in absolute terms, as a proportion of all births, and as a proportion of vaginal births. After an all-time high of 317,168 in 2006, CNM-attended births declined marginally to 316,811 in 2007. With total births reaching a US record of 4,316,233 births, the CNM proportion of total births declined for the fifth straight year to 7.3%, the same proportion as in 1999. Births attended by “other midwives” rose substantially to 23,943 although some of that increase may be the result of misclassification of CNM births in some states into the other midwife category. Discussion: The proportion of CNM births has remained steady at between 7.3% and 7.6% since 1999. However, when the number of births attended by CNMs is combined with the number attended by other midwives, their number reached an all-time high in 2007.
Effect of the convulsant methionine sulfoximine on the in vivo uptake and metabolism of D-methionine in rat brain.

SUMMARY D-methionine was administered intraperitoneally to rats in tracer (22.5 pmoles/kg) and large doses (4.7 mmoles/kg) and the brain levels of total (D + L) methionine, as well as of cysteine (+cystine) and glutathione were determined. The effect of co-administering the convulsant agent, L-methionine-DL-sulfoximine (MSO) was also examined. The administration of tracer doses of Cl2-D-methionine resulted in a doubling of total brain methionine within 4 hours post-injection, but only in a moderate increase of the levels of cysteine. When C14-D-methionine was used as tracer, the peak increase of the isotopic methionine pool and a peak accumulation of 0.35 "/o of the injected radioactivity were noted in the brain within 1.5 hours. When 4.7 mmoles/kg of D-methionine were administered, total brain methionine and cysteine increased by 4and 3-fold respectively, the former peaking at 1.5 hr and the latter at 2.5 hr post-injection. The administration of MSO retarded the attainment of these peaks. It could also be shown that while about 65% of the total brain methionine existed as the D-isomer 1.5 hr after its administration, only 46% was still present as the D-isomer 0.5 hr later. When MSO was administered simultaneously with D-methionine, the corresponding percentage values stood at 70% at 1.5 and at 2 hr. The results, therefore, suggest that even though D-methionine reaches the brain largely unchanged, its uptake and its conversion to the natural L-isomer may be inhibited by MSO under certain conditions and hence its conversion to cysteine retarded.
Potential Scoring Problems Using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II Mental Scale.

When testing children with developmental delays on the BSID-II Mental Scale, the examiner has the option of starting at the child's chronological age (CA) or at the child's estimated level of funct...
Size distribution of large aerosol particles during AGASP-II: Absence of st. augustine eruptive particles in the Alaskan Arctic

Number distribution data for 0.1–45 μm diameter aerosol were obtained using optical counting and sizing probes flown over the Alaskan Arctic during the second Arctic Gas and Aerosol Sampling Program (AGASP-II), flights 201–203. Due to noise present in the lowest size channels of the optical probes, estimates of the H2SO4 component of Arctic haze were not attempted. Large particle (> 0.5 μm diameter) results are presented here. Large particle number and volume concentration were determined along with estimated mass, which was generally 0.3 μg m−3 mass loading sizedistributed aerosol data produced a means for comparing volume geometric median diameters (VGMD) for these higher-mass time intervals. These VGMDs showed that solid crustal particles previously observed during AGASP-II had VGMDs in the 1.2–1.6 μm range and that the shape of these fitted lognormal distributions was essentially constant. This result suggests very-long-range transport from a distant crustal source and, in conjunction with aerosol physical and chemical characterization data, argues against the presence of the Mt. Augustine eruptive particles during AGASP-II Alaskan Arctic sampling.
Multi-Stage Parametric Amplification

A numerical simulation using split step method is done on optical parametric down conversion cascaded crystal system to compare the efficiencies from both stages. The M2 values for output idler are found to be 1.01.
Advances in Extracting Cloud Composition Information from Spaceborne Infrared Radiances—A Robust Alternative to Brightness Temperatures. Part I: Theory

Abstract Infrared measurements can be used to obtain quantitative information on cloud microphysics, including cloud composition (ice, liquid water, ash, dust, etc.), with the advantage that the measurements are independent of solar zenith angle. As such, infrared brightness temperatures (BT) and brightness temperature differences (BTD) have been used extensively in quantitative remote sensing applications for inferring cloud composition. In this study it is shown that BTDs are fundamentally limited and that a more physically based infrared approach can lead to significant increases in sensitivity to cloud microphysics, especially for optically thin clouds. In lieu of BTDs, a derived radiative parameter β, which is directly related to particle size, habit, and composition, is used. Although the concept of effective absorption optical depth ratios β has been around since the mid-1980s, this is the first study to explore the use of β for inferring cloud composition in the total absence of cloud vertical bou...
Secreted proteins of normal and myc-ras oncogene transformed rat embryo fibroblasts

Quiescent cultures of rat embryo fibroblasts synthesize and secrete several proteins in response to mitogenic stimulation. Two of these proteins have been characterized in this study and the effect of oncogenic transformation on these proteins was monitored. A serum induced 48,000 protein was shown to be related to plasminogen activator inhibitor while another serum-induced protein of Mr 45,000 was found to be an inhibitor of DNA synthesis. Transformation of rat embryo fibroblasts with oncogenes myc and ras resulted in drastic reduction in the level of these proteins. The reduced levels of protease inhibitor may be responsible for the loss of anchorage dependence of the transformed cells. The DNA synthesis inhibitor protein may act as a negative growth regulator and reduced levels of this protein in myc-ras transformed cells may accelerate the proliferation of these cells.
Routine verification of strength of 137Cs brachytherapy sources using a NaI detector.

An inexpensive and easy method of calibration of brachytherapy137Cs tubes is described. Cesium brachytherapy sources are calibrated relative to an NIST‐calibrated source. The detection system is a NaI detector and single channel analyzer with the window set on the photo peak.
Analysis of Urban-Rural Canopy Using a Surface Heat Flux/Temperature Model

Abstract A one-dimensional numerical model, capable of simulating surface temperature and heat flux, is described in terms of the effective atmospheric and terrain variables. The two model parameters which are most responsible for the formation of important temperature variations in the horizontal over the urban-rural complex are the thermal inertia (thermal property) and moisture availability, the former being most responsible for shaping the nighttime temperature pattern while the latter has a greater effect during the day. The controlling substrate variables are not easily determinable by direct measurement over a surface consisting of an inhomogeneous agglomerate of elements. We present one method whereby surface temperature, a more readily obtainable quantity, can be used in conjunction with the surface model to determine by numerical or graphical inversion of the latter the effective values of moisture availability and thermal inertia and thereby provide a quantitative framework for analysis of a ro...
Understanding the Antikythera Mechanism

In 1900, a party of sponge divers chanced on the wreck of a Roman merchant vessel between Crete and mainland Greece. It was found to contain numerous ancient Greek treasures, among them a mysterious lump of clay that split open to reveal ‘mathematical gears’ as it dried out. Constructed in roughly 150 B.C.E., this object is now known as the Antikythera Mechanism, one of the most enlightening artifacts in terms of revealing the advanced nature of ancient Greek science and technology. In 2005 we travelled to the National Archeological Museum in Athens to apply our Reflectance Imaging methods to the mechanism in the hopes of revealing ancient writing on the device. We were successful, and along with the results of Microfocus CT imaging, we are able to decipher 3000 characters compared with the original 800 known. This lead to an understanding that the device was a mechanical, astronomical computer capable of predicting solar and lunar eclipses along with other celestial events. This talk will overview both the imaging methods as well as what they reveal about the Antikythera Mechanism.
Murder and (of?) the likelihood principle: A Trialogue

The Likelihood Principle of Bayesian inference asserts that only likelihoods matter to single-stage inference. A likelihood is the probability of evidence given a hypothesis multiplied by a positive constant. The constant cancels out of simple versions of Bayes's Theorem, and so is irrelevant to single-stage inferences. Most non-statistical inferences require a multi-stage path from evidence to hypotheses; testimony that an event occurred does not guarantee that in fact it did. Hierarchical Bayesian models explicate such cases. For such models, the Likelihood Principle applies to a collection of data elements treated as a single datum conditionally independent of other similar collections. It does not necessarily apply to a single data element taken alone. This has unfortunate implications; in particular, it does not permit the inputs to Bayesian arithmetic at all levels to be likelihood ratios. These issues are sorted out in the context of a trial in which one author is accused of murdering another, with the third as a key witness.
Goldfish retinotectal transmission in vitro: component current sink-source pairs isolated by varying calcium and magnesium levels.

Abstract Field potentials and radial current source-densities (CSDs) evoked by optic tract stimulation were observed in goldfish tectum in vitro. The effects of different concentrations of calcium and magnesium were studied to improve understanding of component events in retinotectal transmission and interpretations of effects of pharmacological agents. Responses were of 3 forms: ‘non-synaptic’, ‘subthreshold’, and ‘complex’. Subthreshold responses occurred when amplitudes were less than 40% of their maximal levels. They consisted of a sink-source pair with the sink in the superficial optic neuropil and the source 100–150 μm deeper. They were monophasic, rising in 1–2 ms and decaying as simple exponentials with time constants between 3.3 and 4.5 ms. Several other conditions which reduce amplitudes (besides low [Ca2+] and/or high [Mg2+]) produce responses of the subthreshold form. Complex responses, observed when amplitudes were 40–100% of maximal, were characterized by more rapid rise and decay and included, in the most extreme cases, a late, long, low-amplitude sink-source pair of opposite polarity. We propose that the time course of decay of subthreshold responses is determined by the passive cable properties of bi- or multistratified neurons with one dendritic arbor in the optic neuropil and a second arbor 100–250 μm deeper. Complex responses probably include recurrent inhibition to depolarized dendrites of the optic neuropil, latent by 4 ms to the monosynaptic excitation. Pharmacological assessments of retinotectal transmission may be made more precise by using low [Ca2+]/high [Mg+] media to isolate monosynaptic activity.
Group B streptococcal endocarditis presenting with bilateral trapezius myalgias

I describe a patient with bilateral trapezius myalgias as a presenting manifestation of group B streptococcal endocarditis. Diffuse myalgias occur in association with bacterial endocarditis. However, localized trapezius myalgias have not been reported. Physicians should consider the diagnosis of endocarditis in patients with this complaint.
Clinical and pathological significance of the level and extent of capsular invasion in clinical stage T1-2 prostate cancer.

Abstract This study was performed to assess the relationship between the level and extent of prostatic capsular invasion (PCI) by cancer and the clinical and pathological features and prognosis of early-stage prostate cancer. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the clinical (age, stage, grade, prostate specific antigen [PSA] level) and pathological (tumor volume, stage, grade, surgical margins) features of 688 patients treated with radical prostatectomy to determine the pathological features and probability of recurrence associated with various levels of PCI. Radical prostatectomy specimens were serially sectioned and examined by whole-mount technique. Progression-free probabilities (PFP) after radical prostatectomy were determined by Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Progression was defined as a rising serum PSA ≥ 0.4 ng/mL or clinical evidence of recurrent cancer. Increasing clinical stage, Gleason grade in the biopsy specimen, and pretreatment serum PSA levels were each associated with increasing levels of PCI ( P P P P P 3 ) or poorly differentiated (Gleason sum up to 8) cancers. Invasion into the capsule (n = 271) was occasionally associated with SVI (6%) or +LN (3%) and a significantly (log-rank test) lower PEP of 87% at 5 years. Focal and extensive extraprostatic extension (EPE) were associated with progressively increased risk of SVI and +LN and lower PFP (73% and 42%, respectively). In a multivariate analysis, the level of PCI was an independent prognostic factor ( P
Review of self-administration

The reinforcing properties of drugs can be evaluated pre-clinically using self-administration procedures in laboratory animals. This paper reviews self-administration studies of the four opioid agonist/antagonist analgesics pentazocine, butorphanol, nalbuphine and buprenorphine, and compares these results to those from studies of morphine and cyclazocine. All four agonist/antagonists possess reinforcing properties under at least some test conditions. In this respect they more resemble morphine than cyclazocine. These results suggest that they all may have some potential for recreational use. On the other hand, some data point to a lower reinforcing efficacy for these agonist/antagonists than for the pure agonists such as morphine. Studies comparing the reinforcing efficacy among the agonist/antagonists are also reviewed, however more data are needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn within the class.
Participation in Construction Management Student Competitions: Perceived Positive and Negative Effects

In the discipline of construction management (CM) student competitions are well thought of and typically have good construction industry support. However, little published research is available addressing them. This study provides empirical research documenting the positive and negative effects of CM competition participation. Data was collected via interviews and a survey. Using a grounded theory design eleven positive and four negative themes emerged including: confidence, connecting all the dots, industry involvement, leadership, motivation, presentation skills, problem-solving, real world experience, teamwork, and time management. The negative effects include: false expectations, resources, scoring methods, and time. As a grounded theory study, a three step coding process was used. The first step, open coding, identified the specific positive and negative effects. Construction industry involvement was identified as the central phenomenon through the second step, axial coding. Selective coding, the thi...
Imagining Religions in a Trinidad Village: The Africanity of the Spiritual Baptist Movement and the Politics of Comparing Religions

The Herskovitses went to Trinidad in search of continuities between African and Trinidadian social life, but wrote that Trinidadians they met were indifferent to the existence of such continuities. Their questions of African origins struck chords in a larger web of contestations over the colonial definition and repression of certain religious practices and communities on the island, in particular the so-called “Shouters,” or Spiritual Baptists. Through a close reading of the Herskovitses’ field notes, rather than indifference to connections with Africa, this article tries to flesh out what people were interested in, and what was at stake in emphasizing or marginalizing differences, similarities, or connections between religions (African or otherwise) given who was speaking to whom in what context.
Serotonergic interactions with rat cerebellar Purkinje cells.

Abstract Recent immunocytochemical and histofluorescent studies have established the vastness of the serotonergic fibers arising from the raphe complex and projecting to the cerebellar cortex. Ultrastructurally, the indoleaminergic fibers are known to establish synaptic contacts as well as diffuse meandering nonsynaptic terminations near Purkinje cells. The objective of this study was to define the changes elicited by serotonin on spontaneous and chemically- and electrically-evoked excitatory synaptic activities on cerebellar Purkinje cells. Serotonin (10–50 nA) applied for 30–60 sec elicited predominantly a decrease in firing rate followed by rebound excitation (25 cells out of a total of 39 cells). Studies in which serotonin was continuously iontophoresed for prolonged periods, this amine produced an increase in the spontaneous firing rate in 55% of the Purkinje cells tested. A comparison of evoked excitation and spontaneous activity revealed that when serotonin was applied continuously there was a net decrease in evoked excitation to spontaneous activity ratio. Based on the evoked excitation studies, glutamate (5–30 nA) was applied for 30–40 sec in the presence of serotonin (10–30 nA). Seventy-seven percent of the cells displayed a decrease in responsiveness to glutamate while the remaining 23% were potentiated. More definitive explanation of these results are given in the body of the text.
Robust State Estimation with Sparse Outliers

One of the major challenges for state estimation algorithms, such as the Kalman filter, is the impact of outliers that do not match the assumed process and measurement noise. When these errors occu...
60. Radiation Improves Local Delivery of a Virus-Mimicking Nanostructure Complex in Tumors

Top of pageAbstract Efficiency and specificity of gene delivery to tumors are major concerns in cancer gene therapy. We have previously used regional ionizing radiation to improve adenovirus uptake and to enhance gene expression in intrahepatic tumors (Zhang, M, et al. Mol Ther. 2003, 8:21-28; Qian, J, et al. Cancer Res. 2005, 65:5493-5497). However, non-specific gene expression and cytotoxicity in normal liver is still inevitable. Here, we explore the potentials of radiation in improving gene delivery by a virus-mimicking nanostructure complex, transferrin (Tf)-cationic liposome-DNA complex (Tf- lipoplex) (Liang, Xu, et al. Human Gene Ther. 2002, 13:469-481). Tf-lipoplex cocondensated with plasmid encoding CMV-GFP (Tf- lipoplex-GFP) was highly efficient in transducing various cancer cell lines of lung (LLC1, H1299), colon (CT26, LoVo), prostate (PC3), liver (HepG2) as well as normal hepatocyte (WB) and macrophage (MH-S). Pre-treatment of cells with radiation significantly increased GFP expression (folds) in WB (4.09), LLC1 (3.46), H1299 (2.19), HepG2 (2.15), and CT26 (2.10) in a radiation dose-dependent manner. These inductions were most effective when Tf-lipoplex-GFP was applied immediately after radiation and were diminished mostly by a 24-h delayed transfection. In contrast, radiation failed to induce GFP expression in all cells transduced by a Tf-deficient complex (Liposome-GFP) regardless of radiation doses and time, suggesting that Tf receptor-mediated internalization of the complex may be activated during radiation. Radiation on cells pre-incubated with Tf-lipoplex-GFP had no induction on gene expression. Cellular binding and uptake of the complex in WB and LLC1 cells were significantly increased by 2 Gy of radiation ( 4- fold) for 15'. Radiation-induced transgene expression in tumor was further investigated in mice bearing subcutaneous LLC1 tumors by using complex containing plasmid encoding CMV-LacZ gene (Tf- lipoplex-LacZ). Regional radiation followed by intravenous injection of complex markedly induced LacZ expression in tumor xenografts in a radiation dose-dependent fashion while no or minimal LacZ expression was observed in normal liver, or lung and spleen. Moreover, LacZ-containing DNA contents in irradiated tumors were increased in correlation with increased LacZ expression, suggesting that radiation may induce complex uptake in tumors. We conclude that radiation improves Tf-lipoplex gene delivery in tumors both in vitro and in vivo. These findings should provide us insight in developing ligand-specific liposome complex for targeted gene delivery for human cancer gene therapy.
Comments on “geometrical changes during the internal rotation in ethane”

Abstract The numerical data published by the author in a letter dealing with geometrical changes during internal rotation in ethane are reconsidered. It turns out that the findings contained in that letter are more in agreement with those of other authors than previously stated. Both the CC bond length and CCH angles are found to increase by about 1%, going from staggered to eclipsed ethane, and the effect of optimization of geometry on the rotation barrier is a lowering by about 10%.
Stylus user interfaces for manipulating text

Abstract This paper is concerned with pen-based (also called stylus-based) computers. Two of the key questions for such computers are how to interface to handwriting recognition algorithms, and whether there are interfaces that can effectively exploit the differences between a stylus and a keyboard/mouse. We describe prototypes that explore each of these questions. Our text entry tool is designed around the idea that handwriting recognition algorithms will always be error prone, and has a different flavor from existing systems. Our prototype editor goes beyond the usual gesture editors used with styli and is based on the idea of leaving the markups visible.
Photon-Count Distributions and Irradiance Fluctuations of a Log-Normally Distributed Light Field*

We discuss some experimental results concerning the statistical properties of a light beam scattered by a rotating ground glass with large surface inhomogeneities (average size 20 μm), when the illuminated area of the scattering surface contains only a few scattering centers. Photon-count distribution measurements indicate that, to a high degree of accuracy, the field amplitude of the scattered light fluctuates as a log-normal variate. The irradiance correlation function is a gaussian function of time with a half-width at half-height that varies inversely with the angular speed of the ground glass but is largely independent of the angle of scattering. Identical functional dependence was previously found, using a ground glass with much smaller surface inhomogeneities (average size 1 μm). Finally, we report some experimental tests of a recent calculation by Mitchell concerning what has been defined as the permanence of the log-normal distribution. We find that, even when the detecting surface of the photomultiplier is illuminated by several coherence areas of the scattered field during a single counting interval, the field-amplitude distribution remains log-normal to an excellent approximation.
Characterization of Plasmon Coupling Between Gold Nanospheres Using Polarization Control

Single gold nanospheres sense local dielectric environment but are influenced by plasmonic coupling of proximal pairs. Polarization control separates these two effects, allowing both RI sensing and measurement of interparticle distance, with potential biological applications.
Dynamic Regulation of Synaptic GABA Release by the Glutamate-Glutamine Cycle in Hippocampal Area CA1

Vesicular GABA and intraterminal glutamate concentrations are in equilibrium, suggesting inhibitory efficacy may depend on glutamate availability. Two main intraterminal glutamate sources are uptake by neuronal glutamate transporters and glutamine synthesized through the astrocytic glutamate-glutamine cycle. We examined the involvement of the glutamate-glutamine cycle in modulating GABAergic synaptic efficacy. In the absence of neuronal activity, disruption of the glutamate-glutamine cycle by blockade of neuronal glutamine transport with α-(methylamino) isobutyric acid (MeAIB; 5 mm) or inhibition of glutamine synthesis in astrocytes with methionine sulfoximine (MSO; 1.5 mm) had no effect on miniature IPSCs recorded in hippocampal area CA1 pyramidal neurons. However, after a period of moderate synaptic activity, application of MeAIB, MSO, or dihydrokainate (250 μm; an astrocytic glutamate transporter inhibitor) significantly reduced evoked IPSC (eIPSC) amplitudes. The MSO effect could be reversed by exogenous application of glutamine (5 mm), whereas glutamine could not rescue the eIPSC decreases induced by the neuronal glutamine transporter inhibitor MeAIB. The activity-dependent reduction in eIPSCs by glutamate-glutamine cycle blockers was accompanied by an enhanced blocking effect of the low-affinity GABAA receptor antagonist, TPMPA [1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl)methylphosphinic acid], consistent with diminished GABA release. We further corroborated this hypothesis by examining MeAIB effects on minimal stimulation-evoked quantal IPSCs (meIPSCs). We found that, in MeAIB-containing medium, moderate stimulation induced depression in potency of meIPSCs but no change in release probability, consistent with reduced vesicular GABA content. We conclude that the glutamate-glutamine cycle is a major contributor to synaptic GABA release under physiological conditions, which dynamically regulates inhibitory synaptic strength.
Testing the Perrone and Stone (1994) Model of Heading Estimation

Human observers cannot judge heading accurately in the presence of simulated gaze rotations under many conditions [Royden et al. (1994). Vision Research, 34, 3197-3214]. They make errors in the direction of rotation with magnitudes proportional to the rotation rate. Two hypotheses have been advanced to explain this phenomenon. The extra-retinal-signal hypothesis states that the observer's estimate of gaze rotation is always based on an extra-retinal signal such as an efference copy. In the absence of such a signal, the observer assumes that no rotation has taken place and responds accordingly. The retinal-image hypothesis states that visual input dominates when the extra-retinal signal is small or absent; under this hypothesis, errors with simulated rotations are the consequence of faulty visual mechanisms. Perrone and Stone [(1994). Vision Research, 34, 2917-2938] proposed a model that purports to account for these errors using retinal-image information (optic flow) alone; its assumptions make it inefficient under some conditions. The most important of these assumptions is that the fixated target is stationary with respect to the world (the gaze-stabilization constraint). I compared the model's performance to human data from two experiments of Royden et al. [(1994). Vision Research, 34, 3197-3214]. One experiment simulated translation while tracking a target attached to the scene (gaze-stabilized), while the other simulated translation while tracking a target that was not attached (gaze-unstabilized). The incorporation of the gaze-stabilization constraint leads to a predicted asymmetry for the errors in the gaze-unstabilized experiment that is not observed in human data. I conclude that the model as it stands is not consistent with human behavior. It is possible, however, that the predicted asymmetry is masked in human data by a counteracting asymmetry in a hypothetical processing stage subsequent to the heading estimation that extrapolates the observer's future path of self-motion.
Treatment of Ewing's sarcoma with concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy

The volume of intracranial contents can be fairly accurately computed from measurements on plain skull films. Using the formula of Gordon and associates, 7 we estimated the intracranial volume in our patient to have been, prior to the craniotomies, approximately 660 ml., which is below the fifth percentile for age and is in the microcephalic range. Inasmuch as 200 to 300 ml. of subdural fluid was subsequently removed, it would seem that the patient 's brain must have been reduced to approximately one third of the size expected for her age. This may offer some explanation for the failure of mental or neurologic improvement following decompression. I t is not clear why the cranial volume was small despite such large subdural effusions. I t may be that brain growth was restricted by the thick inner membrane or that post t raumatic atrophy had occurred. I t is also possible that the brain was small prior to the t rauma at age 5 months. The fact that the vault was not thickened at that time would suggest that brain growth was not previously grossly retarded. I t is, however, impossible to make any definite conclusions regarding this factor since we have no reliable information as to neurological development or head size between birth and 5 months. Whatever the pathophysiology, it is important to remember that, al though infants with chronic subdural effusions generally have heads larger than normal, microcephaly does not preclude chronic subdural fluid coIlections.
Entrepreneurship and Regional Culture: The Case of Hamamatsu and Kyoto, Japan

Aoyama Y. Entrepreneurship and regional culture: the case of Hamamatsu and Kyoto, Japan, Regional Studies. Successful entrepreneurship today must respond to the demands from global market forces. Yet, simultaneously, entrepreneurs must also respond to local social contexts, shaped by historical and regional economic conditions. This paper illustrates how regional culture plays an important role in shaping entrepreneurship, even in a new economic sector. By taking two ‘entrepreneurial regions’ of Japan, Hamamatsu and Kyoto, it is shown how historical legacy and lead firms strongly influence business practices of information technology entrepreneurs. Results of this qualitative research show how entrepreneurship is an integral aspect of evolving and complex regional systems. Aoyama Y. L'esprit d'entreprise et la culture regionale: etudes de cas de Hamamatsu et Kyoto, au Japon, Regional Studies. De nos jours, un esprit d'entreprise reussi doit repondre aux forces du marche mondial. Neanmoins, les entrepreneu...
IMPAIRED NATURAL IgG2 ANTIBODY (AB) RESPONSE TO POLYSACCHARIDE ANTIGENS AND DECREASED Km(1)–A2m(2) ALLOTYPES IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS (CF)

We recently described impaired IgG2 Ab responses to P. aeruginosa (PA) lipopolysaccharide in CF patients without PA infection (Pediatr Res 20:453, 1986). To investigate the basis for this defect, we measured natural IgG and IgG1-4 Ab levels to H. influenzae polyribophosphate (PRP) and tetanus toxoid (TT) by quantitative monoclonal Ab-based ELISA in 24 adult CF patients and 20 controls. Immunoglobulin allotypes were determined on 154 CF patients and 110 controls. The TT IgG Ab response was predominantly IgG1. CF and control subjects had similar TT IgG and IgG1 Ab levels. The PRP IgG Ab response was predominantly IgG2. In contrast to TT results, CF patients had subnormal levels of PRP IgG Ab compared to normal (geometric mean = 1.14 vs 2.32 meg/ml, respectively, 2 tailed p=0.004, Mann Whitney U test). PRP IgG2 levels were also depressed in CF patients (p=0.03). CF patients had a lower prevalence of Km(1) (p<0.025, X2 with continuity correction) and A2m(2) (p<0.05) than controls: G2m(n) and other allotype prevalences were similar. Impaired IgG2 Ab responses to certain polysaccharide-encapsulated microbes may predispose CF patients to endobronchial infection and lead to production of nonopsonizing isotype responses. A possible immunogenetic basis for impaired IgG2 Ab response is suggested by lower Km(l) allotype prevalence, while the role of A2m(2) is unknown.
Two-Dimensional Analysis of Skim Milk Proteins Using Preparative Isoelectric Focusing Followed by Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis

A preparative isoelectric focusing (IEF) method was applied to separate skim milk proteins using the Rotofor device in a pH 3–10 gradient containing 4 M urea/1% triton X-100. Each of the 20 fractions obtained from the Rotofor device was then analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Both urea-PAGE and SDS-PAGE were used to separate purified caseins and skim milk resulting in comparable two-dimensional patterns. The major bovine caseins (αs1, αs2, β, K-casein) were resolved better on urea-PAGE. The αs1-and β-casein were focused at pH ∼ 4.5 and 4.8, respectively, whereas αs2-caseins focused as several bands at pH 6.2–6.8. The A variant of K-casein focuses at Fractions 6–9 which is slightly more acidic than the B variant that focuses at Fractions 7–13. No sample pretreatment was necessary to analyze skim milk proteins and urea-PAGE clearly resolved bands of all major caseins and whey proteins. Preparative isoelectric focusing followed by PAGE was found to be a useful and powerful method to analyze milk proteins in two-dimensions. This technique facilitates the analysis of the relative amounts of proteins in milk, as well as simplifies the detection of changes and foreign proteins in milk.
Dissociative electron attachment to gas-phase N-methylformamide

Abstract Gas-phase dissociative electron attachment (DEA) measurements to N-methylformamide (NMF, HC(O)NHCH3), a simple molecule containing the peptide linkage, were performed. The anion yields as a function of electron energy below 15 eV were obtained using a crossed molecular beam/Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (QMS) setup. DEA to NMF produces CN−, OCN−, NH2−, O−, HCO−, and NH−, similar to formamide. Isotopic studies with N-methyl-d3-formamide (d3-NMF, HC(O)NHCD3) have confirmed and clarified assignments. Newly observed dissociation channels from NMF result in the formation of CH3NHC(O)−/CH3NC(O)H−, CH3NH−, CO−, and CH3−. The dominant fragmentation pathways involve the formation of CN− and OCN− near 1.5 eV, which are produced from the electron capture by the π* orbital of the C O combined with the scission of the N CH3 bond and simultaneous formation of a C N π bond. The methyl neutral by-product assists in lowering the thermodynamic threshold for CN− and OCN− production as compared with the DEA to formamide. The [Parent-H]− signal at m/z 61 from d3-NMF confirms site-selectivity for formation of this ion and excludes H loss from the methyl group of NMF. Peptide bond (O C N H) dissociation is observed resulting in both CH3NH− and HCO−, but these channels require higher energies (>5 eV) to occur.
Fusion boundary microstructure evolution associated with embrittlement of Ni–base alloy overlays applied to carbon steel

The embrittlement of the fusion boundary region of Ni–base Alloy 625 overlay welds on AISI 8630 steel was evaluated. Metallurgical characterization, thermodynamic and kinetic simulations, and hydrogen charging experiments were conducted in an effort to identify the embrittlement mechanism and simulate the type of failures that occur in service under cathodic protection. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electron backscattered diffraction, electron probe microanalysis, X-ray diffraction, and hardness mapping were all used to characterize the microstructure and assist in identifying the microstructural features in the transition region of this dissimilar alloy combination that can promote susceptibility to hydrogen-assisted cracking (HAC). A special low-angle sectioning technique was developed that expanded the very narrow transition zone between the Alloy 625 overlay and the heat-affected zone of the 8630 steel. Using this technique, a “featureless zone” resulting from planar solidification was evaluated. This was the region in which HAC was observed during service under cathodic protection. Carbon migration studies conducted using Dictra™ showed that considerable carbon buildup (over 1 wt.%) occurs in the transition zone during postweld heat treatment. This level of carbon was confirmed using electron probe microanalysis. The high carbon content stabilizes the austenite phase in this region and results in local hardness levels exceeding 500 VHN. Metallographic sections of samples that failed under cathodic charging revealed that cracking occurs preferentially within this hardened region. The paper describes the metallurgical basis for the formation of this transition zone in weld overlays of Ni–base filler metals on carbon steels.
State-of-the-art breast reconstruction.

Many breast reconstruction procedures have been performed with success and satisfaction. These methods can be categorized as implant reconstruction, local tissue with implant, autologous tissue, and free flaps. Implant reconstruction, immediate or delayed, has been the easiest and most fulfilling experience for the surgeon and the patient. Local tissue with implant and autologous tissue are usually available to those patients with anterior chest tissue deficiency or those who prefer autologous tissue without the fear of implant material. Free flap reconstruction is often selected when no other procedures are appropriate for the patient
Disposition at Discharge and 60-Day Mortality Among Elderly People Following Shorter Hospital Stays: A Population-Based Comparison

This study examines whether shorter hospital stays following the introduction of Medicare's Prospective Payment System have been accompanied by increased mortality or an increased rate of discharge to nursing homes. An examination of hospitalizations for all elderly residents of Olmsted County, MN (N = 5,854) for 1980, 1985, and 1987 demonstrates significant increases in 60-day mortality and nursing home transfers after this system began. These increases, however, are largely explained by differences in risk factors other than length of stay, such as patient age, gender, disease severity, and complexity.
The mechanisms underlying the spatial spreading of signaling activity

During the induction of plasticity of dendritic spines, many intracellular signaling pathways are spatially and temporally regulated to co-ordinate downstream cellular processes in different dendritic micron-domains. Recent advent of imaging technology based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) has allowed the direct monitoring of the spatiotemporal regulation of signaling activity in spines and dendrites during synaptic plasticity. In particular, the activity of three small GTPase proteins HRas, Cdc42, and RhoA, which share similar structure and mobility on the plasma membrane, displayed different spatial spreading patterns: Cdc42 is compartmentalized in the stimulated spines while RhoA and HRas spread into dendrites over 5-10 μm. These measurements thus provide the basis for understanding the mechanisms underlying the spatiotemporal regulation of signaling activity. Further, using spatiotemporally controlled spine stimulations, some of the roles of signal spreading have been revealed.
Relating desorption and biodegradation of phenanthrene to SOM structure characterized by quantitative pyrolysis GC-MS.

A set of four soils was extensively studied for composition, sorption/desorption, and biodegradation to investigate linkages among these three inter-related factors. Composition of soil organic matter (SOM) was quantitatively characterized using pyrolysis GC-MS; although CO2 dominated the total ion chromatogram for all soils, each soil produced a distinctively different pyrogram and 1.4−4.8% of the soil carbon was quantified as one of 205 pyrolysis marker compounds using external standards. Amorphous and free iron and aluminum contents were determined as potential indicators of the reactivity of the mineral phase, which may influence the configuration and accessibility of SOM domains within soil. We observed a statistically significant positive correlation between two-site model fast fraction f values derived from mineralization and desorption rate studies, which suggests that desorption limits biodegradation. However, no statistically significant correlation was observed between two-site model fast and s...
An Integrated River Management Model: the Connecticut River Management Program

Abstract The state of Connecticut faces unprecedented demand for use of its rivers. Water diversions, waste dilution, recreation and wildlife values on the state's streams are often in conflict. In an effort to balance use among these competing interests, the state has initiated an integrated approach to river management. The program has two phases: conducting a rivers inventory and devising a comprehensive river management strategy. The primary goals of the inventory are to identify uses and characteristic of specific rivers, critical river issues and river segments of special significance. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection will then use this state-wide database to devise a river management strategy. This paper gives a brief overview of integrated river management and then describes and analyzes the Connecticut program. The study addressed the following questions: what is integrated management? How and why was the Connecticut program initiated? What institutions were created to manage the program? How is the public involved? How is the state conducting the inventory and assessment? Can this program serve as a model for other river management programs?
2D/3D Sensor Exploitation and Fusion for Enhanced Object Detection

This paper describes a method for object (e.g., vehicles, pedestrians) detection and recognition using a combination of 2D and 3D sensor data. Detection of individual data modalities is carried out in parallel, and then combined using a fusion scheme to deliver the final results. Specifically, we first apply deformable part based object detection in the 2D image domain to obtain initial estimates of candidate object regions. Meanwhile, 3D blobs (i.e., clusters of 3D points) containing potential objects are extracted from the corresponding input point cloud in an unsupervised manner. A novel morphological feature set Morph166 is proposed to characterize each of these 3D blobs, and only blobs matched to predefined object models are kept. Based on the individual detections from the aligned 2D and 3D data, we further develop a fusion scheme to boost object detection and recognition confidence. Experimental results with the proposed method show good performance.
Thermodynamic control on hydrogen concentrations in anoxic sediments

Abstract Molecular hydrogen plays a central role in bacterially mediated anoxic sediment chemistry, as both an important electron transfer agent and a key thermodynamic control. We studied the response of hydrogen concentrations to changes in temperature, specific electron acceptor, sulfate concentration, and pH in a series of laboratory experiments using sediments from Cape Lookout Bight, North Carolina. Hydrogen concentrations were found to depend significantly on each of these factors in a fashion that suggests thermodynamic control. In general, the change in hydrogen concentrations was apparently driven by a necessity to maintain a constant ΔG for the predominant terminal electron-accepting process. We hypothesize this situation derives from highly competetive conditions that force terminal metabolic bacteria to operate right at their thermodynamic limits. The response of hydrogen to individual controls in the laboratory experiments was reflected in relatively quantitiative fashion in down-core, seasonal, and inter-environmental variations observed in sediment cores from Cape Lookout Bight and the White Oak River, NC.
Ethnic and Gender Differences in First-Year College Students’ Goal Orientation, Self-Efficacy, and Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation

ABSTRACTCritical ethnic and gender gaps exist in college retention and graduation rates. Early achievement motivation may play an important role in student persistence. A sample of undergraduates completed surveys tapping motivation at the beginning (n = 591) and end (n = 232) of their first semester in college. African American and Caucasian students were more academically self-efficacious than Asian American students. Self-efficacy increased over the semester and was higher for male than female students at both time points. African American and Asian American students were initially more extrinsically motivated than Caucasian students; however, by the end of the semester, all ethnic groups were similar on extrinsic motivation. Female students were more extrinsically motivated and mastery oriented than male students who were more performance oriented. Performance goal orientations were negatively associated with grade point average whereas mastery orientation, intrinsic, and extrinsic motivation were pos...
Normal Expression and Function of CR3 (CD11b/CD18) on Neonatal Neutrophils(PMN) and Monocytes. • 1295

It is well known that neonates are more susceptible to bacterial infections, probably secondary to immaturity of the immune system. Previous studies have shown that neonatal PMN express less membrane and cytoplasmic CR3(iC3b-receptor) than adult PMN, and it has been suggested that this may render neonatal PMN deficient in their ability to kill iC3b-opsonized microorganisms. The current investigation examined PMN and monocytes from cord blood versus adult blood for CR3 expression and function. CR3 was measured with unseparated leukocytes using 3-color flow cytometry in which monocytes and PMN were defined as CD14+CD15- and CD14-CD15+, respectively. Although it was confirmed that neonatal PMN bore less CR3 than did adult PMN, neonatal PMN were more heterogenous, with some PMN expressing low amounts of CR3 and other PMN expressing higher adult levels of CR3. As the result of higher total PMN counts in cord blood versus adult blood (6.7 vs. 3.7 × 103/cu.mm, n=11), there were actually similar numbers of PMN in cord blood and adult blood expressing high amounts of CR3 per cell (4.7 vs. 3.7 × 103). A similar finding was made in the comparison of cord blood and adult blood monocytes for levels of CR3 expression (4.5 vs. 1.1 × 103 total monocytes; 1.87 vs. 1.0 × 103 monocytes expressing high CR3). Another flow cytometry assay was used to assess the ability of PMN and monocytes to generate a CR3-dependent respiratory burst in response to particulate β-glucan as a function of the level of CR3 per cell. The magnitude of such CR3-specific bursts was found to correlate directly with levels of CR3 expression with both PMN and monocytes. With cells expressing comparable amounts of CR3, there was no difference between neonatal and adult PMN or monocytes in this CR3 function. In conclusion, these data suggest that there is no numerical or functional deficiency of CR3 on neonatal PMN or monocytes that explains the higher susceptibility of newborns to bacterial infections. Supported by NIH grant AI-27771