cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The non-linear risk of mortality by income level in a healthy population: US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey mortality follow-up cohort, 1988–2001

An examination of where in the income distribution income is most strongly associated with risk of mortality will provide guidance for identifying the most critical pathways underlying the connections between income and mortality, and may help to inform public health interventions to reduce socioeconomic disparities. Prior studies have suggested stronger associations at the lower end of the income distribution, but these studies did not have detailed categories of income, were unable to exclude individuals whose declining health may affect their income and did not use methods to determine exact threshold points of non-linearity. The purpose of this study is to describe the non-linear risks of all-cause and cause-specific mortality across the income distribution. We examined potential non-linear risk of mortality by family income level in a population that had not retired early, changed jobs, or changed to part-time work due to health reasons, in order to minimize the effects of illness on income. We used data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988–1994), among individuals age 18–64 at baseline, with mortality follow-up to the year 2001 (ages 25–77 at the end of follow-up, 106 037 person-years of time at risk). Differential risk of mortality was examined using proportional hazard models with penalized regression splines in order to allow for non-linear associations between mortality risk and income, controlling for age, race/ethnicity, marital status, level of educational attainment and occupational category. We observed significant non-linear risks of all-cause mortality, as well as for certain specific causes of death at different levels of income. Typically, risk of mortality decreased with increasing income levels only among persons whose family income was below the median; above this level, there was little decreasing risk of mortality with higher levels of income. There was also some variation in mortality risk at different levels of income by cause and gender. The majority of the income associated mortality risk in individuals between the ages of 18–77 in the United States is among the population whose family income is below the median (equal to $20,190 in 1991, 3.2 times the poverty level). Efforts to decrease socioeconomic disparities may have the greatest impact if focused on this population.
Least-squares methods for linear elasticity based on a discrete minus one inner product

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to develop and analyze least-squares approximations for elasticity problems. The major advantage of the least-squares formulation is that it does not require that the classical Ladyzhenskaya–Babǔska–Brezzi (LBB) condition be satisfied. By employing least-squares functionals which involve a discrete inner product which is related to the inner product in H −1 (Ω) (the Sobolev space of order minus one on Ω ) we develop a finite element method which is unconditionally stable for problems with traction type of boundary conditions and for almost and incompressible elastic media. The use of such inner products (applied to second-order problems) was proposed in an earlier paper by Bramble, Lazarov and Pasciak [Math. Comp. 66 (1997) 935].
The Contrahelicase Activities of the Replication Terminator Proteins of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis Are Helicase-specific and Impede both Helicase Translocation and Authentic DNA Unwinding

Replication forks are arrested at sequence-specific replication termini primarily, perhaps exclusively, by polar arrest of helicase-catalyzed DNA unwinding by the terminator protein. The mechanism of this arrest is of considerable interest. This paper presents experimental evidence in support of four major points pertaining to termination of DNA replication. First, the replication terminator proteins of both Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis are helicase-specific contrahelicases, i.e. the proteins specifically impede the activities of helicases that are involved in symmetric DNA replication but not of those involved in conjugative DNA transfer and rolling circle replication. Second, the terminator protein (Ter) of E. coli blocks not only helicase translocation but also authentic DNA unwinding. Third, the replication terminator protein of Gram-positive B. subtilis is a polar contrahelicase of the primosomal helicase PriA of Gram-negative E. coli. Finally, the blockage of PriA-catalyzed DNA unwinding was abrogated by the passage of an RNA transcript through the replication terminator protein-terminus complex. These results are significant because of their relevance to the mechanistic aspects of replication termination.
Time-resolved impulse response of the magnetoplasmon resonance in a two-dimensional electron gas

We have used optically excited ultrashort electrical pulses to measure the magnetoplasmon resonance of a two-dimensional electron gas formed in an AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructure at frequencies up to 200 GHz. This is accomplished by incorporating the sample into a guided wave probe operating in a pumped ${}^{3}\mathrm{He}$ system. We are able to detect the resonance by launching a stimulus pulse in the guide, and monitoring the system response in a time-resolved pump-probe arrangement. Data obtained from measurements yield resonant frequencies that agree with the magnetoplasmon dispersion relation.
Antisperm antibodies in human immunodeficiency virus infection: effects on fertilization and embryonic development

Sera from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected males (n = 10) and females (n = 5) were analyzed for the presence of antisperm antibodies reacting against sperm-specific antigens. Of the HIV-positive males tested, sera of 40% were positive for human sperm extract (HSE), 70% for protamine, and 70% for fertilization antigen (FA-1) for at least one class of antibodies, compared to sera from HIV-negative males. Of the HIV-positive females tested, sera of 40% were positive for HSE, 30% for protamine, and 30% for FA-1 compared to sera from HIV-negative females. The majority of the sperm antigen-reactive antibodies belonged to the IgG class. The reactions observed with FA-1 were weaker than those with other antigens. Ninety percent of HIV-positive male sera and 80% of the HIV-negative female sera were found to contain immune complexes, 20% of which showed the presence of FA-1. HIV-positive male or female sera did not bind to any specific protein on the Western blot of HSE. The minimal amount of free anti-FA-1 antibodies present in sera did not bind to live sperm in the sperm immobilization technique, sperm agglutination technique, or immunobead binding technique and thus were incapable of affecting human sperm penetration of zona-free hamster ova (SPA). Nor did HIV-positive sera induce any apparent abnormality in the development of 2-cell embryos to blastocysts in vitro in murine bioassay. In conclusion, these results indicate that HIV-infected patients have sperm-specific antibodies in their sera that do not adversely affect SPA and murine embryo bioassay. There was a high incidence of immune complex formation after HIV infection. These data will provide the basis for exploring further the role of sperm antigens in altering the immunoregulatory mechanisms after HIV infection.
A three dimensional beam profile monitor based on residual and trace gas ionization

Abstract A three dimensional beam profile monitor based on tracking the ionization of the residual gas molecules in the evacuated beam pipe is described. Tracking in position and time of the ions and electrons produced in the ionization enables simultaneous position sampling in three dimensions. Special features which make it possible to sample very low beam currents were employed. The characteristics of this detector make it particularly suitable for sampling beams produced at radioactive beam facilities, provided an auxiliary gas feed can be utilized.
New Director of Publications Selected

AGU has announced that Brooks Hanson—former deputy editor of physical sciences for Science—will be its new director of publications. In the position, which he will assume on 25 February 2013, Hanson will work to evolve AGU's publishing program in a changing marketplace as well as to monitor and develop strategies to address public policy directives and options that impact the publishing of scholarly research.
Unions, Cartels, and the Political Economy of American Cities: the Chicago Flat Janitors' Union in the Progressive Era and 1920s

In 1997, Ira Katznelson contributed to the ongoing discussion among social scientists and historians about how to analyze class formation and the development of the American state. He was particularly interested in tying this research to the history of liberalism in an effort to both historicize the generalizations of Louis Hartz and address the question of American exceptionalism. Evaluating the body of research, Katznelson argued that authors had too frequently abstracted the state from its context and then used it to explain the very phenomena that helped define the state's character in the first place. In part to imbed the state more concretely in its environment, he suggested “a shift in angle of vision away from the state as such to the character of the rules and institutions that govern the transactions between the state and civil society.” This shift would also contribute to the study of America's prevailing liberalism, which has shaped the environment of the working class and the state, even while its own particular character has been the subject of some of the most profound divisions in American public life. Using J. David Greenstone's work, Katznelson defined liberalism as a “boundary condition,” that is, “‘a set of relatively permanent features of a particular context that affect causal relationships within it' even as it remains subject to dispute.” In times of crisis, conflicts over liberalism's “grammar of rules,” or it's “bundle of institutions and norms,” spill across the line between state and civil society, because they involve redefining the relation between the two.Ira Katznelson, “Working-Class Formation and American Exceptionalism, Yet Again,” in American Exceptionalism? US Working-Class Formation in an International Context, ed. Rick Halpern and Jonathan Morris (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1997), 36–55, quotations on 40 and 42.
Can communication between residents and non-surgeon professionals be improved by their participation in resident training?

Introduction Feedback of residents' communication skills from non-surgeon professionals can be difficult to obtain or may be limited to grievance reports. We hypothesized that involving other professionals in resident communication training would improve communication. Methods A 20-question survey, using a 7-point Likert scale (1=strongly disagree) was developed to establish a baseline communication level. Respondents were asked to collectively rate the residents and attendings. Based on these results a role playing exercise was developed with pre-written communication scenarios. Residents and nurses were asked to observe various pre-determined effective communication skills used during the scenario. A comparison was made between what residents and nurses observed. Comparison was made using the Student's t-test. P-value Results 246 responses were received (76% nurses), representing 15 units. 75% were female averaging 15.5 years in healthcare, compared to 13.9 years for males. Overall average scores in 4 categories were 4.62 for surgeons, compared to 4.57 for residents, there was a significant difference comparing team functioning between surgeons and residents (4.73 vs. 4.56, P-value 0.01). In the role playing exercise the opening remarks and presenter showed nurses and residents scoring communication skills the same. However, during the receiver interaction and closing remarks there was a significant difference in how nurses and residents scored communication scores. Residents scored the communication skills higher than nurses (4.05 vs 3.30, P-value 0.03 and 2.86 vs. 1.65, P-value Conclusions Involving non-surgeon professionals in training residents can familiarize faculty, residents and other disciplines with effective communication skills and promote an improved team climate.
Density functional theory studies of structural deformation in bis(alkynyl)diruthenium(III): Stronger Ru-Ru bonding by any means necessary.

Conjugated organometallic compounds diruthenium(6+) bis(alkynyl)s exhibit an unusual structure that is severely distorted from a typical D4 paddlewheel geometry. Density functional theory calculations suggest that the distortion is driven by both the need for an enlarged highest occupied molecular orbital−lowest unoccupied molecular orbital gap and stronger Ru−Ru bonding through the formation of partial σ and π bonds.
Contributing factors to chronic ankle instability.

Background: The development of repetitive ankle sprains and persistent symptoms after initial ankle sprain has been termed chronic ankle instability (CAI). There is no clear indication of which mea...
A case of hunting death due to an overpenetrated bullet.

The authors report the case of a death which occurred during wild boar hunting. The scene details revealed that the victim and the beast were aligned in the visual shooting path and the victim had been struck by overpenetrating bullet shot by his friend on the neighbouring stand. The fatal entrance wound was on the victim’s left chest. The authors emphasise the importance of the exhaustive forensic investigation, including autopsy of the beast, in cases like this, in order to distinguish accident from homicide.
Direct and Correlated Effects of Selection on Flight After Exposure to Thermal Stress in Drosophila melanogaster

To demonstrate how insects may adapt to ecologically relevant levels of heat stress, we performed artificial selection on the ability of Drosophila melanogaster to fly after an exposure to a high but non-lethal thermal stress. Both tolerance and intolerance to heat stress arose very quickly, as only a few generations of selection were necessary to cause significant separation between high and low lines for heat tolerance. Estimates of heritability based on the lines artificially selected for increased flight ability ranged from 0.024 to 0.052, while estimates of heritability based on the lines selected for the inability to fly after heat stress varied between 0.035 and 0.091. Reciprocal F1 crosses among these lines revealed strong additive effects of one or more autosomes and a weaker X-chromosome effect. This variation apparently affected flight specifically; neither survival to a more extreme stress nor knockdown by high temperature changed between lines selected for high and low heat tolerance as measured by flight ability. As the well-studied heat-shock response is associated with heat tolerance as measured by survival and knockdown, the aspects of the stress physiology that actually affect flight ability remains unknown.
Marginal failure of amalgam in deciduous teeth: a two-year report

The effect of alloy selection, retentive grooves in cavity design, and operator variability on marginal deterioration of restorations in deciduous teeth after two years is reported. The effect of alloy selection and retentive grooves on marginal failure of amalgam restorations in deciduous teeth was clinically evaluated. Two surface alloy restorations in proximoclusal cavity preparations were tested. The results show that the incidences of marginal failure in the restorations differed significantly, but that retentive grooves did not contribute to the extent of marginal failure.
The specificity of base-pair substitution induced by the mutL and mutS mutators in E. coli.

Abstract The Escherichia coli mutator alleles, mutL and mutS , produced transversion as well as transition basepair substitutions with the trpA reversion system. Transversion, however, were generally mutator-induced at a lower level than transitions and the specific type of transversion and its nucleotide position appeared to strongly affect its level of enhancement. These results are interpreted to mean that mutL - and mutS -dependent mismatch correction is generally more effective at correcting transition mispairings than transversion mispairings. Correction of transversion mispairings is probably dependent upon site of occurrence and type of mismatch.
Comparison of nutrient and trace element distributions in the delta and shelf outflow regions of the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers

Nutrient and trace element distributions were determined in the outflow region of the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers during high river discharge. This outflow region can be divided into two physiographic areas: the broad, shallow Louisiana Shelf off the Atchafalaya River and the narrow shelf off the Mississippi Delta. The physiographic differences between these two areas lead to observable differences in the chemical distributions. During high discharge conditions, nutrient depletion occurs at lower salinities on the Louisiana Shelf, relative to the delta outflow plume, and significant uptake of nickel and cadmium is apparent in these shelf waters, too. Important factors that appear to connect the physiographic to the chemical include the fate of the fluvial suspended load, rates of mixing, and the extent of productivity supported by recycled nutrients. The results suggest that the Mississippi-Atchafalaya outflow region may provide a natural laboratory for examining the possible effects of sea-level change on the biogeochemistry of estuarine and coastal environments.
Effects of catalyst acidity and HZSM‐5 channel volume on polypropylene cracking

Effects of catalyst acidity and the restricted reaction volume afforded by HZSM-5 on the catalytic cracking of polypropylene are described. Polypropylene cracking by silica—alumina and HZSM-5 catalysts yields olefins as primary volatile products. In addition, HZSM-5 channels restrict carbenium ion rearrangements and facilitate formation of significant amounts of propene and alkyl aromatic volatile products. The higher acidity of sulfated zirconia compared to the other catalysts results in an increase in the frequency of hydride abstractions, resulting in the formation of significant yields of saturated hydrocarbons and organic residue for this catalyst. Primary polypropylene cracking products can be derived from carbenium ion reaction mechanisms. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67: 341–348, 1998
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of interleukin‐6 signaling

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine with complex roles in inflammation and metabolic disease. While typically regarded as a pro-inflammatory cytokine, multiple studies in the last 20 years have generated conflicting data on the role of IL-6 in inflammation and metabolism. In a recent study in Nature Immunology, Bruning and collaborators demonstrate that IL-6 signaling in myeloid cells attenuates obesity-induced inflammation and insulin resistance by promoting macrophage alternative activation (Mauer et al, 2014). This study unveils a new and surprising anti-inflammatory action of IL-6 and further highlights the complex actions of this cytokine.
The emergence of self-help in the USA as a housing strategy for the urban poor

Customarily, when lower-income renters rebel against their housing circumstances, they do so as exasperated consumers: complaining to code enforcement officials, creating tenant organisations, conducting rent strikes, and sometimes lobbying for pro-tenant legislation. During the decade just past, conditions in the ghetto neighbourhoods of several older American cities have spawned an unaccustomed set of roles. A small but seemingly significant number of consumers have transformed themselves, instead, into producers of rehabilitated housing and full-time suppliers of residential services. In New York, St Louis, and now in several other cities, groups largely made up of lower-income minority households, prompted by their rapidly deteriorating housing, have assumed a direct hand in housing provision as managers and handymen, non-profit developers, rehabilitation contractors, and in some cases as construction labourers.
Which study when? Is gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging safer than iodine-enhanced CT?

Jeffrey C. Weinreb, MD The emergence of an association between gadolinium-based contrast agents and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), a rare debilitating and sometimes fatal disease, has led to a reassessment of the relative risks of contrast material–enhanced CT and contrast-enhanced MR imaging, particularly in patients with compromised renal function. Now, along with all the other risks, the potential dangers and associated costs of NSF have to be weighed. This article explores the relative risks associated with the use of intravenous iodinated contrast agents and gadolinium-based contrast agents and shows that contrast-enhanced MR imaging is still extremely safe for the majority of patients and has some advantages compared with contrast-enhanced CT for many of them. Intravenous contrast agents are commonly used for both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to aid in the detection, characterization, and staging of disease. Despite their use in tens of millions of procedures every year, there are relatively few serious and lifethreatening events. Nevertheless, administration of both the iodinated contrast agents (ICAs) for CT and the gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) for MR imaging can raise a range of safety concerns, particularly in certain increased-risk population groups, and radiologists are frequently confronted with a dilemma: When either ICA-enhanced CT or GBCA-enhanced MR imaging could provide the relevant diagnostic information, which is the safer and preferred examination, especially in a patient with compromised renal function. Although there is a plethora of literature concerning the association between ICAs and adverse events, there is still much uncertainty about how this information should be integrated into routine practice in an effort to mitigate or eliminate adverse events (1). Despite this uncertainty, until recently there were at least two principles upon which most radiologists agreed and have long been components of the radiology canon: Overall, GBCAs are associated with a lower incidence of adverse events than ICAs, and GBCAs are safer than ICAs in patients with compromised renal function.
Rapid Bidirectional Switching of Synaptic NMDA Receptors

Synaptic NMDA-type glutamate receptors (NMDARs) play important roles in synaptic plasticity, brain development, and pathology. In the last few years, the view of NMDARs as relatively fixed components of the postsynaptic density has changed. A number of studies have now shown that both the number of receptors and their subunit compositions can be altered. During development, the synaptic NMDARs subunit composition changes, switching from predominance of NR2B-containing to NR2A-containing receptors, but little is known about the mechanisms involved in this developmental process. Here, we report that, depending on the pattern of NMDAR activation, the subunit composition of synaptic NMDARs is under extremely rapid, bidirectional control at neonatal synapses. This switching, which is at least as rapid as that seen with AMPARs, will have immediate and dramatic consequences on the integrative capacity of the synapse.
A PC-based VLSI design and test system for education

A very-large-scale integration (VLSI) design system has been installed on IBM PC-AT computers to help teach integrated circuit design and test at the University of Washington. The PC-based system offers a reasonably complete set of tools for layout and test application. Since each PC is a single-user system, the performance of these tools exceeds that of larger time-sharing computers, assuming more than four users are doing layout at the same time. The computing strategy and technical implementation of the VLSI tool set on the PC-ATs is presented. The successes and problems of the system, as well as future plans for tool improvements, are discussed. >
Explanations of employment turnover among Alaska Village Public Safety Officers

Abstract Since its inception in 1982, officer turnover has been a problem for Alaska's Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) Program. This study employed principal components analysis methods to identify factors from the results of a survey of 113 VPSOs for use in an event history regression model to explain officer attrition. The results of the event history regression analysis indicate that Alaska Native heritage, marriage, satisfaction with training, a lack of absolute poverty, and the presence of other peace officers in the work situation were all associated with a decreased likelihood of officer turnover. The implications of these findings for rural police officer recruitment and retention are discussed.
Adolescent Aggression: The Role of Peer Group Status Motives, Peer Aggression, and Group Characteristics.

Recent studies of youth aggression have emphasized the role of network-based peer influence processes. Other scholars have suggested that aggression is often motivated by status concerns. We integrate these two veins of research by considering the effects of peer status motivations on subsequent adolescent aggression, net of their own status motivations, prior aggression, and peer behavior. We also explore different levels at which peer effects may occur, considering the effects of reciprocated and unreciprocated friendships as well as larger, meso-level peer groups. We anticipate that peer group effects are magnified by both size and boundedness as measured by Freeman's (1972) Segregation Index. We find that, net of the adolescent's aggression at time 1, both the aggressive behaviors and the status valuations of friends independently increase the likelihood of aggression at time 2, six months later. The aggressive behavior of friends who do not reciprocate the adolescent's friendship nomination has particular impact. The average status valuation of peer groups increases their members' likelihood of aggression, even after controlling for their own attitudes about status, their friends' attitudes, and their friends' aggressive behavior. This effect is magnified in large groups and groups with high Freeman segregation scores. Language: en
Development and Validation of the Survey of Knowledge of Internet Risk and Internet Behavior

The development of the Survey of Knowledge of Internet Risk and Internet Behavior is described. A total of 1,366 Grades 7 and 8 male and female students from an urban, suburban, and rural school offered agree—disagree responses to 26 statements defining one Knowledge Scale and five behavior dimensions. Literature-based support is presented for content validity. Construct validity support for the hypothesized dimensions is provided through Rasch model analysis of the Knowledge Scale supporting a unidimensional, hierarchically ordered scale. Latent class analyses provided support for the utility of the five categorical behavioral dimensions. Implications for instrument developers and educators are discussed.
A Polynomial Algebra Approach To Binary And Gray Image Processing

A binary image is represented by a polynomial in two variables over GF(2) and several algebraic operators are developed in this environment to process images, for example, to find the contour, shrink, magnify and approximate images. The data structure for storing images by polynomials is obtained. The image processing technigues developed can be used to process gray-level images and also colored pictures.
Static aeroelastic analysis of wings using Euler/Navier-Stokes equations coupled with improved wing-box finite element structures

Strong interactions between flow about an aircraft wing and the wing structure can result in aeroelastic phenomena which significantly impact aircraft performance. Time-accurate methods for solving the unsteady Navier-Stokes equations have matured to the point where reliable results can be obtained with reasonable computational costs for complex non-linear flows with shock waves, vortices and separations. The ability to combine such a flow solver with a general finite element structural model is key to an aeroelastic analysis in these flows. Earlier work involved time-accurate integration of modal structural models based on plate elements. A finite element model was developed to handle three-dimensional wing boxes, and incorporated into the flow solver without the need for modal analysis. Static condensation is performed on the structural model to reduce the structural degrees of freedom for the aeroelastic analysis. Direct incorporation of the finite element wing-box structural model with the flow solver requires finding adequate methods for transferring aerodynamic pressures to the structural grid and returning deflections to the aerodynamic grid. Several schemes were explored for handling the grid-to-grid transfer of information. The complex, built-up nature of the wing-box complicated this transfer. Aeroelastic calculations for a sample wing in transonic flow comparing various simple transfer schemes are presented and discussed.
Improvements in sample introduction for mass spectrometry using pulsed high-pressure fluid injection with resonant two-photon ionization detection☆

Abstract Pulsed supercritical fluid and pulsed high-pressure liquid injection are used as means of introducing thermally labile biological species into a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOFMS) system. The analyte species are then ionized by resonant two-photon ionization, which can produce either soft ionization or extensive fragmentation on the basis of laser power and wavelength. Since the solvent is transparent to the laser radiation, hard ionization can be produced without physical separation of the analyte from the effluent jet expansion. In addition, the pulsed liquid injection method allows introduction of the sample from high-pressure fluids at relatively low temperatures without the extensive clustering that normally occurs in liquid expansions unless a much higher temperature is utilized. Using this method, we have been able to study the laser-induced ionization mass spectrometry of several classes of small polar biological molecules in a TOFMS.
Two recent extensions of the vortex method

The vortex method, coupled to an integral boundary-layer solver, is applied to the numerical simulation of high-Reynolds-number, separated flows in two new cases: a bluff body in a wind tunnel and flow in a cascade. In the bluff body case, the blockage effect of the tunnel walls is included approximately, assuming an inviscid boundary condition at the walls. The resulting increase in drag is computed, and compares well with a small-disturbance theory and with experiments. The results for flow in a cascade are compared with results from two finite-difference codes for a single-blade case, and good agreement is found. When a staggered cascade is treated with five independent blades, the simulation predicts rotating stall, depending on the angle of attack, and the essential features of the flow are correct. The sensitivity of this phenomenon to various parameters is studied and the stall boundary is found.
TBNA versus TENA in the diagnosis and staging of bronchogenic carcinoma: "A comparative study"

Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) through the flexible bronchoscope still remains underused and a poorly understood procedure. Recently, transesophageal needle aspiration (TENA) under ultrasound guidance has been used to help stage the posterior mediastinal lymph nodes. TBNA and TENA have both been used for the diagnosis and staging of bronchogenic carcinoma. This study is to compare the efficacy and complimentary potential of these techniques. Retrospective review and comparison of a series of consecutive patients. Tertiary referral hospital. Nineteen adult patients with mediastinal adenopathy. TBNA and TENA. Specific diagnostic yield of TBNA compared with TENA in adenopathy of the left paratracheal and subcarinal locations. Out of 19 patients, specific diagnosis was made in 15 patients (79%) by TBNA and in 13 patients (68%) by TENA. TBNA and TENA were both positive in 5 patients. TBNA alone was positive in 7 patients and TENA alone was positive in 1 patient. In the comparative study group lymph node stations 7, 8, and 5 (L4), there were no significant differences in the diagnostic yield of TBNA and TENA. Small sample size. TBNA remains highly effective for sampling mediastinal lymph node stations. TENA is limited for subcarinal, paraesophageal, and aorto-pulmonary window lymph nodes, which are adjacent to the esophagus. Adding TENA to TBNA did not increase the diagnostic yield even in these subgroups of lymph nodes in our study.
Testosterone Therapy of Eunuchoids II. Clinical comparison of parenteral implantation, and oral administration of testosterone compounds in male eunuchoidism1

AS STATED in our first paper of this series (1) entitled, “Implantation of Testosterone Compounds in Cases of Male Eunuchoidism,” “the effectiveness of an endocrine preparation is measured best by its capacity to restore normal function in a characteristic endocrinopathy caused by its deficiency. Eunuchoidism, or male hypogonadism, is the clinical state in which the primary deficiency resides in the testes, and therefore it represents an ideal clinical condition for testing the effectiveness of an androgenic substance.” The clinical efficacy of parenteral administration of testosterone propionate in the treatment of male eunuchoidism and of adult forms of male hypogonad’ ism has been confirmed abundantly. For the past three or four years this testosterone preparation has been available in ampules containing 5,10 and 25 mg. in 1 cc. of oil under the trade names, Perandren (Ciba) Oreton (Schering) and Neo-Hombreol (Roche-Organon).
Is image quality a function of contrast perception

ABSTRACT In this retrospective we trace in broad strokes the developmen t of image quality measures base d on the study of the early stages of the human visual system (HVS), where contrast encoding is fundamental. We find that while presenters at the Human Vision and Electronic Imaging meetings have frequently strived to find points of contact between the study of human contrast psychophysics and the development of computer vision and image quality algorithms. Progress has not always been made on these terms, although indirect impact of vision science on more recent image quality metrics can be observed. 1. CONTRAST PERCEPTION Human spatial vision is complicated. We know certain facts about it: thresholds vary with spatiotemporal frequency and eccentricity, there is masking an d adaptation etc., and all these are mediated by band-pass channels that analyze the image along different dimensions. It was thought and may still be held by many that by understanding the psychophysical properties of contrast perception, and by modeling these more and more precisely, measures of image quality could be designed. Results of new algorithms for encoding or compression or transmission or display of electronic images could be presented to a simulated human vi sual system that would then return a verdict on image quality consistent with human quality judgments. The first HVEI meetings in the late 1980s witnessed some of the early attempts to blend the human contrast sensitivity function (CSF) with display modulation transfer functions (MTFs), to yield more-or-less linear measures of the contrast displayed seen, in an approach dating back to Schade
Effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on the gait of patients with hemiplegia of long and short duration

Background and Purpose. The immediate and cumulative effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) applied to the pelvic region on the gait of patients with hemiplegia of short and long duration were studied. Subjects. The subjects were 20 patients with hemiplegia of short duration (X=4.4 months, SD=0.8, range=2.8–5.6, n=10) or long duration (X=15.4 months, SD=1.7, range=12.7–18.5; n=10). Methods. Each subject received a total of 12 sessions of PNF (three times per week), with each treatment lasting for 30 minutes. Results. In subjects with hemiplegia of short duration, gait speed and cadence improved immediately after 1 session of PNF, and this improvement was further enhanced after 12 treatments. By contrast, subjects with hemiplegia of long duration did not improve immediately, although the cumulative effect of the treatments was similar to that observed in subjects with hemiplegia of short duration. Conclusion and Discussion. These data suggest that (1) in both groups of patients with hemiplegia, the cumulative effects of PNF is more beneficial than the immediate effects, and (2) patients with hemiplegia of short duration respond to training sooner than do patients with hemiplegia of long duration, although the cumulative effects are similar for both groups.
Properties of cellulose acetate. III. Light scattering from concentrated solutions and films. Tensile creep and desalination studies on films

Light scattering from concentrated solutions of cellulose acetate in acetone is discussed in terms of exponential correlation functions for refractive-index fluctuations. These are related to intermolecular aggregation. Light scattering, tensile creep and recovery, and hyperfiltration studies with films of cellulose acetate cast from acetone are discussed in terms of the state of aggregation in the films. It is concluded that intermolecular aggregates are probably small and imperfectly formed regions of microcrystallinity stable up to about 210°C, with the overall state one of near amorphous disorder.
Rescue of Bacteriophage T7 DNA Polymerase of Low Processivity by Suppressor Mutations Affecting Gene 3 Endonuclease

The DNA polymerase encoded by gene 5 (gp5) of bacteriophage T7 has low processivity, dissociating after the incorporation of a few nucleotides. Upon binding to its processivity factor, Escherichia coli thioredoxin (Trx), the processivity is increased to approximately 800 nucleotides per binding event. Several interactions between gp5/Trx and DNA are required for processive DNA synthesis. A basic region in T7 DNA polymerase (residues K587, K589, R590, and R591) is located in proximity to the 5' overhang of the template strand. Replacement of these residues with asparagines results in a threefold reduction of the polymerization activity on primed M13 single-stranded DNA. The altered gp5/Trx exhibits a 10-fold reduction in its ability to support growth of T7 phage lacking gene 5. However, T7 phages that grow at a similar rate provided with either wild-type or altered polymerase emerge. Most of the suppressor phages contain genetic changes in or around the coding region for gene 3, an endonuclease. Altered gene 3 proteins derived from suppressor strains show reduced catalytic activity and are inefficient in complementing growth of T7 phage lacking gene 3. Results from this study reveal that defects in processivity of DNA polymerase can be suppressed by reducing endonuclease activity.
Ternary volatile random access memory based on heterogeneous graphene-CMOS fabric

Graphene is an emerging nano-material that has garnered immense research interest due to its exotic electrical properties. It is believed to be a potential candidate for post-Si nanoelectronics due to high carrier mobility and extreme scalability. Recently, a new graphene nanoribbon crossbar (xGNR) device was proposed which exhibits negative differential resistance (NDR). In this paper, we present an approach to realize multistate memories, enabled by these graphene crossbar devices. We propose a ternary graphene nanoribbon tunneling volatile random access memory (GNTRAM) and implement it using a heterogeneous integration with CMOS transistors and routing. Benchmarking is presented with respect to state-of-the-art CMOS SRAM and 3T DRAM designs. Ternary GNTRAM shows up to 1.77x density-per-bit benefit over CMOS SRAMs and 1.42x benefit over 3T DRAM in 16nm technology node. Ternary GNTRAM is also up to 9x more power-efficient per bit against low-power CMOS SRAMs during stand-by, while maintaining comparable performance to high-performance designs. Thus GNTRAM has the potential to realize ultra-dense nanoscale memories exceeding those achievable by mere physical scaling. Further improvements may be possible by using graphene more extensively, as graphene transistors become available in future.
Immunologic and prognostic factors associated with overall survival employing a poxviral-based PSA vaccine in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer.

A concurrent multicenter, randomized Phase II trial employing a recombinant poxviral vaccine provided evidence of enhanced median overall survival (OS) (p = 0.0061) in patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The study reported here employed the identical vaccine in mCRPC to investigate the influence of GM-CSF with vaccine, and the influence of immunologic and prognostic factors on median OS. Thirty-two patients were vaccinated once with recombinant vaccinia containing the transgenes for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and three costimulatory molecules. Patients received boosters with recombinant fowlpox containing the same four transgenes. Twelve of 32 patients showed declines in serum PSA post-vaccination and 2/12 showed decreases in index lesions. Median OS was 26.6 months (predicted median OS by the Halabi nomogram was 17.4 months). Patients with greater PSA-specific T-cell responses showed a trend (p = 0.055) toward enhanced survival. There was no difference in T-cell responses or survival in cohorts of patients receiving GM-CSF versus no GM-CSF. Patients with a Halabi predicted survival of <18 months (median predicted 12.3 months) had an actual median OS of 14.6 months, while those with a Halabi predicted survival of ≥18 months (median predicted survival 20.9 months) will meet or exceed 37.3 months, with 12/15 patients living longer than predicted (p = 0.035). Treg suppressive function was shown to decrease following vaccine in patients surviving longer than predicted, and increase in patients surviving less than predicted. This hypothesis-generating study provides evidence that patients with more indolent mCRPC (Halabi predicted survival ≥18 months) may best benefit from vaccine therapy.
Wave propagation over a rectangular trench

An analysis is presented for the propagation of water waves past a rectangular submarine trench. Two-dimensional, linearized potential flow is assumed. The fluid domain is divided into two regions along the mouth of the trench. Solutions in each region are expressed in terms of the unknown normal derivative of the potential function along this common boundary with the final solution obtained by matching. Reflection and transmission coefficients are found for various submarine geometries. The result shows that, for a particular flow configuration, thereexists an infinite number of discrete wave frequencies at which waves are completely transmitted. The validity of the solution in the infinite constant-water-depth region is shown by comparing with the results using the boundary integral method for given velocity distributions along the mouth of the trench. The accuracy of the matching procedure is also demonstrated through the results of the boundary integral technique. In addition, laboratory experiments were performed and are compared with the theory for two of the cases considered.
Internal Validation of Human Mitochondrial DNA Quantification Using Real-Time PCR

The quantity of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) template added for amplification and subsequent dye terminator reactions is critical for obtaining quality sequence data. Validation of a human mtDNA real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay demonstrated its high degree of reproducibility and precision as well as an extremely sensitive threshold of detection (0.0001 pg/μL or approximately six human mtDNA copies/μL). A study of 35 nonprobative bone and teeth evidence samples revealed that 20 pg of mtDNA template is recommended for successful HV1 and HV2 sequence analysis; however, as little as 0.013 pg can generate a full mtDNA profile when using enhanced amplification reactions. The assay can also detect PCR inhibition and is useful for identifying samples that may benefit from re-purification. Overall, the assay is an excellent method to quantify mtDNA and is useful for determining the best analytical approach for successful sequencing.
Two Basic Amino Acids in the Second Inner Loop of the Interleukin-8 Receptor Are Essential for Gα16 Coupling

The involvement of basic residues of interleukin(IL)-8 receptors in coupling to the Gi and G16 proteins was investigated by using a series of IL-8 receptor mutants. Substitution of the basic amino acids in the third inner loop of the receptor does not alter the abilities of the receptor mutants to activate recombinant Gα16 or phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) β2 expressed in COS-7 cells. However, an IL-8 receptor mutant with double mutations at residues Lys158 and Arg159of the second inner loop loses its abilities to activate Gα16 but retains its ability to activate PLC β2. The activation of PLC β2 by an IL-8 receptor that is sensitive to pertussis toxin has been previously demonstrated to be mediated through Gβγ. Surprisingly, the IL-8 receptor mutants with substitution of Ala for either residue Lys158 or Arg159 can still activate Gα16, which suggests that either of the two basic residues in the second inner loop of the IL-8 receptor is sufficient for Gα16 coupling.
Global Environmental Governance for a New Green Economy

What role will be required of global institutions in managing a new green economy as it emerges (or in encouraging it to emerge) in the next 20 to 40 years? While there are many ways institutions could be structured to support a new green economy, their primary role is likely to be a coordinating one. Citizens and states need to determine what this green economy looks like; the main role for institutions is to support its implementation. That coordination done by institutions will involve both environmental regulation itself and the economic adjustments necessary when the environmental regulation is incomplete. Despite frustrations with international organizations, global institutions have a critical role to play in moving toward a new green economy.
Acute renal failure--a complication of spine fusion in the tuck position. A case report.

A case of acute renal failure is described in a patient after spine fusion for scoliosis, performed in the tuck or knee-chest position. The suspected etiology is a release of myoglobin from anoxic and ischemic muscle in the lower extremities due to a tourniquet effect secondary to the position.
Bosonic strings in background massive fields

The propagation of bosonic strings in background massive fields is considered. We present a prescription for computing the Weyl-anomaly coefficients of the sigma-model effective action in the presence of renormalizable as well as non-renormalizable operators. The field equations corresponding to the first mass levels of the open string are obtained by imposing conformal invariance on this effective action, i.e. by imposing the requirement that the Weyl-anomaly coefficients vanish. The study reveals that the anomalous part of the effective action of the sigma model with operators of arbitrary dimension has a very simple structure.
Attention Deficit–Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents

A 9-year-old boy who received a diagnosis of attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at 7 years of age is brought to your office by his parents for a follow-up visit. He had had behavioral problems since preschool, including excessive fidgeting and difficulty following directions and taking turns with peers. Parent and teacher ratings of behavior confirmed elevated levels of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that were associated with poor grades, disruptions of classroom activities, and poor peer relationships. He was treated with sustained-release methylphenidate. Although parent and teacher rating scales after treatment showed reduced symptoms, he still makes many careless mistakes and has poor grades and no friends. What would you advise?