cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Significant rate of lower urinary tract dysfunction in patients with sacrococcygeal teratomas.

Summary Background Sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is the most commonly occurring presacral tumor and can affect the lower urinary tract by direct mass effect, or as a sequela from surgical resection. Despite the potential impact on urologic function, there is no current standard for urological involvement or follow-up for these patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the need for urologic involvement for lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) in patients with SCTs at our institution. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with SCT and managed at our institution between 1990 and 2019. Data collected included: patient demographics, surgical and pathology reports, presence of tethered cord or anorectal malformation, and need for urologic involvement for LUTD. LUTD included acute urinary retention, need for chronic intermittent catheterization, and/or urinary incontinence. Acute urinary retention was defined as requiring catheterization to empty the bladder for a limited time (outside the standard post-operative indwelling catheter time period) and the eventual return to spontaneous voiding. Chronic intermittent catheterization was defined as those with urinary retention that has persisted and required continued catheterization at the time of chart review. Urinary incontinence was defined as urine leakage in children older than 3 years of age. Patients with unavailable records were excluded. Comparison between groups was performed with Mann Whitney and chi-squared tests. Results Forty-five patients with SCTs were identified. LUTD was identified in 23 patients (51%). The most common reason for LUTD was urinary retention (n = 16, 70%): 9 patients had acute retention and 7 had chronic retention (Fig. 1). Nine patients (39%) had urinary incontinence: 2 of these patients (4% of all SCT patients) had urinary fistulas (vesicovaginal (n = 1) and urethrovaginal (n = 1)). Only 5 patients (22%) had LUTD recognized preoperatively. Nine patients had concomitant tethered cord, and 7 of these (78%) had LUTD. Of patients with LUTD, Altman type IV was the most common location (n = 10, 43%). There was no significant difference in tumor type between those with and without LUTD. Patients without LUTD had significantly shorter follow-up. Conclusions Greater than 50% of patients with SCTs have known LUTD. Two of these patients were found to have urinary fistulas requiring urinary diversion. A multidisciplinary team including urology should be involved upfront in the management of patients with SCTs, and LUTD should be routinely assessed at follow-up visits. Evaluation for a urinary fistula should occur in the presence of urinary incontinence. Download : Download high-res image (150KB) Download : Download full-size image
Flualprazolam: Report of an Outbreak of a New Psychoactive Substance in Adolescents

Flualprazolam is a nonregistered drug in the benzodiazepine family and constitutes a new psychoactive substance (NPS). Since 2014, a growing number of designer benzodiazepines have become available over the Internet and on the counterfeit drug market. In June 2019, a cluster of patients intoxicated with flualprazolam was identified by the Oregon Poison Center. As an emerging drug of abuse, the clinical characteristics of flualprazolam have been poorly characterized thus far. Over a one-week period, 6 teenagers presented to local emergency departments after ingesting illegally obtained counterfeit alprazolam, which led to sedation. Other symptoms included slurred speech, confusion, and mild respiratory depression. All 6 patients had resolution of their symptoms within 6 hours of ingestion. Blood and urine samples, as well as a tablet fragment, were obtained from 3 patients. The tablet and biological samples were analyzed by using liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and were found to contain the NPS flualprazolam without other drugs or intoxicants. With this case series, we add to the medical literature a clinical description of an emerging drug of abuse. Flualprazolam appears to share the clinical properties of other benzodiazepines. As flualprazolam and other NPSs become more common, physicians must be aware of their availability and characteristics. Sedation lasting <6 hours was observed in 6 of 6 patients exposed to flualprazolam. No effects that would be unexpected from benzodiazepine intoxication were seen among the patients. Specifically, none developed prolonged symptoms or required intubation and mechanical ventilation, ICU admission, or antidotal therapy.
An Organic-Based Food System: A Voyage Back and Forward in Time

For several decades, conventional agriculture within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (CBW) has contributed almost half of the nitrogen pollution to the Bay, and significant amounts of its phosphorus and sediment. Since 2005, organic products have represented the fastest growing segment of the U.S. food market. Factors contributing to this rapid growth include the perceived health and environmental benefits, better taste, concern for animal welfare, and concern for farmworkers. This chapter focuses on the environmental aspects of organic agriculture; specifically, its management strategies for soil, water, weeds, and pests. As these practices differ significantly from those of conventional agriculture, it raises the issue of whether the expansion of organic agriculture within the CBW can help mitigate its pollution problems. A review of the existing literature and a case study of the Clagett and Mattawoman Creek organic farms in the CBW provide strong support for expanding organic farming as a means to improve the quality of the air, land, and water within the CBW. An additional benefit would be the transition away from a food system dependent upon multinational agribusiness corporations to one characterized by accessible small farmers who more directly interact with consumers.
LB-SciFi: Online Learning-Based Channel Feedback for MU-MIMO in Wireless LANs

Multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) is a key technology for current and next-generation wireless local area networks (WLANs). While it has widely been deployed in WLANs, its potential is not fully exploited in real-world systems. This can be attributed to the large airtime overhead induced by channel acquisition in existing MU-MIMO protocols, which significantly compromises the throughput gain of MU-MIMO. In this paper, we present LB-SciFi, a learning-based channel feedback framework for MU-MIMO in WLANs. LB-SciFi takes advantage of recent advances in deep neural network autoencoder (DNN-AE) to compress channel state information (CSI) in 802.11 protocols, thereby conserving airtime and improving spectral efficiency. The key component of LB-SciFi is an online DNN-AE training scheme, which allows an AP to train DNN-AEs by leveraging the side information of existing 802.11 protocols. With this training scheme, DNN-AEs are capable of significantly lowering the airtime overhead for MU-MIMO while preserving its backward compatibility with incumbent Wi-Fi client devices. We have implemented LB-SciFi on a wireless testbed and evaluated its performance in indoor wireless environments. Experimental results show that LB-SciFi offers an average of 73% airtime overhead reduction and increases network throughput by 69% on average when compared to 802.11 feedback protocols.
MY-AIR: A Personalized Air-quality Information Service

This paper describes an information service that personalizes air pollution monitoring by considering the fine grained user location, her microenvironment, and her activity. Personalization is obtained by integrating a large number of information sources including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitoring stations, traffic, weather, portable air pollution data from sensors carried by a small fraction of the population, smartphone sensors, vehicle sensors data captured via on-board diagnostics.
Topology-Cognizant Optimal Power Flow in Multi-Terminal DC Grids

In this paper, we propose a topology-cognizant optimal power flow (OPF) paradigm with additional safety constraints for multi-terminal direct current (MTDC) grids. The resulting formulation is concerned with the optimization of controller set-points, i.e., voltage and power levels at each bus, and the switching status of transmission lines that collectively referred to as grid topology. A pair of additional safety constraints are integrated into the problem formulation to prevent voltage violations caused by power fluctuations in between two controller set-point updates. Searching for a grid topology that offers more efficient operation leads to a mixed-integer nonlinear program (MINLP) which is computationally challenging due to: i) Non-convex power flow equations, (ii) Non-convex converter loss equations, and iii) Binary variables accounting for the operational status of transmission lines. Non-convexities of power flows and converter loss equations are tackled by means of a mixed-integer second-order cone programming (MISOCP) relaxation, while the optimal switching status of transmission lines are determined via a branch-and-bound search. Numerical results for the modified IEEE 14, 30, and 57-bus systems are used to verify the merits of the proposed method. Furthermore, this method is experimentally validated using the CIGRE B4 DC grid benchmark in a real-time hardware-in-the-loop platform.
Conclusion and Future Directions

First, we describe new attacks on wireless IMDs–wireless insulin pump. Then, we discuss the challenges and possible solutions to defend against this kind of attacks. Finally, we conclude the book.
Beneficial Extracardiac Effects of Cardiovascular Medications.

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death worldwide, with cardiovascular medications being amongst the most common medications prescribed. These medications have diverse effects on the heart, vascular system as well as other tissues and organ systems. The extra cardiovascular effects have been found to be of use in the treatment of non-cardiovascular diseases and pathologies. Minoxidil is used to manage systemic hypertension with its well-known side effect of hirsutism used to treat alopecia and baldness. Sildenafil was originally investigated as a treatment option for systemic hypertension however its side effect of penile erection led to it be widely used for erectile dysfunction. Alpha-1 blockers such as terazosin are indicated to treat systemic hypertension but are more commonly used for benign prostatic hyperplasia and post-traumatic stress disorder. Beta blockers are the mainstay treatment for congestive heart failure and systemic hypertension but have found use to help in patients with intention tremors as well as prophylaxis of migraines. Similarly, calcium channel blockers are indicated in medical expulsion therapy for ureteric calculi in addition to their cardiovascular indications. Thiazides are commonly used for treating systemic hypertension and as diuretics. Thiazides can cause hypocalciuria and hypercalcemia. This side effect has led to thiazides being used to treat idiopathic hypercalciuria and associated nephrolithiasis. Spironolactone is commonly utilized in treating heart failure and as a diuretic for edema. It's well described anti-androgen side effects have been used for acne vulgaris and hirsutism in polycystic ovarian syndrome. This review article discusses how the various extra-cardiovascular effects of commonly used cardiovascular medications are put to use in managing non-cardiovascular conditions.
The Accuracy of Translation

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the accuracy of translation. It also discusses the consequences of the chemical similarity of biomonomers in a more systematic and formal way, in order to aid the discussion of the experimental evidence. The chapter discusses the error rate of ribosomal transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) selection. The nature of the ribosome contribution to error remains undefined. Error is also increased, by raising the pH, the magnesium, and the monovalent ion concentration and lowering the temperature or adding organic solvent to an in vitro translation system. These effects are presumably ribosomal, but await a unified or even a fragmentary explanation. It may be significant that all could be thought of as the effects on the effective charge of a neutral or mildly basic anionic group. The chapter discusses various substitution errors, in which an amino acid is incorporated at an inappropriate site. However, one cannot be sure that this is the major class of error of translation. For example, consider the initiation of protein synthesis, were a noninitiation region of a message is to be used either in phase or out of phase, the result would be an abbreviated, perhaps unstable, and certainly elusive peptide that would be invisible to most methods of analysis.
Expanding Traditional Land Use Authority through Environmental Legislation: The Regulation of Affordable Housing

This article is devoted to an examination of local land use regulation in the context of the use of SEQRA and its mandate, to mitigate environmental impacts to require the provision of affordable housing in high cost housing markets. As such, it looks at one contemporary manifestation of the growth of police power authority to meet new land use challenges.
In Vivo Suppression of Naive CD4 T Cell Responses by IL-2- and Antigen-Stimulated T Lymphocytes in the Absence of APC Competition

After stimulation, T cells enter a transient refractory period, promoted by IL-2, during which they are resistant to re-stimulation. We previously demonstrated that these IL-2- and Ag-stimulated refractory T cells are able to suppress the Ag-induced proliferation of naive T cells in vitro. We show here that, after adoptive transfer, these T cells are also able to suppress naive T cell proliferation in vivo. More interestingly, potently suppressive T cells can be generated directly in vivo by stimulation with Ag and supplemental IL-2. The activity of the suppressive cells is dose dependent, and the suppressor and suppressed T cells need not be restricted to the same MHC or Ag. Similar to its role in promoting T cell-mediated suppression in vitro, IL-2 is critical for the induction of suppressive activity in activated T cells in vivo. Supplemental IL-2, however, cannot overcome the suppressive activity in target T cells, indicating that suppression is not mediated by competition for this cytokine. Although the activated T cells block naive T cell proliferation, the naive cells do engage Ag and up-regulate the CD25 and CD69 activation markers after stimulation. Therefore, activated T cells stimulated in the presence of IL-2 develop MHC- and Ag-unrestricted suppressive activity. These results provide a new mechanism for competition among CD4 + T lymphocytes, in which initial waves of responding T cells may inhibit subsequently recruited naive T cells. They further suggest a novel negative feedback loop limiting the expansion of T cell responses that may be present during vigorous immune responses or after IL-2 immunotherapy.
Neurotoxicity of organophosphates: Effects of tri-o-tolyl phosphate in chick ganglia cell cultures

Abstract A mixed cell nerve tissue culture system from dorsal root ganglia of chick embryos was used to test the effects of tri- o -tolyl phosphate (TOTP), its metabolites and di-isopropylphosphorofluoridate (DFP). Cytotoxic responses consisted of reduction in number and length of nerve fibres and increased vacuolization of neuroglial cells. Unmetabolized TOTP was shown to produce degenerative changes in both nerve fibres and neuroglial cells. Metabolized TOTP and DFP were slightly more potent than TOTP itself. The nerve fibres were generally more sensitive to all treatments than the neuroglial cells. A well defined, sensitive, tissue culture system was shown to yield results after only 3 to 5 days of culture.
Double Layers in Astrophysics

Double layers were discovered by Irving Langmuir; (who called them “double sheathes”) in his experiments with low-pressure discharges in the 1920s. Subsequently, they were observed by nearly all the pioneers in experimental plasma physics (Tonks 1931; Schonhuber 1958; Crawford and Freeston 1963; Babic et al. 1971).
Aspects of the turbulence problem

Die Arbeit gibt einen Uberblick uber einige Probleme der neueren Turbulenzforschung. Nach einer allgemeinen Einleitung werden zuerst elementare, fur die Turbulenztheorie wichtige Resultate der Theorie homogener, stochastischer Vorgange diskutiert. Im dritten Teil werden sodann Beispiele linearer Systeme behandelt, bei denen die ausseren Krafte von turbulenten Schwankungen herruhren. Im vierten Teil werden turbulente Transportphanomene gestreift, und im funften Teil wird ein kurzer Uberblick uber Resultate und Fragen der Theorie der isotropen Turbulenz gegeben.
Black and white vector solitons in weakly birefringent optical fibers

Abstract It is shown that bright and dark solitons can propagate simultaneously in a single-mode fiber with weak birefringence.
Blood pressure of chickens selected for leanness or obesity.

Abstract Four lines of chickens selected for divergence in body weight followed by selection for obesity or leanness within each body weight line were used as a genetic model to determine the relationship of blood pressure and obesity. Forty females, 10 of each line, and 20 males, 10 from the heavy-weight obese and 10 from the light-weight obese, were used. Direct measurements of blood pressure were obtained from the left brachial artery of seven-month old birds. Systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressures were recorded in this study. The systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure for the light-obese and light-lean females did not differ significantly; likewise, no difference was found for these three parameters in the heavy-obese and heavy-lean females. However, the blood pressures in the light-obese and light-lean lines were significantly higher than the heavy-obese and heavy-lean lines. Also, the blood pressures of the light-obese males were higher than those of the heavy-obese males: both male lines exceeded the females of the two respective lines.
Two-couple orthodontic appliance systems: activations in the transverse dimension

Partially bracketed arch wires can be activated in the transverse dimensionto produce first-order rotations of the molars and constriction or expansion of intermolar width. A 2 × 6 arch wire is ideal for such activations because of the minimal side effects to the anterior teeth. As with other two-couple orthodontic appliance systems, symmetrical V-bends, asymmetrical V-bends and step bends are used to generate moments of the couples whose associated equilibrium forces can be used to produce desired tooth movement.
An Evaluation of Chemical Preservatives for Ophthalmic Solutions

Data are presented on the relative antimicrobial activities of seven commonly used chemical compounds that are used for preserving ophthalmic drug solutions from Pseudomonas and Proteus contaminations. In testing the compounds against 26 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and four species of Proteus in a simple buffer solution, in the absence of an ophthalmic drug, the order of activity of the agents from high to low were found to follow the pattern: Benzalkonium chloride > phenylmercuric nitrate > phenol or chlorobutanol > parabens > thimerosal > phenylethyl alcohol. When the compounds were tested against some of the organisms in distilled water the order of activity from high to low was found to be as follows: Benzalkonium chloride > phenylmercuric nitrate > chlorobutanol > phenol or thimerosal > parabens > phenylethyl alcohol. When the preservatives were added to aqueous solutions of ophthalmic drugs experimentally contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the order of activity of the compounds was: Benzalkonium chloride > chlorobutanol > phenol > parabens > phenylmercuric nitrate > phenylethyl alcohol or thimerosal. Several suggestions are given for the selection of a suitable preserving agent for ophthalmic drugs and certain procedures to be followed in the formulation of solutions under practical conditions in hospital and pharmacy routine.
Evolutionary stability and social norms

Abstract Self-interested behavior need not earn higher material payoffs than norm-guided behavior in strategic environments in which a recognized adherence to social norms can help solve the commitment problem. This insight can provide the basis for an evolutionary theory of social norms. If the composition of behaviors evolves under pressure of differential payoffs, a population consisting exclusively of optimizers may be unstable, and there may exist a multiplicity of attractors representing a variety of stable norms. Societies facing similar material conditions may therefore come to adopt distinct norms as a result of chance events or differences in initial conditions.
Forgetting by remembering: Stereotype inhibition through rehearsal of alternative aspects of identity

Abstract We applied previous research on retrieval-induced forgetting to the issue of stereotype inhibition. All participants learned about a target person who belonged to a stereotyped group, and then practiced retrieving a subset of the target’s characteristics. When participants practiced individuating information about the target, they showed inhibited memory for the target’s stereotypic traits. When participants practiced stereotypic information about the target, they showed inhibited memory for: (a) traits associated with another stereotyped aspect of the target’s identity; (b) individuating traits of the target; and (c) other, unpracticed traits of the target associated with the same stereotype. Stereotype belief moderated these inhibition effects; the more strongly participants believed in the stereotype, the less inhibition of stereotype-relevant traits they showed.
Dynamic behaviour of public investments: a dynamic simultaneous-equation system approach

In this paper, a dynamic simultaneous-equation model is developed, based on the flexible accelerator theory of investment, for describing and forecasting U.S. government investments. The dynamic model consists of five behavioural equations and eight identities, is estimated from quarterly data during the period 1963 through 1983 by the full-information maximum-likelihood method, and is tested for its validity and forecasting ability. The direction and magnitude of the impacts of shifts in the policy and non-policy exogenous variables are identified and discussed. In particular, the model's forecasting performance is assessed against the regression model originally proposed by Lin and an optimal forecasting model. It is concluded that the dynamic model improves the reliability and accuracy of forecasting.
Studies on the positive regulatory gene, GAL4 , in regulation of galactose catabolic enzymes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Studies were undertaken to elucidate the role of the GAL4 locus in regulating the galactose catabolic enzymes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The GAL4 locus has been proposed to have a regulatory function since GAL4 mutants are pleiotropic, lacking epimerase, galactokinase, transferase and galactose permease activities. This pleiotropic effect could be explained if the GAL4 gene codes for a peptide required for above enzyme activities. To study if the GAL4 gene codes for a structural component of the above enzymes, a temperature sensitive mutation mapping close to or within the GAL4 gene (gal4-1ts) was isolated. The results suggest that the GAL4 locus does not code for a polypeptide common to the transferase, epimerase, galactokinase, and permease enzymes since these enzymes extracted from the gal4-1ts mutant did not differ qualitatively in thermolability and temperature optima from those of the wild-type. It was found that in the gal4-1ts mutant the synthesis of the epimerase is temperature sensitive and that the GAL4 gene product does not have any effect on the in vivo stability of epimerase.
Remarks on Schrödinger's Model of de Sitter Space

Schr\"odinger in his book "Expanding Universes" developed a "reduced model" of de Sitter space-time consisting of a certain hyperboloid of one sheet. He showed, inter alia, that timelike sections of the hyperboloid by planes through its center correspond to free paths in de Sitter space-time. The main purpose of the present note is to show that timelike sections by arbitrary planes correspond to paths of uniformly accelerated particles, and then to deduce some simple properties of such paths. What is here called Schr\"odinger's model seems to have been first proposed by H. Weyl in Physik. Z. 24, 230 (1923) and was further discussed by H. P. Robertson in Phil. Mag. 5, 835 (1928) and Revs. Modern Phys. 5, 62 (1933). Schr\"odinger's discussion, however, is the fullest.
Pediatric biplane transesophageal echocardiography: Preliminary experience

Recent development of prototype pediatric biplane transducers has extended the use of biplane TEE imaging to the neonate. One such TEE probe with 64 imaging elements in each pallet was used perioperatively in 46 infants and children (weight 2.9 to 32 kg) undergoing surgery for complex congenital heart disease. The success rate for passing the transducer, complications of the procedure, and the number of cases in which the vertical plane provided information that was not available from the horizontal plane were determined. Probe insertion was successful in all patients. Imaging was discontinued in one neonate because of possible airway compression by the probe. Image quality was excellent in the other 45 patients. The vertical plane added information over that obtained from the horizontal plane in 58 (44%) of the 132 anomalies identified. The addition of the vertical plane was especially useful in imaging abnormalities of the ventricular outflow tracts.
Metabolism of a desert stream

SUMMARY. Rates of photosynthesis and community respiration were determined for benthic assemblages in Sycamore Creek, a Sonoran Desert stream in Arizona. Benthos in this stream can be separated into (1) mats of Cladophora glomerata and associated epiphytes and (2) assemblages of epipelic diatoms and blue-green algae. Community respiration and net photosynthesis were measured for these assemblages using submerged light-dark chambers in situ. Multiple regression analysis was used to predict (1) gross photosynthesis as a function of photosynthetically active radiation, temperature and chlorophyll-α concentration; and (2) community respiration as a function of temperature and biomass. Calculations suggest that Sycamore Creek is autotrophic during the summer (P/R= 1.7) and that the rates of gross photosynthesis (P=8.5 g O2 m−2 day−1) and community respiration (R= 5.1 g O2 m−2 day−1) are high for a small stream. Considerable difference exists between the Cladophora mat assemblages, in which mean P is 12.5gO2m−2 day−1and the P/R ratio is 2.3, and the epipelic assemblages in which mean P is 4.4 g O2m−2 day−1 and P/R is 0.96. The high rate of gross photosynthesis, low litter inputs, high biomass of algae and the intermittent but severe floods that characterize Sycamore Creek indicate that this stream and other similar desert streams are net exporters of organic matter and are, thereby, truly autotrophic stream ecosystems.
Irreversibility in the Galton board via conservative classical and quantum hamiltonian and gaussian dynamics

Abstract The periodic Galton board is analyzed from twin equivalent classical viewpoints: constrained gaussian isokinetic mechanics and unconstrained conservative hamiltonian mechanics. Both problems display chaotic fractal behavior. We also investigate the corresponding quantum Galton board using a novel numerical technique incorporating Gauss' principle of least constraint in the nonequilibrium Schrodinger equation.
A simulation-optimization approach for integrated sourcing and inventory decisions

In this paper, we study a generalized vendor selection problem that integrates vendor selection and inventory replenishment decisions of a firm. In addition to vendor-specific procurement and management costs, we consider inventory replenishment, holding, and backorder costs explicitly to meet stationary stochastic demand faced by the firm. Our goal is to select the best set of vendors along with the optimum inventory decisions at each plant of the firm so that we minimize the system-wide total costs and achieve desired service and reliability levels. Due to uncertainties inherent in the problem related to demand observed by the firm, quality provided by vendors, and disruptions observed by vendors, we utilize a simulation-optimization approach to solve the problem. More specifically, we build a discrete-event simulation model to evaluate the objective function of the problem that works in concert with a scatter search-based metaheuristic optimization approach to search the solution space. Computational results not only provide managerial insights and measure the significance of intangible factors in the vendor selection process but also highlight the importance of computational tools such as simulation-optimization for the vendor selection problem.
Managing and Mining Multimedia Databases

From the Publisher: There is now so much data on the Web that managing it with conventional tools is becoming almost impossible. To manage this data, provide interoperability and warehousing between multiple data sources and systems, and extract information from the databases and warehouses, various tools are being developed. In fact, developments in multimedia database management have exploded during the past decade. To date, however, there has been little information available on providing a complete set of services for multimedia databases, including their management, mining, and integration on the Web for electronic enterprises.Managing and Mining Multimedia Databases fills that gap. Focusing on managing and mining multimedia databases for electronic commerce and business, it explores database management system techniques for text, image, audio, and video databases. It addresses the issues and challenges of mining multimedia database to extract information, and discusses the directions and challenges related to integrating multimedia databases for the Web, particularly for e-business.This book provides a comprehensive overview of multimedia data management and mining technologies, from the underlying concepts, architectures, and data models for multimedia database systems to the technologies that support multimedia data management on the Web, privacy issues, and emerging standards, prototypes, and products. Designed for technical managers, executives, and technologists, it offers your only opportunity to learn about both multimedia data management and multimedia data mining within a single book.
874 INSULIN RECEPTORS IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS (CF): INCREASE IN RECEPTOR NUMBER MAY EXPLAIN INSULIN SENSITIVITY

874 INSULIN RECEPTORS IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS (CF): INCREASE IN RECEPTOR NUMBER MAY EXPLAIN INSULIN SENSITIVITY
Participation of Mast Cells and Complement in the Immediate Phase of Hematoporphyrin-Induced Phototoxicity

We have investigated the roles of mast cells and the complement system in the immediate phase of hematoporphyrin-induced phototoxicity in guinea pigs. Clinically, i.v. injection of hematoporphyrin, followed by irradiation with a light source containing 400–405 nm wavelength, resulted in the immediate onset of erythema and edema, which subsided partially in 30–60 min. This was followed by the appearance of delayed erythema and edema, which peaked at 6–12 h after irradiation. Histologic examination of the response of the immediate phase, using a 1 μ-thick section, revealed eosinophil infiltration and mast cell degranulation. The immediate phase of the clinical response was further quantitated by the extravasation of intravenously injected [ 1251 ] bovine serum albumin. Pretreatment of the guinea pig skin with the intradermal injection of compound 48/80 significantly suppressed the increase in vascular permeability induced by hematoporphyrin and irradiation (p
A continuous wave Fe:ZnSe laser pumped by efficient Er:Y2O3 laser

Fe:ZnSe lasers have been pumped by several types of diode-pumped solid state laser, including Cr:Er:YSGG (2800 nm ), 1 Cr:CdSe (2970 nm ), 2 and Er:YAG (2698 nm , 3 2936 nm 4 ). None of these sources has exceeded 1.5 W of true continuous-wave (CW) output power. In this work, we report demonstration of a CW Fe:ZnSe laser pumped by a 10 W Er:Y 2 O 3 laser emitting at 2740 nm , 5 which had not been previously attempted. The Er:Y 2 O 3 pump laser was characterized with respect to propagation losses, beam quality, mode size, and pointing stability. It was determined that the limit of output power from the Fe:ZnSe laser was limited by the output stability of the pump laser. The Fe:ZnSe laser operated with mW output power was achieved at approximately 4050 nm .
Alignment technique for the Mach-Zehnder interferometer using a laser

Iterative technique using continuous gas laser for alignment of Mach-Zehnder interferometer for monochromatic and white light fringes
Robot strings: Long, thin continuum robots

We describe and discuss the development of long, thin, continuous “string-like” robots aimed at Space exploration missions. These continuous backbone “continuum” robots are inspired by numerous biological structures, particularly vines, worms, and the tongues of animals such as the anteater. The key novelty is the high length-to-diameter ratio of the robots. This morphology offers penetration into, and exploration of, significantly narrower and deeper environments than accessible using current robot technology. In this paper, we introduce new design alternatives for long thin continuum robots, based on an analysis and extension of three core existing continuum robot design types. The designs are evaluated based on their mechanical feasibility, structural properties, kinematic simplicity, and degrees of freedom.
Wavelength- and Time-Resolved Investigation of Laser-Induced Plasmas as a Continuum Source:

Time- and wavelength-resolved laser-induced plasma emission spectra in helium, argon, nitrogen, air, and helium/argon mixture were obtained from 200 to 700 nm. Stability studies showed that plasmas formed in helium had about 5% relative standard deviation in emission at most wavelength regions. A radiant intensity of 8 × 1011 photons/pulse sr was produced at 633 nm with a moderate laser power. Plasma temporal development was investigated in various gases. In general, the continuum emission was observed only during the first few microseconds following the laser onset. Plasmas in argon have the longest decay time, followed by helium and nitrogen. The feasibility of using the laser-induced plasma as a continuum source for the study of transient molecular absorption was demonstrated.
Characterization of key residues in the subdomain encoded by exons 8 and 9 of human inducible nitric oxide synthase: A critical role for Asp-280 in substrate binding and subunit interactions

Human inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is active as a dimer of two identical subunits. Each subunit has an amino-terminal oxygenase domain that binds the substrate l-Arg and the cofactors heme and tetrahydrobiopterin and a carboxyl-terminal reductase domain that binds FMN, FAD, and NADPH. We previously demonstrated that a subdomain in the oxygenase domain encoded by exons 8 and 9 is important for dimer formation and NO synthesis. Further, we identified Trp-260, Asn-261, Tyr-267, and Asp-280 as key residues in that subdomain. In this study, using an Escherichia coli expression system, we produced, purified, and characterized wild-type iNOS and iNOS-Ala mutants. Using H2O2-supported oxidation of Nω-hydroxy-l-Arg, we demonstrate that the iNOS mutants' inabilities to synthesize NO are due to selective defects in the oxygenase domain activity. Detailed characterization of the Asp-280–Ala mutant revealed that it retains a functional reductase domain, as measured by its ability to reduce cytochrome c. Gel permeation chromatography confirmed that the Asp-280–Ala mutant exists as a dimer, but, in contrast to wild-type iNOS, urea-generated monomers of the mutant fail to reassociate into dimers when incubated with l-Arg and tetrahydrobiopterin, suggesting inadequate subunit interaction. Spectral analysis reveals that the Asp-280–Ala mutant does not bind l-Arg. This indicates that, in addition to dimerization, proper subunit interaction is required for substrate binding. These data, by defining a critical role for Asp-280 in substrate binding and subunit interactions, give insights into the mechanisms of regulation of iNOS activity.
Development of an alloantiserum (R2) that detects susceptibility of chickens to subgroup E endogenous avian leukosis virus

Summary An alloantiserum, termed R2, specifically agglutinates red blood cells (RBC) from line 100B chickens that are susceptible to avian leukosis viruses (ALV) belonging to subgroups B and E, but does not agglutinate RBC from congenic inbred line 72 chickens that are resistant to ALV B and E. The R2 antigen was also detected on lymphocytes and thrombocytes. Using chickens from a special cross, it was found that R2 reactivity requires that the chickens must: (1) be susceptible to infection by ALV‐E; and (2) express a viral envelope gene with subgroup E specificity. With R2 antiserum, a nearly perfect association was observed between agglutination and susceptibility to ALV‐B in F2 chickens containing endogenous viral genes ev2 and/or ev3. These results support earlier evidence that ALV‐B and ALV‐E share receptors. Moreover, the R2 antiserum was shown to neutralize ALV‐E. The R2 antigen showed Mendelian segregation in chickens of a commercial White Leghorn strain‐cross containing ev3, ev6 and ev9. However,...
Impact of Children’s Identified Disability Status on Parent and Teacher Behavior Ratings

This study was an examination of the possible influence of a child’s pre-identified disability on parent and teacher behavior ratings and whether a child’s disability status affected parent ratings, when controlling for parenting stress. The sample included 206 kindergarten through third grade students and their teachers and parents from a Midwestern town and surrounding area. The results indicated that a child’s identified disability had a greater impact on parent ratings than teacher ratings of a child’s behavior. Compared to parents of a child without a disability, parents of a child with an identified disability reported significantly higher levels of externalizing problems and significantly lower levels of adaptive and social skills. In contrast, the negative effect of a child’s identified disability on teacher ratings was evident only in adaptive and social skills. Additionally, after controlling for parenting stress, a child’s identified disability accounted for a small but significant proportion of the variance in parent ratings of child externalizing problems and social skills. The findings may inform school psychology practice regarding behavior assessment and case conceptualization.
Quantitative analysis of strain heterogeneity as a function of temperature and strain rate

Abstract Natural rock deformation is characteristically heterogeneous on all scales. Through experimental deformation of a typical oolitic limestone, under upper crustal conditions, an attempt is made to evaluate the relative influences of temperature and strain rate upon the promotion of strain homogeneity. The material used was selected on the basis of such criteria as a simple diagenetic history and an absence of previous strain history. This approach leads to the expectation that the rock in question, a Mesozoic limestone from the Oolite Series of the British Jurassic, might be realistically comparable to the condition of relatively young carbonate rocks in such structures as the Helvetic nappes of the European Alps at their time of deformation. Accordingly, specimens of oolitic limestone were deformed at a common confining pressure of 200 MPa, at temperatures of 25°, 100° and 200° C, and at strain rates extending over three orders of magnitude from 10 −4 to 10 −6 sec −1 . Subsequent strain analyses were made on photographic enlargements of thin sections of the whole of each deformed sample cut in the plane containing the maximum and minimum dimensions of the distorted ooids. A qualitative view of the degree of strain heterogeneity is obtained by contouring strain variability and fully quantitative measure is obtained by expressing the degree of shape fluctuation as a coefficient of determination obtained from the leastsquares fit of the ooid axial data. For samples shortened to 40% at a strain rate of 10 −4 sec −1 , the homogeneity coefficient ( r 2 ) ranged from 0.17 (25°C) to 0.42 (200°C), whereas at the slower rate of 10 −6 sec −1 , the coefficient ranged from 0.56 (25°C) to 0.73 (200°C). Under all circumstances, but especially at temperatures above 100°C, strain rate is very much more effective than temperature in promoting a higher degree of strain homogeneity.
Synthesis and Structure of a New Copper(II) Pyroarsenate, BaCuAs2O7

Abstract Single crystals of a new barium copper(II) pyroarsenate, BaCuAs2O7, were grown via an eutectic flux of 40% BaCl2 and 60% NaCl by moles. The structure of this pyroarsenate has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The title compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system with the space group P 21/n (No. 14); Z = 4. The lattice parameters are a = 5.740 (5) A, b = 8.475 (3) A, c = 13.090 (3) A, β = 91.24 (4)°, and V = 636.7 (6) A3. The final least-squares full-matrix refinements yielded R/Rw = 0.030/0.043 and GOF = 1.81 for 101 variables. The newly synthesized BaCuAs2O7 phase is isostructural with ACuP2O7 (A = Ca, Sr). The unit cell adopts an open framework structure that consists of corner-shared CuO5 square pyramid and As2O7 pyroarsenate groups; Ba atoms occupy the gap between two layered-like [CuAs2O7] frameworks. It is recognized, for the first time, that the gap between parallel [CuAs2O7] slabs is characterized by a long Cu-O apical bond, 2.386 (3) A; this length is dictated by the size of the barium cation. In this paper, the flux synthesis, structural analysis, and infrared study of BaCuAs2O7 are presented.
Cutting Force Control in Machining: Bayesian Update of Mechanistic Force Model

For closed loop control of machining forces in the turning process, it is well established that identification of the mechanistic force model is necessary to ensure stable operation of the process. This work proposes a novel approach to update the mechanistic force model by incorporating uncertainty in the deterministic framework. Force coefficient values reported in literature are based on wide spectrum of machining conditions and so cause difficulty in predicting the machining force using the mechanistic force model. This variability stems from variation in material workpiece input quality variation. This work proposes to treat force coefficient and process variables (shear stress and friction angles) as random variables and use Bayesian Statistical techniques to infer true distribution of force coefficients via observing cutting force and feed force values and updating shear stress and friction angle joint probability distribution. A numerical analysis is performed for calculating force coefficients for Titanium alloy (Ti6-Al4V) Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation is performed to sample from the posterior distribution of the force coefficient. A single update cycle shows high reduction in the variability of the force coefficient. Numerical simulations presented indicate that it is possible to implement Bayesian update scheme in a closed loop control of cutting force for online identification of force coefficients and shear stress and friction angle distributions with few required update cycles and efficiently rejects the disturbance caused by changing machining parameters.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Determination of transition moments from power saturation

Abstract The electric (or magnetic) dipole transition moment may be calculated from the power broadening of saturation spectra if the ratio (T2/T1) is known or can be assumed as unity. The transition moment of the (43-0) P(13) R(15) lines of I2 coincident with the 5145 A Ar+ laser line is calculated from literature data on the power broadening of the saturation spectrum and compared to that obtained from absorption intensity measurements.
Homologous recombination between plasmid DNA molecules in maize protoplasts.

The requirements for homologous recombination between plasmid DNA molecules have been studied using the PEG (polyethylene glycol)-mediated transformation system of maize (Zea mays L.) protoplasts coupled with the transient expression assay for β-glucuronidase (GUS). Two plasmids were introduced into maize protoplasts; one plasmid (pB×26) contained a genomic clone of the Adh1 maize gene; the other plasmid (piGUS) was a promoterless construction containing part of intron A of the Adhl gene fused to the gusA coding sequence. Thus, the two vectors shared an effective homologous region consisting of a 459 by (Hindlll—PvuII) fragment of the yAdh1 intron A sequence. An active gusA fusion gene would result upon homologous recombination between the plasmids within the intron A sequence, and indeed GUS activity was observed in extracts following co-transformation of maize protoplasts with the two plasmids. The presence of recombinant DNA molecules in protoplast DNA isolated 1 day after co-transformation was verified using polymerase chain reactions (PCR) and Southern blots. For efficient homologous recombination, both plasmids had to be linearized. The recombination reaction was induced by restriction of the plasmid molecules either inside the effective homologous region or at the borders of the intron sequence. However, the presence of even small, terminal, nonhomologous sequences at the 3′ end of the pB×26 fragment inhibited the recombination reaction. Also, both ends of the linearized piGUS DNA molecules were involved in the recombination reaction. The results revealed some features of homologous recombination reactions occurring in plant cells which cannot be accommodated by mechanisms postulated for similar reactions in animal system and in lower eukaryotes.
Patient–Provider and Patient–Staff Racial Concordance and Perceptions of Mistreatment in the Health Care Setting

Objectives To determine what roles patient–provider and patient–staff racial concordance play on patients’ perceptions within the health care setting.
Gender differences in faculty attrition in the USA

In this study, we examined possible gender differences in reasons for faculty attrition during the last 20 years at a small women's liberal arts college. The attrition rate was calculated from archival data collected through old college directories. As in earlier studies, the attrition rate was higher for women (31%) than for men (18.5%). Reasons for leaving the college were assessed in an online survey completed by 45 out of 66 tenure-track or tenured professors who left (excluding retirees). Work–family conflict was the most frequently cited reason for leaving, with disproportionately more women than men giving this reason. Open-ended responses revealed that work–family conflict typically referred to the difficulty of coordinating two careers. Female faculty who left were also significantly more dissatisfied than males with the support for balancing work and family life at the college. The need for colleges to create spousal policies to help faculty coordinate dual careers was discussed.