cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pediatric human immunodeficiency virus infection and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. A health care crisis of children and families

• The number of children infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is rapidly increasing. Most infected children acquire their infection by vertical transmission from an infected mother, and this increase in the number of infected children reflects a similar increase in the number of infected women. Many features of HIV infection in children differ from those in adults, and it is important for the physician to be familiar with the varied presentations of pediatric HIV infection. Transmission of HIV during adolescence, by sexual contact and illicit drug use, is also a growing problem, accounting for most cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) seen in young adults in their 20's. The HIV-infected child represents only one member of a family affected by the HIV virus; frequently, multiple other members of the family are infected as well. These families are predominantly underpriviledged, coming from inner city minority populations with limited access to medical care and social service support. Pediatric AIDS is a preventable disease, by the prevention of HIV infection in women. In short term, it is likely that education will have the greatest impact on altering the course of the AIDS epidemic. Most infected children are cared for in a limited number of public inner city hospitals, and the ability of these hospitals to continue to provide adequate care will be threatened by the rising number of cases. A multidisciplinary approach to providing care for these children and their families is essential, with the primary care physician coordinating this effort. Rapid advances in the treatment of HIV and its associated opportunistic diseases raise difficult questions concerning the access of women, including pregnant women, and children to clinical trials of investigational agents. The commitment of individual health care workers and an increased level of financial support will be necessary to provide the care that these children and their families require and deserve. ( AJDC. 1991;145:529-532)
HIV infection and obesity: where did all the wasting go?

BackgroundThe success of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has led to dramatic changes in causes of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected individuals. As chronic disease rates have increased in HIV-po...
GETTING STARTED: Needs and Preferences of COLORADO FACULTY for Graduate Education in Nursing

Abstract The projected shortage of nurses is greatly influenced by the shortage of nursing faculty. This is of significant concern in Colorado due to increasing requirements for master's-prepared instructors at all levels. While there are many reasons for the faculty shortage, this study looked specifically at the needs and preferences of current nursing instructors related to obtaining graduate education in nursing. The survey results paint a picture of nurse faculty who need new approaches to managing graduate course work in addition to teaching and family responsibilities. Help with expenses through grants, scholarships, and loan forgiveness is vital. Potential graduate students rarely consider full-time or on-campus study, instead favoring online, one-per-semester, year-round courses. They are concerned about practicum hours, less concerned about graduate-level academic work, and not very concerned about online methods. There were no evident differences in needs and preferences for further education b...
A rapid, simplified method for serial blood volume determinations in the rat.

SummaryA relatively rapid, simplified method for the determination of the blood volume in the rat using Evans blue dye and the spectrophotometer is described. It has been found to be satisfactory for both mass production and serial determinations. A comparison of the results with those obtained by other methods is given.
Biodiversity conservation in the era of biofuels: risks and opportunities

Growing demand for alternative energy sources has contributed to increased biofuel production, but the effects on biodiversity of land-use change to biofuel crops remain unclear. Using a meta-analysis for crops being used or considered in the US, we find that vertebrate diversity and abundance are generally lower in biofuel crop habitats relative to the non-crop habitats that these crops may replace. Diversity effects are greater for corn than for pine and poplar, and birds of conservation concern experience greater negative effects from corn than species of less concern. Yet conversion of row-crop fields to grasslands dedicated to biofuels could increase local diversity and abundance of birds. To minimize impacts of biofuel crops on biodiversity, we recommend management practices that reduce chemical inputs, increase heterogeneity within fields, and delay harvests until bird breeding has ceased. We encourage research that will move us toward a sustainable biofuels economy, including the use of native plants, development of robust environmental criteria for evaluating biofuel crops, and integrated cost–benefit analysis of potential land-use change.
TDP-43 pathology in primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia with pathologic Alzheimer disease

The clinical syndrome of primary progressive aphasia (PPA) can be associated with a variety of neuropathologic diagnoses at autopsy. Thirty percent of cases have Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology, most often in the usual distribution, which defies principles of brain–behavior organization, in that aphasia is not symptomatic of limbic disease. The present study investigated whether concomitant TDP-43 pathology could resolve the lack of clinico-anatomic concordance. In this paper, 16 cases of clinical PPA and 10 cases of primarily non-aphasic frontotemporal dementia (FTD), all with AD pathology, were investigated to determine whether their atypical clinical phenotypes reflected the presence of additional TDP-43 pathology. A comparison group consisted of 27 cases of pathologic AD with the typical amnestic clinical phenotype of probable AD. Concomitant TDP-43 pathology was discovered in only three of the FTD and PPA but in more than half of the typical amnestic clinical phenotypes. Hippocampal sclerosis (HS) was closely associated with TDP-43 pathology when all groups were combined for analysis. Therefore, the clinical phenotypes of PPA and FTD in cases with pathologic AD are only rarely associated with TDP-43 proteinopathy. Furthermore, medial temporal TDP-43 pathology is more tightly linked to HS than to clinical phenotype. These findings challenge the current notions about clinicopathologic correlation, especially about the role of multiple pathologies.
Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of gastric outlet obstruction due to a pyloric web

Gastrointestinal tract atresia has an incidence of 1 in 10,000 live-births, while gastric outlet obstruction comprises only approximately 1 per cent of these malformations. A prenatally diagnosed case is described, followed by a discussion regarding the diagnosis and possible associated abnormalities.
On Derivative Sampling From Image Blur for Reconstruction of Band-Limited Signals

Image sensors are typically characterized by slow sampling rates, which limit their efficacy in signal reconstruction applications. Their integrative nature though produces image blur when the exposure window is long enough to capture relative motion of the observed object relative to the sensor. Image blur contains more information on the observed dynamics than the typically used centroids, i.e., time averages of the motion within the exposure window. Parameters characterizing the observed motion, such as the signal derivatives at specified sampling instants, can be used for signal reconstruction through the derivative sampling extension of the known sampling theorem. Using slow image based sensors as derivative samplers allows for reconstruction of faster signals, overcoming Nyquist limitations. In this manuscript, we present an algorithm to extract values of a signal and its derivatives from blurred image measurements at specified sampling instants, i.e. the center of the exposure windows, show its application in two signal reconstruction numerical examples and provide a numerical study on the sensitivity of the extracted values to significant problem parameters.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Electrodes for high-frequency electrosurgery.

. Among the varied types of electrosurgical electrodes available, many dermatologists find a tapered or needle-shaped electrodesiccation electrode most useful. Cutting current procedures are best accomplished with fine needle or wire electrodes. Both monopolar and bipolar forceps are useful for pinpoint coagulation of small blood vessels. Because of increasing concerns about electrode contamination, several kinds of disposable electrodes are now available.
Computational efficiency of anova programs based on a reparameterization

A technique that allows estimation and hypothesis testing with regard to the original parameters of an analysis of variance model using parameter estimates of a reparameterized model is discussed. The efficiency of using the proposed technique for solving the normal equations is also discussed.
Episodic Dust Events of Utah’s Wasatch Front and Adjoining Region

AbstractEpisodic dust events cause hazardous air quality along Utah’s Wasatch Front and dust loading of the snowpack in the adjacent Wasatch Mountains. This paper presents a climatology of episodic dust events of the Wasatch Front and adjoining region that is based on surface weather observations from the Salt Lake City International Airport (KSLC), Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) imagery, and additional meteorological datasets. Dust events at KSLC—defined as any day [mountain standard time (MST)] with at least one report of a dust storm, blowing dust, and/or dust in suspension with a visibility of 10 km or less—average 4.3 per water year (WY: October–September), with considerable interannual variability and a general decline in frequency during the 1930–2010 observational record. The distributions of monthly dust-event frequency and total dust flux are bimodal, with primary and secondary maxima in April and September, respectively. Dust reports are most common in the late afterno...
Long-Term Survival of Autotransplanted Major Pelvic Ganglion in the Corpus Cavernosum of Adult Rats

Purpose: Neurogenic impotence is a common complication after radical pelvic surgery, irradiation or perineal trauma. Neuronal transplantation is a new frontier for treating neurological disorders. We investigated whether the major pelvic ganglion can survive and become functional after being implanted into the corpus cavernosum in adult rats.Materials and Methods: Adult male rats (13) were divided into 3 groups and sacrificed at 3 time points, namely 30 (4), 60 (5) and 90 (4) days. All rats underwent excision of the right major pelvic ganglion and left cavernous nerve. The right ganglion was implanted into the right crus of the penis. Electrostimulation was applied to the left major pelvic ganglion and cavernous nerve (1.5 mA.) and right crus (10 mA.) at sacrifice. The crural region and left ganglion were then excised for immunostaining of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), protein gene product 9.5 and growth associated protein 43. Image analysis was used to calculate the area stained in pixels. Elect...
HST/COS OBSERVATIONS OF GALACTIC HIGH-VELOCITY CLOUDS: FOUR ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEUS SIGHT LINES THROUGH COMPLEX C ∗

We report ultraviolet spectra of Galactic high-velocity clouds (HVCs) in Complex C, taken by the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), together with new 21 cm spectra from the Green Bank Telescope. The wide spectral coverage and higher signal-to-noise ratio, compared to previous HST spectra, provide better velocity definition of the HVC absorption, additional ionization species (including high ions), and improved abundances in this halo gas. Complex C has a metallicity of 10%-30% solar and a wide range of ions, suggesting dynamical and thermal interactions with hot gas in the Galactic halo. Spectra in the COS medium-resolution G130M (1133-1468 A) and G160M (1383-1796 A) gratings detect ultraviolet absorption lines from eight elements in low-ionization states (O I, N I, C II, S II, Si II, Al II, Fe II, P II) and three elements in intermediate- and high-ionization states (Si III, Si IV, C IV, N V). Our four active galactic nucleus sight lines toward Mrk 817, Mrk 290, Mrk 876, and PG 1259+593 have high-velocity H I and O VI column densities, log N{sub Hi}= 19.39-20.05 and log N{sub Ovi}= 13.58-14.10, with substantial amounts of kinematically associated photoionized gas. The high-ion abundance ratios are consistentmore » with cooling interfaces between photoionized and collisionally ionized gas: N(C IV)/N(O VI) {approx} 0.3-0.5, N(Si IV)/N(O VI) {approx} 0.05-0.11, N(N V)/N(O VI) {approx} 0.07-0.13, and N(Si IV)/N(Si III) {approx}0.2.« less
Microwave MEMS-based voltage-controlled oscillators

A microwave voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) based on coupled bonding wire inductors and microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based variable capacitors for frequency tuning is demonstrated in this paper. The MEMS-based variable capacitors were fabricated in a standard polysilicon surface micromachining technology. The variable capacitors have a nominal capacitance of 1.4 pF and have a Q factor of 23 at 1 GHz and 14 at 2 GHz. The capacitance is variable from 1.4 to 1.9 pF as the tuning voltage is swept from 0 to 5 V. The VCO, fabricated in a 0.5 /spl mu/m CMOS technology, was assembled in a ceramic package where MEMS and CMOS dice were bonded together. The oscillator operates at 2.4 GHz, achieves a phase noise of -122 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset from the carrier, and exhibits a tuning range of 3.4%.
Poiseuille advection of chemical reaction fronts.

Poiseuille flow between parallel plates alters the shapes and velocities of chemical reaction fronts. In the narrow-gap limit, the cubic reaction-diffusion-advection equation predicts a front-velocity correction equal to the gap-averaged fluid velocity $ϵ$. In the singular wide-gap limit, the correction equals the midgap fluid velocity $3ϵ/2$ when the flow is in the direction of propagation of the reaction front, and equals zero for adverse flow of any amplitude for which the front has a midgap cusp. Stationary fronts are possible only for adverse flow and finite gaps. Experiments are suggested.
A holistic approach to accurate tuning of RF systems for large and small multiparameter perturbations

In this paper, a holistic yield recovery approach based on post manufacture tuning of RF circuits and systems under large as well as small multi-parameter process variations is developed. Marginally failing devices (small parameter deviations) are tuned using a nonlinear “Augmented Lagrange” algorithm driven optimization engine that includes test specification values and power consumption in its optimization framework. A novel built-in alternate tuning test is used to explicitly evaluate all the DUT specifications at each optimization iteration. For large parameter deviations well beyond the test specification limits of the DUT, determination of the different specification values is difficult. Such devices are tuned using a golden response tuning approach which optimizes the DUT specifications implicitly until the DUT is “good enough” to be tuned by the prior Augmented Lagrange algorithm. The proposed methodology enables yield recovery of devices not possible with earlier methods, avoids local minima and can be implemented at low cost.
Comparison of RAM model estimates with 1976 St. Louis RAPS measurements of sulfur dioxide

Abstract Comparisons of model estimates from the model RAM with SO2 measurements from 13 Regional Air Pollution Study sites in St. Louis for the year 1976 were made with emphasis on 2nd highest concentrations for the 1-h, 3-h and 24-h averaging times, and also the top 5% of the distribution for 24-h concentrations. Although there is considerable scatter in the comparison of the 2nd highest concentrations, only 9 of 39 data points are outside the bounds of a factor of two and no overall bias is seen, although as the averaging time increases there is more underestimation by the model. Exponential distribution fit the top 5 % of the 24-h concentration distributions for all stations for both estimated and measured concentrations. The distributions for estimated and measured concentrations were judged to match at eight of the thirteen sites.
Pathological personality traits and externalizing behaviour

Previous research has identified general personality traits and personality disorders that are associated with externalizing behaviour (EB). There is a dearth of research, however, investigating the relations between pathological personality traits and EB. The current study examined pathological personality traits, as measured by the Schedule for Non-adaptive and Adaptive Functioning (SNAP) and the Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology-Basic Questionnaire (DAPP-BQ), in relation to EB. Undergraduates (n = 228) completed the SNAP, DAPP-BQ, and a measure of antisocial behaviour, substance use, gambling, intimate partner violence and risky sexual behaviour. Using confirmatory factor analysis, we identified the best fitting model as one that specified eight factors: five personality factors composed of constructs assessed by the DAPP and SNAP, one externalizing factor and two method factors corresponding to each of the measures. Consistent with the empirical literature using general personality traits, the current results suggest that pathological personality traits related to impulse control (i.e. low conscientiousness), as well as more interpersonally focused traits (i.e. low agreeableness), were most strongly associated with EB. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Where do Bayesian priors come from

Bayesian prior probabilities have an important place in probabilistic and statistical methods. In spite of this fact, the analysis of where these priors come from and how they are formed has received little attention. It is reasonable to excuse the lack, in the foundational literature, of detailed psychological theory of what are the mechanisms by which prior probabilities are formed. But it is less excusable that there is an almost total absence of a detailed discussion of the highly differentiating nature of past experience in forming a prior. The focus here is on what kind of account, even if necessarily schematic, can be given about the psychological mechanisms back of the formation of Bayesian priors. The last section examines a detailed experiment relevant to how priors are learned.
Isolation of malignant and functional Ly 1+ T-cell clones from B-cell lymphomas.

Recent work has shown that established B-cell tumours, previously thought to proliferate independently of immune regulation, may activate, and be regulated by, helper or suppressor T-cell subpopulations1–7. We now report a unique model of a murine sarcoma virus (MSV) induced B-cell lymphoma which is closely associated with a population of pre-malignant or malignant helper T cells. Proliferation of these T cells is not observed in vivo but is readily detected on in vitro cultivation. These results raise questions about immunological control and differentiation of malignant lymphomas in vivo.
Superstructures in ankerite and calcite

Two rhombohedral carbonates, ferroan dolomite (ankerite) and magnesian calcite from lower Jurassic ammonites, have been studied by transmission electron microscopy. The samples show small domains with the morphology of platelets parallel to (11\(\bar 2\)0) which have exceptionally well ordered superstructures and characteristic c-reflections. Diffraction patterns and contrast analysis of atomic resolution images indicate that the domains observed in ankerite are rich in Ca [Ca0.75(Mg, Fe)0.25CO3] and those in calcite rich in Mg, and there is strong evidence that cation ordering is the cause for the observed superstructures which are proposed mainly on diffraction evidence. Rhombohedral carbonates have a close similarity to NaCl, with CO3-groups substituting for Cl. Cation ordering patterns can therefore be discussed in analogy to f.c.c. alloys. We make use of ordering waves to describe superstructures and to qualitatively interpret kinetic conditions for their formation.
Investigation of the Pathway for Inter-Copper Electron Transfer in Peptidylglycine α-Amidating Monooxygenase

Peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase catalyzes the oxidative cleavage of glycine extended peptides at their terminus. In the course of the reaction, there is a requisite long-range electron transfer between the two copper centers (CuH and CuM) located in the hydroxylating domain. This communication presents data that argue against the participation of the extended peptide backbone of substrate in the long-range electron transfer. We propose that electron transfer occurs via the bulk solvent that separates CuH from CuM.
Strategic alliances as a source of early-stage seed capital in new technology-based firms

Abstract A significant gap exists in early-stage seed capital for technology-based new ventures. This article reports the results of a survey of embryonic firms in the southwestern United States that received significant amounts of their initial capital from strategic partners. Through this survey of firms, we have examined various characteristics of the partnerships. The firms were identified through extensive research of multiple sources (at least 30) such as universities, federal laboratories, state and local economic development agencies, incubator centers, technology parks, venture capital funds, NASA Regional Technology Transfer Centers, corporate alliance partners, entrepreneurial networking organizations and by word-of-mouth from other entrepreneurs. Our empirical research findings identified the following key issues as salient to small-firm/large-firm, technology-driven strategic alliances formed for seed capital investment purposes: (a) Processes of strategic alliance formation; (b) Benefits accruing from strategic alliance formation; (c) Alternative market roles to forming a strategic alliance; (d) Governance processes of strategic alliances; (e) Alternative sources of funding to forming a strategic alliance; (f) Critical success/failure factors in strategic alliance formation.
A pairwise interaction theory for determining the linear acoustic properties of dilute bubbly liquids

The problem of determining the acoustic properties of dilute bubbly liquids is examined using the method of ensemble-averaged equations and pairwise interactions. The phase speed and attenuation of sound waves in the small-amplitude regime are determined as a function of frequency of sound waves including the effects of finite surface tension, small viscosity of the liquid, and non-adiabatic thermal changes, and compared with the experimental data available in the literature. An excellent agreement is found for frequencies smaller than about 1.3 times the natural frequency of the bubbles, but the discrepancy is substantial at larger frequencies.
The benefits and concerns related to vitamin a supplementation.

role that vitamin A plays in child health. Discovered in 1913 by E. V. McCollum, vitamin A is essential for the production of rhodopsin, the light-sensitive chemical in the retina, and its deficiency results in night blindness and more-severe forms of xerophthalmia, including corneal ulcers and blindness. A role for vitamin A deficiency in the etiology of infections was proposed in the period immediately after its discovery [1], but research to identify whether a causal relationship existed was not pursued. While conducting an observational study to understand the epidemiological aspects of xerophthalmia in Indonesia in the early 1980s, Sommer et al. found that children who had xerophthalmia were more likely to die than were other children [2]. In their first large community trial in Aceh, Indonesia, Sommer et al. found that children ^ months old who received vitamin A every 6 months were significantly less likely to die than were those who did not receive vitamin A
Detection and location of myocardial infarction using Technetium-99m sestamibi imaging at rest

Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) sestamibi imaging at rest has been used to detect and localize myocardial infarction. The largest study to date is a cooperative study of 146 patients in 17 institutions. There were 24 normal subjects and 122 patients with documented myocardial infarction based on clinical, enzymatic or electrocardiographic criteria. The presence of segmental myocardial perfusion defects was compared to the presence of a Q wave on the electrocardiogram or wall motion abnormality on gated blood pool scans, performed within 48 hours of the Tc-99m sestamibi study. Of the 122 infarct patients, 118 (97%) showed perfusion abnormalities by Tc-99m sestamibi imaging. A perfusion defect was found in 110 (99%) of 111 patients with a Q wave and a wall motion abnormality, 113 (99%) of 114 patients with a wall motion abnormality and 113 (98%) of 115 patients with a Q wave. Of the 24 normal subjects, 22 (92%) had normal Tc-99m sestamibi images. In 75% of 1,986 segments, both a Tc-99m sestamibi defect and a regional wall motion abnormality on gated blood scans were present. In 11% of segments, wall motion was normal but Tc-99m sestamibi imaging was abnormal; in 14% of segments, wall motion was abnormal and Tc-99m sestamibi images were normal. In the 24 control subjects, 99% of the segments were normal. Thirty-eight patients had coronary angiography. A close relation existed between the coronary anatomy and myocardial Tc-99m sestamibi uptake. All 9 territories supplied by an occluded vessel and poor collaterals had grade 0 uptake (scale 0 to 2: 0 = markedly reduced; 2 = normal).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The effects of job-related stress on medical center employee communicator style†

SUMMARY Founded on the assumption that communicator style is situationally and contextually influenced, this study investigates the effects of job-related stress on communicator style. It was specifically designed to measure the effects of job-related stress factors on employee communicator style within the context of a medical centre organization. Three central research questions are posed: (1) what, if any, meaningful differences in communicator style can be found from general work conditions to stress-specific conditions; (2) do different stress conditions give rise to meaningful differences in communicator style; (3) what communicator style differences exist among three major medical centre employee ltierarchies in response to stress-specific situations. The results indicate that communicator style in the stress-specific sample was significantly more dominant, open, attentive but less dramatic and friendly. Multivariate analysis revealed that communicator style accounted for the greatest differences between employees who were experiencing stress due to being unprepared to perform their work role. All role-related stress variables were more powerfully discriminated by the communicator style variables than department/unit stress (stress at the work group level). Finally, communicator style variables provided statistically significant discrimination of three occupational groups: physicians, administrators/managers, and line employees. Physicians appeared to be more assertive and less supportive in their communication; administrators/managers were assertive but also supportive while line employees were both submissive and supportive in their communicator style. These three employee groups were also discriminated using the job-related stress variables. Although statistically significant findings were obtained, the discriminant functions were less powerful than the communicator style discriminant functions.
B-Lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) up-regulation in mixed cryoglobulinaemia syndrome and hepatitis-C virus infection

OBJECTIVES To investigate the role of B-Lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) in mixed cryoglobulinaemia syndrome (MCsn), a systemic vasculitis associated with a high risk to develop lymphoma, since BLyS up-regulation may favour both autoimmunity and lymphoproliferation. METHODS BLyS serum levels were analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (positive when >0.85 ng/ml) in 66 patients with MCsn, 54 (81.8%) of whom were positive for hepatitis-C virus (HCV) infection. Thirty-three HCV-positive patients without MCsn were also studied. Patients were compared with 48 healthy blood donors (HBDs). BLyS modifications after antiviral therapy were also studied. RESULTS A significantly higher frequency of BLyS serum positivity was detected both in MCsn patients and in HCV-positive patients without MCsn (37.9 and 30.3%, respectively) when compared with HBDs (4.2%) (P < 0.0001 vs MCsn and P = 0.0026 vs HCV-positive patients without MCsn, respectively). BLyS appeared significantly higher in MCsn (3.70 +/- 2.97 ng/ml) than in HCV-positive patients without MCsn (1.56 +/- 0.63 ng/ml; P = 0.0044). BLyS expression did not correlate with rheumatoid factor levels, cryoglobulin levels or definite MCsn-related systemic features. High BLyS levels were significantly associated only with MCsn-related overt lymphoproliferative disorder. Finally, antiviral treatment significantly increased BLyS levels, independently from HCV-RNA negativization. However, BLyS normalization was noticed after both HCV-RNA negativization and suspension of antiviral therapy by preliminary data. CONCLUSIONS BLyS is up-regulated and may play a pathogenetic role in a fraction of patients with MCsn, similarly to other autoimmune diseases. HCV infection likely represents the early event leading to BLyS up-regulation in this setting. BLyS is up-regulated during antiviral treatment. Overall, these data provide new insights for BLyS and virus-related autoimmunity, lymphoproliferation and possible treatment strategies.
Ways and Means of Providing Primary and Preventive Health Services

There exist today a variety of children's health programs that are cost-effective, high-quality, and accessible, and that provide important lessons for communities seeking to improve health care for their children. What is needed is the development of a communications strategy that disseminates this existing knowledge. It has been demonstrated that information in the hands of community leaders results in change and the development of creative programs. Implementation is the goal and social marketing is the methodology.
An Inherited Variable Poly-T Repeat Genotype in TOMM40 in Alzheimer Disease

I coauthored a recently published research article describing a variable length, poly-T polymorphism in the TOMM40 gene, adjacent to apolipoprotein E (APOE) on chromosome 19, that accounts for the age at onset distribution for a complex disease, late-onset Alzheimer disease. These new data explain the mean age at disease onset for patients with the APOE4/4 genotype and differentiate 2 forms of TOMM40 poly-T polymorphisms linked to APOE, with each form associated with a different age at disease onset distribution. When linked to APOE3 (encoding the epsilon3 isoform of APOE), the longer TOMM40 poly-T repeats (19-39 nucleotides) at the rs10524523 (hereafter, 523) locus are associated with earlier age at onset and the shorter TOMM40 523 alleles (11-16 nucleotides) are associated with later age at onset. The data suggest that the poly-T alleles are codominant, with the age at onset phenotype determined by the 2 inherited 523 alleles, but with variable expressivity. Additional data will further refine the relationship between the length of the poly-T alleles and age at disease onset and determine if the relationship is linear.
Extraterrestrial amino acids identified in metal-rich CH and CB carbonaceous chondrites from Antarctica

Carbonaceous chondrites contain numerous indigenous organic compounds and could have been an important source of prebiotic compounds required for the origin of life on Earth or elsewhere. Extraterrestrial amino acids have been reported in five of the eight groups of carbonaceous chondrites and are most abundant in CI, CM, and CR chondrites but are also present in the more thermally altered CV and CO chondrites. We report the abundance, distribution, and enantiomeric and isotopic compositions of simple primary amino acids in six metal-rich CH and CB carbonaceous chondrites that have not previously been investigated for amino acids: Allan Hills (ALH) 85085 (CH3), Pecora Escarpment (PCA) 91467 (CH3), Patuxent Range (PAT) 91546 (CH3), MacAlpine Hills (MAC) 02675 (CBb), Miller Range (MIL) 05082 (CB), and Miller Range (MIL) 07411 (CB). Amino acid abundances and carbon isotopic values were obtained by using both liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry and fluorescence, and gas chromatography isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The d 13 C/ 12 C ratios of multiple amino acids fall outside of the terrestrial range and support their extraterrestrial origin. Extracts of CH chondrites were found to be particularly rich in amino acids (13-16 parts per million, ppm) while CB chondrite extracts had much lower abundances (0.2-2 ppm). The amino acid distributions of the CH and CB chondrites were distinct from the distributions observed in type 2 and 3 CM and CR chondrites and contained elevated levels of b-, c-, and d-amino acids compared to the corresponding a-amino acids, providing evidence that multiple amino acid formation mechanisms were important in CH and CB chondrites.
Persistence in Massachusetts of the veined white butterfly due to use of the invasive form of cuckoo flower

The native pierid butterfly Pieris oleracea underwent a large range reduction in New England in the twentieth century, likely due to the introduction the invasive butterfly Pieris rapae (Lep.: Pieridae) to North America in 1860, and later the oligophagous parasitoid Cotesia glomerata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in 1884. Thought extirpated from the state by the 1970s, one large dense population of the butterfly was found in the mid 1980s in a flood plain meadow along the Housatonic River in Lenox, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. We examined how this native pierid was able to maintain a relatively dense local population by feeding on a novel, invasive host plant, Cardamine pratensis (cuckoo flower), in a meadow habitat despite known parasitoid presence. We approached this question in three ways. First, we deployed trap host plants (cuckoo flower and collards) stocked host larvae (first and second instars of either P. rapae or P. oleracea) at the Lenox site and other locations to determine current rates of C. glomerata attack, for comparison with historical information. Second, we used olfactometer experiments to determine if C. glomerata females could detect the cuckoo flower volatiles released during P. oleracea larval feeding. Third, we used field-cage experiments to determine if the plant architecture found in the flood plain meadow inhibited the ability of C. glomerata females to locate and parasitize hosts. Specifically, we asked if overtopping vegetation prevented or reduced parasitism of P. oleracea larvae feeding on the covered basal rosettes of C. pratensis, which is the physical form of host plant for three of the four butterfly generations at the site.
The Influence of Depression Upon American Opinion, 1857–1859

On August 26, 1857, just two days after the New York branchthe Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Company suspended payment, of, the New York Herald predicted that the financial difficulties then beginning were certain to acquire the proportions of a great crisis. It boasted, moreover, that it had foreseen and warned of this impending calamity for the preceding twelve months, but its warnings had been spurned. The Herald's vaunted prescience perhaps stemmed chiefly from the long-standing prejudice of its publisher, James Gordon Bennett, against the operations of speculators in Wall Street. As early as 1854, when the speculative boom in railroad stocks was halted by a sharp decline of prices, the Herald had predicted the imminent approach of a crisis, one that would mark the end of the current “Fitful Spasmodic System” of American business. During the winter of 1854–1855 business stagnated, unemployment increased greatly, and there was considerable distress and popular unrest, especially in New York City. Here was an advance view, as it were, of the pattern of depression which was to develop in 1857.
Clinical mesenchymal stromal cell products undergo functional changes in response to freezing.

Abstract Background aims Current methods of mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) cryopreservation result in variable post-thaw recovery and phenotypic changes caused by freezing. The objective of this investigation was to determine the influence of ex vivo cell expansion on phenotype of MSCs and the response of resulting phenotypes to freezing and thawing. Methods Human bone marrow aspirate was used. MSCs were isolated and cells were assessed for total count, viability, apoptosis and senescence over 6 passages (8–10 doublings/passage) in ex vivo culture. One half of cells harvested at each passage were re-plated for continued culture and the other half were frozen at 1°C/min in a controlled-rate freezer. Frozen samples were stored in liquid nitrogen, thawed and reassessed for total cell count, viability and senescence immediately and 48 h after thaw. Results Viability did not differ significantly between samples before freeze or after thaw. Senescence increased over time in pre-freeze culture and was significantly higher in one sample that had growth arrest both before freeze and after thaw. Freezing resulted in similar initial post-thaw recovery in all samples, but 48-h post-thaw growth arrest was observed in the sample with high senescence only. Conclusions High pre-freeze senescence appears to correlate with poor post-thaw function in MSC samples, but additional studies are necessary to obtain a sample sizes large enough to quantify results.
A computational approach to synthesizing guards for hybrid systems

Abstract We propose a technique for synthesizing switching guards for hybrid systems to satisfy a given state-based safety constraint. Using techniques from sum of squares (SOS) optimization, we design guards defined by semialgebraic sets that trigger mode switches, and we guarantee that the synthesized switching policy does not allow Zeno executions. We demonstrate our approach on an example of switched affine systems and on an application to traffic ramp metering.
Detecting discussion scenes in instructional videos

This paper addresses the problem of detecting discussion scenes in instructional videos using statistical approaches. Specifically, given a series of speech segments separated from the audio tracks of educational videos, we first model the instructor using a Gaussian mixture model (GMM), then a four-state transition machine is designed to extract discussion scenes in real-time, based on detected instructor-student speaker change points. Meanwhile, we keep updating the GMM model to accommodate the instructor's voice variation along time. Promising experimental results have been achieved on five educational (IBM MicroMBA program) videos, and very interesting instruction/teaching patterns have been observed. The extracted scene information would facilitate the semantic indexing and structuralization of instructional video content
A hands-on approach to green design in an introductory engineering class

Few engineering schools offer students an opportunity to learn about the environmental implications of engineering design until late in the curriculum, if at all. However, such implications are becoming increasingly important and complex. Here, the authors describe how they have successfully implemented a hands-on group project for the first-year engineering education course which acquaints students with the concepts of green design. The objectives of the project were to reach students the basic ideas of life cycle analysis and environmentally conscious decision making and to encourage them to think about how products are designed. To examine the effectiveness of this project, a detailed survey was given to the students after the completion of the project. Overall, the project allowed students to discover for themselves the challenges of designing a product to be environmentally benign.
Automated assembly inspection using a multiscale algorithm trained on synthetic images

An important part of a robust automated assembly process is an accurate and efficient method for the inspection of finished assemblies. This paper presents a novel multiscale assembly inspection algorithm that is used to detect errors in an assembled product. The algorithm is trained on synthetic images generated using the CAD model of the different components of the assembly. The CAD model guides the inspection algorithm through its training stage by addressing the different types of variations that occur during manufacturing and assembly. Those variations are classified into those that can affect the functionality of the assembled product and those that are unrelated to its functionality. Using synthetic images in the training process adds to the versatility of the technique by removing the need to manufacture multiple prototypes and control the lighting conditions. Once trained on synthetic images, the algorithm can detect assembly errors by examining real images of the assembled product. The effectiveness of the system is illustrated on a typical mechanical assembly. >
The Rule of Law During Times of Economic Crisis

It is trite to observe that every economic crisis is unique and calls forth unique government responses. Still, it is possible to generalize from prior crises to anticipate government responses to future crises. Understanding patterns in governmental responses to crises is especially pressing in that the United States faces a looming and entirely predictable fiscal crisis caused by the seemingly irreversible nature of spending on entitlement programs and exploding government debt. Yet government responses to prior crises are not uniform — the economic crisis associate with the Articles of Confederation and the crisis of the Civil War produced strengthened constitutional structures. The crises of the Great Depression and recent financial crisis, by contrast, resulted permanent disfigurement of the Constitution that has produced a massive growth in rent-seeking and crony capitalist structures. This article explores these different constitutional responses to economic and national security crises and attempts to identify which factors may be crucial in determining whether the inevitable fiscal crisis results in strengthened or weakened constitutional government and the rule of law.
Magnetic Properties of Amorphous Metallic Alloys

A growing number of amorphous metallic alloys have been obtained by rapid-quenching from the liquid state or by other techniques such as vapor deposition or electrolytic deposition. The purpose of this talk is to review some of the experimental work on the amorphous metallic alloys prepared by the technique of liquid quenching.1 The emphasis will be on the magnetic properties of these metastable alloys.
Need-Based Financial Aid and College Persistence Experimental Evidence from Wisconsin

We examine the impacts of a private need-based college financial aid program distributing grants at random among first-year Pell Grant recipients at thirteen public Wisconsin universities. The Wisconsin Scholars Grant of $3,500 per year required full-time attendance. Estimates based on four cohorts of students suggest that offering the grant increased completion of a full-time credit load and rates of re-enrollment for a second year of college. An increase of $1,000 in total financial aid received during a student’s first year of college was associated with a 2.8 to 4.1 percentage point increase in rates of enrollment for the second year.
Monolithic ultra-low-power 6 Gbit/s inductorless PRBS generator for silicon HBT-based carrier-injection electro-absorption modulator

A low-power pseudo-random bit sequence (PRBS) generator for testing a high-speed optical transmitter module has been realised in a 130 nm bipolar CMOS process. The transmitter consists of a monolithic driver circuit architecture and a heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT)-based carrier-injection electro-absorption modulator. A 10 Gbit/s current mode logic latch with only 0.6 mW power consumption is designed by scaling down the current density without degrading the overall transmitter speed performance. The 27−1 PRBS generator circuit consumes only 42.75 mW at 6 Gbit/s operating speeds with a 1.5 V dc power supply. The core circuit power consumption is 9 mW.
The Writer Who Hesitates Need Not Be Lost

The article explains how writer's block can be avoided or eliminated with the implementation of a step-by-step writing process.
Lung structure parameters estimated from modeling aerosol deposition in isolated dog lungs.

A three-compartment model predicting the recovery of aerosol boli (i.e., the ratio of the number of particles expired to the number inspired) as a function of breath-holding time and bolus penetration was fitted to experimental data measured in nine isolated dog lungs. For each lung, the diameters of alveoli and alveolar ducts, as well as the volume fractions of alveoli, alveolar ducts, and airways, were determined as parameters providing the best fit. Parameter values were alveolar diameter = 0.116 +/- 0.007 (SE) mm, alveolar duct diameter = 0.284 +/- 0.015 mm, total alveolar volume/total lung capacity (TLC) = 0.68 +/- 0.02, total alveolar duct volume/TLC = 0.24 +/- 0.02, and total airway volume/TLC = 0.09 +/- 0.01. These values agreed with published values for linear dimensions and volumetric fractions in the canine lung. The mean alveolar diameter determined by the model in the nine lungs agreed closely with a mean value of 0.115 +/- 0.002 mm determined by morphometric analysis of photographs of the subpleural alveoli in the same lungs. The procedure of fitting the model to experimental data appears to have promise as a noninvasive probe of the lung periphery. However, aerosol-derived dimensions were more variable than morphometric ones, possibly because of interlung differences in aerosol distribution not accounted for in the model.
Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome: Is it more than just cerebral vasoconstriction?

BackgroundSystemic vascular alterations have not been described in reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS). We present a case series of RCVS patients having cardiac dysfunction during ictus, with a subset showing complete resolution of cardiomyopathy.MethodsRetrospective case-series: Cardiac left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and wall motion abnormalities (WMA) visualized on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), performed during RCVS ictus and follow-up was analyzed.ResultsOf 68 patients, 18 (26%) had a TTE performed around ictus. Three of 18 (17%) patients demonstrated WMA on initial TTE. All three patients were female without previous coronary artery disease or heart failure, and were asymptomatic from the cardiac dysfunction. WMA resolved completely on follow-up in Patients 1 and 2. Global LV dysfunction persisted for at least 90 days in Patient 3.ConclusionAlthough the exact pathophysiology of the cardiomyopathy is uncertain, it may be related to localized coronary vasoconstriction...
A Never-Ending Battle

Mr. M.'s remaining lifespan was mere weeks, but he vehemently refused pain medications. It wasn't surprising: such medications can cause coping strategies to crumble, and like many military veterans, Mr. M. was a prisoner of an ongoing inner war that raged silently in his head.