cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sufficient Evidence: Building Certifiably Dependable Systems

A study of the National Academies entitled “Sufficient Evidence: Building Certifiably Dependable Systems” is currently underway. Its purpose is to assess the state of dependable software development, and in particular the role that certification plays, and might play in the future, in making software more dependable. This paper outlines a few of the pertinent themes. Its content is based on comments that have been provided to the study committee either in open session, or as communications from non-members of the committee, and in some cases, it represents the views of this paper’s authors. It should therefore not be construed as a statement by the committee, and it does not necessarily represent the consensus of the committee, or even of the views of individual committee members. A full report will be available when the study has been completed (in 2006). some Issues In softwAre DepenDAbIlIty Is software dependability a problem?. The software development community – in both research and industry – has for a long time been concerned with issues of dependability. A skeptic might ask whether the dependability of software is actually a problem that merits attention, let alone investment. Dependability, especially of desktop applications, has improved dramatically in the last few decades, at the same time as the functionality offered by software has grown at a far greater rate. Software, although it causes frequent irritations, has been implicated in surprisingly few fatal accidents, and those accidents that have happened are widely known. Moreover, the number of deaths due to software failures in the US seems to be orders of magnitude smaller than those due to other kinds of failure. Medical errors, for example, account for about 44,000 deaths per annum, and workplace injuries alone for about 8,000. There are two reasons that such skepticism might be unwise. First, the deployment of software is increasing at a rapid rate, and software is becoming pervasive in our civic infrastructure. Failures of software are inevitable, and their effects are likely to be more far reaching and damaging than the failures we have seen to date. Second, software has great potential to improve quality of life and reduce accidents by mitigating the failures of human operators; perhaps a significant proportion of medical errors could be avoided with appropriate software measures overseeing medical procedures.
Effects of stormwater nutrient discharges on eutrophication processes in nearshore waters of the Florida Keys

Rainfall events cause episodic discharges of groundwaters contaminated with septic tank effluent into nearshore waters of the Florida keys, enhancing eutrophication in sensitive coral reef communities. Our study characterized the effects of stormwater discharges by continuously (30-min intervals) measuring salinity, temperature, tidal stage, and dissolved oxygen (DO) along an offshore eutrophication gradient prior to and following heavy rainfall at the beginning of the 1992 rainy season. The gradient included stations at a developed canal system (PP) on Big Pine Key, a seagrass meadow in a tidal channel (PC), a nearshore patch reef (PR), a bank reef at Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary (LK), and a blue water station (BW) approximately 9 km off of Big PIne Key. Water samples were collected at weekly intervals during this period to determine concentrations of total nitrogen (TN), ammonium (NH4 +), nitrate plus nitrite NO3 − plus NO2 −), total phosphorus (TP), total dissolved phosphorus (TDP), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), and chlorophyll a (chl a). Decreased salinity immediately followed the first major rainfall at Big Pine Key, which was followed by anoxia (DO <0.1 mg I−1), high concentrations of NH4 + (≈24 μM), TDP (≈1.5 μM), and chl a (≈20 μg I−1). Maximum concentration of TDP (≈0.30 μM) also followed the initial rainfall at the PC, PR, and LK stations. In contrast, NH4 + (≈4.0 μM) and chl a (0.45 μg I−1) lagged the rain event by 1–3 wk, depending on distance from shore. The highest and most variable concentrations of NH4 +, TDP, and chl a occurred at PP, and all nutrient parameters correlated positively with rainfall. DO at all stations was positively correlated with tide and salinity and the lowest values occurred during low tide and low salinity (high rainfall) periods. Hypoxia (DO <2.5 mg I−1) was observed at all stations follwing the stormwater discharges, including the offshore bank reef station LK. Our study demonstrated that high frequency (daily) sampling is necessary to track the effects of episodic rainfall events on water quality and that such effects can be detected at considerable distances (12 km) from shore. The low levels of DO and high levels of nutrients and chl a in coastal waters of the Florida Keys demand that special precautions be exercised in the treatment and discharge of wastewaters and land-based runoff in order to preserve sensitive coral reef communities.
Disappearance of Methionine from the Rumen

Abstract Seven forms of methionine were tested for persistencies in the rumen after 50g doses intraruminal to mature cows. The mean half-time of disappearance was 2.4 hr and dl -rnethionine persisted as well as the other forms.
Fiscal federalism and local public finance: A computable general equilibrium (CGE) framework

This paper attempts to make an argument for the feasibility and usefulness of a computable general equilibrium approach to studying fiscal federalism and local public finance. It begins by presenting a general model of fiscal federalism that has at its base a local public goods model with (1) multiple types of mobile agents who are endowed with preferences, private good endowments, and land endowments, (2) local governments that produce local public goods funded by a property tax, and (3) a land market that capitalizes local policies to equilibrate supply and demand. To this, a state (or national) government producing a state public good is added, and all levels of government abide by majority rule voting. A computable general equilibrium framework is derived from this theoretical model and calibrated to New Jersey micro tax data. It has been applied elsewhere to study the dominance of property in local tax bases as well as the general equilibrium effects of state or national intergovernmental programs such as redistributive grants in aid, district power equalization, and the deductibility of local taxes. Results in these areas are summarized and potential future applications discussed.
The Impact of Diabetes on Perioperative Patient Outcomes After Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty in the United States

The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have a higher likelihood of immediate, inpatient complications following primary and revision total hip (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) than patients without DM. From 1988 to 2003, the Nationwide Inpatient Sample identified 751340 primary or revision THA or TKA patients. 64262 (8.55%) had DM. Comparisons of specific outcome measures between diabetic and nondiabetic cohorts were performed using bivariate and multivariate analyses with logistic regression modeling. Diabetic patients had fewer routine discharges and higher inflation-adjusted hospital charges for all procedures. Although complications were not uniformly increased, diabetic patients had significantly increased odds of pneumonia, stroke, and transfusion (P < .001) after primary arthroplasty. This analysis of a large patient database indicates clinically relevant information for patients and surgeons, suggesting that patients undergoing THA and TKA demonstrate more complications and utilize more resources if they have the comorbidity of DM level II evidence.
Improving Data Collection through Collaborative Research

bers of the research team met with the three teachers of the teenage participants in three schools. These meetings were intended to explain the over-all project, to solicit teachers' input, and to brain-storm possible ways to overcome implementation issues. In the other four schools, there were no formal meetings with the six teachers. There were four classrooms in the former condition and there were six classrooms in the control condition. Before collecting pretest and posttest data from the students, parental permission slips needed to be completed and returned to school by the students. In addition, parental pre- and posttest questionnaires were sent home, and students were asked to return them to school in envelopes. Significantly more pretests from the children were completed at the schools in which collaboration with teachers occurred than in schook in which no such meeting had occurred [86% (n = 881102) vs 26% (n = 611238); x,' = 106.7, p < ,011. Similar observations were made for posttests [80% ((n = 821102) vs 22% (n = 521238); x,' = 80.0, p < ,011. For parents' completed data, in schools where teachers had been consulted, pretest rates of returned data were 60% (n = 621 102) vs 13% (n = 321238) for schools in which teachers were not involved = 102.5, p< .01). For posttest data, similar findings were noted, yielding 46% (n = 47/102) vs 9% (n = 221238; = 59.9, p<.01). These results suggest that, when researchers involve participants in the research process, more cooperation and participation is achieved, and problems associated with obtaining data in applied settings are reduced.
Revisiting the Structure of Martensite in Iron-Carbon Steels

A model is developed to describe the formation and crystal structure of martensite in quenched Fe-C steels based on the extensive published literature on the subject. Unique changes in the properties and structure of martensite are shown to occur at 0.6 mass% C, designated as the H-point. The concept of primary and secondary martensite is introduced in order to indicate that two different, sequential, martensites will form during quenching of Fe-C steels above 0.6 mass% C. Below 0.6 mass% C, only primary martensite is created through the two sequential steps FCC ! HCP followed by HCP ! BCC. Primary martensite has a lath structure and is described as BCC iron containing a C-rich phase that precipitates during quenching. The HCP transition phase is critical in interpreting the two martensite structures based on the premise that the maximum solubility of C in the HCP phase is 0.6 mass%. Primary martensite continues to form at compositions greater than 0.6 mass% C with the creation of a carbon-rich BCT phase. This is followed by the start of secondary martensite which forms at the MS (martensite start temperature) and creates the traditional BCT plates adjoining retained austenite. Both martensites are predicted to co-exist at the highest C contents. A quantitative model, based on the specific volume of the various phases obtained after quenching, has been used to calculate the composition of the precipitated C-rich phase for a 0.88 mass% C steel. It is predicted that the carbon-rich phase is either diamond or � (Fe2C) carbide. [doi:10.2320/matertrans.MRA2007338]
Comparison of Health State Utilities Using Community and Patient Preference Weights Derived from a Survey of Patients with HIV/AIDS

Objectives. The authors compare health state utilities derived from a national survey of patients with HIV/AIDS to represent community-based preferences with utilities derived from the same survey representing patient preferences; explore the relationships between these utilities and the dimensions of the SF-6D health state classification; and examine the implications of differences in the source of utilities for a cost-effectiveness analysis of early treatment of patients with HIV/AIDS.Methods. The authors derived community-based standard gamble (SG) utilities using an algorithm developed for the SF-6D health state classification system. The authors derived patient SG utilities from HIV/AIDS patient rating scale self-assessments using a power transformation. Data were from the HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study, a probability sample of 2864 HIV-infected adults receiving care in the United States in 1996.Results. Patient SG utilities were higher than community SG utilities by 4% to 9% (0.979 vs.0.937...
Increase in aldose reductase mRNA in dog lens epithelial cells under hypertonic conditions

Abstract Aldose reductase (AR) mRNA levels increase when dog lens epithelial cells are exposed to hypertonic conditions. Hybridization of mRNA to an AR cDNA, using Northern and slot blots, showed that AR mRNA is elevated at least fourfold when primary dog lens epithelial cells are grown in media (300 mosmol kg−1) supplemented with 150 m m NaCl (600 mosmol kg−1 final). A time course showed an increase in AR mRNA of approximately twofold by 24 hr with a maximum increase of between four- and eightfold by 48 hr. AR mRNA remained elevated for the duration of the experiment, 8 days. The addition of Tolrestat, an inhibitor of aldose reductase, had no effect on the increased level of AR mRNA in these hypertonically stressed cells. Cells grown in media supplemented with 250 m m sorbitol also showed a substantial increase in AR mRNA. These data indicate, as in other cell types, the lens, a target tissue of diabetes, responds to hyperosmotic stress with an induction of AR expression and suggests that AR may play a role in intracellular osmotic regulation.
Changes in Hospitalization, Physician Visits, and Self-Reported Fitness After Spinal Cord Injury: A Cross-Sequential Analysis of Age, Years Since Injury, and Age at Injury Onset

Abstract Objective To identify changes in hospitalizations, days hospitalized, nonroutine physician visits, and self-reported fitness over 4 measurements separated by 4- to 5-year intervals among participants with spinal cord injury (SCI), while testing for the effects of age, time since injury, and age at injury onset. Design A mixed model was used to analyze the cross-sequential data that include cross-sectional and longitudinal elements. The data were collected in 1993, 1998, 2003, and 2008. Setting Data were collected at 2 Midwestern hospitals and a Southeastern specialty hospital in the United States. Participants Adult participants (N=1032) with SCI of at least 1-year duration who participated during at least 1 of 4 times of measurement dating back to 1993. Of these, 463 participated on all 4 occasions. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures The outcome measures were 3 indicators of medical treatments—hospitalization, days hospitalized, and nonroutine physician visits. A fourth outcome was self-reported fitness. Results Results of the growth model indicated some limited cohort effects for chronologic age, years since injury, and age at injury onset at baseline. However, significant time effects were observed for each of the health indices, with hospitalizations and physician visits increasing and self-reported fitness decreasing. Significant cohort by time interactions were observed for both number of hospitalizations and days hospitalized with years postinjury and chronologic age. Conclusions The natural course of change in the health indices was in the direction of a greater need for treatment and reduced fitness over time. Aging effects, as defined by cohort by time interactions, indicated the greater need for hospitalization increased over time at a greater rate for those with more years postinjury and of older ages.
SU‐GG‐T‐349: Large‐Field Sensitivity Analysis of a Non‐Cylindrically Symmetric Monte Carlo Beam Model of a Varian Electron Accelerator

Purpose: To facilitate the development and commissioning of radiotherapyelectron beam models by studying the dosimetric response of a Varian Trilogy electron accelerator to variations of the geometric and electron beam parameters of the treatment head, including lateral offsets of linac components and lateral and angular offsets of the incident electron beam.Method and Materials: We have performed a sensitivity study examining the effect of varying beam and geometric parameters of a Monte Carlo model of a Varian Trilogy accelerator. The accelerator was modeled using a modified BEAMnrc package that included asymmetric accelerator and beam models. The dose output was modeled using DOSXYZnrc. Electron beams were modeled for 40×40 cm2 fields with applicators removed. Profiles at dmax and in the bremsstrahlung region were calculated for 4, 12, and 20 MeV configurations. Results: The dose distributions were evaluated for flatness, symmetry, and OAR. Scattering foil thickness had a negligible effect on dmax profiles, but increased the bremsstrahlung production rate. A 3 mm shift in the interfoil distance had a 5% effect on the OAR at 12 cm, but only 2% at 5 cm radius. Profiles in the bremsstrahlung region help differentiate between similar dmax behavior for changes in incident electron angle and lateral secondary scattering foil position. A 4 mm variation in the electron spot size had a negligible effect on the 4 MeV dose distribution, but varied the flatness of the 12 and 20 MeV beams by 2% and 5%, respectively. Conclusion: Lateral and angular offsets of beam and accelerator components have strong effects on dose distributions, and need to be included in any high‐accuracy electron beam model. Large fields without applicators and bremsstrahlung profiles can give additional insight into how parameters should be adjusted when commissioning a Monte Carlo beam model. Support from NIH R01 CA104777‐01A2.
Dietary administration of an LHRH analogue induces spawning of spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus)

Abstract The effects of a single oral administration of des-Gly10-[D-Ala6]-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (1–9)-ethylamide (LHRHa) in the diet (0.2–2.5 mg/kg body weight) on ovulation and spawning of spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) were examined. Oral administration of 1.0–2.5 mg LHRHa/kg to females in four separate experiments resulted in successful spawning 32–38 h later with mean fertilization and hatching success rates of 93.3% and 74.6%, respectively. A lower dose of LHRHa (0.2 mg/kg) was ineffective in two subsequent experiments. The data suggest that oral administration of 1 mg LHRHa/kg is a reliable method of inducing ovulation in spotted seatrout, resulting in predictable spawning within 38 h of feeding. This noninvasive treatment may be particularly useful for induced spawning of teleosts which are susceptible to handling stress.
Classification of four ordinary chondrites from the Monnig Meteorite Collection

We classified four ordinary chondrites from the Monnig Meteorite Collection into compositional groups, petrologic types and shock stages, based on optical microscopy in transmitted and reflected light, and electron microprobe and modal analyses. These meteorites are Allen, Texas, H4(S2): May Day, Kansas, H4(S2); Pony Creek, Texas, H4(S3); and Springer, Oklahoma, H5(S3).
Differential induction of superoxide dismutase in core and penumbra regions after transient focal ischemia in the rat neocortex

Oxygen free radicals are postulated to participate in the pathogenesis of ischemic brain injury. The present study investigated the response of the endogenous antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD), in a model of transient focal ischemia in the rat neocortex. SOD activity was increased significantly in the penumbra region at 6-24 h postischemia, while no significant changes in SOD activity were observed in either the core region or striatum. These results indicate that endogenous antioxidant activity is differentially affected by the intensity of ischemic challenge and suggest that the regional effects of oxygen free radicals may vary substantially following ischemia-reperfusion.
Lonely no more: remembering text messaging in mHealth conversations.

When the tears begin tilting away from the corners of her eyes, Carmen Hinojosa rises from her spot on the couch of her one-bedroom apartment and disappears into the kitchen. She returns carrying a...
Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality among women with end-stage renal disease attributable to lupus nephritis***

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are common causes of morbidity and mortality in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and are also common in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). To determine whether women with ESRD caused by lupus nephritis are at greater risk for morbidity from these conditions than women with other causes of ESRD, data from the US Renal Data System were used to compare incidence rates of hospitalizations for acute myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident between women with ESRD caused by lupus nephritis and women with ESRD from other causes. The age- and race-adjusted incidences of hospitalizations for acute myocardial infarction during dialysis were 16.4 hospitalizations/1,000 patient-years among women with ESRD caused by lupus nephritis and 17.3 hospitalizations/1,000 patient-years among women in the comparison group (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.58 to 1.08; P = 0.14). Adjusted incidence rates for acute myocardial infarction after renal transplantation also did not differ between these groups. Adjusted incidence rates for hospitalizations for cerebrovascular accident during dialysis were 18.5 hospitalizations/1,000 patient-years among women with ESRD caused by lupus nephritis and 19.2 hospitalizations/1,000 patient-years among women in the comparison group (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.66 to 1.14; P = 0.30); incidence rates after transplantation also did not differ between groups. Risks for death from cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases also were not increased among women with ESRD caused by lupus nephritis. Sepsis was the most common cause of death in this group. Morbidity and mortality from acute myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident were substantially greater among women with ESRD caused by diabetes mellitus. Although morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are common among women with SLE, risks for these outcomes are not greater among women with ESRD caused by lupus nephritis than among other women without diabetes with ESRD.
Comparing the views of superdelegates and Democratic voters in the 2008 Democratic nomination campaign

The struggle for the power to nominate candidates for office between party elites and rank-and-file partisans surfaced in the late 1700s. The battle endures today and superdelegates in the Democratic Party represent the contemporary political elites in the nomination process. Indeed, superdelegates played a decisive role in determining the outcome of the 2008 Democratic nomination campaign. In this paper, we examine the attitudes and decisions of superdelegates towards the candidates and their own role in the nomination process. We also examine the attitudes of rank-and-file Democrats towards the delegates and the nomination process. To study these two groups, we rely on survey data collected immediately following the 2008 primary season. Results from the surveys indicate that voters and superdelegates differ greatly in their perceptions of superdelegates, their roles and decisions, as well as the legitimacy of the nomination process in the Democratic Party. We conclude by discussing the implications of o...
Nonlinear distortion analysis via linear-centric models

An efficient distortion analysis methodology is presented for analog and RF circuits that utilizes linear-centric circuit models to generate individual distortion contributions due to the various circuit nonlinearities. The per-nonlinearity distortion results are obtained via a straightforward post-simulation step that is simpler and more efficient than the Volterra series based approaches and do not require the high order device model derivatives. For this reason the order of analysis can be significantly higher than that for a Volterra series implementation while fully accounting for all nonlinearity effects. The proposed methodology is not restricted to weakly nonlinear circuits, but can also analyze per-nonlinearity distortion for active switching mixers and switch capacitor circuits when they are modeled as periodically time-varying weakly nonlinear systems. While Volterra series have also been attempted for this same class of circuits, the requirement of device models for all of the high order model derivatives makes such analysis somewhat impractical. The proposed methodology provides important design insights regarding the relationships between design parameters and circuit linearity, hence the overall system performance. Circuit examples are used to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach, and interesting insights are observed for RF switching mixers in particular.
Understanding Location Descriptions in the LEI System

Biological specimens have historically been labeled with English descriptions of the location of collection. To perform spatial, statistical, or historic studies, these descriptions must be converted into geodetic coordinates. A study of the sublanguage used in the descriptions shows much less frequent than typical usage of observer-relative relations such as "left of," but shows problems with name ambiguity, finding the referents of generic terms like "the stream," ordinal numbering of river forks and valley branches, object-oriented prepositions ("behind"), fuzzy boundaries (how close is "at," how far is still "north of"), etc. The LEI system implements a semi-automated understanding of such location descriptions. Components of LEI include a language analyzer, a geographical reasoner, an object-oriented geographic knowledge base derived from US Geological Survey digital maps with user input, and a graphical user interface. LEI parses prepositional phrases into spatial relations, converts these into areas, then computers polygon overlays to find the intersection, and returns the minimum bounding rectangle. The user is consulted on unknown words/phrases and ambiguous descriptions.
Formal Synthesis of Control Policies for Continuous Time Markov Processes From Time-Bounded Temporal Logic Specifications

We consider the control synthesis problem for continuous-time Markov decision processes (CTMDPs), whose expected behaviors are measured by the satisfaction of Continuous Stochastic Logic (CSL) formulas. We present an extension of the CSL for CTMDPs involving sequential task specifications with continuous time constraints on the execution of those tasks. We then exploit model checking and time-bounded reachability algorithms to solve the CSL control synthesis problem. To illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of our approach, we apply our methods to generate the optimal rate constants of a coupled set of biochemical reactions.
Restricted expression of an adenoviral vector encoding fas ligand (CD95L) enhances safety for cancer gene therapy

Abstract Gene transfer of Fas ligand (CD95L) using adenoviral vectors has been shown to generate apoptotic responses and potent inflammatory reactions that can be used to induce the regression of malignancies in vivo, but these vectors also cause significant hepatotoxicity that may limit their clinical utility. Here we describe an adenoviral vector encoding CD95L with restricted gene expression that reduces its toxicity in vivo. Preclinical efficacy and gene expression studies of lineage-restricted CD95L adenoviral vectors were performed. To enhance its cytotoxicity and reduce potential systemic effects, a noncleavable CD95L was made by deleting a segment containing the cleavage site (CD95LδQP). Higher CD95L expression of this mutant was observed on the tumor cell surface, together with a reduction in the release of soluble CD95L. This CD95L cleavage mutant was then expressed under control of a smooth muscle-specific promoter, SM22α, and analyzed for its ability to suppress the growth of tumors of smooth muscle origin in vivo. Growth of human leiomyosarcomas but not gliomas was inhibited after ADV gene transfer into tumor-bearing immunodeficient mice. In contrast to viral promoters, in which mortality was uniformly seen after injection of 1012 particles, no significant hepatic injury or systemic toxicity was observed in mice, and the maximum tolerated dose was increased ≥10- to 100-fold. These findings suggest that restricted specificity of adenoviral CD95L gene expression enhances the safety of this approach for cancer gene therapy.
Crystal structure of 4-methyl-5-beta-hydroxyethylthiazole kinase from Bacillus subtilis at 1.5 A resolution.

4-Methyl-5-β-hydroxyethylthiazole kinase (ThiK) catalyzes the phosphorylation of the hydroxyl group of 4-methyl-5-β-hydroxyethylthiazole (Thz). This enzyme is a salvage enzyme in the thiamin biosynthetic pathway and enables the cell to use recycled Thz as an alternative to its synthesis from 1-deoxy-d-xylulose-5-phosphate, cysteine, and tyrosine. The structure of ThiK in the rhombohedral crystal form has been determined to 1.5 A resolution and refined to a final R-factor of 21.6% (R-free 25.1%). The structures of the enzyme/Thz complex and the enzyme/Thz-phosphate/ATP complex have also been determined. ThiK is a trimer of identical subunits. Each subunit contains a large nine-stranded central β-sheet flanked by helices. The overall fold is similar to that of ribokinase and adenosine kinase, although sequence similarity is not immediately apparent. The area of greatest similarity occurs in the ATP-binding site where several key residues are highly conserved. Unlike adenosine kinase and ribokinase, in which...
The effect of a singular perturbation on nonconvex variational problems

We study the effect of a singular perturbation on certain nonconvex variational problems. The goal is to characterize the limit of minimizers as some perturbation parameter ɛ → 0. The technique utilizes the notion of “Γ-convergence” of variational problems developed by De Giorgi. The essential idea is to identify the first nontrivial term in an asymptotic expansion for the energy of the perturbed problem. In so doing, one characterizes the limit of minimizers as the solution of a new variational problem. For the cases considered here, these new problems have a simple geometric nature involving minimal surfaces and geodesics.
1146 PNEUMOCOCCAL ANTIGEN DETECTION IN CHILDREN AT RISK FOR OCCULT BACTEREMIA

We prospectively evaluated latex agglutination tests for rapid detection of pneumococcal antigen in young children at risk for occult bacteremia. Using the Bactigen and Wellcogen kits, we examined serum and/or urine from 1153 children (ages 6-36 months) presenting to the CH emergency room for evaluation of fever ≥39°C None of the 16 children with pneumococcal occult bacteremia had antigen detected in their serum by either test. Six of these patients had urine available and one was positive by Bactigen. Urine was concentrated by minicon filters for two of these patients and did not increase the sensitivity. Eight additional patients with positive blood cultures and focal pneumococcal disease (3 meningitis, 3 pneumonia, 2 cellulitis) were evaluated. One child had detectable serum antigen by both tests and one child by Wellcogen alone. Quantitative blood cultures were available for 6 patients; antigen was present in the one patient with high grade bacteremia (≥4000 cfu/ml) and absent in the five with low grade bacteremia (1-18 cfu/ml). We found no correlation between pneumococcal serotype and sensitivity of tests. Of 1153 children evaluated, 16 had positive antigen tests (6 serum, 8 urine, 2 both) without positive blood cultures. None of these children had evidence of pneumococcal disease by clinical evaluation or repeat cultures. We conclude that neither pneumococcal antigen detection test was sufficiently sensitive or specific to recommend as a screening test for occult bacteremia.
Further Observations on the Blood-Testis Barrier in Monkeys

Tight junctions uniting adjacent Sertoli cells subdivide the monkey seminiferous epithelium into 1) basal and 2) adluminal compartments (Dym, 1973). Electron-opaque tracer studies demonstrate that types A and B spermatogonia and preleptotene and leptotene spermatocytes reside in the basal compartment of the seminiferous epithelium and that the more differentiated germ cells are located in the adluminal compartment. Late leptotene or early zygotene spermatocytes ascend in the epithelium from one compartment to the next and this occurs in stages IX-X of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium. New Sertoli cell junctional complexes reform beneath these migrating germinal elements prior to the dissolution of the existing junctions above the cells. This temporal difference serves to seal the barrier during the germ cell migration. These results indicate that the initiation of meiosis occurs while the early spermatocytes (preleptotene and leptotene) are still in the basal compartment of the epitheium and may not require the special microenvironment provided by the Sertoli cells in the adluminal compartment.
Enumeration and Special Functions

These notes for the August 12–16, 2002 Euro Summer School in OPSF at Leuven have three sections with basic introductions to 1 Enumeration and q -series 2 Enumeration and orthogonal polynomials 3 Symmetric functions. No prior exposure to these areas is assumed. Three excellent textbooks for these three topics are [1], [7], and [17]. Several exercises and open problems are given throughout these notes.
Initial Diagnosis of Lung Cancer: ACCP Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (2nd Edition)

Background Lung cancer is usually suspected in individuals who have an abnormal chest radiograph finding or have symptoms caused by either local or systemic effects of the tumor. The method of diagnosis of suspected lung cancer depends on the type of lung cancer (ie, small cell lung cancer [SCLC] or non-SCLC [NSCLC]), the size and location of the primary tumor, the presence of metastasis, and the overall clinical status of the patient. Objectives To determine the test performance characteristics of various modalities for the diagnosis of suspected lung cancer. Methods To update previous recommendations on the initial diagnosis of lung cancer, a systematic search of MEDLINE, Healthstar, and Cochrane Library databases to July 2004, and print bibliographies was performed to identify studies comparing the results of sputum cytology, bronchoscopy, transthoracic needle aspiration (TTNA), or biopsy with histologic reference standard diagnoses among at least 50 patients with suspected lung cancer. Recommendations were developed by the writing committee, graded by a standardized method, and reviewed by all members of the lung cancer panel prior to approval by the Thoracic Oncology Network, Health and Science Policy Committee, and the Board of Regents of the American College of Chest Physician. Results Sputum cytology is an acceptable method of establishing the diagnosis of lung cancer with a pooled sensitivity rate of 0.66 and specificity rate of 0.99. However, the sensitivity of sputum cytology varies by location of the lung cancer. For central, endobronchial lesions, the overall sensitivity of flexible bronchoscopy (FB) for diagnosing lung cancer is 0.88. The diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy decreases for peripheral lesions. Peripheral lesions smaller or larger than 2 cm in diameter showed a sensitivity of 0.34 and 0.63, respectively. In recent years, endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) has shown potential in increasing the diagnostic yield of FB while dealing with peripheral lesions without adding to the risk of the procedure. In appropriate situations, its use can be considered before moving on to more invasive tests. The pooled sensitivity for TTNA for the diagnosis of lung cancer is 0.90. A trend toward lower sensitivity was noted for lesions Conclusions The sensitivity of bronchoscopy is high for the detection of endobronchial disease and poor for peripheral lesions
Passion and Faith: A Study of Unamuno

Miquel de Unamuno, a thinker perhaps too large and passionate to yield to easy labelling, has been characterised in different ways by many of his most brilliant compatriots. Julian Marias spoke of him as a man obsessed by the proud thirst to know, a passionate man who in spite of a ‘problematic intellectual adherence’ was nonetheless able to live and think within a vital Catholic tradition. Ortega y Gasset wrote that all of Unamuno's work was dominated by one theme, that of death; it was one monumental meditatio mortis. It was Madariaga, not an original philosopher but undoubtedly as penetrating a critic as either Marias or Ortega, however, who most faithfully portrayed the often convoluted but always profound man Unamuno was. In most if not all of the main characters of his novels and short stories, he rightly observes, ‘we can trace the dominant passion which is their whole being to a mere variety of the one and only passion which obsesses Unamuno, the hunger for life, a full life, here and after’. This passion, assailed as it was by the constant probings of his critical intellect ought to have made his existence precarious at best.
Retention of Construction Teachers Engaged in Missouri’s Secondary School System

The purpose of this study was to investigate the reasons construction teachers in the CTE field left the teaching profession in their first five years of service. The study also sought to determine if there was a significant difference in the retention rate of two-year alternatively certified teachers and four-year teaching degreed teachers and if there was a significant difference in why two-year certified and four-year teaching degreed teachers had considered leaving the profession. This was done through the triangulation of 44 mixed-design surveys with open-ended questions and six semi-structured interviews.
Complications of Genitourinary and Gynecological Surgery

MPROVED HEALTH CARE in America has .increased the life expectancy of patients in recent decades. This has increased the number of male patients requiring transurethral resection of benign prostatic hypertrophy, which is age related. Improved endoscopic techniques have also replaced many open surgical procedures by less invasive closed endoscopic procedures. This article highlights certain complications of genitourinary and gynecological procedures that are of special concern for anesthesiologists, and will be presented by procedure-related complications, including transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, and Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL). Complications from lithotomy position, latex allergy, and autonomic hyperreflexia, which are common to certain urological patients, are also discussed.
Relating surface backscatter response from TRMM precipitation radar to soil moisture: results over a semi-arid region

Abstract. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) carries aboard the Precipitation Radar (TRMMPR) that measures the backscatter (σ°) of the surface. σ° is sensitive to surface soil moisture and vegetation conditions. Due to sparse vegetation in arid and semi-arid regions, TRMMPR σ° primarily depends on the soil water content. In this study we relate TRMMPR σ° measurements to soil water content (ms) in the Lower Colorado River Basin (LCRB). σ° dependence on ms is studied for different vegetation greenness values determined through Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). A new model of σ° that couples incidence angle, ms, and NDVI is used to derive parameters and retrieve soil water content. The calibration and validation of this model are performed using simulated and measured ms data. Simulated ms is estimated using the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model and measured ms is acquired from ground measuring stations in Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed (WGEW). σ° model is calibrated using VIC and WGEW ms data during 1998 and the calibrated model is used to derive ms during later years. The temporal trends of derived ms are consistent with VIC and WGEW ms data with a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.89 and 0.74, respectively. Derived ms is also consistent with the measured precipitation data with R=0.76. The gridded VIC data is used to calibrate the model at each grid point in LCRB and spatial maps of the model parameters are prepared. The model parameters are spatially coherent with the general regional topography in LCRB. TRMMPR σ° derived soil moisture maps during May (dry) and August (wet) 1999 are spatially similar to VIC estimates with correlation 0.67 and 0.76, respectively. This research provides new insights into Ku-band σ° dependence on soil water content in the arid regions.
The Practical Value of Personal truth and Liberation from Truth

It is easy to mistake one’s beliefs about the world as absolute knowledge. In this paper, I argue that any view of knowledge as absolute, or objective, is a misrepresentation of the limits of human understanding. In contrast, I argue for the pragmatic use of truth as conceived by William James. I contend that if one views truth as a practical instrument valued solely for its ability to help humans, one can place scientific and religious beliefs on equal footing. By valuing truth for its practical effects, one may return truth to its intended function: to be one’s closest ally in overcoming life’s challenges.
Effective delivery systems for prolonged fluoride release: review of literature.

Discussed are various effective delivery systems for prolonged fluoride release. Among the systems are sustained-release fluoride tablets, microencapsulated fluoride in aerosol delivery, fluoride-releasing polymers, and membrane-controlled fluoride reservoirs.
Human-robot interaction: developing trust in robots

In all human-robot interaction, trust is an important element to consider because the presence or absence of trust certainly impacts the ultimate outcome of that interaction. Limited research exists that delineates the development and maintenance of this trust in various operational contexts. Our own prior research has investigated theoretical and empirically supported antecedents of human-robot trust. Here, we describe progress to date relating to the development of a comprehensive human-robot trust model based on our ongoing program of research.
Improved Outcomes in Intermediate- and High-Risk Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma after Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Substituting Intravenous for Oral Busulfan in a Busulfan, Cyclophosphamide, and Etoposide Preparative Regimen

Abstract Forty-nine patients with intermediate- and high-risk aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma underwent autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (autoHSCT) using the regimen of busulfan (Bu), cyclophosphamide (Cy), and etoposide (E) that was originally developed for allogeneic HSCT. Eighteen patients treated before 1999 received Cy 2.5 g/m2 on days −3 to −2 and E 1800 mg/m2 on day −3 after oral (PO) administration of Bu 1 mg/kg every 6 hours × 4 days for a total of 16 doses beginning on day −7. After April 1999, 31 patients similar in all pretransplantation risk assessments received the same regimen except that intravenous (IV) Bu was substituted for PO Bu and pharmacokinetic-directed (PKD) dosing was attempted to achieve an area under the concentration time curve of 1000-1500 μmol/min for each dose. Nonrelapse mortality was 28% for PO Bu patients versus 3% for the IV PKD group (P = .01, chi-square test). Actuarial 5-year overall survivals were 28% for patients who received the PO Bu regimen and 58% for patients who received the IV Bu regimen (P = .010, log-rank test), and progression-free survivals were 17% and 50%, respectively (P = .008, log-rank test). After substitution of PKD IV Bu in the BuCyE regimen, we observed lower nonrelapse mortality with increased overall and progression-free survivals in patients with intermediate- and high-risk aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma who underwent autoHSCT.
Vocal tract modeling as related to the use of an artificial larynx

The placement of an artificial larynx forward in the vocal tract, which results in a very different system from the normal larynx-vocal tract configuration, is considered. The consequences of this excitation relocation are studied. It is found that zeros are introduced into what is otherwise modeled as an all-pole system. >
Ischemia-induced neuronal cell loss is associated with loss of atypical angiotensin type-1 receptor expression in the gerbil hippocampal formation

The hippocampal formation of Mongolian gerbils expresses high amounts of atypical angiotensin II type-1 receptors. We studied the expression of these receptors by in situ hybridization using specific [35S]-labeled riboprobes and by receptor autoradiography using [125I]Sarcosine1-angiotensin II. Angiotensin II receptor mRNA was found in the pyramidal cell layer of the CA1, CA2 and CA3 subfields, with the highest expression in the CA2 subfield, and in the granular cell layer of the dentate gyrus. Angiotensin II binding was detected in the stratum oriens and stratum radiatum of the CA1 and CA2 subfields, in the stratum oriens of the CA3 subfield, and in the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus. We then studied the effect of ischemia on hippocampal angiotensin II receptor expression, 1, 4 and 15 days after bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries for 5 min. No changes in angiotensin II receptor mRNA or binding were detected 1 day after ischemia. Delayed, progressive loss of angiotensin II mRNA and binding occurred 4 and 15 days after ischemia, in the CA1, CA2 and CA3 subfields. The decline was faster in the CA1 subfield, and paralleled the loss of neurons after ischemia. In the dentate gyrus, angiotensin II receptor mRNA and angiotensin II binding were not changed when compared to sham operated controls. The decrease of angiotensin II receptor expression may reflect the loss of angiotensin II receptor-producing neurons rather than a down-regulation of receptor expression.
A comparison of the Glycosylation Gap and Hemoglobin Glycation Index in patients with diabetes.

Abstract Problem The Glycosylation Gap (GGAP) based on fructosamine (F) measurement and the Hemoglobin Glycation Index (HGI) based on mean blood glucose (MBG) are two indices of between-individual differences in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) adjusted for glycemia. We sought to simultaneously compare GGAP with HGI and other estimates of glycemia. Methods HbA1c, F, and MBG level were obtained at a clinic visit from 62 patients with Type 1 diabetes. GGAP and HGI were calculated from the data as previously described. The variables were compared by correlation analysis. The concordance of patient classification by GGAP and HGI was compared by weighted kappa test. Results The mean HbA1c=11.1±2.7%, F=372.0±136.6 mol/l, MBG=186.5±58.4 mg/dl, HGI=0.0±2.0, and GGAP=0.0±1.9. MBG, HbA1c, and F were all highly correlated with each other. The HGI and GGAP were highly correlated (r=.73, P Conclusions GGAP and MBG give similar information regarding between-patient differences in HbA1c among patients with diabetes. Thus, biological variation in HbA1c is not an artifact of variability in glucose measurements comprising the MBG. Individual patient factors influence the intracellular glycation of HbA1c in addition to the effect of extracellular glycemia, which is manifested as a between-individual biological variation in HbA1c.
The Biosynthesis of Some Isothiocyanates and Oxazolidinethiones in Rape (Brassica campestris L.)

The incorporation of the radioactivity from acetate-1-(14)C, acetate-2-(14)C, dl-methionine-1-(14)C, dl-methionine-2-(14)C, dl-methionine-3,4-(14)C, dl-homomethionine-2-(14)C, dl-allyl-glycine-2-(14)C, and dl-2-amino-5-hydroxyvalerate-2-(14)C into the aglycones of progoitrin, gluconapin, and glucobrassicanapin of maturing rape plants (Brassica campestris L.) was investigated. Radioactivity from dl-methionine-2-(14)C, dl-methionine-3,4-(14)C, dl-homomethionine-2-(14)C, and acetate-2-(14)C were incorporated into the 3 major thioglucosides. The other organic compounds were poorly incorporated except for dl-allylglycine-2-(14)C into glucobrassicanapin. The results obtained suggest that the rape plant can synthesize amino acids by the condensation of acetate (as acetyl CoA) to alpha-keto acids to yield a homologue of the original amino acid. These newly formed amino acids are then employed to synthesize the 3 major thioglucosides.