cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The first 1000 symptomatic pediatric SARS-CoV-2 infections in an integrated health care system: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The spectrum of illness and predictors of severity among children with SARS-CoV-2 infection are incompletely understood. METHODS: Active surveillance was performed for SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction among symptomatic pediatric patients in a quaternary care academic hospital laboratory beginning March 12, 2020. We obtained sociodemographic and clinical data 5 (+/-3) and 30 days after diagnosis via phone follow-up and medical record review. Logistic regression was used to assess predictors of hospitalization. RESULTS: The first 1000 symptomatic pediatric patients were diagnosed in our institution between March 13, 2020 and September 28, 2020. Cough (52 %), headache (43 %), and sore throat (36 %) were the most common symptoms. Forty-one (4 %) were hospitalized; 8 required ICU admission, and 2 required mechanical ventilation (< 1 %). One patient developed multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children; one death was possibly associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Symptom resolution occurred by follow-up day 5 in 398/892 (45 %) patients and by day 30 in 443/471 (94 %) patients. Pre-existing medical condition (OR 7.7; 95 % CI 3.9-16.0), dyspnea (OR 6.8; 95 % CI 3.2-14.1), Black race or Hispanic ethnicity (OR 2.7; 95 % CI 1.3-5.5), and vomiting (OR 5.4; 95 % CI 1.2-20.6) were the strongest predictors of hospitalization. The model displayed excellent discriminative ability (AUC = 0.82, 95 % CI 0.76-0.88, Brier score = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In 1000 pediatric patients with systematic follow-up, most SARS-CoV-2 infections were mild, brief, and rarely required hospitalization. Pediatric predictors of hospitalization included comorbid conditions, Black race, Hispanic ethnicity, dyspnea and vomiting and were distinct from those reported among adults.
Spin and Its Interpretation

The proposal for the spin of the electron preceded Schrodinger’s development chronologically. He referred to this in the last section of his Physical Review paper of 1926. Because of the significance of this proposal, as well as the unusual nature of the story, it is important to spend a little time on the issue of spin.
Selfing in the Hall of Mirrors: Beauty, Power, and Transgression

Defacing Power: The Aesthetics of Insecurity in Global Politics. By Steele Brent. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2010. 234 pp., $65.00 hardcover (ISBN 978-0-472-11732-1). One is often struck by the way the politics of toddlerdom resemble those of international affairs. A transgressional method of self-definition is one clear example, which Brent Steele elucidates as part of this useful and highly readable book, an exploration of the effects of aesthetic considerations on the workings of power. It is a timely contribution. The centrality of emotional responses has increasingly been argued in International Relations (IR) theory (most recently by Jeffery 2011), and clearly aesthetics are an important catalyst and/or expression of emotions. Steele's theoretical viewpoint, an amalgam of post-structuralism and classical realism, posits political power as a Self-making mechanism, which Self may be challenged, as its nature is revealed, through aesthetic considerations. The book thus also makes a considerable contribution to ontology in IR theory. A prescriptive dimension is less rigorously founded. Some of the strongest and most original analysis comes in those places when Steele distances himself from his more prescriptive assumptions. In doing so, he is enabled to explore a “transgressional” account of (counter) power. This is based on his elaboration of an aesthetic theory of power, a systematic account of what he rightly identifies as a commonly shared intuition regarding the importance of the sublime and the revolting in politics. Here Steele is to be commended for his attention to the psychological, imaginative, and especially rhythmic “strata” of power. Rhythm is given the least attention of the three, a pity, in my view, since rhythmic and cyclical aspects of world politics are not generally given enough weight. He mentions celebratory displays, often accompanied by …
The Adolescent Apprentice/Worker in Medieval Montpellier

This study explores the experiential dimensions of apprenticeship and work as part of the adolescent life phase in fourteenth-century Montpellier on the basis of approximately two hundred surviving notarial contracts. The strong role of family in apprenticeship of young men and women, the acquisition of specific occupational skills, character formation, and the well-being of the apprentice/worker are discussed. Apprenticeship for Montpellier youth represented a lengthy (early teens to late twenties) and elaborate transition between childhood and adulthood.
The role of the national university in developing nations' digital cultural heritage projects: A perspective from Kazakhstan

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of the national university in developing sustainable cultural heritage digital preservation practices. Design/methodology/approach – Using Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan as an example, this paper discusses current development of cultural heritage digital collections, and looks to the university library's impact on nationwide digital practices development. Findings – While the university and its digital collections are still nascent, NU will likely have a large impact on the creation of sustainable digital cultural heritage preservation practices due to its international visibility and direct connection to stakeholders. Originality/value – Focused on developing nations, this paper will be of special interest to librarians working in countries facing similar challenges, such as other CIS nations.
Screening for inhibitors of prostaglandin and thromboxane biosynthesis.

Many in vitro methods have been employed to predict the anti-inflammatory potency of newly synthetized compounds. These methods are essentially based on the interaction of drugs with enzymic and non-enzymic proteins. Anti-inflammatory drugs are supposed to protect albumin against heat denaturation (Mizushima, 1964), to displace marker compounds from binding sites of albumin (Skidmore and Whitehouse, 1965), to induce fibrinolysis in plasma clots (Gryglewski, 1966), to accelerate disulfide interchange reaction between serum protein and sulfhydryl reagents (Gerber et al., 1967), to stabilize erythrocyte (Brown et al., 1967) and lysosomal (Miller and Smith, 1966) membranes as well as to inhibit a wide range of enzymes including uncoupling of oxydative phosphorylation (Whitehouse and Haslam, 1962) and inhibition of cyclic-AMP phosphodiesterase (Weinryb et al., 1972; Moffat et al., 1972).
Spatio-Temporal Modeling in Video and Multimedia Geographic Information Systems

The geographic application domain includes important information such as design plans, record drawings, photographs, and video data records. The corresponding geographic information systems (GISs) should maintain a specific model for each geographic data modality such as geographic video model for video records. Real-time 3-D geographic information systems provide comprehensive interface to complex and dynamic databases and truly immersive capability for visualizing geographic data. In cases, where information about location of geographic objects is needed at different moments of time, a GIS should process video data that is directly manipulated and retrieved through representation of its spatio-temporal characteristics. In this context, the most advanced multimedia form—digital video, finds an efficient application in GIS for versatile specification of geographic data. In this paper, a model for spatial data evolving with time is introduced in the context of video data manipulation. We designed a model that represents the spatio-temporal continuum among geographic objects in geographic video sequences, or digital video. The model developed here was motivated by the requirements for manipulating, managing, and analyzing geographic data for the necessities of infrastructure management, urban and regional planning, hazard prevention and management, transportation networks, vehicles routing, etc. This model allows the important issues for GIS such as conditions of adjacency (what is next to what), containment (what is enclosed by what), and proximity (how close one geographic object is to another) to be determined. Our model describes the spatial relationships among objects for each key frame in a given video scene, and the temporal relationships of the temporal intervals measuring the validity duration of the spatial relationships spanning over the given key frame. One of the main GIS issues—distance estimation, is solved as quantitative metrics of geographic objects in digital video are easily and precisely specified. This model is a basis for annotation of raw video for subsequent use in geographic video databases and digital libraries that provide access to and efficient storage of large volume of geographic data.
An Investigation of Solid Modeling Practices in Industry

Parametric solid models provide a quick way of constructing parts that can be easily modified and redesigned for reuse in a variety of downstream applications. However, the method used to create the model has a significant impact on the level of usability. This research uses a combination of interviews, company standards evaluation, and model analysis to determine current industry practices for the creation of solid models. The focus is on creation of single part models. The paper includes a summary of differences in modeling methods based on designer preferences and software functionality.
Unrecognized celiac disease in children presenting for rheumatology evaluation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Current clinical guidelines do not consider patients with rheumatic conditions to be at high risk for celiac disease (CD) despite numerous reported associations between the two in adults and children. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of CD among patients presenting for pediatric rheumatology evaluation. METHODS: A total of 2125 patients presenting for initial evaluation by the Division of Pediatric Rheumatology at the Hospital for Special Surgery between June 2006 and December 2013 were screened for CD as a part of the standard initial serologic evaluation. The charts of these patients were evaluated retrospectively at the end of this period. RESULTS: 36 patients (30 girls, 6 boys, mean age 9.4 ± 4.3 years, range 2–16 years) received a diagnosis of CD after serologic testing and evaluation by pediatric gastroenterology. Eight additional patients with known diagnoses of CD presented during this time period. The total prevalence of CD over this 6.5-year period was 2.0%. The most common presenting complaints among patients diagnosed with CD were myalgias, arthralgias, and rash. Less frequently, patients reported gastrointestinal complaints including abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea. All patients reported improvement or complete resolution of their musculoskeletal symptoms after initiation of a gluten-free diet. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified 36 new cases of CD among children presenting for rheumatology evaluation, for an overall prevalence rate of 2.0%. The majority of patients who ultimately received a diagnosis of CD presented with extraintestinal manifestations. These results underscore the importance of screening children presenting for rheumatology evaluation for CD.
A multiscale transient event detector for nonintrusive load monitoring

The nonintrusive load monitor (NILM) determines the operating schedule of the major electrical loads in a building from measurements made at the utility service entry. This paper describes a multiscale transient event detection algorithm that extends the applicability of the NILM to challenging commercial and industrial sites. The performance of the algorithm is illustrated with results from a prototype event detector. >
Interleaved text/image Deep Mining on a large-scale radiology database

Despite tremendous progress in computer vision, effective learning on very large-scale (> 100K patients) medical image databases has been vastly hindered. We present an interleaved text/image deep learning system to extract and mine the semantic interactions of radiology images and reports from a national research hospital's picture archiving and communication system. Instead of using full 3D medical volumes, we focus on a collection of representative ∼216K 2D key images/slices (selected by clinicians for diagnostic reference) with text-driven scalar and vector labels. Our system interleaves between unsupervised learning (e.g., latent Dirichlet allocation, recurrent neural net language models) on document- and sentence-level texts to generate semantic labels and supervised learning via deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to map from images to label spaces. Disease-related key words can be predicted for radiology images in a retrieval manner. We have demonstrated promising quantitative and qualitative results. The large-scale datasets of extracted key images and their categorization, embedded vector labels and sentence descriptions can be harnessed to alleviate the deep learning “data-hungry” obstacle in the medical domain.
Making sense out of antisense thymidylate synthase.

In this issue of Clinical Colorectal Cancer, Dr. Bruce Dolnick presents a succinct and timely review on the potential biologic role of a naturally occurring antisense thymidylate synthase (TS). It has been well established that the TScatalyzed reaction provides for the sole intracellular de novo source of thymidylate, which is an essential nucleotide precursor for DNA biosynthesis. For this reason, TS was initially identified as a potential target for cancer chemotherapy, and for more than 45 years, significant efforts have focused on identifying novel small-molecule TS inhibitors. Dolnick and his research group made the seminal discovery of a novel gene that codes for a naturally occurring antisense RNA complementary to TS messenger RNA (mRNA).1 The rTS gene overlaps the 3'-end of the TS mRNA, and it encodes 2 different protein products that are translated from alternatively spliced mRNAs, rTSα and rTSβ. Their initial studies suggested a direct interaction between the expression of these antisense TS proteins and TS expression and/or function. Dolnick et al demonstrated that the increased expression of rTSβ was directly associated with a reduced expression of TS.1,2 However, what was most intriguing was that the biologic effect of rTSβ was mediated by the formation of novel, methionine-derived signal molecules. These small molecules were found to be lipophilic in nature, and careful structural analysis revealed that they are similar to acylhomoserine lactones in structure.3,4 Further work is presently ongoing in the Dolnick laboratory to characterize the precise structure of these methionine-derived small molecules as well as to begin to synthesize analogue compounds that could be used to inhibit TS expression. This work is important because it highlights the potential role of this methionine-signaling pathway as a novel regulatory mechanism for controlling TS expression. Moreover, these molecular-based studies pave the way for the rational design and development of completely novel small molecules that can be translated into the clinic for the treatment of colorectal cancer and other human malignancies.
Specific modification of two tryptophans within the nuclear-encoded subunits of bovine cytochrome c oxidase by hydrogen peroxide.

Hydrogen peroxide does more than react with the binuclear center of oxidized bovine cytochrome c oxidase and generate the well-characterized “peroxy” and “ferryl” forms. Hydrogen peroxide also inactivates detergent-solubilized cytochrome c oxidase in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. There is a 70−80% decrease of electron-transport activity, peroxidation of bound cardiolipin, modification of two nuclear-encoded subunits (IV and VIIc), and dissociation of ∼60% of subunits VIa and VIIa. Modification of subunit VIIc and dissociation of subunit VIIa are coupled events that probably are responsible for the inactivation of cytochrome c oxidase. When cytochrome c oxidase is exposed to 500 μM hydrogen peroxide for 30 min at pH 7.4 and room temperature, subunits IV (modified up to 20%) and VIIc (modified up to 70%) each have an increased mass of 16 Da as detected by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. In each case, th...
Perioperative chemotherapy in patients undergoing pulmonary resection for metastatic soft-tissue sarcoma of the extremity : a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND. The benefit of chemotherapy in the treatment of primary soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) is controversial. To the authors' knowledge, few studies to date have examined the effect of chemotherapy in patients undergoing pulmonary resection for metastatic STS of the extremity. METHODS. Between 1990 and 2005, 1897 patients with extremity STS were treated and prospectively followed at a single institution. In all, 508 patients (27%) developed lung metastases as the first site of distant recurrence, and 138 (7%) were treated with pulmonary resection. RESULTS. Perioperative chemotherapy was administered to 53 patients (38%). Age at diagnosis and disease-free interval were significantly different between patients who received perioperative chemotherapy and those who did not, whereas sex, grade, size of the primary tumor, depth, histology, number and size of lung metastases, and rate of complete resection were not. The median postmetastasis disease-specific survival was 24 months in patients who were treated with surgery and chemotherapy compared with 33 months in patients who were treated with surgery alone (P = .19). The median postmetastasis pulmonary progression-free survival in the 2 groups was 10 months and 11 months, respectively (P = .63). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards modeling and propensity score analysis revealed no association between perioperative chemotherapy and disease-specific, overall, or pulmonary progression-free survival. CONCLUSIONS. Although it is difficult to completely control for the effects of selection bias on outcome in this highly selected cohort of patients, data from the current study suggest that systemic chemotherapy has minimal, if any, long-term impact on the outcome of patients undergoing pulmonary resection for metastatic STS of the extremity. Cancer 2007. Published 2007 by the American Cancer Society.
Hydrolysis of α-d-glucans and α-d-gluco-oligosaccharides by cladosporium resinae glucoamylases

Culture filtrates of Cladosporium resinae ATCC 20495 contain a mixture of enzymes able to convert starch and pullulan efficiently into D-glucose. Culture conditions for optimal production of the pullulan-degrading activity have been established. The amylolytic enzyme preparation was fractionated by ion-exchange and molecular-sieve chromatography, and shown to contain alpha-D-glucosidase, alpha-amylase, and two glucoamylases. The glucoamylases have been purified to homogeneity and their substrate specificities investigated. One of the glucoamylases (termed P) readily hydrolyses the (1 leads to 6)-alpha-D linkages in pullulan, amylopectin, isomaltose, panose, and 6(3)-alpha-D-glucosylmaltotriose. Each of the glucoamylases cleaves the (1 leads to 6)-alpha-D linkage in panose much more readily than that in isomaltose.
ML-blind deconvolution algorithm: recent developments

The Maximum Likelihood based blind deconvolution (ML-blind) algorithm is used to deblur 3D microscope images. This approach was first introduced to the microscope community by us circa 1992. The basic advantage of a blind algorithm is that it simplifies the user interface protocols and reconstructs both the object and the Point Spread Function. In this paper we will discuss the recent improvements to the algorithm that robustize the performance and accelerate the speed of convergence. For instance, powerful and physically justified constraints are enforced on the reconstructed PSF at every iteration for robustization. A line search technique is added to the object reconstruction to accelerate the convergence of the object estimate. A simple modification to the algorithm enables adaptation for the transmitted light brightfield modality. Finally, we incorporate montaging in order to process large data fields.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Simulation and analysis of flexibly jointed manipulators

Modeling, simulation, and analysis of robot manipulators with non-negligible joint flexibility are studied. A recursive Newton-Euler model of the flexibly jointed manipulator is developed with many advantages over the traditional Lagrange-Euler methods. The Newton-Euler approach leads to a method for the simulation of a flexibly jointed manipulator in which the number of computations grows linearly with the number of links. Additionally, any function for the flexibility between the motor and link may be used permitting the simulation of nonlinear effects, such as backlash, in a uniform manner for all joints. An analysis of the control problems for flexibly jointed manipulators is presented by converting the Newton-Euler model to a Lagrange-Euler form. The detailed structure available in the model is used to examine linearizing controllers and shows the dependency of the control on the choice of flexible model and structure of the manipulator. >
Observation of phase separation in a strongly interacting imbalanced fermi gas

We have observed phase separation between the superfluid and the normal component in a strongly interacting Fermi gas with imbalanced spin populations. The in situ distribution of the density difference between two trapped spin components is obtained using phase-contrast imaging and 3D image reconstruction. A shell structure is clearly identified where the superfluid region of equal densities is surrounded by a normal gas of unequal densities. The phase transition induces a dramatic change in the density profiles as excess fermions are expelled from the superfluid.
Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: one surgeon's learning curve.

Abstract Background context The published literature has not characterized the surgeon's learning curve with the technically demanding technique of a minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF). Purpose To characterize based on intra- and perioperative parameters, the learning curve for one spine surgeon during his initial phases of performing an MIS TLIF. Study design/setting Retrospective analysis of a single institution and single surgeon experience with the unilateral MIS TLIF technique between July 2008 and April 2011. Patient sample Sixty-five consecutive patients, with at least 1 year of follow-up, who underwent a unilateral, single-level, index MIS TLIF for the diagnosis of degenerative disk disease or lumbar spinal stenosis with grade I or II spondylolisthesis were analyzed based on data obtained from the medical records and postoperative imaging (computed tomography). Outcome measures Postoperative radiographic assessment of fusion at 1 year via computed tomography. Surgical parameters of surgical time (skin-skin, minutes), anesthesia time (induction-extubation, minutes), estimated blood loss (mL), intravenous fluids during surgery (mL), intraoperative complications (durotomy), and postoperative complications (pseudarthrosis, implant failure, malpositioned implants, graft-related complications) were also assessed. Methods The senior author's first 100 consecutive MIS TLIFs were evaluated initially. Patients undergoing revision or multilevel surgery were excluded leaving a total of 65 consecutive primary MIS TLIFs. The first 33 patients were compared with the second 32 patients in terms of radiographic arthrodesis rates, surgical parameters, and intra-/postoperative complications. A two-tailed Student t test was used to assess for differences between the two cohorts where a p value of less than or equal to .05 denoting statistical significance. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine any association between the date of surgery and surgical time. Results Average surgical time, estimated blood loss, intraoperative fluids, and duration of anesthesia was significantly longer in the first cohort (p Conclusions The MIS TLIF is a technically difficult procedure to the practicing spine surgeon with regard to intra- and perioperative parameters of surgical time, estimated blood loss, intravenous fluid, and duration of anesthesia. Operative time and proficiency improved with understanding the minimally invasive technique. Further studies are warranted to delineate the methods to minimize the complications associated with the learning curve.
Why Reject a Sensory Imagery Theory of Control Consciousness

Mandik (2010) defends a motor theory of control consciousness according to which nonsensory states, like motor commands, directly contribute to the awareness we have of ourselves as being in control of our actions. Along the way, he argues that his theory is to be preferred over Prinz's (2007) sensory imagery theory, which denies that nonsensory states play any direct role in the generation of control consciousness. I argue that Mandik's criticisms of Prinz's theory fall short, but that nonetheless there are reasons to favor a motor theory of control consciousness over a sensory imagery theory.
Mode of Interaction between β2GPI and Lipoprotein Receptors Suggests Mutually Exclusive Binding of β2GPI to the Receptors and Anionic Phospholipids

Summary Lipoprotein receptors of the LDLR family serve as clearance receptors for β2GPI and as signaling receptors for the β2GPI/antibody complexes in antiphospholipid syndrome. We compared four ligand-binding LA modules from LDLR and ApoER2 for their ability to bind domain V of β2GPI (β2GPI-DV). We found that the LA modules capable of binding β2GPI-DV interact with the same region on β2GPI-DV using residues at their calcium-coordination site. The structure of a complex between β2GPI-DV and LA4 of LDLR, solved by molecular docking guided by NMR-derived restraints and extensively validated, represents the general mode of interaction between β2GPI and lipoprotein receptors. We have shown that β2GPI-DV cannot simultaneously bind to lipoprotein receptors and anionic phospholipids, suggesting that the association of β2GPI/anti-β2GPI antibody complexes with anionic phospholipids will interfere with lipoprotein receptors' signaling in APS.
SO2 in the Middle Atmosphere of Venus: IR Measurements from Venera-15 and Comparison to UV Data

Abstract We present and compare two sets of Venus SO2 measurements: IR spectra from the USSR Venera 15 orbiter and UV spectra from the US Pioneer Venus orbiter and sounding rockets. We choose the 40-mb pressure level for this comparison. At low and mid latitudes, both data sets give a mixing ratio (ƒso2) of tens of parts per billion and SO2 scale height (Hso2) of 1.5-2.5 km, which are in good agreement with photochemically predicted values. This confirms that photochemical processes dominate in this latitude range. Both data sets show the SO2 abundance increasing to several hundred parts per billion at high latitudes. The derived scale heights, however, are discrepant for high latitudes: IR data show great variability associated with dynamic features such as the cold collar, high diffuse clouds, the hot dipole and the polar cap; UV data show a decrease to Hso2 = 1 km. From the IR data, we derive Hso2 = 3-5 km outside the cold collar, and ƒso2 = 100-200 ppb in the hot dipole (increasing of ƒso2 = 1000 ppb in regions with high diffuse clouds). For the cold collar, the IR data yield ƒso2 = 1-10 ppb and Hso2 = 1 km. To explain the differences between the IR and UV results, we conclude that the SO2 scale height may decrease above 69 km altitude (P = 40 mb): the scale height differences are explained by the different viewing angles and the different opacity at UV and IR wavelengths. It is possible that temporal variations also contribute.
Identification of heteroaromatic compounds in coal liquefaction and gasification products by deuterated reagent chemical ionization mass spectrometry

Abstract Deuterated reagent chemical ionization (CI) mass spectrometry was used to identify isomeric oxygen-, nitrogen- and sulphur-containing species in a phenolic fraction from the liquefaction of lignite, a base fraction from the gasification of lignite and the headspace of the liquefaction of pine sawdust. The exchange of active hydrogens (OH, NHR and SH) for deuterium from the CI reagent aids in the identification of isomeric species. Standard CH 3 OD CI spectra for 76 oxygen-, nitrogen- and sulphur-containing compounds are presented. The complementary use of both CH 3 OD CI and EI mass spectra enables one to assign the compound class of many heteroatom-containing aromatics.
Extracranial-intracranial bypass for ischemic cerebrovascular disease refractory to maximal medical therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the potential role of cerebral revascularization in the treatment of patients with symptomatic occlusive cerebrovascular disease refractory to medical therapy. METHODS: Twenty patients with symptomatic occlusive cerebrovascular disease underwent 22 extracranial-intracranial bypass procedures after failing maximal medical therapy. The average follow-up time was 3.5 years, and no patient was lost to follow-up. RESULTS: All patients presented with repeated transient ischemic attacks refractory to medical therapy. Angiographic findings included internal carotid artery occlusion in 8 patients, middle cerebral artery stenosis or occlusion in 4, moyamoya disease in 4, internal carotid artery dissection in 2, and supraclinoid internal carotid artery stenosis in 2. Outcome was excellent in 17 patients and good in 3. The only surgical complication occurred in one patient, who experienced postoperative seizures and required anticonvulsant therapy. There were no deaths in this series. CONCLUSION: Although the Cooperative Study on Extracranial-lntracranial Bypass failed to show a benefit from the bypass procedure, we have continued to perform the operation in selected cases. Carefully selected individuals with occlusive cerebrovascular disease and persistent ischemic symptoms, despite maximal medical therapy, seem to obtain demonstrable and durable benefit from cerebral revascularization.
Aspirin and Clopidogrel: Efficacy, Treatment, and Resistance in Coronary Artery Disease

Oral antiplatelet therapy is a key element of the continuously evolving treatment of acute coronary syndromes. As part of this evolution, resistance to oral antiplatelet therapy has emerged as a new challenge adversely affecting patients’ clinical risk and outcome. This review addresses the role of two oral antiplatelet therapy agents, aspirin and clopidogrel, their mechanism of action, and the evidence supporting their use in the setting of coronary artery disease. Unfortunately, clinically relevant resistance to aspirin and clopidogrel exists. Resistance may indicate a higher risk for major adverse events. An established safe and reliable treatment alternative is lacking at this point; further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of any alternative treatments that can be offered to decrease cardiovascular risk and improve clinical outcomes.
Linkage of Type 2 Diabetes on Chromosome 9p24 in Mexican Americans: Additional Evidence from the Veterans Administration Genetic Epidemiology Study (VAGES)

Objective: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a complex metabolic disease and is more prevalent in certain ethnic groups such as the Mexican Americans. The goal of our stu
A fluidics comparison of Alcon Infiniti, Bausch & Lomb Stellaris, and Advanced Medical Optics Signature phacoemulsification machines.

Purpose To compare three phacoemulsification machines for measurement accuracy and postocclusion surge (POS) in human cadaver eyes. Design In vitro comparisons of machine accuracy and POS. Methods Tip vacuum and flow were compared with machine indicated vacuum and flow. All machines were placed in two human cadaver eyes and POS was determined. Results Vacuum (% of actual) was 101.9% ± 1.7% for Infiniti (Alcon, Fort Worth, Texas, USA), 93.2% ± 3.9% for Stellaris (Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, New York, USA), and 107.8% ± 4.6% for Signature (Advanced Medical Optics, Santa, Ana, California, USA; P P P P Conclusions Machine-indicated accuracy, POS, and UFV were statistically significantly different. Signature had the lowest POS and vacuum to maintain flow. Regarding POS, Stellaris was close to Signature; regarding vacuum to maintain flow, Infiniti and Stellaris were similar. Minimizing POS and vacuum to maintain flow potentially are important in avoiding ocular damage and surgical complications.
Acute Inflammatory Response to Sheep Red Blood Cells in Mice Treated with 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin: The Role of Proinflammatory Cytokines, IL-1 and TNF

Recent studies have demonstrated that 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) exposure of C57Bl/6 mice results in an enhanced inflammatory response to intraperitoneal injection of sheep red blood cells (SRBC). This response is characterized by an increase in total peritoneal cells (PEC) as well as an increase in relative and absolute numbers of neutrophils (PMN) harvested 16 to 40 hr following injection of SRBC. The mechanisms whereby TCDD increases cellular influx are unknown. In the present studies, the role of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in TCDD-induced hyperinflammation was examined. Intraperitoneal administration of recombinant IL-1 beta (0.4 U) or TNF alpha (10 ng) resulted in an enhanced peritoneal inflammatory response compared to phosphate-buffered saline-injected control animals measured 20 hr following injection of SRBC. The effect of exogenous cytokines mimicked the effects of exposure to 5 micrograms/kg TCDD. When endogenous IL-1 activity was blocked using an IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra, 1 mg every 3 hr), the PMN influx was significantly decreased in control animals but not in animals exposed to 20 micrograms/kg TCDD. When endogenous TNF activity was blocked using a TNF-soluble receptor (rhuTNFR:Fc, 100 micrograms), the numbers of total PEC and macrophages (MAC) harvested from control mice were reduced, while in mice exposed to 20 micrograms/kg TCDD, inhibition of TNF activity dramatically reduced the numbers of PEC, MAC, and PMN. Following rhTNFR:Fc treatment, there was no difference between TCDD-treated and control mice in inflammatory cell influx. These results demonstrate that TNF plays a major role in mediating TCDD-induced hyperinflammation. In support of this conclusion, a dose-dependent increase in plasma TNF alpha was measured by ELISA in TCDD-treated mice following SRBC injection.
Spontaneous tangential discontinuities and the optical analogy for static magnetic fields. I. Force-free fields, potential fields, and discontinuities

Abstract The lines of force of a magnetic field extending through an infinitely conducting fluid between footpoints on the planes z=0 and z=L can be wrapped and interwoven by bounded continuous motions of the footpoints into a random sequence of arbitrary topological patterns along the field. The sign of the topological helicity of the winding pattern of the field vanes at random along the field. On the other hand, in force-free equilibrium the relative helicity (α=B. ▿ B/B 2) is rigorously constant along each line of force. Indeed in the limit of an endless random sequence of independent winding patterns along the field, the helicity falls asymptotically to zero and the field becomes curl free. A field with constant helicity along each line of force is obliged to create internal tangential discontinuities (in which the sign of the curl and the helicity is arbitrary) if it is to follow the varying topological helicity imposed by the twists and turns of the succession of independent winding patterns.
Shear-banding structure orientated in the vorticity direction observed for equimolar micellar solution

The non-monotonic shear flow of a viscoelastic equimolar aqueous surfactant solution (cetylpyridinium chloride-sodium salicylate) is investigated rheologically and optically in a transparent strain-controlled Taylor Couette flow cell. As reported before, this particular wormlike micellar solution exhibits first a shear thinning and then a pronounced shear-thickening behavior. Once this shear-thickening regime is reached, a transient phase separation/shear banding of the solution into turbid and clear ring-like patterns orientated perpendicular to the vorticity axis, i.e., stacked like pancakes, is observed (Wheeler et al. 1998; Fischer 2000). The solution exhibit several unique features as no induction period of the shear induced phase, no structural build-up at the inner rotating cylinder, jumping pancake structure of clear and turbid ringlike phases, and oscillating shear stresses appear once the pancake structure is present. According to our analysis this flow phenomenon is not purely a mechanical or rheological driven hydrodynamic instability but one has to take into account structural changes of the oriented micellar aggregates (flow induced non-equilibrium phase transition) as proposed by several authors. Although this particular flow behavior and the underlying mixture of shear induced phases and mechanical instabilities is not fully understood yet, some classification characteristics based on a recent theoretical approach by Schmitt et al. (1995) and Porte et al. (1997) where a strong coupling between the flow instability (non-homogeneous flow profile due to the bands) and the structural changes causes the observed transient phenomena can be derived. In reference to the presented model the observed orientation of the rings is typical for complex fluids that undergo a spinodal phase separation coupled with a thermodynamic flow instability. In contrast to other shear banding phenomena, this one is observed in parallel plate, cone-plate, and Couette flow cell as well as under controlled stress and controlled rate conditions. Therefore, it adds an additional aspect to the present discussion on shear banding phenomena, i.e., the coupling of hydrodynamics and phase transition of rheological complex fluids.
Does Anatomic Versus Nonanatomic Resection Affect Recurrence and Survival in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Colorectal Liver Metastasis

Anatomic resection of colorectal liver metastases may offer a survival advantage because (1) it removes the hepatic functional unit as a whole and (2) nonanatomic resection has been reported to have a higher incidence of positive margins.A retrospective review was performed of patients undergoing hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases. 183 patients met inclusion criteria of undergoing either anatomic or nonanatomic resection with the aim of removing all gross disease. Mean age was 61 years (range 31-90 years), 57% were male. 89 patients (49%) underwent nonanatomic resection, the remaining 94 (51%) had anatomic resection. Average duration of inflow occlusion was 10 min. Average length of stay was 7.4 days. There were three deaths, yielding a 1.6% 30-day mortality rate. There was no difference in the incidence of positive margins between types of resection. Recurrence was 27%, 55%, and 59% at 1, 3, and 5 years respectively. Overall survival was 89%, 67%, and 55% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. Type of resection was not associated with significant differences in recurrence or survival even when adjusted for differences in preoperative risk.We conclude that hepatic resection for colorectal metastases can be performed safely and offers select patients with stage IV disease prolonged survival. Resection type should be based on the number and location of tumors, rather than on segmental anatomy. An emphasis on the preservation of hepatic parenchyma may be of increasing importance in the setting of chemotherapy-associated steatohepatitis, and the growing number of patients undergoing repeated metastasectomy.
Brueckner-Bethe and variational calculations of nuclear matter

Results of both Brueckner-Bethe and variational calculations for the binding energy of nuclear matter as a function of density are presented for several recent nucleon-nucleon potentials. A detailed comparison is made for the Argonne ${v}_{14}$ potential, the most realistic potential for which both methods have been used. The two methods agree reasonably well, with predicted saturation points of -17.8 MeV at 1.6 ${\mathrm{fm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ for the Brueckner-Bethe method, and -16.6 MeV at 1.7 ${\mathrm{fm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ for the variational method. The variational energies are 1\char21{}2 MeV above the Brueckner-Bethe energies for densities from 1.2 to 1.7 ${\mathrm{fm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$. The results of Brueckner-Bethe calculations are also given for the Paris and Bonn potentials as well as results of variational calculations for the Urbana ${v}_{14}$ potential. These potentials all give similar binding energy curves, and all saturate matter at a density significantly above the empirical value.
New Directions in Contact Free Hand Recognition

The ability to quickly compute hand geometry measurements from a freely posed hand offers advantages to biometric identification systems. While hand geometry systems are not new, typical measurements of lengths and widths of fingers and palms require rigid placement of the hand against pegs. Slight deviations in hand position, finger stretch or pressure can yield different measurements. This paper offers novel approaches to computing hand geometry measurements from frontal views of freely posed hands. These approaches offer advantages in hygiene, comfort and reliability. Our algorithms segment the hand from a known background under spot lights and locate feature points along the fingers and wrists. Given a database of 54 hand images, with three different images of the same hand of each subject, our approach uniquely identified a previously unseen hand with an overall accuracy of 92%.
High temperature steady-state creep of polycrystalline rutile, pure and doped with tantalum

The steady state creep of polycrystalline (5–60 μm) rutile, which is doped with 1 cation % tantalum, is controlled by a Nabarro-Herring lattice diffusion process at 1100 to 1200° C. Doping with tantalum significantly depresses the steady state creep rate by lowering the concentrations of titanium interstitials and oxygen vacancies. The concentrations of these defects, and hence the steady state creep rate of doped rutile, can be increased by decreasing the oxygen partial pressure below 10−7 to 10−8 atm at 1200° C. Tentative evidence is presented in support of the hypothesis that the steady state creep of polycrystalline, undoped rutile at 950 to 1100° C is controlled by interfacial defect creation and/or annihilation at grain boundaries. Interfacial controlled deformation rates are probably due to the large concentrations (and perhaps high mobilities) of cation and anion lattice defects which are present in pure rutile equilibrated in both oxidizing and reducing atmospheres. The steady state creep rate was a very weak inverse function of the grain size and essentially independent of the oxygen partial pressure.
Interpretation of the magnetoresistance in multilayered structures.

Large ratios of the magnetoresistances for currents perpendicular to currents in the layer planes have been found in Co/Ag multilayered structures. We explain these by taking the zero-magnetization state, H coercive , in structures where the magnetic layers are nominally uncoupled, to be a superposition of statistically uncorrelated magnetic configurations. Also, we provide an interpretation for the magnetoresistance of Co/Cu and Fe/Cr by considering these multilayered structures to consist of, not only ferromagnetically and antiferromagnetically aligned layers, but also mixtures of the two that have zero magnetization
Solvothermal synthesis, a new preparative route to mononuclear lanthanide complexes with in situ built N4O2 hexadendate Schiff base. Synthesis and crystal structure of N,N′-bis[(2-salicylideneamino)ethyl]ethane-1,2-diamine nitrato[O,O]Erbium(III) hydrate

Abstract Solvothermal synthesis led to a novel Er complex with N,N′-bis[(2-salicylideneamino)ethyl]ethane-1,2-diamine. Its crystal structure can be described by [Er(H2L)(NO3)] units in which Er atom is surrounded with a N4O2 Schiff base and a bidentate NO 3 - group. These units are linked together by hydrogen bonds through H2O to build infinite chains.
The Effects of Oxygen Stoichiometry and Oxygen Ordering on Superconductivity in Y1Ba2Cu3O9−x

This paper reports on the structures and properties of Y1Ba2Cu3O9−x samples prepared in precisely controlled oxygen environments using a solid-state ionic technique. By titrating out oxygen at low temperatures, orthorhombic Y1Ba2Cu3O9−x samples were prepared with oxygen contents below 6.50. Resistivity and magnetometry studies indicated that these reduced, orthorhombic samples were marginally superconducting, with their superconductivity probably arising from local regions of higher oxygen content.
Severely inhibited E2 transition in 41Sc

Abstract The 40 Ca(p, γ 0 ) 41 Sc yield curve was examined in a search for the transition from the 3 2 − third excited state to the 7 2 − ground state in 41 Sc. No resonance was found, and an upper limit of Γ γ 0 = 10 μ eV, which corresponds to 6 × 10 −3 single-particle units, was set.
Some Tests and Developments of a Statistical Theory of Synoptic-Scale Meteorology

Abstract A statistical theory of meteorological measurements and predictions was developed previously. It furnishes a priori minimum-error, maximum-probability distributions. In the present investigation, observed measurement and prediction errors are compared with theoretical errors to test whether the latter actually are smaller. In each of six arbitrarily chosen synoptic situations, standard deviations of observed and theoretical errors were computed and compared. In addition, standard deviations of theoretical 24-hr prediction errors from Rossby's wave-speed formula and Cressman's observed errors using this formula were compared. Results of each of these seven tests support the theory. Furthermore, two alternative methods are considered for investigating a synoptically observed variable: 1. The variable can be specified at points in space and time, but its value then is uncertain. In this connection, meteorological uncertainty relations which were derived earlier, are obtained in more exact form from ...