cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy.

Pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) was originally performed in cases of ankylosing spondylitis. This procedure was invented because it was safer than trying to lengthen the anterior column via osteoclasis, which risked vascular injury and death1-4. PSO involves the removal of the posterior elements and the use of a vertebral body wedge to shorten the spine posteriorly and achieve sagittal-plane correction5,6. PSO has been used to correct sagittal-plane deformities not only in patients with ankylosing spondylitis but also in those with degenerative conditions or those who have previously undergone surgical procedures resulting in a loss of lumbar lordosis7,8. Description The fixation points are placed with pedicle screws above and below the planned osteotomy level. The posterior elements are decompressed at the level of the osteotomy and at 1 level proximally. In addition to the use of straight and angled curets, a high-speed burr is used to decancellate the vertebral body. Pedicle osteotomes are used to remove the pedicle. Temporary rods are placed. The posterior wall of the body is then impacted into the vertebral body, and the temporary rods are loosened. To close the osteotomy, the bed is extended or the spine is pushed manually, resulting in correction of the lordosis. The temporary rods are tightened. The main rods, independent of the short rods, are used to connect multiple segments several levels above and below the osteotomy site to provide final stabilization. Alternatives The alternatives to PSO depend on the surgical history of the patients, as well as the flexibility and alignment of the spine. In a spine with mobile disc spaces, Smith-Petersen osteotomies can be performed posteriorly to shorten the posterior column over multiple segments to gain lordosis. A formal anterior or lateral approach can be performed to release the disc spaces and restore the disc height. A posterior release through the facet joints with segmental compression can achieve desired lumbar lordosis. A vertebral column resection can also be performed to achieve lordosis. Rationale PSO is ideal for patients who have undergone multiple spinal fusions and who have a very rigid, flat lumbar spine. A single posterior approach can be used to provide adequate correction of the flat lumbar spine up to 40°. Asymmetric PSO can also be performed to allow for correction in the coronal plane. Recently, PSO has been performed more frequently because of the improved osteotomy instrumentation, exposure to resection techniques, and improved positioning tables that allow correction of the osteotomy.
N-k Failure Analysis Algorithm for Identification of Extreme Events for Cascading Outage Pre-screening process

The electric power grid is prone to severe contingencies which degrade the reliability, resilience and security of the power system. Current practices assess the risk posed by contingencies though steady-state methods like N-1, N-2 and N-1-1 analyses. While these methods have been tested and used for decades, the increasing frequency of blackouts and major outages demonstrate that these methods do not fully capture the contingency size and consequences such as load loss. In other words, many contingencies exhibit phenomena, such as cascading failures, that go beyond conventional steady-state models. Unfortunately, the computational requirements of full contingency assessment with detailed models remains out of reach for the modern grid operators. To address this challenge, this paper explores the suitability of using steady-state, N-k analysis to identify a smaller set of contingencies that require detailed cascading analysis, including protection system operation and dynamic simulation. The method is demonstrated on the IEEE 300-bus test system for N-1 and N-2 contingencies and a detailed analysis is provided to determine situations where N-k analysis correctly (or incorrectly) identifies the contingencies that require further analysis. The reasons for discrepancies of results of conventional steady state and advanced analyses has been identified.
Homicide Activism: A Call for Research on a Neglected Phenomenon

What is the impact of homicide on the surviving loved ones? While we study and treat the intense trauma and rage common in these “homicide survivors,” it is easy to overlook the remarkable phenomenon of “homicide activism.” This is the remarkable tendency of many otherwise ordinary citizens (like Candy Lightner, John Walsh, the Pan Am Flight 103 parents) to suddenly emerge as ferocious activists for social change. For decades, this phenomenon remains an “untold story,” how these homicide activists have somehow transformed their anguish and rage into activism – going well beyond their own loss to powerfully transform their society with bold new pro-victim policies. Based on early observations by forensic psychologist Morton Bard (Bard & Sangrey, 1979), this evidence-based report is in four parts: (1) it defines the notion of homicide activism, (2) pulls together a table listing over 25 exemplars, (3) draws on some of these case studies to examine many aspects of homicide activism, and (4) suggests focusing more systematic behavioral research – both quantitative and qualitative – to better understand the phenomenon of homicide activism and its potential for helping victims of other crimes as well.
Risk factors and outcomes of culture-proven acute Coccidioides spp. infection in San Diego, California, United States.

Background Coccidioides spp. are dimorphic fungi endemic to parts of the United States, Mexico, Central and South America. Infection can cause a range of disease from self-limited acute pneumonia to severe disseminated disease. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of medical records of cases of culture-proven acute coccidioidomycosis at the University of California San Diego between 1 April 2015 and 31 December 2019 and described the demographics, risk factors and outcomes of these cases. Results Over the study period, fifteen evaluable cases of culture-proven acute coccidioidomycosis were identified. Of these, 87% (13/15) had traditional risk factors for coccidioidomycosis infection while two lacked known risk factors, including one patient with cirrhosis and one with chronic hepatitis C infection. Seven of fifteen (47%) had primary coccidioidomycosis of the lungs without dissemination and 7/15 (47%) disseminated disease. Of those with disseminated disease, 6/7 (86%) had either high-risk ethnicity or blood type as their only risk factor. At 90 days, 11/15 (73%) were alive, 3/15 (20%) deceased and 1/15 (7%) lost to follow-up. Of those not alive at 90 days, 1/3 (33%) had disseminated disease and 2/3 (67%) primary coccidioidomycosis, both on immunosuppressive therapy. Discussion Coccidioides spp. infection occurs in a variety of hosts with varying underlying risk factors, with the majority in our cohort overall and 86% with disseminated disease lacking traditional risk factors for invasive fungal infection other than ethnicity and/or blood phenotype. Clinicians should be aware of these non-traditional risk factors in patients with coccidioidomycosis infection.
The "bowtie" reconstruction flap: A unique solution to cervical esophageal discontinuity repair.

Abstract Objectives Describe a novel technique for repair of cervical esophageal discontinuity. Study design A 66-year-old female underwent hiatal hernia repair with a Nissen fundoplication. This was complicated by ischemic necrosis of the proximal stomach requiring urgent return to the operative suite for partial gastrectomy, esophageal diversion and subsequent esophagectomy repaired with a colonic interposition graft by Thoracic Surgery. This was further complicated by a cervical esophageal colonic anastomotic leak maturing to a cervical esophageal fistula and necessitating jejunostomy tube placement and consultation to Head and Neck Surgery. Methods Case report. Results In a team approach with Otolaryngology and Thoracic Surgery, she underwent a unique, multilevel repair with a salivary bypass stent bridging the gap between the proximal esophagus and distal colonic conduit. Bilateral local advancement flaps were elevated using the skin lateral to the fistula on each side with a random blood supply pedicled medially. Each flap was rotated medially over the stent and imbricated at midline. Next, a left myogenous pectoralis flap was raised and rotated over the site of imbrication. Lastly, a split thickness skin graft from the thigh was harvested and sutured over the pectoralis flap. Three months postoperatively, the salivary bypass stent was removed and by five months, the fistula was completely closed. With cervical esophageal dilations bimonthly, the patient has graduated to an oral diet without need of her jejunostomy tube for nearly four months. Conclusion This case report describes a novel and efficacious solution to cervical esophageal discontinuity.
Enhance Fluorescence Imaging and Remove Motion Artifacts by Combining Pixel Tracking, Interleaved Acquisition, and Temporal Gating

Fluorescence imaging has been applied to improving many medical sub-specialties. In a clinical setting, there are motions of the imaging system and patients, as well as a high ambient light background. This presents a challenge for widely using fluorescence imaging systems clinically. In this paper, we present a novel approach combining computer vision and pulsed imaging system for enhanced fluorescence Imaging and motion artifacts removal. Specifically, we use a dense optical flow point tracking regime in conjunction with pulsed fluorescence excitation and interleaved acquisition. The system was characterized with respect to fluorescent detection sensitivity, using a clinically relevant fluorescent environment, and the results were compared to conventional steady-state (DC) fluorescence imaging. We also characterized the system with respect to fluorescence detection accuracy. We demonstrated a 45-fold reduction of motion artifacts by combining pixel tracking and fluorescence pixel identification with pulsed light imaging. Furthermore, the fluorescence imaging signal-to-background ratio is also improved for more than 2-fold. Our results indicate that pixel tracking, temporal gating, and interleaved acquisition can improve fluorescence imaging, especially for uses in realistic clinical settings where there is a high ambient light background.
Prevalence and factors associated with smoking tobacco among men recently released from prison in California: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract Background Over 1.5 million people are incarcerated in state and federal correctional facilities in the United States. Formerly incarcerated men have significantly higher rates of mortality and morbidity than the general population, disparities that have been partially attributed to higher rates of tobacco smoking-related illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease and cancer. Methods We compared the prevalence of smoking tobacco in a sample of 172 men who were released from California state prisons to Oakland and San Francisco between 2009 and 2011 to sub-populations of respondents to the 2009 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). Using logistic regression, we analyzed the association between lifetime history of incarceration and self-reported smoking status. Results Seventy-four percent of men recently released from prison reported being current tobacco smokers. The prevalence of smoking in a demographically similar group of men in the CHIS was 24%. We found in bivariate analysis that each additional five years of history of incarceration was associated with 1.32 times greater odds of smoking (95% CI 1.02 to 1.71). Illicit substance use was associated with a 2.47 higher adjusted odds of smoking (95% CI 1.29 to 5.39). In the multivariate model adjusting for age, income, substance use and mental health, every five years of incarceration was associated with 1.23 greater odds of smoking (95% CI 0.94 to 1.63) which was not statistically significant. Conclusions Given the high prevalence of smoking tobacco among former prisoners and the underlying high tobacco-related mortality rates, these findings suggest that a history of incarceration may be an important determinant of smoking. Prison and parole systems may be important potential settings for smoking-cessation interventions.
Project Collaboration, not just User Participation

Markus and Mao (2004) provide a thorough and insightful review of the user participation literature. They identify confusions and other issues related to situational factors that affect the importance and feasibility of user participation. They propose a new user participation framework and nine related propositions. This paper proposes a more radical approach of focusing on business/IT collaboration in projects related to IT-reliant work systems. It argues that “project collaboration” should replace “user participation” as the core of the discourse because it better expresses major challenges and clarifies the nature of project success. The concept of project collaboration applies to the larger project of improving an IT-reliant work system, rather than the more limited project of developing and implementing software/ hardware configurations. In conjunction with other Figures presented here, this paper’s project collaboration framework can be used in research, teaching, and guiding projects in practice.
A Schrödinger Wave Equation Approach to the Eikonal Equation: Application to Image Analysis

As Planck's constant $\hbar$ (treated as a free parameter) tends to zero, the solution to the eikonal equation $|\nabla S(X)|=f(X)$ can be increasingly closely approximated by the solution to the corresponding Schrodinger equation. When the forcing function f (X ) is set to one, we get the Euclidean distance function problem. We show that the corresponding Schrodinger equation has a closed form solution which can be expressed as a discrete convolution and efficiently computed using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The eikonal equation has several applications in image analysis, viz. signed distance functions for shape silhouettes, surface reconstruction from point clouds and image segmentation being a few. We show that the sign of the distance function, its gradients and curvature can all be written in closed form, expressed as discrete convolutions and efficiently computed using FFTs. Of note here is that the sign of the distance function in 2D is expressed as a winding number computation. For the general eikonal problem, we present a perturbation series approach which results in a sequence of discrete convolutions once again efficiently computed using FFTs. We compare the results of our approach with those obtained using the fast sweeping method, closed-form solutions (when available) and Dijkstra's shortest path algorithm.
Development of a new control strategy for improving the operation of multiple shades in a solarium

Abstract This paper presents a new control strategy for improving the performance of one interior and/or exterior planar shade(s). The control strategy is based on performing an energy balance on the fenestration system and calculating the total heat flow (i.e. solar gains + overall heat losses). The heat flow can be maximized or minimized depending on the needs of the space. A solarium model was developed in order to assess the performance of the proposed shading strategy. The solarium model can simulate passive and active thermal storage using sensible and phase change materials. A prototype solarium with motorized interior and exterior shadings has been instrumented and subjected to controlled conditions. The numerical simulations are in good agreement with experimental results. The simulation model has then been used to perform annual simulations of an attached solarium for the location of Montreal, Canada. The year was divided in a heating mode and a mixed mode. During the heating mode (i.e. October through April), heating is provided to keep a minimum temperature of 10 °C and surplus heat is considered when the temperature reaches 28 °C. By using the proposed algorithm for the control of one interior and/or exterior shade(s) in the heating mode, heating requirements of the simulated solarium have been reduced by 3–9% and an additional 9–14% of surplus heat have been collected when compared to a control based on near optimum global horizontal solar radiation levels. During the mixed mode, thermal comfort can be improved significantly (+1822 h) when the interior shade is controlled with the proposed algorithm.
Standing genetic variation and the evolution of drug resistance in HIV

Drug resistance remains a major problem for the treatment of HIV. Resistance can occur due to mutations that were present before treatment starts or due to mutations that occur during treatment. The relative importance of these two sources is unknown. Resistance can also be transmitted between patients, but this process is not considered in the current study. We study three different situations in which HIV drug resistance may evolve: starting triple-drug therapy, treatment with a single dose of nevirapine and interruption of treatment. For each of these three cases good data are available from literature, which allows us to estimate the probability that resistance evolves from standing genetic variation. Depending on the treatment we find probabilities of the evolution of drug resistance due to standing genetic variation between 0 and 39%. For patients who start triple-drug combination therapy, we find that drug resistance evolves from standing genetic variation in approximately 6% of the patients. We use a population-dynamic and population-genetic model to understand the observations and to estimate important evolutionary parameters under the assumption that treatment failure is caused by the fixation of a single drug resistance mutation. We find that both the effective population size of the virus before treatment, and the fitness of the resistant mutant during treatment, are key-arameters which determine the probability that resistance evolves from standing genetic variation. Importantly, clinical data indicate that both of these parameters can be manipulated by the kind of treatment that is used.
Model driven development for business performance management

Business process integration and monitoring provides an invaluable means for an enterprise to adapt to changing conditions. However, developing such applications using traditional methods is challenging because of the intrinsic complexity of integrating large-scale business processes and existing applications. Model Driven DevelopmentTM (MDDTM) is an approach to developing applications-from domain-specific models to platform-sensitive models-that bridges the gap between business processes and information technology. We describe the MDD framework and methodology used to create the IBM Business Performance Management (BPM) solution. We describe how we apply model-driven techniques to BPM and present a scenario from a pilot project in which these techniques were applied. Technical details on models and transformation are presented. Our framework uses and extends the IBM business observation metamodel and introduces a data warehouse metamodel and other platform-specific and transformational models. We discuss our lessons learned and present the general guidelines for using MDD to develop enterprise-scale applications.
Rapid method for micro-analysis of endogenous amino acid neurotransmitters in brain perfusates in the rat by isocratic HPLC-EC.

Abstract A simplified method is described for the isocratic analysis of endogenous amino acid neurotransmitters contained in brain perfusates by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection (EC). Pre-column o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) tert-butylthiol derivatives of the amino acids were injected into a C18 3 μm column. After linear concentration curves for standard solutions were obtained, the content of 6 amino acid neurotransmitters was analyzed in push-pull perfusates obtained from the hypothalamus and cerebral cortex of the unrestrained rat. Each analysis which included the simultaneous quantification of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, taurine and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), was completed in less than 15 min. The sensitivity of the assay ranged from 1.0 to 5.0 pmol of each amino acid contained within a 20 μ1 aliquot of each perfusion sample.
Changes in abundance, composition and controls within the plankton of a fertilised arctic lake

1. An oligotrophic arctic lake was fertilised with inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus as (NH4)2 NO3 and H3PO4 for five summers. The loading rate was 1.7–2.5 mmol N m–2 day–1 and 0.136–0.20 mmol P m–2 day–1 which is two to three times the annual loading of lakes in the area. The heterotrophic microzooplankton community was enumerated during the experiment as well as 1 year pre- and post-treatment. 2. The structure of the microplankton community changed from a nutrient limited system, dominated by oligotrich protozoans and small-particle feeding rotifers, to a system dominated by a succession of peritrich protozoans and predatory rotifers. These peritrich protozoans and predatory rotifers were not present prior to fertilisation and never constituted more than a small fraction of the biomass in other lakes at the research site. The average biomass of the rotifers and protozoans was more than seven and a half times larger by the end of fertilisation than it was initially. 3. Because of the increases in numbers of individuals in these new taxa, the structure of the microbial food web changed. When fertilisation stopped, most parameters returned to prefertilisation levels within 1 year.
A Β-glucan endo-hydrolase fromSchizosaccharomyces pombe and its role in cell wall growth

A Β-glucan hydrolase showing a marked specificity for Β-1,3-glucosidic linkages was found to be closely associated with the cell wall of the fission yeastSchizosaccharomyces pombe. Intact log-phase cells showed 40% of the enzyme activity measured in the cell homogenate. Cellular enzyme activity reached a maximum during the logarithmic growth phase and decreased sharply in the stationary phase. The possible role of the enzyme in cell wall extension is discussed.
Temperature effects on behavior and survival of marine invertebrates exposed to variations in hydrostatic pressure

Investigation into the pressure resistance of 8 intertidal species belonging to the genera, Uca, Sesurma, Talorchestia and Littorina from the Northern Gulf of Mexico and Panama sheds light on the relationships between temperature and hydrostatic-pressure resistance. Generally, increasing temperature increases the pressure required to elicit reversible reactions such as “increased activity” and tetany, or paralysis, wheroas increasing temperature generally evokes the irreversible response of death (LD50) at a decreasing pressure. Tropical stenotherms tend to be more sensitive to hydrostatic pressure than eurythermal-temperate species at the same or similar temperatures.
Inhibitory effect of chronic administration of morphine on RNA polymerase activities of mouse liver and brain nuclei

Abstract Attempts have been made to examine the in vitro and in vivo effects of morphine sulfate on the RNA polymerase activities of mouse liver and brain nuclei. Administration of a single high dose of morphine in vitro or in vivo, produces little or no significant change in the specific activities of RNA polymerase of liver and brain nuclei. The chronic administration of morphine produces dose-dependent decreases in the specific activities of RNA polymerase of liver and brain nuclei. Such decreases persist fairly well for 10 days following the last dose of morphine.
Newborn hot neutron stars

Abstract The structure of newborn hot neutron stars is compared with that of cold catalyzed configurations. The role of the nuclear equation of state on the structural changes is investigated and some of the astrophysical consequences are briefly discussed.
Spheroidization of silver ethylene oxidation catalyst particles as induced by $gamma$-irradiation.

Abstract Following γ-irradiation and then exposure of a supported silver catalyst to ethylene and O2 at 280 °C, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals spheroidization of the silver particles, a phenomenon not observed in the absence of preirradiation. Electron Spectroscopy Chemical Analyses (ESCA) studies and etching of the samples suggest the presence of a distinct, included phase of Ca oxide within the Ag. Irradiation apparently causes multiple ionization with ejection of ionized Ca to the Ag particle surface, spheroidization being one consequence.
Interstrand side chain--side chain interactions in a designed beta-hairpin: significance of both lateral and diagonal pairings.

The contributions of interstrand side chain−side chain contacts to β-sheet stability have been examined with an autonomously folding β-hairpin model system. RYVEVDPGOKILQ-NH2 (DP = d-proline, O = ornithine) has previously been shown to adopt a β-hairpin conformation in aqueous solution, with a two-residue loop at d-Pro-Gly. In the present study, side chains that display interstrand NOEs (Tyr-2, Lys-9, and Leu-11) are mutated to alanine or serine, and the conformational impact of the mutations is assessed. In the β-hairpin conformation Tyr-2 and Leu-11 are directly across from one another (non-hydrogen bonded pair). This “lateral” juxtaposition of two hydrophobic side chains appears to contribute to β-hairpin conformational stability, which is consistent with results from other β-sheet model studies and with statistical analyses of interstrand residue contacts in protein crystal structures. Interaction between the side chains of Tyr-2 and Lys-9 also stabilizes the β-hairpin conformation. Tyr-2/Lys-9 is a “...
Computer study of a semiclassical model of the dynamical water molecule

Abstract A semiclassical model of the water molecule is formulated as an eleven-body problem. The stiff system of differential equations is run for two billion time steps using an energy conservative numerical method. The results are entirely consistent with the experimental bond length and bond angle measurements over the period considered.
Quantitative effects of a water exercise program on functional and physiological capacity in subjects with knee osteoarthritis: a pilot study

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common and debilitating disease that often affects the knees. Patients suffer from pain and disability and have associated reductions in muscle and cardiopulmonary function. We quantitatively evaluated the effects of an 8-week water exercise program (WEP) on muscle, cardiovascular, and functional capacity on patients with knee OA. Functional capacity (walking time, Jette functional status index, habitual physical activity questionnaire), muscle function (strength, endurance, contraction speed of the quadriceps and hamstrings), and cardiovascular function (oxygen consumption, blood pressure, heart rate) were evaluated before and after WEP on 9 men and 9 women with knee OA. After 8 weeks of WEP, no significant changes were observed in any of the measured variables. Although patients with knee OA enjoyed the WEP and thought that it was beneficial to them, it did not significantly improve muscle and cardiovascular fitness or functional capacity.
Dependence of the sintering rate and related grain size of yttria-stabilized polycrystalline zirconia (3Y-TZP) on the strength of an applied DC electric field

Abstract The sintering rate of 3Y-TZP increased with increase in initial applied DC electric field strength up to 20 V/cm; no further effect however occurred at 50 V/cm. Analysis of the data confirmed the earlier finding that the increase in sintering rate by the field resulted mainly from a retardation of grain growth. It was further determined that the retardation resulted from a reduction in the grain boundary energy, which provides the driving force. The initial field of 20 V/cm reduced the grain boundary energy to essentially nil, thereby accounting for the fact that no further decrease in grain size occurred at the higher field strength. The reduction in the grain boundary energy by the field is attributed to the interaction of the field with the space charge.
Serious maternal morbidity after childbirth: prolonged hospital stays and readmissions.

Abstract Objective: To determine the frequency of and risk factors for serious morbidity resulting in a prolonged hospital stay or readmission among women enrolled in Tennessee’s Medicaid program who delivered live or dead infants in 1991. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 33,251 women of white or black ethnicity. Main outcome measures included childbirth-related medical conditions serious enough to result in death, prolonged delivery hospitalization, or readmission within 60 days of delivery. Results: Among 25,810 women with vaginal (78%) and 7441 (22%) women with cesarean deliveries, 2.6% and 8.9%, respectively, had at least one childbirth-related medical condition requiring prolonged delivery hospitalization or readmission, including infection (1.8% and 7.9%), hypertension-related complications (0.7% and 2.0%), or hemorrhage (0.5% and 2.4%). After controlling for other risk factors, maternal age over 32 years was independently associated with increased rate of serious morbidity among women who had vaginal (relative risk [RR] 1.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4, 2.7) or cesarean deliveries (RR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1, 2.2). Black women had approximately twice the rate of maternal morbidity with vaginal (RR 1.9, 95% CI 1.5, 2.4) or cesarean deliveries (RR 2.3, 95% CI 1.9, 2.9). Primiparous women who had vaginal or cesarean deliveries had a 60% (RR 1.6, 95% CI 1.3, 2.0) and 70% (RR 1.7, 95% CI 1.4, 2.0), respectively, greater risk of serious maternal morbidity than women with 1–3 prior births. Conclusion: Predictors of serious maternal morbidity included age over 32 years, black ethnicity, and primiparity.
Levels of household particulate matter and environmental tobacco smoke exposure in the first year of life for a cohort at risk for asthma in urban Syracuse, NY

The Syracuse, NY, AUDIT (Assessment of Urban Dwellings for Indoor Toxics) study was designed to quantify asthma agent levels in the inner-city homes of a birth cohort whose mothers had a diagnosis of asthma. Risk of exposure to particulate matter (PM), particle number and tobacco smoke was assessed in 103 infants' homes. Repeat measurements were made in 44% of the homes. Infants also were examined on a quarterly basis during the first year of life to monitor their respiratory health and urine cotinine levels. Overall geometric mean (GM) values for PM(2.5) of 21.2 μg/m(3) and for PM(10) of 31.8 μg/m(3) were recorded in homes at visit 1. GM values for PM(2.5) and PM(10) in smoking homes were higher at 26.3 and 37.7 μg/m(3), while values in non-smoking homes were 12.7 and 21.2 μg/m(3) respectively. Fifty-four percent of mothers (55/103) smoked at some point in pregnancy (39% smoked throughout pregnancy). Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure occurred in 68% of homes during the infants' first year. Significant to this study was the size- and time-resolved monitoring of PM at 140 home visits and the classification of PM count data. PM number counts ranged from continuously low levels (little indoor activity) to continuously high counts (constant indoor activity), and recorded apparent instances of prolonged repeated cigarette smoking. Wheezing in the first year of life was recorded for 38% of the infants (39/103). Adjusted logistic regression modeling demonstrated that elevated levels of indoor PM(2.5) (≥ 15 μg/m(3)) were a significant risk factor for infant wheezing after controlling for infant gender, mothers' age and education level, season of home visit and presence of carpeting (OR 4.21; 95% CI 1.36-13.03; p=0.013). An elevated level of the nicotine metabolite cotinine in infant urine also was associated with infant wheezing after adjusting for infant gender, mothers' age and education level (OR 5.10; 95% CI 0.96-27.24; p=0.057). ETS exposure was pervasive in the AUDIT cohort and a risk for developing infants in this urban population.
A Uniform Analysis of the Lyα Forest at z = 0-5. V. The Extragalactic Ionizing Background at Low Redshift

In Paper III of our series, "A Uniform Analysis of the Lyα Forest at z = 0-5," we presented a set of 270 quasar spectra from the archives of the Faint Object Spectrograph (FOS) on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). A total of 151 of these spectra, yielding 906 lines, are suitable for using the proximity effect signature to measure J(ν0), the mean intensity of the hydrogen-ionizing background radiation field, at low redshift. Using a maximum-likelihood technique and the best estimates possible for each QSO's Lyman limit flux and systemic redshift, we find J(ν0) = 7.6 × 10-23 erg s-1 cm-2 Hz-1 sr-1 at 0.03 1, the values of J(ν0) found are 6.5×10-23 erg s-1 cm-2 Hz-1 sr-1, and 1.0×10-22 erg s-1 cm-2 Hz-1 sr-1, respectively, indicating that the mean intensity of the background is evolving over the redshift range of this data set. Relaxing the assumption that the spectral shapes of the sample spectra and the background are identical, the best-fit H I photoionization rates are found to be 6.7 × 10-13 s-1 for all redshifts, and 1.9 × 10-13 and 1.3 × 10-12 s-1 for z 1, respectively. The inclusion of blazars, associated absorbers, or damped Lyα absorbers, or the consideration of a ΛCDM cosmology rather than one in which ΩΛ = 0 has no significant effect on the results. The result obtained using radio-loud objects is not significantly different from that found using radio-quiet objects. Allowing for a variable equivalent width threshold gives a consistently larger value of J(ν0) than the constant threshold treatment, though this is found to be sensitive to the inclusion of a small number of weak lines near the QSO emission redshifts. This work confirms that the evolution of the number density of Lyα lines is driven by a decrease in the ionizing background from z ~ 2 to z ~ 0 as well as by the formation of structure in the intergalactic medium.
Density-functional theory of elastic moduli: Hard-sphere and Lennard-Jones crystals.

We propose a density-functional method for calculating elastic moduli of crystalline solids. The method is based on the second-order Ramakrishnan-Yussouff (RY) expansion of the variational grand-canonical potential around a uniform liquid state. The densities of the strained and unstrained crystal are represented as sums of narrow Gaussians. We express the crystal moduli in terms of the liquid structure factor its first and second derivatives evaluated at the reciprocal-lattice points of the crystal. We evaluate the elastic moduli for fcc hard-sphere and Lennard-Jones crystals using the Percus-Yevick and computer-simulation liquid structure factors, respectively. An indirect comparison with available experimental and theoretical values shows that although our calculated moduli are accurate to an order of magnitude, higher-order terms in the RY expansion might be significant. We find important contributions from density equilibration within the strained unit cell.
Epidemiology and epidemics of blastomycosis.

Summary: In contrast to H. capsulatum and Coccidioides immitis, which have been isolated from soil many times, B. dermatitidis was isolated but rarely. Dozens of outbreaks of histoplasmosis and coccidoidomycosis have been reported, but only four of blastomycosis. Mycolytic factors in soil lyse B. dermatitidis with greater aggressiveness than H. capsulatum and Pseudoallescheria boydii. The almost simultaneous infection observed in man and dogs points to sources of infection in nature and in the same direction point the albeit scarce epidemics. Zusammenfassung: Im Gegensatz zu H. capsulatum und Coccidioides immitis, die haufig aus Erdproben kultiviert wurden, wurde Blastomyces dermatitidis nur selten isoliert. Dutzende von Epidemien von Histoplasmose und Coccidioidomykose sind publiziert worden, aber nur vier derartige Ausbruche von Blastomykose. Mycolytische Faktoren in der Erde wirken starker auf B. dermatitidis als auf H. capsulatum und Pseudoallescheria boydii. Eine fast gleichzeitige Erkrankung bei einen Menschen und seinem Hunde weisen auf einen infektiosen Herd in der Natur hin; in die gleiche Richtung deuten auch die Epidemien der Blastomykose.
Let's browse: a collaborative Web browsing agent

Web browsing, like most of today’s desktop applications, is usually a solitary activity. Other forms of media, such as watching television, are often done by groups of people, such as families or friends. What would it be like to do collaborative Web browsing? Could the computer provide assistance to group browsing by trying to help find mutual interests among the participants? Let’s Browse is an experiment in building an agent to assist a group of people in browsing, by suggesting new material likely to be of common interest. It is built as an extension to the single user Web browsing agent Letizia. Let’s Browse features automatic detection of the presence of users, automated “channel surfing” browsing, and dynamic display of the user profiles and explanation of recommendations.q 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Analytical solutions to second order differential equations

Abstract A computer program, DIFFER, is described that will find analytical solutions to certain second order ordinary differential equations. An interactive main program is included which calls DIFFER and which will enable the user to run the program from a terminal.
Rotation Invariant Texture Classification with Ridgelet Transform and Fourier Transform

The features extracted from traditional wavelet transform have been successfully applied to texture classification. However, most wavelet features are not invariant to image rotation. This paper proposes a new rotation invariant feature based on the combination of ridgelet, a directional non-separable wavelet transform, and Fourier transforms. The ridgelet transform is applied to the rotated image, transforming the rotation angle to shifts in the ridgelet domain. Changes caused by the shift is eliminated by using the magnitude of the Fourier transform in the ridgelet domain. The rotation invariance is proved theoretically and verified by experimental results.
CYTOCHROME CHANGES DURING HONEY BEE FLIGHT MUSCLE DEVELOPMENT.

Abstract The progressive changes in the composition of the cytochrome system of the wing muscles during development through pupal stages and early adulthood in honey bees ( Apis mellifera L.) was studied in homogenates with a low temperature difference-spectrum technique. Cytochromes b 5 and a + a 3 are the only ones found during most of the pupal period. The association of this system with myofibril synthesis is discussed. Cytochrome b 5 abruptly becomes undetectable 2 days before emergence. Late pupal and early adult life is characterized by the progressive growth of cytochromes a + a 3 , as well as the appearance and progressive growth of cytochromes b + c 1 and c. This growth parallels the growth of the specialized wing muscle mitochondria, the sarcosomes, and is completed 20 days after emergence. At this time the bee is capable of sustained flight, a faculty that is only gradually achieved during the sarcosome growth period. The association of the adult cytochrome system with the intense energy demand in the wing muscles during flight is discussed.
Calcium-independent release of [3H]dopamine by veratridine in pargyline- and reserpine-treated corpus striatum.

Abstract Veratridine produced a dose-dependent release of cytoplasmic [ 3 H]dopamine in rat corpus striatal slices. Cytoplasmic [ 3 H]dopamine was obtained by pretreating rats with reserpine to inhibit vesicular storage and incubating with pargyline and β-thujaplicin to inhibit catabolism prior to incubation with [ 3 H]dopamine. Release of [ 3 H]dopamine by veratridine is absolutely calcium-independent and can be abolished by 10 −4 M tetrodotoxin and inhibited by 10 −5 M nomifensine. These results suggest that veratridine can release cytoplasmic [ 3 H]dopamine by a carrier-mediated process.
Social and Emotional Adaptation of the Families of Schizophrenic Patients

Our investigation has aimed at the assessment of the course of the social and emotional adaptation of the families in which one of the spouses had been diagnosed schizophrenic.
France and the United States: A comparative analysis of social capital on both sides of the pond

Putnam's lament on the decline of civic engagement has generated extensive literature on social capital. However, cross-national research remains deficient. In an effort to fill the gap, this research thus concentrates on a comparative assessment of social capital in the United States and France. On the basis of secondary analyses of Howard, Gibson and Stolle's ‘US Citizenship, Involvement and Democracy’ survey of 1001 respondents in the United States and the 2002 European Social Survey of 1503 respondents in France, this article measured the impact of media use and political variables on levels of trust, citizen norms, associational involvement and political participation. Findings suggested that for both countries interpersonal political discussion, external efficacy and interest were positive predictors for several dimensions of social capital.
Characterization of a tandemly repeated DNA from the fleshfly Sarcophaga bullata

In studies on the highly repetitive DNA sequences of the flesh flySarcophaga bullata, a 279 bp tandem repeat was cloned and sequenced. A 17 bp stretch within the clone was identical to a motif repeated five times in the satellite DNA of the Bermuda land crab. Southern DNA blotting showed the tandem repeat had a high degree of conservation of MboI sites, but had divergence for EcoRI sites; thus, all repeat units were not identical. The cloned DNA localized to the quinacrine-bright centromeric heterochromatin of the C and E autosomes and to sites on the chromosomal arms. In cases of asynapsis of homologs, the probe localized to euchromatic sites on both homologs or sometimes only on one homolog. The probe also localized near, to, or at a major developmental puff (B9). We conclude that blocks of this short interspersed repetitive DNA occur throughout theSarcophaga genome in both heterochromatin and euchromatin, and also that the variable position of these sequences suggests they possess a degree of instability.
Panniculectomy concurrent with anterior pelvic exenteration for recurrent cervical cancer

Abstract Background. Panniculectomy concurrent with gynecologic cancer surgery is safe and facilitates pelvic exposure in the morbidly obese patient. Case. A 41-year-old morbidly obese female is diagnosed with recurrent adenocarcinoma of the cervix and has previously been treated with teletherapy and brachytherapy. She undergoes an anterior pelvic exenteration for curative intent. Conclusion. Panniculectomy at the time of pelvic exenteration is feasible. Morbidly obese patients with recurrent cervical cancer after treatment with pelvic radiation should be considered candidates for curative surgery.
Lipids in margarines and margarine-like foods

The lipid composition of margarines from stores in selected locations in the U.S. is reported. The lipids determined include the fatty acids, tocopherols and major plant sterols. Data are included for isomeric octadecenoic fatty acids (14 isomers or groups of isomers) and four isomeric octadecadienoic fatty acids common in partially hydrogenated vegetable fats, insofar as these are separable by capillary gas chromatography. Amounts of individual lipids found in vegetable oil margarines, spreads, imitation and diet margarines were: palmitate, 8.49 to 13.17% (normalized weight percent, calculated as triglyceride); stearate, 4.78 to 9.53%; linoleate, 6.06 to 46.39%; linolenate, 0.18 to 3.57%; α-tocopherol, 0.3 to 24.3 mg/100g; γ-tocopherol, 3.0 to 55.0 mg/100g; δ-tocopherol, 0.5 to 18.9 mg/100g; campesterol, 10.6 to 106.3 mg/100g; stigmasterol, 13.1 to 60.9 mg/100g; sitosterol, 42.3 to 412.9 mg/100g. Amounts oftrans-unsaturated octadecenoic fatty acids in these margarines varied from 10.74 to 30.06%. Small amounts of thetrans,trans, trans,cis andcis,trans isomers of linoleate also are reported.
Measurements of the millimeter-wave spectrum of interstellar dust emission

We report measurements of the differential brightness of interstellar dust emission near the Galactic plane and at high Galactic latitudes. The data were obtained as part of a program to measure anisotropy in the cosmic microwave background (CMB). The measurements were made with a 0.5 deg beam size and a 1.3 deg sinusoidal chop, in broad bands (Delta nu/nu approximately 0.3) centered near frequencies of 6, 9, and 12 cm(exp -1). A measurement made toward the Galactic plane, at longitude 1 = 23.7 deg, is compared with the contrast observed in the 100 micrometers IRAS data. Assuming the dust emission has a brightness I(sub nu) proportional to nu(sup n)B(sub nu)(T(sub d)), where B(sub nu) is the Planck function, a best fit yields n = 1.6 +/- 0.4, T(sub d) = 24 +/- 5 K. In a region near the star mu Pegasi (mu PEG l = 91 deg, b = -31 deg), the comparison of our data with the 100 micrometers IRAS data yields n = 1.4 +/- 0.4, and T(sub d) = 18 +/- 3 K. In a second region near the star gamma Ursa Minoris (GUM l = 108 deg, b = 41 deg), an upper limit is placed on contrast in dust emission. This upper limit is consistent with spectrum measured at mu PEG and the IRAS 100 micrometer emission contrast at GUM, which is approximately 8 times lower than mu PEG.
Axisymmetric confined turbulent jet directed towards the liquid surface from below

A numerical simulation is presented of an axisymmetric turbulent jet discharging axially from below into a cylindrical tank and directed towards the liquid vapor interface. The liquid vapor interface is assumed to be flat and shear free. The k-epsilon turbulence model is used to calculate the eddy viscosity. The turbulence intensity distribution and the length scale associated with the k-epsilon model are calculated as functions of jet flow rates and systems parameters. Numerical results are compared with appropriate experimental data. The problems associated with the free surface boundary conditions for the turbulent quantities are discussed.
A Working Model of Health: Spirituality and Religiousness as Resources: Applications to Persons with Disability

Abstract The author describes a model of health that incorporates the spiritual dimension of life, and articulates the relevancy of this model to those with disabilities. The model includes sociocultural, psychological, physical and spiritual aspects of life, around a central inte-grative core. The article enumerates some of the challenges faced by those with disabilities and contrasts the predominantly secular approach to life with examples of an approach which takes into account the spiritual dimension. Some spiritual and religious resources that may help meet these challenges, and help to integrate the life of the disabled person into a meaningful whole are described.
Effects of cortisone upon blood, adrenal cortex, gonads, and the development of osteoporosis in birds.

Domestic birds exhibited a high tolerance for massive doses of cortisone and developed osteoporosis that was very slight in the rooster, moderately severe in the capon, and severely destructive in the hen. After four weeks of treatment, the adrenals and gonads were atrophied, and there was hypercalcemia, associated with an elevation in the ultrafilterable fraction of the serum calcium. Egg production generally ceased within one week, but a few birds continued to lay irregularly, or briefly, and produced shell-less dwarf eggs with a membranous stalk. Bone was resorbed from the endosteal surface of the cortex of the skeleton by means of a local mechanism that did not require formation of osteoclasts. Estrogen injected into cortisone-treated birds produced the phosphoproteinemia, phospholipidemia, and lipema (associated with twenty-fold rise in the non-ultrafilterable fraction of the serum calcium), the same as in normal birds. Estrogen, without androgen, did not give the hen protection against osteoporosis....