cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transfusion and Infections in the Burn Patient.

Background: Blood product transfusion has historically been utilized after major burn injury in the resuscitative as well as the acute phase. Transfusion has been implicated in infection and immunosuppression in many disease states. Recommendations for blood product transfusion has varied, but several landmark studies have helped define optimal burn transfusion strategies with respect to infection. The purpose of this article is to review the evidence describing the relation between transfusion and infection in burn injury during different phases of burn treatment to identify optimal transfusion strategies and suggest future targets for transfusion research in burns. Methods: This article presents the history, current status, and future research directions related to blood and blood product transfusion in burn injury. Results: Patients with burns are subject to infectious complications resulting from the loss of skin and burn-related immunosuppression. The use of blood in burn treatment has varied during both the resuscitative phase and the acute treatment phase. Whole-blood use in resuscitation was replaced with crystalloid infusion. Future trials are examining the role of plasma and albumin in burn resuscitation. A randomized prospective multicenter transfusion trial was able to decrease transfusion by 50% with no change in infection. Further examination of the role of hemostatic resuscitation in burn excision may help to better define transfusion goals. Conclusions: Blood product transfusion in burn injury has varied throughout the last century. Although advances in the understanding of blood transfusion in burn injury have occurred, initiatives to define optimal care better are required.
Occupational Therapy Interventions for Children Ages Birth-5 Years

Evidence Connection articles provide a clinical application of systematic reviews developed in conjunction with the American Occupational Therapy Association's (AOTA's) Evidence-Based Practice Project. This article presents a case example of a young child with autism spectrum disorder who receives occupational therapy evaluation and intervention in natural environments (home and child care center). Systematic review findings supporting enhancement of key life occupations through interventions to develop cognitive, motor, social-emotional, and self-care skills for young children were published in AOTA's Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Early Childhood: Birth-5 Years (Frolek Clark & Kingsley, 2020) and the March/April 2020 issue of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy (Gronski & Doherty, 2020; Kingsley et al., 2020; Tanner et al., 2020). Each article in the Evidence Connection series applies evidence from the published reviews on a topic to a related case. These articles are designed to promote application of the evidence to practice.
Photodynamic Therapy for Infectious Keratitis

Infectious keratitis is a sight-threatening microbial infection. The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in cases of infectious keratitis has increased the demand for fortified compounded antimicrobial drops. Even with proper medical management, severe cases of infectious keratitis can further evolve into corneal perforation, requiring surgical intervention in the form of keratoplasty to control the infectious process. Due to the invasive nature of the procedure and the shortage of available donor tissue around the world, alternative treatments are needed for the management of progressive infectious keratitis. In ophthalmology, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used for numerous applications. PDT with Rose Bengal as a photosensitizer combined with green light optical irradiation (RB-PDAT) is a novel treatment with dual purpose: to arrest the infection from progressing and strengthen the collagen of the cornea. RB-PDAT may be considered as an adjunct therapy in severe cases of infectious keratitis to minimize the need for a therapeutic keratoplasty.
Machine learning reveals heterogeneous responses to FAK, Rac, Rho, and Cdc42 inhibition on vascular smooth muscle cell spheroid formation and morphology

Atherosclerosis and vascular injury are characterized by neointima formation caused by the aberrant accumulation and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) within the vessel wall. Understanding how to control VSMCs would advance the effort to treat vascular disease. However, the response to treatments aimed at VSMCs is often different among patients with the same disease condition, suggesting patient-specific heterogeneity in VSMCs. Here, we present an experimental and computational method called HETEROID (Heterogeneous Spheroid), which examines the heterogeneity of the responses to drug treatments at the single-spheroid level by combining a VSMC spheroid model and machine learning (ML) analysis. First, we established a VSMC spheroid model that mimics neointima formation induced by atherosclerosis and vascular injury. We found that FAK-Rac/Rho, but not Cdc42, pathways regulate the VSMC spheroid formation through N-cadherin. Then, to identify the morphological subpopulations of drug-perturbed spheroids, we used an ML framework that combines deep learning-based spheroid segmentation and morphological clustering analysis. Our ML approach reveals that FAK, Rac, Rho, and Cdc42 inhibitors differentially affect the spheroid morphology, suggesting there exist multiple distinct pathways governing VSMC spheroid formation. Overall, our HETEROID pipeline enables detailed quantitative characterization of morphological changes in neointima formation, that occurs in vivo, by single-spheroid analysis of various drug treatments.
Short-ranged interaction effects on Z2 topological phase transitions: The perturbative mean-field method

Time-reversal symmetric topological insulator (TI) is a novel state of matter that a bulk-insulating state carries dissipationless spin transport along the surfaces, embedded by the Z2 topological invariant. In the noninteracting limit, this exotic state has been intensively studied and explored with realistic systems, such as HgTe/(Hg, Cd)Te quantum wells. On the other hand, electronic correlation plays a significant role in many solid-state systems, which further influences topological properties and triggers topological phase transitions. Yet an interacting TI is still an elusive subject and most related analyses rely on the mean-field approximation and numerical simulations. Among the approaches, the mean-field approximation fails to predict the topological phase transition, in particular at intermediate interaction strength without spontaneously breaking symmetry. In this paper, we develop an analytical approach based on a combined perturbative and self-consistent mean-field treatment of interactions that is capable of capturing topological phase transitions beyond either method when used independently. As an illustration of the method, we study the effects of short-ranged interactions on the Z2 TI phase, also known as the quantum spin Hall (QSH) phase, in three generalized versions of the Kane–Mele (KM) model at half-filling on the honeycomb lattice. The results are in excellent agreement with quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) calculations on the same model and cannot be reproduced by either a perturbative treatment or a self-consistent mean-field treatment of the interactions. Our analytical approach helps to clarify how the symmetries of the one-body terms of the Hamiltonian determine whether interactions tend to stabilize or destabilize a topological phase. Moreover, our method should be applicable to a wide class of models where topological transitions due to interactions are in principle possible, but are not correctly predicted by either perturbative or self-consistent treatments.
Reproducibility of Lung and Liver Volume Measurements on Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Left-Sided Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

Introduction Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) affects 1 in 3,000 live births and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Methods A review of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations was performed for fetuses with left CDH and normal lung controls. Image review and manual tracings were performed by 4 pediatric radiologists; right and left lung volumes in the coronal and axial planes as well as liver volume above and below the diaphragm in the coronal plane were measured. Intra- and interreviewer reproducibility was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis. Results Excellent intra- and interreviewer reproducibility of the right and left lung volume measurements was observed in both axial planes (interreviewer ICC: right lung: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95-0.99; left lung: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95-0.98) and coronal planes (interreviewer ICC: right lung: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95-0.98; left lung: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93-0.98). Moderate-to-good interreviewer reproducibility was observed for liver volume above the diaphragm (ICC 0.7, 95% CI: 0.59-0.81). Liver volume below the diaphragm had a good-to-excellent interreviewer reproducibility (ICC 0.88, 95% CI: 9.82-0.93). Conclusions The present study demonstrated an excellent intra- and interreviewer reproducibility of MRI lung volume measurements and good-to-moderate inter- and intrareviewer reproducibility of liver volume measurements after standardization of the methods at our fetal center.
Intentionality of Search: Vulnerability, Persecution, and the Ethical Bind

In this chapter, I develop Levinas’s intentionality of search, which does not require a fully rational agency but instead values a form of intentionality that constitutes an ethical subjectivity in a mutual apprehension of the other. To propose an egalitarian particularism, I introduce qualities like passivity and anarchy in the creation of ethical subjectivity that supplies each with a constant plenum of moral possibilities.
The use of biologics in food allergy

Background Food allergy continues to pose problems due to its increased frequency and its increasingly high severity. In this context, alongside the traditional avoidance strategies of allergenic foods and desensitization through the cautious progression of exposure to foods in the context of oral immunotherapy (OIT), alternative strategies have made their way in the last decades. We review the possibilities of intervention in food allergy with the use of biological drugs capable of interfering with the synthesis of IgE, with their mechanisms of action, or with complex biological mechanisms that lead to the establishment of a food allergy. Methods Repeated Entrez PubMed searches using the template algorithm "Food allergy" and "biologics" or "Omalizumab" or "Dupilumab" or "milk desensitization" or "oral tolerance induction" or "oral immunotherapy" or "Etokimab" or "Tezepelumab" or "Quilizumab" or "Ligelizumab" or "Tralokinumab" or "Nemolizumab" or "Mepolizumab" or "Reslizumab" or "Benralizumab". The authors' clinical experience in paediatric allergy units of University hospitals was also drawn upon. Results The landscape in this context has changed dramatically over the past 10 years. We have acquired knowledge mainly on the effect of different types of anti-IgE treatments in poliallergic patients with food allergy, and in patients treated with OIT. However, other mediators are being targeted by specific biologic treatments. Among them, the alarmins Il-33 and TSLP, IL-4 and IL-13, eosinophil-related molecules as IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, and mostly IL-5, and integrins involved in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases (EGIDs), as SIGLEC-8. Conclusions The ever-better knowledge of the mechanisms of food allergy allowing these developments will improve not only the perspective of patients with the most serious immediate food allergies such as anaphylaxis, but also those of patients with related diseases such as atopic dermatitis, eosinophilic esophagitis, and EGIDs. Biologics are also intended to complement OIT strategies that have developed over the years.
Child-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms and attrition from therapy.

Abstract Background High rates of attrition from child trauma-focused treatment are a significant barrier to mitigating children's trauma-related difficulties. Nonetheless, to date, only one study has investigated child-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in relation to dropout from trauma-focused therapy and the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom clusters remain unexamined. Objective The present study sought to determine whether higher levels of child-reported PTSS, as well as the specific DSM-IV PTSD symptom clusters, predicted attrition from trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT). Participants/setting/method One hundred and seventy one children ages 7–18 (M = 11.76, SD = 2.71; 67.4% female; 55.8% Black) were included in the study from an archival database. Dropout was investigated by two operational definitions: 1) clinician-rated dropout, and 2) whether the child received an adequate dose of treatment (i.e., 12 or more sessions). Results Sixty eight percent (68.4%) of the children prematurely terminated treatment per their clinician, yet 70.2% received an adequate treatment dose. Child's age and income were related to clinician-rated attrition, but PTSS did not correspond with either attrition definition. None of the PTSD symptom clusters were associated with clinician-rated dropout; however, higher levels of avoidance symptoms were tied to increased likelihood of the child receiving an adequate dose of treatment. Conclusion From a public health perspective, it is encouraging that children who are reporting higher levels of PTSS may not be at greater risk for attrition.
Brain at work: play by play.

A functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study reveals areas of the human brain that are activated during the perception of boundaries between events.
Experimental results from a coaxial virtual cathode oscillator

The coaxial vircator generates microwave radiation by injecting a radial electron beam into a cylinder such that the space-charge limit of the region is exceeded. A virtual cathode forms and oscillates in radial position and amplitude, generating microwaves which are extracted through an attached waveguide with a circular cross-section. The cathode is a cold, field-emitting material applied to the inside of a grounded cylinder. The anode is a semi-transparent cylinder located inside of, and concentric to, the cathode cylinder. The anode cylinder is pulsed positive. Microwaves were produced for most of the tested geometries and when peak microwave powers are divided by peak electron beam powers, efficiencies of around 1% were calculated for the best case. However, the diode is not impedance matched to the pulsed power driver and reflections cause a second, much lower pulse of voltage to be applied to the diode. During this second pulse, the microwave power is at nearly the same level as during the primary pulse. Efficiency calculations during this second pulse are on the order of 10-20%. Based on this result, it may be possible to develop a source which generates long-pulse, high efficiency microwaves based on the coaxial vircator geometry.
Ultrasonic spectral characterization of fibers embedded in a metal matrix

Results from both numerical modeling and experimental techniques that have been used to study the ultrasonic response resulting from a plane compression wave impinging on a long isolated fiber embedded in a titanium alloy matrix are presented. The numerical model is based on a normal-mode expansion of the acoustic wave components in cylindrical coordinates for three material regions: fiber inner core, fiber outer layer, and matrix. The numerical model predicts a diffraction spectrum that contains a series of sharp dips caused by a resonant condition in the fiber. The locations of the low-frequency dips are indicative of bulk elastic constants and fiber radius. The model predictions were tested experimentally using a Ti-6-4 metal matrix sample with various types of embedded fibers. A broadband (0-100 MHz) system was used to acquire the ultrasonic echo spectrum from each fiber type. The deconvolved spectrum was then calculated using standard signal processing techniques. The correlation between numerical model and experiment was excellent. >
Sustainable Hotel Practices and Guest Satisfaction Levels

The purpose of this study is to identify which sustainable hotel practices guests would be most satisfied with, and what motivates guests to participate in these practices. In addition, the study tested for differences that may exist due to the sociocultural backgrounds of respondents, and whether they are willing to pay a premium for an environmentally friendly hotel. Data was collected in a popular tourist destination in Mexico. An analysis on satisfaction ratings revealed only minimal differences between demographic groups, which suggests that sustainable hotel practices are attractive beyond a niche market. Furthermore, Mexican and American respondents reported different views of environmentally friendly hotels, with Americans exhibiting more concern with functional aspects of sustainability, while Mexican guests were more familiar with emotional aspects of conservation. The study concluded that management should consider the sociocultural backgrounds, of their guests and may have to engage in efforts...
Crowdsourcing Access Network Spectrum Allocation Using Smartphones

The hundreds of millions of deployed smartphones provide an unprecedented opportunity to collect data to monitor, debug, and continuously adapt wireless networks to improve performance. In contrast with previous mobile devices, such as laptops, smartphones are always on but mostly idle, making them available to perform measurements that help other nearby active devices make better use of available network resources. We present the design of PocketSniffer, a system delivering wireless measurements from smartphones both to network administrators for monitoring and debugging purposes and to algorithms performing realtime network adaptation. By collecting data from smartphones, PocketSniffer supports novel adaptation algorithms designed around common deployment scenarios involving both cooperative and self-interested clients and networks. We present preliminary results from a prototype and discuss challenges to realizing this vision.
Risk haplotype analysis for bovine paratuberculosis

Paratuberculosis (Johne’s disease), caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, is an important disease for bovines, although its genetic basis is poorly understood. In this study, three candidate genes were typed to study the associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and paratuberculosis susceptibility (measured in a 1 or 0 form) at the haplotype level. A significant risk haplotype, constructed by a variant allele (C) at the first SNP and a common allele (A) at the second SNP, within the CARD15 gene was detected to trigger genetic effects on paratuberculosis infection in an overdominace manner. Marginally significant haplotypes were identified for the other two genes. The results obtained will provide scientific guidance about the selection and prediction of resistance types in bovines.
Arecibo Radar Mapping of the Lunar Poles: A Search for Ice Deposits

The Arecibo 12.6-centimeter wavelength radar system was used to image the polar regions of the moon at a resolution of 125 meters in a search for ice deposits in areas of possible permanent shadow from the sun. No areas greater than 1 square kilometer were found with high radar backscatter cross sections and high circular polarization ratios, properties suggestive of the presence of ice. A number of areas smaller than 1 square kilometer were found with these properties, but optical images from spacecraft missions have shown some of these features to be in sunlight. Arecibo radar images of Sinus Iridum at latitude 47°N also showed a number of small features with similar properties. The coincidence of some of these features with the radar-facing slopes of craters and their presence in sunlit areas suggests that very rough surfaces rather than ice deposits are responsible for their unusual radar properties.
Improvement in gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms after various bariatric procedures: Review of the Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database

Abstract Background The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the morbidly obese population is as high as 45%. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of various bariatric procedures in the improvement of GERD. Methods The Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database is a prospective database of patients who undergo bariatric surgery by a participant in the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence program. GERD is graded on a 6-point scale, from 0 (no history of GERD) to 5 (prior surgery for GERD). Patients with GERD severe enough to require medications (grades 2, 3, and 4) from June 2007 to December 2009 are identified; the resolution of GERD is noted based on 6-month follow-up. Results Of a total of 116,136 patients, 36,938 patients had evidence of GERD preoperatively. After excluding patients undergoing concomitant hiatal hernia repair or fundoplication, there were 22,870 patients with 6-month follow-up. Mean age was 47.6±11.1 years, with an 82% female population. Mean BMI was 46.3±8.0 kg/m 2 . Mean preoperative GERD score for patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) was 2.80±.56, and mean postoperative score was 1.33±1.41 ( P P P Conclusion All common bariatric procedures improve GERD. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is superior to adjustable gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy in improving GERD. Also, the greater the loss in excess weight, the greater the improvement in GERD score.
Parameter testing for lattice filter based adaptive modal control systems

For Large Space Structures (LSS), an adaptive control system is highly desirable. The present investigation is concerned with an 'indirect' adaptive control scheme wherein the system order, mode shapes, and modal amplitudes are estimated on-line using an identification scheme based on recursive, least-squares, lattice filters. Using the identified model parameters, a modal control law based on a pole-placement scheme with the objective of vibration suppression is employed. A method is presented for closed loop adaptive control of a flexible free-free beam. The adaptive control scheme consists of a two stage identification scheme working in series and a modal pole placement control scheme. The main conclusion from the current study is that the identified parameters cannot be directly used for controller design purposes.
Does MC1R genotype convey information about melanoma risk beyond risk phenotypes

BACKGROUND: A study was carried out to describe associations of MC1R variants and melanoma in a US population and to investigate whether genetic risk is modified by pigmentation characteristics and sun exposure measures. METHODS: Melanoma patients (n = 960) and controls (n = 396) self-reported phenotypic characteristics and sun exposure via structured questionnaire and underwent a skin examination. Logistic regression was used to estimate associations of high- and low-risk MC1R variants and melanoma, overall and within phenotypic and sun exposure strata. A meta-analysis of results from published studies was undertaken. RESULTS: Carriage of 2 low-risk or any high-risk MC1R variants was associated with increased risk of melanoma (odds ratio [OR], 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-2.8; and OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.5-3.0, respectively). However, risk was stronger in or limited to individuals with protective phenotypes and limited sun exposure, such as those who tanned well after repeated sun exposure (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.6-3.6), had dark hair (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.5-3.6), or had dark eyes (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.8-5.9). We noted this same pattern of increased melanoma risk among persons who did not freckle, tanned after exposure to first strong summer sun, reported little or average recreational or occupational sun exposure, or reported no sun burning events. Meta-analysis of published literature supported these findings. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that MC1R genotypes provide information about melanoma risk in those individuals who would not be identified as high risk based on their phenotypes or exposures alone. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Delayed startle sensitization distinguishes rats exposed to one or three stress sessions: Further evidence toward an animal model of PTSD

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may occur in humans exposed chronically to stressors or after a single exposure to a traumatic event. A distinguishing feature of patients with PTSD is an exaggerated startle response, evident long after the traumatic event. We have observed similar abnormalities in our animal model of a chronic stress state. Rats exposed to 3 days (3DS) of our stress regimen (2-hr sessions of 40, 2 mA tailshocks) have exhibited a consistent pattern of persistent physiological and behavioral abnormalities including an exaggerated startle response several days after stressor cessation. In contrast, rats exposed to a single stress session (1DS) have exhibited many, but not all, of the persistent abnormalities displayed by 3DS rats. The present experiment compared the startle responding of 3DS and 1DS rats 4, 7, and 10 days after stressor cessation. Consistent with previous work, stressed rats exhibited elevated basal plasma corticosterone (CORT) levels the first day poststressor. These CORT levels were sensitive to the number of stressor exposures with higher CORT levels in 3DS rats than in 1DS rats. As for startle responding, the 1DS rats exhibited an exaggerated startle response 7 days poststressor, whereas startle sensitization was apparent 10 days poststressor in 3DS rats. Thus, the appearance of an exaggerated startle response after stressor cessation appears to be related to the number of stress session exposures. These animal models, the 3DS and 1DS rats, may be useful to gain insight into the neurobehavioral changes associated with PTSD.
Improving Student Attendance With School, Family, and Community Partnerships

Researchers and policy makers have questioned the efficacy of family-involvement interventions. They believe that more studies are needed to compare outcomes of students whose families received a partnership intervention with those who did not. The author used data from the state of Ohio to compare student attendance in elementary schools that developed school-wide programs of school, family, and community partnerships with the attendance of students in schools that did not develop the programs. Analyses showed that in schools working to implement school, family, and community partnerships, student attendance improved an average of .5%, whereas in comparison schools, rates of student attendance declined slightly from 1 year to the next. Further analysis suggested that school outreach to families was the driving mechanism that caused this effect.
Epitaxy and Crystallographic Texture of Thin Films for Magnetic Recording

Thin films for magnetic recording are usually deposited on metallic Cr underlayers to control their crystallographic texture and other microstructural features such as grain size and crystal perfection. In this paper, the mechanisms involved in the production of thin films (both underlayers and magnetic layers) with specific crystallographic textures is reviewed and discussed. We first present an overview of a model for the development of the initial crystallographic texture of films grown on amorphous substrates. The textures that various films develop during growth are next discussed followed by a review of the role of epitaxy of Co-alloy films on Cr with underlayers and interlayers. The control of grain size of the magnetic film is also discussed in light of the underlayer grain size. Finally, the role of epitaxy on crystalline perfection and subgrain structure is discussed.
Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis) Maternity Colonies in Arkansas

Myotis sodalis (Indiana Bat) is known to hibernate in Arkansas, but evidence of maternity colonies is lacking. We captured ten Indiana Bats, including reproductive females, in mist-nets at the Black River Wildlife Management Area (BRWMA) in Clay County during 2006. We located one roost via radio-telemetry after affixing a transmitter to one female Indiana bat. Our survey demonstrates that Indiana bat maternity colonies are established in the BRWMA. This area is the most southwesterly maternity habitat of Indiana Bats recorded and the only known maternity colonies in Arkansas.
Orbital involvement in allergic fungal sinusitis.

Background: Although allergic fungal sinusitis is a relatively common, noninvasive form of paranasal sinus mycosis, and despite frequent orbital involvement, there have been few reports of this condition in the ophthalmic literature. Methods: Two cases of allergic fungal sinusitis having orbital symptoms are described. The current classification, typical presentation, and ideal management of fungal sinusitis are reviewed. Results: Distinguishing radiologic and pathologic features were present in both patients. Aspergillus flavus was cultured in one case, and Bipolaris spicifera was cultured in the other. Conclusions: Allergic fungal sinusitis is a unique subset of sino-orbital disease with highly characteristic clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features. Unlike invasive forms of mycotic disease, allergic fungal sinusitis may be managed adequately with surgical debridement, aeration of the involved sinuses, and systemic and topical corticosteroids.
The Lewis A. Conner Memorial Lecture: Functional Pathology of the Pulmonary Vascular Tree in Congenital Cardiac Disease

While there are many anatomic varieties of congenital malformations of the heart and great vessels, most may be divided, from a functional point of view, into 3 types: (1) communication between the ventricles or between the aorta and pulmonary arteries, (2) anomalous drainage of pulmonary venous blood into the right atrium, and (3) obstruction to pulmonary venous flow. In each of these categories the responses of the pulmonary vascular tree have to be considered in understanding the altered dynamics. Depending on the type and degree of response in the pulmonary vascular bed, there may be a varying functional picture among patients having the same anatomic or functionally comparable malformation.
Implementation of blind source separation and a post-processing algorithm for noise suppression in cell-phone applications

For cell-phone applications, single microphone noise suppression techniques have limited performance at very low SNR (close to 0 dB). In certain cases, they also suffer from the artifacts of nonlinear processing. In this paper, we will show that techniques based on two-microphone blind source separation (BSS) algorithm provide significant interference suppression for cell-phone applications, particularly at low operating SNR values. We also propose a post-BSS processing method based on frequency-domain spectral subtraction that further improves the BSS speech output in diffused noise case. We optimize the BSS algorithm so that it can be implemented on a low-power audio codec processor, which would be ideal for cell phone applications. Furthermore, based on extensive analysis under different noise and acoustic conditions, we suggest recommendations for optimal placement of microphones on a cell phone. We also study the trade-off between the unmixing filter length and the noise suppression performance. In all our experiments, we use real recordings made on a cell phone equipped with two microphones.
Effect of curing regime on concrete resistivity and aging factor over time

Abstract The resistivity evolution vs. time of concrete prepared with three different compositions and subjected to various curing regimes for an extended period of time was studied. Two of the curing regimes consisted of immersing the specimens in either tap water or 3.5% NaCl solution. The other three curing regimes consisted of exposure to: fog room, high humidity and laboratory humidity. The measured resistivity values were then used to estimate the aging factor. It is found that the aging factor is time dependant for concrete with mineral admixtures. The curing exposure affects the magnitude of the aging factor.
Characterization of Citrobacter diversus strains causing neonatal meningitis.

We studied 17 strains of Citrobacter diversus isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of infants with meningitis and compared these strains with 21 strains isolated from other body sites. The two groups of strains were similar with respect to biotype, piliation, hemolysin production, and resistance to the killing effects of serum. By using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, we found that 14 (82%) of 17 strains from cerebrospinal fluid, but only two (10%) of 21 strains isolated from other body sites, possessed a minor outer membrane protein with a molecular weight of 32,000 (P less than .0001). This protein may serve as a marker for strains of C. diversus that are likely to cause meningitis or brain abscess in human neonates.
Development and evolution of the mammalian limb: adaptive diversification of nails, hooves, and claws.

Paleontological evidence indicates that the evolutionary diversification of mammals early in the Cenozoic era was characterized by an adaptive radiation of distal limb structures. Likewise, neontological data show that morphological variation in distal limb integumentary appendages (e.g., nails, hooves, and claws) can be observed not only among distantly related mammalian taxa but also among closely related species within the same clade. Comparative analysis of nail, claw, and hoof morphogenesis reveals relatively subtle differences in mesenchymal and epithelial patterning underlying these adult differences in distal limb appendage morphology. Furthermore, studies of regulatory gene expression during vertebrate claw development demonstrate that many of the signaling molecules involved in patterning ectodermal derivatives such as teeth, hair, and feathers are also involved in organizing mammalian distal limb appendages. For example, Bmp4 signaling plays an important role during the recruitment of mesenchymal cells into the condensations forming the terminal phalanges, whereas Msx2 affects the length of nails and claws by suppressing proliferation of germinal epidermal cells. Evolutionary changes in the form of distal integumentary appendages may therefore result from changes in gene expression during formation of mesenchymal condensations (Bmp4, posterior Hox genes), induction of the claw fold and germinal matrix (shh), and/or proliferation of epidermal cells in the claw matrix (Msx1, Msx2). The prevalence of convergences and parallelisms in nail and claw structure among mammals underscores the existence of multiple morphogenetic pathways for evolutionary change in distal limb appendages.
Achievable QoS and scheduling policies for integrated services wireless networks

In Integrated Services Wireless Networks transmission resources are shared among geographically disperse applications with diverse Quality of Service (QoS) requirements and traffic characteristics. To provide QoS guarantees and use the bandwidth efficiently, call admission and scheduling functions are necessary. These functions should ensure the delivery of the target QoS to the supported applications while achieving statistical multiplexing gains, without explicit and continuous exchange of information between sources and scheduler. In this dissertation, call admission and transmission scheduling policies are studied for a TDMA system. Variable bit rate (VBR) applications with distinct QoS requirements and traffic characteristics are considered. In this environment, packets which cannot be transmitted over the frame following their arrival may be dropped (due to delay violations) or may be delayed to compete for service in the next frame, depending on the QoS requirements. The focus of the research is to determine the region of achievable multi-dimensional (non-degenerate) QoS vectors for heterogeneous VBR applications in this shared resource environment. Determining the region of achievable QoS is central to the admission control problem. For example, if with the addition of the new source, the new multi-dimensional target QoS vector is in the region of achievable QoS, then the call can be admitted. The problem of determining the region of achievable QoS vectors is formulated in a manner that makes it possible to investigate by employing polytope/convex space and game theory. As a result, the region of achievable QoS for heterogeneous applications in a interference/resource-limited wireless network is precisely described. In addition, it is possible to identify simple policies which deliver any given QoS vector within the region, by proving properties associated with the extreme points of the region. Together, call admission and scheduling are shown to ensure that the target QoS is delivered to each application. Finally, the impact that channel quality has on the region of achievable QoS is studied. In a wireless environment, packets are dropped not only due to the competition for the transmission resources, but also due to channel induced errors (interference). Thus, the physical channel can affect the region of achievable QoS as well. As a consequence, the region of achievable QoS vectors is shaped by the packet discarding process at both the transmitter and the receiver due to resource and interference limitations, respectively.
Solvation of ligandopentaamminecobalt (III) complexes in dimethyl sulfoxide–water mixtures

The rate constants for the replacement of water from the inner-coordination shell of Co(NH3)5OH23+, I, by dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as DMSO gradually replaced water in the solvation shell of I were found to approach, and finally equal, the water-exchange rate constant of I in aqueous media in accordance with expectation for a dissociative mechanism. Also the rate constants for the replacement of DMSO from the innercoordination shell of Co(NH3)5DMSO3+, II, by water as water replaced DMSO in the solvation shell of II were found to approach, and approximately equal, the DMSO-exchange rate constant for II in liquid DMSO in accordance with expectation for a dissociative mechanism. The DMSO-exchange rate constant for II in liquid DMSO was determined and found to be equal to (3.6 ± 0.8) × 10−4 sec−1 at 45°C. The dissociation quotient, [II] [NO3−]/[Co(NH3)5NO32+], was found to be equal to 0.28 ± 0.11 M at 45°C by NMR methods. The pseudo first-order rate constants for anation of II by NO3− and the solvation of Co(NH3)5NO32+ by DMSO were determined at various temperatures.
The biomechanical response to doses of TGF-β2 in the healing rabbit medial collateral ligament

Ligament injuries result in significant disability in over 100,000 patients each year. Despite current methods of treatment, 13% of patients with medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury develop early signs of arthritis, suggesting an incomplete return of knee stability. The principal hypothesis of this work was that the addition of TGF-beta 2 to the healing MCL would accelerate the development of scar strength and stiffness. Forty-four rabbits were divided evenly into four groups, with each group receiving either 0.1, 1 or 5 microg of TGF-beta 2 and the fourth group receiving 1 microg TGF-beta 2 and 1 microg of PDGF. Each rabbit underwent bilateral transection of the MCL, with one side having treatment with one of four doses of growth factor and the other side left untreated. All animals were sacrificed at 6 weeks and the structural properties of maximum load at failure, stiffness, and energy absorbed at failure measured. All treatment groups demonstrated an increase in scar mass, but no group had a significant increase in scar load at failure at 6 weeks. The addition of 0.1 microg TGF-beta 2 led to a significant increase in scar stiffness. The addition of PDGF had no significant effect on any of the parameters studied. This study suggests the mechanical stiffness, but not the load at failure, of ligament scar can be significantly altered by the administration of TGF-beta 2.
Separating subjective emotion from the perception of emotion-inducing stimuli: An fMRI study

fMRI was used to dissociate neural responses temporally associated with the subjective experience of emotion from those associated with the perception of emotion-inducing stimuli in order to better define the emotion-related functions of the amygdala, lateral orbital frontal cortex (OFC), and hippocampus. Subjects viewed aversive pictures followed by an extended post-stimulus period of sustained subjective emotion. Brain regions showing activation paralleling the period of sustained subjective emotion were distinguished from those showing activation limited to the period of aversive picture presentation. Behavioral results showed that subjective ratings of emotion remained elevated for 20 s after offset of the aversive pictures. fMRI results showed that viewing aversive pictures activated the amygdala, lateral OFC, and hippocampus. Subjective emotion (present both during and after aversive pictures) was temporally associated with activation in the right lateral OFC and left hippocampus but not the amygdala. Ratings of subjective emotion were correlated with activation in the right lateral OFC and left hippocampus. The results support direct amygdala involvement in emotion perception but suggest that amygdala activation is not temporally associated with subjective emotion that occurs after the offset of emotion-related stimuli. The results are consistent with a general role for the lateral OFC in monitoring or reflecting on internal experience and show that hippocampal activation is sustained during a period of subjective emotion, possibly related to enhanced memory encoding for the aversive pictures.
Depressive related symptoms among preschool-age children.

A parental survey of 241 preschoolers failed to document any major depressive disorder in this age group. The findings indicate that the prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder in preschoolers may be less than that of prepubertal and adolescent children; alternatively; modifications of the DSM III Criteria for Major Depression in Children under six years of age may be warranted. While cognizant of the shortcomings inherent in a study design based on a solitary source of information, the authors are unaware of any previous investigation addressing this issue.
Improved parameters for seven pulsars.

POSITIONS, pulse periods and mean pulse energies are important parameters of pulsars. For many pulsars, particularly those discovered at the Molonglo Radio Observatory, the right ascension measurement has small error limits while the declination is not well determined. Observations at 410 MHz using the 300 foot transit telescope of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory have therefore been undertaken to determine more accurate declinations and periods for several pulsars. Mean pulse energies at 410 MHz have also been measured.
Circular dichroism study on structural reorganization of lectins by sodium dodecyl sulfate.

Abstract The circular dichroism (CD) spectra of lectins from Dolichos biflorus, Helix pomatia, Lotus tetragonolobus, Phaseolus vulgaris (erythroagglutinin), Pisum sativum, Sophora japonica, and Ulex europaeus I were analyzed, before and after the conformational transitions which were effected by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and change of pH. It was found that the pleated sheet conformation dominated in these lectins and that the best estimates of the amounts of the sheets can be made from the positive CD bands centered at 195–197 nm. The mean residue ellipticities of these bands in native lectins varied between 1.0 · 104 and 1.7 · 104 deg · cm2 · dmol−1. The conformation of the lectins was perturbed by SDS, which caused the CD bands related to the tyrosine and tryptophan chromophores to diminish and which also caused the reorganization of the main chains into new forms having approximately 15–40% of α-helix. Acid facilitated these transitions. The secondary structure of Ulex europaeus I lectin was resistant to SDS in neutral solutions but reorganization occurred in acid solutions. In Helix pomatia lectin the helices were formed chiefly from the aperiodic segments of the main chain. As structural perturbant, SDS was most effective at relatively high concentrations of 5 · 10−3 to 5 · 10−2 M, i.e. above the critical micelle concentration. Experiments with Pisum sativum and Sophora japonica lectins indicated that SDS below critical micelle concentration did not affect the tertiary structure of the lectins.
Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Winged Bean Flour and Isolate Compared with Soy Isolate

The proximate composition, amino acid profile and functional properties of isolated winged bean proteins were determined and compared with soy protein isolate. Winged bean protein extracted at pH 10 and pH 12 had protein contents of about 90% and 80%, respectively. Alkali extraction of winged bean proteins at pH 10 and pH 12 did not affect the amino acid distribution of the isolated proteins. Oil and water absorption, emulsion, and foaming properties of winged bean isolated compared favorably with soy isolate. Least gelation concentration for winged bean isolate was 18% compared to 14% for soy isolate. Thus, winged bean protein isolate with its high protein content, high lysine and other essential amino acid content and good functionality has a good potential as an ingredient in food products.
A cross layer resource allocation scheme for secure image delivery in wireless sensor networks

Selective encryption for secure image transmission is an important ongoing research area which aims to scramble the critical information correlation and inter-dependency within final image compression bit streams. However, how to take Unequal Error Protection (UEP) method for transmitting partially encrypted image data in error-prone communication channels is still an open research problem in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN). In this paper, we propose a new cross layer optimization approach for energy efficient delivery of selectively encrypted images in WSN while assuring image quality. In the proposed approach, identified importance levels of diversity for encrypted procession blocks as well as position-value (P-V) information are extensively explored within image compression and encryption bit streams. Desirable BER, ARQ retry limit, transmission rate are jointly optimized across PHY, MAC and APP layers regarding the image distortion reduction bound and communication energy efficiency. Both image quality and security are assured while energy consumption is minimized. Simulations results have shown significant gain in image security assurance and transmission quality achievement with energy efficient communications in WSN.
Convergence of powers of a fuzzy matrix

Abstract A Boolean matrix is a matrix with elements having values of either 1 or 0; a fuzzy matrix is a matrix with elements having values in the closed interval [0, 1]. Fuzzy matrices occur in the modeling of various fuzzy systems, with products usually determined by the “max(min)” rule arising from fuzzy set theory. In this paper, some sufficient conditions for convergence under “max(min)” products of the powers of a square fuzzy matrix and of a fuzzy state process are established.
What do we gain from the analysis of right ventricular function

A vast array of methods are currently available to evaluate right ventricular systolic function. The data generated when these methods are applied to patients with different disease states are reviewed in detail by Manno et al. in this issue of the Journal (1). However, despite the many investigations in this area, several major problems still confront the clinical as well as the investigative cardiologist interested in right ventricular function.