cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mercury Exposure and Public Health

Mercury is a metal that is a liquid at room temperature. Mercury has a long and interesting history deriving from its use in medicine and industry, with the resultant toxicity produced. In high enough doses, all forms of mercury can produce toxicity. The most devastating tragedies related to mercury toxicity in recent history include Minamata Bay and Niagata, Japan in the 1950s, and Iraq in the 1970s. More recent mercury toxicity issues include the extreme toxicity of the dimethylmercury compound noted in 1998, the possible toxicity related to dental amalgams, and the disproved relationship between vaccines and autism related to the presence of the mercury-containing preservative, thimerosal.
Thermal incompatibility analysis of metal-ceramic systems based on flexural displacement data.

The feasibility of simple tests or analytical methods for prediction of residual stress states in metal-ceramic (MC) prostheses has not been demonstrated. Bimaterial metal-ceramic strips have been proposed to provide sensitive measures of transient and residual stress states through the measurement of midpoint deflection after cooling from the ceramic sintering temperature. The objective of this study was to apply the elastic-viscoelastic analogy to calculate transient and residual midpoint deflections in MC bimaterial strips and to compare these values with deflections measured with a beam-bending viscometer (BBV). Calculations and measurements were made for five MC systems that were found from a clinical study to be thermally compatible and from two that were selected as thermally incompatible systems. Metal strips, 64 mm in length, 3 mm wide, and either 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, or 2.0 mm in thickness, were veneered with four 0.25-mm thick layers of opaque porcelain. Midpoint deflection of the MC strips (ceramic oriented in the posterior position) was measured during cooling from an initial temperature of 700°C. In general, the directions of the measured residual deflections did not agree with the textbook convention that negative deflections are associated with positive thermal contraction mismatch (α M - α c > 0) regardless of metal thickness. For a metal thickness of 0.5 mm, the residual midpoint deflection for all thermal contraction mismatch cases, except one, was positive (upward deflection) whereas the residual midpoint deflections were all negative when the metal thickness was increased to 1 or 2 mm, independent of the thermal contraction mismatch. The best agreement between calculated and measured values of residual midpoint deflection (+16 μm vs. +14 ± 2.3 μm, respectively) was obtained for MC bimaterial strips with a Ni-Cr alloy (0.5 mm thick) while the largest difference (+346 μm vs. +61 ± 43.8 μm) was obtained for MC bimaterial strips with a Au-Pd alloy (0.5 mm thick). In all but one case, changes in deflection direction as a function of metal thickness were correctly predicted by the viscoelastic analysis. The results of this study indicate that a viscoelastic model is useful for estimating thermal compatibility conditions of MC systems.
Large-length high-speed discrete silicon photodetectors for coherent optical processing

Silicon photodiodes with active area dimensions of 1-mm and 5- mm lengths and approximately 30-micrometers width fabricated by a standard, 2-micrometer complimentary metal-oxide-silicon process have been used in a coherent optical processing system with ac coupling. The effective bandwidth of the detectors as measured in the coherent optical test arrangement was greater than 1.25 GHz, and it is estimated that the actual bandwidth of the detectors as used in such a system may be 5 GHz, where ac coupling removes the effects of the full widths at half maximum and of the fall times of the detectors on the test arrangement response. Photodetector rise times in response to impulse optical excitation at 810-nm wavelength were of the order of 100 ps.
Serotonergic afferents to the dorsal raphe nucleus: Evidence from HRP and synaptosomal uptake studies

Afferent connections of the serotonin (5-HT)-containing dorsal raphe nucleus were investigated in the rat utilizing the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) retrograde cell labeling technique. Small quantities (0.1–0.5 μl) of HRP solutionswere infused into the dorsal raphe, and the brains were examined 19–72 h later for retrograde transport of the enzyme. Intrinsic connections within the dorsal raphe nucleus were revealed by this mapping technique, as was an input to the dorsal raphe from another serotonergic cell group, the median raphe nucleus. Little evidence was found for projections from other, more remote, brain sites. A serotonergic innervation of the dorsal raphe was also demonstrated by the presence of high affinity uptake of [3H]5-HT (Km = 0.17 μM) into synaptosomal suspensions of the dorsal raphe nucleus. Synpatosomal uptake of [3H]5-HT was blocked by selective destruction of serotonergic axon terminals induced by the intra-ventricular injection of 200 μg of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine following desipramine HCl pretreatment, but not by destruction of catecholaminergic axon terminals induced by intraventricularly injected 6-hydroxydopamine (2 × 250 μg). The uptake of [3H]-5-HT by synaptosomes of the dorsal raphe was comparable to that of striatal and hypothalamic synaptosomes, and markedly greater than that of synaptosomes from the cerebellum or nearby dorsal central gray or midbrain reticular formation, indicating the presence of a relatively dense serotonergic innervation. These data together indicate that neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus receive a prominent serotonergic input that is derived, at least in part, from other neurons within the dorsal nucleus and from a neighboring raphe nucleus.
Stage pT1 bladder carcinoma: diagnostic criteria, pitfalls and prognostic significance

Recognition of early invasion (stage pT1) in urothelial neoplasia is one of the most challenging areas in bladder pathology, and reproducibility between pathologists is a major issue. This fact, together with the proposal by some urologists to treat early invasive tumours more aggressively, makes the accurate detection of pT1 lesions even more relevant in clinical practice. In recent years, the morphologic features and patterns of invasion of tumour into the lamina propria have been more accurately characterised and standardised, and although some of the features are subtle, they can be of great utility in the accurate assessment of pT1 staging. Histologic grade, changes at the stroma-epithelial interface, the characteristics of the invading epithelium, and the stroma-associated response are among the most important clues for appropriate pT1 staging and these are discussed in this review. Common problems in stage pT1 disease evaluation include, tangential sectioning--due to an inability to orient transurethral resection specimens--crush and cautery artefacts, and a streaking inflammatory infiltrate. With few exceptions, the criteria discussed in this review allow pathologists to separate superficial bladder tumours consistently and reproducibly into non-invasive (pTa) tumours and tumours that have invaded the lamina propria (pT1), the latter having a significantly poorer prognosis. This review is intended to assist the surgical pathologist by presenting appropriate diagnostic criteria, by describing common pitfalls and by outlining the different histologic patterns of invasion of urothelial carcinoma into the lamina propria. The value of pT1 tumour substaging, as a predictor of bladder cancer progression is also discussed.
The elusiveness of identity in social work practice with women: A postmodern feminist perspective

During the 1980s, feminist literature proposed the existence of a silent, tongue-tied, “different” woman who craves to exercise her own voice. The more recent postmodern feminism raises questions about the existence of woman, self, and identity as categories, promoting instead the idea of multiple selves and multiple identities. This article visits the concept of “identity” and its partner “self” in psychological, feminist, and postmodern feminist literature and discusses why self/identity is problematic for women. An alternative narrative identity is proposed with narrative identity reconstruction integrated into clinical social work practice with women. A narrative excerpt from an interview illustrates the process.
Cloning and Expression of the Full‐Length cDNAS Encoding Human Liver Class 1 and Class 2 Aldehyde Dehydrogenase

The amino acid sequences of both human class 1 and 2 aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and the sequences of the genes coding for them are known. Based on this sequence data, we designed primers and isolated the full-length cDNAs encoding both isozymes from a human liver mRNA pool. cDNAs were subcloned in the plasmid pT7-7 and expressed in Escherichia coli with a yield of approximately 3 mg ALDH protein/liter of cell culture, although only one-third of the enzyme was soluble. The soluble recombinantly expressed ALDHs were purified to homogeneity using a hydroxyacetophenone-Sepharose affinity column. The mitochondrial isozyme had a subunit molecular weight of 55 kDa, an isoelectric point of 4.9, and a specific activity of 1.10 units/mg, which were in good agreement with that from the native enzyme. The expressed cytosolic isozyme had the same subunit molecular weight (55 kDa) and pI (5.4) as that reported for the native enzyme and had a specific activity of 0.26 units/mg. The expressed mitochondrial isozyme could be recognized by antibodies raised against rat mitochondrial ALDH, whereas the cytosolic isozyme could be recognized by antibody raised against horse cytosolic ALDH.
Grammatical morpheme effects on MLU: "the same can be less" revisited.

Studies of children with specific language impairment (SLI) often include 2 comparison groups of typically developing children—a group matched according to age and a group matched according to mean...
Disclosing medical errors: The view from the USA

Abstract Background Disclosure is increasingly seen as a key component of efforts to improve safety, but does not yet reliably occur in all organizations in the U.S. Approach We describe the experience to date with disclosure in the U.S. and illustrate the issues with specific clinical examples. Both reputational and legal concerns represent substantial barriers. The evidence to date—mostly from single sites – shows that not only is disclosure the right thing to do, it also appears to decrease malpractice risk. We also discuss the related issue of compensation—practices around this vary greatly. Underlying the push for greater disclosure is also the belief that better disclosure results in an improved culture of safety, which in turn may improve the quality and safety of care. Conclusions Providers have an ethical imperative to disclosure error to patients, and the limited available evidence shows that doing so actually decreases malpractice risk. While disclosure is not yet routine practice in the U.S., the approach is clearly gaining momentum. Telling patients what happened is not enough. They also deserve an apology, and if harmed, to be made whole emotionally and financially. Greater disclosure may not only help individual patients, but may also help with improving safety overall.
Transient Nuclear-Magnetic-Resonance Study of the Conduction Band of Metallic Na x W O 3 : W 183 Relaxation

Transient nuclear-magnetic-resonance measurements reported previously for the $^{23}\mathrm{Na}$ resonance in metallic sodium tungsten bronzes ${\mathrm{Na}}_{x}\mathrm{W}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ have been extended to the $^{183}\mathrm{W}$ resonance in these compounds. Measurements of the $^{183}\mathrm{W}$ spin-lattice relaxation time ${T}_{1}$ and the spin-echo phase-memory time ${T}_{2}$ have been carried out for $x=0.56, 0.65, 0.73, 0.81, \mathrm{and} 0.89$ in the temperature range $1\ensuremath{\le}T\ensuremath{\le}4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$K. Whereas ${T}_{1}T$ is at least 4400 sec \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K for the $^{23}\mathrm{Na}$ resonance, ${T}_{1}T$ was found to have values between 6 and 16 sec \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K (depending on the $x$ value) for the $^{183}\mathrm{W}$ resonance. An analysis of these relaxation times provides conclusive evidence that the conduction band in these compounds has no significant sodium $3s$ or $3p$ character, but instead is based on tungsten $5d$ states as postulated initially by Sienko. Tungsten $6s$ states play a relatively minor role in the conduction band, contributing less than 10% to the total density of states $\mathrm{N}({\ensuremath{\zeta}}_{0})$ at the Fermi surface. Core polarization provides the largest contribution to the $^{183}\mathrm{W}$ resonance shift, whereas the orbital hyperfine interaction probably provides the most important of the conduction-electron contributions to nuclear relaxation. The orbital magnetic susceptibility in ${\mathrm{Na}}_{x}\mathrm{W}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ is estimated to be small, having an upper limit of 10\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ emu/mole for $x=0.56$ and 18\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ emu/mole for $x=0.89$. These results should be contrasted with tungsten metal, for which the orbital susceptibility is large (\ensuremath{\ge}66\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ emu/mole); the orbital mechanism predominates in the resonance shift, and the $s$-contact mechanism provides the major conduction-electron contribution to nuclear spin-lattice relaxation.
Examination of Two Decision Rules for the Global Interpretation of the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery Summary Profile

Rules have been developed to facilitate global interpretive discriminations from the summary profile of the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery (LNNB). Two such rules focus on the number of scales above an individual critical level and the range between highest and lowest summary scale t-score. Neither of the criteria have been observed for their relationships with either demographic or treatment variables (e.g., length of hospitalization, type of medication, etc.).The LNNB protocols and demographic and treatment data of 1037 persons were included in this study. The sample included not only brain impaired persons, but also schizophrenic subjects and both medical patients and nonhospitalized normal subjects. A series of analyses indicated that, though the number of scales above critical level and the range may be used in global interpretation of the LNNB profile, the effect of both demographic and treatment variables ought to be taken into account when making an interpretation with an individual pati...
Mode‐specific relaxation dynamics of photoexcited fe(II) protoporphyrin IX in hemoglobin

The behavior of the resonance Raman spectra of deoxyhemoglobin in the presence of strong resonant fields was studied by using ca. 30 ps laser pulses. The line width of the strongest Raman-active mode in the Soret absorption band region, v 4 , broadens as a function of laser fluence, and its anti-Stokes/Stokes intensity ratio is power dependent. Previous studies have suggested that equipartition of excess vibrational energy occurs on very fast time scales in the heme macrocycle subsequent to absorption of a photon. The mode-specific vibrational dynamics of v 4 , however, indicate that the vibrational relaxation of the chromophore cannot be treated within the context of an equipartition of energy, but rather should be evaluated in terms of the relaxation phenomena of the specific vibrational mode
Effects of the Establishment of Mysis relicta on the Macrozooplankton of a Large Lake

Abstract The effects of the introduction of opossum shrimp Mysis relicta on the macrozooplankton of Pend Oreille Lake, Idaho were examined from recent and historic zooplankton data. Establishment of M. relicta was associated with a temporal displacement in the seasonal occurrence of Daphnia and Bosmina species and a change in the species composition of Daphnia present. The amount of interaction between cladocerans and mysids appeared to be related to the vertical distribution of each. The cladocerans appeared and increased in abundance as the mysids became seasonally isolated from near-surface strata by increasing thermal stratification and transparency. A common negative response of cladocerans to mysid introduction is supported by the literature. Such introductions may result in the reduction of food available for kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka and other plankton-feeding fish.
SU-FF-P-01: Brachytherapy Source Disposal: Survey of Available Services

Purpose: To review the required procedures involving the disposal of unneeded brachytherapy sealed sources and present selection criteria with a survey of available services. Method and Materials: A total of 663 mCi of unneeded Cs‐137 in 25 sealed tube sources ranging from 7–42 mCi were required by the state regulatory agency to be removed from hospital inventory. An analysis of all steps needed for removal, packaging, and transportation of the sources to a qualified disposal site was undertaken. Criteria for selecting a commercial service were developed, including previous experience, references, insurance coverage, cost, adequate licensing, shipment design, transportation details, leak testing, and safety procedures.Results: Seven commercial brokers that were considered consisted of two general types: those with associated couriers, but unable to handle the individual sources, and those with a third‐party express shipper, though able to handle the sources during packaging. Experience varied from 2–40 years and cost varied from $5K – $22K. While all would provide copies of licenses, insurance certificates, and references, experience with medical sources, details of handling, transport, and possession transfer differed. A review of the transport and labeling regulations governing radioactive materials was made, including DOT specifications for shipping containers. A legal distinction between title transfer and possession transfer is also discussed. Finally, a calculation is made to verify the lead thickness of tube‐source containers proposed by the brokers. Conclusion: A wide range of disposal services is available, with varying abilities of vendors to transfer the sources into the shipping cask and transport them. Surprisingly, those with accompanying courier services did not offer source handling assistance, while those using a third party express shipper would provide this. No correlation between price and transportation methods was observed. Though each company was insured, an apparent lack of concern regarding shipment security was noted.
Plasma Levels of Heat Shock Protein 70 in Patients with Prostate Cancer: A Potential Biomarker for Prostate Cancer

Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is a stress-inducible protein that is also known for its inhibitory effects on apoptosis. Increased Hsp70 expression is reported in a variety of tumor tissues. Heat shock protein 70 is detectable in plasma and could potentially be used as a biomarker for diagnosis or disease stratification. The relationship between plasma levels of Hsp70 and prostate cancer status has not been well studied. Our study was designed to test this relationship. One hundred twenty-five patients with localized/untreated or hormone-refractory prostate cancer were identified. Forty-five healthy male blood donors between 50 and 73 years of age served as controls. EDTA plasma was subjected to quantitative sandwich immunoassays for both Hsp70 and prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to examine differences by category. Maximally selected c2 statistics were used to identify cutoff points to best distinguish between categories. Plasma Hsp70 levels in the patients with localized untreated disease (n = 68; median, 0.8 ng/mL; interquartile range, 0.5-2.0) were significantly higher than those in the control group (n = 45; median, 0.5 ng/mL; interquartile range, 0.3-0.8; P = 0.0037). Although the primary cutoff point (1.15 ng/mL) significantly distinguished the localized untreated patients from the control group, plasma Hsp70 levels did not prove more effective than PSA as a predictor for diagnosis or stratification of patients with prostate cancer in the context of group comparisons. Nonetheless, several patients in the localized untreated group showed higher plasma levels of Hsp70 than the primary cutoff point even though their PSA levels were within normal range (< 4 ng/mL). Heat shock protein 70 is a marker of prostate cancer, although its clinical utility is uncertain. It is possible that when used in conjunction with PSA it might prove useful in identifying patients with early-stage prostate cancer who might otherwise be missed by PSA screening alone.
Lidocaine distribution into the CNS following nasal and arterial delivery: a comparison of local sampling and microdialysis techniques

Abstract The disposition of lidocaine within the CNS of the rat following nasal and intra-arterial delivery was characterized using a microdialysis technique. Lidocaine concentrations in the cisterna magna were determined using microdialysis and compared to those previously determined using a direct CSF sampling method. The disposition profiles for lidocaine into the cisternal CSF obtained using microdialysis were found to be similar to those obtained by direct CSF sampling techniques over an initial 120-min interval. In other experiments, lidocaine disposition in the right (dosed side) and left olfactory bulb following nasal (i.n.) and intra-arterial (i.a.) administration was studied using microdialysis. The lidocaine concentrations in the ipsilateral olfactory bulb were slightly higher after drug administration into the nasal cavity than those in the contralateral olfactory bulb over the initial 20-min sampling interval. Drug concentrations found in the right olfactory bulb were not significantly different from those found in the left olfactory bulb following intra-arterial administration. Comparisons of lidocaine disposition in the right olfactory bulb and cerebellum, two CNS sites with the same regional vascular supply, showed that the disposition patterns were nearly identical for the two sites following i.a. administration. There was a significant lengthening in the t max at both sites following i.n. delivery compared to i.a. delivery, and the relative concentrations at each site were no longer equivalent. From these results, it appears that the microdialysis technique is a useful tool for studying drug distribution into the CNS. The changes in disposition patterns between i.a. and i.n. administration indicate that other factors or pathways, in addition to the systemic circulation, play a role in the transport of lidocaine into the brain following nasal administration.
Critical speed analysis of laminated composite, hollow drive shafts

Abstract A theoretical analysis is presented for determining the critical speeds of a rotating circular cylindrical hollow shaft with layers of arbitrarily laminated composite materials by means of the thin-and thick-shell theories. The theory used is the dynamic analog of the Sanders best first approximation shell theory. By means of tracers, the analysis can be reduced to that of various simpler shell theories, i.e. Love's first approximation, Loo's, Morley's and Donnell's shell theories and, also, to that of the more precise, but complicated Flugge's shell theory. The theories include the combined effects of torsion and rotation. The rotational effects contain the centrifugal and Coriolis forces. As an example of the application of the theory, a closed form solution is presented for a simply supported drive shaft. In order to validate the analysis, numerical results are compared with existing results for various special cases. Also, the effects of the various shell theories, thickness shear flexibility and bending-twisting coupling on the critical speed are investigated.
Cyclic projective planes and binary, extended cyclic self-dual codes

Abstract If P is a cyclic projective plane of order n , we give number theoretic conditions on n 2 + n + 1 so that the binary code of P is contained in a binary cyclic code C whose extension is self-dual. When this containment occurs C does not contain any ovals of P . As a corollary to these conditions we obtain that the extended binary code of a cyclic projective plane of order 2 s is contained in a binary extended cyclic self-dual code if and only if s is odd.
Dynamic flow modelling of riverine amphibian habitat with application to regulated flow management

In regulated rivers, relicensing of hydropower projects can provide an opportunity to change flow regimes and reduce negative effects on sensitive aquatic biota. The volume of flow, timing and ramping rate of spring spills, and magnitude of aseasonal pulsed flows have potentially negative effects on the early life stages of amphibians, such as the Foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii). Two-dimensional hydrodynamic modeling is one method to evaluate potential effects of flow variation on frog egg masses and tadpoles. We explored the usefulness of this technique by modeling habitat suitability under several pulsed flow scenarios in two river reaches in northern California, USA. We conducted analyses beyond simple weighted usable area calculations, such as quantifying the risk of scour or stranding, in order to quantify potential loss under different flow scenarios. The modeling results provided information on potential susceptibility to flow fluctuations as well as the influence of channel morphology on habitat suitability. Under each flow scenario, low percentages of suitable habitat remained suitable or were ‘buffered’ from the pulse, creating high potential for scour of egg masses or tadpoles. However, due to differences in channel morphologies, the wide, shallow study site provided 2-3 times the buffering capacity of the entrenched study site. Additional analyses suggested that limited buffering capacity and lack of connectivity between suitable egg mass and tadpole habitats may explain why some hydraulically suitable habitats are unoccupied. This type of model-based analysis would be useful for managing foothill yellow-legged frogs or similar aquatic species in regulated river systems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Elastic Constants of Erbia Single Crystals

The elastic properties of single-crystalline erbia (Er2O3) at room temperature have been investigated using resonant ultrasound spectroscopy. The three independent stiffness constants of anisotropic Er2O3 cubic type-C crystals have been measured. The values of the stiffness constants were c11= 256.4 GPa, c12= 146.8 GPa, and c44= 75.2 GPa. From the stiffness constants, the estimated values for dense polycrystalline erbia for Young's modulus, the shear modulus, the bulk modulus, and Poisson's ratio at room temperature were 179 GPa, 67 GPa, 183.3 GPa, and 0.337, respectively. The value of Young's modulus is a minimum along [001] and a maximum along [111]. The value of the shear modulus is independent of the direction in the (001) and (111) planes, whereas it decreases in (11¯0) from 75 GPa along [001] to 55 GPa along [110].
UNDERSTANDING MEDICAL SYSTEMS: TRADITIONAL, MODERN, AND SYNCRETIC HEALTH CARE ALTERNATIVES IN MEDICALLY PLURALISTIC SOCIETIES

[Bradley Philip Stoner is a medical student and a doctoral student in anthropology at Indiana University. He received his AB degree magna cum laude in biological anthropologyfrom Harvard in 1981. He attended McGill University as a William Lyon MacKenzie King Scholar, receiving his MA degree in medical anthropology in 1984. His current research concerns medical anthropology and adaptation to high altitude.]
Temporal lobe meningioma with ipsilateral herpes simplex encephalitis.

An 87-year-old woman presented with subacute onset of headache, fever, and episodes of aphasia, eventually progressing to coma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a newly identified enhancing left sphenoid wing meningioma with peritumoral edema in the underlying brain (Figure 1). MRI also demonstrated expansile fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) signal, restricted diffusion, and elevated plasma volume in the medial temporal lobe more suggestive of superimposed infection. Electroencephalogram (EEG) showed left periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (PLEDS). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Despite treatment with intravenous acyclovir, the patient remained comatose and comfort measures were pursued. Herpes encephalitis has been described in the setting of cancer and brain metastases but not concurrently with meningioma.1,2 Postmortem examination confirmed HSV1 and meningioma (Figure 2). Figure 1. MRI showing an enhancing left sphenoid wing meningioma with edema in the underlying temporal lobe (white arrowheads in A, B), expansile FLAIR signal, restricted diffusion (red arrowheads in C, D), and elevated plasma volume in the medial temporal lobe ... Figure 2. Postmortem examination demonstrating herpes encephalitis and meningioma in situ (white arrow), as well as hemorrhagic necrosis of the left insula and medial temporal lobe (red arrowheads).
Early Expression of Hereditary Deep Pectoral Myopathy in Turkeys Due to Forced Wing Exercise

In a deep pectoral myopathy selected (DPMS) line, forced wing exercise (FWE) at 20 weeks of age resulted in the same level of expressed deep pectoral myopathy (DPM) as seen in unexercised DPMS turkey by 72 weeks of age. The FWE at 15 and 17 weeks of age in DPMS line females increased the incidence of DPM to 30 and 50% compared to 5% in unexercised controls. There is an apparent developmental age X exercise relationship in the expression of DPM. In varieties, lines, and crosses without a history of DPM, FWE does not induce the myopathy. Additional evidence confirms the modifier effect in the polygenic DPM defect. Body weight and breast width measurements in genetically susceptible turkeys were not closely or consistently associated with expression of the myopathy. The results suggest FWE of turkeys at 20 weeks of age or later as a method for detecting genetic carriers at prebreeding ages.
Challenges and hope for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in infants and young children.

This issue of The Lancet contains two reports on methods to diagnose tuberculosis in children and adults. Heather Zar and colleagues report the results of a prospective study in Cape Town South Africa in which they compared induced sputum and gastric lavage for microbiological confirmation of tuberculosis in infants and young children. In their study of 250 children with a median age of 13 months the diagnostic yield from one sample of induced sputum was equivalent to that of three samples from sequential gastric lavage and the procedure was well tolerated. In a Research Letter Daniel Vargus and colleagues present a preliminary comparison of the string test with sputum induction for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in 228 HIV-infected patients under investigation in Lima Peru for tuberculosis. These patients were either unable to produce an adequate specimen or had a previous negative specimen. 52 HIV-positive controls had the same procedure. The use of the string test followed by sputum induction detected more cases of tuberculosis on culture of the specimens than did sputum induction alone including the diagnosis of one patient with tuberculosis in the asymptomatic controls. (excerpt)
Partially ordered permutation groups

In this note we discuss permutation groups (G, Ω) in which the set Ω admits aG-invariant order. By aG-invariant partial order (G-partial order) we mean a partial order < of Ω such that α<β implies αg<βg, for all α and β in Ω andg inG. If the set Ω admits aG-partial order which is a total order, then (G, Ω) is an O-permutation group (orderable permutation group).
The Extracellular Calcium-sensing Receptor Is Required for Calcium-induced Differentiation in Human Keratinocytes

In cultured keratinocytes, the acute increase of the extracellular calcium concentration above 0.03 mM leads to a rapid increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) and inositol trisphosphate production and, subsequently, to the expression of differentiation-related genes. Previous studies demonstrated that human keratinocytes express the full-length extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) and an alternatively spliced variant lacking exon 5 and suggested their involvement in calcium regulation of keratinocyte differentiation. To understand the role of the CaR, we transfected keratinocytes with an antisense human CaR cDNA construct and examined its impact on calcium signaling and calcium-induced differentiation. The antisense CaR cDNA significantly reduced the protein level of endogenous CaRs. These cells displayed a marked reduction in the rise in [Ca(2+)]i in response to extracellular calcium or to NPS R-467, a CaR activator, whereas the ATP-evoked rise in [Ca(2+)]i was not affected. Calcium-induced inhibition of cell proliferation and calcium-stimulated expression of the differentiation markers involucrin and transglutaminase were also blocked by the antisense CaR cDNA. When cotransfected with luciferase reporter vectors containing either the involucrin or transglutaminase promoter, the antisense CaR cDNA suppressed the calcium-stimulated promoter activities. These results indicate that CaR is required for mediating calcium signaling and calcium-induced differentiation in keratinocytes.
Motor primitive discovery

We present a method for autonomous on-line discovery of motor primitives for Markov decision processes with high-dimensional continuous action spaces. These biologically-inspired motor primitives require overhead to compute but form a compressed representation of the action set that allows for improved performance on subsequent learning tasks that have similar dynamics.
Teaching practices of the undergraduate introductory biomechanics faculty: a North American survey

Instruction and assessment strategies of undergraduate introductory biomechanics instructors have yet to be comprehensively examined. The purpose of this study was to identify the current instruction and assessment practices of North American undergraduate introductory biomechanics instructors and equipment needed for effective instruction in lecture and laboratory sessions. One hundred and sixty-five respondents (age: 42.5 ± 10.3 years) who currently teach or have taught an introductory biomechanics course in North America were recruited by electronic mail. Subjects completed a web-based survey, consisting of 60 open- and closed-ended questions. Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to assess relationships between instructor's familiarity with either the Biomechanics Concept Inventory or the NASPE Guidelines for Undergraduate Biomechanics, and instructor and course characteristics (number of years teaching, age, faculty rank, number of quizzes given, etc.) A number of variables were significantly ...
Modelling, control, and hardware-in-the-loop simulation of an automated manual transmission

AbstractTo enable a realistic automated manual transmission (AMT) system performance evaluation and rapid prototyping, this paper focuses on constructing a practical Simulink model and a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) real-time simulation. The working principle and dynamic characteristics of the AMT system are first explored. The driveline, the engine control, and the dry clutch are modelled and analysed. In particular, a dynamic model for the hydraulic clutch actuator that is currently used in the actual transmissions is developed. To evaluate the performance and operation characteristics of the AMT system, the control methodology to ensure desirable performance is studied. The gearshift control logic and the proportional—integral—derivative-based clutch control are analysed and implemented. Based on the dynamic model and the controller, a Simulink model is developed and implemented into an HIL real-time simulator to enable rapid prototyping. In addition, to realize an energy-efficient and smooth clutch enga...
Generalized Group Velocity Description

The group velocity description of dispersive pulse propagation, strictly valid for lossless media, is generalized to include dispersive attenuative media, reducing to the group velocity approximation while describing the precursor fields in the appropriate limits.
The Heart of Higher Education: A Call to Renewal

The Heart of Higher Education absorbs its readers into a series of conversations with two giants in the field of higher education, Parker Palmer and Arthur Zajonc. In the past decade both authors have become major voices in the growing movement to re-engage institutions in fulfilling higher education’s original mission to educate the whole person by integrating cognitive, emotional and spiritual learning into the student experience. In this volume, Palmer and Zajonc explore the range of conceptual models and practices that have become associated with the integrative education movement, defined as a shift of educational focus from imparting information to cultivating the development of students’ learning through personal insights.
Retentive Strength of Acid-Etched Anterior Fixed Partial Dentures: An in vitro Comparison of Attachment Techniques

Acid-etched fixed partial dentures are a rational alternative to other forms of removable prostheses because additional strength and increased resistance to fracture are achieved when the acrylic pontic is bonded with composite resin to natural tooth abutments.
Weighting hyperspectral image data for improved multivariate curve resolution results

The combination of hyperspectral confocal fluorescence microscopy and multivariate curve resolution (MCR) provides an ideal system for improved quantitative imaging when multiple fluorophores are present. However, the presence of multiple noise sources limits the ability of MCR to accurately extract pure-component spectra when there is high spectral and/or spatial overlap between multiple fluorophores. Previously, MCR results were improved by weighting the spectral images for Poisson-distributed noise, but additional noise sources are often present. We have identified and quantified all the major noise sources in hyperspectral fluorescence images. Two primary noise sources were found: Poisson-distributed noise and detector-read noise. We present methods to quantify detector-read noise variance and to empirically determine the electron multiplying CCD (EMCCD) gain factor required to compute the Poisson noise variance. We have found that properly weighting spectral image data to account for both noise sources improved MCR accuracy. In this paper, we demonstrate three weighting schemes applied to a real hyperspectral corn leaf image and to simulated data based upon this same image. MCR applied to both real and simulated hyperspectral images weighted to compensate for the two major noise sources greatly improved the extracted pure emission spectra and their concentrations relative to MCR with either unweighted or Poisson-only weighted data. Thus, properly identifying and accounting for the major noise sources in hyperspectral images can serve to improve the MCR results. These methods are very general and can be applied to the multivariate analysis of spectral images whenever CCD or EMCCD detectors are used. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
THE IMPACT OF INVESTIGATOR PERCEPTIONS OF VICTIM LEGITIMACY ON THE PROCESSING OF RAPE/SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES*

This analysis of 610 reports of rape/sexual assault, collected during six months of intensive field research within a metropolitan police department, addresses the issue of differential handling of such reports by police investigators. Their attributions of “relative legitimacy” to cases and victims are analyzed in the light of information items contained in the offense reports completed by patrol officers. Victim credibility, victim consent, offense seriousness, and victim characteristics are among the factors taken into account by the investigators as they assess rape/sexual assault cases and victims for the purpose of making dispositionary decisions. The likelihood of a case being actively pursued is discussed in terms of the tendency of investigators to classify cases along a continuum from “real” rapes to “deals”.
An Electrochemical System for Monitoring the Removal of Cyanide from Aqueous Systems with Immobilized Injectase

Abstract An electrochemical system is described for monitoring the continuous removal of cyanide from aqueous systems. The enzyme s-cyanoalanine synthase (injectase)is used to remove cyanide, and an electrode that responds to cyanide is used to monitor its removal from solution.
Phase transformations during aging of a nitrogen-strengthened austenitic stainless steel

An analytical electron microscopy study was undertaken in order to characterize intergranular and matrix precipitation accompanying intermediate temperature aging in NITRONIC 50, a nitrogen-strengthened austenitic stainless steel. Extensive precipitation on most grain boundaries had occurred after aging for 24 hours at 675 °C. The primary intergranular phase at that time was Cr-rich M23C6, and energy dispersive spectra taken on grain boundary segments between these carbides indicated Cr-depletion and Fe- and Ni-enhancement relative to the matrix. After aging for 336 and 1008 hours at 675 °C, M6C (eta-carbide) precipitates were also present on grain boundaries. These precipitates were distinguished from M23C6 on the basis of their lattice parameters and chemistries, with M6C containing less Cr and Fe, and more Ni, Mo, and Si than M23C6. The differences in chemistry were clarified by a statistical treatment of the spectra. The statistical analysis also showed that precipitates with a range of chemistries between M23C6 and M6C coexisted with these phases on the grain boundaries. Associated with this shift in precipitate stoichiometry was an increase in the average concentration of Cr and a decrease in the average concentration of Ni at the grain boundaries. Intergranular sigma phase was also observed after times 24 hours at 675 °C, with sigma precipitating on grain boundaries containing carbides. Intragranular precipitates observed to be stable up to 1008 hours at 675 °C included Z-phase, a complex nitride which had formed during solution annealing; M7C3 carbides, which nucleated at Z-phase/austenite interfaces; M23C6 carbides, which precipitated on incoherent twin boundaries; and Cr-rich MN precipitates, which nucleated on dislocations.
Gender differences in eating attitudes, body concept, and self-esteem among models

Eating attitudes, body concept, and self-esteem were investigated among professional fashion models and controls. Samples were predominantly Caucasian and from upper and middle class backgrounds. Women displayed significantly more eating-disordered behavior and lower levels of body satisfaction and self-esteem than men. Whereas the self-esteem of female models was higher than that of female controls the self-esteem of male models and male controls did not differ. Female undergraduates displayed the lowest self-esteem among the groups. Finally, despite findings that the majority of female models were underweight while the majority of female undergraduates were within recommended weight ranges, both groups displayed similar levels of eating-disordered behavior. Results suggest that the slender figures of professional fashion models are best viewed as lying at one extreme of the normal distribution of body types rather than as the product of purposeful dieting behavior to be attained by average women.
The coronary technique for complex carotid artery stenting in the setting of complex aortic arch anatomy.

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) remains a viable option for treating carotid artery lesions in high surgical risk patients. We retrospectively reviewed our experience in performing CAS in patients with complex aortic arch anatomy. The ‘‘coronary technique’’ uses an AL1 guiding catheter to engage the origin of the common carotid artery permitting delivery of protection device and stent. In total, 12 patients had complex arch anatomy which precluded access using the standard technique as determined on preoperative imaging. A total of 8 patients with such anatomy underwent femoral artery catheterization with placement of an Amplatz AL1 guide catheter into the common carotid artery. All were able to be successfully treated, with no dissection, neurovascular deficit, or other major complication. Based on this case series, we describe the coronary technique as a safe and viable method for CAS in the setting of complex anatomy which might otherwise preclude CAS.
The meaning and practice of biosecurity

This special issue demonstrates the breadth and range of topics subsumed under the term biosecurity. It also makes apparent that this diversity of topics is a challenge for developing a coherent view and approach to biosecurity. Though my initial desire was to provide a measure of coherency to this topic and to this special issue, I increasingly came to question whether an overall unified view of biosecurity was feasible or useful. There are several distinct types of biological threats, some of which have little relation to one another, suggesting there may be limited advantages to thinking about or addressing these threats in a comprehensive, integrated fashion. Therefore, rather than imposing an integrated framework, this overview article offers a qualitative meta-level analysis of the papers in this issue addressing the following key issues: (1) the breadth of topics subsumed under the term biosecurity (2) the extent to which various types of biological threats are distinct or inter-related and (3) the extent to which biological threats can or should be addressed in a somewhat comprehensive and integrated manner. I also attempt to extrapolate from these papers what can be learned and concluded in terms of biosecurity risk assessment and management. Finally, I offer recommendations regarding the best path forward to promote overall biosecurity.
Interaction of Race With Other Variables on Achievement in School.

This study was concerned with academic performance in black and white children and the interactions of race with other variables on school achievement. Subjects were 334 blacks and 637 whites in grades three to six. Data consisted of general background information and grade equivalent scores on the California Achievement Tests. They were analyzed using multiple re- gression analysis of variance. Results indicated that blacks scored lower than whites and fell farther behind as they progressed from grade to grade. Significant interactions were revealed for sex, social class, family structure, and teachers. Means for black children were generally less variable than for white children.
A comparative study of buttressed versus nonbuttressed staple line in pulmonary resections.

Abstract Background . Prolonged air leak is the major limiting factor in early hospital discharge following pulmonary resection. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the use of bovine pericardial strips as a buttress along the lung staple line would decrease air leaks and hospital stay after lobectomy and segmentectomy. Methods . This was a multicenter trial consisting of 80 patients undergoing pulmonary resection, randomly assigned to the control group (40 patients) or treatment group (40 patients). The treatment group had reinforcement with bovine pericardium. Results . No statistical differences were noted in the mean intensive care unit length of stay ( p = 0.9), number of days with a chest tube ( p = 0.6), or total length of stay ( p = 0.24). Increased air leak duration was associated with assignment to the control group (r = 0.27, p = 0.02). The mean duration of air leak was 2 days and the mean time to chest tube removal was 5.9 days in patients with a buttressed staple line compared to 3 days and 6.3 days, respectively, for patients with nonbuttressed staple lines. Conclusions . Within the data of this study, no statistical differences were noted between buttressed and nonbuttressed patients. However, the trend toward shortened air leak time and tube removal time was apparent in the buttressed group. With greater number of patients studied, it is likely that the cost of bovine pericardium would be justified by shorter air leak duration and hospitalization.