cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Marfan syndrome in childhood: features, natural history and differential diagnosis

Abstract The Marfan syndrome is defined by a combination of features of defective microfibrillar organization and function in multiple tissues and organs. Most of the features, including the cardinal ones of dis-proportionate tall stature, ectopia lentis, mitral valve prolapse, aortic root dilatation and aortic dissection, are age dependent, which may make diagnosis in a child difficult. Recently revised diagnostic criteria strengthen the requirements for an affected relative and specify how molecular data can be used in both a positive and negative sense. The goal is to identify from among many conditions, both hereditary and acquired, that share features with Marfan syndrome those patients who warrant the label of Marfan syndrome and structured, preventive management.
A lightweight single reversal field focused very low-noise traveling-wave tube

This paper describes a very low noise X-band TWT amplifier whose electron beam is focused by a single reversal permanent magnet field. Test results demonstrate that noise figures thus far only obtained on low noise TWT's focused in a uniform PM field can be achieved in a single reversal PM field. Typical maximum terminal noise figures taken between 7 and 11 Gc are less than 7.5 db. Minimum gain and saturation power in this frequency range are 27 db and 8 mw, respectively. Developmental models have yielded maximum terminal noise figures of 7.0 db across the band and terminal noise figures between 5.5 and 5.7 db at 8.5 Gc. Over the full octave from 6 to 12 Gc, terminal noise figures less than 8.5 db and gains greater than 27.5 db have been measured. The magnetic circuit, whose principal elements are two main magnets and two ring-shaped aiding magnets, is described, and the influence of the magnetic field pattern on the energy relations of the beam electrons and therefore on tube performance is discussed. The magnet circuit is shielded by a cylinder 4 inches in diameter by 11 inches long which allows a maximum fringing field of 45 oersteds on the outer surface. The low noise TWT has a metal-ceramic construction and includes a conventional low noise gun. The completely shielded amplifier weighs 8.2 pounds, which is less than half the weight of a comparable tube focused in a uniform PM field. A further weight reduction is possible.
Measurement of pacemaker performance.

Abstract Entirely satisfactory treatment of complete heart block has been prevented by an inability to measure pacemaker function after implantation. Two major problems can be identified in the long-term management of pacemaker patients: first, adequate prediction of when a pacemaker will fail; and second, accurate diagnosis of the type of pacemaker failure if it occurs. Observations on dogs gave precise measurements of interelectrode impedances. A method is described of externally measuring the interelectrode resistance and capacitance of implanted pacemakers. In studies on both dogs and human beings it was found that all changes in interelectrode impedance could be identified by changes in pacemaker rate and pulse width. Serial measurements of these two parameters allowed accurate diagnosis of the different types of “pacemaker failures.” The method also enabled anticipation of failures, other than wire breakage, before they were clinically evident. We think that pacemaker performance can be adequately evaluated by this method, making unnecessary prophylactic replacement of the unit.
Atmospheric cloud water contains a diverse bacterial community

Atmospheric cloud water contains an active microbial community which can impact climate, human health and ecosystem processes in terrestrial and aquatic systems. Most studies on the composition of microbial communities in clouds have been performed with orographic clouds that are typically in direct contact with the ground. We collected water samples from cumulus clouds above the upper U.S. Midwest. The cloud water was analyzed for the diversity of bacterial phylotypes by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons. DGGE analyses of bacterial communities detected 17–21 bands per sample. Sequencing confirmed the presence of a diverse bacterial community; sequences from seven bacterial phyla were retrieved. Cloud water bacterial communities appeared to be dominated by members of the cyanobacteria, proteobacteria, actinobacteria and firmicutes.
In vitro analysis and mechanical properties of twin screw extruded single‐layered and coextruded multilayered poly(caprolactone) scaffolds seeded with human fetal osteoblasts for bone tissue engineering

In vitro culturing and mechanical properties of three types of three-dimensional poly(caprolactone) scaffolds with interconnecting open-foam networks are reported. The scaffolds targeted bone tissue regeneration and were fabricated using twin screw extrusion and coextrusion techniques, for continuous mixing/shaping and formation of single or multilayers with distinct and tailorable porosities and pore sizes. Human fetal preosteoblastic cells, hFOB, were cultured on the extruded and coextruded scaffolds under osteogenic supplements and the samples of the resulting tissue constructs were removed and characterized for cell viability and proliferation using the MTS assay, differentiation, and mineralized matrix synthesis via the alkaline phosphatase, ALP, activity and Alizarin Red staining and cell migration using confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The hFOB cells formed a confluent lining on scaffold surfaces, migrated to the interior and generated abundant extracellular matrix after 2 weeks of culturing, indicative of the promise of such scaffolds for utilization in tissue engineering. The scaffolds and tissue constructs exhibited compressive fatigue behavior that was similar to that of cancellous bone, suggesting the suitability of their use as bone graft substitutes especially for repair of critical-sized defects or nonunion fractures.
CFD analysis of particle transport in axi-symmetric tube flows under the influence of thermophoretic force

Abstract In this study, we developed two frameworks to investigate the thermophoretic particulate deposition in non-isothermal tube flows conveying particles ranging from 10 to 300 nm; a one dimensional model where the variables are assumed to be uniform in each cross section perpendicular to the tube axis and an axi-symmetric model where the aforementioned assumption is relaxed. In the one dimensional model, the rate of mass deposition along the inner surface of the tube is computed based on the local thermophoretic velocity of the particulate phase at the wall. This velocity is proportional to the radial gradient of the temperature at the wall and is calculated via some empirical correlations for heat transfer in tube flows. In the axi-symmetric model, the rate of deposition is computed through the Fick’s law after solving the species transport equation for the solid phase. We included the formation of the soot layer through moving the gas–solid interface in both models. The tube effectiveness (the ratio of actual heat transfer to the maximum possible heat transfer) decreases due to the formation of the layer. Model outputs including deposited mass along the tube wall and the tube effectiveness drop have been compared against experiments. While the computed results through both models agree with the trend of experimental data, the axi-symmetric results are closer to the experiments in most cases. The calculated deposited mass is smaller (and closer to experiments) for the axi-symmetric model compared to the one dimensional model in all cases. This indicates that the axi-symmetric model estimates the deposited mass more accurately.
Purification and properties of galactokinase from Tetrahymena thermophila

Abstract Galactokinase (EC 2.7.1.6; ATP: d -galactose-1-phosphototransferase) was purified 152-fold with an 11% yield from Tetrahymena thermophila maximally derepressed for enzyme synthesis in late stationary phase. The purification procedure utilized sequential acid precipitation, batch DEAE-Sephacel chromatography, differential ammonium sulfate precipitation and narrow range electrofocusing. The apparent molecular weight of the holoenzyme as determined by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 is 50 000-55 000. The holoenzyme consists of two subunits of approx. 28 000 daltons each, as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The native enzyme appears to be a single species with an isoelectric point at pH 5.1 Optimal activity was obtained at pH 7.8 and 41°C, with no added monovalent salt. d -Galactose, 2-deoxygalactose and galactosamine all are suitable carbohydrate substrates for the stereospecific galactokinase; only substitution at the C-2 position of galactose retains enzyme recognition. The enzyme utilizes ATP, 2′-dATP and 3′-dATP as phosphate donors; ADP and adenosine-5′-[γ-thio]triphosphate are inhibitory. The K m values for galactose and ATP were determined to be 0.60 mM and 0.15 mM, respectively. The enzyme requires a divalent cation for activity, with effectiveness being in the order: Mg 2+ >Co 2+ >Mn 2+ >Fe 2+ . Galactokinases from all eucaryotic sources studied thus far seem to be very similar. Based upon the results reported here, the galactokinases from Tetrahymena and yeast appear to be most similar in their biophysical and biochemical properties.
Evaluation of a proposed mechanism of ligand-gated ion channel activation in the GABAA and glycine receptors

Ligand-gated ion channels (LGICs) mediate rapid chemical neurotransmission in the mammalian brain. This gene superfamily includes the nicotinic acetylcholine (nAChR), GABA(A), 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3, and glycine receptors. Upon agonist binding these receptors undergo a rapid allosteric transition from the closed to open state. The molecular mechanism of coupling between agonist binding and channel gating remains poorly understood, in part due to the lack of a high-resolution structure of the entire receptor. Miyazawa, Fujiyoshi, and Unwin published a 4A resolution structure of the nAChR, and proposed that a single residue--valine 44 in Loop 2 of the extracellular domain--functions as a critical determinant of a "pin-into-socket" mechanism for receptor activation in nAChR. Here we examined whether this proposed "pin-into-socket" mechanism also contributes to channel activation in the GABA(A) and glycine receptors. We mutated residues corresponding to nAChR valine 44 in the GABA(A) (alpha(1) histidine 56 and beta(2) valine 53) and glycine (alpha(1) threonine 54) receptors. The results obtained in this study do not support a simple "pin-into-socket" mechanism of activation for the activation of GABA(A) and glycine receptors. This conclusion is consistent with other recent reports in which mutations of residues distributed throughout several loops of nAChR, GABA(A) and glycine receptors had large effects on gating behavior.
Least squares treatment of the arrhenius equation by a programmable calculator

Abstract Design features are described for a sophisticated calculator program for Arrhenius equation calculations. The algorithms have been implemented on the Hewlett-Packard HP-67 and HP-97 calculators. They are described in detail so as to facilitate use and to enable translation to other programmable calculators of comparable or larger program and memory capacity.
Gel filtration chromatography of supernatants from aluminum silicate hydrosols of ratios from 3.33/1 to 13.32/1

Abstract Sephadex G-15 gel filtration chromatography (GFC) studies of supernatants from hydrosols prepared at Si Al ratios from 3.33 1 to 13.32 1 are reported. The GFC profiles exhibit two well-resolved peaks at Kav = 0.00 and 0.95. Based on the GFC behavior of known silicate complexes, the first eluted peak (Kav = 0.00) is assigned to polymeric complexes with molecular weights larger than the octasilicate ion but less than 2000 Da, while the second peak (Kav = 0.95) contains monomeric silicates. The polymeric/monomeric species content of chromatographed samples was dependent on the initial hydrosol Si Al ratio and reactant concentrations. Supernatants from low concentration hydrosols of Si Al ratio 6.66 1 showed the highest polymeric peak content with Si Al ratios of 7 1 to 9 1 . Detailed chemical analyses and Sephadex G-15 GFC studies of 6.66 1 ratio Si Al hydrosol supernatants are also reported in order to clarify the influences of various synthesis parameters on the formation of soluble polymeric aluminosilicate complexes. Hydrosols prepared in the pH range 6–8 with a Si Al ratio of 6.66 1 showed the highest levels of polymeric aluminosilicate complexes with Si Al ratios from 7 1 to 12 1 and molecular weights between 800 and 1500 Da. A chemical model to describe the influence of these synthesis parameters together with plausible structures for the soluble aluminosilicates is presented.
Synthesis of metastable phases in Al-Nb powders by mechanical alloying

Recently there have been many investigations on the synthesis and properties of transition metal trialuminides based on titanium, zirconium, vanadium, niobium and tantalum for use as structural materials in an elevated temperature environment. This interest is due to their high strength-to-density ratios, high melting points and excellent oxidation resistance. Amongst these, niobium trialuminide (NbAl{sub 3}) has a high melting point (1605{degrees} C), possesses adequate oxidation resistance (a result of the formation of a protective alumina over-layer and a density (4.54 g/cc) which is lower than that of advanced Ni{sub 3}Al-based compounds (7.6 g/cc). However, NbAl{sub 3} melts congruently and since it has an extremely limited homogeneity range, it is difficult to ensure that the chemistry falls in this desired narrow range. Further, due to the intrinsic brittleness, niobium aluminide ingots crack during solidification. Some of these problems can be overcome by producing the NbAl{sub 3} compound through the powder metallurgy route. This paper reports on the successful synthesis of homogeneous NbAl{sub 3} and amorphous phases by mechanical alloying starting from elemental powders.
Adaptive style and physiological reactivity during a laboratory stress paradigm in children with cancer and healthy controls

Repressive adaptation has been conceptualized as one pathway to psychological resilience in children with cancer, but the physiological costs of maintaining a repressive adaptive style are currently unknown. The goal of this study was to examine physiological functioning as a function of adaptive style in children with cancer (N = 120) and healthy controls (N = 120). Children completed self-report measures of state anxiety and defensiveness prior to participating in three verbal stress tasks while monitoring blood pressure, electrocardiogram, and electrodermal response, and rated their anxiety following each task. Findings indicated no consistent differences in baseline indices and physiological reactivity as a function of adaptive style or health status (cancer vs. control). In addition, children identified as having a repressive adaptive style did not exhibit greater verbal-autonomic discrepancy than low-anxious children. In contrast to findings with adults, children with a repressive adaptive style do not appear to experience adverse effects of this coping style in terms of physiological reactivity.
Clostridial pericarditis diagnosed antemortem

Abstract This report describes a case of spontaneous gas gangrene of the pericardium in a patient who survived 4 months. The diagnosis was established antemortem, and the patient was treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics, injected intramuscularly, penicillin, given parenterally and by local instillation, and surgical drainage. He rapidly developed constrictive pericarditis and died, probably from septic embolism to the spleen, with subsequent peritonitis and toxic shock, before pericardictomy could be performed. It is postulated that the process arose as a primary infection in a mural thrombus or in an area of ischemic myocardium after clostridial bacteremia.
Stuck in a rut: rethinking depression and its treatment

The current definition of major depressive disorder (MDD) emerged from efforts to create reliable diagnostic criteria for clinical and research use. However, despite decades of research, the neurobiology of MDD is largely unknown, and treatments are no more effective today than they were 50-70 years ago. Here, we propose that the current conception of depression is misguiding basic and clinical research. Redefinition is necessary and could include a focus on a more narrowly defined set of core symptoms. However, we conclude that depression is better defined as the tendency to enter into, and inability to disengage from, a negative mood state rather than the mood state per se. We also discuss the implications of this revised definition for future clinical and basic research.
R.C.L. Perkins and evolutionary radiations on islands

It is well known that Darwin's visit to the Galapagos and Wallace's visit to the islands of south-east Asia were key events in the development of theories of evolution and biogeography. Between them these two naturalists established the core principles of evolution by natural selection and speciation as a result of isolation. Contemporary and later naturalists built upon this foundation with new evolutionary facts and ideas by remaining in a region for longer than either Darwin or Wallace and becoming better acquainted with the richness of faunistic and floristic detail. An outstanding example was H. W. Bates (1863), whose eleven years of collecting on the Amazons yielded thousands of specimens of insects and vertebrates new to science, and deep insight into the fascinating phenomenon of mimicry (Bates 1862). One reason for writing this article is to resurrect the memory of a similar naturalist, R. C. L. Perkins (Plate 1). Well known to Hawaiian biologists (Carlquist 1970, Wagner and Funk 1996, Liebherr and Polhemus 1997)
Food Competition in Brown Capuchin Monkeys (Cebus Apella): Quantitative Effects of Group Size and Tree Productivity

The effects of group size and fruit availability in tree crowns on per-capita food intake was examined for wild brown capuchin monkeys living in groups of 3-12 individuals. Per-capita feeding time was nearly exactly inversely proportional to group size in small-crowned trees with little fruit, but was essentially independent of group size in large-crowned trees with abundant fruit. Despite the use of such productive trees, per-capita feeding time in the average tree visited decreased by 50% over a 4-fold range of group sizes. This cost of indirect food competition in large groups was not compensated by increased rates of ingestion, preferential use of large trees, of a higher rate of fruit tree encounter per distance travelled. Instead, foraging effort (distance travelled, number of minutes devoted to foraging, total activity minutes per day) increased at large group sizes. Estimates of total energy intake and expenditure suggest that net energy gain is constant for individuals in group sizes of 5-12. I suggest that the upper limit to group size is set by the daylength available for foraging in large groups. Aggression in food trees increased in frequency in larger groups, but the relative feeding rates of dominants and subordinates of a given rank did not appear to depend on group size. Observed decreases in per-capita food intake due to either indirect or aggressive food competition within large groups are substantially greater than the 4% gain in mean food intake that large groups achieve by displacing smaller groups from fruit trees.
Oxygen saturation index and severity of hypoxic respiratory failure.

Background: The oxygenation index (OI = mean airway pressure, MAP × FiO2 × 100 : PaO2) is used to assess the severity of hypoxic respiratory failure (HRF) and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). An indwelling arterial line or arterial punctures are necessary to obtain PaO2 for the calculation of OI. Oxygenation can be continuously and noninvasively assessed using pulse oximetry. The use of the oxygen saturation index (OSI = MAP × FiO2 × 100 : SpO2) can be an alternate method of assessing the severity of HRF. Objective: To evaluate the correlation between OSI and OI in the following: (1) neonates with HRF and (2) a lamb model of meconium aspiration syndrome. Methods: Human neonates: a retrospective chart review of 74 ventilated late preterm/term neonates with indwelling arterial access and SpO2 values in the first 24 h of life was conducted. OSI and OI were calculated and correlated. Lamb model: arterial blood gases were drawn and preductal SpO2 was documented in 40 term newborn lambs with asphyxia and meconium aspiration. OI and OSI were calculated and correlated with pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Results: Mean values of OSI and OI showed a correlation coefficient of 0.952 in neonates (mean value of 308 observations in 74 neonates) and 0.948 in lambs (mean value of 743 observations in 40 lambs). In lambs, with increasing PVR, there was a decrease in OI and OSI. Conclusion: OSI correlates significantly with OI in infants with HRF. This noninvasive measure may be used to assess the severity of HRF and PPHN in neonates without arterial access.
Phylogeny of lymphocyte heterogeneity: identification and separation of functionally distinct subpopulations of channel catfish lymphocytes with monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to identify monoclonal antibodies reactive with channel catfish T cells. Since a variety of commercially available anti-human and mouse T cell reagents failed to react with channel catfish leucocytes, the development of anti-fish T cell monoclonal antibodies was undertaken. One of these reagents, designated mAb 13C10, reacted with channel catfish surface immunoglobulin negative, but not positive, lymphocytes. This reagent, when used in “panning” protocols, was able to isolate those channel catfish lymphocytes which provide helper activity for antibody synthesis to a thymus dependent antigen. In addition, this antibody was observed to react with most thymocytes, neutrophils, and thrombocytes, few hepatocytes, and with some brain cells (possibly neurons). It was concluded that this antibody reacts with relatively high molecular weight antigens on channel catfish T cells and that it may be a pan anti-T cell reagent (possibly akin to Thy-2) for this species.
New focus on treatment for rheumatoid arthritis

Although the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis increasingly continues to be well understood, therapeutic approaches to the disease remain relatively unsophisticated and based more on anecdote than scientific reasoning. During the past year, additional supportive data regarding the usefulness of front-line agents such as methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine were acquired, and novel potential interventions, such as pulse gammaglobulin and OM-8980 were identified. Animal model studies still support the prospect that genuine remission-inducing strategies will be realized in the future.
Charles Tilly Takes Three Giant Steps from Structure Toward Process: Mechanisms for Deconstructing Political Process

Deconstructing Political Process Stories, Identities, and Political Change by Charles Tilly; The Politics of Collective Violence by Charles Tilly; Contention and Democracy in Europe, 1650-2000 by Charles Tilly Review by: Richard Hogan Contemporary Sociology, Vol. 33, No. 3 (May, 2004), pp. 273-277 Published by: American Sociological Association Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3593900 . Accessed: 08/02/2014 13:23
Southern Border of the Triassic Basin, West of York, Pennsylvania: Fault or Overlap?

Note: This paper is dedicated to Aaron and Elizabeth Waters on the occasion of Dr. Waters' retirement. A drill hole, a few hundred feet within the supposed feather edge of the Triassic rocks of the Newark-Gettysburg Basin, near Thomasville, Pennsylvania, penetrated about 800 ft of Triassic strata. This anomalous section consists of a thick basal limestone conglomerate, a calcareous facies, including limestone and black shale, and an upper sequence of fining-upward cycles of sandstone and red mudstone. This record shows that the southeast margin of the Triassic basin is not a simple overlap as heretofore thought. The stratigraphic and structural problems disclosed by the borehole record here described cannot be fully resolved without further drilling or geophysical surveys.
Arthroscopic treatment of soft-tissue impingement of the ankle in athletes

Sixty ankle arthroscopies were performed on patients with chronic soft-tissue impingement of the ankle after an ankle sprain between January 1989 and January 1994. Preoperative examination findings featured tenderness localized to the anterolateral aspect of the ankle, no instability, and, with the exception of 2 patients, normal radiographs. A preoperative bone scan was performed on 34 patients and was positive in each case but was not specific. Arthroscopy was performed an average of 23 months after injury. Results were determined by using a new ankle rating score. Hypertrophic synovium, synovitis, or fibrous adhesions were arthroscopically visualized and resected in all cases. The average follow-up was 27 months (range, 6 to 64 months). Thirty-one patients underwent complete evaluation and 29 were evaluated over the telephone. There were 51 excellent, 7 good, 1 fair, and 1 poor results. The diagnosis of chronic soft-tissue impingement of the ankle can be made from an appropriate history, thorough physical examination, and plain radiographs. Ankle arthroscopy with resection of impinging hypertrophic synovium or fibrous bands occurring after an ankle sprain was effective in alleviating pain in athletes.
Ex ante efficient, ex post individually rational trade

Abstract Consider a bilateral-trade model with two-sided incomplete information. For a general set of independent beliefs, an ex post individually rational mechanism generating the same level of ex ante expected gains from trade as an ex ante efficient, interim individually rational mechanism is constructed. Thus, imposing the stronger notion of ex post individual rationality on this mechanism design problem generates no loss of efficiency.
Implications of Alternative Multilevel Design Methods for Design Process Management

Multilevel design problems are typically decomposed into a hierarchy of distributed and strongly coupled sub-problems, each solved by design teams with specialized knowledge and tools. There are two contrasting approaches to formulating and solving such collaborative design problems: (1) highly iterative exchanges of single design solutions, as in point-based optimization approaches, and (2) minimally iterative exchanges of multiple solutions, as in set-based approaches. In this paper, the effects of these alternative approaches on the overall lead time of a design process are explored. A discrete event simulation is developed to evaluate the lead times of highly iterative and minimally iterative multilevel design strategies and the sensitivity of those lead times to the level of noise in the design environment for a range of designer work loads. Designer work loads include not only the multilevel design task of interest, but also secondary design jobs that consume designer time. Noise is represented as variability in task processing times, arrival rates, and iteration levels. An example design process for an unmanned aerial vehicle is used to compare set-based and point-based design strategies. The results of the simulations indicate that the lead times of minimally iterative, set-based design processes are more robust to busy design environments than highly iterative, point-based alternatives. Accordingly, it may be advantageous to favor richer, but less frequent, exchanges of information in a multilevel design process, even if more effort is required to generate those sets of information.
GLCP OFDM systems with I/Q imbalance

In this work, a grouped linear constellation precoded orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (GLCP OFDM) system, with the transceiver in-phase/quadrature (I/Q) imbalance operating over frequency-selective fading channels are studied. A new subcarrier grouping scheme in such a system is proposed. Through analysis and simulations, we demonstrate that with the proposed scheme, low-complexity solutions can be developed to mitigate I/Q imbalance, and provide a performance comparable to (or better than) the optimal subcarrier grouping scheme with no I/Q imbalance.
The National Kidney Foundation K/DOQI clinical practice guidelines for dietary protein intake for chronic dialysis patients

This paper discusses two of the National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) clinical practice guidelines for nutrition in chronic renal failure. These are the guidelines that recommend a dietary protein intake of 1.2 g protein/kg body weight/day for clinically stable maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients (Guideline 15) and 1.2 to 1.3 g protein/kg/day for clinically stable chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD) patients (Guideline 16). These recommended protein intakes are greater than the usually ingested protein intakes of MHD and CPD patients and are also greater than the recommended protein intakes for healthy, nonpregnant, nonlactating adults. The possible mechanisms that engender these increased protein needs include (1) the substantial quantity of amino acids, peptides, and proteins removed by the dialysis procedure and (2) the protein catabolic or antianabolic state caused by the uremic milieu, the inflammatory state, the oxidative and carbonyl stress, and the bioincompatible dialysis materials to which MHD and CPD patients are exposed. There are a number of nitrogen balance studies that have been performed to identify the dietary protein needs of MHD and CPD patents. The results of this research as well as some of the methodological limitations of these studies are reviewed. The concepts of the average dietary protein intake required to maintain protein balance in MHD or CPD patients and the safe protein intake that will maintain protein balance in virtually all MHD and CPD patients are discussed.
DIFMOS&#8212;A floating-gate electrically erasable nonvolatile semiconductor memory technology

Electrically alterable read-only memories (EAROM's) or reprogrammable read-only memories (RPROM's) can be fabricated using a single-level metal-gate p-channel MOS technology with all conventional processing steps. Given the acronym DIFMOS for dual-injector floating-gate MOS, this technology utilizes the floating-gate technique for nonvolatile storage of data. Avalanche injection of hot electrons through gate oxide from a special injector diode in each bit is used to charge the floating gates. A second injector structure included in each bit permits discharge of the floating gate by avalanche injection of holes through gate oxide. The overall design of the DIFMOS bit is dictated by the physical considerations required for each of the avalanche injector types. The end result is a circuit technology which can provide fully decoded bit-erasable EAROM-type circuits using conventional manufacturing techniques.
Recent advances in cardiovascular development: promise for the future.

Time for primary review 26 days Nearly three years ago, an extra issue of Cardiovascular Research was published which spotlighted the developing cardiovascular system (Cardiovascular Research, Vol. 31, February, 1996). The spotlight issue was accompanied by an editorial suggesting that the field of developmental cardiology was entering a period analogous to adolescence [1]. In retrospect, that seems to have been an accurate characterization. The past three years have seen enormous growth, paradigm shifts and exciting new discoveries in the field of cardiovascular development. Applications of new molecular techniques and model systems have provided insights into many of the very basic questions relevant to the control of cardiac morphogenesis. For the first time, the promise of understanding the molecular basis of many forms of congenital heart defects seems within our grasp. In this review, we will attempt to cover some of the major new advances that have occurred during the past three years in this rapidly expanding field. We were given the task of relating the recent developments to the reviews and papers that were contained in the original spotlight issue. Accordingly, this review will cover the same general subjects presented in the February, 1996 issue. In further keeping with our goal, each contributor to that issue was contacted and given the opportunity to provide a recent update related to their original topic (over half of the authors responded) and we appreciate those who took the time to answer. Because the field is advancing so rapidly, it is impossible to detail all the significant progress that has been made. We apologize to all whose work could not be discussed herein because of space limitations (and our own short-sightedness). Several recent reviews offer more comprehensive coverage of selected aspects of cardiac development which should provide a valuable supplement to this article … * Corresponding author. Tel.: +1-212-263-5993; fax: +1-212-263-5808; e-mail: michael.artman@mcfpo.med.nyu.edu
Transition noise spectral measurements in thin film media

Noise in thin film media is concentrated at the transition center and must be characterized by a nonstationary autocorrelation function. The noise voltage spectrum is determined by the frequency response of this correlation function beyond the standard head field terms. In this work, the use of spectral measurement to determine the nonstationary noise is illustrated. Noise spectra of thin film media are experimentally studied in detail for various thin film disks using both inductive and MR heads. The results compare extremely well to the analytical expression of the spectrum derived utilizing a good approximation for the correlation function of the magnetization fluctuations. Both transition length and medium noise cross-track correlation width were determined from the measured spectra. The measured transition lengths agree with signal analysis, and the noise cross-track correlation widths range from 15 to 71 nm. Lowering the flying height reduces the transition widths, and the cross-track correlation width remains unchanged. >
The Virtues of Participation without Power: Campaigns, Party Networks, and the Ends of Politics

Following Francesca Polletta's call to reconsider participatory democracy in a new millennium, this article analyzes and makes a normative case for institutional and partisan forms of participation...
Array-Based Comparative Genomic Hybridization Characterizes a Deletion Associated With a t(15;17) in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

The majority of de novo leukemias are characterized by well-known recurring translocations or inversions. In approximately 2% to 20% of these cases, deletions accompany these rearrangements. Because such deletions are undetectable by G-banding, aberrant fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) signal patterns are often the only indication of their presence. Array-based comparative genomic hybridization (a-CGH) permits examination of the entire genome at a resolution unattainable by G-banding or FISH. We present a case of a deletion of the derivative chromosome 17 of a t(15;17) in acute promyelocytic leukemia, the size and gene content of which were characterized by a-CGH. We hypothesize that this patient’s more aggressive disease course is due to loss of one or more of these genes. Such submicroscopic deletions involving the t(15;17) have only rarely been reported, and, to our knowledge, this is the first case in which a-CGH has been applied to its characterization.
Do oocyte quality and quantity as measured by antral follicle count decline in parallel

It is clear that with chronological aging both oocyte quantity (ultimately leading to menopause) and quality (pregnancy potential) decline. It is less clear, however, whether these three parameters: chronological age, oocyte number, and oocyte "health," decline in parallel.
The mixing of passive helium and temperature fluctuations in grid turbulence

By producing thermal fluctuations with a mandohe and helium fluctuations with chimneys attached to the grid bars, the mixing of temperature and helium fluctuations as well as the decay of temperature and helium variance and their flux is investigated in decaying grid-generated turbulence. The helium, temperature and velocity fluctua- tions were measured with a modified ‘Way-Libby’ interference probe (Way & Libby 1970, 1971). It is shown that, as for temperature variance, the helium-variance decay rate is a function the ratio of the helium length scale to the velocity length scale. It is also shown that the decay of the cross-correlation between temperature and helium fluctuations is slow if both scalars are introduced close to the grid, but rapid if each scalar is introduced at a different distance from the grid, and hence at different scales. The results corroborate those of the inference method of Warhaft (1981), which is extended here to examine other cases. A particularly unexpected finding is that under certain circumstances the two-scalar cross-correlation may actually increase with distance from the grid, although the scalar covariance decreases. The return to isotropy of helium flux and temperature flux is also investigated and is shown to be slow if the scalar flux is produced near the grid bars, but faster if the flux is produced further downstream. For all the measurements helium and temperature were passive additives.
Variability in the Organizational Climate of Government Offices and Affective Organizational Commitment

Abstract This study examined the shared perceptions of 739 professional and technical employees regarding organizational climate and the strength of affective commitment in fifty-one geographically dispersed offices of an agency of state government. The results indicated that the level of affective commitment in these offices could be predicted reliably (adjusted R 2 = .75) from three of the eight dimensions of organizational climate included in the study: goal ambiguity, social cohesion and fairness and equity. Implications of these results with respect to developing effective human resource management strategies in public sector organizations are discussed in detail.
Experimental approach to measuring functional food consumption for risk factor surveillance.

Objective: To develop and integrate the assessment of functional foods (FuF; manufactured foods with altered composition carrying a health claim) consumption into an existing risk factor surveillance system. Design: FuF market research followed by an experimental FuF intake study incorporated into an ongoing community-based survey. Concurrent completion of a self-administered semi-quantitative FFQ and a self-administered, qualitative FuF frequency questionnaire (FuFFQ) followed by a face-to-face control step using FuF photographs and combined food group-based data analyses. Setting: ‘Bus Sante ´’ risk factor surveillance programme, Geneva/Switzerland. Subjects: Population-based random sample of 639 residents (52 % women, aged 35–74 years) surveyed from September 2003 to April 2004. Results: Local Geneva/French neighbourhood market research identified 148 FuF in five major FuF food groups which were compiled into a functional ingredient database. Prior to the face-to-face verification, 210 (33 %) individuals categorized themselves as FuF consumers, 429 (67 %) as non-consumers. The control step revealed that 70 % of the 639 participants were already familiar with the FuF concept, and thus were correctly self-categorized as FuF consumers or nonconsumers. For the remaining 30 % of participants the true FuF consumption status was established, resulting in a final number of 285 FuF consumers (45 %; 12 % net increase) and 354 (55 %) non-consumers. Conclusions: The developed self-administered, brief, qualitative food groupbased FuF frequency check list in combination with an FFQ and a photo-assisted control step provides a flexible assessment tool for measuring FuF consumption in the context of a specific fluctuating FuF market and may be applicable to other population settings and times.
Implications of Changing Answers on Objective Test Items.

Over the past fifty years a number of researchers have studied the implications of answer changing on objective test items. The primary concern has been whether, in administering achievement tests, students should be advised to "go with their first impression," or to change answers after deliberation if they feel their initial response is incorrect. In other words, when students change answers do they, on the average, gain more or lose more points? These studies have also surveyed student opinion regarding the value of answer changing, tabulated the incidence of answer changing, and looked at the relationships of level of achievement, sex, number of answers changed, and various items characteristics to net gain or loss resulting from changing answers. This paper is a review and synthesis of the findings from these studies.
Ranked set sampling for ordered categorical variables

The authors show how ranked set sampling, both balanced and unbalanced, can be extended to ordered categorical variables with the goal of estimating the probabilities of all categories. They use ordinal logistic regression to aid in the ranking of the ordinal variable of interest. They also propose an optimal allocation scheme and methods for implementing it under either perfect or imperfect rankings. Results from a simulation study using data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey indicate that the use of ordinal logistic regression in ranking leads to substantial gains in precision for estimation of cell probabilities. Echantrillonnage pour variables categoriques ordonnees Les auteurs montrent comment I' echantrillonnage, equilibre ou non, peut ětre etendu aux variables categoriques ordonnees en vue d'estimer les probabilites des diverses categories. Ils font appel a la regression logistique ordinale pour trier la variable ordinale d'interět. Ils proposent aussi un schema d'allocation optimal et des facons de l'implanter selon que le tri est parfait ou imparfait. Des simulations effectuees a partir des donnees de la troisieme enquěte americaine sur la sante et la nutrition les amenent a conclure que l'emploi de la regression logistique ordinale aux fins de tri ameliore substantiellement la precision de l'estimation des probabilites des categories.
Echocardiographic determinants of peak aerobic capacity and breathing efficiency in patients with undifferentiated dyspnea.

Diastolic function and E/e′ correlate with peak aerobic capacity (VO 2 ) in patients with heart failure, but the echocardiographic correlates of abnormal gas exchange in patients without heart failure are not well defined. We sought to determine the echocardiographic correlates of peak VO 2 and breathing efficiency (estimated using the ratio of minute ventilation to carbon dioxide production, or VE/VCO 2 nadir) in patients with unexplained dyspnea. We identified 232 patients with unexplained dyspnea who underwent echocardiography at rest followed by stress echocardiography with simultaneous measurement of peak VO 2 and VE/VCO 2 nadir. At baseline, 17 patients (5%) had an E/e′ of ≥15 while 31 patients (17%) had a right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) of >35 mm Hg. E/e′ ≥15 and RVSP >35 mm Hg were associated with lower peak VO 2 (14.1 ± 4.4 vs 21.0 ± 6.9 and 15.2 ± 3.6 vs 21.8 ± 6.8 ml/kg/min, respectively, p 35 mm Hg (sensitivity 0.38, specificity 0.93, area under the curve 0.76) were highly specific for predicting limited peak VO 2 . Age and RVSP at rest were independent correlates with VE/VCO 2 , but diastolic function was not. However, the risk of having abnormal VE/VCO 2 nadir was only elevated in subjects with elevated RVSP in the setting of abnormal diastolic function (hazard ratio 2.4, 95% confidence interval 1.3 to 4.6, p = 0.02). In conclusion, both E/e′ ≥15 and RVSP >35 mm Hg are highly specific markers of exercise limitation in patients without heart failure, but RVSP at rest may offer better overall diagnostic power than E/e′ to predict low peak VO 2 in this group.
Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy – Fake Innovation or the Real Deal?

This issue of European Urology boasts a series of five articles devoted to robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) [1–5]. Montorsi et al. have summarized the deliberations of a 2-d conference attended by the urologic leaders of robotic surgery that reviewed and commented on the world’s literature in this field [5]. The participants concentrated on obtaining information concerning the ability of RARP to achieve cancer control and to maintain continence and potency among patients undergoing the procedure. Based on an exhaustive literature review that is summarized in each of the companion articles, the authors conclude that RARP is a clearly established treatment modality for the surgical treatment of prostate cancer. They also state that RARP achieves cancer control equivalent to the more traditional open prostatectomy and may offer advantages in the postoperative recovery of urinary continence and erectile function. Furthermore, RARP provides for less blood loss, lower transfusion rates, and possibly slightly faster convalescence. Clearly, urologists worldwide agree with this consensus and have embraced this new technology with enthusiasm. Unfortunately, the robot has not received a similarly enthusiastic welcome in other areas of the medical community. In a prominent editorial in the New York Times onMay 27, 2012, Ezekiel Emanuel, an oncologist and former White House advisor, commented that the robot was a ‘‘pseudo-innovation—a technology that increases costs without improving patients’ health’’ [6]. He described the breakthrough technology as a ‘‘fake innovation’’ that the ‘‘Affordable Care Act will not reward.’’ Why such discordant views of a new health care delivery platform? The answer lies in the impending crisis affecting the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer in most
Information theoretic metrics for software architectures

Because it codifies best practices, and because it supports various forms of software reuse, the discipline of software architecture is emerging as an important branch of software engineering research and practice. Because architectural-level decisions are prone to have a profound impact on finished software products, it is important to apprehend their quality attributes and to quantify them (as much as possible). In this paper, we discuss an information-theoretic approach to the definition and validation of architectural metrics, and illustrate our approach on a sample example.
SDAP: database and computational tools for allergenic proteins

SDAP (Structural Database of Allergenic Proteins) is a web server that provides rapid, cross-referenced access to the sequences, structures and IgE epitopes of allergenic proteins. The SDAP core is a series of CGI scripts that process the user queries, interrogate the database, perform various computations related to protein allergenic determinants and prepare the output HTML pages. The database component of SDAP contains information about the allergen name, source, sequence, structure, IgE epitopes and literature references and easy links to the major protein (PDB, SWISS-PROT/TrEMBL, PIR-ALN, NCBI Taxonomy Browser) and literature (PubMed, MEDLINE) on-line servers. The computational component in SDAP uses an original algorithm based on conserved properties of amino acid side chains to identify regions of known allergens similar to user-supplied peptides or selected from the SDAP database of IgE epitopes. This and other bioinformatics tools can be used to rapidly determine potential cross-reactivities between allergens and to screen novel proteins for the presence of IgE epitopes they may share with known allergens. SDAP is available via the World Wide Web at http://fermi.utmb.edu/SDAP/.