cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Diabetes Mellitus on the Biomechanical Properties of the Female Rat Urethra in the Passive State

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) suffer impaired lower urinary tract dysfunctions. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effects of DM on the passive biomechanical properties of the female rat urethra. DM was induced by injection of streptozotocin. Urethras were excised and mounted in an ex-vivo testing system. EDTA was added to the bath to inactivate smooth muscle. Continuous outer diameter measurements were made at proximal, middle, and distal portions of the urethra with a laser micrometer during stepwise increases of static, intraurethral pressure (0 to 20 mmHg). Compliance and beta stiffness were calculated from measured data. Healthy urethras served as controls. Statistical comparisons were made via ANOVA. The control tissue was most compliant proximally and decreased significantly along the length. This compliance gradient vanished with DM. A significant decrease in compliance and increase in beta stiffness was noted for 10 wk DM compared to controls. These findings suggest that DM has a large effect on the biomechanical properties of the urethra.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Comparisons of NO emissions and soot concentrations from biodiesel-fuelled diesel engine

In many engine applications, differences in nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions and smoke concentrations between biodiesel-fuelled and petroleum diesel-fuelled engines may be ascribed to system response issues, where due to differences in the fuels’ properties the control of certain engine parameters may be affected. This study explores the effects such system responses have on nitric oxide (NO) emissions and smoke concentrations from a diesel engine fuelled with biodiesel and its 20%-v blend with petroleum diesel. It is observed that, mostly due to system response issues, NO emissions exhibit inconsistent behavior among the studied fuels. On average, the biodiesel fuels tend to emit higher NO emissions; but, the statistical probability of the averages being different is low. Those unique cases, where the biodiesel fuels emit substantially lower NO emissions operate with different engine control parameters; specifically, exhaust gas recirculation is used with the biodiesel fuels, whereas it is not with the petroleum diesel fuel. More consistently, smoke concentrations of this study are generally lower with the biodiesel fuels than with petroleum diesel. Certain isolated cases of the biodiesel blend, where exhaust gas recirculation is used show higher smoke concentrations than petroleum diesel; the increase in smoke concentration is relatively smaller than the decrease in NO emissions, thus creating an opportunity for biodiesel to improve the EGR tolerance of diesel engines in reducing NOx while mitigating the traditional increase in smoke. Due to potential changes in engine control parameters when using a substantially different fuel than that which the engine is calibrated for, “diluting” the base fuel with the different fuel may not necessarily result in a linear or consistent scaling of exhaust emissions.
Drug Management of Visceral Pain: Concepts from Basic Research

Visceral pain is experienced by 40% of the population, and 28% of cancer patients suffer from pain arising from intra- abdominal metastasis or from treatment. Neuroanatomy of visceral nociception and neurotransmitters, receptors, and ion channels that modulate visceral pain are qualitatively or quantitatively different from those that modulate somatic and neuropathic pain. Visceral pain should be recognized as distinct pain phenotype. TRPV1, Na 1.8, and ASIC3 ion channels and peripheral kappa opioid receptors are important mediators of visceral pain. Mu agonists, gabapentinoids, and GABAB agonists reduce pain by binding to central receptors and channels. Combinations of analgesics and adjuvants in animal models have supra-additive antinociception and should be considered in clinical trials. This paper will discuss the neuroanatomy, receptors, ion channels, and neurotransmitters important to visceral pain and provide a basic science rationale for analgesic trials and management.
Gastric and esophageal telangiectasia: a case report

Esophageal and gastric telangiectases were demonstrated endoscopically in a patient with extensive cutaneous telangiectasia and erythrocytosis.
Unilateral dopamine depletion increases expression of the 2A subunit of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor in enkephalin-positive and enkephalin-negative neurons

Abstract Striatal efferent neurons receive dopamine- and glutamate-utilizing afferents. Previous studies have shown that dopamine depletion increases gene expression in striatopallidal neurons and decreases it in striatonigral neurons. Previous work has also reported increased expression of the 2A subunit of the N -methyl- d -aspartate receptor in the dopamine-depleted striatum. The purpose of this study therefore was to determine whether dopamine depletion differentially alters the expression of the 2A subunit of the N -methyl- d -aspartate receptor in rat striatal neurons. 6-Hydroxydopamine (8 μg/2 μl) was infused unilaterally into the medial forebrain bundle. Rats were killed three weeks later. Double-label in situ hybridization was performed using an 35 S-labeled ribonucleotide probe directed against the messenger RNA of the 2A subunit and a digoxigenin-labeled ribonucleotide probe directed towards preproenkephalin messenger RNA to mark striatopallidal neurons. Analysis of single-labeled film autoradiograms revealed a significant increase in the expression of 2A subunit messenger RNA in the ipsilateral, but not the contralateral, striatum of dopamine-depleted animals, consistent with other studies in the literature. Cellular analysis of 2A subunit expression indicated that as a consequence of dopamine depletion there is a significant increase in the expression of this subunit in both enkephalin-positive and enkephalin-negative neurons. From this study we conclude that dopamine depletion increases messenger RNA expression of the 2A subunit of the N -methyl- d -aspartate receptor in striatopallidal and presumed striatonigral (enkephalin-negative) neurons. Such alterations may affect the pharmacology and function of the resultant receptor, and thus alter glutamate transmission in both populations of medium spiny neurons after dopamine depletion.
Caffeine self-administration and withdrawal: incidence, individual differences and interrelationships

In four prior studies, caffeine (100 mg) self-administration was assessed by greater self-administration of caffeinated coffee than decaffeinated coffee and caffeine withdrawal was assessed by placebo substitution using six double-blind tests in each subject. This paper collates data across these studies to examine the incidence and predictors of the occurrence of caffeine self-administration and withdrawal. Caffeine self-administration occurred in 31% of subjects when a consistency criterion was used (n = 41) and 27% when a statistical criterion was used. Caffeine withdrawal occurred in 35% and 49% of subjects with each criteria (n = 37). Subjects who had withdrawal headaches and drowsiness were 2.3-2.6 times more likely to self-administer the caffeinated coffee. Several variables (e.g., average caffeine intake) did not predict caffeine self-administration or withdrawal.
Shoulder Dystocia: Prevention and Management

Knowledge of the maneuvers used for the alleviation of shoulder dystocia is relevant not only for obstetric residents and attending house staff but also for family practitioners, nurses, and nurse midwives. The performance of shoulder dystocia "drills" can be helpful not only to coordinate a teamwork approach to this obstetric emergency but also to provide an opportunity to practice the maneuvers. Shoulder dystocia continues to represent an immense area of clinical interest because it typically occurs without prediction. All patients in labor should be considered at risk for the development of shoulder dystocia.
Molecular Model of Anticonvulsant and Antidepressant Drug Binding to the Sodium Channel

Voltage-gated Na channels are molecular targets for many classes of drugs, including local anesthetics, antiepileptics (anticonvulsants) and antidepressants. The anticonvulsants phenytoin and carbamazepine have a tricyclic rigid structure and are neutral, in contrast to the positively charged local anesthetics, but they all block the neuronal Na channels with similar affinities. Using a model of the inner pore of the Na channel, which we developed by homology with K channels, we have docked these anticonvulsants (including lamotrigine) with residues identified by mutagenesis as important for their binding. Anticonvulsants are too wide to fit into the modeled closed pore, but they do fit into the open/inactivated pore. The pharmacophore core of anticonvulsants contain amides or similar groups with a high polarity and large partial positive charge on their amines. When these molecules are docked in the pore, the amines participate in amino-aromatic interactions with the side chain of Phe-1764 of DIVS6 (NaV1.2). One aromatic ring of the tricyclic ring interacts with Tyr-1771 of IVS6, and the second aromatic ring is located in the center of the pore, in proximity to domains I-III. It physically occludes the inner pore in contrast to local anesthetics, which do not but create an electrostatic barrier to ion permeation. Hydrophobic interactions with the second aromatic ring also contribute an important energetic component to binding for anticonvulsants, which compensate for the absence of positive charge in their structures. The antidepressants amitriptyline and nortriptyline are structurally similar to carbamazepine, but the side chain at the tricyclic ring is substituted by a tertiary amine. For these an additional cation interaction with Phe-1764 can contribute to their high binding affinity. Supported by NIH HL5-2016.
VMA12 encodes a yeast endoplasmic reticulum protein required for vacuolar H+-ATPase assembly.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae vacuolar membrane proton-translocating ATPase (V-ATPase) can be divided into a peripheral membrane complex (V1) containing at least eight polypeptides of 69, 60, 54, 42, 32, 27, 14, and 13 kDa, and an integral membrane complex (V0) containing at least five polypeptides of 100, 36, 23, 17, and 16 kDa. Other yeast genes have been identified that are required for V-ATPase assembly but whose protein products do not co-purify with the enzyme complex. One such gene,VMA12, encodes a 25-kDa protein (Vma12p) that is predicted to contain two membrane-spanning domains. Biochemical analysis has revealed that Vma12p behaves as an integral membrane protein with both the N and C termini oriented toward the cytosol, and this protein immunolocalizes to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In cells lacking Vma12p (vma12Δ), the 100-kDa subunit of the V0 complex (which contains six to eight putative membrane-spanning domains) was rapidly degraded (t½ ∼ 30 min). Protease protection assays revealed that the 100-kDa subunit was inserted/translocated correctly into the ER membrane of vma12Δ cells. These data indicate that Vma12p functions in the ER after the insertion of V0subunits into the ER membrane. We propose that Vma12p functions directly in the assembly of the V0 subunits into a complex in the ER, and that assembly is required for the stability of the V0 subunits and their transport as a complex out of this compartment.
FEL gain calculation for imperfectly matched electron beams

Abstract We present here the details of an analytical small-signal gain calculation. The analysis builds on the basic one-dimensional analytical calculation by modeling the effects of finite electron beam size and imperfect matching of the electron beam to the wiggler. The calculation uses TRANSPORT [SLAC-91, Rev. 2 (1977)] parameters to describe the electron beam in order to easily take the output of beam transport calculations and use them as the input for FEL gain calculations. The model accepts an arbitrary TRANSPORT beam and includes the effects of energy spread, beam size, betatron oscillations, and focussing in the wiggle plane. The model has allowed us to calculate the range over which our FEL can be tuned by changing the electron energy alone (i.e., without changing any magnets).
The importance of language in the home for school-age children with permanent hearing loss.

Aim To determine the characteristics of the natural spoken language environment associated with better language skills at school age of children with permanent hearing loss (HL) screened in a newborn hearing screen programme. Methods A language processor recorded language environment including child vocalisations (CVs), conversational turns (CTs), adult word count (AWC), percentage of language and percentage of silence in 23 children with HL and 41 hearing controls. Relationships of language environment scores with Reynell language scores were analysed. Results Children with HL had significantly lower Reynell comprehension scores (15–25 points; p = 0.0001) and expressive scores (7–12 points; NS) than hearing children. In regression analyses for the children with HL, after adjusting for age of entry to early intervention and stay in a NICU, every increase in ten percentage points of language in the home was associated with 7.2 points higher comprehension score (p = 0.027) and 9.99 points higher expressive score (p = 0.006). After adjusting for nonverbal intelligence, similar independent effects of the language environment on both comprehension (p = 0.027) and expressive scores (p = 0.006) were identified. Conclusion A rich language environment in the home is associated with better language abilities, which are necessary for academic success for children with permanent HL at school age.
Local Antinociception Induced by Endothelin-1 in the Hairy Skin of the Rat's Back

Abstract Subcutaneous injection of endothelin-1 (ET-1) into the glabrous skin of the rat's hind paw is known to produce impulses in nociceptors and acute nocifensive behavioral responses, such as hind paw flinching, and to sensitize the skin to mechanical and thermal stimulation. In this report, we show that in contrast to the responses in glabrous skin, ET-1 injected subcutaneously into rat hairy skin causes transient antinociception. Concentrations of 1 to 50μM ET-1 (in 0.05mL) depress the local nocifensive response to noxious tactile probing at the injection site with von Frey filaments for 30 to 180minutes; distant injections have no effect at this site, showing that the response is local. Selective inhibition of ET A but not of ET B receptors inhibits this antinociception, as does coinjection with nimodipine (40 μM), a blocker of L-type Ca 2+ channels. Local subcutaneous injection of epinephrine (45μM) also causes antinociception through α-1 adrenoreceptors, but such receptors are not involved in the ET-1–induced effect. Both epinephrine and ET-1, at antinociceptive concentrations, reduce blood flow in the skin; the effect from ET-1 is largely prevented by subcutaneous nimodipine. These data suggest that ET-1–induced antinociception in the hairy skin of the rat involves cutaneous vasoconstriction, presumably through neural ischemia, resulting in conduction block. Perspective The pain-inducing effects of ET-1 have been well documented in glabrous skin of the rat, a frequently used test site. The opposite behavioral effect, antinociception, occurs from ET-1 in hairy skin and is correlated with a reduction in blood flow. Vasoactive effects are important in assessing mechanisms of peripherally acting agents.
Stability of the Solution to a Linear Programming Problem

Much effort has been devoted to finding the solution to the linear programming problem, although it is often the case in practice that some of the parameters are not known exactly. In this paper it is shown how, starting from the Simplex tableau, quantitative descriptions can be obtained without much further calculation of the way in which the elements aij (i = 1, 2,..., m; j = s) may vary without affecting the choice of optimal basis.
Ultrasonography of the cecum

Ultrasound can define masses in the cecum and the cecal bed. In the patient with a prior resection of adenocarcinoma of the cecum, the sonogram fulfills a primary role in the detection of large and illdefined recurrences not amenable to detection by barium enema because of a right colectomy. Discrete lesions within the cecum whether secondary to inflammatory or neoplastic processes could not be differentiated.
Fast block to polyspermy in sea urchin eggs is electrically mediated

THE prevention of polyspermy in sea urchin eggs is accomplished in two steps: a “fast” block, occurring within a few seconds of the entry of the fertilising sperm, and a “slow” block, associated with the cortical reaction (compare refs 1–4 with 5 and 6). Results presented here confirm the existence of the fast block and demonstrate that it is caused by the electrical depolarisation of the egg plasma membrane that accompanies the entrance of the fertilising sperm.
Experimental measurements of quadrupole mass analyser performance and comparison with theoretical predictions

Abstract The performance of a quadrupole mass analyser with an offset ion detector was examined using a solid-state ion source of well-defined energy. The relationship between the transmissivity and resolution and its dependence on the axial ion velocity are compared with theoretical predictions. The lateral position of the source was adjustable so that the off-axis acceptance of the quadrupole filter could also be examined.
THERAPEUTIC HYPOTHERMIA FOR MYOCARDIAL PROTECTION IN ST ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF RANDOMIZED CONTROL TRIALS

Studies have suggested that therapeutic hypothermia (TH) in acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) might be beneficial. The supportive evidence showing beneficial outcomes is limited. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) to assess the efficacy and safety of TH
Enzyme activities in the water column and in shallow permeable sediments from the northeastern Gulf of Mexico

The activities of extracellular enzymes that initiate the microbial remineralization of high molecular weight organic matter were investigated in the water column and sandy surface sediments at two sites in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Six fluorescently labeled polysaccharides were hydrolyzed rapidly in the water column as well as in permeable sediments. This result contrasts with previous studies carried out in environments dominated by fine-grained muds, in which the spectrum of enzymes active in the water column is quite limited compared to that of the underlying sediments. Extracts of Spirulina, Isochrysis, and Thalassiosira were also used to measure hydrolysis rates in water from one of the sites. Rates of hydrolysis of the three plankton extracts were comparable to those of the purified polysaccharides. The broad spectrum and rapid rates of hydrolysis observed in the water column at both sites in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico may be due to the permeable nature of the sediments. Fluid flux through the sediments is sufficiently high that the entire 1.5 m deep water column could filter though the sediments on timescales of a few days to two weeks. Movement of water through sediments may also transport dissolved enzymes from the sediment into the water column, enhancing the spectrum as well as the rate of water column enzymatic activities. Such interaction between the sediments and water column would permit water column microbial communities to access high molecular weight substrates that might otherwise remain unavailable as substrates.
The presence of nitrogen fixing legumes in terrestrial communities: Evolutionary vs ecological considerations

Nitrogen is often a limiting factor to net primary productivity (NPP) and other processes in terrestrial ecosystems. In most temperate freshwater ecosystems, when nitrogen becomes limiting to NPP, populations of N-fixing cyanobacteria experience a competitive advantage, and begin to grow and fix nitrogen until the next most limiting resource is encountered; typically phosphorus or light. Why is it that N-fixing plants do not generally function to overcome N limitation in terrestrial ecosystems in the same way that cyanobacteria function in aquatic ecosystems? To address this question in a particular ecosystem, one must first know whether the flora includes a potential set of nitrogen fixers. I suggest that the presence or absence of N-fixing plant symbioses is foremost an evolutionary consideration, determined to a large extent by constraints on the geographical radiation of woody members of the family Fabaceae. Ecological factors such as competition, nutrient deficiencies, grazing and fire are useful to explain the success of N-fixing plants only when considered against the geographical distribution of potential N-fixers.
Doing Sociology to Make a Difference: Commitment, Values, and the Promised Land

L'A. nous livre ses reflexions sur la sociologie comme science pure, depourvue de tout interet mercantile, en citant l'ecrivain Octavia Butler ou les sociologues Max Weber, Dorothy Smith, Michael Burawoy ... Elle s'interroge sur la pratique de la sociologie et la facon de faire la connexion entre la production des connaissances, action transformative et les moments critiques de l'histoire. Elle insiste sur les politiques de la production des connaissances, de la transformation des connaissances en action et sur les buts de l'enseignement de la sociologie (ou de la decouverte de la Terre Promise).
Assessing confidence in inferring reactor type and fuel burnup: A Markov chain Monte Carlo approach

Abstract A technology to verify operator declarations of reactor type and fuel burnup has been introduced. The approach uses reactor modeling (the “forward model”) to predict well-chosen isotope ratios as a function of reactor type and burnup. Mass spectrometry measurements of these ratios are then used to infer reactor type and burnup (via a maximum likelihood solution to “the inverse problem”). We extend the previous maximum likelihood solution to this inverse problem by using Markov Chain Monte Carlo to simulate observations from the posterior distribution for reactor type and burnup. This provides an alternate estimation strategy, an estimate of the confidence in the inferred reactor type and burnup, and improves prediction performance. We also investigate the impact of increased error variance as a step toward including the effect of computer-code uncertainty.
The Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Exendin 4 Has a Protective Role in Ischemic Injury of Lean and Steatotic Liver by Inhibiting Cell Death and Stimulating Lipolysis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is an increasingly prevalent spectrum of conditions characterized by excess fat deposition within hepatocytes. Affected hepatocytes are known to be highly susceptible to ischemic insults, responding to injury with increased cell death, and commensurate liver dysfunction. Numerous clinical circumstances lead to hepatic ischemia. Mechanistically, specific means of reducing hepatic vulnerability to ischemia are of increasing clinical importance. In this study, we demonstrate that the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist Exendin 4 (Ex4) protects hepatocytes from ischemia reperfusion injury by mitigating necrosis and apoptosis. Importantly, this effect is more pronounced in steatotic livers, with significantly reducing cell death and facilitating the initiation of lipolysis. Ex4 treatment leads to increased lipid droplet fission, and phosphorylation of perilipin and hormone sensitive lipase – all hallmarks of lipolysis. Importantly, the protective effects of Ex4 are seen after a short course of perioperative treatment, potentially making this clinically relevant. Thus, we conclude that Ex4 has a role in protecting lean and fatty livers from ischemic injury. The rapidity of the effect and the clinical availability of Ex4 make this an attractive new therapeutic approach for treating fatty livers at the time of an ischemic insult.
Directions for developmental screening in child welfare based on the ages and stages questionnaires

Abstract Many young children investigated for maltreatment have developmental problems qualifying them for early intervention services, yet only a portion of these children receive such services. To address this gap, all children ages 0–3 with child welfare (CW) substantiated maltreatment in Pennsylvania are screened for developmental and socioemotional problems using the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ). This study views screening results for over 500 children to address whether children's substantiation status, living situation, and administering worker as CW or early intervention (EI) predicts screening rates. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were used. Results showed that 22% of children scored in the problem-range of at least one developmental area and 18% scored in the problem-range of social–emotional concerns warranting EI referral. Results of bivariate analyses showed that children who spent time in the NICU were more likely to have developmental concerns. Socioemotional concerns were related to child race, foster care living situation, child as the subject of the referral, and physical neglect. Older children and children whose referral involved lacking basic needs showed both developmental and socioemotional concerns. There were no significant differences in screening results of children with substantiated versus unsubstantiated maltreatment. Children whose screening was conducted by EI were more than three times as likely to show developmental concerns compared with those screened by CW. Child welfare workers need more support when conducting developmental screening, and policies that limit screening to children with substantiated maltreatment or to children in out-of-home care should be reconsidered.
Biosynthetic processing of the Pro-α1(V)Pro-α2(V)Pro-α3(V) procollagen heterotrimer

Type V collagen is a quantitatively minor fibrillar collagen comprised of different chain compositions in different tissues. The most widely distributed form, an α1(V)2α2(V) heterotrimer, regulates the physical properties of type I/V heterotypic collagen fibrils via partially processed NH2-terminal globular sequences. A less characterized α1(V)α2(V)α3(V) heterotrimer has a much more limited distribution of expression and unknown function(s). We characterized the biosynthetic processing of pro-α1(V)2pro-α2(V) procollagen previously and showed it to differ in important ways from biosynthetic processing of the major fibrillar procollagens I–III. Here we have successfully produced recombinant pro-α1(V)pro-α2(V)pro-α3(V) heterotrimers. We use these, and mouse embryo fibroblasts doubly homozygous null for the Bmp1 gene, which encodes the metalloproteinase bone morphogenetic protein-1 (BMP-1), and for a gene encoding the closely related metalloproteinase mammalian Tolloid-like 1, to characterize biosynthetic processing of pro-α1(V)pro-α2(V)pro-α3(V) heterotrimers, thus completing characterization of type V collagen biosynthetic processing. Whereas pro-α1(V) and pro-α2(V) processing in pro-α1(V)pro-α2(V)pro-α3(V) heterotrimers is similar to that which occurs in pro-α1(V)2pro-α2(V) heterotrimers, the processing of pro-α3(V) by BMP-1 occurs at an unexpected site within NH2-terminal globular sequences. We also demonstrate that, despite similarities in NH2-terminal domain structures, pro-α2(V) NH2-terminal globular sequences are not cleaved by ADAMTS-2, the metalloproteinase that cleaves the N-propeptides of the major fibrillar procollagen chains.
Design for resilience in infrastructure distribution networks

The recognition that resilience is a critical aspect of infrastructure security has caused the national and homeland security communities to ask “How does one ensure infrastructure resilience?” Previous network resilience analysis methods have generally focused on either pre-disruption prevention investments or post-disruption recovery strategies. This paper expands on those methods by introducing a stochastic optimization model for designing network infrastructure resilience that simultaneously considers pre- and post-disruption activities. The model seeks investment–recovery combinations that minimize the overall cost to a distribution network across a set of disruption scenarios. A set of numerical experiments illustrates how changes to disruption scenarios probabilities affect the optimal resilient design investments.
Decomposition Kinetics of the AlH3 Polymorphs

Aluminum hydride polymorphs (α-AlH3, β-AlH3, and γ-AlH3) were prepared by organometallic synthesis. Hydrogen capacities approaching 10 wt % at desorption temperatures less than 100 °C have been demonstrated with freshly prepared AlH3. The temperature-dependent rate constants were determined by measuring the isothermal hydrogen evolution between 60 °C and 140 °C. Fractional decomposition curves showed good fits using both the second and third-order Avrami−Erofeyev equations, indicating that the decomposition kinetics are controlled by nucleation and growth of the aluminum phase in two and three dimensions. The large activation energies measured for the AlH3 polymorphs suggest that the decomposition occurs via an activated complex mechanism with complexes consisting of approximately nine AlH3 molecules (1−2 unit cells for α-AlH3).
Systemic Mycoses—Primary Pathogenic Fungi

Abstract Systemic mycoses are caused by certain species of Deuteromycetes and Schizomycetes. The primary infection occurs in the lung and is acquired by inhaling spores or hyphae. The severity of the infection varies from a subclinical type to a disseminated and often fatal disease. The clinical diagnosis of the infection must be substantiated by morphological demonstration of the fungus in tissues or culture. The mode of therapy is determined by the nature and stage of the infection.
Prevalence of and risk factors for suicide attempts versus suicide gestures: Analysis of the National Comorbidity Survey.

Definitions and classification schemes for suicide attempts vary widely among studies, introducing conceptual, methodological, and clinical problems. We tested the importance of the intent to die criterion by comparing self-injurers with intent to die, suicide attempters, and those who self-injured not to die but to communicate with others, suicide gesturers, using data from the National Comorbidity Survey (n = 5,877). Suicide attempters (prevalence = 2.7%) differed from suicide gesturers (prevalence = 1.9%) and were characterized by male gender, fewer years of education, residence in the southern and western United States; psychiatric diagnoses including depressive, impulsive, and aggressive symptoms; comorbidity; and history of multiple physical and sexual assaults. It is possible and useful to distinguish between self-injurers on the basis of intent to die.
Eccrine angiomatous harmartoma in an infant.

: Eccrine angiomatous hamartoma is a nevoid proliferation of eccrine glands and small vessels. It usually presents as a solitary, slow growing nodule, manifesting at birth or in childhood, which can be accompanied by hyperhidrosis and pain on palpation. We report an occurrence in an otherwise healthy 3-month-old girl who had multiple, asymptomatic, nodular lesions with a linear arrangement localized to the inguinal fold. We also review the literature on adnexal hamartomas of infancy.
Output feedback control of nonlinear two-time-scale systems

This work focuses on dynamic output feedback control of a class of nonlinear singularly perturbed systems. A nonlinear two-time-scale output feedback controller is synthesized which guarantees stability and enforces output tracking in the closed-loop system, provided that the singular perturbation parameter is sufficiently small. The proposed controller is successfully tested on a chemical process modeled by a nonlinear singularly perturbed system with unstable fast dynamics.
A fingertip shear tactile display for communicating direction cues

Fingertip skin stretch has been found by our lab to be a reliable means for communicating direction. This demonstration will consist of two different parts to illustrate this means of communication. The first part of the demonstration will give participants some perspective on the importance of properly selecting stimulus parameters when rendering skin stretch. It will utilize a precision bench-top shear display. This device is a precision Parker X-Y stage that is used to impose fingertip skin stretch shear stimuli with displacements of 0.05–1.00 mm at rates of 0.5–4 mm/s. The second part of the demonstration will utilize a portable fingertip shear display to provide navigation cues to guide participants through the conference center.
Feasibility of determining diffusion characteristics of bioceramics using gamma scintigraphy

This study investigated the feasibility of determining an apparent diffusion coefficient for diffusion of technetium-99m-labeled albumin (MICROLITE/sup R/) through ZCAP (Zinc-Calcium-Phosphorous Oxide) ceramics. Gamma scintigraphy was used for non-invasive observation of diffusion. Data analysis assumed a well-mixed solution, steady-state conditions over the measurement time interval, and passive diffusion as the primary mode of mass transport through the ceramic. Attenuation of 140 keV gamma rays was found to be significant in ZCAP ceramic. Although the data obtained was not adequate to calculate an apparent diffusion coefficient, such a determination appears feasible with modifications to the test protocol.
Treatment of Uncomplicated Gonococcal Urethritis with Cefoxitin: Comparison with Penicillin

Cefoxitin is a semisynthetic cephamycin with good in vitro activity against Neisseria gonorrhoeae. In a controlled clinical trial, 143 men with uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis received either cefoxitin (2.0 g intramuscularly [im] with 1.0 g of oral probenecid) or aqueous procaine penicillin G (4.8 X 106 units im with 1.0 g of oral probenecid). Of the 117 patients who returned for follow-up on days 3-13 after treatment, only 1.8% in the group given cefoxitin and 3.6% in the group given penicillin were not cured. The incidence of pain at the site of injection and rates of adverse reactions were similar for both groups. No hematologic, renal, or hepatic toxicity could be ascribed to either treatment regimen. Although none of the infections were due to P-lactamase-producing gonococci, the results provide a basis for additional studies of the efficacy of cefoxitin in treatment of infections due to penicillinase-producing N. gonorrhoeae. With the emergence of penicillinase (8-lactamase)-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae in 1976, new therapeutic problems have arisen [1, 2]. Although several safe and effective drug regimens have been developed for the treatment of infections due to non-penicillinase-producing gonococci [3, 4], either these drugs (with the exception of spectinomycin) have exhibited prohibitively high rates of failure against penicillinase-producing N. gonorrhoeae or their in vitro activity against the new strains makes their use inadvisable [5]. At present there are no drugs with singlesession regimens recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service for therapy of gonorrhea [6] that might serve as a back-up to spectinomycin should penicillinase-producing N. gonorrhoeae acquire resistance to spectinomycin [5]. Two f/-lactam antibiotics, cefuroxime and cefoxitin, have been mentioned as potentially useful agents in the treatment of infections due to No claim is intended for the utility of cefoxitin in the single-dose therapy of acute, uncomplicated gonorrhea.
Distance approximations for rasterizing implicit curves

In this article we present new algorithms for rasterizing implicit curves, i.e., curves represented as level sets of functions of two variables. Considering the pixels as square regions of the plane, a “correct” algorithm should paint those pixels whose centers lie at less than half the desired line width from the curve. A straightforward implementation, scanning the display array evaluating the Euclidean distance from the center of each pixel to the curve, is impractical, and a standard quad-tree-like recursive subdivision scheme is used instead. Then we attack the problem of testing whether or not the Euclidean distance from a point to an implicit curve is less than a given threshold. For the most general case, when the implicit function is only required to have continuous first-order derivatives, we show how to reformulate the test as an unconstrained global root-finding problem in a circular domain. For implicit functions with continuous derivatives up to order k we introduce an approximate distance of order k. The approximate distance of order k from a point to an implicit curve is asymptotically equivalent to the Euclidean distance and provides a sufficient test for a polynomial of degree k not to have roots inside a circle. This is the main contribution of the article. By replacing the Euclidean distance test with one of these approximate distance tests, we obtain a practical rendering algorithm, proven to be correct for algebraic curves. To speed up the computation we also introduce heuristics, which used in conjunction with low-order approximate distances almost always produce equivalent results. The behavior of the algorithms is analyzed, both near regular and singular points, and several possible extensions and applications are discussed.
k-Anonymization using Multidimensional Suppression for Data De-identification

searching methods have advanced the increased risk of privacy disclosure makes it important to protect privacy of user during data publishing. Many of the algorithms used for the data de-identification are not efficient because resulted dataset can easily linked with the public database and it reveals the users identity. One of the method uses for protecting the privacy of user is to apply anonymization algorithms. TDS and TDR using generalization of method to anonymized the dataset. Major drawback as these algorithm is they requires a manually generated domain hierarchy taxonomy for every quasi-identifier in the data set on which k- anonymity has to be performed. Therefore, in this paper we propose new approach which will makes use of suppression based k-anonymization method to allow data publisher to de- identify datasets and in this method only certain attributes from record are suppressed based on values other attributes. As suppression method is used in algorithm, it does not required manually created taxonomy tree of quasi-identifiers. We applied this algorithm on 3 different data sets to evaluate its accuracy as compared to other k-anonymity generalization algorithms. It is found that predicative performance of this algorithm is better than existing generalization methods. This method is expected to provide privacy and accuracy measures to data publishers.
WH n under pressure

An initial observation of the formation of WH under pressure from W gaskets surrounding hydrogen in diamond anvil cells led to a theoretical study of tungsten hydride phases. At PD 1 atm no stoichiometry is found to be stable with respect to separation into the elements, but as the pressure is raised WHn (nD 1‐6, 8) stoichiometries are metastable or stable. WH and WH4 are calculated to be stable at P> 15 GPa, WH2 becomes stable at P> 100 GPa and WH6 at P> 150 GPa. In agreement with experiment, the structure computed for WH is anti-NiAs. WH2 shares with WH a hexagonal arrangement of tungsten atoms, with hydrogen atoms occupying octahedral and tetrahedral holes. For WH4 the W atoms are in a distorted fcc arrangement. As the number of hydrogens rises, the coordination of W by H increases correspondingly, leading to a twelve-coordinated W in WH6. In WH8 H2 units also develop. All of the hydrides considered should be metallic at high pressure, though the Fermi levels of WH4 and WH6 lie in a deep pseudogap. Prodded by these theoretical studies, experiments were then undertaken to seek phases other than WH, exploring a variety of experimental conditions that would favor further reaction. Though a better preparation and characterization of WH resulted, no higher hydrides have as yet been found.
The Challenge of Political Islam: Non-Muslims and the Egyptian State

The rise of political Islam has provoked considerable debate about the compatibility of democracy, tolerance, and pluralism with the Islamist position. As The Challenge of Political Islam reveals, Egyptian Islamists today are more integrated into the political arena than ever, and are voicing a broad spectrum of positions, including a vision of Islamic citizenship more inclusive of non-Muslims. Based on Islamist writings, political tracts, and interviews with Islamists-including members of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood and other important contemporary thinkers-this book looks closely at how modern, politically-oriented Egyptian Islamists perceive non-Muslims in an Islamic state and how non-Muslims respond. Clarifying the movement's aims, this work uncovers how Islamists have responded to the pressures of modernity, the degree to which the movement has been influenced by both a historical Islamic framework and Western modes of political thinking, and the necessity to reconsider the notion that secularism is a precondition for toleration.
Does size matter

The Department of Health in England has set a clear requirement for all primary care trusts (PCTs) to implement universal practice-based commissioning (PBC) by December 2006. PCTs are trying to do this at the same time as they are setting in motion a process to reconfigure themselves and, as part of a massive restructure, possibly also divest themselves of their provider function.
EFFECTS OF SIMULATED ACTDIC RAIN ON YIELDS OF FIELD‐GROWN SOYBEANS

Summary An experiment was performed during the summer of 1982 to determine the effects of simulated acidic rain on seed yields on two commercial cultivars of soybeans grown according to standard agronomic practices. Plants were shielded from all ambient rainfalls automatically by two amount exclusion covers and exposed to simulated rainfalls m quantities equal to the average amount of rainfall that occurs at the site. Seed yields of cv. Amsoy exposed twice weekly to simulated rain of pH 4.1, 3.3 and 2.7 were, respectively, 3.0, 9.0, and 12.8% below yields of plants exposed to simulated rain of pH 5.6. A treatment-response function of seed yield vs rainfall pH for Amsoy was y= 10.20+0.587 x and had a correlation coefficient of 0.96 (y is seed mass per plant and x is the pH of the simulated rain). For cv, Williams, seed yields of plants exposed to simulated rainfalls of pH 5.6, 4.1, 3 3 and 2.7 were 11.5, 10.5, 11.4 and 11.4 g, respectively. A treatment-response function of seed yield vs rainfall pH for Williams was y= 11.13 + 0.016x which had a correlation coefficient of 0.038. Plants of Amsoy and Williams grown in plots adjacent to the exclusion shelters had mean seed yields of 11.4 and 9.8 g per plant, respectively. Seed yield per plant was dependent upon number of pods per plant because the number of seeds per pod did not vary among treatments for each cultivar.
Participation Shifts: Order and Differentiation in Group Conversation

Conversation is both rule-governed and a venue in which people are differentiated, in how they act and are acted toward. I propose a new framework for the analysis of conversational sequences that captures both aspects simultaneously, based on the concept of participation shift. This refers to the moment-by-moment shuffling of individuals between the "participation statuses" of speaker, target, and unaddressed recipient. An analysis of participation shifts in meetings of thirteen managerial groups reveals the operation of sequential rules that limit who can speak and be addressed in a given turn; several dimensions along which individuals are differentiated in terms of their participation shift involvements; and effects of conversational context on individuals' sequential tendencies. The analysis bridges conversation-analytic concerns with the sequential production of talk and small-group researchers' interest in conversational discrimination and points to several new lines of micro-sociological research.
Preference query evaluation over expensive attributes

Most database systems allow query processing over attributes that are derived at query runtime (e.g., user-defined functions and remote data calls to web services), making them expensive to compute relative to relational data stored in a heap or index. In addition, core support for efficient preference query processing has become an important objective in database systems. This paper addresses an important problem at the intersection of these two query processing objectives: efficient preference query evaluation involving expensive attributes. We explore an efficient framework for processing skyline and multi-objective queries in a database when the data involves a mix of "cheap" and "expensive" attributes. Our solution involves a three-phase approach that evaluates a correct final preference answer while aiming to minimizing the number of expensive attributes computations. Unlike previous works for distributed preference algorithms that assume sorted access over each attribute, our framework assumes expensive attribute requests are stateless, i.e., know nothing previous requests. Thus, the proposed approach is more in line with realistic system architectures. Our framework is implemented inside the query processor of PostgreSQL, and evaluated over both synthetic and real data sets involving computation of expensive attributes over real web-service data (e.g., Microsoft MapPoint).
Complete genome and comparative analysis of the chemolithoautotrophic bacterium Oligotropha carboxidovorans OM5

Oligotropha carboxidovorans OM5 T. (DSM 1227, ATCC 49405) is a chemolithoautotrophic bacterium capable of utilizing CO (carbon monoxide) and fixing CO2 (carbon dioxide). We previously published the draft genome of this organism and recently submitted the complete genome sequence to GenBank. The genome sequence of the chemolithoautotrophic bacterium Oligotropha carboxidovorans OM5 consists of a 3.74-Mb chromosome and a 133-kb megaplasmid that contains the genes responsible for utilization of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen. To our knowledge, this strain is the first one to be sequenced in the genus Oligotropha, the closest fully sequenced relatives being Bradyrhizobium sp. BTAi and USDA110 and Nitrobacter hamburgiensis X14. Analysis of the O. carboxidovorans genome reveals potential links between plasmid-encoded chemolithoautotrophy and chromosomally-encoded lipid metabolism. Comparative analysis of O. carboxidovorans with closely related species revealed differences in metabolic pathways, particularly in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, as well as transport pathways. Oligotropha, Bradyrhizobium sp and Nitrobacter hamburgiensis X14 are phylogenetically proximal. Although there is significant conservation of genome organization between the species, there are major differences in many metabolic pathways that reflect the adaptive strategies unique to each species.
Metasemiotic Regimentation in the Standardization of Nepali Sign Language

Both the linguistic forms attended to and the ways in which they are linked to the social vary within and across language standardization projects. In addition, it cannot be assumed that people will notice the same indexical connections between linguistic forms and social structures or rationalize them in the same ways. An analysis of the project to standardize Nepali Sign Language highlights the fact that it is therefore necessary to account for the processes by which standardization projects attempt to reduce variation not only in the formal properties of language but also in the wider semiotic interpretations of those forms.[Nepal, d/Deaf, standardization, language ideologies, semiotic indeterminacy]