cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MRI retinovascular studies in humans: research in patients with diabetes.

Purpose To review existing applications of MRI for detecting blood–retinal barrier (BRB) damage and retinal oxygenation response abnormalities in patients with diabetes and highlight new information available from such applications. Methods BRB studies were accomplished using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, and the retinal oxygenation response studies were accomplished by monitoring changes in the MRI signal associated with hyperoxic provocation. Participants were patients with diabetes and macular edema, with either no detectable or mild to moderate background retinopathy, as well as non-diabetic individuals of similar age (controls). Single-slice FLASH images were obtained using a Siemens Sonata, 1.5 T together with a Siemens ‘Loop Small’ surface coil fixed in place over the eye. Time-dependent changes in image contrast in the pre-retinal vitreous were quantified, and differences between patients and controls were assessed statistically. Results The BRB breakdown studies showed a significant difference in the temporal evolution of the MRI signal enhancement post-contrast injection between the controls and the patients with diabetic macular edema. The retinal oxygenation studies revealed a supernormal oxygenation response in the pre-retinal vitreous in patients with diabetes who had no evidence of retinopathy, as well as in patients with background diabetic retinopathy. A nasal–temporal asymmetry in the evolution of retinal oxygenation response was found in patients with diabetes that was not present in healthy subjects. Conclusions These studies show that subtle differences in retinovascular function between patients with diabetes and non-diabetic individuals, including changes that occur in advance of the clinical appearance of diabetic retinopathy, can be detected with MRI. These results, together with previous extensive preclinical data, establish MRI as a powerful non-invasive method for measuring spatial and temporal changes in the same key retinovascular metrics in both animals and humans. Wide application of these techniques for diagnosis and evaluation of treatment efficacy in a variety of human retinopathies, including diabetic retinopathy, is expected. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Confounding the critics: The Dohrenwend and colleagues reexamination of the National Vietnam Veteran Readjustment Study

The National Vietnam Veteran Readjustment Study (NVVRS; R. A. Kulka et al., 1988) has been highly influential, but critics argue that the study had several flaws. In this article, the author addresses how the recent NVVRS reevaluation (B. P. Dohrenwend et al., 2006) refutes most of the critic's major concerns including that self-report of exposure to war-zone stressors could not be verified, that PTSD did not require functional impairment, and that PTSD prevalence was too high for a low-intensity war in which relatively few veterans were assigned to combat military operation specialties. The author also addresses misleading statements made by critics discussing the NVVRS, the reevaluation, and related articles. The proper role of science and public policy, the importance of reporting findings accurately, and placing findings in proper perspective are discussed.
Fast pulse design for parallel transmission in MRI using under-determined systems

Spatial tailored RF pulses in parallel transmission can be designed using a spatial domain method under the small-tip-angle approximation. Parallel transmission pulse design problems are normally well conditioned, i.e., over-determined, since data points are from the target excitation pattern, which can be sampled at arbitrary high resolution. However, the computation cost in RF pulses design can be very high, especially for multi-channel three-dimensional pulses. In this work, we propose an efficient method to design parallel RF pulses by using system matrices that are under-determined. Computer simulations show that the proposed method can gain up to 19 times computation speedup while maintaining the excitation accuracy for smooth patterns.
Business writing: Observations and implications for teaching composition

Lee Odell State University of New York at Albany I t is now popular and, apparently, profitable to lament the wretched quality of writing done in business and government. Edwin Newman, for example, surely has done well by writing books and making television appearances in which he delights and horrifies us with examples of inept or deceitful writing. A casual look at some business writing may seem to confirm our worst suspicions. Consider the following examples. The first is excerpted from a memo written by a bookkeeper in an insurance company; the bookkeeper is telling an agent why the agent received less commission than he expected.
Preventing Accidents and Building a Culture of Safety: Insights from a Simulation Model

Work reported herein was supported, in part, by the Singapore Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA).
Upgrade and de novo cardiac resynchronization therapy: Impact of paced or intrinsic QRS morphology on outcomes and survival

Background Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves outcomes in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB), but the benefits of CRT in patients with other QRS morphologies or previous pacing are uncertain. Objective The purpose of this study was to describe outcomes in patients with prior right ventricular pacing and non-LBBB morphologies. Methods We studied 505 patients who underwent de novo CRT (n = 338) or CRT upgrade (n = 167). De novo patients were categorized by underlying QRS morphology: LBBB (67%), right bundle branch block (RBBB; 11%), intraventricular conduction delay (IVCD; 13%), and QRS Results Patients were followed for death over a median of 2.6 years (interquartile range 1.6–4.0). New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and echocardiographic improvements were similar in de novo and upgrade patients. However, within the de novo group, NYHA improvements were less in patients with RBBB (0.3 ± 0.8; P = .014) or IVCD (0.2 ± 0.7; P = .001) than in those with LBBB (0.7 ± 0.8). These patients had less left ventricular functional improvement as well. Survival was comparable after de novo versus upgrade CRT (61% vs 63% at 4 years; P = .906). No clinical or survival differences were noted in upgrade patients based on the percentage of previous pacing. However, survival in de novo CRT recipients with RBBB (32%) was lower than in those with LBBB (66%; P P Conclusion RBBB and IVCD result in less clinical improvement or worsened survival after CRT. Additional selection criteria may be beneficial in identifying potential responders with RBBB, IVCD, or narrow QRS.
Large acquired nevocytic nevi induced by the Koebner phenomenon

A patient with characteristic clinical, histopathological, ultrastructural and family history of epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) developed large acquired nevocytic nevi at the sites of some healing blisters. An isomorphic reaction may have initiated the development of these nevi. Such large acquired nevi should be considered in the differential diagnosis of large and giant congenital nevi which have the potential to evolve into malignant melanoma.
Explaining the “Pulse of Protoplasm”: The search for molecular mechanisms of protoplasmic streaming

Explanations for protoplasmic streaming began with appeals to contraction in the eighteenth century and ended with appeals to contraction in the twentieth. During the intervening years, biologists proposed a diverse array of mechanisms for streaming motions. This paper focuses on the re-emergence of contraction among the molecular mechanisms proposed for protoplasmic streaming during the twentieth century. The revival of contraction is a result of a broader transition from colloidal chemistry to a macromolecular approach to the chemistry of proteins, the recognition of the phenomena of shuttle streaming and the pulse of protoplasm, and the influential analogy between protoplasmic streaming and muscle contraction. Michael R. Dietrich
Contactless microfluidic pumping using microchannel-integrated carbon black composite membranes

The ability to pump and manipulate fluid at the micron-scale is a basic requirement for microfluidic platforms. Many current manipulation methods, however, require expensive and bulky external supporting equipment, which are not typically compatible for portable applications. We have developed a contactless metal electro-osmotic micropump capable of pumping conductive buffers. The pump operates using two pairs of gallium metal electrodes, which are activated using an external voltage source and separated from a main flow channel by a thin micron-scale polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane. The thin contactless membrane allows for field penetration and electro-osmotic flow within the microchannel, but eliminates electrode damage and sample contamination commonly associated with traditional DC electro-osmotic pumps that utilize electrodes in direct contact with the working fluid. Our previous work has demonstrated the effectiveness of this method in pumping deionized water. However, due to the high resistivity of PDMS, this method proved difficult to apply towards manipulating conductive buffers. To overcome this limitation, we fabricated conductive carbon black (CB) powder directly into the contactless PDMS membranes. The increased electrical conductivity of the contactless PDMS membrane significantly increased micropump performance. Using a microfluidic T-channel device and an electro-osmotic flow model, we determined the influence that CB has on pump pressure for CB weight percents varying between 0 and 20. The results demonstrate that the CB increases pump pressure by two orders of magnitude and enables effective operations with conductive buffers.
Optically pumped Silicon laser based on evanescent coupling of Si micro-disk to III–V DBR stack

A Si laser with a Si micro-disk evanescently coupled to a III-V gain medium is proposed. The III-V also functions as a DBR at the gain wavelength to minimize the perturbation of the cavity mode.
Room-temperature preparation and characterization of poly (ethylene glycol)-coated silica nanoparticles for biomedical applications

Monodisperse, spherical, polyethylene glycol (PEG)- coated silica nanoparticles have been prepared at room temperature and characterized for the purpose of bio- medical applications. The particles were synthesized by the hydrolysis of tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS) in alcohol media under catalysis by ammonia, and their size can range from about 50 -350 nm in diameter. We studied the particle size and size distribution using a scanning electron micro- scope (SEM) and an asymmetric field-flow fractionation (AFFF) multiangle static light-scattering instrument. The chemical and/or physical binding of PEG to the silica nano- particles was studied by infrared spectroscopy, and the weight percentage of PEG attached to the particles was quantified. The PEG-coated silica nanoparticles showed en- hanced colloidal stability when redispersed into aqueous solutions from the dried state as a result of the steric stabi- lization function of the PEG polymer grafted on the surface of particles. A nonspecific protein-binding test was also carried out to show that the PEG coating can help reduce the protein adsorption onto the surface of the particles, relating to the biocompatibility of these PEG-coated particles. Also, the inclusion of magnetic nanoparticles into the silica parti- cles was shown as an example of the possible applications of PEG-coated silica particles. These silica nanoparticles, as a matrix for encapsulation of certain reagents, have potential for applications to in vivo diagnosis, analysis, and measure- ments inside intact biologic systems. © 2003 Wiley Periodi- cals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 66A: 870 - 879, 2003
Complex Facial Fractures in the Periorbital Region

(1994). Complex Facial Fractures in the Periorbital Region. Seminars in Ophthalmology: Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 218-228.
POPULAR FILM MEDIA and VIEWERS‘ PREFERENCE FOR INTERIOR DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS:

OBJECTIVE: This exploratory study examines the influence of visual images from the media on viewers, specifically, the influence of popular film media on viewers' preference for interior life-style design characteristics that are defined as exemplifying straight, clean lines and lack of adornment. RESEARCH DESIGN: A pretest/post-test research design was used with 168 subjects. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) determined whether exposure to a popular film video significantly influenced the subjects' preference for life-style design characteristics. ANALYSIS: Analyses were conducted on the total sample (N = 168), low-exposure subjects (N = 75), and high-exposure subjects (N = 93), using 0.05 level of significance as an indicator. In addition, the influence of gender, community size, and age were tested. KEY FINDINGS: Gender, age, and community size were shown to affect the influence of popular film media on preference, especially among women between the ages of 23 and 30. High-exposure viewers preferred life-style design characteristics, and low-exposure viewers preferred traditional design characteristics, which were defined as those that reflected or imitated historical styles. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the visual images in popular film media have a direct influence on viewers' preference for interior design characteristics. Questions arise concerning the influence of popular film media on design education, on its economic effect on the design industry, and on its role in social and cultural issues.
The Structural Basis for the Increased Immunogenicity of Two HIV-Reverse Transcriptase Peptide Variant/Class I Major Histocompatibility Complexes

Designing altered peptide ligands to generate specific immunological reactivity when bound to class I major histocompatibility complexes is important for both therapeutic and prophylactic reasons. We have previously shown that two altered peptides, derived from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-reverse transcriptase (RT) residues 309–317, are more immunogenic in vitro than the wild-type peptide. One peptide variant, I1Y, was able to stimulate RT-specific cytotoxic T cells from the blood of three HIV-infected individuals better than the wild-type RT peptide. Both I1Y and I1F peptide variants increase the cell surface half-life of the peptide-class I complex approximately 3-fold over that of the RT peptide but have different immunological activities. These peptides are candidates for the design of vaccines for HIV due to their increased immunogenicity. To understand the basis for the increased cell surface stability compared with wild-type peptide and to understand the differences in T cell recognition between I1Y and I1F, we determined the x-ray crystal structures of the two class I MHC-peptide complexes. These structures indicate that the increased cell surface half-life is due to π-π stacking interactions between Trp-167 of HLA-A2.1 and the aromatic P1 residues of I1F and I1Y. Comparison of the structures and modeling potential T cell receptor (TCR) interactions suggests that T cell interactions and immunogenicity are different between I1Y and I1F for two reasons. First, subtle changes in the steric and polar properties of the I1Y peptide affect TCR engagement. Second, water-mediated hydrogen bond interactions between the P1-Tyr and the P4-Glu peptide residues increase peptide side chain rigidity of residues critical for TCR engagement.
Tissue-type discrimination in magnetic resonance images

A method developed for classifying each location in a set of magnetic resonance (MR) images by tissue type is described. Three MR images of a region of interest are acquired using spin-echo pulse sequences. The sequences used to acquire these images are specifically defined to allow the calculation of MR-related physical parameters from the image intensity data. After preprocessing operators are applied to the original images, the image intensity data are used to calculate three MR-related parameters of each location. Then, in a supervised training environment, this calculated data set is used with the acquired image data set in a minimum-distance classifier to assign a class-specific color or gray level to each location in the image. Following the classification and formation of the tissue-map image, a set of edge detection routines is applied to generate tissue boundary images for all or a selected-set of tissue types. Experimental results verify that the method is capable of accurately distinguishing between major tissue types in a region of interest. >
Self-aligning electrostatic gripper for assembly of millimeter-sized parts

In this study, the performance of several electrostatic grippers is evaluated. These grippers are designed to align millimeter scale parts to matching electrode geometry on the gripper surface. Friction between the gripper and part is overcome through ultrasonic excitation of the gripper by a piezoceramic element. The effect of different frequencies and amplitudes of excitation on alignment were observed. Additionally, the use of ultrasonic excitation to aid in part release after clamping was investigated. Under ideal conditions, part motion was most frequently observed in certain excitation frequency windows, which correspond to resonant modes of the part-gripper system.
Zinc enrichment in the phreatic ashes of Mt. St. Helens, April 1980

Abstract Micrometer-size condensate particles consisting of zincite (ZnO) with possibly minor zinc silicate occur in the phreatic ashes of Mt. St. Helens that were deposited in early April 1980. Zincite probably results from the reaction between steam, air and magmatic zinc halide. Thermodynamic calculations indicate that oxidation of zinc halide proceeds under the prevailing conditions in the eruption cloud. The zinc enrichment in the phreatic ashes adds evidence to the hypothesis that magmatic vapors were involved in the phreatic eruptions. It appears as if zinc is released from the magma already in the earliest stages of volcanism; monitoring of zinc in fumaroles and hot springs could possibly be helpful in the prediction of volcanic activity.
Chronic nerve compression induces concurrent apoptosis and proliferation of Schwann cells.

Chronic nerve compression (CNC), as in carpal tunnel syndrome, is a common cause of peripheral nerve dysfunction in humans. Previous studies using animal models have demonstrated progressive demyelination and a slowing of nerve conduction velocity. To characterize the Schwann cell response to CNC, we evaluated total Schwann cell number, apoptosis, and proliferation in an animal model of CNC. Design-based stereologic techniques revealed a striking transient increase in Schwann cell number following CNC. Schwann cell number increased sixfold relative to the normal nerve at the site of compression at 1 month and then slowly declined toward control levels. Nevertheless, assays of apoptosis (TUNEL and an antipoly-ADP-ribose polymerase labeling assays) revealed extensive Schwann cell apoptosis at 2 weeks postcompression, which is during the time when Schwann cell number was increasing. Electron microscopic analysis confirmed that these dramatic changes in Schwann cells occurred in the absence of axon degeneration and axonal swelling and before there were any detectable alterations in nerve conduction velocity. Counts of bromodeoxyuridine-labeled Schwann cells revealed that proliferation occurred concurrently with ongoing apoptosis. To define further the possible mitogenic properties of mechanical stimuli on Schwann cells, we used an in-vitro model to deliver shear stress in the form of laminar fluid flow to pure populations of Schwann cells and confirmed that mechanical stimuli induce Schwann cell proliferation. Our findings indicate that chronic nerve compression induces Schwann cell turnover with minimal axonal injury and support the idea that mechanical stimuli have a direct mitogenic effect on Schwann cells.
The Near Background of the Virgo Cluster

Bright galaxies are sparse in the volume of the universe immediately behind the Virgo Cluster out to the Coma/A1367 supercluster at V ⊙ ∼6000 km s−1. All Virgo Cluster Catalog (Binggeli et al. 1985) dwarf irregular galaxies, and all spiral galaxies labelled “member” or “possible member” of the cluster in that catalog, along with most of the “background” spirals, now have HI observations from Arecibo (Helou et al. 1984; Hoffman et al. 1987, 1988 and work in progress), and we can explore the large-scale structure of that void using a fainter sample than has been previously available. All but one of the galaxies in the VCC survey area with 3000 < V ⊙ < 6000 km s−1. lie in a well-defined filamentary structure as shown in Fig. 1, which plots the positions on the sky of all VCC galaxies with known velocities in the range 3000 < V ⊙ < 6000 km s−1. There are no galaxies with 3000 < V ⊙ < 3500 km s−1. The symbols indicate V ⊙ triangles indicate 3500 < V ⊙ < 4000 km s−1, and the symbol acquires an additional side for each additional 500 km s−1. The circle represents a 5° cluster core, and the irregular boundary shows the limits of the VCC survey. All galaxy types are represented, and the shape of the luminosity function is quite similar to that for the Virgo Cluster itself. (There is no preponderance of dwarf galaxies unless a substantial number of dwarf elliptical galaxies, few of which have redshifts measured as yet, should turn out to lie at these velocities.)
Sound Generation by a Rotor Ingesting a Casing Turbulent Boundary Layer

A new formulation for predicting the noise generated by a ducted rotor interacting with a casing boundary layer has been developed. The method accounts for the streamwiseelongated turbulent structures that have been recently observed in ∞at-plate boundary layers. These structures have been measured to have streamwise lengths on the order of 20‐, which is long enough to cause unsteady lift that is correlated between rotor blades. An analytical relation between the rotor unsteady lift and the two-point correlation of upwash velocity provides a link between the elongated turbulent structures and the sound radiated by the ducted rotor. A simple model for the true two-point correlation function in the duct boundary layer allows for the unsteady lift to be estimated. The predicted unsteady lift spectrum matches an experimentally determined spectrum within … §4 dB up to about flve times the blade passing frequency.
Computer Network Fundamentals

The basic ideas in all types of communication are that there must be three ingredients for the communication to be effective. First, there must be two entities, dubbed a sender and a receiver. These two must have something they need to share. Second, there must be a medium through which the sharable item is channeled. This is the transmission medium. Finally, there must be an agreed-on set of communication rules or protocols. These three apply to every category or structure of communication.
Chromatin Immunoprecipitation for Determining the Association of Proteins with Specific Genomic Sequences In Vivo

Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) is a powerful and widely applied technique for detecting the association of individual proteins with specific genomic regions in vivo. Live cells are treated with formaldehyde to generate protein-protein and protein- DNA cross-links between molecules in close proximity on the chromatin template in vivo. DNA sequences that cross-link with a given protein are selectively enriched and reversal of the formaldehyde cross-link permits recovery and quantitative analysis of the immunoprecipitated DNA. As formaldehyde inactivates cellular enzymes essentially immediately upon addition to cells, ChIP provides snapshots of protein-protein and protein- DNA interactions at a particular time point, and hence is useful for kinetic analysis of events occurring on chromosomal sequences in vivo. In addition, ChIP can be combined with microarray technology to identify the location of specific proteins on a genome-wide basis. This unit describes the ChIP protocol for Saccharomyces cerevisiae; however, it is also applicable to other organisms.
Red blood cell Na+/H+ exchange activity is insulin resistant in hypertensive patients

A number of ion transport defects have been described in human red blood cells (RBC) from patients with essential hypertension. Insulin resistance is also frequently present in hypertensive patients and insulin levels in vitro correlate with red blood cell Na+/H+ exchange (NHE) activity. We studied the kinetics of insulin-stimulated NHE activity in freshly isolated RBC from 14 patients with essential hypertension and 8 normotensive subjects. We measured an estimate of maximal activity (Vmax) for NHE activity as net Na+ influx driven by an outward H+ gradient in acid-loaded and Na+-depleted erythrocytes. NHE activity was significantly greater in hypertensives than in normotensives (22.0 vs 14.5 mmol/L cell x h, respectively; P<0.01). When RBC were pre-incubated with a physiologic dose of insulin (100 microU/mL), NHE activity increased significantly in both groups but the increase was greater in normotensives than in hypertensives (9.6 vs 8.5 mmol/L cell x h, respectively; P < 0.05). Phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3 kinase) inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294,002, had no effect on basal NHE activity but similarly and significantly inhibited insulin-stimulated NHE activity in both normal and hypertensive subjects. Insulin increased the Km for extracellular Na+ in normotensive subjects but not in hypertensive patients. In addition, the dose response curve for insulin and NHE activity showed that the curve for hypertensive patients was shifted rightward in relation to the normotensive subjects. These data suggest that insulin stimulates RBC NHE activity in vitro and this activation is mediated via a pathway that includes activation of PI-3 kinase. Hypertensive patients have elevated basal NHE activity but a blunted response to insulin suggesting that RBC may be a model to study insulin resistance in essential hypertensive patients.
Numerical Simulation of the 9 10 June 1972 Black Hills Storm Using CSU RAMS

Strong easterly flow of low-level moist air over the eastern slopes of the Black Hills on 9-10 June 1972 generated a storm system that produced a flash flood, devastating the area. Based on observations from this storm event, and also from the similar Big Thompson 1976 storm event, conceptual models have been developed to explain the unusually high precipitation efficiency. In this study, the Black Hills storm is simulated using the Colorado State University Regional Atmospheric Modeling System. Simulations with homogeneous and inhomogeneous initializations and different grid structures are presented. The conceptual models of storm structure proposed by previous studies are examined in light of the present simulations. Both homogeneous and inhomogeneous initialization results capture the intense nature of the storm, but the inhomogeneous simulation produced a precipitation pattern closer to the observed pattern. The simulations point to stationary tilted updrafts, with precipitation falling out to the rear as the preferred storm structure. Experiments with different grid structures point to the importance of removing the lateral boundaries far from the region of activity. Overall, simulation performance in capturing the observed behavior of the storm system was enhanced by use of inhomogeneous initialization.
Balance and Eye Movement Training to Improve Gait in People With Progressive Supranuclear Palsy: Quasi-Randomized Clinical Trial

Background and Purpose: Although vertical gaze palsy and gait instability are cardinal features of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), little research has been done to address oculomotor and gait rehabilitation for PSP. The purpose of this study was to compare the benefits of a program of balance training complemented with eye movement and visual awareness training versus balance training alone to rehabilitate gait in people with PSP. Participants: Nineteen people moderately affected by the disease were assigned to either a treatment group (balance plus eye movement exercises, n=10) or a comparison group (balance exercises only, n=9) in a quasi-random fashion. Methods: The baseline characteristics assessed were diagnosis (possible versus probable), sex, age, time of symptom onset, dementia, and severity of symptoms. Within-group, between-group, and effect size analyses were performed on kinematic gait parameters (stance time, swing time, and step length) and clinical tests (8-ft [2.4-m] walk test and Timed “Up & Go” Test). Results: The within-group analysis revealed significant improvements in stance time and walking speed for the treatment group, whereas the comparison group showed improvements in step length only. Moderate to large effects of the intervention were observed for the treatment group, and small effects were observed for the comparison group. The between-group analysis did not reveal significant changes for either group. Discussion and Conclusion: These preliminary findings support the use of eye movement exercises as a complementary therapy for balance training in the rehabilitation of gait in people with PSP and moderate impairments. Additional studies powered at a higher level are needed to confirm these results.
Preservice Music Teachers' Perceptions of Fieldwork Experiences in a Special Needs Classroom

The purpose of this study was to examine phenomenologically a special needs fieldwork experience through the perceptions of seven participants. All of the participants were a part of a long-term fi...
Improving signal to noise in labeled biological specimens using energy-filtered TEM of sections with a drift correction strategy and a direct detection device.

Energy filtered transmission electron microscopy techniques are regularly used to build elemental maps of spatially distributed nanoparticles in materials and biological specimens. When working with thick biological sections, EELS techniques involving core-loss electrons often require exposures exceeding several minutes to provide sufficient signal to noise. Image quality with these long exposures is often compromised by specimen drift, which results in blurring and reduced resolution. To mitigate drift artifacts, a series of short exposure images can be acquired, aligned, and merged to form a single image. For samples where the target elements have extremely low signal yields, the use of CCD based detectors for this purpose can be problematic. At short acquisition times, the images produced by CCDs can be noisy and may contain fixed pattern artifacts that impact subsequent correlative alignment. Here we report on the use of direct electron detection devices (DDD’s) to increase the signal to noise as compared to CCD’s. A 3x improvement in signal is reported with a DDD vs. a comparably formatted CCD, with equivalent dose on each detector. With the fast rolling-readout design of the DDD, the duty cycle provides a major benefit, as there is no dead time between successive frames.
Principal-component-based population structure adjustment in the North American Rheumatoid Arthritis Consortium data: impact of single-nucleotide polymorphism set and analysis method

Population structure occurs when a sample is composed of individuals with different ancestries and can result in excess type I error in genome-wide association studies. Genome-wide principal-component analysis (PCA) has become a popular method for identifying and adjusting for subtle population structure in association studies. Using the Genetic Analysis Workshop 16 (GAW16) NARAC data, we explore two unresolved issues concerning the use of genome-wide PCA to account for population structure in genetic associations studies: the choice of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) subset and the choice of adjustment model. We computed PCs for subsets of genome-wide SNPs with varying levels of LD. The first two PCs were similar for all subsets and the first three PCs were associated with case status for all subsets. When the PCs associated with case status were included as covariates in an association model, the reduction in genomic inflation factor was similar for all SNP sets. Several models have been proposed to account for structure using PCs, but it is not yet clear whether the different methods will result in substantively different results for association studies with individuals of European descent. We compared genome-wide association p-values and results for two positive-control SNPs previously associated with rheumatoid arthritis using four PC adjustment methods as well as no adjustment and genomic control. We found that in this sample, adjusting for the continuous PCs or adjusting for discrete clusters identified using the PCs adequately accounts for the case-control population structure, but that a recently proposed randomization test performs poorly.
In vitro and in vivo reprogramming for the conduction system.

Many human diseases appear to affect discrete cell types in very specific ways. The fundamental concept underlying cellular reprogramming is the idea that if it were feasible to reprogram an unaffected cell type to take over the function of the affected cell type this then would facilitate the therapy of a large number of such diseases. In this way, scar fibroblasts might be reprogrammed to become cardiomyocytes after a myocardial infarction or working myocytes might be reprogrammed to become conduction system cells in the setting of nodal or His-Purkinje disease. While until recently, the notion of one cell type being directed to a distinct fate in a regulated manner might have been fanciful, the discovery of methods to reprogram fully differentiated cells like skin fibroblasts to truly pluripotent stem cells has led to a surge of interest in controlled reprogramming to address a wide range of clinical problems. The experimental strategies being explored will not only address the core determinants of cell fate [1], but also the feasibility of early therapeutic applications and even the possibility of definitive regeneration for adult human myocardium.
Breaking Up Marital Assets: 'A Balance Sheet Act'

A compilation of the assets for a marital estate can provide an essential mechanism to identify marital property vs. separate property. This type of balance sheet is prepared using similar methodology as a balance sheet prepared in a financial statement for an operating business. The similarities lie in the use of analogous categories including assets, liabilities, and equity (net worth). However, a marital balance sheet is assembled using current market value as opposed to historical cost.
A New Investigation of Tetrahydrofuran-Based Polyether Glycols in Urethane Elastomers

Abstract Random copolyether glycols with 50 mole % EO and low cyclic ether content represent novel soft segments for polyurethanes, and have some advantages over the other soft segments as shown in Table V. THF/EO copolyether glycols are easier to handle and to process because they are liquids at room temperature and exhibit lower viscosities and better diol compatibility. Physical properties of polyurethanes made from THF/EO copolyether glycols are comparable to those made from other soft segments; the hydrolytic stability and low temperature behavior are superior to polyester and polycaprolactone glycols, and solvent/oil resistance is better than PTMEG. THF/EO copolyether glycol is a replacement for PTMEG only with reformulation; it could be considered for applications which require better solvent/oil resistance or easier handling and processability.
Suitability of native North American Rutaceae to serve as host plants for the Asian citrus psyllid (Hemiptera: Liviidae)

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, a vector of citrus huanglongbing, is now present in all citrus-producing states in the USA and Mexico. In addition to citrus, the insect can reproduce on several other plant species in the Rutaceae family; orange jasmine (Murraya spp.) and curry leaf (Bergera koenigii) are among its preferred hosts. There are several indigenous Rutaceae species in North America, and some are popular ornamentals. A study was therefore initiated to determine the suitability of some of these plants for feeding and development of the psyllid in choice and no-choice experiments. D. citri was found to reproduce successfully on Choisya ternata, C. arizonica and Helietta parvifolia in no-choice tests, but preferentially selected orange jasmine and curry leaf for feeding and reproduction, in choice tests. On Amyris madrensis, A. texana and Zanthoxylum fagara, adult psyllids laid eggs which hatched, but no successful nymphal development was recorded beyond the first instars. No oviposition was recorded on Esenbeckia berlandieri, Ptelea trifoliata and Casimiroa tetrameria, although adult psyllids were able to survive on these species for several days. Results showed that C. ternata, C. arizonica and H. parvifolia can serve host plants of D. citri and this constitutes the first report of these plants serving as host for D. citri. The findings of the present study suggest that native rutaceous host plants can serve as host plants and thus affect D. citri population dynamics and the epidemiology of Huanglongbing, the deadly citrus greening disease whose pathogen is vectored by D. citri. Thus, area-wide management of this pest also should target these riparian habitats where these host plants are present with D. citri biological control agents for sustainable management of this pest.
Trajectory Inefficiency Metric for Measuring Operational Performance of Flights in the National Airspace System

This paper presents a metric for measuring inefficiencies in flight trajectories that can be managed through Air Traffic Control (ATC) actions. Development of the prototype metric builds on prior international research. This paper shows that a similar metric can be developed, calibrated, and used to assess the operational efficiency of flights in the National Airspace System. The trajectory inefficiency metric estimates, for a large set of flights, the impact of various maneuvers observed from 4D flight trajectories on the resulting flight fuel efficiency. Several designs for the metric are explored. One advantage of using trajectory inefficiency scores is the relative ease of computation without requiring significant data inputs, assumptions, and modeling capabilities. The trajectory inefficiency metric does not eliminate the need for high fidelity flight fuel burn models; however, its simple design allows it to be useful for a variety of analyses and performance assessments.
ALLIANCE FORMATION PROPENSITY IN THE GLOBAL CHEMICAL-PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY.

Alliance strategy increasingly uses an entire industry network, rather than examining dyadic relationships, as the unit of analysis. This paper proposes a model which predicts the propensity of any...
Energy Expenditure and Caloric Balance After Burn: Increased Feeding Leads to Fat Rather Than Lean Mass Accretion

A well-described array of metabolic derangements occurs after severe trauma or burn. This response includes hyperdynamic circulation, fever due to resetting of the hypothalamic temperature set point, immune deficiency, impaired wound healing, peripheral insulin resistance, alteration of hepatic protein synthesis, skeletal muscular protein catabolism, and elevated systemic energy expenditure. 1–9 During the flow phase after injury, survivors manifest a hyperdynamic circulation and begin to overtly display other systemic manifestations of global hypermetabolism. 10 Defects of both cellular and humoral immune function increase the likelihood of infection, hepatic protein synthesis shifts from storage and housekeeping proteins to acute phase response proteins, peripheral tissue insulin resistance with hyperglycemia occurs, and catabolism of proteins stores (predominantly skeletal muscle) leads to erosion of lean body mass. Fluxes of substrate fuels are altered with glucose, fat, and amino acids being supplied to the wound from hepatic gluconeogenesis, lipolysis, and auto-catabolized muscle protein. With the exception of circulatory physiologic parameters, these diverse systemic alterations are difficult to quantify. Associated with the hypermetabolic response is elevation in systemic energy expenditure. 11 This has been shown to correlate with the degree of muscle protein catabolism, impaired wound healing, and immune deficiency. 12-14 Resting energy expenditure as a correlate to total energy expenditure can be measured relatively easily at the bedside utilizing indirect calorimetry. Resting energy expenditure is determined from inspired and expired gases, measuring oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production. It is noninvasive, reproducible, and immediately quantifiable (results are usually obtained within minutes). The general correlation between elevated energy expenditure and muscle catabolism has led to the notion that energy expenditure determines energy demand, which is required to offset catabolism. These demands, then, are met through the dietary delivery of calories. We hypothesize that muscle catabolism proceeds after severe burn regardless of caloric balance (caloric administration –measured energy expenditure). The goal of this study was twofold. First, we sought to determine the clinical relevance of elevated energy expenditure after burn, specifically whether elevated energy expenditure correlated with increased morbidity or mortality in the setting of severe burn. Second, we sought to determine whether energy expenditure could be used to define caloric demand to optimize attenuation of erosion of lean body mass. Our hypotheses were that 1) systemic energy expenditure is reflective of the degree of illness increasing to a point of exhaustion, after which decreases would correlate with mortality; and that 2) no optimal energy/caloric balance exists that abolishes catabolism of lean mass when at least 1.2 times the measured resting energy expenditure is delivered.
Redundant Color Coding and Keeping-Track Performance

An investigation was conducted to determine if performance on a keeping-track task could be enhanced by redundantly coding the displayed information channels that were being updated. At set intervals, the subject was interrogated about the status of any one of the information channels. The information consisted of numbers, colors, or numbers on a colored background, the last being the redundantly coded material. The three variables studied were channel value, payoff ratio, and coding condition. Results indicated that redundant coding did not aid performance; rather, it provided the subjects extra cues and increased the number of strategies that were used. As in previous studies, selective attention to the high-valued channels was a function of channel value and payoff ratio.
363 ADHERENCE TO AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS AT OUR TEACHING INSTITUTION.

Introduction Urinary tract infection (UTI) is becoming a more common cause of bacterial infection for febrile illness in children. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) developed “practice guidelines” for the management of UTI in children in 1999. The aim of this study was to evaluate the uniformity of adherence to AAP guidelines at our teaching institution. Methods The medical records of 405 patients (age 0-16 years) were retrospectively reviewed from the outpatient clinic, emergency room, and inpatient unit. Of these, 104 patients met the criteria. Data collected included age, gender, age of first UTI, presenting symptoms, method of urine collection, urinalysis, Gram stain, urine culture, repeat culture, imaging studies including renal ultrasonography (RUS), voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG), and treatment prescribed. UTI was defined as > 50,000 cfu/mL for catheterized specimens and > 105 cfu/mL for clean catch specimens. Results Overall, adherence to guidelines was as high as 97.1% in performance of urinalysis and 61% in imaging studies and 51% in urine Gram stains. The majority of patients who were tested for UTI presented with fever and 70% of urine specimens were collected by transurethral catheterization. The route of antibiotic administration for treatment of UTIs was exclusively parenteral in 12.5% of patients (mostly neonates Conclusion We conclude that there is great adherence to AAP guidelines for diagnosis of UTI, but there was less adherence to recommendations for renal imaging. Future studies to improve patient follow-up, financial coverage to improve access to care, and education of primary care providers to adherence of guidelines may increase the quality of care for children with UTI.
Epidemiological characteristics of student cases with pulmonary tuberculosis in Yuyao district 2005-2011

Objective To analyze the characteristics of the student cases with pulmonary tuberculosis,in order to provide the basis for tuberculosis prevention and control measures in school.Methods The information of student cases with pulmonary tuberculosis during 2005-2011extracted from the Tuberculosis Management Information System was analyzed by descriptive epidemiological method,and treatment delay and segregation time were obtained by a retrospective investigation.Results 114cases of tuberculosis were reported from 2005to 2011.The reported incidence was 8.17/lakh.Males were much more than females and most of them were in 15-19age group.In terms of onset time,there were peaks in February,April-June.The rate of treatment delay was 40%.Conclusions The epidemic situation of tuberculosis in Yuyao city among students is serious. Work of tuberculosis control should be strengthened in order to prevent the spread of tuberculosis in school.
Effect of Global Fund Malaria Control Project in Junlian County,Sichuan Province in 2003-2006

Objective To analyse the effect and execution of the malaria control project of the Global Fund in Junlian from 2003 to 2006,so as to provide scientific basis for intensifing the control of the malaria.Methods Based on the requirements of the malaria project,comprehensive malaria control measures including case i- dentification and radical treatment,the hcalth education and training for doctors were carried out.The most important strategy is to eliminate the infection source timely.Results In 2006,the malaria incidence was 0.49/10 000,while it was 1.66/10 000 in 2002,with a reduction rate of 70.48%.The annual positive rates of blood examination in febrile cases decreased from 0.45% to 0.07%,with a reduction rate of 84.44%. The townships where the cases distributed reduced from 13 to 3.Conclusion After 4 years execution of malaria control project of the Global Fund,the malaria control effect is obvious in Junlian County.The health educa- tion,self-protection and disease prevention consciousness among masses should be continuously strengthened. It is important to enhance the diagnostic ability of medical staff at grass-roots.
Investigation of Ice Disaster in 2008 and Research on Deicing in Guangdong Power Grid

The extreme weather that caused the serious ice disaster in northern Guangdong in 2008 and the damaged equipment in power grid are comprehensively investigated.According to the icing sampling,ice coverage area,radial thickness of ice and originally designed ice thickness in northern Guangdong grid,the types,condition and causation of damaged line supports,ground wires,insulators and fittings are analyzed.Some proposals are offered,including paying attention to routing of new and rebuilt lines in Guangdong power grid,improving permission design limit and developing effective deicing means.
Cultural Formulation and Comprehensive Diagnosis: Clinical and Research Perspectives

The Cultural Formulation constitutes a distillation of the new cross-cultural psychiatry, designed by the NIMH Culture and Diagnosis Group, and incorporated into DSM-IV as one of its significant innovations. The role of the Cultural Formulation in clinical care, training, and research can be better understood and its impact extended when considered within the framework of a comprehensive diagnostic model.