cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Utility of Noninvasive Type 2 Inflammatory Markers for Prediction of Severe Asthma Exacerbations in Children and Adolescents

Background Noninvasive markers of type 2 inflammation are needed to identify children and adolescents who might benefit from personalized biologic therapy. Objective We hypothesized that blood eosinophil counts would predict 1 or more acute visits for asthma and that prediction could be improved with the addition of a second, noninvasive type 2 inflammatory biomarker. Methods Children and adolescents 5 to 21 years (N = 589) with an asthma exacerbation necessitating systemic corticosteroid treatment in the previous year completed a characterization visit and telephone calls at 6 and 12 months. The primary outcome was an acute visit for asthma with receipt of systemic corticosteroids. Acute visits were verified by medical record review. Exploratory outcomes included time to first acute visit and hospitalization. Results Acute visits occurred in 106 (35.5%) children and 72 (24.8%) adolescents. Elevated blood eosinophils were associated with increased odds and shorter time to first acute visit, but optimal cut-points differed by age (≥150 vs ≥300 cells/μL for children vs adolescents, respectively). The addition of a second marker of type 2 inflammation did not improve prediction in children, but increased the odds and hazard of an acute visit up to 16.2% and 11.9%, respectively, in adolescents. Similar trends were noted for hospitalizations. Conclusions Blood eosinophils and other noninvasive markers of type 2 inflammation may be useful in the clinical assessment of children and adolescents with asthma. However, features of type 2 inflammation vary by age. Whether children and adolescents also respond differently to management of type 2 inflammation is unclear and warrants further evaluation.
An examination of cross-cultural experiences on developing culturally responsive teacher candidates

As the P-12 student landscape continues to grow in cultural and linguistic diversity, teacher preparation programs have yet to adequately prepare teacher candidates’ teaching and learning skills in meeting the academic and socio-emotional needs of diverse student demographics. This article examines teacher candidates’ cultural competence and cultural responsiveness to enhance candidates’ educator preparation and stimulate candidates’ personal growth development as developing culturally and linguistically responsive new teachers. While many teacher preparation programs require one multicultural or diversity education course, the authors examine a Minority Serving Institution’s integration of a cultural immersion experience for teacher candidates as one way of supporting their development as culturally and linguistically sustaining pedagogues. This paper aims at supporting school districts’ need of culturally competent new teachers who have the content knowledge and pedagogy to teach and support culturally and linguistically diverse children. Recognizing this need, this qualitative analysis highlights the importance of and a need for cultural and linguistic competence among teacher candidates. Findings from this study provides a means by which universities can implement cross-cultural coursework and field-based experiences to prepare culturally responsive teacher candidates.
Reassessing Sampling Bias in Climate-Conflict Research

Is research into the links between climate change and conflict biased, and does this bias undermine our ability to draw conclusions about climate-conflict links? Adams et al. (2018, henceforth AIBD) argue the literature on climate-conflict links suffers from endemic sample selection bias. Because of this, the literature overstates links between climate change and conflict. In this article, we revisit the issue of sampling bias in climate-conflict research using a broader measure of scholarly interest based on bibliometric data from Google Scholar searches of some leading journals in the climate-conflict literature. We find i) weaker evidence of sampling on the dependent variable (armed conflict), but some sampling on types of conflict that fit with posited mechanisms and conflict typologies in the climate-conflict literature, and argue that some oversampling of conflict-prone cases may be a warranted; ii) researchers are sampling on the independent variable, with countries more exposed to climate stress receiving more attention; and iii) even stronger evidence of a streetlight effect, with former British colonies and countries of more general interest to scholars and the international community — as proxied by country-specific studies indexed by the Library of Congress and UNESCO World Heritage Sites — receiving greater attention. Thus, our findings both confirm and challenge existing conclusions in the debate over sampling bias in climate-conflict research. While researchers are sampling on climate change stress, the streetlight effect is stronger than previously suggested. This streetlight effect poses significant challenges for research and policy communities: how confidently can we generalize from well-studied cases? Does the streetlight effect diminish our ability to identify the specific economic, political, and social contexts in which climate-related conflicts occur? And finally, should funding agencies take the accumulating evidence for a streetlight effect into account when making funding decisions and prioritizing particular countries and world regions?
Patient portal message characteristics and reported thoughts of self-harm and suicide: A retrospective cohort study.

IntroductionAs use of electronic portal communication with healthcare teams increases, processes that effectively recognize messages that contain critical information are needed. This study aims to...
Wide-field amacrine cell inputs to ON parasol ganglion cells in macaque retina

Parasol cells are one of the major types of primate retinal ganglion cells. The goal of this study was to describe the synaptic inputs that shape the light responses of the ON type of parasol cells, which are excited by increments in light intensity. A connectome from central macaque retina was generated by serial blockface scanning electron microscopy. Six neighboring ON parasol cells were reconstructed, and their synaptic inputs were analyzed. On average, they received 21% of their input from bipolar cells, excitatory local circuit neurons receiving input from cones. The majority of their input was from amacrine cells, local circuit neurons of the inner retina that are typically inhibitory. Their contributions to the neural circuit providing input to parasol cells are not well-understood, and the focus of this study was on the presynaptic wide-field amacrine cells, which provided 17% of the input to ON parasol cells. These are GABAergic amacrine cells with long, relatively straight dendrites, and sometimes also axons, that run in a single, narrow stratum of the inner plexiform layer. The presynaptic wide-field amacrine cells were reconstructed, and two types were identified based on their characteristic morphology. One presynaptic amacrine cell was identified as semilunar type 2, a polyaxonal cell that is electrically coupled to ON parasol cells. A second amacrine was identified as wiry type 2, a type known to be sensitive to motion. These inputs likely make ON parasol cells more sensitive to stimuli that are rapidly changing outside their classical receptive fields.
How to see the Milky Way

Working out what our galaxy looks like is akin to solving a murder mystery – good sleuthing is needed to combine all of the clues, writes Chanda Prescod-Weinstein
Predictive Value of Time-Space Clusters for HIV Transmission in Washington State, 2017-2019.

BACKGROUND Pillar 4 of the United States' End the HIV Epidemic plan is to respond quickly to HIV outbreaks, but the utility of CDC's tool for identifying HIV outbreaks through time-space cluster detection has not been evaluated. The objective of this evaluation is to quantify the ability of the CDC time-space cluster criterion to predict future HIV diagnoses and to compare it to a space-time permutation statistic implemented in SaTScan software. SETTING Washington State from 2017 to 2019. METHODS We applied both cluster criteria to incident HIV cases in Washington State to identify clusters. Using a repeated-measures Poisson model, we calculated a rate ratio comparing the 6 months after cluster detection with a baseline rate from 24 to 12 months before the cluster was detected. We also compared the demographics of cases within clusters with all other incident cases. RESULTS The CDC criteria identified 17 clusters containing 192 cases in the 6 months after cluster detection, corresponding to a rate ratio of 1.25 (95% confidence interval: 0.95 to 1.65) relative to baseline. The time-space permutation statistic identified 5 clusters containing 25 cases with a rate ratio of 2.27 (95% confidence interval: 1.28 to 4.03). Individuals in clusters identified by the new criteria were more likely to be of Hispanic origin (61% vs 20%) and in rural areas (51% vs 12%). CONCLUSIONS The space-time permutation cluster analysis is a promising tool for identification of clusters with the largest growth potential for whom interruption may prove most beneficial.
Predictors of respiratory bacterial co-infection in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

The primary objectives were to determine the prevalence of and identify variables associated with respiratory bacterial co-infection in COVID-19 inpatients. Secondary outcomes included length of stay and in-hospital mortality. Eighty-two (11.2%) of 735 COVID-19 inpatients had respiratory bacterial co-infection. Fifty-seven patients met inclusion criteria and were matched to three patients lacking co-infection (N = 228 patients). Patients with co-infection were more likely to receive antibiotics [57 (100%) vs 130 (76%), P < 0.0001] and for a longer duration [19 (13-33) vs 8 (4-13) days, P < 0.0001]. The multi-variable logistic regression model revealed risk factors of respiratory bacterial co-infection to be admission from SNF/LTAC/NH (AOR 6.8, 95% CI 2.6-18.2), severe COVID-19 (AOR 3.03, 95% CI 0.78-11.9), and leukocytosis (AOR 3.03, 95% CI 0.99-1.16). Although respiratory bacterial co-infection is rare in COVID-19 inpatients, antibiotic use is common. Early recognition of respiratory bacterial coinfection predictors in COVID-19 inpatients may improve empiric antibiotic prescribing.
The Quantum Revolution in Philosophy (Book Review)

In this thought-provoking book, Richard Healey proposes a new interpretation of quantum theory inspired by pragmatist philosophy. Healey puts forward the interpretation as an alternative to realist quantum theories on the one hand such as Bohmian mechanics, spontaneous collapse theories, and many-worlds interpretations, which are different proposals for describing what the quantum world is like and what the basic laws of physics are, and non-realist interpretations on the other hand such as quantum Bayesianism, which proposes to understand quantum theory as describing agents' subjective epistemic states. The central idea of Healey's proposal is to understand quantum theory as providing not a description of the physical world but a set of authoritative and objectively correct prescriptions about how agents should act. The book provides a detailed development and defense of that idea, and it contains interesting discussions about a wide range of philosophical issues such as representation, probability, explanation, causation, objectivity, meaning, and fundamentality. Healey's project is at the intersection of physics and philosophy. The book is divided into two parts. Part I of the book discusses the foundational questions in quantum theory from the perspective of the prescriptive interpretation. In Part II, Healey discusses the philosophical implications of the view. Both parts are written in a way that is largely accessible to non-specialists. In this brief book review, I will focus on two questions: (1) How does Healey's idea work? (2) What reasons are there to believe in it?
Mobile Wellhead Analyzer for the Determination of Unstable Constituents in Oil-Field Waters

A brine analyzer was designed that measures hydrogen ion concentration, redox potential (Eh), oxygen, conductivity, sulfide ion (S--), HCO/sup -3/, and carbon dioxide in oil-field water at the wellhead. When oil-field brine samples are collected in the field and transported to the laboratory for analysis, many of the unstable constituents change in concentration. The amounts of the constituents in the original sample. Thus, an analysis of the brine at the wellhead is necessary to obtain reliable data. 10 refs.
Automatic Parallelization for Non-cache Coherent Multiprocessors

Although much work has been done on parallelizing compilers for cache coherent shared memory multiprocessors and message-passing multiprocessors, there is relatively little research on parallelizing compilers for non-cache coherent multiprocessors with global address space. In this paper, we present a preliminary study on automatic parallelization for the Cray T3D, a commercial scalable machine with a global memory space and non-coherent caches.
Galanin-1 receptor up-regulation mediates the excess colonic fluid production caused by infection with enteric pathogens.

Galanin-1 receptor up-regulation mediates the excess colonic fluid production caused by infection with enteric pathogens
Andrew Taylor Still and the Mayo brothers: convergence and collaboration in 21st-century osteopathic practice.

Two visionary models of healthcare founded on similar principles and honoring the primacy of the patient emerged from late 19th-century American frontier medicine. Their approaches differed, however. While the Mayo Model of Care emphasized a team approach to solving "a problem," Dr Still's model of osteopathy took an integrative approach attuned to the specific needs of the body's various systems. The author suggests that it is time to innovatively renew Dr Still's original model of patient care by incorporating some of the time-tested and popular features of the Mayo Model of Care. The author further discusses the advantage osteopathic physicians have over their allopathic counterparts as medical care moves from an organ-specific model to a cellular, molecular, and genetic model-adding that there is a potential for even greater possibilities for osteopathic medicine when osteopathic principles are applied to larger societal problems.
Learning-Oriented Assessment: The Proficiency Dimension

The proficiency dimension of the learning-oriented assessment (LOA) framework addresses the specific linguistic and content knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) possessed by L2 learners – it is the substance, or the “what” of teaching and learning. It raises questions such as: What do learners know? What are they expected to know? What do they actually know? (Turner & Purpura, 2015). Proficiency is often conceptualized through theoretical models of L2 ability, such as Lado’s (1961) “Skills-and-Elements” model, Bachman and Palmer’s (1996) model of communicative language ability, and Purpura’s (2004) conceptualization of L2 Proficiency. These proficiency models attempt to identify how KSAs are situated in the minds of learners. In addition to these models, the proficiency dimension also examines the dynamic role of learner proficiency by asking how KSAs change and may be tracked over time.
Adaptable Hydrogel Networks with Reversible Linkages for Tissue Engineering

Adaptable hydrogels have recently emerged as a promising platform for three-dimensional (3D) cell encapsulation and culture. In conventional, covalently crosslinked hydrogels, degradation is typically required to allow complex cellular functions to occur, leading to bulk material degradation. In contrast, adaptable hydrogels are formed by reversible crosslinks. Through breaking and re-formation of the reversible linkages, adaptable hydrogels can be locally modified to permit complex cellular functions while maintaining their long-term integrity. In addition, these adaptable materials can have biomimetic viscoelastic properties that make them well suited for several biotechnology and medical applications. In this review, an overview of adaptable-hydrogel design considerations and linkage selections is presented, with a focus on various cell-compatible crosslinking mechanisms that can be exploited to form adaptable hydrogels for tissue engineering.
Should Hispanic persons from different countries of origin be combined into one sample for analysis

Hispanic respondents to 21 nationwide surveys were grouped on the basis of country of origin into Mexican Americans (n = 402), Puerto Ricans (n = 119), and Other Latin Americans (n = 105). Analysis showed no significant over-all differences among subgroups. No significant subgroup differences in work attitudes were found for women and only one for men. Analysis of subgroup attitudes across age, education, occupation, family income, and personal income also gave no significant differences. These results provide tentative evidence that Hispanic respondents from different countries of origin may be aggregated into a single sample for analysis. There may be no more reason to analyze their responses separately by country of origin than there is to do so for persons of European or African origin.
Pixley-Roy spaces over graphs

Abstract If G is a graph with no isolated points and F is a (possibly empty, finite subset of G , then the Pixley-Roy space over G − F is homeomorphic to the Pixley-Roy space over the reals. (By “graph” we mean a finite one-dimensional polyhedron.) In particular, the Pixley-Roy space over the closed unit interval is homeomorphic to the Pixley-Roy space over the reals.
Convergence of Long-Term Care Planning and Retirement Planning at the Work Place

There is an increasing expectation that the private-sector should provide needed solutions to pressing problems in long-term care. Long-term care insurance has figured prominently in recent discussions. Within the long-term care insurance market, the potential of the employer in making such insurance available to employees has been discussed extensively. This paper traces the increasing convergence of retirement planning and long-term care planning at the work place. The long-term care insurance market has come a long way, and the employer-sponsored segment of the market has recorded the highest rate of growth in recent times. Furthermore, the employer-sponsored market is beginning to diversify. Low take-up rates still remain a problem. Recent rapid growth of the market coupled with the federal government's involvement as an employer offering long-term care insurance is bound to expand the market further.
The radiating effects of a person's religiousness

Previous research has indicated that physical attractiveness can “radiate” or spill over onto an interaction partner. This study examined the possible radiating effect of a newly discovered social stereotype, religiousness. Males ( n = 56) and females ( n = 119) college students initially rated the religiousness of a male target and then each subject read one of five scenarios describing the male’s dating partner’s religious background. The female’s religious background was described in four ways: 1) Always religious, 2) Recent religious convert, 3) Recent religious heretic, 4) Never religious, and a fifth control condition which omitted information on the female’s religious background. Following presentation of the scenarios, subjects again rated the boyfriend’s religiousness. Analysis of pre- vs. post-scenario change scores indicated the boyfriend’s religiousness increased following knowledge of the girlfriend’s long-term or recent religious involvement (positive radiation effect) but decreased following knowledge of the girlfriend’s long-term or recent nonreligious involvement (negative radiation effect). It was concluded that the radiation effects identified can serve to further expand our understanding of the interpersonal perceptions people hold of the religious and nonreligious.
A Novel Method to Model the Dynamics of an Uniball Robot

In this paper the kinematics and dynamics of a uniball robot is demonstrated. The motion of a uniball robot is derived from the dynamics of a sphere rolling on a surface which is considered as a motion about a fixed point. The equations of motion are derived using Newton-Euler method incorporating the geometrical features of the surface. A uniball-robot can be considered as a Routh’s sphere whose center of mass is not at the geometrical center and have equal principal moments of inertia in the plane perpendicular to the axis connecting the center of mass and the geometrical center. The Euler angles are obtained using the Meusnier’s theorem which deals with the evolution of the surface as the robot moves along.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Staphylococcus aureus CymR Is a New Thiol-based Oxidation-sensing Regulator of Stress Resistance and Oxidative Response

As a human pathogen, Staphylococcus aureus must cope with oxidative stress generated by the human immune system. Here, we report that CymR utilizes its sole Cys-25 to sense oxidative stress. Oxidation followed by thiolation of this cysteine residue leads to dissociation of CymR from its cognate promoter DNA. In contrast, the DNA binding of the CymRC25S mutant was insensitive to oxidation and thiolation, suggesting that CymR senses oxidative stress through oxidation of its sole cysteine to form a mixed disulfide with low molecular weight thiols. The determined crystal structures of the reduced and oxidized forms of CymR revealed that Cys-25 is oxidized to Cys-25-SOH in the presence of H2O2. Deletion of cymR reduced the resistance of S. aureus to oxidative stresses, and the resistance was restored by expressing a C25S mutant copy of cymR. In a C25S substitution mutant, the expression of two genes, tcyP and mccB, was constitutively repressed and did not respond to hydrogen peroxide stress, whereas the expression of the genes were highly induced under oxidative stress in a wild-type strain, indicating the critical role of Cys-25 in redox signaling in vivo. Thus, CymR is another master regulator that senses oxidative stress and connects stress responses to virulence regulation in S. aureus.
Coupling Reactions of End- vs Mid-Functional Polymers

Reactive compatibilization of immiscible polymer blends is typically accomplished by grafting reactions between functional groups distributed randomly on one polymer and end-functional groups on the other polymer. A number of model studies have focused on end coupling in polymer melts. In this work we compare directly reaction rate constants for an end-functional chain reacting with an end-functional chain, kE, vs reacting with a mid-functional chain, kM, using competitive reaction of phthalic anhydride end- and mid-functional poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA-eAn and PMMA-mAn) with amine terminal PMMA and polystyrene (PMMA-NH2 and PS-NH2). PMMA-eAn was labeled with 7-nitrobenz- 2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD) while PMMA-mAn was labeled with anthracene. We measured the extent of coupling to block and graft copolymers selectively at the characteristic excitation and emission wavelengths of NBD and anthracene using a fluorescence detector coupled with GPC. We found that coupling with the mid-functional PMMA was slower under all reaction conditions investigated and had the increasing order of kE/kM: homogeneous melt (1.7), solution (2.8), heterogeneous blend prepared in the mixer (2.6- 3.2), and static flat interface (>10). The kinetic excluded-volume effect and steric hindrance due to the polymer chain are considered to be the reasons for kE/kM > 1 in the homogeneous case. kE/kM in solution was in agreement with the value (2.1) predicted by the kinetic excluded-volume theory. The large value of kE/kM in the static flat interface was attributed to end-group segregation at the interface. Interestingly, we found that flow affected the interfacial reaction tremendously, resulting in over 1000 times higher rate constant in heterogeneous melt blending than that in the static bilayer film.
Vitamin D and autoimmune rheumatologic disorders.

Vitamin D levels depend on many variables, including sun exposure, age, ethnicity, body mass index, use of medications and supplements. A much higher oral vitamin D intake than the current guidelines is necessary to maintain adequate circulating 25(OH)D levels in the absence of UVB radiation of the skin. In addition to the traditional known metabolic activities, vitamin D has been shown to modulate the immune system, and its deficiency has been linked to the development of several autoimmune disorders including type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Experimental use of vitamin D has revealed a novel role in the immunopathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Behcet's, polymyositis/dermatomyositis and systemic scleroderma have all been associated to some extent to vitamin D deficiency. If vitamin D deficiency occurs at a higher rate in patients with autoimmune disorders, then appropriate supplementation may be indicated.
Convergent evidence for Wnt signaling pathway in psychotic disorders

Wnt signaling pathway is involved in multiple cell processes including cell differentiation, cell development, and cell fate. Mutations in the Wnt pathway genes have been frequently found to cause cancer. Recently, there has been emerging evidence showing that abnormality of the Wnt pathway may also be involved in neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity; thus, it may play important roles in psychotic disorders. Here we performed a systematic collection and analysis of data from multiple sources linking Wnt pathway genes to indicate convergent evidence for this pathway in psychosis, especially in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Specifically, we explored KEGG pathways, protein-protein interactions (PPIs), association studies, genome-wide association (GWA) studies, and our recently developed schizophrenia gene resource (SZGR) database. Our analysis suggested some potential genes, including PPARD, FZD3, GRIN1, and AXIN1, warrant future genetic and functional validation of their roles in schizophrenia. In summary, we provided a unique integrative analysis of Wnt pathway genes in psychotic disorders.
The effect of mineralization on the ratio of normal to tangential compliance of fractures

The effect of a fracture on the propagation of seismic waves can be represented in terms of the normal compliance B N and tangential compliance B T of the fracture. If B N /B T = 1 for all fractures, the effective elastic stiffness tensor of an isotropic background containing an arbitrary orientation distribution of fractures is orthotropic (i.e., has three orthogonal planes of mirror symmetry) in the long-wave limit. However, deviations from orthotropy may occur if B N /B T differs significantly from unity and this can cause the principal axes of the P-wave NMO ellipse and of the variation in the PP-reflection amplitude as a function of azimuth, to deviate from the fast and slow polarization direction of a vertically propagating S-wave. Simple models of a fracture in terms of a planar distribution of cracks suggest that B N /B T ≈ 1 for dry fractures. However, naturally occurring fractures often exhibit mineralization in the form of bridges between opposing faces of the fracture. The presence of such bridges leads to significant departures of B N /B T from unity.
Excess in the pharmaceutical industry

The main point about excess in the pharmaceutical industry is how much there is of it. Here I can touch on only a few specifics about this altogether over-the-top business. ![Figure][1] Figure. Photo by: Earthlore Although the pharmaceutical industry claims to be a high-risk business,
PCDD/F emissions from forest fire simulations

Abstract Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) emissions from combustion of forest biomass were sampled to obtain an estimated emission factor for forest fires. An equal composition of live shoot and litter biomass from Oregon and North Carolina was burned in an enclosed monitored facility, and emissions were sampled with a modified ambient air sampling method. Seven tests resulted in an average PCDD/F toxic equivalency (TEQ) emission of 19 ng / kg burned, a value close to previous indirect estimates. Emissions from the Oregon biomass averaged 25 ng TEQ/kg burned (range: 14–47) and those from the North Carolina biomass averaged 15 ng TEQ/kg burned (range: 1–56). Source-specific distinctions in isomer patterns and homologue profiles, however, suggest that the type of biomass has a significant effect on the composition of the resulting PCDD/F emissions. The mass-specific emissions are about 20 times higher than the concentration of the extracted biomass, suggesting that PCDD/F emissions are not simply a result of vaporization of cuticle-bound PCDD/F but are formed predominantly during the biomass combustion.
Sediment-transport events on the northern California continental shelf

Abstract A long-term monitoring tripod has been maintained in 60-m water depth at the northern end of the STRATAFORM study site on the northern California continental shelf. As part of this ongoing study, tripod data for 1 year beginning 24 September 1995 are used to provide a sediment-transport analysis on an event-by-event basis. The objective of this paper is to highlight the energetic nature of this shelf region in terms of the frequency, duration, and magnitude of sediment-suspension events and the associated particle flux. Analyses are based on measurements from two current meters and two optical backscatterance sensors located at 30 and 100 cm above the bed. Data from these instruments and a pressure sensor were averaged over 7.5 min every hour. During the year of record, 41 distinct sediment-suspension events occurred (i.e., sustained suspended-sediment concentrations greater than 20 mg/l above background level at 100 cm above bed). Suspended-sediment events were associated with significant wave activity, tidal currents, and river discharge. The average duration of a sediment-suspension event was 3.1 days and varied from 0.7 to 8 days. During events, mean suspended-sediment concentrations of 110 mg/l were observed with peak hourly observations exceeding 1000 mg/l. Concentrations between events averaged 35 mg/l. The overall sediment flux for the period of record was directed seaward and southward. The distribution and magnitude of sediment-suspension events and particle flux showed a strong seasonality. For example, of the sediment transport during events, 98% of the net along-shelf, and 73% of the net across-shelf sediment transport occurred in the winter. Three major winter storms could account for 72% of the total along-shelf transport but only 10% of the across-shelf transport. The across-shelf flux was more evenly distributed over the year and occurred as a result of mean currents and very low-frequency seaward flows associated with mesoscale circulation patterns.
Late-onset nonketotic hyperglycinemia with a heterozygous novel point mutation of the GLDC gene.

Abstract Background Atypical nonketotic hyperglycinemia is characterized by heterogeneous phenotypes that often include nonspecific behavioral problems, cognitive deficits, and developmental delays. Patient We describe a girl with late-onset nonketotic hyperglycinemia presenting at 5 years of age with hypotonia, chorea, ataxia, and alterations in consciousness in the setting of febrile illness. Results Serum amino acid analysis was mildly elevated; however, urine amino acid analysis was instrumental in demonstrating marked hyperglycinuria. Mutation testing showed a heterozygous novel sequence change/point mutation in the glycine decarboxylase gene. Conclusions This patient illustrates the importance of obtaining urine amino acids in individuals whose clinical manifestations are suspicious for any form of nonketotic hyperglycinemia, because this testing may provide more prominent evidence of elevations in glycine. She also illustrates the potential for a heterozygous mutation to result in manifestations of an atypical form of nonketotic hyperglycinemia.
PLASMA-ENHANCED SURFACE MODIFICATION OF LOW LINEAR-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE CATHETERS

Modification of the surface chemistry, topography, and frictional characteristics of medical-grade low linear-density polyethylene catheters with various plasma chemistries was accomplished in a radio-frequency (RF) vacuum chamber. Two different types of plasma treatments were examined. For surface texturing and chemistry modification, the catheters were treated with either He or CF4 gases for 0.5–60 min at RF power in the range of 30–1000 W and working pressure between 0.2 and 2 Torr. For grafting of a low friction film, the catheters were exposed to pure Ar plasma at 400 W for 2 min (surface cleaning) and then to CH4, CH4/CF4, or H2/CF4 plasmas at power of 250–550 W and working pressure of 0.2–0.8 Torr for 10–60 min (surface modification). The effects of the different plasma treatments on the surface texture, chemical behavior, and friction characteristics of the catheters are discussed in light of results obtained from contact surface profilometry, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, contact angle measurements, infrared spectroscopy, and friction experiments. The findings of this study demonstrate that surface crosslinking and grafting of desirable functional groups by RF plasma treatment is an effective low-temperature surface modification technique for polymeric medical devices.
Comparing the performance of database selection algorithms

We compare the performance of two database selection algorithms reported in the literature. Their performance is compared using a common testbed designed specifically for database selection techniques. The testbed is a decomposition of the TREC/TIPSTER data into 236 subcollections. We present results of a recent investigation of the performance of the CORI algorithm and compare the performance with earlier work that examined the performance of gGlOSS. The databases from our testbed were ranked using both the gGlOSS and CORI techniques and compared to the RBR baseline, a baseline derived from TREC relevance judgements. We examined the degree to which CORI and gGlOSS approximate this baseline. Our results confirm our earlier observation that the gGlOSS Ideal(l) ranks do not estimate relevance-based ranks well. We also find that CORI is a uniformly better estimator of relevance-based ranks than gGlOSS for the test environment used in this study. Part of the advantage of the CORI algorithm can be explained by a strong correlation between gGlOSS and a size-based baseline (SBR). We also find that CORI produces consistently accurate rankings on testbeds ranging from 100--921 sites. However for a given level of recall, search effort appears to scale linearly with the number of databases.
Fast algorithm for calculating optical binary amplitude filters

A new geometric viewpoint is presented for optimizing a binary amplitude filter based on finding an ordered set of phasors, the uncoiled phasor set (UPS), from the filter object's discrete Fourier transform that determines a convex polygon. The maximum distance across the polygon determines the value of the correlation peak and the set of frequencies that the optimal filter should pass. Algorithms are presented for finding the UPS and the maximum distance across the polygon that are competititve with optimization approaches that use the binning (Farn and Goodman). The new viewpoint provides a simple way to establish a bound on binning error.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Wind tunnel investigation of the transonic aerodynamic characteristics of forward swept wings

This paper discusses some of the results of a series of wind tunnel investigations conducted on forward and aft swept wings in order to compare the relative drag performance of both wings at a transonic maneuver condition and to determine the associated drag penalty of the forward swept wing for a high supersonic cruise condition. At the transonic maneuver design point, the results indicate a significant reduction in the profile drag of the forward swept wing relative to the aft swept wing. The forward swept wing exhibits extreme sensitivity to wing root height and incidence variations. A drag penalty was recorded at M— 2.0 for the forward swept cruise wing. The cruise wings have the same sweep and "box" geometries as the transonic maneuver wings. The difference in supersonic cruise drag is attributed to the difference in the leading-edge sweeps (ALE = +48.7 and -28 deg for the aft and forward swept wings, respectively). This drag penalty decreases at lower supersonic Mach numbers. The results of the test indicate that the aft swept wing aerodynamic design and analysis methods used in the study can be used on forward swept wings with only minor modifications.
A Numerical Method for Predicting the Perturbations of the Middle Latitude Westerlies

It is shown that the large-scale quasi-stationary disturbances of the middle-latitude westerlies are produced by the forced ascent of the westerly current over the continental land masses. Friction is found to have an important modifying effect on the motion. Using these results a numerical method is devised for predicting the height profile of the 500 mb pressure surface at a fixed latitude. The method involves the use of the notion of an “equivalentbarotropic atmosphere” and of the geostrophic approximation. Six actual forecasts are made for a period of one day and the results compared with observation. The accuracy obtained is thought to justify incorporation of the method into day-to-day forecast procedures. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1949.tb01258.x
The role of purchasers in the clinical research enterprise.

The Institute of Medicine/s Clinical Research Roundtable discussed the role of employers in the clinical research enterprise at a workshop in December 2001. The discussion explored how the clinical research enterprise can better serve purchasers as they strive to provide high-quality, affordable health care benefits to employees, retirees, and dependents. Representatives of employers and business organizations presented their views. Recently, the investment in health care by companies has been increasing by roughly 8 to 10% per year. A common question that corporate shareholders ask is what the company will receive from an additional investment. Do the annual increases in health care expenditures buy better health, or even better health care? Or does this money simply buy more services, regardless of their value to the company/s beneficiaries? Will the substantial incremental investment in health care that many purchasers face somehow add to the bottom line of the enterprise or add to the public good? Or will the additional dollars be spent with no return? Some but not all purchasers are willing to differentiate and pay more for quality care because they think that high-quality health care will save money in the long run by avoiding expenditures related to poor quality (e.g., rework, redundancy, medical errors, failure to deliver evidence-based treatments with a proven record of improved clinical outcomes). They also think that quality care will improve employee satisfaction and performance in the workplace. More clinical research needs to be done, however, to determine whether these beliefs will hold under rigorous evaluation. Without this information, some purchasers may feel justified in purchasing health care solely on the basis of the best price. Purchasers are eager to consider ideas regarding how to improve the health care system, but they need help from the research community to identify effective tools and methodologies that promote …
Diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus using optical coherence tomography.

The incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and gastric cardia has increased faster than any other cancer in the past decade [1–3]. Although the exact neoplastic potential conferred by Barrett’s esophagus (BE) continues to be debated [4], there is little doubt that the presence of BE increases the risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma. Specialized intestinal metaplasia (SIM) is the epithelial type that predisposes patients with BE to develop esophageal adenocarcinoma [5]. To avoid false-positive diagnoses of BE, early investigators established arbitrary criteria for the extent of esophageal SIM necessary to diagnose BE. A length of 3 cm was adopted as the minimum length of SIM necessary to classify a patient as having BE. Subsequently, it was found that BE segments shorter than 3 cm (short-segment BE) also carried neoplastic potential [6]. The controversy surrounding BE was fueled further when the prevalence of SIM at the squamocolumnar junction was found to be as high as 18% in patients undergoing upper endoscopy, regardless of indication [7]. Although most clinicians recommend upper endoscopy for patients with long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms to screen for BE [8], the management of SIM of the gastric cardia is controversial. Clearly, the prevalence and natural history of this metaplastic epithelium require further study. The presence of BE is determined by histopathologic analysis of biopsy specimens obtained during upper endoscopy. The accuracy of endoscopy for the
Promotores and Community Health Workers: Protecting Communities Against Infectious Disease

ISSUE: Promotores are community leaders who live in colonias (unincorporated developments without public services) and act as the liaisons between residents and health and human services. Promotores are an important link to early recognition of the symptoms of infectious diseases and other health threats. PROJECT: The School of Rural Public Health at Texas A&M Health Science Center, working with its partners, developed and presented a five-hour workshop in English and Spanish entitled “Promotores and Community Health Workers: Protecting Communities against Infectious Disease.” The training was designed to provide tools to assist health workers identify, track, prevent and report the spread of infections. Diverse teaching methodologies were used to address the specific learning objectives of each session: lecture, powerpoint, demonstration and group activities. The training objectives were evaluated by a number of qualitative and quantitative measures, including the number of participants per site, change in scores between pre- and post-test, participation in case studies, and a process evaluation. RESULTS: Five workshops were delivered during July 2005 to four sites along the Texas-Mexico border: El Paso, Laredo, Weslaco and Brownsville. A total of 170 Promotores and Community Health Workers registered for the training. Analysis of evaluation data indicated an overall increase in knowledge and skills of 14.6%. Process evaluation data showed satisfaction with the training content and methodology. LESSONS LEARNED: Building relationships with key people on site prior to the training were critical to the project's success. Ascertaining audience expectations for the training during the first few minutes of the workshop allowed facilitators to adapt delivery to accommodate specific site needs. Providing training materials in English and Spanish was necessary to ensure content understanding. The “tag-team” process that developed between the English and Spanish facilitator helped ensure and reinforce understanding of content. More time needs to be allotted for case studies and post-test. Reading aloud the pre- and post-test made a statistical difference in participant performance.
THYROIDECTOMY AND PARATHYROIDECTOMY WITH RELATION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF IMMUNE SUBSTANCES

1. After thyroidectomy with partial parathyroidectomy the maximum and average hemolytic titers of the sera of rabbits injected intravenously with sheep blood are equal to or higher than those of normal animals similarly injected. 2. Thyroidectomy with partial parathyroidectomy does not inhibit antibody production. This fact is in accord with the results of Garibaldi, Launoy and Levy-Bruhl, Lerda and Diez, and others. 3. Thyroidectomy with partial parathyroidectomy does not cause serious disturbance in the adult rabbit. If the operation is performed properly, the animals survive and only moderate cachexia develops in time. 4. After complete thyroparathyroidectomy a small proportion of the animals survive even after developing very severe tetany. Those that recover do not show further signs of serious disturbance, but in time develop a moderate degree of cachexia no greater than that of the thyroidectomized animals. 5. Thyroparathyroidectomized rabbits develop anti-sheep hemolysin of a uniformly low titer—on an average one-fifth that of the controls. 6. Injection of bovine blood into rabbits that survived complete thyroparathyroidectomy from 1 to 2 months previously results in the production of hemolysin of a uniformly low titer compared with that of normal animals similarly treated.
The substrate analog bromopyruvate as a substrate, an inhibitor and an alkylating agent of malic enzyme of pigeon liver.

Abstract Bromopyruvate is an alkylating agent of pigeon liver malic enzyme (malate dehydrogenase (decarboxylating), EC 1.1.1.40). It combines first with the enzyme to give an enzyme-bromopyruvate complex, then reacts with a proximal -SH group, resulting in the formation of a pyruvate derivative. Bromopyruvate is also a substrate for the reductase partial reaction, and a non-competitive inhibitor of L-malate in the overall oxidative decarboxylase reaction catalyzed by this enzyme. Modification of the -SH group by this compound is accompanied by concomitant loss of both oxidative decarboxylase activity and reductase activity on bromopyruvate. Inactivation of the overall activity is partially prevented by NADP+ or NADPH, singly or in combination with L-malate.
Cluster analysis applied to atmospheric aerosol samples from the Norwegian Arctic

Abstract Cluster analysis is shown to be a useful technique for the identification and characterization of atmospheric aerosol particles. A general procedure for combining the cluster analysis results from a large number of samples is described and shown to be successful for comparing such samples. Two similarity measures, one not previously described, are evaluated for use in cluster analysis. The new analysis procedure was applied to the examination of 11 coarse-fraction and 19 fine-fraction aerosol samples collected during September and October, 1984 at Ny Alesund, Spitzbergen, Norway, ~ 1400 km north of the Arctic Circle. The aerosol at this site consists primarily of Si-, Cl- and S-rich particles, the relative abundance of each varying from sample to sample. Considerable differences in composition were observed between simultaneously collected coarse- and fine-fractions.
History, ownership forms and corporate governance in India

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to trace the evolution and persistence of different forms of business ownership in conjunction with the values and institutions that shaped those forms, and discuss the implications for corporate governance in India.Design/methodology/approach – Research paper analyzing broad historical trends, integrating multiple frameworks.Findings – Many ownership forms exist: family, government, professional, and foreign (multinational firms). In each period, shifts in values resulted in shifts in institutional and legislative frameworks, which, in turn, gave rise to different forms of business ownership. The end result, however, has been an amalgamation of diverse co‐existing ownership models, with evidence of evolution towards more balanced values.Research limitations/implications – Comparative research involving other national contexts will help broaden our understanding of the origins and persistence of different forms of governance. Exploration of other governance mechanism...