cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in preventing sudden cardiac death in children, adolescents, and young adults.

Objective To evaluate the indications, underlying cardiac disorders, efficacy, and complications involved with transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (iCDs) in pediatric patients at the Mayo Clinic. Patients and Methods The records of all patients aged 21 years or younger who underwent transvenous ICD placement at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn, were reviewed retrospectively. Results Between March 1992 and September 2000, 16 patients (7 females; mean age, 15.4 years; range, 10-21 years) underwent transvenous ICD placement. The ICD was implanted for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in 7 and for secondary prevention in 9. The underlying cardiac disorders included hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 6 patients and congenital long QT syndrome in 6 patients. The mean ± SD follow-up was 36±29 months (range, 5-108 months). There was no mortality. Seven patients (44%) received appropriate ICD therapy, including 6 of 9 who had ICDs placed for secondary prevention. Median time free from appropriate ICD discharge was 3 years (range, 0.2-9 years). Three patients (19%) experienced inappropriate ICD discharge. Two patients needed device replacement because of technical problems (lead fracture and device malfunction). Two patients developed pocket infection that required removal and reimplantation of the ICD. Conclusion In adolescents and young adults, transvenous ICDs may prevent sudden death but are not free of complications. Forty-four percent of this cohort received potentially life-saving ICD therapy, including two thirds who received an ICD for secondary prevention.
Numerical study of a high-order quasiconserved quantity in the Hénon-Heiles problem.

Recent efforts to derive and study a quasiconserved quantity K in the H\'enon-Heiles problem in terms of a single set of variables are discussed. Numerical results are given, showing how the value of such a quantity varies with time and order in a power-series expansion for K in terms of monomials of the coordinates and velocities. The lowest order in the power series for K corresponds to n=4 and the highest order to n=27, so that 24 orders are included in the series. The results are compared with an earlier study by the authors [Phys. Rev. A 42, 1931 (1990)] that included an expansion for K for orders n=4 to n=15. In general, even in regions where the earlier study suggested that the series for K might be converging, our more recent results [Phys. Rev. A 44, 925 (1991)], involving twice as many orders, suggest that the series diverges.
The role of the vitreous in diabetic macular edema.

Abstract The authors assessed retrospectively clinical records of 76 patients (125 eyes) 60 years of age or older with diabetic retinopathy who had undergone a vitreous examination. The groups consisted of 105 eyes (63 patients) with macular edema and 20 eyes (13 patients) without macular edema. Vitreous studies were done using the El Bayadi-Kajiura lens to determine whether or not the posterior vitreous was attached to the retina in the macula. Twenty-one of 105 eyes (20.0%) in the edema group and 11 of 20 eyes (55.0%) in the noedema group had a detached posterior vitreous. This difference was found to be statistically significant, indicating that diabetic cases without macular edema have a significantly higher rate of posterior vitreous detachment than those with macular edema. This study demonstrates that the vitreous may play a role in diabetic macular edema.
Comment on "Trace metal levels in uncontaminated groundwater of a coastal watershed: importance of colloidal forms".

Groundwater and surface water were collected using trace metal clean techniques from the upper glacial aquifer of West Neck Bay (Shelter Island) in eastern Long Island, NY, during the late spring and summer of 1999. The collection sites on Shelter Island are located in an area that is primarily residential and believed to have uncontaminated groundwater. Ultrafiltration was used to size-fractionate the dissolved ( Cu > Ag > Zn = Cd = Mn and appeared to be dependent on the affinities of these metals for humic substances. In contrast, NO3 and NH4 were found to be almost entirely (approximately 98-99%) in the low molecular weight size fraction. Metal/aluminum and metal/carbon ratios measured in the colloids were similar to those reported for humic substances and significantly different from those of soils. This suggests that colloidal particles might originate from humic materials as opposed to purely inorganic minerals. These results indicate the need to consider the colloidal fraction in the fate and mobility of metals in groundwater and that, despite the low levels of organic matter (<50 microM of DOC) measured in groundwater, some groundwater colloids appear to be organic in nature.
Use of Intergovernmental Networks for Establishing a Collaborative Environment in Tribal Transportation Initiatives: Best Practices

The transportation project environment is complex as project stakeholders most often represent multiple governments because transportation systems are owned and operated by local, state, federal, and tribal governments. Surface transportation projects concerning tribal communities introduce additional complexity to the project environment as an additional layer of institutional relationships and protocols must be recognized. To achieve success on complex transportation projects, a collaborative environment must be established among project stakeholders. One strategy is to use intergovernmental networks for transportation planning and programming to address complex issues within the intergovernmental framework. These intergovernmental networks have been used in states across the nation, and specific cases that resulted from such networks have been documented. This paper investigates the intergovernmental network as a tool for creating a collaborative environment among project stakeholders. The paper also presents best practices by profiling states that have utilized intergovernmental networks for transportation planning as well as success stories resulting from intergovernmental utilization in each state.
Correlations between exercising arterial blood gas values, tracheal wash findings and upper respiratory tract abnormalities in horses presented for poor performance.

Summary Reasons for performing study: There are limited data on the correlations between arterial blood gas (ABG) values, tracheal wash (TW) cytology and upper respiratory tract (URT) abnormalities. Objectives: To identify horses with abnormal exercising ABG, and compare the proportions of horses with abnormal ABG and TW cytology, mucus or URT dysfunction with those with normal ABG results and abnormal TW cytology, mucus or URT dysfunction. Methods: Medical records of 813 horses presenting to the treadmill facility that had a complete treadmill examination, including ABG analysis, TW and URT endoscopy were selected. Diagnoses, ABG results, TW cytology and URT endoscopy were compared. Results: Two hundred and eleven horses met the study criteria of a complete treadmill examination and could have ABG evaluated. There were no significant differences in the age distribution of horses having normal and abnormal ABG or upper respiratory tract (URT) examinations. There was a significantly higher percentage of geldings with abnormal ABG analysis. In the horses with abnormal URT examinations, there were no differences in the proportion of horses having mucus vs. no mucus. However, in the horses with normal URT, there were a higher percentage of horses with visible mucus in the group with abnormal ABG analysis. The majority of horses had abnormal TW cytology and evidence of prior EIPH, with no differences in proportions between the groups. Conclusions: Because such a large percentage of horses had evidence of inflammation and/or evidence of prior EIPH on TW cytology, it was not possible to determine the effect of these findings on gas exchange. Mucus was present in a larger percentage of cases with abnormal ABG analysis and normal URT examinations, suggesting that the presence of mucus may affect gas exchange. Standardbreds may be more likely to have abnormal gas exchange than Thoroughbreds. A larger number of horses is needed to determine the significance of these findings. Potential relevance: Abnormal TW cytology and endoscopic visualised mucus may contribute to impairment of gas exchange, but they do not specifically predict abnormal ABG analysis.
Regional redistribution of myocardial blood flow after coronary occlusion and reperfusion in the conscious dog.

Abstract Early and late changes in regional myocardial blood flow distribution within the left circumflex coronary arterial bed after occlusion and after occlusion and reperfusion were compared with the extent of myocardial tissue necrosis. Radiolabeled microspheres, 15 μm, were used to study regional myocardial blood flow in conscious dogs at 5 minutes, 2 and 6 hours and 1 month after coronary occlusion. Blood flow was measured in conscious dogs whose hearts were reperfused for 72 hours after 2, 6 and 24 hours of occlusion. Blood flow was measured in four distinct transmural myocardial zones dellneated by dye injections and gross infarct features of the occluded left circumflex coronary bed. After occlusion, myocardial flow was redistributed from deep layers to outer layers, and within 6 hours after occlusion collateral flow was increased to the outer zones in excess of redlstributed flow. After reperfusion, blood flow greatly increased to regions containing predominantly normal tissue, and flow was redlstrlbuted away from the necrotic zones. The indigenous collateral circulation was a major determinant of infarct size in the occluded and reperfused myocardium. The concept of a migrating and narrowing marginal zone is discussed.
The structure of the boron-hydrogen complex in silicon

Channeling and lattice location has been used to investigate the structure of the boron-hydrogen complex in crystalline silicon. The positions of both the boron and hydrogen atoms have been determined. Results are compared with Monte-Carlo simulations. The boron atom in the B-H pair is found to be displaced from a substitutional site by 0.28 +- 0.03 A, while the hydrogen atom is predominantly at a bond-center site, with a small proportion in a back-bonded position. 10 figs., 22 refs.
Measures of autonomy.

Two studies examined the validity of 2 CPI autonomy scales developed by Kurtines (1973, 1978), In the first study, a criterion rating of autonomy based upon observer descriptions of adults (n = 314) was determined from the California Q-set. This 10-item criterion was validated in a second study with college sophomores (n = 142) Using the criterion with a combined sample. of subjects, individuals high or low on autonomy were identified. Personality profiles of each group were determined from their responses to the CPI. Personality dimensions associated with ascendancy, self-assurance, interpersonal adequacy, and achievement orientation differentiated the two criterion groups. Correlation and multiple regression analyses indicated that Kurtines' first (1973) autonomy scale by comparison .predicted these personality dimensions Substantially better than his second (1978) scale, It was concluded, however, that neither scale adequately measured the global personality construct Of autonomy because (a) each scale assessed autonomous rule compliance to the exclusion of autonomous rule defiance, and (b)each scale measured only socially desirable aspects of autonomy.
Surgical outcomes of elderly patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Abstract Background Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is a potentially serious neurologic disorder that commonly presents with gait difficulty and hand dysfunction. Because the development of CSM is in large part related to advanced spondylosis and degenerative disk disease, elderly patients appear to be at an increased risk to develop this condition. The surgical outcomes of this patient population have been understudied; the authors seek to report their clinical results in a series of patients with CSM older than 75 years who underwent surgical treatment. Methods This report is composed of a cohort of 36 elderly patients (older than 75 years) and 34 younger patients (younger than 65 years) who underwent decompressive surgery for CSM at one institution between 2001 and 2005. The patients' functional status was evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively using the mJOA disability scale. Results The mean follow-up time in the elderly group was 24 months, with a range from 12 to 48 months. There was a statistically significant improvement between mean preoperative (11.3) and postoperative (14.4) mJOA scores ( P P = .29). The postoperative complication rate in the elderly population (38%) was higher than in the younger group (6%; P = .002). Conclusion Elderly patients with CSM are likely to obtain neurologic improvement after decompressive surgery. Their postoperative complication rate is higher than that of younger patients, yet most complications appear to be self limiting and do not adversely affect neurologic outcome.
Do faulty eye movements cause dyslexia

Research concerning eye‐movement patterns of dyslexic and normal readers is reviewed. Some dyslexic readers (visual‐spatial dyslexics) have a tendency to make erratic eye movements during reading and nonreading tasks, but the eye movements per se reflect underlying problems and are not the cause of developmental dyslexia. For dyslexic readers with a language deficit, the eye‐movement pattern reflects difficulties in understanding language. It is concluded that, independently of any subtype categorization of dyslexic readers, eye movements are a peripheral component of the reading process and not a cause of dyslexia.
The Influence of Availability Costs on Optimal Heat Exchanger Design

Optimizing heat exchangers based on second-law rather than first-law considerations ensures that the most efficient use of available energy is being made. In this paper, second-law efficiency is used to develop a new technique for optimizing the design of heat exchangers. The method relates the operating costs of the exchanger to the destruction of availability caused by the exchanger operation. The destruction of availability is directly related to the second-law efficiency of the exchanger. This allows one to find the Number of Transfer Units (NTU) at which the benefits of reduced availability losses are offset by the costs of added area; this is the optimal point. It can be difficult to determine the proper cost of irreversibility to be used in the optimization process. This issue can be handled by including the irreversibility cost in a dimensionless parameter that represents the ratio of annual ownership costs to annual operating costs that include irreversibility costs. In this way, each heat exchanger designer can estimate the costs of irreversibilities for his particular system, and then use the generalized method that is developed herein for determining the optimal heat exchanger size.
Hexathiapentacene: structure, molecular packing, and thin-film transistors.

In this communication we report the electrical characteristics of hexathiapentacene (HTP) and emphasize the unusual chemical structure and molecular packing. We report field-effect mobilities as high as 0.04 cm2 V-1 s-1 and current on/off ratios of >105. With crystallographic evidence of unusually long S−S bonds compared to normal S−S bonds, we have suggested a unique resonance structure similar to trithiapentalene, which well explains the bonding characteristics of HTP. This work appears to be the first to determine its molecular structure/packing mode and to study its application in organic transistors.
Current and historical mortality from cancer and cardiovascular disease in relation to age: U.S. and world values

Abstract Data from the World Health Organization, U.S. Vital Statistics, the Historical Abstracts of the United States and the census of the United States were used to compare current world and states data on cancer death rate and age with historical data that shows the changing percentage of elderly. Current annual death rates from malignant neoplastic disease among the 73 countries for which data exist are highly correlated with the percent of the population ≥ 60 yrs of age and a virtually identical relation exists presently among the 50 states of the U.S. The current world and states data provide a remarkably accurate snapshot of U.S. cancer death rates over the past century during which time the U.S. elderly population increased substantially. Data on U.S. lung cancer death rates since 1940 were similarly examined and these historical numbers also show good agreement with current values among countries that today span the same proportion of elderly that the U.S. had over this period. The agreement of current and historical CA death rate and age contrasts sharply with the picture that emerges when cardiovascular death rates and death rate from all causes are examined. The geographic and time invariance seen in the cancer data seems incosistent with identical exposure to carcinogens and suggests that biological aging is an important intrinsic factor in cancer.
Biased cell migration of fibroblasts exhibiting contact guidance in oriented collagen gels

We present here the first quantitative correlation for cell contact guidance in an oriented fibrillar network in terms of biased cell migration. The correlation is between the anisotropic cell diffusion parameter,DA=Dx/Dy, and the collagen gel birefringence, Δn, a measure of axially biased collagen fibril orientation in thex-direction. The cell diffusion coefficients,Dx andDy, measure the dispersal of cells in the directions coincident with and normal to the axis of fibril orientation, respectively. Three essential methodological components are involved: (i) exploiting the orienting effect of a magnetic field on collagen fibrils during fibrillogenesis to systematically prepare uniform axially oriented collagen gels; (ii) using a microscope/image analysis workstation with precise, computer-controlled rotating and translating stages to automate birefringence measurement and, along with rapid “coarse optical sectioning” via digital image processing, to enable 3-D cell tracking of many cells in multiple samples simultaneously; and (iii) employing a rigorous statistical analysis of the cell tracks to estimate the magnitude and precision of the direction-dependent cell diffusion coefficients,Dx andDy, that defineDA. We find that this measure of biased migration in contact guidance (DA) increases with increasing collagen fibril orientation (Δn) due mainly to a rapid enhancement of migration along the axis of fibril orientation at low levels of fibril orientation, and to a continued suppression of migration normal to the axis of fibril orientation at high levels of fibril orientation.
The interrogation of Meletus: Apology 24c4–28al

The interrogation of Meletus in the Apology at 24c4–28al is not infrequently seen as a typical case of all that is intellectually and artistically dissatisfying in Plato's practice of the genre of philosophical dialogue: not only are we presented with a philosopher who makes some claim to being committed to setting a particularly stringent standard for honesty in argumentation making sophistical arguments, but we are presented also with a cardboard interlocutor who is forced by the hand of Plato to acquiesce to those arguments in a fashion that is completely dissatisfying to the reader. The best anyone seems to do to save Plato from these charges of artistic incompetence and intellectual dishonesty is to appeal to such a level of historical accuracy for the text that the stupidity of Meletus' responses can be attributed to the stupidity of Meletus himself, or to point out features of the political and legal situation that might prevent Meletus from answering the questions by drawing on his true motivation—which is presumably more coherent. Taylor says of this passage:The humour of the situation is that the prosecutor cannot venture to say what he means by either of his charges without betraying the fact that, owing to the ‘amnesty’, the matters complained of are outside of the competency of the court… Hence, when Meletus is pressed to explain what he means, he has to take refuge in puerile nonsense.
Catatonia in the DSM—Shall We Move or Not?

The current issue of Schizophrenia Bulletin includes 2 opinion pieces on the nosology of catatonia and 1 on the treatment of catatonia. Fink and colleagues1 argue that the original concept of catatonia, introduced by Karl Kahlbaum in 1874, was inappropriately subsumed under dementia praecox and, subsequently, schizophrenia. They ask for a divorce of catatonia from schizophrenia and the recognition of catatonia as an independent diagnostic class in the next edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM). Ungvari and colleagues2 argue that chronically abnormal psychomotor behavior is a core feature of schizophrenia. They ask for clarification of which psychomotor symptoms are part and parcel of psychotic and mood disorders and consider a divorce of catatonia from schizophrenia premature. Rosebush and Mazurek3 summarize treatment observations, which provide support for both perspectives: catatonic symptoms uniquely respond to treatment with benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) (supporting Fink et al), but catatonic patients with schizophrenia do not derive as much benefit as patients with an affective disorder (supporting Ungvari et al).
Brief Report: A Confirmatory Approach to Exploring the Factor Structure of the Social Consequences of Pain Questionnaire

Objective Confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate the factor structure of the Social Consequences of Pain (SCP) questionnaire in youth referred for specialty pain treatment. The existing four-factor structure (i.e., Positive Attention, Negative Attention, Activity Restriction, Privileges) was compared to an alternate threefactor structure merging Positive Attention and Privileges into a single scale (Favorable Consequences). Methods Participants were 373 youth (aged 8–18 years) with chronic pain referred to a tertiary pain clinic. Most participants presented with pain in the head, abdomen, legs, or back. Participants completed the SCP questionnaire at or before an intake appointment. Results Both three-factor and four-factor solutions were acceptable. The three-factor solution emerged as preferable due to stronger internal consistencies. Conclusions Findings support the validity of the SCP for the assessment of social consequences in diverse presentations of pediatric chronic pain.
Using k-means clustering to identify time-of-day break points for traffic signal timing plans

The k-means method, a nonhierarchical clustering algorithm, is applied to traffic volume data to determine time-of-day (TOD) breakpoints for traffic signal timing plans. Other methods, including hierarchical clustering techniques, have been applied to traffic signal timings, but they are computationally intensive and require a substantial amount of data storage space. The procedure requires that the analyst specify the number of clusters prior to engaging the algorithm. The resultant allocations of volumes to clusters may be "noisy"; smoothing may be needed to avoid having an inoperable number of TOD breakpoints. The algorithm is applied to a small case study involving a two-intersection corridor and just under four hours of volume data. Three time intervals were identified, with a peak, two-hour period sandwiched by two off-peak segments. An expanded application of the algorithm on a longer corridor or network, over a longer time period, is recommended. Subsequent steps would be to develop the signal timing plans for the study intersections, evaluate the proposed plans, and assess the potential for their implementation. The k-means method can develop TOD breakpoints from traffic volumes, making it a potentially useful procedure where detectors supplying additional traffic information are either sparse or nonexistent.
The Vertical Structure of Cloud Occurrence and Radiative Forcing at the SGP ARM Site as Revealed by 8 Years of Continuous Data

Data collected at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program ground sites allow for the description of the atmospheric thermodynamic state, cloud occurrence, and cloud properties. This information allows for the derivation of estimates of the effects of clouds on the radiation budget of the surface and atmosphere. Herein 8 yr of continuous data collected at the ARM Southern Great Plains (SGP) Climate Research Facility (ACRF) are analyzed, and the influence of clouds on the radiative flux divergence of solar and infrared energy on annual, seasonal, and monthly time scales is documented. Given the uncertainties in derived cloud microphysical properties that result in calculated radiant flux errors, it is demonstrated that the ability to quantitatively resolve all but the largest heating and cooling influences by clouds is marginal for averaging periods less than 1 month. Concentrating on seasonal and monthly averages, it is found that the net column-integrated radiative effect of clouds on the atmosphere is nearly neutral at this middle-latitude location. However, a net heating of the upper troposphere by upper-tropospheric clouds and a cooling of the lower troposphere by boundary layer clouds is documented. The balance evolves over the course of an annual cycle as the troposphere deepens in summer and boundary layer clouds become less frequent relative to upper-tropospheric clouds. Although the top-of-atmosphere IR radiative effect is nearly invariant through the annual cycle, the seasonally varying heating profile is determined largely by the convergence of IR flux because solar heating is offset by IR cooling within the column.
Remote sensing of stratospheric and mesospheric winds by gas correlation electrooptic phase-modulation spectroscopy.

A method is developed for directly measuring atmospheric winds in the 20-120 km altitude interval from a spacecraft. The wind sensor measures the Doppler shift between the spectral absorption lines of a gas in a cell within the instrument and the thermal emission lines of the same gas in the atmosphere. The wind measurements are performed using a spacecraft-borne gas correlation spectrometer viewing the limb of the atmosphere. The wind-induced Doppler shift between the two spectra, and thus the magnitude of the wind itself, is obtained by phase modulating the incoming thermal radiation (equivalent to frequency modulation) by means of an electrooptically active crystal to determine the frequency shift required to reestablish exact correlation between the lines in the cell and the lines from the atmosphere. Results of numerical simulations of the wind-sensor performance indicate that the noise-equivalent-wind is between 1-5 m/s over most of the stratosphere and mesosphere.
Reflection mode diffraction tomography

A reconstruction algorithm is presented which possesses a simple scanning geometry and promises higher resolution than conventional transmission mode diffraction tomography algorithms. This broad-band reflection mode algorithm inherently lacks a certain amount of low frequency information but an estimate of the information is recovered by spectral extrapolation. The resolution of the algorithm will be shown to be limited by the bandwidth and physical size of the single plane wave transducer, as well as the Born approximation.
BEHAVIORAL PERSISTENCE AND VARIABILITY DURING EXTINCTION OF SELF-INJURY MAINTAINED BY ESCAPE

The self-injurious escape behavior of a developmentally disabled adult was treated with extinction. Results of a reversal design showed substantial bursts of responding when extinction was introduced and reintroduced: self-injury remained at a variable and elevated rate for some time before stable, low rates were observed. Data on aggression, a nontarget behavior during both baseline and treatment, showed a pattern similar to that seen for self-injury during the extinction conditions.
Dual strengthening mechanisms induced by carbon nanotubes in roll bonded aluminum composites

Abstract The dual role of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in strengthening roll bonded aluminum composites has been elucidated in this study. An increase in the elastic modulus by 59% has been observed at 2 vol.% CNT addition in aluminum, whereas tensile strength increases by 250% with 9.5 vol.% CNT addition. CNTs play a dual role in the strengthening mechanism in Al–CNT composite foil, which can be correlated to the degree of dispersion of CNTs in the matrix. Better CNT dispersion leads to improvement of elastic properties. In contrast, CNT clusters in the aluminum matrix impede dislocation motion, causing strain hardening and thus improvement in the tensile strength. Dislocation density of the composites has been computed as a function of CNT content to show the effect on strain hardening of the metal matrix–CNT composite.
Thermal transpiration in mixed cellulose ester membranes: Enabling miniature, motionless gas pumps

Abstract In this paper, we introduce the use of thin mesoporous mixed cellulose ester (polymer) membranes as the enabling element of miniature, motionless gas pumps. The pores within these membranes serve as channels that constrain gas molecules to the free molecular or transitional gas flow regimes. A temperature gradient across the membranes causes a transpiration based gas flow from the cold side to the hot side; this type of flow is the basis of Knudsen pumps. Gas flow characteristics and vacuum generation capabilities of polymer membranes with three different pore-sizes are reported. In this group, membranes with 25 nm pore-size provide superior functionality. For an input power of 1.4 W/cm2, Knudsen pump test structures based on this membrane material provide a typical gas flow rate of ≈0.93 sccm/cm2 in the absence of pressure load. The transient pressure response is used to quantify various non-idealities. Experiments suggest that these polymer membranes are relatively defect-free as compared to bulk microporous ceramics that were previously evaluated for similar applications. In longevity tests performed to date, a polymer pump has operated continuously for ≈6000 h without significant deterioration in its performance.
Synchronized neural input shapes stimulus selectivity in a collision-detecting neuron.

Summary How higher-order sensory neurons generate complex selectivity from their simpler inputs is a fundamental question in neuroscience. The lobula giant movement detector (LGMD) is such a visual neuron in the locust Schistocerca americana that responds selectively to objects approaching on a collision course or their two-dimensional projections, looming stimuli [1–4]. To study how this selectivity arises, we designed an apparatus allowing us to stimulate, individually and independently, a sizable fraction of the ∼15,000 elementary visual inputs impinging retinotopically onto the LGMD's dendritic fan [5–7] (Figure 1Ai). We then recorded intracellularly in vivo throughout the visual pathway, assessing the LGMD's activity and that of all three successive presynaptic stages conveying local excitatory inputs. Our results suggest that as collision becomes increasingly imminent, the strength of these inputs increases, whereas their latency decreases. This latency decrease favors summation of inputs activated sequentially throughout the looming sequence, making the neuron maximally sensitive to collision-bound trajectories. Thus, the LGMD's selectivity arises partially from presynaptic mechanisms that synchronize a large population of inputs during a looming stimulus and subsequent detection by postsynaptic mechanisms within the neuron itself. Analogous mechanisms are likely to underlie the tuning properties of visual neurons in other species as well.
Integrating Pediatric Postoperative Pain Management into Clinical Practice

Despite the availability of effective analgesics, children often suffer from unrelieved pain following surgery. Reasons for undertreatment include imprecise assessment and documentation of pain, the persistence of misconceptions about opioid analgesics, and lack of clarity about management strategies. A Clinical Practice Guideline released in 1992 by the US Public health Service entitled Acute Pain Management: Operative or Medical Procedures and Trauma addressed these issues. However, resolution of undertreatment requires that the Guideline be adopted for clinical use. This paper provides supporting information and suggestions to facilitate integration of the postoperative pain management guideline into pediatric clinical practice.
Body of Opinion: NPR, Journalistic Authority, and the Juan Williams Affair

This article draws on and radically adapts the scholarship of medieval epistemology to suggest that at its heart, the Juan Williams clash with NPR represents an escalating conflict between two contrasting modes of authority in western culture with which journalism has long been aligned; scientia and probabilitas—in their modern forms, the authority of “disembodied objectivity” and “embodied” expert opinion. Discussing the controversy through the complex of theories surrounding issues of cultural authority, and employing the paradigm of “long journalism,” the article explores the repercussions of the rise of modern variants of probabilitas, not only at NPR but across the breadth of American journalism. In this light, the Williams affair is an illuminating flashpoint that represents this fundamental conflict, as the growing influence of probabilitas in news construction makes appeals to scientia increasingly tenuous ground on which to base journalistic credibility.
Comparison of parameters influencing the behavior of concentration of nitrates and phosphates during different extreme rainfall-runoff events in small watersheds

Abstract. The behavior of solute concentrations during storm events is completely different from their behaviour under normal conditions, and very often results in hysteresis. This study aim is to explore the relationship between the biogeochemical and hydrological parameters describing natural conditions and the reciprocal interactions between changes in concentration of selected indicators of water quality in water and the discharge dynamics during different types of extreme rainfall-runoff events in the Jeninský stream and the Kopaninský stream catchment (Czech Republic). The relationship between concentrations and runoffs is explained by concentration-discharge hysteretic loops. As the statistical method used for cross analyzing the impact of the parameters there was chosen the RDA analysis. The relationships between the particular parameters were examined separately by conditions of spring snow melt and summer storm events. The results than confirmed the very strong relationship between parameters describing water quality and percentage of stable parts of the catchment and also of infiltration vulnerable sites.
Patch closure improves results with carotid endarterectomy.

The type of closure after a carotid endarterectomy, primary closure versus patch angioplasty, is controversial. Most authorities agree that in a small carotid artery (≤4 mm), particularly in the presence of technical difficulties at the internal carotid artery end of the arteriotomy, closing with a patch may avoid restenosis. Our randomized prospective studies confirm the conclusions of several others that patching in general is superior to primary closure in lowering the incidence of perioperative stroke, acute postoperative internal carotid artery thrombosis, or both. Both vein patch closure and polytetrafluoroethylene patching are superior to primary closure in this regard. Patching (polytetrafluoroethylene or saphenous vein patching) is also significantly superior in reducing significant recurrent carotid artery stenosis over the long-term. We also conclude that for those who like to preserve the saphenous vein, the preferential use of polytetrafluoroethylene or Dacron Hemashield Finesse patching may be appropriate.
Analysis of the limiting spectral distribution of large dimensional information-plus-noise type matrices

A derivation of results on the analytic behavior of the limiting spectral distribution of sample covariance matrices of the ''information-plus-noise'' type, as studied in Dozier and Silverstein [On the empirical distribution of eigenvalues of large dimensional information-plus-noise type matrices, 2004, submitted for publication], is presented. It is shown that, away from zero, the limiting distribution possesses a continuous density. The density is analytic where it is positive and, for the most relevant cases of a in the boundary of its support, exhibits behavior closely resembling that of |x-a| for x near a. A procedure to determine its support is also analyzed.
Dye Concentration Profiles Within Single Nylon Filaments1

Anionic dye concentration profiles within single drawn filaments have been measured. The shape of the profile is essentially the same as the shape found by Peters, Petropoulos, and McGregor for unoriented nylon films. The fiber formation and orientation processes apparently have no effect on the diffusion mechanism. Use of the concentration profiles to distinguish between chemical and physical causes of differences in dyeing behavior is discussed. Changes in dyebath concentration had no effect on either the shape of the concentration profile or the depth of penetration at a given time.
Sources Of Error In Pharmacokinetic Model-driven Intravenous Drug Delivery

Computerized pharmacokinetic model-driven infusion devices are being investigated as a means of improving the efficiency of intravenous administration of some drugs. Agreement between model-predicted and measured plasma drug concentrations is limited by physiological, mechanical, procedural, and analytical factors and by model misspecification but has not been an obstacle to clinical utilization of these devices. MODEL-DRIVEN DRUG DELIVERY Computerized pharmacokinetic model-driven administration of iv drugs [l], which is referred to by us as CACI (computerassisted Gontinuous infusion), is being investigated by researchers in several countries, particularly as a tool to deliver iv anesthetic drugs. CACI is undergoing commercial development in the US. With CACI, drug administration is based on theoretical plasma drug concentrations (Cp) rather than dosage.
Polyomavirus JC in the Context of Immunosuppression: A Series of Adaptive, DNA Replication-Driven Recombination Events in the Development of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy

Polyomavirus JC (JCV) is the etiological agent of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a demyelinating infection of oligodendrocytes in the brain. PML, a frequently fatal opportunistic infection in AIDS, has also emerged as a consequence of treatment with several new immunosuppressive therapeutic agents. Although nearly 80% of adults are seropositive, JCV attains an ability to infect glial cells in only a minority of people. Data suggest that JCV undergoes sequence alterations that accompany this ability, and these changes can be derived from an archetype strain by mutation, deletion, and duplication. While the introductory source and primary tissue reservoir of JCV remain unknown, lymphoid cells have been identified as potential intermediaries in progression of JCV to the brain. This review is focused on sequence changes in the noncoding control region (NCCR) of the virus. We propose an adaptive mechanism that involves a sequential series of DNA replication-driven NCCR recombination events involving stalled DNA replication forks at NCCR palindromic secondary structures. We shall describe how the NCCR sequence changes point to a model in which viral DNA replication drives NCCR recombination, allowing JCV adaptation to different cell types in its progression to neurovirulence.
Multicenter Clinical Evaluation of VRESelect Agar for Identification of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium

ABSTRACT A chromogenic medium for identification of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium, VRESelect, was compared to bile esculin azide agar with 6 μg/ml vancomycin (BEAV) for the isolation of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) from stool specimens. At 24 to 28 h, VRESelect demonstrated 98.7% (confidence interval [CI], 96.1 to 99.7%) sensitivity and 99.0% (CI, 98.0 to 99.6%) specificity versus 85.1% (CI, 79.8 to 89.5%) and 90.1% (CI, 79.8 to 89.5%) sensitivity and specificity, respectively, for BEAV.
Improving Lightning Cessation Guidance Using Polarimetric Radar Data

AbstractPolarimetric radar data are used to develop lightning cessation guidance for the Cape Canaveral area of central Florida. For this purpose, 80 nonsevere thunderstorm cells in 2012, mostly during the warm season, are analyzed. In-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning data for the storms are obtained by combining information from the second-generation Lightning Detection and Ranging (LDAR-II) network and the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN). Storms are tracked using the Warning Decision Support System–Integrated Information (WDSS-II) software, producing time series of radar- and lightning-derived parameters. The 80 storms are split into two categories: 1) 50 isolated storms whose lightning initiation sources are confined to the core or anvil region of the storm and 2) 30 nonisolated cells whose lightning channels are initiated in a nearby active storm and extended to the dissipating study cell. Trends in polarimetric radar parameters at different temperature levels are studied for 40 of the ...
How does skin blood flow get so high

When humans are exposed to body heating, the large increase in skin blood flow (up to 7–8 l min−1) is of reflex origin and, in non-glabrous skin, most of that is active, distinct from the ‘passive’ vasodilatation achieved by withdrawal of tonic vasoconstrictor nerve activity (see Johnson et al. 1996). This conclusion from classic studies, based on cutaneous nerve block and surgical sympathectomy, has been confirmed through selective pharmacological antagonism of either vasoconstrictor or vasodilator function (Kellogg et al. 1991, 1995). Thus, there are at least two independent mechanisms of sympathetic control of the cutaneous circulation: adrenergic vasoconstriction and active vasodilatation (AVD).
Genomics of Secondary Metabolism in Populus: Interactions with Biotic and Abiotic Environments

Populus trees face constant challenges from the environment during their life cycle. To ensure their survival and reproduction, Populus trees deploy various types of defenses, one of which is the production of a myriad of secondary metabolites. Compounds derived from the shikimate-phenylpropanoid pathway are the most abundant class of secondary metabolites synthesized in Populus. Among other major classes of secondary metabolites in Populus are terpenoids and fatty acid-derivatives. Some of the secondary metabolites made by Populus trees have been functionally characterized. Some others have been associated with certain biological/ecological processes, such as defense against insects and microbial pathogens or acclimation or adaptation to abiotic stresses. Functions of many Populus secondary metabolites remain unclear. The advent of various novel genomic tools will enable us to explore in greater detail the complexity of secondary metabolism in Populus. Detailed data mining of the Populus genome sequence ...
Changes in spirituality and quality of life in patients undergoing radiation therapy.

Purpose: Investigations into the role of spirituality in cancer confirm the association of good spiritual well-being with many positive outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate potential changes in spirituality over the course of radiation therapy (RT). Patients and Materials: The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual questionnaire measuring spiritual well-being and quality of life (QOL) was administered to adult patients undergoing RT. Scores were compared using student t tests and chi-square anal- ysis. Results: Despite statistically significant declines in QOL measures such as physical well-being (P < .001) and overall well-being (P < .001), no significant changes were noted in spirituality for all comers. A significant increase in the Sp-12 spirituality measure (P ¼ .001) was noted in patients with breast cancer, independent of age, gender, and purpose of treatment. Sp-12 scores were positively correlated with overall QOL scores (P < .001).
Ultrasound-modulated fluorescence from rhodamine B aqueous solution

We report experimentally observed ultrasound-modulated fluorescence (UMF) from a submillimeter tube filled with rhodamine B aqueous solution. The tube was submerged in water and a scattering medium. Based on the measured data, we find that the UMF signals might be generated from three mechanisms: modulation of the excitation light, modulation of the emission light, and modulation of the properties of fluorophore. In addition, a linear relationship between the UMF and the drive voltage applied to the ultrasound transducer is found.
Manufacturing of a GMP Grade Product for HIV Gene Therapy

Good manufacturing practice (GMP) is a national standard for the production of safe and efficacious pharmaceuticals. Strict environmental controls and quality control and quality assurance measures need to be applied to comply with this standard. For a clinical grade T cell or stem cell gene therapy product, two different products need to be manufactured under GMP conditions: gene therapy vector and the transduced T cell or stem cell population. Both vector and cellular products need to be manufacturing in a GMP facility designed for this purpose, and stringent release criteria need to be applied before they can be administered into patients in clinical trials.
Some Aspects of DNA Strand Separation

Ever since the double helix structure was first proposed for DNA, the problem of strand separation during replication has attracted much attention. When I was asked by the organizers of this meeting to give a general survey on the physical chemistry of DNA, I decided to focus my discussions on strand separation. At the molecular level however, even the simplest in vitro DNA replication system is rather complicated, and little quantitative information is available. Therefore, the discussions to follow are qualitative and conceptual in nature.
Gatewood and Daugherty: Minding Their Own Business

Nathaniel Gatewood and Sean Daugherty were MBA students at the University of Virginia's Darden Graduate School of Business. They each held strong entrepreneurial desires and headed back to school with that goal in mind. Gatewood knew that he wanted to purchase a manufacturing company, but was unclear on how he should go about it. Daugherty just wanted to work for himself. The pair met in their neighborhood and quickly became friends. Within a short period of time, Gatewood and Daugherty tossed around an idea to become partners and explore a joint venture to purchase a company. Once school started, they met another classmate and partner, Eric Anderson, who acted as a catalyst to model their purchase plan into a Darden Business Project. In time, Anderson was offered a position in the private-equity group where he had summer-interned, and he backed out of the partnership. After some soul-searching, Gatewood and Daugherty decided to proceed without him. The pair took many steps in the due-diligence process. They assessed their personal skills, and interviewed faculty, entrepreneurs, and alumni. Along the way, they explored the concept of a search fund. As they got closer to graduation, Daugherty and Gatewood were forced to decide between securing a search fund and continuing to look for an acquisition or applying for lucrative jobs, like their classmates, and looking for a business later. This case illustrates the development process of two entrepreneurs and serves as an excellent introduction to the search-fund concept. It also promotes discussion around the topic of how to plan, manage, and make decisions in an uncertain environment.