cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Annotation and retrieval of clinically relevant images.

Abstract Purpose Medical images are a significant information source for clinical decision-making. Currently available information retrieval and decision support systems rely primarily on the text of scientific publications to find evidence in support of clinical information needs. The images and illustrations are available only within the full text of a scientific publication and do not directly contribute evidence to such systems. Our first goal is to explore whether image features facilitate finding relevant images that appear in publications. Our second goal is to find promising approaches for providing clinical evidence at the point of service, leveraging information contained in the text and images. Methods We studied two approaches to finding illustrative evidence: a supervised machine-learning approach, in which images are classified as being relevant to an information need or not, and a pipeline information retrieval approach, in which images were retrieved using associated text and then re-ranked using content-based image retrieval (CBIR) techniques. Results Our information retrieval approach did not benefit from combining textual and image information. However, given sufficient training data for the machine-learning approach, we achieved 56% average precision at 94% recall using textual features, and 27% average precision at 86% recall using image features. Combining these classifiers resulted in improvement up to 81% precision at 96% recall (74% recall at 85% precision, on average) for the requests with over 180 positive training examples. Conclusions Our supervised machine-learning methods that combine information from image and text are capable of achieving image annotation and retrieval accuracy acceptable for providing clinical evidence, given sufficient training data.
Phase Function Corrected Diffusion Approximation for Light Transport in Turbid Media

Many optical imaging and spectroscopy applications require understanding how light propagates in turbid media near point-of-entry. We report an analytic solution to this problem that demonstrates excellent agreement with simulations and experiments.
“Of Means and Ends” Revisited: Teaching Ethical Community Organizing in an Unethical Society

Summary Dramatic changes in society will alter the environment of community practitioners in the 21st Century and generate new and more complex ethical dilemmas. Yet, the literature of community practice has paid little attention to ethical issues. This article explores some ethical issues associated with community practice and their implications for social work education. It also outlines a basic ethical framework for teaching students how to analyze ethical problems and specific teaching methods such as case studies, community projects, class exercises, and field-based assignments.
INTEREST RATE RISK, MARKET VALUE, AND HEDGING FINANCIAL PORTFOLIOS

This paper derives theoretical hedge ratios for the financial portfolio that preserve its present value in the presence of interest rate risk. From a practical point of view and for any given portfolio, the existence of the financial futures market allows the investor to employ any of a number of different hedges, each of which approximately satisfies the theoretical condition. The theory indicates that wealth-preserving hedges depend on the interest elasticities (durations) of the spot assets and liabilities contained in the portfolio, portfolio leverage, and the interest elasticity (duration) of the financial instrument underlying the futures contract that is employed in constructing the hedge. Also, hedges designed to maintain net interest margin or net cash flow do not minimize exposure to interest rate risk.
Phase II trial of T138067, a novel microtubule inhibitor, in patients with metastatic, refractory colorectal carcinoma.

Abstract Background This study was conducted before the approval of oxaliplatin, cetuximab, and bevacizumab and was designed to evaluate a novel microtubule targeting agent, T138067, in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) previously treated with irinotecan and 5-fluorouracil. Patients and Methods Patients from 3 institutions were enrolled over 4 months and treated with T138067 on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 21-day cycle. Disease evaluation was performed after 9 weeks. Results Treatment was tolerable with moderate hematologic and gastrointestinal toxicity. Neurotoxicity, an expected side effect, was minimal. Among 23 evaluable patients, there were no responses. Median time to tumor progression was 1.4 months and median survival was 9.3 months. Conclusion T138067 at this dose and schedule was well tolerated by patients with CRC. However, there was no evidence of clinical activity for T138067 in 5-fluorouracil/irinotecan–refractory CRC. The long median survival likely reflects availability of other agents and/or patient selection.
Geometry prediction for wave-generated bedforms

Published data on wave-generated bedform geometry from field and laboratory measurements are re-evaluated in terms of relative fluid orbit diameter at the bed, and a wave period parameter, χ = ϱD/γ8T2. Laboratory bedform data shows a strong dependence on these parameters. However, for very small values of the period parameter (typically field data), there is evidence that bedform length depends only on sediment grain size. The disappearance of sediment bedforms at high fluid velocities, apparently occurs through a decrease in bedform height. Improved methods for the prediction of bedform geometry under waves are provided in graphical form and computer code.
Robust intent recognition for prosthesis control

A study of the stochastic nature of the processed electromyogram (EMG) and performance of Gaussian Bayesian spatial pattern recognition systems, for the control of an above-knee (A/K) prosthesis, was conducted. The primary focus of this study was to Identify, derive, and implement myoelectric signal processing methods that are capable of recognizing the functional intent of an individual over as large a range of force and span of time as possible. A long term model of observed EMG pattern vectors was developed to account for the minute and hour scale nonstationary behavior. Patterns of processed EMG for isometric-isotonic and isometric-anisotonic, linearly increasing force muscle states were collected. Processed EMG that spanned an hour was ensemble averaged to form a Gaussian Bayesian reference model which minimized the average expected loss in the wide sense. Signal to noise ratios (SNR) and percent correct classifications (% CC) were obtained and proved superior to shorter term models.
Long-term survival after resection for primary hepatic carcinoid tumor.

Background:Primary hepatic carcinoid tumors (PHCTs) are extremely rare, and fewer than 50 cases have been reported in the English-language literature. We report a patient with a PHCT and review the cases in the literature. Methods:Our patient presented with symptoms and underwent liver resection for PHCT and regional lymph node metastasis. He underwent two more liver resections over the following 7 years for recurrent PHCT. Cases reported in the English-language literature were reviewed and survival analysis was performed with the Kaplan-Meier method. The survival impacts of age, gender, tumor foci, extrahepatic metastasis, unilobar versus bilobar disease, and type of preoperative treatment were determined by means of log-rank test. Results:Our patient has been free of symptoms for 14 years of follow-up and free of disease for 8 years of follow-up. Forty-eight cases of PHCT were found in the literature, and 92% of these patients underwent resection. Actuarial 5- and 10-year survival for all patients was 78% and 59%, respectively, whereas for resected patients, 10-year survival was 68%. The administration of preoperative chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or chemoembolization did not impact survival, nor did age, gender, presence of extrahepatic metastasis, number of tumors, or distribution of the tumor within the liver. Conclusions:Resection is the treatment of choice for PHCT and has provided favorable outcomes. Resection for PHCT can be performed in most patients and offers long-term survival.
Television “Violence” and Children with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

The role of television viewing in the etiology and exacerbation of aggressive behavior has been a topic of controversy for many years, and popular sentiment supports a causal link between viewing “violent” content and behaving aggressively. To better understand television's effect on children who meet public school criteria for emotional disturbance (ED), the authors conducted a 10-year program of research into their television viewing habits, comprehension of and reactivity to aggressive- and nonaggressive-content material, and responsiveness to a viewing skills curriculum. Research findings showed that children with ED viewed relatively large amounts of violent material, preferred aggressive characters, and were more likely to believe fictional content to be true. However, they were no more likely to behave aggressively in naturalistic social situations following the viewing of aggression-laden material than nonaggressive content. A curriculum designed to enhance viewing skills did increase knowledge bu...
Human TCR-αβ+ CD4− CD8− T Cells Can Derive from CD8+ T Cells and Display an Inflammatory Effector Phenotype

The origin and function of human double negative (DN) TCR-αβ+ T cells is unknown. They are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus because they expand and accumulate in inflamed organs. In this study, we provide evidence that human TCR-αβ+ CD4− CD8− DN T cells can derive from activated CD8+ T cells. Freshly isolated TCR-αβ+ DN T cells display a distinct gene expression and cytokine production profile. DN cells isolated from peripheral blood as well as DN cells derived in vitro from CD8+ T cells produce a defined array of proinflammatory mediators that includes IL-1β, IL-17, IFN-γ, CXCL3, and CXCL2. These results indicate that, upon activation, CD8+ T cells have the capacity to acquire a distinct phenotype that grants them inflammatory capacity.
Use of an ultrasonic contrast method in the diagnosis of valvular regurgitation and intracardiac shunts.

Abstract Injection of normal saline solution or indocyanine green dye through intracardiac catheters results in ultrasonic reflections from the site of injection. To evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of this observation, ultrasonic transducers were first placed directly on the pulmonary artery or ascending aorta of six open chest dogs. The rapid injection of 5 ml of normal saline solution into the femoral vein or left atrium produced a “cloud” of contrast echoes filling the pulmonary artery or ascending aorta. Thus, the echo-reflecting phenomenon persists during the passage of blood across two cardiac valves. Sixty-two patients aged 2 months to 70 years were then studied during cardiac catheterization; recordings were made during injection of indocyanine green dye or normal saline solution. Contrast echoes appeared in the left atrium after left ventricular injection in 14 of 16 patients with mitral regurgitation. Aortic root injection produced contrast echoes in the left ventricle in 13 of 16 patients with aortic regurgitation. Valvular regurgitation as small as 10 percent by angiographic determination was detected. Shunting was detected In patients with atrial and ventricular septal defects, patent ductus arteriosus and tetralogy of Fallot. Catheter-induced mitral regurgitation was demonstrated in one patient. This method is a sensitive and accurate qualitative technique for detecting intracardiac shunts and valvular regurgitation.
Transfer-matrix Formalism for the Calculation of Optical Response in Multilayer Systems: from Coherent to Incoherent Interference

We present a novel way to account for partially coherent interference in multilayer systems via the transfer-matrix method. The novel feature is that there is no need to use modified Fresnel coefficients or the square of their amplitudes to work in the incoherent limit. The transition from coherent to incoherent interference is achieved by introducing a random phase of increasing intensity in the propagating media. This random phase can simulate the effect of defects or impurities. This method provides a general way of dealing with optical multilayer systems, in which coherent and incoherent interference are treated on equal footing.
State Legislative Reform Determinants and Policy Consequences

This research is designed to answer the question-what social, economic, and political factors lead to variations in state legislative professionalism and capability, and what impact do these variations have on state public policy? Using a causal model with multiple measures of the concepts and a multiple-partial correlation technique, it is found that legislative reform is not directly related to socioeconomic change and inequality; rather the relationship is mediated by executive reform. In addition, the effects of these environ mental forces on certain policies are mediated by executive and legislative characteristics of the states.
An implementation of generators in C

This report describes a new language, Cg, that extends the programming language C to include generators, and facilitates backtracking and goal directed evaluation. The first section introduces the idea of generators and their uses in backtracking and goal directed evaluation. This is followed by examples showing how the solution of several classic programming problems can be simplified using these concepts. A more complicated example, a program for matching regular expressions, is then described. The paper concludes with a description of the current implementation of Cg.
A Simplified Approach for Simultaneous Measurements of Wavefront Velocity and Curvature in the Heart Using Activation Times.

The velocity and curvature of a wave front are important factors governing the propagation of electrical activity through cardiac tissue, particularly during heart arrhythmias of clinical importance such as fibrillation. Presently, no simple computational model exists to determine these values simultaneously. The proposed model uses the arrival times at four or five sites to determine the wave front speed (v), direction (θ), and radius of curvature (ROC) (r 0). If the arrival times are measured, then v, θ, and r 0 can be found from differences in arrival times and the distance between these sites. During isotropic conduction, we found good correlation between measured values of the ROC r 0 and the distance from the unipolar stimulus (r = 0.9043 and p < 0.0001). The conduction velocity (m/s) was correlated (r = 0.998, p < 0.0001) using our method (mean = 0.2403, SD = 0.0533) and an empirical method (mean = 0.2352, SD = 0.0560). The model was applied to a condition of anisotropy and a complex case of reentry with a high voltage extra stimulus. Again, results show good correlation between our simplified approach and established methods for multiple wavefront morphologies. In conclusion, insignificant measurement errors were observed between this simplified approach and an approach that was more computationally demanding. Accuracy was maintained when the requirement that e (e = b/r 0, ratio of recording site spacing over wave fronts ROC) was between 0.001 and 0.5. The present simplified model can be applied to a variety of clinical conditions to predict behavior of planar, elliptical, and reentrant wave fronts. It may be used to study the genesis and propagation of rotors in human arrhythmias and could lead to rotor mapping using low density endocardial recording electrodes.
Protein and energy metabolism response to the initial dose of infliximab in children with Crohn's disease.

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) may contribute to the alterations in protein and energy metabolism present in children with Crohn's disease (CD), who frequently suffer from growth disturbance. We hypothesized that anti-TNF-α therapy would reduce protein losses, due to decreased proteolysis and increased protein synthesis, and that anti-TNF-α therapy would decrease resting energy expenditure. Methods: Children with active CD underwent metabolic assessment immediately before and 2 weeks following initial infliximab infusion. Using the stable isotopes [d5] phenylalanine and [1–13C] leucine, 2 independent measures of protein metabolism were determined during fasting and in response to parenteral nutrition. Energy expenditure, determined by indirect calorimetry, was measured in fasting and parenterally fed states. Results: Fifteen children completed the study. Following infliximab therapy, significant reductions in proteolysis (P < 0.05) were noted in the fasting state (8%–11%) and during parenteral nutrition infusion (10%–12%). Phenylalanine utilization for protein synthesis decreased significantly (8%–13%) following infliximab (P < 0.05). Protein balance was not significantly altered. No significant changes in energy expenditure were observed following infliximab in fasting or parenterally fed states. Supplementation with parenteral nutrition resulted in significantly decreased proteolysis (8%–21%; P < 0.05), increased protein synthesis (37%–45%; P < 0.01), and improved protein balance (P < 0.01) compared to the fasting state. Conclusions: Following the initial infliximab infusion in children with CD, proteolysis and protein synthesis were significantly reduced in the fasting and parenterally fed states. Supplementation with parenteral nutrition resulted in significant improvements in protein metabolism compared to the fasting state both before and after infliximab therapy. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2007)
Sensitivity of the nonlinear joint transform correlator: experimental investigations

Experiments are provided to investigate nonlinear joint transform correlator sensitivity to scaling and rotation changes of input objects for various degrees of nonlinearity applied to the joint power spectrum. The experimental results for the images used here show that a severe nonlinear transformation of the joint power spectrum increases the sensitivity of the correlation peak intensity to scaling and rotation changes of input objects. However, the correlation peak-to-sidelobe ratio of the nonlinear joint transform correlator remains higher than the linear joint transform correlator. These experiments indicate that, in the presence of input signal rotation or scale changes, the performance of the nonlinear joint transform correlator may be better than the linear joint transform correlator. The effect of the modulation transfer function of the spatial light modulator on the nonlinear joint transform correlator performance in the presence of multiple input targets is discussed.
RELEASE OF ADENINE NUCLEOTIDE FROM NERVE AXONS.

RECENT experiments have shown that adenine nucleotides antagonize the neural effects of calcium deficiency1 and procaine2. These findings suggest that adenine nucleotides play some part in normal axon physiology and, specifically, a nucleotide-protein complex in the excitable membrane of the axon has been postulated1,3. Nerve stimulation and certain alterations of the ionic environment may affect axon function by causing dissociation of this complex and, consequently, an increased rate of nucleotide release. In this communication we present evidence in support of this hypothesis.
Regional blood flow response to hypothermia in premature, newborn, and neonatal piglets.

Abstract Background/Purpose: Hypothermia (HT) remains a significant stress to the newborn and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The authors assessed the effect of transient HT (32°C) on regional organ blood flow in anesthetized piglets at age 7 to 10 days preterm (PREM), 1 to 2 days (NB), and 1 to 2 weeks (NEO). Methods: Radiolabeled microspheres were used to determine organ blood flows (mL/min/g) at baseline, 15, and 60 minutes after HT and 60 minutes after rewarming to baseline core temperature. Results: Heart rate and cardiac output decreased significantly in all groups. Cardiac flow decreased significantly in the NEO group, and central nervous system (CNS) flow decreased significantly in the NB and NEO groups. Both returned to baseline levels after rewarming. The PREM group experienced decreased cardiac, CNS, and intestinal blood flows but not to significant levels. NB and NEO intestinal blood flow showed significant decreases, which remained so after rewarming (a response not seen in hypoxia or hypovolemia). Cardiac output did not return to baseline levels in any group. Conclusions: HT causes derangements in organ blood flows that differ from other deleterious stimuli such as hypoxia and hypovolemia. The prolonged intestinal ischemia supports HT as a factor in the development of NEC. This delay may offer opportunity to intervene in an attempt to lessen ischemiareperfusion injury.
Death of sensory ganglion neurons after acute withdrawal of nerve growth factor in dissociated cell cultures.

Abstract The time course of dependence on nerve growth factor (NGF) for survival in sensory neurons in vitro was examined with microscopic and biochemical methods. Primary dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cultures from embryonic-day-15 (E-15) and day-19 (E-19) rats were maintained with standard dissociated cell culture techniques in the absence of most non-neuronal cells. After various times in culture, neurons were acutely deprived of neurotrophic support by changing to NGF-free medium and adding NGF antiserum to eliminate any residual NGF. Neuronal cultures were examined with phase microscopy; and, their metabolic activity was measured with a protein assay at various time points after NGF deprivation. E-15 neurons grown in culture for 5 days were exquisitely sensitive to acute NGF deprivation. By 12 h after NGF deprivation, neuronal morphology was severely disrupted and the majority of neurons appeared dead. E-15 neurons grown in culture for 8 or 11 days showed progressively less dependence on NGF for survival. These older neurons did not die until 24 and 48 h, respectively, following NGF withdrawal. Neurons grown in culture for 20 days did not show any morphologic changes by phase microscopy up to 4 days after NGF deprivation. Protein incorporation progressively decreased between 12 and 48 h after NGF withdrawal in E-15 neurons grown in culture for 5, 8, or 11 days. The younger neurons were more sensitive to NGF withdrawal at earlier time points. E-15 neurons grown in culture for 20 days showed only a 20% decrease in protein metabolism at 24, 48, and 108 h after NGF withdrawal and did not require NGF for survival. A second group of neurons from E-19 rat pups was cultured to determine whether the loss of NGF dependence for survival was related to the time in culture or to the absolute age of the neurons. The E-19 neurons were deprived of NGF in the same fashion as the E-15 neurons cultured for 6 days (absolute age, 21 days) underwent death by 12 h after NGF withdrawal. In contrast, E-19 neurons cultured for 6 days (absolute age, 25 days) were alive 24 h after NGF deprivation. Thus, it appears that the absolute age of the neuron rather than the length of time in culture determines its sensitivity to NGF deprivation, Embryonic sensory neurons demonstrate dramatic changes in NGF dependence in vitro. This change in sensory neuronal dependence on trophic support is related to the absolute age of the neurons rather than the length of time in culture. Trophic requirements change during development as a result of unknown intrinsic neuronal mechanisms.
Effects of Dietary Amino Acid Levels on Bone Development in Broiler Chickens

Abstract Studies with several species suggest that dietary protein may influence bone calcification. Six pens of six male broilers in two consecutive trials were fed from 1 to 21 days either .5 or 1.0% Ca in diets with 80, 90, 100, 110, or 120% of the amino acid (AA) standards suggested by Thomas et al. in 1986 at a constant .46% nonphytate P. The BW and feed conversion rate (FCR) were determined, and bone measurements were taken. Both AA and Ca levels influenced BW with an interaction of the two factors. The Ca level, but not AA level, influenced FCR. The lower Ca level inhibited feed intake. Increasing AA levels reduced bone ash but did not affect tibia breaking strength. There was an interaction of AA and Ca on tibia ash, tibia weight, and tibia length. The higher AA levels supported normal linear growth of the tibia but decreased rate of calcification, especially in the diets with .5% Ca. In diets with marginal Ca levels, higher AA levels may reduce bone calcification.
Cell Tropism of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus in Culture Is Not Predictive of in Vivo Tropism or Pathogenesis

SIVmac239/316 is a molecular clone derived from SIVmac239 that differs from the parental virus by nine amino acids in env. This virus, unlike the parental SIVmac239, is able to replicate well in alveolar macrophages in culture. We have not however, observed macrophage-associated inflammatory disease in any animal infected with SIVmac239/316. Therefore, we sought to examine the cell tropism of this virus in vivo in multiple tissues using in situ hybridization combined with immunohistochemistry and multilabel confocal microscopy for viral nucleic acid and multiple cell-type-specific markers for macrophages and T lymphocytes. Tissues examined included brain, heart, lung, lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, and small and large intestine. Matched tissues from macaques infected with the parental SIVmac239 and uninfected macaques were also examined. Many infected cells were detected in the tissues of animals infected with SIVmac239 and SIVmac239/316 although there appeared to be fewer positive cells in animals infected with SIVmac239/316. Surprisingly, in light of the cell culture observations, nearly every simian immunodeficiency virus-infected cell in animals inoculated with SIVmac239/316 was a T lymphocyte rather than a macrophage. This was true both during early infection (first 2 months) and in terminal disease. In contrast, as previously described, SIVmac239 was found in both T cells and macrophages in tissues as early as 21 days after infection. These studies indicate that during both acute and chronic SIVmac239/316 infection T lymphocytes rather than macrophages are the principal targets in vivo. These data combined with the absence of macrophage-associated lesions in SIVmac239/316-infected animals indicate that in vitro cell tropism is not predictive of in vivo tropism or disease pathogenesis.
Transmission electron microscopy of radiation damage in Nb3Sn

The nature of the defect or defect complexes produced in superconducting compound Nb3Sn by high energy (E ≧ 1 MeV) neutron irradiation is studied by transmission electron microscopy. The damage appears to be primarily in the form of highly disordered regions of size 2 to 6 nm in a much less disordered matrix. Both the ordered matrix and the disordered regions essentially retain A15 structure. Using superlattice and fundamental reflections it is shown that the disordered regions contain a high density of antisite defects as well as associated strain fields. Die Art der Defekte oder Defektkomplexe, die in der supraleitenden Verbindung Nb3Sn durch Hochenergie Neutronenbestrahlung (E ≧ 1 MeV) erzeugt wird, wird mittels Transmissions-elektronenmikroskopie untersucht. Der Strahlenschaden tritt hauptsachlich in Form von stark fehlgeordneten Bereichen von der Grose 2 bis 6 nm in einer viel weniger fehlgeordneten Matrix auf. Sowohl die geordnete Matrix als auch die fehlgeordneten Bereiche bewahren im wesentlichen die A 15-Struktur. Mittels Supergitter- und Grundgitterreflexionen wird gezeigt, das die fehlgeordneten Bereiche sowohl eine hohe Dichte von Antiplatzdefekten als auch zugeordnete Spannungsfelder aufweisen.
Variation in External Sphincter Extension within and beyond the Prostate: Implications from MRI-Based Post Implant Segmental Dosimetry

Conclusions: This is the first study to validate the use of intraoperative CT assessment of the intended planned dosimetry with the actual delivered dosimetry in LDRIPB in a large cohort of patients. There is a striking correlation between the real-time TRUS based intraoperative dosimetry and intraoperative CT dosimetry with respect to target coverage and normal tissue dose. These findings suggest that intraoperative CT assessment is not only feasible but a reliable means of evaluating the dosimetric outcome shortly after implant and prior to anesthesia reversal. This approach can allow for immediate verification and intraoperative adjustments after implantation.
Carbon dioxide laser transection of rat peripheral nerves

Histologic, ultrastructural, and horseradish peroxidase tracing studies have shown that the carbon dioxide laser does not, as previously reported, seal transected axons in peripheral nerves that are subsequently repaired. If sealed nerve ends are the desired effect, such as in treatment of painful neuromas, this experimental animal study in rats suggests that the laser may be contraindicated because of the possible retention of proximal nerve regenerative ability. For resections of peripheral neuromas followed by neurorrhaphy, our data indicate that conventional scissor transection of the nerve may be followed by better reinnervation than that of laser transection.
Genetic programming neural networks: A powerful bioinformatics tool for human genetics

The identification of genes that influence the risk of common, complex disease primarily through interactions with other genes and environmental factors remains a statistical and computational challenge in genetic epidemiology. This challenge is partly due to the limitations of parametric statistical methods for detecting genetic effects that are dependent solely or partially on interactions. We have previously introduced a genetic programming neural network (GPNN) as a method for optimizing the architecture of a neural network to improve the identification of genetic and gene-environment combinations associated with disease risk. Previous empirical studies suggest GPNN has excellent power for identifying gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. The goal of this study was to compare the power of GPNN to stepwise logistic regression (SLR) and classification and regression trees (CART) for identifying gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. SLR and CART are standard methods of analysis for genetic association studies. Using simulated data, we show that GPNN has higher power to identify gene-gene and gene-environment interactions than SLR and CART. These results indicate that GPNN may be a useful pattern recognition approach for detecting gene-gene and gene-environment interactions in studies of human disease.
Minimally invasive repair of sacroiliac luxation in small animals.

Sacroiliac fracture-luxation is a common injury that is associated with ilial and acetabular fractures of the opposite hemipelvis. Sacroiliac fracture-luxation results in an unstable pelvis and potentially collapse of the pelvic canal. A minimally invasive technique for repair of sacroiliac-fracture luxation is a viable option for repair of this injury and has considerable benefits. Reduction and fixation using a minimally invasive technique provides results comparable to an open technique without the associated morbidity of an open technique. Exact screw placement is facilitated by fluoroscopy to make sure that the disk space or vertebral canal is not penetrated yet allows an adequate length of screw purchase in the sacrum.
Chlorphentermine may produce dual stimulus effects: a preliminary investigation.

Abstract 1. 1. Rats were trained to discriminate injections of either (+)-amphetamine (0.75 mg/kg) or (±)-fenfluramine (1.5 mg/kg) from saline in a two-lever drug discrimination task. 2. 2. After stable discrimination performances were attained in each group, stimulus generalization studies were conducted with amphetamine, fenfluramine, and chlorphentermine. 3. 3. Stimulus generalization (substitution) did not occur between amphetamine and fenfluramine when either drug was used as the training stimulus. 4. 4. In contrast, both the amphetamine stimulus and the fenfluramine stimulus generalized completely to chlorphentermine. 5. 5. Taken together, the results suggest that chlorphentermine may be capable of producing dual stimulus effects in animals.
Controller Placement for Improving Resilience of Software-Defined Networks

Software-defined Network (SDN) is a new architectural framework for networking that decouples control plane from data plane and provides a programmatic interface to network control. SDN enables innovations of networking technologies for Internet and data centers today in order to ease the management of the highly dynamic and complex infrastructure, to support the fine-grained traffic engineering, and to better address the mobility of virtual machines, services, and end-points. However, SDN itself opens many unanswered questions regarding reliability, performance, and security. Controller placement is a critical problem in SDN that may affect many aspects of SDN. This work introduces the use of interdependence network analysis to study the controller placement for network resilience, designs a new resilience metric, and proposes a solution to improve resilience.
Some Mechanical Properties of Uranium-10 Weight Percent Molybdenum Alloy Under Dynamic Tension Loads

Dynamic tensile tests were conducted on uranium-10 weight percent molybdenum alloy in as-cast and wrought conditions. Carbon content was varied from 71 to 800 ppm. Heat-treatment was also varied. Tests were conducted on a universal testing machine at strain rates of 4.8 × 10−5 and 0.057 in/in/sec and on a modified Dynapak at strain rates up to 100 in/in sec. Tests were run from 75 to 600 F. Relatively low strain rates were used to determine the susceptibility to stress corrosion while the higher strain rates demonstrated the sensitivity of various mechanical properties to strain rate effects.
Hydrologic routing using nonlinear cascaded reservoirs

A key element of hydrologic routing models is that the discharge-storage relationship is assumed to follow a certain mathematical form, usually a linear or a power function, with parameters calibrated based on existing inflow-outflow data. This assumption simplifies the model calibration process but also constrains model operation throughout the flow range, potentially introducing biases. We present a new nonlinear hydrologic river routing approach where functions are only required to be nondecreasing. River reaches are modeled as conceptual reservoir cascades, with discharge-storage and loss/gain functions identified by the data. A novel parameter estimation approach is developed to identify these functions and other model parameters within a dynamical optimization framework. It is shown that hydrologic routing functions indeed exhibit different mathematical forms at different regions of their active range, and that the new approach is reliable, efficient, and robust under observational uncertainty. The model is demonstrated in lake and river routing applications for the Nile River, and it is also applicable for the estimation of nonlinear, nondecreasing functional relationships of general dynamic systems in state-space form.
Management of gingival tissue during indirect impression procedures.

This paper discusses tissue management necessary during the construction o f inlays by the indirect method. If tissue is displaced to expose the cavity walls, the preparation can be accurately copied and reproduced on the stone die model. The technic used for displacement influences tissue health.
Localization of cell wall polysaccharides in nonarticulated laticifers of Asclepias speciosa Torr.

Asclepias speciosa Torr, has latex-containing cells known as nonarticulated laticifers. In stem sections of this species, we have analyzed the cell walls of nonarticulated laticifers and surrounding cells with various stains, lectins, and monoclonal antibodies. These analyses revealed that laticifer walls are rich in (1→4) β-D-glucans and pectin polymers. Immunolocalization of pectic epitopes with the antihomogalacturonan antibodies JIM5 and JIM7 produced distinct labeling patterns. JIM7 labeled all cells including laticifers, while JIM5 only labeled mature epidermal cells and xylem elements. Two antibodies, LM5 and LM6, which recognize rhamnogalacturonan I epitopes distinctly labeled laticifer walls. LM6, which binds to a (l→5) α-arabinan epitope, labeled laticifer walls more intensely than walls of other cells. LM5, which recognizes a (1→4) β-D-galac-tan epitope, did not label laticifer segments at the shoot apex but labeled more mature portions of laticifers. Also the LM5 antibody did not label cells at the shoot apical meristem, but as cells grew and matured the LM5 epitope was expressed in all cells. LM2, a monoclonal antibody that binds to β-D-glucuronic acid residues in arabinogalactan proteins, did not label laticifers but specifically labeled sieve tubes. Sieve tubes were also specifically labeled byRicinus communis agglutinin, a lectin that binds to terminal β-D-galactosyl residues. Taken together, the analyses conducted showed that laticifer walls have distinctive cytochemical properties and that these properties change along the length of laticifers. In addition, this study revealed differences in the expression of pectin and arabinogalactan protein epitopes during shoot development or among different cell types.
Studies of bacterial hypersensitivity in asthma: I. The preparation of antigens of Neisseria catarrhalis, the induction of asthma by aerosols, the performance of skin and passive transfer tests

Abstract 1.1. Antigens from Neisseria catarrhalis have been prepared by disruption of the bacteria in a sonic oscillator followed by centrifugation at low speed. The supernatant (the crude extract) was subsequently separated in a Spinco ultracentrifuge (Fraction Spinco) as well as separated into multiple fractions by precipitation with various concentrations of ammonium sulfate. 2.2. Asthma was induced in 13 of 16 patients, known to have asthma associated with acute respiratory infection, by provocative aerosols of Fraction Spinco and also fractions obtained by ammonium sulfate precipitation at 61 to 70 per cent concentration (Fraction 70) and at 71 to 90 per cent concentration (Fraction 90). Furthermore, asthma was induced with composite fractions from ammonium sulfate precipitation (Fractions 51S and 61S). None of 9 controls, including 8 normal healthy adults and one who had asthma only during the ragweed pollen season, developed asthma from exposure by aerosol to Fractions 70, 90, and Spinco. 3.3. The degree of induced asthma was evaluated by spirographic measurements of total and one-second timed vital capacities, as well as clinical observations. The change in vital capacity coincided with the intensity of the bronchial response with a few exceptions. 4.4. Fourteen of the 16 patients and 21 control subjects were given intradermal tests with Fractions 70, 90, and Spinco. Additional tests were made with Fractions 30, 40, 50, 60, and 61S. Twelve of the 14 patients showed immediate reactivity to one or more fractions, and 13 developed delayed reactions. However, only 3 of the 21 control subjects showed positive immediate reactions while 15 developed delayed reactions. 5.5. Skin-sensitizing antibodies were detected in the sera of 5 of the 14 patients in whom asthma was induced by aerosol. 6.6. All studies with all fractions, herein reported, were performed in relation to the concentration of total nitrogen. Carbohydrate determinations revealed the reducing substances to be in the bound state. Histamine, measured fluorometrically, was found to be of negligible amounts in the antigens analyzed (Fractions Spinco and 51S. 7.7. In specifically immunized guinea pigs, exposure to aerosols of the crude extract resulted in signs of hypersensitivity (anaphylaxis). 8.8. All antigens were found to be toxic when administered by aerosol, both in asthmatic patients and human controls (as well as in the lower animal), and also by injection when priming doses were not administered, as with passive transfer recipients. 9.9. Results of the observations of toxicity of Neisseria catarrhalis antigens, bacteriologic examination of sputum, and serologic studies of circulating antibody, including "blocking antibody," precipitation detected by agar gel diffusion, complement fixation, and skin passive transfer methods are summarized, the details of which will be reported in separate communications.
Rhythmic motor behavior of preambulatory motor impaired, Down syndrome and nondisabled children: a comparative analysis.

The developmental course of rhythmic motor behavior was followed longitudinally for three groups of preambulatory children — normally developing, Down syndrome, and those with profound motor impairment. The groups differed in chronological age but were comparable with respect to motor age. The motor impaired subjects displayed significantly less rhythmic motor behavior than the nondisabled and Down syndrome groups. In comparing particular subtypes of rhythmic motor behavior, differences were found in both the average number of bouts and duration of subtypes among the groups. Longitudinal analyses of the data over the entire observation period revealed that the rhythmic motor behavior of the children with Down syndrome was more similar to that exhibited by the nondisabled children than was the rhythmic motor behavior of the children with motor impairment. However, there was considerable variability among the groups in several particular subtypes.
Heat Transfer from an Isothermally Heated Flat Surface due to Twin Oblique Slot-Jet Impingement

Abstract Impinging jets are used for quick and efficient cooling of heated surfaces. For normally impinging jets, one shortcoming is that high heat transfer is achieved only around the impingement region of the heated surface while the remaining parts of the surface under the wall jet region is subjected to significantly lower heat transfer rate. In order to achieve a more distributed heat transfer along an extended heated surface, the use of twin oblique impinging jets separated by a distance is proposed. In this study, convective heat transfer from a heated flat surface due to twin oblique laminar slot-jet impingement is investigated numerically. The flow domain is confined by an adiabatic surface parallel to the heated impingement surface. The twin slot jets are located on the confining surface. The flow and geometric parameters are the jet exit Reynolds number, distance between the two jets, distance between the jet exit and the impingement surface, and the inclination angle of the jet to the impingement surface. Numerical computations are done for various combinations of these parameters and the results are presented in terms of the streamlines and isotherms in the flow domain, the distribution of the local Nusselt number along the heated surface, and the average Nusselt number at the heated surface. It is found that for impingement angles up to 60°, the heat transfer is not desirably distributed. However, at 45° impingement angle, heat transfer is reasonably distributed with a corresponding decrease of about 36% overall heat transfer.
Near Infra-Red Interactance for Longitudinal Assessment of Nutrition in Dialysis Patients

Objective: Serial nutritional assessment of dialysis patients is important because of the high incidence and prevalence of malnutrition in these patients. Near-infrared interactance (NIR) technology may provide a practical and reliable method to evaluate body fat and its changes over time in dialysis patients. Design: Longitudinal study consisting of 2 cross-sectional measurements, 2 months apart. Setting: Outpatient dialysis unit affiliated to a tertiary care community medical center. Patients: Seventy-one dialysis patients (35 men, 36 women), 57 ± 15 years old, who have been on dialysis between 5 months and 11 years (43 ± 30 months). Twelve additional patients with similar features were studied during the second round. Intervention: None. Main outcome measures: NIR was used to estimate the body fat percentage. Other simultaneous measurements included subjective global assessment, anthropometric indices including midarm circumference, triceps and biceps skinfold thickness, and body mass index, and some laboratory values including albumin, transferrin, and cholesterol. NIR measurement was performed by placing a Futrex sensor on the nonaccess upper arm for several seconds, after logging the required individual data (sex, weight, height, and body frame), along with uniform physical activity levels for all patients, into a mini-computer. Results: Seventy-one dialysis patients underwent nutritional and laboratory measurements. A second measurement round was performed 8 to 9 weeks after the first one and included 12 additional patients. Within each cross-sectional round, Pearson correlation coefficients (r) between the NIR score and nutritionally relevant variables were significant for anthropometric values (0.56 to 0.82) as well as low cholesterol and creatinine (0.22 to 0.30). The two serial NIR measurements on the same patients were highly consistent over the 2-month study interval (r = 0.96), whereas anthropometric values showed greater variability. The within-person coefficient of variation for NIR was low, indicating high consistency between 2 measurements. Moreover, the timing of the NIR measurement (predialysis v postdialysis) did not have any impact on consistency of the NIR results. The longitudinal changes of NIR had significant correlations with anthropometric and laboratory changes over time. Conclusion: The NIR, which can be performed within seconds, may serve as a reliable and practical tool for objective measurements of nutritional status in hemodialysis patients. The NIR not only seems to have a high degree of reproducibility but may also be an optimal tool to detect longitudinal changes in body fat over time. The NIR measurement is independent of the fluid status in dialysis patients. More comparative and longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the validity of NIR measurements in longitudinal evaluation of dialysis patients.
Regional blood flow measurements from fluorescent microsphere images using an Imaging CryoMicrotome

An automated image acquisition and analysis system has been developed that rapidly determines regional blood flow by using the locations of fluorescent microspheres deposited in tissue. A motor-driven microtome removes sections of frozen tissues in steps variable between 10 and 100 μm. Filtered light excites microsphere fluorescence from the exposed surface of the remaining tissue block. A charge coupled device camera records fluorescence images from the tissue block surface after removal of each slice. Approximately 450 images are analyzed from perfused rat hearts providing precise x, y, and z locations of about 10 000 microspheres. Image analysis of fluorescent microspheres is much faster and less labor intensive than traditional indirect microsphere-based flow measurements while providing higher quality data.
Effects on Zea mays Seedlings of a Strontium Replacement for Calcium in Nutrient Media.

When Sr replaced Ca in the nutrient medium, maize seedlings remain alive when seedlings in a Na-replacement for Ca died. In Sr, elongation of roots and shoots was inhibited; however, development of secondary root priraordia was stimulated, and differentiated xylem elements appeared near the root apical meristem. In the absence of external Ca in the nutrient medium, Sr, as compared to Na, did not appear to slow down the rate of loss of Ca from seedling roots, nor did it appear to allow for redistribution of Ca from older parts of the root to the root tip. It is concluded that Sr can replace part of the Ca ordinarily required by these seedlings. (auth)