cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Carpal tunnel syndrome in pregnancy: Frequency, severity, and prognosis

Abstract Objective: To determine the frequency, severity, prognosis, and patterns of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in pregnancy. Design: Descriptive retrospective chart review using the Rochester Epidemiology Project medical record diagnostic indexing system to identify patients with new CTS occurring during pregnancy from 1987 to 1992 at our institution. Setting: Obstetrical practice, where two thirds of pregnant women in the county receive primary obstetrical care. Patients: Women pregnant during 1987 to 1992 who had a new diagnosis of CTS. Women with pregnancies at other dates or women who had CTS with onset before or after pregnancy were excluded. Outcome Measures: Age, underlying medical problems, gestation interval, weight gain, number of pregnancies, presenting symptoms, onset and duration of symptoms before diagnosis, trimester of CTS diagnosis, treatment and response, and results of electrophysiologic studies are described. Results: Of 10,873 pregnant patients receiving antenatal care for 14,579 pregnancies, 50 (.34%) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Their mean age was 30.5 ± 4.0yrs. Twelve patients (24%) were primigravid. Mean weight gain was 12.1 ± 5.7kg. CTS was diagnosed most frequently during the third trimester ( n = 25, 50%). Symptom onset, when recorded, occurred with even distribution during each trimester: first, n = 11 (32%); second, n = 11 (32%); third, n = 12 (35%). For 37 patients in whom symptom duration was recorded, duration before diagnosis was 9.3 ± 9.0 weeks. Paresthesia (88%) was most often bilateral (68%), and 67% of patients had pain. The Tinel sign was present over the median nerve at the wrist in 95%. Only nine patients had nerve conduction studies performed. During pregnancy, 37 women were treated nonsurgically with wrist orthoses, steroid injections, or both. Of treated patients for whom follow-up data were available, 25 of 26 improved, and 4 of 26 required surgery. Thirteen women had no treatment during pregnancy; three underwent surgery in the postpartum period. All 7 women in whom conservative treatment failed who underwent surgery had resolution of symptoms. Conclusion: These results represent the frequency and patterns of clinically significant CTS in a large population of pregnant women. CTS severe enough to warrant treatment occurs infrequently in pregnancy and generally resolves spontaneously postpartum or responds to conservative treatment.
Vertical neutral wind in the equatorial F-region deduced from electric field and ion density measurements

Direct current (DC) electric field and ion density measurements near density depletion regions (that is, equatorial plasma bubbles) are used to estimate the vertical neutral wind speed. The measured zonal electric field in a series of density depletions crossed by the San Marco D satellite at 01.47-01.52 Universal Time (UT) on 25 October 1988, can be explained if a downward neutral wind of 15-30 m/s exists. Simultaneously, the F-region plasma was moving downward at a speed of 30-50 m/s. These events appear in the local time sector of 23.00-23.15 in which strong downward neutral winds may occur. Indeed, airglow measurements suggest that downward neutral velocities of 25-50 m/s are possible at time near midnight in the equatorial F-region.
Ultrasound in HEMS: Its role in differentiating shock states☆

1already have started using the ultrasound for the focused abdominal sonography for trauma during helicopter transport. Diagnostic ultrasound greatly enhances the evaluation of patients with a variety of presentations. The technology, which evolved rapidly during the previous decade and became widely available in operating suites and emergency departments, 2-7 now is being introduced into the out-of-hospital arena. Many patients who present with unstable or time-critical medical problems require out-of-hospital diagnosis and intervention. These patients benefit from rapid, goal-directed, limited ultrasonography performed and interpreted by the flight clinician. This article describes the indications and interpretation of in-flight ultrasound examination for a select few emergent conditions. INDICATIONS The major use of out-of-hospital ultrasound is to evaluate critically ill or injured patients. This article focuses on the use of ultrasound as an accurate and expedient way to assess and treat hypotension of unknown etiology. We believe that the use of ultrasound as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool is the most immediate contribution it can provide to air medical patient care. Hypotension of Unknown Etiology Patients frequently present with hypotension and shock. Successful resuscitation depends on rapid treatment directed at the primary hemodynamic alteration. The physical examination is often both nonspecific and insensitive in detecting the underlying hemodynamic state. Traditional diagnostic methods, including intra-arterial catheterization, central venous pressure (CVP) measurements, and pulmonary artery catheterization, are invasive, costly, time-consuming, and not easily performed in the prehospital environment. In this setting, portable ultrasonography performed by a single window may rapidly and specifically guide initial resuscitation efforts. Through assessment of the global motion of the heart and chamber size, the patient often can be quickly assigned to 1 of 4 hemodynamic categories: • Cardiogenic shock (left ventricular dysfunction) • Hypovolemia • Cardiac tamponade • Right ventricular dysfunction or outflow obstruction Cardiogenic Shock
Child Murder in Nazi Germany: The Memory of Nazi Medical Crimes and Commemoration of "Children's Euthanasia" Victims at Two Facilities (Eichberg, Kalmenhof)

Nazi Germany’s “children’s euthanasia” was a unique program in the history of mankind, seeking to realize a social Darwinist vision of a society by means of the systematic murder of disabled children and youths. Perpetrators extinguished “unworthy life” during childhood and adolescence by establishing killing stations, misleadingly labeled Kinderfachabteilungen (“special children’s wards”), in existing medical or other care facilities. Part of a research project on Nazi “euthanasia” crimes and their victims, this paper uses a comparative historical perspective to trace memories of the crimes and the memorialization of their victims at the sites of two of these wards (Eichberg and Kalmenhof in Hesse, Germany). It also discusses the implications of the findings for theorizing mnemonic practices and analyzing ways in which memorials and other sites of memory deal with past trauma and atrocity.
Physical Basis for the Mitral Velocity Curve in Assessing Mitral Valve Area and Left Ventricular Diastolic Function

The temporal pattern of blood velocity through the mitral valve is used to assess mitral valve area and ventricular diastolic function. In routine empirical implementation, it is often assumed in mitral stenosis that mitral valve area alone determines the pressure half-time, while in assessing diastolic function, the effects of the mitral valve are often ignored. Clearly these situations cannot be completely separated: chamber properties and mitral valve impedance affect ventricular filling in both cases. In this review, a unified approach to the analysis of mitral inflow patterns is presented. Through theoretical analysis, computer simulation, in vitro modeling, and clinical data, it is shown that mitral acceleration varies directly with the atrioventricular pressure difference early in diastole and inversely with the inertance of blood within the mitral apparatus. Similarly, mitral deceleration rate is directly proportional to the effective area of the mitral valve and inversely related to the net compliance of the atrium and ventricle. In the setting of mitral stenosis, this means that the mitral pressure half-time is inversely proportional to mitral valve area (as commonly implemented clinically), but also directly related to net chamber compliance and the square root of the initial transmitral pressure difference. In evaluation of diastolic function, this explains the steep mitral deceleration observed in restrictive cardiomyopathies. An appreciation of the physical issues governing ventricular filling should warn of potential pitfalls in the Doppler evaluation of mitral valve area and ventricular function, as well as suggest more quantitative approaches based on these principles.
STATISTICS FOR SUPERPAVE HOT-MIX ASPHALT CONSTRUCTION QUALITY CONTROL/QUALITY ASSURANCE DATA

Asphalt content, air void content, and mat density measurements for Superpave® mixes were collected during 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000 to develop statistics for a statistical quality control/quality assurance program for the Alabama Department of Transportation (DOT). Data were analyzed to determine if accuracy and variability improved and stabilized as contractors accumulated experience with Superpave mixes, to compare contractor and Alabama DOT measurements, and to assess the effects of maximum aggregate size and the design equivalent single-axle load range. Analyses indicated that the accuracy and variability of asphalt content measurements for Superpave mixes remained consistent and comparable to those for Marshall mixes. The variability of air void contents for Superpave mixes stabilized but remained higher than the variability of air void contents for Marshall mixes. The accuracy in achieving target air void contents for Superpave mixes deteriorated and stabilized at values poorer than those achieved...
Effects of Wilderness Experience on Outdoor Education Participant Gender Norms

The purpose of this research was to investigate uses of wilderness experiences as a feminist tool to elicit gender sensitization. Using survey data, a pilot study was conducted to measure whether wilderness based trips of 14 days or more, that were mixed gender, had a noticeable effect on how participants viewed activities and affects as gendered. The researcher attempted to determine the degree to which these types of trips broadened the participant held definitions of â€œmasculineâ€ and â€œfeminine.â€ All research subjects were selected from participants of a voluntary wilderness experience outfitted by the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) during the winter of 2008. In a broader context, this research is a social justice project aimed at validating the intrinsic value of nature through academic research. Outdoor education can and should continue to accrue research that enhances this often undervalued industry. If wilderness experiences have the potential to broaden participant views about gender, it may ease the much documented problems with rigid patriarchal definitions of gender (Kimmel, 2003, 2005; Hooks, 2004). This inquiry was framed theoretically by social constructionism, feminist theory, and contact theory. Drawing on concepts of discourse analysis and deconstruction (Burr, 1995), the research questions were approached with a belief that gender is socially constructed through dominant discourses that dispatch cultural ideas in the service of inequitable power structures. Feminist scholarship has pointed to the misogynistic and violent social discourses that are embedded in American culture through media and institutionalized practices as one source of gender inequity (Dinnerstein, 1976; Hooks, 2004; Brownmiller, 1975; Friere, 1970; Kimmel, 2003). This study also incorporated contact theory, which is based on the assumption that gender, race, class, and ability sensitization can occur with experiential based contact (Pettigrew 1998; Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006). Lastly, these theories were used with the knowledge that the therapeutic effects of experiential education have been discussed extensively by authors Gary Paul Nabhan (1994), Richard Louv (2005), and Dene and Jenifer Davis-Berman (1995, 2000) among others. Taken together, these theories suggest that wilderness experiences could offer a space to re-shape discourses to promote a healthier and more equitable concept of femininity and masculinity.
Carbon fibers derived from UV‐assisted stabilization of wet‐spun polyacrylonitrile fibers

A rapid, dual-stabilization route for the production of carbon fibers from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursor fibers is reported. A photoinitiator, 4,4′-bis(diethylamino)benzophenone, was added to PAN solution before the fiber wet-spinning step. After a short UV treatment that induced cyclization and crosslinking at a lower temperature, precursor fibers could be rapidly thermo-oxidatively stabilized and successfully carbonized. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs show no deterioration of the microstructure or hollow-core formation in the fibers due to UV treatment or presence of photoinitiator. Fast-thermally stabilized pure PAN-based carbon fibers show hollow-core fiber defects due to inadequate thermal stabilization, but such defects were not observed in carbon fibers derived from fast-thermally stabilized fibers that contained photoinitiator and were UV treated. Tensile testing results confirm that fibers containing 1 wt % photoinitiator and UV treated for 5 min display higher tensile modulus than all other sets of thermally stabilized and carbonized fibers. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction results show a higher development of the aromatic structure and molecular orientation in thermally stabilized fibers. No significant increase in interplanar spacing or decrease in crystals size were observed within the UV-stabilized carbon fibers containing photoinitiator, but such fibers retain a higher extent of molecular orientation when compared with control fibers. These results establish for the first time, the positive effect of the external addition of photoinitiator and UV treatment on the properties of the PAN-based fibers, and may be used to reduce the precursor stabilization time for faster carbon fiber production rate. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40623.
Generating probabilities with a specified entropy

Abstract This paper describes a method to randomly generate vectors of symbol probabilities so that the corresponding discrete memoryless source has a prescribed entropy. One application is to Monte Carlo simulation of the performance of noiseless variable length source coding.
Within-session repeated acquisition behavior in rats as a potential model of executive function

Higher levels of cognition, such as executive functions, are known to be disrupted in psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. As a potential model of executive function, rats were trained in a three-lever operant conditioning chamber to respond on two of the three levers in one of six possible correct sequences. When the rat completed a two-response sequence correctly for 10 consecutive trials, the correct sequence was randomly changed to another two-response sequence without signaling the rat. Rats readily acquired the behavioral baseline and completed all six response-sequences within a 60-min session. Phencyclidine, MK-801 ((5S,10R)-(+)-5-Methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine), apomorphine, scopolamine and triazolam all produced dose-related decreases in the total number of sequences completed. Phencyclidine and MK-801 markedly increased all errors while scopolamine produced modest increases; triazolam increased only total and intrarule errors, while apomorphine had no significant effect on errors. The present results suggest that within-session repeated acquisition of response sequences has the potential to be a useful model for studying executive function in rats.
Effect of deposit feeders on migration of137Cs in lake sediments

Abstract Illite clay particles with adsorbed 137 Cs were added as a submillimeter layer to the surface of silt-clay sediments contained in rectangular Plexiglas cells stored in a temperature-regulated aquarium, in order to trace the effect of the oligochaete, Tubifex tubifex , and the amphipod, Pontoporeia hoyi , on mass redistribution near the sediment-water interface. A well-collimated NaI gamma detector scanned each sediment column (∼10 cm deep) at daily or weekly intervals for six months, depicting the time evolution of radioactivity with and without added benthos. In a cell with tubificids (∼5 × 10 4 m −2 ), which feed below 3 cm and defecate on surface sediments, the labeled layer was buried at a rate of 0.052 ± 0.007 cm/day (20°C). When labeled particles entered the feeding zone, 137 Cs reappeared in surface sediments creating a bimodal activity profile. In time, the activity tended toward a uniform distribution over the upper 6 cm, decreasing exponentially below to undetectable levels by 9 cm. In a cell with amphipods (∼1.6 × 10 4 m −2 ) uniform activity developed rapidly (∼17 days) down to a well-defined depth (1.5 cm). The mixing of sediments by Pontoporeia is described by a simple quantitative model of eddy diffusive mixing of sediment solids. The value of the diffusion coefficient, 4.4 cm 2 /yr (7°C) was computed from a least squares fit of theoretical to observed profile broadening over time. In a cell without benthos, small but measurable migration of 137 Cs indicated an effective molecular diffusion coefficient of 0.02 cm 2 /yr.
Maximally dense packings of two-dimensional convex and concave noncircular particles.

Dense packings of hard particles have important applications in many fields, including condensed matter physics, discrete geometry, and cell biology. In this paper, we employ a stochastic search implementation of the Torquato-Jiao adaptive-shrinking-cell (ASC) optimization scheme [Nature (London) 460, 876 (2009)] to find maximally dense particle packings in $d$-dimensional Euclidean space ${\mathbb{R}}^{d}$. While the original implementation was designed to study spheres and convex polyhedra in $d\ensuremath{\ge}3$, our implementation focuses on $d=2$ and extends the algorithm to include both concave polygons and certain complex convex or concave nonpolygonal particle shapes. We verify the robustness of this packing protocol by successfully reproducing the known putative optimal packings of congruent copies of regular pentagons and octagons, then employ it to suggest dense packing arrangements of congruent copies of certain families of concave crosses, convex and concave curved triangles (incorporating shapes resembling the Mercedes-Benz logo), and ``moonlike'' shapes. Analytical constructions are determined subsequently to obtain the densest known packings of these particle shapes. For the examples considered, we find that the densest packings of both convex and concave particles with central symmetry are achieved by their corresponding optimal Bravais lattice packings; for particles lacking central symmetry, the densest packings obtained are nonlattice periodic packings, which are consistent with recently-proposed general organizing principles for hard particles. Moreover, we find that the densest known packings of certain curved triangles are periodic with a four-particle basis, and we find that the densest known periodic packings of certain moonlike shapes possess no inherent symmetries. Our work adds to the growing evidence that particle shape can be used as a tuning parameter to achieve a diversity of packing structures.
Foreign Enterprise in Japan: Laws and Policies

Henderson surveys the amount of foreign business in Japan, points out the special characteristics of these businesses, describes the products and nationality of the foreign subsidiaries and branches, and explores the management practices as they compare with those indigenous with most Japanese business. After a general treatment of the Japanese legal system, the author points out the contracting, incorporating, and dispute resolution devices useful to foreign enterprise.Originally published in 1973.A UNC Press Enduring Edition -- UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.
The Effect of Disruptions During Counseling on Recall of Genetic Risk Information: The Case of Cystic Fibrosis

Genetic counseling is a communication process with two main functions: information provision and supportive counseling. The information transmission function may be compromised by disruptions that occur during counseling. At least two mediators are possible: (a) disruptions may interfere with memory by creating distractions and divided attention during encoding or (b) disruptions may degrade the flow of interaction which requires that participants engage in conversation repair rather than the task at hand. This study examined both alternatives in a group of parents (N=20 families, 40 individual parents) whose infant had received a newborn screening for cystic fibrosis (CF). Upon arrival at the hospital, each parent completed a questionnaire designed to assess his or her knowledge of CF. Their interaction with the genetic counselor was videotaped and coded for the presence of disruptions. Six weeks after the counseling, parents again completed the knowledge measure. The data showed a direct negative effect for disruptions during counseling on memory for CF-related risk information six weeks later. Disruptions also produced the anticipated effect on conversation, but counter to expectations, interruptions of conversation flow was positively associated with knowledge at time 2.
Comparing “suprathreshhold” and “threshhold splitting perimetry” using the Tübinger Automatic Perimeter CC

Background: We compared the standard suprathreshhold strategy to the so-called threshhold splitting strategy with 5 and 2 dB steps. The aim of the study was to establish whether the threshhold splitting strategy had advantages over the suprathreshhold strategy that has been used to date. Method: We examined the 30 ° visual field in 49 volunteers using suprathreshhold perimetry and on the same day threshhold splitting perimetry on the Tubinger Automatic Perimeter CC. A total of 191 test points were examined in suprathreshhold strategy. Using the threshhold splitting strategy, 67 test points were examined, with a test-point design similar to other perimeters with the threshhold splitting strategy. The criteria for inclusion in the study were central light sensitivity differences greater than 25 dB, fixation better than 80 % and an illumination class density < 2. Results/Discussion: The average duration of the examination using the suprathreshhold strategy was 2–3 min quicker than the threshhold splitting strategy in normal visual fields or small scotomas, but it took up to 15 min longer if large scotomas were present. Interpretation of the scotoma configuration showed subjective differences: the smaller the scotoma, the greater the differences because of the fact that threshhold splitting perimetry utilizes test points that are farther apart than those used in suprathreshhold perimetry.
G4 DNA unwinding by BLM and Sgs1p: substrate specificity and substrate-specific inhibition

To understand the specific genetic instabilities associated with deficiencies in RecQ family helicases, we have studied the substrate preferences of two closely related members of this family, human BLM and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sgs1p. Here we show that both BLM and Sgs1p preferentially unwind G4 DNA relative to Holliday junction substrates, and that substrate preference reflects binding affinity and maps to the conserved central helicase domain. We identify the porphyrin N-methyl mesoporphyrin IX (NMM) as a specific inhibitor of G4 DNA unwinding, and show that in the presence of NMM the helicase becomes trapped on the NMM-G4 DNA complex, consuming ATP but unable to unwind or dissociate. These results suggest that BLM and Sgs1p function proactively in replication to remove G4 DNA structures which would otherwise present obstacles to fork progression, rather than by promoting recombination to restart a fork that has stalled.
Political risk analysis and tourism

Abstract The interface of political science and tourism is rapidly developing. Much has been published concerning the obvious impact of coups and terrorism on the tourist traffic but little on how political science can aid decisionmakers in assessing the multitude of less spectacular political activities affecting investments abroad. The area of political risk analysis is critically examined, offering perspectives on methodological problems associated with predicting political risk, the role played by multinationals in creating risk, and the role of political risk analysis within the context of the changing nature of relationships between multinationals and less developed countries.
Finite element superconvergence approximation for one‐dimensional singularly perturbed problems

Superconvergence approximations of singularly perturbed two-point boundary value problems of reaction-diffusion type and convection-diffusion type are studied. By applying the standard finite element method of any fixed order p on a modified Shishkin mesh, superconvergence error bounds of (N−1 ln (N + 1))p+1 in a discrete energy norm in approximating problems with the exponential type boundary layers are established. The error bounds are uniformly valid with respect to the singular perturbation parameter. Numerical tests indicate that the error estimates are sharp; in particular, the logarithmic factor is not removable. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 18: 374–395, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/num.10001
Prenatal molecular genetic diagnosis of congenital long QT syndrome by strategic genotyping

We demonstrate how genetic testing enabled a molecular prenatal diagnosis of congenital long QT syndrome in a 20-week fetus presenting with fetal bradycardia in the setting of maternal β-blocker therapy. Before prenatal testing, strategic genotyping, based on a family history of a near drowning, was performed on a 3-generation family with clinically diagnosed long QT syndrome in which the affected mother was pregnant.
Effect of Hydroperoxy Fatty Acids on Acylation and Deacylation of Arachidonoyl Groups in Synaptic Phospholipids

The effect of hydroperoxy fatty acids on reactions involved in the acylation-deacylation cycle of synaptic phospholipids was studied in vitro, using nerve ending fraction isolated from rat forebrain. 15-Hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HPETE), 13-hydroperoxylinoleic acid (13-HP 18: 2), and hydroperoxydocosahexaenoic acid (22:6 Hpx), at 25 microM final concentration, all inhibited the incorporation of [1-14C]arachidonate into synaptosomal phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylcholine (PC), and triacylglycerides by 50-80%. The lowest effective concentration of 15-HPETE and 13-HP 18:2 resulting in significant inhibition of the reacylation of PI was 5 microM, whereas the inhibition of [1-14C]arachidonate incorporation into PC required 10 and 5 microM hydroperoxy fatty acids, respectively. Cumene hydroperoxide and tert-butyl hydroperoxide at concentrations of 100 microM did not inhibit reacylation of PI and PC. Synthesis of labeled arachidonoyl-CoA from [1-14C]arachidonate was decreased by about 50% by 25 microM hydroperoxy fatty acids both in synaptosomes and in the microsomal fraction. Use of [1-14C]arachidonoyl-CoA as a substrate, to bypass the fatty acid activation reaction, revealed that activity of acyltransferase was not affected significantly by 25 microM 15-HPETE and 13-HP 18:2. At the same time, however, the hydrolysis of labeled arachidonoyl-CoA was substantially enhanced. Exposure of synaptosomes to 25 microM fatty acid hydroperoxides did not affect significantly the endogenous concentrations of five major free fatty acids. It is concluded that (1) among synaptic phospholipids, reacylation of PI and PC is the most susceptible to the inhibitory action of fatty acid hydroperoxides, and (2) the enzymes affected by these compounds in nerve endings are arachidonoyl-CoA synthetase and hydrolase.
Thermal stability of twins and strengthening mechanisms in differently oriented epitaxial nanotwinned Ag films

Sputter-deposited epitaxial (111) and (110) Ag films have high-density nanotwins with respective twin boundary orientations perpendicular and angled to the growth direction. Twin density in as-deposited (111) Ag films is much greater than in (110) films, leading to higher hardness in the (111) films. Annealing up to 800 °C (homologous temperature of 0.85 Tm) leads to increased twin thickness, although the average twin thickness remains < 100 nm in both systems. Twinned volume fraction falls dramatically in annealed (110) films but remains constant at ~50% in (111) films. The mechanisms leading to the elimination of nanotwins in (110) films and their remarkable stability in (111) films at elevated temperatures are discussed. Coarsening and elimination of twins result in hardness reduction after annealing. The variety of microstructures achieved via annealing allows for the introduction of a strengthening model considering both twin and grain boundaries.
Mammary tumorigenesis in C3H/HEN-MTV + mice treated with diethylstilboestrol for varying periods

Abstract C3H/HeN-MTV + female mice were fed diets containing 320 or 640 ppb diethylstilboestrol (DES). DES feeding was started at 3 wk of age and was either continued throughout life or discontinued after 4, 8 or 26 wk of administration. A control group consisted of mice fed the same diet without DES, for the duration of the experiment. Mice were killed when palpable body masses (presumed to be mammary adenocarcinomas) reached a diameter of 1 cm. Adenocarcinomas developed in 79% of control mice and 96% of the mice exposed to DES for 26 wk, irrespective of the dose. The frequency and rate of removal of tumour-bearing mice were not increased further with lifetime exposure at a given dose. The time at which the first tumour occurred was largely dependent on the duration of exposure, not dose. The rate of occurrence of subsequent tumours was dependent on dose and duration of exposure; the rate of removal of mice with mammary adenocarcinomas was significantly greater at 640 ppb than at 320 ppb DES. Tumour frequency was 83% in mice exposed to 320 ppb DES for 8 wk and in those exposed for 4 wk; however, tumours developed at a faster rate in mice exposed for 8 wk. Tumour frequency was 94–96% in mice exposed to 640 ppb DES for 4 wk and 8 wk, and tumours developed more rapidly in mice exposed for 8 wk than in those exposed for 4 wk. When data were plotted as log-dose v . log-t 50 (time to a probability that half the mice would be removed with mammary tumours) linear extrapolation to the control log-t 50 gave an estimate of the no-effect level of exposure to DES. This estimate was remarkably consistent for all data sets (40–93 ppb) and was independent of the duration of exposure.
Modification of CO2 avoidance behaviour in Drosophila by inhibitory odorants.

Fruitflies instinctively avoid CO2, for example that produced by stressed fellow flies, but they overcome this innate repulsion when CO2 is combined with other odorants, such as those produced by ripening fruits. Stephanie Turner and Anandasankar Ray report that such behaviour-modifying food odorants act directly on CO2-sensitive neurons in the fly antenna — not, as one would expect, indirectly via other olfactory pathways. Other naturally occurring odorants also blocked the action of CO2-responsive neurons from Culex mosquitoes, the insect vector for West Nile virus and filariasis. Given that these insects are drawn to CO2 emitted in human breath, these inhibitors of mosquito CO2-sensitive neurons could aid the search for repellent drugs that work by blocking this pathway. Fruitflies instinctively avoid CO2, for example that produced by stressed fellow flies, but they overcome this avoidance response in some environments that contain CO2, such as ripening fruits. Here, a new class of odorants present in food is identified that directly inhibit CO2-sensitive neurons in the antenna — not, as one would expect, indirectly via other olfactory pathways. The fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster exhibits a robust and innate olfactory-based avoidance behaviour to CO2, a component of odour emitted from stressed flies1. Specialized neurons in the antenna and a dedicated neuronal circuit in the higher olfactory system mediate CO2 detection and avoidance1,2. However, fruitflies need to overcome this avoidance response in some environments that contain CO2 such as ripening fruits and fermenting yeast, which are essential food sources. Very little is known about the molecular and neuronal basis of this unique, context-dependent modification of innate olfactory avoidance behaviour. Here we identify a new class of odorants present in food that directly inhibit CO2-sensitive neurons in the antenna. Using an in vivo expression system we establish that the odorants act on the Gr21a/Gr63a CO2 receptor3. The presence of these odorants significantly and specifically reduces CO2-mediated avoidance behaviour, as well as avoidance mediated by ‘Drosophila stress odour’. We propose a model in which behavioural avoidance to CO2 is directly influenced by inhibitory interactions of the novel odours with CO2 receptors. Furthermore, we observe differences in the temporal dynamics of inhibition: the effect of one of these odorants lasts several minutes beyond the initial exposure. Notably, animals that have been briefly pre-exposed to this odorant do not respond to the CO2 avoidance cue even after the odorant is no longer present. We also show that related odorants are effective inhibitors of the CO2 response in Culex mosquitoes that transmit West Nile fever and filariasis. Our findings have broader implications in highlighting the important role of inhibitory odorants in olfactory coding, and in their potential to disrupt CO2-mediated host-seeking behaviour in disease-carrying insects like mosquitoes.
Avoiding attachment ambiguities: The role of constituent ordering

Abstract Three experiments investigated whether speakers use constituent ordering as a mechanism for avoiding ambiguities. In utterances like “Jane showed the letter to Mary to her mother,” alternate orders would avoid the temporary PP-attachment ambiguity (“Jane showed her mother the letter to Mary,” or “Jane showed to her mother the letter to Mary”). A preference judgment experiment confirmed that comprehenders prefer the latter orders for dative utterances when the former order would have contained an ambiguity. Nevertheless, speakers in two on-line production experiments showed no evidence of an ambiguity avoidance strategy. In fact, they were slightly more likely to use the former order when it was ambiguous than when it was not. Speakers’ failure to disambiguate with ordering cannot be explained by the use of other ambiguity mechanisms, like prosody. A prosodic analysis of the responses in Experiment 3 showed that while speakers generally produced prosodic patterns that were consistent with the syntactic structure, these patterns would not strongly disambiguate the PP-attachment ambiguity. We suggest that speakers do not consistently disambiguate local PP-attachment ambiguities of this type, and in particular do not use constituent ordering for this purpose. Instead, constituent ordering is driven by factors like syntactic weight and lexical bias, which may be internal to the production system.
On LR(k) grammars and languages

Abstract Many different definitions for LR(k) grammars exist in the literature. One of these definitions is chosen and many important implications are drawn from it. In particular, the LR(k) characterization theorem provides valuable information about chains of derivations. The LR(0) languages are then characterized by acceptance by deterministic pushdown automata with a special termination condition, by a condition on the strings in the language, and set theoretically. Important closure properties of the LR(0) languages and a related class of languages are then examined. These are used to examine some decidability questions relating to the class of LR languages. One of these questions is shown to be equivalent to the equality problem for deterministic pushdown automata. A survey of other LR(k) definitions is given and the exact differences are characterized. On the basis of this analysis, justification for the choice of definition used here is provided.
The Corona Problem in Carleman Algebras on Stein Manifolds

Hormander L 2 estimates for the % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaaeaart1ev0aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXanrfitLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqt% ubsr4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq% -Jc9vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0x% fr-xfr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGaamyuam% aaBaaaleaacaaIXaGaaGimaaqabaGccqGH9aqpciGGSbGaaiOBaiaa% ysW7caWGRbWaaSbaaSqaaiaadsfacaaIXaaabeaakiaac+cacaWGRb% WaaSbaaSqaaiaadsfacaaIYaaabeaakiabg2da9iabgkHiTmaabmaa% baGaamyramaaBaaaleaacaWGHbaabeaakiaac+cacaWGsbaacaGLOa% GaayzkaaGaey41aq7aaiWaaeaadaqadaqaaiaadsfadaWgaaWcbaGa% aGOmaaqabaGccqGHsislcaWGubWaaSbaaSqaaiaaigdaaeqaaaGcca% GLOaGaayzkaaGaai4laiaacIcacaWGubWaaSbaaSqaaiaaikdaaeqa% aOGaaGjbVlaadsfadaWgaaWcbaGaamysaaqabaGccaGGPaaacaGL7b% GaayzFaaaaaa!5C4A! $\bar\partial$ -operator on Stein Manifolds are applied to the solution of the Corona problem in Carleman Algebras on Stein Manifolds.
Interannual coherence between North Atlantic atmospheric surface pressure and composite southern U.S.A. sea level

Annual mean sea levels along the southern United States have been examined for interannual variability. Fifteen sea level stations from Cape Hatteras to the Rio Grande that best covered the three lunar nodal cycles from 1931–1987 were selected for analysis. Linear trends, ranging from +0.2 cm/yr to +1.4 cm/yr were subtracted from their respective series, leaving remarkably similar residuals. The composite time series of the 15 residuals was compared with time series of surface air pressure over the North Atlantic Ocean during the period 1947–1987. The best correlation is a negative relationship between composite sea level and wintertime air pressure north of 45°N, and a positive relationship from 20°–45°N. The most significant correlations (−0.73 and +0.51) were found for 60°N, 20°W and for 30°N, 25°W respectively. Wintertime meridional air pressure gradient between these two latitudes represents about 50% of the variance in composite annual mean sea level. Both the sea level and air pressure time series had significant spectral peaks at 13.3 and 4.4 years, with about 52% of the covariance coming from these two periods.
Response of a Stably Stratified Atmosphere to Low-Level Heating— An Application to the Heat Island Problem

Two-dimensional airflow characteristics past a heat island are investigated using both a linear analytic model and a nonlinear numerical model in the context of the response of a stably stratified atmosphere to specified low-level heating in a constant shear flow. Results from the steady-state, linear, analytic solutions exhibit typical flow response fields that gravity waves produce in response to the local heat source in the presence of environmental flow. The magnitude of the perturbation vertical velocity is shown to be much larger in the shear-flow case than in the uniform-flow case. Two distinct flow features are observed for larger heating amplitude (hence, larger nonlinearity factor): the gravity-wave-type response field on the upstream side of the heat island and the strong updraft circulation cell located on the downstream side. As the heating amplitude increases, the updraft circulation cell strengthens and shifts farther downwind. The strong updraft cell is believed to be partly responsible for precipitation enhancement observed on the downstream side of the heat island. It is found that the continuing downwind propagation of the updraft circulation cell is related to basic-state wind speed.
Methamphetamine administration targets multiple immune subsets and induces phenotypic alterations suggestive of immunosuppression.

Methamphetamine (Meth) is a widely abused stimulant and its users are at increased risk for multiple infectious diseases. To determine the impact of meth on the immune system, we utilized a murine model that simulates the process of meth consumption in a typical addict. Our phenotypic analysis of leukocytes from this dose escalation model revealed that meth affected key immune subsets. Meth administration led to a decrease in abundance of natural killer (NK) cells and the remaining NK cells possessed a phenotype suggesting reduced responsiveness. Dendritic cells (DCs) and Gr-1high monocytes/macrophages were also decreased in abundance while Gr-1low monocytes/macrophages appear to show signs of perturbation. CD4 and CD8 T cell subsets were affected by methamphetamine, both showing a reduction in antigen-experienced subsets. CD4 T cells also exhibited signs of activation, with increased expression of CD150 on CD226-expressing cells and an expansion of KLRG1+, FoxP3− cells. These results exhibit that meth has the ability to disrupt immune homeostasis and impact key subsets of leukocytes which may leave users more vulnerable to pathogens.
Effects of Modulus and Surface Chemistry of Thiol-Ene Photopolymers in Nanoimprinting

Thiol-ene photopolymers were studied as patternable resins for nanocontact molding imprint lithography. Photopolymerizable thiol and ene monomer mixtures were used, and after molding, patterned thiol-ene polymer features the size and shape of the original molds were replicated. Adhesion and release were examined and controlled by manipulating the surface chemistry of the substrate and mold. A direct correlation between cured thiol-ene polymer modulus and pattern fidelity was observed.
Treatment of Bulimia Nervosa: Psychological and Psychopharmacologic Considerations.

This article reviews the current literature with regard to psychological and psychopharmacologic treatments for bulimia nervosa in the adolescent population. The two most researched psychological treatments, cognitive behavior therapy and interpersonal therapy, are described in terms of treatment protocols and outcome research. Psychopharmacologic treatment is reviewed, including treatment indications, contraindications, dose respondent information, and the need for future research.
Clinical parameters associated with low bacteremia risk in 1100 pediatric oncology patients with fever and neutropenia

BACKGROUND Traditionally, children with malignant disease who present with fever and neutropenia are hospitalized for parenteral antibiotics. More recently, outpatient strategies have been proposed for lower risk cohorts of such patients. The authors sought to identify clinical and laboratory parameters that are associated with a low risk of bacteremia in children with malignant disease who presented with febrile neutropenia. METHODS A multicenter, retrospective cohort of children with malignant disease and fever with neutropenia was established in three pediatric oncology centers over a 5-year period. A total of 1171 episodes of febrile neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count [ANC] 1 year. The endpoints examined were 1) bacteremia and 2) intensive care unit admission or death related to bacteremia. The odds ratio was used to determine which of the following admission parameters and cut-off values were associated with the lowest risk for bacteremia: ANC, absolute phagocyte count (APC), absolute monocyte count (AMC), platelet count, and admission temperature. RESULTS A total of 189 episodes of bacteremia were identified among the 1171 episodes of febrile neutropenia (14% bacteremia). Only 11 of 1171 episodes (0.9%) resulted in intensive care unit admission, and 3 of these patients died. All 11 patients had an AMC < 30 cells per mm3. The lowest frequency of bacteremia (6.1%) occurred in the children with an admission AMC of ≥ 155 cells per mm3. None of the patients identified as low risk by AMC required an intensive care unit admission or died. No level of ANC, APC, temperature, or platelet count was associated with a statistically significant decrease in the risk for bacteremia in the patient population. CONCLUSIONS Adverse outcomes due to bacteremia are infrequent in pediatric oncology patients who present with fever and neutropenia are treated with parental antibiotics. Patients with fever and neutropenia and an AMC value of ≥ 155 cells per mm3 have the lowest risk for bacteremia and may be potential candidates for outpatient management. Cancer 2001;92:909–13. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
Pragmatic Pluralism: Arendt, Cosmopolitanism, and Religion

Pragmatic pluralism denotes a particular approach to problems of international human rights and protections that departs from conventional cosmopolitan approaches. Pragmatic pluralism argues for situated and localized forms of cooperation between state and non-state actors, particularly religious groups and organizations, that may not share the secular, juridical understandings of rights, persons, and obligations common to contemporary cosmopolitan theory. A resource for the development of such a model of pragmatic pluralism can be found in the work of Hannah Arendt. Arendt's early dissertation "Love and Saint Augustine" affords a model of religious community and obligation that can be read productively alongside her later political writings. The possibilities inherent in a cooperative reading of these two parts of her work can be illustrated in relation to an issue of particular concern to cosmopolitan theorists: the international refugee crisis.
On the Hamilton-Jacobi Equation of Differential Games†

The present article considers the Hamilton-Jacobi partial differential equation of some simple differential games. This equation is developed by using Caratheodory's approach to the synthesis problem of optimal control.
Effect of the application of venous tourniquets on blood volume.

Abstract Rotating and nonrotating venous tourniquets were applied to the extremities at pressure levels of 5 to 10 mm. Hg below the diastolic blood pressure in twenty-five and twenty-three studies, respectively. This procedure resulted in only modest decreases in plasma volume and red cell mass, totaling less than 5 per cent of the total blood volume. Similar results were obtained in subjects studied during congestive heart failure (but not acute pulmonary edema) and in patients with compensated cardiac disease. The physiologic mechanism responsible for the clinical improvement noted with application of venous tourniquets in acute left ventricular failure is, therefore, uncertain. Several alternative mechanisms remain to be evaluated.
Direct observations and comparison of crater cross-section microstructures in copper targets for aluminium projectiles impacting at 1.4 and 6.7 km s −1

Light and transmission electron microscopy observations of impact crater-related microstructures in copper targets have revealed dramatic differences in the extent and type of microstructures. For a crater formed by a 6.4 mm diameter aluminium (1100) spherical projectile impacting at 1.4 km s−1, a narrow (∼20 μm) recrystallized zone extended axially outward from the crater wall, with dislocation cells which increased in size extending from this zone. By comparison, a crater formed by a 3.2 mm diameter aluminium (1100) spherical projectile impacting at 6.7 km s−1 exhibited a recrystallization zone extending more than 200 μm axially from the crater wall, a connecting zone of increasingly dense microbands, having an axial width of about 2000 μm. This zone converged upon a region of dislocation cells which increased in size away from the crater wall. These observations highlight important microstructural differences in cratered metal targets in the hypervelocity impact regime in contrast to the lower-velocity regimes where shock-wave and related ultra-high-strain-rate effects are unimportant.
EXAFS study of Nd-exchanged Na beta″ alumina crystal and powder

Abstract The Nd L III edge was studied by EXAFS with the x-ray polarization vector parallel to the conduction plane of a 35% exchanged single crystal of Na beta″-alumina. By rotating the crystal along its c-axis, the x-rays probe preferentially in the conduction plane in directions parallel to the polarization axis. An analysis of preliminary data indicates differences in the backscattering of the ejected photoelectrons for the polarization vector at different directions in the conduction plane.