cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diffusion-weighted imaging and National Institutes of Health stroke scale in the acute phase of posterior-circulation stroke

Background Occlusive disease of the posterior circulation represents a heterogeneous group of strokes that differ in etiology, clinical presentation, and prognosis. Computed tomography provides suboptimal visualization of posterior-circulation infarcts. Anatomic definition of traditional magnetic resonance imaging sequences has been used for clinicoradiologic correlation in patients with posterior-circulation disease. These studies focused on the subacute rather than the acute phase of ischemia. Lesion volumes on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and perfusion imaging were found to have a good correlation with 24-hour National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score in ischemia of the anterior circulation. Correlation between NIHSS score and lesion volume in posterior-circulation infarcts is unknown. Objectives To investigate whether DWI is useful for clinicoradiologic correlation of posterior-circulation ischemia within 24 hours after symptom onset and whether NIHSS score correlates with lesion volumes in patients with posterior-circulation stroke. Patients and methods In a database analysis of 631 patients with stroke from June 26, 1996, to July 30, 1999, 115 patients (18%) had symptoms of posterior-circulation ischemia by imaging and clinical criteria. Among these 115, we included all patients (n = 40) who underwent DWI within 24 hours from symptom onset (mean, 9.7 +/- 7.1 hours). All 40 patients also underwent magnetic resonance angiography and T2-weighted imaging. Seventy-five did not meet inclusion criteria: in 45, magnetic resonance imaging was performed more than 24 hours after symptom onset; 12 did not have DWI; in 11 patients, symptoms resolved within 24 hours; 6 had hemorrhages; and 1 had a border zone infarct. Results An acute lesion on DWI corresponding to the patient's symptoms was detected in all 40 patients, 16 (40%) of whom had detectable acute lesions on T2-weighted images. The lesions on DWI were larger in 11 of the 16 patients with positive T2-weighted images. Acute lesion volume did not correlate with NIHSS score (n = 40; rho = 0.30; P =.06, Spearman rank) also when DWI lesion volumes were divided by cause and territory. Conclusions Diffusion-weighted imaging is more effective than T2-weighted imaging in patients with acute posterior-circulation strokes. The DWI lesion volume did not significantly correlate with NIHSS score, suggesting that NIHSS is more weighted toward anterior-circulation stroke symptoms.
TESTING PATTERN PREDICTIONS OF SEXUAL SELECTION: A FROG EXAMPLE

Some Southeast Asian species of the genus Rana possess an unusual suite of secondary sexual characteristics: fangs, hypertrophied jaw muscles, enlarged heads, and males larger than females. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that these frogs form a monophyletic group. Historical transformation analysis and comparative performance tests suggest that this functional complex evolved as a result of sexual selection. Patterns of dimorphism within the clade were used to test a series of predictions from the sexual selection literature. As predicted, closely related species differed most in their secondary sexual characteristics and sexual selection is likely to produce novelties. Contrary to predictions, more derived taxa did not show a greater degree of sexual dimorphism, sexual dimorphism did not increase with body size, and the evolution of new secondary sexual characteristics did not precede and therefore contribute to the loss of old characteristics.
A Qualitative Method for Collecting Spatial Data on Important Places for Recreation, Livelihoods, and Ecological Meanings: Integrating Focus Groups with Public Participation Geographic Information Systems

The association between humans and their environments is highly interactive, with humans bound to the landscapes and landscapes subject to the actions of humans. Sense of place is a concept used to describe the relationships that exist, bonds that form, and the meanings that humans ascribe to landscapes. This article builds on previous qualitative research using public participation geographic information systems (PPGIS) to develop an alternative and efficient methodology to spatially represent place. The approach integrates participatory mapping procedures within a focus group format. Benefits of this approach include the rich text uncovered in qualitative place studies; the synergy of dialogue, efficiency in sampling, ability to elicit information from a range of groups; and the efficient use of drawn polygons as part of the qualitative PPGIS mapping procedure. This methodology can provide pertinent and spatially explicit findings useful for place based planning and management.
AMINO ACID COMPOSITION OF THE TAIL MUSCLE OF Macrobrachium rosenbergii–COMPARISON TO AMINO ACID PATTERNS OF SUPPLEMENTED COMMERCIAL FEED PELLETS

The amino acid patterns of the commercial feed Purina Marine Ration, a reconstituted feed repelletized from the commercial ration after addition of binder, and the fresh tail muscle of Macrobrachium rosenbergii were compared by computing the normalized % ratio for each amino acid. The muscle was appreciably lower in glutamic acid and proline and higher in isoleucine, lysine and arginine when compared with the base pellet. Supplementation of the repelletized feed with separate crystalline essential amino acids at a 1% level stimulated the relative growth/conversion index in the case of lysine, arginine, tryptophan, leucine, and isoleucine. The protein efficiency ratio (PER) was strongly stimulated by lysine, and to a lesser extent by arginine, leucine and isoleucine supplementation.
Real-World Functioning and Self-Evaluation of Functioning: Brain Structure, Mood State, Functional Skills, and Mortality

This series of articles demonstrates the complexity faced by researchers attempting to characterize functioning in geriatric neuropsychiatric populations from different perspectives, for different uses, and across different disciplines. The five articles reviewed cover a wide range of topics: one attempts to identify neural substrates of everyday functioning in older depressed patients; another discusses the various predictors of performance-based measures of functioning in cognitively impaired individuals; yet another describes the development of a new measure of decisional capacity for cognitively impaired individuals. Taken together, these articles also demonstrate that different ways of characterizing functioning, from self-report to performance-based capacity measures, yield quite different patterns of results. The report by Elderkin et al. provides an interesting examination of brain morphology in the frontal cortical regions and how it relates to self-perceptions of well-being and general feelings of vitality in healthy and depressed elderly people. 1 The authors
Asymmetric Fluorination of Enolates with Nonracemic N-Fluoro-2,10-Camphorsultams

The asymmetric “electrophilic” fluorination of tertiary enolates by nonracemic N-fluoro-2,10-camphorsultams 3 affords quaternary α-fluoro carbonyl compounds in modest yield and ee. The highest asymmetric induction was observed for the fluorination of the sodium enolate of 2-methyl-1-tetralone (8a) by (−)-N-fluoro-2,10-(3,3-dichlorocamphorsultam) (3b) to give (S)-(+)-2-fluoro-2-methyl-1-tetralone (9a) in 70% ee. The absolute configuration was established by X-ray crystallography of the corresponding diastereomeric β-hydroxy sulfoximine prepared from (±)-9a and the Johnson reagent. The asymmetric induction exhibited by 3 is opposite to that of the closely related enolate hydroxylation reagents nonracemic (camphorylsulfonyl)oxaziridines 4. The N-fluoro sultams 3 were prepared by fluorination (10% F2/N2) of the corresponding sultams 5.
Classification of hyperspectral data using best-bases feature extraction algorithms

Mapping landcover type from airborne/spaceborne sensors is an important classification problem in remote sensing. Due to advances in sensor technology, it is now possible to acquire hyperspectral data simultaneously in more than 100 bands, each of which measures the integrated response of a target over a narrow window of the electromagnetic spectrum. The bands are ordered by their wavelengths and spectrally adjacent bands are generally statistically correlated.
Common origins of lung cancer and COPD.

Smoke is a solid. Whether from cigarettes, cooking fires or other sources, it is comprised of tiny particles that injure the lung and can lead to lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, characterized by laborious breathing. Steven D. Shapiro and his colleagues take a look at imaging data in people suggesting that these two conditions have more in common mechanistically than was previously thought. Both diseases seem to stem in part from the ability of inhaled particles to trigger inflammation, a process examined by Robert M. Senior and his colleagues.
Controlling thermal chaos in the mantle by positive feedback from radiative thermal conductivity

Abstract. The thermal conductivity of mantle materials has two components, the lattice component k lat from phonons and the radiative component k rad due to photons. These two contributions of variable thermal conductivity have a nonlinear dependence in the temperature, thus endowing the temperature equation in mantle convection with a strongly nonlinear character. The temperature derivatives of these two mechanisms have different signs, with ∂k lat /∂T negative and dk rad /dT positive. This offers the possibility for the radiative conductivity to control the chaotic boundary layer instabilities developed in the deep mantle. We have parameterized the weight factor between k rad and k lat with a dimensionless parameter f , where f = 1 corresponds to the reference conductivity model. We have carried out two-dimensional, time-dependent calculations for variable thermal conductivity but constant viscosity in an aspect-ratio 6 box for surface Rayleigh numbers between 10 6 and 5 × 10 6 . The averaged Peclet numbers of these flows lie between 200 and 2000. Along the boundary in f separating the chaotic and steady-state solutions, the number decreases and the Nusselt number increases with internal heating, illustrating the feedback between internal heating and radiative thermal conductivity. For purely basal heating situation, the time-dependent chaotic flows become stabilized for values of f of between 1.5 and 2. The bottom thermal boundary layer thickens and the surface heat flow increases with larger amounts of radiative conductivity. For magnitudes of internal heating characteristic of a chondritic mantle, much larger values of f , exceeding 10, are required to quench the bottom boundary layer instabilities. By isolating the individual conductive mechanisms, we have ascertained that the lattice conductivity is partly responsible for inducing boundary layer instabilities, while the radiative conductivity and purely depth-dependent conductivity exert a stabilizing influence and help to control thermal chaos developed in the deep mantle. These results have been verified to exist also in three-dimensional geometry and would argue for the need to consider the potentially important role played by radiative thermal conductivity in controlling chaotic flows in time-dependent mantle convection, the mantle heat transfer, the number of hotspots and the attendant mixing of geochemical anomalies.
An examination of financial impacts of SFAS No. 106

SFAS No. 106 requires companies to accrue the expected cost of OPEB during the years employees provide services to the company. The Statement is based on the assumption that OPEB are a form of deferred compensation and the resulting obligation should be recognized when services are rendered. This article examined some provisions of the Statement and the possible impact on financial statements of affected companies as well as management efforts to control OPEB costs. The results indicate that adoption of SFAS No. 106 has caused companies to report OPEB transition obligations on their balance sheets and to show higher OPEB annual expenses on their income statements. These perceived negative financial impacts of adopting SFAS No. 106 do not appear to have encouraged management to take immediate actions to curtail the promised OPEB. However, in many cases, management is considering implementing changes in plan design such as increasing or imposing retiree contribution levels or retiree deductibles and higher coinsurance levels, reducing benefits and coverage, and changing coordination of benefits with Medicare in attempt to mitigate the possible negative financial impacts of adopting SFAS No. 106.
NUT midline carcinomas in the thymic region

NUT midline carcinomas (NMCs) are rare tumors described predominantly in the pediatric age group. We recently reported two cases of these tumors occurring in the thymic region. In order to establish the true incidence of these tumors, we examined a large series of thymic carcinomas for morphological features of NUT tumor and further assessed the expression of NUTM1 (also known as NUT) protein by immunohistochemistry. The histological review of slides from 110 cases of thymic carcinoma was undertaken to identify carcinomas with mixed undifferentiated and squamous features that are typically associated with NUT carcinomas. The presenting symptoms, morphological spectrum of tumors and outcome data of patients with these histologies are presented. Immunohistochemistry for NUTM1 was performed on 35 cases of thymic carcinoma with available blocks (3 with these histological features and 32 without these features) to exclude the possibility of midline carcinoma. Tumors from 10 patients had features of mixed small cell undifferentiated squamous cell carcinoma (M:F, 1.5:1; age range, 22–79). These patients predominantly presented with advanced disease and had respiratory-related symptoms or chest pain; four had paraneoplastic syndromes. The squamous component in all cases was well differentiated with little or no atypia. The undifferentiated component varied in cell size and lacked characteristic features of small cell carcinoma. All but one patients developed metastases or died within 3 years of diagnosis. NUTM1 expression was seen in two of three tumors with these histological features and in none of the 32 cases without. Mixed small cell undifferentiated carcinomas share histological and immunohistochemical similarity with NMCs and have aggressive clinical course. These tumors are not uncommon and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of carcinomas in the thymic region as novel therapies might be available.
The J-curve in hypertension

The J-curve debate has continued for 25 years. Dependency upon observational and retrospective studies has confused the issue; only the full publication of data from the prospective, randomized Hypertension Optimal Treatment (HOT) study has thrown genuine light on the problem. Many examples of the J-curve relationship between blood pressure and cardiovascular/noncardiovascular events are due to reverse causality, where underlying disease (eg, poor left ventricular function, poor general health, poorly compliant/stiff arteries) is the cause of both the low blood pressure and the increased risk of both cardiovascular and noncardiovascular events. The J-curve in patients with stiff arteries (wide pulse pressure) may be exacerbated by treatment. From the full publication of the HOT study database it is now reasonable to conclude that for nonischemic hypertensive subjects the therapeutic lowering of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) to the low 80s mm Hg is beneficial, but it is safe (though unproductive) to go lower. However, in the presence of coronary artery disease (limited coronary flow reserve) there is a J-curve relationship between treated DBP and myocardial infarction, but not for stroke. In such high-risk (for myocardial infarction) cases it would be prudent to avoid lowering DBP to below the low 80s mm Hg.
Determination of optical scattering properties in turbid media using Mueller matrix imaging.

A need exists for the continued development of diagnostic tools and methods capable of distinguishing and characterizing slight differences in the optical properties of tissues. We present a method to estimate the scattering coefficient contribution as a function of particle size in complex mixtures of polystyrene spheres. The experimental method we used is a Mueller matrix imaging approach. The Mueller matrix encodes the polarization-dependent properties of the sample and describes how a given sample will transform an incident light polarization state. A partial least-squares approach is used to form a model around a set of Mueller matrix image-based measurements to accurately predict the individual scattering coefficient contributions in phantoms containing 0.2, 0.5, 1, and 2 µm-diameter polystyrene spheres. The results show individual scattering coefficient contribution errors as low as 0.1585 cm–1 can be achieved. In addition, it is shown how the scattering type (i.e., Rayleigh and Mie) is encoded within the Mueller matrix. Such methods may eventually lead to the development of improved diagnostic tools capable of characterizing and distinguishing between tissue abnormalities, such as superficial cancerous lesions from their benign counterparts.
Direct effects of endotoxin on the function of the isolated perfused rat kidney

When the endotoxin-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria is given to the rat in vivo, there are prompt, marked decreases in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal blood flow (RBF) and % Na+ reabsorption (%T-Na+). However, it has not been determined whether the endotoxin itself has a direct effect on these renal functions. To test whether endotoxin has a direct renal effect, isolated rat kidneys (N = 8) were perfused for 160 minutes with a Krebs-Ringer-HCO3- solution containing substrate-free albumin (40 g/liter), glucose (5 mM) and L(+) lactate (7.5 mM). After control observations (20 to 80 min) were made, purified LPS from E. coli was added (N = 4) to the perfusate to achieve [endotoxin] of 0.01 micrograms/ml (80 to 120 min) and 0.1 micrograms/ml (120 to 160 min). Endotoxin had no effect on GFR, Na+ reabsorption or tissue K+ content when compared to timed-control perfusions (N = 4). There was a small (approximately 10%) but significant decrease in mean perfusion flow rate (PFR) at the highest [endotoxin] when compared to the low [endotoxin]p but no change in GFR occurred. When the same LPS was given to four rats in vivo at a dose which achieved an [endotoxin] of approximately 0.08 micrograms/ml plasma, there were prompt decreases in GFR and %T-Na+ and an increase in body temperature when compared with timed-controls; there also was a large loss of K+ from the kidney tissue.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Analysis of various design and operating parameters of the thermal conductivity probe

Abstract The thermal conductivity ( k ) probe is derived from an idealized transient heat transfer model; therefore, there are inevitable differences between the real probe and the theoretical model. However, the k probe is still an accurate and practical measurement device with wide-ranging applications if designed and used properly. Users of a thermal conductivity probe must be aware of its limitations and the possible errors that can develop in its application. This paper includes a theoretical derivation of the k probe equation and some experimental and theoretical simulations of parameters that can cause errors in the application of the k probe. An explanation is given of the significance of certain design and operating parameters. Some of the findings in the study are that the time-correction factor is not required and contact resistance does not affect accuracy. The calibration factor is necessary since it compensates for the difference in the thermal masses of the probe and the sample. Errors due to edge effects and convection can be avoided by limiting data analysis to the linear section of the time-temperature plot. The truncation error is minimized by making β as small as possible.
The effect of body mass index on optimal vitamin D status in U.S. adults: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001–2006

Abstract Objectives To investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and optimal vitamin D status in U.S. adults. Methods Data on 12,927 adults 18 years and older participating in National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2001–2006 were used. Serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D 30 ng/mL or greater was used as a measure of vitamin D sufficiency. Log-binomial regression was used to estimate the strength of the association between BMI categories and the prevalence of vitamin D sufficiency before and after adjusting for selected characteristics. Results After adjustment, overweight and obese individuals were 24% and 55%, respectively, less likely to have a 25-hydroxy vitamin D level of 30 ng/mL or greater compared with their normal-weight counterparts. Conclusions Our findings call attention to the importance of identifying individuals at risk for vitamin D insufficiency and its potential adverse health outcomes because the latter may increase health disparities in the U.S. population. If vitamin D insufficiency is implicated for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, a vitamin D supplementation regimen would need to be readdressed, especially for segments of the U.S. population with greater BMIs.
SpeakCup: simplicity, BABL, and shape change

In this paper we present SpeakCup, a simple tangible interface that uses shape change to convey meaning in its interaction design. SpeakCup is a voice recorder in the form of a soft silicone disk with embedded sensors and actuators. Advances in sensor technology and material science have provided new ways for users to interact with computational devices. Rather than issuing commands to a system via abstract and multi-purpose buttons the door is open for more nuanced and application-specific approaches. Here we explore the coupling of shape and action in an interface designed for simplicity while discussing some questions that we have encountered along the way.
Big data problems on discovering and analyzing causal relationships in epidemiological data

This research focuses on learning causal relationships on epidemiological data. We introduce the research need for causal reasoning and address one of the big data problems in epidemiology by showing the complexity of causal discovery and analysis in an observational epidemiological dataset. We also provide several computational methods of solving the problems including building a framework of causal reasoning on epidemio-logical dataset, improved algorithms for local causal discoveries, and the conceptual design of subgraph decompositions. This research further discusses how these approaches we have made are related to epidemiology. Through this research, we are able to more efficiently and effectively discover and analyze causal relationships in a big dataset of epidemiology.
Psychological distress and well-being in advanced cancer: The effects of optimism and coping.

This study examined the relations among optimism, coping, functional status, and psychological adjustment in 75 adults diagnosed with cancer. Both the positive and the negative aspects of psychological adjustment were assessed. All participants had been diagnosed with advanced stages of cancer (i.e., Stages II, III, and IV). Participants completed three assessments across a 4-month time period. Both optimism and coping were associated with psychological adjustment, even after controlling for functional status and prior adjustment. Additionally, optimism and coping were differentially related to distress and well-being. Optimism was strongly and positively associated with well-being and inversely related to distress. Escape-Avoidance coping was positively associated with distress and Accepting Responsibility coping was negatively associated with well-being. Comparisons between the current and prior studies indicated that individuals who are diagnosed with more advanced stages of cancer or who have survived bone marrow transplantation exhibit higher levels of optimism than do healthy individuals and individuals with early-stage disease.
Addressing disparities: The impact of a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender graduate counselling course

AbstractBackground: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals experience serious mental health disparities and treatment inequities. Counsellor education has been identified as both a contributing factor to these problems as well as an ameliorating mechanism to address these inequalities. Aim: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the impact of an LGBT-affirmative counselling course. Method: A total of 23 students enrolled in a graduate LGBT counselling course were administered the Sexual Orientation Counselor Competency Scale (SOCCS, Bidell, 2005) and the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Affirmative Counseling Self-Efficacy Inventory (LGB-CSI, Dillon & Worthington, 2003) pre- and post-course. In addition, a comparison group of 23 matched counselling students was obtained from an existing data source in order to make further assessments of the course's effectiveness. Those in the comparison group were not enrolled in the LGBT course, but were administered the SOCCS at analogous time i...
Matrix summability of Fourier series based on inclusion theorems, II

On utilise des theoremes d'inclusion pour demontrer la sommabilite matricielle de series de Fourier
Strain and cultivar specificity in the Agrobacterium-soybean interaction

The response of Glycine max., G. soja and G. canescens genotypes to inoculation with different Agrobacterium strains was assessed. Percent visual tumor formation and tumor size varied widely among species and genotypes. Susceptible genotypes displayed a heightened response to nopaline strains of A. tumefaciens, relative to octopine, agropine, and A. rhizogenes strains. A nopaline strain engineered to contain a chimeric neomycin phosphotransferase II gene conferred kanamycin resistance to soybean tissue at kanamycine levels as high as 300 μg/ml.
Ultimate Strength Properties of Control and Explanted Silastic O and Silastic I Silicone Gel-filled Breast Implant Shells

Background: The effect of in vivo implantation on breast implants is important to both physicians and patients, but little information about the in vivo aging process of silicone gel-filled breast implants has appeared in the literature. The effects of the in vivo aging process could affect the durability of breast implants. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the mechanical and chemical properties of breast implant shells as a function of implantation time. Methods: The ultimate mechanical properties of the shells from single-lumen silicone gel-filled Silastic O and Silastic I explants with in vivo duration times ranging from 6 to 28 years were measured and compared with the corresponding properties of unimplanted control single-lumen silicone gel-filled implants. Ultimate tensile strength, elongation-to-failure, and tear resistance were measured for both explant and control shells through use of identical testing protocols. In addition, the tensile strength and elongation-to-failure of shells extracted with hexane to remove non–cross-linked silicones were measured for both explants and control implants. The ultimate strength data were plotted as a function of implantation time, along with data from other research institutions. Results: Statistical analysis of the data indicated that the ultimate mechanical properties of tensile strength, elongation-to-failure, and tear resistance are not functions of implantation time for up to 28 years of implantation. Conclusions: The results of this study show that there is no significant degradation of the mechanical properties of the elastomeric shell as a function of time.
Motion compensation algorithm for arbitrary translation of CT objects

This paper presents a compensation technique for mitigating the blurring and streak artifacts in CT images caused by object translation. In order to detect and quantify the errors caused by motions, we first establish a nonsensor-based means to measure the incompleteness of a projection data set. Furthermore, with in-plane ray cancellation scheme, we show that it is possible to locate the regional motions. We then derive an isotropic reference, called centroid, to align parallel projections. The same concept is applied to fan beam projections except that here we use two sets of fan beam centroid to guide the projection alignment: one obtained from the original projection data set and the other from a pilot projection set. The latter is the reprojection of an iteratively improved image reconstructed from the updated projections. The convergence rate of this algorithm is demonstrated through simulations with projections based on mathematical phantom and human subject.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A quasi-steady analytical solution to freezing planar Couette flow with viscous dissipation

A quasi-steady analytical solution to freezing planar laminar Couette flow with viscous heating effects is presented. Closedform expressions for the dimensionless freeze-front location, interface Nusselt number, and dimensionless power density (or dimensionless shear stress) are derived as a function of various dimensionless parameters. Several classical results are obtained in the appropriate asymptotic limits
Structural basis for assembly of the MnIV/FeIII cofactor in the class ic ribonucleotide reductase from chlamydia trachomatis

The class Ic ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) from Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) employs a MnIV/FeIII cofactor in each monomer of its β2 subunit to initiate nucleotide reduction. The cofactor forms by reaction of MnII/FeII-β2 with O2. Previously, in vitro cofactor assembly from apo β2 and divalent metal ions produced a mixture of two forms, with Mn at site 1 (MnIV/FeIII) or site 2 (FeIII/MnIV), of which the more active MnIV/FeIII product predominates. Here we have addressed the basis for metal site selectivity by determining X-ray crystal structures of apo, MnII, and MnII/FeII complexes of Ct β2. A structure obtained anaerobically with equimolar MnII, FeII, and apoprotein reveals exclusive incorporation of MnII at site 1 and FeII at site 2, in contrast to the more modest site selectivity achieved previously. Site specificity is controlled thermodynamically by the apoprotein structure, as only minor adjustments of ligands occur upon metal binding. Additional structures imply that, by itself, MnII binds in eithe...
Atrioventricular interaction in isorhythmic dissociation

I t has been observed that during atrioventricular (A-V) dissociation the independence between atria and ventricles may not be as complete as the term implies. 1-4 Thinking in this area has been stimulated by the fascinating work of Segers6 demonstrating that pacemakers in juxtaposed frog hearts, or in myocardial fragments, tend to synchronize. Numerous theories have been proposed to explain the interaction between atria and ventricles in man during complete and incomplete A-V block,2B6 isorhythmic A-V dissociation,‘-lo and ventriculophasic sinus arrhythmia. l1 For the most part these theories have considered mechanical and reflex mechanisms and the electrotonic effect of ventricular depolarization. The relationship of pulse in the sinus node artery to sinus rate6 and the analogy of cardiac pacemakers to coupled relaxation oscillatorss~7~10 have also been considered. Recently, Levy and Zieske,n using an analogue computer, studied isorhythmic dissociation in dogs with complete heart block. They concluded that the interrelationship of P-R interval, arterial pressure, and sinus rate represents a “typical biological control system” that, was the basis for A-V synchronization observed in their study. The independent work reported in this paper confirms that of Levy and Zieske.12 We chose, however, to study the interaction of atria and ventricles during acceleration of a subsidiary pacemaker in dogs with intact A-V conduction systems. Electrocardiographic (ECG) analysis, as in the present study, provides valuable information not apparent from computer patterns.
Massive buffalo hump: a case of stage III lymphedema.

A 78-year-old man presented to our wound clinic with bilateral lower-extremity weeping ulcerations. He had been diagnosed with lymphedema 5 years previously after sigmoidectomy for obstructing adenocarcinoma. Intraoperatively, there was no evidence of gross adenopathy or metastasis. He declined further treatment or imaging at that time, and was noncompliant with lymphedema therapy. His medical history included worsening renal insufficiency and cardiac murmurs for which he declined workup. There was no history of thyroid disorder or recent travel abroad. Lower-extremity examination demonstrated stage III lymphedema of elephantine proportions …
LCDP operation change

The Long Core Development Project (LCDP) has operated at the University of Rhode Island, Narragansett (URI), Graduate School of Oceanography, for the past 10 years. The goal of the LCDP was to develop a coring system for obtaining undisturbed, large-diameter sediment cores of 50-m length from oceanic depths. A 30-m coring system has been developed and successfully tested. Federal funding for the operation, or continued development, of the LCDP is presently unavailable. Therefore the University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography, and the URI Long Core Advisory Committee have elected to change the operation of the LCDP.
A brain-machine interface to navigate mobile robots along human-like paths amidst obstacles

This paper presents an interface that allows a human user to specify a desired path for a mobile robot in a planar workspace with noisy binary inputs that are obtained at low bit-rates through an electroencephalograph (EEG). We represent desired paths as geodesics with respect to a cost function that is defined so that each path-homotopy class contains exactly one (local) geodesic. We apply max-margin structured learning to recover a cost function that is consistent with observations of human walking paths. We derive an optimal feedback communication protocol to select a local geodesic—equivalently, a path-homotopy class—using a sequence of noisy bits. We validate our approach with experiments that quantify both how well our learned cost function characterizes human walking data and how well human subjects perform with the resulting interface in navigating a simulated robot with EEG.
Novel integrated bio-optical system for oxygen saturation measurement

The time resolved/time gated method can be used as a non-invasive technique for measuring changes in the concentration of oxy-and deoxy-hemoglobin in tissues by monitoring absorbed near infrared (NIR) signals in diffusion-reflectance and trans-illuminescence geometries. The objective is to develop novel technology that would enhance the efficiency of sensing in intact organism, in vivo, offering new capabilities for studying biological function by multispectral spectroscopy [1-4]. In this paper, we describe a novel scheme of an excitation source that enhances the spatial resolution and signal to noise ratio of detected NIR absorbed signals in diffusion reflectance spectroscopy technique used for measuring changes in the concentration of oxy-and deoxy-hemoglobin in tissues. We identify the properties and application of long visible and IR wavelength Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser as an alternative 'Excitation Source'. We also investigate the Jitter performance of VCSELs in a high rate transmission systems like; the time gated reflectance absorbance spectroscopy system, as timing jitter of excitation source seriously degrades the temporal resolution of the collected absorbed luminescence at the detector end, which significantly effects the proper monitoring of the changes in the concentration of oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin within the tissue.
The capacity of the deep oceans to absorb carbon dioxide

Abstract A research program has been conducted to investigate the ability of the deep ocean to absorb CO2, with two main goals 1) to determine the capacity of the ocean basins to absorb CO2 and 2) to examine the influence of calcium carbonate dissolution and future CO2 emissions patterns on this capacity. To fulfill the first goal, inventories were made of calcium carbonate present in surficial sediments as well as carbonate ion concentrations in deep ocean water. From this information, estimates of the total capacity of the ocean basins to absorb CO2, without significantly altering the chemical balance of the oceans, were developed. To evaluate the influence of calcium carbonate dissolution and future CO2 emission patterns on the ocean's capacity to absorb CO2, a 1D model of the carbon cycle was developed. A vertical diffusion model of the oceans with carbon chemistry has been adapted to simulate the discharge of fossil fuel CO2 below the thermocline. This is a four box model representing the atmosphere, the surface ocean, the deep ocean, and surficial sediments. The model atmosphere and surface ocean are internally well mixed whereas the deep ocean and sedimentary boxes are divided into diffusively mixed levels. Disposed CO2 evasion rates obtained with this model are very similar to those obtained with a 3D ocean carbon cycle model and indicate that calcium carbonate dissolution can significantly influence the long term effectiveness of CO2 disposal in the deep ocean.
Responding to Threats: A Case Study of Power and Influence in a Hostage Negotiation Event

One of the defining characteristics of hostage negotiations is the struggle for control that occurs during the negotiation process. In hostage negotiation events both parties attempt to exert power in order to influence the actions of the other party. This case study reveals that the negotiator and the hostage taker adopt very different strategies in order to accomplish these goals. For the hostage taker, attempts to exert power within the interaction often take the form of threats of harming the hostage. Alternatively, the negotiator exerts power by utilizing various discursive negotiation strategies in order to develop rapport and conversational flexibility. This case study identifies several strategies employed by the negotiator in order to diffuse the hostage taker's threats and demands, while simultaneously exerting power in the interaction.
Critically ill patients with H1N1 influenza A undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

The most common cause of death due to the H1N1 subtype of influenza A virus (swine flu) in the 2009 to 2010 epidemic was severe acute respiratory failure that persisted despite advanced mechanical ventilation strategies. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was used as a salvage therapy for patients refractory to traditional treatment. At Legacy Emanuel Hospital, Portland, Oregon, the epidemic resulted in a critical care staffing crisis. Among the 15 patients with H1N1 influenza A treated with ECMO, 4 patients received the therapy simultaneously. The role of ECMO in supporting patients with severe respiratory failure due to H1N1 influenza is described, followed by discussions of the nursing care challenges for each body system. Variations from standards of care, operational considerations regarding staff workload, institutional burden, and emotional wear and tear of the therapy on patients, patients' family members, and the entire health care team are also addressed. Areas for improvement for providing care of the critically ill patient requiring ECMO are highlighted in the conclusion.
Applying permutation modulation to spread-spectrum systems

Permutation modulation is a power efficient modulation scheme in fading channels due to its implicit diversity. In a DS-CDMA system, the power efficiency and the overall system bandwidth efficiency are closely related. It is shown that in a fading channel the proposed spread spectrum system is more bandwidth efficient than the ones which utilize conventional FSK or PSK modulations. Also it is demonstrated that by using FEC coding, an equivalent concatenated diversity and thus better performance can be achieved. >
Inoculating resilience to terrorism: Acute and posttraumatic stress responses in U.S. military, foreign & civilian services serving overseas after September 11th.

American personnel living abroad were shocked and distressed as they viewed from afar the nearly live coverage of the September 11 th terrorist attacks on the U.S. This paper is a report on six stress debriefings conducted by an American psychologist (at U.S. embassy and NATO facilities, SHAPE, and in the community) and informal research interviews (n=250) with American diplomats, military and civilian personnel posted in Brussels and surrounding vicinity, documenting their acute and posttraumatic responses to the attacks. Participants showed strong evidence of acute and posttraumatic stress responses including: dissociation, reexperience, avoidance, hyperarousal, loss of functioning, and both functional and dysfunctional coping responses. While a controlled study was not possible under the circumstances, valuable information was nonetheless collected. Based upon the anecdotal data and results of the interventions, suggestions are made for increasing resilience to this type of stress response should attac...
"Essentially Christian, eminently philanthropic": The Mission to Lepers in British India

The early history of the Mission to Lepers in India is an interplay between politics, religion, and medicine in the context of British imperialism. The Mission pursued the dual but inseparable goals of evangelization and civilization, advancing not only a religious program but also a political and cultural one. These activities and their consequences were multi-faceted because while the missionaries pursued their religious calling, they also provided medical care to people and in places that the colonial government was unable or unwilling. Within the context of the British imperial program, the work imparted Western social and cultural ideals on the colonial populations they served, inculcated patients with Christian beliefs, and provided medical care to individuals who had been expelled from their own communities. Physical healing was intimately tied to religious salvation, spiritual healing, and the civilizing process.
Electrical “Wiring” of Enzymes

Direct communication with the redox active center of many enzymes can be extremely beneficial for many applications ranging from basic research to the construction of sensors and biofuel cells. Unfortunately, most enzymes have evolved such that they naturally protect their active sites, which are shielded within their protein shell, to work more effectively in native environments. Therefore, much activity has taken place to try and artificially connect external electrode transducers to enzyme redox centers in what is termed electrical “wiring” of enzymes. This review gives a general overview of enzyme wiring including background, methods, and applications. Keywords: redox enzymes; direct electron transfer
Writing for a Living Literacy and the Knowledge Economy

This article seeks to explore the influence of the knowledge economy on the status of writing and literacy. It inquires into what happens to writers and their writing when texts serve as the chief commercial products of an organization—when such high-stakes factors as corporate reputation, client base, licensing, competitive advantage, growth, and profit rely on what and how people write. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 12 individuals employed in writing-intensive positions, it examines the organization of workplaces for the production of texts, the work of writers as mediational means within the workplace, the growing presence of regulatory controls on the production of writing, and the ways that demands for innovation and change affect writers and their writing. This is an exploratory installment in a larger project that seeks to situate the rise of mass writing in the United States, since about 1960, not only as an economic phenomenon but as a new development in the history of literacy with serious...
Change in physical activity after a diabetes diagnosis: opportunity for intervention

Introduction Moderate intensity physical activity is recommended for individuals with diabetes to control glucose and prevent diabetes-related complications. The extent to which a diabetes diagnosis motivates patients to increase physical activity is unclear. This study used data from the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study (baseline data collected from 1993-1998) to examine change in physical activity and sedentary behavior in women who reported a diabetes diagnosis compared to women who did not report diabetes over 7 years of follow-up (up to 2005).
Tetrodotoxin-sensitive and -insensitive action potentials in myotubes.

The study of long-term cultures of myogenic cells has proven that electrical excitability develops only after the development of electrical coupling between the cells. That is, neither surface contact in itself nor coupling in itself is sufficient to cause excitability to develop in these cells. Following the formation of multinucleated myotubes, several different types of electrical responses develop. Some of the action potentials are sodium-dependent and are blocked by tetrodotoxin (TTX). Others are dependent upon sodium and possibly calcium and they are not blocked by TTX. Furthermore, these two types of responses may exist in a myotube at the same time. Under some circumstances the kinetics of the two systems are sufficiently different to result in action potentials that have two peaks. Under these conditions the first peak is always of shorter duration and it is always blocked by TTX.