cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Infiltrative lung disease hypersensitivity pneumonitis

Abstract The etiologic spectrum of diffuse infiltrative lung disease is extremely broad and presents a formidable challenge to the clinician in recognition and diagnosis. An ever-increasing number of agents are being identified in our environment that are capable of eliciting a response in the lung, either of a transient or permanent type. These include bacterial, fungal, viral, or parasitic infectious diseases, disorders related to the inhalation of vapors such as chlorine and nitrogen dioxide; disorders related to the inhalation of inorganic dusts such as silicon dioxide and beryllium; and the immunologically mediated diseases resulting from the inhalation of organic dusts and certain reactive organic chemicals. Since the clinical response produced by the inhalation of organic dusts and chemicals may be variable, recognition of these diseases, particularly in the occupational environment, may be extremely difficult. Often the problem becomes evident only because of the occurrence of a cluster of cases in a particular industry. A variety of organic dusts derived from fungal, bacterial, or serum protein sources have been identified as etiologic agents of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). Typical examples are Micropolyspora faeni in farmer's lung and the thermophilic actinomycetes in bagassosis and humidifier lung. In general, the manifestations are similar regardless of the organic dust inhaled and the hypersensitivity pneumonitides should be considered as a syndrome with a spectrum of clinical features. The patient with HP may present with one of three difficult types of response. The most typical, an acute form of the disease, resembles an acute viral or bacterial infection and usually results from intermittent exposure to an organic dust. Symptoms include chills, fever, chest tightness, nonproductive cough, and dyspnea without wheezing, which develop 4 to 8 hr after exposure. This delayed response may result in failure to recognize the relationship of an environmental exposure and the occurrence of symptoms. The symptoms generally will resolve spontaneously in 12 to 24 hr, only to recur on re-exposure. With prolonged low-level exposure to antigen, a small number of patients show the more insidious subacute form of the disease, manifested by a productive cough, dyspnea, fatigue, and weight loss. Acute attacks, although infrequent, can be precipitated by heavy exposure. Long-term avoidance of exposure and administration of corticosteroids result in the resolution of signs and symptoms of the disease. Prolonged and intense exposure to an organic dust can lead to the chronic form of the disease. Pulmonary fibrosis is the predominant feature and can lead to the gradual development of disabling respiratory symptoms with irreversible physiologic changes. It is therefore imperative to recognize the problem before the chronic stage of the disease has been reached when there is little chance of reversibility. The roentgenographic and physiologic changes in the various clinical forms of HP will be discussed.
Psychometric characteristics of outcome measures in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a systematic review.

Objective To review the performance characteristics of the instruments most commonly used to measure clinical outcomes in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), including global assessments, articular indices, functional/disability assessments, and quality of life measures. Methods As part of an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality comparative effectiveness review of antirheumatic drugs, we explored the characteristics of commonly used outcome measures for JIA. English-language studies of children with JIA were identified from Medline and Embase. Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts, with subsequent full-text review of studies selected based on predetermined criteria. Results We included 35 publications describing 34 unique studies and involving 14,831 patients. The Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (C-HAQ) was the most extensively studied instrument and had high reliability, but only moderate correlations with other indices of disease activity and poor responsiveness to change in disease status. The physician global assessment of disease activity (PGA) and articular indices had the strongest association with disease activity and were the most responsive to change. Measures of psychosocial function and quality of life were moderately associated with measures of disease activity, but were less responsive to changes in disease status. Conclusion In children with JIA, no single instrument was superior in reliability or validity or in describing the impact of JIA. Although the C-HAQ has been extensively evaluated, the PGA and articular indices appear to have the highest responsiveness to change and, therefore, the highest potential for detecting important differences in treatment response.
Morphine versus haloperidol catalepsy in the rat: an electromyographic analysis of postural support mechanisms.

Abstract Electromyographic recordings from antagonistic flexor and extensor muscles in the forelegs (biceps and triceps) and hind legs (tibialis and gastrocnemius-soleus) of freely moving rats demonstrated that haloperidol (5 and 10 mg/kg, i.p.) and morphine (20 and 40 mg/kg, i.p.) produced contrasting patterns of rigidity. Haloperidol catalepsy was characterized by increases in frequency, intensity, and duration of simultaneous tonic cocontractions in antagonistic flexor and extensor muscles of the limbs. Such synergistic rigidity suggested the release of an adaptive mechanism involved in static support and the maintenance of stable static equilibrium (the positive supporting reaction of Schoen and Magnus), at the expense of locomotor mechanisms. In contrast, morphine produced antagonistic/reciprocal rigidity, which was insensitive to challenges to static equilibrium, and was compatible with locomotion. Contrary to the haloperidol-induced limb postures, which were enhanced supporting reactions, those induced by morphine were “frozen” phases of the step cycle. Haloperidol-induced synergistic rigidity and morphine-induced antagonistic/reciprocal rigidity are discussed as manifestations of contrasting movement subsystems underlying these functionally opposite immobility states. In addition, we present hypotheses concerning supraspinal and spinal mechanisms underlying cataleptic rigidity states, and their relevance as models of parkinsonian rigidity and akinesia.
Structural elements and deformational history of rocks in eastern Massachusetts

Late Precambrian stratified rocks of the Boston platform were intruded by late Precambrian granitic magma. Later they were regionally metamorphosed, folded, mylonitized, and faulted during the Acadian orogeny or an earlier event. Still later, rocks of the Boston basin were folded and faulted during the Alleghenian disturbance. Rocks along an extensive fracture system were deformed intermittently by faulting from possibly middle Devonian to Permian time. The platform rocks were deformed during three periods of deformation. The first period began early in the regional metamorphic event when folds and metamorphic schistosity (S 1 ) formed in response to ductile deformation. Possibly some cataclastic foliation (S x ) formed during this period. The second period of deformation began near the end of regional metamorphism. First, minor folds developed; later, regional north- to northeast-trending folds formed. The schistosity (S 1 ) was folded, a slip cleavage (S 2 ) developed, and cataclastic foliation (S x ) associated with deep-seated faulting also formed in the rocks during the second period. The third period began near the end of Paleozoic time, when rocks of the Boston basin were folded and faulted. A cleavage (S 3 ) formed in some rocks during this time. The Bloody Bluff is the principal fault in a complex zone that strikes northeast across a large part of eastern Massachusetts. This zone has an irregular but prominent belt of cataclastic rock associated with it. Regional relations and aeromagnetic data suggest that the Bloody Bluff fault may be part of a fracture system that trends across the Gulf of Maine into Canada.
General theory of optimal trajectory for rocket flight in a resisting medium

This paper considers the problem of optimizing the flight trajectory of a rocket vehicle moving in a resisting medium and in a general gravitational force field. General control laws for the lift, the bank angle, and the thrusting program are obtained in terms of the primer vector, the adjoint vector associated to the velocity vector. Additional relations for the case of variable thrusting and integrals of motion for flight at maximum lift-to-drag ratio and flight in a constant gravitational field are obtained.
Towards Delivering Analytical Solutions in Cloud: Business Models and Technical Challenges

Analytical Solutions increasingly play a key role in the modern enterprise business. Currently, such solutions are usually very costly for customer to consume, as the deployment cost is high due to high performance hardware requirement and complex software configuration. Moreover, such on-premises solutions are not suitable for the occasional analytics consumers. On the other hand, Analytical solutions are also hard for solution providers to deliver cost efficient service, since the cost is high in initial customer engagement as well as conducting incremental service. To deliver analytical solutions in a cost-effective way, we propose the idea of "analytical cloud", which is designed to provide on-demand decision support, analytical capabilities, and computational resources in a manageable cloud environment. In this paper, we summarize the potential business models supported by this new delivery model and identify the technical issues required to be addressed in such business models.
An exploratory analysis of the effect of the “buy it now” option on sellers' revenues in silent auctions

This paper tests three competing hypotheses regarding the effect of a “buy it now” option in silent auctions: that the option has a positive, negative, or neutral effect on the seller's revenues. These hypotheses were tested on 4 years of data from a university art museum's silent auctions. The results indicate that the “buy it now” option has a significant negative effect on the seller's revenues. Possible explanation, implications, and limitations are discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resonance-enhanced optical forces between coupled photonic crystal slabs

The behaviors of lateral and normal optical forces between coupled photonic crystal slabs are analyzed. We show that the optical force is periodic with displacement, resulting in stable and unstable equilibrium positions. Moreover, the forces are strongly enhanced by guided resonances of the coupled slabs. Such enhancement is particularly prominent near dark states of the system, and the enhancement effect is strongly dependent on the types of guided resonances involved. These structures lead to enhancement of light-induced pressure over larger areas, in a configuration that is directly accessible to externally incident, free-space optical beams.
An experimental study of the influence of a rotating magnetic field on Rayleigh Bénard convection

A destabilizing vertical temperature gradient and a rotating magnetic field have been applied to a cylindrical column of liquid gallium. The convective flows which arise as a function of these parameters are identified. For small magnetic field strengths, a regime of stationary flow is observed. This regime is bounded by critical values of the Rayleigh and magnetic Taylor numbers. As the rotating magnetic field is increased, the critical Rayleigh number can increase by more than a factor of 10. The rotating magnetic field itself induces an instability at a critical value of the magnetic Taylor number independent of the Rayleigh number. The nature of the bifurcations (whether subcritical or supercritical) and the convective flows occurring at the critical Rayleigh numbers are dependent upon the magnetic Taylor number. For small magnetic Taylor numbers, the experimental observations are consistent with the occurrence of a single asymmetric meridional roll which is driven around the cylinder by the rotating magnetic field.
Standard Protocol for Comparing Culvert Hydraulic Modeling Software: HEC-RAS and HY-8 Application

A survey conducted for this study showed that state departments of transportation do not have a common methodology for selecting hydraulic and hydrologic software. Therefore, a standard protocol is developed here to compare hydraulic modeling software, which is the scope of NCHRP Project 20-07(146). The protocol consists of four evaluation components: functionality, detail, user-friendliness, and credibility. A measuring factor is assigned to each evaluation component based on certain criteria, and then the measuring factors of all four components are averaged to determine an overall evaluation factor. A quantitative comparison system for the overall evaluation factor is proposed for comparing and evaluating the modeling software packages on a scale between 0% and 100%. The protocol is universal in nature and can be applied to hydraulic and hydrologic computer models. In this paper the protocol is applied to compare HEC-RAS and HY-8 models as an example for the classification of computer models used for hydraulic analysis of culverts. The model functionality is assessed by comparing the model results with benchmark test data. For that purpose, four test cases are compiled to provide benchmarks for culvert hydraulics. The test cases comprise experimental data and examples from the FHWA Hydraulic Design Series No. 5. Information provided in the documentation of the software packages is used to assess other evaluation components, such as detail, user-friendliness, and credibility. Then, an overall evaluation factor for each model is determined as described above.
Excluding students with disabilities from the culture of achievement: the case of the TIMSS, PIRLS, and PISA

International tests of achievement narrowly measure specific academic subjects, but have larger educational policy implications. These tests come to summarize national education systems and are used in national and international discourse. However, students with disabilities are being entirely excluded from participation in the discourse of achievement. The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, Progress in International Reading Literacy Study, and Programme for International Student Assessment all actively exclude students with disabilities from being measured when the testing agencies set up ‘desired target populations’ and report out on testing participation. This exclusionary discourse establishes that students with disabilities do not belong in a culture of achievement and educational evaluation, which has an impact on policies concerning educational equity and maintains the oppression of low expectations. US policy requires that 95% of all students take achievement tests and be given...
The antecedents of in-store hoarding: measurement and application in the fast fashion retail environment

This study raised scholarly inquiry about the construct of in-store hoarding and investigated the antecedents of in-store hoarding in the fast fashion retail environment. As the market becomes dynamic and volatile, more retailers are moving toward fast fashion by constantly delivering new products throughout the season. As a result, a product life span is dramatically reduced, thereby accelerating perishability of fashion items. Moreover, in order to make constant room for new products and minimize markdowns, fast fashion retailers deliberately limit product availability, creating a sense of scarcity on the part of consumers. Based on the literature review and one-to-one interviews, perceived perishability, scarcity and low price were identified as primary drivers of in-store hoarding. Overall, results from a field study supported the proposed model. However, the findings indicated that perceived perishability and scarcity were central to understanding in-store hoarding, whereas low-price perception was l...
The Relative Impact of Smoking and Oral Contraceptive Use on Women in the United States

Women who smoke and use oral contraceptives (OCs) are at increased risk for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. To study the prevalence of smoking and OC use and of other behaviors affecting health, 28 states and the District of Columbia conducted telephone surveys during 1981 through 1983. More than 22 000 US adults were interviewed, of whom 5779 women aged 18 to 44 years were studied. Data were weighted to represent the US population. Overall, 7.4% of US women aged 18 to 44 years reported smoking and using OCs; 1.1% reported smoking 25 or more cigarettes per day while using OCs. Although women aged 18 to 24 years were most likely to smoke and use OCs, combined smoking and OC use contributed substantially to the number of excess cases of myocardial infarctions occurring among US women aged 35 to 44 years. However, regardless of OC use, smoking accounted for most of the excess cases. Therefore, health care providers need to intensify their efforts to reduce smoking among their patients. (JAMA1987;258:1339-1342)
Highly Resolved Surface Shifts in a Mixed-Valent System - Eupd2si2

Synchrotron-radiation-excited photoelectron spectroscopy is employed to study the bulk and surface states of the mixed-valent system Eu${\mathrm{Pd}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Si}}_{2}$, which undergoes a valence transition from ${\mathrm{Eu}}^{2.2+}$ at room temperature to ${\mathrm{Eu}}^{2.9+}$ at low temperature (\ensuremath{\lesssim} 100 K). The high resolution employed, coupled with a relatively large bulk-to-surface energy shift to the ${\mathrm{Eu}}^{2+}$ emission, allows a definitive identification of the bulk and surface states of ${\mathrm{Eu}}^{2+}$. The ${\mathrm{Eu}}^{3+}$ emission is not observed at room temperature, but is readily apparent in the low-temperature spectra.
saints, symbols, and ceremonies

Venerated throughout Latin America, the saints of the Roman Catholic Church are important folk symbols. In one Panamanian village the system of saints preserves fundamental understandings about the world, the social order, and the person. During the various feast days, which involve the people in different but patterned experiences, these meanings are revealed to and revivified within the individual. The details of this system are particular to one area, but the basic patterning involving people, saints, and ceremonies is widespread.
Dexamethasone bioavailability: Implications for DST research

Abstract The bioavailability of dexamethasone (DEX) has recently been demonstrated to be a critical factor in determining Dexamethasone Suppression Test (DST) status in psychiatric patients. This brief review focuses on several aspects of DEX bioavailability as they relate to the use of the DST in neuroendocrine research. Several methodologies, including radioimmunoassay, high-performance liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry are available for quantification of DEX in biological fluids, although few detailed comparisons between methods have been reported. Surprisingly, little systematic research on the metabolism of DEX has been reported, but it appears that hepatic rather than renal mechanisms are the major source of DEX elimination. The marked variability in serum DEX levels following oral administration in psychiatric patients is also observed in normal controls and patients with Cushing's syndrome. A variety of drugs can modify serum DEX levels and thereby alter the effectiveness of DEX in suppressing serum cortisol levels. Simultaneous measurement of serum DEX and cortisol levels appears to be necessary for the appropriate evaluation of DST results. This procedure may help explain many of the inconsistencies in recent DST research.
RISK OF HEART FAILURE IN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER WHO RECEIVED RADIOTHERAPY

The risk of death due to cardiac ischemia is increased in radiation-treated breast cancer survivors with left sided breast tumors. However, the findings linking radiotherapy with other causes of cardiac mortality in women with breast cancer receiving radiation have been inconsistent. Thus, we sought
Professional Boundaries: An Analysis of Violations by Social Workers

The violation of professional boundaries represents the most troubling of ethics transgressions. Encompassing sexual activities, dual relationships, and poor clinical practices, this area includes not only clearly illegal or unethical behaviors, but also actions that may be unwise only in the context in which they occurred. This article presents the findings of a recent study that examined ethics complaints against social workers and revealed that 56.1% of the cases in which there were violations involved some form of boundary infraction. The body of literature on boundary violations is examined in light of these findings and recommendations are offered for enhancing practitioner education, supervision, and self-awareness to reduce the incidence of these ethics breaches.
Implementing early supplier involvement: a conceptual framework

Explores the impact of early supplier involvement (ESI) on product development practices. Develops a conceptual framework and a case study for effective implementation of ESI. A conceptual framework for ESI in product development consists of the four building blocks of design, procurement, supplier, and manufacturing requirements. Notes that, while each of the building blocks has a unique role in ESI, their interrelationships are the focus of the ESI conceptual framework. These blocks are decomposed into a set of specific tasks required to implement ESI. Applies the framework in a company that currently implements ESI in order to test and validate its viability. This comparison enumerates the examples of success and failure of ESI and two measurements of the company’s ESI effectiveness. Discusses the framework’s validity and proposes modifications. Additionally, presents a set of findings, hypotheses, and recommendations for implementing ESI. Also presents a set of hypotheses as a basis for future ESI theory building and testing.
Opening wedge distal femoral varus osteotomy using the Puddu plate and calcium phosphate bone cement.

The goal of this study was to document the outcome at midterm follow-up of 19 patients treated for lateral osteoarthritis of the knee between 1999 and 2007. It was our hypothesis that the results and complication rate would be comparable to or better than those reported in the literature for closing wedge or alternative open wedge techniques. All patients underwent an open wedge distal femoral varisation osteotomy using the Puddu plate system combined with calcium phosphate injection into the defect. Knee Society Knee Score and Kellgren–Lawrence osteoarthritis score were assessed preoperatively and at final follow-up. The average knee score improved significantly from 43 ± 8 preoperatively to 78 ± 23 at final follow-up. The Kellgren–Lawrence osteoarthritis score remained unchanged. Kaplan–Meier analysis using revision surgery or conversion to TKA as an endpoint demonstrated an 82 % successful survivorship at 7 years of follow-up. Based upon these results, we believe that a distal femoral varisation osteotomy using the Puddu plate and injectable bone cement is an equivalent treatment option compared to closing wedge techniques and leading to good results at midterm follow-up in patients with lateral gonarthrosis and valgus alignment. IV.
Novel histone biotinylation marks are enriched in repeat regions and participate in repression of transcriptionally competent genes

Covalent histone modifications play crucial roles in chromatin structure and genome stability. We previously reported biotinylation of lysine (K) residues in histones H2A, H3 and H4 by holocarboxylase synthetase and demonstrated that K12-biotinylated histone H4 (H4K12bio) is enriched in repeat regions and participates in gene repression. The biological functions of biotinylation marks other than H4K12bio are poorly understood. Here, novel biotinylation site-specific antibodies against H3K9bio, H3K18bio and H4K8bio were used in chromatin immunoprecipitation studies to obtain first insights into possible biological functions of these marks. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were conducted in human primary fibroblasts and Jurkat lymphoblastoma cells, and revealed that H3K9bio, H3K18bio and H4K8bio are enriched in repeat regions such as pericentromeric alpha satellite repeats and long-terminal repeats while being depleted in transcriptionally active promoters in euchromatin. Transcriptional stimulation of the repressed interleukin-2 promoter triggered a rapid depletion of histone biotinylation marks at this locus in Jurkat cells, which was paralleled by an increase in interleukin-2 mRNA. Importantly, the enrichment of H3K9bio, H3K18bio and H4K8bio at genomic loci depended on the concentration of biotin in culture media at nutritionally relevant levels, suggesting a novel mechanism of gene regulation by biotin.
Polyaromatic hydrocarbon emissions in fly ashes from an atmospheric fluidized bed combustor using thermal extraction coupled with GC/TOF-MS

Over 120 polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been identified in urban pollution, of which 16 have been specified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as priority pollutants. Increased urban concentrations from anthropogenic sources are of particular concern because many of them show carcinogenic and/or mutagenic properties. In this study thermal extraction (TE) coupled with GC/TOF-MS and solvent extraction coupled with GC/MS were utilized to determine the PAH concentrations in fly ash samples collected from a bench-scale 0.1 MWth fluidized bed combustor (FBC). In addition to the evaluation of the analysis procedures including conventional solvent extraction and thermal extraction, a comprehensive study of the effect of operating conditions on PAH emissions in fly ashes samples was conducted. The experimental results indicate the majority of PAHs (two and three fused-ring systems) found in the solid phase (fly ash) are derived from breakdown reactions during the combustion and/or py...
Misexpression of Gbx2 throughout the mesencephalon by a conditional gain‐of‐function transgene leads to deletion of the midbrain and cerebellum in mice

The mouse homeobox gene, Gbx2, is expressed in discreet domains in the neural tube and plays a key role in forebrain and hindbrain development. Previous studies have demonstrated that mutual inhibition between Gbx2 and Otx2, which are respectively expressed in the anterior and posterior parts of the neural plate, positions the prospective midbrain-hindbrain junction. We describe here a conditional Gbx2 gain-of-function transgenic mouse line, Gbx2-GOF, which expresses Gbx2 and red fluorescence protein, mCherry, upon Cre-mediated recombination. In the absence of Cre, beta-galactosidase is broadly expressed in mouse embryos and adult brains carrying the transgene. By combining Gbx2-GOF and En1(Cre) knock-in allele, we activated expression of Gbx2 and mCherry throughout the mesencephalon (mes) and rhombomere 1 (r1). The ectopic expression of Gbx2 causes an anterior shift of the mes/r1 junction at embryonic day 10.5. Interestingly, we found that persistent expression of Gbx2 throughout the mes/r1 region largely abolishes expression of the isthmic organizer gene Fgf8, leading to deletion of the midbrain and cerebellum at later stages. Our data suggest that the juxtaposition of the expression domains of Gbx2 and Otx2 within the mes/r1 area is essential for the maintenance of Fgf8 expression. Furthermore, the Gbx2-GOF transgenic line is suitable for functional study of Gbx2 during development.
Points of departure for a constructive critique of the Bolivarian Revolution

From what Left position, both intellectually and politically, does one formulate a critique of the Chavez-led Bolivarian Revolution without aligning with a right-wing opposition? For starters, we need reliable evidence of the achievements, problems, and mistakes of the Bolivarian project. At the same time, any engagement with social change in Venezuela necessitates attention to one’s positionality as well as scholarly and activist categories of analysis and practice.
Laser Stark spectroscopy in the 10 μm region: The ν3 bands of CH3F

Abstract Laser Stark spectroscopy of the ν3 band of CH3F has been carried out using coincidences with the 9.4 μm band CO2 laser lines. About 350 Stark resonances were measured for the ν3 fundamental bands of 12CH3F and 13CH3F. About 30 of them were measured by using a Stark-Lamb dip technique to increase the resolution and the accuracy of the data. These Stark resonances, together with the recent results of infrared-microwave two-photon Lamb dip measurements, were analyzed to give the following vibration-rotation parameters and the dipole moments in the ν3 state, 12CH3F 13CH3F ν 0 1048.610767 (62) 1027.493191 (69) cm−1 B 25197.57 ± 0.03 24542.07 ± 0.43 MHz A - A 0 −294.09 ± 0.60 −288.81 ± 0.37 MHz D J 55.5 ± 1.2 56 ± 12 kHz D JK 575 ± 63 464 ± 24 kHz μ 1.9054 ± 0.0006 1.9039 ± 0.0006 D About 30 Stark resonances corresponding to the hot band 2ν3 ← ν3 of 12CH3F have also been observed. The analysis of the hot band resonances provided accurate vibration-rotation parameters and the dipole moment in the 2ν3 state. Observation of the hot band demonstrates the high sensitivity of laser Stark spectroscopy; we have been able to observe molecules of the order of 108 in the optical path easily. An approximate vibration-rotation calculation was used to discuss the observed dependence of the dipole moment and the vibration-rotation parameters on the vibrational state.
Constrained least-squares filtering for noisy images blurred by random point spread function

A restoration filter based on the constrained least-squares principle is proposed for the restoration of images distorted by random point spread function and additive measurement noise. The proposed filter modifies the conventional constrained least-squares filter by incorporating the second-order statistics, such as correlations, about the randomness of the point spread function. For space-invariant imaging systems, the proposed filter can be implemented in the discrete frequency domain and its computations can be carried out using the fast Fourier transform. Simulation results show that the proposed filter outperforms the conventional constrained least-squares filter, which neglects the correlations of the random point spread function.
Writing in therapy: a participatory approach

This paper explores the potential of writing with rather than to or about clients, an approach which may foster new responses to clients’ dilemmas in the face of institutional, cultural, ethnic, class and gender discrimination. A selective review of literature about writing in therapy and vignettes from my own work in a community mental health clinic support this enquiry. Some implications for training are also addressed.
Moonlighting Husbands: A Life-Cycle Perspective

This study examines the extent and correlates of moonlighting at various stages in the life course for employed husbands (N = 2,118) in the United States in the mid-1970s. Using data from the Michigan Panel Study of Income Dynamics (1976-1977 waves), the study found that 21% of the husbands held two jobs, a figure substantially higher than official estimates. In estimating the likelihood of moonlighting, using a range of individual, family, and job characteristics, three hypotheses are tested. The first two, drawn from the “life-cycle squeeze” literature, suggest differences in the likelihood of moonlighting at various stages of the life cycle and in conjunction with variations in the wage rate of the primary job. The third hypothesis relates moonlighting to a sporadic work history. Findings reveal that there are indeed variations in the incidence of moonlighting over the life cycle. Moreover, the effects of wage rate and work history interact with life-cycle stage, suggesting that the factors related to ...
Laser-induced positive ion and neutral atom/molecule emission from single-crystal CaHPO4·2 H2O: The role of electron-beam-induced defects

We examine laser-induced ion and neutral emissions from single-crystal CaHPO4·2 H2O (brushite), a wide-band-gap, hydrated inorganic single crystal, with 248-nm excimer laser radiation. Both laser-induced ion and neutral emissions are several orders of magnitude higher following exposure to 2 keV electrons at current densities of 200 μA/cm2 and doses of 1 C/cm2. In addition to intense Ca+ signals, electron-irradiated surfaces yield substantial CaO+, PO+, and P+ signals. As-grown and as-cleaved brushite show only weak neutral O2 and Ca emissions, whereas electron-irradiated surfaces yield enhanced O2, Ca, PO, PO2, and P emissions. Electron irradiation (i) significantly heats the sample, leading to thermal dehydration (CaHPO4 formation) and pyrolysis (Ca2P2O7 formation) and (ii) chemically reduces the surface via electron stimulated desorption. The thermal effects are accompanied by morphological changes, including recrystallization. Although complex, these changes lead to high defect densities, which are responsible for the dramatic enhancements in the observed laser desorption.
Cash Distributions to Shareholders

Abstract Economists have long been puzzled by why firms pay dividends when alternative methods of rewarding shareholders and financiers exist which involve less taxes. This paper will highlight the fact that firms can distribute cash to equity holders in ways more lightly taxed than dividends. The two methods we examine are share repurchase programs and cash-financed mergers and acquisitions. So why should cash distributions from firms to shareholders ever take the form of dividends? This paper first provides evidence on the explosive growth in dividend cash payments, and then discusses how this evidence should affect theories about corporate finance.
Generalized Transduction in CAULOBACTER CRESCENTUS

Two closely related bacteriophage, varphiCr30 and varphiCr35, are the first bacteriophage shown to mediate generalized transduction in Caulobacter crescentus. Unlike most other transducing phage, they are virulent and do not form any sort of lysogenic relationship with their host. However, they are rather inefficient at adsorption, so that transductants have a good chance of survival. The phage particles have a head 80 nm in diameter and a contractile tail 140 nm in length. Procedures for growth and transduction with varphiCr30 are relatively simple; thus, it will be of great value for the genetic analysis of C. crescentus.
PHOSPHATIDYLINOSITOL 3-KINASE REGULATES EARLY DIFFERENTIATION IN HUMAN LARYNGEAL KERATINOCYTES

Abstract Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling regulates a variety of cellular functions, including proliferation, gene expression, and differentiation. Infection of laryngeal epithelial cells by human papillomaviruses causes recurrent respiratory papillomas, benign tumors characterized by an altered pattern of differentiation. Papilloma cells overexpress the EGFR and have constitutively active extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) and enhanced phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activity, but overexpression of the lipid phosphatase PTEN (Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog) reduces activation of Akt by PI3K. We hypothesized that the altered differentiation of papillomas reflects these changes in signaling from the EGFR-ERK and PI3K-Akt pathways and that one or both of these pathways is required for the normal differentiation process in mucosal epithelium. Inhibiting either the enzymatic activity or the synthesis of PI3K in uninfected laryngeal cells blocked expression of keratin-13 (K13), a...
Seismic qualification of electrical equipment using a uniaxial test

The analytical development of a uniaxial test for the seismic qualification of electrical equipment is presented. This method comprises a single test using a uniaxial excitation having certain minimum intensity applied at the base of the test package in a predetermined optimal direction. It is anticipated that the proposed procedure would be more economical and less time consuming than, but functionally equivalent to, presently employed series of multiaxial tests. The test is shown to be superior to the symmetric tests. The determination of the minimum intensity of the optimal orientation of the base excitation requires a preliminary frequency response test which is a slightly more elaborate version of the sine sweep test presently employed to determine the resonance frequencies of the test package. A simulated test is presented to compare the proposed method with the uncorrelated triaxial test and the symmetric uniaxial test.
Effects of a low-glycemic load diet on resting energy expenditure and heart disease risk factors during weight loss.

ContextWeight loss elicits physiological adaptations relating to energy intake and expenditure that antagonize ongoing weight loss.ObjectiveTo test whether dietary composition affects the physiological adaptations to weight loss, as assessed by resting energy expenditure.Design, Study, and ParticipantsA randomized parallel-design study of 39 overweight or obese young adults aged 18 to 40 years who received an energy-restricted diet, either low–glycemic load or low-fat. Participants were studied in the General Clinical Research Centers of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Children’s Hospital, Boston, Mass, before and after 10% weight loss. The study was conducted from January 4, 2001, to May 6, 2003.Main Outcome MeasuresResting energy expenditure measured in the fasting state by indirect calorimetry, body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and self-reported hunger.ResultsResting energy expenditure decreased less with the low–glycemic load diet than with the low-fat diet, expressed in absolute terms (mean [SE], 96 [24] vs 176 [27] kcal/d; P = .04) or as a proportion (5.9% [1.5%] vs 10.6% [1.7%]; P = .05). Participants receiving the low–glycemic load diet reported less hunger than those receiving the low-fat diet (P = .04). Insulin resistance (P = .01), serum triglycerides (P = .01), C-reactive protein (P = .03), and blood pressure (P = .07 for both systolic and diastolic) improved more with the low–glycemic load diet. Changes in body composition (fat and lean mass) in both groups were very similar (P = .85 and P = .45, respectively).ConclusionsChanges in dietary composition within prevailing norms can affect physiological adaptations that defend body weight. Reduction in glycemic load may aid in the prevention or treatment of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus.
Toxoplasmosis: a history of clinical observations

It has been 100 years since Toxoplasma gondii was initially described in Tunis by Nicolle and Manceaux (1908) in the tissues of the gundi (Ctenodoactylus gundi) and in Brazil by Splendore (1908) in the tissues of a rabbit. Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous, Apicomplexan parasite of warm-blooded animals that can cause several clinical syndromes including encephalitis, chorioretinitis, congenital infection and neonatal mortality. Fifteen years after the description of T. gondii by Nicolle and Manceaux a fatal case of toxoplasmosis in a child was reported by Janků. In 1939 Wolf, Cowen and Paige were the first to conclusively identify T. gondii as a cause of human disease. This review examines the clinical manifestations of infection with T. gondii and the history of the discovery of these manifestations.
The major vault protein (MVP), a new multidrug resistance associated protein, is frequently expressed in multiple myeloma.

The major vault protein (MVP), a ribonucleoprotein complex which mediates the transport of xenobiotic toxins, has been implicated in multidrug resistance (MDR) not mediated by p-glycoprotein (P-gp) or multidrug resistance related protein (MRP). We evaluated, via immuno-histochemistry, the presence of MVP in plasma cells of myeloma patients. Among 73 patients registered with the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG), 52 patients (74%) were positive for MVP. The presence of MVP and P-gp were significantly associated (p 5%) was significantly associated with shorter 0s (log rank p-value=0.0002). The collective work indicates that MVP protein is common and abundan...
Should nephrologists use beta-blockers? A perspective

Given the high prevalence of cardiovascular disease in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the clear benefits of mortality reduction observed for most β−blockers in clinical trials, they are relatively underused in CKD patients [1,2]. The rationale for use of β-blockers in patients with CKD is reviewed in detail elsewhere [2,3] but is summarized in this editorial. Alterations in β- and α-receptor responsiveness are associated with sympathetic over-activity in CKD. This increased sympathetic activity is involved in the genesis of hypertension, and contributes to cardiac complications seen in CKD [2,3]. The contribution of the sympathetic nervous system to nephropathy progression is documented in sub-totally nephrectomized rats where non-hypotensive doses of β-blockers ameliorate development of glomerulosclerosis and cardiac injury [4]. In men, sympathetic over-activity, as assessed by sural nerve microneurography, was present in patients on haemodialysis [5], stage 4 nephropathy [6] and in early stage 2 nephropathy among patients with polycystic kidney disease [7]. The role of the damaged kidney in causing sympathetic over-activity is illustrated by normalization of sympathetic over-activity in haemodialysis patients following bilateral nephrectomy [5] and in renal allograft recipients when their shrunken native kidneys are removed [8]. The most common cause of death in stage 3 and higher CKD results from complications of cardiovascular disease. This may be due, in part, to inadequate treatment of blood pressure, where blood pressure goals were not attained and agents known to reduce mortality secondary to cardiovascular causes, i.e. aspirin, ACE inhibitors and β-blockers were not used [9]. In a separate study, β-blockers were used in fewer than 30% of haemodialysis patients [10]. This is surprising, since β-blockers are well-established, evidence-based therapy for reducing cardiovascular risk in hypertension associated with diabetes and after myocardial infarction [11,12]. Observational studies support definite survival benefits derived from β-blocker use in patients with advanced CKD [13,14]. Furthermore, a prospective,
Buildup of image quality in view-shared time-resolved 3D CE-MRA.

Time-resolved three-dimensional contrast-enhanced MR angiography often relies on view sharing of peripheral k-space data to enable acquisition of angiograms with both high spatial resolution and a rapid frame rate. It is typically assumed that k-space will be fully sampled during passage of the contrast bolus arterial phase. However, this is not the case when view sharing is incomplete, for example, at the leading edge of an enhancing vessel or if acquisition time is limited as in fluoroscopic tracking for multistation bolus chase MR angiography. Incomplete view sharing will degrade image quality, for example, by reducing vessel signal and sharpness and increasing undersampling artifacts. In this work, the evolution of angiogram quality with view sharing is quantitatively assessed in phantom experiments and in vivo contrast-enhanced MR angiography calf studies. It is demonstrated that there are multiple sets of sequence parameters that can yield a target image update time, but the choice of parameters can profoundly affect how image quality evolves with view sharing. A fundamental tradeoff between vessel signal and sharpness and its relationship to the sequence temporal footprint is investigated and discussed. Magn Reson Med 70:348–357, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Normalization of wood density in biomass estimates of Amazon forests

Abstract Wood density is an important variable in estimates of biomass and carbon flux in tropical regions. However, the Amazon region lacks large-scale wood-density datasets that employ a sampling methodology adequate for use in estimates of biomass and carbon emissions. Normalization of the available datasets is needed to avoid bias in estimates that combine previous studies of wood density that used wood sampling at diverse positions in the bole or with various methods of density determination. This paper examines the question of whether regressions for radial variation and for variation in wood density along the bole, both developed in dense forest in central Amazonia (CA), are suitable for the open forests in southern Amazonia (SA) that are currently the target of most of Amazonia's deforestation activity. The wood density of the heartwood and density of full disks or slices (bark, sapwood and heartwood) in each tree were measured to assess the radial variation. For variation along the length of the bole, wood densities at breast height and at the top of the bole were used. Moisture content of the bole was measured in SA and compared with values reported by studies from CA in similar dense forest. Comparing regressions that predict full-disk density from heartwood density, the pattern of radial variation differs slightly and significantly between the two forest types (ANCOVA p = 0.006); the slopes have similar values but the intercepts differ. Variation along the bole in the two forest types does not differ significantly (p = 0.144), so the CA model for predicting mean bole density from the density of a slice at breast height gives an unbiased estimate of the mean bole density when applied to SA trees. In SA the mean moisture content of the bole was 0.416 (±0.068 S.D.; n = 223 trees). Moisture content of the bole had a strong inverse relationship with basic wood density (r = −0.77), which explains the lower moisture content in the trees in CA relative to SA. A much weaker inverse relationship was found between moisture content and green wood density (r = −0.292). The relationship between wood basic density and green (‘fresh’) density presented in this study provides an alternative means of obtaining basic wood density directly in the field when oven drying of samples is not possible.
Good features to track

No feature-based vision system can work unless good features can be identified and tracked from frame to frame. Although tracking itself is by and large a solved problem, selecting features that can be tracked well and correspond to physical points in the world is still hard. We propose a feature selection criterion that is optimal by construction because it is based on how the tracker works, and a feature monitoring method that can detect occlusions, disocclusions, and features that do not correspond to points in the world. These methods are based on a new tracking algorithm that extends previous Newton-Raphson style search methods to work under affine image transformations. We test performance with several simulations and experiments. >
Expanding Role for Combination Drug Therapy in the Initial Treatment of Hypertension

See related article, pp 566–572 Both the seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure and the European Society of Hypertension have recommended initiating antihypertensive therapy with a single agent in patients with stage 1 or grade 1 hypertension (systolic 1 agent is recommended for patients with blood pressure >20/10 mm Hg above goal1 or for patients with grade 2 or grade 3 hypertension (systolic ≥160 mm Hg and/or diastolic ≥100 mm Hg) or high overall cardiovascular risk where early blood pressure control may be desirable.2 However, based in part on data from the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial, ≈75% of patients with hypertension will require therapy with >1 antihypertensive agent to achieve recommended blood pressure goals. Based on analyses of large numbers of published clinical trials, overall, it has been estimated that the blood pressure–lowering capacities of low doses of 2 agents used in combination are additive3 or that the average percentage effects of the second …