cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Geospatial distribution and determinants of child mortality in rural western Kenya 2002-2005.

OBJECTIVE To describe local geospatial variation and geospatial risk factors for child mortality in rural western Kenya. METHODS We calculated under-5 mortality rates (U5MR) in 217 villages in a Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) area in western Kenya from 1 May 2002 through 31 December 2005. U5MRs by village were mapped. Geographical positioning system coordinates of residences at the time of death and distances to nearby locations were calculated. Multivariable Poisson regression accounting for clustering at the compound level was used to evaluate the association of geospatial factors and mortality for infants and children aged 1-4 years. RESULTS Among 54 057 children, the overall U5MR was 56.5 per 1000 person-years and varied by village from 21 to 177 per 1000 person-years. High mortality villages occurred in clusters by location and remained in the highest mortality quintile over several years. In multivariable analysis, controlling for maternal age and education as well as household crowding, higher infant mortality was associated with living closer to streams and further from public transport roads. For children 1-4 years, living at middle elevations (1280-1332 metres), living within lower population densities areas, and living in the northern section of the HDSS were associated with higher mortality. CONCLUSIONS Childhood mortality was significantly higher in some villages. Several geospatial factors were associated with mortality, which might indicate variability in access to health care or exposure and transmission of infectious diseases. These results are useful in prioritising areas for further study and implementing directed public health interventions.
Fission product behavior in UCxOy fissile particles made from weak-acid resins☆

Abstract High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor fissile particles made from weak-acid ion exchange resins with compositions ranging from UO 2 plus excess carbon to UC 2 plus excess carbon were irradiated in test capsules. The fission product behavior in the particles was determined by electron microprobe analysis. The behavior of most fission products was dependent on the initial O/U ratio, and their overall chemical behavior is consistent with that for the phases calculated to be present.
Space Shuttle Component Reuse Study

The effects of maximum allowable uses and mission losses on space shuttle reusable-item inventory are analyzed. The approach was applied to preliminary trade-off studies of the solid rocket booster reusable components. Reuse reduces considerably the quantity of items required for 445 launches over an 11-year period. The effect of maximum allowable uses on the total number of items to be manufactured is highly nonlinear. The effect of mission cycle reliability is approximately linear. The trade-off analysis is illustrated by the example of rocket-motor case cylinder segments. The analysis is applicable to any reusable booster component.
Free Black Populations of the Southern Appalachian Mountains: 1860:

The Black population of southern Appalachia has been overlooked by most of the people who have studied the region. Although several studies have dealt with the rapidly growing White population of the pre-Civil War period, little has been written about the size and diversity of the region's Black population. Black persons began to arrive in the mountain region about the same time as Whites. Before the first federal census in 1790, there was very little information about the Black Appalachian population. In the 1790s, as local records became more formalized, free Black people made their presence evident by being counted, buying property, making wills, and getting hanged. Free Black persons soon began to play a significant role in a number of mountain communities. Only four states are included in this survey of free Black populations in southern Appalachia: Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The area includes 158 counties as they existed in 1860. It is roughly the same as that defined by Vance (1962) for these states plus 11 counties along the western edge of Vance's territory. The addition of these counties makes the western boundary of the area correspond roughly to Campbell's (1921) western boundary. ' All of the population and agricultural data are taken from materials published by the U.S. Census Office (1 864a, 1864b, 1872). Consequently, the limitations of census data must be kept in mind when examining the statistical information presented in this
Development of a creep rate porosity correction factor

Abstract A general method for constructing a creep rate porosity correction factor for any porous material has been developed. The creep rate of a porous material is assumed to be influenced by the effect of porosity on stress, diffusion coefficient and shear modulus. The effect of porosity on stress and diffusion coefficient was derived from simple physical considerations; the effect of porosity on shear modulus was addressed empirically. The resulting general method has been applied to the construction of a porosity correction factor for the creep of UO2, and comparison with experimental results shows good agreement.
Sources of Self-Esteem in Work What's Important for Whom?

Social psychologists and sociologists of work have documented the importance of numerous aspects of work experience for adult self-esteem. The social psychological dynamics of many of these work an...
BRI1/BAK1, a Receptor Kinase Pair Mediating Brassinosteroid Signaling

The Arabidopsis BAK1 (BRI1 Associated receptor Kinase 1) was identified by a yeast two-hybrid screen as a specific interactor for BRI1, a critical component of a membrane brassinosteroid (BR) receptor. In yeast, BAK1/BRI1 interaction activates their kinase activities through transphosphorylation. BAK1 and BRI1 share similar gene expression and subcellular localization patterns and physically associate with each other in plants. Overexpression of the BAK1 gene leads to a phenotype reminiscent of BRI1-overexpression transgenic plants and rescues a weak bri1 mutant. In contrast, a bak1 knockout mutation gives rise to a weak bri1-like phenotype and enhances a weak bri1 mutation. We propose that BAK1 and BRI1 function together to mediate plant steroid signaling.
LXI. Preliminary notice of the results accomplished in the manufacture and theory of gratings for optical purposes

(1882). LXI. Preliminary notice of the results accomplished in the manufacture and theory of gratings for optical purposes. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 13, No. 84, pp. 469-474.
Design principles for highly efficient quadrupeds and implementation on the MIT Cheetah robot

In this paper, we introduce the design principles for highly efficient legged robots and the implementation of the principles on the MIT Cheetah robot. Three major energy loss modes during locomotion are heat losses through the actuators, losses through the transmission, and the interaction losses that includes all losses of the system interacting with the environment. We propose four design principles that minimize these losses: employment of high torque density motors, low impedance transmission, energy regenerative electronics and a design architecture that minimizes the leg inertia. We present the design features of the MIT cheetah robot as an embodiment of these principles. The resulting cost of transport (COT) is 0.51 during 2.3 m/s running, which rivals running animals in the same scale.
Invariant theory of the block diagonal subgroups of GL(n,C) and generalized Casimir operators

Abstract Let C be the field of complex numbers and let GL ( n , C ) denote the general linear group of order n over C . Let n be the sum of m positive integers p 1 , …, p m and consider the block diagonal subgroup GL ( p 1 , C )x…x GL ( p m , C ). The adjoint representation of the Lie group GL ( n , C ) on its Lie algebra gives rise to the coadjoint representation of GL ( n , C ) on the symmetric algebra of all polynomial functions on GL ( n , C ). The polynomials that are fixed by the restriction of the coadjoint representation to the block diagonal subgroup form a subalgebra called the algebra of invariants. A finite set of generators of this algebra is explicitly determined and the connection with the generalized Casimir invariant differential operators is established.
Upper thermal limits of insects are not the result of insufficient oxygen delivery.

AbstractMost natural environments experience fluctuating temperatures that acutely affect an organism’s physiology and ultimately a species’ biogeographic distribution. Here we examine whether oxygen delivery to tissues becomes limiting as body temperature increases and eventually causes death at upper lethal temperatures. Because of the limited direct, experimental evidence supporting this possibility in terrestrial arthropods, we explored the effect of ambient oxygen availability on the thermotolerance of insects representing six species (Acheta domesticus, Hippodamia convergens, Gromphadorhina portentosa, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis, Tenebrio molitor, and Zophobus morio), four taxonomic orders (Blattodea, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and Orthoptera), and multiple life stages (e.g., adults vs. larvae or nymphs). The survival curves of insects exposed to temperatures (45° or 50°C) under normoxic conditions (21% O2) were compared with those measured under altered oxygen levels (0%, 10%, 35%, and 95% O2). Kaplan...
High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation in adults with recurrent embryonal tumors of the central nervous system.

BACKGROUND Embryonal central nervous system (CNS) tumors (medulloblastoma, cerebral neuroblastoma, pineoblastoma, and primitive neuroectodermal tumors) are rare in adults. Recurrent disease has an extremely poor outcome. The use of high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has demonstrated promising results in children with recurrent disease, but there are only limited data regarding its role in adults. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate adult patients with embryonal CNS tumors who were treated with HDC with ASCT and compare their outcomes with those of patients who received conventional-dose chemotherapy. METHODS The authors reviewed the medical records of 23 adult patients (age ≥18 years) who were treated at the Mayo Clinic for recurrent embryonal CNS tumors between 1976 and 2004. The authors compared treatment with HDC with ASCT (10 patients) with an historic control of patients treated with conventional-dose chemotherapy (nitrosourea based, cisplatin based, or both) (13 patients). RESULTS HDC with ASCT was associated with increased survival (P = .044) and a longer time to disease progression (TTP) (P = .028). The conventional-dose chemotherapy group had a median TTP of 0.58 years and a median survival of 2.00 years. The HDC with ASCT group had a median TTP of 1.25 years and a median survival of 3.47 years. When restricted to patients receiving ASCT after first disease recurrence, the median TTP was 2.5 years and the median survival was 4.16 years. Toxicities were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Improvements in the median TTP and survival noted with the administration of HDC with ASCT, as well as the acceptable toxicity of this regimen, supports consideration of its use in adults with recurrent embryonal CNS tumors. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Computer‐Controlled Brick Masonry

The introduction of automated machinery in construction creates many challenges to researchers, equipment manufacturers, and users alike. The flexibility of computers and computer‐controlled machines makes them valuable tools for research and development, allowing rapid and inexpensive prototyping of production systems. This paper discusses a control system for a prototype bricklaying robot, which is based on the real‐time integration of actuators and sensors. Economical issues and experimental testing of bond capacities lie outside the scope of the paper. The lessons learned from building and testing a scaled‐down system could be helpful to researchers new to the field of robotics in construction.
Long Series of Information and Nonprofessional Investors' Belief Revision

This paper reports the results of an experiment designed to examine the effect of disclosure pattern (sequential versus simultaneous) and direction of information (positive/negative versus negative/positive) on nonprofessional investors' belief revisions. An important feature of the experiment is that long series of information are used. Prior research has largely examined individuals' belief revisions using short series of information. Results indicate that individuals revise beliefs to a larger extent when the disclosure pattern is sequential rather than simultaneous. The findings extend the prior belief revision literature by providing evidence that results hold using long series of information: the current experiment uses 20 pieces of information, whereas most accounting studies only use four pieces of information. Results also contribute to the extant financial accounting literature on nonprofessional investors that is particularly relevant given the larger number of inexperienced investors entering ...
Water-assisted laser thermal shock machining of alumina

Abstract A combined experimental and computational approach was undertaken to investigate water-assisted laser cutting of 96% pure alumina specimens through controlled thermal shock fracture mechanism. A low-power CO 2 laser (
Parameter shifts when measuring wealth effects in cross-border mergers

Abstract The most critical assumption in applying the market model in event studies is that estimated parameters are unaffected by the event. This assumption may not necessarily hold for mergers and acquisitions as they may alter the operating and/or financial risks and, therefore, the β 's of acquiring firms. The potential for β reduction may be even higher for a firm acquiring abroad since cross-border mergers provide additional risk reduction opportunities. Measuring wealth effects without considering potential changes in β 's may result in biased interpretation of results. In this paper, we examine if parameters change in response to US firms' announcements of cross-border acquisitions occurring during 1982–1991. The results indicate that US bidders experience statistically significant β reduction in the post-estimation period. Also, β 's decline irrespective of the location of the target, although the degree of decline and its level of significance vary across countries. The abnormal returns based on pre-announcement and post-announcement parameters lead at times to different conclusions regarding wealth effects.
The State of Fluorine in Dentifrice Systems

Using 18F in an adsorption and desorption technique and by means of chemical F analyses, it has been possible to establish a distribution pattern for F in dentifrice systems.When a dentifrice is dispersed in water, parts of the F remain in the dentifrice in a) inactive form, or b) adsorbed form; parts are in solution, as c) ionic F, d) undissociated HF, or e) as complexed F; parts are present in the enamel surface presumably as f) CaF2, or g) as Ca5(PO4)3F, or h) as adsorbed complexes. Some F is possibly acquired by the enamel by means of i) exchange processes.The results obtained compare reasonably well with theoretical expectations, indicating that the deposition of F in the enamel is a matter of physico-chemical solubility. The solubility product of fluorapatite seems to be a governing principle. No relationship was established between the fluoride ion concentrations (activities) and the uptake of F in the enamel. It was suggested that not only the chemical composition of a dentifrice but also its phys...
168 Coverage of Exposed Bone in Pressure Ulcers with a Fibroblast-Populated Construct Decreased Healing Time Compared to Controls in a Pilot Randomized, Control Trial

Patients who are hospitalized, elderly, or have spinal cord injury develop stage IV pressure ulcers in sacral, ischial, and trochanteric regions. Bone exposure of these pressure ulcers becomes a significant clinical problem. We propose that treatment of exposed bone with bone resection and a fibroblast-populated construct (FPC)(Dermagraft) accelerates healing. Four patients with stage IV sacral or ischial pressure ulcers where randomized to the control group and underwent bone resection with wet-to-dry dressing changes. Four other patients were randomized to the treatment group and underwent bone resection with application of FPC. Both groups were clinically monitored and treated with culture-specific antibiotics. The data showed that patients treated with FPC had their exposed bone covered after an average at 2.25 weeks, while the control groups required at least 4 weeks for bone coverage. Therefore, the preliminary data suggest that FPC is effective in reducing the time of bone exposure after sacrectomy/ischiectomy in pressure ulcer surgery. Acknowledgments: University of Michigan internal funding and Veterans Administration
From here to obscurity?: media substitution theory and traditional media in an on-line world

An online survey targeted to politically interested Internet users assesses whether traditional media use is decreasing, increasing or remaining the same since users first started using the Web, bulletin boards/electronic mailing lists and chat rooms. Associations are made between media use gratifications, political attitudes and demographics and traditional media use, and further analysis determines whether these factors predict changes in the amount of time online users spend with traditional media. This study's findings are compared with a similar study conducted in 1996. News magazines and radio news took the hardest hit from the Internet in 2000 but in 1996 television news suffered the most. Generally, in both years the Internet had not altered media use patterns. In 1996 and 2000 more users claimed that the time they spent seeking political information from traditional media sources had stayed the same than had changed. However, the trend indicates that those Internet users whose media patterns have changed are abandoning traditional media at a much greater rate than they are increasing their use.
The Role of Justice in Organizations: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract The correlates of distributive, procedural, and interactional justice were examined using 190 studies samples, totaling 64,757 participants. We found the distinction between the three justice types to be merited. While organizational practices and outcomes were related to the three justice types, demographic characteristics of the perceiver were, in large part, unrelated to perceived justice. Job performance and counterproductive work behaviors, considered to be outcomes of perceived justice, were mainly related to procedural justice, whereas organizational citizenship behavior was similarly predicted by distributive and procedural justice. Most satisfaction measures were similarly related to all justice types. Although organizational commitment and trust were mainly related to procedural justice, they were also substantially related to the other types of justice. Findings from laboratory and field studies are not always in agreement. Future research agendas are discussed.
Wellness for All: Improving Campus Climate for LGBTQA Students as Prevention

AbstractWhile it is widely recognized that campus climate can have a profound impact on students’ academic performance, mental/behavioral health, and character development, campus is not experienced equally across identity groups. For lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and asexual (LGBTQA) students, campus often includes added stressors, which can make college more difficult than for the average student and may negatively influence mental/behavioral health outcomes. In this article, the authors explore ways to improve campus climate as a protective factor for LGBTQA students by presenting a statewide program in Arizona with this goal. The program will be discussed within the context of addressing LGBTQA experiences in college to promote well-being.
SELF-APPLIED FLUORIDE PASTE; EFFECT ON DENTAL CARIES

The experience of this writer with supervised brushing of school children's teeth by a fluoride-bearing prophylactic paste, twice a year, was discouraging.
Marginal Hazards Regression for Retrospective Studies within Cohort with Possibly Correlated Failure Time Data

A retrospective dental study was conducted to evaluate the degree to which pulpal involvement affects tooth survival. Due to the clustering of teeth, the survival times within each subject could be correlated and thus the conventional method for the case–control studies cannot be directly applied. In this article, we propose a marginal model approach for this type of correlated case–control within cohort data. Weighted estimating equations are proposed for the estimation of the regression parameters. Different types of weights are also considered for improving the efficiency. Asymptotic properties of the proposed estimators are investigated and their finite sample properties are assessed via simulations studies. The proposed method is applied to the aforementioned dental study.
Calorimetric studies of hydrogen-bond formation in propylene carbonate I. Some hydride-bis-carboxylates and hydride-bis-phenolates at 298.15 K

Abstract The changes of enthalpy for the formation of hydrogen-bonded complexes of the types AHA − or AHR − by the interaction of acids HR or HA with bases A − have been determined at 298.15 K in propylene carbonate as solvent by a calorimetric procedure. Aliphatic carboxylates, benzoates, and phenolates were titrated enthalpimetrically with a series of acids to form homocomplexes AHA − and heterocomplexes AHR − . It is useful to regard the formation process as an acid-base interaction. The hydrogen-bond energy of homocomplexes decreases nearly linearly with increase in the p K of the proton donor. Two types of heterocomplex were identified. When A − is a weaker base than R − , complexation occurs without proton transfer, as confirmed by the low values of − ΔH for the reaction. On the other hand, the enthalpies of reaction are large if A − is a stronger base than R − , as both the energy of proton transfer and the energy of formation of a hydrogen bond are included in the measurement.
A simple technique for eliminating tracheal buckling on lateral neck roentgenograms

Evaluation of the retrotracheal soft tissues in infants and children is difficult due to the variation in soft tissue thickness during respiration. It is our purpose to report a simple method for evaluation of the retrotracheal pre-cervical soft tissues. In 1930, Hay [4] noted that on the lateral roentgenogram of the neck in infants and children the trachea buckled forward during expiration. He regarded this buckling as normal and felt it was due to "crowding of the trachea during expiration", due to lax retropharyngeal tissues, and stressed the need to examine the neck in both phases of respiration. He noted that one might be misled into making a diagnosis of retropharyngeal abscess on a lateral roentgenogram of the neck if the film was obtained during the expiratory phase of respiration. One approach to accurate determination of the soft tissues of the neck is fluoroscopy and due roentgenography. Brenner [2] noted that the duration of minimal thickness of the vertebral soft tissues during inspiration ]asted only 0.2 seconds in most cases and during expiration soft tissue thickness increased markedly. This explains why it is often difficult to obtain a good inspiratory film without buckling of the trachea in the infant or young child, Often, several lateral films of the neck are obtained and none is satisfactory.
Biocompatible semiconductor optoelectronics

We investigate optoelectronic properties of integrated structures comprising semiconductor light-emitting materials for optical probes of microscopic biological systems. Compound semiconductors are nearly ideal light emitters for probing cells and other microorganisms because of their spectral match to the transparency wavelengths of biomolecules. Unfortunately, the chemical composition of these materials is incompatible with the biochemistry of cells and related biofluids. To overcome these limitations, we investigate functionalized semiconductor surfaces and structures to simultaneously enhance light emission and the flow of biological fluids in semiconductor microcavities. We have identified several important materials problems associated with the semiconductor/biosystem interface. One is the biofluid degradation of electroluminescence by ionic diffusion into compound semiconductors. Ions that diffuse into the active region of a semiconductor light emitter can create point defects that degrade the quantum efficiency of the radiative recombination process. In this paper we discuss ways of mitigating these problems using materials design and surface chemistry, and suggest future applications for these materials.
An Ultrasonic Bladder-Volume Sensor

Loss of bladder sensation is a common clinical problem, particularly in diabetes mellitus. A pocket-size ultrasonic bladder-volume sensor has been constructed and tested with successful results. This paper describes the sensor and presents results from its use on healthy volunteers.
Outcome of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Repair Depending on Patch Type

Introduction: Patch repair of a congenital dia- phragmatic hernia is associated with a much higher rate of recurrence than when primary repair is feasible. The biosynthetic options for the repair materials continue to expand. We there- fore reviewed our experience to benchmark complication rates as we progress with the use of new materials. Methods: A retrospective review was con- ducted of all patients who underwent repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia from January 1994 to May 2009. Results: Of the 155 patients included in the study, 101 patients had primary closure and 54 received a diaphragmatic patch. The rates of recurrence, Small Bowel Obstruction (SBO), and subsequent abdominal operation were all sig- nifi cantly higher in the group of patients requir-
Motion mechanisms have only limited access to form information

Abstract We investigate the roles of spatial frequency content, flicker and higher-order elements of form (“features”) in the generation of motion percepts. These cues are separated through the use of dynamic visual stimuli based on stochastic textures. Flicker alone and spatial frequency content alone suffice to generate a strong motion percept, but higher-order elements of form alone generate a much weaker motion percept. Thus, even for achromatic stimuli, all pattern information is not equally available for motion processing. Furthermore, higher-order form information, which by itself does not provide a strong cue to motion, is shown to interact with other visual information to facilitate determination of direction of motion.
Nonablative treatment of rhytids with intense pulsed light.

Background and Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and complication rate of a nonablative nonlaser light source in the treatment of rhytids. Laser resurfacing, in the treatment of facial rhytids, has involved ablative methods, with their associated complications and limitations. Rhytid improvement requires dermal collagen remodeling. Interest has begun to focus on the use of wavelengths that preserve the epidermis but deliver enough energy to promote rhytid improvement. Study Design/Materials and Methods Thirty subjects with class I–II rhytids and Fitzpatrick skin types I–II were treated with up to four treatments with an intense pulsed light source. Subjects were evaluated 6 months after the final treatment. Results Twenty-five subjects showed some improvement in the quality of skin. No subjects were found to have total resolution of rhytids. Conclusion Nonlaser intense pulsed light may effectively improve some facial rhytids. Such improvement can occur without epidermal ablation. Lasers Surg. Med. 26:196–200, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
La sémiose du texte érotique

Le recit erotique contemporain est un objet litteraire vilipende qui exige pourtant la maitrise d’un certain nombre de moyens afin d’accomplir sa visee : exciter le lecteur. L’article presente quelques considerations sur les modes de lecture du texte mais se concentre plutot sur l’analyse et l’illustration des moyens lexicaux, syntaxiques et discursifs mis en oeuvre par les pornographes dans la trame narrative dans le but d’assurer le processus de semiose erotique chez le lecteur. Les imperatifs de clarte, de realite et d’inventivite sont presentes comme des valeurs cardinales que le traducteur doit s’efforcer de rendre s’il aspire a produire un texte de jouissances.
Opioid Side Effects and Their Treatment in Patients with Chronic Cancer and Noncancer Pain

Opioids are the foundation of standard analgesic regimens for moderate to severe pain due to life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, and are increasingly employed in chronic noncancer pain of the same severity. Opioids are frequently used for long periods in these populations, sometimes for years. However, side effects are common and may reduce quality of life, or become life threatening, and frequently cause patients to discontinue opioid therapy. Successful opioid therapy dictates that benefits of analgesia outweigh safety concerns. The mechanisms, incidence, and treatment or prevention of commonly reported side effects in chronic pain populations are reviewed, employing best available evidence along with empiric practice. General management strategies include switching opioids ("opioid rotation"), discontinuation of concurrent medications that exacerbate side effects, and symptomatic treatment. In addition, recently recognized adverse events that occur after long-term opioid therapy are discussed. High-quality evidence is lacking for the treatment of most side effects, and the true incidence, underlying mechanisms, and clinical implications of long-term responses to opioid therapy are not yet fully understood.
References electrodes for voltammetry in acetonitrile

The saturated calomel electrode is the reference electrode in aqueous polarographic studies. Such is not the case, however, with nonaqueous polarographic studies. In particular acetonitrile has been used as the solvent for many polarographic studies with just as many reference electrodes. An attempt has been made to correct this unfortunate situation. Appropriate measurements have been made to evaluate the potential of the various reference electrode systems used in acetonitrile with respect to the aqueous saturated calomel electrode.
Hyperalimentation as a treatment of Crohn's disease.

Summary In summary, it is well to be sure of the diagnosis. If you are adventurous, try hyperalimentation. It is apparent to me that it works and patients seem to be extremely satisfied with its results.
Toxoplasma gondii: growth in the absence of host cell protein synthesis.

Host cell protein synthesis continues when cultured cells are infected by Toxoplasma gondii. In order to determine if this host function is necessary for the parasite we used two independent methods that specifically block cellular protein synthesis. In the first, we infected a temperature-sensitive Chinese hamster ovary cell mutant that has a thermolabile leucyl tRNA synthetase. At the restrictive temperature of 40 C, the mutant cells showed only negligible protein synthesis that was probably mitochondrial. At this temperature, the growth and nucleic acid synthesis of T. gondii proceeded normally and [3H]leucine was specifically incorporated into the parasite as demonstrated by autoradiography. A secpnd method for blocking protein synthesis by the host cell employed treatment of uninfected human fibroblast cells with muconomycin A, an inhibitor of initiation. Repeated washing of monolayer cultures reduced the free muconomycin A to an insignificant level while the cells remained incapable of protein synthesis. T. gondii infected and grew normally in the inhibited cells. Autoradiographic localization of the incorporation of [3H]leucine showed that it was almost exclusively in the intracellular parasites in the cells pretreated with muconomycin A. In the untreated control most of the [3H]leucine was incorporated by the host cell rather than the parasite. We conclude that de novo protein synthesis by the host cell is not required to support the growth of intracellular T. gondii.
Belimumab: A BLyS-Specific Inhibitor for the Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Belimumab (Benlysta), which recently received marketing approval, is the first of a new class of immunomodulators with a novel mechanism of action. It is a specific inhibitor of the soluble B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) cytokine, which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Two large phase III randomized controlled clinical trials evaluated the safety and efficacy of belimumab combined with standard therapy and showed that the efficacy of this treatment was significantly superior to placebo plus standard therapy. Belimumab is an evidence-based therapeutic option for patients with general lupus disease activity and may signal a shift in the existing treatment paradigm from therapeutic selection targeting specific organ involvement to an approach directed at tackling multisystem disease activity and preventing the disease from worsening.
A note on semi-Markov models for partially censored data

SUMMARY A recharacterization of the semi-Markov model described by Lagakos, Sommer & Zelen (1978) permits the nonparametric maximum likelihood estimators to be expressed in terms of familiar and easily computable quantities, such as event-specific hazard estimators and Kaplan & Meier (1958) survival estimators. In addition to simplifying the calculation and clarifying the interpretation of the previously derived estimators, this reformulation also facilitates the estimation of covariance terms and suggests a simple test of equality among the outcome-specific distributions of sojourn times in a particular state.
On the revision problem of specification automata

One of the important challenges in robotics is the automatic synthesis of provably correct controllers from high level specifications. One class of such algorithms operates in two steps: (i) high level discrete controller synthesis and (ii) low level continuous controller synthesis. In this class of algorithms, when phase (i) fails, then it is desirable to provide feedback to the designer in the form of revised specifications that can be achieved by the system. In this paper, we address the minimal revision problem for specification automata. That is, we construct automata specifications that are as “close” as possible to the initial user intent, by removing the minimum number of constraints from the specification that cannot be satisfied. We prove that the problem is computationally hard and we encode it as a satisfiability problem. Then, the minimal revision problem can be solved by utilizing efficient SAT solvers.
Effects of adrenalectomy on serum concentrations of progesterone during the luteal phase of sheep.

Abstract An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that the adrenal gland influences luteal activity in sheep. Twelve Finnish Landrace × Southdown ewes were either bilaterally adrenalectomized (n = 6) or sham adrenalectomized (n = 6) during the breeding season. At approximately 37 and 47 d after surgery, all ewes received intramuscular injections of cloprostenol to synchronize estrus. Blood samples were taken via jugular venipuncture at 48-h intervals between 1 and 19 d after the last cloprostenol treatment. Serum concentrations of progesterone were determined in each of these samples. Analysis of variance showed that concentrations of progesterone during the luteal phase were lower (P
Azoles and AIDS

The treatment of opportunistic infections in AIDS patients is changing rapidly as new drugs become available and new studies of old drugs are completed. I have tried to use the AIDS commentaries to keep up with these advances. Since fluconazole has just recently been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, I asked Dr. Robert A. Larsen, an active clinical investigator at the University of Southern California School of Medicine, to review his current recommendations for the use of the azoles in AIDS patients. The response to therapy of the various mycoses in patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is dramatically different from that in other patient populations and has different end points in each group. Cure is uncommon in HIV-infected patients, and relapsing infection when antifungal therapy is stopped is the rule. Control of infection with relief of symptoms and return to productive, high-quality life is therefore a commendable goal and a reasonable end point. Thus, the azoles, especially fluconazole, are important additions. From the data presented here it appears that amphotericin may still have an edge over fluconazole for acute therapy of cryptococcal meningitis in sicker patients, at least for the first several weeks (although fluconazole may be as good and is certainly less toxic and easier to administer for patients who can take oral medications). Whether 5FC should be added when amphotericin is used for acute therapy is still controversial. Dr. Larsen appears to favor it while my group feels that the potentiation of bone marrow toxicity without any clear evidence of enhanced efficacy in AIDS patients argues against its use.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Early Years of the Administrative State: Was There a “Second State”?

were listed at purchase cost, and little effort was made to account for depreciation or market values. It has only been in the last decade that the Governmental Accounting Standards Board has issued regulations bringing the methods of accounting for government property assets more in line with the accrual method of accounting used in the private sector. The focus of the book is to provide an international perspective on the management of government property assets that, while not explicitly stated, is more consistent with the way in which corporations manage property assets. The editors acknowledge that the multinational focus of the book necessarily neglects the political elements of government decision making.
Comparison of Arm and Calf Automatic, Noninvasive Blood Pressures In Pediatric Intensive Care Patients

The purpose of this study was to compare upper arm and calf automatic blood pressures (BPs) in a convenience sample of 221 children, ages 1 to 8 years, admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit of a 180-bed teaching hospital in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Subjects were positioned in bed, with the head of bed elevated 30° and extremities resting on the bed. BP cuff size was based on arm and calf circumferences. BPs were measured simultaneously using bedside and portable Spacelabs monitors. Calf BPs were greater than arm BPs in approximately 73% of the sample. Paired t tests show statistically significant differences for systolic BPs and mean arterial pressures. Influence of demographics, agitation levels, medical diagnoses, and current medications was explored. Calf and arm BPs were not interchangeable in acutely ill children, ages 1 to 8 years.
Cardiovascular malformations associated with administration of prenalterol to young chick embryos

Prenalterol (levo-1-[4-hydroxyphenoxy]-3-isopropyl-amino-2-propanol), a new stimulant of cardiac beta-adrenergic receptors in man, induces cardiovascular malformations when topically administered to 2 1/2- through 5 1/2-day chick embryos (Hamburger-Hamilton stages 17-27). Ventricular septal defects (VSD) located in the middle portion of the conal septum and classified as the simple, punched-out type VSD without septal malalignment were the predominant malformations observed throughout the developmental period tested. Arch malformations of the aortic circulation were also observed throughout the test interval, while anomalies of the pulmonary system were observed only at Hamburger-Hamilton stages 17 and 26-27. At stage 25 prenalterol demonstrated an acute toxicity significantly less than (1/50-1/20) epinephrine (P = .035 at concentrations of 8-10 mM) but was relatively equipotent with epinephrine in producing cardiovascular malformations. The effective median concentrations of the two agents were comparable (0.5-1.0 mM). The spectra of malformations induced by prenalterol and epinephrine were qualitatively similar. Malformations included absence of the right and/or left third aortic arch (innominate arteries), persistent remnant of the left fourth aortic arch, and VSD. These results support a previously proposed theory by these investigators that hyperstimulation of cardiac beta-adrenergic receptors in the chick embryo produces cardiovascular malformations.
Dynamic modulation of NMDA-induced responses by ifenprodil in rat prefrontal cortex.

Ifenprodil is known to inhibit channel opening of NMDA receptors containing the NR2B subunit. However, it has also been shown to increase NMDA receptor affinity for glutamate-site agonists, including NMDA. The coexistence of the two opposing effects may explain why ifenprodil can either enhance or suppress an NMDA response depending on the level of NMDA binding and thus the NMDA concentration. Using whole cell recordings in rat prefrontal cortical slices, we report here that the effect of ifenprodil also depends on the speed and the direction of change of NMDA concentration. As shown previously, ifenprodil increased the inward current induced by low concentrations of NMDA applied through a local Y-tube perfusion system. However, the rising phase of the current was less enhanced compared to the falling phase. Increasing the speed of rising of NMDA concentration further reduced the enhancing effect of ifenprodil. When pressure ejection was used to produce even faster NMDA responses, the entire rising phase including the peak of the response was suppressed by ifenprodil, while the falling phase remained enhanced. These results are consistent with the suggestion that ifenprodil decreases both the association and dissociation rates of NMDA from NMDA receptors, and suggest that ifenprodil affects slow and fast NMDA responses in different manners. In particular, this study suggests that ifenprodil inhibits the rising phase of a fast NMDA response by suppressing both channel opening and the association of NMDA with NMDA receptors and that this inhibition can occur even when the level of NMDA binding is low.
Affective Deficits and Social Deficits in Schizophrenia: What's What?

Affective deficits and social deficits have played an important role in theory and research on schizophrenia, and it has generally been assumed that these are two different types of symptoms. The aim of these comments is to argue that the distinction between these symptoms is not straightforward and that the apparent differences between affective and social deficits virtually disappear when current approaches to their definition and measurement are considered. The implications of this point with regard to theory and research on the etiology and treatment of schizophrenia are discussed, and an approach that has the potential to reveal whether specific schizophrenic symptoms are more closely associated with affective deficits or with social deficits is described.
Exploratory Spectroscopic Imaging at Localized Corrosion Sites

Spectroscopic imaging of fluorescence at localized corrosion sites has been accomplished. A fiber optic microspectrometer has been coupled to either a light microscope or near-field optical scanning microscope for the measurements. The spectra of fluorescein entrapped in corrosion products on the surface of aluminum alloy 2024 were compared to that of fluorescein in solution. Future developments are outlined.
Changes in the distribution and composition of high-density lipoproteins in primary hypothyroidism

The distribution and composition of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subclasses were investigated in 14 women with severe hypothyroidism who were studied before and during treatment. The plasma concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and of the apoproteins (apo) A-I, B, and E were increased in the hypothyroid state, while the apo A-II levels did not change significantly. After normalization of the thyroid function tests, the lipid and apoprotein levels were similar to those of normal individuals. Isopycnic ultracentrifugation in the density range 1.020 to 1.210 g/mL showed increases of both cholesterol and apo B in very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and in low-density lipoprotein (LDL). The distribution of the HDL subclasses was modified in the hypothyroid subjects; both the less dense HDL fraction (d 1.063 to 1.100 g/mL; HDL2b), and the denser subclass (d 1.150 to 1.210 g/mL; HDL3b+3c) were increased, while the intermediate density subfraction (d 1.100 to 1.150 g/mL; HDL2a+3a) did not vary significantly. This redistribution of the HDL subfractions was associated with increased concentrations of cholesterol, phospholipid, and apo A-I in HDL2b, and of phospholipid and apo A-I in HDL3b+3c. Treatment of hypothyroidism decreased the concentrations of these fractions, and HDL2a+3a became the major HDL subclass in the euthyroid state. The particle sizes within HDL subfractions, measured by polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis, were identical in the untreated and treated patients. The increased mass of protein and lipid within HDL2b and HDL3b+3c could therefore be attributed to an accumulation of identical-sized particles. The overall lipid and protein composition of the HDL lipoproteins was similar before and during treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Time-frequency characterization of lamb waves for material evaluation and damage inspection of plates

Abstract Guided wave-based technique is one major approach for damage inspection of structures. To detect a small damage, an elastic wave׳s wavelength needs to be in the order of the damage size and hence the frequency needs to be high. Unfortunately, high-frequency wave dynamics always involves complicated wave reflection, refraction and diffraction, and it is difficult to separate them in order to perform detailed examination and system identification. This paper investigates dynamic characteristics of Lamb waves in plates in order to be used for material evaluation and damage inspection of thin-walled structures. A one-dimensional finite-element modeling and analysis technique is developed for computing dispersion curves and all symmetric and antisymmetric modes of Lamb waves in isotropic and multi-layer plates. Moreover, the conjugate-pair decomposition (CPD) method is introduced for time-frequency analysis of propagating Lamb waves. Results show that, under a k-cycle sine-burst excitation at a plate׳s edge, the time-varying frequency of a surface point׳s response can reveal the Lamb wave propagating inside the plate being a symmetric or an antisymmetric mode. The frequency of the measured wave packet increases from the wave front to the trailing edge if it is a symmetric mode, and the frequency decreases from the wave front to the trailing edge if it is an antisymmetric mode. Moreover, interaction of two different wave packets results in a peak in the time-frequency curve. These characteristics can be used for accurate separation of wave packets and identification of different wave speeds to enable fast and accurate material evaluation and damage inspection. Transient finite-element analysis of Lamb waves in finite plates with crack/delamination show that k-cycle sine-burst probing waves are good agents for guided wave-based damage inspection of structures. Although crack and delamination introduce different waves into and complicate the probing wave packet, time-frequency analysis makes it possible to separate such damage-induced small waves from the probing wave and enable fast and accurate damage inspection of thin-walled structures.
Clinical and upper gastrointestinal motility features in systemic sclerosis and related disorders

Clinical and upper gastrointestinal motility features in systemic sclerosis and related disorders