cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anterior-Posterior Balance Perturbation Protocol Using Lifelike Virtual Reality Environment

Virtual reality (VR) paradigms have proved to be a valid method to challenge and perturb balance. There is little consensus in the literature on the best protocol design to perturb balance and induce postural sway. Current VR interventions still lack a well-defined standardized metric to generate a virtual environment that can perturb balance in an efficacious, lifelike, and repeatable manner. The objective of this study was to investigate different configurations of amplitude and frequency in an anterior-posterior translation VR environment, that is, lifelike and scaled. Thirteen young adults with no conditions affecting balance were recruited. Balance was challenged by anterior-posterior sinusoidal movement of the lab image within the VR headset. Four different amplitudes of the sinusoidal movement were tested: 1, 5, 10, and 20 cm, with each amplitude being presented at 2 test frequencies : 0.5 and 0.25 Hz. Mean center of pressure velocity was significantly greater than baseline at 0.5 Hz and amplitudes of 10 and 20 cm. Mean center of pressure at approximate entropy was greater than baseline at 0.5 Hz and amplitude of 20 cm. The results suggest that sinusoidal movement of a realistic VR environment produces altered balance compared with baseline quiet standing, but only under specific movement parameters.
Predicting intentions to meet fruit & vegetable recommendations among black emerging adult women.

Objective: To examine Black emerging adult women’s (ages 18–29) intention to meet the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Participants: Bla...
Phone follow-up after inguinal hernia repair

Typically, in-person follow-up in clinic is utilized after outpatient inguinal hernia repair. Studies have shown that phone follow-up may be successfully used for the detection of postoperative hernia recurrences. However, no studies have evaluated the detection rates of other postoperative complications, such as emergency department visits and readmissions, with the utilization of phone follow-up after inguinal hernia repair. The objective of our study was to investigate the safety of a phone follow-up care pathway following elective, outpatient inguinal hernia repair. In this retrospective cohort study, adult patients who underwent elective, outpatient inguinal hernia repair between 2013 and 2019 at a large academic health system in the Midwest United States were identified from the electronic health record. Patients were categorized by type of postoperative follow-up: in-person or phone follow-up. Baseline demographics, operative, and postoperative data were compared between follow-up groups. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to investigate predictors of having any related emergency department (ED) visit/readmission/reoperation within 90 days. We included 2009 patients who underwent elective inguinal hernia repair during the study period. 321 patients had in-person follow-up only, while 1,688 patients had phone follow-up. There was a higher rate of laparoscopic repair in the phone follow-up group (85.4% vs. 53.0% for in-person follow-up). There were no differences in rates of related 90-day ED visits, readmissions, and reoperations between the phone and in-person follow-up groups. On multivariable logistic regression, receipt of phone follow-up was not a predictor of having 90-day ED visits, readmissions, or reoperations (OR 1.30, 95% CI [0.83, 2.05]). Patients who underwent phone follow-up had similarly low rates of adverse outcomes to those with in-person follow-up. Phone follow-up protocols may be implemented as an alternative for patients and provide a means to decrease healthcare utilization following inguinal hernia repair.
Melatonin is significantly associated with survival of intubated COVID-19 patients

Abstract Background Respiratory distress requiring intubation is the most serious complication associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods In this retrospective study, we used survival analysis to determine whether or not mortality following intubation was associated with hormone exposure in patients treated at New York Presbyterian/ Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Here, we report the overall hazards ratio for each hormone for exposure before and after intubation for intubated and mechanically ventilated patients. Results Among the 189,987 patients, we identified 948 intubation periods across 791 patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 or infected with SARS-CoV2 and 3,497 intubation periods across 2,981 patients who were not. Melatonin exposure after intubation was statistically associated with a positive outcome in COVID-19 (demographics and comorbidities adjusted HR: 0.131, 95% CI: 7.76E-02 - 0.223, p-value = 8.19E-14) and non-COVID-19 (demographics and comorbidities adjusted HR: 0.278, 95% CI: 0.142 - 0.542, p-value = 1.72E-04) intubated patients. Additionally, melatonin exposure after intubation was statically associated with a positive outcome in COVID-19 patients (demographics and comorbidities adjusted HR: 0.127, 95% CI: 6.01E-02 - 0.269, p-value = 7.15E-08). Conclusions Melatonin exposure after intubation is significantly associated with a positive outcome in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. Additionally, melatonin exposure after intubation is significantly associated with a positive outcome in COVID-19 patients requiring mechanical ventilation. While our models account for many covariates, including clinical history and demographics, it is impossible to rule out confounding or collider biases within our population. Further study into the possible mechanism of this observation is warranted.
Anesthesia for Endoscopic Bariatric Surgery

Obesity is a pervasive diagnosis that has proven challenging to treat. Treatment with noninvasive medical modalities is low-risk but often insufficient, while traditional bariatric surgery is effective but with increased side effects. Endoscopic bariatric surgery is an emerging field that offers an intermediate option, promoting effective weight loss with an acceptable side effect profile. Procedures are performed under monitored anesthesia care (MAC) or general anesthesia, depending on patient, procedure, and institutional factors. Enhanced understanding of the pathophysiology and pharmacology of obesity allows one to provide safe, effective anesthesia.
Primary care clinicians' perceptions of colorectal cancer screening tests for older adults.

Abstract Colonoscopy is an effective screening test for colorectal cancer but is associated with significant risks and burdens, especially in older adults. Stool tests, which are more convenient, more accessible, and less invasive, can be important tools to improve screening. How clinicians make decisions about colonoscopy versus stool tests in older patients is not well-understood. We conducted semi-structured interviews with primary care clinicians throughout Maryland in 2018–2019 to examine how clinicians considered the use of stool tests for colorectal cancer screening in their older patients. Thirty clinicians from 21 clinics participated. The mean clinician age was 48.2 years. The majority were physicians (24/30) and women (16/30). Four major themes were identified using qualitative content analysis: (1) Stool test equivalency - although many clinicians still considered colonoscopy as the test of choice, some clinicians considered stool tests equivalent options for screening. (2) Reasons for recommending stool tests – clinicians reported preferentially using stool tests in sicker/older patients or patients who declined colonoscopy. (3) Stool test overuse – some clinicians reported recommending stool tests for patients for whom guidelines do not recommend any screening. (4) Barriers to use – perceived barriers to using stool tests included lack of familiarity, un-returned stool test kits, concern for accuracy, and concern about cost. In summary, clinicians reported preferentially using stool tests in sicker and older patients and mentioned examples of potential overuse. Additional studies are needed on how to better individualize the use of different colorectal screening tests in older patients.
Learning From Awareness

This paper introduces a novel channel of belief updating with awareness. Awareness is reflected by agents having state dependent subjective state spaces. An agent forms conjectures of his subjective state spaces in different states. He updates his belief over the true state by excluding states in which his conjectured subjective state spaces differ from his current state space. We restrict agents' capacities of belief updating through this channel by imposing axioms over agents' possible conjectures. We further use this framework to analyze belief updating when an agent's subjective state space expands. Importantly, in this framework the belief process is not necessarily a martingale. We use persuasion games as examples to illustrate this point. Since the receiver's belief process may not be a martingale, the sender might be better off sending an awareness signal to expand the receiver's state space than performing any feasible Bayesian experiment.
Associations of meaning of illness with psychosocial, clinical, and immunological characteristics in patients with Leptomeningeal metastasis

Abstract Background Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) creates symptoms related to both the disease within the nervous system and treatment toxicities. Biologic processes, such as inflammation and behavioral processes, such as the meaning ascribed to illness (Meaning of Illness: MoI), can impact physical and psychosocial symptoms. The aim of this study was to understand the relationships among MoI, physical and psychosocial symptoms, and inflammation in patients with LM. Methods Thirty enrolled participants completed the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Brain Tumor with spine experimental symptoms added. Meaning of illness, quality of life (QoL), and depression were captured by validated instruments. Interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were measured by ELISA. Correlations were performed to assess relationships among the variables. Results Participants were primarily white (73%), female (63%). Median age was 54 years (34–83). Breast (50%) and lung (20%) were most common diagnosis. Higher MoI scores were associated with better QoL (p Conclusions MoI was associated with QoL and depression. High levels of IL-6 in the CSF were associated with more severe symptoms. This study provides the groundwork for future research, including interventional studies to improve QoL in patients with LM.
Genetic and resistance phenotypic subtyping of Salmonella Saintpaul isolates from various food sources and humans: Phylogenetic concordance in combinatory analyses

Bacterial pathogen subtyping for public health traceback of foodborne outbreaks has increasingly produced a number of disparate molecular techniques of varying resolution. Here, we bridge the molecular divide across three methodologies, transform data types for cross-comparison, and test phylogenetic concordance. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) discovery was combined with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles for identifying and differentiating 183 strains of closely related Salmonella enterica serovar Saintpaul isolates from retail meats, produce-associated outbreaks, and clinical sources. Fifty-six SNPs across 30 different genes were identified by comparative genomic analysis. These SNPs stratified general, monophyletic S. Saintpaul serovar specific signatures down to informative strain-specific markers. This SNP panel resulted in 17 distinct genotypes that, in concert with standard PFGE profiling, generated additional discriminatory power among clonal swarms of isolates when the data were transformed into a cross-comparable binary format. In a limited number of cases, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles (ASP) provided additional attributes for some strains when combined similarly. However, as expected from presumably acquired elements, resistant and susceptible populations produced some conflicting signals in most clonal complexes but they remained largely undisruptive to the general concordance. Taken in concert together, the three datasets (SNPs, PFGE,ASP) yielded a matrix of 156 independent phylogenetic characters that were statistically evaluated and found to be largely congruent, resulting in a consistently structured, non-homoplastic, phylogenetic signal and tree topology.
Design of Large-Scale Parallel Simulations

This chapter presents an overview of the design of software packages called Particle Movers that have been developed to simulate the motion of particles in two and three dimensional domains. These simulations require the solution of nonlinear Navier-Stokes equations for fluids coupled with Newton's equations for particle dynamics. Furthermore, realistic simulations are extremely computationally intensive, and are feasible only with algorithms that can exploit parallelism effectively. This chapter describes the computational structure of the simulation as well as the data objects required in these packages. It presents a brief description of a particle mover code in this framework, concentrating on the following features: design modularity, portability, extensibility, and parallelism. Simulations on the SGI Origin2000 demonstrate very good speedup on a large number of processors. The goal of the interface development is mainly to support interoperability of scientific software. “Interoperability” is usually taken to mean portability across different architectures or between different languages. However, it is proposed to extend this term to cover what one calls algorithmic portability, or the ability to express a mathematical algorithm in several different software paradigms.
The problem of forced fittings—II: The unloading process

Abstract Suppose that a rigid mandrel is slowly forced into a flat circular ring with interference so large as to cause an elastic-plastic deformation. The loading process has been analyzed in Part I. The objective here is to determine the residual displacements after gradual removal of the mandrel. To do this, we proposed, according to the deformation theory of plasticity, two equivalent minimization principles which lead to a set of constitutive relations for the residual stress and residual strains. In terms of these constitutive relations, the unloading process is then formulated as a non-standard free boundary-value problem and is solved by a shooting technique.
Self-quantized wavelet subtrees: a wavelet-based theory for fractal image compression

We describe an adaptive wavelet-based compression scheme for images. We decompose an image into a set of quantized wavelet coefficients and quantized wavelet subtrees. The vector codebook used for quantizing the subtrees is drawn from the image. Subtrees are quantized to contracted isometries of coarser scale subtrees. This codebook drawn from the contracted image is effective for quantizing locally smooth regions and locally straight edges. We prove that this self-quantization enables us to recover the fine scale wavelet coefficients of an image given its coarse scale coefficients. We show that this self-quantization algorithm is equivalent to a fractal image compression scheme when the wavelet basis is the Haar basis. The wavelet framework places fractal compression schemes in the context of existing wavelet subtree coding schemes. We obtain a simple convergence proof which strengthens existing fractal compression results considerably, derive an improved means of estimating the error incurred in decoding fractal compressed images, and describe a new reconstruction algorithm which requires O(N) operations for an N pixel image.
Private brand mismanagement by misconception: Popular explanations-unreasonable decisions☆

Abstract Four popular misconceptions about private branding are examined in the light o f evidence gathered during continuing studies in a variety o f industries. The author recommends private brand management based on realism: do not assume there are no profits in private brand production; do not accept the idea that excess capacity is a common justifiable basis for private brand production; avoid misreading the motivations of large chains in decisions to adopt private brands; do not assume chains seek vertical integration through manufacturing as a matter of policy. Avoiding private brand production and accepting one comfortable misconception after another is not the most effective response to this competitive activity.
The inferior vena cava (IVC) syndrome as the initial manifestation of newly diagnosed gastric adenocarcinoma: a case report.

Vena cava compression is a relatively rare initial manifestation of underlying malignancy. The superior vena cava syndrome, which is characterized by facial plethora, jugular venous distension, and arm swelling, is a well-known entity associated with bronchogenic carcinoma. Less common is the compression of the inferior vena cava. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first reported case of newly diagnosed gastric adenocarcinoma presenting initially as the inferior vena cava syndrome. The unique aspect about this case is that it highlights a rare presentation before diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma. A 56-year-old Malaysian woman with a past medical history of iron deficiency anemia presented with lower extremity edema and progressive fatigue of 1 month’s duration. She had significant worsening of leg swelling after standing for short periods of time. She also reported epigastric discomfort, which led to an additional workup, including computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis. This revealed a 3cm×2.9cm mass in the stomach, extensive hepatic metastasis, and severe inferior vena cava compression. The patient was examined further with esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and a biopsy showed gastric adenocarcinoma. This report describes a case of a patient with inferior vena cava syndrome as a unique presentation of previously undiagnosed stage IV gastric adenocarcinoma. Patients presenting with inferior vena cava syndrome should undergo prompt evaluation for underlying malignancies that have a predilection for hepatic metastasis. This case is important because earlier recognition of this syndrome can lead to earlier workup and thus detection of malignancy. Prompt initiation of treatment, including chemotherapy or vena cava stent placement, can result in improved patient outcome.
Central Nervous System Involvement in Cat Scratch Disease

Cat scratch disease is a cause of benign regional adenopathy which is rarely associated with CNS complications. Two children with cat scratch disease associated with alterations of mental status and convulsions are presented. One patient had a focal cerebral abnormality on neurologic examination, EEG, and computed axial tomography. The spectrum of CNS involvement is reviewed for this usually benign disease. Prognosis is generally excellent. The pathogenesis of the CNS complications has not been elucidated.
The transformation of the dominant corporate form from multidivisional to multisubsidiary: The role of the 1986 tax reform act

In 1986 the dominant form of the Fortune 500 industrial corporation changed from the multidivisional form (MDF) to the multisubsidiary form (MSF) (Zey and Camp 1996). We examine two major organizat...
Effects of Display Location within Simulated Driving Environments

Driving simulators offer researchers experimental control while minimizing safety issues and reducing costs relative to on-road and test track experimental procedures. However, with the control of the visual environment that simulators allow, it can be tempting to develop experimental protocols that utilize displays within the visual environment of the simulator. Such displays have the potential to differentially affect driving performance based on their location within the driving environment. A simulator experiment was conducted in order to assess the effects of having drivers fixate a display at nine different locations on the center channel of a DriveSafety driving simulator. In general, driving performance was best when the display was in the middle of the screen. Both horizontal and vertical deviations from the center of the screen resulted in increased lane position variability, and drivers tended to drive closer to the opposite lane boundary toward which they were fixating when a display was located to the left or right of the center. In addition, response times to a task presented in the display were faster when the display was located toward the center of the screen.
Role of radical surgery for intracranial melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy: case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (MNTI) is a rare, locally aggressive tumor that arises most commonly from the maxilla or mandible. Infrequently, it originates from the cranial vault, and recent reports have described a favorable outcome after radical surgery. Some lesions are particularly problematic, such as those located along the cranial midline or cranial base and those with significant intracranial extension. Currently, there is no effective adjuvant therapy for MNTI; radiation is precluded by the patients' young age, and chemotherapy trials have not demonstrated long-term efficacy. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 2-month-old infant boy presented with a firm, immobile subcutaneous mass behind the right ear. The mass had been present at birth and enlarged with time. INTERVENTION: Initial resective surgery down to the dura resulted in massive tumor recurrence within weeks. Successful management required repeat surgery including excision of the dura and dural venous sinuses. CONCLUSION: This patient's large MNTI of the cranial base was successfully managed by radical surgery. Although MNTI is a rapidly growing tumor that is locally highly invasive, radical surgery may be associated with a favorable outcome and offers the potential for long-term cure.
Aspects of Middle-Late Jurassic-Cretaceous Tethyan brachiopod biogeography in relation to tectonic and paleoceanographic developments

Abstract Important tectonic and paleoceanographic events during the Middle to Late Jurassic and Cretaceous resulted in modifications to the biogeographic distributions of Tethyan brachiopod genera from Europe. The development of the Central Atlantic Ocean during the Jurassic-Early Cretaceous led to an increase in the number of brachiopod genera common to both the Mexico/Eastern Pacific and Northwestern Europe/Tethyan regions. Brachiopod genera recorded from Tethys in Europe show evidence of migration via at least four major routes as a consequence of tectonic developments (dates in parentheses indicate stages where evidence exists for generic links): (1) Northwestern Europe via Mexico/Caribbean region (Oxfordian) to South America (Valanginian, Hauterivian, Cenomanian); (2) Eastern Tethys via Eastern Africa (East African Seaway) to the South Atlantic Ocean (Late Turonian-Early Coniacian, Santonian-Campanian); (3) Northwestern Europe via the Central Atlantic to the opening South Atlantic, reaching the Antarctic Peninsula region (late Albian, Santonian, Campanian); (4) Europe northward to higher latitudes (Russian Platform to Barents Sea, Berriasian-Valanginian; Europe to East Greenland, Valanginian; Europe-Canadian Arctic Islands, Albian and also earlier during the Jurassic). For routes (1)–(3) direction of dispersal may prove to have been in either direction, at times it appears to have been in a southerly direction for route (3). Stratigraphic age relationships suggest a south to north dispersal for routes considered under (4) (except for the link to the Canadian Arctic Islands, which is inconclusive). By the Late Cretaceous the low-latitude faunas of Europe and America had become isolated by the increasing width of the Central Atlantic Ocean although some genera appear to be cosmopolitan.
Calcium-myristoyl Tug is a new mechanism for intramolecular tuning of calcium sensitivity and target enzyme interaction for guanylyl cyclase-activating protein 1: dynamic connection between N-fatty acyl group and EF-hand controls calcium sensitivity.

Guanylyl cyclase-activating protein 1 (GCAP1), a myristoylated Ca2+ sensor in vision, regulates retinal guanylyl cyclase (RetGC). We show that protein-myristoyl group interactions control Ca2+ sensitivity, apparent affinity for RetGC, and maximal level of cyclase activation. Mutating residues near the myristoyl moiety affected the affinity of Ca2+ binding to EF-hand 4. Inserting Phe residues in the cavity around the myristoyl group increased both the affinity of GCAP1 for RetGC and maximal activation of the cyclase. NMR spectra show that the myristoyl group in the L80F/L176F/V180F mutant remained sequestered inside GCAP1 in both Ca2+-bound and Mg2+-bound states. This mutant displayed much higher affinity for the cyclase but reduced Ca2+ sensitivity of the cyclase regulation. The L176F substitution improved affinity of myristoylated and non-acylated GCAP1 for the cyclase but simultaneously reduced the affinity of Ca2+ binding to EF-hand 4 and Ca2+ sensitivity of the cyclase regulation by acylated GCAP1. The replacement of amino acids near both ends of the myristoyl moiety (Leu80 and Val180) minimally affected regulatory properties of GCAP1. N-Lauryl- and N-myristoyl-GCAP1 activated RetGC in a similar fashion. Thus, protein interactions with the central region of the fatty acyl chain optimize GCAP1 binding to RetGC and maximize activation of the cyclase. We propose a dynamic connection (or “tug”) between the fatty acyl group and EF-hand 4 via the C-terminal helix that attenuates the efficiency of RetGC activation in exchange for optimal Ca2+ sensitivity.
Laminar Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow in the Entrance Region of a Rotating Duct With Rectangular Cross Section: The Effect of Aspect Ratio

A numerical calculation has been performed for the simultaneously developing laminar velocity and temperature fields in the entrance region of an isothermal rectangular duct rotating about an axis perpendicular to the duct axis. The present paper particularly addresses the effect of the aspect ratio of the rectangular duct. The vorticity-velocity method with the power law scheme is employed to solve the governing equations for the flow and heat transfer. It is seen that pairs of counterrotating vortices appear in the cross section of the duct. The number of vortex pairs depends on the aspect ratio of the duct. Under some circumstances, the number of vortex pairs with axial position. The numerically calculated stability boundary points for small aspect ratio show excellent agreement with the neutral stability curve, which was obtained by linear stability analysis. Friction factor and Nusselt number are presented as functions of axial position, and it is seen that they are strongly affected by the vortices. Comparisons with existing theoretical and experimental results are also presented.
The Influence of Electric and Magnetic Fields on Heat Transfer to Electrically Conducting Fluids

Publisher Summary This chapter deals with a particular classical heat-transfer problem. The simple one-dimensional flows (Poiseuille and Couette) are discussed. In each case the effects of the magnetic and electric are analyzed. The chapter also addresses the laminar flow problems. Because of the semiempirical techniques used to analyze the turbulent boundary layer, it is necessary to rely on accurate experimental measurements to obtain certain constants in the skin-friction laws. In ordinary fluid mechanics, Reynolds' analogy can often be used to obtain heat-transfer coefficients from the variation of shear stress. But Reynolds' analogy is not applicable in magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) flows, and it is therefore necessary to measure both skin friction and heat transfer to determine the empirical constants. This chapter assesses the effects of externally applied electromagnetic fields on heat transfer to electrically conducting continuous fluids. The basic equations are developed and various classical problems are discussed, such as free convention and heat transfer in channel flow and at stagnation point.
Kolkhozy, the Russian Achilles Heel: Failed Agrarian Reform

(1997). Kolkhozy, the Russian achilles heel: Failed Agrarian reform. Europe-Asia Studies: Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 469-478.
Product design for manufacture and assembly

Abstract Design is the first step in manufacturing, and it is where most of the important decisions are made that affect the final cost of a product. Since 1980, analysis techniques have been made available which can guide designers towards products which are easy to manufacture and assemble. The availability of these techniques has created a revolution in manufacturing industry, especially in the USA, leading to reduced product cost, better quality, shorter time to market, lower inventory, few suppliers, and many other improvements. The paper first stresses the importance of taking careful account of manufacturing and assembly problems in the early stages of product design. Then, using a case study, the philosophy of the Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) methodology and its application are explained. The historical development of dessgn-for-assembly and design-for- techniques in Japan, Europe and the USA is presented. A review of published case histories emphasizes the enormous advantages to be gained by adopting this relatively new approach as the major tool in concurrent and simultaneous engineering. Finally, a discussion of the various roadblocks affecting DFMA implementation is followed by a discussion of current developments, which include product design for disassembly, service and recycling.
A new guidewire with kink-resistant core and low-friction coating

A new guidewire constructed from kinkresistant titanium-nickel alloy, polyurethane, and hydrophilic polymer is described. We have used this wire in 119 angiographic and 49 interventional procedures without complications. In numerous applications, it offers significant advantages over other guidewires. It is particularly helpful for angiography and interventional procedures requiring catheterization through markedly tortuos vessels, tight stenoses, or occlusions.
Layer-specific programs of development in neocortical projection neurons

How are long-range axonal projections from the cerebral cortex orchestrated during development? By using both passively and actively transported axonal tracers in fetal and postnatal ferrets, we have analyzed the development of projections from the cortex to a number of thalamic nuclei. We report that the projections of a cortical area to its corresponding thalamic nuclei follow highly cell-specific programs of development. Axons from cells in the deepest layers of the cerebral cortex (layer 6 and superficial subplate neurons) appear to grow very slowly and be delayed for several weeks in the cerebral white matter, reaching the thalamus over a protracted period. Neurons of layer 5, on the other hand, develop their projections much faster; despite being born after the neurons of deeper layers, layer 5 neurons are the first to extend their axons out of the cortical hemisphere and innervate the thalamus. Layer 5 projections are massive in the first postnatal weeks but may become partly eliminated later in development, being overtaken in number by layer 6 cells that constitute the major corticothalamic projection by adulthood. Layer 5 projections are area-specific from the outset and arise as collateral branches of axons directed to the brainstem and spinal cord. Our findings show that the early development of corticofugal connections is determined not by the sequence of cortical neurogenesis but by developmental programs specific for each type of projection neuron. In addition, they demonstrate that in most thalamic nuclei, layer 5 neurons (and not subplate or layer 6 neurons) establish the first descending projections from the cerebral cortex.
Analysis of two domains with novel RNA-processing activities throws light on the complex evolution of ribosomal RNA biogenesis

Ribosomal biogenesis has been extensively investigated, especially to identify the elusive nucleases and cofactors involved in the complex rRNA processing events in eukaryotes. Large-scale screens in yeast identified two biochemically uncharacterized proteins, TSR3 and TSR4, as being key players required for rRNA maturation. Using multiple computational approaches we identify the conserved domains comprising these proteins and establish sequence and structural features providing novel insights regarding their roles. TSR3 is unified with the DTW domain into a novel superfamily of predicted enzymatic domains, with the balance of the available evidence pointing towards an RNase role with the archaeo-eukaryotic TSR3 proteins processing rRNA and the bacterial versions potentially processing tRNA. TSR4, its other eukaryotic homologs PDCD2/rp-8, PDCD2L, Zfrp8, and trus, the predominantly bacterial DUF1963 proteins, and other uncharacterized proteins are unified into a new domain superfamily, which arose from an ancient duplication event of a strand-swapped, dimer-forming all-beta unit. We identify conserved features mediating protein-protein interactions and propose a potential chaperone-like function. While contextual evidence supports a conserved role in ribosome biogenesis for the eukaryotic TSR4-related proteins, there is no evidence for such a role for the bacterial versions. Whereas TSR3-related proteins can be traced to the last universal common ancestor with a well-supported archaeo-eukaryotic branch, TSR4-related proteins of eukaryotes are derived from within the bacterial radiation of this superfamily, with archaea entirely lacking them. This provides evidence for “systems admixture”, which followed the early endosymbiotic event, playing a key role in the emergence of the uniquely eukaryotic ribosome biogenesis process.
A kinetic study of vapor-phase cyclohexene epoxidation by H2O2 over mesoporous TS-1

Abstract A kinetic analysis of gas-phase cyclohexene epoxidation by H 2 O 2 over mesoporous TS-1 was performed. The production of cyclohexene oxide was very stable with high selectivity. Based on the kinetic analysis, the gas-phase mechanism is proposed to be similar to that of the liquid-phase reaction: an Eley–Rideal type mechanism, in which the reaction between a Ti–OOH intermediate and the physisorbed alkene is the rate-determining step. When the partial pressure of water or H 2 O 2 was varied, a compensation effect was observed. Based on the kinetic model, the compensation effect is attributed to variations in the surface coverage of intermediates, specifically the competitive adsorption of water and H 2 O 2 at the Ti active sites. A meaningful activation energy can only be obtained at high surface coverages of H 2 O 2 and was determined to be 40 ± 2 kJ/mol.
Topography of the human corpus callosum

This study was undertaken to determine the topographical organization of fibers coursing through the human corpus callosum. We correlated the distribution of Wallerian degeneration in the corpus callosum with the anatomical sites of focal cortical lesions due to ischemic infarctions or circumscribed contusions. Fibers from the inferior frontal and anterior inferior parietal regions course through the rostrum and genu of the corpus callosum. Callosal connections from the temporo-parieto-occipital junctional region course through the splenium and caudal portion of the body of the corpus callosum. Both the superior parietal lobule and the occipital cortex give rise to interhemispheric fibers that course exclusively through the splenium of the corpus callosum. No callosal degeneration was associated with a cortical lesion in the anterior superior frontal region. The topographical organization of fibers in the human corpus callosum appears to be fairly similar to that found in the rhesus monkey ( Macaca mulatta ).
Reducing application code complexity with vocabulary-specific XML language bindings

The eXtensible Markup Language (XML) has become a ubiquitous data exchange and storage format. A variety of tools are available for incorporating XML-based data into applications. The most common XML tools (such as parsers for SAX and DOM) provide low-level vocabulary-independent interfaces, which can make it hard to develop and debug robust applications. This paper examines tools for generating vocabulary-specific XML-to-C++ language mappings and shows how they can reduce key sources of complexity associated with developing object-oriented XML-based applications. The paper also presents criteria for evaluating tools that generate vocabulary-specific language mappings and applies these criteria to compare five tools for this purpose: XML Spy, Xbinder, Object Link, Liquid XML Data Binding Wizard, and XML Schema Compiler (XSC). Our results show that XSC is the only tool that provides a complete vocabulary-specific mapping, alignment with the C++ Standard Library, and code portability, while also providing the most manageable generated code base.
Botulinum toxin for spasticity and athetosis in children with cerebral palsy

Botulinum toxin A has been used therapeutically in humans for a variety of conditions since 1980. Over the past few years, it has been used more frequently for spasticity management. We describe the use of botulinum toxin for spasticity or athetosis management in three children with cerebral palsy. Two of these children had severe spasticity or athetosis that was unresponsive to other forms of treatment. The injection of botulinum toxin decreased pain and improved ease of care in these two children. Another child with left hemiparetic cerebral palsy underwent injection of botulinum toxin into upper and lower limb muscles to improve function. In this patient, the injections were combined with other forms of treatment. In this patient spasticity was decreased and function was increased temporarily. The use of botulinum toxin in general is discussed and related to these three cases.
The elastic scattering of α-particles from helium at 0.85 and 0.65 GeV

Abstract Elastic scattering of α-particles from helium has been measured at bombarding energies of 0.85 and 0.65 GeV over the range of four momentum transfer from 0.9 to 3.8 (GeV/ c ) 2 . The results are compared with the predictions of an α-α potential obtained by a folding procedure using a p- 4 He potential and 4 He charge distribution.
Low Birth Weight and Interactions Between Traditional Risk Factors

The effects of traditional risk factors on low birth weight were examined, using logistic regression analyses and adjusting for interactions between multiple factors. Data for 11,936 births were obtained from a state birth cohort file. The effect for maternal ethnicity was dependent on education and marital status; the effect of marital status was dependent on ethnicity, medical risk, and level of prenatal care; and the effect of prenatal care was dependent on marital status. Results suggest that examining only main effects and ignoring interactions can produce overgeneralized conclusions about the influence of individual risk factors on low birth weight.
Acute cerebellar ataxia in a toddler: case report and literature review

Acute cerebellar ataxia (ACA) is an inflammatory CNS disease that is characterized by rapid onset of ataxia in a child under 6 years of age. Symptoms typically occur in association with a relatively benign viral illness and have been reported after vaccination as well. Immunological studies suggest that both involve autoimmune destruction of axon tracts, with pathological and radiographic evidence of a link with multiple sclerosis. The emergency approach should be focused on excluding more significant illnesses, such as meningitis or an intracranial mass lesion. Here we present a case of a young girl with ACA and review the relevant literature.
Correction of ion source nonlinearities over a wide signal range in continuous-flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry of water-derived hydrogen.

Ion source nonlinearities are characterized over a wide range of signal intensities characteristic of complex mixtures, and correction schemes are proposed and evaluated for high-precision determinations of D/H ratios from water via an on-line reduction system facilitating continuous-flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Hydrogen isotope ratios are shown to be sensitive to analyte pressure in the IRMS ion source with or without carrier gas admitted with analyte, indicating that analyte level must be taken into account for isotope ratio calculation. Two experimentally simple “peakwise” correction schemes, in which hydrogen isotope ratios are corrected after peak identification and ratio calculation, are compared to the method routinely applied to static dual-inlet IRMS measurements. It is demonstrated that traditional linear correction applied to continuous-flow peaks is adequate over small signal ranges, about m/z 2 ± 0.5 V; however, a second order correction is required for acceptable accuracy and precis...
Does self-selection influence the relationship between park availability and physical activity?

Abstract Objective. Increased proximity to parkland is associated with physical activity (PA). This study explored the extent to which self-selection – the idea that active persons simply seek out neighborhoods more endowed with active resources – influences the relationship between park availability and PA. Method. In August 2007, measures of parkland availability within 1 km, importance placed on living near parks, and park-based PA participation were assessed for 585 adults in Waterloo, Ontario. Results. Logistic regression revealed that (i) participants who placed greater importance on neighborhood open space were not more likely to live near more parkland; (ii) both park importance and park space availability were associated with increased, and relatively equal, odds of engaging in at least some park-based PA; and (iii) participants who placed a low importance on living near parks but had a higher amount of park space nearby were significantly more likely to engage in park-based PA than participants who also placed a low importance on parks but had less nearby park space. Conclusion. The issue of self-selection does not solely account for the relationship frequently observed between park space availability and PA. Future prospective and intervention studies are needed to draw more definitive conclusions about causality.
Human metabolism of atrazine

Atrazine (ATZ) metabolism by human liver microsomes (HLM), cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms, and human liver (HL) S9 fractions, was investigated using HPLC/PDA and LC/MS/MS. CYP-dependent metabolites from pooled HLM are desethylatrazine (DEA), desisopropylatrazine (DIA), 1-hydroxyisopropylatrazine (HIATZ), and 2-hydroxyethyl atrazine (HEATZ). DEA and DIA were major metabolites in pooled HLM. CYP1A2 and 2C19, respectively, were major isoforms for DEA and DIA production. CYP3A4, while less active, is generally at high concentrations, produces both DEA and DIA and is significant. The percent total normalized rates (%TNR) for CYP1A2 and 3A4 in pooled HLM were 63% and 24% for DEA, and 35% and 56% for DIA production. Single donor HLM samples, showed correlations for CYP1A2 (r = 0.92) and 3A4 (r = 0.81) for DEA and DIA production, while variations in production of DEA and DIA were 8.5- and 6.0-fold, respectively. Pooled S9 fractions also mediate glutathione conjugation of atrazine, DEA and DIA.
Synthesis of fluoro‐dideutero‐methyl 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoro‐2‐propyl ether (deuterated sevoflurane)

Sevoflurane was synthesized with deuterium substituents on the fluoromethoxy carbon. This was performed by a two-step reaction process that yielded deuterated sevoflurane of high purity.
Exploration and assessment of kaolin clays formed from acid volcanic rocks on the Coromandel Peninsula, North Island, New Zealand

Abstract Acid volcanic rocks of Pliocene age on the Coromandel Peninsula east of Auckland, New Zealand have been argillized by subtropical weathering and hydrothermal activity. The volcanic rocks range from unconsolidated ash beds through welded ash-flows to rhyolite flows and domes. An exploration program located kaolinite and halloysitic clays of potential commercial significance. Three distinct clay mineral assemblages were recognized. In situ weathering produced halloysite as the dominant clay mineral and was best developed on the lower flanks of the rhyolite domes. Hydrothermal alteration was recognized by surficial resistant outcrops of siliceous sinter beneath which kaolinite and alunite were identified. In the valleys between the domes, Quaternary stream terraces contain well-sorted lensoid deposits of fine plastic clays which are composed of a mixture of halloysite, kaolinite and minor gibbsite.
Banana holes: Unique karst features of the Bahamas

Banana holes are circular to oval voids with diameters ranging from 2 meters to more than 10 meters, and with depths up to 5 meters, which are found throughout the Bahamas. They are named for a specialty crop sometimes grown in the thick moist soils that accumulate in them. They commonly have vertical or overhung walls, and exhibit phreatic dissolutional morphology. Occasionally, banana holes are found with complete or nearly complete roofs.
Calculation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Highway Construction Operations by Using a Hybrid Life-Cycle Assessment Approach: Case Study for Pavement Operations

Large quantities of greenhouse gases (GHG) are emitted in producing and acquiring materials for the construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation of highway infrastructure. The objective of this paper is to develop and illustrate a method that can be applied by state agencies to quantify the life-cycle emissions associated with different pavement designs. It applies existing life-cycle assessment (LCA) methods that integrate process-level construction data. The research emphasizes the construction phase and contributes a method that can be used to develop and analyze construction phase life-cycle inventories. It describes on-site collection of material and equipment usage data during construction and rehabilitation operations. Departing from traditional approaches that tend to use LCA as a way to compare alternative pavement materials or designs on the basis of estimated inventories, this paper proposes a shift to a context-sensitive process-based approach that uses actual observed construction data to ca...
Synthesis, Structure, and Reductive Elimination Reactions of the First (σ-Aryl)palladium Complex Stabilized by IPr N-Heterocyclic Carbene†

The first (σ-aryl)palladium complex stabilized with one IPr N-heterocyclic carbene and one PPh3 ligand has been synthesized via a novel method, structurally characterized, and found to undergo remarkably facile C−C reductive elimination of the 2-phenylimidazolium cation via phosphine predissociation.
Near Death — In the Moment of Decision

ON January 21, public television stations across the country will air "Near Death," a documentary on decisions about life-sustaining treatment. This six-hour film, the latest work of Frederick Wiseman, is an immersion in the daily life of the medical intensive care unit at Boston's Beth Israel Hospital. It performs a great service, revealing a reality many laypeople and doctors are sure to face. The film provides no overarching commentary, however, to put into perspective the practices it depicts. It falls to the viewer to deduce the strengths and weaknesses of those practices and to glean the lessons of "Near Death." . . .