cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A New Radiological Technique for the Forefoot

Based on a study of 50 subjects seen at the University of Rochester Medical center, a new axial weightbearing radiological technique of the forefoot is described. The technique is simple, inexpensive, and easily reproducible. It has the advantage of not distorting the forefoot, relationships, unlike currently employed techniques. Since it is performed under weightbearing conditions, the results correlate closer to clinical situations. The subjects under this study, which excluded those with neuromuscular or malalignment problems, were found to fall into two categories: the pain-free and callous-free feet group, who have a well defined arch in the forefoot, and the group of subjects with pain and/or callous under the forefoot, who have a depressed arch. There is also a statistical significance between the relative heights of the tibial and fibular sesamoids. A new classification for hallux valgus based on observations of this technique is proposed.
Reactions and structures of matrix-isolated SiO species at low temperatures from infrared spectra

Abstract The condensation-polymerization of essentially monomeric SiO has been followed in rare gas matrices using infrared detection over the range 33–4000 cm −1 . The species (SiO) 2 with a cyclic V h structure, (SiO) 3 with a cyclic D 3h structure, and higher polymers have been observed. All possible infrared active frequencies were observed for (SiO) 2 , e.g., 809.5 (B 2u , 766.7 (B 3u ) and 79 (B 1u ) cm −1 and the structured verified from the observed Si-isotope shifts for the B 2u and B 3u modes. For (SiO) 3 the E′-mode frequencies of 978, 628 and 311 cm −1 were observed. In more concentrated matrices many new frequencies appeared which may be attributed to higher polymers of SiO and most likely (SiO) 5 . From this data the entropy of the dimer has been calculated as S29s° = 70.29 eu and bond energy relationships for the polymers indicated. Co-condensation of SiO with BF 3 , SiF 4 and SiF 2 in dilute rare gas matrices produced new frequencies in the latter two cases although the self polymerization of SiO was a stronger competing reaction.
IL-33 modulates chronic airway resistance changes induced by multi-walled carbon nanotubes

AbstractObjective: Instillation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in C57BL/6 mice results in decrements of pulmonary function specifically characterized by increases in airway resistance. In this study, we examined possible mechanisms responsible for these alterations following MWCNT exposure, including the roles of IL-33 and chronic inflammation.Materials and methods: To elucidate the role of IL-33, we assessed lung histology and pulmonary function in C57BL/6 and IL-33−/− mice 30 days following MWCNT instillation.In addition, the impact of MWCNT instillation on airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) was assessed by methacholine challenges of C57BL/6 and IL-33−/− mice. To further understand the mechanisms by which MWCNTs may increase airway constriction, C57BL/6 mice were treated with aerosolized albuterol or injected with multiple doses of methylprednisolone via intra-peritoneal injections prior to the assessment of MWCNT-induced changes in pulmonary function.Results: Total cell count, macrophages, and...
Communication about safer sex and serostatus disclosure in HIV‐positive adolescents with haemophilia

Summary Objectives. To assess the attitudes, beliefs and feelings of adolscents and young men with severe haemophilia with respect to discussing safer sex and disclosing their human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositivity to potential sex partners. Methods. Fifty-nine males with haemophilia from throughout the US answered open-ended questions. Results. Talking about avoidance of transmitting AIDS and disclosing one's seropositivity was beneficial, moral and wise. Nevertheless, this was exceedingly, difficult, unpleasant, and fraught with fear of rejection and alienation. Communication was approved by family, friends, and health-care providers. Facilitators of communication were: knowledge and an accepting attitude about persons with HIV, a supportive person to assist with discussion, and environmental cues. Conclusion. This first report of HIV-infected adolescents and young adults reveals that although they endorse discussing safer sex and disclosing their HIV seropositivity, they are painfully aware of the social and interpersonal risks of such extremely difficult communications.
Nationwide Patterns of Hospitalization after Transient Ischemic Attack

Background Little is known about nationwide patterns of hospitalization after transient ischemic attack (TIA). Methods In a nationally representative sample of Emergency Department (ED) visits included in the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) from 1997 through 2008, we estimated rates of hospitalization among patients with a primary ED diagnosis of TIA (International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD-9), code 435). We used multiple logistic regression analysis to examine the association between hospitalization and demographic characteristics, geographic region, year of the visit, time of the visit, and markers of stroke risk. Results On the basis of 782 cases of TIA sampled by the NHAMCS, 57% (95% confidence interval [CI], 52%-61%) of patients with TIA nationwide were hospitalized. A higher proportion of patients was hospitalized in 2003 to 2008 (62%; 95% CI, 56%-68%) than in 1997 to 2002 (52%; 95% CI, 46%-58%; P = .02). Compared with the US Northeast, patients were less likely to be hospitalized in the Midwest (odds ratio [OR], 0.5; 95% CI, .3-.9), the South (OR, 0.3; 95% CI, .2-.5), or the West (OR, 0.2; 95% CI, .1-.4). Compared with white patients, hospitalization was more likely among patients who were black (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.3-4.5), Hispanic (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.4-10.2), or of other races (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.3-9.6). Patients with Medicaid were admitted less often than those with private insurance (OR, 0.3; 95% CI, .2-.8). Conclusions Nationwide patterns of hospitalization after TIA show significant regional and demographic variation. These results may provide a useful roadmap for efforts to improve systems of care for TIA across the country.
Testosterone propionate in treatment of senile pruritus.

IN RECENT years geriatrics has become an important part of medicine. Geriatrics may be defined as the study of the diseases of old age. Stieglitz (17) states that it is useful to consider that most of the clinical problems related to geriatrics start at about 40 years of age. The so-called degenerative disorders become more frequent at this period, and their menace is greatest in the years from 40 to 60. If health can be maintained during this critical time, the probability of long disability and uselessness because of chronic illness after the age of 60 will be greatly reduced. Bancroft (1) considers the age of 65 years as marking the beginning of the period of old age. According to Piersol (13) there are no diseases exclusively affecting the aged; there are certain changes which occur with such frequency in the aged that they can be considered as physiologic. These include graying of the hair; atrophy of the lymphoid tissues; the senile type of emphysema, with the resultant decrease in vital capacity; o...
On the Intermittency Feature of Shear Stress Fluctuation in Turbulence

Instantaneous shear stress fluctuation is considered for different kinds of flow fields and Reynolds numbers. These fluctuations consist of intermittent sharp spikes and small scale oscillations around the zero-crossing. We introduce the maximum norm to characterize them. This norm is defined as a largest change within a box of finite size. The experimental results indicate that the maximum norm has a power law distribution in the inertial range. This distribution is independent of the flow field and the Reynolds number. Analogous to the locally averaged energy dissipation rate, the intermittency exponent µ is obtained for the maximum norm. Within experimental scatter, we find 0.1 ≤µ≤0.15. This value is a little smaller than that for the energy dissipation field.
Direct interactions of anesthetics and nonanesthetics with the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor pore

(1) We review evidence that anesthetics inhibit peripheral nAChR cation translocation by binding directly to a protein site in the transmembrane pore. (2) This site is near the middle of the pore-forming M2 domains on alpha and beta subunits, but further from the homologous portions of gamma and delta subunits. (3) Interactions between both anesthetics and nonanesthetics with the nAChR pore site are determined primarily by hydrophobic forces rather than steric factors. (4) Anesthetics and nonanesthetics display different state-dependent accessibility to this site, suggesting a mechanism for the different in vivo actions of these two classes of drugs.
Co‐speech gesture as input in verb learning

People gesture a great deal when speaking, and research has shown that listeners can interpret the information contained in gesture. The current research examines whether learners can also use co-speech gesture to inform language learning. Specifically, we examine whether listeners can use information contained in an iconic gesture to assign meaning to a novel verb form. Two experiments demonstrate that adults and 2-, 3-, and 4-year-old children can infer the meaning of novel intransitive verbs from gestures when no other source of information is present. The findings support the idea that gesture might be a source of input available to language learners.
Use of cyclodextrins in capillary zone electrophoresis for the separation of optical isomers : resolution of racemic tryptophan derivatives

In this study capillary zone electrophoresis has been used for the separation of racemic tryptophan derivatives in their enantiomers. The effect of cyclodextrins with different shape, added to the background electrolyte, on the migration time of 10 compounds, including methyl tryptophan, hydroxy tryptophan, and tryptophan ester derivatives, has been studied. Furthermore, the effect of cyclodextrins with different shape and that of the composition of the background electrolyte on the enantiomer resolution are discussed. Among different cyclodextrins used α-cyclodextrin and heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin were found to possess the best complexing capacity and thus the resolution power toward analysed compounds.
Exact methods for expectation values in canonical fragmentation models.

We introduce for canonical fragmentation models an exact method for computing expectation values which exclude the largest cluster. This method allows for the computation of the reduced multiplicity and other quantities of interest introduced by Campi, and a comparison shows that the percolation model and a recent canonical model differ mostly only in small respects in these ensemble averages.
On ordered structures of scale type ( N , N )

Abstract In this note we give an alternative, purely topological proof of Theorem 12 in the paper by R. Suck (2000, Journal of Mathematical Psychology, 44, 582–599). The theorem states that a connected linearly ordered set X is homeomorphic to the set R of all real numbers provided there is an automorphism group of X of scale type (N, N). It is shown by T. M. Alper (1987, Journal of Mathematical Psychology, 31, 135–154) that in this case N⩽2.
Low power 3-D stacking multimedia platform with reconfigurable memory architecture

In this paper, a low power and high performance three-dimensional (3-D) stacking multimedia platform called "3D-PAC" is proposed. This platform is a heterogeneous integration composed of a low power design logic layer (2D-PAC) and a reconfigurable memory tier via 3-D technology. After extensive 3-D architecture exploration with Electronic System Level (ESL) simulation, there is a 54% performance speedup compared with the former 2-D architecture for certain multimedia applications. This chip is fabricated in TSMC 90nm generic CMOS technology. The area of 2D-PAC is about 7880 x 7880 μm2 and the SRAM layer is about 3880 x 3880 μm2. Both layers are combined with 1,886 TSVs.
Adolescent-adult discrepancies on the eating disorder examination: a function of developmental stage or severity of illness?

Objective: Across studies, adolescents score lower on measures of eating disorder pathology than adults, but it is unclear whether such findings reflect discrepancies inherent to site/study or true developmental differences. The aim of this study was to determine whether age predicts subscale and diagnostic scores of the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) in adolescents and adults with anorexia nervosa (AN) admitted to a single research center within the same period of time. Method: The sample consisted of 16 adolescent and 20 adult consecutive admissions to parallel, age-specific, research-based AN treatment programs. Participants completed a baseline evaluation at admission that included the EDE, depression measures, and global assessment of functioning scales. Results: Age significantly predicted EDE scores in univariate regression analyses. However, in multivariate models that included severity indices of general and specific psychopathology as covariates, age was no longer a significant predictor of severity of eating disorder symptoms. Discussion: This study adds to the growing body of data showing lower scores on the EDE for adolescents with AN relative to their adult counterparts, while eliminating potential site confounds. Results indicate that the higher adult scores may be carried in part by a more overall severe and chronic general clinical profile. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2011)
The Duffing oscillator: a model for the dynamics of the neuronal groups comprising the transient evoked potential

Thirty years ago Zeeman conjectured that the dynamics of the EEG might be modeled by the "equation of motion" of a Duffing oscillator, a pendulum with a nonlinear, cubic, restoring force. In this study the idea is extended to the evoked potential (EP). A transient sensory EP reflects activity from several neuronal groups, pools of neurons that fire in synchrony, with voltage-time curves that overlap appreciably. When the dynamics of each neuronal group is modeled by a Duffing oscillator, multi-electrode transient VEPs are well predicted. Predictions based on Duffing oscillator dynamics are substantially better than those based on the assumption that each neuronal group follows a simpler exponentially damped sinusoid or a function that simulates a post-synaptic potential. The component voltage-time curves are reasonably consistent over 7 subjects, suggesting sequential activation of neuronal groups with delays of several tens of milliseconds between them. The scalp topographies of the components suggest their origins in the occipital cortex.
Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: A Population-Based Study of Survival

Introduction: This study characterizes the overall survival (OS) and variables affecting OS in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Methods: A total of 9701 patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, diagnosed from 1973 to 2006, were retrospectively analyzed using the population-based surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database. Results: The 6-month, 1-year, and 5-year OS were 55, 33, and 5%, respectively. Significantly adverse prognostic factors from univariate analyses included older age, male gender, higher tumor grade, nonepithelioid histology, higher stage, no cancer-directed surgery, and no radiotherapy. Race was not significant. Patients undergoing cancer-directed surgery and radiotherapy, when grouped by stage, histology, or grade, had the best median survival (versus radiotherapy or surgery alone or no surgery/radiotherapy). From Cox proportional hazards analyses, grade (range, 1–4) was associated with a hazard ratio (HR) of >1.5 ( p 1.4 ( p Conclusions: From a population-based registry analysis of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, tumor grade and cancer-directed surgery seem to have the greatest impact on OS. Although being amenable to surgery likely reflects more indolent disease and/or better performance status and cardiopulmonary function, the significantly favorable impact of surgery, accounting for tumor grade, histology, and stage, may reflect a therapeutic benefit.
Mutations generated in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 long terminal repeat during vertical transmission correlate with viral gene expression

Abstract We determined the effect of mutations generated in HIV-1 LTR on viral gene expression in six mother–infant pairs following vertical transmission. We show that the functional domains critical for LTR function, the promoter (TATAA), enhancers (three SpI and two NFκB sites), the modulatory region (two AP-I sites, two NFAT, one NF-IL6 site, one Ets-1, and one USF-1) and the TAR region were generally conserved among mother–infant pairs, although we observed several patient and pair specific mutations in these important domains. We then determined the promoter activity of our mother–infant LTR sequences by measuring CAT gene expression, which was driven by these LTRs and found that most of these HIV-1 LTRs derived from 6 mother–infant pairs were functional. However, mutations in the important transcription factor binding sites, including TATAA, SpI, NFκB, AP-I, NFAT, NF-IL6, Ets-1, USF-1 and TAR resulted in reduced LTR driven CAT gene expression. Taken together, conservation of functional domains in the LTR during vertical transmission supports the notion that a functional LTR is critical in viral replication and pathogenesis and mutations generated during the course of infection correlated with HIV-1 gene expression.
Oxidation of Al2O3 continuous fiber-reinforced/NiAl composites

The 1200°C and 1300°C isothermal and cyclic oxidation behavior of Al2O3 continuous fiber (Saphikon™)-reinforced/ NiAl composites were studied. Oxidation resulted in formation of Al2O3 external scales in a similar manner as scales formed on monolithic NiAl. The isothermal oxidation of an Al2O3/NiAl composite resulted in oxidation of the matrix along the fiber/matrix interface near the fiber ends. This oxide acted as a wedge between the fiber and matrix, and, under cyclic oxidation conditions, led to further oxidation along the fiber lengths and eventual cracking of the composite. The oxidation behavior of composites in which the Al2O3 fibers were sputter coated with nickel prior to processing was much more severe. This was attributed to open channels around the fibers which formed during processing most likely as a result of the diffusion of the nickel coating into the matrix.
Decreased Bombesin Peptide Response to Cigarette Smoking in Schizophrenia

Schizophrenic patients are extremely heavy tobacco smokers. However, a lower incidence of lung cancer in schizophrenic patients has been observed in comparison to other heavy smokers. Nicotine increases the proliferation of pulmonary neuroendocrine tissue, causing the release of a bombesin-like peptide. Thus, bombesin-like peptide levels in urine may be an indicator of precancerous, cigarette-induced lung damage. Bombesin-like peptide levels of 10 schizophrenic smokers and 11 schizophrenic nonsmokers were compared to those of nonschizophrenic subjects matched for age and pack-years of smoking. The nonschizophrenic smokers showed the expected increase in urinary bombesin-like peptide levels, as compared to nonschizophrenic nonsmokers. Schizophrenic patients had lower bombesin-like peptide levels independent of smoking effects. The mechanism of the difference in bombesin-like peptide levels between schizophrenic patients and nonschizophrenic subjects is unknown, but one possibility involves alteration in the α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, which mediates the growth of some neuroendocrine cell lines in vitro.
Hematopoietic stem cells lacking Ott1 display aspects associated with aging and are unable to maintain quiescence during proliferative stress.

Aging degrades hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) functions, including stress response; however, the involved molecular pathways are incompletely defined. Murine BM conditionally deleted for One-Twenty-Two-1 (Ott1), is able to maintain lifelong hematopoiesis and has preserved numbers of long-term HSCs, yet cannot repopulate nor sustain itself after transplantation against a competitor even when Ott1 is excised after engraftment. We show, specifically under replicative stress, that Ott1-deleted HSCs have a significant reduction of the G0 cell-cycle fraction associated with self-renewal and undergo early failure. Therefore, Ott1 is required to preserve HSC quiescence during stress but not steady-state hematopoiesis. Reduced tolerance of replicative stress, increased myeloid potential, and greater absolute numbers are mutual characteristics of both Ott1-deleted and aged HSCs, and comparison of their gene expression profiles reveals a shared signature. Ott1-deleted HSCs share multiple aging-associated physiologic changes, including increases in NF-κB activation and DNA damage. Loss of Ott1 causes increased reactive oxygen species; however, antioxidant treatment does not rescue the competitive defect, indicating the existence of additional essential Ott1-dependent HSC pathways. In conclusion, our data establish a requirement for Ott1 in stress hematopoiesis and suggest that Ott1-dependent processes may converge with those affected by aging.
Double-scattering-induced deviations from Ornstein-Zernike behavior near the critical point

We consider double light scattering by a simple fluid near its critical point. It is shown that Ornstein-Zernike-Debye plots of inverse total (single plus double) scattering intensity are not linear, but show downward curvature at small scattering angles near the critical point. This effect has been observed experimentally and is usually attributed to a nonzero value for the critical exponent $\ensuremath{\eta}$. We compare our conclusions with those of Splittorff and Miller, who have found that such downward curvature can also be caused by density gradients near the critical point.
Risk factors for infections in international travelers: an analysis of travel-related notifiable communicable diseases.

Summary Background We sought to describe travel-related illness among our residents and gain insight into targeting pre-travel health advice to prevent travel-related illness. Methods A supplemental travel questionnaire was developed and administered for cases with a legally notifiable communicable disease reported in 2011–2012, who spent at least part of their exposure period outside the United States. Results Among 451 cases meeting the eligibility criteria, 259 were interviewed. Forty four percent reported receiving pre-travel advice. Two-thirds adhered fully with risk behavior recommendations; 94% followed immunization recommendations partially or fully; and 84% adhered fully with malaria prophylaxis recommendations. The primary reasons for not obtaining pre-travel advice were being unaware of the need (47.5%), or believing they already knew what to do (34.5%). Adults (OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.4–5.5), males (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.1–3.0), those born outside the United States (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.1–3.7), and those with planning time under two weeks (OR = 4.8, 95% CI = 1.5–15.9) or travel duration less than 7 days (OR = 7.9, 95% CI = 3.0–20.9) were more likely to travel without seeking pre-travel advice. Conclusions The majority of cases reported not receiving pre-travel advice. Understanding the predictors of failure to receive pre-travel advice may help target public health prevention efforts.
Artificial genetic systems: exploiting the "aromaticity" formalism to improve the tautomeric ratio for isoguanosine derivatives.

The tautomerism of 2‘-deoxy-7-deaza-isoguanosine (2) was studied and compared to that of 2‘-deoxyisoguanosine (1). The fixed 1N-methyl (8) and O-methyl (4) derivatives were synthesized to represent...
Naturally-occurring pituitary growth hormone is phosphorylated

The results of this communication show that ovine growth hormone (oGH) contains organically-bound phosphorous. The phosphorous content of growth hormone, lot S-11, is 1:3 (mol/mol) and that of lot S-12 is 1:6 (mol/mol). Results of 31P NMR studies suggest that the phosphorous exists in two chemical forms: as a monophosphoryl ester and as a phosphodiester. Evidence is provided which demonstrates that growth hormone can be phosphorylated invitro with the catalytic subunit of protein kinase.
Mirror, mirror on the wall: Examining the national association of scholars and teachers for democratic culture debate

In the ongoing debate between two organizations in higher education, the National Association of Scholars and Teachers for Democratic Culture, the rhetorical position of each side resemble those of the cold war between the United States and the Soviet Union of the 1950s and 1960s, where each side created a mirror image of the other based on ethnocentric perceptions. While the image of cold war is itself a metaphor, the metaphor is developed and articulated by the use of images and stories that sustain the understanding of the conflict. A mirror image can develop when the parties in conflict believe that: (1) there are only two sides, (2) the conflict is zero‐sum, and (3) their side is losing. When disagreeing bodies create a mirror image of the other side a destructive cycle of rhetorical imagery is generated that prevents resolution of the conflict. The image created does not define the world, but rather defines the protagonist.
Fracture of fibrous metal matrix composites—III. effect of imperfection geometry and heat treatment

The work of Dvorak et al. and Bahei-El-Din et al. (1989) on fracture of unidirectionally reinforced boron/aluminum specimens with a center notch is extended here for specimens with various imperfection geometries and heat treatment. The experimental results indicate that long, discrete plastic shear zones similar to those found at the notch tips are present in all specimens. The measured fracture strength was not affected by the notch shape, but was affected by the heat treatment. Finite element analysis of selected specimens indicated that the fracture criterion proposed in parts I and II is applicable to as-fabricated or annealed B/A1 specimens with any notch geometry. Namely, failure is controlled by a critical ratio of the largest principal stress to off-axis unnotched strength in the principal direction, in a small representative volume in the vicinity of the notch. This criterion, however, does not apply for specimens tested in the overaged (T6) condition.
Fracture Initiation in the Directionally Solidified NiO‐CaO Eutectic

Initiation of fracture in the directionally solidified, lamellar NiO-CaO eutectic was examined using the indentation fracture technique. Fracture could not be induced along the interphase boundary on transverse sections of the directionally solidified eutectic. Instead, radial cracks evolved at angles of approximately 35° and 55° with respect to the lamellar interface and were consistent with median/radial crack formation on (TlO) and (001) planes, respectively. Indentation of single-crystal NiO resulted in fracture only along {110} planes. Crack initiation on {110} planes in both materials was attributed to a dislocation coalescence model proposed by Keh et al. while crack formation on (001) planes in the eutectic was believed to be initiated by a Stroh-type mechanism involving dislocation pile-ups. Variations in the interlamellar spacing resulted in a Hall-Petch-type behavior for the hardness but had little effect on the fracture toughness of the eutectic.
A geoarchaeological approach to the analysis of secondary lithic deposits

The methods and techniques presented provide a means for evaluating raw material characteristics in those situations where secondary deposits of lithic materials were exploited for stone tool production. Those aspects of secondary deposits measured or estimated include size, form, roundness, crystallinity, homogeneity, and raw material frequency. A comparison and discussion of two sampled areas in eastern New Mexico demonstrate how these procedures can be used to elucidate meaningful archaeological information. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Ultrasound assessment of mid-urethra tape at three-year follow-up after tension-free vaginal tape procedure

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the anatomic changes in the polypropylene mesh sling after a tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure using introital ultrasonography in a prospective study. Methods Eighty women with genuine stress incontinence but without pelvic relaxation syndrome underwent surgery. Introital ultrasound evaluation of the mid-urethra TVTs was performed after surgery. Results Of the 70 women available for evaluation at postoperative year 3, 62 (88.5%) were objectively cured and 6 had improvement; in 2 patients, the procedure had failed. The measurement of the tape position from the bladder neck at the first and third year compared with the tape position at 1 month revealed no statistically significant differences. The tapes were located at the mid-urethra in 60 patients (85.7%) and at the proximal urethra in 10. The measurement of the tape from the lower margin of the symphysis pubis using the rectangular coordinate system showed the tape had a downward descent of 1.7 mm at 3 years of follow-up. The rate of descent decreased during the study period. The mean thickness and width of the tape increased with time. A urethral knee angulation during maximal straining was found in 60 patients (92%), with the tape positioned at the mid-urethra for the follow-up period. Conclusions The observations of the tape position and characteristics suggest that shrinkage and compromise of the TVT sling does not occur. The TVT sling fixes to its original implanted site along the urethra and appears to slowly descend with the surrounding tissue with time. The urethra dynamic kinking contributes to the postoperative urinary continence when the TVT sling is placed at the mid-urethra.
Optically Induced Rapid Electrokinetic Patterning: A Study of the Operational Regimes and Dominant Forces

We study a recently proposed optically induced electrokinetic colloidal particle patterning technique that can pattern/translate or trap particle clusters on an electrode surface using high power laser beams and under an applied AC field. By exploring variations in particle density, with changes in various factors, using Voronoi tessellations we show that the role of various forces changes dramatically with conductivity. For low conductivity (∼2 mS/m) solutions we show that particle density increases with frequency primarily due to a lowering of the induced dipole moment of the particle.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Nanosecond Imaging of Bubble Nucleation on a Microheater

These images show bubble nucleation and growth of a thin film heater (a platinum film 15 μm wide, 30 μm long and 0.2 μm thick) that is heated by an 11.8 volt pulse of 0.50 μs duration in subcooled water. Imaging is by illumination from a Nd:Yag laser (hence the green colored photographs) that produces an effective frame rate of 1.3×108 frames/s (the method is described in Avedisian (2006) and Balss (2005)). Time is relative to the first appearance of bubbles. In the early phase, bubbles are visible at the four corners of the platinum surface (58 ns) which grow laterally into a vapor film (142 ns) that covers the surface by 178 ns after which the bubble thickens and grows into the bulk (246 ns and beyond). The collapse phase (e.g., 3.5 μs to 3.8 μs) continues well after the heater pulse is turned off. Vapor completely disappears (3.65 μs) but then bubbles reappear (3.8 μs) well after the power-off phase. Reappearance of bubbles is speculated to be the result of a stagnation-like flow induced by the rapid collapse and inward motion of liquid that jets upward to cause a local reduction of pressure to cavitate a bubble at 3.8 μs. [Avedisian, C.T., Cavicchi, R.E., Tarlov, M.J., Rev. Sci. Instruments, 2006, in press; Balss, K.M., Avedisian, C.T., Cavicchi, R.E., Tarlov, M.J., Langmuir, 21, 10459–10467 (2005)]
Trogdon on Monism and Intrinsicality

Kelly Trogdon [2009] argues that priority monism—here, the view that only the world as a whole has fundamental properties—conflicts with the best extant accounts of intrinsicality. He then proposes an alternative account that is designed to be not only compatible with this view, but also independently plausible. But his account conflicts with priority monism as well, and incorrectly classifies various non-intrinsic properties.
Nutritional habits and motivations to eat after a palatable pre-load

A representative sample of college students was surveyed about nutritional habits and motivations to eat. Females were more likely to report dieting, being overweight, reading nutritional labels, eating healthy meals, as well as hungering for and consuming lower fat foods compared to males. Males reported a greater hunger for and consumption of candy bars compared to females. Thus, females may not be as ambivalent about eating sweet or higher fat foods as previously suggested. The experimental manipulation involved exposing subjects to either candy before the survey, candy with the survey, or just the survey with no candy exposure. Females exposed to the candy preload indicated an increased hunger for fruits and vegetables compared to female controls.
Postencephalitic parkinsonism – a review

The pandemic of von Economo's disease which began in January 1917 preceded that of influenza of 1918-1919 by more than a year. Though it has been customary to link the two it seems unlikely that the latter was responsible for the former as has been proposed. It has been assumed that von Economo's disease (ED) was caused by a virus; but in fact the etiology is in question as no virus has yet been transmitted to experimental animals or cells in culture. However, the presence of oligoclonal IgG bands in the CSF of suspected cases and the finding of chronic active lesions in the brain tissue at autopsy suggests a viral etiology. Occasional, sporadic presumed cases of the disease have been reported within the last 25 years. Encephalitides due to established neurotropic viruses or to other viruses that may on occasion invade the CNS only rarely produce parkinsonism, and when they do it differs from that seen in ED. The present report reviews the overall concept of a viral etiology of Parkinson's disease with particular reference to von Economo's disease.
Road traffic deaths in the Middle East: call for action

EDITOR—One of the leading causes of death and disability in the Middle East is road traffic injuries. The World Health Organization estimates that by 2020 road traffic injuries will be the third leading cause of disability adjusted years of life lost worldwide.1 Our analysis of the International Road Federation's world road statistics found that five countries in the …
GlutathioneS-Transferase Activity in Unsafened and Fenclorim-Safened Rice (Oryza sativa)

Abstract The subcellular distribution of glutathioneS-transferase (GST) activity extracted from roots and shoots of 3-day-old etiolated seedlings of rice (Oryza sativaL., cv. Lemont) and the induction of soluble and microsomal GST activity by the safener fenclorim were investigated. Fenclorim increases the tolerance of rice to the herbicide pretilachlor. Bioassays using etiolated rice seedlings grown either in 0.3% agar or in liquid media containing pretilachlor showed that this chloroacetanilide herbicide is a strong inhibitor of rice root growth (I50= 0.15 μM). The protective action of fenclorim seems to result from an enhancement of the metabolic detoxification of pretilachlor rather than an alteration of the uptake or translocation of pretilachlor by safened rice seedlings. The formation of the glutathione conjugate of pretilachlor in roots and shoots of safened rice seedlings was enhanced by 50 and 25%, respectively. GST activity extracted from rice shoots and roots was found in both soluble and membrane-bound (microsomes) fractions and utilized 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), pretilachlor, metolachlor, andtrans-cinnamic acid as substrates. Soluble GST activity extracted from rice tissues was greater than microsomal regardless of the substrate used. Pretreatment with fenclorim (1 μM) induced soluble GST activity extracted from rice roots and shoots in the following order of substrate specificity: CDNB > pretilachlor > metolachlor > cinnamic acid. The fenclorim-mediated induction of root soluble GSTpretilachloractivity matched the increased formation of the pretilachlor–glutathione conjugate in roots of fenclorim-safened rice seedlings. Fenlclorim was not as effective in inducing microsomal GST activity in roots or shoots of rice seedlings regardless of the substrate used. These results suggest that rice plants may contain multiple GST isozymes that differ in their substrate specificity and inducibility by safeners.
H2+ traversing ultra-thin carbon foils: Measurement of recombination yields at 12.5 and 25 keV/amu

Abstract We present new low-energy results for H 2 + ion recombination yields after traversing thin carbon foils. The 12.5–1200 keV/amu yields fit a simple parameterization by rms internuclear separation.
DIRCE AT THEBES

In Boeotian Thebes, the simplest thirst for topographical detail will turn up a reference to Dirce. Whether depicted as a nymph, a spring, a river, or simply as flowing water, the name represents an integral, perhaps indispensable, part of the Theban landscape. But of course it is more than that. A narrative surrounds this watery place, telling of Theban kings and queens, of founding twins, and of odd and cruel tortures and torments. It is my goal in this article to understand these varying traditions surrounding Dirce by means of an examination of the interplay between mythic narratives and Theban topography. Narratives of Dirce grow and develop in relation to the physical landscape of the city, but this relationship is seldom reducible to a one-to-one correlation of story and place. The early Greek tradition has much to say about Dirce, some of it contradictory. But superficial contradiction is the norm in this realm, and some sense can be made of what we have with careful attention to the changing contexts surrounding appearances of Dirce as they are expressed and understood in early Greek literature, and to the changing ways the city of Thebes is described in the Greek mythic tradition.
Effect of constant temperatures on development of the walnut husk fly, Rhagoletis completa

The developmental rates of various life stages of Rhagoletis completa Cresson (Diptera: Tephritidae) were determined in the laboratory at seven different constant temperatures: 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, and 32 ± 1°C, RH 80 ± 10%, photoperiod L16:D8. Preoviposition developmental rate was fastest at 28°C (10 ± 1 days, mean ± SD) and slowest at 12°C (26 ± 1 days). About 83% of the females deposited eggs at 20 and 24°C and only 25% oviposited at 32°C. Females laid the highest number of eggs at 24°C and the lowest at 8°C. Egg development increased with increasing temperatures up to 28°C, then declined. The fastest egg development was noticed at 28°C (55 ± 1 h) and slowest at 8°C (389 ± 2 h). Over 90% egg hatch was observed at temperatures between 12 and 32°C, but decreased to 73% at 8°C. Larval development was fastest also at 28°C (20 ± 0.2 days). Over 65% pupation was recorded at 20 and 24°C, but decreased to 15% at 32°C and 12% at 8°C. Pupal development was most rapid at 24°C (53 ± 1 days) and slowest at 8°C (162 ± 2 days). More than 70% of adult emergence was noticed in treatments between 16 and 24°C but decreased to 20% at 8°C. Based on a linear regression model of temperature-development rate relationship, the lower developmental thresholds were determined to be 6.6, 5.3, 2.9, and 5°C for preoviposition, egg, larval, and pupal stages, respectively. Based on a non-linear developmental rate model, the upper developmental thresholds were 34°C for preoviposition, egg, and larval stages and 30°C for pupal stage.
Polymorphisms and the Pocketbook: The Cost‐Effectiveness of Cytochrome P450 2C19 Genotyping in the Eradication of Helicobacter pylori Infection Associated with Duodenal Ulcer

The clinical outcome of duodenal ulcer treated with proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-based, anti-Helicobacter pylori (H.p.) regimens varies according to cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) genotype. CYP2C19 genotypes differ markedly in peoples of Pacific Rim descent compared with another ethnicity. The authors sought to determine the specific impact that these factors have on the cost-effectiveness of duodenal ulcer management. Their model consisted of two patient cohorts with Helicobacter pylori and duodenal ulcer, trichotomized into CYP2C19 homozygous extensive metabolizers (EMs), heterozygous EMs, and poor metabolizers (PMs), altering the anti-H.p. regimen in the genotyped cohort only. The authors took the perspective of a third-party payer, and the denominator was ulcer episode prevented. In the reference case, the use of CYP2C19 genotyping prior to initiating anti-H.p. therapy was dominant (costs were saved with each ulcer episode prevented) in all geographic regions of the United States. The subsequent break-even analysis showed a range of 89.20 dollars to 118.96 dollars--from Hawaii to the Midwest, respectively--required to eliminate the cost-savings from each genotype test performed. Using probabilities most unfavorable to genotyping, the variation of peoples with Pacific Rim origins from 0% to 100% altered the cost-effectiveness from 495 dollars to 2125 dollars per ulcer event prevented, respectively. The results suggest that treatment decisions for H.p. infection that are based on a patient's CYP2C19 genotype decreases expenses for health plans implementing testing. This analysis provides an economic basis to support recent calls to expand this technology into routine clinical care to prevent toxicity of narrow therapeutic index drugs.
Carotid endarterectomy: a safe cost-efficient approach.

Abstract The diagnosis-related groups have encouraged physicians to become more efficient in the care of their patients; often, however, raising the question of safety. For 3 years all patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy at our institution were monitored in the intensive care unit for 24 hours and the majority were discharged on the second postoperative day. After review of these patient's hospital records and direct patient interviews, it was clear that many patients did not require a stay in the intensive care unit and could be discharged on the first postoperative day. In January 1991 a prospective policy was established to evaluate the safety and efficacy of outpatient arteriography, same-day admission, selective use of the intensive care unit, and early discharge on the first postoperative day when feasible. During a 10-month period all patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy at our institution were evaluated ( n = 52). Eleven patients had had a prior stroke (21%), 31 had either amaurosis fugax or transient ischemic attacks (60%), and 10 had no symptoms (19%). The arteriogram for 49 of the patients was obtained on an outpatient basis or during a prior admission, and these patients were admitted to the hospital on the day of operation. Nine patients were placed under general anesthesia and had shunting procedures, and 43 patients had cervical block anesthesia, eight of whom had shunting (19%). Only five patients required an intensive care unit stay for either hypertension, hypotension, or neurologic complication (one transient ischemic attack and one minor stroke). Forty-six patients (88%) were discharged on the first postoperative day; average length of stay was 1.29 days/patient. All patients were seen 3 to 5 days after discharge. There were no readmissions for hypertension, hemorrhage, or cardiac or neurologic events. There was no 30-day mortality. The hospital charge was more than $1900 below the reimbursement for the diagnosis-related group on average. From this series it is concluded that with this protocol, a short stay with selective use of the intensive care unit is safe and cost-effective for patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. (J Vasc Surg 1992;16:926–33.)
Fostering calves by odor transfer

The objective of this study was to determine if fostering beef calves could be facilitated by transferring odor from own to alien young via cloth jackets. Shortly after parturition, cloth stockinettes were placed on the natural calves of 22 primiparous cows. At 48–96 h post-partum, alien calves were substituted for own calves. The jacket of the mother's own calf was placed on the alien calf in 10 attempts at fostering and the alien calf retained its own jacket (control treatment) in 12 attempts. Acceptance tests were conducted at the initiation of fostering and once daily for 4 consecutive days (5 tests). The criterion for adopting alien young was met on the third test (48 h after fostering) by 9 of the 10 cows in the experimental treatment and only 1 of the 12 cows in the control treatment (P<0.005). All of the experimental mothers and 6 of the 12 control cows met the criterion for adoption by the end of the 4-day test period (P<0.025). Four additional control females accepted alien calves after the 4-day test period. Odor transfer appears to be an inexpensive, rapid and safe technique to facilitate the maternal acceptance of alien calves by postpartum beef cows.
Long‐term regeneration of abdominal vagus: Efferents fail while afferents succeed

Vagal afferents regenerate, by 18 weeks after subdiaphragmatic transection, to reinnervate the gut and to differentiate into the two types of terminals normally found in the smooth muscle wall of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (Phillips et al. [2000] J Comp Neurol. 421:325–346). Regeneration, however, is neither complete nor entirely accurate by 18 weeks. Moreover, the capacity of the vagal efferents to reinnervate the GI tract under comparable conditions has not been evaluated. Therefore, to determine whether a more extended postaxotomy survival interval would (1) result in more extensive reinnervation of smooth muscle, (2) facilitate correction of the inaccuracies of the regenerated axons and terminals, and (3) yield motor as well as sensory reinnervation of GI targets, Sprague-Dawley rats received either complete subdiaphragmatic vagotomies (n = 18) or sham surgeries (n = 12). Physiological endpoints that might normalize as vagal elements regenerated, including body weight, daily food intake, size of first daily meal, and metabolic efficiency, were monitored. At 45 weeks after the vagotomies, the animals were randomly assigned to afferent (wheat germ agglutinin–horseradish peroxidase) or efferent (cholera toxin subunit B–horseradish peroxidase) mapping conditions, and labeled axons and terminals in the stomach and first 8 cm of the small intestine were inventoried in whole-mounts. Afferent regeneration was more extensive at 45 weeks than previously observed at 18 weeks after surgery; however, the amount of GI innervation was still not comparable to the intact pattern of the sham rats. Furthermore, abnormal patterns of sensory organization occurred throughout the reinnervated field, with small bundles of axons forming complex tangles and some individual axons terminating in ectopic locations. The presence of growth cone profiles suggested that vagal reorganization was ongoing even 45 weeks after surgery. In contrast to this relatively extensive, albeit incomplete, sensory reinnervation of the gut, motor fibers had failed to reinnervate the GI tract. Thus, dramatic differences exist in the regenerative capacities of the sensory and motor arms of the vagus under the same surgical and maintenance conditions. Furthermore, the functional measures of disordered energy regulation did not normalize over the 45 weeks during which afferent but not efferent innervation was restored. J. Comp. Neurol. 455:222–237, 2003. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.