cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nasal administration of low molecular weight heparin.

The main objective of this study was to determine if the systemic absorption of therapeutic amounts of heparin was possible following nasal administration. Sprague-Dawley rats received nosedrops containing a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) or unfractionated heparin (UFH) formulated with or without tetradecylmaltoside (TDM). TDM is a nonionic surfactant that has been previously shown to be a potent absorption enhancer in studies with peptide drugs. LMWH/UFH absorption was determined by measuring plasma anti-Factor Xa activity. The inclusion of 0.25% TDM in nasal formulations containing LMWH resulted in a significant increase in the C(max) and area under the curve (AUC) of anti-Factor Xa activity when compared to LMWH formulated in saline alone. The addition of TDM to a nasal formulation containing UFH resulted in a much smaller increase in the C(max) and the AUC of anti-Factor Xa activity. The absolute bioavailability of LMWH was increased from 4.0 +/- 0.4% in the absence of TDM to 19 +/- 0.3% in the presence of TDM. The reversibility of the absorption enhancing effect of TDM was studied by applying LMWH nasally 60 or 120 min after the enhancer. The effect of TDM on the nasal epithelia appeared to be rapidly reversible. In conclusion, nasal delivery of LMWH, but not UFH, was successful when an absorption enhancer was included to increase nasal permeability.
Frequency of Breast Conserving Therapy Following an Ipsilateral Local Relapse in Patients With Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) Treated With Lumpectomy (L) ± Radiation Therapy (RT)

Purpose/Objective(s): Breast conserving therapy (BCT) is a well accepted alternative to mastectomy in patients diagnosed with DCIS. In the event of a local relapse following BCT a second L RT is considered a more viable option for patients initially treated with L alone compared to those treated with L + RT. In the literature, however the rate of BCT after local relapse in these patients is not well described. The objectives of this study were to review our outcomes for DCIS treated with L RT, and further to evaluate the rates of BCT following an ipsilateral breast relapse. Materials/Methods: This is an IRB approved study on a prospectively maintained breast cancer database. From 2000-2012, 692 patients with pure DCIS, excluding all patients with a prior or synchronous diagnosis of invasive cancer, were treated with BCT. Among them, 297 patients underwent L alone hormones, and 392 had L + RT hormones. On review of patient characteristics by type of treatment received, we noted that patients in the L + RT group had higher risk features as compared with the patients treated with L alone. They were more likely to be younger (p Z 0.0007), having a higher frequency of PR negative status (p < 0.03), larger size DCIS (p < 0.0001), and requiring more than one re-excision to achieve clear margins of resection (p < 0.0001). Patients receiving RT were treated to the whole breast and boost. Results: The median follow-up is 5.04 years, and the overall actuarial 5year local relapse-free survival (LRFS) is 93%. By the type of treatment received, the 5-year LRFS for L alone and L + RT was 91% and 94%, respectively. Among the 50 local failures observed, 28 were noted in the L alone group and 22 in the L + RT group. At relapse, 35% were diagnosed with invasive cancer and 65% had DCIS. Despite the available option of second L RT for relapses after initial treatment with L alone, we noted that 40% (n Z 11) patients ultimately underwent mastectomy. Among the relapses in the L+RT group, 75% of patients underwent mastectomy. The remainder either refused mastectomy or were treated on the RT re-treatment protocol. Conclusions: We observed a trend towards better local control among the L + RT patients. Further, despite the relatively lower risk patients treated with L alone the rates of local relapse are not insignificant, and are quite comparable to the high risk patient treated with RT. Further, we noted that the option BCT at relapse was realized only 60% of the time in patients who were treated with L and did not receive RT initially. This outcome data may be useful in providing DCIS patients an informed consultation on their treatment options. Author Disclosure: M. Chadha: None. D. Miller: None. C. Shan-Chin: None. S.K. Boolbol: G. Consultant; Genomic Health. A. Gillego: None. K. Boachie-Adjei: None. L.B. Harrison: None.
Entrained flow gasification of coal: 1. Evaluation of mixing and reaction processes from local measurements

Abstract Local mixing and reaction processes were studied within a laboratory-scale, entrained coal gasifier at atmospheric pressure, using a Utah high-volatile, low-sulphur bituminous coal at a design flow rate of 24.5 kg h −1 . The coal-oxygen-steam feed mass ratio was 1.00:0.91:0.27. A water-quenched sample probe was used to collect radial gas and char samples at seven different axial positions in the 124 cm long reactor for the measurement of gasification products and residual char composition. The observed carbon conversion was 79 ± 3%. Coal hydrogen and oxygen were converted more rapidly and more completely than carbon. Devolatilization, which occurred very rapidly near the inlet, led to most of this carbon conversion; heterogeneous char reactions with CO 2 and steam apparently accounted for the balance. Oxygen was consumed through reaction with volatiles very quickly in the upper gasifier region. These data were used to evaluate mixing and reaction characteristics within the reactor. Agreement of measurements with predictions from a generalized two-dimensional entrained coal gasification model was good.
A tradeoff between space and efficiency for routing tables

Two conflicting goals play a crucial role in the design of routing schemes for communication networks. A routing scheme should use as short as possible paths for routing messages in the network, while keeping the routing information stored in the processors' local memory as succinct as possible. The efficiency of a routing scheme is measured in terms of its stretch factor - the maximum ratio between the length of a route computed by the scheme and that of a shortest path connecting the same pair of vertices.Most previous work has concentrated on finding good routing schemes (with a small fixed stretch factor) for special classes of network topologies. In this work we study the problem for general networks, and look at the entire range of possible stretch factors. The results exhibit a tradeoff between the efficiency of a routing scheme and its space requirements. We present almost tight upper and lower bounds for this tradeoff. Specifically, we prove that any routing scheme for general n-vertex networks that achieves a stretch factor k ≥ 1 must use a total of O(n1+1/2k+4) bits of routing information in the networks. This lower bound is complemented by a family H(k) of hierarchical routing schemes (for every fixed k ≥ 1), which guarantee a stretch factor of O(k), require storing a total of O(n1+1/k) bits of routing information in the network and name the vertices with O(log2n)-bit names.
Wo steht Kleist im Amphitryon

Analyse du comique negatif de cette "comedie d'apres Moliere", qui oscille entre la satire et la tragedie.
A study of electron drift velocity in ArCO2 and ArCO2CF4 gas mixtures

Abstract We have measured the electron drift velocity as a function of electric field in ArCO 2 mixtures. Measurements are made for mixtures containing 8% to 20% CO 2 in 1% increments. Effects of air and nitrogen contamination on ArCO 2 mixtures are investigated. These results are useful for determining the correct mixing ratio of the ArCO 2 mixture in drift chamber applications. We have also measured the electron drift velocity in several ArCO 2 CF 4 mixtures.
Diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI): A peptide with multiple biological actions

Diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI) is a 9-kD polypeptide that was first isolated in 1983 from rat brain by monitoring its ability to displace diazepam from the benzodiazepine (BZD) recognition site located on the extracellular domain of the type A receptor for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAA receptor) and from the mitochondrial BZD receptor (MBR) located on the outer mitochondrial membrane. In brain, DBI and its two major processing products [DBI 33-50, or octadecaneuropeptide (ODN) and DBI 17-50, or triakontatetraneuropeptide (TTN)] are unevenly distributed in neurons, with the highest concentrations of DBI (10 to 50 microMs) being present in the hypothalamus, amygdala, cerebellum, and discrete areas of the thalamus, hippocampus, and cortex. DBI is also present in specialized glial cells (astroglia and Bergmann glia) and in peripheral tissues. In the periphery, the highest concentration of DBI occurs in cells of the zona glomerulosa and fasciculata of the adrenal cortex and in Leydig cells of the testis; interestingly, these are the same cell types in which MBRs are highly concentrated. Stimulation of MBRs by appropriate ligands (including DBI and TTN) facilitates cholesterol influx into mitochondria and the subsequent formation of pregnenolone, the parent molecule for endogenous steroid production; this facilitation occurs not only in peripheral steroidogenic tissues, but also in glial cells, the steroidogenic cells of the brain. Some of the steroids (pregnenolone sulfate, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one, and 3 alpha, 21-dihydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one) produced in brain (neurosteroids) function as potent (with effects in the nanomolar concentration range) positive or negative allosteric modulators of GABAA receptor function. Thus, accumulating evidence suggests that the various neurobiological actions of DBI and its processing products may be attributable to the ability of these peptides either to bind to BZD recognition sites associated with GABAA receptors or to bind to glial cell MBRs and modulate the rate and quality of neurosteroidogenesis. The neurobiological effects of DBI and its processing products in physiological and pathological conditions (hepatic encephlopaty, depression, panic) concentrations may therefore be explained by interactions with different types of BZD recognition site. In addition, recent reports that DBI and some of its fragments inhibit (in nanomolar concentrations) glucose-induced insulin release from pancreatic islets and bind acyl-coenzyme A with high affinity support the hypothesis that DBI isa precursor of biologically active peptides with multiple actions in the brain and in peripheral tissues.
Minimally invasive surgery: national trends in adoption and future directions for hospital strategy

Surgeons have rapidly adopted minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques for a wide range of applications since the first laparoscopic appendectomy was performed in 1983. At the helm of this MIS shift has been laparoscopy, with robotic surgery also gaining ground in a number of areas. Researchers estimated national volumes, growth forecasts, and MIS adoption rates for the following procedures: cholecystectomy, appendectomy, gastric bypass, ventral hernia repair, colectomy, prostatectomy, tubal ligation, hysterectomy, and myomectomy. MIS adoption rates are based on secondary research, interviews with clinicians and administrators involved in MIS, and a review of clinical literature, where available. Overall volume estimates and growth forecasts are sourced from The Advisory Board Company’s national demand model which provides current and future utilization rate projections for inpatient and outpatient services. The model takes into account demographics (growth and aging of the population) as well as non demographic factors such as inpatient to outpatient shift, increase in disease prevalence, technological advancements, coverage expansion, and changing payment models. Surgeons perform cholecystectomy, a relatively simple procedure, laparoscopically in 96 % of the cases. Use of the robot as a tool in laparoscopy is gaining traction in general surgery and seeing particular growth within colorectal surgery. Surgeons use robotic surgery in 15 % of colectomy cases, far behind that of prostatectomy but similar to that of hysterectomy, which have robotic adoption rates of 90 and 20 %, respectively. Surgeons are using minimally invasive surgical techniques, primarily laparoscopy and robotic surgery, to perform procedures that were previously done as open surgery. As risk-based pressures mount, hospital executives will increasingly scrutinize the cost of new technology and the impact it has on patient outcomes. These changing market dynamics may thwart the expansion of new surgical techniques and heighten emphasis on competency standards.
The Two-State Random Walk

We develop asymptotic results for the two-state random walk, which can be regarded as a generalization of the continuous-time random walk. The two-state random walk is one in which a particle can be in one of two states for random periods of time, each of the states having different spatial transition probabilities. When the sojourn times in each of the states and the second moments of transition probabilities are finite, the state probabilities have an asymptotic Gaussian form. Several known asymptotic results are reproduced, such as the Gaussian form for the probability density of position in continuous-time random walks, the time spent in one of these states, and the diffusion constant of a two-state diffusing particle.
Search for low-lying resonances in electron scattering by atomic hydrogen

Abstract Measurements of the transmission of an energy-selected electron beam through atomic hydrogen fail to indicate any resonance below 9·5-eV electron energy. The negative result contradicts recent suggestions by Rudkjobing and by Van Rensbergenthat some diffuse interstellar absorption bands might be attributable to preionizing transitions in the hydrogen negative ion. A bulk of reliable theoretical data, however, justifies our finding.
A Randomized, Controlled Study of a Programmable Shunt Valve versus a Conventional Valve for Patients with Hydrocephalus

OBJECTIVE: A multicenter prospective randomized controlled study was performed to assess the safety and efficacy of a Codman Hakim programmable shunt valve (Codman/Johnson & Johnson, Raynham, MA) versus a conventional valve system of the surgeon's choice for the treatment of patients with hydrocephalus. METHODS: Enrollment was stratified on the basis of whether the patient was undergoing initial shunt insertion or revision of an existing valve system at study entry. Study end points were: 1) valve explantation, and 2) shunt failure (surgical intervention for any component of the shunt). A total of 377 patients were enrolled onto the study, with 235 undergoing first shunt insertion (119 experimental, 116 control) and 142 undergoing revisions (75 experimental, 67 control). RESULTS: During a follow-up interval of 104 weeks after the first implantation on-study, explantation of the valve was required in 62 (32%) of 194 experimental valves, compared with 71 (39%) of 183 control valves. Two-year survival rates of the original shunt without revision of any component were 52% (62 of 119) and 50% (58 of 116) in experimental and control patients, respectively, who underwent initial shunt insertion, and 43% (32 of 75) and 43% (29 of 67) in experimental and control patients, respectively, who underwent replacement of an existing valve. No statistically significant difference was observed between experimental and control patients in the survival of either the valve or the overall shunt system. Control of hydrocephalus as assessed symptomatically and by imaging was comparable in the two treatment groups. Although problems related to inability to achieve the desired pressure setting were reported in 22 experimental valves, in all but four instances no additional programming was attempted because the patients were functioning well clinically. The most common reasons cited for valve explantation and shunt revision were infection (9.8% frequency in the overall cohort) and proximal shunt malfunction, which occurred with comparable frequency in the experimental and control groups. CONCLUSION: Safety and efficacy of the Codman Hakim programmable shunt valve is comparable to conventional valves in the overall population of patients with hydrocephalus. However, the current study was not designed to assess the efficacy of programmable versus conventional valves in the management of individual hydrocephalus problems, and it had insufficient statistical power to support such comparisons. This study provides a rationale for examining whether the theoretical advantages of a programmable valve for managing challenging hydrocephalus problems can translate into meaningful improvements in shunt and valve survival.
Does aluminum exposure of pregnant animals lead to accumulation in mothers or their offspring

There is concern that environmental and dietary aluminum (Al) might cause developmental toxicity. To better understand this concern, we reviewed published studies which administered Al compounds to pregnant animals and measured accumulation of Al in mother, fetus, or born offspring. A total of 7 studies were identified which administered Al during gestation and evaluated fetal accumulation. Another 7 studies administered Al at least until birth and then evaluated accumulation in mothers and/or pups. These 14 studies included 4 different Al compounds (hydroxide, chloride, lactate, and citrate) administered by 4 different routes (gavage, feed, intraperitoneal injection, and subcutaneous injection) with total doses ranging from 13.5 to 8,400 mg/kg. Fetal Al levels were not increased in 6 of 7 studies and pup Al levels were not increased in 4 of 5 studies in which they were measured. Maternal Al levels were increased in some studies, but there was no consistent pattern of organ-specific accumulation and several positive studies were contradicted by subsequent reports from the same laboratory. Placental levels were increased in 6 of 9 studies and were greater than corresponding fetal levels. The weight of evidence in these studies suggests that environmental and dietary Al exposures are unlikely to pose risks of Al accumulation to pregnant animals or their fetuses.
Environmental factors affecting the transmission of respiratory viruses

Many viruses are capable of infecting the human respiratory tract to cause disease. These viruses display various transmission patterns among humans; however, they all share the ability to transmit from person to person, and their human transmissibility is influenced by the environment in which pathogen and host meet. This review aims to summarize recent and significant observations regarding the impact of environmental factors such as weather and climate, humidity, temperature, and airflow on the transmission of human respiratory viruses. Where possible, knowledge gaps that require further scientific study will be identified.
The effect of a hydrophobic N-terminal probe on translational pausing of chloramphenicol acetyl transferase and rhodanese

The effect on translational pausing of a hydrophobic probe, coumarin, at the N terminus of nascent peptides was investigated. Two different proteins, bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase and bovine rhodanese, were synthesized by coupled transcription/translation in a cell-free system derived from Escherichia coli. Protein synthesis was initiated with N-formyl-Met-tRNAf or N-acetyl-S-coumarin-Met-tRNAf. Cotranslational incorporation of the coumarin derivative generated nascent polypeptides with a hydrophobic residue at their N termini. The effect of the two N-terminal groups on the size distribution and quantity of the peptides formed by translational pausing was investigated. The N-terminal coumarin caused an accumulation of nascent chloramphenicol acetyltransferase peptides in the mass range of 3.5-4.0 kDa that reflects a delay in translation at this point. No similar effect on rhodanese pause-site peptides was observed. This effect on translational pausing cannot be explained by either mRNA secondary structure or rare codons and tRNA abundance. It is suggested that the effect of N-terminal coumarin on translational pausing is the result of the interaction of the nascent peptide with components of the large ribosomal subunit along the path it follows between the peptidyl transferase center and the exit site on the distal surface.
Performance of Nafion® N115, Nafion® NR-212, and Nafion® NR-211 in a 1 kW Class All Vanadium Mixed Acid Redox Flow Battery

Abstract Three Nafion ® membranes of similar composition but different thicknesses were operated in a 3-cell 1 kW class all vanadium mixed acid redox flow battery. The influence of current density on the charge/discharge characteristics, coulombic and energy efficiency, capacity fade, operating temperature and pressure drop in the flow circuit will be discussed and correlated to the Nafion ® membrane thickness. Material costs associated with the Nafion ® membranes, ease of handling the membranes, and performance impacts will also be discussed.
Adult Daughters of Battered Women: Recovery and Posttraumatic Growth following Childhood Adversity:

This article details the recovery process, including posttraumatic growth, for 15 adult daughters of battered women. Using qualitative inquiry, participants' recovery was found to involve a cogniti...
Evidence for occurrence of mounting sex pheromone on body surface of femaleDermacentor variabilis (Say) AndDermacentor andersoni (Stiles) (Acari: Ixodidae).

MaleDermacentor variabilis andD. andersoni respond to an unknown chemical or chemicals present on the body surfaces of partially engorged conspecific female ticks. Following contact, the males mount the females and apply their mouthparts and legs against the female dorsal body surface. Then, the males turn with these appendages still in close contact and crawl to the female's venter, whereupon they locate the gonopore, probe the vulva, and copulate. Similar responses are elicited by heterospecific as well as conspecific females. However, the response is lost when the female cuticle is cleaned (delipidized) with organic solvents. It can be restored by applying hexane extracts prepared from female cuticle to the previously cleaned females. Males do not use surface texture as the primary stimulus for mate recognition. Male ticks also respond to hexane extracts applied to spherical inanimate objects, (“dummy” female), suggesting that a chemical or chemicals soluble in organic solvents has been transferred to these objects. These findings suggest the existence of a previously undescribed pheromone, the mounting sex pheromone (MSP). This contact sex pheromone enables males excited and attracted by 2,6-dichlorophenol to identify the female as a potential mating partner. The MSP is the second in the series of three sex pheromones guiding the hierarchy of behavioral responses which constitute tick courtship behavior.
12 Hyperlipidemia from Sirolimus: Adverse Impact on Development of Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy

Purpose: Sirolimus (SRL) has been shown to decrease the incidence of rejection and cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV). Yet SRL also causes dyslipidemia, primarily hypertriglyceridemia and an increase in LDL cholesterol. The purpose of the current study was to determine if SRL-treated patients with dyslipidemia have worse outcomes after transplant. Methods and Materials: We evaluated 271 patients transplanted 1994 to 2010, on SRL for renal sparing protocol, malignancy, rejection, CAV, or cytomegalovirus infection. Patients were divided into groups: low ( 200 mg/dl) vs high ( 200 mg/dl) total cholesterol, and low ( 150 mg/dl) vs high ( 150 mg/dl) triglycerides. Outcomes assessed: subsequent 5-year survival, subsequent freedom from CAV (stenosis 30%), and subsequent freedom from non-fatal major adverse cardiac events (NF-MACE: myocardial infarction, heart failure, stenting, defibrillator, stroke, and new peripheral vascular disease). Results: The indications for SRL use were similar among groups. Subsequent 5-year freedom from CAV was significantly lower in the high cholesterol group (53% vs. 74%, p 0.002), but there was no difference in subsequent 5-year survival or freedom from NF-MACE. The low and high triglyceride groups had comparable subsequent 5-year survival, freedom from CAV, and freedom from NF-MACE (table). 80% of patients in all groups were treated with statins and/or fibric acid derivatives.
A linear-time algorithm for reconstructing zero-recombinant haplotype configuration on pedigrees without mating loops

With the launch of the international HapMap project, the haplotype inference problem has attracted a great deal of attention in the computational biology community recently. In this paper, we study the question of how to efficiently infer haplotypes from genotypes of individuals related by a pedigree without mating loops, assuming that the hereditary process was free of mutations (i.e. the Mendelian law of inheritance) and recombinants. We model the haplotype inference problem as a system of linear equations as in (Xiao et al. in Proceedings of the 18th Annual ACM-SIAM Symposium on Discrete Algorithms (SODA’07), pp. 655–664, 2007) and present an (optimal) linear-time (i.e. O(mn) time) algorithm to generate a particular solution to the haplotype inference problem, where m is the number of loci (or markers) in a genotype and n is the number of individuals in the pedigree. Moreover, the algorithm also provides a general solution in O(mn 2) time, which is optimal because the descriptive size of a general solution could be as large as Θ(mn 2). The key ingredients of our construction are (i) a fast consistency checking procedure for the system of linear equations introduced in (Xiao et al. 2007) based on a careful investigation of the relationship between the equations (ii) a novel linear-time method for solving linear equations without invoking the Gaussian elimination method. Although such a fast method for solving equations is not known for general systems of linear equations, we take advantage of the underlying loop-free pedigree graph and some special properties of the linear equations.
A comparison of low vision patients from a clinic and a random sample of West Virginians: Demographics; treatment patterns; vision problems; and activities of daily living

Abstract We wished to compare the low vision patients seen in the Appalachian Center for Vision Rehabilitation with those identified in previous statewide survey to determine if those who access low vision treatment are different than those who do not access treatment. We compared the two groups in four specific areas: demographics, treatment pattern, expectations of vision, and activities of daily living. We conducted a telephone survey of two samples, one of 417 patients seen in the clinic and one of 1026 randomly selected households in WV. Based on a stated difficulty in reading, ordinary newsprint 330 of the clinical group and 107 of the random sample were identified as having low vision. Income levels between the two samples appear to be similar with the majority earning less than $20,000. Statistically significant differences were found in the patients' vision health ratings (p = 0.002). Differences were observed in the amount of pain (p = 0.031); confidence in future vision (p = 0.014) and on all 20 questions related to activities of daily living (p
The cold-insoluble globulin of human plasma: Studies of its essential structural features

Abstract These investigations were directed at furnishing information on the essential structural features of the cold-insoluble globulin of human plasma. Amino acid and carbohydrate analyses showed that it is a glycoprotein (1.2% sialic acid, 1.8% hexose, 2.1% hexosamine) containing all of the amino acids usually found in proteins. Circular dichroic spectral analysis suggested that cold-insoluble globulin contained a very high proportion of β-structure; no evidence for the presence of α-helix was found. Sedimentation velocity experiments at pH 7.0, in the presence or absence of dithiothreitol, plus related gel electrophoretic experiments at pH 8.4, indicated that the integrity of certain disulfide bridges was necessary for its solubility under “physiologic” conditions. In experiments in urea-containing solution, two sedimenting peaks were observed. The major one, amounting to more than 95% of the total, had an s 20,w of 5.6 S, the minor peak had an s 20,w of 7.3 S. Following disulfide bridge reduction a single symmetrical peak of 3.9 S was formed. Such behavior suggested that cold-insoluble globulin is a multichain molecule whose subunit chains are linked by disulfide bridging. Strong support for this conclusion was obtained from electrophoretic analyses in gels containing dodecylsulfate, in that cold-insoluble globulin manifested an increased rate of migration after reduction of disulfide bridges. The reduced cold-insoluble globulin band could be resolved into a closely spaced doublet, the components of which had molecular weights of 220 000 and 215 000, respectively. Since in sedimentation equilibrium experiments the molecular weight of the unreduced molecule was estimated to be 450 000, values in this range for the size of the subunit chain suggested that each cold-insoluble globulin molecule is composed of two covalently linked chains. The nature of the size heterogeneity of the reduced subunit chains is uncertain. However, the finding of a single type of NH 2 -terminal sequence ([Glu-Ala) in cold-insoluble globulin preparations, is consistent with the speculation that the smaller subunit may be a catabolic intermediate arising via release of peptide material containing the COOH-terminus of a parent chain.
PEDIATRIC UMBILICAL PROBLEMS

After birth, the normal umbilicus is a relatively simple structure. During the development of the embryo, however, this region is highly complex. Vestigial of the umbilical cord can be responsible for umbilical inflammation and drainage. This article reviews the embryology of the umbilicus and discusses a number of clinical problems seen in this area. The authors' aim is to aid the primary care pediatrician in evaluating, treating, and appropriately referring umbilical problems encountered in office practice.
Applying spatial hydraulic principles to quantify stream habitat

Flow complexity plays an important role in stream ecology. Yet, a paucity of research exists with regard to quantifying flow complexity and relating it to the habitats that aquatic organisms utilize. Here we provide a generalized example of how two-dimensional (2-D) numerical hydraulic models and spatial hydraulic metrics can be used to simulate and quantify biologically important flow patterns within streams. A detailed topographic survey, incorporating meso-scale topographic features (e.g. exposed boulders and bedrock outcrops) is performed for a small urbanized stream. The 2-D hydraulic model RMA2 is then used to model the flow conditions within the stream reach. Model results demonstrate that the meso-scale topographic features create highly complex flow patterns of potential biological importance. Recently developed spatial hydraulic metrics, based on hydraulic engineering principles (vorticity, circulation and kinetic energy gradients), are then used to quantify the various types of flow complexity found within the stream reach. In particular, spatial hydraulic metrics are used to quantify the stream reach's overall flow complexity and the flow complexity surrounding three chub mounds. A method for uniquely characterizing circulation zones is then developed and applied to five circulation zones within the study reach. The principles used in performing this study's topographic survey, spatial explicit hydraulic modelling and spatial hydraulic analyses, form a general framework for quantifying flow complexity in any stream. The ways in which using hydraulic models and spatial hydraulic metrics can help establish better habitat suitability criteria and design best management practices for use in stream and catchment area restoration projects is discussed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of data exchange standards to improve shipbuilding productivity

There is a constant need to exchange product model data for ships between different computer aided design, computer aided engineering, computer aided manufacturing, and other technical and business systems. The development of an international standard is underway to facilitate ship product model data exchange among business partners and their customers. The standards development effort has progressed to the point that it is possible to demonstrate the data models and improve the standards before international balloting.
Severe Gingival Overgrowth Associated with Cyclosporine Therapy

A case of severe gingival overgrowth secondary to cyclosporine therapy in a 19-year-old black male who received a liver allograft transplant is reported. Clinical examination revealed a severely overgrown and inflamed gingiva. Surgical excision of the excess tissue was accomplished under general anesthesia. Healing occurred uneventfully, with acceptable contours; however, some regrowth was evident as early as 2 months. Spontaneous repositioning of the teeth was also seen postoperatively. Examination of the excised tissues revealed alternating areas of dense collagen and myxomatous change. An inflammatory infiltrate primarily of plasma cells was present. There was no evidence of an increased number of fibroblasts in the specimens examined.
Robust Comparisons of Malnutrition in Developing Countries

We use Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) to make international and inter-temporal welfare comparisons. While most poverty analyses rely on expenditures or income, we use anthropometric measures of nutrition as indicators of living standards. The advantages are that we observe individual—not household—well-being, deflators and exchange rates are unnecessary, and measurement techniques are similar across surveys. We test the robustness of the headcount results, and find that applying higher order Foster-Greer-Thorbecke poverty measures adds little information; although stochastic dominance testing of nutrition distributions reveals that changes in malnutrition are sensitive to the choice of the “nutrition poverty line”. Copyright 2002, Oxford University Press.
Heat Transfer With Film Cooling Within and Downstream of One to Four Rows of Normal Injection Holes

Results are presented from experimental measurements of heat-transfer rates on surfaces which are cooled by injection through one to four rows of evenly spaced, flush, normal injection holes arranged in staggered and in-line patterns with hole spacings of 4.8 dia. Film cooling performanc is evaluated in both the injection and downstream recovery regions from transient tests which provide a uniform wall temperature boundary condition. Both the film and mainstream fluids are air, and film-to-mainstream mass velocity ratios of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.5 are covered.Copyright © 1976 by ASME
Comorbidity as a predictor and moderator of treatment outcome in youth with anxiety, affective, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and oppositional/conduct disorders

In the present review, we examine one of the critical issues that have been raised about evidence-based treatments and their portability to real-world clinical settings: namely, the presence of comorbidity in the participants who have been treated in these studies and whether the presence of comorbidity predicts or moderates treatment outcomes. In doing so, we examine treatment outcomes for the four most commonly occurring childhood psychiatric disorders: Anxiety disorders, affective disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)/conduct disorder (CD). For each of these disorders, we first review briefly the prevalence of comorbidity in epidemiological and clinical samples and then highlight the evidence-based treatments for these disorders. We next determine the effects of comorbidity on treatment outcomes for these disorders. For the most part, comorbidity in the treated samples is the rule, not the exception. However, the majority of studies have not explored whether comorbidity predicts or moderates treatment outcomes. For the not insignificant number of studies that have examined this issue, comorbidity has not been found to affect treatment outcomes. Notable exceptions are highlighted and recommendations for future research are presented.
Wrist kinematics after limited intercarpal arthrodesis

Two limited intercarpal fusions, scapho-trapezial-trapezoidal and scapho-capitate, were simulated in six fresh human cadaver wrists by means of two Herbert screws. By use of a biplanar radiographic measurement system, the relative kinematic behavior of selected carpal bones, before and after the simulated limited fusions could be analyzed. Both scapho-trapezialtrapezoidal and scapho-capitate fusions produced a similar reduction in global range of motion and comparable effects on the relative intracarpal motion. In both fusions, a significant reduction in relative motion at the lunocapitate joint was recorded. The scaphoid, being fused to the distal carpal row, was shown to lose its role in the adaptative mechanism that allows preservation of articular congruency to the always changing space between the distal carpal row and the radius. After both types of fusion, increased sliding motion of the lunate on the radius was found. These kinematic changes are likely to enhance shear stresses on the lunate and tension on the surrounding ligaments, potentially diminishing long-term functional results.
Surface diffusion of hydrogen on sulfur-covered Ru(001) surfaces studied using laser-induced thermal desorption

Abstract The effects of surface sulfur coverage on the surface diffusion of hydrogen on Ru(001) were studied using laser-induced thermal desorption techniques. Measurements at T = 270 and 300 K revealed that the surface mobility of hydrogen decreased rapidly as a function of increasing surface sulfur coverage. At T = 300 K the hydrogen surface diffusion coefficient dropped approximately a factor of 30 from 8.5 × 10 −7 cm 2 /s to less than 3 × 10 −8 cm 2 /s as the surface sulfur coverage increased from θ s = 0 to θ s = 0.25 monolayer. The reduction of hydrogen surface mobility versus surface sulfur coverage was compared to predictions from a site-blocking model. In order to reproduce the rapid decrease in hydrogen surface mobility as a function of sulfur coverage, the site-blocking model demonstrated that each sulfur adatom must block ten hydrogen adsorption sites. The effect of sulfur on hydrogen surface mobility was attributed to both steric and long-range electronic effects. Reduced surface mobility versus surface sulfur coverage may help to explain the effect of sulfur as a poison of catalytic reactions.
HMP Binding Protein ThiY and HMP-P Synthase THI5 Are Structural Homologues,

The ATP-binding cassette transporter system ThiXYZ transports N-formyl-4-amino-5-(aminomethyl)-2-methylpyrimidine (FAMP), a thiamin salvage pathway intermediate, into cells. FAMP is then converted to 4-amino-5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpyrimidine (HMP) and recycled into the thiamin biosynthetic pathway. ThiY is the periplasmic substrate binding protein of the ThiXYZ system and delivers the substrate FAMP to the transmembrane domain. We report the crystal structure of Bacillus halodurans ThiY with FAMP bound at 2.4 {angstrom} resolution determined by single-wavelength anomalous diffraction phasing. The crystal structure reveals that ThiY belongs to the group II periplasmic binding protein family. The closest structural homologues of ThiY are periplasmic binding proteins involved in alkanesulfonate/nitrate and bicarbonate transport. ThiY is also structurally homologous to thiamin binding protein (TbpA) and to thiaminase-I. THI5 is responsible for the synthesis of 4-amino-5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpyrimidine phosphate in the thiamin biosynthetic pathway of eukaryotes and is approximately 25% identical in sequence with ThiY. A homology model of Saccharomyces cerevisiae THI5 was generated on the basis of the structure of ThiY. Many features of the thiamin pyrimidine binding site are shared between ThiY and THI5, suggesting a common ancestor.
Raman scattering studies of field-induced melting of the orbital-ordered state of Ca3Ru2O7

Abstract We present field- and temperature-dependent Raman scattering results from Ca3Ru2O7 for applied field orientation Ho∥(hard) b-axis. Our study reveals a field-induced orbital-ordered (OO) to orbital-disordered (OD) quantum phase transition, which is instigated in part by the strong spin–orbit coupling in this material. This study shows that dramatic magnetic field effects are most prevalent in a regime characterized by “mixed” magnetic and orbital phases (OD), providing further evidence for the strong connection between intrinsic phase inhomogeneity and “colossal” behavior in complex materials.
Electrocatalytic reduction of molecular oxygen using non-planar cobalt tetrakis-(4-sulfonatophenyl)-β-octabromoporphyrin

Abstract Synthesis of a new water soluble porphyrin, cobalt(II) tetrakis-(4-sulfonatophenyl)-β-octabromoporphyrin (Br8TPPS)Co and catalytic reduction of molecular oxygen to hydrogen peroxide using this porphyrin is described. The investigated porphyrin is highly non-planar and water soluble due to the presence of eight bromides on the β-pyrrole positions and four negative charges of the sulfonatophenyl groups on the meso positions. The first reversible reduction of (Br8TPPS)CoII is diffusion controlled one-electron transfer, located at E 1 2 = − 0.59 V vs. Ag|AgCl in a pH 8.9 solution and leads to the formation of a stable [(Br8TPPS)CoI]−. The synthesized cobalt(II) porphyrin binds dioxygen and catalytically reduces it to peroxide with an over voltage for dioxygen reduction of nearly 250 mV. Cyclic and rotating ring-disc voltammetric techniques are used to examine the mechanistic aspects of the catalytic process.
Targeted disruption of the activating transcription factor 4 gene results in severe fetal anemia in mice

Activating transcription factor (ATF) 4 is a ubiquitous basic leucine-zipper transcription factor that is a member of the ATF/cyclic adenosine monophosphate responsive element-binding (CREB) protein family. To determine the in vivo function of ATF4, the ATF4 gene in murine embryonic stem cells was deleted and homozygous mutant mice were generated. ATF4 null fetuses were severely anemic because of an impairment in fetal-liver definitive hematopoiesis; the hematocrit in 15.5-day mutant fetuses was 0.15, whereas that in controls was 0.35. The fetal livers in homozygous ATF4 mutants were pale and hypoplastic. In vitro culture of fetal-liver cells showed fewer hematopoietic progenitors per embryo and a dramatic decrease in the size of progenitor colonies. Culture of primary murine embryonic fibroblasts showed a proliferative defect. These results suggest that ATF4 is critical, in a cell-autonomous manner, for normal cellular proliferation, especially for the high-level proliferation required during fetal-liver hematopoiesis.
Arthroscopic assessment of medial malleolar reduction

Ankle fractures treated with open reduction internal fixation are fixed in an effort to reestablish anatomic bony alignment and avoid a malunion, thereby diminishing the risk of post-traumatic arthritis. For a medial malleolar fracture, an articular step-off is likely more related to the risk of post-traumatic arthritis than is a cortical step-off. However, the external cortical alignment is often used to judge the adequacy of reduction, as the articular component of the fracture is not as readily visualized. Arthroscopy has been used in various articular fractures as an aid to diagnosis and treatment. The current study prospectively assessed both the quality of medial malleolar reduction on the articular side using arthroscopy and the adequacy of using cortical cues to guide the articular reduction. Twelve consecutive patients were enrolled in this prospective diagnostic study. All patients had medial malleolar fractures that required fixation. The outcome variables of interest were extra-articular fracture displacement and articular surface displacement. After reduction and provisional fixation, 10 of the 12 patients had an anatomic reduction based on cortical cues. On arthroscopy 7 of the 12 patients had an anatomic reduction. Four of the patients had a slight gap (<1 mm) at the anterior edge of the fracture. The last patient had an anterior gap just under 2 mm. Two patients had impaction of the medial malleolus that made reduction difficult and was recognized during arthroscopy after obtaining a reduction based on cortical cues. The cortical reduction of the medial malleolus often matched up with the articular reduction. However, in some patients, impaction of the medial malleolus made it so that the two did not match up. There are some cases in which extra-articular cues are insufficient to evaluate for intra-articular reduction.
On the interpretation of radar reflections from the Moon

Abstract Available radar observations have been interpreted as indicating that the surface of the Moon is covered with very porous material to a very considerable depth. We conclude that this is not a necessary interpretation of the results. On the contrary, we believe that the results could be explained by a surface composed of a mixture of sand, rubble, or broken rock occupying about 50% of the volume. The uppermost layer (perhaps 1 cm) of the surface is responsible for the optical and infrared properties of this surface and may not significantly influence the 68-cm or 3.6-cm radar observations.
Racial/Ethnic and Nativity Patterns of U.S. Adolescent and Young Adult Smoking

We document racial/ethnic and nativity differences in U.S. smoking patterns among adolescents and young adults using the 2006 Tobacco Use Sup- plement to the Current Population Survey (n = 44,202). Stratifying the sample by nativity status within five racial/ethnic groups (Asian American, Mexican-Ameri- can, other Hispanic, non-Hispanic black, and non-Hispanic white), and further by sex and age, we compare self-reports of lifetime smoking across groups. U.S.-born non-Hispanic whites, particularly men, report smoking more than individuals in other racial/ethnic/nativity groups. Some groups of young women (e.g., foreign- born and U.S.-born Asian Americans, foreign-born and U.S.-born Mexican- Americans, and foreign-born blacks) report extremely low levels of smoking. Foreign-born females in all of the 25-34 year old racial/ethnic groups exhibit greater proportions of never smoking than their U.S.-born counterparts. Heavy/ moderate and light/intermittent smoking is generally higher in the older age group among U.S.-born males and females, whereas smoking among the foreign-born of both sexes is low at younger ages and remains low at older ages. Taken together, these findings highlight the importance of considering both race/ethnicity and nativity in assessments of smoking patterns and in strategies to reduce overall U.S. smoking prevalence and smoking-attributable health disparities.
A task-oriented approach to knowledge-based systems for process engineering design

Abstract Expert systems for process engineering design applications provide a means of capturing not only calculations but also the decision-making knowledge and efficient problem-solving methods of the design expert. Many important design applications in this domain involve design strategies and knowledge which are well-structured. Our task-oriented approach recognizes this structure in the design task and exploits it by describing the design task in terms of identifiable types of knowledge and a specific problem-solving strategy. DSPL (design specialists and plans language) is an expert system programming shell which allows knowledge characteristics of process engineering design problems to be explicitly represented according to the design task structure and offers an enhanced programming framework over first-generation techniques emphasizing rule, frame and logic levels. STILL, an expert system for the design of sieve-tray distillation columns, provides an application of the DSPL language and a demonstration of the methodology.