cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
61 Family health strategy and health equity among older adults

People living in low social conditions have higher morbimortality risk and lower access of health services. Primary Health Care (PHC) has been recommended as the main strategy to achieve the goal of health for all. Since 1994 the Brazil MoH proposed a new strategy PHC called Family Health Strategy (FHS), to reorganize and restructure the universal health system. FHS was implemented first in the poorest and less assisted areas, to reduce health inequalities. FHS has been associated with improvement in health indicators; however, there is little understanding about how it affects social inequalities. Therefore, we compare the mortality among older adults living in areas covered by FHS to those not covered by them. We believe that there is no difference in mortality between these two groups, given that FHS could be able to minimize the impact of social inequalities among the poorest. These are results from ‘The Bage Longitudinal Study of Ageing’. In Bage, half of the population and sample was covered by FHS at the baseline study (2008), it means, the poorest areas/periphery of city. This context makes our study a natural experimental research. All interviewed at baseline (1,593) were eligible for a follow-up. 1,336 (83.9%) older adults were located in 2017; 579 deaths were confirmed (53.5% in FHS). We used X2 to compare proportions, cumulative survival curves adjusted for age-sex and Log-rank test. Results show a significant higher prevalence of participants with low wealth, skin color black/brown/yellow/indigenous and less school living in FHS areas, compared to TPHC areas, as expected. Hence, people living in FHS areas present higher prevalence of health conditions, as smoking, diabetes, depression and disabilities compared to TPHC, confirming the impact of social determinants. However, we confirm our hypothesis; no difference was found in all-cause mortality risk between FHS and TPHC during 9 years follow-up.
Structure of the radial spoke head and insights into its role in mechanoregulation of ciliary beating.

Motile cilia power cell locomotion and drive extracellular fluid flow by propagating bending waves from their base to tip. The coordinated bending of cilia requires mechanoregulation by the radial spoke (RS) protein complexes and the microtubule central pair (CP). Despite their importance for ciliary motility across eukaryotes, the molecular function of the RSs is unknown. Here, we reconstituted the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii RS head that abuts the CP and determined its structure using single-particle cryo-EM to 3.1-A resolution, revealing a flat, negatively charged surface supported by a rigid core of tightly intertwined proteins. Mutations in this core, corresponding to those involved in human ciliopathies, compromised the stability of the recombinant complex, providing a molecular basis for disease. Partially reversing the negative charge on the RS surface impaired motility in C. reinhardtii. We propose that the RS-head architecture is well-suited for mechanoregulation of ciliary beating through physical collisions with the CP.
Simultaneous mapping of nanoscale topography and surface potential for the study of localized corrosion in 2024-T3 aluminum alloy and corrosion resistance introduced by a superhydrophobic coating

The localized corrosion phenomenon on 2024-T3 aluminum alloy is studied at nanoscale using simultaneous mapping of topography and surface potential by atomic force microscope in this work. The corrosion resistance imparted by a superhydrophobic coating is also studied using the same procedure for comparison. The results from simultaneous mappings revealed that the surface potential images obtained from SKPM images are capable of predicting the probable sites for the initiation of localized corrosion in the case of bare aluminum alloy substrate. The corrosion parameters for both substrates were quantified by potentiodynamic polarization.
How poorly-educated CEOs are sometimes evaluated less strictly?

By examining an under-researched group, CEOs who do not have a bachelor’s degree, we develop two new theoretical constructs ? expectation mismatch and mismatch elasticity ? to show how unfulfilled ...
Assessing the Productivity of Information Technology Equipment in U.S. Manufacturing Industries

We assess the cost-reducing impacts of increasing stocks of “high-tech” equipment (O capital). Our empirical analysis is based on a dynamic production theory model and annual data for two-digit U.S...
Reading and Study Habits of Medical Students on Clerkships and Performance Outcomes: a Multi-institutional Study

To describe medical students’ reading habits and resources used during clinical clerkships, and to assess whether these are associated with performance outcomes. Authors administered a cross-sectional survey to medical students at 3 schools midway through the clerkship year. Closed and open-ended questions focused on resources used to read and learn during the most recent clerkship, time spent and purpose for using these resources, influencers on study habits, and barriers. A multiple regression model was used to predict performance outcomes. Overall response rate was 53% (158/293). Students spent most of their time studying for clerkship exams and rated question banks and board review books as most useful for exam preparation. Sixty-seven percent used textbooks (including pocket-size). For patient care, online databases and pocket-sized textbooks were rated most useful. The main barrier to reading was time. Eighty percent of students ranked classmates/senior students as most influential regarding recommended resources. Hours spent reading for exams was the only significant predictor of USMLE Step 2 scores related to study habits. The predominant advice offered to future students was to read. These findings can help inform students and educational leadership about resources students use, how they use them, and links to performance outcomes, in an effort to guide them on maximizing learning on busy clerkships. With peers being most influential, it is important not only to provide time to help students build strong reading and study habits early, but also to guide them towards reliable resources, so they will recommend useful information to others.
A case of variant parachute mitral valve associated with mitral annular disjunction arrhythmic syndrome

Parachute mitral valve (PMV) is a rare congenital cardiac valvular anomaly often associated with other congenital cardiac defects, particularly Shone's complex, but may infrequently occur in isolation. PMV and its variants are predominantly associated with mitral stenosis (MS) or rarely mitral regurgitation (MR). We present the case of a middle-aged female who was evaluated for a syncopal episode and found to have an atypical variant PMV with disproportionately long anterior mitral leaflet, bileaflet mitral valve prolapse, and mitral annular disjunction, without associated MS or MR. This is the first case report to highlight this particular constellation of findings.
Biochemical and Cellular Changes Occurring During Conjugation in Hansenula wingei

Brock, Thomas D. (Indiana University, Bloomington). Biochemical and cellular changes occurring during conjugation in Hansenula wingei. J. Bacteriol. 90:1019–1025. 1954.—A technique has been devised for deagglutinating mixed populations of conjugating cells so as to be able to visualize microscopically early stages of the conjugation process. A cell can form a conjugation tube only when in contact with a cell of opposite mating type, but may do so even if the mate is unresponsive or ultraviolet-inactivated. Cell fusion occurs, however, only when both cells are able to form conjugation tubes in a region of contact. Fusion begins almost as soon as the two cells begin to form protuberances, and long before any dissolution of cell-wall material between the cells occurs. A cell which has conjugated in one region of its cell wall is still able to conjugate with another cell in another region, so that triply and quadruply conjugated cells are occasionally formed. There is no significant net increase in deoxyribonucleic acid, ribonucleic acid, protein, or carbohydrate which might be related to the conjugation process, because any minor changes that occur in these components are also detected when cells of only one mating type are incubated or when the conjugation process is inhibited with the antibiotic cycloheximide. Changes in activity of β-1,3-glucanase (with laminarin as substrate) and β-1,6-glucanase (with pustulan as substrate) have been measured during the conjugation process, in addition to changes in the activity of several control enzymes which would not be expected to be related to the conjugation process. Significant increases in invertase (sucrase), laminarinase, and pustulanase were detected, and minimal increases occurred in β-glucosidase and acid phosphatase. However, these same increases were also observed in controls involving only one mating type; thus, these increases are probably not related to the conjugation process, but may be a result of other processes which probably occur during incubation in the conjugation medium.
Remote Restart for a High Performance Virtual Machine Recovery in a Cloud

In this paper, we present a scalable parallel virtual machine planning and fail over method that enables high availability at a VM level in a data center. The solution is implemented and used in IBM's CMS enterprise private cloud as a high availability feature for efficient fail over in large data centers with a large number of servers, VMs, and a large number of disks. The introduced restart system enables dynamic and at-fail over-time planning and execution, and keeps the recovery time within limits of service level agreement (SLA) allowed time budget. The initial serial fail over time is reduced by a factor of up to 11 for parallel implementation, and by a factor of up to 44 for parallel fail over - parallel storage mapping implementation. As part of our future work, we plan to explore the applicability of this planning and fail over solution for Disaster Recovery.
T-cell inhibition of humoral responsiveness. I. Experimental evidence for restriction by the K- and/or D-end of the H-2 gene complex.

Abstract The inhibition (“suppression”) of an in vitro antibody response to SRBC by T-cells with specificity for histocompatibility antigens, is H-2 K/D-restricted whether or not the target determinant is H-2 I-region or non-H-2 encoded. By contrast, cytotoxic T-cells specific for histocompatibility antigens mediate a lysis of targets that is K/D-restricted in all cases except one: when the target determinant is H-2 I-region encoded, lysis is unrestricted. Further, it is shown that the target determinant and the restricting element must be on the same cell for effector function to be mediated. A spleen population immunized with histocompatibility antigens contains inhibitory and cytotoxic T-cells separable when I-region encoded determinants are the target. Thus, we conclude that the cytotoxic T-cell does not function as an inhibitory T-cell and vice versa . If the findings with this model experimental system may be extrapolated to the regulation of normal in vivo immune responsiveness then two K/D-restricted separable T-cell populations must mediate cytotoxicity and inhibition of humoral responsiveness. This finding, that with I-region encoded targets only, inhibitory T-cells are K/D-restricted whereas cytotoxic T-cells are not, raises questions about the mechanism of restrictive recognition which are dealt with in the context of the “two signal” model.
Bone marrow transplantation for sickle cell anemia.

Purpose To investigate the role of bone marrow transplantation in patients with severe sickle cell anemia (SCA). Patients and methods We have designed a protocol for selecting patients with severe SCA who may benefit from bone marrow transplantation (BMT). On the basis of this protocol, a girl 3 9/12 years of age who had severe recurrent pain crises and splenic dysfunction received a BMT from her brother, who is homozygous for hemoglobin A. Results Transplantation resulted in prompt engraftment, followed by durable hematologic and immunologic reconstitution with donor cells. One year after BMT, the patient continued to do well. She did not experience any graft versus host disease, her growth velocity increased, and recovery of splenic function was demonstrated. Since undergoing BMT, she has not experienced any painful crises. Conclusions Bone marrow transplantation is an effective therapeutic modality that should be considered in patients with severe SCA.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome in Nepalese Children

Background: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a group of autoimmune syndromes consisting of demyelinating and acute axonal degenerating forms of the disease. This study gives the profile of 30 patients who were admitted with the diagnosis of GBS in a pediatric hospital. Methods and material: We reviewed the admitted case notes of children admitted with the diagnosis of GB syndrome from January 2005 to December 2007. The data were analyzed to find out the demographic features, preceding illness, clinical features and CSF findings. Result: The age ranged from 3.6 years to 14 years. The mean (SD) age was 4.9 (9.7) years. The most common symptoms were inability to walk after awaking in the morning. The median evolving time from the onset of illness to nadir was 12 days. The CSF protein concentration ranged from 60 to <100mg% and the CSF cell counts were less than 10/cmm in 23 patients and 11-19 in 7 patients. Conclusion: We could not find any previous study done in such a large paediatric population of this country. Our results show the similarity in pattern of age distribution, preceding events, and cell protein dissociation similar to that of other studies. Keywords: Guillain-Barre Syndrome, diagnostic criteria, children, clinical profile, hospital. The full text of this paper is available from the Journal of Institute of Medicine website Journal of Institute of Medicine , December, 2008; 30:3 31-33
On the Estimation of Advertising Effects for Branded Products: An Application to Spaghetti Sauces

Using IRI Infoscan data pertaining to six types of spaghetti sauces and employing an extension of the demand systems framework developed by Duffy, estimates are obtained of own-price, cross-price, and total expenditure elasticities as well as own- and cross-product advertising elasticities. We augment the Duffy model through the use of a polynomial inverse lag mechanism to deal with the carryover effects of advertising. We also account for the impacts of features in newspaper fliers, in-store displays, and coupons. Advertising efforts by industry leaders in spaghetti sauce produce positive own-advertising elasticities (ranging from .000058 to .0168) and negative cross-advertising elasticities (ranging from –.000003 to –.0094). Own-price elasticities are in the elastic range, and nearly all compensated cross-price effects are positive, indicative of Hicksian substitutes.
Correlation of proton patterns with crystal parameters

A method is proposed by which the integrated intensity dips of lines in a proton (or helium ion) back-scattering pattern can be used to yield a value of the atom position parameter in a one-parameter crystal. The relative intensities of two lines of a pair as estimated from back-scattering films or as measured with a counter are compared with simple calculations that have been found to provide a rough approximation for relative integrated intensity dips of lines; a number of values of the parameter of a crystal are obtained from suitable pairs of lines and averaged. The method has been tested on four crystals (Fe3O4, Bi, CdS, CdSe) using graphical solutions. Each averaged parameter was found to match the accepted value within several percent, sometimes within the limit of accuracy of the X-ray determinations available. The results confirm an earlier conclusion that the calculations serve as a convenient approximation to much more elaborate calculations.
Stratospheric ozone depletion

“If all the ozone in the atmosphere were compressed to a pressure corresponding to that at the earth's surface, the layer would be only 3 mm [0.118 in] thick… The thin stratospheric-ozone layer has proved to be an Achilles' heel that may be seriously injured by apparently moderate changes in the composition of the atmosphere.” Swedish Academy of Sciences, announcing the award of the 1995 Nobel Prize for Chemistry to Mario Molina, F. Sherwood Rowland, and Paul Crutzen You have read in this text many times of the major pollution problems resulting from combustion, especially fossil-fuel combustion. In this chapter we see a global issue – destruction of stratospheric ozone – which does not result from combustion. The chemicals responsible are synthetic chemicals, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons . Stratospheric ozone is essential to life on Earth. It absorbs more than 95% of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which could otherwise destroy most life. Stratospheric-ozone depletion led to the 1987 Montreal Protocol, the first worldwide agreement to protect the environment. Except for smuggled chemicals, the ban of ozone-depleting chemicals is working. The stratospheric-ozone layer is expected to recover, albeit slowly. Section I below examines the stratosphere and provides background on CFC uses and how ozone depletion was detected. In Section II , we see why the greatest ozone depletion occurs over Antarctica, and describe the increases in UV radiation reaching the Earth.
The Magic-angle Effect of the Supraspinatus Tendon

Context Rotator cuff injuries are common and result in either a tear or tendinopathy within the distal portion of the supraspinatus tendon. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging shows the injury as a high signal region within the distal tendon. Similarly, a magic-angle effect also appears within healthy patients in this same region on T1- or proton density (PD)-weighted MR sequences. Objective This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of the magic-angle effect found with MR imaging within the supraspinatus tendon. Methods In this study, 300 consecutive patients were selected from those symptomatic patients referred for MR evaluation of the shoulder using a 1.5T unit and both PD and T2-weighted sequences. To eliminate patients with a real injury, the written reports were reviewed; those with positive findings for injury to the supraspinatus tendon were eliminated from the sample group, leaving 164 patients. Two radiographers independently examined the oblique coronal images nearest the center of the supraspinatus tendon and compared the signal on PD and T2-weighted images. Images found to have a higher signal with the PD sequence were classified as having the magic-angle effect since a real injury would be more likely to have a strong signal on T2-weighted images. Results Of the 164 patients evaluated, both reviewers found the same 8 patients to have the magic-angle effect. Summary Based on these results, our study suggests the artifact will appear in 5% of healthy patients and may lead to false-positive results on oblique coronal PD-weighted images through the supraspinatus tendon. In comparison with previous studies that have shown a much greater incidence rate, our findings also suggest that external rotation of the arm greatly reduces the incidence of the magic-angle effect.
Increased Intrathoracic Impedance May Predict Adverse Events in LVAD Patients

We describe a 36-year-old male with a HeartWare LVAD and a Medtronic Virtuoso DR pacemaker in whom increased intrathoracic impedance preceded suction events, low LVAD flows, symptoms of a heart failure exacerbation, and hospitalization. Measurement of intrathoracic impedance may identify fluid shifts prior to symptoms and predict adverse events in patients with an LVAD. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12191 (J Card Surg 2013;28:616–618)
MACRORESTRICTION ANALYSIS OF CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS GENOMIC DNA

The usefulness of genomic physical maps is greatly enhanced by linkage of the physical map with the genetic map. We describe a "macrorestriction mapping" procedure for Caenorhabditis elegans that we have applied to this endeavor. High molecular weight, genomic DNA is digested with infrequently cutting restriction enzymes and size-fractionated by pulsed field gel electrophoresis. Southern blots of the gels are probed with clones from the C. elegans physical map. This procedure allows the construction of restriction maps covering several hundred kilobases and the detection of polymorphic restriction fragments using probes that map several hundred kilobases away. We describe several applications of this technique. (1) We determined that the amount of DNA in a previously uncloned region is < 220 kb. (2) We mapped the mes-1 gene to a cosmid, by detecting polymorphic restriction fragments associated with a deletion allele of the gene. The 25-kb deletion was initially detected using as a probe sequences located approximately 400 kb away from the gene. (3) We mapped the molecular endpoint of the deficiency hDf6, and determined that three spontaneously derived duplications in the unc-38-dpy-5 region have very complex molecular structures, containing internal rearrangements and deletions.
Choosing a Treatment for Patients at the Time a Fracture is Presented

The occurrence of a fragility fracture is an opportunity to recognize osteoporosis and begin treatment to reduce the risk of another fracture. However, selecting the treatment may have an impact on the incident fracture and this requires careful consideration of the patient and the treatment choices. There is no consensus regarding the management of osteoporosis at the time of an incident fracture. This review will consider the treatment options after a fragility fracture.
Endophytic-host selectivity of Discula umbrinella on Quercus alba and Quercus rubra characterized by infection, pathogenicity and mycelial compatibility

The fungal endophytic–host relationships of Discula umbrinella and two oak species, Quercus alba and Quercus rubra, were characterized on the basis of endophytic infection, pathogenicity, and mycelial compatibility. Isolates of D. umbrinella were cultured from leaves of Q. alba and Q. rubra collected from a hardwood forest located in Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Maryland, USA. Endophytic infection was observed on sterile leaf discs and living 2-month-old seedlings of Q. alba and Q. rubra. Fungal-host reciprocal inoculations revealed the presence of conidiomata on both hosts but conidiomata production was more abundant on Q. alba. Isolates from Q. rubra produced milder disease symptoms on both oak species. Mycelial compatibility studies identified seven different MCG groups. MCG groups 1–3 contained isolates from both oak species whereas MCG groups 4–7 contained host specific isolates. Field studies monitored the seasonal appearance of the sexual fruiting structures, perithecia, as a possible source of new genetic variation that might alter host specificity/pathogenicity of the D. umbrinella isolates on Q. alba and Q. rubra hosts. Only 1–2% of the leaves contained perithecia throughout the sampling period (April–September). Isolates collected from Q. alba differed from those collected from Q. rubra in endophytic infection, pathogenic response, and perithecia production. The results of this study suggest that the endophyte–host relationship is one of host selective preference for Q. alba, but that the endophyte has the ability to maintain the endophytic/pathogenic life cycle on the less preferred host species, Q. rubra.
Regulatory phenomena in mammalian serine metabolism.

Abstract The biosynthesis of serine in mammalian liver may proceed by two parallel pathways. Serine in physiological concentrations inhibits P-serine phosphatase, the last reaction in the “phosphorylated pathway”. No amino acid inhibitors of the alternative pathway have been identified. The restriction of protein intake in the rat results in a marked increase in hepatic 3-P-glycerate dehydrogenase and a lesser rise in P-serine phosphatase. Serine dehydratase, a catabolic enzyme, promptly decreases in activity on this diet. The addition of 1% cysteine to the low protein diet prevents the rise in enzyme activity but does not alter the level of serine dehydratase. Therefore, cysteine content of the diet appears of potential importance in the regulation of serine biosynthesis by the phosphorylated pathway. The nonlinear change in enzyme levels and studies with actinomycin D and cycloheximide suggest that the changes noted in enzyme activity are caused by alterations in enzyme synthesis. The degradation rate of 3-P-glycerate dehydrogenase does not appreciably change when rats are fed low protein diets. Cortisone acetate suppresses the level of 3-P-glycerate dehydrogenase and d -glycerate dehydrogenase, a unique effect for this hormone. No other factors studied altered enzyme levels in the “nonphosphorylated pathway”.
Mass spectrometry-based proteomics

Abstract Advances in genomic analysis, including improvements in DNA sequencing, bioinformatics and the routine application of microarray technology to characterize gene expression profiles, have set the stage for understanding how genes are organized and regulated. However, the genetic blueprint cannot accurately predict which proteins are expressed, where they are localized in a cell, and in what quantity and form they are present. Proteomics is a field of study that addresses these important and varied issues. Rapid innovations in core technologies such as separations and mass spectrometry (MS) required to characterize proteins on a global scale are poised to bring about a comprehensive understanding of how changes in protein expression and function affect complex signaling and regulatory networks. These advances have significant implications for understanding how the myriad activities carried out in a cell are regulated in health and disease. This review discusses basic proteomics advances including specific examples that utilize such methodologies as two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D PAGE), solution-based “shotgun” proteomics utilizing multidimensional separations of complex mixtures and the use of stable-isotope labeling for conducting global protein abundance profiles.
Determination of Cocaine in Biological Matrices Using Reversed Phase HPLC: Application to Plasma and Brain Tissue

Abstract An HPLC assay using UV detection has been developed for the analysis of cocaine in biological matrices. Samples were precipitated with perchloric acid, extracted in 5% chloroform/pentane at pH 10, and back-extracted into 0.1 N hydrochloric acid. Samples were chromatographed using a Zorbax RX-C18®, 4.6 × 250 mm, 5 μm, column with the absorbance monitored at 235 nm. The method was applied to quantification of cocaine in plasma and brain tissue of Sprague-Dawley rats following intraperitoneal administration of 15 mg/kg cocaine. The method was characterized by its extreme ease of sample preparation and ruggedness over time. The average recovery for the method was marginal; 52 and 38% for cocaine and the internal standard, respectively, in plasma and 42 and 35% of the cocaine and the internal standard, respectively, in brain. However, due to the extreme cleanliness of the sample after preparation, the limit of detection of the method for cocaine was less than 5 ng/ml in plasma and less than 5 ng/g in ...
A novel approach to paraneoplastic intestinal pseudo-obstruction

Paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes (PNS) are uncommon, affecting fewer than 1 in 10,000 patients with cancer. PNS, while rare, can cause significant morbidity and impose enormous socio-economic costs, besides severely affecting quality of life. PNS can involve any part of the nervous system and can present as limbic encephalitis, subacute cerebellar ataxias, opsoclonus-myoclonus, retinopathies, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO), sensory neuronopathy, Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, stiff-person syndrome, and encephalomyelitis. The standard of care for CIPO includes the use of promotility and anti-secretory agents and the resection of the non-functioning gut segment; all of which can cause significant compromise in the quality of life. There is significant evidence that paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes are associated with antibodies directed against certain nerve antigens. We successfully treated a patient with CIPO in the setting of small cell lung cancer with a combination of rituximab and cyclophosphamide. The patient, who had failed to respond to prokinetic agents, anti-secretory therapy, and multiple resections, responded to the immunomodulatory therapy, with minimal residuals with PEG tube feeding and sustained ostomy output. The use of rituximab and cyclophosphamide should therefore be considered in patients with CIPO, especially if it can avoid complicated surgical procedures.
Effects of elevated water temperature and immunosuppressant treatment on prevalence and titer of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus in naturally infected brook trout

Abstract Using fingerlings of brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis naturally infected with infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV), we demonstrated that elevated water temperature and treatment with the immunosuppressant triamcinolone acetonide (generic Kenalog®) significantly increases the titer of IPNV and probably also the prevalence of the infection. Stress-promoting treatments could potentially enhance the capability to detect various fish viral agents.
Differentiation between acute and healed myocardial infarction by signal averaging and color encoding two-dimensional echocardiography.

Abstract To evaluate the ability of a system developed in our laboratory to differentiate between acute and healed myocardial infarction (MI), gated 2-dimensional echocardiography was performed in 10 patients with recent MI (within 48 hours) and 10 patients with healed MI (later than 4 weeks). The 2-dimensional echocardiographic images were digitized using a Datacube VG-120 videoframe digitizer and each digitized videoframe (320 × 240 matrix) was transmitted using a high-speed serial data link to a second computer and stored on floppy disc. Five gated video frames of each patient were time-averaged to give a smoothed digitized image. This image was displayed on high-resolution color monitor connected to a color graphic subsystem. Sixty-four colors indicated pixel intensity. The exact pixel value at any given location was determined using a high-resolution light pen. Color or pixel values were not significantly different between the area of acute MI (pixel intensity 23 ± 3, mean ± standard deviation) identified by a regional wall motion abnormality, and the adjacent normal muscle (23 ± 4). In each patient with healed MI, an increase in color intensity and pixel value (43 ± 6) was seen in the area of MI (i.e., area of regional wall motion abnormality) compared with adjacent normal muscle (23 ± 2) (p
Rod contributions to the electroretinogram of the dark-adapted developing zebrafish.

Anatomical studies of the developing zebrafish retina have shown that rods approach maturity at about 15 days postfertilization (dpf). Past work has examined the photopic spectral sensitivity function of the developing zebrafish, but not spectral sensitivity under dark-adapted conditions. This study examined rod contributions to the dark-adapted spectral sensitivity function of the ERG b-wave component in developing zebrafish. ERG responses to stimuli of various wavelengths and irradiances were obtained from dark-adapted fish at 6-8, 13-15, 21-24, and 27-29 dpf. The results show that dark-adapted spectral sensitivity varied with age. Spectral sensitivity functions of the 6-8 and 13-15 dpf groups appeared to be cone dominated and contained little or no rod contributions. Spectral sensitivity functions of the 21-24 and 27-29 dpf groups appeared to have both rod and cone contributions. Even at the oldest age group tested, the dark-adapted spectral sensitivity function did not match the adult function. Thus, consistent with anatomical findings, the rod contributions to the ERG spectral sensitivity function appear to develop with age; however, these contributions are still not adult-like by 29 dpf, which is contrary to anatomical work. These results illustrate that the zebrafish is an excellent model for visual development.
The Differential Ideal P

Let F be a finite subset of the differential polynomial algebra k { y 1,? , yn } . In order to determine membership in the radical differential ideal { F }, one is led to express { F } as the intersection of differential ideals of the form P : M∞ for suitable subsets P and M of k { y 1,? , yn } . One criterion for “suitability" is that the ideal P : M∞ should be radical; another is that the question of membership in this ideal should be reducible to the question of membership in its algebraic counterpart (P) : M∞. Lazard?s lemma provides sufficient conditions for the first criterion to hold; Rosenfeld?s lemma provides sufficient conditions for the second criterion to hold. In this paper, we prove substantially strengthened versions of both of these results, and apply them to Mansfield?s algorithms (Mansfield, 1993)for solving systems of PDEs.
Seasonal aromatase activity in the brain of the male red-sided garter snake

We investigated regional and seasonal variations in neural aromatase activity (AA), the enzyme that converts androgens into estrogens, to examine a possible indirect role of testosterone (T) in mediating spring reproductive behavior of red-sided garter snakes, a species exhibiting a dissociated reproductive pattern. Neural AA in male snakes varied significantly among brain regions. Additionally, there were significant interactions between brain region and season. In the spring, actively courting males had greater AA in the olfactory region (O) compared to the septum/anterior-hypothalamus preoptic area (S/AHPOA), nucleus sphericus (NS) and midbrain (Mb). Fall animals collected as they returned to the den prior to winter dormancy had significantly greater AA in the S/AHPOA compared to all other regions. These findings were consistent using either regional (gross) dissection or punch microdissection, which allowed us to separate the S and AHPOA. There were no significant differences in AA production between the S and AHPOA. This study provides the first documentation of seasonal and regional variations in AA in a snake brain and suggests that aromatization of androgens may play a role in regulating reproduction in red-sided garter snakes. During spring mating, elevated AA in the O may activate pathways essential for detection of courtship pheromones, while increased AA in the S and AHPOA of fall animals suggests that circulating androgens play an indirect role in programming critical neural pathways involved in reproduction. Thus, as in many other vertebrates, estrogenic metabolites of testosterone may be a critical hormonal component regulating reproductive behavior in this dissociated breeder.
Development and Characterization of Tyramine Substituted-Hyaluronan (TS-HA) Enriched Fascia for Rotator Cuff Repair

The failure rate of rotator cuff repair is reportedly as high as 70%. Several commercially available extracellular matrices are indicated for augmentation of rotator cuff repair. However, none has yet demonstrated both the appropriate biological milieu and mechanical properties for tendon healing. We are interested in fascia lata for its tendon-like mechanical properties. We propose modulating inflammation by enriching fascia lata with high molecular weight hyaluronan (HA), a molecule well known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Of particular interest is tyramine-substituted hyaluronan (TS-HA), i.e., HA substituted with tyramine adducts to allow cross-linking between chains. The extent to which TS-HA treatment affects the mechanical properties of fascia lata is not known. The objectives of this study are to develop and characterize TS-HA enriched fascia lata and to investigate the hypothesis that TS-HA treatment does not significantly decrease the mechanical properties of fascia.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Motivational Interviewing With and Without Normative Feedback for Adolescents With Substance Use Problems: A Preliminary Study

ABSTRACTBackground: Many adolescents in need of substance use disorder treatments never engage in treatment. Further, the most promising interventions that could be adapted to target treatment engagement often use normative feedback (NF) despite concerns about its appropriateness for adolescents. This preliminary study will inform a larger trial designed to isolate whether NF is an inert, helpful, or harmful active ingredient within pretreatment motivational interviewing (MI) interventions designed to increase treatment engagement. Methods: Adolescents (N = 48) presenting for treatment intake assessments were randomized to receive MI (n = 22) or MI+NF (n = 26) immediately following their assessments. Three-month outcomes included the percentage of youth engaged in treatment, the percentage of youth reporting past-month binge drinking, and the percentage of days of abstinence. Results: Treatments were delivered with high fidelity, and a high proportion of eligible participants were recruited and retained i...
Design and manufacturing of a controllable miniature flapping wing robotic platform

In this work we present the design of a scalable, controllable, miniature flapping wing robot. The design effort comprises considerations of the number of driving actuators for controllability, body structure for both weight minimization and rigidity, and overall compactness of the robot design. This results in the development of the spherical four-bar transmission mechanism, with a single-wing prototype experimentally characterized. A dual-wing robot design manufactured via the smart composite microstructures technique is presented, featuring independent wing actuation. Finite-element analysis of the final airframe design is presented, ensuring vibration modes out of the operation range of the platform and high rigidity. A working prototype is manufactured and experiments are conducted characterizing the robot's lift production capabilities and ensuring minimal wing coupling. A scaling law of the proposed design is presented based on momentum theory, predicting an increase of the lift/weight ratio with decreasing size. An optimization methodology for the parameters of a scaled down prototype is presented, based on a developed theoretical simulation and design tool. Finally, a 1/2 scaled down prototype using the optimized parameters is built and tested, featuring a lift/weight ratio of 3/8.
Effect of lead content on Bi-2223 formation by a two-powder process

Decreasing the total lead content from Pb0.4 to Pb0.3 significantly stunts Bi-2223 phase development and greatly reduces the critical current density (Jc) of powder-in-tube tapes made by a two-powder process. This effect can be explained on the basis of the solubility limit for lead in 2212. Pb0.4 samples exceed the solubility limit for lead in 2212, so lead is rejected to create a lead-rich liquid that enhances the kinetics of 2223 formation during heat treatment. By contrast, a liquid does not form in the Pb0.3 sample because its lead content is below the solubility limit. As a result, 2223 formation is much slower and Jc is much lower in the Pb0.3 sample.
Composition and volume of gas released by ‘melting’ coal from West Virginia and Alabama

Abstract Analyses of the composition and volume of gases released by ‘melting’ samples of coal from West Virginia and Alabama under vacuum have been made by mass spectrometric techniques. This was done by melting the coal in a quartz tube attached to the highvacuum inlet system of a research mass spectrometer. The gases observed were composed of C, S, H, O, N, He and Ar atoms. Hydrogen was the most abundant gas; others were helium, methane, ethylene, ethane, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulphide, propane, argon, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide. Gas compositions were found to be a function of the source of the coal. For example, over 65% of the gas from Alabama coal was hydrogen, but West Virginia coal yielded only about 30% of hydrogen. All coals released about 100 cm 3 g −1 (STP) (about 2300 ft 3 (short ton) −1 ) of combustible gas. An additional observation was the fact that about 90% of the sulphur was physically separated from the coal in the vacuum melting process.
Do government policy multipliers decrease with inflation

Abstract We use cross-country data to examine the effects of inflation on government spending and monetary policy multipliers. In contrast to earlier work by Ball, Mankiw, and Romer (1988) and Defina (1991), we allow for differential impacts of both the monetary base and government spending, and this difference turns out to be empirically quite important. We find little evidence in favor of a New Keynesian, sticky price model.
Improvement of the physical-optics approximation for topography simulation in optical lithography

This paper discusses various techniques to implement the physical-optics approximation for topography simulation. The accuracies of the various techniques are examined by comparison with the results of a rigorous, time- domain method. It is shown that inter-surface multiple scattering effects and near-field diffraction effects in intra-surface multiple scattering must both be taken into account to obtain satisfactory agreement with the time-domain method. A technique to correct for the effects of non-physical-optics edge currents is also described.
An efficient parallel dynamic programming algorithm

Abstract Antonio, Tsai, and Huang proposed a scheme in 1991 to parallelize the standard dynamic programming approach to solve combinatorial multistage problems. However, their dynamic programming approach is restricted to those multistage problems where the decision made at each stage depends only on decisions made in the stage immediately preceding it. For many interesting problems the decision at each stage depends on the decisions made at all the previous stages, and therefore their approach doesn't apply. The Matrix Chain Multiplication problem, Longest Common Subsequence problem, and Optimal Polygon Triangulation problem are some examples of such problems. We also present techniques for parallelizing the dynamic programming solution to such problems. The parallel algorithm we develop for a PRAM has complexity θ ( n ) employing θ ( n 2 ) processors. Since the traditional sequential algorithm for such problems is θ ( n 3 ), our parallel algorithm is an optimal parallel algorithm based on this traditional algorithm. We also describe the results of our experiments that are in conformity with our theoretical complexity results. We also compare and contrast our result with results obtained by earlier researchers and show that our parallel algorithm has optimal efficiency of 100% with respect to the traditional Dynamic Programming Algorithm.
Quantitative Trait Loci for Lipid Content in Drosophila melanogaster

Recombinant inbred lines derived from a natural population were used to investigate natural genetic variation for lipid abundance, protein abundance, and weight of Drosophila melanogaster. Females were heavier and contained more lipid and soluble protein than males. Lipid and protein abundance were genetically correlated with female weight, but male weight was not correlated with lipid or protein. Lipid and protein abundance were genetically correlated in males, but not in females. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for weight and protein abundance were predominantly on the X chromosome, whereas QTLs for lipid abundance were found on the second and third chromosomes. QTLs for lipid proportion (lipid abundance normalized by weight or protein abundance) were present on all chromosomes; a lipid proportion QTL on the third chromosome correlated with a QTL for starvation resistance observed in a previous study using the same set of recombinant inbred lines, suggesting that it might underlie both traits. Candidate genes are discussed in relationship to lipid abundance, lipid proportion, and starvation resistance.
Convergence and convergence rates for approximating ergodic means of functions of solutions to stochastic differential equations with Markov switching

Abstract This work focuses on numerical algorithms for approximating the ergodic means for suitable functions of solutions to stochastic differential equations with Markov regime switching. Our main effort is devoted to obtaining the convergence and rates of convergence of the approximation algorithms. The study is carried out by obtaining laws of large numbers and laws of iterated logarithms for numerical approximation to long-run averages of suitable functions of solutions to switching diffusions.
Analysis of photometric variations of Uranus and Neptune since 1953

Abstract Photoelectric photometry of Uranus and Neptune, obtained between 1953 and 1976, has been analyzed for evidence of planetary variability on various time scales. There is no evidence for either periodic or secular variability at a level of 0.003 mag or greater over intervals of a few months or less, but slow variations of several hundredths of a magnitude have occured for both planets over many years. Variations at the 0.001 mag level may be present on shorter time scales. Solar phase coefficients for both planets are much larger than predicted for clear molecular atmospheres, and the coefficient for Neptune is significantly variable. The lightcurve of Uranus is consistent with a geometrical oblateness of about 0.03, or polar brightening. While the annual mean magnitudes of the planets are highly correlated with one another, no direct correlation with cyclical solar activity is demonstrated.
Engineering Issues of Earthquake Hazard Mitigation in Eastern North America

The challenge of providing adequate seismic resistance for new construction is quite different from that of existing, potentially hazardous buildings and facilities. The principles governing design for earthquake resistance are generally agreed upon. Moreover, the costs of incorporating such seismic resistance in new construction are generally small or modest. However, the cost can be very substantial when making an existing structure as resistant as new construction, and for this reason there is still little agreement as to what measures should be required, even in highly seismic regions. Protecting critical equipment wihtin structure is a concern that has received major attention only recently
Aromatic amino acids and monoamine synthesis in the central nervous system: influence of the diet.

Article de synthese sur l'influence de l'alimentation sur la synthese des acides amines aromatiques et des monoamines dans le systeme nerveux central. Analyse de la relation entre la disponibilite en tyrosine et la synthese de dopamine, en tryptophane et la synthese de serotonine. Analyse des aliments induisant la stimulation de la synthese de dopamine, de l'effet de la phenylalanine comme substrat ou inhibiteur de la tyrosine hydroxylase