cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Restoration of endodontically treated posterior teeth.

Abstract A comprehensive scheme has been presented for the restoration of endodontically treated teeth. A technique for making cast gold dowel-cores from direct acrylic resin patterns has been described. The method can be used for mutilated teeth with favorable root forms. An alternate method, the pin-retained amalgam core, can be used for teeth needing extensive restorations but which lack favorable root size and shape.
Lateral spatial effects of feedback in gain-guided and broad-area semiconductor lasers

Starting from Fresnel diffraction theory, we derive analytic expressions for the lateral spatial dependence of feedback fields for the cases of conventional and phase-conjugate optical feedback. By using numerical simulations we show that for narrow-stripe gain-guided lasers, both types of optical feedback from an external cavity can convert the twin-lobed far fields into a nearly single-lobed far field. We also find that conventional and phase-conjugate feedbacks in broad-area lasers induce a spatial modulation of the lateral field that increases the tendency for filamentation at moderate (-30 dB) feedback levels.
Yeasts associated with the curculionid beetle Xyloterinus politus: Candida xyloterini sp. nov., Candida palmyrensis sp. nov. and three common ambrosia yeasts.

Seven yeast strains were isolated from the body surface and galleries of Xyloterinus politus, the ambrosia beetle that attacks black oak trees. Based on rDNA sequence comparisons and other taxonomic characteristics, five of the strains were identified as members of the species Saccharomycopsis microspora, Wickerhamomyces hampshirensis and Candida mycetangii, which have been reported previously as being associated with insects. The remaining two yeast strains were proposed as representatives of two novel species, Candida xyloterini sp. nov. (type strain ATCC 62898T=CBS 11547T) and Candida palmyrensis sp. nov. (type strain ATCC 62899T=CBS 11546T). C. xyloterini sp. nov. is a close sister taxon to Ogataea dorogensis and assimilates methanol as a sole carbon source but lacks ascospores. On the other hand, C. palmyrensis sp. nov. is phylogenetically distinct from any other ambrosia yeast reported so far. The species was placed near Candida sophiae-reginae and Candida beechii based on DNA sequence analyses, but neither of these were close sister taxa to C. palmyrensis sp. nov.
Effects of toluene on microbially-mediated processes involved in the soil nitrogen cycle

The effects of toluene on indigenous microbial populations involved in the soil nitrogen cycle were examined. Ammonia oxidation potential (AOP) and nitrite oxidation potential (NOP) were both reduced after incubation with high toluene concentrations for 45 days, with the former activity showing greater sensitivity. KCl-extractable ammonium (NH sup4 sup+ ext) levels increased dramatically in soil exposed to high toluene levels, and arginine ammonification was not significantly affected. Alfalfa-amended soil incubated in the presence of 200 μg toluene ml−1 showed progressive accumulation of NH inf4 sup+ ext over 37 days, indicating that mineralization of plant-associated nitrogen was not hindered by toluene. AOP in treated soil was much less than in control soil on days 7 and 37, but the MPN of ammonia oxidizers in control and exposed soil were not significantly different. Soil incubated with 100 µg toluene ml−1 for 28 days, vented and allowed to incubate for an additional 7 to 30 days, exhibited only slight increases in AOP and NOP, while NH inf4 sup+ ext returned to control levels within a week. Soil exposed to 200 µg toluene ml−1 and treated in the same manner showed no increases in either AOP or NOP, and NH inf4 sup+ ext remained elevated for the duration of the experiment, indicating more longterm effects on soil nitrogen cycling had occurred. Ammonia oxidizer levels in control soil and soil incubated with 100 µg toluene ml−1 were not appreciably different, whereas levels of ammonia oxidizers were very low in soil exposed to 200 µg toluene ml−1 and increased only slightly by 30 days post vent. Experiments to determine how toluene affects the AOP of soil indicated a competitive inhibition mechanism, with an effective concentration causing 50% reduction in activity (EC50) of 11 µM toluene, and a competitive inhibition constant (K) of 0.1 ± 0.05 µM toluene. These results indicate the potential for toluene to adversely impact nitrogen cycling in the terrestrial ecosystem by affecting indigenous soil nitrifiers, which are sensitive to lower levels of toluene than has been previously reported.
Identification of tachistoscopically presented consonant-vowel syllables.

An investigation was undertaken to examine visual-field differences for the perception of tachistoscopically presented consonant vowel (CV) syllables. 10 normal right-handed college-age subjects viewed CV syllables presented tachistoscopically for 10 msec, in unilateral and bilateral modes. Statistical analysis yielded a left visual-field, right-hemisphere advantage for the bilateral mode of presentation only.
What's so scary about needles and knives? Examining the role of experience in threat detection

Snakes and spiders constitute a category of evolutionarily relevant stimuli that were recurrent and widespread threats to survival throughout human evolution. A large body of research has suggests that humans have an inborn bias to detect these stimuli more rapidly than non-threatening stimuli. However, recent research has demonstrated that adults also show rapid detection of modern threat-relevant stimuli, such as knives and syringes. This suggests that experience may also lead to rapid detection of threatening stimuli. The research reported here is an investigation of whether young children have an attentional bias for the detection of two types of modern threat-relevant stimuli—one with which they have experience (syringes) versus one with which they do not (knives). As predicted, the children detected the presence of syringes more quickly than pens, but did not detect knives more quickly than spoons. These results provide strong support for multiple mechanisms in threat detection.
All your jammers belong to us — Localization of wireless sensors under jamming attack

Accurately determining locations of nodes in mobile wireless network is crucial for a myriad of applications. Unfortunately, most localization techniques are vulnerable to jamming attacks where the adversary attempts to disrupt communication between legitimate nodes in the network. In this paper, we propose an approach to localize a wireless node by using jamming attack as the advantage of the network. Our localization technique is divided into two steps. First, we discover the location of the jammer using power adaptation techniques. Then, we use these properties to extrapolate the locations of jammed nodes. We design a localization protocol using this technique, and demonstrate the feasibility of our mechanism by conducting indoor experiments based on IEEE 802.15.4 wireless nodes. Our result shows that for some situations our mechanism can be used to locate mobile nodes under jamming attack.
Biomaterial‐induced alterations of neutrophil superoxide production

Because periprosthetic infection remains a vexing problem for patients receiving implanted devices, we evaluated the effect of several materials on neutrophil free radical production. Human peripheral blood neutrophils were incubated with several sterile, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- free biomaterials used in surgically implantable prosthetic devices: polyurethane, woven dacron, and Velcro. Free radical formation as the superoxide (O2−) anion was evaluated by cytochrome c reduction in neutrophils that were exposed to the materials and then removed and in neutrophils allowed to remain in association with the materials. Neutrophils exposed to polyurethane or woven dacron for 30 or 60 min and then removed consistently exhibited an enhanced release of O2− after simulation via receptor engagement with formyl methionyl-leucyl- phenylalanine. Enhanced reactivity to stimulation via protein kinase C with phorbol myristate acetate, however, was not consistently observed. The cells evalu- ated for O2− release during continuous association with the biomaterials showed enhanced metabolic activity during short periods of association (especially with polyurethane and woven dacron). Although O2− release by neutrophils in association with these materials decreased with longer periods of incubation, it was not obliterated. These studies, therefore, show that several commonly used biomaterials activate neutrophils soon after exposure and that this activated state diminishes with prolonged exposure but nevertheless remains measurable. The diminishing level of activity with prolonged exposure, however, suggests that ultimately a depletion of reactivity may occur and may result in increased susceptibility to periprosthetic infection.
Seeing to hear? Patterns of gaze to speaking faces in children with autism spectrum disorders.

Using eye-tracking methodology, gaze to a speaking face was compared in a group of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and those with typical development (TD). Patterns of gaze were observed under three conditions: audiovisual (AV) speech in auditory noise, visual only speech and an AV non-face, non-speech control. Children with ASD looked less to the face of the speaker and fixated less on the speakers’ mouth than TD controls. No differences in gaze were reported for the non-face, non-speech control task. Since the mouth holds much of the articulatory information available on the face, these findings suggest that children with ASD may have reduced access to critical linguistic information. This reduced access to visible articulatory information could be a contributor to the communication and language problems exhibited by children with ASD.
A study of facetting of tungsten single crystal surfaces

Thermal faceting of tungsten single crystal surfaces in oxygen, using vibrating-capacitor work function probe with low energy electron diffraction
Once upon a paradigm an inquiry into the state of medical knowledge

Scientific knowledge does not grow by slow evolution, but by revolutionary transformation of its major paradigms. This paper describes the development of modern medical knowledge, with its emphasis on experimental science and technology, together with the limitations of its understanding. These limitations are grouped into five major anomalies (ecological, technological, economic, pastoral) which are significant enough to create a crisis in modern medical knowledge. The latter is unable to accommodate these and must undergo radical change of its major paradigms to develop into a new fundamental interpretation.
Personality and Behavioral Predictors of Pressure Ulcer History.

Purpose: To assess the relationship of psychological, environmental, and behavioral factors with pressure ulcers (PUs) in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: A total of 1,549 participants from a large rehabilitation hospital in the southeast United States answered questions regarding outcomes after SCI. Variables from each set of factors were entered sequentially into the model: (1) psychological and environmental, and (2) behavioral. Results: Forty-eight percent of participants reported having a PU in the past year. After entering behavioral variables into the model, all environmental and psychological variables became nonsignificant. Odds of having a PU increased 28% with each psychotropic medication taken weekly. Persons who smoked one or more packs of cigarettes daily had 2.82 times the odds of having a PU than persons who did not smoke. Increased hours out of bed were protective against PUs. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the importance of health behaviors in the occurrence of PUs af...
Twenty-four-hour rhythms in cerebral and brainstem contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine in a turtle, Pseudemys scripta elegans

1. 1. The concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine (= 5-HT) was measured in cerebrum and brainstem of 62 baby turtles (Pseudemys scripta elegans) maintained in a standard, artificial, daily photoperiod (04.00–18.00) and killed at ten different times during the 24 hr day. 2. 2. Neither the spontaneous motor activity of individual animals prior to sacrifice, nor the general periods of maximal and minimal activity of the colony could be correlated with statistically significant extremes in the concentrations of 5-HT in brain regions. This stands in contrast with previous findings from mammalian cerebral cortex and whole brain, and from arachnid brain and gut. 3. 3. Of greatest interest in the results is a sharp increase in brainstem 5-HT concentration (P < 0·05) at the time of the onset of darkness, and a less clear simultaneous decrease in cerebral 5-HT. The possibility is considered that this finding may reflect a darkness-induced involvement of a serotonergic brainstem afferent link to higher centers.
Efficient and scalable parallel reconstruction of sibling relationships from genetic data in wild populations

Wild populations of organism are often difficult to study in their natural settings. Often, it is possible to infer mating information about these species by genotyping the offspring and using the genetic information to infer sibling, and other kinship, relationships. While sibling reconstruction has been studied for a long time, none of the existing approaches have targeted scalability. In this paper, we introduce the first parallel approach to reconstructing sibling relationships from microsatellite markers. We use both functional and data domain decomposition to break down the problem and argue that this approach can be applied to other problems where columns are independent and simple constraint-based enumeration is required. We discuss algorithmic and implementation choices and their effects on results. We show that our approach is highly efficient and scalable.
Assessment of environmental exposures from agricultural pesticides in childhood leukaemia studies: challenges and opportunities

Pesticides are ubiquitous in environments of many rural communities due to drift from agricultural applications and home/garden use. Studies of childhood leukaemia predominantly relied on retrospective pesticide exposure assessment and parental recall of use or proximity to fields or pesticide applications. Sample size requirements mostly preclude the collection of individual-level exposure information, biomarkers or environmental measurements of pesticides prospectively in cohorts. Yet such measures can be used in nested case-control approaches or for validating exposure models that can be applied to large populations. Recently developed models incorporate geographic information system technology and environmental databases of pesticide and/or crop data to assess exposure. Models developed in California to estimate residential exposures are presented by linking addresses to agricultural pesticide application data and land-use maps. Results from exposure validation and simulation studies and exposure measurement error issues are discussed.
Genetic differentiation within the avian genus Columba

Abstract 1. 1. Horizontal gel electrophoresis of tissue proteins from an Old and a New World species of the genus Columba revealed that the two forms are not closely related. 2. 2. The Nei's unbiased genetic distance (0.46) between the two species of Columba is more similar to values obtained in comparisons among non-passerine genera rather than congeners.
Diagnostic performance of serial haematocrit measurements in identifying major injury in adult trauma patients.

Summary Determination of occult haemorrhage is an essential part of trauma assessment. We evaluated the diagnostic utility of decreasing haematocrit (ΔHct) in detecting major injury. Additionally, we tested the correlation between the volume of infused intravenous fluid (IVF) and ΔHct. Methods Prospective observational study at a level one trauma centre. Inclusion criteria: Patients with suspected major injury. Exclusion criteria: Patients who received blood transfusion in the first 4 h, and those who deceased or were transferred to other units before the completion of the observation period (4 h). We measured IVF and ΔHct at 4 h after triage. We classified patients as having minor or major injury on the basis of injury severity score ≥15. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was used to test the diagnostic performance of ΔHct in identifying major injury. We tested the operating characteristics of ΔHct cut-off values of 5 and 10 in detecting major injury. We also measured the correlation of IVF and ΔHct in a subgroup of patients with low potential for blood loss (ISS Results Four hundred and ninety-four patients (convenience sample) were enrolled (age 36 ± 17 years, 82% male, 57% blunt trauma). Sixty-three patients (13%) had major injury. The area under the ROC curve for ΔHct was not significantly different from the unity line ( p = 0.20). ΔHct-4 h > 5 points had a sensitivity of 40% (95% CI, 29–52%), specificity of 94% (95% CI, 92–96%), likelihood ratio for a positive test (LR+) of 7.1 (95% CI, 4.4–11.7), and likelihood ratio for a negative test (−LR) of 0.64 (95% CI, 0.52–0.78) in identifying major trauma. ΔHct-4 h > 10 points had sensitivity of 16% (95% CI, 9–27%), specificity of 95% (95% CI, 92–0.96%), +LR of 3.0 (95% CI, 1.5–5.9), and –LR of 0.89 (95% CI, 0.80–0.99). In our subgroup analysis, we detected no significant correlation ( p = 0.09) between the IVF and ΔHct-4 h. Conclusions ΔHct-4 h > 5 or 10 points is suggestive of major injury (high specificity and +LR). However, the failure to drop the Hct cannot be used to rule out major injury (low sensitivity and −LR).
Effects of introspection on attitude-behavior consistency: Analyzing reasons versus focusing on feelings

Abstract One type of thought, focusing on attitudes, has been found to increase attitude-behavior consistency, while another, analyzing reasons for feelings, has been found to reduce consistency. It is not clear whether these varying results were due to the different types of introspection performed or to other differences between the studies, such as the initial accessibility of the attitude. We assessed the effects of both kinds of introspection in two experiments in which attitude accessibility was held constant. Study 1 was a field experiment where people waiting in line at a college dining hall either analyzed the reasons for their attitudes toward different types of beverages, focused on their attitudes, or received no instructions to introspect in any way. The attitude measure was reported liking for the beverages, while the behavioral measure was the amount of each beverage subjects drank with their dinners. Study 2 included the same analyze, focus, and control conditions in a laboratory study where the attitude object was a set of five puzzles. The attitude measure was reported interest in the puzzles, while the behavioral measure was the proportion of puzzles subjects played with in a free-play period. In both studies analyzing reasons reduced attitude-behavior consistency relative to the correlations in the focusing and control conditions.
In-situ analysis of Pb isotope ratios using laser ablation MC-ICP-MS: Controls on precision and accuracy and comparison between Faraday cup and ion counting systems

This contribution compares in-situlaser ablation multicollector ICP-MS (LA-MC-ICP-MS) measurements of Pb isotope composition using parallel Faraday cup and ion counter detector array to those made using solely Faraday cups. In the former configuration ion counting is used for the low abundance isotope 204Pb as well as 200Hg and 202Hg isotopes required for correction of isobaric interference of 204Hg. Accurate measurement of the differences in gain between ion counters and Faraday cups, required for determination of 208Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb and 206Pb/204Pb ratios using ion counting, can be made by analysis of standard glasses to within ±0.3% (2s). For analyses made using Faraday cups or combined Faraday cup and ion counting detector arrays mass bias is effectively controlled by external normalization to 208Pb/206Pb ratios measured in the same standard glasses. Provided that He sweep gas flow rates are kept constant and that adequate time is allowed for stabilization after changes in He flow, mass bias can be controlled to within ±0.05% (2s). The precision of measurements of Pb isotope ratios is strongly dependent on ion beam intensities. Internal precision of ≤ 0.02% (2se) on 208Pb/206Pb and 207Pb/206Pb ratios requires ∑Pb ion beam intensity of > ∼30–50 mV. At beam intensities ∼200 mV, equivalent to ∼100 000 counts per second (cps) 204Pb. Correction for 204Hg interference does not substantially contribute to uncertainty as long as 204Hg comprises less than ∼20% of the total 204 ion beam.
A Covenantal Christology

One of the major theological questions confronting the post-Nostra Aetate Church is how to relate the Christian conviction in the universal saving significance of Jesus Christ with the affirmation of the permanence of Israel’s covenanting with God. The meanings of covenant, salvation, and the Christ-event are all topics that must be considered. This paper proposes that covenant, understood in a theological and relational sense as a human sharing in God’s life, provides a useful Christological and soteriological perspective. Jesus, faithful son of Israel and Son of God, is presented as covenantally unifying in himself the sharing-in-life between God and Israel and also the essential relationality of God. The Triune God’s covenanting with Israel and the Church is seen as drawing humanity into an ever-deepening relationship with God through the Logos and in the Spirit, with both Israel and the Church having distinct duties in this relational process before God and the world.
Development Of The Modular Infra-Red Target Imaging Model (MIRTIM)

The Modular Infra-Red Target Imaging Model (MIRTIM)is being developed at Rockwell MSD to assist in the design, development, and evaluation of IIR seekers and trackers. The goal of this effort is to produce a computer program that integrates target, weather, engagement, countermeasure, and seeker characteristics, including sensor and optics to determine anticipated seeker performance. The MIRTIM database will include 3-D ground and air target models with surface temperatures generated with the TACOM/KRC code PRISM, GTSIG from the Georgia Tech Research Institute, and Rockwell MSD's own AIRSIG Program. The weather effects database is obtained with the EOSAEL program library from the U.S. Army's Atmospheric Sciences Laboratory. Engagement, countermeasure, and seeker options are concerned primarily with tactical missile applications and focal plane array seekers. The Focal Plane Arrays are those developed by Rockwell International - Science Center, using their own Producible Alternative to Cadium Telluride Epitaxy (PAE) technology. These arrays have been shown to be an effective solution for tactical missile guidance. This modeling technology effort began in FY85.
Effects of terbutaline on cardiac automaticity and contractility.

: The effects of terbutaline, a sympathomimetic amine with predominantly β2-agonist properties, on cardiac automaticity and contractility were studied. For isolated rabbit right atria, terbutaline, 1 × 10−9 to 1 × 10−5M, was significantly less potent than isoproterenol. The maximum increase in heart rate induced by terbutaline was 45 ± 17 beats/min, that by isoproterenol, 120 ± 9 beats/min. For canine Purkinje fibers, terbutaline had less effect on spontaneous rate than isoproterenol; maximum increases above control were 9.5 ± 2.5 and 18.6 ± 7.0 beats/min, respectively. For isolated feline ventricular muscle, terbutaline, 1 × 10−9 to 1 × 10−6M, was significantly less potent than isoproterenol in increasing peak developed tension and the rate of tension development. Superfusion with Tyrode's solution containing terbutaline, 1 × 10−7M, plus graded concentrations of isoproterenol, 1 × 10−9 to 1 × 10−6M, resulted in responses which were less than those observed when isoproterenol alone was super-fused. Maximal effects of isoproterenol plus terbutaline were equivalent to those of isoproterenol alone. These results suggest that terbutaline is less potent then isoproterenol in its effect on cardiac contractility and automaticity and explain the clinical observation that terbutaline is less toxic than isoproterenol in its effects on cardiac rhythm and contraction when administered for the treatment of bronchial asthma.
Clustering of AMPA receptors by the synaptic PDZ domain-containing protein PICK1.

Abstract Synaptic clustering of neurotransmitter receptors is crucial for efficient signal transduction and integration in neurons. PDZ domain–containing proteins such as PSD-95/SAP90 interact with the intracellular C termini of a variety of receptors and are thought to be important in the targeting and anchoring of receptors to specific synapses. Here, we show that PICK1 (protein interacting with C kinase), a PDZ domain–containing protein, interacts with the C termini of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors in vitro and in vivo. In neurons, PICK1 specifically colocalizes with AMPA receptors at excitatory synapses. Furthermore, PICK1 induces clustering of AMPA receptors in heterologous expression systems. These results suggest that PICK1 may play an important role in the modulation of synaptic transmission by regulating the synaptic targeting of AMPA receptors.
Long-term results of heart transplantation in patients older than 60 years

Abstract Background Advanced age has been traditionally considered a relative contraindication for heart transplantation. Older patients are now considered as potential candidates for heart transplantation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term results of heart transplantation in patients older than 60 years. Methods Between 1986 and 2001, 81 patients aged between 60 and 70 years (mean, 63 ± 2 years) underwent heart transplantation. These patients were compared with 403 adult recipients younger than 60 years (mean, 47 ± 11 years) who underwent transplantation during the same period. Results Thirty-day mortality was 6% (5/81) and 6% (25/403) in the older and younger patients, respectively ( P = NS). Actuarial survival at 1, 5, and 10 years was 88% ± 4% versus 83% ± 2%, 75% ± 5% versus 69% ± 2%, and 50% ± 9% versus 51% ± 3% in the older and younger patients, respectively ( P = NS). Older patients had significantly fewer rejection episodes ( P = .003). Freedom from allograft coronary artery disease at 1, 5, and 10 years was 98% ± 2% versus 92% ± 2%, 85% ± 6% versus 76% ± 3%, and 81% ± 7% versus 68% ± 3% ( P = .1). The incidences of infectious complication, cytomegalovirus infection, and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder were similar between the 2 groups, but older recipients were more likely to have a nonposttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder cancer ( P = .002). Age at transplantation was not identified as an independent risk factor for early and late death. Conclusion Heart transplantation in selected patients aged 60 years and older results in survival comparable with that of younger patients. Older patients have a lower risk of rejection but an increased risk of development of a nonposttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder cancer. Advanced age per se should not be considered as an exclusion criterion for transplantation.
Structure and morphology of sol-gel prepared polymer-ceramic composite thin films

Abstract Poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV)-silica composite thin films were prepared via the sol-gel process incorporating a water-soluble PPV precursor. After solvent evaporation, the spin-coated or quiescently cast films were cured and the PPV precursor and the silica sol were completely converted into the PPV-silica composites. Quiescently cast films show an improved wave-guiding behaviour with a χ3 value only slightly smaller than pure PPV films. Their structure consists of a nanophase-separated morphology composed of amorphous silica and paracrystalline PPV. Small-angle X-ray scattering and bright field transmission electron microscopy images indicate a random arrangement of the nanoscale domains with average domain size of approximately 4 nm. In contrast, spin-coated films show clusters and cluster-cluster aggregates approximately 100 nm in diameter. The clusters consist of particulate silica and pores, each about 3 nm in size, with the PPV contained in the pores and between the clusters. The observed morphologies are related to film preparation conditions in terms of sol-gel processing, taking the presence of the polymer into account.
The diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

Abstract Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) are rare non-Hodgkin's lymphomas with a dominant T-cell clone. Mycosis fungoides and the Sezary syndrome are the most common forms, with approximately 1000 cases yearly. The median age at onset is 55 years, and the male predominance is 2:1. The etiology of mycosis fungoides is unknown. Infectious, genetic, and environmental sources have been proposed. Mycosis fungoides typically presents as patches or plaques that may progress to tumors over time. The Sezary syndrome is the leukemic variant of CTCL characterized by lymphadenopathy, generalized erythroderma, and severe pruritus. As the severity of involvement increases, spread to extracutaneous sites may occur. Diagnosis relies primarily on skin biopsy with routine histologic evaluation. Presently, there is no cure for CTCL. Current treatment includes topical therapy, phototherapy, radiation therapy, systemic chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. The most reliable predictors of response to therapy are the stage of disease and the presence of extracutaneous involvement. (Curr Prob Dermatol 2001;13:301-40.) Curr Probl Dermatol 2001;13:301-40.
Plasma leakage velocity through a low-β line cusp

Abstract The plasma leakage velocity through a low-β line cusp measured by a double Langmuir probe is shown to be slightly less than the ion acoustic speed.
Cost-effectiveness of intraoperative imaging in carotid endarterectomy.

Objective There has never been a large, randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of intraoperative imaging on the success of carotid endarterectomy (CEA). This comparison involves cost-effectiveness analysis. Methods We constructed a decision-analytic model to compare effectiveness and costs of intraoperative ultrasound (IUS) and completion angiography as adjuncts to CEA. Data on procedural mortality, morbidity, and costs were obtained from the English-language literature. The review included a total of 52 reports, encompassing more than 22,000 patients. The main components of costs were those of the monitoring interventions and the care of perioperative stroke. Results Mean perioperative outcome without completion imaging is approximately 96.7% of what it would be in the absence of perioperative stroke or death. IUS and completion angiography each result in approximately 2% improvement in expected outcome. Mean perioperative costs are 396.50 dollars for IUS, 721.30 dollars for no monitoring, and 840.90 dollars for completion angiography. Because IUS is significantly more effective at detecting technical errors that would likely result in perioperative stroke than no imaging and is significantly less costly than angiography, this strategy dominates the other two (i.e., it provides greater effectiveness at lower cost). Conclusion Although surgical complications are uncommon, IUS substantially lowers the rate of perioperative stroke and mortality and thus is significantly more cost-effective than either completion angiography or no operative imaging.
Accurate ranking of CH4·(H2O)20 clusters with the density functional theory supplemental potential approach

By providing a customized empirical correction to density functional theory (DFT), the recently developed DFT-supplemental potential (SP) approach can provide a post-Hartree–Fock quality potential energy surface at the cost of DFT. The performance of DFT-SP is validated by calculating binding energies of small methane--water clusters. The method is used to rank several CH4·(H2O)20 minima previously identified by Hartke. The more accurate DFT-SP approach identifies methane on edge-sharing pentagonal prisms as the lowest energy configuration. The methane-centered-dodecahedron cage is less stable than the lowest minimum studied in this work by 6.2 kcal/mol.
Examination of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lasI regulation and 3-oxo-C12-homoserine lactone production using a heterologous Escherichia coli system

In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the signaling molecule 3-oxo-C12-homoserine lactone (3OC12HSL) is synthesized by LasI, and lasI transcription is positively regulated by LasR. A heterologous model has been generated for the study of the LasRI/3OC12HSL regulatory network in Escherichia coli. Escherichia coli pAHL-BAC cultures produced LasI-synthesized acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) at levels and with kinetics similar to what is observed in cultures of P. aeruginosa strain PAO1. Analysis of the lasI transcript also showed similar induction profiles in both the E. coli pAHL-BAC strain and P. aeruginosa. Transposon mutagenesis of pAHL-BAC confirmed that transcriptional regulation by LasR is necessary for 3OC12HSL production, and showed that artificially increasing lasI transcript levels leads to higher levels of 3OC12HSL. Previous studies have shown that P. aeruginosa 3OC12HSL inhibits hypha formation, but not growth, in Candida albicans, and the E. coli pAHL-BAC similarly inhibited filamentation when grown in coculture with the fungus. It is proposed that this system will be useful for the study of factors that impact lasI regulation and 3OC12HSL production, and for the examination of the role of LasI-produced AHLs in bacterial interactions with other organisms.
Patient satisfaction with primary medical care. Evaluation of sociodemographic and predispositional factors.

As patient satisfaction has been demonstrated to influence certain health-related behaviors (e.g., compliance with medical regimens and use of medical services), research has attempted to identify its key determinants. Although the influence of patient characteristics often has been studied, attention has been focused on sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., age and sex) rather than attitudinal or situational factors (e.g., confidence in the medical care system and feelings of internal control) that may predispose one toward satisfaction with care received. Data to test the relative importance of these types of determinants were collected in a general household survey of 400 persons. The patient satisfaction scale developed and tested by Roghmann and his colleagues using nonmetric multidimensional scaling was used. Multiple regression analysis was performed on the data. Results show that certain predispositional factors (confidence in the community's medical care system, having a regular source of care, and being satisfied with life in general) are more important predictors of patient satisfaction than patient's age, sex, race, educational attainment, or income.
Encapsulation of ion pairs in extended, self-assembled structures.

Encapsulation of ion pairs in small spaces that are isolated from the medium is expected to result in amplified interactions between the ions. Yet, sequestration of ion pairs in self-assembled capsules is complicated by competition of the acids and bases for binding directly to the assembly components. We describe here a hydrogen-bonded capsule 1.28.1 that accommodates two γ-picolines and two acids as ion pairs. The supramolecular structure of the discrete 14-component assembly is characterized by NMR spectroscopy. The structure reveals the acids in the tapered ends of the capsule and γ-picoliniums near the glycoluril spacers in the capsule’s center. Similar acid–base ion pairs are also obtained with 4-ethylpyridine, γ-picoline with difluoroacetic acid, and γ-picoline with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid. The 1H NMR spectrum of the γ-picoline/trifluoroacetic acid ion pair shows a signal at δ = 18.7 ppm, indicating the acidic proton is in contact with both the picoline nitrogen and the trifluoroacetate oxyge...
An Approach to Teaching About Diversity in American Communities

This article demonstrates an approach to incorporating newspaper reports into traditional teaching about American communities. Newspaper feature articles are summarized within a conceptual framework, illustrating ways in which the popular press can be used to examine issues of community ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity and community change.
Glycoprotein E (gE) specified by bovine herpesvirus type 5 (BHV-5) enables trans-neuronal virus spread and neurovirulence without being a structural component of enveloped virions

Bovine herpesvirus 5 (BHV-5) is a neurovirulent alpha-herpesvirus that causes fatal encephalitis in calves. We previously demonstrated that deletion of a glycine-rich epitope in the gE ectodomain dramatically reduced BHV-5 neurovirulence. To investigate the role of gE cytoplasmic tail sequences in the neuropathogenesis of BHV-5 in rabbits, we constructed a BHV-5gE recombinant virus with a short residual cytoplasmic domain lacking the YXXL motifs and the acidic (BHV-5gEAm480). In vitro, BHV-5gEAm480 produced on the average smaller plaques, compared with wild-type BHV-5, but it produced on the average substantially larger plaques than the gE ORF-deleted BHV-5. The truncated gE was not phosphorylated, and was not endocytosed from the cell surface. Importantly, the truncated gE was not incorporated into enveloped infectious virions, but its glycosylation and interaction with gI were not affected. In a rabbit model of infection, the BHV-5gEAm480 remained highly virulent, while the gE-null virus was avirulent. The gEAm480 mutant virus invaded most of the central nervous system (CNS) structures that are invaded by the wild-type BHV-5. The number of neurons infected by BHV-5gEAm480 was very similar to the number infected by BHV-5 wild-type and gEAm480-rescued viruses. Collectively, the results suggest that gE functions in transsynaptic transmission of BHV-5 and neurovirulence without being a structural component of the virion particle.
Stability of Juncus roemerianus patches in a salt marsh.

In a Virginia (USA) marsh undergoing transgression due to rising sea level, we examined the stability of the boundary between nearly monotypic patches ofJuncus roemerianus and adjacent plant communities for 6 years. Patch stability was evaluated by examining interannual changes in 5 cover classes:J. roemerianus, Spartina alterniflora, S. patens, Distichlis spicata, and wrack. Patches were chosen at four sites ranging from a low marsh site with mineral soil that receives semidiurnal estuarine flooding to a high marsh site with organic rich soil that receives only storm-induced flooding from the estuary. The semidiurnally flooded site in the low marsh was the only one losingJ. roemerianus cover and had largest interannual variations in wrack and bare soil. At a high marsh site near a tidal creek, incidence of wrack cover was high and patchy but apparently insufficient to reduce cover ofJ. roemerianus. At the two sites with infrequent estuarine flooding because of distance from tidal creeks, wrack was virtually absent and patches ofJ. roemerianus expanded. Patch expansion at one of these sites occurred even though the marsh subsided, and coverage by the three other species decreased over the course of the study. Overall,J. roemerianus patches appeared quite stable, with declines associated with wrack disturbance at the site that had the deepest and most frequent tidal flooding. Patch stability is due in part to the wide tolerance ofJ. roemerianus for hydroperiod and salinity.
War as metaphor in La Princesse de Montpensier

La guerre impregne le drame interieur des personnages. Elle donne le ton, determine les themes et faconne la structure de l'oeuvre.
Most Short-Hard Gamma-Ray Bursts Are Not in Moderately Bright Nearby Host Galaxies

The recent discovery by the Swift and HETE-2 satellites of X-ray afterglows from five short-hard bursts (SHBs) has lead to a simple picture in which SHBs have a typical isotropic burst energy of around 1050 ergs and in which the bursters are in normal L* host galaxies at nearby distances with redshifts of around 0.2. In this Letter, I compare this simple picture with evidence from five SHBs detected in 1978-1979, for which their observed median peak fluxes were ~100 times brighter than the 2005 events and for which their positional error regions are empty of galaxies to deeper limits than the associated galaxies for the 2005 events. For example, GRB 790406 had a peak flux of 5 × 10-5 ergs s-1, and its error box is empty to 23.29 mag; GRB 050509B had a peak flux of 2 × 10-7 ergs s-1, and its associated galaxy is 18.60 mag. Independent of redshift for either set of SHBs, the set from 1978 to 1979 has a ratio of burst luminosity to host galaxy luminosity that differs by almost 2 orders of magnitude when compared with the set from 2005. A Student's t-test produces a probability of less than 2.7% that the two sets are drawn from the same parent population. The explanation for the very different properties of the two sets of SHBs might be due to (1) chance coincidence in the 2005 associations, (2) two different populations, (3) the ejection of the progenitors from their original galaxy, and (4) a very broad burst luminosity function. Each of these four explanations has problems, and the true explanation is likely some combination of these.
Concordance and discordance between measured and perceived balance and the effect on gait speed and falls following stroke

Objective:To ascertain the existence of discordance between perceived and measured balance in persons with stroke and to examine the impact on walking speed and falls.Design:A secondary analysis of a phase three, multicentered randomized controlled trial examining walking recovery following stroke.Subjects:A total of 352 participants from the Locomotor Experience Applied Post-Stroke (LEAPS) trial.Methods:Participants were categorized into four groups: two concordant and two discordant groups in relation to measured and perceived balance. Number and percentage of individuals with concordance and discordance were evaluated at two and 12 months. Walking speed and fall incidence between groups were examined.Main measures:Perceived balance was measured by the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence scale, measured balance was determined by the Berg Balance Scale and gait speed was measured by the 10-meter walk test.Results:Discordance was present for 35.8% of participants at two months post stroke with no stati...
A survey of dermatophytes isolated from human patients in the United States from 1982 to 1984.

A survey of dermatophytes isolated from patients seeking medical advice was made from 1982 to 1984 in the United States. The survey included 59 locations with data from 49 cities and one state. Listing of the isolated dermatophytes and the frequency given by percentage of total follows: Trichophyton rubrum 46.8%, T. tonsurans 33.3%, T. mentagrophytes 10.1%, Microsporum canis 4.5%, Epidermophyton floccosum 3,5%, M. gypseum and T. verrucosum both 0.7%, M. audouinii and T. terrestre both 0.1%, and T. violaceum 0.06%. No isolations of M. ferrugineum or T. schoenleinii were reported.
Mass Accuracy and Isotopic Abundance Measurements for HR-MS Instrumentation: Capabilities for Non-Targeted Analyses

The development of automated non-targeted workflows for small molecule analyses is highly desirable in many areas of research and diagnostics. Sufficient mass and chromatographic resolution is necessary for the detectability of compounds and subsequent componentization and interpretation of ions. The mass accuracy and relative isotopic abundance are critical in correct molecular formulae generation for unknown compounds. While high-resolution instrumentation provides accurate mass information, sample complexity can greatly influence data quality and the measurement of compounds of interest. Two high-resolution instruments, an Orbitrap and a Q-TOF, were evaluated for mass accuracy and relative isotopic abundance with various concentrations of a standard mixture in four complex sample matrices. The overall average ± standard deviation of the mass accuracy was 1.06 ± 0.76 ppm and 1.62 ± 1.88 ppm for the Orbitrap and the Q-TOF, respectively; however, individual measurements were ± 5 ppm for the Orbitrap and greater than 10 ppm for the Q-TOF. Relative isotopic abundance measurements for A + 1 were within 5% of the theoretical value if the intensity of the monoisotopic peak was greater than 1E7 for the Orbitrap and 1E5 for the Q-TOF, where an increase in error is observed with a decrease in intensity. Furthermore, complicating factors were found in the data that would impact automated data analysis strategies, including coeluting species that interfere with detectability and relative isotopic abundance measurements. The implications of these findings will be discussed with an emphasis on reasonable expectations from these instruments, guidelines for experimental workflows, data analysis considerations, and software design for non-targeted analyses.
Gross morphology and predictability for survival of 4‐day rabbit embryos following heat‐stress during the first cleavage division

Rabbit embryos were subjected to heat-stress during the first cleavage division. Those embryos to be heat-stressed in vitro were recovered at 19 hours after mating and incubated at either 38° or 40°C for six hours, then returned to the original doe. Others were heat-stressed in vivo by subjecting the doe to a temperature of either 21° or 32°C for 28 hours beginning four hours before mating. Four days after mating embryos were recovered and scored for normality. Those which appeared to be normal were deposited into one uterine horn and the others were deposited into the opposite horn of a synchronous pseudopregnant recipient. Numbers of implantation sites and living fetuses were determined twelve days after mating. There was a significant (P < 0.01) reduction in the proportion of ova which cleaved in vitro but no difference due to incubation temperature. Four days after mating significantly (P < 0.01) fewer of the embryos exposed to the higher temperature were classified as normal (49% and 45% vs 87% and 74% for ova stressed in vivo or in vitro, respectively). Of the embryos classified normal, 96% and 91% implanted in the 21° and 32°C group, respectively. But 50% of the abnormal embryos also formed implant sites in the 32°C group, however, only 12% of these sites contained a viable fetus. The proportion of embryos forming implantation sites or viable fetuses depended upon the amount of stress that the embryo had been subjected to early in its development. Morphology of a 4-day old embryo is not indicative of its ability for subsequent survival.
Optimal recursive estimation with uncertain observation

In classical estimation theory, the observation is always assumed to contain the signal to be estimated. In practice, certain observations, or sequences of observations, may contain noise alone, only the probability of occurrence of such cases being available to the estimator. An example is trajectory tracking where the signal is first detected and then the estimator is allowed to process it for tracking purposes. However, any detection decision is associated with a false-alarm probability, which is the probability that the detected signal contains only noise. Minimum mean-square estimators are derived for two different forms of this problem; 1) when it is possible that the observation at any sample time contains signal or is noise alone, independent of the situation at any other sample, and 2) when the entire sequence of observations contains signal or is only noise. The estimators derived are of recursive form. A simple example is given for illustration.
Some Empirical Dimensions of Countertrade

This paper discusses some of the recent theories of why countries impose countertrade obligations and compares some of the implications of these theories with data obtained from a comprehensive database of countertrade transactions.