cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The prevalence and clinical significance of fetal tricuspid valve regurgitation with normal heart anatomy.

Objective: Our purpose was to assess the prevalence, cause, and clinical significance of fetal tricuspid valve regurgitation in structurally normal hearts during indicated fetal echocardiographic examination. Study Design: The prevalence of fetal tricuspid regurgitation was retrospectively evaluated in a group of 733 singleton fetuses referred for routine fetal echocardiography. Results: The prevalence of this abnormality was 6.8%. Tricuspid valve regurgitation was most frequent in the group referred for fetal echocardiography to evaluate indomethacin exposure, followed by maternal diabetes. Factors associated with tricuspid valve regurgitation included ductal constriction, abnormal heart rhythm, atrial septa] aneurysm, congestive heart failure, pericardial effusion, myocardial hypertrophy, and extracardiac malformations. Fetal tricuspid valve regurgitation was trivial in 80% (nonholosystolic, maximum velocity Conclusions: Fetal tricuspid valve regurgitation with normal heart anatomy was a frequent finding during indicated fetal echocardiographic examination and may indicate abnormal physiologic characteristics (increased preload or afterload, myocardial impairment, or arrhythmia). In the majority of cases (92%) the possible cause may be established. In other cases (80%) there may be “idiopathic” tricuspid valve regurgitation.
Characteristic time scales of velocity and pressure events

Numerical and wind tunnel simulations of full-scale wind loads on structures are usually performed at a lower Reynolds number and different turbulence parameters. One way to assess the validity of such simulations is through matching magnitudes, duration and/or spectral characteristics of simulated pressure peaks with full-scale data. Because wavelet analysis provides a time/frequency decomposition, it has been proposed as an analysis tool for the intermittent and transient pressure peaks. This work aims at answering the question as to whether different wavelets yield the same-scale decomposition of pressure peaks and velocity events and could, thus, be used as a tool for the analysis of extreme loads on structures. The results show that, by isolating the peaks or events with a modified Gaussian window prior to applying the wavelet transform, the dependence of the measured time scale on different wavelet functions is reduced. The time scales of the pressure peak and the velocity event are estimated to be about the same indicating that one contributing factor, at the peak scale, to the pressure peak lies in the variation of the incoming flow at the same scale.
2-Descent on the Jacobians of Hyperelliptic Curves

Abstract Let J be the Jacobian of the hyperelliptic curve Y 2 = ƒ( X ) over a field K of characteristic 0, where ƒ has odd degree. We shall present an embedding of the group J ( K )/2 J ( K ) into the group L */ L * 2 where L = K [ T ]/ƒ( T ). Since this embedding is derived from the coboundary map of Galois cohomology, it can be used to compute a 2-descent for the Jacobian. We will use this embedding to compute J ( Q )/2 J ( Q ) for a rank-2 Jacobian of a hyperelliptic curve of genus 3.
MULTI-TECHNIQUE APPROACH TO MEASURE SIZE AND TIME RESOLVED ATMOSPHERIC AND RADIONUCLIDE AEROSOLS

Accurate quantifications of aerosol components are crucial to predict global atmospheric transport models. Recently developed International Monitoring System (IMS) network represents an opportunity to enhance comprehensive systematic aerosol observations on a global scale because it provides a global infrastructure. As such, a local pilot study utilizing several state-of-the-art instruments has been conducted at the peak of the Rattlesnake Mountain, Washington, USA, during three month periods (June-August) in 2003 to explore this opportunity. In this study, routine aerosol samples were collected using a 3-stage Cascade Impactor Beam Analyzer (0.07 to 2.5 µm) with time resolution about 6 hours on long Teflon strips while radionuclide aerosols were collected using Radionuclide aerosol sampler/analyzer (RASA) developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The elemental composition and hydrogen concentration were measured using proton induced x-ray emission (PIXE) and proton elastic scattering analysis (PESA), respectively. In addition, short and long-lived radionuclides that exist in nature were measured with same time resolution (6 hours) using RASA. In this method, high-resolution gamma-ray spectra were analyzed for radionuclide concentration. Combination of trace radioactive and non-radioactive element analysis in aerosols makes this investigation unique.
Theoretical reconstruction of myotonia and paralysis caused by incomplete inactivation of sodium channels.

Muscle fibers from individuals with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis generate repetitive trains of action potentials (myotonia) or large depolarizations and block of spike production (paralysis) when the extracellular K+ is elevated. These pathologic features are thought to arise from mutations of the sodium channel alpha subunit which cause a partial loss of inactivation (steady-state Popen approximately 0.02, compared to
Interferon-resistant cell line lacks fatty acid cyclooxygenase activity

A clone of L1210 mouse leukemia cells selected for resistance to both the antiviral and anticellular properties of mouse interferon were essentially devoid of fatty acid cyclooxygenase activity. Experiments in which broken cell preparations were mixed or the two cell types were cultivated together failed to indicate the presence of a diffusible enzyme inhibitor. Fatty acid lipoxygenase activity of similar magnitude was detectable in both cell types. A selective impairment of fatty acid cyclooxygenase in interferon-resistant cells is consistent with recently described data suggesting that this enzyme may play a crucial role in mediating the antiviral and anticellular effects of interferon.
Sequence analysis of a DNA fragment from Buchnera aphidicola (an endosymbiont of aphids) containing genes homologous to dnaG, rpoD, cysE, and secB

Abstract The aphid, Schizaphis graminum , contains a prokaryotic, obligately intracellular endosymbiont, Buchnera aphidicola , which is necessary for the survival of the host. A recent study of Bu. aphidicola 16S rRNA has indicated that it is a member of the gamma-3 subdivision of the eubacterial class, Proteobacteria, which includes Escherichia coli . In order to further characterize the endosymbiont and establish its similarity to free-living eubacteria and/or organelles, we have cloned and sequenced a 4534-bp DNA fragment containing dnaG-rpoD-cysE-secB . The deduced amino acid (aa) sequence identity to the homologous E. coli proteins ranged from 47 to 80%. The close proximity of the pair, dnaG-rpoD , to the pair, cysE-secB , on the Bu. aphidicola DNA, differed from E. coli , in which these two pairs of genes are 14 min apart on the bacterial chromosome. The results of past physiological studies of the endosymbiont were consistent with the presence and function of DNA primase (DnaG), σ factor (RpoD) and components of the secretory system (SecB). Comparison of the deduced aa sequence of Bu. aphidicola CysE (serine acetyltransferase, a key allosterically regulated enzyme in cysteine biosynthesis) with the E. coli wild-type enzyme and a mutant defective in feedback inhibition suggested that the endosymbiont CysE may not be regulated. By analogy with E. coli , the lack of feedback inhibition may lead to overproduction of cysteine by the endosymbiont. The results of this and previous investigations indicate that Bu. aphidicola has many of the properties of free-living bacteria and not of organelles.
Histological findings of birdshot chorioretinopathy in an eye with ciliochoroidal melanoma

To describe the histological findings of birdshot chorioretinopathy. This is a case study of a single patient who has both birdshot chorioretinopathy and ciliochoroidal melanoma. A 55-year-old woman who was HLA-A29 positive and had birdshot chorioretinopathy had a large ciliochoroidal melanoma (T4b N0 M0) and underwent enucleation. Using histopathology, we hope to further define the pathological findings in an eye with both birdshot chorioretinopathy and coexistant ciliochoroidal melanomas. The eye showed a ciliochoroidal melanoma. In addition, elsewhere, there were multiple choroidal nodules of lymphocytes that showed the presence of CD3-positive cells, which also stained for CD4 or CD8. There were only a few CD20-positive B cells and rare CD68-positive histiocytes. No granulomas were present. To our knowledge, there are only two previous reports describing the histological findings in birdshot chorioretinopathy: one that was HLA-A29 negative showing choroidal granulomas and another that was HLA-A29 positive exhibiting histological findings similar to our case. Incidentally, the latter case had a history of cutaneous melanoma. Birdshot chorioretinopathy is a nongranulomatous nodular infiltration of the choroid.
The drosophila 74EF early puff contains E74 a complex ecdysone-inducible gene that encodes two ets-related proteins

Abstract We have isolated an ecdysone-inducible gene, E74 , from the early puff at position 74EF in the Drosophila polytene chromosomes. We show that E74 consists of three nested transcription units that derive from unique promoters but share a single polyadenylation site. The 60 kb E74A unit is directly induced by ecdysone and leads to the synthesis of a 6.0 kb mRNA that contains an unusually long 5′ leader (1891 nucleotides) with 17 short ORFs. Within the fifth of the seven E74A introns are two E74B promoters that direct the synthesis of 4.8 and 5.1 kb mRNAs. The nested arrangement of these transcription units leads to the formation of two E74 proteins, each with a unique N-terminal domain joined to a common C-terminal domain. The unique N-terminal domains contain regions rich in acidic amino acids while the C-terminal domain is rich in basic amino acids and is very similar to proteins encoded by the ets proto-oncogene superfamily.
Effects of Lead In Vivo and In Vitro on GABAergic Neurochemistry

: Alterations in aspects of neurotransmission utilizing -γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are associated with in vivo exposure of rats to lead at doses that do not produce convulsions, but sensitize animals to convulsant agents. These effects are observed regionally and include: decreased GABA levels in cerebellum; increased activity of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) in caudate; and decreased GABA release (both resting and K+-stimulated) in cortex, caudate, cerebellum and substantia nigra. Sodium-dependent uptake of GABA by synaptosomes of cerebellum, substantia nigra and caudate was also affected: in these regions, affinity (Km) was increased and maximal velocity (Vmax) was reduced. Sodium-independent binding of GABA to synaptic membranes was increased in cerebellum, but was observed only when tissue was Tritonized and prepared without freezing and washing. No effects on GAD or on GABA uptake, release, or binding were observed when lead was added to brain tissue in vitro in concentrations as high as 100 μM. The results suggest that lead may produce chronic inhibition of presynaptic GABAergic function, notably in the cerebellum, which is associated with supersensitivity of postsynaptic GABA receptors. Failure of lead to affect GABAergic function in vitro may indicate that these effects are secondary to another neurotoxic action of lead in the CNS or are consequent to a nonneuronal metabolic action of lead.
Anatomic study of the prechiasmatic sulcus and its surgical implications

To address a lack of anatomical descriptions in the literature regarding the prechiasmatic sulcus, we conducted an anatomical study of this sulcal region and discuss its clinical relevance to cranial base surgery. Our systematic morphometric analysis includes the variable types of chiasmatic sulcus and a classification schema that has surgical implications. We examined the sulcal region in 100 dry skulls; bony relationships measured included the interoptic distance, sulcal length/width, planum sphenoidale length, and sulcal angle. The varied anatomy of the prechiasmatic sulcii was classified as four types in combinations of wide to narrow, steep to flat. Its anterior border is the limbus sphenoidale at the posterior aspect of the planum sphenoidale. The sulcus extends posteriorly to the tuberculum sellae and laterally to the posteromedial aspect of each optic strut. Averages included an interoptic distance (19.3 +/- 2.4 mm), sulcal length (7.45 +/- 1.27 mm), planum sphenoidale length (19 +/- 2.35 mm), and sulcal angle (31 +/- 14.2 degrees). Eighteen percent of skulls had a chiasmatic ridge, a bony projection over the chiasmatic sulcus. The four types of prechiasmatic sulcus in our classification hold potential surgical relevance. Near the chiasmatic ridge, meningiomas may be hidden from the surgeon's view during a subfrontal or pterional approach. Preoperative evaluation by thin-cut CT scans of this region can help detect this ridge.
ON THE INTERACTION OF PHOTOSYSTEMS I AND II IN ALGAL CELLS

— Steady-state relaxation spectrophotometry was applied to intact algal cells. The results indicated System I operates in a cyclic manner, only indirectly affected by the presence or absence of oxygen evolution. This action in whole cells is distinct from that occurring in chloroplasts, where System I appears tightly coupled to System II. No evidence was found for the oxidation of cytochrome by P700. Fluorescence emission measurements on intact cells emphasized the role of membrane permeability agents in controlling the emission yield. Large changes in the yield caused by Systems I and II could be observed in the presence of these agents. In sum, the results proved complex and were difficult to resolve in any simple scheme but emphasized the possible role of protons (or membrane potential) in controlling fluorescence yield.
Development and validation of an automated steering control system for bus revenue service

This paper presents the development and validation of an automatic steering controller that has been successfully implemented on a 18.3-m articulated bus for revenue service in Eugene, Oregon, USA. The automated steering system provides both lane keeping and S-curve precision docking on a 4-km-long narrow and curving urban segment with six stations and mixed traffic lanes while the operator controls the speed. The objective of deployment with an extended period of revenue service (carrying passengers) elevated the system safety and performance requirements. To meet the requirements, the controller needed to address accuracy, robustness, comfort, and fault tolerant capabilities. The baseline high-gain controller adopted for the automated bus takes the structure of the steering mechanism of a human driver with optimized parameters. The fault tolerant control incorporates a family of Kalman filters to sustain the automation after part of the sensing system fails. The resultant system achieved all performance requirements and the revenue service started in June, 2013.
The pedestrian route directness test: A new level-of-service model

Many popular approaches to assessing the connectivity of automobile and pedestrian route networks have been shown to have limited efficacy. This article identifies deficiencies in a recently developed model for applying pedestrian route directness and proposes a revised model as an effective measure of connectivity that includes a level-of-service assessment too.
A simulation study of the errors of omission and commission for GRACE RL01 gravity fields

This paper examines the influence that certain omission and commission errors can have on the gravity field models estimated from the initial release of data (RL01) from the Gravity Recovery And Recovery Experiment (GRACE) satellite mission. The effects of omission errors were analyzed by limiting the degree and order to which the GPS and K-band range-rate (KBR) measurement partials were extended in the solution process. The commission error studies focused on the impact of an imperfect mean reference gravity field model on the solution. Combinations of both of these error sources were also explored. The nature of these errors makes them difficult to distinguish from the true gravity signal, so the exploration of these error sources was performed using simulations; however, comparisons to real-data solutions are provided. The results show how each of the specific error sources investigated influences the gravity field solution. The simulations also show how all of the errors examined can be sufficiently mitigated through the appropriate choice of processing parameters.
Cell nuclei segmentation for histopathological image analysis

In this paper, we propose a supervised method for segmenting cell nuclei from background and extra-cellular regions in pathological images. To this end, we segment the cell regions from the other areas by classifying the image pixels into either cell or extra-cellular category. Instead of using pixel color intensities, the color-texture extracted at the local neighborhood of each pixel is utilized as the input to our classification algorithm. The color-texture at each pixel is extracted by local Fourier transform (LFT) from a new color space, the most discriminant color space (MDC). The MDC color space is optimized to be a linear combination of the original RGB color space so that the extracted LFT texture features in the MDC color space can achieve the most discrimination in terms of classification (segmentation) performance. To speed up the texture feature extraction process, we develop an efficient LFT extraction algorithm based on image shifting and image integral. For evaluation, our method is compared with the state-of-the-art segmentation algorithms (Graph-cut, Mean-shift, etc.). Empirical results show that our segmentation method achieves better performance than these popular methods.
Economic Education in Post-Soviet Russia: The Effectiveness of the Training of Trainers Program

The authors examined the Council for Economic Education's Training of Trainers program's effectiveness in post-Soviet Russia by evaluating teacher and student learning. The authors employed a randomization of teachers across treatment and control groups at two separate stages of the research design and found that participation in the workshop delivered by native Russian trainers improved teachers’ Test of Economic Literacy scores by approximately 10 percent, when they held all else constant. The authors also found that student learning was greater for students who were taught by teachers trained by program graduates, ceteris paribus. When the workshop's impacts were further examined, the authors found that pedagogy and materials had a statistically significant impact of substantive magnitude on student learning. This result indicates that additional research is needed to determine the cost-effectiveness of teacher training versus curriculum distribution.
Coarse Grained Protein−Lipid Model with Application to Lipoprotein Particles†

A coarse-grained model for molecular dynamics simulations is extended from lipids to proteins. In the framework of such models pioneered by Klein, atoms are described group-wise by beads, with the interactions between beads governed by effective potentials. The extension developed here is based on a coarse-grained lipid model developed previously by Marrink et al., although future versions will reconcile the approach taken with the systematic approach of Klein and other authors. Each amino acid of the protein is represented by two coarse-grained beads, one for the backbone (identical for all residues) and one for the side-chain (which differs depending on the residue type). The coarse-graining reduces the system size about 10-fold and allows integration time steps of 25-50 fs. The model is applied to simulations of discoidal high-density lipoprotein particles involving water, lipids, and two primarily helical proteins. These particles are an ideal test system for the extension of coarse-grained models. Our model proved to be reliable in maintaining the shape of preassembled particles and in reproducing the overall structural features of high-density lipoproteins accurately. Microsecond simulations of lipoprotein assembly revealed the formation of a protein-lipid complex in which two proteins are attached to either side of a discoidal lipid bilayer.
Clinical forms of atrial flutter in infancy.

On the basis of the four present case reports and analysis of previous cases from theliterature, two distinct clinical forms of atrial flutter in infancy are recognized. One is a chronic congenital arrhythmia, which is refractory to treatment; it usually subsides spontaneously during the first year of life. The second is paroxysmal and occurs several weeks or months after birth; it is usually responsive to treatment but tends to recur.
Concentration-QT Relationships Play a Key Role in the Evaluation of Proarrhythmic Risk During Regulatory Review

The criterion for assessing whether a drug prolongs QT as described in the International Conference on Harmonization topic E14 guideline does not explicitly account for individual drug concentrations. The authors' experience with reviewing QT studies indicates that understanding the relationship, if any, between individual drug concentration and QT change provides important additional information to support regulatory decision making. Therefore, regulatory reviews of "thorough QT" studies routinely include a characterization of the concentration-QT relationship. The authors provide examples to illustrate how the concentration-QT relationship has been used to plan and interpret the thorough QT study, to evaluate QT risk for drugs that have no thorough QT studies, to assess QT risk in subpopulations, to make dose adjustments, and to write informative drug labels.
Association of amoxicillin use during early childhood with developmental tooth enamel defects.

Background It has been speculated that amoxicillin use could be associated with dental enamel defects. Objective To assess the association between dental fluorosis, one of the most common developmental tooth enamel defects, and amoxicillin use during early childhood. Design, Setting, and Participants As participants in the Iowa Fluoride Study, subjects were followed up from birth to 32 months using questionnaires every 3 to 4 months to gather information on fluoride intake and amoxicillin use. Methods Early-erupting permanent teeth of 579 subjects were assessed for fluorosis using the Fluorosis Risk Index at approximately the age of 9 years. Relationships between fluorosis and amoxicillin use were assessed using relative risk (RR), Mantel-Haenszel stratified analyses, and multivariable logistic regression. Results Amoxicillin use was reported by 75% of subjects by 12 months and 91% by 32 months. Overall, 24% had fluorosis on both maxillary central incisors. Amoxicillin use from 3 to 6 months significantly increased the risk of fluorosis on the maxillary central incisors (RR = 2.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.49-2.78). After adjusting for fluoride intake and otitis media, the risk of fluorosis on the maxillary central incisors from amoxicillin use during 3 to 6 months (Mantel-Haenszel RR = 1.85; 95% CI, 1.20-2.78) was still statistically significant. Multivariable logistic regression analyses confirmed the increased risk of fluorosis from amoxicillin use during 3 to 6 months (odds ratio = 2.50; 95% CI, 1.21-5.15); fluoride intake was also statistically significant. Conclusion The findings from this study suggest a link between amoxicillin use during infancy and developmental enamel defects of permanent teeth; however, further research is needed.
Interaction of the earthworm Diplocardia mississippiensis (Megascolecidae) with microbial and nutrient dynamics in a subtropical Spodosol

Direct and indirect effects of earthworm feeding and activity can alter soil microbial and nutrient dynamics. Little is known about influence of native North American earthworms on these dynamics. We investigated effects of native D. mississippiensis activity on total and soluble C, N and microbial biomass pools in Spodosols from the Apalachicola National Forest in North Florida, USA. Soil native to D. mississippiensis was collected and reconstructed by horizon (A, E, Bh) in laboratory chambers and incubated with earthworms at zero, low or high density, respectively 0, three, or six individuals, for 28‐31 days. Total C and N were measured by dry combustion methods. Soluble C and N and microbial biomass were measured in 0.5 K2SO4 extracts from non-fumigated and fumigated soil samples. Substrate induced respiration (SIR) was used with inhibitors to measure microbial respiration and shifts in bacterial and fungal components. Earthworm activity mixed soil horizons, largely through burrowing and casting. Total C in A and Bh horizons averaged 16.7 mg C g 21 soil and was significantly greater than in the E (2.6 mg C g 21 soil). Soil N concentration was highest in the A (0.73 mg g 21 soil) and lowest in the E (0.11 mg N g 21 soil). N concentration was significantly increased over two fold in the E with high earthworm density. Microbial biomass C was greatest in the A and E, averaging 8.6 mg g 21 C, and decreased with earthworm activity. In all horizons, soluble C and N also increased with earthworm density. Net N mineralization increased significantly with earthworm density and ranged from ‐0.22 to 68 mg g 21 N across all treatments and layers. Changes in proportion of soluble to total soil nutrients indicated that greater turnover and mineralization occurred with earthworm activity. SIR indicated earthworm activity induced microbial respiration in A and E horizons. Earthworm activity stimulated fungal and bacterial respiration, respectively, by 13 and 30% in the A and by 123% and 450% in the E. Although bacterial respiration was stimulated more than fungal there was no significant shift in B:F ratio, which ranged from 0.80 to 0.99. SIR did not provide evidence of any selective microbial effects of earthworm activity. Direct and indirect effects on nutrient dynamics by earthworms were induced by casting activity and were associated with passage of material through the gut (direct effect) and nutrient and microbial enrichment through the mixing of soil horizons (indirect effect). This study established the importance of D. mississippiensis to nutrient availability in its native soil. q 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Understanding the Collective Design Process by Analyzing Intermediary Objects

The objective of this paper focuses on a study of a collective design process of scenarios describing pedagogical situations. Our aim is to show, in the framework of a project named AEB (Apprenticeship Electronic Booklet ) how the design process analysis can be driven by the intermediary objects produced and mobilized in such a process. In particular, we show how the analysis of these intermediary objects give us comprehension elements of the contents and organization of collective design activities. This will allow us to propose conceptual and technical tools to facilitate and support the design process adopted by the designers.
Finite Element Simulation of Permanent Magnetoelastic Thin Films

We are interested in the deformation of a thin magnetoelastic film. This has many possible applications, such as in microfluidic actuators and sensors. In previous articles a finite element method has been used for transient simulation of the deformation of a film, for the special case of soft magnetic material only. Here the approach is extended to the case of permanent magnetoelastic materials. The key enhancements required for simulation of magnetoelastic materials are a nonlinear hyperelastic Mooney-Rivlin material model, addition of an implicit system of equations for the scalar magnetic potential, and a more complex asymmetric Maxwell stress tensor. A simple test problem was constructed, and simulations for a soft magnetic film and a permanent magnetic film are compared.
Apropos Bagritsky and the Russian‐Jewish Question

Books reviewed in this article: Maxim D. Shrayer, Russian Poet / Soviet Jew: The Legacy of Eduard Bagritskii
Model for invasion of human tissue culture cells by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

A tissue culture model has been developed for studying the ability of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to invade eucaryotic cells. The cell line HecIB, a human adenocarcinoma endometrial cell line, was found to support gonococcal invasion. The bactericidal antibiotic gentamicin was used to kill those bacteria that had not entered the HecIB cells, allowing us to quantitate internalized bacteria. Kinetic studies showed an increase in the titer of gentamicin-protected gonococci at 4 h postinfection followed by a decrease; a second increase occurred after 6 h. The state of piliation did not affect the degree of invasion when the bacteria were spun down onto the monolayer. Gonococcal invasion was inhibited when the HecIB cells were preincubated with cytochalasin D before bacterial infection. N. lactamica was used as a negative control. No internalized N. lactamica cells were observed by electron microscopy. Electron microscopy documented the intracellular location of the gonococci in HecIB cells and the eventual destruction of the invaded HecIB cells. After 24 h, clusters of gonococci encased in a matrix of cell debris were observed. Images
Explaining the Relation Between Education and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer

The authors examined the relation between socioeconomic status, as defined by education level, and postmenopausal breast cancer incidence using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I Epidemiologic Followup Study. Female participants in the study were followed from 1971-1974 to 1992-1993. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to determine the relation between breast cancer incidence and education level. There was a direct dose-response association between education level and postmenopausal breast cancer risk. Several breast cancer risk factors, including height and reproductive-related risks such as nulliparity, were found to mediate this relation. Adjustment for these factors reduced, but did not eliminate, the positive relation between education level and risk of postmenopausal breast cancer; however, the association was no longer statistically significant. The association between higher education and increased risk of breast cancer appears to be largely explained by differences in the known risk factors for breast cancer.
MASTERS ATHLETES: AN ANALYSIS OF RUNNING, SWIMMING AND CYCLING PERFORMANCE BY AGE AND GENDER

Given the growth in sport participation by masters athletes, the purposes of this paper are to: (1) describe record-level performances of masters athletes in running, swimming and cycling; (2) delineate the age- and gender-related performance decline that occurs in masters athletes in these sports; (3) explain how physiological, sociological and psychological factors affect masters level performance; and (4) provide some tips for continued healthy participation of the masters athlete. World and USA records (criterion and age-group) were plotted by age and gender for masters competitors in running, swimming and cycling. Percent difference was calculated for age-related performance [(age group record – criterion record/criterion record) × 100] and for gender [(women's record – men's record/men's record) × 100]. The smallest performance differences existed between world record performances and records for the youngest masters level competitors (e.g. 35–49 years old). The largest performance differences existed between world record performances and the oldest masters level competitors (e.g. ≥ 80 years old). The slope in declining performances increased notably after the age of 55 years, and women's performances tended to decline faster than those of men, especially in running. In the ≥ 80 years old group, performance declined at a rate that approached or exceeded 100%. Gender differences in middle-distance swimming performance were small compared to gender differences in running and cycling. Although younger athletes still have the advantage with regard to overall performance, masters athletes can continue to compete effectively in a variety of events until late in life.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

In cardiac surgery,patient characteristics possibly associated with an increased risk of surgical site infection include coincident remote site bacterial colonization, diabetes, systemic steroid use, obesity, and the extremes of age. The most modifiable of these risk factors is that of coincident preoperative nares colonization with Staphylococcus aureus. Such carriage is a powerful independent risk factor for surgical site infection after cardiac operations. Mupirocinointmentisaneffectivetopicalagentagainstthishazard, and treatment is indicated for all patients. Current consensus is that broad use of the antibiotic is unlikely to result in mupirocin resistance because treatment courses are brief. 3 Operative issues may be further categorized into interventions that occur during specific periods: intraoperative and postoperative. The intraoperative infection control measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control andPreventioninclude hairclippingimmediatelybeforethe operation, antimicrobial prophylaxis in accordance with evidence-based standards and guidelines, and use of appropriate antiseptic agents and techniques for skin preparation. 3 Miyahara and colleagues 2 add to the list additional maneuvers that include the use of an iodophorimpregnated drape, double-gloving for all surgical team members, scheduled glove changes, minimization of intraoperative steroids, pericardial irrigation, and secure sternal closure with at least 6 wires. Best practices of postoperative infection control include measures nicely outlined by the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention 3 andMiyaharaandcolleagues. 2 Theseinclude
A Complexity Scalable Universal DCT Domain Image Resizing Algorithm

This paper presents a computationally flexible method for producing a mapping from one discrete cosine transform (DCT) domain to another that results in a decoded image that has been arbitrarily resized in the spatial dimension. A notable feature of the proposed mapping is its computational scalability; final image quality can be traded off for lower implementation complexity and a wide range of complexity versus final quality operation points can be realized for each scale factor. Current existing methods often suffer from a lack of flexibility (i.e., work for only one or at most a few resizing factors, have only one or two levels of complexity) or require more operations to achieve similar levels of final image quality. When constructing the mapping, a multiplierless DCT approximation can also be employed, yielding fast implementation with excellent results. The use of the DCT approximation confers several benefits upon the proposed mapping including multiplierless implementation or at most integer operations rather than floating point operations
FIELD CORRECTIONS TO INDUCED STATISTICS

The contribution of explicit field terms appearing in the Lagrangian (Chern-Simons terms and θ-terms) to the calculation of particle statistics is analyzed. The Chern-Simons term halves the contribution of current-field coupling terms in 2 + 1 dimensions. The effect of the θ-term in 3 + 1 dimensions is contrasted. In both cases, observational differences between fundamental and induced charges arise. The factor 1/2 is necessary to reconcile Paranjape's result on the angular momentum (L = 1/4) of a vortex in minimal massive QED with the general spin-statistics connection. Issues related to the (non)screening of the statistical interaction, ultraviolet sensitivity of induced statistics, and duality in the quantized Hall effect are mentioned. It is shown in passing that quite harmless-looking field theories generically contain particles with exotic statistics.
Different Patterns of Bundle Branch Blocks and the Risk of Incident Heart Failure in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Study

Background— We evaluated the risk of incident heart failure (HF) associated with bundle-branch blocks (BBBs) in postmenopausal women. Methods and Results— Cox’s regression was used to evaluate hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals for HF among 65 975 participants of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study during an average follow-up of 14 years. BBBs observed in 1676 women at baseline were categorized into left, right, and indetermined-type BBBs (LBBB, RBBB, and intraventricular conduction defect, respectively). Compared with women with no BBB, LBBB, and intraventricular conduction defect were strong predictors of incident HF in multivariable-adjusted risk models (hazard ratio, 3.79; confidence interval, 2.95–4.87 for LBBB and hazard ratio, 3.53; confidence interval, 2.14–5.81 for intraventricular conduction defect). RBBB was not a significant predictor of incident HF in multivariable-adjusted risk model, but the combination of RBBB and left anterior fascicular block was a strong predictor (hazard ratio, 2.96; confidence interval, 1.77–4.93). QRS duration was an independent predictor of incident HF only in LBBB, with more pronounced risk at QRS ≥140 ms than at <140 ms. QRS nondipolar voltage (RNDPV) was an independent predictor in both RBBB and LBBB and, in addition, in LBBB, QRS/STT angle and ST J-point depression in aVL were independent predictors. Conclusions— LBBB, intraventricular conduction defect, and RBBB combined with left anterior fascicular block are strong predictors of incident HF in multivariable-adjusted risk models, but RBBB is not a significant predictor. QRS duration ≥140 ms may warrant consideration in LBBB as an indication for further diagnostic evaluation for possible therapeutic and preventive action. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: . Unique identifier: [NCT00000611][1]. [1]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=CLINTRIALGOV&access_num=NCT00000611&atom=%2Fcirchf%2F6%2F4%2F655.atom
Disability Fingerprints: Patterns of Disability in Spinal Cord Injury and Multiple Sclerosis Differ

Background. Models for causation of functional disability differ as to whether different diseases lead to common expres­ sions of disability versus producing unique "disability fingerprints." Multiple sclerosis (MS) and Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) both affect the spinal cord; however, their pathophysiologies differ (progressive vs nonprogressive; multifocal vs unifocal). Methods. Patterns of disability were compared among veterans who reported in a national survey that they had MS (n =1789) or SCI (n =6361) as the sole cause of their spinal cord dysfunction. The study used self-reported information on disease duration, physical impairments, and self-care skills to compare the two samples for differences in disability overall and after stratification according to (a) disease duration, and (b) specific physical impairments. Results. Patterns of disability differed significantly among persons with MS compared to SCI (p =.001). Differences in level of disability between the two samples remained statistically significant after stratification on disease duration. There were substantial, statistically significant differences between the two samples in the amount and kinds of physical impairment. However, differences in level of disability between the two conditions remained highly significant after stratifying on number of affected limbs (p =.(03), amount of useful movement (p =.(01), overall motor impairment (p =.(03), amount of sensation (p =.000, impairment in memory and thinking (p =.(01), and visual impairment (p =.(01). Conclusions. This study shows differing diseases indeed have unique disability fingerprints, which remain unique after controlling for disease duration and for population-specific differences in physical impairment. These findings point out the need to explain the disablement process more fully.
A configurable multiprocessor system for DSP behavioral simulation

SMART, a multiprocessor architecture optimized for real-time behavioral simulation of digital signal processing (DSP) systems, is presented. The first prototype, currently under development, contains eight processors (peak 160 MFLOPS). The number of processors will be increased to 64 (peak 1.28 GFLOPS) in the future. The SMART system features a configurable bus and bypass units to improve the bandwidth of a single shared bus by taking advantage of the local communication between processors. Write queues and a distributed shared-memory system are provided to overlap the interprocessor communication with the processor computation, thereby making interprocessor communication delays almost invisible. Barrier synchronization, which is frequently used in DSP algorithms, is supported by hardware to yield low synchronization overhead. >
Assessment of genomic imprinting of SLC38A4, NNAT, NAP1L5, and H19 in cattle.

Background At present, few imprinted genes have been reported in cattle compared to human and mouse. Comparative expression analysis and imprinting status are powerful tools for investigating the biological significance of genomic imprinting and studying the regulation mechanisms of imprinted genes. The objective of this study was to assess the imprinting status and pattern of expression of the SLC38A4, NNAT, NAP1L5, and H19 genes in bovine tissues.
Host specificity of the leaf beetle, Diorhabda elongata deserticola (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) from Asia, a biological control agent for saltcedars (Tamarix: Tamaricaceae) in the Western United States

Abstract Four species of saltcedars, Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb., Tamarix chinensis Lour., Tamarix parviflora DC., and T. canariensis Willd. and their hybrids, are exotic, invasive small trees from Asia that cause great damage to riparian ecosystems of the western United States. They displace native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat (including that of many endangered species), increase soil salinity and wildfires, lower water tables, reduce water available for agriculture and municipalities, and reduce recreational use of affected areas. Phytophagous insects are abundant on saltcedar in the Old World and we selected Diorhabda elongata Brulle deserticola Chen as the top candidate biological control agent because of the great damage it causes, and its high host specificity, broad geographic range, and presumed adaptability in the United States. Literature review and our overseas surveys indicated that this insect is associated only with species of Tamarix and occasionally with Myricaria but not with Reumaria or Frankenia (all Tamaricales) in the Old World. In quarantine facilities in the United States, and overseas, we tested beetles from China and Kazakhstan on six species and three hybrids (26 accessions) of Tamarix and on 58 species of other plants, in 15 tests of different types, using 1852 adults and 3547 larvae, over 10 years. Survival from larvae to adults averaged 55–67% on the Tamarix species, 12% on Myricaria sp., and only 1.6% on the three Frankenia spp. No larvae completed their development on any of the other 54 plant species tested, where most larvae died during the first instar. Adults oviposited readily on T. ramosissima accessions, less on Tamarix aphylla (L.) Karst. (athel), and only rarely on other plants. The host range of the D. e. deserticola we tested from Kazakhstan was not different from those we tested from China. Therefore, D. e. deserticola , is sufficiently host-specific and was approved for field release in North America. This is the first biological control agent introduced into the United States for control of saltcedar.
Extraction of Pulmonary Vascular Compliance, Pulmonary Vascular Resistance, and Right Ventricular Work From Single-Pressure and Doppler Flow Measurements in Children With Pulmonary Hypertension: a New Method for Evaluating Reactivity In Vitro and Clinical Studies

Background— Current evaluation of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in children involves measurement of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR); however, PVR neglects important pulsatile components. Pulmonary artery (PA) input impedance and ventricular power (VP) include mean and pulsatile effects and have shown promise as alternative measures of vascular function. Here we report the utility of pulsed-wave (PW) Doppler-measured instantaneous flow and pressure measurements for estimation of input impedance and VP and use this method to develop a novel parameter: reactivity in compliance. Methods and Results— An in vitro model of the general pulmonary vasculature was used to obtain impedance and VP, measured by PW Doppler and a reference flow meter. The method was then tested in a preliminary clinical study in subjects with normal PA hemodynamics (n=4) and patients with PH undergoing reactivity evaluation (8 patients; 23 data points). In vitro results showed good agreement between the impedance spectra computed from ...
Lives of Indian Images

Lives of Indian Images. Richard H. Davis. Princeton, N.J. Princeton University Press, 1997. xvii. 331 pp. 50 black and white photos, notes, bibliography, bibliographic appendix, index. $42.50 (cloth), $17.95 (paper).
Brand New World: Distinguishing Oneself in the Global Flow

Ancient physicians engaged in property disputes over the seals they impressed on the containers of their medications, making brand marks the oldest branch of intellectual property. The antiquity of brand marks, however, has not helped their proper understanding by the law. While the conceptual and historical foundations of copyrights and patents continue to be part and parcel of contemporary legal debates, the full history and theorizing on business marks is largely external to trademark doctrine. Furthermore, with only a few and by now outdated exceptions, whatever scholarship exists on these topics has been performed mostly not by legal scholars but by archaeologists, art historians, anthropologists, sociologists, and historians of material culture. Such a striking imbalance suggests that the law is more eager to assume and state what trademarks should be rather than understand how they actually work today. Nor does the law often acknowledge the many different ways in which marks have always been deployed to distinguish both goods and their makers. This is not just a scholarly problem: given the extraordinary importance of brands in the global economy, the growing disjuncture between the way brands function in different contexts and cultures and trademark law’s simplified conceptualization of that function has become a problem with increasingly substantial policy implications.
Development of challenge models to evaluate the efficacy of a vaccine to reduce carriage of Salmonella in peripheral lymph nodes of cattle.

Because challenge models to infect peripheral lymph nodes (PLNs) with Salmonella have not been reported, we performed a series of experiments to develop and refine challenge models to evaluate an intervention applied at the animal level and to provide initial estimates of efficacy of an intervention (i.e., a vaccine) to aid in the design of future studies. In each of four experiments, steers (control or vaccinated) were inoculated with Salmonella strains Montevideo or Newport, and in experiment IV, Salmonella Senftenberg was also used. Calves were euthanized 14 to 42 days postinoculation, and PLNs were collected. In the first experiment, calves were challenged with ~1010 Salmonella cells, and few treatment differences were observed 14 days postchallenge. However, by day 21, Salmonella Newport was recovered from fewer vaccinated calves than control calves (P < 0.05). In experiment II, calves were challenged with ~107 Salmonella cells and, after two necropsies (14 and 28 days postchallenge), only one lymph ...