cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence for a hypothalamothalamocortical circuit mediating pheromonal influences on eye and head movements.

Abstract A method for simultaneous iontophoretic injections of the anterograde tracer Phaseolus vulgaris leukoagglutinin and the retrograde tracer fluorogold was used to characterize in the rat a hypothalamothalamocortical pathway ending in a region thought to regulate attentional mechanisms by way of eye and head movements. The relevant medial hypothalamic nuclei receive pheromonal information from the amygdala and project to specific parts of the thalamic nucleus reuniens and anteromedial nucleus, which then project to a specific lateral part of the retrosplenial area (or medial visual cortex). This cortical area receives a convergent input from the lateral posterior thalamic nucleus and projects to the superior colliculus. Bidirectional connections with the hippocampal formation suggest that activity in this circuit is modified by previous experience. Striking parallels with basal ganglia circuitry are noted.
Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis complicating esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula.

Abstract Four patients with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula are reported in whom hypertrophic pyloric stenosis developed in the postoperative period. The presence of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is often obscured because the symptom of vomiting secondary to pyloric stenosis appears in the postoperative period and may be attributed to a complication of the esophageal surgery. Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis should be considered in the evaluation of vomiting in the infant after repair of tracheoesophageal fistula and appropriate roentgenographic studies should be obtained.
MDCT: a new era in imaging

Multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) is an effective imaging technology, providing rapid and non-invasive images in three dimensions. Compared with standard computed tomography (CT), MDCT allows faster data acquisition and shorter scan times, with wider coverage, high resolution and the potential for cardiac gating. Routine thin-section acquisition allows for flexible reconstruction (thick or thin slices), while dedicated software provides three-dimensional and functional data analysis. The technology has a wide range of applications, particularly in cardiovascular medicine, where CT angiography has replaced conventional angiography in many regions of the body. Motion artefacts on cardiac scans are significantly reduced, and the diagnosis of luminal obstructive disease is enhanced. For non-cardiac applications, MDCT allows imaging of extensive arterial territories with unprecedented volumetric resolution. The detection of pulmonary emboli, characterization of arterial aneurysms and presurgical mapping are all improved substantially with MDCT. Pulmonary parenchymal imaging is enhanced, including superior lung nodule detection and better airway assessments. MDCT has rendered some diagnostic techniques, such as intravenous urography, virtually obsolete. The development of MDCT continues, with promises of further improvements and enhancements.
The Criminal law's Nemesis: Drug Control

Literatures on what governments should do about personal vices of all types-from gambling to commercial sex to recreational drugs-evolve in similar directions. They begin with cries of moral outrage and exhortations to proscribe; they end with research reports that contrast what ought to be with what can be, and call for regulation rather than prohibition. Perspectives on alcohol, gambling, and prostitution control have moved further in such an evolution than perspectives on narcotics policies. In successive recent years, however, three law professors-Trebach, Kaplan, and Bakalar (the latter, with psychiatrist Grinspoon)-have propelled drug control also in this direction.' The first two books dealt only with heroin, but Bakalar and Grinspoon consider all substances used "to change thoughts, feelings, perceptions, or behavior" (at viii), including alcohol, opiates, hallucinogenics. Instead of discussing each type of drug in a separate chapter, however, the authors divide their work into chapters on the legal and ethical issues of risk and liberty, the meanings of addiction and dependence, the history of drug policy, the varieties of drug control, and the solution or dissolution of the drug problem. The authors then integrate discussions of all drugs in each chapter. Trebach concentrated on comparing British and American policies, criticizing each for its present condition, and urging that both begin again to give opiates to addicts through medical channels (referring, for the United States, to the clinics that enforcement agencies closed early in the 1920s).
Job/Housing Imbalance and Commuting Time in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area: Exploration of Causes of Longer Commuting Time

Commuting is the major source of congestion and air pollution in the United States. For almost a decade, urban policy-makers have been concerned about the geographical balance between locations of jobs and housing as a strategy for reducing traffic congestion and air pollution in American cities. Despite the popularity and apparent acceptance of the job/housing (J/H) imbalance concept among public policy-makers, little empirical research has been done on the J/H imbalance and how it relates to commuting patterns. This research examines commuting patterns in the Atlanta metropolitan area to determine the extent to which commuting flow volume is the result of an imbalance between the location of home and workplace by using the most sophisticated and largest geographical scale data provided by the 1990 U.S. Census of Transportation Planning Package. This paper uses a Geographic Information System (GIS) to measure the job/housing imbalance within a commuting catchment area having a 7-mile radius from the cent...
Individual differences and cheating behavior: Guilt and cheating in competitive situations

To examine whether guilt would inhibit immoral behavior, subjects were differentiated on their feelings of anticipatory (AG) and posttransgressional (PTG) guilt and subsequently placed in an anagram task shown to induce a high level of cheating. Results indicated that neither pre- nor post-test AG was related to cheating behavior, and test-retest administration indicated that the AG scale was unreliable. The PTG scale, however, was found to be a temporally reliable measure of guilt. In order to assess the relative contributions of pre-test posttransgressional guilt, the ability to persist, and gender to cheating behavior, a saturated multiple regression model of centered predictor effects and interaction terms was constructed. Results revealed a significant gender × persistence interaction. The cheating behavior of males was not significantly influenced by the ability to persist. On the other hand, females who exhibited a strong ability to persist rarely cheated, while those who were unable to persist cheated a great deal. Finally, subjects who felt the most posttransgressional guilt cheated more frequently. These findings provide additional evidence that guilt may be positively related to cheating behavior.
From Candida to Torulopsis: Funguria in long-term stay patients under the pressure of fluconazole use

The API 20-C clinical yeast identification system (API Laboratory Products Ltd, St. Laurent, Quebec) has given routine clinical laboratories a means of readily discriminating among 15 species of Candida, many species of Cryptococcus, Geotrichum (a mould), Prototheca (an alga), Rhodotorula, Torulopsis, and Trichosporon that had not been previously available. It is to be expected that with the availability of this test, the microbiology laboratory would begin to identify these hitherto unfamiliar species. The unfamiliarity of the new name might well attract the clinicians' attention. We decided to look at the epidemiology of these yeasts in sputum and urine. For the yeast cultures of the first 3 months of 1992, there were 22 individuals with the isolation of Candida albicans from the urine and 10 from the sputum. For non-Candida albicans yeasts, there were 16 from urine (one C. parapsilosis, seven C. tropicalis, six Torulopsis glabrata, and two Trichosporon beigelii) and two from sputum (one C. parapsilosis and one C. tropicalis). Although yeasts other than C. albicans were seldom isolated from the sputum, it was also apparent on review of these cases that only onehalf of patients were admitted with yeasts other than C. albicans or, occasionally, C. tropicalis in the urine. Eight of the 16 patients with non-C. albicans yeasts in the urine on review were shown to have previously had a C. albicans isolated from the urine that had been treated with fluconazole before the appearance of the non-C, albicans isolate. Three-fourths of the patients with funguria had Foley catheters or suprapubic catheters, and the remainder had Texas (condom) catheters (two exceptions). Thus, canTable 1. Isolation of Yeast Species 1991 (as individuals) a
NEMO tunable VCSEL using ultra compact high contrast grating for high speed tuning

We report a nano-electromechanical optoelectronic (NEMO) tunable VCSEL with a record compact (140 nm times3 mum times3 mum) TE-polarized high contrast grating (HCG). A record high tuning speed of ~60 ns is experimentally demonstrated with single mode operation (SMSR ~ 40 dB).
Flash Carbonization of Biomass

We describe the ignition and control of a flash fire at elevated pressure (≈1 MPa) within a packed bed of biomass. The fire moves upward through the bed, against the downward flow of air, triggering the transformation of biomass into gas at elevated pressure, and charcoal with fixed-carbon yields that reach the thermochemical equilibrium “limit” in <30 min of reaction time. In a typical experiment 65% of the moist feedstock mass is converted into a combustible gas at 1 MPa, and 40% of the dry mass remains as charcoal, retaining as much as 66% of the energy content of the feedstock. Biomass feedstocks included woods (Leucaena and oak) and agricultural byproducts (macadamia nut shells and corncob). In the case of corncob, the fixed-carbon yield attained the theoretical limit (28%), and the bed was fully carbonized after 20 min. Some of these findings were unexpected. For example, thermochemical equilibrium calculations predicted a negligible influence of pressure on charcoal yields, but we observed consider...
Observed oil and gas field size distributions: A consequence of the discovery process and prices of oil and gas

If observed oil and gas field size distributions are obtained by random samplings, the fitted distributions should approximate that of the parent population of oil and gas fields. However, empirical evidence strongly suggests that larger fields tend to be discovered earlier in the discovery process than they would be by random sampling. Economic factors also can limit the number of small fields that are developed and reported. This paper examines observed size distributions in state and federal waters of offshore Texas. Results of the analysis demonstrate how the shape of the observable size distributions change with significant hydrocarbon price changes. Comparison of state and federal observed size distributions in the offshore area shows how production cost differences also affect the shape of the observed size distribution. Methods for modifying the discovery rate estimation procedures when economic factors significantly affect the discovery sequence are presented. A primary conclusion of the analysis is that, because hydrocarbon price changes can significantly affect the observed discovery size distribution, one should not be confident about inferring the form and specific parameters of the parent field size distribution from the observed distributions.
The cleavage efficiency of the human immunoglobulin heavy chain VH elements by the RAG complex: implications for the immune repertoire.

The human immunoglobulin heavy chain locus contains 39 functional human VH elements. All 39 VH elements (with their adjacent heptamer/nonamer signal) were tested for site-specific cleavage with purified human core RAG1 and RAG2, and HMG1 proteins in a 12/23-coupled cleavage reaction. Both nicking and hairpin formation were measured. The individual VH cleavage efficiencies vary over nearly a 30-fold range. These measurements will be useful in considering the factors affecting the generation of the immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor repertoires in the adult humans. Interestingly, when these cleavage efficiencies are summed for each of the VH families, the six VHfamily efficiencies correspond closely to the observed profile of unselected VH family usage in the peripheral B cells of normal adult humans. This correspondence raises the possibility that the dominant factor determining VH element utilization within the 1-megabase human genomic VH array is simply the individual RAG cleavage efficiencies.
Natural Killer Cell Response to Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus in Beige Mice

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) induced low levels of natural killer (NK) cell acitivity in C57BL6 mutant beige (bg/bg) mice, which had previously been reported to have no cytotoxic NK cells. NK cell-mediated lysis by bg/bg splenocytes was observed against a cell line (YAC-1) very sensitive to NK cell cytotoxicity, but not appreciably against a less sensitive cell line (L-929). The bg/bg mutant mice with this very low NK cell activity and control strains of mice (by/+, C57BL6) with high NK cell activity synthesized comparable amounts of virus and interferon in the spleen, suggesting that NK cells may not play a significant role, but not appreciably against a less sensitive cell line (L-929). The bg/bg mutant mice with this very low NK cell activity and control strains of mice (by/+, C57BL6) with high NK cell activity synthesized comparable amounts of virus and interferon in the spleen, suggesting that NK cells may not play a significant role, but not appreciably against a less sensitive cell line (L-929). The bg/bg mutant mice with this very low NK cell activity and control strains of mice (by/+, C57BL6) with high NK cell activity synthesized comparable amounts of virus and interferon in the spleen, suggesting that NK cells may not play a significant role in curtailing viral synthesis before the advent of the specific immune response mechanisms.
The effects of heavy doping on I-V characteristics of GaAs JFET and MESFET devices

Abstract The effects of heavy doping on the I – V characteristics and the transconductance of a heavily doped GaAs junction field-effect transistor (JFET) and a metal-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MESFET) are analyzed. Calculations were carried out by taking into account the heavy doping effects such as carrier degeneracy and bandgap narrowing. The results show that carrier degeneracy has a strong influence on the built-in potential in the junction between gate and channel and on the I – V characteristics of the heavily doped enhancement-mode JFET (E-JFET) and MESFET (E-MESFET) devices. These findings are important for modeling and design of heavily doped GaAs JFETs and MESFETs as well as other types of GaAs devices for VLSI applications.
Electromagnetic decays of pseudoscalar mesons

The electromagnetic $2\ensuremath{\gamma}$ decays of the neutral pseudoscalar mesons are discussed in the context of broken $\mathrm{SU}(3)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathrm{SU}(3)$ and anomalous partial conservation of axial-vector current (PCAC). Particular attention is paid to the mixed $\ensuremath{\eta}X$ channel. It is predicted that the $X$ width is enhanced beyond 80 keV. The observed value for the $\ensuremath{\eta}$ width is used to compute ${(\frac{{F}_{K}}{{F}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}})}^{2}\ensuremath{\approx}1.3$.
APPARENT COVARIATION BETWEEN CHILD HABIT DISORDERS: EFFECTS OF SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT FOR THUMB SUCKING ON UNTARGETED CHRONIC HAIR PULLING

We evaluated the effects of aversive taste treatment of thumb sucking on untreated trichotillomania (habitual hair pulling) in two children who chronically pulled their hair and sucked their thumbs. A combination of withdrawal and nonconcurrent multiple baseline designs showed that, concomitant with the successful treatment of thumb sucking, hair pulling was also eliminated. The results suggest an efficient method for changing behaviors that are difficult to treat directly.
The Family Health Promotion Project (FHPP): Design and baseline data from a randomized trial to increase colonoscopy screening in high risk families

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in the United States, much of which could be prevented through adequate screening. Consensus guidelines recommend that high-risk groups initiate screening earlier with colonoscopy and more frequently than average risk persons. However, a large proportion of high risk individuals do not receive regular colonoscopic screening. The Family Health Promotion Project (FHPP) is a randomized-controlled trial to test the effectiveness of a telephone-based counseling intervention to increase adherence to risk-appropriate colonoscopy screening in high risk individuals. Unaffected members of CRC families from two national cancer family registries were enrolled (n = 632) and randomized to receive either a single session telephone counseling intervention using Motivational Interviewing techniques or a minimal mail-out intervention. The primary endpoint, rate of colonoscopy screening, was assessed at 6, 12 and 24 months post-enrollment. In this paper, we describe the research design and telephone counseling intervention of the FHPP trial, and report baseline data obtained from the two high risk cohorts recruited into this trial. Results obtained at baseline confirm the need for interventions to promote colonoscopy screening among these high risk individuals, as well as highlighting several key opportunities for intervention, including increasing knowledge about risk-appropriate screening guidelines, and providing both tailored risk information and barriers counseling.
Transport properties of photogenerated carriers in relaxation-case cadmium telluride films

The transport properties of photogenerated carriers in semi-insulating ($\ensuremath{\rho}={10}^{8}\ensuremath{-}{10}^{9}$ \ensuremath{\Omega} cm) polycrystalline films of CdTe are investigated. Measurements of the spectral variation of the optical-absorption coefficient and photomagnetoelectric short-circuit current are employed to obtain excess carrier diffusion lengths in films prepared at substrate temperatures of 150, 250, and 350 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. Analysis of the data also yields values for an effective Hall mobility, which, with stated approximations, allows an estimate of the diffusion-length lifetime ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{0}$. Excess carrier diffusion lengths and diffusion-length lifetimes are found to be extremely small and in general agreement with earlier predictions concerning the magnitude of these parameters in relaxation semiconductors.
Mutation analyses of a series of TNT-related compounds using the CHO-hprt assay.

Trinitrotoluene (TNT) and related compounds were tested for induction of mutation in the CHO-hprt mutation assay. The parent compound, TNT, was consistently found to be mutagenic at concentrations above 40 μg ml−1, whether or not S9 activating enzymes were added. Five TNT metabolites gave statistically significant but small increases in mutation frequency over solvent controls: 4-amino-2,6 dinitrotoluene, 2,4′,6,6′-tetranitro-2′,4-azoxytoluene, 2,2′,6,6′-tetranitro-4,4′-azoxytoluene, 2′,4,6,6′-tetranitro-2,4′-azoxytoluene and triaminotoluene. Clear dose–response relationships could not be established for the mutagenic response of these compounds. They are considered as very weak mutagens in this mammalian test system. Five compounds did not produce statistically significant mutation frequencies at the levels tested: 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene, 2,4-diamino-6-nitrotoluene, 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, 2,6-diamino-4-nitrotoluene and 4,4′,6,6′-tetranitro-2,2′-azoxytoluene. The results indicate that none of the TNT metabolites tested pose a significant mutational health risk, at least as judged by the CHO-hprt assay. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Heavy fermion production in the effective W approximation

Abstract We examine heavy fermion production in the effective W approximation. The rate for heavy quark production via W-gluon fusion is calculated in the effective W approximation and excellent agreement is found with the exact calculation. We also consider heavy lepton production from gauge boson fusion and compare it with the contribution from the Drell-Yan mechanism and from gluon fusion.
Cardiac Glycoside Chronotropic and Arrhythmogenic Effects in Sinoatrial Nodal Pacemaker Cells (SANC) Occur Along a Continuum of Electrochemical Gradients of Na+ (ENa) and Ca2+ (ECa)

Cardiac glycosides reduce ENa and ECa (due to an increase of Na+i via Na-K pump inhibition, and of Ca2+i, due to a secondary reduction in Ca efflux for Na influx via NaCa exchange). Here we show that exposure of single rabbit SANC to the cardiac glycoside, digoxigenin (10-20μM) results in a continuum of time-dependent effects. Within 30s to 1 min, the rate of rhythmic spontaneous action potentials (AP) increases by 20% (n=3) and this is associated with an earlier occurrence (reduced period) of local sub-membrane Ca2+ releases (LCR's) during diastolic depolarization, detected by confocal Ca2+ imaging. Approximately 1-3 minutes following AP rate acceleration, LCR period lengthens by 40%, accompanied by a similar reduction in the rhythmic AP rate. The changes in LCR period during the biphsic changes in rhythmic AP firing rate increase are highly correlated with the changes in AP cycle length (R2=0.98). A progressive increase in the steady level of diastolic Ca2+ beneath the surface membrane then ensues usually within 4 to 6 additional minutes, LCR's became undetectable, and dysrhythmic and chaotic AP firing occurs. Numerical model simulations (Maltsev-Lakatta model, AJP 2009) in which Nai was increased progressively 5-15mM during glycoside exposure reproduced the experimental results. That rate and rhythm regulation of SANC AP firing during cardiac glycoside exposure occurs along a continuum of ENa/ECa is in agreement with repeated observations over the last decade, showing that the SANC spontaneous AP firing rate is critically dependent on the timing of acute changes in sub-membrane ECa during DD caused by LCR occurrence (LCR period) that accelerates DD by activation of an inward Na/Ca exchange current.
GaAsP solar cells on GaP/Si grown by molecular beam epitaxy

We demonstrate metamorphic 1.73 eV GaAs0.72P0.28 solar cells grown by molecular beam epitaxy on high-quality GaP/Si templates and compare them to cells co-grown on bulk GaP. Cascading such a cell with a 1.1 eV Si junction in the substrate could enable a theoretical efficiency of 37% under the AM1.5G spectrum. Electron beam-induced current studies of our cells reveal a threading dislocation density (TDD) of ~1×107 cm-2 for cells on GaP/Si, which is significantly lower than previous reports. We believe that the combination of a highly optimized GaP/Si starting substrate with a well-designed metamorphic buffer enables these relatively low TDDs. Open-circuit voltages as high as 1.10 V were obtained, leading to a bandgap-voltage offset of 0.63 V. This bandgap-voltage offset is also lower than in previous reports, in qualitative agreement with the observation of lower TDD. Direct comparison with cells on bulk GaP confirm the relation between TDD and bandgap-voltage offset, indicating that more investigations to further reduce TDD in GaAsP single-junction cells are required to fulfill the ultimate goal of dual-junction integration on Si.
Compact complex surfaces and constant scalar curvature kahler metrics

In the thesis, I prove the following statement: Every compact complex surface with even first Betti number is deformation equivalent to one which admits an extremal Kahler metric. In fact, this extremal Kahler metric can even be taken to have constant scalar curvature in all but two cases: the deformation equivalence classes of the blow-up of P 2 at one or two points. The explicit construction of compact complex surfaces with constant scalar curvature Kahler metrics in different deformation equivalence classes is given. The main tool repeatedly applied here is the gluing theorem of C. Arezzo and F. Pacard which states that the blow-up/resolution of a compact manifold/orbifold of discrete type, which admits cscK metrics, still admits cscK metrics.
Supporting collaboration through passing informal notes to peripheral displays

DropNotes is a note-passing system for informal sharing of information within a small group or for posting notes to oneself. Its goal is to improve collaboration by increasing awareness through peripheral displays. DropNotes typically appear on peripheral displays placed in the work environment, such as a door panel, a peripheral display near the phone, a group board in a break room or a PDA. The design of DropNotes focuses both on making note creation easy and on minimizing interruptions. As such, DropNotes supports informal information sharing and peripheral awareness rather than messaging.
Fault diagnosis for drivetrain gearboxes using PSO-optimized multiclass SVM classifier

A novel method consisting of an adaptive feature extraction scheme and a particle swarm optimization (PSO)-optimized multiclass support vector machine (SVM) classifier is proposed for condition monitoring and fault diagnosis of drivetrain gearboxes in variable-speed operational conditions. The adaptive feature extraction scheme consists of an adaptive signal resampling algorithm, a frequency tracker, and a feature generation algorithm for effective extraction of the features of gearbox faults from the stator current signal of the AC electric machine connected to the gearbox. The multiclass SVM classifier is designed to identify different faults in the gearbox according to the fault features extracted. The PSO algorithm is utilized to optimize the parameter setting of the SVM classifier to obtain the best classification accuracy. The proposed method is testified on a drivetrain gearbox connected with a permanent-magnet synchronous machine with three different faults. Experimental results show that the faults can be effectively classified by the proposed method.
Aspartic acid conjugates of 2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-[(1S)-1-(3-aminophenyl)-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)ethyl]acetamide : κ opioid receptor agonists with limited access to the central nervous system

Aspartic acid conjugates of 2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-[(1S)-1-(3-aminophenyl)-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)ethyl]acetamide (5) were synthesized and evaluated in mice for antinociceptive activity by intravenous and intracerebroventricular routes of administration. The intravenously-administered α-conjugate of l-Asp (2), its d-Asp diastereomer (3), and the β-conjugate of l-Asp (4) were found to be 11-, 31-, and 40-fold, respectively, less effective than the parent ligand 1 (ICI 199,441) in producing central nervous system mediated antinociception in the mouse abdominal stretch assay. In addition, iv-administered 2 and 3 were found to also produce potent antinociception in the tonic phase of the mouse formalin assay, which is a model of tonic rather than acute pain. This study suggests that the attachment of a zwitterionic moiety to a position in the molecule that exhibits bulk tolerance is a viable strategy for the design of peripherally-selective and peripherally-active opioids.
Mechanism of action of the 12,13-epoxytrichothecene, anguidine, an inhibitor of protein synthesis.

Abstract Anguidine, muconomycin A, T-2 toxin, crotocin and trichodermin, a group of 12,13-epoxytrichothecenes, inhibit protein synthesis in HeLa cells and in rabbit reticulocyte lysates. These five mycotoxins can be divided into two groups on the basis of the reversibility of their effects in HeLa cells, and kinetics of inhibition and effects on polyribosome structure in rabbit reticulocyte lysates. Anguidine, muconomycin A and T-2 toxin are irreversible inhibitors of protein synthesis; crotocin and trichodermin are reversible inhibitors of protein synthesis. After addition of low concentrations (1 μM) of anguidine, muconomycin A or T-2 toxin to rabbit reticulocyte lysates, polyribosomes are broken down to monosomes. At higher concentrations, 1 mM, these drugs begin to freeze the polyribosomes. Crotocin and trichodermin freeze the polyribosomes at a concentration of 10 μM. We conclude that anguidine, muconomycin A and T-2 toxin act primarily as inhibitors of initiation of protein synthesis, whereas crotocin and trichodermin inhibit the process of chain elongation.
Overview of Serological-Specific IgE Antibody Testing in Children

Allergic diseases are among the most common chronic conditions in the pediatric population. Allergy diagnostic testing is an important part of the evaluation/management of allergic patients because the history may not be precise enough to identify the specific allergen sensitivity. In addition to providing information about specific sensitivities, allergy diagnostic tests have some predictive value in terms of future risk of developing an allergic condition and the severity/persistence of the allergic disease. The two most commonly used methods of confirming allergen sensitization are skin testing and measurement of serum-specific IgE. Both methods have similar diagnostic value in terms of sensitivity and specificity, with both parameters varying with the clinical scenario and allergen tested. Currently, there are three US Food and Drug Administration–cleared, serum-specific IgE assays used in the United States. The three assays report comparable analytic sensitivity, with the coefficients of variation of the precision, reproducibility, and linearity being less than 15%. However, comparative studies have demonstrated significant inter-assay variability, suggesting that they detect different populations of IgE antibody in human sera or do not measure the same antibodies with the same efficiency. Current specific IgE assays utilize allergen extract reagents. Testing with these reagents may identify sensitivity to clinically irrelevant allergens. This diagnostic limitation has spurred the development of molecular diagnostic tests, also referred to as component-resolved diagnostics, which utilize purified native or recombinant allergens to detect IgE sensitivity to individual allergen molecules. These advancements in serum IgE testing may enhance the precision of allergy diagnostic testing, which may decrease the need for oral food challenges and improve the specificity of allergen immunotherapy.
PROCEDURAL VARIATIONS IN GROUP CONTINGENCIES: EFFECTS ON CHILDREN'S ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL BEHAVIORS

Abstract There has been little research on the effects of the many procedural variables in applied group contingencies. In the present study, an individualized contingency and three group contingencies with different "responder" criteria (e.g., reward based on the group average, reward based on the work of a designated, low-achieving student, or reward based on the work of a randomly selected student) were applied to the academic work of primary grade children in a learning disabilities classroom. Group social interaction during each contingency was measured systematically. Although there were large individual differences in students' academic and social responses to the different contingencies, some consistent effects were observed. Two of the four low-achieving target students did their best academic work during the group contingency which focused on their performance as a designated responder. This type of contingency also produced high levels of positive social interaction in three of four groups of children observed.
Electoral “efficiency” and the move to mixed-member systems

Abstract All polities may be judged against an ideal of electoral “efficiency” defined as responsiveness to the collective-goods preferences of the majority of the electorate. An index of efficiency permits a visual representation of where any democratic system falls in each of two dimensions, interparty and intraparty. Deviation from the “efficient” ideal encourages politicians to cater to parochial interests at the expense of broad policy preferences. Recent electoral reforms in four countries (Italy, Japan, New Zealand and Venezuela) represent moves away from electoral systems that represented different extreme deviations from efficiency.
Hydroelastic instabilities in viscoelastic flow past a cylinder confined in a channel

Experimental investigation of viscoelastic flow past a cylinder is conducted for a polyisobutylene-based polymer solution. High-image-density particle image velocimetry is utilized to quantitatively determine the spatial features of elastic wake instabilities. The viscoelastic flow bifurcates from steady two-dimensional flow to steady three-dimensional flow for values of the Deborah number (dimensionless flow rate) greater than a critical value. These hydroelastic flow transitions are manifested in the form of three-dimensional cells spaced periodically along the axis of the cylinder. The elastic flow structures do not exist in the Newtonian counterpart of creeping flow past a cylinder.
Navigational techniques to improve the display of large two-dimensional spaces

Abstract Often the components of a problem can be arrayed on a two-dimensional information space—for example, as an abstract tree or hypertext—far too large to fit onto a computer display. With current navigational techniques it is often difficult for users to keep track of their location or to move rapidly to remote locations in the space. We implemented two similar direct-manipulation techniques, both of which use a map window—a miniature of the entire information space—with a wire-frame box to aid users in remembering their location. The first technique allows the user to rapidly roam over the information space by moving the location of the wire-frame box. The second allows for zooming as well as roaming. A controlled experiment compared the above techniques to scroll bars for determining whether a target word was in a large balanced binary tree of words. The experiment also examined the merit of the map window. Map windows significantly improved user performance, and the roam and zoom techniques were ...
A much improved synthesis of the siderophore enterobactin

Abstract Enterobactin, the cyclic trimer of N-(2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl)-L-serine has been efficiently prepared. A simple and high yield procedure has been developed for construction of N-protected serine trilactone as the key intermediate: methyl N-trityl-L-serinate and 2,2-dibutyl-1,3,2-dioxastannolane were refluxed in xylene to produce the triolide as the only lactone product in 85% yield.
Incidence of donor renal fibromuscular dysplasia: does it justify routine angiography?

Background. The use of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) versus helical CT angiography (CTA) or MR angiography (MRA) for live renal donor evaluation is still controversial. Although CTA and MRA can detect some proximal moderate to severe arterial changes caused by fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), mild and distal moderate FMD are not detected well without angiography. Methods. This is a retrospective chart review of all potential, normotensive live renal donors at our center from July 1995 to June 2001. One hundred fifty-nine patients completed the donor evaluation process and underwent DSA. Results. Seven cases of FMD, an incidence of 4.4%, were discovered. These patients were eliminated from donation. The distribution of renal vessels for our 159 patients was single arteries bilaterally, 64.8%; single left with multiple right, 16.4%; double left with single right, 9.4%; and multiple bilateral arteries, 9.4%. Three of the seven FMD patients had bilateral disease. Two of the seven (28.6%) FMD patients have subsequently required antihypertensive medications, with one requiring angioplasty of a progressive FMD stenotic lesion. Conclusions. We are concerned that CTA or MRA may overlook mild cases of DSA-detectable FMD. All seven FMD patients had single left renal arteries and would have undergone left donor nephrectomy. This would have resulted in their remaining right native kidneys having mild to moderate FMD in six of seven patients and in four donor kidneys having mild to moderate FMD. The need for antihypertensive medications in two of these seven potential donors within 4 years of their evaluation supports previous literature reports.
Elasticity driven self-organization of polarons

We use a strain description to couple long-range elastic fields adiabatically to electronic density to describe the behavior of a quantum particle in an elastic medium. We show that in this generalization of the Holstein polaron problem, a bound polaronic state results with strong long-range angular dependence in the elastic fields, but a localized electronic core. The deformation of the elastic fields creates an anisotropic, indirect interaction between polarons extending to large distances. For a given density of polarons, this interaction favors the formation of strings of polarons in preferred directions.
An ecological study on the Mollusca in mangrove areas in the estuary of the Jiulong River

Based on the surveying data obtained in February, May, August and November, 1987, the ecology of Mollusca in mangrove areas in the estuary of the Jiulong River in Fujian Province was studied. The results are as follows: There are 52 species of Mollusca in the areas, and species and abundance distribution increase with salinity. Biomass and density average 7.99 g m2 and 25 ind. m2 respectively, with higher values in autumn and winter, and lower in spring and summer. Vertical distribution of biomass is highest in high tide zones and lowest in low tide zones, and density is highest in mid-tide zones and lowest in low tide zones. The relationship between the distribution of Mollusca and the environmental factors are discussed.
Economic development through contrived dependence

Abstract Two economic models, one static and one dynamic, are built where contrived dependence, the cheap acquisition of a factor service by systematically rendering its employment opportunities less accessible or rewarding, is the fundamental mechanism for the procurement and allocation of resources and for fueling economic growth. The models shed light on some of the economic mechanisms underlying the use of forced labor and the appropriation of indigenous lands in former colonial countries, and in the initial stages of the economic development of many LDCs.
Aspect of the quantisation noise associated with the digital coding of colour-television signals

Certain relations between the colour subcarrier frequency in a Pal colour-television signal and the sampling frequency of a pulse-code modulation system used to transmit the television signal affect the spectrum of the quantisation noise and can give rise to subjectively objectionable patterning effects.
Weighted Least-Squares Analysis of Several Univariate Bradley-Terry Models

Abstract The approach of Grizzle, Starmer, and Koch (1969) to analyzing categorical data using linear and loglinear transformations is applied to the analysis of univariate paired and triple comparison experiments. This method of analysis produces noniterative weighted least-squares estimates of the preference ratings corresponding to the treatments under test and allows for testing hypotheses relative to their values within the framework of the general linear hypothesis. Further, the technique produces estimates of the preference ratings which are linear on the log scale within which Bradley (1965) defined his model. Examples with and without ties or order effects for paired comparison experiments and an example of a triple comparison experiment are presented.
Intrinsic Reddening of Eta Carinae

PAGEL1 has proposed a new method for the determination of the intrinsic and interstellar reddening for peculiar objects which is based on the intensities of the forbidden lines of ionized iron, and has applied the method to the interesting southern object Eta Carinae.
N‐face high electron mobility transistors with a GaN‐spacer

N-face AlGaN (cap)/GaN (channel)/AlGaN (barrier)/GaN (buffer) high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) provide a simple solution for strong confinement of the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) from the back since carriers are induced on top of the AlGaN barrier. To reduce the adverse effects of random alloy scattering from the AlGaN barrier, an N-face GaN-spacer HEMT was designed with an epi-structure consisting of an AlGaN (cap)/GaN (channel)/AlN/GaN (spacer)/AlGaN (barrier)/GaN (buffer). The 2DEG is confined at the GaN (channel)/AlN interface, while the GaN-spacer layer separates the 2DEG from the AlGaN barrier. The large polarization-induced electric field of the AlN and its large conduction band discontinuity with GaN provide strong confinement for good pinch-off and low output conductance under high electric fields. Up to 20% improvement in electron mobility was measured in these devices. The devices showed a current gain cut-off frequency (f t ) of 24 GHz and power gain cut-off frequency (f max ) of 44 GHz for a nominal gate length of 0.7 μm. An output power density of 4.5 W/mm was measured at 4 GHz, with 34% power added efficiency and a gain of 10.3 dB at a drain bias of 40 V.
NADP+ expels both the co-factor and a substrate analog from the Mycobacterium tuberculosis ThyX active site: opportunities for anti-bacterial drug design.

The novel flavin-dependent thymidylate synthase, ThyX, is absent in humans but several pathogenic bacteria depend exclusively on ThyX activity to synthesize thymidylate. Reduction of the enzyme-bound FAD by NADPH is suggested to be the critical first step in ThyX catalysis. We soaked Mycobacterium tuberculosis ThyX-FAD-BrdUMP ternary complex crystals in a solution containing NADP+ to gain structural insights into the reductive step of the catalytic cycle. Surprisingly, the NADP+ displaced both FAD and BrdUMP from the active site. In the resultant ThyX-NADP+ binary complex, the AMP moiety is bound in a deep pocket similar to that of the same moiety of FAD in the ternary complex, while the nicotinamide part of NADP+ is engaged in a limited number of contacts with ThyX. The additional 2′-phosphate group attached to the AMP ribose of NADP+ could be accommodated with minor rearrangement of water molecules. The newly introduced 2′-phosphate groups are engaged in water-mediated interactions across the non-crystallographic 2-fold axis of the ThyX tetramer, suggesting possibilities for design of high-affinity bivalent inhibitors of this intriguing enzyme.
The psychological effects of androgenetic alopecia in men

Background: Despite the prevalence of androgenetic alopecia among men, little is known about its psychological effects. Objective: This investigation examined the psychosocial sequelae that balding men attribute to hair loss and compared balding and nonbalding men in personality functioning. Methods: Subjects included 63 men with modest balding, 40 men with more extensive balding, and 42 nonbalding controls. All anonymously completed a battery of standardized psychological measures. Results: Reported effects of balding reflected considerable preoccupation, moderate stress or distress, and copious coping efforts. These effects were especially salient among men with more extensive balding and among younger men, single men, and those with an earlier hairloss onset. Relative to controls, balding men had less body-image satisfaction yet were comparable on other personality indexes. Personality correlates of the psychological responses to hair loss were identified. Conclusion: Although most men regard hair loss to be an unwanted, distressing experience that diminishes their body image, balding men actively cope and generally retain the integrity of their personality functioning.
New insights regarding the atrial flutter reentrant circuit : studies in the canine sterile pericarditis model.

Background-We studied atrial activation during induced atrial flutter in the canine sterile pericarditis model to test the hypothesis that the atrial flutter reentrant circuit includes a septal component. Methods and Results-We studied 10 episodes of induced, sustained (>5 minutes) atrial flutter in 9 dogs. In all episodes, the reentrant circuit included a septal component. In 6 episodes, there were 2 reentrant circuits, one in the right atrial free wall and the second involving the atrial septum, Bachmann's bundle, and the right atrial free wall; both circuits shared a pathway in the right atrial free wall (figure-of-eight). The direction (superior or inferior) of the septal wave front of the second circuit correlated with the direction (clockwise or counterclockwise, respectively) of the right atrial free-wall circuit. A line of functional block in the right atrial free wall was part of both reentrant circuits. In the other 4 atrial flutter episodes, only 1 reentrant circuit was present, with activation in an inferior-to-superior direction in the septum and a superior-to-inferior direction in the right atrial free wall in 2 episodes and in the opposite direction in the other 2 episodes. In all atrial flutter episodes, the flutter wave polarity in ECG lead II was determined by the direction of activation in the left atrium; polarity was positive when the direction was superior to inferior and negative when the direction was inferior to superior. Conclusions-In this model of atrial flutter, the reentrant circuit (1) always included a septal component, (2) did not always require a right atrial free-wall reentrant circuit, (3) demonstrated figure-of-eight reentry when a reentrant circuit was present in the right atrial free wall, and (4) was associated with a line of functional block in the right atrial free wall.
Lead-in-air analyzer; a specialized air sampling and analysis kit.

(1958). Lead-in-Air Analyzer: A specialized air sampling and analysis kit. American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal: Vol. 19, No. 4, pp. 330-337.
Surface excitation mediated physics in low-fluence laser material interactions and applications to thin-film material processing

A case is presented for processing of advanced materials via low fluence lasers where the incident fluence is below the ablation threshold. A processing technique is presented which may have application to nanometer scale 'machining'. The technique relies on partially offsetting the reduced incident fluence with enhancement in the efficiency of coupling energy to surface electromagnetic waves (Plasmons). Experimental results are shown that surface corrugation enhances coupling of incident laser radiation to surface plasmons. Additional results are presented in which plasmon excitation results in the nonthermal ejection of ionic species. An experimental result is presented on a composite thin-film material where a specific material plasmon excitation results in a commensurate signature in the species ejection kinetic energy.
Multi-barreled coaxial micro-pipettes with independent control of the central recording barrel

Abstract The action of several different drugs upon the electrical activity of single neurons can be studied with an electrode composed of 6–10 drug barrels surrounding a central recording barrel. Controlled independent protrusion of the latter during the experiment facilitates atraumatic approach to smaller, cerebral, neurons.