cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neutralizing and protective epitopes of the 2009 pandemic influenza H1N1 hemagglutinin

Aims and Methods To facilitate antigenic characterization of the influenza A 2009 pandemic H1N1 [A(H1N1)pdm09] hemagglutinin (HA), we generated a panel of murine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) using as the immunogen mammalian-derived virus-like particles containing the HA of the A/California/04/2009 virus. The antibodies were specific for the A/California/04/2009 HA, and individual mAbs suitable for use in several practical applications including ELISA, immunofluorescence, and Western blot analysis were identified. Results and Conclusions As the panel of mAbs included antibodies with hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and virus neutralizing activities, this allowed identification and characterization of potentially important antigenic and neutralizing epitopes of the A/California/04/2009 HA and comparison of those epitopes with the HAs of other influenza viruses including seasonal H1N1 viruses as well as the A/South Carolina/1918 and A/New Jersey/1976 H1N1 viruses. Three mAbs with the highest HI and neutralizing titers were able to provide passive protection against virus challenge. Two other mAbs without HI or neutralizing activities were able to provide partial protection against challenge. HA epitopes recognized by the strongest neutralizing mAbs in the panel were identified by isolation and selection of virus escape mutants in the presence of individual mAbs. Cloned viruses resistant to HI and antibody neutralization were sequenced to identify mutations, and two unique mutations (D127E and G155E) were identified, both near the antigenic site Sa. Using human post-vaccination sera, however, there were no differences in HI titer between A/California/04/2009 and either escape mutant, suggesting that these single mutations were not sufficient to abrogate a protective antibody response to the vaccine.
Abstract W P221: Argonaute 2 Mediates Sildenafil-Promoted Axonal Outgrowth

Molecular mechanisms are not fully known for the inhibitory effect of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) on axonal outgrowth. The present study investigated the effect of CSPGs on miRNA expression and the role of Argonaute 2 (Ago2) in mediating Sildenafil-induced axonal outgrowth under CSPG conditions. Primary rat embryonic cortical neurons were cultured in a microfluidic chamber which separates somata and axons. Selective application of CSPGs within the axonal compartment markedly inhibited axonal outgrowth (567±15 μm vs 688 ± 21 μm in control, n=5, p<0.05). Axonal application of Sildenafil, a PDE5 inhibitor, completely reversed the inhibitory effect of CSPG on axonal outgrowth (671±17 μm, n=5). Analysis of miRNA PCR array showed that axonal application of CSPGs robustly changed miRNA profiles not only in axons but also in somata, indicating that axonal signals regulate soma miRNAs. Sildenafil inversely altered miRNA up- and down-regulated by CSPGs, including miR-29c, miR-9a, miR-20b, miR-298 and miR-34a. Attenuation of Ago2, a regulator of miRNA activity, in neurons by siRNA abolished Sildenafil-increased axonal outgrowth under CSPG conditions, suggesting that miRNAs are required for Sildenafil-enhanced axonal outgrowth. One of putative targets of miR-29c is integrin β1. Western blot analysis showed that CSPGs and Sildenafil reduced and increased, respectively, axonal integrin β1 and its downstream protein, focal adhesion kinase, suggesting that miR-29c regulates these protein levels. To examine cause-effect of integrin β1, we applied a neutralizing antibody against integrin β1 into the axonal compartment and found that the antibody attenuated the Sildenafil-reversed inhibitor effect of CSPGs on axonal outgrowth (523±34 μm vs 671±17 μm in Sildenafil, n=5, p<0.01). In conclusion, the present study indicates that axonal signals induced by CSPGs and Sildenafil change miRNA profiles in the entire neuron and that Sildenafil abolishes the CSPG inhibitory effect on axons via Ago2.
Microanatomy of the anterior uveoscleral outflow pathway in normal and primary open-angle glaucomatous dogs.

Objective To compare the morphology of the uveoscleral (US) outflow pathway in normal and glaucomatous canines. Animals studied 10 normal beagles, 10 beagles with inherited primary open-angle glaucoma, 4 cocker spaniels with spontaneous glaucoma. Procedures Formalin-preserved globes were sectioned tangentially and sagittally and treated with H&E, Masson’s trichrome, or elastin stains or analyzed by immunohistochemistry to visualize smooth muscle actin. Tissues associated with the US pathway were observed and compared using light microscopy. Results Tangentially oriented sections clearly revealed spaces for the transport of aqueous humor at the junction of the posterior iridocorneal angle (ICA) and anterior ciliary body musculature (CBM). Within the external anterior-most of the US pathway, the supraciliary space, distinct connective tissue cords and smooth muscle pegs fastened the ciliary body to the adjacent sclera. Compared to normal controls, glaucomatous eyes developed a robust scleral elastic sheath at the junction between the posterior ICA and the anterior CBM. In advanced glaucomatous beagles and cocker spaniels, a large amount of melanophores were seen in the US pathway and surrounding vasculature. Within the C8M of glaucomatous specimens, the smooth muscle bundles appeared fewer and separated by elastic-rich ECM. Structures of the US pathway changed little with age. Conclusions The anterior portion of the canine US pathway is well defined and appears to be altered little with age. However with glaucoma, changes of the US pathway were associated with its the elastic components, as well as the accumulation of melanophores. Collectively, these changes may have an effect on US outflow and, subsequently, aqueous humor dynamics.
Asymptotics for Bounded Semigroups on Hilbert Space

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the asymptotic behavior of ( C 0 ) semigroups on Hilbert space. The semigroups of interest discussed in this chapter are the uniformly bounded and the contraction semigroups. The chapter discusses the application of the mean ergodic theorem in “big” Hilbert spaces. The first such space is the set of Hilbert–Schmidt operators on H . The second is the space of pseudo-periodic locally square integrable H -valued function on R . In the chapter, bound states and decaying and scattering states of a contraction semigroup are described. The existence and characterization of periodic and pseudo-periodic solutions of time dependent evolution equations are discussed in the chapter. An asymptotic equipartition of energy, scattering theory for abstract wave equations, and other equations of higher order in time are described in the chapter. Wiener's Theory is discussed and a result of this theorem is also described in the chapter.
Determinants of intensity of participation in leisure and recreational activities by children with cerebral palsy.

Aim To test a model of child, family, and service determinants of intensity of participation in leisure and recreational activities by children with cerebral palsy (CP). Method Participants were 288 children with CP, age range 6 to 12 years (mean 9y 8mo, SD 2y), and their parents from seven children’s hospitals. The sample comprised 166 (57.6%) males and 122 (42.4%) females, and between 40 (13.9%) and 74 (25.7%) children in each of the five levels of the Gross Motor Function Classification System. Children completed the Children’s Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment by interview. Parents completed the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument, Family Environment Scale, Coping Inventory, Measure of Processes of Care, and two questionnaires. Structural equation modeling was used to test the model. Results Fit statistics indicated a good model fit. The model explains 32% of the variance in intensity of participation. Path coefficients (p≤0.05) indicate that higher gross motor function, higher enjoyment, more effective adaptive behavior, younger age, and higher family activity orientation are associated with higher intensity of participation. The path between services and participation was not significant. Interpretation Intensity of participation of children with CP is influenced by multiple child and family determinants. Children’s gross motor function and behavior in life situations are important for participation; knowledge of activities the child and family enjoy has implications for opportunities for participation. Professionals are encouraged to address priorities for leisure and recreation identified by children with CP and their families.
Tc-99m galactosyl-neoglycoalbumin: in vitro characterization of receptor-mediated binding

Hepatic binding protein (HBP) is a membrane receptor that binds and transports plasma glycoproteins from hepatic blood to hepatocellular lysosomes. We have characterized the in vitro binding of Tc-99m galactosyl-neoglycoalbumin (Tc-NGA), a synthetic HBP ligand, to liver membrane. Structural modifications of NGA resulted in the alteration of the equilibrium constant, KA, and the forward-binding rate constant, kb. Binding was second-order; the relative amount of membrane-bound NGA depended on the initial concentrations of ligand and membrane. Membrane displacement studies, using carrier ligands in contrast to previously bound Tc-NGA or I-NGA, correlated with the binding characteristics of a native HBP ligand, asialo-orosomucoid. We used computer simulation to study the detectability of the changes in HBP concentration at different values of kb. The simulations indicated that radiopharmacokinetic sensitivity to alterations in [HBP] should be possible using a neoglycoalbumin preparation with a carbohydrate density within the range of 15 to 25 galactose units per albumin molecule.
Indentation Behavior of Ion-Exchanged Glasses

This paper reports indentation fracture mechanics extended to include the effect of a thin layer of residual stress on the indentation strength of brittle materials. The proposed theory was used to predict the residual stress values for an ion-exchanged glass. For flaws placed before the exchange, considerable strengthening was observed, but the value of the surface stress predicted was considerable underestimated. For flaws placed after the exchange, there was no strengthening and the value of the surface stress was predicted to be zero. The failure of the indentation analysis indicates that it has to be modified for accurate stress determination. Thin layers of residual stress were found to retard the initiation of surface damage, but their influence on the strength after damage initiation was minimal.
Preliminary Investigation using a Batch Flow Process to Determine Bacteria Destruction by Microwave Energy at Low Temperature

Abstract This paper reports on a batch flow process to substantially reduce bacteria in which microwave energy is instantly and simultaneously applied to the system and removed by a cooling tube within the process line in the microwave. A logarithmic cycle reduction of 3 (3 log Kills) was realized forPediococcussp. in water, 100 g/L sugar solutions, and brine solution, and 2 log reductions in cells in apple juice. The temperature of the process fluid was maintained at a nominal 35 °C or less for a total microwave exposure time of less than 9 min.
Effects of cue-controlled relaxation, a credible placebo treatment and no treatment on shyness among college males.

Abstract Thirty-three shy male college students participated in two interpersonal performance tests with attractive female confederates. Between the two interpersonal performances each was exposed to cue-controlled relaxation, to a credible placebo regimen or to no treatment. Self- and confederate ratings of social effectiveness, self-ratings of heterosocial enxiety and heart rates during the interpersonal performances were unaffected by exposure to orthodox cue-controlled relaxation. Skin conductance during the interpersonal performances was lowered markedly by cue-controlled relaxation. The meanings and limitations of the GSR data are discussed along with some directions for future research.
Direct Spectroscopic Observation of the Role of Humidity in Surface Diffusion through an Ionic Adsorbent Powder. The Behavior of Adsorbed Pyridine on Nanocrystalline MgO

The influence of water vapor on the surface diffusion behavior of pyridine adsorbed on powdered MgO surfaces has been studied by Fourier transform IR (FTIR) absorption spectroscopy. It has been found that the introduction of water vapor significantly increases the pyridine surface diffusion coefficient. FTIR spectra showed that water vapor converted Lewis acid Mg2+ sites to Bronsted Mg−OH sites. These measurements also detected the change in surface bonding of pyridine to the two types of sites. The activation energy for escape of chemisorbed pyridine into a mobile precursor state is lower for pyridine bound to Mg−OH sites than for binding to Mg2+ sites, causing the hydroxylated MgO to exhibit a higher diffusivity than that found for dry MgO containing no surface hydroxyl groups. This effect was confirmed by DFT calculations of the binding energy of pyridine to MgO(100) sites and to defect sites on MgO(100), where hydroxylation decreases the binding energy by ∼30 kJ mol−1 on each type of site.
Controls on Reservoir Quality of Sandstones, Cotton Valley Group (Upper Jurassic), East Texas Basin, Texas: ABSTRACT

End_Page 556------------------------------Sandstones in the Cotton Valley Group are poor-quality gas reservoirs that require massive hydraulic fracturing for economic production. Burial diagenesis of these rocks has resulted in extensive cementation and grain replacement that, with few exceptions, has reduced porosity to less than 10% and permeability to less than 0.1 md. Major diagenetic minerals are quartz and carbonates (calcite, ankerite-dolomite) with clay minerals, albite, and anhydrite present in subordinate amounts. The abundance of cement is related in part to initial sandstone composition. Cotton Valley sandstones are very fine to fine-grained, moderately to well-sorted quartzarenites and subarkoses. In quartzose sandstones, pore-filling cements average between 15 and 20% of the rock volume, whereas in feldspathic s ndstones cements usually comprise over 20% of the rock volume. These cements eliminate most of the primary intergranular porosity leaving a series of nearly isolated voids connected by submicron-size pore throats. Although blockage of pore throats by authigenic clay minerals locally contributes to low permeability, quartz and carbonate cements usually line pores and appear to more effectively block pore throats. Porosity preserved in the Cotton Valley consists of primary intergranular and secondary dissolution voids. Most secondary porosity results from dissolution of feldspar and chert; a sparse amount of secondary voids originate from dissolution of shell fragments and possibly calcite cement. Dissolution porosity is locally the most abundant type of porosity, particularly in feldspathic sandstones, but is usually associated with inadequate permeability to improve reservoir quality. Secondary voids are not interconnected because their distribution depends on the presence of soluble grains, which are dispersed in the sandstones. Highest permeability is present where primary intergranular porosity forms over 50% of the total porosity. End_of_Article - Last_Page 557------------
HURRICANE DISTURBANCE AND THE POPULATION DYNAMICS OF A TROPICAL UNDERSTORY SHRUB: MEGAMATRIX ELASTICITY ANALYSIS

The role of environmental variation in the population dynamics of the tropical understory shrub Ardisia escallonioides was explored using single-environment matrix analysis and dynamic-environment megamatrix analysis. We investigated how variation in forest-canopy openness caused by hurricanes affected population dynamics. A 7 × 7 patch-transition matrix was created to model forest dynamics based on the historical frequency and strength of hurricanes in south Florida. Seven 8 × 8 stage-classified matrices for plant population dynamics were derived from four field populations and two posthurricane years. These populations spanned a strong gradient of forest-canopy openness resulting from hurricane disturbance caused by Hurricane Andrew (24 August 1992). The patch-transition matrix was analyzed for its stable patch distribution. The seven single-environment matrices were each analyzed for population growth rates and elasticity of stage classes. The 56 × 56 megamatrix was analyzed for population growth rate, reproductive value, stable patch-stage distribution, and elasticity of both patches and stages. Population growth rate of the single-environment matrix models (8 × 8) was lowest for the shadiest environment (λ = 1.0), intermediate but variable for intermediate environments, and highest for the most open environment (λ = 1.96). The population growth rate (λ) of the megamatrix model was 1.71. The stable patch-stage distribution was characterized by a high proportion of seeds in open patches. Reproductive value was highest for very large adults in open patches. Megamatrix elasticity analysis revealed several components of the demography that were not apparent from examination of the single-environment matrices. Although closed-canopy patches were the most common type of environment, elasticity analysis of the megamatrix showed that the highest patch elasticity was for the most open environment. We found contrasting predictions for the relative importance of life history stages to population growth rate from single-environment analysis vs. the megamatrix analysis. In the most common single-environment patch, very large adults had the highest elasticity. In the megamatrix, small juveniles contributed the most elasticity and all stages contributed some elasticity. For plant species inhabiting temporally varying environments, megamatrix analysis offers new insight into the importance of both patches and stage classes.
Ent-kauranes and 10α-methyl-eudesman-8αh,12-olides from wedelia calycina and wedelia hispida

Abstract The aerial parts of Wedelia hispida furnished small amounts of three new 10α-methyl-eudesman-8α,12-olides as well as some known en t-kauranes. Wedelia calycina yielded various en t-kaurane derivatives, several of them new.
THE INSPECTION PARADOX

We relate two variants of the inspection paradox by showing that both represent the length of a renewal interval that contains a chosen point, the difference being in the way that point is chosen. We show, in both cases, that the length of the interval is likelihood ratio larger than that of an ordinary renewal interval.
Interacting-string picture of dual-resonance models☆

Dual-resonance models are analyzed by means of operators which act within the physical Hilbert space of positive-metric states. The basis of the method is to extend the relativistic-string picture of Goldstone, Goddard, Rebbi and Thorn to interacting particles. Functional methods are used, but their relation to the operator formalism is evident, and factorization is maintained. An expression is given for the N-point amplitude in terms of physical-particle operators. For the three-point function the Neumann functions which occur in this expression are evaluated, so that we have a formula for the on- and off-energy-shell vertex. We assume that the string has no longitudinal degrees of freedom, and our results are Lorentz invariant and dual only if d=26.
Critical/Cultural Scholarship and the Responsibility for Building Theory: Enduring Criticism Revisited

Communication journals appeal to an audience with an interest in communication and communication theory. Consequently, critical/cultural scholars should contribute to the body of theory in our field. This engagement with theory enables our discipline to produce “enduring criticism” that offers insight long after the fascination with particular artifacts has passed.
Effects of poverty on cognitive function: A hidden neurologic epidemic

Mental retardation is one of the most prevalent neurologic disorders globally. Surveys in high-income countries show 3 to 5 per 1,000 with severe intellectual disability, i.e., IQ below 55. Estimates from developing countries, however, have found prevalence rates from 5 to as much as 22 per 1,000. Protein-energy malnutrition, dietary micronutrient deficiencies, environmental toxins, and lack of early sensory stimulation or the ability to profit from it may contribute to neurodevelopmental disabilities. Tropical diseases such as parasitosis with resultant anemia, malaria, and other infections are major contributory causes. Reduction of poverty and its effects would reduce the present and future burden of mental retardation and cognitive dysfunction, especially in developing countries.
A Hemodynamic Evaluation of Bilateral Nephrectomy and Hemodialysis in Hypertensive Man

Three hypertensive men with end-stage primary renal disease were hemodynamically evaluated before and 3 to 4 weeks after bilateral nephrectomy and before and after 6 hours of hemodialysis with the twin coil artificial kidney. Conclusions include the following: (1) The height of the blood pressure and changes in plasma volume (P.V.) are not necessarily directly related in the early renoprival state. (2) Increased total peripheral resistance (TPR) plays an important role in maintaining elevation of blood pressure after nephrectomy. (3) We cannot document that bilateral nephrectomy has a beneficial effect on the hypertension of chronic renal failure during the first month of the anephric state. (4) Renin is not involved in maintaining elevated blood pressure after nephrectomy. (5) Increased sensitivity to ganglionic blockade may follow nephrectomy if P.V. decreases. (6) No evidence supports the existence of a "cardiodepressor" substance in uremia. (7) Increased blood pressure occasionally seen during hemodia...
If and When Money Matters: The Relationships Among Educational Expenditures, Student Engagement and Students’ Learning Outcomes

Calls for accountability in higher education are prompted in part by questions concerning whether colleges and universities use their resources effectively to promote student learning. Unfortunately, too little is known about whether money matters to desired outcomes of college. Using students’ responses to the 2004 administration of the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) in concert with institutional data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the College Board, this study examined the relationships between educational expenditures, student engagement and selected student self-reported learning outcomes, controlling for student and institutional characteristics. Results indicated that expenditures were modestly related to student engagement and learning outcomes. However, the nature of these relationships differed, depending on the engagement/outcome measure and student year in school.
Experimental study of thermal lensing of Nd: YAG laser

A wavefront method of measuring the thermal lensing of solid-state lasers is proposed. This method is easy to implement and has a high spatial resolution for diagnosing thermal lensing. By this method, the thermal lensing of Nd: YAG laser is studied in detail. And this work provides a means for studying the thermal effects of laser medium and many instructional parameters for optimizing the design of the laser cavity.
Subjective scoring for the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A.

Abstract A scale is presented which assesses subjective experiences associated with the test suggestions contained in the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A (HGSHS: A) of Shor and E. Orne (1962). This scale, along with the standard HGSHS: A self-scoring test booklet, was administered to 479 students at the University of Connecticut and 618 students at North Dakota State University, and normative data from these samples are reported. Correlational analyses indicated that the scale was both reliable and valid as a measure of hypnotic responsiveness. It is suggested that it may be useful to supplement behavioral scoring of hypnotizability with subjective scoring.
Dual task demands and gist-based false recognition of pictures in younger and older adults

In a yes/no recognition paradigm using categorized pictures (Koutstaal & Schacter, 1997), older adults show high rates of false recognition of category items where many related items are studied; they also show high levels of veridical recognition of targets from such categories (where gist-like memory representations might be sufficient) but impaired recognition of one-of-a-kind items (where item-specific memory may be required). Dual task demands at study were used to equate older and younger adults on veridical memory for one-of-a-kind items, but older adults still showed elevated false recognition. When we compared young adults under dual task conditions to a young control group, dual task performance at study, or at both study-and-test, substantially reduced veridical memory but did not reduce false recognition. Dual task demands at test also did not affect false recognition. Gist-based false recognition of pictures is robust to changes in encoding resources that exert substantial effects on veridical memory. © 2001 Academic Press
Crop damage caused by powdery mildew on hop and its relationship to late season management

This is the publisher’s final pdf. The article was published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. and is in the public domain. The published article can be found at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/%28ISSN%291365-3059.
Ground- and excited-state properties of solid argon under pressure

A self-consistent perturbation model for calculating the ground- and excited-state electronic properties of molecular and rare-gas crystals is presented. A tight-binding approximation is used, in which the effects of the crystal potential, calculated with local-density functionals, are included as a perturbation on the molecules (or atoms). The molecular (atomic) wave functions are then computed from standard Hartree-Fock theory. For the case of solid argon under pressure, a decrease in atomic volume causes a gain in free energy, which is partially balanced by the energy required to compress the atom. Calculated exciton energies for Ar disagree by only 2.5% with experimental values at zero pressure.
An Interactive Tool for Register-Level Structure Optimization

This paper presents a program named RLEXT (Register Level Exploration Tool), which allows a user to manually modify a register-level datapath design. The allowed operations are addition and deletion of components and connections. Any component not an i/o port, a register, or an addressable memory may be added or deleted. Any wire or connection of a pin to a wire may be added or deleted. The unique aspect of RLEXT is that the continued ability of the datapath to support its behavioral specifications is guaranteed: that is, if the user makes changes that would impair the datapath's ability to carry out the desired function, RLEXT will automatically repair the datapath so that it is once again able to express the specified behavior.
Direct formation of dielectric thin films on silicon by low energy ion beam bombardment

Abstract Dielectric films with thickness of the order of 50 A are obtained at room temperature by bombarding exposed silicon surfaces with an oxygen-containing ion beam of energy 60 eV. Silicon nitride thin films have also been formed using the same technique. The film thickness is self-limited and largely independent of ion dose. AES and XPS analysis of the produced thin films indicate that the films are not entirely stoichiometric and contain lower oxidation states of silicon. The high electrical quality of the oxide films is demonstrated by the successful fabrication of n-channel MOS transistors with gate dielectrics obtained by ion beam oxidation at room temperature.
Route of administration and drug disposition

(1975). Route of Administration and Drug Disposition. Drug Metabolism Reviews: Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 185-199.
Dynamic IMRT treatments of sinus region tumors: Comparison of Monte Carlo calculations with treatment planning system calculations and ion chamber measurements

Results are presented comparing Monte Carlo (MC) calculations for dynamic IMRT treatments of tumors in the sinus region with Eclipse treatment planning system dose calculations, and ion chamber measurements. The EGS4nrc MC code, BEAMnrc, was commissioned to simulate a Varian 21Ex Linac for both open and IMRT fields. The accuracy of the simulation for IMRT plans was evaluated using a head phantom by comparing MC, Eclipse, TLD results, and ion chamber in solid water phantom measurements. The MC code was then used to simulate dose distributions for five patients who were treated using dynamic IMRT for tumors in the sinus region. The results were compared with absolute and relative dose distributions calculated using Eclipse (pencil beam, modified-Batho inhomogeneity correction). Absolute dose differences were also compared with ion chamber results. Comparison of the doses calculated on the head phantom using MC, compared with Eclipse, ion chamber, and TLD measurements showed differences of -3.9%, -1.4%, and -2.0%, respectively (MC is colder). Relative dose distributions for the patient plans calculated using MC agreed well with those calculated using Eclipse with respect to targets and critical organs, indicating the modified-Batho correction is adequate. Average agreement for mean absolute target doses between MC and Eclipse was -3.0 +/-; 2.3% (1 s.d.). Agreement between ion chamber and Eclipse for these patients was -2.2 +/- 1.9%, compared with 0.2 +/- 2.0% for all head and neck IMRT patients. When Eclipse doses were corrected based on ion chamber results, agreement between MC and Eclipse was -0.7 +/- 2.0%, indicating a small systematic uncertainty in the doses calculated using the treatment planning system for this subset of patients.
Long-term orbital performance of the microchannel plate (MCP) detectors aboard the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer

The Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE), launched June 7, 1992, conducted an all-sky survey in the extreme ultraviolet wavelengths (70-760 angstrom) for 6 months and is now performing spectroscopic pointings for Guest Observers. The seven microchannel plate (MCP) detectors used on the instrument (four for imaging in photometric wavebands and three for the spectrometers) have operated successfully throughout the mission. The long-term (780 days) performance characteristics such as quantum efficiency (QE), gain, and background count rate, will be reviewed along with other interesting unexpected effects noted during the mission. Because the QE has remained constant, the background has been reduced, and other effects have been minimized, the EUVE instruments currently operate better than after launch and will probably continue to do so.
Intravascular ultrasound imaging: clinical applications

Intravascular ultrasound imaging (IVUS) is a catheter based imaging technique in which a miniaturized crystal is mounted at the tip of a catheter to provide high resolution, two- dimensional ultrasound images of the vascular system. With ultrasound crystals of the appropriate imaging frequency, any region of the vascular system can be imaged intraluminally by this catheter system. IVUS images are generated from ultrasound waves that are reflected from the vessel wall. The reflections demonstrate the morphologic details of the vessel and the geometry of the lumen (Figure 1). A detailed analysis of the entire length of the vessel can be made by simply advancing or withdrawing the catheter. The vessel wall morphology and lumen geometry obtained with IVUS have been shown to correlate well with histologic specimens.
Outcomes and charges associated with outpatient inguinal hernia repair according to method of anesthesia and surgical approach.

Abstract Background We conducted this study to compare short-term outcomes and charges between methods of hernia repair and anesthesia in the outpatient setting. Methods Using New York's state ambulatory surgery databases, we identified discharges for patients who underwent inguinal hernia repair. Patients were grouped by method of hernia repair. We compared hospital-based acute care encounters and total charges across groups. Results Locoregional anesthesia (5.2%) experienced a similar frequency of hospital-based acute care encounters within 30 days of discharge when compared with patients receiving general (6.0%) or having a laparoscopic procedure (6.0%). Risk-adjusted charges increased across groups (locoregional = $6,845 vs general = $7,839 vs laparoscopic = $11,340, P Conclusion Open inguinal hernia repair under local anesthesia reduces healthcare charges.
A review article on the benefits of early mobilization following spinal surgery and other medical/surgical procedures.

Background: The impact of early mobilization on perioperative comorbidities and length of stay (LOS) has shown benefits in other medical/surgical subspecialties. However, few spinal series have specifically focused on the “pros” of early mobilization for spinal surgery, other than in acute spinal cord injury. Here we reviewed how early mobilization and other adjunctive measures reduced morbidity and LOS in both medical and/or surgical series, and focused on how their treatment strategies could be applied to spinal patients.
The Treatment of a Group C Streptococcus Infection in Guinea Pigs with Vitamin C and Sulfanilamide

does not give any degree of protection to the infected animal. If it is assumed that an adequate vitamin C level is an important defensive mechanism in the infected host, the observation by Dainow and Zimmet4 that the ingestion of sulfanilamide causes a diminution in the vitamin C content of the testicles, liver and brain of all the animals treated is highly significant. Furthermore, Dainow5 reported that the purpuras, gingival hemorrhages, gastro-intestinal disturbances, cutaneous eruptions, hematurias, epistaxis and anemia, all resulting from sulfanilamide therapy, are each characteristic signs of scurvy, and that the concomitant administration of ascorbic acid prevents these toxic manifestations. Moreover, Mouriquand et al.6 reported a scurvy-like syndrome resulting from doses of 0.5 gm. of sulfanilamide per kg. of body weight. On the other hand, Vauthey' attributes to ascorbic acid the power of diminishing the toxicity of chemotherapeutic compounds. Search of the available literature pertaining to the administration of vitamin C with sulfanilamide or its derivatives in experimental animals revealed only the reports of Steinbach and Duca8 and the associates of Mellon.9,10 Steinbach and Duca found the administration of sulfapyridine alone or in conjunction with vitamin C to be ineffective in the treatment of guinea pigs infected with human tubercle bacilli. Locke et al.9 reported that in rabbits infected with the type I pneumococcus and treated with sulfanilamide, the administration of vitamin C lowered the mortality rate. However, when the rat was used as the ex erimental animal, Cooper and GrossIo did not find that the administration of vitamin C in addition to sulfanilamide had any effect on the mortality rate in type II pneumococcus infections. On the basis of the above observations, it was believed that an experimental investigation of the relationship between vitamin C and sulfanilamide in the treatment of an infectious disease
Accidental total spinal block: a complication of an epidural test dose.

A case is presented of a 36-yr-old parturient who developed a total spinal block after an epidural test dose. After placement of an epidural catheter and confirming negative aspiration for blood or CSF, 3 ml lidocaine 1.5% (45 mg), with 1:200,000 epinephrine (15 μg) was injected via the catheter over 30 sec. Within two minutes the patient developed hypotension and extensive sensory and motor block including respiratory paralysis and aphonia. She remained fully conscious and alert and spontaneous respiration recommenced in five minutes. A live healthy infant was delivered by emergency Caesarean section shortly afterwards under general anaesthesia and the mother recovered completely without any untoward sequelae.
Eric Clearinghouse on Educational Administration: Modern Day Prometheus for Educational Administrators

The ERIC Clearinghouse on Educational Administration at the University of Oregon acquires, indexes and abstracts documents relating to the theory and practice of administration and publishes newsletters, bibliographies and interpretive reviews of research studies. The Clearinghouse is responsible for documents dealing with the leadership, management and structure of public and private educational organizations at the elementary and secondary levels. Attention is paid to documents bearing upon not only educational but also other areas of administration and to relevant publications relating to the humanities and the social and behavioral sciences. In this paper administrators and scholars in the field are advised how to draw on the resources of ERIC Clearinghouse on Educational Administration.
Erroneous perceptions of fluvial hazards

Abstract Many times human perceptions of geomorphic hazards are fallacious. Three types of misperceptions are (1) a perception of stability, which leads to the conclusion that any change is not natural, (2) a perception of instability, which leads to the conclusion that change will not cease, and (3) a perception of excessive response, which leads to the conclusion that changes will always be major. Examples, which include the Snake, Ohio, Colorado, and Nile Rivers, incised channels, and Rocky Mountain Streams demonstrate how these perceptions can lead to litigation and unnecessary engineering works.
NMR investigations of the solution structures of Ru–Zn complexes tethered by oligo(aminoethylglycine) chains

Abstract [Ru(bpy)3]2+ complexes derivatized with two aminoethylglycine (aeg) chains bearing pendant bipyridine ligands coordinate Zn2+ to form a coordinative interchain crosslink. Although [Zn(bpy)2]2+ is both redox and spectroscopically silent, when bound to [Ru(bpy)3]2+ by the aeg strands it causes quenching of the emissive Ru complex excited state. 1H NMR spectroscopy is used to monitor changes in the structure and environment of the Ru complex during a titration as Zn2+ is added. Using spectral assignments from 1 and 2D NMR spectra, the spectrophotometric titrations reveal that Zn2+ binding causes significant shifts of the peaks assigned to the protons on the [Ru(bpy)3]2+ core that are closest to the Zn2+. These shifts reveal changes in the local environment that are likely a combination of electrostatic interactions between the two dication metal complexes and strain induced by the metal ion crosslinking the strands.
Leptin Regulation of the Mesoaccumbens Dopamine Pathway

Leptin is an adipose-derived hormone that acts on hypothalamic leptin receptors to regulate energy balance. Leptin receptors are also expressed in extrahypothalamic sites including the ventral tegmental area (VTA), critical to brain reward circuitry. We report that leptin targets DA and GABA neurons of the VTA, inducing phosphorylation of signal-transducer-and-activator-of-transcription-3 (STAT3). Retrograde tracing combined with pSTAT3 immunohistochemistry show leptin-responsive VTA neurons projecting to nucleus accumbens (NAc). Assessing leptin function in the VTA, we showed that ob/ob mice had diminished locomotor response to amphetamine and lacked locomotor sensitization to repeated amphetamine injections, both defects reversed by leptin infusion. Electrically stimulated DA release from NAc shell terminals was markedly reduced in ob/ob slice preparations, and NAc DA levels and TH expression were lower. These data define a role for leptin in mesoaccumbens DA signaling and indicate that the mesoaccumbens DA pathway, critical to integrating motivated behavior, responds to this adipose-derived signal.
178 Cardiovascular effects of OSA and obesity in children

Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) is a complex disorder that has a broad range of morbidity. Knowledge about the cardiovascular impact of SDB in the pediatric literature is emerging. The clinical course of the disorder is changing from one that caused cardiovascular morbidity in the pediatric age to one that leads to the development of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in adults. A review of the association between SDB and abnormal vascular structure and function will be presented. The confounding effect of obesity will be discussed.
Segmentation of planar curves into straight-line segments and elliptical arcs

This paper presents a procedure for segmenting planar curves, mainly the projected boundary contours of machined parts, into straight-line segments and elliptical arcs. The break points are divided into two types: corners and smooth joins. The corners are detected by first applying adaptive smoothing to the tangent orientation along the curve, then taking the derivative of the smoothed tangent orientation, and finally locating the high spikes on the derivative. The smooth joins are first roughly located by a dynamic focusing fitting technique and then refined by an adjustment algorithm. The dynamic focusing fitting technique holds one end of a curve segment (which is bounded by a pair of adjacent corners) fixed and scans it from the other end until it focuses on a component segment which fits either a straight line or an elliptical arc. This component segment is identified and the process is repeated in the same manner for the rest of the curve. In the refining stage, each smooth join is adjusted to the left or to the right, point by point, until the measurement of goodness of fit for the curve segment is optimized. Tests of the procedure were performed with the boundary curves of three real object images.
Thickness and conductivity of metallic layers from pulsed eddy‐current measurements

Coatings and surface treatments find a wide range of technological applications; they can provide wear resistance, oxidation and corrosion protection, electrical contact or isolation and thermal insulation. Consequently, the ability to determine the thickness of coated metals is important for both process control and in-service inspection of parts. Presently ultrasonic, thermal, and eddy current inspection methods are used, depending on the circumstances. A number of commercial instruments for determining the thickness of nonconducting coatings on metal substrates are based on the fact that the impedance change of the coil decreases exponentially with the distance of the coil from the metal (the lift-off effect). However, these instruments are not suitable for determining the thickness of metal layers on conducting substrates.
Deposition of DLC via intense ion beam ablation

Diamond-like carbon films were prepared by high intensity pulsed ion beam ablation of graphite targets. A 350 key, 35 kA, 400 ns pulse width beam, consisting primarily of carbon ions and protons, was focused onto a graphite target at a fluence of 15-45J/cm{sup 2}. Films were deposited onto substrates positioned i.n q n angular array from normal to the target to 90{degrees} off normal. Deposition rates up to 30 nm per pulse, corresponding to an instantaneous deposition rate greater than I mn/sec, have been observed. Electrical resistivities between 1 and 1000 ohm-cm were measured for these films. XRD scans showed that no crystalline structure developed in the films. SEM revealed that the bulk of the films contain material with feature sizes on the order of 100 nm, but micron size particles were deposited as well. Both Raman and electron energy loss spectroscopy indicated significant amounts of sp{sup 3} bonded carbon present in most of the films.
Uncertainty and endogenous technical change in climate policy models

Until recently endogenous technical change and uncertainty have been modeled separately in climate policy models. In this paper, we review the emerging literature that considers both these elements together. Taken as a whole the literature indicates that explicitly including uncertainty has important quantitative and qualitative impacts on optimal climate change technology policy.
Aluminum complexes of the redox-active [ONO] pincer ligand

A series of aluminum complexes containing the tridentate, redox-active ligand bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-phenol)amine ([ONO]H3) in three different oxidation states were synthesized. The aluminum halide salts AlCl3 and AlBr3 were reacted with the doubly deprotonated form of the ligand to afford five-coordinate [ONHOcat]AlX(solv) complexes (1a, X = Cl, solv = OEt2; 1b, X = Br, solv = THF), each having a trigonal bipyramidal coordination geometry at the aluminum and containing the [ONHOcat]2− ligand with a protonated, sp3-hybridized nitrogen donor. The [ONO] ligand platform may also be added to aluminum through the use of the oxidized ligand salt [ONOq]K, which was reacted with AlCl3 in the presence of either diphenylacetylacetonate (acacPh2−) or 8-oxyquinoline (quinO−) to afford [ONOq]Al(acacPh2)Cl (2) or [ONOq]Al(quinO)Cl (3), respectively, with well-defined [ONOq]− ligands. Quinonate complexes 2 and 3 were reduced by one electron to afford the corresponding complexes K{[ONOsq]Al(acacPh2)(py)} (4) and K{[ONOsq]Al(quinO)(py)} (5), respectively, containing well-defined [ONOsq]2− ligands. The addition of tetrachloro-1,2-quinone to 1a in the presence of pyridine resulted in the expulsion of HCl and the formation of an aluminum complex with two different redox active ligands, [ONO]Al(o-O2C6Cl4)(py) (6). Similar results were obtained when 1a was reacted with 9,10-phenanthrenequinone to afford [ONO]Al(o-O2C14H8)(py) (7) or with pyrene-4,5-dione to afford [ONO]Al(o-O2C16H8)(py) (8). Structural, spectroscopic and preliminary magnetic measurements on 6–8 suggest ligand non-innocent redox behavior in these complexes.
Evaluation of a new reagent strip rapid urease test for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection

Abstract Background: Rapid urease tests are commonly used as a convenient method to detect Helicobacter pylori infection. Our previous experiments demonstrated enhanced efficacy of agar gel rapid urease test compared with reagent strip rapid urease tests. We evaluated the efficacy of PyloriTek, a new reagent strip rapid test for detecting H. pylori infection. Methods: Gastric antral mucosal biopsy specimens were obtained for comparison between agar gel rapid urease tests and PyloriTek (200 specimens). The rapid urease test to be used first was selected randomly. H. pylori status was determined using the Genta stain. Culture was performed to confirm H. pylori status when false rapid urease tests were suspected. Results: One hundred patients were studied; 68 had H. pylori infection. There were two false-negative and one false-positive PyloriTek when scored at 1 hour, compared with only one false-positive and no false-negative tests at 2 hours. With the agar gel rapid urease tests, there were no false-positive tests and 5 false-negative tests when scored at 1 hour, 2 false-negative tests at 12 hours and 1 at 24 hours; there were no false-positive tests. At 1 hour, 3% (95% CI=1% to 9%) of PyloriTek tests had an erroneous categorization of H. pylori status compared with 5% for the agar gel rapid urease tests (95% CI=1.6% to 11%) ( p > 0.7). Conclusion: The new reagent strip rapid urease test, PyloriTek, is rapid and comparable in accuracy to agar gel rapid urease tests for detecting H. pylori infection. (Gastrointest Endosc 1996;44:519-22.)