cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Textbook of Interventional Neurology

Preface 1. History of interventional neurology Adnan I. Qureshi 2. Diagnostic cerebral angiography Adnan I. Qureshi and Ameer E. Hassan 3. Overview of pharmacological agents Ameer E. Hassan, Steve M. Cordina, Haitham H. Hussein, Deepak L. Bhatt and Adnan I. Qureshi 4. Periprocedural care Alexandros L. Georgiadis and Mustapha A. Ezzeddine 5. Acute ischemic stroke Alexandros L. Georgiadis, Georgios Tsivgoulis, Andrei Alexandrov, Adnan I. Qureshi and Jose I. Suarez 6. Extracranial carotid artery disease Adnan I. Qureshi and L. Nelson Hopkins 7. Extracranial vertebral artery disease Robert A. Taylor, Zeeshan M. Memon and Adnan I. Qureshi 8. Intracranial stenosis Farhan Siddiq, Adnan I. Qureshi and Camilo R. Gomez 9. Arterial dissection YihLin Nien, Jose Rafael Romero, Thanh N. Nguyen and Adnan I. Qureshi 10. Traumatic vascular injury Jefferson T. Miley, Qaisar A. Shah and Adnan I. Qureshi 11. Intracranial aneurysms Alexandros L. Georgiadis, Matthew D. Ford, David A. Steinman, Nauman Tariq and Adnan I. Qureshi 12. Cerebral vasospasm Adnan I. Qureshi, Mushtaq Qureshi, Jefferson T. Miley, Nauman Tariq and Giuseppe Lanzino 13. Intracranial arterio-venous malformations Dorothea Strozyk, Carlos E. Baccin, Johnny C. Pryor and Raul G. Nogueira 14. Dural arterio-venous fistulas Thanh N. Nguyen, Jean Raymond, Alexander M. Norbash and Daniel Roy 15. Cerebral venous thrombosis Amit Singla and Randall C. Edgell 16. Intracranial and head and neck tumors: embolization and chemotherapy Adnan I. Qureshi, Nauman Tariq, Rabia Qaiser, Herbert B. Newton and Stephen J. Haines 17. Diagnostic and provocative testing Haralabos Zacharatos, Ameer E. Hassan, M. Fareed K. Suri and Adnan I. Qureshi 18. Spinal vascular and neoplastic lesions Osman Kozak and Edgard Pereira 19. Central retinal artery occlusion Alberto Maud, Zeeshan M. Memon and M. Fareed K. Suri 20. Epistaxis Alexandros L. Georgiadis, Steve Cordina and Adnan I. Qureshi 21. Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty Stanley H. Kim, Anant I. Patel, Nancy Gruell, Kirk Conrad and Young J. Yu 22. Clinical trials for neuro-endovascular procedures: fundamentals of design and interpretation Haitham H. Hussein and Adnan I. Qureshi 23. Qualification requirements for performing endovascular procedures Adnan I. Qureshi, Alex Abou-Chebl and Tudor G. Jovin Index.
Prediction of Brake Onset Times for Rear End Collisions

Driving has become an integral part of our daily lives, and so too have the dangers associated with driving. Understanding driver behavior could lead to system modifications to alleviate some of these inherent dangers. Specifically, prediction of driver braking behavior might be used to improve automatic braking systems and adaptive cruise control systems. The research presented in this paper details the development of an algorithm to predict the brake onset times in situations where rear-end collisions might occur. The algorithm is adaptive to an individual and not set to generic values. This algorithm was generated using data from a previous study (Kelling, 2006). Displayed stimuli consisted of different situations for a lead vehicle (stopped, slower moving, and reversing lead vehicle), multiple rates of closure (32.2, 64.4, and 96.6 kph), and two luminance conditions (day or night driving). Brake onset times were recorded. A self-modifiable algorithm was developed and was found to have an R-squared value of .625. The degree of goodness-of-fit for this algorithm is worthy of note because it also considers differences in the driving environment. The individualized adaptive ability of the algorithm provides a greater overall fit for predicting braking behavior, and it may be more useful in automated systems than existing algorithms.
Spurious Modes in Finite Element Models for Ultrasonic Waves in Fluid-Solid Systems

Competing finite element methods exist for modeling fluid-solid interaction such as velocity Potential and displacement, \( ({\phi _f},{\vec u_s}) \) pressure and displacement, \( ({p_f},{\vec u_s}) \), and displacement and displacement or displacement-only, \( ({\vec u_f},{\vec u_s}) \) 1. Displacement-only finite element models for fluid-solid interaction are attractive because a model for a compressible, inviscid fluid is obtained from a model of a linear, homogeneous and isotropic (LHI) elastic solid by simply setting the elastic shear modulus, G 8, equal to zero; therefore, existing elastodynamic codes can be utilized for modeling fluids.
Theories of causal ordering: reply to de Kleer and Brown

Abstract In their reply to our paper, “Causality in Device Behavior,” de Kleer and Brown seek to establish a clear product differentiation between the well-known concepts of causal ordering and comparative statics, on the one side, and their “mythical causality” and qualitative physics, on the other. Most of the differences they see, however, are invisible to our eyes. Contrary to their claim, the earlier notion of causality, quite as much as the later one, is qualitative and “derives from the relationship between the equations and their underlying components which comprise the modeled system.” The concepts of causal ordering and comparative statics offer the advantage of a formal foundation that makes clear exactly what is being postulated. Hence, they can contribute a great deal to the clarification of the causal approaches to system analysis that de Kleer and Brown are seeking to develop. In this brief response to their comments, we discuss the source of the structural equations in the causal ordering approach, and we challenge more generally the claim that there are inherent differences (e.g., in the case of feedback) between the “engineer's” and the “economist's” approach to the study of system behavior.
Radiation by conformal patch antennas on a magneto-dielectric, low-density material

Conformal microstrip patch antennas have been traditionally printed on a very low-loss dielectric material, such as PTFE or a similar polymer. These materials have the advantage that the substrate is flexible (or at least can be moulded to shape); however, they have the disadvantage that the relative permeability is relatively low and hence patch antennas are relatively large for VHF operation. This becomes particularly significant for curved installations since the aperture will wrap around a significant portion of the structure thereby altering the radiation pattern (compared to the flat case) and making azimuth arraying challenging. Ceramic inclusions can be added to a polymer (such as PTFE) to increase the relative permeability at the cost of reduce antenna instantaneous bandwidth, reduced flexibility, and a modestly increased loss. In this paper, evaluation of the performance of a magneto-dielectric nanocomposite material as a potential conformal substrate is presented. The material has the advantage of increased operational bandwidth as compared to a traditional dielectric substrate for a comparable physical aperture size.
Blood volume restitution after hemorrhage in adult sheep

Indirect experimental evidence suggested the possibility that the restoration of blood volume to normal hemorrhage in adult sheep may occur more quickly than in other species that have been studied. To test this hypothesis, we studied unanesthetized chronically catheterized adult female sheep 1-2 wk after splenectomy. An average of 19.6 +/- 1.4% (SE) of their initial blood volume was removed over 10 min. Blood volume restitution at 0.5, 1, 3, 5, 7, 24, and 48 h posthemorrhage averaged 12 +/- 3, 34 +/- 3, 41 +/- 3, 50 +/- 4, 62 +/- 10, 79 +/- 10, and 124 +/- 25%, respectively. Arterial pressure decreased during the hemorrhage and returned to normal within 2 h, whereas venous pressure did not change significantly. No change in blood osmolality occurred. There was a highly significant correlation between blood volume and plasma protein mass (r = 0.98, P less than 10(-6)) during and after the hemorrhage. Thus it appears that the posthemorrhage restoration of blood volume in adult sheep occurs over essentially the same time course as in other species and this appears to be mediated by a restoration of plasma protein mass.
Composable spiral processes for COTS-based application development

Empirical studies show that the activities conducted while developing COTS-Based Applications (CBA) differ greatly from those conducted while developing non-COTS. The challenges go beyond the need to acquire new expertise and managing uncertainty and volatile risk profiles and demand an entirely new development paradigm. This shift of development paradigm, if not appropriately planned and monitored, can lead an apparently simple CBA development project into disaster.
Use of a putative transcriptional regulator gene as target for specific identification of Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Aims: To investigate the use of a Staphylococcus epidermidis transcriptional regulator gene as target for species-specific determination. Methods and Results: Staph. epidermidis genes encoding putative transcriptional regulators were retrieved from GenBank and those showing no homology with other bacterial sequences were selected. Of the four PCR primer sets analysed, the primers Serp0107F/R from serp0107 amplified a specific product of 581 bp from Staph. epidermidis DNA only, and they did not cross-react in PCR with nonepidermidis staphylococci and other common bacteria. Conclusion: Being uniquely present in Staph. epidermidis, putative transcriptional regulator gene serp0107 offers a valuable target for specific identification of Staph. epidermidis. Significance and Impact of the Study: As a member of a specialized gene group, putative transcriptional regulator gene serp0107 may be important to Staph. epidermidis adaptation to its niche environment. Further analysis of serp0107 and its related protein may help reveal new insights on the molecular regulation of Staph. epidermidis survival and virulence.
The role of behavioral undercontrol in the relation between alcohol use and partner aggression.

Objective: Recent studies suggest that pre-existing aggressive personality traits moderate the relationship between alcohol use and intimate partner violence. The current study extends this literature by examining the relationship between behavioral undercontrol, patterns of alcohol use and relationship aggression in the context of a large, high-risk sample. Method: Participants were drawn from a cohort of 489 young adults taking part in an 11-year longitudinal study. Participants completed self-report measures of behavioral undercontrol, alcohol use and relationship aggression at Years 7 and 11 of the study when most were 25 and 29 years old, respectively. Results: Results revealed that a composite measure of behavioral undercontrol predicted relationship aggression cross-sectionally. Although the composite behavioral undercontrol measure did not interact with alcohol use to predict relationship aggression, one of the measures that comprised the composite (the Agreeableness scale from the Neuroticism-Ext...
Congenital Heart Disease and Thanatological Research

Little research exists on the relationship between congenital heart disease (CHD) and thanatological variables. Many social, physical and psychological characteristics render patients with CHD rich sources of data which might be used to develop improved techniques of patient and parent management. Relevant aspects include erroneous ideas about CHD, patient's physical appearance and will to live, parental guilt and the use of prostheses and other devices. These are discussed.
Non-pathogenic rhizosphere bacteria belonging to the genera Rhizorhapis and Sphingobium provide specific control of lettuce corky root disease caused by species of the same bacterial genera

Lettuce corky root (CR) is caused by bacteria in the genera Rhizorhapis, Sphingobium, Sphingopyxis and Rhizorhabdus of the family Sphingomonadaceae. Members of this family are common rhizosphere bacteria, some pathogenic to lettuce. Sixty-eight non-pathogenic isolates of bacteria obtained from lettuce roots were tested for control of CR caused by Rhizorhapis suberifaciens CA1T and FL1, and Sphingobium mellinum WI4T. In two initial screenings, 10 isolates significantly reduced CR induced by one or more pathogenic strains on lettuce seedlings in vermiculite, while seven non-pathogenic isolates provided significant CR control in natural or sterilized field soil. Rhizorhapis suberifaciens FL11 was effective at controlling all pathogenic strains, but most effective against R. suberifaciens CA1T. The other selected isolates controlled only pathogenic strains belonging to their own genus. In a greenhouse experiment, a soil drench with selected biocontrol agents (R. suberifaciens FL11, Sphingomonas sp. NY3 and S. mellinum CA16) controlled CR better than seed treatments or application of alginate pellets. In microplots infested with R. suberifaciens CA1T, seed treatment with R. suberifaciens FL11 provided complete control and a soil drench with FL11 significantly reduced the disease. Pathogenicity tests with FL11 on 23 plant species in 10 families resulted in slight yellowing on roots of lettuce and close relatives; similar yellowing appeared on some roots of non-inoculated lettuce plants. This research showed that biocontrol agents can be genus-specific. Only one isolate, FL11, provided more general control of various pathogenic strains causing CR even in field soil in pots and microplots.
Persistence of enterohaemorrhagic and nonpathogenic E. coli on spinach leaves and in rhizosphere soil.

Aims: Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and nonpathogenic E. coli on spinach leaves and in organic soil while growing spinach in a growth chamber was investigated. Methods and Results: Spinach plants were maintained in the growth chamber at 20°C (14 h) and 18°C (10 h) settings at 60% relative humidity. Five separate inocula, each containing one strain of E. coli O157:H7 and one nonpathogenic E. coli isolate were applied to individual 4-week-old spinach plants (cultivar ‘Whale’) grown in sandy soil. Leaf and soil inocula consisted of 100 μl, in 5 μl droplets, on the upper side of leaves resulting in 6·5 log CFU plant−1 and 1 ml in soil, resulting in 6·5 log CFU 200 g−1 soil per plant. Four replicates of each plant shoot and soil sample per inoculum were analysed on day 1 and every 7 days for 28 days for E. coli O157:H7 and nonpathogenic E. coli (by MPN) and for heterotrophic plate counts (HPC). Escherichia coli O157:H7 was not detected on plant shoots after 7 days but did survive in soil for up to 28 days. Nonpathogenic E. coli survived up to 14 days on shoots and was detected at low concentrations for up to 28 days. In contrast, there were no significant differences in HPC from days 0 to 28 on plants, except one treatment on day 7. Conclusions: Escherichia coli O157:H7 persisted in soil for at least 28 days. Escherichia coli O157:H7 on spinach leaves survived for less than 14 days when co-inoculated with nonpathogenic E. coli. There was no correlation between HPC and E. coli O157:H7 or nonpathogenic E. coli. Significance and Impact of the Study: The persistence of nonpathogenic E. coli isolates makes them possible candidates as surrogates for E. coli O157:H7 on spinach leaves in field trials.
f-element/crown ether complexes. 14. Synthesis and crystal structure of [Lu(OH2)8] [Na(12-crown-4)2]Cl4·2H2O

Abstract [Lu(OH 2 ) 8 ] [Na(12-crown-4) 2 ]Cl 4 ·2H 2 0 crystallizes at 5 °C from a reaction mixture of LuCl 3 ·6H 2 O and 12-crown-4 (in a 1:3 solution of CH 3 OH: CH 3 CN) following the addition of NaCl. The crystal structure of this complex has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The title complex is monoclinic, P 2 1 /c , with a =15.265(2), b =14.203(2), c =16.030(1) A, β=94.570(9)°, and D c =1.67 g cm −3 for Z =4 formula units. Primarily organic and inorganic zones exist essentially in layers parallel to bc . The organic layers consist of [Na(12- crown-4) 2 ] + cations with the oxygen atoms forming a square antiprism around Na + (NaO=2.49(3) A average). The [Lu(OH 2 ) 8 ] 3+ cations (also essentially square antiprismatic, LuO=2.34(2) A), the chloride ions, and the two uncoordinated water molecules are hydrogen bonded forming a network in the b and c directions. The two unique cations are packed linearly along a in a staggered square face to square face arrangement.
Assertiveness and cognitive processing in interpersonal situations

This study examined social skills components that precede the delivery of a skilled overt interpersonal response. Using a cognitive-behavioral systems approach to assertiveness, a task analysis of how women receive and process information in interpersonal situations requiring an assertive response to men was performed. Forty women were assigned to high- or low-assertive groups based on their Rathus Assertiveness Schedule scores. In small group sessions, each woman viewed four videotaped problem situations requiring an assertive response to both pleasant and angry males. After viewing each scene, each woman completed three questionnaires: (a) receiving information, (b) processing-generation of alternatives and decision making, and (c) processing-generation of consequences. High- and low-assertive participants were found to differ in their evaluation of consequences, for response options, particularly how a male would likely to behave to them. High-assertive participants were judged to evaluate more correctly than low-assertive participants the likely behavior of males if response options were implemented. All participants generated more complex alternatives and more assertive responses to situations involving an angry male as compared to a pleasant male. No differences were found between groups in their ability to receive information accurately. Correlational results were supportive of a cognitive-behavioral systems approach of assertion, that is, the emission of a skilled response depends on a chain of preceding responses.
Manufacturing's Contribution to Pakistan's Economic Expansion: Commodity‐ or Service‐Led Growth?

Abstract : The sources of growth in any country can be examined from several different perspectives, each suggestive of policy actions undertaken by the government: (1) the factors of production--the relative contribution of labour, capital and the like to overall output; (2) the major sources of demand--consumption, investment, exports; and (3) the sectoral contribution to growth--the contribution made by agriculture, manufacturing, etc. With regard to the sectoral contributions to growth in Pakistan, Burney (1986) found (over the period 1960-85) that the commodity-producing sectors (agriculture and manufacturing) accounted for then 40% of the growth in GDP, the major crops being the main source of the varying contribution of agriculture, while in the case of manufacturing, the large-scale sector's output accounted for more than 60% of the contribution. The Pakistan economy has gone through a number of major changes since 1985. In particular (but especially from 1988 onwards) progress has been especially strong in the area of freeing the private sector from regulation and artificial price distortions. In addition, a complementary privatisation programme was launched with the aim of reducing the role of the public sector in manufacturing and services. As a side benefit, the programme was seen as alleviating the government's financial and administrative burden and creating new opportunities for the private sector. While growth in large-scale manufacturing output has not accelerated in recent years (nor has its overall contribution to GDP growth increased), there is hope (particularly among official policy-makers) that this activity is finally beginning to play the classic role of a leading sector.
No hyperactive-impulsive subtype in teacher-rated attention-deficit/ hyperactivity problems

The aim of this study was to investigate which homogeneous groups, according to teacher reports of attention-deficit/hyperactivity (ADH) Problems on the Teacher's Report Form (TRF), can be identified in a referred sample (n = 4,422; age = 6-18 years; mean age = 9.9 years; 66% boys, 34% girls). Latent class analysis (LCA) was conducted on ADH Problems. In addition, co-morbidity levels in the different ADH Problems groups were compared. LCA yielded three different groups of children and adolescents with both Inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity, and one group with high scores on Inattention but low scores on hyperactivity-impulsivity. A group of patients with predominantly hyperactivity and impulsivity was not found. Individuals in groups with higher levels of ADH Problems had significantly higher levels of oppositional defiant (OD) and conduct problems, and, although to a lesser extent, significantly higher levels of affective and anxiety problems than individuals in groups with lower levels of ADH Problems. It may not be useful to discern the hyperactive-impulsive type of ADHD.
SOX: “best practices” or too much accountability

Purpose – The paper aims to provide an overview on how the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act may impact on standard library management operations.Design/methodology/approach – The study extracts key elements from the legislation and illustrates how they can be incorporated into library management.Findings – The paper finds that, while there is confusion about the IRS status of libraries and to what extent the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act will directly affect them, there is much in the legislation that can be adopted now for better accountability and governance.Originality/value – The paper provides examples of key elements in the legislation and how they can be incorporated into library governance now. By proactively complying with the parts of the legislation that are natural fits with library operations, it places the library on a better footing for future needs and demands.
The effect of metallic adsorbates on the surface resonances of the tungsten and molybdenum (100) planes

Abstract The effect of the adsorption of Au, Cu, Ir, Ta, Nb, and Mo on the surface resonance of the W(100) plane, and of W on the surface resonance of the Mo(100) plane has been studied by measuring field emission energy distributions of W and Mo emitters as functions of the absolute coverage of these adsorbates. Coverages were determined from work function-coverage data, obtained by means of a quartz oscillator microbalance and field emission work function measurements. The results indicate that Au adsorption up to monolayer coverage does not quench the W(100) resonance, but that all other adsorbates do quench it. In the case of Mo on W(100) the Mo resonance emerges at monolayer coverage; for W on Mo this is not the case. A qualitative rationalization of these results is presented.
Have We Managed to Integrate Conservation and Development? ICDP Impacts in the Brazilian Amazon

Summary Integrating conservation and development is central to the mission of many protected areas in the tropics, yet there is limited empirical evidence on the effectiveness of alternative strategies for ICDPs (Integrated Conservation and Development Projects). We evaluate an enterprise-based conservation strategy in a high-profile and well-funded ICDP in the Tapajos National Forest of Brazil. Using survey data from participating and non-participating households collected pre and post intervention, we find positive impacts on household income, but almost no discernible impacts on household assets, livelihood portfolios, or forest conservation.
Treatment of Shigellosis with Cefixime: Two Days Vs Five Days. • 740

OBJECTIVE: To compare short course (two day) versus traditional (five day) therapy for treatment of diarrheal disease due to Shigella sonnei. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients at least 6 months of age presenting to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh with a history of fever and diarrhea (at least three loose or watery, stools a day) or bloody diarrhea or diarrhea and a known contact with culture-proven Shigella infection. Patients were randomized to receive either two days of cefixime (8mg/kg/day) given once daily followed by three days of placebo or five days of cefixime. Families were instructed to maintain daily diaries; phone follow-up was done on days 3, 7 and 14 after enrollment. Follow-up bacterial cultures were obtained on day 7 to assess for bacteriologic cure. There were standardized definitions for cure, improvement, failure and relapse. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients were enrolled. Five were eliminated from analysis because their stool cultures were not positive for Shigella. There were 42 evaluable patients, 24 in the 2 day group and 18 in the 5 day group. Patients ranged in age from 6 months to 17 years. 52% of the subjects were male. Symptoms were improved or had resolved by day 3 of therapy in all patients. There were 8 clinical relapses: 5 of 24 (21%) patients in the 2 day group and 3 of 18 (17%) patients in the 5 day group, P=NS. There were 13 bacteriological failures defined as patients with positive cultures at the 7 day follow-up: 11 of 21 (46%) in the 2 day group and 2 of 15 (13%) in the 5 day group, P < 0.02. The secondary attack rate was 38% in the 2 day group vs 24% in the 5 day group (P=NS). CONCLUSION: Two and five day treatment courses with cefixime for treatment of diarrheal disease due to Shigella sonnel result in similar rates of clinical cure and clinical relapses; however, there was a higher rate of bacteriologic failures with short course therapy.
Biological factors related to learning in the land snail (Helix aspersa Müller)

Abstract We have studied vertical progression behaviour in Helix and its modification by the animals' encountering either quinine or water on a thread tied at the top of vertically-placed glass rods. There is both short and long term memory of the aversive (quinine) experience, as well as habituation of climbing in snails encountering an apparently neutral (water) stimulus. Some of the factors which appear to influence climbing latencies and acquisition and retention of the nature of the goal stimulus are: length of laboratory housing, humidity and nutritional and reproductive condition.
Integrating Biomaterials into Microsystems: Formation and Characterization of Nanostructured Titania

We demonstrate the facile fabrication of crack-free nanostructured crystalline titania into microsystems. Titania layers were formed by reacting Ti thin films, deposited by evaporation and sputtering, with aqueous H 2 0 2 . Cracks were observed in titania layers formed on blanket Ti films but absent on arrays of patterned Ti pads below a threshold dimension. Nanostructured titania formed from sputtered and evaporated Ti films consists of aligned fibrous and sponge-like nanoporous morphologies, respectively. Rat fibroblasts L-cells cultured on these titania fibers remain viable up to 3 days. These observations demonstrate the feasibility of this technique to integrate nanostructured titania into Nano|Micro-Electromechanical systems (N|MEMS) devices.
A unified formulation for triangular and quadrilateral flat shell finite elements with six nodal degrees of freedom

The flat shell elements presented herein are obtained by superposing discrete Kirchhoff plate bending elements and the membrane elements with drilling degrees of freedom. A simple formulation is presented which allows a 4-node quadrilateral thin shell element to degenerate into the 3-node triangular element. Therefore it can easily be used in mesh refinement and to solve other modelling problems. With a trivial modification, the discrete Kirchhoff quadrilateral plate bending element reduces to the standard discrete Kirchhoff triangular element when two nodes are coalesced. For the membrane elements this modification need not be performed, since we use reduced quadrature to avoid membrane locking. The shell elements possess six degrees of freedom per node, which allows easy modelling of complex shell surface intersections and compatibility with other elements with rotational degrees of freedom. Both the quadrilateral and triangular elements produce a 24 × 24 stiffness matrix. The direct stiffness addition of the terms associated with the coalesced nodes, performed in the finite-element assembly process, produces the 18 × 18 triangular element stiffness. Several numerical examples are presented which illustrate the accuracy of the element.
Immune Response to Infection with Strongyloides stercoralis in Patients with Infection and Hyperinfection

Helminthic infections are known to induce host immune responses and polarization. The ubiquitous Strongyloides stercoralis can remain relatively asymptomatic in the host for decades, until there is a change in the host immune balance. Factors that influence these changes range from immunosuppressives, including corticosteroids, to acquired viral infections, such as HTLV-1. These conditions play an important role in the progression of disease for strongyloidiasis. The alteration of the Th-1, Th-2 balance can induce hyperinfection and dissemination of these helminths, changing a minor clinical process to a life-threatening condition.
Correlates of non-medical prescription drug use among a cohort of injection drug users in Baltimore City

Despite reports of increasing non-medical prescription drug use, relatively few studies have systematically evaluated the prevalence and correlates of non-medical prescription drug use, particularly in populations that might be especially vulnerable (e.g., injection drug users [IDUs]). We examined factors associated with non-medical prescription drug use among a community-based cohort of current and former IDUs in Baltimore (The ALIVE Study). We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data from cohort participants that responded to a survey that included questions on non-medical prescription drug use between 2005–06 (n=1320). Non-medical prescription drug use was considered to be use of any of the following: Opiates (Oxycontin, Percocet), Benzodiazepines or Clonidine, purchased on the street and taken orally within the last six months. Data on other covariates of interest (e.g., demographics, substance use, general health) was obtained through a standardized interview. The median age was 46 years; 66% were male, 85% were African-American. Twenty one percent reported any non-medical prescription drug use; 12% reported using more than one drug. Non-medical use of opiates was most common (17%). In multivariate analysis, non-medical prescription drug use was significantly associated with Caucasian race (prevalence ratio [PR]: 1.79), self-reported bodily pain (PR: 1.58), hazardous alcohol use (PR: 1.47), marijuana use (PR: 1.65), non-injection cocaine/heroin use (PR: 1.70), diverted use of buprenorphine (PR: 1.51) or methadone (PR: 2.51), and active injection drug use (PR: 3.50; p<0.05 for all). The association between bodily pain and non-medical prescription drug use was stronger among persons that were not using substances (marijuana, injecting drugs, snorting/smoking heroin, cocaine, using crack) as compared to those using these substances. The high prevalence of non-medical prescription drug use among this population warrants further research and action. Information on the risks of nonmedical prescription drug use especially overdose, should be incorporated into interventions targeted at IDUs.
Cognition in the Automated Cockpit: A Coherence Perspective:

Much of the focus of papers in this symposium has been on using cues in the decision-making environment, input from relevant sources, and knowledge from past experience to assess current situations and make decisions. The cognitive processes inherent in these tasks are critical to success in the aviation environment; however, attention must also be paid to the cognitive requirements for effective diagnosis and decision making within the automated cockpit. Most importantly, in terms of theoretical and practical implications, the sophistication of automated systems in the cockpit means that pilots have access to highly reliable and accurate information (rather than probabilistic cues). This change demands that we examine cognitive processing within the automated cockpit in terms of the match or mismatch between the cognitive behavior elicited by the electronic environment, the cognitive response required by the task, and the cognitive strategy adopted by the pilot. The premise of this paper is that a framew...
Accelerated Iterative Procedure for Calculating Eigenvector Derivatives

An iterative method for the computation of eigenvector derivatives of real-valued, symmetric systems has been proposed. The process is shown to converge to the exact solution with any initial values, and it is numerically stable. However, since the convergence rate is determined by the ratios of the eigenvalues, the convergence rate will be prohibitively slow when the ratio is close to 1. Two ef® cient accelerated algorithms are presented. Numerical examples show that when the eigenvalue ratio is greater than 0 .70, the computational effort in the iterative process is drastically reduced. The procedure incorporates the method of frequency shift to deal with a singular stiffness matrix that also provides an additional improvement for the convergence. When the eigenvalue ratios are extremely close to 1, the second generalized stiffness matrix inverse is suggested to reestablish a high convergence rate. The procedure can be used as an exact as well as an approximate method. It requires no more eigenvectors than those whose derivatives are to be calculated and can be applied to systems with repeated eigenvalues.
Convergence of Block Spins Defined by a Random Field

We study the asymptotic behavior of families of dependent random variables called “block spins,” which are associated with random fields arising in statistical mechanics. We give sufficient conditions for these families to converge weakly to products of independent Gaussian random variables. We also estimate the error terms involved. In addition we give some conditions which imply that the block spins can converge weakly only to families of normal or degenerate random variables. Central to our proofs is a mixing property which is weaker than strong mixing and which holds for many random fields studied in statistical mechanics. Finally we give a simple method for determining when a stationary random field does not satisfy a strong mixing property. This method implies that the two-dimensional Ising model at the critical temperature is not strong mixing, a result obtained by a different method by M. Cassandro and G. Jona-Lasinio. The method also shows that a stationary, mean-zero, positively correlated Gaussian process indexed by ℝ is not strong mixing if its covariance function decreases liket −α , 0 <α < 1.
A cytochemical study of nuclear changes in fertilized hamster eggs

Nucleoprotein changes during male and female pronuclear development have been examined in fertilized hamster eggs utilizing the ammoniacal silver reaction (ASR) at the light and ultrastructural levels of observation. Prior to its incorporation, the paternally derived chromatin was heavily laden with ASR product. Immediately upon gamete fusion the sperm nucleus underwent a dramatic increase in staining, suggesting an augmentation in the availability of reactive sites already present in the sperm nucleus or an accumulation of "new" reactive sites from the egg cytoplasm. With subsequent transformations of the sperm nucleus into a male pronucleus, there was a progressive reduction in ASR product associated with the paternal chromatin. Concomitantly, the condensed maternal chromosomes remaining in the zygote after the conclusion of meiosis dispersed and developed into a female pronucleus; these changes were accompanied by a progressive decrease in ASR staining. At the conclusion of pronuclear development, the morphologically similar male and female pronuclei were diffusely stained with the ASR. The increase in ASR staining of the sperm nucleus immediately following gamete fusion demonstrates a major effect of the egg cytoplasm on the paternal chromatin that, heretofore, has not been recognized. This augmentation and the following decrease in ASR staining may reflect changes in nucleoproteins during pronuclear development. Differences in nuclear staining are discussed in light of previous studies of nucleoprotein transitions at fertilization.
Soft computing-based terrain visual sensing and data fusion for unmanned ground robotic systems

In this paper, we have primarily discussed technical challenges and navigational skill requirements of mobile robots for traversability path planning in natural terrain environments similar to Mars surface terrains. We have described different methods for detection of salient terrain features based on imaging texture analysis techniques. We have also presented three competing techniques for terrain traversability assessment of mobile robots navigating in unstructured natural terrain environments. These three techniques include: a rule-based terrain classifier, a neural network-based terrain classifier, and a fuzzy-logic terrain classifier. Each proposed terrain classifier divides a region of natural terrain into finite sub-terrain regions and classifies terrain condition exclusively within each sub-terrain region based on terrain visual clues. The Kalman Filtering technique is applied for aggregative fusion of sub-terrain assessment results. The last two terrain classifiers are shown to have remarkable capability for terrain traversability assessment of natural terrains. We have conducted a comparative performance evaluation of all three terrain classifiers and presented the results in this paper.
Measurement of the biologically active soil nitrogen fraction by a 15N technique

Abstract An isotope dilution method for measuring biologically active soil nitrogen (ASN) was developed. It involved insertion of 15N into the soil N cycle and stimulation of microbial activity until added 15N was mixed with the ASN pool. Both glucose addition (GLU) and glucose addition-CHCl3 fumigation (GFU) were used to promote mixing. Experimental tests with model systems provided evidence that isotopic mixing can be achieved. Because the concept of a discrete pool is an approximation, the ASN pool was operationally defined as the measured after a 40-day incubation at 22°C. The GLU treatment was gave lower ASN values than the GFU treatment, probably because fumigation killed microorganisms not responding to glucose addition. Microbial biomass was estimated to contribute 23–48% and 34–77% of the N in the ASN pool in a wheat field and a long-term pasture, respectively, depending upon the method of calculation of microbial biomass N. ASN values in these same fields showed depth patterns consistent with tillage and cropping histories. About 40% of fertilizer-derived organic 15N remaining in soil following growth of a wheat crop was determined to be in the ASN pool, which is similar to potentially mineralizable values found in other 15N studies.
Nanosecond Motions Of Genetically-Engineered Antibodies: Structural Elements Controlling Segmental Flexibility Defined By Time-Resolved Emission Anisotropy

Immunoglobulins are flexible proteins which display large-amplitude modes of motion on a nanosecond time scale. Different classes of antibodies differ markedly in their degree of segmental flexibility; a number of their essential biological functions are correlated with their nanosecond internal dynamics. These motions can be conveniently monitored by time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy measurements. An instrument built around a synch-pumped cavity-dumped dye laser and a fast time-to-digital convertor with histogramming memory has made it possible to obtain high-quality anisotropy in a few minutes on small amounts (ca. 100 pmol) of protein. Genetic engineering techniques have made it possible to construct a large number of immunoglobulins with identical binding sites for the fluorescent probe dansyllysine. These proteins differ in the heavy chain regions which are responsible for their biological effector functions and their segmental flexibility. We have analyzed a series of such constructs derived by genetic recombination between the genes coding for the mouse isotypes IgG1 and IgG2a. The results identify two regions responsible for their different degrees of segmental flexibility: the hinge region connecting the Fab and Fc portions of the antibodies, and a short stretch (residues 131-139) of sequence in the amino terminal half of the CH1 domain containing five amino acid substitutions.
The Role of Lay Health Advisors in Cardiovascular Risk Reduction: A Review

Interventions are needed to reduce the negative impact of cardiovascular disease. The combination of health risks for disease, disability, and mortality, particularly among underserved populations, might be best addressed with programs designed to enhance awareness and development of resources within a context of community support. The objectives of this review were to: (1) provide a comprehensive review and evaluation of the roles, evaluation, and effectiveness of LHA in community-based programs with an emphasis on cardiovascular risk reduction; and (2) provide recommendations for future research involving LHA in such programs. Computer and manual searches were conducted of articles in the English-language literature from 1980 to 2007. Twenty articles were evaluated, which emphasized the role of the LHA in cardiovascular risk reduction. A review of research literature provides a starting point for determining salient approaches for intervention and evaluation, issues related to program implementation and sustainability, and strengths and limitations of existing approaches.
Late Quaternary sedimentation off New Jersey: New results using 3-D seismic profiles and cores

Abstract Regional seismic reflection surveys have delineated a wedge of late Quaternary sediment extending 150 km south from the Hudson apron along the edge of the continental shelf off New Jersey. The bottom of the sediment wedge is defined by a prominent reflector (R), assumed to represent an erosional surface carved during a low-stand of sea level, probably corresponding to the Wisconsinan Maximum glaciation. A 3-D reflection survey of a 5 × 0.5 km area of the southern part of the wedge was carried out in October 1989. Line spacing was 10 m and shot spacing 2.5 m. Navigation achieved position accuracies to The survey shows that the outer shelf sediment wedge has a complex internal structure unrelated to the present seafloor morphology. The sedimentary sequence appears to have been formed by a series of depositional events related to glacial melting and interrupted by at least one erosional episode, marked by a seismic surface that defines a system of meandering channels. Faunal studies of samples from cores indicate that the sediments were deposited at shallower depths than at present, but there is no evidence for deposition in shallower water or closer proximity to land than the modern mid-shelf. It appears that the history of periglacial marine sedimentation which accompanied the post-Wisconsinan deglaciation is no less complex than its continental counterpart.
Enhanced expression of a transmembrane phosphotyrosine phosphatase (LAR) in keratoconus cultures and corneas.

Abstract The purpose of the study was to identify genes that are differentially expressed in normal versus keratoconus corneas. Total RNA isolated from corneal stromal cell cultures was reverse-transcribed and then amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using defined, arbitrary primers. The products were displayed on polyacrylamide gels and bands that were differentially expressed were excised, re-amplified and subcloned. The resulting clones were sequenced and utilized as probes for Northern blots with cultured cell RNA or Southern blots of corneal cDNA. One of the products that appeared to be more highly expressed in keratoconus cultures and corneas displayed 100% homology with leukocyte common antigen related protein (LAR), a transmembrane phosphotyrosine phosphatase. Western analyses and immunohistochemistry with monoclonal and/or polyclonal antibodies to LAR were used to examine keratocyte cultures and fresh frozen normal, keratoconus and pseudophakic bullous corneas. We identified a gene product with 100% homology to LAR that is expressed at the RNA level in keratoconus corneas and cell cultures but is found only at low or undetectable levels in normal cultures and normal and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK) corneas. By Western blotting and immunofluorescence with specific LAR antibodies, the protein was identified in keratoconus stromal cell cultures but not in normal cultures. When fresh frozen tissue was examined, LAR protein was localized to numerous stromal cells throughout central keratoconus corneas, while no central staining was seen in normal or bullous keratopathy corneas. LAR, a transmembrane phosphotyrosine phosphatase, is more highly expressed in keratoconus corneas and stromal cell cultures as demonstrated by differential display, Northern analyses, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.
Wavelet-based minimal-energy approach to image restoration

Abstract The popular mathematical models for digital image restoration, formulated as a minimization problem of certain total energy functionals, give rise to the variational/PDE-based approach to process the input image in the spatial (or physical) domain. In general, the total energy in these models consists of two additive terms, namely: the internal energy for dictating the image quality in terms of image smoothness and image feature preservation, and the external energy for ensuring the output image not to deviate too far from the input image. In formulating the internal energy, a specific energy density function is chosen and applied to the magnitude of the gradient operation for extracting image features to be preserved. In this paper, we replace the gradient operation by some wavelet transform that has better performance in feature extraction and eliminates the need of iterative steps. Thus, the problem of image processing is performed in the wavelet domain instead. By taking advantage of the multi-scale structure of wavelets and the corresponding multi-level singularity detection capability, the proposed approach should facilitate further development of fast and effective algorithms for the variational approach, perhaps even with significant reduction in computational complexity as compared with the traditional approach to digital image restoration.
Comparison of conventional transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and chemoembolization with doxorubicin drug eluting beads (DEB) for unresectable hepatocelluar carcinoma (HCC).

Background and Objectives Chemoembolization with doxorubicin drug eluting beads (DEB) is a novel locoregional treatment modality for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Initial animal studies and clinical trials suggest that treatment with DEB may provide safer and more effective short-term outcomes than conventional chemoembolization. Current study explores long-term survival benefits. Methods Consecutive patients who received transcatheter therapy with DEB or conventional chemoembolization as sole therapy between 1998 and 2008 were studied. Statistical analysis was performed using Kaplan–Meier estimator with log-rank testing, chi-squared, and independent t-tests. Results Seventy-one patients were included in this study, 45 (63.4%) received therapy with DEB (group A) and 26 (36.6%) underwent conventional chemoembolization (group B). Median survival from diagnosis of HCC in groups A and B were 610 (351–868) and 284 days (4–563; P = 0.03), respectively. In Okuda stage I, survival in groups A and B were 501 (421–528) and 354 days (148–560, P = 0.02). In Child–Pugh classes A and B, survival in groups A and B were 641 (471–810) and 323 days (161–485, P = 0.002). Median survival in patients with Cancer of Liver Italian Program (CLIP) score ≤3 in groups A and B were 469 (358–581) and 373 days (195–551, P = 0.03). NCI CTCAEv3 Grade 5 clinical toxicity was similar. Conclusions In our study, transcatheter therapy with DEB offers a survival advantage over conventional chemoembolization for patients with unresectable HCC. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010; 101:476–480. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.