cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Occupational Therapy with the Military Upper Extremity Amputee: Advances and Research Implications

Conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in an increased number of United States service members (SM) with upper extremity amputations, resulting in new prostheses and increased research in the field. As of July 2014, there have been 1,648 patients suffering limb loss since the start of the conflicts, 511 of which involve multiple limb amputations (Military Amputee Patient Care Program Database, Extremity Trauma and Amputation Center of Excellence, 2014). Walter Reed National Military Medical Center has seen 1,224 of 1,648 returning SM with amputations. Of the total number of injuries, 287 traumatic amputations or 17.4 % of these involve an upper extremity (Military Amputee Patient Care Program Database, Extremity Trauma and Amputation Center of Excellence, 2014). Increased military support and funding have led to the advancement of research and development of new technologies. Occupational therapy amputee care has evolved and been documented in publications outlying treatment protocols that describe rehabilitation with this population (Smurr et al., J Hand Ther, 21(2):160–176, 2008). This article will serve as an overview of the current state of rehabilitative care for the military upper extremity amputee, implications for care, advances in the field, and research needs and initiatives.
Cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by an Itraconazole and Amphoterecin B resistant strain of Veronaeae botryosa

Background Although the dematiaceous fungus Veronaea botryosa is rarely encountered clinically, it can be pathogenic. Methods A patient with a history of diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and Cushing's syndrome had recurrent multifocal, crusted, brownish-red noduloplaques on the right forearm, left upper limb, and right knee. A skin biopsy was obtained for histopathology and fungal cultures. Results The histopathology showed brownish hyphae and yeast-like cells scattered in granulomatous infiltrates. Slide cultures revealed erect and straight conidiophores with two-celled cylindrical conidia, which have round tops and truncated bases. The fungus was identified as Veronaea botryosa. The disease slowly progressed despite a 6-month itraconazole regimen (200 mg daily). Subsequent use of Amphoterecin B produced only mild clinical improvements. Susceptibility tests showed resistance to both agents. Conclusions Cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by V. botryosa is extremely rare. Antifungal susceptibility tests are important for choosing the appropriate drug and predicting the clinical outcome.
Geochemical relationships between anorthosite and associated iron-rich rocks, Laramie Range, Wyoming

Rocks enriched in iron oxide and mafic silicates are commonly present as minor volumes of Proterozoic anorthosite complexes. In the Laramie Range, Wyoming, anorthositic rocks, gabbros, and iron oxide ore have been chemically analyzed to determine if the spatial association is a result of genetic relationships between the rock types. Variations in abundances of REE, Th, Sc, and Sr in whole-rock and in mineral separates from anorthositic rocks provide evidence for the presence of trapped intercumulus liquid. Initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios in apatites separated from iron oxide ore (0.70535±0.00004) are analogous to initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios in Laramie Range anorthosite (0.70531 and 0.70537). In addition, REE abundances in calculated parental liquids for both anorthositic rocks and iron ore are similar, providing further evidence for a comagmatic relationship. Trace element and textural characteristics of spatially associated Laramie Range gabbros indicate that they are not mixtures of the trapped liquid and cumulus components which formed anorthositic rocks. It is suggested that gabbros are early differentiation products of a high-Al gabbroic magma which subsequently crystallized large volumes of plagioclase to produce the anorthosite massif.
Latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap vascularised by an extra-anatomic graft in the lower limb following traumatic disruption of the popliteal artery

A case is presented in which the thoracodorsal artery of a latissimus dorsi free flap was anastomosed to an autogenous reverse saphenous bypass graft. The bypass graft was used to revascularise a leg with traumatic disruption of the popliteal artery and an open comminuted fracture of the distal tibia and fibula with extensive soft tissue loss. At 2-year follow up, isotope scans showed patency of the extra-anatomic graft and a good flow into the thoracodorsal artery.
Probing picture perception : Activation and emotion

When acoustic startle probes are presented during picture viewing, the blink reflex is augmented for unpleasant foreground stimuli and reduced during pleasant stimuli. The present experiment assessed the hypothesis that this affect-startle effect increases as pictures are judged to be more arousing. Eyeblinks elicited by startle probes of three different intensities were recorded while subjects viewed pictures varying in both pleasure (pleasant, neutral, and unpleasant) and arousal (low, moderate, and high). Both blink potentiation during unpleasant content and blink diminution during pleasant content were clearly strongest for picture contents high in arousal. The effect was present for all probe intensities tested.
Properties of isolated GABAB-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents in hippocampal pyramidal cells

Abstract Whole-cell recording techniques were used to record isolated slow inhibitory postsynaptic currents in CA1 pyramidal neurons from rat hippocampal slices. Application of 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione and 3-(2-car☐ypiperazin-4-yl)propyl-1-phosphonic acid eliminated excitatory synaptic transmission, resulting in a 38% reduction in slow inhibitory postsynaptic current magnitude. Subsequent addition of the GABAA antagonist picrotoxin caused a further decrease in slow inhibitory postsynaptic current amplitude. The remaining, isolated slow inhibitory postsynaptic current was blocked by the GABAB antagonist 2-hydroxysaclofen and when cesium was substituted for intracellular potassium. The kinetics of isolated slow inhibitory postsynaptic currents were characterized by single exponential, fourth power activation, and double exponential inactivation. These slow inhibitory postsynaptic currents had a reversal potential of−85.7 ± 1.6mV, and a slope conductance of935 ± 277pS. Single slow inhibitory postsynaptic currents carried a total charge flux of13.4 ± 7.6pC. Repetitive stimulation up to 1 Hz progressively reduced steady-state slow inhibitory postsynaptic current amplitude. This attenuation was characterized by a decrease in slope conductance, but slow inhibitory postsynaptic current reversal potential remained unchanged, as did slow inhibitory postsynaptic current kinetics. These results indicate that, under physiological conditions, both ionotropic glutamate- and GABAA-mediated transmission contribute to slow inhibitory postsynaptic current recruitment. Given this finding, activity-dependent decreases in GABAA transmission could contribute to slow inhibitory postsynaptic current depression, though not exclusively, since isolated slow inhibitory postsynaptic currents also demonstrated this property. The use-dependent depression of isolated slow inhibitory postsynaptic currents may be a consequence of a reduction in transmitter release.
Relativistic Meson Wave Functions

The Hartree-RPA approximation’ and the corresponding rainbow-ladder approximation’ for the Dyson-Schwinger equation have been used for the last fifteen years to derive mesons, in particular the pion. Consistent approximations for the gap equation for the dynamical quark mass and the bound-state equation €or the pion leads to a massless pion in the chiral limit, i.e., the pion is the Goldstone boson. Technically, it has be difficult to go beyond these results and construct a complete theory for meson states. In the Dyson-Schwinger approach there has been a formidable effort3 to chart most of the meson spectrum, and a number of their dynamical properties. In the many-body, RPA approach this effort is more limited and not undividedly successful. However, the RPA approach has a number of advantages. First, as an eigenvalue equation it generates orthogonal eigenstates from a single equation, which guarantees consistency. Second, it yields wave functions, which can be used to calculate all kind of transition matrix elements and observables. Third, it yield generally more insight in the microscopic nature of meson states. This paper is a step in the development of methods to generalize and automate RPA calculations for meson systems with chiral symmetry breaking, from the associated gap equation. An essential feature is a basis known in both configuration and momentum space. The confining potential is best understood and calculated in configuration space, while the chiral symmetry breaking mass rn(lp1) can only be understood in momentum space. For
Mitochondrial DNA deletion: A cause of chronic tubulointerstitial nephropathy

Mitochondrial DNA deletion: A cause of chronic tubulointerstitial nephropathy. We report the first case of a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletion diagnosed by renal biopsy. An eight-year-old girl with megaloblastic anemia and severe growth retardation developed progressive renal insufficiency accompanied by partial Fanconi syndrome. Histologic examination of the renal biopsy disclosed nonspecific chronic tubulointerstitial disease characterized by tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. On ultrastructural examination, tubular cell mitochondria were extremely dysmorphic with prominent size variation, abnormal arborization, disorientation of the cristae and osmiophilic electrondense inclusions. Functional histochemical stains for mitochondrial enzymes performed on cryostat renal sections revealed focal tubular absence of cytochrome C oxidase (COX), a respiratory chain enzyme partially encoded by mtDNA, with preservation of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), a respiratory chain enzyme entirely encoded by nuclear DNA (nDNA). Immunoreactivity for COX subunit 2 (encoded by mtDNA) was weak to undetectable in most tubular cells, whereas reactivity for subunit 4 (encoded by nDNA) was intense in all cells. Molecular analysis of the mtDNA of kidney and peripheral blood leukocytes was performed using Southern blot and PCR. Both techniques disclosed a 2.7kb mtDNA deletion located between nucleotide (nt) 9700 and nt 13700, a common site for mtDNA deletions associated with encephalomyopathies. Mitochondrial DNA deletions may be an under-recognized cause of idiopathic tubulointerstitial nephropathy in children lacking neurologic or myopathic manifestations.
Advance directive use among patients undergoing high-risk operations.

Abstract Background The Patient Self-Determination Act requires that patients entering hospitals be asked if they have an advance directive. This has led to increased awareness of advance directives, yet surgeons have paid little attention to their use among patients undergoing even major surgery. We sought to evaluate the use of advance directives in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy and esophagectomy. Methods Patients undergoing these operations between 1996 and 2001 at a university teaching hospital were identified and reviewed for statement of advance directive, its presence in the chart, and impact on patient care. Results A total of 252 patients met inclusion criteria. The number of patients with an advance directive increased, but had little impact on patient care. Conclusions More patients having major surgery have advance directives, but the number present in the medical record remains low. Further attention to advance directives would foster increased communication between surgeons and patients and extend patient autonomy.
HIV scale-up and the politics of global health

1. Introduction: HIV scale-up and the politics of global health 2. 'All they do is pray': Community labour and the narrowing of 'care' during Mozambique's HIV scale-up 3. Participation, decentralisation and deja vu: Remaking democracy in response to AIDS? 4. Elusive accountabilities in the HIV scale-up: 'Ownership' as a functional tautology 5. Evidence and AIDS activism: HIV scale-up and the contemporary politics of knowledge in global public health 6. Up-scaling expectations among Pakistan's HIV bureaucrats: Entrepreneurs of the self and job precariousness post-scale-up 7. HIV testing as prevention among MSM in China: The business of scaling-up 8. Bringing the state back in: Understanding and validating measures of governments' political commitment to HIV 9. 'Low-hanging fruit': Counting and accounting for children in PEPFAR-funded HIV/AIDS programmes in South Africa 10. Towards the embodiment of biosocial resistance? How to account for the unexpected effects of antiretroviral scale-up in the Central African Republic 11. Meaningful change or more of the same? The Global Fund's new funding model and the politics of HIV scale-up 12. After the Global Fund: Who can sustain the HIV/AIDS response in Peru and how? 13. Confronting 'scale-down': Assessing Namibia's human resource strategies in the context of decreased HIV/AIDS funding 14. HIV scale-up in Mozambique: Exceptionalism, normalisation and global health 15. AIDS policy responsiveness in Africa: Evidence from opinion surveys
Spray Cooling Heat Flux Performance Using POCO HTC Foam

Previous studies have shown that spray cooling heat flux enhancement may be attained using enhanced surfaces. Most enhanced surface spray cooling studies have been performed using either extended or embedded surface structures. The present study investigates the effect of POCO HTC foam on spray cooling heat flux. The copper blocks used in the heat flux performance study had a cross-sectional area of 2.0 cm 2 . The POCO HTC foam pieces were attached to the copper blocks using two different bonding techniques. These were S-Bond® soldering and high thermal conductivity epoxy as the thermal interface material. Measurements were also obtained on a heater block with a flat surface for purposes of baseline comparison. A 2 x 2 nozzle array was used with PF-5060 as the working fluid. Thermal performance data was obtained under nominally degassed conditions (chamber pressure of 41.4 kPa). Results show that the highest heat flux attained was 133 W/cm 2 using the graphite POCO HTC foam with a nozzle-to-foam distance of 17 mm.
Comparative Evaluation of the Analgesic Properties of a New Drug and Codeine

A clinical study was made of the analgesic effectiveness of a new drug, Flucarbril (100 mg), and its statistical comparison to codeine (30 mg). Neither drug when used alone in the doses indicated was found useful for the relief of pain after the surgical removal of impacted third molars.
Effects of Caffeine on Crayfish Muscle Fibers I. Activation of contraction and induction of Ca spike electrogenesis

Contractions are evoked in single muscle fibers of crayfish by intracellular as well as extracellular applications of caffeine. Responses to external applications in concentrations above 2 mM could be induced indefinitely. With concentrations above 5 mM the caffeine-induced responses were highly repeatable. Tensions were transient even when the caffeine remained in the bath. There was no change in resting potential, but during the contraction the effective resistance decreased about 10%. A number of factors (change in pH, Ca, K, and Cl) modified the responses. The time course of the tension was greatly prolonged when the transverse tubular system (TTS) was s swollen and was again shortened when the TTS was caused to shrink. An increased permeability to Ca induced by caffeine was evidenced by the transformation of the normally graded electrical responses to Ca spikes, which are insensitive to tetrodotoxin. The overshoot is a function of both external Ca and caffeine. A 10-fold change in Ca changed the overshoot by 19 mv in the presence of 10 mM caffeine and by 29 mv in 80 mM caffeine. The role of the increased permeability to Ca for caffeine-induced contractions will be analyzed in the accompanying paper.
Reliability Diagrams for Multicategory Probabilistic Forecasts

Abstract The most common method of verifying multicategory probabilistic forecasts such as are used in probabilistic quantitative precipitation forecasting is through the use of the ranked probability score. This single number description of forecast accuracy can never capture the multidimensional nature of forecast quality and does not inform the forecaster about the sources of forecast deficiencies. A new type of reliability diagram is developed here and applied to probabilistic quantitative precipitation forecasts from a university contest. This diagram is shown to potentially be useful in helping the forecaster to correct some errors in assigning the categorical probabilities.
A micromechanical approach to investigate asphalt concrete rutting mechanisms

Abstract In this study, a new approach was used to evaluate changes in asphalt concrete microstructure under full-scale accelerated pavement test loading with a Heavy Vehicle Simulator (HVS) of composite pavement. The approach compared X-ray computed tomography (CT) images taken before and after HVS rut testing. Results were used to identify the differences in the movement of aggregate and changes in air-void content and distribution occurring during rutting accumulation of rubberized gap graded and polymer modified dense graded mixes for two overlay thicknesses (64 and 114 mm). Although high air void content for the sections constructed with rubberized gap graded mix were expected to cause more densification related rutting and earlier failure related to this densification, the actual reason behind the earlier failure was determined to be primarily greater shear flow to the sides of the wheelpath associated with the gap gradation and small aggregate size. Significant movement of aggregate was observed in the direction of travel as well as to the side under the pushed wheel. Important differences in aggregate movement and air-void changes were also observed between different overlay thicknesses indicating the depth of the rut phenomenon, important information for the design of overlays on aged asphalt concrete as well.
Developing a B2B E-Commerce Implementation Framework: A Study of EDI Implementation for Procurement

A case study was performed examining the electronic data interchange (EDI) implementation projects of four divisions of an aerospace company. By interviewing both partners in the relationship, a business-to-business (B2B) electronic commerce (e-commerce) implementation framework was developed. The framework provides guidelines for the type of e-business partnership to be pursued based on the volume of transactions (low vs. high) and complexity of transactions (simple vs. complex). Machine-to-machine B2B solutions should be pursued when the there is a high transaction volume of simple transactions. In other situations, potential B2B solutions include: e-business pull, partner access-extranet/push, or manual e-transmission.
An application of graph theory to a computer storage problem in residual analysis

The r test procedure for adequacy of the multiple regression model is extended for moderate sample sizes by approximating the moments of the distribution of the test statistic with those of the distribution of the Durbin and Watson (1950) upper-bounding variable. The computation of these moments is simplified by the application of some elementary graph theory. Recommendations con-cerning the selection of near-neighbor pairs are suggested in order to reduce computer storage and execution time.
A survey of knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of medical students concerning antimicrobial use and resistance.

Physicians who are insufficiently prepared to make choices on antibiotic selection may use antibiotics inappropriately. We surveyed medical students' perceptions and attitudes about their training on antimicrobial use to identify gaps in medical education. Medical students at an urban medical school in the northeast were e-mailed a link to an online survey. The survey was online for 1 week, after which time the survey responses were downloaded and analyzed. Thirty percent of medical students responded to the survey (n = 304). The majority of third- and fourth-year medical students believe that antibiotics are overused in the hospital and in outpatient areas. Over three quarters of the students would like more education on antibiotic selection, and 83% wanted this education to be during the third year of medical school. The resources they used the most for antibiotic selection included other physicians and handheld programs such as Epocrates, but no clear resource emerged as the dominant preference. Medica...
Catalytic Reduction of Hydrazine to Ammonia with MoFe(3)S(4)-Polycarboxylate Clusters. Possible Relevance Regarding the Function of the Molybdenum-Coordinated Homocitrate in Nitrogenase.

The catalytic function of the previously synthesized and characterized [(L)MoFe(3)S(4)Cl(3)](2)(-)(,3)(-) clusters (L = tetrachlorocatecholate, citrate, citramalate, methyliminodiacetate, nitrilotriacetate, thiodiglycolate) and of the [MoFe(3)S(4)Cl(3)(thiolactate)](2)(4)(-) and [(MoFe(3)S(4)Cl(4))(2)(m-oxalate)](4)(-) clusters in the reduction of N(2)H(4) to NH(3) is reported. In the catalytic reduction, which is carried out at ambient temperature and pressure, cobaltocene and 2,6-lutidinium chloride are supplied externally as electron and proton sources, respectively. In experiments where the N(2)H(4) to the [(L)MoFe(3)S(4)Cl(3)](n)()(-) catalyst ratio is 100:1, and over a period of 30 min, the reduction proceeds to 92% completion for L = citrate, 66% completion for L = citramalate, and 34% completion for L = tetrachlorocatecholate. The [Fe(4)S(4)Cl(4)](2)(-) cluster is totally inactive and gives only background ammonia measurements. Inhibition studies with PEt(3) and CO as inhibitors show a dramatic decrease in the catalytic efficiency. These results are consistent with results obtained previously in our laboratory and strongly suggest that N(2)H(4) activation and reduction occur at the Mo site of the [(L)MoFe(3)S(4)Cl(3)](2)(-)(, 3)(-) clusters. A possible pathway for the N(2)H(4) reduction on a single metal site (Mo) and a possible role for the carboxylate ligand are proposed. The possibility that the Mo-bound polycarboxylate ligand acts as a proton delivery "shuttle" during hydrazine reduction is considered.
Correlation between human epidermal growth factor receptor family (EGFR, HER2, HER3, HER4), phosphorylated Akt (P-Akt), and clinical outcomes after radiation therapy in carcinoma of the cervix

Objective. To investigate prognostic significance of and correlations between HER1 (EGFR), HER2 (c-erb-B2), HER3 (c-erb-B3), HER4 (cerb-B4), and phosphorylated Akt (P-Akt) in patients treated with radiation for cervical carcinoma. Methods. Fifty-five patients with stages I–IVA cervical carcinoma were treated with definitive radiotherapy. Tumor expression of each biomarker was quantitatively scored by an automated immunohistochemical imaging system. Parametric correlations were performed between biomarkers. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) as primary endpoints. Results. Correlations were observed between expression of HER2 and HER4 (P = 0.003), and HER3 and HER4 (P = 0.004). Decreased HER2, HER4, and P-Akt expressions were significant for diminished DFS on univariate analysis (P = 0.04, P = 0.008, and P = 0.02, respectively). Increased EGFR, and diminished HER2, HER4, and P-Akt expression were significant or showed trends toward significance for diminished OS on univariate analysis (P = 0.07, P = 0.008, P = 0.09, and P = 0.08, respectively). After controlling for pretreatment factors, multivariate analysis revealed HER2 associated with improved OS (P = 0.05). Conclusions. These data emphasize that significant correlations exist between the differential expression of various HER family receptors. Multivariate analysis revealed only increased HER2 expression associated with improved OS after controlling for pretreatment clinical factors. These data emphasize the importance of continued basic and translational research on the HER family of receptors in cervical carcinoma.
Simultaneous Bilateral Lung and Pancreas Transplantation in Recipient With Cystic Fibrosis

Abstract Introduction Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disorder that presents in childhood as a multisystem disease. Pulmonary failure and pancreatic insufficiency, including CF-related diabetes (CFRD) and exocrine insufficiency, are significant causes of morbidity and mortality in these patients. In this report we have reviewed our experience with a simultaneous lung and pancreas transplantation in a patient with CF. Methods The recipient was a 25-year-old man with CF complicated by bronchiectasis with recurrent episodes of pneumonia, pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, and CFRD. He had normal hepatic and renal function. Surgical Technique The lung and pancreas allografts were procured from a single cadaveric donor. The double lung transplantation was performed through separate thoracic incisions. The pancreas transplantation was performed through a midline incision with systemic venous drainage and proximal enteric exocrine drainage. Results The recipient recovered well from his transplantation with early extubation. The pancreas allograft functioned well with normal blood glucose independent of insulin. As a result of the enteric drainage of the pancreas allograft, the patient no longer required supplemental pancreatic enzymes. His postoperative course was complicated by distal intestinal obstruction, a complex wound infection, and reversible leukoencephalopathy. At 1-year posttransplantation he remains free of supplemental oxygen, insulin, and pancreatic enzyme replacement. Conclusion Simultaneous lung and pancreas transplantation in a patient with CF was performed safely, providing the advantages of normalization of glucose and improved nutrition for a patient requiring lung transplantation.
A fast, topology manipulation algorithm for compaction of mesh/faceted models

Discrete representation of object geometry is used extensively in the CAD/CAE application domain. Typical applications include use of these models in geometric representation and computations, finite element analysis, visualization, etc. In most cases, these discrete models can be further compacted to speed-up downstream applications. Using a compacted mesh model results in (a) reduced memory usage, (b) faster visualization, (c) faster computation of geometric checks, (d) a smaller results database, and (e) faster transmission of mesh data. This paper describes a fast, topology-based algorithm to coarsen the mesh model while retaining important geometric features.
Work goals of Taiwanese men and women managers in Taiwanese, Japanese and American owned firms

Abstract This study compares the importance of ten work goals for 1,820 Taiwanese men and 104 Taiwanese women, working in Taiwan for firms controlled primarily by Taiwanese, Japanese or American investors. When age, education, tenure, and position level are controlled, men believe the work goals of contributing to company success, advancement, earnings, and task challenge are more important than women do. Only the importance of good working conditions differs by firm type. These findings partially support the hypothesis that Taiwanese cultural work goals remain the same even in non-Taiwanese work settings.
The Melting Pot Revisited: Assimilation, Pluralism and Integration in American Society

(1978). The Melting Pot Revisited: Assimilation, Pluralism and Integration in American Society. The Review of Education: Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 379-387.
A discussion of chemical process control education and practice

This article presents a discussion of paper "Chemical process control education and practice". We emphasize the major differences between chemical process control and the control of mechanical systems. This is accomplished by considering a simple chemical process and illustrating areas where the dynamic system model differs significantly form mechanical systems. Some features encountered in chemical process models include, nonlinearities, extremely long time constants, (extremely short time constants), time delays, parameter uncertainty and the inability to measure the system states. These properties make control system design for chemical systems quite challenging.
Barriers to interspecific hybridization in Ulmus americana

Crossability barriers between the tetraploid Ulmus americana and five other diploid elm species were investigated using both fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. Both pollen germination and pollen tube development were inhibited in all interspecific crosses. Pollen tube behavior on the stigma of U. americana was unchanged when pollen of a colchicine-induced U. pumila tetraploid was substituted for diploid U. pumila pollen. Self-incompatibility was observed in one of two American elms studied and manifested itself via reduced pollen germination and inhibited pollen tube growth on the stigma surface. The results indicate that crossing barrier(s) between U. americana and other elm species occur at the stigma surface and operate independently of ploidy level. This conclusion is discussed in relation to current breeding efforts to transfer Dutch elm disease resistance into the American elm via interspecific hybridization with Eurasian elms.
Software-engineering research revisited

The author discusses three major changes that he suggests are occurring as a result of the software engineering industry adopting the industry-as-laboratory approach, in which researchers identify problems through close involvement with industrial projects and create and evaluate solutions in an almost indivisible research activity. This approach emphasizes what people actually do or can do in practice, rather than what is possible in principle. The three changes are a greater reliance on empirical definition of problems, an emphasis on real case studies, and a greater emphasis on contextual issues. >
Frequency modulated sound pattern analysis in the lesser bulldog bat: the role of interactions between adjacent frequency elements of complex sounds.

A stereotyped approach phase vocalization response of Noctilio albiventris to artificial echoes simulating a virtual approaching object was used to assess the ability of the bat to analyze and extract distance information from the artificial echoes. The performance of the bats depended on the temporal pattern of frequency change of the continuously sweeping frequency modulated (FM) component of the signals. When the bats were presented with a CF/FM signal containing a time-reversed upward FM sweep, they responded with approach phase behavior at a performance level that was significantly below that seen with a CF/FM signal containing a naturally structured downward FM sweep. When the FM sweep was divided into a series of brief pure tone steps, the extent to which the bats showed a difference in their capability to process upward versus downward FM sweeps depended on the difference in frequency between the pure tone steps. The bats effectively processed downward but not upward FM sweeps when the difference in frequency between pure tone frequency elements of the FM sweeps was from about 100–200 Hz, but they effectually processed both downward and upward FM sweeps when the tonal elements composing the FM sweeps were separated by more than about 200 Hz. This suggests that the ability of the bats to effectively process downward but not upward FM sweeps is based on local interactions between adjacent frequency elements of the complex sounds.
Effect of rapid thawing on the meat quality attributes of USDA select beef strip loin steaks.

Abstract: The objective was to determine the meat quality effects of rapidly thawing beef steaks in a water bath. Frozen beef strip loins (n= 24) were cut into steaks sequentially from the rib end and identified by anatomical location (anterior, middle, posterior) within the loin. Within location, steaks were randomly assigned to conventional (C; 18 to 20 h, 4 °C) or rapid thawing methods. Rapid thawing methods, fast (20 min, 20 °C) or very fast (11 min, 39 °C), were conducted in a circulating water bath. The physical, thawing, cooking, color, and texture characteristics of each steak were recorded. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with a 3 thawing treatments × 3 locations factorial analysis with loin as a block. No location by thawing method interaction was detected (P > 0.05) for the measured variables. Compared to C steaks, rapidly thawed steaks exhibited lower thaw drip loss (P < 0.001) and higher a* values (P < 0.001). Thawing treatment did not influence L*, b*, cook yield, or shear force. Steaks from the posterior end had higher (P < 0.001) surface to volume ratios that may have contributed to the higher thaw loss (P < 0.01), longer cooking time (P < 0.001), lower cooking yield (P < 0.001), and higher shear force (P < 0.02) compared to steaks from the anterior and middle portions of the loins. These data indicate that beef steaks taken from the entire length of the loin can be rapidly thawed in a water bath following food safety guidelines with minimal impact on meat quality. Practical Application: Freezing rate and frozen storage effects on meat quality have been well documented; however, there is comparatively little information on the meat quality effects of rapid thawing within food safety guidelines. This study demonstrates that beef strip loin steaks can be rapidly thawed in as few as 11 min without affecting texture or cooking yield, while reducing thaw drip loss. Thus, rapid thawing may enhance the apparent juiciness of steaks for consumers and provide an effective method for maintaining consistent control of experimental conditions for researchers.
Estimating a shift in nonparametric regression via U-statistics

In this paper, we minimize a ratio of two U-statistics to construct consistent and asymptotically normal estimates of the shift parameter in a two-sample regression model with nonparametric regression curves that are the same up to a shift parameter in the horizontal axis.
Respiration and Lipid Peroxidation in Tocopherol Deficient Rat Hearts

SummaryRespiration in the perfused hearts of vitamin E-deficient and -sufficient rats was studied and compared in the control, oligomycin, and cyanide treated hearts. No effect of vitamin E deficiency was noted in the total qO2, phosphorylated respiration or nonmitochondrial oxygen fixation. Studies of lipid peroxidation, as tested by the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method, demonstrated high in vitro lipid peroxidation in the homogenates of hearts and livers of the vitamin E-deficient rats compared to the control. The TBA test in the heart perfusate of the two groups was the same.
Clinical, virological and epidemiological basis for the treatment of chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis

Abstract Non-A, non-B hepatitis is the most common serious complication of blood transfusion and also occurs in a sporadic form whose routes of transmission are currently unknown. While generally mild in its acute presentation, non-A, non-B hepatitis frequently progresses to chronic hepatitis which mey eventuate in cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The disease is caused by a small, enveloped RNA virus now designated hepatitis C virus, which has simiiarities to the flaviviruses. Studies using the recently developed antibody assay have indicated that hepatitis C virus is the predominant agent of both transfusion-associated and sporadic non-A, non-B hepatitis. In 50–85% of transfusion-associated cases, a donor can be found who is positive for antibodies to the hepatitis C virus. Current data indicate that these antibodies are present in approx. 0.5% of blood donors in the United States and Europe, 1.5% in Japan and 6% in Africa, as well as in 60–80% of haemophiliacs and intravenous drug abusers and approx. 20% of dialysis patients. With changes in donor selection and transfusion practices, the incidence of transfusion-associated non-A, non-B hepatitis has declined from rates of 5–10% prior to 1985 to estimated current rates of 2–4%. The introduction of the anti-HCV test should effect an additional 50% reduction in transfusion-associated non-A, non-B hepatitis. In addition to these preventive measures, effective therapy now appears at hand in the form of α-interferon. The efficacy of other antiviral agents and the potential for combination therapies also need to be explored.
Apraclonidine for Ophthalmic Use

AbstractThe initial approval for the use of this agent has been obtained in its use following pressure rise after laser trabeculoplasty. The drug is presently marketed in a package with 2 units, 0.25 ml each, as Iopidine. It is well known that laser trabeculoplasty can cause dangerous pressure rises and that treating these pressure rises can make laser treatment more useful. However, similar effects can be obtained with other agents. Therefore, the real usefulness of this agent may lie in its use in the treatment of primary open angle glaucoma. Whether or not it is additive, antagonistic, or synergistic with other antiglaucoma agents will be an exciting and interesting area of future investigation. The role of apraclonidine in the treatment of primary open angle glaucoma remains to be defined and should be evaluated, keeping in mind its potential effects as a vasoconstrictor in the eye.
Biochemistry of insect differentiation. Requirements for high in vitro moulting fluid chitinase activity

Abstract A method for preparing chitinase substrate is described; the substrate reproducibly gives high chitinase activity under suitable conditions. For moulting fluid chitinase, these are: a chitin concentration of at least 2 mg/ml, pH 6.5, and presence of calcium; addition of an inhibitor for neutral protease is helpful. Activity may be measured in minutes, either colourimetrically or by counting acid-soluble product from in vivo labelled chitin. N- Acetylglucosamine is the chief soluble end product. Moulting fluid chitinase appears to form a complex with chitin and calcium which successfully competes with EGTA for calcium; the dissociation constant is therefore at least as low as 10 −7 M. A transient increase in product release of chitinase accompanies the first interaction of chitin, chitinase and calcium ions.
An optical amplifier having 5 cm long silica-clad erbium doped phosphate glass fiber fabricated by “core-suction” technique

Abstract We have fabricated an erbium-doped phosphate glass fiber with a silica cladding and used 5 cm length of it to form an optical amplifier. A bulk erbium phosphate glass called MM2 was used as a core glass in a silica cladding tube to prepare a preform using “core-suction” technique. This MM2 glass preform was drawn to a fiber and the resultant fiber was of good optical quality, free from air bubbles and major defects. The fiber was mechanically strong enough to allow for ease of handling and could be spliced to conventional silica fiber using commercial fusion splicer. This fiber was then used to setup an EDFA. Our work demonstrates the potential to form silica clad optical fibers with phosphate cores doped with very high levels of rare-earth ions. It is demonstrated that the core suction technique can be used to make a high-gain erbium phosphate fiber amplifier that is compatible with conventional silica fibers.
Nanoparticle Technology for Drug Delivery Across the Blood-Brain Barrier

Nanoparticles (NP) are solid colloidal particles ranging in size from 1 to 1000 nm that are utilized as drug delivery agents. The use of NPs to deliver drugs to the brain across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) may provide a significant advantage to current strategies. The primary advantage of NP carrier technology is that NPs mask the blood-brain barrier limiting characteristics of the therapeutic drug molecule. Furthermore, this system may slow drug release in the brain, decreasing peripheral toxicity. This review evaluates previous strategies of brain drug delivery, discusses NP transport across the BBB, and describes primary methods of NP preparation and characterization. Further, influencing manufacturing factors (type of polymers and surfactants, NP size, and the drug molecule) are detailed in relation to movement of the drug delivery agent across the BBB. Currently, reports evaluating NPs for brain delivery have studied anesthetic and chemotherapeutic agents. These studies are reviewed for efficacy and mechanisms of transport. Physiological factors such as phagocytic activity of the reticuloendothelial system and protein opsonization may limit the amount of brain delivered drug and methods to avoid these issues are also discussed. NP technology appears to have significant promise in delivering therapeutic molecules across the BBB.
A memory and MHZ efficient EDMA transfer scheme for video encoding algorithms on TI TMS320DM642

Video encoding algorithms require processing of data arranged in blocks of pixels. For efficient computation, pixel blocks are expected to be stored contiguously in memory, and within each block, pixels are to be arranged in a raster scan (left to right, top to bottom order). Since data captured from the video port is linearly arranged in memory (one line after the other), it is necessary to arrange the data in the two-dimensional form before processing for encoding. A common approach to achieve the two-dimensional arrangement is through optimized functions (in C or Assembly) to arrange the captured data, which is stored in an intermediate buffer, into an input buffer from which it is ready for encoding. However, this approach has two main drawbacks. First, a portion of the CPU MHZ budget is consumed only on data arrangement. Second, an intermediate data buffer is required to hold the data before the arrangement into the input buffer takes place, and hence increasing the memory requirements. In this paper, a memory and MHZ efficient EDMA transfer scheme is introduced for simultaneous data transfer and two-dimensional arrangement from the video port to the DSP memory. The proposed scheme is described in details for TI TMS320DM642TM.© (2008) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Corning bend insensitive optical fibers for elevated temperature applications

New optical fiber designs deliver fiber performance unimaginable in the past. Optical fiber coating materials enable new application areas for fiber optics. A combination of these two innovations opens new possibilities in optical system design and application conditions.
Testicular microlithiasis is associated with testicular pathology

Abstract Objectives. To evaluate the impact of testicular microlithiasis (TM) on male health by describing our experience. TM is an uncommon condition characterized by calcium deposits in the lumina of seminiferous tubules. These intratesticular calcifications appear as bright, 2- to 3-mm echogenic foci on testicular ultrasound (US). Methods. Patients diagnosed with TM by high-frequency testicular US over a 4-year period from two separate institutions were included in this study. Approximately 1100 testicular USs were performed (both hospitals combined) over the 4-year period. Patients were clinically identified by the characteristic appearance of TM on testicular US. Pathologic specimens were obtained in 14 (64%) of 22 patients. Results. Thirty-eight testicles (16 bilateral cases) in 22 patients were found to have TM. The incidence of TM was approximately 2%. Mean age at presentation was 29 years (range 8 to 63). Eight (36%) of 22 patients had testicular malignancies. Five (23%) of 22 patients were infertile. Three (14%) of 22 patients presented with unilateral necrosis of the testes due to spermatic cord torsion. Two patients had varicoceles, 1 patient had epididymitis, and another patient had torsion of an appendix testis. Previously unreported associations of TM and neurofibromatosis (1 patient) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (1 patient) were noted. No patient with TM later developed a testicular malignancy, yet the mean follow-up was only 31 months (range 1 to 108). One patient with unilateral TM developed bilateral TM, and 1 patient with bilateral TM subsequently developed unilateral TM. One patient developed spermatic cord torsion and testicular infarction 4 years after previously documented TM. Conclusions. TM is usually diagnosed by testicular US performed for various indications. TM is an uncommon condition that is found in testes with both malignant and nonmalignant conditions. The association of TM and testicular malignancy suggests regular follow-up with testicular US examinations.
Back to the past: a sub-segment of Generation Y's perceptions of authenticity

To date, authenticity conceptualizations have taken into account the views of both suppliers and tourists. However, most studies, at the a priori stage, have not taken a market segment perspective but considered tourists to be a homogeneous population. This study challenges that by focusing on a distinct market segment based on age and life experience: Generation Y, drawing out an a priori-based sub-segment of Generation Y's perspectives of authenticity. It investigates if authenticity ideologies influence decisions to become a heritage tourist. Additionally, it determines other factors that predict differences between a heritage tourist and a non-heritage tourist. The study unveils interesting findings. With the exception of the objectivist and negotiation stance, other authenticity ideologies fail to inspire this generation to be heritage tourists. Intervention factors such as party size (and with it a social experience) and ethnicity prove to be better predictors of heritage preference. The results off...
A translational in vivo model of trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias – therapeutic characterization with brainstem stimulation

Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs) are highly disabling primary headaches that involve activation of trigeminovascular neurons and their reflex connection with the parasympathetic outflow to the cranial vasculature, via the superior salivatory nucleus (SuS) in the brainstem. Our understanding of TAC pathophysiology, and how and where treatments act, is hindered by a lack of animal models.
Hurwicz expected utility and subjective sources

Abstract In experiments, subjects are often not indifferent among all sources of uncertainty; between two prospects yielding the same distribution of monetary rewards, they may strictly prefer one over the other. We formulate a special case of α-maxmin expected utility theory in a Savage setting, show that every decision maker perceives multiple subjective sources, and that source-utilities are rank dependent expected utility. A power series identifies each source, measures source-uncertainty, and determines the agent's source-specific risk attitude. Subjective sources relate Ellsberg-paradox behavior to source preference and to Allais-paradox behavior.
MMP-7 cleaves the NR1 NMDA receptor subunit and modifies NMDA receptor function

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc-dependent enzymes that play a role in the inflammatory response. These enzymes have been well studied in the context of cancer biology and inflammation. Recent studies, however, suggest that these enzymes also play roles in brain development and neurodegenerative disease. Select MMPs can target proteins critical to synaptic structure and neuronal survival, including integrins and cadherins. Here, we show that one member of the MMP family, MMP-7, which may be released from cells, including microglia, can target a protein critical to synaptic function. Through analysis of extracts from murine cortical slice preparations, we show that MMP-7 cleaves the NR1 subunit of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor to generate an N-terminal fragment of ∼65 kDa. Moreover, studies with recombinant protein show that MMP-7-mediated cleavage of NR1 occurs at amino acid 517, which is extracellular and just distal to the first transmembrane domain. Data suggest that NR2A, which sha...