cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Androgen Synthesis in Adrenarche

The enzymes and pathways of steroidogenesis are central to an understanding of adrenarche. The quantitative regulation of steroidogenesis occurs at the first step, the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone. Chronic quantitative regulation is principally at the level of transcription of the CYP11A1 gene encoding P450scc, which is the enzymatically rate-limiting step. Acute regulation is mediated by the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), which facilitates the rapid influx of cholesterol into mitochondria, where P450scc resides. Qualitative regulation, which determines the type of steroid produced in a cell, is principally at the level of P450c17 (CYP17). In the absence of P450c17 in the zona glomerulosa, C21 deoxy steroids are produced, leading to the mineralocorticoid, aldosterone. In the presence of the 17alpha-hydroxylase but not the 17,20 lyase activity of P450c17 in the zona fasciculata, C21, 17-hydroxy steroids are produced, leading to the glucocorticoid, cortisol. When both the 17alpha-hydroxylase and 17,20 lyase activities of P450c17 are present in the zona reticularis, the androgen precursor DHEA is produced. The discrimination between 17alpha-hydroxylase and 17,20 lyase activities is regulated by two post-translational events, the serine phosphorylation of P450c17 and the allosteric action of cytochrome b5, both of which act to optimize the interaction of P450c17 with its obligatory electron donor, P450 oxidoreductase. In the adrenal zona reticularis, the abundant expression of P450 oxidoreductase and cytochrome b5, and the low expression of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD3B2) result in the production of the large amounts of DHEA that characterize adrenarche.
Chromosomes and causation of human cancer and leukemia. VIII. DMS chromosomes in a neuroblastoma

Double-minute chromosomes (DMS) were found in a very high percentage of neuroblastoma cells in the marrow of a 3-year-old patient. An interesting and intriguing finding was that similar DMS, in number and distribution, were found in diploid cells in another marrow site of the same patient obtained on a different date. Cultured blood lymphocytes of the patient also contained the DMS and possibly points to a common factor leading to the genesis of DMS. The literature of tumors with DMS was summarized and several hypotheses advanced regarding the origin of DMS; the authors favor the concept that the DMS may represent chromomeres which have been set free, with the exact agent causing this being unknown.
Optical parametrically gated microscopy in scattering media

High-resolution imaging in turbid media has been limited by the intrinsic compromise between the gating efficiency (removal of multiply-scattered light background) and signal strength in the existing optical gating techniques. This leads to shallow depths due to the weak ballistic signal, and/or degraded resolution due to the strong multiply-scattering background – the well-known trade-off between resolution and imaging depth in scattering samples. In this work, we employ a nonlinear optics based optical parametric amplifier (OPA) to address this challenge. We demonstrate that both the imaging depth and the spatial resolution in turbid media can be enhanced simultaneously by the OPA, which provides a high level of signal gain as well as an inherent nonlinear optical gate. This technology shifts the nonlinear interaction to an optical crystal placed in the detection arm (image plane), rather than in the sample, which can be used to exploit the benefits given by the high-order parametric process and the use of an intense laser field. The coherent process makes the OPA potentially useful as a general-purpose optical amplifier applicable to a wide range of optical imaging techniques.
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy and Hypofractionated Radiotherapy for the Treatment of Gynecological Malignancies

Gynecological malignancies are traditionally treated with a combination of EBRT and brachytherapy. In certain situations however, brachytherapy may not be technically feasible or not advisable due to medical comorbidities. Management of isolated nodal recurrences, especially para-aortic, also presents a challenging dilemma. Technologic advances in planning now enable the delivery of ablative tumor doses with relative sparing of adjacent normal tissues.
The reaction of dichloro(difluoramino)methanesulfenyl chloride with silver(II) fluoride

Abstract Reaction of dichloro(difluoroamino)methanesulfenyl chloride, NF 2 CCl 2 SCl, with silver(II) fluoride, AgF 2 , forms the new compounds, NF 2 CCl 2 SF and NF 2 CCl 2 SF 3 . NF 2 CCl 2 (O)F results either from the hydrolysis of NF 2 CCl 2 SF 3 or oxygenation of NF 2 CCl 2 SF. Hydrogen chloride converts NF 2 CCl 2 S(O)F to NF 2 CCl 2 (O)Cl quantitatively.
Performing arts medicine – Instrumentalist musicians Part I – General considerations

Performing arts medicine is a relatively new specialty addressing the medical needs of dancers, musicians, ice skaters, and gymnasts. This paper focuses on the role of healthcare providers in the diagnosis and therapeutic management of instrumentalist musicians. Musicians are at high risk for developing painful musculoskeletal problems, including pain and overuse injuries, entrapment and peripheral neuropathies, and focal dystonias. Musicians' careers are threatened, when they are no longer able to play their instrument because of pain and dysfunction. To appreciate music-related injuries, it is important that clinicians are familiar with the context of musicians' injuries and disorders. This is the first paper in a series of three. This paper discusses the importance of taking an extended history. The typical history procedures need to be broadened when interviewing musicians, and should include instrument-specific questions, and questions regarding practice habits, education, repertoire, and employment. The second article addresses the physical examination, while the third article provides three case reports of musicians with hand problems, which serve to illustrate the points made in the first two articles. The articles are illustrated with several tables and photographs of musicians to assist the reader in assessing instrumentalist musicians and determining the most appropriate course of action.
3,5,3'-Triiodothyronine Receptor Auxiliary Protein (TRAP) Enhances Receptor Binding by Interactions within the Thyroid Hormone Response Element

We have previously demonstrated that binding of in vitro synthesized thyroid hormone receptor (TR) to thyroid hormone response elements (TREs) is enhanced by the addition of nuclear extracts from several different cell types, suggesting that binding of TR is partially dependent on a T3 receptor auxiliary protein (TRAP). We have used the avidin-biotin complex DNA-binding assay to discriminate between regions of TREs that bind TR alone and sites that are influenced by interactions with TRAP. Mutations in the TREs from rat GH and glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit genes show that a specific DNA sequence is required for TRAP-mediated enhancement of TR binding. Mutations in the B half-site of the rat GH TRE or in similar sequences [(T/A)GGGA] in the alpha-subunit TRE ablate the enhancement of TR binding by TRAP. Furthermore, binding of TR to a natural half-site in the TSH beta-subunit gene (bases -16 to 6), which lacks an additional AGGGA-like sequence, is not enhanced by the addition of TRAP. Binding of TR to TREs was also tested at physiological salt concentrations in the avidin-biotin complex DNA-binding assay. Binding of human TR beta to TREs decreases dramatically at 140 mM KCl compared to binding at 50 mM KCl; however, the addition of TRAP enhances the binding to almost 4-fold of basal binding, suggesting that TRAP may be important for stabilization of TR binding to TREs in the cell.
Stability of mood states and biochemistry across pregnancy

Four hundred and thirty pregnant women were recruited during their second trimester of pregnancy (M=20 weeks). They were designated depressed (N=172) or nondepressed (N=258) on the Structured Clinical Interview of Depression (SCID) and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (CES-D). They were given a second assessment when they were approximately 32 weeks gestational age. At both assessments they were given self-report measures (CES-D, the State Anxiety Inventory, and the State Anger Inventory) and provided urine samples for assays of cortisol, catecholamines (norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine) and serotonin. They were also given the VITAS scale for lower back pain and leg pain and a sleep disturbance scale. The stability of mood states and biochemistry across pregnancy (20 and 32 weeks) were assessed inasmuch as mood states, and biochemistry have been noted to predict prematurity and low birthweight. Significant correlations were noted for all variables except serotonin. Relationships between mood states and biochemistry were also noted but only between cortisol and depression, cortisol and anxiety, and epinephrine and anxiety. Significant stability was noted between the 20-week measures and the 32-week measures including depression, anxiety, anger, and cortisol. These were, in turn, correlated with each other and with, low back pain, leg pain, and sleep disturbance. These data suggest the stability of mood states and cortisol across pregnancy.
Computed tomography correlates of inflow cannula malposition in a continuous-flow ventricular-assist device.

1. Lund LH, Matthews J, Aaronson K. Patient selection for left ventricular assist devices. Eur J Heart Fail 2010;12:516-20. 2. Mancini D, Lietz K. Selection of cardiac transplantation candidates in 2010. Circulation 2010;122:173-83. 3. Kirklin JK, Naftel DC, Kormos RL, et al. The fourth INTERMACS annual report: 4,000 implants and counting. J Heart Lung Transplant 2012;31:117-26. 4. Miller LW. Left ventricular assist devices are underutilized. Circulation 2011;123:1552-8: discussion 1558. 5. Massad MG. Current trends in heart transplantation. Cardiology 2004;101:79-92. 6. McAlister FA, Ezekowitz J, Hooton N, et al. Cardiac resynchronization therapy for patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction: a systematic review. JAMA 2007;297:2502-14. 7. Goda A, Williams P, Mancini D, Lund LH. Selecting patients for heart transplantation: comparison of the Heart Failure Survival Score (HFSS) and the Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM). J Heart Lung Transplant 2011;30:1236-43. 8. Mehra MR, Kobashigawa J, Starling R, et al. Listing criteria for heart transplantation: International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation guidelines for the care of cardiac transplant candidates—2006. J Heart Lung Transplant 2006;25:1024-42. 9. Stehlik J, Edwards LB, Kucheryavaya AY, et al. The registry of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation: 29th official adult heart transplant report—2012. J Heart Lung Transplant 2012;31:1052-64.
Formation of the 1988 Antarctic ozone hole

The 1988 Antarctic ozone hole, as observed with the Nimbus 7 TOMS instrument, formed in August but failed to deepen significantly during September. The structure of the surrounding total ozone maxima also differed from the prior year. The 1987 total ozone pattern was pole centered and symmetrical. During 1988 a persistent strong wavenumber 1 perturbation in total ozone developed in August which resulted in displacement of the polar ozone minimum to the base of the Antarctic Peninsula. Subsequently, a series of transient mesoscale size minima formed within the broader polar minimum. In September the frequency of the transient events diminished and a larger scale decrease in polar total ozone began. The decrease lasted less than two weeks, resulting in a net change of only 25 DU compared with the nearly 100 DU decline observed during the same period in 1987. The minimum values remained roughly constant until October 19, 1988 and then increased rapidly. The 1988 Antarctic ozone hole subsequently drifted off the Antarctic continent in late October and dissipated in mid-November.
Framing Chinese civil actors: earthquake relief and unintended consequences for media coverage

In 2008, the participation of NGOs in disaster relief during and after a severe earthquake attracted public attention and extensive media coverage. This study analyzes how mainstream Chinese news media framed NGOs in 2008. The findings suggest that after the earthquake, not only did the amount of media coverage about Chinese NGOs increase but also the patterns of coverage changed. Furthermore, the Chinese party media and market-oriented media demonstrated different coverage patterns. The party media tended to frame the contributions of NGOs as dependent on governmental leadership and downplayed their role in disaster relief to one of support. The market-oriented media increasingly covered NGOs from multiple angles and depicted them as service providers, decision makers, and resource mobilizers.
Three rapid immunoassays for the determination of creatine kinase MB: an analytical, clinical, and interpretive evaluation.

Abstract We present analytical and clinical studies of three commercial immunoassays for the determination of the creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CK-MB). All methods are compared with the presently-accepted reference method, agarose gel electrophoresis. We find that each of the immunoassay methods offers diagnostic sensitivity and specificity similar to those of electrophoresis, while none experiences detectable interference from high concentrations of the creatine kinase BB isoenzyme (CK-BB) or the so-called “atypical” bands. The presence of atypical bands can cause electrophoresis to yield inaccurate quantification or even misidentification of CK-MB. Because the immunoassay approaches are more rapid than electrophoresis and require less technical expertise, it is possible to evaluate patients in a more timely and cost-effective manner. Further, since immunoassay results can be availlable in approximately 1 2 hour , rapid real-time decisions can be made regarding the desirability of initiating or continuing such valuable but dangerous procedures as thrombolytic therapy.
Assessment of the OLYP and O3LYP density functionals for first-row transition metals.

We have investigated the performance of the OLYP and O3LYP density functionals for predicting atomic excitation energies and ionization potentials, and bond dissociation energies, geometries, and vibrational frequencies for selected first-row transition metal compounds, including hydrides (MH) and singly charged methylene and methyl cations. The OLYP and O3LYP functionals are similar to the well-known BLYP and B3LYP functionals, respectively, but use a new optimized exchange functional (OPTX) developed by Handy and Cohen (Mol Phys 2001, 99, 403) in place of the standard B88 exchange. A previous study by us on organic reactions (J Chem Phys 2002, 117, 1331) indicated that both OLYP and O3LYP gave results for heats of reaction and barrier heights that were overall superior to those using the popular B3LYP functional. For transition metals, however, although OLYP is overall superior to BLYP for molecular calculations, it is inferior to B3LYP. O3LYP provides results for molecules of about the same quality as B3LYP. For atomic excitation and 4s ionization energies, unless relativistic effects are included, OLYP and O3LYP are clearly worse than both BLYP and B3LYP. There is thus no real incentive to use either OLYP or O3LYP in place of B3LYP for calculations involving first-row transition metals.
Teaching the Rorschach and learning psychodiagnostic testing: a commentary on Hilsenroth and Handler (1995).

A recent report by Hilsenroth and Handier (1995) surveyed graduate students impressions of their predoctoral-level training on the Rorschach method. My commentary underscores two central points from their article: (a) the problem of program specialization, in a crowded curriculum, and (b) students indication of a need for more secure grounding in personality theory and clinical diagnosis. The focus of these remarks concerns current trends in clinical psychology education, their implications for training in psychological assessment, establishing a reasonable upper limit of solid competence, for achieving a journeyman level of ability, and some considerations about a suitable role for continuing education workshops. A sharp distinction between filling in gaps in knowledge and compensating for fundamental deficiencies is emphasized in this context.
Fluorescence Lifetime-Resolved pH Imaging of Living Cells

Background The regulation and maintenance of intracellular pH are critical to diverse metabolic functions of the living cells. Fluorescence time-resolved techniques and instrumentations have advanced rapidly and enabled the imaging of intracellular pH based on the fluorescence lifetimes. Methods The frequency-domain fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) and fluorophores displaying appropriate pH-dependent lifetime sensitivities were used to determine the temporal and spatial pH distributions in the cytosol and vesicular compartment lysosomes. Results We found that cytosolic pH levels are different in 3T3 fibroblasts, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, and MCF-7 cells when using the pH probe carboxy-SNAFL2. We also tracked the transient cytosolic pH changes in the living CHO cells after treatments with proton pump inhibitors, ion exchanger inhibitors, and weak base and acid. The intracellular lysosomal pH was determined with the acidic lifetime probes DM-NERF dextrans, OG-514 carboxylic acid dextrans, and LysoSensor DND-160. Our results showed that the resting lysosomal pH value obtained from the 3T3 fibroblasts was between 4.5 and 4.9. The increase of lysosomal pH induced by the treatments with proton pump inhibitor and ionophores also were observed in our FLIM measurements. Conclusions Our lifetime-based pH imaging data suggested that FLIM can measure the intracellular pH of the resting cells and follow the pH fluctuations inside the cells after environmental perturbations. To improve the z-axis resolution to the intracellular lifetime-resolved images, we are investigating the implementation of the pseudo-confocal capability to our current FLIM apparatus. Cytometry Part A 52A:77–89, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Progesterone in the clinical treatment of acute traumatic brain injury

Importance of the field: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has yet to find a safe and effective acute-stage neuroprotective treatment. Experimental drugs targeting a single receptor mechanism, gene, or ...
Assessment of Effective Renal Plasma Flow, Enzymuria, and Cytokine Release in Healthy Volunteers Receiving a Single Dose of Amphotericin B Desoxycholate

The present study assessed potential subclinical markers of amphotericin B (AmB)-related nephrotoxicity and infusion-related reactions (IRR). Subjects were pretreated with diphenhydramine and acetaminophen and received a 500-ml bolus infusion of 0.9% sodium chloride prior to each effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) assessment. ERPF was measured before and after administration of a single 0.25-mg/kg intravenous AmB dose using technetium-99m mercaptoacetyltriglycine. Blood was collected before and 3 h after AmB infusion for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) plasma concentrations. Overnight 12-h urine collections were performed before administration of AmB and for 2 nights after administration of AmB and analyzed for α and π glutathione-S-transferases (GSTα and GSTπ, respectively) and N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAG). Six men and six women with mean ± standard deviation (SD) ages of 24.8 ± 5.3 and 28.0 ± 8.5 years, respectively, were studied. Baseline serum creatinine values were within the normal range and were unaltered after administration of AmB. The mean ± SD decrease in ERPF after administration of AmB was significant (P < 0.05) in males (15.7 ± 8.1%) but not females (9.5 ± 14.0%). The GSTπ and GSTα indices increased significantly (P < 0.05) by two to fourfold and returned to baseline in males but were unaltered in females. NAG indices were unaffected by AmB. Six patients experienced an IRR that was associated with increased TNF-α (P < 0.05) but not IL-1β (P = 0.09). These results suggest a potential sex-related difference in AmB-induced nephrotoxicity and provide a rationale for use of ERPF, urine GST, and TNF-α as subclinical markers of polyene-induced toxicity.
Three-Block Fathers: Spatial Perceptions and Kin-Work in Low-Income African American Neighborhoods

Few studies offer a contextual examination of how fathers experience and perceive local environments, and develop subsequent strategies to enhance paternal involvement. In this qualitative analysis of participant observation and life history interview data on 40 low-income African American fathers in Chicago's South Side, I consider how risky physical and social spaces situate low-income fathers' participation in kin-work systems. I observe ecological processes—including gang activity, police presence, and poverty—that shape men's daily routines in local neighborhoods. Further, I examine how, based upon their perceptions of these processes, fathers delineate dangerous spaces and grow increasingly wary of certain social relationships. Finally, I observe that fathers develop kin-work strategies to secure paternal involvement, which include constructing “three-block” safe spaces for family interaction, relying on paternal kin, making use of neutral spaces, and managing complex negotiations with their children's mothers and maternal kin.
The use of fine-needle aspiration biopsy samples for the assessment of basal phenotype in triple negative breast cancer patients: A correlative study

Molecular profiling of breast cancer has gained popularity due to the possibility of studying the biological spectrum of the disease and to evaluate prognostic and predictive characteristics that can lead to more accurate therapeutic decisions. Although studies have been carried out on tissue using tissue microarray technology (TMA), to our knowledge, this technology has not been applied to samples obtained by fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). This study was designed to correlate FNAB samples with corresponding surgical specimens for the assessment of basal phenotype in patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). A total of 198 cases of TNBC with matching FNAB and surgical specimens were identified. Forty-six cases with sufficient tissue in both FNAB cell blocks and surgical specimens were selected. Tissue microarray blocks were prepared and stained with six biomarkers (CK5/6, p63, SMA, EGFR, C-Kit, and p53). For statistical analysis, we used the observed (Gross) percentage of agreement and also calculated the Cohen's Kappa for each biomarker. We found a high agreement between the two groups as shown by the values of Observed (Gross) percentage of agreement (mostly 90% or higher except for the C-Kit which was 78%). In addition, Cohen's Kappa point estimate showed substantial agreement (0.61-0.80) for CK 5/6, p63, EGFR, p53, moderate agreement (0.41-0.60) for C-Kit, and, fair agreement (0.21-0.40) for SMA. Our study shows that the advantages of FNAB are not restricted to cost-effectiveness, but also attested that cytology samples are suitable for the evaluation of biomarkers that have important implications on patient's therapy and prognosis.
Cattle Selection for Aspen and Meadow Vegetation: Implications for Restoration

There is concern over the decline of aspen and the lack of successful regeneration due to excessive browsing of aspen suckers by cattle and other wild and domestic ungulates. We conducted a 2-yr study on Lassen National Forest, California, to aid development of cattle grazing strategies to enhance aspen regeneration. We evaluated seasonal biomass, nutritional quality, and utilization by cattle of aspen suckers, aspen herbaceous understory vegetation, and meadow herbaceous vegetation within six aspen–meadow complexes. Aspen suckers had greater nutritional quality compared to aspen understory and meadow vegetation regardless of season or year. Nutritional quality declined with season in all three vegetation types. Early-growing season foraging by cattle focused on meadow and aspen understory vegetation. Mid-growing season decreases in meadow and aspen understory nutritional quality coincided with a marked increase in utilization of aspen suckers. By late-growing season, utilization on aspen suckers was significantly greater than aspen understory or meadow vegetation. Managers can use earlygrowing season grazing to reduce aspen consumption by cattle, set stocking rates so that adequate herbaceous vegetation is available throughout the growing season, provide nutritional supplements to reduce demand for nutritious aspen suckers, construct protective fencing, and implement grazing systems that insure years with mid- and late-growing season rest from heavy browsing.
Compiler aided selective lock assignment for improving the performance of software transactional memory

Atomic sections have been recently introduced as a language construct to improve the programmability of concurrent software. They simplify programming by not requiring the explicit specification of locks for shared data. Typically atomic sections are supported in software either through the use of optimistic concurrency by using transactional memory or through the use of pessimistic concurrency using compiler-assigned locks. As a software transactional memory (STM) system does not take advantage of the specific memory access patterns of an application it often suffers from false conflicts and high validation overheads. On the other hand, the compiler usually ends up assigning coarse grain locks as it relies on whole program points-to analysis which is conservative by nature. This adversely affects performance by limiting concurrency. In order to mitigate the disadvantages associated with STM's lock assignment scheme, we propose a hybrid approach which combines STM's lock assignment with a compiler aided selective lock assignment scheme (referred to as SCLA-STM). SCLA-STM overcomes the inefficiencies associated with a purely compile-time lock assignment approach by (i) using the underlying STM for shared variables where only a conservative analysis is possible by the compiler (e.g., in the presence of may-alias points to information) and (ii) being selective about the shared data chosen for the compiler-aided lock assignment. We describe our prototype SCLA-STM scheme implemented in the hp-ux IA-64 C/C++ compiler, using TL2 as our STM implementation. We show that SCLA-STM improves application performance for certain STAMP benchmarks from 1.68% to 37.13%.
Immunohistochemical demonstration of proteinase inhibitor alpha‐1‐antichymotrypsin in normal human central nervous system

The presence of alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, a serine proteinase inhibitor with a high affinity for cathepsin G, is demonstrated in the normal human central nervous system (CNS) by immunohistochemical techniques. Paraffin-embedded normal human CNS tissue from five adult, two fetal, one neonatal and three newborn autopsies were stained with monospecific rabbit antibodies to human alpha-1-antichymotrypsin using biotinylated goat anti-rabbit antibodies and an avidin-biotin- peroxidase complex. Positive immunostaining was seen in neurons and glial cells in the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, hippocampus, cerebellum, brainstem, and spinal cord of the adults. The epithelium of the adult choroid plexus had the most intense staining in apical granular organelles corresponding in position to lysosomes or secretory granules. Ependymal cells, particularly those near the choroid plexus, were immunostained. The fetal CNS had no alpha-1-antichymotrypsin staining. Limited staining of choroid plexus, ependyma. and frontal lobe was found in the newborns. Immunostaining in the neonatal temporal lobe was only found in the choroid-plexus epithelium. These observations establish a widespread distribution of this proteinase inhibitor in the normal human CNS. Developmental regulation of this inhibitor in the human CNS is also indicated.
Individual Differences in the Cognitive Processes of Reading: II. Text-Level Processes

For those who missed last issue's introduction to the Topical Review series, this new monthly feature is designed to provide a continuing series of authoritative reviews on topics of central importance to the field of learning disabilities. While some reviews may focus on basic research on the physiological, cognitive, or social characteristics of learning disabled children, others will examine evidence for the efficacy of various remedial techniques. The present article is a continuation of last month's discussion of individual differences in cognitive processes related to reading. The article contains an excellent presentation of recent research that demonstrates several different ways the ability to use context can influence reading performance.---J.K.T.The literature on individual differences in cognitive processes that operate at the text level is reviewed. Less-skilled readers display performance deficits on a wide variety of short-term memory tasks, probably due to an inability to efficiently emplo...
Improved signal processing approaches for land mine detection

In our previous work, we have shown that a model-based Bayesian approach to the detection of mines affords significant performance gains for both time-domain and frequency-domain electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensor over standard thresholding techniques. Our methodology merges physical models of the evoked target response with a probabilistic description of the clutter, and provides both an optimal detection algorithm, under a specific set of assumptions, and performance evaluation measures in the form of probability of detection (P d ) and probability of false alarm (P fa ). This approach was validated on data obtained during the DARPA Backgrounds Clutter Data Collection Experiment. In this paper, we review these results, and also present theoretical results that show that utilization of the entire multi-channel time-domain or frequency-domain waveform always affords an improvement in detection performance over single-channel systems. In addition, we present results that indicate that including spatial information into the processor substantially reduces the false alarm rates over processors in which this spatial information is not included. Finally, we discuss the performance of a more advanced detector, also formulated using signal detection theory, in which uncertainty in the placement of the mine in the environment is incorporated into the detector.
Predictors of Operative Mortality in Cardiac Surgical Patients with Prolonged Intensive Care Unit Duration

Background Several systems have been developed to predict mortality after intensive care unit (ICU) admission in medical and surgical patients. However, a similar tool specific to cardiac surgical patients with prolonged ICU duration does not exist. The purpose of the current study was to identify independent perioperative predictors of operative mortality among cardiac surgical patients with prolonged ICU duration. Study Design From 2003 to 2008, a total of 13,105 cardiac surgical patients with ICU durations >48 hours were identified within a statewide database. Perioperative factors, including Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality, were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified significant correlates of operative mortality and their relative strength of association as determined by the Wald chi-square statistic. Results Mean patient age was 66.8 ± 11.2 years, median ICU duration was 76.5 hours (range 56.0 to 124.0 hours), and mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk of mortality was 4.4% ± 6.2%. Among preoperative and operative factors, intra-aortic balloon pump use, patient age, immunosuppressive therapy, hemodialysis requirement, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and heart failure proved to be the strongest correlates of mortality (all p 24 hours), and stroke were the strongest predictors of risk-adjusted mortality (all p Conclusions Operative mortality can be predicted by select risk factors for cardiac surgical patients with prolonged ICU duration. Patient age, preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump, postoperative cardiac arrest, prolonged ventilation, and stroke have the strongest association with mortality. Identification of these factors in the perioperative setting can enhance resource use and improve mortality after cardiac surgery.
Energy transfer in the quiet and disturbed magnetosphere

Progress on magnetospheric energy transfer reported during the 1979-1982 quadrennium is reviewed. A discussion of the macroscopic control of magnetospheric phenomena by solar-wind electric and magnetic fields and kinetic pressure is followed by sections on energy transfer processes at the dayside magnetopause, in the magnetotail, near geosynchronous orbit, and at altitudes of about 1 earth radius above the auroral oval. Rapid progress in these areas has been stimulated primarily by ISEE and S3-3 observations and by the development of techniques for the large-scale computer simulation of plasma phenomena.
Evaluating a Spinal Cord Injury–Specific Model of Depression and Quality of Life

Abstract Objectives To determine whether demographic, injury, health, and functional factors similarly have the same predictive relation with both somatic and nonsomatic symptoms of depression, as well as whether somatic and nonsomatic symptoms of depression have the same association with quality of life (QOL). Design Secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data. Setting Community Participants Patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (N=4976) who completed an interview at 1 year postinjury between 2006 and 2011. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Somatic and nonsomatic symptoms of depression from the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and QOL measured by the Satisfaction With Life Scale. Results Structural equation modeling showed that the hypothesized model provided a good fit to the data, but modification of the model led to a significant improvement in model fit: Δχ2(1)=226.21, P Conclusions Assessment of depression after spinal cord injury should include a careful assessment of health concerns given the relation between health-related factors and both somatic and nonsomatic symptoms of depression. Treatments of depressive symptoms may be improved by targeting health concerns, such as pain, along with a specific focus on nonsomatic symptoms to improve the QOL.
Microprocessor Arrays For Parallel Pattern Recognition

The pricing structure of the new "third generation" microprocessors has made multiprocessing economically attractive. Nevertheless, changes are necessary in the classical Von Neuman hierarchy of computer elements in order to implement a parallel CPU (central processing unit) concept. Therefore, an innovative technique is explored in this report that utilizes truly parallel processors in handling arrays of data. The technique uses processors which perform identical operations on different data to multiply computing speed. In this configuration, there is no theoretical upper limit to the number of processors used. An application of an array processor to pictorial pattern recognition is examined. In this example, 108 inexpensive microprocessors are utilized in an array to obtain an equivalent computing speed of 420 MIPS (million instructions per second). The hardware configuration, timing considerations, and software requirements are also presented.© (1977) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Review : Progesterone and Recovery after Traumatic Brain Injury: An Overview

After traumatic brain injury (TBI), female animals often show better cognitive and behavioral recovery than male animals. In female animals, this advantage is conferred by higher levels of systemic progesterone at the time of injury. In rats, postmortem examination of brain tissue reveals that pseudo-pregnant female rats (high progesterone, low estrogen) have virtually no cerebral edema compared with male rats and low- progesterone-state normal cycling female rats after TBI. Progesterone injections can also eliminate cerebral edema in brain-injured male rats. Sex differences in the outcome of TBI highlight the importance of consid ering the timing of therapy and hormonal fluctuations in developing safe and effective treatments for CNS injury. NEUROSCIENTIST 4:435-442, 1998
Thermosensory and mechanosensory perception in human genetic disease

Peripheral sensory perception is established through an elaborate network of specialized neurons that mediate the translation of extraorganismal stimuli through the use of a broad array of receptors and downstream effector molecules. Studies of human genetic disorders, as well as mouse and other animal models, have identified some of the key molecules necessary for peripheral innervation and function. These findings have, in turn, yielded new insights into the developmental networks and homeostatic mechanisms necessary for the transformation of external stimuli into interpretable electrical impulses. In this review, we will summarize and discuss some of the genes/proteins implicated in two particular aspects of sensory perception, thermosensation and mechanosensation, highlighting pathways whose perturbation leads to both isolated and syndromic sensory deficits.
Quantifying Phonological Representation Abilities in Spanish-Speaking Preschool Children.

Individual differences in abilities to form, access, and hone phonological representations of words are implicated in the development of oral and written language. This study addressed three important gaps in the literature concerning measurement of individual differences in phonological representation. First, we empirically examined the dimensionality of phonological representation abilities. Second, we empirically compared how well typical measures index various representation-related phonological processing abilities. Third, we supply data on Spanish phonological representation abilities of incipient Spanish–English bilingual children to address the need for information on phonological representation across languages. Specifically, nine measures of accessibility to and precision of phonological presentations were administered to 129 preschool children in the United States. Confirmatory factor analyses validated three separate but correlated a priori phonological processing abilities, that is, efficiency of accessing phonological codes, precision of phonological codes as reflected in speech production, and precision of phonological codes as reflected in speech perception. Most prototypic measures were strong indicators of their respective representation-related phonological ability. We discuss how the current data in Spanish compares to limited data in English, and the implications for the organization of phonological representations abilities.
Morphological changes in the Royal College of Surgeons rat retina during photoreceptor degeneration and after cell-based therapy

There are concomitant morphological and functional changes in the inner retina during the course of photoreceptor degeneration in a range of animal models of retina degeneration and in humans with eye disease. One concern that has been raised is that the changes occurring in the inner retina might compromise attempts to rescue or restore visual input by various interventional approaches. It is known that cell-based therapy can preserve significant visual capability for many months. In this study, we examine the overall changes in the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat during degeneration and the effects of cell transplantation by means of immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy. The degenerative changes are complex, and they progress with age. They involve the neurons with which both rods and cones interconnect—retinal second- and third-order neurons underwent dramatic modification, including sprouting, retraction as photoreceptor loss progressed—as well as Muller glia and secondary vascular changes, which were associated at later times with neuronal migration. The pathological vascular changes led to major disruption of inner retina. After introducing a retinal pigment epithelial cell line to the subretinal space early in the progress of photoreceptor degeneration, most inner retinal changes were held in abeyance for up to at least 10 months of age. Given the concern that has been raised regarding whether inner retinal changes might compromise any graft-related benefit, this is an encouraging finding. J. Comp. Neurol. 491:400–417, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Pathogenesis of Corneal Lesions Caused by Moraxella bovis in Gnotobiotic Calves

Moraxella bovis was instilled into the conjunctival sac of gnotobiotic calves and corneas were sampled serially after infection. Lesions developed in seven of eight infected calves, but were absent in a noninfected control calf. Histologically, M. bovis was first seen in foci of swollen epithelium and within basal epithelial cells adjacent to ulcers. Corneal ulcers were severe in later stages of infection; fibrin deposits, neutrophils, and bacteria were present in the stromas. Examination of early lesions by scanning electron microscopy showed M. bovis in pits on the surfaces of dark epithelial cells, enmeshed in degenerate epithelial cells and within erosions and an ulcer; in later samples, bacteria were rare. Ultrastructurally, M. bovis was seen in surface pits in superficial epithelial cell processes and within swollen epithelial cells. In stroma, M. bovis was frequently seen among collagen fibrils, within neutrophil phagosomes, and associated with cellular debris. This study demonstrates that a virulent strain of M. bovis can invade bovine corneal epithelial cells and can cause keratitis in the absence of injurious ultraviolet irradiation or other known predisposing environmental factors.
Potentiometric micro- and semimicro-determination of fluorine in organic compounds

A method for the potentiometric micro- and semimicro-determination of fluorine in organic compounds is described. After combustion in a Vycor oxygen-flask, the fluoride is titrated potentiometrically with 0.02 M lanthanum (III) in an aqueous solution at pH 5–7. A fluoride ion-indicating electrode is used in conjunction with an expanded-scale pH meter. Results are within the ±0.3% absolute limits considered acceptable for microchemical analysis. The interference of sulfur is eliminated by its precipitation as barium sulfate. Filtration of the precipitate is not necessary. Phosphorus interferes and must be separated prior to fluorine analysis.
Midsummer Flight Activity of Caddisfly Adults from a Northern California Stream

Eighteen quantitative light trap samples collected between July 29 and Aug. 12, 1976, at the McCloud River Preserve, Shasta County, Calif., contained 19 species of caddisflies. Hydropsyche oslari Banks comprised over 96% of the 4200 adults collected in midsummer samples. Males predominate in the H. oslari population, although the proportion of males decreases as number of individuals decreases. Maximum and minimum air temperatures influence not only the number of species and individuals collected, but also the proportion of male H. oslari .
Analysis of the results of metal contamination in foods in 2010 in Ezhou city

Objective:In order to understand the metal contamination levels in food in Ezhou city.Methods: According to "2010 national food safety risk monitoring plan",analysis of lead,cadmium,mercury,aluminum in foods from supermarkets and farmers markets in our city by atomic absorption spectrometry,atomic fluorescence spectrometry and spectrophotometry was fulfilled.Results: 255 types of food were collected,of which 210 samples were detected for lead,cadmium,mercury monitoring,the over-limit rate were 4.76%,2.86%,0.95%,respectively and for aluminum in foods,the over-limit rate was 42.22%.Conclusion: The lead,cadmium,mercury pollution levels in Ezhou food were generally lower,but aluminum pollution level was higher,so measures should be taken to assure food security.
Low reoperation rate following 336 multilevel lumbar laminectomies with noninstrumented fusions

Background: Few reoperations are required in older patients undergoing multilevel lumbar laminectomy with noninstrumented fusions for spinal stenosis with/without spondylolisthesis/instability, and they rarely require instrumentation.
Morbidity and mortality of infective endocarditis in a hospital system in New York City serving a diverse urban population

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe illness associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate morbidity and mortality of IE in a hospital serving the most diverse area in New York City. An analysis of 209 patients admitted to the hospital from 2000 to 2012 who were found to have IE based on modified Duke criteria. Among the 209 patients with IE, 188 (88.8%) had native heart valves and 21 (11.2%) had prosthetic valves. Of the patients with native heart valves, 3.7% had coronary artery bypass graft, 4.3% were active drug users, 6.3% had permanent pacemakers, 12.2% had a history of IE, 25.7% were diabetic, 17% had end-stage renal disease (ESRD), 9% had congestive heart failure, 8% had abnormal heart valves, and 13.8% had an unknown etiology. Mortality rates of the patients with prosthetic heart valves were 27.7% compared to 8.11% in patients with native heart valves (OR 3, p<0.0001). Since we identified diabetes mellitus and ESRD to be significant risk factors in our population, we isolated and compared characteristics of patients with and without IE. IE among patients with diabetes mellitus was 23% compared with 13.8% in the control group (p=0.016). Cases of IE in patients with ESRD were 15.3%, compared with 4% in the control group (p<0.0001). We identified an overall mortality rate of 20.1% in patients with IE, a readmission rate within 30 days of discharge of 21.5%, and an average age of 59 years. Among 209 patients, 107 were males and 102 females. The most common organisms identified were Staphylococcus aureus (43.7%), viridans streptococci (17%) followed by Enterococcus (14.7%). Despite appropriate treatment, high rates of morbidity and mortality remained, with a higher impact in patients greater than 50 years of age. Such discoveries raise the importance of controlling and monitoring risk factors for IE.