cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
18F Florbetapir PET/CT cardiac amyloid imaging in patients with systemic amyloidosis

294 Objectives Evaluation of myocardial 18 F florbetapir uptake in transthyretin (TTR) and systemic light-chain (AL) cardiac amyloidosis patients using dynamic PET acquisition data to investigate a potential imaging protocol to identify cardiac amyloid involvement. Methods 5 subjects with cardiac amyloidosis (3 TTR and 2 AL, as determined by endomyocardial biopsy or cardiac MR plus tissue biopsy confirmation), and 2 healthy control subjects (HC) underwent 80 minute cardiac-gated dynamic PET acquisition over the heart after infusion of 10mCi 18F Florbetapir, followed by whole body PET (Siemens mCT). Time activity curves (TAC) from volumes of interest over the left ventricular myocardium, blood pool, and visualized portions of the liver and spleen were obtained, and visual interpretation of the dynamic cardiac and whole body PET/CT images were performed. Results Visual interpretation of images delineated no significant differences in myocardial localization or noncerebral biodistribution. Analysis of myocardial TAC from the dynamic cardiac-gated acquistion demonstrated delayed myocardial washout in TTR and AL compared to HC subjects during the first 20 minutes of dynamic acquisition. The cardiac amyloidosis subjects showed showed a change (Δ) in a myocardial SUVmean of 70% (mean 72%, range 71 and 74%) in HC subjects. Conclusions 18F florbetapir dynamic acquisition PET/CT demonstrated delayed myocardial washout in patients with cardiac amyloidosis compared to HC subjects. Percentage change in myocardial SUVmean between two time-point images obtained 0-5 and 15-20 minutes post 18F florbetapir infusion differentiated subjects with cardiac amyloid involvement. Research Support Aslan Foundation, Pfizer Amyloidosis Fellowship.
Hilbert space techniques for evaluating trade-offs in reactive power compensation

The paper describes a set of Hilbert space-based analysis tools for reactive power compensation, and uses them to quantify the tradeoffs between line losses and compensator cost. Our method is illustrated on two polyphase examples, one involving a resistive circuit, and the other involving a nonlinear circuit (diode bridge rectifier) which is often encountered in industrial practice. The paper also addresses the issue of an efficient (order-recursive) computational procedure for the considered class of compensators.
Illuminating breast cancer invasion: diverse roles for cell-cell interactions.

Metastasis begins when tumors invade into surrounding tissues. In breast cancer, the study of cell interactions has provided fundamental insights into this complex process. Powerful intravital and 3D organoid culture systems have emerged that enable biologists to model the complexity of cell interactions during cancer invasion in real-time. Recent studies utilizing these techniques reveal distinct mechanisms through which multiple cancer cell and stromal cell subpopulations interact, including paracrine signaling, direct cell–cell adhesion, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Three cell interaction mechanisms have emerged to explain how breast tumors become invasive: epithelial–mesenchymal transition, collective invasion, and the macrophage–tumor cell feedback loop. Future work is needed to distinguish whether these mechanisms are mutually exclusive or whether they cooperate to drive metastasis.
Status and prospects of the computational approach to high-energy physics

We review the status of lattice computer calculations in Quantum Chromo-dynamics (QCD) and mention a new field of computational high-energy physics—that of Strings or random surfaces. After outlining Monte Carlo Field Theory we explain in detail both QCD and Strings—describing how these theories are discretized on a lattice, what one can calculate, and how much computer time is required. We include a summary of the concurrent QCD machines which have been, and are being, built. We speculate on the prospects for such work, including a prediction for when QCD will besolved!
An Improved t Table for Simultaneous Control on g Contrasts

Abstract Assuming a constant α, tables of t were developed using the Sidak multiplicative inequality: when doing g different contrasts the familywise rate of Type 1 errors, fwi ≤ 1 − (1 − α) g . Values of t are given that yield fwi = .01, .05, .10, or .20 for number of contrasts, g = 2(1)10, 15(5)50 and degrees of freedom, v = 2(1)30, 40, 60, 120, ∞. These t values are smaller than those in the previous Dunn (1961) tables, thus yielding slightly improved power.
Effect of structural defects on InSb/AlxIn1−x Sb quantum wells grown on GaAs (0 0 1) substrates

Abstract We investigate oriented abrupt steps (OASs), a type of surface defect in InSb/Al x In 1− x Sb quantum-well (QW) samples grown on GaAs (0 0 1) substrates. Previous atomic force microscopy studies have reported that the OASs are oriented along the [1 1 0] and [ 1 1 0] directions and have an inclination angle of ∼5°–15° with respect to the sample surface. Our plan-view and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy analyses reveal that the OASs are the terminal edges of threading micro-twins at the sample surface. Hall effect measurements indicate that the density of OASs correlates with the electron mobility in the InSb QWs.
3-D seismic interpretation of tectonic wrenching and faulting in La Cira–Infantas

A current problem in oil recovery is knowledge of the reservoir's external geometry and the effect of geologic heterogeneities on hydrocarbon flow. Geologic heterogeneities compartmentalize reservoirs into flow units, preventing efficient drainage and sweep of reservoirs. Understanding 3-D geometry, spatial organization, genesis, and evolution of folds and faults is essential to providing a realistic conceptual model for flow studies. Wireline log-based structural models of mature giant oil fields, such as La Cira–Infantas, Colombia, do not provide clear delineation of production boundaries and compartments. In La Cira–Infantas, the characteristics and evolution of its structural style are not well understood. Published interpretations suggest that La Cira–Infantas is a complex combination of coeval folds, thrust faults, and frequent normal faults. The field is the westernmost expression of a thrust belt that extends out into the Middle Magdalena Valley Basin from the Eastern Cordillera Mountains. Yet structural elements are not concordant with characteristics of a typical compressive tectonic regime, as previously claimed in the literature. To solve these uncertainties, this paper presents a rigorous model of faulting for La Cira–Infantas. A very thorough and detailed description and documentation of the structural features, based on the interpretation of a 3-D seismic data set, support the model. La Cira–Infantas Field is in the Middle Magdalena Valley Basin (MMVB), near the center of Colombia, about 250 km north of Bogota (Figure 1). This basin is an elongated depression that covers approximately 30 000 km2. It is 500 km in length (N-S) and 60 km in width. Figure 1. Geologic map and producing oil fields of the Middle Magdalena Valley Basin. After Geotec (1988), Ingeominas (1976), and Ecopetrol (2000). MMVB's geologic evolution involved distinct stages of tectonic development: (1) aulocogen basin in the Triassic to Jurassic, (2) passive-margin basin in the Cretaceous to Paleocene, and (3) foreland basin …
Role of the thalamic nucleus reuniens in mediating interactions between the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex during spatial working memory

Despite decades of research, the neural mechanisms of spatial working memory remain poorly understood. Although the dorsal hippocampus is known to be critical for memory-guided behavior, experimental evidence suggests that spatial working memory depends not only on the hippocampus itself, but also on the circuit comprised of the hippocampus and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Disruption of hippocampal-mPFC interactions may result in failed transfer of spatial and contextual information processed by the hippocampus to the circuitry in mPFC responsible for decision making and goal-directed behavior. Oscillatory synchrony between the hippocampus and mPFC has been shown to increase in tasks with high spatial working memory demand. However, the mechanisms and circuitry supporting hippocampal-mPFC interactions during these tasks is unknown. The midline thalamic nucleus reuniens (RE) is reciprocally connected to both the hippocampus and the mPFC and has been shown to be critical for a variety of working memory tasks. Therefore, it is likely that hippocampal-mPFC oscillatory synchrony is modulated by RE activity. This article will review the anatomical connections between the hippocampus, mPFC and RE along with the behavioral studies that have investigated the effects of RE disruption on working memory task performance. The article will conclude with suggestions for future directions aimed at identifying the specific role of the RE in regulating functional interactions between the hippocampus and the PFC and investigating the degree to which these interactions contribute to spatial working memory.
Neural Compensation for Long-term Asymmetric Optical Blur to Improve Visual Performance in Keratoconic Eyes

Purpose. To investigate whether long-term visual experience with irregular optical blur compensates for the impact of higher-order aberration on visual performance in keratoconic (KC) eyes. Methods. The aberrations and high (100%)- and low (20%)-contrast tumbling E visual acuity (VA) were measured in four moderate KC eyes in which the subjects were wearing their own prescribed soft toric contact lenses over a 6-mm pupil. VA was measured in three emmetropic normal eyes for comparison with each of the four KC eyes. An adaptive optics system was used to correct the aberration of the normal eye and to induce the aberration of the KC eye simultaneously during vision testing. The magnitude of neural compensation was defined as improvement in VA in each KC eye compared with the normal eyes with KC aberrations. Results. Mean total and higher-order root mean square errors in the KC eyes with contact lenses were 2.72 +/- 0.83 mum and 1.36 +/- 0.29 mum, respectively, for a 6-mm pupil. Residual RMS wavefront error in induction of KC aberrations on normal eyes was approximately 0.1 mum in all cases. Each KC eye had statistically better high (P < 0.02)- and low (P < 0.03)-contrast VA than the three normal eyes. Mean compensation for high-contrast VA in logMAR was 0.12 +/- 0.09, corresponding to an improvement of 23.8%. A similar result was obtained for low-contrast VA. The magnitude of compensation increased with the severity of KC aberrations. Conclusions. In KC eyes, the neural visual system compensates for long-term visual experience with an asymmetrically blurred retinal image, resulting in improved visual performance.
The Opiate Pain Reliever Epidemic among U.S. Arrestees 2000–2010: Regional and Demographic Variations

The increasing rate of opiate pain reliever (OPR) use is a pressing concern in the United States. This article uses a drug epidemics framework to examine OPR use among arrestees surveyed by the Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring program. Results demonstrate regional and demographic variation in use across nine focal cities. High rates of OPR use on the West Coast illustrate the expansion of use from its initial epicenter. By 2010, OPR use had plateaued in all focal cities. Findings suggest directions for ongoing research into pathways to use and vectors of diffusion and for regionally specific interventions sensitive to age and ethnic diversity.
Aerodynamics of a Badminton Shuttlecock

This paper presents a class project that can be performed in a junior-level fluid mechanics course. Students gain experience in design and conducting experiments, and in reviewing the relevant technical literature. Experiments were conducted to determine the drag coefficient of a badminton shuttlecock. Two types of testing were conducted: wind tunnel tests of a full-scale model, and drop tests using a high-accuracy radar gun. The drag coefficients calculated from these measurements were then compared to the limited data available in the literature. The range of drag coefficients measured was from 0.55 to 0.65.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Short-Range Order and Phase Stability of Surface Alloys: PdAu on Ru(0001)

Structural and thermodynamic properties of thermally equilibrated Pd-Au/Ru(0001) surface alloys are studied within the framework of lattice models based upon first-principles total energy calculations and scanning-tunneling-microscopy imaging of atomic structure. Pd-rich alloys form pseudomorphic solid-solution phases with pronounced chemical short-range order (SRO), consistent with the prediction of a low-temperature order-disorder transition to a ({radical}(3){times}{radical}(3) )-R30{degree} ground state structure. Calculated and measured SRO parameters are found to be in excellent agreement and are quantitatively described by a lattice-model Hamiltonian dominated by short-ranged interactions. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
Effective instruction of vascular anastomosis in the surgical skills laboratory.

Abstract Background A greater emphasis has recently been placed on laboratory-based training of core surgical skills and tasks, such as vascular anastomosis. Despite this emphasis, little objective data exist regarding the effectiveness of vascular anastomosis instruction in the laboratory setting. Methods Residents of all postgraduate levels received laboratory-based vascular anastomosis training. Each individual fashioned an end-to-side anastomosis between synthetic graft and porcine aorta before instruction (pretest). All subjects then received standardized anastomosis training with practice time. After training, the anastomosis was then repeated (posttest). Metrics included time to completion, anastomotic leakage, and visual characteristics of the completed product. Results Postteaching improvement was demonstrated by all residents (n = 32). Posthoc analysis showed statistically significant improvements in junior residents only. Conclusions Laboratory-based training can effectively improve the ability of residents to perform vascular anastomosis immediately after training. Junior residents may gain a greater advantage from laboratory teaching.
Differential BMP signaling controls formation and differentiation of multipotent preplacodal ectoderm progenitors from human embryonic stem cells

Sensory and endoneurocrine tissues as diverse as the lens, the olfactory epithelium, the inner ear, the cranial sensory ganglia, and the anterior pituitary arise from a common pool of progenitors in the preplacodal ectoderm (PPE). Around late gastrulation, the PPE forms at the border surrounding the anterior neural plate, and expresses a unique set of evolutionarily conserved transcription regulators including Six1, Eya 1 and Eya2. Here, we describe the first report to generate and characterize the SIX1(+) PPE cells from human embryonic stem (ES) cells by adherent differentiation. Before forming PPE cells, differentiating cultures first expressed the non-neural ectoderm specific transcriptional factors TFAP2A, GATA2, GATA3, DLX3, and DLX5, which are crucial in establishing the PPE competence. We demonstrated that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) activity plays a transient but essential role in inducing expression of these PPE competence factors and eventually the PPE cells. Interestingly, we found that attenuating BMP signaling after establishing the competence state induces anterior placode precursors. By manipulating BMP and hedgehog signaling pathways, we further differentiate these precursors into restricted lineages including the lens placode and the oral ectoderm (pituitary precursor) cells. Finally, we also show that sensory neurons can be generated from human PPE cells, demonstrating the multipotency of the human ES-derived PPE cells.
Enzymic hydrolysis of water-soluble lignin-carbohydrate complexes from Populus deltoides: Effects of combinations of β-mannanases, xylanase, and acetyl xylan esterase

Cooperativitiy between different, purified hemicelluloytic enzymes was examined using as substrates two lignin-carbohydrate complexes isolated from the water-soluble fractions of steam/aqueous thermo-mechanical treatment of Populus deltoides wood. The thermomechanical treatments were carried out at 177 and 218°C, and the material obtained from the lower-temperature treatment (PD177) was glucomannan-rich while that obtained from the higher-temperature treatment (PD218) was O-acetylxylan-rich. The lignin-carbohydrate complexes were choses as models for the action of hydrolytic enzymes in aiding the bleaching of pulp. Enzyme combinations had appreciable effects which included synergism, inhibition, and simple additivity, and the effect observed with a particular combination depended, in some instances, on the substrate. Combinations of a number of isozymes of Polyporus versicolor β-mannanase functioned as if each enzyme acte independently on PD177, but both inhibitory and synergistic effects occurred with PD218. Synergistic behavior was seen with combinations of Bacillus circulans xylanase and Schizophyllum commune acetyl xylan esterase activities, but these enzymes generally had little effect on β-mannanase activity. Enzymatic deacetylation had little effect on mannanase activity except for one of the mannanases, where inhibition occurred.
Activation of serpins and their cognate proteases in muscle after crush injury

Direct muscle injury was induced in rats in order to evaluate alterations in the balance of serine proteases and inhibitors (serpins) as a response to tissue damage. It was previously found that certain proteases, specifically urokinase-like plasminogen activator (uPA) and others, required activation in order to effect regeneration. We hypothesized that the magnitude and temporal sequence of serpin activation would follow, pari passu, activation of their cognate proteases. In addition to uPA, tissue PA (tPA) and tissue kallikrein were the proteases studied. The serpins we analyzed were protease nexin I (PNI), PA inhibitor 1 (PAI-1, and the kallikrein-binding protein (KBP). uPA nearly doubled 48 h after injury, while there was no change in amidolytic activity after addition of fibrin monomer as an estimation of tPA activity. Tissue kallikrein activity, barely detectable in normal muscle, slowly increased, nearly tripling at 7 days after injury. Greater magnitude and more rapid changes in muscle serpins occurred over the same post-injury time course. By 24 h PNI increased threefold, while PAI-1 increased more slowly, reaching double the control values by 5 days after injury. Surprisingly, KBP, the serpin-class inhibitor of tissue kallikrein, had the most robust response, increasing tenfold over control 48 h after crush injury of muscle. These results further implicate the serpin:protease balance in tissue injury. Participation of complex receptors, such as the alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor/low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP), various growth factors, cytokines, and other molecules, in regulating this balance is implicated by these data.
Time-gated pulsed glow discharge: Real-time chemical speciation at the elemental, structural, and molecular level for gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A millisecond pulsed glow discharge is used as a versatile ion source for time-gated generation of elemental, structural, and molecular ions. The utility of this ion source for comprehensive chemical analysis of a series of aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons is illustrated in this manuscript. To highlight the analytical utility of this transient ion source, it was connected to a gas chromatograph for the mass spectrometric determination of mixtures containing benzene, toluene, o-xylene, cymene, tert-butylbenzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, chlorobenzene, tetrachlorethane, and dichlorobenzene. Explicit chemical analysis was accomplished by introducing the GC eluent into a pulsed glow discharge operating at a rate of 100 Hz with a 50% duty cycle. Using three independent digitizers for time-gated acquisition in three separate time regimes, nearly concurrent collection of elemental, structural, and molecular information was accomplished. In general, elemental information was obtained during the firs...
Effect of desuppression on nodular thyroid disease.

Objective: To ascertain the clinical effect of discontinuation of thyroxine (T4) suppression therapy in patients with solitary thyroid nodules or multinodular goiters (MNGs). Methods: After long-te...
Preliminary NPK foliar diagnostic norms for wheat

Abstract Foliar diagnostic norms for NPK in wheat leaves derived using Beaufils’ Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) are presented. These norms were calculated from published and unpublished data of various workers who presented leaf composition with corresponding yields. The preliminary norms appear to be applicable to wheat irrespective of variety and age at which the leaf sample is taken. These norms are able to correctly diagnose the requirements of the crop more often than those based on the critical or sufficiency level approach.
Some correlates between cigarette smoking and alcohol use.

Abstract Based on parallels that have been noted between cigarette smoking and alcohol use, recent advances in alcoholism treatment strategies are extrapolated to cigarette smoking treatment. These include: training individuals in self-control strategies, particularly training to deal with stressful situations in alternative ways; continued exploration of the possibility of controlled smoking treatments and determination of the type(s) of individual(s) best suited to such a treatment goal; and, examining variables other than simple abstinence to determine treatment effectiveness.
Amebiasis: An Update

Although amebiasis is often considered a disease of developing countries, it is an important public health problem throughout the world. At least 90% of infected patients are asymptomatic, but the remainder may present with clinical syndromes ranging from frank dysentery to abscesses of the liver, lungs, or brain. The most common challenge for physicians in developed countries is treating infection due to Entamoeba histolytica in an asymptomatic patient or determining its clinical significance in a patient with AIDS who has diarrhea. In light of recent improvements in diagnosis and therapy, the protean clinical manifestations of amebic infection are reviewed along with the indications for therapy. Advances in research that may directly affect our management of amebiasis in the near future are highlighted.
Indexing problems and some of their solutions

This paper concerns problems of redundancy and inaccuracy in the indexing of technical information, illustrated by the coordinate indexing scheme employed in the NASA Information System. A proposal is made for the elimination of “panacea” or “catch-all” terms, and a rule for uniform grammatical negation is given. The effects of synonyms, antonyms, and negations on the overall efficiency of the information system are illustrated. Merits are discussed and rules are given for indexing under acronyms whenever possible. Finally, the concept of a “pictorial thesaurus” is proposed to exhibit hierarchy and connectivity of terms as an aid to indexing and retrieving of information.
A Historical and Philosophical Perspective on the External Degree.

The impact of the external degree movement on American higher education has been and still is viewed by many authorities as a radical departure from traditional patterns of American higher education. Close examination of the historical evolution of American higher education, however, reveals that the external degree movement represents a logical and predictable development in the ongoing quest to integrate democratic ideals into educational practices. Viewed from this perspective, the external degree becomes one of many tributaries in the stream of innovations characterizing the history and philosophy of American higher education. One way to understand the meaning of the external degree movement is to reconstruct the chain of events, ideas, and notions leading to its birth. Three prominent philosophies have characterized the evolution of higher education in America: it has moved from an age of aristocracy, when higher education served an elite class; to an age of meritocracy, when ability became the basis for participation in colleges and universities; to modern higher education's search for egalitarian ideals of education for all. ' The passing of each era has been marked by establishment of new types of institutions and new curricular patterns, reflecting new ideas about the nature of man, society, and the role of education in human and societal development. These changes constitute the historical and philosophical foundations of the external degree movement. Early American higher education was modeled on the aristocratic traditions of Cambridge and Oxford and shaped by the religious context within which it developed. Colleges such as Harvard (1636), William and Mary (1693), Yale (1701), Princeton (1746) and Dartmouth (1769) were founded within a period of American history when religion dominated American life. Each colonial college established prior to the Revolutionary War related in some way to one or more
Dentin Bonding: SEM Comparison of the Resin-Dentin Interface in Primary and Permanent Teeth

Previous studies have suggested minor differences between primary and permanent teeth in terms of dentin composition and morphology. Other reports indicated lower bond strengths of resin composites to dentin of primary teeth compared with dentin of permanent teeth; however, no information is available regarding differences in the micromorphology of the resin-dentin interface that may explain these lower bond strengths. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to compare primary and permanent teeth in terms of the thickness of the hybrid layer developed with two bonding systems. Our hypothesis was that bonding differences previously reported between primary and permanent dentin would be reflected in hybrid layer differences observable in SEM analyses. Twenty human extracted and non-carious teeth were divided into 4 groups: 5 primary and 5 permanent teeth restored with All-Bond 2/Bisfil P system; and 5 primary and 5 permanent teeth restored with Scotchbond Multi-Purpose/Z100. The sample area available on each tooth was divided for the two dentin conditioning times (7 and 15 sec). Measurements of hybrid layer thickness were performed by means of SEM at x13,000. The results of this study indicated that the hybrid layer produced is significantly thicker in primary than in permanent teeth (p = 0.0001), suggesting that primary tooth dentin is more reactive to acid conditioning. No difference was observed in the hybrid layers produced by the two adhesive systems (p = 0.7920). The increased thickness of the hybrid layer in primary teeth (25 to 30%) and the subsequent lack of complete penetration of adhesive resin into previously demineralized dentin may contribute to the lower bond strengths to primary dentin reported in the literature. If a narrower hybrid layer more uniformly infused with resin is the goal of dentin bonding, it is concluded that a differentiated protocol for bonding to primary dentin (with shorter time for dentin conditioning) can be used as a means to reproduce the hybrid layer thickness seen in permanent teeth.
Gadolinium limits myocardial infarction in the rat: dose-response, temporal relations and mechanisms.

Abstract The lanthanide cation, gadolinium (Gd) attenuates post-ischemic myocardial stunning. This study tests the hypothesis that Gd also preconditions the myocardium against infarction following ischemia-reperfusion (IR) and explores potential mechanisms underlying Gd-induced cardioprotection. Regional myocardial infarction was induced in rats by occluding the left anterior descending artery for 30 min and reperfusing for 120 min. Rats ( n = 6/group) were administered intravenous Gd (1 to 100 μmol/kg) 15 min prior to ischemia. Hearts were excised after reperfusion to determine infarct size (IS) and area at risk (AAR). The ratio IS/AAR (%) was reduced by Gd in a “U”-shaped, dose-dependent manner. The minimum dose that reduced IS/AAR was 5 μmol/kg (52 ± 5% vs. 64 ± 4%), while the dose that reduced IS/AAR maximally was 20 μmol/kg (44 ± 4%). Gd also reduced IS/AAR when given 1 min before reperfusion (47 ± 3%) but not when given 10 s after reperfusion (60 ± 3%). Cardioprotection was maintained if IR was delayed 24–72 h after Gd administration. Cardioprotection by Gd was abolished by inhibition of JAK-2 with AG-490, of p42/44 MAPK with PD98059 or of K ATP channels with glibenclamide. None of these agents given alone altered IS/AAR compared with controls. Inhibition of JAK-2 also blocked Gd-induced delayed cardioprotection. Gd may have broad potential roles in IR, as it conferred immediate cardioprotection when given prior to ischemia or prior to reperfusion and delayed cardioprotection for up to 72 h after administration. The mechanism underlying Gd-induced preconditioning appears to be multi-factorial, involving JAK-2, STAT-3 and p44 MAPK pathways, as well as K ATP channels.
Prolonged latency after preterm premature rupture of membranes: an evaluation of histologic condition and intracranial ultrasonic abnormality in the neonate born at <28 weeks of gestation ☆

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether infants who were delivered at Study design A retrospective cohort analysis of 430 singleton infants born at Results Odds ratios and CIs for each latency interval that was controlled for confounders that included gestational age, maternal race, antenatal steroid and antibiotic administration, and delivery mode show a statistically significant increase in the risk of histologic chorioamnionitis and fetal vasculitis. Models for intraventricular hemorrhage, ventriculomegaly, and echolucencies failed to demonstrate significant differences with increasing latency. Conclusions Ascending transcervical infection after preterm premature rupture of membranes is documented by the increasing odds ratios of placental inflammation. The odds of ultrasonically detectable brain abnormalities, however, did not increase with increasing latency.
Circadian rhythms in the horseshoe crab lateral eye: signal transduction and photostasis

Abstract The visual system of the horseshoe crab has been an important model system for studies of basic visual processes. It has been particularly useful for understanding the role of efferent feedback and circadian rhythms in vision. Among the many retinal effects of circadian efferent activity is the priming of the daily shedding of photosensitive membrane. This daily event is triggered from the absorption of light by rhodopsin through the phospholipase C/diacylglycerol/protein kinase C cascade also requiring elevated cytosolic calcium released by inositol trisphosphate. The purpose of the daily shedding of photoreceptive rhabdomeral membrane, however, is far from clear. Recently, animals have been discovered at hydrothermal vents in the deep sea that have large photoreceptors and copious amounts of rhabdom but no apparent mechanisms for shedding and synthesizing this membrane array. Since these animals see no cyclic lighting from daylight, the absence of rhabdom shedding is consistent with the suggestion that rhabdom shedding is a homeostatic mechanism for maintaining photostasis (constancy of daily quantum catch). This hypothesis is also consistent with recent experimental data from ongoing studies in the horseshoe crab.
Vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein is sorted and concentrated during export from the endoplasmic reticulum

Newly synthesized proteins are believed to move from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi by bulk flow, and sorting is assumed to occur exclusively in the trans-Golgi network (TGN). Using quantitative immunoelectron microscopy, we demonstrate that vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G) is sorted from resident ER proteins and concentrated 5- to 10-fold in 40-80 nm vesicles during vesicle budding from the ER. Accumulation of VSV-G in pre-Golgi vesicular carriers is the only detectable concentration step in its transport to the TGN. From these results, it is apparent that export from the ER is not exclusively mediated by bulk flow. The ER exerts an unanticipated level of control to insure selective and efficient entry of mature protein into the secretory pathway.
An evaluation of alternative precursors in chemical beam epitaxy: tris-dimethylaminoarsenic, tris-dimethylaminophosphorus, and tertiarybutylphosphine

Abstract In this paper we evaluate the use of tris-dimethylaminoarsenic (TDMAAs), tris-dimethylaminophosphorus (TDMAP), and tertiarybutylphosphine (TBP) as safer alternative sources in CBE. TDMAAs is a viable alternative to arsine for growing GaAs. When In-containing compounds were grown using uncracked TDMAAs or TDMAP with trimethylindium, indiumenhanced TDMAP or TDMAAs desorption was observed, resulting in In droplets on the surface. InP can be grown only if TDMAP is cracked, but many surface defects are observed and the growth rate is very sensitive to the growth temperature. When TBP is used, however, a specular surface can be achieved, and the InP growth rate is independent of substrate temperature from 440 to 480°C. TDMAAs and TDMAP are found to etch GaAs, InP, and GaP, which shows potential applications in in-situ etching and regrowth.
Data Preparation for Analytics Using SAS

(2008). Data Preparation for Analytics Using SAS. Technometrics: Vol. 50, No. 1, pp. 92-92.
An efficient solution algorithm for boundary element equations

Abstract Boundary element techniques result in the solution of a linear system of equations of the type HU = GQ + B, which can be transformed into a system of equations of the type AX = F. The coefficient matrix A requires the storage of a full matrix on the computer. This storage requirement, of the order of n*n memory positions (n = number of equations), for a very large n is often considered negative for the boundary element method. Here, two algorithms are presented where the memory requirements to solve the system are only n*(n - 1)/2 and n*n/4 respectively. The algorithms do not necessitate any external storage devices nor do they increase the computational efforts.
Alleghanian development of the Goat Rock fault zone, southernmost Appalachians: Temporal compatibility with the master decollement

The Goat Rock and associated Bartletts Ferry fault zones, which mark the eastern margin of the Pine Mountain Grenville basement massif, are controversial due to the suggestion that they are rare exposed segments of the late Paleozoic southern Appalachian master decollement. The controversy in part stems from reported middle Paleozoic (Acadian) radiometric dates postulated as the time of movement along these fault zones. Ultramylonite samples from the type area at Goat Rock Dam yield a 287 [plus minus] 15 Ma Rb-Sr isochron interpreted as the time of Sr isotopic rehomgenization during mylonitization. This date is corroborated by Late Pennsylvanian-Early Permian [sup 40]Ar/[sup 39]Ar mineral ages on hornblende (297-288 Ma) and muscovite (285-278 Ma) from neomineralized and dynamically recrystallized rocks within and straddling the fault zone. These Late Pennsylvanian-Early Permian dates indicate the time of right-slip movement (Alleghenian) along the Goat Rock fault zone, which is compatible with the timing suggested by COCORP for thrusting along the southern Appalachian master decollement.
Plasminogen activator in human uterine tissue--relationship to location of sampling and time in ovarian cycle.

Abstract This study reports on the measurement of potassium thiocyanate-extractable plasminogen activator in human uterine tissue. Specifically, the activator content of the endometrial functionalis and subjacent myometrium were separately analyzed. No significant variation in this fibrinolytic activator among various geographical locations within the uterus (cornua, fundus, corpus, isthmus) were found. Superficial myometrium demonstrated consistently higher amounts of activator than the endometrial functionalis, but myometrial and endometrial values paralleled one another throughout the intermenstrual ovarian cycle. Highest levels of activator occurred in the late follicular phase and were next highest prior to menses. The apparent lack of correlation with vascularity in the endometrial functionalis suggests that extractable activator is not equivalent to the vascular plasminogen activator detected by the histochemical fibrin slide technic.
Shuttle vectors for Candida albicans: control of plasmid copy number and elevated expression of cloned genes.

Plasmids containing the inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase gene CaIMH3 from Candida albicans strain ATCC 32354 transform their host to resistance against mycophenolic acid (MPA). The transformants maintain the plasmids at a high copy number (20–40 per cell) and express the CaIMH3 gene at very high levels relative to untransformed controls. The plasmid copy number can be controlled by the concentration of MPA in the media. The transformation procedure is reproducible and the efficiency of transformation is high, up to 15,000 per microgram. Unrearranged plasmids are readily recovered by transforming total DNA from transformants back into Escherichia coli. C. albicans genes cloned into the plasmid are expressed at elevated levels relative to untransformed controls. A derivative vector containing the CaMAL2 promoter and termination sequences expresses the CaERG11 ORF at high levels and confers moderate resistance to fluconazole. These shuttle vectors should facilitate global genomics approaches in C. albicans that have been hampered by its diploid genome.
A note on shot-noise and reliability modeling

We discuss a reliability model that reflects the dynamic dependency between system failure and system stress. For example, the mortality rate for individuals who have had a heart attack declines with time. In particular, we use a shot-noise process to model "residual system stress," which in turn drives a doubly stochastic Poisson process model for system failures. Intuitively, residual stress or susceptibility to failure may vary in a random manner yet be essentially unobservable, while system failures may be readily detectable and observable. Shot-noise distributions have a richness and subtlety that suggest untapped potential for applications. The doubly stochastic Poisson process provides a reasonable framework for modeling randomly varying rates of occurrence in a broad variety of settings.
Behavioral disorders as unusual presentation of pediatric extraventricular neurocytoma: report on two cases and review of the literature

Extraventricular neurocytomas (EVNs) are rare parenchymal brain tumors, distinct from central neurocytomas that are typically located within the supratentorial ventricular system. Seizures and headache represent the most common symptoms of extraventricular neurocytomas in the cerebral hemisphere both in adult and pediatric population. We describe two cases of pediatric EVN with clinical onset characterized by behavioral and attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorders. The association between behavioral/attention disorders in childhood and the presence of a frontal neurocytoma has never been described before. Furthermore, inappropriate levels of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity are common among the neurobehavioral and developmental disorders in childhood. We reviewed 43 pediatric cases of extraventricular neurocytoma included in the PubMed database and their clinical presentation, and we never found this unusual relationship. In childhood, the attention/hyperactivity disorders seem to be often over-diagnosed. When these deficits are more subtle and do not well-fit in a specific neurocognitive disorder, the clinicians should have a suspicion that they might mask the clinical features of a frontal lesion. This paper is focused on the clinical presentation of the extraventricular neurocytoma and the possible organic etiology of an attention and hyperactivity deficit.
A Comparative Study of a Three Rotor and a Single Rotor 5 MW Wind Turbine Based on Economic and Structural Considerations

Wind turbines with more than one rotor on a single support structure have been topics of interest for at least a hundred years. In this paper we assess the potential of the multi-rotor concept through a comparison of a three rotor, single tower turbine with a total rated capacity of 5 MW with a conventional, single rotor turbine with the same rated output. Except for the number of rotors, the turbines are in all other ways as similar as possible. The comparison first involves estimating the weights and costs of the two turbines. The three rotor turbine also requires a distinct rotor nacelle assembly support structure (RNASS) which is not required in a conventional turbine. A plausible design for such a structure is developed and analyzed. The weight and cost of that structure is estimated as well. Those are used to estimate the total weight and total cost of the part of the turbine which would correspond to the rotor nacelle assembly of the single rotor turbine. The results of this study show that the wei...
The Potential Use of Ultrasound to Control the Trematode Bolbophorus confusus by Eliminating the Ram's Horn Snail Planorbella trivolvis in Commercial Aquaculture Settings

Abstract One method in the investigation of acoustics to improve aquaculture production is the use of ultrasound to control the trematode Bolbophorus confusus in commercial catfish Ictalurus spp. ponds. The trematode population can be controlled by eliminating the host, ram's horn snail Planorbella trivolvis, which is typically accomplished with chemical treatments. The work presented here investigates snail elimination via exposure to high amplitude ultrasound. Initial laboratory tests indicated that a commercially available sonicator (operating at 20 kHz) is capable of quickly killing individual snails in test tanks. More thorough testing indicated efficacy rates of at least 35% (potentially 65%) on batches of 10 snails in a reverberant environment. The experimental setup of these initial laboratory tests provided nearly 20 decibels of gain in sound levels compared to what is expected in ponds. This is due to reverberation from the air surrounding the tank walls, as opposed to absorption at the bottom a...
Manganese deposited by submarine hot springs in chert-greenstone complexes, western United States

Paleozoic and Mesozoic chert-greenstone complexes in the western United States host stratiform Mn ore deposits, which may be analogous to Fe-Mn accumulations recently discovered at spreading centers in the modern oceans. The stratiform Mn deposits were deposited by submarine hot springs. At the exhalative vents, the Mn-Fe-SiO 2 -bearing fluids deposited lenticular massive Mn orebodies, massive chert lenses, and jasperized the host radiolarian chert. Some problems arise with the analogy between these ancient deposits and similarly mineralized rocks found in the modern oceans. Hot spring systems and Mn deposits may have formed in marginal ocean basins, at the base of island arcs, and at the base of oceanic islands, in addition to the mid-ocean rises. The mineralogy of the ancient and modern deposits is not the same.
Scatter variability in the WAIS-R profiles of mentally retarded adults.

. One hundred and sixty mentally retarded adults were administered the WAIS-R, and the scatter variability of their test profiles was examined. Compared to the WAIS data of Coolidge et al. (1986), the WAIS-R was less variable in its intratest and intertest scatter. The data support Wechsler's original statements about the characteristics of intelligence test profiles among mentally retarded adults.
A Note on the Properties of the Supremal Controllable Sublanguage in Pushdown Systems

Consider an event alphabet Sigma. The supervisory control theory of Ramadge and Wonham asks the question: given a plant model G with language LM (G) sube Sigma* and another language K sube LM (G), is there a supervisor phi such that LM (phi/G) = K? Ramadge and Wonham showed that a necessary condition for this to be true is the so-called controllability of K with respect to LM (G). They showed that when G is a finite-state automaton and K is a regular language (also generated by a finite state automaton), then there is a regular supremal controllable sublanguage supC (K) sube K that is effectively constructable from generators of K and G. In this paper, we show: 1) there is an algorithm to compute the supremal controllable sublanguage of a prefix closed K accepted by a deterministic pushdown automaton (DPDA) when the plant language is also prefix closed and accepted by a finite state automaton and 2) in this case, we show that this supremal controllable sublanguage is also accepted by a DPDA.
An Economic Analysis of Housing Abandonment

Abstract Landlord abandonment of rental housing has affected many American cities since the 1960's. Because of data limitations, there have been few empirical analyses of the determinants of housing abandonment. In this paper, we use a rich database that contains information on individual residential properties in New York City to estimate a reduced form model of owner abandonment. We model an owner's decision to abandon his or her property as being similar to an investor's decision to exercise a put option on a financial instrument. When required to pay delinquent taxes, a wealth-maximizing landlord has an incentive to cede ownership of his or her residential property when the value of all outstanding liens exceeds the property's market value. Estimates from the model are used to examine whether empirical evidence supports this option model of abandonment.
Warfarin in the dog: pharmacokinetics as related to clinical response

Warfarin was administered intravenously (i.v.) as a single dose of 1.5 mg/kg to healthy dogs and the pharmacokinetic parameters were investigated. Elimination could be described by a one-compartment open model. Values for the elimination half-life and apparent specific volume of distribution were 14.5 +/- 4.1 h and 0.22 +/- 0.04 litre/kg, respectively. Oral maintenance doses were calculated from the data collected following i.v. administration and administered every 12 h for a total of five doses after an initial i.v. loading dose of 1.5 mg/kg. Prothrombin times increased from a control value of 8.6 +/- 0.3 sec to 55.2 +/- 5.2 sec over a period of 96 h. Prothrombin time returned to control values by 62 h after withdrawal of the drug. We propose a dosage regimen of warfarin for anticoagulant therapy in the dog of 0.22 mg/kg to be given orally every 12 h. Prothrombin time should be monitored during therapy and the dose of warfarin modified according to the degree of suppression of coagulation factors desired.
Fredkin Match at IJCAI-81

The 1981 Fredkin Match was between Belle, the winner of all recent computer chess competitions and Carl Storey, a Canadian Master with a rating of 2204. A master was chosen for the first time in this series of competitions since Belle was clearly in a class by itself and had already beaten more Masters that it had lost to. However, Mr. Storey prepared himself very well for this match, and unlike his predecessors in the 1980 Fredkin Matches proved to be completely dominant.