cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of co‐activation of tongue protrudor and retractor muscles on tongue movements and pharyngeal airflow mechanics in the rat

1. The purpose of these experiments was to examine the mechanisms by which either co-activation or independent activation of tongue protrudor and retractor muscles influence upper airway flow mechanics. We studied the influence of selective hypoglossal (XIIth) nerve stimulation on tongue movements and flow mechanics in anaesthetized rats that were prepared with an isolated upper airway. In this preparation, both nasal and oral flow pathways are available. 2. Inspiratory flow limitation was achieved by rapidly lowering hypopharyngeal pressure (Php) with a vacuum pump, and the maximal rate of flow (VI,max) and the nasopharyngeal pressure associated with flow limitation (Pcrit) were measured. These experimental trials were repeated while nerve branches innervating tongue protrudor (genioglossus; medial XIIth nerve branch) and retractor (hyoglossus and styloglossus; lateral XIIth nerve branch) muscles were stimulated either simultaneously or independently at frequencies ranging from 20-100 Hz. Co-activating the protrudor and retractor muscles produced tongue retraction, whereas independently activating the genioglossus resulted in tongue protrusion. 3. Co-activation of tongue protrudor and retractor muscles increased VI, max (peak increase 44 %, P < 0.05), made Pcrit more negative (peak decrease of 44 %, P < 0.05), and did not change upstream nasopharyngeal resistance (Rn). Independent protrudor muscle stimulation increased VI,max (peak increase 61 %, P < 0.05), did not change Pcrit, and decreased Rn (peak decrease of 41 %, P < 0.05). Independent retractor muscle stimulation did not significantly alter flow mechanics. Changes in Pcrit and VI,max at all stimulation frequencies were significantly correlated during co-activation of protrudor and retractor muscles (r2 = 0.63, P < 0.05), but not during independent protrudor muscle stimulation (r2 = 0.09). 4. These findings indicate that either co-activation of protrudor and retractor muscles or independent activation of protrudor muscles can improve upper airway flow mechanics, although the underlying mechanisms are different. We suggest that co-activation decreases pharyngeal collapsibility but does not dilate the pharyngeal airway. In contrast, unopposed tongue protrusion dilates the oropharynx, but has a minimal effect on pharyngeal airway collapsibility.
Interrater reliability of Alzheimer's disease diagnosis

To determine interrater reliability of dementia diagnosis, 4 physicians experienced in the evaluation of dementia patients applied 3 sets of diagnostic criteria to each of 62 patients, based on a standardized set of medical record information. All patients had undergone similar examinations and follow-up to establish the initial clinical diagnosis (76% had autopsy). Raters were blind to the diagnosis and to follow-up information after the initial evaluation period. This paper presents interrater agreement (kappa values) for a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease using the American Psychiatric Association diagnostic criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-III), the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke (NINCDS) criteria for the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, and the Eisdorfer and Cohen Research Diagnostic Criteria (ECRDC) for primary neuronal degeneration. The NINCDS showed somewhat higher average interrater reliability (kappa = 0.64) than the DSM-III (kappa = 0.55) and considerably higher interrater reliability than the ECRDC (kappa = 0.37). One rater displayed conspicuously lower levels of interrater reliability than the other 3, especially in DSM-III and ECRDC. This study indicates that interrater reliability of DSM-III and NINCDS criteria are comparable. Documentation of interrater reliability and, if necessary, training to improve reliability is an important consideration in research where different observers are diagnosing dementing illnesses.
Variation in the choice of treatment in two Mexican communities

Abstract This paper examines the relationship between lay illness beliefs, accessibility of Western health-care sources, and rates of physician utilization in two neighboring rural communities in Mexico. One of these communities—Pichataro—has restricted access to sources of a physician's treatment, while the other—Uricho—has, comparatively, good access to physician's services, including some available at no cost. Data from illness case histories collected from samples of households in each town show the Uricho people to consult a physician in nearly twice as many cases. Systematically-elicited data on the illness beliefs of informants from each town are compared in order to evaluate two competing views of the relationship between adherence to traditional ethnomedical beliefs and the choice of a physician's treatment. One of these—the ‘conceptual-incompatibility’ hypothesis—emphasizes the importance of congruence between clients' conceptions of illness and scientific medical theory as a criterion for the choice of a physician's treatment. Accordingly, it would predict that, in comparison with the Pichataro sample, the higher rate of use of a physician's treatment by the Uricho people should be accompanied by a greater orientation toward Western medicine in their beliefs. The second position—that emphasizing accessibility of services—would argue that traditional illness beliefs do not represent a primary barrier to the choice of a physician's treatment, and therefore differences in the beliefs of the two groups need not be anticipated and do not constitute a necessary prerequisite for the more frequent choice of a physician's treatment among the Uricho people. The findings from the illness belief interviews offer little support for the conceptual-incompatibility position. No basis is found upon which to claim significant differences between the responses of the two groups. This leads to the conclusion that the substantial variation in the use of a physician's treatment between the two samples, a consequence of differential access to such treatment, occurs without corresponding degrees of variation in residents' illness beliefs. Some reasons for this lack of divergence are discussed, and limits on the applicability of the study's findings are outlined.
Halothane Inhibits Signaling through m1 Muscarinic Receptors Expressed in Xenopus Oocytes

Background: Interactions between volatile anesthetics and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors have been studied primanly in binding assays or in functional systems derived from tissues or cells, often containing multiple receptor subtypes. Because interactions with muscarinic signaling systems may explain some effects and side effects of anesthetics and form a model for anesthetic-protein interactions in general, the author studied anesthetic inhibition of muscarinic signaling in an isolated system. Methods: mRNA encoding the m1 muscarinic receptor subtype was prepared in vivo and expressed in xenopus oocytes. Effects of halothane on methylcholine-induced intracellular Ca 2+ release was measured. Angiotensin II receptors were expressed to evaluate anesthetic effects on intracellular signaling. Results: m1 Receptors expressed in oocytes were functional, and could be inhibited by atropine and pirenzepine. Halothane depressed ml muscarinic signaling in a dose-dependent manner: half-maximal inhibition of 10 -7 M methylcholine was obtained with 0.3 mM halothane. The effect was reversible and could be overcome by high concentrations of muscarinic agonist. Angiotensin II signaling was unaffected by 0.34 mM halothane. Conclusions: ml Muscarinic signaling is inhibited by halothane, and lack of halothane effect on angiotensin signaling indicates that the intracellular signaling systems of xenopus oocytes are unaffected. Therefore, the most likely site of halothane action is the receptor and/or G protein. Oocytes provide a versatile system for detailed investigation into the molecular mechanism of anesthetic-protein interactions
Acceleration of the template-directed reactions of nucleoside 5'-phosphorimidazolides by acylation.

Nucleoside-5′-phosphorimidazolides react readily with acylating agents to give N-substituted products that are highly activated. In most cases these acylated derivatives undergo rapid hydrolysis to give nucleoside 5′-phosphates, whether or not a complementary template is present. However, guanosine 5′-phosphorimidazolide reacts with diethyl pyrocarbonate to give a derivative that oligomerizes rapidly and efficiently in the presence of polycytidylic acid and Pb2+. The reaction is complete in about 1 h, whereas the corresponding reaction in the absence of an acylating agent takes several days. However, the final yield of long oligomers is lower when diethyl pyrocarbonate is present.
Functional characterization of the two alcohol oxidase genes from the yeast Pichia pastoris.

Abstract In Pichia pastoris, alcohol oxidase (AOX) is the first enzyme in the methanol utilization pathway and is encoded by two genes, AOX1 and AOX2. The DNA and predicted amino acid sequences of the protein-coding portions of the genes are closely homologous, whereas flanking sequences share no homology. The functional roles of AOX1 and AOX2 in the metabolism of methanol were examined. Studies of strains with disrupted AOX genes revealed that AOX1 was the major source of methanol-oxidizing activity in methanol-grown P. pastoris. The results of two types of experiments each suggested that the difference in AOX activity contributed by the two genes was a consequence of sequences located 5' of the protein-coding portions of the genes. First, the coding portion of AOX2 was able to functionally substitute for that of AOX1 when placed under the control of AOX1 regulatory sequences. Second, when labeled oligonucleotide probes specific for the 5' nontranslated region of each gene were used, it was apparent that the steady-state level of AOX1 mRNA was much higher than that of AOX2. Except for the difference in the amount of mRNA present, the two genes appeared to be regulated in the same manner. A physiological reason for the existence of AOX2 was sought but was not apparent.
Ionospheric currents and field‐aligned currents generated by dynamo action in an asymmetric Earth magnetic field

[1] To investigate the influence of the magnetic field configuration on large-scale ionospheric electrodynamics, a geomagnetic field coordinate system based on Euler potentials is built for three magnetic field configurations: dipole, tilted dipole, and a revision of the International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF). The two-dimensional ionospheric dynamo equation is expressed in this framework under the assumptions of equipotential field lines and conservation of current, including horizontal ionospheric conduction current and interhemispheric magnetic-field-aligned current. Equinoctial symmetric conductivity and neutral wind distributions are used to isolate the effects of the magnetic asymmetry about the geographic equator. In the case of the IGRF only, the coupling along realistic field lines permits the reproduction of an equinox local time shift between horizontal-current foci at all universal times. This is likely to explain the shift between the focus local times of Sq vortices that has been observed at equinox and at all universal times. The asymmetry due to nondipolar geomagnetic field distortions is found to be as efficient as conductivity and neutral wind asymmetries, which have been previously modeled, in driving Birkeland currents with an order of magnitude of 10−8 A m−2. The magnetic field asymmetry also turns out to be as important as wind and conductance asymmetries to specify the Birkeland current pattern.
A Network Coding Approach to Cooperative Diversity

This paper proposes a network coding approach to cooperative diversity featuring the algebraic superposition of channel codes over a finite field. The scenario under consideration is one in which two ldquopartnersrdquo - node A and node B - cooperate in transmitting information to a single destination; each partner transmits both locally generated information and relayed information that originated at the other partner. A key observation is that node B already knows node A's relayed information (because it originated at node B) and can exploit that knowledge when decoding node A's local information. This leads to an encoding scheme in which each partner transmits the algebraic superposition of its local and relayed information, and the superimposed codeword is interpreted differently at the two receivers i.e., at the other partner and at the destination node, based on their different a priori knowledge. Decoding at the destination is then carried out by iterating between the codewords from the two partners. It is shown via simulation that the proposed scheme provides substantial coding gain over other cooperative diversity techniques, including those based on time multiplexing and signal (Euclidean space) superposition.
Tongue adaptation temperature influences lingual nerve responses to thermal and menthol stimulation

Abstract Menthol, a tangible substance present in many orally administered products, can produce a powerful influence on the perceived intensity of subsequent thermal stimulation in humans as well as the response magnitudes of thermally sensitive neurons in rats. However, there are no prior studies examining the influence of adaptation temperature on perceived intensity and/or response magnitudes of thermally sensitive neurons to subsequent menthol stimulation. We identified 32 thermally sensitive neurons that increased their discharge rate to a gradual temperature decrement beginning from 35°C and dropping to 10°C at 1°C. Based on their response threshold, time-to-peak, and range of sensitivity, these thermally sensitive lingual neurons were found to be divisible into two distinct groups. Group 1 neurons ( n = 21) responded best to the upper cool range (34–15°C) of the temperature decrement, whereas Group 2 neurons ( n = 11) responded to the lower cold range (32–10°C) of the temperature decrement. Our Group 1 and Group 2 neurons may be analogous to low threshold and high threshold cold receptors identified previously in primates. We also examined the responses of lingual neurons to 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% dilution's of a stock menthol concentration (1.28 mM) at 25 and 35°C adaptation temperatures. Menthol responses across all concentrations were far larger after adaptation to 35°C compared to 25°C. Furthermore, only during 35°C adaptation did responses to menthol stimulation persist during the ensuing 20 s after menthol off-set and water on-set. Although an effective coolant, the degree of perceived cooling due to menthol applied to lingual mucosa depends on the temperature of the vehicle and the surface to which it is applied.
Fully dynamic techniques for point location and transitive closure in planar structures

It is shown that a planar st-graph G admits two total orders on the set V union E union F, where V, E, and F are, respectively, the sets of vertices, edges and faces of G, with mod V mod =n. An O(n) space data structure for the maintenance of the two orders is exhibited that supports an update of G (insertion of an edge and expansion of a vertex, and their inverses) in time O(log n). This data structure also supports transitive-closure queries in O(log n). Moreover, planar st-graphs provide the topological underpinning of a fully dynamic planar point location technique in monotone subdivisions, which is an interesting (unique) specialization of the chain method of Lee-Preparata (1977). While maintaining storage O(n) and query time O(log/sup 2/ n), insertion/deletion of a chain with k edges can be done in time O(log/sup 2/ n+k), and insertion/deletion of a vertex on an edge can be done in time O(log n). >
Monocyte-derived cells of the brain and malignant gliomas: the double face of Janus.

Objective Monocyte-derived cells of the brain (MDCB) are a diverse group of functional immune cells that are also highly abundant in gliomas. There is growing evidence that MDCB play essential roles in the pathogenesis of gliomas. The aim of this review was to collate and systematize contemporary knowledge about these cells as they relate to glioma progression and antiglioblastoma therapeutic modalities with a view toward improved effectiveness of therapy. Methods We reviewed relevant studies to construct a summary of different MDCB subpopulations in steady state and in malignant gliomas and discuss their role in the development of malignant gliomas and potential future therapies. Results Current studies suggest that MDCB subsets display different phenotypes and differentiation potentials depending on their milieu in the brain and exposure to tumoral influences. MDCB possess specific and unique functions, including those that are protumoral and those that are antitumoral. Conclusions Elucidating the role of mononuclear-derived cells associated with gliomas is crucial in designing novel immunotherapy strategies. Much progress is needed to characterize markers to identify cell subsets and their specific regulatory roles. Investigation of MDCB can be clinically relevant. Specific MDCB populations potentially can be used for glioma therapy as a target or as cell vehicles that might deliver cytotoxic substances or processes to the glioma microenvironment.
Relative contribution of exotoxin and micropredation to icthyotoxicity of two strains of Pfiesteria shumwayae (Dinophyceae)

The mechanism by which Pfiesteria shumwayae (Glasgow and Burkholder) kills fish is controversial. Several studies have implicated a Pfiesteria-associated exotoxin in fish mortality while other studies indicate that physical attack of dinoflagellates on fish (micropredation) and not exotoxin is responsible. We examined the ichthyotoxicity of two strains of P. shumwayae (CAAE 101272 and CCMP 2089) in a bioassay system that exposed test fish to the dinoflagellates both with and without direct contact in the same aquarium at the same time. Dinoflagellate-free supernatants from both strains were also tested for toxicity. The results showed that direct contact between P. shumwayae and fish significantly enhanced fish mortality with both strains (P < 0.001). About 87.5% and 100% of fish died when exposed directly to CAAE 101272 and CCMP 2089, respectively. When protected from direct contact with Pfiesteria cells, 19% of the fish exposed to CAAE 101272 and 6% of those exposed to CCMP 2089 died. No deaths were observed in controls. Supernatant killed fish when obtained from cultures of CAAE 101272 but not when obtained from CCMP 2089. Analysis of variance showed that, for both strains, fish mortality in Pfiesteria-inoculated bioassays was significantly higher than control bioassays both with and without direct contact (P < 0.001). Differences between strains were not significant (P = 0.3). These results indicate that both strains are associated with exotoxin production. However, the dominant and most consistent mechanism of fish mortality observed in this study required physical contact between fish and Pfiesteria cells.
Further evidence that exclusive breast-feeding reduces mother-to-child HIV transmission compared with mixed feeding.

The critical role of breast-feeding in improving infant and under-five-year survival in resource-limited settings has been well documented since the mid-1970s. A pooled analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) of a number of studies on the impact of breast-feeding on child survival showed that the protective effect is strongest in the first six months of life, with a 4–6-fold survival benefit for breast-fed infants [1]. The benefit extends throughout the first year of life, with a 1.4–1.8-fold protective effect against mortality during months six through twelve [1].
A Brief History of Career Counseling in the United States

The author presents the 6 stages in the development of career counseling in the United States. In the 1st stage (1890–1919), placement services were offered for an increasingly urban and industrial society. In the 2nd stage (1920–1939), educational guidance through the elementary and secondary schools became the focal point. The 3rd stage (1940–1959) saw the focus shift to colleges and universities and the training of counselors. The 4th stage (1960–1979) was the boom for counseling and the idea of work having meaning in a person's life came to the forefront; organizational career development began during this period. The 5th stage (1980–1989) saw the beginning of the transition from the industrial age to the information age and the growth of both the independent practice of career counseling and outplacement counseling. The 6th stage (1990—present), with its emphasis on technology and changing demographics, has seen an increased sophistication in the uses of technology, the internationalization of career counseling, the beginnings of multicultural career counseling, and the focus on the school-to-job transition.
On Bunsen Burner Polyhedral Flames

ABSTRACT The paper presents numerical simulations of three-dimensional Bunsen burner polyhedral premixed flames within the framework of a weakly nonlinear semi-phenomenological model for flame interface dynamics. In addition, for slot-burners, experimental observations were made and measurements were obtained of the limit velocity for transition from polyhedral to smooth flame. In a qualitative agreement with the experimental observations, the numerical results show that the occurrence of the polyhedrals is largly controlled by the conditions at the burner rim.
Recent developments in simulation

This tutorial presents an overview of recent developments in simulation. It will review the traditional SPICE techniques then introduce the more recent work including relaxation, waveform relaxation and asymptotic waveform evaluation. >
Separation of Notch1 Promoted Lineage Commitment and Expansion/Transformation in Developing T Cells

Notch1 signaling is required for T cell development. We have previously demonstrated that expression of a dominant active Notch1 (ICN1) transgene in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) leads to thymic-independent development of CD4+CD8+ double-positive (DP) T cells in the bone marrow (BM). To understand the function of Notch1 in early stages of T cell development, we assessed the ability of ICN1 to induce extrathymic T lineage commitment in BM progenitors from mice that varied in their capacity to form a functional pre-T cell receptor (TCR). Whereas mice repopulated with ICN1 transduced HSCs from either recombinase deficient (Rag-2−/−) or Src homology 2 domain–containing leukocyte protein of 76 kD (SLP-76)−/− mice failed to develop DP BM cells, recipients of ICN1-transduced Rag-2−/− progenitors contained two novel BM cell populations indicative of pre-DP T cell development. These novel BM populations are characterized by their expression of CD3e and pre-Tα mRNA and the surface proteins CD44 and CD25. In contrast, complementation of Rag-2−/− mice with a TCRβ transgene restored ICN1-induced DP development in the BM within 3 wk after BM transfer (BMT). At later time points, this population selectively and consistently gave rise to T cell leukemia. These findings demonstrate that Notch signaling directs T lineage commitment from multipotent progenitor cells; however, both expansion and leukemic transformation of this population are dependent on T cell–specific signals associated with development of DP thymocytes.
Verification of Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

We recently completed verification studies comparing the MGIT 960 to the BACTEC 460 for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. A review of the literature revealed that most authors tested an overall large number of drug-susceptible isolates but only a small
LVI. Note on the expansion of a function

(1916). LVI. Note on the expansion of a function. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 31, No. 185, pp. 490-493.
Effects of Sentence Instruction and Frequency Building to a Performance Criterion on Elementary-Aged Students with Behavioral Concerns and EBD.

Elementary-aged students with behavioral concerns and disabilities struggling to construct sentences stand a high likelihood for continued academic difficulty. Several studies have used sentence instruction with picture-word prompts to improve sentence level writing skills, including construction of simple sentences, syntax, capitalization, and punctuation. Research in other academic areas, such as mathematics and reading, have found students benefited from deliberate practice procedures resulting in fluency. The present study combined sentence instruction with a practice procedure and measured its impact on the writing performance of four elementary-aged students with behavioral concerns and disabilities. The study used a single case experimental design. The intervention produced gains in the frequency of simple sentences constructed and other sentence level writing skills.
On the zeros of certain polynomials

We prove that certain naturally arising polynomials have all of their roots on a vertical line.
Characterization of untreated and alkylammonium ion exchanged illite/smectite by high resolution transmission electron microscopy

High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) have been performed on dispersed portions of one R > 1 and two R3 illite/smectite (I/S) samples from Silurian K-bentonites. R > 1 sample was studied by HRTEM before and after alkylammonium ion treatment and R3 samples were studied only after alkylammonium ion treatment. The HRTEM images of the chemically untreated R > 1 sample were predominated by lattice fringe contrast with 20-40/~ periods, interpreted to represent various ordered I/S units. HRTEM images of the three alkylammonium-treated samples displayed very small, dispersed particles composed of iilite packets separated by alkylammonium expanded interlayers. In the R > 1 sample, iUite packets were mostly 20/~ to 40 A thick whereas in R3 samples they were predominantly over 40 A. Although a good degree of dispersion of the bulk samples was achieved, dispersed particles recorded on images were thicker than the fundamental particles postulated by Nadeau and coworkers. Alkylammonium ion-expanded interlayer thicknesses point out a trend toward a higher charge in the expandable interlayers (i.e., illite particle surfaces) with increasing illite content from the R > 1 sample to the R3 samples. In the R3 samples, the interlayer charge is sufficiently high to be vermiculitic.
Aspartic acid racemization reveals a high turnover state in knee compared with hip osteoarthritic cartilage

Summary Objective We investigated tissue turnover in healthy and osteoarthritic cartilage. We challenge long held views that osteoarthritis (OA) is dominated by a similar turnover process in all joints and present evidence that hip and knee cartilage respond very differently to OA. Methods d- and l-Aspartate (Asp) were quantified for whole cartilage, collagen and non-collagenous components of cartilage obtained at the time of joint replacement. We computed the Asp racemization ratio (Asp-RR = d/d + l Asp), reflecting the proportion of old to total protein, for each component. Results Compared with hip OA, knee OA collagen fibrils ( P P = 0.007), and non-collagenous proteins ( P = 0.0003) had significantly lower age-adjusted mean Asp-RRs consistent with elevated protein synthesis in knee OA. Knee OA collagen had a mean hydroxyproline/proline (H/P) ratio of 1.2 consistent with the presence of type III collagen whereas hip OA collagen had a mean H/P ratio of 0.99 consistent with type II collagen. Based on Asp-RR, the relative age was significantly different in knee and hip OA ( P Conclusions The metabolic response to OA was strikingly different by joint site. Knee OA cartilage evinced an anabolic response that appeared to be absent in hip OA cartilage. These results challenge the long held view that OA cartilage is capable of only minimal repair and that collagen loss is irreversible.
A polymerase chain reaction-based epidemiologic investigation of the incidence of nonpolio enteroviral infections in febrile and afebrile infants 90 days and younger.

Objective. Enteroviruses are important pathogens in infants, but their true contribution to febrile illness in infants ≤90 days old is unknown. The purpose of this study was to use the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for diagnosis of enteroviral (EV) infection in febrile and afebrile infants ≤90 days of age to improve the understanding of the epidemiology of EV infection in this population. Methods. Patients included all unimmunized, febrile infants ≤90 days of age admitted to Primary Children9s Medical Center (Salt Lake City, UT) for sepsis evaluation from December 1996 to December 1997. Blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and throat swabs were tested for enteroviruses using a PCR assay (Roche Molecular Systems, Branchburg, NJ). Alternate PCR assays separated polio and nonpolio enteroviruses. Results of bacterial cultures, outcome, and hospital charges were obtained. Blood from afebrile, control infants ≤90 days old was tested for enteroviruses. Results. A total of 345 febrile infants were enrolled; 89 (25.8%) were positive for enterovirus. The incidence of EV infection ranged from 3.2% in January to 50% in August and October. Five EV-positive, febrile infants (5.6%) had concomitant urinary tract infections, and 1 (1.1%) had concomitant bacteremia. Infants with confirmed EV infection were significantly less likely to have bacterial infection than those who were EV-negative. All infants infected with an enterovirus recovered. Average length of stay was 3 days, average charges were nearly $4500. Eighty-six afebrile, control infants were enrolled; 6 (6.9%) were positive for enterovirus; 3 had received oral polio vaccine. Conclusions. Nonpolio EV infections commonly cause fever in infants ≤90 days of age. Rates of EV positivity are low in afebrile, unimmunized infants. The use of PCR to identify febrile infants with nonpolio EV infections may decrease length of hospital stay, unnecessary antibiotic administration, and charges.
Tracking semantic relationships for effective data management in home networks

The amount of data that home users generate, store, and peruse has grown significantly in the past few years. Increasingly, organizing this huge amount of data - in order to make it easy to browse, query and access - is becoming challenging. Many recent proposals have emphasized the importance of data management in home networks and proposed mechanisms for managing replicas across devices to increase availability. Essentially, they capture the relationship "is copy of" between files across devices. However, files can be semantically related. Users are often interested in finding data that has such semantic relationships; tracking these relationships helps users to effectively search based on content or human-understandable context, organize data and manage the limited storage while ensuring availability of information. However, inferring semantic relationships just based on user-defined tags and file names can be challenging, since users may not follow any standard or unique naming conventions. We argue that such semantic relationships should be derived on the basis of content itself, and propose to leverage recent developments in multimedia processing literature, with minimal user involvement. The decentralized, heterogeneous and dynamic operational environment of home networks present interesting systems and network challenges. In this paper, we have highlighted several candidate designs and system-optimizations that can help build an effective semantic-aware data management for home networks. As ongoing work, we are working on a prototype implementation of a decentralized data management system.
Clinical utility of visceral adipose tissue for the identification of cardiometabolic risk in white and African American adults

Background: Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) has been identified as a harmful fat depot, and sex and race differences in VAT have been reported in white and African Americans. Objectives: We determined the clinical utility of VAT in the identification of individuals at elevated cardiometabolic risk in white and African American adults and compared the clinical utility with measures obtained by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and anthropometric measures. Design: The sample included 429 white women, 311 African American women, 406 white men, and 100 African American men who were 18–74 y of age. VAT was measured by using computed tomography, fat mass (FM) and percentage of body fat were measured by using DXA, and waist circumference (WC) and BMI were assessed. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to compare the utility of measures in the identification of participants in the upper quintile of a continuous score derived from principal components analysis of fasting glucose, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure. Results: The clinical utility of measures varied across sex-by-race groups. In the overall sample, the areas under the curve were significantly higher for VAT and WC in comparison with the other indicators. Identified VAT thresholds were higher in white men (140 cm2) and women (141 cm2) than in African American men (82 cm2) and women (97 cm2). Conclusions: VAT and WC showed greater clinical utility than did other obesity measures. Because of the complexity of measuring VAT, the use of WC is recommended for the identification of adults with elevated cardiometabolic risk factors. The Pennington Center Longitudinal Study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00959270","term_id":"NCT00959270"}}NCT00959270.
Antenna-Coupled Niobium Bolometers for Terahertz Spectroscopy

We report characterizations of antenna-coupled hot electron bolometers designed for laboratory-based terahertz spectroscopy. These direct detectors combine sub-nanosecond response, high sensitivity, and the ability to operate below saturation when viewing a room temperature background. The optimum small-signal responsivity is 4.4 times 104 V/W, measured at a bath temperature Tb ap 0.9Tc. The corresponding saturation power is 7 nW. The saturation power increases and the small-signal responsivity decreases as the bath temperature is lowered. The measured noise equivalent power is 2.0 times 10-14 W/(Hz)frac12, near the predicted thermal fluctuation limit. The noise is white from approximately 100 Hz to 100 MHz.
Mycobacterial Biofilms Facilitate Horizontal DNA Transfer between Strains of Mycobacterium smegmatis

Conjugal transfer of chromosomal DNA between strains of Mycobacterium smegmatis occurs by a novel mechanism. In a transposon mutagenesis screen, three transfer-defective insertions were mapped to the lsr2 gene of the donor strain mc2155. Because lsr2 encodes a nonspecific DNA-binding protein, mutations of lsr2 give rise to a variety of phenotypes, including an inability to form biofilms. In this study, we show that efficient DNA transfer between strains of M. smegmatis occurs in a mixed biofilm and that the process requires expression of lsr2 in the donor but not in the recipient strain. Testing cells from different strata of standing cultures showed that transfer occurred predominantly at the biofilm air-liquid interface, as other strata containing higher cell densities produced very few transconjugants. These data suggest that the biofilm plays a role beyond mere facilitation of cell-cell contact. Surprisingly, we found that under standard assay conditions the recipient strain does not form a biofilm. Taking these results together, we conclude that for transfer to occur, the recipient strain is actively recruited into the biofilm. In support of this idea, we show that donor and recipient cells are present in almost equal numbers in biofilms that produce transconjugants. Our demonstration of genetic exchange between mycobacteria in a mixed biofilm suggests that conjugation occurs in the environment. Since biofilms are considered to be the predominant natural microhabitat for bacteria, our finding emphasizes the importance of studying biological and physical processes that occur between cells in mixed biofilms.
Mechanics of coated optical fibers: review and extension

We discuss various mechanical problems in the analysis, design and reliability evaluations of polymer-coated or metallized optical fibers, with an emphasis on the predictive modeling (mostly analytical). The review part of the article is based primarily on the author's research conducted during his tenure with Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill, New Jersey. The extension part concerns the application of a newly developed nanoparticle material (NPM) as an attractive substitute for the existing optical fiber coatings.
Effects of Computer-Assisted Instruction on Students’ Knowledge of the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction and Disruptive Behavior

Instruction about goal setting can increase students’ self-determination and reduce problem behavior. Computer-assisted instruction could offer teachers another format for teaching goal setting and self-determination. This study used a multiple probes across participants design to examine the effects of computer-assisted instruction on students’ knowledge of the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI) and level of disruptive behavior. Results indicated increased knowledge of the SDLMI and decreased levels of disruptive behavior for all participants. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Relationship of songbird nest concealment to nest fate and flushing behavior of adults

Advoiding predation is an important consideration for any potential prey animal. Failure to escape from a predator results in loss of fitness, so there is strong selection for choices and behaviors that result in successful escape (Lima and Dill 1990). In their cost-benefit approach to flight from predators, Ydenberg and Dill (1986) stressed that flight should be optimized rather than maximized, because there is a cost (usually cessation of feeding) incurred by fleeing from predation. Field studies have largely supported their predictions (see Bonenfant and Kramer 1996).
Caravan Traders: A Tax Research Project For Pass-Through Business Entities

This paper presents a tax case simulating a real-world experience in the area of partnership or flow-through entity taxation. Students are presented with an open transaction, hypothetical data and business objectives of the partners. They are then requested to consider the tax rules and the impact on the parties based upon each of two options in order to determine the best business alternative. In order to do this, they rely on knowledge learned in the typical partnership taxation course and practice research and analytical skills to synthesize the most optimum outcome. Students are asked to deliver a tax memorandum that addresses a series of progressive issues, as well as two excels worksheets which outline the tax impact under each of the two options. As a result of this assignment, students discover the value of prudent and skillful tax planning and the beneficial impact that they can have on the financial affairs of their clients.
Pathologic Quiz Case: Hypoplastic Digit, Diaphragmatic Hernia, and Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum in a 215⁄7-Week Fetus

The patient was a male fetus at 21 5 /7 weeks’ gestation with multiple fetal anomalies. The mother was a 30year-old, gravida 1, para 0 woman. Both parents were healthy. The pregnancy was spontaneous and had been uncomplicated. Family history was negative for recurrent fetal loss, structural anomalies, inherited diseases, epilepsy, and learning disabilities. Prenatal ultrasound examination had been performed at 20 weeks and showed a ‘‘lemon-shaped’’ skull, ventriculomegaly, compressed cerebellum, diaphragmatic hernia with displacement of the heart into the right chest, cleft lip, echogenic kidneys, and polyhydramnios. The parents chose to terminate the pregnancy because
Diagnosis, Pathogenesis, and Treatment of the Sleep Apnea Syndromes

For many years respiration during sleep was thought to follow patterns similar to those observed during wakefulness, but the dicovery of two different states of sleep — rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) — led to a reappraisal of respiration and ventilation during sleep in humans and other mammals [6]. It is difficult to study the central control of breathing, and for a number of years investigators have used convenient anesthetic preparations. Recent studies have clearly demonstrated, however, that multiple efferent pathways are eliminated in such preparations, so that results of these experiments are valid only for anesthetized animals, not for understanding ventilation during wakefulness, NREM sleep, and REM sleep. Future studies on respiration and ventilation during sleep will have to use the chronically implanted preparations used in studying the basic phenomena of sleep physiology.
COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF HIGHWAY BRIDGES EXPOSED TO HURRICANE WAVES

In present paper, numerical code STAR CCM+ by CD-adapco which works based on compressible two-phase Navier Stokes equations is used to evaluate hydrodynamic forces exerted on prototype of I10 Bridge over Escambia Bay which was extensively damaged during Hurricane Ivan. Volume of Fluid (VOF) is used to capture dynamic free surface which is well suited for simulating complex discontinuous free surface associated with wave-deck interactions. 2D and 3D models were setup and properly configured. Simulations were conducted on High performance Computing and Communication Center (HPCC) at University of Southern California. Simulation results are compared to experimental data available from Hinsdale Wave Laboratory at Oregon State University. Comparison of experimental data to simulation results show the importance of proper mesh size and time step choice on accuracy of horizontal and vertical hydrodynamic force predictions applied to bridge superstructure.
A Novel Multilayered Annular Model to Predict Delamination in a Lumbar Intervertebral Disc

Disc degeneration normally is accompanied by structural changes in the intervertebral discs and the end plates. Reduced level of water in the disc, osteophytes formation and geometrical changes in the end plates also accompany the disc degeneration process. Structural changes in the disc due to degeneration can be classified into radial, peripheral and circumferential tears. Radial tears normally extend from inner annulus region to the outer annulus in the radial direction. These may be due to the failure of annular fibers. Peripheral tears in the annulus normally occur near the junction between the annulus and end plates. These may be due to shear loads at the end plate-annulus junction. Circumferential tears can be observed in both anterior and posterior annulus. These circumferential tears may be due to separation of annular layers due to excess shear between layers and/or due to tensile strain between layers. Although the intrinsic mechanical behavior of the annulus fibrosus as a single layer has been studied, the response of the annulus in vivo does depend on its composite multilayer structure. Biomechanical analysis of the multilayered annulus will help to understand the initiation of delamination failure in the annulus. A finite element model of a lumbar disc with annulus consisting of several layers distributed along the radial direction of the disc with interface was developed to understand the delamination process of the disc under physiological loading modes. It is hypothesized that delamination starts at the inner annular layers near the end plates.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Electrical transport and grain growth in solution-cast, chloride-terminated cadmium selenide nanocrystal thin films.

We report the evolution of electrical transport and grain size during the sintering of thin films spin-cast from soluble phosphine and amine-bound, chloride-terminated cadmium selenide nanocrystals. Sintering of the nanocrystals occurs in three distinct stages as the annealing temperature is increased: (1) reversible desorption of the organic ligands (≤150 °C), (2) irreversible particle fusion (200–300 °C), and (3) ripening of the grains to >5 nm domains (>200 °C). Grain growth occurs at 200 °C in films with 8 atom % Cl–, while films with 3 atom % Cl– resist growth until 300 °C. Fused nanocrystalline thin films (grain size = 4.5–5.5 nm) on thermally grown silicon dioxide gate dielectrics produce field-effect transistors with electron mobilities as high as 25 cm2/(Vs) and on/off ratios of 105 with less than 0.5 V hysteresis in threshold voltage without the addition of indium.
119INNOVEL MOLECULAR STUDIES TO INFORM THE CONDUCT OF ONCOLOGY CLINICAL TRIALS: FROM BATTLE TO MASTER PROTOCOLS

ABSTRACT Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Systemic chemotherapy is a mainstay and although therapies have improved, most patients with metastatic disease will eventually succumb to the disease. Identification of potential therapies is often based on subjective physician preference and clinical characteristics such as age, gender, or performance status. However, paradigm shifts are occurring with the emergence of tumor biomarkers as a key factor in the identification of therapies that can slow or reverse the growth of an individual patient's cancer. To remain competitive, new therapies that are being developed must also produce a viable tumor marker that can be used to identify ideal candidates for the therapy. Several new trials have been designed with this dual purpose in mind, particularly in the lung cancer arena. The BATTLE program represents the next generation paradigm for clinical trials research. BATTLE-2 combines a trial to identify the most effective treatment regimens for lung cancer patients in real time with a parallel biomarker discovery effort. This multicenter Phase 2 trial with adaptive randomization design will be a model for future studies. Furthermore, developed through an unprecedented collaboration between advocates, government, academia, and industry, the Lung-Map trial will be the mechanism to genomically screen a large population of squamous cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients to subsequently assign and accrue simultaneously to a multi-sub-study “Master Protocol” prospective, randomized phase 2/3 registration protocol. The Lung-Map trial will focus on testing drugs driven by the presence of biomarkers in the study population. This “umbrella” type trial will evaluate different targeted therapies/biomarker combinations in a single type of cancer. This grouping of biomarker driven targeted drug studies under a single protocol will reduce the screen failure rate, reduce operational and protocol development redundancies and improve efficiency and provide a consistent protocol that can be used to test multiple therapies. Using this approach it is hoped that new targeted agents will be tested and available in the community setting, in a trial design which will allow for a rapid assessment of efficacy and drug approval if the data are supportive. Disclosure: R.S. Herbst: Science Advisory Board for: Biothera, DiaTech Oncology, N of One, Kolltan.
Effects of Sb addition on the properties of Sn-Ag-Cu/(Cu, Ni) solder systems

Abstract The wetting characteristics and microhardness of the Sn-Ag-Cu (SAC) near eutectic alloy and the effects of a small addition of antimony on these properties have been investigated. The contact angle measurements on the two Sn-rich alloys, i.e. the Sn-1.8Ag-0.7Cu and Sn-1.9Ag-0.4Cu-2.1Sb (in wt %) in contact with Cu and Ni substrates have been performed by using a sessile drop apparatus. Although the two solders investigated exhibit different spreading kinetics on Cu and Ni substrates, their final contact angle values indicate a good wetting of these alloys on both substrates. The melting behaviour of two SAC type alloys and the interfaces between these solders and substrates have been characterised by DSC and SEM/EDS analyses, respectively. The results obtained were explained qualitatively by means of the corresponding phase diagrams. The microhardness of SAC solders investigated slightly increases with Sb addition.