cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tract-Specific Volume Loss on 3T MRI in Patients With Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

Study design Case-control. Objective The aim of this study was to understand the role of high-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) in identifying regional cord volume loss in cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Summary of background data Preliminary studies suggest that compression of the ventral region of the cord may contribute disproportionately to CSM symptomology; however, tract-specific data are lacking in the CSM population. The current study is the first to use 3T MR imaging (MRI) images of CSM patients to determine specific volume loss at the level of detail of individual descending white matter tracts. Methods Twelve patients with CSM and 14 age-matched were enrolled prospectively and underwent 3-Tesla MRI of the cervical spine. Using the high-resolution images of the spinal cord, straightening and alignment with a template was performed and specific spinal cord tract volumes were measured using Spinal Cord Tool-box version 3.0.7. Modified Japanese orthopedic association (mJOA) and Nurick disability scores were collected in a prospective manner and were analyzed in relation to descending spinal tract volumes. Results Having CSM was predicted by anterior/posterior diameter, eccentricity of the cord [odds ratio (OR) 0.000000621, P = 0.004], ventral reticulospinal tract volume (OR 1.167, P = 0.063), lateral corticospinal tract volume (OR 1.034, P = 0.046), rubrospinal tract volume (OR 1.072, P = 0.011), and ventrolateral reticulospinal tract volume (OR 1.474, P = 0.005) on single variable logistic regression. Single variable linear regression showed decreases in anterior/posterior spinal cord diameter (P = 0.022), ventral reticulospinal tract volumes (P = 0.007), and ventrolateral reticulospinal tract volumes (P = 0.017) to significantly predict worsening mJOA scores. Similarly, decreases in ventral reticulospinal tract volumes significantly predicted increasing Nurick scores (P = 0.039). Conclusion High-resolution 3T MRI can detect tract-specific volume loss in descending spinal cord tracts in CSM patients. Anterior/posterior spinal cord diameter, ventral reticulospinal tract, ventrolateral reticulospinal tract, lateral corticospinal tract, and rubrospinal tract volume loss are associated with CSM symptoms. Level of evidence 2.
A New Dynamic Imaging Mode for High-Resolution and High-Bandwidth Atomic Force Microscopy

Ahstract- This paper proposes a new high-bandwidth mode of imaging in an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). This is achieved by regulating the gap between the sample and the vibrating cantilever tip to an appropriate sinusoidal signal with frequency close to the cantilever resonant frequency. This scheme utilizes the deflection signal of the cantilever instead of its derivatives such as amplitude and phase. We design the regulating controller using ℋ∞mixed synthesis. Another major advantage of this approach is that we exploit a structure where sample topography estimation can be accurately done even at frequencies beyond the bandwidth of disturbance rejection resulting from the ℋ∞ optimal controller. Simulation results show an order of magnitude improvement in bandwidth over conventional tapping mode imaging. Experimental implementation of this new imaging mode is ongoing.
Fosaprepitant as a risk factor for ifosfamide induced encephalopathy: A single institution experience.

e14104Background: Ifosfamide is a moderate to highly emetogenic agent used in multiple chemotherapy regimens. Ifosfamide (Ifo) induced encephalopathy (IIE) is a neurotoxic adverse event with a repo...
The Specimen Dealer: Entrepreneurial Natural History in America's Gilded Age

The post-Civil War American natural history craze spawned a new institution – the natural history dealer – that has failed to receive the historical attention it deserves. The individuals who created these enterprises simultaneously helped to promote and hoped to profit from the burgeoning interest in both scientific and popular specimen collecting. At a time when other employment and educational prospects in natural history were severely limited, hundreds of dealers across the nation provided encouragement, specimens, publication outlets, training opportunities, and jobs for naturalists of all motivations and levels of expertise. This paper explores the crucial role that specimen dealers played in the larger natural history community. After briefly examining the development of local taxidermy shops in the mid-nineteenth century, it then traces the history of four large natural history dealerships established in the United States during the latter half of the century: Ward's Natural History Establishment, Frank Blake Webster's Naturalists' Supply Depot, Southwick & Jencks' Natural History Store, and Frank H. Lattin & Co. By the early twentieth century, changing tastes in interior design, the growth of the Audubon movement, and the dramatic expansion of alternate training and job opportunities for naturalists led many specimen dealers either to shift their emphasis or to shut their doors.
Calcia-alumina fibre-reinforced Al 7075 alloy composites produced by melt-infiltration : Interfacial wetting and reaction

Inviscid melt-spun calcia–alumina (CA) fibre-reinforced aluminium 7075 alloy matrix composites were produced at 700 and 927°C by using a melt-infiltration method. Interfacial wetting and chemical reaction of the composites were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The composites processed at 700°C showed interfacial wetting and magnesium accumulation at the interfacial region. The composites processed at 927°C showed the formation of a 15 μm thick interphase region as well as excellent interfacial wetting. EDS analysis gave averaged compositions of this interface region at 63.5 at% Al and 31.5 at% Mg, which corresponds to the composition of spinel, MgAl2O4. The formation of spinel at the interface was confirmed by XRD analysis on the CA fibres separated from the composites.
Visualizing the Unit Ball for the Teichmüller Metric

ABSTRACTWe describe a method to compute the norm on the cotangent space to the moduli space of Riemann surfaces associated to the Finsler Teichmuller metric. Our method involves computing the periods of abelian double covers and is easy to implement for Riemann surfaces presented as algebraic curves using existing tools for approximating period matrices of plane algebraic curves. We illustrate our method by depicting the unit sphere in the cotangent space to moduli space at a particular surface of genus zero with five punctures and by corroborating the proof of a theorem of Royden’s for our example.
Appetitive Traits and Weight in Children: Evidence for Parents’ Controlling Feeding Practices as Mediating Mechanisms

AbstractChildren’s food approach and food avoidance are appetitive traits with genetic or biological bases. Nonetheless, parents play a critical role in children’s dietary intake through parenting ...
Spatial and temporal variability of future ecosystem services in an agricultural landscape

Sustaining ecosystem services requires enhanced understanding of their spatial–temporal dynamics and responses to drivers. To date, the majority of research has focused on snapshots of ecosystem services, and their spatial–temporal variability has seldom been studied. We aimed to address: (i) How is variability in ecosystem services partitioned among ‘space’ and ‘time’ components? (ii) Which ecosystem services are spatially/temporally coherent, and which are space–time incoherent? (iii) Are there consistent patterns in ecosystem service variability between urban- and rural-dominated landscapes? Biophysical modeling was used to quantify food, water, and biogeochemical-related services from 2011 to 2070 under future scenarios. Linear mixed-effects models and variance partitioning were used to analyze spatial and temporal variability. Food production, water quality and flood regulation services were overall more variable than climate regulation and freshwater supply. ‘Space’ contributed to a majority of variations across most services, highlighting dominant importance of location-specific factors for service supply. Significant space–time interactions existed for water quality and soil carbon storage, indicating interactive effects between location- and time-specific factors. Variation in the relative controls of ‘space’ vs. ‘time’ factors between urban- and rural-dominated subwatersheds suggests that targeting different key drivers is needed for successful management of ecosystem services in urban vs. rural landscapes. Our research reveals relative importance of underlying ‘space’ and ‘time’ controls for diverse ecosystem services. Our study presents a framework to investigate spatial–temporal variability of ecosystem services, and provides theoretical and practical implications for anticipating and managing the dynamics of future ecosystem services at the watershed scale.
Utilizing Q-Learning to Generate 3D Vascular Networks for Bioprinting Bone

ABSTRACT Bioprinting is an emerging tissue engineering method used to generate cell-laden scaffolds with high spatial resolution. Bioprinted vascularized bone grafts are a potential application of this technology that would meet a critical clinical need, since current approaches to volumetric bone repair have significant limitations. However, generation of vascular networks suitable for bioprinting is challenging. Here, we propose a novel Q-learning approach to quickly generate 3D vascular networks within patient-specific bone geometry that are optimized for bioprinting. First, the inlet and outlet locations are specified and the scenario is modeled using a grid world for initial agent training. Next, the path planned in the grid world environment is converted to a Bezier curve, which is then used to generate the final 3D vascularized bone model. The vessels generated using this procedure have minimal tortuosity, which increases the likelihood of successful bioprinting. Furthermore, the ability to specify inlet and outlet position is necessary for both surgical feasibility as well as generation of more complex vascular networks. In total, this study demonstrates the reliability of our reinforcement learning method for automated generation of 3D vascular networks within patient-specific geometry that can be used for bioprinting vascularized bone grafts.
Evidence of resource-defense polygyny in an endangered subtropical bat, Eumops floridanus

Abstract Understanding sociality and animal behavior is critical for developing effective conservation strategies. Many tropical bat species form harems, where dominant males play key social roles by defending groups of females directly (female-defense polygyny) and/or the resources that females need (resource-defense polygyny). The Florida bonneted bat (Eumops floridanus) is an endangered subtropical species suspected to form harems, but our understanding of its social structure, reproduction, and behavior is rudimentary. In this study, we evaluated demographic variation in morphological and behavioral characteristics of Florida bonneted bats to test the hypothesis that this species forms harem groups and exhibits resource-defense polygyny at roost sites. We used a 4-year dataset of 341 individuals uniquely marked with passive integrated transponders (PIT tags), coupled with tri-annual capture records, to track activity patterns of bats at five roosts fitted with PIT tag readers. We identified the likely dominant males and other demographic groups in each roost using morphometric characteristics and reproductive status. We assessed differences between sexes and among status categories in three primary metrics: amount of activity at the roost, time of emergence, and initial foray duration per night. Dominant males consistently were the most active individuals at roosts and spent the least amount of time away from roosts during forays, relative to females and other males. Females spent more time away from roosts than males and shared similar foraging activity patterns regardless of status. Our findings suggest that Florida bonneted bats form small harem groups that are active year round. Male bats exhibit characteristics of resource-defense polygyny at roost sites and a size-biased hierarchy, with the largest reproductively active males appearing to defend the roost at the expense of time spent foraging. We suggest that the roost site represents a critical, limited and defendable resource for male Florida bonneted bats to gain access to females, which has important implications for the conservation and enhancement of roost sites. Our study highlights the importance of accounting for differences in behavior across demographic groups and social roles when considering resource needs for imperiled species.
Legends of allergy and immunology: Robert P. Schleimer

Thisarticle honors Robert (Bob) Paul Schleimer, PhD for his scientific accomplishments. Bob has been studying the mechanisms of inflammation, especially in the context of disease of the airways of humans, for over 40 years and is a world-renowned expert on the role of immune and structural cells in type 2 inflammatory diseases including asthma, allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).
A Perspective on Issues Impacting the Profitable and Sustainable Utilization of Forest Ecosystem Resources

This paper reflects a position concerning issues related to profitable and sustainable forest ecosystem utilization. An attempt is made to extract from the author’s extensive global experience in forest products and wood engineering an understanding of the key components in successful international forest products commerce. Experiences drawn from Australia, Finland, Honduras, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, Sweden, U.K., and U.S. constitute the frame of reference for the discussion. General areas of consideration include: resource base, cultural issues, national and international policy concerns, national infrastructure, and educational levels.
DNA viruses, DNA extraction, purification and characterization

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the extraction, purification, and characterization of viral deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Several techniques are applied to the herpes and adenovirus families, in particular, when working with sub-genomic fragments of the larger viruses. There are two methods of extraction that have been successfully used to isolate small molecular weight viral DNA. The first method is described by Hirt and the second method is adapted from the extraction of plasmid DNA from bacterial cultures by an alkaline lysis protocol. These techniques are used for the extraction of DNA from virus particles by lysis of the virions and purification of the genome. There are a number of ways of extracting bands from gels for use in cloning or labeling the fragment for hybridization studies. The chapter describes the hybridization methods, such as DNA–DNA, DNA–RNA, and RNA-RNA, and predominantly concentrates on radiolabeled probes because they are the most sensitive detection system. The polymerase chain reaction is a powerful tool to amplify specific regions of DNA using primers that are at either end of the region to be amplified.
A Research on Supply Chain Security in Malaysia

Abstract — Transportation is an important supply chain driver because products are rarely produced and consumed in the same location and industry is very dependent on the transportation to transfer the products. In today’s economy, every organization is working on reducing its bottom line to get its profits up, as top line growth is almost non-existent. In logistics business, one area that can add to your organizations profitability but which is often overlooked is prevention of cargo theft. The need for cargo security is critical to assist the transportation industry in combating the serious increases in cargo crime. Cargo security is not an isolated event; security has to be applied across the value chain, across borders, (countries, departments, competitors, customers and transportation modes) and integrate an ongoing awareness in every single point of interaction with the goods. The term, cargo theft represents any stealing from premises or hijacking of cargo moving by trucks, rail cars or ships from the point of origin to the destination. It is considered cargo theft if it is stolen at any point between origin, destination and in between. Many companies normally do not report such crimes for several reasons. The security of cargo in the supply chain has become one of the major global security concerns given its recognized vulnerabilities which make cargo possibly the easiest target for criminals. Any supply chain’s success is closely linked to the appropriate use of a secured and safe transportation. Many companies have not yet invested in improving security beyond the minimum level due to difficulty in justifying security investments. Companies may not yet see the benefits of enhanced security or may be unable to make an adequate business case for security implementation. However, supply chain security management is not a black hole and it is believe that secured supply chains do provide a return on investment for transportation and logistics companies.
The Discovery of Aspirin's Antithrombotic Effects

Aspirin has long been established as a useful analgesic and antipyretic. Even in ancient times, salicylate-containing plants such as the willow were commonly used to relieve pain and fever. In the 20th century, scientists discovered many details of aspirin's anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, including its molecular mechanism of action. In addition, the latter half of the century brought reports that daily, low doses of aspirin could prevent myocardial infarction and stroke. This finding was first reported by Lawrence Craven, a suburban general practitioner in Glendale, California. Unfortunately, Craven's work went largely unnoticed, and decades passed before his observations were verified by clinical trial. We present Craven's story, which demonstrates the value of a single physician's commitment to lifelong learning. In addition, we summarize the work of the physicians and scientists who discovered the molecular mechanisms by which aspirin exerts its antiplatelet effects. Collectively, these discoveries exemplify the complementary roles of basic science and clinical observation in advancing medicine.
Theory for dynamical self arrest and gelation in microemulsions and the block copolymer systems

The main purpose of this work is to investigate the glassy behavior of microemulsions and block copolymers. The origin of glassy behavior in microemulsions and block copolymers is frustration due to a competition between short-range interaction and long range interaction. According to the charge frustrated Ising model, the competition between ferromagnetic interaction and antiferromagnetic interaction is the origin of frustration in microemulsions. The competition between entropic effects and stoichiometric constraints responsible for the formation of micelles in microemulsions can lead to the emergence of a self generated glassy behavior in these systems. In the block copolymer, the competition between the repulsive short range interaction between monomers in polymer chains and the long range interaction by chemical bonds can lead to the emergence of a self generated glassy behavior. The criteria for the fluctuation induced first order transition and our microemulsion and block copolymer glasses are essentially the same. Both are a consequence of the large phase space of low energy excitations (14) (62) (all states with momenta q which fulfill |q| = q{sub m}) and are of at the most a moderate supercooling of the liquid state is required. This is strongly supported by the observation in Ref. (14) that the metastable states which are first to appear at a fluctuation induced first order transition are the ones build by a superposition of large amplitude waves of wavenumber q{sub m}, but with random orientations and phases, i.e. just the ones which form the metastable states of our microemulsion and block copolymer glass. (38)
Henry Wallace's 1948 Campaign and the Future of Postwar Liberalism

Review of: "Henry Wallace's 1948 Campaign and the Future of Postwar Liberalism" by Bill Pratt.
Dual-polarization modes and self-heterodyne noise in a single-frequency 2.1-microm microchip Ho,Tm:YAG laser.

We have observed, for the first time to our knowledge, residual stress-induced birefringent dual-polarization modes in a diode-pumped, single-frequency, microchip cw 2.0914-μm Ho,Tm:YAG laser. The two orthogonally polarized modes were separated in frequency by approximately 12 MHz and, when photodetected, produced a 12-MHz self-heterodyne beat signal. The self-heterodyne signal could be eliminated by an external λ/4 plate and a polarizer to filter out one of the modes, but this required regulation of the pump laser power to better than 1%. These results have important implications for use of the microchip Ho,Tm:YAG laser in a heterodyne detection coherent lidar.
Göç, Ticaret ve Kalkınma: Meksika-ABD ve Türkiye-Avrupa Karşılaştırması Migration, trade, and development: Comparing Mexico-US and Turkey-Europe

Migration was the major relationship between Mexico and the US and Turkey and Western Europe for most of the past half century. Changes in both migrant-sending and –receiving countries aimed to substitute trade for migration. Mexico and Turkey have had roller-coaster economic growth trajectories, sometimes growing faster than other OECD countries and sometimes shrinking faster. There have been significant changes in Mexico and Turkey but, until more formal-sector jobs are created, especially young people leaving agriculture or joining the labour market may be candidates for migration. [IN TURKISH] Gecen yarim yuzyilda, goc Meksika- ABD, Turkiye ve Bati Avrupa arasindaki temel iliski olagelmistir. Goc-alan ve –veren ulkelerdeki degisimler goc yerine ticareti gecirme egilimi tasimistir. Meksika ve Turkiye inisli cikisli ekonomik buyume gorunumu sergilemisler, bazen diger OECD ulkelerinden bile hizli buyumus, bazen ise daha hizli kuculmuslerdir. Meksika ve Turkiye’de cok temel degisimler yasanmaktadir ve ancak daha fazla guvenli istihdam yaratilmadikca tarimdan kopan genc isgucu ya da isgucune yeni katilanlar gocun yeni adaylari olacaktir.
Will the real Robert Neville please, come out? Vampirism, the ethics of queer monstrosity, and capitalism in Richard Matheson's I am legend?

In this article, I argue that Richard Matheson's (1954) vampire novella, I Am Legend, encodes the protagonist's, Robert Neville, traumatic recognition of his queer sexuality in its monstrosity (the unspeakability of male penetrability). Neville's identification with and desire for his undead neighbor, Ben Cortman, are symbolically codified through three different registers: intertextual references to vampiric conventions and codes, the semiotics of queer subculture, and a structure of doubling that links Neville to the queer vampire. Although Neville avoids encountering his unspeakable queer desire, which could be represented only at the level of the Lacanian Real, he must still confront Cortman's obsessive exhortations for him to come out. Only when he symbolically codifies his abnormality in its own monstrosity, by viewing himself through mutant vampires' eyes, can Neville reconfigure the ethical relationship between self and other, humans and mutant humans-vampires. However progressive Matheson's novel...
Phase I Trial of 177Lutetium-Labeled J591, a Monoclonal Antibody to Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen, in Patients With Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer

Purpose To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), toxicity, human anti-J591 response, pharmacokinetics (PK), organ dosimetry, targeting, and biologic activity of 177Lutetium-labeled anti–prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) monoclonal antibody J591 (177Lu-J591) in patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer (PC). Patients and Methods Thirty-five patients with progressing androgen-independent PC received 177Lu-J591. All patients underwent 177Lu-J591 imaging, PK, and biodistribution determinations. Patients were eligible for up to three retreatments. Results Thirty-five patients received 177Lu-J591, of whom 16 received up to three doses. Myelosuppression was dose limiting at 75 mCi/m2, and the 70-mCi/m2 dose level was determined to be the single-dose MTD. Repeat dosing at 45 to 60 mCi/m2 was associated with dose-limiting myelosuppression; however, up to three doses of 30 mCi/m2 could be safely administered. Nonhematologic toxicity was not dose limiting. Targeting of all known sites of bone ...
In praise of athletic and cultural mongrelization.

I find the particulars of Frisby’s essay, “Promising Physical Activity Inclusion Practices for Chinese Immigrant Women in Vancouver, Canada,” completely persuasive. More specifically, her argument that social inclusion should be based on mutual interaction and mutual learning between immigrants and members of the host nation, her claim that simply relying on the status quo even in the most progressive western nations will likely not promote intercultural exchange and integration, her insistence that neither national groups nor cultural minorities are monoliths, her feminist-based, gender-sensitive approach to this issue, and her reliance on dialogue in the form of a multicultural workshop to foster communication between these two groups regarding, among other things, the meaning of sport, all strike me as not only entirely plausible but as entirely compelling points. What I am less sure about is where to place her own argument for social inclusion in the various multiculturalist accounts of social inclusion she sketches in her paper. That is, if we set aside the assimilationist model of social inclusion, which blithely insists subordinate cultural groups simply adapt to the ways of the dominant group, I am not at all sure that her own account of mutual cultural and sporting accommodation fits comfortably with what she calls the intergrationist model, or what she calls after Sandercock the shallow and rich multiculturalism models, or what, finally, she calls echoing DeSensi “valuing diversity” that requires the “acceptance of, adaptation to, and integration of difference” (2010, p. 9). Frisby’s written remarks suggest she is somewhat partial to the “valuing diversity” account of social inclusion, which is worrisome because I think it is, in fact, the least suited to her argument for reasons that will, I hope, shortly become clear. What needs be said for now, however, is that my worry about where to place her argument is not a trivial intellectual worry, but a profoundly practical one. That is because how we construe social inclusion will obviously play a large role in how we go about trying to accomplish it. The revised Canadian 1988 Multiculturalism Act that Frisby mentions in her paper is a case in point, because it advocates for two goals that, I think, are at loggerheads with one another, namely, the goal “to support all of Canada’s cultures,” and the goal “to promote creative encounters and interchanges” between cultural groups” (2010, p. 6). The first goal commits us to the project of cultural preservation, whereas the second one commits us to the significantly different project of cultural innovation and reinvention. I think Frisby’s
Purification, characterization, and cloning of a cytosolic aspartyl aminopeptidase.

Abstract An aminopeptidase with a preference for N-terminal aspartyl and glutamyl residues but distinct from glutamyl aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.7) was purified to near homogeneity from rabbit brain cytosol. Its properties were similar to an enzyme described previously (Kelly, J. A., Neidle, E. L., and Neidle, A. (1983) J. Neurochem. 40, 1727–1734). Aspartyl aminopeptidase had barely detectable activity toward simple aminoacyl-naphthylamide substrates. Its activity was determined with the substrate Asp-Ala-Pro-naphthylamide in the presence of excess dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (EC 3.4.14.5). The native enzyme has a molecular mass of 440 kDa and migrates as a single band of 55 kDa after SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The sequences of three tryptic peptides were used to screen the GenBankTM data base of expressed sequence tags. Human and mouse clones described as “similar to a yeast vacuolar aminopeptidase” and containing full-length cDNAs were identified and sequenced. The human cDNA was expressed in Escherichia coli. The amino acid sequence has significant homology to yeast aminopeptidase I, placing it as the first identified mammalian member of the M18 family of metalloproteinases. Homologous sequences in Caenorhabditis elegans and in prokaryotes revealed three conserved histidines, three conserved glutamates and five conserved aspartates. Aspartyl aminopeptidase is found at relatively high levels in all mammalian tissues examined and is likely to play an important role in intracellular protein and peptide metabolism.
Miniaturized CMOS thermal sensor array for temperature gradient measurement in microprocessors

A miniaturized thermal sensor for use in Intel's microprocessors has been demonstrated in a cutting-edge purely digital process. The circuit shows nearly linear frequency dependence with temperature of 45kHz/°C. The circuit occupies 3.75×l0−3 mm2 and consumes a current of ~ 700uA, which makes it suitable to be placed in array on a microprocessor to measure thermal gradients across the die.
Cell-based bioassays in microfluidic systems

The development of cell-based bioassays for high throughput drug screening or the sensing of biotoxins is contingent on the development of whole cell sensors for specific changes in intracellular conditions and the integration of those systems into sample delivery devices. Here we show the feasibility of using a 5-(and-6)-carboxy SNARF-1, acetoxymethyl ester, acetate, a fluorescent dye capable of responding to changes in intracellular pH, as a detection method for the bacterial endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide. We used photolithography to entrap cells with this dye within poly(ethylene) glyocol diacrylate hydrogels in microfluidic channels. After 18 hours of exposure to lipopolysaccharide, we were able to see visible changes in the fluorescent pattern. This work shows the feasibility of using whole cell based biosensors within microfluidic networks to detect cellular changes in response to exogenous agents.
Depression trajectories in relatively recent immigrants

Abstract This longitudinal study of 253 ever-depressed former Soviet immigrants (1) examined the life circumstances, demographic characteristics, and immigration demands of individuals whose depression lifted, or who remained or became depressed over a 2-year period; and (2) investigated whether immigration demands, local relatives, age at immigration, gender, education, employment, and marital status differed among the three groups. Depression was determined based on depression scores at baseline and at 2-year follow-up. Forty-three percent of the sample remained depressed, 26% became depressed, and 30% had their depression lift over the course of 2 years. The three groups did not differ with regard to demographic characteristics or loss of employment or a negative change in marital status over the 2-year study period. They did differ with respect to the presence of local family and immigration demands ( P P = .32). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures revealed that the group whose depression lifted experienced the greatest change in immigration demand scores over the 2-year study period. Our findings argue that clinicians should not expect immigrants' depression to always decrease over time and should assess depression by asking about immigration demands, even if depression was not present during an earlier clinical encounter.
2. Acute cervical spine and shoulder injuries in the industrial setting

Abstract This self-directed learning module highlights the underlying anatomy and biomechanics of the cervical spine and shoulder as a basis for developing a differential diagnosis of contributing pathology in an industrial injury. This includes components of the history, examination, and appropriate diagnostic testing that are necessary to develop an optimal rehabilitation plan. Treatment options are reviewed and include medications, therapy, selective injections, and return-to-work programs in the industrial setting. Overall Article Objectives: (a) To be able to identify neck and shoulder pathology, (b) to effectively evaluate cervical spine and shoulder injuries, and (c) to rehabilitate acute cervical spine and shoulder injuries in the industrial setting.
Low thoracic epidural anaesthesia for elective cholecystectomy in a patient with congenital heart disease and pulmonary hypertension

A 52-year-old male with pulmonary hypertension secondary to partial anomalous pulmonary venous return unassociated with atrial septal defect was given thoracic epidural anaesthesia for elective chotecystectomy. Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by increased pulmonary blood flow which in severe cases results in pulmonary hypertension subjecting the right ventricle to strain. An epidural catheter was placed at the T11-T12 interspace and anaesthesia was established to the T4 dermatomal level with bupivacaine (180 mg) and lidocaine (100 mg). Central venous pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, radial artery pressure, and cardiac output were monitored. There was minimal change in pulmonary arterial pressure, although there was a significant drop in systemic arterial pressure. Thoracic epidural block is recommended for upper abdominal surgery in clinical situations with pulmonary hypertension.
Talo-patello-scaphoid osteolysis, synovitis, and short fourth metacarpals in sisters: a new syndrome?

Osteolysis syndromes are characterized by resorption of affected bones with associated swelling and pain. Various forms of multicentric osteolysis syndromes including autosomal dominant and recessive carpal-tarsal osteolysis, Torg, Francois, Whyte-Hemingway, Hajdu-Cheney, Winchester, and other forms have been described. Most present in pre-school years with extensive involvement and destruction of multiple bones. We present a sister-pair, both of whom presented in early teenage, i.e., 13 and 15.5 years, respectively, with bilateral ankle, knee, and later, wrist pain. Radiological examination revealed bilateral osteolysis of tali, scaphoids, and patellae, and short fourth metacarpals in both sisters. Further investigation revealed absence of renal involvement, a normal excretion of amino acids, mucopolysaccharides and oligosaccharides, and presence of chronic synovitis in both sisters. Both parents and a younger brother were without radiographic or clinical evidence of the disease and there was no history of consanguinity. Thus, our sister-pair presented with the same carpal and tarsal bone involvement at a much later age, with evidence of chronic synovitis, along with short fourth metacarpals (brachydactyly type E changes) and without renal disease, suggesting a new syndrome with probable autosomal recessive inheritance.
Spectrophotometry Determination of Nitrate Nitrogen and Nitrite Nitrogen in Sewage Sludges

Abstract Extraction followed by spectrophotometry was employed to determine nitrate and nitrite in sewage sludge. Recovery of added nitrate and nitrite was complete. The procedure was suitable for the determination of nitrate nitrogen and nitrite nitrogen in this matrix.
Sexual Experiences among College Women: The Differential Effects of General versus Contextual Body Images on Sexuality

Women’s bodies are often objectified and evaluated, which may result in body dissatisfaction associated with sexual difficulties. This study of 384 college women confirmed that contextual body image during sex was more associated with a lower self-confidence to refuse sex, poorer sexual functioning, and reduced sexual assertiveness than general body dissatisfaction, and the level of contextual body image mediated the effect of body dissatisfaction. Moreover, greater contextual body image was associated with lower sexual self-efficacy, more ambivalence in sexual decision-making, and more emotional disengagement during sex with a partner, implying that contextual body image is a better predictor of women’s sexuality than general body image. Findings are discussed in relation to needed research and their implications for clinical interventions.
Alternative measures of rates of return: Some empirical evidence

Firm profitability is measured in most cases by an accounting rather than by the theoretically superior economic (or internal) rate of return. This paper explores the relationship between accounting and internal rates of return using COMPUSTAT data for 1013 large industrial firms over a 20-year period. The research was motivated by the controversy ongoing between scholars concerning the validity of the accounting rate of return as a proxy for economic profit. The method used in this paper is different from previous research in that cash flow profiles are estimated instead of being assumed. The results, while generally supporting the contention that accounting rates of return are poor proxies for underlying economic rates of return, also provide evidence that the distortions are not so great as to render them useless for performance measurement and managerial decision-making purposes.
On the effects of a constant sub-threshold conditioning stimulus upon the response to a constant current test stimulus

The strength of a test stimulus, which is just adequate to produce a response after a sub-threshold conditioning stimulus, is calculated on the basis of Rashevsky's two-factor theory as a function of the strength and duration of the conditioning stimulus. The results are compared with available data for one of a family of curves and found to be in satisfactory agreement.
Sperm shape abnormalities in mice exposed to californium-252 radiation.

SummaryMale mice of the B6C3F1 hybrid strain were whole-body irradiated with different doses of 252Cf/60Co. They were killed 35 days later and spermatozoa from cauda epididymides were stained with eosin-Y. The air-dried smears were examined under light microscope for sperm shape abnormalities. There was an increase in the frequency of abnormal sperm in all the treated groups compared to controls. The RBE for the mixed neutron and gamma radiation of 252Cf was 2·6. The RBE for the neutron component was 3·4. The increased frequency of abnormal sperm was associated with a concomitant decrease in testis weight in the irradiated animals.
1729 CORRELATION OF PNEDMOGRAM FINDINGS WITH CLINICAL APNEA/BRADYCARDIA

The pneumogram (PCG) has become a common test to evaluate clinical apnea/bradycardia (A/B) in infants. We compared 12 hour PCG results with evidence of A/B. Over an 11 month period, 305 PCGs were evaluated at RPSLMC, representing a heterogenous group of NICU patients, Near-Miss SIDS, and SIDS Sibs, both on and off theophylline. Individuals were often represented more than once. Patient charts were reviewed for evidence of A/B within 2-3 days of the PCG. Insufficient clinical data resulted in deletion of 88 PCGs, leaving 217 PCGs for analysis. Of the 65 PCGs coincident with A/B, 56 were abnormal. Of the 152 coincident with no A/B, 65 were abnormal. Individual parameters correlated as follows: Mean PB in those with A/B was 1.8% total sleep time and in those without was 1.7% (N.S.). Mean A6D in those with A/B was 0.92%, and in those without was 0.65% (p=0.05). In this population, we find: 1) most patients with clinical A/B have an abnormal PCG; 2) an abnormal PCG does not predict clinical A/B; 3) PB did not discriminate infants with clinical A/B.
Data quality inference

In the field of sensor networks, data integration and collaboration, and intelligence gathering efforts, information on the quality of data sources are important but are often not available. We describe a technique to rank data sources by observing and comparing their behavior (i.e., the data produced by data sources) to rank. Intuitively, our measure characterizes data sources that agree with accurate or high-quality data sources as likely accurate. Furthermore, our measure includes a temporal component that takes into account a data source's past accuracy in evaluating its current accuracy. Initial experimental results based on simulation data to support our hypothesis demonstrate high precision and recall on identifying the most accurate data sources.
Use of Extreme Programming Methodologies in IT Application Design Processes: An Empirical Analysis

An attempt to control and standardize new application software development has led a large telecommunications firm in the Southwest United States to create a centralized information technology department. Centralization, however, resulted in an increase in development and implementation cycles and a concomitant increase in software development costs, especially for small and medium-sized IT projects. Functional units within the firm, faced with uncertain and fast-changing business environments, responded to the increased development and implementation times by creating their own development teams, thus competing with the centralized department and thwarting the synergies realized from having a centralized IT department. Alternative development processes to the waterfall process currently in use by the firm were studied. Of the alternative processes, extreme programming was selected to be deployed in a phased approach. This paper examines the issues facing the company, the alternative software development processes considered, and the selection criteria. The paper will also examine the progress made to date in the deployment process.
Tromantadine inhibits a late step in herpes simplex virus type 1 replication and syncytium formation.

Abstract Addition of tromantadine after virus penetration inhibited HSV-1 induced syncytium formation and virus production in HEp-2 and VERO cells and acted additively with neutralizing antibody in blocking virus spread and cytopathology. Inhibition of syncytium formation in VERO cells infected with 0.01 pfu/cell of HSV-1 GC+ was observed at a concentration
The βγ subunits of G proteins gate a K+ channel by pivoted bending of a transmembrane segment

Abstract The molecular mechanism of ion channel gating remains unclear. Using approaches such as proline scanning mutagenesis and homology modeling, we localize the gate of the K + channels controlled by the βγ subunits of G proteins at the pore-lining bundle crossing of the second transmembrane (TM2) helices. We show that the flexibility afforded by a highly conserved glycine residue in the middle of TM2 is crucial for channel gating. In contrast, flexibility introduced immediately below the gate disrupts gating. We propose that the force produced by channel-Gβγ interactions is transduced through the rigid region below the helix bundle crossing to bend TM2 at the glycine that serves as a hinge and open the gate.
Group differences and first principal-component loadings in the Hawaii family study of cognition: a test of the generality of ‘Spearman's hypothesis’

The generality of Spearman's hypothesis that varying differences between whites and blacks on various tests of mental ability are correlated with their g-loadings was tested by analyzing group data from the Hawaii Family Study of Cognition. Data from the three largest ethnic groups tested in the Hawaii Study (Americans of Japanese, Chinese or European ancestry; total N = 5333) were subjected to a principal-component analysis and the first principal component was used as a measure of g. Ethnic group and generation (parent-offspring) differences on 15 tests of specific cognitive abilities were then correlated with their first principal-component loadings. In general, correlations between ethnic group differences and g-loadings are smaller than those recently reported for white-black differences by Jensen (1983); however, those between generation differences and g-loadings are larger. Ethnic group differences on first principal-component scores in the Hawaii Study are less than parent-offspring differences; thus, the correlation between group differences on tests of mental ability and their g-loadings may be a function of the magnitude of the group difference for general mental ability. Because a group difference on g requires group differences on tests which load on g, an observed group difference in general mental ability may necessarily result in a correlation between group differences on individual tests and their g-loadings.
Piezoelectric Microfiber Composite Actuators for Morphing Wings

Morphing wing technologies provide expanded functionality in piloted and robotic aircraft, extending particular vehicle mission parameters as well as increasing the role of aviation in both military and civilian applications. However, realizing control surfaces that do not void the benefits of morphing wings presents challenges that can be addressed with microfiber composite actuators (MFCs). We present two approaches for realizing control surfaces. In one approach, flap-like structures are formed by bonding MFCs to each side of a metal substrate. In the other approach, MFCs are bonded directly to the wing. Counter intuitively, the flap approach resulted in larger voltage actuation curvatures, with increased mass load. Actuation performance, defined as the ratio of curvature per applied voltage, was as large as (kV·mm)−1. The direct bonding approach reveals that at zero wing pressure, up to μm of displacement could be realized.
Educational utilization of plato in chemical reaction engineering

Abstract This article described a senior level course in Chemical Reaction Engineering created for computer-based delivery by the PLATO educational computer system. The course is completely self-paced and requires mastery learning. Students select from educational materials presented via a self-paced textbook, computer-based tutorials and computer-based problems. In additions, sophisticated numerical analysis capabilities allow students to efficiently solve advanced-level problems. Student progress is managed by the PLATO system which gives all testing and maintains all records. Several advantages of this type of course delivery are discussed with emphasis on the interactive computer graphics. This approach is shown to modify the traditional approaches to the solution of engineering problems.
In-situ observations on the distribution and behavior of amphipods and Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) under the sea ice of the High Arctic Canada Basin

The occurrence and behavior of sympagic amphipods and Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) were studied in the High Arctic Canada Basin by diving under the ice at seven stations in summer 2002. Still images of video-transects were used to obtain animal abundances and information on the structure of the ice environment. Mean amphipod abundances for the stations varied between 1 and 23 individuals m−2, with an increase towards the western part of the basin. The standard deviation within the 31–51 images analyzed per station was small (<1 individual m−2). Gammarus wilkitzkii was found in low abundances, often hiding in small ice gaps. Small amphipods (Onisimus spp., Apherusa glacialis, and juveniles of all species) tended to move freely along the bottom of the floes. B. saida occurred in narrow wedges of seawater along the edges of melting ice floes at three stations in water depths of 10–50 cm and was never found under the ice. The fish occurred in schools of 1–28 per wedge. Fish were inactive and did not escape the approaching diver. Resting in the wedges may be a strategy to reduce energetic requirements and avoid predators.