cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Father absence, parental care, and female reproductive development

Abstract This study examines female reproductive development from an evolutionary life history perspective. Retrospective data are for 10,847 U.S. women. Results indicate that timing of parental separation is associated with reproductive development and is not confounded with socioeconomic variables or phenotypic correlations with mothers' reproductive behavior. Divorce/separation between birth and 5 years predicted early menarche, first sexual intercourse, first pregnancy, and shorter duration of first marriage. Separation in adolescence was the strongest predictor of number of sex partners. Multiple changes in childhood caretaking environment were associated with early menarche, first sex, first pregnancy, greater number of sex partners, and shorter duration of marriage. Living with either the father or mother after separation had similar effect on reproductive development. Living with a stepfather showed a weak, but significant, association with reproductive development, however, duration of stepfather exposure was not a significant predictor of development. Difference in amount and quality of direct parental care (vs. indirect parental investment) in two- and single-parent households may be the primary factor linking family environment to reproductive development.
Spring distributions and relationships with land cover and hydrogeologic strata in a karst landscape in Winona County, Minnesota, USA

Karst aquifers are important groundwater resources, but are vulnerable to contamination due to relatively rapid subsurface transport. Springs, points where the landscape and water table intersect and cold groundwater discharges, link aquifer systems with land surfaces and water bodies. As such, in many regions, they are critical to the viability of lakes, streams and cold-water fish communities. An understanding of where springs are located is important to watershed, fishery and environmental management efforts in karst regions. To better understand spatial distribution of springs and as a potential method for identifying variables that characterize locations of springs for improved land and watershed management, a nearest-neighbor analysis and a discriminant function analysis (DFA) of springs were conducted in Winona County, Minnesota, USA, a karst landscape. Nearest-neighbor analysis examined the spatial spring distribution. Twenty-two variables describing the locations of springs were analyzed to ascertain their ability to discriminate correct aquifer unit or bedrock unit classification for each spring. Springs were clumped with the highest densities in the lowest elevations. Springs were correctly assigned to aquifer units and bedrock units with eight and 11 landscape variables, respectively. Forest land cover was the only land cover type contributing to spring discrimination. Consideration of upland human activities, particularly in forested areas, on spring discharge along with a better understanding of characteristics describing spring locations could lead to better management activities that locate and protect springs and their important contributions to regional ecohydrology.
A Radiobiological Probe for Simultaneous NMR Spectroscopy and192Ir Gamma Irradiation ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae

A novel nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy probe was designed and constructed for the study of transient metabolic changes in cellular systems during exposure to ionizing radiation. The probe incorporated a bioreactor, a radiation source, and a radiofrequency detection circuit tunable between 100 and 300 MHz forin vivoNMR spectroscopy of23Na,13C, and31P at 11.7 Tesla. The bioreactor system allowed perfusion, oxygenation, and temperature control of cultured cells during irradiation and while performing simultaneous spectroscopic experiments. The concentric design of the bioreactor allowed for the insertion of a192Ir gamma ray source (Eγ= 370 keV) to allow irradiation of the bioreactor system during the acquisition of NMR spectra. Initial results of31P spectra obtained during simultaneous gamma irradiation ofSaccharomyces cerevisiaeat approximately 8 Gy/hr show rapid decreases in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and polyphosphate at the onset of irradiation followed by a slow recovery of polyphosphate.
Alkaloids from Heimia salicifolia.

Abstract Two alkaloids, 9β,2′-dihydroxy-4′′,5′′-dimethoxy-lythran-12-one or 9β-hydroxyvertine ( 1 ) and (2 S ,4 S ,10 R )-4-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-quinolizidin-2-acetate ( 2 ), as well as seven known alkaloids, lythrine ( 3 ), dehydrodecodine ( 4 ), lythridine ( 5 ), vertine ( 6 ), heimidine ( 7 ), lyfoline ( 8 ) and epi-lyfoline ( 9 ), were isolated from Heimia salicifolia . The structures of these compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic techniques. Furthermore, the structures of 2 , 3 , and 6 were confirmed by X-ray crystallography, including absolute configuration determination of 2 and 6 . Compounds 6 and 9 showed moderate antimalarial activity.
Social isolation and perceived barriers to establishing social networks among Latina immigrants.

Research has identified numerous mechanisms through which perceived social isolation and lack of social support negatively impact health. Little research attention has been dedicated to factors that influence the development of social networks, which have the potential to decrease perceptions of social isolation and provide social support. There is mixed evidence concerning the availability of supportive social networks for Latinos in the US. This study explores trauma-exposed Latina immigrants’ experiences of social isolation in the US and its perceived causes. Twenty-eight Latina immigrant women participated in an interview about traumatic experiences. Informal help seeking and the availability of friendships in the US were also queried. Frequent comparisons between experiences in their home countries and in the US shaped the emerging themes of social isolation and lack of social support. Women reported feeling lonely, isolated, closed-in, and less free in the US due to family separation and various obstacles to developing and maintaining relationships. Socioeconomic, environmental, and psychosocial barriers were offered as explanations for their limited social networks in the US. Understanding experiences of social isolation as well as barriers to forging social networks can help inform the development of social support interventions that can contribute to improved health among Latinos.
Postwar Changes in the American Financial Markets

The object of this essay is to gain an overview of developments in theAmerican financial markets since World War II, with particular attention to changes that have occurred either between the prewar and post-war years or within the past several decades. Inevitably such an effort must be selective. The primary emphasis here is on the interaction between the financial markets and the nonfinancial economy, in the sense of the demands that the nonfinancial economy has placed on the financial markets and the ways in which the financial markets have responded to these demands. In addition, much of this essay focuses on the evolving role of government in the financial markets and on the changes that it has brought about. Questions pertaining to the internal organization of financial markets and financial institutions, and to financial innovations per se, are also important, but they will receive less attention here.
Reminiscences of a career in electrical engineering [From the Historian]

This personal history by Alan Love provides us with a deep insight into what people experienced in World War II, and the growth of technology since that time. I think it is interesting to note that Alan's introduction to our field came through his experiences in amateur radio. Indeed, many of our pioneers in the AP-S came down the same path. It is also interesting to note that Alan Love is another native Canadian who came to this country to work in his professon. He is a member of an illustrious group, which includess Jim Wait, Ed Jordan, George Sinclair, and others, who have added so much to our profession.
Long-Term Maintenance Following Habit Reversal and Adjunct Treatment for Trichotillomania.

ABSTRACT This study evaluated behavioral treatment for trichotillomania in an 11-year-old boy who pulled hair from his eyebrows and eyelashes. Simplified habit reversal consisting of awareness training, competing response training, and social support decreased the behavior but did not eliminate it. A number of adjunct treatments further decreased and subsequently eliminated the hair pulling. Treatment was evaluated with direct observation measures of the behavior and product measures that showed regrowth of the affected areas following treatment. The effects of treatment were maintained 18 months following treatment.
Detection of conserved and nonconserved epitopes on Coxsackievirus B4: frequency of antigenic change.

Abstract A sensitive microneutralization assay was used to detect antigenic variants of Coxsackievirus B4. Analysis of 47 clinical isolates with 16 monoclonal neutralizing antibodies revealed highly conserved, moderately conserved, and poorly conserved epitopes. Upon passage of Coxsackievirus B4 in tissue culture, certain epitopes disappeared and others appeared in the apparent absence of selective pressure. Changes in epitopes often exceeded a frequency of 10−2. Despite considerable variation in individual epitopes, the overall antigenic composition of Coxsackievirus B4, as measured by the capacity of hyperimmune serum to neutralize clinical isolates, remains fairly constant.
Characterization of the link protein from bovine epiphyseal plate

The link protein fraction of bovine epiphyseal plate cartilage was isolated using a method previously described by this laboratory. Amino acid analysis, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and in vitro proteoglycan aggregation studies gave results similar to those previously reported for bovine nasal and articular links. Immunodiffusion studies of epiphyseal plate and articular links showed that the two tissues have immunologically indistinguishable link fractions. As in other bovine cartilages, two main link proteins were identified, but the lower molecular weight protein was more prominent in epiphyseal than in nasal or articular cartilage.
Combination chemotherapy for invasive fungal infections: What laboratory and clinical studies tell us so far

Despite potential benefits, few objective clinical data (with the exception of cryptococcocal meningitis) are available supporting the routine use of combination antifungal regimens in patients with invasive mycoses, importantly aspergillosis or candidiasis. There is considerable debate on what constitutes synergy or antagonism in vitro and whether these laboratory findings are translated to beneficial interactions in patients. Given the lack of rigorous clinical data, a better understanding of the important concepts for the justification of the clinical and pharmacoeconomic threshold of antifungal therapy is needed. Such concepts include standardized methods for screening antifungal combinations in culture or in animals and collaborative efforts to collect clinical data on the efficacy and safety of combination regimens.
Inhalability of large solid particles

Abstract Large particles (10– 150 μm ) with systemic toxicity pose a health risk if inhaled regardless of where they deposit. This research seeks to better define particle inhalability, the fraction of airborne particles that are inhaled as a function of particle size. Measurements of inhalability were made for solid particles using a 1.6×1.6×5-m wind tunnel. Tunnel air velocities were 0.4, 1.0, and 1.6 m / s . A full-size, full-torso mannequin was used to collect dust entering either the mouth or nose for breathing at minute volumes of 14.2, 20.8, and 37.3 l . The mannequin either faced the oncoming wind or rotated slowly (0.06 rpm ) during sample collection. At the test section, air velocity was uniform to within 10% and aerosol concentration was uniform to within 15% over the central 80% of the cross section. Orientation-averaged inhalability for mouth breathing was higher than the inhalable particulate mass (IPM) sampling criterion for particles smaller than 35 μm and lower than the criterion for larger particles, leveling off at about 30% for particles >70 μm . Facing-the-wind mouth inhalability showed the same trend as the IPM sampling criterion, but the measured values were 25% higher. Wind velocity and breathing pattern had little effect on inhalability for the range of conditions examined here. Orientation-averaged inhalability for nose breathing dropped quickly with particle size reaching less than 10% at 60 μm . Facing-the-wind nose inhalability was slightly increased for particles smaller than 60 μm compared to orientation averaged inhalability for nose breathing.
The "a" Cipher Does not necessarily Strengthen Security.

Georgiou [4] proposed a method to strengthen ciphers based on a combination of an enciphering transformation and a multiplication. If the enciphering transformation is a homomorphism and the multiplication in the domain is used in the A cipher and the multiplication in the range is known to the cryptanalyst, his method does not strengthen the cipher at all.
Design considerations for CMOS near the limits of scaling

Abstract As MOSFETs reach the limits of scaling, a variety of physical and application-related constraints must be considered. This paper provides an overview of these constraints for conventional bulk-like MOSFET design, including two-dimensional effects due to short-channel length, tunneling currents through thin insulators and junctions, limitations on supply and threshold voltage reduction, dopant fluctuation effects, and overall system power dissipation requirements. We show that the end of scaling is different for different applications, depending especially on the leakage dissipation constraints.
Health monitoring of prestressing tendons in post-tensioned concrete structures

Currently 90% of bridges built in California are post-tensioned box-girder. In such structures the steel tendons are the main load-carrying components. The loss of prestress, as well as the presence of defects or the tendon breakage, can be catastrophic for the entire structure. Unfortunately, today there is no well-established method for the monitoring of prestressing (PS) tendons that can provide simultaneous information related to the presence of defects and the level of prestress in a continuous, real time manner. If such a monitoring system were available, considerable savings would be achieved in bridge maintenance since repairs would be implemented in a timely manner without traffic disruptions. This paper presents a health monitoring system for PS tendons in post-tensioned structures of interest to Caltrans. Such a system uses ultrasonic guided waves and embedded sensors to provide simultaneously and in real time, (a) measurements of the level of applied prestress, and (b) defect detection at early grow stages. The proposed PS measurement technique exploits the sensitivity of ultrasonic waves to the inter-wire contact developing in a multi-wire strand as a function of prestress level. In particular the nonlinear ultrasonic behavior of the tendon under changing levels of prestress is monitored by tracking higher-order harmonics at (nω) arising under a fundamental guided-wave excitation at (ω). Moreover this paper also present real-time damage detection and location in post-tensioned bridge joints using Acoustic Emission techniques. Experimental tests on large-scale single-tendon PT joint specimens, subjected to multiple load cycles, will be presented to validate the monitoring of PS loads (through nonlinear ultrasonic probing) and the monitoring of damage progression and location (through acoustic emission techniques). Issues and potential for the use of such techniques to monitor post-tensioned bridges in the field will be discussed.
Power-Aware Design Synthesis Techniques for Distributed Real-Time Systems

This paper presents an end-to-end synthesis technique for low-power distributed real-time system design. This technique synthesizes supply voltages of resources to optimize system-level power consumption while satisfying end-to-end hard real-time latency bounds. A system is modeled as a set of distributed task chains (or pipelines). Each task chain is given its own end-to-end constraints. Task chains may share resources. Our approach searches the space of the trade-off between end-to-end latency and supply voltages of resources to minimize system-level power consumption. A power optimization algorithm is proposed for simple distributed real-time systems that do not have any resource sharing between task chains, and its optimality is shown. For more general systems, a heuristic based on the same techniques is proposed.
Physiological Mechanisms of Onset Adaptation and Contralateral Suppression of DPOAEs in the Rat

An investigation was undertaken to measure medial olivocochlear (MOC) reflexes in anesthetized rats before and after sectioning of the middle-ear muscles. Distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) magnitude and phase temporal responses were measured ipsilaterally to study MOC-mediated “DPOAE onset adaptation” and in the presence of a contralateral noise to study MOC-mediated contralateral “suppression” (terms as used by previous researchers). Distortion product otoacoustic emission onset adaptation and contralateral suppression had predictable changes in direction of magnitude and phase that were dependent on the input–output function. After sectioning of the middle-ear muscles (MEMs), DPOAE onset adaptation and contralateral suppression were greatly reduced, and there were little, if any, changes in phase. These “residual” changes were interpreted as a result of the MOC reflex. The results suggest that what appears to be DPOAE onset adaptation and contralateral suppression can be mediated primarily by MEM reflexes. When studying MOC effects on otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) using acoustic stimulation, it is necessary to make recordings over a span of stimulus levels. In addition, looking at both magnitude and phase of the OAE may help separate what is due to the MOC reflex from MEM reflex.
Trucking Deregulation and Highway Safety – The Effect of the 1980 Motor Carrier Act

The relationship between deregulation in the trucking industry and highway safety is an important economic and social issue. Analyses thus far have concentrated on the relationship between the downward pressure imposed on freight rates by deregulation and total safety investment by firms. Two issues which have been ignored are the effects that deregulation had on route carriage restrictions and total firm mileage. We show that the inclusion of these factors yields a model in which the relationship between motor carrier deregulation and highway safety is dependent upon the relative effects of all three factors. Estimation of the model using accident data implies that trucking deregulation did not deteriorate highway safety and may have actually improved it.
William Ockham on the Scope and Limits of Consciousness

William Ockham (ca. 1287-1347) holds what nowadays would be characterized as a “higher-order perception” theory of consciousness. Historically speaking, one of the most persistent objections to this type of theory is the charge that it gives rise to an infinite regress in higher-order states. In this paper, I examine Ockham’s efforts to respond to the regress problem, focusing in particular on his attempts to restrict the scope of consciousness so as to avoid it. In his earlier writings, Ockham holds that we are conscious only of those states to which we explicitly attend. This view, I go on to argue, is inadequate on both phenomenological and philosophical grounds. Interestingly, and perhaps for this very reason, in later works, Ockham goes on to develop an alternative explanation for his account of the limited scope of consciousness.
Reliability of 4.6-μm quantum cascade lasers under continuous-wave room-temperature operation

We report the life test results for 9 4.6-µm planar buried heterostructure quantum cascade lasers made of strain-balanced GaInAs/AlInAs/InP materials grown by metal organic vapor-phase epitaxy. No facet coating was deposited, and the devices were mounted on CuW submounts using AuSn solder. The aging condition is continuous wave operation at a heat-sink temperature of 22 o C with a constant current of 0.85A, corresponding to current densities of 4.7 and 2.7 kA/cm 2 , for lasers with widths of 4 and 7 µm, respectively. All lasers survived 5000 h aging, and most devices showed improved performance during the first 1000 h of aging.
Bile acid transport: Lessons from the intestine

The transport of bile acid was studied in basolateral membrane vesicles isolated from rat small intestine. Taurocholate transport into an osmotically reactive intravesicular space was Na+ independent. The uptake of taurocholate in jejunal and ileal vesicles preloaded with sulfate was stimulated with respect to uptake in unpreloaded vesicles. Glycocholate inhibited the transstimulation of taurocholate uptake by sulfate. Sulfate and taurocholate uptake in ileal vesicles preloaded with bicarbonate was stimulated with respect to uptake in unpreloaded vesicles. Taurocholate inhibited the transstimulation of sulfate uptake by bicarbonate. When ileal vesicles were loaded with p-aminohippurate, an early transstimulation of taurocholate was found that exceeded equilibrium uptake, was insensitive to a K+ diffusion potential, and was cis-inhibited by taurocholate, glycocholate, pyruvate, p-aminohippurate, probenecid, chloride, sulfate, and bicarbonate. These data indicate the presence of an anion exchanger in intestinal basolateral membrane vesicles that may be involved in the exit of bile acids from the enterocyte.
Identifying Potential Regulators of Infantile Hemangioma Progression through Large-scale Expression Analysis: A Possible Role for the Immune System and Indoleamine 2,3 Dioxygenase (IDO) during Involution

Hemangiomas are benign endothelial tumors. Often referred to as hemangiomas of infancy (HOI), these tumors are the most common tumor of infancy. Most of these lesions proliferate rapidly in the first months of life, and subsequently slowly involute during early childhood without significant complications. However, they often develop on the head or neck, and may pose a significant cosmetic concern for families. In addition, a fraction of these tumors can grow explosively and ulcerate, bleed, or obstruct vision or airway structures. Current treatments for these tumors are associated with significant side effects, and our knowledge of the biology of hemangiomas is limited. The natural evolution of these lesions creates a unique opportunity to study the changes in gene expression that occur as the endothelium of these tumors proliferates and then subsequently regresses. Such information may also increase our understanding of the basic principals of angiogenesis in normal and abnormal tissue. We have performed...
BLOC-1, a Novel Complex Containing the Pallidin and Muted Proteins Involved in the Biogenesis of Melanosomes and Platelet-dense Granules

Abstract Recent studies have led to the identification of a group of genes required for normal biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles such as melanosomes and platelet-dense granules. Two of these genes, which are defective in the pallid and muted mutant mouse strains, encode small, coiled-coil-forming proteins that display no homology to each other or to any known protein. We report that these two proteins, pallidin and muted, are components of a novel protein complex. We raised antibodies that allow for detection of pallidin from a wide variety of mammalian cells. Endogenous pallidin was distributed in both soluble and peripheral membrane protein fractions. Size-exclusion chromatography and sedimentation velocity analyses indicated that the bulk of cytosolic pallidin is a component of an asymmetric protein complex with a molecular mass of ∼200 kDa. We named this complex BLOC-1 (for biogenesis oflysosome-related organelles complex 1). Steady-state pallidin protein levels were reduced in fibroblasts derived from muted and reduced pigmentation mice, suggesting that the genes defective in these two mutant strains could encode components of BLOC-1 that are required for pallidin stability. Co-immunoprecipitation and immunodepletion experiments using an antibody to muted confirmed that this protein is a subunit of BLOC-1. Yeast two-hybrid analyses revealed that pallidin is capable of self-association through a region that contains its two coiled-coil forming domains. Unlike AP-3-deficient pearl fibroblasts, which display defects in intracellular zinc storage, zinc distribution was not noticeably affected in pallid or muted fibroblasts. Interestingly, immunofluorescence and in vitro binding experiments demonstrated that pallidin/BLOC-1 is able to associate with actin filaments. We propose that BLOC-1 mediates the biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles by a mechanism that may involve self-assembly and interaction with the actin cytoskeleton.
Removal of Oil, Grease, and Suspended Solids From Produced Water With Ceramic Crossflow Microfiltration

In this paper results of studies of two onshore and two offshore pilot plants that use ceramic crossflow microfiltration (CCFM) to separate oil, grease, and suspended solids from produced water are discussed. The method is capable of producing permeate quality with {lt} =5 mg/L (detection limit) of dispersed oil and grease and {lt}1 mg/L of suspended solids.
Indications for Early Thoracotomy in the Management of Chest Trauma

Trauma to the thorax represents a significant portion of injuries seen in an inner-city emergency room. Although most of these patients may be successfully managed without thoracotomy, a certain percentage require operative intervention either immediately or within several hours. The records of more than 380 patients with major chest trauma seen in recent years have been reviewed. Three hundred twenty-one of these patients (84%) required only good supportive measures such as correction of hypovolemia, temporary ventilatory support, tube thoracostomy, and careful observation. Forty-four additional patients (12%) required immediate operation following preliminary resuscitative treatment. Indications included hemorrhage, cardiac tamponade, injury to a great vessel, and rupture of the diaphragm. There were 10 deaths in this group. In 15 other individuals (4%) delayed operation was undertaken following careful reappraisal of initial injuries by continued examination, monitoring of vital signs, and appropriate roentgenographic and laboratory studies. Indications for delayed operation included continued or recurrent bleeding, widening of the mediastinum, hemoptysis, and recurrent hemothorax. There was only 1 death in this group. Thus, although it may be clear which patients require immediate operation, only careful and continuous monitoring can identify those who initially appear to be in stable condition but eventually will require exploration.
An Experiment Comparing HBSE Graduate Social Work Classes: Face-to-Face and at a Distance.

This article describes a quasi‐experimental comparison of two master's level social work classes delivering content on human behavior in the social environment. One class, delivered face‐to‐face, was largely synchronous. The other class, delivered using distance technologies, was more asynchronous than the first. The authors hypothesized that students would learn equally well in both classes, and did not reject that hypothesis. That was so even after accounting for strong explanation of achievement by grade point average adjusted for grade inflation. Though this study indicates that the distance education studied was apparently successful, the findings may not be highly generalizable, and the authors suggest that future studies need to look at achievement in various settings and curricular areas while carefully measuring and accounting for extraneous variables.
Effect of Microwave Radiation on Birds

MUCH has been written over the past years on the effect of microwave radiation on body tissues and animals, but most of the experiments reported have been concerned with the production of heat and its associated behavioural and physiological effects1–4. There are very few references to ‘athermal’ effects such as muscular disturbances5 and disorientation—phenomena which have not attracted the scientific attention that they merit. In fact, there appears to have evolved a body of opinion dismissing the existence of any effect other than a thermal one on the pretext stated in one report4 that the photon energy in the frequency band of microwave radiation is insufficient by several orders of magnitude to produce ionization. Apparently no consideration has been given to the effect of induced electrical currents on the activity of the nervous system of an animal. Animal tissues absorb microwave radiation diffusely and since such tissues contain membrane interfaces which are semi-conducting, polarization can occur. If the microwave radiation is in pulsed form, the induced electrical currents will be modulated at the frequency of pulse repetition. It has been demonstrated experimentally that nerve conduction characteristics undergo a profound change when the nerve is subjected to a.c. excitation6. Therefore, it is to be expected that microwave radiation would have an effect on the nervous system of an animal depending on the depth of penetration.
A new general sufficient condition for almost sure stability of jump linear systems

In this paper, we study the almost sure stability of discrete time jump linear systems with a finite-state Markov-form process. A general condition for almost sure stability, which is a necessary and sufficient condition for (scalar) one-dimensional systems, is derived. Many simpler testable sufficient conditions for almost sure stability are derived from this sufficient condition.
Absence of γ-Interferon–inducible Lysosomal Thiol Reductase in Melanomas Disrupts T Cell Recognition of Select Immunodominant Epitopes

Long-lasting tumor immunity requires functional mobilization of CD8+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes. CD4+ T cell activation is enhanced by presentation of shed tumor antigens by professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs), coupled with display of similar antigenic epitopes by major histocompatibility complex class II on malignant cells. APCs readily processed and presented several self-antigens, yet T cell responses to these proteins were absent or reduced in the context of class II+ melanomas. T cell recognition of select exogenous and endogenous epitopes was dependent on tumor cell expression of γ-interferon–inducible lysosomal thiol reductase (GILT). The absence of GILT in melanomas altered antigen processing and the hierarchy of immunodominant epitope presentation. Mass spectral analysis also revealed GILT's ability to reduce cysteinylated epitopes. Such disparities in the profile of antigenic epitopes displayed by tumors and bystander APCs may contribute to tumor cell survival in the face of immunological defenses.
Clinical Experience with Spironolactone in Pediatrics

BACKGROUND:In 2003, the Food and Drug Administration placed spironolactone on its list of drugs needing pediatric studies.OBJECTIVE:To describe the use of spironolactone in a large group of children and evaluate its safety, focusing on its effects on potassium.METHODS:A prospective observational study was conducted. Patient demographic information was collected, as well as dosing regimens, use of other medications, and potassium concentrations. Patients were grouped by diagnosis. Comparisons were made with unpaired t-tests.RESULTS:One hundred consecutive patients were evaluated. The average age was 20.8 months and weight was 9.5 kg. Sixty-two patients had heart disease (HD), 29 had chronic lung disease (CLD), and 9 had other conditions. The initial dose was 1.8 ± 0.7 mg/kg/day. Patients with CLD received a higher dose than those with HD (2 ± 0.8 vs 1.7 ± 0.5 mg/kg/day; p = 0.04). Sixty-six patients received furosemide and 37 received thiazides (12 received both). The average potassium concentration after ...
Identification and implications of transgraft microleaks after endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this report is to describe an interesting cause of endoleak and detail-specific techniques for identifying small transgraft defects, which we have termed microleaks . Methods: Four patients underwent endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms with modular nitinol/polyester endoprostheses and were studied after 6 to 30 months. All patients were enrolled in standard follow-up radiographic surveillance protocols. Results: Three of the four abdominal aortic aneurysms continued to expand after endograft repair. Standard computed tomography imaging with precontrast, dynamic contrast, and delayed imaging frequently identifies endoleak, although it fails to precisely identify microleaks as the source. Color flow duplex ultrasound scan was performed on three patients and perigraft "jets," small areas of color flow adjacent to the endograft, were identified in all. Microleaks were identified in one patient who underwent digital subtraction arteriography with directed efforts to completely opacify the prosthesis lumen and multiple oblique projections. In another patient, contrast arteriography with balloon occlusion of the distal endograft clearly depicted midgraft microleaks that might otherwise be mistaken for graft porosity or cuff junction endoleaks. No microleaks were diagnosed on angiograms when these directed efforts were not performed. Aneurysm exploration before aortic clamping provided conclusive determination of the presence of blood flow through the wall of the endoprosthesis in two patients. Conclusions: Microleaks occur up to 2.5 years after endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms. Although computed tomography demonstrates the presence of an endoleak in these patients, the exact site of origin usually remains obscure. Doppler ultrasound scan and directed arteriography appear to be of greater utility for identifying the presence and location of microleaks. Balloon occlusion arteriography and aneurysm exploration without arterial clamping provide definitive evidence of microleaks. Although the clinical significance of microleaks remains unclear, long-term monitoring of patients is imperative to diagnose and treat these and other modes of endograft failure before they progress to aneurysm rupture. (J Vasc Surg 2001;34:190-7.)
On the Toyota's Throttle Control Problem

This work tackles two research threads. The first thread evaluates the use of conventional design versus electronic engine control by applying real-time control theory. The second thread, which will be explored in a longer version of this paper, presents a formal method that determines if the system matches the specifications.
Oxygen gradients in alcohol-induced liver injury

Alcoholism is a major health problem and one of its primary manifestations is alcoholic liver disease. The mechanisms responsible for the various forms of alcoholic liver disease - fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis - are at present poorly understood. Knowledge of these mechanisms is needed in order to provide a sound framework for the therapy and prevention of liver disease due to alcohol and for the identification of those individuals most susceptible to develop liver disease from alcohol abuse.
Getting it right by getting it wrong: When learners change languages

When natural language input contains grammatical forms that are used probabilistically and inconsistently, learners will sometimes reproduce the inconsistencies; but sometimes they will instead regularize the use of these forms, introducing consistency in the language that was not present in the input. In this paper we ask what produces such regularization. We conducted three artificial language experiments, varying the use of determiners in the types of inconsistency with which they are used, and also comparing adult and child learners. In Experiment 1 we presented adult learners with scattered inconsistency – the use of multiple determiners varying in frequency in the same context – and found that adults will reproduce these inconsistencies at low levels of scatter, but at very high levels of scatter will regularize the determiner system, producing the most frequent determiner form almost all the time. In Experiment 2 we showed that this is not merely the result of frequency: when determiners are used with low frequencies but in consistent contexts, adults will learn all of the determiners veridically. In Experiment 3 we compared adult and child learners, finding that children will almost always regularize inconsistent forms, whereas adult learners will only regularize the most complex inconsistencies. Taken together, these results suggest that regularization processes in natural language learning, such as those seen in the acquisition of language from non-native speakers or in the formation of young languages, may depend crucially on the nature of language learning by young children.
LAM: A landscape matching algorithm for respiratory data alignment

Respiratory waveforms and their derived respiratory rate time-series data can become misaligned from each other when they are collected by vital signs monitors under sub-optimal field conditions. The monitor-provided waveforms and rates can be re-aligned by independently calculating respiratory rates from the waveforms and then aligning them with the monitor-provided rates. However, substantially different rates may be generated from the same waveform due to the presence of ambiguous breaths at noisy positions in the waveform. This paper reports a landscape matching (LAM) algorithm to align respiratory rate time-series data with the waveform that they are derived from by using rates that are calculated by different means. The algorithm exploits the intermittent matches between two respiratory rate time series to generate a matching score for an alignment. The best alignment exhibits the highest matching score. The alignment performance of the LAM algorithm is compared to that of a correlation matching (CM) algorithm using field-collected respiratory data. Alignment performance is evaluated by: (1) comparing the ability of the two algorithms to return a shifted waveform to its original, known position; and (2) comparing the percent of points that match between the monitor-provided and calculated respiratory rate time-series data after re-alignment. The LAM alignment algorithm outperforms the CM algorithm in both comparisons at a statistically significant level (p<0.05). Out of 67 samples with shifted time-series data, on average, the LAM aligns respiratory rates within 44 seconds of the original position, which is significantly better the CM-calculated alignment (136 seconds). Out of 465 samples, the LAM performs better, worse, and equal to the CM algorithm in percentage of points matching in 73%, 11%, and 16% of the cases, respectively. This robust alignment algorithm supports the use of reliable post-hoc monitor-provided respiratory rates for data mining purposes.
Excluding Institutions for Mental Diseases From Federal Reimbursementfor Services: Strategy or Tragedy?

A key component in the dehospitalization of persons with chronic mental illnesses and their translocation to a wide range of settings has been the shift from state to federal funding encouraged by the Social Security Administration's restrictions on funding for institutions for mental diseases (IMDs), usually referred to as the IMD exclusion. The overall effect of the exclusion, which limits federal funding for mentally ill patients receiving care in many settings, including state psychiatric hospitals, has been to create incentives for states to move patients out of state hospitals, which has contributed to homelessness and inappropriate incarceration. The author traces the background and development of the IMD exclusion, starting with the federal government's actions in the 1840s ensuring that the states, not the federal government, would continue to fund care for their seriously mentally ill citizens. He also analyzes Congress' many missed opportunities to pass legislation that would have modified, or ...
Modern analog IC characterization techniques

The integrated circuit technology used in very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuit fabrication of digital circuits has been employed to realize purely analog circuits or mixed signal (digital and analog) circuits. In contrast to the digital counterpart, high precision analog circuit performance is strongly dependent on the accuracy of the element matching. Typical elements that are used in analog CMOS design are PMOS/NMOS transistors, MOS capacitors and resistors. Therefore, the characterization and modeling of these elements are of paritcular importance for CMOS analog circuit design. The basic characterization techniques are covered in other publications such as [1], [2] and [3]. This chapter discusses a number of characterization techniques which address the special concerns of analog circuit designers such as transistor matching, resistance matching and base spreading resistance extraction for BJT.
What Do Children Want to Know About Animals and Artifacts? Domain-Specific Requests for Information

Children's questions may reveal a great deal about the characteristics of objects they consider to be conceptually important. Thirty-two preschool children were given opportunities to ask questions about unfamiliar artifacts and animals. The children asked ambiguous questions such as "What is it?" about artifacts and animals alike. However, they were more likely to ask about the functions of artifacts, but about category membership, food choices, and typical locations of animals. They never asked questions about either artifacts or animals that would be considered inappropriate by adults. The results indicate that children hold different expectations about the types of information important for categorizing living and artifact kinds. Young children conceive of artifacts in terms of functions, but conceive of animals in terms of biologically appropriate characteristics. Such results speak to debates about the role of function in children's biological reasoning and to accounts of children's artifact concepts.
Temporal and spatial characteristics of coastal rainfall anomalies in Papua New Guinea and their relationship to the Southern Oscillation

Thirty-year rainfall records for seven coastal locations in Papua New Guinea were analysed to assess the spatial and temporal characteristics of rainfall anomalies and the general response of coastal rainfall to the Southern Oscillation (SO). Spatial and temporal variability of rainfall anomalies are a distinct feature of the coastal locations analysed. Despite the spatial variability of rainfall anomaly behaviour, an all Papua New Guinea rainfall anomaly index shows significant concurrent and lag inverse associations with the Southern Oscillation Index of Wright. Anomalously high (low) pressure in the Papua New Guinea region leads to low (high) rainfall in the concurrent and ensuing season. Rainfall anomaly periodicities of 7–8 years lie within the time-scale of 2–10 years for ENSO events, but individual locations demonstrate a variable response to ENSO events. Study results fill an important geographical gap in the understanding of the spatial and temporal characteristics of rainfall variability in the western tropical Pacific.
A calibrated agent-based computer model of stochastic cell dynamics in normal human colon crypts useful for in silico experiments

Normal colon crypts consist of stem cells, proliferating cells, and differentiated cells. Abnormal rates of proliferation and differentiation can initiate colon cancer. We have measured the variation in the number of each of these cell types in multiple crypts in normal human biopsy specimens. This has provided the opportunity to produce a calibrated computational model that simulates cell dynamics in normal human crypts, and by changing model parameter values, to simulate the initiation and treatment of colon cancer. An agent-based model of stochastic cell dynamics in human colon crypts was developed in the multi-platform open-source application NetLogo. It was assumed that each cell’s probability of proliferation and probability of death is determined by its position in two gradients along the crypt axis, a divide gradient and in a die gradient. A cell’s type is not intrinsic, but rather is determined by its position in the divide gradient. Cell types are dynamic, plastic, and inter-convertible. Parameter values were determined for the shape of each of the gradients, and for a cell’s response to the gradients. This was done by parameter sweeps that indicated the values that reproduced the measured number and variation of each cell type, and produced quasi-stationary stochastic dynamics. The behavior of the model was verified by its ability to reproduce the experimentally observed monocolonal conversion by neutral drift, the formation of adenomas resulting from mutations either at the top or bottom of the crypt, and by the robust ability of crypts to recover from perturbation by cytotoxic agents. One use of the virtual crypt model was demonstrated by evaluating different cancer chemotherapy and radiation scheduling protocols. A virtual crypt has been developed that simulates the quasi-stationary stochastic cell dynamics of normal human colon crypts. It is unique in that it has been calibrated with measurements of human biopsy specimens, and it can simulate the variation of cell types in addition to the average number of each cell type. The utility of the model was demonstrated with in silico experiments that evaluated cancer therapy protocols. The model is available for others to conduct additional experiments.
Molecular characterization reveals distinct genospecies of Anaplasma phagocytophilum from diverse North American hosts.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an emerging tick-borne pathogen that infects humans, domestic animals and wildlife throughout the Holarctic. In the far-western United States, multiple rodent species have been implicated as natural reservoirs for A. phagocytophilum. However, the presence of multiple A. phagocytophilum strains has made it difficult to determine which reservoir hosts pose the greatest risk to humans and domestic animals. Here we characterized three genetic markers (23S–5S rRNA intergenic spacer, ank and groESL) from 73 real-time TaqMan PCR-positive A. phagocytophilum strains infecting multiple rodent and reptile species, as well as a dog and a horse, from California. Bayesian and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analyses of all three genetic markers consistently identified two major clades, one of which consisted of A. phagocytophilum strains infecting woodrats and the other consisting of strains infecting sciurids (chipmunks and squirrels) as well as the dog and horse strains. In addition, analysis of the 23S–5S rRNA spacer region identified two unique and highly dissimilar clades of A. phagocytophilum strains infecting several lizard species. Our findings indicate that multiple unique strains of A. phagocytophilum with distinct host tropisms exist in California. Future epidemiological studies evaluating human and domestic animal risk should incorporate these distinctions.
Stability study of parallel predictor-corrector numerical integration algorithms and redesign

The stability regions for PPC (parallel predictor-corrector) type algorithms are studied. An analysis of the relationship between stability and accuracy shows that for the PECE mode, the order of the predictor does not have to be equal to that of the corrector as suggested in the development of sequential algorithms. The results suggest a different way to develop the numerical integration algorithm. >