cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endovascular Stroke Therapy Results Improve over Time: The ‘Learning Curve' at a New Comprehensive Stoke Center

Background: The requirements for a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) include the capability to perform endovascular stroke therapy (EST). EST is a complex process requiring early identification of appropriate patients and effective delivery of intervention. In order to provide prompt intervention for stroke, CSCs have been established away from large academic centers in community-based hospitals. We hypothesized that quantifiable improvements would occur during the first 2 years of a community-based CSC as the processes and personnel evolved. We report the results over time of EST at a new community-based CSC. Methods: We have retrospectively analyzed demographic data and outcome metrics of EST from the initiation phase of a new community-based CSC. Data was divided into year 1 and year 2. Statistical analysis (Student’s t test and Fisher’s exact test) was performed to compare the patient population and outcomes across the two time periods. Outcome variables included the thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) score, a change in the NIH stroke scale score and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to statistically analyze the relationship between population variables and outcome. Computed tomography (CT) angiography and CT perfusion analysis were used to select patients for EST. Approximately half of the patients undergoing EST were excluded from receiving intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV rt-PA) by standard criteria, while the other half showed no sign of improvement following 1 h of IV rt-PA treatment. Mechanical thrombolysis with a stentriever was performed in the majority of cases with or without intra-arterial medication. The majority of treated occlusions were in the middle cerebral artery. Results: A total of 18 patients underwent EST during year 1 and year 2. A statistically significant increase in good
In situ observation of whiskers, pyramids and pits during the high-temperature oxidation of metals

A hot-stage, environmental scanning electron microscope has been used to observe the in situ development of oxide whiskers, pyramids, and pits in the oxidation of copper and nickel at elevated temperatures. The effects of oxidation temperature, metal deformation, and the presence of water vapor on these irregular oxidation features were studied. In each case, the feature results from the presence of a central screw dislocation which provides ledges for the extension of the oxide lattice, but the specific geometries are decided by factors such as surface diffusion along the dislocation core, the rate of the molecular dissociation step, and the balance of surface energy and dislocation line tension forces.
MOLECULAR CHANGES IN THE ACTIVATION OF PLASMINOGEN. I. THE RELEASE OF PEPTIDE FRAGMENTS.

Abstract During the activation of human plasminogen by streptokinase (a peptide peptidohydrolase), an acid-soluble fraction is liberated, and its can be collected when the plasmin (EC 3.4.4.14) is precipitated from solution. The total acid-soluble fraction has bee measured as 35–40% of the original preparation of plasminogen. Since this fraction was only partly dialyzablem a peptide portion could be prepared, consisting of the material retained by the dialysis membrane, and containing approximately two-thirds of the acid-soluble fraction. This peptide preparation represented about 25% of the initial protein. The liberated peptide has been named plasminopeptide, and shown to be a mixture of three major components, designated A, B, and C, in decreasing order of electrophoretic mobility at pH 2.0. These plasminopeptides have essentially the same sedimentation coefficient, namely 1.45 S, when corrected to standard conditions and to infinite dilution. Their eletrophoretic mobilities at pH 2.0 are, approx. 6.0·10−5, 4.0·10−5, and 2.0·10−5 cm2 V−1 sec−1. They can be readily separated on columns of Dowex resin, although 0.1 N NaOH is required to elute one of the components.
Assessing the accuracy of computer color matching with a new dental porcelain shade system.

Statement of problem In a previous study, a novel computer color matching system for dental ceramic restoration was developed, and 21 new shades were established. Theoretically, a natural tooth color can be accurately reproduced by combining 2 or 3 ceramic mixtures from the database of 21 new shades. Purpose The purpose of this study was to test the use of these shades in conjunction with the computer color matching system to determine their ability to accurately reproduce the body color of 29 shade tabs from a shade guide (VITAPAN 3D-Master). Material and methods Disks of 21 reference shades were prepared with porcelain (Cerabien CZR) and polished to 1.0 mm thickness. A spectrophotometer was used to measure the reflectance values from 380 to 780 nm for each disk; the scattering coefficient and absorption coefficient were determined. By using the reflectance values and the scattering and absorption coefficients, the computer color matching program generated porcelain prescriptions incorporating proportions from the 21 reference shades to reproduce the shade tabs. Disks were fabricated from the prescriptions, polished to 1.0 mm thickness, then placed over a zirconia core plate and measured with the spectrophotometer. The color differences (ΔE*) between the shade tabs and the corresponding ceramic disks were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed with the 1-sample t test. Results The ΔE* values between computer color matching specimens and the target shade tabs varied from 0.5 to 1.9, with an average ΔE* of 1.3, which was significantly less than the clinically detectable ΔE* threshold of 1.6 ( P Conclusions The computer color matching system with the established 21 new shades is accurate and effective for reproducing tooth shades.
Neurochemistry and Neuroendocrinology of Schizophrenia: A Selective Review

Neurochemical investigation has played a major role in the search for the cause of schizophrenia. Initial research strategies involved the direct measurement of neurochemical substances in biological fluids. Subsequently, indirect measures of brain biochemistry including pituitary hormones and responses to pharmacologic probes were examined. Recent advances in in vivo functional neuroimaging, biochemical neuropathology, and molecular genetics have extended the scope of clinical neurochemical studies. The historical emphasis on the dopamine neurotransmitter system has subsided in the wake of the demonstrated limitations of the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia and increased evidence for the role of other neurotransmitters in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia as well as their interactions with dopamine neural systems. The neurotransmitters that have come under increasing scrutiny include serotonin, norepinephrine, glutamate, and related excitatory amino acids, and the neuropeptides cholecystokinin and neurotensin. In this article, the authors reviewed significant recently published neurochemical and neuroendocrine studies of schizophrenia in the context of previous work and found an extensive but fragmentary body of data which provides neither consistent nor conclusive evidence for any specific etiologic theory. Aspects of the disease and methodological limitations that may account for this as well as future research strategies are discussed.
trans-2-Aminocyclohexanol as a pH-sensitive conformational switch in lipid amphiphiles

Protonation-induced conformational change of lipid tails is reported as a novel strategy to render pH-sensitive lipid amphiphiles and lipid colloids.
Repair of the external granular layer after postnatal treatment with 5-fluorodeoxyuridine.

Repair of the external granular layer, damaged by prenatal treatment with methylazoxymethanol, has in previous experiments been shown to be successful; by postnatal day 20 little difference in cerebellar architecture could be detected between treated and control animals. In the present experiments repair of the external granular layer was studied after postnatal treatment with 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdR), a drug known to interfere with DNA synthesis. Two-day-old mice were injected with various doses of this compound and sacrificed at successive time intervals after treatment. A striking difference in response to the treatment was noted between the anterior, intermediate and posterior lobes of the cerebellum. In the anterior lobes 5-FUdR caused almost complete destruction of the external granular layer and few if any surviving cells were noted. During subsequent days repair of the layer was minimal and a grossly abnormal cytoarchitecture resulted. The Purkinje cells were dispersed throughout the molecular layer and the (internal) granular layer contained only a few cells. In the posterior lobes (particularly in the uvula) 5-FUdR destroyed many external granular cells but the surviving cells reconstituted a new layer and the normal architecture was temporarily reestablished. Many cells of this new layer migrated centrally to become neurons, but others stopped in their migration halfway through the molecular zone, forming a heterotopic granule cell layer. In the intermediate lobes a thin molecular layer was present, but the Purkinje cells were widely dispersed and separated from each other by light and dark nucleated cells. It is thus concluded that repair of the external granular layer after postnatal damage is minimal in the anterior lobes and most advanced in the posterior lobes; in the intermediate lobes repair was seen but the cytoarchitecture was abnormal.
The distribution, excretion and metabolism of benzquinamide

Abstract Benzquinamide, a new benzoquinolizine psychotherapeutic agent, is rapidly absorbed after oral administration to man, dog, and rat. The drug is rapidly distributed throughout the tissues of experimental animals, but in spite of its high lipid:water partition ratio, it is not concentrated in adipose tissue. In the dog, benzquinamide is removed from plasma with a half-life of 30–40 min, chiefly by metabolism in the liver and, to a minor extent (2%–10%), by renal excretion. The principal metabolic reaction in the dog and man is N-dealkylation, the major urinary metabolite being N-deethylbenzquinamide (VI). Ten other metabolites, products of N-dealkylation, O-demethylation and, to a much lesser extent, deacetylation, have been identified. The metabolites are excreted, both in the urine and in the bile, from which the more polar metabolites are not reabsorbed and are excreted in the feces.
Redes neurais artificiais na classificação de frutos: cenário bidimensional

Inumeras sao as atividades agricolas que necessitam de interacao humana nos processos decisorios, e entre elas encontra-se a classificacao de frutos. O consumo de frutos "in natura" exige altissimo nivel de qualidade, demandando um processo classificatorio mais acurado. A classificacao de frutos depende do reconhecimento de padroes natural ou artificial, de acordo com algumas categorias pre-definidas. Uma vez que um padrao de um fruto esta sendo classificado, esse deve ser comparado com algum outro padrao armazenado. A maior parte da classificacao de frutos e baseada na classificacao humana.Este trabalho apresenta a possibilidade de uso de redes neurais artificiais no desenvolvimento de modelos de classificacao de frutos por meio de vetores de padroes. Este trabalho foi desenvolvido no Departamento de Maquinas Agricolas da Faculdade de Engenharia Agricola da Universidade Estadual de Campinas, as redes neurais armazenaram os vetores de padroes de frutos peso, diâmetro. Esses componentes vetoriais associados entre si interagiram, determinando um vetor padrao de saida de acordo com os padroes de frutos armazenados. Para atingir esses objetivos, foi usada uma rede Perceptron de multiplas camadas, com algoritmo de treinamento tipo retro-propagacao para armazenar os vetores de padroes de frutos e para classificacao desses padroes de entrada. A rede treinada conseguiu aprender a relacao entre vetores de entrada e saida, demonstrando a potencialidade do uso de tais ferramentas na classificacao artificial.
The Production of Comforting Messages: Social-Cognitive Foundations:

Prior empirical research has documented the existence of significant individual differences in the quality of the comforting strategies people produce: some people typically produce relatively insensitive, unresponsive comforting strategies while other people produce highly empathic and sensitive comforting strategies. This paper describes the nature and significance of comforting behaviour, discusses methods employed in the study of comforting, and reviews literature regarding the role of social-cognitive processes in the production of sensitive comforting strategies. Two distinct explanations for the relationship between social cognition and sensitive comforting are discussed: the role-taking account and the goal complexity account. These accounts are compared critically and directions for future research are outlined.
Emerging evidence indicates that physiologically relevant thermal stress regulates dendritic cell function

Elevations in temperature that are associated with inflammation or fever have been linked to improved survival from infections, enhanced immunological functions, and increased control of tumor growth. Over the past few years, several groups have begun to explore the possible linkage among these observations and have tested the hypothesis that various immune cells are especially sensitive to thermal stimulation. However, relatively little is known regarding the effects of thermal stimulation on antigen presenting cells (APCs), such as dendritic cells (DCs). Very recently, several groups have begun to examine the ability of thermal stimuli to regulate the function of these cells which are known to play a pivotal role in the efficacy of vaccines and other immunotherapies. In this review, we summarize what has been discovered about the role of mild thermal stress in regulating various Dendritic cell (DC) activities. Excitingly, it appears that mild elevations of temperature have the potential to enhance antigen uptake, activation associated migration, maturation, cytokine expression and T cell stimulatory activity of DCs. While these studies reveal that the timing, temperature and duration of heating is important, they also set the stage for essential questions that now need to be investigated regarding the molecular mechanisms by which elevated temperatures regulate DC function. With this information, we may soon be able to maximize the strategic use of thermal therapy as an adjuvant, i.e., combining its use with cancer immunotherapies such as vaccines, which depend upon the function of DCs. Several possible strategies and timepoints involving the clinical application of hyperthermia in combination with immunotherapy are presented.
Effects of ritanserin on ethanol withdrawal-induced anxiety in rats

This study investigated the ability of ritanserin, a 5-HT2 antagonist, to modify ethanol withdrawal (EW) symptoms in two animal models of anxiety: the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and the pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) discrimination assay. Long–Evans hooded rats were given a nutritionally balanced liquid diet containing 4.5% ethanol for 10 days. Twelve hours after removal of the ethanol diet, rats were tested in the EPM. A significant reduction in the open-arm activity and the number of total arm entries was observed, which is indicative of EW. Acute ritanserin (0.16–0.64 mg/kg, i.p., 60 min) had no effect on EW-induced anxiety-like behavior on the EPM. Ritanserin (0.08–0.64 mg/kg, i.p., b.i.d. 12 h) administered concurrently with the last 5 days of ethanol diet produced an increase in the time spent on the open arms of the EPM and reversed the EW-induced reduction in total arm entries. Rats trained to discriminate between saline and PTZ (an anxiogenic drug), selected the PTZ lever during EW. Chronic ritanserin (0.32 mg/kg, i.p., b.i.d.) did not block PTZ lever responding during EW. On the rotorod, ritanserin (0.32 mg/kg, i.p.) increased the motor incoordination induced by ethanol. In conclusion, coadministration of ritanserin with ethanol prevented the development of EW-induced anxiety as measured by the EPM, but not in the PTZ drug discrimination.
Diagnostic controversy: the diagnosis of childhood growth hormone deficiency revisited.

Department of Pediatrics (R.G.R., S.L., L.L.), Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon 97201; the Department of Pediatrics, University of Gothenburg (K,A. W.), Gothenburg, Sweden; the Department of Pediatrics, University of Chile (F.C.), Santiago, Chile; Department of Pediatrics, University of California (Olive View Medical Center) (S.D.F.), Sylmar, California 91342; Department of Pediatrics, UCLA (B.L.), Los Angles, California 90024; Tokyo Metropolitan Kiyose Children’s Hospital (Y.H.), Tokyo, Japan; the Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University (R.L.H.), Stanford, California 94305; the Department of Medicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center (S.M.), Los Angeles, California 90048; the Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Child Health (M.A.P.), London, United Kingdom; the Department of Pediatrics, Universitat Tubingen (M.B.R.), Tubingen, Germany; the Department of Pediatrics, Baystate Medical Center (E.O.R.), Springfield, Massachusetts 01199; the Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center (A.D.R.), Charlottesville, Virginia 22908; the Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina (L.E. U.), Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599; and Royal Childrenjs Hospital (G.A. W.), Melbourne, Australia
Organization of ocular dominance in tree shrew striate cortex.

Summary Anatomical studies of tree shrew striate cortex have shown that inputs from lateral geniculate laminae representing each eye terminate in continuous, horizontal strips in layer IV rather than in vertical columns as in the macaque monkey. We examined the functional consequences of this organization in area 17 using single-unit recording techniques. As predicted by the anatomy, ocular dominance columns were absent in the tree shrew. In addition, preliminary results have shown that a well-organized vertical system for optimal stimulus orientation is present in tree shrew striate cortex. The majority of cells in all cortical layers were binocuarly driven and dominated by the contralateral eye. The strength of ipsilateral-eye influence was not equal throughout all layers; cells dominated by the ipsilateral eye were restricted to layer IV and a narrow zone immediately surrounding it. Ipsilateral-eye influence was observed outside this zone but its strength, relative to that of the contralateral eye, decreased with increasing distance from layer IV. Analysis of the ocular dominance distribution of cells within layer IV found no suborganization for eye dominance — either horizontal or vertical — within the layer. Within the central cleft of layer IV, an area known to receive only contralateral eye inputs from the lateral geniculate, the majority of cells were strongly binocular. Thus, in the tree shrew the functional result of the anatomical organization within layer IV is to combine, rather than to segregate the influence of the two eyes.
A Modified Spearman Estimator of a Location or Scale Parameter

Abstract A method of moments estimator for a location or scale parameter, based on quantal responses, is proposed. The method prescribes Spearman estimation of a generalized moment τ = f G(x) F(dx; θ) where G is a specific distribution in a parametric family of distributions F(·; θ). The choice of design is equal probability spacing with respect to G, i.e., the levels xi are chosen to satisfy G(xi ) = i/(k + 1), where k is the number of levels. General properties of the method are given and a summary of the results of a detailed investigation of the exponential model is presented as an example.
Multiobjective framework for modular design generation incorporating demand uncertainty

Recent developments in process design have focused on establishing optimization-based approaches to support decision making under uncertainty by creating customized designs under specified production requirements. Modular-based design has long been recognized as a preferred alternative because it results in more flexible solutions in a dynamically changing environment. This paper introduces an integrated data analysis, stochastic design optimization approach to generate a portfolio of standardized designs that span the random demand space. The main idea is to cluster the demand and generate a Pareto set of designs by modeling cost and robustness in a multiobjective framework. Two case studies are presented to illustrate the applicability of the proposed approach.
Structure and timing of the last deglaciation: Oxygen-isotope evidence☆

Foraminiferal oxygen-isotope data from 24 tropical Atlantic sediment cores, constrained by 77 14C dates, are stacked to form a composite record of isotopic Termination 1.. This record indicates that most of the isotopic transition at the end of the last ice age occurred between 14 ka BP and 6 ka BP. Minor isotopic expression of deglaciation is permitted as early as 16 ka BP, but the most rapid rate of change occurred between 14 ka BP and 12 ka BP. Three ‘steps’ of maximum change are present. Although they are close to the statistical limits of detection in the composite record, the clear presence of the steps in individual records suggests that they are real. We estimate their timing at 14-12 ka BP (Termination 1-a), 10-9 ka BP (Termination 1-b), and 8-6 ka BP (Termination 1-c). Centering of the termination near 11 ka BP is consistent with the ‘Milankovitch’ hypothesis that high summer insolation caused deglaciation. In detail, however, maximum rates of change prior to the 11 ka BP insolation extreme, and the inferred steps require additional mechanisms controlling the tempo of glacial-interglacial climate change. Steps equivalent to those in δ18O have not been detected in ice-margin retreat data. Steps in the isotopic transition, if real, may record thinning of the ice sheets not accompanied by loss of area. Alternation between near-equilibrium and near-stagnant ice-sheet profiles during deglaciation is hypothesized, perhaps due to calving and unstable ‘down-draw’ of the ice sheets followed by partial re-equilibration. Significant problems remain. The effects of temperature on the isotope record are only partially constrained. Presently available data allow only semi-quantitative intercalibration of ice volume, sea level, and isotopic estimates of glaciation.
Importance of FADD Signaling in Serum Deprivation- and Hypoxia-induced Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis

Although cardiomyocyte (CM) apoptosis has been well described in both in vitro and in vivo models of ischemic heart disease, the intracellular pathways leading to CM death have not been fully characterized. To define the role of death receptor signaling in CM apoptosis, we constructed recombinant adenoviral vectors carrying wild-type (wt) or dominant negative (dn) forms of the death receptor adaptor protein FADD (Fas-associated death domain protein) and used these vectors to transduce rat neonatal CMs in models of hypoxia- and serum deprivation (SD)-induced apoptosis. The combination of SD and hypoxia induced rapid activation of caspase-3 and -8 as well as DNA fragmentation, reaching a plateau within 4-8 h. Adenoviral expression of FADD-dn inhibited caspase-8 activation as well as hypoxia/SD-induced apoptosis at 24 h in an moi (multiplicity of infection)-dependent manner. In contrast, adenoviral expression of FADD-wt increased apoptosis and caspase-3 activity in CMs under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Surprisingly, FADD-dn, as well as the specific caspase-8 inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-IETD-fluoromethylketone also inhibited the activation of caspase-9 and -3 in CMs subjected to hypoxia/SD. These data suggest a primary role for FADD/caspase-8 signaling that is necessary and sufficient for apoptosis of CMs subjected to hypoxia/SD.
Targeting of nebulin fragments to the cardiac sarcomere.

Nebulin, a vertebrate skeletal muscle actin binding protein, plays an important role in thin filament architecture. Recently, a number of reports have indicated evidence for nebulin expression in vertebrate hearts. To investigate the ability of nebulin to interact with cardiac myofilaments, we have expressed nebulin cDNA fragments tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP) in chicken cardiomyocytes and PtK2 cells. Nebulin fragments from both the superrepeats and single repeats were expressed minus and plus the nebulin linker. Nebulin fragment incorporation was monitored by fluorescent microscopy and compared with the distribution of actin, α-actinin and titin. Expression of nebulin N-terminal superrepeats displayed a punctate cytoplasmic distribution in PtK2 cells and cardiomyocytes. Addition of the nebulin linker to the superrepeats resulted in association of the punctate staining with the myofibrils. Nebulin C-terminal superrepeats plus and minus the linker localized with stress fibers of PtK2 cells and associated with the cardiac myofilaments at the level of the Z-line. Expression of the single repeats plus and minus the nebulin linker region resulted in both a Z-line distribution and an A-band distribution. These data suggest that N-terminal superrepeat nebulin modules are incapable of supporting interactions with the cardiac myofilaments; whereas the C-terminal nebulin modules can. The expression of the N-terminal or C-terminal superrepeats did not alter the distribution of actin, α-actinin or titin in either atrial or ventricular cultures.
Fine needle aspiration cytology of supraclavicular lymph nodes in gynecologic malignancies

Abstract Eight cases of fine needle aspiration (FNA) of supraclavicular lymph nodes are presented. Clinical and pathologic data and the route of spread to the left supraclavicular node (Vir-chow's node) are discussed. FNA has proven to be an accurate, inexpensive, and easily learned skill in the evaluation of distant metastatic disease. Careful palpation of the supraclavicular nodes in all patients with known or suspected pelvic malignancy may influence stage and therapy if positive nodes are identified.
The gendered use of salirse in Mexican Spanish: Si me salía yo con las amigas, se enojaba

It has been claimed that women and men use language quite differently in social interaction. Combining a functional and cognitive approach to grammar, this article explores the ways in which men and women use the optional pronominal form of the Spanish verb salir(se) ‘to leave’ in Mexican Spanish. It is found that women use the pronominal form notably more than men, and that, diachronically, this form has traditionally been applied to women's behavior. It is hypothesized that these patterns demonstrate both the relative expressive freedom of women's speech and the socially constrained nature of expectations for female behavior in colonial and contemporary Mexican society. It is shown how culturally shaped conventional construals of gender can both be reflected in and influence morphosyntactic phenomena.I would like to thank Melissa Axelrod, Kathy McKnight, Language in Society editor Jane Hill, and two anonymous referees for their helpful suggestions on this article.
Low Back Pain and Lumbar Spine Osteoarthritis: How Are They Related?

Lumbar spine osteoarthritis (OA) is very common, with estimates of prevalence ranging from 40–85 %. The process of degeneration of the spine has commonly been classified as OA (disc space narrowing together with vertebral osteophyte formation); however, anatomically, the facet joint is the only synovial joint in the spine that has a similar pathological degenerative process to appendicular joints. Low back pain (LBP) is also a common condition, with nearly 80 % of Americans experiencing at least one episode of LBP in their lifetime. The complex relationship between spine radiographs and LBP has many clinical and research challenges. Specific conservative treatments for spine degeneration have not been established; there has, however, been recent interest in use of exercise therapy, because of some moderate benefits in treating chronic LBP. An understanding of the relationship between spine degeneration and LBP may be improved with further population-based research in the areas of genetics, biomarkers, and pain pathways.
On the status of statistical inferences

Can the axioms of probability theory and the classical patterns of statistical inference ever be falsified by observation? Various possible answers to this question are examined in a set theoretical context and in relation to the findings of microphysics.
Scientific judgment and the limits of conflict-of-interest policies

This article argues that the three major elements of typical university conflict-of-interest (COI) policies (i.e., disclosure, management, and elimination of conflicts via divestiture or recusal) are likely to be insufficient for screening out many worrisome influences of financial COIs. Current psychological research challenges the effectiveness of disclosure, management plans are unlikely to address the wide range of ways that financial COIs can influence scientific judgment, and it is often impractical to eliminate conflicts. Identifying the limits of these policies highlights the importance of considering alternative strategies, such as encouraging more independently funded esearch, in order to maintain the integrity of science.
Phase Recovery Via Mathematical Programming

The Gerchberg-Saxton problem of phase recovery is identified with the canonical problem of locating a point of maximum norm in a given convex set. Some heuristic algorithms are proposed.
Structural features of trinucleotide repeats associated with DNA expansion.

The mechanism of DNA expansion is not well understood. Recent evidence from genetic, in vivo, and in vitro studies has suggested a link between the formation of alternative DNA secondary structures...
Farmworker reports of pesticide safety and sanitation in the work environment.

Background Migrant and seasonal farmworkers are at risk for occupational illnesses from pesticide exposure, and the effectiveness of pesticide safety regulations has not been evaluated. It is important to learn from farmworker safety experiences to develop effective measures to improve agricultural workplace safety. Methods Formative research included in-depth interviews with farmworkers, farmers, extension agents, and health care providers. Survey research included interviews with 270 minority farmworkers during 1998, and 293 during 1999. Results Farmworkers and farmers hold different beliefs concerning pesticide safety which affect sanitation practices. Farmworkers report in survey data that farmers do not adhere to regulations mandating training and basic sanitation facilities. Conclusions Several points of intervention are available to improve pesticide safety and sanitation. Additional regulation by itself is not an advantageous starting point. The emphasis for intervention must include educating farmers as well as farmworkers. Am. J. Ind. Med. 39:487–498, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Treatment of primary bladder neck obstruction in women with transurethral resection of the bladder neck.

ABSTRACTPurpose: We describe the presentation, clinical characteristics, treatment and followup of a series of women with primary bladder neck obstruction (PBNO).Materials and Methods: A patient data base was searched for women who underwent transurethral resection for bladder outlet obstruction diagnosed by videourodynamic study (VUDS) according to the Blaivas-Groutz nomogram for female bladder outlet obstruction between 1993 and 2002. A total of 37 women with obstruction were identified. Patients with neurogenic, traumatic, anatomical or iatrogenic causes of obstruction were excluded. Seven patients remained who had been diagnosed with PBNO, of whom all underwent transurethral bladder neck resection. Office records were reviewed for history, presentation, surgical treatment and clinical outcome.Results: Seven patients were diagnosed with PBNO. Age was 39 to 81 years. Six of 7 patients presented with symptoms of obstruction, including a weak or intermittent stream and urinary hesitancy. These 6 patients ...
Noise Exposure and Hearing Loss Among Sand and Gravel Miners

The objectives of this study were to describe workplace noise exposures, risk factors for hearing loss, and hearing levels among sand and gravel miners, and to determine whether full shift noise exposures resulted in changes in hearing thresholds from baseline values. Sand and gravel miners (n = 317) were interviewed regarding medical history, leisure-time and occupational noise exposure, other occupational exposures, and use of hearing protection. Audiometric tests were performed both before the work shift (following a 12-hour noise-free interval) and immediately following the work shift. Full shift noise dosimetry was conducted. Miners' noise exposures exceeded the Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for 69% of workers, and exceeded the Mine Safety and Health Administration's action level for enrollment in a hearing conservation program for 41% of workers. Significantly higher noise exposures occurred among employees of small companies, a...
Alpha1-Acid Glycoprotein, Age, and Sex in Mood Disorders

Serum alpha 1 -acid glycoprotein (AAG) reportedly can increase with age in the normal population, especially among women. In 33 patients with unipolar major depression or bipolar disorder, serum AAG was measured by age. The authors noted a positive association with age, particularly in depressed female patients (n=18; r s =0.61; P
Clinical Applications of Thymosin Alpha-1

(1994). Clinical Applications of Thymosin Alpha-1. Cancer Investigation: Vol. 12, No. 5, pp. 545-547.
A simple ice sheet model yields realistic 100 kyr glacial cycles

Records of global ice volume for the past 700 kyr, based on oxygen isotopic data from deep-sea cores and reflecting mainly the changing Northern Hemispheric ice sheets, show a dominant cycle of roughly 100 kyr period. The records also show smaller-amplitude oscillations with spectral peaks at roughly 40 and 20 kyr periods, which are well correlated with the Milankovich insolation variations due to perturbations in the Earth's orbital parameters. However, no model has accurately simulated the 100 kyr glacial cycle. Recently Birchfield et al.1 and Oerlemans2 have obtained encouraging agreement with some features of the glacial cycle by using a simple ice sheet model with a realistic time lag in the response of the bedrock to the ice load. This study extends their basic model, first by including topography to represent high ground in the north. Improved results can then be obtained but only with unrealistic parameter values and for some aspects of the record. Further improvements areobtained by crudely parameterizing possible calving at the equatorward ice sheet tip during deglaciation by proglacial lakes and/or marine incursions from the Atlantic, as emphasized by Andrews3. The resulting ice volume curves agree fairly well with the observed records and their power spectra over the past 700 kyr.
Modelling the frequency and severity of extreme exchange rate returns

Risk managers are often concerned about tail probabilities of asset return distributions, in particular the frequency and severity of extreme returns. In this article, we propose a model that integrates extreme value theory and point processes to model the frequency and severity of exchange rate returns. The proposed model is applied to daily spot exchange rate series and the parameters of interest, such as the tail index, the mean size and rate of occurrence of extreme returns, are estimated using maximum likelihood estimation. We study the impact of recent currency crises on the frequency and severity of the series and find that, during 1995–9, the frequency of extreme daily Japanese yen–US dollar spot exchange rate returns increases twofold, and the time duration of high volatility persists longer for the Japanese yen series than for the Swiss franc and Danish krone series. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modal properties of laser arrays using diffractive mode-selecting mirrors

The modal properties of a laser resonator consisting of an array of sources and a diffractive mode-selecting mirror are presented. The modal discrimination is optimized by selection of cavity parameters, and can be enhanced by additional diffractive elements. We find that the modal properties differ significantly from a conventional Talbot cavity. Because of the diffractive mode-selecting mirror, these are virtually no edge effects and the fundamental mode loss is very small. The modal discrimination is maximized at a round-trip cavity length of both one-half and one Talbot distance. There is an optimum array fill factor that depends on the cavity length and the array size. Finally, if the cavity length and fill factor are optimized, there is no loss of discrimination with increasing numbers of elements in the array.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
RANKING DIFFERENTIAL HUBS IN GENE CO-EXPRESSION NETWORKS

Identifying the genes that change their expressions between two conditions (such as normal versus cancer) is a crucial task that can help in understanding the causes of diseases. Differential networking has emerged as a powerful approach to detect the changes in network structures and to identify the differentially connected genes among two networks. However, existing differential network-based methods primarily depend on pairwise comparisons of the genes based on their connectivity. Therefore, these methods cannot capture the essential topological changes in the network structures. In this paper, we propose a novel algorithm, DiffRank, which ranks the genes based on their contribution to the differences between the two networks. To achieve this goal, we define two novel structural scoring measures: a local structure measure (differential connectivity) and a global structure measure (differential betweenness centrality). These measures are optimized by propagating the scores through the network structure and then ranking the genes based on these propagated scores. We demonstrate the effectiveness of DiffRank on synthetic and real datasets. For the synthetic datasets, we developed a simulator for generating synthetic differential scale-free networks, and we compared our method with existing methods. The comparisons show that our algorithm outperforms these existing methods. For the real datasets, we apply the proposed algorithm on several gene expression datasets and demonstrate that the proposed method provides biologically interesting results.
Three Dimensional Tracking in Augmented Environments: User Performance Trade-Offs between System Latency and Update Rate:

Three-dimensional tracking performance was measured as a function of system latency (35–335 msec) and update rate (10–30 Hz). Twelve subjects used a custom, see-through head mounted stereo display to control the position of a virtual response cursor with hand and body movements. User performance trade-offs between latency and update rate were measured with objective and subjective measures and a possible performance model was evaluated. The results indicate that earlier findings suggesting that latency influenced tracking performance more than did update rate, could be due to previous studies having tested latency over a larger dynamic range. Iso-performance contours are used to compare objective performance with subjective perception and performance judgments.
AGCM Precipitation Biases in the Tropical Atlantic

Abstract Many general circulation models (GCMs) share similar biases in the representation of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) in the Atlantic, even when they are forced with the time series of the observed sea surface temperature (SST). Specifically, they overestimate precipitation in the Southern Hemisphere in boreal spring and in the Caribbean region in boreal summer. The majority of the models considered here place the rainfall maximum over the SST maximum, although the true precipitation maximum does not occur there. This is the case even though these GCMs accurately place the maximum in surface wind convergence away from the SST maximum, at the location where the observed precipitation maximum lies. Models that overrespond to SST in this way tend to (i) have fewer heavy-rain events, (ii) rain more for a smaller amount of water vapor in the atmospheric column, and (iii) couple rainfall and surface humidity too strongly and rainfall and humidity above the surface too weakly.
Examining Racial Identity and Masculinity as Correlates of Self‐Esteem and Psychological Distress in Black Men

Data presented for 124 young adult Black men indicate that self-esteem was positively related to participants' Internalization racial identity attitudes, and negatively related to conformity to traditional masculine norms in the dominant culture in the United States. Psychological distress was positively related to Pre-Encounter and Immersion-Emersion racial identity attitudes (J. E. Helms, 1995) and to conformity to masculine norms. Los datos se presentan para 124 jovenes adultos Negros, que indican que el autoestima fue relacionado positivamente a la Interiorizacion actitudes de la identidad racial, y negativamente relacionado a la conformidad a normas masculinas tradicionales en la cultura dominante en los Estados Unidos. La angustia psicologica fue relacionada positivamente al Pre-Encounter y el Immersion-Emersion actitudes de la identidad racial (J. E. Helms, 1995), y a la conformidad a las normas masculinas.
Sequential copolymers by ionic polymerizations

While many well defined sequential copolymers have been synthesized by anionic and some by coordination polymerization techniques, cationic methods have not been exploited in this regard. This lecture focuses on “macromolecular engineering” by cationic techniques and summarizes the many recently developed and largely unpublished methods by which a great variety of sequential copolymers and modified polymers can readily be prepared. A new scheme for macromolecular engineering by carbocationic mechanism is proposed. Controlled initiation as a means of introducing head-groups into polymers or of graft-copolymer syntheses is described. Control of chain transfer to monomer became possible by the use of bifunctional initiator-chain transfer agents (inifers) or by proton sponges. The synthesis of telechelic α,ω-dichlorides, and -diolefins is outlined. α,ω-(Di-tert-chloro) polyisobutylene, a new symmetrical telechelic prepolymer has been used to prepare poly(α-methylstyrene-isobutylene-α-methylstyrene) thermoplastic elastomeric triblocks. Consequences of controlled termination are illustrated by the synthesis of diblock copolymers. Finally, by a combination of mechanistic elements, a system for macromolecular engineering by cationic techniques is outlined.
Reducing U.S. carbon dioxide emissions: an assessment of different instruments

The possibility that carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel use might lead to global warming has become a leading environmental concern. Many scientific and environmental organizations have called for immediate action to limit carbon dioxide production. For the most part, however, public debate has focused on a single policy instrument: a carbon tax applied to fossil fuels in proportion to their carbon content. We present a detailed model of the U.S. economy and use it to compare carbon taxes with two other instruments that could achieve the same reduction in carbon dioxide emissions: a tax on the energy content of fossil fuels (a BTU tax) and an ad valorem tax on fuel use. We find that carbon taxes can achieve a given reduction with the least overall effect on the economy, but with a large effect on coal mining. Energy taxes are fairly similar to carbon taxes but have slightly less impact on coal mining and slightly greater overall cost. In contrast, ad valorem taxes fall much more lightly on coal mining but have a much greater effect on the economy as a whole.
The Impact of Information on Environmental Commodity Valuation Decisions

A conceptual model is developed which provides insight into how information affects willingness to pay for environmental commodities. A refutable hypothesis of the effects of a specific information type on the magnitude of willingness to pay for an environmental commodity is developed. This hypothesis is tested using a contingent valuation method experiment. Results indicate that information affects willingness to pay in a theoretically plausible manner. The results support the contention that information is important for accurate environmental commodity consumer valuations.
A retrospective analysis of the effect of patient-specific factors on voriconazole concentrations in oncology patients.

Objective. To identify patient-specific factors significantly associated with voriconazole exposure.Design, setting, and participants. Retrospective, single center at an academic medical center. Consecutive, adult oncology inpatients who received voriconazole by mouth and had at least one voriconazole level over a 14-month period. Voriconazole was ordered for 292 patients during the study period, a level was obtained in 41 patients. Nine patients were excluded; the study population was comprised of 32 patients.Methods and results. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were utilized to predict the patient-specific factors significantly associated with level. A total of 36 levels meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria were performed in 32 patients. Sixty percent of levels (22/36) were between 1 and 5.5 µg/mL. Data were available to calculate a Child Pugh score for 66% (21/32) of patients. Using multivariable linear regression, three covariates were found to be statistically significant: age, intern...
An approach to automatic robot programming

In this paper we propose an architecture for a new task-level system, which we call ATLAS (Automatic Task Level Assembly Synthesizer). Task-level programming attempts to simplify the robot programming process by requiring that the user specify only goals for the physical relationships among objects, rather than the motions of the robot needed to achieve those goals. A task-level specification is meant to be completely robot independent; no positions or paths that depend on the robot geometry or kinematics are specified by the user. We have two goals for this paper. The first is to present a more unified treatment of some individual pieces of task planning research whose relationships have not previously been described. The second is to provide a new framework for further research in task planning. We stress, however, that ATLAS as a whole has not been implemented and therefore, the description here indicates primarily a direction for future research.
Routine activities of delinquent and non-delinquent victims of violent crime

The link between criminal victimization and offending has become increasingly well documented in recent years. Unfortunately, the empirical and theoretical enmeshment of these variables makes it difficult to determine the effect of specific activities purely on victimization. This paper provides an examination of the effect of engaging in specific risky activities on the violent victimization experiences of delinquent and non-delinquent youth. Our results show that there are some modest differences in the effects of risky behaviors on the likelihood of violent victimization for delinquents and non-delinquents.