cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Video game speech rehabilitation for velopharyngeal dysfunction: Feasibility and pilot testing

Poor control over the velopharyngeal (VP) port (connection between the oral and nasal cavities) leads to unintelligible speech; this VP dysfunction (VPD) can be due to structural abnormalities, poor motor control, or lack of appropriate feedback (hearing impairment). VP control is not aided by visual feedback since the relevant anatomy is not visible to the speaker or the listener. Here we present initial data from a novel, game-based speech rehabilitation platform designed for children with VPD, in which online feedback of speech nasalization is provided based on measurements of nasal skin vibration and speech acoustics. Twelve pediatric participants (three with VPD) completed one session with the video game and were all able to easily use the game. Over 90% of the participants reported that the game was at least “kind of fun” and that the equipment at least “kind of comfortable”. Over 90% of participants and 100% of their parents said they could use the game at home. Results are promising for further development and long-term testing in individuals with VPD.
Sonication of Explanted Cardiac Rhythm Management Devices for the Diagnosis of Pocket Infections and Asymptomatic Bacterial Colonization

Background: Correct diagnosis of the causative organism is critical for the treatment of pacemaker and defibrillator pocket infections. No gold standard for this exists, although swab and tissue cultures are frequently used. The purpose of this study was to determine the value of ultrasonication of explanted generators in the diagnosis of pocket infections and asymptomatic bacterial colonization. Methods: Samples were prospectively collected during pacemaker and defibrillator generator extractions for elective replacements, upgrades, or pocket infections. The devices were placed in an ultrasonicator for 5 minutes and the fluid sent for culture, along with swab and tissue cultures. Results: Eighty-two patients with pacemakers (n = 46) or defibrillators (n = 36) underwent generator explantation, 66 of these for elective reasons and 16 for pocket infection. In patients with pocket infection, 15 (94%) received a definitive bacterial diagnosis using a combination of all three-culture modalities. Cultures were positive in 15 sonicated fluid, 13 tissue, and 11 swab samples, with Staphylococcus aureus and other skin flora commonly seen. In asymptomatic patients, 14 (21%) had positive cultures. Cultures were positive in 11 sonicated fluid, eight tissue, and two swab samples. Skin flora was commonly seen, but three of the sonicated fluid cultures grew gram-negative rods. No patients with asymptomatic colonization developed clinical infection during the follow-up period. Conclusions: Ultrasonication is an inexpensive and simple technique that improves the bacteriologic diagnosis of device pocket infections. It also identifies a significant proportion of patients with asymptomatic colonization, although this is not a marker of future pocket infection. (PACE 2011; 34:143–149)
Growth and Polysaccharide Production by Methylocystis parvus OBBP on Methanol.

Methylocystis parvus OBBP, an obligate methylotroph originally isolated as a methane-utilizing bacterium, was cultivated on methanol as a sole source of carbon. After adaptation to high methanol levels, this organism grew on methanol with a maximum specific growth rate of 0.65 h−1. The pH optimum for growth was between 7 and 9, and the temperature optimum was between 30 and 37°C. Methanol concentrations higher than 5% (by weight) were toxic. Formaldehyde, at a concentration greater than 1 mM, inhibited growth. Formate was neither a substrate nor an inhibitor. An extracellular viscous heteropolysaccharide was produced during growth. The maximum production of the total biomass was 14.5 g (dry weight) per liter of broth. The dried biomass contained 22% (wt/wt) crude protein and 62% (wt/wt) polysaccharide. The main components of the polysaccharide were d-glucose (82%) and l-rhamnose (14%).
Event-Thread Patterns for Resource Sharing

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Resource-User-Thread Pattern The Resource-Guard-Thread Pattern Choosing and Combining Patterns Examples with Dual Solutions Data Stream Processing Repository Problems Conclusion Exercises
Information Systems via Epistemic States

We develop a multi-valued logic approach to data base design, that are tolerant to inconsistent information. Also, we discuss possible knowledge transformers in one type of such data bases.
A Cross-Cultural Analysis of Self-Verification Motives

This chapter aims to assess the likelihood that self-verification is a culture general phenomenon. With respect to social feedback in particular, people are motivated both to receive positive feedback about themselves and to receive feedback that is consistent with their self-beliefs. The process of self-verification requires identification of the self-attribute contained in the feedback, accessing stored beliefs about one's self-attributes and comparing these self-attributes. The process has complex conditional rules for approaching and avoiding feedback than does self-evaluation, which, in turn, means that self-verification requires additional mental work. A variety of motivational implications of this difference in mental effort is highlighted, such as the effects of depriving people of cognitive resources or manipulating the accessibility or certainty of people's self-beliefs. The extension of the roots of self-verification to cultures outside of North America and what form self-verification strivings would take in these cultures are discussed. Self-verification strivings are universal, although cross-cultural differences in conceptions of the self may result in cultural variation in the ways they are pursued.
A cost study of postoperative cell salvage in the setting of elective primary hip and knee arthroplasty.

Background The rising costs, limited supply, and clinical risks associated with allogeneic blood transfusion have prompted investigation into autologous blood management strategies, such as post-operative red cell salvage. This study provides a cost comparison of transfusing washed post-operatively salvaged red cells using the OrthoPat device versus unwashed shed blood and banked allogeneic blood.
A System for Automatic Chord Transcription from Audio Using Genre-Specific Hidden Markov Models

We describe a system for automatic chord transcription from the raw audio using genre-specific hidden Markov models trained on audio-from-symbolic data. In order to avoid enormous amount of human labor required to manually annotate the chord labels for ground-truth, we use symbolic data such as MIDI files to automate the labeling process. In parallel, we synthesize the same symbolic files to provide the models with the sufficient amount of observation feature vectors along with the automatically generated annotations for training. In doing so, we build different models for various musical genres, whose model parameters reveal characteristics specific to their corresponding genre. The experimental results show that the HMMs trained on synthesized data perform very well on real acoustic recordings. It is also shown that when the correct genre is chosen, simpler, genre-specific model yields performance better than or comparable to that of more complex model that is genre-independent. Furthermore, we also demonstrate the potential application of the proposed model to the genre classification task.
Molecular Imaging of Stem Cell Transplantation in Myocardial Disease

Stem cell therapy has been heralded as a novel therapeutic option for cardiovascular disease. In vivo molecular imaging has emerged as an indispensible tool in investigating stem cell biology post-transplantation into the myocardium and in evaluating the therapeutic efficacy. This review highlights the features of each molecular imaging modality and discusses how these modalities have been applied to evaluate stem cell therapy.
A comparison of 99mTc-MIBI myocardial SPET with electron beam computed tomography in the assessment of coronary artery disease.

We compared technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) myocardial perfusion single-photon emission tomography (SPET) (MPS) and electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) in order to assess their respective value in the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD).99mTc-MIBI SPET (stress-resting) and EBCT studies were performed in 51 patients with suspected CAD who underwent coronary angiography (CAG). CAG showed that of the 51 patients, 36 had coronary stenosis ≥50% while 15 had normal results. A moderate positive rank correlation was found between coronary calcification detected by EBCT and MPS score (rs=0.5283,P<0.01). The concordance between EBCT and MPS for the evaluation of CAD was 72.5% (37/51). The sensitivity of EBCT in detecting CAD in 51 patients was comparable to that of MPS (81% vs 94%, NS). However, the accuracy of EBCT was lower than that of MPS (78% vs 94%,P<0.025). As regards the detection of individual coronary artery disease, there was no significant difference in sensitivity between EBCT and MPS (65% vs 75%, NS); however, the specificity and accuracy of EBCT were lower than those of MPS (specificity: 77% vs 95%,P<0.005; accuracy 71% vs 85%,P<0.005). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MPS in detecting single-vessel disease were higher than those of EBCT (sensitivity: 86% vs 42%,P<0.025; specificity: 96% vs 70%,P<0.025; accuracy: 93% vs 61%,P<0.005). However, no significant differences in the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MPS and EBCT were found in respect of multivessel disease. In conclusion:99mTc-MIBI myocardial perfusion SPET and EBCT provide different information in the assessment of CAD. The sensitivity of EBCT for the detection of CAD is comparable with that of MPS; however, the specificity and accuracy of EBCT are lower than those of MPS. More reliable results will be obtained if both myocardial perfusion SPET and EBCT are performed.
Do the Blood Pressure Effects of Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs Influence Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality

There are many theories about why selective inhibitors of the second isoform of cyclooxygenase (COX-2) increase cardiovascular risk. Although torcetrapib raises blood pressure and cardiovascular risk, it has been difficult to prove such a link for COX-2 inhibitors in randomized clinical trials. This review shows a significant correlation in placebo-controlled trials between the five agents’ elevations in blood pressures and their rate ratios for cardiovascular events. A larger body of evidence arises from randomized clinical trial comparisons of selective versus nonselective inhibitors of COX-2, but these results are heterogeneous for naproxen versus other traditional agents. The best current trial evidence comes from the centrally adjudicated placebo-controlled trials of celecoxib for colonic polyps: If the blood pressure did not rise at 1 or 3 years after randomization, cardiovascular risk did not significantly increase. Many more data will become available in 2013, after the only prospective clinical trial involving cardiovascular end points is completed.
Temporality and Social Change: The Case of 19th Century China and Japan

Manifold factors have been identified as causal mechanisms in social change, but an important one—temporality—has been neglected. Temporality is the social time that characterizes any society, and ...
Variational calculation of metal surface energies

Abstract A one-parameter model potential variational calculation of jellium—metal surface energies in the local density approximation is performed, the results very closely approximating those of the self-consistent calculations of Lang and Kohn. The use of this model potential for the determination of superior upper bounds for the surface energy and the study of various density gradient expansions is indicated.
Choosing Antiepileptic Drugs for Developmentally Normal Children With Specific Epilepsy Syndromes and Behavioral Disorders

Antiepileptic drugs are often used for the treatment of both epilepsy and a wide range of behavioral and psychiatric disorders. The treatment of patients with epilepsy has been the proving ground for antiepileptic drugs, not only with respect to their efficacy in the treatment of seizures but also for clarifying their dose-related and idiosyncratic adverse events. This information has been useful in treating patients with behavioral and psychiatric disorders. Indeed, the number of prescriptions written for many antiepileptic drugs for nonepileptic uses far exceeds those written for the same drugs for epilepsy. Because patients with chronic epilepsy have a higher incidence of axis I psychiatric disorders, physicians can choose an antiepileptic drug to treat both the epilepsy and psychiatric comorbidity in selected patients. Guided by the principles of evidence-based medicine as outlined by the American Academy of Neurology and the American Academy of Pediatrics, this article reviews the application of antiepileptic drugs for epilepsy and behavioral and psychiatric disorders in children.
Program Planning for a Community Pharmacy Residency Support Service Using the Nominal Group Technique

Objective To define programmatic objectives and initial operational priorities for CommuniRes, a university-based education and support service designed to help community pharmacists successfully implement and sustain community pharmacy residency programs (CPRPs). Setting Advisory committee of nationally recognized experts in CPRPs in a small-group planning session. Practice Description CPRPs are postgraduate clinical training experiences conducted in chain and independent community pharmacies. Practice Innovation The nominal group technique (NGT), a structured approach to group planning and decision making, was used to identify and prioritize the needs of CPRPs. Interventions Results of the NGT exercise were used as input to a brainstorming session that defined specific CommuniRes services and resources that must be developed to meet high priority needs of CPRPs. Main Outcome Measure Group consensus on the priority needs of CPRPs was determined through rank order voting. Results The advisory committee identified 20 separate CPRP needs that it believed must be met to ensure that CPRPs will be successful and sustainable. Group voting resulted in the selection of six needs that were considered to be consensus priorities for services and resources provided through CommuniRes: image parity for CPRPs; CPRP marketing materials; attractive postresidency employment opportunities; well-defined goals, objectives, and residency job descriptions; return on investment and sources of ongoing funding for the residency; and opportunities and mechanisms for communicating/networking with other residents and preceptors. Conclusion The needs-based programmatic priorities defined by the advisory committee are now being implemented through a tripartite program consisting of live training seminars for CPRP preceptors and directors, an Internet site (www.communires.com), and a host of continuing support services available to affiliated CPRP sites. Future programmatic planning will increasingly involve CPRP preceptors, directors, and former residents to determine the ongoing needs of CPRPs.
Utility of radium isotopes for evaluating the input and transport of groundwater-derived nitrogen to a Cape Cod estuary

Because of rapid increases in population, anthropogenic sources of nitrogen have adversely impacted the water quality of coastal ponds on Cape Cod. A major source of “new” nitrogen to these estuaries is groundwater, which intercepts septic tank fields in its flow path to the coastline. Many attempts have been made to quantify this process; however, groundwater discharge is often patchy in nature and is therefore difficult to study by use of traditional techniques such as seepage meters. In Waquoit Bay, MA, we tested an approach based on radium, which is naturally enriched in aquifer fluids and has four isotopes with half-lives ranging from 4 d to 1600 yr. Groundwater entering the bay was low in salinity and contained several orders of magnitude greater radium and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) relative to ambient bay water. Using a mass-balance approach for radium, we calculated a submarine groundwater flux of ~37,000 m3 d−1, which compared well with aquifer recharge rates calculated from rainfall. From the DIN content of the groundwater, we estimated that ~2100 mol N d−1 was directly input to the estuary. However, this nitrogen flux was small in comparison with literature values for DIN fluxes from the heavily populated subestuaries. Furthermore, our results suggest that groundwater flux of DIN was assimilated by plant biomass during the summer but may be exported from the embayment to coastal waters during the winter months.
Genetic mapping of human heart-skeletal muscle adenine nucleotide translocator and its relationship to the facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy locus

The mitochondrial heart-skeletal muscle adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT1) was regionally mapped to 4q35-qter using somatic cell hybrids containing deleted chromosome 4. The regional location was further refined through family studies using ANT1 intron and promoter nucleotide polymorphisms recognized by the restriction endonucleases MboII, NdeI, and HaeIII. Two alleles were found, each at a frequency of 0.5. The ANT1 locus was found to be closely linked to D4S139, D4S171, and the dominant skeletal muscle disease locus facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). A crossover that separated D4S171 and ANT1 from D4S139 was found. Since previous studies have established the chromosome 4 map order as centromere-D4S171-D4S139-FSHD, it was concluded that ANT1 is located on the side of D4S139, that is opposite from FSHD. This conclusion was confirmed by sequencing the exons and analyzing the transcripts of ANT1 from several FSHD patients and finding no evidence of aberration.
ℛ max variations for separating club guessing principles

In his book on ℛmax [7], Woodin presents a collection of partial orders whose extensions satisfy strong club guessing principles on ω₁. In this paper we employ one of the techniques from this book to produce ℛmax variations which separate various club guessing principles. The principle (+) and its variants are weak guessing principles which were first considered by the second author [4] while studying games of length ω₁. It was shown in [1] that the Continuum Hypothesis does not imply (+) and that (+) does not imply the existence of a club guessing sequence on ω₁. In this paper we give an alternate proof of the second of these results, using Woodin's ℛmax technology, showing that a strengthening of (+) does not imply a weakening of club guessing known as the Interval Hitting Principle. The main technique in this paper, in addition to the standard ℛmax machinery, is the use of condensation principles to build suitable iterations.
Temporal correlation modification by microbubbles injection in a channel flow

Abstract In an effort to achieve a better understanding of the drag reduction mechanism by microbubbles injection, the structure of flow turbulence in a water channel with microbubbles is studied using particle image velocimetry technique (PIV) at Reh = 5128. Full field of the two-dimensional velocity components (streamwise and normal) within a location close to the wall was measured. The effects of several values of local void fraction upon the drag reduction are investigated.
The role of endoscopic ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of Barrett's esophagus.

The screening, diagnosis, and surveillance of Barrett’s esophagus (BE) currently rely on esophagoscopy and mucosal biopsy. Histologic and molecular changes that may be responsible for the progression to adenocarcinoma are not accurately identified by endoscopy alone, however. Even with extensive random and targeted tissue biopsies, sampling error contributes to inaccurate assessment of dysplastic or neoplastic change. The need for accuracy in surveillance for dysplasia and early cancer has prompted a search for higher-resolution imaging techniques to guide biopsies or potentially to avoid the need for biopsies. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is recognized as the only widely available imaging modality with the ability to resolve the layers of the gastrointestinal tract in detail. Despite the ability to resolve up to seven separate tissue layers of the esophagus, the reliability and accuracy of EUS imaging for histologic abnormalities has not proven sufficient to replace tissue biopsy or resection. Specific roles for EUS in the setting of BE include the evaluation for submucosal invasion and the presence of malignant lymph nodes in patients being considered for nonoperative treatment of intramucosal cancer. Because of the frequent association of unsuspected cancer in patients with high-grade dysplasia (HGD), EUS screening before nonsurgical management of HGD may also be reasonable. Last, patients with endoscopically suspicious lesions that may contain undiagnosed cancer may benefit from EUS screening to assess suitability for endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). The development of esophageal adenocarcinoma is believed to progress through a series of stages from Barrett’s metaplasia and cellular proliferation to indefinite or low-grade dysplasia, then to HGD, and finally to carcinoma.
Construction and characterization of a replication-defective herpes simplex virus 2 ICP8 mutant strain and its use in immunization studies in a guinea pig model of genital disease

A replication-defective mutant of herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) was engineered by replacing the ICP8 gene of HSV-2 strain 186 with an ICP8-lacZ fusion gene from the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) HD-2 mutant strain. The resulting virus, HSV-2 5BlacZ, is defective for growth in Vero cells but is capable of growth in a cell line that expresses HSV-1 ICP8. In Vero cells, the mutant virus is defective for DNA synthesis but is able to express many viral proteins at levels similar to those of wild-type virus, including several of the late kinetic class. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis demonstrated the expression of glycoproteins B and D by 5BlacZ in Vero cells. Initial studies have shown that immunization with 5BlacZ protects guinea pigs from intravaginal HSV-2 challenge. Immunized animals had less severe genital skin disease and reduced replication of the challenge virus in the genital tract during primary infection and reduced episodes of recurrent disease. Thus, HSV-2 ICP8 shows gene regulatory properties similar to those of HSV-1 ICP8, and this HSV-2 ICP8 mutant virus shows a phenotype similar to those of HSV-1 ICP8 mutant strains. Replication-defective mutants of HSV-2 offer a potential vaccine approach for immune intervention against HSV-2 genital disease and latent infection.
Interstrand and intrastrand DNA-DNA cross-linking by 1,2,3,4-diepoxybutane: Role of stereochemistry

1,2,3,4-Diepoxybutane (DEB) is a bifunctional electrophile capable of forming DNA-DNA and DNA-protein cross-links. DNA alkylation by DEB produces N7-(2'-hydroxy-3',4'-epoxybut-1'-yl)-guanine monoadducts, which can then form 1,4-bis-(guan-7-yl)-2,3-butanediol (bis-N7G-BD) lesions. All three optical isomers of DEB are produced metabolically from 1,3-butadiene, but S,S-DEB is the most cytotoxic and genotoxic. In the present work, interstrand and intrastrand DNA-DNA cross-linking by individual DEB stereoisomers was investigated by PAGE, mass spectrometry, and stable isotope labeling. S,S-, R,R-, and meso-diepoxides were synthesized from l-dimethyl-2,3-O-isopropylidene-tartrate, d-dimethyl-2,3-O-isopropylidene-tartrate, and meso-erythritol, respectively. Total numbers of bis-N7G-BD lesions (intrastrand and interstrand) in calf thymus DNA treated separately with S,S-, R,R-, or meso-DEB (0.01-0.5 mM) were similar as determined by capillary HPLC-ESI(+)-MS/MS of DNA hydrolysates. However, denaturing PAGE has revealed that S,S-DEB produced the highest number of interchain cross-links in 5'-GGC-3'/3'-CCG-5' sequences. Intrastrand adduct formation by DEB was investigated by a novel methodology based on stable isotope labeling HPLC-ESI(+)-MS/MS. Meso DEB treatment of DNA duplexes containing 5'-[1,7, NH(2)-(15)N(3),2-(13)C-G]GC-3'/3'-CCG-5' and 5'-GGC-3'/3'-CC[(15)N(3),2-(13)C-G]-5' trinucleotides gave rise to comparable numbers of 1,2-intrastrand and 1,3-interstrand bis-N7G-BD cross-links, while S,S DEB produced few intrastrand lesions. R,R-DEB treated DNA contained mostly 1,3-interstrand bis-N7G-BD, along with smaller amounts of 1,2-interstrand and 1,2-intrastrand adducts. The effects of DEB stereochemistry on its ability to form DNA-DNA cross-links may be rationalized by the spatial relationships between the epoxy alcohol side chains in stereoisomeric N7-(2'-hydroxy-3',4'-epoxybut-1'-yl)-guanine adducts and their DNA environment. Different cross-linking specificities of DEB stereoisomers provide a likely structural basis for their distinct biological activities.
Aging-related decreases in hepatic mitochondrial and cytosolic δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase during experimental porphyria

Abstract The basal- and allylisopropylacetamide-induced activities of the first enzyme of heme biosynthesis, δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase (ALAS) were measured in hepatic mitochondria and cytosol of young, adult, and aged Fisher 344 rats. The total cellular ALAS activity induced by allylisopropylacetamide decreased 67% with age. The specific activity of mitochondrial ALAS in normal and induced animals decreased with aging when assayed in whole or broken mitochondria. The levels of ALAS which accumulated in the cytosol after allylisopropylacetamide administration were proportionally greater in both the young and senescent than in the mature animals. During aging, no evidence for a fragile population of mitochondria in either normal or induced animals was observed suggesting that mitochondrial matrix proteins are not released during homogenization. The hepatic mitochondrial content decreased during aging when calculated using both a membrane-bound marker enzyme cytochrome oxidase and a matrix marker enzyme citrate synthase and was unaffected by allylisopropylacetamide treatment. This reduced mitochondrial content further diminishes the level of functional ALAS available in the liver during senescence. This study confirms the age-dependent decrease in mitochondria ALAS in normal and induced animals and also suggests an age-related change in the process by which cytosolic ALAS is translocated into the mitochondria.
Direction of recall in short-term memory

Summary Four experiments were conducted comparing A-B and B-A recall in short-term memory. In each experiment paired-associate lists of fixed length (A-B) were presented to S s who were then tested for recall of one pair, either A given B or B given A. In Exp. I all lists were six pairs long and each serial position was tested equally often. In Exp. II the presentation rate was either 1 sec./pair or 3 sec./pair. In Exp. III an unfilled retention interval of 0, 2, 4, 7, or 10 sec. followed the last pair in the list. In Exp. IV each list was presented once, twice, or three times prior to the retention test. With one exception there were no significant differences between recall of A and recall of B. The exception occurred in Exp. II; at a presentation rate of 1 sec./pair recall of A was better than recall of B, but at the 3-sec. presentation rate the reverse was true. The results were discussed in relation to the principle of associative symmetry.
The Viability of the United Nations Approach to Economic and Social Human Rights in a Globalized Economy

The United Nations approaches economic and social human rights through a framework of legal positivism. States are called on to respect, protect and fulfil their legal obligations contained in international human rights law. The state remains ultimately responsible for guaranteeing these economic and social human rights. This article explores the viability of this statist approach in this era of economic globalization. The less developed countries often face economic deprivation caused not by state action/inaction but by the global economic system itself. In many key respects states appear to be losing their capacity to regulate their economies and labour markets effectively. Yet despite the shrinking nature of our global community, the state is still central in the creation of the proper environment for the fulfilment of these rights. This article analyses the national strategies that governments can pursue to respect, protect and fulfil the economic and social rights of their citizens, and thus meet their international legal obligations.
‘Winston has gone mad’: Churchill, the British Admiralty, and the Rise of Japanese Naval Power

Abstract As Chancellor of the Exchequer during the late 1920s, Winston Churchill was at the center of British strategic decision making about how to respond to the naval challenge posed by Japan's rise as a rival sea power. Churchill downplayed the likelihood of war with Japan. The leadership of the Royal Navy disagreed: they saw Japan as a dangerous threat to the security of the British Empire. Examining this dispute between Churchill and the Admiralty highlights the awkward political, economic, and strategic tradeoffs confronting British leaders between the world wars.
Lack of efficacy of tranexamic acid in thrombocytopenic bleeding

A controlled, randomized, double-blind study was performed to assess the effect of the oral antifibrinolytic agent tranexamic acid in patients with amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia as regards their need for platelet transfusions and the number of bleeding episodes experienced. Each patient served as his or her own control and received sequential, randomized courses of either tranexamic acid or an identical placebo. The need for platelet transfusions due to bleeding and the total number of bleeding episodes were compared for tranexamic acid and placebo courses. Patients received platelet transfusions at the discretion of their personal physician and kept detailed records of bleeding episodes. Of three patients who completed the full study, none had a reduction in the need for platelet transfusions. Moreover, in the eight patients who participated in the study, there was no reduction in number of bleeding episodes during tranexamic acid treatment as compared to the number with placebo. Our data indicate that the prophylactic administration of tranexamic acid does not decrease dependence on platelet transfusions or decrease bleeding episodes in patients with bleeding due to amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia.
SINGLE- AND DOUBLE-LAYER COUPLING OF SCHRODINGER AND POISSON-BOLTZMANN EQUATIONS

Abstract We present a method for incorporating solvent effects, including ionic strength, into ab initio electronic structure determinations and apply the method to the calculation of the free energy of solvation of the carbonate ion, CO 3 2− . The Green's function-based method couples the Schrodinger and linearized Poisson-Boltzmann equations through both the single and double layer surface charge distributions induced at a molecular-solvent interface. Single and double layers of charge are obtained from solution of the Poisson-Boltzmann equation (and added iteratively to the Hamiltonian) using electronic structure results (MP2/6–31G ∗∗ ) directly, eliminating the uncertainty in employing fractional charges.
Artificial Neural Networks and Remote Sensing

Accurate land cover classifications and biophysical estimations derived from remotely sensed data are important to generate map products and provide information about the Earth's changing surface. Statistical classifiers are often used to generate many of these data, but these classifiers rely on assumptions that may limit their utility for many datasets. Conversely, Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) provide an accurate way for researchers to classify land cover and estimate biophysical properties of earthly phenomena without having to rely on statistical procedures or assumptions. This article describes the role of ANNs in remote sensing from their inception and contrasts ANNs with statistical remote sensing classifiers. We conclude that ANNs will continue to play a crucial role in remote sensing because of their many benefits.
Staging of prostate cancer : current TNM classification and future prospects for prognostic factors

In 1992, the American Joint Committee on Cancer, in collaboration with the International Union Against Cancer, published a revision of the TNM (tumor, node, metastasis) staging system for prostate cancer. One goal of this revision was to provide congruence of this system with the classical Whitmore staging classification. A second goal was to accommodate the frequently encountered clinical situation of a cancer detected because of a PSA abnormality with a normal digital rectal exam and imaging. These revisions of the staging system have been accepted well internationally. Ideally, improved communication among prostate cancer researchers and clinicians about the anatomic extent of a prostate cancer will be possible. Cancer 1995 ;75 :1814-8.
A novel cyclin associates with M015/CDK7 to form the CDK-activating kinase

Abstract Phosphorylation by the CDK-activating kinase (CAK) is a required step in the activation of cyclin-dependent kinases. We have purified CAK from mammalian cells; the enzyme comprises two major polypeptides of 42 and 37 kDa. Protein sequencing indicates that the 42 kDa subunit is the mammalian homolog of M015, a protein kinase known to be a component of CAK in amphibians and echinoderms. Cloning of a cDNA encoding the 37 kDa subunit identifies it as a novel cyclin (cyclin H). We have reconstituted CAK in vitro with the MO15 catalytic subunit and cyclin H, demonstrating that M015 is a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK7). Like other CDKs, MO15/CDK7 contains a conserved threonine required for full activity; mutation of this residue severely reduces CAK activity. The CAK holoenzyme activates complexes of CDK2 and CDC2 with various cyclins and also phosphorylates CDK2, but not CDC2, in the absence of cyclin. Thus, CAK is a CDK-cyclin complex implicated in the control of multiple cell cycle transitions.
Higher Dimensional Gaussian Networks

Gaussian interconnection networks have recently been introduced as a useful alternative to the classical toroidal network, and in this paper this concept is generalized to higher dimensions. We also explore many important properties of this new topology, including diameter and distance distribution. In addition, an optimal shortest path routing algorithm and a one-to-all broadcast algorithm for higher dimensional Gaussian networks are given. Simulation results show that the routing algorithm proposed for higher dimensional Gaussian networks outperforms the routing algorithm of the corresponding torus network of the same node-degree and the same number of nodes.
Microwave-assisted extraction of lignin from triticale straw: Optimization and microwave effects

Abstract Presently lignin is used as fuel but recent interests in biomaterials encourage the use of this polymer as a renewable feedstock in manufacturing. The present study was undertaken to explore the potential applicability of microwaves to isolate lignin from agricultural residues. A central composite design (CCD) was used to optimize the processing conditions for the microwave (MW)-assisted extraction of lignin from triticale straw. Maximal lignin yield (91%) was found when using 92% EtOH, 0.64 N H2SO4, and 148 °C. The yield and chemical structure of MW-extracted lignin were compared to those of lignin extracted with conventional heating. Under similar conditions, MW irradiation led to higher lignin yields, lignins of lower sugar content, and lignins of smaller molecular weights. Except for these differences the lignins resulting from both types of heating exhibited comparable chemical structures. The present findings should provide a clean source of lignin for potential testing in manufacturing of biomaterials.
Antacids. I. Comparative biochemical and economic considerations.

1. Review of the literature on antacids indicates a scarcity of controlled clinical observations.
Implications of endogenous prices in consumer theory: The case of barter and the consumer cooperative☆

Abstract In contrast to the neoclassical model of the consumer, we develop a model in which the consumer can affect the price paid for goods through a barter system. The model is motivated via the consumer cooperative. We show that the compensated demand functions for co-op goods do not necessarily slope down in their own shelf price. A natural rescaling of the bundle of goods, however, obeys the law of demand and points to the relevant demand functions in situations of barter. The comparative static properties of the model are summarized in a generalized Slutsky matrix.
Modeling the Binding of Cholera Toxin to a Lipid Membrane by a Non‐additive Two‐Dimensional Hard‐Disk Model

A coupled two‐layer hard‐disk model in two dimensions inspired by the interactions of mixtures of different lipids in the outer bilayer leaflet was derived. It is effectively a non‐additive mixture of hard disks. A gas and a crystal phase are observed. The recognition and binding of pathogenic cholera toxin are modeled by fixing lipid‐binding sites in space in pentagonal geometries constrained by the protein. At constant pressure, this positional constraint leads to an increase in the area per molecule as the lipid‐packing structure is distorted. This distortion increases with increasing density or pressure. Variations of the basic model are discussed. We find that the overall area per molecule scales with the area per molecule of the majority component.
The Impact of Food Inflation on Urban Poverty and its Monetary Cost: Some Back-of-the-Envelope Calculations

This paper uses a sample of 73 developing countries to estimate the change in the cost of alleviating urban poverty brought about by the recent increase in food prices. This cost is approximated by the change in the poverty deficit, that is, the variation in financial resources required to eliminate poverty under perfect targeting. The results show that, for most countries, the cost represents less than 0.1 percent of gross domestic product. However, in the most severely affected, it may exceed 3 percent. In all countries, the change in the poverty deficit is mostly due to the negative real income effect of those households that were poor before the price shock, while the cost attributable to new households falling into poverty is negligible. Thus, in countries where transfer mechanisms with effective targeting already exist, the most cost-effective strategy would be to scale up such programs rather than designing tools to identify the new poor.
Letter by Chhabra et al Regarding Article, “Prevalence and Prognostic Significance of Abnormal P Terminal Force in Lead V1 of the Electrocardiogram in the General Population”

Eranti et al1 report an interesting correlation between an underappreciated electrocardiogram parameter, that is, P terminal force (PTF), and mortality. Indeed, PTF magnitude ≥0.04 mm·ms, if present along with an interatrial block (P-wave duration >110 ms), is considered highly specific and reasonably sensitive for diagnosing left atrial enlargement.2 The determination of PTF is restricted to lead V1, wherein lead placement error has a significant potential …
Likely effects on obesity from proposed changes to the US food stamp program

Abstract Some have suggested that the US food stamp program (FSP) should be revised with a view to combating obesity among the poor. In this paper, we assess the likely impacts of allowing FSP participants to purchase only healthy foods when using food stamps. Our results indicate that FSP participants would probably increase their consumption of healthy food, but the implications for their purchases of unhealthy food are not clear. Market-wide consequences are even less clear, because changing what may be purchased using food stamps would lead to higher prices for healthy foods and lower prices for unhealthy foods and these price effects would feed back into consumer decisions, with adverse effects on consumption patterns of both participants and non-participants in the FSP. In addition, more restrictive rules on the use of food stamps would discourage participation in the FSP. We conclude that, while reforming the FSP may indeed to lead to better diets among participants, it is likely to be an ineffective and inefficient instrument for bringing about desired nutritional outcomes unless accompanied by additional policy instruments.
On the communication complexity of the discrete Fourier transform

The communication complexity of a linear transformation is the number of scalars which must be transferred between two processors, each of which holds half the input vector in order to perform the transformation such that each processor holds half the output vector. This letter shows that the communication complexity of the the discrete Fourier transform of size n is at most n/2. That is, given a suitable partition of the input and output vectors, only n/4 complex numbers must be sent in each direction. In contrast, fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithms transfer at least n/2 complex numbers in each direction.
Stochastic Variation in Conductance on the Nanometer Scale: A General Phenomenon

nism for the variation in the conductance in each of these systems likely differs, each has the common feature that a nanometer-scale collection of molecules conduct the current. Because the current used in STM feedback is based on tunneling, an increase in the dimensions of the tip substrate gap is expected to result in an exponential change in the current. This phenomenon translates into order-of-magnitude changes in the tunneling current for angstrom changes in the gap dimensions. Given that any metal-molecule-metal junction is likely to have enough variability on this length scale, conductance changes in these junctions (and thus stochastic switching) should be completely general in this type of system. In this paper, we show that stochastic switching can be observed in two types of electroactive thiol molecules inserted into an n-alkanethiolate SAM on gold. Previously we have observed negative differential resistance (NDR, decreasing current with increasing bias) in these types of molecules when in a SAM. 11 At the applied bias in which these molecules show NDR, they show an enhanced conductance compared to an n-alkanethiolate SAM background. Here, we show that this enhanced conductance behavior blinks on and off, presumably because of conformation and/ or orientation changes of the inserted molecules with the SAM over time.
Fire‐climate interactions in forests of the American Pacific coast

We investigate relationships between climate and wildfire activity between 1929 and 2004 in Pacific coast forests of the United States. Self-Organizing Mapping (SOM) of annual area burned in National Forests (NF) in California, Oregon, and Washington identifies three contiguous NF groups and a fourth group of NF traversed by major highways. Large fire years in all groups are dry compared to small fire years. A sub-hemispheric circulation pattern of a strong trough over the North Pacific and a ridge over the West Coast is characteristic of large fire years in all groups. This pattern resembles the Pacific North American (PNA) teleconnection and positive phase of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). A reverse PNA and negative PDO phase characterizes small fire years. Despite the effect of fire suppression management between 1929 and 2004, forest area burned is linked to climatic variations related to large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns.
Vibrational stabilization and calculation formulas for nonlinear time delay systems: linear multiplicative vibrations

Abstract This paper shows that vibrational control is an effective means of stabilization of nonlinear time lag systems with arbitrarily large but bounded delays. Conditions for stabilizing are formulated and procedures for the synthesis of the corresponding stabilizing vibrations are proposed.
Wide-Field Imaging of Hubble Deep Field-South Region. I. Quasar Candidates

We present candidate quasars from a multicolor (uBVRI + narrowband) imaging survey of square degree around the Hubble Deep Field-South (HDF-S). We identify 154 candidate quasars with B < 23 using color selection, consistent with previously measured QSO number counts if we assume a 60% selection efficiency. The narrowband filter (NB) was centered at 3958 A to detect Lyα at the redshift of J2233-6033, the HDF-S QSO. We confirm the presence of Lyα nebulosity extending ~12'' around the HDF-S QSO, reported by Bergeron and coworkers. We detect 10 pointlike objects in emission through the NB filter. Of these, seven satisfy our QSO color selection criteria. One of the emission-line objects is a B ~ 20 radio-quiet quasar at z = 1.56, 67 from the line of sight to the HDF-S QSO and ~12'' from the western edge of the WFPC2 deep field.
Fine structural and cytochemical analysis of the staining of synaptic junctions with phosphotungstic acid.

Specialized interneuronal contact zones in various regions of the cat, rabbit, rat, guinea pig, frog, and earthworm nervous system have been examined after glutaraldehyde fixation and staining of tissue blocks with ethanolic phosphotungstic acid (E-PTA). This staining procedure selectively produces electron opacity of the paramembranous and intermembranous material found at the specialized contact zones. Plasma membranes and intracellular membranes are not stained and remain electron lucent. The chemical characteristics of the material which stains with E-PTA have been analyzed with cytochemical techniques. Digestion with trypsin and pepsin removes the material with affinity for E-PTA; the effects of trypsin digestion are completely inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor. Digestions with either hyaluronidase or neuraminidase have no effect on staining with E-PTA. The chemical sites reacting with E-PTA are blocked by acetylation. Staining with colloidal iron to demonstrate acid mucopolysaccharides results in no deposits of iron within the material subsequently stained by E-PTA. These data suggest that a protein with marked affinity for E-PTA is situated at sites of specialized interneuronal contact and that this material is distinct from the plasma membranes of the contacting processes. The E-PTA stain may provide a new approach to the cytochemical analysis of synaptic function.
The development of achievement and ability among Chinese children: A new contribution to an old controversy.

AbstractDoes ability cause achievement, or vice versa? This longitudinal panel study investigates the relationship between ability and achievement in a non-Western culture, among elementary schoolchildren in Taiwan. Taiwan is an interesting case because SES differences, which have proved problematic for studies in the United States, are relatively unconfounded with educational experience. Scores on Raven's Progressive Matrices and mathematics grades in school were collected on a cohort of 608 students at both first and fourth grade. Path modeling revealed a relatively large effect of mathematics achievement in first grade on Raven's Matrices scores in fourth grade, but only a very small effect of Raven's Matrices scores in first grade on mathematics achievement in fourth grade. Results are discussed in terms of both theoretical and policy implications.
Hypertension in the elderly

It is obvious that hypertension is one of the major health problems for the elderly. Cardiovascular disease is increased in the presence of an elevation in diastolic and/or systolic pressure. The available evidence indicates that antihypertensive therapy will reduce cardiovascular risk in elderly patients with diastolic hypertension. Data are currently accruing regarding the benefit versus risk of correcting isolated systolic hypertension. The major goal of therapy should be gradual reduction in blood pressure. Treatment should be started with smaller-than-usual doses of antihypertensive agents, and increments should be made at longer-than-usual intervals. The rationale for initiating monotherapy with certain classes of agents are considered in recent reviews [46, 47, 48].