cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Parkinson’s disease on optic flow perception for heading direction during navigation

Visuoperceptual disorders have been identified in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and may affect the perception of optic flow for heading direction during navigation. Studies in healthy subjects have confirmed that heading direction can be determined by equalizing the optic flow speed (OS) between visual fields. The present study investigated the effects of PD on the use of optic flow for heading direction, walking parameters, and interlimb coordination during navigation, examining the contributions of OS and spatial frequency (dot density). Twelve individuals with PD without dementia, 18 age-matched normal control adults (NC), and 23 young control adults (YC) walked through a virtual hallway at about 0.8 m/s. The hallway was created by random dots on side walls. Three levels of OS (0.8, 1.2, and 1.8 m/s) and dot density (1, 2, and 3 dots/m2) were presented on one wall while on the other wall, OS and dot density were fixed at 0.8 m/s and 3 dots/m2, respectively. Three-dimensional kinematic data were collected, and lateral drift, walking speed, stride frequency and length, and frequency, and phase relations between arms and legs were calculated. A significant linear effect was observed on lateral drift to the wall with lower OS for YC and NC, but not for PD. Compared to YC and NC, PD veered more to the left under OS and dot density conditions. The results suggest that healthy adults perceive optic flow for heading direction. Heading direction in PD may be more affected by the asymmetry of dopamine levels between the hemispheres and by motor lateralization as indexed by handedness.
The relationship of conjoint traits of dyslipidemias between young offspring and their parents in a community-based sample.

Abstract Background.The relationship of dyslipidemias between young offspring and their parents was examined to evaluate its usefulness in predicting lipid disorders among parents and children. Methods.Young offspring ages 5–17 years and their parents were studied in a community-based sample of 477 families. The dyslipidemias were defined as: (1) isolated high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C); (2) isolated high triglycerides (TG) and/or low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C); and (3) combined, involving both above. Results.Children of parents with a given dyslipidemia type had the highest frequency of the same disorder (P Conclusion.The conjoint dyslipidemias have familial basis to provide rationale for parents or children to determine their own risk status; however, sensitivity and positive predictive values are not high enough to be useful as a selective screening tool.
Simple computer intensive methods for estimating parameters of complex models

Abstract Two computer intensive methods are proposed for quick and dirty estimates of parameters of complex parametric models. Given n i.i.d. observations on a random variable, one may form a feature vector X , representing what seem to be relevant information in the data. By simulation, it is possible to estimate, (i) the covariance matrix of X for a value θ 0 which is thought to be close to the true value of the parameter, and (ii) the derivative of E θ0 ( X ) with respect to θ at θ 0 . From this information, simple matrix manipulations yield a locally best unbiased estimate of θ which is linear in X . A variation of this method involves selecting θ i according to some random or deterministic scheme, simulating X i corresponding to θ i , and regressing θ i on X i to find an estimator linear in X . This second method has a Bayesian interpretation. The calculations for these methods require the ability to simulate data from the model, and to do simple matrix calculations. The results depend in part on the choice of θ 0 which may be based on a relatively crude preliminary estimate of θ or on some prior knowledge. These methods were suggested by an analysis of an astronomical problem involving apparent superluminal motion, and these and other methods are examined with that problem as the illustrative example.
Structural stability and lattice dynamics of SiO 2 cristobalite

Among the phases of ${\text{SiO}}_{2}$ are $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ and $\ensuremath{\beta}$ cristobalites, which have a long and somewhat controversial history of proposed structural assignments and phase-transition mechanisms. Recently, Zhang and Scott found new indications that the higher-temperature $\ensuremath{\beta}$ phase has space group $I\overline{4}2d$ and, by assuming a group-subgroup relationship between phases, they argued that the lower-temperature $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ phase should have lower symmetry than that of the widely accepted $P{4}_{1}{2}_{1}2$ space group. With this motivation, we use first-principles calculations to investigate the energy, structure, and local stability of $P{4}_{1}{2}_{1}2$ and $I\overline{4}2d$ structures. We also compute the frequencies of the zone-center phonon modes in both structures, as well as certain zone-boundary modes in the $I\overline{4}2d$ structure, and compare with experiment. We then argue that the various $P{4}_{1}{2}_{1}2$ and $I\overline{4}2d$ enantiomorphs can be grouped into three clusters, each of which is identified with a three-dimensional manifold of structures of $P{2}_{1}{2}_{1}{2}_{1}$ symmetry in which the $P{4}_{1}{2}_{1}2$ and $I\overline{4}2d$ appear as higher-symmetry special cases. We find that there are relatively high energy barriers between manifolds, but low barriers within a manifold. Exploring the energy landscape within one of these manifolds, we find a minimal-energy path connecting $P{4}_{1}{2}_{1}2$ and $I\overline{4}2d$ structures with a surprisingly low barrier of $\ensuremath{\sim}5\text{ }\text{meV}$ per formula unit. Possible implications for the phase-transition mechanism are discussed.
Neutral aluminum and gallium four particle complexes in silicon carbide polytypes

Optical studies provide a great amount of information about acceptors in SiC. The optical recombination of neutral acceptor four particle (bound exciton) complexes has been observed in 4H, 6H, 15R and 3C SiC for Al; 4H, 6H and 3C SiC for Ga; and in 4H SiC for the shallow B acceptor. A model for the electronic structure of neutral acceptor four particle complexes based on symmetry provides a description of the no-phonon spectra for Al and Ga, when the possibility of lattice strain is included. This model is consistent with the numbers of no-phonon lines observed for Al and Ga in 3C, 4H and 6H SiC, but there are too many no-phonon lines for Al in 15R SiC. The model is further developed and applied to Zeeman spectra of Al and Ga four particle complexes in 6H SiC, providing further insight into their electronic structure.
Relationship between biomechanical asymmetries during a step up and over task and stair climbing after total knee arthroplasty

Abstract Background Patients six months after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) demonstrate movement asymmetries and functional deficits, which may be related to poor functional performance. The aims of this study were to 1) compare biomechanical variables between subjects 6 months after TKA and an age-matched healthy control group during a step up and over task and 2) determine the relationship between quadriceps strength, movement patterns and stair climbing performance. Methods Twenty patients 6 months following unilateral TKA and twenty healthy controls were enrolled. Participants completed questionnaires, isometric quadriceps strength testing and performance based tests to quantify functional performance. Motion analysis was performed during a step up and over task. Functional and biomechanical variables were analyzed using a 2× 2 ANOVA. The symmetry ratios (operated/non-operated limb * 100) for biomechanical variables were analyzed using independent t-tests. Pearson correlations were performed to determine the relationships between biomechanical variables, strength and stair climbing performance. Findings In the TKA group, subjects had lower peak moments, power and sagittal plane excursion in the operated knee compared to the contralateral knee ( P P = 0.014). Compared to the control group, all symmetry ratios were significantly lower in the surgical group ( P R = − 0.762, P Interpretation Individuals 6 months after TKA had worse performance with respect to biomechanics, quadriceps strength, and performance-based tests. Biomechanical asymmetries after TKA reduce the demand on the operated knee and increase reliance on the contralateral limb and ipsilateral hip.
Effect of methyl linoleate on tissue cholesterol of normal and vit. E-deficient rabbits.

Summary1. Distribution of cholesterol in 7 tissues of normal and dystrophic rabbits was determined. 2. Significant decreases in serum, liver, heart, kidney, and spleen cholesterol occurred in animals receiving dystrophic diet plus 10% methyl linoleate as compared to those receiving dystrophic diet alone. 3. Vit. E caused a lowering of cholesterol in serum, muscle, and heart tissue. 4. 10% methyl linoleate did not significantly lower tissue cholesterol of normal animals. 5. Dystrophic rabbits receiving methyl linoleate had similar tissue cholesterol to normal rabbits with the exception of muscle tissue.
Life sciences flight hardware development for the International Space Station.

During the construction phase of the International Space Station (ISS), early flight opportunities have been identified (including designated Utilization Flights, UF) on which early science experiments may be performed. The focus of NASA's and other agencies' biological studies on the early flight opportunities is cell and molecular biology; with UF-1 scheduled to fly in fall 2001, followed by flights 8A and UF-3. Specific hardware is being developed to verify design concepts, e.g., the Avian Development Facility for incubation of small eggs and the Biomass Production System for plant cultivation. Other hardware concepts will utilize those early research opportunities onboard the ISS, e.g., an Incubator for sample cultivation, the European Modular Cultivation System for research with small plant systems, an Insect Habitat for support of insect species. Following the first Utilization Flights, additional equipment will be transported to the ISS to expand research opportunities and capabilities, e.g., a Cell Culture Unit, the Advanced Animal Habitat for rodents, an Aquatic Facility to support small fish and aquatic specimens, a Plant Research Unit for plant cultivation, and a specialized Egg Incubator for developmental biology studies. Host systems (Figure 1A, B: see text), e.g., a 2.5 m Centrifuge Rotor (g-levels from 0.01-g to 2-g) for direct comparisons between g and selectable g levels, the Life Sciences Glovebox for contained manipulations, and Habitat Holding Racks (Figure 1B: see text) will provide electrical power, communication links, and cooling to the habitats. Habitats will provide food, water, light, air and waste management as well as humidity and temperature control for a variety of research organisms. Operators on Earth and the crew on the ISS will be able to send commands to the laboratory equipment to monitor and control the environmental and experimental parameters inside specific habitats. Common laboratory equipment such as microscopes, cryo freezers, radiation dosimeters, and mass measurement devices are also currently in design stages by NASA and the ISS international partners.
Binocular disparity as a discriminable stimulus parameter for young infants.

Abstract The ability of 8-week-old infants to discriminate between projected stereograms with and without retinal disparity was tested with an habituation-dishabituation paradigm. Infants in two experimental groups received six trials with either the disparity or the nondisparity stimulus and then were given two trials with the other display. Infants in two control groups viewed the same stimulus, either disparity or nondisparity, on all eight trials. There was a suggestion of some response decrement over time in both cardiac deceleration and sucking suppression, although this effect was not significant. However, significant increment was obtained on the dishabituation trials for heart rate in the group that was shifted from the nondisparity to the disparity stimulus. These results were interpreted as indicating that the infants could discriminate between stimuli when the only difference between them was binocular disparity.
Identification, causation, alleviation, and prevention of complications (ICAP) An approach to symptom and disability management in multiple sclerosis

Comprehensive management of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) includes treatment to modify the disease course and interventions to address the persistent symptoms and consequences of this chronic illness, which can affect patients for decades. Although much excitement and attention accompanies new therapeutic initiatives for disease management, symptomatic issues are often overshadowed despite their impact on patients9 daily lives. This article describes the application of an organizational scheme of identification, causation, alleviation, and prevention of complications as a tool for identifying and managing symptomatic issues in patients with MS.
ON THE STRONG LAW OF LARGE NUMBERS FOR SUMS OF INDEPENDENT BANACH SPACE VALUED RANDOM ELEMENTS

For a sequence of independent random elements {V n ,n≥1} in a real separable Banach space X, necessary and, separately, sufficient conditions are provided for the strong law of large numbers ∑ i=1 n (V i −c i )/b n →0 almost certainly to hold where {c n ,n≥1} and {b n >0,n≥1} are suitable sequences of centering elements in X and norming constants, respectively. The necessity result extends a real line result of Martikainen[14] to a Banach space setting. The sufficiency result assumes that X is of Rademacher type p (1≤p≤2) and is new even when X is the real line. It is general enough to include as special cases a strong law of Adler, Rosalsky, and Taylor[2] for sums of independent and identically distributed random elements and a strong law of Heyde[9] for sums of independent (real-valued) random variables. Illustrative examples are provided showing that the results are sharp and an example is presented satisfying the hypotheses of the sufficiency result but not those of Heyde's[9] theorem.
Angiographic demonstration of spasm in a left internal mammary artery used as a bypass to the left anterior descending coronary artery

Abstract Spontaneous spasm of native coronary arteries and saphenous vein bypass grafts has previously been demonstrated by coronary angiography. 1,2 Direct observation of spasm involving internal mammary artery (IMA) bypass graft has been reported in the immediate postoperative period. 3 We present angiographic documentation of spasm in left IMA bypass graft in the late postoperative period.
Transformations in Casino Gaming and the Unionization of Atlantic City's Dealers

This account of a successful unionization campaign among dealers is based on an ethnographic study-in-progress of workers in Atlantic City’s eleven casinos. Deteriorating working conditions that reflect broader political economic trends have contributed to a shift in employees’ attitudes toward their jobs, their employers, and consequently unions. Unions became “insiders,” as casino management is increasingly viewed as “outsiders.” This case study is indicative of organized labor’s ability to unionize in the twenty-first-century service economy.
Energy in a highly ordered universe

A new theory of particles proposed in an earlier paper is now applied to explain energy. Having earlier derived the Rydberg formula for atomic spectra without using the Pauli principle, the authors now derive the photoelectric effect, deflection of light by gravitation, and Planck's law for blackbody radiation without using Planck's assumption on energy quanta or Einstein's theory of general relativity.
Polynitroaliphatic explosives containing the pentafluorosulfanyl (SF5) group: The selection and study of a model compound

An investigation concerning the effect of the pentafluoro-sulfanyl (SF5) group on the properties of explosive nitro compounds is described. The investigation includes: (a) the preparation of severa...
The Physical Nature of Transpirational Pull.

Physiology texts state that the transpirational pull initiates the ascent of sap by means of a diffusion of liquid water from the top of the vessels in the leaf to the evaporating surface of the mesophyll cells. This concept is shown to be impossible because under commonly found conditions, the diffusion rate of the water vapor may be 600,000 times that of the liquid water. A consistent and physically sound theory of the ascent of sap is possible only if it is assumed that surface tension forces initiate the rise - i.e., that the adhesive (imbibitional) forces are increased at the surface due to evaporation and this causes the rise of the whole column due to cohesion between the water molecules. 12 references.
Severity of bulimic symptoms is the best predictor of interference on an emotional Stroop paradigm

Objective: The goal of the current study was to further investigate whether an emotional Stroop effect exists among patients with bulimia nervosa. Method: Performances of 30 female controls, 30 females with subclinical eating disordered symptoms, and 30 females diagnosed with bulimia nervosa were compared on an emotional Stroop color naming task using stimuli separated into three areas of concern (eating, weight, and shape words). Results: Results indicated that overall the three groups differed significantly on the emotional Stroop task, with the interference latency for disorder salient words progressively increasing as the severity of bulimic symptoms increased. Severity of bulimic symptoms was the best predictor of interference on the emotional Stroop paradigm. Discussion: Results provide further evidence that interference on the emotional Stroop is uniquely related to the symptoms of bulimia nervosa and bear credence to the possibility of its use as an additional tool in the diagnosis of bulimia nervosa.
Scoring for eye irritation tests.

Abstract Scoring of the rabbit eye test and the resulting evaluation and classification should provide useful information about the likelihood that a test material may cause injury on contact with the human eye. When an animal test is necessary, a rabbit eye test based on the following characteristics is proposed for deriving the maximum information from the fewest animals. The ocular effects of interest should include corneal opacity, iritis and conjunctival redness. Animals should be scored for each ocular effect at 24, 48 and 72 hr after the test substance is administered. If an animal is negative at all three scoring times, it can be removed from the test at 72 hr. If it shows a positive effect at a scoring time but the lesion clears at 72 hr, it can be removed at 72 hr. If it shows a positive effect that does not clear at 72 hr, it should be scored again on day 7 when the test ends. However, if an animal shows severe effects at one or more scoring times, it can be removed from the test at 72 hr. An animal is positive if any one of the following criteria is observed at 24, 48 or 72 hr: corneal opacity of 1 or above, or conjunctival redness of 2 or above. Severe ocular effects (noted at 24, 48 or 72 hr) that may endanger sight deserve special recognition for the classification of chemicals and include corneal opacity of 3 or above, or iritis of 2. This proposal is consistent with the opinions of the majority of respondents who attended the Workshop on Updating Eye Irritation Test Methods, Proposals for Regulatory Consensus. The most notable exception was the suggestion by respondents to add conjunctival chemosis as one of the scoring parameters.
Finite element hydrodynamic friction model for metal forming

The complex contact conditions on the three-dimensional (3-D) tooling-workpiece interface, such as non-penetrations, slip–stick phenomena and friction forces due to the relative motion of contacting surfaces, are of vital importance in metal forming operations. Usually, a lubricant is provided as an interface medium between the tool and the workpiece to avoid strain localization, wear and surface damage. Hence, a simple friction law such as Coulomb friction, involving only a constant friction coefficient, cannot model the contact phenomena accurately. In this research, a realistic friction model, which accounts for the tribological behaviour, and most importantly, the effect of surface roughness on the lubricated contact, is developed. This model has been implemented in a 3-D arbitrary Lagrangian Fulerian finite element code for metal forming analysis. The applicability of the proposed model is demonstrated by the simulation of fluid-lubricated thrust bearing and sheet metal stretch forming.
Shape Smoothing Using Medial Axis Properties

A shape smoothing algorithm is presented which uses properties of the medial axis to define segments of the shape border and their prominence relative to the local radius of the shape. Prominence values are used to classify axes as either major or minor, and minor axes are then deleted. An augmented medial axis transform is also defined using an approximate Euclidean distance transform, and medial axis interpolation and linking.
Pancraniosynostosis following endoscopic- assisted strip craniectomy for sagittal suture craniosynostosis in the setting of poor compliance with follow-up: a case report

There is limited craniofacial literature on the complications of helmet therapy and controversy regarding the effects of inadequate orthotic helmet therapy. The authors present a case of inadvertently prolonged orthotic helmet therapy after endoscopic strip craniectomy for isolated sagittal synostosis. A two-month-old Caucasian baby underwent uncomplicated endoscopic-assisted strip craniectomy to treat synostosis of the sagittal suture and was fitted for an orthotic helmet two weeks postoperatively. He presented to the craniofacial clinic eight weeks postoperatively with occipital flattening and increased posterior vault height, so the helmet was refitted. During the next 18 months, the helmet was used inconsistently without follow-up. Upon re-presentation, the patient had developed pansynostosis, requiring a subsequent open total cranial vault reconstruction for correction for this secondary deformity. Although it remains unclear whether postoperative development of pansynostosis is the result of prolonged helmeting or the consequence of progressive synostotic disease, this report highlights the importance of parent education and judicious scheduled follow-up for the avoidance of potential helmet therapy complications.
Analysis of Aggregate Gradation and Packing for Easy Estimation of Hot-Mix-Asphalt Voids in Mineral Aggregate

The voids in mineral aggregate (VMA) design parameter is one of the most important in the current Superpave mix design procedure that links hot-mix-asphalt (HMA) mix properties to field performance. The success of achieving the appropriate VMA at an early stage of the mix-design process not only significantly impacts the design time and effort but also can produce an economical and reasonable design with good field performance. Although several current mix and gradation design methods have provided some guidance on adjusting gradation to achieve target VMA, these approaches still have to rely on initial experimental results with some degree of trial and error, and provide no direct correlation between aggregate gradation and VMA. This paper presents an analysis of aggregate packing and discrete-element modeling (DEM) simulation to link the aggregate gradation property to the VMA of HMA. A new definition is proposed for characterizing traditional dense-graded aggregate gradations into three types: coarse-g...
Sex Differences in Male-Typical Copulatory Behaviors in Response to Androgen and Estrogen Treatment in Rats

The present experiment was performed to test the hypothesis that gender differences in the capacity for brain estrogen synthesis could constitute a sexually dimorphic mechanism that limits the activat
Role of Purinergic Signaling in Voiding Dysfunction

Purinergic signaling is a term that relates to adenosine triphosphate binding to its receptor (purinergic receptors such as P2X and P2Y subtypes). This pathway has been implicated in bladder functional disorders related to interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome, neurogenic bladder secondary to spinal cord injury, lower urinary tract symptoms, diabetes, and aging. Purinergic signaling occurs at multiple sites, including the central nervous system, peripheral motor and sensory nerves, detrusor smooth muscle, and bladder urothelium. Future pharmacologic agents to treat bladder functional disorders may be able to target purinergic signaling at one or more of these sites.
Backend dielectric breakdown dependence on linewidth and pattern density.

Time-dependent dielectric breakdown of copper/low-k interconnects has been found to degrade for narrow metal lines. Several feasible causes for degradation have been investigated, including enhanced electric fields, the optical proximity effect, and microloading in etch. Microloading is found to be the best explanation of the observed behavior. A mathematical model has been developed to relate the geometries of layout features to mean-time-to-failure (MTTF).
Gentrification and the Nature of Work: Exploring the Links in Williamsburg, Brooklyn:

This paper looks at the linkages between gentrification and the displacement of small-scale manufacturing and blue-collar work in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Although the link between global economic change and gentrification has been made for the upper classes who are the consumers of the gentrified landscape, very little work has been done on the blue-collar work and workers that remain in the central city despite the assumption by policymakers that deindustrialization is complete. I argue that manufacturing is still a viable sector of the urban economy that is increasingly at risk of displacement because of the conversion of industrial space to residential use and speculative real-estate pressure. In this way, gentrification is encouraging industrial displacement, which in turn is leading to the degradation of the blue-collar work that remains and to the increasing informalization of work.
Healthcare burden of venous thromboembolism in childhood chronic renal diseases

Chronic renal diseases (CRD) are associated with approximately 5 % of pediatric venous thromboembolism (VTE) cases, but the epidemiology of VTE in CRD is ill-defined. Children (<18 years) with CRD were identified from MarketScan® Research databases. The VTE status of subjects with CRD who qualified for this study was ascertained during the 6 months following the initial diagnosis of CRD. Demographics, healthcare utilization, mortality, and co-morbid conditions were assessed. A total of 22,877 children with predefined CRD ICD-9-CM codes were identified between April 1, 2003 and June 30, 2012, among whom 0.55 % had VTE. Our analysis revealed that in-hospital mortality was more likely in children with VTE than in those without VTE (11.9 vs. 0.9 %, respectively; p < 0.0001). The usage of healthcare facilities, based on the number of inpatient admissions, length of stay, outpatient visits, and pharmaceutical claims, was also significantly higher in patients with VTE than in those without (p < 0.0001). Total mean healthcare expenditures for the 6-month follow-up period were 13-fold greater in the VTE group than in the group without VTE ($338,338 ± $544,045 vs. $25,171 ± $90,792; p < 0.0001). In a multivariate model, infection, hemodialysis, and trauma/surgery significantly increased the likelihood of VTE. Venous thromboembolism is rare in children with CRD, but it is associated with higher mortality and healthcare utilization when present. Among the children with CRD enrolled in our study, the likelihood of VTE was increased among those with co-morbid, non-renal chronic conditions.
The Ghost Forests of Cascadia: How Valuing Geological Inquiry Puts Practice Into Place

ABSTRACT Interpreting the hazards and appreciating the privileges of living in a particular place draw upon insights from multiple disciplines. Seemingly self-evident, this perspective stands as a counterpoint to the depiction of scientific practice as unified and independent of discipline in standards for the education of all Americans. Inquiry adapts in distinctive ways to different kinds of problems. By deciphering the distribution and timing of the demise of cedar trees—ghost forests—U.S. Geological Survey geologist Brian Atwater uncovered the threat of great subduction zone earthquakes in Cascadia. In research that interprets place, diverse inquiries cohere and bind local citizens to an appreciation of their landscape. Practices characteristic of geological inquiry, organized to interpret place, emphasize temporally and geographically restricted solutions, not universal knowledge. The importance of such practices casts doubt on the merits of scientific unity promoted by standards-driven reform.
Structural models for the cell surface Lipooligosaccharides of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Haemophilus influenzae

A structural model is proposed for the surface glycolipids, or lipooligosaccharides (LOS), of gram-negative pathogenic bacteria that colonize human mucosae, e.g. Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Haemophilus influenzae. The development of this model has involved analysis of a series of pyocin-resistant mutants with altered LOS and other recent immunochemical and structural data. A comprehensive approach to determining the necessary structural data has been constructed that utilizes liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry, tandem mass spectrometry, methylation analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance. To prepare purified oligosaccharides for these analyses, chromatographic and chemical techniques have been developed that include high-pH anion-exchange chromatography of underivatized oligosaccharides and reverse-phase chromatography after derivatization with hydrazino alkyl benzoates. The proposed LOS model has several unique features that distinguish it from models developed for the lipopolysaccharides of enteric bacteria. This information should lead to an understanding of the unique structure/function relationship of LOS and to the development of carbohydrate-based vaccines.
Death in a toddler following endosulfan ingestion.

Introduction. Endosulfan, an organochlorine insecticide widely used in agriculture, is rapidly absorbed following ingestion, inhalation, or skin exposure. Poisonings rarely result in morbidity and ...
Inventories in a dynamic macro model with flexible prices

This paper presents a disequilibrium macro model with inventories, rational expectations, and flexible prices. It is found that less than full employment equilibria are possible, even highly likely, in the intermediate term and that wage reductions will cause employment to drop. Increasing aggregate demand will raise employment only if it is done gradually. On a technical level, we have multiple switching lines, disconnected regimes, and a connected equilibrium set which borders on a switching Iline and otherwise lies in a single region.
Surfactant-stabilized Emulsion Increases Gentamicin Elution From Bone Cement

Background Liquid antimicrobial use for antimicrobial-loaded bone cement is limited because of decreased strength and small volume that can be loaded. Emulsifying the liquid antimicrobial into the monomer may address both issues.
Development of a Mammalian Suspension Culture for Expression of Active Recombinant Human Urokinase-type Plasminogen Activator

The development of specific catalytic inhibitors for the serine protease urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) has been hindered due to difficulties in producing sufficient amounts of active recombinant uPA that is catalytically equivalent to native uPA. The purpose of this study was to develop an efficient system for the expression of recombinant human uPA that exhibits comparable proteolytic activity to that of the native protein. Since post-translational modifications (e.g. glycosylations) of uPA are necessary for efficient proteolytic activity, we have used a mammalian cell line [Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-S] to express recombinant human uPA. CHO-S cells were selected to stably express full-length recombinant human uPA containing a hexahistidine tag at its C-terminus to permit purification by nickel-based affinity chromatography. Secretion of recombinant uPA into the culture media was confirmed by immunoblotting and the presence of an N-linked glycosylation was confirmed by PNGase sensitivity. Enzymatic activity of purified recombinant uPA was demonstrated using zymography and quantitatively compared to native uPA by kinetic analysis using an uPA-specific substrate. Native uPA and the recombinant uPA demonstrated comparable Km values (55.7 and 39 μM, respectively). Furthermore, inhibition studies using benzamidine resulted in a Ki of 195 μM for native uPA, while recombinant uPA had a Ki of 112 μM. These data indicate that recombinant human uPA expressed by CHO-S cells is functionally comparable to native uPA.
Topological conditions enabling use of harris methods in discrete and continuous time

This paper describes the role of continuous components in linking the topological and measuretheoretic (or regenerative) analysis of Markov chains and processes. Under Condition $$\mathcal{T}$$ below we show the following parallel results for both discrete and continuous time models:
Using evolutionary computation to optimize an SVM used in detecting buried objects in FLIR imagery

In this paper we describe an approach for optimizing the parameters of a Support Vector Machine (SVM) as part of an algorithm used to detect buried objects in forward looking infrared (FLIR) imagery captured by a camera installed on a moving vehicle. The overall algorithm consists of a spot-finding procedure (to look for potential targets) followed by the extraction of several features from the neighborhood of each spot. The features include local binary pattern (LBP) and histogram of oriented gradients (HOG) as these are good at detecting texture classes. Finally, we project and sum each hit into UTM space along with its confidence value (obtained from the SVM), producing a confidence map for ROC analysis. In this work, we use an Evolutionary Computation Algorithm (ECA) to optimize various parameters involved in the system, such as the combination of features used, parameters on the Canny edge detector, the SVM kernel, and various HOG and LBP parameters. To validate our approach, we compare results obtained from an SVM using parameters obtained through our ECA technique with those previously selected by hand through several iterations of “guess and check”.
Significance of Low Peak Doppler Velocity in the Proximal Sano Conduit in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Background The Sano modification of the Norwood operation is a well-established first step palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Theoretically, the first point of resistance to pulmonary flow should be in the proximal Sano, generating high Doppler flow velocity. Paradoxically, however, some patients have low gradients in the proximal Sano conduit. The objective of this study was to determine the hemodynamic and anatomic significance of low proximal Sano Doppler flow velocity and its clinical implications. Methods Doppler-derived peak gradients in the proximal Sano conduits were measured in HLHS patients after Norwood-Sano surgery over a 4-year period and confirmed by cardiac catheterization within 2 to 4 weeks. Clinical outcomes of patients with proximal Sano gradients of 30 mm Hg or less (group 1) were compared with patients whose gradient was greater than 30 mm Hg (group 2). Results Of the 53 patients, 21 (40%) belonged to group 1. Patients in group 1 had smaller ostial right and left pulmonary artery (PA) diameter (3.2 ± 1.2 mm versus 4.5 ± 1.8 mm, p = 0.03; and 3.4 ± 1.2 mm versus 5.6 ± 2.1 mm, p = 0.01) when compared with patients in group 2. Patients (7 of 10) who needed either balloon angioplasty of a distal Sano or proximal branch PA were from group 1 ( p = 0.01). Patients in group 1 had higher rates of unintended PA interventions (33% versus 9%) and complications (48% versus 16%) compared with group 2. Conclusions Low peak Doppler flow velocity in the proximal Sano correlates with the presence of either distal Sano stenosis or proximal branch PA stenosis. These patients require close follow-up in the interstage period and may need earlier intervention.
A selected history and future of immunoassay development and applications in clinical chemistry.

Abstract Background The first immunoassay was described by Berson and Yalow in 1959. Their work resulted in their receipt of the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1977. Since this introduction, immunoassays have evolved considerably. Methods There have been several milestones that have led to the proliferation of modern immunoassays. The development of monoclonal antibodies from mouse hydridoma cells by Millstein and Kohler (Nobel Prize in 1984) enabled the production of high quantities of antibodies with well characterized epitope specificity. The first homogenous immunoassay (no separation step required) was the Enzyme Multiplied Immunoassay Technique (EMIT), which enabled adaptation of this assay onto automated chemistry platforms. EMIT was also one of the first immunoassay that made use of non-isotopic labels. Other non-isotopic labels became available such as chemiluminescence to improve the analytical sensitivity of immunoassays. The advantages of high-sensitivity immunoassays have created expanded diagnostic roles for some existing assays such as thyroid stimulating hormone for hyperthyroidism, C-reactive protein for cardiovascular risk assessment, and other applications. The development of instrumentation capable of automated heterogeneous immunoassays (separation step to improve sensitivity) has enabled movement of this technology from the “special chemistry” sections of a clinical laboratory into the "core" laboratory with other high-volume testing. Conclusion Today, immunoassays play a prominent role in the analysis of many clinical laboratory analytes such as proteins, hormones, drugs, and nucleic acids. The future involves development of assays with higher sensitivities which will enable the discovery of new biomarkers for disease diagnosis, and technology that will enable simultaneous multimarker analysis of tests whose needs are naturally grouped together (e.g., cytokines and allergens).
A gigabit/sec fibre channel circuit switch-based LAN

Summary form only given, as follows. The author presented Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's motivation for pursuing the development of a LAN (local area network) with the capability of providing gigabit/second channels to individual offices. This includes high-speed file transfer, distributed computing, and vision-limited scientific visualization. Architectural tradeoffs between shared media and space division circuit switching were considered. The results of efforts to work with industry to develop a prototype gigabit/second fiber channel based circuit switching LAN were presented. Finally, an assessment of the future of the present gigabit/second standards activities was made and the possibilities and challenges of wavelength division multiplexing were examined. >
Separated orbits for certain non-reductive subgroups

In this paper, we extend central portions of the geometric invariant theory for reductive groups G to nonreductive subgroups H satisfying the codimension 2 condition on G/H. First, the separated orbits for such subgroups are described using a one-parameter subgroup criterion. Second, the desired theorems concerning quotient varieties for spaces of separated orbits are proved.
A Stable High-Index Surface of Silicon: Si(5 5 12)

A stable high-index surface of silicon, Si(5 5 12), is described. This surface forms a 2 x 1 reconstruction with one of the largest unit cells ever observed, 7.7 angstroms by 53.5 angstroms. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) reveals that the 68 surface atoms per 2 x 1 unit cell are reconstructed only on a local scale. A complete structural model for the surface is proposed, incorporating a variety of features known to exist on other stable silicon surfaces. Simulated STM images based on this model have been computed by first-principles electronic-structure methods and show excellent agreement with experiment.
Insect diversity of a Costa Rican dry forest: why keep it, and how?

The dry forest of the 108 km2 Santa Rosa National Park in northwestern Costa Rica contains as many as 13 000 species of insects (including 3140 species of moths and butterflies) sustained by and sustaining about 700 species of plants and 400 species of vertebrates. These insects require explicit conservation attention. They are more than just decorations on the plants; rather, they are the building blocks and glue for much of the habitat. They are the food for much of the carnivore community, and the insect species are not merely interchangeable bits of nutrients. They are major killers of seeds, and thereby influence both the plant species composition of a habitat and prevent the better competitors from taking it over. They are the primary pollinators and are specific enough to be neither interchangeable nor replaceable with other animals; the seeds resulting from their pollination activities are major animal foods in the habitat. They are a diverse, puzzling, complex, intrinsically attractive, and major part of the intellectual display offered by tropical wildlands, the display that will be the eventual foundation for most of the reason why tropical wildlands will be retained as such in the future. The retention and maintenance of insect species richness in a tropical wildland is strongly rooted in the preservation of plant species richness, in maintaining habitat mosaics (different members of which are used by a given insect in different seasons), in preserving a large diversity of habitats, and in recognizing the threat posed by insect crop associates in nearby agricultural lands.
Serious Psychological Distress and Diabetes Care among California Adults

Objective:To evaluate three aspects of diabetes care (foot checks, eye examinations, and hemoglobin AlC checks by a physician) among California adults with Type 2 diabetes and serious psychological distress (SPD).Method:Data were from the population-based 2005 California Health Interview Survey. Estimates were that in 2005, 1,516,171 Californians (5.75% of all adults) had a physician-given diabetes diagnosis, and of those, 108,621 (7.16%) had co-morbid SPD.Results:Among Californians with Type 2 diabetes, SPD was associated with fewer physician foot checks (odds ratio = 0.56, 95% Confidence Interval = 0.32 to 0.97) but not with fewer eye examinations or hemoglobin AlC checks.Conclusions:The findings highlight a specific area—foot complication evaluation and prevention—for improving the quality of diabetes care among adult Californians with Type 2 diabetes and SPD.
In Vivo Morphologic Characteristics of Salzmann Nodular Degeneration With Ultra-High-Resolution Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose To examine the in vivo morphologic properties of Salzmann nodular degeneration with ultra-high-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT). Design Interventional case series. Methods setting: Single-center academic practice. study population: Nineteen eyes of 12 patients with Salzmann nodular degeneration were recruited to participate in the study. observational procedure: Subjects were imaged using novel, custom-built ultra-high-resolution OCT. Images were used to describe in vivo characteristics of subepithelial nodules. Morphometric measurements were made with custom-built software. Ultra-high-resolution OCT findings were compared with histopathologic findings in 3 patients. main outcome measures: Identifiable in vivo morphologic characteristics of Salzmann nodular degeneration with ultra-high-resolution OCT. Results Ultra-high-resolution OCT images demonstrate intraepithelial fibrous nodules with epithelial thinning and corneal surface elevation. The Bowman layer could be differentiated in 9 of 12 patients. The difference between the mean thickness of epithelium above the nodule and the thickness of normal epithelium was statistically significant ( P P P Conclusions Ultra-high-resolution OCT can be used to noninvasively image the cornea in Salzmann nodular degeneration. This new imaging technique helps us to demonstrate different in vivo morphologic characteristics of Salzmann nodular degeneration.
The CovR response regulator of group A streptococcus (GAS) acts directly to repress its own promoter.

Summary The CovR/S (CsrR/S) two component system is a global regulator of virulence gene expression in the group A streptococcus (GAS, Streptococcus pyogenes). The response regulator, CovR, regulates about 15% of the genes of GAS, including its own operon. Using in vitro DNA binding assays with purified CovR protein, we found that CovR binds a DNA fragment including the covR promoter (Pcov). DNaseI footprint analyses showed that phosphorylation of CovR enhanced and extended the protected regions. The proposed CovR consensus binding sequence (ATTARA) was present at most, but not all protected regions. The effect of replacing the two thymine residues in the consensus binding sequence (CB) with guanine residues was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Most, but not all, CB mutations reduced binding of CovR in vitro. Using a transcriptional reporter introduced in single copy into the GAS chromosome, we found that mutations at each CB completely or partially relieved CovR-mediated repression in vivo. This suggests that CovR regulation of Pcov is direct. Further support for this conclusion comes from use of an in vitro GAS transcription system in which CovR was sufficient to mediate repression of Pcov. This repression was enhanced by phosphorylation of the protein. In addition, we found that the CovR binding region overlapping the promoter was essential for wild type repression of Pcov both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that promoter occlusion is a primary mechanism of Pcov repression by CovR.
Antimicrobial Resistance among and Therapeutic Options against Gram-Negative Pathogens

Gram-negative bacterial pathogens are a common cause of infection, and the prevalence and rates of resistance among these pathogens to existing antimicrobial agents are increasing. beta-Lactamase-mediated resistance is of particular concern. High-level resistance attributable to beta-lactamase expression alone or in combination with other mechanisms is becoming increasingly prevalent among Enterobacteriaceae and gram-negative nonfermenting organisms. Doripenem is a new carbapenem with strong coverage of difficult-to-treat gram-negative bacterial pathogens. Its activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa exceeds that of other carbapenems, and it has equivalent activity against Acinetobacter species and most Enterobacteriaceae. Thus, doripenem may be valuable alone or in combination with other agents in the treatment of serious gram-negative infections.
Ectopic cilia of the canine eyelid.

Ectopic cilia were found to be the cause of blepharospasm and ocular discharge in four dogs. In each case the lash or lashes protruded through the palpebral conjunctiva at the centre of the upper lid and appeared to originate at the base of a meibomian gland. The cilia were removed by epilation with electrosurgery. Resume. On a constate que les cils ectopiques sont la cause du blepharospasme et des ecoule-ments oculaires chez quatre chiens. Dans tous ces cas, le ou les cils avaient penetre dans la con-jonctive au niveau du centre de la paupiere superieure et on a constate qu'ils provenaient de la base d'une glande de meibomius. Les cils ont ete enleves par epilation a l'aide d'une cautere electrique. Zusammenfassung. Ectopische Cilien wurden als Ursache von Blepharospasmus und Augenfluss bei vier Hunden festgestellt. In jedem Falle ragte die Wimper (oder Wimpern) durch die Lidbindehaut in der Mitte des oberen Lides und schien der Basis einer Meibomschen Druse zu entspringen. Die Cilien wurden durch elektrochirurgische Epilation entfernt.