cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Correlation of visual quality grading and SPAD reading of green-leaved foliage plants

Abstract Green-leaved foliage plants are valued for their leaf forms and sizes but mainly for their foliar greenness. Evaluation of the quality of these plants has been based primarily on visual grading, which often brings biases, depending on the appraisers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the possibility of using the SPAD-502 as an instrument for estimating plant quality. Ten green-leaved foliage plant species were grown in shaded greenhouses and treated with either a water-soluble fertilizer or a controlled-release fertilizer, each at four nitrogen (N) rates. Six months later, mature leaf thickness was measured and visual quality graded. After the greenness of the mature leaves was measured with the SPAD-502 meter, leaf chlorophyll was extracted using dimethyl sulphoxide, and chlorophyll content was determined. Results showed that leaf thickness ranged from 0.19–0.66 mm among the 10 species but had no apparent effect on either SPAD readings or chlorophyll content. Visual-quality grades of t...
The asymptotic distribution of canonical correlations and variates in cointegrated models

The cointegrated model considered here is a nonstationary vector autoregressive process in which some linear functions are stationary and others are random walks. The first difference of the process (the "error-correction form") is stationary. Statistical inference, such as reduced rank regression estimation of the coefficients of the process and tests of hypotheses of dimensionality of the stationary part, involves the canonical correlations between the difference vector and the relevant vector of the past of the process. The asymptotic distributions of the canonical correlations and the canonical vectors under the assumption that the process is Gaussian are found.
Detection of infusate leakage in the brain using real-time imaging of convection-enhanced delivery: Laboratory investigation

Object The authors have shown that convection-enhanced delivery (CED) of gadoteridol-loaded liposomes (GDLs) into different regions of normal monkey brain results in predictable, widespread distribution of this tracking agent as detected by real-time MR imaging. They also have found that this tracking technique allows monitoring of the distribution of similar nanosized agents such as therapeutic liposomes and viral vectors. A limitation of this procedure is the unexpected leakage of liposomes out of targeted parenchyma or malignancies into sulci and ventricles. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of CED after the onset of these types of leakage. Methods The authors documented this phenomenon in a study of 5 nonhuman primates and 7 canines, comprising 54 CED infusion sessions. Approximately 20% of these infusions resulted in leakage into cerebral ventricles or sulci. All of the infusions and leakage events were monitored with real-time MR imaging. The authors created volume-distribute...
Enhancing Head Start Parents' Conceptions of Literacy Development and Their Confidence as Literacy Teachers: A Study of Parental Involvement

This study examined the influence of six African‐American parents’ involvement in literacy‐related activities at Head Start on their self‐confidence, responsivity and sensitivity to children's emerging literacy behaviors. Assuming the role of “parent‐teachers” in a literacy‐enriched play office setting, the parents engaged children, who voluntarily entered the setting, in literacy‐related play over a five month period. Based on ethnographic‐like interviews with them, videotaped observations, and self‐observation reports drawn from videotaped excerpts, the parents’ communication patterns at three points in the study were determined and their views of themselves as literacy teachers described. Results indicated variation in the parents’ communication patterns toward greater verbal interaction and acknowledgement of children's emergent literacy behaviors. Content analyses of parental attitudes suggested subtle changes in their confidence and sense of efficacy as teachers following their involvement with the ...
Polarizers for the extreme ultraviolet.

The polarizing properties of materials in the extreme ultraviolet are being studied for the purpose of developing both reflecting and transmitting polarizers. Calculations of the ratios R8/Rp=ρ and TP/T8=1/ρ have been made for some of those materials whose optical constants have been measured and an attempt was made to verify the calculated ratios experimentally where possible. The calculations indicate the possibility of making transmitting polarizers, using multilayer unbacked metal films, for wavelengths less than the critical wavelength of the metal. The calculated value of 1/ρ for Au/Al/Au at 640 A and i=42° was found to be 15, but Tp, for this multilayer film, is only a few percent. Reflecting polarizers, which are much less convenient to use, show more complete polarization. For example, for Au/Al/Glass at 640 A, ρ=35 at i=62°, and R8=30%.
Old burns and pregnancy

Summary. Burns rarely cause problems in subsequently occurring pregnancies. Occasionally abdominal wall scarring is so dense and extensive that consequent maternal pain in the second half of pregnancy demands surgical decompression. This does not usually precipitate labour and the resultant raw areas should be covered with split skin autografts. It is exceptional for burns to destroy the entire breast disc; residual breast mound development occurs during puberty, and hypertrophy and engorgement during and after pregnancy. Although absence of the nipple-areola complex precludes breast feeding, distortion of it does not prevent feeding in all cases. Split skin autografting with customized pressure therapy is the best remedy for correction of contracture deformity.
Visual detection of lintel-occluded doors by integrating multiple cues using a data-driven Markov chain Monte Carlo process

We present an algorithm to detect doors in images. The key to the algorithm's success is its fusion of multiple visual cues, including standard cues (color, texture, and intensity edges) as well as several novel ones (concavity, the kick plate, the vanishing point, and the intensity profile of the gap below the door). We use the Adaboost algorithm to determine the linear weighting of the various cues. Formulated as a maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) problem, a multi-cue functional is minimized by a data-driven Markov chain Monte Carlo (DDMCMC) process that arrives at a solution that is shown empirically to be near the global minimum. Intensity edge information is used in the importance probability distribution to drive the Markov chain dynamics in order to achieve a speedup of several orders of magnitude over traditional jump diffusion methods. Unlike previous approaches, the algorithm does not rely upon range information and yet is able to handle complex environments irrespective of lighting conditions, reflections, wall or door color, or the relative orientation between the camera and the door. Moreover, the algorithm is designed to detect doors for which the lintel is occluded, which often occurs when the camera on a mobile robot is low to the ground. The versatility of the algorithm is tested on a large database of images collected in a wide variety of conditions, on which it achieves approximately 90% detection rate with a low false positive rate. Versions of the algorithm are shown for calibrated and uncalibrated camera systems. Additional experiments demonstrate the suitability of the algorithm for near-real-time applications using a mobile robot equipped with off-the-shelf cameras.
Abstract 2925: Gene expression analysis to monitor erlotinib prevention of hepatocellular transformation during cirrhosis

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common solid tumor worldwide and due to its poor prognosis it is the third leading cause of cancer-related death. Given the lack of successful treatment options, chemoprevention in high-risk patients has been proposed as an alternative strategy. Mounting evidence supports a role for epidermal growth factor (EGF) during chronic liver disease and hepatocellular transformation. Based on these findings, we address the hypothesis that blocking the EGF-EGF receptor (EGFR) pathway may be an effective strategy for inhibiting fibrogenesis and hepatocarcinogenesis. Methods: A rat model of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced cirrhosis was used to examine the effects of erlotinib on underlying chronic liver disease and HCC formation. DEN (50 mg/kg) was administered weekly throughout the study while erlotinib (either 0.5 or 2 mg/kg) was administered 5 days per week for 6 weeks beginning at the onset of cirrhosis. At the end of the study, rats were sacrificed and tumor nodules were counted. Disease progression was assessed by HE 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2925.
Structural Study of Langmuir Monolayers Containing Lipidated Poly(ethylene glycol) and Peptides

The structure of Langmuir monolayers containing either a lipidated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-lipid) or a lipidated peptide (peptide-amphiphile) or a binary mixture of both was studied using neutron reflectivity. The PEG portion of the PEG-lipid extends into the water, forming dense polymer “brushes”. The PEG volume fraction profiles and the brush height were evaluated from the reflectivity curves for monolayers containing PEG-lipids with PEG molecular masses of 120, 750, 2000, and 5000 Da at various grafting densities. At relatively low surface densities, the segmental concentration profile for DSPE-PEG5000 (1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[(ethylene glycol)n], DSPE) and DSPE-PEG2000 was well-described by the parabolic profile predicted by the analytical self-consistent mean field theory. An increase in the surface density produced “flattening” of the profile, which became more pronounced as the chain length decreased. The dependence of the brush height on the surface density and the ch...
CARD-024, a vitamin D analog, attenuates the pro-fibrotic response to substrate stiffness in colonic myofibroblasts

Intestinal fibrosis is one of the major complications of Crohn's disease (CD) for which there are no effective pharmacological therapies. Vitamin D deficiency is common in CD, though it is not known whether this is a contributing factor to fibrosis, or simply a consequence of the disease itself. In CD, fibrosis is mediated mainly by activated intestinal myofibroblasts during remodeling of extracellular matrix in response to wound healing. We investigated the effects of CARD-024 (1-alpha-hydroxyvitamin D5), a vitamin D analog with minimal hypercalcemic effects, on the pro-fibrotic response of intestinal myofibroblasts to two fibrogenic stimuli: TGFβ stimulation and culture on a physiologically stiff matrix. TGFβ stimulated a fibrogenic phenotype in Ccd-18co colonic myofibroblasts, characterized by an increase in actin stress fibers and mature focal adhesions, and increased αSMA protein expression, while CARD-024 repressed αSMA protein expression in a dose-dependent manner. Culture of colonic myofibroblasts on physiological high stiffness substrates induced morphological changes with increased actin stress fibers and focal adhesion staining, induction of αSMA protein expression, FAK phosphorylation, induction of fibrogenic genes, and repression of COX-2 and IL-1β. CARD-024 treatment repressed the stiffness-induced morphological features including stellate cell morphology and the maturation of focal adhesions. CARD-024 repressed the stiffness-mediated induction of αSMA protein expression, FAK phosphorylation, and MLCK and ET-1 gene expression. In addition, CARD-024 partially stimulated members of the COX-2/IL-1β inflammatory pathway. In summary, CARD-024 attenuated the pro-fibrotic response of colonic myofibroblasts to high matrix stiffness, suggesting that vitamin D analogs such as CARD-024 may ameliorate intestinal fibrosis.
Rapid parameter estimation with incomplete chemical calibration models

Abstract The use of calibration models to predict analyte concentrations in samples showing responses from poorly calibrated components, or samples showing drift in the instrumental response function, is seldom successful. These incomplete calibration models cannot account for variations not encountered in the calibration step. Simple modifications are possible which remedy this difficulty for classical least squares (CLS) regression. By using sequential regression for the prediction step, extensions are possible which lessen errors due to overfitting, and permit prediction of well-modelled components in the presence of unmodelled components. Implementation of the sequential regression is conveniently done through use of the Kalman filter. Use of filter models for dynamics and measurement also permits correction of drift of various types. The use of CLS calibration with Kalman filter prediction is presented and tested with simulated spectroscopic data. Comparisons are made to other calibration and prediction methods.
Conversion of membrane lipid acyl groups to triacylglycerol and formation of lipid bodies upon nitrogen starvation in biofuel green algae Chlorella UTEX29

Algal lipids are ideal biofuel sources. Our objective was to determine the contributors to triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation and lipid body formation in Chlorella UTEX29 under nitrogen (N) deprivation. A fivefold increase in intracellular lipids following N starvation for 24 h confirmed the oleaginous characteristics of UTEX29. Ultrastructural studies revealed increased number of lipid bodies and decreased starch granules in N-starved cells compared to N-replete cells. Lipid bodies were observed as early as 3 h after N removal and plastids collapsed after 48 h of stress. Moreover, the identification of intracellular pyrenoids and differences in the expected nutritional requirements for Chlorella protothecoides (as UTEX29 is currently classified) led us to conduct a phylogenetic study using 18S and actin cDNA sequences. This indicated UTEX29 to be more phylogenetically related to Chlorella vulgaris. To investigate the fate of different lipids after N starvation, radiolabeling using 14C-acetate was used. A significant decrease in 14C-galactolipids and phospholipids matched the increase in 14C-TAG starting at 3 h of N starvation, consistent with acyl groups from structural lipids as sources for TAG under N starvation. These results have important implications for the identification of key steps controlling oil accumulation in N-starved biofuel algae and demonstrate membrane recycling during lipid body formation.
Alterations in Absorption of Dicumarol by Various Excipient Materials

A plasma level study was conducted in dogs to determine the effects of various excipient materials on the absorption of dicumarol. The drug was combined with the excipients by an equilibration process and administered orally. Plasma concentrations of dicumarol after administration with excipients were compared to control levels produced by the drug given alone. Significant differences in the plasma levels of dicumarol were observed with six of the 10 excipients used in the study. Significantly higher plasma levels (up to 180% of control values) were observed when dicumarol was administered with magnesium oxide or hydroxide. This effect may be due to chelate formation because the magnesium chelate of dicumarol produced higher plasma levels of dicumarol than the drug administered alone. Dicumarol administration with talc, colloidal magnesium aluminum silicate, aluminum hydroxide, or starch resulted in significantly lower plasma levels of the drug. It is suggested that these types of interactions may be an explanation for differences in the bioavailability of dicumarol from different dosage formulations.
Multi-body dynamics including the effects of flexibility and compliance

Abstract New and recently developed concepts and ideas useful in obtaining efficient computer algorithms for solving the equations of motion of multi-body mechanical systems with flexible links are presented and discussed. These ideas include the use of Euler parameters, Lagrange's form of d'Alembert's principle, generalized speeds, quasi-coordinates, relative coordinates, and structural analysis techniques. The mechanical systems considered are linked bodies forming a tree structure, but with no “closed loops” permitted. An explicit formulation of the governing equations is presented.
Erratum: On the Frequency, Depth, and Duration of Sales at High–Low Pricing Supermarkets

This study examines the phenomenon of advertised sales, or price discounts, at major high–low pricing (HLP) supermarkets in the United States. The authors measure and document price variability and movement using a unique and rich dataset on prices and sales drawn directly from supermarkets. Several of their key findings pertain directly to an influential study by Hosken and Reiffen (2004) on retail price variation. However, the authors’ estimate of price rigidity is lower than Hosken and Reiffen's while their estimate of sale frequency is higher. Moreover, the earlier study's key findings apply only to national brand products and not private labels. The authors also highlight the issue of sale duration, indicating that sales frequently run considerably longer than 1 or 2 weeks, to the point at which they argue they can no longer be considered temporary price reductions. Comparisons with alternative definitions of sale reveal that the empirical definition of a sale impacts the results significantly.
Equilibrium and Kinetics of Nickel Extraction with 2-Hydroxy-5-nonylbenzophenone Oxime

Abstract The extraction of nickel with 2-hydroxy-5-nonylbenzophenone oxime (LIX 65N; HL) has been studied into chloroform solution. The extracted species was found to be NiL2, and its extraction constant of 10−5.90 was obtained. The rate of extraction of nickel has been found to be first-order in metal and ligand, and inverse first-order in hydrogen ion. The apparent rate constant of extraction (k') was 10−7.40. These results support the hypothesis that the formation of the 1:1 complex in the aqueous phase is the rate-determining step. The rate constant of the formation of this complex was evaluated as 105.90.
Screening Potential Therapies Lessons Learned From New Paradigms Used in Parkinson Disease

In Parkinson Disease (PD) as well as in stroke research there is an urgent need to both optimize the use of resources (number of patients, costs, and time) and select potential effective neuroprotective agents. The processes used to identify and study new therapies for PD may be applicable to the search for new therapies in stroke. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) organized the Committee to Identify Neuroprotective Agents for Parkinson's (CINAPS). CINAPS broadly solicited suggestions for agents and evaluated these agents using rigorous criteria. NINDS also created the NIH Exploratory Trials in PD program (NET-PD), a clinical network where CINAPS recommendations could be tested. Given multiple recommended agents, NET-PD investigators used Phase II futility designs with calibration controls, tested against an historical standard, to screen agents for testing in Phase III trials. Investigators also used the Phase II trial to assess ancillary outcome measures for use in Phase III. The observed value for the calibration controls in the first NET-PD Phase II trial was outside the 95% CI for the historical standard. Using bootstrap methodology it appeared unlikely this outcome happened by chance. The historical standard was updated using more contemporaneous data than were available at the start of the futility trials and a re-evaluation using the new threshold was conducted. Assessment of ancillary outcome measures led to a reduced set of outcome measures for use in Phase III. The CINAPS process, and lessons learned from NET-PD futility studies, particularly with respect to calibration controls and assessment of outcome measures, could enhance the choice and testing of new agents for stroke treatment.
Reduction of mortality and lymphadenopathy in MRL-lpr/lpr mice treated with nonmitogenic anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody.

Objective. To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of nonmitogenic anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (MAb) in a preexisting autoaggressive response, using the MRL-lpr/lpr (MRL/I) murine model of autoimmune disease. Methods. Female MRL/I mice, 8–10 weeks of age, were treated with nonmitogenic anti-CD3 MAb or phosphate buffered saline and effects on mortality, lymphadenopathy, T cell phenotypes, anti-DNA titers, and total IgG titers were measured. Results. Nonmitogenic anti-CD3 MAb treatment resulted in a dramatic reduction in lymphadenopathy and mortality, as well as an early reduction in α/β+, CD4–, CD8–, Thy+, B220+ (double-negative) lymph node cells. No significant effects on anti-DNA or IgG titers were observed. No morbidity was observed following administration of nonmitogenic anti-CD3 MAb. Conclusion. A short course of treatment with nonmitogenic anti-CD3 MAb can suppress preexisting autoimmune responses without inducing the cytokinemediated toxicity characteristic of mitogenic forms of anti-CD3 MAb. The use of nonmitogenic anti-CD3 MAb may be efficacious in the clinical setting for the treatment of T cell–mediated autoimmune disorders.
Combined Effects of Carbon Dioxide Addition and Barrier Films on Microbial and Sensory Changes in Pasteurized Milk

The growth of psychrotrophic microorganisms is an important factor in the deterioration of refrigerated pasteurized milk. Dissolved CO2 inhibits certain spoilage microorganisms in foods provided that the packaging offers a sufficient barrier to CO2 evolution. The objectives of this work were, first, to estimate the sensory threshold for dissolved CO2 in 2% milk and, second, to determine the relationship between microbial growth and package barrier properties for pasteurized milk to which CO2 had been added at concentrations near the flavor threshold. The sensory threshold, as determined by a trained panel, for CO2 in 2% pasteurized milk was > 2.8 mM and < 9.1 mM. Pasteurized milk was inoculated with a cocktail of spoilage microorganisms, packaged in different barrier film pouches, and stored at 6.1 degrees C for up to 28 d. The addition of CO2 at concentrations of 8.7 and 21.5 mM increased the time needed to reach 10(6) cfu/ml from 6.4 d (no CO2) to 8.0 and 10.9 d, respectively, in low barrier pouches. In high barrier pouches, the time needed to reach 10(6) cfu/ml was increased to 9.7 and 13.4 d, respectively, at CO2 concentrations of 8.7 and 21.5 mM. This increase represents an increase in shelf-life of approximately 25 to 200%. Microbial counts had longer lag times and lower growth rates and took longer to reach stationary growth as the concentration of CO2 increased in all films than did the control milk. The control milk curdled in less than 17 d, but the test milk in the high barrier packaging had not curdled at 28 d. These data suggest that the shelf-life of pasteurized refrigerated milk could be extended by at least 25 to 200% at CO2 concentrations near the sensory threshold. The major variables in shelf-life are the amount of added CO2 and the barrier properties of the package.
Selective Insulation with Poly(tetrafluoroethylene) of Substrate Electrodes for Electrochemical Background Reduction in Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

We describe a wet process for the fabrication of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE)-covered electrodes in which arrays of holes ( approximately 200 microm) are formed. The PTFE coating provides electrical insulation of most of the electrode surface with selected regions exposed for electrochemical experiments. The arrays of microholes can be controllably patterned and filled with precursor solutions using a piezoelectric dispenser. A micrometer spot of electrocatalyst is produced after reduction of the precursor. The application is tested for scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) in the tip generation-substrate collection (TG-SC) studies of electrocatalysts. The method is shown to reduce the substrate background currents that are included in the electrochemical signal read from the local perturbation induced with the SECM tip to the substrate in the TG-SC mode of SECM. This background current reduction is consistent with the decrease in the exposed area of the electrode. The general methodology for the fabrication of the substrate electrodes and two proof-of-concept applications in the TG-SC SECM modality are described.
The SAFE strategy for trachoma control: planning a cost-effectiveness analysis of the antibiotic component and beyond.

AIM. A limited literature addresses the cost-effectiveness of the prevention and treatment of trachoma and its sequelae. The literature focuses on government costs. This paper motivates the inclusion of and details methods for measuring the costs for the target population. METHODS. Costs to the targeted population can be measured while studying efficacy or effectiveness. These costs can be added to the more frequently measured costs to the government to calculate costs for the entire society. This section indicates the types of costs to consider, refines the concept of costs, describes the necessary data, outlines how the methods of data collection fit with the methods that would be employed for a general effectiveness study, and describes the appropriate calculation of a cost-effectiveness ratio. RESULTS. The costs to the targeted population can be measured with few additional resources. Placing a value on villagers¹ time or translating clinical results into summary, preference-based health-related quali...
Lesbians, Bisexual Women, and Perceptions of Risk in the Bluegrass

In September 1992, we embarked upon a research project designed to investigate lesbian attitudes towards HIV/AIDS risk and the impact on these attitudes of a safer sex workshop for lesbians and bisexual women. This project was part of a graduate seminar aimed at familiarizing students in the Anthropology Department at the University of Kentucky with techniques involved in community-based ethnographic research. As anthropologists, we were interested in collecting data on individual behaviors and perceptions of risk. We then wanted to contrast our findings with institutionally recognized risk categories and behaviors, such as those of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Over the course of three months, teenagers, minorities, and so on. A pamphlet aimed at teens will often employ the language teens use. Similarly, materials geared toward gay men will not present information on vaginal intercourse. If one examines a range of such materials, one finds that lesbians are nowhere represented or targeted. (See ...
In vitro loading of apoferritin.

Abstract This study compared the effect of loading apoferritin either with ferrous ammonium sulfate in various buffers or with ceruloplasmin and chelated ferrous iron. It was shown that loading of apoferritin with ferrous ammonium sulfate was dependent on buffer and pH, and was directly related to the rate of iron autoxidation. The ceruloplasmin-dependent loading of apoferritin, however, was unaffected by these factors. Isoelectric focusing and amino acid analysis of the differently loaded ferritins showed that ferrous ammonium sulfate loading of apoferritin resulted in the depletion of the basic amino acids, lysine and histidine, probably as a result of protein oxidation. No significant difference in amino acid composition was noted for ceruloplasmin-loaded ferritin. Furthermore, ferritin loaded with ferrous ammonium sulfate released more iron than either native or ceruloplasmin-loaded ferritin when either paraquat or EDTA was used as an iron mobilizing agent. We suggest that the loading of apoferritin with ferrous ammonium sulfate occurred as a result of iron autoxidation and may result in oxidation of amino acids and loss of integrity of the protein, and that ceruloplasmin may act as a catalyst for the incorporation of iron into apoferritin in a manner more closely related to that occurring in vivo .
Latent Modulation: A Basis for Non-Disruptive Promotion of Two Incompatible Behaviors by a Single Network State

Behavioral states often preferentially enhance specific classes of behavior and suppress incompatible behaviors. In the nervous system, this may involve upregulation of the efficacy of neural modules that mediate responses to one stimulus and suppression of modules that generate antagonistic or incompatible responses to another stimulus. In Aplysia, prestimulation of egestive inputs [esophageal nerve (EN)] facilitates subsequent EN-elicited egestive responses and weakens ingestive responses to ingestive inputs [Cerebral-Buccal Interneuron (CBI-2)]. However, a single state can also promote incompatible behaviors in response to different stimuli. This is the case in Aplysia, where prestimulation of CBI-2 inputs not only enhances subsequent CBI-2-elicited ingestive responses, but also strengthens EN-elicited egestive responses. We used the modularly organized feeding network of Aplysia to characterize the organizational principles that allow a single network state to promote two opposing behaviors, ingestion and egestion, without the two interfering with each other. We found that the CBI-2 prestimulation-induced state upregulates the excitability of neuron B65 which, as a member of the egestive module, increases the strength of egestive responses. Furthermore, we found that this upregulation is likely mediated by the actions of the neuropeptides FCAP (Feeding Circuit Activating Peptide) and CP2 (Cerebral Peptide 2). This increased excitability is mediated by a form of modulation that we refer to as "latent modulation" because it is established during stimulation of CBI-2, which does not activate B65. However, when B65 is recruited into EN-elicited egestive responses, the effects of the latent modulation are expressed as a higher B65 firing rate and a resultant strengthening of the egestive response.
A comparison of two methods of delivering presurgical instructions.

Abstract A 2×2 factorial design was employed to test the effects on various indicators of postoperative recovery of surgical patients who had received preoperative instructions. A pamphlet and/or a nurse visit were used as delivery methods. The study population consisted of 50 patients who were scheduled for cholecystectomies. Patients were given information on the expected sequence of events on the day of surgery and instructions in postoperative self-care activities. Findings indicate that a differential effect of providing information was dependent on the patient's level of preoperative fear, with high-fear patients benefiting most from information. Patients in the high preoperative-fear group who received either the pamphlet or the pamphlet and a nurse visit had shorter postoperative hospitalizations, switched from injected to oral medication sooner, scored higher on an index of energy and movement, and rated their appetites as better when compared with patients in either the nurse-visit or control groups. However, among those who scored low in preoperative fear, patients in the control group had better recoveries from surgery than patients who received preoperative information. The study points out the need to perform an educational assessment of patients before information is provided.
Facilitated communication: rejected in science, accepted in court-a case study and analysis of the use of FC evidence under Frye and Daubert.

This article traces the phenomenon of facilitated communication (FC) from its introduction to the United States in 1990 to its use in recent court proceedings. FC is an alleged breakthrough technique that enables nonverbal individuals with developmental disabilities to communicate via a form of assisted typing. Widespread use of FC resulted in miraculous communications and surprising allegations of abuse. The growing importance and notoriety of FC attracted the interest of the scientific community which rejected the technique after numerous controlled studies were undertaken. Despite the rejection of FC by the scientific community, however, some courts have accepted this unproven technique by evading their state's test of scientific admissibility. It is asserted that court decisions admitting FC evidence are pretextural, and it is argued that FC should not be admitted into court proceedings. In addition, this report analyzes the future of FC in those states that have adopted the newer Daubert standard for scientific evidence.
Finite element analysis for walking vibration problems for composite precast building floors using ADINA: modeling, simulation, and comparison

Abstract Building floors made of precast double-tee (DT) concrete sections could experience annoying vibration problems due to people walking. From the viewpoint of structural design, the issue of floor vibration acceptability is also important in addition to the conventional strength/safety criterion. In this paper, ADINA-based finite element (FE) techniques are described and discussed in detail for rational analysis and assessment for a large composite floor system subjected to walking vibration. In particular, the techniques of the FE modeling and the consideration and simulation of dynamic loading are addressed. Advantages of using ADINA for vibration studies and recommendations for analysis and design are presented.
Fcγ Receptors Differ in Their Structural Requirements for Interaction with the Tyrosine Kinase Syk in the Initial Steps of Signaling for Phagocytosis

Abstract Receptors for the constant region of IgG, Fcγ receptors, are expressed on the surface of hematopoietic cells, where they mediate signaling events, such as phagocytosis, essential for host defense. Fcγ receptors also play a role in the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases. We have demonstrated that members of each of the three classes of human Fcγ receptors, FcγRI, FcγRII, and FcγRIII, mediate phagocytosis, but that important differences exist in their requirements for phagocytic signaling. For example, the Fcγ receptors FcγRI and FcγRIIIA induce signaling largely by association with a γ subunit containing a conserved cytoplasmic motif (ITAM) whose tyrosines are phosphorylated following receptor stimulation. FcγRIIA contains a similar motif in its own cytoplasmic domain and does not require the γ chain for phagocytic signaling. The tyrosine kinase Syk associates with the cytoplasmic domain of both the Fcγ receptor γ chain and FcγRIIA and is required for phagocytosis by both Fcγ receptor systems. To elucidate the differences in phagocytic signaling by the γ chain and FcγRIIA, we investigated the requirements for Fcγ receptor/Syk co-immunoprecipitation, tyrosine phosphorylation, and phagocytosis. Both FcγRIIA and the human γ chain contain a tyrosine seven amino acids upstream of the ITAM motif. We observed that the upstream tyrosine plays a role in FcγRIIA phagocytic signaling but is not involved in phagocytic signaling by the human γ chain. Our data also indicate that the two ITAM tyrosines of the human γ chain and FcγRIIA do not contribute equally to Fcγ receptor association with Syk kinase and phagocytic signaling. The data indicate that the carboxy-terminal tyrosine of the receptor cytoplasmic domain is especially important both for the interaction with Syk kinase and for phagocytosis. Elucidating such differences in γ chain and FcγRIIA signaling may be valuable in designing strategies for therapeutic intervention in hematopoietic and immunological disorders.
Optimality of Synergetic Controllers

Optimality properties of synergetic controllers are analyzed using the Euler-Lagrange conditions and the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation. First, a synergetic control strategy is compared with the variable structure sliding mode control. The synergetic control design methodology turns out to be closely related to the methods of variable structure sliding mode control. In fact, the method of sliding surface design from the sliding mode control are essential for designing similar manifolds in the synergetic control approach. It is shown that the synergetic control strategy can be derived using tools from the calculus of variations. The synergetic control laws have simple structure because they are derived from the associated first-order differential equation. It is also shown that the synergetic controller for a certain class of linear quadratic optimal control problems has the same structure as the one generated using the linear quadratic regulator (LQR) approach by solving the associated Riccati equation.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Esophagogastric disconnection following failed fundoplication for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in children with severe neurological impairment

This report describes our experience with esophagogastric disconnection and Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in seven neurologically impaired children as a second antireflux operation following failed Nissen fundoplication. After a mean follow-up of 3 years, three children (43%) were completely or almost completely symptom-free and had improved nutritional status. Early complications occurred in three patients (43%): small bowel obstruction, wound infection, and necrosis of the Roux-en-Y loop. Three patients (43%) presented long-term complications: jejunoesophageal bile reflux and bile reflux with gastric irritation. Two patients required reoperation (28%), and two deaths occurred in the postoperative period (28%). In three previous reports in the surgical literature, severe postoperative complications occurred in 0–44%, requiring reoperation in 0–22% of the patients, and the mortality rate was 0–11%. Esophagogastric disconnection for the treatment of GERD in neurologically impaired children is associated with major complications and should be considered after more conservative procedures fail.
Transcatheter retrograde radio-frequency perforation of the pulmonic valve in pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum, using a 2 French catheter.

A neonate with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS) underwent successful retrograde transcatheter perforation of the pulmonary valve, using a 2 Fr radio-frequency catheter with subsequent anterograde balloon dilation of the valve. Due to persistent hypoxemia, the neonate underwent placement of a 4-mm modified Blalock-Taussig shunt. Transcatheter retrograde transductal perforation of the pulmonic valve in PA/IVS is feasible and may be a potential alternative to anterograde perforation. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 45:151–154, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Dissociation of postnatal hippocampal neurons for short term culture

A method is described to isolate hippocampal neurons from postnatal day 7 to postnatal day 21 rats for use in short term cultures using a combination of enzymatic and mechanical dissociation. A significant fraction of the cells (37.5 +/- 2.3%, n = 10 cultures) were labelled with anti-GABA antibodies and the neurons survived a minimum of 8 days in culture. Patch-clamp recording in the current clamp mode revealed an average membrane potential and input resistance of - 47.6 +/- 2.5 mV and 737 +/- 147 M omega respectively, after 24 h in culture. The cells exhibited normal excitability and fired multiple action potentials in response to a depolarizing pulse. The technique described here provides a good alternative to either the use of embryonic brain tissue for cultures used in electrophysiological studies which may not exhibit the mature phenotype or use of acutely isolated cells which may be unstable or have their channels and receptors modified by enzymatic treatment.
Clinical experience with anticonvulsant medication in pediatric epilepsy and comorbid bipolar spectrum disorder.

Abstract Anticonvulsant drugs are first-line treatments for both bipolar mood disorder and epilepsy; however, few studies have explored treatment options when these disorders co-occur. The aim of this study was to identify bipolar disorder symptoms common in pediatric epilepsy and to determine whether anticonvulsant monotherapy might be a practical treatment consideration. A retrospective chart review identified 38 children with bipolar spectrum disorder and epilepsy comorbidity. Two mental health clinicians independently assessed psychiatric diagnoses, symptoms, and assigned retrospective CGI-I ratings for psychiatric symptoms. Common bipolar symptoms included impulsivity, psychomotor agitation, and explosive rage. Forty-two medication trials with 11 different anticonvulsants were identified. Of the 30 instances in which anticonvulsant monotherapy was attempted, carbamazepine, divalproex sodium, lamotrigine, and oxcarbazepine were associated with better psychiatric CGI-I ratings than other monotherapies (P
Heat and Moisture Fluxes on the Time Scale of 20 to 60 Days over the Indian Monsoon Area

In this paper we have studied the low frequency variability of the sensible and latent heat flux over the Indian monsoon area. We have used an atmospheric energy budget (vertical integrated heat sources and moisture sinks), as well as the similarity theory in order to compute the surface fluxes on a darly basis. Mainly, the three following data sets were used: the First GARP Global Experiment analyzed data, the TIROS-N outgoing longwave radiation data and the Monsoon Experiment precipitation data. Our three main findings are the following. First, the variability of the temperature and the specific humidity at the surface is more important over the land than over the sea on the intraseasonal time scale (30% over land, but 20% over sea). For the wind an energy peak appears clearly around 30–40 days. The surface fluxes show an uneven variance percentage field (10% to 40%); the energy peaks stretch from 10 to 40 days. Second, the wind has a significant influence on the surface fluxes, except at some locations exclusively over the land areas. Of the temperature and the specific humidity, the temperature is the one which influences the fluxes the most. (This influence may be very strong over land.) The specific humidity may have a significant influence, over the land and sea, at the same time. Thus, one cannot neglect the influence of temperature and specific humidity over land on the intraseasonal time scale. Third, we have found a close relation between the propagation of low frequency waves and the propagation of surface flux patterns. This may suggest a feedback mechanism which relates surface processes to the northward propagation of these waves over India.
Leveraging intellectual property rights to encourage green product design and remanufacturing for sustainable waste management

Abstract There is increasing industrial and academic interest in remanufacturing as a more sustainable production process than those that utilize virgin or recycled materials, and therefore as a promising contributor to sustainable waste management plans. Yet, prevailing incentives are seemingly inadequate for achieving socially optimal rates of remanufacturing activity. The contribution of our paper is to combine the economics of green design literature with the concepts of “raising rivals’ costs” and the economics of intellectual property rights. In so doing, we show that a regulator could raise social welfare by strengthening original manufacturer (OM) intellectual property rights in exchange for a decrease in physical product attributes built into products by OMs that inhibit remanufacturing. This result suggests that the structure of intellectual property rights should be considered a policy lever in sustainable waste management planning.
MIMO performance under covariance matrix feedback

We study the finite-rate feedback of optimal input covariance matrices from the channel-aware receiver to the transmitter in a multi-antenna single-user setup. Under a block fading model for the channel matrix, the receiver computes the covariance matrix corresponding to the current channel realization and feeds back information about it using a finite, say N f , number of bits per block. Our finite-rate feedback analysis is based on a novel geometric paradigm whereby the feedback information is modeled as a source distributed over a new Riemannian surface called the Pn manifold. For a given system strategy, the gap between the achievable rates in the infinite and finite-rate feedback cases is shown to be O(2 − N f over N), where N is the dimension of the Pn manifold used for quantization.
The estimation of extracellular and total body water in the newborn human infant with radioactive sodium and deuterium oxide.

Summary On the basis of dilution of a known quantity of intravenously injected sodium chloride tagged with a radioactive isotope of sodium, the extracellular fluid volume in three newborn human infants has been found to average 43.5 per cent of the body weight. Similar measurements with deuterium oxide gave a volume of total body water equal to 74.6 per cent of body weight.
Infectious diseases in the athlete: an overview.

In the USA, organized sports include not only professional athletes, but also high school students, collegians, and a large but imprecise number of persons participating in community-based leagues and other recreational programs. Infectious diseases represent a significant problem in all competitive sports. While not considered as serious a problem as concussions or frequent musculoskeletal injuries, infectious diseases account for significant loss of playing time and have been associated with outbreaks among teams. 1 The physician must not only treat the individual athlete, but also take the necessary precautions to contain the spread of communicable diseases to other team members, coaches, trainers, and other staff and relatives. Groups of athletes are often at an increased risk of transmission because they are confined to close quarters with teammates in the locker room, at practice, through dormitory living, and during travel. Given the athlete’s expectation to return to play as soon as possible, accurate diagnosis and aggressive treatment of illnesses are essential. Participation and return to play decisions are determined by the nature of the infection, the risk of transmission, and the demand placed on the athlete during practice and competitions. Infectious diseases can occur via person-person transmission such as in the case of herpes gladiatorum in wrestlers 2 or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin infections where skin to skin contact and/or shared personal items (common source) are implicated 3-5 or via a common source transmission as in the case of an enteroviral meningitis outbreak associated with shared use of water bottles 6 or a norovirus outbreak from a common food source (tainted turkey sandwiches from a catered box lunch), which infected a college football team, who then subsequently infected the opposing team via person to person contact. 7 The risk of transmission of blood-borne pathogens (hepatitis B and C or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)) during sporting events from bleeding wounds or exudative skin lesion of an infected athlete
Networking in International Agricultural Research

Informal and structured collaboration is becoming increasingly common in international agricultural research. A network approach to research generally reduces costs, minimizes duplication, and boosts efficiency. Collaborative teams, sometimes involving hundreds of scientists in dozens of countries, have been formed to tackle numerous constraints to boosting food production. Networks have been established to test crop germplasm over a broad range of environments, explore ways of boosting the efficiency of fertilizer use, upgrade disease resistance in livestock, and identify socioeconomic obstacles to improved agricultural output. The benefits of networking are especially valuable to countries with limited funds and scientific manpower.
Cupula motion in the semicircular canal of the skate, Raja erinacea. An experimental investigation.

An upper bound on the magnitude of semicircular canal cupula motion was experimentally determined in the isolated labyrinth of the skate, Raja erinacea To visualize the cupula, a glass pipette was ...