cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Persistent frenulum of the epiglottis in four foals.

Objective— To report the clinical signs and management of 4 foals with persistent frenulum of the epiglottis. Study Design— Case report. Animals— Four newborn foals. Methods— Foals were admitted with a complaint of oronasal reflux after nursing. Variable systemic signs of aspiration pneumonia were evident. Nasal endoscopy confirmed persistent dorsal displacement of the soft palate. Persistent frenulum of the epiglottis, confirmed by oral endoscopic examination, was transected. Results— After surgery, all foals had the epiglottis positioned normally, dorsal to the soft palate. Clinical signs of oronasal reflux resolved by the second nursing attempt in 3 foals, whereas this was difficult to assess in one foal that was nursed intermittently because of the mares behavior. This foal died 2 days later. The other 3 foals have had normal epiglottic function for 2–4 years. Conclusions— Persistent frenulum of the epiglottis should be considered in foals with oronasal reflux from birth. With appropriate medical and surgical management the prognosis for resolution should be good.
Integrating a 250 mL-spinner flask with other stirred bench-scale cell culture devices: A mass transfer perspective

The bioprocess development cycle is a complex task that requires a complete understanding of the engineering of the process (e.g., mass transfer, mixing, CO(2) removal, process monitoring, and control) and its affect on cell biology and product quality. Despite their widespread use in bioprocess development, spinner flasks generally lack engineering characterization of critical physical parameters such as k(L)a, P/V, or mixing time. In this study, mass transfer characterization of a 250-mL spinner flask using optical patch-based sensors is presented. The results quantitatively show the effect of the impeller type, liquid filling volume, and agitation speed on the volumetric mass transfer coefficient (k(L)a) in a 250-mL spinner flask, and how they can be manipulated to match mass transfer capability at large culture devices. Thus, process understanding in spinner flasks can be improved, and these devices can be seamlessly integrated in a rational scale-up strategy from cell thawing to bench-scale bioreactors (and beyond) in biomanufacturing.
Assessment of the Transportation Needs of Pennsylvania's Elderly Population

We focus on the transportation needs of the elderly as determined by a randomly selected sample of 2,048 elderly Pennsylvania residents. We provide an analysis of those factors that can discriminate between the elderly (1) who express a need for transportation services versus those who do not and (2) who use transportation services and who do not. Car ownership, health status, living arrangement, race, martial status, sex, and age are significantly related to the elderly's perceived need of transportation services. Factors significant in discriminating between users and nonusers of transportation services are perceived need, car ownership, urban-rural residence, age, and living arrangement. Implications of this analysis for policy-makers and researchers are discussed.
The OmniPod Insulin Management System: the latest innovation in insulin pump therapy

This review of insulin pump therapy focuses on the OmniPod® Insulin Management System (Insulet Corp., Bedford, MA, USA). The OmniPod System is the first commercially available “patch pump.” It is a fully integrated wearable pump, controlled wirelessly through a handheld device containing a built-in blood glucose meter. This is an evaluation of the OmniPod System, with the aim of providing an educational tool for physicians who are considering recommending this product to their patients. The review includes a discussion of the traditional insulin pump configuration and its limitations, a detailed overview of the OmniPod System, references to clinical study data, planned product enhancements, its use as an insulin delivery system in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Artificial Pancreas Project, and its use to deliver additional compounds.
Congenital self-healing non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Clinical, morphological, ultrastructural and immunological studies were performed in a case of congenital self-healing non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis. The patient showed several aspects that have not been published before: a large nodule in the vulvar region, vesiculobullous elements and pneumonia (asymptomatic). The relationship of the vesicles and pneumonia to the histiocytic disorder is not clear. Ultrastructurally, worm-like (comma-shaped) particles, dense bodies and Birbeck granules were not found. Histiocytes were Leu-6 negative, and S100 (partly), Leu M3 and HLA-DR positive. Positive reactions were also obtained with anti-lysozyme and non-specific esterase. Several aspects of this case and of others described previously are discussed.
State Regulation, Economic Reform and Worker Rights: The Contingent Effects of China’s Labour Contract Law

AbstractIn 2007/2008 the Labour Contract Law was introduced and enacted in China. Responses to the law have varied enormously. For many, it represented a major change in the conditions under which workers and employers can enter into contracts and, as a result, it has been seen as an important step in empowering workers to shape their conditions of work. For others, the law lacked teeth and was not implemented. In practice, the law has had different effects within and among different types of firms depending on their ownership structure, product mix, market orientation, size and geographical location. The differences are particularly clear among private sector firms and between and among private and public sector enterprises. This article outlines the conditions and terms of the 1995 Labour Law and how the 2008 Labour Contract Law changes these, particularly for global buyers sourcing from China and for workers and enterprises in China. In particular, it assesses the differential impacts of the new law on...
Overview of Hückel- and resonance-theoretic approaches to π-network polymers

Various possible behaviors for a diversity of π-network strips are considered, including long-range-ordering, Peierls-type distortions, and solitonic excitations. Such novel features are shown to arise both in Huckel and resonance-theoretic models. Qualitative correspondences between these complementary models are given in terms of formal propositions and a conjecture.
Microleakage of Resected MTA

Forty-six single rooted extracted human teeth were used in this study. After cleaning and shaping, twenty canals were randomly selected for obturation with MTA placed in an orthograde manor (Group 1). Another twenty roots were obturated with gutta-percha and Kerr EWT sealer, using warm vertical compaction (Group 2). The apical 3 mm of each root in both groups were resected at approximately 45 degrees to its long axis. The teeth were aged for 48 h in a humidor. The root-ends of the teeth in Group 2 were then prepared and received MTA as a root-end filling material to a depth of 3 mm. Six roots were used as positive and negative controls. The roots of all teeth were placed in contact with India ink for 48 h. The roots were split and examined for dye leakage. There was no discernible leakage in teeth with resected MTA or those with MTA placed as a retrograde root-end filling material. We found no significant difference in dye leakage between resected MTA (Group 1) and non-resected MTA (Group 2). Based on these results it appears that the resection of set MTA does not affect its sealing ability.
Microbial contamination and its control in fuels and fuel systems since 1980 – a review

Abstract Although the documentation of fuel biodeterioration dates back to the late 19th century, general recognition of the value of microbial contamination control evolved slowly until the 1980s. Since the early 1980s a number of factors have converged to stimulate greater interest in fuel and fuel system biodeterioration. This, in turn, has stimulated applied research in the ecology of biodeteriogenic processes and biodeterioration control. This presentation reviews progress in both of these areas since 1980. The aforementioned factors that have provided the impetus for improved microbial control, the evolution of our understanding of the nature of the biodeteriogenic processes will be discussed. Activities of consensus organizations to develop guidelines and practices will also be reviewed.
The management of executive compensation in large, dynamic firms:a ridge regression estimation

Economists long have debated the determinants of executive compensation. Recent academic studies have supported both the corporate growth hypothesis and the profit-maximization hypothesis. In the world of business, however, many observers have questioned the link between compensation and performance. The purpose of this study is to select an appropriate sample of peer firms for a rapidly growing chemical firm and to model the executive compensation processa Ridge regression is used to improve parameter stability in the presence of multicollinearity. Both size and performance variables are significant in the executive compensation modeling process.
Segmenting cruise passengers with price sensitivity

Abstract It has been suggested that discounted cruises have degraded the industry's standards (Berlitz Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships, Berlitz, Princeton, NJ, 1994), and that value-oriented cruise lines are gaining a competitive advantage over “high-end” cruises ( http://www.cruisinformationservice.co.uk/press/factsheetdetail.aspx?id=45 ). This use of price discounting has created new challenges for the cruise industry, as they have attracted a more price-sensitive market than they have in the past. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to segment cruise passengers based on their price sensitivity to determine if price-sensitive markets are desirable. Results revealed that less price-sensitive visitors are more likely to spend more, while visitors who were more price sensitive were more likely to positively evaluate their experiences. Both theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
A microwell array device capable of measuring single-cell oxygen consumption rates

Due to interest in cell population heterogeneity, the development of new technology and methodologies for studying single cells has dramatically increased in recent years. The ideal single cell measurement system would be high throughput for statistical relevance, would measure the most important cellular parameters, and minimize disruption of normal cell function. We have developed a microwell array device capable of measuring single cell oxygen consumption rates (OCR). This OCR device is able to diffusionally isolate single cells and enables the quantitative measurement of oxygen consumed by a single cell with fmol/min resolution in a non-invasive and relatively high throughput manner. A glass microwell array format containing fixed luminescent sensors allows for future incorporation of additional cellular parameter sensing capabilities. To demonstrate the utility of the OCR device, we determined the oxygen consumption rates of a small group of single cells (12 to 18) for three different cells lines: murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7, human epithelial lung cancer cell line A549, and human Barrett’s esophagus cell line CP-D.
Three-dimensional radiative transfer in an anisotropically scattering, semi-infinite medium: generalized reflection function

Three-dimensional radiative transfer in an anisotropic scattering medium exposed to spatially varying, collimated radiation is studied. The generalized reflection function for a semi-infinite medium with a very general scattering phase function is the focus of this investigation. An integral transform is used to reduce the three-dimensional transport equation to a one-dimensional form, and a modified Ambarzumian's method is applied to formulate a nonlinear integral equation for the generalized reflection function. The integration is over both the polar and azimuthal angles; hence, the integral equation is said to be in the double-integral form. The double-integral, reflection function formulation can handle a variety of anisotropic phase functions and does not require an expansion of the phase function in a Legendre polynomial series. Complicated kernel transformations of previous single-integral studies are eliminated. Single and double scattering approximations are developed. Numerical results are presented for a Rayleigh phase function to illustrate the computational characteristics of the method and are compared to results obtained with the single-integral method. Agreement between the two approaches is excellent; however, as the transform variable increases beyond five the number of quadrature points required for the double-integral method to produce accurate solutions significantly increases. A new interpolation scheme produces accurate results when the transform variable is large.
Assessment of coronary blood flow with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

Noninvasive assessment of myocardial blood flow (MBF) has proved to be useful for the diagnosis and risk stratification of patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. However, the relationship between myocardial perfusion abnormalities and coronary atherosclerosis is complex, and one is not necessarily predictive of the other. 1,2 An example of this is in diminished MBF, which can also be caused by microvascular dysfunction without correlation to flow-limiting epicardial lesions. 3 In contrast to this, normal MBF can persist despite severe coronary disease due to the presence of collateral blood flow. Coronary angiography and myocardial perfusion imaging has become complementary, rather than substitutive methods to evaluate coronary artery disease. 4 Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) represents the most widely applied methods for myocardial perfusion assessment in clinical practice today, while positron emission tomography (PET) is the most reliable method for noninvasive absolute MBF quantification. In recent years, cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) and cardiac computed tomography (CT) have emerged as promising techniques for MBF assessment. In these tomographic imaging techniques, measurement of MBF is based upon tissue enhancement of an intravenous delivered contrast bolus. Both imaging modalities provide high spatial and temporal resolution to determine regional MBF, and allow complementary measurements of cardiac function, structure, and coronary architecture. In this review, we will explore the basic principles of cardiac MR and CT perfusion imaging methods, with a special emphasis on recent emerging methods that allow for combined coronary artery and MBF measurement by CT.
The effect of intraocular pressure on resistance to outflow.

Abstract As intraocular pressure is increased, facility of aqueous outflow decreases. For many years this fact was obscured by the often used procedure of experimental perfusion into the anterior chamber. Anterior chamber perfusion deepens the anterior chamber; retrodisplacement of the iris-lens diaphragm tenses the trabecular mesh with resulting facility increase and obscuration of the facility-reducing effect of pressure. The probable mechanism of facility reduction under experimental conditions is apposition of the inner wall of Schlemm's canal to the outer wall. Since facility of aqueous outflow is not constant at different intraocular pressures, application of Poiseuille's law to the eye must be restricted to each pressure investigated.
Functional Interaction of p53 and BLM DNA Helicase in Apoptosis

The Bloom syndrome (BS) protein, BLM, is a member of the RecQ DNA helicase family that also includes the Werner syndrome protein, WRN. Inherited mutations in these proteins are associated with cancer predisposition of these patients. We recently discovered that cells from Werner syndrome patients displayed a deficiency in p53-mediated apoptosis and WRN binds to p53. Here, we report that analogous to WRN, BLM also binds to p53 in vivo andin vitro, and the C-terminal domain of p53 is responsible for the interaction. p53-mediated apoptosis is defective in BS fibroblasts and can be rescued by expression of the normalBLM gene. Moreover, lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) derived from BS donors are resistant to both γ-radiation and doxorubicin-induced cell killing, and sensitivity can be restored by the stable expression of normal BLM. In contrast, BS cells have a normal Fas-mediated apoptosis, and in response to DNA damage normal accumulation of p53, normal induction of p53 responsive genes, and normal G1-S and G2-M cell cycle arrest. BLM localizes to nuclear foci referred to as PML nuclear bodies (NBs). Cells from Li-Fraumeni syndrome patients carrying p53 germline mutations and LCLs lacking a functional p53 have a decreased accumulation of BLM in NBs, whereas isogenic lines with functional p53 exhibit normal accumulation. Certain BLM mutants (C1055S or Δ133–237) that have a reduced ability to localize to the NBs when expressed in normal cells can impair the localization of wild type BLM to NBs and block p53-mediated apoptosis, suggesting a dominant-negative effect. Taken together, our results indicate both a novel mechanism of p53 function by which p53 mediates nuclear trafficking of BLM to NBs and the cooperation of p53 and BLM to induce apoptosis.
Molecular characterization and mRNA expression of two key enzymes of hypoxia-sensing pathways in eastern oysters Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin): hypoxia-inducible factor α (HIF-α) and HIF-prolyl hydroxylase (PHD).

Abstract Oxygen homeostasis is crucial for development, survival and normal function of all metazoans. A family of transcription factors called hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) is critical in mediating the adaptive responses to reduced oxygen availability. The HIF transcription factor consists of a constitutively expressed β subunit and an oxygen-dependent α subunit; the abundance of the latter determines the activity of HIF and is regulated by a family of O 2 - and Fe 2+ -dependent enzymes prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs). Currently very little is known about the function of this important pathway and the molecular structure of its key players in hypoxia-tolerant intertidal mollusks including oysters, which are among the animal champions of anoxic and hypoxic tolerance and thus can serve as excellent models to study the role of HIF cascade in adaptations to oxygen deficiency. We have isolated transcripts of two key components of the oxygen sensing pathway – the oxygen-regulated HIF-α subunit and PHD – from an intertidal mollusk, the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica , and determined the transcriptional responses of these two genes to anoxia, hypoxia and cadmium (Cd) stress. HIF-α and PHD homologs from eastern oysters C. virginica show significant sequence similarity and share key functional domains with the earlier described isoforms from vertebrates and invertebrates. Phylogenetic analysis shows that genetic diversification of HIF and PHD isoforms occurred within the vertebrate lineage indicating functional diversification and specialization of the oxygen-sensing pathways in this group, which parallels situation observed for many other important genes. HIF-α and PHD homologs are broadly expressed at the mRNA level in different oyster tissues and show transcriptional responses to prolonged hypoxia in the gills consistent with their putative role in oxygen sensing and the adaptive response to hypoxia. Similarity in amino acid sequence, domain structure and transcriptional responses between HIF-α and PHD homologs from oysters and other invertebrate and vertebrate species implies the highly conserved functions of these genes throughout the evolutionary history of animals, in accordance with their critical role in oxygen sensing and homeostasis.
Effects of a Hexachlorobiphenyl and Pentachlorophenol on Growth and Photosynthesis of Phytoplankton

The effects of two organochlorine compounds 2,4,5,2′,4′,5′ hexachlorobiphenyl (HCB) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) on photosynthesis and growth were investigated in semicontinuous cultures of three species of algae: Ankistrodesmus falcatus, Melosira sp., and Microcystis sp. Photosynthesis appeared to be stimulated by HCB in A. falcatus and Melosira sp., both per cell and per unit of chlorophyll, at average cellular HCB concentrations of approximately 3 × 10−5 and 6 × 10−6 ng cell−1 respectively. At the same HCB concentrations the growth rate of Melosira was significantly inhibited, but that of A. falcatus showed no significant trend. PCP appeared to inhibit photosynthesis in A. falcatus and Microcystis sp., both per cell and per unit of chlorophyll, at a cell PCP concentration range of approximately 4–8 × 10−7 and 2–11 × 10−8 ng cell−1, respectively. In Melosira, photosynthesis per unit of chlorophyll was inhibited at 2–6 × 70−7 ng cell−1. At these PCP concentrations, only Melosira showed a discernible decrease in growth rate.
Ownership selection in the US electric utility industry

Abstract This paper examines municipal selection of ownership form at retail in the US electric utility industry from 1945 to 1991. Residents are assumed to select a rural electric cooperative (REC), municipally owned utility (MOU), or investor-owned utility (IOU) to maximize net benefits subject to exogenous rate setting constraints. Examination of 233 municipalities that changed ownership form, and 250 that did not, suggests that residents change ownership form to obtain lower rates, other things equal. In addition, access to federal power (MOU case only), growing municipal population, and a larger fraction of Republican-appointed regulatory commissioners increase the probability that residents change to an REC or MOU from an IOU, other things equal.
Breakout Session: Gender Disparities in Knee Osteoarthritis and TKA

Background Biologically derived (sex-based) and behaviorally influenced (gender-based) disparities exist in knee osteoarthritis and treatment with TKA.
Interference by DDT and cyclodiene types of insecticides with chloroplast-associated reactions

Abstract The effects of DDT, some of its analogs, and selected cyclodiene insecticides on isolated spinach ( Spinacea oleracea L.) thylakoids were identified, characterized, and compared to responses induced by selected herbicides. Except for endrin, the insecticides inhibited light-induced electron transport, altered chlorophyll fluorescence transients, and competitively displaced [ 14 C]atrazine [2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)- s -triazine], a known photosystem II inhibitor, from the membranes. The insecticides appeared to act at, or near B, the secondary electron acceptor of photosystem II. Binding of DDT and dieldrin was estimated at 900 and 2200 molecules, respectively, per photosynthetic unit (490 chlorophyll molecules). The insecticides also inhibited valinomycin-induced swelling of the thylakoid membrane. Whereas inhibition of electron transport can be attributed to interaction by the insecticides with a proteinaceous component of the thylakoid membrane, interference with the action of valinomycin may involve interaction with lipoidal constituents of the membrane.
On the ambiguity of visual stimulation: A reply to Eriksson

In a recent note, Eriksson criticized Gibson’s theory by arguing that visual perception of distance is not solely a function of optical stimulation. It is shown here that the optic array does specify distance, and that the limitations of visual information are precisely defined in the theory. Visual information alone is insufficient when judgments in arbitrary metric units are required. The limitation of the theory is not in the specification of potential and effective information, but in the description of the observer’s response to that information.
Spectroscopic and microscopic investigation of the corrosion of 316/316L stainless steel by lead–bismuth eutectic (LBE) at elevated temperatures: importance of surface preparation

Abstract The corrosion of steel by lead–bismuth eutectic (LBE) is an important issue in proposed nuclear transmutation schemes. Russian scientists at the IPPE exposed steel samples to oxygen-controlled LBE at temperatures up to 823 K and exposure times up to 3000 h. We have characterized these post-exposure steel samples and unexposed controls, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Previous researchers have investigated the corrosion by LBE of steel of varying composition. In the present work, we compared two samples having the same composition (standard nuclear grade 316/316L) but different surface preparation: a cold-rolled sample was compared with an annealed sample. The cold-rolled sample had an order of magnitude less corrosion (i.e., both lower oxidation and less weight change) than the annealed sample. Sputter depth profiling of the exposed annealed sample and cold-rolled sample showed a marked difference in oxide layer composition between the annealed and cold-rolled samples. The annealed sample showed a complex oxide structure (iron oxide over chromium/iron oxide mixtures) of tens of microns thickness, while the cold-rolled sample was covered with a rather simple, primarily chromium oxide layer of ∼1 μm thickness.
Public spending, voracity, and Wagner's law in developing countries

Abstract An examination of the short- and long-term relation between government spending and output in 51 developing countries reveals evidence consistent with cyclical ratcheting and voracity reflected in a tendency for government spending to increase over time. The main components of government spending are procyclical in some 40% of countries. Output and government spending are cointegrated for at least one of the spending aggregates in 70% of countries, implying a long-term relationship between government spending and output consistent with Wagner's law. In contrast, prior studies have found only weak support for Wagner's law for developing countries, although somewhat stronger support for industrial countries.
Products of the Uranium Fission. Radioactive Isotopes of Iodine and Xenon

Radioactive iodines resulting from the uranium fission have been further studied, with results which in addition to confirming those of previous investigators, establish the following active substances as products of the uranium fission. ${ \ensuremath{\rightarrow} \ensuremath{\rightarrow} }{{\mathrm{I}}^{{g}_{131}} 6.6 \mathrm{hr}. {\mathrm{Xe}}^{{g}_{131}} 9.5 \mathrm{hr}.\mathrm{Cs} (?)}{ \ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{ {\mathrm{Xe}}^{{g}_{131}} 4.3 \mathrm{day}\mathrm{Cs} (?)}$ The 4.3-day xenon is produced by the decay of the 22-hour iodine. The 6.6-hour iodine is either a direct fission product, or the daughter of an active tellurium of half-life less than 1 minute.
The pearlite-austenite growth interface in an Fe-0.8 C-12 Mn alloy

Abstract The interphase boundary structure and interface processes at the pearlite-retained austenite growth interface in Fe-0.8 wt% C-12 wt% Mn alloy have been investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Facetting, misfit correcting dislocations, and ledge defects are all observed at the previously assumed disordered boundary. Hot stage electron microscopy revealed that the ledge defects are mobile, indicating the migration of the growth interface occurs by the lateral movement of steps. It is found that the growth ledges are continuous across the growth interfaces of the pearlitic ferrite and cementite. This provides a mechanism by which the interface processes of the two pearlite phases may be coupled.
MORAVA E-THEORY OF FILTERED COLIMITS

Morava E-theory E V n* (-) is a much-studied theory in algebraic topology, but it is not a homology theory in the usual sense, because it fails to preserve coproducts (resp. filtered homotopy colimits). The object of this paper is to construct a spectral sequence to compute the Morava E-theory of a coproduct (resp. filtered homotopy colimit). The E 2 -term of this spectral sequence involves the derived functors of direct sum (resp. filtered colimit) in an appropriate abelian category. We show that there are at most n - 1 (resp. n) of these derived functors. When n = 1, we recover the known result that homotopy commutes with an appropriate version of direct sum in the K(1)-local stable homotopy category.
Regularized hyperalignment of multi-set fMRI data

Inter-subject correspondence is an important aspect of multi-subject fMRI studies. Recently, a new approach, called hyperalignment, has shown very promising results in fMRI functional alignment. Hyperalignment is based on Procrustean rotations and is connected, mathematically, to canonical correlation analysis. We review the core details of each approach, relate them through an SVD analysis, and indicate why they can yield different levels of performance. We then examine the effectiveness of regularization in mediating between the extremes of these methods. An inter-subject classification experiment based on functional aligned fMRI datasets illustrates the resulting improved performance.
Nimodipine, a centrally active calcium antagonist, exerts a beneficial effect on contrast sensitivity in patients with normal-tension glaucoma and in control subjects.

Background/Purpose: The use of calcium antagonists in patients with normaltension glaucoma (NTG) currently is under investigation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of an acute dose of oral nimodipine, a centrally active calcium antagonist, on spatial contrast sensitivity in patients with NTG and in age-matched control subjects. Methods: Spatial contrast sensitivity was measured using the Pelli-Robson and the Vistech 6000 charts in 14 patients with NTG and in 17 control subjects. Testing was performed at baseline and at two subsequent sessions. Measurements were recorded 2 hours after oral administration of either nimodipine or placebo in a randomized, double-masked manner. Data were analyzed using unpaired, two-tailed Student's t test for between-group comparisons and repeated measures analysis of variance for withingroup comparisons. Results: Using the Pelli-Robson charts, baseline contrast sensitivity was significantly lower in patients with NTG compared with control subjects ( P P Conclusion: These results suggest that central visual function as measured by Pelli-Robson and Vistech contrast sensitivity is impaired in eyes with NTG. An acute, oral administration of nimodipine, a calcium antagonist, improved contrast sensitivity in patients with NTG and in control subjects. The mechanism of this improvement is not fully understood. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of long-term administration in glaucoma.
The quest for integrated systems of care for frail older persons

The challenge of an increasing elderly population, particularly with respect to frail older persons in need of long-term care, has coupled with ever-present budget constraints to make the financing, organization and delivery of elder care a major priority in North America, Europe and elsewhere in the developed world. Despite obvious cross-national differences in health and social care arrangements for the frail elderly, evidence of poorly coordinated services, disjointed care, less than optimum outcomes, system inefficiency, inadequate accountability, and uncontrolled costs can be found in all countries. There is a growing belief that more comprehensive approaches are needed to effectively address these problems. One such strategy, so-called integrated systems of care, shows great promise. The author critically examines the concept of integrated systems of care for the frail elderly, including the theoretical benefits and drawbacks of the model. At the policy and practice levels, descriptions are presented of, and evidence and lessons are summarized from a representative sample of such projects in the US (Social HMO and PACE), Canada (SIPA), Italy (Rovereto) and Australia (Coordinated Care Trials). The introduction of prototypes such as these raises a number of significant issues for policymakers, payers, providers, consumers and researchers. These are briefly examined in concluding remarks on the important potential of integrated systems of care for vulnerable older people.
Possible limits on the composition of the Archaean ocean

The potential impact of high carbon dioxide partial pressure on ocean chemistry is examined in order to investigate what constraints are imposed by the known record of chemical sedimentation through time. The evidence consists of the persistence of calcium carbonate and sulfate precipitation throughout almost the entire sedimentary rock record. A uniformitarian point of view that assumes no very great change in the conditions for the deposition of these chemical sediments. The methods of Holland (1972) are used to set limits on the composition of the water from which precipitation occurred. No inconsistencies between the sedimentary rock record and presumed higher partial pressure of carbon dioxide early in earth history, provided that high partial pressure was accompanied by a generally lower pH for seawater, higher concentrations of calcium and biocarbonate ions, and lower concentrations of carbonate and sulfate ions.
The effect of experience, ownership and focus on productive efficiency: : A longitudinal study of U.S. hospitals

Focusing on organizational learning research in healthcare settings, this paper studies how experience, ownership and focus affect productive efficiency in U.S. hospitals. Building on organizational learning theory, health economics and the focused factory concept, we propose that hospitals learn to improve productive efficiency and the relationship between productive efficiency and cumulative experience is curvilinear. We also hypothesize that clinical focus has a positive effect on productive efficiency and that nonprofit hospitals and proprietary hospitals trade off costs and quality differently. The proposed hypotheses are tested with yearly performance data for over 3700 major U.S. hospitals spanning from 1996 to 2010. We find strong support for the proposed hypotheses.
Enhanced Droplet Nucleation in Styrene Miniemulsion Polymerization. 2. Polymerization Kinetics of Homogenized Emulsions Containing Predissolved Polystyrene

The effect on the subsequent polymerization of predissolving polystyrene into the styrene monomer prior to its homogenization via a Microfluidizer was studied. It was noted that particle nucleation shifted from either the micelles or the aqueous phase to the monomer droplets when polymer is predissolved. This shift to the droplets was a result of the droplets being preserved by the presence of the polymer in the initial droplet distribution. When homogenized emulsions do not contain predissolved polymer, the majority of the droplets disappear by Ostwald ripening. Homogenized emulsions that contain predissolved polymer exhibit higher rates of polymerization and numbers of particles nucleated compared to similar systems not containing predissolved polymer. This enhancement in the kinetics was similar (although to a slightly lesser extent) to what was noted for miniemulsions containing cetyl alcohol as cosurfactant. Since both homogenized emulsion and miniemulsion systems (using cetyl alcohol as the cosurfac...
Bio-inspired secure data mules for medical sensor network

Medical sensor network consist of heterogeneous nodes, wireless, mobile and wired with varied functionality. The resources at each sensor require to be exploited minimally while sensitive information is sensed and communicated to its access points using secure data mules. In this paper, we analyze the flat architecture, where different functionality and priority information require varied resources forms a non-deterministic polynomial-time hard problem. Hence, a bio-inspired data mule that helps to obtain dynamic multi-objective solution with minimal resource and secure path is applied. The performance of the proposed approach is based on reduced latency, data delivery rate and resource cost.
MUTON: Detecting Malicious Nodes in Disruption-Tolerant Networks

The Disruption Tolerant Networks (DTNs) are vulnerable to insider attacks, in which the legitimate nodes are compromised and the adversary modifies the delivery metrics of the node to launch harmful attacks in the networks. The traditional detection approaches of secure routing protocols can not address such kind of insider attacks in DTNs. In this paper, we propose a mutual correlation detection scheme (MUTON) for addressing these insider attacks. MUTON takes into consideration of the transitive property when calculating the packet delivery probability of each node and correlates the information collected from other nodes. We evaluated our approach through extensive simulations using both Random Way Point and Zebranet mobility models. Our results show that MUTON can detect insider attacks efficiently with high detection rate and low false positive rate.
Fragmentation hydrogen exchange mass spectrometry: A review of methodology and applications

The ability of proteins to function is intricately connected to proper folding and other environmental parameters. Methods and tools that are able to report back on structure and dynamics in native or otherwise desired environment are of utmost importance as they can be used to connect structure and function and provide us with deeper mechanistic understanding of the underlying principles involved. Besides, they might be useful in the verification of material quality and provide assurance of efficacy and soundness of experimental observations made with such materials. Hydrogen exchange mass spectrometry is one of those tools. It combines the universality of a "native" chemical labeling approach with an almost equally universally applicable detection scheme based on mass spectrometry that has already revolutionized proteomic research as a whole in the past. This review focuses on the concepts of the exchange method, advances in methodology that have made specifically the fragmentation hydrogen exchange mass spectrometry approach so successful, broadly surveys some of the application space, and highlights the most recent use in the area of biopharmaceutical development.
David D. Derse, 1949-2009

David D. Derse, Ph.D., Head of the Retrovirus Gene Expression Section in the HIV Drug Resistance Program at the National Cancer Institute-Frederick (NCI-Frederick), passed away on October 9, 2009, a scant six weeks after being diagnosed with liver cancer. It was with great sadness that family, friends, and colleagues gathered together for his memorial service on Saturday, October 17, 2009, at the Middletown United Methodist Church in Maryland. As a NCI scientist since 1986, Dave studied the molecular mechanisms of infection and replication of a number of different types of retroviruses. Dave became an internationally known expert on human T cell lymphotrophic viruses type 1 and 2 (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2) and served on the editorial boards of Virology and Retrovirology. His most recent studies focused on the mechanisms of HTLV-1 virion morphogenesis, transmission, and replication.
Assessing augmentative releases of parasitoids using the "recruitment method", with reference to Edovum puttleri, a parasitoid of the Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Release of approximately 17,700 experienced adult femaleEdovum puttleri Grissell against 1st generation Colorado potato beetle eggs in 1987 in a 0.4 ha potato field in S. Deerfield, Massachusetts resulted in only 3.6% parasitism as assessed by direct measurement of host and parasitoid recruitment. Levels of non-viability indicated an additional 2.8% of hosts killed by parasitoid hostfeeding, for an overall impact of 6.4%. Release in 1988 of 126,300 parasitoid against 1st generation hosts in a 0.4 ha potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) field at the same site produced only slightly higher levels of parasitism (10.6%) and host feeding (2.0%).
CARTER AND HUMAN RIGHTS: ADMINISTRATIVE IMPACT OF A SYMBOLIC POLICY

Analyses of foreign policy impact seldom take into account the domestic and symbolic consequences of implementation. This study begins with the assumption that since President Carter's human rights policy is largely an exercise in symbolic politics, the criteria for understanding its impact have more to do with the impression than with substantive improvement in human rights. Implementation to date has been felt primarily in administrative adjustments and revisions, not on concrete achievements in human rights around the world. While in terms of substantive criteria the impact of the policy has been minimal, in terms of increased bureaucratic visibility and other symbolic responses, the policy's implementation can be considered successful.
Phenology, productivity, and nutrient accumulation in the post-fire chaparral shrub Lotus scoparius

Lotus scoparius is a drought-deciduous shrub which is an early and abundant colonizer of sites following fire in southern California chaparral. Productivity, seasonal nutrient concentrations, nutrient accumulations and phenology were studied in a 4-year-old burn site in Adenostoma chaparral in which L. scoparius had established 49% cover. Net aboveground primary production for L. scoparius was 105 g m-2 y-1; leaves accounted for 40% of the annual production. The true increment to biomass was only 17 g m-2 y-1; 83% of the net production entered the litter layer or standing dead components. In response to the Mediterranean climatic regime, most of the annual net production and plant activity occurred from May through June when photoperiod and temperatures were favorable and moisture was available. In July leaf abscission occurred in response to the summer drought conditions. Correlation and principal component analysis suggested consistent seasonal behavior in the foliar concentrations of N, P, Zn, and Mn. Nitrogen, P, K, and Zn were strongly reabsorbed from leaf tissues before abscission. Calcium, Mg, and Fe formed a second functional group of elements which increased in concentration throughout leaf maturation and which were not reabsorbed from senescing foliage. The seasonal pattern of nitrogen-containing organic compounds (chlorophylls and proteins) was most associated with the leaf phenology and water stress. The rapid growth of Lotus scoparius plays a role in conserving nutrients that might be lost through runoff and erosion after fire in the chaparral.
Culture and international relations: A review essay

(1996). Culture and international relations: A review essay. The Washington Quarterly: Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 177-197.
Lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase-1 and glutathione peroxidase activities in trisomy 16 fetal mice and human trisomy 21 fibroblasts.

ABSTRACT: An increase in lipid peroxidation has been reported in fetal human trisomy 21 brains. To determine whether this change can be regarded as a consequence of the increase in soluble Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) activity caused by the trisomy, we have made use of the trisomy 16 mouse, a model for human trisomy 21. Lipid peroxidation, as malonaldehyde, and the activities of SOD-1 and glutathione peroxidase were studied in diploid and trisomy 16 mouse fetuses and fetal brains and, for comparison, in diploid and trisomy 21 human fibroblasts. SOD-1 activity in diploid mouse brain increased during fetal and postnatal development, but glutathione peroxidase activity was unchanged. Mean SOD-1 activity was almost exactly 50% increased in trisomy 16 fetuses and fetal brains and in human trisomy 21 fibroblasts, confirming the gene dosage effect in both species. The SOD-1 activity in the trisomic fetuses was correlated with that in their matched diploid littermates, suggesting that factors other than the gene dosage also determine activity. Mean glutathione peroxidase activity was not increased in trisomy 16 fetuses or brains and only slightly increased in human trisomy 21 fibroblasts. Mean lipid peroxidation was decreased in fetal trisomy 16 brains but was increased in human trisomy 21 fibroblasts. These results do not lend support to the notion that increased SOD-1 activity is developmentally deleterious and necessarily increases lipid peroxidation and, secondarily, the activity of glutathione peroxidase. The difference between the human and mouse data concerning lipid peroxidation in trisomic brains may be related to structural differences in the lipids which provide the substrate for lipid peroxidation.
Tolerance and Autoimmunity

Abstract Long-lasting tolerance can be produced by prenatal or perinatal exposure to foreign antigens. Self-tolerance results from embryonic exposure to antigens of the host itself. Several mechanisms that contribute to self-tolerance have been described. They include clonal deletion, anergy, and active suppression. A failure in these mechanisms may lead to autoimmune disease. Some important human diseases are associated with autoimmunity, and immunomethods are regularly employed for their diagnosis. In the future immunomethods will prove to be valuable for the identification of subjects at risk of developing autoimmune disease, thereby permitting preventive interventions.
Carrier Channels for Telemetering

This paper describes design engineering considerations involved in the application of 68 carrier current terminals at 25 locations used to establish the major portion of a 6,500-mile telemeter and automatic load-frequency control system. Both telephone-line and power-line carrier equipment is used with the latter predominating and consisting of four general types: keyed continuous wave; multitone amplitude modulation; multitone frequency modulation; and frequency shift. The quantity and direction of power flowing in 17 major transmission tie lines between the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and surrounding power systems are telemetered an average distance of 172 miles to an operating office where tie-line loadings are totalized. Based on this net interchange quantity, deviation. from-schedule control signals, on a time-duration impulse basis representing kilowatts, are sent by a frequency-shift powerline carrier system to a total of 12 hydroelectric plants, to automatically regulate the governors of generators in response to load and frequency changes on the tie lines within the limits set by scheduled water releases which are co-ordinated with other objectives of the TVA. Two separate master control carrier channels are used with one serving seven and the other eight hydroelectric generating plants. To provide operating flexibility, three hydro plants are common to both carrier control channels.
Increasing the size of atomic instruction blocks using control flow assertions

For a variety of reasons, branch-less regions of instructions are desirable for high-performance execution. In this paper we propose a means for increasing the dynamic length of branch-less regions of instructions for the purposes of dynamic program optimization. We call these atomic regions frames and we construct them by replacing original branch instructions with assertions. Assertion instructions check if the original branching conditions still hold. If they hold, no action is taken. If they do not, then the entire region is undone. In this manner an assertion has no explicit control flow. We demonstrate that using branch correlation to decide when a branch should be converted into an assertion results in atomic regions that average over 100 instructions in length, with a probability of completion of 97%, and that constitute over 80% of the dynamic instruction stream. We demonstrate both static and dynamic means for constructing frames. When frames are built dynamically using finite sized hardware, they average 80 instructions in length and have good caching properties.