cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antiarrhythmic drug therapy of atrial fibrillation

In the post-AFFIRM era, treatment of AF has become the treatment of symptoms. In some patients, this will be simple rate control, but there remain a significant cohort of patients in whom rate control alone does not give acceptable symptom relief. In this group, antiarrhythmic therapy still has a role, and the AFFIRM trial indicates that this therapeutic strategy is without significant deleterious effect on mortality. The choice of antiarrhythmic agent must be individualized according to underlying cardiac pathologies and comorbidities, however. Most recently, the introduction of dofetilide has widened the therapeutic options in patients with severe heart disease, and the Canadian Trial of Atrial Fibrillation indicated the superior efficacy of amiodarone at low doses. The release/ development of newer Class III antiarrhythmic agents may offer hope for the benefits of amiodarone without the serious adverse effects with long-term therapy.
Literature, Education, and Romanticism: Reading as Social Practice, 1780-1832

Preface Abbreviations 1. Childhood, education, and power 2. School time 3. Children's literature and the work of culture 4. Women, education, and the novel 5. The pursuit of knowledge under difficulties 6. Epilogue: Romanticism and the idea of literature Notes Index.
Gene expression analysis of uterine smooth muscle cells exposed to bisphenol A

To evaluate the effect of bisphenol A (BPA) on gene expression changes in uterine myometrium, uterine smooth muscle cells were incubated with 2.28 ng/mL BPA for 48 h. Total RNA was extracted and quantified spectrophotometrically. Gene expression changes were analyzed using oligonucleotide microarray hybridization comparing the treated and control groups (1.5-fold change, p<0.05). Data indicated that 560 genes were upregulated and 231 were downregulated in response to BPA exposure. The biological processes positively associated with gene upregulation included the regulation of cell differentiation, cellular metabolic processes, cell proliferation and smooth muscle contraction. In contrast, genes involved in mitosis, lipid metabolism, regulation of muscle cell differentiation and cell adhesion were significantly downregulated. In the KEGG pathway analysis, MAPK signaling pathway, insulin signaling pathway and extracellular matrix (ECM)-mediated interactions were positively associated with gene upregulation.
Sewage sludge disposal and winter flounder, red hake, and american lobster feeding in the New York Bight

Little is known of the effects of sewage sludge disposal on fish and shellfish feeding. This paper presents the results of a 39-month study on the effects of sewage sludge disposal and its abatement on feeding of three species in the New York Bight. Feeding variables were measured in winter flounder, red hake and American lobster at three sites along a gradient of sludge influence. Post-abatement changes in benthic habitats included reduced sediment total organic carbon (TOC) and metal contamination, and increased summer bottom water dissolved oxygen (DO) and changes in the abundances of some benthic infaunal species at the study sites. Statistically significant diet changes were only evident in winter flounder, however. The limited sample sizes and relatively high variability of the results for red hake and lobster gave the tests on the percentage of empty stomachs a relatively low power (1− β = < 0·20) for detection of change, or greater than 80% chance of incorrectly accepting the null hypothesis at a 95% confidence limit (and detectable effect size) even with percentage of empty stomach changes of up to 52% for these two species. There were, however, changes in the frequency of occurrence of certain artifacts or minor, pollution-sensitive prey in the diets that can be associated with sludge disposal abatement. The importance of these changes to predator health was not assessed.
Development of a carbonate absorption-based process for post-combustion CO2 capture: The role of biocatalyst to promote CO2 absorption rate

An Integrated Vacuum Carbonate Absorption Process (IVCAP) for post-combustion carbon dioxide (CO2) capture is described. IVCAP employs potassium carbonate (PC) as a solvent, uses waste or low quality steam from the power plant for CO2 stripping, and employs a biocatalyst, carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme, for promoting the CO2 absorption into PC solution. A series of experiments were performed to evaluate the activity of CA enzyme mixed in PC solutions in a stirred tank reactor system under various temperatures, CA dosages, CO2 loadings, CO2 partial pressures, and the presence of major flue gas contaminants. It was demonstrated that CA enzyme is an effective biocatalyst for CO2 absorption under IVCAP conditions.
Survival After Liver Transplantation Using Hepatitis C Virus-Positive Donor Allografts: Case-Controlled Analysis of the UNOS Database

Numerous reports have documented reduced graft and patient survival after use of hepatitis C (HCV) seropositive allografts in liver transplantation (OLT). We aimed to examine if the use of a HCV+ liver allograft affects patient and graft survivals compared to HCV− donor allografts in a case-controlled analysis of the united network for organ sharing (UNOS) database. We examined 63,149 liver transplants (61,905 donors HCV−; 1,244 donors HCV+) from the UNOS standard transplant analysis and research (STAR) file from 1987 to 2007. Donor and recipient demographics and outcomes were collected in which donor HCV serology was complete. A case-controlled cohort from 11 donor and recipient variables comparing donor HCV− and HCV+ allografts (n = 540 in each group) was created using propensity scores with a matching algorithm. Graft and patient survival was estimated using Kaplan–Meier survival curves. Significant differences were evident in the unadjusted cohort between recipients who received HCV+ and HCV− allografts, including HCV+ recipients, donor and recipient age, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) exception cases. Use of HCV+ allograft resulted in significantly lower graft survival (8.1 vs. 10.6 years; P = 0.001) and patient survival (10.2 vs. 12.3 years; P = 0.01) after OLT. In the matched cohort, HCV seropositivity had no detrimental effect on the graft (P = 0.57) or patient (P = 0.78) survival after OLT. This is the first population-based analysis to show that after adjusting for donor and recipient characteristics there was no difference in graft or patient survival with the use of HCV+ donor liver allografts compared to HCV− donor liver allografts.
Rebalancing the Global Economy

The United States accuses China of subsidizing its entire export economy through artificially undervaluing its currency. China accuses the United States of fiscal profligacy while flooding the world with easy credit to keep its economy afloat. This dispute reflects the reality that the world's two largest economies are built on opposite dynamics of production and savings vs. consumerism and debt. In Europe, the wages of unsustainable debt that financed the welfare state have also come due. Rebalancing the global economy in this context is not only a matter of fixing exchange or interest rates and extending the retirement age. It must also involve a recalibration of democracy in both East and West. Two Nobel economists, the Greek prime minister, a ranking Chinese economist and the former chief economist of the IMF address these issues.
Constructing Regioregular Star Poly(3-hexylthiophene) via Externally Initiated Kumada Catalyst-Transfer Polycondensation

A synthetic route was developed for the preparation of di- and trifunctional Ni complex-based initiators. Each initiator affords well-defined 2-arm (V-shaped) and 3-arm (Y-shaped) regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (rr-P3HT) with controlled molecular weight and narrow polydispersities by the externally initiated Kumada catalyst-transfer polycondensation. The core spacer length and end o-tolylhalide group of the functional initiators exhibited differences in reactivity and show that the biphenyl spacers are effective for the synthesis of V-shaped and Y-shaped rr-P3HTs.
Fuels from Biomass: Integration with Food and Materials Systems

The development of fuels from biomass can lead naturally to dispersed facilities that incorporate food or materials production (or both) with fuel production, forming adaptive systems that can be modified to meet evolving needs and constraints. The technology that is appropriate to each system needs to be worked out, taking into account associated food and materials opportunities in order to decrease the ultimate cost of energy delivered to the consumer. I analyze possible systems based on sugarcane, corn, and guayule.
VERSIFYING YOUR READING LIST: USING POETRY TO TEACH INEQUALITY

Timothy Patrick Moran is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. His inequality class is taught as an upper-level elective and usually enrolls between 40-60 undergraduates of various social science majors. In addition to his interests in undergraduate education, his current research focuses on historical patterns of inequality between and within nations. Among his publications, he co-authored "World Economic Trends in the Distribution of Income, 1965-1992" appearing in the American Journal of Sociology (vol. 102, 1997). This is an excerpt from an article by the same title in Teaching Sociology, April 1999, Vol. 27:110-125.
Use of [methyl-3H]Yohimbine as a radioligand for alpha-2 adrenoreceptors on intact platelets. Comparison with dihydroergocryptine.

The binding of the non-selective α-adrenergic receptor antagonist [3H]dihydroergocryptine and the selective α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist [methyl-3H]yohimbine to intact blood platelets was investigated. Loosely bound dihydroergocryptine dissociated from washed platelets diluted with plasma in a temperature dependent fashion, and at 37°C this was substantially complete in 30 seconds. The remaining radioactivity was resolvable into a non-specific component equivalent to about 10μl supernatant per 108 platelets and a saturable component that was suppressed by yohimbine amounting to about 400 sites per platelet. The binding to these sites was slow, and did not equilibrate in 20 minutes. Addition of phentolamine, yohimbine or non-radioactive dihydroergocryptine at this time resulted in the prompt dissociation of about one third of the specifically bound dihydroergocryptine, and a further one third dissociated over the next hour. In contrast, the non-specific binding of yohimbine to intact platelets after plasma dilution amounted to the equivalent of 0.5 − 1.5 μl supernatant per 108 platelets. Specific binding and dissociation was exponential with K1 = 5.25 × 105M−1 sec−1, K−1 = 3.3 × 10−3sec−1. The derived dissociation constant was 6.3 nM, and the rate of dissociation was not materially affected by the presence or absence of non-radioactive yohimbine or epinephrine. Equilibrium binding revealed 200–350 non-interactive sites per platelet with dissociation constant 2–4 nM. Binding was completely suppressed by agents which interact with the α2-receptor with the following rank of potency: epinephrine < clonidine < ρ-aminoclonidine < yohimbinic acid < phentolamine < yohimbone. Dihydroergocryptine and dihydroergotamine also completely suppressed binding. Prazosin, an α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist suppressed binding only at concentrations above about 10μM. It is concluded that dihydroergocryptine appears to bind to more than one site, one of which has such a slow rate of dissociation that equilibrium with low concentrations of dihydroergocryptine will not be achieved for several hours. However, yohimbine bound with the characteristics of a bimolecular reaction with an α2-receptor site, and this reagent is expected to be a useful radioligand for the α2-adrenergic receptor on intact platelets.
Longer-term effects of inducing harm related intrusions: Implications for research on obsessional phenomena

Abstract Although numerous researchers use in vivo thought induction paradigms to study obsessional phenomena, institutional review boards (IRBs) frequently raise questions about the potential harm that these studies might cause non-treatment seeking participants and clinical psychologists have argued that these paradigms might violate the APA ethics code. Thus, the current study examined longer-term psychological effects of inducing harm-related intrusive thoughts in non-treatment seeking undergraduates. Participants were asked to think about a close relative or friend getting into a car collision and then rated their level of distress and thought action fusion-like (TAF) beliefs. One week later, participants completed an online survey that assessed their current level of distress, TAF beliefs, and their interpretation of intrusions. We found significant decreases in vivo ratings of: anxiety, likelihood TAF, moral TAF, and the urge to neutralize the effects of thinking the thought. Additionally, participants considered their intrusive thoughts to be less significant and dangerous after a week’s time. Our data suggest that thought induction paradigms are not associated with longer-term psychological risk and provide a safe and non-intrusive way of studying OCD phenomena in a laboratory setting.
Increasing antimicrobial resistance and the management of uncomplicated community-acquired urinary tract infections.

The authors highlight the problem of antimicrobial resistance in acute uncomplicated community-acquired urinary tract infection (UTI), summarize the few available data on clinical outcomes associat...
Relativistic effects in the cyclotron absorption region

Abstract The broadebing of the cyclotron absorption region and a limit to heating by the cyclotron resonance mechanism due to the relativistic increase in particle mass are computed
Measurement of small forces with superconducting magnetic bearings

Abstract Superconducting bearings promise superior performance in certain scientific and technological applications. One application is in an orbital equivalence principle experiment, where linear bearings of extreme smoothness and small friction are required
Determination of elemental sulphur in coal by supercritical fluid extraction and gas chromatography with atomic emission detection

Abstract A rapid and reproducible method to quantify elemental sulphur in coal has been developed using supercritical fluid extraction (s.f.e.) and gas chromatography with atomic emission detection (g.c./a.e.d.). Quantitative spike recoveries of elemental sulphur were obtained from both sand (97 ± 6%) and pre-extracted coal (96 ± 3%). The total amount of elemental sulphur removed was found to be independent of the coal particle size, which indicates that elemental sulphur in coal is located at the surface of the coal particles. North Dakota (Beulah) lignite, Alaska (Beluga) subbituminous coal, and Illinois Basin bituminous coal samples contained elemental sulphur in the range of 2–3500 μg S 8 g − 1 coal. As much as 35.7% of the ‘organic’ sulphur in coal (as determined in accordance with ASTM guidelines) is, in fact, elemental sulphur rather than true organic sulphur. In addition, the elemental sulphur values for the coals used in this study correlate well with the inorganic sulphur fractions of coal but not with ASTM-defined ‘organic’ sulphur.
Evidence for a recruitment and sequestration mechanism in Huntington's disease.

Polyglutamine (polyQ) extension in the coding sequence of mutant huntingtin causes neuronal degeneration associated with the formation of insoluble polyQ aggregates in Huntington9sdisease. We constructed an array of CAG/CAA triplet repeats, coding for a range of 25 to 300 glutamine residues, which was used to generate expression constructs with minimal flanking sequence. Normal–length (25 glutamine residues) polyQ did not aggregate when transfected alone. Remarkably, when co–transfected with extended (100 to 300 glutamine residues) polyQ tracts, normal–length polyQ–containing peptides were trapped in insoluble detergent–resistant aggregates. Aggregates formed in the cytoplasm but were visible in the nucleus only when a strong nuclear localization signal was present. Intermolecular interactions between polyQ tracts mediated the localization of heterogeneous aggregates into the nucleolus by nucleolin protein. Our results suggest that extended polyQ can interact with cellular polyQ–containing proteins, transport them to ectopic cellular locations, and form heterogeneous polyQ aggregates. We provide evidence for a recruitment mechanism for pathogenesis in the polyQ neurodegenerative disorders. In susceptible cells, extended polyQ tracts in huntingtin might interact with and sequester or deplete certain endogenous polyQ–containing cellular proteins.
Do project managers practice what they preach, and does it matter to project success?

Abstract Organizations increasingly use projects to achieve business objectives but report that results often fall short of goals. A number of formal standards for managing projects have been developed intending to improve such project outcomes. However, research examining this assumption is scarce and has yielded mixed results. This paper presents the development and use of a set of metrics for assessing the use of project management (PM) practices in an empirical assessment of the relative use of different practices, and the link between the use of those practices and project success. Our analysis shows widely varying usage of different PM practices and differences in use depending on the context of the project. Further, our study indicates that the level of use of PM practices is indeed related to project success. Finally, the results suggest that the PM practices that make a difference may not be the most frequently used.
The effect of amygdala-kindled seizures on the acquisition of taste and odor aversions

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of amygdala-kindled seizures on the acquisition of fluid aversions using taste, odor, and compound taste-odor cues. In Experiment 1 all subjects were poisoned with lithium chloride 30 minutes after ingesting a novel taste. Experimental subjects were either kindled 15 minutes following ingestion or 15 minutes following LiCl injection. The strength of the taste aversion in the kindled animals was significantly attenuated compared to nonkindled controls. There was a tendency for kindling within the CS-US interval to be more disruptive than kindling that occurred after LiCl injection. The second study explored the effect of kindling after the CS on the development of aversions to an odor cue or a compound taste-odor cue. This study found that kindling after drinking effectively blocked the acquisition of both odor and taste aversions and compounding did not affect the strength of the odor aversion.
Federal fiscal reform in child welfare services

Abstract Managed care is an increasingly important theme in discussions pertaining to state child welfare reform. Although there are several reasons why states are choosing managed care strategies, the underlying shift away from per diem or fee-for-service funding is perhaps the most critical. In this paper, I describe the reasons why this shift is so important. The core point has to do with the dynamics that exist within the relationship between the fee-for-service system that is most common and the federal foster care entitlement. In addition, I discuss reimbursement models in the context of risk and risk-sharing. The focus of the discussion is on a framework for differentiating between two systems of reimbursement in order to highlight ways of resolving the tensions that arise whenever new financing and risk-sharing arrangements are proposed for the child welfare system. Finally, I construct an alternative model of risk-sharing based on the type of risk involved and how those risks are controlled.
A novel multipass oa-TOF mass spectrometer

Abstract FT mass spectrometers have ultimate resolutions exceeding those of conventional TOF mass spectrometers. However in order to achieve this, long acquisition times are required (of up to several seconds in some cases). In contrast, high performance TOF mass spectrometers have typical flight times of tens of microseconds. This makes it possible, for example, to profile ion mobility separations lasting only a few milliseconds. In this paper we describe a novel oa-TOF geometry, utilising the quadro-logarithmic potential familiar from Orbitrap mass spectrometry, which promises to combine the high resolution of FT instruments with the speed of TOF analysis. The results of a theoretical investigation of some of the properties of this analyser will be presented.
Selective Adhesion of Hepatocytes on Patterned Surfacesa

Successful development of cell-biased bioartificial liver devices necessitates the establishment of techniques and designs for long-term, stable hepatocellular function and efficient transport of nutrients and wastes within the device. Given the relatively large cell mass that one must consider, one possible solution involves the use of micropatterning technology to sandwich hepatocytes aligned in rows between two micropatterned surfaces. Rows of cells would alternate with hepatocyte-free areas, creating efficient transport channels for fluid flow and nutrient exchange. Ultimately, this type of device could also be used as a three-dimensional construct for investigating a variety of cell-surface, cell-extracellular matrix, and cell-cell interactions. To achieve this goal, one must develop techniques for selectively adhering hepatocytes to solid substrates. In this study, reproducible, selective adhesion of hepatocytes on a glass substrate with large regions of adhesive (AS) and nonadhesive (NAS) surfaces was obtained. The AS had hydrophilic characteristics, enhancing deposition of collagen molecules from an aqueous solution, and subsequent hepatocyte adhesion, whereas the NAS had hydrophobic properties and remained collagen-free and hepatocyte-free. In addition, a reproducible processing technique for obtaining patterns of hepatocytes was developed and optimized, using a surface with a single AS band as a first approximation to a micropatterned device. This was achieved by spincoating an aqueous collagen type I solution (0.1 mg/mL) on a banded surface at 500 rpm for 25 seconds. The morphology and long-term function of the hepatocytes attached to AS in nonbanded and banded surface configurations was assessed by mimicking sandwich culture and was shown to be similar to stable, differentiated sandwich cultures. Mathematical modeling was used to determine critical design criteria for the hypothetical micropatterned device. The oxygen distribution and viscous pressure drop were modeled along a typical microchannel and limited to in vivo values. An optimal channel length of 0.6 cm and a flow rate of 2.0 x 10(-6) mL/s were obtained for a channel of 100 microns in width and 10 microns in height. These values were reasonable in terms of practical implementation.
Interpretation of p-cyanophenylalanine fluorescence in proteins in terms of solvent exposure and contribution of side-chain quenchers: a combined fluorescence, IR and molecular dynamics study.

The use of noncoded amino acids as spectroscopic probes of protein folding and function is growing rapidly, in large part because of advances in the methodology for their incorporation. Recently p-cyanophenylalanine has been employed as a fluorescence and IR probe, as well as a FRET probe to study protein folding, protein−membrane interactions, protein−protein interactions and amyloid formation. The probe has been shown to be exquisitely sensitive to hydrogen bonding interactions involving the cyano group, and its fluorescence quantum yield increases dramatically when it is hydrogen bonded. However, a detailed understanding of the factors which influence its fluorescence is required to be able to use this popular probe accurately. Here we demonstrate the recombinant incorporation of p-cyanophenylalanine in the N-terminal domain of the ribosomal protein L9. Native state fluorescence is very low, which suggests that the group is sequestered from solvent; however, IR measurements and molecular dynamics simul...
Racial Differences in Treatment Modalities for Ovarian Cancer in Florida, 1981–2000

Purpose Determine differences in treatment patterns among Non Hispanic White (NHW) and African American (AA) women in Florida, diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods All cases diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer, 1981–2000, were identified using the Florida Cancer Data System. Information was obtained on race, tobacco use, marital status, age at diagnosis, and stage. Treatment variables of interest were: surgery, chemotherapy, no treatment, a combination of surgery and chemotherapy and other treatment. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals were used to determine treatment modalities by stage and race. Results The study population consisted of 16,805 AA and NHW women with epithelial ovarian cancer, of which, 6% were identified as AA and 94% NHW women. AA women were significantly more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age, with 26.5% of AA women diagnosed at age 50 and under compared to 16.4% of NHW women. AA women were also less likely to present with localized disease (12.9 vs. 17.8%) and more likely to present with distant disease (78.0% vs.71.8%). When treatment was considered, AA women were more likely to receive no treatment (20.1% vs. 16.4%) and less likely to receive surgery and chemotherapy (35.4% vs. 39.5%) than NHW women. When evaluated by stage, treatment differences between AA and NHW women remained for local and distant disease. After adjustment for other risk factors the differences for local disease remained. Adjustment for stage, age at diagnosis and other confounding factors, resulted in an overall adjusted odds ratio for no treatment for AA women of OR=1.18 (1.00–1.39) and an adjusted OR=0.84 (0.74–0.96) for surgery and chemotherapy. Conclusion African American women were more likely to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer at a younger age than NHW women. Despite this, AA women are more likely to receive no treatment and less likely to receive surgery and chemotherapy than NHW women. Adjustment for confounding factors, reduced but did not eliminate, all these differences.
The Engine of Microtubule Dynamics Comes into Focus

In this issue, Alushin et al. report high-resolution structures of three states of the microtubule lattice: GTP-bound, which is stable to depolymerization; unstable GDP-bound; and stable Taxol and GDP-bound. By comparing these structures at near-atomic resolution, they are able to propose a detailed model for how GTP hydrolysis destabilizes the microtubule and thus powers dynamic instability and chromosome movement. Destabilization of cytoskeleton filaments by nucleotide hydrolysis is an important general principle in cell dynamics, and this work represents a major step forward on a problem with a long history.
CD4+ T-cell inhibitory ligands: a tool for characterizing dysfunctional CD4+ T cells during chronic infection

Activation of CD4(+) T cells helps to establish and maintain immune responses. During infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) clone 13, the CD4(+) T-cell responses are lost. In this study, we were interested in the nature of the CD4(+) T-cell responses following infection with LCMV clone 13. To pursue this question, we infected C57BL/6 mice with LCMV clone 13. We used a GP66-80 MHC Class II tetramer to determine whether the CD4(+) T cells were present following infection with LCMV clone 13. We determined that the cells were present and antigen specific, but not functional. We attributed their dysfunction to the presence of CD4(+) T-cell inhibitory ligands. We further stained for the presence of CD4(+) T-cell inhibitory ligands. We found that the during chronic infection the number of CD4(+) T cells expressing programmed death-1 and CD160 were greater over the time-course study than the other CD4(+) T-cell inhibitory ligands. These data show that using CD4(+) T-cell inhibitory ligands as a reagent for characterization can help in understanding the complex immune responses associated with persistent infections.
The epidemiology of bovine ostertagiasis in the north temperate regions of north America

Abstract Ostertagia ostertagi is widely distributed and is the most pathogenic of the parasitic nematodes affecting cattle in this region. Clinical ostertagiasis is seen mainly in calves and yearlings but outbreaks tend to be sporadic; the subclinical disease is of greater importance. Studies on the population dynamics of the free-living stages have shown that infective larvae can survive on pasture over the relatively severe winter conditions encountered in this region but that such pasture contamination declines during the succeeding grazing season and is lost by midsummer. In the host there is gradual acquisition of worms from pasture over the summer period, with relatively high burdens accumulating in the autumn. A dramatic shift in the proportion of adult to immature worms occurs during the autumn (October). By the time calves are housed, the proportion of larvae (mainly L4) is > 80%. This relative distribution of adults to larvae continues through the winter months until early spring when there appears to be a shift to a higher proportion of adults, presumably due to resumption of development of the L4. These persistent L4 stages are considered to be undergoing hypobiosis. Spring infections of calves appear to be mainly acquired from larvae that have successfully overwintered on pasture, and availability of these larvae is drastecally reduced by midsummer. There appears to be negligible development of the eggs that result from the spring infections until late summer and early autumn. At this time because of favorable climatic conditions there is rapid larval development which can result in heavy infections in susceptible calves in the autumn. By late autumn a high proportion of the larvae that are ingested show hypobiosis and remain in this state during the winter months. In spring there is gradual resumption of development but rarely do we see the dramatic Type II ostertagiasis that has been reported in Europe. In this region it appears that there are probably not more than two generations of O. ostertagi during the grazing period: one acquired from overwintered larvae or larvae from associated carrier calves and a subsequent one from the offspring of worms that develop from these larvae.
Cognitive Moderators of the Longitudinal Association Between Peer Rejection and Adolescent Depressive Symptoms

This longitudinal study examined peer rejection as a predictor of adolescent depressive symptoms during the critical developmental period associated with substantial increases in the prevalence of girls' depression. In a sample of 158 adolescents aged 15-17 years, a peer nomination, sociometric assessment was conducted to examine adolescents' peer status at an initial time point, along with self-report measures of depressive symptoms, depressogenic attributions, and peer importance. Adolescents completed a second measure of depressive symptoms 17 months later. Results were consistent with integrated cognitive vulnerability-stress and cognitive dissonance models, particularly for girls. Specifically, peer rejection was a significant prospective predictor of depressive symptoms when combined with high levels of importance ascribed to peer status and high levels of adolescents' depressogenic attributional styles.
Writing handwritten messages on a small touchscreen

We present a method for composing handwritten messages on a small touchscreen device. A word is entered by drawing overlapped, screen sized letters on top of each other. The system does not require gestures or timeouts to delimit characters within a word - it automatically segments the overlapping strokes and renders the message in real-time as the user is writing. The auto-segmentation algorithm was designed for practicality; it is extremely simple, requires only public domain data for training, and runs very fast on low-power devices. Drawings may also be included with the text. Experimental data indicates the effectiveness of our system, even for novice users.
Defining research criteria to characterize medical necessity in emergency medical services: a consensus among experts at the Neely Conference.

Objective. Researchers interested in ensuring appropriate use of emergency medical services (EMS) resources have attempted to define safe and effective protocols for triage either at the time of dispatch or after on-scene evaluation. Published work in this area is difficult to evaluate because protocols and outcome criteria vary from study to study. The goal of the Neely Conference was to bring together EMS experts to define a set of criteria to be used in research studies evaluating dispatch triage and field triage systems. Methods. Thirty-one experts in EMS systems and research attended a day-long workshop to assess the current literature regarding dispatch triage and field triage, and make recommendations to standardize methods used to evaluate future triage protocols. Participants were surveyed during the workshop; consensus analysis techniques were used to determine if a formal consensus was reached. A Bayesian posterior probability of 0.99 was required to consider responses a “consensus.” Results. P...
Two-dimensional imaging and modeling of the 14.7 nm Ni-like Pd x-ray laser

At the Compact Multipulse Terawatt laser facility we produced saturated output on the Ni-like Pd x-ray laser line at 14.7 nm, using a 2-J, 600-ps prepulse followed 700 ps later by a 6-J, 6-ps drive pulse to illuminate a 1.25-cm-long Pd slab target. We used the LASNEX code to calculate the hydrodynamic evolution of the plasma and provide the temperatures and densities to the CRETIN code, which then made the kinetics calculations to determine the gain. Experimental measurements of the two-dimensional near-field and far-field images are presented, and these are compared with the simulations.
Nearest neighbor pattern classification

The nearest neighbor decision rule assigns to an unclassified sample point the classification of the nearest of a set of previously classified points. This rule is independent of the underlying joint distribution on the sample points and their classifications, and hence the probability of error R of such a rule must be at least as great as the Bayes probability of error R^{\ast} --the minimum probability of error over all decision rules taking underlying probability structure into account. However, in a large sample analysis, we will show in the M -category case that R^{\ast} \leq R \leq R^{\ast}(2 --MR^{\ast}/(M-1)) , where these bounds are the tightest possible, for all suitably smooth underlying distributions. Thus for any number of categories, the probability of error of the nearest neighbor rule is bounded above by twice the Bayes probability of error. In this sense, it may be said that half the classification information in an infinite sample set is contained in the nearest neighbor.
Daily Consumption of Grapefruit for 6 Weeks Reduces Urine F2-Isoprostanes in Overweight Adults with High Baseline Values but Has No Effect on Plasma High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein or Soluble Vascular Cellular Adhesion Molecule 1

Individuals with obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, in part due to heightened inflammatory/oxidative processes. Results from epidemiologic and experimental studies suggest that citrus, and grapefruit in particular, may have a role in promoting vascular health, although clinical trial data are lacking. Here, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory/antioxidant effects of habitual grapefruit consumption in 69 overweight/obese men and women and in a subsample of participants with MetS (n = 29). Participants were randomly assigned to either a grapefruit group in which they consumed a low bioactive diet plus 1.5 grapefruit/d for 6 wk (n = 37, n = 14 with MetS) or to a control condition in which a low bioactive diet devoid of citrus was consumed (n = 32, n = 15 with MetS). Plasma soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and urinary F2-isoprostanes were evaluated before and after the intervention phase. F2-isoprostane concentrations were not different in the grapefruit versus control arm after the intervention (12.4 ± 6.4 vs. 15.9 ± 9.0 ng/mg creatinine, P = 0.16), whereas plasma hsCRP concentrations tended to be lower in the grapefruit versus control arm postintervention (2.1 ± 1.5 vs. 2.8 ± 2.0 mg/L, P = 0.09). In adults with MetS, grapefruit consumption tended to result in lower postintervention F2-isoprostane concentrations compared with the control condition (12.0 ± 4.5 vs. 18.3 ± 10.9 ng/mg creatinine, P = 0.06). Furthermore, those with high baseline F2-isoprostane concentrations experienced significant reductions in this biomarker in response to grapefruit consumption (P = 0.021). Change in sVCAM-1 concentrations did not vary by treatment arm nor were there differences between arms postintervention. These results suggest that intake of grapefruit twice daily for 6 wk does not significantly reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, although there is a suggestion of favorable modulation of oxidative stress in overweight and obese adults with MetS or those with high baseline urine F2-isoprostane concentrations.
Atypical idiopathic hypercalciuria in an adolescent

Idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH) in adults is recognized as a cause of urolithiasis. If IH is symptomatic, the symptoms are hematuria, renal colic, or obstructive uropathy with or without infection. In children, IH has been linked to the spectrum of urinary symptoms including hematuria, pyuria, dysuria, recurrent urinary infections, abdominal or suprapubic pain, proteinuria, and the frequency-urgency syndrome. Hematuria may appear prior to the appearance of stones, and thiazide therapy appears to prevent stone formation by decreasing urinary calcium excretion. This report describes an older adolescent with hematuria and flank pain. His urinary chemistry values were not consistently typical of IH, but a thiazide trial with withdrawal challenge was diagnostic. His case is remarkable because, though essentially an adult, his disease was typical of prepubertal disease. Adolescents with unexplained urinary symptoms should be evaluated for IH. The urinary calcium-creatinine ratio may not be elevated, and timed urinary calcium may be equivocal. In some cases a thiazide trial may be valuable and cost effective.
Left upper quadrant masses in children.

The discovery of an abdominal mass in a child alarms and concerns both parents and the physician. The diagnosis and treatment of these lesions have undergone significant changes during the past few years, and the physician understandably may have some doubts about an appropriate diagnostic evaluation. An improved outcome can be expected with early detection and prompt treatment. As is the case in evaluating all abdominal problems, a careful physical examination is critical and may obviate the need for further investigations. An accurate history is also important, but this often is clouded by information from parents or other historians who may not have all the data at their disposal. The child may be too young, may not remember the exact chronology and occurrence of events, or may be afraid to relate them. This is particularly true if the incident involved trauma related to an act forbidden by the parents. It is critical that the child be calm and relaxed to make the examination effective, often a nearly impossible feat. This occasionally can be accomplished with a few words from the examiner and the assurance that no pain will result from simple palpation. Patience often is rewarded with a good examination; however, should this approach fail, the physician may resort to sedation.
DAILY AND SEASONAL VARIATION IN BODY MASS AND VISIBLE FAT IN MOUNTAIN CHICKADEES AND JUNIPER TITMICE

Abstract Diurnal variations in body mass and visible fat scores were measured for seasonally acclimatized Mountain Chickadees (Poecile gambeli) and Juniper Titmice (Baeolophus ridgwayi) to examine if they undergo winter fattening. Body mass varied with time of day and was highest in evening for both species in summer and winter. Body mass, expressed as percent mass increase from morning to evening, was 7.3% for summer chickadees, 7.6% for summer titmice, 9.1% for winter chickadees, and 6.1% for winter titmice. Body mass was not significantly higher in winter-acclimatized birds compared to summer-acclimatized birds. Visible fat scores were significantly elevated in winter-acclimatized Mountain Chickadees relative to summer. Mountain Chickadees and Juniper Titmice appear to have seasonally constant body mass rather than undergoing winter fattening. These data are similar to other North American species in the family Paridae but contrast with data on European parids.
Bandwidth enhancement of low-profile microstrip antennas using tightly coupled patch arrays

A tightly coupled patch array (TCPA) is introduced to realize small-size and low-profile microstrip antennas with enhanced bandwidth performance. Past approaches have used electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structures or frequency selective surfaces (FSSs) as substrates (i.e. in passive mode) to realize low-profile antennas. In contrast, the proposed TCPA employs an FSS aperture as the radiating element (i.e. active). In this paper, a small-size finite array is designed along with a very thin and compact feeding network. The proposed TCPA operates around 1.95 GHz with 17.3% impedance bandwidth (|S11| &#60; −10dB), 4.8dB realized gain (94% efficiency) and 30% gain bandwidth (3dB drop). Of importance is its thickness, with overall dimensions being λ 0 /3.3 × λ 0 /3.3 × λ 0 /25.5 at 1.95 GHz. A preliminary TCPA antenna prototype was fabricated and tested. Both simulated and measured data show enhanced bandwidth as compared to the microstrip patch antennas of the same size on conventional substrates or EBGs.
Useful approximation for the characteristic function of weakly fading signals

A simple approximation is presented for the characteristic function of a signal subject to shallow fading. It is shown that the multiplicative perturbation due to the fading can be viewed as an additive noise due to a random component having an envelope distribution identical to a shifted version of the distribution representing the original fading process.
SPARTACAS: automating component reuse and adaptation

A continuing challenge for software designers is to develop efficient and cost-effective software implementations. Many see software reuse as a potential solution; however, the cost of reuse tends to outweigh the potential benefits. The costs of software reuse include establishing and maintaining a library of reusable components, searching for applicable components to be reused in a design, as well as adapting components toward a proper implementation. We introduce SPARTACAS, a framework for automating specification-based component retrieval and adaptation that has been successfully applied to synthesis of software for embedded and digital signal processing systems. Using specifications to abstractly represent implementations allows automated theorem-provers to formally verify logical reusability relationships between specifications. These logical relationships are used to evaluate the feasibility of reusing the implementations of components to implement a problem. Retrieving a component that is a complete match to a problem is rare. It is more common to retrieve a component that partially satisfies the requirements of a problem. Such components have to be adapted. Rather than adapting components at the code level, SPARTACAS adapts the behavior of partial matches by imposing interactions with other components at the architecture level. A subproblem is synthesized that specifies the missing functionality required to complete the problem; the subproblem is used to query the library for components to adapt the partial match. The framework was implemented and evaluated empirically, the results suggest that automated adaptation using architectures successfully promotes software reuse, and hierarchically organizes a solution to a design problem.
Newman's Theory of a Liberal Education: A Reassessment and its Implications

John Henry Newman provided the basic vocabulary and guiding rationale sustaining the ideal of a liberal education up to our day. He highlighted its central focus on the cultivation of the intellect, its reliance upon broadly based theoretical knowledge, its independence of moral and religious stipulations, and its being its own end. As new interpretations enter the debate on liberal education further educational possibilities emanate from Newman's thought beyond those contained in his theory of a liberal education. These are found in Newman's broader idea of a university education, incorporating social, moral, and spiritual formation and in his philosophical thought where he develops a theory of knowledge at odds with the Idea of a University. There are, in addition, intriguing possibilities that arise from Newman's theory of reasoning in concrete affairs both because of their implicit challenge to inherited theories of a liberal education and because of the educational possibilities they hold out in their own right and in actual educational developments to which they may lend support.
Experimental Coxofemoral Replacement Hemiarthroplasty in the Pony

For the in vivo evaluation of hip joint prostheses that are developed for man, the suitability of the pony as an animal model has been studied. Human and custom made prostheses were implanted into 1 femur in each of 7 ponies to replace the femoral head. The surgical approach was through a caudolateral incision. The prosthesis was fixed in the femur with bone cement. Because of errors in the implantation technique and resulting lack of sufficient fixation 2 ponies as well as 1 control animal with an excision arthroplasty were unwilling or unable to stand. Rigid fixation of the implant was achieved in 3 ponies. They were returned to pasture after 8 days. A full return to a normal gait did not occur within an observation period of up to 3 months. All 3 ponies developed a dorsolateral coxofemoral luxation and pseudarthrosis within the first 10 days. A mismatch between the equine anatomy and human prosthesis geometry was thought to be the cause. We, therefore, believe that the pony does not provide a suitable model for the testing of human femoral joint implants. The results, however, indicate that coxofemoral surgery can be performed in the adult pony. For clinical reconstruction of joint function, a custom made total artificial hip joint might provide better results.
Oral IGF-I enhances nutrient and electrolyte absorption in neonatal piglet intestine.

The effect of orally administered insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) on small intestinal structure and function was studied in 5-day-old colostrum-deprived piglets. Human recombinant IGF-I (3.5 m...
Applications of Non Thermal Atmospheric Pressure Plasma in Medicine

Non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma is now being developed for use in various medical applications. Over the past few years a lot of clinical applications of non-thermal plasma have been tested and the results show promising potential for Plasma Medicine. In this paper we present a review of various applications of non-thermal plasma in medicine like non-thermal plasma assisted blood coagulation and skin sterilization, melanoma skin cancer treatment and treatment of cornea lesions.