cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perspectives in The Epidemiology Of Leukemia

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the epidemiological aspects of leukemia. The infrequency of leukemia makes it extremely difficult to obtain morbidity data for a sufficiently large population, and therefore, it is necessary to rely upon the available routinely collected mortality statistics. Variations in the reported mortality from different countries, mentioned in the chapter, for any given disease may reflect constitutional differences in susceptibility, environmental differences in carcinogenic exposure, or artifactual differences in reporting. One method for assessing the relative influence of each one of these factors on leukemia death rates is to compare the rates among natives of a particular country with the rates of those who have emigrated to another country. Additional clues to the etiology of leukemia are suggested by the study of regional differences in leukemia mortality within a particular country or geographic region. Other factors that influence the mortality rate in leukemia include secular trends, age, sex, and the type of leukemia. The secular trends in leukemia and the differences in its prevalence among various countries indicate that this disease varies over time and over space. Epidemiological studies have shown that leukemia in humans can be caused by exposure to ionizing radiation. The evidence that certain chemicals have an effect on the bone marrow suggests the possibility that certain chemicals may be leukemogenic. A firmly established epidemiological relationship is that of leukemia with mongolism. This has been determined by the study of the frequency of mongoloids among cases with leukemia and the frequency of mortality from leukemia among mongoloids. The chapter also presents an overview of several models and conceptual frameworks to explain the various epidemiological features of leukemia.
Parent Management Training: Treatment for Oppositional, Aggressive, and Antisocial Behavior in Children and Adolescents

1. Introduction 2. Underlying principles and concepts 3. From principles to techniques: positive reinforcement 4. From principles to techniques: punishment and extinction 5. Characteristics of treatment 6. Evidence: key findings, strengths and limitations 7. Critical issues in applying and implementing treatment 8. Parent management training in perspective PARENT MANAGEMENT TRAINING TREATMENT MANUAL 9. Pre-treatment introduction and orientation 10. Defining, observing and recording behaviour 11. Positive reinforcement: point incentive chart and praise 12. Time out from reinforcement 13. Attending and planned ignoring 14. Shaping and school program 15. Review and problem solving 16. Family meeting 17. Low-rate behaviours 18. Reprimands 19. Compromising (1st session) 20. Compromising (2nd session) 21. Skill review, practice, and termination
Carriage of Neisseria meningitidis by Greek children: risk factors and strain characteristics

Oropharyngeal swabs were cultured from 554 children aged 2-19 years attending nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools in the central Athens area. A questionnaire was completed to identify risk factors for carriage. Susceptibility to antimicrobial agents was determined by Etest. The genetic relatedness of the strains was examined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and isolate serogrouping was performed by slide agglutination. Twenty-two (4%) children were carriers of Neisseria meningitidis; seven isolates belonged to serogroup C, and five to serogroup B. One isolate was resistant to co-trimoxazole, and five showed intermediate resistance to penicillin. DNA analysis of 16 isolates revealed six distinct PFGE patterns. Clusters with indistinguishable PFGE patterns were noted in the same school. More than one serogroup was included in the same clonal group. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, only age > 12 years remained independently associated with the carrier state (odds ratio, 7.96; 95% CI, 2.24-28.33; p < 0.001). Overall, the N. meningitidis carriage rate among Greek schoolchildren increased with age, and the predominant serogroups in the Athens region were groups C and B. These findings may have important implications for future immunisation strategies with conjugate vaccines.
Spatial Learning and Memory Deficits Induced by Dopamine Administration with Decreased Glutathione

Administration of buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) selectively inhibits glutathione (GSH) biosynthesis and induces a GSH deficiency. Decreased GSH levels in the brain may result in less oxidative stress (OS) protection, because GSH contributes substantially to intracellular antioxidant defense. Under these conditions, administration of the pro-oxidant, dopamine (DA), which rapidly oxidizes to form reactive oxygen species, may increase OS. To test the cognitive behavioral consequences of decreased GSH, BSO (3.2 mg in 30 microliters, intracerebroventricularly) was administered to male Fischer 344 rats every other day for 4 days. In addition, DA (15 microliters of 500 microM) was administered every day [either 1 h after BSO (BSO + DA group) or 1 h before BSO (DA + BSO group), when given on the same day as BSO] and spatial learning and memory assessed (Morris water maze, six trials/day). BSO + DA rats, but not DA + BSO rats, demonstrated cognitive impairment compared to a vehicle group, as evidenced by increased latencies to find the hidden platform, particularly on the first trial each day. Also, the BSO + DA group utilized non-spatial strategies during the probe trials (swim with no platform): i.e., less time spent in the platform quadrant, fewer crossings and longer latencies to the previous platform location, and more time spent in the platform quadrant, fewer crossings and longer latencies to the previous platform location, and more time spent around the edge of the pool rather than in the platform zone. Therefore, the cognitive behavioral consequences of decreasing GSH brain levels with BSO in conjunction with DA administration depends on the order of administration. These findings are similar to those seen previously on rod and plank walking performance, as well as to those seen in aged rats, suggesting that the oxidation of DA coupled with a reduced capacity to respond to oxidative stress may be responsible for the induction of age-related cognitive deficits.
Soil processes and development rates in the quartermain mountains, upper taylor glacier region, antarctica

Soil‐forming processes and soil development rates are compared and contrasted on glacial deposits in two adjacent and coeval valleys of the Quartermain Mountains, which are important because they d...
Time‐dependent natural convection in a square cavity: Application of a new finite volume method

A new finite volume (FV) approach with adaptive upwind convection is used to predict the two-dimensional unsteady flow in a square cavity. The fluid is air and natural convection is induced by differentially heated vertical walls. The formulation is made in terms of the vorticity and the integral velocity (induction) law. Biquadratic interpolation formulae are used to approximate the temperature and vorticity fields over the finite volumes, to which the conservation laws are applied in integral form. Image vorticity is used to enforce the zero-penetration condition at the cavity walls. Unsteady predictions are carried sufficiently forward in time to reach a steady state. Results are presented for a Prandtl number (Pr) of 0-71 and Rayleigh numbers equal to 103, 104 and 105. Both 11 × 11 and 21 × 21 meshes are used. The steady state predictions are compared with published results obtained using a finite difference (FD) scheme for the same values of Pr and Ra and the same meshes, as well as a numerical bench-mark solution. For the most part the FV predictions are closer to the bench-mark solution than are the FD predictions.
Cadherins and catenins in breast cancer

Recent studies show that cadherins and catenins are hormonally regulated and carry out physiological roles during mammary development but have pathological effects when deregulated. E-cadherin expression is irreversibly lost in invasive lobular breast cancer (ILC). Animal models of ILC provide mechanistic insight, confirming that E-cadherin serves as both a tumor suppressor and an invasion suppressor in ILC. Ductal breast cancer involves complex, reversible, epigenetic modulation of multiple cadherins. Transcriptional regulators of E-cadherin have been identified that induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions. Catenins are lost or mislocalized in tumors lacking cadherins. However, beta-catenin signaling is upregulated by numerous pathways in >50% of breast tumors and animal models suggest its oncogenic function in breast relates to its role in mammary progenitor cell expansion.
Some comparisons of the flyover noise characteristics of DC‐9 aircraft having refanned and hardwalled JT8D engines, with special reference to measurement and analysis

FAR‐36‐type noise measurements and analyses of selected refan and hardwall DC‐9 aircraft flyovers were made in parallel with the Douglas Aircraft Company (DACO) at the DACO Yuma, AZ test site in order to evaluate the refan modifications as well as data acquisition and analysis procedures. A limited comparison of results from NASA and DACO measurements and analyses for landing approach conditions indicated agreement within ±1 EPN dB. The worst repeatability results in the NASA analyses (±3 EPN dB), were obtained for the refan takeoff‐with‐cutback condition. It is believed that the difficulty is associated with the duration factor computation rather than being due to measurement systems performance or atmospheric effects. NASA analyses of the refan and hardwall data indicated that the refanned aircraft provided a centerline noise reduction of about 9.1 EPN dB for takeoff with cutback and about 10.0 EPN dB for 50° flap landing approach. This paper provides a general description of the measurement and analysis systems and procedures used by NASA in these tests.
Progress in antifungal therapy: Echinocandins versus azoles

The arrival of the echinocandin class of antifungals was heralded as a major advance in the therapy of patients with opportunistic fungal infections. Together with expanded numbers of azole agents, clinicians now have a generous selection of antifungals. The present review compares the spectrum of activity, pharmacokinetic and safety data for echinocandins and azoles and discusses the current clinical roles of each class.
Abnormally enhanced dielectric constant in ZrO2/Ta2O5 multi-laminate structures by metallic Ta formation

Thin ZrO2/Ta2O5 multi-laminate films were grown by atomic layer deposition and the relation between their dielectric and chemical properties was investigated. Metallic Ta is strongly reduced at the interface between ZrO2 and Ta2O5, probably during the deposition of the ZrO2/Ta2O5 laminated films. The tetragonal crystal phase is optimally stabilized in these ZrO2/Ta2O5 multi-laminate layers at a Zr/Ta cycle ratio during deposition of 5/2, corresponding to a Ta content in the films of approximately 3.7%. The dielectric constants of these ZrO2/Ta2O5 films are abnormally high, with values of 70–100 measured for films that are 7.5–12 nm thick. Possible explanations for this enhancement are discussed. & 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Self-consistent cluster calculation of binding energy and potential for positive muons in copper and copper-impurity systems.

The binding energy, potential profile, and electronic structure for positive muons in copper are calculated with the use of a molecular-cluster model in the framework of the self-consistent local-density theory. Spin polarization was considered in calculations on finite clusters including ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{14}$ and an interstitial positive muon. Different positions of the muon along the body diagonal [111], and slightly displaced from the diagonal, covering the path between octahedral O to tetrahedral T sites were considered. Both the binding energy \ensuremath{\Delta}${E}_{\mathrm{tot}(\mathrm{r}\ensuremath{\rightarrow})}$ and the muon potential ${V}^{\ensuremath{\mu}}$(r\ensuremath{\rightarrow}) exhibit a double minimum, with the O site more stable. The effects of Cu vacancies and Ni impurities on the muon in copper are considered also. Binding-energy curves show the attraction of the Cu vacancy and Ni impurity for the muon. Valence-charge-density distribution profiles for different positions of a muon along the [111] direction in \ensuremath{\mu}-${\mathrm{Cu}}_{14}$, \ensuremath{\mu}-${\mathrm{Cu}}_{13}$, and \ensuremath{\mu}-Ni-${\mathrm{Cu}}_{13}$ clusters are calculated.
Antiphospholipid syndrome and recurrent thrombotic valve disease

![Figure][1] [![Graphic][3] ][3][![Graphic][4] ][4] A 28-year-old woman with a history of preeclampsia presented with symptomatic severe mitral regurgitation. Echocardiography revealed sessile thickening along the edges of both mitral leaflets ( A , B, [Online Video 1][4])
Asymmetry of recall in depression.

Abstract We compared the verbal (auditory/semantic) and nonverbal (visual/configurational) recall of carefully defined depressed patients with a demographically matched control group of normal volunteers. Whereas controls were split as to whether their nonverbal recall exceeded or was inferior to their verbal recall, 89% of depressed patients demonstrated an asymmetry characterized by poorer nonverbal than verbal recall. Depressive subgroups (determined by clinical and psychoendocrine criteria) differed from controls, but not from each other, in demonstrating this asymmetry of recall. In contrast, depressed patients did not individually demonstrate an asymmetry between verbal and nonverbal recognition that differed from controls.
Spatial coding and oblique discrimination by children

Abstract Children from five to eight years of age learned to discriminate between mirrorimage oblique lines more readily when cards bearing the obliques were presented vertically than when they were presented horizontally. The difference in performance between the vertical and horizontal planes could not be accounted for by differences in either the external visual context or the availability of asymmetrical body information (e.g., left vs right hand). The superiority of the vertical plane was attributed to the congruence of objective, bodily, and retinal vertical axes for the vertical, but not the horizontal plane, It was concluded, on this basis, that at least part of children's difficulty discriminating between mirror-image obliques is due to their difficulty establishing the internalized vertical axis necessary for the left-right spatial coding of the obliques.
Fluorescent DNA nanotags: supramolecular fluorescent labels based on intercalating dye arrays assembled on nanostructured DNA templates.

Fluorescence detection and imaging are vital technologies in the life sciences and clinical diagnostics. The key to obtaining high-resolution images and sensitive detection is to use fluorescent molecules or particles that absorb and emit visible light with high efficiency. We have synthesized supramolecular complexes consisting of a branched DNA template and fluorogenic intercalating dyes. Because dyes can intercalate up to every other base pair, high densities of fluorophores are assembled yet the DNA template keeps them far enough away from each other to prevent self-quenching. The efficiency with which these noncovalent assemblies absorb light is more than 10-fold greater than that of the individual dye molecules. Forster resonance energy transfer from the intercalated dyes to covalently attached acceptor dyes is very efficient, allowing for wavelength shifting of the emission spectrum. Simple biotinylation of the DNA template allows for labeling of streptavidin-coated synthetic microspheres and mouse T-cells.
TU-D-224A-07: Image-Guided IMRT and Very High Energy Electrons (VHEE)

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of very high‐energy electron beams (VHEE, 150 – 300 MeV) for radiotherapy. The specific goal is to exploit fast scanning capabilities of pencil VHEE beams for better targeting of moving tumor tissue and moving sensitive organs in 4D image guided intensity modulated radiation therapy (IGIMRT). Method and Materials: VHEE have dosimetriccharacteristics comparable, and for some applications superior, to photonbeams. The dosimetry of the VHEE treatments can be verified by means of Monte Carlo simulations. The dosimetry of the VHEE treatments for moving tissues requires the knowledge of body geometries in subsequent phases of cyclical motions of regions of patient body that undergo treatment. The mutual interaction of dosesdelivered at different phases allows for optimal treatment in 4D radiation therapy. Therefore, optimization of 4D radiation therapy involves calculating jointly the set of all intensities at all phases of the cyclical tissue motion. This in turn means that optimal 4D IGIMRT plans require delivery of intensity maps that appropriately distribute given fractions of intensity maps over particular phases of moving tissues. Existing delivery systems for IMRT therapy (step and shoot IMRT and/or DMLC IMRT) are not capable of efficient delivery of predetermined by 4D IGIMRT planning “intensity map rates”. In contrast, fast scanning beam of VHEE electrons provides ideal tool for 4D IGIMRT delivery.Results: A sequence of dose calculations for representative VHEE beams are presented and compared with traditional photonbeam irradiations. Examples illustrating VHEE intensity rate maps for delivery of optimal 4D IGIMRT are presented and their delivery discussed in the context of MLC and electromagnetic pencil beam scanning capabilities of radiation devices. Conclusion: VHEE devices, capable to provide fast, electromagnetic scanning of pencil beams, are capable to efficiently deliver “intensity rate maps” of truly optimized 4D IGIMRT treatments.
In Vitro Release of Betamethasone Dipropionate from Petrolatum-Based Ointments

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this research was to develop new in vitro methodology for measuring release from petrolatum-based semisolids and to determine whether two ointments, both of which contained betamethasone dipropionate, 0.05%, but with different formulations, could be distinguished by release measurements. Several receptor media were explored to optimize the procedure utilizing Franz-type cells. Analysis was by HPLC. The release slope was 1.5 to 6 times greater from the ointment than the “augmented” ointment (which had greater clinical potency). Release was highest with a receptor consisting of a 5% solution of hexane in acetonitrile. Even so, it was necessary to subject samples of receptor from the augmented ointment to evaporation followed by reconstitution with a smaller volume of mobile phase to bring corticosteroid concentrations up to quantifiable levels. In another series of experiments, the HPLC mobile phase was used as the receptor and a relatively large volume (100 μl) was injected onto the ...
Opportunities to play the game: The effect of individual and school attributes on participation in sports

Historically, African Americans and white girls have not had the same access to playing sports as white boys have had. Changes in laws led to racial integration of sports teams and equal athletic opportunities for girls. Yet, racial and gender gaps in playing sports persist, and intersections between race and gender, as well as different contexts of participation, may contribute to the gaps. This article uses structural resource and racial competition theories to examine the interactions among race, gender, and school environment to determine whether racial gaps persist for boys and girls and whether individual and school-level factors account for gender-specific racial gaps in sports participation. We combine data on every ninth-grade student in North Carolina public schools with data from school yearbooks and find that racial gaps in playing sports differ by gender, and that school factors—including opportunities schools provide to play sports—have unique influences on racial gaps for boys and girls.
Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon in an adult man with a tufted angioma and cirrhosis responding to radiation, bevacizumab, and prednisone.

Background Tufted angioma (TA) is a benign cutaneous vascular tumor that most commonly occurs in young children. TAs have rarely been reported in adults and/or arising within port-wine stains (PWS). Kasabach–Merritt phenomenon (KMP) is a life-threatening consumptive coagulopathy hypothesized to occur specifically in young children who develop either a TA or kaposiform hemangioendothelioma. Methods Here we present a 52-year-old man with hepatitis C cirrhosis who presented with an extensive, painful vascular tumor involving the right side of his head, neck, and back that initially arose within a PWS. Results He developed petechiae, severe thrombocytopenia, and a consumptive coagulopathy consistent with KMP. An incisional biopsy of his vascular tumor was compatible with a TA. Numerous treatments aimed at halting proliferation of his TA were attempted, with sustained improvement in his vascular tumor and platelet count achieved only after several courses of electron beam radiation therapy in association with corticosteroids and bevacizumab. Conclusion To our knowledge, this represents the first report of KMP in an adult man associated with TA and challenges previous hypotheses arguing that KMP occurs only in children. We offer our own hypothesis concerning how, in extremely rare circumstances, this life-threatening consumptive coagulopathy may occur in adults. Electron beam radiation therapy in association with corticosteroids can be an effective treatment in these rare patients.
Borohydride reduction of periodate-oxidized nucleotides; isolation and structure of the reduction intermediate

Abstract The reduction of periodate-oxidized nucleotides with sodium borohydride proceeds via a reaction intermediate presumed to be a monoalcohol. The borohydride-reduction intermediate of periodate-oxidized ADP has been isolated by anion-exchange, liquid chromatography, and subjected to further reduction. Using sodium borohydride and sodium borodeuteride alternately in the two reduction steps, it was determined, by 1 H-n.m.r.-spectral analysis, that the two aldehyde groups are sequentially reduced in the order 3′ and 2′, and it was concluded that the isolated intermediate corresponds to the semi-reduced, 3′-alcohol, 2′-aldehyde derivative. This compound should be a useful analog for the study of enzymes and proteins that interact with nucleotides.
The role of physicality in rich programming environments

Computer science proficiency continues to grow in importance, while the number of students entering computer science-related fields declines. Many rich programming environments have been created to motivate student interest and expertise in computer science. In the current study, we investigated whether a recently created environment, Robot Virtual Worlds (RVWs), can be used to teach computer science principles within a robotics context by examining its use in high-school classrooms. We also investigated whether the lack of physicality in these environments impacts student learning by comparing classrooms that used either virtual or physical robots for the RVW curriculum. Results suggest that the RVW environment leads to significant gains in computer science knowledge, that virtual robots lead to faster learning, and that physical robots may have some influence on algorithmic thinking. We discuss the implications of physicality in these programming environments for learning computer science.
Darkfield examination and allied procedures

Abstract When Schaudinn and Hoffmann made the initial discovery of T. pallidum in 1905, they did so with an ordinary light microscope. The difficulty of visualizing the pale treponeme under those circumstances will become apparent immediately to anyone who cares to try it, and the virtual transparency of the organism was, of course, the feature that led to Schaudinn's choice of "pallida" (and later "pallidum") for the species name of his find. Shortly after the discovery, several German optical firms exhibited prototypes of the newly developed darkfield microscopes, and, in 1906, Landsteiner and Mucha 1 were the first to recommend the use of these instruments to demonstrate T. pallidum . Within a year, darkfield microscopy had become almost routine in the investigation of early and congenital syphilis in the European clinics. The procedure was introduced into the United States in 1909 by Udo Wile, 2 and a survey of the literature of the period shows that by 1914 a recognition of both the strengths and weaknesses of the technique and an understanding of the morphology of the organisms likely to be encountered were remarkably complete. The strongest indications for the use of the darkfield in the current management of venereal disease exist in two special situations: 1) the investigation of lesions in suspected cases of congenital syphilis and 2) the search for organisms in suspected cases of primary syphilis, especially during the initial period of seronegativity. The procedure has lost ground in the latter situation, owing in part to the increasing effectiveness of the newer treponemal and nontreponemal tests in detecting the presence of the disease in its earliest state; but it is premature to conclude, as in the recent statement by one experienced venereologist, that "in the foreseeable future the darkfield examination will be of historical interest, except for those in research." 3 The purpose of this section is to summarize the technique and the findings to be expected in the darkfield and other methods employed in the examination of material taken directly from early syphilitic lesions. A step-by-step method for combining the results of these procedures and the results of physical examination and serologic testing to make the diagnosis of infectious syphilis is given in Chapter 11.
The impact of climate and reservoirs on longitudinal riverine carbon fluxes from two major watersheds in the Central and Intermontane West

A nested sampling network on the Colorado (CR) and Missouri Rivers (MR) provided data to assess impacts of large-scale reservoir systems and climate on carbon export. The Load Estimator (LOADEST) model was used to estimate both dissolved inorganic and organic carbon (DIC and DOC) fluxes for a total of 22 sites along the main stems of the CR and MR. Both the upper CR and MR DIC and DOC fluxes increased longitudinally, but the lower CR fluxes decreased while the lower MRs continued to increase. We examined multiple factors through space and time that help explain these flux patterns. Seasonal variability in precipitation and temperature, along with site-level concentration versus discharge relationships proved to be significant factors explaining much of the difference among sites located below reservoirs as compared to sites located in more free-flowing segments of the river. The characterization of variability in carbon exports over space and time provides a basis for understanding carbon cycling and transport within river basins affected by large reservoir systems, particular in arid-to semi-arid ecosystems.
Failure of a protein synthesis inhibitor to modify glutamate receptor-mediated neurotoxicity in vivo

Abstract The delayed neuronal death (DND) resulting from brief forebrain ischemia has recently been reported to be markedly attenuated by parenteral administration of the reversible protein synthesis inhibitor, anisomycin. Previous work suggests that ischemia-induced DND is mediated by glutamate acting at one or more glutamate receptors, since glutamate receptor antagonists have been reported to reduce ischemia-induced DND. Consequently, we tested whether anisomycin could modify DND induced by direct intracerebral administration of the excitotoxins, N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA), α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxasole (AMPA) or kainic acid. Anisomycin, administered parenterally, in multiple doses did not alter DND induced by any of these excitotoxins, not did combined parenteral and direct intracerebral injection of anisomycin protect against DND induced by AMPA. Thus, neurotoxicity induced by direct intracerebral administration of NMDA, AMPA or kainic acid does not appear to require de novo protein synthesis, and, therefore is not likely to be mediated by the expression of a programmed cell death cascade.
Balint Syndrome in the Pediatric Population: A Case Report of Three Patients (P02.179)

Objective: To discuss occurrence of Balint syndrome in the pediatric population. Background Balint syndrome is a clinical symptom triad of simultagnosia, ocular apraxia and optic ataxia, without occurrence of visual agnosia and with sparing of visual acuity. This occurs secondary to damage of bilateral occipito-parietal regions. This has been described in adults, usually secondary to strokes or tumors. The syndrome is rarely reported in pediatric literature. Design/Methods: Described is a case report of three children seen at a tertiary pediatric hospital, diagnosed with Balint syndrome. Results: Case 1 was a 7 year old male with severe traumatic brain injury, following a motor vehicle accident. Imaging showed damage to the parietal regions, along with minor damage to the cerebellar, frontal and temporal lobes. He showed difficulties in multi-tasking and in maintaining attention, along with the Balint9s symptom triad. He had improvement by 6 months, though he had residual hemiparesis along with memory and attention problems. Case 2 was a 5 year old female with a strong family history of stroke, presenting with new onset seizures. Imaging suggested bilateral parieto-occipital damage, secondary to stroke. However, magnetic resonance spectroscopy suggested a demyelinating disorder. Further workup indicated a mitochondrial disorder. Within a year of presentation, she had significant improvement with resolution of her Balint syndrome. Case 3 was a two and a half year old female who developed herpes encephalitis, resulting in damage to bilateral hippocampi and occipitoparietal regions. Along with the symptom triad, she had marked anterograde amnesia and emotional lability. Her symptoms improved, with only mild deficits in daily living skills one year later. Conclusions: Balint syndrome occurs in children, though the symptom complex may not be easily recognized. Etiologies may vary. In children, resolution is common. Disclosure: Dr. Amin has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ehrreich has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kelly has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lebby has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hutchison has nothing to disclose.
The Acquisition of Italian Morphology: Implications for Models of Language Development.

This study explores the spontaneous acquisition of Italian inflectional morphology by three children (age range I;4-3;O). Longitudinal, free speech samples are examined, focusing on the development of the morphological paradigms of Italian verbs, pronouns and articles. Data analysis is conducted using criteria appropriate to allow reliable cross-linguistic comparisons with data from English. By this means we evaluate the plausibility of a nativist, parameter-setting account of language development in Italian and English, as recently proposed for these two languages. Results show that the general developmental patterns observed in Italian are not significantly different from those found in English. These findings are not consistent with current interpretations of parameter-setting accounts of language development. Alternative explanatory models are discussed.
Fluorometric determination of phenylephrine hydrochloride by liquid chromatography in human plasma

A sensitive method is described for the rapid determination of phenylephrine hydrochloride in human plasma. Phenylephrine was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorecence detection at excitation and emission wavelengths of 270 and 305 nm, respectively. A retention time of approximately 4.25 min was observed on chromatograms. Drug was separated from interfering plasma components by the use of disposable solid-phase extraction columns. Linear standard curves were constructed from drug concentrations of 0.5-5.0 and 2.5-80 ng/mL, for which an average recovery of 76-78% was obtained. Phenylephrine could be quantitatively measured at levels as low as 0.5 ng/mL. An assay precision (CV) of 23.6 and 15.9% was obtained at the lower sensitivities of 0.5 and 1.0 ng/mL, respectively. An example of the method was given for analysis of human plasma levels of drug following topical application of two drops of 2.5% aqueous or 10% viscous opthalmic solution to the eyes of two subjects.
Biphasic response of hippocampal pyramidal neurons to GABA

GABA released either iontophoretically or synaptically near pyramidal neurons in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampal slice could produce a biphasic response: a hyperpolarization followed by a depolarization. The depolarizing component elicited by either method was accompanied by an increased membrane conductance, and a reduction in neuronal discharge. The depolarization was reversed at a potential which was less negative than the resting membrane potential; it was blocked by antagonists of GABA action such as picrotoxin; it was sensitive to manipulation of extracellular chloride concentration; and it persisted in the presence of concentrations of cobalt or manganese which were sufficient to block evoked synaptic activity. Iontophoresis of GABA near the apical dendrites elicited an initial depolarization rather than an initial hyperpolarization, suggesting a dendritic origin for the depolarizing component. Together, these results suggest that GABA can produce, in the same neuron, both hyperpolarizing and depolarizing responses which depend at least in part upon changes in chloride conductances.
Generation and molecular analyses of two rheumatoid synovial fluid–derived IgG rheumatoid factors

Objective. To study the Ig genes that encode IgG rheumatoid factor (IgG-RF) from rheumatoid synovial fluid. Methods. We used rheumatoid synovial fluid B cells to generate IgG-RF–secreting hybridomas. We then characterized their binding properties and determined their nucleotide sequences. Results. Two monospecific IgG-RFs were obtained. Sequence analysis of the RFs revealed a new Vλ gene family (designated Vλ9) and extensive somatic diversification, including a duplication-insertion of 18 nucleotides (6 amino acid residues) into a hypervariable region. Conclusion. The data provide further support for an antigen-driven response in the sustained production of potentially pathogenic IgG-RFs in rheumatoid synovium.
Effects of Waterfall Dimensions and Light Intensity on Age-0 Brook Trout Jumping Performance

Abstract We conducted three experiments to understand the effects of (1) waterfall design (width, height, and plunge pool depth) and (2) light intensity on the ability of age-0 brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis to successfully jump over small waterfalls or vertical obstacles, such as pool-and-weir fishways. We measured the jumping performance of brook trout as a function of waterfall height (2–24 cm), plunge pool depth (8–18 cm), and fish size (total length (TL), mm). Waterfall height and TL had the largest effects on jumping performance. Maximum heights jumped decreased as waterfall height increased or TL decreased. Our second experiment measured the effects of waterfall widths of 10, 20, and 30 cm on age-0 brook trout jumping ability for a fixed waterfall height of 20 cm and a plunge pool depth of 40 cm. Significantly fewer fish jumped through the 10-cm-wide waterfall than through either the 20- or 30-cm-wide waterfalls. Our third experiment measured the jumping success of brook trout at light levels of...
Optimal control problems with retardations and restricted phase coordinates

In this paper, we study necessary conditions for an optimal control problem both with and without restricted phase coordinates. The systems are specified by differential-difference equations with their allowed right-hand sides being a quasiconvex family. The multiplier rule developed by Neustadt is used, and maximum principles in integral form as well as in pointwise form are obtained.
Attentional Requirements for Location and Distance of Movement: Encoding and Recognition

The purpose of this experiment was to study the early processing stages of encoding and recognition of slow movement in a short-term motor-memory paradigm. These stages were examined by determining whether Laabs' (1973) differential decay rates for location of movement and distance of movement could be replicated when the interfering activity was performed during the criterion and replication movements. 20 subjects performed a linear-positioning task in a 2 × 2 × 2 (count × movement type × retention interval) experimental design. 10 subjects in one condition counted backwards by 3s during the criterion and replication movements. There were no detrimental effects for location and distance-cue reproduction when attention was shared with counting backwards. Like Laabs' results, location of movement was maintained over the 15-sec. interval while distance of movement spontaneously changed. These results supported the notion that the early stages of encoding and recognition of cues for movement can occur unaffe...
Structural model of thorax and abdomen for respiratory mechanics

Abstract This paper describes a structural model of the human rib cage and abdomen that incorporates many geometrical and functional features important to the understanding of respiratory mechanics. The rib cage, diaphragm, abdominal wall and lungs are characterized by nonlinear stress-strain characteristics that depend on muscle activity. The positions, volumes, forces and pressures for each set of initial conditions are found by determining mechanical equilibrium. Many such determinations allow predictions for large displacements. The model predicts passive respiratory system behavior and the action of individual respiratory muscles that are qualitatively consistent with physiological data. Respiratory mechanics includes both pulmonary mechanics and mechanics of the chest wall by which we mean the mechanics of the thorax, the abdomen and the diaphragm. The geometrical complexity of the chest wall and its associated muscles of respiration makes rigorous analysis of the mechanics of the respiratory system difficult. This paper describes a structural model of the respiratory system with two degrees of freedom of motion that has been useful for understanding the actions of respiratory muscles. The model was initially developed to test the hypothesis of Goldman and Mead[1] that the diaphragm, contracting by itself, can expand the abdomen and rib cage in the same way as passive inflation of the respiratory system. The model's predictions suggest that coordinated activity of rib cage musculature and diaphragm are required to expand the respiratory system in this way.
EVOLUTION OF XYLEM RESULTED IN A REQUIREMENT FOR BORON IN THE APICAL MERISTEMS OF VASCULAR PLANTS

Summary Critical review of the literature regarding the influence of boron on the metabolism of vascular plants shows that the cessation of cell division in the apical meristem is the earliest and most prevalent result of boron deficiency in vascular plants. Furthermore, the literature, in general, can be interpreted to support the view that perturbations in auxin metabolism, increased signification, phenol accumulation and reduced sucrose transport are probably secondary effects of boron deprivation resulting from the decrease or complete cessation of plant growth. It is proposed that the acquisition of a role for boron essential to the normal functioning of the apical meristem was a consequence of the evolution of xylem and the subsequent passive transport of boron in the transpiration stream. This resulted in the accumulation of boron at the transpiration terminus, i.e. the shoot apex of a primitive vascular plant. Thus, it was in the shoot apex that boron, for the first time in the evolution of life, reached a concentration sufficient to influence the metabolism of an organism. In support of this hypothesis, evidence is presented that demonstrates that boron probably was not available in the environment at a concentration great enough to result in its being a primordial essential nutrient. The accumulation of boron in the shoot apex resulted in the acquisition of an essential role for boron in vascular plants, thereby imparting the selective advantage of preventing boron toxicity. In addition, the accumulation of boron in the shoot apex to a concentration sufficient to influence the metabolism of a eucaryotic cell presents the possibility that boron may be required by vascular plants in a metabolic pathway that is not unique to them, but one which they may have in common with non-vascular plants and, potentially, all living organisms. A possible role for boron in maintaining an adequate supply of one or more species of pyrimidine nucleotide or in facilitating their utilization is proposed.
Single-chip 4 TX + 4 RX optical module based on holey SiGe transceiver IC

Optical 4 + 4 transceivers based on holey Optochip design using IBM BiCMOS8HP technology have been successfully assembled and characterized. The transceiver Optochip consists of an 8-channel single chip SiGe IC, containing all of the transmitter (TX) and receiver (RX) amplification circuitry, with flip-chip attached 4-channel VCSEL and photodiode arrays. Optical access to the conventional topside emitting 850-nm optoelectronic arrays is achieved through optical vias (holes) integrated into the transceiver IC. A laser ablation process was used to fabricate the 8 optical vias in individual SiGe ICs. For the Optochip assembly, the 2 optoelectronic arrays are sequentially flip-chip soldered to the IC using AuSn solder. The Optochips were subsequently flip-chip soldered to 8 mm × 8 mm high-speed high-density organic carriers forming the complete transceiver module. Electrical I/O is provided through BGA pads on 0.8mm pitch at the bottom of the module while optical access is provided through the 8 optical vias through the backside of the IC. The fully assembled transceiver modules are soldered to a test card for high speed evaluation. The Nelco 4000 test card contains a BGA site in the center for attachment of the optical transceiver module and differential high-speed transmission lines routed from high-speed electrical connectors to the module TX inputs and RX outputs. The optical inputs/outputs to the Optochip are coupled to MMF probes through the optical vias. Eye-diagrams were measured for TX outputs as well as TX-to-RX links at data rates 20 Gb/s to 38 Gb/s. Measurements on all 8 optical links between 2 transceiver modules showed all operate error free (BER <; 10-12) up to 36 Gb/s. This record per channel data rate for a parallel optical transceiver is achieved using feed forward equalization (FFE) circuitry incorporated in the SiGe IC. At 36 Gb/s, the transceiver module achieves a bidirectional aggregate bandwidth of 144 Gb/s with power efficiency of 20 pJ/bit for each TX-RX link.
Prospective memory on a novel clinical task in older adults with mild cognitive impairment and subjective cognitive decline

Despite the relevance of prospective memory to everyday functioning and the ability to live independently, prospective memory tasks are rarely incorporated into clinical evaluations of older adults. We investigated the validity and clinical utility of a recently developed measure, the Royal Prince Alfred Prospective Memory Test (RPA-ProMem), in a demographically diverse, non-demented, community-dwelling sample of 257 older adults (mean age = 80.78 years, 67.7% female) with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI, n = 18), nonamestic mild cognitive impairment (naMCI, n = 38), subjective cognitive decline (SCD, n = 83) despite intact performance on traditional episodic memory tests, and healthy controls (HC, n = 118). Those with aMCI and naMCI performed significantly worse than controls on the RPA-ProMem and its subtasks (time-based, event-based, short-term, long-term). Also, those with SCD scored significantly lower than controls on long-term, more naturalistic subtasks. Additional results supported the v...
Rates of cerebral atrophy in autopsy-confirmed progressive supranuclear palsy

Objective To determine the rates of cerebral atrophy and ventricular expansion in six patients with autopsy confirmed progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and multiple antemortem volumetric head MRI scans. Methods This study uses the boundary shift integral to determine rates of cerebral atrophy and ventricular expansion in six patients with pathologically confirmed PSP compared with six age- and sex-matched control subjects. Results: Patients with PSP had a rate of cerebral atrophy and ventricular expansion of 1.3 and 7.0% per year compared with 0.4 and 1.8% in control subjects. Interpretation These rates provide a benchmark that can be used to monitor future treatment response in PSP. Ann Neurol 2006
VPCL: A visual language for teaching and learning programming. (A picture is worth a thousand words)

Abstract There is a need to incorporate visualization in programming. This visualization can be accomplished through various programming steps such as plan composition, language constructs and program execution. Several empirical studies of programmers reveal that major programming errors are related to plan composition and language constructs. These programming steps are considered in the development of a new visual environment known as VPCL. To understand and learn programming, VPCL is divided into three phases: plan observation, plan integration and plan creation. During the plan observation or elementary level, the programming steps of a plan are rehearsed. In the intermediate level, the plans of a given problem are integrated by the user. In the advanced level, all the programming steps are developed using VPCL tools and the language constructs library. Each phase of VPCL is illustrated in detail with several examples. The effectiveness of VPCL as an instructional and developmental tool is demonstrated by the analysis of a sample empirical study.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Structural Mapping Reveals Promiscuous Interactions between Clathrin-Box Motif Sequences and the N-Terminal Domain of the Clathrin Heavy Chain

The recruitment and organization of clathrin at endocytic sites first to form coated pits and then clathrin-coated vesicles depend on interactions between the clathrin N-terminal domain (TD) and multiple clathrin binding sequences on the cargo adaptor and accessory proteins that are concentrated at such sites. Up to four distinct protein binding sites have been proposed to be present on the clathrin TD, with each site proposed to interact with a distinct clathrin binding motif. However, an understanding of how such interactions contribute to clathrin coat assembly must take into account observations that any three of these four sites on clathrin TD can be mutationally ablated without causing loss of clathrin-mediated endocytosis. To take an unbiased approach to mapping binding sites for clathrin-box motifs on clathrin TD, we used isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Our ITC experiments revealed that a canonical clathrin-box motif peptide from the AP-2 adaptor...
Preservice teachers, caring communities, and parent partnerships: Challenges and possibilities for early childhood teacher education

Abstract The creation of caring classroom communities and a heightened focus on the central importance of partnerships between teachers and parents are two significant features of the revised guidelines for developmentally appropriate practices [Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs, revised ed., National Association for the Education of Young Children, Washington, DC]. This article reports findings from a study of preservice primary grade teachers’ understandings of caring in which participants developed negative, adversarial beliefs about parents during their initial field placement period. The findings in this study indicate that in order to prepare preservice teachers to meet our expectations for high quality early childhood teaching practices, we must create teacher education programs and coursework specifically aimed at developing commitments to caring community and to parent partnership.